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.

Oil Spill Investigation Continues As Cleanup Efforts Wrap Up

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — The multi-agency unified command charged with clearing tons of oily debris and tar balls from southern Delaware to Assateague Island officially stood down this week although the clean-up efforts continue remotely.Clean-up crews for the unified command, under the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Delaware Department… Read more »

WOC Bank Robbery Probe Still Active

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

WEST OCEAN CITY — There are still more questions than answers this week regarding a bank robbery in West Ocean City last week.Around 9:45 a.m. on Oct. 27, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Taylor Bank on Route 50 in West Ocean City for a reported bank robbery in progress. The preliminary investigation revealed… Read more »

Appeals Court Ruling Could Reduce Sentence In 2018 Fatality

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

SNOW HILL — A Berlin man, convicted in 2018 of negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence after a fatal hit-and-run collision involving a bicyclist, could see his sentence reduced after a state appeals court vacated his sentence on one of the salient elements of his appeal.In November 2018, after two days, 100… Read more »

Council Explains DROP Option After Fairness Questions Arise

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — What appeared on the surface to be a rather mundane agenda item providing a special deferred retirement option for a long-tenured employee resulted in a larger debate this week.On Monday, the Ocean City Mayor and Council had before them on second-reading ordinance form a special deferred retirement option program, or DROP, for… Read more »

Lower Shore Voters Continue Red Trend In Blue State

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Continuing a decades-long trend, Worcester County and the Lower Shore remained an island of red amidst a sea of blue in Maryland during this week’s general election.Fueled by the heavily-Democratic and densely populated center of the state, Maryland overwhelmingly voted for Joe Biden for president this week by a 62% to 35%… Read more »

OC Police Brutality Suit Settlement Reached

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Although the terms have not been disclosed, a settlement has been reached in a seven-year-old-police brutality lawsuit stemming from a brawl in the beach.In July 2016, Dalima Palmer of Dumfries, Va. filed suit seeking $1 million in damages in U.S. District Court against the Ocean City police officer who allegedly tackled her… Read more »

Pip The Cat Owner, Ocean City At Odds Over Town’s Logo Usage Without Permission

Nov 05,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — The apparent rift between a popular cat and the town of Ocean City it promotes was called into question this week by the pet’s owner, but it appears the differences might be irreconcilable.For about the last two years, Pip the Beach Cat has become a fixture around the resort with a popular… Read more »

Two Council Incumbents, Two Newcomers Elected In Ocean City; Just 23% Of Voters Turned Out

Nov 04,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Two incumbents and two relative newcomers were elected to the Ocean City Council this week in a municipal election with an abysmally low turnout for a variety of reasons.Around 23% of Ocean City’s roughly 6,500 registered voters, or 1,528 individuals, cast their ballots in Tuesday’s municipal election, including 1,300 who voted at… Read more »

Dare Delivers Emotional Parting Message At City Hall On Election Eve

Nov 03,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — In his final meeting before Tuesday’s municipal election, Councilman Dennis Dare on Monday delivered a heart-felt, often emotional speech recounting his three decades-plus service to the town and thanking those who joined him along the journey.Dare chose not to seek re-election this year as his seat on the City Council was one… Read more »

OC’s Final Fiscal Year ’20 Numbers Better Than Expected

Oct 29,2020 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City ended fiscal year 2020 in a robust way, despite much of its fourth quarter being impacted by COVID, according to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) released this week.During Tuesday’s work session, Finance Director Chuck Bireley presented the CAFR to the Mayor and Council. The weighty tome is chock full… Read more »