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R C Edition OCEAN PINES • WEST OCEAN CITY • BERLIN MD
March 1, 2026
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Volume 3, Issue 23
Winter storm leaves Ocean Pines and Berlin without power for days, causes widespread damage By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher A powerful winter storm dumped heavy, wet snow across Ocean Pines and brought wind gusts approaching 70 mph, bringing down trees, damaging power lines and leaving residents in both Ocean Pines and Berlin without electricity for days. Ocean Pines sustained significant structural damage as multiple trees fell directly into homes during the height of the storm. In several neighborhoods, large trees crashed onto roofs while massive limbs tore through siding and in some cases crushed parked vehicles beneath
them. In other areas, trees narrowly missed structures but blocked driveways and roadways. Snow totals approaching 14 inches in parts of Ocean Pines, coupled with wind gusts nearing 70 mph, created punishing conditions that placed extraordinary strain on mature trees. The dense, heavy snow, whipped by sustained winds led to widespread limb failure, snapped trunks and uprooted trees throughout the community. The Ocean Pines Parkway showed some of the most dramatic impact. Portions of the main corridor resembled the aftermath of a localized See WINTER STORM page 2
June primary poised to decide key Worcester County commissioner seats By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher Campaigns are officially underway for the Worcester County Board of Commissioners following the close of candidate filing, with multiple contested primaries and one open seat shaping the 2026 election cycle. Races are set across all seven commissioner districts. Several districts will hold primary elections to determine each party’s nominee. In districts where only one party filed candidates, the winner of that party’s primary will likely secure
the seat in November, making the primary especially significant this year. Maryland’s 2026 statewide primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with early voting available June 11 through June 18. Worcester County commissioner races will appear on that ballot, where candidates in contested primaries will compete for their party’s nomination. It is important to note that even in districts where only one party filed candidates, the primary does not officially decide the seat. A
See COMMISSIONER SEATS page 3
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher
Winter storm leaves toppled trees and widespread power outages in its wake.