SNOW HILL — With no fanfare, final debate, or signs of anxiety, the Worcester County Board of Commissioners passed the $163.5 million fiscal 2011 county budget. The budget maintains the current property tax rate and funds the schools at Maintenance of Effort levels. It includes no raises for employees and reduction of services in some… Read more »

BERLIN — Only a month ago it was likely that this summer’s JROTC picnic was to be the its last, as the Navy listed Stephen Decatur High School’s programs one of those to be eliminated for lack of participation. But since its inception, the program has been more about enthusiasm than raw numbers as demonstrated… Read more »

OCEAN PINES — Residents of Carrollton Lane got what they wished for last week when the OPA Board of Directors voted 4-3 to recommend the county make it a “completely” one-way street. But some also may wish they had asked for something different, as it now means a longer ride out of their neighborhood. Carrolton… Read more »

OCEAN PINES— The design for the road that will connect Wal-Mart, Home Depot and the proposed Ocean Landings II business development via a service road is complete, according to Worcester County Commissioner Judy Boggs. The announcement came as part of last week’s town hall-style meeting, when Boggs updates constituents on what has happened recently at… Read more »

SNOW HILL — Higher tipping fees and an increase in the cost of landfill use permits were put on the table Tuesday, as the Worcester County Commissioners continue to look for ways to make their new budget work. The commissioners heard arguments from Jennifer Savage, county enterprise fund controller, in support for raising the cost… Read more »

BERLIN — If you’re familiar with Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” you know that what makes the song distinctive is the counterpoint.  The part where half of the instruments are playing the song and the others are playing the baseline theme is what holds the album “The Wall” together. If it’s a song that, for some… Read more »

OCEAN PINES – The search committee of the Ocean Pines Association has completed itsprocess to secure names for the open board of directors seats currently held by Rick Handelman, John McLaughlin and Les Purcell.  The OPA received four applications for the board of directors. The applicants are William Wentworth, Richard Handelman, Terry Mohr and Les… Read more »

SNOW HILL – This weekend the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will close a section of Route 12, Snow Hill Road.  Starting at 8 p.m. Friday May 20, traffic will be directed to nearby routes and the bridge will remain closed through noon Sunday, May 22. This closure will allow crews to paint the ends… Read more »

BERLIN — For the last five years, students from one of the town’s schools have been among the winners of the Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor…” essay contest and this year’s winner, Thomas Fager, is no different. Fager, a fourth grader at Worcester Preparatory School, won with an essay that reflects his experience… Read more »

OCEAN PINES — While at first glance it might look as if there’s been an epidemic of treed kites, the explanation for the appearance of the small purple bags in area trees signals a different kind of epidemic – one the area fortunately doesn’t have. The bags are traps for catching emerald ash borers and,… Read more »