News Briefs 1/24/25
Rehoboth planning commission to meet
The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission has scheduled a meeting for 1:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24. The agenda calls for a public hearing on the partitioning of the lot at 87 Henlopen Ave., a public hearing on the preliminary site plan for One Rehoboth Avenue Hotel, a preliminary site plan review of an addition to Coast Hotel and a concept review for the renovation of the Canalside Inn.
The meeting will be conducted in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. 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.
UUSD to meet Jan. 26
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 26. Guest speaker Leika Lewis said, “This week, we have embarked together on the chancy path that stretches into the next four years. This Sunday’s service will explore knowing, unknowing and being grownups who (still) don’t have all the answers but have learned to laugh on the journey.” Learn more at uussd.org.
Lewes Council, BPW joint meeting Jan. 27
Lewes Mayor and Council and the Lewes Board of Public Works will meet jointly at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27 at city hall. They are scheduled to get an update from the ad-hoc steering committee regarding the municipal complex at the Army Reserve Center.
The full agenda and meeting link can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes parks panel to meet Jan. 27
The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27 at the Rollins Center. The agenda includes presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the expansion of the Children's Learning Garden.
The full agenda and meeting link can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Rehoboth shade tree hearing Jan. 27
The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission has scheduled a hearing for 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27. The agenda calls for a hearing on the proposed removal of three heritage trees at 70 Kent St. The hearing will be conducted in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. 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.
Lewes bike panel to meet Jan. 28
The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 at city hall.
The group is expected to discuss the next steps regarding the ordinance to restrict parking on Savannah Road.
The full agenda and meeting link can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes special budget meeting Jan. 28
The Lewes Finance Committee will hold a special meeting to review a draft budget for fiscal year 2026 at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 at city hall. The agenda also includes discussion on a proposal for a paid parking permit for Lewes Beach.
The full agenda and meeting link can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Sussex council meeting on Jan. 28
Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
Included on the agenda is a discussion on county council’s priorities and a presentation from Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse on development activity and data.
See a complete agenda and meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council.
The meeting is available via live stream at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast or by phone by calling 302-394-5036 (code 570176).
Richard Allen Gala set Feb. 1
The Richard Allen Coalition Gala will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, at the CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown.
There will be a celebration of the school’s 100th birthday. Two women who are also centenarians will be honored. They are Alva Bell who is 104 and Evelyn Ingram who just turned 100 years old.
Keynote speaker will be Paul L. Williams, chief meteorologist at COAST-TV. Williams graduated with a degree in meteorology and mass communications, and a minor in physics, from Jackson State University. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in Bible counsellng from Magnolia Bible College.
For tickets go to tinyurl.com/5a25ezt8, or for more information contact Paula at 302-519-6823.
Legion to honor Four Chaplains Day Feb. 3
American Legion Post 17 will commemorate Four Chaplains Day at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, at 113 American Legion Road, Lewes.
On the evening of Feb. 2, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, carrying 902 servicemen, was in a convoy escorted by three Coast Guard cutters crossing the icy waters from Newfoundland to Greenland. At 12:55 a.m., the periscope of German submarine U-233 broke the surface, and the sub fired three torpedoes, sinking the Dorchester in less than 20 minutes. Amid the pandemonium, the four chaplains distributed lifejackets, calmed the frightened, tended to the wounded and guided the disoriented toward safety. When there were no more lifejackets, the four chaplains simultaneously removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. Survivors in lifeboats could see the four chaplains, arms linked, offering them prayers and singing hymns as the ship went under the water’s surface.
Along with members of the local clergy, the legion will honor the heroic and compassionate actions of the four Army chaplains: one Jewish, one Catholic, one Baptist and one Dutch Reformed (Protestant).
For more information, go to alpost17.com.
NARFE luncheon reservations due Feb. 6
NARFE Coastal Sussex Chapter 1690 will meet at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, at 1776 Steakhouse, Midway Plaza, Rehoboth Beach. Program speaker Stephen Pryce Lea of the Delaware Botanical Gardens will speak about his vision of transforming gardens into sanctuaries people and wildlife.
Reservations must be made by Thursday, Feb. 6, via email to Warren Fuller at fullerwe@gmail.com. Payment is due upon arrival by cash or check made out to NARFE Chapter 1690.
Learn more at narfe-de.org.
GriefShare program starts Feb. 9 at The Crossing Church
Anyone who is suffering a loss is invited to attend a free GriefShare program starting at 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, at The Crossing Church (Lewes Church of Christ), 15183 Coastal Hwy., Milton.
Weekly sessions will be held where attendees who have lost a loved one in death can support one another at whatever stage of grief they are in, hear from grief recovery experts and walk forward together in hope.
For more information, go to griefshare.org/groups/257674.
Rehoboth sets Feb. 21 public hearing on basement code
During a meeting Jan. 17, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted unanimously in favor of setting a public hearing for Friday, Feb. 21, on changes to code related to basements. Specifically, there are proposed changes to the definitions of basement, habitable basement, non-habitable basement, crawl space, floor finish, wall finish and gross floor area. There are also proposed changes relating to the gross floor area exemption for certain basements and the classification of certain existing non-habitable basements. City staff and commissioners have been working on these changes for well over a year.
Variety show set March 16 at American Legion Post 28
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 will hold its annual variety show and dinner from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, March 16, at American Legion Post 28, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro.
All talented individuals are invited to participate, whether they sing, lip-sync or have an entertainment skill to share. No auditions are required. For more information, call Beth at 302-381-3897 or Tina at 302-858-8399.
Proceeds benefit the Auxiliary Emergency Fund, members helping members. The community is cordially invited to attend.
Rehoboth awards contract to Sposato
During a meeting Jan. 17, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted unanimously in favor of awarding the city’s landscape management services contract to Sposato Landscaping in the amount of roughly $82,500. The city also awarded an as-needed contract to Sposato Landscaping and Sullivan’s Landscaping & Maintenance.
Rehoboth wants Bennett to remain as alderman court judge
During a meeting Jan. 17, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted unanimously in favor of Judge Renee Bennett remaining as the city’s judge for Alderman Court 37. She has been the city’s alderman court judge since 2013; her current term ends March 29. This would be her sixth two-year term. Her appointment still needs to be approved by Governor Matt Meyer.
Third Waves Car Wash location approved
A new Waves Car Wash is planned for a parcel at 19101 John J. Williams Highway (Route 24). At its Jan. 8 meeting, Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a preliminary site plan submitted by Cherner Development Group in Vienna, Va. A final site plan will be acted on by the commission when submitted by the developer. The company also has car washes in Lewes and Milford.
The parcel, at the corner of Route 24 and Warrington Road, is located within the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District, and the developer will have to pay into the fund based on the business square footage. The 2.2-acre parcel is zoned C-3 heavy commercial.
The plan includes a 5,390-square-foot car wash and building, and 18 vacuum locations. An existing home on the site will be removed.
