Tuesday, June 11, 1996 --

• A crowd of about 300 faculty and community members, as well as some of Salisbury State University’s biggest financial supporters, turned out to welcome Dr. William C. Merwin to town. The President of the State University of New York in Potsdam will officially take over at SSU on Aug. 1. Merwin said his goals include achieving national recognition for many of the institution’s offerings, building closer relationships with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Wor-Wic Community College, improving majors which support economic development, social services and local government.

• Route 50 east of Salisbury will be receiving its second new traffic light in the last two months when state officials activate a new signal this week at Walston Switch Road. State Highway officials said about 20,000 cars pass through the intersection each day and growing traffic counts from Wor-Wic Community College prompted the installation. In April, a new light was installed at Hobbs Road to accommodate traffic from the new Shorebirds stadium.

• Salisbury State University has unveiled renovations made to its new Alumni House on Camden Avenue. The $600,000 construction project was completed in time for spring graduation, during which the university marked its 70 anniversary. SSU Alumni Director Nancy Wagner said there are 20,000 members of the Alumni Association.

• The Rev. Olin J. Shockley gave his last sermon on Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church on Broad Street. Shockley, 63, who has enjoyed a 42-year ministerial career, said he has preached more than 5,000 sermons. The Salisbury church was packed with more than 450 parishioners and well-wishers.

• Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Salisbury purchased Wise snacks distributor R&B Wholesale Co. for $500,000. R&B owner Ronald F. Beauchamp said he and his wife decided to sell the business because he has experienced health problems and wants to retire. Pepsi Vice President Colleen Richardson said the snacks distributor will operate separately from the soft-drink business.

• Salisbury property owners appear to be headed for a 5-cents tax increase. Mayor W. Paul Martin’s $22.5 million budget proposal would raise the rate from $1.60 per $100 of assessed value up to $1.65. City Council President Carolyn Hall said the city’s taxable base has increased only by 1 percent in the last year.

• Reaction across the community was mixed after Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a surprise search for drugs throughout Parkside High School. Drug dogs were sent into the building in the evening, after school had ended for the day. Earlier in the day, State Police Troopers deployed drug dogs to scan students’ and staff members’ cars in the parking lots. No drugs were found either in the school or outside, officials said. Sheriff R. Hunter Nelms said public concern about drug use in the schools prompted the action.

• With just 60 games played and 11 more remaining in the first half of the season, the Delmarva Shorebirds have clinched a playoff berth. With their 10-6 victory over the Hagerstown Suns, the Shorebirds are guaranteed a fall playoff series.