Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT Derek Jones takes a bite out of a project at the Extreme Gingerbread Home Making Contest held by High Tide Baptist Church at the Roxana fire hall on Saturday, Dec. 31.

Coastal Point viewpoint 01.06.06

County planners give thumbs-up to gift shop
There may soon be a new gift shop along Route 54 outside of Fenwick Island. Members of the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) unanimously recommended approval at their Jan. 4 special meeting for a conditional use that allows Edward Chiasson to establish a nautical-themed gift shop on his property near the intersection of Route 54 and 20.

Ocean View talks outside liquor ordinance
Ocean View Town Council introduced an ordinance that would govern cocktail service to outdoor restaurant tables at the Jan. 3 council meeting, responding to a request from NorthEast Seafood Kitchen (NESK) proprietors.

Check-forgery suspect nabbed at store
Local business owners will likely breathe easier this week, with Millville-area resident Dean R. Mitchell behind bars.

Fenwick Freeze a splash in second year
There were two challenges at the Fenwick Freeze this New Year’s Day. First, the obvious: getting into ocean water that topped out around 40 degrees. Second: getting the event to live up to its well-attended inaugural edition, despite air temperatures some 25 degrees colder.

Frankford deadline nears
The deadline for new voter registration in the town of Frankford is approaching — new residents, or residents who’ve come of age this year, will have to stop by town hall by the close of business, Friday, Jan. 13, in order to vote this year.

IRSD board considers next move in suit
Individual Indian River School District (IRSD) School Board members have been excused as defendants in the ongoing Dobrich v. Indian River School District lawsuit, but the district, as an entity, is still under scrutiny. And those board members are set to make a key decision regarding the case this week.

Millville gets early look at Megaplex
Representatives from the Millville Group LLC stopped by town hall on Jan. 3 to share some of their nascent plans for the huge Millville by the Sea master planned community (MPC) with town council.

The Agenda

County considers Community Development
Community Development and Housing’s Bill Lecates presented his 2006 wish list at the Jan. 3 Sussex County Council meeting — now to see which projects make the cut. As Lecates explained, Sussex will be competing for $1.9 million in federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) money this year, and the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) does the prioritizing.

Zephyr takes home the top trophy on windy day
It was the big prize, and it went home with the big dog.

A New Year's splash
It was a seasonable 44 degrees in downtown Bethany Beach on the first day of 2006 — and only a few degrees chillier in the water — but more than 275 intrepid splashers signed up to join in the annual New Year’s Day ocean plunge.

Kool Bean expands
Kool Bean Café owner Nancy Crass and staffers have been through a lot in the past year.

Indians continue race on courts
Indian River’s boy’s varsity basketball team showed just what they’re capable of against Laurel on Jan. 3 by defeating the Bulldogs 81-40. The Indians pressed them for nearly the whole game, creating more than 20 turnovers (24 total), which resulted in easy transition buckets. Three Indian River players scored double figures — but one almost scored a quadruple double.

Lady Indians hope new year brings wins
The Lady Indians varsity girls’ basketball team trudged through December without tasting victory. Three games and one scrimmage in five weeks just isn’t enough time for a team to gel. But the New Year promises the team plenty of opportunities to right its ship.

Grapplers continue climb
Indian River’s wrestling program continues its ascent into Delaware’s elite after posting 15th out of 27 teams in the A.I. Dupont Tiger Classic tournament Dec. 28-29.