News Briefs 1/23/26
UUSD to meet Jan. 25
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 25, with Caravan of No Despair as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “At this time of year, we may experience longing, grief, loss, tenderness, contemplation, wisdom from the mystical traditions, or transformations. All of these are palpable feelings and themes for many of us. Somewhere in the midst of this wintertime and these feelings, we find our ways forward. Inspired by Mirabai Starr’s memoir, we will consider these themes together.” Learn more at uussd.org.
Lewes council, BPW, to hold joint meeting
Lewes Board of Public Works will hold a joint meeting with Lewes Mayor and City Council at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26, at the Rollins Center.
The agenda includes updates and discussion on the Fourth Street and Park Avenue Utility Project.
See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes parks meeting canceled
The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission meeting set for Monday, Jan. 26, has been canceled due to a lack of agenda items.
Go to lewes.civicweb.net to find the next meeting date.
DRBA police panel to meet Jan. 27
The Lewes-Rehoboth Beach Police Accountability Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Rehoboth Beach City Hall.
The agenda includes a presentation by the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police, the group’s newest member agency.
See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net and at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.
Lewes to host State of the Community forum
The City of Lewes will host its inaugural State of the Community forum from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Lewes Elementary School, 820 Savannah Road.
Leaders from Beebe Healthcare, Cape Henlopen School District and the University of Delaware will give presentations on their organizations.
See details at lewes.civicweb.net.
Jan. 29 dining fundraiser to benefit local nonprofits
With a portion of proceeds to be split among three local nonprofits, GrandpaMac will host a dine-and-donate event from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at 18756 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach. VegRehoboth promotes plant-based living to support human health, environmental sustainability and compassion for animals through education, events and community-building. Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice advances racial equity through education, advocacy and community engagement. Speak Out Against Hate confronts and prevents hate through education, dialogue and community-building, with a particular focus on schools and youth engagement to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all.
Fire & Ice Festival events kick off Jan. 30
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Fire and Ice Festival will be held Friday, Jan. 30 to Sunday, Feb. 1, in Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Millville and Frankford. The theme is: In the First State, as Delaware joins in celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Attractions include ice sculpture walking tours, live ice-carving demonstrations, a skating rink, a kids’ inflatable kingdom, live musical entertainment, campfires and more.
“There is nothing like winter crowds at the beach. The magnificent works of ice art and the energy that comes from the community spirit throughout the beautiful parks, towns and beaches is astounding,” said Lauren Weaver, chamber executive director.
AARP to meet Feb. 2 in Millsboro
AARP Chapter 5340 Georgetown will meet at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 2, in the Millsboro Police Station community room, 120 W. Railroad Ave. Ext., Millsboro. A speaker from Beebe Healthcare will be discussing aging in place, fall prevention and home safety. New members are always welcome. To learn more, email Carol Ann Stone at casflowers@comcast.net.
St. Andrew to host ladies tea and luncheon Feb. 7
St. Andrew the Apostle Orthodox Church will host a ladies tea and luncheon at 12 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, at 33384 Mackenzie Way off Plantation Road, Lewes. Rain date is Feb. 21.
Offerings will include hot and iced teas, savory and sweet treats, and a presentation by experts from the Spice & Tea Exchange in Rehoboth Beach. There will be door prizes, games and a 50/50 raffle. Hats are optional.
Tickets may be purchased after church on Sunday or online at orthodoxdelmar.org/tea.
To learn more, email standrewlewes@gmail.com or call 302-645-5791.
Antique market and appraisals set Feb. 21 in Millsboro
Friends of the Millsboro Public Library will host an antique market show from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at 217 West State St., Millsboro. Rain date is Feb. 28. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment. Community members are invited to bring their treasures to the library to receive a verbal, fair market appraisal of all types of antiques and collectables, including fine art, jewelry, sterling, and coins and currency. For a fee, attendees will be able to have up to three items appraised per sitting with the appraiser. Appraisals will be performed by Charlene Upham and Steve Blumenauer of Charlene Upham Antiques in Mardela Springs, Md. They have been performing professional appraisals for individuals, museums, and insurance companies for over 46 years. All proceeds will be used to support children’s summer events held at the library, including art sessions and author visits.
Dewey seeks comp plan committee
The Town of Dewey Beach is looking for volunteers to be part of a committee responsible for putting together an updated 10-year town Comprehensive Development Plan for 2028.
Delaware law requires that counties and municipalities update their comprehensive plans, which outline land use, housing and development strategies, at least every 10 years. The last update was in 2018, but the town started developing it two years prior, in 2016. The town wants to get the same head start this time around.
For more information, visit townofdeweybeach.gov/departments/compplancommittee.
Dewey seeks to hire new building official
The Town of Dewey Beach is looking for a new building official.
Preferred candidates will be certified floodplain managers, but it is not a requirement. The town is considering making a conditional hire, with the person hired on the condition that they take and pass the floodplain management certification test within 15 months of joining the staff.
Resident David Thomas is among those who have called on the town to hire someone with this training and knowledge.
Rehoboth Beach and Lewes do not have certified floodplain managers on their staff; Bethany Beach does.
In Dewey, the town now hires an outside consultant to provide expertise when needed, as a more affordable option than hiring a full-time certified FEMA floodplain manager.
Since the town does not have a property tax, Town Manager Bill Zolper said money is limited, and it’s hard to find the funds to hire another full-time official without cutting back on employees in some other department.
The starting pay for the building official position in Dewey is $68,000 plus benefits, Zolper said.
Contact the town for details at 302-227-6363 or 877-227-6331.
Hocker files for re-election
Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, has filed for re-election to the 20th Senate District seat.
Hocker has served as a senator since 2012 and served as a state representative from 2002-12.
Local author wins Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Screenplay
Ed Moran’s most recent story, “The Octopus's Garden,” was awarded Best Screenplay at the International Screenplay Association’s Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival in January.
The protagonist, Gilly, is a genetically modified octopus who escapes from North Korea to Hawaii, where she is discovered by a group of people who do everything they can to keep her safe from the military and other nefarious parties. The connection between Slip, a disillusioned former agent, and Gilly provides both the narrative’s emotional center and its conceptual novelty, exploring trust, survival and empathy in an unconventional yet interesting context. Together, they save the USS Arizona Memorial from attack.
“To be awarded best screenplay is rewarding and encouraging,“ said Moran. “As the winner, I receive a table read of the opening scene and a podcast interview about how I created the story. The table read is the first visualization of my work, and it gives me some ideas on how to expand on that as a marketing tool.”
