Ocean View News

With a contract for the design and construction of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge expected to be awarded in July, Skanska USA Civil Southeast Inc. is the apparent winning design-build team for the project, which could start construction in early fall, to carry traffic no later than December 2011.

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with the charm of a small-town parade? In the Bethany Beach area, parade lovers have the opportunity to attend two! In addition to the traditional downtown Bethany Beach parade, the Ocean View community of Bear Trap will celebrate the Fourth of July in style with a parade of its own.

CurveSmart, the revolutionary technology five years in the making, is available at two local Curves studios, in Ocean View and on Route 54 in Williamsville Country Village.

It’s good to be first. In a real estate market that is struggling to get back on its feet, it’s easy to focus on the struggles and hefty competition and much harder to get recognized for doing something positive and out of the ordinary. But that is just what Bob Thornton of SilverWoods has managed to do.

Troopers seek information on suspect

The Delaware State Police mid-week were investigating a robbery that occurred Monday, June 30, about10:15 p.m., after a person imposing as a police officer allegedly stopped a motorist and took their wallet.

With a contract for the design and construction of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge expected to be awarded in July, Skanska USA Civil Southeast Inc. is the apparent winning design-build team for the project, which could start construction in early fall, to carry traffic no later than December 2011.

Late spring and early summer thunderstorms have brought a bevy of rain to the area, causing lawns to explode with growth and grass to grow well higher than a grasshopper’s eye. For some area property owners, that has meant extra time spent mowing their lawns. For others, it has meant letters from town hall, official citations, fines and even expensive mowing fees.

The Ocean View Town Council on Tuesday, June 10, in a marathon session that lasted until past 1 a.m. on June 11, moved to adopt a series of cost-cutting measures for the town, which Councilman Perry Mitchell soon afterward described as reversing “much of the town policy for the last three years."

For Barbara Farrell of Ocean View, the Ocean View Police Department’s Senior Check-in Program is one of the best things about living near the beach.

“I’m a widow and I’m here by myself. And just knowing that they’re looking out for me, I’m not afraid to be here. I really can’t say enough about it,” she said about the program.

Mike Mercer has worked at Counter Source Industries (CSI) for six years, and his wife, Sandy, has worked there for two. Now, they own the store, but they plan to keep things pretty much the same, continuing a successful owner-employee partnership that led them to buy the business.

The Ocean View Town Council voted on Tuesday, June 10, to table discussion on a proposed new gas station on Route 26 until its July meeting.

Views were split in the packed town hall Tuesday. This was the second public hearing held by the town council on the gas station proposal, following hearings on the issue before the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this spring.

Ocean View officials on May 31 aired a proposal for a drainage project that would aim to improve flooding problems in the West View development and its vicinity.

As Ocean View battles falling transfer taxes, the growing-pains of past annexations and the long-term consequences of past spending decisions, the town is also looking to its future, as the first stage of drafting the town’s five-year comprehensive plan update takes place.

Strong winds and heavy rain hit the area late on Wednesday afternoon, as residents braced for possible severe weather while under a tornado watch that covered the entire Delmarva Peninsula until 8 p.m.

This year’s Ecumenical Vacation Bible School (EVBS) will be called “Rainforest Adventure” and will be held at Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View, at Route 26 and Central Avenue, from Monday, June 16, to Friday, June 20, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each day.

For Mike Kappes and his kin, family is truly everything. Next Saturday, May 31, they will reiterate the importance of support from loved ones as they host their 3rd Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction at Bear Trap Country Club, to benefit the Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation.

Ocean View resident Wally Brown dropped a bombshell on town council members at their Wednesday, May 7, meeting, revealing his intention to file a lawsuit against council members over the town’s requirement for all property owners to connect to the town’s new central water system.

Homeowners packed the seats, and left standing-room only in Ocean View Town Hall last Wednesday, May 7, during the monthly town council meeting, as the town hosted the first of two public hearings for an ordinance that could allow a new gas station along Route 26.

For Dana Banks, owner of The Parkway Restaurant in Bethany Beach, the most exciting thing about taking over the Royal Zephyr restaurant in Ocean View is the fact that she’ll be able to cook like she cooks at home.

Photos from the May 12-13 storm are shown in slideshow format below, with newer photos toward the end. All photos are copyright © Coastal Point, LLC, and may not be used without express permission of the Coastal Point.

The Delaware State Police and Department of Transportation reopened Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Fred Hudson Road/Road 360 north of Bethany Beach and the Indian River Inlet Bridge late Tuesday afternoon, following a detailed inspection of the inlet and surrounding roadways. Remaining closed Tuesday, due to high water, were: Fred Hudson Road in the area of Route 1 and Old Mill Road in Millville, as well as several other roads in the Lewes, Slaughter Beach and Oak Orchard areas.

ResortQuest Delaware has announced its acquisition of Seacoast Realty, making it the state’s largest beach real estate brokerage. The two companies have had a substantial impact in the area’s real estate market in the past, stretching from North Bethany to Fenwick Island, and westward, and now, into Ocean City, Md.

The Ocean View Town Council kicked off its reorganizational meeting and council workshop last Wednesday, April 21, with a swearing-in ceremony for new Mayor Gordon Wood and new Councilman Perry Mitchell. After a contentious period on the council and a contentious election, both men emphasized a desire for improved comportment during town meetings, from both the council and citizens.

The fourth- and fifth-graders of Lord Baltimore were treated to a special presentation on April 17, of “Tar Wars” a nationwide program that started in Colorado, designed to educate America’s youth about the dangers of smoking.

Ocean View swore in its new mayor and councilman on Wednesday night, during the town’s annual council reorganizational meeting. Outgoing Mayor Gary Meredith oversaw the swearing in of incoming Councilman Perry Mitchell, who replaced outgoing Councilman Norman Amendt, and then handed over the gavel to a freshly sworn-in Mayor Gordon Wood.