Local News

Frankford has seven candidates running for town council, after all.

Seven candidates are competing for three seats on the Frankford Town Council during the town’s election on Saturday, Feb. 4. Voting will take place at Frankford Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m., and the winners will serve two-year terms on the council.

Last week, Sussex Technical High School special education and sociology teacher Charles Coursey, 38, was arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student.

The Selbyville Planning & Zoning Commission voted this week to recommend that the Town Council approve a request for a farmers’ market to be held at the corner of Route 17 and Williams Street in Selbyville.

Berlin, Md., resident Jeannie Mariner had approached the council Jan. 9 for permission to host a weekly farmers’ market at the lot her family owns in Selbyville.

Mandatory mediation for foreclosures is now a reality in Delaware – at least for the next two years.

Delaware’s minimum wage rate could increase by $1 in the next two years, but it’s not likely to happen without a fight.

Early decision, early action, rolling admissions, priority admissions, early notification – the beat goes on.

Delmarva Christian High School is now accepting student applications for the 2012-2013 school year. And, for students who file their applications by Feb. 29, the $150 application fee will be reimbursed once they have been accepted and begin the 2012-2013 school year at DCHS.

Year-end sales data recently released by the Sussex County Association of Realtors (SCAOR) revealed several positive economic indicators as the county, the state and the nation continue to emerge from a years-long recession.

Applications are now being accepted for the 55th annual Little Miss Georgetown and 7th annual Junior Miss Georgetown Pageant. The program this year will be held on Sunday, March 11.

An earthquake, Hurricane Irene and her tornados could not keep ABC’s “Extreme Makeover-Home Edition,” Schell Brothers and a few thousand volunteers from building the Jusst Sooup Ranch in only one week last September, yet a lull in contributions could cast a cloud over the ministry’s near- and long-term goals to care for hundreds of Delaware’s hungry and homeless each week.

Sussex County Council held a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant program at their meeting this week. The Community Development and Housing Department of Sussex County applies for the grant funding on behalf of local municipalities that request assistance from the county on behalf of their residents and on the behalf of county residents.

The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission at their Jan. 26 meeting once again deferred action on an ordinance to amend Chapter 115 of the county code relating to “off-premise” electronic messaging signs, which are typically in the form of billboards.

“This is Delaware’s time to lead,” said Gov. Jack Markell during his State of the State address recently. “Creating more and better jobs. Improving our quality of life. Providing the best schools and learning opportunities for our children. Getting the most out of each tax dollar. Strengthening the trust of our people in their government. These are challenges even in ordinary times.

The Fenwick Island Town Council met last week to discuss whether or not the Town should apply for a match-grant that would help the Town pay for and install Mobi Mats to aid people crossing the dune to and from the beach.

Robots aren’t just for mad scientists and Jedi knights anymore.

Ashley Conroe, an Indian River High School senior, formed the Retro Robots team to compete in Delaware’s own robotics tournament.

The Frankford Board of Elections will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, to hear complaints filed with the Board concerning pre-election day action or activity. This meeting will be held in the Frankford Volunteer Fire Company meeting room located on Main Street in Frankford, DE.

After years of construction, delay and turbulent waters, the Indian River Inlet Bridge opened to traffic last Friday, with Gov. Jack Markell taking the maiden ride across its span.

The Indian River School District Board of Education continued with work as usual a week after the Supreme Court declined to hear the district’s appeal in the school-prayer lawsuit filed by parents of district students.

The Millville Town Council this week “shelved” the idea of having a police study conducted. In March 2011, the council had approved spending $650 for an initial study by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), to help determine the town’s need for police coverage. At their January town council meeting they decided they would have Town Manager Debbie Botchie get a little more information.

Bethany Beach Town Council members this week voted unanimously to reject a proposal from Velocitel to host AT&T’s cellular antenna equipment on the town’s water standpipe.

Bethany Beach Town Council members this week unanimously approved a resolution supporting concept of the proposed recreational path along the Assawoman Canal, but they did so through a modified resolution that limits the town’s commitment to the project – at least for now.

Bethany Beach officials are getting tough on those who don’t get required rental or business licenses from the town by the deadlines – or, in some cases, at all.

Public defenders for Derrick Powell, the 24-year-old Cumberland, Md., man who was found guilty of first-degree murder of Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer, earlier this month filed a 42-page appeal of Powell’s conviction and sentencing to the Delaware Superior Court.

Sussex County has scored yet another financial gain, recording a $3.48 million surplus for the 2011 fiscal year – the most significant gain for the County government in five years – despite a continued sluggish economy, a new audit shows.

The Ocean View Planning & Zoning Commission this week unanimously approved the final site plan for the town’s future public works building.

John Murray of Kercher Engineering presented the design to the commission, noting that the proposed 3,500-square-foot building includes three bays, two of which open straight through.

America’s pastime will soon be returning to Roxana, as online registration for Lower Sussex Little League kicked off earlier this month. In February, the Lower Sussex Complex will open for walk-in registration, as well. And with a few new age changes to the divisions, Lower Sussex Little League (LSLL) president Tracy Littleton is expecting another successful season for young baseball and softball players throughout the area.

There’s little doubt of the success of a chain like Dairy Queen near a seaside locale, but Bill Shook, owner of the franchise in downtown Millsboro, has been finding year-round prosperity with more than just the ice cream. After 10 years, thanks to big taste and a welcoming staff, he is proving that even a business with a corporate structure can evoke a friendly mom-and-pop feel.

With two meets on the road still left in the regular season, Indian River High Schol’s varsity boys’ and girls’ swim teams are a steady stride ahead of last year’s performance. In just the program’s fourth year, athletes are surpassing previous records as personal bests are consistently being shattered.