After hearing constituents object to Ocean City’s plan to build a sports complex next to the schools, Berlin officials tell Ocean City they won’t support it and might complain to the state if necessary. — PAGES 10, 12 Maryland erroneously sent $8.47 million in
to
dents during the pandemic and now wants the money returned. — PAGE 4
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) Ocean City Councilman Tony DeLuca has resigned.
City officials started off the week with one less council member after DeLuca submitted his resignation letter Sunday afternoon. The news was announced Monday, days after a motion to remove him from his seat failed to gain traction in a special meeting.
“It has been an honor to represent the people of Ocean City,” DeLuca said in a news release Monday. “At this time, family must be first. I am proud of the work we have accomplished together and remain confident that this community will continue to thrive.”
The resignation capped an eventful week for the council, which held a special meeting last Wednesday to consider whether DeLuca had maintained his Ocean City domicile during his time in office, as required by the city’s charter.
Despite allegations and evidence suggesting he lived in Annapolis, and commuted to and from his Ocean City condo on a weekly basis, a motion to oust him failed for lack of a second.
“I’m kind of pissed we’re here. I think you’ve put us in a very bad spot …,” James told DeLuca during the meeting. “Even if you originally intended to be here fulltime – and maybe you do meet the letter of the law, I don’t know – I don’t think you meet the intent of the charter.”
DeLuca, who moved from Annapolis to Ocean City in 2008 after retiring as the head of franchising for KFC, was first elected to the City Council in 2014 and served the remainder of a two-year term vacated by former councilman Joe Mitrecic upon his election to the Worcester County Commissioners. And in 2024, he was elected to his fourth term in office.
The last weeks of his tenure, however, have been fraught with contro-
versy. Last month, former council candidate Leslie Smith – disqualified from the 2024 race after a council majority determined she did not meet the city’s domicile requirements –filed a complaint with the Town of Ocean City seeking a review of DeLuca’s residency.
Smith alleged that she was singled out and discriminated against in the 2024 election cycle, and that the same review was not applied to DeLuca, whom she claimed was living full-time in Annapolis.
The complaint was the subject of a special meeting held last week, during which the mayor and the remaining members of the council were asked to determine if DeLuca has met the charter’s qualifications for maintaining his council seat.
A motion to disqualify him and declare his seat vacant failed for lack of a second.
“The intent of the charter, is it met? I don’t think so,” Councilman Will Savage told DeLuca last week. “Do you meet what the charter says? Yes, I think you do.”
On Tuesday, after reading DeLuca’s resignation letter to the public, the council voted 5-1, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor opposed and Savage absent, to have Savage replace DeLuca as council secretary.
The city will now need to hold a special election to fill the vacancy left by DeLuca’s resignation, as more than 150 days remain between now and the next general election on Nov. 3. Details regarding candidate filing requirements, election dates, and voting procedures will be announced in the coming days, the city reports.
In a statement Monday, Mayor Rick Meehan commended DeLuca for his years of service to the community.
“Tony has been a dedicated advocate for Ocean City and has approached every decision with thoughtfulness and a genuine love for this community,” he said. “I want to thank him for his commitment and wish him the very best in the future.”
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Maryland has notified more than 1,300 Worcester County residents that pandemic-era unemployment payments issued in error were not recovered in time –and now the state is saying it needs to get that money back.
About $8.47 million in individual unemployment payments for Worcester County have been flagged for recovery, as the state’s Department of Labor (DLLR) works to recoup more than $807 million in overpayments statewide through its Division of Unemployment Insurance.
Out of 1,369 notices sent to Worcester County residents, the median overpayment was $2,608 and the largest single overpayment tied to
a county address was $44,830, according to the results of Public Information Act requests from OC Today-Dispatch to DLLR.
Statewide, more than 180,000 claimants were notified of the overpayments in December. Notices went out electronically through the state’s BEACON unemployment system, with paper copies mailed as well.
Because the bulk of that money came from federal pandemic relief under the CARES Act in 2020, most funds recovered will go back to the federal government.
Not everyone who gets a notice will be required to repay the money. The state says claimants may appeal the determination, request a hardship waiver, or report identity theft.
The Department of Labor also says it cannot provide a breakdown of af-
fected claimants by industry sector or worker type, leaving it unclear which job sectors were most impacted.
Employers are not affected by the recovery effort. The state says unemployment insurance tax rates are unchanged, and any state-level overpayments recovered will be deposited into the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, after being “overwhelmed” by the surge in unemployment, the administration of former Gov. Larry Hogan stopped pursuing overpayment collections, according to the Department of Labor.
The state also launched a technology platform “that did not meet residents’ and employers’ needs,” according to Sabrina Steel, the department’s director for unemploy-
ment insurance.
That pause in collections was caused in part because of a lawsuit. In November 2021, the state was sued for failing to notify residents of their right to appeal overpayment determinations.
That case, Gorres et al. v. Robinson, led the state to pause overpayment collections for about 20 months while it rewrote regulations and fixed its BEACON system to add appeal and waiver rights.
Though the suit was settled in December 2022, the delays created a backlog of unaddressed cases. Many older claims aged out of the legal window for recovery because collection notices must be issued within three years of the original overpayment.
As a result, about $760.7 million in unemployment payments are no longer considered legally collectible and cannot be recouped, according to a Jan. 6 audit by the Department of Legislative Audits.
State auditors also reported systemic weaknesses in oversight that made it harder to catch fraud or improper claims. The Department of Labor says it is now addressing those issues and pursuing recoverable overpayments where the law allows.
The department was unable to provide a specific figure in response to public information requests but said “a large portion” of cases “may be due to fraud, given the significant rise in fraud seen during that time period, including fraud through identity theft.”
Overpayment recovery is a standard part of providing unemployment insurance, the department also said, and may occur for several reasons, including unreported wages, changes in work availability, or identity theft or fraud committed by a third party.
Nationally, federal watchdogs such as the Government Accountability Office have estimated tens of billions in fraudulent payments tied to pandemic-era unemployment programs.
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Mayor Meehan and the task force, that is not the case here.”
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) It’s not the facility. It’s the location.
That’s the message community members delivered Saturday during a contentious meeting on the sports complex the Town of Ocean City proposes to build west of Stephen Decatur High School, on a parcel of land owned by the Harrison family.
While city officials told attendees they were seeking comments and suggestions that they could incorporate into a site plan, those along Flower Street and in adjacent communities were quick to share their opposition to the proposed project.
“This will only benefit Ocean City –not Berlin, not Briddletown – so why would this community be in favor of it?” resident Greg Purnell said. “It’s not the facility that they don’t want, it’s the site where you want to build it.”
Mayor Rick Meehan began Saturday’s meeting by declaring Ocean City’s desire to work with the Flower Street community in developing a sports complex on the 95-acre site, which he said was selected after evaluating multiple properties throughout Worcester County. However, he also acknowledged some of the concerns with the project, particularly how it would be funded and accessed.
Meehan promised that the sports complex would not use taxpayer dollars but would be paid for with room tax revenues the city collects from its visitors. Officials this week were also joined by representatives of the Maryland Stadium Authority, a partner in the project’s development.
“This will not affect your tax rate in Worcester County,” he said, adding that any services that may be provided for the project by either the county or the Town of Berlin would be reimbursed by Ocean City.
For his part, Ocean City Business and Tourism Development Director Tom Perlozzo said he wanted to hear the community’s questions and comments regarding the sports complex, which he said was about “building our community” and giving kids and families access to local sports facilities.
Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said he – alongside Berlin councilmembers and colleagues on the city’s sports complex task force – wanted to hear directly from the affected neighborhoods should any project come to town.
“I think oftentimes when we get ready to have a meeting like this, people think that ideas are already done, things are set in stone,” he told the audience “I will say in working with
Tyndall also referenced a 2022 referendum, in which the county’s electorate voted down legislation authorizing the county commissioners to issue a bond to construct the sports complex at the property.
“That was not a ‘no’ to this site, that was not a ‘no’ to a sports complex,” he said. “That's why we’re having this discussion here today.”
The public was invited to Saturday's meeting as a way for “residents along Flower Street and surrounding areas to attend, ask questions, and share their thoughts,” a letter signed by Meehan and Tyndall said.
However, the meeting soon turned sour after it was announced that attendees would not be addressing the room, but representatives stationed at informational posterboards.
“These people are here to speak to you today, and I’m asking you to do your due diligence and give them the same respect of them showing up here today and allowing them to voice their concerns about what it is you are planning here,” Berlin Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols said.
Agreeing to change the structure of the meeting, city officials then heard from several community members, most of whom opposed the proposed location. Purnell noted that most other facilities in Worcester County, including the recreation center in Snow Hill and the YMCA in Pocomoke, were built outside of communities, not in them.
“This is right in the heart of town, in the heart of our community,” he said. “And you are hearing from the community that we do not want it in our community.”
Many also talked about the way the Flower Street, a predominantly African American neighborhood, has been marginalized over the years. Among the slights the community endured were a landfill placed along their road (and eventually closed) and the Route 113 highway that cut off their access to downtown Berlin. Purnell argued the proposed sports complex was another project that did not benefit surrounding residents.
“Let us enjoy Flower Street …,” Hazel Purnell, another nearby resident, told officials this week. “We do not need that.”
Berlin resident Gina Velong also expressed her opposition to the proposed location, noting that it would add traffic in an already congested area. She added that placing a sports complex in another nearby area would still benefit Ocean City’s tourism industry.
“These people will only be able to stay at the hotels that are approved by their competitive sports teams. So
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with that being said, it doesn’t have to be this location. We can stick this up in Bishopville, you can stick it in Showell. You just make sure Ocean City is smart enough to win the bid for the hotels,” she said. “That’s the part I don’t understand, why all of a sudden Hale Harrison’s farmland is the only location that you can have.”
Ocean Pines resident Amy Peck argued the sports complex would not be a facility for local families, but for travel teams. She said that Ocean City could see an increase in tourism, while Berlin could see an increase in fire and EMS calls.
“Berlin is going to get the headache, Ocean City is going to get the money,” she said.
When asked about other locations the city considered, Meehan said offi-
cials had explored two other sites –one on Route 589 and another west of Berlin. However, he noted that neither were zoned commercial.
“There’s price, water and sewer, highway access, topography. There's a lot of stuff that goes into selecting a site,” Perlozzo added. “This was one that … to us, it was an opportunity for the state of Maryland, the Town of Berlin, the Town of Ocean City, the Board of Education could all support and would be second to none here in the mid-Atlantic region. Meaning, when you can line up those four entities, I thought something special could be in place.”
David Wells, a teacher at Berlin Intermediate School, said he was disappointed that the youth were not represented at the meeting. He noted that many of his students had shared
their excitement for a sports facility in their area.
“The kids do want this facility, and their families do want this facility,” he said.
Another in the audience agreed, adding, “This is something our community needs. This gives us something to do.”
Following a two-hour meeting, Meehan said the city’s sports complex task force would address and consider the community’s concerns. He said the city had planned to hold two more meetings with nearby residents.
“We’re going to have to go back and reassess where we are …,” he said. “We’re going to determine if in fact there is another meeting. I hope that there is, and I hope we can continue to answer your questions and have further discussion.”
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Berlin to OC: “It’s just not a good fit here” for complex
Town remains open to other sites for youth sports facility
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Feb. 12, 2026) Berlin officials have formally asked their counterparts in Ocean City to end their push to build a sports complex on a site near Flower Street and Stephen Decatur High School just east of town.
Citing the strong community opposition expressed during a public meeting last week, the Berlin mayor and council on Monday sent a letter to Ocean City leaders expressing their dissatisfaction with the proposed site for a sports complex.
The correspondence, addressed to Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan, reads, “On behalf of the Mayor and Council of the Town of Berlin, we would like to thank you for hosting the recent Sports Complex community meeting on Saturday, February 7, at Stephen Decatur High School.
“We appreciate the opportunity for the Berlin community to share their thoughts pertaining to a potential recreation facility in Briddletown and Flower Street Neighborhood.”
The letter continues, “Following that meeting and after considering resounding feedback expressed by community members in attendance, the Town of Berlin respectfully requests that the property commonly known as 'Home Farm,' located directly west of Stephen Decatur High School and Stephen Decatur Middle, be removed from consideration as the potential site for the proposed sports complex.
“The Town of Berlin remains committed to collaborating with the Town of Ocean City to explore alternative locations that balance regional recreational goals with community priorities…”
Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the message from the public was clear.
“What I heard was the public said this site is a no-go; however, we’re not opposed to a sports complex per se,” he said. “It’s just not a good fit here.”
While some council members noted that Ocean City could proceed with the project without Berlin’s support, Tyndall said he hoped a formal objection could carry weight, especially since state funding is involved.
“The large portion of this funding relies on state funding,” he said. “... The state doesn't like to fund things when municipalities are at odds with each other.”
Councilmember Shaneka Nichols, a Flower Street resident, said the community’s concerns were centered on quality of life, not hostility toward Ocean City or the project itself.
Some present at Saturday’s meeting argued the complex would in-
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald told the Ocean City Police Commission on Monday that plans are in place to have an enforcement division on the beach this summer.
Theobald said residents and visitors can expect one change on the beach this summer – a new division to enforce the city’s ordinances. After the City Council passed an ordinance last year to ban beach tents and regulate beach canopies, officials began evaluating ways to take the enforcement burden away from the city’s beach patrol and police department.
“We want to be able to relieve the PD from worrying about going on the beach, so we’ll be hiring a cadre of people,” he told commission members this week. “I expect them to be seasoned and mature, not young, that they're going to know how to talk to people on the beach.”
Theobald said the plan is to hire nine employees who can write citations for any violations found on the beach. He said those employees would be paired up and assigned to one of three sections along the 10mile stretch.
“It will be two people together, so they'll get to know the people that are in their section of the beach,” he explained. “That’s a good thing. I expect they will be able to diffuse anything. I don’t see a lot of citations being issued in the future.”
Theobald said he is working with the city’s budget director to find fund-
ing for any costs associated with the creation of a new enforcement division, particularly radios and ATVs.
“I want to get going right at Memorial Day,” he explained. “So I may have to come before the council asking for this funding.”
Theobald this week also provided an update on Beach Patrol hiring. He said that 71% of lifeguards have expressed interest in returning to Ocean City this summer, and that testing will be held in March, April and May.
“I expect that we are going to have just as high a number as we did last year when it’s all said and done,” he said.
Theobald said there is value in hiring seasoned lifeguards, as it typically costs about $1,500 less to train them, adding that “you can test them in one day and put them back on the stands” the next.
“So there is constant change. Every year, we need new people,” he said. “But you have a staff that doesn’t tend to leave. That’s a good thing.”
Theobald said he expects the city to have between 218 to 226 lifeguards by the start of the season. However, he noted that Ocean City will now be up against other agencies, which have recently implemented higher starting pays.
“The negative I didn’t tell you is that two of the larger beach patrols in the region have now gone past our starting number,” he told the commission. “But they are getting smart. They are starting to take the bonuses that we pay and they are offering that. So I still think we’ll be fine, but they are following our lead now.”
Continued from Page 12
crease traffic and place a burden on Berlin's services, such as fire, police, and EMS. Meanwhile, Ocean City would benefit from increased tourism.
Some council members suggested sending copies of the letter to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the governor’s office. However, Tyndall favored a more measured approach, focusing first on direct communication with Ocean City leadership.
“I was hoping the letter could be congenial,” Tyndall said. “Just to the council and the mayor … the community feedback should be enough…a letter from a neighboring municipality should be enough. If we were advancing a project like that was in someone’s backyard, and they sent us a letter, we would say, ‘okay, let's alter course.’”
Councilmember Steve Green expressed concern that Ocean City may proceed regardless with purchasing the property from the Harrison family.
“My fear is they’re moving forward anyway,” Green said. “But it’s on Berlin to represent the citizens in that area, and even the county to do so as well. There were people there opposed who don’t live in Berlin and live in the county at large.”
Tyndall maintained that if Ocean City chooses to continue planning a sports complex at the Berlin location, community leaders would seek statelevel support to halt the project.
“If that's the route that Ocean City chooses to take after they receive this formal correspondence, then we will go to Annapolis,” he said. “We won't take that rolling over.”
Furthermore, at mayor and council meeting Monday night, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Sara Gorfinkel asked town officials if any other municipal locations would be more suitable.
Tyndall maintained that he was not at liberty to share what, or if, any alternative sites had been discussed.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) An ordinance capping the number of short-term rental licenses issued in single-family neighborhoods was abandoned this week after a council majority declared their disinterest in moving forward with any additional regulations.
On Tuesday, staff presented the Ocean City Council with legislation that would limit the number of vacation rental licenses issued in R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts. However, after more than an hour of debate, officials took no action to pass the ordinance.
“I think there's a group of people that have worked very hard on the petitions and I think they made their appeal to the city voters,” Council President Matt James said this week, “and I think I think it's pretty clear that we're being given direction not to move forward with these restrictions.”
Last month, council members asked staff to prepare an ordinance that would cap the number of shortterm rental licenses issued in the two zoning districts at 10% above the existing number. As proposed, the 10% cap would equate to 375 licenses –178 in the R-1 districts and 198 in the MH districts. Existing licenses would remain valid so long as they remain in good standing, and homesteaded property owners would be given the first pick of any available new licenses that remain.
However, when the ordinance was presented this week, three of the five council members present for Tuesday’s work session said they were done discussing any new short-term rental regulations. For his part, James argued the city should continue to inspect rental properties and enforce short-term rental regulations the City Council passed last year.
He added that the proposal in front of council members created “two classes of property owners.”
“I don’t want lawlessness,” he said. “I think we have laws on the books and if we stick to enforcing what we all agreed will work, I think we can live in the same community.”
Councilwoman Carol Proctor agreed, stating that a cap on shortterm rental licenses was essentially a ban and would give homesteaded property owners an unfair advantage. She added that “the people have spoken” in recent petition efforts that they didn’t want any new regulations on short-term rentals.
“The rentals are not the problem,” she said, pointing to police data. “We
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have ordinances and regulations on the books that need to be enforced.”
Councilman Larry Yates echoed his colleagues, adding that anyone who violates the city’s existing regulations should be held accountable. When asked what the punishment was for nuisance properties, City Manager Terry McGean said it involved a series of steps that could lead to the revocation of a business license.
“License can be suspended for 30 days, or if revoked, revoked until it becomes available again,” he said.
Deputy City Manager JR Harmon added that there was also a separate process for violations found during the rental inspection process. He said property owners that do not correct code violations would be issued citations and, ultimately, have their rental licenses revoked.
“If we get noncompliance with mitigating the issues, the license will not be reissued,” he said.
However, Councilman John Gehrig said he took issue with property owners who “willfully violate rules.” He said the city should imple-
ment a zero-tolerance policy for those individuals.
“I don’t want to fine them …,” he said. “If my kids lie to me, it gets taken away.”
Councilman Jake Mitrecic agreed with Gehrig, noting there wasn’t a strong punishment for those who go against the law. Both he and Gehrig said they supported the rental cap, but acknowledged there would not be enough votes to advance the ordinance.
“If we’re going to abandon that, we need to have teeth for anything we do as far as enforcement …,” Mitrecic said. “We do need to have zero tolerance, and we need to have lasting repercussions for people that are skirting the laws.”
Ultimately, the council took no action on the proposed rental cap, with a majority arguing for stronger enforcement of existing laws.
For his part, Mayor Rick Meehan called the move “a mistake.” He said that rentals have changed, and that the city must protect its single-family neighborhoods.
“I’m really not looking to leave anybody behind,” he said.
Instead, a phone number will be shared on the city’s website for complaints
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2025) Following public outcry, a City Council majority this week agreed to eliminate a proposal that would require Ocean City rental properties in two zoning districts to have yard signs declaring them as such.
During Tuesday’s work session, City Manager Terry McGean presented council members with a proposed yard sign that would be required for all short-term rental properties located in R-1 residential and MH mobile home neighborhoods.
The 11-by-17 inch sign would need to be placed in a visible location within the front yard, no farther than 10 feet from the sidewalk, and would include a QR code that would link to the city’s rental page for information.
However, before the discussion even began, several community members came forward to object to the yard sign, arguing it could encourage nuisance calls. Others said the signs would welcome squatters, vandals and burglars to unoccupied rental properties, particularly in the offseason.
“It's easy to see which nights are unoccupied through booking platforms by people who would like to break into our homes,” property owner Tammy Johnson told council members this week. “Our neighbors know which homes are rentals, and if
they're having a problem with them, all they need to do is call the property manager, call the owner or call the police to correct any issues that may arise.”
McGean told council members he had heard similar concerns from the Ocean City Police Department. However, he said he was presenting a staff recommendation, with the goal of seeking some direction from the City Council.
“We just wanted to throw something out there to start the conversation,” he said.
Councilman John Gehrig, who has long advocated for the signs, said there needed to be some sort of community enforcement. Hearing objections from the community, he asked if there were other alternatives to the yard sign.
“It’s making it as easy as possible to identify rental properties and finding out what’s going on there, how do I contact the owner or property manager, and who’s the proper authority within the city,” he said of the proposal. “So if it’s not a sign, what are the other ideas without walking up to the door?”
McGean said the only other option would be to direct people to the city’s rental website. For his part, Council President Matt James shared his concerns with the yard sign.
“If there’s a large party going on, does it matter that it’s a rental or a year-round residence?” he said. “The complaints are going to go to the police department for the behavior or the activity or the issue, not because of how the property is used.”
Both Gehrig and Mayor Rick Meehan said the signs were no different than real estate signs, property management signs or home security signs located in front yards throughout town. While he supported the concept, Meehan said he would like to see a smaller sign.
“I think that if we had one of those small ADT-type signs right there by the mailbox, and all it had on it was a QR code, that’s all you need …,” he said. “I don’t think that that is going to entice people to rob your house. But I do think it would identify where the short-term rentals were.”
Councilwoman Carol Proctor agreed that the signs would create a “bullseye” for unoccupied rental properties. Instead of requiring a sign, she asked staff to include a phone number to share complaints on the city’s rental website.
“If someone wants to report something, and they don’t want to call 911, if they don’t feel it’s an issue where they have to call 911, we should have a telephone number where people can report that,” she said.
Ultimately, a motion to have staff come back with a mockup for a smaller yard sign failed in a 2-3 vote, with Proctor, James and Councilman Jake Mitrecic opposed, and Councilman Will Savage absent. However, staff agreed to add phone numbers to the city website.
“I think we have an opportunity to enforce what’s on the book,” James said, “and I think if that’s not working, we’re going to know about it.”
beach equipment parcels spanning the entire Ocean City beach, with the parcels divided into three sections –south end, mid-beach, and north end.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) With at least three vendors showing interest in a parcel at 6th Street, Ocean City officials this week agreed not to increase the cap on the percentage of franchises a beach stand operator can have.
During Tuesday’s work session, the Ocean City Council took no action on a request to increase the percentage of beach stand franchises an individual or entity can hold.
While one company sought to raise that ceiling – a change they said would allow them to bid for an available parcel at the 6th Street beach – council members concluded there was enough interest from three other vendors to keep the city code as it is currently written.
“If we had no bids, I would probably support the increase in an effort to serve the public,” Council President Matt James said. “But if we have three parties interested in serving the public on that parcel that doesn’t currently have an operator, I don’t see the need to increase it.”
Currently, the city franchises 70
Each year, one of those three sections is auctioned off, with the highest bidders receiving a three-year contract to rent umbrellas, chairs and other equipment on the beach.
In December, south-end parcels, from the inlet to 27th Street, were scheduled for auction. Of 34 southend parcels, 33 were auctioned, as only one first-term contract was renewed for a second three-year term.
However, the city is now seeking operators to take over the 6th Street parcel after the successful bidder backed out last month. To that end, Oceanside Partners’ Adrian Nemet and Pat McLaughlin came before the council last week, noting that a 50% cap on franchise ownership had prevented them from participating in the sealed bid process. Currently, their company holds 35 of the 70 available parcels.
“This makes us want to basically ask the council to consider raising the ceiling from 50% to a little higher, whichever percentage the council may deem appropriate,” Nemet said last week, “to be able to give the same opportunity to every-
one interested.”
Nemet has argued that raising the cap would bring stability to a program that has seen a decline in interest in recent years. He added that it would also create more competition.
“Raising this cap would make sure that the Town of Ocean City would benefit from the competition it creates,” he told the council this week.
However, the company’s efforts to raise the limit were opposed by two beach stand vendors, the representatives for which came before the City Council Tuesday to share the effect it would have on smaller beach stand businesses. Swell Beaching’s Kassidy Batz said the increase would specifically impact her family’s operation.
“I implore you to not make any changes to the town code section 3928,” she said. “My brother and I are committed to continuing to grow our business, provide quality service to vacationers, and represent young entrepreneurship in a positive and professional way. We hope that when you make your decision you will consider individuals like us. We're working hard to build something meaningful, sustainable and community focused.”
Batz’ father, Kyle Batz, also shared his concerns. He noted the
50% cap prevented monopolies and protected the city if larger vendors couldn’t perform their duties.
“Diversification protects the public,” he said, “and the public are the beachgoers that enjoy Ocean City.”
Operator Will Edmunds agreed. He argued that a monopoly already existed on “good concessions.”
“I strongly urge you to keep it the way the code is written now,” he said, “so we can have more competition and we can have people that can still get in the business.”
During Tuesday’s presentation, City Clerk Diana Chavis said the city had received three bids for the 6th Street parcel. However, she noted that the 50% limitation on franchise ownership may be waived by the mayor and City Council if deemed necessary to serve the public, a change that would allow Nemet and McLaughlin to participate in the sealed bid process.
Ultimately, the City Council took no action on the request.
“Seeing as we have bids, I don't think that we should allow one operator to have significant market power,” Councilman Jake Mitrecic said. “When you have more than 50%, you do have that. I think it’s better for competition to leave it as it is.”
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) A Maryland appeals court has upheld a lower court’s decision to vacate Worcester County’s denial of a commercial rezoning request, sending the case back to the county commissioners for a second look.
In a Feb. 5 ruling, the three-judge Appellate Court of Maryland didn’t take sides on whether the zoning was correct. Rather, it found the Worcester County Commissioners’ decision was too thin to allow meaningful judicial review and failed to adequately explain their rejection of the property owner’s rezoning request.
planation came back to haunt them when Kelly fought the ruling in Worcester County Circuit Court. Kelly’s attorney, Hugh Cropper, argued that when the county conducted a comprehensive rezoning in 1992, officials made a factual mistake by classifying the land as agricultural.
Cropper said the county had wrongly assumed the building was a farm shed, despite records showing it had operated as a grocery and was later used for produce storage. He argued that the mistake was fact-based and, under state law, would justify the zoning change.
Now, the commissioners are tasked with revisiting the dispute and issuing a decision that clearly explains whether a factual zoning mistake occurred in 1992, when the Snow Hill warehouse property was downzoned from commercial to agricultural.
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‘There is nothing in the record to indicate that the Commissioners engaged in any public discussion, debate, fact finding or analysis prior to the issuance.’
Circuit Court Judge Brian Shockley
The commissioners can still deny the rezoning. But if they do, the court ruled, they must clearly explain their thinking, and their findings of fact must be backed by evidence in the record and not broad, unsupported statements.
The case took root about three years ago, when petitioner Amy Kelly was running an antique shop in Pocomoke City called Black Water Relics. She decided she wanted to open a second location in Snow Hill.
In February 2023, Kelly acquired the 11,200-square-foot warehousestyle building on Market Street, built in 1950, with support from members of the Snow Hill business community. Before she could open, however, the property had to be rezoned from agricultural to commercial.
By that August, Worcester County’s planning commission unanimously recommended approval of her bid for a C-2 General Commercial zoning designation – but that recommendation was advisory.
When the matter came before the commissioners in October 2023, they denied the request and offered no explanation in open session, though some later said they felt rezoning the warehouse conflicted with the county’s ag-friendly comprehensive plan.
Ultimately, that lack of a public ex-
The county, through attorney Roscoe Leslie, claimed it wasn’t a mistake at all, saying officials in 1992 purposely zoned the broader area around Snow Hill as farmland to protect agriculture, even if a few buildings didn’t really fit that classification. Circuit Court Judge Brian Shockley vacated the commissioners’ zoning decision on initial appeal and sent it back for review, scolding them along the way for not offering any justification.
“There is nothing in the record to indicate that the Commissioners engaged in any public discussion, debate, fact finding or analysis prior to the issuance” of their decision, Shockley wrote.
When reached for comment, Kelly said she’s still planning to move forward, envisioning the space as an antique store with consignment.
“We’re hoping for a different outcome this time, and at least an explanation, if it is the same outcome,” she said. “We would just like to be able to use our property.”
The appellate judges in their 13page decision also rejected two side arguments.
First, the commissioners argued that even if a mistake had occurred in 1992, they weren’t required to approve the rezoning, unless the property had no viable agricultural use. The court declined to address that issue, calling it premature and outside the scope of the appeal.
Second, Kelly asked the court to go further and order the rezoning approval outright. The judges rejected that, too, instead affirming Shockley’s lower court decision to send the matter back to the commissioners.
The appellate court decision was issued as an “unreported,” meaning it won’t set a precedent but may be cited in the future for persuasive value.
An Ocean City Police officer has been charged with driving while intoxicated after Maryland State Police found him driving the wrong way on Baltimore Avenue.
Shortly before 3 a.m. on Feb. 8, Benjamin Panitch, 28, of Ocean City, was observed driving a Toyota south along northbound Baltimore Avenue at 3rd Street. MSP conducted a traffic stop and concluded Panitch was operating the car while intoxicated.
Panitch, 28, who in 2024 was named OCPD’s Officer of the Year, faces charges of driving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving vehicle while impaired by alcohol, reckless driving, negligent driving, driver failure to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions, failure to drive vehicle on right half of roadway when required and driving wrong way-one way street.
Ocean City Police Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller, in response for an official comment, referred a reporter to MSP, while saying, “the Ocean City Police Office of Professional Standards has been notified and will conduct an internal investigation.”
Miller confirmed the officer is under suspension.
Court records confirm an appointment letter has been filed seeking a
special prosecutor in the case.
Police arrested a Pennsylvania woman after an investigation found she was the primary aggressor in a fight.
On Feb. 5, authorities in Ocean City stopped a blue Honda Civic being driven by Morgan Shields, 31, of Ridley Park, Pa. Police immediately noticed Shields had cuts around her face and neck.
Shields told police the injuries occurred at a friend’s house on 5th Street and Edgewater Avenue. She said her friend assaulted her because she did not want Shields in her house. Shields said she did not fight back.
When police arrived at the residence in question, they heard a different account of what occurred, according to the statement of probable cause.
The woman told police Shields was packing up her belongings when she walked into the unit. She immediately noticed Shields was holding personal items that belonged to her and also noticed three window screens and a screen mesh door had been cut.
The woman told police a glass ash tray was also smashed outside. Police surmised the woman broke the
ash tray to cut open the screens, according to the police report.
When the woman confronted Shields inside the unit, a shoving match ensued with Shields holding her down on the floor while sitting on her. The woman also had several injuries on her fingers and arms from the fight.
After investigating the matter, police concluded Shields was the primary aggressor in the assault.
Shields is charged with second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property under $1,000 and multiple traffic offenses.
Ocean City Police have finally charged a man in a felony assault case dating to June 2022.
The incident took place in Ocean City when a Pennsylvania woman was
assaulted by her then-boyfriend, Preston Brindle, 22, of Spring City, Pa. Police investigated the incident at the time and were able to confirm an assault took place, but were unable to apprehend Brindle.
An arrest warrant was issued for him, and Brindle was apprehended this month in Ocean City and charged.
During “senior week” in 2022, the victim and a group of friends were in Ocean City staying on 55th Street when Brindle became angry with his then girlfriend after reading her text messages between friends.
Brindle reportedly pushed her, causing her to fall before he placed his hands around her neck. She told police that caused pain and pressure and fear she would lose consciousness.
The woman told police she es-
Continued on Page 24
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) Ocean City officials this week selected a local company to install new signs on the Boardwalk.
On Tuesday, the Ocean City Council voted 5-0, with Councilman Will Savage absent, to award a bid to Plak That for a project to consolidate and install new municipal signs along the Boardwalk. While the project was budgeted at $765,000, the company proposes to complete the work for $436,532.
“After internal review with the town’s consultant, Sky Design, and with key stakeholders in the public works, planning and community development, city manager’s office, we recognize that Plak That was the apparent low bid for both project effort options,” Procurement Manager Matt Perry, “and we want to formally recommend that we submit an award for Plak That in the amount of $436,532.52.”
In 2024, the city contracted with Sky Design to develop a plan for consolidating and revamping its Boardwalk signage. And, last winter, company representatives came before the City Council with their proposed designs, which incorporated the city’s new “Somewhere to Smile About” brand and color scheme on welcome signs,
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wayfinding and regulatory placards, and more.
With the council’s blessing to move forward, the design process continued through the early part of 2025. And in May, city staff presented officials with an update, during which the Ocean City Development Corporation’s board expressed its disapproval of the signs’ bright, glossy look.
However, the council continued to support the proposed design. And last month, officials accepted the five bids the city received for the project and remanded them to staff for further review. One bid was rejected because of a late submission.
Plak That submitted the lowest bid of $425,369 bid for the first option, which would have the city’s public works department remove the old signage, and $436,532 for the second option, which would require the company to remove the old signage itself. Other bids ranged from $469,031 to $755,000.
This week, staff recommended the selection of Plak That, a West Ocean City company, based on bid specifications, qualifications and references. When asked why staff recommended the higher bid, Perry said allowing the company to remove the signs would
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minimize areas with no signage and would require less coordination with public works.
“We thought the $11,000 price differential between Ocean City Public Works removing it and Plak That removing it was worth the cost related to that,” he said.
With no further discussion, the City Council agreed to award the bid to Plak That. According to bid documents, the plan is to complete the project by midMay.
“I’m excited to work with a local business for this venture,” Councilman Jake Mitrecic said.
Continued from Page 23
caped by biting Brindle’s hand between the thumb and index finger. When police asked the woman if Brindle had ever assaulted her before, she told police he had earlier during their stay in Ocean City when he kicked her twice in the upper thigh. The woman’s friends corroborated her account of the assaults. Brindle is charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault.
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Members of Berlin’s parking committee told the Town Council this week that they have been unable to agree on how to pay for repairs to municipal and quasi-public parking lots.
Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall told the council and audience members at Monday night’s regular meeting that the parking subcommittee, which includes himself, Councilmember Steve Green, and Councilmember Jay Knerr, has explored several options to get more then $1 million needed to repair parking lots in the downtown business district.
Suggestions have included paid parking, paid parking only during events, increased business license fees in exchange for no paid parking, an arts and entertainment fee on all sales and voluntary donation campaigns.
However, none of the ideas have received enough support from committee members as well as business merchants to move forward.
“From what I recall from our last meeting, we could not reach consensus on a paid event parking plan,” Tyndall said. “We could not reach a clear consensus on … increasing business license fees to cover a portion of what paid parking would generate in income.”
Green said the town faces over $1 million in infrastructure needs for municipally owned and town used lots. The much-needed work includes not just resurfacing but also underlying structural issues.
“We keep throwing ideas out … and we keep running into opposition,” Green said. “... We have all tried very hard. We are back to no solution at this point.”
Tyndall said one proposal was to launch a campaign to encourage residents and visitors to pay for parking vol-
untarily. Signs could be placed in parking lots, and posts could be made on social media to encourage donations to the repair effort.
However, subcommittee members and town staff weren’t optimistic that the venture would generate enough revenue.
Berlin’s Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the Berlin Fire Company often solicits donations at town events but raises only a few hundred dollars.
“I think people would be more inclined to donate to the fire company than just, ‘Hey, keep parking free, but you pay so everyone else doesn't have to,’” she said. “I think it’s potentially a waste of our time with the amount of money that is needed.”
Grant options are also being explored to address the project.
Knerr suggested breaking the work into smaller phases, starting with individual projects. The Commerce Street lot alone is estimated at $178,000. However, town staff noted that these figures are outdated and require revision.
Tyndall maintained that even with a phased approach, the municipality needs to be cautious in how the parking lot work gets funded.
“We all know how residents are going to feel if we are now spending a sizable amount of money for parking downtown from the general fund without a way to really show contributions to cover those expenditures,” he said.
Councilmember Jack Orris questioned why even event-only paid parking failed to gain traction. Green said there was “robust opposition” and concern that it would lead to broader paid parking policies.
“We are failing to gain any sense of consensus,” Tyndall concluded, “even with a slim majority.”
The TidalHealth Foundation, supporting Atlantic General Hospital, recently accepted a donation in support of the hospital’s forensic nursing team from American Legion Post 166. In the photo, from the left, are, Juliana Jaeger, RN; Stacy Fisher, RN; Ryan Kirby, Atlantic Council; David Carey, Post 166 Commander; Toni Keiser, Director, TidalHealth Community Relations and Engagement; Winnie Karis, RN; Ben Dawson, Post 166 Donation Committee and Jessica Hales, Vice President/Chief Philanthropy Officer, President of the TidalHealth Foundation.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH
(Feb. 13, 2026) American Legion Post 166 in Ocean City recently donated $19,700 to Atlantic General Hospital’s (AGH) Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence/Forensic Nurse Examiners.
The funding, through the TidalHealth Foundation supporting AGH, will cover the expenses of ongoing education for the team of nurses, allowing them to keep their forensic sexual assault certification, attend the upcoming International Association of Forensic Nurses conference and continue their annual membership to the same organization.
All TidalHealth’s forensic nurses provide specialized medical care to victims of violence, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, and neglect. They assess injuries, provide treatment, and offer emotional support to patients during traumatic experiences. They are also trained to collect and preserve forensic evidence and work closely with law enforcement, attorneys, and victim advocates to ensure that victims receive comprehensive care and that evidence is properly handled.
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(Feb.13, 2026) The Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club is hosting the 43rd Seaside Boat Show at the Ocean City Convention Center this weekend, beginning Friday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 15. The event is expected to draw in roughly 15,000 boating enthusiasts. The event funds local program to support youth.
Guests will be welcomed with 350 boats, 150 exhibitors, and 50 boat dealers to browse. Displayed will be a plethora of sport cruisers, sport fishing, performance, and super boats, as well as booths for marine electronics, boat trailers, canvas products, motors, jewelry, art, financing and insurance.
Expected sellers include All-Star Marine from Baltimore, Bass Pro Shops from Hanover, Bayside Jet Drive from Berlin, Danny’s Marine from East New Market, Advanced Marine from Ocean City, First State Detailer from Selbyville, Flowers Reclaimed from Pittsville, and Chesapeake Bay Brooks from Pocomoke. Additional Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York businesses will also attend. The complete list can be found on the official Seaside Boat Show website.
Known as the “Boat Show that Works for Kids,” 100% of the event’s profits go toward helping and advocating for children. The proceeds allow the Optimist Club to sponsor Berlin and Snow Hill Little Leagues, an oratorical contest, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts.
The boat show’s earnings help to provide monetary support for students pursuing higher education. Since the Optimist’s founding in 1972, the organization has provided over $3 million in scholarships.
A primary part of the event’s fundraising success is the door raffle, where visitors can score a pontoon boat and motor donated by Scott and Mary McCurdy of North Bay Marina, who have contributed the award for 38 years. Everyone who purchases a day or weekend pass is automatically entered into the contest. The winner will be announced on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children. Additionally, a weekend pass is available for $15. The Seaside Boat Show will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street in Ocean City.
(Feb. 13, 2026) The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) recently piloted a new community education initiative, MSO 101: Demystifying the Symphony.
This free, four-session course was designed to welcome newcomers into the world of orchestral music. Open to the public, the sessions were held on Wednesday afternoons in January at the Ocean Pines Library.
Created for those curious about symphonic music but unsure where to begin, MSO 101 was designed to help participants feel confident and excited about attending live symphony performances. The course explored not only the music itself, but also the concert experience—what to expect, how to listen, and how to feel comfortable walking into a concert hall for the first time.
“The goal was to show people that classical music is no different from any other type of music—it’s meant to be enjoyed,” said Dane Krich, MSO’s General Manager. “There’s sometimes a perception that symphony concerts are only for an elite audience. At MSO that couldn’t be further from the truth. We want people to feel welcome, curious, and confident walking into a concert hall, whether it’s their first time or their fiftieth.”
The weekly sessions guided participants through the fundamentals of orchestral music and concertgoing. Early sessions introduced the orchestra, its instruments, and the role of the conductor, along with an overview of what a symphony is and how it developed. Participants learned how concerts are structured, how to read a program, when to clap, and what to expect in terms of etiquette and atmosphere. Later sessions focused on listening skills
and musical language, helping attendees understand common musical forms and how composers use sound to tell stories. The final session also introduced major composers, and offered practical guidance on choosing a concert and planning a symphony concert experience.
When developing the curriculum, MSO turned to one of its own leaders to launch the program. “As we were shaping MSO 101, there was no one better than Dr. Rebecca Pille to teach the first course.” Krich added, “Her ability to connect with people, explain complex ideas clearly, and share her genuine love of music made her the perfect choice. This was always envisioned as the first of many MSO 101s, and Rebecca set a wonderful foundation.”
To ensure that learning extended beyond the classroom, participants in MSO 101 received tickets to MSO concerts, allowing them to put their new knowledge into practice and experience a live performance firsthand. The goal was for education and curiosity to culminate in an actual MSO concert, reinforcing that the symphony is accessible, welcoming, and engaging.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with practical ideas for refining future offerings. The pilot course was a collaboration between MSO and the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library, whose support helped make the program free and accessible to the community.
This course reflects MSO’s ongoing commitment to education, audience development, and community engagement. By breaking down perceived barriers and inviting new listeners into the symphonic experience, the orchestra continues to expand how people connect with live classical music on the Eastern Shore.
For more information about upcoming programs and concerts, visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org
(Feb. 13, 2026) The Atlantic General Hospital Auxiliary Board of Directors invites the community to join in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Atlantic General Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop on Friday, Feb. 20.
Festivities begin when the Thrift Shop opens at 10 am, followed by a special anniversary commemoration at 11 am that will recognize the Auxiliary’s volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the shop’s continued success. In honor of this milestone, shoppers will enjoy a 20% discount throughout the day.
“For two decades, the Atlantic General Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop has strengthened the hospital’s mission by
providing affordable goods and a meaningful way for the community to give back,” said Toni Keiser, TidalHealth’s director of community relations and engagement. “This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the loyal customers who support us year after year. We’re excited to celebrate the generosity, service and community spirit that strengthen the fabric of our region.”
The Thrift Shop is located in the Berlin Shopping Center, 10452 Old Ocean City Blvd. For more information about this event, contact Keiser at toni.keiser@tidalhealth.org or 410641-9678.
(Feb. 13, 2026) Ocean 98.1 WOCMFM with presenting sponsors Mountaire Farms and Seacrets Jamaica USA, will hold the 12th Annual “Best Wings on the Shore” Contest on Sunday, March 1, 2026, 12-3pm in the Morley Hall at Seacrets Jamaica USA. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Ocean 98 “Cash for College” Fund.
The $20 entry fee charged at the door will provide each attendee a judge’s ballot, allowing for unlimited tastings of the wings prepared for the event by some of our community’s best restaurants. The categories that will be judged are “Best Overall,” “Most Creative” and “Hottest.”
There will be 18 of the area’s best restaurants in competition — 45th Street Taphouse, Bourbon Street on the Beach, Crooked Hammock Brewery Lewes, Dogfish Brewings & Eats, Fenwick Pub, Grandpa Mac Restaurant, Lewes Oyster House, Lewes Yacht Club, Longboard Cafe, Ocean 13, Palm Beach Bar and Grill, Papa Grandes, Ropewalk, Seacrets Jamaica USA, Tailchasers, The Shark on the Harbor, The Sterling Tavern and The Wedge.
Entertainment will be provided by Local’s favorite “Hot Sauce Band.”
Mountaire Farms has returned as a presenting sponsor, and will be graciously donating fresh wings to each restaurant to be used for their competing entry.
Seacrets Jamaica USA is now the permanent venue host for this event, providing The Morley Hall for the annual competition. You must be 21 and older to attend.
The Ocean 98 “Cash for College” fund provides a $5,000 award each year for an outstanding high school student in Worcester, Wicomico and Sussex County.
(Feb. 13, 2026) Maverick Trevillian, the 14-year-old “6-7 kid,” will be at Touch of Italy in Ocean City from 6-9 p.m. Sunday for a meet-and-greet with fans.
This will be a pizza party at — appropriately — 67th Street in the Touch of Italy/Holiday Inn Conference Center. Tickets are $16.67 plus tax and are available at touchofitaly.com.
The meaning of “67,” is ... nothing in particular, but Maverick’s use of it on TikTok, complete with hand gestures that look like juggling air, at a basketball game not quite a year ago in March went viral and propelled him to 67 fame.
Friends of friends reached out last week to see if he was up for a meet-andgreet with fans locally and he responded in the positive.
(Feb. 13, 2026) The Residence Inn Ocean City announced this week Director of Sales Courtney Blackford raised more than $7,000 for the arts through another successful Mac & Cheese CookOff fundraiser, marking another standout victory in her spirited campaign to become the first-ever Champion of the Arts in the ongoing Art League Games.
The anticipated event brought together local chefs, businesses, artists and community supporters for an afternoon of comfort food, creativity, and competition — all in support of the arts. Attendees sampled gourmet takes on the classic dish while voting for their favorites, helping drive donations that will directly benefit free local student programs of the Art League of OC.
Proud winning businesses include Longboard Cafe (most creative with their crab rangoon mac), and Dubb’s Slappin’ Mac (cheesiest, kid’s choice, and best overall), with his traditional “downhome” recipe. Donald Mayle, caterer out of Herndon, Va., is currently working on distributing his crowd-favorite dish in large east coast grocery chains.
“This wasn’t just about mac and cheese — it was about community, creativity, and championing the arts in a fun, unforgettable way,” said Blackford. “The generosity of our guests, partners, and sponsors truly blows me away year after year.”
The fundraiser is the latest in a series of bold, imaginative events spearheaded by Blackford as part of her campaign for the Art League Games, where participants compete in themed challenges to earn the title of Champion of the Arts Gladiator — a distinction awarded to the top fundraiser and arts advocate.
For more information about the Art League Games or upcoming events,
Berlin began the process this week for drafting ADU standards, per state law
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Berlin officials began laying the groundwork for how the town will comply with new state requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by holding a joint work session this week with the mayor and council and the Berlin Planning Commission.
The group considered parking requirements, equivalent dwelling units (EDUs), short-term rental regulations, and size restrictions.
The meeting comes as Maryland law now requires all municipalities and counties to adopt a local law au-
thorizing the development of ADUs on properties with single-family detached homes by Oct. 1, 2026, under Senate Bill 891 and House Bill 1466.
The law is part of a statewide mission to expand housing options. The idea is that accessory dwelling units, apartment-like structures detached from a lot’s primary home, could provide additional residency options.
One of the central questions from Monday night’s work session was whether ADUs in Berlin should be approved “by right,” meaning automatically if they meet zoning standards, or whether applications should go through a conditional use or special exception process with review by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Councilman Steve Green said Berlin should consider additional review, such as having the Board of
Zoning Appeals hear the cases, at least to begin with in town.
“By right goes right through, basically,” he said. “Are we happy by right, or do we want to add a hurdle to it, where it allows case-by-case review of each one?”
There was some discussion about whether approving ADUs under special exceptions or conditions, rather than by right, is permitted under state law. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said that officials and staff would seek an answer to this question, but the Maryland Department of Planning states it’s permissible and that ADUs simply can’t be prohibited.
The planning commission and the mayor and council also considered size restrictions. Worcester County allows ADUs between 500 and 900 square feet. However, Council mem-
ber Shaneka Nichols said that she would like to see the maximum reduced for Berlin’s ordinance.
“I think using the county as a skeleton and then building from it is a great idea, but I think the part that’s hard for me is Worcester County … can be vast and huge …I think 900 square feet, that’s a decent size for a first house,” she said. “That’s big…if you’re truly using it as an accessory unit, what do you need 900 square feet for? Unless it’s an income property.”
Nichols indicated that a more appropriate size for an ADU would fall between 500 and 700 square feet.
Parking was another major concern. Planning Commission Chair Matt Stoehr said Berlin’s residential parking study is outdated and that the town may need new data before requiring extra parking spaces.
“We can’t force additional spots on property unless we have a parking study showing there’s a need for us not to have extra people, extra vehicles, and to require a spot,” he said.
“Something most of our roads probably can’t handle is more cars.”
Tyndall said they were unsure whether spending around $20,000 on a new parking study for ADUs is necessary, given that few people are likely to build the detached units.
“Is it better to just require…to assess a fee associated with parking if you can’t handle it onsite?,” he said. “Is it worth the town spending money if the basket is going to be so small? I don’t think so. So how do you accommodate the parking considerations?”
The mayor said that parking regulations be something the group would come back to at a later work session.
The group also discussed how ADUs would impact water and sewer capacity. Current town policy requires developers to pay an equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) fee — roughly $17,000 — for new connections. Several officials said that the fee would be too burdensome for small ADUs.
One option discussed was charging a fractional EDU or reviewing water usage annually and adjusting fees if necessary.
Despite differing views on details, there was agreement on several points: ADUs should not be used as short-term rentals, units should be within 100 feet of the main house, and they should match the style of the primary dwelling. Height should also not exceed that of the main home.
Town staff and officials will continue drafting an ordinance for ADU requirements. Additional work sessions will be held to finalize details.
“We need answers to the by right question, we need an answer or some general idea of what we can discuss next time around parking, and we need something about EDUs,” Tyndall said. “I think there’s some research that needs to be done.”
BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28
410-289-BUXY 28th Street & Coastal Highway Saturday, February 14: DJ Wax
CAPTAIN’S TABLE
410-289-7192
15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott
Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue
COINS PUB
410-289-3100
28th Street Plaza On Coastal Highway Friday, February 13: First Class Saturday, February 14: John Scwartz Trio
FAGER’S ISLAND
410-524-5500
60th Street In The Bay Friday, February 13: Full Circle & DJ Vybe Saturday, February 14: DJ RobCee, Dixon Hall, The John Frase Project & DJ Stinson Monday, February 16: Bryan Clark
GREENE TURTLE WEST
410-213-1500
Route 611, West OC Sunday, February 15:
Anniversary Party w/ DJ Wood Wednesdays: Bingo w/ Blake
HARBORSIDE
410-213-1846
CIRCLE
Fager’s Island: Friday, February 13
Seacrets: Saturday, February 14
South Harbor Road, West End OC
Friday, February 13:
DJ Billy T
Saturday, February 14:
Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Bigler
Sunday, February 15:
Opposite Directions
Thursdays: Dust N Bones
PICKLES PUB
410-289-4891
8th Street & Philadelphia Avenue
Fridays: Beats By DeoGee
Saturday, February 14:
CECILIA’S FALL
Fager’s Island: Saturday, February 14 STEAL THE SKY
Pub: Saturday, February 14
LEE
Harborside: Saturday, February 14 OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
Pub: Saturday, February 14 THE JOHN FRAZE PROJECT
Harborside: Sunday, February 15
Jade Lee
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood
Tuesdays: Beats By Wax
Thursdays: Beats By Connair
SEACRETS
410-524-4900
49th Street & Coastal Highway
Friday, February 13:
Faith Noel, Trivia w/ Jordan, DJ Davie & Prism
Saturday, February 14: Faith Noel, DJ E-State, DJ Mary Jane & Steal The Sky
Sunday, February 15: DJ J-Spin
Thursday, February 19: Carey Farlow
■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$
■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted
South end to 28th Street
■ BUXY’S SALTY DOG SALOON
DRY DOCK 28
28th Street, Ocean City, 410-289-0973, buxys.com, drydockoc.com
Destiny has a new home in Ocean City. From the ‘burgh to the beach, Buxy’s is your home away from Pittsburgh. Come see what all the locals already know and have known –Buxy’s is the place to come to meet friends, relax and be social with no attitudes. House specialties include “The” Cheesesteak Sub, Primanti-styled sandwiches, pierogis, eggrolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.
■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE
15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-2897192, captainstableoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.
■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT
28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dinein, carry out.
■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR 17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums. Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
■ PICKLES PUB
706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410289-4891, picklesoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment yearround and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
■ PIT & PUB
2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com
Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.
29th to 90th streets
■ 32 PALM
32nd Street in The Hilton, Ocean City 410289-2525, 32palm.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Elevated cuisine, locally sourced ingredients and allocated spirits are prominently featured in our lounge and dining room. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Routinely updated menus with the highest quality local ingredients for fresh seafood any time of the year!
■ THE BONFIRE
71st Street, Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, 410524-7171, thebonfirerestaurant.com
Celebrating more than 50 years as the best seafood and prime rib buffet in Ocean City. It’s all here – the service, the atmosphere and finest, freshest seafood available and quality meats. Save room for the decadent desserts available as well including homemade donuts.
■ FAGERS ISLAND
201 60th St., Ocean City, 410-524-5500, fagers.com
$$ | Full bar
Dine on the island with an award-winning bayfront restaurant featuring American & Regional dining with a global influence and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also enjoy our outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment and 32 wines by the glass. A place where the joy of food & the presence of the table are of utmost importance. Dine on fresh seafood and our famous Prime Rib. Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the water. Open 11 a.m. daily. Fine dine at 4:30 p.m.
■ HOOKED
8003 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410723-4665, hookedoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
A Common Ground Hospitality concept, a passion driven restaurant group servicing the coastal community. The goal is honor creativity and innovation by design. With passion at the heart of everything, unique dining concepts are paired with honest hospitality and well-made food sourced with fresh local ingredients and seasonal harvests. Craft and full bar available. Open daily 11:30 a.m.
■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ
6701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 443664-5693, longboardcafe.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Casual Dining … Refined. Open for lunch and dinner. A wide range of gourmet burgers, innovative tacos, salads and sandwiches to full dinner entrees featuring fresh local fish prepared in a variety of styles, beef, shellfish and pasta. All our sauces, salsas, dressings, etc. are meticulously house made. We use fresh local sources wherever possible and premium ingredients such as our chuck, brisket and short rib custom blended burgers. Closed Tuesday. Call for reservations.
■ MARLIN MOON RESTAURANT
3301 Atlantic Ave., in the Double Tree Hotel, Ocean City 410-289-1201, marlinmoonocmd.com
$$ | Full bar
Winner of the Maryland People's choice award, Marlin Moon continues to offer its famous, locally loved dishes and famous happy hour. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails, fresh selections from the raw bar and luscious desserts. Happy Hour, every day, 3-6 p.m., featuring drink specials. Breakfast, 7:30-11:30 a.m.; Lite Fare, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Dinner, 4-10 p.m.; and Bar open noon to 11 p.m.
■ SEACRETS
49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close. The club is open every night in the summer. Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.
UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets
■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY
13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410250-2000, albertinosoc.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, ItalianAmerican mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.
■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS
118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com
The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs. Serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours.
■ THE CRAB BAG
13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410250-3337, thecrabbag.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone. Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.
■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA
120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410250-4900, crabcakefactoryusa.com
Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.
■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com
$$-$$$ | Full bar
Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.
■ DIRTY HARRY’S
100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys
$ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar
Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.
■ NANTUCKETS
Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-5392607, nantucketsrestaurant.com
Serving the beach great food and spirits for over 30 years. David and Janet Twining will wow you with the finest foods and drinks in the area. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what one of the coast’s finest dining establishments has in store for guests. Everything here is a house specialty.
■ TWINING’S LOBSTER SHANTY
Closed - Reopens March 11 Rte. 54, Fenwick Island, Del., 302-4362305, twiningshanty.com
Reservations | Kids’ Menu
“A funky little place at the edge of town.” Classic New England fare, lobsters, steaks and burgers. Bird watching and magical sunsets await. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are suggested.
■ ASSATEAGUE BAR AND GRILL
9636 Stephen Decatur Highway, West Ocean City 443-664-8158, abarngrill.com
$$ | Full bar
Full service, family friendly, casual dining to please everyone. Offering breakfast lunch and dinner with breakfast being served all day. Classic American cuisine with a selection of delicious Maryland favorites. Happy hour everyday from 1-6 p.m. with bar specials and tasty bites. Daily specials Monday through Friday. Dine-in and carry-out.
■ BREAKFAST CAFE
12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com
All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.
■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL
12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com
$$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar
Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open everyday, 12 noon to 9 p.m., kitchen and bar.
■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND
West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com
This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 123rd Street location offers lunch and dinner menus in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.
■ GREENE TURTLE WEST
Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-2131500
Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80-seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.
■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL 12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410213-1846, weocharborside.com
$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar
Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours. Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
(Feb. 13, 2026) Freeman Arts Pavilion will launch its 19th season — and a new era — in 2026, celebrating the grand opening of its new permanent stage and back-of-house facilities with a diverse lineup of live music, comedy, theatre and family-friendly performances from July through October.
The outdoor venue — a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, a fundraising arts nonprofit based in Selbyville — continues its mission to bring accessible arts experiences to the region while enhancing the experience for artists and audiences alike through its newly constructed performance infrastructure.
The first wave of the 2026 season showcases an exciting and diverse lineup of performances spanning genres and generations. The summer season begins on July 8 with Matteo Bocelli — Falling In Love World Tour; followed by Little Big Town on July 9; Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show on July 16; comedian Kathleen Madigan: Day Drinking Tour on July 18; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Preservation Hall Jazz Band on July 24; Yachtley Crew — Seas the Night Tour on July 26; and The Marshall Tucker Band on July 31.
August keeps the momentum going with comedian John Mulaney: Mister Whatever on Aug. 2; Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler with Spin Doctors on Aug. 4; The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on Aug. 6; and An Evening with Joe Bonamassa on Aug. 7; The String Cheese Incident: Just Keep Spinning Tour on Aug. 9; followed by The Fray-Summer of Light Tour with Dashboard Confessional on Aug. 10; the Indigo Girls return on Aug. 15; country music artist Jake Owen on Aug. 16, the Arts & Jazz Festival on Aug. 18; and Clear Space Theatre Company’s production of Mean Girls: The Musical on Aug. 19; Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen takes the stage on Aug. 21; a special celebration of 55 Years of The Allman Brothers “At Fillmore East” with Melody Trucks, The Fitzkee Brothers & Friends arrives on Aug. 25; Lady A on Aug. 29; Collective Soul on Aug. 30 and Ray LaMontagne — Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour on Sept. 11, with additional performances and special events still to be announced as part of the 2026 season.
Public on-sale begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13 at freemanarts.org.
Performances will continue to be announced on a rolling basis as additional shows are confirmed, said Patti Grimes, executive director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation.
“This season represents a milestone moment for Freeman Arts Pavilion,” said Grimes. “Our new permanent stage and artist facilities allow us to elevate every aspect of the experience — for performers, for patrons and for our community. As we open our 19th season, we’re proud to continue expanding access to the arts while welcoming audiences to enjoy
world-class performances in a venue designed for the future.”
With the debut of the new stage, audiences will also experience choices of reserved seating and the reimagined Grand Green, offering new ways to enjoy Freeman Arts Pavilion events. Unlike previous seasons, the redesigned Green will feature a nearly 30-foot grade that will enhance sightlines from all seating areas, along with a shifted layout orientation that will improve the overall viewing experience.
The venue includes paved pathways throughout, including to the Grand Green and terrace and reserved seating for added accessibility and comfort. The stage has also been rotated about 90 degrees, allowing performers to continue enjoying Freeman Arts Pavilion’s signature sunsets without facing direct sunlight. The orientation of the stage will allow patrons to enjoy direct views of the stage, nestled within a backdrop of mature trees, as well as views of the lake.
Depending on the show, configurations may include a mix of Reserved Seating and General Admission in the Lawn section, or Reserved Seating paired with General Admission in both the Lawn and Terrace sections. Performances may feature either a Standing Room Only pit on the Floor for fans who
prefer to be close to the action or fully Reserved Seating on the Floor for a traditional concert experience.
Kathleen Madigan — Day Drinking Tour (July 18)
Freeman Arts also introduced new add-on experiences, including Patio Passes for select performances, which provide access to standing-room-only areas near the front seated sections of the Grand Green. Ticket insurance is now available as an added convenience, giving patrons greater peace of mind when purchasing tickets.
“This grand opening season represents years of planning and community support coming to life,” Grimes said. “Seeing the new stage and Grand Green take shape to welcome audiences is incredibly meaningful for our Board of Directors and team — we can’t wait to welcome the community to enjoy the next chapter of Freeman Arts Pavilion.”
As an arts nonprofit, Freeman Arts offers performances for all ages to enjoy with the support of the local community, including its members and donors who uplift our vision, mission and purpose all year long. For more information, visit freemanarts.org.
First Round of the 2026 Season Lineup
July
Matteo Bocelli: Falling In Love World Tour (July 8)
Little Big Town (July 9)
Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show (July 16)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Preservation Hall Jazz Band (July 24)
Yachtley Crew — Seas the Night Tour (July 26)
The Marshall Tucker Band (July 31)
August
John Mulaney: Mister Whatever (Aug. 2)
Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler with Spin Doctors (Aug. 4)
The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA (Aug. 6)
An Evening with Joe Bonamassa (Aug. 7)
The String Cheese Incident — Just Keep Spinning Tour (Aug. 9)
The Fray — Summer of Light Tour with Dashboard Confessional (Aug. 10)
Indigo Girls (Aug. 15)
Jake Owen (Aug. 16)
Arts & Jazz Festival (Aug. 18)
Clear Space Theatre Company presents Mean Girls: The Musical (Aug. 19)
Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen (Aug. 21)
Celebrating 55 Years of The Allman Brothers At Fillmore East with Melody Trucks, The Fitzkee Brothers & Friends (Aug. 25)
Lady A (Aug. 29)
Collective Soul (Aug. 30)
September
Ray LaMontagne — Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour (Sept. 11)
Local resident Sam Deeley is pictured riding a beautiful wave despite the frigid air and water temperature in Ocean City on Monday. See more photos on page 53.
With Bunk MAnn
Ocean City was once a highly segregated town with unwritten “Jim Crow” laws in effect into the late 1960s. Blacks (known as Negroes or colored in that era) were not welcome as guests in the white-only hotels and restaurants or on the beach or Boardwalk.
A unique event developed in the years prior to WWI was known as “Colored Excursion Day”. Designed by local merchants to sell food and souvenirs that would otherwise spoil or be stored for the winter, time was set aside after Labor Day for Blacks to visit the resort and enjoy the food, games, and sights of the Boardwalk. Special excursion trains would bring them, dressed in their Sunday best, to Ocean City from throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. Following the demise of the railroad the tradition continued by car and bus into the early 1950s.
Today people of all races, religions, and color are welcome in the hotels and restaurants and on the beach and Boardwalk of Ocean City.
To purchase one of Bunk Mann's books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.
Photo by A. Aubrey Bodine
By Steve Green
Teens all dressed up for a dance
When change is a good thing
Lowering a monthly bill
Bunk Mann’s weekly Vanishing column
Looking forward to the Orioles
Tankless water heaters
Little kids playing lacrosse in big helmets
Learning something from a movie
Reading non-fiction
Constructive feedback
Good news from a doctor
by Steve Green
(The following is a reprint from December 2023.)
On the drive to school yesterday, Carson and I saw a group of teens in shorts and T-shirts waiting for their buses. It was 26 degrees, and I initially thought the frost on my windshield was messing with me.
For some reason, I have given far too much thought to this concept of teenagers, mostly boys, refusing to wear a suitable amount of clothes. In our house, we have two extremes.
Carson, 14, does not like to be cold and basically only wears oversized hooded sweatshirts these days. On cold mornings, he has been known to wear two hooded sweatshirts to school. We have recently compromised and found a suitable middle ground.
Conversely, Beckett, 15, is never cold. Thanks to puberty and body changes, he is a massive sweater and often carries an extra shirt with him to change into if he suspects he may get pit marks. If it was up to him, I think he would be one of those boys in shorts and a T-shirt at the bus stop. What once irritated me is now more of a curiosity as to why my teen won’t dress for the weather, or at least wear a jacket. His favorite outfit these days would be athletic shorts and a hooded sweatshirt.
One day I was scrolling through social media and came across a post on raisingteenstoday.com headlined, “Aren’t they freezing? The REAL reason teenagers won’t wear coats.” It was as if my social media account was reading my mind or at least eavesdropping on the giggles Carson and I shared over the boys freezing at the bus stop.
Some highlights of the column resonated:
“The other day, I was waiting patiently parked behind a school bus in my neighborhood while 20 or so middle schoolers piled in heading to school. It was absolutely freezing outside. The temperature hovered around
34 degrees, it was drizzling and the wind was whipping making it feel a whole lot colder than it actually was.
And… there they were… nearly every teenage boy was wearing shorts and a hoodie. No coat. No gloves. No scarf. Nothing to keep them warm. Just a pair of thin shorts and a fleece hoodie.
I mean, come on… aren’t they freezing their tails off? Aren’t they shivering? Aren’t they wishing they put a few extra layers on?
Even my own son, on more mornings than I can count, ventured off to school in a lightweight hoodie. When I offered up the suggestion, “Soooo, it’s really cold out this morning. You might want to think about wearing a coat,” all I’d get in return was an eye-roll at the mere mention of the idea and a “Nope, I’m good.”
My daughters are pretty much the same way. They’re big fans of hoodies on freezing days and they don’t think twice about leaving the house on a Friday night in the dead of winter wearing a crop top. “Don’t worry… I’m fine,” they’d say. Really??? How can they be “fine?”
…. So, parents, FINALLY the mystery of why your teenager (and pretty much every other teenager on the planet) chooses to leave their coat buried in the back of their closet is solved. Here’s the REAL reason teenagers won’t wear coats, according to teenagers. (Heads up… it’s not just one reason.)
With every parent screaming “FINE… freeze then!” when their kid walks out the door totally underdressed, this might offer some peace of mind.
It turns out there’s some truth to this! According to an article in the Washington Post, “The metabolic rates for kids up through their teens are higher than those of most adults, and so are their activity levels. As a result, kids tend to generate more heat than adults do.” Experts say, if your kids skip the coat, at least encourage them to wear a hat and gloves, which will prevent frostbite and keep heat from escaping from their head. (Ummm… good luck with
that.)
… Coats are bulky and a big pain to carry around in school. A lot of high schoolers either don’t have a locker (or choose not to have one) which means they have to carry their coat around all day in addition to their back backpack. And, for the middle and high schoolers that do have a locker, shoving a big, bulky, puffy coat into a small locker can be a serious challenge. …
You know when your now big kid was a toddler and they had to have their comfy “blankie” before they could drift off to sleep? Well, it turns out, for some teenagers, their cozy hoodie provides the same emotional comfort. Hoodies are like a security blanket for big kids.
… It doesn’t matter how comfortable a coat is, apparently it’s no match to a soft, worn-in fleece hoodie. Plus, according to teens, the more you wear your favorite hoodies, the comfier they get. And, since most teens wear their hoodies oversized, they can scoot their hands in the sleeves and stay toasty while they desperately try to stay awake during their teacher’s boring history lecture.
… Some teenagers claim they’ve lost more coats than they can count, so why bother? Especially when there’s no chance of losing their hoodie since they never (or rarely) take it off.
As much as teens say they don’t care about fitting in, a lot of them actually do care. In fact, they care a lot. And, who can blame them? No one wants to be the odd man out. … They’d rather be cold than stand out like a sore thumb in the crowd.
… Buckle up and just ride this one out. If you’re really concerned about them freezing in frigid temps, encourage them to layer under their hoodie and wear a hat and gloves. But, don’t be surprised if they roll their eyes and sigh heavily.
(The writer is the executive editor of OC Today-Dispatch. He and his wife, Pamela, are proud parents of two boys. This weekly column examines their transition into parenthood and all that goes along with it. E-mail any thoughts to editor@octodaydispatch.com.)
By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Surfing is definitely a part of our beach culture and community, as much as boardwalks, hotels, motels, restaurants and the beach itself. From the mouth of the Delaware Day to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay there is opportunity.
Evidence of this is apparent in this very newspaper. In the last few months alone there has been reference in Executive Editor Steve Green’s “Things I Like” column. It’s a short, easily read statement of issues or items that come to him such as liking the smell of surf wax in a car or liking to watch surfers on a day of big waves.
Marc Emond will also allude to surfers, on occasion, in his well done, timely cartoons. In one issue last October the front page showed a great picture of a large wave ridden by a member of the Bren family. That issue also included a full page of photos of the big swell that had occurred the previous week. Heck, this column itself is a subject of all things surfing.
Many restaurants and hotel/motels will feature surf pictures and/or boards as part of their decor. The Longboard Café is a great example. Many people will decorate their condos with surfing paraphernalia in a nod to what goes on in the ocean.
We have proximity in beach towns. Surfing can’t be done in Baltimore, Washington, D. C., Philadelphia, or even Salisbury. Surf shops serve as suppliers of gear, services, and even gathering places. Quality clothing can even be found in these spots devoted to surfing.
Surfing is a healthy, exciting, sport/art. It’s all around us and hopefully respected and revered especially in this colder part of the year.
Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City
(Feb. 13, 2026) A local man is organizing a “countdown to spring” campaign with a series of charitable events.
In 2016, Lawrence Leaf, a garden artist and poet, started a Facebook group called Lawrence Leaf – Ambassador to Spring and the countdown to spring.
During the winters of 2023 through this year, Coins Pub and Restaurant was gracious enough to allow a part-time countdown clock to be placed insde, surrounded by beautiful art from famous movies. Coins Pub and Restaurant also organized with Lawrence a Spring Party as a finale of the countdown to spring, celebrating the spring equinox.
Pickles Pub management offered a permanent place for a countdown to spring clock this winter. Leaf then gathered his family support group, daughter, Caitlyn Leaf, the designer of the countdown clock and is the co-creator of the countdown to spring events and his sister Greta Leaf Rolland to help organize and choose the charity to benefit from all the events.
HALO - Hope and Life Outreach was selected. HALO has served over one million meals to those in need, shelter for those without a home and then provides programs to assist them get back on their feet.
The Leaf family and Pickles Pub management gathered eight more businesses
to help gather silent auction items and support social media awareness to countdown events. These businesses are Blue Bird Farms, Nori Sushi Pub and Grill, Papi’s Taco Joint, Old Pro Golf, Sophia’s Italian Restaurant, Senor Cigars and Premium Cigar Lounge, Thomas Gardens and Wildwood Lavender Farm.
On Dec. 20, 2025, the Leaf family gave away free hardy violas at the door to all guests coming to Pickles Pub from 2 to 4 p.m., the official start of the countdown to spring. The second event at Pickles Pub was a hard-hitting happy hour featuring the twin Pouncey Brothers, Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, former NFL pro bowl stars. Pickles Pub had a four-course happy hour with food and libations, graciously donating $10 per ticket to HALO.
The third event will be held Feb. 13 and 14, a countdown to spring Valentine’s Fling with a portion of the proceeds from floral designs by Bella’s Blossoms, select seasonal food, exquisite select cocktails from Pickles Pub, rare indoor plants, horticulture services and a poetry chat book from the up and coming book “The Little Boy Who could Read” will go to HALO.
The final event is being held on the first full day of Spring, Saturday, March 21, featuring a silent auction, 50/50 raffle benefiting HALO.
The following is a summary of press releases sent to this newspaper.
• James Touchstone of Berlin was named to the Mississippi State University fall 2025 President's List.
• Ocean City resident Evan Todd was recently named to the Dean's List at the College of William & Mary for the fall 2025 semester.
• Johanna R. Hallman of Berlin was among more than 1,750 students who were named to The University of Scranton's Dean's List for the 2025 fall semester.
Twice a year, the Pine Tones Chorus (PTC) performs an engaging local concert combining old favorites and fresh material alike.
On Thursday, March 5, PTC will be holding a first rehearsal to prepare for its Spring concert, Pine Tones Goes to the Movies.
The variety of musical selections include Somewhere Over the Rainbow, 42nd Street, Moon River, and When You Wish Upon a Star. The chorus consists of musically proficient amateurs with a professional sound. They combine commitment and FUN to produce musically high-quality shows.
The first rehearsal is an opportu-
nity for interested folks to try out the group, meet other singers, ask questions, and decide if it’s a good fit. Musical training and experience are highly valued, but not necessary. If you love to sing, they welcome you and will help you become the singer you want to be.
There will be 14 rehearsals in preparation for the June 5 performance of Pine Tones Goes to the Movies.
As a service to the community, PTC prides itself on performing at assisted living and senior centers throughout Worcester County in the weeks before the concert.
Contact Jenny Anderson at 443655-5636 or Dave Holloway at (610213-7472 with any questions. Email: pinetoneschorus@gmail.com. Follow PTC on Facebook or @pinetoneschorus.
Funding for this event is in part provided by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation is inviting individuals and businesses to become members and help preserve a place
of honor for those who have served our country.
Memberships and donations directly support the foundation’s Educational Outreach Program, which provides every fifth-grade class in Worcester County the opportunity to participate in a field trip to the Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines. During the visit, students rotate through three educational stations, where they learn about the memorial and veterans’ stories, proper flag folding and etiquette, and the Patriots Pathway.
In addition to the Educational Outreach Program, memberships and do-
nations also help fund the ongoing maintenance, programs, and future enhancements of the memorial.
Membership levels include Annual, $25; Life, $150; Corporate Annual, $100; and Corporate Life, $300.
Checks should be made payable to WCVMF and sent to Membership, Worcester County Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 1576, Ocean Pines, Md. 21811.
For more information, contact Suzie Pantone at Suziepan123@gmail.com.
To learn more about the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, visit www.wocovets.org.
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
A spark of excitement brightens your week, Aries. You may rediscover enthusiasm for a goal you set aside. Take one confident step and watch momentum gather.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
This week brings steady comfort and satisfying progress, Taurus. Something you’ve been nurturing starts to show real signs of growth. You’re building something meaningful.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Your mind is in full brilliance mode, Gemini. New insights, clever connections and energizing conversations fill your days. A fun invitation or unexpected message may lift your spirits.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
Your emotional intuition is your superpower this week, Cancer. You may find a simple solution to a situation that once felt complex. Supportive people drift into your orbit.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, your confidence is glowing, and others notice. This week favors bold creativity and joyful self-expression. A moment of recognition or praise may remind you of your natural leadership.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Organization comes naturally, and your clarity is on point, Virgo. You’ll wrap up tasks with surprising ease. A shift in priorities may free up space for something you genuinely enjoy.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
Balance returns in a way that feels refreshing, Libra. Your relationships flow smoothly, and you’ll find harmony even in busy moments. An inspiring experience may uplift you.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Determination meets opportunity this week, Scorpio. You’re sharper, more focused and ready to move forward with confidence.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
Optimism fuels everything you touch, Sagittarius. You may stumble upon a new interest, adventure or opportunity that fills you with excitement.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Your efforts align perfectly with your goals, Capricorn This week rewards patience and consistency. You may receive encouragement from someone who truly understands you.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Innovation thrives in your world right now, Aquarius. You’ll devise unique solutions, unexpected shortcuts or refreshing ideas with ease. Stay open to teamwork.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
A creative wave washes over you, Pisces. Inspiration feels effortless, and small moments carry extra meaning. A heartwarming interaction or sweet surprise brightens your week.
By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) The key to entertaining is originality. Serving the same dishes the same way is predictable and does not excite the palette.
The pairing of chicken and waffles is not new, so how does one add a twist.
Specificity does not always allow for clear conclusion, but one thing is for sure. Superb fried chicken is a must if one hopes to serve fried chicken and waffles. So let us take a look at the secrets to yummy fried chicken.
Let’s face it, there is nothing more climatic than biting into a juicy hunk of chicken that has been fried to perfection.
Marinating your chicken in buttermilk the day before you fry it is an essential part of fried chicken. The crisp crust and moist meat are sinfully delicious and are the epitome of contrast in textures.
The dredging is the next consideration. Adding cornstarch to your flour enhances crispiness by absorbing moisture and preventing gluten development. Bread crumbs, beer batters, and even corn flakes can add coarseness to your basic dredging recipe. Choices bring out individuality, which is always a good thing.
Using the right oil is also a major factor. Neutral tasting oils allow the natural flavor of the chicken to come through. Canola oil has a high smoking point and is tasteless, and is highly recommended.
If you do not have a deep fryer, a cast iron skillet will easily get the job done. Make sure the heat is set at mediumhigh heat.
The addition of a single ingredient can raise the bar and take a dish to another level. Bacon makes everything taste better. I remember as a child, taking my fork and running a piece of bacon
through the syrup. The sweet and salty combination is always a favorite.
Homemade waffles are divine, but most of us don’t have that kind of time. Your favorite waffle mix and a waffle maker and even frozen waffles will get the job done with great results.
Syrup is another component of this dish. Cayenne pepper and bourbon add a delicious dimension of innovation.
The very last consideration is the plating. Height is the first thing our eyes notice, so by double stacking the fried chicken, bacon, and waffles, you end up with a spectacular chicken and waffle dish.
In closing, if you like chicken and waffles, consider double stacked chicken and waffles layered with bacon and smothered in spicy, maple bourbon syrup.
Spicy, Maple-Bourbon Syrup
2 cups maple syrup
6 tablespoons bourbon
4 tablespoons honey
2 splashes of heavy whipping cream ground cayenne pepper to taste
six pinches of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and black pepper four pinches of ground nutmeg and ground allspice
1. Combine ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat over medium heat until warm.
Sauteed Bacon
8 slices of thick bacon
The amount of bacon for the stack of fried chicken and waffles is based upon personal preference. Two slices of sauteed thick bacon cut in half is the suggested amount for each waffle.
Fried Chicken
8 large chicken tenders
4 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups cornstarch
4 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons crushed rosemary
5 teaspoons pepper, divided 4 teaspoons poultry seasonings kosher salt to taste
canola oil to fry
1. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, buttermilk, and hot sauce. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
2. In a pie plate, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and seasonings.
3. In a large cast-iron skillet, fill enough oil to cover chicken, and heat to medium-high heat.
4. Taking the chicken pieces one at a time, allow excess buttermilk drip off. Coat in flour mixture and allow to sit for a few minutes.
5. Fry until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
6. Allow to rest on a cooling rack and add a dusting of kosher salt.
Waffles
The number of waffles depends on how many servings. But 2 thick and fluffy waffles are suggested. Frozen or making your favorite waffles in a waffle maker are perfectly acceptable. Presentation
Place a waffle on the serving plate. Break bacon in half and place on top of the waffle, followed by two fried chicken tenders. Repeat with another waffle, bacon, and fried chicken. Serve spicy, maple-bourbon syrup on the side and garnish with thin slices of scallions.
Secret Ingredient – Sweet and Salty
Trust people but remember: salt also looks like sugar.
— Paulo Coelho
* Because the dish is double stacked, boneless chicken is recommended.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH OCES OLYMPICS
Melanie Coleman’s second grade class at Ocean City Elementary celebrated opening day of the Winter Olympics. Students explored the rich history of the Olympic games, learned about a variety of Olympic events, and discovered inspiring athletes from the United States who are competing in the 2026 winter games. The class participated in hands-on activities, including figure skating on the carpet using Styrofoam skates, playing ice hockey with popsicle sticks and buttons, and proudly supporting Team USA by creating festive banners.
OC LIONS 4STEPS
SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
4StepsTherapeutic Riding Program recently received funding support from the Ocean City Lions Club. The program provides therapeutic and innovative programs to meet the needs of children and adults with physical, emotional and behavioral health issues. Horses help riders feel better emotionally and physically and riding can improve mood and reduce anxiety. Pictured receiving the donation, from left, are 4Steps Treasurer Dick Warren, Ocean City Lions Treasurer Dorothy Beran and 4Steps Founder and Executive Director Sandy Winters.
Ocean City Lions Club recently donated to the Blood Bank of Delmarva, which provides lifesaving blood products to 1.5 million people and 19 hospitals across the peninsula. Pictured, from left, receiving the club’s $500 donation are Blood Bank Account Manager Ralph Groves, OC Lion Jeff Facello, BBD Vice President Kristen Frederick, BBD Director of Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat and OC Lion Bill Christmas.
The American Legion Auxiliary of Unit 166 collected children's hats and gloves and delivered them to Diakonia. Items were also dropped off to the Cold Weather Shelter and the Soup Kitchen at Atlantic Methodist Church. Pictured are Tosh Ziggler, BJ Cain, Christine Whittenberger and Susan Blaney.
During the January meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166 Juniors and friends in Ocean City, Veteran survival treat bags and Valentine’s day cards were made to cheer local veterans.
At its recent meeting, members of the Worcester County Garden Club brought floral arrangements they had created in mugs to its recent meeting. The arrangements were then delivered to Gull Creek Senior Living Community and will be shared with residents for Valentine’s Day. President Susan Fletcher is pictured with the many Valentine’s Day floral arrangements.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH
Submit calendar items to: editor@octodaydispatch.com. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.
MARYLAND CRAB CAKE DINNER
Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 4-6 p.m. Cost is $15 for one crab cake sandwich and sides. $25 for two crab cake sandwiches and sides. $10 for a crab cake sandwich. Bake sale table available. Carryout or eat in.
COLONIAL ERA BRAIN GAMES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Test your wits 1700s-style with a series of puzzles and riddles inspired by 18th century Colonial life. Finish the puzzles and be entered into the drawing for a prize. 410-957-0878
TODDLER TIME AT THE MUSEUM
Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City, 10-11 a.m. This early opening of the museum is great for kids ages 0-5 years and their families. Regular admission rates apply. https://www.ococean.com/event/toddler-time-at-the-museum/2591/
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. A great opportunity for babies 0-2 years and their caregivers to socialize, play, read and explore the bright play space. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org
MOTOWN ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Enjoy ice cream sundaes as the DJ plays hits from Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, and The Four Tops. Singles can mingle, and, for couples, it’s a sweet Valentine’s date. 410-208-4014
BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘MISS CHLOE’ BY A. J. VERDELLE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Pick up a copy of the book at the Ocean Pines branch circulation desk and then join in for a lively discussion. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
GALENTINE’S DAY TEA PARTY
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 3:30 p.m. Celebrate friendship with your galpals at the library. Enjoy tea and treats, friendship bracelet making, and other fun activities. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
‘BLEEDING CONTROL AND THE ESSENTIAL OF CPR’ FREE TRAINING
Ocean City Golf Club, 11401 Country Club Drive, Berlin, 6-9 p.m. Offered by Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center. Preregistration not required. No class certification if you are late arriving. 410-641-0378
KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO
Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410-524-7994
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
North Main Street & Pitts Street, Berlin, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free carriage rides in Berlin. No reservations needed.
VALENTINE SWIM
Ocean Pines Sports Core Pool, 11144 Cathell Road, 12-3 p.m. Crafts, games, music and food (for purchase). Plus a chocolate kiss guess contest. Cost is $8 for swim members, $10 for residents, $12 for non-residents and $3 for nonswimmers. 410-641-5255
VALENTINE’S DAY AT THE MUSEUM
Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City, 12-1 p.m. Mac & Tuck are hosting a Valentine’s Party. Featuring a special otter program and other fun activities. Regular admission rates apply.
https://www.ococean.com/event/valentines-day-at-the-museum/2592/
WINTER PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City. Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. Specific age groups and skill levels provide days of fun and energetic competition.
https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/recreation-parks/pickleball/, 410-250-0125
OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET
Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Also featuring family-friendly activities, music and unique shopping experiences. Open to the public, year round. 410-641-
7052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages /farmers-artisans-market
OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m. Enjoy complimentary coffee and donuts, check out the members only free tackle bin and join in the discussion of all things fishing. All are welcome. Jack Barnes, 410-641-7662
CRAFTY SATURDAY: HOLIDAYS
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Create some holiday themed crafts. For families. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
WINTER PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT
Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City. Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. Specific age groups and skill levels provide days of fun and energetic competition.
https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/recreation-parks/pickleball/, 410-250-0125
SEWING FOR A CAUSE
Sundays - Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St., Berlin, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to sew while making a difference. 410-641-0234
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org
T.O.P.S. OF BERLIN - GROUP #169
Mondays - Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1, 9733 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle. Rose Campion, 410-641-0157
BRIDGE
Mondays - Ocean City 50plus Center, 104 41st Street, Ocean City, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Reserve a spot: Tish, 410-8043971. www.Worcoa.org/oceancity
DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS
Mondays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 6:00-8:00 p.m. All ladies who love to sing invited. Elissa, 410-641-8050; on social media; or delmarvachorus.org.
OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS
Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100
SHROE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER
Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 4:30-6 p.m. Allyou-can-eat pancake and sausage dinner. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 years and free to those 5 years and younger. Carryout available. Proceeds support Stevenson’s youth.
GENEALOGY WORKSHOP
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. The workshop starts with a 20-minute lesson on genealogy research, followed by a Q&A. Bring a laptop, tablet or papers containing family information. Registration required: 410-208-4014.
BABY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-3495, worcesterlibrary.org
STORY TIME
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. A story time geared for ages 0-5 years featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and finger plays. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org
OC KNITTING GROUP
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Bring whatever project you happen to be working on. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, worcesterlibrary.org
WHY DID THEY CALL IT ‘THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD?’
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 1 p.m. Historian Richard Bell zooms in to examine the mysterious origins of the term “The Underground Railroad” and explains why it caught on so quickly. 410524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING
Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org
COLONIAL GAMES
Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 4:30 p.m. Travel back to the 1700’s and learn about colo-
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nial-era toys and games, then try them out for yourself. For ages 6-11 years. 410-957-0878, worcesterlibrary.org
SOAP SURPRISE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Learn how to make a heart-shaped soap filled with heart erasers. For ages 12-18 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
CROSS FARMS POP-UP FARMERS MARKET
Tuesdays - Flower Street Field across from Henry Park, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Accepting Maryland Department of Agriculture FMNP (WIC & Seniors) Checks and Maryland WIC Fruit & Vegetable Checks. Also offering a "Produce Bucks" program, which doubles purchases for eligible residents. https://www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket.
BEACH HEROES-OC
Tuesdays - Volunteer beach clean-up group meets from 9-10 a.m., year-round. Trash bags, grippers and gloves provided. Check the Facebook page “Beach Heroes-OC” for weekly meeting locations. All are welcome.
TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY
Tuesdays - Worcester County Health Department, 9730 Healthway Drive, Berlin, 3:30-4:30 p.m. TOPS is a weekly support and education group promoting weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. 410289-4725
OC KNITTING CLUB
Tuesdays - Worcester County LibraryOcean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m.
ARGENTINE TANGO PRACTICE
Tuesdays - Experienced dancers and others interested in watching or learning more are welcome, 7-9:30 p.m. No partner required. Info: TangobytheBeach.com.
ZUMBA TONING TUESDAYS
Tuesdays - Northside Park, 200 125th St., Ocean City, 5:30 p.m. Zumba with optional light weights. zumbajoyceoc@gmail.com
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND WELLNESS GROUP
Tuesdays - Holy Trinity Cathedral, 11021 Worcester Highway, 2-2:45 p.m. Use the weight loss program/app/plan of your choice. Free and open to everyone. 410-641-4882, www.htcanglican.org/activities.
SENSORY STAY AND PLAY
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Get ready to squish, build, splash, shake and scoop through several fun stations. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
BACKGAMMON CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Drop in for a game of Backgammon, whether you’re an expert or want to refresh your skills, Beginners welcome. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
PUZZLE SWAP
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1-7 p.m. Bring your gently used puzzles and leave with new-to-you puzzles. Don’t have a puzzle to exchange but still want one? That’s OK too. All puzzles must be complete in their original box. 410-641-0650
‘SCORCHY’S CORNER: WANDERING OUR DELMARVALOUS LAND’ VIDEO SERIES
Museum of Ocean City, 217 S. Baltimore Ave., 2-3 p.m. Held Wednesdays, Feb. 4March 4. Offering audiences a nostalgic journey across Delmarva with host Scorchy Tawes. Preregister: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1978305 907223?aff=oddtdtcreator.
AFRICAN AMERICAN ART
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. This brief introduction looks at some of the highlights of Black artist, from the 19th century to the 1980s. Investigate the history of people who were left out of the canons of art history. 410-208-4014
SERVICE SQUAD
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. A service hour earning program that lets you be creative while benefiting worthy causes. Open to students of Worcester County Schools. For ages 12-18 years. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org
FREE COMMUNITY DINNER AND GROCERY
GIVEAWAY
St. Paul’s by-the Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 4-7
p.m. St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church will host its Free Community Dinner on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 5‚-7 PM at 302 N. Baltimore Ave., Ocean City. The evening includes grocery giveaway. 443-440-1422
COLONIAL GAMES
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4:30 p.m. Travel back to the 1700s and learn about colonial-era toys and games, then try them out for yourself. For ages 6-11 years. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
ASH WEDS SERVICE
Friendship Church, 10537 Friendship Road, Berlin, 6:30 p.m. Join in for Soup & Dessert in the Social Hall prior to service at 5 p.m.
KIWANIS CLUB MEETING
Wednesdays - Ocean Pines Community Center, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Last Wednesday of the month meetings are offsite and information can be found on the website and Facebook. www.kiwanisofopoc.org.
CASH BINGO
Wednesdays - Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645, 13708 Sinepuxent Ave. Door open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Food available before bingo and at intermission. Open to the public. 443-605-5028
OCEAN CITY FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW NIGHT
Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 7-9:01 p.m. A night of selected short films from the OC Film Festival Season 10 catalog. Free and open to all. Content not rated by MPAA. ocmdfilmfestival.com, 410-524-9433
EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting the needle arts through sewing education, activities and textile crafts. For artisans of all skill levels. 410-6410650, worcesterlibrary.org
LITTLE EXPLORERS: FOSSILS
Delmarva Discovery Museum, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City, 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy learning all about the world of paleontology and digging for fossils. Cost is $10 for children and $5 for adults. Sign up: https://www.ococean.com/event/littleexplorers%3a-fossils/2593/.
STORYTIME: ‘IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE’
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 2-5 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
PLAY TIME
Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Join in for a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, worcesterlibrary.org
LETS MAKE … GRANDMOTHER’S FLOWER GARDEN COASTERS
Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 2 p.m. The Gardens will be unique to the maker and can be used in many ways. All materials provided. Register: 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org.
SILENT BOOK CLUB
Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 3 p.m. Bring your current read or borrow one. The first 50 minutes will be spent silently reading, the last 10 minutes can be used to mingle and discuss your read. 410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org
LEGO MASTERS CHALLENGE
Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Join in for a Lego challenge event. All material provided. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org
TOILE REIMAGINED
Maryland’s Coast - Worcester County
Tourism & Economic Development, 107 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 4:30 p.m. Join in for an adult craft program and learn how to blend modern art with historic patterns and textures. 410-632-3495, worcesterlibrary.org
DRY PANTRY
Thursdays - St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower Street, Berlin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For those in need of resources such as paper products, laundry products, baby items, and personal care items. Limits apply. 410-641-0270
FREE TAX PREP
AARP is offering free tax preparations to the public. AARP Foundation Tax Aides will be available at the following libraries: Mondays in Ocean Pines; Wednesdays, Berlin; Fridays, Pocomoke City; and Saturdays, Ocean City. By appointment only: 443-584-5661, aarpfoundation.org/taxaide.
Drawings are held every Thursday at 8 p.m. Ticket sales open Thursdays at 8:05 p.m. and close the following Thursday at 7:59 p.m. One winner takes home 50% of the total jackpot and the remainder supports the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets: https://md.5050raffle.org/give/ mdfire/50-50-raffles/md5050/ charities/ocean-pines/checkout
Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., throughout February. Pick up a History-to-Go kit and learn about ciphers and codes used throughout history. Supplies provided to make your own cipher disk. Pick up between December and February. 410-632-3495
On sale every Saturday morning at the Ocean Pines Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. One $20 ticket is good for all 365 drawings in 2025. Benefits the youth of the community.
Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at Don’s Seafood & Chop House at the South Gate of Ocean Pines, 6 p.m. ocberlinrotary@gmail.com
Crossword answers from page 56
Join the Sea Colony East Maintenance Team! Now hiring high rise condominium/full time building maintenance techs.
Great Benefit plan/paid time off! Apply online at troon.com/careers - company location Sea Colony Assoc East Email bethann.steele@seacolony.com or call 302-541-8831 for an interview
Seasonal Rate: 21.37/hour
Limited space for applicants requiring CDL training is available!
Apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oceancitymd or City Hall, 301 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842
YR OCEAN PINES
Available Immediately! South Gate Cul de Sac
Recently renovated Unfurnished 4BR, 2BA
Screened in porch, Central HVAC No smoking/pets
$2,500 per mo. + util’s & sec. dep. 410-404-8851
YR RENTAL
Month-Month Lease
1BR, 1BA, 120th St. Indoor/Outdoor Pool, Tennis
$1,350 per mo., incl’s util’s 717-261-1692
Seeking Year-Round Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555.
Online: https://www.allstatesconst.com/delmarva-renovations-careers Or Contact Our Office at 410-352-9800
YR OCEAN PINES
Available Immediately! 3BR, 2BA Central HVAC All Appliances Incl. No Pets.
$2,300 per month + $2,300 sec. dep. 410-404-8851
YEARLY RENTAL
319 Robin Drive Available Immediately 2BR, 1BA, Unfurnished. Dog friendly, ground floor. Ideal 2 mature adults w/strong work history. $2,000/mo. + electric. Call/text 703-819-7400
2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft. Call 443-497-4200
Industrial Space Yard and Storage Shed. Approx. 10x25+/Route 90/Bishopville. Call 443-497-4200
SERVICES
LARRY’S HANDYMAN
Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.
2 Bedroom / 1 Bath Laundry on premises. 877-289-1616 www.bbapartmentsoc.com
Commercial Space 816 sq. ft. Village of Fenwick, Fenwick Island, DE. Call Melissa, 410-641-1101 or Email Melissa@bergeycpa.com
Commercial Space for Lease ONLY 1 UNIT LEFT! 2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined. Approx. 1000 sq. ft. Busy major road in Town of Berlin. Call 443-880-8885 for more information.
JOURNEYMEN ELECTRICIANS
Looking for licensed Journeyman with experience in commercial, residential with good trouble shooting experience. Performance Pay Training & Coaching Provided To Ensure Success Advancement Opportunities
Applicants Must Be: Drug Free, Personable, Outgoing, Well Mannered and Have a Valid Drivers License Contact Nancy to schedule an interview today. 410-213-2658 What have you done for your future today?
Hofmeister, Robinson & DiPietro 11350 McCormick Road, Executive Plaza II, Suite 601 Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031
309 Purnell Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863
Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust from CABM Contractors LLC, dated March 1, 2024, and recorded in Liber 8719, folio 112, among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, default having occurred under the terms thereof, and at the request of the parties secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustees will offer for sale at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863, Courthouse Door, on
Monday, February 23, 2026 AT 11:00AM
All that lot of ground and the improvements thereon SITUATED IN Worcester County, Maryland and more fully described in the aforesaid Deed of Trust.
The property is believed to be improved by a substantially complete single family home. The property address is 309 Purnell Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863.
Said property is in fee simple and is sold in an “as is condition” and subject to all covenants, conditions, liens, restrictions, easements, rightsof-way as may affect same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.
Terms of Sale: A deposit of $15,000.00 will be required of the purchaser, other than the Holder of the Note or its assigns, at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or certified check, or other form acceptable to the Substitute Trustees, in their sole discretion. Balance of the purchase price is to be paid in cash within ten (10) days of the final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. If payment of the balance does not take place within ten (10) days of ratification, the deposit may be forfeited or property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser. The defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds or profits resulting from any resale of the property. Interest to be paid on unpaid purchase money at the rate pursuant to the deed of trust note from date of sale to date funds are received in the office of the Substitute Trustees in the event the property is purchased by someone rather than the note holder.
In the event settlement is delayed for any reason , including, but not limited to, exceptions to the sale, bankruptcy filings by interested parties, or court administration of the foreclosure, there shall be no abatement of interest. Taxes, ground rent, water, condominium fees and/or
homeowner association dues, all public charges, assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges and front foot benefit charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to date of sale and assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes and settlement expenses shall be borne by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. Purchaser assumes the risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale forward. If the Substitute Trustees are unable to convey good and marketable title, the purchaser’s sole remedy in law or equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit. Upon refund of the deposit, this sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser shall have no further claims against the Substitute Trustees.
NOTE: The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but is offered for informational purposes only. Neither the auctioneer, the beneficiary of the Deed of Trust, the Substitute Trustees nor their agents or attorneys make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of information.
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO PERFORM THEIR OWN DUE DILIGENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE FORECLOSURE AUCTION. For additional information, please contact the Substitute Trustees.
Ralph J. DiPietro and Scott R. Robinson, Substitute Trustees Tidewater Auctions, LLC 410-825-2900 www.tidewaterauctions.com
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of EMMANUEL LOPEZ JR Estate No. 20980 Notice is given that JOSEPH LOPEZ whose address is 217 RIVERVIEW CT., SYKESVILLE, MD 21784-7154 was on JANUARY 15, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EMMANUEL LOPEZ JR who died on DECEMBER 29, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of JULY, 2026
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 15th day of JULY, 2026. Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned per-
The Mayor and City Council, a public community transit service provider in Ocean City, Maryland, is offering the opportunity for a public hearing to provide citizens a forum to present views on the following proposals: FY 2027 Annual Transportation Plan (ATP).
The ATP contains requests for operating funds from the following programs: Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, which provides funds for general public transit service in rural areas; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) program, which provides funds for federally required para transit services for persons with disabilities.
In addition, capital funds will be requested for the following items: ITEM
Transit Vehicle Preventative Maintenance
Five (5) Heavy Duty 40’ Transit Buses
TOTAL
$875,000
$3,750,000
TOTAL $4,625,000
A Public Hearing will be held upon request. Requests for a Public Hearing must be in writing and will be received until 4 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026. Requests for a Public Hearing and/or other written comments should be sent to the following address and clearly marked “Public Hearing Comments”:
Ocean City Transportation 224 65th Street
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
Written comments can also be emailed to: Rob Shearman Jr. at rshearman@oceancitymd.gov
If requested, a Public Hearing will be held: Monday, March 2, 2026
6:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers 301 North Baltimore Avenue
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
If special assistance is required at the Public Hearing contact Ocean City Transportation, Administrative Coordinator, at 410-723-2174 prior to 4 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026.
OCD-1/22/5t
sonal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-1/29/3t
ERICA T. DAVIS 1401 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 650 ROCKVILLE, MD 20852-1451
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20932
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MISTY NOEL HORNEY
Notice is given that Erica T. Davis, Esq., 1401 Rockville Pike, Ste. 650, Rockville, MD 20852-1451, was on January 22, 2026 appointed Per-
sonal Representative of the estate of Misty Noel Horney who died on October 21, 2025, without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of July, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of July, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Erica T. Davis, Esq.
Personal Representative
True Test Copy
Terri Westcott
Register of Wills for Worcester County
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: January 29, 2026
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Rosenberg & Associates, LLC
4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (301) 907-8000
Diane S. Rosenberg
Mark D. Meyer
Sara Tussey
Andrew Higgins
Patrick Clowney, Jr. 4340 East West Highway, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814
Substitute Trustees
Plaintiff(s)
v. Estate of William J. McGraw
35 Tail Of The Fox Drive Ocean Pines, MD 21811
Defendant(s) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
Case No. C-23-CV-25-000129
Notice is hereby given this 23rd day of January, 2026, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of 35 Tail Of The Fox Drive, Ocean Pines, MD 21811, made and reported, will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 23rd day of February, 2026, provided a copy of this notice be inserted in Ocean City Digest a weekly newspaper printed in said County, once in each of three successive weeks before the 16th day of February, 2026. The Report of Sale states the amount of the foreclosure sale price to be $203,000.00.
Susan R. Braniecki
Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, Maryland
True Copy
Test: Susan R. Braniecki
Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD
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SEAN J COLGAN ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES
6200 COASTAL HWY STE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6698
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of CAROL LOU BLOUM Estate No. 20991 Notice is given that STEPHEN L BLOUM whose address is 13875 OLD EL CAMINO REAL SAN DIEGO, CA 92130-3028 was on JANUARY 21, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CAROL LOU BLOUM who died on OCTOBER 03, 2025 with a will. Further information can be ob-
tained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 21st day of JULY, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 21st day of JULY, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET
ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
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JOHN F. ROBBERT ESQ
CHESAPEAKE LEGAL
COUNSEL LLC
2661 RIVA RD STE 410A
ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-7335
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of GERTRUDE A GOLA Estate No. 20944 Notice is given that SHERRY NYKIEL whose address is 835 PARKRIDGE DR MEDIA, PA 19063-1715 was on JANUARY 23, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of GERTRUDE A GOLA who died on OCTOBER 27, 2018 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JULY, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JULY, 2026. Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the ear-
lier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-1/29/3t
SEAN J COLGAN ESQ. COATES, COATES & COATES 6200 COASTAL HWY STE 300 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6698
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of CAROL LYNNE STEPHENSON Estate No. 21000 Notice is given that MARY JANE WIMBROW whose address is 59 CASTLE DR BERLIN, MD 21811-2035 was on JANUARY 23, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CAROL LYNNE STEPHENSON who died on OCTOBER 06, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JULY, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JULY, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer of a Class: "B" BEER-WINE-LIQUOR License: 7 Day, By: Andrew C. Hoster, 12394 Sea Oaks Lane, Unit #2, Berlin, MD 21811; Michael D. Manry, 1201 Atlantic Avenue, #403, Ocean City, MD 21842.
For: BBS Hospitality, LLC
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Brass Balls Saloon 1105 Atlantic Avenue
Ocean City, Maryland 21842
Formerly: BBS Holdings, Inc.
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: February 18, 2026 @ 1:15 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us
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OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Transfer of a Class: "A" BEER-WINE License: 7 Day, By: Howard R. Nichols, 309 S. Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842; Robert J. Riccio, Jr., 816 Terry Lane, Key West, FL 33040. For: Exile Enterprises, Inc.
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Weaver's Beer & Wine 2 South Baltimore Avenue Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Formerly: Charles N. Weaver, Jr. & David L. Weaver
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: February 18, 2026 @ 1:25 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us
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OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE
Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class "D" BEERWINE License: 7 Day, By:Carlena L. Jelley, 12 2nd Street, Pocomoke, MD 21851.
For: Cypress Moon Art, LLC
For the premises known as and located at:
T/A: Cypress Moon Art 143 Market Street Pocomoke, Maryland 21851
There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester
County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: February 18, 2026 @ 1:40 P.M.
The Board welcomes written or oral comments at said public hearing from any interested party. Information regarding this hearing can be found at www.co.worcester.md.us
OCD-2/5/2t
OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 25-07
WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Take Notice that Bill 25-07 (Zoning – Off-street parking clear height) was introduced by Commissioners Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on November 18, 2025. A fair summary of the bill is as follows:
Add a new subsection § ZS 1320(b)(2) of the Zoning and Subdivision Control Article to establish a minimum clear height for required off-street parking provided in an enclosed or covered structure in twofamily, multi-family, and townhouse dwelling units.
A Public Hearing will be held at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:30 AM
This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is available for public inspection in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103. In addition, a full copy of the bill is available on the county website at www.co.worcester.md.us.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 26-01
WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Take Notice that Bill 26-01 (Zoning – Short-term rentals) was introduced by Commissioners Abbott, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on January 20, 2026. A fair summary of the bill is as follows:
Repeal and replace subsection § ZS 1-351(b)(5) of the Zoning and Subdivision Control Article to modify the effective date at which a third parking space shall be provided for a short-term rental property to January 1, 2026.
A Public Hearing will be held at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:35 AM.
This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is available for public inspection in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103. In addition, a full copy of the bill is available on the county website at www.co.worcester.md.us.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 26-02
WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Take Notice that Bill 26-02 was introduced by Commissioners Abbott, Bertino, Bunting, Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic, and Purnell on January 20, 2026. A fair summary of the bill is as follows:
Bill 26-02 is titled AN ACT TO EMPOWER AND AUTHORIZE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND TO BORROW ON ITS FULL FAITH AND CREDIT NOT MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED EIGHTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($618,000) IN ORDER TO FINANCE AND REFINANCE IMPROVEMENTS TO LEWIS ROAD SEWER EXTENSION PROJECT(S).
A Public Hearing will be held at the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101 – Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:40 AM
This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is available for public inspection in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103. In addition, a full copy of the bill is available on the county website at www.co.worcester.md.us.
THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-2/5/2t
D NICOLE GREEN ESQ
D. NICOLE GREEN, PA 300 EAST MAIN STREET SALISBURY, MD 21801
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of BETTY B GROTON AKA: BETTY BRADFORD GROTON Estate No. 21001 Notice is given that LOUIS T BRADFORD whose address is 6825 APACHE DR SNOW HILL, MD 21863-3361, SUSAN B AGE whose address is 8439 NEWARK RD NEWARK, MD 21841-2019 were on JANUARY 27, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BETTY B GROTON who died on JANUARY 02, 2026 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 27th day of JULY, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 27th day of JULY, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned per-
sonal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/5/3t
Christopher Robins, Esq. 128 E. Main St. Salisbury, MD 21811
DELMARVA HOUSING CORPORATION
128 East Main Street Salisbury, MD 2180 I Plaintiff vs.
JAMES R. ROTH
12 Chatham Ct. Ocean Pines, MD 21811,
BONITA B. ROTH
12 Chatham Ct. Ocean Pines, MD 21811,
WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
1 W. Market Street, Room 1103 Snow Hill, MD 21863,
Serve: Roscoe Leslie, County Attorney
1 W. Market Street, Room 1103 Snow Hill, MD 21863,
The testate and intestate successors of James R. Roth, deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under the decedent,
The testate and intestate successors of Bonita B. Roth, deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under the decedent, and
All persons that have or claim to have any interest in property described as 12 Chatham Ct., Ocean Pines, MD 21811, Tax Account No. 03-156613
Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY STATE OF MARYLAND CASE NO.: C-23-CV-25-000364
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the following property sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: 12 Chatham Court,
Ocean Pines, MD 21811
Tax Account No. 03-156613
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for redemption have not been paid.
It is thereupon by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland: ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County, Maryland, once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear 111 this Court by March 29, 2026, and redeem the property and answer the complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Brian D. Shockley Judge
True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of MORTON N BROWN Estate No. 20997 Notice is given that AARON BROWN whose address is 26 ALLENHURST CT., GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878-1990 was on JANUARY 22, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MORTON N BROWN who died on DECEMBER 10, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of July, 2026
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of July, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Reg-
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County
ONE W MARKET STREET
ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
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Buas 3G Properties, LLC
3509 Coastal Hwy Snow Hill, MD 21863 v.
Cindy L Naylor 1200 Lodge Lane Wilmington, Delaware 19809
Harbour Island Condominium Association c/o Mann Properties 220 16th Street Ocean City, Maryland 21842
Worcester County, Maryland
1 W. Market St. Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863
Unknown owner of property described as Item No. 30, Account No. 10-379059, Property description
BOAT SLIP 26 14TH ST & BAY
HARBOUR ISLAND CM, Deed Reference: 3570/192, Assessed to Cindy L Naylor, The Unknown Owner's heirs, devisees, and personal Representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right title and interest
All persons that have or claim to have any interest in the property described as Item No. 30, Account No. 10-379059, Property description BOAT SLIP 26 14TH ST & BAY HARBOUR ISLAND CM, Deed Reference: 3570/192, Assessed to Cindy L Naylor In the Circuit Court For Worcester County State of Maryland Case No.: C-23-CV-25-000332
The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in and to the following property, lying and being situate in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and State of Maryland, to the Plaintiff in this proceeding, known as Boat Slip No. 26, 14th St & Bay, Harbour Island CM, being Account No. 10-379059, assessed to Cindy L Naylor with deed reference: 3570/192.
The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for the redemption if the property have not been paid.
It is thereupon this 28th of January, 2026, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 30th day of March, 2026, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment
will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.
Beau H. Oglesby Judge, Circuit Court for Worcester County True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Worcester County MD
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Melinda Ragusa
1937 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Annapolis, MD 21409 vs. Michael John Cramer 12107 Angler Road Ocean City, MD 21842
Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County Case No.: C-02-FM-24-004583
Melinda Ragusa, has filed a petition & motion entitled Petition for Contempt and Motion to Enforce in which she is seeking Contempt and Monetary Damages
Notice is hereby issued by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Maryland that the relief sought in the aforementioned petition & motion may be granted unless cause be shown to the contrary.
Michael Cramer is to file a response to the petition and motion on or before MARCH 2, 2026
Failure to file a response within the time allowed may result in a judgment by default or the granting of the relief sought.
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COATES, COATES, & COATES, P.A.
RAYMOND D. COATES JR., ESQ. 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 300
OCEAN CITY, MD 21824
TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
ESTATE NO. 21004
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Register of Wills court of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania appointed (1) Melissa J. Link, 30th S. 25th Street, Allentown, PA 18104; (2) Barry H. Westgate, 4 Epping Ct., Somerset, NJ 08873-4743; (3) Jessica E. Zambelli, 4474 Farview Ct., Emmaus, PA 18049-5261 as the Executors of the Estate of Donna L. Westgate who died on July 06, 2021 domiciled in Pennsylvania, USA.
The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Raymond D. Coates Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698; (2) Raymond D. Coates Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698; (3) Raymond D. Coates Jr., 6200 Coastal Hwy., Ste. 300, Ocean City, MD 21842-6698.
At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester County.
All persons having claims against the decedent must file their claims with the Register of Wills for Worcester County with a copy to the foreign
personal representative on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the foreign personal representative mails or delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.
(1) Melissa J. Link (2) Bary H. Westgate (3) Jessica E. Zambelli Foreign Personal Representatives Terri Westcott Register of Wills One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of Newspaper: Ocean City Digest
Date of first publication: February 05, 2026
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B. RANDALL COATES, ESQ. COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET, P.O. BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM F. WEST, JR. Estate No. 21003 Notice is given that LINDA W. WEST whose address is 6446 AYRES LN. RD., SNOW HILL, MD 21863-4102 was on JANUARY 28,2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM F. WEST, JR. who died on NOVEMBER 11, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 28th day of July, 2026
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 28th day of July, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is
unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
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Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland
P03-26 – 94th Street Court Fencing Installation
The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the 94th Street Court Fencing Installation and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.
Proposal Documents for the 94th Street Court Fencing Installation may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either e-mailing the Procurement Manager, Matt Perry, at mperry@oceancitymd.gov or Dawn Leonard at dleonard@oceancitymd.gov, or by calling (410) 723-6643 during regular business hours, or via the Solicitations tab on the Town’s (https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/procurement-bids/) website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for Addenda before submitting their Proposals. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.
A Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE LITTLE SALISBURY PARK, 94TH STREET, BAYSIDE, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The Last Day for Questions will be on MONDAY, MARCH 2ND, 2026, AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD, 2026
Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH, 2026, BY 4:00PM EST. Proposal submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH, 2026, AT 9:00AM EST. Proposals are to be submitted to the Procurement Office located at 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (P03-26 – 94th Street Court Fencing Installation) must be noted on the outside of the package.
Late Proposal Documents will not be accepted.
Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the So-
Matt Perry Procurement Manager
Town of Ocean City, Maryland
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Corrugated Metal (GCCMP) & Plastic (HDPE) Pipe
Worcester County is seeking Bids from qualified Vendors to contract for the purchase of Galvanized Coated Corrugated Metal Pipe (GCCMP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe for the Roads Division of Public Works in conformity with the requirements contained herein Bid Documents.
Bid Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer at purchasing@worcestermd.gov or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Bid Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Bid Documents.
The last day for questions will be Monday, March 2, 2026.
Sealed Bid Documents are due no later than Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2 p.m. and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.
Late Bid Documents cannot be accepted.
Envelopes shall be marked “Bid Solicitation – Corrugated Metal & Plastic Pipe” in the lower left-hand corner.
Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for award of this solicitation.
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Estate No. 20986 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF HERBERT GLENN HALLER
Notice is given that Carol Harting Haller, 10326 Derby Dr., Laurel, MD 20723-5736, was on January 20, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Herbert Glenn Haller who died on January 05, 2026, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection
with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of July, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 20th day of July, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Carol Harting Haller
Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication:
February 5, 2026
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MARIANNA BATIE ESQ
LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MOUNT HERMON RD STE B
SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM EMORY WRIGHTSON JR Estate No. 21006
Notice is given that ROBERT WILLIAM WRIGHTSON whose address is 16213 WHITEHAVEN RD SILVER SPRING, MD 209061129 was on FEBRUARY 03, 2026 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of WILLIAM EMORY WRIGHTSON JR who died on FEBRUARY 16, 2025 with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against
the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claims will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/12/1t
HUGH CROPPER IV, ESQ 9927 STEPHEN DECATUR HWY., SUITE F12
OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21014 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOHN B. LYNCH JR.
Notice is given that William M. Lynch, 6315 South Point Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-2632, was on February 05, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John B. Lynch Jr. who died on January 30, 2026, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of August, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of August, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
William M. Lynch
Personal Representative
True Test Copy
Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: February 12, 2026
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KURT M MUELLER ESQ
THE LAW OFFICE OF KURT M. MUELLER, ESQ. 600 WASHINGTON AVE STE 301 TOWSON, MD 21204-3916
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of THEODORA ALICE ROZZANO Estate No. 21010 Notice is given that MARK ALLEN RUGGIERI whose address is 14 36TH ST UNIT 11 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-8134 was on FEBRUARY 05, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of THEODORA ALICE ROZZANO who died on SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of AUGUST, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of AUGUST, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
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REENA
LAW OFFICE OF
MARIANNA BATIE
1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B
SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Estate No. 20993
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CHRISTINE LORRAINE BIZUKIEWICZ
Notice is given that Stanley Bizukiewicz, 5136 Pine Tree Ln., Pocono Summit, PA 18346-7726, was on January 21, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Christine Lorraine Bizukiewicz who died on December 17, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 21st day of July, 2026.
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 21st day of July, 2026.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
Stanley Bizukiewicz Personal Representative True Test Copy
Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: February 12, 2026
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of WILLIAM RUSSELL SNYDER Estate No. 21019 Notice is given that WENDY REBECCA SNYDER whose address is 10110 TIPPERARY RD., PARKVILLE, MD 21234-1138 was on FEBRUARY 06, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM RUSSELL SNYDER who died on DECEMBER 18, 2025 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of AUGUST, 2026
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of AUGUST, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of AUGUST, 2026
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of AUGUST, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/12/3t
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of SANDRA ANN OHARA Estate No. 20918 Notice is given that LISA ANN LOGIN whose address is 914 MIDWAY LN., SEAFORD, DE 19973-1126 was on FEBRUARY 05, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SANDRA ANN OHARA who died on NOVEMBER 07, 2025 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of AUGUST, 2026
claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/12/3t
JOSEPH E. MOORE ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21007 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF ALBERT E. MORRIS
Notice is given that Kelley M. Krause, 929 General Beauregard Dr., Virgina Beach, VA 23454-2606, was on February 02, 2026 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Albert E. Morris who died on January 17, 2026, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
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LEGAL ADVERTISING
Call: 410-723-6397
Fax: 410-723-6511
or E-mail: legals@octodaydispatch.com
To all persons interested in the estate of FRANCES VICTORIA CUMBERLAND Estate No. 21018 Notice is given that DANIELLE LORI LONG whose address is 662 FERN ST., WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33401-5712 was on FEBRUARY 06, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of FRANCES VICTORIA CUMBERLAND who died on FEBRUARY 01, 2026 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid
All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of AUGUST, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
Kelley M. Krause Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: February 12, 2026
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20987
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARTHA E. BRIDDELL
Notice is given that Wanda Williams, 302 Mecca Ct., Fort Washington, MD 20744-5135, was on February 02, 2026 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Martha E. Briddell who died on November 14, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
Wanda Williams Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication: February 12, 2026
Berlin, MD 21811-3123, was on February 04, 2026 appointed personal representative of the small estate of Diane C. Devanna who died on September 13, 2025, with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
Gary D. Devanna Personal Representative True Test Copy Register of Wills for Worcester County Terri Westcott
One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074
Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest
Date of publication:
February 12, 2026
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SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21012
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF DIANE C. DEVANNA
AKA: DIANE CAROL DEVANNA
Notice is given that Gary D. Devanna, 10200 Willowbrook Dr.,
having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/12/1t
TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of ALLEN L. LYNCH Estate No. 21008 Notice is given that JESSICA TAYLOR whose address is 211 BELT ST., SNOW HILL, MD 218631311 was on FEBRUARY 02, 2026 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of ALLEN L. LYNCH who died on OCTOBER 12, 2019 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074
OCD-2/12/1t
DANIEL C. CONKLING, ESQ. 2756 BAYSIDE BEACH ROAD PASADENA, MD 21122
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of LAURA JANE PAYTON Estate No. 21021 Notice is given that DANIEL C CONKLING whose address is 2756 BAYSIDE BEACH RD PASADENA, MD 21122-3601 was on FEBRUARY 09, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LAURA JANE PAYTON who died on JANUARY 02, 2026 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of AUGUST, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 9th day of AUGUST, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
OCD-2/12/1t
SMALL ESTATE
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
To all persons interested in the estate of MICHELE ELIZABETH SISSON Estate No. 21017 Notice is given that JOHN DAVID SIMS JR whose address is 4532 JEFFERSON PIKE, APT. 5, JEFFERSON, MD 21755-8143 was on FEBRUARY 06, 2026 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of MICHELE ELIZABETH SISSON who died on APRIL 02, 2025 without a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice. All persons having an objection to the probate of the will shall file their objections with the Register of Wills within six months after the date of publication of this Notice.
All persons having claims against the decedent must serve their claims on the undersigned personal representative or file them with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or
(2) Thirty days after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claim within thirty days from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. Any claim not served or filed within that time, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/12/3t _________________________________
B. RANDALL COATES ESQ COATES, COATES, & COATES 204 WEST GREEN STREET P O BOX 293 SNOW HILL, MD 21863
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of LAWRENCE ALLWIN DONOWAY AKA: LAWRENCE ALLWIN DONOWAY JR Estate No. 21015 Notice is given that ROSE RUSSELL DONOWAY whose ad-
dress is 6846 SENECA DR SNOW HILL, MD 21863-3354 was on FEBRUARY 05, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LAWRENCE ALLWIN DONOWAY who died on JANUARY 22, 2026 with a will.
Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.
All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of AUGUST, 2026
All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 5th day of AUGUST, 2026
Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates:
(1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or
(2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the cred-
itor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.
TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE
SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-2/12/3t
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:
TUESDAY, March 3, 2026
At 7:00 PM
To consider amending Chapter 110, entitled Zoning, Section 110-2 entitled Definitions, to add a definition related to the outdoor display of merchandise; and Section 110884, entitled Outdoor Display of Merchandise Standards for Properties Fronting on Atlantic Avenue (boardwalk) to establish regulations for businesses wishing to display merchandise outdoors along properties fronting Atlantic Avenue (boardwalk). Businesses would be required to obtain an annual display permit through an application process. The ordinance addresses general standards for all outdoor displays and specific requirements for f A-Frame signs, banners, ancillary services and restaurants.
APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #25-14100001)
No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing.
Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates.
For further information concern-
ing this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JOSEPH P. WILSON, CHAIRPERSON
MAUREEN HOWARTH, ESQ., ATTORNEY
OCD-2/12/3t
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:
TUESDAY, March 3, 2026 At 7:00 PM
and Seen By Thousands of People Every Week
To consider amending Chapter 66, entitled “Signs,” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, specifically Section 66-2, entitled “Definitions;” Section 66-8, entitled “Size;” Section 66-10, entitled “Obstructions and Traffic Hazards;” Section 66-12, entitled “Temporary Signs;” and Section 66-16, entitled “Exemptions.”
The proposed ordinance clarifies and updates sign regulations, including definitions for various sign types such as banners, fence signs, ground signs, and roof signs,. The ordinance further updates standards related to maximum sign size, visibility and traffic safety, temporary sign limitations, and exemptions, including provisions applicable to A-frame signs on the Boardwalk.
APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #25-14100001)
No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing.
Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates.
For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JOSEPH P. WILSON, CHAIRPERSON
MAUREEN HOWARTH, ESQ.,
(Feb. 13, 2026) Becker Morgan Group has welcomed Denise K. West as its newly appointed Chief Operating Officer. Denise brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning finance, operations, human resources, and organizational strategy.
In her role as COO, Denise will oversee firmwide systems, support crossdisciplinary collaboration, and drive
DAAYY/TIME
Fri-Mon 11am-4pm H Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm
Friday 11am-1pm630
Friday 1:30-3:30pm Saturrdday 10am-Noon 201
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initiatives that strengthen efficiency, quality, and client service across all office locations. Her proven ability to align financial discipline with operational excellence will play a key role in advancing Becker Morgan Group’s long-term strategic plans.
Denise’s background includes
more than two decades of senior executive roles, where she led financial operations, budgeting, compliance, and HR strategy across multi-location organizations. She has directed KPI development, multi-year business planning, and comprehensive safety programs that strengthened operational visibility and executive decisionmaking.
Denise began her career in public accounting, gaining experience in tax, audit, compliance, and financial re-
Feb. 12 - 19
porting. She is a graduate of McDaniel College, earning her B.A. in Business and Economics, Magna Cum Laude. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant and remains an active member of both the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Her leadership style, rooted in integrity and strategic clarity, will help
Harbour
r, , 120th St., Bayside 1BR/2BR/3BR/4BR+
12430 Old Bridge Rd., W Weest OC 2BR/2BA S 05 Atlantic Avenue #301, Ocean City3BR/3.5BA 12971 Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City5BR/5BA S. Herroon Drive Unit #2D, Ocean City 2BR/2BA 201 S. Herroon Drive Unit #26B 2BR/2.5BA 201 S Herroon Drive Unit #8A 2BR/2.5BA
AGENT/AGEN ondos, T Toowns & SF - Nanette Pavier/Holiday Single Family frroom frroom $284,750 Shelly Wilson/Salt Life C Condo$1,495,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell B Single Family$2,699,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell B Condo $429,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell B
day 11am-1pm Satur
Saturday11am-1pm day 11am-1pm
eetOceanPines32LibertyStre 32 Liberty Strreeet Ocean Pines
Saturday 11am-1pm12
302 Jamaica A Avve #302 Ocean C
Sunday 11am-1pm11
Saturday Noon-2pm 11500 C
Saturrdday Noon-2pm
Saturrdday Noon-2:30pm 11
Saturrdday Noon-3pm 8906
Saturrdday 12:30-2:30pm
964 W W Waar Dancer Ln #107, Ber oastal Hwy #1614, Sea W Waatch, O d Dr 26 W Mallarrd r, , Ocean City 0 120th St Unit 203B, Ocean C
2BR/2.5BA
4BR/25BA
City3BR/2.5BA rlin4BR/4BA
cean City 2BR/2BA
8BR/8.5BA ity2BR/2BA
6 Rusty Anchor Rd Unit 8, Ocean 205 125th Strreeet #208B2
Saturrdday 12:30-2:30pm 630
5 Atlantic Avenue #301, Ocean
City2BR/2BA 2BR/2BA
City3BR/3.5BA
Saturrdday 1-3pm 18 41st Strreeet Unit 103, Ocean City 4BR/2BA
Saturrdday 1-3pm 13100 Coastal Hwy #1607 PH2, Ocean City2BR/2BA
Saturrdday 12:30-2:30pm 745 Mooring Road #202, Ocean City2BR/2BA
Saturrdday 2-4pm 124 Camelot Cirrccle, Ocean Pines 4BR/2BA
Saturrdday 3-5pm 12971 Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City5BR/5BA
Sunday 11am-1pm 14 Liberty Strreeet, Ocean Pines 3BR/2BA
Sunday 11am-1pm 74Birrddnest Drive, Ocean Pines 6BR/4BA
Single Family$2,299,00
Kristie Fogle/Keller Will oft/Long & Fo o Tim Meadowcr Debbie Hileman/Hilema aylor Fowlkes/BHHS Pe Ta Debbie Bennington/BHHS olk Lisa Jackson/Engel & V Nancy Reither/Coldwell 0 Nancy Reither/Coldwell
eam/HilemanPowerof2Te 0 Power of 2 T Te Power of 2 T Teeam/Hileman
Condo $579,900
Condo $415,000
Rob & Marie Bouse/RE/MAX A Laurreen Bunting/Keller Wi
0Shawn Kotwica/Coldwell B
0 Shawn Kotwica/Coldwell B
Condo $380,000
Condo $499,000
Condo$1,495,00
0 Tim Meadowcrrooft/Long & Fo Nancy Reither/Coldwell B 00Nancy Reither/Coldwell B
Saturrdday 1-3pm 231 N. Herroon Drive, Ocean City 4BR/2.5BASingle Family$2,200,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
$669,000 T Taaylor Fowlkes/BHHS PenFed Realty
$549,000Debbie Bennington/BHHS PenFed Realty
$399,990Katie Landon/Coldwell Banker Realty
Family$414,900Debbie Hileman/Hileman Real Estate
Family$2,699,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
Family$549,000Debbie Bennington/BHHS PenFed Realty
Sunday 11am-1pm8 Edgewood Drive, Ocean Pines5BR/2.5BASingle Family$549,000Katie Hammond/Keller Williams Realty
Family$539,900 T Taaylor Fowlkes/BHHS PenFed Realty
Sunday 11am-1pm 231 N Herroon Drive, Ocean City 4BR/2.5BASingle Family$2,200,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
Sunday 11am-1pm12971 Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City5BR/5BASingle Family$2,699,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
Sunday 11am-1pm203 125th St #387W, Ocean City2BR/2BACondo$489,900Danielle Hamilton/RE/MAX Results
Sunday 11am-1pm 101 123rrd d St #374C, Ocean City 1BR/1BA Condo $254,900Sherry Thens/Coldwell Banker Realty
Sunday 11:30am-1:30pm d Dr 26 W Mallarrd r, , Ocean City 8BR/8.5BASingle Family$2,299,000Shawn Kotwica/Coldwell Banker Realty
Sunday Noon-2 pm 204 S Herroon Drive Unit #202G, Ocean City 2BR/2BA
Sunday Noon-2pm 11500 Coastal Hwy #1614, Sea Watch, Ocean City 2BR/2BA
Sunday Noon-2:30pm110 120th St Unit 203B, Ocean City2BR/2BA
Sunday Noon-3pm104 56th St Unit 206, Ocean City1BR/1BA
$575,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
$579,900Laurreen Bunting/Keller Williams Realty
$415,000Shawn Kotwica/Coldwell Banker Realty
$319,900William Allen/Long & Foster Real Estate
Sunday 1-4pm 11 Hatteras Strreeet, The Parke, Ocean Pines 2BR/2BA T Toownhome $327,500 eg Er Grre rddie/BHHS PenFed Realty
Sunday 1:30-3:30 pm6305 Atlantic Avenue #301, Ocean City3BR/3.5BACondo$1,495,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
Monday 11am-1pm12971 Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City5BR/5BASingle Family$2,699,900Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
Monday 1:30-3:30pm6305 Atlantic Avenue #301, Ocean City3BR/3.5BACondo$1,495,000Nancy Reither/Coldwell Banker Realty
strengthen Becker Morgan Group’s operations and position the firm for continued growth.
The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore recently announced that Sharon Morris has joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
“Sharon’s commitment to public service and equity has shaped countless lives across the Lower Shore,” said Erica Joseph, Community Foundation President. “Her experience, integrity, and vision will be invaluable as we continue to grow our impact and connect people to meaningful change in our community.”
Morris brings more than four decades of public, financial, and nonprofit service to the board. She joined First Shore Federal in 2016 and retired in 2024 as Community Reinvestment Activity Officer, following a distinguished career in Wicomico County government, where she served in multiple administrative roles and retired in 2015 as Assistant Director of Administration. A graduate fellow of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, Morris has held leadership roles with numer-
ous nonprofit organizations, including United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Habitat for Humanity, WCNAACP , the Salvation Army, Village of Hope and the Board of Elections. She has also served on committees for the Salisbury Award, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and the John B. Parsons Foundation. As a passionate advocate for the homeless, Morris co-founded the annual Soup to the Sanctuary initiative at St. James AME Zion Church. She is also a founding member of the Black Excellence Community Fund, a recipient of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Jim Barrett Award, the Habitat for Humanity Board Member of the Year, and the 2022 Alpha Kappa Alpha Outstanding Public Service Award.
SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate recently took part in the Annual SVN Conference in Palm Springs, California, joining SVN professionals from across the country for several days of collaboration, education, and connection.
The conference brought together industry leaders and advisors through a mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking events focused on sharing market insight, best practices, and forward-looking strategies. The SVN | Miller team used the opportunity to strengthen relationships across the
SVN network and gain valuable perspective to better serve clients and the communities it supports.
SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate received multiple recognitions for outstanding performance and leadership. The SVN | Miller office was ranked #9 out of 200+ offices worldwide and awarded Best Office in a Small Market, a testament to the team’s commitment to excellence, collaboration, and client service.
Several SVN | Miller Advisors were also honored individually. Chris Peek, Andy Ball, Meredith Mears, and Flo Brotzman were recognized as Achievers, acknowledging their exceptional production and contributions to the firm. In addition, The McClellan Team earned placement in the prestigious President’s Circle, recognizing top-tier performance at the national level.
Beyond transactional success, The McClellan Team also received the Community Service Leadership Award, honoring their commitment to service, leadership, and meaningful community involvement.
“These recognitions reflect the dedication, integrity, and teamwork that define SVN | Miller,” said Managing Director, Rick Tilghman. “We are incredibly proud of our Advisors and staff – not only for their professional achievements, but for the way they support one another, serve our clients, and give back to the communities we work in.”
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Maryland lawmakers heard testimony this week on an emergency bill aimed at allowing chicken house construction to resume while the state updates an expired environmental permit.
“Time is money. It’s costing money because it’s blocked up like a dam,” said Wicomico County farmer and realtor Rusty Molnar, speaking Tuesday in support of Senate Bill 371.
He testified before the Senate committee on Education, Energy and Environment that the resulting backlog of livestock housing projects extends beyond construction into commercial lending and local permitting.
Before constructing any new livestock housing – also known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, in government jargon – state law requires farmers to obtain a water quality permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment, or MDE.
Such permits are issued under the umbrella of a statewide General Discharge Permit, one that sets environmental rules for animal feeding operations, and ensures farmers don’t discharge pollutants into local waterways.
It serves as a master permitting
template that individual farms enroll under rather than negotiating separate agreements.
That five-year general permit expired in July. For now, without an active general permit in place, MDE cannot issue new CAFO permits.
Existing farms are allowed to carry on operations under administrative extensions, but brand-new projects have to wait – effectively placing a seven-month freeze on new livestock housing statewide.
Senate Bill 371 would repeal the requirement that farmers must have a permit in hand before building new livestock housing, allowing projects to move forward while MDE finalizes its new general permit. As an emergency bill, it would take effect immediately if passed.
Bill sponsor Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38, Worcester) said the months-long regulatory bottleneck has created roughly $35 million in stalled construction.
The poultry industry alone contributes more than $5.4 billion annually to Maryland’s economy, she added.
“This significant negative impact does not account for the incalculable losses of on-farm income, real estate transfer, banking fees, equipment feed sales, and resulting government revenue,” she told the committee
Tuesday.
MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain acknowledged the permit expiration in testimony Tuesday but assured lawmakers the bill would not weaken environmental safeguards.
“Unfortunately, my agency did lapse on the permit. I won’t get into the reasons why, but I can tell you and assure that will not happen again,” she told the committee. “No facility can operate until it meets our environmental protections, period, point blank.”
When reached for comment about a timeline for completion, MDE spokesman Jay Apperson told OC Today-Dispatch that the agency is working to get it done as soon as possible.
“We recognize that having a new permit in place is critical for both the economy and ecology of our agricultural communities,” he said.
The bill also had support from a state grain producers’ association, the Maryland Farm Bureau, and the state’s agriculture department.
Grayson Middleton, government affairs manager for the Delmarva Chicken Association, told lawmakers the bill “is simply fixing a regulatory glitch that no one has noticed until now.”
“I ask that you please give our farmers the much-needed assurance
that this will not happen again,” he said.
Opponents warned the measure skirts environmental safeguards and sets new precedents for agricultural construction.
Annie Richards, with the environmental advocacy group ShoreRivers, said a farmer’s discharge permit isn’t just a piece of paper, but the mechanism that enforces oversight over environmental protocols like manure storage standards, stormwater controls, and nutrient pollution.
“We are discussing a retreat from the Clean Water Act that will set a precedent for a ‘build first, permit later’ standard,” she said.
Environmental advocates also raised concerns about transparency in the permitting process, saying months of public information requests about the lapse went unanswered. They argued the solution should focus on accountability within MDE.
Others testified that MDE could have avoided the need to change state law altogether by issuing individual permits to farmers that matched the conditions of the expired general permit.
Notably, CAFO rules apply not just to chicken houses, but to pig farms, dairy farms, and cattle operations statewide.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) The Town of Ocean City will begin seeking proposals from operators interested in providing pedicab services on the Boardwalk.
During Tuesday’s work session, the Ocean City Council directed staff to proceed with a request for proposals (RFP) from operators interested in entering into a franchise agreement for Boardwalk pedicab services.
The service would replace the Boardwalk trams, which were pulled from operation in 2024 after a police investigation into a tram fatality revealed a series of motor vehicle violations.
“In wake of losing the ability to offer a Boardwalk tram service, we are looking for an alternative, understanding the fact that pedicabs could never totally replace the experiences or services provided by our trams,” Deputy City Manager JR Harmon told the council this week.
“We spoke to two possible proposers and garnered their interest in the concept of providing pedicab services strictly for the Boardwalk, and we have incorporated suggestions into the proposed scope of services, which is the packet.”
According to the project scope, the city’s objective in developing a pedicab program is to provide a transportation service to Boardwalk visitors outside of the normal bike hours. The program will feature one company, which must start with at least 20 vehicles, 10% of which having the ability to accommodate strollers, wheelchairs and walkers.
The council’s decision this week
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follows pleas from community members and requests from the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) to find a replacement for the Boardwalk tram service.
In a letter sent to the City Council in December, the OCDC called for an alternative that meets the demands of visitors and businesses, which they report have “felt the difference” of not having the tram carrying patrons up and down the boards.
“We are asking the Mayor and Council to strongly consider alternatives to bring back some kind of service similar to the Boardwalk Tram,” the letter reads. “We have the infrastructure already built to bring back a smaller, safer, purpose-built tram. We will also continue to have the need for the tram, which include individuals with disabilities, elderly pa-
trons and families; not to mention visitors who simply have nostalgic memories of riding the tram.”
Officials say the program will operate as a demand-response system, and that pedicabs would utilize the existing tram lane. Operations are expected to begin around Memorial Day and end on or about Labor Day of each year, although the city will reserve the right to allow operations for special events outside of that timeframe.
An effort to find a transportation alternative comes more than three months after the city announced it was pulling the plug on the tram service. Up until that point, the service had been suspended since Aug. 20, 2024, when a Boardwalk tram traveling south along the Boardwalk struck and killed a toddler crossing the con-
crete tram lane near Dorchester Street.
An incident report issued nearly four months later revealed the tram had been operating in violation of various state transportation laws, which apply to the Boardwalk.
The investigation found improper braking systems and towing capabilities played some role in the fatality, according to documents obtained through a Maryland Public Information Act request filed by the OC Today-Dispatch.
The project scope listed in the council’s agenda packet this week requires that any pedicab operation must have vehicles that comply with federal, state and local regulations. The City Council voted 5-0, with Councilman Will Savage absent, to move forward with an RFP.
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By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Worcester County plans to ask the state for nearly $6 million to purchase easements on existing farms and woodland to preserve them from development in the next fiscal year.
The county has submitted two grant applications to the Rural Legacy Program, one for $5.1 million in easements within the Dividing Creek area and another for $700,000 in the Bishopville-Showell area.
County Planning Manager Katherine Munson told commissioners at their Feb. 3 meeting that their focus
is on funding easements for those two areas due to “dwindling remaining landowner interest” in the Coastal Bays Rural Legacy Area.
Because planners had to designate one priority zone while submitting two applications, it gave funding preference to the Dividing Creek area, Munson also said.
For that zone, county planners are eyeing 10 properties on 2,068 acres of land, adding to more than 67,000 acres already preserved in the Dividing Creek Rural Legacy Area.
Because the Dividing Creek zone straddles the border of Somerset County, Worcester County plans to submit a joint application with Somerset County and the Lower Shore Land Trust.
The largest easement tract in this application is 324.8 acres, for which
the Snow Hill-area property owner would receive $750,000. The going rate is $3,000 for an acre of farmland and $2,000 for an acre of woodland, according to the county’s application.
Planning officials said they hope to protect about half the remaining undeveloped land in this area, writing in a grant application that “there are 4,500 acres left to protect to get us to that goal.”
Planners also want to secure $700,000 worth of easements in the Bishopville-Showell Rural Legacy Area. That’s a new easement zone for the state program that was created last year. It already includes nearly 12,000 acres of forest and farmland easements.
Nine property owners for the Bishopville-Showell zone expressed interest in the 2027 round of easements, for a total of 453 acres. The largest easement in this allotment would be for a 65acre tract on Ames Road in Bishopville, valued at $275,000 to $300,000.
Final approval to release any Rural Legacy funds comes from the state’s Board of Public Works – a three-person oversight panel consisting of Maryland’s governor, comptroller, and treasurer – only after getting a full report on applicant properties, according to Munson.
However, she added that the future of the program is somewhat uncertain, given the state’s $1.5 billion revenue shortfall now being addressed by the governor and General Assembly.
‘These are areas that have been well-established as areas we want to protect because of the natural resources and the agricultural resources, and I don’t see that focus changing.’
Last year, the Board of Public Works did not give Worcester County any Rural Legacy grants. Its most recent appropriation came in 2024, with $800,000 in funding to launch the Bishopville-Showell zone, the county’s first new Rural Legacy Area since 2008.
Katherine Munson, county planning manager
At the meeting, County Commissioner Chip Bertino asked Munson whether the program’s land-protecting efforts conflict with Gov. Wes Moore’s public push for increased affordable housing statewide.
Properties eligible for Rural Legacy conservation must have development potential. In exchange for a buyout, no residential development will ever be allowed on the land.
The landowner will still hold title to their segment of preserved property, and the county will hold the easement, which runs with the property. It can take up to two years for a property to be selected for a Rural Legacy Area easement.
Funding for the land preservation program doesn’t cost Worcester County a penny. It’s paid for by Program Open Space, a state initiative that’s funded by a tax on real estate transfers.
“These are areas that have been well-established as areas we want to protect because of the natural resources and the agricultural resources, and I don’t see that focus changing,” she replied.
County Administrator Weston Young added that it was unlikely any housing would be developed in the swampy soils of the Dividing Creek area, saying the landscape’s “severe limitations” would make it challenging to develop property.
Overall, Worcester County has protected more than 13,000 acres of its developable land under the state’s Rural Legacy Area program.
By Brian Shane Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Oysters aren’t disappearing from the Chesapeake, but buyers might be.
Even as state environmental officials say the oyster fishery is booming, watermen say low demand for Maryland’s signature shellfish is driving down prices, prompting lawmakers to seek relief.
“Oysters are doing great, but it’s the market. The market has just been depressed,” said Sonny Gwin, president of the nonprofit Waterman’s Association of Worcester County.
Gwin also runs a retail seafood market in Ocean City, where sales of oysters in the shell and shucked have “probably been cut in half.” He said prices by the bushel that typically range from $45 to $55 have dropped to $35 or less.
“I couldn’t even tell you what the reason is for,” Gwin said. “The watermen I know that are oystering are having a hard time with it because they’re only going two or three times a week and the price isn’t where they’d like to see it. The price needs to go up.”
Weather conditions haven’t helped. A statewide deep freeze reportedly has limited oystermen to a handful of fishing days all season, which runs from Oct. 1 to March 31.
Against that backdrop, Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38, Worcester) introduced legislation aimed at stabilizing the industry by adjusting where oysters can be harvested. Senate Bill 875 would launch a five-year pilot program to open specific areas of the Chesapeake on a rotating basis.
At the federal level, Eastern Shore Congressman Andy Harris is asking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to step in and declare an economic fishery disaster. Harris is urging the agency to use the money to provide financial help to Maryland oystermen from its own proprietary disaster relief fund for fisheries.
“There's several factors in play,” Harris (R-1st) told OC Today-Dispatch this week. “Obviously, the weather's been bad, but we also have restrictions on harvesting and sanctuary waters in the Chesapeake Bay. We have foreign competition for oysters. And, when you combine all three, it's really resulted in a disastrous season for the Maryland oystermen. We’re asking NOAA to take that into consideration.”
Foodborne illness concerns also may have dampened demand. Last year, a salmonella outbreak tied to raw oyster consumption sickened 64 people in 22 states, including one in Maryland, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Maryland’s watermen have dealt with supply issues in the past, espe-
cially when disease and over-harvesting wiped out the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population 20 years ago, culling the population to about 2 billion adult oysters.
But the fishery rebounded as of 2024, thanks to less disease, strong reproduction, and continued harvest restrictions. Today, the Chesapeake has more than 7 billion adult oysters and 5 billion juveniles, or spat. The state also just completed a long-term oyster restoration project in the bay.
“There’s been nothing but positive news on the oyster fishery. The population stats, the spat we’ve seen, it’s been really encouraging,” said A.J. Metcalf, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Now, it’s a demand problem – one
that Robert T. Brown, Sr., head of the Maryland Watermen’s Association, says is relatively new to his industry.
“We need to be able to get a sale,” he said. “We’ve got everything coming back but the market isn’t anywhere what it used to be years ago.”
There could be a generational shift happening, he said: young adults simply aren’t buying or eating as many oysters as their parents and grandparents. Brown indicated Gen Z buyers don’t seem to know the difference between raw or Rockefeller, and they sure don’t want to shuck any.
“I’m not saying they don’t like them – when they go to the grocery store, they want something they can just pop into the oven, pretty much,” he said. “We need to be able to get this younger generation eating them and we need to get them on more of
the menus in the restaurants.”
At Waterman’s Seafood in West Ocean City, the going rate for oysters is about $80 for 100 count –twice what they used to cost, according to Tre’Von Cooper, who’s manned the seafood counter here for eight years.
He said oysters typically move seasonally – sales peak at the holidays and bottom out until a springtime comeback. Cooper, 28, also agreed that many people around his age just aren’t into oysters.
“I absolutely believe that’s true, man,” he said. “We didn’t really grow up eating oysters. We didn’t really have that oyster taste for ourselves. I eat a few here and there but I’m not going out to a restaurant to buy oysters to eat for an appetizer, personally.”
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Improvements at Berlin’s Atlantic Hotel were approved after the fact by the Historic District Commission last week following a tense discussion about the proper approval and permitting processes.
At a Feb. 4 meeting of the Berlin HDC, the body accepted landscaping and electrical work that had already taken place on the hotel property. The unanimous vote was preceded by criticism from the town’s planning department that the project did not make its way through the appropriate channels before being completed.
In January, Bryan LeCompte, owner of Salisbury-based Yard Designs, approached hotel owners John and Michelle Fager with an offer to spruce up an area with high pedestrian activity at a discounted rate.
The lodging’s modifications included the installation of brick pavers on both sides of the sidewalk at the front entrance, installation of new landscaping, installation of a removable ground sleeve for the hotel sign, and installation of electrical.
The contractor said that, to secure
the lower cost, the project would need to be completed the following week because the landscaping company’s workload was about to increase.
In a rush to ensure the improvements could be made, the initiative failed to come before the HDC for approval, and permits were not secured before groundbreaking. Commission member and Atlantic Hotel general manager Laura Stearns got mixed up in the middle of what the town’s planning department described as a procedural error.
Michelle Fager and Stearns appeared before the commission last week to apologize for failing to follow the proper steps.
“Recently, [LeCompte] came to us and offered to beautify the front of the hotel,” explained Stearns to the HDC and town staff. “It was an opportunity that is rare…What we had there for years was roots that were exposed. It was a safety hazard and a liability for the hotel and probably for the townspeople that tripped on them.”
She added that, in terms of shrubbery, two spiral boxwoods were placed on the hotel’s front porch, and pavers matching those around town were installed for aesthetic appeal.
Stearns maintained that a dangerous electrical setup was also remedied and brought back into regulatory compliance.
Stearns said that once she realized the project would need proper HDC approval, she went to Berlin Planning Director Ryan Hardesty, who “was not positive about it happening.” The hotel manager then called John Fager, who she said pushed for the work to proceed.
Stearns went back to Hardesty, who said she should speak to Norman Bunting, the HDC chairman. Bunting maintained that he could not provide explicit permission for the initiative.
Stearns then spoke to Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall. It was decided that the HDC members could be polled via email.
“Between all of us, we thought that we could just ask the commissioners,” she said. “So it was presented to all of them in an email. They said it was beautiful. Then, I thought we were a go.”
Stearns added that she knew the improvements required public permission, but that the situation mirrored others in which projects could receive retroactive approval if the adjustments needed to be completed immediately.
However, Stearns later received a message from Hardesty that the initiative should not proceed without the necessary steps. When Stearns reached out to the landscaping group to let them know to hold off, they were already too far into the work.
“With that, I called John Fager, and he said, ‘We have to do it,’” Stearns said. “It was too late.”
Stearns and Michelle Fager apologized to staff and the HDC for the errors. A letter from John Fager was also read, in which he acknowledged the mistake. Additionally, Stearns said that the hotel would obtain the proper permits.
Still, at last week’s meeting, the town’s planning department made it known that they were dissatisfied with how the situation unfolded.
“It’s not the landscaping, it’s not the new pavers going in,” Hardesty said, addressing Stearns. “It looks beautiful, it really does. It’s that those items don’t constitute an emergency for it to
have been done without approval. And if anyone knows it more, it would be you because you’re on the board. That’s the issue.”
“I feel like being on the board, you set the precedent that this is the town code,” the planning director continued. “This is how you have to go through the process. And then on top of that, even if, let’s say you did think you got historic approval because of the email vote, there’s still no permits. So, you have no permits for the town and then you have no electrical permits with the county. There are a lot of issues happening.”
Hardesty also argued that because the commission failed to vote in a public venue, it may have violated the Maryland Open Meetings Act.
Michelle Fager noted that Stearns was simply following her employer’s directions.
“If I could just say, [Stearns] does work for us, so it would actually be my husband who is involved directly in this project who would be the one to get approval, not [Stearns],” she said. “She has to work under his direction. He told her to go ahead with it, and she was just complying with her employment with us.”
Some on the commission were displeased with how the planning department handled the incident, noting that the HDC has historically been a laidback operation. Commission member Mary Moore said that she believes Hardesty feels the body “let [her] down,” and would appreciate a clarification of expectations.
“The expectations are to follow your town code,” Hardesty responded.
Many in the audience felt that the planning department was unfairly and publicly admonishing the Fagers and Stearns.
Attendee Cindi Krempel said the discussion seemed to have turned into an open reprimand of those involved.
“It seems to me this is a public rebuke of them that should have been done in private,” she said, addressing Hardesty. “It could have been explained in another way…And just you,
you want to rebuke them in public… They should have come to the board, which she has already admitted…You keep on repeating that and I understand why you want to drive it home, but the point is, everybody knows what the procedure should be…It feels more personal than anything, to be perfectly honest…It feels like you want to publicly humiliate, or make an example of them.”
Hardesty said that because approval is meant to occur transparently, the conversation had to happen publicly.
“You need to grant the public the opportunity to come and talk about each case on an agenda,” she said. “When the work was done, an application had not even been filled out yet… A poll vote can happen, but you have to have it publicly advertised that this is the topic we’re talking about.”
Berlin resident and We Heart Berlin founder Tony Weeg spoke at the meeting, noting his dissatisfaction with the current state of the town’s planning department.
“There’s a growing sense of antagonism between the planning department and many facets of this town,” he said. “If the planning department… cannot understand the gravity of the Atlantic Hotel and make that work, whatever you have to do, if that doesn’t translate, then I don’t think you understand Berlin…Whatever you
had to do, I’m so glad you did it, and everyone I’ve talked to in town feels the same way. They all don’t like the antagonism that’s coming from the planning department …Contractors, residents, everybody.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the commission unanimously granted post-installation approval for the Atlantic Hotel project.
The issue was brought up again at Monday night’s Berlin Mayor and Council meeting. Tyndall addressed the situation and acknowledged that the town code is not always clear, which can create confusion as shown at the Feb. 4 HDC meeting.
The mayor said that an internal working group will be launched to ensure the proper processes for projects like site plan approval and annexation are easily understood.
This team will include Town Administrator Mary Bohlen, Tyndall, Town Attorney David Gaskill, Planning Legal Counsel Emily Morris, Hardesty, Planning Commission Chair Matthew Stoehr, Bunting, Board of Zoning Appeals Chair Joe Moore, and councilmembers Jay Knerr and Jack Orris.
“I don’t think there’s been any lack of discussion when it comes to the idea of the planning department and the work that the planning department is doing, the work that is taking place with the planning commission and
HDC,” Tyndall said. “There is a lot of information that becomes a little misunderstood through the processes. The town code is not always super clear on how to move forward with certain things. When we try to lay out a plan … it can be difficult because it may have been different from what folks were asked in the past. We rec-
ognize that, but it doesn’t change the fact that we as a municipality still have the code we need to abide by, we still have the boxes that need to be checked.”
The mayor added that the group will make necessary changes to the town code and publish easy-to-follow information.
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) The Ocean City Police Commission on Monday voted unanimously to forward a proposed extension of bike hours along the Boardwalk to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.
Officials proposed to extend the hours, which are currently midnight to noon, from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, to midnight to 2 p.m.
“You’ve got some of the bicycle vendors – the most known to me is Dandy Don’s – seeing the trams are gone, wanting to know what level of flexibility, maybe allowing extended hours,” Public Works Director Hal Adkins told commission members.
Before last year, bikes were allowed on the Boardwalk from 2 a.m. to noon, beginning the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. At all other times of the year, bikes are allowed on the boards at any time.
However, last spring, members of the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission asked city representatives to consider allowing bikes on the Boardwalk at all times during the summer, as the city was no longer running the Boardwalk trams.
To that end, members of the city’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee last July recommended extending bike hours, rather than eliminating them altogether. And in August, the City Council passed a resolution to move up the start
time for Boardwalk bicycling and skateboarding from 2 a.m. to midnight, arguing that the additional time would encourage nighttime workers to travel home on the Boardwalk rather than on the street.
At the end of Monday’s police commission meeting, City Manager Terry McGean proposed to extend Boardwalk bike hours once more. This time, however, he suggested adding hours in the afternoon, rather than at night.
“Is there an appetite to extend those?” he asked the commission. “We’ve been talking internally at the staff level about what we felt. If you wanted to
OC/Berlin Rotary Club would like to congratulate our members and their business for being nominated.
Bank of Ocean City - Nancy Bradford
Landmark Insurance - Colleen Nichols
Shaffer Law - Gina Shaffer Taylor Bank - Corporate Member
Winners will be announced at the Best of Awards Dinner on Thursday, February 19th at the Yacht Club.
extend them, the furthest we would recommend going is 3 o’clock in the afternoon … We feel from a pedestrian standpoint, the Boardwalk, by the time 3 o'clock rolls around, gets too heavily congested to mix in an unlimited number of bicycles.”
Ultimately, commission members voted 3-0 to extend bike hours to 2 p.m. and to forward their endorsement to the City Council.
“I don't have any objection,” Ocean City Police Department Capt. Dennis Eade, patrol division commander, added. “I agree once you get past 3 o’clock in the afternoon, it’s going to be a tight squeeze.”
By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
(Feb. 13, 2026) The Ocean City Police Department recorded a 119% increase in officer calls for service last month, Police Chief Ray Austin told the Police Commission last Monday.
Austin’s report on activity for January noted that while citizen calls for service had declined last month (from 609 to 577), officer calls for service more than doubled – from 1,630 calls in January 2025 to 3,582 calls in January 2026.
“So those officer calls for service in January of 2026 are at a five-year high,” he said.
Austin reminded commission members that calls for service include property checks the police department conducts on a weekly basis during the winter months. With business checks, residential checks and cityowned property checks excluded from the data, he noted that citizen calls for service decreased from 604 to 571 while officer calls for service increased from 868 to 1,330.
“It’s a very widely used program, and officers are out there proactively doing it,” he said. “And it’s very much part of our community engagement we do throughout the department.”
In the top 25 calls for service, calls to assist citizens and motorists decreased from 160 to 155, calls to assist
fire and EMS decreased from 122 to 110, and traffic stops increased from 415 to 637. Austin attributed that jump to proactive enforcement and a number of traffic details the police department recently conducted along Sinepuxent Avenue.
“These traffic details stem from a citizen email, which indicated that there have been many near misses in reference to traffic collisions at various intersections on Sinepuxent Avenue,” he said.
When asked if the traffic detail had been successful, Austin said his officers had not seen any issues at the level initially reported. However, officials say they are exploring engineering solutions to address any concerns along the corridor.
“It came from somebody who was interested in putting lighted stop signs there …,” City Manager Terry McGean explained. “We didn’t necessarily want to do that in a residential area.”
Austin this week also pointed to police calls to assist other agencies, which had increased from 22 to 64. He noted that uptick was tied to the department’s forensic services unit assisting other departments with various requests involving evidence collection.
“Also, we have been involved in some criminal investigations that have covered multiple jurisdictions.”
In one of those cases, he said, an individual was arrested for a string of thefts from vehicles in both Maryland and Delaware. Through a partnership with Delaware State Police and Howard County, he said police were able to connect the suspect to 30-plus victims.
“Even though our thefts are down, it is us being proactive in a lot of these cases,” he said. “We really solved a lot of Delaware cases as a result of ours.”
Officials this week also presented members of the police commission with an update on recruitment efforts ahead of the summer season. In January, the department received 42 applications – eight for full-time positions and 34 for public safety officer (PSO) positions.
Lt. Andrew Yeager noted that as of Feb. 5, the department has hired 38 new PSOs, with 39 still in the background stage, eight in the interview stage and 22 in the testing stage.
He also noted that 121 out of the 126 budgeted full-time positions had been filled. However, five officers are currently at the police academy, four are on medical, and one is suspended.
“We’ve got 111 available to hit the road fulltime,” he said.
For his part, Austin said the department continues to recruit, noting that the goal is to have a fully staffed department by the end of the year.
DEEP FREEZE
A thick layer of ice blanketed the bayside boardwalk early Monday at Third Street in Ocean City, where temperatures sunk as low as 15 degrees with wind chills even lower.
Wind-blown
The ramifications of Ocean City Councilman Tony DeLuca’s resignation Sunday became evident at Tuesday afternoon’s City Council work session when the council realized its discussion of limiting the spread of short-term rentals (STRs) in single-family neighborhoods was going nowhere.
The council had been expected to follow up on its request of staff to prepare an ordinance that would cap the maximum number of short-term rental licenses in neighborhoods zoned for R-1 (single-family residential) and MH (mobile homes) at 10% above the existing licenses.
Existing licenses would remain valid as long as property owners and properties were still in good standing, while Ocean City residents would receive first priority for available new licenses.
But with DeLuca stepping down to take care of family matters — and with other council members irked at him for fighting charges that he didn’t legally live here — the council is deadlocked on this and other issues.
Those other issues include what to do about the moratorium on issuing STR licenses in R-1 and MH zones. Extended for another year in a 4-3 vote in December with DeLuca in the majority, the moratorium could be ended now should a fourmember majority decide to do so.
It remains to be seen if four members of the council will agree to do that, since the moratorium looks to be headed to a referendum anyway.
A 3-3 tie, for instance, could lead the council to put it on the ballot this spring in the special election to fill the vacancy created by DeLuca’s departure. Although he deserves credit for doing the right thing after proving his point, his departure leaves the council in an awkward situation until the special election fills his seat.
In the meantime, a 3-3 vote on any topic, issue, ordinance or resolution is the same as voting “no.”
I’ve been watching the Olympics this week and watching and watching and watching. The other broadcast and cable stations, apparently, are colluding with NBC to make sure we’re watching their Olympic programming by counter-programing with reruns, retreads and other attractions like “Survivalist Scrapbooking with Marge.”
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As a result, I have learned quite a bit about the various winter sports from the TV analysts who have experience in these various athletic disciplines. The women’s slalom, for instance.
First of all, “slalom” is not a Jewish or Hebrew word. “Slalom” is of Norwegian origin and is in no way related to “shalom,” which is Hebrew for “peace.”
“Slalom,” on the other hand, is the Norwegian skiing term for “Watch out for that tree!”
Consequently, should someone greet or bid farewell to you by saying “shalom,” an appropriate response would not be, “and a giant slalom to you as well” no matter how enthusiastically you might say it. Incidentally, “giant slalom” is Norwegian for “Watch out for that BIG tree!”
More importantly — and this is from the color commentator during one of the preliminary slalom runs — the key to success in this event is ... “SKIING.”
Well, no doo-doo. Still, I definitely heard her say it: “This race is about skiing.” I’m guessing she wanted to clear up any viewer confusion about why so many people insisted on skiing down the course instead of taking an Uber.
On the other hand, the color guy helping call the freestyle skiing events spouted more unfamiliar terms than a physics textbook written in Navajo.
I had no clue what he was talking about except for two things: “That first rail is a problem,” and “ultimately, this is about skiing.” Well ...
Otherwise, here’s what I got out of it: Lars Umlaüt comes out of the gate, pulling a 265 Boston Charlie on the first rail, before looping into a wicked weepy finger pull with a safety grab. Wow. Now it’s into a beautiful 1440 with a ukelele Lipizzaner sidewall and a 1080 coming down. Great run! Great run!”
The big mystery to me is why they call four revolutions on skis or a snowboard a “1440” when four revolutions on skates is a “quad.”
For reasons known only to the athletes themselves, you can’t say, “Ilia Malinin, the ‘Quad God,’ just pulled a 1440 axel coming off that toe pick,” because then he wouldn’t be the “Quad God,” he would be Ilia Malinin, “Lordy, Lordy 1440.” Besides, what is an “axel” anyway?
Finally, the most interesting, even shocking thing I learned came in the midst of something called the “Women’s 10k interval start free.” I don’t know why it was free, but it was. Anyway, down in the bottom left corner of my TV screen, a small box imparted certain key facts to help viewers understand the race. The top line in this box — and I am not kidding — said, “Fastest time wins.”
Wow, and here I thought they might pick the winning time at random or spin a wheel just before the race starts and announce, “Surprise! Seventh fastest time wins! Incidentally, do you know what they call an Italian skiing sausage? A slalomi.
By Steve Green
Councilman Tony DeLuca’s sudden resignation will likely come with serious political ramifications in Ocean City. The council has been divided on several high-profile issues with the most obvious being short-term rentals. Whether DeLuca’s votes of support for short-term rental restrictions in R-1 and MH districts will be missed in the future is unclear. From this week’s meeting, the council’s inability to come to a consensus on proposed changes seems to indicate a desire to scrap new short-term rental restrictions after years of efforts. Instead, the council will just stay with the current moratorium, which is the subject of a petition to referendum effort currently.
On the sports complex front, it’s been reported privately the sevenmember council is not unanimously behind the chosen Decatur adjacent site for the new facility. DeLuca’s departure could well tip the scales on that matter as well as any future moves on STRs. The absence of a seventh council member has the potential to stall some matters because a 3-3 vote kills ordinances in Ocean City with the mayor unable to break a tie due to the council-manager form of government.
Looking forward, Ocean City voters will have their work cut out for them. Residents will be asked within the next five months to elect DeLuca’s replacement at a special election. This will be fascinating to see who files for the first of two municipal elections in Ocean City this year. Anytime between now and July, voters will fill DeLuca’s seat, which expires in 2028. It’s worth noting DeLuca was the second highest vote getter for the council election in 2024, securing 1,461 votes behind John Gehrig’s leading 1,509. Then, in November during the regular municipal election, the seats belonging to Mayor Rick Meehan and Council members Matt James, Carol Proctor and Will Savage will be on the ballot.
Another interesting complexity is whether voters will be deciding the fate of a short-term rental moratorium referendum in November or during the special election if the minimum petition signatures are confirmed.
***
Ocean City’s government is about to grow, as officials confirmed they are looking to create a beach enforcement division. My early guess is it’s going to upset some folks, but the sad reality is the beach has really gone without serious enforcement on drinking and smoking for many years.
The need for a dedicated group enforcing current beach laws came into focus last summer after Ocean City passed emergency legislation cracking down on beach canopy abuse. Rules put in place prohibited beachgoers from erecting beach canopies before 10 a.m. and then leaving those canopies unattended; prohibits beach canopies larger than 10by-10 feet; requires a 3-foot separation around a canopy’s perimeter; and requires the anchoring for such canopies to be contained within the canopy’s footprint. Though about 1,500 warnings were issued by the beach patrol last summer, it became clear the canopy restrictions and prohibition on beach tents were mere paper laws and would need personnel to truly enforce. It became a situation where the volume of offenders exceeded the city’s ability to address them.
Reacting to this realization, the city’s police commission learned this week nine new employees are proposed to be hired to issue citations for violations. The employees will be partnered and assigned to three sections of beach throughout the summer. Radios and ATVs will need to be purchased. The costs are unknown at this time and are expected to be discussed at upcoming budget sessions.
When I read the lead on this week’s story on the state coming after unemployment payments given out five years ago during the pandemic, I literally laughed. It’s worth a read. I found the same level of humor in Gov. Wes Moore whining about not being invited to the president’s governor’s dinner this year after snubbing the invite last year. It’s all so trivial with all the state is currently dealing with on the financial front. Moore was humble in his state of the state address this week but couldn’t resist a shot at Trump. In part, he said, “Now I cannot stand and I will not stand here and tell you I've gotten it all right. I am more self-aware than the President of the United States. I would not give myself an A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus. … It’s taken time to build relationships, it’s taken time to learn Annapolis. I am an outsider at heart––and I don’t see that changing. I know I haven’t always made life easy for the House or the Senate. And I know there are times when you have not made life easy for each other. And you know what? That’s okay! Because that’s democracy. It’s messy. It’s combative. It’s complicated, and it’s worth fighting for.”
Editor,
In response to an article in the December 12, 2025 edition of the OC Today Dispatch about Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) proposal to convert the bus lane to a pedestrian and bike lane from 15th to 67th streets.
The SHA representative presented statistics indicating that over a fiveyear period there were 49 collisions involving pedestrians and 38 bicycle/other which truly is a lot for such a limited area. What I would like to know is exactly how many of those collisions were the fault of the pedestrian or the cyclist? If the vast majority of the events were the fault of the ped or the cyclist why then does the motorist have to pay the price?
Dewey Beach over the past few years has gone to great lengths to improve pedestrian safety by reconstructing intersections, installing additional traffic signals, redesigning sidewalks, improving lighting, installing flashing pedestrian signals etc. and yet collisions still happen. Pedestrians step off the curb and expect the driver to immediately stop, or they are distracted by their phones or they are impatient; bicyclists, scooter riders, etc. routinely fail to stop for red lights or yield to other vehicles. Unless you change behavior through education and enforcement no matter what physical changes are made these events will still occur.
In 2019, a young man was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk adjacent to Maryland 186, Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, Maryland. The southbound sidewalk had numerous obstructions including fire hydrants,
telephone poles, traffic signs etc. (all under the control of the SHA) making it somewhat hazardous to navigate. Sadly, while negotiating an obstruction the young man fell off his bike and was fatally struck by a passing motorist. SHA’s response was to eliminate one of three lanes of a major commuter route over to a bike lane. Old Georgetown Road which typically would handle several thousand motorists a day, was narrowed from three lanes to two creating longer commutes and more accidents all for a bike lane that might see two, maybe three bicyclists a day.
I’d like to see OCPD and the City become more aggressive in educating the public on pedestrian and bicycle safety followed by an aggressive enforcement campaign targeting motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians who jaywalk or fail to obey pedestrian signals and bicyclists/scooter operators who ignore the traffic laws. Alternatives need to be tried before committing to a large-scale change on the physical structure of the roadway.
Mike Hartnett Dagsboro, Del.
Editor,
Hey, Independent, Libertarian and Unaffiliated voters. It’s unfair that you have no voice in our gubernatorial election on Tuesday June 23, 2026. You are locked out -- 22% of Marylanders, one million people, have no affiliation with either the Republican or Democrat party. As the polarization of both parties grows, so does the number of unaffiliated vot-
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Continued from Page 87
ers. You have no voice.
With our Worcester County local elections approaching, we implore you to become more active. Our gubernatorial ballot will vote for a Governor candidate, a state Senator, district Delegates, Commissioners, many county and municipal officers.
The Worcester County Republican Central Committee wants to extend an open invitation for you to consider joining our party and switch your voter registration to Republican. Maryland has a closed primary election but by joining the Republican Party, you will be able to vote in this primary, voting for the causes and candidates that you support, and that mean the most to you.
While Republicans and unaffiliated voters do not agree on everything, we agree on most issues:
Smaller, more efficient government, lower taxes and less interference in our churches, schools and families.
Until our election laws change, by shutting out your largely unrepresented base, we invite you to join us Republicans on June 23, 2026. Vote! Susan Ostrowski (The writer is the chair of the Worcester County Republican Central Committee.)
Any incident that ends with a civilian shot by a federal officer demands clear, independent scrutiny — not rushed conclusions. When Congressman Andy Harris weighs in on the Minneapolis encounter, it reflects how quickly national immigration debates can shape the story before all the facts are known.
But relying primarily on statements from federal agencies or political leaders who already have firm positions on immigration enforcement does little to build public trust. Investigations that lack visible independence can leave communities feeling that law enforcement is reviewing itself rather than being held fully accountable. Transparency is not anti-law enforcement — it is how confidence in law enforcement is maintained.
risks justifying excessive force and discouraging lawful public expression.
Claims that expanded cooperation with immigration enforcement would have prevented this outcome are speculative and shift focus away from the central issue: whether proper useof-force standards were followed and whether deadly force was truly a last resort.
Here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, we value both public safety and individual rights. Many of Congressman Harris’s own constituents believe law enforcement should be supported — and also held to clear, consistent standards when lives are at stake. Those principles are not in conflict. In fact, accountability, transparency, and respect for constitutional rights are what make public safety efforts stronger and more legitimate.
After a loss of life, the priority should be facts, independent review, and a commitment to both safety and civil liberties — not using tragedy to discourage dissent or to score political points in a national debate.
Joan Roache Berlin
Editor,
Ocean City is a beloved vacation spot and a quintessential tourist town, but lately, that spirit feels under threat. I find the current turmoil in our town government heartbreaking, as it seems to forget the very foundation of our community.
To live here peacefully, one must accept the wide diversity of people in whose hearts Ocean City also lives. While those of us who call it home are rooted here, the essence of this place is fueled by people from all over the world. Peace comes from embracing everyone — from the city dwellers who have vacationed here for generations to the international visitors who bring a global spirit to our shores.
This tragedy also should not be used to broadly condemn protest or label community dissent as a threat. Peaceful protest and even disruptive civil disobedience are long-standing parts of American civic life and are constitutionally protected. Blurring the line between protest and violence
We all share this coastline; it lives in our visitors just as much as we live in it. This shared love is the prerequisite for being part of this town. If one is truly disturbed by that inclusivity, or by the presence of those who travel from afar to enjoy our sands, then it would be best to pick another place to live.
Let’s get back to the business of being the welcoming sanctuary we were meant to be.
Linda Karcher Howard Ocean City
Overall project cost soars past $4M before officials table add-on elements
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) After a lengthy and detailed discussion on Monday night, the Berlin Town Council awarded the Town Hall renovation contract to Keller Brothers and transferred $1,045,000 in unassigned dollars to the assigned side of the ledger to pay for it.
The approvals came through two motions considered at the Monday, Feb. 9, meeting of the Berlin mayor and council. The first authorized transferring $1.045 million from the town’s unassigned fund balance into capital reserves to help finance the project.
The second awarded the construction contract to Keller Brothers for a total of $3,156,693. This includes a base bid of $2.39 million, a contingency of $260,000, an elevator at $204,999, and, contingent on the future presentation of an itemized list to be actioned by the council, $300,703 for furniture.
Mayor Zack Tyndall explained that while the project was originally expected to cost about $2.5 million, unforeseen circumstances have driven the price higher.
“When we originally came up with the amount we thought we would need for Town Hall renovations, that was us throwing something against the board,” Tyndall said. “And along the way…We did not anticipate a full HVAC replacement; we did not expect the well failures with the geothermal unit…This bid includes making sure we replace those things.”
Some council members raised concerns about the overall cost and the use of unassigned funds, particularly given that other town needs, such as stormwater management, sidewalks, and parking, remain unfunded.
Councilmember Jack Orris expressed frustration that money could be moved for Town Hall but not for other projects previously deemed urgent.
“I’m frustrated … we have been told for months that things we’ve asked for will have to wait until Fiscal Year 27,” he said. “Stormwater, parking, streets, sidewalks. Yet we are now able to move [funds] over for this Town Hall renovation.”
Finance staff assured that the transferred funds will remain in capital reserves and can be reassigned if necessary.
Furthermore, Tyndall clarified that per calculations by the town’s finance department, even with the increased cost to the project, Berlin will remain in a secure financial position.
“None of this puts the town in an uncomfortable fiscal position,” the mayor said.
Additionally, to control costs, the council opted not to proceed with several alternatives, including renovations to the planning annex building, façade improvements, a new generator, and audio-visual upgrades. Those items were grouped under a third motion, which was shelved for future consideration.
Tyndall said focusing on the core building made the most sense. However, one previously alternative item, an elevator to remain compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will be factored into the approved work.
“It makes more sense to do [the elevator] when you’re doing the whole project rather than phasing that,” he said.
Furniture costs also drew criticism from the council, with some members calling the roughly $300,000 estimate too high. Ultimately, the council approved the amount on the condition that no furniture purchases be made until the itemized list is reviewed.
Staff and officials maintained that functional furniture is essential to ensure Town of Berlin employees can do their jobs.
“$300,000 is a big number,” Tyndall said. “We don’t disagree, but we have to make sure staff have the ability to have the equipment they need to do their jobs…I know what it takes for our departments to function. And the fact is, they have been holding the basics together with duct tape.”
Both motions passed unanimously, with Council Vice President Dean Burrell absent.
(Feb. 13, 2026) Worcester County Business Development and Retention Specialist Michele Burke brought home the esteemed 2025 Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award by the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC) during the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit.
Burke, a key member of the Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development (WCTED) team, received this accolade for harnessing Worcester County’s unique assets — from small businesses to tourism, agriculture, and coastal industries— to help tell the story of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and for consistently connecting local business owners to the benefits of membership in the MTC, which acts as a unified voice for Maryland’s tourism industry in Annapolis.
MTC Members benefit from shared professional development resources, networking, and industry insights, increased visibility for their destinations and businesses, and a coordinated tourism message designed to help strengthen Maryland’s visitor economy.
“Michele is fully immersed in Worcester County’s landscape, building meaningful business relationships and connecting entrepreneurs and community partners with state and county resources, so I’m thrilled that the MTC recognized her contributions to supporting local businesses,” WCTED Director Melanie Pursel said. “I am also thrilled that the MTC recognized the valuable contributions of all of our outstanding tourism partners whose innovative campaigns and projects play a strategic role in introducing Maryland destinations to new visitors.”
The MTC awarded a number of top honors to destination marketing tourism partners across the county.
Beach to Bay Heritage Area won the Best Product or Event Award in the medium budget category for History, Heritage & Homelands of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. This project, anchored by the Beach to Bay Indian Trail—a designated National Recreation Trail, inspires visitors to explore the rich Native American, Black, and European histories that have shaped Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore.
Ocean City Tourism won the Best Product or Event Award in the large budget category for Boardwalk Rock,
a large-scale concert series that brought national talent to the resort during offseason months and generated more than $55 million in economic impact, attracted tens of thousands of attendees, and drew national media attention, culminating in the resort being recognized as a premier music destination.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Visit Baltimore, Visit Howard County, Visit Montgomery, Ocean City Tourism, and Experience Prince George’s earned the Cooperative Partnership Award for pioneering “Meet in Maryland,” a unified campaign to promote Maryland’s top destinations on the national stage.
The Town of Ocean City also won the Best Media and Public Relations Campaign Award for the “Catch a Ride” campaign.
Chesapeake Country All-American Road Alliance won the Best Website Award for enticing users to embark on a journey to explore a byway connecting charming small towns, working waterfronts, historic sites, and breathtaking landscapes across the Eastern Shore.
D3 captured the Small Business of the Year Award for spearheading a project with regional partners that redefines the Eastern Shore’s digital footprint and offers visitors a fully immersive journey through scenic communities and culturally significant travel routes.
Renee Seiden of the Harrison Group Hotels & Restaurants received the coveted Audrey Davenport received the Hospitality Person of the Year Award for being a shining example for hospitality professionals statewide, for being a force in Maryland tourism, for hosting countless MTC events, and supporting fellow professionals across the state.
These awards celebrate the diverse group of tourism partners whose extraordinary innovations, collaborations, and leadership are making an extraordinary impact on Maryland’s tourism industry.
To view WCTED resources and happenings, visit www.marylandscoast.org.
(Feb. 13, 2026) Salisbury University’s Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship recently announced the formation of a new angel investing group designed to provide early-stage companies with capital, mentorship, and industry connections.
The Mainsail Angel Network will support entrepreneurs across multiple sectors throughout the Eastern Shore, offering funding to ventures demonstrating strong growth potential and pioneering approaches to market challenges.
“This program connects promising entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale,” said Mike Jensen, SU executive director of entrepreneurship. “We aim to create a pipeline between visionary founders and experienced investors who want to shape the next generation of innovative companies on the Eastern Shore.”
The initiative marks the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business’s latest effort to strengthen the regional startup ecosystem and position Salisbury as a destination for entrepreneurial talent.
(Feb. 13, 2026) Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco issued a press release this week commending Governor Wes Moore for outlining what they call, “a bold, pragmatic, and “all-in” energy strategy during his State of the State address.”
According to the statement, the governor’s call to “work together to bring more energy to Maryland” and his recognition that “we can’t depend on other states” underscores a critical reality: Maryland must strengthen its in-state generation to protect reliability and affordability for customers.
The press release states, “His commitment to doubling down on solar, wind, and battery storage, alongside the need for dispatchable natural gas and nuclear generation, reflects the balanced, all-of-the-above approach required to meet growing demand. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership in advancing policies that align energy growth with energy supply and acknowledge our state cannot solve its energy crisis by preserving the status quo.
“We share the Governor’s belief that building here, and building now, is the bold step our state must take to ensure all Marylanders benefit from an affordable, secure energy future. We look forward to partnering with state leaders to implement this comprehensive energy agenda.”
“Our commitment to future generations of entrepreneurs is far beyond the classroom," said Dr. Christy Weer, dean of SU’s Perdue School. "We strive to play an active role in the economic drivers of our region through special opportunities like this angel network and our entrepreneurship competitions.”
The angel group will evaluate investment opportunities over the summer, focusing on companies that show potential for both financial returns and regional economic impact. Participating investors will gain access to deal screening, due diligence, and networking.
“A local business that secures investment capital will reinvest much of it in the community by purchasing goods and services to grow their operations, hire more staff, construct new facilities, etc., creating a positive ripple effect throughout our economy,” said Weer.
Qualified accredited investors interested in joining the group are encouraged to contact Jensen at mdjensen@salisbury.edu to learn about membership requirements and investment criteria.
Interested entrepreneurs can apply online.
JOANNE BREEDLOVE
Berlin
Joanne Isabel Miller Breedlove, (age 96) of Berlin and formerly of Takoma Park, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.
Born in Chicago, Ill., Aug. 4, 1929, she was the daughter of Josephine H. Miller and Elmer Frederick Miller. She grew up in Zionsville, Ind., where she graduated high school in 1947 and then attended Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind, graduating in 1951.
She married William H. Breedlove in 1952 and was married for 57 years. She was employed at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Resident Life Department. Upon retirement, they moved to South Point, Berlin. Recently, she was a resident of Gull Creek Senior Living, Berlin, which she enjoyed very much.
She was an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Takoma Park and St, Mary’s/Holy Savior Catholic parish in Ocean City, where she loved to volunteer in the food pantry and as a Eucharistic minister. She once received the Volunteer of the Year award from the Diocese of Wilmington. She served at the Di-
akonia Thrift Shop, Joseph House, and Blind Industries and services in Salisbury. She was a member of the Republican Woman of Worcester County, Worcester County Garden Club and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Joanne is survived by her children, Cathy Link (Conrad), Sue Lowe (Bob), Bill Breedlove (Yvonne), Mary Miller (Michael) and Trish Masterson (Mike), son in law Dave Leatherman, Dan Breedlove (Kylie), and Barbara Aughenbaugh (David); 20 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill, her daughter Denise Leatherman, grandson Rob Lowe, and great granddaughter Alexandra Cohen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Holy Savior Roman Catholic Church in Ocean City. A burial will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to: Holy Savior RC Church, 1705 Philadelphia Ave. Ocean City, Md. or Diakonia, 12747 Old Bridge Road, Ocean City, Md. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.
$1,845.
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Worcester Prep played Salisbury Christian School last week, securing another win after winter break.
In the first quarter, senior guard Sydney Mize came out hot, sinking two, three pointers and one from in the paint. Anisha Batra and Carolina Labin each scored a basket in the quarter, bringing the score to 12-9.
Mize hit another three pointer in the second quarter, and Addi Walsh made two baskets for a total of seven for the Mallards. The Jaguars did not make the score board during a sloppy second quarter for both teams. The Mallards led 19-9 at the break.
Walsh scored a basket and Ayla Yonker and Batra each made free throws. The Jaguars picked up their pace and scored six points in the quarter. Worcester Prep countered, however, with 14 with another three from deep from Mize. Batra, Yonker, Labin and Lyla Roberts each scored in the third.
Labin commented after the game,
“Our defense was different, our defense through the last half was definitely improved and it was a good game. Our offense was a little discombobulated at first, but we ended up tightening it up and getting more baskets.”
Coach Kelly Roberts said she, “didn’t have a heart attack. We put it together in the fourth quarter and finally started playing, moving the ball better. Just struggling in the first three quarters. We came off another winter break of 10 days, so everyone’s tired. It’s like we get going, and then everybody’s got a break. We had a lot of turnovers again and we always struggle with those. Their energy was low for the beginning, and just trying to get a rhythm, we were struggling on that.
“So, working on tomorrow, before we go to Gunston, like outlet passing and working on those fast breaks a little bit more. And then trying to control the ball.”
Thursday’s practice paid off with a 42-28 win over Gunston School on Feb. 6. The Mallards were back in action at home on Feb. 11 with a 48-20 win over Delmarva Christian.
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Worcester Prep’s boys varsity basketball team defeated Salisbury Christian School, 68-41, last week for the second time this year, improving its season record to 7-8 as of this week.
Senior “Big” Ben Anthony was the high scorer with 30 game points with six out of seven free throws.
In the first quarter, both teams seemed to be evenly matched. Worcester Prep had the lead by six points (17-11). Anthony had 10 points, Ansh Batra had four points and Jude Anthony, Ben’s “little” brother, added two.
In the second quarter, the tide changed and the Fighting Mallards pulled ahead with 15 more while the Jaguars only scored six. The half time score was 32-17 in favor of Worcester Prep and that didn’t change.
At the end of the third quarter, the score was 48-26 in favor of Prep. The Mallards extended their lead in the fourth, adding another 20 points to
the Jaguars’ 15.
After the game, Head Coach Eddie Rohe said, “It was a lot of fun. It was senior night, we were missing one of our seniors, which was a shame he’s sick but our seniors got a good run in tonight. They all had a great time. I give Salisbury Christian a lot of credit, they play their hearts out, and they did so much better tonight than they did the first time.”
He added, “They really made us take notice. I’m just happy for my guys to get a W tonight. That’s what we needed after a two-week break. We got a good homeschooled team on Friday, and we got to come out, we got to take care of business. So, it was a good warm up for Friday night.”
Prep was challenged in that game against Eastern Shore Homeschool but the Mallards won, 58-56.
Prep was back at it against conference powerhouse Delmarva Christian High School, which again crushed the Mallards, 81-35. Delmarva Christian slaughtered the Mallards in December, 58-27.
By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer
(Feb. 13, 2026) Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team continued its improved play last Thursday, defeating Mardela on Feb. 5 at home 65-52. The win avenged an earlier loss to Mardela on Jan. 7, 38-26.
The game started off slow for Decatur with Mardela grabbing a 16-12 lead after the first quarter. Of note was Mardela’s Zyair Johnson, who scored 10 points. He made the Seahawks take notice which resulted in a more precise defense with Jonathan Purnell putting the pressure on Johnson.
Purnell scored three points in the quarter and Ricardo Copes had five points. Copes was the game’s high scorer with 22 game points, four being from behind the three-point line.
The second quarter was equally as close with Stephen Decatur scoring 15 points and Mardela having 12.
Going into half time the score was tight with Mardela having a onepoint lead.
The score remained close in the third with the Seahawks pulling ahead, 41-37. It was still anyone’s game, then Purnell had 12 points in the fourth and Copes added 10. Decatur scored 24 to Mardela’s 15 in the quarter, ending the game 65-52 in favor of the Seahawks.
Assistant Coach Anthony Guroso reflected on the game, saying, “Started off a little slow, but it was a nice bounce back there in the second half. Handle their own at the end and we were able to get the job done. Defense when it counted. We’re fundamentally sound.”
