OCEAN CITY – The decision to deny Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was overturned this week to provide help to Somerset County residents and businesses following Hurricane Sandy.Last Friday Gov. Martin O’Malley announced that President Obama had approved an Individual Assistance disaster declaration for Somerset County for damages from Hurricane Sandy…. Read more »
Category: Top Stories
Fearing State Law, County Eyes Subdivision Changes
SNOW HILL — With the deadline for accepting the controversial Senate Bill 236, or the “Septics Bill,” looming, the Worcester County Commissioners will be looking to re-define the definition of a minor subdivision of property to allow a maximum of seven lots instead of the current five lots.“I think this is one thing that we… Read more »
Council Okays Taxi Medallion Transfer
OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Council this week approved the sale of a taxi medallion from one independent operator to another after sending the seller back to the drawing board two weeks ago over concerns about the low sale price.In early December, Ocean City reviewed two taxi medallion transfer requests, one of which came… Read more »
Council Approves Noise Law Change
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City officials this week approved on second reading an amendment, which, if ultimately approved, will add more teeth to the resort’s noise ordinance.In November, Noise Control Board Chairman Brett Wolf came before the council with recommendations for enhancing the enforcement of the town’s policies regarding noise emanating from properties. With thousands… Read more »
NEW FOR THURSDAY: Resort Performing Arts Center Plans Advance
OCEAN CITY — The new 1,200-seat performing arts center in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center is on the fast track after city officials this week got an overview of the schematic design for the project and an expedited timeline that could see it open as early as the fall of 2014.The Ocean City Mayor… Read more »
NEW FOR THURSDAY: Judge Sides WIth Family In Clean Water Act Lawsuit
BERLIN — After three years of tense legal wrangling, a U.S. District Court judge today issued a ruling in the landmark civil suit filed against a Berlin farm family and Perdue over alleged pollution violations dating back to 2009, siding with the defendants Alan Hudson and Perdue and against the independent environmental watchdog group.In March… Read more »
Wicomico Council Weighs Tier Concept
SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Council continued a discussion regarding controversial septic legislation this week that started off as a conversation over notification letters and changed to whether property owners will really have a choice in whether to be included in a specific tier or not.Earlier this year, Maryland enacted the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural… Read more »
Wicomico Agency Presents Enterprise Business Plan
SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Council was presented with good news and bad news this week when it comes to the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department, but analysis shows in the end the final revenue figure in 2013 will continue to be on the rise.This week the Wicomico County Council was presented with the Department… Read more »
Tourism Booth Producer Feels ‘Blindsided’ By City’s Alternative
OCEAN CITY — A potential major marketing tool for Ocean City has been temporarily put on hold after gaining a unanimous endorsement from the former City Council last spring as a low-cost alternative surfaced in the 11th hour this week.Last March, the Mayor and Council unanimously approved an $85,000 investment in the OC Experience, an… Read more »
School Security Under Evaluation After Conn. Shooting
SNOW HILL — In the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. last Friday, school officials in Worcester and Wicomico counties acknowledged the need to discuss and potentially upgrade security in local schools.“Our school system was safe for the times we had and all of that changed on Friday,” said Worcester Board of… Read more »