Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: 12 Boaters Rescued Offshore In Separate Incidents

OCEAN CITY -- The Coast Guard and several Good Samaritans were kept busy this week with two separate incidents of boats in distress dozens of miles offshore including a 38-foot vessel that sank last Saturday. Around 10:30 a.m. last Saturday, the Coast Guard received a radio call from a boat carrying nine people, which reported the vessel was taking on water about 46 miles offshore. A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules air crew from North Carolina was in the general area assisting with another disabled...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Ocean Pines Man Jailed After Pleading Guilty In Ava Crash

SNOW HILL -- An Ocean Pines man, who was high on PCP when he crashed his truck into a vehicle seriously injuring a mother and her then 18-month-old daughter, plead guilty this morning to all 11 charges against him, including causing life-threatening injuries by motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. With much of the drama, including hours of testimony by witnesses and police officers, dispensed...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Resort Pitches In $100K For Movie Production

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City is moving ahead in matching the county’s $100,000 to help fund “Ping Pong Summer,” a movie to be filmed in Ocean City slated to begin later this month. The producer’s budget for “Ping Pong Summer” is $1.1 million. At first, the producers were relying on a Maryland state film rebate program to help fund some of the expenses, but that fell through, creating a $300,000 hole in their budget. The producers then appeared in Ocean City...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Agencies Launch Aerial Initiative On Boating Safety

OCEAN CITY -- The thousands of vessels of all shapes and sizes taking to the water during the dog days of summer will likely have eyes in the sky watching them after state officials this week announced a new boating safety initiative for the Ocean City area for the remainder of the season. In an effort to increase boating safety and enforcement in and around the resort area, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) are partnering on a new...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Wild Police Chase In OC Includes Boardwalk

OCEAN CITY -- A Pennsylvania man was arrested on numerous charges last weekend after a wild car chase that included two stints on the Boardwalk and a crash through a fence before the suspect jumped in the bay to elude police. Around 6:30 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City police attempted to pull over a four-door Dodge Magnum for a seat belt violation in the area of 3rd Street and the Boardwalk. The vehicle, driven by Jimmy Carl Anderson, 22, of New Park, Pa., fled police by driving up on the...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: OCPD Seeks Help With Attempted Assault Suspect

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department is seeking the public’s help today in identifying and locating a suspect wanted in connection with a series of attempted sexual assaults on female victims in the early morning hours after the bars close. The attempted sexual assaults have occurred in poorly lit, semi-secluded areas near bar establishments. The most recent occurred on July 28 in the early morning hours. In each case, a female victim was under the influence of alcohol and...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: Berger Named 2012 Glick Service Award Recipient

OCEAN CITY -- The nominating committee of the 2012 Hal Glick Community Service Award announced this week that Dr. Leonard (Lenny) Berger, owner of the Clarion Hotel, has been chosen as the winner of this year's award. Berger will be presented with the award and will be honored at this year's Glick Award Gala, which is currently scheduled for Saturday night, Nov. 10. Last year's gala, which honored Leighton Moore, was a sell-out, with more than 450 people attending the event.   The...READ MORE

Supreme Court Lifts DNA Ban

SALISBURY -- Maryland law enforcement officials and prosecutors can at least temporarily resume collecting DNA samples from those arrested for certain violent crimes after the U.S. Supreme Court chief justice last week issued a stay of an earlier decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals decision on a landmark Salisbury rape case dating back to 2003. In July 2010, Alonzo Jay King, Jr., now 29, was found guilty of first-degree rape for an unsolved 2003 case during which he allegedly broke down...READ MORE

Schools Ahead Of Curve On New Sports Safety Rules

BERLIN -- The State Board of Education this week handed down emergency regulations aimed at further protecting high school athletes from head injuries and concussions, but, for the most part, the local school system has already implemented and exceeded the policies. The new mandates address the diagnosis and treatment of head injuries and concussions, a hot topic in sports news at every level in recent months. However, with new guidelines borne out of the state legislature last year on head...READ MORE

New School Year To Bring New Teacher Evaluations

NEWARK -- Coming into the new school year, evaluations for teachers and schools are changing at the state level. However, Worcester County Board of Education officials promised that no matter how they are measured by the state county schools will strive for the same goals that they always have. “Our expectations don’t change,” said Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. John Gaddis. With the release of this year’s Maryland State Assessment (MSA) scores last week,...READ MORE

BLC Issues Minor Punishments Due To Clean Histories

SNOW HILL -- Clean records helped keep the total fines for alcohol sales to minors from the Board of License Commissioners (BLC) at only $1,000 this month, despite the fact that one location had two violations on the same night. The first violation, which occurred at Beach House Restaurant and Footprints (Coconuts) in Ocean City, was not contested and the owners did not appear before the BLC to attempt to explain the incident. Instead, the board simply levied a $500 fine against the...READ MORE

Groups Seek Obama’s Offshore Wind Help

OCEAN CITY -- After several failed attempts at the state level to develop vast offshore wind farms off the mid-Atlantic including a proposed 100-turbine field off the coast of Ocean City, hundreds of clean energy advocates this week penned a letter seeking a higher authority’s effort to get the job done. Over 200 clean energy advocates, environmental organizations and individuals, including some Maryland lawmakers, this week sent a letter to President Obama urging his administration to...READ MORE

New Liquor Licenses Approved In Worcester

SNOW HILL -- Four new alcohol beverage licenses were granted and two existing licenses were expanded at this month’s Board of License Commissioners (BLC) meeting. The first expansion was to the Ocean City Convention Center, which plans to use most of its parking lot for alcohol sales during Bike Week, Sept. 13-16. The board quickly approved the application, but on the condition that activities like burnout pits and mud wrestling by excluded from the schedule of events. The Tap House in...READ MORE

Fed Ag Loans Not Seen As Huge Help In Worcester

SNOW HILL -- Severe drought conditions have opened up federal funding for Delaware, in the form of Small Business Association (SBA) economic injury disaster loans, to a number of Maryland counties, including Worcester. Unfortunately, some in the county’s agricultural sector don’t expect the loans to help at this point. “Most of the time, with these types of loans, you have to be turned down by three lenders … if you’re that bad off, then most likely, you’re...READ MORE

One Year After Sinking, Former Destroyer Hosting Sea Life

OCEAN CITY -- One year after being ceremoniously sunk about 30 miles off the coast of Ocean City, the retired Navy destroyer U.S.S. Arthur W. Radford is already teeming with sea life and is serving its intended purpose as a vast artificial reef system. Last August, the 536-foot Spruance class Radford, decommissioned by the Navy and retired to dry dock for several years, was sunk to the bottom of the ocean about 30 miles off the coast of the resort, becoming the centerpiece of a vast three-state...READ MORE

OC Fire Department Rescue Swimmers Respond, Save Two

OCEAN CITY -- Continuing a rash of recent near tragic incidents involving swimmers heading into the ocean after the Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) has signed off for the day, two individuals were rescued by an Ocean City Fire Department rescue swimmer around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at 16th Street. Every summer there are incidents involving swimmers in distress in the ocean after the OCBP’s regular hours, but this season has seen a spike in the number of near tragic incidents including at...READ MORE

Local Surfer Preps For Surgery After Quick Response Saves His Life

OCEAN CITY -- A popular local man is on the mend and headed for surgery after finishing a heat in a surf contest Sunday before going into cardiac arrest and collapsing on the judges’ stand, thanks in large part to the quick actions of resort lifeguards and Ocean City paramedics. Last Sunday, popular local surfer George Smith, 67, had just competed in a heat during a contest at Malibu’s when he collapsed on the judge’s stand while eating a slice of pizza, the victim of an...READ MORE

First Wade-In Records Isle Of Wight Water Clarity Level

OCEAN CITY – A windy Thursday morning did not turn out to be the best day to measure water quality but local environmental community members came out loud and clear to relay the message of the importance of water quality. The Assateague Coastkeeper held the 1st Annual Isle of Wight Bay Wade-In at the Worcester County Isle of Wight Nature Park on Swimmable Action Day, which is a function of the Waterkeeper Alliance’s CWA 40 Campaign that commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Clean...READ MORE

Baltimore Man’s Song Wins Ocean City Contest

OCEAN CITY – The official 2012 Ocean City Song of the Summer has been chosen and the winner is Chuck Conjar’s “Ocean City Days”. “Ocean City Days is a great song that really captures the nostalgia of Ocean City,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “We were so impressed by the quality of the songs submitted and believe the great response really demonstrates the special place that Ocean City has in so many people’s hearts. We extend our...READ MORE

After-School Program Funding Loss Described As ‘Devastating’

SNOW HILL -- Although critical funding for After School Academies will not be renewed next school year, the Worcester County Board of Education is optimistic that avenues will be found to keep the popular programs running. “It was disturbing and disappointing to learn that our highly successful after-school programs, which are supporting student success and cultivating STEM skills, have not received the necessary funding,” said Superintendent Dr. Jerry Wilson The academies have seen...READ MORE

After-Hours Swim Hospitalizes Three; Citizens, OCBP Lieutenant Credited With Saving Swimmers

OCEAN CITY -- One young woman remains in critical condition and two others have reportedly been treated and released after an incident last Friday when they went into the ocean after being advised not to by the Ocean City Beach Patrol and were rescued by a pair of private citizens and a veteran lifeguard. Around 6 p.m. last Friday, Ocean City Communications received a call regarding swimmers in distress in the ocean around 90th Street. As Ocean City police officers arrived on the scene, a water...READ MORE

North Ocean City Cinema Gets $500K Overhaul

OCEAN CITY – The Sun and Surf 8 Cinema has stepped it up a notch by converting all eight screens to state-of-the-art digital cinema with a sound system to match. The Sun and Surf 8 Cinema on 143rd Street in north Ocean City completed a $500,000 digital conversion of the theatre this week. The movie theatre is now 100 percent digital with six of its projectors being converted, replacing the 35mm film projectors. The other two systems made the switch to digital in 2010. The 35mm film...READ MORE

All Things Greek Celebrated In Ocean City This Weekend

OCEAN CITY -- Residents and visitors to Ocean City are invited to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of a trip to Greece right here in the beautiful Ocean City Convention Center where everyone is welcomed to be Greek for the weekend. Traditional Greek fare will be available at the festival, sponsored by the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean City. Enjoy shopping at any of the vendors featuring original and reproduction art, jewelry, clothing and more. Live entertainment begins daily at...READ MORE

OC Bus System Scores $2M Fed Grant

OCEAN CITY -- The town of Ocean City this week secured a $2 million federal grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair Program for upgrades and replacements for the municipal bus system. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin this week announced the $2 million grant for Ocean City, which will pass through the Maryland Department of Transportation. The pass-through grant was made available by the federal State of Good Repair Program, which provides...READ MORE

Grassroots Effort Seeks Tweak To Skateboard, Surfing Beach Laws

OCEAN CITY – Modernizing the town’s law regarding the use of body boards on the beach last week was viewed as one step forward by the younger generation in town as residents look to organize and return to City Hall later this year to address other archaic laws prohibiting skateboarding and restricting surfer access. “We just want to bring back the beach town that we all grew up in,” said Jenny Carven, co-owner of Ish Boutique. “The beater [body board] ban was just...READ MORE

Cop Jumps In Ocean To Retrieve Troubled Woman

OCEAN CITY -- A disoriented and confused woman was taken to an area hospital last week after running into the ocean and refusing to come out, forcing a cop to go in after her. Around 12:09 a.m. last Friday, Ocean City police officers were conducting ATV patrol on the beach when they responded to the area of 140th Street for a report of fireworks. On arrival, the officers did not witness any fireworks, but they did locate a woman whose name has not been released near the shoreline who was acting...READ MORE

Salisbury Votes To Lower Capacity Fees By 60%

SALISBURY – The city is looking to become more developer friendly, as the City Council voted this week to decrease capacity fees by 60 percent. On July 16, the City Council held a work session discussing water/sewer capacity fees and an updated financial forecast was presented. At that time the council was in consensus to move forward with an ordinance setting capacity fees lower. According to the ordinance that was presented on first reading this week, the new Capacity Unit Fee is...READ MORE

New Menu For 19th Hole’s 2nd Year

WEST OCEAN CITY --  On the heels of its one-year anniversary last month, The 19th Hole Bar and Grille in West Ocean City is gearing up for a strong second year including an expansion into catering and a new menu, all under the leadership of new General Manager Lillian Saldana. Coming onboard three months ago, Saldana admitted that she had originally been looking for a job in an unrelated field but was persuaded to take the helm on 19th Hole after witnessing its smooth...READ MORE

Family Business Strives To Buy, Sell Unique Finds

OCEAN CITY – When it comes to the store Remember When, many different words are used to describe it -- shabby chic, antiques, collectibles, vintage, handmade and one-of-a-kind finds. Remember When is tucked back in Selbyville off Route 54 nestled between Route 113 and Coastal Highway. The building has had multiple purposes in the past, most recently an antique store, and that is what the Hess family has kept it except with a twist. “Everyone that finds us is happy that they found...READ MORE

Pilot In Berlin Banner Plane Fatality Identified

BERLIN -- Maryland State Police late last week identified the pilot killed in a single-engine banner plane crash in the middle of a defunct golf course in Berlin last Thursday morning. The Maryland State Police last Friday identified Garrett Colona, 23, of Rhodesdale, Md., a small community about halfway between Salisbury and Cambridge, as the pilot in the single-engine banner plane crash in a remote area of an abandoned golf course in Berlin last Thursday morning. Just before 11 a.m. last...READ MORE

Salisbury Shelter Project Increases Potential Capacity

SALISBURY -- The Christian Shelter in Salisbury celebrated its second major expansion in its three-decade history this week when the ribbon was cut on eight new family rooms, bringing the shelter’s capacity from 50 residents to 80. “Our numbers began telling us that there was a need for more space, specifically space for homeless families,” said Board member Ted Evans. According to Evans, homelessness and joblessness in Salisbury has always been a problem, going back well...READ MORE

New West OC Operation Offers Unique Herring Creek Ventures

OCEAN CITY -- Newly opened Bluewater Paddleboard is letting water enthusiasts in West Ocean City experience Herring Creek in a unique way -- standing up. “You have a bird’s eye view,” said Bluewater co-owner Wendy Nash. Along with husband Todd, Wendy Nash has been operating Bluewater on Herring Creek, off eastbound Route 50 in the Ocean Plaza, since June 15. The company specializes in paddleboard tours and rentals and is planning on expanding what people can do in the water...READ MORE