May 6, 2011

If I We're mayor

Worcester Prep fourth grader Thomas Fager, winner of the District One “If I Were Mayor Contest”, has been invited to attend a special ceremony at the State House in Annapolis where he will receive a proclamation from the Governor and a $100 cash prize. Pictured, from left, are Max Moore, honored as a semi-finalist in the competition; Head of Lower School, Celeste Bunting; Fager; and Andrew Stickler, who was also honored as a semi-finalist in the competition. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

BIS Studys Lou Gehrig

Students in the fourth grade at Berlin Intermediate School wore their baseball uniforms and T-shirts to school last month to culminate their study of Lou Gehrig and baseball.  Pictured are, back, Zach Pletcher, Jeffrey Helvig, Joseph Beck and Gus O'Brien; and, front, Caden Massey, Samantha Stephan, Katelyn Hancock and George Luzier. ...READ MORE

Operation We Care

Buckingham Elementary School recently underwent the "Operation We Care" project, which was started by teacher Gina Chamberlain.  Students wrote letters and sent supplies to the country’s service men and woman. Pictured are Richard Bunner, Caleb Tingle, teacher Danielle DiMichele, Shania Downing and Olivia Morning. ...READ MORE

Beyond After School Gardening Club

Students in the Berlin Intermediate School and Beyond Afterschool Gardening Club are working on revamping the school's pond area out in front of the school.  Students Kevin Webb, Katelyn Elliott, Brooklyn Taylor and Sarah Dwyer are working with John Colley of Grow Berlin Green to help beautify the school campus. ...READ MORE

MSA Reward

Jagger Clapsadle earned an MSA reward to help in Megan Cooke's third grade classroom at Ocean City Elementary School.  He is shown teaching students long division. ...READ MORE

Art & Media SHow

Worcester Prep Middle & Upper School art instructor George Zaiser congratulates junior Hannah Gaskill on her outstanding oil paintings. Gaskill displayed several other paintings at the annual Worcester Prep Art & Media Show. ...READ MORE

Readers Theater

Alice Loch and third graders Stephen Giovannetti, Alijah Lewis and Haley Brow practice reading fluently while performing readers theater at Ocean City Elementary School. ...READ MORE

Sea Life Learning

Sophomores in Jenn Corron’s biology class who worked with fifth grade students on learning about the lives of sea turtles, stingrays, whales, and dolphins were Henry Hastings, Caroline Hudson and Tierney Loeser. The fifth grade students were Austin Taylor, Grace Mullaney and Anchita Batra. ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You're the first sign in the Zodiac and like to take the lead wherever you go. But this time, you'd be wise to follow someone who has much to teach you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your adversary hasn't given up trying to undermine you. Continue to stay cool -- someone in authority knows what's happening. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Spring brings a positive aspect for relationships. Paired Twins grow closer, while the single set finds new romance -- perhaps with a...READ MORE

Things I Like

Smell of a new book A surprise delivery Old Aerosmith songs A young guy in a bow tie Surpassing a goal An old baseball glove Looking through an old yearbook Sweet tea with lemon Making my kids laugh Shaving with a new blade Sweet potato fries ...READ MORE

Optimist Essay Contest

Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club essay winner Halle Murray-Davis of Worcester Prep won the Maryland/South Delaware District essay contest. She won a $2,500 college scholarship. She also received a plaque and delivered her essay at a state-wide meeting in Ocean City. Pictured are Lew Frey, local club president; Rich Caproni, local club board member; Judy Lazarus-Haag, district essay chairman; Murray-Davis; and Tom Parran, district governor. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Rotary Club Teacher Of The Year

The Snow Hill Rotary Club held its third annual Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet at Nassawango Country Club last month to celebrate Worcester County Public Schools’ Snow Hill area Teachers of the Year.  In addition to celebrating teaching excellence, the event raised scholarship funds for graduating Snow Hill High School seniors.  Pictured, from left, are Teachers of the Year Floyd Azbell of Worcester Technical High School; Amy Nock of Snow Hill Elementary School; Jennifer...READ MORE

Mitzvah Day Event

Temple Bat Yam held its annual Mitzvah Day event on Sunday, May 1, a day the entire congregation is asked to do what they can to help the community by collecting wish list items and hands on community service projects.  This year, Coastal Hospice,the Salisbury Zoo,  Believe in Tomorrow, Shore Up, Home of the Brave were some of the groups aided. Pictured, from left, are Senator Jim Mathias, Tina Pearson of Home of the Brave, Rabbi Susan...READ MORE

A Taste Of Finer Things

A Taste of Finer Things held on April 27 at Harrison’s Harbor Watch was a big success. This annual event, which raises money for Coastal Hospice at the Ocean, featured food and wine from restaurants from across the area. Pictured are committee members Cathy Donovan, Stephanie Meehan, Elaine Jacobs and Gayle Widdowson. ...READ MORE

Berlin FOP Donates To Spirit Kitchen

The Fraternal Order of Police, Berlin Lodge 136 recently donated $250 to The Spirit Kitchen, located in The Stevenson United Methodist Church on Main Street Berlin. The Spirit Kitchen provides free lunches to those in need on Wednesday afternoons. Above, President Michael O'Connor hands the check to Ray Stevens and Vicki Nock, who head the kitchen. ...READ MORE

Tech Companies Rebounding

OCEAN CITY -- It should come as little surprise that earnings reports from major technology companies have been driving the strong market news of late. Investing in today's tech sector is considerably different from the dot-com bubble (and bust) that eliminated $5 trillion in shareholder value back in the early 2000s. Currently, many major tech companies boast solid balance sheets, strong business fundamentals and attractive valuations. Larger, slower-growing technology firms are especially...READ MORE

I was the parent that everyone wants to avoid last weekend.

I was the parent that everyone wants to avoid last weekend. If you have ever taken your kid to the Kite Loft store on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, you understand how excited the little ones get when they walk in there. With Pam toting Carson around on her hip, I was tasked with keeping Beckett from destroying the store, and it really was not a simple chore, as he was crazed from the moment we walked in. I can’t say I blame him, as the place is a feast for the senses for even adults. At one...READ MORE

Smoker’s Ribbon Cutting Planned

Smoker’s Ribbon Cutting Planned WEST OCEAN CITY -- Smoker’s BBQ Pit and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 11, at 4 p.m. This ribbon cutting serves to mark a change in ownership of the roadside restaurant located on Stephen Decatur Highway in West Ocean City. New owners Denise Venable and Jennifer McCabe, original owners Carl and Jeannie Glenn and local community members will gather to celebrate this changing of the...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

David Stein WEST OCEAN CITY -- David Stein, 93, of West Ocean City, died on April 30, 2011, at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born in Camden, N.J., to the late Hyman and Celia Stein. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ursula Stein; brother, Harry (Laurie) Stein; daughter, Wilma Carroll; step-daughter, Susan (Milton) Williams; and step-grandchildren, Christopher and Brian Eccleston and Stephan Nunzio. Mr. Stein is also survived by local nieces and nephews, Gregory (Pat)...READ MORE

Seahawks Lose Coin Toss for Title

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team suffered a couple of setbacks last week, losing to rival Parkside, 12-7, on Friday to relinquish its Bayside South lead before losing a coin toss to the Rams to determine who will represent the South in the Bayside Conference championship game. After a thrilling triple overtime win over neighborhood rival Worcester Prep last, the Seahawks had to regroup quickly for a huge Bayside South game against Parkside with the division title...READ MORE

Coastal Lacrosse Event on Tap

BERLIN- The Coastal Lacrosse Club last weekend set a new league record by hosting 37 youth lacrosse games at the Northern Worcester County Athletic Complex in Berlin while two other club teams traveled to Delaware for other games. The weather last weekend was ideal for the record-setting turnout of seven different youth lacrosse clubs from all over the Eastern Shore from both the ESYLA and DYLA leagues. The big turnout last week gave Coastal Lacrosse the opportunity to give back to another...READ MORE

Worcester Boys’ Lax Splits Pair

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team rebounded from a dramatic triple overtime loss to neighborhood rival Stephen Decatur last week by splitting its next two games to improve to 12-3 on the season. The Mallards had little time to dwell on the tough loss to the Seahawks last Wednesday with Virginia prep lacrosse power Paul VI visiting on Friday. Worcester played well against the Panthers throughout the game before falling 10-6. On Monday, Worcester bounced back from...READ MORE

OC Golf Ladies Enjoy Great Day

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Ladies Golf Association last week held their most recent event at the Seaside course of the Ocean City Golf Club. Mary Dale Craig finished first, Linda Palmer finished second, Carol Abell came in third and Lorraine Cimerola finished fourth. One of the longest drive awards went to June Regan for her long drive on Hole 3, while Peggy Gore collected long-drive honors on Hole 14. Carolyn Lyman was closest to the pin on Hole 2, while Vicki Martina was closest to the pin on...READ MORE

Worcester Girls Advance in ESIAC

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team survived a couple of second-half comeback attempts on Monday before pulling away from Gunston, 20-12, in the semifinals of the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament. Already ahead, 9-4, late in the first half, the Mallards got a goal by Mary Clare Regan with under a minute to go to take a 10-4 lead into halftime. The Herons regrouped at the half and came out firing in the second quarter, however. Gunston...READ MORE

First Mako, Bluefin Tuna Caught

OCEAN CITY- The offshore fishing season got off to a surprising early start last weekend with the first mako shark and first bluefin tuna of the year reported. Last Saturday, the “Wrangler,” a private boat out of the Ocean City Fishing Center returned from an early season overnight trip to the Norfolk Canyon with a couple of season firsts, including the first mako of the year. The 133-pounder was the earliest in recent memory. Last year, the first mako of the season was caught by...READ MORE

Locals Earn Washington College Honors

BERLIN- Two former standout local high school athletes were recognized for their exploits at Washington College this week with All-Conference honors in their respective sports. Former Worcester Prep Mallard Reno Smith, now a senior at Washington College, was named this week’s Shoreman of the Week after helping his crew win their second straight Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) championship. Smith, who was in the seven seat on the varsity eight for Washington College last weekend, was...READ MORE

Seahawks Rebound from Tough Loss

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity softball lost to Mardela, 8-5, last week to relinquish a share of the lead in the Bayside South standings, but responded by destroying its next two opponents. The lead in the Bayside South standings was up for grabs last week when the Seahawks took on Mardela on the road last Wednesday, but the Warriors came out on top of a seesaw battle. Mardela led 3-0 early, but Decatur rallied for four runs in the fourth to take its first lead. The first Decatur run...READ MORE

Decatur Extends Win Streak to Five

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team stayed on a major roll this week, blanking Washington High, 11-0, on Tuesday for its fifth straight victory. Just about everybody got in the box score for the Seahawks on Tuesday during the 11-0 rout of the Jaguars. Mike Malloy had two hits and drove in four runs, Mike O’Neill had two doubles, drove in two runs and scored twice, and Kyler Clifton had two hits including a home run while driving in two and scoring three times. Pitcher...READ MORE

WPS's DiNardo

Worcester’s Lilly DiNardo works the ball around the Gunston defense during Monday’s 20-12 win over the Herons. DiNardo scored three second-half goals to thwart a Gunston comeback attempt. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Sunset Island Sat & Sun 10-4 3-5 Bedroom Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes C.Jett/T.Riley Vantage Resort Realty 410-723-1730 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 WEST OCEAN...READ MORE

Operation Medicine Drop Called A Success

BERLIN -- Operation Medicine Drop (OMD), a countywide effort to safely dispose of expired and unneeded prescription drugs, was called a big success by everyone involved. “We’re looking at doing this again in the fall,” said Katherine Gunby, the Public Information Officer for the Worcester County Health Department (WCHD). According to Gunby, approximately 130 pounds of expired medications were collected Saturday between five drop-off points throughout Worcester. She said,...READ MORE

St. Martin’s Church Plans Museum Day Opening

BERLIN -- Historic St. Martin’s Church will be open Wednesday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in celebration of International Museum Day and on Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for an open house. Additional open houses are in the planning for selected Saturdays through October. With its Flemish bond brick walls and the glazed checkerboard pattern on the south wall, it’s easy to see the church was built in colonial times. Rubbed brick borders highlight the church’s windows...READ MORE

Downtown Cropper Concrete Land Sold At Auction For $4.1M

OCEAN CITY -- The historic George B. Cropper Concrete Company property along the bay at North 1st Street, at the foot of the Route 50 bridge, was sold at auction last week for $4.1 million to a prominent West Ocean City development family. Around 11 a.m. last Friday, a large crowd, including a virtual who’s who among area developers, builders, bankers and investors, gathered at the historic Cropper Concrete Company property for an advertised auction hosted by Atlantic Auctions and...READ MORE

Grand Jury Indicts Scott In $826K Theft Scheme

BERLIN -- The other shoe dropped late last Thursday for Berlin businessman Bill Scott, president of Scott and Company, advertised as a full-service accounting and property management firm, when a Worcester County Grand Jury indicted him on six counts of theft and theft scheme for allegedly bilking several resort area condominium associations and individuals out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. As expected, the grand jury last Thursday afternoon indicted Scott, 37, of Bishopville, on six...READ MORE

Hearing Speakers Request Level Education Funding

SNOW HILL -- Turnout at Tuesday’s annual Worcester County budget hearing was light, and the majority of those who commented asked only that the County Commissioners accept the Board of Education’s proposed spending plan. However, some attention was given to how the overall county budget would be balanced, and whether or not that would mean a hike in taxation. “We have children and families in crisis every day,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes, who had...READ MORE

Surfrider Chapter Looking To Expand Footprints Efforts

OCEAN CITY – This is the seventh year for the “Please Leave Only Your Footprints” campaign by the Surfriders Foundation, which is hoping to continue to make Ocean City’s beach a cleaner place over the next year. “The please leave your footprints campaign is to educate tourists and citizens alike in our efforts to try to keep the beach and the ocean clean,” Terry Steimer of the local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation said as he presented an update during...READ MORE

Citizen Concerns Lead City To Reject Parasail Business

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council overlooked the Planning and Zoning Commission’s favorable recommendation of a parasail business in north Ocean City this week by voting to deny the applicant. The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing last month to consider a parasail business to be operated out of the boat basin located in Ocean City Square on 117th Street Bayside, owned by Peddler Square Inc. The commission approved the request and passed it on to the...READ MORE

Annual Race Sets New Record

OCEAN CITY -- Record numbers of runners turned out last Saturday for the 7th Annual Island to Island Half Marathon and 5K races with near perfect conditions leading to low finish times. Over 1,300 runners from all over the country competed in the half marathon with another 600-plus in the associated 5K race, pushing the total to nearly 2,000 competitors in the two events. Last year’s events set new records with 801 competing in the half marathon and 373 in the 5K. Two years ago, the two...READ MORE

Ocean City Marlin Club Marks 75 Years

OCEAN CITY -- The venerable Ocean City Marlin Club, officially founded in 1936, although its roots date back a few years earlier to the creation of the Ocean City Inlet during a cataclysmic 1933 storm, turns 75 this week and will fete its decades-long history of fishing and conservation with a special celebration at its West Ocean City home for members. Born out the creation of the Inlet during the famous 1933 storm, the Ocean City Marlin Club for the last 75 years has had its roots firmly in...READ MORE

Coastal Bays Program Updates Resort On Initiatives

OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Coastal Bays Program briefed the Mayor and City Council last week on what the program has been accomplishing of late. The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) was created in 1996 as a part of the National Estuary Program, which was developed in 1987 under the Clean Water Act to protect economically and environmentally sensitive estuaries across the U.S. Ocean City and Berlin are in partnership with the Coastal Bays Program, as well as the National Park Service,...READ MORE

Casino’s Slots Revenue Up Slightly

BERLIN -- The April figures for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, revealing a continued pattern of gradual increase in the revenue taken in at the video gaming facility in Berlin. The Casino at Ocean Downs grossed just over $3.5 million in April, up slightly from the $3.25 million the facility generated in March. Each month since the casino opened on Route 589 just south of Ocean Pines, the revenue has gradually increased from $3 million in January to $3.13 million in February...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

Angler, the 410-289-7424 2312 Talbot St. On The Bay Saturday, May 7 & Sunday, May 8: Alex & Shiloh Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, May 6: TBA Saturday, May 7: Bryan Russo Band Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, May 6: Chris Button & Joe Mama, 9 p.m. Saturday, May 7: Old School, 9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, May 6 &...READ MORE

Things To Do

May 6: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 5 p.m.; games begin, 6:30 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. May 6: Family Movie Night 6 p.m., Eden United Methodist Church, Willards. Evening begins with a lite dinner and refreshments will be served. The movie featured this month will be “Furry Ven-geance.” May 7: Operation Shooting Star Bazaar 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Rte. 54 Williamsville Industrial Park, in front of 4 The Shore Furnishings,...READ MORE

Motorcycles, Trailer Swiped

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City police this week are looking for the suspect or suspects who stole three motorcycles and a box trailer from a downtown motel parking lot sometime early Monday morning. Police are investigating the theft of a box trailer containing two Harley Davidson motorcycles and one Iron Horse motorcycle. The trailer and motorcycles were stolen sometime between 1 and 7:30 a.m. on Monday from the Tidelands Motel auxiliary parking lot on the west side of Baltimore Ave. near 4th...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open seven days a week between Sun-sations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice...READ MORE

Legislature Must Act On Arsenic Issue

Editor: (The following letter is in response to the April 29 article, “Local Jurisdictions Join $20M Suit Against Oil Companies.”) While our County Commissioners are to be commended for their concern about the health and safety of its citizens related to MTBE pollution, neither the county or the State of Maryland are willing to be as aggressive in removing another carcinogen from our environment. For the second year in a row, the Maryland legislature failed to prohibit the addition...READ MORE

Remember True Meaning Of Mother’s Day

Remember True Meaning Of Mother’s Day Editor: The birth of Mother’s Day in our country came about following the culmination of the Civil War. Mothers at that time were distressed having witnessed the brutal wartime slayings of men and boys on both sides of the battle. One woman, Julia Ward Howe, was incensed by the countless deaths of sons of all mothers, Confederate and Union alike, and she was outraged at the futility of it all. In 1870, she called for a Mother’s Day...READ MORE

Initiative Aims To Learn More About Diamondback Terrapin

OCEAN CITY -- Local residents and visitors to the area are encouraged not to “Fear the Turtle” but help chart their numbers and protect their future with a new Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) initiative to track diamondback terrapin numbers in and around the resort area. The MCBP is partnering with the Terrapin Work Group, an agency composed of terrapin researchers and manager across the state, on a new initiative to track and count the diamondback terrapin population in and...READ MORE

Dolphin 56 Back Dazzling Boaters In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY -- One month after his most recent sighting in Ocean City, the famous “Dolphin 56” made another appearance in the area this week, swimming up to and showing off for a group of local boaters near the Inlet on Tuesday. For over three decades, the friendly dolphin has been turning up in the waters up and down the coast, putting on a brief show and perhaps collecting a little reward before slipping away again. The ancient dolphin was corralled as part of a research project in...READ MORE

Schools Super Clarifies Education Funding Confusion

SNOW HILL -- Worcester County won’t be receiving as big a slice of state funding as some may have expected, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes. Andes and other members of the Board of Education met with the County Commissioners Tuesday to present a revised Maintenance of Effort Fiscal Year 2012 budget. During the presentation, Andes took a moment to clarify what he perceived as misconceptions the public might have about funding the Board of Education will receive in the...READ MORE

Merit Award Presented For Rescue

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A local Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) officer last week was recognized by state officials with a Certificate of Merit for his rescue of a man who became disoriented and fell into the commercial harbor in West Ocean City in August 2009. The Maryland Natural Resources Police, along with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin and other state dignitaries, last Thursday honored officers and private citizens from across the state with certificates of...READ MORE

OCDC Presents Awards At 11th Annual Meeting

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Development Corporation this week held its 11th annual meeting and announced its top façade projects, award winners, and new board members. Since the beginning OCDC has completed 102 façade projects. In 2010, 23 façade projects were completed and several are still underway. OCDC also recently completed its 100th façade project -- the Buckingham Hotel. “We have a lot to be proud of and as you walk through downtown Ocean City you can see...READ MORE

OC Issues Diakonia Funding Challenge To County

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council challenged the county this week to step up its allocations in this year’s budget to support the Diakonia Foundation. According to the foundation’s website, for more than 30 years Diakonia has been helping individuals and families in Worcester County and on the Lower Shore by proving shelter, food, clothing and the resources to rebuild their lives. Diakonia is the only comprehensive provider of emergency and transitional housing for men,...READ MORE

Ocean City Cabs Can Now Charge More

OCEAN CITY – The majority of the City Council voted this week to pass an increase in taxi fares, which was an unscheduled item during this week’s meeting and caught some council members off guard. The topic was most recently discussed at a Police Commission meeting and a Mayor and Council meeting in March. Both times there was no action taken on a taxi fare increase because owners in the taxi industry could not come to an agreement. This week the owner of Casino Express Taxi Larry...READ MORE

Public Divided Over Wicomico’s Proposed Tax Increas

SALISBURY -- This week the room was torn during a public hearing concerning the proposed 5-cent property tax increase in hopes to balance the proposed $111.4 million fiscal year 2012 budget for Wicomico County. Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt last month announced to the County Council the need for a property tax increase in order to balance declining revenues and budget obligations. At that time, he tried to explain the increase is necessary in order to maintain the level of services...READ MORE

Maryland Tourism Budget Questioned

OCEAN CITY -- On the eve of another Springfest weekend and the cusp of another summer season, a high ranking Maryland tourism official told resort business leaders this week they would likely have to continue going it on their own in terms of advertising and marketing Ocean City. Mary Jo McCullough, outgoing president of the Maryland Tourism Council and the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association, addressed the town’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) on Wednesday and told resort...READ MORE

Bed And Breakfast Gains Conditional Use Approval

BERLIN -- A new bed and breakfast should be up and running in town in as little as nine weeks. Mark Kauffman asked the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Wednesday for Conditional Use approval regarding a property on Harrison Avenue. Kauffman plans on turning the house, which has records dating back to at least 1790, into a four-bedroom bed and breakfast and has been in the process of renovating and reconstructing the house for the last year. “You should be complemented for what you’re...READ MORE

OC Mayor Vetoes Retiree Changes, Citing High Costs

OCEAN CITY – For the second time this year, Mayor Rick Meehan vetoed two ordinances concerning retiree benefits, due to the additional costs they will bring onto the town and taxpayers compared to other options the council can choose to save money. “The council passed two ordinances 15 days ago … that addressed the pension plan and the retiree health plan. I thought a lot about those ordinances and we have come a long way but I have to tell you in good conscious I can’t...READ MORE

Worcester County Foster Parents Commended

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Commissioners formally kicked off May as National Foster Care Month by naming Rick and Anne Rambo as Foster Parents of the Year. The commission also took the opportunity to congratulate social workers in the county for all that they’ve done for children in the past year. Commissioner Judy Boggs presented the Rambos with a commendation to highlight the event and thanked them for their unique service. Boggs has served on the Social Services Advisory Board...READ MORE

Silent Moment To Replace Lord’s Prayer In Salisbury

SALISBURY -- Debate over the inclusion of the Lord’s Prayer before Salisbury City Council meetings settled on a tentative compromise Monday that still left one elected official dissatisfied. After nearly an hour of discussion, the majority of the council agreed that, in place of the traditional Lord’s Prayer recited before the Pledge of Allegiance at every meeting, a moment of “silent invocation” would be used instead. “There are a lot of nuances to this whole...READ MORE

Worcester County Will Not Up Taxes, Church Says

OCEAN CITY -- County Commission President Bud Church addressed the Ocean City Economic Development Committee (EDC) this week and briefed members on what the post-Liquor Control Board (LCB) landscape might look like in the county and offered a bleak prediction on the economy. The Maryland General Assembly this spring passed legislation to abolish the decades-old LCB and replace it with a similar agency run by the county. The legislation was introduced after a state audit conducted last summer and...READ MORE