BERLIN – Berlin began its budget season this week with work sessions on public works, buildings and grounds, and parks and recreation, revealing a proposed salary increase of six percent and a small projected increase in tax revenue.Town administrator Linda Bambary informed the Berlin Mayor and Town Council Monday evening that she used a three… Read more »

ANNAPOLIS- A bill in the General Assembly that would extend a funding mechanism for the proposed expansion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City breezed through the House this week and awaits a vote on a cross-filed bill in the Senate.House Bill 1064, which, if approved would enable the local governing body… Read more »

BERLIN – The expansion of Berlin’s historic district will go back before the Berlin Town Council soon after the Berlin Planning Commission finally made a recommendation to approve the larger district.The planning commission has discussed the expansion several times in recent months, concluding this week that the maps of the areas to be added are… Read more »

SNOW HILL- A Stockton man arrested in October arrested in October after a wild pursuit and brief standoff during which he dragged a Maryland State Police trooper behind his vehicle pleaded guilty this week to two charges related to the incident and was sentenced to eight years in jail with much of the time suspended,… Read more »

SNOW HILL – Worcester County’s Planning Commission would like to see reduced buffers around spray irrigation land, and voted unanimously last week to recommend the change to the Worcester County Commissioners.Smaller buffers around spray irrigation sites would free up more land to handle treated wastewater effluent, Development Review and Permitting head Ed Tudor said at… Read more »

ASSATEAGUE- In an attempt to maintain a precipitous balance between public use and the fragile ecosystems on the barrier island, Assateague Island National Seashore officials this week announced they are proposing a study of the over-sand vehicle (OSV) zone.Assateague Island National Seashore Superintendent Scott Bentley announced on Tuesday park officials are taking public comments on… Read more »

BERLIN – The Berlin Planning Commission gave the nod to a new, detailed text amendment allowing a senior living facility on the industrially-zoned Davis Farm property this week, clearing the way for the Berlin Town Council to consider the new ordinance later in March.Property owner Tom Ruark and attorney Joe Moore enlisted several critics of… Read more »

SNOW HILL- The third of three suspects arrested in connection with an armed robbery of the Wal-Mart in Berlin in September pleaded guilty last week to theft conspiracy and was sentenced to three years in jail with all but 18 months suspended.Stacy Zalary Omar Brown, 20, of Mardela Springs appeared in Circuit Court last Thursday… Read more »

OCEAN CITY –The City Council unanimously approved the purchase of equipment that will aim to streamline the voter registration process on Election Day, bringing Ocean City up to speed with the rest of the county. City Clerk Carol Jacobs and Chair of the Board of Election Supervisors Mary Adeline Bradford, presented the recommendation to the… Read more »

WEST OCEAN CITY – If a funding shortfall causes the West Ocean City shelter Diakonia to close its doors, Cara Devoe and her two young sons could soon be out on the street.Devoe was homeless when she arrived at Diakonia in November 2007 with two-year-old Tyler. Five-year-old Trey had been sent to live with grandparents… Read more »