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Powerhouse Gym Returning To WOC With New Facility

WEST OCEAN CITY – The Powerhouse Gym in West Ocean City has come full circle. Originally opened in the early 90’s in its current location inside the Food Lion Shopping Center off Route 611 in West Ocean City, the new Powerhouse Gym is taking over again and opening in December 2010. Initially, when Tony and Laura Taghipour purchased the Powerhouse Gym in October 1997, the club had less than 180 members. It was filled with older equipment, had no childcare and the group exercise room...READ MORE

Busick, Cowger Bow Out As Commissioners

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners took the opportunity Tuesday to bid farewell to two of their colleagues, Commissioners Linda Busick and Bobby Cowger. Busick and Cowger both participated in the final meeting of their terms this week. Busick, who represented District 6, lost to Madison Jim Bunting Jr. in the primary. Busick later entered the general election as a late write-in candidate. Cowger, who represented District 1, did not run for reelection and will pass his seat to...READ MORE

Social Services Commended For Surpassing Goals

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Department of Social Services (DSS) received a county commendation for being one of only three such departments to “meet or exceed all four Place Matters goals for child welfare.” The commendation especially praised the DSS for having the lowest percentage of foster children placed in group care in the entire state. DSS Director Pete Buesgens and other representatives were on hand at the County Commissioners meeting Tuesday to receive the...READ MORE

Town In Prep Mode As Celebration Nears

BERLIN – The Town of Berlin is currently in the midst of preparing for its annual Victorian Christmas celebration. Officially kicking off the day after Thanksgiving, work on the month-long festival is already well underway, especially concerning perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the town’s Christmas, the large tree placed in front of the Atlantic Hotel every winter. “We’ll begin installing lights on the tree within the next week or two,” Tim Lawrence, the...READ MORE

New Liquor License Granted; Violation Draws Fine

SNOW HILL – Two matters on the agenda for the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Wednesday were the approval of a new liquor license and the violation of another by way of sale to a minor. Representatives from Simon and Oliver’s Wood-Fired Grille petitioned the BLC for a Class ‘B’ seven-day license, which would allow beer, wine, and liquor to be sold at the establishment, located at 116th Street and Coastal Highway inside the Fountainhead. Attorney Guy...READ MORE

Rail Work Confirms Trains Will Remain In Berlin

BERLIN – The Maryland & Delaware Railroad Company (MDRC) is reaching the final stages of extensive work in the Berlin area, confirming what the company president says is a commitment to continue operations in this area. MDRC, through the use of a $1.6 million grant, will complete new track and lighting work for three crossings in town. In an interview and tour of the project on Monday, MDRC President Eric Callaway said he estimates that all work should be completed by early March. The...READ MORE

New Gala Affair Planned In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – A new holiday event called “Puttin’ on the Ritz” will take place this month, and, according to the event coordinator Veronica Donaldson, it is an event that Ocean City hasn’t seen before. According to Donaldson, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” has been started to bring visual arts to the community and to involve the Art League of Ocean City will putting artwork at the convention center. All of the proceeds will be going to the art league to fill...READ MORE

City Council Clears New Water Sports Operation

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council reviewed on Monday the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation to add a new water sports operation downtown near the Inlet. Graham Bostic, owner of the Sea Rocket operation in Ocean City, wants to add a jet ski and parasailing operation to his business. The Sea Rocket operates off the pier near the Inlet on Philadelphia Avenue, adjacent to the fishing pier. He wants to add the new operation to the other side of the pier, so the Sea...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY – This week’s Mayor and City Council meeting’s agenda was light but the following items were discussed. Pillas Concerned Over Event The 31st Annual Mid-Atlantic Classic Chevy Festival will commence June 11-12, 2011. The total cost to the town is $140, due to Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) costs. The festival is free to the general public. There has been no charity determined yet for proceeds generated. Mason Dixon Classic Chevy Club member Robert K. Bowie was...READ MORE

Association Wants To Land Huey Helicopter

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Aviation Association (OCAA) came forward before the Mayor and City Council this week and requested funds to display a Huey helicopter at the Ocean City airport. According to OCAA, sometime back the city asked if it was to provide an aircraft display would the OCAA be willing to clean and maintain it. The association eagerly replied, yes. In September, the Unites States Army offered a donation of a Huey helicopter to the city, but the city was unable to fund the...READ MORE

County Truck Route Being Ignored By Some

SNOW HILL – The possibility of setting up a new truck route in Worcester County generated a lot of discussion this week between the County Commissioners, the Sheriff’s Office and the Public Works Department. Concerns were brought before the commissioners about an increasing amount of heavy truck traffic causing potential damage to several roads in the county as well as a bridge. Cypress, New Bridge, and Tulls Corner roads were among those named in the Pocomoke area that are receiving...READ MORE

Officials Looking To Outlaw High-Caffeine Alcoholic Drinks

BERLIN – In the wake of a terrible tragedy that claimed the life of an Eastern Shore woman last weekend, local, state and federal officials this week called for an immediate ban on certain high-octane alcoholic beverages being marketed and sold to young adults. Marketed under names such as “Four Loko” and “Joose” among others, Alcoholic Energy Drinks (AEDs) have become increasingly popular with young adults and teens in recent weeks including college students and...READ MORE

Responders Participate In Mock Drill At Power Facility

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Emergency Services this week participated in a mock “man down” drill with Delmarva Power at a high voltage electric substation in the resort to practice the joint response to an individual or individuals injured or worse. Shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Delmarva Power emergency vehicles along with Ocean City Emergency Services responded to the company’s Maridel substation on 41st Street near the Roland E. Powell Convention Center for a staged...READ MORE

SHA Continues Work On Handicap Sidewalk Cuts

OCEAN CITY – At last week’s Mayor and City Council meeting, the State Highway Administration (SHA) reviewed its list of projects for the roadways in town. District Engineer Donnie Drewer said the project to mill and re-surface north bound lanes on Philadelphia Avenue between 9th and 26th streets is finished and the SHA is in the process of replacing pavement markings. “As luck would have it, we had a little money left so we’re in the process of doing the southbound side...READ MORE

P.J. Aldridge Takes Message To Oprah

OCEAN CITY – A local man with a huge heart but ailing lungs will have the opportunity to forward his message of hope and the importance of a positive mental attitude when he appears next week on one the largest stages in the world. P.J. Aldridge, who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer last February during a surfing vacation in Costa Rica, has since been waging his own personal battle against the insidious disease while fighting a larger war for greater awareness and research funding....READ MORE

James Concedes As Mathias Pulls Away For Victory

BERLIN – With all but a smattering of absentee and overseas ballots left to count, State Senate District 38 Republican challenger Michael James late last week conceded the election to Democrat Jim Mathias, sending the district’s current delegate back to Annapolis for four more years. Going into last Friday’s canvas of absentee ballots across the district, which includes all of Worcester and Somerset counties as well as a significant chunk of Wicomico County, Mathias led James...READ MORE

OC Resident Saves Woman After Crash Into Canal

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man is considered a hero this week after rescuing a woman who drove her vehicle into a midtown bayside canal early Monday morning. Shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, Christopher Sullivan, general manager of Yang’s Palace restaurant, was sleeping in his apartment over the establishment when he heard the grating sound of tire rims on the parking lot outside. Sullivan went outside to investigate the noise and saw a Toyota Camry ride across the parking lot on flat...READ MORE

Oglesby, Todd Pledge Smooth Transition Ahead

BERLIN – Transition and cooperation were the catch words this week when the dust settled after another remarkably close Worcester County State’s Attorney election was officially conceded by the incumbent late a week ago. Incumbent Worcester County State’s Attorney Joel Todd officially conceded to Republican challenger Beau Oglesby last Friday after the penultimate batch of absentee ballots had been counted. Todd actually picked up a little more ground after county elections...READ MORE

OC Seeks To Reduce Building Lighting

OCEAN CITY – The ongoing issue regarding the Rivendell lighting issue returned to the Mayor and City Council again this week. Bay Princess resident Andy Anders presented the Mayor and City Council with the history between the neighboring Bay Princess and Rivendell buildings. There have been issues concerning the height, setback, shadows and lighting of the Rivendell building over the years. The lighting issue consists of matters regarding the lighting in the building’s parking garage...READ MORE