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NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Hollywood Coming To Ocean City This Fall?

OCEAN CITY – It was announced this week that there is a possibility that a movie, Ping Pong Summer, starring actress Susan Sarandon, will be filmed in Ocean City this September. Following Tuesday afternoon’s Mayor and City Council meeting, officials received invitations to a cocktail party on June 28 to introduce the movie. Ruth Waters, director of sales for the Harrison Group Resort Hotels & Restaurants, sent out the invites as she has been working closely with the project and...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Employee Group Looks To Submit Petition By July

OCEAN CITY – City employees said last week they are planning on wrapping up petition efforts to gain the right to collective bargaining by the end of this month. In the beginning of the year, rumors began to spread that general employees intended to pursue collective bargaining. In February, city employees packed council chambers to reveal their concerns and their intentions and returned in April to remind the council that they have not backed down in their efforts. Last Thursday, Barbara...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Another Pedestrian Hit On Coastal Highway

OCEAN CITY -- For the third time in about two weeks, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Coastal Highway near 54th Street early Tuesday morning and once again the victim was not in the crosswalk. After two pedestrian fatalities in eight days since Memorial Day in Ocean City, a third was struck on Coastal Highway near 54th Street around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, and while the injuries sustained by the victim are serious, they are not considered life-threatening. The victim,...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Autopsy Confirms Accidental Cause Of Death

Shawn J. Soper News Editor OCEAN CITY -- Official autopsy results released this week revealed the death of an upstate New York man, who went missing in Ocean City in late April and was recovered in the bay nearly two weeks later, was accidental. Ocean City Police this week confirmed the autopsy report for Lance Corey Gaines, 22, of Groton, N.Y., who was reported missing on April 21 and whose remains were recovered in the bay on May 1, revealed the manner of death was accidental and the cause of...READ MORE

Councilman Wants Private Security Personnel On City Buses In June

OCEAN CITY – Councilman Joe Hall reached out to his colleagues this week over concerns regarding the bus and what he perceives as an overabundance of rowdy crowds this time of the year. “The bus drivers aren’t the highest paid city employees but for the next three weeks they have one of the most challenging jobs in town to move a large amount of people having a very good time,” Joe Hall said. “I felt for their safety and for their sanity that some form of security...READ MORE

Judge Gives Berlin Man 10 Years For Cocaine Dealing

SNOW HILL -- A Berlin man with a history of drug and sex offense arrests in Worcester County and in Delaware was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in jail for his latest conviction. Deshawn Sturgis, 29, appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court on Tuesday for trial following a December arrest and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. With the agreed upon plea arrangement, Sturgis faced a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years without the possibility of parole under the...READ MORE

Scooter Citations, More Enforcement Eyed For Violators

OCEAN CITY – On Monday night, a message rang loud and clear at City Hall that enforcement is taking place and citations are being written for those scooter rental operators who cannot abide by the law. New laws placing firmer rules and regulations on the scooter rental industry to increase safety in Ocean City are in effect. The deliberations have been done, public hearings have been held, and the ordinances have been passed, yet ongoing issues continue. The unscheduled discussion began...READ MORE

City, Promoter Tweak Beach Lights Shows

OCEAN CITY – The new Sunday night OC Beach Lights shows downtown have experienced a few technical difficulties, but “the show goes on” as adjustments are being made along the way. Mayor Rick Meehan explained this week that there have been a few difficulties that the city in conjunction with Bob Rothermel of T.E.A.M Productions has been working on to tweak the show, which entails a five-story tall inflatable sphere featuring a visual laser, lighting, video and audio...READ MORE

Restitution Plan Leads To Reduced Sentence For Embezzlement

SNOW HILL -- A Salisbury woman, who pleaded guilty last month to carrying out a two-year theft scheme involving thousands of dollars against the Berlin golf course where she worked as a bookkeeper, was sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail, most of which was suspended as long as she continues on a restitution plan. In October, a Maryland State Police trooper investigated an initial theft report filed by Ed Colbert, owner and president of the Deer Run Golf Club in Berlin. The investigation focused...READ MORE

Salisbury Takes New Approach To Old Downtown Issues

SALISBURY -- Looking to ignite growth downtown, the Salisbury Council discussed strategies for generating development in the area Monday. “You have to understand that it’s not the equivalent of flipping a switch,” said Planning and Zoning Director Jack Lenox. “This is not going to happen overnight.” Lenox explained that the city has been having “a discussion on downtown for decades” and that triggering growth in the area is a long-term...READ MORE

Casino Revenue Up 21% From Last May

BERLIN -- Against the backdrop of the first meeting of the governor’s special task force on expanding gambling last Friday and the official opening of the state’s latest and largest casino Wednesday, the May numbers for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, revealing a significant spike over the prior month and the fourth highest total ever at the Berlin facility. Much was happening on the gambling scene in Maryland in the last week. Last Friday, the governor’s...READ MORE

Zoning Board Grants Events Request For Berlin Inn

BERLIN -- After months of lobbying and changes to town code, the Waystead Inn has gotten approval from the Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to host functions beyond the parameters of a classic bed and breakfast. “You won’t have any complaints,” attorney Mark Cropper, who represented the Inn, promised the BZA Wednesday. Inn owner Mark Kaufman wants to host birthday parties, weddings, retreats and dinner clubs at his bed and breakfast. Cropper described Kaufman’s vision...READ MORE

New Snow Hill High Project Funds Not In Budget

SNOW HILL -- Though the loose timeline for the eventual renovation of Snow Hill High School (SHHS) remains unaltered, one Worcester County Commissioner voted against this year’s budget because it didn’t include any new funding set aside for the project. “I am very disappointed that Snow Hill High School wasn’t included … For the second time in 14 years, I’m not voting for [the budget],” said Commissioner Virgil Shockley Tuesday. The budget eventually did...READ MORE

High-Speed Chase In Berlin Results In Major Pot Seizure

BERLIN -- After speeding through the Berlin area well in excess of 100 mph on Tuesday, three individuals were caught in a nearby shopping center and in the woods behind it, although a fourth suspect remains at large. Around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Maryland State Police troopers were conducting a stationary speed enforcement detail on Route 50 near Route 346 when they attempted to stop a green 2003 BMW for going 72 mph in a 55 mph zone. The vehicle swerved to the shoulder, went around the trooper and...READ MORE

Q&A With New Worcester County Superintendent

NEWARK -- Last month, Dr. Jerry Wilson was selected by the Worcester County Board of Education to take up the position of Superintendent of Schools when Dr. Jon Andes retires this summer after 16 years as superintendent. The Dispatch got a chance to ask Wilson some questions this week about his past, the unique education atmosphere in Worcester and the future of county schools. Wilson will be bringing 34 years of experience as an educator to the Eastern Shore, including 18 years as a...READ MORE

Campers Call Chick-fil-A Home For A Day For Giveaway

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The parking lot of the new Chick-fil-A restaurant on Route 50 in West Ocean City turned into a vanilla Shakedown Street of sorts on Wednesday as dozens gathered and camped out for a chance to win a year’s supply of the popular chain’s offerings. Since a store opening in Arizona in 2003, each new Chick-fil-A has hosted a “First 100 Celebration,” awarding the first 100 people in line with a free year’s supply. With the new store set to open...READ MORE

Berlin Eyesore Finally Demolished

BERLIN -- A troubled building in Berlin finally came down this week, though what, if anything, will take its place is still a mystery. Last January, the Mayor and Council heard complaints regarding the derelict building, located at 9913 Old Ocean City Blvd. and most previously known as the Neon Moon restaurant. At the time, resident Susan Moore told the council that the building “looked horrible” and was in such poor condition that it potentially posed a safety hazard. “It...READ MORE

Berlin Brewery Excited For Summer Growth

BERLIN -- With his one-year anniversary approaching in August, Burley Oak Brewery owner Bryan Brushmiller has some big plans for the summer, including bottling beer, setting up an on-site farmer’s market, and opening a free bicycle library to encourage exploration of the area. “We just want to get people downtown,” Brushmiller said of the nine bikes currently available. Unlike anything else the town offers, Brushmiller revealed that the idea to offer visitors free bike rentals...READ MORE

Annual Captain Schoepf Relay Set For Sunday

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Beach Patrol’s Annual Captain Schoepf Relay will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 10 starting at 7th Street. George Schoepf served as captain of the Ocean City Beach Patrol from 1987-1996, although his leadership role on the beach patrol was quite extensive, beginning with his appointment as "assistant" to Captain Craig in the late 1960s. Every year in June, in honor of his many years of service to OCBP, a relay is held where a classic steel rescue...READ MORE

Song Of Summer Contest Underway

OCEAN CITY — The Town of Ocean City has announced that it is on the hunt for the official Song of the Summer for 2012. The town is holding a contest and asking citizens to write an original song about Ocean City. The Song of the Summer contest will be hosted on the official Ocean City Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OceanCity. “Everyone associates certain songs with memories – especially when it comes to the beach and vacations,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “We want...READ MORE

OC Boardwalk Stores’ Licenses Suspended For 10 Days

OCEAN CITY – Two Boardwalk businesses are facing a 10-day suspension, effective Friday, following the arrest of the owner and employees due to an undercover operation revealing the sale of illegal synthetic drugs and drug paraphernalia. Last month’s raids were conducted on OC Cool Topics Inc., which is the holder of the three business licenses that were subject to a license suspension hearing held last Friday, June 1. OC Cool Topics Inc. operates two stores on the Boardwalk -- Cool...READ MORE

New OC Beach Ministry Formed

OCEAN CITY -- Beginning Monday, June 11, an exciting new beach ministry will begin at 38th Street in Ocean City at 6:15 pm. This inter-denominational ministry is open to the public and families are encouraged to attend with children of all ages. There will be live music, followed by a short devotion. Then, attendees are invited to hang out together, surf and play on the beach. Many years ago, Michelle Sommers of Sommers Surf Lessons, was part of such a beach ministry in Ocean City. "I met...READ MORE

Weekend Rescue Serves As Reminder To Swim Only When Guards On Duty

OCEAN CITY -- An early morning rescue last Saturday in north Ocean City led to safety personnel reminding visitors and residents to refrain from swimming when the Ocean City Beach Patrol is not on duty. Last Saturday morning around 6, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) and Ocean City Police Department were dispatched to the area of 141st Street for a reported drowning. OCFD paramedics and rescue swimmers reportedly discovered CPR being performed on a female on the beach. Rescue personnel...READ MORE

OC’s Trash Hauler Not Meeting Obligations

SNOW HILL -- After contract complications with a private waste hauler, the town of Ocean City has turned to Worcester County for help depositing trash until a new contract with a different agency begins on June 18. With the county promising cooperation, Ocean City officials are confident that residents and visitors to the resort will see no reduction in services. “The town is doing what they need to so we don’t have a backup of trash,” said Ocean City Public Works Deputy...READ MORE

Worcester Commissioners OK Tax Hike In 5-2 Vote

SNOW HILL -- The official vote is in -- property taxes in Worcester County will increase 7 cents per $100 of assessed value next year for the first time in eight years while county employees will receive a 2 percent raise for the first time in three years. The total fiscal year budget came in at $165,904,256. Though the budget was able to pass relatively unscathed in a 5-2 vote, none of the County Commissioners claimed to be entirely satisfied with the end product and most of them laid the...READ MORE

‘A True Restaurant’ Offering Bayfront Dining, Unique Menu

OCEAN CITY – The 45th Street Taphouse “kicks up bar food” and offers 36 cold beers on tap to add to the restaurant’s unique Ocean City atmosphere. General Manager/Executive Chef Jeff Burton was hired by the Sibony family, owner of the Sunsations stores, the 45th Street Village and other properties in Ocean City, in March of 2011 to develop the 9th Street and 45th Street Taphouse. “They are a great family to work for,” Burton said of the Sibonys. “They...READ MORE

2nd Pedestrian Fatality In Two Weeks In Resort

OCEAN CITY -- For the second time in just eight days, another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Coastal Highway in Ocean City on Tuesday evening and again the victim was not using a marked crosswalk. Around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Ocean City Police and paramedics responded to a reported vehicle accident involving a pedestrian in the area of 21st Street and Coastal Highway. The preliminary investigation revealed a group of friends were attempting to cross the highway in...READ MORE

Motions Hearing In Ava Case Provides New Details

SNOW HILL -- Stunning new details emerged yesterday afternoon during a motions hearing for the Ocean Pines man allegedly high on PCP when he crashed into a vehicle on Coastal Highway in December, seriously injuring a mother and her then-18-month-old daughter. Tuesday’s testimony featured an admission that the suspect had smoked the drug while crossing the Route 90 bridge into the resort minutes before the collision and that he vaguely remembers making a left turn at the foot of the bridge...READ MORE

OC Air Show Set For This Weekend

OCEAN CITY – An incredible line-up of the nation’s top military and civilian acts is getting reading to hit the beach in Ocean City for the 5th anniversary of the OC Air Show. The latest news is the addition of another impressive military aircraft - the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka: Warthog) has been added to the lineup. Known in the Air Force as the Warthog, the “flying gun” and the Tankbuster, the A-10 Thunderbolt has been used extensively in Operation Desert Storm,...READ MORE

OC Car, Truck Show Gears Up For 11th Edition

OCEAN CITY -- The 11th Anniversary of the OC Car and Truck Show will take place in Ocean City this weekend, June 9-10, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. During the annual June event, Spark Productions LLC is known for providing some of the best entertainment Ocean City has to offer with hundreds of the most amazing automotive creations on display and some of the biggest stars Ocean City has ever seen. The organizers have been working for over a year on this event and assure you that...READ MORE

Wicomico Hears Pro-Education Funding Message

SALISBURY – A public hearing held on County Executive Rick Pollitt’s proposed 2012-2013 operating budget turned into an outlet for members of the education community to speak out on the lack of funding dedicated to the Board of Education. A nearly empty room at the Wicomico Civic Center turned into standing room only as a long line of educational employees, parents, students, and future students of Wicomico County filed into the room to show support to have the Board of...READ MORE

Boutique’s Opening Coincides With 2nd Friday Bridal Stroll

BERLIN -- Hoping to make Berlin a “wedding destination,” Bustle bridal boutique will be opening its doors Friday. According to co-owner Kathy Walsh, Bustle will be a fitting addition to a town that already features bakeries, restaurants, florists, horse carriage rides, a hotel and pretty much everything else one needs to make a wedding. “Everyone in the town of Berlin wants to make the town a wedding destination,” said Walsh. Along with daughter Jennifer Davis, Walsh will...READ MORE

Students Race For Excellence To Assist School

BERLIN -- Students at Worcester Prep got the chance to spend time outside last Friday while raising money for the renovation of the school’s dated multi-purpose room. Students were able to participate in the first-ever Race for Excellence, which allowed kids in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade to walk, jog or sprint around a portion of the school’s campus. The goal of the event was to raise donations to remodel Worcester Prep’s multi-purpose room, which was originally...READ MORE