News Briefs 9/30/25

County receives grant for new meal program

Sussex County will launch a new program in October to put food on the table for some of Delaware’s most vulnerable citizens.

The Sussex County Kitchen Incubator will begin the Feeding Every Delawarean program, partnering local food entrepreneurs with Sussex County Senior Services/CHEER to produce and distribute meals throughout the community. Members of the incubator, which serves as a commercial kitchen for small operators to create and sell their goods, will supply the meals at cost to CHEER, which will then deliver them to senior centers.

The Kitchen Incubator, managed by the Sussex County Economic Development office, is using a $12,500 grant from the Delaware Grocery Initiative. 

The DGI is an effort to boost programs around the state aimed at eliminating food deserts, meaning areas that have been identified as lacking access to affordable, healthy options, particularly to fruits and vegetables.

“I knew that we had this great commercial kitchen and a team of passionate culinary experts with our incubator, and I saw an opportunity to help solve a community problem,” said Sussex County Economic Development Director Andrew Harton, who developed the program and submitted the grant application. “Our incubator members know how to make great food, but we needed a strong partner that could be an outlet, and we found that in CHEER. This is like pairing two great, complementary dishes together for one satisfying meal.”

For more information on the Kitchen Incubator and the Feeding Every Delawarean program, go to sussexkitchende.com.

Lewes approves floating dock bid

Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously voted Sept. 24 to approve a bid of $152,760 from Hastings Marine Construction for replacement of the floating docks near the gazebo in Canalfront Park.

The project was included in the FY2026 budget.

Installation is expected to begin Nov. 1.

Giulia Kirsch, city parks and marina administrator, said all slip holders need to vacate the docks before that date.

Chronic condition self-management sessions start Oct. 1

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will present a chronic condition self-management workshop from 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 1, at Lewes Public Library. Weekly sessions continue Oct. 8, 15,  22, 29 and Nov. 5.

The series will help participants learn about chronic health conditions such as anxiety, arthritis, asthma, blood pressure, COPD, depression, emphysema, heart and kidney disease, obesity and other physical or mental conditions.

Gaining knowledge about chronic health conditions can help people delay and/or prevent health complications; address frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; encourage appropriate exercise to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance; facilitate effective communication with health professionals and others; and underscore the role of nutrition for good health. 

Participants are expected to attend all six sessions. Registration is required. To sign up, go to lewes.lib.de.us or call 302-645-2733.

Limited open burning resumes Oct. 1

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds Delawareans that open burning of materials such as tree limbs, brush and branches can legally resume Wednesday, Oct. 1. While those materials can be burned legally over the next seven months, it is always against the law in the state to burn leaves, grass, trash, garbage or refuse, including tires, construction or demolition waste, paper, cardboard, plastic, furniture, fabric and mattresses.

“Burning emits many chemicals into the atmosphere where they react with sunlight to create ground-level ozone,” said DNREC Division of Air Quality environmental scientist Gerald Mood. “While cooking fires, recreational campfires and ceremonial bonfires are typically allowed year-round, restricting other burning is necessary during the summer months. The burning ban is lifted once summer temperatures cool and daylight hours begin to shorten.”

While residential open burning of cut or fallen limbs, dead branches or shrubbery is allowed from Oct. 1 to April 30, a maximum of 27 cubic feet of yard waste may be burned at one time. Burning must take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fires cannot be left unattended.

Delawareans also are required to call their county fire board at the following numbers prior to igniting a fire to inform emergency service agencies of their plan to burn: New Castle County, 302-571-7331; Kent County, 302-734-6040; and Sussex County, 302-856-6306.

Complaints about illegal open burning should be reported by calling 800-662-8802.  Learn more at de.gov/openburning.

Lewes architecture panel to meet Oct. 2

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Rollins Center.

The panel will hear comments on the demolition and removal of a portion of the side of the house  at 330 Mulberry St. to allow for an addition.

HPARC will hold its regular monthly meeting immediately after the hearing.

The agenda includes consideration of an application for the construction of a new home and an accessory structure on a vacant lot at 320 Savannah Road. 

See the agendas and links for both meetings at lewes.civicweb.net.

NARFE to meet Oct. 9, reservations due Oct. 2

The Delaware NARFE Federation and NARFE Coastal Sussex Chapter 1690 will meet Thursday, Oct. 9, at 1776 Steakhouse in Midway Plaza, Rehoboth Beach. The program speaker will be national board member Paul Schwartz, NARFE Region 2 vice president. All NARFE members statewide are welcome. Reservations must be made by Thursday, Oct. 2, via email to luncheon@narfe-de.org. Payment is due upon arrival by cash or check made out to NARFE Chapter 1690. 

Learn more at narfe-de.org.

Rehoboth to host city auction Oct. 4

Rehoboth Beach will hold an auction for items the city does not need anymore beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, in the convention center, 229 Rehoboth Ave. 

A preview will take place Friday, Oct.3. For details, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Free talk on detox and health set Oct. 8

Live Well DE will host a free, in-person lecture, “Detoxification 101,” by Dr. Kim Furtado, ND, from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Dover.

Participants will learn how to safely and effectively cleanse the body using food, herbs and nutritional supplements, while gaining practical tools to feel better every day.

“Detoxification has been a time-honored tradition for creating good health,” said Furtado. “I’ll be sharing not only how detox supports the liver and body systems, but also how our environment impacts weight, mood, energy and long-term wellness.”

Attendees can learn how to naturally increase energy, improve sleep and reduce pain; understand how environmental toxins contribute to diabetes, high cholesterol, hormone imbalance, arthritis, digestive issues and more; and explore naturopathic approaches that stimulate the body’s own healing abilities.

All are welcome to participate in an interactive Q&A with Furtado.

Light refreshments will be served. Registration is free but requested; call 302-612-4071 or email hello@livewellde.com.

Rehoboth seeks committee applicants 

Rehoboth Beach announced Sept. 26 it is accepting applications for the city’s two new advisory committees. 

All applications received by Friday, Oct. 10, will be reviewed in preparation for consideration of appointment at the commissioner meeting Friday, Oct. 17.

The Streets & Safety Advisory Committee will be chaired by Commissioner Mark Saunders. 

Its mission is to curate subjects related to the city, with special emphasis on public safety as it pertains to streets, sidewalks, transportation, beach, boardwalk and animal issues.

The Environmental Advisory Committee will be chaired by Commissioner Craig Thier. Its mission is to enhance the livability of the city by focusing on initiatives pertaining to the environment that will improve the overall experience of residents, commercial partners and visitors.

Voting committee members will be city residents, property owners and business owners. 

Each committee shall be composed of seven to nine members. Terms of office are reviewed annually. The committees will meet on an as-needed basis at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave.

Selection of members is by evaluation of submitted applications; details are available on the city website at rehobothbeachde.gov. If there are more applicants than positions available, preference may be given to former members of the now-dissolved committees.

Advisory committee meetings are open to the public. The initial meeting dates for the two committees have not yet been set.

For more information, email City Secretary Ann Womack or call 302-227-6181. 

Saunders can be emailed at msaunders@rehobothbeachde.gov. Thier can be emailed at cthier@rehobothbeachde.gov.

Free flu shots available at festival Oct. 11

TidalHealth will offer free flu shots from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at its Walk-Up Flu Clinic during the Apple Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville. The TidalHealth Community Wellness Van will be set up next to the firehouse on Market Street.

Seasonal flu vaccinations will be administered to people age 8 or older (those ages 8-17 must bring a parent or legal guardian to sign consent). The shot is designed to protect against three different flu viruses. A physician’s order is not necessary. No COVID-19 testing or shots will be offered.

Participants are asked to wear a short-sleeved shirt for easy access to the upper arm.

Lyme disease conference set Oct. 17 in Georgetown

Delaware’s Lyme Disease Education Oversight Board and host Beebe Healthcare in coordination with the Medical Society of Delaware will partner to present the second annual Lyme Aware Delaware Conference for all Delaware healthcare professionals at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17. 

This all-day hybrid conference offers in-person or virtual attendance and the opportunity to earn up to 7.5 CME credits. The venue for in-person attendees is the Delaware Tech Carter Partnership Center, 21179 College Drive, Georgetown.

State and national experts will share their knowledge of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses including Alpha-gal syndrome, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The latest Delaware-specific research on tick-borne pathogens will be presented, and a tick identification station led by Delaware’s lead tick biologist will offer a look at preserved local tick specimens and their life stages.  

Learn more at LymeDiseaseEducation.org.