About The Author: Shawn Soper

Shawn Soper has been with The Dispatch since 2000. He began as a staff writer covering various local government beats and general stories. His current positions include managing editor and sports editor. Growing up in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City full time three decades ago, Soper graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and from Towson University in 1985 with degrees in mass communications with a journalism concentration and history.

Scam Attempts Running High Amid Pandemic

Apr 02,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — With every crisis comes an in-kind number of scammers attempting to prey on the fear and anxiety of others and the current coronavirus pandemic has been no different.In recent weeks, more and more scams have surfaced preying on residents in Maryland and around the local region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some reported… Read more »

OC Restricts Lodging, Extends Beach, Boardwalk Closures

Apr 02,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Resort and county officials this week took further steps to limit out-of-town guests and emphasize the “stay at home” message including extending the beach and Boardwalk closure and prohibiting new hotel, motel and other short-term rentals in town until at least April 30.Last Sunday, the Mayor and Council extended the executive order… Read more »

Governor Issues Stay-At-Home Order To Stop Virus Spread

Apr 02,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a stay-at-home directive for state citizens effective this week, vowing stronger enforcement for those who continue to ignore prescribed social distancing practices.Hogan on Monday announced a new executive order urging all Marylanders to stay at home beginning at 8 p.m., except for those employed in designated essential… Read more »

Wetlands Created To Mitigate Airport Runway Work

Apr 02,2020 by Shawn Soper

WEST OCEAN CITY — As part of a mitigation for disturbing sensitive areas during a runway improvement project at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, the town is creating an expansive wetlands area along a nearby creek.Ocean City and state and federal partners are improving one of the runways at the municipal airport and, as a… Read more »

DNR Clarifies State Order Forbids Recreational Boating

Apr 02,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — With the arrival of April and a typical increase in recreational boating and fishing season around the area, state officials this week clarified just what is allowed and what is not under the governor’s stay-at-home directives.Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday stepped up the state’s response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic with an… Read more »

UPDATE: Ocean City Tourism Director Passes

Apr 01,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — The resort community this week lost a treasured friend and icon this week with the passing of Ocean City Tourism Director Donna Abbott.Abbott succumbed on Wednesday after a ferocious battle with cancer at the age of 62. Abbott was a fixture in Ocean City for decades, beginning her career in municipal government… Read more »

Next Month’s Springfest Canceled In Ocean City

Apr 01,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY – Next month’s Springfest was the latest shoe to drop after resort officials voted Wednesday morning to cancel the event due to uncertainties with the pandemic.During Wednesday’s budget work sessions, the topic of Springfest was broached and a decision was ultimately made to suspend the event this year because of the ongoing COVID-19… Read more »

OC Presents Budget Options Complicated By Virus Impact

Apr 01,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Despite concerns about the current pandemic, the first iteration of the town of Ocean City’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget actually includes what would amount to a property tax reduction for most, but the spending document includes contingency plans if the crisis lingers into the new fiscal year.The Mayor and Council and… Read more »

State Police Outlines Home Order Enforcement Approach

Mar 31,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — While state officials continue to assert education and outreach are still the preferred method of enforcing Governor Larry Hogan’s latest stay-at-home directive issued on Monday, the Maryland State Police (MSP) on Tuesday issued some guidelines for when other enforcement efforts will be initiated.On Monday, Hogan announced a new executive order urging all… Read more »

OC Extends Beach, Boardwalk Restrictions, Closes Inlet Lot, Urges Out-Of-State Visitors To Stay Put

Mar 30,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Resort officials late Sunday evening reinforced the strong message advising out-of-town visitors to stay away from Ocean City until further notice and extended the closure of the beach and Boardwalk until April 30.Last Sunday, the Mayor and Council officially closed the beaches and Boardwalk until April 15. On Sunday, those closures were… Read more »