Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: OCFD Investigation Complete; City Council To Hear Findings Soon; Dead Cat Incident Not Part Of Inquiry

OCEAN CITY -- The Mayor and Council will soon hear the results of an internal inquiry involving the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD), but the allegation of a dead cat being placed outside the fire chief’s house after a stormy promotion process last year is not part of that probe. Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Larmore confirmed to The Dispatch on Tuesday he discovered a dead cat outside his front door back on Nov. 30, 2012. Larmore stopped short of providing more details, such as whether it...READ MORE

NEW FOR THURSDAY: OCFD Investigation Complete; City Council To Hear Findings Soon; Dead Cat Incident Not Part Of Inquiry

OCEAN CITY -- The Mayor and Council will soon hear the results of an internal inquiry involving the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD), but the allegation of a dead cat being placed outside the fire chief’s house after a stormy promotion process last year is not part of that probe. Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Larmore confirmed to The Dispatch on Tuesday he discovered a dead cat outside his front door back on Nov. 30, 2012. Larmore stopped short of providing more details, such as whether it...READ MORE

NEW FOR THURSDAY: County To Keep Berlin Liquor Store Open For Now

BERLIN -- Worcester County Department of Liquor Control (DLC) officials confirmed this week that contrary to rumors there are currently no immediate plans to close the county Liquor Mart located in Berlin. DLC Director Bob Cowger said Wednesday that the fate of the Berlin location will not be decided until after the upcoming tourism season. “The Berlin store is scheduled to stay open at least through the summer,” he said. “We just want to see what kind of impact the new store...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Senator Helps Nab Alleged Thief

OCEAN CITY -- An Ocean City man was arrested on theft and other charges last weekend after State Senator Jim Mathias observed him acting suspiciously in the Teal Drive area early last Sunday morning. Around 12:30 a.m. last Sunday, Ocean City Police received a call in reference to a suspicious person spotted in the area of Teal Drive. The caller, later identified as Mathias, told police the suspect was acting suspiciously and remained on the phone and reported the location of the suspicious...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: New Walk Smart Program Planned For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Following a sharp increase in pedestrian crashes last summer, a new Walk Smart campaign has been initiated to spread pedestrian safety awareness in Ocean City starting this summer. On Tuesday afternoon, Karen Waggoner of the Maryland Highway Safety Office came before the Mayor and City Council to request permission for projects sent forward by the Ocean City Pedestrian Safety Committee (OCPSC). Waggoner has been working with the committee that is made up of representatives of...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: No Misconduct At Fatal Accident Scene, State Probe Confirms

BERLIN -- While the Berlin Fire Company (BFC) was found without fault in the transporting of an accident victim in December that ultimately died, the agency that investigated the incident did warn that “significant underlying tensions” between the company and the town of Berlin are a cause for concern. Mayor Gee Williams made it clear today that he was not happy with the state investigation and accused those involved of “passing the buck.” In January, the Maryland...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Judge Again Dismisses Wrongful Termination Suit Against Berlin

BERLIN -- A visiting Worcester County Circuit Court judge last week dismissed for the second time a lawsuit filed by a former Berlin Fire Department supervisor against the town and its elected officials, alleging wrongful termination and calling into question the town’s authority to fire, suspend or discipline emergency services personnel. The plaintiff’s attorney said today he has filed an appeal with the state’s Court of Special Appeals. In May, the town terminated EMS...READ MORE

10-Year Sentence For Identity Theft

SALISBURY -- A Salisbury man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week after leading an identity theft scheme targeting at least 100 mental health patients and employees of a program that treated them. U. S. District Judge Catherine Blake last week sentenced Christopher Andre Devine, 34, to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to use the personal information of dozens of...READ MORE

Salisbury Moving Ahead With Business Disclosure Changes

SALISBURY -- A Business Disclosure Ordinance is being advanced by the Salisbury City Council this week with supporters calling it a clear-cut transparency law while opponents argue that there is no need or public demand for the measure. The ordinance would require any vendors who contract with Salisbury for more than $3,000 in a single agreement or $10,000 for the fiscal year to fully reveal all partners or owners with more than a 5 percent stake in the company. It would mean that all parties in...READ MORE

Coast Guard Forced To Suspend Missing Men Search

ASSATEAGUE -- The Coast Guard late Thursday afternoon suspended the search for two men missing from a disabled fishing vessel 15 miles off the coast of Assateague after rescuing via helicopter a third man who was found in a life boat during the storm on Wednesday. Around 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Coast Guard Fifth District watchstanders received an emergency position indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, from the 67-foot fishing vessel “Seafarer” reporting a position about 15 miles off...READ MORE

Going Bald For A Cause In WOC; Event Benefits Child Cancer Foundation

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The latest batch of freshly shorn heads will be revealed Saturday when the men and women of the Delmarva Emerald Society go under the clippers at a West Ocean City restaurant. At least a dozen members of the Delmarva Emerald Society, an Eastern Shore branch of the historic brotherhood of firefighters and first-responders, will have their heads shaved at the Station 7 restaurant in West Ocean City for the benefit of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which was founded in 2000...READ MORE

School Safety Linked To Mental Health Resources, Director Says

SNOW HILL -- As part of an effort to make schools safer by addressing emotional issues in teens and young adults, the Worcester County Health Department is requesting $112,198 from the County Commission to bolster the current Crisis Response Team as well as add a new clinical social worker who would specialize in the high-risk 14- to 26-year-old age range. “A key factor in school safety is the management of mental health issues,” wrote Health Officer Debbie Goeller in a letter to the...READ MORE

Officials Address Tourism, Liquor Shakeup Concerns

SNOW HILL -- A cooperative effort to promote tourism between Worcester County and its municipalities was the common thread when Berlin, Pocomoke and Ocean Pines presented their grant requests this week to the County Commissioners. In terms of grant money, all three requested similar packages to what they received last year with Ocean Pines showing the only significant deviation by asking for $1,607,733, a roughly $570,000 increase from last year’s $1,034,880. Pocomoke requested $1,421,864,...READ MORE

City Seeking More Details On New Fire Service Accord

SALISBURY -- Greater coordination with administration in renegotiating a Fire Service Agreement (FSA) with Wicomico County would be ideal, according to the Salisbury City Council. At the end of its work session Monday, the council forwarded a number of questions to city administration that they felt will paint them a clear picture of how to move forward. The original FSA between Salisbury and Wicomico was drafted in July 2005. It was terminated in 2007 so the city could re-negotiate terms. With...READ MORE

Murder Accessory Bill Advances

BERLIN -- A bill introduced in the General Assembly that would greatly enhance the penalties for accessory after the fact in a murder case, cruised out the House this week and is on its way to passage by the Senate. Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B), who represents Worcester County and the lower shore, is among the eight co-sponsors of House Bill 709, which, if approved would increase the maximum sentence for those convicted of being an accessory after the fact in a murder. Now called the...READ MORE

Casino Revenue Drops Slightly

BERLIN -- It was good news, bad news this week when the February revenue figures were released for the Casino at Ocean Downs. The Casino at Ocean Downs grossed just over $3.4 million in February, up from the $2.9 million recorded in January, which was the lowest one-month total in the history of the facility on Route 589 just south of Ocean Pines. The Casino at Ocean Downs’ February 2013 total came in at around $59,000 lower than the same month last year, continuing a trend of decline over...READ MORE

Resort Area Quick To Bounce Back From Strong Winter Storm

OCEAN CITY -- Despite high winds, pouring rain and heavy surf that pounded the region throughout much of Wednesday, the resort area was largely spared widespread damage and was relatively back to normal by Thursday morning. While the storm lived up to its hype in terms of temporary impacts in and around the resort area, it was largely business as usual by Thursday morning with little evidence of the pounding rain and high winds that lashed Ocean City and much of Worcester County throughout...READ MORE

Gun Control Bill Nears Approval; Mathias, McDermott Oppose

BERLIN -- Legislation making Maryland’s gun control laws among the toughest in the nation have moved closer to reality with the passage of the governor’s bill by the Senate and the House expected to soon follow suit. In the wake of the school shooting tragedy in Connecticut last December, Gov. Martin O’Malley introduced legislation in the General Assembly increasing the licensing requirements for handgun purchases, banning the sale of assault-style weapons, limiting gun...READ MORE

OC Transportation Expenses, Grant Requests Outlined

OCEAN CITY – Although the state is struggling with transportation funding, sparking plans of a gas tax increase, the town is following the advice that it doesn’t hurt to ask and approved the application to apply for grants following a public hearing this week. At Monday’s meeting, a public hearing was held in regard to the Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Transportation Grants. Each year the Ocean City Transportation Department requests funding for transit services through the Maryland...READ MORE

Commissioners Hear Proposal On School Resource Officers

SNOW HILL -- Having law enforcement officers in every school will have the “greatest impact on school safety,” according to the Worcester County Board of Education, and officials asked the County Commission this week to consider funding them and several capital improvement projects aimed at evolving school security. While continuing improvements may be suggested in the future, metal detectors are not currently a priority and arming teachers is not “a solution,” said...READ MORE

OC Council Committees Appointed; Ashley, Pillas Refuse To Serve At Group Level

OCEAN CITY – Individual appointments were made to serve on the newly re-established committees and commissions this week, but two City Council members have declined to be involved because they continue to feel all business should be conducted in front of the full Mayor and City Council. At last night’s meeting, Mayor Rick Meehan presented the list of council members and citizens who are appointed to serve on the re-established Mayor and City Council Legislative Committees and...READ MORE

Mayor Asks County To Remove Communication ‘Wall’

SNOW HILL -- The “wall” blocking communication between Ocean City and Worcester County came down, according to officials, when Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan visited the County Commission this week to make requests regarding a tax differential, grant funding and unrestricted tourism funds. Channeling his best impression of President Ronald Reagan, Meehan asked that Commission President Bud Church open up communication channels between the county and the resort town that Meehan...READ MORE

Cheerleaders Commit To Returning To Ocean City

OCEAN CITY -- Although there is no contract in place, the organizers of the annual cheerleading events in Ocean City have confirmed their intentions to return to the resort in 2014. Concerns arose last week after an email circulated by Global JBS, a full-service firm that handles the destination management for the annual conventions, indicated the future of the two cheerleading events in Ocean City was in doubt until more information was learned about the proposed 1,200-seat performing arts...READ MORE

Reminder: Check Detectors When Turning Clocks Forward

OCEAN CITY -- As daylight saving time comes to an end this weekend, the Ocean City Fire Department is reminding the residents and visitors of Ocean City to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to change the batteries in each.Working smoke alarms are vital in the notification of a fire, allowing you and your family adequate time to escape. A report published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) stated that the most common reason for smoke detector failure in the United...READ MORE

Worcester Seeks More School Tech Funding

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Commissioners agreed this week to submit a proposal for $400,000 worth of funding to the state with the request it be considered one-time non-recurring and not part of the Maintenance of Effort (MoE) funding the county owes the Board of Education annually. At the same meeting, the commissioners also agreed to at least meet MoE funding for the board next year. Half of the $400,000 proposal will be for new student computer tablets, which will be used in next...READ MORE

Volunteers Restore Kayak Launch

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) volunteers braved a brisk Monday morning to begin restoring and repairing the damage at the Lewis Road Kayak Launch in West Ocean City caused by Hurricane Sandy last fall. On Monday, MCBP volunteers cleared brush and debris, planted trees and repaired damage to fences and other man-made structures at the pristine Lewis Rd. Kayak Launch, which opened last August. The nearly 40-acre site off Lewis Rd. was once a dump for the town of Ocean...READ MORE

Resort Fire Dept. Mired In ‘Turmoil’; City Manager To Form Employee Focus Groups; Spouses Form Support Group

OCEAN CITY -- Armed with concerns over hostile workplace conditions for Ocean City career firefighter/paramedics and deteriorating morale, a group of more than a dozen spouses has been formed to provide support and promote an improved direction for the city’s first responders.The creation of the support group is the latest controversy to embroil the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD), leading Chief Chris Larmore in an interview Monday to refer to the current state of affairs as...READ MORE

‘Home Show’ Kicks Off In OC

OCEAN CITY -- The 29th Annual Home, Condo & Outdoor Show will be making its annual appearance in Ocean City and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center this weekend. The event will be held on Friday, March 8, from noon-6 p.m.; Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, March 10, from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The “home show” features all-under-one-roof convenience and will display an exciting array of the latest home improvement products and services for your primary residence...READ MORE

Couples Workshop Geared To Variety Of Relationships

BERLIN -- Partners looking to build a better foundation for their relationship are invited to attend a Couples Enrichment Workshop hosted by Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) in March. The workshop isn’t just for couples in troubled waters, said organizers, but for any pair at any commitment or satisfaction level who would like to grow their partnership. “There are some very basic and simple strategies that can be very effective,” said Dr. Jennifer...READ MORE

Boardwalk Surf Shop Continues To Expand Size, Offerings

OCEAN CITY – Quiet Storm on the Boardwalk has become the largest surf shop in Maryland as it has tripled in size over the last few years to keep up with demand. In April of 2011, a ribbon cutting was held when Quiet Storm opened its doors at its new location on the Boardwalk at North Division Street. The store joined Quiet Storm’s growing list of locations with stores also located in mid-town Ocean City, Rehoboth, and Hilton Head in South Carolina. Quiet Storm Surf Shop has been...READ MORE