OCEAN PINES—As the Ocean Pines Association began to review General Manager Bob Thompson’s fiscal year 2014-2015 budget, which was presented on Jan. 6, two items are already facing resistance—a proposed $15 increase in annual membership assessments and a promotion to offer members a $25 coupon for the upcoming new Yacht Club. The net increase in… Read more »

BERLIN—The Historical District Commission approved proposed signage for a new restaurant slated to open at 104 Pitts Street by April, but had to reschedule ruling on a second proposal due to the lack of a quorum, during the first meeting of the year on Jan. 8. Justine Zegna, owner of Planet X in Rehoboth, is… Read more »

OCEAN CITY–Susan G. Komen Maryland will offer a Volunteer Training Session on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Marriott Courtyard on 15th Street and the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Komen Maryland relies on trained volunteers to provide free educational programs highlighting breast health, breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.  A variety of opportunities… Read more »

DELAWARE–Delmarva Power has recently been advised by its sister utility, Atlantic City Electric, and the NJ Board of Public Utilities that scammers posing as third party energy suppliers are sending fake utility bills via e-mail to some New Jersey and Delaware utility customers. The e-mail asks that customers click on a link contained within the… Read more »

MARYLAND–The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency announced last week the December 2013 revenue numbers for the state’s four casinos–Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County, Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County, Maryland Live Casino in Anne Arundel County, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County. December’s combined statewide revenue totaled $65,039,314. Casino at… Read more »

BERLIN–The Federal Emergency Management Agency released updates to the coastal flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps, for Worcester County. The FIRMs indicate flood-prone coastal areas in Worcester County, and insurance companies use them to determine flood insurance rates for buildings and contents. Worcester County Development Review and Permitting will host a public Coastal… Read more »

WORCESTER COUNTY–The Dec. 31 closing date for nominating great places to work has been extended to Jan. 17, according to Meredith Mears, deputy director of Worcester County Economic Development. She said the extension was made to accommodate the holiday and vacation schedules of employees who might have been away prior to the end of the… Read more »

BERLIN–The Solid Waste Division of Public Works will host its annual collection of Christmas trees through Saturday, Jan. 25. Residents can drop off trees at the Berlin and Pocomoke Homeowners Convenience Centers at no cost, but should remove all decorations before disposal. Businesses and organizations that sold trees will not be permitted to drop off… Read more »

WORCESTER COUNTY–The inclusion of an expansion of Showell Park and a new Berlin library in the county’s requested five-year capital improvement plan caused concern for some people Tuesday. During the Worcester County Commissioner’s public hearing about that plan, Grant Helvey said he had lived in Ocean Pines for more than 20 years and during all… Read more »

BERLIN—In the fairytale, Cinderella lost a glass slipper at the stroke of midnight during a royal ball. During Berlin’s 2014 New Year’s Eve celebration, April Taylor accepted a diamond ring at the stroke of midnight under a descending ball. As the wider crowd was counting down the seconds as we waited for midnight to arrive,… Read more »