BERLIN – As of Jan. 4 the games are on at The Casino at Ocean Downs. That Tuesday, Gov. Martin O’Malley and several state and local dignitaries will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to help inaugurate the $45 million gaming facility on Route 589 in Berlin. The casino features more than 700 video lottery terminals… Read more »

BERLIN – Practical judicial innovation is pretty rare, and for good reasons. Unlike the private sector, government, and especially the judicial branch, have particular responsibilities that must be met regardless of cost. But a newly passed law enacted this week solves a fundamentally weak procedural problem while not significantly reducing a person’s right to a… Read more »

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Board of Commissioners were sworn in at a ceremony Tuesday morning and welcomed new commissioners Jim Bunting representing District 6 and Merrill W. Lockfaw Jr. representing District 1. The commissioners approved a request to honor recently deceased civic leader Tom Patton by renaming the road that leads past the… Read more »

SNOW HILL – Animal Control officers kicked off the second annual Secret Santa Pet Food Drive this week by asking residents and businesses to help them provide nourishment to hungry pets this winter.  Small bags of cat and dog food are needed and can be delivered to Worcester County Animal Control (WCAC) in Snow Hill… Read more »

ANNAPOLIS – Governor Martin O’Malley recently announced Board of Public Works (BPW) approval of recreational projects in Worcester and Carroll counties through local Program Open Space.  “Maintaining and improving Maryland’s outdoor recreational facilities is an important function of Program Open Space,” said O’Malley. “We continue to evaluate these areas, making the necessary enhancements to keep… Read more »

POCOMOKE – Worcester County Emergency Services (WCES) officials invite area residents to train to help in times of disaster.  WCES in cooperation with Worcester County Volunteer Services and Lower Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer the seven-week course Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) at the YMCA in Pocomoke on Wednesday evenings from… Read more »

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Recreation Center (WCRC) gymnasium will be closed to the public Monday, Dec. 27, through Saturday, Jan. 1, while safety netting is installed. During this time, the WCRC Administrative Offices will remain open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Staff will be available to assist the… Read more »

OCEAN PINES – Although Angel Food Ministries has been round for more than 15 years, the reduced-price food program made its way into the Community Church at Ocean Pines almost by accident a little more than two years ago. Since then it has grown to become a significant force against food hardship in the area…. Read more »

SALISBURY – Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, Maryland Public Interest Research Group recently announced in its 25th annual Trouble in Toyland report.  Maryland PIRG released its report, which reveals the results of laboratory testing for toxic chemicals and identifies toys that pose choking hazards, with Tammy Griffin of… Read more »

BERLIN – Some kids learn to swing a bat when they’re 2 years old. Other kids learn to throw a football. When Kobe VanFossen turned two his father, Scott, took him out in the back yard and taught him to race four-wheelers. A year later VanFossen was racing competitively and has become a perennial name… Read more »