October 8, 2010

Cops & Courts

High Speed Chase Ends in Resort OCEAN CITY - Three Salisbury teens including a juvenile were ar-rested last week after a high-speed chase that began on Route 50 in northern Worcester County and ended on 54th Street in Ocean City. Around 9:40 p.m. last Wednes-day, a Maryland State Police trooper attempted to stop a 2001 Ford Windstar minivan in the area of Bell Rd. and Route 50 for going 70 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. The vehicle, driven by Dajour Hakeem Waters, 18, of Salisbury, failed to...READ MORE

Welcome Center Thrives under County

SNOW HILL- Now under control of the Worcester County Tourism Department, the Maryland Welcome Center on U.S. Route 13 is prospering despite being open fewer days per week. With fewer hours per week, the Maryland Welcome Center at the county line near the border with Virginia managed to attract similar numbers of visitors while operating under their budget compared to last year. Formerly a state run institution, the Welcome Center was placed in control of Worcester County Tourism this year. Under...READ MORE

Free Cab Rides Offered on Election Days

OCEAN CITY- After a dreadful turnout in Ocean City for the September primary election, it was brought to light many potential voters turned around and left after they couldn't find parking at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center due to another large event at the facility at the same time. Following the primary election, several resort residents pointed out they became frustrated with the parking situation at the Convention Center, the town's only polling site, and decided to forego their civic...READ MORE

WOC Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges

OCEAN CITY- An Ocean City man remains behind bars this week after his arrest last Friday on several counts of possession of child pornography, ironically the same day a new state law prohibiting the pretrial release of registered sex offenders went into effect. Lawrence King III, 41, or West Ocean City, was arrested last Friday and charged with 13 counts of possession of child pornography after members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit served a warrant on his Golf Course Rd. home...READ MORE

Seahawks Top Bennett in Double OT

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity soccer team won for just the second time in the season in dramatic fashion on Tuesday, beating previously unbeaten James M.Bennett, 2-1, in double overtime. The Seahawks struggled out of the gate this season, dropping their first four games, but have shown signs of improvement recently. Winning two of their last three. On Tuesday, Decatur battled Bennett to a 1-1 in regulation, the Seahawks' lone goal coming from Ariel DePaul. The score remained tied at...READ MORE

Tough Guy Of The Week

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Kyler Clifton for his outstanding play despite a 35-7 loss to Kent Island. Pictured above is Clifton (center) flanked by Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP President Bob Hammond (right). Submitted photo ...READ MORE

Most valuable Player

Each week, the Bank of Ocean City donates $50 to the Stephen Decatur High School football team through the athletic boosters program in the name of the week's Most Valuable Player. This week, the honor went to D.J. Kee. Pictured above, from left are announcer Rick Charles, Coach Bob Knox, Kee, and the bank's Earl Conley.   Submitted photo  ...READ MORE

Decatur's Woes Continue with 35-7 Loss

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team fell to visiting Kent Island, 35-7, last week, continuing a tough stretch against Bayside North powerhouses while falling to 1-4 on the season. When the 2010 schedule came out, the Seahawks likely knew their season would be defined by a three-game stretch against traditional Bayside North division opponents in late September and early October, and thus far the worst case scenario has played out. The Seahawks fell to Kent Island, 35-7, last Friday...READ MORE

SDHS Varsity Volleyball Swept Snow Hill

Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity volleyball team swept county rival Snow Hill in straight games on Tuesday to remain unbeaten on the season with a perfect 8-0 record. Janet Davidson led the way with 17 service points, five aces and 10 assists. Pictured above, Seahawks' blockers soar to stuff another attempt by the Eagles. Photo by John Harris  ...READ MORE

Three Unbeatens Top Flag Standings

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's Fall Flag Football League continued this week with a few familiar teams- Schell Brothers-Greene Turtle, Seacrets and Buxy's Salty Dog starting to pull away from the pack somewhat in the early part of the season. After three weeks, Schell Brothers, Seacrets and Buxy's Salty Dog are each undefeated at 3-0 and sit atop the Fall Flag Football League standings. Three teams including Kirby's Pub, Alumni and Blue Ox area tied for second place...READ MORE

Worcester Girls Remain Unbeaten

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's girls' varsity soccer team remained unbeaten this week, beating Salisbury School, 7-0, on the road on Tuesday to improve to 6-0 on the season. Kristen Shriver led the Mallards with four goals, while Katelin Talbert scored two goals and Maddie DiNardo added a single tally. With the win over the Dragons on Tuesday, Worcester improved it's season record to 6-0 and continued its early to mid-season dominance. Thus far this season, the Mallards have outscored their opponents...READ MORE

Reprinted From The Baltimore Sun

Crowning summer cookouts, ears of local corn are hot weather staples. Roasted on a grill, splashed with butter and sprinkled in salt and pepper •€' and in Chesapeake country, Old Bay, of course •€' corn makes barbecues complete. This essential summer side dish may be in danger, however, if global warming continues to incrementally warm our Mid-Atlantic region. Corn, which prefers growing at about 50 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, will feel the effects from hotter temperatures and more...READ MORE

Transportation Dept. Top Heavy with Supervisors

Transportation Dept. Top Heavy with Supervisors Editor: The Ocean City Council has decided to cut bus service to Coastal Highway during the off-season from three day, three evening and three night shift buses to two day, two evening and two night shift buses. This, in turn, will increase the day and evening service to a 45-minute wait, up from a half and hour, with the night shift going to an hour-and-a-half wait, up from half-an-hour. This reduction in staff will consist of a week-day roster of...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Evelyn Armstrong Elliott OCEAN CITY- Evelyn Armstrong Elliott, 89, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in New York, she was a daughter of the late John Armstrong and Isabella Steel Armstrong. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Sire Elliott, in 1993. Mrs. Elliott was a homemaker. She was a United States Navy veteran having served in the WAVES. She was a member of St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City. She is survived by her children,...READ MORE

Students In The News

Worcester County Public Schools last month celebrated Constitution Week. Pictured above, center, Berlin Intermediate School 6th-grader Brody Shockley holds one of the Constitution Week posters, which were made available to schools by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the local General Levin Winder Chapter. Pictured with Shockley is Chapter Regent Pat Arata (left) along with Chapter chairperson Katherine Muncy and BIS Principal Tom Zimmer. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Design Hats

Third grade students at Showell Elementary recently made their own hats. They read and followed two sets of directions, compared the directions, and discovered certain text features that helped make the directions easier to read.  The result was these beautiful newspaper hats.  ...READ MORE

BIS Students Explore Moods

Mrs. Bunting's 5th grade enrichment reading group at BIS explored mood by creating watercolors in response to their book, 'Jeremy Thatcher, the Dragon Hatcher.'   Each student chose a mood card (angry, silly, zany, etc.) and then had to visually represent it using color, line, and shape. Pictured above are De'Aijah Hobbs, Frank Figuerou and Zerrick Collins with their completed paintings.  ...READ MORE

Peppers Help Understand Science

Showell Elementary students recently used various peppers to understand certain science lessons. Pictured above, Andrew Stone, Chalea Brittingham, Austin Terry and Kayla Short observe green pepper seeds in a Grade 3 science class.  ...READ MORE

OCES Enjoys Making Music

Kindall Johnson, Nicole Saldana, Summer Vorsteg, and Max Taylor work at the keyboard lab in Mr. Rick Chapman's third grade music class at Ocean City Elementary School.  ...READ MORE

Root Beer Floats Reward Respect

Mrs. Christine Williams' third graders are all smiles celebrating their first complete 'Compliment Chain.' The students chose to have a root beer float party for all of their hard work showing respect.  ...READ MORE

"The Big Pig" Enjoys Figs

Snow Hill Elementary School first-graders recently read the story 'The Big Pig,' and enjoyed one of the pig's favorite treats - figs.  Shown with fresh figs and fig cookies are (left to right) Alayla Sample, Daniel Outten, Victoria Harper and Benjamin Trejo-Munoz from Mrs. Pat Tucker and Ms. Katie Moyseenko's class.  ...READ MORE

WPS Awards Commendations

- Dr. Barry W. Tull, Headmaster of Worcester Preparatory School, awards Commendations from the College Board to seniors Ali Schwartz (left) and Anna Pavlos (right). The girls' scores on PSAT-NMSQT were among the best in the nation.  ...READ MORE

Whos playing where and when musically speaking

707 Sports Bar & Grille 410-213-9507 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC Friday, Oct. 8: Tranzfusion, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Oct. 8: Bond & Bentley Saturday, Oct. 9: Crowded Outhouse Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, in the Bamboo Lounge, 6-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday,...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

OCEAN CITY Atantis Open House Bonanza Sat 10-4 8 Oceanfront Condos 103rd Street Win Gift Cards Josh Morimoto Prudential Carruthers 410-371-2216 OCEAN CITY The Plaza 98th St Oceanfront Sat 3:30-6/Sun 10-12 2BR/2BA/Balcony In/Outdoor Pools Great Views Jack Walter Long and Foster 877-655-6170 OCEAN CITY Diamond Head 412 80th Street Oceanblock 2BR/2BA Great Views From All Rooms Bill Helmuth Coldwell Banker 410-430-9897 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR...READ MORE

Route 589 Plans Nudge Forward ..Short Term 589 Plans Discussed as Slots Op

SNOW HILL- Plans to expand Route 589 reached the next stage of their journey after Corridor Vision Plan was presented to and approved by the Worcester County Commission on Tuesday. Tuesday's approval comes nearly a year after a Corridor Feasibility Study was proposed for Route 589 in November 2009. The project was planned in an attempt to alleviate traffic concerns on Racetrack Road, especially any possible increase in activity due to slots coming to the area. The Maryland State Highway...READ MORE

Winter Taxi Rules Debated

OCEAN CITY - Taxi owners are now allowed to deactivate their cab medallions once a year with no fee according to the amended ordinance. Last February, the Mayor and City Council approved the final reading of an ordinance that installed a $1,500 taxi medallion required to operate a cab in Ocean City and a $500 annual renewal fee. In addition, the taxi companies are required to keep their cabs clean, random drug tests will be conducted on drivers and the town will have correspondence with the...READ MORE

Town renews MGH Contract For Two Years

OCEAN CITY- Resort officials this week voted to renew its contract with the town's advertising agency, MGH, for another two years, the conclusion of which will complete a 10-year run for the successful partnership. The Ocean City Mayor and Council this week voted unanimously to renew the town's contract with MGH after a recommendation from the Tourism Committee. Ocean City's Tourism Department then completed the agreement, believed to be worth around $300,000, under which MGH will continue to...READ MORE

Police Investigating Body Found on Beach

OCEAN CITY- Resort police this week are investigating the discovery of a body on the beach in the area of 74th Street early last Saturday morning. Around 2 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 74th Street in reference to a report of a person missing on the beach. Upon arrival, OCPD officers observed a man on the beach performing CPR on an unconscious female who appeared to have been in the ocean. OCPD officers then took over performing CPR on the victim, later...READ MORE

Massive Fish Kill Cause Explored

Shawn J. Soper News Editor OCEAN CITY- A variety of natural factors, and not likely pollution, are being blamed for a massive fish kill last weekend in the headwaters of Gray's Creek near Bishopville, during which an estimated 50,000 menhaden died. Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) officials this week are investigating a fish kill in Gray's Creek that occurred last weekend, resulting in the death of around 50,000 young menhaden. According to MDE spokesman Jay Apperson, low dissolved...READ MORE

New Assateague Visitor Center Officially Opened

BERLIN- A large crowd gathered last Saturday to witness the grand opening of the new Assateague Island Visitor Center, a state-of-the-art facility built  to replace the original center, which was built in 1967. The new Assateague Visitor's Center has five times the space (10,000 square feet compared to 2,000) of the original building and houses all aspects of the park services, both national and state. On hand for the opening were high-ranking Parks Service officials, Senate representatives...READ MORE

County Schools Third in State Testing

NEWARK- The Maryland State Department of Education this week released the Maryland State Assessment (MSA) and High School Assessment (HAS) results for the 2010 testing period and once again Worcester County public schools rose to the top. The exams are taken each spring to determine whether or not public school students across the state are meeting the required Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in certain basic core disciplines including reading and mathematics. The testing programs were...READ MORE

Animal Cruelty Suspects Sought

BERLIN- Local law enforcement agencies this week are seeking the public's help in the identification of a suspect or suspects wanted in connection with the shooting of a family dog with arrows in a field in Berlin last weekend and the disappearance of a second, which authorities fear may have suffered the same fate. Around 8 a.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a residence on Nine Pin Branch Rd. in Berlin in reference to a report of a two-year-old Chocolate Labrador...READ MORE

Pedestrian Struck on Coastal Highway

OCEAN CITY- A pedestrian was struck and severely injured last weekend while attempting to cross Coastal Highway, serving as a reminder that despite the change in seasons, the observance of safety rules on the often dangerous roadway are as relevant as ever. Around 8 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 122nd Street and Coastal Highway for a reported vehicle collision with a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the pedestrian, an unidentified 63-year-old male, was...READ MORE

Facebook Scores Victory for Humane Society

OCEAN CITY- Despite its many impractical uses, the social network Facebook recently scored a victory for the Worcester County Humane Society by assisting in the adoption of a puppy by a family from Baltimore. Worcester County Humane Society Facebook administrator Lisa Carlotta this week proudly announced the adoption of a puppy left on a road side and delivered to the facility was made possible through Facebook. 'This is exciting because it shows the power of Facebook to share and help the...READ MORE

Study Underway to Address Resort's Chronic Flooding Problems

OCEAN CITY- Managing Ocean City's frequent flooding problem has been an ongoing challenge, but the town is working with a University of Maryland research group on a study of short- and long-term solutions to the resort's stormwater management plan, and perhaps more importantly, how to finance it in the future. During a stormwater management meeting in Ocean City on Wednesday, resort officials and a team of researchers from the University of Maryland Finance Center presented preliminary plans to...READ MORE

Local Man Sentenced to 20 Years For Sex Assault

SNOW HILL- A Berlin man with a long history of run-ins with local law enforcement appears to have finally gone too far after being sentenced this week to 20 years in jail for an incident on the Boardwalk in Ocean City in June 2009 during which he cornered a teenage girl in a store bathroom and sexually assaulted her before letting her go. Leroy Poole, 44, of Berlin, who has been in and out of the local justice system for years, was found guilty on Tuesday of a third-degree sex offense, false...READ MORE

Former OC Drug Kingpin Sentenced

OCEAN CITY- A New Jersey man, taken down in February 2009 by Ocean City Police as the kingpin of a major illegal prescription distribution network covering three states, was sentenced this week in federal court to over six years in jail. Joseph Bimonte, 45, of Freehold, N.J. last year pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, also known as Oxycontin, Roxicodone and Percocet, to street-level dealers working in Ocean City for over a year from May 2007 to August 2008. On Wednesday in...READ MORE

Council Seeks to Tighten Sponsor Solicitation Process

OCEAN CITY- A request for permission to solicit a request for a proposal (RFP) for the design and construction for Robin Park playground replacement was a sure win in this week's Mayor and City Council meeting, but the request for an RFP for sponsorship proposals wasn't so easy. According to Tom Shuster, Director of Recreation and Parks, in late September the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a grant of $75,000 to the town under the Maryland Community Parks and Playground Program. This...READ MORE

County Broadband Network Advances

SNOW HILL- Worcester County is shaping up to receive some of the best broadband coverage of any rural area in the country after county officials this week reviewed to ongoing projects. Both the Maryland Broadband Cooperative Inc. (MBC) and Bloosurf, LLC made presentations during the County Commissioners' meeting on Tuesday. MBC officials updated the commissioners on the progress they've been making installing fiber optic cable. There are two projects currently underway. A section of Route 113...READ MORE

OC Man Sentenced to Five Years for Assault

SNOW HILL- An Ocean City man arrested in April on attempted murder and other serious charges after allegedly attacking his live-in girlfriend, choking and nearly breaking the victim's arm before attacking her with a knife, was found guilty this week in Circuit Court of second-degree assault and was sentenced to five years in jail. Ronald E. Flawd, 44, of Ocean City appeared in Circuit Court on Monday to face a variety of charges including first- and second-degree attempted murder. Flawd was...READ MORE

Play it Safe Numbers Encouraging

OCEAN CITY - Senior week is a popular time here in Ocean City and this week at the Mayor and City Council meeting, Donna Greenwood, Chair Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee, did a wrap up of this year's •€˜Play It Safe' program. 'Play It Safe is a project for the graduates who come to Ocean City to celebrate the occasion in their lives,' said Greenwood. 'This was the 21st year we carried out events for the high school graduates. It is quite unusual for a project of this...READ MORE

OC Trolleys Could Winter in Annapolis

OCEAN CITY- Some of Ocean City's municipal trolleys could be spending the winter in Annapolis although details about their return date could derail the donation. This week, the Mayor and City Council approved a loan of Ocean City's trolleys to the city of Annapolis. In late September, Annapolis acting director of the Department of Transportation, Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, contacted Ocean City's Superintendent of Transportation, George Thornes, in reference to Ocean City's trolleys. He asked if the...READ MORE

Things I Like

A wall pencil sharpener Season premieres•€¨•€¨Patience•€¨ Pocket doors•€¨•€¨Black and white photos framed•€¨•€¨Mexican leftovers the day after Taking my kids places they've never been The first sunny day after a storm Playful dogs Fresh fish on the grill Polenta ...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

My son had an encounter with the Cookie Monster the other day and it didn't go well. This was surprising because typically he's a big fan of all the Sesame Street characters. Elmo continues to reign as his favorite, but I think the Cookie Monster is in contention for top billing. There we were walking along the Boardwalk two weeks ago when we spotted a guy dressed in the familiar blue costume. Of course, he was hawking a few bucks for dressing up in the outfit for the opportunity to have a photo...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Your moodier side might emerge this week. But the dark period should pass in time for the party-loving Lamb to go on a happy gambol with some very special people this weekend. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Yet again, you show your skill at being able to indulge in your love of the arts this week while still taking care of practical matters, including some still-unfinished business matters. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A potential change might appear to be what you've...READ MORE

Do Women Retire Differently?

OCEAN CITY - Statistics tell a pointed story about the differences between women's and men's finances: On average, women still earn less, save less and invest more conservatively than men. They are also more likely than men to interrupt their careers so they can care for family members, resulting in lower lifetime savings. And according to a 2008 report from the U.S. Department of Labor, they are more likely to take part-time jobs that don't offer traditional retirement benefits. Compounding the...READ MORE

People In Society

Featuring Those Helping Causes in The Resort Area ...READ MORE

Faces in Places

A Spotlight On The Area And Regional Bar Scene ...READ MORE

Flacco Jersey Raffled

Ocean City Ravens Rooste #44 last Sunday raffled a Joe Flacco jersey during the Ravens-Steelers game at Dead Freddies. The raffle raised $409 for the Roost #44 Scholarship Fund. Pictured above, from left: Ravens Roost #44 members Bob Kendall and Mary Kendall, raffle winner Mary Beth Perry, who is a member of Roost #76 in Marrell Park, Balto., and Samantha Klein, a server who pulled the winning ticket. Each spring Roost #44 awards scholarship monies to deserving local high school...READ MORE

6th Annual Veteran's Day

The Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines will honor all veterans at the 6th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony to be held at the memorial, located on Route 589 in Ocean Pines.  This year there will be special recognition of all WWII and Korean Veterans. The ceremony will feature speakers who have served in these wars and the music will bring back some fond memories of those days. Picture above is the Veteran's Day planning committee including, first row, from left Mary Adair,...READ MORE

Flea Market To Benefits Good Cause

Worcester Youth and Family Services located in downtown Berlin recently transformed The Ray Community Center into the Nifty Thrifty Boutique, offering new and gently used clothing donated by members of the community including everything from designer jeans to accessories. The WYFCS grew who created and manned the boutique included, from left, Brigitte Saulsbury, Stefanie Gordy, Brooke Gemberling, Brittany Coppock, Shanita Harvey, Diane Labo, Teresa Fields and Megan Kerrigan. ...READ MORE

"Memory Bears" Help Create Happy Memories

'Memory Bears' are created by VITAS volunteers from clothing provided by the family of a deceased patient. Using a patient's favorite shirt, sweater or other valued article of clothing, volunteers create a small, stuffed bear to provide family members and friends with a visible, happy memory of their loved one. At a recent ceremony held at the Brandywine Assisted Living at Fenwick Island, the VITAS staff pictured above surprised a resident's daughter and son-in-law with a Memory Bear. Pink cloth...READ MORE

Golf Tournament Benefits Scholarship Fund

The Ocean City/Berlin Optimists last week held a golf tournament benefiting the Foundation Endowment Scholarship Fund. Pictured above, far left, is longest drive winner Jim Comalli. Pictured, left of Comalli are the closest-to-the-pin winners Jim Flaig, Ron Sommerville, Marty Swartz and Jim Yates.  ...READ MORE