News Briefs 10/17/25

Milton begins Chestnut St. repaving 

Work has begun on a street rehabilitation project on Chestnut Street in Milton.

The project is expected to last through the end of October and will include improvements to the sidewalk ramps and street resurfacing on a section of Chestnut Street in the area of Coulter and New streets. 

Dewey Town Council to meet Oct. 17

Dewey Beach Town Council will meet at 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at the town lifesaving station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.

Commissioners will discuss the town’s ordinance relating to use of canopies on the beach and review the results of the Beach Canopy Poll from the October 2025 town newsletter.

They will also discuss and possibly vote on a resolution to transfer $160,000 from the Town Hall Capital Improvement Fund to general capital improvements to cover 2026 and 2027 expenditures; a resolution to renew the town’s contract with its auditing firm, Mitchell Titus; and a request to the finance committee to review and provide recommendations on the town’s general fund balance policy.

Also on the agenda are a presentation by Dewey Beach Patrol Capt. Todd Fritchman on the 2025 DBP Statistics report, a discussion about the town’s current guidelines for beach bonfires and potential safety concerns, a review of the town’s September financial reports, and a discussion and possible vote to appoint Susan Macey, Lily Gosnear and Rick Schwitzer to the marketing committee.

See the agenda and meeting link at townofdeweybeach.gov.

Veterans town hall meeting set Oct. 17 in Long Neck

Sussex County Vietnam Veterans are sponsoring a town hall meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at American Legion Post 28, 31768 Legion Road, Long Neck.

The meeting will focus on healthcare and benefits support for all veterans.

This is an opportunity for eligible individuals to sign up for Veterans Administration healthcare, file claims and get questions answered about new benefits.

The meeting will be conducted by Delaware Veterans Affairs Secretary Karen Berry, Sussex County elected officials, and representatives for VA healthcare and benefits management. 

Animal blessings set Oct. 18 at Groome Church

Groome Church will hold a Blessing of the Animals  at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, in its side yard at 601 Savannah Road, Lewes. Associate Pastor Richard Evans and the Rev. Dr. S. Willard Crossan III will offer blessings for God’s creatures, great and small. Treats and toys for animals and refreshments for pet parents will be provided.

Crossan said, “This is one of my most favorite days on Groome’s calendar. Held on or around the feast day of Francis of Assisi, a patron saint of animals, the blessing is not just for pets and other companion animals, but also for the human-animal relationship. We’re hoping for lovely fall weather, friendly pets and kindly people, a perfect mix.”

The event also raises awareness of animal rights and welfare, and donations will be accepted to support Humane Animal Partners in Rehoboth Beach.

For more information, go to groomechurchlewes.org and humaneanimalpartners.org

Beebe Walk to Remember reset for Oct. 19

Beebe Healthcare Perinatal Loss Support Services will host the rescheduled 21st Annual Walk to Remember at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19, starting at the Savannah Beach parking area, 206 Bay Ave., Lewes.

The Walk to Remember offers families the opportunity to honor the memory of babies who have died through tubal pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal or infant death.

Participants may preregister or register onsite Oct. 19. Attendees will gather at the parking lot before the half-mile walk and proceed as a group along the beach. At the end of the walk, a short memorial service will take place.

Parents wishing to have the names of their infant(s) included in the program can call Anna Drocella, RN, at 302-645-3100, Ext. 5872 to see if there is still time for registration due to the delayed event. Participants may choose to purchase a memorial shirt for $15.

Voluntary donations are accepted to help offset event costs. Checks may be made payable to Beebe Medical Foundation with the memo line “supporting perinatal services.” All donations are tax-deductible; contact Drocella for details.

UUSD to discuss connections Oct. 19

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 19, with “Choosing Connection: Spiritual Practices for Generous, Wild Resistance” as the topic.

Lenore Bajare-Dukes said, “In times of rising fascism, practices that cultivate generosity, spiritual resilience and interdependence matter all the more. In a culture that rewards individualism and isolation, intergenerational communities of deep human connection remain stubbornly countercultural. What unexpected forms of strength, courage and resistance emerge when we let our values lead us? We’ll reflect on and even have the chance to try out some simple practices for sustaining community and kindling hope.”

Learn more at uussd.org. 

Lewes parks panel to meet Oct. 20

The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its monthly meeting at 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes review and possible action on an ordinance that would ban non-emergency aircraft from takeoffs and landings on Lewes beaches.

Route 1 lanes to shift at Holland Glade Road

The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced a full lane shift of Route 1 northbound and southbound beginning Monday, Oct. 21, at the intersection with Holland Glade Road.

The lane shifts will allow work in the median area as part of ongoing intersection improvements to add a new traffic signal.

As part of this work, the bike/bus lane will be temporarily closed. The lane shift is expected to remain in place for about 28 days, with all lanes anticipated to be restored prior to the start of the holiday shopping season. For more information, go to deldot.gov or tune to WTMC-AM 1380.

Lewes art group to meet Oct. 22

The Lewes Public Art Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action regarding the 2026 installation by artist Wally Dion. See agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Police accountability training set Oct. 22

The Rehoboth Beach/Lewes Police Accountability Committee will hold a training session at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, 229 Rehoboth Ave. 

An agenda calls for training to include an overview of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department facilities and 911 Communications Center.

This committee, which provides advice to the departments on policy, training, how the departments engage in diverse communities and other issues, has met twice since being formed.

The committee is solely an advisory entity. The formation of the committee is the result of a 2023 police accountability law that, among other things, requires all the state’s police departments, either individually or in combination with other departments, to create the committee.

Free retirement workshops start Oct. 23

InFocus Financial Advisors will host a free Retirement Ready Bootcamp this fall at the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach.

A three-part workshop series designed to help individuals plan for and thrive in retirement will include sessions on Investment Strategies for a Confident Retirement Thursday, Oct. 23; Savvy Social Security Thursday, Oct. 30; and Staying Successful in Retirement Thursday, Nov. 6

Workshops are led by Eric Johnston, CFP, and Gregory Holman, FPQP.

Learn more and register at retireinfocus.com.

Camera club student contest entries due Oct. 31

Inviting budding photographers to showcase their creativity and storytelling skills, Coastal Camera Club announced its high school photo contest opened Oct. 1, with submissions due by Friday, Oct. 31. Students in grades nine to 12 are encouraged to capture the world of Sussex County through their lens and share their unique perspectives with the community.

Whether photographers are snapping shots on a smartphone or working with professional gear, all styles and skill levels are welcome. With the theme What Makes Sussex County Special, photos can capture people, jobs, locations, scenes, animals or other subjects, as long as they are in Sussex. All entrants must be Coastal Camera Club members. Youth membership is free.

Each student may submit up to five photos. To learn more, go to coastalcameraclub.com.

Camp Hope auction fundraiser set Nov. 1

Conley's Methodist Church will host an auction fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at 33106 Jolyns Way, Lewes. All are welcome. Proceeds will support Camp Hope, a free summer camp program for underprivileged children in area communities, making a lasting impact on their social and emotional growth. 

The event will include live and silent auctions featuring items such as golf outings, a generator, small refrigerator, fire pit, jewelry and more. The live auction begins at 1 p.m. Lunch foods will be available. Learn more at facebook.com/p/Camp-Hope-of-Delaware-61558153974905.

Fall fest to feature international foods Nov. 1-2

The Eastern Orthodox Community of St. Andrew will welcome everyone to its annual fall fest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8. Admission is free. Attractions include a themed basket auction, international foods, bake sale with a variety of Greek pastries, Mediterranean market and much more. St. Andrew the Apostle Orthodox Church is located at 33384 MacKenzie Way off Plantation Road, Lewes. To learn more, call 302-945-5197 or go to orthodoxdelmar.org/fallfest.

Rehoboth shade tree meeting canceled

The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission has canceled its October meeting because of a lack of agenda items.