OCEAN CITY — Resort officials this week approved on second reading an ordinance gradually altering room tax funding distribution, but not before a larger debate on what specifically the revenue can be spent.Ocean City’s room tax in 2019 was raised from 4.5% to 5% with about 44% dedicated to marketing and advertising and 56% dedicated… Read more »
Author Archives: Shawn Soper
About The Author: Shawn Soper
Decatur Girls Stay On Major Early Roll
BERLIN – Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity basketball team stayed on a major early-season roll last week, sweeping three games to improve to 5-0 on the season.The Seahawks started the week by routing county rival Snow Hill, 63-11, and followed that up with a 65-10 blowout against Crisfield a day later. Decatur continued their winning ways… Read more »
Room Tax Ordinance Vote Sparks Sports Complex Debate
OCEAN CITY — Resort officials this week approved on second reading an ordinance gradually altering room tax funding distribution, but not before a larger debate on what specifically the revenue can be spent.Ocean City’s room tax in 2019 was raised from 4.5% to 5% with about 44% dedicated to marketing and advertising and 56% dedicated… Read more »
‘Humble Hero’ Honored With Carnegie Medal For Saving Child Ejected From Vehicle On Bridge
OCEAN CITY — The “humble hero” who leaped from the Route 90 bridge into the water below to save an infant last May has been recognized with the Carnegie Medal, the highest honor in North America for civilian heroism.The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission on Monday announced Jonathan Bauer, vice president of information services at Atlantic… Read more »
West OC Arson Suspect Previously Diagnosed With Pyromania
WEST OCEAN CITY — A notorious local arsonist is being held without bond this week after being arrested for an arson in West Ocean City that destroyed a home and a boathouse and damaged three other homes.Shortly after the fire, the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office concluded the cause of the blaze was arson and… Read more »
Facing Year-End Deadline, OC Council Moves Ahead With Police Body Camera Contract
OCEAN CITY — Despite some questioning over the vendor’s contract deadlines, resort officials this week pulled the trigger on a $2.4 million deal to equip the town’s police officers with body-worn cameras.Last year, state lawmakers passed legislation mandating law enforcement agencies equip their officers with body-worn cameras by 2025. Ocean City, for a variety of… Read more »
Berlin Police Details Safe Haven Program Concept
BERLIN — With the proliferation of online-arranged sales of various items along with a spike in child custody-related incidents, the Berlin Police Department is taking a proactive stance in making its headquarters a safe haven.Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing this week explained the safe haven concept at his department’s headquarters just off Route 113. The… Read more »
Stephen Decatur’s Varsity Wrestling Team Takes Title
Stephen Decatur’s varsity wrestling team swept seven matches last weekend to take the title in the Grindstone Duals in Carroll County. Decatur’s Noah Reho picked up his career 100th win during the tournament.Submitted photo
Judge Denies Ocean City’s Motion To Dismiss Cell Tower Suit
OCEAN CITY — A private-sector wireless telecommunications company’s civil suit against Ocean City over the installation of small-cell towers in residential communities will continue after a federal judge this month denied the town’s motion to dismiss the case.In June, the Mayor and Council had before them a request from Crown Castle to install three small-cell… Read more »
Changes Proposed To Strengthen OC’s Cell Tower Ordinance
OCEAN CITY — In an effort to bolster the town’s existing regulations on small wireless facilities after recent and current challenges, resort officials this week approved changes to enhance and improve the existing ordinance.Over the last several months, town officials have had before them multiple requests to install small-cell wireless towers in residential neighborhoods in… Read more »