OCEAN CITY, Md. - Oceans Calling Festival has now cancelled the entirety of its weekend schedule as a coastal storm continues to lash at Delmarva’s shores.
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BREAKING: Oceans Calling 2026 cancelled amid coastal storm threats | Latest News | wboc.com
Mayor Todd J. Nock says:
Like many of you, I am disappointed to learn that Starbucks will be closing its Pocomoke City location. This closure is part of a larger company decision affecting locations across North America.
Now, our focus has to be on what comes next.
One of the biggest mistakes a community can make is allowing a commercial building, especially a newer and highly visible one, to sit vacant. Our Economic Development team and City staff have already started working to identify potential businesses that could be a good fit for this location.
There are still things we do not know. We do not know whether the building will be offered for sale, available for lease, or what the property owner’s plans will be. Those conversations will have to take place.
This also presents an opportunity for some real conversations about highway access, visibility, traffic patterns, and how easily people traveling Route 13 can access our businesses. Our Planning Department will be evaluating those issues as we continue looking at the bigger picture of economic development in Pocomoke.
We cannot control every business decision, but we can control how quickly and intentionally we respond.
The work to determine what’s next has already started.
To the employees of our Pocomoke Starbucks, thank you for serving our community. We wish you all the best.
(Link to forecast and advisories, lower E.S. Md:)
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.0722&lon=-75.5638
(Link to forecast and advisories, E.S. Va:)
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7108&lon=-75.742
Congratulations to Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli on being sworn in as President of the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association, representing all 24 elected sheriffs across the State of Maryland.
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https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterSheriff/(WBOC)
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(WBOC)
SNOW HILL, Md. - A former member of Worcester County Public Schools’ executive leadership team pleaded guilty on Wednesday to theft scheme of $100,000 or more.
Denise Shorts, former Chief Academic Officer for Grades Pre-K through 8th , was initially charged in April of 2026 with felony theft of over $100,000, misdemeanor embezzlement, and misdemeanor misconduct of office. Prosecutors allege Shorts used her school system-issued purchase card to buy over $100,000 in personal items from 2019 to October of 2025.
(WBOC)
Mayor Todd J. Nock says:
... I received an email (9/21) providing much-needed clarification regarding the Pocomoke Fairgrounds.
For several weeks, we have been attempting to get clear answers from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regarding the recent Title 4 violation, with little to no response. Because we did not have that clarification, the City chose to proceed cautiously rather than make assumptions regarding City-owned property.
According to this morning’s email, there has now been direct communication with MDE, who confirmed that the concerns identified in the latest report have been addressed. We were advised that the Fairgrounds may continue to be used for events as it has been, provided that the non-tidal wetlands are not disturbed. We were also informed that the latest Title 4 report carries no additional repercussions.
The email also indicated that MDE employees have limitations on communicating directly with elected officials, which may explain some of the difficulty I experienced while seeking answers.
It is important to understand that Title 4 and Title 5 are separate matters. The Title 4 concerns have been addressed. The Title 5 matter is still being worked through and is anticipated to be rectified by the end of the year.
I want to thank Mike Wyatt, Mike Shannon, Dean Ennis, and John Smith for their continued work behind the scenes to address these issues and obtain answers.
Events at the Fairgrounds can move forward, while the designated non-tidal wetland areas must remain undisturbed.
Thank you to everyone for your patience while we worked to get the facts
(WBOC)
Assateague Island National Seashore is slated to begin a $2.5 million water line replacement project in October to improve water pressure and reliability.
The National Park Service says the project is funded by Assateague Island recreation fee revenue. Officials say it will reinvest visitor fees directly back into essential park infrastructure and improve the visitor experience.
They say the existing water system was built in the '90s and does not meet visitor level demands anymore.
They also add they do not expect any road closures while the project is completed, but campground loops will close on a rolling basis, starting in early November. Officials say the campground will remain open, but capacity will be reduced.
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore is becoming more closely connected to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as NASA reorganizes its launch operations.
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Wallops and the Kennedy Space Center join forces for launch operations - Shore Daily News
