BERLIN — Trail Mix 2012, an event to promote trails around Berlin and to encourage families, kids and bike and fitness enthusiasts to get out and around town, will take place Saturday, April 28.Walk, bike, run or push a stroller for the inaugural trail event that kicks off with a ribbon cutting for the Safe… Read more »

SALISBURY – Wicomico County’s budget is up in the air as officials wait for word from the state on how pending legislation will affect its finances, but the County Council did come to terms with increasing the income tax rate.For the last few weeks, Wicomico County has been watching the Maryland legislature, which has cast… Read more »

BERLIN — With longer days and warmer temperatures, many are planning to spruce up yards and businesses to enjoy the outdoors. When the time comes to put your green thumb to work, think about the benefits of planting native plants.If you want to purchase native plants (and delicious heirloom tomatoes) for your yard or business,… Read more »

SNOW HILL — More cases were heard last week in Circuit Court stemming from arrests made over the winter during Operation Sand Dollar, including one repeat offender who was sentenced to 14 years in jail and another defendant who received a 10-year sentence.Two months after the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) announced the results of… Read more »

OCEAN CITY — The summer flounder season opened last weekend with new, relaxed regulations on keeper sizes and season lengths, although the restrictions on tautog have been enhanced.“Because Maryland anglers have remained under the summer flounder target harvest levels for the past two years, we are able to lower the minimum size limit and extend… Read more »

SALISBURY — Mayor Jim Ireton made it clear Monday that, though the City Council may want to work with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) while revising election districts, he had “no interest” in negotiating with the group.“The American Civil Liberties Union is a special interest group. They should be in touch with the courts… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Police Chief Bernadette DiPino provided an update to the Mayor and City Council last week as the department prepares for the upcoming summer season.“When I became chief nine years ago, one of the long-term strategic plans was to utilize technology as much as possible,” she said. “Social media is a big deal… Read more »

BERLIN — Md. Sen. Barbara Mikulski again this week made her feelings known about the proposed closure of the U.S. Postal Service Mail Processing Center in Easton, which serves the entire Eastern Shore, and was even able to attach some amendments to the bill, but the legislation cleared a procedural hurdle on the way to… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Rather than voting prematurely to add a centralized booking system to the town’s website, the Mayor and City Council delayed the move to consider the impact it would have on the resort area’s lodging industry.Ann McGinnis Hillyer of oceancity.com proposed this week to the Mayor and City Council, RezEZ, a central reservations… Read more »

BERLIN — Unseasonably warm and dry weather have resulted in persistent drought conditions across the Lower Shore, forcing officials in Worcester and Wicomico counties this week to issue a ban on most outdoor burning for an indefinite period.On Monday, Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon issued a burn ban on outdoor burning for an indefinite… Read more »