Archives

Dismissal Sought In Wrongful Death Suit

SNOW HILL - The wrongful death civil suit filed by the family of an Easton man struck and killed while crossing Coastal Highway last June took an interesting turn this month when the defense filed a motion for summary judgment on the punitive portion of the case citing an 'absence of malice' on the part of the driver. Shortly before 2 a.m. on June 17, Tyler Adams, 21, of Easton, and a friend, Dale Blankenship, 21, also of Easton, attempted to cross Coastal Highway between 32nd and 33rd streets...READ MORE

Initiative Mandates Berlin Electric Reduction

BERLIN - Berlin must reduce its energy use by 15 percent in the next seven years, according to the Maryland Public Service Commission. The town must decrease electricity usage by 2015 under a state initiative called EmPower Maryland. Public education will be a key component of the reduction, Berlin's Administrative Director Linda Bambary said. Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale suggested a meeting between staff, the electric utility department and citizens to advise on power saving. 'Little things,...READ MORE

2007: Serious Crime Down, Services Calls Up In OC

OCEAN CITY - The 2007 Ocean City Police Department Annual Report was released this week, providing the final numbers for crimes and arrests in 2007 and revealing some interesting trends in the resort town. Beginning with the positives reflected in the 2007 Annual Report, serious crime decreased by 7.7 percent from 2006.  Overall crimes against persons decreased as well, dropping nearly 20 percent. Aggravated assaults dropped more than 38 percent and breaking and entering dropped nearly 18...READ MORE

Berlin Mayor Confirms He's Seeking Another Term

BERLIN - Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale will definitely run for re-election this fall, he said this week. 'I haven't made it official. I haven't made it a secret either,' Cardinale said of his election plans. Cardinale, elected to office in 2004, said he has several goals he wants to accomplish before leaving elected office. 'My goal is to make sure Berlin has a good policy towards growth. I want to maintain the historical integrity of Berlin,' he said. 'I want to do all I can to ensure the town is...READ MORE

Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban Considered By Legislators

OCEAN CITY - Driving while text messaging and talking on cell phones may be the norm for many Maryland motorists, but a recently proposed Senate bill that opts to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving could bring that habit to a screeching halt, that is if it is passed. Senator Michael G. Lenett introduced the bill, entitled 'vehicle law-use of wireless communication devices while driving-prohibitions' this week in an effort to push through legislation that has failed to gain...READ MORE

Three Arrests Made In Homicide Investigation

BERLIN - Authorities made three arrests this week in connection with the reported murder of a 42-year-old woman who was found dead earlier this month along a dirt road near Pocomoke. Judy Lynn Wojcik's body was discovered on Sunday, Jan. 13. Her body was immediately transferred to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore for an autopsy. According to a release from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, the medical examiner ruled Wojcik's...READ MORE

Waiting For The Big Library Move

OCEAN CITY - With an opening date at least one month away, local library officials are busy preparing for the transition from the antiquated branch on 14th Street to the modern facility on 100th Street. The Dispatch walked through the new branch of the Ocean City Library this week, while workers continued to get the tech-savvy facility in shape for an upcoming inspection by Ocean City officials. From Coastal Highway, the building's exterior looks complete, but much has to be done inside before...READ MORE

Citizen Fired Up Over Perceived Miscommunication

OCEAN CITY - The town's Public Works sector faced a few reprimands at this week's regular session of the Mayor and Council when a resident pointed out some minor but critical areas of miscommunication between the town and its citizens. Dave Melocik addressed the Mayor and Council during the 'comments from the citizens' portion of the meeting, noting his overall approval of the council's efforts, but citing several instances when problem areas were overlooked along his city block. 'What we...READ MORE

Council Okay Slight Height Change For Condo Project

OCEAN CITY - The Gateway Grand condominium project gained approval for a six-foot height change to its parking garage this week, a minor change that will not affect the overall height of the building, but one that warranted an air of caution among the Mayor and Council. In an effort to avoid what several people have referred to as 'another Rivendell', the Mayor and Council took the request for a change to the Gateway Grand project on 49th Street seriously this week, making sure to have all...READ MORE

Council Okay With One Scope Franchise

OCEAN CITY - The number of beach photo franchises went from two to one this week, after the Mayor and Council approved the reassignment of the rights of SharpShooter Spectrum to United Beach Photo. City Clerk Carol Jacobs presented the Mayor and Council with the request for the reassignment of the beach photo franchise at this week's regular session of the Mayor and Council, a request that essentially leaves United Beach Photo as the sole 'scoper' in town. Currently, the town has contracts...READ MORE

County On Own With Old Septic Tanks, State Says

SNOW HILL - The State of Maryland will not help Worcester County replace old septic tanks with new pollution reducing technology, the County Commissioners learned recently, despite the great reduction in nitrogen contamination from the enhanced septic systems. Maryland state housing rehabilitation money cannot be used to buy the better, more expensive systems because neither the county nor the state code require the nutrient management technology. Property owners are merely required to have a...READ MORE

Future Planning, Money Drive Berlin's Sewer Capacity Request

BERLIN - Growth planning and money matters make it necessary for Berlin to ask for more wastewater capacity, according to town officials, despite the Worcester County Commissioners' vote to restrict the town's wastewater capacity late last month. 'I don't want to go back two years from now and upgrade again. That's what scares me,' Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale said. 'We need to plan 10 to 20 years down the road, not two or three.' Berlin Councilwoman Paula Lynch told the County Commissioners...READ MORE

Legislation Worth Keeping An Eye On In Annapolis

BERLIN - A number of bills have been introduced in the General Assembly in its first month that could have an impact on Worcester County. Here's a look at some interesting pieces of legislation being considered in Annapolis. - House Bill (HB) 171: Introduced by Delegates Norm Conway and Jim Mathias, it allows for the County Commissioners to impose a fine of $50 for each day the liquor license renewal application is late. Worcester County licensees must turn in all applications and fees by the...READ MORE

Mother, Daughter Popped For Pot

OCEAN CITY - An illegal hobby shared by a mother and daughter from Brooklyn, Md. resulted in criminal charges last week in Ocean City. On Jan. 17, during a routine business check of the Holiday Inn on 17th Street, Ocean City police officers detected an odor of burnt marijuana on the 11th floor of the hotel. The smell filled up the hallway and the officers were able to narrow the odor to one room. The officers knocked on the door for approximately three minutes before a male answered. The man...READ MORE

Pines Grocery Store To Close Feb. 4

BERLIN - The Fresh Pride grocery store at Pines Plaza, a neighborhood institution since the late 1980s, will close its doors on Feb. 4. No reason has been given for the closure. Ed Dery, President, CEO, and CFO of Fresh Pride chain owner Camellia Foods Stores, Inc., refused to provide more information on the move. A short press release provided little information. 'He said he wasn't going to answer any further questions,' a receptionist at Camellia Foods said. The store, originally a Meatland...READ MORE

Prostitution Case Dropped; Charges To Be Refiled

OCEAN CITY - One of the two women arrested by resort police for prostitution last September appeared in District Court this week and received a brief reprieve in her ongoing case when the charges were essentially dropped over a few technicalities. The case will not end ther,e however; the alleged working girl will soon be recharged for prostitution. Jaclyn Marie Hallman, 22, of Laurel, Md., stood tearfully in District Court last Wednesday morning as her attorney argued the legality of the...READ MORE

Restaurant Manager Charged With Theft Scheme

OCEAN CITY - A local restaurant manager has been arrested and charged with theft in connection with two separate theft schemes uncovered by the Ocean City Police Department earlier this month. Tracy Lee Owes, 33, of Ocean City, was arrested on Jan. 11 for his alleged connection with a theft scheme at Castaway's Restaurant. Owes has been a manager of the mid-town restaurant and bar for several years. An investigation by OCPD detectives revealed two theft schemes that spanned from March 2007...READ MORE

State Funds Proposed For Route 113 Work, 589 Planning

BERLIN - Twenty million dollars has been dedicated to the next phase of the Route 113 dualization and to more planning funds for Route 589 improvements in the state's consolidated transportation plan, showing that the highest levels of Maryland government have not forgotten Worcester's highways. The Maryland consolidated transportation plan calls for $18 million to fund the dualization of Route 113 between Goody Hill Rd. and Massey Branch, a 1.8-mile stretch south of Berlin. 'We're hoping to be...READ MORE