By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Due to school being canceled for a week this month due to snow, the Worcester County Board of Education has waived first-semester final exams, eliminated two days from spring break and modified virtual day instruction plans. At the board of education’s Jan. 21 meeting, the body voted to accept the… Read more »
News
Commissioners pivot on coastal bays grant
By Brian Shane Staff Writer After excoriating a local environmental nonprofit for its neutral stance on offshore wind, Worcester County officials showed a change of heart and are now promising to support the group’s efforts to secure a rare and valuable state grant. The county’s Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21 agreed to send a… Read more »
Pines chief reviews monthly police activity, discusses missing child search
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Within the last month, the Ocean Pines Police Department has handled various traffic-related and community safety incidents. Last week, the group led efforts to find a missing 10-year-old boy, which resulted in his safe discovery. On Saturday, Jan. 25, OPPD Chief Tim Robinson spoke at the Ocean Pines Association’s Board… Read more »
Berlin getting radio station from ‘We Heart’
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer A new radio station is on its way to Berlin, bringing live and recorded music, educational programming, local history stories, roundtable discussions and emergency alert capabilities. The radio station, Radio Free Berlin, will operate at 94.1 FM and be managed by the nonprofit organization We Heart Berlin. We Heart Berlin… Read more »
No plans to build cell tower; Board declares rumor completely unfounded, ‘patently false’ info
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Ocean Pines officials say there is no plan to construct a cellphone tower on neighborhood property at this time. Instead, the police department’s chief has simply looked into ways to improve unreliable cellphone reception. At a meeting last week, Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors President Stuart Lakernick maintained that… Read more »
Berlin police chief’s drone request approved
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Town of Berlin’s Police Department will purchase a drone at a cost not exceeding $12,000, per a Berlin Mayor and Council meeting earlier this week. At the municipality’s Monday, Jan. 27 meeting of the Berlin Town Council, the governing body voted 3-0, with Councilmember Steve Green and Vice President… Read more »
Construction begins on new Pocomoke library branch
By Brian Shane Staff Writer As local dignitaries gathered to ceremonially flip dirt with their gold-painted shovels, Worcester County Library Director Jennifer Ranck smiled broadly and welcomed those in attendance on an overcast and bone-chilling day. “Today has been a long time coming. I want to thank you all for being here and sharing in… Read more »
Disc golf tourney approved for Berlin, Pines
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer A disc golf tournament, Double Dip Double Dash by the Salisbury-based Eastbound Disc Golf group, is coming to Ocean Pines and Berlin on Saturday, March 1. The tournament will welcome teams of two, with participation not exceed 36 players. The ‘double dip’ aspect of the event’s name is apt, as… Read more »
Diakonia eyes new funding through tax credit program
By Brian Shane Staff Writer The nonprofit agency Diakonia expects a $50,000 funding boost this year for its new West Ocean City headquarters from a state program that aims to attract donors to nonprofit projects. Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) selected Diakonia to participate in its fiscal 2025 Community Investment Tax Credit… Read more »
County planning education effort on solar land leases; Commissioners approve mailer to ag land owners about pitfalls with deals
By Brian Shane Staff Writer As demand grows for filling fields with solar panels instead of corn or soybeans, Worcester County’s farmers should be on the lookout for aggressive and predatory salespeople in the solar industry, officials said this week. “It’s almost kind of a David and Goliath situation,” environmental programs director Bob Mitchell told… Read more »