Millville News

The evacuation of Sussex County’s most vulnerable areas continued Friday evening as Hurricane Irene, now slightly weaker but still a very dangerous storm, remained on a collision course with the eastern United States, including Sussex County and the rest of Delaware.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell has declared a mandatory evacuation for much of the Coastal Point readership area. Everyone in towns including Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, North Bethany, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Long Neck, Oak Orchard, and Broadkill, Primehook and Slaughter beaches is being required to evacuate prior to 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

As of a final update from state emergency officials for Thursday night, the projected path of Hurricane Irene continued to place the powerful storm slightly to the east of Delaware’s Atlantic Coast, however, emergency management officials and their partners were advising the public to take precautions and to be prepared to enact their household and business emergency plans as it moves closer.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell issued an evacuation order for visitors in Sussex County on Thursday evening as the most significant tropical threat to the region in years continued its march toward the East Coast, expected to bring with it hurricane-force winds, catastrophic tidal flooding and torrential rains throughout much of the weekend.

Due to the impending and potentially very dangerous Hurricane Irene, all those who planned to visit Delaware the weekend of Aug. 26-28 are being urged to postpone plans immediately. Gov. Jack Markell and emergency management officials stated mid-day Thursday that weather conditions will not allow safe travel and lodging in the beach areas and possibly throughout other areas of the state.

The Millville Town Council held its monthly workshop on Aug. 23, and the council discussed adding improvements to the town’s Emergency Operations Center on the second floor of the new addition to town hall. The improvements discussed include a sprinkler system, flat-screen TV and a commercial chair lift.

Millville Town Council members stood their ground in denying the Millville Volunteer Group 24-hour access into the second floor of the Town Hall for ham radio training in a 5-0 vote on Tuesday, citing liability issues. The council had heard briefly from a volunteer representative earlier in the summer but had not voted on the issue until now. The council did say the group was welcome to use the building during the day or after hours and several members of the council said they would make themselves available to unlock the door outside regular office hours.

Back in 1946 – 65 years ago – a gallon of gas cost 15 cents, the United States had just 141 million residents and current Millville residents Jackie and Noble Simpson tied the knot in Washington, D.C. On Saturday, Aug. 6, the pair, ages 85 and 84, respectively, held an open house at their home to celebrate their marriage milestone with friends and family.

The Millville Planning & Zoning Commission met Aug. 8 and heard a presentation on signage in the town’s C1 and C2 commercial districts from Town Manager Debbie Botchie and Code and Building Administrator Eric Evans.

On Saturday, Aug. 13, Patti’s Hallmark in the Millville Town Center will be hosting “Hurdy Gurty,” the retired 1957 Chevrolet Fredericksburg Fire Department fire truck that is the inspiration for Hallmark’s 2011 Christmas Keepsake fire brigade-series ornament.

The Millville Board of Adjustments on July 28 granted variances to the developers of Woodcrest/The Meadows, for a reduced setback, and to M&T Bank for signage. Board members Andy Lyons and Tim Droney also voted to appoint Mark Reeve as the board’s chairman for the coming year.

I have had a lily pond for many years. It’s a modest thing, 5 feet by 7 feet, with a preformed liner surrounded by rock on one side and a deck on the other. The water flowed happily through a simple little gargoyle fountain. But this year, my son and husband decided it needed a waterfall.

One local family is helping both vacationers and locals beat the heat, while bringing a little bit of Baltimore to the beach and offering help to a good cause.

Although the rain was not coming down quite as hard as it had on July 4, according to Bob Powell of the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, it was still “raining cats and dogs” on Tuesday afternoon, and the thunder and lightning of the sudden storm caused the fire company to shut their engine bays for a time to keep everyone safe.

Emergency officials were preparing mid-week for an anticipated spike in the heat wave that hit the area early this week, with temperatures expected to be at or above 100 degrees Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 21-23. They were urging residents and visitors alike to monitor the weather and take precautions for their health and safety.

The signage ordinance discussion continued in Millville this week with a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to discuss the next steps. Commission Chairman Robert Linett asked Eric Evans, building and code enforcement officer – who broached the subject in a recent town council workshop – to write down the problems or “perceived problems” with the current signage ordinance.

Anger, despair, confusion and heartbreak are all expected following a devastating house fire, but the most prominent feeling in Dan and Eileen Quigley’s hearts this week was gratitude.

Planning for Millville’s Great Pumpkin Festival is under way, according to planning committee member Kami Banks. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date of Oct. 2.

Whether they’re on vacation, a lifelong Sussex Countian or a transplant, if and when the time comes when someone needs emergency/medical assistance in and around Millville, Ocean View and Clarksville, chances are the Millville Volunteer Fire Company will be on the scene, just as they have been since 1936.

The summertime sun and heat can be a burden for the skin, but at AfterGlo Beauty Spa in Millville, clients are finding ways to look and feel relaxed and younger. From custom-designed facials and peels, aimed at purifying the skin’s appearance, to detoxifying massages and nail treatments, the small boutique spa offers an extensive list of therapeutic treatments from an experienced staff.

At a workshop this week, after much discussion, the Millville Town Council voted to recommend to the Planning and Zoning Commission that they revisit the town’s current sign ordinance at the request of Millville code and building administrator Eric Evans.

A 3-year-old boy was responding to his parents and hospital personnel early this week after a near-drowning incident on Saturday, June 18.

A new act is coming to town June 20-26 at the Dickens Parlour Theatre in Millville. World-renowned magician Eric Buss will perform nightly at 7 p.m., entertaining audiences with pogo sticks, frozen turkeys and numerous other unconventional props.

UPDATE: Police are now reporting that a Frankford woman was killed in the three-vehicle crash that occurred this morning on Roxana Road.
 

In June of 2012, a passionate local youth group will take community outreach to a new level as they host more than 400 mission workers from across the country for five days of service and fellowship.