Small businesses go front-and-center
State Sen. Gerald Hocker and Gov. John Carney on Aug. 16 invited a small group of local businesspeople to join them for lunch and a roundtable discussion on the state’s economy and their concerns about their individual businesses and beyond....
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 11:15am
Selbyville teen to compete in Miss Hispanic pageant
Coastal Point • Laura Walter: For her pageant platform, Ana Calles encourages people to volunteer for the causes they love.Ana Calles doesn’t mind driving two hours to Wilmington every week this summer. Hailing from Selbyville, she’s the only...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 10:37am
Coastal Point • Tyler Valliant: Pizzazz by the Bay owner Victoria Thanner in her Fenwick Island shop.This tiny shop in Fenwick Island is living up to its name. Pizzazz by the Bay isn’t trying to be the ordinary gift shop. Visitors and locals are...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 10:12am
Cooks and books have a tasty time at Selbyville library
Coastal Point photos • Laura Walter: Cathy Martin serves chicken curry, next to a dish of chicken meatballs with smoked paprika tomato sauce.Libraries were never this delicious. But now people are turning on their tastebuds at the Selbyville...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 9:53am
Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ making its way to Freeman Stage
The Brown Box Theatre Project will perform Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at the Freeman Stage on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m.
Brown Box Theatre is a traveling company that sees theater as a democratic art form. The group believes that theater...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 9:41am
Photography contest to illustrate what family means to you
Brandywine Living at Fenwick Island is holding a photography contest for photographs that portray family life, as part of its celebration of National Assisted Living Week.
Entries should portray a moment that illustrates “what family means...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 9:36am
Delaware Federation says ‘it’s not your grandmother’s club’
Coastal Point • Submitted: The Salt Air Gardeners are members of the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs. The club won an award from DNREC for their plantings at the Indian River Lifesaving Station earlier this year.Calling all gardeners and...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 9:28am
SODE athletes enjoy classic summer-camp experience
Coastal Point • Shaun M. Lambert: Special Olympics Delaware Summer Camp attendees try their hands at archery.Approximately 120 Special Olympics Delaware (SODE) athletes from across the state were able to enjoy a classic summer-camp experience...
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 9:04am
BREAKING: Fenwick cancels public hearing on election rules
The Fenwick Island Town Council has canceled its Aug. 25 public hearing and the council’s final vote on voter qualifications. In fact, the primary sponsor, Councilwoman Julie Lee, said she has decided to hit “pause” altogether on the proposed...
Thursday, August 24, 2017 - 7:40am
Hall’s Store closer to becoming reality with help of Contractors
Coastal Point • Maria Counts: Contractors for a Cause recently donated $3,000 to the Ocean View Historical Society.The Ocean View Historical Society is hoping to begin construction on its replica of Hall’s Store — a re-creation based on the...
Thursday, August 24, 2017 - 6:03am
For children who have experienced a serious burn, the emotional recovery from that burn can take just as long, if not longer, to heal than the actual wound itself.
Coastal Point photos • Shaun M. Lambert
Through legislation...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 11:01am
This coming Monday, everyone will be given the opportunity to experience a unique and rare happening — a total solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth, casting a shadow onto Earth...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 10:59am
South Bethany council rejects police claims
The South Bethany Town Council has found “no merit” to police officers’ claims of improper promotion, pay and benefits.
In a June 30 letter, the town’s six fulltime police officers alleged that they have not been paid or promoted as they...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 10:57am
Area prepares for annual Warrior Beach Week
In a little more than two weeks, the Bethany Beach area will welcome 25 “Very Important Families” for a week of rest and healing.
The week is facilitated by Operation SEAs the Day, a non-profit whose mission is, “to organize and facilitate...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 10:38am
Local talent in the bandstand spotlight for a night
Both Bethany Beach residents and visitors who signed up to perform in the annual talent show are predicted to exceed expectations this year.
Since 2001, the Town of Bethany Beach has been holding a talent show on the boardwalk bandstand....
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 10:32am
Sussex County drug-trafficking investigation nets 40 arrests
A multi-jurisdictional investigation into an illegal drug trafficking organization, involving multiple subjects, conducted by the Delaware State Police and Delaware Department of Justice, has concluded with the arrest or indictment of 40...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 10:01am
Arrests made in lawn ornament thefts
Following the receipt of numerous complaints regarding stolen lawn ornaments, the Ocean View Police Department and Delaware State Police Troop 4 were recently able to arrest Randy P. Holderbaum and Matthew L. Donoway, both of Frankford, in...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 9:45am
Dinker-Irvin Cottage listed on National Register of Historic Places
Coastal Point • Submitted: The Dinker-Irvin cottage was moved earlier this year to its new location a few lots west. The cottage was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.Bethany Beach officials and former owners Christina...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 9:09am
Seining the bays with the CIB: Finding meaning on the shore
I stand thigh-deep in warm bay water, seining net clutched in my hands. I can feel the drag of the current against the fabric as I march, slowly and steadily, toward the shore. A man named Dennis Bartow holds the other end of the 30-foot net,...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 9:05am
Georgetown 5K to raise funds for Ballard Memorial Fund
This Sunday, the friends and family of late Delaware State Trooper Cpl. Stephen Ballard are sponsoring a 5K and “Kiddie K” in order to raise funds for the fallen trooper’s family.
“Being wives of state troopers and friends with Stephen...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 8:45am
Infamous Stringdusters bringing bluegrass to Dewey Beach
Coastal Point • Submitted/Scott McCormick: The Infamous Stringdusters are set to appear on stage at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Aug. 20.When The Infamous Stringdusters take the stage at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 8:39am
Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Turning Pages Book Lounge gives new life to used books and invites customers to come in and relax and enjoy the books.Grab a book, a coffee or a ukulele. (Maybe one of each.)
Kate and Brendan Heneghan are...
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 6:19am
Dagsboro and Frankford discuss possible joint police force
With the Town of Frankford temporarily without police coverage after former police chief Mark Hudson resigned from his post July 27 after serving less than a full year, Frankford officials are looking into other avenues to provide police...
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 10:37am
Millville now requiring HOA OK for permits
Parked in front of Millville Town Hall on Tuesday night, a shiny red SUV was taking a break from its day-job. Millville Volunteer Fire Company’s new command vehicle is a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, funded by a Town grant.
The vehicle will be on-...
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 10:34am
Rotary club offers to lead Selbyville Christmas Parade
Those Christmas bells won’t go silent this December. The Southern Sussex Rotary Club has offered to take over organizing the Selbyville Christmas Parade.
“We’re requesting to do that for you guys,” Scott Smith, Rotary vice president, told...
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 10:31am
Hesse joins Bethany Beach Christian Church as pastor
Coastal Point • Shaun Lambert: Rev. Dr. Rayner ‘Rusty’ Hesse Jr. is the new pastor at Bethany Beach Christian Church.“Everyone will be welcome when they walk in the door,” said the Rev. Dr. Rayner “Rusty” Hesse Jr., the new pastor at the Bethany...
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 9:43am
County found in violation of FOIA in P&Z hire
The Sussex County Council took time at its Tuesday meeting this week to discuss a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) complaint filed by resident and council meeting regular Dan Kramer.
Kramer’s complaint, filed in November of 2016, alleged...
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 9:37am
Fenwick Island to talk waterway dredging
Delaware’s waterways are important to those who use them, whether it’s the wide bays or the narrow-dug canals that snake through small towns.
But those small towns are trying to find the resources to keep the shallow waters well-dredged,...
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 9:33am
Hudson resigns as Frankford police chief
The Town of Frankford is asking residents who may need police assistance to call 911, as its police chief, Mark Hudson, resigned from his position on July 27.
“We had a meeting with Mark last Friday, when he confirmed he was resigning,”...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 11:09am
Selbyville water report shows no violations, but high numbers
All central water systems are required to produce an annual report under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It’s meant to tell people where water comes from, what it contains and how it stacks up against regulatory standards. The Town of Selbyville’s...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 11:07am
Fenwick officials ready to tackle sidewalks again
The Town of Fenwick Island had dreams of new sidewalks to safely connect the town. Over the past decade, they added a few sidewalks, but in many places, pedestrians must still tiptoe around traffic or through parking lots.
On July 7, most...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 11:06am
Bethany committee evaluating beach regulations this summer
Bethany Beach officials are documenting and monitoring beach-related issues this summer, after briefly considering a ban on tents, canopies and large umbrellas on the beach. The Town considered the changes this spring in the wake of similar...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 10:55am
St. Ann’s Bazaar ready to sell ‘millions’ of items
Hundreds of community members and visitors alike look forward each year to the Parish of St. Ann’s Bazaar, which is celebrating its 37th year in 2017.
The bazaar will be held this weekend, with its traditional premier night on Thursday,...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 10:44am
Assateague pony dies after eating dog food, officials say
A few days before Chama Wingapo — a 7-year-old mare that was part of the wild pony herds of Assateague — was found dead without visible injuries in one of the Assateague Island National Seashore’s campgrounds, rangers noticed her odd behavior and...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 8:28am
Maryland woman suffers broken leg as car rolls into canal
A 76-year-old Stevensville, Md., woman suffered a broken leg on Sunday, July 30, when the car she had been driving rolled over her leg as it crashed into a canal at Treasure Beach Campground.
The incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. on...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 8:22am
Boardwalk buddies create upbeat daily tradition
Special to the Coastal Point • Lilly Blomquist Some of the boardwalk buddies gather on the boardwalk, under the clock.Waves crashing against the shore and seagulls cawing in the air are not the only sounds and sights that fill the town of Bethany...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 8:08am
Former sports writer to sign novel in Bethany on Aug. 6
Author Adam Gordon Sachs will be signing his book “Three Yards & a Plate of Mullet” at Bethany Beach Books on Sunday, Aug. 6, and will also discuss his experiences working as a sports writer and discuss themes of journalism, personal...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 8:05am
Local musicians get their time under the lights
Coastal Point • Tyler Valliant: Mama’s Black Sheep jams out on stage during the first Locals event at the Freeman Stage at Bayside.For the fifth season, the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville is hosting its Locals under the Lights...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 7:52am
Readers donate a favorite and buy someone else’s
Book lovers from all over Sussex County and beyond get the chance to both donate and buy books during the Friends of the South Coastal Library’s Summer Book Sale.
The Friends of the South Coastal Library — a group of volunteers that...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 7:47am
Magic, mysticism and mentalists at Dickens theatre
John StetsonWhat is it about magic that draws people in, regardless of age, background, or personality? Is it the allure of the mysterious, of the unknown? Is it the attraction of darkened theaters, thick velvet curtains and buttered popcorn? The...
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 7:38am
School board wants consistent rules for school choice
Kevin Patterson’s third-grade daughter has found success in the Indian River School District, and he looked forward to sending his son to kindergarten this fall. But, living outside the district, the boy isn’t guaranteed a spot, and the school...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:55pm
Weaver taking over as Chamber director
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Wednesday the resignation of executive director Kristie Maravalli, who will become the director of development for the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation. Lauren Weaver, currently the events and...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:53pm
Family donates a historic $10M toward Beebe upgrades
It might be one of the biggest charitable donations ever in Sussex County, and it’s coming from Atlanta, Ga. But the Rollins family hasn’t forgotten its roots in Lewes or their love for Beebe hospital.
That’s why Margaret “Peggy” Rollins...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:52pm
State plans for Fenwick lighthouse and keeper’s home
Coastal Point • File Photo: The Fenwick Island Lighthouse’s keeper’s house, on the left, will become a public historical site, if state historians can get their plans, and finances, approved.In days gone by, sailors looked for the beacon on dark...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:45pm
Forget ‘Rock ’n’ Roll High School — try rock summer camp
School band isn’t a perfect fit for some kids — even for the musicians among them. Some desire to enhance their performing abilities and get a chance to stand out while rocking the house.
Coastal Point • File Photo: Students at last year’...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:39pm
Work progressing on Bayhealth campus near Milford
The Sussex County Council this week received an update on the Bayhealth Sussex Campus project now under construction outside of Milford.
Coastal Point • Submitted: Rendering The Bayhealth Sussex facility outside of Milford is expected to...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:31pm
Millville committee gives annexation a thumbs-up
The Millville Annexation Committee met on July 20 and unanimously agreed to recommend annexation of a 31.32-acre property to the town council.
A petition for annexation has been submitted by the Howard Robert Hickman Revocable Trust and Dr...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:30pm
‘Delaware History’ documents the Civil War years
I previously published a column titled “Read all about it! — A guide to Civil War Delaware.” (Coastal Point, Aug. 31, 2012). It included a list of publications that dealt with Delaware’s involvement in the Civil War.
Included among these...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 2:13pm
Police warn residents to beware of multiple phone scams
No one ever wants to receive a phone call from a loved one in trouble, but authorities are asking the public to be wary and remember that those callers may not be who they say they are.
One Ocean View man received a call from a man who...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 12:17pm
New store aims to give Ocean View something to party about
Coastal Point • Tyler Valliant: Party Decor & More owner Jim Schnepf-Pratt poses for a photo at his new location in Ocean View.Ocean View now has a party store to call its very own, as a Rehoboth Beach-based business has opened a...
Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 12:14pm
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