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News Briefs 03/02/18

March 2, 2018

Prepare for soggy, windy Friday, Saturday
Batten down the hatches and secure the mainstays – the National Weather Service is calling for rain, high winds and flooding beginning as the paper went to press. The NWS has issued a high-wind watch from Friday, March 2, through the morning of Saturday, March 3. There's a predicted northwest wind of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph. The strongest winds are expected late Friday morning through Friday evening. Winds will gradually diminish late Friday night. The NWS predicts the winds will blow down trees and power lines, which may cause widespread power outages. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.

The NWS has also issued a coastal flood watch for Sussex and Kent counties. Numerous roadways are expected to flood and minor to moderate property damage is possible. The NWS said tides and wave action will likely result in moderate beach erosion. High tide on the oceanfront occurs between 7:45 and 8:45 p.m., Friday; between 8 and 9 a.m., Saturday; and between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., Saturday. High tide on the back bays and on Delaware Bay occurs later than the high tide on the oceanfront. The NWS is predicting a storm surge of about 1 foot late Friday that could build to 3 feet Saturday.

Dewey could hire new town manager
Dewey town council has scheduled an executive session and meeting for 6 p.m., Monday, March 5, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Following the executive session, the meeting agenda calls for a possible vote to adopt a resolution appointing a new town manager.

Delaware joins States for Gun Safety Coalition
Gov. John Carney announced Feb. 26 that Delaware will join States for Gun Safety, a multi-state partnership aimed at preventing gun-related violence. The coalition was founded recently by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló also joined the coalition Feb. 26. As part of the coalition, Delaware will join a multi-state task force to trace and intercept illegal guns in the region; work to enhance intelligence gathering, information sharing, and response efforts related to gun violence; and leverage collective investigative resources in order to determine comprehensive, coordinated plans for gun violence responses.

Delaware will also now share information about individuals who are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm within each state. The agreement, in accordance with federal and state privacy protections, will provide state law enforcement agencies with details on the firearm purchase or permit denials for those who are disqualified. Additionally, the partner states will work together to designate an institute of higher education to join the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, a multi-disciplinary data-collection group tasked with producing recommendations for reducing gun violence.

Sussex council not meeting March 6
Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, March 6. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 13, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. County council will also not meet Tuesday, March 27, or Tuesday, April 3.

School violence meeting set March 5
There will be a community organizational meeting against school violence in the wake of the most recent shootings in Florida Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m., at Bethel United Methodist Church, West 4th Street, Lewes. Everyone is invited to come to this meeting to help organize a peaceful walk in Lewes to be held Saturday, March 24, in coordination with the national walk, March for Our Lives, being held in Washington, D.C. This event is nonpartisan, and open to all people; men, women and children of all ages who wish to be heard and seen in order to keep children safe and to eradicate guns in schools. More information will be available to the public after the March 5 meeting.

March 8 biz social to introduce new director
The Milton Chamber of Commerce will host its first business social in more than a year from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 8, at Irish Eyes Milton. During the event, chamber board members will introduce new Executive Director Terri Fox to the community. Board members invite representatives from all area businesses and organizations to attend, both chamber members and nonmembers. Events like this help chamber members by connecting Milton-area businesses, organizations and community leaders. Host business Irish Eyes Milton, at 105 Union St., will provide food and beverages. Attendees may bring items reflecting their businesses to be used as door prizes. The social is free. For more information, email chamber@historicmilton.com or call 302-684-1101.

Learn about Clean Water campaign
The Clean Water: Delaware's Clear Choice campaign is a statewide effort focused on securing dedicated funding for clean water projects throughout the First State. The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and the Delaware Nature Society invite everyone to a free informal kickoff event from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, at the center, 39375 Inlet Road, south of Dewey Beach. Attendees can find out what the campaign is about and how they can help create clean water for drinking, fishing, swimming, boating, and more. Pizza, snacks, and drinks are free; RSVP to 302-226-8105 to ensure accurate numbers.

Hung jury in Rehoboth rape case
A Sussex County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case of a Dover man charged with attempted rape and kidnapping in Rehoboth Beach. After two hours of deliberations Feb. 19, a hung jury came back in the case of Joshua Abele, 21, who had been charged with first-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping. Prosecutors said Abele forced himself on a 21-year old woman at a house on Oak Avenue.
The woman told police Abele confronted her with a gun, later determined by police to be a BB gun, and prevented her from leaving the house.

Abele, who took the stand in his own defense during the five-day trial, said their encounter was consensual. Abele's attorney, Edward Gill said, "We hope this is the end of this case and hope the state doesn't drag this up again. We hope this is the end." Carl Kanefsky, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Justice, said the state has not made a decision on whether to retry the case.

Cape Gazette continues to expand in Sussex
The Cape Gazette recently added four new single sales locations – Lefty's Alley and Eats, 36450 Plaza Drive, Lewes; Shell We Bounce, 32295 Lewes Georgetown Hwy., Lewes; M&H Restaurant, 2296 Union St. Extended, Milton; and the Lincoln Store, 8405 Rd 38B, Lincoln.
Including boxes and stores, the Cape Gazette now has 237 single sales locations throughout Sussex County. If you're interested in selling our newspaper at your store, please contact Chris Flood, circulation manager, at 302-645-7700, Ext. 335 or cflood@capegazette.com.

 

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