By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Aug. 27, 2020) The Worcester County Public Schools’ Summer Meal Program has been extended to Monday. “The USDA extended the Summer Food Service Program waivers through Aug. 31, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to provide more meals to our students,” said Odtis Collins, the coordinator of… Read more »
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Kiwanis fundraises with haircuts
By Greg Ellison Outdoor trim event Aug. 29 solicits support with club’s traditional efforts on pause (Aug. 20, 2020) Seeking creative means to raise money during the covid-19 pandemic, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City is working with Charity Dudley of Mobile Hair Services to provide open-air haircuts next Saturday with all proceeds… Read more »
OP Board debates closed or open discussion on Monday
By Greg Ellison (Aug. 20, 2020) Sparks flew during a hastily convened OPA Board meeting on Monday due to media reports a day earlier that insinuated General Manager John Viola put his thumb on the scale to influence the vote for president the previous week. What was intended for, and eventually went into, closed session,… Read more »
Poll workers needed in state for Nov. presidential election
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Aug. 20, 2020) Responding to a severe shortage of election judges for the Nov. 3 general election, the State Board of Elections is going to Maryland high schools and urging students to consider serving. In a letter to high school students throughout the state, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen… Read more »
WCPS presents revised return model for fall
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Aug. 20, 2020) The Worcester County Board of Education reviewed the revised “Responsible Return” model that it had to turn into the Maryland State Department of Education by last Friday during its meeting on Tuesday. “It was a draft. We had several things that we were in the process of… Read more »
Volunteers remove tree debris in OP
By Greg Ellison (Aug. 13, 2020) In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isasis, a group of chainsaw-equipped and work boot-clad volunteers organized through the “Worcester County Local Help for You: Facebook page went into last Saturday to remove tree debris from half a dozen yards in Ocean Pines. In March, following the onset of covid-19… Read more »
OP voters re-elect two incumbents to board of directors
By Greg Ellison Parks leads pack with big majority of all votes cast in Pines election (Aug. 13, 2020) The 2020 OPA Board of Directors election results were compiled on Friday, with the ballot count adding up to make incumbents Doug Parks and Colette Horn the winners in the three-way race for a pair of… Read more »
Berlin sewer fund debt reduction approved
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2020) The Berlin Mayor and Council on Monday agreed to write off half the $3.4 million the town’s separate sewer fund owes the general fund, while committing to repay the remaining $1.7 million to the general fund over 10 or more years. Currently, the mayor and council receive… Read more »
Seeds of mystery planted with free packs from China
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2020) Residents of at least 22 states in the U.S., including Maryland, have received mysterious, unsolicited seeds allegedly mailed from China. As of Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received four reports of unsolicited seed packages from Worcester County residents, said… Read more »
Maryland Coastal Bays applying for federal estuary grants
By Greg Ellison (Aug. 6, 2020) The Maryland Coastal Bays Program is applying this week for a Coastal Watersheds Grant through the National Estuary Program. Executive Director Kevin Smith said Restore America’s Estuaries administers the funding stream provided by the Environmental Protection Agency for the National Estuary Program. “We’re putting in three proposals,” he said…. Read more »