News Briefs 12/25/20
Cape Gazette posts holiday deadlines
Both retail and classified advertising deadlines have been moved up for the next two editions due to the New Year’s holidays. The deadline for the Friday, Jan. 1 issue will be noon, Monday, Dec. 28. The deadline for the Tuesday, Jan. 5 edition will be noon, Wednesday, Dec. 30. Cape Gazette offices are closed Friday, Dec. 25, and Thursday and Friday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1.
Sussex County Council off until January
Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Dec. 22 or 29. The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, when new council members Cindy Green, District 2, and Mark Schaeffer, District 3, will be sworn in.
Rehoboth BOA denies appeal for 16 Hickman
During a meeting Dec. 21, the Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment denied the appeal of an applicant from 16 Hickman St. to reverse the decision of the city’s building inspector that replacing an existing, nonconforming exterior stairwell triggers additional fire protective measures be taken. The appeal failed after the board voted 2-2. The property owner, Cloisters Condominium HOA, is looking to replace the exterior stairwell. The city building inspector denied the building permit, citing code that says doorways and windows within 10 feet of the stairwell must meet certain fire safety measures if the structure is being substantially rebuilt.
Petition started to save iconic Dolle’s sign
A petition to save the iconic Dolle’s sign on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk has been started. The move comes days after the Cape Gazette first reported Dolle’s Candyland would be moving from its Boardwalk location and the iconic Dolle’s sign would be coming down by the end of January. For more information on the petition, go to the petition page at change.org.
Local Christmas Bird Counts coming up
The Delmarva Ornithological Society manages six Christmas Bird Counts in Delaware. Two counts – Wilmington and Bombay Hook – have taken place, but there are still four remaining. All skill levels of birders are welcome, including ones that like to feeder-watch at home. In Milford, the count takes place Saturday, Dec. 26. To sign up, contact compiler Chris Bennett at 302-424-1126 or cpb2564@gmail.com. In Middletown, the count takes place Sunday, Dec. 27. To sign up, contact compiler Anthony Gonzon at 302-598-5893 or atgonzon@verizon.net. In Rehoboth, the count takes place Saturday, Jan. 2. To sign up, contact compiler Sally O’Byrne at 302-584-4783 or salobyrne@gmail.com. Finally, in Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the count takes place Sunday, Jan. 3. To sign up, contact compiler Bruce Peterjohn at bpeterjohn@verizon.net.
Sussex council awards grants
At its Dec. 15 meeting, Sussex County Council awarded the following councilmanic grants: $5,000 to First State Community Action Agency for its culinary arts training program and $9,833.23 to CHEER Inc. for its virtual programs.
Paving notice for Stockley Street
Rehoboth Beach issued a notice Dec. 11 saying paving on Stockley Street, from Hickman Street to Scarborough Avenue, was expected to begin Dec. 14, and continue over several days as weather permits. During this work, sections of the road may be closed to thru traffic but open to local traffic. The work hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For details, contact 302-227-6181, Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehoboth.com.
Sussex council awards grants to nonprofits
Sussex County Council presented the following councilmanic grants during its Dec. 8 meeting: $5,000 to Milton Fire Department for its renovation/addition project and $3,000 to Georgetown Little League for a backstop replacement project.