By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) To balance the Town of Berlin’s fiscal year 2027 general fund budget — a spending plan that had been facing a $280,000 shortfall this week — the Town Council on Monday axed the proposal to replace an old public works truck and postponed a street paving project…. Read more »
News
Berlin Council unanimously votes against tax rate increase proposal
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) The Berlin Town Council voted this week to maintain its current tax rate of 0.8275 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2027, despite push from town leaders and staff to consider a modest increase of a penny and a quarter of a penny. Following a… Read more »
Drewer sworn in, takes over as new Berlin police chief
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) Newly appointed Berlin Chief of Police Howard Drewer received a warm welcome Monday night when he was sworn into office surrounded by town staff, government officials, family and representatives from agencies across the Eastern Shore. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall opened this week’s mayor and council meeting by… Read more »
Rotary Club uses grant for playtime items at Showell
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) Students at Showell Elementary School now have access to new and upgraded recess products thanks to a donation by local volunteers earlier this week. On Monday, May 11, members of the Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club visited Showell Elementary School, with a truck full of items intended for… Read more »
Sarah Jane Truitt
Sarah Jane Truitt Whaleyville Sarah Jane “Janie” Truitt, age 59, of Wilmington, Del., passed away on May 1, 2026. Born on September 26, 1966, in Whaleyville, Maryland, she was the beloved daughter of Herman “Bunk” and Shirley Truitt and the beloved sister of Thomas and Jennie Truitt. Janie graduated from Indian River High School and… Read more »
Elizabeth Jacobs Watson
Elizabeth Jacobs Watson Berlin Elizabeth Jacobs Watson, affectionately known as Betty, passed away peacefully at her home on May 7, 2026, surrounded by the love and care of her devoted husband, Roy. Born on November 22, 1938, at the family farm in Worcester County. Betty’s life was a tapestry of love, kindness, and abundant joy… Read more »
05/14/2026 Bayside Editorial: Mayor, council look for budget control
Mayor, council look for budget control Berlin’s government wasted an hour Monday night retracing steps taken a couple of weeks ago by the Town Council to eliminate the large gap between revenue and expenses. Rather than moving on to actual new or unfinished business Monday, council members found themselves having to return to ground they… Read more »
William B. Todd Sr.
William B. Todd Sr. Berlin William B. Todd Sr., age 88, passed away on April 25, 2026, in Salisbury, Maryland. Born in Washington, D.C. on January 31, 1938, he was the son of the late Claude Milton Todd and Gladys Mae (Maples) Todd. Bill was the co-owner with his wife Sarah of Ocean City Service… Read more »
05/07/2026 Bayside Editorial: Berlin must deal with lead pipes issue now
Berlin must deal with lead pipes issue now It’s not a now-or-never proposition, but it’s close enough for Berlin town officials, who really don’t have a choice but to continue their pursuit of its water line replacement project along Williams Street. This is even though the project’s $1.9 million cost to remove and replace lead… Read more »
Election signage timeframe could be extended in Pines
Change to increase display of political signs from 30 days to 45 day, officials say By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The timeframe for allowing election signs to be posted in Ocean Pines is likely to be extended, association officials said this week, assuming that Gov. Wes Moore signs the recently passed Senate… Read more »