News Briefs 2/18/25
Lewes planners to discuss at-home businesses Feb. 19
The Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Rollins Center.
The panel is slated to discuss and possibly take action on a proposed at-home business ordinance.
The ordinance was born out of a couple’s application for a home-based dog grooming business.
Dog grooming is currently not permitted as a home-based business.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Acres environmental committee to meet
The Henlopen Acres Environmental Approval Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, in town hall, 104 Tidewaters.
The agenda calls for possible action on the revised site plan for 99 Tidewaters and possible action on the revised tree plan for 46 Pine Reach.
For more information, town hall can be reached at 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Lewes African American panels to meet Feb. 20
The Lewes Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, at city hall.
The city’s African American Heritage Commission will meet at 6 p.m. at the same location.
Both groups are scheduled to discuss DE250 grant opportunities.
See both full agendas and meeting links at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes architecture group to meet
The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at the Rollins Center.
The panel will discuss its proposed 2025 standards and guidelines.
Lewes budget hearing to focus on resiliency
Lewes Mayor and City Council will discuss a proposed resiliency fund during a budget hearing at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 21, at city hall.
The fund would allow the city to pay for prevention measures and recovery from major storms.
The city is proposing that the fund have $1.4 million in the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Rehoboth budget workshop set Feb. 21
Rehoboth Beach will hold its third budget workshop for Fiscal Year 2026 at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 21, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for discussions about the water and wastewater departments, revenue, employee health insurance, employee merit increase, mayor and commissioner salaries, and adjustments to the capital improvement budget. To date, city staff have proposed about a $43.8 million budget for the next fiscal year, which begins Tuesday, April 1. After this workshop, there are two more scheduled in March, and the budget is expected to be approved during the commissioner meeting Friday, March 21.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.
Only in-person attendees may make comments.
For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Rehoboth meeting slated for Feb. 21
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will meet at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
The agenda calls for public hearings related to a modified floor plan at Downtown Blues and for changes to city code related to basements. The agenda also includes a discussion related to the financial component of a proposed agreement to form a three-way regional wastewater partnership with Sussex County and Lewes Board of Public Works.
The agenda also calls for discussions on the city’s fund balance and net position policy, ratification of the police union’s new contract, and consideration of a resolution that would set an appeal date for a hearing on the proposed Belhaven Hotel.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments.
For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Ingrams Pond boat ramp to close Feb. 24
The Ingrams Pond Boat Ramp near Millsboro will close as of Monday, Feb. 24, for construction of a new ramp and an expanded ramp parking lot. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife project will include replacement of the existing boat ramp, installation of a new courtesy dock and expansion of the parking lot to accommodate boating trailers.
The Ingrams Pond project is expected to be completed by the end of May in time for the peak boating and fishing season. While the Ingrams Pond ramp and parking lot are inaccessible, anglers are encouraged to use the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Millsboro Pond Boat Ramp, which is the nearest alternative for launching a boat to fish in the area. For more information related to the Ingrams Pond fishing area closure, call the DNREC Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.
Milton’s Front Street to close Feb. 24
The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced Front Street between Federal Street and Cave Neck Road will be closed from Monday, Feb. 24 through Monday, March 3 (weather permitting) for a wastewater mainline repair.
Motorists wanting to travel northbound on Front Street from Cave Neck Road will continue on Cave Neck Road and turn right on Federal Street, then left onto Union Street. Motorists wanting to travel southbound Front Street from Union Street will turn right onto Federal Street, then left onto Atlantic Street, which turns into Cave Neck Road.
For more information, go to deldot.gov or tune to WTMC-AM 1380.
Nicola dining to benefit local groups Feb. 24
Nicola Pizza will host a dine-and-donate fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, at 17323 Ocean One Plaza in Lewes. Proceeds will benefit GFWC Women’s Club of Indian River community activities and Delmarva Aces 12U travel baseball. Nicola will donate 20% of dine-in sales to be split between the two groups.
Gals That Give Read Aloud benefit RSVPs due Feb. 27
Gals That Give will host a ladies-only event to benefit Read Aloud Delaware from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 6, at Bally’s Resort & Casino, 1131 N Dupont Hwy., Dover. The nonprofit’s mission is to help children develop literacy skills, build confidence and acquire a love of reading. The evening includes dinner and a silent auction. The deadline to reserve tickets is Thursday, Feb. 27, at GalsThatGive.com.
Chronic kidney disease free seminar set Feb. 28
TidalHealth will hold a free seminar on chronic kidney disease from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, at the TidalHealth Training Center, 121 S. Front St., Seaford. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that around 15% of adults in the United States have CKD, and up to 90% of adults with CKD are unaware of their condition. TidalHealth nephrologist Janet Pedro, MD, will discuss how to slow down the disease progress; how patients can monitor their kidney disease; diet, dialysis and transplant options; and financial considerations. The event is open to people with CKD along with their family members and/or caregivers. Space is limited. To RSVP, call 302-297-2415 or email Bianca.Harmon@tidalhealth.org.
Bayhealth collecting donations for Food Bank of Delaware
To address food insecurity within the community, Bayhealth is hosting a donation drive to support the Food Bank of Delaware, which will use the items to provide assistance for individuals and families in need.
Community members, businesses and organizations are invited to participate by donating nonperishable food items through Friday, March 14. Drop-off locations include the main entrances of Bayhealth Kent and Sussex hospitals, and its walk-in care locations in Milton, Dover and Smyrna.
Needed items include hot and cold cereals, canned vegetables, peanut butter, canned fruit, canned meats, rice, pasta, healthy snacks like granola bars, and 100% fruit and vegetable juice.
“At Bayhealth, we are committed to the community and want to demonstrate the importance of supporting in ways that reach beyond the walls of our hospitals,” said Carrie Hart, Bayhealth community relations partnership manager. “This food drive provides an opportunity for everyone to make a positive impact and contribute to fighting food insecurity in Delaware.”
For more information and to view a comprehensive list of needed items, go to Bayhealth.org/Food-Drive or email community_outreach@bayhealth.org.
GFWC Delaware scholarship applications due March 20
The GFWC Delaware State Federation of Women’s Clubs is accepting scholarship applications online and by mail through Thursday, March 20.
This year, GFWC Delaware is offering a $2,000 scholarship for graduating high school seniors and a $1,000 scholarship for an individual returning to school in higher education or vocational education institutions. All applicants must be Delaware residents.
To apply, go to GFWCDelaware.org and Delaware Scholarship Compendium, where the information is listed alphabetically under “G.”
For details or a mailing address, contact Diane F. Raycob, GFWC Delaware custodian of student funds, at draycob@verizon.net.
Johnson Orthodontic scholarship applications due March 31
Johnson Orthodontics announced the deadline to apply for this year’s Extraordinary Smiles Scholarship is Monday, March. 31. Two $500 college scholarships will be awarded to members of the Class of 2025. Applicants must be high school seniors who are current or former patients of Johnson Orthodontics. To apply, go to rehobothorthodontics.com/scholarship-application.
Dining with Diabetes classes start April 1
The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will host Dining with Diabetes, a five-session workshop, from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 30, at the Carvel Research and Education Center, 16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown.
Designed for people with diabetes and their families, and open to anyone with or without diabetes, the series includes diabetes education, cooking demonstrations and chances to taste healthy foods.
Participants will learn strategies to manage their diabetes through meal planning, food selection, portion control and label reading. To learn more, go to udel.edu/extension/diabetes or contact Kimi Moore at 302-730-4000 or kamoore@udel.edu.
Agriculture scholarship applications due April 30
The First State Antique Tractor Club is accepting scholarship applications until Wednesday, April 30.
Three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors interested in a college agriculture degree.
To apply, go to firststateantiquetractorclub.com.
Dems win Senate special elections
Democratic candidates swept two special elections Feb. 15, meaning Democrats will retain their 15-6 majority in the state Senate.
Dan Cruce was elected to represent Wilmington’s Senate District 1 after winning a three-way race with 79% of the vote. Cruce will now complete the four-year term of former Sen. Sarah McBride.
Ray Seigfried was elected by voters in Brandywine Hundred’s Senate District 5, defeating his Republican opponent with 67% of the vote. Seigfried will complete the four-year term of former Sen. Kyle Evans Gay.
Cruce and Seigfried officially became senators as of midnight, Feb. 16.
“Tonight we elected two strong, seasoned leaders who are ready to hit the ground running for the people of Delaware,” said Senate President Pro Tempore David P. Sokola, Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, and Senate Majority Whip S. Elizabeth Lockman. “We are grateful to Dan and Ray for stepping up to run in these special elections, and we thank the voters for sustaining our Senate supermajority so we can continue to deliver for Delawareans and defend our state against federal attacks on our shared values.”
Election results are available at elections.delaware.gov.
Rehoboth seeks renewal of waste transporters permit
Rehoboth Beach has applied to Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Commercial and Government Services Section for renewal of its non-hazardous liquid waste transporters permit.
The permit allows for transport of municipal or industrial biosolids to be disposed of at Inland Bays Regional Wastewater Facility.
View the application and other relevant information about this application at de.gov/dnrecnotices.
Comments or concerns about the renewal of permit are due by Wednesday, Feb. 26. They should be sent to DNREC Div. of Water, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, call 302-739-9948 or email Commercial_Government_LegalNotice@delaware.gov.
