Raccoon confirmed rabid-

4/22/26

Lower shore fire danger-

 

(Somerset County Times)

PRINCESS ANNE — Somerset County went under an outdoor burning ban effective today, Wednesday, April 22 and it remains in effect until sufficient rainfall is received.

County Commissioner President Charles Laird issued the order based on the advisement of the fire chiefs.

The ban applies to all outdoor ignition sources, including campfires, bonfires, fireworks, leaf, brush, grass and trash burning and other similar methods of open incineration.

Cooking with contained barbecue grills and charcoal grills are still permissible.

(WMDT)

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Officials in Worcester County are advising residents and visitors to exercise heightened caution with any outdoor burning due to dry conditions across the region.

The lack of rainfall has contributed to decreased soil moisture and a declining water table.

These conditions significantly increase the risk of rapid fire spread, particularly involving brush, grass and other combustible materials.

Fire departments in the area have responded to a number of outside fires.

While most incidents have been contained without serious damage, officials warn that the potential for more dangerous fires remain elevated.

Worcester County Environmental Programs continues to monitor groundwater levels and environmental conditions closely.

(An outdoor burning ban was put in effect earlier this week in Wicomico County.)

Virginia votes for redistricting-

Virginia votes for redistricting by narrow margin. Eastern Shore counties outcome split.

(From Shore Daily news reports)

In Tuesday’s referendum, Northampton voted narrowly yes in the effort to redistrict the state.  Accomack voted no.

In Accomack County, 46% of registered voters participated. Of those, 58% voted “no,” totaling 6,963 votes, while 42% voted “yes,” with 5,085 votes.

In Accomack County 58% of the voters voted no. The vote total was 6963. The yes votes represented 42% or 5085.  46% of Accomack County registered voters participated in the referendum.

In Northampton, 51% of the registered voters participated.  2628 voted yes and 2478 voted no,

These totals included early votes and mail in ballots,

Statewide AP reported a razor thin victory for Yes.   Yes got 51% and no received 49%.

Worcester Tech advances to Skills USA national competition-

 
(View announcement)

Worcester Technical High School Students Excel at SkillsUSA State Competition, Advance to Nationals | WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A new eye on the weather at SSU-

 

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University students exploring careers in meteorology, geosciences, and climatology just received an extensive data upgrade thanks to SU alumnus Mike Seidel ’79, FOX Weather meteorologist and storm specialist.

Seidel’s state-of-the-art WeatherSTEM donation was recently installed atop SU’s Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons.

(View SSU press release)

SU Alumnus Mike Seidel Donates WeatherSTEM - Thursday April 16, 2026 | Salisbury University News

(Connect to the WeatherSTEM dashboard)
https://wicomico.weatherstem.com/salisbury

(Monday evening photos from SSU WeatherSTEM)

Worcester Board of Ed statement-

 

Board of Education Issues Statement on Employee Charged with Financial Misconduct

(View statement)

Board of Education Issues Statement on Employee Charged with Financial Misconduct | WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Time←←Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1944- oil on Eastern Shore?

 

January 1944  ..

The Morning News (Wilmington) 

tkforppe@yahoo.com

Have the dough? Iconic restaurant available-

 

WACHAPREAGUE 

Want a restaurant? Island House listed for $2.8M

Pocomoke police introduce enhanced public communication tools-

 (WBOC)

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - Pocomoke City Police have launched a new mobile app and updated website, a move city and police leaders say is aimed at getting accurate information to the public more quickly while expanding access to safety resources and department information.

(View news story) 

Pocomoke police launch app, website to speed public updates and expand access to information | Latest News | wboc.com

Support Little League with your attendance-

(Click below for game schedules) 

Posted Schedules

Calendar for Somerset's next school year-

 

Westover, MD – The Somerset County Board of Education (SCBOE) recently approved the academic calendar for the 2026–2027 school year, establishing key dates for students, staff, and families to plan ahead.

(View more about it:)

Somerset County BOE Approves 2026–27 Academic Calendar | Somerset County Public Schools

Live at the Marva: The Lion King Jr.

 

(See times and purchase tickets)

BUY Lion King Tickets | Theater Academy

Kids Fishing Derby in May-

 

Register Here

ACTIVE | Worcester County Recreation & Park

ACLU vs. Somerset Board of Ed-

 (WMDT)

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md. – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland has filed suit against the Somerset County Board of Education under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).

The legal group says they are seeking to compel the release of public records that Board officials improperly refuse to disclose.

(View news story)

ACLU Maryland Sues Somerset Board of Education - 47abc

Cutback in Somerset Sheriff patrols-

 

(WBOC)

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has announced a change to their patrol coverage schedule expected at the end of April due to ongoing staffing shortages.

(View news story)

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office to temporarily scale back weekend patrols amid staffing shortage | Latest News | wboc.com

Former Worcester Board of Ed employee charged-

 

(WMDT)

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – The Maryland State Prosecutor has announced that a senior member of the Worcester County Board of Education has been charged with felony theft over one hundred thousand dollars.

Officials say Denise R. Shorts also faces charges of embezzlement and misconduct in office.

(View news story)

Worcester Co. Board of Ed. Official Charged with Felony Theft Scheme, Embezzlement - 47abc

Here come Pocomoke City's 4TH FRIDAYS!

 

State House "lite" on last day of Maryland session-

 

Monday, April 13, 2026

 Colorful hats, even more colorful barbs, a tuba, general silliness

Despite serious work left to get done before midnight, lawmakers in both chambers find time to be not so serious

(View news story)

Signs of Sine Die: Colorful hats, even more colorful barbs, a tuba, general silliness - Maryland Matters

Round Table this week-

 

(Mayor Todd J. Nock) 

Back by popular demand, the Mayor’s Business Round Table is returning.

After the strong turnout and meaningful conversations from our last session, we are bringing it back to continue building momentum and keeping the dialogue going.

Join us on April 16, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Delmarva Discovery Museum for an evening focused on real conversation, real feedback, and real strategy. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts, raise concerns, and help shape the future of business in Pocomoke City.

This initiative is a collaboration between the City of Pocomoke, the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Pocomoke Association. Together, we are committed to creating a stronger business environment and ensuring our local voices are heard.

If you attended the last one, you already know the impact. If you missed it, now is your chance to be in the room. Let’s continue the work and move Pocomoke forward together.

Time←←Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; plus Pocomoke's Dr. Norman E. Sartorius Sr.

 
                                                                                                   

*August 1972

                (continues upper right column)

Salisbury Daily Times

(NOTE: Dr. Sartorius lived until the age of 103.)

Anonymous

One day Jimmy Daugherty encountered Dr. Sartorius when leaving George Reid's soda parlor. Jimmy said, "Doc, my left ear hurts. What do you think it could be?

Doc looked at his ear and said, "It's nothing serious. You probably slept on it wrong."

Two days later Jimmy got a bill in the mail from Dr. Sartorius for $5.00 for "Consultation".

tkforppe@yahoo.com