By Tara Fischer Staff Writer An early retirement incentive and new light poles for the Stephen Decatur Middle School parking lot were approved by the Worcester County Board of Education last week. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the school system’s governing group met, and they unanimously passed an early teacher retirement incentive, as they have in… Read more »
News
School officials pleased with annual report on test scores
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Worcester County Public Schools continue to yield academic success, per a report released by the Maryland State Department of Education this week. MSDE unveiled its annual Maryland Report Card update on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The report card is a rating tool introduced by the state in 2018 to keep the… Read more »
Teal Bay Mitzvah supporting first responders with efforts
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Ocean Pines-based community outreach team Teal Bay Mitzvah is making the lives of local first responders easier this holiday season by collecting small but important everyday items. The charitable group runs two philanthropic programs a year. This winter, Cindy Spicknall, one of Teal Bay Mitzvah’s members, met with the… Read more »
Museum planning events to coincide with USA’s 250th
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor While America’s 250th anniversary is still two years away, officials with the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum are already making preparations to celebrate the semiquincentennial. Melissa Reid, museum president, told the Berlin Town Council on Monday that the museum has plans to introduce several events in 2026, which will mark… Read more »
Berlin approves vendor for electric metering project
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor The Berlin Town Council this week awarded a $893,000 contract to install advanced electric meters. In June, the Town of Berlin issued a request for proposals from vendors to design, supply, install and implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). And on Monday, Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence came back before the… Read more »
Berlin approves Worcester’s design guidelines … for now
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor The town council this week adopted the county’s design guidelines and standards, a measure officials hope will steer commercial projects until a planning director can be hired to draft a Berlin-specific document. At the recommendation of the planning commission as well as the historic district commission, the Berlin Town Council… Read more »
The Church Mouse closing; Berlin institution will go silent on Dec. 21, after more than six decades
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer An over 60-year-long tradition is coming to an end in Berlin. Town residents and visitors will have just a few more weeks to stop in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s beloved thrift shop, The Church Mouse, until the storefront closes its doors for good on Dec. 21. The brick-and-mortar has been… Read more »
Decatur rallies to win second championship; Seahawks comes back late to win, capping off second straight perfect season
By Steve Green Executive Editor Ever since last year’s title game win, Stephen Decatur varsity football team had a goal – to repeat as state champions. The mission was accomplished in dramatic fashion last Saturday as the team captured its 28th straight win to become back-to-back champs. In what turned into a game dominated by… Read more »
OC mulls sports complex funding; New Business Investment District proposed, would require legislative action
Staff Writer An ambitious new funding model might help Ocean City pay its eight-figure share of its proposed youth sports complex, one which now has an operator and an architect on board – but no place yet to put it. A public-private partnership known as a Business Investment District (BID) could be utilized to generate… Read more »
Pine Tones to present 40th annual holiday show Friday
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Pine Tones is gearing up to bring holiday cheer to the community next month with a 40-year-long tradition. At its 40th holiday concert, the choir will perform a mix of classical, modern, contemporary, and Christmas favorite tunes on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Church at… Read more »