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.

SHA Assures No Baltimore Avenue Work Until Renovation Complete

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — After resort officials were blindsided somewhat last summer by a State Highway Administration plan to repave and replace sidewalks along Baltimore Avenue before the town moved forward with a major redesign of the corridor, SHA officials this week said they would stand back until the town is ready.For the last year or… Read more »

Mobile Bus Tracking System Nears Launch In Ocean City

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s new mobile “Where’s the Bus?” tracking system for municipal transportation patrons could be ready for a soft opening by mid-December with a complete system ramp-up by New Year’s Eve.During Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting, Assistant Transportation Supervisor Brian Connor provided committee members with an update on the implementation of the TransLoc… Read more »

Seahawks Fall To Bennett In Section Final

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity volleyball team fell to Bayside South rival Bennett, 3-0, last week in the state 3A-East Section II championship game to close out what was otherwise another highly successful season for the SeahawksThe Seahawks were seeded second in the state 3A-East Section II bracket and cruised past third-seeded Chesapeake, 3-0, in its… Read more »

Shockers Fundraiser Set For Saturday

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY- The Mid-Atlantic Shockers youth baseball club will hold its annual fundraiser at Seacrets on Saturday from 3-8 p.m. to raise funds for the upcoming spring season.The Mid-Atlantic Shockers features players from Ocean City, Berlin and all over the Lower Shore competing inOutfitting the teams and traveling to the various state and regional tournaments… Read more »

Ocean City Council Mulls Capital Improvement Priorities

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City officials this week agreed on some capital projects that should be prioritized for funding now and a growing list of other projects that need to be added to the planning pipeline.In October, Ocean City officials began the long-term strategic planning process with a series of meetings focused on conceptual ideas…. Read more »

Worcester Girls Young But Talented

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team has some big shoes to fill as it prepares for the 2017-2018 campaign with several senior starters from last year’s Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) runner-up, but with a talented flock of underclassmen, the transition should be an easy one.Last year’s team opened the season with nine… Read more »

Cultural, Sports Events Welcomed As ‘Rebrand’ OC Efforts Continue

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

OCEAN CITY — If resort officials are serious about rebranding Ocean City’s image after the recent backlash over some of the motorized events, they got off to a good start this week with the approval of three cultural and youth sports-related special events.During a Mayor and Council work session on Tuesday, Greg Shockley of the… Read more »

One-Year Jail Term Ordered In Summer Stabbing

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

SNOW HILL — A Columbia, Md. man, arrested in June after stabbing another man in a downtown convenience store, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to three years in jail, all but one of which was then suspended.Just after midnight on June 9, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to… Read more »

Two Seahawks Make Bayside All-Star Team

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

BERLIN- Two Stephen Decatur girls’ varsity soccer team players have been chosen to represent the Bayside South in this year’s Bayside Conference Senior All-Star Game set for next Tuesday in Snow Hill.The Bayside South senior all-stars will face the Bayside North senior all-stars in the annual contest next Tuesday. Named to the Bayside South team… Read more »

Mallards Loaded With Upperclassmen

Nov 16,2017 by Shawn Soper

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity basketball team opens its 2017-2018 campaign with a home game against Chincoteague followed by an early-season test on the road against Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) rival Saints Peter and Paul on Monday.The Mallards finished last season on an 8-1 run culminating with a win over Salisbury School in… Read more »