By Greg Ellison (Feb. 3, 2022) Plans to develop a skate park are coming into focus after the nonprofit “We Heart Berlin” announced last week that a feasibility study is in the works. The organization’s CEO, Tony Weeg, said the study would be conducted through the Business Economic and Community Development Outreach Network (BEACON) at… Read more »
News
Berlin-made Bil-Jac dog food marks 75 years
Staring in 1947 with frozen offerings, decades later Bill Kelly perfected dry options By Greg Ellison (Feb. 3, 2022) Founded by the Kelly brothers in 1947 with a focus on freshness, Bil-Jac dog food is celebrating its 75th anniversary of providing nutritionally balanced frozen, and later dry chow, for furry-four-legged friends. Bob Kelly, company president… Read more »
Pines FY22-23 budget town hall highlights reduced fees
By Greg Ellison (Feb. 3, 2022) Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola and Finance Director Steve Phillips reviewed the proposed FY 22-23 budget during a virtual town hall meeting on Tuesday. Viola said inflation would affect the budget, but that steps were taken to mitigate losses. Viola said the association is on track to close… Read more »
Water, sewer reserves fall far short
Consultant advises officials immediate changes must be made to avoid problems By Greg Ellison (Feb. 3, 2022) Berlin Town Council is contemplating establishing capital reserve funds for both water and sewer services to address long-term financial deficits. Jean Holloway, from Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project Inc. (SERCAP) in Delaware and eastern Maryland, returned for the… Read more »
Worcester school board nixes first semester exams
By Greg Wehner The Worcester County Board of Education marked a first when met for its monthly meeting on Jan. 18 — it was the first time the board streamed its meeting online. The streaming worked seamlessly and never crashed, though speakers needed to be reminded at times to speak into the microphone or else… Read more »
Worcester County Teacher of the Year candidates revealed
By Greg Wehner The 14 nominees for the Worcester County Public Schools Teacher of the Year competition were announced on Jan. 18 during a Board of Education meeting in Newark. Each nominee was named “Teacher of the Year” for their respective school, and in March, they are expected to compete for the top honor in… Read more »
Berlin’s town chicken killed in hit-and-run
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 27, 2022) Berlin’s adopted town chicken, Althea, perished last Tuesday afternoon following a hit-and-run accident on Main Street . Mayor Zack Tyndall posted the tragic news on social media last Wednesday. “In the fall of 2021, Althea, the town chicken, randomly showed up [and] became a local celebrity,” he said. In… Read more »
Pines financials maintain positivity
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 27, 2022) With five months remaining in its fiscal year, Ocean Pines’ bottom line continues to look good, with operations beating the budget by $1.4 million through November 2021. General Manager John Viola and Public Works Office Manager Linda Martin reviewed financials to close November during the board meeting on Saturday…. Read more »
Viola reviews Ocean Pines active initiatives
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 27, 2022) Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola gave progress reports on current and pending projects during the Board of Directors’ meeting on Saturday. Viola said a proposed pickleball court addition, which was approved by the board last January, is now moving forward. “We received a number from the contractor of… Read more »
Tyndall lists his ’22 goals for Berlin
Says objectives embody concerns of residents, officials and staff By Greg Ellison (Jan. 27, 2022) Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall on Monday reviewed the goals and objectives he set for 2022 after hearing from other elected officials, staff and residents. “I sent a social media request to the public to send in their ideas,” he told… Read more »