News Briefs 9/3/21

Rehoboth workshop set Sept. 8

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a workshop for 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, to be conducted virtually on the city’s civic web page. The agenda includes discussions on gross floor area in the commercial district, the Dolle’s sign, and changes to the city’s trash-collection service. A presentation by the city’s new wireless technology consultant is also slated to take place. Anyone wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours before the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

14th RD Dems change meeting to Sept. 9 

 Since Rosh Hashanah falls on the second Wednesday of September this year, the 14th RD Democratic Committee will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Sept. 9, with a hybrid format, on Zoom and in person at the Iron Hill Brewery on Route 1 north of Rehoboth Beach. The dutch treat dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting at 6 p.m. In-person attendees should be fully vaccinated and should bring their laptop or other electronic device so they can connect with Zoom attendees. The committee works to recruit, train, support and elect Democrats to all levels of elected office. It represents residents from just south of Lewes to the southern border of Dewey Beach and west to Angola. To register, contact Secretary Cheryl Fruchtman at c.fruchtman@comcast.net.

Milton to hold 9/11 tribute 

The Town of Milton, along with Milton Fire Department and Broadkiln VFW Post 6984, will hold a 9/11 ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at Milton Memorial Park. The event, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, will honor those who lost their lives that day, as well as local men and women who serve the country and community.

In case of rain, the event will be moved to Milton Fire Department, 116 Front St. 

Lewes approves MOUs for RR displays

Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously approved two memorandums of understanding Aug. 9, regarding plans to add railroad displays between the Lewes Public Library and the Rollins Community Center. When the railroad was removed in 2018, a 210-foot section was left between the two buildings because there was interest in honoring the railroad’s long history in the city. The Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association was formed in early 2019, and the group developed a plan to refurbish and relocate train cars to Lewes. Running parallel are plans to add a replica train station around the library’s utility equipment next to the train cars. The station will be built and donated by Schell Brothers, and Art in Bloom will decorate the structure with murals and other artwork. The city’s MOUs approved Aug. 9 are with the Lewes library and the Delaware Department of Transportation. Each deals with responsibilities related to the site and project. To learn more go to lewesjunctionrr.org.

Lewes to review Kings Highway building

The Lewes Joint Site Development Ad Hoc Review Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7, at city hall and via Zoom. The group will consider a request from Fancy Pants Holdings LLC for construction of a mixed-use building at 820 Kings Highway, currently home to Aquamarine retail shop. The plan calls for removal of the existing building and construction of a new 2,400-square-foot structure that includes 1,200 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and two apartments on the second floor. Materials and a link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Sussex council on holiday break Sept. 7

Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Sept. 7. The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Sussex County government offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of Labor Day.

Lewes City Hall, BPW closed Sept. 6

The offices of Lewes City Hall and the Board of Public Works will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, for the Labor Day holiday. 

Police plan DUI checkpoints near Rehoboth

Police will have sobriety checkpoints beginning at 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, and at 2 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, on Route 1 in the Rehoboth Beach area. According to Veronica Marshall, Delaware Office of Highway Safety outreach coordinator, Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year on Delaware and nationwide highways, with an increase in drunk-driving related crashes.

Over the 2019 Labor Day weekend, there were 22 impaired driving crashes, resulting in 14 injuries. In 2020, the number fell to 13 crashes and five injuries.

The DUI checkpoints, one location in each county, will include more than 50 local, county, municipal and Delaware State Police troopers. The checkpoints target areas known to have a high number of DUI arrests and crashes, including injuries and fatalities.

Dewey Beach Patrol last day set Sept. 13

Town of Dewey Beach officials announced Aug. 27 that many lifeguards are returning to college and high school for sports, but as many lifeguards as possible will be on staff to cover the beach through Monday, Sept. 13, the last day of patrol. Lifeguards will also be patrolling in 4x4 vehicles on the side of the beach near the ocean. For more information about Dewey Beach Patrol, call 302-227-6365.