SNOW HILL — State judiciary officials last week re-instituted restrictions on most criminal and civil jury trials across, resulting again in another backlog of cases after the court system was starting to make headway after the spring shutdown.The Maryland Judiciary last Thursday announced it will restrict operations to Phase III of its five-phased progressive reopening… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — In what could be a bold solution to a challenging problem, resort tourism officials this week endorsed an expanded, two-weekend Bike Week, the second of which could overlap with the troublesome unsanctioned pop-up car rally.OC BikeFest promoter Chase Michael came before the Tourism Commission on Monday to pitch the idea of expanding… Read more »
BERLIN — The Worcester County Firing Range in Newark got an important new addition last week thanks to a Stephen Decatur High School freshman’s Eagle Scout project.The ribbon was officially cut last Thursday on the latest addition to the Worcester County firing range in Newark, utilized by federal, state and local law enforcement officials, and… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s two-year homeownership incentive pilot program has been so successful thus far, resort officials voted to expand the budget for the initiative.Earlier this year, the Mayor and Council approved a two-year pilot program to encourage more year-round residents to make Ocean City their permanent home by offering incentives including relaxing some… Read more »
ASSATEAGUE — After the longest and perhaps most complicated rehabilitation in the history of the National Aquarium program’s history, a gray seal pup was successfully released back into the ocean at Assateague on Wednesday.The seal began her journey at the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Center nine months ago after being rescued from the beach in… Read more »
OCEAN CITY – Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday issued new directives in an attempt to slow the spread of the pandemic, but what it means locally is not entirely clear.For seven straight days, the number of new coronavirus cases in Maryland increased by over 1,000 for the first time since early in the pandemic. That… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s beach bonfire program spiked significantly this year, enhancing the visitor experience while creating some worthwhile enforcement and clean-up headaches.Because of the ongoing COVID pandemic and the friendly online permit process, the number of beach bonfires jumped from 727 last year to nearly 2,400 this year, representing a 230% increase, according… Read more »
BERLIN — As if 2020 hasn’t left area residents with enough to worry about, a rash of creative scams often targeting the elderly has arisen recently, but allied local law enforcement agencies are getting out in front of the trend.The Worcester County Vulnerable Adult Task Force this week announced continued efforts of its multi-disciplinary team… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — Not only did the make-up of the Ocean City Council change with last week’s municipal election, but the leadership of the elected body changed two days later with an organizational meeting.It was guaranteed there would be at least two new faces on the council following last week’s municipal election in Ocean City… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City officials this week quietly and without fanfare ratified an amendment to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 10 collective bargaining agreement, extending the contract with the town’s police officers for another year.The Mayor and Council on Monday approved a resolution ratifying an amendment to extend the FOP’s 2018-2021 collective… Read more »