Bethany Hooper

Maryland

Reporter at Maryland Coast Dispatch

Freelance Writer at Dayton Business Journal

Reporter for The Dispatch | Freelance writer for the Dayton Business Journal

Articles

Bowers retires from Ocean City Fire Dept.

1 week ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

New information regarding the departure of Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers was made available last week as City Hall announced his immediate retirement from the Ocean City Fire Department. On April 11, one week after City Manager Terry McGean publicly announced Bowers had been placed on medical leave, the Ocean City Fire Department announced the chief’s retirement, marking the end of a career that spanned more than four decades.
OC Council weighs major changes to outdoor displays

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

City officials will receive a more detailed look at how a new outdoor display ordinance will impact Boardwalk merchants ahead of its adoption. With a favorable recommendation from the city’s planning commission, the Ocean City Council on Monday voted 6-1 to approve the first reading of a new outdoor display ordinance.
March police report shows drop in calls, arrests

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

An uptick in trespassing calls and a drop in arrests highlighted a police activity report for the month of March. On Monday, interim Police Chief Michael Colbert presented the Ocean City Police Commission with an update on police activity for March of 2025. He noted that total calls for service decreased from 3,464 in March of 2024 to 3,146 last month.
Tourism director hints at fourth C3 Presents concert

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

Ocean City’s tourism and business development director hinted at a fourth C3 Presents music event during a budget review session last week. During a budget work session held April 3, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo informed the Ocean City Council of a fourth potential C3 Presents concert. While details are still being worked out with the promoter, he said the added event could mean changes to the special events calendar in the years to come.
Maintenance initiatives planned for Ocean City

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

Several maintenance projects will advance in Ocean City following a unanimous vote of the City Council. On Tuesday, City Manager Terry McGean presented the Ocean City Council with the proposed capital improvement plan (CIP) for fiscal year 2026. As part of the plan, nine pay-as-you-go projects will be funded with reserves. “As always, this is a planning document,” he told the council, “although at budget time, we do ask you to make some decisions with our pay-as-you-go projects.
Ocean City Council to consider a taxi rate increase

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

A request to increase a company’s taxi rates will advance to the Ocean City Council with the favorable recommendation of a resort commission. On Monday, the Ocean City Police Commission voted to approve a request from Century Taxi owner Ken Hovance to implement a 30% increase in his current cab fare and a 2% increase every year thereafter. Hovance’s attorney, Paul Abu-Zaid, said his client was seeking a fare increase to improve driver wages and better align with fares in other jurisdictions.
Two-day athletic event planned for summer

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

City officials this week approved a multi-sport event to take place on the downtown beach this July. On Monday, the Ocean City Council voted unanimously to approve a private event request from EnviroEvents representative Scott Westcoat to hold a Summer Sports Safari on the beach between Talbot and North Division streets this July. The two-day event will feature multiple sports activities.
Ocean City fire chief takes medical leave

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

Ocean City Fire Department Chief Richie Bowers is out indefinitely due to medical issues, with no information given on his return. The announcement came publicly during last Friday’s budget meeting, when City Manager Terry McGean told members of the City Council that Bowers was on medical leave and would not be presenting the fire department’s proposed spending plan for the coming year.
Resort officials talk police salary, benefit increases

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

Officials say the city could be paying $1.8 million more in salaries, benefits and other expenses related to ongoing police union negotiations. During budget deliberations held April 4, interim Police Chief Michael Colbert presented the mayor and City Council with his department’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. Officials noted the spending plan, totaling $29.6 million, also included the city’s offer to Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #10 as part of the collective bargaining process.
Councilwoman questions Ocean City's advertising return

2 weeks ago | octodaydispatch.com | Bethany Hooper

Is the city seeing a return on its advertising investment? That was a question Councilwoman Carol Proctor posed last week as tourism officials presented their proposed budget for fiscal year 2026. On April 3, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo and Communications and Marketing Director Jessica Waters presented their department’s spending plan for the coming year.