SALISBURY — After a controversial change to the city’s charter last week, Councilwoman Laura Mitchell has taken it upon herself to open the matter up to public opinion.Mitchell is starting a petition to referendum, which would challenge last week’s charter change.The council majority voted 5-2 to amend the city’s charter, placing access to legal counsel… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Wicomico County Council members decided this week to re-send their initial request to the state delegation concerning an elected school board.On Tuesday morning, the council debated whether they should suggest the delegation include the option of a fully elected school board or hybrid on the ballot.Several public comment sessions have been held… Read more »

SNOW HILL — After he completes his 16th year serving as Worcester County’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jon Andes will retire next June.“Jon Andes has been a tremendous asset for our school system,” said Board of Education President Bob Hulburd. “He understands that we shouldn’t be defined by who we are today. Instead, as students and… Read more »

SNOW HILL — Under pressure from the state level, the Worcester County Board of Education vented fears Tuesday that delaying renovation on Snow Hill High School (SHHS) might mean big setbacks when funding for the project eventually becomes available from the county.“It is unique to have a project this long,” said Assistant Superintendent for Administration… Read more »

SALISBURY — Fearing stagnation, Mayor Jim Ireton is calling for strong measures in addressing the city’s ongoing non-conforming use issues.“Amortization is the only way we’re going to say this issue doesn’t exist anymore,” he told the City Council Monday. “… But if we don’t take the big step then I think we’re always going to… Read more »

BERLIN — State lawmakers this week approved Gov. Martin O’Malley’s submitted redistricting map for congressional districts in Maryland, but already there appear to be challenges to the plan forthcoming that could settle the issue in the court system.Based on the population changes that came out of the 2010 U.S. Census, the state of Maryland is… Read more »

SNOW HILL — Deterred by public outcry, Hardwire CEO George Tunis decided Tuesday to withdraw his company’s request to use county-owned property in Newark to test explosives. However, Tunis criticized those members of the community who he believes overreacted and exaggerated the issue.“During this process, I have been surprised by a few specific individual’s public… Read more »

SALISBURY – Wicomico County Council members are concerned that new state requirements on county ethic laws are too intrusive.County Attorney Edward Baker explained that a revision of the county’s ethics law comes as a result of state legislation requiring all counties and municipalities to revamp their ethics law to make it consistent with the state… Read more »

WEST OCEAN CITY — The investigation into the death of a West Ocean City bar owner following an altercation outside his establishment earlier this month remains open while law enforcement and prosecutors await the final report from the state Medical Examiner’s Office.Around 2:23 a.m. on Oct. 6, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to… Read more »