WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. — Ocean City's plans to purchase property west of Berlin for a proposed sports complex have fallen through, but town officials say the effort to build a facility in the area is far from over.

Current and former employees, family members and volunteers are raising concerns about staffing, terminations and patient care at the county-owned Wicomico Nursing Home, while County Executive Julie Giordano says recent changes are necessary to modernize the facility and strengthen accountability.

A proposed Dover ordinance aimed at improving traffic and pedestrian safety has sparked a debate over where children can safely play close to home.

Ocean City officials are considering changes to how the town determines whether candidates meet residency requirements for elected office, following recent disputes that raised questions about domicile, primary residence and who should decide if a candidate qualifies to run.

The Town of Ocean City has announced that Jeff Heiser and Peter Buas have won their bids for two vacant Ocean City council seats. 

Ocean City will launch a new beach enforcement division this summer after town leaders said last year’s rollout of tent and canopy rules created conflicts on the sand and pulled lifeguards away from their primary safety duties.

A proposed bill in Delaware could change how small businesses and restaurants handle tips paid by credit card. The legislation would prohibit credit card companies from charging processing fees on gratuities.

Ocean City’s upcoming special election has become a broader test of how town government functions during one of the busiest stretches of the year. After Councilman Larry Yates resigned due to health concerns, town officials rescheduled the special election from April 21 to Friday, May 8, and expanded it from a race for one open seat to a race for two.