News Briefs 4/15/25

Sea Witch parking plan moving forward

Following a discussion that involved police department representatives, Rehoboth Beach commissioners have decided to enforce a plan that enacts a ban on overnight parking the Thursday before the three-day Sea Witch festival begins. This was done to prevent people from parking on Rehoboth Avenue all week long in order to reserve a front-row spot for the annual parade on Saturday.

Acres environmental committee to meet

The Henlopen Acres Environmental Approval Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, in town hall, 104 Tidewaters. The agenda includes possible action on the replacement of a nonconforming fence at 57 Pine Reach and possible action on the landscape plan for 47 Pine Reach.

For more information, call town hall at 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.

Lewes planners to meet April 16

The Lewes Planning Commission will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes discussion and possible recommendation to mayor and city council regarding a proposed home occupation ordinance.  See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

African American groups to meet 

The Lewes Johnnie Walker Beach Subcommittee will meet at 5 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at city hall.

The agenda includes discussion of Delaware 250 grant awards.

The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will meet at 6 p.m. in the same location. See agendas and streaming links for both meetings at lewes.civicweb.net.

Citizens Café to discuss water health 

The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays’ Citizens Advisory Committee will hold an in-person and virtual Citizens Café forum from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 17, to explore the topic: Innovative Solutions for Enhancing Water Health. 

This free event will feature two expert speakers.

Charmaine Dahlenburg, National Aquarium field conservation director in Baltimore, will discuss the Harbor Wetland, a floating wetland ecosystem that has revitalized habitats and brought back wildlife, including river otters, helping transform urban water quality and benefiting urban conservation. 

Dr. Nicholas Ray, an assistant professor at the University of Delaware School of Marine Science and Policy, will present his work on stormwater ponds in coastal Delaware and how these systems respond to environmental changes. 

Find more information and a Zoom link at tinyurl.com/23nunjdh.   For in-person attendees, the meeting location is the CIB office at 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach.

Rehoboth meeting set for April 17

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will meet at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. This regularly monthly meeting has been moved a day ahead because April 18 is Good Friday. The agenda includes a permit of compliance hearing for the Cultured Pearl to modify an existing floor plan, and updates on the Rehoboth Beach Patrol project, phase 3B and 4 of the wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and the city solicitor search.

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 city offices to close April 18

Lewes City Hall and the Board of Public Works offices will be closed Friday, April 18, in observance of Good Friday.

Both will reopen at 8 a.m., Monday, April 21.

Beebe crane work to impact campus traffic

Traffic through Beebe Healthcare’s Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus will be temporarily affected from Friday evening, April 18 through late Saturday, April 19, due to crane work.

Beginning at 8 p.m., Friday, the patient drop-off and pickup circle at the hospital’s east entrance will be closed. The emergency department entrance will not be affected. Care team members will contact patients about any new discharge locations.  Drivers leaving the Lewes campus should use the exit onto West Fourth Street or Market Street, as the Savannah Road exit will be closed. Entrance to the campus from Savannah Road will remain open for patients, visitors and emergency vehicles. Beebe public safety staff and Delaware State Fire Police will help direct traffic in the lot.

All lanes are expected to reopen by about 4 p.m., Saturday, April 19, but may be affected by weather issues and other potential delays.

Farm bureau scholarship applications due May 2

The Delaware Farm Bureau is offering scholarship opportunities for students pursuing higher education in agriculture. Scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 are made possible through the efforts of the DEFB Women’s Committee, the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, and the three county farm bureaus.

Throughout the year, DEFB committees fundraise to support these scholarships. The Women’s Committee designates a portion of the proceeds from its food booth at the Delaware State Fair, while YF&R hosts events such as the annual strawberry festival and the antique tractor pull in July.

“It is important for Delaware Farm Bureau to give back to the younger generation,” said Will Powers, YF&R state chair. “These students are the future of agriculture, and we are committed to supporting their education and experiences in the field.”

To learn more, go to defb.org. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m., Friday, May 2.