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.

Bar Bingo Event To Benefit Family

Jan 24,2019 by Shawn Soper

WEST OCEAN CITY — Residents will gather next week for a special night of bar bingo at the Greene Turtle in West Ocean City for the benefit of local kid battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia.Max Long and his family make frequent trips to Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. and the event next Thursday, Jan. 31 at… Read more »

Legislation Aims To Undo Governor’s Post-Labor Day School Order

Jan 24,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — A pair of bills introduced in the state senate could, if approved, derail Governor Larry Hogan’s mandate for a post-Labor Day start to the school year in Maryland.After several failed attempts at legislation, Hogan in 2016 surprised many when he issued an Executive Order mandating a post-Labor Day start to the school… Read more »

Ocean City, Legislators Eye Stricter Special Event Zone This Session

Jan 23,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — While no new bills have yet been introduced in the current General Assembly session, resort officials are looking to add more teeth in the special event zone legislation approved by state lawmakers last year.For several years, Ocean City has been exploring ways to combat some of the illicit and reckless activity on… Read more »

OC Mayor Attempts To Set Record Straight On City’s Boardwalk Property Position

Jan 22,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Days after Ocean City decided to continue to pursue public ownership of an historic Boardwalk building, Mayor Rick Meehan fired off a strongly-worded statement defending the town’s position in the case.On Tuesday, after enduring the latest public backlash on the town’s motion for reconsideration filed with the Court of Special Appeals, Meehan… Read more »

Ocean City Asks Court To Take Another Look At Boardwalk Property Ruling

Jan 21,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — The case of determining ownership of the historic Dumser’s Dairyland property on the Boardwalk will go on with the Town of Ocean City filing a motion for reconsideration of a decision handed down by the state’s Court of Special Appeals in December.The Court of Special Appeals in late December issued an opinion… Read more »

More Ocean City Public Works Campus Upgrades Approved

Jan 17,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — The next phase of the complete overhaul of the town’s public works campus was approved this week including a new parking lot and guard house.The town’s Public Works Department has been working with the Maryland Transit Administration for a decade on a plan to substantially upgrade and expand Ocean City’s public works… Read more »

Buskers’ Legal Team Seeks To Recover $175K In Fees

Jan 17,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Attorneys for the group of Boardwalk street performers who prevailed in their federal case against Ocean City’s busker ordinance filed a motion to recover fees and costs totaling over $175,000.While a group of Boardwalk street performers were awarded just nominal damages following their victory over Ocean City in a federal suit challenging… Read more »

Brutal Road Stretch Ends With Loss To Rams

Jan 17,2019 by Shawn Soper

BERLIN- A stretch of three straight games in Salisbury against tough Bayside South opponents couldn’t end soon enough for Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team, which fell to host Parkside, 79-46, last week.The Seahawks started the season with a 4-1 record, but a scheduling anomaly had them playing three straight road games against Bennett, Wicomico… Read more »

Worcester Boys Topple Jags On Senior Night

Jan 17,2019 by Shawn Soper

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team took care of business on Senior Night last Friday, beating visiting Salisbury Christian, 40-29.On a night when the Mallards honored eight senior players including Cole Berry, Cameron Hill, Cooper Richins, Michael Curtis, Dakin Moore, Colin Miller, Alec Dembeck and Henry Taboh, the Worcester boys cruised to the 40-29… Read more »

Golf Course Looks To Adjust As Youth Players Trend Down

Jan 17,2019 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — A briefing on some of the goings on at the municipal Eagle’s Landing golf course this week included an apparent trend in fewer young people enjoying the sport.The Recreation and Parks Committee on Tuesday got an overview of each segment of the larger recreation and parks department including the town-owned Eagle’s Landing… Read more »