NO NEW TRIAL FOR ERIKA SIFRIT
Woman convicted for her part in brutal OC murders denied new trial request
(May 15, 2009) Erika Sifrit, the woman serving life plus 20 years in prison for her part in the grisly deaths of a vacationing couple in Ocean City in 2002, has been denied a new trial. A judge in Frederick County Circuit Court denied Sifrit's motion for a new trial on Wednesday. Full Story
RELAY FOR LIFE
Cancer survivors, above, walk the first lap during the 2009 Northern Worcester County Relay For Life, held May 8-9, at Frontier Town Campground off Route 611 in West Ocean City. There were 58 teams who participated (about 425 people, 132 of who are cancer survivors)in the all-night event. As of Wednesday, more than $115,600 was raised for the American Cancer Society. Participants have until August to turn in final money. (Top photo) Northern Worcester County Relay For Life co-chair Dawn Hodge says a few words during the event, "Peace-Love-Hope, '60- '70s style." Full Story
Convention center to be used as shelter during emergencies
Facility will be used by those unable to evacuate OC, people in other areas
(May 15, 2009) Should a hurricane or other disaster threaten Ocean City, there is now an officially designated shelter inside the resort where people can take cover if they cannot evacuate. The state Department of Human Resources has designated the Ocean City convention center as an approved emergency shelter. Full Story
Council: commercial aquaculture not right industry for OC
Local waters too crowded by boat traffic to be good location for clam beds
(May 15, 2009) A statewide plan to encourage commercial aquaculture in the Chesapeake and coastal bays is not suited for the well-traveled waters off Ocean City, resort leaders said. Full Story
OCEAN CITY COUNCIL BRIEFS
(May 15, 2009) The following topics were discussed during the Ocean City Council meeting on Tuesday. Beach stands The council awarded bids for two beach stand parcels that had to be rebid this spring. Full Story
MATHIAS DRAWS RAFFLE WINNER
Maryland Delegate Jim Mathias picks the winning ticket in the Temple Bat Yam cash raffle last weekend during Springfest, Ocean City's annual spring festival. The winner — a Millersville, Md. resident who has purchased raffle tickets for several years — won more than $10,000. Temple Bat Yam is a reform Jewish synagogue in Berlin. Full Story
Thomas brings new ideas to OC Today as sales manager
Brings years of experience in promotions and marketing
(May 15, 2009) Former Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Examiner advertising executive Hope Thomas has been named sales manager for Ocean City Today, completing a cycle that began in 1998, when Thomas was a sales representative for the resort-area newspaper. Full Story
PINE'EER CRAFT CLUB DONATES TO PINES SKATE PARK
Nancy Welsh, president of the Ocean Pines Pine'eer Craft Club, center, presents a $500 donation to Paul Kelly and Marie Gilmore of the Ocean Pines Skate Park fundraising committee. The craft club sponsors a craft show each August in White Horse Park and profits are donated back to various community projects. For more information about the Ocean Pines Skate Park, call 410-208-6612. Full Story
Four candidates to compete for two seats on board of directors
OCEAN PINES ASSOCIATION
(May 15, 2009) Four candidates have signed up to vie for two seats on the Ocean Pines Association's Board of Directors. When the filing deadline arrived Sunday, four Pines residents had submitted applications to run for the two available seats. Full Story
Tasers in resort shocking situation for police officials
(May 15, 2009) A new state law regulating the sale and possession of stun guns and Tasers has officials in Ocean City shocked that the devices could be sold in the resort. The legislature passed a law this spring that sets regulations on the sale and possession of electronic control devices, more commonly known as Tasers after the most well-known brand. Full Story
OCPD ready to move forward with in-car cameras
Department to purchase five cameras, expected to be in use by summer's end
(May 15, 2009) Criminals, beware: you could soon be caught on camera. The Ocean City Police Department has been testing in-car camera systems for its fleet of police cars and is ready to purchase five cameras that could be in place by the end of the summer. Full Story
Resort police not sure how to classify unusual scooters
(May 15, 2009) Ocean City police are trying to determine exactly what kind of vehicle is a new type of scooter seen on the resort's streets. So far, all they know is what it is not. Full Story
Twice weekly solid waste collection resumes May18
Mixed-stream recycling program also available to residences in Ocean City
(May 15, 2009) The Town of Ocean City will resume twice weekly residential solid waste collection on Monday, May 18. The schedule for residential collection is as follows: On Mondays and Thursdays, collection is from 75th Street to the Delaware line (oceanside) and from 75th Street to 135th Street (bayside). Full Story
SINGLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENT
No one was injured Monday when this vehicle left Route 589 at Showell School Road near Ocean Pines and flipped onto its side in a field at around 2:30 p.m., according to Maryland State Police. No other vehicles were involved. Full Story
Commissioner to discuss Worcester budget, nonprofits
(May 15, 2009) Worcester County Commissioner Judy Boggs will hold her next town meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Ocean Pines library on Cathell Road. Guest speakers will be Shannon Woodard of the regional office of the Census Bureau, and Spicer Bell, director of The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. Full Story
FIRST DANCE
After being crowded Stephen Decatur High School's royal couple, Prom King Zach Hall and Prom Queen Madeline Thiel take the floor for their first dance during the school's prom on May 9. Full Story
Ocean City files lawsuit against man who struck officer in '06
(May 15, 2009) The town of Ocean City and one of its police officers have filed a lawsuit against the Selbyville, Del. man who injured the officer when he struck him with his car nearly three years ago. Charles "Hugh" Bean was on duty July 4, 2006 when he stopped Joseph Raymond Turci at 142nd Street and Tunnell Avenue. Full Story
Ocean Aviation plans open house
(May 15, 2009) Ocean Aviation will hold an open house at the Ocean City Municipal Airport on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can view new Cessna aircraft, including the Cessna Skyhawk with G1000 glass panel, and meet the company's flight instructors, Mike Freed, Mike Kelley and Josh Miller. Full Story
Hancock gets new lease on life … for second time
Former councilman hopes experience will highlight need for organ donation
(May 15, 2009) Jay Hancock is somewhat of an expert on the kidney and how it works. And he should be — he's had four of them during his life. Hancock, an Ocean City councilman from 2004-08, has a hereditary condition that affects the kidneys and causes them to shut down. In March, he had his second successful kidney transplant from an organ donated by his sister. Full Story
OCEAN CITY TO ELIMINATE 1X2 TAKE-HOME VEHICLES V18
Making eight part-time vehicles will help resort save estimated $57,000
(May 15, 2009) After discussing reducing Ocean City government's takehome fleet of vehicles by 12 last week, the City Council eliminated six more this week through a complicated three-tiered evaluation process. The result will be a savings of $57,000. Full Story
Currie, Strauss to perform at The Parke
(May 15, 2009) Nicholas Currie and Michael Strauss will perform a spring concert May 31, at The Parke in Ocean Pines. The program will feature music by Mozart, Handel and Bach. Full Story
Plans under way for function to celebrate hospital's 'Sweet 16'
(May 15, 2009) Atlantic General Hospital's anniversary celebration will be held at the West Ocean City home of Janice and Harold Wainwright on Thursday, May 21, from 6:30-9 p.m. The celebration will mark 16 years since the hospital first opened its doors. Full Story
A DAY IN THE LIFE AS ASSATEAGUE COASTKEEPER
Assateague Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips, on boat, visits with fourth-grade students at Ocean City Elementary School, where she discussed her job as an on-the-water advocate who patrols and protects local waters. Full Story
Route 50 bridge work complete, Route 90 project to begin Sun.
Bridge will be closed to all traffic on weeknights from Sunday through Thursday
(May 15, 2009) Just days after a major repaving project ended in Ocean City, another one began that will force nighttime drivers to take a detour when entering or leaving the resort. Work concluded last Thursday on the Route 50 bridge, the southern entrance to Ocean City, in time for all four lanes to reopen for Springfest. Full Story
BUCKINGHAM NAMES TOP APRIL STUDENTS
Buckingham Elementary School recently named its April Students of the Month. Top first-graders are, from left, Branden Manuel, Sarah Burke, Andrew Spence and Joshua Layfield. Full Story
Ad agency review could conflict with 2010 summer ad campaign
(May 15, 2009) A review of the contract with Ocean City's advertising agency and what marketing ideas other firms might have could take close to a year to complete, as city officials do not want the review to interfere with its current advertising campaign. Full Story
OC's trash a treasure to Pennsylvania energy plant
Private company will haul area's solid waste; project will save resort $400,000
(May 15, 2009) Ocean City government stands to save at least $400,000 a year by contracting with a private company to haul the resort's trash to a facility in Pennsylvania that will convert it to energy. Full Story
PINES DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATES IN NARFE CEREMONY
In a first for the organization, the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department participated in the opening ceremony of the 39th biennial convention of the Maryland Federation of Chapters of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, held May 4, at the Clarion Hotel in Ocean City. The convention drew some 180 delegates from 35 NARFE chapters with more than 20,000 members from around the state. Headed by Captain Fred Bohn Jr., the OCVFD Color Guard presented the national colors in a solemn ceremony featuring U.S. and Maryland flag bearers flanked by two escorts carrying, instead of the usual military rifles, shining firefighters' axes. Participating in the ceremony are, from left, Ocean Area Chapter 2274 President Dan McGrath, firefighter Robert Gilbert, firefighter Ralph Decker, Honor Guard Capt. Frank Bohn Jr., Richard Strombotne, president of the Maryland Federation of NARFE Chapters, Lt. Richard Angelo and firefighter Andy Larkin. Full Story
Council calls for review of employee benefit package
(May 15, 2009) Ocean City government officials have commissioned an analysis of the city's employment benefits to see if the current package can be maintained for the long term or needs to be scaled back for new employees. Full Story
'DRESS DOWN' DAYS BENEFIT MCGUFFEY PROGRAM
Employees of the Bank of Ocean City, led by Ocean Pines Branch Manager Rhoda Richardson, second from left, participate in a "Dress Down Day" to raise funds for the McGuffey Bookworm Club, a literacy program for elementary school students in Worcester County. Employees at six bank branches took part in the fundraiser, and their donations were matched by the Bank of Ocean City. The Bookworm Club, created in 2005, is sponsored by the Worcester County Commission for Women and is designed to encourage summer reading. On June 9, members of the program will present approximately 2,075 students in the first through third grades at six elementary schools grade-appropriate books in a book bag. For more information about the McGuffey Bookworm Club, call 410-208-2569. Full Story
County planning commission reconsiders water, sewer plan update
(May 15, 2009) Worcester County will submit a revised amendment to its comprehensive water and sewer plan so a new wastewater treatment plant may be built for the Mystic Harbour area in West Ocean City. An earlier change to the plan was rejected by the state. Full Story
BERLIN INTERMEDIATE VISITS 'JA BIZTOWN'
Alex Ingersoll, left, Gabe Kim, center, and Jimmy Englishmen, fifth-graders at Berlin Intermediate School, work as design engineers during their class' recent visit to Junior Achievement's "JA BizTown" in Owings Mills, Md. Students were able to become business operators, taxpayers and lawmakers in a hands-on learning laboratory. Prior to the visit, all fifth-graders took part in a "real world"-based banking and economy curriculum to prepare for their jobs. Full Story
Reference guide offers community service information
(May 15, 2009) Distribution has begun for 10,000 copies of the 2009 "Worcester Community Compass: A Quick Reference Guide to Services and Resources in Worcester County, Maryland. Full Story
Surfboard challenge uses waves to help save ocean, environment
Surfrider Foundation to hold longboard contest June 5-7, in Ocean City
(May 15, 2009) "Ha'awi ho'ihi-loa' ho'ihi," one of the Ocean City chapter of the Surfrider Foundation's mottos, means "give respect, get respect" in Hawaiian. For the keepers of the surf, that phrase has a deeper meaning than ardent environmentalism. Full Story
Ocean City considers possible split of tourism duties
Search for new leader highlights possible separation of tourism and convention center responsibilities
(May 15, 2009) Changes to the organization of Ocean City's Tourism Department could be on the way, as the City Council continues to work out the details regarding the job description and duties of a new departmental leader. The Tourism Department has been without a director since former Tourism Director Mike Noah resigned in April. Full Story
First-ever Commission on Aging car show rolls over big in Snow Hill
(May 15, 2009) On Saturday, May 9, the Worcester County Commission on Aging conducted its first in what is sure to become an annual car show in Snow Hill to raise funds for senior programs. Full Story
'Partnership Prize' recognizes collaboration between local nonprofits
(May 15, 2009) The Family Connections program of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services was awarded a $25,000 Partnership Prize at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore's 25th anniversary event on May 8. Full Story
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Students at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, above, present "Alice in Wonderland," starring Delaney McMullen, center, as "Alice." (At right) Making the acquaintance of Alice are Tweedledee and Tweedledum, played by Mignon Winterling and Colleen Bassett. (Far right) he White Rabbit, played by Shaun Kotoski, declares a proclamation to the court. Full Story
Adults needed to monitor Assateague Island's wild ponies
(May 15, 2009) Assateague Island National Seashore is seeking adults for its 2009 "Pony Patrol." Volunteers will contact visitors involved in the unsafe and illegal practice of feeding and petting horses along Assateague Island's roads. Full Story
Environmental art on display at resort gallery next month
(May 15, 2009) The Art League of Ocean City will hold a special exhibit in June, "Interpreting Nature: An Environmental Theme." The show, which will be on display until June 28, will feature artists' unique expression of how nature and the environment participates in all we take on. Full Story
VIRGINIA BARBEQUE JOIN PINES CHAMBER
Nancy Poret and her fiancé, Lee Keefer, welcome members of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce to Virginia Barbeque, their new restaurant in the Pennington Commons Shopping Center in Ocean Pines, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 11. (At right) Taking part in the ceremony are, from left, Carol Ludwig, executive director of the chamber, Worcester County Commisisoner Judy Boggs, Keefer, Poret and Chip Bertino, chamber president. Full Story
Star of resort's ad campaign to visit large nearby cities
(May 15, 2009) The best way to bring people to the beach just might be to take a little piece of the beach to them. This was the thought behind Ocean City's newest promotional venture that piggybacks on the Rodney the Lifeguard ad campaign launched this month. In late June, residents of Baltimore, Washington, D.C. Full Story
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