BERLIN– More middle-income families are living paycheck to paycheck, according to Worcester Youth and Family Counseling, and any significant expense can put them in debt with little ability to repay. The local service added that it is a common misconception that the homeless population is in decline and that anywhere from 600,000 to 1.1 million… Read more »

OCEAN PINES– Following a bizarre series of events, the community is urging caution after local real estate agents found what they believe to be suspicious stickers on the garage doors of several homes. The stickers, placed in hard-to-see spots by Florida-based firm Mortgage Contracting Services LLC, state that the property “has been determined to be… Read more »

OCEAN PINES– Following more than six months of debate, concern and consternation, the Board of Directors last Saturday unanimously agreed on a plan to control the growing population of Canada geese in the community. Board Vice President Marty Clarke introduced a motion during a Saturday’s board meeting outlining a three-pronged approach to curb the birds,… Read more »

BERLIN– In a not-so-stunning turn of non-events, the write-in candidate deadline for Berlin Town Council passed Tuesday, without any new developments. Three candidates filed for the three available seats on town council before the Tuesday, Sept. 9 ballot deadline, and all three remain officially unopposed. Troy Purnell and Dean Burrell filed to keep their District… Read more »

BERLIN–Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) a non-profit environmental education and advocacy organization, will sponsor a voter education forum on environmental issues for candidates in the Worcester County Commissioner elections this year at Berlin Intermediate School on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. The forum will offer voters in Worcester County the opportunity to hear from participating… Read more »

OCEAN PINES– A minor controversy erupted during an Ocean Pines Association meeting on Saturday, after several residents and one board member complained that groups in Ocean Pines were not booking many of their signature events in the new Yacht Club. The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce’s Awards and Installation Banquet, for instance, was booked at… Read more »

BERLIN– The town announced plans on Tuesday to honor its longest-serving council member, Paula Lynch, who has served on the Berlin council for 26 years. She will receive a communitywide sendoff On Thursday, Oct. 9, when the town hosts a coffee-and-cake farewell in the Council Chamber sat Berlin Town Hall on 10 William Street. The… Read more »

BERLIN– If, as is the common saying, that lightning never strikes in the same place twice, then Berlin would have no worries. Bolts from above have already zapped the town’s electricity generating facility, so all should be well. Problem is, lightning has zapped the town’s electrical system numerous times over the years and the town… Read more »

SHOWELL– The nearly $50 million price tag of a new school became an election issue when several acting and prospective Worcester County Commissioners questioned the cost during a candidate forum on Sept. 17. The 100,000 square-foot Showell Elementary replacement school, currently in the early stages of planning, boasts an estimated total cost of $48.9 million,… Read more »

BERLIN– As long-promised stormwater improvements come closer to fruition, town officials are promising not to leave out residents in high-risk areas where they are losing property to flooding and erosion. Several homes on Flower Street, specifically the area near Showell Street, have a gaping ditch running through their backyards. During a series of meetings last… Read more »