NEWARK – Further evidence of the changing face of Worcester County was revealed last week during the Worcester County Board of Education monthly meeting when it was reported the number of students enrolled in the school system’s English Language Learner (ELL) program has increased by 215 percent since 2000.Worcester County Schools ELL Coordinator Diane Stulz… Read more »

BERLIN – Questions and suspicions over the Cannery Village workforce housing project arose Monday night during what appeared to be a routine meeting over a block grant.At this week’s meeting, the Berlin Mayor and Council questioned Don Bibb, executive director of project co-developer Housing Authority of Talbot County (HCTC), closely over the apparently diminished role… Read more »

BERLIN – Berlin can now count updated geographic information among its planning and infrastructure tools, with the delivery of a new geographic information system (GIS).The Mayor and Council authorized the geographic information project to map the town’s tax information, and sewer and water systems, last April, asking Dr. Mike Scott of Salisbury University’s Eastern Shore… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Superintendent of Public Works Maintenance Bruce Gibbs gave a presentation to the Mayor and City Council Tuesday concerning a fencing project that would add white, vinyl picket fences to the municipal parking lots downtown. Gibbs reported that the project is doable but did have a few concerns regarding the idea.“For one, you… Read more »

SNOW HILL – A longtime Ocean City Elementary School teacher accused of child abuse and assault after allegedly throwing a problem student to the floor during a summer school session last July was cleared of all charges this week in an emotionally charged trial in Worcester County Circuit Court.Sheridan Hurley Brueckner, 64, a teacher at… Read more »

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland sex offender laws got much stronger this week when both the House and Senate passed the so-called Jessica’s Law, which includes among other things no possibility of parole for convicted offenders serving minimum mandatory sentences.The full House approved House Bill 930 with a unanimous 138-0 vote, while the Senate approved the companion… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – A proposed park aimed at keeping residents’ four-legged friends in shape and offering a place for their owners to share their love of their furry companions continues to be developed as early plans for a dog park were revealed this week.At the Recreation and Parks Committee meeting Tuesday at Northside Park, Recreation… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – The final chapter in the ongoing saga of Delaware Representative John C. Atkins, who caused a stir over the last several months for his actions during and after a traffic stop in Ocean City last October, was likely written this week when the lawmaker officially resigned his position.Atkins resigned on Tuesday just… Read more »

New Hangar Being PricedOCEAN CITY – During the Mayor and City Council work session Tuesday, Public Works Director Hal Adkins asked permission to solicit bids for the construction of a new hangar for the Ocean City Airport.According to Adkins, out of the 63-unit capacity the airport currently has only two units left, pending their lease,… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City’s newest addition, Sunset Park, located on South Division Street between Philadelphia Avenue and the bay and completed in August of 2006, continues to evolve as future plans for the downtown spot were discussed Tuesday morning at a Recreation and Parks Committee meeting.John Sullivan, Director of Special Events, came before committee… Read more »