NEWARK– Efforts to change library book procedures in Worcester County Public Schools failed this week.Motions by Worcester County Board of Education member Katie Addis to create a mature books section in school libraries and to give taxpayers the ability to challenge books both failed with no support from other board members. The decisions came after… Read more »
SNOW HILL – A new facility for Diakonia is temporarily on hold as officials work through a sewer capacity issue.Plans for a new facility that would allow Diakonia to expand its food pantry and housing programs have been in the works for some time, but the nonprofit’s supporters say they haven’t been able to start… Read more »
BERLIN – Developers shared updated concept plans for a residential development near the intersection of Germantown Road and Route 113 in Berlin.Representatives of Karbyte Enterprize LLC met with the Berlin Planning Commission last week to review plans for a townhouse and duplex project proposed for 12 acres in Berlin. Though the last iteration of the… Read more »
BERLIN– The town is in a solid financial position according to its latest audit.The Berlin Town Council last week reviewed the FY 2023 audit with representatives of PKS & Co.“The town is in a healthy financial position and the books and records are in good order,” said PKS & Co.’s Alyssa Revell.Leslie Michalik of PKS… Read more »
BERLIN – The town is moving forward with plans to add speed cameras to Flower Street and Seahawk Road.Elected officials told Police Chief Arnold Downing this week they supported adding speed cameras to locations on Flower Street and Seahawk Road. The locations were recommended after speed studies throughout town.“We’ll definitely keep you up to date,”… Read more »
BERLIN– Town officials committed this week to finding a way other than casino revenue to fund law enforcement pensions.The Berlin Town Council voted unanimously this week to acknowledge the Local Development Council’s request that the municipality phase out the use of casino funds for the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System (LEOPS). Instead, the town will… Read more »
BERLIN – Town officials approved a funding transfer to allow a stormwater project to go forward.The Berlin Town Council this week voted unanimously to adjust the budget for stormwater improvements to Pine Street, Franklin Avenue and Nelson Street. The change will allow crews to address infrastructure issues uncovered once the project was already underway.“We actually… Read more »
SNOW HILL – Worcester County will boost its reserves following an increase in fund balance.The Worcester County Commissioners last week voted unanimously to move forward with adjusting the county’s reserve fund from 12% of budgeted general fund expenditures to 15%. The jump was made possible with a $9.6 million increase in fund balance in FY… Read more »
NEWARK – An Eastern Shore school system has filed a lawsuit against several major social media companies for their role in the youth mental health crisis.Somerset County Public Schools announced late last week that it has filed suit against Meta, Google, ByteDance, Snap Inc. and TikTok. The effort, part of a nationwide movement to hold… Read more »
BERLIN – Elected officials acknowledged the town’s parking issues this week and are expected to meet in closed session regarding a potential solution in early 2024.On Monday, members of the town council agreed that parking problems continued in Berlin and said they wanted to find a solution.Councilman Jay Knerr said a possible solution had been… Read more »