BERLIN – A record number of permits and nearly double the number of new homes built over last year have kept the town’s planning department busy in 2019.Berlin Planning Director Dave Engelhart said this week his department had permitted 10 new single-family homes and issued a total of 236 permits so far this calendar year.“I… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City Fire Department officials presented a comprehensive five-year strategic plan this week aimed at continuing to provide timely and efficient service to the community, but the biggest takeaway was staffing and funding challenges remain.Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers presented the department’s strategic plan to the Mayor and Council on Tuesday…. Read more »

OCEAN CITY — Elected officials this week approved the parking task force’s recommendations to hike some rates during the peak season while offering concessions in the shoulder months, though they are open to further discussions in the future about expanded paid parking.Everything was on the table when the task force appointed by the Mayor and… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – A proposal to expand the City Watch surveillance camera system received a favorable recommendation from the town’s police commission this week.In the interest of public safety, the Ocean City Police Commission voted unanimously this week to forward a request from Police Chief Ross Buzzuro to expand the City Watch program to the… Read more »

BERLIN — After three decades-plus on the sidelines under the bright Friday night lights at Stephen Decatur, longtime fixture Bob Knox on Tuesday announced he was stepping down as head football coach at the Berlin school where he has taught for 46 years.Knox’s announcement came during a brief and solemn press conference on Tuesday at… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — While mum’s the word on potential acts, the resort’s 2020 special events package presented this week could include two significant concerts next summer.During Monday’s Tourism Commission meeting, TEAM Productions’ Bob Rothermel outlined plans for a series of fireworks shows, special events and summer concerts potentially slated for next year. On Monday, although… Read more »

WEST OCEAN CITY — For the second year in row, Pickles Pub took first place and best in show in the 22nd annual Hots for Tots Chili Cook-Off at the Greene Turtle in West Ocean City on Sunday, but the real winner was the local community and its typical generosity.For the record, Pickles Pub repeated… Read more »

SALISBURY – The fifth annual Shore Gives More giving campaign raised a record-breaking $218,138 for 102 Lower Shore nonprofits this week, surpassing last year’s previous record amount by 28%.On Tuesday, more than 2,200 donations generated more than $218,000 for local nonprofits that participated in this year’s Shore Gives More online giving campaign.Each year, the Community… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — Nearly three months after a contentious debate, the major repaving and sidewalk-widening project on Robin Drive got underway in earnest this week.Back in September, as part of its ongoing review of infrastructure needs, the Mayor and Council intensely debated several options for milling and repaving Robin Drive, the densely populated corridor that… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City will cut the ribbon on its sparkling new public works facility along St. Louis Avenue at 2nd Street next week, but a tour this week provided a glimpse of its capabilities before that official ceremony.Throughout the summer, the vast facility, called for now Public Works South, steadily grew from an… Read more »