January 13, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that damaged a commercial structure in Lewes, Delaware on January 12, 2024.

The incident, reported shortly after 09:00 P.M., occurred in the 18000 block of Plantations Boulevard Lewes, Delaware. The Lewes Fire Department arrived on the scene and found smoke and fire coming from a commercial structure utilized as the Dave Marshal Tennis and Fitness Center. Mutual aid fire companies assisted at the scene.

Delaware State Fire Marshal Deputies were called to the scene to perform an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire. It was determined that the fire originated on the interior of the structure, the cause remains under investigation at this time. The structure was not occupied at the time of the fire. The structure was not protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system. A Firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. There were no other reported injuries. Damage is estimated at $275000.

John M. Galaska
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal
(302) 856-5600 Office
(302) 542-9190 Cell

Exhibits, Activities Will Highlight Department’s Work

Nineteen different programs and initiatives spread out across the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control are scheduled to provide outreach, education and activities during the University of Delaware’s annual Coast Day event set for Sunday, Oct. 1.

Coast Day highlights how UD scientists, staff and students are gaining a deeper understanding of ocean environments and helping to serve coastal communities. Coast Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes.

More than 30 different vendors will have exhibits at the event, and another 30 vendors will feature ocean- and coastal-related research.

DNREC’s tent will feature a mixture of informational brochures, educational materials, giveaways and activities. In addition, DNREC’s Coastal Section will announce the winners of the Delaware Ocean and Bay Photo Contest at 11:30 a.m. in the DNREC tent.

“Our Department interacts with Delawareans every day on a range of natural resources and environmental matters, from hunting and fishing licenses to clean water and air, climate change concerns, and our outstanding Delaware state parks system,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Coast Day provides us an opportunity to showcase the work we are doing across all our divisions to ensure the stewardship for and sustainability of our state’s resources now and for future generations.”

DNREC divisions scheduled to participate in Coast Day and their areas of expertise include:

Air Quality

• Air Quality Index

Climate, Coastal and Energy

• Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative
• Climate Action Plan
• Clean Transportation – Information on clean transportation initiatives, giveaways, educational materials and activities for children and adults.
• Ocean Photo Contest
• Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan
• Energy Programs
• Energy Policy/ Governor’s Energy Advisory Council

DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation

• Delaware State Parks, including Cape Henlopen State Park
  Fish and Wildlife
• Mosquito Control Section
• DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center

Waste and Hazardous Substances

• Delaware Recycles Initiative
• Delaware Brownfields Program

Water

• Well permitting and real-world equipment display
• Wetlands and Waterways Section Permitting

Watershed Stewardship

• Shoreline and Waterway Management Section
• Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program
• Nonpoint Source Program
• Shellfish and Recreational Water Program

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov;

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The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will close The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean and bay beach, Wednesday, March 1. Since 1993, The Point has closed annually for most of the spring and summer for the benefit of threatened and endangered beachnesters and migratory shorebirds, including red knots, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns and other species.

The Point’s nesting habitat on the ocean side will reopen to the public Sept. 1. The bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter. 

The DNREC Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to help grow shorebird populations in Delaware.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Enjoy the natural diversity of Delaware’s 17 state parks. Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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It is with heavy hearts that we observe the passing of Delaware Supreme Court Justice and Historian Randy J. Holland. Justice Holland was appointed to the Delaware Supreme Court in 1986 and served until his retirement in 2017.

During his long career, Justice Holland received numerous awards and accolades for his service, wrote several publications concerning constitutional law and Delaware history, and became a preeminent expert on Delaware’s constitutional history. The Delaware Heritage Commission is proud to have worked directly with Justice Holland to publish his work “Delaware’s Destiny Determined by Lewes”.

To honor his memory, the Delaware Heritage Commission is honored to present Justice Holland’s work online, so all Delawareans can share in his passion for Delaware’s history.

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.