Millsboro

Sussex County emergency managers are asking property owners and residents affected by last week’s coastal storm to report any damage to homes, businesses, cars or other property so officials can gain a clear picture of the extent of destruction wrought by the worst nor’easter to hit the region at least since 1998.

This week, Attorney General Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III announced the indictment of 52-year-old Newark resident Steven Hughes. Hughes is charged with 30 counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and 30 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography. He was arrested several weeks ago at his second home near Millsboro, Del.

The Delaware Department of Transportation has updated its list of roadways closed due to this week's storm, announcing that, about 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, all lanes of Route 1 in the area of the Indian River Bridge had been reopened.

Property owners and residents in low-lying areas of coastal Delaware continued this weekend to feel the impact of what many are calling Nor’Ida – former Hurricane Ida, turned nor’easter – despite the scaling back of the storm to a stiff breeze and a light misting of rain on Saturday, Nov. 14.

The Delaware Department of Transportation has issued an extensive list of road closures in Sussex County due to this week's storm. The list was updated on Sunday, Nov. 15.

The remnants of Hurricane Ida continued to wallop the Delaware coastal area on Friday, Nov. 13, with winds expected to continue to average around 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph.

Friday’s state of emergency is not a hurricane, but the weather is severe, and Elainea Goldthwaite, Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) Delaware Animal Response coordinator, is urging Delawareans to be mindful of their pets and livestock as the tropical storm runs its course.

Sussex County emergency officials on Friday morning, Nov. 13, were continuing to monitor the major coastal storm affecting the region, but said they were optimistic that once the early morning high-tide cycle was complete, conditions might gradually improve over the next 24 hours.

Gov. Jack Markell has declared a state of emergency for Kent County and Sussex County to better enable response to the current storm, effective at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Route 1 closed in both directions at IRIB

Delaware Department of Transportation officials have completely closed Route 1 at the Indian River Inlet Bridge as of 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. The road is closed both northbound and southbound and in all lanes. No estimated time for reopening of the road has been announced.

As cooler weather rolls in and the heavy traffic of summer dwindles, local restaurants are looking for alternative ways to cater to their customers, especially in the current economy.

Starting Nov. 13, Hocker’s and G&E will be offering customers a gas rewards program. For every $100 spent, customers will receive 10 cents per gallon off of gas purchased at Hocker’s or G&E. Through the Hocker’s G&E Gold Card customers will be able to save on various items throughout both stores and pay a discounted price on gas.

Those looking to get involved in their community may want to give the Southern Sussex Rotary at try. The world’s first service organization is looking for members in the area.

“It’s a community thing,” explained Southern Sussex member Dominique Kimball. “But it is also national and international.”

In a case that details the kinds of conflict that can happen as an area is developed, a 1-acre property near Millville has been the source of discord between the property owner and neighbors in recent years, as they battle over an ongoing use that the property’s owner says has existed there for nearly a half-century.

In a move that garnered praise from Gov. Jack Markell and Delaware Congressional delegation, NRG Energy Inc. this week announced that it had acquired Bluewater Wind, one of the nation’s leading offshore wind development businesses, from Babcock & Brown and Arcadia Windpower.

IRSD schools closing an hour early

Issued by the National Weather Service
Philadelphia, Pa.
9:43 a.m. EST, Wed., Nov. 11, 2009

... High wind warning in effect from 6 p.m. this evening to 6 a.m. EST Friday...

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a high wind warning... Which is in effect from 6 p.m. this evening to 6 a.m. EST Friday.

\With responsibility for dog control inside Sussex County transferring to county officials in January, county council members and staff began work this week on adoption of Chapter 60 of county code, the ordinance setting up the rules for the county’s new dog-control operations.

Situated right along the Route 113 corridor, just north of Millsboro, the Indian River Espresso and Coffee Company has been one of lower Delaware’s best-kept secrets for five years. Owner and “roastmaster” Dennis Lasher has been singlehandedly helping hundreds of people nationwide wake up to some of the most exotic and richest blends of coffee and espresso from across the globe.

During the week of October 19, letters and consent forms will be sent to the parents of every Indian River School District student in Grades K-12.

Delaware Department of Transportation officials announced Friday, Oct. 16, that the open house and site tour planned for the Indian River Inlet Bridge project on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m., was being postponed until a future date that would be announced.

A Coastal Flood Advisory, Wind Advisory and Coastal Flood Watch have been issued for the Delaware beach area and inland Sussex County by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J. They are as follows:

State Police and local law enforcement said Tuesday, Oct. 6, that they were receiving numerous calls concerning an Amber Alert involving a 3-year-old boy or an infant that was abducted from a Sussex County hospital. Police say that alert is a hoax.

People interested in starting their New Year’s resolutions early, or those interested in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month while getting fit for month, can join World Gym in Millsboro for $30 for the month of October. Owner Pam Trader said the gym will also be receiving their two new pink treadmills on Oct. 1 and, for each mile logged on the treadmills, CYBEX, the treadmills’ manufacturer, will donate 10 cents to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Town of Georgetown is inviting the community to pay its final respects to fallen Georgetown Police Officer Chad E. Spicer during a public procession through town on Tuesday, Sept. 8. As many as 100 police agencies from across the United States are expected to accompany Spicer’s casket following a memorial service that afternoon. The service will begin at 2 p.m.

The Nanticoke Indian Association’s 32nd annual powwow will be held Sept. 12-13 near Millsboro. The 2009 powwow marks the 32nd year of the event.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced this week that temporary road closures and delays for a short period of time beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and ending at 5 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, will be in effect to move an oversized load from Millsboro to Georgetown.

The following roadways will experience temporary road closures and delays:
• Delaware Avenue

On Sunday, Aug. 23, from noon to 6 p.m., Festival Hispano will be held at the Millsboro Little League Complex. Organized by El Centro Cultural, a nonprofit organization funded by the Delaware Division of Arts, the festival will highlight the heritage and cultures of the local Hispanic community.

On Tuesday, July 28, just after 8 a.m., an inspection port on a silo at the NRG-owned Indian River Generating Station (power plant) near Millsboro malfunctioned while employees were performing routine maintenance, allowing fly ash to escape while it was being loaded onto a truck for disposal.

Although an acquisition of NRG Energy Inc., owner of the Indian River Generating Station near Millsboro, has been reported in recent months as a possibility, Exelon Corporation will not be acquiring the company after all.