January 15, 2010

Cops Assaulted In Drug Bust

OCEAN CITY - A Dagsboro, Del. woman was arrested on assault and drug charges last week after allegedly kicking an Ocean City police officer following a traffic stop. Around 2:20 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City police officer on marked vehicle patrol in the area of 127th Street observed a vehicle leaving the North Bay Shopping Center drive over a curb and onto a concrete island before getting back in the travel lane of the parking lot. The officer noted in his report the vehicle nearly hit...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Kathy Gorrera OCEAN CITY - Kathy Gorrera, a long-time member of the Coins Pub and Restaurant family, died on Jan. 12, 2010. Services will be held at McComas Funeral Home, 50 West Broadway, Bel Air, Md. 21014. Viewings will be held on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral will be on Monday, Jan 18 at McComas Funeral Home at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest afterwards at Bel Air Memorial Gardens In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for Kathy's Memorial Bench on the Ocean...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

There's nothing quite like an infant's smile to brighten a day. With Carson, now 10 weeks young, the smiles are fairly random, although becoming increasingly more frequent as he gets older. It's impossible to really know what brings on these funny little grins, but my money is on gas. No matter the circumstances, a baby's no-teeth smile is a special thing. Whether it's a little stomach relief or a well-placed tickle or scratch, it doesn't matter to me. All I know is I love it and feel blessed...READ MORE

Motorist Jailed 6 Months In Pedestrian Fatality

SNOW HILL - Following an emotional trial in Snow Hill on Wednesday, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge struck a compromise of sorts, sentencing the man accused of striking and killing a local teen on Route 50 in West Ocean City last May to six months in jail. 'What if?' was a question raised often during the proceedings in Circuit Court on Wednesday as Judge Theodore Eschenberg, along with State's Attorney Joel Todd, defense attorney Skip Townsend, the victim's family and friends and even...READ MORE

Friday, Jan 15--Berlin Looks To Online Site To Auction Surplus Goods

BERLIN - Berlin's surplus government property will now be disposed of through an online auction website that specializes in government surplus equipment auctions, the Berlin Mayor and Council decided at the Monday night council meeting. At the suggestion of two staff members, Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Ward and Police Chief Arnold Downing, the Berlin Mayor and Council considered the new approach Monday night and voted unanimously to use auction website GovDeals.com to sell surplus town...READ MORE

Friday, Jan 15--House Explosion Civil Suit Settled

SNOW HILL - The long, strange trip that the $10.6 million civil suit, filed by the Injured Workers Insurance Fund (IWIF) and a group Snow Hill firefighters injured when a gas leak caused a house to explode in 2002, had become essentially ended this week when both parties announced they had reached an undisclosed settlement in the case. At a pre-trial hearing in Snow Hill on Monday, parties in the civil suit announced a settlement had been reached, effectively ending the case's long odyssey. As a...READ MORE

Friday, Jan 15--OCPD Says Burial Law Not Linked To Infamous Case

OCEAN CITY •€' The Ocean City Police Department commented this week its desire to instill a local law establishing proper burial rules in the resort is part of a new best practice initiative and in no way is a direct result of a 2007 case in the resort. OCPD spokesman Mike Levy told The Dispatch that although the infamous case where a local woman was charged and later cleared of murder charges after police discovered stillborn fetuses on her property would fall under the statutes of the new...READ MORE

Friday, Jan 15--Residents Must Live On Same Property As Chickens

BERLIN - In a last-minute change, the Berlin backyard chicken ordinance will require chicken owners in Berlin to live on the same property as their flock, after a citizen request made  at the Berlin Town Council meeting Monday night. The ordinance allowing and regulating poultry keeping at single-family residences in Berlin follows the rejection of an ordinance in November banning poultry or wildfowl keeping outright. Many speakers at a public hearing on that ordinance in November expressed...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Closed Reopen Thursday, Feb. 11 Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, 7-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Ocean Club: Friday, Jan 15 & Saturday, Jan. 16: Power Play Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 , 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City Friday, Jan. 15: Blake Haley Fager's Island 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Deck: Friday, Jan....READ MORE

Faces in Places

A spotlight on the local and regional bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

The legislative session is underway and it didn't take long for some controversy to kick up. On Tuesday, one day before the General Assembly convened, advocates and lawmakers gathered to announce support for an initiative to increase the state alcohol tax by a 'dime-a-drink.' It's certainly within their right to fight for increasing the tax on booze. After all, it's been more than 50 years since the tax on distilled sprits was raised and more than 35 years since the excise on beer was increased....READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Who Is Grandstanding Now? Editor: In the aftermath of the Sarah Foxwell tragedy, there has been much talk about how government can better protect children from sexual predators. Indeed, this horrific incident should mandate an exhaustive review of the current statutes regarding sexual predation, and public leaders must strive to identify any gaps or shortcomings in the laws that currently exist, making every effort to at the very least mitigate them. Last week, Michael James penned a letter to...READ MORE

Would Election Change Help Turnout?

Ocean City officials want to keep their election process the way it is and the possibility of saving about $17,000 every two years is not enough to change their minds. An interesting proposal was brought to the Mayor and Council this week by City Clerk Carol Jacobs that would have moved the town's elections from the third Tuesday of even numbered years to the same day as the national and state elections in November. The idea is it would save money and would keep voters from going to the polls...READ MORE

Booze Tax Hike Pitch Blasted

BERLIN - Although no formal legislation has been introduced in the early days of the 2010 General Assembly session, a handful of state lawmakers, with the blessing of several advocacy groups, are pushing for a 'dime a drink' alcohol tax increase in Maryland, a proposal that appears to be gaining little traction in this hospitality-rich area. With the support of a coalition of advocacy groups, along with a report on the effects of a tax increase on public health in Maryland, a handful of state...READ MORE

Center Director Sees Growth In Competitive Arts

OCEAN CITY •€' Just six weeks into his new post, Rick Hamilton is laying out his plan to help take the Roland E. Powell Convention Center to the next level. In an economic climate where businesses are vigorously competing for a lesser market share, Ocean City's new convention center director is looking to another form of competition to help increase the status quo and keep the expanded convention center as full as possible, as often as possible. At last week's Tourism Commission meeting,...READ MORE

Jobless Rate Hike Near For Employers

OCEAN CITY •€' Local businesses are bracing for an expected rise in their contributions to the unemployment insurance fund, which is sure to increase payroll costs for almost all of the area's entrepreneurs. The letter, expected to arrive in the mail sometime this month from the Maryland Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), is projected to increase costs dramatically in hopes that the state will essentially replenish the state's unemployment insurance fund, which has...READ MORE

Savings Not Enough To Sway Council On Election

OCEAN CITY •€' When it comes to voting, Ocean City's elected officials prefer tradition to technology. The Mayor and City Council passed on an opportunity to save some money and perhaps increase voter turnout by switching the local voting day to coincide with the national Election Day in a 6-1 vote (Councilman Joe Hall in opposition) on Tuesday. As part of City Manager Dennis Dare's cost saving initiative, City Clerk Carol Jacobs brought an idea to eliminate the estimated $17,860 that it...READ MORE

Sex Offender Hearing Postponed As Lawmakers Eye Tighter Laws

OCEAN CITY - A local man suspected of kidnapping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in Salisbury in late December made his first appearance in court since the tragedy this week for an unrelated incident in Ocean City in September, but his hearing was postponed in order to allow his defense attorney to get up to speed on the case. Thomas James Leggs, Jr., 30, of Salisbury, appeared in District Court in Ocean City on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on burglary and malicious destruction of...READ MORE

Berlin Stormwater Pilot Program Eyed

BERLIN - Assistance on Berlin's stormwater dilemmas may be forthcoming with the Grow Berlin Green (GBG) initiative pursuing a grant to allow testing of new stormwater technology in town. GBG is applying for a grant from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) to conduct a pilot program study on ways to manage stormwater quality in Berlin. The study will cost $6,500 and be undertaken by Dave Rovansek of GMB Architecture and Engineering. The study will focus on new stormwater management...READ MORE

Cleanup Progress Reported On Embattled Farm

BERLIN - Progress has been made in cleaning up the Hudson Farm poultry operation targeted by national and local environmental organizations for violating the national Clean Water Act, those agencies announced this week, but improvements are still needed. The Waterkeeper Alliance and Assateague Coastal Trust put Hudson Farms poultry grower Alan Hudson and Hudson Farms' contract holder Perdue Chicken on notice in mid-December that they would face a lawsuit over farm run-off polluting local waters...READ MORE

Council Approves Financing For Powell Center Expansion

OCEAN CITY •€' As promised, the town wasted no time in trying to start the process to plan for the Convention Center expansion. Yet, one councilman seemingly rehashed his disdain for one part of the project. City Engineer Terry McGean came before the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday to ask for approval of the town's portion of the planned 20,000-square-foot expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, and although he got a unanimous vote of approval for $4.1 million of bonded...READ MORE

Del. Brewery Makes First Foray In Md.

WEST OCEAN CITY - Just about six months since the first batch of craft beers rolled out of the 16 Mile Brewing Company in Georgetown, Del., the microbrewery made its first foray into Maryland last weekend at the Greene Turtle in West Ocean City. Founded by a pair of lower Delaware residents who returned to the area after graduating from Washington College and going off in different directions, the 16 Mile Brewing Company is the latest endeavor in an increasingly growing trend to return to rich,...READ MORE

Kelly Earns Neighborhood Watch Award

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City Police Officer First-Class Charles 'Josh' Kelley this week was named as the recipient of the Ocean City Neighborhood Watch Association's Ocean City Police Department  (OCPD) 'Officer of the Year' award, emerging from a field of impressive nominees for the annual honor during an award banquet on Monday. On Monday, Kelley was named the 14th recipient of the annual Officer of the Year Award, handed out each year by the Ocean City Neighborhood Watch Association, which...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, the City Council gave a kayak venture at the Ocean City airport another try, the annual Flag Day celebration in the resort will change dates and there are potentially more free events planned for this summer. Council Approves Kayak Launch At Airport Again Last June, Public Works Director Hal Adkins got unanimous concurrence from the Mayor and City Council to solicit a private operator to run a kayak eco-tourism business at the Ocean City Municipal...READ MORE

Tasers Shown Off At Police Meeting

OCEAN CITY •€' A crowded room of councilmen and police officials all sat seemingly frozen during a Taser demonstration on Wednesday, and the visual aide might have been enough to rekindle the conversation about bringing the devices to town. The Ocean City Police Department seems keen on adding Tasers to the weapons belts of at least a few of its officers at some point in the future, but the idea has been nothing more than a conversation in the past year. In fact, the last time Tasers were...READ MORE

Decatur Holds onto Bayside Lead

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity basketball held on to the top spot in the Bayside Conference standings on Tuesday, beating visiting Wicomico, 45-38, to improve to 7-1 in conference play. After relinquishing the conference lead with a loss to Pocomoke last week, the Seahawks regained their form this week with a pair of wins although it wasn't always easy. Decatur edged Mardela, 51-50, last Thursday after leading the Warriors by as many as 19 points in the second half. On Tuesday, the...READ MORE

Greene Turtle Elite Team Tryouts on Tap

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle boys' elite travel lacrosse team is looking to reload for the 2010 season with tryouts slated for tomorrow on the stadium field at Salisbury University. The Greene Turtle club, made up of some of the top high school lacrosse players from across the Eastern Shore, including many from right here in the Ocean City and Berlin areas from schools like Decatur and Worcester Prep, will hold tryouts for the 2010 campaign tomorrow at Salisbury University. The tryouts are open...READ MORE

Local Team Gearing Up for Half-Marathon

BERLIN- With the annual Ocean City Half Marathon coming up again in April, at least one local team of runners is hitting the pavement to train for the annual event while raising funds for a worthy cause. The Ocean City Half-Marathon and associated 5k race returns on April 24 with hundreds of running enthusiasts set to descend on the resort area of a weekend of road racing, fun events and, perhaps most importantly, an opportunity to raise funds for a very important part on the safety net for...READ MORE

Meeting on Flounder Regs Slated

OCEAN CITY- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will host the second of two public meetings to discuss possible recreational flounder fishing regulation changes for 2010 next Tuesday at the Ocean City Marlin Club at 6 p.m. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) largely controls flounder fishing regulations in Maryland. Last year, ASFMC determined Maryland and other states, such as Delaware and New Jersey, exceeded their recreational fishing quotas, necessitating the...READ MORE

OC Basketball Action in Full Swing

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's boys' winter basketball league continued last week with a full slate of games at Northside Park. The following are some of the highlights from last week's action: Maui Golf 38- OC Rec Boosters 35: Marcus Pitts led Maui Golf with 10 points, while Vernell Moore scored seven and Jermaine Purnell added six. Jordan Copes scored 14 for the Boosters in a losing effort. OC Rec Boosters 60- OC Elks Lodge 49: Breon Smith led the Boosters with 14...READ MORE

Seahawk Girls' Skid Hits Five

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity basketball team continued its mid-season swoon this week, falling to Wicomico, 33-23, on Tuesday for its fifth loss in a row. After starting the season with a .500 record at 3-3, the Seahawks have now lost five in a row and continue to have trouble putting points on the board. Against Wicomico on Tuesday, the Seahawks yielded it second lowest point total of the season, but still came up short, falling to the Indians, 33-23. Megan O'Donnell led Decatur...READ MORE

Seahawks Ready for Delmarva Classic

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team hopes to stay on a roll this weekend when the Seahawks participate in the 15th Annual Bob Rowe Delmarva Classic in Salisbury starting this afternoon. The Seahawks enter the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record including a 3-0 mark in the Bayside Conference after thrashing Bennett, 70-3, last week. Decatur trails Queen Anne's and Easton in the conference standings, only because the front-runners have had more early season Bayside matches. Although...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of Those Lending Helping Hands Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

AGH Gets Donation From Peninsula Imaging LLC

Peninsula Imaging LLC recently donated $25,000 to the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Robert Corcoran of Peninsula Imaging; Michael Franklin, CEO of Atlantic General Hospital; Dr. Peter Libby of Peninsula Imaging; Amy Unger, Atlantic General Hospital director of development; Dr. Assen Todorov of Peninsula Imaging; and Todd Hershey, chair of the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. ...READ MORE

OCPD Hosts First Donut Smackdown at Mayor's New Year's Open House

The Ocean City Police Department hosted its first Ocean City 'Donut-Smackdown' at the 14th Annual Mayor & City Council Open House on Jan. 1. Layton's Family Restaurant and the Minit-Market supplied donuts for nearly 400 visitors at City Hall. Guests were asked to make a donation to whichever donut they liked the best. Donations benefited the Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge for Maryland Special Olympics. Chief Bernadette DiPino later counted the votes and was shocked to see each...READ MORE

Local County Commission for Women Meets at History Luncheon

Friends of the Worcester County Commission for Women met recently to finalize plans for its annual Women's History Luncheon fundraiser on March 24 at the Clarion Hotel. This year's theme will feature women authors of Worcester County. Pictured at the planning session are, from left, Diane McGraw, Kathy Muncy, Meg Garety, Bev Thoman and Felicia Daly. ...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Optimist Club Donates to Junior Golf Program

Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club President Bob Russell, left, presents a $500 check to Bill Hickey, president of Ocean Pines Board of Golf Governors to support Junior Golf. The funds will be used to support clinics, lessons and a tournament for young golfers. ...READ MORE

Lower Shore Enterprises Honors Salisbury University with 2009 Award

Lower Shore Enterprises (LSE) recently honored Salisbury University (SU) with its 2009 Employer of the Year Award, recognizing the school for more than a decade of commitment to hiring people with disabilities. Above, LSE Executive Director Jack Heath, left, is pictured with Dale Kovalik, SU Commons assistant manager, and Paul Land, SU auxiliary services director. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Winners of National Geography Bee

Winners in the National Geography Bee in Grades 4-8 at Worcester Prep were, from left, Lucas Payne, first place; Alison Greer, third place; and Billy Brittingham, second place. Payne, as school champion, will take a written test to qualify for the State Finals. The students will be honored at the Worcester Preparatory School Awards Convocation at the end of the school year. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Honors December Students of the Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the December Students of the Month with a special luncheon, T-shirt, pencil and certificate.  Students are chosen by their homeroom teachers and receive a special phone call from their teachers and a letter mailed to their homes. First row, first grade honorees were  Aaron Cohen, Owen Carpenter, Madeleine Kiesewetter, Jazmine Garcia, Layla Chrysanthis and Victoria Mueller;  second row, second graders  Brianna Wesche, Ashley Hoffman,...READ MORE

Scenes From After School Academy at Showell Elementary

Miss Schuler's after school academy class at Showell Elementary enjoy writing sentences using their spelling words in their composition book. Homework is always more fun when you are in good company who is also focusing on their studies. Above are students Destiny Brittan and Riley Rogers. ...READ MORE

Showell Pre-K Students Learn About Dental Hygiene

Showell Elementary pre-kindergarteners Mackenzie Lawrence and Pearson Schul smiled when they found out that dental care doesn't have to hurt and it is important even for children. They went home with a bag full of dental hygiene goodies like a soft bristle toothbrush, tasty toothpaste and kid friendly material about proper dental care. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Senior's Art Work Soon To Be Published

Worcester Preparatory School senior Erin Timmons shows one of her cartoon designs. This one was created for a DVD cover for a class report. She has also illustrated a children's book that will be published in December. She plans to study art and animation at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla. Her dream is to put her skills to work for Disney Studios one day. She is the daughter of Marian and Donald Timmons of Berlin. ...READ MORE

Maryland Conservation Corp Representative Speaks to Showell Elementary Kids

Jake Preston from Maryland Conservation Corp stationed at Assateague State Park lectured Mrs. Schrawder's third grade students at Showell Elementary on the habitat and life of Maryland's only kind of native bear, the black bear. Above, students Kevin George, let, and Daniel Zehtner take a bear stance as they flank Preston. ...READ MORE

Commodities Worth A Look

OCEAN CITY - While certain commodities, such as oil and precious metals, took a tumble last fall with the rest of the market, we feel their prospects are looking brighter. Investors may want to take note. Rising commodity prices may prove a well-placed hedge against the possibility of inflation •€' and an outsized opportunity to capitalize on growth in emerging markets. "We're looking at an astonishing recovery in demand for commodities," says Francisco Blanch, head of...READ MORE

A Week in Business

PRMC Makes It Official SALISBURY - The Peninsula Regional Health System has announced that Peggy Naleppa, president of Peninsula Regional Medical Center, was also named the CEO of the 358-bed hospital in Salisbury and President/CEO of the Peninsula Regional Health System.  This completes a succession plan approved by the Board of Trustees in 2008, in which Naleppa assumes control of Peninsula Regional Medical Center and the Peninsula Regional Health System from immediate past President/CEO...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Use that Arian charm to help make a difficult workplace transition easier for everyone. News about a long-awaited decision can be confusing. Don't jump to conclusions. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Although you might well be tempted to be more extravagant than you should be at this time, I'm betting you'll let your sensible Bovine instinct guide you toward moderation. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): An opportunity for travel could come with some problems regarding travel...READ MORE

Things I Like

Fridays A clear winter sky full of stars Playoff football How my toddler will eat anything Turkey chili Snow on a frozen body of water Reading in a quiet house Getting a surprise in the mail Something sweet after seafood Hearing good news from a friend Watching a kid climb a tree ...READ MORE