Sussex County News

Lewes pediatrician Dr. Earl B. Bradley was charged with an additional 24 charges on Friday, Dec. 18, after turning himself in to Delaware State Police Troop 4 detectives on that morning. Police said more alleged victims have been identified in their investigation of alleged rape and exploitation of children, but they emphasized that it was still too early to determine the exact number of victims allegedly involved in incidents with Bradley.

A request for additional sewer capacity for a proposed project near Lewes on Dec. 8 revealed continuing divides on the Sussex County Council over how to deal with the impact of growth on the county’s sewer system, as the council considered whether to grant the request and how much it should charge if it does so.

As heavy snow continued to blanket the entire state on Dec. 19, state officials said agencies were working hard to keep the primary roads passable and tending to stranded motorists. Additionally, Gov. Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency for New Castle and Kent counties, effective at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Bethany Beach Town Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. at the town hall. The meeting will include discussion and a vote on moving forward with the Sea Pines Village homeowners association with litigation to halt the construction of a 100-foot-tall cell tower adjacent and outside of the corporate limits of Bethany Beach.

Lewes pediatrician Dr. Earl B. Bradley was charged with an additional 24 charges on Friday, Dec. 18, after turning himself in to Delaware State Police Troop 4 detectives on Friday morning.

WEATHER ALERT: Snow/rain mix across eastern Sussex, State of Emergency in Kent, New Castle counties [UPDATED, 3:45 p.m.]

National Weather Service, Mount Holly, N.J., 3:30 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009

A winter storm watch will be in effect from late Friday night through late Saturday night. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch.

Three vacant Georgetown-area homes purchased by Sussex County as part of its airport expansion could be transformed into transitional housing for one or more groups of people in need of a roof over their heads.

The Delaware State Police on Wednesday, Dec. 16, reported that DSP Troop 4 detectives were investigating Dr. Earl B. Bradley – a pediatrician with an office in Lewes, Del. – in reference to charges of unlawful sexual contact.

The Sussex County Council was split on Tuesday, Dec. 8, over the issue of a possible historic preservation ordinance that county officials have been discussing since the drafting of the county’s most recent comprehensive land-use plan.

A wind advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday evening to 6 p.m. Thursday. A deep low pressure system to the north will cause a cold front to cross the area early Wednesday evening. Strong and gusty winds from the west or southwest will develop behind this front. Gusts up to 45 mph will occur.

With a strong coastal storm headed into the area mid-week and a second expected on Saturday, Dec. 5, Sussex County officials offered the unwelcome news at the county council’s Dec. 1 meeting that the county had not qualified to be eligible for federal assistance with recovery from the Veteran’s Day storm that rolled through the area Nov. 11-15, causing flooding, property damage and severe erosion and breaches to beachfront dunes.

Dog owners in Sussex County will notice a few changes when it comes time to tag their dogs next year. The Sussex County Council, at its Tuesday, Dec. 1, meeting, adopted a new ordinance that defines the county’s authority when it comes to dogs, sets licensing fees for dogs and establishes penalties for violators.

A stormy 12- to 18-hour period is being forecast at the Delaware shore, with the National Weather Service having issued wind, high-surf and coastal flood advisories for the area through Thursday morning, Dec. 3.

Sussex County emergency officials are urging coastal residents and property owners to be alert to weather conditions for the next several days.

“Today, the Sussex County Grand Jury returned a 14-count indictment charging Derrick Powell with 1st Degree Murder, among other charges, for the Sept. 1 shooting that killed Georgetown police officer Ptl. Chad Spicer and injured Georgetown police officer Cpl. Shawn Brittingham,” Attorney General Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III announced on Monday, Nov. 23.

“Today, the Sussex County Grand Jury returned a 14-count indictment charging Derrick Powell with 1st Degree Murder, among other charges, for the Sept. 1 shooting that killed Georgetown police officer Ptl. Chad Spicer and injured Georgetown police officer Cpl. Shawn Brittingham,” Attorney General Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III announced on Monday, Nov. 23.

Last weekend’s storm may not have impacted the Delaware shore the way the Storm of 1962 rolled up the coast, but restoration and recovery are definitely an eminent part of the weather’s aftermath.

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.

Next weekend, 18 of the area’s most noted artists and crafters will be opening their doors for the 15th Annual SouthEastern Delaware Artist Studio Tour (SEDAST), one of the area’s most highly anticipated art events each year.

Sussex County Council next month will host the 26th annual Caroling on The Circle, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, in downtown Georgetown.

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.