By Elizabeth Bonin, Staff Writer (May 21, 2020) The Blueprint for America’s Future, commonly known as the Kirwan bill, was vetoed by Gov. Larry Hogan on May 7, thus sparing county governments the problem of trying to find ways to pay their share of the education improvement program when revenue is looking scarce. The bill… Read more »
News
Schools get broadband grant to increase student access
By Elizabeth Bonin, Staff Writer (May 22, 2020) Worcester County Public Schools will receive a $32,750 Emergency Broadband Education Assistance grant from the Governor’s Office of Rural Broadband and the Department of Housing and Community Development. The Board of Public Works approved the grant request as Maryland schools have been distance learning since the end… Read more »
WCPS high school graduations get creative
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer Board of Education and teachers plan to celebrate seniors with virtual events (May 21, 2020) With the May 6 announcement that public schools in Maryland would be closed for the remainder of the academic year, administrators at Worcester County high schools have developed new graduation schedules to honor the 2020… Read more »
Updated school calendar approved amid coronavirus
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 21, 2020) A modified 2019-2020 Worcester County Public Schools’ calendar was approved by the Board of Education during its teleconference monthly meeting on Tuesday. The Maryland State Department of Education initially closed all the state’s schools from March 16-27 to limit the spread of covid-19, but on March 25… Read more »
New natural gas generator engine delivered to Berlin
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 21, 2020) The replacement for “engine two” at the Berlin Power Plant on William Street was delivered last Friday. After nearly a year of work, the replacement engine, a natural gas genset (a combination engine and generator) built in Lafayette, Indiana, was brought in by Alban CAT Power Systems,… Read more »
Berlin budget public comments due by Tues.
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 21, 2020) Berlin residents who want to mail or email questions or concerns for next Tuesday’s hearing on the town’s proposed budget for next fiscal year have two options for having their comments heard. Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood and Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen reminded residents that the deadline… Read more »
Berlin meetings stay virtual in May
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer Offices open to public with restrictions, as town seeks to limit number of visitors (May 21, 2020) Even though Gov. Larry Hogan lifted his stay-at-home order last week, Berlin government will not have in-person public meetings for the remainder of May. All meetings, including those by the mayor and Town… Read more »
OPA treasurer looks at financial challenges
By Greg Ellison (May 21, 2020) Following the OPA Board of Directors’ unanimous vote last Tuesday to keep $1.143 million in Payroll Protection Program funding, OPA Treasurer Larry Perrone spoke two days later about the fiscal challenges faced during the covid-19 pandemic. Perrone said the OPA, which was notified PPP funds were deposited through the… Read more »
OPA Board seeks more candidates to meet standard
By Greg Ellison (May 21, 2020) Ocean Pines Association Vice President Steve Tuttle is sounding the siren to solicit at least one more candidate for the 2020 Ocean Pines Association Board election so the slate satisfies the association’s requirements. Tuttle, who also serves as OPA Elections Committee board liaison, said after the application deadline was… Read more »
Pines flood readiness seminar held virtually
By Greg Ellison (May 21, 2020) A trio of experts with the Maryland Department of the Environment took a deep dive into risk reduction measures during an OPA Flood Readiness seminar held last Tuesday via Facebook Live. Opening the event was Dave Guignet, the Maryland coordinator for FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, who said FEMA… Read more »