Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Berlin Mayor and Council presented the municipality’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget last week, revealing a stagnant property tax rate and additional interest income. The Town of Berlin’s Mayor and Council presented the municipality’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on Tuesday, May 27. The document includes a balanced general… Read more »
Oliver Smith Jr. Showell Oliver “Buddy” Smith Jr., age 85, of Showell, died Friday, May 30, 2025 at University of Maryland in Baltimore. He was born in Bishopville and was the son of the late John Oliver Smith Sr. and Ethel Anna (Smith) Smith. He was a grain and poultry farmer and owner and operator… Read more »
Beatrice J. Antonini Selbyville Beatrice “Bebe” J. Antonini, age 98, of Selbyville, Del. died Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Country Rest Home in Greenwood, Del. She was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and was the daughter of the late Walter Arner and Florence (Baylor) Arner. After high school graduation, her first job was… Read more »
By Brian Shane, Staff Writer and Stewart Dobson, Editor The president of the Worcester County Commissioners reportedly offered a $3,000 pay raise for teachers to the teachers association president two weeks ago provided she would end salary negotiations with the board of education. Worcester County Teachers Association President Beth Shockley-Lynch turned down the offer that… Read more »
Commissioners really messed up this time County Commissioner Caryn Abbott of Pocomoke didn’t just let the cat out of the bag last week by revealing the backroom pay raise proposal made to the teachers association, she threw the door open on the majority’s overreaching and sometimes slippery approach to government. In secretly offering teachers association… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer An upgraded racquet center sports building, new bocce ball courts, ongoing landscaping and maintenance, and additional operational services are just a few ways the Ocean Pines Association is gearing up for the busy summer season. At a recent board of directors meeting, OPA General Manager John Viola presented his report… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Buckingham Elementary School replacement project continues to move forward, as this week, the Worcester County Board of Education approved the schematic design for the new facility. Upon the board’s unanimous yes vote, the plans will be presented to the County Commissioners next month. Brad Hastings and Allison Shockley of… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Due to the Ocean Pines Association’s estimated $3.4 million share of the volunteer fire department’s new southside station, the community’s board of directors agreed to move forward with a referendum coinciding with the annual election to garner community approval of OPA’s financial contribution to the replacement fire station. At a… Read more »
By Brian Shane Staff Writer Liquor board officials in Worcester County declined to greenlight a “liquor locker” concept for a downtown Berlin bar and restaurant but still approved its liquor license transfer to a new ownership group. The bourbon and tequila joint Bour-Agavé is no more at 104 North Main Street. It reopened May 23… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The possibility of a cell phone tower in Ocean Pines inches closer as a contractor scopes out potential sites for the build to alleviate abysmal and unsafe reception. At a May 24 Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting, Tim Robinson, the neighborhood’s police chief, said his team is working… Read more »