OCEAN CITY – The frequency of public comment periods at city government meetings was questioned this week with one councilman wanting to create a consistent policy for all government meetings.During a discussion on the expansion of a bus stop located on Somerset St. between Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues, a citizen asked to speak on the… Read more »

BERLIN — With the governor’s proposed repeal of the death penalty taking center stage in the General Assembly this week, a brutal murder spree that began in Worcester County over two decades ago dimmed from memory over the years has come back into focus.On Tuesday, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a renewed effort to repeal… Read more »

BERLIN — Gov. Martin O’Malley this week introduced his proposed fiscal year 2014 budget, and while the weighty document is sprinkled with mixed news, it appears Worcester and Wicomico counties could stand to gain much more in state aid in various departments and for significant capital projects.O’Malley on Wednesday introduced a proposed $37.3 billion fiscal… Read more »

SNOW HILL — A preliminary budget for fiscal year 2014 from the Worcester County Board of Education will be about 1 percent, or roughly $1 million, higher than last year and include funding for the county’s popular afterschool programs, several of which lost grant support over the summer.Costs are on the rise across the board,… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — The City Council and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce inked a two-year contract this week on the distribution of an annual vacation guide.Tourism Director Donna Abbott and Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melanie Pursel requested the council sign a letter of agreement with the chamber for the… Read more »

BERLIN — With an eye on improving Maryland’s often disparaged business climate, Delegate Mike McDermott has introduced legislation in the General Assembly that would relax the penalties for health and safety violations.McDermott sponsored the legislation, along with around 30 co-sponsors, which would, among other things, reduce hefty fines handed out by the state for first-time… Read more »

BISHOPVILLE — The Maryland Coastal Bays Program will be holding a meeting at the Bishopville Firehouse on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. to develop a volunteer group to help steward the Lizard Hill restoration project located on Cemetery Road in Bishopville.MCBP is looking to inform the public about the Lizard Hill restoration site, including… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – A compromise was made this week to have an overcrowded bus stop on Somerset St. expanded to accommodate increasing crowds.Public Works Director Hal Adkins brought forward a request this week to expand a bus stop located on Somerset Street between Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues.According to Adkins, in an effort to address a… Read more »