August 13, 2010

17th Ocean City Lacrosse Classic Takes Center Stage

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2010 WMO One for the Books

OCEAN CITY- The 37th White Marlin Open, which concluded with a flourish last Friday, was certainly one for the books with a local angler taking the top prize in the glamorous white marlin division with a whopping 97.5-pounder, the second largest ever caught during the tournament, and a monster 1,000-pound plus blue marlin, also the second largest ever caught during the event, taking first in that division. The tournament got underway last Monday with 243 of the registered 255 boats heading out...READ MORE

Ladies Only Poor Girls Open Underway

OCEAN CITY- With the high-dollar, high profile White Marlin Open dispensed with last week, the resort area's lady anglers get their turn in the spotlight this week with the return of the Poor Girl's Open, which got underway yesterday with the first full day of fishing. Now in its 17th year, the Poor Girls Open, which typically falls on the weekend after the White Marlin Open, was founded in 1994 by the late Captain Steve Harman and his wife Pam to a provide a ladies-only fishing event with the...READ MORE

Local Angler Recounts Winning White Tale

OCEAN CITY- Despite a couple of anxious days last week, local resident and veteran White Marlin Open angler Brian Roberts certainly appears to have taken winning the glamour division of the 2010 event in stride. Berlin resident Brian Roberts, a certified public accountant and loan officer for National City Mortgage and battle-tested White Marlin Open angler, took the 2010 event's top prize with a whopping 97.5-pound white marlin caught last Tuesday. The typically laid back Roberts had to...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

City Council Backs New Center Plan

OCEAN CITY•€'Rick Hamilton's big idea could become the Ocean City Convention Center's bright future. The City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a new and more expensive plan for the already approved Roland E. Powell Convention Center expansion, which will increase the exhibit space by 20,000 square feet, utilizing the stunning bay views as a calling card to exhibitors, and eventually, install a two-level, 1,200-seat performing arts center/auditorium. The Mayor and...READ MORE

Thoughts From the Publisher's Desk

The general consensus seems to be that this summer is treating most businesses in and around Ocean City much better than last season. Numbers obtained from the Worcester County Treasurer's Office this week confirmed that much for the first month of the traditional summer season. For June, the latest available figures, room tax collections for Ocean City jumped 6 percent, from $2,074,793 last June to $2,200,803 this June. For comparison's sake, June of 2008 saw room tax collections of...READ MORE

Boardwalk Smoking Ban Deserves Consideration

The possibility of banning smoking on the beach in Ocean City has grabbed headlines around region. The idea is quite divisive, and there's passion on both sides of the argument. On one hand, it can be said smokers are now in the minority in this country, and that non-smokers should not have to deal with second-hand smoke while enjoying the beach, a public place that falls into the same category as many others, like hotels and restaurants, where smoking has been prohibited. It can be argued that...READ MORE

Voices From the Readers

OC Needs Focus On Current Laws Editor: In my opinion discussing a ban on beach smoking is a waste of time. Ocean City has many existing health and safety ordinances that it does a poor job in enforcing. Why would anyone think that the city would be able to enforce a ban on beach smoking? For example: 1. No dogs are allowed on the beach during the season. Almost every day dogs are seen on the beach especially in the early evening. On many occasions they are not on leashes. Not real...READ MORE

Chase Ends In Arrest

BERLIN - A high-speed chase through northern Worcester County led to the arrest of a man who abandoned his vehicle and fled police on foot. Last Wednesday, a Worcester County Sheriff's deputy on routine patrol in the area of Racetrack Rd. and Route 113 attempted to stop a vehicle with a headlight out. The suspect attempted to elude the deputy and a chase ensued with speeds reaching 80 miles per hour on Route 113. Additional law enforcement officers joined the pursuit as the suspect, later...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Personal space is a foreign concept to me at this point. There's basically no such thing and both my boys seem to enjoy reminding me of this fact at every turn. There are so many daily examples to illustrate the point, but a couple recent moments stand out today. -- After a recent spell of sleepless nights, we had no choice but to break one of our rules and bring Carson, our 9-month-old, in bed with us one night (around 3ish) for two reasons - to not wake up Beckett, the 2-year-old, and to...READ MORE

Friday, Aug 13--Berlin To Acquire Land For Police Station, Community Center

BERLIN - A new Berlin police station and a community center will one day occupy land along Route 113, possibly within the next five years. For the last six months, the town of Berlin has been negotiating to buy 6.5 acres of land on the corner of Bay St. and the northbound side of Rt. 113, across from the Uncle Willie's convenience store, for future police and community use. 'The property is ideally located,' said Berlin Mayor Gee Williams. 'I think it's a perfect location for a police...READ MORE

Friday, Aug 13--Four Injured in Bridge Crash

OCEAN CITY - Four individuals were hospitalized after an accident on the Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge last Thursday evening that wiped out a large section of fence and closed the bridge in both directions during a peak summer evening. Around 8:15 p.m. last Thursday, Ocean City police responded to a reported single-vehicle accident with injuries on the Route 50 bridge. The investigation revealed the driver of a Ford F-250 truck heading westbound on the bridge had lost control of the vehicle and...READ MORE

Friday, Aug 13--Md. Will Spend $32M To Buy Ocean Downs Slot Machines

BERLIN - The state's Board of Public Works on Wednesday agreed to shell out $32.7 million for the first 750 slot machines for Ocean Downs, but not before a discussion about the contractors failing to meet the mandated 25-percent minority business participation and the overall distaste of one member with the concept of the state forward-funding private enterprise. The three-member Board of Public Works, which includes Governor Martin O'Malley, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot,...READ MORE

Friday, Aug 13--Neighborhood Watch Program Started On Boards

OCEAN CITY - Borrowing a time-honored and effective community policing partnership concept, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) and Boardwalk business owners and residents this week officially introduced a Neighborhood Watch program for the famous promenade. For years, several of Ocean City's residential areas have implemented a Neighborhood Watch program, a public-private partnership in which residents police their own communities and provide police with extra sets of eyes and ears for...READ MORE

Coach Files Suit Against Boardwalk Stores

OCEAN CITY - Several Boardwalk merchants were named as defendants in a multi-million civil suit filed on Monday in U.S. District Court by the maker of high-end luxury handbags for selling counterfeit merchandise earlier this summer. Coach, Inc. and Coach Services, Inc. on Monday filed suits in U.S. District Court against a dozen individual Boardwalk stores along with an unknown collection of defendants, referred to only as 'Does 1-100,' or individuals or corporate entities whose identities are...READ MORE

Five Applicants In Running For County Judge's Seat

BERLIN - The field of applicants for the recently vacated Worcester County Circuit Court judgeship was made public this week and includes a handful of familiar names including a sitting Circuit Court Master and a few well-known local attorneys. The Maryland Judicial Nominating Committee late Wednesday posted the list of applicants for the Worcester County Circuit Court seat made vacant by longtime Judge Theodore Eschenberg, who officially retired in late June having reached the...READ MORE

Interviews, Email Spark Questions About LCB Motives

OCEAN CITY •€' The battle between the state's wholesalers and the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) for a stronger foothold on the second tier of the state's three-tier alcohol system seems to be one of the driving forces behind continuous allegations and ongoing investigations against the quasi-governmental monopoly. Simply put, some wholesalers believe that the LCB's quest for a stronger market share of the second or wholesaler tier of the state's system has led to...READ MORE

Resort Considers Paid Parking At Convention Center

OCEAN CITY •€' An economic impact study says that the proposed performing arts center in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center could generate six figure revenues annually and millions in direct and indirect spending to the local economy. However, the same study also said the town could get six figure revenues from charging users to park in the convention center lot as well. Susan Sieger, of Crossroads Consulting Group in Tampa, Fla., presented both the economic impact study for phase two...READ MORE

State Public Hearing Sought On LCB Allegations

OCEAN CITY •€' Alleged accusations and state investigations have now led to a petition calling for a public hearing on the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County by the state Comptroller's Office. Area liquor licensees have acquired more than 400 names since last Friday hoping to capitalize on an obscure section in Article 2-B in state law that would call for the comptroller to hold a public hearing to address allegations against the LCB. The petition, which alludes to section 10-403 of...READ MORE

Accused Murderer Guilty In Resort Burglary Case

SNOW HILL - A Salisbury man, facing the death penalty for allegedly kidnapping and killing an 11-year-old girl in Salisbury in December, was found guilty last week by a Worcester County Circuit Court jury of fourth-degree burglary for an unrelated case in Ocean City. Thomas J. Leggs, the accused murderer of Sara Haley Foxwell, appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court last Thursday to face burglary and malicious destruction of property charges for a separate incident in Ocean City last Sept....READ MORE

Area Couple Realized Dream When Purchasing Sports Bar

T.K. Dickerson Staff Writer WEST OCEAN CITY - Carey and Beverly Flynn had been coming down to Ocean City for many years to enjoy the area and check up on her father. One day, they couldn't find him and were informed that he had gone down to 707 Sports Bar and Grille. 'As soon as we walked in, we said •€˜this is our place',' said Carey Flynn. Though both Carey and Beverly had been in retirement, the opportunity to buy 707 was nearly a dream come true. Contingent upon making it a reality...READ MORE

Berlin Looking To Expand Building Permit Requirements

BERLIN - Homeowners might soon be required to get town permits for many home improvements in Berlin, including some interior renovations, with an ordinance requiring the new permits introduced this week by the Berlin Mayor and Council.  Staff proposed adding more permit requirements to keep better track of home renovations and improvements inside and out, so future homeowners will know what has been done to their house, said Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Ward. The town is not...READ MORE

Berlin Park Namesake Details Sought

BERLIN - Dr. William Henry Park in east Berlin was named after a Berlin notable - but few these days seem to know anything about Henry, leading one town staffer to appeal to residents for information on this mysterious pillar of the community. Berlin Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen is asking community members to come forward with any information they remember Henry. Bohlen hopes to find out why Henry was so significant to Berlin that the town named a park after him. 'I'm not having a...READ MORE

Berlin Police, Area Agencies Working Together On Crime

BERLIN - Organized gang activity is creeping into Berlin alongside unaffiliated criminal groups that have been in town for years, but local law enforcement is working to prevent organized gangs from taking hold in the town. The key to handling organized gang activity in Berlin is prevention, said Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing in an interview this week. Berlin police have seen groups of unaffiliated locals working together to commit crimes for years.  'The gangs themselves just haven't...READ MORE

Berlin Resident Still Waiting On Draining Help

BERLIN - With a town-wide flooding fix probably years away, residents are still experiencing stormwater flooding in various neighborhoods around Berlin. The town of Berlin took over authority for stormwater management within municipal limits earlier this year. A draft of the new stormwater regulations and policies will be presented to the Mayor and Council for consideration later this month, but the necessary stormwater study that is precursor to any plans for stormwater improvements will...READ MORE

Man Electrocuted Under Home

BERLIN - A Pennsylvania man working at his father's house in Berlin last Saturday morning died after being electrocuted by a live wire under the residence. Around 9:35 p.m. last Saturday, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation was called to assist the Worcester County Sheriff's Office with the investigation of an electrocution of a plumber who had been working under a trailer on Sinepuxent Rd. in Berlin. The investigation revealed the victim, identified as Harry Henry, Jr., 46,...READ MORE

OC Arsonist Faces 20 Years For Latest Act

SNOW HILL - A notorious Ocean City arsonist, who over 20 years ago went on a burning spree throughout the resort causing millions of dollars worth of damage, was convicted of the same crime again this week in Snow Hill. John Edward Cropper, 45, of Ocean City, appeared in Circuit Court on Tuesday to face charges of second-degree arson, malicious destruction of property and trespassing after being arrested in March for attempting to set fire to a brick office building at the old George Burt...READ MORE

Ocean City News in Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, the town's advertising campaign continues to reach new markets and apparent new heights and the council hopes to tidy up a downtown eyesore. Resort's Ad Campaign 'Coming Together Perfectly' MGH President Andy Malis said this week that the Rodney the Lifeguard character is hitting full stride as not only a brand for the resort, but also as a character easily associated with value. 'This is set to be our biggest and strongest August schedule for...READ MORE

The Globe To Unveil Patrick Henry's New Collection

BERLIN - The Globe in Berlin has announced the unveiling of seven new pieces of distinctive work by artist Patrick Henry will be held on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. Henry's collection, 'Silver Screen Revisited', will be on display downstairs in The Globe's restored movie theater dining room. The unveiling is open to the public and the artist will be on hand to answer questions from attendees. Henry expressed interest in creating the project more than a year ago in order to help preserve...READ MORE

Dining Guide

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines 707 Sports bar & grille 12702 Old Bridge Road (Route 707), West Ocean City , 410-213-9507 We may have changed hands, but we are still the same locally known Sports Bar in West Ocean City, and yes we are open everyday 11a.m.-2 a.m. Everything on our menu is made to order from our Homemade Soups, Salads,  new and improved Crab Dip, Mussels, the only place that serves the 'Full Wing' Quesadillas, 1/2 lb. Burgers, Crab cakes, Fresh cut Steaks, Fresh...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where and When Musically Speaking

Sports Bar & Grille , 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC Aug. 13: Over Time Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick The , Talbot St. On the bay Aug. 14 & Sunday, Aug 15: Pasa, 4 p.m. Aug. 14: Time Police, 9 p.m. Sunday: Local's Social With DJ Rusty Griswald Salty Dog , 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Aug. 13: Aaron Howell Band Aug. 14: Steelers game Sunday: Local's Party with DJ JJ Aug. 16: Rick Ramsey Aug. 19: Electric Company bar & Grill off the boards on 2nd St. Aug. 13: Dave Sherman, 1-5...READ MORE

A Week in Business

Leadership Recognized WILLARDS - Laura Deeley Bren of Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley was recently recognized for professional leadership and advanced knowledge by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (Cle), a leading national insurance professional organization. Bren was awarded a certificate marking more than 10 years of participation as a designated CIC, which requires annual completion of advanced education and training. "Laura's ongoing allegiance and support of the CIC...READ MORE

Fish 'N OC

In last week's article, we spent some time discussing two of Ocean City's most popular fishing spots for shore anglers •€' the Ocean City Inlet and the Route 50 Bridge. Both of these spots are both easy to get to and very productive for the majority of the season. Unfortunately, when dealing with fishing spots, in many instances 'productive' can also mean, 'crowded.' And it is true that both of these spots can at times become quite crowded, especially when they are fishing well. It is at...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Robert W. Jackson, Jr. SALISBURY - Robert Winfield Jackson, Jr., 94, died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Born in New Rochelle, N.Y., he was the son of the late Robert W. Jackson, Sr. and Margaret Cross Jackson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha V. Jackson, in 2001. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Jackson Todd of Berlin, and son, Glenn W. Jackson and his wife Sherry of Willards. He leaves six grandchildren, Brandon Jackson, Melanie...READ MORE

Open Houses In and Around Ocean City

SNOW HILL 206 & 211 Market St Sat 1:30-3:30 2 Victorian Houses in Heart of Town (1 with 7BR!) Skip Lyons Prudential Carruthers 443-235-0200 NORTH OCEAN CITY 14008 Sea Captain Off 141st Street Sat 1:30-3:30 3BR/2BA Caine Woods Single Family Home Jim White Bud Church Realty Coldwell Banker 443-614-2735 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Daily 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY The Meridian Open Daily Oceanfront Residences 60th Street New...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A previous misunderstanding continues to taint the atmosphere to some extent in the early part of the week. But cooler heads prevail, and the situation eases by week's end. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): While the artistic aspect of the Divine Bovine is well-served this week, that practical side is also getting the sort of recognition that could lead to a new and well-deserved opportunity. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): With home-related matters taking on more importance...READ MORE

Is Your Portfolio Paying Enough Dividends?

OCEAN CITY - Most of the news about dividend-paying stocks during the first half of the year focused on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. When BP suspended its dividend to brace itself for the costs and responsibility associated with one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, investors were reminded again of the importance of maintaining a diversified investment strategy. Behind the headlines, though, a more upbeat dividend-paying story has quietly been...READ MORE

Things I Like

Family walks The beach bars at Fager's Island Rain at night in the summer When locals win money in the White Marlin Open Caffeine anytime of day Pool days with the kids This season's "True Blood" Chesapeake Benedict at the Globe A big oak tree leaf Smell of a basement in an old house A big moon on a clear night  ...READ MORE

People in Society

Spotlight on those who lend a helping hand throughout the community ...READ MORE

Arts in the Area

A spotlight on the local art scene ...READ MORE