News Briefs 11/5/24

Delaware courts warn of phone call scams

The Delaware Judiciary is warning people that bogus phone calls are on the rise, with callers making false claims about warrants, jury duty, fines and fees, and demanding immediate payment.

The caller may claim to represent a Delaware court or a law enforcement agency working on behalf of a court, and demand money to resolve an arrest warrant, fine or other urgent matter. In recent weeks, the scam callers have demanded money from people for allegedly failing to report for jury duty. Some scammers have even texted a copy of a bogus “order of arrest” to victims who request documentation. 

The scammers may also attempt to direct the victim to a specific non-governmental address to make a cash payment.

The Delaware Judiciary wants to assure the public that these are not legitimate calls. No one with the courts, jury services, Delaware State Police or other law enforcement agencies would ever call and make such threats and demand immediate payment. Nor would officials direct people to an unofficial address.

A red flag that these are scams is that the callers will demand immediate payment, usually in some hard-to-trace form such as cash, gift cards or electronic payment systems like Venmo or Zelle. The phone number shown on caller ID may be bogus, and scammers sometimes use actual court or police officials’ names as part of their scheme. Anyone who receives a call like this should make note of the phone number if they have caller ID and write down any names used or claims made by the caller, then hang up and immediately contact their local law enforcement agency.

To check on claims about court-imposed costs, fines, restitution or other fees, contact the Office of State Court Collections Enforcement in person at OSCCE offices or through other approved methods like state-operated payment kiosks at DMV offices. For more information, go to courts.delaware.gov/aoc/oscce/ or call OSCCE at 302-255-0339. 

To check on claims about an outstanding warrant, visit the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System website, pubsrv.deljis.delaware.gov/WantedPublic.

Rehoboth asking for water conservation

In response to the ongoing drought in Delaware, Rehoboth Beach is asking city water users to take the drought watch seriously and mitigate water usage. The city issued a notice Oct. 29 asking for users to limit outdoor water use and reduce watering lawns and outdoor plants. The city will be shutting off all irrigation to city property.

Rehoboth board residential variance

The Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment unanimously denied two variance requests for the property at 7 Lake Ave. The property owner requested variances related to structures in required yard areas and a permit for continued existence of an unpermitted landing and additional two steps within the required front-yard area. The structure in question extended 4-feet-1-inch into the front-yard setback.

The board said the owner could have resolved the problem during construction through better communication with the city, and there was no exceptional practical difficulty to justify approval.

Lewes art panel to meet Nov. 6

The Lewes Public Art Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Rollins Center. The agenda includes discussion of art to be considered for the upcoming year.

Road closures announced

Road closures at the intersection of Route 113 with Route 20/Hardscrabble Road and Betts Pond Road north of Millsboro will start at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11, according to an Oct. 30 Delaware Department of Transportation notice. 

Lane closures will affect Route 113 in both directions from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 11 and 12, for work associated with the detours.

The closure is required to allow ramp construction for a grade-separated intersection that will replace the existing signal and at-grade intersection as part of the ongoing North Millsboro Bypass Project. 

This closure will remain in place until completion of the North Millsboro Bypass and new traffic ramps at Route 113 and Route 20/Hardscrabble Road in late summer 2025.   

Vehicular traffic on Route 20/Hardscrabble Road going to Route 113 will detour eastbound on Gov. Stockley Road to reach Route 113. Drivers seeking to go westbound on Route 20/Hardscrabble Road will continue northbound on Route 113 to westbound Gov. Stockley Road to Route 20/Hardscrabble Road.

All truck traffic eastbound on Route 9 or Route 20/Hardscrabble Road will be directed to follow Route 9 to southbound Route 113. All truck traffic northbound on Route 113 will continue north past the Route 20/Hardscrabble Road intersection and then be directed westbound on Route 9 to Route 20/Hardscrabble Road.

Traffic on westbound Betts Pond Road toward Route 113 will detour westbound on Delaware Avenue to reach Route 113. Traffic on Route 113 wanting to enter Betts Pond Road will detour eastbound on Delaware Avenue to Betts Pond Road.

For more information, go to tinyurl.com/27pfe2a9.

Holiday grief support session set Dec. 18

HealTree will present Heartfelt Holidays Grief Circle, a compassionate grief support experience, from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 1632 Savannah Road, Suite 10, Lewes.

The session is designed to help people process emotions, navigate life after loss and find comfort during the holiday season. Through guided reflection and shared experiences, participants will explore ways to honor their grief and embrace self-care. Together, leaders and attendees will create a space for healing and connection within a supportive community. All are invited to wear cozy clothes and bring a yoga mat, along with other items that would bring comfort, such as a blanket or a photo of a loved one.

For more information, go to healtree.co.