December 3, 2010

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might feel that you have all the answers right now. But it might be wise to listen to other ideas before you decide to close the lid on other possibilities. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Bovines give and expect loyalty, so it might not be easy to reconcile with someone you feel let you down. Why not ask a neutral party to set up a clear-the-air meeting? GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Anticipating the holidays with family and friends fuels your must-do Gemini...READ MORE

Less Risk For More Reward

OCEAN CITY – Balancing risk against the potential for returns underpins nearly every investment decision. Lately, though, that balance has been difficult to achieve. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), which measures expectations of future volatility in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index, has reached historic levels over the past few years. It's not surprising that over two-thirds of high-net-worth investors recently surveyed by Merrill Lynch and the...READ MORE

Things I Like

Four days off for Thanksgiving

 Old photo albums that show their age 
Beach pictures of my kids

 New shoes

 The Good Wife's cast

 Seeing my kids after a doctor's appointment

 Watching high school sports

 Morning showers

 The calm that comes from a quiet house
 
 The view of OC from Assateague

 Apples and peanut butter 
 ...READ MORE

Certified Status Obtained

BERLIN – The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) has announced that John Motsko, Diabetes Resource Pharmacist at Apple Discount Drugs, achieved Certified Diabetes Educator® (CDE®) status by successfully completing the Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators. Candidates must meet rigorous eligibility requirements to be able to take the examination. Achieving certification status demonstrates to people with diabetes and employers that the health...READ MORE

Adkin's Company Generous Donation

The Adkins Company of Berlin has made a gift of $5,000 to the capital campaign to build a new athletic field house at Seahawk Stadium. The capital campaign is a project of the Stephen Decatur High School Alumni Association. Presenting the donation to Lou Taylor, SDHS Principal, are Adkins Company owners Richard and Cheryl Holland, both of whom are SDHS Class of 1965 graduates. Visit www.sdhsalumni.com for more information. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Turkeys For Seton Center

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Board Members recently donated turkeys to the Seton Center to provide hot meals for families in financial crisis during the holiday season. Pictured, third row from left, are Joe Ruark, Bill Middleton, Vince Tolbert, Steven Leonard, Ira “Buck” Shockley and Gene Adkins; second row, Gage Thomas, Ginny Reid Matern, Cathie Thorsten, Kathleen Mommé; and seated, Karen Reddersen, Sister Cecelia McManus, Sister Regina Hudson and Tim Feist. ...READ MORE

PES Recommended For Reaccreditation

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools recently recommended Pocomoke Elementary, Middle, and High Schools for reaccreditation. Pictured above are, from left, Pocomoke Elementary School Principal Todd Hall, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. John Gaddis, Pocomoke Middle School Principal Caroline Bloxom, and Pocomoke High School Principal Tyrone Mills. ...READ MORE

Easter Seals' New Location

Longtime friend and supporter of Easter Seals, Maryland Delegate Norman Conway, recently visited Easter Seals’ new Salisbury location. He is joined by Easter Seals board member Beverly Ward and 5-year-old Devin Chambers, who receives services. ...READ MORE

RWWC Annual Dinner

The Republican Women for Worcester County’s (RWWC) annual dinner was held last month at the Carousel Hotel. Pictured, from left, are Joan Gentile, RWWC President; Andrew M. Langer, speaker who is the president of the Institute for Liberty; and Gail Schuler, RWWC First Vice President. ...READ MORE

Apple Turkeys At OCES

Ocean City Elementary students Jenna Banks and Wesley Powell show off their turkeys prior to Thanksgiving break. Faith Murray's 4th grade class completed a "How To" activity on How to Make an Apple Turkey For Thanksgiving using apples, toothpicks, and candy. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

WBOC Anchor Speaks To WPS Students

WBOC16 Anchor/Managing Editor Steve Hammond visited Worcester Preparatory School to talk to the senior Contemporary Issues classes about news reporting during political campaigns. Pictured, from left, are Ben Mumford, Hunter Harmon, Alexia Buas, Hammond, Hope Evans, Maddy DiNardo, Rubab Ahmad and Head of the Upper School Nancy Decker. ...READ MORE

SES Students Compare Lifestyles With The Pilgrims

Cole Woodland and Rafe Parsons from Ms. Drake's second grade class at Showell Elementary enjoyed making applesauce after comparing pilgrims’ lifestyle to their own ...READ MORE

Flat Stanley At OCES

Students in Monica Piern’s second grade students at Ocean City Elementary School are learning about geography with their favorite book character “Flat Stanley”. Students mailed their Flat Stanley to relatives and friends all over the United States. With their “Flat Stanley” are Anthony Rozaieski, Jacelyn Clapsadle and Elizabeth Coates. ...READ MORE

WPS Students Winners At Rehoboth Beach Writers' Guild

Worcester Prep junior Riddhi Sanwal and freshman Claire Stickler, both of
Lewes, were selected as winners in the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild 2010 Student Competition. Sanwal’s poem was honored with a third place award for high school students, while Stickler’s short story was first in the high school division. ...READ MORE

Kidz On The Block Program Visits OCES

Victor Vick, Michelle Hernandez, Calvin Brandenberg, Omar Omar, Shiran Lazarovich and Matthew Golden pose with the puppets from the Kids on the Block program from Talbot County's Mental Health Association.  The puppets and handlers came to Ocean City Elementary School to teach an interactive lesson on dealing with bullying. ...READ MORE

Mathias Speaks At OCES

Senator-elect Jim Mathias visited Ocean City Elementary School classrooms, spoke to Dr. Melanie Biscoe's fourth grade class about Maryland's government, and gave Principal Irene Kordick a Maryland flag. Pictured are Kordick, third graders Hannah Burke and James Capati, Mathias, and third grade teacher Carolyn Mitrecic. ...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Coconut Malorie 60th Street Bayfront Open Daily 1BR w/ Views Jim White ReMax Premier Properties 410-726-9026 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

707 Sports Bar & Grille 410-213-9507 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC Friday, Dec. 3: Crossing Delmar, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 3: TBA Saturday, Dec. 4: Aaron Howell Band Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Dec.3 & Saturday, Dec. 4: Dawn & The Williams Project Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West...READ MORE

Things To Do Around The Area

Dec. 3: Fritter Carry-Out Night 5-7 p.m., Bishopville Vol. Fire Dept., 10709 Bishopville Rd., Bishopville. To benefit the building fund. Single fried oysters and sandwiches, chicken wings (regular & hot), steamed shrimp. Also new this year $10 special 1/2 pound of steamed shrimp and a pitcher of beer. Dec. 3: Holy Savior/KC Bingo Doors open 6 p.m.; games begin, 7 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Re-freshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Dec. 4: Christmas Greenery...READ MORE

Graffiti Spree Ends in Arrest

OCEAN CITY – A La Plata, Md. man was arrested on malicious destruction of property charges last week after an alleged downtown Ocean City graffiti spree on Thanksgiving. Shortly before 2 p.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer on routine patrol in the area of North Division Street observed a man, later identified as Benjamin Keyton, 22, of La Plata, pull a white marker from his pocket and write the number “237” on a black dumpster owned by the town of...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

There is one particular phrase that causes me to cringe like no other. It’s “Hey Daddy, watch this,” an often heard comment from my 2 ½-year-old Beckett. I remember the first time I heard my son say those words. It was shocking at the time because he was barely speaking up to that point. Hearing him say anything at that point was cause for celebration, and the fact he wanted to be an exhibitionist of sorts was quite adorable. Today, the endearing part has worn off. It...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Mabel R. Hungerford BERLIN – Mabel R. Hungerford (nee Rennebaum) died on Nov. 22, 2010. Age 88. She was the wife of the late Churchill Hungerford, Jr.; step-mother of Henry Hungerford and the late Churchill Hungerford, III; sister of the late Katherine Fowler, Dorothy Rennebaum, and Leon Rennebaum; aunt of loving niece Joan Sharp and her husband Bill of Williamstown, Leon Rennebaum, Jr. and his wife Liz of Williamstown and Churchill "Churchie" Fowler of Glassboro; daughter of the...READ MORE

Up and Down Week for Mallards

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team had an up-and-down week last week, falling to visiting Holly Grove, 50-39, after winning its first two games of the season. The Mallards fell to Holly Grove, 50-39, last Wednesday for their first loss of the season after two impressive wins. Ryan Nally scored 14 points for Worcester in the loss, while Andrew Ternahan pitched in 11 points. The loss was the first of the year for the Mallards after two wins to start the...READ MORE

Pocomoke Adds to Growing Legacy

BERLIN- Pocomoke High School’s girls’ varsity field hockey team added to its growing legacy last week, winning its eighth straight state championship and 18th overall for the small, rural school in the south end of Worcester County. The Warriors defeated Patterson Mill, 1-0, last week on a goal by Taylor West with just under 20 minutes remaining in the game to clinch Pocomoke’s eighth straight Class 1A state title. Overall, Pocomoke’s varsity field hockey team has now won...READ MORE

Cadet Dolphins Advance in Playoffs

BERLIN- The Berlin Cadet Dolphins this week began their post-season playoff run in much the same way they conducted the regular season, with a workmanlike 14-7 win over rival Snow Hill to remain unbeaten and advance to the Salvation Army “Red Shield League” championship. The Cadet Dolphins finished the regular season last week with a perfect 8-0 mark and remained unbeaten this week with the 14-7 win over Snow Hill in the opening round of the playoffs. With the win, the Cadet Dolphins...READ MORE

Craven Wins “Tough Guy of Year” Award

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s massive offensive lineman Nick Craven this week was named the Atlantic Physical Therapy “Tough Guy of the Year” after collecting the weekly award twice during the Seahawks’ outstanding 2010 campaign. Most of the accolades in football at any level are reserved or the glamour guys, the golden-armed quarterbacks and fleet running backs who put the points on the board and thrill the crowds, but the weekly “Tough Guy” award is handed out...READ MORE

Top Two Teams Reach Flag Finals

OCEAN CITY- The top two seeds in the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s Fall Flag Football League will face each other in the championship next week after one had to scrap its way back through the loser’s bracket this week to get a shot at the title. Schell Brothers-Greene Turtle, which finished second in the regular season, cruised through its side of the bracket while regular season champion Seacrets had to fight its way back to the title game after a second-round playoff...READ MORE

Turtle Lax Tryouts on Tap

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle girls’ lacrosse club will be holding tryouts for the 2011 season tomorrow, December 4 at the Crown Sports Complex in Salisbury. The club is looking for girls who are interested in playing competitive tournament lacrosse against some of the best competition throughout the region and on the east coast. Now in its fifth year, the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club offers a well-established, well-respected competitive club program with an excellent coaching...READ MORE

War on the Shore Returns Next Week

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s 9th Annual War on the Shore wrestling tournament gets underway next week at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center for the first time with some of the top high school programs in the mid-Atlantic area converging on the area for the two-day event. The War on the Shore tournament, which features some of the best high school wrestling programs in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia, has been moved this year to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center for the first...READ MORE

Hail Mary Wrecks Dolphins’ Perfect Season

BERLIN- The Berlin Junior Dolphins’ dream of a perfect season and a Salvation Army “Red Shield” League championship ended in one dramatic moment on Tuesday night. The Junior Dolphins ran the table in the regular season with a perfect 9-0 mark and cruised to the league championship game against the Pocomoke Warriors on Tuesday. However, after taking a late lead in the game, the Dolphins saw their championship hopes dissolve on a dramatic “Hail Mary” touchdown pass by...READ MORE

Black Friday Tourney a Success

OCEAN CITY- With the rockfish bite in and around the resort area staying red hot, the 9th Annual Black Friday 550 Rockfish Tournament last weekend was a big success with dozens of keeper striped bass weighed and thousands raised for a worthy local charity. For three days last weekend, dozens of local anglers looking for an alternative to the madness of post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping took to the waters in and around Ocean City for the 9th Annual Black Friday 550 Rockfish Tournament. About a...READ MORE

Tough Guy Of The Year

Stephen Decatur football standout Nick Craven this week was awarded the Atlantic Physical Therapy “Tough Guy of the Year” trophy during Monday’s awards banquet. Pictured above is Craven (center) flanked by ATP lead physical therapist Charles Curran (left) and Coach Bob Knox (right). Submitted photo ...READ MORE

Prayer Breakfast Set For Dec. 10

OCEAN CITY – The 21st annual Ocean City Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is approaching, providing residents in the area an opportunity to enjoy the holiday season by attending a breakfast buffet, while listening to the inspirational stories of Steve Young. The Ocean City Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast began in 1990. The event is held at the Clarion Resort Hotel on 101st Street. The breakfast is a buffet and a guest speaker indulges those who attend along with several other speakers of...READ MORE

Chili Cookoff Aims To Help Needy Kids In Community

OCEAN CITY – Tis’ the season for chili recipes and the 12th Annual Ocean City Parrothead Club’s (OCPHC) Hots for Tots Chili Cookoff. According to the OCPHC, the club is one of the largest Parrothead Clubs in the world and has raised more than $1 million for non-profit charities. Parrotheads are an international, no-profit organization of people who love the island lifestyle, listen to Jimmy Buffet music and appreciate the meaning of having a good time while donating their time...READ MORE

Retired Warship Sinking Off OC Coast Postponed

OCEAN CITY – Plans to scuttle a retired U.S. Navy destroyer as part of a three-state artificial reef system just 30 miles from the Ocean City Inlet, initially scheduled for later this month, have likely been moved back until April as final preparations on the vessel continue and the window for suitable weather starts to close. The decommissioned U.S.S. Arthur W. Radford remained in a Navy shipyard in Philadelphia this week as a planned sinking date for the massive vessel appears to have...READ MORE

County Names New Mental Health Head

SNOW HILL – The Mental Health branch of the Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) recently appointed Tracy Tilghman as its new director. Tilghman has been with the WCHD for 10 years, filling roles such as child and adolescent therapist, clinical director, psychological rehabilitation director and even acting as the director of Mental Health for several months before being officially appointed. When asked what kinds of duties she would have as the mental health director for the county,...READ MORE

WOC Man Charged After Showing Phony Gun

WEST OCEAN CITY – A West Ocean City man was arrested on first-degree assault and other serious charges after allegedly flashing what later turned out to be a replica handgun at a Maryland State Police trooper during a confrontation late last Saturday. Around 11:30 p.m. last Saturday, a Maryland State Police trooper, working overtime in West Ocean City as part of a holiday weekend drunk-driving enforcement initiative, observed a man, later identified as Joshua Aaron Baker of West Ocean...READ MORE

Worcester Prep To Host Annual Christmas Bazaar

BERLIN – Worcester Preparatory School’s 39th Annual Christmas Bazaar will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the school. The Bazaar will feature the following booths: The Bakery: Cookies, mini-loaves, muffins, gourmet goodies, breads and other unique items will be featured. Basket Booth: You’ll find specially prepared baskets for friends, moms, dads, students, teachers, you name it! Book Fair: Books make great Christmas gifts. Café: Plan to treat your...READ MORE

Seminar Aims To Educate Parents, Protect Children

BERLIN – The Darkness to Light program, which aims to educate adults on prevention of, and sensitive response to, the sexual abuse of minors, recently gave a seminar to a room full of school councilors and volunteers. The seminar was held in the Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services building in Berlin and was hosted by program facilitator Donna Leffew. Leffew, clinical director at the Life Crisis Center in Salisbury, is the only Darkness to Light facilitator on the Eastern...READ MORE

Town, Company Planning To Repair Railroad Crossings

BERLIN – After a meeting on Monday involving town officials and State Highway Administration and Maryland & Delaware Railroad Company representatives, arrangements have been made to deal with problems generated by the new railroad crossings in town. At least week’s Mayor and Council meeting, Public Works Director Mike Gibbons brought it to the council’s attention that there were issues with the crossings at Broad St. and Old Ocean City Blvd. Additionally, Sam West, a...READ MORE

Sidewalks In Berlin Getting Overhauled

BERLIN – For the next week, the Town of Berlin will continue seeing a lot of sidewalk work. Sidewalks are being replaced or installed on six different streets throughout town. However, most of the work is minor and should be nearly finished by early December. Mike Gibbons, Berlin’s director of Public Works, said the multi-street project is in full swing. “Work on Washington Street should be done by next Monday,” said Gibbons. “With what’s being done at Flower...READ MORE

Trio Held For Pizza Delivery Driver Robbery

OCEAN CITY – Two local residents were arrested on robbery and assault charges last weekend and a third was taken into custody later this week for allegedly strong-arming a pizza delivery driver and stealing his money and wallet. Around 10:30 p.m. last Friday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer responded to the area of 74th Street for a reported strong-arm robbery. Upon arrival, the officer met with a victim who told police he was a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver and that...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines 707 Sports bar & grille 12702 Old Bridge Road (Route 707), West Ocean City • 410-213-9507 We may have changed hands, but we are still the same locally known Sports Bar in West Ocean City, and yes we are open everyday 11a.m.-2 a.m. Everything on our menu is made to order from our Homemade Soups, Salads,  new and improved Crab Dip, Mussels, the only place that serves the “Full Wing” Quesadillas, 1/2 lb. Burgers, Crab cakes, Fresh cut...READ MORE

Between The Lines

The future of the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County will likely be decided this month with the release of the Comptroller’s Office report on its extensive investigation. The report’s contents have been heavily concealed in the wake of the nine-month investigation into the local dispensary and its operations. As expected with such a heavily anticipated report, the rumor mill has been in full swing. Some allege a smoking gun have been discovered that will make dissolving the...READ MORE

Audit Should Not Deter Interlock Program

A recent audit of the state's Drinking Driver Monitoring Program found deficiencies in the way data is monitored and shared, but that doesn't diminish its importance or lessen the need for Maryland to expand the use of ignition interlock devices. The bottom line of the audit is that interlock ignition systems are doing their job, namely keeping drunks off the roads. Auditors were right to point to improvements the state Division of Parole and Probation needed to make in its monitoring procedures...READ MORE

Berlin Should Dismiss Sprinkler Mandate

Editor: I was unable to attend the recent Berlin Council hearing on mandating sprinkler systems in new homes, but I was heartened to read that the Council members are carefully considering the issue.
We own property in Berlin and both of our kids could some day build homes there. The town has many advantages – the ease of walking or biking for basic errands, great fire and police departments and a pleasant ambiance. 
These things come with a price, however, and Berlin already...READ MORE

Council Seeks Changes To Boardwalk Display Amendments

OCEAN CITY – The Boardwalk Development Association (BDA) returned to the Mayor and City Council this week to bring forward the favorable recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission over amendments that the council decided will once again need to be edited. The BDA came back to the Mayor and City Council with its list of nine amendments to the Boardwalk Outdoor Display of Merchandise Standards after a public hearing held with the Planning and Zoning Commission. “At the public...READ MORE

Snow Hill Man Found Guilty Of Arson

SNOW HILL – A Snow Hill man, arrested in October in connection to a residential fire in West Ocean City last April, was found guilty this week in Circuit Court of first-degree arson and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation which could put him behind bars for as long as 30 years. On April 11, Ocean City firefighters responded to a reported fire at a residence on Keyser Point Rd. in West Ocean City. A neighbor reported the fire. First-arriving units...READ MORE

Berlin Historic Comm. Okays Changes To Town Properties

BERLIN – The Berlin Historic District Commission met Wednesday night and all three items brought before them were met with unanimous approval. Jill Hoshal came before the commission to represent the Baked Dessert Café. Unlike the other two cases that night, Hoshal wasn’t asking the commission to approve changes to her building for aesthetics so much as for safety. “Whenever someone comes into the bakery, the doors push in…there’s a little bit of a safety...READ MORE

Resort To Slash Retiree Benefits

OCEAN CITY – During this week’s Mayor and City Council’s presentation of benefits and compensation study, town employee retirement benefits became a heated topic, as the council began eliminating the benefits from all directions. The town recently offered a retirement incentive to employees in attempts to persuade some into retirement. According to the presentation, the incentive was offered to 84 town employees and only 37 accepted. The council began its attempts to save costs...READ MORE

Schools Score Nutrition Grant

BERLIN – A new federal grant will allow local schools the chance to learn about nutrition. The United States Department of Agriculture awarded Maryland $2 million as a Team Chef Nutrition grant. Worcester County, one of nine counties to take part in the project, received $28,600 of that grant for use by the Culinary and Healthful Enhancement of Food (CHEF) team program. The three schools targeted are Ocean City, Buckingham and Showell elementary schools. Chef Paul Suplee, the instructor...READ MORE

Winter Crime Prevention Initiatives Offered

Winter Crime Prevention Initiatives Offered Shawn J. Soper News Editor OCEAN CITY – In a town where the population often drops from 300,000 in the summer to just a few thousand hearty souls in the winter, there are thousands of vacant properties and scores of dark streets providing ample opportunities for would-be criminals, but there are several proactive programs in place to help prevent crime and protect property during the dead season in the resort. The seasonal nature of Ocean City...READ MORE

Obama Rejects Ocean Drilling

OCEAN CITY – Just seven months after proposing to open a vast tract of ocean floor roughly 50 miles off the coast of Ocean City and Assateague to offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, the Obama administration this week reversed its course and issued a ban on drilling off the mid-Atlantic coast through 2017. In March, President Obama announced a plan to open the Atlantic coast to oil and natural gas exploration in an area referred to as Lease Sale 220, a vast tract totaling nearly...READ MORE

Local Police Find Motorists Complying With Driving Laws

BERLIN – Two months after a new law prohibiting talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving took effect across Maryland, it appears most motorists across Worcester County including Ocean City are getting the message about the ban. Beginning Oct. 1, it became illegal for a motorist in Worcester County and across Maryland to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Last year, state lawmakers passed a similar law banning text messaging while driving and a ban on hand-held cell phone use...READ MORE

Report Findings Likely To Decide LCB’s Future

OCEAN CITY — A spokesperson from Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot’s office confirmed this week that the findings of the nine-month investigation of the Worcester County Liquor Control Board (LCB), which Franchot himself called “one of the most intensive” ever, could be announced publicly as early as next week. “I can’t say for sure when the exact date is going to be at this time, but the report is done and it will be announced very soon”, said...READ MORE

Federal Judge Denies Ben Sifrit’s Latest Appeal

OCEAN CITY – Convicted killer Benjamin Sifrit, who, along with his wife Erika, brutally murdered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City on Memorial Day weekend in 2002, this week had his latest attempt at an appeal shot down by a federal court judge. After U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett struck down Sifrit’s bid for a new trial in late October, the convicted killer embarked on a new path, filing an appeal last week with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth...READ MORE

Md. Allocates $190K To OC For Routine Beach Work

OCEAN CITY – With very little fanfare or discussion, the Maryland Board of Public Works this week approved a nearly $200,000 expenditure for the ongoing beach replenishment project in Ocean City. The three-member Board of Public Works, which includes Governor Martin O’Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, on Wednesday approved the $190,138 state expenditure for Ocean City’s beach replenishment project apart from the estimated $10 million in federal, state...READ MORE

Flaws Revealed In Ignition Program

BERLIN – A Maryland Department of Legislative Services audit released this week revealed a large percentage of Marylanders required to participate in the state’s ignition interlock program as a condition of probation in drunk-driving cases are not being closely monitored. The Department of Legislative Services this week released the findings of an audit of the state’s Division of Parole and Probation (DPP) after reviewing the state agency for a period of three years. Among the...READ MORE

Appeals Court Weighs In On Chamber, Ex-Director Case

BERLIN – The Maryland Court of Special Appeals last week issued a series of opinions in the ongoing dispute between a former Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce executive director and his previous employer, ruling generally against the chamber on several key points and remanding the issue of attorney fees back to the Worcester County Circuit Court for further review. In April 2009, a Worcester County jury awarded former Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Daniel Barufaldi...READ MORE

City Targets New Employee Pay, Days Off, Tuition Costs

OCEAN CITY – Pay checks, sick days, holidays and vacations are no longer looking so promising when applying to work for the town of Ocean City, as the council begins to cut down on benefits in attempts to save costs. During the Mayor and City Council meeting this week, a presentation was given on a study of the town’s benefits and compensations. Human Resources Director Wayne Evans displayed several different pay scale charts and compared them to the current pay scale of Ocean...READ MORE

Council Differs On Health Insurance Changes

OCEAN CITY – Discussions on town employee medical coverage at this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting had tempers flaring, as the council tossed around drastic proposals in changing employee health benefits. The town’s current health coverage for employees includes medical, prescription, dental and vision. This coverage will remain but exactly how much the town will cover in costs is left in question. Human Resources Director Wayne Evans and Kay Moran, health care...READ MORE

Resort To Slash Retiree Benefits

OCEAN CITY – During this week’s Mayor and City Council’s presentation of benefits and compensation study, town employee retirement benefits became a heated topic, as the council began eliminating the benefits from all directions. The town recently offered a retirement incentive to employees in attempts to persuade some into retirement. According to the presentation, the incentive was offered to 84 town employees and only 37 accepted. The council began its attempts to save costs...READ MORE