Articles

Worcester Submits Watershed Plan Before Deadline

SNOW HILL -- After tweaking the language, the Worcester County Commissioners submitted a Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to Annapolis this week, meeting the state’s deadline. However, some environmental activists are upset that the commission’s adherence to the WIP is evasive since it is “subject to adequate funding,” according to the document signed by the commissioners. “What troubles ACT is the commissioners’ clear lack of political will to meet the...READ MORE

Wicomico Council OKs Stadium Study Funds

OCEAN CITY – With the Shorebirds lease nearing its end at the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, Wicomico County is looking to make improvements at the stadium in order for the Shorebirds to renew their lease and possibly attract new business. Wicomico Recreation Parks and Tourism Director Gary Mackes requested at this week’s meeting a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism for $8,333.33 to cover one-third of the costs of Phase 1 of an economic impact...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Could Be Headed To 7 Seats

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council went to work Monday on the dicey job of updating election districts to more fairly reflect the city’s population. Three solutions were presented for review, two of which would require going to court. While the first option would be a relatively minor change that might be passable without court approval, Councilwoman Laura Mitchell was confident that all three choices would probably end up before a judge, something she wasn’t adverse to. Council...READ MORE

New Year’s Day Walk Planned

ASSATEAGUE -- This year’s 32nd Annual Ilia Fehrer-Judy Johnson Memorial New Year’s Day Beach Walk will honor its namesakes and founders of the organization responsible for saving the barrier island from development several decades ago. In the late 1950s, Assateague Island was slated for development as the future Ocean Beach, Md. before Mother Nature and a steadfast group of fledgling environmentalists intervened. Roads had already been built and lots had been sold for before a series...READ MORE

New Md. Planning Initiative Worries Worcester Officials

SNOW HILL -- PlanMaryland, a controversial initiative born in Annapolis that Worcester County officials worry could usurp planning authority, was passed quietly this week, catching the County Commissioners by surprise. “The speed, in my opinion, was a little unexpected,” said Development Review and Permitting Director Ed Tudor. “It’s a Christmas present,” joked Chief Administrative Officer Gerald Mason. Though the commissioners didn’t expect PlanMaryland to...READ MORE

Fenwick Restaurant Rebuilding

FENWICK -- After a devastating fire in August, the Catch 54 restaurant in Fenwick Island just west of the Fenwick Ditch is steadily emerging from the ground and is on schedule for a spring 2012 opening. Around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, a fire ripped through the popular Catch 54 restaurant in Fenwick Island during the height of a summer dinner rush, but potential tragedy was averted when the hundreds of diners at the establishment were safely evacuated with no injuries. Firefighters from Fenwick,...READ MORE

County Finance Department Wins Award, Praise

SNOW HILL -- Good-tidings and cheer came early for the Worcester County Commissioners when they learned Monday that they had an award winning Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This years’ CAFR for Worcester received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. It also revealed that the county is doing better fiscally than anticipated. “Income tax is a little bit better than expected,” said...READ MORE

Community Rallies For Local Mother Of Twins

OCEAN CITY – The community has turned out from all directions to help a mom in need who delivered twins early, just in time for the holiday season. A single mom with two children living in Salisbury recently gave birth prematurely to twins and the generosity she has received from the region is overwhelming. As of Monday, the babies were still in the hospital. “It is just like a Christmas miracle,” Shirley Grace Pregnancy Center Executive Director Mari Quillen said. “It is...READ MORE

Bennett Middle Funding Options Weighed

SALISBURY – Wicomico County is facing a long to do list in a short amount of time in order to get the James M. Bennett Middle School (BMS) project underway as possible funding methods were proposed this week. The County Council is under pressure to sign a letter addressed to state officials endorsing their commitment in funding to the Bennett Middle School Project. The county is to attend the Board of Public Works meeting on Jan. 28 and county staff is looking to have that letter in hand...READ MORE

Area Pools Might Need To Meet New ADA Standards

OCEAN CITY -- State officials announced last week hundreds of pools and spas in the resort area could be forced to comply with rigorous new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards or run the risk of not getting their required permits issued by state and local health departments. The state’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) last week sent out a memorandum to public swimming pool and spa owners and operators in Worcester County detailing the requirements for compliance...READ MORE

Redistricting Plan Alter Lower Shore Delegate Districts

BERLIN -- State redistricting officials this week released their recommendations for Maryland’s legislative district boundary lines with “radical” changes for the Lower Shore House of Delegate districts, including dividing Worcester County in half for the first time ever. The Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee (GRAC) last Friday released its unanimous recommendations for the redrawing of Senate and House of Delegate legislative districts for the state, including...READ MORE

Ocean City Fire Department Issues Holiday Reminders

OCEAN CITY -- The smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree, cookies in the oven and the apple spice candle burning reminds you that the family will soon be arriving at your home for the holidays. Christmas presents are wrapped and the kids are excited because Santa will be here soon. As you and your family gather at the dinner table, the Ocean City Fire Department reminds you that the holidays are a time of joy and excitement, and a few simple steps can not only ensure a joyous holiday spirit but a...READ MORE

Salisbury Rental Inspection Plan Laid Out

SALISBURY -- The line between privacy and protection was questioned Monday when the Salisbury City Council attempted to iron out details on a rental inspection program. “The goal is equality in enforcement and protection,” said Mayor Jim Ireton. The council remained divided over what exactly would constitute equal enforcement and protection, however. Under the program proposed by Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance (NSCC) Director Tom Stevenson, his office would make...READ MORE

County Schools, Libraries Collaborate On Campaign

NEWARK -- The Maryland State Department of Education’s Divisions of Career and College Readiness and Library Development and Services along with Worcester County Public Schools and Worcester County Library this week unveiled a new public awareness campaign focusing on Career and Technology Education (CTE). The campaign kicked-off at the Snow Hill branch of the Worcester County Library and will be followed by a series of five presentations which will highlight the CTE programs offered at...READ MORE

Federal Funding For Waterways Approved

BERLIN -- Federal officials this week announced approval of nearly $52 million in funding for waterway improvement projects across Maryland including a couple on the Lower Shore. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) this week she was successful in securing $51.7 million for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects throughout Maryland in the fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. The bill’s biggest allocations include $18.3 million for the annual maintenance dredging of...READ MORE

Firm Outlines City Manager Search Process

OCEAN CITY – If all stays on track, a new city manager should be in place by March, but it will take a lengthy search process to get there. The Mayor and City Council has chosen a firm, Springsted Inc., to conduct a national search for a new city manager. This week Springsted Senior Vice President John Anzivino presented the steps involved with the search process in making a final selection. Anzivino started out by stating that he was once a manager and worked in the public sector for 27...READ MORE

H2B Visa Changes Delayed

BERLIN -- The U.S. Senate this week voted to delay new Department of Labor requirements that would raise the hourly wages of temporary foreign workers with H-2B visas, a measure many fear would threaten Maryland’s seafood industry. U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski was successful in amending the 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services spending bill. The new wage regulations were originally set to go into effect on Oct. 1, 2011. However, Mikulski was successful in getting the effective date moved...READ MORE

Accidents Knock Out Power In West Ocean City

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Bustling pre-holiday weekend traffic in West Ocean City was snarled last Saturday afternoon after a pair of accidents on Route 611 within an hour of each other knocked out power in the immediate area for several hours. Around 1:30 p.m. last Saturday, a large, extended cab pick-up truck with a cap was heading northbound on Route 611 approaching Sunset Ave. when it veered off the roadway and collided with a utility pole, snapping the pole in half and leaving it dangling by its...READ MORE

Health Department Employees Awarded

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Health Department’s Suicide Prevention Program and public information officer Katherine Gunby this week were named recipients of three 2011 Awards of Excellence in Public Health Communication. The health department staff won a Gold Award and a Bronze Award in the media relations-op-ed category for two published columns about suicide prevention. The staff also received a Silver Award in the social media category for its suicide prevention advertising...READ MORE

Operation Shooting Star Aiming High


 OCEAN CITY – “Wish, Believe, Achieve … Cure One to Cure All”. That’s the motto of Operation Shooting Star, a local organization dedicated to increasing awareness of autoimmunity and its diseases while being committed to sending 100 percent of fundraising efforts directly to research. Operation Shooting Star Director Audrey Killen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in November of 2009 and her father was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in...READ MORE

Man Gets 20 Years For Child Porn, Animal Cruelty Sentence Pending

SNOW HILL -- A Berlin man who pleaded guilty last month to five counts of possession of child pornography stemming from an investigation in January 2010 was sentenced this week to combined 20 years in prison. Kirt Greenberg, 46, of Berlin, pleaded guilty on Nov. 22 to five counts of possession of child pornography following an investigation local, state and federal investigation that began back in September 2009. Back in court on Tuesday, Greenberg was sentenced to four years in jail for each of...READ MORE