January 11, 2008

Wednesday, January 16 - Positive Reports On OC's Dog Park

OCEAN CITY - The new Ocean City Dog Playground may have opened with little fanfare Dec. 3, but the park has met success during its early stages, with 42 passes sold during the first weeks of operation, according to the city. At a Recreation and Parks Commission meeting this week, Tom Shuster, director of Recreation and Parks, reported that the Dog Playground was doing well so far and receiving positive feedback. In the six weeks since the Dog Playground opened and became the town's only...READ MORE

Tuesday, January 15 - Route 50 Bridge Closes Thursday

OCEAN CITY - The warning signs are everywhere in the area, but the State Highway Administration issued a press release yesterday reminding locals and visitors vehicular traffic on Route 50 will be temporarily detoured to Route 90 beginning Jan. 17. The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) will close the Route 50 Bridge into Ocean City to traffic on Thursday, Jan. 17. Work is expected to last up to 35 days, though with good weather, the goal is to open the...READ MORE

Monday, January 14- Shows Planned for OC's Holiday Weekend

OCEAN CITY - The 23rd Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival and 21st North American Craft Shows are slated for the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on Saturday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Billed as 'two great shows under one roof,' the event features 190 booths of artisans representing 17 states and Canada. Exhibitors are traveling from as far west as New Mexico and Arkansas and as far north as Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Ontario and New Hampshire and as far...READ MORE

Resort Stabber Convicted

SNOW HILL - One of two brothers charged with attempted murder and assault in August after a fight during which they allegedly stabbed two other men pleaded guilty last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to second-degree assault, but will not be sentenced until February when the victim can be present to address the court. Christopher Lee Hill, 29, of Jessup, Md., was in Circuit Court last week facing attempted murder and assault charges for his part in a fight in Ocean City in August during...READ MORE

Air Show Idea Full Of Merit, Concerns All At Same Time

There lots of questions surrounding the new Ocean City Air Show, an event planned for June 10-11 on the beach between 15th and 18th streets. The Town of Ocean City is joining with a private promoter, Brian Lilley Inc., to sponsor the event, which will feature a civilian air demonstration team, military demos and various air-related displays. The air show will take place from on a Tuesday and Wednesday in June from noon-3 p.m., raising concerns among some private business folks along the...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

One of the key issues the Ocean City Mayor and Council will confront in the coming months is the future of the resort's fire service, specifically changes in its structure, the costs associated with those modifications and how to address the concerns of the volunteer and career firefighters. Last year a controversy mounted over the future of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC) after a memo surfaced detailing a potential plan for future fire protection including a combination fire...READ MORE

NMFS Study Finds White Marlin Not Endangered

OCEAN CITY - Stating the white marlin population appears stable or is even increasing 'for the foreseeable future,' the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) late last month issued a report concluding an endangered or threatened listing for the species is not warranted at this time. The resort's recreational fishing community breathed a collective sigh of relief this week when the NMFS conclusions about the status of the white marlin were officially published in the Federal Register. The...READ MORE

Concerns Not Enough To Derail Hotel Project

OCEAN CITY - The Avelon Hotel received unanimous site plan approval this week from the Planning and Zoning Commission, despite concerns about height and access. The Avelon Hotel project calls for the redevelopment of the property located on the south side of 1st Street between Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues. Although the building is located downtown, it will be four stories in height. An amendment to the downtown height ordinance, approved by the Mayor and Council, allows mixed-use...READ MORE

Fishing Called An Untapped Resource For OC

OCEAN CITY - Members of the Ocean City Tourism Commission agreed last week that fishing has remained an untapped resource in Ocean City. In an effort to expand on fishing advertising, the commission is considering a proposal that would require $25,000 in exchange for national advertising. At a Tourism Commission meeting last week, producers of the local fishing show Hooked on OC, which went national last year, presented the commission with a proposal, one that they claim will be beneficial for...READ MORE

Local Demand For Food Running High

BERLIN - Hunger is as serious a problem in Worcester County as the lack of affordable housing, local advocates for the poor and needy say, especially in the winter. 'Food is probably the greatest need that we fill. A lot of people don't realize there are hungry people around us,' said Darlene Onley of Worcester County GOLD (Giving Other Lives Dignity). 'It's gotten a lot busier, I'd say, since September,' said Shirley Bradley, manager of the Community Church at Ocean Pines' food pantry. 'We've...READ MORE

Friday, January 11 - More Funding Cuts Loom For Assembly

BERLIN - While the opening of the 2008 Maryland General Assembly session this week might seem anti-climactic given the weighty decisions made during a special session late last year, there are many significant issues on the table including a considerable budget deficit still unresolved. State lawmakers met in a special session in November to address the state's growing $1.7 billion structural deficit and were largely successful in at least making a dent in the shortfall through sweeping tax...READ MORE

Ad Firm Eyes Positive PR Campaign For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City will be increasing its public relations campaign in 2008, reported advertising firm MGH in a Tourism Commission meeting last week. MAGH Public Relations Account Director Chris McMurry presented the commission with a plan for the 2008 public relations campaign, providing some new ways to generate positive buzz about Ocean City. Survey results presented to the tourism commission by MGH in November were used to guide the public relations goals of 2008. The survey results...READ MORE

Ex-Finance Head Rips Berlin, Mayor In Defamation Suit

BERLIN - Nearly three years to the day since Berlin Finance Director Ron Bireley was officially fired amid controversy and veiled hints of missing funds, the former mayor and councilman late last month filed suit against the town and Mayor Tom Cardinale seeking an undisclosed amount in compensatory and punitive damages. Bireley, through his attorney Robin R. Cockey of Cockey, Brennan and Maloney of Salisbury, filed the suit in Worcester County Circuit Court on Dec. 26, contending 'he was...READ MORE

Ocean City Resurrects Downtown Park Hopes

OCEAN CITY - In an effort to continue with the Downtown Recreation Complex, the Mayor and Council will be sending another letter to the County Commissioners hoping to find a common ground. Mayor Rick Meehan addressed the issue this week at a regular session of the Mayor and Council, announcing the city is willing to send another letter to the commissioners hoping to garner the land for the new downtown park. The Downtown Recreation Complex, to be located between 3rd and 4th streets from...READ MORE

Tuna Winner Clouds White Marlin Open Lawsuit

SNOW HILL - The multi-party lawsuit asking a Worcester County judge to sort out who among the top three finishers in the blue marlin category of last year's White Marlin Open should receive the hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake got even more complicated late last month when the first-place finisher in the tuna category laid claim to all or part of the money. White Marlin Open organizers in September filed a complaint of interpleader, essentially asking a Worcester County Circuit Court...READ MORE

2nd Mini-Golf Course, Larger Arcade Eyed For OC Property

OCEAN CITY - A public hearing was held this week regarding the expansion of an uptown arcade and mini-golf course. Although objections were heard at past public hearings on plans for the property, no objections were heard at Tuesday night's meeting. Property owner Nolen Graves of Golf Ventures, LLC made his presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission during Tuesday night's public hearing, requesting permission to expand his existing arcade and add another 18-hole mini-golf course. The...READ MORE

Berlin Looks To Solidify Policy On Sidewalk Signs

BERLIN - Merchants with sidewalk signs may have to make some changes in how they advertise their businesses after the Berlin Historic District Commission (HDC) determined only one of those merchants has the proper permit. 'We're suggesting sidewalk signs not be allowed,' said Bob McIntosh, HDC chair, to the Berlin Planning Commission. Roughly 13 sidewalk signs, also called A-frame or sandwich signs, are put out most days in downtown Berlin, but only one has the necessary permit from the HDC....READ MORE

Berlin Residents Could See 8% Sewer Rate Hike

BERLIN - A higher special connection fee for Berlin's new wastewater customers is inevitable, as is a rate increase for current sewer customers, whether the treatment plant capacity is expanded or merely improved, ratepayers heard at the Jan. 3 meeting on the project financing. 'Just to increase the capability, not merely the capacity of the existing plant, there needs to be a rate increase,' engineer Mark Prouty, of wastewater consultant URS Corporation, said last week during a special meeting...READ MORE

Berlin Takes Initial Step In Sewer Expansion Process

BERLIN - After years of false starts and several changes in plan, Berlin's wastewater expansion and improvements are under way at last, with the Berlin town council voting last week to begin the process of engaging a design engineer. The first step in meeting the County Commissioners' five-year time limit for the project is a request for qualifications from potential design engineers. The town council voted to have staff send that request out this winter. To qualify for some federal and state...READ MORE

Bitter Debate Delays Historic District Expansion

BERLIN - Berlin's historic district expansion was put back another month this week after a local developer protested the inclusion of his property in the expanded historic zone. What was originally a short discussion by the Berlin Planning Commission on the expanded historic district map turned into an, at times, acrimonious conversation after developer Troy Purnell realized his Purnell Crossing property was still in the plan.           ...READ MORE

Car Theft Suspect Arrested In Baltimore County

BERLIN - A Catonsville juvenile wanted in connection with a two-week spree of car break-ins and thefts throughout northern Worcester County late last month was arrested last week after local law enforcement agencies were able to identify him and his vehicle through surveillance tapes at stores where he used a stolen bank card. As many as 76 vehicles had items stolen from them in several West Ocean City communities, Ocean Pines and Selbyville, Del. over a 12-day stretch that began around Dec. 18...READ MORE

Council Okay With Adding Jolly Roger To New Tax District

OCEAN CITY - Jolly Roger will also be receiving support from the Mayor and Council for consideration for amusement park property tax relief, a decision that mirrors the recent support given to Trimper's Rides. Buddy Jenkins, chairman of the Board for Bay Shore Development Corporation, came before the Mayor and Council this week to request that the Mayor and Council provide the same consideration given to Trimper's Rides several weeks ago when that downtown landmark requested support for the...READ MORE

Judge Issues 13-Year Sentence After Plea

SNOW HILL - A Salisbury man arrested on attempted murder and assault charges among others last May after holding his long-time girlfriend against her will for several hours and strangling her several times to the point she lost consciousness was sentenced this week to 13 years in jail after pleading guilty to first-degree assault in October. Howard Michael Caltrider, 46, of Salisbury appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court on Wednesday facing a maximum of 25 years after pleading guilty to...READ MORE

Local Relay For Life Kickoff Planned

OCEAN CITY - Although this year's Relay for Life for North Worcester County event at Frontier Town may still be months away, organizers are already beginning to think how they can top last year's outstanding effort and surpass this year's goal. That effort begins in earnest on Thursday, Jan. 17 when a Relay For Life North Worcester County's Kick Off Party Sock Hop is held on Jan. 17 at the Stephen Decatur Middle School cafeteria. Last year's local Relay For Life exceeded everyone's expectations....READ MORE

Man Faces Child Porn, Drug Charges After Police Raid

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man faces possible child pornography charges this week after a raid on his residence Tuesday night uncovered cocaine, paraphernalia and computer equipment believed to contain illicit material. A Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit child pornography investigation led to the arrest this week of David E. Gose, 43, of Ocean City. State Troopers obtained a search warrant for Gose's Jarvis Ave. residence and executed the warrant around 7 p.m. on Tuesday night with the...READ MORE

Man Flown To Hospital After PWC Accident

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man was seriously injured this week after his personal watercraft (PWC) ran aground and launched him into the shallow water of the Isle of Wight Bay near 15th Street. Around noon on Tuesday, Michael J. Fischer, 41, of Ocean City, ran his PWC aground, presumably on a sandbar, and was launched from the vessel. A Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) patrol boat was in close proximity to the accident and officers were able to respond to the scene just minutes after it...READ MORE

OC To Spend $389K For Future Well House

OCEAN CITY - This week the City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that calls for the purchase of a property to be utilized by the water department, a purchase that carries a $389,000 price tag. At a regular session of the Mayor and Council this week, the first reading of ordinance 2008-1 was presented. The ordinance calls for the Mayor and Council to approve the purchasing of what will be known as 5102 Coastal Highway for a price of $389,000. The property is being...READ MORE

Seahawk Captain Headed to Penn

BERLIN- Another local standout scholar-athlete is taking his game to the next level with Stephen Decatur football team captain and senior Matt Wootten recently accepted and signed to play in the prestigious Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) at the University of Pennsylvania next season. The CSFL was founded back in the 1930s in response to the ever-growing size of college football players as a way to give average sized student-athletes a chance to extend their football careers beyond the...READ MORE

Local Trooper to Compete in Arizona Marathon

OCEAN CITY- On the heels of a highly successful fundraiser and backed with the well-wishes of hundreds of supporters, Maryland State Police Trooper Heath Berkey of the Berlin Barrack, a recent leukemia survivor, is headed to Arizona this week for the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll half-marathon. Berkey, who is winning his bout with leukemia, will participate in the half-marathon in Arizona this Sunday as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program, the world's largest...READ MORE

Seahawks Thump Washington, 63-50

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity basketball team got back in the win column this week, beating visiting Washington High, 63-50, on Tuesday to improve to 3-6 on the season. It was the second win of the year over Washington for the Seahawks, who edged the Jaguars, 60-59, in their first meeting two weeks ago during the Crisfield Holiday Tournament. Tuesday's game played out much the same way although the outcome wasn't as close as the first time around. Decatur was at its very best on...READ MORE

My Thoughts

A guy with a chip on his shoulder dropped by Insider's house the other day. He heard the old guy was the world's greatest expert on everything to do with Ocean City. He was a writer for one of the daily newspapers (disappointments) in Washington and was sent here to do a story on the desolation that is Ocean City in the winter. The fact that the desolation was not easily findable upset him quite a bit and he took his frustration out on the entire area known as Greater Ocean City. After all,...READ MORE

Teachers Pass National Board Certification

Buckingham Elementary School recently recognized the teachers who passed their National Board Certification. Above, from left, are Assistant Principal Terry Smith, special education teachers Michele Hundley and Annette Waters-Carrigan and Principal Roger Pacella. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Brian and Christine Selzer of Merrill Lynch

Brian and Christine Selzer of Merrill Lynch are pictured with the toys they received from their clients at their annual holiday open house. All toys were donated to the Worcester County Sherriff's department's annual needy campaign. ...READ MORE

Adam Osborn, proprietor of Carrabba's Italian Grill in West Ocean City

Adam Osborn, proprietor of Carrabba's Italian Grill in West Ocean City, stands among the many toys collected at the restaurant to be donated to the NOEL Christmas Day Dinner. ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary

Ava VanDornick and Joshua Plaskin enjoy making music during a Holiday Sing-Along in Mrs. Lieb's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Third Grade

Worcester Prep third grade student Jonathan Ruddo, Berlin, enjoys a Mallards basketball game with Varsity Boys' coaches Will Edmunds, left, Berlin, and Mike Grosso, Ocean Pines. Ruddo received the honor of sitting at the game with the coaches as a gift from Worcester Prep's 2007 GALA celebration. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary

Buckingham Elementary School students who participated in this year's Worcester County's Science Fair are pictured above. Here are Rachel Prengaman, Trace Elliott, Maysell Crossland, Tristan McDonough, Zoie Williams and teacher Steve Rorke. ...READ MORE

Investing In A Healthier World

BERLIN - The world is on a mission to live more healthfully. Governments around the world are promoting better nutrition and healthier lifestyles to cut growing costs for health care, lost productivity and social programs. And as more and more individuals learn about the benefits of better living, they are seeking out the foods and supplements needed for a balanced and healthy diet. For the companies that market products and services for healthy lifestyles, this trend spells opportunity. People...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Jan. 11: TBA. Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St. Bayfront; Closed for the season. Re-open Thursday, March 13. Clarion Hotel: 410-524-3535, 10100 Coastal Hwy; Ocean Club: Friday-Sunday, Jan. 11-13: On The Edge; Thursday, Jan. 17: First Class. Fager's Island: 410-524-5500, 60th St. in the Bay; Deck: Friday, Jan. 11: TBA, 9 p.m.;...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Willa Cromwell OCEAN PINES - Willa Cromwell, WWII Army nurse, 96, died at her home, Catered Living of Ocean Pines, where she had been lovingly cared for the last six years. Daughter of Wade Dolph and Mary Marshall Mangum, she was born in Durham, N.C. She studied nursing at Johns Hopkins and Columbia. During WWII, she and her unit landed at Omaha Beach and served in field hospitals thereafter. After the war, she was active in the operation to vaccinate children with the Salk vaccine. While living...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY Surf Watch 41st St Oceanblock Sat 12-3 3BR/2BA Myrna Wright Long & Foster 410-641-4438 OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bay 1 Fri-Sun 10-4 3/4BR, 3+ BA Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Berlin - Fenwick Island - Ocean Pines

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor\'s Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 BERLIN 331 Buttercup Ct. Sat & Sun 11-4 5BR/4BA Dave Whittington ReMax Premier Properties 410-520-8121 BERLIN 204 South Main St. Sun 1-3 Historic Home on 1.4 Acres Sally Todd Prudential Carruthers 410-726-3506 FENWICK ISLAND Bayside Rt. 54 Models Open Daily Classic Beach Resort Town Carl...READ MORE

"Is This Thing On?"

Somewhere in America, at this very moment, there are two men sitting in a barbershop telling one another 'I told you so.' The news stations have made a big deal about Hillary Clinton's five-second 'pregnant pause' where she appears to get choked up at a press conference somewhere between Iowa and New Hampshire while talking about the bumps in the campaign trail. There are more than likely as many small-minded buffoons in this world that think that she is ill-equipped to be president based on the...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might be hurt by a colleague's harsh criticism. But don't let it shake your confidence in what you're trying to do. A more positive aspect starts to appear by week's end. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You're torn between your sensible self and the part of you that enjoys acquiring lovely things. Best advice: Wait for an end-of-month sale and then buy something wonderful. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Your artistic side has practical ap-plications this week, such as...READ MORE

Things I Like

Warm mornings in January Rooting for the underdog in the NFL playoffs Any night with a good dinner and a great movie How diehard some Nascar fans are The book, 'The Kite Runner' Calendars with personalized photos Rubbing a horse between the eyes Taking a vacation in January Holding hands with my niece, Cameron My dogs' endless fascination with a game of fetch A heated mattress pad on a chilly night  ...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Real Probe Needed Editor: Do you still believe the Bush administration's 9-11 conspiracy theory? It is truly amazing that some Americans still look at the most horrendous attack on our country with stubborn, closed minds and refuse to use the common sense God gave them. They believe everything and anything the government tells them and believe the 9-11 'cover-up' Commission actually did a real and complete investigation. Consider the following, one of the thousands of still unanswered issues, if...READ MORE

For Pappas, Turtle Is About 'Springsteen And Sports'

OCEAN CITY - In 1976, the Greene Turtle North opened its doors on 116th Street, offering peanuts, backgammon and cold beers. Today, Greene Turtles span the State of Maryland and although the small bar has grown into a successful franchise over the years, the laid-back atmosphere and promise of good times has never faded. College roommates Steve Pappas and Tommy Dickerson first became a part of the Greene Turtle in 1977 as employees of the small uptown bar. Pappas also worked as a men's lacrosse...READ MORE

A Week In Business

AGH Earns Award BERLIN - Medication error is a common threat to patient safety: it is estimated that 7,000 patients die in the U.S. each year as a result of medication errors and a larger number require further treatment. The American Hospital Association points to incomplete patient information - including known allergies and current medications - as one of a handful of principle causes. Through a $50,000 Cardinal Health Grant, Atlantic General Hospital created a software solution to link...READ MORE