OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
AUGUST 11, 2023
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
SOCCER FISHING
WHITE MARLIN KNOCK OPEN UPDATE OUT More than $10.5 million Stephen Decatur up for grabs; nodown billfish Seahawks take boated as ofNorth Thursday undefeated Caromorning - Page line – Page 47 66
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HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY
HEADED HOME
Hundred of boats are traveling through the Ocean City inlet this week for the White Marlin Open. Pictured are three of those vessels heading west on their way to the Harbour Island scales on Monday.
Hooper’s fire fails to slow staff First phase Kitchen blaze breaks out while restaurant packed with Friday night patrons By Remy Andersen Staff Writer (Aug. 11, 2023) The management and staff at Hooper’s Crab House at the foot of the Route 50 bridge in West Ocean City are feeling grateful after a fire that broke out in the restaurant last week was quickly extinguished and they were back at work the following day. The fire was noticed at around 7:32 p.m. on Aug. 3, with fire crews arriving at around 7:40. A press release from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office said the source of
the fire was in one of the kitchen walls, behind a kitchen appliance. “Because it started from the wall, it took longer to find the root cause of the fire,” said kitchen manager Charlie MacEwan. “The fire was coming from the exhaust from one of the deep fryers.” The restaurant, which seats approximately 500 people, was at full capacity when the fire broke out. “We were able to handle (the evacuation) calmly,” said manager Michele Dunn. “Everyone was able to get out quickly and safely, and nobody got too excited.” Hooper’s owner, Royette Shepherd, orchestrated the evacuation, with the overhead announcer system being employed so all of the restau-
rant patrons could be alerted of the situation. Hooper’s was originally scheduled to close for a few days after the fire. However, according to a Facebook post from Hooper’s, the restaurant was ready to reopen a day later. “Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our local heroes in red and the tireless effort of our incredible staff, we have successfully overcome the challenges posed by the recent fire. Your support and encouragement have been the driving force behind our swift recovery, and we are immensely grateful for it,” the post read. “The Ocean City Fire Department was able to arrive in 15 to 20 minutes,” Dunn said. “The contractors See HOOPER’S Page 8
in Mailloux case Aug. 18 By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Aug. 11, 2023) Tyler Mailloux, the 23-year-old Berlin resident who has been charged as the driver in the hitand-run accident that killed 14-yearold Gavin Knupp of Ocean Pines, has a motions hearing in Worcester County Circuit Court next Friday. In the months since courts scheduled the trial and hearings on May 17, prosecution and defense have filed a slew of motions concerning discovery, expert witnesses, requests for See MAILLOUX Page 8