News Briefs 1/9/26
Avelo Airlines ends deportation flights
Avelo Airlines, which flies out of Wilmington Airport in New Castle County, has announced it will end its involvement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flights.
The move comes after Sen. Ray Seigfried, D-Arden, and Rep. Mara Gorman, D-Newark, filed Senate Bill 207 to prohibit the Department of Transportation from contracting with airlines or transportation providers for the use of state-owned airport facilities if they knowingly transport individuals detained by ICE for deportation without a valid judicial warrant or demonstration of due process. This would be enforced by the Delaware Department of Justice. It would also disqualify commercial airlines from receiving the aviation jet fuel tax exemption for economic development if they transport ICE detainees for deportation without meeting the same standards regarding judicial warrants and due process.
“I commend Avelo Airlines for its astute decision to sever ties with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, thereby refusing to continue its participation in the Trump administration’s cruel and irresponsible deportation tactics,” Siegfried said. “Throughout the country, ICE operations have been carried out through an abuse of power, and a complete disregard for due process and the humanity of immigrant communities in the United States. Senate Bill 207 was never about singling out a single company or opposing market-based incentives – instead, it was about Delaware taking a moral stand and affirming that we will not be complicit in these egregious practices. Senate Bill 207 was introduced to ensure that no company in our state will be complicit either.”
He said SB 207 will not move forward at this time, but it could be revisited at any time between now and the end of the legislative session should the situation call for it.
Lewes holds hearing on Kings Highway property
Lewes Mayor and City Council held a public hearing Jan. 5 on the preliminary site plan for 815 Kings Hwy.
The owner proposes turning a single-family dwelling into a mixed-use building with retail on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor.
Loretta Seibert, who owns 812 Kings Hwy., spoke in favor of the project. No one spoke against it.
Councilman Tim Ritzert asked if sidewalks would be built in front of the property.
The developer said that will not happen now, because of pending Delaware Department of Transportation plans for Kings Highway reconstruction.
The city left the comment period open until noon, Friday, Jan. 9.
Mayor and council are expected to take action on the site plan at the Monday, Jan. 12 meeting.
Possum Point Players set annual meeting Jan. 9
The Possum Point Players annual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9, at Possum Hall, 441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish to share and their beverage of choice. All members and prospective members are cordially invited. Dinner will be followed by a short business meeting for the election of new trustees. To view the list of members nominated for open committee positions, go to possumpointplayers.org. To vote in the election, attendees must have paid 2026 membership dues online or at the office prior to the meeting.
Lewes SAR chapter to meet Jan. 10
The Sons of the American Revolution Lewestown Chapter will meet at 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, at American Legion Post 17, 113 American Legion Road, Lewes.
UUSD to meet Jan. 11
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 11, with "Yearning” as the topic. Jean Charles, UUSD worship committee co-chair, said, “If you ask me what I want out of life, I can answer you fairly easily. If you ask me what I hope for, I can answer that too. But yearning feels deeper than either of those. Yearning feels more tender, more vulnerable. Yearning arises from the innermost chambers of the heart. What do you yearn for?” Learn more at uussd.org.
Rehoboth Beach BoA meeting canceled
The Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment has canceled its meeting for the month of January. According to a notice published by the city Dec. 19, the meeting scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12, was canceled due to a lack of agenda items. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Lewes council to meet Jan. 12
Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, at city hall.
The panel is set to consider action to rescind the home-based business ordinance.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
U.S. Life-Saving Service is lecture topic Jan. 12
The Overfalls Foundation winter speaker series will host a program at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes.
Guest speaker Tyler Dreiblatt will present “Storm Warriors: The U.S. Life-Saving Service in Delaware.”
Before the Coast Guard existed, the brave men of the United States Life-Saving Service battled winds and waves to rescue sailors in distress. Six life-saving stations existed in Delaware and responded to hundreds of wrecks along the coast.
Dreiblatt will discuss how the service started, how it operated and what became of the stations. He will also share some shipwreck stories. Dreiblatt is the interpretive programs manager at Delaware Seashore State Park.
Community ESL dining fundraiser set Jan. 13
To benefit the Community English as a Second Language Program, Big Fish Grill will host a dine-and-donate event from 12 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 20298 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach. The restaurant will donate 15% of proceeds from all dine-in and takeout purchases to support the ESL program and its mission to create opportunities and strengthen lower Delaware communities through English language literacy.
Delaware Forage Conference set Jan. 13
The University of Delaware Extension, the University of Maryland Extension and the Maryland-Delaware Forage Council invite forage producers, grazers, livestock owners and associated industry personnel to attend the upcoming Maryland-Delaware Forage Conferences.
The Delaware conference is set from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Harrington. Topics will include characteristics and identification of Delaware hay and pasture species, overview of fertility recommendations for forage crops, updates on issues with Delaware forages, managing machinery costs for forage production, and pasture weed management.
Registration is required to attend, and CCA, Nutrient Management, and Private Pesticide Applicator credits will be offered. To learn more, go to go.umd.edu/forageevents.
Food drive set Jan. 13 at Millsboro Police Department
The Millsboro Police Department, in partnership with Coras Wellness & Behavioral Health, is hosting Stuff the Cruiser, a food drive to support Delawareans in need. Community members are encouraged to help fight hunger by dropping off nonperishable food items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the police department, 120 West Railroad Ave., Millsboro. All donated items will be distributed to local food pantries in coordination with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to provide direct support for local families.
Lewes ordinance panel to meet Jan. 13
The Lewes Ordinance Review Ad Hoc Committee will meet at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussion and possible action regarding potential revisions to Chapter 142 - peddling and soliciting.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
‘Scientific Breakthroughs of 2025’ to kick off lecture series Jan. 13
The Lewes Public Library’s Science and Society lecture series will open the 2026 season at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, with its annual review of the past year’s hottest areas of research, offered online via Zoom.
Science magazine News Editor Tim Appenzeller will return for an engaging conversation about “Science Breakthroughs of 2025” as determined by the magazine’s writers and editors. Appenzeller will reveal the top 10 picks and what made those scientific developments noteworthy.
To register for the online event, go to tinyurl.com/LPLScienceSpring26 or call the library at 302-645-2733.
Upcoming Science and Society lectures include: Feb. 3, “A Powerful Eye on the Changing Cosmos”; March 3, “Hurricanes 101”; April 7, “A Four Billion Year Conversation Between Earth and Life”; and May 12, “Sleep and Human Evolution.”
The Lewes Public Library’s Science and Society - Making Sense of the World Around Us lecture series is co-organized and moderated by Colin Norman, former news editor at Science; Fred Dylla, executive director emeritus of the American Institute of Physics and author of “Scientific Journeys”; and Lynda Dylla, former public information officer at the Jefferson Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy.
RD 20 Democrats to meet Jan. 15
The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15.
An informal social gathering for Dutch treat dinner starts at 5 p.m.
Guest speakers will be Rep. Alonna Berry, D-Milton, and Sussex County Councilperson Jane Gruenebaum.
RD20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in Lewes, Milton, Nassau, Pinetown, Belltown, and sections of Harbeson and Georgetown. Any registered Democrat in Delaware is welcome to participate in RD20’s social hour and business meeting.
Those planning to attend the meeting should RSVP at rd20deldems.com and the location will be provided.
Retirement strategies seminar set Jan. 15
A free educational seminar titled Retiring the 4% Rule: Modern Retirement Withdrawal Strategies That Stretch Dollars Further will be offered from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Lewes Public Library.
Instructor Robert Jeter, CFP, of Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments will explore why the long-standing 4% rule may no longer be sufficient or appropriate for today’s retirees. He will introduce modern, research-based withdrawal strategies designed to improve sustainability, flexibility and peace of mind in retirement.
The class is sponsored by the Delaware Money School and is for educational purposes only.
Walk-ins are welcome. Advance registration is encouraged at tinyurl.com/9x6rkukm. Space may be limited.
This seminar is ideal for retirees, pre-retirees and anyone seeking information on how to create a more resilient retirement income strategy in today’s market environment.
MLK birthday event to benefit SDARJ Jan. 17
Gay Women of Rehoboth will host a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Proceeds will benefit the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice.
SDARJ’s goals include educating for change through knowledge and understanding of past and current racial issues and conditions.
Guests will enjoy live entertainment with Gaye Adegbalola, an American blues singer and guitarist, and E’lissa Jones, a singer-songwriter, violinist, pianist and guitarist. To learn more, go to gaywomenofrehoboth.org.
Speak Out Against Hate names new board members
Speak Out Against Hate recently elected Providenza “Enza” Rocco, Bonnie Tamres-Moore and Tara Sheldon to its board of directors for three-year terms.
Officers are Patty Maloney, president; Leslie Slan, vice president; Allan Slan, treasurer; and Rocco, secretary. The new members join Charlotte King, Peter Schott and Gail Jackson on SOAH’s board.
Rocco brings over 20 years of nonprofit and community leadership experience. She serves as executive director of Delaware Futures, a statewide after-school program that supports middle and high school students. A nationally recognized human rights activist, Tamres-Moore directs SOAH’s Hate Has No Home Here initiative in Delaware. A longtime advocate for equity and LGBTQ+ rights, Sheldon has extensive leadership experience in community and grassroots organizations throughout Sussex County.
“SOAH is honored to welcome these exceptional leaders to our board,” said Maloney. “Their experience and passion will strengthen our mission and expand our impact across Delaware.”
