Articles

BZA Denies Plan To Demolish And Rebuild In Berlin

BERLIN -- Despite getting a green light from the Historic District Commission (HDC), a property owner in Berlin was denied a variance by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to demolish and reconstruct a troubled property. “Our hands are tied from the standpoint of the code,” BZA Chairman Joe Moore told property owner Ernest Gerardi. Gerardi asked the BZA for a variance to demolish a rundown building in the town’s B-1 Historic District and to rebuild a new residence on the lot....READ MORE

Casino Revenue Hits $4.67M For September

BERLIN -- After falling in August for the first time since the facility opened earlier this year, the Casino at Ocean Downs’ final numbers for September released this week showed revenues stabilized or even increased slightly last month. The Maryland Video Lottery Commission, which oversees the two existing slots facilities in the state, released the final numbers for September for the Casino at Ocean Downs on Wednesday, and while the revenue figures did not exactly spike upward from...READ MORE

Maryland Considering No Child Left Behind Waiver

BERLIN -- A decade after the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) initiative was mandated in public school systems across the country, the Obama administration last week announced states can apply for a waiver from the rigorous program of testing and accountability, and Maryland and the local school systems appear ready to embrace the opt out. In 2001, Bush administration issued a mandate for greater accountability in the nation’s public school systems including higher standards, rigorous...READ MORE

Salisbury Charter Change Proposed

SALISBURY -- An unexpected move by the City Council majority to try to change the town charter is ruffling feathers in Salisbury. “I have grave concerns about the proposed charter amendment that would have the city attorney serve at the pleasure of, and answer to, the City Council rather than the mayor, as is the case now,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell. The issue emerged during a work session Monday, while the council discussed access to legal counsel. Councilwoman Shanie Shields...READ MORE

Md. Redistricting Plans Outlined

BERLIN -- The three counties of the Lower Eastern Shore, including Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset, will likely remain a part of Maryland’s First Congressional District after the governor’s redistricting committee this week submitted a plan to Gov. Martin O’Malley that maintains the status quo on the Lower Shore. After several months of public hearings and input sessions, the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee this week submitted a proposed map outlining the...READ MORE

Berlin Residents Discuss Flooding Woes

BERLIN -- Residents of Berlin’s District 1 weighed in on flooding and other stormwater issues Wednesday during the first of five meetings between the town and the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC). “We need to have a very comprehensive stormwater program,” EFC Director Joanne Throwe told the audience. Several months ago, Berlin agreed to allow the EFC to conduct a stormwater feasibility study of the town. As part of that effort, Throwe highly encouraged...READ MORE

Three Legionnaires Cases Connected To Boardwalk Hotel

OCEAN CITY -- A historic Boardwalk hotel this week relocated guests and closed three days earlier than planned after state and local health departments reported three unrelated cases of Legionnaire’s Disease, possibly linked to the lodging establishment. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Worcester County Health Department on Wednesday announced three individuals who were guests at the Plim Plaza Hotel had developed legionellosis, more commonly known as...READ MORE

707 Sports Bar Owner Passes Away

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding yesterday’s death of Carey Flynn, owner of 707 Sports Bar and Grill in West Ocean City. Sources say Flynn, who opened the bar last year, was hospitalized and died on Thursday morning after having an altercation with a man who was allegedly urinating outside his establishment. There was no word if the man involved in the incident had been apprehended. ...READ MORE

Officer’s CPR Likely Saved Man

OCEAN CITY -- An Ocean City Police officer last week likely saved an unidentified 50-year-old man from drowning in a Boardwalk hotel pool after pulling the unresponsive victim from the water and performing CPR until paramedics arrived. Shortly before 11 p.m. last Friday, police responded to the Quality Inn Boardwalk at 16th Street in reference to a possible drowning in the hotel pool. Officer Justin Hoban observed a group of people observing a male who was floating face down in the pool. Hoban...READ MORE

Hybrid School Board Issue Raises Questions

SALISBURY -- While across town hundreds gathered for a public hearing on proposed drastic cuts to the Wicomico public school budget, a handful of ardent supporters of an elected school board in the county made known their preference for an elected school board in front of the County Council. Last month, the Wicomico County Council voted in favor of adding a straw ballot referendum question on the 2012 general election ballot asking residents to vote for either an elected school board or one...READ MORE

Ocean City, County Concerned About Car Rally’s Growth

OCEAN CITY – The most recent Volkswagen rally that swept through the area has led city and county officials to contemplate further restrictions to prevent unapproved special events. Ocean City resident David Betten approached the Mayor and City Council on Monday over his concerns with the “Volkswagen and Audi enthusiasts” who have congregated to Ocean City over the past several years and are increasing in number every year. “This event is becoming an even greater nuisance...READ MORE

OC’s Drink Contract In Last Year

OCEAN CITY – It’s no secret that Ocean City’s official soft drink is Pepsi, but within the next year the opportunity for a change in the town’s beverage franchise will be presented. According to Recreation and Parks Director Tom Shuster, Ocean City’s current beverage franchise contract with Pepsi is set to expire April 1, 2012. In the past, the town has used a Request for Proposals (RFP) method for soliciting interest in the beverage franchise and suggested to the...READ MORE

Rabid Cat Found In Worcester

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Health Department this week confirmed an adult black cat found near the intersection of Greenbackville Road and George Island Landing Road in Stockton tested positive for rabies. 
The large adult black cat was described as having a red collar that had green and yellow flowers and a bell on it. Deputy Health Officer Dr. Andrea Mathias warned that any person, pet or other animal that may have had contact with this cat could be at risk for rabies exposure. To...READ MORE

Council Okays 50-Year Lease With Art League

OCEAN CITY – Some City Council members were apprehensive this week over a 50-year lease with the Art League of Ocean City (ALOC) for its new arts center. The ordinance on the table during Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council meeting was for the town to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a 50-year lease agreement for the construction and rental of a new Ocean City Arts Center Building at the present site of the building utilized by the ALOC on 94th...READ MORE

Berlin Businesses Plan Specials For Breast Cancer Support Group

BERLIN -- Last week, the ribbons went up as the town of Berlin prepared to turn itself pink for October. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, survivors, town officials and local businesses are coming together with a series of activities and specials meant to educate and inform. Turn the Town Pink (TTP), which celebrates its second anniversary this October, is run by the Worcester County branch of Women Supporting Women (WSW) and organizers are already predicting that it will be a...READ MORE

Reading Texts While Driving Now Illegal

BERLIN -- A new law extending the ban on texting and using a cell phone while driving in Maryland went into effect this week, closing a loophole left open when state lawmakers passed the legislation two years ago. In 2009, state legislators passed a law banning texting while driving in Maryland and last year passed another law extending the ban to all cell phone use while driving, with the exception of a few emergency situations. However, the new state laws left open a loophole allowing...READ MORE

Early Indicators Show Slots Not Causing Traffic Issues

SNOW HILL -- Traffic spillover from the slots expansion to Ocean Downs has not been an issue so far, according to the Worcester County Local Development Council (LDC). However, with expansion likely for Ocean Downs, officials agree that the situation will need to be constantly monitored. “We’re still looking at traffic management studies,” said Ken Cimino, Assistant District Engineer for traffic with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). “Kind of hard to come...READ MORE

New Fire Marshal Appointed In OC

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Fire Department Deputy Chief David Hartley has been appointed the town’s new fire marshal. At Monday’s Mayor and City Council meeting, the council was presented with a recommendation from the Fire Prevention Commission by unanimous consent presenting David Hartley to be considered as the town’s new fire marshal, due to the retirement of former Fire Marshal Sam Villani. “Chief Hartley has displayed the knowledge,e professionalism and character...READ MORE

‘All The Bases Covered’ At Kendall Home Furnishings

OCEAN CITY – Furnish your home with exactly what you pictured by stopping into Kendall Home Furnishings and creating your own piece of art through its new customize your own program. Kendall Home Furnishings is located off Route 50 in West Ocean City and has been in business in the local market for seven years. The store’s newest location has been open for about two years now and lies in Fenwick Island. The business was originally located in Fredrick, Md. One of the family’s...READ MORE