After years of construction, delay and turbulent waters, the Indian River Inlet Bridge opened to traffic last Friday, with Gov. Jack Markell taking the maiden ride across its span.

The Indian River School District Board of Education continued with work as usual a week after the Supreme Court declined to hear the district’s appeal in the school-prayer lawsuit filed by parents of district students.

The Millville Town Council this week “shelved” the idea of having a police study conducted. In March 2011, the council had approved spending $650 for an initial study by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), to help determine the town’s need for police coverage. At their January town council meeting they decided they would have Town Manager Debbie Botchie get a little more information.

Bethany Beach Town Council members this week voted unanimously to reject a proposal from Velocitel to host AT&T’s cellular antenna equipment on the town’s water standpipe.

Bethany Beach Town Council members this week unanimously approved a resolution supporting concept of the proposed recreational path along the Assawoman Canal, but they did so through a modified resolution that limits the town’s commitment to the project – at least for now.

Bethany Beach officials are getting tough on those who don’t get required rental or business licenses from the town by the deadlines – or, in some cases, at all.

Public defenders for Derrick Powell, the 24-year-old Cumberland, Md., man who was found guilty of first-degree murder of Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer, earlier this month filed a 42-page appeal of Powell’s conviction and sentencing to the Delaware Superior Court.

Sussex County has scored yet another financial gain, recording a $3.48 million surplus for the 2011 fiscal year – the most significant gain for the County government in five years – despite a continued sluggish economy, a new audit shows.

The Ocean View Planning & Zoning Commission this week unanimously approved the final site plan for the town’s future public works building.

John Murray of Kercher Engineering presented the design to the commission, noting that the proposed 3,500-square-foot building includes three bays, two of which open straight through.

America’s pastime will soon be returning to Roxana, as online registration for Lower Sussex Little League kicked off earlier this month. In February, the Lower Sussex Complex will open for walk-in registration, as well. And with a few new age changes to the divisions, Lower Sussex Little League (LSLL) president Tracy Littleton is expecting another successful season for young baseball and softball players throughout the area.

There’s little doubt of the success of a chain like Dairy Queen near a seaside locale, but Bill Shook, owner of the franchise in downtown Millsboro, has been finding year-round prosperity with more than just the ice cream. After 10 years, thanks to big taste and a welcoming staff, he is proving that even a business with a corporate structure can evoke a friendly mom-and-pop feel.

With two meets on the road still left in the regular season, Indian River High Schol’s varsity boys’ and girls’ swim teams are a steady stride ahead of last year’s performance. In just the program’s fourth year, athletes are surpassing previous records as personal bests are consistently being shattered.

Sophomore Ben Boonin swam a 1:02.14 in the 100-meter butterfly during Indian River’s win over Seaford on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The showing earned Boonin a state cut-qualifying time and propelled the Indians to their fifth win of the season as they defeated the Blue Jays, 98-66.

The boys’ varsity basketball team at Indian River High School succumbed to another loss this past Tuesday, Jan. 24, as they hosted Henlopen rival Laurel, but it hasn’t been for a lack of trying. The winless Indians were able to keep a competitive edge through the duration of the game before the Bulldogs pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Indian River High School’s varsity wrestling team went two-for-three in matches last weekend, first toppling Lake Forest, 54-22, on Friday, Jan. 20, then splitting matches on Saturday, Jan. 21, in a tri-meet with St. Georges Tech and Seaford.

The mild winter weather has been a welcome transition across the Mid-Atlantic region, but the chilly ocean waters will still be a wake-up call for brave souls enduring next weekend’s Lewes Polar Bear Plunge in Rehoboth Beach, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.

Keeping tabs on students and faculty at a school is a task within itself, as Indian River High School Principal Mark Steele can attest. Monitoring everyone who enters and leaves the school is an even greater responsibility, but with the help of a new software program, the staff at Indian River High is hoping to better ensure safety throughout the halls and classrooms.

Keeping tabs on students and faculty at a school is a task within itself, as Indian River High School Principal Mark Steele can attest. Monitoring everyone who enters and leaves the school is an even greater responsibility, but with the help of a new software program, the staff at Indian River High is hoping to better ensure safety throughout the halls and classrooms.

Millville Town Council members continued to discuss farmers’ markets at a workshop this week. David Smith of the Department of Agriculture came to talk to council members and answer questions they had about the proposed market at town hall.