04/10/2026 OC Today-Dispatch

WE BUY GOLD & SILVER Kozma

Cop use of force files public

Months of investigations by multiple agencies lead to arrests, seizure of 92 pounds of coke and other drugs — PAGE 22 Surprise resignation of resort Councilman Larry Yates creates two vacancies on Ocean City Council and causes special election set for this month to move into May. New candidate filing deadline today. — PAGE 3

Yates vacates council seat, special election now May 8

Ocean City Council delays April election to fill two abandoned spots in one go

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) Ocean City Councilman Larry Yates submitted his immediate resignation this week, prompting city leaders to reschedule this spring’s special election.

With two vacancies to fill now, the Ocean City Council on Tuesday agreed to push back this spring’s special election to May 8, and to reopen the candidate filing process through Friday, April 10.

The vote came in a budget work session, the day after Yates gave his official notice.

“Unfortunately, I am in receipt of a resignation from Councilmember Larry Yates. He resigned effective yesterday, April 6, due to health concerns,” Council President Matt James said. “So due to that, we now have two vacancies on the council.”

Yates’ resignation will be the second to occur in just as many months. In February, days after overcoming a public challenge regarding his residency, Councilman Tony DeLuca stepped down from the dais, citing his desire to put family first.

DeLuca’s resignation set in motion a 90-day window to fill the vacancy through a special election, which was subsequently set for April 21. And in the weeks that followed, both Peter Buas, a local attorney and former councilman, and Jeff Heiser, a retired Ocean City Police Department officer, declared their intentions to run for the open seat.

As Yates’ resignation was submitted more than 150 days before the regularly scheduled election in November, the council this week voted 4-0, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to move its special election from April 21 to May 8, and to fill both vacancies at that time.

While the candidate filing deadline for the April 21 election passed on March 23, the council on Tuesday agreed to reopen the filing process through Friday, April 10.

“The second deadline is the deadline to file for a candidate, and that deadline is 28 days before the scheduled election …,” City Manager Terry McGean said. “If the council wished to move the election to the furthest they could, which we believe is May 8, then that new deadline would be close of business this Friday for any additional candidates that wanted to file.”

While acknowledging that the short notice was not ideal, city officials this week said something needed to be done quickly to fill the vacancies. They pointed to Monday

night’s council meeting – which could not be held for lack of a quorum – as a reason to proceed with the plan as proposed.

“I think it’s important that we fill the seats. Two out of seven is a tremendous ratio of the council to have missing. It makes it so that we can’t have anymore be out and have a vote …,” Councilman Jake Mitrecic said. “’Legally possible’ doesn’t put a smile on anyone’s face here, but if it’s legally possible, I think it’s something we should do.”

Councilman John Gehrig agreed. While acknowledging the window between filing and voting was tight, he said it was possible.

“I ran a campaign in that amount of time …,” he said of his 2024 council run. “You can do it, and win.”

Yates, a newcomer to municipal politics, secured one of four open seats on the City Council in the 2024 general municipal election. He leaves the dais this week with more than two years left on his term.

“The Town of Ocean City is grateful for Councilman Yates’ time and service on the City Council,” McGean said in a news release this week. “He brought thoughtful perspective and a strong commitment to the community, and we thank him for his dedication and contributions to Ocean City during his tenure.”

With the consent of candidates Buas and Heiser, and this week’s vote of the City Council, a special election will now be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 8 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Dockside Exhibit Hall.

Residents interested in running for one of the two open council seats must file their candidacy no later than today, Friday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m.

Additional information is posted on the city’s website, oceancitymd.gov.

Yates did not respond to a request for comment this week.

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Ocean City Councilman Larry Yates

Council to consider $199M spending plan for fiscal ’27

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) The Ocean City Council began its review this week of a $199 million budget for the coming fiscal year.

The council began its annual budget work sessions Tuesday with an overview of the coming year’s proposed spending plan. The draft budget for all funds totals $199,163,438 with the general fund making up $$130,554,569.

“This budget reflects the third and final year of the phase-in of increased property assessments that began with the FY25 budget, and it also incorporates the 1% increase in the room tax,” City Manager Terry McGean told council members this week.

“While general fund expenses increased approximately 8%, the budget proposes no fee increases and includes a one-cent reduction in the property tax rate, lowering it from 44.26 cents per $100 to 43.26 cents for $100.”

McGean said the coming year’s general fund budget is estimated to increase by $10 million. He noted that pension and benefits account for 17% of that increase, while the police union contract accounts for 15% of the increase and other pay increases account for another 14%.

McGean added that the budget placed a strong emphasis on public safety. He said the coming year’s spending plan would fund 14 new, full-time public safety positions –including two additional sworn officer positions, two new firefighterEMT positions, two new firefighter-paramedic positions, and five new employees to staff the City Watch surveillance system at the dispatch center.

“The purpose is to better leverage our City Watch video camera system

See SPENDING Page 10

Spending plan raises OC ad budget by $1M

to prevent crime and improve response times,” McGean explained. “Four new public safety telecommunicator positions and a supervisor have been added to focus primarily on 24-hour monitoring of the system and also to fulfill temporary vacancies in the dispatch center as needed.”

In addition to public safety investments, McGean said the budget included midpoint salary increases and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all general employees.

Staff have also increased the advertising budget by $1 million and have dedicated $1 million in capital reserves for a future sports complex.

Next, McGean touched on the city’s fund balances, which he said increased for unassigned funds and decreased for assigned funds. He also

highlighted the proposed $2.33 million in projects to be funded through the capital maintenance fund.

“It also includes the final phase of purchasing and equipping take-home vehicles, which will also come from fund balance,” he said of the budget. “No additional use of fund balance is proposed in this budget.”

McGean also issued a word of caution regarding general fund expenditures, which he said have increased relative to inflation. He noted that the transition from part-time to full-time public safety positions, coupled with salary increases in those fields, would be difficult to sustain in the long term.

“Increased property assessments and room tax have allowed us to absorb these costs without raising –and in this case lowering – the prop-

erty tax rate,” he said. “But I caution this may not be possible in future years, and this year's rate reduction may not be sustainable.”

McGean also addressed some suggestions that the city’s fund balance could be used to lower the tax rate further. However, as the city shifts further away from steadier revenue streams, such as property taxes, he said it benefits to have a healthy fund balance.

ties with a strong focus on public safety and economic development while also reducing the tax rate,” he said.

Taking a deeper dive into the proposed budget, Budget Manager Jennie Knapp presented the City Council this week with a review of city’s general fund revenues and expenses, as well as a review of internal funds and fiduciary funds, which include retiree healthcare and pension costs.

While there will be no contribution to the city’s other post-employment benefits plan this year, she said pension plan funding for public safety and general employees would increase.

“What's taking its place is basically room tax, parking fees, and other fees, which can fluctuate significantly depending on weather and other factors,” he said. “In our case, a healthy fund balance truly serves as our rainy day fund and allows us to set aside revenue in strong years to support operation during weaker seasons.”

‘Increased property assessments and room tax have allowed us to absorb these costs without raising –and in this case lowering –the property tax rate.’

This year in particular, he said, the Iran war’s potential impacts on fuel costs, pension performance and tourism are not reflected in the budget.

Knapp also reviewed proposed budgets for the city’s internal funds, as well as budgets for the six enterprise funds.

McGean

City Manager Terry

“This year, instead of having three funds be selfsufficient, four are self-sufficient,” she said.

“The airport has joined water, wastewater and the golf course in anticipating a profit for FY27. Two funds are supplemented by the general fund – transportation and the convention center.”

“Staff anticipates that any such impacts would be relatively short term and could be mitigated using unassigned fund balance if necessary,” he said. “For these reasons I am not recommending the use of fund balance to further reduce the tax rate beyond the penny.”

McGean also noted changes in general fund expenditures over the last 20 years. He explained how the bulk of expenditures have shifted away from public works and debt service, and towards public safety and economic development, including advertising and contributions to the convention center.

“In conclusion, this proposed budget responsibly advances the mayor and council's strategic priori-

Knapp noted that this would be the first time the airport is estimated to generate a profit.

“Generally, the operational transfer is very low, I say from $20,000 to $50,000 a year,” she explained.

“What we’re generally transferring is the local match for all the projects. In this case, they have elected to go to the bond market for that, because it’s going to be about $900,000.”

A review of departmental budgets began Tuesday and continued through much of the week. Fiscal year 2027 begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2027.

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Concerns mount over J-1 application process

By Stewart Dobson Editor

(April 10, 2026) Shifting priorities, fewer personnel and greater scrutiny of applicants’ social media postings are threatening to turn this year’s J-1 student visa program into a slog that leaves many prospective student visitors stuck at home and American employers short on staff this summer.

“There’s no decline in interest,” said Mark Overmann, executive director of the Alliance for International Exchange, a Washington, D.C.- based organization that advocates for student work/travel programs here and across the country.

The greatest problem, he said, is the increased time it takes U.S. embassy personnel to process J-1 visa applications because 0f a change in the requirements.

The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for students who are approved to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs in the United States. Ordinarily, they rank high on the U.S. embassies’ to-do list, but not this year.

The state department has instructed embassies to give visa priority to overseas visitors seeking entry into the U.S. to see this year’s World Cup soccer competition.

At the same time, embassy staffs have been directed to go deeper in their interviews with J-1 visa candidates and in checking their backgrounds.

“We’re less than three months out from the start of the summer season for U.S. businesses and communities, and one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the U.S. has a J-1 visa appointment availability problem,” Overmann

wrote in a March report to his membership.

The reason for the time crunch in setting up appointments for interviews is a reduction in embassy staffing and the state department’s introduction last June of social media vetting of applicants, Overmann said.

Now, in addition to the standard questions embassy staffers ask J-1 applicants — purpose of visit, intent to return home, accommodations, employment — they now must check these would-be visitors’ social media accounts for comments that might be considered hostile to the U.S.

Applicants must provide embassies with a list of all social media platforms and handles used within the last five years.

This new step can add significantly to the amount of time spent on the visa

administrative process, which under the best circumstances might take no more than 5 minutes.

Now, however, Overmann said conducting these interviews and examining social media backgrounds takes between 20 to 30 minutes ... or longer depending on what turns up in a scan of social media posts, comments, likes and shared content.

That time adds up. With U.S. embassies usually seeing roughly 320,000 J-1 applicants a year, according to the state department, this increase in time spent per applicant has overwhelmed the embassies’ appointment books.

Under the former application protocol, if one embassy employee conducted interviews nonstop during an eight-hour day, that employee could meet with 96 applicants. Under the new policy, that employee working just as hard and long would only have time for 16 appointments.

This cutback in interviews has resulted in reductions of 50-90% in approvals from countries were many of Ocean City student workers originate: Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Thailand and Turkey, Overmann reported.

Unless a solution to the time problem is found, Overmann said, as many as 13,500 applicants may not get to the interview stage.

That is 13% of the 104,609 summer work travel exchange visitors (J-1’s) that came to this country last year via the state department’s BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program, which compiles these and other foreign visitor statistics.

Of those visitors, 5,209 came to Maryland and most of those — 4,000 or so — landed in jobs as servers, bartenders, sales clerks and hotel housekeepers in Ocean City.

Because these student workers fill a critical need, Overmann’s organization and others are looking for help wherever they can find it.

“Last week, fifteen members of Congress (including Rep. Andy Harris, R1st) joined Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R, NJ-2) and Bill Keating (D, MA-9) in sending a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to ensure that sufficient consular resources are in place worldwide for the timely visa processing of J-1 exchange visitors in 2026,” Overmann reported to his membership late last month.

So far, Overmann said, there has been no word about the possibility of changes or whether the letter from the members of Congress has had any effect.

Another situation that could affect the numbers of J-1 students who sign up for summer jobs in Ocean City is the resort’s changing housing situation.

One local businessperson (who asked not to be named) said her fear is that more rental property owners will switch their units to online vacation

Embassies vetting social media

rental programs like Airbnb and soon there won't be any housing for summer workers.

Since students must have a signed housing commitment before they can enter the U.S., she worries they will stop coming to Ocean City and go to Williamsburg, Virginia and New Jersey beaches, where the availability of housing is greater.

Housing is just one of the topics the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce will examine next Tuesday at its Summer Work Travel Conference for employers.

The conference, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront on

Coastal Highway at 66th Street, will offer participants the opportunity to hear from representatives from J-1 sponsor organizations, the Department of State and the Social Security Administration.

“We are delighted to host the Ocean City Summer Work Travel Conference on Tuesday April 14. We designed this half-day conference with employers in mind,” said chamber President Amy Thompson.

She said the aim of the conference is to help employers understand the things that will have the greatest effect on Ocean City’s J-1 visa exchange visitors and the businesses that employ them.

Parcel 57 sale uncertain amid plat dispute

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Developer

(April 10, 2026) Hopes of turning a blighted Berlin property into a usable commercial space for residents and visitors could come crashing down if project leaders and the municipality do not reach a consensus within a few weeks.

Developers seeking to revitalize the former Tyson Foods property at Heron Park warned this week that if the Town of Berlin fails to grant an unconditional extension on their study period by April 20, they will back out of the agreement to purchase the site.

Palmer Gillis of Coastal Venture Properties (CVP) appeared before the Berlin Planning Commission on April 8 during the meeting’s public comments segment. They were not listed on the agenda.

Gillis and his team presented preliminary plans for the site known as parcel 57 while voicing increasing frustration over what they described as a stalled approval process.

The developer entered into a contract nearly a year ago to purchase the 9.35-acre parcel, which includes aging industrial buildings from the former poultry processing company.

Gillis’ proposal looks to renovate the structures into a mixed-use development, including medical offices, retail or restaurant space, and other professional uses. The project would likely generate roughly 100 jobs.

However, progress has stalled amid continuing disagreements over the property’s boundaries and the lack of an agreed-upon plat, which is required before the sale can be finalized.

“We are trying to get to a point where we can get construction started,” Gillis told the commission. “But we need to define what parcel 57 is.”

According to Gillis, multiple documents reflect consistent boundaries for parcel 57. He maintains that the only agreed-upon adjustment involves relinquishing a portion of land for a planned access road within Heron Park.

been communicating about how to revise the original contract on a number of issues, one of those issues being adjustments to parcel 57 that Gillis would end up acquiring.”

Still, the lack of clarity has prevented Gillis from obtaining the necessary sign-off from the town, which is required to advance to settlement and the next stage of the planning process.

“I’m just trying to get through the process,” he said. “I’m at a Berlin Wall. I can’t get past the concept because I can’t get a meeting.”

Town officials, however, argue that the situation is more complicated. Emily Morris, the town’s legal consultant, said the developer is seeking additional land adjustments that have not yet been formally approved by the mayor and council. This alteration would leave Gillis with more land.

“There has been disagreement about what is being conveyed,” Morris said.

Gillis said the council approved the property line adjustments in March, when the developer approached the mayor and governing group to seek consensus on the boundary issue.

The developer added that this modification would be beneficial to the Town of Berlin, turning upkeep from a municipal issue to a property owner responsibility.

“If I was the town and I had this road that was between the public access road and my property, I wouldn't want to own it because I would be calling the town to cut the grass, do the landscaping….And it naturally flows with the property,” Gillis said.

Despite disagreement over what actually occurred at the March meeting, Mark Cropper, Gillis’ attorney, further explained the impasse that developers have hit with the plat situation.

Gillis said his repeated attempts to meet with town officials have been unsuccessful since November. He added that his team has made numerous requests to be placed on meeting agendas but has been unable to secure the opportunity to discuss the project, both publicly and in closed session, with municipal leaders and staff.

“We believe we have met the threshold [for preliminary site plan review] but we’re not allowed to meet the threshold because the mayor won’t sign the application as the land holder,” he said. “…We have made 18 requests from Nov. 18 to Jan. 5 to have a consultation. We have a great plan…we are just trying to follow the guidelines.”

The developer previously raised similar concerns during the March meeting of the mayor and Town Council. At that time, Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall acknowledged the town’s responsibility to provide a final, recordable plat and said officials intended to do so.

The council also agreed to proceed with a boundary configuration proposed by the town’s engineering firm, Davis, Bowen & Friedel, which included adjustments to accommodate a future roadway.

Despite that action, Gillis said this week that the boundaries remain unresolved.

“The majority of the council agreed to a rendering showing a property line adjustment,” he said. “What did not happen is that the contract has not been revised in any way, those changes or any others, since the contract was entered into.

“Gillis, Morris, and myself have

The uncertainty has placed the project on a tight timeline. Gillis said his contract includes a study period set to expire April 20. While his team has been trying to obtain an extension since late December, the town has only offered a three-month extension contingent upon acceptance of a specific boundary adjustment—conditions the developer says are unac-

Site’s property lines unresolved

ceptable.

“If we don’t get the unconditional extension, we will have to terminate,” Gillis said. “I’m not going to be put in a corner of only talking about one property line adjustment. We’ve had five months to talk about these property lines.”

Morris did say that the project is invited for discussion at the upcoming mayor and Town Council meeting on Monday. Gillis, however, said he would be out of town for several weeks on a long-planned trip and had notified town staff of the conflict well in advance.

Members of the planning commission expressed support for the redevelopment effort and concern about the possibility of losing the project.

“I’m shocked that you're hanging on and you haven’t walked,” said Matthew Stoehr, the planning commission chair. “If you walk, I don't know what the town does with this property.”

Others noted that the former Tyson Foods site has long been considered a blighted area in need of revitalization.

“I don’t think you’ll find a soul in town that doesn’t want that place fixed up,” said commission member Newt Chandler.

Chandler also expressed his frustration with the initiative’s adminis-

trative hold up.

“You are talking about one of the premiere developers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,” he said, addressing Morris. “….you guys gotta realize, this costs applicants hundreds of thousands worth of dollars. There’s no dragging the feet. You should accommodate these people. If they have a piece of land in this town and they have the zoning, your job is to help them…time is of the essence…it’ maddening when you can’t get something done and time is ticking on the project.”

Representatives of the company also outlined updates to their conceptual site plan during the meeting. Changes include expanded landscaping, improved pedestrian connectivity, designated loading areas, and additional community spaces with seating and green features.

However, that plan now seems to be in jeopardy unless Coastal Ventures and the mayor and town administrative team can agree on property lines.

“If I were the mayor of a small great town like Berlin and someone was coming in with a $25 million renovation to a dilapidated building and bringing in over 100 jobs, I would walk barefoot over broken glass to make that happen,” Gillis told OC Today-Dispatch on Monday.

OC property tax rate likely to see reduction

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) Officials are proposing to reduce Ocean City’s property tax rate by one cent in the coming fiscal year, a move that will still result in additional revenue of $4.6 million.

On Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean and Budget Manager Jennie Knapp presented the Ocean City Council with an overview of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2027.

The spending plan, totaling $199 million, includes a property tax rate of 43.26 cents per $100 of assessed value, or one cent lower than the current rate of 44.26 cents per $100.

“An additional $4.6 million is generated by setting the tax rate at .4326,” Knapp said. “And one penny on the tax rate is $1,353,745.”

In February, the Maryland Depart-

ment of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) notified the state’s counties and municipalities of the tax rate that would be needed for each jurisdiction to produce the same revenue as the year prior.

That rate, known as the constant yield rate, is based on the new assessed value of taxable properties in a jurisdiction. As assessments rise, for example, the tax rate should drop so that the revenue derived from the property tax stays the same.

That appeared to be the case for the Town of Ocean City heading into this year’s budget deliberations, as the municipality saw its assessable real property base increase from $12.23 billion to $13.52 billion. While resort properties were not reassessed for this year, increases from the most recent assessment are phased in over a three-year

period.

As a result, the new constant yield tax rate is 40.02 cents per $100 of assessed value, or a figure lower than the resort town’s actual tax rate of 44.26 cents. However, staff this week said they were proposing a rate of 43.26 cents per $100, which is higher than the constant yield rate but lower than the current rate.

“This is year three of a three-year assessment cycle,” Knapp said. “Assessments increase 10.6% for FY27. Revenue last year was $53.9 million. Revenue this year is $58.5 million.”

Property taxes are paid by resident property owners, non-resident property owners and commercial property owners. However, Knapp noted that primary residents are insulated by the Homestead Tax Credit, which limits the increase in taxable assessments

each year to a fixed percentage. In Ocean City, for example, the Homestead cap is set at 0%.

“The only way their tax bill could go up is if we raise the tax rate …,” she said. “Taxpayers qualifying for the Homestead property tax credit will see a reduction in their tax bill in FY27.”

In addition to property tax rates, Knapp also highlighted the corporation property tax rate, which will decrease to $1.08, or two-and-a-half times the property tax rate. That reduction, she said, would decrease projected revenues by $165,000.

Knapp said the fiscal year budget also sets highway user tax revenues at $900,000 and casino revenues at $939,000. She added that income tax revenues are estimated to increase $71,000, while amusement tax is budgeted to increase $50,000.

Room tax revenues are budgeted at $30 million, an increase of $5 million over the current fiscal year.

“That is due to the rate increase from 5% to 6%,” she said.

Hearing planned to talk proposed water, sewer rates

(April 10, 2026) The public is invited to attend a hearing on proposed water and wastewater rate changes in Worcester County for fiscal year 2027. The hearing will take place May 5 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room in the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill.

Rate increases are proposed in 10 of the county’s 11 water and wastewater sanitary service areas (SSAs). No changes are proposed for the West Ocean City SSA.

Proposed changes include an increase of about five percent to the base fee—the fixed charge customers pay regardless of water use—as well as updates to how water usage is billed for both residential and commercial customers.

These adjustments are intended to keep up with rising costs to operate, maintain, and improve the systems that provide clean water and wastewater treatment, according to county officials.

Those who wish to speak or attend the public hearing in person are encouraged to call county administration at 410-632-1194 to pre-register. Comments may also be submitted to wchearing@worcestermd.gov on or before 4 p.m. May 4.

For detailed information about rates in each of the 11 service areas, proposed rate adjustments, and answers to frequently asked questions, visit https://www.co.worcester.md.us/ departments/publicworks/water/char ges.

Cardinal COME HOM Grove ME TO

Court says OC use of force docs not exempt

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) Ocean City officials will review their options after the state’s appellate court agreed that the Ocean City Police Department’s use of force records are not exempt from public disclosure.

On April 3, roughly six months after hearing arguments in the case, the Appellate Court of Maryland issued its opinion in a case involving the disclosure of use of force records.

With appellate judges upholding most of the circuit court’s rulings, the mayor and City Council are now faced with two choices – accept the decision or petition the Supreme Court of Maryland to review the case.

“We have not yet conferred with the mayor and council as to this ruling, and consequently have not determined next

steps, if any,” the city’s litigator, Bruce Bright, said in a statement Monday.

“But in any event, and subject to possible further appellate review, this ‘reported’ ruling of the Appellate Court addresses certain important issues, previously unresolved in the courts, as to law enforcement agencies’ obligations under the Public Information Act, as amended by ‘Anton’s Law.’ Consequently, the City’s litigation of this case has served an important public purpose.”

In 2021, following two high-profile arrests on the Boardwalk, Post reporter Steve Thompson filed records requests with the Ocean City Police Department seeking data and internal reviews relating to police officers’ use of force.

When those requests were not fulfilled, the newspaper filed suit against the city in Worcester County Circuit

Court in January 2023, claiming the police department violated the Maryland Public Information Act.

The newspaper’s legal complaint argued the department failed to provide information for three of its requests –one seeking use of force data from Jan. 1, 2016 to June 30, 2021, one seeking internal reviews of two use of force incidents that occurred on the Boardwalk in June 2021, and one seeking all reviews and investigations of a lieutenant’s actions on the Boardwalk the night of May 31, 2020.

While the Post argued the use of force documents were subject to disclosure under Anton’s Law, which allows public access to police misconduct records, the department argued the records in question were personnel records and were exempt from disclosure.

The department did provide the use of force data the newspaper had requested, but with the names of the officers involved redacted.

Following a motions hearing in early 2024, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge determined that neither the use of force data, nor the reviews of the use of force incidents were exempt from public disclosure and ordered their full release to The Washington Post. Less than a month later, the city filed an appeal of the lower court’s ruling.

Before the appellate court last October, Bright asked the judges to reverse the lower court’s decision. He argued that while Anton’s Law allowed access to police misconduct records, he argued the records in question did not involve misconduct.

He added that the names of officers were redacted from the use of force data, which he said were gathered from a police database the department used as a performance evaluation tool.

“Once you include the officer names in that spreadsheet, and because of how the use of force data collection is utilized by the Ocean City Police Department as a performance evaluating tool, then that record becomes a personnel record,” he told the court.

However, Washington Post attorney Chelsea Kelly argued that none of the exemptions listed under the Maryland Public Information Act applied in the case and that the Post had a right to access the records, which she argued were not personnel records. She also pointed to public statements the city issued in response to public outcry over uses of force reported on the Boardwalk in June 2021.

“The department itself issued a statement saying, ‘we understand the public’s concern about the video circulating of the disorderly crowd, which is currently being investigated by the office of professional standards,’” she told the court. “So they themselves use the term ‘investigate’ and yet now they are trying to withhold the use of force reviews, claiming they don’t follow under Anton’s Law because they’re claiming it is not a record relating to an administrative investigation of officer misconduct even though, in our view, that is contradicted by the public statements they made.”

Kelly said even if no misconduct was found, it still constituted a record of disciplinary decision. She asked the court to affirm the lower court’s decision.

“It’s certainly not a disciplinary decision not to impose discipline …,” she said. “If they never open up an internal affairs investigation, then we will never see what goes on with this entire process. And they can essentially avoid the call of Anton’s Law, which is to allow transparency into police investigations of misconduct.”

Last Friday, the Appellate Court of Maryland issued a reported opinion in the case, meaning that, unless over-

Erika Sifrit denied parole by panel

By Stewart Dobson Editor

(April 10, 2026) Convicted murderer Erika Sifrit, who with her husband, Benjamin, killed and dismembered a Fairfax, Virginia couple in Ocean City in 2002, has been denied parole.

Sifrit’s parole hearing was before a two-member panel at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, according to WTOP, which broke the story. Her next parole hearing will be in 2033.

Erika and her then husband, Benjamin, both 24 at the time, met Fairfax, Virginia couple Joshua Ford, 32, and Martha Crutchley, 51, on an Ocean City bus over the Memorial Day weekend in 2002.

The Sifrits came down from Altoona, Pennsylvania for the holiday and joined the other pair for a night of partying. Afterwards, the two couples returned to the Sifrit’s rented condominium penthouse for a night of drugs, alcohol ... and murder.

Eventually, an argument ensued and

Ford and Crutchley, fearing for their lives, barricaded themselves in the bathroom, but Ford was shot through the door. Crutchley was also killed, but because the Sifrits dismembered the bodies and disposed of them in a dumpster that eventually was emptied in a Delaware landfill, investigators could not ascertain the cause of death. Not all the body parts of either victim were recovered.

Erika Sifrit was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years. Benjamin was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 38 years in prison. He divorced Erika in 2010.

He was denied parole in 2022 and is currently incarcerated at Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown but has an August hearing scheduled on his request for a reduced sentence under the Maryland Second Look Act.

The act gives individuals who were incarcerated as young people a chance to seek reduced sentences after serving at least 20 years.

It remains, however, that the double-murder was so gruesome that it became part of true crime lore and joined a catalogue of documentary-style programs such as “Snapped,” that are frequently shown on some cable television channels.

In all of the detailed, highly analyzed reports and transcripts from the case over the years, one thing that detectives and prosecutors were never able to pin down was a motive.

Erika Sifrit came from a wealthy Pennsylvania family. She was a smart and dedicated star basketball player with a bright future. Until she met her future husband in a bar.

BJ Sifrit was on a similar path before the marriage. He was a Navy SEAL, had graduated at the top of his class, and was embarking on a solid military career.

Their pairing, however, seemingly threw them both off the rails, into a psychotic episode that Memorial Day weekend in 2002, and, ultimately, in prison.

Court offers opinion on Post case

Continued from Page 18

turned by the Supreme Court, it will serve as a precedent that binds the state’s trial courts. In its filing last week, the court opined that the names of the officers redacted from the use of force data were not exempt from disclosure, nor were the use of force reviews from the June 2021 and May 2020 Boardwalk incidents.

“It is evident that Ocean City intended the public to understand that these very high-profile incidents of use of force by the OCPD were under investigation,” the opinion reads. “According to the record, there was no review of

these use-of-force incidents by Ocean City other than the UOF Reviews, making the UOF Reviews the only investigatory documents available for potential disclosure.”

However, the appellate court vacated the lower court’s order to release the use of force reviews in their entirety. While acknowledging the documents were subject to disclosure, the court concluded they must first undergo mandatory redactions, which would include medical information, contact information, and privileged or confidential information.

“We do not intend the holdings

reached in this case to suggest that under Anton’s Law, the Post is granted unfettered access to UOF Reports and UOF Reviews,” the opinion reads. “On the contrary, Anton’s Law requires review and, where necessary, redaction of portions of such records prior to disclosure.”

The appellate court ultimately remanded the case to the circuit court, with instructions to allow the police department’s records custodian to review the use of force documents.

The Washington Post did not respond to a request for comment this week.

Local teams bust drug smuggling operation

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) Area police seized more than 42 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $4 million and arrested 13 people in a multi-agency investigation into a drug smuggling operation authorities say is linked to a violent Mexican cartel.

Officials described the case as one of the largest cocaine seizures in the region’s history, involving a drug network across Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Thirteen law enforcement agencies were involved in the 15-month investigation.

With Gov. Wes Moore and members of federal law enforcement in attendance, authorities announced the arrests Tuesday at a press conference at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in Salisbury. Police displayed the seized co-

caine in packaged kilogram bricks.

“Who knows where this much cocaine would've ended up? That's a lot of cocaine. Clearly it would've flooded the streets of this region,” said Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis.

Investigators seized smaller quantities of other drugs, including crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, mushrooms, and fentanyl, along with 11 firearms and $23,816 in cash.

Many of the arrests and drug seizures occurred last fall but authorities did not publicly announce the case until this week.

The investigation began in Worcester County in late 2024. Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office received information that Desmond Roberts, Jr., 31, of Pocomoke City, was involved in drug transactions.

Detectives determined Roberts was

part of a larger drug trafficking organization. When they learned that authorities in Wicomico County were also investigating him, the agencies coordinated their efforts.

Over several months, investigators said surveillance and undercover operations led them to wiretap 19 phone lines. Information from the wiretaps helped investigators identify key members of the operation and dismantle trafficking routes between the Lower Shore and the West Coast.

Police learned through the wiretaps that a shipment of cocaine was coming on Nov. 6, and they knew some of the locations the suspects would be meeting, according to Chief Deputy Lt. Nate Passwaters of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

Two men in the tractor-trailer, identified as Guatemalan nationals, moved

C. Stephens Junior Calderon

Reinaldo Ramos R. Johnson Jr.

S. Stevenson Tirrell Sample Dewayne Cane Marcus Cropper

L. Townsend D. Morton Kavon Conquest

D. Roberts Jr.

D. Conway Jr.

Weapons seized in stop

A vehicle’s damaged taillight led to weapons charges against the driver last week.

On April 6, around 1:43 in the morning, an Ocean City police officer pulled over a white Mazda sedan after observing a bright white light coming from the rear brake light enclosure as well as a modified vehicle exhaust with excessive noise.

During a traffic stop, motorist Nash Keppley, 36, of Harrisburg, Pa., consented to a vehicle search. An officer located three spring-assisted knifes and retractable baton.

Keppley was charged with possession of an assisted opening knife and possession of a police style baton. Both are illegal to carry according to Ocean City code.

Wrong-way driving

A man was arrested after driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street downtown while allegedly intoxicated and carrying an illegal weapon.

On April 4, around 1:45 a.m., Ocean City police observed a black Chevy Silverado driving south on Baltimore Avenue near Caroline Street. From the Inlet to 15th Street, Baltimore Avenue is only for north-bound traffic.

Police immediately detected the

strong odor of alcohol on the driver, James Christoffers, 47, of Pasadena, who exhibited slurred, slowed speech. The driver then performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was arrested.

Inside the vehicle police located a black metal extendable baton.

Christoffers has been charged with possession of a martial arts weapon, driving while impaired, driving wrong direction on a one-way street and other traffic offenses.

Theft, trespassing charges

Three individuals – who may or may not have been fooling around on a day created for it — are facing burglary and theft charges after taking off with a surrey bike on the Boardwalk.

On April 1, around 7:48 p.m., Ocean City police fielded a complaint of a theft of a surrey bicycle from a Good Samaritan on 26th Street. The caller told police she was a local who knew the Boardwalk bike rental shops do not rent bicycles at night.

The woman informed responding officers she saw several Black males riding the surrey south on the boards around 21st Street. The woman said her attention was drawn to the men after they “made fun” of her for taking photos of the moon.

Police located the surrey on the Boardwalk at 23rd Street with two females on it. When officers ap-

proached, the females fled the scene and three men exited a ground floor balcony of a hotel room and joined them in running away. The hotel was not open for the season.

Apprehended in short order were Tymir Nelson, 19, Devon Brown, 18, and Javalia Mack, 18, and two juveniles, all of Delaware.

Police concluded the group had just broken into the hotel room despite the no trespassing signs clearly posted. Police noted nothing seemed awry in the hotel room in the statement of charges.

A representative of the bike rental shop confirmed to police the bike was taken and not rented. The bike was estimated at having a value of $3,500.

Nelson, Brown and Mack were each charged with fourth-degree burglary, theft $1,500 to $25,000 and trespassing.

Drug operation linked to cartel

Continued from Page 22

29 kilos of cocaine from the rig into another suspect vehicle, which police followed to Wicomico County and arrested its occupants.

After that, the truck returned to Delaware, where troopers from the Delaware State Police took the driver and passenger into custody. Additional drug seizures occurred as a result of other arrests, Passwaters said.

According to Lewis, traffickers have been known to conceal drugs using various substances to avoid detection by drug-sniffing dogs: motor oil, automotive grease, petroleum jelly, ground pepper, and mustard.

The drugs were supplied by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a criminal organization based in Mexico, acSee SHORE Page 24

13 arrested in Eastern Shore drug trafficking investigation

Shakoor Yusin Stevenson

- Drug kingpin (non-cannabis)

- Importing drugs into Maryland

- Possession of a large quantity of narcotics

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Status: Held without bond

Ricky Ernest Johnson Jr.

- Drug kingpin (non-cannabis)

- Possession of a large quantity of narcotics

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Status: Held without bond

Reinaldo Soto Ramos

- Felony drug distribution

- Drug possession

- Status: Held without bond

Junior Calderon

- Felony drug distribution

- Drug possession

- Status: Released on bond

Charnita Emil Stephens

- Possession of a large quantity of narcotics

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Status: Released on recognizance with electronic monitoring

Dorge Lee Conway Jr.

- Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Illegal possession of a firearm

- Status: Released on $25,000 unse-

cured bond

Desmond Rashad Roberts Jr.

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Conspiracy to distribute narcotics

- Drug possession

- Status: Released on $10,000 unsecured bond

Marcus Shaquille Cropper

- Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Conspiracy to distribute narcotics

- Status: Held without bond

Dewayne Ellsworth Cane

- Conspiracy to distribute narcotics (four counts)

- Status: Held without bond

Tirrell Termaine Sample

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Drug possession

- Status: Held without bond (Virginia)

Kavon Randy Conquest

- Possession of a large quantity of narcotics

- Possession with intent to distribute narcotics

- Status: Held without bond

Deangela Renee Morton

- Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I or II drug

- Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense

- Status: Released on bond (Virginia) La’Quan Alexander Townsend

-Wanted in connection with the investigation

Shore drug investigation leads to 13 arrests

Continued from Page 23

cording to Christopher Goumenis, who oversees U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operations in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Local law enforcement was unaware that this cartel was operating locally until this investigation unfolded, according to Lewis.

“We were rattled by that, quite frankly, because they're the most violent cartel out there,” he said. “To think that they were bringing this kind of product into the Eastern Shore of Maryland is very troubling and eye-opening for us.”

“You have terrorist organizations in your community,” he said at the press conference. “Marylanders are experiencing firsthand the devastating impact of both local and international drug trafficking networks, and they're invading our communities. They're killing our citizens. They're killing our people.”

Gov. Moore said his administration invested nearly $68,000 into this investigation through the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network. Police said that money helped to offset overtime costs.

“I have no patience for violent offenders and people who for far too long have been doing harm to our communities,” the governor said Tuesday. “Accountability is coming for everybody who can hear my voice.”

Other local agencies involved in the

investigation included the Maryland State Police, the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury Police, Ocean City Police, and Baltimore County Police. Federal law enforcement agencies participating included Homeland Security Investigations and the DEA Authorities said the investigation continues, with additional indictments and arrests expected. Some suspects in custody are already scheduled for court appearances later this year.

Springfest to mark 35th edition in 2 weeks

(April 10, 2026) Ocean City will celebrate its 35th anniversary of Springfest from April 23-26, at the Inlet Parking Lot. The free, four-day festival will take place from Thursday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and welcomes visitors and residents to greet warmer weather.

Featuring more than 200 artists and crafters, a diverse range of specialty food and vendors, and four days of free live music across two stages, Springfest remains a beloved tradition and the official kickoff to the spring season in Ocean City.

To celebrate the milestone anniversary, Springfest will introduce several

new experiences this year. Guests can explore a Gourmet Food Pavilion featuring artisan items like infused olive oils, smallbatch jams, and specialty spreads, as well as an expanded lineup of food trucks, offering everything from sweet treats to savory favorites. Another exciting addition is street painting, where talented artists will transform the pavement into colorful works of art throughout the festival.

Among the artists participating is Baltimore’s Michael William Kirby, who has showcased his work in more than 200 cities around the world. Visitors can also experience the artistry of a live glass

blower at Springfest, exhibiting the mesmerizing process. To learn more about Springfest, visit ococean.com/springfest.

In addition to the daytime festivities, the Ocean City Performing Arts Center at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center will host a Spring Showcase with evening performances during the festival week. The lineup includes The Fabulous Hubcaps on April 23, Who’s Bad: The Michael Jackson Experience on April 24, Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Swift Experience on April 25, and The Fab Four: Help!, an internationally acclaimed Beatles tribute show, closing out the series.

Tickets are available at ococean.com/pac. April in Ocean City also features several additional events for visitors to enjoy. From April 24-26, the Maryland International Kite Exposition will bring colorful displays and kite-flying demonstrations to the beach between 3rd and 7th streets along the boardwalk. To end the month, the 36th Annual Cruisin Ocean City returns April 30 through May 3, drawing more than 3,000 classic cars, hot rods, customs, and street machines to the Inlet Parking Lot and the Ocean City Convention Center.

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GERMANTOWN SCHOOL EVENT

On Saturday, April 4, the Germantown School Community Heritage Center opened a special exhibit, The Negro Leagues: A Celebration of History with a talk by Dr. Clara Small. Thomas Jones, a member of the local Berlin Eagles, shared his experiences playing ball in the 1960s with teams in the Eastern Shore regional league. Jones shared his wealth of knowledge about the Negro Leagues and brought his collection of baseball cards of Baseball Hall of Fame players who began their careers in the Negro Leagues. The exhibit will run until June 30. For more information, email germantownschool@gmail.com. Jones is pictured with Day’len Tayler as his grandmother, Annette Purnell, looking on during the exhibit opening.

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Museum’s Pig Roast raises funds for building projects

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 9, 2026) Smoke will rise from the lawn of Berlin’s Calvin B. Taylor House Museum later this month when it presents its fourth annual old-fashioned pig roast. This year, organizers are adding a twist: using local actors to bring Berlin’s past to life.

The Taylor House’s pig roast, set for April 18 at 4 p.m., is held each year in partnership with the Burley Building Company to raise funds for the museum and to offer attendees a traditional barbecue meal.

According to Taylor House Executive Director Melissa Reid, the event is sponsored by the Burley Building Company to secure funding to correct carpentry issues and ensure the structure is cared for, with a focus on historical preservation.

The building business often completes repairs to the site, including rebuilding shutters and replacing the roof. Most recently, the company mended sections of rotten wood discovered on the outside of the museum.

The pig roast was begun to pay for the restorations. Now, however, the goal is to foster community engage-

ment and bring Berlin residents and visitors into the museum to view its exhibits and refresh themselves on the town’s history.

Part of that effort is to offer locals and tourists an authentic, old-fashioned barbecue.

Burley Building Company owner Nate Reister said that the pig comes from a butcher in Dagsboro. Reid added that volunteers from Burley Building roast the pork overnight and serve it at the event the next day.

“We started this four years ago,” the business owner said. “Initially, we were trying to fill in gaps in funding for the museum to do repairs …When we decided to do the pig roast, we were looking to do an event that would be historic in nature in terms of the type of thing that we would be serving.

“The goal is to raise funding and awareness… for the most part, we have shifted our understanding to focus on pulling in young families and local people because it’s the very beginning of the event season. It's locally oriented. We’re trying to get younger families to be involved in what's going on.”

The museum is also trying out a new addition this year: actors to remind citizens of the museum’s mis-

Taylor House to host ‘Museum Comes Alive’

sion. How it will work is that four Berlin residents will come to the event in character and costume, each portraying an influential town figure.

Reid said that citizen Patricia Dufendach will act as Mary White, a Berliner from the 1830s; Nick Purnell will act as the Rev. Charles Tindley, a minister and gospel music composer from the area; Jack Orris will act as Calvin B. Taylor, a humanitarian and the museum’s namesake; and Deb Speier will act as Mary Humphreys, a biology professor and doctor.

The project has been labeled "Mu-

seum Comes Alive" by Taylor House officials. The actors will be maneuvering between the inside and outside of the facility, introducing themselves as their historical personas to event guests and providing a first-person narrative of the figures’ impact on Berlin.

“We’re really excited about this Museum Comes Alive event because we feel it will remind people that we are a museum and we have lots of historical stories that we can tell about Berlin,” Reid said.

The director added that the pig roast will be the only time during the

season when all four actors are present together. However, each individual will be at other museum happenings throughout the spring and summer.

The pig roast will also include live music by the Zion Reggae Band and beer available by Berlin Beer Co. Reister said that George's Beverage Company will be on-site with a signature mixed drink.

Organizers hope that the pig roast yields as many attendees as in years past. Reister noted that last year, the event sold 500 platters. The team hopes to reach similar numbers this time around.

The Taylor House Museum officially

opened on April 1. New exhibits were created in time for the 2026 season kickoff, highlighting the restoration of the Town of Berlin. Reid said that she hopes the event on April 18 will spur interest in the updated displays.

“The nice thing about the pig roast is the museum will be open, so people can come and see those new exhibits that we have done about the restoration of Berlin and things like that,” Reid said.

“We’re glad to have an opportunity for the community to come to the museum.”

Berlin to celebrate Record Store Day with new festival

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

ebration with an all-day musical event kicking off at 11 a.m. and winding down around 4 p.m.

(April 9, 2026) Music is set to pour out of Berlin’s downtown later this month, when the town celebrates Record Store Day with lineup of performances, food and drinks, and vendors selling books, clothes and home décor all aligned with the vintage spirit of the vinyl-inspired festival.

Saturday, April 18, marks Record Store Day, an international semi-annual event celebrated by independent vinyl shops. The intent is to bring together fans and small businesses through the release of special and limited-edition records, fostering appreciation for music and vinyl, a more vintage method of play.

For the third year in a row, the Town of Berlin will recognize the cel-

According to Berlin’s Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells, the musical lineup will begin with The Papers, a duo out of Salisbury, followed by JOURNOS featuring Brian Russo.

Next up is Sketchbook, Gavin Hades’ new band. Hades is an Ocean City local and young artist who has played with musicians such as Brett Michaels. The slate of talent will then wrap up with a performance by national recording artist Brian Sella of The Front Bottoms.

Wells added that this is the first year the festival will be expanded into a “full downtown event.”

“We’re closing the streets, adding beer and drinks and a full day of live music,” she said. “Bringing in a national act like Brian Sella is also new for us, and we were able to do that with support from the Maryland State Arts Council. It just feels like a much bigger experience this year.”

Refreshments will be available, and vintage vendors will be set up along Pitts Street. Wells added that some shops will have sidewalk sales.

“You can spend the whole day downtown and not run out of things to do,” she said.

Parking will be available at the West Street lot and Stephen Decatur Park. While there is no shuttle service this year, everything is within walking distance once attendees arrive downtown.

Wells said that the event celebrates Berlin’s musical and artistic scene. Particularly, the festival recognizes the turntable format, often praised for its authenticity and superior sound quality.

“Music has always been a big part of Berlin, and there’s something special about vinyl; it's how music was meant to be heard,” the community development director said.

She maintained that Berlin has multiple shops that sell new vinyl.

“For us, it makes sense to celebrate that, support those businesses, and build an event around something people genuinely love,” Wells noted.

The event is free to enter and made possible by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and sponsored by the Berlin Main Street Arts and Entertainment District.

Organizers hope that the festival further promotes the spirit of downtown’s artistic nature and supports Berlin’s economic and cultural development.

“[Record Store Day] supports our small businesses, brings new visitors into town, and gives locals something to be proud of,” Wells said. “It’s also an opportunity to highlight our arts and music scene, which continues to grow. When people come for an event like this, they don’t just stay for the music, they shop, they eat, they explore, and they come back again.”

Berlin cheer team to travel to Fla. for allstar contest

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 9, 2026) Just a year after its formation, a cheerleading program in Berlin is heading to Florida for the Allstar World Championship to compete against teams across the United States and beyond.

Clique Athletics was launched by owners and coaches Nikaletta Martin, Jamie Ferguson, and Monicia Young last May. The program is registered with the competitive cheer event organization, Open Championship Series, and welcomes cheerleaders of all skill levels, aged 4 to 18, to participate in classic cheer components: tumbling, stunting, choreography, and conditioning.

These skills are tested at least once a month when the teams head to local, regional, or national competitions, where they perform their twoand-a-half-minute routines.

According to Martin, Clique Athletics has a total of 33 cheerleaders across a novice group and two elite teams. Both elite squads competed in a two-day contest in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month, where they earned first place on both days against three to five other teams each.

“Getting to compete against some of the best teams in the whole United States is really a great experience,” Martin said. “And then you get to learn from them. You can see, ‘they’re doing this, let me see if I can do that next year.’”

The cheerleaders also compete in more local competitions. Martin said that for contests closer to home, often around Upper Marlboro, Maryland, they go to around two a month. For those involving travel, the squads will keep it to one a month.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Clique Athletics, an all-star cheer program formed in May of last year, gives young cheerleaders the opportunity to participate in regular competitions.

Cheer group has great pilot year

The coach added that the teams have won all but one of the competitions they've attended during their first season.

Now, the Berlin cheerleaders will head to Orlando, Florida, for the Allstar World Championship, scheduled for April 16 to April 19. The local athletes will compete against high-performing squads from throughout the US and internationally.

Clique Athletics earned a paid bid for the contest, meaning that they competed in eligible events hosted by the Open Championship Series and earned high scores.

Martin said that the Berlin-based competition team was launched to “create a positive and empowering space for young athletes.”

“We also wanted to bring more positive after-school activities to the area since there aren’t many around…We saw an opportunity to provide high-quality training while also focusing on personal growth and life skills,” she added.

The coaches also hope that the program will help the young cheerleaders foster character development and self-assurance.

“Our athletes are encouraged to build confidence and practice leadership and support one another on and off the mat,” Martin said. “And we hope these lessons will have a lasting impact far beyond the sport itself. This is just the beginning for us, and I’m excited to see how much we can grow and how many lives we can positively impact.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Clique Athletics emphasizes classic cheer components like tumbling, stunting, and choreography. The program offers teams across varying levels of experience and skills.

SUBMITTED

WPS DONATION

In February, students and faculty at Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) came together to support First Tee – Delaware by students and faculty participating in an all-school red, white, and blue dress-down day. Worcester Prep proudly supported First Tee - Delaware, a non-profit youth development organization that positively impacts more than 25,000 kids and teens each year through school, community, and on-the-course programs. By integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee - Delaware builds inner strength, confidence, and resilience while teaching nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, responsibility, confidence, courtesy, judgment, and perseverance.

Pictured is Worcester Prep’s Head of School Dr. Betsy Hornung and student sponsor Chase Thompson presenting Scott Allen, First Tee Senior Southern Delaware coordinator, with a check of the funds raised on February’s Worcester Wednesday at WPS.

ANNUAL ESSAY WINNERS

The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club sponsors the Annual Optimist International Essay Contest. This year’s winners are pictured, from left, third place, $150, Dylan Pusey, Stephen Decatur High; first place, $500, Fiona Guo, Pocomoke High; and second place, $350, Lilly White, Worcester Prep. Far right is Optimist President Christina Dolomount-Brown.

Historical society will host dinner on May 8

(April 13, 2026) The Worcester County Historical Society will hold its annual spring dinner meeting at the Pocomoke Fire Department’s Community Center on Friday, May 8.

Dinner will consist of chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes with gravy, turnip greens, sweet potato biscuits, and assorted desserts. Cost for members $35 and non-members $40. Please make checks payable to the Worcester County Historical Society, PO Box 111, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Deadline for reservations April 30th

The meeting will begin with a social hour at 5pm with dinner served at 6pm. The public is invited to attend.

Following dinner there will be a short awards ceremony with Nancy Howard presented with the Bob and Kathy Fisher Award for her outstanding efforts in the restoration of the

Henry Hotel.

The Henry Hotel was long known as one of the few places in Ocean City to offer lodging to African Americans

during the segregation era of the last century. Plans are to restore the building as a museum featuring African American history and also a community meeting hall.

This year’s speaker will be Anna Dolle Bushnell, who will share the his-

tory behind one of the Eastern Shore’s most beloved candy shops. From saltwater taffy to Boardwalk memories her talk will offer a fascinating look at the role her family’s business has played on the Ocean City Boardwalk for over 100 years.

Online series to feature OC and offer funds to Diakonia

(April 20, 2026) A new six-episode social media series, Only In Ocean City, is bringing energy and purpose to Maryland’s coast in support of Diakonia, Inc.

project,” said Ken Argot, Executive Director of Diakonia. “This is a powerful way to highlight both the spirit of our community and the growing need for support across our region.”

Featuring Stephanie Pratt, the series follows a one-day journey across Ocean City as she takes on six unique challenges. With no scripts and no do overs, each moment is real, unscripted, and driven by community connection.

If all six challenges are completed, a charitable donation will be presented to Diakonia, Inc., a nonprofit serving individuals, families, and Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore.

Through its emergency shelter, food pantry, Veteran services, and mobile outreach programs, Diakonia provides help for today and hope for tomorrow to thousands of individuals each year.

As the series rolls out across social platforms, viewers are invited to follow along and learn more about how they can support Diakonia’s mission.

Because when a community shows up, hope doesn’t just grow, it shines.

To learn more or get involved, visit www.diakoniaoc.org or follow @diakoniaeasternshore on Instagram and @diakoniaoc on Facebook.

“We are incredibly honored to be selected as the charity of choice for this

Anna Dolle Bushnell

OCEAN CITY UNIVERSITY GRADS

On Monday, the Mayor and City Council recognized graduates of the 2026 Ocean City University program, a public education program developed by Kathy Mathias. Throughout the 10-week semester, residents earned credits by learning about the municipality’s various departments. This year, the city issued “bachelor’s” degrees to 26 participants, “master’s” degrees to three participants and “doctorate” degrees to four residents. Those earning master’s degrees completed both the Ocean City University program and the Citizen’s Police Academy. Those earning doctorates completed the Ocean City University program, the Citizen’s Police Academy and the Community Emergency Response Team program. Above, participants, joined by the Mayor and City Council, are pictured with their degrees.

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BUXY’S SALTY DOG & DRY DOCK 28

410-289-BUXY

28th Street Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 10: Teenage Rust & The Fabulous Rustettes Saturday, April 11: Full Circle

CAPTAIN’S TABLE

410-289-7192

15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott Friday & Saturday, April 10 & 11: Phil Perdue

COINS PUB

410-289-3100

28th Street Plaza On Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 10: Soul Chase Saturday, April 11: First Class

CRABCAKE FACTORY BAYSIDE

302-988-5000

37314 Lighthouse Rd., Rte. 54, Selbyville, DE Sunday, April 12: Paul Levy Wednesday, April 15: Johnny Phatt

FAGER’S ISLAND

410-524-5500 60th St., In The Bay Friday, April 10: Making Waves & DJ RobCee Saturday, April 11: Kittyback & DJ Stinson

HARBORSIDE

410-213-1846

South Harbor Rd., West End O.C.

Fridays: DJ Billy T Saturday, April 11: Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Bigler

DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Fri., April 10

PHIL PERDUE Captain’s Table: Fridays & Saturdays

JOHNNY CARDO Purple Moose: Sat., April 11

JOHNNY PHATT Crabcake Factory Bayside: Wed., April 15

DJ MARY JANE Seacrets: Fri., April 10

EVERETT SPELLS Harborwatch: Sun., April 12

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Fri., April 10

DJ WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays

DJ BIGLER Harborside: Sat., April 11

DJ CONNAIR Seacrets: Sat., April 11 Pickles Pub: Thursdays

Who’s Where When

Sundays:

Opposite Directions

Thursdays: Dust N Bones

PICKLES PUB

410-289-4891

8th St. & Philadelphia Ave.

Fridays: Beats By DeoGee

Saturday, April 11: Sketchbook

Monday, April 13:

Karaoke w/ Wood

Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Thursdays: Beats By Connair

PURPLE MOOSE SALOON

410-289-6953

Between Caroline & Talbot Sts. On The Boards

Friday, April 10:

Hedrush & DJ

Saturday, April 11: Johnny Cardo (2pm) & Hedrush (9:30pm)

SEACRETS

410-524-4900

49th St. & Coastal Hwy.

Friday, April 10:

Faith Noel, DJ Mary Jane, Sean Patrick & The Alibis & DJ E-State

Saturday, April 11: DJ Connair, Bansy, Dueling Pianos, DJ J-Spin, & Radio Stranger

Thursday, April 16: Blake Haley & DJ J-Spin

Board member elected

(April 10, 2026) At the March 10 meeting of the Delmarva Community Managers Association (DCMA), Seth Thatcher was elected to the board of directors for the organization.

DCMA wishes to form a strong body of interested professional organizations to identify and solve common problems in the field of property management and participate in joint activities for the ultimate benefit of all property management associations.

Some of DCMA's long term goals consist of an increase/improvement on educational programs with strong emphasis on manager specialist designations, strengthening the DCMA organization by the addition of new active members, provide varied educational programs for current member retention, and strengthening community involvement with elected officials and increase member participation in our programming and committee work.

in 2026. Though a Maryland native, Seth lived in Virginia for 25 years before moving back to Maryland and settling in Berlin in March 2025. He has worked in the public and private sectors, managed state and local political campaigns, and has been a locally elected public official. Seth is also the award-winning science fiction author of the epic space opera, Zendra of the Periphery, which can be found on Amazon. Starting in October 2026 Seth will be the President of the Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City Kiwanis Club. Seth is a Gauguin contributor to the Art League of Ocean City under Pew Pew Publishing. He has a B.A. in International Studies from Towson University.

Law firm announcements

The law firm of Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, LLP is entering a new chapter, as effective April1, the attorneys will continue their practices through two separate firms.

Seth is the general manager of Sea Watch Condominium in Ocean City. Sea Watch is the largest condominium in Ocean City with a beautiful atrium green space and many wonderful amenities for owners and guests. Sea Watch is celebrating its 50th anniversary season

Partners Joseph E. Moore, Regan J.R. Smith, Christopher Woodley, and Chris S. Mason, along with the firm's associate attorneys, Quinn McGinnes and Meegan S. Kennedy, will continue their practice as Williams, Moore, LLP and will relocate the firm's new offices to 12800 Hospitality Way in West Ocean City. Joseph G. Harrison, Jr. will remain of counsel to the firm. Peter S. Buas and Raymond C. Shockley will continue practicing as Coastal Law Office, LLC, which will

continue to serve clients from the firm's former longtime offices at 3509 Coastal Highway in Ocean City. Shockley will serve as of counsel to the firm.

A firm statement read, “While the attorneys of Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, LLP will no longer practice together, they remain friends and colleagues who share a deep respect for one another and a common commitment to serving our community. Each of the firms looks forward to continuing to provide the exceptional legal representation that the residents and businesses of this region have long trusted.”

Retirement announced

Draper Media has announced that President Craig Jahelka will retire effective May 1. Jahelka has spent nearly 50 years in the broadcasting industry, 18 of them with Draper Media and the Delmarva community.

Jahelka was hired by the late Thomas H. Draper, founder of Draper Holdings, in April 2008 as Vice President and General Manager of WBOC/FOX21. Over the course of his tenure, he earned several promotions and ultimately became the first-ever President of Draper Media.

“Craig has spent nearly 50 years in the broadcasting industry, and I’m honored that he chose to spend such a significant portion of his career on Delmarva leading Draper Media,” said Molly Draper Russell, President and CEO

of Draper Holdings. “We are deeply grateful to Craig for the impact he has made to our company and our team members over the years. His legacy of growth, innovation, and leadership will continue to shape Draper Media for years to come.”

“It has been the privilege of my career to lead this team and serve the Delmarva community for the past 18 years,” said Jahelka. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together, from expanding local news and launching new networks to growing our radio presence across the peninsula. I’ll always be grateful to the Draper family for the opportunity and to every team member who made this work meaningful.”

DBF reports acquisition

Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF) has announced the acquisition of Davis, Moore, Shearon & Associates, LLC (DMS & Associates), a respected Centreville-based civil engineering firm specializing in land development services.

The Centreville office will remain open and will now operate as Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., ensuring continuity of service for existing clients while expanding the firm’s regional resources and capabilities.

Founded with a strong reputation for delivering comprehensive site development solutions, DMS & Associates has provided expertise across the full spectrum of the development process, in-

cluding site grading, road design, utilities, stormwater management, storm drainage, and sediment control planning. The firm is well known for its collaborative approach, working closely with owners, architects, surveyors, environmental consultants, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to produce high-quality construction documents and facilitate efficient project approvals.

Executive director named

The Board of Directors of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) announced Joseph (“Joe”) Goetz has been named its new executive director. Goetz will begin his role on April 27 with MABE, the active statewide association which represents all 24 public school systems throughout Maryland.

Goetz’s broad past experience in both private-sector management and school board governance, as well as his past presidency of MABE, represent an ideal combination, noted MABE President Diana Hawley, who also serves on the Board of Education of Cecil County. Hawley emphasized the strength of Goetz’s team-building approach and experience in senior leadership roles leading crossfunctional teams.

Joseph Goetz

BERLIN SPRING CELEBRATION

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARRETT NEVILLE, GOOD BOY MFG.

It was a beautiful weather day for the Berlin Spring Celebration, sponsored by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. Pictured are some scenes from the bonnet parade, the annual egg hunt and some children’s activities provided.

Fri., April 10

STORY TIME AT FURNACE TOWN

Furnace Town Historic Site (Nassawango Iron Furnace), 3816 Old Furnace Road, Snow Hill, 10:30 a.m. Listen to stories, sing songs and do activities while learning local history. Artisians demonstrating woodworking, weaving and blacksmithing. Registration required: 443-235-5597.

OC MAHJONG CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Join in for a fun morning of playing tile Mahjong. Feel free to bring your own tile set. All adults are welcome. 410-5241818, worcesterlibrary.org

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. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org

CURRENTLY READING BOOK CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1 p.m. Drop in to discuss what you are currently reading and share it with the group. 410208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org

BOOK OF THE MONTH: ‘TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW’ BY GABRIELLE ZEVIN

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Pick up a copy of the book at the Ocean Pines circulation desk and then join in for a lively conversation. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org

MARYLAND CRAB CAKE DINNER

Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 4-6 p.m. One crab cake sandwich platter, $15; two crab cake sandwich platter, $25; and crab cake sandwiches, $10. Platters include green beans, baked potato and Cole slaw. Bake sale table available.

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. 410524-7994

Sat., April 11

OCEAN PINES ANGLERS CLUB MEETING Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m. Speaker will be Capt. Philomena Cannuli, an experienced commercial long liner and gill net fisherman. Come hear her amazing life experiences. Get charter updates, fishing reports. All welcome.

410-641-7662

MARIO PARTY

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 12 p.m. Enjoy Mario crafts, play Switch games and come dressed as your favorite Mario character. For ages 6-18 years. 410-2084014, worcesterlibrary.org

ANIME AND MANGA CLUB

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m. Stop by to discuss all things anime and meet like-minded people. Best for ages 12-18 years. 410-524-1818

OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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

Sun., April 12

FICTION & FIBER ARTS

Calvin B. Taylor House, 208 N. Main St., Berlin, 12-2 p.m. Stitch back in time as you sit in the museum parlor listening to a classic novel read aloud and work on your favorite fiber art. All ages welcome. Please bring your own supplies. taylorhousemuseum.org

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER

Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin, 4-6 p.m. Cost is $15 and includes spaghetti, salad, bread, drink and dessert. Children 4 years and younger eat free. Proceeds benefit Rolling Stones Youth Group. Christina Wilson, 302-519-2993

OCDC SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER

Shenanigan’s Irish Pub, 309 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, 4-7 p.m. Includes spaghetti & meatballs, salad, bread, soft drinks/coffee & dessert. 50/50, lottery drawing and silent auction. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for kids 8 years & younger. 703-731-6515

NICHOLS SISTERS AND FAMILY IN CONCERT

New Bethel United Methodist Church, 10203 Germantown Road, Berlin, 4 p.m. Host pastor, Rev. Lucille Nichols. All are invited and welcome.

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 Jeho-

vah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org

Mon., April 13

MOMMY/DADDY & ME CRAFT TIME

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Come read a fun short story and do an easy age appropriate craft. All materials provided. Parents may need to assist child with craft. Participants must pre-register: 410-641-7052, www.oceanpines.org.

STORY TIME: FROGS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818

WRITING FOR WELLNESS

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 1:30 p.m. Writing about stressful experiences like illness may boost health and psychological well-being. Group uses exercises to stimulate creative expression. 410-2084014, worcesterlibrary.org

WATERCOLOR BASICS

101 Green St. Gallery, 101 E. Green St., Snow Hill, 2 p.m. Arist Jan Coulbourne

teaches this class about creating a piece of watercolor art. 443-783-6164

SENSORY BOTTLES

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m. Create a sensory bag or bottle for calming your mind and stimulating your brain. For ages 12-18 years. 410-2084014, worcesterlibrary.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.

Continued on Page 46

Continued from Page 45

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS

Mondays - Worcester County LibraryOcean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 7-8 p.m. No dues or fees. 410-459-9100

Tues., April 14

STORY TIME: LIBRARIAN’S CHOICE

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Crafts, songs and stories. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878, worcesterlibrary.org

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. 410-632-5622, worcesterlibrary.org

STORY TIME

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m. Story time featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. For ages 0-5 years. 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

BOOK CLUB @ TIDES AND VINE: ‘BEHOLD THE DREAMERS’ BY IMBOLO MBUE

Tides & Vine, 106 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 6 p.m. An evening for books and wine. Stop by the Snow Hill Library to pick up your book, then meet for a great discussion at Tides & Vine. Must be at least 21 years of age. 410-632-5622

ATLANTIC COAST SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION MEETING

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 7 p.m. Dinner and drinks available for purchase after 6:15 p.m. George Gutthridge will share tips and tricks for wreck fishing. Mid-Shore Electronics will demonstrate the latest in fish finding. Open to all.

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.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

Tuesdays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 7 p.m. www.jw.org

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.

Wed., April 15

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

SENSORY STAY AND PLAY

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 10:30 a.m. Squish, build, splash, shake and scoop through several fun stations. For ages 0-5 years. 410-524-1818

SENIOR COFFEE & CONVERSATION

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 11 a.m.-noon. Spend an hour enjoying relaxed conversation and a cup of coffee or tea. 410957-0878, 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

FREE COMMUNITY DINNER AND GROCERY

GIVEAWAY

St. Paul’s by-the Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, 5-6 p.m. Free community dinner and gro-

cery giveaway. Join us for a warm meal and groceries. 410-289-3453

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 6-7:30 p.m. This round table discussion is all about sharing experiences, building connections, and supporting the Women’s Art League Leadership Collective. Light refreshments included. Free and open to all. 410-524-9433

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

Thurs., April 16

CHAIR YOGA

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10 a.m. Join Tidal Health Community Health Educator Bobbi McDonald for a morning of stretching and relaxation. Registration required: 410-957-0878. worcesterlibrary.org

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

STORY TIME: DRAGONS

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. 410-632-5622, worcesterlibrary.org

TRICORN HATS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 4 p.m. Celebrate Maryland 250 by making your very own 18th century-style tricorn hat. All supplies provided. For families. 410524-1818, 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 materials provided. For ages 6-11 years. 410-208-4014, 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

ONGOING EVENTS

ORIOLES VS. ATHLETICS BUS TRIP

Bus trip to Camden Yards, May 10. Cost is $150 and includes transportation, section 288 seating, Picnic Perch food and bathrooms, Family Fun Day Sunday, watch batting practice and Denim Crab Cap Gate Giveaway to first 20,000 fans. Depart from the Ocean Pines Community Center at 9:30 a.m. Game time is 1:35 p.m. Tickets: 410-641-7052.

TEEN TIME: PAINTING POTS

Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, April 6-30, 3:30 p.m. Decorate your own flower pot for a plant. All materials provided. While supplies last. 410-2084014

BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST

Pick up an entry form and template at any Worcester County library branch. This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story.” Submit your design by April 30 for a chance to be featured. Winners announced May 13. For families. 443-2355597

HISTORY HUNTERS BEANSTACK CHALLENGE

Throughout April, pick up a field guide and your paper mascot from any Worcester County library branch, visit historic sites, read books and snap pictures of your adventures along the way. Return your field guide when you’re finished or log your activities online on beanstack to enter the drawing for a prize. For families. 443-235-5597

THE STORIES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., throughout April. Celebrate the author’s birthday with a make and take craft kit. Stop by anytime to pick up supplies for your own fairy tale diorama kit. Learn more about Andersen at the Storywalk through a picture book biography at John Walter Smith Park. For families. 410-632-5622

Crossword answers from page 68

APRIL 10, 2026 OC Today-Dispatch 47

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

HELP WANTEDFULL AND PART-TIME positions available at The Irene Condominium, 11100 Coastal Highway. Great work environment, friendly beachfront building, competitive hourly wage. Duties include routine maintenance, minor repairs, light painting, cleaning and grounds keeping. Light physical labor is required. Text or call Ed at 443-415-8000 or email irene11100@comcast.net

Airbnb Turnover Cleaner (Seasonal) Dependable, reliable cleaner needed. Every 3-5 days. Must be available for check in/out window, 11am-4pm. Single level house, 4BR, 2 1/2 BA. Turnover linens. Professional level attention to detail.

$150 per cleaning. Call 301-437-6369.

THUNDERBIRD BEACH MOTEL

Now Hiring

• NIGHT AUDITOR

Apply in person 9am-4pm 32nd St., Baltimore Ave.

ASSISTANT MANAGER

Full-Time, Year-Round

Must be available for day, night or weekend shifts. If interested apply in person.

Open daily, 11:00 a.m. American Legion Post #166, 2308 Philadelphia Avenue For information call 410-289-3166

JOLLY ROGER

Small Engine Mechanic & Ride Maintenance. (Must have mechanical knowledge) Technical Support & Installation (Entry level with knowledge of network systems)

SEASONAL HELP: Cashiers, Waterpark Attendants, Lifeguards, Ride Operators Wage based on experience. Benefits available. 410-289-4902

The

Breakers Hotel FRONT

DESK CLERKS

The Breakers Hotel is currently looking for Full or Part-time seasonal front desk clerks available during the evening hours, 3-11 p.m. Experience in Room Maser is not required; however, basic computer skills are necessary. Please send your resume to info@ocbreakers.com or contact us directly, 410-289-9165 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

HIGH POINT NORTH CONDOMINIUMS

11400 Coastal Highway, OCMD NOW HIRING

FT/YR CUSTODIAN/ MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT

Hours 8am-4pm, must work summer weekends, off Tuesday/Wednesday. Call Tom 410-524-1761 or fax resume to 410-524-0030

The Plaza Condominium is seeking Housekeepers and a detail-oriented Security/Property Preservation Officer to conduct vigilant patrols of our parking decks, pool areas, and building perimeter to ensure guest safety and site integrity. You will be responsible for adhering to facility standards, monitoring equipment like the handicap lift, and maintaining a pristine, hazard-free environment through proactive inspections. Application in person 9800 Coastal Hwy, OCMD Send resume to: Jlentz.plazaoc@gmail.com For more information: Josh Lentz, 410-723-3300.

THUNDERBIRD BEACH MOTEL Now Hiring

• HOUSEKEEPING

Hiring immediately for Deep Cleaning

Apply in person 9am-4pm 32nd St., Baltimore Ave.

The Tides Inn NOW HIRING NIGHT AUDITOR

This position may be full or part time, seasonal, requires flexible schedule. Experience is preferred but we will train the right person. Apply in person 10am-3pm

3001 N. Baltimore Ave. 2nd Floor Office 410-289-3101

HANDYMAN

FT, YR For condo located on 47th St., Bayside, OC, MD. Must work weekends during summer months, off Tues. & Wed. Duties include painting, power washing, light clean up, light maintenance. Pay $18-$22/hr. Benefits include 100% paid health & life insurance. Call 443-523-5739

Seasonal WEEKLY RENTAL only. Single family home, Berlin, 4Br, 3Ba. $725/night. Call 484-319-7188 for details.

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

Seeking Year-Round Rentals! Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555. REAL ESTATE

$120,000

BUYS YOU A BEAUTIFUL 2024 MOBILE HOME! Minutes to the beach and next door to county boat ramp. $700/mo. Lot Rent pays for water/sewer/ trash/taxes. Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555

COMMERCIAL

YEARLY RENTAL

Available Immediately 2 UNITS - Robin Dr. (1 furn., 1 unfurn.) 2BR, 1BA. Dog friendly only. Ideal for 2 mature adults. $2,000/mo. + electric. Call/text 703-819-7400

Yearly & Seasonal Rentals

We Welcome Pets 7700 Coastal Hwy 410-524-7700 www.holidayoc.com

Mention this ad for $10 OFF Application Fee!

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

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

Looking for space, comfort and great views? Spacious, climatecontrolled office available, with use of conference room and reception area, in a modern, wellmaintained building in prime Ocean City location. Call 410-524-3440 for appointment.

Commercial Impound Lots For Lease

50 x 75 sq.ft.

$1,000 per month. Wor. Cty. Approved. MSP Approved. Call Steve 410-251-3412 Leave Message FOR LEASE

Commercial Retail/Office Space 760 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.

SERVICES

LARRY’S

TINY YORKIE PUPPIES

Raised. Males and Females. Mother and Father on premises. 302-934-8913

TO BUY I BUY ALBUMS! 410-430-5349

BOAT & TRAILER STORAGE Across from the Casino. $80 per month. Call Steve, leave message 410-251-3412

BOAT FOR SALE 2007 TRIUMPH 215CC 150 YAMAHA Chart Plotter, GPS, Sonar, Fish Finder, Marine Radio, Trailer has 4 new tires. Fresh bottom paint, new batteries. $20,000 HK Marine 443-235-8370

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just a generator. It’s a power move.

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Advertise in MDDC 410-723-6397

JAMES E. CLUBB, JR., ESQ.

108 8th Street

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

FORECLOSURE

SALE

200 59th Street, #202

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

By virtue of a Statement of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to an Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland in Case No. C-23-CV-26-000047, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction in front of the condominium building located at 200 59th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, on

TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026 AT 10:00 AM

ALL that property located in the Town of Ocean City designated as Unit No. 202 in the Coconut Malorie Resort Condominium, together with an undivided percentage interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Condominium Declaration and By-Laws recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Liber No. 2524, folio 143, and pursuant also to the plats recorded therewith in Plat Book No. 154, folio 26.

The property will be sold in an AS IS condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, with no warranties or guarantees, and will be sold subject to a Deed of Trust recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Liber No. 8361, folio 234, said Deed of Trust having had an original principal balance of $102,900.00 on April 8, 2022. The Trustee reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the amount of Thirty Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00) will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in a cashier=s or bank check, with the balance to be paid in wired funds at the time of settlement. The date of settlement shall be fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. The undersigned reserves the right to waive the deposit requirements as to the purchaser representing the interest of the party secured by the Statement of Lien. Real property taxes, wastewater charges, and condominium dues will be adjusted to the date of sale and thereafter assumed by the purchaser. All costs of conveyancing, including transfer and recordation taxes, shall be paid by the purchaser. The purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining possession of the property. Purchaser agrees to pay to the Seller an Attorney=s fee of $350.00

for review of any motion which may be filed with the Court to substitute a purchaser herein. In the event the undersigned is unable to convey marketable title, the sale will be null and void and the purchaser=s sole remedy will be the return of the deposit without interest.

For more information, call: James E. Clubb, Jr. Trustee 410-289-2323

OCD-4/9/3t

JAMES E. CLUBB, JR., ESQ. 108 8th Street

Ocean City, Maryland 21842

FORECLOSURE SALE

12605 Assawoman Drive, #101 OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

By virtue of a Statement of Lien recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, and pursuant to an Order of the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland in Case No. C-23-CV-26-000036, the undersigned Trustee will offer for sale at public auction in front of the condominium building located at 12605 Assawoman Drive, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, on

MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2026 AT 10:00 AM

ALL that property lying and being situate in the Town of Ocean City, in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, more particularly designated and distinguished as Unit No. 101 in the Starfish V Building, STARFISH III, IV & V CONDOMINIUM, together with an undivided percentage interest in the common elements thereof, as established pursuant to a Condominium Declaration and ByLaws recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland in Liber No. 470, folio 383, et seq., and subject to the Condominium Plats recorded therewith in Plat Book No. 48, folio 40, et seq.

The property will be sold in an AS IS condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, with no warranties or guarantees, and will be sold subject to a Deed of Trust recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Liber No. 7897, folio 97, said Deed of Trust having had an original principal balance of $260,000.00 on January 4, 2021. The Trustee reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) will be required at the time of sale, such deposit to be in a cashier=s or bank check, with the balance to be paid in wired funds at the time of settlement. The date of settlement shall be fifteen (15) days after final ratification by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, time being of the essence; otherwise, the deposit will be forfeited and the property will be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser, or in any manner designated by the Trustee; or, without forfeiting deposit, the Seller may

exercise any of its legal or equitable rights against the defaulting purchaser. The undersigned reserves the right to waive the deposit requirements as to the purchaser representing the interest of the party secured by the Statement of Lien. Real property taxes, wastewater charges, and condominium dues will be adjusted to the date of sale and thereafter assumed by the purchaser. All costs of conveyancing, including transfer and recordation taxes, shall be paid by the purchaser. The purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining possession of the property. Purchaser agrees to pay to the Seller an Attorney’s fee of $350.00 for review of any motion which may be filed with the Court to substitute a purchaser herein. In the event the undersigned is unable to convey marketable title, the sale will be null and void and the purchaser=s sole remedy will be the return of the deposit without interest.

For more information, call: James E. Clubb, Jr. Trustee 410-289-2323

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21055 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF RICHARD A. CARROLL

Notice is given that Brandon Carroll, 16 Beaconhill Rd., Berlin, MD 21811-1613, was on March 12, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Richard A. Carroll who died on February 23, 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 12th day of September, 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 12th day of September, 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.

Brandon Carroll

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: March 19, 2026

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The Tax Lien Season 2025 LP c/o Eskin Law, LLC

1700 Reisterstown Road, Suite 212 Pikesville, MD 21208

Plaintiff v.

MILLARD EDWARD JONES

Worcester County Treasurer's Office of Worcester County

State of Maryland Office of the Attorney General

DELORIS B. JONES ANDRESE SMITH

The Testate and Intestate Successors of Millard Edward Jones, Believed to Be Deceased, and All Persons Claiming by, Through, or Under the Individual Believed to Be Deceased

All unknown owners of the property (8336 CIRCLE RD BERLIN 21811 being known as District - 03 Account Identifier - 002985 with a legal description of 1.136 ACS S SIDE CIRCLE RD SE OF WHALEYVILLE on the Tax Roll of the Director of Finance), 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 and any and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the property.

Defendants IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY Case No. C-23-CV-26-000076

ORDER OF

PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure foreclosure of all rights of redemption from tax sale on the property known as 8336 CIRCLE RD BERLIN 21811 being known as District - 03 Account Identifier - 002985 with a legal description of 1. 1.136 ACS S SIDE CIRCLE RD SE OF WHALEYVILLE on the Tax Roll of the Director of Finance sold by the Finance Officer of WORCESTER COUNTY, State of Maryland to The Tax Lien Season 2025 LP, the Plaintiff.

A description of the property in substantially the same form as the description appearing on the Certificate of Tax Sale is as follows: 8336 CIRCLE RD BERLIN 21811 being known as District - 03 Account Identifier - 002985 with a legal description of 1.136 ACS S SIDE CIRCLE RD SE OF WHALEYVILLE on the Tax Roll of the Director of Finance. The Complaint states among

other things that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 18th of March, 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 once a week for three consecutive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear before this Court by the 18th day of May, 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 title to the property in Plaintiff, free of all liens and encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby Judge, Circuit Court for WORCESTER COUNTY

True Copy

Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD OCD-3/26/3t

MICHAEL B MATHERS ESQ

WEBB, WILBUR, MATHERS ILLUMINATI & LUKAS, LLP

DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP PO BOX 910

SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DAVID ANDREW STANTON Estate No. 21064 Notice is given that JAMES ANDREW STANTON whose address is 5458 COVERDALE WAY MEDINA, OH 44256-5531 was on MARCH 19, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DAVID ANDREW STANTON who died on JANUARY 28, 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 19th day of SEPTEMBER, 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 19th day of SEPTEMBER, 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-3/26/3t

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION

P06-26 – Non-Cash Bus Fare Payment System

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Non-Cash Bus Fare Payment System and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

Proposal Documents for the NonCash Bus Fare Payment System 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, APRIL 14TH, 2026 AT 11:00AM EST, AT THE PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, 214 65TH STREET, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. Pre-Proposal Meeting attendance is mandatory for Vendors intending to submit Proposals for consideration. The Town of Ocean City will additionally provide a virtual attendance option, via Zoom, upon formal request in writing to the Procurement Manager, for Vendors unable to attend the Pre-Proposal Meeting in person. The Last Day for Questions will be on THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH, 2026, AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, MAY 1ST, 2026

. Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, MAY 14TH, 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, MAY 15TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM 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 (P06-26 – Non-Cash Bus Fare Payment System) 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 Solicitation.

Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-3/26/7t

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION

B12-26 – 5th Street Post Office Demolition

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking BID’s from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the 5th Street Post Office Demolition and for said work to conform with the BID Documents. BID Documents for the 5th Street Post Office Demolition may be obtained from the Town’s Procurement Department by either emailing 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 BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any BID Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed BID Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE 5TH STREET POST OFFICE, 408 PHILADELPHIA AVENUE, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842

The Last Day for Questions will be on THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM EST. Addendum will be posted by close of business on FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH, 2026

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH, 2026, BY 4:00PM EST. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, ON FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM EST. BID’s are to be submitted to the Town of Ocean City Procurement Department, Attention: Procurment Manager; 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (5th Street Post Office Demolition) must be noted on the outside

of the package. Late BID Documents will not be accepted. Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.

Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-3/26/3t

RALPH J. DIPIETRO, ET AL

Substitute Trustees Plaintiffs v. ARNOLD W. JENKINS, SR. Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY Case No.: C-23-CV-26-000008

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given this 20th day of March, 2026 by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 14 2nd Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851 will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 20th day of April, 2026, next, provided a copy of this NOTICE be published at least once a week in each of three successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in said County before the 13th day of April, 2026, next.

The report states the amount of sale to be $100,000.00 to David Simard and Realty Tech, LLC. Susan Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-3/26/3t

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON CHRISTOPHER T. WOODLEY ESQ. 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 21066

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Orphans court of York County, Pennsylvania appointed (1) Kimberly K. Eisenhart, 805 Greenbriar. Rd., York, PA 17404-1339; (2) Scott W. Fidler, 12090 Rockville Rd., Glen Rock, PA 17327-8123 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Wayne H. Fidler who died on August 28, 2025 domiciled in Pennsylvania, United States.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Christopher T. Woodley, 3509 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842-3334; (2) Christopher T. Woodley, 3509 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842-3334.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester.

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) Kimberly K. Eisenhart

(2) Scott W. Fidler 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: March 26, 2026

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JAMES W. ALMAND ESQ

AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND, PA 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES ESTATE NO. 21070

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the REGISTER OF WILLS court of YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA appointed GINGER BRUHA whose address is 325 HIRSCHMANN RD BIGLERVILLE, PA 17307-9136 as the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Estate of ROGER DAVID OVERFIELD who died on NOVEMBER 07, 2025 domiciled in PENNSYLVANIA, USA

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is JAMES W ALMAND whose address is 6200 COASTAL HWY STE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-6697. 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 delivery of the notice. Claims filed after that date or after a date extended by law will be barred.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for WORCESTER COUNTY

ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE

SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074

OCD-3/26/3t

WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON LLP

REGAN J. R. SMITH ESQ. 3509 COASTAL HWY. OCEAN CITY, MD 21842-3334

NOTICE

TO

CREDITORS

OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 21071

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Regist of Will & Clerk court of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania appointed Thomas M. Weidman, 1801 Atlantic Ave., Unit 609, Ocean City, MD 21842-3687 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Linda A. Weidman who died on January 13, 2023 domiciled in Pennsylvania, United States.

At the time of death, the decedent owned real or leasehold property in the following Maryland counties: Worcester.

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.

Thomas M. Weidman Foreign Personal Representative 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: March 26, 2026

OCD-3/26/3t

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of JAMES O. SHILOW Estate No. 21068 Notice is given that MARY SHILOW GRAY whose address is 13802 LAUREL ROCK CT., CLIFTON, VA 20124-2505 was on MARCH 20, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES O. SHILOW who died on MARCH 06, 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 SEPTEMBER, 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 20th day of SEPTEMBER, 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-3/26/3t

MARIANNA BATIE ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of CHRISTINE MARIE KAUFMAN Estate No. 21065 Notice is given that GEORGE KAUFMAN whose address is 11 FOSSE GRANGE, BERLIN, MD 218112001 was on MARCH 19, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHRISTINE MARIE KAUFMAN who died on DECEMBER 21, 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 19th day of SEPTEMBER, 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 19th day of SEPTEMBER, 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-3/26/3t

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE LICENSE

Application has been made by the Undersigned for a Class: "B" BEERWINE License: 7 Day, By: Clint Dempsey, 11431 Manklin Creek Road - 2F, Berlin, MD 21811. For: North OC Bettys, Inc. For the premises known as and located at:

T/A: Surfin Bettys 12701 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842

There will be a public hearing on the application at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1102, Snow Hill, Maryland, on: April 15, 2026 @ 1:05 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-4/2/2t

Ralph J. DiPietro, Esquire Hofmeister Robinson & DiPietro Executive Plaza II, Suite 601 11350 McCormick Road Hunt Valley, MD 21031 410-832-8822, ext. 5

RALPH J. DIPIETRO, ET AL. Substitute Trustees Plaintiffs v.

CABM CONTRACTOR LLC AKA CABM CONTRACTORS, LLC Defendant IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY Case No. C-23-CV-25-000363

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given this 24th day of March, 2026, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in these proceedings and described as 309 Purnell Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863 will be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 27th day of April, 2026, next, provided a copy of this NOTICE be published at least once a week in each of three successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in said County before the 20th day of April, 2026, next. The report states the amount of sale to be $80,000.00 and sold to GSJ Consulting, Inc. Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County True Copy

Test: Susan R. Braniecki

Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-4/2/3t

THE GELLER LAW GROUP, PLLC

JANELL F. WHEELER

4000 LEGATO RD, STE. 1100 PMB 6084 FAIRFAX, VA 22033-2893

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 21075

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Circuit court of Arlington County, Virginia appointed (1) Matthew Patrick Harrington, 14160 Roller Coaster Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 809212029; and (2) Paul Herbert Harrington III, 1901 N. Cameron St., Arlington, VA 22207-2018 as the CoExecutor of the Estate of Paul H. Harrington Jr., AKA: Paul Herbert Harrington Jr. who died on July 21, 2025 domiciled in Virginia, USA.

The name and address of the Maryland resident agent for service of process is (1) Debbie Kivitz, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1350, Bethesda, MD 20814-7069; and (2) Debbie Kivitz, Hamelburg Law, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Ste. 1350, Bethesda, MD 20814-7069.

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) Matthew Patrick Harrington

(2) Paul Herbert Harrington III 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: April 02, 2026

OCD-4/2/3t

Call: 410-723-6397

Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail:

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION

P04-26 – Ocean City Boardwalk Pedicab Franchise Services

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Boardwalk Pedicab Franchise Services and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents. Proposal Documents for the Ocean City Boardwalk Pedicab Franchise Services 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) 7236643 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 MONDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST at the Procurement Conference Room, 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842 for this Request for Proposal. The Town of Ocean City will additionally provide a virtual attendance option, via Zoom, upon formal request in writing to the Procurement Manager, for Vendors unable to attend the Pre-Proposal Meeting in person. The Last Day for Questions will be on FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH, 2026, AT 4:00PM EST, for any questions concerning the Proposal Documents. Addendum will be posted by close of business on MONDAY, APRIL 13TH, 2026.

Sealed Proposal Documents are due no later than MONDAY, APRIL 20TH, 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 TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2026, AT 10:00AM 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 (P04-26 – Ocean City Boardwalk Pedicab Franchise Services) 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 Solicitation.

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DONNA P. BROWN

THE BROWN LAW FIRM, LLC

5000 THAYER CTR., STE. C OAKLAND, MD 21550-1139

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21072 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF OLIVER W. CORBIN

Notice is given that Rhoda E. Corbin, 123 Bookdale Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10801-2818, was on March 30, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Oliver W. Corbin 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 claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 30th day of September, 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 30th day of September, 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.

Rhoda E. Corbin

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: April 02, 2026

ALBRIGHT

Notice is given that Tammy Donnelly, PO Box 7105, Arlington, VA 22207-0105, was on March 20, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Theresa J. Albright who died on February 28, 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 September, 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 September, 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.

Tammy Donnelly 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: April 02, 2026

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NOMIKI B. WEITZEL ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF NOMIKI BOULOUBASSIS WEITZEL & ASSOC. 7652 BELAIR RD. BALTIMORE, MD 21236-4088

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21069

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

IN THE ESTATE OF THERESA J. ALBRIGHT

AKA: THERESA JOAN

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21079 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF

JASON W. HAHN

AKA: JASON WARREN HAHN

Notice is given that Kelly A. Kunze, 101 Theodora Ct., Forest Hill, MD 21050-3250, was on March 30, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jason W. Hahn who died on February 05, 2026, without 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 30th day of September, 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 30th day of September, 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.

Kelly A. Kunze

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: April 02, 2026

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DAVID C. MAJORS

THE MAJORS LAW FIRM 1750 TYSONS BLVD. STE. 1500 MCLEAN, VA 22102-4200

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21080

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF JOAN T. DONNELLY

Notice is given that Gary W. Donnelly, 6133 Mountain Springs Ln., Clifton, VA 20124-2340, was on April 01, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joan T. Donnelly who died on March 14, 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 1st day of October, 2026. All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the dece-

dent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of October, 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.

Gary W. Donnelly 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: April 09, 2026

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Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL

SOLICITATION

B13-26 – Ocean City Fire Station #4 Apron

The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking BID’s from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Ocean City Fire Station #4 and for said work to conform with the BID Documents.

BID Documents for the Ocean City Fire Station #4 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) 7236643 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 BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any BID Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed BID Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting will be held

on THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM EST, AT THE FIRE STATION #4, 12925 COASTAL HIGHWAY, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The Last Day for Questions will be on MONDAY, APRIL 20TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM EST Addendum will be posted by close of business on TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2026

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than MONDAY, APRIL 27TH, 2026, BY 10:00AM EST. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, ON TUESDAY, APRIL 28TH, 2026, AT 1:00PM EST. BID’s are to be submitted to the Mayor and City Council, Attention: City Clerk; Room 230, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Ocean City Fire Station #4 Apron) must be noted on the outside of the package.

Late BID Documents will not be accepted.

Minority Vendors are encouraged to compete for the Award of the Solicitation.

Matt Perry Procurement Manager Town of Ocean City, Maryland OCD-4/9/3t _________________________________

JAMES W. ALMAND, ESQ. AYRES JENKINS GORDY & ALMAND, PA 6200 COASTAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 200 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21086 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MARK WIESAND

Notice is given that Deborah Lynn Wiesand, 3801 Atlantic Ave., Unit 206, Ocean City, MD 218423386, was on April 01, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mark Wiesand who died on March 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 claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 1st day of October, 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 1st day of October, 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.

Deborah Lynn Wiesand 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: April 09, 2026

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REENA J. PATEL ESQ.

LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE

1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 21084 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF NIVLYS ANNE KITZIG AKA: NIVLYS A. KITZIG

Notice is given that Mary Kitzig, P.O. Box 990, 1551 Kaufman Road, Buena Vista, CO 81211-0990, was on April 01, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nivlys Anne Kitzig who died on December 30, 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 1st day of October, 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 1st day of October, 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

Mary Kitzig

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: April 09, 2026

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REENA J. PATEL ESQ.

LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE

1321 MOUNT HERMON RD., STE. B

SALISBURY, MD 21804-5303

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of DOROTHY E. DAILEY Estate No. 21085 Notice is given that ALBERT JOHN DAILEY whose address is 106 SPRING PLACE WAY, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401-7294 was on APRIL 01, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DOROTHY E. DAILEY who

died on AUGUST 03, 2004 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 1st day of OCTOBER, 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 1st day of OCTOBER, 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-4/9/3t

TOWN

OF BERLIN, MARYLAND

NOTICE

OF A PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2026-01

AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN, MARYLAND, A MARYLAND MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ENTITLED BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE V, ENTITLED HOUSING STANDARDS, SECTION 6-127, ENTITLED ESTABLISHMENT, POWERS AND DUTIES OF HOUSING INSPECTOR AND BOARD OF REVIEW

This ordinance is scheduled for introduction and first reading on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Both meetings will take place during the Regular Session of the Mayor and Council at the Berlin Library, 13 Harrison Avenue, Berlin, MD 21811.

The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 410-641-2770 for further information.

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NOTICE

Candidates Announced for 2026 Elections

The Town of Snow Hill has announced the candidates for the 2026 Town Election to be held on May 5th, 2026.

On the ballot for Mayor are incumbent Janet T. Simpson and Charles (Rob) R.V. Hall. On the ballot for Eastern District Council are incumbent Edward S. Lee and Ethan W. Shockley.

The election will take place at the Train Station (200 Belt Street) on May 5th from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Those who wish to vote by absentee ballot can call Town Hall or email Kandice Ringenary at adminco@snowhillmd.com to request an absentee ballot application. The deadline to submit a request for an absentee ballot application is Friday, April 24th, 2026 at 4:30pm. Specificity regarding aspects of Town of Snow Hill Elections can be found in Chapter 79 of the Town of Snow Hill Code available online via the Town’s website, snowhillmd.gov. For more information, call Town Hall at 410-632-2080.

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SMALL ESTATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

To all persons interested in the estate of ELEANOR V. GRIFFIN Estate No. 21083 Notice is given that NELSON E. FENWICK whose address is 3315 OAK WEST DR., APT. 227, ELLICOTT CITY, MD 210435017 was on APRIL 01, 2026 appointed personal representative(s) of the small estate of ELEANOR V. GRIFFIN who died on DECEMBER 31, 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

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

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on:

Thursday, April 23, 2026 AT 6:00 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers of the Code, an application related to Section 110-94(2)(b) has been filed to request (1) a special parking exception to the design standards to allow tandem parking of 132 parking spaces for 66 multi-family proposed condominium units, which said parking spaces will be conveyed together with the individual units as reserved parking; and (2) a special parking exception from design standards to reduce the minimum dimensions of one (1) tandem parking space per each of the 66 proposed units to be 9’ X 36’ instead of 9’ X 40’ (42’) as required by Code. The Property is described as Lots 1 through 8, and Lots 12 through 16, Block 45 of the revised Fenwick, MD plat, Town of Ocean City, Maryland. The Property is located north of 145th Street, west of Coastal Highway MD528, and is locally known as 14501 Coastal Highway, in the Town

of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: REGAN SMITH

ESQ. FOR OC 107 146TH STREET, LLC and OC BOAT HOLDING CO. INC.

(BZA 2737, #26-09400005) AT 6:15 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 110-93(2) and 110-93(3), Powers of the Code, an application related to Sections 110-94(2)(b) and 110-95(1)(a) has been filed to request (1) an after-the-fact special parking exception to reduce the depth of two (2) required parking spaces to 19.14 feet rather than 20 feet as required by Code; (2) an after-the-fact variance of 0.68 feet from the 5-foot side yard setback for an existing covered porch to be 4.32 feet from a side lot line; (3) an after-the-fact variance of 0.62 feet from the 5-foot side yard setback for an existing dwelling to be 4.38 feet from a side lot line; and (4) an after-the-fact variance of 0.39 feet from the 5-foot side yard setback for an existing dwelling to be 4.61 feet from the side lot line. The Property is described as Lot 1135, Section 3, of the Montego Bay Mobile Home Park Plat. It is further described as being located on the southwest side of Beachcomber Lane and is locally known as 179 Beachcomber Lane in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: SEAN AND PATRICIA CHENWORTH

(BZA 2738, #26-09500001) AT 6:30 PM

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(3), Powers of the Code, an application related to Section 110-95(1)(a) has been filed to request a variance of 1.9 feet from the 5-foot side yard setback requirement for a proposed staircase required for fire safety to be 3.1 feet from the side lot line. The Property is described as Tax Map 110, Parcel 3791, Lot B, Block 35 of the J.E. Evans Plat. It is further described as being located on the north side of 8th Street and is locally known as 202 8th Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: PETER BUAS, ESQ. FOR 202 8TH STREET, LLC

(BZA 2739, #26-09500002)

Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.

Christopher Rudolf, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney

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ABANDONED VESSEL

Notice is hereby given that the following vessel has apparently been abandoned for more than 180 days on the property of Racetrack Marine (10438 Racetrack Rd Berlin, MD 21811 443-513-4176). The vessel is described as (MD 8589 AZ, SERV2267H091, 1991 Sea Ray 17' 10" ) White with blue canvas. Application for title will be made in accordance with Section 8-722 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Natural Resources Article if this vessel is not claimed and removed from the above property within 30 days of this notice.

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Officials eye app-based pay method for city’s bus system

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) Resort transportation officials say they plan to test an app-based payment system for the city’s bus fleet beginning this fall.

In a work session Tuesday, Transportation Manager Rob Shearman presented the Ocean City Council with his department’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. As part of his review, the department head highlighted plans to roll out an app-based system for paying bus fares.

“We have been discussing piloting –and eventually adopting – an appbased fare payment, but that is something that will be gradually adopted,” he told the council. “And we believe that any costs that are gradually phased in through that will be offset through increased ridership, based on the convenience to ride. So we expect that to be pretty zero sum.”

Shearman said a request for proposals has been issued, and that his department hopes to contract with an agency by late summer. If all goes according to plan, he said a pilot program would begin this fall, after the Oceans Calling and Country Calling music festivals.

“We think that will be a great en-

couragement for people to ride the bus,” Mayor Rick Meehan said, “and really a revenue enhancer.”

Instead of relying solely on the current cash-only system, the pilot program would allow riders the option to pay using their cellphones. Shearman added that an app-based payment system would require no onboard equipment, making it easy and cost effective to launch.

In a transportation committee meeting earlier this year, transportation officials noted the fiscal impact of rolling out such a payment system remained unclear. However, they said any vendor the city chooses would likely keep a percentage of its bus revenue, a fee estimated to be around 10%.

In addition to discussing the pilot program, Shearman this week presented his department’s projected costs and revenues for the coming fiscal year. In terms of revenues, he projects a small uptick in revenues, which he said reflects a bump in bus ridership.

“As I mentioned, ridership has been fairly stable,” he said. “It’s been on a slight downtrend the last couple of years, but it appears to be on a slight uptrend now. So we are planning accordingly for revenues.”

County awards reno project to higher bidder

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) Worcester County officials broke from their usual procurement practice this week and awarded a $2.19 million library renovation contract to a higher bidder so they could keep the work local.

In a 6-1 vote Tuesday, the county commissioners selected Salisburybased Harkins Contracting, despite staff recommending Towson-based Oak Contracting as the low bidder after a formal review process. The bid included a 5% contingency.

Oak’s bid was $2,178,005. The company has previously worked in Worcester County, including projects at Showell Elementary and Snow Hill High School, Procurement Director Ed Welch told the commissioners.

The next-lowest bid, $2.19 million from Harkins, was just $12,705 higher, prompting a brief debate among commissioners about whether to favor a local contractor.

“I do like the idea of using more local-based and keep our folks on the shore here working – they’re the ones paying the taxes here to us and I think they deserve it,” said Commissioner Eric Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City).

Commissioners President Ted Elder said he didn’t think $12,000

Saturrdday 11am-1pm

Saturrdday 11am-1pm

was a lot of money on a $2 million contract, but officials should stick with the lower price when the price gap between bids is bigger.

“If it’s a big difference, I hope we would all keep in mind we want to protect the taxpayers’ money,” said Elder (District 4, Western).

The commissioners ultimately rejected the recommended low bid and moved to select Harkins as the contractor. That prompted Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, a home builder and contractor himself, to cast the lone dissenting vote.

“I agree with hiring local contractors, but I know that if I was Oak Contracting and was recommended and picked to do the job, that I’d be a little upset the county commissioners overrode that decision,” said Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean City). “I’m going to vote no on this.”

Worcester County does not have a formal policy giving bid preference to local contractors, Welch said, though he noted that could be considered in the future.

“In our case, we simply looked at the lowest responsible bid,” he said.

County Administrator Weston Young said cost and experience are typically the major factors considered in choosing bidders responding to a request for proposal.

Renovations to the Snow Hill branch of the Worcester County Library should be completed this fall, according to Library Director Jennifer Ranck. The goal is to modernize the county’s oldest library branch, which opened in 1975. The county budgeted $2.5 million for the project.

Ranck said this phase of the project will concentrate on upgrading the building’s plumbing and electrical systems, which will include wiring additional electrical outlets for visitors who want to plug in their phones or laptops.

Renovations will include updated restrooms, new bookshelves, im-

April 9 - 16

proved lighting, and a meeting room kitchenette.

The project also includes new flooring and carpet tiles, a new ceiling and attic ventilation, and a new security system.

In the meantime, a temporary library has been set up within walking distance at 301 Bank Street, where administrative offices have been repurposed for book collection, computer and copier services.

Programming for babies and small children will continue at the temporary location while some services will move to Recreation and Parks facilities.

Pines

4 Prreeakness Drive, Ocean Pines 5BR/3.5BA

Saturrdday 11am-1pm 12702

02 Coastal Hwy Unit 201, Ocean City 1BR/2BA

Saturrdday 11am-2pm 11900 Coastal Hwy

Holland/Coldwell B 00 Coastal Hwyy., Unit 102, Ocean City 3BR/3BA

Saturrdday 11am -2pm 14104 Dukes A

Rick Meehan/Katy Durham/Cold 14104 Dukes Avenue, Ocean City 4BR/2BA

Saturrdday 11am-2pm 8500

T Teerry Riley/RE/MAX Adva 0 Coastal Hwy Unit 1108, Ocean City 2BR/2BA

Saturrdday 11am-2pm 2817

Saturrdday 11am-2pm Sat &

Saturrdday Noon-2pm 7710

Saturrdday Noon-2pm 13905 Lighthouse A

Saturrdday 2:30-4:30pm

11am-1pm 37033 Pkwy

11am -2pm 14104

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Improvements to the Snow Hill library branch, pictured above, will commence after county leaders this week voted to award a contract to Salisbury-based Harkins Contracting.

Beach replenishment costs to rise

By Bethany Hooper

Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) City Manager Terry McGean said Ocean City’s share of beach replenishment funding is likely to go up ahead of this fall’s project.

During a work session Tuesday to review the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, McGean warned the Ocean City Council that funding set aside for a beach replenishment project in October would likely increase in the coming months.

With costs increasing, he said it was possible that the city would need to contribute an additional $1 million.

“Just so you all are aware, you will likely see a budget amendment in the coming months,” he told the council this week. “The good news is that we got the federal funding for beach replenishment. The not-so-good news is beach replenishment has gotten much more expensive.”

In 1994, the state of Maryland, Worcester County, and the Town of Ocean City entered into a 50-year agreement with the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers to perform periodic replenishment as needed. Typically, Ocean City’s beaches are replenished on a four-year cycle, with the most recent replenishment project taking place in the fall and winter of 2021.

The agreement also outlines the funding commitments of each party, with the federal Army Corps paying 53% of the cost of, Maryland paying 23.5% of the cost, and both Worcester County and Ocean City each paying 11.75% of the cost.

At the city level, money is set aside annually for beach renourishment. Those yearly contributions are then placed into a shared fund, which then earns interest and accumulates to fund future beach renourishment projects.

City Engineer Brad Parks told city leaders this week that in the coming fiscal year, the city’s share is budgeted to increase $70,000. However, McGean said those costs were likely to go up.

“So in order to do the project based on the Corps' currently estimated cost, we’re probably going to have to – the state and the city and the county – are going to have to invest more money this year to do the full project,” he said. “We don’t exactly know what that final amount is yet. But we do expect it to be close to

about $1 million set aside this year.”

In an interview this week, Parks said it remains unclear how high the project cost could go, or how much more the city might need to contribute. He said bids for this year’s round of beach replenishment are expected to come back this summer.

Regardless, Parks said securing federal funding for this year’s beach replenishment project was a win for Ocean City. He noted that the last replenishment project took place nearly five years ago.

“We’re excited that the Army Corps has funded the project, and we’ll be replenishing the beaches in the fall of this year,” Parks told the council this week, adding that work would commence in October.

As the city braces for a sharp increase in costs this year, McGean told officials the city’s share of funding would likely need to increase beyond the annual $500,000 contribution in the coming years.

“Going forward, that half a million dollars we set aside every year, that amount is probably going to have to go up. That half a million dollars has been the set fee now for 30 years …,” he explained. “So we’re likely to see a significant one-time expense this year, and then an increase over the years to come, above $500,000.”

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

Notice of Public Hearing

Worcester County Water and Wastewater Enterprise Funds FY 2027 Requested Budgets and Assessments

The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed operating budgets, assessments, user charges and other charges for each of the 11 sanitary service areas operated by the Worcester County Department of Public Works, Water & Wastewater Division. If you wish to speak or attend in person, we encourage you to pre-register by calling the County Administration office at 410-632-1194. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@worcestermd.gov on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 4, 2026. Anyone not planning to speak may view the public hearing live on the County website at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live. The Public Hearing will be held at:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.

in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101, Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

Copies of the proposed operating budgets for the 11 sanitary service areas are available for public inspection in the County Treasurers’ Office in Room 1105 of the County Government Center in Snow Hill and online at www.co.worcester.md.us.

Water and Wastewater Estimated Revenues and Requested Expenditures

Assateague Pointe

$579,258

$345,536

$1,070,215

$2,491,807

$1,466,351

$3,547,569 Total $22,357,147

The 11 sanitary service areas and proposed changes to the user charges are as follows:

Notice of Public Hearing Worcester County Solid Waste Enterprise Fund FY 2027 Requested Budgets and Assessments

The Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed operating budget, assessments, user charges and other charges for the Worcester County Solid Waste Division operated by the Worcester County Department of Public Works. If you wish to speak or attend in person, we encourage you to pre-register by calling the County Administration office at 410-632-1194. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up t o two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@worcestermd.gov on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 4, 2026. Anyone not planning to speak may view the public hearing live on the County website at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live. The Public Hearing will be held at:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. in the County Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 1101, Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863

The Proposed Solid Waste Budget maintains the current solid waste tipping fee of $80 per ton for municipal waste and $80 per ton for construction and demolition debris. Copies of the detailed budget are available for public inspection at the County Treasurers’ Office in Room 1105 of the County Government Center in Snow Hill or online at www.co.worcester.md.us. For additional information, contact the Worcester County Treasurer’s Office at 410-632-9309.

Adjustments announced for mortgage loan underwriting Council to vote on funding requests for area nonprofits

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer

Desktop Underwriter® (DU®) is Fannie Mae’s automated mortgage loan underwriting system. Fannie Mae describes DU as a powerful tool to help lenders assess credit risk and establish a loan’s eligibility for sale and delivery to Fannie Mae, as well as a way to better serve the 9 out of 10 homebuyers who prefer a digital mortgage process.

At the end of 2025, some changes were announced for DU®. It will no longer require a minimum thirdparty credit score and does not use credit scores to assess credit risk. It will use a proprietary credit risk assessment to determine a minimum credit risk threshold when evaluating loan eligibility for sale to Fannie Mae. Previously DU® used a minimum credit score to determine whether a borrower was eligible for a credit risk assessment, but they are replacing that requirement stating “it does not affect our ability to assess credit risk and ensures that the DU risk recommendation is agnostic of third-party credit scores”.

For over 25 years, DU has used its proprietary credit risk models to eval-

uate mortgage delinquency risk, which are more comprehensive than a credit score. These models evaluate details of the borrower’s credit history and were the first to include trended credit data and on-time rent payment history as part of DU’s overall risk assessment.

Jason Cook, Eastern Shore Manager with Embrace Home Loans said this about the recent change, “Since automated mortgage underwriting must account for a broad set of factors, such as borrower reserves, debt levels, property characteristics, and planned use for the property—we are hopeful this change to use an updated proprietary risk assessment model will help more buyers receive an “Approve/Eligible” recommendation.”

Fannie Mae detailed what this will mean for investors, lenders and borrowers:

• They anticipate this change will have a negligible impact on the number of loan applications receiving an Approve/Eligible recommendation.

• DU risk recommendations will not change based on the third-party credit scores that lenders may use.

• Loans sold to Fannie Mae must continue to include a third-party credit score per the Selling Guide.

Lauren Bunting is the Broker of Record for Keller Williams Realty Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) As part of Ocean City government’s annual budget deliberations, city leaders will consider contributions to area nonprofit organizations, which submitted more than $254,000 in requests for the coming fiscal year.

During a budget work session Tuesday, Budget Manager Jennie Knapp presented the Ocean City Council with the requests for funding from seven nonprofit organizations.

While the funding allocations are typically finalized during the council’s budget wrap-up meeting, Knapp said staff proposed to fully fund the requested amounts to all but two agencies – Diakonia and Life Crisis.

“Diakonia requested $75,000. I do have them funded at $60,000, which was the current fiscal year. You do need a vote in order to increase that,” she explained. “And then Life Crisis requested $10,000. It is not currently funded.”

Ahead of this year’s budget sessions, Stop Offshore Wind submitted a request of $100,000, Diakonia submitted a request of $75,000, the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center submitted a request of $50,000

and Life Crisis submitted a request of $10,000. Other requests came from Wor-Wic Community College ($10,000), Worcester Youth & Family Counseling ($9,000) and Stephen Decatur High School’s after prom ($750).

While the city’s proposed spending plan funds five nonprofits at their requested levels, Knapp told council members this week that she was suggesting a $60,000 contribution to Diakonia and no contribution to Life Crisis.

She noted that Life Crisis was not funded in the current fiscal year budget, as the agency failed to submit the required paperwork ahead of last year’s budget preparations.

“We used to fund them in the past, and then they just stopped asking for money at some point,” she explained. “They stopped submitting their paperwork, but they have started again.”

In addition to the nonprofits, Knapp said the coming year’s budget also proposes to fund the Worcester County Humane Society at $20,000, and the Ocean City Development Corporation at $250,000. She said the funding allocations would be voted upon during the budget wrapup, which is scheduled to take place today, April 10.

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST We have generations of experience and are well known for our exceptional

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Dining Guide

■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$

■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted

DOWNTOWN

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, egg-rolls 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.

■ DISTRICT 24: BLUE CRABHOUSE& RAW BAR, JAY’S CAFÉ, CRAFT BEER & 1945 STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE

2305 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City 410289-3322, district24oc.com

$$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Nestled on 24th Street Bayside in Ocean City, Maryland, District 24 stands as one destination brimming with endless possibilities. On the first floor, Blu Crabhouse & Raw Bar invites you to indulge in all-you-can-eat blue crabs, easy-peel shrimp, golden fried chicken, and so much more, while Jay’s Café serves breakfast sandwiches all day alongside La Colombe coffee, fresh pastries, and delicious lunch creations. Just steps away, CRAFT Bar delivers smash burgers, crispy wings, craft pizzas, an impressive selection of craft beer, handcrafted cocktails, and more. Rising above it all on the third floor, the stunning new 1945 Steak & Seafood offers breathtaking rooftop views, in-house hand-cut chops, exceptional seafood favorites, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, and thoughtful bourbon and wine pairings. Let’s face it—there’s simply more at District 24.

■ HARBOR WATCH

806 S. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City 410289-5121, www.harborwatchrestaurant.com

$$-$$$ | Reservations | Kids’ Menu | Full bar

Celebrating our 42nd year with fresh seafood, an award-winning raw bar, mouthwatering steaks and the best view of the Ocean City Inlet and Assateague Island. Open all March, Thursday through Sunday. Sunday

Brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (excluding Easter), $29 for adults, $16 for children 6-12 years. Happy Hour: Thursday and Sunday, all night long featuring $4 all beer, $8 crushes, $10 select apps, $6 glass of select wine. Call for banquet and large-party details.

■ 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.

MIDTOWN

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.

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

■ 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,

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, 410-213-1500

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.

UPTOWN 91st to 146th streets

WEST OCEAN CITY

OCPD reviews $32M budget for coming year

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) Ocean City Police Department officials are seeking a $3 million budget increase in the coming fiscal year.

During a work session Wednesday, Police Chief Ray Austin came before the Ocean City Council with a proposed budget of $32,674,326 for fiscal year 2027.

With a police union contract setting higher salaries, and additional costs related to the department’s Axon body camera system, he said the spending plan represents a $3 million increase from the current year’s budget.

“Over the past five years, the overall police budget has increased by $7.7 million,” he told the council this week. “The proposed fiscal year [27] budget is increasing $3,007,044 over the fiscal year [26] adopted budget. Salary and benefit expenses are increasing $1,780,092. Our operating expenses will be increasing $1,226,952.”

The police chief noted that total revenues were expected to decrease by $108,488 in the coming year. Much of that decrease, he said, is attributed to state aid grants.

“Our grant funding decreased by $39,669,” he said.

On the expense side, Austin explained that salaries and benefits made up 78% of the budget, while operational expenses made up the remaining 21.3%. In addition to the $1.78 million uptick in pay, the department projects a $1.22 million increase in operations.

A bulk of that operational increase, he said, was tied to a $454,613 increase in the department’s contract with Axon. In December, the City Council approved a $4.9 million contract with the company to modernize the department’s equipment and technology.

“In essence, the Axon contract goes further than just the police department,” he said. “It goes into all aspects of public safety within the Town of Ocean City, all the way to the state level. So the increase in that contract was for the added technology, keeping up with the times and

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where we’re headed in the future …”

The police chief explained the contract would allow the department to upgrade its Tasers and in-car cameras and implement Fusus, a real-time crime center platform that makes camera feeds and body-worn camera footage accessible to the department.

The tech package also includes artificial intelligence technology, which analyzes video, writes reports, translates, and more. Austin said the technical upgrades, paired with emergency services’ plans to hire a 24/7 City Watch surveillance team, was the start of a real-time crime center the department hopes to build.

“We look for this to be a three- to fiveyear project moving forward,” he said.

For his part, Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald said hiring four new employees and one supervisor to man the City Watch cameras would cost the city an additional $272,466 in fiscal year 2027. However, he said that once trained, the supervisor position would free up manhours for other departments, while the four other positions would provide 24/7 coverage

“We’re working with the police chief to see we have this up and running all the time,” he said. “That would lead to a transition over to a real-time crime center in the future. So we’re going to start putting all the pieces together to have that take place in the future.”

Theobald on Wednesday also presented the budgets for the four divisions he oversees – communications, electronics, emergency management, and beach patrol. He said the overall budget across those four divisions is projected to increase by roughly $1.4 million in fiscal year 2027.

In addition to the communications division, which will have a $407,000 increase, Theobald proposed a $210,000 increase for electronics, a $72,000 for emergency management and a $449,000 increase for beach patrol. He said a bulk of beach patrol increases were related to lifeguard hours.

“It is also increased hours for code enforcement on the beach, for new personnel,” he said.

Theobald said the proposed budget included funding for six new employees to enforce the city’s beach code. He said he would be coming before the City Council in the coming days to discuss proposed modifications to the division.

“The equipment and supplies we will take out of this year's budget,” he said. “But there is an additional cost, salarywise, for those six positions, should it be approved to move forward on it.”

The City Council on Wednesday also heard presentations from Fire Chief Josh Bunting, who oversees the department’s volunteer fire, career fire/EMS, and fire marshal divisions.

Starting off, Bunting noted that the department was in the midst of updating its strategic plan, which would likely impact 2027 contract negotiations with the fire union and the fiscal year 2028 budget. He also highlighted changes in both expenses and revenues for fiscal year 2027.

Specifically, on the expense side, he noted that volunteer fire apparatus is in the process of being transferred to the town’s ownership, while on the revenue side, funding from Worcester County for fire and EMS coverage is projected to be around $3.71 million.

“Fire and EMS service to West Ocean City is about $1.2 million,” he added, “and we continue to see call volume increase in West Ocean City.”

In the volunteer division, Bunting proposed funding for an additional equipment and a new firefighter mechanic hire, as well as pricing updates for service contracts. In the fire marshal’s office, he proposed funding for employees’ attendance at this year’s Hazardous Devices School, and a bomb suit replacement.

In the career division, Bunting said he was seeking funding for an executive administrative assistant and four additional fulltime firefighter/EMTparamedic positions. He said he was also seeking to realign hours and pay for battalion chief positions.

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by Steve Green

AThe Adventures of Fatherhood

s Autism Awareness Month continues, some more random thoughts to share on the topic.

We live with Autism every day in our house. Our son Carson, 16, is our tour guide on this unexpected journey, and we get through his disabilities each day with tolerance, patience, empathy and love. Life is not a walk in the park. It's uncomfortable, and there are good days and rough days.

In between we live in a sea of gray for what the present and future holds, but we live for the day and do our best to keep him happy and productive while accepting our family faces unique challenges only known and understood by those charting similar courses with special needs kids.

A major theme throughout the various articles and essays I have read this month about Autism is acceptance, which means everything to us. There are public meltdowns associated with anxieties. Carson used to carry a stuffed animal into school each day because it brought him peace. He now leaves his trusty Pooh behind, but he does need to wear a hooded sweatshirt each day no matter the temperature.

Being realistic about life is key. There are uphill battles, none of which are simple and easy. Some days we feel like we are doing great by our kid. Other times it’s difficult not to feel like a complete failure. I just accept there are days when the disabilities win in a rout. The key is to learn and try again the next day.

There are many positives that have come our family’s way because of Carson’s special needs. His greatest gift to us is perspective, as I often think of him when I get overwhelmed by juggling life. I remember his challenges and the grace and courage he displays every day. Through watching him overcome or at least navigate through his disabilities, I am motivated to be a better person. I have learned a lot from my son.

With both our kids, our approach is to face life with a bit of levity. There is no other way for us because serious things occur, and we must embrace some aspects with humor. Pam has joked in the past we must laugh so we don’t cry. It’s a good way to put it.

Routine and structure help us tremendously with Carson. It’s why each morning we follow the exact same routine. He gets up at 7 a.m. I play flatulence sounds on his Alexa in his room to get him moving and laughing. He has breakfast before we head to Dunkin’ for his morning refresher. We park in the same spot typically and walk in together holding hands. On the way to the tech school this semester, he likes the daily “useless wisdom” segment on Ocean 98.

Though he does not speak and is introverted, Carson is incredibly smart with a wonderful sense of humor. He has talents and has a unique way of making connections even without saying a word.

It’s why I figured he would accept when a friend asked us if Carson would be willing to don the Easter Bunny costume for Berlin’s Spring Celebration last Saturday.

Carson was all about it, but this was a big deal. We knew there would be chaos during the event at times, especially during the Easter egg hunt. Crowds, loud noises and rambunctiousness are generally frowned upon by our guy. We talked through all this with him, and he was cool with it.

When the day came, Carson was ready to go and had no second thoughts. He stepped up and handled everything well, under the steady guidance of his mom, his “handler.” I was nearby taking photos and amazed at what I was seeing.

I think the costume helped him with any anxiety he may have been experiencing. He was shielded so his shy nature was disguised. He was able to appear like an extroverted bunny even while being himself.

Carson was amazing throughout the morning, leading the bonnet parade,

posing for 200-plus photos with kids including the parade winners and then being right in the middle of the egg hunt, which featured about 5,500 eggs.

In my mind, Carson was the perfect Easter Bunny. He’s nonverbal, but gentle, calm and happy. I loved seeing him wave at the little kids, while also hugging them and blowing kisses.

Carson even was able to hold babies for photos. Pam said the mom or dad would ask, “Can he hold our daughter?” In his typical laidback nature, Carson did just that until the parent came back to retrieve them.

As I followed and watched his interactions, it was awesome to see him get blindsided with a hug from an excited kid. Some of the photos I have are priceless. I had two favorites of all.

One has Carson standing amid the hundreds of kids scurrying about for eggs with both his hands up. He was either waving to the kids, raising the roof or simply calming himself amid a field of chaos.

Another favorite was Carson standing on the museum lawn with three kids hugging him with their backs to their mom taking the picture. The mother was trying to get her kids to turn around and smile for the camera, but they just would not stop hugging the bunny with all their might. His hands were on their backs, giving one back.

I wondered how it made Carson feel at that moment and all those other times when he was the beloved center of attention. I sure hope it made him feel good because it certainly did for his mom, dad and big brother.

This is Autism. It’s not a journey I, or anyone for that matter, would ever choose, but there are blessings to savor along the way. You just need to embrace them and celebrate them as they come. Saturday was certainly one of those for us.

(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.)

Cold air to stick around for April

By Dave Dalkiewicz Contributing Writer

(April 10, 2026) Don’t look now but April has made its appearance. I know, I know; we’re already through at least one-third of April but being as though this newspaper requires a certain amount of lead time, April sort of snuck up on us at the time of this writing.

As much as March is a time of transition it’s pretty safe to say that April, and even May, are times of transition here at the beach. Spring, by the calendar, is more like a quasi-winter by the shoreline. That’s no surprise when the ocean water is still in the mid-40’s and could very well stay that way for the next few weeks. I can hear my Dad now, “Why don’t you take a jacket with you?” My reply, “Aw Dad, it’s plenty warm outside.”

His words of wisdom, “You can always take the jacket off!” It’s amazing how much one’s parents learn in the 10 years of their children’s growing from ages 15 to 25 or there about.

Some evidence of the theme of this column extends to last week’s April 3, 2026 issue. The front page features a crew of the Ocean City Public Works Department working on Coastal Highway. Page 61 of the same issue displays a sorority from Salisbury University hosted by the Ocean City Surf Club on a beach and street clean up. All are dressed appropriately for the atmosphere.

It’s baffling to see people on the street wearing shorts and T-shirts when the temperature is barely approaching 60 degrees. Surfers know this only too well, especially if they are just coming from a surf session.

Yes, it’s spring but that comes with a qualifying notion of the latent winter trying to be spring. When coming to the beach, for whatever reason, to surf or otherwise, wear or at least bring warmer clothing. It’s better to be warm than cold.

- Dave Dalkiewicz is the owner of Ocean Atlantic Surf Shop in Ocean City

Baltimore Avenue redevelopment advances

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor

(April 10, 2026) The redevelopment of a portion of Baltimore Avenue is moving forward in Ocean City.

As part of his budget presentation for the coming fiscal year, Public Works Director Hal Adkins told members of the Ocean City Council on Tuesday that plans to redevelop the Baltimore Avenue corridor from North Division to 9th streets, including the ocean blocks to the east, are finally advancing.

With a cost-sharing agreement and memorandum of understanding between the city and the Maryland Department of Transportation now signed, he said the next step will be to hold a redesign meeting in the next several weeks with the engineering firm Whitman, Requardt and Associates and members of the State Highway Administration.

“We are advancing that,” he told the council this week. “I have every reason to believe we will meet all the earmark deadlines and we will be under construction in the fall of 2027,

for a two-year phased project.”

In 2024, the city received a $20 million federal earmark to help fund an extensive effort to bury utilities, widen the sidewalks and improve the overall streetscape along a portion of Baltimore Avenue. Based on initial cost estimates, the federal grant was expected to pay for roughly half of the $40 million project.

Last fall, however, city officials, fearing an updated cost estimate would take the total price tag beyond $40 million, decided instead to pursue a scaled-down version of the project, which focused solely on burying utilities from North Division to 15th street.

Those fears were confirmed weeks later when the council learned the scaled-down version was now estimated to reach $44.8 million, or roughly $5 million more than the cost of the original project.

To that end, in December, the City Council agreed to begin burying utilities until the $20 million grant and a $5 million local match dries up. City staff also agreed to contact state partners to en-

Radio station’s College Fund now accepting applications

(April 10, 2026) Ocean 98.1

WOCM-FM’s Cash for College Fund is now accepting applications and essays from area high school seniors through Thursday, April 30.

The program will award $5,000 cash awards to three graduating seniors — one each from Worcester County, Wicomico County, and Sussex County, Delaware — who plan to attend a college or accredited university in the fall. Since its launch, the fund has steadily increased its impact. Awards began at $1,000 per student from 2014 through 2021, increased to $2,500 in 2022, and now stand at $5,000 per recipient.

Applicants are evaluated by a panel of judges based on academic

achievement, extracurricular involvement, community participation, and a submitted essay. The program seeks well-rounded student leaders who demonstrate both initiative and commitment to their communities.

There are no restrictions on intended college major. However, applicants must be graduating high school and continuing directly to higher education.

Winners will be announced in early June and will be invited to appear live in the Ocean 98 studios on “Bulldog and The Rude Awakening Show.”

For full details and application information, meet with your high school guidance counselor or visit: ocean98.com/cash-for-college-fund.

sure the scaled-down project would still be eligible for the $20 million earmark.

With the funding secured, and the

necessary documents now signed, Adkins said this week the project is moving forward.

FILE PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

City officials are moving forward with a project to bury utilities along a portion of Baltimore Avenue, pictured above.

Twenty-one Wor-Wic Community College students participated in an induction ceremony for the Alpha Nu Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the

Hill.

WORCESTER COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

FY 2027 REQUESTED OPERATING

BUDGETS

The Worcester County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budgets as requested by the Agencies and Departments which are funded by the Worcester County Commissioners. If you wish to speak or attend in person, we encourage you to pre-register by calling the County Administration office at 410-632-1194. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 4, 2026 in the County Commissioners’ Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Written comments received will be posted on the county website. Anyone not planning to speak may view the public hearing live on the County website at https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live. The Public Hearing will be held at:

6:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 5, 2026

WORCESTER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, SNOW HILL, MD

General Fund requested expenditures exceed available revenues (based upon current tax rates) by $2,956,346. This difference must be reconciled by the County Commissioners either through reductions in expenditures or increases in taxes, fees and/or use of Budget Stabilization Funds. Copies of the requested budgets are available for public inspection on the Worcester County website at www.co.worcester.md.us.

GENERAL FUND ESTIMATED REVENUES

GENERAL FUND REQUESTED EXPENDITURES

vanishing vanishing OCEAN CITY

With Bunk Mann

The first “Lifeguard Ball” was held on August 21, 1931 to raise funds for needed equipment such as first aid kits for the Ocean City Beach Patrol. The $2 per couple ticket was a hefty fee in that Great Depression year even though a live orchestra provided the music at the famous Pier Ballroom on the Boardwalk at Wicomico Street.

Over the following decades this dance would become a tradition and perhaps the only time the lifeguards, beachboys, and their dates got dressed up all summer. It was a much anticipated event.

With the town’s annexation to the Delaware line in 1965 the Beach Patrol had tripled in size and no local venue was large enough to handle the crowd. The last dance was held at the Salisbury Armory with Wilson Pickett as the headliner that year and the Lifeguard Ball faded into history.

To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. Photo of the first Lifeguard Ball courtesy Ocean City Beach Patrol

Things I Like...

By Steve Green

Assateague foal photos this time of year

Chaos of Easter egg hunts

Berlin’s Spring Celebration’s bonnet parade

Honest conversations even if unpleasant

Texts from my son not asking for something

Getting excited about the new moon photos

A warm stretch in April

When my teen admits to learning from a mistake

UCLA’s Lauren Betts

Sound of kids playing in the distance

The peacefulness of a beach sunrise

Volunteers sought for adopt-a-garden project

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) A new volunteer initiative is giving Berlin residents a hands-on way to help maintain the town’s public green spaces from now through November.

The Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee last month introduced its “Garden Guardian” program, an adopta-garden project designed to make volunteering more flexible and accessible for citizens with busy schedules.

The program allows residents, businesses, nonprofits, or friendsand-family teams to choose a garden in town to oversee for a month during the area’s growing season.

Victoria Spice, a member of the committee, said the idea was inspired by residents who were already informally caring for public spaces.

“The idea grew from observing a few dedicated Berliners who naturally incorporated garden care into their daily routines—pulling weeds or watering plants while walking their dog, on a lunch break, or whenever they felt the need to step outside and reconnect,” she said.

Spice added that the town’s horticultural team is small, with just three members who all juggle full-time jobs, families, and other responsibilities. As such, the extra hand from the residents has helped the team keep the town’s green spaces clean, tidy, and healthy.

“It inspired us to ask: how can we turn this into a broader, more inclusive opportunity that allows more members of the community to participate in a way that fits their schedules?” Spice said.

The result is a program that allows individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit groups to “adopt” one of six designated public gardens throughout town.

Locations are the Memorial Garden at the entrance on North Main Street, Burbage Park at 309 William St., the garden at the post office on Broad Street, the Planning and Zoning office on William Street, the “Main Street Strip” near the Memorial Garden across from Sterling Tavern, and the Tindley Mural Garden on Commerce Street.

Participants can sign up to care for a garden anytime between April and November, helping with basic upkeep such as weeding, picking up trash, watering, and general maintenance.

Spice said the program is about more than just beautification.

“This initiative strengthens community engagement, beautifies our public green spaces, supports sustainability, and makes volunteering feel easy, enjoyable, and rewarding,” she said.

The effort also aligns with Berlin’s designation as a Bee City, supporting pollinator habitats throughout town.

“By encouraging individuals and groups to take shared ownership of a garden, we aim to foster a deeper sense of pride and connection to our public spaces. In doing so, the program helps keep Berlin’s gardens clean, vibrant, and thriving—while also supporting pollina-

CROSSWORD

tor habitats in alignment with our designation as a Bee City,” Spice said.

So far, eight residents have signed up to participate across various gardens and months. Organizers said plenty of opportunities remain, however.

“There are absolutely still spots available for individuals, families, businesses, or nonprofit groups to join,” Spice said.

Residents interested in becoming a Garden Guardian can sign up online through the program’s registration page at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AAA92CAB FBC43-62929559-berlin.

Officials to forgive old water debt

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you are catching a second wind this week that could rival a hurricane. No one can slow you down right now. Channel this energy into a passion project.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, your eye for recognizing the beauty in things or items that are fashionable is unmatched. This week is the perfect time to curate your space or your wardrobe.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, the connections in your brain are firing at a rapid pace this week. It is only a matter of time before you solve a problem that has been plaguing you and everyone for weeks.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

You are feeling more secure in your skin this week, Cancer. People are flocking to you for comfort and advice because you give off a warm energy.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, accept recognition for your hard work when it comes your way in the coming days. Don’t be humble; take the bow that you have earned over these last few months.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Everything is falling into place for you now, Virgo. Your routine feels like something you can do with your eyes closed. Find the perfect shortcut this week.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

A friend of a friend is about to become a very important person in your life, Libra. It’s important to keep your heart open to all possibilities. An unexpected invitation pops up.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you don’t have to try to impress. People are mesmerized by you. You can use this charm to negotiate for something you want this week. A welcome surprise pops up midweek.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Your thirst for knowledge leads you to a new obsession, Sagittarius. Diving into a new hobby, career path or volunteer experience could be the way to go.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, you are making the impossible look easy right now. Take a moment to see how far you have come and review your accomplishments.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Your innovative ideas are officially trending around the office or workplace, Aquarius. Don’t be afraid to lead the pack, as everyone is just trying to keep up.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, you are walking on sunshine this week. Your creative output is at an all-time high. Paint, write, sing, or engage in anything else you enjoy.

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) The Worcester County Commissioners agreed to forgive a $188,000 bill tied to a twodecade-old water infrastructure project, rather than ask homeowners to absorb the cost.

“After 20 years, I feel like we should just forget the debt that’s been sitting on the books,” said Commissioner Joe Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean City), whose motion to write off the debt was approved unanimously at Tuesday’s meeting.

The debt is tied to The Landings, one of the county’s 11 water-sewer districts, which operates as its own enterprise fund. It’s named for the Route 611 community it serves.

Enterprise fund controller Quinn Dittrich raised the issue with the commissioners, asking them to choose: forgive the debt, or create an $18 quarterly surcharge for homeowners in The Landings to pay it down over a decade. He added that the fund remains in the red, meaning it cannot cover the cost.

The issue dates to June 2006,

when the county hired developer Toll Brothers to construct a wastewater system for The Landings.

The county asked Toll Brothers for an add-on to the job, requesting to extend service further to the Lewis Road area. The developer billed $188,000 for the pipe extension, according to county attorney Roscoe Leslie.

From there, responsibility for the cost shifted to The Landings service area. Four years later, however, the service area was experiencing a revenue shortfall, and the bill remained unsettled, according to Dittrich.

Even the figure itself was uncertain. Internal county memos – including a handwritten note on lined paper – indicated arbitration had once been considered before both sides settled on $188,000.

By February 2010, the county agreed to assume the debt and paid off Toll Brothers directly from its general fund. The Landings then owed the county.

Sixteen years later, that pipe extension remains in use. But the unpaid debt, while noted annually during the budget process, remained unresolved.

“The service area has owed the county this amount for almost two decades now. We’ve never asked until now – should Landings pay it back or

not?” said County Administrator Weston Young. “It never got addressed and, I’m guessing, forgot about. But it’s on our books and we need to clean it up.”

How county government could hang onto a six-figure bill for so long drew more than a little head-scratching among commissioners.

County Commissioner Chip Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines) questioned why, after four terms in office, he’d never seen the debt – and why anyone would even consider asking The Landings district’s more than 300 ratepayers to foot the bill when it doesn’t benefit them.

Deputy County Administrator Candace Savage said the debt had appeared in prior budgets but had never been brought forward for action. She said it came to light now because a new auditing firm flagged the debt, prompting review. “We’re digging a little bit deeper, asking more questions,” she said.

Commissioner Eric Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City) seconded the motion from Mitrecic to discharge the debt.

“I would never say let the taxpayer absorb it, but this has been such a long time,” Fiori said. “I don’t think it’s the responsibility of The Landings ratepayers.”

Opinions

Special election, special situation

Town of Ocean City officials went through some logistical and political gymnastics Tuesday so they could change the date of the special City Council election and have the ballot reprinted to show not one but two vacancies.

It might seem like a relatively easy thing to do: simply reschedule the April 21 contest for May 8, order a new ballot and wait. But that’s not how it works.

First, the purpose of the April 21 special election was to fill the seat vacated in February by Councilman Tony DeLuca. But then the resignation of Councilman Larry Yates was announced Monday night. Without him present and two other council members unable to attend, the council had no quorum.

That has never happened before, apparently, and it demonstrated why the council truly needs its full complement of seven members to get its work done. The only way to do that without limping through to the November election with six council members, would be to reschedule the election for May 8.

The law requires towns and counties to notify voters of upcoming elections and the candidates involved within a specific period of time. The council was doing that this week except everything changed when Yates stepped down.

In addition to having to change the ballot to reflect these new circumstances, the council was also morally — and probably legally — bound to reopen the candidate filing process to accommodate anyone who might want to run in a contest with somewhat better odds of winning.

Additionally, the last thing Council President Matt James wanted to hear was even the suggestion that this reconfigured special election reflected some level of favoritism to certain candidates.

The decision-making process was a frenzy Tuesday, but the council made the right call.

PUBLIC EYE

Teleport and save $$

It’s good to know that at least one official of the federal government has solved the gas crisis. Gregg Phillips, who heads FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, said recently that he once teleported to a Rome, Georgia Waffle House restaurant.

NEWS

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By Stewart Dobson

Although he didn’t mention it specifically, his announcement that he found himself inside this particular Waffle House without knowing how he got there represents a huge money-saving opportunity.

We’re talking about travel on the molecular basis, with no cars, no fuel, no maintenance and no insurance. It’s a beamme-up moment for all travelers. Whether that would be bargain class teleportation (Jim Beam-me-up) or first-class teleportation (high-beam-me-up), it’s better than driving.

All I can say is I had a similar experience years ago, except I found myself materializing at a White Coffee Pot Jr. on Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie. I landed there having spent some serious time at an uptown Baltimore club rearranging my molecular structure for recreational purposes.

Apparently, I also made myself teleport, because the next thing I know, I’m on a stool at the counter of a White Coffee Pot Jr. listening to some string bean of a guy behind the counter tell me rather sternly, “Hey, you’re talking to the assistant night manager here so ...”

Of course, if a sure sign of teleportation is the absence of any memory of having moved from one place to another, then I also once

teleported from my front steps to my yard a few years ago after a particularly rewarding St. Patrick’s Day parade and post-parade celebration.

But never mind my teleportation trips, here’s the big question about teleporting while on the government payroll — do you get mileage?

I will be the first to admit that government officials teleporting to various locations instead of driving or flying would save taxpayers — make that “hardworking taxpayers,” since we never hear about any other kind — money.

But we need to be sure that this is what’s actually happening and that a government official, for instance, is being beamed to a town hall meeting in Woowooville, Indiana, and hasn’t been abducted, brainwashed and deposited there by real aliens, who would be the ones who say, “Zng noid-doofee, nick-nick,” which translated means, “Visas? We don’t need no stinkin’ visas!”

I must say that I’m not entirely convinced that this FEMA administrator’s claims are true and that he really was transmitted particle by particle through the ether to a Waffle House some 50 miles from home.

We can’t know for sure. In fact, the only way to tell the difference between someone who has teleported to a specific place and an abductee who was dropped off there by space aliens would be to say to the suddenly appearing individual, “Looks like we’ll have to initiate a probe.”

If the individual reacts by running in the opposite direction while saying, “Ohhhhhh Nooooooo! Not that again!” that person was abducted. Probes, aliens, we all know those stories.

Between the Lines

By Steve Green

It was a bizarre week in Ocean City government and the page one photo of three lonely council members on the dais seemed to hit the right note.

Due to health reasons not made public, Ocean City Councilman Larry Yates resigned his seat immediately this week. With Yates stepping away and Tony DeLuca having already resigned his seat this winter for family reasons, it left only five eligible council members. Once confirmed John Gehrig was traveling and Carol Proctor was ill, the business part of the meeting had to essentially be postponed due to there not being a quorum. I can’t recall in 30 years of covering local government when a public meeting had to be canceled on the spot unexpectedly over absences. Meetings have been canceled on the day of due to illnesses, but this was a first for me when people gathered and were unsure if a meeting could even be held.

With the sudden departure of Yates, the council had to pivot on Tuesday, opting to delay the planned special election on April 21 to fill DeLuca’s seat. Instead, the city will allow for additional filers to have until close of business Friday with a new special election date set for May 8 to fill the two vacancies. At this point, there’s a good chance this special election may never be held.

If nobody challenges the two filed candidates, there is a precedent in local history for the open seats to be given to the unopposed individuals, Peter Buas, former councilman, and Jeff Heiser, former city police officer. Candidate Billy Apostolou said on Facebook this week he is still focusing on the November election and this week’s sudden departure did not change his mind. If there are no late filings, Buas and Heiser would then each serve the remaining two years of the terms DeLuca and Yates secured in 2024.

***

Worcester County officials made the right call by forgiving the debt from The Landings service area this week. The alternative was to add another quarterly fee (estimated to be around $18 each bill) to ratepayers who are already experiencing increased bills. The county does not need this money, and the debt was merely a number on its balance sheet. It’s not a positive thing to just wipe out a debt and should not be taken lightly but given the huge increases residents had to face last year it’s the right direction.

On the water and wastewater rate front, the county made a point of inviting the public to attend the May 5 budget hearing on the proposed water and waste rate increases for the next fiscal. A 5% increase is proposed to be added to existing bills in the next fiscal year for 10 of the county’s 11 service areas (the West Ocean City system users will not see another jump). The press release states, “These adjustments are intended to keep up with rising costs to operate, maintain, and improve the systems that provide clean water and wastewater treatment.”

***

Ocean City’s budget, as proposed today, calls for reducing the property tax rate by a penny. The reduction will still bring in an additional $4.6 million in property tax revenue to the city due to rising land values. One cent on the property tax rate in Ocean City equates to about $1.3 million. For comparison’s sake, in Berlin, a penny on the tax rate represents about $63,000 in the next fiscal year budget.

It’s important to note in Ocean City the Homestead cap is set at 0%. Therefore, there are protections for residents who call Ocean City their primary home. Land values may continue to go up, but the only way these primary homeowners will see an increase in their city taxes is if the city raises the tax rate. It was stated this week with a one-cent tax rate reduction local residents will actually pay less taxes even if their assessments have climbed.

In other jurisdictions where the Homestead is not zero, property owners are subject to paying more based on the spikes in property values and the individual Homestead rates.

***

In other news, it’s always fun to hear about former student-athletes enjoying success playing sports in college. This week, Sadie Kauffman, a sophomore on the East Stroudsburg University’s woman’s lacrosse team, was named USA Lacrosse magazine’s Division II Player of the Week on Tuesday. It’s the second time this season the former Decatur lacrosse standout has received the honor. On the week, Kauffman scored five goals, had four assists and won eight draw controls. She leads all of Division II in scoring average with seven points per game. She has 61 goals and 23 assists on the season. In her freshman year, when she tallied 103 goals and 26 assists, the early childhood education major was named a USA Lacrosse Second Team All-American.

Berlin, Coastal Bays to hold meeting on stream project

Session on Hudson Branch restoration efforts planned for April 29 at Berlin library

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) The Town of Berlin, in partnership with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, will hold a public meeting later this month to present plans for a stream restoration project along Hudson Branch and gather community input.

The meeting is scheduled for April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the Berlin Library, with a virtual attendance option available on the Town of Berlin’s Facebook page. Officials say all members of the public are imvited to attend, ask questions and offer their opinions.

“The goal of this stream restoration project is to reduce the flood risk in the Flower and Bay Street neighborhoods and improve the health of water flowing from Berlin into the Newport Bay watershed,” Jessica McIntosh, MCBP’s Newport Bay partnership coordinator, said in a press release.

Plans for the project include reshaping the stream channel and floodplain to better manage stormwater. Elevating and widening sections of the stream will help to slow and absorb runoff, which can reduce flooding and filter out pollution and sediment before it reaches downstream waterways.

The effort is part of a broader project to address both flooding in the Town of Berlin and environmental

concerns in the Newport Bay watershed. According to McIntosh, Newport Bay is the least healthy of Maryland’s five coastal bays, receiving a C minus in the Maryland Coastal Bays’ 2023 report card due to poor levels of seagrass and hard clams.

Additional restoration work will include planting native vegetation and trees along Hudson Branch to stabilize its stream banks and provide shade for aquatic life. Crews also plan to create deeper pools within the stream to improve habitat for fish and other species.

The Hudson Branch project is one of several restoration efforts planned throughout the watershed to improve water quality, restore habitats and strengthen long-term environmental resilience.

Maryland Coastal Bays says $10 million in funding over five years for these projects has been provided by the State of Maryland through the Whole Watershed Act. The money also supports a coalition of partners led by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, including the Lower Shore Land Trust, Assateague Coastal Trust, the Town of Berlin and Worcester County.

The April 29 meeting will include presentations on the newly formed Newport Bay Partnership, details of the Hudson Branch project design and next steps. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to share comments and ask questions.

Proposed solar farm to be largest in county

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) A proposal to build Worcester County’s largest solar project is moving through the state approval process, with construction possibly beginning as early as next year.

New Jersey-based developer Soltage is proposing six solar arrays on an industrially zoned site at the northwest corner of Routes 50 and 113. The arrays would produce up to 18 megawatts of electricity, enough to power thousands of homes.

The site consists of two parcels totaling about 157 acres, with solar panels planned on roughly 112 acres.

Property owner Adham Abouassali, whose company Berlin Living LLC will continue to own the land, said interest from many solar developers has been growing for years.

“I get probably at least two letters a month just asking to lease the farm,” he said by phone this week. “They got in touch with me maybe three years ago and we’ve been working on it for quite some time.”

In October, the developer filed its application with the state, seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which is required for all energy generation projects in Maryland.

Maryland usually limits community solar projects to 5 megawatts each. However, state rules allow multiple projects to “co-locate” on the same property if the land is zoned industrial.

That means, unlike a single large solar farm, this project is structured as six smaller, independently operated solar arrays, with each connected separately to the grid.

If approved, the project would break ground by 2027 following additional permitting and site plan approvals, according to Zac Meyer, a project manager with Soltage.

He estimates the project could serve between 5,000 and 7,000 households that subscribe to community solar programs through Delmarva Power, particularly among moderate- and low-income families.

“Big picture, it’s providing energy at a time when energy demand is rising quickly,” Meyer said.

Meyer also said construction period, estimated at 9 to 18 months, would generate more than 100 jobs, along with long-term property tax revenue for the town. Soltage estimates lifetime tax revenue for the project could total about $8 million.

While the site is now being used for farming, Meyer said its industrial zoning makes it well-suited for solar,

which he described as a relatively low-impact use compared to potential industrial uses like manufacturing or heavy industry.

Plans call for a vegetative buffer of more than 1,200 trees, agriculturalstyle fencing, and provisions to preserve topsoil. The developer has also committed to a decommissioning plan, backed by a bond, to return the land to its pre-development condition after the solar farm’s estimated 30-year lifespan.

The company agreed to other stipulations sought by Berlin officials, including making good-faith efforts to hire local workers and avoid impacts to nearby Bunting’s airfield. The town also could purchase renewable energy credits from the project.

Soltage is also exploring educational programming related to solar power for local schoolchildren, Meyer added.

Moving forward, state and local agencies will need to grant stormwater and final site plan approvals. Meyer said Soltage hopes to complete permitting later this year, with construction to follow.

While the project falls under the jurisdiction of the Town of Berlin, when completed it would be the largest solar installation in Worcester County. The county’s largest solar

farm in operation generates 7.6 megawatts and is located off Old Ocean City Road, where Route 90 branches off from Route 50. Maryland has set aggressive targets for clean energy, including getting half its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with at least 14.5% coming from solar.

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH If approved, the project would be situated on an industrially zoned site at the northwest corner of Route 50 and Route 113.

Local share of state aid prioritizes schools

By Brian Shane Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) Worcester County is slated to receive $62.6 million in state government aid, most of it earmarked for education, under Maryland’s newly approved fiscal year 2027 budget.

Worcester County Public Schools will receive $34.2 million in direct state aid, a 5.2% increase from last year, or $1.7 million, according to the state’s Department of Legislative Services, or DLS. The state will also provide $9.2 million for teacher retirement payments.

Education aid includes a per-pupil payment of $5,389 for each student enrolled, which is the lowest for any county in Maryland, according to County Administrator Weston Young. That’s because the state’s education formula adjusts aid based on local wealth, including property values and income, and under those terms has assessed Worcester as the wealthiest in Maryland.

Overall, the state’s FY2027 budget sets aside $11.2 million in direct aid to Worcester County government.

Public safety funding for the county totals about $1.4 million, including $993,200 for police and $420,600 in fire and rescue aid.

Local health grants total $3.5 million, a figure the state says is down 19.4% from last year –one of the largest percentage declines among the county’s aid categories.

About $4.1 million in distributions from the state’s highway user revenues are flat-funded from the prior year. The state is also granting $207,600 for local libraries.

The state’s budget also calls for counties to pay their share for using the Maryland State Police crime lab, a formula based on both crime rates and local wealth. For Worcester, that reimbursement is $80,405.

Lawmakers from the Senate and House had a reconciled budget ready

for Gov. Wes Moore’s signature on Wednesday. Spending plans call for an operating budget of $70.8 billion and a capital budget of $6 billion.

In a statement Wednesday, Gov. Moore said this budget strengthens Maryland’s economic competitiveness and “makes life a little more affordable for our people.”

“A budget is more than numbers on a page,” he said. “It tells our people what matters, it tells our people who we are fighting for, and it tells people whether we are willing to make hard decisions and still deliver.”

While the governor had touted his election-year budget as not raising any broad-based taxes or fees, Moore and lawmakers still had to tackle a $1.5 billion revenue gap.

In order to pass a balanced budget, which is mandatory, lawmakers

agreed to $900 million in targeted cuts, including $150 million from the state’s Developmental Disabilities Administration. It also pulled $654 million from rainy day funds and the capital budget, according to DLS.

Further state savings were realized by pushing some costs onto counties. Those include the county’s share of retirement costs, for both teachers ($321,473) and librarians ($11,592).

Counties also are taking on a greater share of costs for state tax assessor offices since the state amended its cost-sharing from 50/50 to a 90/10 split, with counties taking on that 90%.

County Administrator Young said the county government is further squeezed this year by taking on $3.4 million more in spending for the health department, which has a local office in the county but is technically a state agency.

Library to launch summer reading challenge

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer

(April 10, 2026) Local kids will have the opportunity this summer to read their way to prizes and fun through the Worcester County Library’s annual reading challenge to promote early childhood literacy.

The Worcester County Library system is preparing to host its annual summer reading challenge, with preregistration opening on May 22.

The program’s mission is to inspire kids to log the minutes they spend reading books and novels. Activities, performances, and the potential for prizes will accompany the time children are engaged in their stories.

According to system marketing coordinator Lexi Orf, the theme for this year’s reading challenge is dinosaurs. Officially, library staff have labeled this summer’s initiative as “Unearth a Story.”

All of the Worcester County libraries are participating in the project. The county’s branches include Pocomoke, Snow Hill, Berlin, Ocean City, and Ocean Pines.

How it works is that participants can log the books they read on the library’s online challenge platform, Beanstack, or use a hard gameboard, which can be downloaded from the system’s website or picked up at any of the five locations. Hands-on activities related to di-

nosaurs will be denoted on the game board and in Beanstack and can also be completed in conjunction with the primary goal of the challenge: to read books. Logged stories and tasks allow the children to earn virtual badges.

A challenge T-shirt will be given to those who complete three main activity badges, and every badge secured also earns kids an entry into the grand prize drawing.

Orf said that the prizes are divided into three age groups: 5 and under, 6 to 11, and 12 to 18. Grand prizes available are as follows: for the under-5 category, kids can win a giant dinosaur stuffed animal and a $25 Amazon gift card; for 6 to 12, a hatching dinosaur and a $25 gift card will be up for grabs; and for 12 to 18, the grand raffle item is an HD Amazon Fire Tablet.

“All the activities you do give you points, and those points give you more entries for the grand prize,” Orf said.

The library system’s community partners funded the awards. These are Candy Kitchen, Fika Coffee Roasting, Jolly Rogers, McDonald's, The Christmas Sweet, Wendy’s, and the Worcester County Library Foundation.

The challenge will run from June 1 to Aug. 23. The success of the program is measured by the total number of minutes read by all participants combined throughout the summer.

This year’s goal is 510,000 community minutes spent with a story.

The initiative’s mission was 500,000 minutes last year, Orf said. Participants nearly hit that, with a total of 496,000 minutes read.

The summer reading program is interactive. As such, each week of the challenge will include a performer. The acts will travel between the branches.

“Everyone gets a performer,” Orf said. “It's going to be the same one each week, but they’re just going to be traveling.”

Some highlights include Adventures in Rhythm with Steve Cyphers, the Dino-Sized Magical Circus with Circus Greg, Diggers Digger’s Dino Show with the Story Ship, Dino Academy by Brightstar Theatre, and Mobile Zoo Crew by Coastal Winds.

Kick-off performances are set for June 23 to June 25 at the start of the challenge. To conclude the program, the libraries will host wrap-up cele-

brations from Aug. 18 to Aug. 20.

While preregistration starts on May 22, regular registration will begin on June 1, the first day of the challenge. Orf pointed out that June 1 is coincidentally National Dinosaur Day.

In addition to the kids' program, adults can also participate in the summer literacy challenge. Those over 18 can earn badges to win a Visa gift card by logging reading minutes, writing reviews, and attending library programs.

Orf said the initiative's goal is to foster a literate and closeknit community.

“You can read books and learn something new, and you can come into a program, meet other people, make friends, and have that sense of community,” she said. “...Worcester County Library is about more than just books; we’re all about encouraging a love of reading, connecting our community, and inspiring lifelong learning.”

OC Art League to host table discussion with local leaders

(April 10, 2026) The Art League of Ocean City invites the public to an engaging evening of conversation and insight as part of Voices of Influence: Women Who Lead.

Scheduled for Wednesday, April 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the Art League of Ocean City, this round-table brings together accomplished women leaders to share their journeys, offer practical guidance for women entering leadership roles, and explore how they balance career, passion, and daily life.

Panelists will include:

• Abby Custis, artist, entrepreneur

• Stephanie Fowler, writer, author, storyteller

• Tamara Mills, coordinator of fine arts for Worcester County Public Schools

• Erica Joseph, president of Community Foundation of Eastern Shore

• Jan Perdue, businesswoman, philanthropist

• Amy Thompson, president/CEO of Ocean City Chamber of Commerce

• Many Ann Wengeman, author, leader in government setting

• Moderator: Dr. Mary Anne Cooper, Art League of Ocean City, education director

The program and table discussion are presented by the Women’s Art League Leadership Collaborative through a grant from The Woman’s Fund of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. The Leadership Collaborative supports and advances women leaders across the Eastern Shore through mentorship, programming, and networking opportunities.

This is a free event. To register use: https://canvas.artleagueofoceancity.org/classes/3039

Registration is encouraged, but not required details. Interviews with organizers and panelists can be arranged in advance.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Children at pictured at an event for last year’s summer reading challenge, hosted by the Worcester County Library.

Cheese mousse topped with seared scallops

By Deborah Lee Walker

Contributing Writer

(April 10, 2026) The Eastern Shore is known for its natural beauty. Gorgeous beaches and stunning foliage are the backdrop for locals and tourists alike.

If one is fortunate enough to live here, you also know “company” is understood. Entertaining takes preparation, so what is one to do when the window of time is very short.

Choosing a mouthwatering and exciting menu is half of the battle. Budget, personal preference, and time are the major factors and differ with each unique situation. However, creativity also needs to be addressed.

Seafood is of abundance and probably the most popular choice when narrowing one’s menu. Sea scallops are delicious but come with a hefty price. Bay scallops are sweeter than sea scallops and are an affordable, delightful alternative to the larger scallops.

Delectable scallops are not only luscious and sweet, but they pair well with just about anything. However, cooking scallops can be tricky. It’s interesting how the simplest tips can make such a huge impact on the cooking process.

First and foremost, dry the scallops completely before searing them. Wet scallops will steam rather than sear. Patting them dry is crucial for successful scallops.

Remove the side muscle. This muscle is rectangle-shaped and located on the side of the scallop. It is tough and not pleasing to the eye.

High heat and fat are your best friends when searing scallops. The pan must be smoking hot before adding the oil. One might be wondering why this is so crucial? Cold oil is a great way to ruin the dish. By the time the oil heats up, the scallops are done without any crust.

The type of oil that is used is just as important. Use oils with a high smoke point, such as canola, avocado, or grapeseed. Do not use butter unless it is clarified.

Do not overcrowd the pan. If you overcrowd the pan, the scallops will steam and you will not achieve the coveted crust that scallops are known

scallops to sear undisturbed as they develop the deep golden-brown color. I was watching a cooking competition last night and was shocked when the chef presented his scallop dish to the judges. The scallops were white and anemic looking, and needless to say he got dinged on that big time. The saying, “We eat with our eyes,” is so true.

The theme of self-control continues. Flip only one time after the sear has formed. Then and only then can you add a pat of butter, garlic, or herbs at the last minute and baste. This step is optional.

The number one rule when cooking seafood is not to overcook the protein. Overcooking results is tough, rubbery dry meat and should be avoided at all costs.

Scallops need salt. You can either add salt directly or pair them with something that is salty such as bacon, or incorporate them into a sauce.

Now that confidence prevails, the next question at hand is how should one serve them? If time is of the essence and one’s budget is limited, consider serving a cheese mousse topped with seared bay scallops as an appetizer or amuse bouche.

A mousse can be simple or quite

complicated and there are many variables that affect it. Do you want to cook the mousse, do you want to add gelatine for a “wow” factor, or keep it as effortless as possible? If you have opted for the last choice, the following mousse recipe is as straightforward as it gets.

What constitutes a mousse? A mousse is a soft, light, airy prepared food by its delicate texture by incorporating air bubbles, typically through whipped egg whites.

Moving forward, if one combines a soft flavored cheese such as Boursin or Alouette with a small amount of mayonnaise. The amount of mayo depends on your taste buds. Then, using a hand-held blender, whip the mixture until it is smooth and airy. This creates a mousse-like texture. Two ingredients, you can’t beat that.

The key to this appetizer is the vessel for the mousse and the seared scallops. The choices are endless. You can use a mini parfait glass with a mini spoon. Clear shot glasses with a mini spoon are also fun. A Chinese soup spoon makes a clever passed hor d’oeuvres or you can line up the spoons on a platter. Just remember to come around with a tray to collect the spoons.

Tortilla scoop chips are another possibility. You might want to add a pinch of chili powder to the mousse for a more cohesive dish. Crackers or hallowed out cherry tomatoes are other options.

In closing, if cheese and scallops tickle your fancy, and you need an appetizer on the fly, consider a cheese mousse topped with pan seared bay scallops. Enjoy!

Secret Ingredient – Originality Originality is simply a fresh pair of eyes.

— Thomas Wentworth Higginson

$1,845.

Self-control equates allowing the

Decatur’s Collick completes historic career

(The following was reprinted from legacywrestling.com)

(April 10, 2026) Two weeks prior to winning their respective fourth straight state titles, top-ranked seniors Elijah Collick (132) of 19thranked Stephen Decatur and JoJo Gigliotti (138) of fourth-ranked South Carroll received advice during a zoom meeting with Aaron Brooks, who, like them, earned all of his accolades while remaining at a Maryland public school.

"I'm from Hagerstown, so it's borderline Pennsylvania on the MasonDixon line, so we traveled more in junior leagues than when I got to high school," said Brooks, who established a trifecta as a four-time high school state title-winner at North Hagerstown High School in addition to winning as many championships both in the National High School Coaches’ Association and NCAA tournaments, the latter at Penn State.

"Once I got to high school, it was more just about refinement. I stayed in Hagerstown. I did the Fargo camps and that kind of stuff, but my [father, John Brooks,] brought at lot of people to us. So, kids in the area if they were from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, we kind of scheduled some practices. But I really think that at this point in your career, and going forward in college as well, you need good partners."

The duo spent nearly an hour speaking with Brooks, who went 1632 over the course of his high school career to become a four-time Class 4A-3A state champion comprising records of 45-1 as a freshman, 43-1 as a sophomore, 46-0 as a junior and 22-0 as a senior.

"I think this is really exciting," said Collick, before asking the first question of Brooks. "I just want to ask you, like, with you being from Maryland, how was your build-up? Were you traveling to go to other practices or just working hard in your own [team's wrestling] room?"

Brooks' travels beyond college included an Olympic Freestyle bronze medal in the Paris Games, where he defeated Jabrail Shapiev of Uzbekistan, 5-0, in August 2024.

"I think that on the build-up side, you just need to know what you want to get better at. A lot of people go into training with no goals, like, 'I'm going to get better at wrestling.' But what does that look like? '" Brooks asked. "'Am I going to work on my set ups, or am I going to work on my upper body? My baseline defense?' The

build-up for me was in the gym. I could be wrestling with a first- or second-year wrestler, but I was always working skills a lot."

Collick: "So you were working more on your technique?"

Brooks: "One hundred percent."

Collick's technique was on display last month at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro as his Class 4A-3A state title-winning effort made him the Seahawks' first-ever four-time state title winner after having done the same by capturing his fourth straight Bayside Conference and regional crowns over the previous two weeks.

Collick ran his record on the year to 46-1 with 24 pins and 15 technical fall, adding this year's Class 4A-3A state title to his previous year's three Class 2A-1A versions and being named a Legacy Wrestling Wrestler Of The Year.

"Legacy means a lot to me. Being able to make history shows that all of the hard work that I put in has paid off." Collick said. "It also allows others to see that as well. Advice from Aaron Brooks also helped me to see wrestling from a different perspective, and to focus on new aspects of the sport."

But the path to glory wasn't easy for Collick, who advanced to the title match following a difficult overtime victory over Chesapeake-Anne Arundel’s previously unbeaten secondranked sophomore Corey Brown.

Collick trailed Brown, 1-0, entering the third period and tied the bout at 4-4 to send it into overtime, where his three-point takedown secured the come-from-behind win. Things went much smoother for Collick in the finals, which he won by fall in 1:44 over Rockville’s 17th-ranked senior Damian Melendez, a Class 4A-3A West Regional champion who entered with a record of 43-1.

A transfer from second-ranked Mount St. Joseph, where he earned a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association title, Brown wrestled back to third place. Brown ended his season with a record of 23-1 with 13 pins and five technical falls, having won titles in the Anne Arundel and Class 4A-3A South Region.

“I was a little nervous before the match, but I felt like if I was able to get my shots, I would have this kid. Going into the third period, I was like, ‘I got this kid.' I’m stronger on the top, but when I cut him and let him up in overtime,” Collick told a matside Legacy Wrestling’s Dan Casey, a

wrestler for Hereford High School.

“I knew that I had to get it. I knew that I could bid for some time and that eventually I was going to get him. When I looked around after the match. The experience was a lot of fun, and a highly competitive match in the semifinals. where the entire crowd was watching. That made it more exciting.”

Collick joined two-time champion Noah Reho as only the second Seahawks' freshman to win a state title as a 106-pound ninth-grader and surpassed three-time champion Danny Miller by becoming the program's first four-time state champion.

Armed with a career mark of 1796, Collick has surpassed three-time state finalist Jagger Clapsadle (158 wins), state champion Nico D'Amico (153), four-time place-winner Andy McKahan (147), Reho (140) and Miller (139) on the Seahawks' list of all-time victories leaders.

Gigliotti and Collick are not only the first pair of wrestlers who captured their fourth state title in the same season, but they made history by clashing in the finals of January’s War On The Shore Tournament.

Collick suffered his lone defeat this year by 8-7 decision when bumping up to face Gigliotti, a University of Maryland-bound wrestler who earned his school-record fourth straight Class 2A-1A state championship to go with as many Carroll County and regional crowns.

"The match with JoJo exposed some of my flaws," Collick said. "But it ultimately helped me to grow and to improve as a wrestler."

Gigliotti and Collick became Maryland's 10th and 11th four-time public school state champions.

Collick, who will wrestle at the University of Nebraska next year, was officially the first state champion for fourth-year coach Josh August, who also guided Logan Intrieri to a crown at 132 pounds in 2023, and Gavin Solito (157) to a title in 2024.

"Elijah's a special wrestler who has ice in his veins," said August during January of Collick's sophomore year. "Elijah would weigh 106 and compete at 113 and win major decisions over state place-winners. I remember hearing Elijah say, 'If my team needs a pin or a technical fall, it's not about me and my record, it's about what I can do for the team.'"

With Collick in the lineup, the Seahawks have earned their fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth consecutive Bayside Conference Tournament titles,

and back-to-back state dual meet crowns in 2023 and 2024 representing their program's fifth and sixth overall.

Elijah followed his father into wrestling, far surpassing his patriarch. Elijah's father, Latra, suffered a 5-4 Class 2A-1A state quarterfinal loss to eventual four-time champion Josh Asper of Hereford and finished fifth at states as a junior in 2007. Latra was a Class 2A-1A state runner-up as a senior in 2008 following a 3-2 state championship loss to three-time state champion Vince Taweel of Hammond.

"It's surreal that at a young age, people were saying that 'Elijah is going to be a four-time state champion’. But what people are thinking, and reality can be two different things," Latra Collick said. "But no matter the challenge, I see how hard Elijah has worked, his dedication, and all of his effort turn into becoming a four-timer into a reality is amazing."

Below is a chart provided by wrestling historian Luke Broadwater,a board member of each of the Maryland State Wrestling Hall of Fame Committee and the Maryland State Wrestling Association.

Stephen Decatur's state champions include:

2007 Trevor Rickett (112 pounds)

2007 Danny Miller (189)

2008 Skyler Snead (135)

2008 Danny Miller (189)

2009 Danny Miller (189)

2019 Noah Reho (126)

2020 Noah Reho (145)

2020 Nico D'Amico (132)

2020 James Parana (160)

2022 Alex Koulikov (195)

2023 Elijah Collick (106)

2023 Logan Intrieri (132)

2024 Elijah Collick (113)

2024 Gavin Solito (157)

2025 Elijah Collick (126)

2026 Elijah Collick (132)

PHOTO COURTESY LEGACYWRESTLING.COM

Senior Elijah Collick is a four-time state champion at four different weight classes during his high school career.

DECATUR STAYS PERFECT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF J.P. CATHELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Stephen’s Decatur girls lacrosse team improved to 4-0 on the season on Tuesday after thumping Arundel 14-4 in Gambrills. Top left, senior Caitlin Shimko is pictured in full sprint heading toward the goal. Top right, senior Jill Burton is pictured slowing down the offense after a clear. Above left, sophomore Emory Jack moves past a defender to advance the ball. Above right, Brooke Cathell looks for an outlet from the defensive end. Decatur will host Bennett on Friday at 5 p.m.