August 26, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Long-Time Attorney Dies After Route 50 Accident

BERLIN -- A tragic accident on Route 50 near Whaleyville this morning claimed the life of Edward Hammond, Jr., a former attorney for Worcester County often fondly regarded as the “eighth county commissioner” and a member of the community’s old guard of legal eagles. Around 11:30 a.m., Hammond’s vehicle traveling eastbound on Route 50 just east of Route 610 and west of Hall Rd. collided with a State Highway Administration (SHA) dump truck on the shoulder of the...READ MORE

Mayor Says ‘Council Leadership Has Turned Its Back On Downtown’

SALISBURY -- Just one day after Urban Salisbury, a Main Street Maryland agency charged with directing the revitalization of the downtown area, returned the portion of its funding dedicated by the City Council, Mayor Jim Ireton, Jr. blasted the elected officials for their lack of support for the agency. On Tuesday, Urban Salisbury’s executive committee voted unanimously to reject the $35,000 dedicated to the organization in the fiscal year 2012 budget and returned the first installment...READ MORE

High Court Denies New Trial For Convicted Murderer

SNOW HILL -- A Worcester County man found guilty of second-degree murder in 2008 will not be granted a new trial after the state’s highest court last week ruled the Circuit Court did not err in denying his alleged last-minute request to replace the public defender representing him in his original trial. Kendall Irin Northam, now 23, 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...READ MORE

Convention Center Project Called Economic Stimulator

OCEAN CITY -- Gov. Martin O’Malley and other city and state officials gathered at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center last weekend said the building’s renovation and expansion will benefit the economy through generating additional revenue and jobs. Last Saturday, officials convened on the back deck of the convention center to officially break ground on the convention center project. “It is exciting that we are getting ready and have actually begun the new construction for...READ MORE

Grandson Steals Coins, Signed Balls From Grandfather

OCEAN PINES -- Three local men and a juvenile female were arrested on burglary and theft charges last week after allegedly swiping thousands of dollars’ worth of rare coins, autographed baseballs and an old handgun from the grandfather of one of the suspects. Back on Aug. 6, Ocean Pines police responded to residence on King Richard Drive for a reported burglary and theft. O officers met with a victim who said he walked into a bedroom at the residence and discovered about $300 in cash...READ MORE

Stricter Penalties For Ignoring Grass Weighed In Berlin

BERLIN -- As part of its continuing effort to reign in a few wayward property owners, Berlin is planning on leveling stricter lawn maintenance penalties, though the changes likely won’t affect residents until next spring. On Monday, the Mayor and Council were given a list of nearby communities and the penalties those towns level against property owners who ignore their lawns. Of the list of seven municipalities, Berlin was tied with Pocomoke for being the most lenient. Because of that...READ MORE

New Berlin Sewer Plant Impresses Officials

BERLIN -- A tour of Berlin’s new wastewater management facility Monday gave town officials a chance to get a closer look into a process that many try to avoid thinking about. “I was very impressed,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “[The facility] looked much nicer than anticipated.” Though the wastewater plant handles the collection and processing of the town’s sewage, Williams says he was amazed by what he called “a very clean operation.” If he...READ MORE

O’Malley Will Seek ‘New Revenues’ To Address Shortfall

OCEAN CITY -- Against the backdrop of a picture-perfect August afternoon full of promise in Ocean City, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley last Friday delivered the keynote address to the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) at the close of its annual convention in the resort painting a grim picture of what lies ahead for the state in the coming months and years. Earlier last Friday, O’Malley cut the ribbon on a new visitor’s center in Berlin, helped kick off the opening of a new...READ MORE

OC Police Report Influx Of Fake Internet IDs

SNOW HILL -- New, difficult to detect fake IDs have the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) asking government officials and local businesses to help them crackdown on underage alcohol sales. “These IDs are popping up all over Ocean City,” OCPD Sgt. Doug Smith warned the Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Wednesday. Smith, along with Corporal Mark Wolinsky and Public Information Officer Mike Levy, visited the BLC to demonstrate methods to identify the new fake licenses as well as to...READ MORE

Berlin Man Arrested On More Animal Cruelty Charges

BERLIN -- A Berlin man, already awaiting trial on dozens of counts of possession of child pornography, was arrested again this week on animal cruelty charges, a little over one year after his arrest and subsequent conviction on similar charges related to an incident in Salisbury last August. On Wednesday, Berlin Police received information that Kirt Greenberg, 45, of Berlin, was in possession of animals in direct violation of his probation for animal cruelty charges stemming from an incident in...READ MORE

Resort, Street Performer Waiting On Judge’s Ruling

OCEAN CITY -- A federal judge this week heard arguments on a motion for a preliminary injunction in the civil suit filed earlier this summer against the town of Ocean City by a street performer, but reserved ruling as the summer continues to tick down. In June, the Ocean City Mayor and Council unanimously passed an emergency order banning street performers from practicing or exercising their art at the end of North Division Street, citing public safety concerns about the possible impact at one...READ MORE

Downtown Wall Now Home To Unique Beach Mural

OCEAN CITY – Standing on Talbot Street, Ocean City patrons can take in a classic view of the town through a recently completed façade project and wall mural. Jerry Greenspan, who owns the property, said the building has been on his to do list for some time now. The building was originally owned by Albert and Bea Berger who operated it as a sports wear store for 30 or more years. About 20 years ago, Greenspan took over and it had been rented by Purple Moose Saloon and is now home to...READ MORE

Sustainable Growth Plan Concerns Legitimate

Local governments across the state came out in force against PlanMaryland last weekend in Ocean City during the Maryland Association of Counties Convention. In most cases they have valid concerns, specifically about the timeline of implementation. PlanMaryland is Gov. Martin O’Malley administration’s stab at improving communication among state agencies and local governments when it comes to land planning and steering appropriate growth to designated areas. It’s similar to...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Ban Beach Smoking Editor: I feel that it is time for me to speak out on the issue of smoking on the beach.  We appreciate the efforts of the council in banning smoking in the parks and recreation areas of Ocean City, but we were very disappointed that smoking was not banned on the beach. My whole family was here Aug. 5 through 15. One family came from California and one from Pennsylvania to enjoy a nice family vacation with us. We have owned a house for over 15 years in Ocean City and pay...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Dale Dunning of the Jusst Sooup Ministry, which serves over 900 quarts of souls a week to the needy in Delaware, could not be a better beneficiary of the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Crews from the popular ABC show surprised the Dunning family this week and when they are complete overhauling her ministry building it will be called the Jusst Sooup Ranch. The show, which is being aided by Royal Plus Disaster Kleenup, among other local companies, will air as a Thanksgiving special. I had...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

Days on the beach are always interesting. Last weekend we were re-introduced to the perfect recipe to give us a pleasant and happy beach day with the kids -- simply seek reinforcements in the form of another child. With my kids, the beach can be a roll of the proverbial dice. Most of the time all is fine, particularly when we drive on at Assateague with a truck full of beach toys and food and drinks, but there have been times when it’s challenging and no fun at all, mostly a result of...READ MORE

Fish Plentiful for 18th Poor Girl’s

OCEAN CITY- The 18th Annual Captain Steve Harmon Poor Girls Open fishing tournament last weekend was once again a huge success with a record number of boats and lady anglers participating, dozens of billfish released and more than a few dolphin and tuna weighed at the host Bahia Marina, and most importantly, thousands of dollars raised for breast cancer research and awareness. With the high dollar, high profile White Marlin Open dispensed with a week earlier, the lady anglers got their turn in...READ MORE

Decatur, Worcester Renew Golf Rivalry

BERLIN- The Stephen Decatur and Worcester Prep varsity golf teams will renew their friendly neighborhood rivalry with the second annual “Battle of Berlin Challenge Cup” with the first round of matches set for today at the Ocean City Golf Club. The two local schools competed for the first “Battle of Berlin Challenge Cup” two years ago just before the start of the fall season and, based on the success of the inaugural event, decided to make in an annual fixture on the late...READ MORE

Field House Fundraiser Next Week

BERLIN- With an eye on helping the new Stephen Decatur High School athletic field house across the goal line, a reunion of sorts open to decades of the school’s graduates has been planned for next Saturday, September 3, in Ocean City to raise funds for the facility. A brainchild of Decatur alum Dwoin Carter, the fundraiser is set for Saturday, September 3, at the Skyline Bar and Grill atop the Fenwick Inn in north Ocean City. The event is being billed as an “Evening of R&B and...READ MORE

53rd Labor Day Marlin Tourney on Tap

OCEAN CITY- While it may lack the glamour and high payouts of the White Marlin Open, the Ocean City Marlin Club’s 53rd Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament, which gets underway next weekend, trumps all others in terms of history and prestige. Called the “granddaddy” of the resort area fishing tournaments, the annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament is the oldest among the tournaments held in and around the resort area each summer. The first was held in 1958 and the annual...READ MORE

Mid-Atlantic $500K Off to Fast Start

OCEAN CITY- Despite a low pressure system offshore that kept almost all of the 117 boats entered at the docks in Ocean City and Cape May on Monday, the 19th Annual Mid-Atlantic $500,000 rallied on Tuesday with big fish weighed in nearly every category. Now in its 19th year, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 continued to be one of the top sportfishing events in the region, perhaps second only to the White Marlin Open, with an estimated $1.5 million expected to be doled out to the winners in several...READ MORE

Two Arrested For Burglary

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) last week arrested two men on first-degree burglary and theft charges after watching them go in and out of downtown apartments. Around 4 a.m. on Aug. 11, an OCPD officer on bike patrol in the downtown area observed two individuals, later identified as Dashawn Andre Blake, Jr., 20, of Snow Hill, and Rodney Russell Fisher, Jr., 22, of Princess Anne, acting suspiciously in the area of 8th Street and Wilmington Ave. The officer followed the two...READ MORE

Coastal Kids Consignment Sale This Weekend

SALISBURY -- Celebrating their 10th semi-annual consignment event, Coastal Kids Consignment events and their 50-plus volunteers will again be helping area families get great merchandise for a deal. Organizers diligently assist over 125 families make money selling items and also support multiple charities by donating items at the end of the event. This year, financial and in-kind donations will be distributed to the March of Dimes of Salisbury, the Eastern Shore Pregnancy Center of Salisbury, the...READ MORE

A Summer Of Enhancements At Worcester Prep

BERLIN -- Worcester Prep opens this year next week with the largest senior class since the school’s founding in 1970. When preschool through Grade 12 students come through the doors of Worcester on Thursday, Sept. 1, they may not notice all that has gone on in the school this summer. But, it won’t take long for them to appreciate the speed of the wired and wireless networks, the expanded music room, the new photography lab, interactive whiteboards, Bermuda grass on the stadium...READ MORE

Decatur’s New Cadet Program Will Exceed Minimum

OCEAN CITY – Stephen Decatur Principal Lou Taylor confirmed this week the high school’s enrollment in the newly initiated Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program is in the clear of its “probation period”. Last year Stephen Decatur High School’s National Junior Officer Reserve Training Corps (NJROTC) was shaken up when it learned the Navy was planning on removing the program from the school. The NJROTC was operated for 17 years at Decatur and was one of 19...READ MORE

Salisbury, MDE Reach Deal On Property

SALISBURY -- The Salisbury City Council has decided to accept an offer made by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to remove oil-based contamination from the Anne Street property. In doing so, the council also agreed to use its own resources to demolish about 25 percent of the building, which will allow MDE access to contaminated fuel tanks. Earlier this month, MDE offered a $100,000 grant to Salisbury for the clean-up project, contingent on the fact that the city demolishes a...READ MORE

Judge Denies Resort’s Motion To Dismiss Ex-Cop’s Suit

OCEAN CITY -- The lawsuit filed by a former Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) employee against his former employer was allowed to go forward this week after a U.S. District Court judge denied the town’s motion for summary judgment in the case. Former OCPD officer David Catrino in 2009 filed suit in U.S. District Court against the department and the town seeking injunctive relief and an undisclosed award of compensatory and punitive damages against the defendants for wrongly denying him a...READ MORE

Ocean City Sewer Main Installation Planned

OCEAN CITY -- Local residents and visitors can expect the first real traffic pattern changes of the off-season beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6 when Ocean City begins the installation of a new sewer force main along Coastal Highway. The new 24-inch sewer force main will be installed from 15th to 49th streets in the southbound fast lane of Coastal Highway and Philadelphia Ave. Due to the long duration required to perform this project, the contractor, Bunting & Murray Construction Corp., needs...READ MORE

Governor Touts Berlin’s Success Stories

BERLIN -- In what was billed as a celebration of economic growth, Gov. Martin O’Malley visited Berlin last Friday to tour a pair of new operations in town. O’Malley’s first stop was an early morning ribbon cutting for the town’s new Visitors Center. Located on Main Street, the center occupies what was years ago a post office and will now be used to promote “the local economy, history, and the arts”, according to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community...READ MORE

Whale Spotted Just Off Coast

OCEAN CITY – Beach-goers were taken by surprise last weekend as a whale came to visit the shoreline giving everyone a show. On Sunday, Joe Cuomo visited the beach on 76th street where his son, David, was on duty lifeguarding that day. It was a normal day on the beach when Cuomo noticed surrounding beach patrons pointing out into the water. “We got the binoculars out and we started looking around and we realized there was a whale out there,” Cuomo said on Tuesday. By looking...READ MORE

Truck Jumps Curbs, Ends Up In Marina

WEST OCEAN CITY -- There was an unusual scene at a marina in West Ocean City on Monday morning after a large pick-up truck jumped a curb and ended up in the water between the bulkhead and the back of a sportfishing boat. Early Monday morning, a GMC Sonoma inexplicably lunged over a parking curb at the Ocean City Fishing Center and dove nose first into the water between the bulkhead and the “Salt Lick” sportfishing boat. The truck’s driver was still inside when two mates working...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Aug. 26: OP Boat Club Raft Up Plan to be at day marker 2 in time to leave at 5 p.m. for the selected anchoring location. To attend call Capt. Steve Rosen, 410-641-6915. Aug. 26: 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. Aug. 26: “Ocean City, Maryland: A Pictoral History” By George & Suzanne Hurley Booksigning 6-8 p.m., Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. For more information,...READ MORE

Who's Playing When & Where

Angler, the 410-289-7424 • 2312 Talbot St. On The Bay Friday, Aug. 26: Time Police, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 & Sunday, Aug. 28: Lenny Burridge Every Sunday: Locals’ Social With DJ Deogee, 10 p.m. Burger’s Surf’s Up Cafe 410-723-2007 • 5401 Coastal Hwy. Friday, Aug. 26: Landers & Heinz Trio, 5-8 p.m.; Lime Green Band, 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Aug. 27: Catfish Bernie Neise, 5-8 p.m. Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 • 28th St. & Coastal...READ MORE

Best Eats On The Beach

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Assateague crab house & Carryout Rte. 611, Assateague Island • 410-641-4330 On the way to visit the ponies of Assateague, stop by this rustic crab house. Enjoy Maryland crabs by the dozen or try the all-you-can-eat specials including snow crab legs. Their extensive menu features various appetizers, fresh fish, seafood, steaks, chicken and ribs. The kids can enjoy their own menu along with the great game room. Great for casual dining or...READ MORE

Open Houses Of The 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 WEST OCEAN CITY Sunset Square 12703 Sunset Avenue Sat 10-11:30 Auction Preview 2 Office Condos New Building Pete Richardson Auction Sales 410-546-2425 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...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Samantha “Sam” Carroll SALISBURY – Samantha “Sam” Carroll, 23, of Salisbury, died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Born in Annapolis, she was the daughter of the late Joel and Sherry Hoagland Carroll. Sam graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2005. She was also a student at Wor-Wic Community College studying for a degree in Psychology. She loved to read and write, starting her memoir in 2002. She lived in Dove Point, in one of...READ MORE

Weekly Fishing Report

There has been a chill in the air lately. In fact, just yesterday morning was probably the first time I turned the heat on in my truck since May. If you’ve been outside in the early morning hours lately, you know what I’m talking about. It’s been half chilly outside. There is no doubt about it; fall is in the air here in Ocean City. It seems like every year we get a nice little stretch of cool weather around the middle or end of August — the days get noticeably shorter,...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Resort Purchase Announced OCEAN CITY -- Festiva Hospitality Group has announced the purchase of the development rights, unsold inventory and management company at Coconut Malorie. Beginning Sept. 1, Festiva Management Group will assume management of the property. Coconut Malorie will be the newest vacation option for Festiva Adventure Club members, and approximately 1,600 weeks owners will be added to Festiva’s member base with this acquisition. “With this exciting addition to our...READ MORE

The Credit Downgrade: More Answers To Questions

OCEAN CITY -- In the second of a two-part series, Lisa Shalett, Chief Investment Officer of Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, explains Standard & Poor's decision to downgrade U.S. government debt, puts recent market volatility into perspective, and suggests steps investors should consider taking now to safeguard their investments. (BOLD QUESTIONS)But won't the downgrade cause interest rates to shoot up? And how is that likely to affect investments in Treasury bonds? 
We don't...READ MORE

Coastal Stewards Enjoy A Boat Ride Through Maryland Coastal Bays

Joriee Dorman, Stephen Castaneda, Joe Dorman, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Clarisse Young and Josh Moore enjoyed a boat ride through the Maryland coastal bays with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. Brown is pictured with a few of the Coastal Stewards, a summer youth employment program partnership funded by the EPA, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, National Park Service and Maryland Park Service. ...READ MORE

NARFE Members Got Together For Their Annual Picnic

NARFE members got together at Whitehorse Park in Ocean Pines Aug. 20 for their annual picnic. Sing along entertainment was provided by Anna Foultz and Allen Brodsky of Ocean Pines. ...READ MORE

Ravens Roost #44 Present Scholarship

Ravens Roost #44 President Gary Miller presents a $500 1st Annual Legacy scholarship to Tyler Berterman, a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School. He will be attending Washington College. The scholarship was established in 2011 to benefit qualifying local graduating children or grandchildren from the Roost membership. ...READ MORE

Worcester County Club Committee Met To Discuss Next Month's Standard Flower Show

Worcester County Garden Club Flower Show Chairman Marion Novak met with her committee to discuss next month’s Standard Flower Show titled A Day At The Beach. The two-day event will be held Friday Sept. 16, from 1-6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-noon at the Ocean Pines Library off Route 589. It is open to the public and free admission. Standing, from left, are Suzy Young, Dottie Vander Clute, Bozy Markiewicz, Eileen Gibbons, Ann Fairfield, Joyce Melocik, Mary Lou Scott...READ MORE

Worcester Prep's Teachers Participate In Tech Workshops

Some of Worcester Prep’s teachers participating in a series of recent tech workshops were, front from left, Carol Ginnavan, Cathy Auxer, Susan Godwin, Rebecca Tittermary, Tracey Berry, Cristina Russo, Alayne Shockley and Linda Bragg, and, back, Keith Geiger, and John Yonker.  Sessions in the workshop included Smart Technology, Moodle, Managing Your Digital Life, Grading Tools, Growing Greener & Google Docs, Working with Children with Learning Differences & Structuring Lessons...READ MORE

Things I Like

Sitting in a beach chair under a cloud-less sky Those ‘AI’ bumper stickers Reminding myself to smell the roses Sand in my kids’ eyebrows Movies with Edward Norton That feeling after a good sneeze Bananas and peanut butter The sounds of a crab house A work day that goes fast That Burley Oak is next to my office When gas prices are falling ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): The typically tidy Ram or Ewe might want to butt out until things are settled on the home front. But get involved and let your Ovine sense of order help restore domestic tranquility. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The Bovine's flair for fine-tuning complicated fiscal dealings comes in handy when an unexpected financial problem arises. Stay with it until it's resolved to your satisfaction. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Family aspects remain strong. There might be some...READ MORE