Bethany Beach

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - This week's nor'easter took a significant bite out of Delaware's shoreline.

Mike Powell with Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control tells The Daily Times of Salisbury that while Rehoboth Beach and the Delaware Bay beaches experienced beach erosion, Bethany Beach was the hardest hit of all, losing three sets of stairs in Wednesday's storm.

He said that no buildings or boardwalks were damaged.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Complications will force replenishment of Delaware's beaches to stretch into their peak season this year.

Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Steve Rochette tells The News Journal of Wilmington that a limited number of dredges nationwide has delayed the schedule for work in Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.

Bethany Beach Town Manager Cliff Graviet also attributed the delays to obtaining permits and funding. He says the first stage will begin mid-May in Bethany Beach, and take 28 days.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Delaware's Bethany Beach has become the third town in the state to restrict tents and canopies on its beaches.

The Salisbury Daily Times reported Friday that the town joins Rehoboth Beach and Fenwick Island, which already have such bans.

Bethany will allow umbrellas that are 8 feet in diameter or smaller. Baby tents can be no larger than 36 inches by 36 inches by 36 inches. All other shading devices, such as tents and canopies, would be banned.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Long-awaited beach replenishment projects in Delaware are expected to get underway early next year.

Beaches and dunes in Bethany, South Bethany and Fenwick Island were damaged by strong storms, including a nor'easter in October 2015 and Winter Storm Joaquin in January 2016.

The projects will involve dredging 1.2 million cubic yards of sand from approved offshore borrow areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $17.2 million contract to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co.

Three Delaware beach towns have gotten approval to repair their beaches this fall after a series of damaging storms two years ago.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that the resorts are Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach.

There will be no cost to the state.      

The repair work is federally funded and will fall under the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies program.

That allows the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the repairs.

Work on the beaches is expected to begin this fall with completion some next spring.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Authorities say a firefighter suffered a minor injury while battling a blaze in an unoccupied beach house.

The State Fire Marshal's Office said in a news release says the Bethany Beach fire was reported about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Officials say firefighters from several companies battled the blaze in the four-story wood frame house that is a block from the beach. Fire fighters arrived to find heavy fire showing from the roof.

One firefighter treated and released from a hospital with a minor hand injury.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - The Number 1 surf fishing tag in Delaware has sold for $26,000.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that Jim Weller, a Lincoln businessman, secured the tag in the final bid of an auction during a barbeque competition at Delaware Seashore State Park near Bethany Beach.

Weller said he purchased the tag in order to resell it-he doesn't fish, he said.

The tags are used by fishermen and surfers to access certain beaches.

Weller also purchased license number 11 for $2,700.

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Two men have rescued a child from rough conditions off Bethany Beach.

Bethany Beach Police Chief Mike Redmon tells the Salisbury Daily Times Public Works employee Sean Ely was on the beach Monday when a woman ran to him and said her 11-year-old son was trapped in the surf.

Ely called police, and then ran into the water to attempt a rescue. Ely was able to reach the boy, but the rough conditions were making it hard for him to keep the boy's head above water.

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.