Sports
Fun
Indians can’t hold on to lead
We’re closing in on Shrimp Feast
Page A35
Page B1
FEBRUARY 6, 2026
THE LOCAL VOICE OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
Fire & Ice Festival ready for action after weather delay
Volume 23, Issue 6
FREE
One shining moment
By Kerin Magill Staff Reporter The multi-venue Fire & Ice Festival, postponed a week in favor of “more favorable weather” according to a statement from the event sponsor, will now kick off on Friday, Feb. 6. The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce made the decision last week, while the area was recovering from one winter storm and anticipating another one, to move the three-day festival to this weekend. With temperatures in the 20s and 30s, the weather will be favorable for ice sculptures and firepits, roads are clear and there are no winter storms on the horizon. So, without further ado, let’s get into the schedule for a weekend of fun and a chance to give the winter freeze-out a big old raspberry. Events and activities will be centered in four main locations: downtown Bethany Beach, Ocean View’s John West Park, Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery near Frankford and Millville’s Evans Park, many highlighting the event’s theme, “In the First State” with a historical note. See FESTIVAL page A4
Calendar quirk means no IRSD election By Laura Walter Staff Reporter Across Delaware, candidates are filing to run in local school board elections. But the Indian River School District does not have any seats up for election in the spring of 2026. Geographically, IRSD’s 10 board members are divided between five representative districts. But between the staggered elections and Delaware changes to term length in 2022 and 2013, there aren’t seats up for election this year. Terms are currently four years. The 2027 elections will include seats currently held by Ivan Neal in District 2 (north Millsboro and southern Georgetown) and Leolga Wright in District 3 (Long Neck, south Millsboro and north Dagsboro). Candidate paperwork is typically due by early March to the Delaware Department of Elections’ Sussex County office. For more information, contact department at (302) 856-5367 or visit 119 N. Race Street, Georgetown.
Special to the Coastal Point • Joe Maciey
Indian River High School freshman Joel Rice, right, receives congratulations from Unified basketball sophomore Cole Lingo, left, and senior Joseph Taglienti after scoring his first basket of the season. His shot touched off a standing ovation and highlighted a five-minute Unified basketball intrasquad game following the team’s 36-22 victory over visiting Lake Forest on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Ocean View looks to protect officers responding out of town By Susan Canfora Staff Reporter The Ocean View Town Council, at the recommendation of Town Manager Carol Houck, unanimously voted to support Houck’s recommendation to work with Police Chief Kenneth
McLaughlin and implement ways to better protect the police department and Town of Ocean View when Ocean View Police Department officers respond to calls outside the town. Her recommendation to increase insurance coverage for the police department from $2 million to $10 million, at
an additional cost of about $6,700, received unanimous support from the council. That additional funding is in the proposed 2027-fiscal-year draft budget that will be given to the council next week, Houck said. Increasing coverage is a wise, proactive move, Councilman Don Walsh said
at a recent council meeting, adding that making changes and creating recommendations “isn’t easy, but it’s important.” “It’s a great idea. It might be something we never need, but it’s important See POLICE page A3