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.

Teacher Acquitted In Alleged Sex Abuse Case

SNOW HILL- Despite hours of testimony and mountains of evidence, a Stephen Decatur High School teacher charged in November with sexual abuse of a minor and sexual solicitation of a minor was acquitted in Worcester County Circuit Court on Tuesday.In November, Decatur High School social studies teacher Austin Martin, 26, of Berlin was charged with… Read more »

55 ‘Ghost’ Pots Removed From Bays

55 ‘Ghost’ Pots Removed From Bays

OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), along with a team of local watermen and volunteers successfully removed dozens of hidden “ghost” crab pots from the waters, in and around the resort area that were either abandoned or lost, causing a danger to several species along with navigation.The MCBP recently partnered with local… Read more »

Three Seahawks Earn Medals At States

BERLIN- Six members of Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team competed in the state championships last weekend in Prince George’s County and half placed in their respective weight divisions.By virtue of a strong performance in the state 4A-3A South regional tournament, Decatur sent six wrestlers to the state championship meet last weekend including Robert Kaminski (113)… Read more »

City Zoning Veteran Celebrated

City Zoning Veteran Celebrated

OCEAN CITY — Long-time Ocean City Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith was feted with a special retirement ceremony this week at City Hall.Smith worked for Ocean City back in 1969 to 1971, but left to pursue private sector endeavors. He returned in 1985 when he was hired as the zoning administrator at a time of remarkable… Read more »

Mallards Dominate ESIAC Post-Season Awards

Mallards Dominate ESIAC Post-Season Awards

BERLIN- After wildly successful 2016-2017 campaigns, Worcester Prep’s boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams were well represented last week when the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) post-season awards were announced including a pair of Player of the Year honors.The Worcester boys’ team used a big second half run to defeat rival Salisbury School, 55-45,… Read more »

Mixed News On Fed Beach Replenishment Funding

OCEAN CITY — It was good news and bad news last week for Ocean City’s beach replenishment program after the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) approved the funding for the next phase slated for this fall, but left uncertain federal funding for subsequent phases in the future.The Ocean City beaches are routinely replenished every four… Read more »