Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Council Rejects TAB’s Opinion, Wants Search For New Ad Agency

OCEAN CITY – As the town’s advertising agency’s contract nears renewal, the majority of the City Council made it clears it’s looking to the fall season to allow someone else a shot at marketing Ocean City. Tourism and Marketing Director Donna Abbott presented the Mayor and City Council with the renewal of Ocean City’s current advertising agreement with MGH, which has been the town’s advertising agency for 10 years. Ocean City last conducted an agency review in...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Pa. Man Dies After Slipping Off Inlet Wall

OCEAN CITY -- Tragedy struck yesterday afternoon when a Pennsylvania man, who was walking along the seawall at the Inlet with his 2-year-old child, slipped from the wall and hit the rocks below and was swept into the current before being rescued, only to perish a short time later at a local hospital. Around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the Ocean City Police, Beach Patrol and Fire Departments responded to the Inlet area for a report of people in the water just east of the ticket booth area. Ocean City...READ MORE

Ocean Downs Casino Sets New Revenue Record

BERLIN -- The July figures for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, revealing the greatest month ever in the nearly two-year history of the gaming facility along Route 589 just south of Ocean Pines. While lawmakers were preparing to convene for a special session on the future of casino gambling in Maryland this week, Video Lottery Commission officials on Tuesday released the July figures for the three operating casinos in the state, including Ocean Downs. The Casino at Ocean Downs...READ MORE

OC Police Remind Public, Businesses About Laser Pointer Law

OCEAN CITY -- Two years after reaching a crescendo, the laser pointer issue has apparently resurfaced in Ocean City, prompting the police department to remind consumers of the ordinance covering the ubiquitous gadgets. In the summer of 2010, the Ocean City Mayor and Council passed an emergency ordinance covering the illegal use of laser pointers on the Boardwalk and throughout the resort after they became a hot trend during the season. An estimated 30,000 laser pointers were sold at many...READ MORE

Murder Suspect’s Extradition To Md. Put On Hold

BERLIN- The Dagsboro, Del. man charged with the murder of a woman found dead in a ditch along a rural road in northern Worcester County in June remains in Delaware this week after a flip-flop of sorts on his extradition early this week. Maryland State Police homicide detectives in July charged Matthew Burton, 28, with murder after connecting the suspect to the death of Nicole Bennett, 35, of Millsboro, whose body was found on a roadside embankment in Whaleyville on the morning of June 15. Burton...READ MORE

Wicomico Opts Out Of State Sprinkler Mandate

SALISBURY -- Wicomico officials this week voted to opt out of the state-mandated requirement for sprinklers in newly constructed single- and double-family dwellings after a passionate public hearing on Tuesday. The Wicomico County Council on Tuesday voted 6-1 after a spirited public hearing. Earlier this year, the state lawmakers passed legislation mandating sprinklers in new one-family and two-family homes while providing an opt-out provision for those jurisdictions that could prove their...READ MORE

County Planning To Raze Former Stores

SNOW HILL -- Short of some drastic, last-minute restoration by the owners, two troubled properties in Worcester County will be demolished within the next few weeks. Two properties, the Bishopville Store in Bishopville and the Pusey Store in Snow Hill, have finally reached the point of dereliction where they are heading to the chopping block, according to county officials. Director of Development Review and Permitting Ed Tudor informed the County Commission this week that his office has already...READ MORE

Utility’s Substation Expansion Plans Move Ahead Despite Concerns

OCEAN CITY – Following a long public hearing, a favorable recommendation will move forward to the Mayor and City Council to allow the Delmarva Power and Light (DP&L) substation to expand on 138th Street in the Caine Woods community. Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith began the hearing by taking a look back at the various changes the substation has gone under over the years. In 1996 the easterly portion of the property where the substation exists included two vacant lots, which was...READ MORE

Vehicle Vandals Sought In Berlin

BERLIN -- Berlin Police this week are investigating a rash of vehicle damage and destruction cases along the town’s typically quiet streets. Over a two-day period from Wednesday to Thursday, Berlin Police responded to eight different cases of malicious destruction of property to vehicles and two other cases of tampering with vehicles in different areas around the town. In most of the cases, the suspect or suspects have been cutting the tops of convertible vehicles and, in some cases,...READ MORE

Lawmakers Debate Gambling Changes In Special Session

BERLIN -- State lawmakers opened a special session on expanded gambling in Maryland yesterday, and despite the gnashing of teeth in some areas around the state, the bill under consideration appears to have many positives for Worcester County and the Casino at Ocean Downs. The Maryland General Assembly is considering proposed legislation aimed at expanding the state’s nascent casino gambling programs. Among the issues up for debate is an expansion to table games, for example, and the...READ MORE

Dew Tour’s Competition Schedule Released

OCEAN CITY – The Dew Tour is set to begin next week with all new competitions and the largest music line-up in the event’s history. The Dew Tour Pantech Beach Championship will return to Ocean City Aug. 16-19 as its first stop out of three this year. The championship will be featuring three new large-scale events, Skate Legends Bowl, Skate Mega 2.0, and BMX Mega 2.0, along with skateboard and BMX competitions as well as a surf event and multiple music performances. Also new this year...READ MORE

Salisbury Mulls New Towing Company Structure

SALISBURY -- Hoping to clean-up a crowded list, the Salisbury City Council is considering sending out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for towing companies that would re-structure the current system from 23 vendors to three. Comments made by Mayor Jim Ireton, however, implied that city administration will leave it untouched. Towing has been on the council’s radar for at least two years. Last spring, after months of public hearings and work sessions, the council hammered out new guidelines for...READ MORE

Remains Found In Snow Hill Identified

SNOW HILL -- The human remains found late last month in a water-filled ditch in a residential area in Snow Hill have been identified as a Snow Hill man reported missing in May. On July 29, an unidentified individual reported to the Snow Hill Police Department the discovery of possible human remains in a water-filled ditch at the end of Woodland Court. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) responded to the scene and located a human skull in the ditch and the rest of the body...READ MORE

WOC Store Employee Robbed At Gunpoint; Suspect Sought

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Area law enforcement officials this week are looking for a suspect who forced a West Ocean City retail employee into the store at gunpoint after closing time before binding and beating the victim. Last Friday, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alarm at the Lids store in the Ocean City Factory Outlets in West Ocean City. Upon arrival, deputies observed the store clerk on the floor of the store with the doors to the business locked. Deputies also...READ MORE

Woman Faces Charges After Fatal Accident

SALISBURY -- A Pennsylvania woman faces negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle and other serious charges in the death of her 11-year-old daughter after rolling her Jeep several times last weekend on the Route 13 bypass near Salisbury while under the influence of several prescription medications. Around 2:38 p.m. last Sunday, Maryland State Police responded to a single-vehicle accident on the Route 13 bypass near Salisbury. The investigation revealed a 2004 Jeep Wrangler had veered across the...READ MORE

Teacher’s Union Embroiled In $433K Theft Scheme

BERLIN -- An Ocean Pines woman late last week was charged with theft and theft scheme after allegedly absconding with well over $400,000 from the Worcester County Teacher’s Association (WCTA) over a three-year period from 2006 to 2009. Denise Inez Owens, 58, last Friday was charged with two counts of theft over $500 and one count of theft scheme over $500 for alleging bilking the WCTA out of $433,784 while acting in the capacity of the association’s treasurer. In February, Worcester...READ MORE

Lower Shore America For Jesus Rally Set For Salisbury

SALISBURY -- Before the massive America For Jesus gathering on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Sept. 28-29, a Lower Shore America For Jesus Rally will be held at 4 p.m. on Aug. 25, at New Dimensions Church in Salisbury. America For Jesus is a national solemn assembly where people of all cultures will gather to pray for America. So far, 34,000 churches are participating. It will take place in the cradle of America’s freedom, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the...READ MORE

Ad Agency Contract Talk Leads To Summer Tourism Evaluation

OCEAN CITY – Things are looking good for the town’s ad agency as a preliminary discussion on renewing its contract focused this week on the positives of the recent and current campaigns. Councilwoman Margaret Pillas reminded the Mayor and City Council that by the end of this month a discussion needs to take place on the renewal of the town advertising agency MGH’s contract when an informal conversation ensued on whether the firm’s work is resulting in the food and room...READ MORE

Dinner Recital To Benefit Endowment

SNOW HILL -- The Blue Dog Café in Snow Hill will be hosting a benefit flute and piano dinner recital on Aug. 15 to benefit a local scholarship program. Brendan Dooley, a classically trained flutist, and Deborah Dewold Emery, a professional pianist and a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops, will entertain at the event that will benefit the Douglas I. Smith Scholarship Endowment. The endowment is a program close to Dooley’s heart. In 2007, Dooley and his family...READ MORE

Ocean City Eyes New Campaign To Shine Light On Littering Law

OCEAN CITY – Litterbugs beware, the town is looking to have the community become more involved in enforcing the littering law. After a recent conversation with Ocean City Chief of Police Bernadette DiPino, Councilman Brent Ashley reported during Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council meeting that there have been three littering citations written so far this year, compared to the conclusion of last year when there was 12. Ashley relayed a story the chief had shared with him. DiPino...READ MORE

Fager’s Island To Host Benefit Paddleboard Event

OCEAN CITY – Veteran paddle boarders and those who are still newbies to the sport will compete at this year’s Battle on the Bay, Sunday, Aug. 19, at Fager’s Island on 60th Street and the bay.  The public is invited to attend the day’s action, which begins at 10 a.m. with a six-mile elite SUP race and a three-mile recreational SUP race. “We’re hoping to make this the biggest race to date on the Eastern Shore,” said Dawn Ehman, the event organizer and...READ MORE

Another Divided Vote Decides OP Property Rezoning

SNOW HILL -- In a split decision that mirrored the outcome of a related Planning Commission meeting earlier this summer, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of approving a controversial Ocean Pines property re-zoning this week. “In my mind, I think the best thing happened for the county,” said Commission President Bud Church of the vote to change a roughly 31-acre parcel of land in Ocean Pines from A-1 agricultural to C-2 commercial zoning. The property, located off...READ MORE

Boardwalk WiFi Now Available

OCEAN CITY – The Boardwalk is now a hot spot, and it’s free for many in keeping with Ocean City’s summer-long campaign to offer free activities and amenities. A couple of weeks ago, Comcast announced its Xfinity WiFi service is available in parts of Ocean City for no additional charge to Xfinity Internet customers. Xfinity WiFi now provides fast wireless Internet access at points along the Boardwalk and non-Xfinity Internet customers can also enjoy complimentary service through...READ MORE

City Council Permits Artists’ Return To Boardwalk

OCEAN CITY – It has been relatively quiet this summer when it comes to street performers on the Boardwalk until this week when the City Council granted permission for two artists to return to the boards following several confrontations with business owners. Tricia Oertel and Leah Gostomski, professional licensed hair dressers, came before the Mayor and City Council on Monday to request permission to return to the Boardwalk to express their art. This season, Oertel and Gostomski, who...READ MORE

Berlin Wants To Reduce Electric Rates For Businesses By 11%

BERLIN -- Berlin business owners may see a nearly 12 percent drop in their electric rates if a recent application by the town to the Maryland Public Service Commission (MPSC) gets the green light. “We are entering unchartered territory by requesting an electric rate reduction, but the town is prepared to provide any information or other documentation necessary for the MPSC to make a thoughtful and timely decision on our rate reduction request,” said Mayor Gee Williams. Plans to go...READ MORE

Berlin To Host 60th Annual Sidewalk Sale

BERLIN -- Berlin’s oldest ongoing tradition, the August Sidewalk Sale, will celebrate its 60th anniversary this weekend. “It’s the longest continuous event in Berlin history,” said Steve Frene, event organizer and co-owner of Victorian Charm with his wife, Debbie. “It goes way beyond my recollection,” said Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Michael Day. Frene’s store has taken point in representing town merchants for the sidewalk sale...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Author’s Memoir An Award Winner

OCEAN PINES -- Glancing into a mirror can be uncomfortable for many people and putting an entire life in front of one can be agonizing, if enlightening. In her memoir, “Mirror Talk,” local author Barbara Alfaro reflects on the artistic process, the expectations of youth and taking new paths when the well-worn ones reach dead ends. The recipient of an Indie Reader Discovery Award for best memoir, “Mirror Talk,” is the culmination of two years of writing and a lifetime of...READ MORE

Five Arrested After Armed Robbery, High-Speed Chase

OCEAN CITY -- The fifth suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a Route 50 convenience store last Friday evening was apprehended Tuesday morning in Pennsylvania after being sought all weekend by resort police. Around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police apprehended Charles Richard Conden III, 19, of Edwardsville, Pa. Conden was nabbed in the area of Wyoming in Kingston, Pa. after a two-day crime spree in Pennsylvania and the Ocean City area that included an armed robbery...READ MORE

Council President Recovering After Health Scare

OCEAN CITY – Council President Jim Hall is on the mend this week after suffering a heart attack last Friday and plans to be back at City Hall next week. While on a job site for his sprinkler system company last Friday, the long-time Ocean City elected official had a heart attack and was taken to Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) and then transferred to Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury where he underwent heart surgery. He was reached Tuesday at home and is...READ MORE

OC’s Self-Proclaimed ‘Crabologist’ Has Big Plans For Summer, Beyond

OCEAN CITY – With three locations within 10 miles up and running this summer, Bahama Mamas is a household name in Ocean City and there are plans underway to expand that reputation in new ways. Bahama Mamas co-owner Ernie Emerson, joined by business partner Kathy Emerson, started out in Baltimore where he established the restaurant and ran it for 10 years along with a marine construction company before he and his family decided to make the move to Ocean City. The Baltimore location was...READ MORE

C&E Moves To Fenwick After Three Decades In Selbyville

FENWICK ISLAND -- After three decades in Selbyville, C&E Furniture has relocated closer to the shore with a move to Fenwick Island this summer. “We really like Fenwick,” said owner Katie Winnington. A Selbyville staple for about 30 years, C&E has always been in Winnington’s family. Last January, she purchased the company from her mother and took over managing the store herself with a new business plan. And it was because of that change in strategy that Winnington felt...READ MORE