OCEAN CITY — The verdict in an excessive force and brutality civil suit filed by a Severn man against an Ocean City police officer went against the defendant after a three-day trial this week, resulting in an award for the plaintiff totaling $45,000.In March 2013, attorneys for Branden Thomas, then 26, filed suit in U.S…. Read more »
Author Archives: Shawn Soper
Mitrecic Updates OC Council On County Matters
OCEAN CITY — Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic this week briefed the Ocean City Mayor and Council on a wide variety of county issues pertinent to the resort including the ongoing dispute over the 911 operating system, a new state recycling law for special events and the future of the county-run Department of Liquor Control.Mitrecic,… Read more »
Fourth Fire On Same OC Block Raises Questions; ‘Suspicious’ Blaze Under Investigation
OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate another fire last Thursday evening in the same general area where three other blazes have occurred this year, raising suspicion something more than mere coincidence could be afoot.Last Friday, two downtown residents were displaced after an early morning residential fire at St. Louis… Read more »
Ocean City Good Samaritans Assist Weekend Accident Victims
OCEAN CITY — Two Ocean City restaurant workers put the “hospital” in hospitality last weekend when they were each first on the scene and helped save lives at two different serious motorcycle accidents on the same night about 100 blocks apart.Shortly before 7 p.m. last Friday, local resident, firefighter, paramedic, rescue swimmer and Uber driver… Read more »
Ocean City Approves Signs Warning Against Disturbing Peace, Disorderly Conduct
OCEAN CITY — With Bike Week in the books and a handful of vehicle-related special events yet to come, Ocean City officials this week passed an ordinance requiring businesses to install signs warning revelers of the existing disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct laws.Earlier this month, the Mayor and Council backed off a pair of… Read more »
Ocean City Passes Resolution Against Fed’s Offshore Seismic Testing Proposal
OCEAN CITY — With a bevy of local environmental leaders on hand, Ocean City officials on Monday passed a resolution officially opposing offshore seismic testing off the coast of the resort after agreeing the potential risks outweigh the possible rewards.The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is currently evaluating four permits from three different… Read more »
Summer Survey Provides Some Surprises About Visitors
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City tourism officials this week reviewed the results of a summer-long survey of a large segment of the visitors to the resort, providing a snapshot of pertinent information such as how often they come, how long they stay, where do they stay and what do they do when they get here.Ocean… Read more »
Boardwalk Trams To Run At Least Two More Weekends
OCEAN CITY — Buoyed by the success of last week’s extended season for the Boardwalk tram, the Ocean City Mayor and Council this week approved keeping it running for at least two more weekends.Earlier this month, town officials approved an extension of the season for the Boardwalk tram, citing a later than average Labor Day… Read more »
Ocean City Planning Rental License Fee Increase; $500 Fine For No License Likely
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City officials moved forward this week with a stopgap measure of sorts for the larger R-1A single-family neighborhood rental issue, but not before adding some teeth to the proposed rental license application process.Throughout the last year, town officials have been wrestling with the issue of vacation rentals in Ocean City’s quieter… Read more »
Special Events Contract Favored; More Northside Park-Based Events Discussed
OCEAN CITY — After reviewing the successes of the various value-added special events throughout the year in the resort, Ocean City officials this week voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council for extending the Tourism Advisory Board’s $350,000 contract through 2017.The Tourism Commission met on Monday to discuss the wide variety… Read more »