May 13, 2011

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A once-harmonious relationship appears to be hitting some sour notes. Spend some time together to see why things have gone off-key. What you learn might surprise you. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You feel a need to make some changes. Good -- you can do it on a small scale (some new clothes, for example), or go big and redecorate your home and/or office. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Control your tendency toward early boredom. A situation in your life might be taking a...READ MORE

New Solutions In World of New Retirement

OCEAN CITY -- In the reality of the post-recession global economy, goals are changing, expectations are shifting, and static financial strategies, at any age, carry significant risks. Even when you retire, your portfolio will have to meet a host of competing financial objectives. Your goals could include a strategy for guaranteed income, without locking in low interest rates, and growth to outlast your longevity. And of course, you may also be looking for steady cash flow, with enough left over...READ MORE

Things I Like

The 'Freecycle' concept A steak with bleu cheese When my son plays the air guitar Being proven wrong New flip-flops that feel old When Berlin closes its streets People watching at Springfest New car shopping Breakfast sandwiches at Anthony's Carryout St. Louis Avenue in Ocean City Small Eastern Shore towns ...READ MORE

SDHS Field House Project

Louis H. Taylor, left, principal of Stephen Decatur High School, presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Bergey & Company, P.A. for its leadership in the SDHS Field House project.  Bergey & Company is managing the fund raising, construction, record-keeping and tax compliance for the project, representing hundreds of hours of donated time.  Accepting the Certificate for Bergey & Company is, from left, Jay Bergey, Ryan Bergey and Ross Bergey, all of whom are Stephen Decatur...READ MORE

MBS STudents Paint Mural

Three eighth grade students from Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (MBS), Tabby Hayes, Maria Gonzalez, and Molly Wooten, recently painted an embellished beach scene mural on a large Delmarva Power utility box, located adjacent to Holy Savior Catholic Church at Philadelphia Avenue and 17th Street in downtown Ocean City.  This painting project was coordinated by teacher Kelly McLaughlin and the Ocean City Development Corporation. MBS is the sixth school to beautify a utility box in the...READ MORE

PRMC Receives Large Donation

Susan Peacock, president of the Junior Auxiliary Board, presents Cindy Lunsford, chief operating officer of Peninsula Regional Medical Center, a $50,000 check at last week’s Junior Board Volunteer Luncheon. This is part of the $1 million pledge the Junior Board made to PRMC's Capital Campaign through the PRMC Foundation. ...READ MORE

"Salute To America"

Art League of Ocean City President Margaret Spurlock awards Walt Schumacker first prize for "Fierce Eagle" at the opening reception for the "Salute to America" exhibit, which runs through the end of May.  ...READ MORE

SCA Observes State Legislators

Seaside Christian Academy middle school students recently traveled to Annapolis to observe state legislators while in session. The students met with State Senator James Mathias and State Delegate Mike McDermott and visited the office of Chairman Norman Conway. Pictured, from left, are Dyllon Collier, Tyler Patterson, Skyler George, Jacob Shockley and Coale Davidson with McDermott. ...READ MORE

WPS Women's Lacrosse

Members of the Stephen Decatur Women’s Lacrosse team hosted this year’s annual WPS-Decatur post-game Tailgate dinner. Above, Decatur seniors Kristen Miller, Sarah Wootten, Jenna Kramer and Lauren Holloway cut the Senior Cake (not pictured were Nikki Carpenter and Leanne Flounlacker). Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Cum Laude Society

Worcester Preparatory School students honored with induction this year into the William E. Esham, Jr. Chapter of the Cum Laude Society were, seated from left, Carson Wigley, Kelley Chandler, Halie Murray-Davis and Olivia Massey; standing, Jackson Berger, Matt Carey, Seaford; Patricia Twilley, Michelle Stickler, Ashley Foreman and Christopher Potvin, Snow Hill.  ...READ MORE

Arbor Day Celebration

The second grade students at Showell Elementary last month presented an Arbor Day celebration in conjunction with the Worcester County Commissioners and the Worcester County Department of Recreation and Parks.  The students performed three songs and afterwards headed outside for a special tree planting ceremony.  Pictured with the new tree is Mrs. Hawkins’ second grade class. ...READ MORE

American Legion Post 166

The American Legion Post Unit 166 in Ocean City hosted a luncheon for the Ocean City Elementary School Americanism Essay contest winners.  Pictured, from left, are the Legion’s Rosemary Garlitz, Kathleen Smith, Hugh Bean, first place winner Alex Bean, Kirsten Danisavich, second place winner Sophia Emm, Amanda Emm, Joseph Emm, Faith Murray, third place winner Chad Fischer, Scott Fischer, Mary Fischer and Americanism Chair Eileen Salafia. ...READ MORE

Letters To Afghanistan

In an effort to learn a little about the people who serve in the armed forces, Melissa Vit’s class wrote letters to a unit serving in Afghanistan. Service men/women took the time to write back answering questions and explaining what jobs they do.  Master Sergeant Jason Thomas came to the classroom when he returned from Afghanistan and answered questions the class had and presented the class with a certificate and a United States flag that was flown aboard a C-130H Aircraft....READ MORE

Panoramic Sugar Eggs

Showell Elementary first graders Tavia Mitchell and Kira DePietro are shown making panoramic sugar eggs. ...READ MORE

After School Choir

Snow Hill Elementary's After School Choir performed two selections at the Worcester County Public Schools’ Fine Arts Festival at Pocomoke High School. Above, Choir members included Mazie Brinker, Samantha Wells, Samuel Brown and Sheyanne Aleshire. ...READ MORE

BES Students Of The Month

Buckingham Elementary School recently announced its Students of the Month for April. Above left, are first graders Olivia Morning, Deanna Mitchell, Paris Bellman and Nolan Kelley. Above right, second grade honorees are Kelese Brittingham, Amiah Briddell, Ashley Sickler, K'Asiah Johnson, Shyeasha Purnell and Tamyzia Bowen. Honored but not pictured were third graders Andrew Spence, Clayton Carter, Meghan Hall and Litzy Rodriguez and fourth graders Luke Zolenski, Emma Moore, Mahreen Ishfaq, Eduardo...READ MORE

AGH A Toyota Finalist

BERLIN -- Worcester County’s Atlantic General Hospital is one of 500 finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which will award vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program will showcase five non-profit organizations each day for 100 days on Toyota’s Facebook page, facebook.com/toyota. Visitors to the page can vote once a day for the organization that they feel is most deserving of a new Toyota...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Douglas T. Gardiner, Jr. OCEAN CITY -- Douglas Tracy Gardiner, age 71, died on April 30, 2011 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. Born in Washington DC, he was the son of the late D. Tracy Gardiner, Sr. and Lelia Bond Gardiner. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Rosencrance Gardiner, and three sons, Douglas T. Gardiner III and his wife Christine of Drayden, Md., Joseph Elwood Gardiner and wife Susan of Corinth, Texas, and James Matthew Gardiner and his wife Cynthia of...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open seven days a week between Sun-sations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Sunset Island Sat & Sun 10-4 3-5 Bedroom Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes C.Jett/T.Riley Vantage Resort Realty 410-723-1730 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 WEST OCEAN...READ MORE

Things To Do

May 13: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 5 p.m.; games begin, 6:30 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. May 13: AARP Safe Driving Class One day, four hour driver refresher course exclusively for people over 50. Sponsored by the Ocean Pines Chapter of the AARP. To register and for more information, 410-641-6278. If you are unable to attend the May class, you can be placed on a list for the next scheduled class. May 14: Church Rummage...READ MORE

Believe In Tomorrow House Burglarized

OCEAN CITY -- A Delaware man was arrested on burglary and malicious destruction of property charges after allegedly breaking into the office at the Believe in Tomorrow House by the Sea in Ocean City early Wednesday morning. Shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Ocean City police responded to a reported break-in on 66th Street. The caller said she watched a white male suspect pull out a screen from the second-floor window of a building that is home to Believe in Tomorrow House by the Sea, a...READ MORE

New Boardwalk Surf Shop Has Entire Family Covered

OCEAN CITY – The new Quiet Storm Surf Shop, located downtown on the Boardwalk had its opening ribbon cutting a couple weeks ago and is ready to show off its new wide variety of merchandise just in time for the busy summer season. Quiet Storm Surf Shop has been serving a wide range of customers since 1984. They offer a variety of surfboards, skateboards, clothing and accessories for men, women and kids. Quiet Storm carries all brands of surf brands including Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom,...READ MORE

Berlin Farmer Wins Donation

BERLIN -- A Worcester County farmer week was selected as the winner in the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program and had $2,500 donation made to the American Cancer Society in his name. Berlin farmer Kenneth Littleton was selected last week as a winner in the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, which gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local non-profit organizations. The Monsanto Fund sponsors the program and winning farmers designate a local...READ MORE

Berlin To Fund Sidewalk Engineering Study

Berlin To Fund Sidewalk Engineering Study Travis Brown Staff Writer BERLIN -- Efforts to replace and extend sidewalk coverage for Broad St advanced Monday when the Berlin Mayor and Council green-lighted approximately $35,000 worth of engineering services for the area. “It’s kind of been the forgotten street,” said Councilman Troy Purnell. Purnell, who referred to getting sidewalks to cover all of Broad St. as his “pet project”, has been pushing for more attention to...READ MORE

Viagra Spat Leads To Shooting

BISHOPVILLE -- A Bishopville woman was arrested on attempted second-degree murder and other charges this week after allegedly shooting her newlywed husband in the abdomen during a domestic argument reportedly involving a popular male enhancement drug. Around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, the Worcester County 911 Dispatch Center received a call from a man reporting his wife of six months, identified as Alice Carmita Johnson, 72, had just shot him in the abdomen during a domestic argument in their...READ MORE

Manslaughter Conviction In Fatal Meth Overdose

SNOW HILL -- A Worcester County Circuit Court jury deliberated for over 10 hours last week before finding a Westminster man guilty of providing a female victim with a fatal dose of methadone and then watching her slowly die last July while on vacation in Ocean City. Michael Thomas Dill, 30, of Westminster, was found guilty of manslaughter, distribution of methadone and reckless endangerment last week after a two-day trial in Circuit Court in Snow Hill. After deliberating into the evening hours...READ MORE

Judge Orders Fake Nikes To Diakonia

SNOW HILL -- A West Ocean City homeless shelter last week became the recipient of 52 pairs of counterfeit Nike basketball shoes confiscated during a drug bust in March after a rather unusual ruling by a Worcester County District Court judge. Around 5:15 p.m. on March 4, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a 2006 Nissan Altima with North Caroline tags on Route 13 near Pocomoke for following another vehicle too closely. During conversation with the driver, identified as Tito Antyone Belcher,...READ MORE

Berlin Sewer Rate Increase Starts In July

BERLIN -- Over the next four years, Berlin residents will see a small, but steady, increase to the cost of their sewage rates. Beginning July 1 of this year, sewage rates will increase by 5 percent, a trend which will continue every year until 2013. In 2014, there will be a 6-percent increase, resulting in a 21-percent total increase. The higher rates are a result of costs accumulated during the construction of the town’s new Wastewater Treatment facility as well as running costs estimated...READ MORE

Council Unites On Retiree Compromises; Hiring Freeze Lifted

OCEAN CITY – After months of deliberation, the Mayor and City Council have settled on two ordinances involving retiree benefits for newly hired town employees, although some discussion this week predicts additional changes to retiree health care in the future. Mayor Rick Meehan last week vetoed two proposed ordinances for the second time concerning town employee retiree benefits due to the additional costs to the town and its taxpayers. The council agreed to meet this past Monday morning...READ MORE

Convicted Child Killer Injured In Prison Stabbing

BERLIN -- Convicted murderer Thomas Leggs, serving consecutive life sentences for the kidnapping, raping and killing of an 11-year-old girl in Salisbury in December 2009, was attacked with a knife at a state maximum security prison in Cumberland last week. Leggs, 31, of Salisbury, was indicted in January 2010 on first-degree murder, kidnapping, first-degree sex offense and other charges for the death of 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell, whose body was found near Delmar in late December 2009 after...READ MORE

Berlin Council Eyes Employee Raises

BERLIN -- Mayor Gee Williams made three additions to Berlin’s proposed fiscal year 2012 budget during Monday’s Mayor and Council that if finalized would mean a raise for town employees and more money in the town’s Special Apportions’ fund. Two of the three proposals met with unanimous support; however, one council member spoke out against a potential 3-percent raise for town employees. “What kind of message are we sending to the rate payers?” asked...READ MORE

Berlin Proclaims Thomas Fager Day For Winning Essay

BERLIN -- A local youth had a day proclaimed in his honor after winning an essay contest titled, “If I Were Mayor, I Would ...” Thomas Fager, a fourth grader at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS), received a commendation from the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday for his essay, which won District 1, an area that includes Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties. “It’s becoming almost a tradition in Berlin,” said Mayor Gee Williams, who noted that the area...READ MORE

Decatur’s Amanda Parsons

Decatur’s Amanda Parsons drives in the only run of the game in the Seahawks’ 1-0 win over Parkside on Monday with a grounder that scored Alana Rush from third base with two outs. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Decatur’s Brad Stiles

Decatur’s Brad Stiles delivers a pitch during the second inning of Monday’s game against Parkside. Stiles turned in a solid performance on the mound, but the Seahawks fell to the Rams, 4-2. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Former Area Preps Earn College Honors

BERLIN- A handful of former prep athletes from the local area were honored by Washington College last week at the school’s annual sports award ceremony. Former Worcester Prep student Reno Smith was named Most Valuable Player of Washington College’s varsity rowing team, while Decatur’s Kylie Nottingham was named MVP of Washington College’s varsity softball team. Worcester Prep’s Brittany Marshall was named MVP of Washington College’s varsity tennis team and was...READ MORE

Seahawks to Face Familiar Foes in States

BERLIN- If Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team is going to make a run at a possible state championship, it’s going to have to get through some familiar foes along the way. The Seahawks earned a number-three seed in the Class 3A-2A East region when the tournament seedings were announced on Monday. Decatur faced six-seed Bennett at home yesterday in a game played too late to be included in this edition, but if the only regular season match-up between the two Bayside...READ MORE

Parkside Boys, Girls Fall in Title Games

SALISBURY- Parkside High’s Bayside South champion boys’ varsity lacrosse team ran into a buzz saw in the Bayside Conference championship game on Tuesday, falling to North champion Kent Island, 18-9. Parkside finished the regular season in a dead heat with Stephen Decatur in the Bayside South standings and earned a division title and a trip to the Bayside Conference title games against Kent Island by winning a coin toss over the Seahawks. On Tuesday, the Rams fell behind early against...READ MORE

Mallards Win 3rd Straight ESIAC Title

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team thumped visiting Gunston, 11-3, last Friday to claim their third straight Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) title. The Mallards beat Delmarva Christian, 19-1, last Wednesday in the conference tournament semifinals to set up a familiar rematch with Gunston in the title game. Worcester beat Gunston, 15-4, in the 2009 ESIAC championship game and captured the 2010 conference title by beating the Herons, 16-5, last...READ MORE

Parkside Ends Decatur Streak at Seven

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity baseball team dropped its regular season finale to Parkside, 4-2, on Monday, ending a seven-game winning streak, but the Seahawks were rewarded with fairly high seed in the state Class 3A-East region tournament when the brackets were released later in the week. Decatur entered Monday’s game with Bayside South rival Parkside riding a seven-game win streak dating back to April 19. During the streak, the Seahawks hammered several of their opponents,...READ MORE

Seahawks Seeded Second in 3A-East

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team earned a number-two seed in the state Class 3A-2A East regional tournament this week and earned a first round bye. The Seahawks are seeded second in the Eastern Sectional of the Class 3A-2A-East region and will face third-seeded Wicomico, which also earned a first-round bye, in the second round at home tomorrow. In their only meeting with WiHi this season, the Seahawks routed the Indians, 22-0, back on April 18. Lurking on the...READ MORE

Decatur Girls’ Win Streak Reaches Five

BERLIN- A single late-inning run was all the Decatur varsity softball team needed this week to top visiting Parkside and continue a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season. The Seahawks had a handful of scoring chances throughout Monday’s home game with Parkside although base runners were few and far between. Meanwhile, Decatur starter Maddie Justice was dominant again on the mound as few Parkside batters reached base as inning after inning went by. Decatur got it best...READ MORE

My life has come full circle.

It seems appropriate today that I am now the owner of a minivan, albeit one of the classiest rides I have ever been in. This is particularly of note because my first car when I turned 16 was a minivan (a cherry red Ford Aerostar that I just adored at the time). I drove that for a couple years before it basically fell apart. Over the last year or two, thanks to my two growing boys, I have begun examining minivans closely. At one point recently, a motorist behind me at a light honked his horn for...READ MORE

Council Too Sensitive To Exaggerated Concerns

A young businessman hoping to start a parasail operation in north Ocean City was victimized by local politics last month when he was told by the Mayor and Council he could not operate in the resort. The council’s decision contradicted the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission’s unanimous ruling to give certified United States Coast Guard Captain Joshua Farr a one-year conditional approval of his proposed parasail business, which would essentially involve him operating a 28-foot...READ MORE

Not Passing Sense Test

Editor: Change is inevitable but when change does not register on the “common sense” barometer I have to ask what are the OC Mayor and Council thinking?  Two years ago in July, local newspapers reported the safety concerns the Mayor and Council, Police Dept., Police Commission and citizens had about Scoop Coupes being rented and operating on our highways. The Mayor and Council historically look out for the safety of our citizens and visitors. However, the city avoided taking a...READ MORE

Between The Lines

Berlin dedicates a lot of time and other resources promoting itself through special events and it seems to be working. There was a time not too long ago when only the Berlin Fiddlers Convention attracted huge crowds to the historic town. That’s not the case any longer, as a number of events, thanks largely to the work of a rejuvenated Berlin Chamber of Commerce, now bring lots of people to town, including last weekend’s Jazz & Blues Bash, the New Year’s Eve ball drop, the...READ MORE

Commercial Harbor Briefly Hosting World-Class Vessel

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A new, but brief addition to the West Ocean City skyline created somewhat of a stir this week with the arrival of the super yacht “Windcrest,” a 98-foot world class sailing vessel that pulled in to the commercial harbor for a few days en route to its home port in Newport Bay, R.I. The super yacht pulled into the commercial harbor in West Ocean City early this week and immediately attracted the notice of residents and visitors to the area. Its towering 100-foot-plus...READ MORE

Ocean City Looking To Increase Sponsorship Revenue

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council will soon begin allowing individuals to be approved to represent the town to seek sponsorships for Ocean City’s events and be paid commission. November of last year was when the Request For Proposal (RFP) Sponsorship Development, Solicitation and Sales was initially presented to the council to be approved. The RFP was created to seek sponsors to help offset expenses associated with the town’s large events. At that time, two proposals came...READ MORE

Salisbury Club Voluntarily Closes After Shooting

SALISBURY -- A Salisbury nightclub voluntarily turned in its liquor license this week after a double-shooting incident early last Saturday involving a doorman employed at the establishment. Around 2 a.m. last Saturday, Salisbury Police responded to Gully’s nightclub on Roland Street for what was first reported as fight in progress. Upon arrival, police learned two individuals, a 28-year-old Salisbury man and a 26-year-old Laurel, Del., woman had been shot. The victims were treated for...READ MORE

National Health Report Ranks Worcester, Wicomico

BERLIN -- A national report released last month revealed Worcester County is the 14th ranked jurisdiction in Maryland in terms of the overall health of its citizens, while neighboring Wicomico County came in much further down the line at 20th overall. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, last week released its annual County Health Rankings, a comprehensive report that ranks every county in every state in the U.S. on a...READ MORE

Salisbury’s Towing Changes Heading To Ordinance

SALISBURY – A towing ordinance that has been in the works for over a year has moved one step closer to reality, as the Salisbury City Council cleaned it up and made a few changes during Monday night’s work session. “We need to get a starting point and we need to get that soon,” Council President Terry Cohen said as she reminded the public the process is not over yet because the ordinance will still have to go through first reading, a public hearing and second...READ MORE

Resort Unwilling To Impose Scoot Coupe Restrictions

OCEAN CITY – A local resident and businessman asked the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday to place restrictions on scoot coupes, which just hours before his presentation were officially made legal on Coastal Highway. Insurance Management Group Inc. President Reese Cropper said since he is in the insurance and risk business he takes the issue regarding the safety of scoot coupes on Coastal Highway to heart. A scoot coupe is a two-passenger, three-wheeled scooter built to resemble a mini car...READ MORE

Program Gives Salisbury Café Funding Support

SALISBURY – A new small business was approved to open by the Mayor and City Council during this week’s meeting, and the council encouraged other small businesses to gain from the Neighborhood Business Works Program provided by the Maryland Department of Housing Community Development (DHCD). According to the project’s description, Alex and Erin Failaev, as well as Erin’s parents Robert and Penny Twilley, are creating Pemberton Café, located at 1100 Pemberton Drive,...READ MORE

Ocean City Burglar Gets 18-Month Sentence

SNOW HILL -- An Ocean City man, arrested in February for a spree of break-ins from one end of the resort to the other over a span of several months, pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to four counts of first-degree burglary and was sentenced to 13 years in jail, all but 18 months of which was suspended in favor of probation and thousands of dollars in restitution to his many victims. William Keith Freeman II, 25, appeared in Circuit Court last week to face 35 total charges from...READ MORE

Major Air Show Act Currently Grounded Over Safety Concerns

Promoter Planning Major Announcement For 2011 Lineup OCEAN CITY -- One of the headline acts for the 2011 Ocean City Air Show, the F-22 Raptors, has been placed on “stand-down” indefinitely, while the Air Force investigates potential problems with the oxygen systems on the aircraft, casting doubt on the appearance of the famous jets during the June event in the resort. The U.S. Air Force last week ordered a “stand-down” of all F-22 Raptors after persistent problems with...READ MORE

Inaugural Music Fest Planned In Berlin Tonight

BERLIN -- Berlin will be holding its first-ever May Day Play Day Music Fest (MDPD) this Friday from 5-9 p.m. “It will be a big night in Berlin,” said Economic Development Director Michael Day. Centered around the Atlantic Hotel in downtown Berlin, the music fest, which will coincide with the town’s traditional Second Friday Art Stroll, has a long list of performers. Playing at the Main Street Stage in front of the hotel will be the Bryan Russo Band, the Electric Company, Kaleb...READ MORE

Homeless Man Swipes Vehicle In OC

OCEAN CITY -- A homeless man was arrested on motor vehicle theft and drunk-driving-related charges this week after allegedly swiping a Ford Explorer with its keys in it and the engine running from a downtown street before abandoning it a short distance away. Shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday, Ocean City police was dispatched to the area of Dorchester Street and the Boardwalk for a reported motor vehicle theft that had just occurred. OCPD officers met with a witness and the victim, who told police...READ MORE

Berlin Extends Administrator’s Contract

BERLIN -- The Berlin Mayor and Council voted unanimously Monday to extend Town Administrator Tony Carson’s contract three more years. “The town has never been more self-sufficient,” said Mayor Gee Williams in justification of the extension. Carson began working for the town in January of 2009. According to Williams, Carson has been a large part of the effort to help Berlin climb out of the nationwide recession, an effort that Williams believes is succeeding. The council praised...READ MORE

Md. Appeals Court Upholds Company’s Coastal Withdraw

OCEAN CITY -- A Maryland appeals court this week ruled a major insurance carrier was well within its rights to stop writing new property insurance policies in coastal areas of the state including Ocean City and Worcester County, pointing out the decision was based on sound business practices and not discriminatory in any way. In December 2006, Allstate Insurance informed the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) it would no longer be writing new property insurance policies in “certain...READ MORE