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News Briefs 11/24/20

November 24, 2020
DelDOT says use caution around testing sites

As the number of people seeking COVID-19 testing increases across the state, Delaware Department of Transportation officials are advising motorists traveling in the vicinity of testing sites to be cautious of heavy traffic around these areas and to be courteous to businesses and homeowners by not blocking access to their properties.

“Issues arising from the long lines of vehicles at locations are near collisions occurring from unsafe vehicle movements and access to neighboring properties being blocked. Using caution and courtesy will ensure the safety of both those seeking testing and those traveling to other destinations in the area,” said C.R. McLeod, director of DelDOT community relations.

DelDOT is providing traffic control assistance at some sites and is also using mobile message boards to advise of traffic conditions.

Rehoboth wants to install emergency generator

Rehoboth Beach has submitted an application for a construction permit to install a 1909.7 kW emergency generator at its wastewater treatment plant, 20573 Roosevelt St.

According to a Nov. 22 public notice from Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the emergency generator will be permitted for 375 hours of use per year. 

The application for this permit may be reviewed upon request. The application is posted at de.gov/dnrecnotices. To submit comments, for additional information or for information regarding how to inspect the application, contact Tracy Mattson at 302-739‑9402.

A public hearing on the application will not be held unless DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin receives a written request for one by Monday, Dec. 7. The request must show a familiarity with the application and a reasoned statement of the permit’s probable impact.

All comments and public hearing requests should be mailed to the Division of Air Quality, State Street Commons, Suite 6A, 100 W. Water St., Dover, DE 19904. For more information, call 302-739-9402.

Contract awarded for bike path in Rehoboth

The Delaware Department of Transportation announced Nov. 18 it awarded a contract to Newark-based Grassbusters Landscaping Co. to complete a section of the Junction & Breakwater Trail in Rehoboth.

According to a public notice, this project is the completion of the low-stress bike connection into the city from the Junction & Breakwater trail network. Work includes construction of a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail thru private property from Canal Street to Rehoboth Avenue and the development of a two-way buffered bike lane along Rehoboth Avenue to Grove Park. Work will also include paving, concrete sidewalk, signage, site amenities and fencing.

Dewey commissioners renew interim manager’s contract

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 13 to renew the contract of Interim Town Manager Jim Dedes for another 90 days or until a new town manager is hired.

The search for a new town manager has been ongoing since August.

Mayor Dale Cooke said the search committee had narrowed the list of applicants down to three potential employees.

Sussex council awards grants to nonprofits

At its Nov. 17 meeting, Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants: $3,000 to Greater Lewes Community Village for volunteer training and outreach to seniors; $1,000 to Good Samaritan Aid Organization in Laurel to purchase food gift cards for its Christmas Basket project; and $2,000 to Autism Delaware for its Blue Jean Ball fundraiser.

Dewey planners hold public hearing Dec. 5

The Dewey Beach Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, to discuss and possibly vote to recommend to town council a draft ordinance regarding amending town code by adding a section relating to wireless facilities.

A link to the meeting is available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Sussex Academy switches to remote learning until Dec. 7

Sussex Academy Head of School Eric Anderson announced to families in a Nov. 17 email that the school was switching to full remote instruction for the remainder of the week. Sussex Academy will be closed for Thanksgiving Break Nov. 23-27 and will continue with virtual instruction the following week, Nov. 30-Dec. 4.

Anderson said the school intends to return to a hybrid learning model Monday, Dec. 7, and any decision to extend remote learning after Dec. 4 will be communicated to families the first week of December.

School officials plan to complete the fall sports season as long as events are permitted to occur. After nine weeks of instruction, Anderson said, some students have tested positive for COVID-19, but all cases were traced to contact in the household; none have been connected to contact within Sussex Academy.  

DOC suspends in-person visitation 

The Delaware Department of Correction has temporarily suspended in-person visitation in all of its Level V prison and Level IV work release and violation of probation facilities as a precaution to protect inmates and staff from COVID-19. This comes as public health officials report rapidly increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 test results among the general population and indications of significant community spread of the disease.

There are only two isolated cases of COVID-19 among inmates, both from Sussex Correctional Institution, officials said.

These isolated cases were identified through proactive screening and testing, and both are receiving treatment. There have been no new positive inmate COVID-19 test results since Oct. 29, officials said.

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