January 9, 2009

Seahawks Top Eagles for First Win

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity basketball had an up and down run recently, beating county rival Snow Hill in the annual John Coleman Christmas Tournament last week for its first win of the season, followed by a pair of losses this week. The Seahawks got in the win column for the first time this year with a narrow 39-37 win over Worcester County rival Snow Hill in the final round of the 2008 John Coleman Christmas Tournament. The annual tournament, named for long-time Worcester County...READ MORE

Lax Play Day on Tap

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department is holding a Lax Play Day tomorrow, Saturday, January 10, at Northside Park in Ocean City. The Lax Play Day is open for young boys' and girls' players from pre-kindergarten to the 8th grade. Representatives from Salisbury University's outstanding men's and women's lacrosse programs, as well as several experienced coaches from the surrounding local area. The play day will feature hands on teaching of drills and new skills, as well as game...READ MORE

Turtle Lax Makes Strong Showing

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle boy's elite travel lacrosse team made a strong showing in the Dick's Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions last weekend, rallying for four straight wins after dropping its first two contests to capture the championship in the consolation bracket. The Greene Turtle club, made up of some of the top high school lacrosse players from across the Eastern Shore including many from Stephen Decatur and Worcester Prep, traveled to Tampa last weekend to compete in the...READ MORE

Thoughts from the Publisher's Desk

Contrary to media reports this week, it comes as no surprise to those who know Berlin that the beautiful Atlantic Hotel is vacant again. It has long been known current management was struggling to pay its bills and that sales were not up to par. For these reasons and others, it became painfully clear over the last year it was only a matter of time before there would be a change at the venerable hotel. It's worth pointing out the hotel and Solstice, the restaurant inside, is featured in...READ MORE

Reducing Bus Service On Some Level Wise

It's unclear what action the Ocean City Mayor and Council will take after this week's public hearing on proposed changes to the town's mass transit system. Although there were strong sentiments expressed to not alter the bus service to save money, we think the council should institute some reductions. Government, at times, is all about compromise, and this is one of those occasions. The council would be wise to make further cost-saving changes, all the while keeping an eye on service and making...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Against Expansion Editor, My question to the council, "How can you expand in this economy?" The employees were recently told the heating bill needs to be cut by $150,000 and any use of space heaters will be confiscated. You can't keep the employees warm but you can add on space. When the economy was in better shape, the old adage, "spend money to make money," does make sense. However, how are you going to heat the new addition when you can't keep your employee's warm in the...READ MORE

NYE Cop Assault

Accident Nets DUI, Drug Bust BISHOPVILLE - A Bishopville man was arrested on drunk driving and drug charges early New Year's Day after his vehicle left the roadway and struck a pole on St. Martin's Neck Rd. near Route 90. Around 3:20 a.m. on Jan. 1, Worcester County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a single vehicle accident on St. Martin's Neck Rd. The investigation revealed a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer, driven by Bradford Hall, 22, of Bishopville, had failed to negotiate the turn from Route 90 and...READ MORE

Budget Amendment Shows Drop In Room Tax Collections

OCEAN CITY - The first official amendment reading of 2009 dealt with what will no doubt be the largest challenge facing Mayor and City Council this year: the budget. Ocean City Budget Manager Jenny Knapp gave the first reading of the amended FY09 budget for the town of Ocean City on Monday night at City Hall, tweaking several projected figures on both the revenue and the expenditure side of the page. Knapp figured in over just over $1.05 million in projected revenue increases and over $984,000...READ MORE

County Sues Internet Companies Over Room Tax

BERLIN - Worcester County this week filed suit in U.S. District Court against a bevy of Internet-based travel booking companies, seeking what could be millions of dollars in alleged unpaid hotel room taxes, joining a legion of other jurisdictions taking similar action in recent months. Attorneys for the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday filed suit in U.S. District Court naming 14 individual plaintiffs, all Internet-based travel booking companies, under the umbrella of four major...READ MORE

Killer Faces Life In Prison

SNOW HILL - After listening to emotionally charged testimony from several members of the victim's family, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Eschenberg on Monday sentenced convicted killer Roberto Antonio Murillo to life in prison for the stabbing death of a West Ocean City woman in April. In October, Murillo, 29, of West Ocean City, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cecilia Dea Parker, 56, of Ocean City, but his sentence was deferred at the time pending...READ MORE

Merchants React To Berlin Hotel Closure

BERLIN - The closure of Berlin's iconic Atlantic Hotel and Solstice, the associated restaurant, should be temporary and should not affect other town businesses too strongly, locals predicted this week in the wake of the announcement. Few were surprised at the closure. Like many small towns, bad news travels fast in the town of Berlin and speculation is a favorite sport. 'There was a rumor that it was going to happen,' said Treasure Chest owner Terri Sexton. 'The rumors have been plentiful for...READ MORE

Smoking Ban Reflections One Year Later

OCEAN CITY - The smoke may have cleared, but the argument certainly hasn't. It's been almost a year since the Clean Indoor Air Act took effect last Feb. 1, banning smoking inside of restaurants and bars, and leaving smokers statewide literally outside looking in. Since then, some local businesses have tried to cater to their smoking clientele by building outdoor smoking lounges on their existing properties, while others had to essentially bite the bullet and work with what they had. 'It was a...READ MORE

Friday, January 9--County Slashes Long-Term Project Outlook

SNOW HILL - A re-ordering of the capital improvement plan (CIP) for Worcester County has nearly halved the proposed future outlay on county capital projects, reducing the September estimate for the next 10 years of capital improvements from $335 million to $176 million. The Worcester County Commissioners asked staff to revise the CIP in November to better reflect economic realities. The result was a significant reduction in the number of projects. 'We felt the delaying of projects is prudent,'...READ MORE

Friday, January 9--Erika Sifrit's Quest For New Trial Begins In Frederick

BERLIN - Convicted killer Erika Sifrit, who along with her husband Benjamin, brutally murdered and dismembered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City on Memorial Day weekend in 2002, made her first bid for a retrial this week in the Frederick County Circuit Court where she was tried and found guilty of the heinous crimes five years ago. Sifrit and new attorney Robert Biddle appeared in Circuit Court in Frederick County this week for post-conviction hearings on Monday and Tuesday. In...READ MORE

Friday, January 9--Impasse Leads To Track Suspending Bets

BERLIN - At an impasse in its negotiations on the new contract with local horsemen, Ocean Downs racetrack last week announced it was suspending simulcast racing indefinitely until the issues, including closing the barns and practice track areas, can be resolved. Track officials announced on Dec. 31 they would be forced to suspend simulcast wagering at the racetrack on Route 589 in Berlin, and at the company's off-track betting location, the Cambridge Turf Club, as of Jan. 1, pending the...READ MORE

Friday, January 9--Nine Injured In High-Speed Crash

BERLIN - A high-speed chase throughout the Berlin area on New Year's Eve ended in a huge collision near Stephen Decatur High School that sent a total of nine people to area hospitals including seven members of one local family. Shortly after 8 p.m. last Wednesday, New Year's Eve, a Berlin Police officer on routine patrol clocked a dark-colored BMW sedan heading north on Route 113 at Germantown Rd. going 108 mph in a 50 mph zone. The officer attempted to stop the speeding vehicle, which led to a...READ MORE

Area Churches Feeling Money Pinch

SNOW HILL - Donations are down slightly at area houses of worship, and churches are cutting back, but business will go on as usual, local institutions say. 'We've seen a little decrease. It's hard to figure for us. Here in Ocean City it's so seasonal,' Father Richard Smith of St. Luke's Catholic Church said. 'We're down in our core donations. Not a lot, but we are down.' 'It's tight. One of the first places it goes is charities and churches,' said Pastor Terry Davis of Ocean City Baptist Church....READ MORE

County Forested Land Bought By State

BERLIN - Nearly 4,800 acres of ecologically important forestland in southern Worcester County will be preserved by the state, the Maryland Board of Public Works decided this week. The 4,769-acre Foster property is the largest set of contiguous forestlands in private hands in the state of Maryland. The Nature Conservancy has been working with the Foster family for years on preserving this property. The forested Foster land, located in the Pocomoke River and Nassawango Creek watersheds, lies on...READ MORE

County Posts Funds To Meet Settlement Ruling

SNOW HILL - Silence from the Worcester County Commissioners greeted a reporter's question on the $1.1 million Beka lawsuit settlement at Tuesday morning's County Commissioner meeting, before Commission President Louise Gulyas finally said that she did not think the commissioners could discuss the litigation. The commissioners appeared to not want to discuss the matter. Gerry Mason, Worcester County administrator, then took the question, which concerned whether the county had posted a bond or...READ MORE

OC Fire Department Proposes Fiscal Cuts

OCEAN CITY - Chief Chris Larmore knows there's a fine line between cutting costs and cutting corners on the services provided by the Ocean City Fire Department, and that line was made a bit clearer on Monday night at City Hall. Larmore gave his monthly report to the Mayor and Council and outlined some tactical changes that will help the fire department stay current with the city's ongoing trend of spending cuts, while still upholding the same level of high quality service to ensure public...READ MORE

OC Looking To Beef Up Security System

OCEAN CITY -It seems that the town's security system will be tightened with similar tenacity to that of the town's proverbial spending belt.  Better yet, the heightened security won't mean a diminished general fund. The City Council unanimously approved to bid out the cost of a City-wide Security Access Control System, which includes a new technologically updated and secure identification 'swipe' card system for town personnel, after a presentation earlier in the meeting announcing the...READ MORE

OCPD K-9 Semper Loses Battle With Kidney Failure

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Police Department is mourning the loss of a special dog, K-9 Semper, who succumbed to kidney failure on Dec. 17 after retiring from the department in September after nearly seven years of dedicated service. Semper came to the Ocean City Police Department from the Czech Republic in February 2002, at which time he became a courageous and loyal partner to Pfc. Michael Richardson. Not long after retiring, the K-9 dog was stricken with kidney failure and died from the...READ MORE

Tons Of Illegal Rockfish Seized

OCEAN CITY - Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) this week seized three tons of illegally harvested striped bass from a trawler at the commercial harbor in West Ocean City after watching the 80-foot vessel drag a net about two miles off the Inlet all day last Sunday. According to Maryland Natural Resources Police spokesman Sgt. Ken Turner, NRP officers boarded the commercial trawler 'Mount Vernon' last Sunday after watching the vessel drag a net for striped bass, or rockfish, about two miles...READ MORE

West OC Murderer Charged With Sex Assault Of Niece

SNOW HILL - Just hours after being sentenced to life in prison, convicted murderer Roberto Antonio Murillo, was served with a battery of new charges alleging sexual assault and abuse on his 16-year-old niece over a two-year period. On Monday morning, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Eschenberg sentenced Murillo, 29, a Honduran native living illegally in West Ocean City, to life in prison for the stabbing death of popular local woman Cecilia Dea Parker, 56, of West Ocean City in her...READ MORE

Woman Dies In House Fire

FENWICK - Tragedy struck early this week when a local woman perished in a fire early Monday evening at her home in Fenwick Island, just across the bay from north Ocean City. Shortly before 6 p.m. on Monday, Ocean City Fire Company units responded to a reported house fire on Jefferson Ave. in Fenwick Island just across the Fenwick ditch in an area of Delaware surrounded by a small area of Worcester County. First arriving units discovered flames and heavy smoke emanating from a second-floor...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 9: Lower Case Blues Saturday, Jan. 10: Raven's Tailgate Party Sunday, Jan. 11: Playoffs Tailgate Party with The Moodswingers Every Tuesday: Open Mic Hosted By Tungsten Groove Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 9: TBA Saturday, Jan. 10: DJ BK Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th Street Friday, Jan. 9: DJ Rupe, 7-10 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 ,...READ MORE

People in Society

A few of your neighbors out in the community ...READ MORE

Out On the Scene on NYE

A spotlight at the Regional Restaurant and Bar Scene ...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The good old doc told the Insider the other day he needs to cut back on his coffee drinking and quit smoking. For the last 50 years, the old guy has enjoyed coffee and cigarettes each day. Even on days when he is sick, he manages to squeeze in both. They are a big part of his life. He drinks about five cups of high-test coffee on an average day and smokes about two packs of light cigarettes. Between these two vices, that's basically Insider's life. All of his morning is usually spent with his...READ MORE

U.S. Investment Opportunities

OCEAN CITY - As global growth slows and the dollar begins to regain its strength, U.S. equity markets are poised for recovery, says Merrill Lynch Research Chief U.S. Sector Strategist Brian Belski, who offers five investment themes that may benefit from this shift in market leadership. At the beginning of 2008, non-U.S. equities and currencies were among the investment themes favored by strategists. Now, however, global growth has slowed. Despite this slowdown •€' and the...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

My email inbox can be pretty discouraging these days. It's reflective of all the gloom and doom in our country. The subject lines invariably touch on many of the issues dominating headlines everywhere. Some I received the other day included in the subject lines, 'free financial guidance for the middle class', 'how to survive a foreclosure', 'how to rebuild your 401K and mutual fund after you lost everything', 'sell your gold and turn it into a mortgage payment' and 'starting over at 60? we can...READ MORE

Women's Council of Realtors Collects Money for Worcester GOLD

The Coastal Delmarva Chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors held its Annual Holiday Luncheon last month at the Lighthouse Sound Restaurant in Ocean City. As part of the annual celebration, the chapter collected $1,010 in donations for Worcester County G.O.L.D. The money was used to help members in need throughout the county. ...READ MORE

Scenes from the Temple Bat Yam Hanukkah Party

Joey Bernstein, Stephen Sabo and Julian Sabo are pictured playing the Dreidle game at the Temple Bat Yam Hanukkah Party. Temple Bat Yam is the only Reform Jewish Congregation on the Eastern Shore. ...READ MORE

New 2009 officers and directors of the Ocean City AARP

The 2009 officers and newly-elected directors of Ocean City AARP Chapter 1917 were sworn in during the recent holiday luncheon at the Clarion.  Pictured, from left, are Nancy Howard, President; Jim Watts, Vice President; Bill Shoop, Treasurer, Jack Uram, Tour Treasurer; Sue Harting, Recording Secretary; Ray Jackson, director; in front, Gerty Apple, Corresponding Secretary, Dubby Eby, director. ...READ MORE

Ladies Auxiliary and VFW Post 8296 Give to Charity

The Ladies Auxiliary and members of VFW Post 8296 gave a Christmas gift to the Believe in Tomorrow Foundation. The gift, intended for the families arriving at the Children's House, consisted of $450, fruit baskets, cookie trays and $20 pizza gift certificates. Pictured, from left, are VFW Ladies Auxiliary President June Kelly, Children's House Manager Wayne Littleton and VFW Post Senior Vice President Rich Galante. ...READ MORE

Fraternal Order of Police give to Diakonia

The members of the Fraternal Order of Police Berlin Lodge 136 recently made a donation to Diakonia.  Pictured, front from left, are Diakonia President Harry How, Berlin FOP Lodge 136 President Mickey O'Connor and Valerie Garten; back, from left, Claude Holland, Chris Bireley, Arnold Downing, Rob Fisher, J.D. Lawson, Jason Burnett and J.B. Bunting ...READ MORE

Snow Hill Chapter of the Ruritans donate to households in need

The Snow Hill chapter of the Ruritans recently sponsored a holiday shopping trip for 20 Snow Hill Elementary School students from households in need. The Ruritans donated $100 for each participating child who was invited to spend $80 on clothing and $20 on a toy. Pictured just prior to the trip, front from left, are first-grader Alexander Pereyra and second-grader Dayle Bailey; and, back from left, are third-grader Anasia Donaway, Principal Denise Shorts and Ruritans Bill Carmean and Charles...READ MORE

SDHS Annual Christmas Choral Concert

Stephen Decatur High School's Concert Choir and Show Choir presented their annual Christmas Choral Concert last month. Musical Director Joann L. Harvey and her students prepared 17 musical selections.  Students pictured performing include Taylor Tobar, Caryn Swistak, Taylor Warthen, Ridge Derickson, Aaron White, Ryan Patt, Jessica Lewis, Sara Scheiber, Alex Stamnas, Robert Spencer, Ari Fitzgerlad and Amanda Pfaff. ...READ MORE

Carmella's Kids 2-year-old Rudolphs

Carmella's Kids 2-year-old Rudolph's are pictured in the holiday spirit last month. Pictured, from left, are Ianolph Stewart, Ryanolph Springle, Austinolph Fortino, Leaholph Simpson, Madelynolph Gardener and Kileyolph Kaufer. ...READ MORE

WPS students hold an SGA food drive for the needy

Worcester Prep students recently held a SGA food drive for needy families over the holidays. The students also collected more than $1,600 to purchase meats for the families. Students pictured above include R.J. Smith, Sarah Showell, Jack Townsend, Matt Meinhardt, Mike Guerrieri, Kevin Clayland, Sami Taraila, Martin Sanchez, Justin Butler, Lauren Price, Alexandra Smith, Peter Buas and Alex Lewis. Below, bringing in cartons packed with food are, from left, Ellie Brown, Olivia Massey, Alex Lewis,...READ MORE

OC Citizens Blast Proposed Bus Cuts

OCEAN CITY - The public put in their 'two cents' to the Mayor and City Council on Monday concerning potential changes in the Ocean City bus service, and their outcry was simple: changing it makes no sense. Almost a dozen Ocean City residents, bus drivers and riders took turns at this week's public hearing stepping to the microphone at City Hall to slam the idea of altering the number of buses running during the winter months (January-March) from the current schedule of three buses per...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

William Ward Venable BERLIN - William Ward Venable "Bill", age 88, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Danville, Va., he was the son of the late Charles Patton Venable and Edna Massey Venable. Venable had been the owner and operator of Venables Cleaners in Berlin, Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City carrying on the business his parents had started in 1924. He retired in 1982. He was a member of the Atlantic United Methodist Church in Ocean...READ MORE

Things I Like

The forced optimism of a New Year When my son feels better after being sick My new Ugg clogs The first two \'Rocky\' movies A Ducks Unlimited sticker on a pickup Driving over the Bay Bridge Cruise control on a road trip The movie \'Rendition\' St. Michaels Investigative news stories Birds following a tractor in a field ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Romantic aspects are high at this time for single Lambs looking for love. Warm and fuzzy feelings are also at enhanced levels for Rams and Ewes in paired relationships. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): This week favors what Taureans dote on -- namely, love and money. Look for more meaningful relationships for both singles and pairs, as well as an improved financial outlook. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): All lingering shreds of that recent bout with boredom are dissipated...READ MORE

Open Houses in West Ocean City and Berlin

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Old Ocean Blvd Tues-Sun 11-6 New Contruction 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-Car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 WEST OCEAN CITY New Construction West Harbor Village Daily 10-5 11 Townhouses 3BR/2.5BA/Garage Prudential Carruthers 410-524-7000 ...READ MORE

Open Houses in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 10-4 Sat 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Pilot House 4401 Atlantic Ave Oceanfront Sat 10-2 4 Big BR/3.5 BA TH Jim White ReMax Premier Properties 410-726-9026 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Daily 10-4 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset Street Daily 11-3 3BR/2BA...READ MORE

Open Houses Outskirts of Ocean City

 POCOMOKE 500 Riverside Dr Sat 9-5/Sun 12-4 Waterfront TH Many Upgrades Christine Murphy Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 GREENBACK, VA Captains Cove Daily 9-5 New Bayside Golf Community George Ann Way Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 BETHANY BEACH 95A&B Campbell Place Sat & Sun 10-2 4BR/3.5BA TH's Jane Kerr Baxter ResortQuest 302-537-8888 MILLSBORO, DE 29615 Sawyer Loop Burtons Crossing Sat & Sun 11-5 3BR/2BA TH Pat Eggers ResortQuest 302-537-8888 DAGSBORO,...READ MORE