Articles

Berlin Plans NYE Ball Drop

BERLIN – Despite the abnormal level of snowfall last weekend, Berlin is still on schedule to host its first ever New Year’s Eve celebration. When asked if the Christmas blizzard had sidelined the festivities in any way, Economic Development Director Michael Day said that everything was, “going ahead as planned.” Day did bring up the potential trouble wind or further precipitation might cause, but wasn’t aware of any foul weather in the forecast as of mid-week. With...READ MORE

14-Member Team Worked 32 Hours Straight In Storm

OCEAN CITY – Mother Nature graced Ocean City with the gift of a blizzard this holiday season. As of Wednesday, the Ocean City Public Works Department was able to slow down long enough to take the time to discuss their snow removal efforts during the week. According to Public Works Manager Dick Malone, when any big snowstorm approaches Ocean City the department prepares by making sure the salt trucks are filled and the plows and loaders are on hand. “Our pre-storm work means getting...READ MORE

New West OC Fire Station On Track For April Opening

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Fire Department’s Station 5 is on track with its estimated completion date and under budget, despite the icy conditions thrown its way the last couple weeks. Construction began this past summer on the new fire station, located in West Ocean City. The building is on track to be complete in about two months. “We are on schedule for a March 1 completion and are under budget,” Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) President James L. Jester...READ MORE

AGH Eyes Health Partnerships

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) and seven area churches have joined forces to offer free health management services to the community to help adopt healthier lifestyles and change the healthcare paradigm from “healing” to “preventing.” These efforts take place in the partnering churches where parishioners are better able to access the resources. Educational sessions on healthy eating and exercise as well as regular height, weight and blood pressure checks...READ MORE

Ashley Alone In Opposition To Sprinkler Mandate

OCEAN CITY –The discussion on the town adopting state issued building code amendments, including the requirement to install sprinkler systems in newly built single-family homes, came to its resting place during last week’s Mayor and City Council meeting. According to a letter written last month by City Engineer Terry McGean, on Jan. 1, 2010 the state recognized the 2009 International Building Code, and the International Energy Conservation Codes, replacing the 2006 version of these...READ MORE

Winterfest On Pace To Exceed Revenue Figures

OCEAN CITY – Although snow forced its closure on Sunday and Monday, the resort’s Winterfest of Lights approaches its final weekend of operations on pace to exceed last year’s revenue figures. Winterfest received 1,178 “hearty souls” on Tuesday night, according to Director of Recreation and Parks Tom Shuster. It turned out to be a solid turnout compared to other Tuesday nights, Shuster said. “One of the interesting consequences of having the snow fall is that...READ MORE

Storm Cancels Year’s Final Berlin Council Meeting

BERLIN – Because of the heavy snowfall over the weekend, Berlin’s Mayor and Council did not meet on Monday. This week’s agenda, which included a revision to town policy regarding cell phones, gas cards and a request for a 60-day extension for EDU resolution by Schuster Properties, will be tabled until the Jan. 10 council meeting. When asked about the agenda, Town Administrator Tony Carson provided a brief explanation for each item. He clarified that the amendment to town policy...READ MORE

Family Wants Others Aware Of Thin Ice Dangers

OCEAN CITY – The bitterly cold weather that has persisted for the last month or so, coupled with last weekend’s first significant snowfall of the year, has created a winter wonderland of sorts in the resort area with frozen ponds, creeks, canals and even large swaths of the bay, but danger lurks beneath the apparently frozen surface. Frozen bodies of water have always held a fascination for young children and even some adults, but local officials this week are warning area residents...READ MORE

Motorist Sentenced In Canal Crash

OCEAN CITY – A Fenwick Island, Del. woman who crashed her vehicle into a midtown bayside canal in November before being rescued by a local man pleaded guilty this week in District Court to driving under the influence and was sentenced to a year in jail, all but one month of which was suspended. Shortly after 2 a.m. on Nov. 15, Ocean City resident Christopher Sullivan, general manager of Yang’s Palace restaurant on 53rd Street, was sleeping in his apartment over the establishment when...READ MORE

Elementary School Spanish Program In Jeopardy

NEWARK – Board of Education officials last week got a first hand look at a highly successful program teaching young students Spanish as a second language in a handful of Worcester elementary schools. A multi-dimensional program installed in both Snow Hill and Pocomoke Elementary Schools is teaching young students Spanish as a second language, along with associated cultural, historical, geographical and even scientific lessons associated with the content. The initiative, part of the ELL...READ MORE

Legislature To Discuss Youth Concussions

BERLIN – With the opening of the General Assembly near, dozens of bills of local and state interest have already been pre-filed in advance of the session. The Maryland General Assembly reconvenes on Jan. 12 with several new faces in place on both sides of the aisle. Already 24 bills have been pre-filed in the House with another seven pre-filed in the Senate. The following is a brief look as some of the legislation to be discussed: (BULLET)House Bill 1-Youth Athletes and Concussions: In...READ MORE

Shockley Appointed To Circuit Court Bench

BERLIN – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley this week appointed local attorney Brian Shockley to fill the vacancy on the Worcester County Circuit Court bench created by the retirement of long-time Judge Theodore Eschenberg last summer. O’Malley chose Shockley from a shortened field of five candidates, which also included sitting Worcester County Master Mary Margaret “Peggy” Kent along with prominent local attorneys Regan J.R. Smith and Kathryn...READ MORE

City Hall Open House Focuses On OCDC’s Efforts

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council’s Open House returns for its 15th year on Saturday with this year’s event featuring the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC). OCDC was incorporated in 2000 and is a non-profit organization aimed at revitalizing downtown Ocean City. The corporation’s efforts target the Inlet to 17th Street area. In the past, OCDC has achieved many milestones. Its public art program has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions for...READ MORE

First-Degree Murder Trial Postponed Till March

SNOW HILL – The trial of a Pennsylvania man charged with first-degree murder after allegedly running over his elderly mother several times with his vehicle has been delayed to March. Steven Frederick Molin, 58, of Darby, Pa., remains behind bars this week, awaiting trial on a first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Emily Belle Molin also of Darby. Pre-trial posturing and motions continued this week in advance of Molin’s trial, which was originally set to begin on Monday, the...READ MORE

Soft Opening At Casino A Hit

BERLIN – The new Casino at Ocean Downs got a shakedown cruise this week with state lottery officials, hundreds of local American Legion members and other invitees pulling slot machine handles and testing out the facility in advance of its public opening set for next Tuesday. The Casino at Ocean Downs hosted a soft opening of sorts on Wednesday with Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Committee members on hand to conduct a controlled demonstration of the facility’s roughly 700...READ MORE

Resident Looks To Raise Lyme Awareness

OCEAN CITY – A local man’s New Year’s resolution is to find a solution in the prevention and the spreading of Lyme disease. Justin Michalski, a local businessman, wants to form support for a Lyme disease awareness campaign, “Lead and Lyme”, through schools in surrounding local communities to get some action off the ground. “I am hoping to get enough people involved in our local communities, and by local communities I mean individual school systems,”...READ MORE

Large Snow Drifts Challenged County Public Works Crews

SNOW HILL – Much like his counterparts at the municipal and state level, Worcester County Public Works Director John Tustin attributed the fast response to Sunday’s snowstorm to the efforts of county employees, who were willing to cut short their holiday weekend to clear the streets. “They’re a great bunch of guys,” said Tustin. “We’re very blessed in that.” The blizzard, which began on Christmas evening, buried much of Maryland under nearly more...READ MORE

Mayor Hearing Support After Atlantic Hotel Decision

BERLIN – While some questioned Berlin Mayor Gee Williams’ decision to intercede in a Historic District Commission (HDC) ruling, it doesn’t seem likely, at this point, there will be any backlash from it, either legally or from residents. “I’ve never gotten so much support,” said Williams, claiming that several people have approached him with positive attitudes over the issue. “Really, the support is overwhelming.” The issue began in November, when...READ MORE

No Major Storm Issues For Berlin

BERLIN – Even with the year’s second blizzard arriving on a holiday weekend, an immediate response and round the clock work had Berlin cleaned up and running in a short period of time. “We were prepared,” said Mike Gibbons, Director of Public Works, referring to the town’s level of readiness when heavy snowfall began Christmas evening. “The hardest part was staying out there and keeping up.” The snowfall began on Saturday and lasted through Sunday and...READ MORE

Annual Penguin Swim Hoping To Break Records

OCEAN CITY – Get your penguin suits ready because it is that time of year for the 17th Annual Penguin Swim to benefit Atlantic General Hospital (AGH). According to Amy Unger, director of development for AGH, the Penguin Swim is designed to be a fun event that raises funds to support the hospital, and they do that by inviting people to jump into the Atlantic Ocean and have their friends and family help them raise money. The first penguin swim took place on the beach in front of the Carousal...READ MORE