About The Author: Bethany Hooper

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Bethany Hooper has been with The Dispatch since 2016. She currently covers various general stories. Hooper graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2012 and the University of Maryland in 2016, where she completed double majors in journalism and economics.

Assateague State Park Restoration Funding Awarded

BERLIN – Officials last week announced $2.35 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be awarded to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to fund repairs at Assateague State Park.These repairs will be a part of the park’s Campground Improvement Project, which will relocate campgrounds and roads and fortify sand dunes damaged… Read more »

New HOPECorps Program Eyes Role In Opioid Epidemic

SALISBURY – A new AmeriCorps program at Salisbury University will partner with local organizations and government entities in the battle against the heroin and opioid epidemic.The new program, entitled HOPECorps (Heroin, Opioid, Prevention and Education), was made possible through a $53,000 federal grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service and allows 11 new… Read more »

School Board Approves Bennett Middle Cafeteria Expansion

School Board Approves Bennett Middle Cafeteria Expansion

SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Board of Education this week approved an expansion to the Bennett Middle School cafeteria, two years after the facility opened in Fruitland.The $1.4 million project will be paid for using leftover funds from the school’s original construction budget.The expansion will address overcrowding and safety issues in the school’s cafeteria.Paul Butler,… Read more »

Back-To-School Immunization Clinics Planned In Worcester, Wicomico

SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Health Department will begin a series of walk-in immunization clinics next week ahead of the new school year.Beginning Aug. 16, the health department will be doing its part to bring Wicomico County students up-to-date on required immunizations.Students entering kindergarten, first, second and third grades are required to have two doses… Read more »

Audit Recaps Wicomico Civic Center Alcohol Sales

SALISBURY – Officials in Wicomico County this week approved a satisfactory audit report on concessions cash and alcoholic beverage handlings at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center.In a Wicomico County Council meeting Tuesday, Steve Roser, the county’s internal auditor, presented the council with findings from a recent audit on sales and alcohol dispensing protocols at… Read more »

Fenwick Refines Ordinance Banning Beach Smoking

FENWICK ISLAND – Officials in Fenwick Island this week approved a first reading to prohibit smoking on the beach, but questioned enforcement measures along unincorporated portions to the south.In a Fenwick Island Town Council meeting last Friday, Charter and Ordinance Committee Chair Bill Weistling presented the council with changes and additions to the ordinance that… Read more »

Wicomico Okays Rental Assistance Grant Funding

SALISBURY – Wicomico County officials this week approved an application that will allow the Department of Social Services to seek grant funding for its Rental Allowance Program.In a Wicomico County Council meeting Tuesday, Department of Social Services Dawn Spicer told county leaders that the department has received grant funding from the state to administer the… Read more »