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Proposed federal bipartisan legislation announced June 9 would fund research into causes of lengthy hospital emergency department waits for open beds, in an effort to improve care. When inpatient beds reach capacity, patients are queued up in emergency rooms, a practice commonly known as boarding. U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and David McCormick of Pennsylvania are among co-sponsors of the Addressing Boarding and Crowding in […]

Chalk it up to an unintended consequence of more electric or gas-efficient vehicles driving along state roadways, as a bill to increase license and other vehicle fees for Delaware residents has won approval by both houses in the General Assembly. House Bill 164 would make up for the declining motor fuel tax revenue impacts on the Department of Transportation, as well as the increased costs associated with heavier electric vehicles. It […]

Drivers will pay more to travel on state toll roads when the Delaware Department of Transportation raises prices as part of its revenue plan. “The toll increase and larger revenue package is needed by the department to fund our infrastructure needs in the years ahead,” said C.R. McLeod, director of community relations for DelDOT. E-ZPass drivers operating a two-axle vehicle along Route 1 will see rates increase from $1 to […]

, , , , , , , , , , , , The Milton Theatre, in partnership with Sussex Pride, hosted the second annual Pride Fest June 14 in historic downtown Milton. With the theme Small Town – Big Heart, the celebration featured an energetic lineup of local bands Goldstar, Magnolia Applebottom and Friends, and Mama’s Black Sheep. More than a dozen vendors, several food trucks, resource booths and a […]

Healthcare group opposes move to continue board The Delaware Healthcare Association issued a statement June 17, expressing its disappointment after the Delaware Joint Finance Committee voted June 17 to reverse a funding pause that would have delayed implementation of a hospital accountability law. A lawsuit filed by ChristianaCare against Delaware establishing a board to oversee hospital budgets remains in the court, and many healthcare officials have said they want the […]

, , Milton Town Council has selected two designs for a new parking lot on Magnolia Street, with details to be sorted by town staff prior to going to bid. At its June 12 workshop meeting, council agreed the plans should include a sidewalk and the size of parking spaces should be 9-by-18 feet. The vote on the two plans passed unanimously, while the size of parking spaces passed by […]

A plan to reopen a structured encampment for 28 homeless people west of Lewes narrowly received final approval June 17 from Sussex County Council after two councilmen were not convinced to back it. Tharros Village, billed as a low-cost, self-governed village for the unsheltered in Lewes, is sponsored by Code Purple at the Cape, a homeless shelter program. A conditional use for a half-acre of a 7-acre site that formerly […]

, Robert C. Wheatley, a 30-year member of the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission and its longtime chair, is expected to be replaced in the continuing backlash against booming development in the county. The move was announced at the June 17 county council meeting by Councilman Matt Lloyd, one of three new members elected in the fall to replace incumbents on the five-member panel. Rather than reappoint Wheatley as […]

A $285.1 million budget for fiscal year 2026 and related water, sewer and sheriff’s office fees were approved June 17 by Sussex County Council. A series of ordinances to adopt the budget and fees were unanimously approved. The budget total includes the general fund, capital projects, water and sewer funds, pension and American Rescue Plan Act expenditures. Spending is up about $20 million, or 7.3%, driven largely by wastewater costs. […]