Public Defender Order Delayed

BERLIN — A recent Maryland Court of Appeals opinion guaranteeing legal representation for defendants at the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including initial bail reviews, has been put on hold after the high court agreed to slow down the order to further review the implementation process.In its opinion released in early January, the high court… Read more »

Rental License Revenue Eyed

OCEAN CITY — While Ocean City attempts to find ways to expand its revenue base in the face of a looming deficit, one possible source in the form of unpaid rental property licenses could be right under the City Council’s noses.Ocean City officials are exploring alternative revenues sources to offset millions of dollars of needed… Read more »

OCPD Holds Taser Demonstration To Educate Public

OCPD Holds Taser Demonstration To Educate Public

OCEAN CITY — Hoping to address concerns surrounding Ocean City’s decision to equip some officers with Taser Electronic Control Devices, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) held a public information session and demonstration Thursday.“We’ve spent enormous amounts of time researching this,” said OCPD Public Affairs Officer Mike Levy.Levy, along with Chief Bernadette DiPino, spoke at… Read more »

NEW FOR THURSDAY: OC Buskers No Longer Need To Register

NEW FOR THURSDAY: OC Buskers No Longer Need To Register

OCEAN CITY — A federal lawsuit filed by a Boardwalk street performer over alleged First Amendment rights violations officially ended this week with Ocean City agreeing to a consent decree allowing certain performers or vendors to sell their wares and eliminating the registration requirement.Last June, the City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance requiring all… Read more »

Area Trails Effort Collecting Public Input

BERLIN — A Berlin group is proceeding with plans to build a network of nature trails in Worcester County.“Our time has come,” said Kate Patton, who led the Plan Our Trails meetings held last Wednesday and Thursday nights in Berlin.Patton, executive director of Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), outlined the progress her group has made… Read more »

Worcester’s Bloxom Requested To Help Salisbury

SALISBURY — Hoping to bring in an outsider immune to conflict of interest complaints, the Salisbury City Council has been given permission to use Worcester County attorney Sonny Bloxom to advise the Salisbury ethics board.“That’s what we really need, someone that is removed,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell.The council has seen numerous ethics complaints thrown around… Read more »