Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: OC Buskers No Longer Need To Register

OCEAN CITY -- A federal lawsuit filed by a Boardwalk street performer over alleged First Amendment rights violations officially ended this week with Ocean City agreeing to a consent decree allowing certain performers or vendors to sell their wares and eliminating the registration requirement. Last June, the City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance requiring all street performers to register each day at City Hall and pay a nominal fee for the registration. The ordinance also...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: OC Okays Hourly Parking Rate Hike

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City officials this week approved a 50-percent increase in the hourly parking rates at metered spots throughout the downtown area, but there was little discussion about the proposal to add meters at parking spaces throughout other parts of the resort. The City Council on Monday approved an ordinance raising parking spaces covered by the Cale Meter System throughout the downtown area from the current $1 per hour (25 cents per 15 minutes) to $1.50 per hour (25 cents per 10...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Beach Horseback Riding Clears Council

OCEAN CITY -- Despite some last-minute misgivings, the Ocean City Mayor and Council on Monday approved an ordinance allowing horseback riding on the beach on a limited basis in the offseason. With a split vote of 4-3, the council approved horseback riding on the beach with an amendment to add a $20 one-day permit fee. The ordinance as written only allowed for a $50 seasonal pass to ride horses on the beach, but Councilman Joe Hall suggested the one-day pass as a means to encourage more riders to...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: OCPD Seeks Help In Baby Ava Benefit Theft Case

Ocean City Police this week are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect who stole a beach umbrella valued at $125 intended to be a silent auction item at a fundraiser for Baby Ava, the little girl critically injured in an accident in mid-December. Last Thursday, Ocean City Police responded to the Pour House bar on Wicomico Street to investigate a theft that had occurred during a fundraiser for Ava DelRicco, a toddler critically injured in an accident on Coastal Highway at...READ MORE

Proposed Wind Farm Areas Clear Environmental Hurdle

OCEAN CITY -- Plans to develop a vast offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City took a significant step forward yesterday with a major announcement about the results of an environmental assessment and the identification of specific areas available for potential leases. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, along with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Tommy Beaudreau on Thursday held a joint press conference in Baltimore to announce a...READ MORE

Ceremony Marks 44th Anniversary Of War Battle

OCEAN PINES -- In a solemn, quiet ceremony this week, about a dozen U.S. veterans gathered at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, a major attack by communist forces on South Vietnam in 1968 that helped escalate the ill-fated conflict. After a few brief remarks, Vietnam War veteran Bob Bates and Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason, also a Vietnam veteran, placed a wreath with a sash simply saying Tet 44 at the base of...READ MORE

Fiscal Impact Of Pension Changes Debated In OC

OCEAN CITY – A fire was lit in council chambers this week as discussions turned to the changes made to town employee benefits and what it is costing the town today rather than in the future. Finance Administrator Martha Bennett asked the Mayor and City Council for an approval of the annual contribution to the pension and Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) fund as council members began to debate the pros and cons of changes made to town employee benefits a year ago. Bennett started off by...READ MORE

This January Not Mildest Ever But It’s Close

OCEAN CITY -- While there is still a long way to go and February and March might yet deliver the toughest blows, the remarkably mild winter thus far has been a blessing for most across the Lower Shore. Temperatures peaked out in the mid-60s this week with some areas approaching the 70-degree mark, continuing a winter-long trend of extremely mild temperatures and relatively dry conditions. With the exception of a handful of days, the month of January has been one of the mildest on record in the...READ MORE

Concerns Continue Over Mandatory Rental Inspection Plan

SALISBURY -- Eventual guidelines for how Salisbury will conduct inspections on rental properties inched forward Monday, though officials predicted that it will be several months at least before anything is etched in stone. “I’m more interested in doing it right then trying to rush through,” said Council President Terry Cohen. How the city will handle rental inspections has already been a topic of concern for months. The proposed plan will likely call for each rental property to...READ MORE

State OKs School Improvements

BERLIN -- The state’s Board of Public Works last week approved roughly $250 million in public school improvement projects across Maryland, including several significant upgrades in Worcester and Wicomico counties. The Board of Public Works, which includes Gov. Martin O’Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, last week approved a laundry list of recommendations from the Interagency Committee on School Construction (IAC) for the fiscal year 2013 budget totaling...READ MORE

Berlin Seeking Input On Architectural Standards

BERLIN -- The Berlin Historic District Commission (HDC) met this week to discuss signage at the Chamber of Commerce, alterations to PNC Bank and the eventual adoption of town architectural standards and guidelines. First on the agenda were proposed alterations to signs adorning the chamber building on Main St. Chamber Executive Director Olive Mawyer came before the commission with designs for a new frontal and side sign. The commission immediately had problems with the insignia meant for the...READ MORE

OCPD To Begin Carrying Tasers; Information Session Next Week

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) will have another weapon in its crime-fighting arsenal next week it breaks out Electronic Control Devices (ECD), or Tasers, for the first-time ever. Back in October, the Ocean City Mayor and Council approved a pilot program for the acquisition and use of Tasers by the police department on a limited basis. This week, the town’s elected officials approved the department’s new general orders for their use while 14 OCPD officers...READ MORE

Resort Boat Ramp Funds In Md. Budget

OCEAN CITY -- Plans for a new public boat ramp in Ocean City got a much-needed fiscal shot in the arm last week when Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials told local legislators the governor’s proposed budget includes over $800,000 in state matching funds for the project. After years of wrestling with an outdated and over-utilized public boat ramp in a residential area in the 94th Street area in Little Salisbury, resort officials last summer identified a new location for a second...READ MORE

Resort Could Save Money By Outsourcing Cardboard Collection

OCEAN CITY – With budget time approaching, a few unexpected suggestions were made this week that could save Ocean City money. Finance Administrator Martha Bennett said she has received news that Ocean City is at the point to where it is favorable to refund 2005 bonds. If the town were to refund just the callable bonds, it would save $846,000 in interest or if all bonds are refunded $878,000 could be saved. Bennett furthered that as the town moves forward in projects such as the Boardwalk...READ MORE

Manslaughter Indictment In WOC Bar Owner’s Death

SNOW HILL -- A Worcester County grand jury last week indicted a West Ocean City man on manslaughter and assault charges for his role in the death of a West Ocean City bar owner in October. Last Wednesday, the grand jury indicted Cyle Walker, 26, of West Ocean City on manslaughter, second-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges in the death of 707 Sports Bar and Grille owner Carey Patrick Flynn. Walker admitted to being in a verbal altercation with Flynn outside the establishment and that...READ MORE

Bill Provides Art Center Funds

OCEAN CITY -- The proposed new Ocean City Center for the Arts, approved by the Mayor and Council last fall, could get a significant boost in state funding assistance if a bill introduced in the General Assembly by local legislators last week is approved by state lawmakers. Last week, Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38) introduced Senate Bill 275, which, if approved, would authorize the creation of a state debt not to exceed $250,000 for use in the development of a new 7,500-square-foot Ocean City art...READ MORE

Habitat House Project In Berlin Underway

BERLIN -- The third and final house to be built by Worcester County’s Habitat for Humanity on a property located in Berlin is on schedule to be completed in April. After its completion, the organization will be looking for more property in Worcester for the next project. “After the third house is built, we have no more land [in Berlin],” said John Kotoski, a member of the Habitat Board of Directors who oversees construction. The Worcester branch of HFH is part of a larger...READ MORE

Council Approves Revised Rental Sticker System

OCEAN CITY – Property owners will have no excuse when it comes to noise complaints or rental licenses now that the Noise Board’s request to re-implement a sticker system has been approved. According to Noise Board Chairman Brett Wolf, the board has been meeting in efforts to improve and streamline the application of the Noise Code, the collection of data required by the Noise Code and the required notification process because a number of problems occurred in 2011. An issue has...READ MORE

New Attorney Confirms Wilbur’s Fire Chief Opinion

SALISBURY -- After legal confirmation that Salisbury could bypass a national fire chief search if it so chooses, the City Council decided to interview Acting Fire Chief Rick Hoppes this week. “The council can take two or three or four possible paths when proceeding with this,” said Council President Terry Cohen in reference to Hoppes. Early last month, Salisbury Fire Department Chief Jeff Simpson announced his resignation, which went into effect Jan. 20. Simpson was the second fire...READ MORE

Route 54’s Bayside Offers Unique Shopping Experience

OCEAN CITY – Bayside Wines & Spirits is getting settled in its new location as it rides along through the off-season with an eye on the coming summer season. Bayside Wines & Spirits are located in the Bayside Shopping Center on Route 54 close to Fenwick Island next to the Harris Teeter grocery store. It accompanies its sister store, Bayville Package Store, which is also on Route 54 closer to the beach and has been in business for over 30 years. Bayside Wines and Spirits was...READ MORE

New Tree Species Found In Worcester

BERLIN -- Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials last week officially identified and recorded a rare species of tree found in Worcester County in the Pocomoke State Forest. The tree species Swamp Bay, or Persea palustris, was discovered and measured earlier this month in Hickory Point Cypress Swamp at Pocomoke State Forest by Dan Wilson, a volunteer with the Maryland Big Tree Program (MBTP). “In the past, the Department of Natural Resources recorded the existence of this...READ MORE

Councilman To File Complaint Over Citation Leak

SALISBURY -- A potential leak in Salisbury’s Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance (NSCC) had several members of the City Council calling for a crackdown this week. In 2009, Councilman Tim Spies’ Virginia Ave. home reportedly failed a building inspection and since then has been embroiled in a series of re-inspections, controversial extensions and citations. One such citation was received late last month. What made this one, a complaint regarding Spies’ fence, unusual was...READ MORE

Paid Parking Expansion Proposed To Fund Projects

OCEAN CITY – Tough decisions will have to be made soon as Ocean City’s infrastructure concerns deepen and the Mayor and City Council reviews potential funding options including expanding paid parking throughout the resort. City appointed and elected officials furthered their discussion on options in funding an Annual Street Improvement Program during this week’s meeting. City Engineer Terry McGean returned with responses to the council’s inquiries of raising existing...READ MORE

What Exactly Is A Paramedic?

OCEAN CITY -- Lights flashing and sirens blaring, you pull your vehicle over and yield to Ocean City fire apparatus or ambulances. As the emergency vehicle passes, you merge back into your travel lane and go about your day. Have you ever wondered what goes into making certain your firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) providers are top notch? Over the next few weeks, I will highlight the different jobs within the fire department and explain in detail what they are about. I take pride...READ MORE

Worcester Tech Invests In Health Care Professions

SNOW HILL -- A focus on crafting healthcare providers out of local students has Worcester Technical High School (WTHS) tripling the number of health profession pathways offered this semester. “We need healthcare providers on the shore,” said Dr. Penny Makuchal, Nursing and Health Professions Instructor. For decades, WTHS has offered a popular nursing pathway of study. Following that program, students, under the eye of a Registered Nurse (R.N.) attempt to earn a Certified Nursing...READ MORE

OC Design Guidelines Tweaked

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council voted Tuesday to exclude single-family homes from proposed design guidelines that are scheduled to be made final next week. This week Councilman Joe Hall expressed concern over single-family homes being included in design guidelines. The guidelines were approved on first reading a few weeks ago in a 4-3 vote, with Council members Margaret Pillas, Brent Ashley and Doug Cymek in opposition. “I voted for it in first reading and to not hold this up...READ MORE

Ocean City Enacts 90-Day Scooter Moratorium

OCEAN CITY – In the next 90 days, no new scooter rental businesses will be coming to town as the mayor has signed emergency legislation enacting a moratorium. A few weeks ago, City Council member concerns were brought up during a meeting over scooter rental operations and whether more controls are needed in issuing scooter business licenses. Last week Planning and Community Development Director Jesse Houston recommended transferring the issue into the hands of the Planning and Zoning...READ MORE

Phone Scam Warning

BERLIN -- The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office this week is warning local residents of an ongoing telephone scam in which the suspect or suspects are representing themselves as lawyers and claiming the victims have defaulted on loans. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspects are relentless and call their potential victims several times demanding payment and further personal information. The phone number that has repeatedly shown up on victims’ caller identification is...READ MORE

For OC, Coke Is It

OCEAN CITY – Coca-Cola fans will be pleased to hear that the company outbid Pepsi and will be taking over the title of Ocean City’s official soft drink. During Tuesday afternoon’s Mayor and City Council meeting, Council President Jim Hall announced that Coca-Cola has won the bid for Ocean City’s five-year beverage franchise. “Coca-Cola will be taking over the town of Ocean City,” he said. Pepsi Bottling Ventures has held the town’s beverage franchise for...READ MORE