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.

Commission Begins Comprehensive Plan Review

OCEAN CITY – A discussion on pyramidal zoning, housing trends and conditional use requirements highlighted a recent work session on Ocean City’s comprehensive plan update.Last week, members of the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission convened a work session to kickstart discussions on the town’s comprehensive plan update. Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville… Read more »

Association Officials To Begin Budget Review

OCEAN PINES – Association officials will begin their review of the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget.During this month’s meeting of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors, General Manager John Viola presented officials with a timeline for reviewing the proposed 2024-2025 budget. He said the board and members of the Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Committee would… Read more »

Fenwick To Revise Police Policy Manual

FENWICK ISLAND – The Fenwick Island Police Department will create a new policies and procedures manual with the help of a national company.At its most recent meeting, the Fenwick Island Town Council voted unanimously to use Lexipol – a national policy development company specializing in public safety – to update the Fenwick Island Police Department’s… Read more »

Ocean Pines Approves New Trash Vendor

OCEAN PINES – Officials in Ocean Pines last week approved a new trash and recycling contract.Last Saturday, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted to approve a new trash and recycling contract with Republic Services. Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin said the proposal was one of three bids the association received.“All three bids… Read more »

Delmarva Power Conditional Use Amendment

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week agreed to eliminate testing requirements for an uptown substation.On Monday, the Ocean City Council voted to amend a conditional use agreement and remove testing requirements for a Delmarva Power substation at 137th Street. Ryan Showalter, legal counsel for Delmarva Power, told officials this week that ongoing testing at… Read more »

Improvement Projects Advance With Board Support

OCEAN PINES – Requests to fund an irrigation system upgrade, racquet sports building improvements and a tiki bar expansion highlighted a recent meeting of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors.Last Saturday, General Manager John Viola came before the board with several capital requests. The first request, he said, was to contract with Irrigation Services Inc…. Read more »

Resort Planners OK Site Plan For Majestic Hotel Redevelopment; Officials Discuss Parking, Art Deco Design

Resort Planners OK Site Plan For Majestic Hotel Redevelopment; Officials Discuss Parking, Art Deco Design

OCEAN CITY – Following a lengthy discussion about parking and exterior design, resort planners this week voted to approve a site plan for the redeveloped Majestic Hotel.On Tuesday, the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1, with Commissioner Pam Robertson opposed, to approve the site plan for the Majestic Hotel redevelopment project. While the… Read more »

Habitable Attic Ordinance Passes First Reading; Officials Debate Parking Requirements

Habitable Attic Ordinance Passes First Reading; Officials Debate Parking Requirements

OCEAN CITY – A code amendment to allow habitable attic space will advance to a second reading without additional parking requirements.On Monday, the Ocean City Council voted 4-2 to approve the first reading of an ordinance to amend the town’s zoning code. While the change would now allow habitable areas in the attics of residential… Read more »