OCEAN CITY — The merits of the Ocean City beach replenishment project got another proverbial leg to stand on when statistics found this week showed a tremendously low number of flood insurance claims have been actually been paid in the last 30 years.The Dispatch obtained a spreadsheet that lists all of the state’s flood insurance… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — With the first official resolution of the New Year, the town has approved borrowing the money for expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, but the mayor reminded everyone that the full plan does still include the 1,200-seat performing arts center.Mayor Rick Meehan gave a not-so-subtle reminder to the City Council… Read more »

SNOW HILL – A Baltimore man arrested in July for pulling a knife on a group of individuals during an altercation on a downtown Ocean City street corner pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to one count of attempted robbery and was sentenced to six years in jail, much of which was suspended in… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Two months after a federal judge dismissed a $20 million civil suit filed against Ocean City paramedics last year by the family of two Pennsylvania tourists who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a Boardwalk hotel room in June 2006, the plaintiffs have filed an appeal in the case.Last June, Yvonne and… Read more »

BERLIN – Demolition work began on the old grandstand at Ocean Downs this week, but even after overcoming a handful of problems with asbestos and structural steel, a new target date for the implementation of slot machines at the historic racetrack remains uncertain.Crews began dismantling certain elements of the old grandstand at Ocean Downs this… Read more »

SNOW HILL – Worcester County can expect $10.4 million less in property tax revenue in the next fiscal year compared to the current, according to recent land reassessment numbers.“I wish I had good news,” said Worcester County Chief Financial Officer Harold Higgins on Tuesday.Higgins reported on the recent property tax estimates and assessment numbers at… Read more »

SNOW HILL – Three Ocean Pines bridges are now on the Worcester County roads inventory, which should make the aging bridges eligible for state and federal funding.The three bridge spans now included in Worcester County’s road inventory are Ocean Pines’ North Gate bridge, the bridge at Clubhouse Drive and the bridge on Ocean Parkway south… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — The medallion system that some taxi drivers have been fearing for several weeks will be presented to the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday as part of a proposal to restructure the industry.Police Commission member and Ocean City Councilman Doug Cymek said this week an initial proposal has been worked out at… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — The resort will continue to play the “value” card when advertising Ocean City this summer, and it could be partnering with another Maryland mainstay that is trying to attract customers very much the same way.Tourism Director Deb Turk told the Tourism Commission at a recent meeting that planning has already begun for… Read more »

NEWARK – A new three-tiered scholastic honors system will replace the long-standing valedictorian and salutatorian system at Worcester County high schools because colleges focus on grade point average (GPA) and courses taken in the admissions process, not the top two spots at each high school.The new academic honors will reward more of the top students… Read more »