The Pocomoke Public Eye

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Time←←Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke City's newspaper; 1995.

(excerpt)

*March 1995

(Doug Vann of Princess Anne uses an excavator to tear down English's

Restaurant in Westover after an early morning fire gutted the business Thursday. Watching at left are company officials.)

(see upper right column)

Salisbury Times

(Google/DelmarvaLife)

tkforppe@yahoo.com

Friday, May 22, 2026

Thumbs up for Wallops under NASA realignment-

“NASA announced Friday an agencywide realignment to increase mission focus and move out on the National Space Policy. These changes position the agency to better deliver on the nation’s highest‑priority objectives with speed and efficiency.”

(The Pocomoke Public Eye asked AI how this might affect NASA Wallops.)

The agencywide realignment announced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman primarily aims to boost commercial and national security launch cadences at NASA Wallops Flight Facility.

Under the new restructuring plan, Wallops will see a fundamental shift in its operational management, designed to capitalize on its expanding role as a premier East Coast commercial space hub.

Restructured Launch Management

Control over the spaceport at Wallops is being integrated into a joint oversight structure with the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. This effort is led by a newly created role, the Senior Director of Launch Operations. [1, 2]

Isaacman defended the alignment, noting that "it makes sense to have launch complexes, like KSC and Wallops, managed by a launch center instead of a science center" (referring to Wallops' historical reporting alignment under the science-heavy Goddard Space Flight Center). [1]

Strategic Impact and What it Means for Wallops

Increased Launch Tempo: The realignment is specifically built to handle a surging demand from commercial, civil, and national security launch providers. The ultimate goal is to dramatically increase the operational launch capacity at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island.

No Layoffs or Base Closures: While Wallops has faced rolling department downsizing and localized program transfers over the past two years, Isaacman emphasized that this agencywide reorganization will feature no reductions-in-force (layoffs) and no field center closures.

Streamlined Bureaucracy: Shifting the reporting chain helps private partners like Rocket Lab (for the Electron and upcoming Neutron rockets) and Northrop Grumman bypass overlapping agency hurdles, accelerating launch approvals and integration.

Geographic Resiliency: The Department of Defense and NASA are increasingly prioritizing Wallops as a necessary redundant launch alternative to avoid oversaturating Florida's space coast.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Pool at State Park near Snow Hill won't be open this summer-

(WBOC)

(

(View news story)
Pocomoke River State Park swimming pool closed for summer 2026 due to lack of lifeguards | Latest News | wboc.com

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Market Street traffic signals-

(WBOC)

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - A question from the Maryland State Highway Administration about two downtown traffic signals has raised concerns among Pocomoke City leaders, who say the lights are important for safety, traffic flow and future growth.

(View news story)

Pocomoke officials raise concerns over possible traffic signal changes | Latest News | wboc.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

(UPDATES) Here's why your Maryland mail-in ballot may be replaced-

UPDATE: The Maryland State Board of Elections says if you were sent a mail-in ballot prior to May 14 you will be receiving a replacement ballot.

UPDATE:

Trump attacks Maryland leaders after mail-in ballot snafu - Maryland Matters

(Earlier post)
(WBOC)

MARYLAND - The Maryland State Board of Elections says they have been made aware of an error made by a mail-in ballot vendor that resulted in some voters receiving the wrong party ballot for the upcoming Gubernatorial Primary Election.

(View news story)

UPDATE: New mail-in ballots being issued in Maryland following a vendor error | Latest News | wboc.com

Worcester Public Schools survey-

The 2026 Family Survey is now available for your participation. This survey is one of the most important ways we can learn how we can improve both your child’s experience and yours as a family.

You can access the survey through the link below. Feel free to complete the survey on any device that is convenient for you. We thank you for sharing this important feedback with us before the survey closes on Friday, May 29.

Participate today by visiting: https://tejoin.com/scroll/643403320

Monday, May 18, 2026

(UPDATE) Main cause of Chesapeake's declining crab population sought-

(Latest on Chesapeake crabs)

Chesapeake Bay blue crab population sees encouraging increase in 2026 survey | Latest News | wboc.com

(Previous story)

(The Chesapeake Bay Journal)

The Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population has declined by about 50% since 2010, a new study estimates, and while invasive blue catfish are responsible for some of that worrisome decline, the main cause or causes remain a mystery.

That’s the bottom line of a comprehensive stock assessment of the bay’s crab population, which was launched in 2023 to figure out why numbers of the crustaceans have swooned in recent years, threatening the Chesapeake’s most valuable fishery.

(View article)

Chesapeake blue crab population drops 50%. The question is: Why? - Maryland Matters

Capturing lower Md. shore stories-

(WBOC)

MARYLAND - A public history initiative is launching to capture and share stories from Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties for America's 250th anniversary.

(View news story)

Voices 250 to capture stories from Maryland's lower shore | Latest News | wboc.com

Stepping up to serve-

Pocomoke Fire Company Welcomes

New Members

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Winter Rennick and John Powers Jr. on officially becoming Full Members of the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to serving our community have earned them this achievement, and we are proud to have them as part of our team.

We would also like to welcome our newest Probationary Member, Mickenzie Gould, to the department. We are excited to have Mickenzie join the company and begin her journey in the fire service.

Please help us congratulate and welcome these members as they continue their service to the citizens of Pocomoke City and the surrounding communities.

Salisbury Cancer Survival Celebration is for all throughout our region-

(WMDT)

SALISBURY, Md. — Community members are invited to gather June 4 in Salisbury for an event honoring cancer survivors, patients and caregivers through a celebration focused on hope, healing and resilience.

The annual Cancer Survivor Celebration, hosted by MAC Inc., is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the organization’s campus at 909 Progress Circle in Salisbury.

Organizers said the event will feature light refreshments, a survivor story and a butterfly release in MAC’s Healing Garden to recognize those impacted by cancer and celebrate survivorship.

The event is free and open to the public.

According to MAC Inc.’s Cancer Support Services program, the organization offers free support programs and wellness resources for individuals living with cancer and cancer survivors throughout the region.

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Time←←Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1957 Pocomoke CC appointments.

(Thanks to Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company member Jerry Barbierri for this info.)

I was so thrilled to read your article today regarding Pocomoke’s original steamer engine. I along with the other Fire Company historians have been struggling for years to determine the origins of our Clapp and Jones steamer which is still in our possession. As you probably are aware, the steamer was purchased in early 1889 when the Fire Company was formed after the disastrous 1888 fire. Due to Clapp and Jones being the top of the line in fire engines and most certainly fledgling Pocomoke City not being able to afford a new C & J engine, plus receiving the engine only a short time after deciding to purchase it, we always felt it was a used piece of equipment. But due to our fire house along with all records being destroyed in the fire of 1922, we could only speculate on its origin. And you solved that long unanswered question. Below is what I wrote for our history posted on our website regarding the purchase of the steamer. Based on your article, now we know the exact age of the steamer. Would you be able to email that article so I can share with the officers? I’m again thrilled that there’s an answer to the mystery. Thank you!

Jerry

(Additional info from Jerry)

The town received its state-of-the-art Clapp and Jones steamer in early 1889. Although purchase records are not conclusive, research indicates that the steamer was most likely an 1885 model purchased as a used piece of equipment. Its serial number, 464, has not been identified in any Clapp and Jones archives as to the year of manufacture. However, serial numbers 463 and 465 have both been identified as being manufactured in 1885. Clapp and Jones steamers were the gold standard of their day and were known to be the most expensive and highest-quality fire equipment available at the time. Either Pocomoke could not afford a new Clapp and Jones steamer, or didn’t want to wait for a new engine to be built. Instead, it appears that the town opted to purchase a readily available used piece of equipment. Firefighters or horses could pull the 4,000-pound steamer, but it is believed that horses owned by the town and used for street maintenance were doubled up to pull the steamer when the fire alarm sounded.