SNOW HILL – Without a formal request, it is not time for the County Commissioners to take action on a half-percent increase to the county room tax to fund tourism advertising proposed by Ocean City business owners, Worcester County elected officials concluded at Tuesday’s meeting.The Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) has asked the Ocean City… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – A federal employment commissioner ruled late last month the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) did discriminate against a sergeant based on age when he was bypassed for a possible promotion to lieutenant in 2006.OCPD Sgt. Dale C. Marshall filed a complaint against his employer with the federal U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission… Read more »

SNOW HILL – A scheduled preliminary hearing in Ocean City District Court on Monday for accused murderer Christy Freeman, the local woman charged earlier this month with the death of her newborn son, a twin, in 2004, was postponed yesterday and had not been rescheduled as of press time, leading to even more speculation about… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – The Russo family, local residents and members of the business community gathered at the City Council meeting Monday night to receive a plaque recognizing their generous contributions made to Ocean City through the Angelo Russo Memorial Dive Fund.Four years after the death of their beloved son, brother and friend Angelo Russo, the… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Just one week after the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) appeared before the Mayor and Council to present its plan to increase advertising funds, the City Council has approved the first reading of the ordinance outlining the plan. The ordinance, which details the plan for directing the expenditure of certain monies from… Read more »

NEWARK – The Worcester County Board of Education has bestowed its blessing upon a private youth suicide prevention program begun by two bereaved mothers.“We are both survivor moms. Both of our sons died from suicide,” Kelly Green, co-founder of the Delmarva Chapter of the international Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, told the board Tuesday.Green explained… Read more »

NEWARK – With 82 percent of Worcester County’s graduating seniors from spring 2007 heading to further education, and $12.6 million in scholarships, county educators are saying this spring’s class was one of the best ever.Betsy Williams, Stephen Decatur High School guidance counselor, told the Worcester County Board of Education Tuesday she did not think any… Read more »

BERLIN – Governor Martin O’Malley confirmed with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns this week that a drought disaster declaration for the entire state of Maryland would soon formally be announced.O’Malley called Johanns yesterday for an update on Maryland’s request for a drought disaster designation. This designation, in response to O’Malley’s July 26 request… Read more »

SNOW HILL – Before approving a new set of standards for fire companies, the Worcester County Commissioners plan to meet with county fire chiefs to discuss acceptable equipment age. Since 1977, fire apparatus has been limited to 15 years of service without underwriter approval and up to 30 years with an underwriters’ certificate.The standards, as… Read more »

BERLIN – According to 51-year-old Quintin Dennis, the most outrageous thing he has every done is “get out of shape.” Along with the 10 other active contestants of “Delmarva’s Weight Loss Challenge,” he’s working hard to get back in shape so that he can live a better and fuller life. Permanently disabled in 2001 due… Read more »