Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer Last year’s 81.5-cent levy might be in notice, but not necessarily in new budget (March 30, 2023) The Town of Berlin will advertise that the property tax rate of 81.5 cents may stay the same in FY24, but plenty could change before a final vote. On Tuesday, the Berlin mayor… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) The Town of Berlin reordered its project priorities for the state’s 2024 Program Open Space (POS) Monday, as it prepares to seek grants to help pay for the recreational undertakings that it hopes to pursue. The official order of the list is the first phase of a… Read more »
By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) Crabbing season is almost here. That’s great news for crab lovers, but not so great for Maryland’s state reptile, the diamondback terrapin. Diamondback terrapins are aquatic turtles that were once plentiful but today are struggling to survive, largely because of the human presence: their greatest threat is… Read more »
By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Reporter (March 23, 2023) General Manager John Viola provided updates on various efforts around Ocean Pines during Saturday’s Board of Directors meeting. He noted that the Police Department is still aggressively looking to fill five to six positions. The department has begun using a written and physical test before cadets go into… Read more »
By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer (March 23, 2022) In uncharacteristically strong opening remarks, Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors President Doug Parks began the March board meeting Saturday by taking issue with the aggressive tactics some advocates for Justice for Gavin have been employing recently. He acknowledged the heartache that the family has experienced because… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (March 23, 2023) Looking to model its pursuit after Ocean City’s course of action, Berlin is going to county government for skate park funding. At the March 13 meeting of the Berlin mayor and Town Council, Councilmember Jack Orris broached the subject of the town skate park project as it… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (March 23, 2023) Worn down by what they describe as a series of one-sided relationships, the Worcester County Commissioners are sending letters to neighboring counties to let them know Worcester’s fire and EMS services cannot continue assisting them under the status quo. In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the commissioners… Read more »
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Reporter (March 16, 2023) Patti Adams, owner of Ruff Cuts Pet Salon in Ocean Pines, is no stranger to rescuing animals, even bald eagles. She once rescued an eagle near Abi’s Diner. And on Feb. 10, she was the one who found the eagle that was rescued on Racetrack Road. “The… Read more »
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Reporter (March 16, 2023) Like many other communities across the country with aging populations, Ocean Pines, where the average age is 65, recruiting volunteer firefighters is becoming increasingly challenging. “This is a difficult demographic to recruit from,” said Dave VanGasbeck, president of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD). Some other fire… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (March 16, 2023) After years of discussion, Berlin is gearing up to move on the “Rails and Trails” project that will place a shared-use bike and pedestrian path along the railroad in town. Berlin Planning Director Dave Engelhart briefed the mayor and Town Council on construction funding and plans for… Read more »