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Council to Save on Police Ammo

OCEAN CITY -The Ocean City Police Department will be taking advantage of a savings on ammunition before the next fiscal year, after unanimous approval from the Mayor and Council to purchase a portion of next year's ammunition from the existing budget. Captain Kevin Kirstein came before the Mayor and Council on behalf of the police department this week, requesting approval to purchase a large portion of ammunition before the week end in an effort to save money in the next fiscal year budget....READ MORE

County Backs Farmers in Nutrient Plan Changes

SNOW HILL - Despite spending little time discussing the new state pollution permits for large poultry farms, the Worcester County Commissioners voted this week to support the anti-regulation stance of the Worcester County Farm Bureau.  Maryland has drafted new permitting regulations for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in response to a 2004 federal law. The proposed regulations will enforce the use of the most effective ways to keep animal manure from reaching streams,...READ MORE

Officials Discuss Apartment Lease; Dredge Spoil Site

SNOW HILL - The Worcester County Commissioners worked their way through a busy agenda in just two hours on Tuesday, March 18. Here are some of the minor items discussed: (bullet) Worcester County may not be fulfilling legal requirements to have surplus vehicles inspected before offering them for sale through government surplus auction site GovDeals, said Jacqueline Delisle Tuesday. 'I just wanted to bring this section of the code to your attention,' Delisle said. Maryland code mandates that...READ MORE

County Grants $30K to Diakonia Shelter in Fiscal Crisis

SNOW HILL- Diakonia homeless shelter got a reprieve this week when the Worcester County Commissioners voted to grant the non-profit $30,000 to keep the shelter open. Earlier this month, Diakonia executive director Claudia Nagle asked the Worcester County Commissioners for $65,000 to operate the 45-bed emergency shelter and transitional housing until the new fiscal year in July. The shelter, Diakonia Treasurer Roy Frick reported at that meeting, was flat broke. The commissioners discussed...READ MORE

Retired Navy Destroyer Could Find Home Off Coast of Resort

OCEAN CITY- The artificial reef system off the coast of Ocean City could get a major contribution is plans to scuttle a retired U.S. Navy destroyer come to fruition. The Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI) is considering a partnership with the states of Delaware and New Jersey to acquire the retired 563-foot U.S. Navy destroyer Radford, which has been stored at the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard while awaiting its fate. The vessel is in the process of being stripped and cleaned in order to...READ MORE

Protest Overruled in County Project Bid

SNOW HILL - A formal protest by a losing bidder on the Worcester County State's Attorney building construction project did not prevail, with the Worcester County Commissioners exercising their right to waive bid requirements in choosing the best bid. Nason Construction, which submitted the second lowest bid to build the new State's Attorney offices, protested the selection of Southern Builders as low bidder because of the late submission of the firm's anti-bribery affidavit, anti-collusion...READ MORE

Second Defendant Files Answer in Carbon Monoxide Suit

OCEAN CITY- The second of four defendants named in a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit filed in February by the family of two Pennsylvania tourists who perished from carbon monoxide poisoning in their Boardwalk hotel room in June 2006 last week filed a formal answer to the complaint outlining the reasons the company should not be held liable in the accidental deaths. Attorneys for R.E. Michel, Inc., a middle-man of sorts in the case that distributed the hot water heater blamed in the deaths,...READ MORE

Town Planners Approve Two Project...Indoor Golf Site Ok'd

OCEAN CITY -The Planning and Zoning Commission noted changes to two previously approved conditional uses this week, including a watersport activity behind the 45th Street Village and an uptown golf course and arcade expansion. A public hearing was held on January 8 regarding the expansion of the 145th Street golf course and arcade. At that time, no opposition was voiced over the expansion of the arcade or the proposed addition of an 18-hole mini-golf course. As a result, the planning commission...READ MORE

Town Could Seek 'X-Games' Type of Event in 2009

OCEAN CITY -Ocean City could be seeing a new family and youth oriented event in the summer of 2009, a citywide event that would target families and promote action sports. The concept for OC Beachfest was presented last week at a tourism commission meeting, an event that promises to be 'three days of action sports at the beach.' Action sports are on the rise and have been for many years as events such as the X-Games become increasingly popular. OC Beachfest looks to capitalize on the...READ MORE

Sunsations Sole Vendor for Air Show

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Air Show is moving along as planned, reported show officials this week, as they presented the Mayor and Council with an update on the show and scheduled performers. The Ocean City Air Show will be held Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. A rehearsal day is scheduled for Monday, June 9 as well as an open house at the Ocean City Airport. The majority of the event is centered on 16th Street, with ground displays along 15th, 16th, and 17th...READ MORE

WOC Drive-Thru Plans Approved

OCEAN CITY -West Ocean City will soon be enjoying a drive-thru BBQ, as plans to convert the old Jerky Outlet continue to move forward this week. J.W. Powell, who currently owns Boog's Barbeque on the Boardwalk, and attorney Hugh Cropper, came before the Mayor and Council this week, requesting permission to create a drive-thru exit that would pass through the West Ocean City Park and Ride. The proposed drive-thru, quick service barbeque will take the place of the old Jerky Outlet, located...READ MORE

New System to Track Bus Locations

OCEAN CITY - The City Council voted to move forward with the purchasing of an auto vehicle locater for the town's bus system this week, despite a lack of state grant assistance. Public Works Director Hal Adkins reported this week the anticipated grant funding for the purchase of the auto vehicle locator (AVL) system was no longer an option. The City Council approved the purchase of the system in January 2007 with the understanding that the purchase would be supported through a MTA grant...READ MORE

Performing Arts Center Gains Support

OCEAN CITY -The proposal for a performing arts center in Ocean City received further support at a tourism commission meeting last week, as local business owners voiced the need for increased cultural tourism. Rina Thaler, President of the Art League of Ocean City, presented her ideas for cultural tourism, maintaining the importance of art in Ocean City. 'We have seen tremendous growth and demands for art in Ocean City,' Thaler said, citing the success of the Art League and the demand for more...READ MORE

State Police Make Huge Crack Bust

SNOW HILL- The Maryland State Police made a significant drug and weapons bust this week after stopping a vehicle passing through Worcester County on its way to points north for a routine equipment violation. A little after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, a Maryland State Police trooper from the Berlin barrack working routine patrol on Route 13 near Pocomoke observed a 2007 Dodge Charger with an equipment violation. The trooper pulled over the vehicle for the equipment repair order and found the driver had...READ MORE

State Cuts County Mosquito Budget

SNOW HILL- Towns and local communities must pay more for mosquito control this year or reduce efforts to control the biting pests, after the Worcester County Commissioners voted to pass the extra mosquito control costs on rather than absorbing or splitting the higher bill. 'The state has reduced its share,' reported county chief administrator Gerry Mason Tuesday. County Budget Officer Kathy Whited told the commissioners the state was reducing its contribution by five percent. 'The state is going...READ MORE

County Hopes to Reduce Spray Buffers

SNOW HILL - The Worcester County Commissioners will hold a public hearing April 22, before considering the text amendment for passage on changes to spray irrigation buffers and an expansion of the zones spray irrigation land will be allowed in. The change would implement an important tenet of the March 2006 Worcester County Comprehensive plan that highly treated effluent should be disposed of through spray irrigation. The Worcester County Planning Commission enthusiastically endorsed the text...READ MORE

County Seeks New Sewer Plant Site

SNOW HILL - The planned new Mystic Harbour sewer plant may not be built on the same site as the existing facility, with the Worcester County Commissioners directing staff this week to explore an alternate site before planning proceeded further. 'I do have a concern of building the plant at the same location,' said Commissioner Bud Church. 'I'd like you to broaden your horizons a bit.' The plan has been to build a new plant next to the existing plant, allowing the old facility to handle...READ MORE

Local Contractor Pleads Guilty to Theft Charges

SNOW HILL- A local roofer investigated last year for bilking customers out of their money without completing contracted projects pleaded guilty this week in District Court to felony theft and operating without a contractors office and now awaits his fait pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Charges against James Ira Lewis, 40, of Ocean City, were filed after a joint investigation carried out by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI), the Worcester County Sheriff's...READ MORE

Friday, March 21 - Fire Dispute Parties Agree to Work Toward Solution

OCEAN CITY - After another lengthy and impassioned discussion over the future of the town's fire services this week, the Mayor and City Council and the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCFVC) agreed to come together and at least begin to hash out the problems that have caused the current rift and move towards a solution that all parties can feel comfortable with. Tensions remained high at a meeting of the Mayor and City Council Monday night as OCVFC Chief Chris Larmore and President Jay...READ MORE

OP Dodges Flush Tax Bullet

SNOW HILL- Ocean Pines wastewater customers will not pay the flush tax this year, the state has said, since higher nitrogen levels last winter could not be controlled by technology. 'I'm glad the state realized there's not technology available to process effluent at such extremely low temperatures,' said Worcester County Commissioner Judy Boggs. Earlier this winter, Worcester County learned high nitrogen levels in the extremely cold February and March of 2007 had skewed the annual nitrogen...READ MORE

St. Pat's Parade Awards Announced

OCEAN CITY- The 28th Annual Delmarva Irish-American Club Saint Patrick's Day Parade was held last Saturday in Ocean City with picture-perfect weather and thousands of spectators on hand. All of the participants acquitted themselves well with a wide variety of floats, bands, historic vehicles and more. Following the parade's judges conferred and awarded first place and honorable mention prizes to winners in several categories. In the Marching Units category, the Chesapeake Caldonia Pipe and Drum...READ MORE