Millsboro

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...  A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON.  * PRECIPITATION TYPE: SNOW  * ACCUMULATIONS: POSSIBILITY OF SIX INCHES OR MORE  * TIMING: SPREADING NORTH ON SUNDAY FROM SOUTH TO NORTH.

In an era of bank mergers, acquisitions and buy-outs, it could be a little disheartening to see the name of your bank change on the sign and hear a new greeting when you call on the phone, but fortunately for Delaware National Bank customers, it’s just that – a name change.

Do economic development and good jobs in the energy sector have to come at a cost of environmental degradation? Not in Delaware, said Gov. Jack Markell on Tuesday, along with cabinet members Alan Levin of the Economic Development Office and Collin O’Mara of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

While Millsboro is the only town that has, to date, held a formal vote on a resolution to support the Route 113 Blue Alternative as-is – the vote passed with only one dissenter, Councilman Greg Hastings – there is plenty of opposition to the plan farther south in the Route 113 corridor and even legislatively – including some from state Sen.

The U.S. Route 113 North/South Study (according to DelDOT Project Manager Monroe Hite, III, the terms “project” and “study” can be used interchangeably in this case) is an approximately 35-mile-long stretch of highway similar to, but west of, the existing Route 1, that is designed to alleviate congestion and help to deal with growth in Sussex County.

When it comes to American homes, harsh cleaning products are a concern for families, pets, and the environment.

Voter information

To be eligible to vote in the state of Delaware, voters must be United States citizens, residents of Delaware (proof required), 18 or older and mentally competent. The general election is set for Nov. 2. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On Nov. 2, residents of Delaware’s 41st Representative District will vote to elect the person who will represent them in Legislative Hall for the next two years. Republican-turned-Democrat and incumbent Rep. John Atkins is again being challenged by Republican Greg Hastings.

Millsboro woman charged in thefts from elderly

This week, Delaware State Police arrested an employee of the Brandywine Assisted Living facility located near Selbyville on charges that she had stolen money, jewelry and other items from residents there.

Tropical Storm Earl made landfall near Western Head Nova Scotia around 10 a.m. according to officials. Severe tropical storm conditions are affecting a large part of the province. Meanwhile, coastal Delaware is pleasant with sunny skies.

Delaware State Police last week arrested three Bridgeville residents in connection with a series of thefts and attempted thefts of scrap metal from locations in Frankford, Millsboro and Delmar in late June.

Police said the thefts and attempted thefts occurred on June 25, beginning around 9:15 a.m. with the attempted theft of a tractor hitch from a barn on Blueberry Lane in the Frankford area.

El Centro Cultural is inviting the public to attend the 16th anniversary of Festival Hispano, in its 10th year in Millsboro. This year, the community event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 22. Festival Hispano will start at noon and last until 6 p.m. The event is free to the public and located at the Little League Complex on State Street in Millsboro.

A 16-year-old Millsboro girl was arrested this week in connection with a shooting that police said erupted as part of a confrontation between two teenage girls over a man.

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.

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.

On Friday, May 28, starting at 9 a.m., the Indian River Senior Center will holding its 38th Annual Strawberry Festival and Yard Sale.

Property owners living in a community or development in Sussex County who want to learn more about how to maintain stormwater ponds are being encouraged to attend a free two-hour workshop being offered Wednesday, May 26, at 6 p.m. at the Millsboro Fire Hall.

The “graying” of Sussex County is not news. The fastest growing county with its (mostly) mild climate, favorable tax base and close proximity to the beach and many major cities, is a popular destination for many recent retirees looking to enjoy their golden years. And with that brings new challenges. As the specialty of “elder law” has grown in the past 20 years or so, lawyers like Robert Morin at practices like the law office of Susan Weidman in Millville and Millsboro, are more in demand than ever.

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.