News Briefs 11/16/21

Cape Gazette posts early deadlines

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the classified and retail advertising deadlines for the Friday, Nov. 26 edition of the Cape Gazette will be noon, Monday, Nov. 22. The retail and classified advertising deadlines for the Tuesday, Nov. 30 edition will be noon, Wednesday, Nov. 24. Cape Gazette offices will be closed Thursday-Friday, Nov. 25-26.

Dewey marketing committee to meet

The Dewey Beach Marketing Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Members will discuss and possibly vote to approve ideas for securing donations from the public for the town beautification project and to approve a design for the 2021 Dewey Beach holiday ornament.

Dewey commissioners meet Nov. 19

Dewey Beach commissioners will meet at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 19, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. A public hearing will be held on a resolution to approve using up to $27,000 from the infrastructure funds account for the Read Avenue stormwater repair project, and another public hearing will be held on a draft ordinance regarding wireless facilities. Other possible votes include approving a climate change committee, creating a working group to discuss town hall and police department facilities space requirements, and approving the personnel policy manual. The full agenda and Zoom link are available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Rehoboth planning to discuss CDP Nov. 18

The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, to discuss the 2021 Comprehensive Development Plan. This will be the first time the plan has been discussed in public since the city’s new consultant was hired in September. The city has been working on the CDP since December 2018 and the public has yet to see a rough draft. The document was supposed to be finished by July 2020, but the city has received two one-year extensions to complete the project. The state’s third and final completion deadline is July 2022. There will also be a discussion on the proposed Belhaven Hotel. The meeting will be conducted virtually, with an anchor location of Rehoboth Beach City Hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. People wishing to speak must preregister by emailing City Secretary Ann Womack, awomack@cityofrehoboth.com, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Rehoboth meeting slated Nov. 19

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will meet virtually at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 19, with an anchor location of Rehoboth Beach City Hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for an administrative appeal hearing related to the desired removal of a gingko tree located between the sidewalk and curb adjacent to 60 Maryland Ave., as well as an update on the Dolle’s sign and a possible vote on operational changes related to solid waste, recycling and yard waste collection. People wishing to speak must preregister by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Lewes bike and ped to meet Nov. 16

The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16, at city hall and via Zoom. The agenda includes discussion on the American Legion Road-Savannah Road intersection, the Second Street-Savannah Road crosswalk, e-bikes and a digital map and guide. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes subdivision code panel to meet

The Subdivision Code Subcommittee of the Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16, at city hall and via Zoom. The group will discuss potential changes to the city’s subdivision and land development code. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes African American Heritage Commission to meet

The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at city hall and via Zoom. The group will receive updates on a historic marker and Johnnie Walker Beach. Lewes Public Art Committee Chair Cliff Diver will discuss possible public art exhibits. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Grants to improve access to healthy foods webinar set Nov. 17

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is inviting applications for at least $4 million in grants to improve access to healthy foods while creating jobs for people in underserved rural areas. USDA is making the grants available under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Targeted Small Grants Program.

Through this program, USDA is partnering with the Reinvestment Fund, the national fund manager, to provide the funding. Qualified grantees include grocery stores and food distributors that are working to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas. These awards are expected to create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities. The funding is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.

To express interest in applying, potential applicants must submit a letter of interest by Tuesday, Dec. 7. If invited to apply, applicants must submit a full application. For information on the application process, go to investinginfood.com.

USDA and the Reinvestment Fund will host an informational webinar at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17. To sign up, go to register.gotowebinar.com/register/4101009465716687631.

Holts Landing boat ramp being removed for repairs

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will remove the Holts Landing State Park boat ramp dock until spring 2022. The dock was damaged by a storm and severe tide cycles and needs repairs. The boat ramp will remain open while the dock is fixed. The Holts Landing State Park boat ramp offers one of the only public access points on the Indian River Bay and is open 24 hours a day.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge closed Nov. 20 

The public-use area of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which includes the Visitor Contact Station, will be closed all day Saturday, Nov. 20, due to deer hunting. Only permitted hunters will have access to the headquarters area. For more information, call the office at 302-684-8419.

Lockwoods, Schaeffer settle defamation lawsuit out of court

A defamation lawsuit brought against Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer has been settled out of court.

Local developers Don and Kerry Lockwood filed a lawsuit against Schaeffer in December 2019. They claimed Schaeffer undertook a smear campaign to destroy their reputation and to discourage individuals from doing business with them.

There had been a pretrial conference slated for Thursday, Dec. 9, with a five-day civil trial scheduled to begin Jan. 18, 2022. However, according to court records, Superior Court Judge Craig A. Karsnitz ordered the case dismissed Nov. 5, with prejudice and with each side responsible for their own attorneys’ fees.

Cape Henlopen school board meets Nov. 18

The Cape Henlopen school board will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at Love Creek Elementary. Members will possibly vote on a request to name the Cape High softball field, on several board policies, and on bid awards for H.O. Brittingham Elementary site work and Shields Elementary asbestos abatement. A complete agenda and Zoom link to the meeting are available at capehenlopenschools.com.

RD20 Democratic Committee to meet

The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, via Zoom. The meeting will include a discussion of Sussex County Council redistricting issues by Martin Lampner, former president and CEO of Chimes International. Since retirement, Lampner has been involved with environmental advocacy in Sussex County, particularly in the Inland Bays areas. 

Also, Delaware Democratic Party Executive Director Travis Williams will discuss the next steps on redistricting now that the Delaware General Assembly has approved new legislative districts. 

Any registered Democrat in Delaware is welcome to participate, but registration is required via email to rd20.deldems@gmail.com including legal name and street address for verification purposes. 

For news about RD20’s upcoming events, go to rd20deldems.com or Delaware’s 20th RD Democratic Committee & Friends Group on Facebook.                                                          

Beebe to host clinical job fair in Dover

Beebe Healthcare will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17,  at the Hilton Garden Inn, Dover. Eligible applicants are invited to meet with recruiters and learn how Beebe Healthcare can make a difference in their lives. Beebe has clinical team openings for: RNs in orthopedics, critical care, float, OR, PACU and cath lab; home health RNs; CNAs; LPNs; laboratory med techs (ASCP), histotechs, cytotechs and clinical lab techs; ultrasound techs; respiratory care practitioners; and radiation techs.

All applicants are encouraged RSVP to attend the job fair by calling 302-645-3336 or emailing employment@beebehealthcare.org. All applicants must bring copies of their resumes and must wear masks during the job fair.

To see all Beebe Healthcare career opportunities, go to beebehealthcare.org/careers.

38th District Republicans to meet

The 38th District Republican Club will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 22, with Sussex County Department of Elections Director Ken McDowell as the guest speaker. He will discuss how to become an election judge, election clerk or election poll worker for the upcoming 2022 elections.

For more information on this event and on the 38th District Republican Club, go to 38thdrcp.com or email info@38thdrcp.com.