September 3, 2010

Council To Decide Smoking Issue After Hearing

OCEAN CITY •€' There will be no voter questions on the ballot for the upcoming Ocean City municipal election after the council removed three topics from the table. At Tuesday's City Council work session at City Hall, City Clerk Kathy Mathias gave the final query to the voting seven to decide which, if any, questions would be placed on the ballots when local voters go to the polls in October. On the table was a Councilwoman Margaret Pillas-led campaign to put the recent hot button topic...READ MORE

LCB Data Proves Bad Year, Raises More Questions

OCEAN CITY •€' The Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) admits it made many mistakes, but it adamantly claims recent financial reports prove there was no wrongdoing that should necessitate abolishment. Board member Larry Wilkinson stresses that the quasi- governmental monopoly just had a bad year. As licensees and politicians continue to dissect the county liquor dispensary's 2010 financial reports, LCB Executive Director Brian Sturgeon puffed out his chest in vindication this...READ MORE

Limited Ocean Swimming Likely This Weekend

OCEAN CITY •€' As Hurricane Earl roars just a few hundred miles off the Eastern Seaboard, the question in the back of many people's minds is: will the storm merely delay Labor Day weekend or will it ruin the resort's last big summer weekend completely? Town officials say they know that today is going to be a lousy day in Ocean City as the effects of Hurricane Earl are scheduled to be felt throughout the region by way of 40-50 mph winds, and at least an inch or two of precipitation until...READ MORE

Summer Flounder Stock Rebounded, Feds Say

OCEAN CITY - Federal fisheries officials last week announced the summer flounder stock in the mid-Atlantic region has officially rebounded, resulting in increased quotas in 2011 and perhaps a loosening next year of the regulations that have choked one of the staples of the resort fishing community. After reviewing the second and third wave of catch data collected on summer flounder thus far this year, the federal Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council last week voted to increase the 2011...READ MORE

Suspect Claims He Ran Over Mother By Accident

SNOW HILL - A Pennsylvania man charged with first-degree murder for allegedly running over his elderly mother several times late Tuesday night stuck to his story the incident was just an accident during a bond review hearing in District Court in Snow Hill early yesterday morning. Steven Frederick Molin, 58, of Darby, Pa., charged with first- and second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of his mother Emily Belle Molin, 85, also of Darby, remained behind bars yesterday after he was...READ MORE

2nd Branch Kreppel Tourney on Tap

OCEAN CITY- The 2nd Annual Branch Kreppel Blue Marlin Tournament, named for a beloved local angler and diver who passed away unexpectedly in 2008, gets underway next weekend with a captain's meeting and registration on Wednesday followed by four full days of fishing next Thursday to Sunday. As an avide diver and owner of Diver Services, Kreppel was a popular man around the marinas in the resort area and often kept the local sportfishing fleet up and running. Last year, Sunset Marina organized...READ MORE

Batttle of Berlin

The varsity golf teams of Stephen Decatur and Worcester Prep squared off last Friday in the first round of the 2nd Annual Battle of Berlin, a Ryder Cup-type tournament between the neighborhood rivals. Decatur took the opening round, winning three matches and tying in a fourth.  ...READ MORE

Berlin Dolphins Early Favorites in 2010

BERLIN- After stellar 2009 campaigns, the Berlin Dolphins' teams appear to be the favorites in their respective divisions of the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Football League this fall. Entering their eighth season in the Red Shield league, which has been around for decades and features youth football programs from all over the Eastern Shore, both the Cadet Dolphins and Junior Dolphins are expected to be the favorites to win championships in their respective age divisions. Head Coaches Ron...READ MORE

Decatur Takes Early Lead in 'Battle of Berlin'

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity golf team took a first step in defending its 'Battle of Berlin Challenge Cup,' topping neighborhood rival Worcester Prep in the first round of the tournament last Friday at Eagle's Landing. The two local schools competed for the first 'Battle of Berlin Challenge Cup' last year just before the start of the fall season last year and, based on the success of the inaugural event, decided to make in an annual fixture on the late summer prep golf calendar. The varsity...READ MORE

Labor Day Marlin Tournament Still On

OCEAN CITY- With a little luck and a lot of cooperation from Hurricane Earl, the Ocean City Marlin Club's 52nd Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament will go off as planned this weekend although the schedule has been altered somewhat because of the storm. After closely monitoring Hurricane Earl through mid-week, Marlin Club officials decided not to cancel the tournament, opting instead to move the event back a day. As a result, the registration and captain's meeting originally scheduled for...READ MORE

Weekly Tough Guy Awards Return

BERLIN- Most of the accolades in football at any level are reserved for the glamour guys, the golden-armed quarterbacks and fleet running backs who put points on the board and thrill the crowds, but the weekly 'Tough Guy' award is handed out to the Decatur player who most exemplifies the spirit and Seahawk football. Started seven years ago by Atlantic Physical Therapy president Bob Hammond, the weekly ATP 'Tough Guy of the Week' award acknowledges the efforts of an individual player, or...READ MORE

Cops & Courts

Knife Pulled Out In Boardwalk Store Fight OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man was arrested on first-degree assault charges last week after allegedly pulling a knife on a man who stole clothing from the Boardwalk store where he worked. Around 12:20 a.m. last Tuesday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer patrolling the Boardwalk was flagged down by the owner of Tre's Place who told police a suspect had stolen a T-shirt and swim trunks from his store. When the officer arrived at the store, he...READ MORE

Berlin Council Incumbents Seek Re-Election

BERLIN - Three incumbents will run for office once again in Berlin's municipal election in October with the intention of seeing through the changes begun in recent years. Three of the five seats on the Berlin Town Council will be contested during this municipal election, which will be held midway between the county, state and federal primaries and the general election in November. The seats at stake on Oct. 12, Berlin's municipal election day, are District 1, currently held by Troy Purnell;...READ MORE

Candidates Forum Set For Next Week

BERLIN - Following the successful event last week in Snow Hill, Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT), a non-profit environmental education and advocacy organization, will sponsor two more educational forums for candidates in the Worcester County Commission elections this year, one in Berlin next Tuesday prior to the Primary Election, and one prior to the General Election. Citizens of Worcester County are encouraged to attend. The forums will offer voters in Worcester County the opportunity to hear...READ MORE

Pranksters Litter Highway With Paint Cans, Furniture

OCEAN CITY - Two men were arrested on malicious destruction of property and reckless endangerment charges this week after allegedly bombing Coastal Highway with several paint cans, deck furniture and beer bottles from the ninth floor of a north-end condominium. Around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to the area of the Capri condominiums at 110th Street for a reported malicious destruction of property that had just occurred. Upon arrival, the...READ MORE

State To Preserve 430-Acre Tract With $1.8M Purchase

BERLIN - Worcester County and Ocean City fared well this week in the latest state Board of Public Works funding cycle with the approval of the purchase of a vast 430-acre site in the coastal bays for perpetual open space, another half of a million dollars in state Rural Legacy funding for the coastal bays and a $75,000 allocation to Ocean City for a rehabilitated public playground in the resort. The three-member Board of Public Works, which includes Governor Martin O'Malley, Comptroller Peter...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 OCEAN CITY Dolphin Bay #I 718 Bradley Road Bayside Waterfront Off 94th Street Sat 3-5 2BR/2BA with Dock Mary Abell Long and Foster 410-520-2743 OCEAN CITY The Plaza 1011 98th St Oceanfront Sat 2-6 2BR/2BA, Elevator, Great View Ocean/Bay Indoor/Outdoor Pools Jack Walter Long and Foster 877-655-6170 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf...READ MORE

Things To Do Around The Area

Sept. 3-4: Opportunity Shop Open 8 a.m.-noon, Whatcoat United Methodist Church, 100 w. Federal St., Snow Hill. This will be a fill-a-bag only. Sept. 3: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 6 p.m.; games begin, 7 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Re-freshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Sept. 4: Outdoor Flea Market, Chicken BBQ & Crab Cakes 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Bethany United Methodist Church, Rte. 611 & Snug Harbor Rd., near Frontiertown. Out-door flea market, breakfast, lunch...READ MORE

Whos playing where and when musically speaking

707 Sports Bar & Grille 410-213-9507 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC Friday, Sept. 3: Sir Rod Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick Angler, The 410-289-7424 , Talbot St. On the bay Friday, Sept. 3: Time Police, 9 p.m. Every Sunday: Local's Social With DJ Rusty Griswald Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 , 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 3: Aaron Howell Band Saturday, Sept. 4: John LaMere Every Sunday: Local's Party with DJ JJ Caribbean bar & Grill Just off the boards on 2nd...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

July and August are critical months for all summer resorts, particularly Ocean City, which needs warm, dry weather to be prosperous. Since this summer was one of the hottest and parched in recent history, July was thought to be a solid month for the resort as was August. I looked at some of the numbers used as a barometer to gauge success this week. Here's a quick snapshot: -- Demoflush: July crowd totals were up 1.6 percent and August crowds up 1 percent over July and August of last year,...READ MORE

No Need For Straw Poll Ballot Questions

The Ocean City Mayor and Council made the right call this week when it decided to not include a few ballot questions, or straw polls, on next month's ballot. Electing to put a few non-binding questions before Ocean City voters to gauge electorate sentiment would have set a dangerous precedent and led to trouble. It would have resulted in the inevitable calls for similar issues to be put on the ballot and essentially pressure the elected officials into going along with whatever the voters...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Better People Skills Needed Editor: On Thursday, Aug. 12, County Commissioner Linda Busick stopped by my wife's dog grooming shop here in Bishopville. We have a Jimmy Bunting for County Commissioner sign in our front yard. She tried to bully my wife into voting for her because she had past business relations with her grandmother, the founder of the dog grooming shop. When bullying didn't work she changed tactic's to her husband had just died and she has no family here. That didn't work either....READ MORE

White Marlin Caught At Record Pace

OCEAN CITY - With dozens of boats reporting double-digit releases including one local boat with a record 57 on Monday alone, the white marlin bite off the coast of Ocean City has been off the chart for the last week or so, perhaps confirming once and for all the sometimes questioned 'White Marlin Capital of the World' title for the resort. Throughout the summer, it became evident something special was going on with the white marlin bite off Ocean City. Momentum started building in early August...READ MORE

Ban On Lead Fishing Tackle Being Pursued

OCEAN CITY - The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week denied a petition filed by environmental groups seeking a ban on the use of lead in hunting ammunition, but the debate of the use of the toxic substance in fishing tackle such as sinkers and lures continues. Early last month, a coalition of environmental groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, filed a formal petition with the EPA seeking a ban on the use of lead in all hunting ammunition and fishing tackle,...READ MORE

Berlin Native's Latest Work Follows Iconic Photographer

OCEAN CITY •€' In less than a month's time, things are going to change drastically for documentary filmmaker and Berlin native John Chester. With the DVD release of his acclaimed documentary 'Rock Prophecies' set for distribution later this month, and widespread airing on PBS soon to follow, the Berlin native who now calls California his home is primed for millions of people to see his moving documentary film, which follows legendary rock and roll photographer Robert Knight on a personal,...READ MORE

Bunting Says Tax Hike Unacceptable, More Jobs Needed

BERLIN - Madison 'Jimmy' Bunting, Jr. will challenge incumbent County Commissioner Linda Busick in the District 6 Republican primary on Sept. 14. The primary is a high stakes election in this District 6. No Democratic candidate emerged in District 6 this election season, leaving the division's highest office to be filled during the Republican primary. The victor would only need to garner more votes than any write-in candidates in the November general election to hold the District 6 commissioner...READ MORE

Busick Wants To See Ongoing Issues Resolved, Goals Reached

BERLIN - One term is not enough to accomplish what she planned, incumbent District 6 Worcester County Commissioner Linda Busick said of her reasons for seeking another term. District 6 will find out who its next County Commissioner will be in less than two weeks, after the only candidates in the race, Busick and challenger Madison 'Jimmy' Bunting, Jr., also a Republican, face each other in the Sept. 14 primary. When Busick, a retired Baltimore County police officer, won her seat in 2006, she...READ MORE

Councilman Embarrassed By Worker Serving Minor Cadet

OCEAN CITY•€' Councilman Joe Hall was put in a precarious position this week as his family's restaurant received a RAAM (Reducing the Availability of Alcohol to Minors) violation for serving an underage cadet alcohol several weeks ago. 'My family and I are extremely embarrassed by what has taken place, and I believe it's the first violation that we've received in over 30 years of having a liquor license in Ocean City, said Hall.  'We plan on going to our hearing next month at the Board...READ MORE

County Murder Conviction Overturned, New Trial Ahead

BERLIN - A Worcester County man found guilty of second-degree murder will get a new trial after the state's Court of Special Appeals this week remanded the case back to Circuit Court after overturning the conviction on appeal. Kendall Irin Northam, now 22, of Pocomoke, was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree assault in September 2008 for his role in the beating death of Judy Wojcik in an apparent sex for drugs deal gone wrong in a rural area near Pocomoke in January 2008. Northam...READ MORE

Knight's Motion To Extend Ad Agency Contract Stuns Many

OCEAN CITY - Councilwoman Mary Knight has been a staunch supporter of the town's advertising agency MGH since she was elected in 2006, but when she made a motion, reportedly on behalf of the Tourism Commission, to extend MGH's contract for three years at Tuesday's work session, she took the majority of the people in the room by surprise, including MGH President Andy Malis. 'At a recent Tourism Commission meeting, the stakeholders which include the Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association,...READ MORE

Missing Swimmer Presumed Dead After Major Search

OCEAN CITY - Dangerous rip currents likely claimed the life of a Washington, D.C. man who went missing in the surf at night near 20th Street last Saturday and is presumed drowned. Shortly after 8 p.m. last Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard received a call about four swimmers in distress just off the beach at 20th Street. Coast Guard Ocean City launched two rescue boats and responded to the scene. By the time the Coast Guard arrived, off-duty Ocean City Beach Patrol officers with the help of a...READ MORE

Report Finds OC Starting Salaries A Bit High

OCEAN CITY - In hopes of getting the so-called 'clear picture' on whether Ocean City's employees are paid too much money, the town's Human Resources Director Wayne Evans was tasked to put together an additional salary study comparing the resort with just the Eastern Shore. Several weeks ago, Evans had given a similar report that showed Ocean City's pay a bit high on the starting salaries, when compared to like jobs across the state, and in competing resort destinations, but Councilman Jim Hall,...READ MORE

Stalled Bishopville Pond Project Gets Funding Boost

BERLIN - The Bishopville Pond project might be back on track with the recent assignment of about $500,000 in state funds to complete the project. Project organizers learned of the additional funds last week. 'It looks like we'll be able to proceed with it,' said Dr. Roman Jesien, science coordinator for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP).   County Commissioner Linda Busick, whose district is home to the pond, confirmed that reality. 'We will be seeing the project moving forward. It...READ MORE

Adventures in Fatehrhood

The key part of bath time around my house is a nightly physical assessment of the kids.•€¨A day in the life of a kid can be pretty rough on the body and along the way marks proving hard play during any given day are bound to surface. It's always interesting to see what new scrape or bruise has surfaced over the course of a day, and typically there are a couple new arrivals each night, confirming just how much fun is had and how hard they go at it. This nightly examination is particularly...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Nancy E. Lathbury BERLIN - Nancy E. Lathbury, 83, of Bishopville, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. She was born in Bishopville and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Viola (Quillen) Hammond.   She is survived by a daughter, Jean A. LaCurts and her husband Walter of Bishopville; a son, Bruce W. Lathbury and his wife Janet of Berlin; two brothers, Harry Hammond and Thomas Hammond both of Bishopville; and three grandchildren, Diane LaCurts, Dale...READ MORE

A Week In Business

New Health Dept. Website SNOW HILL - Worcester County Health Officer Debbie Goeller has announced that the local health department launched a redesigned, user-friendly website. The new site has the same address as the former site, www.worcesterhealth.org. It is also available at www.worcesterhealth.info. 'We at the health department are constantly assessing how we can be more accessible to the public. Launching a new website was a top priority,' said Goeller. 'We hope our clients, patients and...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

How Much Risk Is Right For You?

OCEAN CITY - After peaking in April at 11,205, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged below 9,800 in June •€' low enough to ignite talk of a bear-market signal. Even though past performance does not indicate future results, that recent retreat is serving to reignite the fears of investors who moved out of equities during the worst of the downturn •€' and who have shied away from investment risk ever since. Some view today's high unemployment and a skyrocketing...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department presentedwith a thank you

Ocean Downs General Manager Peter Szymanski recently presented the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department with a $500 check for its help at the August harness races at Ocean Downs. Pictured, from left, are Szymanski and volunteers Steve Rosen and Rich Angelo. Submitted Photos  ...READ MORE

Diakonia gets a hand from The Kiwanis

Jim Spicknall, Kiwanis liaison to Diakonia, Susan Blaney, volunteer coordinator and facilities manager for Diakonia, and Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City President Dan Peletier are pictured at a $500 check presentation to Diakonia from the Kiwanis.  ...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary Schools has new gardens

Snow Hill Elementary School has a beautiful new entrance thanks to Lowe's Heros program, which encourages Lowe's employees to team together and adopt a volunteer project with local organizations.  Employees from the Pocomoke Lowe's designed and planted beautiful gardens at the entrance of the school and by the school's portable classrooms. Pictured, from left, are kindergarten students Ethan Gell, Brandon Anderson, Nylah Davis and Te'Von Hudson-Crawford.  ...READ MORE

O.P. Chamber Director Guest Speaker

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City, a member of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, hosted newly appointed Executive Director, Kain Bolen as its guest speaker at last month's meeting at the Ocean Pines Community Center. Bolen is pictured with Kiwanis Club President Dan Peletier.  ...READ MORE

OCPD adds new neighborhood watch

The Ocean City Police Department added the Boardwalk as a new Neighborhood Watch Association at a ceremony last month. Above, from left, are Watch Area Coordinator Bruce Krasner, Block Captain Vicki Barrett, Chief Bernadette DiPino and Mayor Rick Meehan.  ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Cupid is strong in the Aries aspect this week, with the cherub opening romantic possibilities for single Lambs, and strengthening ties 'twixt loving pairs already in a caring relationship. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your dramatic flair might make things more interesting as you recount an event to your colleagues. But be careful not to exaggerate reality to the point that facts and fancy combine to form fiction. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You love to talk, and...READ MORE

Things I Like

Kids who love the water Thumb drives After my sons are both bathed for the night Ben Stiller movies Sound of food cooking on the grill September Watching people eat crabs Two squirrels playing in a tree Courteous Boardwalk bikers When the sun and moon are visible at the same time Well-done scrapple  ...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of those lending a helping hand throughout the community ...READ MORE