OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
AUGUST 27, 2021
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
CAR RALLY
MOTOR EVENT TASK FORCE
Group to discuss final preparations for September event on Friday at city hall – Page 9
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Hogan puts Rt. 90 project on priority list OC officials have argued wider highway necessary for emergency services By Greg Wehner Staff writer (Aug. 27, 2021) Visitors and residents of Ocean City were given a sign of relief over the weekend when Gov. Larry
Hogan announced plans to advance a project that will widen Route 90 from two lanes to four. During his announcement, which was made Saturday at the Maryland Association of Counties – or MACo – summer conference in Ocean City, Hogan said the state’s new Consolidated Transportation Program will include funding for the planning phase for Route 90 im-
provements. “I am pleased to announce for the first time here today that our new CTP will include funding for the planning of the long-awaited and desperately needed MD Route 90—the gateway to Ocean City—project,” he said during his speech. “MD 90 is a top priority not only for safety, access, and the local economy, but also for its vital role in emergency re-
sponse. We are very pleased to be taking this important step forward and we also look forward to working with each of you and your jurisdictions on all of the critical projects in your counties.” Hogan’s plan will be released sometime in early September. It is unclear what type of improvements will be included in the plan and See FUTURE Page 5
Vaccine rates at 70 percent for Worcester AGH staff hits 86 percent, on its way to Hogan’s goal
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
POSITIVE SIGN
The sun was shining during a slight drizzle on Sunday morning, leading to the formation of a rainbow. This picture was taken at Northside Park on 125th Street in Ocean City.
Jeep Week makes tracks for beach By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Aug. 27, 2021) The sounds of roaring engines and large humming tires cruising into Ocean City this week were just a simple sign of what’s to come: the invasion of Jeep Week.
While some people try to capture every last ray of sun they can before summer comes to an end, others are preparing their Jeeps for the event, which will feature activities such as off-road courses, a beach crawl, and a trade show.
“You have, really, the ultimate Jeep vacation and a 4x4 expo merging together,” Live Wire Events Media CEO Brad Hoffman said on Wednesday as he was setting up for the event. This year, Hoffman said, there See JEEP Page 3
By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Aug. 27, 2021) With an 86 percent vaccination rate, staff members at Atlantic General Hospital are almost already in compliance with Gov. Larry Hogan’s latest shot directive. Last week, Hogan announced that staff in all Maryland hospitals and nursing homes will be required to get vaccinated or submit to regular covid testing and mask mandates. The state’s vaccination rate is high, at more than 80 percent, but Hogan said he was disappointed in the number of employees, namely at nursing homes, who have not yet received the shot. At Atlantic General, no mandate had been implemented before Hogan’s announcement, but Director of Marketing Sarah Yonker said in an email that vaccines have been heavily encouraged since they became available. “I am proud to say that 86 percent of AGH/AGHS staff are vaccinated,” Yonker said. “We have been encouraging vaccines not only for our commuSee HOSPITAL Page 6