BERLIN – The tourist season so far in Berlin has gotten varied reviews, with some saying more people are visiting, while others contend there are fewer people visiting the town and they are spending less. “The merchants tell me it seems there’s more people but they’re not spending as much money,” said Michael Day, coordinator… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Plans for the Ayres Creek water trail and landing park are moving along smoothly, reported organizers this week, as they sought approval from the Mayor and City Council to move forward with a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).Jim Rapp, director of Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences (DLITE), presented the… Read more »

SNOW HILL – Motorcycle enthusiasts may be able to buy their ride of choice on Sundays in Worcester County if Maryland legislators pursue a request from the Worcester County Commissioners to exempt the county from an obsolete “blue law” still on the books.“We’re open Sundays. The retail and service side is open,” said Harley-Davidson of… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – At a joint meeting of the Mayor, City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission this week, completed, current and future efforts ranging from comprehensive rezoning to enhanced shadow controls were addressed, in an effort to reach a consensus on current issues in the town.Planning Director Jesse Houston highlighted a few of… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – The $30 million wrongful death lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court earlier this year by the family of two Pennsylvania tourists who perished from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Boardwalk motel room in June 2006 appears to be close to a settlement this week, according to a memorandum to the many parties… Read more »

NEWARK – Future school system cost overruns will be taken care of through a $1.2 million contingency fund to be established this summer. Worcester County Board of Education staffers are working on identifying cuts to make in the fiscal year 2009 budget, covering the 2008-2009 school year, to fund the contingency account. The school board… Read more »

OCEAN CITY –The biggest white marlin in Maryland sport fishing history could be finding a home on Ocean City’s Boardwalk in the near future. Charles Kratz, captain of the boat that caught the 135-pound white marlin nearly 30 years ago, came before the Mayor and City Council this week, explaining his desire to donate the… Read more »

BERLIN – The effort to connect every corner of Worcester County and the Eastern Shore to broadband high-speed Internet access moved closer to becoming a reality this week when the state Board of Public Works approved a wetlands license for the private/public sector group leading the way.Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on Wednesday announced the state’s… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Town employees will remain under a zero-tolerance policy regarding substance abuse, after the City Council decided against adopting a new, more lenient policy this week.Human Resources Director Roger Weseman presented the Mayor and City Council with the proposed policy change this week; a modification that would give employees who were terminated for… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Discounts on fuel sales at the Ocean City Municipal Airport were addressed this week by the Mayor and City Council, resulting in approval of the good will practice, but with a few concerns about the regulation of the discounts. Public Works Director Hal Adkins and Airport Manager George Goodwill presented the concept… Read more »