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Indians drop tight one to Sussex Academy
Volunteers get joy from reading efforts
Arts in the Garden set for 9th year
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OCTOBER 4, 2024
THE LOCAL VOICE OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
Volume 21, Issue 40
FREE
DNREC hopes to share replenishment costs ‘The current costs are unsustainable,’ says environmental agency By Mike Smith Staff Reporter A state agency has already conducted
59 beach nourishment and dunes replenishment programs locally in coastal communities, including for the Bethany Beach and South Bethany beaches, since these programs started decades ago, to try to tame the impacts of coastal erosion. DNREC hosted 100 people last week, on Sept. 26, in an online forum to discuss cost-sharing and “splitting” the
cost of dredging or sand deposition on beaches. DNREC is now proposing that more than half of those replenishment costs be borne by the local beach towns. For Bethany and South Bethany, DNREC is recommending those smaller coastal towns pay 53 to 71 percent of the cost of beach replenishment at the state level. DNREC officials sug-
gest the State itself should only pay 11 to 19 percent, with Sussex County picking up the balance — 16 to 31 percent — from its tourism-related tax funds, according to a cost-benefit analysis. According to figures from Bethany Beach, last year, $23.5 million was
See REPLENISHMENT page 3
Ocean View council to talk smoking ban By Susan Canfora Staff Reporter An ordinance prohibiting smoking on public property in Ocean View — indoors and outdoors — and to establish a penalty for violations, is being composed by Police Chief Kenneth McLaughlin and Town Solicitor Veronica Faust, and will apply to smoking cigarettes and marijuana, as well as to vaping. The ordinance was discussed at the Thursday, Sept. 12, town council meeting when McLaughlin, while presenting the monthly police report, said the goal is to “be able to control all kinds of smoking, any kind.” “It’s not that we have a big problem, but we do have a problem from time to time. Now we have signs posted but no ordinance, so we want to have that for enforcement,” the chief said. The ordinance is expected to be on the agenda for discussion at the Tuesday, Oct. 8, town council meeting. Ocean View Mayor John Reddington told the Coastal Point that, alSee SMOKING page 6
Special to the Coastal Point • Marian Dowling
A peregine falcon, recognized by National Geographic as the fastest animal in the world, was caught by one of our favorite roving photographers at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Clergy, groups, pols trying to help hurricane victims By Susan Canfora Staff Reporter A local pastor is among those asking for prayers and donations for victims of Hurricane Helene in Florida and surrounding states.
“Imagine losing everything you love — your animals, your home, your beloved in some cases. That’s the level of loss and deep grief. Prayer in verbal form will help everyone in this hour and in the days to come,” the Rev. Karis Graham, pastor of Community
Lutheran Church near Frankford told the Coastal Point this week. “This storm has devastated communities across the southeastern United States. Our prayers remain with all who are affected, those experiencing grief and suffering, and workers providing
emergency response,” she said. “Your gifts help provide immediate relief — such as water, clothing, gift cards, tarps and other needs. Since many hurricanes also require a long-term response, See HELP page 4