Delaware Senate passes court date reminder text program

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM SATURDAY TO 2 AM EDT SUNDAY... * WHAT...Up to one foot of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...Portions of central and southern Delaware and New Jersey. * WHEN...From 8 PM Saturday to 2 AM EDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...At this level, flooding begins on the most vulnerable roads in coastal and bayside communities, and along inland tidal waterways. Some partial or full road closures are possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Coastal Flood Advisory means that minor tidal flooding is expected. Minor tidal flooding often results in some road closures. Usually, the most vulnerable roadways will flood. Do not leave your vehicle at a location that is prone to tidal flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be deeper than you think it is. You will be putting yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged, leading to costly repairs. Visit the National Water Prediction Service at https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/phi for additional water level and flood impact information for your local tide gauge. && Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour. Murderkill River at Bowers Beach MLLW Categories - Minor 6.6 ft, Moderate 7.6 ft, Major 8.6 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 0.9 ft, Moderate 1.9 ft, Major 2.9 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/10 PM 7.1 1.4 0.6 Minor 18/11 AM 6.7 1.0 1.4 Minor 18/11 PM 7.5 1.8 0.8 Minor 19/11 AM 6.2 0.5 1.1 None 20/12 AM 7.5 1.8 0.8 Minor 20/12 PM 5.3 -0.4 0.4 None Delaware Bay at Lewes MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 7.0 ft, Major 8.0 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/10 PM 6.0 1.3 0.9 Minor 18/10 AM 5.4 0.8 1.2 None 18/10 PM 6.6 2.0 1.3 Minor 19/10 AM 5.0 0.3 1.1 None 19/11 PM 6.3 1.7 1.0 Minor 20/11 AM 4.2 -0.5 0.4 None Arthur Kill at Perth Amboy MLLW Categories - Minor 7.2 ft, Moderate 8.2 ft, Major 9.2 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.5 ft, Moderate 2.5 ft, Major 3.5 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/09 PM 7.3 1.6 0.7 Minor 18/09 AM 6.3 0.6 0.7 None 18/09 PM 7.8 2.1 1.1 Minor 19/10 AM 6.6 0.9 1.1 None 19/10 PM 7.2 1.5 0.6 Minor 20/11 AM 5.4 -0.3 0.1 None Sandy Hook Bay at Sandy Hook MLLW Categories - Minor 6.7 ft, Moderate 7.7 ft, Major 8.7 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.5 ft, Moderate 2.5 ft, Major 3.5 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/09 PM 6.9 1.7 1.0 Minor 18/09 AM 6.2 1.0 1.1 None 18/09 PM 7.3 2.1 1.3 Minor 19/10 AM 6.2 1.0 1.3 None 19/10 PM 6.9 1.7 0.9 Minor 20/11 AM 5.1 -0.1 0.4 None Watson Creek at Manasquan MLLW Categories - Minor 5.7 ft, Moderate 6.7 ft, Major 7.7 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/08 PM 5.4 1.0 0.4 None 18/09 AM 4.8 0.4 0.6 None 18/09 PM 6.1 1.7 1.1 Minor 19/10 AM 4.7 0.3 0.6 None 19/10 PM 5.3 0.9 0.3 None 20/11 AM 3.9 -0.5 0.0 None Maurice River at Bivalve MLLW Categories - Minor 7.6 ft, Moderate 8.6 ft, Major 9.6 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/10 PM 7.9 1.6 1.0 Minor 18/11 AM 7.2 0.9 1.4 None 18/11 PM 8.2 1.9 1.2 Minor 19/11 AM 6.6 0.3 1.0 None 20/12 AM 8.1 1.8 1.2 Minor 20/12 PM 6.0 -0.3 0.5 None Atlantic Ocean at Atlantic City MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 7.0 ft, Major 8.0 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.4 ft, Moderate 2.4 ft, Major 3.4 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/08 PM 6.2 1.6 1.0 Minor 18/09 AM 5.5 0.9 1.3 None 18/09 PM 6.7 2.1 1.4 Minor 19/10 AM 5.4 0.8 1.3 None 19/10 PM 6.3 1.7 1.0 Minor 20/11 AM 4.5 -0.1 0.7 None Great Egg Harbor Bay at Ocean City MLLW Categories - Minor 5.3 ft, Moderate 6.3 ft, Major 7.3 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.3 ft, Moderate 2.3 ft, Major 3.3 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/09 PM 5.1 1.1 0.4 None 18/09 AM 4.5 0.5 0.8 None 18/10 PM 5.9 1.9 1.1 Minor 19/10 AM 4.4 0.4 0.7 None 19/10 PM 5.2 1.2 0.5 None 20/11 AM 3.5 -0.5 0.0 None Cape May Harbor at Cape May MLLW Categories - Minor 6.2 ft, Moderate 7.2 ft, Major 8.2 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.1 ft, Moderate 2.1 ft, Major 3.1 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/09 PM 6.4 1.3 0.7 Minor 18/09 AM 5.8 0.7 1.1 None 18/10 PM 7.1 2.0 1.2 Minor 19/10 AM 5.3 0.2 0.8 None 19/10 PM 6.6 1.5 0.7 Minor 20/11 AM 4.5 -0.6 0.2 None Barnegat Bay at Barnegat Light MLLW Categories - Minor 3.5 ft, Moderate 4.5 ft, Major 5.5 ft MHHW Categories - Minor 1.0 ft, Moderate 2.0 ft, Major 3.0 ft Total Total Departure Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Flood ft MLLW ft MHHW ft Impact -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- 17/08 PM 3.5 1.0 0.6 Minor 18/09 AM 3.0 0.5 0.7 None 18/09 PM 3.9 1.4 0.9 Minor 19/10 AM 3.0 0.5 0.8 None 19/10 PM 3.5 1.0 0.5 Minor 20/10 AM 2.4 -0.1 0.3 None &&

Madeleine Overturf
Madeleine Overturf
Evening Broadcast Journalist

Madeleine has been with Draper Media since 2016, when she first worked as Sussex County Bureau Chief. She helped launch the rebranded CoastTV in 2019. As co-anchor of CoastTV News at 5 and 6, Maddie helps organize the evening newscasts and performs managerial responsibilities such as helping find and assign stories, approving scripts, and making content decisions.

Author email
Apr 17, 2026
1 hr ago

DOVER, Del. — A proposal aimed at reducing missed court appearances in Delaware is moving forward after clearing the state Senate.

Senate Joint Resolution 13, sponsored by Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn of Georgetown, passed the Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The measure directs the Delaware Judiciary to create a pilot program in Justice of the Peace Court that would send text message reminders to people with upcoming court dates. The program is designed to help improve attendance and reduce disruptions within the court system.

“Missed court appearances create unnecessary challenges for both individuals and our justice system,” Pettyjohn said. “This resolution takes a practical, data-driven approach to addressing that issue by leveraging simple technology to improve communication and reduce avoidable consequences. With text reminders costing less than a penny, this is a small investment that can lead to significant savings by reducing missed court dates.”

Under the proposal, people scheduled for criminal and traffic cases would receive automated reminders ahead of their court dates.

The resolution also requires the Judiciary to study the costs, benefits and logistics of expanding the program statewide. A report on those findings is due by June 1, 2027.

“I’m encouraged by the bipartisan support this measure received in the Senate,” Pettyjohn added. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to see this common-sense initiative continue moving forward.”

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Delaware Senate passes court date reminder text program

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