Sussex County News

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Collin O’Mara announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3, that DNREC was evaluating a potential agreement with NRG that would shut down a third coal-fired electrical generating unit (Unit 3) from the Indian River Power Plant, leaving only the facility’s newest, largest and lowest-emission unit to remain in operation.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter storm watch that is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 3. All 12-month employees should report two hours late.

With a weather advisory from the National Weather Service in effect, state agencies on Tuesday were preparing to meet the challenge of yet more snow.

The National Weather Service Mt. Holly office issued a winter weather advisory for Delaware that was to be in effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday evening to 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 1. All 12-month employees are not required to report.

Other Monday closures, as they are reported to Coastal Point:
Cape Henlopen School District -- closed
Little Hearts Learning Center, Millville - closed

National Weather Service officials are warning of icy roads on Sunday morning. With very cold temperatures in place, any snow from the storm Saturday night that melts on Sunday will freeze on roadways and other untreated surfaces. Caution was advised for those traveling on Sunday. Drivers should be alert for any icy conditions.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter storm warning for snow, which is in effect from 9 a.m. Saturday morning to 4 a.m. Sunday. The previous winter weather advisory is no longer in effect.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a winter weather advisory for snow, which is in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday to midnight Saturday night.

Low pressure developing along the Texas Gulf Coast on Friday afternoon was expected to track northeastward Friday night and Saturday, and to move off the Carolina coast early Saturday night.

Budget cuts enacted early last year left Sussex County in better financial shape than originally expected, an independent audit of the county’s 2009 fiscal year showed, according to a report delivered to the county council on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

After their predecessors asked county staff and state legislators to give serious consideration in 2009 to authorizing Sussex County to create special development tax districts designed to help pay for improvements in or near developments, the current group of county council members this week showed scant support for the idea.

Sussex County is extending a helping hand to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

Sussex County officials recently announced plans to offer a 30-day tax amnesty program designed to get delinquent taxpayers caught up, with the incentive of a 50 percent cut in interest penalties due on the taxes owed to county and school district coffers.

Years of work designed to bring a 360,000-square-foot commercial center to King’s Highway near Lewes this week came to an abrupt halt as Sussex County Council members voted 3-2 not to approve change of zoning needed for the project to move forward as planned.

Sussex County Council members on Tuesday, Jan. 19, rejected a proposed 320,000-square-foot commercial project near Lewes, adjacent to Cape Henlopen High School, on a 3-2 vote, citing concerns about traffic, lot coverage in an environmentally sensitive area and the project's size - larger than existing commercial projects in the area.

The Sussex County Council will hold a workshop on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 19, to discuss zoning ordinances in the context of the county’s most recent update to the comprehensive land-use plan.

Due to snow, all Indian River School District schools are now closed on Friday, Jan. 8. Officials had previously announced a two-hour delay. All 12-month employees should report at their regular time. The Cape Henlopen School District is also closed on Friday, with staff reporting on a two-hour delay.

UPDATE: The Sussex County Board of Adjustments this week again rejected a request for a rehearing from opponents of a planned AT&T communications tower near Bethany Beach. Pick up next week's issue of the Coastal Point for more on this story.

The biggest battle in the Delaware General Assembly this year will be the economy, according to state Rep. Gerald Hocker (R-38th) and Sen. George H. Bunting (D-20th).

On Dec. 23, Attorney General Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III held a press conference to update the public on the investigation of Lewes pediatrician Dr. Earl B. Bradley. In addition, Biden provided information about victim services that are available to community members who have been affected by the case.

Starting today, owners of dogs in Sussex County will need to deal with county officials instead of state agencies when it comes time to license their dogs. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, responsibility for dog control and licensing has transferred to Delaware’s three counties.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J., has issued a wind advisory, which is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Recent storms that pummeled the Delaware coastline have sent town officials and organization chairs back to the drawing boards and back to their wallets. Although the money invested in building the dunes and reconstructed beaches two years ago has been credited with saving countless residences and businesses, and perhaps lives, the recovery from such devastation is no quick turnaround.

After an almost year-long power struggle between the Center for the Inland Bays Board and the CIB Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) – one of its standing committees – regarding a proposed diversity plan for members, things came to a head at last week’s board meeting.

When the going gets tough, the tough get green.

The health of the flat wetlands in Sussex County have been graded at a fair B+, but the health of the area’s riverine wetlands and tidal wetlands came in at a less-than-satisfactory D and D+, respectively, according to a new report card on the health of the state’s wetlands.