Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 19, 2026) Worcester County officials approved plans for a 12-unit apartment building in West Ocean City, one the developer hopes will soon provide new year-round rental opportunities for working families. The county’s planning commission on March 5 gave its unanimous approval to the Park Place Villas project along Route… Read more »
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 19, 2026) In response to resident complaints about speeders, Worcester County will institute a speed hump pilot program on Gum Point Road in Berlin. Gum Point Road was selected for the pilot program after residents told county officials about drivers exceeding the 30-mph speed limit. Many inquired about a… Read more »
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (March 19, 2026) Proposed state legislation that would let Maryland’s licensed casinos expand their operations into gambling apps for smartphones appears to be stalling ahead of an important deadline for the 2026 legislative session. Two bills to enact internet gaming, or “iGaming,” had been pending this session of the General… Read more »
Fire companies face recruiting problems Local fire companies have had trouble filling their volunteer rosters for years as the number of people willing and able to serve as volunteer firefighters and EMTs seems to be constantly dwindling. There are multiple reasons for that. One, as Berlin Fire Chief Andrew Grunden told the mayor and Town… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »