BERLIN– Town officials kicked off the budget process with a review of department needs and projected revenues.The Berlin Town Council on Monday held a budget work session to begin reviewing financial projections for the coming fiscal year. The town’s revenues are set to increase $143,948 if the tax rate remains $0.815 per $100 of assessed… Read more »
SNOW HILL – School board members reviewed policies on library books this week after concerns were shared regarding sexual context in a book available at local high schools.On Tuesday, Pocomoke City resident Matt Lankford presented the Worcester County Board of Education with sexually explicit passages from the book “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” which he said… Read more »
SNOW HILL – County officials continue to explore the possibility of moving a portion of the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office to Ocean City.Since the Town of Ocean City offered space to the state’s attorney’s office as it expands in preparation for the implementation of police body camera programs, several Worcester County Commissioners have toured… Read more »
SNOW HILL – The Town of Ocean City’s plans to increase room tax have been put on hold until next year.Though the Worcester County Commissioners agreed in January to ask the state for the ability to raise the room tax – an initiative pushed by the Town of Ocean City – they confirmed this week… Read more »
NEWARK – School bus drivers in Worcester County are seeking a pay increase to deal with rising fuel and maintenance costs.Dozens of school bus contractors attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Worcester County Board of Education to ask for increases in their hourly and per-mile pay. They said they couldn’t provide the service the county expected… Read more »
SNOW HILL– County officials urged the Maryland State Board of Education Monday to rescind the mask requirement for public schools.On Monday, the Worcester County Commissioners sent a letter to the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBOE) expressing support for Gov. Larry Hogan’s call to end the mask requirement in public schools.“Because Maryland now has one… Read more »
SNOW HILL– County officials are reviewing population figures as they prepare to begin updating the Worcester County Comprehensive Plan.The county’s comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2006, was amended in 2010 and 2011. As a result, the required 10-year review, delayed because of COVID-19, is now pending.“We’re right in that timeframe,” said Jennifer Keener, the… Read more »
BERLIN– A 57-home development proposed just outside town limits drew criticism and concerns about sprawl from municipal officials this week.When presented with the concept of a 57-home development on Evans Road this week, members of the Berlin Planning Commission objected to its size, its impact on local roads and the stress annexations put on town… Read more »
BERLIN– Dozens of pieces of student artwork are now on display at the Worcester County Arts Council.Throughout February, 27 pieces of student artwork are on display at the Worcester County Arts Council gallery in Berlin.“It’s such a wonderful opportunity for the students to be able to express themselves and have their work exhibited in the… Read more »
SNOW HILL– Worcester County has abandoned plans for a golf course spray irrigation project in Ocean Pines.Worcester County Public Works Director Dallas Baker advised the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) last week that the county was not moving forward with a proposal to use wastewater to irrigate the community’s golf course. According to a Feb. 3… Read more »