By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2026) As Ocean Pines Association’s annual election draws closer, five candidates have stated their intent to run for the three seats up for grabs on the association’s legislative policymaking body. The OPA is preparing for its yearly summer election, in which residents are asked to decided who will… Read more »
News
Berlin planning commission to review code to improve process
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2026) Members of the Berlin Planning Commission are seeking to review the town’s zoning and site plan process because of repeated confusion over project approvals, application requirements, and the interpretation of existing code. During a discussion following a redevelopment proposal for Heron Park’s parcel 57 last week, commissioners… Read more »
Ocean Pines veteran park to host event for Memorial Day
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2026) Ocean Pines will honor the nation’s fallen soldiers next week with a ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial. A Memorial Day celebration is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Ocean Pines veterans park, with speeches from community leaders and area veterans, a… Read more »
Ocean Pines police chief retires
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2026) Ocean Pines Police Chief Tim Robinson is stepping down from his post on June 12 after a 34-year career in law enforcement and three years with the community department. The Ocean Pines Association announced last Friday that Robinson will retire next month. The chief assumed leadership of… Read more »
Old-fashioned Memorial Day celebration seen many changes over decades on Flower Street
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2025) Continuing a neighborhood tradition dating back to the 1940s, Berlin’s Flower Street community will honor the fallen defenders of this nation and its principles with an Old-Fashioned Memorial Day Parade on Monday. At 11 a.m., car and motorcycle units, floats, and bands will travel from Stephen Decatur… Read more »
Commercial developer’s site plan moves ahead
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2026) A proposal to redevelop the former Tyson chicken processing facility into a mixed-use commercial complex advanced last week after the Berlin Planning Commission approved preliminary site plans, contingent upon the mayor’s and Town Council’s approval of related plats. Development representatives presented initial plans for the long-vacant industrial… Read more »
Berlin works through balancing budget process; 5% salary increases move ahead
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) To balance the Town of Berlin’s fiscal year 2027 general fund budget — a spending plan that had been facing a $280,000 shortfall this week — the Town Council on Monday axed the proposal to replace an old public works truck and postponed a street paving project…. Read more »
Berlin Council unanimously votes against tax rate increase proposal
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 »
Drewer sworn in, takes over as new Berlin police chief
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 »
Rotary Club uses grant for playtime items at Showell
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 »