mvitale

Hardbound books, paperbacks, fiction, nonfiction, children’s titles and even audio books and CDs were available at bargain prices at the library's spring sale. The event, held Friday and Saturday, was sponsored by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library. All of the proceeds benefit the library.

The Ocean City Board of Education introduced a school budget for the 2019-20 school year with no tax increase. The total budget is $41.6 million, down from $43.1 million last year. The bulk of the funding for the spending plan will come from $22.7 million in local tax revenue, School Business Administrator Timothy Kelley said during a presentation to the board Wednesday night. While the budget will not result in a tax increase, Kelley noted that the district will lose just under $60,000 in state aid in the new budget.

Ocean City High School athletes in winter track, wrestling, swimming, diving, and basketball were honored during a ceremony at a school board meeting Wednesday night. “We get to celebrate, honor and recognize our fantastic winter athletes,” Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor said. “We are so proud of you.” Special honors went to Isabella Wamsher (Diving), and Jack Bell (Boys Swimming), who received the Scholar-Athlete awards. Community Service Athlete Awards went to Tanis McDonnell (Winter Track), and Luke Meli (Boys Basketball).

Ocean City’s After Prom Committee is celebrating a milestone – 2019 is the 25th year that it will host an event for teens to enjoy a safe, entertaining, drug and alcohol free alternative to post-prom partying. And it is all thanks to the work of volunteers, including parents, school faculty and staff and students, who have worked tirelessly to offer the special night for Ocean City High School students, organizers said.

Perhaps it was the crushed velvet cranberry color suit jacket, or the song and dance routine to an '80s dance mix complete with an entourage. Whatever the reasons, Richie Flemming, 17, of Upper Township, had it all. He wowed the judges and the crowd to become the 2019 Mr. OCHS on Friday night.

City Council last night introduced the proposed municipal budget for 2019, and Finance Director Frank Donato made a presentation on projected revenues and expenses. The draft budget includes a zero increase to the municipal tax rate. Although debt service on our capital improvement program continues to increase gradually as we take on more and more projects, that cost was offset by savings in other areas. A renegotiation of retirement health care benefits will save the city more than $2 million this year. Our tax base continues to grow – with $133 million in new ratables helping to bring in new revenue...

The Ocean City Tabernacle confirmed Wednesday that it sold the Moorlyn Family Theatre at Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk for $800,000. Tabernacle officials had hoped to use the landmark building to recapture the days when the ministry had a presence on the Boardwalk. After those attempts failed, they felt it was time to sell the theater and waited for the right buyer.

Two organizations are joining forces to host an exciting night that involves action, intrigue, mystery and, not to mention, great food and drink. The Ocean City Education Foundation (OCEF) and the Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) will host a Mystery Dinner Theater centered around a pretend Irish wedding. The fundraiser will be held Friday, April 12 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Josie Kelly’s Public House, 908 Shore Road in Somers Point.

The city hosted a public hearing Monday to hear what ideas the public had for utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds to improve the quality of life for low to moderate income residents. However, no one from the public showed up. Officials overseeing the hearing explained to two reporters and a city official, who were the only ones in the audience, some of their past projects using grant funds and gave examples of some ways funding for the upcoming year could be spent.

The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce released its 2018 Annual Review detailing the ways it is showcasing the resort’s beaches, Boardwalk, family-friendly entertainment, shops and eateries through a strong and focused marketing plan. Chamber Executive Director Michele Gillian said her team has had positive results by utilizing traditional and newer forms of advertising to expand the message to visitors that Ocean City should be their vacation destination.