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.

Md. Man Held For Hotel Room Assault

OCEAN CITY — A Cambridge, Md. man is being held without bond this week on first-degree assault charges after allegedly strangling a female victim and trashing a downtown hotel room.Around 4:15 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a hotel at 28th Street for a reported disorderly male. While officers… Read more »

Decatur Girls Take Two in Pair of Routs

BERLIN- After three straight losses, Decatur’s girls’ varsity soccer team vented a little frustration this week with a couple of big shutout wins against a pair of opponents.After starting the season 2-1, the Decatur girls had lost three straight to Bennett, Parkside and Snow Hill, the latter two coming by narrow 2-1 scores. This week,… Read more »

Seahawks Extend Shutout Streak to Four

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity soccer team edged Bennett on the road on Monday to run its win streak to four games.The Seahawks have been on a roll since suffering their one and only loss to Parkside, 4-0, back on March 10 and their record now stands at 6-1. During the recent win streak, Decatur… Read more »

Jr. Seahawks Dominate State Meet in OC

OCEAN CITY- The Junior Seahawks Wrestling Club, made up largely of what have been Decatur’s team this year, won the Maryland State Wrestling Association (MSWA) Unified High School Championships last weekend at the convention center in Ocean City.The Junior Seahawks finished with 209 total points to win the team competition and come in first among… Read more »

Council Signs Off On Armored Vehicle

OCEAN CITY – The purchase of an armored personnel carrier for the police department was approved this, replacing an existing vehicle that has reached the end of its days.At the close of Tuesday’s work session, City Manager Doug Miller told the Mayor and Council a problem has arisen with the Ocean City Police Department’s existing… Read more »

Committee Advances Balloon Bill

OCEAN CITY — A bill introduced in the General Assembly to prohibit the celebratory release of plastic and Mylar balloons inched closer to passage this week with a favorable vote in a Senate committee.Introduced in the House by Delegate Wayne Hartman (R-38C), House Bill 391 would prohibit an individual, association, partnership, non-profit organization or any… Read more »