1/16/26 OC Today-Dispatch

OC Today-Dispatch JANUARY 16, 2026

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— Page 63

PRICELESS

Wind fans, foes state their cases Positions reiterated as two sides attend panel session that changed few, if any, minds about offshore turbines. — PAGE 13

Short-term rental cap proposed Planning staff at City Hall directed to come Area resident Regis Reft was one of the 11 speakers who weighed in with questions and statements during this week’s offshore wind forum. up with ordinance language that would limit the number of licenses that could It’s been 30 years since the inlet parking got a new surface, but that’s be issued in R1, going to change in the next couple of months as parking kiosks are MH Zones.

— PAGE 4 removed, new lights are installed and paving takes place. — PAGE 3 BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Inlet lot getting overhaul

ROUTE 50 BRIDGE CLOSURE BEGINS TUESDAY FOR TWO WEEKS ... TAKE ROUTE 90 — PAGE 71

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OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC’s Inlet Lot to get cellular antenna, new asphalt for ‘26

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) Improvements to the Ocean City’s inlet parking lot will continue throughout the winter.

During Tuesday’s meeting of the Ocean City Transportation Committee, Public Works Director Hal Adkins reported that Verizon and AT&T are installing small-cell antennas in the lot to improve network coverage.

Company representatives say these low power compact units will improve cell coverage during large special events. Adkins said crews also are beginning to demolish old light poles and that the city is on track to begin an extensive repaving project in the coming weeks.

“We are racing between now and the next three weeks to have everything done infrastructure-wise to repave the entire parking lot,” he said.

The repaving project will be the first to take place at the inlet lot in more than three decades, Adkins said earlier this month. He told committee members this week the goal is complete the lot in early April, ahead of the city’s first special event.

While new antennas and light poles will be added to the inlet parking lot, City Manager Terry McGean the city does plan to do away with one feature – parking kiosks. Ahead of the 2025 summer season, the Ocean City Council voted to eliminate parking kiosks in town and to gradually phase out kiosks at the inlet lot by 2026.

“Just as a reminder, the kiosks will

no longer be in the inlet lot for 2026,” McGean told committee members this week. “They are all done.”

The elimination comes as the city finalizes its transition to a meterless system. During Tuesday’s meeting, Transportation Manager Rob Shearman noted that parking revenues in 2025 increased 18.1% from the year prior, with a vast majority of those collections coming from mobile applications.

“Of course kiosk payment was lower this year because we took them away at the beginning of the season outside of the inlet lot. Then you can see in August, kiosk payments flatlined. Why? Because the inlet lot was shut down. The only place we had kiosks was no longer available,” he explained. “So at that point, our revenue shifted entirely over to mobile app payment. We were already trending in that direction. This just accelerated it.”

This fiscal year, total revenues are on track to meet budget projections, Shearman reports. Revenues from surface lots, the inlet parking lot and parking fines are slightly down, while revenues from street parking are up.

“Street parking is up, due mostly to the targeted ocean block rate increase there …,” Shearman told the committee. “The good thing is that it’s a lot easier to find parking on those ocean blocks because people are more careful about how long they stay … It’s a perfect illustration of the intent of that.”

WE CANNOT SA AY Y THAN K YOU ENOUG H FOR F THE OVE RWHE LM ING SU P PORT TH I S C OMMUN ITY HA H S SH OWN US !

A SP ECIAL THAN K YOU TO HAR POON HAN NNAH’S !

OC Council holding special meeting on DeLuca decision

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) With a petition filed challenging the residency of Ocean City Councilman Tony DeLuca, the City Council will hold a special meeting next Wednesday to discuss the accusations.

“As a follow-up to the petition to the secretary’s residency, we have tentatively scheduled a special meeting for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 to discuss the issue,” Council President Matt James announced at the end of Tuesday’s work session.

Last week, Leslie Smith filed a formal complaint with the Town of Ocean City seeking a review of DeLuca’s residency. The former council candidate – ousted from the 2024 race after a council majority determined she did not meet the city’s domicile requirements – alleges she was discriminated against, and that the same review was not applied to DeLuca, who she claims is living full-

time in Annapolis.

“I just want the record to reflect that there’s a lack of confidence within our community that Councilman DeLuca actually resides in this town fulltime,” she told the City Council during public comments at the end of last week’s meeting. “I feel the scope, manner and outcome of the residency review applied to me versus Councilman DeLuca raises serious concern regarding selective and inconsistent enforcement.”

From the outset, Smith has publicly questioned why she was singled out for renting out her Ocean City property in the summer months, while DeLuca – a fellow candidate seeking re-election in 2024 – traveled between his condo in Ocean City and his property in Annapolis.

According to public records, DeLuca purchased his Annapolis property in April 2023, at the same time he sold his primary residence in See DELUCA Page 6

NOT I C E OF T E M POR A RY C LOSU R E DUE TO A RECENT INCIDENT, T, OUR EST ES ST TA ABLISHMENT A IS CLOSED UNTIL FUR RT THER NOTICE. WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTL LY Y TO REOPEN AN ND REGRET ANY DISRUPTION TO YOUR PLA ANS. TH HA ANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDER RS ST TA ANDING. A WE WILL PROVIDE UPDA DA AT TE ES S AS SOON AS POSSIBLE REG GA ARDING OUR REO OPENING. The Mushrush family would like to thank you for all the calls , messages & kind d wor rd ds.

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OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

Rental license limit weighed by OC Council

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) The Ocean City Council will consider a cap on the number of short-term rental licenses issued in two residential zoning districts.

On Tuesday, a council majority agreed to set a limit on the number of licenses the city will issue in R-1 residential and MH mobile home districts.

An ordinance, which will be introduced at a future meeting, will cap short-term rental licenses at 10% of all improved lots in the two districts, with property owners who are homesteaded in Ocean City given the opportunity to apply first.

Council President Matt James was the only one of the six members present to oppose the plan.

“I think if we focus on enforcement,

I think we’ll be fine,” he said.

City Manager Terry McGean told council members this week that the number of short-term rental licenses in the two zoning districts grew by 36% from 2021 to 2025 but dropped slightly last year when a moratorium on the issuance of those licenses was adopted. Despite that growth, police calls to rentals in those single-family neighborhoods have either remained flat or have declined.

Regardless, a majority of City Council members have argued something needed to be done to preserve singlefamily zoning districts. And on Tuesday, they reviewed their options for either phasing out, freezing, capping, or eventually halting the issuance of short-term rental licenses in R-1 and MH districts.

For his part, Council Secretary Tony

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Ocean City solicitor Heather Stansbury and Ocean City Manager Terry McGean attended Tuesday’s work session at City Hall to discuss short-term rentals in R-1 and MH zoning districts.

DeLuca shared his interest in some sort of hybrid model, where the city would set a cut-off date for acquiring short-term rental licenses. Any property transferred after that specified date would not be able to obtain a license.

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While a motion was initially made to move forward with that plan, with a cut-off date of July 1, 2026, it was ultimately withdrawn after council members agreed it was too similar to the short-term rental ban that was voted down in last summer’s special election.

“I think it’s reasonable,” Councilman John Gehrig said, “but I just think it’s too close to the line for my tastes.”

Councilman Jake Mitrecic argued that the same group of property owners who led the referendum effort last year would successfully do it again if an ordinance were passed. James agreed.

“While this is not an immediate ban, it is a near ban,” he added.

From there, the conversation turned to capping the number of licenses issued in R-1 and MH communities. Gehrig said he was in favor of the cap, as well as lifting the moratorium and giving homesteaded property owners the “first shot” at acquiring a rental license.

“I think if we do this right, I think all the issues go away,” he said, adding that he wanted to see stronger enforcement and the elimination of LLC ownerships renting out homes in the two districts.

During his presentation Tuesday, McGean said the number of licenses issued under a cap would be greater than the 341 that currently exist. Those existing licenses in good standing would remain valid, and any remaining available licenses would be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

See CAP Page 6

Inside this week Calendar ..............................46 Classifieds ..........................49 Crossword ............................66 Dining Guide ........................62 Editorial/Letters ..................70 Entertainment ......................40 Horoscope ............................67 Obituaries ............................75 Police/Crime........................23 Public Notices ......................52 Sports ..................................76

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

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JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

DeLuca dilemma needs unanimity

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Continued from Page 3 Ocean City. In May 2024, four months before announcing his bid for re-election, he purchased a second property, a 486-square-foot unit along Ocean City’s bayside.

Up for debate at next month’s meeting will be if DeLuca was domiciled in Ocean City prior to the 2024 election, and if he had maintained his domicile during his time in office, as required by the city’s charter.

“If such a review determines that Councilmember DeLuca does not satisfy the residency or domicile requirements set forth in the Ocean City Charter, I respectfully request that the Town take whatever action is required under the Charter and applicable law to remedy that noncompliance,” Smith’s complaint reads.

DeLuca is denying Smith’s allegations, stating, “I have nothing to hide, and I look forward to the mayor and City Council giving me the opportunity to address this matter openly and candidly.”

The council president has stated there would need to be a unanimous vote of the remaining council members and the mayor to remove DeLuca.

Cap considered for home rentals Continued from Page 4 Once a cap is reached, applicants would be placed on a waiting list.

McGean proposed that licenses would not transfer with a property, unless it is due to a death or other legal requirement or to honor existing rental bookings.

Following a back-and-forth discussion, the council voted 5-1, with James opposed and Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, to have staff draft an ordinance capping short-term rental licenses at 10% of all improved lots in the two districts, with homesteaded property owners given the first option to apply for one license.

As proposed, a 10% cap would equate to 375 licenses – 178 in R-1 districts and 198 in MH districts. However, Mitrecic said a percentage, rather than a set number, would allow for flexibility.

“If we have 10 more homes go up in each of these districts, it leaves it so that one of those homes could be a short-term rental,” he said.

James this week said the motion that was made “is in clear conflict” with the moratorium, which paused the issuance of short-term rental licenses in R-1 and MH communities through January 2027.

City Solicitor Heather Stansbury said the council would need to amend its moratorium to be consistent with what was being proposed.

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

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JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

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OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

Berlin approves relocation of fireman’s parade from OC Mid-week turnout lagging for bring additional business to downshops and restaurants. The annual June event in resort, town MSFA is on the same page.

Blackiston said the association confirefighters association says

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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) The Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA) is relocating its annual parade from Ocean City to downtown Berlin this summer, citing a consistent decline in participation over the past few years.

With Councilmember Shaneka Nichols and Vice President Dean Burrell absent, the Berlin Council unanimously approved a special event request this week to allow the MSFA to bring its yearly parade to Berlin on Saturday, June 20, marking the first time the statewide event will be held in the town.

The request was presented during Monday night’s council meeting by MSFA Convention and Conference Chair Robbie Blackiston, who said the association has been exploring new venues amid a decrease in firefighters and agencies statewide choosing to participate in the procession in recent years.

Traditionally held on a Wednesday in Ocean City, the parade has seen reduced turnout as it has become harder for firefighters to take time off during the workweek.

Blackiston said that last year, the parade had 114 participants and lasted 50 minutes. In the past, the event has typically extended about four hours.

After noting the decline, the association initially sought to reschedule the parade from the midweek timeslot to a weekend, while maintaining the Ocean City location. However, logistical issues arose as June is Ocean City’s peak tourist season. As such, a Saturday parade would create challenges not easily manageable for the resort destination.

Alternative venues were scouted, and Berlin was selected as the ideal spot. Upon the municipality's approval this week, the association’s goal is now to be realized this summer.

“This is something new for Berlin,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. “We certainly know how to throw a party and a parade and look forward to…welcoming the Maryland Firefighters’ Association to Berlin for the parade.”

The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, and will take place rain or shine. Blackiston said he expects this year’s procession to feature between 150 and 160 fire companies and public safety units from across Maryland. Blackiston added that this will be the first year the association encourages participants to preregister, but anyone who shows up unannounced will be welcome to participate.

Berlin officials hope the parade will

ducted a walkthrough of Main Street businesses in December and distributed informational flyers, and noted that no concerns had been raised to date. He said the group is working behind the scenes with the Berlin Chamber of Commerce to encourage spectators and participants to arrive early and patronize local establishments.

Part of this effort is exploring a morning Touch-A-Truck event. This would likely begin around 10 a.m. and allow kids to further interact with the fire apparatuses. Association members noted that the idea is for families to arrive in downtown Berlin early, attend the Touch-A-Truck, and then do some shopping or grab lunch before the parade’s 2 p.m. start time.

A shuttle may also be available to transport participants arriving early from the staging areas to downtown, where they can grab a bite to eat or browse the stores.

A letter from the MSFA to Berlin on the matter includes a summary of events. Per the document, the procession would consist of fire apparatus, fire prevention floats, association officers, local elected officials, and possibly a few marching bands.

Staging has been approved at Worcester Preparatory School, and the association has discussed with Worcester County Parks and Recreation the possibility of using their intown athletic fields. Stephen Decatur Park could also be used as a setup location if additional space is needed.

MSFA maintained that trucks and floats would remain in the parking lot to avoid disrupting the park interior or its grass.

As it stands, the parade route will travel northbound on Main Street in the lane of travel until it approaches Jefferson Street, at which point the procession will move to the centerline.

The units will continue northbound to Powellton Avenue, then return to the lane of travel.

Even with increased participation, council members estimated the Berlin parade would likely last no more than two hours.

Both the Town of Berlin and the MSFA are excited about the downtown summer event. According to the association, MSFA is the only state firefighters’ association on the East Coast that still hosts a parade. Its members hope to keep the tradition alive.

Berlin officials also noted that the procession aligns with the town's mission.

“This is a great way to celebrate our first responders,” Councilmember Jay Knerr said.

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

PAGE 11

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PAGE 12

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Council to hold hearing on comp plan update

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) The Ocean City Council will soon hold a public hearing on the city’s updated comprehensive plan.

On Tuesday, Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler presented city officials with the planning commission’s recommendation to adopt the 2025 updated comprehensive plan. In a 6-0 vote, with Councilwoman Carol Proctor absent, the City Council voted to hold a public hearing and bring forth an ordinance for its adoption.

“Once adopted, this will replace the 2017 plan and serve as the town’s primary long-range policy document guiding land-use decisions, infrastructure investments and regulatory updates,” Bendler told the council this week.

Last month, following roughly 15 work sessions and two public hearings, the Ocean City Planning Commission approved the 2025 update to the city’s comprehensive plan and voted to forward the draft document to the City Council for approval.

The review process is part of a statemandated 10-year update.

“The updated comprehensive plan includes key revisions and enhancements that respond to community priorities, demographic shifts, environmental conditions and regulatory changes since 2017,” he explained.

Bendler noted the new planning document updates data trends, clarifies land use policies and addresses issues such as housing, offshore wind energy and community character, to name a few.

While the planning commission is tasked with preparing and recommending changes to the comprehensive plan, it is the City Council’s responsibility to

hold a public hearing and either adopt, disapprove or modify the document within 90 days.

With that said, the council voted this week to move forward with a public hearing and directed staff to develop an ordinance for adoption.

“We did it entirely in-house and completed this work without outside consultants,” Bendler told officials this week, commending planning commission members and city staff for their efforts.

“And that speaks to the town’s expertise and the commitment we have within the town.”

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JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Local leaders vow to fight wind development off coast Anti-wind group challenges US Wind project, holds forum at convention center

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Anti-wind allies painted developer US Wind as an existential threat to Ocean City’s quality of life at a packed public meeting where local leaders sharpened their opposition to a proposed offshore wind farm.

Monday night’s forum at Ocean City’s convention center was staged by the coalition Stop Offshore Wind.

A panel of experts and elected officials gathered to share information and field questions over about two hours for a live-streamed, standingroom-only crowd in the hundreds.

Outside the meeting room, placards warned that “the fight is not over,” while other materials urged attendees to learn “what you’re not being told” about offshore wind’s environmental and economic impacts.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan moderated the panel. He warned that the latest proposal – a field of 90story windmills beginning less than 11 miles off the coast – bears little resemblance to what was originally presented nine years ago.

He said Ocean City asked at first only that turbines be pushed farther offshore. But as the years passed, deeper concerns emerged about marine life, commercial fishing, property values, and even national security. If built now, Meehan warned, the project could strike a lethal blow to the town’s billion-dollar tourism industry. “ US Wind has never even been required to do an economic study on the impact of this project on Ocean City’s economy,” he said, “yet it received approvals.”

The forum was held as the resort and its more than 20 co-plaintiffs await a federal court ruling on whether US Wind’s approvals will be sent back for further review. It’s a decision that could determine whether the project moves forward or stalls for years.

City Manager Terry McGean said Ocean City never wanted to sue the government in the first place, but felt their hand was forced after the Biden administration issued a environmental impact statement – one that a resort consultant called “one of the most flawed studies they had ever seen,” he said.

While some in the crowd wanted to know whether the Trump administration had put a stop to offshore wind, McGean confirmed that the US Wind project is still alive. For now, while US Wind still holds permits to proceed, the Interior Department

under Trump wants to send those approvals back for review.

McGean says he expects a judge to rule in the lawsuit by the end of summer.

“This is far, far from over. We will not give up the fight. Until US Wind gives up, we’re gonna fight. We don’t have any other choice,” he said.

Jeanene Gwin of the Worcester County Waterman’s Association warned the project’s offshore substations would have cooling systems that draw in seawater, treat it chemically, and discharge water back into the ocean – potentially killing fish eggs and larvae.

She also explained that fishing grounds are tightly regulated and that “when these wind farms go up, fishermen just can’t go someplace else, because it’s probably not legal.”

“It will end commercial fishing in West Ocean City and Ocean City,” Gwin said.

Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger alleged from the panel dais that nearby Delaware municipalities had teamed up to secretly negotiate a cash-for-silence deal.

Magdeburger said the consortium of beach towns would have accepted $100,000 a year each for 10 years in exchange for not opposing wind farms, but the process was ruled illegal by Delaware’s attorney general and the association was dissolved.

She lauded Ocean City for not taking developer dollars and mentioned a line often repeated by Mayor Meehan that “Ocean City is not for sale.”

The forum happened to fall 48 hours before the Maryland General Assembly convenes for its 2026 Legislative Session. Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, a panelist, said legislators will be focused on affordable and reliable sources of power generation.

Carozza serves on the Senate’s energy committee.

“Maryland’s intense electrification, driven by the climate change mandates, have led to the retirement of coal and oil generation without an adequate replacement – and that has caused utility rates to continue to skyrocket,” she said. “Maryland is importing 40% of its energy from out of state.

That is on the backs of rate payers.”

During the public question period, residents queried the panel on a number of anxieties: rising electric bills, the impact of subsidies, how turbines are built, and how long they’ll last.

West Ocean City resident Mitch Parker pressed for a straight answer on what offshore wind would mean for electric bills. Energy analyst Travis Fisher of the Cato Institute told him offshore wind costs more to build and still needs backup, making it roughly three times pricier than See COALITION Page 14

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Coalition claims project impacts state ratepayers

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Community member Charles Kutcher is pictured speaking to panel participants during Monday night’s offshore wind forum, held at the Ocean City convention center.

Continued from Page 13 conventional generation. He estimated Maryland’s offshore wind mandate could cost ratepayers $60 billion in the long run.

Elizabeth Hahn of Bishopville wanted to know whether windmills have zero carbon footprints. That question prompted panelists to delve into the details of a turbine system that needs oil for lubrication, helicopters for maintenance, generators for backup, and thousands of tons of concrete for stability on the ocean floor.

The night’s first commenter, Regis Reft, of Millville, Delaware, got booed out of the room for asking panelists whether they’d accepted money from the oil industry. “Cut his mic,” Meehan was heard to say over jeers.

“You’re done.”

Reft had hoped to talk about misinformation campaigns cooked up by oil companies in the 1970s and 1980s to fight accusations of environmental harm. “I’m sad that people would muzzle someone for giving a different opinion,” he said. “I sat there and listened to them. I’m no expert but there was a lot of things I had to say.

They refused to hear it.”

When reached for comment, US Wind said the forum was spreading misinformation.

Spokeswoman Nancy Sopko said “it’s unfortunate that taxpayer dollars are being used” to attack the project. She blamed insufficient power generation for residents’ rising electric bills.

“Marylanders are smart enough to separate fact from fiction. US Wind remains committed to delivering this much-needed electricity to the region,” she said.

Meehan closed by saying the town and its co-plaintiffs will continue pressing their lawsuit and lobbying state leaders as long as the project remains alive. He believes wind farm resistance is growing.

“The way we’re gonna win this – and we are gonna win it – is if we all continue to stand united in our opposition,” he said.

PRINT WEB octodaydispatch.com • baysideoc.com

JANUARY 16, 2026

PAGE 15

OC Today-Dispatch

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PAGE 16

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Worcester incumbents file ahead of June 23 primary Commissioners Eric Fiori, Ted Elder, Chip Bertino seek re-election in 2026

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Three more incumbent Worcester County Commissioners have filed for reelection, while a new candidate for the southern district seat has emerged ahead of next month’s filing deadline.

Commissioners Eric Fiori, Ted Elder and Chip Bertino will appear on the ballot for the June 23 primary, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. All three filed as Republicans. The statewide deadline for candidates to file is Feb. 24.

Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City) said his reasons for running for a second term haven’t changed from his first candidacy in 2022. His top priorities are public safety, education, and water-sewer management.

“I started working here on the Shore, summers, over 30 years ago. I just enjoy helping the local community and try to do our best to let government and private sector intermingle, so we can have the best of both words. That’s my goal,” Fiori said in an interview.

Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines) says his top priority in seeking a fourth term will be to continue to advocate for his Ocean Pines constituency and for the county taxpayers’ interest.

“That’s the lens through which I see issues, and I will continue doing the same thing,” he said in an interview.

“It’s very humbling to have the opportunity to do that for the community, and I hope that I’m given the chance to do it for another four years.”

Elder, the current board president, told OC Today-Dispatch he’d been undecided for a long while before finally deciding to commit to a fourth term after getting community support.

If reelected, Elder (District 4, Western) plans to double down on a fiscally conservative agenda and to “keep the votes going in the right direction.”

“I’ve been kind of afraid for the county that our great financial situation that we have, compared to the state and other counties, would be in jeopardy,” he told OC Today-Dispatch.

“I’ve been worried a little bit about losing our AAA bond rating that we worked so hard to get. I know last year some [commissioners] wanted to spend every penny we had and even go into reserves – I was a little leery of that.”

Fiori and Bertino are running unopposed at this time. Elder will face a challenger in the GOP primary, Berlin Councilman Steve Green.

Green, an editor of this newspaper, originally filed last summer with the Worcester County Board of Elections as an unaffiliated candidate with the expectation that he’d skip the primary and go right to the Nov. 3 general election.

However, the Maryland State Board of Elections told him that was a mistake – because state rules require candidates who choose not to affiliate with a political party to solicit a minimum of 250 signatures from district voters to get on the ballot.

Green opted instead to file as a Republican and skip the petition process.

“I was looking forward to running as an unaffiliated candidate because it represents who I am. It best reflects my positions, but Maryland’s closed primary system does not allow it. I look forward to officially launching my campaign in the coming weeks,” he said in a statement this week.

Two other incumbent commissioners who have already filed for reelection include Diana Purnell (District 2, Central) and Joe Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean City). Both are registered as Democrats. Mitrecic is unopposed, while Purnell will face opponent Roxie Dennis of Berlin, also a Democrat.

At the southern end of the county, Pocomoke-area incumbent Caryn Abbott, a first-term Republican, has not filed. Two newcomers are gunning for her District 1 seat: Wayne Taylor filed his candidacy on Monday, while Shawn Shockley filed in November.

Both are Republicans.

“I’ve always been a servant of the community and that’s what I plan on continue doing,” Taylor said in an interview. “In my personal circle, I’ve always had opinions and things. Don’t talk about it, be about it. I thought about it for a good while, and I figured, well, now’s the time.”

When asked what issues would be priorities for him if elected, Taylor said funding for education and public safety, and opposition to offshore wind.

The board’s longest-serving commissioner won’t be seeking reelection.

Commissioner Jim Bunting (District 6, Bishopville), first elected in 2010, says he’s decided not to run for a fifth term.

So far, the only candidate who has filed for the seat is former Worcester County school superintendent Lou Taylor.

OCTodayDispatch.com RELIABLE & LOCAL NEWS

JANUARY 16, 2026

PAGE 17

OC Today-Dispatch

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JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Fewer bus stops, app-based fare considered Streamlined Beach Bus route under consideration

by Ocean City committee

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) Transportation officials say they hope to “resurrect” a plan to reduce the number of bus stops along Coastal Highway.

While city officials agreed to postpone discussions last spring, Transportation Manager Rob Shearman told members of the Ocean City Transportation Committee this week that his department was looking to revisit its plans for a bus stop reduction. The goal, he said, is to eliminate no more than 14 stops from the Beach Bus Route, which spans from the South Division Street transit station to the 114th Street transit station.

“What we’re really trying to do is streamline the route a little bit,” he said, “take away stops that are redundant or aren’t being used, and just speed the route up a little bit.”

Currently, the bus route spans several miles and has 125 stops – about one every 800 feet. However, the transportation system will begin targeting stops that are underutilized or close to other stops.

“We generally favor convenience over speed anyway, which is why we

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Ocean City’s Transportation Committee met in the town’s Public Works complex on Tuesday.

have so many stops,” Shearman told committee members during Tuesday’s meeting. “But I do think there’s a way to trim back a little bit without inconveniencing too many people and just speed the route up a little bit.”

While the reduction is expected to make the bus system more efficient, Shearman said his department would first gather feedback from nearby property owners. He said he hopes to present a completed list of eliminated bus stops in the coming weeks and to advertise that reduction for additional public comment.

“The [Maryland Transit Administration] requires that because it’s an X-percent reduction in service,” he told the committee. “But I think it’s the right

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Shearman told officials this week a bus stop reduction wasn’t the only change being considered for the bus service. He noted his department would also begin exploring options for an appbased payment system.

“It’s getting less and less convenient for us to be a cash-only service,” he said.

Instead of relying solely on the current cash-only system, Sherman said riders could have the option to pay using their phones. He added that an appbased payment would require no-board equipment.

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“And we have not spent a dime to provide that service.”

Shearman said staff would be developing a request for proposals (RFP) and researching vendors, with a potential to launch the service in the summer of 2027. While the financial impact is unclear, he said any vendor the city chooses would likely keep a percentage of its bus revenue – a fee he estimates to be around 10%.

“We think it’s a very reasonable financial investment for a system that would hugely increase convenience,” he said.

Mayor Rick Meehan agreed.

“I think the sooner the better,” he said. “I think we’re behind with this.”

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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2026 Coldwell Banker Realty LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Realty LLC. 07/15

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PAGE 19

OC Today-Dispatch

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OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

Property checks lead to jump in police calls

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) Officials say real checks on property in December are to blame for the recorded jump in calls for services initiated by Ocean City police officers last month.

On Monday, Ocean City Police Department Capt. Michael Colbert presented members of the city’s police commission with an update on police activity for December. He noted that while citizen calls for service had declined last month (558 to 547), officer calls for service recorded a 40% increase – from 1,961 calls in December 2024 to 2,749 calls in December 2025.

Command staff attributed that increase to both business checks and property checks the police department conducted last month. Colbert said the department conducted between 600 and 700 more checks than the December prior.

“That’s really what it is,” he told the commission. “It’s up, but it’s up because our guys are being very proactive. Maybe that’s why citizen calls for service are down, because we are doing a lot of property checks here during the winter, which, traditionally, we do because there are fewer people here.”

While officer-initiated service calls were the highest the department had recorded in the last four years, Colbert said citizen calls for service were the

lowest recorded since 2021. He applauded that statistic.

“That means that’s fewer Ocean City residents having to pick up the phone and dial 911 and ask for police service,” he said.

In the top 25 calls for service, traffic stops decreased from 552 to 530, calls to assist citizens or motorists increased from 154 to 170, and calls to assist fireEMS decreased from 128 to 105.

One notable change, Colbert added, came from a lesser-known category – attended or unattended deaths. He said that number increased from one in December 2024 to six in December 2025.

“I’m just surprised by the increase,” Council President Matt James, a commission member, said. “We’ve never had that many in one month, in December.”

Colbert said that attended deaths are typically those that are expected and are the result of natural causes, while unattended deaths may be less clear and could prompt an autopsy. He noted that in both instances, the criminal investigation division and the coroner will respond.

“There’s nothing suspicious about them,” he said of the six deaths. “If we thought there was something suspicious, we would open a criminal case.”

Despite the uptick in deaths, Colbert said it wasn’t unusual during the

BETHANY HOOPER/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Command staff, pictured above with members of the Ocean City Police Commission, share statistics as part of a monthly update on police activity.

holiday season. Capt. Dennis Eade agreed.

“There’s nothing really out there to attribute it to,” he said. “It’s just one of those things that ebbs and flows, and we’re in the high tide right now.”

Under December enforcement, custodial arrests increased from 58 to 62, drug arrests increased from five to six, and DUI arrests increased from 13 to 15. Officials also noted that weapons arrests increased from two to five, which they attributed to proactive enforcement and grant funding to cover firearms details.

ICE operations in town In addition to sharing police statistics for December, command staff on

Monday also addressed local immigration enforcement. While stating that the police department is in contact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), it was not involved in any operations taking place within Ocean City.

“We are not involved with their apprehensions in any way, shape or form,” Eade said. “The Ocean City Police Department isn’t assisting them with locating anybody or arresting anybody.”

Eade noted that department officials have asked federal authorities to alert them of any operations taking place in Ocean City, a move they said See OCPD Page 22

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OC Today-Dispatch

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JANUARY 16, 2026

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By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) is on course to hire additional officers and public safety officers ahead of the 2026 summer season, department officials told the Ocean City Police Commission Monday.

During Monday’s meeting of the commission, Lt. Andrew Yeager provided an update on the department’s recruitment efforts. During December, the OCPD received 14 applications for full-time officer positions and 15 applications for public safety officer (PSO) positions, bringing the total number of applicants for the year to 205.

“We are doing very well,” Capt. Dennis Eade added. “Compared to agencies surrounding us, we are in a really good spot. Agencies outside of our city limits are really struggling right now.”

Yeager noted that the department currently has 121 full-time officers, or five less than the 126 positions that are budgeted in the current fiscal year.

However, he said that five of those officers are currently in the police academy and three are out on medical leave, bringing the total number of active officers to 113.

“That’s about 10 or 11 higher than we had last month,” he added. “What

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that says is that everybody who was out with injuries are coming back, and they are healthy now.”

Of the 14 officer applicants and 15 PSO applicants the department received in December, Yeager said 18 were tested and four failed. He also highlighted the five officers currently in the police academy, as well as the six officers who graduated last month.

“The one thing we have noticed over the last several police testings is that a vast majority of the police officer candidates are locals, which is something we haven’t seen in a long time,” he said.

“Why we like that is it is a really good tool for retention because they have a stake in the community, they have roots here, they have family here.”

For the second year in a row, the OCPD will be hiring PSOs to replace the seasonal officer program that had existed for years in Ocean City. Unlike seasonal officers, who had the power to make arrests, PSOs are civilian support staff who can issue municipal citations, handle bookings and fingerprinting and direct traffic.

Yeager said this week that the city had 23 PSOs interested in returning, 25 new PSOs currently in the background stage, 10 new PSOs that have completed both the test and interview, and 30 new PSOs that have paid for testing but have not yet taken it. He said the department is hoping to meet, if not exceed, the staffing level of 60 reached last summer.

“So our numbers are looking really good for this summer for PSOs,” he said.

Yeager said the police department continues to attend recruitment trips and job fairs in the region. The next testing date will be held Jan. 31 for PSO candidates.

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Continued from Page 20 would allow them to inform community members who may witness apprehensions taking place. However, he said communication has been inconsistent.

“On some occasions, they have given us a heads up when they are going to be doing work in town,” he explained. “And others, they certainly have not.”

Regardless, Eade said the department’s involvement is limited, noting the phone calls they occasionally receive for foot pursuits, or when a vehicle is abandoned in the roadway.

“Again, to make it clear, we are in contact with them, in the hopes they can give us a heads up when they are in town,” he said. “But we are not involved.”

JANUARY 16, 2026

Basketball coach arrested for alleged sexual assault SDHS’ Bryon “BJ” Johnson accused of inappropriate contact with 8-year-old

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 15, 2026) Stephen Decatur High School’s head basketball coach Bryon Johnson was taken into custody last week on charges related to an alleged sexual assault of a minor.

Johnson, 60, known in the community as BJ, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 8 on charges including a felony sex offense in the 3rd degree with a child under 14; a misdemeanor offense for sex offense in the 4th degree, sexual contact; and a misdemeanor assault in the 2nd degree.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Worcester County District Court in Snow Hill. Johnson has denied all allegations.

According to police records, Ocean Pines Police responded to a call on Tuesday, Jan. 6 on reports of a sexual assault.

The alleged incident took place between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2026, at a residence in Ocean Pines.

Police records allege that Johnson entered the home of his ex-girlfriend while she was at work and that her minor children were present.

Police documentation alleges that Johnson went into the bedroom of his exgirlfriend, where one of the children was located and had inappropriate contact with the 8-year-old minor.

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OC Today-Dispatch

Following the alleged incident, the child was taken to Atlantic General Hospital and later participated in a forensic interview at the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center. Police records also indicate that on Jan. 7, the child’s siblings were interviewed by law enforcement, where they reported seeing Johnson inside the residence.

Ocean Pines Police interviewed Johnson on Jan. 7. According to police, Johnson denied being at his ex-girlfriend’s home on the date in question. He also denied that he had any inappropriate contact with the minor.

Court records show a restraining order was taken out against the ex-girlfriend on Jan. 6 but documents do not state who filed the request.

Johnson is employed at SDHS as an educational assistant and is the head coach of the boys basketball program. He was hired by Worcester County Public Schools in 2000.

Carrie Sterrs, the coordinator of public relations and special programs for WCPS, confirmed that Johnson is currently on administrative leave.

“WCPS cannot comment on personnel matters; however, the school system took all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our students as soon as school system staff was notified of the allegations,” a statement from Sterrs reads.

“WCPS has also made sure that support is available to any student or staff member should they need it through our school counseling office.”

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vanishing

OCEAN CITY

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

With Bunk MAnn

Things I Like...

By Steve Green The NFL playoff games so far How lazy my teens are on holiday break One big snowfall a winter Watching demo contractors at work When all the bills are paid A fast computer

In the years prior to World War II, Ocean City's beach and Boardwalk looked much different than what exists today. The beach was narrow and the Boardwalk - which ended at 15th Street - was raised about four feet above the sand.

There was no sea wall to protect it from storms and the Inlet Parking Lot did not exist until the 1950s.

Large frame hotels lined the Boardwalk while many visitors stayed in apartments and boarding houses along Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues and side streets leading to the beach. Only a handful of restaurants existed since most meals were taken in hotels and boarding houses which operated on the American Plan (meals included with the price of lodging).

There were no motels in Ocean City prior to 1948 when the Miami Court opened on 22 a Street but within a decade many were built and the area from 15th to 33d Streets became known as "Motel Row.” To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com.

Photo courtesy of Mike Adkins

Hearing kids giggling A phone with a super camera Raw emotion on the field Randomly bumping into an old friend Berlin Restaurant Week

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

Berlin venture secures grant for memorial glass initiative

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 15, 2025) A new branch of Berlin-based business Jeffrey Auxer Designs will continue to provide memorial glass in remembrance of pets and loved ones to its customers, and, as the winner of a $35,000 competition, advance the brand.

About two years ago, Jeffery Auxer of Jeffery Auxer Designs, a glassblowing establishment in downtown Berlin, launched Remember Me Glass. The new side of Auxer’s company provides grieving pet owners and family members with a custom-blown glass cremation keepsake.

In late October of last year, the memorial business entered Salisbury University’s Shore Hatchery Competition and won the top prize, securing a $35,000 grant.

Auxer said he intends to use the money to build an online platform in partnership with veterinarians, where the vets will come on board with Remember Me Glass, each receiving a subdomain to operate as their own personalized storefront.

Under the program, at the time of a pet’s euthanasia, veterinarians would provide the animal’s owner with Remember Me Glass’ information. The customer could then order their keep-

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sake through the vet’s personalized storefront, but the request would be received directly by Auxer and his team.

The vets would get a commission on each sale they helped facilitate.

Once an order is received, Remember Me Glass would send the buyer a kit or collection box containing a jar for ashes, a prepaid return label, and directions. The customer would return the finalized kit to the business for the memorial piece to be created, and upon completion, the item would be mailed directly to the purchaser.

The partnership terms would also stipulate that the vets have an in-office display with sample items and information packets containing a QR code that directs customers to the vet’s personalized storefront. From here, the grieving pet owner can begin the process of obtaining their keepsake.

“For the vet, it’s just a premium product that they would be offering to their customers,” Auxer said. “It’s no risk to them; it’s no cost to them. We do everything through us.”

Currently, Remember Me Glass partners with a few local pet crematoriums and funeral homes. With the funds won through SU’s Shore Hatchery contest, the company will not only build a new online platform but also See LOCAL Page 28

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JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Local business wins at SU contest

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Continued from Page 27 attend a week-long veterinary expo in Orlando to secure the additional partnerships. Auxer said that a booth at the Florida conference costs about $6,500.

“We want to try to work with vets because it’s something new and innovative,” he added.

The Shore Hatchery Competition is a bi-annual Mid-Atlantic business showdown open to start-ups and recently developed companies. The most recent event occurred in October of 2025.

Auxer said he applied to the contest six months ago, competing against about 50 entries, and that the initial stage required submitting a business plan. The program officials then selected the top 10 to compete at the Shark Tank-like live finals, which took place on Halloween.

Here, all the finalists set up booths and spoke with the judges as they assessed the competitors. Auxer said he was then required to deliver a 60-second business pitch, followed by a sixminute Q&A session.

Ultimately, Remember Me Glass won the contest, bringing home $35,000. Other businesses walked away with prizes ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Ratcliffe Foundation has partnered with SU since 2013 to make the biannual competition possible. The foundation donates $100,000 per se-

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mester, allowing the start-ups to vie for a share of the funds to launch and further their brands.

According to the Ratcliffe Foundation’s website, “Since the inception of the Shore Hatchery competition in 2013, SU has awarded more than $2,190,000 in grant funds to Mid-Atlantic area startups.

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than 57 businesses launch and grow their new ventures, generating $22,181,242 in annual revenue in 2024 and creating hundreds of jobs in the region.”

Auxer hopes that the money he obtained through the contest will allow him to support his mission of offering remembrance glass designs to those grieving a loved one. Remember Me Glass was kickstarted two years ago, the founder said. In its first year, the business created about 70 keepsakes.

That number rose to around 200 in 2025.

Orders can be made at Remember Me Glass’ online platform at www.remembermeglass.art or by heading directly to the Jeffery Auxer Designs gallery in downtown Berlin.

Available items include touchstones customers can carry in their pockets, along with other memorial pieces.

Remember Me Glass focuses on family members and pets. “Each piece of glass art is infused with your loved one’s cremains with colors woven throughout the glass, allowing you to cherish their memory for years to come,” their website reads.

“Remember Me Glass allows family members to collaborate with the artist by choosing colors and shapes that resonate with your loved one’s personality and honor the individuality of the person you have lost.”

Auxer said that adding the cremation glass to his business has been “the most satisfying thing” his team and he have done.

“When people order online, we don’t get to speak to the customers, but we also do it out of the gallery here, and it’s like, people are so emotional,” he said. “It’s just crazy what a piece of glass can do for somebody. Just the emotions we see here are unbelievable.

Just looking at something colorful and happy is better than looking at an urn sitting on the shelf.”

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

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JANUARY 16, 2026

Worcester Youth leader intends to step away

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services Inc. (WYFCS) will be seeking a new executive director, following the announcement that Jennifer Leggour will be stepping down later this year after six years at the helm of the nonprofit organization.

WYFCS, which operates in Berlin, advances programming to raise mental health awareness and provides resources to individuals and families in need. Leggour, who has held the role since January 2020, announced that her last day on the job will be Aug. 31.

“I decided a few months ago that I really needed to cut back and have more time for my family and more time for myself,” Leggour said.

Leggour has been with the agency for 17 years. When she was first hired, Leggour started as a psychologist conducting therapy. Around 2011, she became the clinical director, and in 2020, she assumed the executive director role when her predecessor,

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Steven Tayler, retired.

Leggour is an Ocean City native, having graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1989. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Salisbury University, before securing her Doctor of Psychology degree from Loyola College in Baltimore.

Leggour’s day-to-day work with WYFCS is “very busy,” she said. “We are a small nonprofit. At any smaller organization, the executive director tends to have a bit more responsibility and does more of a variety of things.”

Tasks of the nonprofit’s executive director include attending partnership meetings, program management, grant writing and reporting, and marketing and fundraising.

“It depends upon the time of year and what’s going on at the moment, but there’s always a lot to do,” she added.

Worcester Youth’s Board of Directors has created a search committee to identify the right replacement for

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Leggour. For her part, she said she will provide feedback on the qualities necessary for a successful executive director, offer potential interview questions, and inform the team about the nature of her role to aid the recruitment process. The final decision will remain up to the board.

Officials maintain that an ideal candidate must be aware of mental health and its importance to each individual and be able to collaborate effectively with others. Leggour noted that an essential attribute is excellent writing skills, which are necessary for grant application formulation.

“There’s a lot of grant writing that goes into the process,” she said. “And they should also be able to work with budgeting and understand the nuances of nonprofit grant funding, versus clinical funding, and how that works in the accounting process.

There are different levels of things that all come together in this position.”

Worcester Youth’s board plans to conduct interviews this spring and summer, with the goal of having the new hire in place by July. Leggour said she will be available to train the successful candidate, if needed.

“I wanted to give [the board] plenty of time to get things together,” she said. “And there needs to be a training period as well. Depending upon how much experience a person has in the nonprofit world, it's a complex business to learn, so I am happy to help train the next person, and I just felt like the more time the better.

It's a very complicated organization.

I wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible.”

Leggour emphasized that her decision to leave Worcester Youth was “personal,” and added that she remains “very happy” there but hopes to spend some time with her family.

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Jennifer Leggour

Despite leaving the nonprofit, Leggour said her favorite part of her time with the group will be the clients she has had the privilege of working with.

“I’m probably a bit biased, being a psychologist and being person-centered, but that’s really what I have enjoyed the most,” she said. “Just helping people and working with people in the community, but also helping staff to grow and help people in the community, and developing programs that do the same thing. I’ve really enjoyed the hands-on work.”

WYFCS offers therapy for all age groups, from toddlers to senior citizens; youth programs to promote healthy, happy childhoods; and Worcester Connects, a youth mentoring initiative for children in 1st through 12th grade in Worcester County schools who are struggling academically or socially.

The organization also provides its Worcester Navigation project, with the primary goal of “reducing the effects of financial hardship on children and families in Worcester County by connecting them to resources based upon their particular needs,” according to the nonprofit’s website.

While Leggour may be leaving Worcester Youth, she is not retiring.

She said she plans to launch a small solo therapy practice in September, working part-time with a few clients.

Those that Leggour collaborated with at Worcester Youth have praised her work in the leadership role, emphasizing that her service to the agency has been invaluable. “[Leggour] has been such an asset to WYFCS, both as our former clinical director and then as our executive director,” said Gwen Lehman, WYFCS board of directors president. “She made the transition beautifully, bringing to the position of executive director a stellar commitment, a uniquely broad skill set, and a deep understanding of the organization.

“She has worked so well with the board of directors that we will all be very sorry to see her leave her position. We wish her well and know that she will remain a friend of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services long into the future.”

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

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JANUARY 16, 2026

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Berlin Restaurant Week returns Jan. 19-26

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Nearly every establishment in Berlin will welcome patrons with delicious eats and great deals during the town’s tenth annual Restaurant Week. This year’s multiday event will run from Jan. 19 to Jan. 26.

Starting this Monday, the town’s eateries will curate reimagined menus and discounts—with the intention of not breaking the bank for guests.

Berlin’s Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said that Restaurant Week was launched in 2016 as a way to give residents of Berlin and nearby Eastern Shore municipalities a reason to visit the downtown during the chilly offseason.

“Restaurant Week gives people a reason to come downtown in the winter, try new places, and support our local restaurants,” she said. “It spotlights our dining scene and brings good foot traffic during a slower time of year.”

In addition to the yummy flavors to be prepared by the town’s chefs, patrons will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle for the chance to win gift certificates to the participating establishments.

According to Wells, diners may pick up a card at the Berlin Welcome Center and throughout the week, have it stamped at three different restaurants taking part in the event.

Completed forms are to be returned to the box at the Welcome Center.

The individual whose card is selected will receive a gift card from each participating eatery, plus a $100 gift card to a downtown shop or restaurant of their choice.

Wells said that almost every dining establishment within the Town of Berlin is taking part in Restaurant Week this year. Menus are posted on the Welcome Center’s window and on the town’s Facebook event page.

410 Social, for instance, will offer its customers a two-for-$22 deal. Guests may choose one starter and one entrée.

The available appetizers are: 1. a balsamic berry salad that has field greens, strawberries, blueberries, red onion, candied walnuts, feta, and balsamic vinaigrette. 2. Scampi crostini made with extra large shrimp, scampi sauce, and toasted ciabatta. 3. Southwest empanadas with chicken, poblano peppers, corn, onions, cheddar jack cheese, and avocado ranch on the side. 4. Thai curry clams with coconut curry, lemongrass, ginger, cilantro, and toasted ciabatta.

Entrée options for 410 Social’s weeklong special are: 1. A tuna express wrap with sesame encrusted ahi tuna, cabbage slaw, sriracha aioli, shaved cucumber, wasabi mayo, avocado, and a flour tortilla. 2. A tequila lime chicken BLT made with tequila lime marinated

grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle mayo on a potato roll. 3. A 410-style smashed burger consisting of lettuce, tomato, American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and 410 sauce on a potato roll. 4.

Shrimp pasta primavera with seared shrimp, penne pasta, house primavera sauce, seasonal veggies, and parmesan.

Oaked at the Globe is offering a three-for-$33 special. Starter options include a side Caesar salad, brisket croquettes with a BBQ ranch drizzle, or crispy brussels in fig jam and bacon.

Diners can then select a main course of four-ounce Southern sirloin over risotto with corn and tomatoes, brisket mac and cheese, or creamy caprese pasta with blackened shrimp.

Dessert choices will be available.

CounterClox will offer guests one starter, one main, and one dessert for $36. Appetizer options are either cream of crab soup or French onion soup.

Entrées included in the deal are glazed seared salmon, chicken parmesan, shrimp and grits, or a build-your-own pizza. An apple empanada, a turtle cheesecake, or a dessert pizza is available for dessert.

Berlin Beer Company is offering a soup of the day and grilled cheese for $14, chicken or beef pot pie for $18, a pot roast dinner for $20, a shrimp po boy and Old Bay Fries for $18, shrimp and grits for

$20, a rockfish sandwich and fries for $21, two fried rockfish tacos for $17, a winter harvest salad for $17, a chicken or steak cheese steak sandwich for $18, or a veggie burger with hand cut fries for $15.

The Atlantic Hotel plans to provide a free lemon-lust dessert with each order of fish and chips during Restaurant Week.

Coffee shops will also be getting in on the action, with Cafe Berlin offering $1 off all featured drinks.

Furthermore, 2nd Wave Coffee will have specialty options. These include a Neapolitan latte with chocolate, vanilla, and espresso topped with strawberry foam; a cookie butter latte made with real cookie butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla; a cardamom bun latte with butter, brown sugar, cardamom pods, and a pinch of salt; and a brown sugar banana latte made of fresh bananas, brown sugar, Vermont Maple Syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

Additionally, 2nd Wave’s holidaythemed peppermint mocha and dirty Earl Grey latte are sticking around through Jan. 26.

Officials hope that Berlin’s Restaurant Week will further the town’s mission of highlighting local establishments. “[This week] boosts business during a traditionally slow period, and introduces people to restaurants they haven’t tried before,” Wells said.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

New CFO named (Jan. 16, 2026) TidalHealth President & CEO Steve Leonard has announced the appointment of Benny J. Stover as the health system’s next senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer (CFO).

Stover is an accomplished healthcare financial executive with nearly 30 years of leadership experience across complex academic medical centers, multi-facility health systems, and integrated physician enterprises. He becomes just the fourth CFO in TidalHealth’s history.

Stover joins TidalHealth from University of South Alabama (USA) Health, an academic health system, where he has served as CFO since 2020. During his tenure, Stover led major enterprisewide financial and operational initiatives, including strategic acquisitions, revenue cycle transformations, finan-

cial turnarounds, and large-scale capital and construction projects.

“Benny brings a unique blend of financial expertise, operational insight, and strategic leadership that will greatly benefit TidalHealth as we continue to strengthen our services and expand access to care across the region,” said Dr. Leonard. “His experience leading complex health systems and Benny J. Stover driving meaningful performance improvements will help us continue building a resilient and financially stable organization for the future.”

Over his five years at USA Health, Stover played a key role in the acquisition and successful integration of a $300 million multi-hospital health system. He also served as a member of the health system’s strategic planning

team, helping shape long-range initiatives, capital planning, and service-line expansion.

Prior to his role at USA Health, Stover spent more than a decade in executive leadership positions at Mercy Health, where he served as vice president of finance and CFO for multiple regional markets spanning Missouri and Arkansas.

New superintendent The Worcester County Commissioners named Lee Beauchamp, P.E., as the new superintendent within the Water and Wastewater Division of Public Works. He joined Public Works on Nov. 24, 2025.

Beauchamp has more than two decades of leadership experience in public works, environmental services, engineering, and operations management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Delaware and an MBA in Business Administration from Wilmington University. He is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland and a former State of New York public water system operator.

“Lee brings a tremendous skill set and knowledge base with him to Worcester,” Public Works Director Dallas Baker said. “He is hard working, smart, and has great attention to detail. I know he’s already looking at ways to make things run more efficiently and save money.”

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Prior to joining Worcester County, Beauchamp served as director of public works for Wicomico County, where he managed roads and solid waste operations with an annual budget exceeding $12 million and led over 120 employees. Earlier, as deputy director of environmental services for the Town of Cortlandt, New York, he served as the responsible operator in charge for municipal water and sewer systems encompassing more than 160 miles of water mains, multiple sewer districts, and pump stations. His career also includes senior operations Lee Beauchamp leadership in the construction and infrastructure sector.

Beauchamp also serves as a first sergeant (E-8) in the Delaware Army National Guard, with over 26 years of service and deployments in support of overseas and domestic operations. His military experience reinforces his approach to disciplined leadership, risk management, and team development.

“I remain committed to maintaining safe, resilient, and cost-effective utility services while preparing the County’s infrastructure and workforce to meet future growth, regulatory, and climatedriven challenges,” Beauchamp said.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS ing water and wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection systems. He is responsible for regulatory compliance, capital planning, operational efficiency, workforce development, and long-term infrastructure sustainability to ensure reliable service for residents, businesses, and visitors.

POA integration TidalHealth announced the integration of Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates (POA), one of Delmarva’s most respected orthopaedic practices, into the TidalHealth system through the creation of the TidalHealth Peninsula Orthopaedic Institute, a unified, system-wide musculoskeletal service line designed to expand access, elevate quality, and deliver seamless orthopaedic care across the region.

Through this integration, POA’s physicians, clinical teams, and expertise will become ingrained within TidalHealth’s orthopaedic and spine services, creating a single, coordinated model of care that spans initial evaluation and imaging through surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up.

Effective April 1, 2026, POA will provide clinical leadership for the Institute, aligning orthopaedic services and integrated musculoskeletal care across TidalHealth hospitals, clinics, and outpatient services.

POA will remain an independent, physician-owned practice; however, all POA locations will be rebranded as the TidalHealth Peninsula Orthopaedic Institute, reflecting their full integration into the TidalHealth system and a unified identity for orthopaedic care across the Delmarva Peninsula.

Care delivery will be supported by shared governance, aligned clinical standards, and the Epic electronic medical record, enabling real-time information sharing, consistency, and continuous improvement across the system.

“By bringing Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates into TidalHealth through the TidalHealth Peninsula Orthopaedic Institute, we are establishing a fully unified orthopaedic and spine service line with aligned leadership, standardized best practices, and a coordinated approach to care across our entire health system,” said Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE, president and CEO of TidalHealth. “This alignment reflects our shared commitment to delivering seamless, high-quality musculoskeletal care that is easier for patients to access and navigate.”

The TidalHealth Peninsula Orthopaedic Institute will bring together all Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates and TidalHealth orthopaedic clinics, outpatient musculoskeletal therapy clinics, durable medical equipment (DME) services, clinic-based imaging, and coordinated inpatient orthopaedic and trauma services.

This structure ensures patients experience consistent, high-quality orContinued on Page 38

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JANUARY 16, 2026

BUSINESS BRIEFS

TidalHealth President and CEO Steve Leonard and Pasquale Petrera, president of Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates, sign an agreement creating the TidalHealth Peninsula Orthopaedic Institute.

Continued from Page 37 thopaedic care regardless of where they enter the system.

POA contributes a multidisciplinary team of fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and hand therapists, strengthening TidalHealth’s ability to deliver advanced nonsurgical and surgical care across the full spectrum of orthopaedic subspecialties.

POA, for decades, has been widely recognized as one of the premier orthopaedic groups on the East Coast.

“For more than 70 years, Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates has been synonymous with exceptional, patient-centered orthopaedic care on Delmarva,” said Pasquale Petrera, MD, president of POA. “Integrating our physicians and teams into the TidalHealth system allows us to better coordinate care, expand access, and continue serving our patients, who are our friends and neighbors, with the highest level of quality and compassion.”

In addition, POA, with TidalHealth’s support, is pursuing graduate medical education accreditation, with the potential to welcome its first orthopaedic surgery residents later this year, extending TidalHealth’s mission into education and the development of the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.

As the Institute grows, new clinic locations are anticipated in Seaford and Millsboro, Delaware, along with enhanced orthopaedic services at Atlantic General Hospital.

“This integration brings orthopaedic care together under one system, one standard, and one shared commitment to excellence,” Leonard added. “The TidalHealth Peninsula Orthopaedic Institute positions us to deliver truly seamless musculoskeletal care both now and into the future.”

Shopping center acquired NAI Coastal represented Gillis Gilkerson, a full-service construction and development company based on the Eastern Shore, in acquiring a shopping center located at 8567 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena. The sale price totaled $6.65 million.

The buyer was represented by the Joey Gilkerson, Chris Gilkerson, and Brad Gillis Team of NAI Coastal. Tim Harrington and Mike Ruocco of Mackenzie Retail represented the seller.

The newly acquired shopping center presents a significant redevelopment opportunity within the Pasadena market. The buyers intend to breathe new life into the center, with plans that include filling a long-vacant grocery store space with a new anchor tenant, supporting the existing tenant mix, and enhancing the overall appeal and functionality of the property.

“This acquisition aligns perfectly with our long-term vision of reinvesting in well-located neighborhood centers

JANUARY 16, 2026

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BUSINESS BRIEFS that have strong fundamentals but have been underutilized,” said the ownership group. “We see tremendous potential in this location and look forward to restoring it as a vibrant commercial hub for the community.”

Joey Gilkerson emphasized the collaborative nature of the transaction and the excitement surrounding the center’s future.

“This was a true team effort from start to finish,” said Gilkerson. “Working closely with Mackenzie and the entire group made for a smooth and successful closing. We’re excited to help bring new life into a center that has been sitting idle for quite some time and transform it into the asset it was always destined to be—one that strengthens the surrounding neighborhood and serves the community for years to come.”

Medical director named Longtime TidalHealth pediatric hospitalist Lauren McGovern, MD, is now the medical director for children’s services.

McGovern, who has been with TidalHealth for 16 years, most recently served as medical director of TidalHealth Pediatric Hospitalists and will continue in that role while assuming her expanded responsibilities.

In this capacity, McGovern will provide systemwide clinical and strategic leadership for pediatric and neonatol-

ogy services across TidalHealth, encompassing all three hospitals as well as outpatient ambulatory general pediatrics and pediatric subspecialty services.

She will work closely with Nemours, TidalHealth’s children’s hospital partner, to ensure seamless care coordination, service integration and the highest standards of pediatric care delivery. McGovern will also play a key role in the continued strategic development of the emerging women’s health service line.

“Dr. McGovern has consistently demonstrated effective physician leadership as medical director of the pediatric hospitalist program,” said Cindy Lunsford, Ed.D., executive vice president/chief operating officer for TidalHealth and president of TidalHealth Primary & Specialty Care. “Her L. McGovern experience, clinical credibility and commitment to highquality pediatric care position her well to succeed in this expanded leadership role.”

McGovern also became Medical Staff president at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional this month. She earned her medical degree from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic.

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DJ ROBCEE Fager’s Island: Friday, January 16

DJ BIGLER Harborside: Saturday, January 17

CAPTAIN’S TABLE 410-289-7192 15th & Boardwalk In The Courtyard Marriott Fridays & Saturdays: Phil Perdue COINS PUB 410-289-3100 28th Street Plaza On Coastal Highway Friday, January 16: Soul Chase Saturday, January 17: Monkee Paw FAGER’S ISLAND 410-524-5500 60th Street In The Bay Friday, January 16: Deadeye Stare & DJ RobCee Saturday, January 17: The Boh Daddies & DJ Stinson Monday, January 19: Bryan Clark GREENE TURTLE WEST 410-213-1500 Route 611, West OC Wednesdays: Bingo w/ Blake

PHIL PERDUE Captain’s Table: Fridays & Saturdays

DJ DAVIE Seacrets: Saturday, January 17

DJ BILLY T Harborside: Friday, January 16

DJ WAX Pickles Pub: Tuesdays

BLAKE HALEY Seacrets: Friday, January 16 & Greene Turtle West: Wednesdays Bingo

BRYAN CLARK Fager’s Island: Monday, January 19

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

PAGE 41

Who’s Where When

THE BOH DADDIES Fager’s Island: Saturday, January 17

ROGUE CITIZENS Pickles Pub: Saturday, January 17

OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS Harborside: Sunday, January 18

FULL CIRCLE DUO Seacrets: Thursday, January 22

MONKEE PAW Coins Pub: Saturday, January 17

DEAD EYE STARE Fager’s Island: Friday, January 16

LEVEL UP Seacrets: Saturday, January 17

CECILIA’S FALL Harborside: Saturday, January 17

HARBORSIDE 410-213-1846 South Harbor Road, West End OC Friday, January 16: DJ Billy T Saturday, January 17: Cecilia’s Fall & DJ Bigler Sunday, January 18: Opposite Directions PICKLES PUB 410-289-4891 8th Street & Philadelphia Avenue Fridays: Beats By DeoGee Saturday, January 17: Rogue Citizens Mondays: Karaoke w/ Wood Tuesdays: Beats By Wax Thursdays: Beats By Connair SEACRETS 410-524-4900 49th Street & Coastal Highway Friday, January 16: Blake Haley, Trivia w/ Jordan & DJ E-state Saturday, January 17: John McNutt Duo, DJ Davie & Level Up Thursday, January 22: Full Circle Duo

PAGE 42

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Homemade chili dogs

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer There is nothing more comforting on a cold, dreary day than a mouthwatering chili dog.

The secret to this humble dish is the chili itself. Canned chili won’t cut it and homemade chili is your only choice.

That being said, has one wondered how chili dogs came about?

Its origin encompasses an irrefutable subject of uncertainty.

Just to give you a sampling, Greek immigrants, familiar with European frankfurters, began topping the dogs with a meat-based sauce similar to their native dishes in the early 1900s for a more authentic dish.

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, Chicago street vendors started adding chili to their dogs around 1910 for a heartier meal.

Not to be outdone, Michigan claims its “Coney” dog featuring meat sauce, mustard, and onions was its claim to fame. As the story goes, immigrants passing through New York and its famed Coney Island, appropriated the Coney Island name for their version.

Meanwhile, in 1924, a Greek entrepreneur in New Jersey invented a chili dog style he called the Hot Texas Weiner (with the sausage name purposely misspelled). The dog was deep fried for a creative twist.

Conclusion about who has the bragging rights can’t be reached, but one thing is for sure, chili is key for a banging chili dog.

The following recipe makes a huge batch of chili, and a food processor is a must. The processor cuts the veggies in a matter of seconds which saves a lot of time. Some of the veggies need to be minced and again a food processor is highly recommended. Let us deconstruct the recipe for better comprehension.

Most chili seasoning packets call for water, use stock or flavored broths. Beef is the obvious choice. However, the addition of chicken stock and beer will give the chili base much needed complexity.

Minced zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots will break down during the cooking process and will act as a natural thickener and will also add a veggie boost and cut the richness of the meaty dish.

When cutting the vegetables, cut half of them very coarsely.

Beans or no beans are up to the individual cook. But if one adds beans, consider black beans and cannellini beans in

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Chili Dogs Ingredients 10-pounds 70/30 ground beef 1-pound each sweet and hot sausage, cut at an angle 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 large yellow onions 8 cloves garlic, minced 10 stalks of celery, including the leaves 2 each red, yellow, orange, and poblano peppers, stems and seeds removed 2 small each zucchini, yellow squash, seeds removed and minced 4 carrots, peeled, and minced 6 cups each beef and chicken broth 1 (12. oz) can favorite amber beer 2 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes including the tomato water 12 (1.25) favorite chili seasoning packets 3 tablespoons corn starch 3 (15.25 oz.) cans of kidney beans, drained 1 (15.25 oz.) each can of black beans and cannellini beans, drained favorite hot dogs and hot dog rolls 1. In a large Dutch oven, saute ground beef and sausage over medium heat until meat is two-thirds cooked. Remove any excess grease. Set meat aside.

2. In the same pan, combine olive oil and veggies. Remember, half of the onions, peppers, and celery should be very coarsely chopped.

Saute veggies for 7 minutes.

3. Add remaining ingredients except for the beans and corn starch and simmer for one hour uncovered.

4. Combine a slurry of 3 tablespoons of water and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, and mix until very smooth.

Add the slurry and beans to the chili and cook for another 30 minutes.

5. Smother chili over hot dogs in bun and serve immediately.

6. Freeze remaining chili.

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addition to the traditional kidney beans.

The recipe calls for 10 pounds of 70/30 ground beef. The fat gives the beef flavor, but there will be a lot of shrinkage in the amount of ground beef.

Thicken the chili base with a slurry of corn starch and chili broth, as a thickened base blends with the richness of the ingredients.

Always cook chili in a heavy-bottomed pot, this helps reduce the chances of burning. Chili needs time to rest so the flavors come together.

As a result, make the chili the day before you are planning to serve it.

In closing, if you like chili and chili dogs, this recipe is hard to beat. And remember, this recipe makes a huge batch, so you can freeze it for future use.

PAGE 43

OC Today-Dispatch

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PAGE 44

OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS PIE FOR OCES PRINCIPALS

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

OP GARDEN CLUB OFFICERS On Thursday, Jan. 8, the Ocean Pines Garden Club held its 50th anniversary kick-off luncheon and installation of officers at The Atlantic Hotel. The 2026 officers are, from left, Maria Brown, Treasurer; Laura Stearman, Corresponding Secretary; Joan Guerreiro, Recording Secretary; Shawn Lees, CoVice President; Susan Costanzo, Co-Vice President; Nancy Mulligan, Co-President; and Ann Shockley, Co-President.

In honor of raising $27,197 during the Ocean City Elementary PTA's second annual Boosterthon fundraiser, Principal Julie Smith, right, and Assistant Principal Jane Chisholm got pied in the face by the top two fundraisers in each grade level. There were many levels of incentives the students and their families worked towards, some of which were individual class prizes and others, whole school prizes. Students earned ice cream for raising $5,000, a map painted on the playground blacktop for $10,000 and a kiln for the art department for raising $15,000, among other prizes.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/ OC TODAY-DISPATCH

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

RETIRED PERSONNEL RING BELL Wicomico Retired School Personnel Association (WRSPA) rang the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign at Boscov. Pictured are volunteers Bob Conner Jr. and WRSPA member Joyce Roberts. WRSPA was awarded third place in the 2024 Top Civic Award for The Lower Eastern Shore Salvation Army. Last year the group rang the bell a total of 17 hours.

OC LIONS DONATION The Ocean City Lioness Lions Club had Coastal Hospice speak at its meeting about the work that they do in the four lower shore counties for those who have life limiting illnesses. Pictured in the center are Jeff Gadow, Volunteer Services Coordinator and his assistant Kathy Appleby, who detailed the services at the Macky and Pam Stansell House in Ocean Pines. Presenting them with a donation from the club was President Donna Greenwood and Treasurer Susan McHenry.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

WPS MINI MALLARDS During halftime of Worcester Prep’s girls varsity basketball game last Friday night, the varsity cheerleaders led a group of lower school students in a cheer demonstration for the crowd. The Mini Mallards are pictured during the performance with the varsity mentors.

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

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GARDEN CLUB GUEST SPEAKER Dr. Joan Maloof, founder of Old-Growth Forest Network, recently spoke to the Worcester County Garden Club about protecting old-growth forests so future generations can enjoy the biodiversity and beauty of nature they provide. In addition to contributing to her organization, the club will donate a National Garden Club children’s book in her honor to Snow Hill Christian Nursery School. Maloof is pictured at the recent speaking engagement with the book donation, “My Green is Gone.”

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OCES ART WINNERS Ocean City Elementary School hosted its second annual schoolwide art show. Over 500 students and family members attended Art Night and viewed work ranging from sculpture and drawings to paintings. This was followed by a winter concert highlighting student vocal and dramatic skills. This event was made possible with a grant from the Worcester County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council. Pictured are third graders Andrew Diehlmann, top, and Harper Howard.

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PAGE 46

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Calendar Submit calendar items to: editor@octodaydispatch.com.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.

Fri., Jan. 16 15TH ANNUAL DELMARVA ART & WOOL EXPO Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Featuring classes, vendors and demonstrations. Desash bin available for yarn and craft projects no longer wanted. Admission is $4 per day or $5 for the weekend. Classes: www.woolandfiber.com. 443-235-2926

DREAMFEST - SHADOWS OF THE 60’S

Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 7 p.m. Number one Motown Tribute production in America. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/468288 37/shadows-of-the-60s-ocean-city-ocperforming-arts-center.

FANDOM FRIDAY: CRYPTIDS

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Drop in any time for crafts, quizzes and discussions about the monthly topic. For ages 12-18 years.

410-524-1818, worcesterlibrary.org

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

BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘BEWILDERMENT’ BY RICHARD POWERS

Oaked at The Globe/Tiki Tim’s, 12 Broad St., Berlin, 2 p.m. Pick up a copy of the book at the Berlin branch circulation desk and then join in for a lively discussion at Oaked at the Globe. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org

FRIED FLOUNDER DINNER

Bowen & Trinity United Methodist Church, 8426 Newark Road, Newark, 4:30 p.m. Fried flounder dinner with green beans, Mac & cheese, cornbread, dessert and beverage. Cost is $10. 410-208-8943

KIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO

Fridays - Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Highway, behind St. Luke’s Church. Doors open at 5 p.m., bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks available before bingo and at intermission. 410-524-7994

Sat., Jan. 17 15TH ANNUAL DELMARVA ART & WOOL EXPO Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10

a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring classes, vendors and demonstrations. Desash bin available for yarn and craft projects no longer wanted. Admission is $4 per day or $5 for the weekend. Classes: www.woolandfiber.com. 443-235-2926

DREAMFEST - EVOLUTION OF POP

Ocean City Performing Arts Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, 7 p.m. A highenergy, multi-sensory celebration of the greatest hits in pop music history. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/907580 45/the-evolution-of-pop-ocean-city-ocperforming-arts-center.

KIDS CRAFT TIME

Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 2-3 p.m. Featuring DIY Dream Catchers. Cost is $8 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Participants must pre-register: 410-641-7052, www.oceanpines.org.

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BULL & OYSTER ROAST

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 3-6 p.m. Pit beef, pit ham, oysters, oyster stew, coleslaw, potato salad, desserts, beverages, raffles and music by DJ Mikey. Cost is $60. Limited tickets available at the post. 410-289-3166

ORIGINALS ONLY: NO COVERS, JUST CREATORS

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 5:55-8 p.m. Featuring three musical performances and a published author. Suggested donation is $5. 410-524-9433, development@artleagueofoceancity.org

wanted. Admission is $4 per day or $5 for the weekend. Classes: www.woolandfiber.com. 443-235-2926

STORY TIME

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

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10:30 a.m.

Story time geared for ages 0-5 years featuring seasonal themes designed to support early literacy skills with stories, songs and fingerplays. For ages 0-5 years. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES MEETING

BABY TIME

Sundays - Berlin Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 212 West St., Berlin, 10 a.m. www.jw.org

Mon., Jan. 19 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Sturgis One Room School Museum, 209 Willow St., Pocomoke City, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free tours, photo exhibit, community prayer (11:10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), lite refreshments and more. Donations: sturgisschoolmuseum.com/donate. Info: sturgismuseum5@gmail.com.

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

Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 10:30 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Stay after to socialize with other families. For ages 0-2 years. 410-632-3495, worcesterlibrary.org

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

GLASS PAINTING

Worcester County Library - Ocean City Branch, 10003 Coastal Highway, 2 p.m.

Local artist Jean Frank will teach the group how to paint on glasses. Registration required: 410-524-1818. worcesterlibrary.org

NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOP

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

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 4:30 p.m. Learn about the properties of wool and needle felting with 4-H educator Barbara Barga and create your own piece to take home.

For ages 12-18 years. 410-957-0878, worcesterlibrary.org

DELMARVA WOMEN’S A CAPELLA CHORUS

SNOW SLIME

BRIDGE

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.

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 4:30 p.m.

There’s more than one way to play with snow. Get ready for a mess. For ages 611 years. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org

OVEREATER’S ANONYMOUS OCEAN PINES FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Also featuring family-friendly activities, music and unique shopping experiences.

Open to the public, year round. 410-6417052, https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages /farmers-artisans-market

Sun., Jan. 18 15TH ANNUAL DELMARVA ART & WOOL EXPO

Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Featuring classes, vendors and demonstrations. Desash bin available for yarn and craft projects no longer

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

Tues., Jan. 20

SHARED VISIONS READING

Art League of Ocean City, 502 94th St., 6-8:05 p.m. Meet the artists and writers of this year’s “Shared Visions” collaboration. Hear readings of the poetry and prose inspired by the artwork on dis-

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10 a.m. This workshop starts with a 20-minute lesson on genealogy research, followed by a Q&A. Bring a laptop, tablet or papers contains family information, if you can.

Registration required: 410-208-4014.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 10:30 a.m. Sing silly songs, play rhythmic instruments and move to the beat. For ages 0-5 years. 410-957-0878. worcesterlibrary.org

Crossword answers from page 66

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

PAGE 47

CALENDAR play. Plus complimentary refreshments.

Free. 410-524-9433

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.

whether you’re an expert or want to refresh your skills. Beginners welcome.

410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org

CAREER POWER HOUR: LINKEDIN Maryland’s Coast - Worcester County Tourism & Economic Development, 107 W. Green St., Snow Hill, 12 p.m. Looking to start or refresh your LinkedIn profile? Join in for this workshop. Bring lunch is you like. 443-783-6164, worcesterlibrary.org

CLAY DIY: CANDLEHOLDER Worcester County Library - Pocomoke Branch, 401 Fifth St., 11 a.m. Create and craft with hair dry clay. Registration necessary: 410-957-0878. worcesterlibrary.org

TOWN OF BERLIN RESTAURANT WEEK

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 1 p.m. Upcycle those old books into a beautiful and unique way to display greenery throughout your home.

All materials provided. Register: 410-6410650, worcesterlibrary.org.

Held Jan. 19-26. Pick up an entry card at The Berlin Welcome Center. Dine at three different participating restaurants and get your card stamped. Drop your card in the Entry Box located in the foyer of the Berlin Welcome Center.

Random drawing for the winner.

IN CONCERT: NOTES ON THE BEACH Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 2 p.m. Vincent Varrassi and Jeff Cooper celebrate music from the 50s and 60s. with artists such as Elvis, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino with a little Motown and the Beatles. 410-208-4014, worcesterlibrary.org

SERVICE SQUAD 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 Library Ocean 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., Jan. 21 EASTERN SHORE SEWISTS Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 10 a.m. Promoting needle arts through sewing education, activities and textile crafts. For artisans of all skill levels. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org

BACKGAMMON CLUB Worcester County Library - Ocean Pines Branch, 11107 Cathell Road, 10:30 a.m.

Drop in for a game of backgammon,

Worcester County Library - Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave., 4 p.m. Service hour earning program that lets Worcester County School students be creative while benefiting worthy causes. For ages 12-18 years. 410-641-0650, worcesterlibrary.org

PAGE ONE, VIRTUAL WRITING GROUP Worcester County Library - Snow Hill Branch, 307 N. Washington St., 5:30 p.m. Held via Zoom. Learn tips and tricks of writing fiction, nonfiction ad poetry while offering critiques and receiving feedback from others. Register: 410-632-3495. worcesterlibrary.org

DECODING THE CENSUS A virtual presentation about the history of the census using census records for family history research, 5:30 p.m. Registration required: 410-632-3495. worcesterlibrary.org

PAINT & SIP Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway, 6-8 p.m. Cost is $27 and includes wine and crackers. Must be at least 18 years of age to participate.

Register: 410-641-7052, www.oceanpines.org.

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., Jan. 22 STORY TIME: ‘DUCK AT THE DOOR’ 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. Featuring a variety of activities and toys. Play and socialize with other families. For ages 2-5 years. 410-632-3495, worcesterlibrary.org

ONGOING EVENTS

LET’S MAKE … BOOK VASES

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

products, baby items, and personal care items. Limits apply. 410-641-0270

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

MARYLAND FIREFIGHTER 50/50 FUNDRAISER Drawings are held every Thursday at 8 p.m. Ticket sales open Thursdays at 8:05 p.m. and close the following Thursday at 7:59 p.m. One winner takes home 50% of the total jackpot and the remainder supports the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. Tickets: https://md.5050raffle.org/give/ mdfire/50-50-raffles/md5050/ charities/ocean-pines/checkout

BUS TRIP TO WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES REMATCH GAME Held Jan. 31 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Cost is $130 and includes transportation, game ticket and food package. Bus departs Ocean Pines Community Center at 1 p.m. Game time is 5 p.m. Tickets: OP Recreation & Parks, 410-641-7052.

PAGE 48

OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

JANUARY 16, 2026

49

OC Today-Dispatch

Call 410-723-6397 or email classifieds@octodaydispatch.com

by Monday, 5 p.m.

Classifieds appear in OC Today-Dispatch & Bayside Gazette each week & online at octodaydispatch.com & baysideoc.com

MARKETPLACE HELP WANTED

RENTALS

RENTALS

COMMERCIAL

DONATIONS

FOR SALE

Hotel Group in OC seeking Maintenance Staff.

Competitive Pay based on skill set / experience.

Call 410-213-9556 and ask for James, or email james@ocrooms.com.

YR OCEAN PINES Available Immediately!

South Gate Cul de Sac Recently renovated Unfurnished 4BR, 2BA Screened in porch, Central HVAC No smoking/pets $2,500 per mo. + util’s & sec. dep.

410-404-8851

YR OCEAN PINES Available Immediately!

3BR, 2BA Central HVAC All Appliances Incl.

No Pets. $2,300 per month + $2,300 sec. dep.

410-404-8851

2 Office/Retail Spaces available in West Ocean City. Approximately 1656 sq. ft. and 1728 sq. ft.

Call 443-497-4200

Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be tax-deductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.

CEMETERY PLOT FOR SALE SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK Plot #171-C REDUCED! $500 ($1,000 Value!)

Rt. 50, Berlin, MD Call 410-641-1734

NOW HIRING!!

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LONG TERM WINTER RENTAL Utililites Included CONTACT US AT burgundyinn@gmail.com 410-289-8581

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Carpenter | Laborer | Painters Stucco & EIFS Mechanics Concrete Work o Experience preferred. o Tools, transportation & valid driver’s license are a plus. o Excellent pay and a competitive benefits package available.

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FOR LEASE Commercial Space 816 sq. ft.

Village of Fenwick, Fenwick Island, DE. Call Melissa, 410-641-1101 or Email Melissa@bergeycpa.com Commercial Space for Lease ONLY 1 UNIT LEFT! 2-3 Units available, can be divided or joined.

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Call 443-880-8885 for more information.

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OC Today-Dispatch

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PAGE 50

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

DIRECTORY BLINDS / SHADES

CARPET CLEANING

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DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Design • Build • Remodel

BATH REMODELING SPECIAL

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Specializing in Additions, Kitchens, Baths and All Types of Custom Remodeling.

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We accept MC/Visa (410) 641-3762

LANDSCAPING

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Residential or Office or Commercial Packing or Loading or Unloading or Complete Move Single Item or Certain Items or Full Home

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Licensed & Insured

JANUARY 16, 2026

PAGE 51

OC Today-Dispatch

DIRECTORY MVA LICENSED

PAINTING

PAINTING • CUSTOM PAINTING • DRYWALL REPAIRS • WALLPAPER REMOVED • DECK & HOUSE STAINING Painting & Powerwashing • ALWAYS PROMPT SERVICE Interior & Exterior

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Bill Zimmerman cell 443-373-4539

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We do it all from ground work to rough in to final trim & fixtures.

We Install: Plumbing and Gas, LLC

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ROOFING

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ROOFING & SIDING Your Roofing, Siding & Home Improvement Specialist Since 1989 ROOFING • SIDING • DURADEK • WINDOWS • GUTTERS

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PRINT WEB octodaydispatch.com • baysideoc.com

PAGE 52

OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices

MICHAEL B. MATHERS, ESQ. WEBB, WILBUR, MATHERS ILLUMINATI & LUKAS, LLP DOUSE & MATHERS, LLP P.O. BOX 910 SALISBURY, MD 21803-0910

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20958 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF VERNON JOSEPH CONNORS AKA: VERNON J. CONNORS Notice is given that Shelly Lynn Fry, 61 Offshore Ln., Ocean Pines, MD 21811-1908, was on December 22, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Vernon Joseph Connors who died on August 16, 2025, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of June, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of June, 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.

Shelly Lynn Fry Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: January 1, 2026 OCD-1/1/3t _________________________________

LEGAL ADVERTISING Call: 410-723-6397 Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@octodaydispatch.com

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 MARGARET MARY HUBER WISNIEWSKI Estate No. 20959 Notice is given that MARY ALLISON GASIOR DELSS whose address is 315 SAVANNAH RD BALTIMORE, MD 21221-4813, J ROBERT HUBER JR whose address is 2016 MOUNTAIN AIR DR SPRINGFIELD, WV 26763-4036 were on DECEMBER 22, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARGARET MARY HUBER WISNIEWSKI who died on NOVEMBER 04, 2025 with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of JUNE, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of JUNE, 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-1/1/3t _________________________________ KIRK G. SIMPKINS ESQ SIMPKINS & SIMPKINS, P.A. P.O. BOX 550 PRINCESS ANNE, MD 21853

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of ROBLEY DONALD BRADSHAW Estate No. 20961 Notice is given that COLLIN BRADSHAW whose address is 30222 JOHN SOMERS RD PRINCESS ANNE,

MD 21853-2122, GREG BRADSHAW whose address is 909 E CHURCH ST SALISBURY, MD 21804-4401 were on DECEMBER 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROBLEY DONALD BRADSHAW who died on NOVEMBER 18, 2025 without a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JUNE, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JUNE, 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-1/1/3t _________________________________ JOSEPH E. MOORE, ESQ. WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON 3509 COASTAL HIGHWAY OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20960 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA NELL KANZ Notice is given that Michael Edward Kanz, 17208 Sumac Ct., Germantown, MD 20874-2969, was on December 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Patricia Nell Kanz who died on December 16, 2025, with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of June, 2026.

JANUARY 16, 2026 All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of June, 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.

Michael Edward Kanz Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: January 1, 2026 OCD-1/1/3t _________________________________

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION B08-26 – Winter Harbor Drive Bulkhead Replacement The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Winter Harbor Drive Bulkhead Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the Winter Harbor Drive Bulkhead Replacement 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 BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any

JANUARY 16, 2026 third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2026 AT 9:00AM, AT THE WINTER HARBOR DRIVE BULKHEAD, 165 WINTER HARBOR DRIVE, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The last day for questions will be on TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2026.

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2026, BY 4:00PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Town of Ocean City Procurement Department, Attention: Procurement Manager; 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Winter Harbor Drive Bulkhead Replacement) 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.

OCD-1/1/5t _________________________________

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION B09-26 – Old Landing Road Bulkhead Replacement The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the Old Landing Road Bulkhead Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents. BID Documents for the Old Landing Road Bulkhead Replacement 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 BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any third-party service. Vendors are responsible for ensuring the complete-

PAGE 53

OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices ness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2026 AT 10:00AM, AT THE OLD LANDING ROAD BULKHEAD, 164 OLD LANDING ROAD, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The last day for questions will be on TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2026.

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2026, BY 4:00PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Town of Ocean City Procurement Department, Attention: Procurement Manager; 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (Old Landing Road Bulkhead Replacement) 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.

OCD-1/1/5t _________________________________

Mayor & City Council Ocean City, Maryland

PROPOSAL SOLICITATION

B10-26 – 17th Street Bulkhead Replacement The Mayor & City Council of Ocean City is seeking Proposals from qualified and experienced Vendors to provide for the 17th Street Bulkhead Replacement and for said work to conform with the Proposal Documents.

BID Documents for the 17th Street Bulkhead Replacement 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 BID’s. The Town is not responsible for the content of any Proposal Document received through any thirdparty service.

Vendors are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Proposal Documents.

A Pre-BID Meeting will be held on TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2026 AT 11:00AM, AT THE OLD

LANDING ROAD BULKHEAD, 301 17TH Street, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND 21842. The last day for questions will be on TUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 2026 AT 4:00PM. Addendum will be posted by close of business on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2026.

Sealed BID Documents are due no later than TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, 2026, BY 4:00PM. BID submissions will be opened, read aloud, and then remanded back to staff for further review at the PROCUREMENT CONFERENCE ROOM, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 2026, AT 10:00AM. BID’s are to be submitted to the Town of Ocean City Procurement Department, Attention: Procurement Manager; 214 65th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842, and the name of the Solicitation (17th Street Bulkhead Replacement) 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.

OCD-1/1/5t _________________________________ BETH B. MILLER ESQ. FOX ROTHCHILD, LLP 1201 N. MARKET ST. STE 1200 WILMINGTON, DE 19801

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20957 To all persons interested in the estate of ANTONIO GENOVESE, Estate No. 20957. Notice is given that MARYANN HOFFMAN whose address is; 1216 Mays Landing Rd, Hammonton, NJ 08037-8448 was on DECEMBER 22, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ANTONIO GENOVESE who died on MARCH 28, 2025 with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of JUNE, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 22nd day of JUNE, 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 pre-

sented 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.

MaryAnn Hoffman 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 OCD-1/8/3t _________________________________

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONTRACTOR PROJECT MANAGER NEW BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS New Bethel United Methodist Church is seeking proposals for a Contractor/Project Manager to oversee exterior projects at the church to include outside drainage, commercial gutters and spouts (facia), steeple repair, back ramp and steps front and back, window woodwork and replacement of outside plexiglass and pillars in front of the church.

Location: New Bethel United Methodist Church, 10203 Germantown Rd. Berlin, Md. 21811 Issue Date: 01/01 /26 Due Date and Time: 02/06/26, 5:00 pm Projects are funded by the Maryland Historical Trust. All work must comply with the Secretary’s Standard and all regulations.

Proposals must be received in hard copy or via email no later than 5:00 PM on 02/06/2026 at 10203 Germantown Road, Berlin, Maryland 21811. You may request the scope of work by emailing nbumc@comcast.net or by calling Wilbur Pitts (443) 768-2748 or Beverly Manuel (410) 603- 5890.

OCD-1/1/3t _________________________________ REENA J. PATEL ESQ. LAW OFFICE OF MARIANNA BATIE 1321 MT. HERMAN ROAD STE. B SALISBURY, MD 21804

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of DEHART HERBERT LAMB JR., Estate No. 20870. Notice is given that DAWN BERRY, whose address is 9 Oak Leaf Cir, Worcester, MA 01603-1673 was on DECEMBER 23, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DEHART HERBERT LAMB JR.who died on JUNE 26, 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

PAGE 54

OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices

claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JUNE, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 23rd day of JUNE, 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.

Dawn Berry 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 OCD-1/1/3t _________________________________

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.

Aimee Reese Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: January 8, 2026 OCD-1/8/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

A Public Hearing is scheduled on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., at the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842. The purpose of this public hearing is to hear public comment on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update for the Town of Ocean City, MD. The Mayor and City Council will consider the recommendation for adoption of the Comprehensive Plan by the Planning and Zoning Commission and act pursuant to Maryland Land Use Code Sec. 3-202, 3-204 and 3-301.

Additional information can be obtained by accessing the January 13, 2026, Mayor and Council agenda packet at https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/meetingportal/, by contacting the City Clerk at dchavis@oceancity.gov or by calling 410-289-8842.

OCD-1/15/1t _________________________________

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20954 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF KAREN EVANS Notice is given that Aimee Reese, 27035 Gillette Dr., Crisfield, MD 21817-2609, was on December 30, 2025 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Karen Evans who died on November 22, 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 30th day of June, 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 June, 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

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING FEBRUARY 2, 2026 AT 6:00 P.M. TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MD RE: ADOPTION OF 2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

shown on the Contract Drawings and requirement by the Contract for Worcester County Department of Public Works’ Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant Emergency Storage Lagoon Vertical Expansion project in conformity with the requirements contained herein Bid Documents.

Bid Documents for the above referenced project may be obtained from the Worcester County Commissioner’s Office by either e-mailing the Procurement Officer at purchasing@worcestermd.gov or by calling 410-632-1194 during normal business hours, or via the County’s Bids page on the County’s website. Vendors are responsible for checking this website for addenda prior to submitting their bids. Worcester County is not responsible for the content of any Bid Document received through any third party bid service. It is the sole responsibility of the vendor to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their Completed Bid Documents.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Building located at 1000 Shore Lane, Ocean Pines, Maryland 21811.

The last day for questions will be 4:00 pm EST on Friday, February 6, 2026. Sealed Bid Documents are due no later than Friday, February 20, 2026, at 2:00 pm and will be opened and read aloud in the Office of the County Commissioners, Worcester County Government Center – Room 1103, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland 21863.

Late Bid Documents will not be accepted.

Envelopes shall be marked " Bid Solicitation – Ocean Pines WWTPEmergency Storage Lagoon Vertical Expansion” in the lower left-hand corner.

Minority vendors are encouraged to compete for the award of the solicitation.

OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________ Hunter C. Piel, Esquire Piel Law Firm, LLC 502 Washington Avenue, Suite 730 Towson, Maryland 21204

BID SOLICITATION

HUNTER C. PIEL, et al., Substitute Trustees, v.

R- LUXURY RENTALS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, A/K/A R-LUXURY RENTALS, LLC Defendant.

Subject Property: 400 Second Street Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851 (Tax ID No.: 01-017969) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY Case No.: C-23-CV-25-000213

Worcester County is seeking Bids from qualified vendors to contract for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, tools, supplies, equipment, electrical work, and appurtenances necessary for the complete, and in-place, satisfactory construction, and testing of all work

OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE is hereby given this 9th day of January, 2026, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Maryland, that the sale of the property mentioned in the above-captioned proceeding, described as 400 2nd Street, a/r/t/a 400 Second Street, Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851 (the "Property"), and reported by Hunter

Ocean Pines WWTP-Emergency Storage Lagoon Vertical Expansion

NOTICE

JANUARY 16, 2026 C. Piel, Substitute Trustee, shall be ratified and confirmed, unless cause to the contrary thereof be shown on or before the 9th day of February, 2026, provided that a copy of this NOTICE be published at least once a week in each of three (3) successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in Worcester County, Maryland, before the 2nd day of February 2026.

The Report of Sale states the amount of the sale of the Property to be $70,000.00.

Susan Braniecki CLERK, CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County, MD OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR COUNTY-WIDE HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR LIST

The Worcester County Commissioners are requesting qualifications from licensed contractors to establish a list that will be used for bidding on Requests for Proposals associated with the rehabilitation or renovation of dwellings funded under the Community Development Block Grant and managed by the Worcester County Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program provides grant and loan funding to owner-occupied properties for general rehabilitation, septic and well installation, HVAC, and lead abatement services.

The following Maryland licensed contractors are requested: General rehabilitation – MHIC Lead Abatement – MDE HVAC Installers Septic Installers Well Installers Bidders may quote to fulfill any of the listed functions with the appropriate license. Worcester County's review process, selection criteria, and award and proposal format guidelines are also described in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

Proposal submission deadline is Monday, February 2, 2026. The County's Housing Program Coordinator and the Worcester County Commissioners will review Proposals. Two (2) copies of the Proposal must be received in the Worcester County Commissioners Office at the address shown below no later than 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026. Envelopes shall be marked "County-Wide Housing Rehabilitation Program Qualified Contractor List" in the lower left-hand corner.

Handwritten, email and facsimile transmissions, as well as proposals received after the deadline, will not be considered.

Address all submissions to: Worcester County Commissioners Office Worcester County Government Center One W. Market Street, Room 1103

JANUARY 16, 2026

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Snow Hill, MD 21863 OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE ESTATE NO. 20964 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Superior Court of Pima County, Arizona appointed Karen E. Stauss, 7333 New Hampshire Ave., Apt. 804, Takoma Park, MD 20912-6975 as the Personal Representative of the Estate of Thomas W. Stauss who died on July 13, 2025 domiciled in Arizona, USA. 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.

Karen E. Stauss 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: January 15, 2026 OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION 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 Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on 301 Baltimore Avenue and Third Street, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland on: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2026 AT 6:30 PM To consider amending Chapter 110 entitled Zoning to revise bulk regulations within the BM-1 (Bayside Marine), DM (Downtown Marine), LC-1 (Local Commercial)

PUBLIC NOTICE The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.

The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.

These three weeks of notification begins on DATE: 01/16/2026 Line No 057-25 827-25 831-25 845-25 002-26

Year 2008 2004 2009 2015 2025

Make NISSAN TOYOTA DODGE HYUNDAI HONDA

Model ALTIMA SOLARA JOURNEY SONATA CIVIC

Color DK BLUE BLUE BLACK SILVER SILVER

Style PC 2D 4D 4D CP

VIN Mileage 1N4AL21E38N422947 N/A 4T1CA30P34U015675 N/A 3D4GG57V99T587343 N/A 5NPE24AF7FH227501 N/A 19XFL4H87SE003992 N/A

All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

AUTH: Raymond J Austin Chief of Police OCD-1/15/3t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ zoning districts, BMUD- Bayside Marine Mixed Use District and SC1 (Shopping Center District) related to residential dwelling and subdivided two-family dwellings and townhouses by amending the relevant district sections and Section 110-906. APPLICANT: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION (PZ FILE #26-14100001) No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing.

Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates.

For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JOSEPH B. WILSON, CHAIRPERSON MAUREEN F. L. HOWARTH, ATTORNEY OCD-1/15/2t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20968 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF PAUL ARTHUR VREELAND Notice is given that Craig Bernier, 201 Edgewater Pl., Highland Lakes, NJ 07422-1801, was on January 07, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Paul Arthur Vreeland who died on December 25, 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 7th day of July, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 7th day of July, 2026.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Craig Bernier Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: January 15, 2026

OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of DEBORA MARIE HENKELMAN Estate No. 20965 Notice is given that STEPHANIE MARIE HENKELMAN whose address is 11810 BACK CREEK RD., BISHOPVILLE, MD 21813-1726 was on JANUARY 06, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DEBORA MARIE HENKELMAN who died on DECEMBER 13, 2025 with a will.

Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney.

All interested persons or unpaid claimants having any objection to the appointment of the personal representative shall file their objection with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of JULY, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of JULY, 2026.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other de-

PAGE 56

OC Today-Dispatch/Public Notices

livery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS To all persons interested in the estate of CARLTON C. WHALEY Estate No. 20966 Notice is given that HOWARD JAMES WHALEY SR whose address is 21105 COVERDALE RD., BRIDGE– VILLE, DE 19933-4363 was on JANUARY 06, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CARLTON C. WHALEY who died on DECEMBER 04, 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 6th day of JULY, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent's will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 6th day of JULY, 2026.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent's death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

TERRI WESTCOTT, Register of Wills for Worcester County ONE W MARKET STREET

ROOM 102 - COURT HOUSE SNOW HILL, MD 21863-1074 OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________ Buas 3G Properties, LLC 3509 Coastal Hwy Ocean City, MD 21863 v.

Ella D Topping 406 Oxford St Pocomoke MD 21851 Beneficial Maryland Inc. c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated 35 J West Camden Street Baltimore, MD 21201-7912 City of Pocomoke City 101 Clarke Avenue/P.O. Box 29 Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851 Worcester County, Maryland l W. Market Street, Room 1105 Snow Hill, MD 21863 Unknown owner of property described as Item No. 45, Account No. 01-021648, Property description 68 X 32 N SIDE 605 LAUREL ST POCOMOKE, Deed Reference: 5393/472, Assessed to Ella D Topping, The Unknown Owner's heirs, devisees, and personal Representatives and their or any of their heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right title and interest All persons that have or claim to have any interest in the property described as Item No. 45, Account No.01-021648, Property description 68 X 32 N SIDE 605 LAUREL ST POCOMOKE, Deed Reference: 5393/4 72, Assessed to Ella D Topping In the Circuit Court For Worcester County State of Maryland Case No.: C-23-CV-25-000345

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Legal Advertising Call Pamela Green 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@octodaydispatch.com

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in and to the following property, lying and being situate in Worcester County, Maryland, sold by the Collector of Taxes for Worcester County and State of Maryland, to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: Account No.: 01-021648 Assessed Owners: Ella D Topping Brief Legal Address: 68 X 32 N SIDE 605 LAUREL ST POCOMOKE Deed Reference: 5393/472 The Complaint states, among other things, that the amounts necessary for the redemption if the property have not been paid.

It is thereupon this 9th of January, 2026, by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, ORDERED, That notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in some newspaper having a general circulation in Worcester County once a week for 3 successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 13th day of March, 2026, and redeem the property described above and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment

JANUARY 16, 2026 will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the plaintiff a title, free and clear of all encumbrances.

Beau H. Oglesby Judge, Circuit Court for Worcester County True Copy Test: Susan R. Braniecki Clerk of the Circuit Court Worcester County MD OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________ BRIAN PETER COSBY NILES, BARTON & WILMER, LLP 12417 OCEAN GATEWAY #B-13 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 20973 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MILTON J. SCHUL Notice is given that Alexander L. Schul, 435 Spring House Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011-1453, was on January 12, 2026 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Milton J. Schul who died on November 26, 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 12th day of July, 2026.

All persons having any objection to the probate of the will of the decedent shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 12th day of July, 2026.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must present the claim to the undersigned personal representative or file it with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned on or before the earlier of the following dates: (1) Six months from the date of the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Alexander L. Schul Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: January 15, 2026 OCD-1/15/3t _________________________________

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

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OC Today-Dispatch

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OC welcomes city engineer, new department employees Parks hired after 16-month search, dept. head to lead city’s engineering team

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) After a nearly yearand-a-half long search, Ocean City officials this week welcomed the local government’s new city engineer.

On Tuesday, Public Works Director Hal Adkins introduced Brad Parks as the new city engineer for the Town of Ocean City. He will fill a vacancy left by Paul Mauser’s departure to Sussex County in 2024.

“It’s a real honor to be a part of the town and to contribute,” Parks told members of the Ocean City Council this week.

Adkins said Parks began his employment with the city in mid-December, following a 16-month search. A licensed professional engineer since 2012, Parks received his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in meteorology and physical oceanography from a branch of the University of Miami.

“So not only does he have the environmental background, a civil engineering background, he also has the knowledge and can talk the language

and understand the details of beach replenishment, dredging and marine-oriented issues,” he said.

Parks was just one of three employees within the engineering department who were recognized this week. Adkins also introduced Alicia Greenhalgh, the department’s new office associate, and Pasha Rigdon, the department’s project manager and right-of-way manager.

“So whether you are applying for permits for Boardwalk access reasons, construction permits for equipment dumpsters on the street, plat research, deed research, things of that sort, he’s my guy. Surveying the field, he’s my guy,” Adkins said. “And in addition to that, from the product management standpoint, using one example out of many, the marine dredging program that we do annually, he is our representative.”

As three of the department’s five employees were hired within the last year, Adkins said he was introducing them to the City Council. Soon approaching his 43rd year with the Town of Ocean City, Adkins said he felt confident in the next generation of employees.

“When I speak of the next gen, I have every reason to believe these three individuals will be around for a long and successful career for the Town of Ocean City,” he said, “beyond at least the next See SEARCH Page 59

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Legislation aimed at housing improvements Gov. Moore unveils agenda for growth, affordability in Maryland housing market

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Governor Wes Moore recently unveiled his housing growth and affordability agenda, and according to a news release from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the agenda includes three pieces of legislation that DHCD says will help break down barriers to buying and building housing across the state.

“Finding an affordable place to live is one of the greatest barriers Marylanders face to being successful and choosing to stay in Maryland,” said Gov. Moore. “My housing growth and affordability agenda accelerates our administration’s momentum to move faster in building new homes, lowering costs, and creating a housing market that Leaves No One Behind.”

The first piece of legislation is the

Maryland Transit & Housing Opportunity Act of 2026 which addresses zoning and financing barriers to create more jobs and housing near transit.

The legislation would eliminate minimum parking requirements for certain transit-oriented developments, promote mixed-use development around key stations, and give the state more authority over the development of land adjacent to transit stations.

The second piece of legislation is the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026 which proposes actions to increase housing options by allowing smaller, more affordable homes. The legislation allows for smaller single-family

homes on smaller lots and townhouses in residential areas statewide.

“With fewer homes available and high interest rates locking out new generations of homebuyers, too many young families and seniors are left with few viable options to call Maryland home,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “The Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026 would expand housing choices by enabling homes that are up to 30 percent less expensive than what’s currently available, unlocking homeownership for more Maryland families.”

And, the third piece of legislation is Senator Malcolm Augustine and Del-

egate Dylan Behler’s Housing Certainty Act of 2026 which proposes addressing regulatory uncertainty, delays and impact fees that drive up the cost of housing and prevent important projects from being implemented.

“The Housing Certainty Act ensures that once a housing project is approved, the rules can’t change and derail it, forcing Marylanders to pay the price with higher housing costs,” said Augustine. “This bill creates the certainty needed to address the state’s housing shortage and improve affordability.”

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

Search ends in department hire Continued from Page 58 decade.”

Parks, Rigdon and Greenhalgh join long-time project managers Joe Kurtz and Taylor Hershey in the engineering department. The department is not only responsible for providing design

work, technical guidance and engineering analysis for all city departments, but assists or manages many of the town’s construction projects, including road resurfacing, Boardwalk improvements and more.

The engineering team also works

closely with the city’s public works department, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on projects such as beach replenishment, beach crossovers, canal dredging and bulkhead maintenance.

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PAGE 60

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

Land protected with conservation easement Agreement permanently restricts development on Berlin-area property

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Owners of a 186acre farm and woodland property outside Berlin have placed their land under a permanent agricultural easement, adding to a growing block of Worcester County farmland that will remain off-limits to subdivision and development.

The state’s purchase of the Queponco Farms property, located near Basket Switch Road, was coordinated through the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, or MALPF. Property owner Mike Sirman said

the easement on his property will protect not just his land but will contribute to the larger ecosystem of the Newport Bay watershed.

“We have a unique opportunity to influence the future of our region,” he said in a statement. “I encourage fellow farmers and landowners to consider the benefits of MALPF and similar programs. These initiatives offer financial incentives and technical support, making it easier to protect our agricultural heritage. By working together, we can foster a community that prioritizes sustainable practices and conservation.”

When a landowner sells an easement through MALPF, they’re not selling the land itself. Rather, the state is buying the right to prevent development – a restriction that’s attached to the deed, binding future SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Sally Todd Stout

Development is now off-limits on the Queponco Farms property near Berlin thanks to an initiative aimed at protecting environmental resources.

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owners.

Property owners hold their title and are encouraged to keep farming the land. At the same time, conservation restrictions prevent subdivision and non-agricultural uses in perpetuity.

This project is part of a broader legislative initiative under the state’s Whole Watershed Act, one expected to direct up to $20 million toward conservation and water-quality projects in the Newport Bay watershed over five years.

Grant funding flows from the Whole Watershed Fund – a pool of

money that combines six state environmental and conservation funding streams, including MALPF and the Bay Restoration Fund. The fund will provide up to half the cost of land management projects.

Spending will be overseen by representatives of local government and nonprofit organizations — Worcester County, the Town of Berlin, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and the Lower Shore Land Trust.

The oversight group will be known as the Partnership for Newport Bay. County officials said this is first project to be completed in New-

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JANUARY 16, 2026

PAGE 61

OC Today-Dispatch

Project aims to preserve farmland port Bay watershed since the partnership was established.

Overall, the program isn’t just meant to buy conservation easements, but to improve water and habitat quality in the Newport Bay watershed. Some of the funding also will be used to measure changes in water quality and habitat monitoring over time, according to Katherine Munson, a planner with the county’s office of environmental programs.

Because the Queponco Farms acreage is adjacent to an alreadyprotected tract of forest, it raises the total amount of contiguous protected farmland in Worcester County to more than 747 acres, Munson said.

“Land protection has lagged in the Newport Bay watershed compared to other areas of the county,” she said in a statement, “so we are thrilled to work with this landowner and MALPF to protect this property.”

Since 1977, MALPF easements have been used in every one of Maryland’s 23 counties to protect more than 300,000 acres.

The program aims not just to protect agricultural parcels, but to conserve open space, preserve wildlife habitats, and improve water quality, according to state policy.

While owners do retain limited

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The owner of Queponco Farms has opted to place their property under a permanent agricultural easement, which prohibits subdivision and development.

development rights, the easement says future housing subdivisions, commercial development, and nonagricultural land use are prohibited.

In Worcester County, more than 11,000 acres of farmland and forest are protected under MALPF. Properties eligible for MALPF easements

must be a minimum of 50 acres with subdivision potential, and at least 50% prime agricultural soil.

Moving forward, the local grant is structured to give the partnership five years to identify new priority projects and line up local funding to meet the state’s 50% match.

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OC Today-Dispatch

PAGE 62

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, eggrolls and homemade crab dip. Dry Dock also features a full menu with soups, salads, kick starters, pierogis and craft pizza.

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, in The Courtyard by Marriott, Ocean City 410-2897192, captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar A local tradition for over 60 years featuring hand cut steaks, premium lobster and perfectly prepared regional seafood. Breakfast daily 7:30-11 a.m. Open daily for dinner: Sunday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Happy Hour, seven days a week, 4-6 p.m.

■ COINS PUB & RESTAURANT 28th Street Plaza and Coastal Highway, Ocean City 410-289-3100, www.coinspuboc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar American style local restaurant serving seafood, steaks and chefs specials. Check out the off season weekday specials. Early bird; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. Sunday’s early bird specials, all day and all night. Happy Hour; daily, 2-5:30 p.m. with food and drink specials. Open Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Dinein, carry out.

■ CORAL REEF RESTAURANT & BAR 17th Street in the Holiday Inn & Suites, Ocean City 410-289-2612, coralreefrestaurant.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Enjoy traditional Eastern Shore cuisine and local favorites that are sure to please your entire party! Choose from a selection of house specialty entrees such as sharables, handhelds and seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring specialty rums.

Open daily, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

■ PICKLES PUB 706 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, 410289-4891, picklesoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Easy to find with plenty of free parking, serving lunch, dinner and entire diverse menu until 1 a.m. Also nightly entertainment yearround and a great place to watch all the sports on an ocean of televisions including a giant high-def screen. Also four pool tables on site. Lunch and dinner and entire menu until 1 a.m. Open all year from 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.

■ PIT & PUB 2706 Philadelphia Ave. and 12701 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, pitandpub.com Ocean City’s home of Pulled Pork and the finest barbecue, the legendary 28th Street Pit & Pub and the Northside Pit & Pub are known for serving up delicious smokehouse specialties. Grab a brew and enjoy the live sports action on one of the big screen TVs. Happy hour daily. Family-friendly atmospheres at both locations. Weekend entertainment.

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.

JANUARY 16, 2026

■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410-524-4900, www.seacrets.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Sunday through Friday at 11 a.m., 10 a.m. on Saturdays, close at 2 a.m. Enjoy a tropical atmosphere and dine under the palms in our outdoor, kid friendly dining area or try a Seacrets Beachin' Cocktails in the Bay with live music every day open to close.

The club is open every night in the summer.

Try our famous jerk chicken with homemade honey mustard sauce, Pushcart Trio, a true Jamaican dish or a hearty wrap, sandwich or delicious burger. We have it all at Seacrets.

UPTOWN

91st to 146th streets ■ ALBERTINO'S BRICK OVEN & EATERY 13117 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410250-2000, albertinosoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring the best brick oven pizza, always handmade with fresh ingredients, ItalianAmerican mouth-watering seafood specialties, traditional Italian pasta dishes, apps, soups and salads. Full bar with large local craft beer selection.

■ CAROUSEL OCEANFRONT HOTEL & CONDOS 118th Street, Ocean City 800-641-0011, www.carouselhotel.com The Carousel Oceanfront Resort offers a family friendly casual dining experience with their Reef 118 restaurant. Offering dinner Thursday through Saturday from 5-9 p.m., featuring AYCE Crab legs. Serving breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. Their new "Go for 2" happy hour features $10 appetizers as a buy one get one free. $1 oysters during all open hours.

■ THE CRAB BAG 13005 Coastal Highway Ocean City, 410250-3337, thecrabbag.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring consistent hot steamed crabs, eat in or carryout. The Crab Bag is also an Eastern Shore style seafood house specializing in preparing and serving the biggest and the best blue crabs available. The extensive menu promises something for everyone.

Winter hours, Friday-Sunday, open 11 a.m.

■ CRABCAKE FACTORY USA 120th Street, oceanside, Ocean City, 410250-4900, crabcakefactoryusa.com Full-service family restaurant, carry-out and sports bar. Outside seating available. Menu selections include prime rib, chicken Chesapeake, steamed shrimp, beer battered fish, real Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and a kids menu. Casual attire, full liquor bar, no reservations. Open Year Round. World-Famous Crabcakes are served all day starting at 8 a.m. and can be packed on ice for you while you are eating breakfast.

■ VISTA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT 13801 Coastal Highway, located in the Fenwick Inn, Ocean City, 410-390-7905, vistarooftopoc.com $$-$$$ | Full bar Enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the ocean and bay. Some of the most unique views in Ocean City. Steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and lite fare. Happy hour, 3-6 p.m. New this year is a boozy brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Live music.

FENWICK ISLAND ■ DIRTY HARRY’S 100 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3020, Beach-net.com/dirtyharrys $ | Kids’ Menu | Full bar Don’t let the name fool you, the food is home cooking at its finest. Owned and operated by Ginny Swann and family for 19 years. Popular for the breakfast but getting rave reviews for lunch and dinner, too.

■ NANTUCKETS Closed - Reopens Feb. 11 Route 1, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-

2607, 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.

WEST OCEAN CITY ■ ASSATEAGUE BAR AND GRILL 9636 Stephen Decatur Highway, West Ocean City 443-664-8158, abarngrill.com $$ | Full bar Full service, family friendly, casual dining to please everyone. Offering breakfast lunch and dinner with breakfast being served all day. Classic American cuisine with a selection of delicious Maryland favorites. Happy hour everyday from 1-6 p.m. with bar specials and tasty bites. Daily specials Monday through Friday. Dine-in and carry-out.

■ BREAKFAST CAFE 12736 Ocean Gateway, Route 50 east, West Ocean City, 410-213-1804, breakfastcafeofoc.com All the traditional breakfast options available here in a casual, diner setting. Open daily closing at 2 p.m.

■ CANTINA LOS AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL 12720 Ocean Gateway #7, West Ocean City 410-390-3914, cantinalosagaves.com $$ | Kid’s menu | Full bar Ocean City’s newest Mexican restaurant and bar. Offering delicious and generous portions of the tastiest traditional and not so traditional #MexicanEats you have ever tried. Open everyday, 12 noon to 9 p.m., kitchen and bar.

■ DUMSER’S DAIRYLAND West Ocean City: Route 50 east; Boardwalk locations: 501 S. Philadelphia Ave., 49th Street, 123rd Street, Ocean City, dumsersdairyland.com This classic ice cream shop is a tradition for many families. Voted O.C.’s “Best Ice Cream” for the past 20 years, Dumser’s is celebrating decades of serving the shore, and the ‘40s-style décor takes you back in time. With locations throughout Ocean City, treating your tastebuds to this signature homemade ice cream is easy. The 123rd Street location offers lunch and dinner menus in addition to a wide variety of ice cream treats.

■ GREENE TURTLE WEST Route 611, West Ocean City, 410-2131500 Proudly serving West Ocean City since January 1999, The Greene Turtle features a beautiful 80-seat dining room, large bar area with 54 TVs with stereo sound and game room with pool tables. With an exciting menu, The Greene Turtle is sure to please with delicious sizzling steaks, jumbo lump crab cakes, raw bar, homemade salads and more. Live entertainment, Keno, Turtle apparel, kids menu, carry-out.

■ HARBORSIDE BAR & GRILL 12841 Harbor Rd., West Ocean City, 410213-1846, weocharborside.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Home of the original Orange Crush drink with an extensive menu offers a wide variety of appetizers, fresh seafood, steak & pasta entrees, as well as juicy burgers and sandwiches. Whether seeking a full dining experience or just a crush or two, the team will be sure to take excellent care of you and yours.

Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

JANUARY 16, 2026

PAGE 63

OC Today-Dispatch

Berlin council reviews state ADU compliance New state law encourages single-family homeowners to build extra dwelling units

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) The Berlin mayor and Town Council began early discussions this week on how the town will comply with a new state mandate requiring local governments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs), noting that months of work and public comment are ahead.

Mayor Zack Tyndall placed the item on Monday night’s meeting agenda to notify council members of Senate Bill 891 and House Bill 1466, passed by the Maryland General Assembly during its 2025 session.

The act requires every county and municipality to adopt a local law authorizing the development of ADUs on properties with single-family detached homes. This requirement will take effect on Oct. 1, 2026.

Tyndall said he would like to get the ball rolling on drafting an ordinance that meets the state mandate to authorize ADUs while developing regulations and standards that fit Berlin’s needs. The mayor added that there’s a tight timeline to complete the work, which will likely include a few joint work sessions between the council and the town’s planning commission, followed by public hearings.

“The reason we need to have this on our radar is we really have between now and April, the way I see it, to craft something,” Tyndall said. “It’s going to require public input, it’s going to require time for us to meet and work through something for Berlin.

“In April, we really ramp up significantly for the budget through about May or June. During the warmer time of the year, people aren’t as active and engaged. I don’t feel comfortable having that level of discussion in the summertime when we want to have public feedback, and then if you wait until after summer, you’re in September. It goes into effect in October.”

Accessory dwelling units, apart-

ment-like structures detached from a property’s main house, have been promoted statewide to expand housing options. However, allowing ADUs isn’t without its challenges.

During Monday night’s discussion, Town Attorney David Gaskill cautioned that the legislation leaves some logistical questions unanswered, particularly those involving water and sewer capacity. He raised concerns about how additional dwelling units on residential lots could impact existing infrastructure.

“If we’re going to allow people to build accessory dwelling units on their residential lot, what about the EDU?” Gaskill said, referring to equivalent dwelling units tied to water and sewer usage. “I guarantee you they didn’t think about that.”

Tyndall acknowledged that while

municipalities can adopt regulations, state law requires that guidelines not be unduly restrictive.

“They’ve said you can’t make the cost of implementation prohibitive,” Tyndall said. “It’s going to be troublesome to work through.”

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen emphasized that the State of Maryland requires the discussion and that it’s not optional.

“The important thing people need to keep in mind is that this has been mandated by the state,” she said. “We have to have this conversation, and we have to have something in place.”

Bohlen added that while the town may establish local regulations, those rules must be reasonable and cannot effectively prevent homeowners from building ADUs. Councilmember Steve Green asked

s u nDAY Fu u n DAY

whether requiring the purchase of an additional EDU could be considered overly restrictive under the law. These types of questions will be worked through during the upcoming ordinance-drafting process.

Tyndall said the following steps will involve council members and planning commissioners reviewing the legislation, gathering information, and then holding joint meetings to discuss potential approaches to the new state law. Once a draft ordinance is developed, public hearings will be scheduled to garner community feedback.

“It’s going to be our job to work through it and then come prepared to discuss what we like, what we think,” the mayor said. “Even with the fact that we only have a few months. Then we have to get some public hearings on the books.”

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The Adventures

Funding advances for county water treatment facility

of Fatherhood

$2.55M earmark to allow for replacement, upgrades

quences for a wrong choice seems important to us, but these are family decisions. One direction will not fit for all, and that’s okay. There’s no real right or wrong when it comes to parenting because each child is different. Criticism of fellow parents is not a productive course, and it can be harmful when it’s done with deceit.

On this general topic of divisiveness, Dr. Ben Carson says, “We, the American people, are not each other’s enemies.

The enemies are those people behind the curtain jerking everybody’s chains and trying to divide us up by age, by race, by income.”

Parents don’t need community judgment over this or that action done by a teenager. If we are keeping it real, most teens are immature, entirely too obsessed with themselves and selfish. This is not a direct result of parenting. It starts at home but there are many instances when the right course is being set by parents and the wrong direction is chosen.

A page I have been following for years is Whitney Fleming Writes. A mother of three teen daughters, she keeps it real, and I like how she writes, especially on teens. Here’s an excerpt.

There's a reason why parents of big kids shut down when their kids hit the teenage years.

There's a reason why moms stop talking to other parents at pick up lines and dads avoid people at all cost You know that phrase little kids, little problems. Big kids, bigger problems? It is so true.

And if you are lucky enough to raise a teenager that never drank or smoked or did drugs, if you are lucky enough to have a child that never got arrested for a misdemeanor or snuck out or cheated on a test, if you are lucky enough never to feel like you were just a complete and utter failure as a parent because of the behavior of your kid despite your best efforts, consider it just that: lucky.

Because for most big kids who do something bad, it is usually not from bad parenting as much as the teen making a bad decision.

And we need to sit on that for a sec-

By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) After years of dealing with iron-stained water and stopgap fixes, the Newark community is closer than ever to getting a replacement for its 55-year-old water treatment facility.

The House of Representatives on Jan. 8 advanced $2.55 million toward the replacement of the Newark water treatment plant through an appropriations bill. Congressman Andy Harris announced this week that his office had secured the earmark.

Harris said the funding allows not only for the replacement of the existing water treatment plant but upgrading treatment capacity to meet current water quality standards.

“This is a problem in many rural areas,” Harris told OC-Today Dispatch on Wednesday. “We need to have systems that service small communities – in this case, around 100 households where literally they could not afford to pay for it themselves.”

No money will flow, however, until the appropriations bill clears the U.S. Senate and becomes law. Harris said he’s confident the Senate will approve the funding in the next week or so, based on strong bipartisan support.

Residents served by the Newark water-sewer district – one of the county’s smallest, with just 123 total customers – for years have dealt with iron sediment in their pipes, which turns water brown, stains clothes, and can discolor hair. Worcester County tried to offer a short-term solution in late 2024 by offering residents water filters at no cost.

Brown water is caused by iron in the aquifer. The plant has filters to remove the iron, but filter technology has improved since the plant was built in 1971, according to Worcester County Public Works Director Dallas Baker.

by Steve Green

ver the course of my parenting life, there have been moments of anguish and dare to admit, embarrassment as a result of actions and decisions by my kids.

If you have never had any of these as a parent, it’s either one of two things – you live in the clouds of denial or you are blessed.

We are a special needs family, which makes us different. We have in Carson a teenager with Autism who is nonverbal. We have in Beckett a teenager who is neurotypical but deals with daily with ADHD and a specific learning difference called dysgraphia. Other families have other unique circumstances with their children.

I accept there are times when raising my kids has been challenging, seemingly impossible at times. It doesn’t mean my wife and I are bad parents.

Some people – those judgmental types – think, however, kids’ actions are a direct reflection of their parents and upbringing. These folks come to hasty, ignorant conclusions devoid of empathy and understanding. It happens all the time, but I refuse to meet commonplace with acceptance.

While I have accepted my parenting road is unique – and probably tougher than most while easier than some – I have learned along the way a bit of compassion is needed toward other parents.

We need to lift each other up, rather than tear down. If it’s to be believed it takes a village to raise a kid – and I do think it’s true – we should all accept none of us know everything that goes on within a family. There’s likely a bit of ugliness within every home at times.

These people we are raising need us in their lives, but they may also make horrible decisions along the way. It’s okay to feel shame every now and again internally, but we must take a holistic view to parenting. We need to have our eyes open with a keen perspective.

Lapses in judgement should not be met with absolute condemnation.

Some scolding packaged with conse-

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ond. Kids who make bad choices often come from a loving home and from great parents.

Before we rush to judgment. Before we roll our eyes and start mentioning all the things we think those parents did wrong. Before we fill ourselves with righteous indignation.

We need to remember that it could be our kid, and how do we want people to treat us?

Sure, we need to be conscientious parents and raise our kids to the best of our abilities. Kids raised by engaged parents have the best shot at developing into productive adults.

But unless you have severely neglected, abused, or traumatized your child, we need to recognize that sometimes teenagers lose their way despite our best efforts.

It's their brain wiring. It's outside influences. It's rebellion. It's seeking control.

It's growing up. … I speak from experience. Sometimes good kids just make bad decisions.

Sometimes good kids have addictions.

Sometimes good kids are hurting and don't know how to express it. Sometimes good kids cave under pressure. Sometimes good kids want to impress their peers so they do something bad.

And oftentimes these good kids come from good parents, great parents, loving parents.

There is enough guilt when it comes to parenting. Did I do too much for them?

Not enough? Did I give them too much freedom? Was I too overbearing? … So, the next time your local rumor mill starts running with the bad behavior of a child coming from a "good" family, maybe resist the urge to spread the gossip to another friend. Instead, maybe use it as a discussion springboard with your own child. ... We have to dig deep within ourselves to understand each other.

(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.)

JANUARY 16, 2026

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County eyes additional grants The county is also proposing to drill a new water supply well as part of the plant upgrade, Baker added. If the state approves, a new well could be located in a different aquifer, one with lower iron levels.

Worcester County asked Congress in March 2025 for money to fund the plant replacement, saying the community being served was so small that it would take decades for ratepayers to cover the cost of replacing the treatment plant.

County officials in their earmark application to Congress also said upgrades were needed because the plant’s existing hydro-pneumatic system was made obsolete by a new elevated storage tank. The county hopes to build a replacement facility closer to the storage tank site.

The water plant is also located nearby the county’s landfill on Newark Road, and cross-contamination into the drinking water system has always been a concern, though the existing system had prevented that from ever happening. A modern facility would prevent systemic issues caused by potential water contamination, the county also said.

Worcester County officials typically send funding requests to the federal government after prioritizing a handful of projects from its annual Capital Improvement Plan, according to County Administrator Weston Young.

The county does not use regular tax revenue toward water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Instead, each of 11 water and sewer districts have to rely on ratepayers in each district to cover all costs in what’s called an enterprise fund.

Leaders here have struggled for nearly two years over water-sewer finances because, as the county

commissioners found out in 2024, some districts didn’t have enough customers to cover costs. It led the commissioners to move millions of dollars from the general fund to make up for a steep deficit. They also voted to raise user rates and fees to generate more revenue.

Young says aggressively fighting for federal funds each year can help greatly to defray those local costs for customers. And, even in a highly divided political environment, community projects like this one have been known to garner bipartisan support from the state’s congressional delegation.

“The media will play Congressman Harris as the lone Republican voting against what the (Democratic Maryland) senators vote. But they do work together on these projects. If the senators put forward a project, Congressman Harris is supportive of it on the House side,” he said. “Once that’s done, it’s definitely something we need to celebrate.”

The federal funding will cover less than half the cost of the project, which is estimated at $5.5 million. The county is applying for additional grant funding through the Maryland Department of the Environment and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to Worcester County Public Works Director Dallas Baker.

Once funding is secure, the project may take at least three years to complete, including a year for design, eight to 12 months of permitting, and 12 to 16 months of construction.

Jenny Mumford is a longtime Newark resident who’s been an outspoken advocate for her community’s water troubles and serves on the district water board. She said the county needs to install

BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

Officials are seeking a $2.55 million federal appropriation to fund an upgrade and improvements to Newark’s water treatment facility.

new water pipes for the district, not just a new plant.

Mumford won’t even drink her home’s discolored tap water anymore and called the county’s offer of free filters “only a bandage” that didn’t get many takers and didn’t fix the root cause.

While she called the possibility of federal funding “meaningful, long-overdue progress,” she’s also unwavering that the county must prioritize grant funding, so taxpayers won’t be burdened.

“Given the history of fiscal shortfalls, lack of proactive oversight, and funding constraints that have strained residents, the commissioners must take responsibility to make things right for Newark and other service areas,” she said.

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OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

St. Joseph’s Day Festival set for March 21 (Jan. 16, 2026) One of Ocean City’s most popular ethnic celebrations, the St. Joseph’s Day Festival, has announced this year’s date, March 21.

Hosted by the Ocean City Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, the day-long fest of home-cooked food,

music, games, basket raffles, and a silent auction will be held at its usual location, St. Andrew’s Hall on 144th Street and Sinepuxent Avenue.

As always, admission is free. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the festival runs all day until 5:30 p.m. Italian delicacies like ravioli, meatballs, sausage,

Ocean City departments to participate in annual job fair (Jan. 16, 2026) The Town of Ocean City is hosting a job fair on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Roland E Powell Convention Center.

The job fair will provide you with access to supervisors seeking talented candidates in every discipline, from public safety to camp counselors, to bus drivers and lifeguards, and everything in between. Admission is free.

The following departments with the town will be present and taking applications: Recreation and Parks, Convention Center, Beach Patrol, Police Department, Fire Department/ Fire Marshal, Public Works, Water, Construction, Maintenance, Solid Waste, and Transportation.

“This job fair is a great opportunity

for anyone seeking employment with the Town of Ocean City to pursue a new position or even a new career,” said Human Resources Director Katie Callan. “The job fair provides direct access to hiring managers from a wide variety of departments, who are seeking committed, hardworking, and enthusiastic employees to fill available positions.”

Attendees should bring a resume.

Computers will be on-site to apply online during the job fair. If you are seeking employment and unable to attend the job fair, visit oceancitymd.gov to view current job openings. For questions about the job fair, please call Human Resources at 410289-8970.

breads, zeppole, fresh-filled cannoli and baked goods will be on the menu.

Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic soft drinks will be available. Italianthemed music will be played for patrons throughout the day.

As festivalgoers move around the floor they will find tables of Italianthemed merchandise for sale. Stuffed gift baskets and baskets of joy filled with wine and spirits will be raffled off. Silent auctions will be held for a variety of packages, including sports packages and leisure activities. For the more adventurous, the Pick Six

wheel game will return, and tickets can be purchased for the 50-50 drawing.

The Ocean City Lodge of the Sons and Daughters of Italy was started in 1980 and today has almost 200 members.

Its mission includes increasing awareness of the Italian culture and contributions of Italian Americans to the United States, providing scholarships for high school students of Italian descent and a tradition of charitable giving to support local organizations.

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HOROSCOPE

PAGE 67

OC Today-Dispatch

Berlin to explore ball drop changes

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Minor obstacles are in your path, Aries. It’s easy to get frustrated right now. Once you clear the hurdles it will be smoother sailing before long. Remain patient.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 You treasure family and friends, Taurus. This week calls for an important decision that could affect them all. It may be challenging, but you will make the right call.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may have to reset your priorities, as new information has come to the surface. Prioritize responsibilities so major issues are taken care of first.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Unavoidable situations may cross your path this week, Cancer. It is important that you stay the course.

Committing to tackling things headon is the most productive approach.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 It may be tempting to shirk your responsibilities right now, Leo. Resist that temptation. Keep your head down and keep on working. It will soon prove worth it.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, be confident and listen to your instincts, Libra. Do so before taking on any important tasks that might turn up in the days or weeks to come.

A surprise might be around the corner.

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SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 The conditions are right for finishing an important task, Scorpio. You will be able to come up with wonderful ideas that have true staying power.

Pursue your options.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you have been working hard lately and this may result in an overactive and tired mind. You should factor in a break so you can recharge your body and spirit.

By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Although the town’s New Year’s Eve ball drop drew a strong turnout, the mayor and Town Council on Monday wondered if a later start time or additional activities could enhance the event and encourage visitors to stay downtown longer.

Councilmember Steve Green (the executive editor of this paper) noted that the scheduled 6 p.m. ball drop, established to make the event available to families with young children, doesn’t keep the crowd around for long. He said it’s typical to see the town clear out within a half hour. He wondered if the event could be bolstered with a later start time and added attractions.

Late last year, Sterling Tavern owner Matt Borelli had questioned why the ball drop was held at 6 p.m. and asked whether there was flexibility to push it later for the 2026 event to encourage residents and visitors to stay and patronize local restaurants and bars.

Green raised the conversation again this week. The councilman asked town staff what they observed during the recent New Year’s Eve celebration and if there was any merit in launching a slightly later ball drop.

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the 6 p.m. ball drop was again successful, attracting 3,000 attendees. She also said the town was busier throughout the day than on previous New Year’s Eves, with shops seeing increased foot traffic in the lead-up to the event.

“My take on that is that people knew they wanted to wait for the 6 p.m. ball drop so the shops were busier that day,” she said. “The shops did better that day than they had in previous years. Walking around town

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOD BOY MFG.

Officials say they will explore changes to the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop celebration, pictured in this scene from downtown Berlin.

at 7 and 7:30 p.m., the restaurants still had wait times.

“So, the streets, of course, may have been clear because we opened the road, and the shops weren’t open.

But everyone was piled into the restaurants. I went to the Berlin Beer Company because there was no place to eat downtown at 7 p.m. The Berlin Beer Company was jammed. And Forgotten 50. They were all busy.”

Wells added that the point of the 6 p.m. ball drop is to cater to families, particularly those with young children.

“It’s a really positive thing that the town is doing by having a family-style New Year’s Eve celebration,” she said.

Town Administrator Mary Bohlen echoed Wells’ sentiment.

“There are lots of things for adults to do on New Year’s Eve,” she said.

Furthermore, staff discussed adding more activities to the event.

Berlin Finance Director Natalie Saleh suggested adding music or ice sculptures, which were on-site during last year’s Christmas Tree lighting,

around the ball drop to create a festive atmosphere and keep families downtown longer.

She said she had some conversations with parents who felt that, after the ball drop, there was little to do on the street, with restaurants too crowded and no vendors or entertainment available.

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall suggested that staff explore potential enhancements and a slight extension of the event, such as moving the ball drop to 7:30 p.m.

Public Works Director Jimmy Charles cautioned that many attendees arrive specifically for the ball drop and may not stay, regardless of any additional programming.

Ultimately, the town’s economic and community development team will investigate the event’s timing and structure ahead of next New Year’s Eve. Wells said there is ample time to gather feedback and refine the celebration.

“We have plenty of time to decide,” she said.

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OC Today-Dispatch

JANUARY 16, 2026

JANUARY 16, 2026

OC Today-Dispatch

PAGE 69

Gokey GoGo Bones, pictured on Assateague Island last winter, died last week, reportedly of natural causes.

PHOTO COURTESY CALLY MACK

Horse dies of natural causes

By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 16, 2026) The Assateague herd is down one horse after Gokey GoGo Bones died of natural causes last week. The 23-year-old mare passed away on the island Jan. 7.

Gokey GoGo Bones, identified through the park’s alphanumeric system as horse N2BHS-A, was part of the Sarah’s SweetTea band, but was often found wandering alone near the causeway entering the park or roaming around the state park campgrounds, according to the Assateague Island Alliance (AIA), a nonprofit friends group that educates and raises awareness of wildlife and natural resources on the island.

The mare’s death is the second to be recorded on Assateague in just as many weeks, bringing the current horse count to an estimated 84, according to AIA’s Nancy Gaither.

Chestnut, a 17-year-old chestnut pinto, was found earlier in the month.

Born in April 2002 to sire “Chance” and dam “Carol’s Girl,” Gokey GoGo Bones was the oldest of several siblings still found on the island. She produced seven offspring – Joy, Chama Wingapo, Ms. Macky, Adriana’s Yankee Prince, Linda Rae’s Autumn Glory, Chantilly Lace and Finn Radar 918.

According to the Assateague Island Alliance, it was believed she had limited vision in both eyes.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

CHOMPING TREES The animals at Marshall Creek Farm in Newark received about 250 Christmas trees from the Town of Berlin, as well as Schellville. About 150 trees were donated by Berlin for the goats, alpacas and sheep.

Opinions

Jan. 16, 2026

Page 70

Berlin will bring new life to fire co. parade The Maryland State Firefighters Association and the Town of Berlin — once people see the trucks, cars and specialty vehicles, as well as the marching units from 150-160 volunteer fire companies and departments, they will wonder why the annual parade hasn’t been held here every year.

Because the parade is a highlight of the association’s annual assembly in Ocean City, it made logistical sense to stage the event there on Baltimore Avenue, close to the conference’s headquarters at the convention center.

But from the perspective of mood, image and atmosphere, as the parade’s muscular red, yellow and green firefighting apparatuses roll up road, Baltimore Avenue had ceased to be the right place years ago.

The redevelopment of that corridor eliminated that traditional feel, and if there’s one thing that a parade of fire trucks is, it’s traditional. That’s why the pairing of the annual parade and the Town of Berlin is going to make this event the special attraction it used to be.

Berlin, as has been demonstrated repeatedly, knows how to throw a party and having a parade that brings its own spectators — the friends and families of association members — is a fantastic way to get one started.

Add to that fans of ladder trucks, pumpers, tankers, rescue and other specialized apparatus and the one guarantee organizers of the event and town officials will have is that the parade is going to draw a big crowd.

As this week’s story points out, the Maryland State Firefighters Association is the only state firefighters association on the East Coast that still hosts an annual parade, and its members hope that moving it to Berlin will keep the tradition alive.

A traditional parade taking place on a traditional main street in a town that fosters that traditional image should do better than merely keep the event alive. We expect this change of location will breathe new life into the parade and allow it to thrive for years to come.

OC Today-Dispatch Stubbornly local, equally independent NEWS EDITOR STEWART DOBSON; EXECUTIVE EDITOR STEVE GREEN ASSOCIATE EDITOR BETHANY HOOPER STAFF WRITERS TARA FISCHER, BRIAN SHANE Contact News Room: editor@octodaydispatch.com SALES ACCOUNT MANAGERS MARY COOPER, TERRI FRENCH, RENEE KELLY CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS PAMELA GREEN Contact Sales: sales@octodaydispatch.com PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR COLE GIBSON; SENIOR PAGE DESIGNER SUSAN PARKS SENIOR AD DESIGNER KELLY BROWN ADMINISTRATION PUBLISHER/CONTROLLER CHRISTINE BROWN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT GINI TUFTS Web: octodaydispatch.com ~ Facebook: www.facebook.com/octodaydispatch OC Today-Dispatch is published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 410-723-6397 All content copyright 2026

PUBLIC EYE

Hello, my name is —

It was a miracle, a January miracle that will be celebrated and observed for years, even decades to come.

In fact, once things settle down, it might even become a national holiday, tucked into the January calendar between, say, “Gleeful Greenland Day!” and “Train Your Cat Day” (more on that later).

That’s right, I’m talking about the heartwarming reunion between children and their parents on Wednesday By when Verizon cell service Stewart went on the blink for 10 hours or so.

Dobson It’s true that tens of thousands of children renewed the acquaintance of their parents this week after long mental absences, with even more young people discovering that their parents continued to occupy the same planet.

A smaller, but not insignificant number of individuals, were pleasantly surprised to discover that they had parents in the first place.

Such was the result of the Verizon cell service outage on Wednesday that forced youngsters, oldsters and middle-age-sters to look up from their blank phone screens to ask, “Why is my phone screen blank?”

Fortunately, the answer to this question was provided by familiar voices, leading to family reunions up and down the Atlantic seaboard, as Mom, Dad, Sissy and Little Leo set their cell phones aside and looked up during dinner to say, “Hello. My name is ‘Sissy.’ What’s yours?”

“You can call me ‘Mom.’”

*** The Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association is investigating an on-ice tiff between tots that took place during an intermission of a Hershey Bears game on Saturday.

Now, I’ve been to a Hershey Bears game, so I’m not sure anyone in the stands noticed anything unusual when this fracas broke out.

One giveaway though was that this melee was between players in the eight-years-andunder league, so the combatants were a little smaller.

Anyway, because the video of the little nipper fracas went viral, the association is looking into rumors that the whole thing was staged and that those little hockey sticks flailing, little fists flying and little legs sprawling were expertly choregraphed actions.

Well, I don’t think so.

That may have been the intention, but I say choregraphing eight-year-olds to throw phantom punches and whiffing high sticks has to be like training cats to do high kicks in a chorus line.

Cat training is difficult because they have just three basic moods: 1. I want something.

2. I don’t want to be bothered. 3. Keep it up and you’ll find out.

So I can’t say for sure that the half-pint hockey hullaballoo wasn’t staged, but I’d bet that some of those little pucksters were doing some wailing and, from what I hear, the crowd did like it.

“Look, Marge, those little eight-year-olds are beating the hell out of each other just like the big boys. Isn’t that cute?

“Yeah, Norm, is this a great country or what?”

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

Between the Lines

By Steve Green Lots of reminders having been circulating this week about the planned Route 50 Bridge closure starting Jan. 20. The closure is estimated to be 15 days and will be a major inconvenience for many, and my guess is it will need to be extended as weather will most likely play a role.

Nonetheless, to review, the overall rehab project has essentially already begun with periodic lane closures taking place this month and throughout last summer. A presser from the state reads, “A total closure and detour will occur starting January 20 through February 3. Following the total closure and detour, single-lane closures will go back into effect until the project is completed which is anticipated by March 20th, weather permitting. Additionally, the channel under the bridge will be closed to marine traffic starting January 5 until the project’s completion.”

The actual work itself will include crews replacing, “the nose lock assembly and retrofit the floor beam. These repairs require the bridge remain in the open position (draw spans in the upright position) for the repairs to be completed. Work being done is to extend the service life of the 84-year-old bridge.”

As imagined, the closure causes some serious tweaks to local operations, particularly the school system and buses. The public school system said, “Our transportation office has worked with our bus drivers to reroute certain bus routes that would be impacted by the bridge's closure. If your child's route is impacted, you will be contacted directly by your child's bus driver, who will communicate any changes during that time.”

We will provide updates on the closure as they are available. *** Several videos over the last month have been sent to our office of what appeared to be U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducting apprehensions at a fast-food restaurant and other sites in Ocean City.

At this week’s Ocean City Police Commission meeting, officials confirmed ICE has in fact been in the area and local police officers are not involved in the process. “We are not involved with their apprehensions in any way, shape or form,” Eade said. “The Ocean City Police Department isn’t assisting them with locating anybody or arresting anybody.”

According to Eade, ICE has informed the department of activities but there have been others when, “they certainly have not.” Eade added, “… we are in contact with them, in the hopes they can give us a heads up when they are in town. But we are not involved.” *** Diving into the reassessment data is always interesting and here are some statistical highlights from Worcester County’s Group 2, which includes much of West Ocean City and Newark south to the Virginia line.

• Between Jan. 1, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2026, land values for residential and commercial properties increased by 10.1% - 10.5% for residential and 8.5% for commercial. According to the county, property tax revenue received in Snow Hill will jump $14.9 million under the current tax rate. It’s a huge number that will surely help the county keep up with inflationary pressures across the departments. It should also be used to address ongoing public safety needs and the state funding mandates handed down to the public school system.

• Last year, for Group 1 that includes Berlin, Bishopville, Ocean Pines and Showell, property values increased by 27%.

• Of the 11,136 residential improved properties, 90.4% saw increases in value (compared to state average of 92.73%) When the total 15,156 of properties were analyzed, 76% saw increases in value.

• The 10.1% total property value increase in group 2 is dome from the last cycle for the same group of properties. Back in 2023, the increase was 30.8%. Looking back further, the increase was 4.7% in 2020 (state average 8.9%) and 4.1% in 2017 (state average 8.2%). In 2014, the property values actually declined 7.8% (state average of 4.7% increase).

• Next year properties in Ocean City will be reassessed. Recent history tells us this will bring another increase. In 2024, Ocean City property values jumped on the island by 46% (state average 23.4%).

However, the increases were tame with the three-year cycles previously -- 2.1% in 2021 (8.1% statewide), 4.3% in 2018 (7.7% statewide) and 2.2% in 2015 (10.8% in 2015).

• It’s worth nothing as far as the homestead tax credit cap that Worcester and Talbot counties are the only jurisdictions in Maryland at 0%. In fact, Calvert, Montgomery and Somerset counties have their rates for owner-occupied properties set at 10%.

Letters to the editor Wastewater increases impact senior citizens Editor, I am sending you this letter to express my outrage and extreme anger over the most recent Worcester County wastewater bill I received in my mail yesterday. Another $286.26 is due before February 5. This bill arrived in less than two weeks after I paid my previous wastewater bill of $286.26, which was due December 26.

At first I thought the bill received in yesterday's mail had to be a mistake, as I had just paid the last one! But after speaking with someone in the treasurer's office, learned that it was not a mistake. Apparently my previous bill, which would normally have been due in early November, arrived late due to some internal county malfunction (one of many, I might add) and was told that the county is now "back on track" with the billing process.

I guess the person I spoke with in the treasurer's office thought it would make me feel better to know that there would be no late fee on the bills due December 26 (which I was previously unaware of, as I had made sure to pay that bill on time). But it actually felt like a slap in the face.

I am a senior citizen, 69 years old, living on a fixed income, and I speak for many seniors in the same situation.

I can no longer afford these steep increases in wastewater bills along with property taxes and everything else this county demands from its residents.

And I certainly cannot afford two county wastewater bills, in the amount of $286.26 each, in such a short period of time! That's $572.72 right there, just for wastewater services, which is absolutely unreasonable. And never

mind trying to save money towards the next property tax bill which will arrive in July and the constant worry of eventually being taxed out of my home, if I live long enough. But I seriously doubt if any of our elected county officials have ever had to worry about such things, so it's easy to give no thought to those who do.

And furthermore, I find it despicable that there has been no communication from this county to its residents regarding these steep increases in our bills. I was not informed in advance that my wastewater rate would more than double compared to what it was last year, even though I inquired about it. I was not informed in advance as to when I would receive a bill with the new rate increase, even though I inquired about that too. And I was certainly not informed in advance of the surprise bill which was to arrive in my mailbox yesterday, in less than two weeks' time after I had paid the last one! No transparency at all.

Our county government officials are forcing the residents to pay dearly for the county's shoddy bookkeeping practices of the past several years. And even worse, they do not even care enough about us to keep us properly informed of increases in expenses we are being forced to pay.

Sadly, they are also forcing some residents to become beggars to various charities in order to pay, in a timely manner, the monies this county demands from them.

I currently feel like I'm a slave to Worcester County.

I was born and raised here, and have lived my entire life in Worcester County. I even live in the same home I grew up in, full of precious memories and a wonderful quality of life for most Continued on Page 72

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JANUARY 16, 2026

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Continued from Page 71 of my life.

But now, I can honestly say that I hate living in Worcester County. I've seen lots of changes through the years, and I have seen our county government become very greedy. They have absolutely no compassion or empathy for the residents of this county, and especially no empathy for senior citizens with limited resources.

Elizabeth Fisher West Ocean City

Short-term rentals erode Ocean City neighborhoods Editor, I am writing as a longtime resident and business owner in Ocean City and want to express my concerns of shortterm rentals, of which I am against.

Let me explain.

There is such a thing as a culture of a neighborhood and being a good neighbor. Respect. Helpful. Caring.

Social. Familiarity. Raising Families.

Looking out for one another. Security.

Residents giving to the community.

Lifestyle.

Short term rentals erode that sense of community. Instead of neighbors, I now have rotating visitors bringing higher noise levels, excess cars, trash and trash cans overflowing, dog excrement not being picked up, disregard for our park and the signage, disregard for speed limits, people inviting themselves onto your property, not to mention who may be renting beside you... an offender who may or may not have to register when they go on vacation?

Short term rentals will devalue your property. Would you purchase a home beside a property that has a swinging door to temporary stays?

We need to preserve the character of our Residential R1 and Mobile Home MH neighborhoods. Therefore, I urge my fellow residents and local officials to protect the people who call Ocean City home.

Robin Yates Caine Woods resident

County’s development pace irresponsible Editor, (The following letter was sent to the Worcester County Commissioners for inclusion in the public hearing concerning the proposed housing and retail development along Route 589.)

I am writing to submit a formal complaint regarding the ongoing and excessive overdevelopment along the Route 589 corridor and surrounding areas. As a longtime resident of Ocean Pines since 1984, I have witnessed many changes - some positive, some negative - but the current scale, pace, and lack of a coherent development plan are simply unacceptable and deeply concerning.

The continued conversion of productive farmland and open natural spaces into dense development repre-

sents a significant loss to the county.

Farmland that has sustained local food systems, rural livelihoods, and the county’s character is being permanently eliminated. Natural areas that provide wildlife habitat, environmental balance, flood control, and quality of life are being fragmented or destroyed. Once lost, these resources cannot be restored.

Of particular concern is the apparent prioritization of short-term gains over sound planning and accountability. Decisions appear to have been made without sufficient consultation, impact assessment, or regard for cumulative effects. This lack of foresight has directly contributed to the issues now evident and reflects poorly on the planning and oversight process.

The scale and intensity of development have exceeded reasonable and responsible limits. This has resulted in overcrowding, excessive strain on infrastructure and resources, diminished functionality, and a clear erosion of the original purpose and character of the area. Rather than delivering meaningful progress, the continuing overdevelopment has already and will continue to compromise quality, efficiency, and livability.

These outcomes were not unavoidable. They are the result of deliberate choices that ignored warning signs and failed to apply appropriate restraint. Continued development under the current model risks further deterioration, increased public dissatisfaction, and long-term damage that may be difficult or impossible to reverse.

I strongly urge an immediate reassessment of zoning and development policies and practices. This should include a halt to further overdevelopment, a transparent review of decision-making processes, and the implementation of stricter controls to ensure future development is measured, sustainable, and aligned with clearly defined objectives.

Currently, overdevelopment has placed increasing strain on roads, infrastructure, water supplies, and public services, while eroding the rural and environmental qualities that residents value. Rather than measured growth, the county is experiencing expansion that prioritizes short-term economic gain over responsible land stewardship and long-term planning.

It is particularly troubling that these decisions appear to move forward despite clear and well-documented impacts.

Adequate consideration of cumulative effects, environmental consequences, and agricultural preservation has been insufficient. This represents a serious lapse in oversight and accountability at the county level.

These outcomes are not inevitable.

They are the result of policy choices that favor rapid development at the expense of farmland preservation, environmental protection, and future generations. Continuing along this path will permanently alter the

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR county’s landscape, reduce resilience, and undermine public trust. The current approach reflects a failure to adequately consider long-term consequences, sustainability, and the broader negative impacts that such overdevelopment inevitably creates.

I strongly urge the County Commissioners to immediately reassess current development policies and practices. This should include a pause on further overdevelopment along Route 589, a transparent review of past and ongoing decision-making processes, and the implementation of stricter controls to ensure future growth is measured, sustainable, and aligned with clearly defined long-term objectives. A transparent review process and a clear commitment to sustainable, balanced growth are urgently needed.

I expect this complaint to be acknowledged and for concrete steps to be outlined in detailing how the county intends to address these concerns. The excessive strain on infrastructure and natural resources must be treated as a priority, not an afterthought.

Sandee Sharp Berlin

Short-term rental ban undermines rights Editor, I strongly oppose the extension of

the moratorium on short-term rental licenses in residential neighborhoods because it undermines a fundamental principle: the right of individuals to use their private property responsibly and lawfully.

Property rights are not a minor detail—they are a cornerstone of economic freedom and community stability. Once the government decides how homeowners may or may not use their own property, the precedent extends far beyond short-term rentals.

Homeowners already comply with zoning laws, safety codes, taxes, licensing requirements and nuisance regulations. A blanket moratorium punishes responsible property owners. If the vast majority of the town’s year-round residents are adequately protected by enforcing existing rules that address noise, parking, and occupancy issues why does the council believe that the very areas that have the minimum overlap within their neighbors need special protections? We should target problems, not prohibit an entire, legitimate use of private property.

Banning new short-term rental licenses does nothing to guarantee good neighbors. A disruptive resident can live next door full-time just as easily as rent for a long weekend. Good behavior comes from fair rules and consistent enforcement, not from outlawing

one type of lawful property use.

For many families, short-term rentals provide essential income that helps cover rising mortgage costs, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. For retirees and working households alike, this flexibility can mean the difference between staying in their homes or being forced to sell.

It is also troubling that our town already voted on this issue and rejected a ban on short term rentals - and now despite the mayor’s pledge to respect the outcome of that vote - the council has enacted a policy that voters defeated. Ignoring a clear public decision erodes trust in local government. The council’s ability to further handicap opposition by scheduling working sessions, public comment periods and even the timing of this second referendum at difficult times shows how determined they are to ignore the majority of citizens who voted against

a ban.

Let me note again that a majority of the town’s year-round residents do not live in neighborhoods that would be subject to the moratorium/ban [the opposite is true of the mayor and council – most do live in the R-1 neighborhoods subject to the moratorium]. Most of the population reside in areas where short-term rentals will continue to be allowed. Far from “protecting” year-round communities, this policy singles out certain neighborhoods while leaving others untouched, creating unequal treatment and unnecessary division among residents.

A balanced approach—reasonable regulation and strong enforcement of existing laws—protects neighborhoods without stripping residents of their rights. A moratorium and cap on licenses does neither.

Terry A. Miller Ocean City

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JANUARY 16, 2026

SUBMITTED PHOTO/OC TODAY-DISPATCH

GINGERBREAD ACTIVITIES Mrs. Huyett and Miss Carter’s Prek-4 class at Ocean City Elementary read and listened to various versions of the story, The Gingerbread Man. As a culminating activity, students decorated real gingerbread cookies. Much to the class’s surprise, when they baked them, the gingerbread men jumped out of the oven and ran away. Students went on a fun scavenger hunt around the school and used clues to find their gingerbread men.

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CARD CONTEST WINNER Emma Yoon, a fourth-grade student in Ms. Wendy Macrides’ class at Ocean City Elementary School, was recently celebrated as the winner of the Worcester County Public Schools’ annual Holiday Card Contest for grades 3-5. Pictured with Yoon are art teacher Bob Hulburd, Superintendent of Schools Annette Wallace, Board of Education President Todd Ferrante and OCES Principal Julie Smith.

JANUARY 16, 2026

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OC Today-Dispatch

OBITUARIES THEODORE R. ESCHENBURG, JR. Berlin Theodore R. Eschenburg, Jr. (64) died January 8. 2026 at Coastal Hospice at The Lake, Salisbury.

He was born in Salisbury on August 29, 1961. He is survived by his father, Theodore R. Eschenburg, Sr. (Sarah D. Eschenburg) of Berlin and stepfather David T. Eschenburg, Jr. Orem of Salisbury.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Rayne Orem of Salisbury; his sister Tracy Rayne Eschenburg of Salisbury; grandparents Richard and Alma Rayne; and grandparents Richard W. Eschenburg, Sr. and Lois Roland.

He is also survived by an aunt, Barbara Ann Martin; uncles, Dr. John B. Eschenburg (Susan) and Richard W. Eschenburg, Jr; god-mother, Carole Shiles; several cousins; and close friends Brad Soulsman and Marcia Helms.

Teddy graduated from Stephen Decatur High School. He valiantly battled lung cancer for 3+ years. He was a professional painter and owner of One Finishing Touch, Inc. More recently he owned a lawn maintenance company which included landscaping and grass cutting.

When Teddy wasn't working you could always find him either hunting waterfowl or in the woods hunting deer. His true passion was speed boats, of which he owned many in his lifetime. He lived life to its' fullest and always wanted to be outdoors.

A memorial service will be held on January 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Coastal Community Church, 10900 Ocean Gateway, Berlin, Md. There will be food following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Coastal Hospice at The Lake, P. O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.

PATRICIA FARRY STEWART Berlin Patricia Farry Stewart, 89, affectionately known as “Patsy,” passed away on Tuesday Dec. 23 in Berlin.

Patsy was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, daughter of the late George J. Farry and May Farry.

Patsy was a graduate of Ursuline Academy in Wilmington.

Patricia Stewart She was a popular student known not only for her beauty and kindness, but also for her love of tennis. From the time her father put a racquet in her hand, there was no letting go of it.

Patsy went on to become a top junior player in Delaware and along with her sister, the top junior doubles team.

She qualified for the U.S. Girls National Championships, became the

Dupont Country Club singles champion three times and many other victories soon followed. Her tennis career continued over the next 50 years. She worked and trained hard for every tournament, and her devotion to the sport remained steady and focused and above all she loved everything about tennis.

Aside from tennis, Patsy was a lover of all animals. From the stray cats that found their way to her yard, the dogs that needed a safe place to land, or her German Shepherd show dog Roemer, she loved them all the same and no animal was too broken to love.

Patsy is survived by her daughters Lisa Reed (Roger) and Michelle Sawyer (Rick) and granddaughter Erica Sawyer. In addition to her parents, she is precedent in death by her husband Charles W. Stewart, her partner in later years Richard B. Taylor and her sister Sarah F. Hoffmann.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family later this month.

Her daughter Lisa and husband Roger would like to sincerely thank the staff at Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Berlin. They are forever grateful for the care, compassion and respect shown to Patsy and her family. There would have been no getting through these last 6-plus years without the support they all provided as Patsy battled Parkinson’s Disease.

PHIL SCRUGGS Ocean City Family and friends are devastated to announce the passing of our adored Phil Scruggs at the age of 53.

Phil was one of the kindest, good-hearted souls you could ever meet. He loved his books, his dream car/Firebird, and his grandfather's "Pristine Lincoln." Few people Phil Scruggs on the planet knew more about music, particularly Rock and Roll than Phil, and he read every biography ever written about any band member (ever born) several times.

Phil (aka OC Stone) was Ocean City's biggest fan and was proud of the time he spent writing about & reviewing local bands for several OC papers even though he used big words none of us understood! Some of his favorites were Lower Case Blues, Jah Works and Lower Class Citizens, and he was a staple at all their gigs. He worshiped the beach and would sit for hours on end reading, and he absolutely loved going to Cruisin weekends with his brother Danny, showing off their cars cruising down the Boardwalk He frequented all the local establishments, promoting their "specials" (written on the smallest piece of paper known to mankind), and one of his favorite pastimes was feeding

the ducks at the old BJs. He truly loved his family and spending time laughing and busting through doors with his huge "hellooooooo" in his goofy outfits that ALWAYS matched the nearest holiday. We will forever have Phil's endless cartoon and movie quotes embedded in our brains.

Although life will never be the same without him, we will always remember him for his love and appreciation of the little things.

He is survived by his devoted mother, Cindy Ciresi (WheelerScruggs); his loving brother Danny Scruggs; nieces Gabbie and Emmie; his late father Michael Scruggs; Aunt Ellen Scruggs; his Grandfather Jerry Wheeler (who was no doubt his biggest fan); and his late Mom Mom, Grace Wheeler, whom he is surely with critiquing a TCM movie right now as they watch over us all.

He will also be forever missed by his beloved Aunt Tracey Wheeler Flora, her husband Gary Flora and cousins Megan Flora Quinn (David) their boys (Mac and Jay), and Matt and Brad Flora. RIP Stone, we love you and will be forever grateful for all the fun times you gave us. We know Phil would not want any type of sad memorial so our family is grieving in private although we appreciate thoughts and prayers.

If you care to donate in his name, the OC Library was one of his favorite places.

$1,845.

Sports & Recreation

OC Today-Dispatch Jan. 16, 2026

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www.octodaydispatch.com

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Seahawk senior Alexander Riehl is pictured scoring a point in his match last weekend.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Betty Barrueta of Stephen Decatur was able to pin Maddie Keller of Chesapeake High at War on the Shore.

Decatur hosts 24th annual War on the Shore

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Stephen Decatur High School hosted its 24th annual wrestling tournament, War on the Shore, last weekend with 47 teams participating in the tournament.

On the male side, the Seahawks came in 10th overall with Archbishop Spalding taking the title. The Lady Seahawks finished third place overall in the tournament with Arundel taking top honors.

Some of the weekend’s top wrestlers were Sean Garretson winning the 126 pound class. Elijah Collick at 132

pounds lost against Jo Jo Gigliotti 138 pounds from South Carroll. The secondseeded Collick earned his semifinal position following a 13-second pin and consecutive technical falls.

Collick won his semifinal by 9-1 major decision over Mount St. Joseph’s eighthranked junior Ben Scheiner. Collick finished in second place. He is committed to the University of Nebraska and is currently a three-time title winner in the Bayside Conference, region and state tournaments.

In the 215-pound class, Pete Snyder won 10-7 against Evan Gavin of St.

Mary’s Ryken. He made a 90-second pin on his way to the semifinals. He is committed to Northwestern University.

In fifth place was Malakai Mason of Stephen Decatur over Jacob Condon of Mount Saint Joseph, 15-4.

The Lady Seahawks finished third place overall in the tournament with 134.5 points. First place went to Arundel with 156.5. Sophomore Betty Barrueta took third place after a pin. After her match she explained the secret sauce behind Stephen Decatur’s wrestling team.

“We have a saying on our team that’s, like, we’re getting 1% better every single

day,” she said. “So, every day, if you feel like you’re off-track during practice, goofing off, you have to remind yourself that every day, you’re getting 1% better, no matter what.

And I feel like that really motivates me to be better every single day. I feel like my coaches are a big motivation as well. They encourage me every single day, my practice partners. It’s got to be from my practice partners, and I feel like I would never get to the point that I am now.”

Also winning matches for the girls were Makaiya Robinett, Calleigh McBride, Melani Ruiz, Irie Carmack, Amari Purnell, Miriam Esch and Mya Johnson-Guerrero.

Seahawks fall to Eagles, look ahead to game against Rams

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Nicky Soares, pictured finishing a layup, was the game high scorer with 13 points in a losing cause against Snow Hill.

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) It’s been a busy stretch for Stephen Decatur’s boys’ basketball team, which lost to Snow Hill 58-50 on Tuesday.

After the Governors Challenge, the Seahawks played Mardela High School on Jan. 7 (a 38-26 loss); then defeated Nandua High School 43-35; lost to Wicomico High School, 65-52; and defeated Bennett, 62-57.

Against Snow Hill, the first quarter started with a blast, as the Seahawks had five points on the board in a minute and a half. Ricardo Copes, Nicky Soares and Kayden Sharkey each scored a basket with Caleb Wise converting two. The quarter ended with the Seahawks in the lead, 14-10.

In the second quarter, the Eagles took flight scoring to 20 points while the Seahawks scored eight. This quarter changed the outcome, giving Snow Hill a 30-22 lead at the half.

The second half was an equal match up with each team adding 28 game points and the Eagles winning by eight.

Nicky Soares was the game high scorer with 13 game points, sinking two three pointers, three baskets and a free throw. Johnathan Purnell poured it on in the second half with a basket in the third quarter, three baskets in the fourth and three free throws for a total of 11 points.

After the game, Assistant Coach Anthony Guroso said, “It was a tough one. The boys tonight, they didn’t give up. That was the beauty part of that. Really made it a tight one there at the end. If we had a couple more shots fall in the first half, maybe a little different story but we came off this fivegame stretch that we just had, five games in seven days. So, we know the guys got a little bit tired, we get to reset a little bit. Two practices and get ready to go for Friday’s game and that’s what we’re looking forward to, here on out, rest of the season.”

Friday’s game against Parkside High School will be held at 5:30 p.m in Berlin.

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OC Today-Dispatch

WPS wins 44-40 in rematch against The Salisbury School

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Worcester Preps boys’ varsity basketball team defeated The Salisbury School for the second time last Friday night.

The Mallards won 44-40 at home after defeating the Dragons last month, 59-37. Senior Ben Anthony was the game’s high scorer with a 21-point contribution to the win.

The Mallards came out hot, taking a 12-5 lead after one quarter. Anthony had four points, followed by three points each from Paxton Mault and Ansh Batra.

The Dragons cut into the lead in the second quarter, narrowing the Prep lead at the half to 21-17.

The third quarter brought out the fire in the Dragons as they hit the boards hard scoring 16 points to eight for the Mallards. Entering the fourth

quarter, the Dragons had a four-point lead.

In the fourth quarter, Anthony had seven points to pace the Mallards while the defense limited the Salisbury School.

After the 44-40-win, Coach Eddie Rohe said, “That team brought everything. They gave us everything that we could handle today and I give them a lot of credit. They played really well. It was a shame that their number 10 went down. I hope he’s okay. That was a huge loss for them at the end. But you know, with basketball, we took advantage of what we needed to do. We got turnovers. We got the rebounds when we had to. We took care of our shots, and came out with the W. We needed it tonight. We got it, big win …”

The next home game is Feb. 4 against Salisbury Christian School for Senior Night.

PHOTOS COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Guards Addi Walsh, left, and Syndey Mize each hit three pointers to pace the Mallards to the win last Friday.

“Big” Ben Anthony was the game’s high scorer with 21 points, making 10 of 17 shots in the win over The Salisbury School.

PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN TAYLOR-WALLS

Mallards overcome illness, injuries to defeat Dragons

By Bruce C. Walls Contributing Writer (Jan. 16, 2026) Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity basketball team held off an improved Salisbury School team last Friday, winning 35-30.

When the two teams met earlier this season, the Mallards rolled to a 66-34 win. It was a more competitive game last Friday night as the Mallards were without two key players in Anisha Batra and Ayla Yonker due to illness. Four others were injured.

Though shorthanded, the Mallards took charge in the first quarter with two, three pointers from Sydney Mize, one from Addi Walsh and baskets from Carolina Labin and Lyla Roberts. The score was 13-9 in favor of Worcester Prep.

The mini-Mallards cheerleader squad started to rock the bleachers as the second quarter began. Mize made one from off the paint, and Labin and Roberts each made the bucket for a quarter score of 7-3. At half time, the Mallards led 20-

11.

At half-time, the annual Mimi-Mallards debut was presented with the hard work of Laura Holmes, Megan Wallace and the varsity cheerleaders. Forty-five, first to fifth graders and future cheer squad members participated.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair with Worcester winning the third quarter by a point. In the final quarter, Walsh and Mize each hit from behind the line, but the Dragons took the quarter 10-6. They fell short of an upset.

Mize led the Mallards with 12 points.

After the game, Coach Kelly Roberts said, “Everyone doesn’t feel good so we somehow pulled it off with two of them coming back after not being here for a week out with the flu, so it’s been rough today. But we hit shots when we needed them, so that definitely helped. … We’re working on everybody getting healthy …”

The girls’ varsity basketball team is currently ranked second in the ESIAC with four wins and one loss.

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