OCEAN CITY – The required use of fish-friendly circle hooks in big offshore tournaments such as the annual White Marlin Open in Ocean City could be suspended for a year while National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) officials reconsider the federal regulations that went into effect on Jan. 1.NMFS officials last year adopted new regulations requiring… Read more »

ANNAPOLIS – A statewide smoking ban in Maryland appears to be as close to done deal as it ever has this week after committees in the House and Senate approved the Clean Air Act of 2007, which, if approved by the entire General Assembly, would make bars, restaurants and other public places across the state… Read more »

SNOW HILL – With $388 million worth of projects listed in Worcester County’s 10-year capital improvement plan, the County Commissioners decided to push back some items to follow a more realistic timeline.“You have Pocomoke and Snow Hill [high schools] lined up in the same year. That’s not going to happen,” said Commissioner Virgil Shockley.Commissioner Judy… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – April’s showers, making an appearance in March this year, dropped quite a bit of rain on the resort in a period of a couple days recently, giving reason for concerned residents to question the city’s powers regarding what it can do with the problem of flooding on Coastal Highway after these deluges.During… Read more »

BERLIN – The town of Berlin may seek expert help in writing the new comprehensive plan, after a presentation by a nationally known expert caught the attention of a Town Council member and local developers might help foot the bill.At the Berlin Planning Commission meeting this month, Stacey Weisner, Berlin’s Superintendent of Planning and Zoning,… Read more »

BERLIN – The final stormwater management report by the Army Corps of Engineers expected at any time has been pushed back another month.“It’s been delayed because of staff shortages on their end. We’re now expected to get the draft in April,” said Berlin Administrative Director Linda Bambary.The town will hold an informal work session, Bambary… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Almost a quarter of the new year has already passed but when it comes to the yearly cycle based around the town’s budget, it’s a over halfway through the fiscal year.At the Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, Finance Administrator Martha Bennett gave a presentation to the council updating it on… Read more »

SNOW HILL – A Selbyville, Del. man arrested last August in connection with a string of burglaries in Maryland and Delaware pleaded guilty last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to one count each of first- and fourth-degree burglary and was sentenced to a total of nine years in jail.Gary Jefferson Smith, 43, of Selbyville,… Read more »

ANNAPOLIS – Several bills of local importance started to finally move in the General Assembly this week as the session rolled into the homestretch, including the death of a bill that would have prevented big insurance carriers such as Allstate from pulling out of coastal areas in the state, and new life for a bill… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – In the digital age, staying informed about the world around you is an easy task but it would not be so much if it was not for those who provide the services that bring the information to area households ever day.Comcast of Delmarva, Ocean City’s provider of cable television, high-speed Internet and… Read more »