JANUARY 29, 2026
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Crash blocks road for hours
PHOTO COURTESY OF OC YACHTSHOTS.COM
A tractor-trailer pulling a tank of natural gas rests on its side after running off the road on Route 50 Monday morning. The highway was closed for 12 hours as investigators and recovery crews did their jobs.
Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 29, 2026) A portion of Route 50 westbound remained closed for about 12 hours Monday after a tractor-trailer carrying natural gas overturned off the highway. On Jan. 26, just after 11 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police (MSP) Berlin barrack responded to a reported single-vehicle crash on Route 50 westbound, east of Route 113. According to police, it appeared the rig was traveling west when, for unknown reasons, it went off the roadway and and overturned. No injuries were reported at the scene and investigators say they do not believe weather was a factor in the crash. However, all westbound lanes remained closed for hours as crews cleaned up the wreckage and gas spill. Personnel from the Maryland State Highway Administration assisted with the road closure, while personnel with the Maryland Department of the Environment assisted at the scene, Maryland State Police reported. “The cause of the crash is under investigation,” according to police.
station work Skate park up for $300K Fire to begin in Feb. Governor’s budget shows major funds for Berlin, other projects in Worcester
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 29, 2026) The Berlin skate park project could see an additional $300,000 in funding if Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed $70.8 billion state budget passes as presented. The fiscal package includes about a dozen allocations for Worcester County initiatives, including $2 million to Ocean City’s beach replenishment and hurricane protection plan, $1.28 million for a roof replacement at Worcester Technical High School, $700,000 for new Diakonia supportive housing, and, for Berlin’s recreational community,
$300,000 towards a skate plaza at Heron Park. Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) said the funding comes by way of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Community Parks and Playgrounds Program. A skate park has been a dream of many Berlin residents for some time. Tony Weeg, founder of the nonprofit We Heart Berlin, who has spearheaded the project, said in October of last year that about $975,000 is needed to construct a skateable facility. To make the space even more desirable with shade structures and lighting, a final total of about $1.3 million is a more accurate estimate. The skate park is to be situated at Heron Park, See SKATE Page 8
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 29, 2026) Work on the Ocean Pines South Fire Station will begin next month, with construction to be handled by Delawarebased The Whayland Company, per board of directors’ approval last week. At the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, Jan. 24, the governing group approved the construction contract with The Whayland Company. The vote was unanimous, with board member Stuart Lakernick absent. See DIRECTORS Page 10
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