By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Oct. 23, 2025) Posting a hefty decommissioning bond ahead of solar farm approval is now the law in Worcester County, where officials made the change as emergency legislation. Emergency Bill #25-04 adds decommissioning bonds to the review process for major solar farm projects and legally establishes abandoned solar projects as… Read more »
Featured
Berlin to host cruisers, then Oktoberfest next weekend
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Despite summer’s official end, Town of Berlin residents will have no shortage of events to attend this offseason. On Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., the Berlin Chamber of Commerce will host the Fall Cruiser Car and Truck Show from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration will start at 7 a.m…. Read more »
Pines woman seeks votes in Halloween fundraising competition
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer An Ocean Pines resident is seeking votes to advance to the next round in a spooky, Halloween-themed contest that raises funds for hospitalized children, offers $13,000 in prize money, and provides the opportunity to meet Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis. Local Janet Stephenson has advanced through a series of six… Read more »
Historic District Commission cool on mural art
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Berlin Historic District Commission opted to delay a vote on a mural proposed for a building in town, citing concerns about its historical character and unique design elements. At a meeting last week, Berlin’s Historic District Commission reviewed a mural, to be painted by local artist Evan Fitzgerald, planned… Read more »
Berlin wants to consider emergency service funding model change
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Town of Berlin is weighing a request to the county about funding for in-town fire and EMS services. At a work session of the Berlin mayor and council with the Berlin Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services on Monday, town officials proposed a new, simplified means for the fire and… Read more »
Students look to form Turning Point chapter
Questions about school’s policy on clubs arise but guidelines being followed By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Reactions to recent political events have reached Worcester County, where students at Stephen Decatur High School have kick-started a conservative thought-based group. According to an Instagram post from last month, some SDHS students have conducted their first meeting of… Read more »
Berlin’s skate park effort scores good news as grant application advances
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Leaders of the proposed skate park in Berlin received word this week a grant application for approximately $487,000 has been elevated from the state level to the federal level, where it will undergo final review and, hopefully, approval. Tony Weeg, founder of We Heart Berlin, a nonprofit dedicated to recreation… Read more »
Newly implemented roadway laws encourage safe driving
By Brian Shane Staff Writer Excessive speeding can now land drivers in jail, one of dozens of new laws that took effect this week in the state of Maryland. Oct. 1 was the effective date for more than 150 bills that the General Assembly passed into law during this year’s Legislative Session. Many happen to… Read more »
New fire house start date pushed to winter
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The construction start date for the new fire station planned for Ocean Pines’ south side has been pushed back from fall 2025 until winter 2026, officials said this week. At the Ocean Pines Association’s board meeting on Saturday, Sept. 20, community general manager John Viola provided an update about the… Read more »
County chooses Keller firm to manage BES construction
Company would oversee school construction project expected to start May ‘27 By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Worcester County Board of Education unanimously approved hiring a construction manager to oversee the Buckingham Elementary School replacement project, pushing that undertaking closer to officially breaking ground. At its meeting this week, the school board approved a contract,… Read more »