Front Page

Delaware State Police this week made one additional arrest and filed hundreds of additional charges against the suspects in an extensive theft ring that was operating in the Ocean View and Bethany Beach area in recent months.

Three years after completing the purchase of undeveloped property on the opposite corner of Route 1 from the town hall and agreeing to some sort of open-space or park use, Bethany Beach officials may finally be ready to start making some concrete decisions on how the property will someday look and operate.

Despite rumors of a substantially slower-than-usual summer season, Bethany Beach has been a relatively busy town this summer, according to Town Manager Cliff Graviet. Graviet gave Bethany Beach Town Council members an update on the season thus far at their Aug. 15 council meeting, providing reports on everything from beach repairs to parking revenue and public safety activity.

Lifeguards are an essential part of summertime enjoyment, providing safety, reassurance and security to vacationers and beach-goers alike. At the head of each lifeguard patrol is the captain, a strong individual who carefully measures the capabilities of their crew, keeping them attentive and reliable.

This week marks the grand opening of one of Sussex County’s newest assisted living programs. Brandywine Assisted Living, now operating in five states, was set to officially open its doors Thursday, Aug. 21, west of Fenwick Island. Located at the intersection of Routes 54 and 20, the assisted living community is already off to a promising start.

The Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, was downstate Aug. 14 for the dedication of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a mission church of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach.

After a three week flat spell, the ocean finally came to life again last weekend, just in time for the 2008 Quiet Storm Maryland State Championships, which had already been postponed once due to no surf. With the arrival of the swell, more than 200 competitors had only a couple of days to get their sea legs back before the start of the contest Saturday morning.

After a reassuring trip to the Tropicana in Atlantic City, N.J., two weeks ago, I was convinced that while I’m not the top dog in the poker circuit, I like to think I have potential. Satisfied with a few hundred dollars won in a couple of cash games, I tested my play in a 48-person tournament, finishing in sixth place, the bubble spot, just before the big payouts.

The town of Georgetown, in cooperation with Sussex County, announced this week that free wireless Internet access is available to people at its historic town circle.

“We noticed a lot of people out there on nice days, and we wanted to have this service to offer them,” said Gene Dvornick, town manager.

The Senior League Softball World Series, being held at the Pyle Center in Roxana for the fifth year started off its week of championship games this past Sunday at 3:30 p.m. with its opening ceremonies, amidst blue skies and oppressive August heat — the perfect backdrop for playing ball.

There is something fishy happening in the Bethany Beach Loop Canal — or rather something fish-less.

For about six weeks, the manmade canal has had significantly low dissolved oxygen levels. That means that, for fish and other aquatic life in the water, it is getting harder and harder to get the oxygen they need to survive. So, it seems many have simply left.

Concerns about finances in Ocean View and financial decisions made by the Ocean View Town Council have been the subject of heated debate for several years. But even this spring’s elections and change in the mayor and town council positions have not quelled the fire around the topic.

It was Monday morning, the start of a new work week at Mike & Paul’s Auto Repair on Route 26 in Millville. Owners Mike and Kerry Blizzard were swamped with customers needing help with their cars. And they weren’t the only ones looking for help at the business.

What in the world?

There’s a new ’que in town – but as customers can tell you, this isn’t your typical backyard barbecue. Jon Yanek has a strong passion for the Caribbean islands, and a knack for great food, and he’s found a way to merge them into what’s sure to be a new West Fenwick hotspot.

When you live here, it’s easy to ride by a place day after day and never really notice it. If it’s off the beaten track a bit and there’s no reason to turn in or check it out, the hustle and bustle of life at the beach can make it easy for some places to hide from the masses and exist quietly among their surroundings.

While the girls are on the field, stealing bases and the spotlight, it’s easy to forget all of the donations, time and effort that goes into the World Series. The tournament would not be possible if it weren’t for the volunteers, medical and emergency staff, and, of course, the umpires.

Let’s put it out there. I’m not a farmer.

So I have been told during the course of my reporting, as I have made my way around the county interviewing various farmers that participate in the beach area’s farmers’ markets. I ask crazy questions, I meet crazier people and I learn something new every day.

The Fenwick Medical Complex plans to break ground in September, after not quite four years of planning, including re-zoning, water and sewer development and other preliminary measures.

It’s hard to imagine doing anything other than sleeping after a 21-hour flight that encompasses four cities and two continents. Well, maybe showering or eating…