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NEW FOR THURSDAY: OC’s Dew Tour Free To Public This Year

OCEAN CITY – The Dew Tour returns to Ocean City next month and today released big news -- the entire event will be free and open to the public. The Dew Tour’s Ocean City stop is scheduled for Aug, 16-19. The event’s stop in Ocean City this summer aims to capture the unique beach lifestyle in the competitions, music and character with transition focused and ocean inspired events. It will be completely free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to...READ MORE

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Legionella Suspected At North OC Condo

OCEAN CITY -- The presence of the Legionella, a bacteria that can cause a type of pneumonia called Legionnaire’s Disease, has been detected at a north-end Ocean City condominium, marking the second time in less than a year the illness has surfaced at a resort lodging facility. Two people, both of whom visited Ocean City and stayed at the Sea Watch Condominiums in north Ocean City, have been diagnosed with symptoms of Legionnaire’s Disease. One individual was diagnosed with the...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: No Legislative Vote Needed For Resort To Merge Elections

OCEAN CITY – A state of confusion arose this week when a supposed state regulation almost put a stop to Ocean City’s attempts to consolidate its municipal elections with national Election Day. Early this week, a letter from City Solicitor Guy Ayres had circulated among the Mayor and City Council answering a list of questions regarding consolidating Ocean City’s municipal Election Day in October with national Election Day in November. On June 18, the council voted 4-3, Council...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: County Commissioner Recovering After Surgery

SALISBURY -- Worcester County Commissioner Louise Gulyas is resting comfortably this morning after having heart surgery yesterday. According to her son, Thom, Gulyas was in good spirits last night after the surgery and anxious to begin her rehabilitation once doctors clear her. Although the family did not wish to divulge all the details of the procedure, it was reported Gulyas underwent a five-hour bypass surgery at PRMC yesterday. The surgery was conducted by Dr. James Todd. Gulyas hopes to...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Two Teens Rescued In Inlet Following Storm

OCEAN CITY -- Two teenage boys were rescued by the Coast Guard in the Inlet on Monday evening after the personal watercraft they were riding capsized during a sudden storm. Around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, two 17-year-old boys were riding personal watercraft in the bay near the Inlet when the last of several severe storms throughout the day blew through the resort area. The personal watercraft flipped in the suddenly turbulent conditions, sending the teens into the water. A witness at a nearby motel...READ MORE

Md. Gaming Panel Reaches Impasse, Advises Against Special Session

OCEAN CITY -- A tentative General Assembly special session on gambling proposed for next month appears dead in the water this week after a panel appointed by the governor to study an expansion to table games in Maryland and a sixth casino site in Prince George’s County reached an impasse after a marathon meeting late Wednesday. In May, Governor Martin O’Malley and the Senate and House leadership announced a special work group had been formed to study an expansion to table games at...READ MORE

Worcester Students Among Salisbury University Grads

SALISBURY -- Some 77 Worcester County area students were named to the Dean’s List at Salisbury University for the Spring 2012 semester. Berlin area residents include Erika Anders, Michael Astarb, Victoria Bauer, Patrick Casey, John Caswell, Alexandra Clagett, Lauren D’Ambrosio, Andrew Downes, Caroline Forrester, Lauren Freeman, Erin Johnson, Shelby Jones, Dominique Kunciw, Hanna Marynenka, Stephfanie Miller, Tracy Morey, Sarah Murray, Alexandra Myers, Megan Ott, Jalpa Patel, Amanda...READ MORE

OC Seeks Approval To Expand Center’s Liquor License Area

OCEAN CITY – For the first time, Ocean City will go before the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners to receive approval to expand the convention center’s liquor license. Roland E. Powell Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino requested the town extend their area permit for the facility’s liquor license during OC Bikefest in September as well as expand the area of trailer parking at the Park and Ride during the event. OC Bikefest is returning to Ocean City for its...READ MORE

Reward Offered For Murder Leads

BERLIN -- Maryland State Police homicide detectives late this week continued to investigate the murder of a Millsboro woman found on a roadside embankment in Whaleyville last Friday morning although no firm suspects have been identified. Shortly before 9 a.m. last Friday, Worcester Central received a 911 call reporting the discovery of the body of an unidentified woman found deceased and lying in an embankment off Swamp Rd., a dirt road east of Nelson Rd. in Whaleyville. The caller told police...READ MORE

Local To Tackle Paddleboard Challenge To Help Friend

OCEAN CITY -- Resort area residents have a history of rallying for a good cause, but perhaps one of the greatest examples of coming through for one of their own will be on display next month when a long-time resident and his partner in Hawaii will tackle one of the most treacherous stretches of open ocean in the world for the benefit of a popular local man stricken with a rare disease. West Ocean City resident Sandy Deeley and long-time friend and fellow ocean enthusiast Teene Froiseth will...READ MORE

Summer School Underway In Worcester; Enrollment Steady

SNOW HILL -- After a spike in interest over the last five years, Worcester County schools are only expecting to maintain attendance numbers for summer school this year. However, the gradual increase in interest could show a positive trend where parents and students are no longer viewing “summer school” as a punishment, but instead as an opportunity, according to Coordinator of Instruction for Summer and Afterschool Academies Tamara Mills. “I think the mindset has...READ MORE

Bennett Middle School Bond Bill Introduced

SALISBURY – Only a couple more steps to go until the process to construct a new Bennett Middle School (BMS) could be underway. The Wicomico County Council voted unanimously this week to introduce legislative bill 2012-07 to allow the county to appropriate $12,550,000 in bonds to be used in the fiscal year of 2013 to construct a replacement for BMS. The bill also calls for a $50,000 contingency fund to be used to pay the difference between estimates costs and actual costs. The inception of...READ MORE

Play It Safe Wraps Up 23rd Year

OCEAN CITY -- In an early summer marred somewhat by two tragic pedestrian deaths, one bright, shining example of doing things the right way continues to be the Play It Safe program, which concluded Tuesday after three weeks of providing safe alternatives for thousands of June Bugs that swarmed into the resort. For 23 years, the Play It Safe program has provided free, safe, supervised, organized and perhaps most importantly alcohol-free alternatives for the thousands of high school teens who...READ MORE

Teen Seriously Injured Crossing Coastal Highway

OCEAN CITY -- Yet another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured on Friday, continuing an alarming trend early on in the summer in the resort. Around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Ocean City Police and paramedics responded to 59th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported pedestrian-vehicle collision. The preliminary investigation revealed an 18-year-old Finksburg, Md. man was part of a group of individuals walking in a marked crosswalk from west to east across Coastal Highway at 59th...READ MORE

County Wants Word Spread About IED Course

SNOW HILL -- The range at Langmaid Road will once again be playing host to explosives testing. However, after the controversy surrounding Hardwire last fall, the Worcester County Commissioners are being extra sensitive to any concerns from nearby residents, especially in regards to forewarning before the September tests. “I think we should do more than we have done in the past,” said Commissioner Judy Boggs. The commission agreed and has instructed Fire Marshall Jeff McMahon to ask...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Mulling SU’s Street Work Offer

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council decided earlier this week to again delay a decision on whether to accept Salisbury University’s (SU) offer for free streetscape work on Onley Road. While the streetscape work would be relatively light and largely cosmetic, some on the council expressed concerns over Onley’s future and what the city needs to do to make the street meet community standards. “These are city streets,” said Council President Terry Cohen. “They...READ MORE

LDC Supports Resort Letter’s Opposing Casino Giveaways

SNOW HILL -- Revenue at the Casino at Ocean Downs is “trending up” this year, according to General Manager Joe Cavilla, though members of the Local Development Council (LDC) did express some worry over some weak months during their meeting Monday. Additionally, the council agreed to support a letter from Ocean City asking state legislatures to limit what role a casino can play, especially in regards to offering free liquor and accommodations. “December was pretty scary,”...READ MORE

Season’s 3rd Foal Born On Assateague; Addition Is 10th For Island Mare

ASSATEAGUE -- A foal was birthed on Assateague last week, the third in the last three-plus months, but the new addition to the herd of famous wild ponies on the barrier island hardly represents a baby boom. After two new foals were born within a span of about two weeks in March, a third was added to the herd last week. While three in the span of about three months certainly represents a modest spike in the wild horse population on the barrier island, it’s not uncommon according to National...READ MORE

Teacher Scholarship Named After Retiring Andes

NEWARK -- The June Board of Education meeting was a bittersweet event, as it was the last time both Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes and Assistant Superintendent for Administration Ed Barber will be a part of the proceedings. Both long-time school system leaders were met with a huge amount of praise in their final meeting, with the board going so far as to rename a scholarship in Andes’ honor. The scholarship came as a surprise to Andes as it was not on the agenda. State Sen. Jim...READ MORE

City Council Moves To Merge Elections

OCEAN CITY -- In a surprise turn of events, an unlikely majority of the City Council moved this week to have a charter change drafted to merge the municipal election in October with the general election in November. By City Charter, the municipal election was established and conducted by Ocean City’s seven-member election board. The election date is set for the third Tuesday in October in every even numbered year. City Council members’ four-year terms are staggered to not allow a...READ MORE

Md. Watershed Plan’s Costs Agitate Commissioners

SNOW HILL -- Citing unrealistic costs, the Worcester County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to protest the state’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) for Worcester. “Everybody acknowledges that the cost of this is just outrageous,” said Director of Development Review and Permits Ed Tudor. While the WIP is a multi-step, multi-year plan for removing nitrogen from the Chesapeake Bay, Tudor asserted that Annapolis has deemed the project a priority and is attempting...READ MORE

County Issues Warning To ‘Eyesore’ Property In Snow Hill

SNOW HILL -- While begrudgingly offering one final warning, the Worcester County Commissioners promised Tuesday that if steps are not taken to repair or demolish a decrepit building in Snow Hill within 30 days, the county will tear it down. “It’s an eyesore, a mess, a haven for homeless people, whatever,” said Commissioner Louise Gulyas. Pusey’s Store in Snow Hill has been on the commission’s radar since it was marked as a derelict property back in November....READ MORE

City Manager Agrees Delaying Strategic Planning Till Fall Is Best

OCEAN CITY – Although City Manager David Recor was officially sworn in last week, he took the time on Monday evening to formally introduce himself, giving a brief history of his experience and his future plans for Ocean City. “This career opportunity appealed to me for both professional as well as personal reasons,” Recor said. Recor is a native to Virginia’s eastern shore, growing up in Accomack County in the town of Onancock. “I played high football against...READ MORE

Summer Of Fun, Summer Of Free

With summer about to kick into high gear, Ocean City is preparing to roll out a series of free weekly events to go along with the Summer of Thanks events -- the OC Beach Lights Spectacular and the fireworks. On Sundays through Labor Day weekend, OC Beach Lights Spectacular, a show that features lasers, lights, video, music and special effects all displayed on a five-story giant beach ball, will be lighting up the beach at North Division Street three times a night every Sunday at 9:30 p.m., 10...READ MORE

OC’s New Beach Bash Weekend Features 10-Hour Concert Event, Bikini Parade, Paddleboard Race

OCEAN CITY – North Ocean City businesses had their requests answered this week as a couple of major events were approved to take place at Northside Park and the beach in the northern part of the resort. The North Ocean City Business Alliance (NOCBA) formed in the beginning of this year when it was recognized that big events were continually being requested and approved in the downtown area of Ocean City with no consideration for northern Ocean City. Subsequently, a coalition of northern...READ MORE

Open Container Shifted Back To Criminal Offense

OCEAN CITY – Four years after making it a citation offense, the City Council threw its support this week behind a request to return an open container violation to a misdemeanor that can result in an arrest determined by the discretion of a police officer. Last week Chief Bernadette DiPino requested the City Council consider changing an open container violation from a municipal infraction to a misdemeanor criminal offense with no discussion. This week the matter came to the council in form...READ MORE

OCPD Issues Counterfeit Money Warning

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Police Department this week is warning residents, business owners and employees to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency being circulated in the resort. Since the beginning of May, the OCPD has received roughly 12 reports of counterfeit bills being passed to local businesses. Ocean City Police are encouraging citizens to closely examine the currency they receive in transactions and be aware of the security features on the bills. The main security features on the...READ MORE

SU Foundation Honors Retiring Board Members

SALISBURY -- Deborah Abbott and Emilie Robinson of Salisbury have shared expertise and built bridges between Salisbury University and the greater community as members of the SU Foundation, Inc.’s board of directors. After a combined 28 years of service, they are retiring. “Debbie and Emilie have been active and engaged volunteers, and their leadership will certainly be missed,” said Jason Curtin, interim executive director of the SU Foundation. “Their names are synonymous...READ MORE

Rackliffe House Opens To Public Starting Next Week

BERIN -- The Rackliffe House Trust announced the dates for the Summer 2012 opening season of Rackliffe House during the "Back to the Rack" event, held on June 15. The beautifully restored 18th-century coastal plantation house will be open on Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. beginning June 21. Additional opening days may be added as volunteers are trained to lead house tours. The Trust thanked donors during the June 15 event. Many local families, businesses and organizations contributed to the...READ MORE

Wor-Wic Kicks Off $5 Million Fundraising Campaign

SALISBURY -- Dr. Ray Hoy, president of Wor-Wic Community College, announced the start of the public phase of a $5 million fundraising campaign at a formal kick-off celebration at the college recently, attended by key donors, and members of the board of trustees, the college foundation and campaign steering committee. Hoy announced that gifts and pledges to the “Providing for Today While Ensuring Tomorrow” campaign are almost at $3 million. During the silent phase of the campaign, the...READ MORE

New WOC Salon Celebrates Opening With Discount Week

OCEAN CITY -- Terri Parsley’s dream of living and working at the beach is now a reality with the opening of her new venture Salon by the Bay in West Ocean City. Parsley is a nail technician from Pasadena, Md., where she owned a nail salon, Nails by the Bay, for nine years, but she always had high hopes of moving to the beach. Parsley vacationed in Ocean City since she was a child and owned a vacation home in Ocean Pines for the last 11 years. She finally made her dreams come true when she...READ MORE

Area Women’s Fund Awards $24K In Grants

SALISBURY -- The Women’s Fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore celebrated its initial grant awards June 14 at a special reception hosted at the Community Foundation. The following seven local organizations received grant awards totaling $24,730 for 2012. The University of Maryland Extension Office will provide girls, ages 8-13, with scholarships to attend 4-H Summer Camp. ·The Salisbury University Women in Leadership student organization will implement a professional...READ MORE

Rare Blue Lobster Caught Off OC

OCEAN CITY -- A commercial fishing vessel out of the commercial harbor in West Ocean City hauled in a rare find last week -- a blue lobster. Captain John Gourley and mate Tim Aulinskis, fishing aboard the “Pot Luck” off the coast of Ocean City, last Wednesday discovered a rare blue lobster in their harvest. The blue lobster will eventually make its way to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The normal coloration of a live lobster is dark bluish green to greenish brown, with redder...READ MORE

Berlin’s New Wine Bar First Of Its Kind In Maryland

BERLIN -- The state’s first exclusively Maryland wine bar opened earlier this month in Berlin and is going strong, according to owner Deborah Everett. Everett attributed much of the success the Maryland Wine Bar at Berlin is having to the town’s relaxed, old-fashioned atmosphere as well as enthusiasm from state wineries. “People love the concept. They think we’re unique,” said Everett. As implied by its name, the Maryland Wine Bar at Berlin only sells wine from...READ MORE