Frankford

Summertime is in full swing, and many have been heading to the shore for a relaxing getaway and time with family and friends. But the increased number of vacationers inevitably leads to higher volume of traffic on the roadways.

The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) this week announced the closure of Shockley Town Road between Frankford School Road and Route 20/Pyle Center Road near Frankford for the replacement of a crossroad pipe. The road was to be closed at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 26, and to reopen on or before 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, pending weather.

Bringing to a close discussions dating back to February, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Collin O’Mara recently announced that the agency has finalized a consent agreement with NRG Energy Inc. that will permanently shut down a third coal-fired electrical generating unit at the Indian River Power Plant in Millsboro by the end of 2013.

Whether doing cannonballs off the boat, taking off from the dock on a personal watercraft or swimming in the open bays, it’s nice to know how clean that water really is. And the Center for the Inland Bays’ second Recreational Water Quality Indicator Report can help in navigating the use of some of the local inland bays.

The Town of Frankford held its yearly budget hearing on Monday, June 28. This was the second budget hearing for the proposed budget for the 2011 fiscal year.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced this week that DelDOT’s maintenance crews will do surface treatment repairs, commonly known as “tar and chip,” through July 2, for the following roads throughout Sussex County:

• Shockley Town Road from Pepper Road to Pyle Center Road;
• McCary Road from Roxana Road to Frankford School Road;

Anyone who has ever been to the Frankford Public Library knows that tons of resources and information is packed into a pretty small space there.

Frankford man arrested on drug charges

Selbyville police this week arrested a 20-year-old Frankford man on drug charges after initially pursuing him because he was believed to have outstanding warrants. On Saturday, May 29, about 1 p.m., officers arrested Jamar A. Manuel, 20, of Frankford, who had been located at a business on N. Dupont Boulevard.

At 3:35 p.m., National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms moving into central and southern Delaware. Officials said the storms will be capable of producing small hail and gusty winds. In addition, very heavy rain will fall from these storms and will cause water to pond on roads and fill poor drainage areas.

The Frankford Town Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, May 3. At the meeting, the Rev. Kim Tephabock of Dagsboro Church of God approached council about the church’s desire to use the town’s park to hold a community-night event called “Praise in the Park,” on Saturday, June 26.

Over the past decade, the game of poker has spread like wildfire, with some of the largest television broadcasting companies across the map airing highly anticipated tournaments and competitions. The craze has spread throughout the First State, as well, and locally, with names like Resort Poker League offering free games at local restaurants and venues, and a variety of fire halls capitalizing on the game’s popularity as a form of fund raising.

There are many people out there with a heart to give and who aren’t really sure how to do it best. For those there is Lunch with A Purpose, an informal gathering of women who meet every month for lunch and giving back. And 100 percent of money raised stays in Sussex County.

The Frankford Town Council discussed in detail their proposed land development ordinance at a workshop last week with Kyle Gulbronson, the town’s engineering consultant, and Town Solicitor Dennis Schrader.

Frankford’s own Josephine “Jo” Richardson was recently chosen as WBOC-TV’s 2010 Jefferson Award winner. The Jefferson Awards are a national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. Richardson will now represent the area at the national-level Jefferson Awards in June. Richardson and 15 other local Jefferson Award winners were honored last week in Salisbury, Md.

A coastal storm, combined with astronomical high tides and a full moon, has resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a coastal flood warning and a hazardous weather outlook for the Bethany Beach area. Minor coastal flooding during Wednesday morning’s high tide may elevate to moderate flooding on during the next high tide into Thursday.

Although snowflakes are few and far between in Delaware as of 3:30 p.m., Thursday, the National Weather Service predicts that snowfall will gradually increase over the state and continue through Thursday night into Friday. However, forecasts for accumulation have been lowered since early Thursday morning.

This week saw new developments in the case of Earl Bradley, and the pain that has been felt in the community in the wake of allegations of child sexual abuse by the Lewes pediatrician has only become more far-reaching.

The State of Emergency in Delaware was lifted at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, by Gov. Jack Markell. But even as the state works to clean up and restore services following the back-to-back snow storms of this month, another snow event is threatening. With a possible arrival of Monday evening, the next storm could drop 8 inches or more of snow unless it shifts to a more northerly track, officials said.

Delaware remains under a State of Emergency on Friday morning, Feb. 12, 2010. The State of Emergency has been in effect since 12 midnight, Feb. 10. The travel bans contained in the original State of Emergency declared by Gov. Jack Markell that prohibited travel on Delaware roadways by non-essential vehicles were lifted on Thursday. The change was effective at noon on Feb.

State of Emergency remains in effect
 
Gov. Jack Markell has ordered the driving restrictions for Kent and Sussex counties to be lifted as of 6 p.m. tonight.  However, the State of Emergency will remain in effect for the entire state until further notice.  Earlier today, the governor and emergency officials lifted driving restrictions in New Castle County.  
 

Kent and Sussex counties are still removing disabled and abandoned vehicles from roads on their secondary and local back roads, state officials reported Thursday afternoon, noting that the vehicles have been hampering efforts to clear roads and respond to emergencies.

As of 9 a.m., officials announced Thursday morning, after consultation between the Governor’s Office and state and local emergency management officials, it was decided that the State of Emergency declared by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell will remain in effect today, February 11, 2010 as will the travel ban.

[UPDATE] Due to inclement weather, all Indian River School District schools will be closed on Friday, Feb. 12. All 12-month employees will be informed of their status at a later time, officials said.

The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center late Wednesday night put out the call for additional farmers throughout the county to lend equipment and aid so fire and ambulance crews can reach residents in an emergency.

Delaware’s frigid temperatures, high winds and recent snowfalls can be difficult for the more than 40 species of wintering songbirds that share the state’s nature resources, state officials reminded the public mid-week. Their food sources – nuts, seeds and berries – are harder for these small birds to locate and reach, especially when covered with large accumulations of snow.

State officials sent out an urgent message about 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, noting that presently there are stranded and abandoned vehicles that are blocking some roads in Sussex County to the point that ambulances cannot proceed to make emergency runs. These disabled vehicles must be moved immediately in order for responders to carry out life-safety responsibilities.

A brief storm update from state officials as of 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10:

• Delmarva Power crews in Sussex County have temporarily suspended operations due to visibility problems.

Gov. Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency covering the entire state of Delaware effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, with all non-emergency vehicles ordered off the roads.

State officials were reporting nearly 14,000 electric customers still without power – mostly in Sussex County – on Monday morning, as crews from Delmarva Power and Delaware Electric Cooperative struggled to reach and repair outages from last weekend’s blizzard. Shelters in both counties remained open for those needing shelter due to a lack of power or heat.

With the National Weather Service reporting snow totals of 20 to 25 inches with drifts in Sussex County, 25 inches in New Castle County and 22 inches in Kent County from this weekend’s blizzard, a State of Emergency remained in effect at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.