Update Your Contact Information More Info
Severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon into the first part of tonight. Also, dangerous heat is expected this afternoon.
The main threats from these storms will be possible damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 MPH and large hail. Over the Bay and coastal waters, winds of 40-50+ kt are possible with the strongest storms.
Scattered power outages may occur with the strongest storms. Although the storms will be moving quickly, heavy rain could still result in minor flooding of urban and typically poor drainage areas.
Governor John Carney on Thursday formally extended the State of Emergency declaration another 30 days to confront community spread of COVID-19, and issued the following statement:
“Delawareans have made real sacrifices to flatten the COVID-19 curve, and keep their families, friends and neighbors healthy. But if we hope to get more children in school, and more Delawareans back to work, we need to stay vigilant, especially this Labor Day weekend. Wear a face covering and avoid large gatherings. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Keep your distance from others outside your household. We’re beating COVID-19 but this fight isn’t over.”
Governor Carney’s State of Emergency declaration – including each of its modifications – carries the full force and effect of law. Delawareans and visitors also must follow local restrictions in place to limit community spread of COVID-19.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Report a business for COVID-19 non-compliance using this form.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
How and why does FOIA prohibit Council from responding to public comments at the meeting?
There is not a specific section of FOIA that expressly prohibits this. The guidance regarding matters raised during public comment and the fact that they should not be discussed comes from Attorney General (AG) opinions construing FOIA and ties into the FOIA requirement that meetings and what will be discussed at meetings be properly noticed.
These AG opinions essentially say that members of the public, exercising their First Amendment rights, can raise all sorts of issues and topics during a public comment portion of a meeting. If the issue or topic raised was not specifically noticed for public discussion on the meeting agenda, then there must be a compelling reason why discussion cannot wait until a later meeting to allow for proper notice under FOIA. This way, all interested parties to the issue or topic raised are informed about and given the opportunity to observe and/or participate in the discussion.
In the past, some public comments resulted in substantive discussions and question/answer sessions about hot topics. In the recent past, the hotel or other zoning issues have usually been the hot topics raised during public comment. The hotel is considered a substantial matter, as are most issues involving zoning.
The AG opinions does allow for discretion in responding to simple questions or making announcements regarding future events. Exercising this kind of discretion can be tricky. Accordingly, pursuant to advice from our attorney, the Council is taking a cautious approach by receiving comments or information presented during public comment and placing the issue or topic raised on a later agenda if the Town believes it warrants further discussion or action.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this information, please contact Teresa Tieman, Town Manager at 302-539-3011 ext. 203.
Building Committee Review of Our Harvest Outdoor Seating Area
Facts Regarding Our Harvest Outside Seating Area
Building Committee Meeting Handouts (Including Project Plans)
Outbreaks are stressful. Fear and anxiety about a disaster can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. Managing your mental health and coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger! Call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE if you or someone you care about are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others.
The remnants from Hurricane Laura will bring a risk of severe storms, isolated tornadoes and heavy rain to the region Saturday afternoon and evening. Ahead of this, heat will build today and Friday with heat index values 100 degrees and hotter.
Scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening and again Friday afternoon. Some storms may produce damaging winds and heavy rain. There is a better chance for severe storms Saturday afternoon and evening as the remnants of Hurricane Laura track across the region.
It will be hot today and Friday with heat index values 100 degrees or hotter.
Small Craft Advisories are likely Saturday into Sunday with south winds of 20 to 25 kt. Expect higher gusts in thunderstorms especially Saturday afternoon and evening.
Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed the 25th modification to his State of Emergency declaration, formalizing new face covering requirements for children. The modification also requires Delaware schools to notify families if they become aware of positive cases of COVID-19 in their schools.
Click here to read Governor Carney’s modification.
“Delawareans are beating this virus and driving our numbers down. But if we hope to get more children and educators back in school, and more Delawareans back to work, we need to stay vigilant, ” said Governor Carney. “Wear a face mask. Wash your hands frequently. Stay at least six feet away from others. Stay home if you’re sick. And – whether you have symptoms or you don’t – consider getting a test at de.gov/gettested.”
The modification also suspends formal observations under the DPAS II system until November 1, and directs the Department of Education to work with educators to develop a modified system for tracking student growth, taking into account the challenges of remote and hybrid learning. For the months of September and October, the Department of Education will work with districts, charters, and educators on informal observation strategies and ensure educators are receiving feedback and administrators are giving feedback in a new way given the challenges presented by hybrid and remote learning.
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
Report violations of COVID-19 restrictions by emailing HSPContact@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to //de.gov/coronavirus.
Strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of producing damaging winds, are possible across the region later this afternoon and evening.
Damaging winds could lead to tree damage and power outages.
Governor John Carney, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Wednesday announced grant program of at least $100 million to assist Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The DE Relief Grants program announced on Wednesday is a joint initiative of the State of Delaware and New Castle County, and is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The program is expected to reach more than 3,000 small businesses and nonprofit organizations with grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. The Division of Small Business is administering the program and will begin accepting applications in early September at delbiz.com/relief.
“Delaware small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they have made considerable sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis. We owe them our gratitude and support,” said Governor Carney. “These relief grants will help Delaware small businesses begin the process of recovering and will help make investments necessary to create safer spaces for their customers and staff.”
“Small businesses and nonprofits are facing expensive costs as they retrofit their workplaces,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We’re pleased to be able to join with the State of Delaware in supporting this important program.”
DE Relief Grants can be used for:
“I’ve seen small businesses across Delaware do some amazing things to adapt and stay afloat under the extraordinary circumstances of the last six months, but so many are hanging by a thread as the pandemic drags on,” said Representative Bill Bush, who chairs the House Economic Development, Banking and Insurance Committee. “This grant funding represents a lifeline that will help our small business community overcome the next phase of this crisis.”
“This is about much more than making up for lost revenue,” said Senator Trey Paradee, chair of the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance Committee. “It’s about helping keep the doors open at the small businesses in Kent County and across the state that provide Delawareans with the paychecks and health care their families are relying on now more than ever. It’s about making our businesses safe.”
“Delaware small businesses and nonprofits have been remarkably resilient in dealing with this pandemic,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “They are the backbone of Delaware’s economy, and we feel it is imperative that the state continues to support them.”
“Multiple programs are necessary to address the challenges Delaware’s small businesses face,” said Damian DeStefano, Director of the Division of Small Business. “We believe this assistance, coupled with other efforts, including the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP) and the COVID-19 Customer Protection Standards, help make the difference for some of our small businesses.”
The Division of Small Business will begin accepting applications in early September and will follow with funding rounds in early October and November.
“DE Relief Grants are a welcome commitment by the state to help support our small business community and the valuable jobs they offer to so many Delawareans,” said Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association. “The effects of the pandemic have and continue to hit the food services industry particularly hard. While no single effort is a panacea, this program will certainly help restaurants as they work to stabilize revenues while protecting the health and safety of customers and employees.”
“Enhanced financial support for small businesses was a key recommendation of the business subcommittee of Governor Carney’s Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee, and has been advocated for by the state chamber,” said Katie Wilkinson, chair of the PRAC Business Subcommittee and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “These grants can make the difference for the survival of some of our small businesses over the next few months.”
The Division of Small Business’ team of Regional Business Managers is available to help companies prepare their applications. Small businesses can connect with the manager for their part of the state at delbiz.com/contact. For more information on DE Relief Grants, visit delbiz.com/relief.
The size of the relief grant will be based up the business or nonprofit’s 2019 revenue:
Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.
DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.
Due to truck issues, the yard waste pickup originally scheduled for today has been postponed until tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19th. Please leave everything out by the road and it will be picked up in the morning.
