News Briefs 05/26/20

Milton Community Food Pantry sets distribution

Milton Community Food Pantry will hold an emergency food distribution, 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, June 1, at the Milton municipal parking lot across from the library.

The emergency food boxes have been provided through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program. Those seeking a box must present a Delaware driver’s license and meet certain income requirements, including making no more than $23,000 per year, $1,900 per month or $445 per week for an individual or $47,000 per year, $3,900 per month or $917 per week for a family of four. 

Food pickup will be drive-thru and is first-come, first-served. 

More information will be posted at the pantry’s usual home, at Goshen Hall on Federal Street, and can also be found at the pantry’s Facebook page or at www.miltonfoodpantry.org.

Republicans create coronavirus website

In a Facebook video post, the Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus has announced the creation of a new website - www.MyShutdownStory.com - which invites Delawareans to submit videos about their feelings on the coronavirus and the government’s reaction to it.

“The coronavirus has affected us all in many ways,” said the caucus’ post. “We know that people have strong emotions and opinions about the virus and the government’s reaction to it. And we know that many people out there feel as though their voice isn’t being heard.

“We’d like to change that. So we’re launching www.MyShutdownStory.com. Our goal is to give everyone in Delaware a chance to tell their story - whether you’ve suffered a personal loss of a family member or a business, or whether perhaps you’ve seen great heroes in the community rising up to make a positive difference. Whatever your story, we want to hear it.”

Lewes BPW to meet May 27

The Lewes Board of Public Works will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 27. Since there was no election, the board will swear in incumbents D. Preston Lee and A. Thomas Owen for new terms. The board will also assign responsibilities. The board will discuss its current situation with mayor and city council, the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, an electric study, and a memorandum of understanding to provide service to the Donovan Smith manufactured home park. A link to the meeting can be found at www.lewesbpw.delaware.gov. 

Lewes planners meet May 28

Lewes Planning Commission will meet virtually at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 28. The group will consider amendments to the R-4 zoning district, consider draft regulations for 5G systems and cell towers, discuss a minor subdivision request on Mulberry Street, and discuss rezoning a city-owned parcel on Milford Street as open space. For a link to the meeting, go to www.lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes council to meet May 29

Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet virtually at 1 p.m., Friday, May 29, to discuss restarting and reopening the economy. For a link to the meeting, go to www.lewes.civicweb.net. 

Cape school board meets May 28

The Cape Henlopen school board will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 28. A Zoom link to the meeting is available at www.capehenlopenschools.com. The board may possibly vote to award an architectural/engineering services contract for the new middle school and to approve change orders on major capital projects.

Unemployment claims show uptick

Initial unemployment claims ticked up by about 400 in the latest Department of Labor weekly report.

For the week ending May 16, initial claims were 5,584, up from 5,197 the previous week. Claims had been decreasing since hitting a record high of 18,987 for the week ending March 28.

Rabbis to teach for holiday of Shavuot

Thursday evening, May 28, welcomes the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai.

Customarily, Jews stay up all night studying the Torah. Living in this time of isolation, members of the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructing Judaism groups will be teaching via Zoom.

The rabbis will share their knowledge with the larger community from 7 to 10:15 p.m., Thursday, May 28.

This is the first time that rabbis of four denominations will join together by celebrating with study.

For more information and to register, contact the Jewish Federation of Delaware at info@shalomdel.org.