Bethany Beach

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Delaware officials have issued a water quality advisory for Bethany Beach and Dewey Beach at Dagsworthy Street.

Media outlets report that the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued the advisory for Wednesday and Thursday, citing bacteria levels above the recreational water quality standard. Officials say the elevated bacteria levels are likely due to increased rainfall.

The state issues advisories when samples test positive for excess bacteria, but it doesn't close beaches or swimming areas.

Openly carrying firearms in the city buildings and other functions in Bethany Beach may soon be banned.

At a work session this week Mayor Jack Gordon said the prohibition got the unanimous back from the town council.

Those with concealed weapons permits would still be allowed to carry their arms but they must be kept out of sight.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that the action was prompted by an incident at a Newark City Council meeting where residents openly carried weapons into a meeting.

More than 350 swimmers were rescued along the coastline from Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach to Ocean City.

Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Kent Buckson told the Salisbury Daily Times that there were more than 100 rescues on Sunday alone.

He said it was the most dangerous three to four day period he has seen.

Much of the problem occurred because of the rip currents and the volume of waves that hit the coast.

Buckson told the paper this was “a recipe for disaster” and he praised his crew for handling the conditions so well.

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) - Rehoboth Beach Police say a fifth lifeguard stand missing from the beach has been found off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that the stand, one of seven that disappeared last week, was spotted on Tuesday.

A fishing boat spotted two stands floating about two miles offshore near Fenwick Island on Saturday and brought one back to shore. Officials say the U.S. Coast Guard brought in two. On Monday, a fourth was found washed up on a private beach in Bethany Beach.

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) - Rehoboth Beach Police say some of the seven lifeguard stands stolen from the beach have been found, including some spotted floating miles offshore.

Things are back to normal for Bethany Beach businesses after some temporary street construction.

With the tourist season about to get into full swing the traffic cones have been removed, the detour signs taken down and road blocks have been lifted.

It took two years to complete the improvements and cost $2 million.

Weather kept the project was being completed last year as scheduled.  

And, Brooke Williams of the Kites, Tails and Toys store told WBOC that many people did not know where they were located during the construction period.

Steens Beach Service may disappear from Bethany Beach.

Since 1957 the concession stand has provided umbrellas and chairs creating memories for many who have graced the resort’s shores.

But now Bethany is looking at taking over the concession service altogether.

The plan was presented by Town Manager Cliff Graviet to the council yesterday and outlined how the resort could have its own service up and running by May 16th.

The town concession could bring in an estimated $200,000 a year.

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) - Free parking has returned to Delaware's beach towns as summer comes to a close, but city officials say parking revenue was generally up this year.

Parking revenue was up in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and Bethany Beach but was down in Dewey Beach.

In Rehoboth, more people were using the Parkmobile smartphone app to pay for parking. City manager Sharon Lynn says the number of transactions increased 26 percent this year. The city also saw a 2 percent increase in revenue from parking meters.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Veterans recovering from wartime injuries and their families will get to stay in condos and houses in Bethany Beach for free this week.

It's part of Warrior Beach Week, a second-annual event to help give thanks to veterans.

Organizer Annette Reeping tells The Wilmington News Journal that 35 groups arrived for the beach week on Tuesday, including five families who took part in last year's event.

Veterans can apply for the program through the Wounded Warrior Project, a nationwide organization that chooses the families that can participate. 

Tony  McClenny, the former mayor of Bethany Beach, died this morning at the age of 70.  

He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January and died under hospice care.

McClenny left office earlier this year before beginning radium and chemotherapy treatment at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

His wife Claudia said that he took to local government immediately after retirement and he loved it because of the people in the area

He served more than nine years as mayor.

There has been no announcement yet on a date for a memorial service.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Delaware transportation officials are blaming the weather for holding up a streetscape project in Bethany Beach.

The Delaware Department of Transportation says harsh weather this winter slowed work on Garfield Parkway near the boardwalk and the project won't be complete before Memorial Day. Work will be put on hold during the summer tourism season and resume in the fall.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Gov. Jack Markell is joining state transportation officials in highlighting a road project expected to ease congestion in the Bethany Beach area.

The project to be discussed Thursday involves the widening a four-mile stretch of State Route 26, also known as Atlantic Avenue, from Clarksville to the Assawoman Canal.

Officials say the project stems from record growth over several years that resulted in traffic congestion, safety concerns and operational issues.

Despite the recent bad weather the Streetscape project in Bethany Beach is still on track for completion by Memorial Day.

However, if there are further delays and the project is not finished by then Bethany Beach Vice Mayor Jack Gordon said that construction would be halted for the summer season and would resume later in the year.

Currently, almost all of the resort’s Garfield Parkway is blocked off .

Construction was started almost a year ago and is aimed at making the main road more accessible and safe for pedestrians.

Bethany Beach officials cannot keep Bethany Cycle and Fitness from selling and transferring firearms.

Local resident Carol Brigleb voiced concerns more than a year ago about the practice and the council began examining the law after the bike shop was in the process of changing ownership.

However, Delaware state law prohibits municipalities from restricting ownership, transfer or possession of firearms.

Mayor Tony McClenny told the Wilmington News Journal that the town will not be pursuing any change.

The Bethany Beach Town Council is looking at widening its boardwalk from 12 to 20 feet.

That’s to accommodate the summer crowds that throng to the resort.

Bethany’s engineer estimates the cost would be $990-thousand.

This is not the first time that the beach town has considered widening the boardwalk.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that five years ago the Town Council and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control approved $817-thosuand for such a project.

But the town decided against it because of the cost.

Efforts are just about to get underway to prevent erosion of a small strip of land that lies between the Bethany Loop Canal and Salt Pond.

The Land Strip Committee formed by neighbors has gotten the backing of Bethany Beach officials and has teamed up with the Center for the Inland Bays to preserve the trees, shrubs and marsh grass on the strip that help improve water quality.

The Delaware Department of Transportation has giving a $25 million contract to widen Route 26 near Bethany Beach to the company of George & Lynch.

Their bid was around 8.4 percent lower than what state officials had estimated which was $29.6 million.

Work is set to begin this fall with a completion date in the second half of 2016.

The 4-mile two-lane road will run from Ocean View to Clarksville.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - The Bethany Beach Town Council has approved the purchase of a new trolley to add to its fleet for the summer season.

The Daily Times reports the town will spend about $167,000 for the new trolley. It will be the town's third trolley and is meant to compensate for mechanical problems on the other vehicles.

Officials say the trolleys are popular with children and help cut down on traffic.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Delaware State Police are telling residents of the Bethany Beach area not to be alarmed if they hear some unusual noises over the next two days.

The DSP' Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team is conducting what it officials describe as High Energy Dynamic Entry Training at the Delaware National Guard Training Facility located in Bethany Beach.

Summer time is just around the corner and the parking will no longer be free in some beach towns. 

On May 15 those visiting Bethany Beach will have to pony up some cash to park in beach lots and designated areas on Atlantic and Pennsylvania Avenues from First Street to Hollywood Street.

In addition, there will be paid parking on Garfield Parkway and the lots by PNC Bank and the fire department.