Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison (July 16, 2020) After reports last week that bacteria counts in the St. Martin River next to the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Club exceeded EPA safety standards, water sample data from July 8 compiled by Assateague Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips showed that water quality had dropped back to acceptable levels. Enterococci bacteria… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 16, 2020) OPA President Doug Parks responded this week to what he said was potentially misinterpreted news coverage implying he would resign from the board of directors. “I felt it was important to get some information out there to say, ‘I don’t dislike being president and, no, I’m not resigning from… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 16, 2020) Oyster spat, although barely visible to the naked eye, could have sizeable impacts on pollution levels in the St. Martin River watershed. Long regarded as Maryland’s coastal bays’ most compromised body of water, the St. Martin River and its tributaries have improved via the water filtration provided by oyster… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (July 16, 2020) The Berlin Parks Commission reviewed a draft of an agreement for a commemorative program at its meeting last Tuesday that will offer individuals, families or organizations an opportunity to memorialize an event or a loved one through the dedication of park amenities or living tributes. In the… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (July 16, 2020) Although local educators would prefer to return to face-to-face instruction when schools open this fall, the Worcester County Board of Education is keeping its options open. The board discussed three possibilities for that in a draft of its “Responsible Return” model at its meeting on Tuesday. Among… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer Facebook Live wasn’t live enough for people to hear discussions during session (July 16, 2020) Poor audio quality resulted in the quick postponement of Monday’s Berlin Mayor and Council meeting, as viewers apparently struggled to follow the discussion on a Facebook Live stream. Just 15 minutes into the meeting, the… Read more »
By Elizabeth Bonin, Staff Writer (July 16, 2020) Although health experts have been saying more people might turn to alcohol or illicit drugs as a result of stress from the covid-19 crisis, Worcester County addiction services report that program participants are still on track overall. Collen Wareing, a board member of the Atlantic Club and… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (July 16, 2020) The Berlin Mayor and Council unanimously agreed to allow Steven Black, the owner of Arby’s at 10627 Ocean Gateway in Berlin, to purchase and finance one additional equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) for the property during its meeting on Monday. An equivalent dwelling unit is a unit measure… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (July 16, 2020) The following took place on Tuesday, July 7, during the Berlin Parks Commission meeting: Rain garden The commission reviewed a rain garden at Dr. William Henry Park on Flower Street planted by the Assateague Coastal Trust in early June. Verena Chase, the Coast Kids program director at… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (July 16, 2020) The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum on North Main Street in Berlin will hold a Peach Day on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. instead of the traditional festival because of coronavirus concerns. Museum curator Susan Taylor said the 12th annual event will take… Read more »