News Briefs 5/13/25

May 13, 2025

Bid awarded for final section of Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail

The Delaware Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to Atlantic Contracting and Material Company to complete the final phase of the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail. The project limits are from Fisher Road to Airport Road along the active and decommissioned rail line. The project includes both rail-with-trail and rail-to-trail design. Work will include construction of a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail and an elevated boardwalk, installation of safety fencing, drainage improvements, and installation of kiosks, site amenities and signage. Atlantic Contracting and Material Company’s bid of $17,495,207 was well over the engineer’s estimate of $13,070,307. Four other companies submitted bids.

Two Rehoboth Beach meetings canceled

The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission and Board of Adjustment have canceled their May meetings. The shade tree commission meeting set for Monday, May 19, was canceled because of a lack of agenda items. The board of adjustment meeting set for Friday, May 23, was canceled because the 30-day filing deadline was not met for submission of an application and supporting documents. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Cape school board elections set May 13

Cape Henlopen school board elections will take place Tuesday, May 13. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Cape Henlopen High, Mariner Middle and Rehoboth Elementary schools, and Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Station 2.

Two candidates are vying for the at-large seat: incumbent William “Bill” Collick and Chris Lovenguth.

Three are vying for the Area C seat: Andy Lewis, Patty Maull and Laura Parsons. Jason Bradley is running uncontested for the Area B seat and will thus be automatically seated without an election.

Eligible voters can cast a vote for any candidate, regardless of where they reside in the district.

Sussex council to discuss school funding May 13

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 13, in Georgetown.

The group will have a discussion related to school funding. At 1:30 p.m., public hearings will be held on a number of topics. To see a full agenda, go to sussexcountyde.gov.

Dewey P&Z set to meet May 14

The Dewey Beach Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, at the lifesaving station.

Commissioners will discuss and possibly vote to make a recommendation to town council about regulations for operation of food trucks within town limits. They will also discuss and possibly vote on a proposed ordinance regarding a conditional-use request to operate a parking lot at 136 Dagsworthy Ave., and on discrepancies in the town code relating to nonconforming structures.

For the agenda and meeting link, visit townofdeweybeach.gov.

Saltwater Fly Anglers to meet May 14

The Saltwater Fly Anglers of Delaware invites fly fishermen and women of all ages and skill levels to attend its meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, at the Rolling Meadows Clubhouse in Lewes. Meetings continue the second Wednesday of each month through December. To learn more, go to sfaod.com.

Learn about assistive technology for seniors May 15

In observance of Older Americans Month in May, Easterseals will feature Assistive Technology for Aging in its virtual What’s thAT? series.

This series offers valuable tools and tips to help caregivers support loved ones so they can live as independently as possible.

Easterseals staff are available to help seniors and caregivers learn about devices and equipment to help them remain living safely and independently at home. Caregivers can find the devices featured in the What’s thAT? series and on display in Easterseals Resource & Technology Demonstration Center to be a critical resource.

Respite grants from the Easterseals Community Outreach Program can help caregivers, even those not involved in other Easterseals programs, rejuvenate and take a break from the demands of caregiving.

What’s thAT? takes place in 15-minute sessions held virtually at 11:30 a.m., every third Thursday of the month to help interested seniors and caregivers discover how assistive technology can enhance their life. Registration is not required to attend.

The next session, set for Thursday, May 15, is AT for Aging. Go to tinyurl.com/4vmrud87 and scroll down for the link.

Lewes African American groups to meet May 15

The Lewes Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at city hall.

The city’s African American Heritage Commission will meet at 6 p.m. in the same location.

Both panels are scheduled to discuss their roles in the Lewes 250 celebration.

See the full agendas and meeting links at lewes.civicweb.net.

Dewey town council to meet May 16

The Dewey Beach Town Council will hold its monthly meeting, a public hearing and an executive session at 3 p.m., Friday, May 16, at the lifesaving station.

Council members will discuss operation of food trucks within town limits and operation of houseboats being used as short-term rentals at marinas within town limits.

They will also discuss and possibly vote on several items, including a conditional-use request to operate a parking lot at 136 Dagsworthy Ave., an ordinance to amend town code relating to sidewalk maintenance, a request for the Charter & Code Review Committee to evaluate the International Property Maintenance Code, a resolution to approve a Brown Advisory funds transfer to Community Bank and a resolution to approve the terms of a loan from Community Bank for financing of the new town hall.

Council members will also discuss the current financial status of the new town hall project’s current financial status, as well as discrepancies in code relating to nonconforming structures.

For the full agenda and meeting link, visit townofdeweybeach.gov.

Rehoboth commissioner workshop May 16

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a workshop meeting at 2 p.m., Friday, May 16, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for possible adoption of the strategic plan, continued discussion on committee structure, and consideration of planning commission appointments and an ordinance related to a curfew for minors.

A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Special Rehoboth commissioner meeting May 16

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m., Friday, May 16, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for an executive session to discuss personnel matters, followed by consideration of a merit salary increase for City Manager Taylour Tedder based on his performance evaluation.

Sussex Habitat sets May 16 golf outing fundraiser

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity will host its annual golf outing starting at 9 a.m., Friday, May 16, at Midway Par 3, 34578 Pinnacle Road, Lewes.

Proceeds will support the organization's ongoing efforts to build homes, communities and hope for local families in need of affordable housing.

"Our annual golf outing is a testament to the power of community," said Katie Millard, Sussex Habitat director of development and advocacy. "Whether you are a player or a sponsor, you are helping us provide safe and affordable housing to local families."

Learn more at sussexcountyhabitat.org.

Multiple myeloma group to meet May 17

The Delaware Multiple Myeloma Support Group will meet from 12 to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17, at Milton Public Library, 121 Union St., Milton, and online via Zoom.

Meetings are open to anyone who has multiple myeloma or cares for someone who does. To learn more, go to myeloma.org/delaware or email Sue Iwahashi at Delaware@imfsupport.org.

Refuges seek public comment on possible research by May 22

Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which comprises Bombay Hook and Prime Hook refuges, is asking community members to submit comments on draft compatibility determinations for possible research projects.

The refuge complex proposes opening or renewing compatibility for this activity where it does not compromise the mission and operations of each national wildlife refuge. Only research that has low or no adverse impacts is proposed for this opening/renewal, which includes projects that have minimal potential to adversely affect cultural resources, plant and wildlife populations, or their habitats or ecosystems.

Copies of the Draft Compatibility Determinations are available on the refuge websites (fws.gov/refuge/bombay-hook, fws.gov/refuge/prime-hook) as well as at both refuge visitor centers. The addresses for mailed comments are: Bombay Hook NWR, 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977, and Prime Hook NWR, 12322 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE 19968. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Thursday, May 22.

The FWS prepares compatibility determinations to ensure that public and economic uses of national wildlife refuges do not interfere with or detract from the purposes for which each refuge was established. They also describe how these uses would contribute toward achieving refuge purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Comments or requests for more information may be made by email to kate_toniolo@fws.gov or mailed to 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977, Attn: Kate Toniolo.

All comments received from individuals become part of the official public record. Individual respondents can request that their home address be withheld from the record, and the request must be prominently stated at the beginning of their comments.

For more information, visit fws.gov.