BERLIN – As COVID-19 cases are on the rise, Berlin announced additional precautions — including a move to online meetings and a mask mandate for busy shopping days — to protect health and safety.The town announced on Wednesday that meetings were in the process of being moved online and that an emergency declaration would require… Read more »
NEWARK – Worcester County’s public schools returned to distance learning this week as COVID-19 positivity rates jumped.Parents were informed late Sunday afternoon that Worcester County Public Schools would halt in-person instruction and would instead offer virtual learning Nov. 16-30. Officials hope to reopen schools Dec. 1.“We will be continuing to monitor the community statistics regarding… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — A couple of national lacrosse heavyweights could help elevate the annual Ocean City Lacrosse Classic to a week-long, family-friendly celebration of the sport, resort tourism officials learned this week.At Monday’s Tourism Commission meeting, Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) President Steve Pastusak briefed committee members on a proposed expansion of the Ocean City Lacrosse… Read more »
SNOW HILL — State judiciary officials last week re-instituted restrictions on most criminal and civil jury trials across, resulting again in another backlog of cases after the court system was starting to make headway after the spring shutdown.The Maryland Judiciary last Thursday announced it will restrict operations to Phase III of its five-phased progressive reopening… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — In what could be a bold solution to a challenging problem, resort tourism officials this week endorsed an expanded, two-weekend Bike Week, the second of which could overlap with the troublesome unsanctioned pop-up car rally.OC BikeFest promoter Chase Michael came before the Tourism Commission on Monday to pitch the idea of expanding… Read more »
BERLIN — The Worcester County Firing Range in Newark got an important new addition last week thanks to a Stephen Decatur High School freshman’s Eagle Scout project.The ribbon was officially cut last Thursday on the latest addition to the Worcester County firing range in Newark, utilized by federal, state and local law enforcement officials, and… Read more »
BERLIN – School system officials showcased the new Showell Elementary School on a media tour Friday.Though overshadowed by COVID-19 concerns, the new state-of-the-art Showell Elementary School opened this fall. The new facility, which is nearly double the size of the old school, was completed in just under two years despite the pandemic.“We didn’t miss one… Read more »
BERLIN – The town will use $171,000 in CARES Act funding to establish its much-discussed reserve fund.The Berlin Town Council this week agreed to use funding it received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to start a stabilization reserve fund.“I’d like to put that money away so that we can get… Read more »
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s two-year homeownership incentive pilot program has been so successful thus far, resort officials voted to expand the budget for the initiative.Earlier this year, the Mayor and Council approved a two-year pilot program to encourage more year-round residents to make Ocean City their permanent home by offering incentives including relaxing some… Read more »
ASSATEAGUE — After the longest and perhaps most complicated rehabilitation in the history of the National Aquarium program’s history, a gray seal pup was successfully released back into the ocean at Assateague on Wednesday.The seal began her journey at the National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Center nine months ago after being rescued from the beach in… Read more »