By Stewart Dobson Editor U.S. Wind’s plan to build a 353-foot-long pier in the harbor in West Ocean City will go before the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) in Annapolis next Wednesday, when the board decides whether to grant the offshore wind developer the tidal wetlands permit it needs for the project. In addition… Read more »
News
BFC, EMS officials outline need for more town budget funds
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer At a meeting last week, the Berlin Fire Company and Berlin Fire Company Emergency Medical Services outlined their funding amounts for the next budget. For BFC and BFC EMS, the total request for operations and capital will be $1,055,000 for fiscal year 2026 compared to approximately $699,000 included in this… Read more »
Park’s new gazebo celebrated
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The new gazebo at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines was officially opened and dedicated on Monday, Nov. 11, prior to the remembrance park’s 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore was joined by community officials, including Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola, the… Read more »
Worcester board approves school system policy tweaks
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer At a meeting this month, the Worcester County Board of Education approved brief changes to school system policies. Regarding the Local Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education, formerly the Advisory Council for Vocational Education, any mention of the term ‘vocational’ was officially replaced with ‘career and technical.’ According to… Read more »
OPA gets multiple bids for food services vendor; GM Viola tells board he will make his recommendation some time in November
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Ocean Pines Association’s general manager is looking to make a food and beverage contract recommendation to the board of directors next month. Matt Ortt Companies is the community’s current food and beverage vendor. In March 2018, the group signed a two-year deal with Ocean Pines to manage the neighborhood’s… Read more »
Rural Legacy Area coming to north county; Showell, Bishopville, other areas account for 11,753 acres set aside in program
By Brian Shane Staff Writer Landowners in the Bishopville and Showell communities have a new opportunity to preserve their land forever from residential development – and get paid for it. The state has pledged grant funding in the amount of $800,000 for what is being called the Bishopville-Showell Rural Legacy Area (RLA). The preservation tract… Read more »
Berlin signs off on wind energy agreement; Ohio-based farm estimated to save town ratepayers $100,000/year eventually
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Berlin has entered into a purchase power agreement (PPA) with American Municipal Power (AMP) to buy renewable energy from the Blue Creek Wind Farm based in Ohio. Officials estimate the move could yield an average savings of $100,000 annually for consumers. The renewable energy agreement will be in effect from… Read more »
Author reflects on book ahead of library visit
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Berlin Library branch will host Eastern Shore author Pat Valdata as she highlights the world’s first women pilots on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. Valdata is a poet and novelist. Her book of poetry, “Where No Man Can Touch,” showcases the early women who weren’t afraid to break… Read more »
Women’s Club celebrates 50 years; OPA recognizes group’s five decades of service within Ocean Pines community
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Ocean Pines Association Women’s Club is celebrating 50 years of service, community dedication, and connection. At the OPA Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, Oct. 26, the group was honored with a proclamation from the governing body for its five decades of duration. Since its formation in 1974, the… Read more »
Cell tower conversations continue in Ocean Pines
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Last week, Ocean Pines Association officials updated the community on the potential initiative to strengthen the neighborhood’s reception with a cell phone tower. During the public comments portion at the OPA Board of Directors Saturday, Oct. 26 meeting, residents Mark Goldwater and Karen Kaplan asked the community officials to clarify… Read more »