Author Archives: Shawn Soper

About The Author: Shawn Soper

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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.

Worcester Doles Out Fall Season Awards

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BERLIN- Worcester Prep last week doled out its fall season sports awards to the winners in several categories in several different sports.For the boys’ varsity soccer team, Vincent Petrera was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Tucker Brown was named Most Improved and Brenner Maull earned the Coach’s Award. For the girls’ varsity soccer team,… Read more »

Decatur Runners Solid In Regional Meet

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BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity cross country teams turned in solid performances at last week’s state regional meet with the girls’ team finishing fifth overall.Decatur sent several runners to the state 3A-East regional meet last week in Ellicott City. The Decatur girls finished fifth overall as a team among the schools represented from all over the… Read more »

New OC Zoning District Proposal Removed From Comp Plan; Short-Term Rental Definition Sought

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OCEAN CITY — A new R-1A zoning district that would essentially ban short-term rentals in Ocean City’s single-family residential communities will not be included in the revised comprehensive plan, but the issue is far from over.In the wake of growing complaints about vacation rentals in some of Ocean City’s traditional year-round single family home neighborhoods,… Read more »

$28M Bond Approved For Major Capital Projects

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OCEAN CITY — Resort officials this week approved on first-reading an ordinance allowing the sale of $28 million in general obligation bonds to fund a handful of significant projects in town.The Mayor and Council on Monday approved an ordinance allowing for the sale of $28 million in general obligation bonds. Among the major projects to… Read more »

Seahawks Close Out With 49-0 Rout Of Eagles

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BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team trounced county rival Snow Hill, 49-0, last Friday to finish the season with a respectable 4-6 record.The Seahawks fell to Bennett in the penultimate game of the season two weeks ago to lose a shot at a winning record, but came back with a vengeance against Worcester County rival… Read more »

13th Swing For Youth Golf Open A Big Success

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OCEAN CITY- Last weekend’s 13th annual Swing for Youth Golf Open was a huge success once again with 22 teams competing and over $25,000 raised for local recreation programs.The Ocean City Recreation Boosters annual Swing for Youth Golf Open was held at Eagles’ Landing and with the generous support of the participating teams, local businesses… Read more »

New OC Zoning District Proposal Removed From Comp Plan; Short-Term Rental Definition Sought

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New OC Zoning District Proposal Removed From Comp Plan; Short-Term Rental Definition Sought

OCEAN CITY — A new R-1A zoning district that would essentially ban short-term rentals in Ocean City’s single-family residential communities will not be included in the revised comprehensive plan, but the issue is far from over.In the wake of growing complaints about vacation rentals in some of Ocean City’s traditional year-round single family home neighborhoods,… Read more »

Median Fence Project Underway

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Median Fence Project Underway

OCEAN CITY — The long-awaited dune-style median fence and enhanced lighting project for Coastal Highway got underway this week with a first phase that includes removing all of the trees from the existing median.After over a year of planning, engineering and contract bidding, the State Highway Administration (SHA) project that will install a dune-style fence… Read more »