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NOVEMBER 3, 2017
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
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Driver indicted in case of car hitting officer Grand jury orders trial on attempted murder charges
KARA HALLISSEY/OCEAN CITY TODAY
MEMORIAL CLIMB Stacie Ellis and her husband, Justin, from Corapeake, North Carolina, lead a group of firefighters during the fifth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Pyramid Condominium on 95th Street last Saturday. The Delmarva Emerald Society sponsors the event, which is a nonprofit organization of area firefighters and emergency medical services personnel of Irish heritage. The event is a way to honor and remember the New York firefighters, police and emergency medical service workers who lost their lives while helping others. Proceeds benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a nationwide effort to remember and honor America’s fallen firefighters and to provide resources to assist their survivors. Nearly $7,000 was raised for the nonprofit during this year’s climb. Almost 100 firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and members of the public took part in the event last weekend in Ocean City.
West OC wants more rental regs County administrator says controlling short-term units will require long-term effort
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Nov. 3, 2017) The debate about the location of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods has spread to West Ocean City, and Worcester County Administrator Harold Higgins said lax regulation of rentals there is in his sights. Still, controlling the situation will take a long-term strategy, he told members of the West Ocean City Association that gathered last Thursday at the Lions Club Den on Airport Road. Higgins added that he plans to revamp the permit system that allows
landlords to rent houses in residential neighborhoods, since an influx of J-1 visa students have moved across the bridge. Approximately 345 J-1 visa students rented in West Ocean City last summer, as affordable housing in the resort is scarce. One of the ideas Higgins advocated is implementing a flat fee on the “tourism permit,” which is required for rentals to four or more people for less than six months. “Right now, [the fee] is reported on a honor system. They tell us what they rent, and we’re supposed to collect a percent out of that,” Higgins said. “I’m trying to be clear — the county was not set up to assume a rental market. Things have changed. The only way I’ll See WEST OC Page 7
KATIE TABELING/OCEAN CITY TODAY
County Administrator Harold Higgins tells the West Ocean City Association members what they can expect in the coming years regarding a revamped rental permit system.
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Nov. 3, 2017) A Worcester County grand jury has indicted Antonio Ambrosino, 18, of Seaford, Delaware on 15 charges related to his reported attempt to run over police officers who were approaching his vehicle on Sept. 30. The indictment includes charges of attempted first-degree murder, two first-degree assault charges and numerous drug and related charges. The jury also indicted Arkad Espinal, 20, of Reading, Pennsylvania on five counts stemming from the incident. The maximum penalty for attempted first-degree murder is a life sentence, and the maximum penalty for first-degree assault is 25 years. See WORCESTER Page 5
OCPD finds new police academy has better timing
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Nov. 3, 2017) The Ocean City Police Department will send five recruits to a police academy hosted by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office this month, breaking with a longstanding practice of training them through a local program. Since 1978, Ocean City officers participated in the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy at WorWic Community College. The majority, if not all, police agencies on the Eastern Shore attend this academy. The timing of Carroll County’s academy, however, is such that it would get the full-time officers on the See OCPD Page 3