Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Assateague Foal Naming Contest Nears End

ASSATEAGUE -- The clock is ticking on a unique opportunity for a holiday gift as an auction for the naming rights of a wild foal born on Assateague last spring is set to expire early next week. Each year, the Assateague Island Alliance auctions the naming rights to a foal born in the Assateague Island National Seashore and the current auction is set to expire at midnight on Monday. The annual Foal Naming Rights Charitable Auction, active on eBay since last Friday, will allow the successful...READ MORE

NEW FOR THURSDAY: OC Planning Commission Again Supports Utility’s Substation Expansion

OCEAN CITY – Once again the Planning and Zoning Commission passed on a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council to approve the Delmarva Power and Light’s (DP&L) request to expand the substation in north Ocean City, despite the public’s request to have an independent study conducted on the facility’s impact to the immediate area. On Wednesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a deliberation session regarding DP&L’s Conditional Use request...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Big Changes Planned For OC Fire Department Buildings

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) has received the go-ahead to move into the next phases of the renovation on the headquarters building downtown and the complete rebuild of Station 4 uptown. The first request before the Mayor and City Council this week was for approval to contract an architect, Design Atlantic, for final design services and construction documents for Fire Station 4 on 130th Street. According to City Engineer Terry McGean, who was not present during the...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Council Majority Stands Against Outdoor New Year’s Bar

BERLIN -- A packed house of supporters last night at Town Hall wasn’t enough to swing a divided Berlin Council in favor of an application by The Globe to operate an outside bar during New Year’s Eve. While Mayor Gee Williams chided opponents of the application on the council for allowing personal feelings to dictate policy, those same opponents reminded the room that the issue has come up twice in the last month and that it is time for the town to move on. The Globe owner...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: OC Man Busted For Pot Distribution; Ocean Pines Residents Charged With Major Computer Crimes

OCEAN CITY -- A local man was arrested with a significant amount of marijuana in an Ocean City hotel room after resort police earlier in the day arrested his caretaker for possession. Around 9:40 a.m. on Friday, Ocean City Police were conducting a follow-up check on the welfare of Brian Daniel Sterner, 37, of Ocean City, who was staying in a hotel room in the area of 32nd Street and Baltimore Ave. Earlier on Friday morning, another occupant in the hotel, identified as Jody Lyn Paull, 26, of...READ MORE

Parents Praise Schools In Survey

SNOW HILL -- Though return rates saw a minor drop from 2011 levels, this year’s parental survey showed several favorability increases for Worcester County schools. Trends such as a desire to maintain small class sizes and see local funding above the minimal Maintenance of Effort (MoE) level were also highlighted. The surveys are important, said Board of Education President Bob Rothermel, because they allow the board to peer into the minds of parents and stakeholders. With the information...READ MORE

New Snow Hill High School’s Price Tag Questioned

SNOW HILL -- The cost of a proposed Snow Hill High School (SHHS) renovations and the expansion of parks in Worcester County were the two specific items that received public comment during a review of the county’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Tuesday. While the County Commission was willing to discuss the details of parks and schools in Worcester, the commissioners unanimously told the public that on many points, their hands are tied by the state. “One of our big problems...READ MORE

Salisbury Audit Shines Light On ‘Challenging Year’

SALISBURY -- Dormant bank accounts, a re-examination of the city’s employee “sick bank,” and management of the mayor’s credit card were some of the issues turned up during the annual independent audit of Salisbury. Auditor Pam Baker of Barbacane, Thorton and Co. told the City Council that the majority of the audit was positive, but that several of the issues currently troubling the city were brought up last year as well. “This was a challenging year,” said...READ MORE

State Officials Outraged FEMA Denied Further Storm Assistance

OCEAN CITY -- Maryland’s congressional leaders’ appeal for individual federal disaster relief for victims across the lower shore apparently fell on deaf ears as the Obama administration this week announced it was denying the request. While the federal government had issued a major disaster declaration for Maryland and much of the lower shore including Worcester County in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, no similar declaration for individual assistance in the form of federal relief...READ MORE

O’Malley Reaches Out To Obama For Offshore Wind Support

OCEAN CITY -- With another General Assembly session looming, and likely another battle over proposed offshore wind farms off the coast of Ocean City, Gov. Martin O’Malley last week appealed to a higher authority for support for his proposed alternative energy agenda. In each of the last three years, O’Malley has pushed legislation aimed at fostering the development of offshore wind farms off the coast of Ocean City in order to meet Maryland’s long-term energy diversification...READ MORE

Warning Issued Over Check Scam

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) is investigating a check fraud scam involving the possible misuse of actual bank accounts and check numbers. The scam targets an un-suspecting victim by sending a check drawn from a well-known retail bank in an amount between $800 and $1,000. Along with the check is an elaborate letter of instructions for the victim, which claims the victim has been “pre-selected” for employment as a “Customer Service Evaluator.” The...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Moving Forward With Annexation

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council agreed to move forward this week with the process of annexing more than a dozen properties into city limits, though final approval will not occur until after a public hearing. The three members of the council present at Monday’s work session did condition their acceptance of annexation, however, in that the properties will have to agree to pay property taxes and not to develop residentially if they want to be part of Salisbury. The string of 15...READ MORE

Gallery Raising Funds For Fine Arts Scholarship

BERLIN -- The fundraising efforts for another Berlin Fine Arts (BFA) scholarship are currently underway. Now entering its seventh year, one of the original founders, Kevin Fitzgerald, said this week he hopes the scholarship has proved its value to the community and will be carried on by his fellow artists after he steps down someday in the future. The $1,000 scholarship is given every year to a graduating senior at Stephen Decatur High School (SDHS) who plans to pursue visual arts in college....READ MORE

Council Adds More Teeth To Resort Noise Laws

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council approved two ordinances this week having to do with an amendment to paid parking enforcement dates and an increase in fines when it comes to noise complaints. In late November, Public Works Director Hal Adkins brought to the council’s attention confusion among regarding dates of paid parking enforcement. Adkins explained historically the town would commence paid parking on April 1 of each year and end it in October, but by resolution the dates...READ MORE

Citizens Request Impartial Study Of Utility Expansion

OCEAN CITY – During a public hearing at City Hall this week, residents voiced the need for the city to hire an independent consultant to study the impact an expansion to a utility substation in north Ocean City. Last August the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing regarding Delmarva Power and Light’s (DP&L) Conditional Use request to expand the existing substation located on Sinepuxent and Derrickson avenues on 138th Street in the community of Caine Woods. A...READ MORE

Fireworks Planned For New Year’s Eve

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show at Northside Park to celebrate the beginning of 2013 and the 20th Annual Winterfest of Lights. The fireworks display, which will begin promptly at midnight, will be accompanied by live entertainment, warm hot chocolate, and the opportunity to ride the Winterfest of Lights. Hours for the Winterfest of Lights, which was recently named a prestigious Top 100 Event by American Bus Association and voted...READ MORE

City Staff Meets To Review Strategic Planning Initiative

OCEAN CITY – City Manager David Recor’s strategic planning initiative is well under way as a working document, the Leaders Guide 2012, was released this week and a workshop was held with city staff and management to review and update before forwarding to the Mayor and City Council. The Strategic Planning Model starts with a vision that will describe the value-based principles that describe the preferred future in 15 years. Next is a plan of goals that focus outcome-based objectives...READ MORE

Ocean City Police Steps Up Drunk Driving Patrols

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) late last month engaged in a concentrated and focused effort to combat impaired driving and underage drinking and is pledging more of the same in the coming weeks. In conjunction with a national program conducted by law enforcement agencies in Maryland around the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the OCPD in late November participated in Project SOLO, or Saving Our Loved Ones. An extension or expansion of standard enforcement efforts, Project...READ MORE

Resort Operator Explains Taxi Medallion Transfer

OCEAN CITY – What was believed to be a taxi medallion conspiracy last week was clarified this week as details of the sale were explained.Last week the Mayor and City Council denied the transfer of a taxi medallion when the price tag didn’t meet expectations.The council reviewed two transfers that day approving the first that sold for $5,000 but when independent taxi medallion holder Ruben Ortega’s transfer to AA Beach/Nite Club Taxi came to the table significantly less at...READ MORE

Custer Retires After Distinguished Career

OCEAN CITY – Sgt. Regina Custer is retiring from the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) with her retirement badge gleaming just as bright as the day she received it 30 years ago. “It is with a sad heart but also one full of pride that I recognize Sgt. Regina Custer that is retiring after 30 years of law enforcement with the Ocean City Police Department,” Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said during Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council legislative session....READ MORE

Worcester Parents Talk Education Priorities

SNOW HILL -- In preparation for the coming budget season, parent representatives from each of Worcester County’s 14 public schools presented the Board of Education with their priorities for next year during a Public Budget Input Session Tuesday. Common requests across multiple schools included additional staffing, an employee salary increase and support for the renovation of Snow Hill High School (SHHS). The existing gap between minority student achievement and other students was also...READ MORE

Visitor Survey Shows Need To Revamp Website

OCEAN CITY – Survey results taken over the summer of what visitors to the town’s website are looking for, specifically in making accommodations, revealed the need for more content and upgrades. Andy Malis, president of MGH, Ocean City’s advertising firm, presented the Mayor and Council with the results of a survey on the accessibility of the town’s website, OCocean.com, and its accommodations page. According to Malis, research was conducted to understand how the...READ MORE

Victorian Tea Set For Berlin Sunday

BERLIN -- A Victorian Tea Fundraiser, benefitting Berlin Main Street Christmas events and activities, is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 9, from 3-5 p.m. in the Atlantic Hotel Ballroom. A proper tea menu has been created by Atlantic Hotel Chef Leo D’Leo and Staci Libby, former owner of Tea By The Sea Tea House for the fundraiser.  Most teatime delicacies are meant to be eaten with your fingers, however, there are instances which require a fork and sometimes a spoon. Tea sandwiches, breads,...READ MORE

Sisters Offering Unique Charm In Downtown Berlin

BERLIN – Sisters in Berlin has made dreams come true by twisting the conventional retail store to include a beer and wine bar for shoppers to enjoy. Last November, sisters Donna Sue Compher and Michael Ann Phillips had a serious talk about the idea of opening their own business. “We wanted it to be unique, we wanted something different, and we knew that we could also do fundraising if we had the right space,” Phillips said. On June 3, 2012, Sisters opened its doors after...READ MORE

Schools Asking County To Save Academies

SNOW HILL -- With After School Academies (ASA) for several schools still in jeopardy after the unexpected loss of grant funding this summer, the Worcester County Board of Education plans to ask the County Commissioners for a one-time grant of $300,000 to finance the programs through the end of the school year. In July, the board learned extensive grants from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) would not be renewed, meaning funding for ASA at Buckingham Elementary, Berlin...READ MORE

Salisbury-Orlando Airport Service Nixed

SALISBURY -- Less than a year after it began the service, Allegiant Air last week announced it was no longer offering flights from the Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport. Last February, Allegiant Air announced it was beginning low-cost, non-stop flights from Salisbury to Orlando, Fla. The new flights operated twice weekly to Orlando Sanford International Airport and carried as many as 150 passengers on each flight. The company offered fares as low as $69.99 one way between the two...READ MORE

Raffle Organized To Help Shore Family

OCEAN CITY -- Just over a week remains to get your Baltimore Ravens raffle tickets while at the same time helping a local family cope with rising medical bills. Keith Dreisbach, 11, suffers from cystic fibrosis that causes a buildup of mucus in his body and results in many other health issues. He was admitted to the hospital once again last week for an infection. One simple infection could end his life, which was originally thought to be a much shorter one. He is also afflicted with autism and...READ MORE

OCPD Breaks Up Heroin Operation

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) last week rounded up 26 suspects wanted in connection with a major heroin distribution ring after a Worcester County grand jury issued indictments for 23 of the suspects. The OCPD Vice-Narcotics Unit for the last six weeks has been conducting an aggressive and extensive undercover illegal drug investigation involving multiple suspects throughout Ocean City called “Operation Smackdown.” The investigation was initiated by the...READ MORE

Ocean City Report Details Financial Health

OCEAN CITY – The town’s chief financial health report was presented this week, and it showed a spike in revenues as well as an increase in expenditures from the previous fiscal year, but overall Ocean City’s general fund remains in a healthy state, financial officials report. This week Ocean City Finance Administrator Martha Bennett presented the Town of Ocean City Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 that ended on June 30. Major...READ MORE

OC’s Newest Marketing Tool Preparing To Hit Road

OCEAN CITY – After almost three years, the town’s new marketing tool, OC Experience, is ready to hit the road to spread the word on Ocean City and all it has to offer. The final product of OC Experience is a travel show booth that will physically exhibit to attendees the value to be found in a vacation in Ocean City through technology and media. So far the 2013 road trip schedule for OC Experience is the New York Times Travel Show on Jan. 18-20; the Philadelphia Inquirer Travel Show...READ MORE

Judge To Rule On Hudson Farm Case By End Of Year

BERLIN -- After three years of often tense legal wrangling, closing arguments were heard last Friday in the landmark civil suit filed against a Berlin farm family and Perdue over alleged pollution violations dating back to 2009. Testimony ended in mid-October in the civil suit pitting the defendants, Berlin’s Hudson Farm and Perdue, against an environmental watchdog group the Waterkeeper Alliance after a 10-day trial. Earlier in November, each side submitted its findings of fact and...READ MORE

Former Baltimore Water Taxi Added To Russell’s Reef

OCEAN CITY -- The ever-growing artificial reef system off the coast of Ocean City got its newest addition last Friday when a 50-foot retired water taxi from Baltimore was sunk on a picture-perfect late November day. The water taxi was the third of its kind donated to the Ocean City Reef Foundation in the last year or so, and likely the last for a while. The 50-foot vessel was towed to an area over the existing Russell’s Reef artificial reef site early last Friday morning and went down by...READ MORE

Blue Angels Scout Ocean City In Advance Of 2013 Air Show

OCEAN CITY -- In preparation for their first-ever official appearance in Ocean City next summer, members of the Navy’s Blue Angel jet demonstration team visited the resort Friday to meet with officials and get a lay of the land. “We haven’t been here before and we’re always looking for new show events to go to,” said Lt. Commander Michael Cheng, Blue Angel 8 and events coordinator for the team. “We get about 300 applications every year … A remote show...READ MORE

Authorities Outline Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

BERLIN -- With Black Friday and Cyber Monday now a fading memory, local residents and visitors are flocking to area shopping centers, prompting local law enforcement officials this week to issue a few common sense reminders to ensure they, and their packages, make it home safely. With the calendar changing to December last weekend, the holiday shopping season is in full swing as thousands flock to area malls and shopping centers. Joining them, unfortunately, is an in-kind criminal element ready...READ MORE

Announcements

Cook-Mitry OCEAN CITY -- Jacob Dean Cook and Erika Mitry were married Oct. 20, 2012 at Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Berlin.
Rev. Matt Trask and honorably retired Rev. Gary Baer performed the ceremony. 
The bride is the daughter of Shaker and Aggie Mitry of Summit, N.J. 
The groom is the son of Paul and Debi Cook of Ocean City. The newlyweds reside in Annapolis.  
 ...READ MORE