Sussex County property taxes due

Sussex County government officials remind property owners that Wednesday, Sept. 30, is the state-mandated deadline to pay annual county property tax bills. Tax bills for the 2027 fiscal year were issued in August, totaling an estimated $218 million in tax revenue.

Annual tax bills include county property taxes, and county sewer and water, tax ditch and street lighting fees, where applicable. They also include local school district taxes, which are turned over to the state and account for about 90% of the typical total tax bill.

Bills are available for viewing at tinyurl.com/ukd7ck27.

Sussex County accepts tax payments by cash, check, money order and debit or credit cards. For full details and answers to general questions about tax bill payments, call 302-855- 7871.

Lewes Finance Committee to meet

The Lewes Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Rollins Community Center. The group will continue a discussion on the nonprofit grant program and acceptance of Sussex County’s property tax assessments. Other topics include the city’ insurance portfolio, audited financial statements for Fiscal Year 2026, and possible recommendations to mayor and city council about the committee bylaws. See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Sussex P&Z set to meet Sept. 16 

The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the County Administration Building in Georgetown.

The group will discuss the upcoming proceedings for Smokey Hollow, a subdivision planned in the Selbyville area that has involved lengthy litigation, making its way up to the Delaware Supreme Court. In August, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court’s ruling on an isolated lot in Smokey Hollow’s plan. The Supreme Court said the lower court failed to consider the commission’s primary stated reason for the condition – environmental concerns unique to the lot. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling does not mean the condition is reasonable. Instead, it remanded the issue back to the commission because it does not appear a code-required environmental assessment was done to support the unique concerns leading to the condition.

In other business, the commission will consider a request to revise a condition in the previous approval for Stockley Acres subdivision on Stockley Road near Beaver Dam Road outside Lewes. The condition is related to active recreational amenities.

Commissioners will consider a revised preliminary site plan for Silver Oaks manufactured home park near the intersection of Route 9 and Gravel Hill Road west of Harbeson.

Also under consideration is approval of an expansion to the Jiffy Lube outside Lewes. The plan is for a 733-squarefoot expansion for a total building area of 5,555 square feet. The property is located on the north side of Route 1 and the south side of Jiffy Way.

Under old business, the commission will consider a conditional-use application for a landscaping business with employee parking and equipment storage on a 1.16- acre parcel on the west side of Beaver Dam Road near the Kendale Road intersection. Commissioners will also consider a rezoning request from Millsboro Towne Village LLC to change land along Route 9 west of Gravel Hill Road from AR-1, agriculturalresidential, and C-1, general commercial, to LI-2, light industrial.

Toward the end of the meeting, public hearings will be held for five solar array projects located in various areas of the county. See the full agenda at sussexcountyde.gov.

Johnnie Walker Beach group meets Sept. 17

The Lewes Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at city hall. The group will continue discussing a replica pavilion, its design and construction. See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes planners set to meet Sept. 16

The Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Rollins Community Center. The group will discuss whether the city should establish Jan. 31, 2027, as its target date for adoption of the city’s comprehensive plan, which would exempt it from complying with provisions of Senate Bill 23. See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

African American Heritage committee to meet

The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at city hall. The group will receive an update from the social and economic work group, discuss a Black History Month program for 2027, receive an update about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and discuss the FY 2028 budget. The group will also discuss purchasing a video camera for oral histories. See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Dewey meeting, hearings set Sept. 19 

Dewey Beach Town Council will hold a meeting and three public hearings at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, at the town lifesaving station.

First, Mayor Bill Stevens and Commissioner Gary Persinger will be sworn in for their next two-year commissioner terms. The council will also vote to appoint and swear in the mayor and the council secretary, each for a one-year term. Stevens has served as mayor since September 2021, and Commissioner Paul Bauer has been the secretary for eight of the last nine years he's served on council.

Brent Jett of engineering firm George, Miles & Buhr will present a progress update on the town resiliency study. IQ Fiber will give a presentation on its proposed fiber-optic network installation and service to the town.

Two hearings will be held for requests submitted by Katey Evans of Frozen Farmer and Molly Wagner of The Stoke Cafe seeking approval for outdoor seating at their respective establishments. Frozen Farmer is located at 1601 Coastal Hwy., Unit 102. The Stoke Cafe is not open yet but is located next door to the Frozen Farmer at 1601 Coastal Hwy., Unit 104.

The third hearing is for a draft ordinance to amend town code to define "demolition" and establish criteria for determining when work constitutes a demolition. The ordinance was referred by the planning and zoning commission and was tabled at the last council meeting.

Also on the agenda are a discussion and possible vote to appoint Lily Gosnear to the comprehensive development plan committee and Shari Goodman to the marketing committee. See the agenda and virtual meeting link at townofdeweybeach.gov/events/44104.

Multiple myeloma group sets hybrid meeting

The Delaware Multiple Myeloma Support Group will meet from 12 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, at Milton Public Library, 121 Union St., Milton, and online via Zoom. Guest speaker Becky Bosley from the International Myeloma Foundation will lead a discussion on creating and sustaining hope in the myeloma community. 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.

Dewey end-of-season beach party Sept. 19

The Dewey Business Partnership will hold its annual property owners' end-of-season beach party from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, on the beach near Dagsworthy Avenue. The cash-only event will have food and drinks available for purchase. There will also be a bonfire and live music by Bryen O'Boyle and his full band. The event is free to attend, but a $5 donation is requested. Proceeds will benefit the Dewey Beach Patrol. For updates, visit deweybusinesspartnership.com.

Second annual Dewey Dog Day set Sept. 20

The Town of Dewey Beach's annual Dewey Dog Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, on the Dagsworthy Avenue beach. The event celebrates the town's long-standing tradition of dogs on the beach, and brings together community members and their four-legged friends. It will feature local vendors, giveaways, exclusive town merchandise and discounted commemorative lifetime dog licenses.

Dewey allows dogs on its beaches year-round, with some seasonal restrictions. From the first Monday after Labor Day through the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, dogs are permitted on the beach any time from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

During summer, from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday after Labor Day, dogs are permitted on the beach before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m.

Comedy show to benefit Autism Delaware

Art After Dark will present a stand-up comedy show at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, at Vino Del Mar, 1201 Savannah Road, Lewes. Along with headliner Belynda Cleare, comedians Glen Jensen and Sam Solovey will deliver a night of laughter, with a portion of proceeds to support Autism Delaware.

The nonprofit's mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by autism through advocacy, services and support. To learn more, go to autismdelaware.org.

Bilingual children’s book festival set Sept. 26

 The Georgetown Public Library will host Fiesta Books!, a new bilingual children’s book festival celebrating literacy, culture and family engagement, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at 123 West Pine St., Georgetown.

The free, family-friendly community event will bring together children, families, educators, authors and local organizations for a day celebrating the joy of reading in both English and Spanish. The festival will feature bilingual story times, arts and crafts, literacy activities and free bilingual books for children while supplies last.

Authors Camelia Kuhn, Máximo Castellanos and Sonia Salinas will be on hand for meet-and-greets.

Fiesta Books! is designed to help remove barriers to literacy by providing free books and enriching educational experiences while celebrating the diverse Hispanic cultures represented throughout Sussex County and neighboring communities. The festival will also provide families with opportunities to connect with local organizations, discover community resources, and celebrate a shared love of reading and learning.

Organizers hope Fiesta Books! will grow into an annual community tradition that brings families together through literacy, culture and fun.

Cape district to hold town hall Sept. 29

Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Jenny Nauman invites the Milton community to share their input on the future of the open space in front of H.O. Brittingham Elementary School during a town hall-style meeting starting at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the school library. During the meeting, community members will have the opportunity to share what they would like to see in the space and help shape the possibilities that will reflect the community's needs, interests and overall vision. Milton community leader Threasa Brittingham will co-facilitate the event. Light refreshments will be served.