By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) The online petition expressing dissatisfaction with the Worcester County Board of Education’s 2026-27 school year calendar hit 644 verified signatures on Tuesday. Whether that’s enough to get the school board to reconsider the calendar — and address the major complaint of school starting before Labor Day —… Read more »
News
Berlin eyes opt-out policy for meters
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) The Berlin mayor and Town Council this week discussed a policy that would allow utility customers to opt out of the town’s advanced metering system but then tabled the matter until staff can review the fee language. Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said municipal utilities are required to… Read more »
Developer shares frustration over delays
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) Frustration over the pace of approvals for the redevelopment of Heron Park’s former Tyson Foods property was evident at Monday night’s Berlin Town Council meeting, as developers urged officials to finalize a property plat so the project can proceed to settlement. Palmer Gillis of Coastal Ventures Properties… Read more »
ICE observed in Berlin, town to solicit public information
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) The Town of Berlin intends to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week, seeking details on the operations of federal agents who were in town last Friday. On Friday, March 6, Town of Berlin residents witnessed United States… Read more »
Town supports bill to create task force on state revenue
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) The Berlin Town Council passed a resolution this week supporting a bill that, if passed, would establish a state-level task force to study Maryland’s revenues and how they could be passed down to municipalities. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the bill, House Bill 1142, Task Force to… Read more »
Berlin utility director announces retirement
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) After 16 years on the job and nearly 50 years in the industry, Town of Berlin Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence is retiring, with an official end date of June 1. Lawrence’s retirement news was announced at a Berlin mayor and Town Council meeting on Monday. The… Read more »
OPA director Steve Jacobs steps down
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors member Steve Jacobs has stepped down from the governing body this week, effective immediately. The association announced Jacobs’ resignation in a press release on Monday. “On behalf of the entire OPA Board of Directors, we express our sincere gratitude to Steve… Read more »
Fire station construction begins in Ocean Pines
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) Construction began Monday on the new firehouse for the Ocean Pines Association’s south side, as association and fire department officials broke ground with their ceremonial shovels. Demolition of the previous fire station began on Feb. 26 at 911 Ocean Parkway to end the building’s nearly 50 years… Read more »
Berlin woman to serve prison time for fraud
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (March 12, 2026) A Berlin woman who pleaded guilty last year to identity theft, wire fraud and tax evasion will spend four years in federal prison. On Feb. 27, a U.S. District Court judge in Baltimore sentenced Tammy Barcu, 56, to four years of incarceration, followed by six months of… Read more »
Snow Hill housing project seeks annexation
By Brian Sane Staff Writer (March 12, 2026) Summerfield is back, but not in the way Snow Hill might remember. A new annexation proposal is reviving the Summerfield name in Snow Hill, attaching it to a smaller housing project led by Matt Odachowski. He is the brother of Mark Odachowski, who spearheaded the earlier, much… Read more »