By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) Maryland lawmakers approved a proposed constitutional amendment during a two-day special session last week that will ask voters statewide to change the rules governing how the state’s congressional districts may be drawn. Lower Eastern Shore elected officials said the change could clear the way for Democratic Party… Read more »
News
Ocean Downs owner weighs casino, racetrack sale
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) The corporate owner of Ocean Downs is considering selling the Berlin casino and racetrack as part of a review of its regional gaming properties across the country. Churchill Downs Inc., the property’s Louisville-based owner, disclosed the possible sale in a July 29 filing with the U.S. Securities… Read more »
Officials to meet over jail, pharmacy dispute
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) Worcester County officials are willing to sit down to discuss how to restore Snow Hill Pharmacy’s longtime jail business, as long as the pharmacy owner can resume negotiations with the jail’s medical contractor. “We really want to sit around the table and do true collaboration to make… Read more »
Snow Hill preps for Main Street designation
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) Snow Hill could lean harder into arts and entertainment. Or it could shape its downtown economy around paddling, fishing, hunting, and outdoor tourism. Whatever the answer, town officials say they will need to choose a direction as part of a bigger decision: What should Snow Hill’s Main… Read more »
Giant food store to open by end of year, developer says
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) The long-awaited Giant supermarket under construction at Coastal Square is expected to open its doors by the end of the year, while its planned apartment complex remains delayed, according to the developer. Interior work has begun on the roughly 60,000-square-foot grocery store at the intersection of Routes… Read more »
Pines residents say thank you to local firefighters; Citizens of The Park at OP host dinner for fire teams
By Karen Kaplan Contribute Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) For the second year in a row, Parke residents enthusiastically rolled up their sleeves — and fired up their ovens — to show their appreciation for the nearly 50 volunteers and staff of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. On August 4, residents gathered for a special… Read more »
Local woman self-publishes new adult fantasy romance
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) A Worcester County woman has turned an idea that came to her during a long car ride into a published novel. Erin Timmons, daughter of Dumser’s Dairyland owner Don Timmons and a 2010 graduate of Worcester Preparatory School, self-published her debut book, “The Slayer’s Dragon,” on June… Read more »
Berlin Council directs staff to slash sidewalk cost share
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) The Berlin Town Council on Monday rejected a motion to clarify its sidewalk cost-share program, and instead directed the town attorney to draft a new ordinance stating that it is the town’s responsibility to finance structural repairs on hazardous walkways. Last month, the council discussed its sidewalk… Read more »
Latham, Lehnerd reelected; Peck finishes third to win two-year term vacated by Jacobs
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) The Ocean Pines Association’s governing body will look different this year after challenger Amy Peck ousted incumbent Elaine Brady in the summer’s board of directors election. In the OPA’s 2026 board election, five homeowners campaigned three open seats. The winners were announced Friday afternoon. Incumbent John Latham, returning… Read more »
OPA holds annual meeting, updates residents on initiatives, upgrades
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) The Ocean Pines Association has spent the previous year maintaining the community’s amenities, advancing capital projects, and repairing neighborhood infrastructure, officials reported at the association’s annual meeting Saturday. In addition to gathering to hear the election results, members also are brought up to date on association business… Read more »