August 3, 2007

Thursday, August 9 - Tourism Commission Renews Opposition To Slots In Md.

OCEAN CITY - It is no secret that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and Governor Martin O'Malley have been proponents of slots in Maryland, and it is also no secret that slots have been both lauded and vehemently opposed by people all over the state as well as in Ocean City. With this in mind, it was decided at last week's Tourism Commission meeting to take the latter stance and be vehemently opposed to slots in Maryland. Over the past several years, legalizing slot machines in Maryland...READ MORE

Wednesday, August 8 - White Marlin Stands To Earn $1.4M After Two Days

OCEAN CITY - The weigh scale at the Harbour Island Marina was a busy place for the second straight day on Tuesday as the leaderboard was shook up from top to bottom. White Marlin Open officials reported 310 of 398 boats fished on Tuesday. Boats can fish three of the tournament's five days, and it's unusual to have two back-to-back busy days to kick off the Open, which is the largest and richest billfishing tournament in the world. It's unknown this morning how many boats are fishing...READ MORE

Tuesday, August 7 - Active Day For Anglers In White Marlin Open

OCEAN CITY - There was plenty of action on the first day of fishing in the 34th Annual White Marlin Open with at least official fish in each category including a 71.5-pound white marlin caught by veteran angler Craig Ziegler on the 'Intrinsic' currently worth $1.4 million. Ziegler and the crew aboard the 'Intrinsic' had an epic day on Monday, boating the current leader in the white marlin division and releasing four others for a total of five on Day One. The 'Intrinsic' released its first white...READ MORE

Monday, August 6 - Boats Compete For $3M In Prize Money

OCEAN CITY - After registration closed yesterday for the 34th Annual White Marlin Open, it was announced 396 boats are competing in the annual event, which will hand out a little more than $3 million this year. Although the number of boats and payout is down from last year, the same old excitement surrounds the event. More than 300 boats left the Inlet this morning to fish, but marine conditions were less than ideal as 10-20-knot winds out of the south, south-east were expected with seas three...READ MORE

Accused Murderer Admits To Leaving Baby In Toilet

OCEAN CITY - The sick and twisted case involving an Ocean City mother and business owner took another turn late yesterday with the announcement the county's top prosecutor has filed new murder charges. Prompting national news attention on Monday and Tuesday, Christy Freeman, 37, was charged last week with first- and second-degree murder and manslaughter after police discovered a 26-week-old fetus in her apartment's bathroom vanity. Later, authorities discovered three more fetuses. In a...READ MORE

Six Months In Jail After Assault Plea

SNOW HILL - An Ocean City man arrested in March and charged with a slew of offenses after barricading himself in his home during a domestic dispute with injuries before taking his aggression out on resort police pleaded guilty this week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to five years in jail, all of which but six months was suspended. Richard Lehman was in Circuit Court on Wednesday facing a wide variety of charges from disorderly conduct and malicious destruction of property to...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Patsy Elaine Whitlock BERLIN - Patsy Elaine Whitlock, age 50, died Monday, July 30, 2007 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of Winifred J. Riley and the late George Edward Riley, Sr. She is survived by her husband, John Wesley Whitlock, Jr.; two sons, John Wesley Whitlock, III and his fiancé Tanya Bellman and Tony Edward Whitlock and his friend Raye Ellen Carman; one daughter, Kimberly Elaine Dawn Whitlock and her fiancé Jason (Jake)...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

What a week it was in Ocean City. Here's a look at some odds and ends I observed regarding the Christy Freeman case: - At one point on Monday afternoon, Fox News, CNN, Headline News and MSNBC were each broadcasting live from Ocean City. On Tuesday morning, at my local news stand, the USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, Washington Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer all had cover stories above the fold. That's never happened before. - Monday was one of those days locals will never forget....READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Better Signage A Must In Ocean City Editor: Ocean City's biggest joke - 'Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. State Law.' On Baltimore Avenue from 14th to 32nd streets, this is totally ignored by both drivers and police, except for one day each year when only token enforcement with warning citations are issued. The signs on St. Louis Avenue seem to be very visible and effective. A call to the mayor's office to suggest that these signs be placed on Baltimore Avenue was referred to...READ MORE

Blame The People, Not The Breed

The American Pit Bull Terrier has been in the news of late, and, as is typically the case with this breed of dog, it's been largely negative and riddled with misconceptions and generalizations. We all know the story by now. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and others have been charged with organizing fights between pit bulls with up to thousands of dollars in wagering. Additionally, on Vick's property in Virginia, the dogs, the losers reportedly in the fights, were reportedly killed in a...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY Seaside Retreat Daily 10-4 3BR, 2.5BA Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Somerset at Second Daily 10 - 3 3BR Boardwalk Condos Eric Cropper ReMax Premier Properties 443-373-9409 OCEAN CITY The Quay Saturday 2 & 3BR Condos Mary McCracken Long & Foster 410-430-7302 OCEAN CITY Pelican Perch Weekends 11-3 4BR, 4.5BA, & Loft Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista Daily 12-4 3 & 4 BR Bayfront Condos Della & Joe Wilson ReMax Premier...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Ocean Pines - VA - DE

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Daily 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker WEST OCEAN CITY Spy Glass Cove Sat 10-2 3BR/2BA Condo Ed Sheppard Holiday Real Estate 410-430-5408 VIRGINIA Captain's Cove Daily 9 - 5 Resort Community With Amenities Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 FENWICK ISLAND, DE Rt 54 & Monroe Ave. Sun 11-4 Water Duplex 6BR/4BA Ralph Krum Krum Real Esate 410-548-9209 OCEAN PINES 125 Seafarer Lane Fri-Mon 12-3 3BR/2.5BA Cape Cod Eric...READ MORE

Whigham Moves Up To Higher League

BERLIN- Former Stephen Decatur High School pitching standout David Whigham, who two weeks ago became what is believed to be the first ever from the Berlin school to sign a professional baseball contract, got promoted to a higher league last week and will now have the opportunity to show off his stuff before even more professional scouts. In early July, Whigham signed on to play for the Herkimer Trailbusters in the historic New York State League, becoming just the first former Seahawk to earn a...READ MORE

Betts Named Academic All-American

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur High School's outstanding former scholar-athletes continued to pile up more accolades this week when 2006 graduate and girls' golf standout Chelsea Betts was named an Academic All-American by the National Golf Coaches Association for the 2006-2007 season. Betts, now a rising sophomore at High Point University in High Point, N.C. was one just 368 women's college golfers in all three divisions across the country to garner the distinguished award, which recognizes her...READ MORE

Robinson Retakes Lead In Driver's Standings

BERLIN- After briefly relinquishing the lead in the driver's standings in the live meet at Ocean Downs this summer, local driver Raymond 'Shorty' Robinson, Jr. posted three wins last Saturday to nudge back into the top of the standings. Robinson got off to a fast start when the live meet at Ocean Downs opened and June, jumping out to a big early lead in the driver's standings. Robinson posted multiple wins in six straight racing nights to start the season and had 14 wins after the first week of...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A strong social whirl brings a new round of good times to fun-loving Rams and Ewes. Cupid is also busy aiming arrows at single Lambs hoping for a heart-to-heart encounter. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): A romantic incident could take a more serious turn if the Divine Bo-vine considers meeting Cupid's challenge. Meanwhile, a professional op-portunity is also about to turn up. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A bit of hardheaded realism could be just what the Twins need at...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Angler, The: 410-289-7424, Talbot St & the bay; Outside Deck: Sunday & Sunday, Aug. 3 & 4: Drew Stevyns, 4-7 p.m.; Every Sunday night; Locals Social with DJ Deogee. Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Friday & Saturday, Aug. 3 & 4: Patrick McAllorum; Aug.5 & Wednesday, Aug. 8: Jon Pheasant; Thursday, Aug. 9: Katie Bragg. All entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Aug. 3: Wes Davis;...READ MORE

It's Something All Anglers Hope Will Never Happen

OCEAN CITY - Roughly 500 sleek sport fishing boats will compete in next week's 33rd White Marlin Open and most will successfully head out to the canyons off the coast of the resort and return safely, but there is always the possibility of misfortune for some of the vessels participating. In each of the last two years, a fishing boat participating in the tournament has gone down, thankfully without tragic consequences. Last year, the 'Dream Catcher,' out of Cape May, N.J., struck something in the...READ MORE

Challenge To LaHa Project Dismissed By Zoning Board

BERLIN - The town's zoning review board has dismissed the latest challenge to the new La Hacienda restaurant complex in Berlin. Berlin resident Sandy Coyman, director of Worcester County's Comprehensive Planning Department and a former member of the Berlin Planning Commission, challenged the zoning certificate for the project because there was no finding of facts in the record. Coyman originally filed the appeal in November 2006 because he could not get clear information from the town's planning...READ MORE

Council Nixes New Comfort Station Proposal

OCEAN CITY - After negative feedback about the proposal to build a comfort station on 4th Street, the City Council has agreed to a new proposal to renovate and expand the current Caroline Street comfort station in lieu of the proposed 4th Street location. City Engineer Terry McGean and Bob Givarz, member of the Boardwalk Development Association, came before the council at Tuesday's work session to suggest a compromise for the comfort station situation that had aroused complaints from property...READ MORE

Those Who Knew Freeman Shocked By Charges

BERLIN - There's little personal information available about Christy Freeman, 37, who has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter after giving birth to a stillborn male infant at her Ocean City home last week. A complex picture has emerged this week of Freeman with people at times describing her as outgoing countered by others who say Freeman is introverted. National news media has painted a grim picture of Freeman, with one major cable outlet, FOX News,...READ MORE

Trial Postponed; Bays Foundation To Own Land

SNOW HILL - A Montgomery County woman charged with the misappropriation of funds earmarked for a land conservation and wetlands creation on a vast property near Showell remains behind bars this week after her trial in Worcester County Circuit Court was postponed on Wednesday, but the court has appointed a trustee for the land which will be transferred to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The complicated case originated nearly a decade ago when the Perdue Company granted a roughly 80-acre tract...READ MORE

Investigation Takes Toll On Ocean City Police

BERLIN - After six straight days of intense investigation, the Ocean City police officers working on the Christy Freeman case are exhausted, said police spokesperson Barry Neeb. 'What we're doing is so important. They're being so meticulous and so thorough they don't take time for themselves,' Neeb said Wednesday, as evidence recovery at the Sunset Drive home Freeman shared with longtime partner Ray Godman and their four children wrapped up. Freeman is accused of causing the death of the male...READ MORE

Army Corps Seeking Additional Information On Airport Plans

WEST OCEAN CITY - An addition to the Ocean City Airport expansion environmental report will be written after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined that the environmental impact of alternative changes to the airport were insufficiently examined. In a July 6 letter addressed to Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Maryland Section Southern Acting Chief Paul Wettlaufer made a number of recommendations after a preliminary...READ MORE

Case Shines Light On Maryland's Safe Haven Law

BERLIN - Questions swirling around the Christy Freeman case have inevitably turned to the alternatives the accused had in the event of an unwanted child, including Maryland's four-year-old Safe Haven law meant to prevent abandonment and murder of newborns. Freeman, 37, has been charged with first-, second-, and third-degree murder after delivering a stillborn male infant lat week. Prosecutors and police say they have reason to believe the death of the fetus was deliberately caused, not a natural...READ MORE

Commission OKs OCPD Restricted Duty Regulations

OCEAN CITY - The general order outlining restricted duty status for the police department underwent further scrutiny last week at the Ocean City Police Commission meeting after being sent back to the commission from the Mayor and Council. General Order 500 H-3 was presented to the council for approval at the beginning of July, but after concerns arose, it was decided to send the order back to the police commission for further review. At last week's commission meeting, the order was addressed...READ MORE

Council Narrowly Forwards Proposed Boathenge Project

OCEAN CITY - Despite growing support from some sectors and a passionate presentation of the Boathenge project Tuesday, the concept barely passed the scrutiny of the City Council, sliding through in a 4-3 vote to forward the project to the Army Corps of Engineers for further consideration. Joe Kroart III, owner of the Ocean Gallery on the Boardwalk, came before the council at Tuesday's work session to present his pet project, Boathenge, which Kroart hopes will attract public relations and...READ MORE

Deal Signed Outlining Dual Sewer Plant Plans

BERLIN - The first formal step towards a dual wastewater plant system in Berlin was completed Wednesday when Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale and developer Troy Purnell of Berlin Properties North (BPN) signed a document laying out their intentions in an unusual public-private partnership. 'It's what we've come to an understanding on and we're very happy about that,' Cardinale said. Purnell said, 'It's a good start. It's a great start. Obviously, we've still got some details to go through.' Cardinale...READ MORE

K-Coast Surfing Bash Draws 119 Competitors

OCEAN CITY - K-Coast Surf Shops in Ocean City donated $5,000 in prizes for 90 beginner surfers during the K-Coast Beginners Bash at 35th Street in Ocean City last month. K-Coast also held an Open Shortboard division for advanced surfers. Out of the 29 advanced Open division competitors, Travis Knight of Ocean City walked away with the first place trophy and a Sector Nine longboard skateboard. A junky, knee to waist-high, wind swell in the morning gave way to a solid, waist-high, ground swell in...READ MORE

Land Trust Partners With Community Foundation

BERLIN - The Lower Shore Land Trust, a private, non-profit charitable organization devoted to maintaining important open spaces in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties through voluntary programs, has created a permanent endowment through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. The endowment has been created to provide long-term, dependable resources to fund the Trust's operations. 'We believe this partnership will further the effort of the Trust to recruit additional donated and...READ MORE

Ocean City To Limit Some Beach Crossover Work

OCEAN CITY - The City Council agreed to a policy this week proposed by the city engineer to restrict the number of clean ups and repairs that the city provides for the beach crossovers. City Engineer, Terry McGean came before the council Tuesday to address the ever-increasing issue of clean up and repair of the beach crossovers. There are 203 dune crossovers along the 10.5 miles of beach in Ocean City, providing access to the beach over the dunes. The dune crossovers were installed as part of...READ MORE

Revised Bayside Development Regs Sent Back To OC Planners

OCEAN CITY - The ordinance outlining the special bayside development regulations will continue its revision process after the City Council agreed to send the ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further review. At Tuesday's work session, the council voted to send the ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Commission in hopes that a few changes could be made and agreed upon before the council's second reading of the ordinance. The ordinance, also known as 'height by...READ MORE

Teen Killed In Motorcycle Crash

OCEAN PINES - A 17-year-old East New Market, Md., youth operating a motorcycle with a learner's permit was killed last week when he collided with a vehicle on Route 589 near Ocean Pines. Shortly before 10 p.m. last Friday, Maryland State Police from the Berlin Barrack were dispatched to an accident involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle on Route 589 just south of Route 575. The investigation revealed the motorcycle was traveling on Route 589 when its driver, later identified as Andres...READ MORE

Utah Man Gets Naked At WOC Campground

BERLIN - A stubborn naked man, who police believe was extremely intoxicated, created a scene before a large crowd at Frontier Town on Route 611 this week. On July 27 at 2:41 a.m., Worcester County Sheriff's deputies were called to Frontier Town in reference to a naked disorderly male standing in a roadway inside the campground. Deputies observed a white male with long brown hair standing in the roadway with no clothing on except his shoes. The subject was ordered to put his clothes back on by...READ MORE

Wahine Surf-Off Celebrates Growth Of Female Surfers

OCEAN CITY - Quiet Storm Surf Shops of Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, Del. hosted the 3rd Annual Quiet Storm Wahine Surf-Off for 100 competitors in 26 heats of surfing at North Side Indian River Inlet last weekend. Eighty-five women competitors from the age of 10 to 48 surfed for $4,500 in prizes in 10 different age divisions, while 15 "guys dressed as girls" battled for bragging rights in the annual dress-up competition. Small, clean knee-high waves consistently reeled in through low...READ MORE

WOC Murderer To Learn Prison Term Next Week

SNOW HILL - Convicted West Ocean City murderer Gregory W. Stokes, 31, will learn his fate next week when he appears in Worcester County Circuit Court for a sentencing hearing which could put him behind bars for as many as 33 years. On June 4, Stokes pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated cruelty to an animal in a pre-arranged deal between the state prosecutors and his defense lawyer and now faces as many as 33 years in jail for the combined convictions. The second-degree murder...READ MORE

Young Artists Looking To Make Mark On Industry

SNOW HILL - Amid the sea of cornfields and grain silos across rural southern Worcester County, a fledging comic book company with a decidedly urban edge is emerging, the product of a group of young artists from Snow Hill High School and later the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. With sales for their first publication picking up and a second expected to be ready for public consumption sometime this fall, PLB Comics, is steadily gaining fans around the region and the entire country. Made up...READ MORE

A Timeline Of Events

OCEAN CITY - The following is a look at the sequence of events in the pending murder case against Ocean City resident and business owner Christy Freeman as they unfolded over the last week. - Around 1 a.m. last Thursday, Ocean City EMTs and police responded to a 911 call from Freeman's Sunset Drive residence where she was treated for abdominal pain, vomiting and severe bleeding from her vaginal area. - Freeman was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where doctors determined she was pregnant...READ MORE

New Charges Filed In Christy Freeman Case

OCEAN CITY - 'Reasonable doubt' was an expression heard often this week as authorities sifted through the sordid details in the case involving an Ocean City woman charged with murder in the stillborn death of her child early last Thursday morning and the later discovery of three more fetuses stored in and around her house, but as the days went by and the physical investigation of the home came to a close, it became more obvious the case was short on reasonable and long on doubt. Worcester County...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Michaels Coming To White Marlin Mall WEST OCEAN CITY - Michaels Stores, Inc. has signed a lease with Greenberg Gibbons Commercial for 20,000 square feet of space at White Marlin Mall, a 186,000-square-foot shopping center located in West Ocean City. The project is also anchored by Marshalls, Staples and Bed Bath & Beyond. Michaels Stores, which operates 21 locations throughout the Maryland region, expects to open its newest unit in mid-2008. Michaels is the largest specialty retailer of...READ MORE

"I Really Can’t Hear You."

Earplugs are an important item to have when you are doing certain things or you find yourself in certain places. Whether you are using them to avoid a bout with swimmer's ear or simply trying to politely ignore the toddler that is telling you her age for the 100th time in the airline seat ahead of you, it's sometimes good to have a pair in your purse or man bag. Of course, the real reason that earplugs must exist is to make it tolerable to stand in the front row at any rock and roll show and not...READ MORE

The Youth Foundation Advisory Committee

The Youth Foundation Advisory Committee of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore has awarded $3,500 in grants to help youth during 2007. Grants were awarded to three nonprofit organizations including $1,000 to Green Gate Farm to provide funding for student scholarships for a summer camp program for youth. Above, Heather Gates, Green Gate Farm Program Director, accepts the grant from Kevin McGinnis, 2006-07 Youth Foundation Chair. Submitted Photo ...READ MORE

Delaware Excellence in Nursing Practice Award

Cheryl Layfield, who has been a nurse for 27 years and a nurse practitioner for 12 years, received the Delaware Excellence in Nursing Practice Award for Advanced Practice at the Delaware Nurses Association Awards Banquet held in Dover in July. Layfield provides summer support at the Atlantic General Health System's Townsend Medical Center in Ocean City and Atlantic Health Center in Berlin. She also works full time as a school nurse for the Indian River School District at Selbyville Middle...READ MORE

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore recently awarded a $6,260 grant from the Community Needs Program to Maryland Capital Enterprises to provide support for two workshops targeted to potential entrepreneurs and to develop leadership and marketing skills for business owners. Pictured are Spicer Bell, CFES President, and Hayley Gallagher, Maryland Capital Enterprises Executive Director. ...READ MORE

The Embers Adapts To Stay Atop Changing Times

OCEAN CITY - All-you-can-eat buffets can be seen frequently as one drives up and down Coastal Highway in Ocean City, but with the motto 'frequently imitated, never duplicated,' a prime location and six consecutive years of bragging rights, The Embers restaurant surely has something unique to offer. The Embers has been standing at its location on 24th Street and Coastal Highway for nearly 50 years, but over those five decades, the restaurant, as well as the town, has seen a great deal of...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy has never trusted telephones. He likes to look at the people he's talking to. Also, he figures the telephone is just a passing fad, soon to be replaced by a thing called a personal letter. So, for all those fans and fanatics who keep calling the The Dispatch offices wishing to talk to the great one, put it in writing. Insider does not keep office hours. Those are for suckers. The letter will be in his special pouch for pick-up or hand delivered by one of the powers that be. And if it...READ MORE

A Comprehensive Approach To Having Income For Life

BERLIN - Traditional strategies for maintaining income and hedging against inflation might have been appropriate for the typical retirement of the World War II generation, but they just won't cut it in the current environment. One reason is that we're living longer •€' what was, not so long ago, a 15-year plan now needs to be adjusted for a life expectancy that can be 20 or 25 years, or even longer. On the whole we're healthier, too, and more interested in remaining active and productive....READ MORE

Things I Like

Beach weddings People who type fast without looking at the keys Reading on the beach The 'Show Us Your Shots' photos on our website Making par on the first hole A sunrise over a cornfield Remembering how Len Bias played basketball The Marina Deck's bread Old Saturday Night Live episodes No backups at the bank drive-thru Cold watermelon on a hot day ...READ MORE

Things We Like

The smell of the ocean in the early morning Dinner at the Cactus Café People who stop to talk to our dogs Air-conditioning Successfully completely sudoku Looking for shells with our grandchildren The grand finale of a fireworks display Private citizens picking up trash off the Boardwalk Daylillies along a country road Competent, reliable contractors Cruising in our '62 convertible Corvette ...READ MORE