By Greg Ellison (April 30, 2020) After two decades of commemorating Arbor Day with a memorial tree-planting ceremony, the Ocean Pines Garden Club was honored earlier this month with a PLANT Award from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. After taking note of the annual accolade on the DNR website in December, Ocean Pines Garden… Read more »
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Coastal Bays Living Local series spotlights sustainability
By Greg Ellison (April 30, 2020) With the third of six farm spotlight articles published this Friday, The Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s “Living Local: Small-Scale, Large Impact” project continues to examine sustainable agricultural operations on the Eastern Shore. Coastal Bays Program Environmental Educator Chandler Joiner said this next installment covers Assateague Farms on Assateague Road… Read more »
What do we do now? Proceed with caution
As politicians, businesspeople, some economists and libertarian-minded individuals agitate for an end to the covid-19 lockdowns, the argument invariably brings up the relatively small percentage of virus-related deaths versus the economic ruin these restrictions will cause. But the question that’s seldom discussed, as we argue over whether the exercise of common sense might negate the… Read more »
WCPS BOE approves waiver of final exams
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 30, 2020) Members of the Worcester County Public Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday, April 21, to waive final exams following the extended school closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon declared Friday, April 17, that schools would now be closed until Friday,… Read more »
Utility budget for FY21 in Berlin to be slightly higher
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 30, 2020) Town of Berlin officials discussed the utilities budget during a work session meeting Monday evening. The overall utility budget for fiscal year 2021 is $9.2 million, compared to $9.1 million from the current year figure. According to Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood, the utility fund operates as a… Read more »
Worcester Co. Library goes digital
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 30, 2020) Even though the Worcester County Library branches remain closed under Gov. Larry Hogan’s order that only essential businesses can be open, books are still being offered to the public – virtually. The Worcester County Library’s digital library is available for use during the closure. Included are material… Read more »
Berlin approves i.g Burton request
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 30, 2020) The Berlin mayor and Town Council approved the purchase of seven Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) in sewer and water capacity for the car dealership i.g. Burton of Berlin during its Town Hall meeting on Monday. The Chevrolet dealership, located on Old Ocean City Blvd., brought its six-acre… Read more »
WCPS provide over 50,000 meals
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 30, 2020) Worcester County Public Schools have handed out 54,432 meals to students over the past month, since schools were officially closed because of the covid-19 pandemic. Some students rely on breakfast and lunch from the 14 schools in the county, so immediately after the decision was made by… Read more »
Berlin Farmers Market to open for season on Sunday
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer Social distancing rules will apply for patrons, vendors per state’s guidelines (April 30, 2020) The third annual Berlin Farmers Market might be unconventional this year, but it will still kick off its season this Sunday, when it opens from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The farmers market will take place… Read more »
Berlin may postpone July 4 fireworks for different event
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer Officials discuss possibility of moving activities to date when town can celebrate (April 30, 2020) As more events are canceled throughout the county as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, Berlin officials are discussing what they might do about the town’s Fourth of July ceremony. Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood said… Read more »