By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 26, 2026) When hungry microbes living in sewage treatment tanks get too cold, they go to sleep and can’t do their job: eating up harmful nitrogen compounds to prevent them from polluting local waterways. That’s why the Worcester County Commissioners last Tuesday unanimously approved a performance study for the… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 26, 2026) The Berlin Town Council this week approved a contract with Bennett Construction for $121,436 to demolish a multipurpose building at 130 Flower Street. The job is a key step in preparing the site for the town’s planned community center. At its Monday, March 23, meeting, town officials… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 19, 2026) A policy at an Arby’s restaurant across the street from Stephen Decatur High School permits students to order food but does not allow them to eat inside the establishment, one mom says. According to Shannon Jones, the parent of a senior at Decatur, her daughter was asked… Read more »

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 19, 2026) Worcester County officials approved plans for a 12-unit apartment building in West Ocean City, one the developer hopes will soon provide new year-round rental opportunities for working families. The county’s planning commission on March 5 gave its unanimous approval to the Park Place Villas project along Route… Read more »

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 19, 2026) Proposed state legislation that would let Maryland’s licensed casinos expand their operations into gambling apps for smartphones appears to be stalling ahead of an important deadline for the 2026 legislative session. Two bills to enact internet gaming, or “iGaming,” had been pending this session of the General… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors member Steve Jacobs has stepped down from the governing body this week, effective immediately. The association announced Jacobs’ resignation in a press release on Monday. “On behalf of the entire OPA Board of Directors, we express our sincere gratitude to Steve… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) Construction began Monday on the new firehouse for the Ocean Pines Association’s south side, as association and fire department officials broke ground with their ceremonial shovels.  Demolition of the previous fire station began on Feb. 26 at 911 Ocean Parkway to end the building’s nearly 50 years… Read more »

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (March 12, 2026) A Berlin woman who pleaded guilty last year to identity theft, wire fraud and tax evasion will spend four years in federal prison. On Feb. 27, a U.S. District Court judge in Baltimore sentenced Tammy Barcu, 56, to four years of incarceration, followed by six months of… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) In the latest step in the merger between TidalHealth and Atlantic General Hospital, the latter will now be known as TidalHealth Atlantic, and the organization is rolling out a new, more connected electronic medical record system called Epic MyChart. The two health care systems finalized their agreement… Read more »

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Feb. 26, 2026) This week’s heavy winter storm left some Town of Berlin residents without power for upwards of 18 hours, electric officials said. When snow began to fall and the wind picked up Sunday night, Berlin residents found themselves without electricity until well into the afternoon the next day…. Read more »