By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) The Berlin Town Council voted this week to maintain its current tax rate of 0.8275 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2027, despite push from town leaders and staff to consider a modest increase of a penny and a quarter of a penny. Following a… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) Newly appointed Berlin Chief of Police Howard Drewer received a warm welcome Monday night when he was sworn into office surrounded by town staff, government officials, family and representatives from agencies across the Eastern Shore. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall opened this week’s mayor and council meeting by… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) Students at Showell Elementary School now have access to new and upgraded recess products thanks to a donation by local volunteers earlier this week. On Monday, May 11, members of the Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club visited Showell Elementary School, with a truck full of items intended for… Read more »

Mayor, finance director oppose approach, decisions in speeches By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Berlin Town Council proposed cutting approximately $389,000 from its proposed budget for next year to help cure a revenue shortfall of roughly $400,000 against expenses and to avoid a tax increase. At Monday night’s meeting of the Berlin… Read more »

County reserve fund gives officials flexibility, as other operating costs increase By Brian Shane Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) Ocean Pines sewer customers will see one part of their quarterly bill cut in half, as Worcester County moves to pay down some long-term debt. The county plans to reduce the sewer district’s debt service fee… Read more »

Berlin Town Council seeks ways to eliminate $400K shortfall in FY27 budget By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Berlin Town Council discussed eliminating the community’s Independence Day fireworks celebration next summer as part of a broader effort to reduce a $400,000 shortfall in the drafted fiscal year 2027 spending plan. At a… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Ocean Pines Yacht Club’s new outdoor kitchen will be operational by summer, Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola announced Saturday along with updates on community maintenance work. Appearing before the OPA Board of Directors Saturday, Viola also reported that the new south side fire station… Read more »

Drewer Army veteran retired from reserve as Sgt. Maj. By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 23, 2026) The Town of Berlin has appointed Col. Howard “Howie” Drewer as its next chief of police, marking a new chapter for the department following the retirement of longtime Chief Arnold Downing. Drewer officially assumed his new role on… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 23, 2026) The Town of Berlin is considering a modest property tax increase for the first time in several years as officials work to close a projected $412,000 shortfall in the fiscal year 2027 budget. During a budget work session this week, Mayor Zack Tyndall proposed raising the town’s… Read more »

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (April 9, 2026) A last-ditch fundraising surge saved the Delmarva Discovery Museum in Pocomoke City from closing its doors, but the nonprofit still faces an uncertain future beyond 2026 without sustained public support. After giving 72 hours’ notice, leaders of the Pocomoke City landmark reported a flood of donations and… Read more »