News Briefs 7/29/25

Free webinar explores types of addiction July 29

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will present a free webinar, Wired for Reward: Understanding the Connection Between Substance and Gambling Addictions, from 12 to 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 29. 

To register, go to tinyurl.com/yc24cw99. A link to the webinar will be sent to registrants via email.  

Presenter John Schmidt of Pop's Advice LLC will explore the topic: Why do some people become addicted to drugs, while others struggle to resist the lure of gambling and the digital world in general? This webinar will explore the striking similarities between substance use disorders and behavioral addictions like gaming, gambling and social media. Schmidt will examine how both types of addiction hijack the brain’s reward system, influence decision-making and fuel compulsive behaviors. 

Participants will learn how dopamine-driven reinforcement pathways make drug use and digital behaviors feel irresistibly rewarding, and how tolerance, withdrawal and cravings show up across both domains.

For details, contact Kim Silva at ksilva@udel.edu.

Lewes council special meeting set July 30

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a special meeting at 11:45 a.m,, Wednesday, July 30, at the Lewes Oyster House, 108 Second St. 

The panel will discuss city matters but will not take any votes. The meeting will not be livestreamed.

See the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Milton solicits bids for Chestnut St. paving

The Town of Milton has put out a call for bids on a street repaving project on Chestnut Street.

The work is scheduled for an area that includes Coulter Street to Atlantic Street and from Atlantic Street to New Street. Work will include milling and overlaying pavement, new handicapped accessible ramps, curb and sidewalk replacement and utility adjustments. 

The construction contract will be for 40 days.

Construction bids are due to Milton Town Hall by 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 30. 

Lewes panels to meet July 31

The Lewes Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, July 31 at city hall. The group is scheduled to discuss an update to the design and construction of a replica pavilion at the beach.

The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet at 6 p.m. in the same location. The panel is expected to discuss and possibly take action on future historical programs. The full agendas and meeting links can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lane closures set for Route 1 canal bridge 

Delaware Department of Transportation announced routine inspections of the bridge along Route 1 over the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal will require nighttime lane closures on Route 1 Tuesday and Wednesday, July 29 and 30. 

The work will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., weather permitting, and will cause alternating single right-lane closures on Route 1 between Bay Vista Road and Bay Road.

Access will be maintained to all ramps for the duration of the work. 

At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times.

Motorists should use caution and expect minor delays in the area.

RBP historical marker dedication set Aug. 5

The City of Rehoboth Beach will unveil a new historical marker recognizing the Rehoboth Beach Patrol in a public ceremony at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 5, in front of the new patrol building on Baltimore Avenue and the Boardwalk.

“We are honored to receive this state historical designation for the Rehoboth Beach Patrol,” said Mayor Stan Mills. “It signifies the dedication, hard work and compassion that the patrol has brought to our beaches for more than a century. It’s a legacy today’s beach patrol continues to uphold.”

The marker will read: “The Rehoboth Beach Patrol (RBP), founded in 1921 by Benjamin F. Shaw and the American Red Cross, has overseen the safeguard of the 2-mile area of beach within the corporate city limits of Rehoboth. 

The RBP has performed a multitude of actions including medical aid, rescues, beach evacuations, and returning lost children. 

In 1977, the RBP Lifeguard Olympics began, with lifeguards from Delaware and surrounding states competing in swimming, running, and rescue events. 

The Junior Lifeguard Program, since 1997, has introduced children to water safety, first aid, and surf techniques to promote ocean-safety awareness and lifeguard skills.”

Tidewater water rate increases 13%

The Public Service Commission approved the settlement of Tidewater Utilities Inc.’s water rate case July 2. As a result of the settlement, Tidewater customers will see a rate increase of 13% and an increase in fixed monthly charges of 5%. For an average residential customer, this will mean an increase of about $8 per month.

Tidewater filed its rate case Aug. 30, 2024, initially seeking an increase in its revenue of $10.3 million (or a 25.66% increase).  Tidewater’s rate case was its first request to increase base water rates in 10 years.

Through the settlement, the amount of the overall rate increase was reduced to $5.5 million.

In addition, the settlement requires Tidewater to refund to customers $1.1 million to true up excess deferred income tax held by Tidewater. This credit will be paid to customers over six months, with interest, partially offsetting the impact of the rate increase.

“Any utility rate increase means tighter budgets for Delaware families,” said Jameson Tweedie, Delaware public advocate.  “But this settlement reduces the increase by almost half, collectively saving Tidewater customers millions of dollars per year versus Tidewater’s application, requires Tidewater to refund to customers $1.1 million, and is the first Tidewater rate increase in a decade. As with any case, the staff of the Division of the Public Advocate worked hard to limit the impact to customers.”