By Brian Shane Staff Writer A Pocomoke City defense contractor has been awarded a long-term contract valued at $416 million to produce body armor for U.S. soldiers on the battlefield. The Department of Defense announced March 14 that Hardwire LLC won a bid to produce Lares Small Arms Protective Inserts, part of what the Army… Read more »
News
Pipe break leads to new gym floor; Hybrid system approved after staff researched best options for community ctr.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Ocean Pines Community Center will soon have a new gym floor after a pipe break in February caused water damage to the current hardwood. At a meeting earlier this week, the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors unanimously approved proceeding with the staff recommendation to pay $62,300 to Dynamic… Read more »
Synthetic bocce courts approved for Pines
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Two new bocce ball courts are coming to Ocean Pines this spring for a cost that community officials claim will pay for itself within seven years. At an Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting last week, the governing body approved proceeding with a staff recommendation of $50,692 to an… Read more »
Kids to take over class; Not really, but two does will become part of a new instructional program at Worcester Tech
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Worcester Technical High School’s live stream, called the “Kidding Kam,” is offering agricultural students a deeper dive into the intricacies of animal health this semester. The Kidding Kam is a project spearheaded by the WTHS agricultural program to provide students with a deeper look at the labor process of goats…. Read more »
Bertino pledges to fight rate plan; Proposal to bail out debt for sewer, water districts would lean heavily on OP
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Worcester County and Ocean Pines officials pledged at a public meeting this week to fight a proposed budget plan that could increase Pines ratepayer bills to make up millions of dollars in water and wastewater debt despite the wooded community’s minimal contribution to the deficit. At a March 29 meeting… Read more »
Berlin’s electric department earns safety award honor
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Town of Berlin Electric Utility Department has earned a Gold Designation under the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for maintaining safe operating practices in 2024. Per a release issued by the town this week, Berlin’s Electric Utility Department was recognized for its commitment to safety through… Read more »
Aquatics improvements suggested; Ocean Pines committee looking to address safety concerns around pools
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Ocean Pines Association’s Aquatics Committee made recommendations at an executive meeting last week for possible improvements ahead of summer. During an Ocean Pines executive meeting last month, Gary Miller, the chair of the aquatics group, brought forward possible adjustments to prioritize pool safety. Miller said his group has received… Read more »
Search for superintendent continues in Worcester Co. advances to next step
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Worcester County Board of Education has entered the application phase in its search for a new superintendent of schools. Officials hope to find a replacement in May. Reviews of the submitted interest forms will begin on March 31, and interviews will occur in early April. The board of education… Read more »
Diakonia’s state grant request earns county support
By Brian Shane Staff Writer Worcester County officials pledged their unanimous support for a state grant that will help the West Ocean City nonprofit Diakonia fund its long-awaited expansion project. The County Commissioners last Tuesday gave their blessing for Diakonia to pursue a Community Development Block Grant that will yield $860,000 in funding. Executive director… Read more »
County seeks clean cure for mixed-up mess; ‘Gross negligence’ Bertino says
By Brian Shane Staff Writer Worcester County officials have proposed raising water and sewer rates as a possible solution to balancing the county’s water and sewer district budgets, which have run at a deficit for years, relying on comingled reserve funds to cover losses. The operational deficit, affecting seven of the county’s 11 independent sanitary… Read more »