Laurel Man Critically Injured In Afternoon Crash

Laurel – The Delaware State Police are investigating a crash that has left a 19 year old Laurel man critically injured at Christiana Hospital. Troopers responded to the two vehicle crash today at 4:42 pm on US 13 northbound in the area of Mt. Zion Road.

Troopers determined a 1995 Jeep Cherokee, operated by Steven Layton, 19 of Laurel was eastbound on Mt. Zion Rd approaching US 13. A 2009 Chevy Suburban, operated by Margaret Hertrich, 50 of Seaford was northbound on US 13. The Jeep Cherokee failed to stop at a stop sign on Mt. Zion Rd and crossed the southbound lane of US 13, the center median strip and entered the northbound lane.

The Suburban struck the Cherokee on the passenger side resulting gin the crash. Matthew Palmer, 19 of Laurel was seated in the front passenger seat of the Cherokee and was critically injured. He was flown by DSP helicopter to Christiana Hospital.

Mr. Layton was injured and taken by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Ms. Hertrich was taken by ambulance to Nanticoke Hospital. Both sustained non-life threatening injuries. All parties were wearing seatbelts and alcohol use is not a factor on Ms. Hertrich. It is currently unknown on Mr. Layton.

The roadway was closed for approximately 1 hour and has been reopened. The crash remains under investigation.

BREAKING NEWS: JIM CALDWELL RESIGNS

Public Works Director Jim Caldwell calls it quits! In what is expected to be announced in a Press Conference tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM at the GOB, Salisbury News has the scoop on what it's all about.

Jim Caldwell will announce his abrupt resignation. Regardless of the puffy piece you'll hear tomorrow morning, Jim's health is one of the causes for his decision to call it quits. He just can't handle the stress and the crap the City has been forcing him to do. Friday will be his last day.

I think everyone is well aware, I like Jim Caldwell and he will be a serious loss to the City. However, the City's infrastructure is crap, the WWTP is a massive failure and this makes the second Public Works Director to run for the hills after learning that system just isn't going to perform as promised.

Quite frankly, a lot of heads should roll first before we lose good people like Jim Caldwell but it is what it is and we need to move forward. I personally want to wish Jim the very best.

Oh, Jim, if you ever want to share some inside scoop on the former Mayor or any other area you'd just like to vent about, drop me a line at 410-430-5349.

WBOC takes yet another story from Salisbury News and posts the following:

SALISBURY, Md.- Salisbury Public Works Director Jim Caldwell has resigned effective Monday, according to City Administrator John Pick.

Pick said he could not provide additional information about the resignation but stated that Mayor Jim Ireton would discuss it at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Prior to his resignation, Caldwell was absent from work for over a week due to illness. He had served as public works director for about a year-and-a-half. He replaced former director John Jacobs who resigned after about seven years.

Blah, Blah, Blah! Come on guys, you can do better than that! Let's see, other than calling John Pick after reading my story, what's new with your story? NOTHING! Unlike WMDT who is willing to give credit where credit is due, WBOC enjoys taking our stories on a regular basis and make it look like they were on the ball. Nope, you just sit back like the Daily Times and wait for us to break a story and copy it, call a source and make it your own. Well, we've got something in the works that's going to force them to give credit because we're going to go to live video in the very near future. A new Salisbury News Website is in the works Folks and we're going to give the MSM a run for their money. If they want it, they're going to have to buy it.

UPDATE! They just changed the time of their Post too. It was posted at 8:05 PM and they changed it to 3:58 PM. Unbelievable! ROTFLMAO!

The Daily Times jumps on the band wagon too. Looks like they are all following each others lead. GO HERE to see their similar article. Remember Folks, the Press Conference is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. I wonder what the Chamber of Commerce is thinking now!

Robinson's Jewelery Store Burglarized Last Night

Incident: Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 18 May 2009
Location: 1500 block of S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending

Narrative: On 18 May 2009 at 12:23 AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary at Robinson’s Clock Shop in the Court Plaza Shopping Center. Upon the arrival of the deputies, they discovered that an unknown individual(s) had smashed the front glass of the business and entered the building. Once inside, the perpetrator removed jewelry from a display case and left the building.

The case is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4890 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776

Charges: Burglary 2nd degree

Editors Note: It has also been reported that another business was broken into in the Court Plaza where they cut through the roof and entered the business that way. Nothing has been reported to be stolen.

Salisbury Police Department Press Release

On May 16, 2009 at approximately 4:11 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of Hill St. and Fitzwater St. for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the officers observed a single victim lying on the sidewalk area. The victim has been identified as 33 year old Veshawn Tarrul Bratten of Salisbury. Bratten had sustained several gunshot wounds to the back area and was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment. Surgery was completed on Bratten and he is currently listed in fair condition. Witnesses advised that Bratten was shot from behind by a single suspect while walking on Hill Street. The suspect then fled from the area on foot through several yards. The motive for this assault is not known at this time. This investigation is continuing.
The suspect was described as:

1. Black male, medium height, medium build, wearing black shorts, a black shirt, and a “do rag” type head covering.

The Salisbury Police are asking anyone with information regarding this shooting to call the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information provided to Crime Solvers can be done anonymously.
CC # 200900016716

On May 15, 2009 at approximately 7:47 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police stopped a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect in the area of E. Church St. and Priscilla St. for traffic violations. While making contact with the suspect, the officers observed a bag of suspected marijuana in the vehicle. The suspected marijuana was recovered and the suspect was arrested.

ARRESTED: Shaki Lamont Brown, 20 years of age Delmar, Maryland

CHARGES: Possession of marijuana

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900016597


On May 15, 2009 at approximately 8:31 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police stopped a vehicle occupied by the below listed suspects for traffic violations in the area of E. Church St. and Linwood Avenue. While the vehicle was stopped, the officers observed two (2) objects thrown from the vehicle’s window. The objects were recovered and found to be two (2) bags of suspected marijuana. The vehicle then fled from the area. The vehicle was stopped a second time and the below listed suspects were taken into custody.


ARRESTED #1: Brandon Lee Dixon, 19 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: Keith Lanell Booker, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #3: Jamal Lamont Hill-Bey, 21 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #4: Derek Lydell Robinson, Jr., 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES (All): Possession of marijuana

DISPOSITION: All released to Central Booking
CC # 200900016600


On May 16, 2009 at approximately 2:50 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Payless Shoe Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival, the officers located the suspect near the Sears Department Store. The officers were advised by employees of Payless Shoes that the suspect had been observed taking shoes from the store without making payment. The shoes were recovered and returned to the store. The suspect was also identified by Sears employees as having attempted to take a television from their store. When taken into custody the suspect became combative and fought with the arresting officers.

ARRESTED: Maquia Tene Briddell, 27 years of ageSalisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:

Theft (under $ 100) (2 counts)
Resisting arrest
Disorderly conduct
Obstructing and hindering an investigation
Second degree assault
Attempted theft (under $ 500)
Malicious destruction of property

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900016705


On May 16, 2009 at approximately 6:36 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were in the area of the Thrift Travel Inn on North Salisbury Boulevard and were contacted by the victim of a robbery.
The victim advised the officers that while in the parking lot of the Thrift Travel Inn the victim was approached by a black male suspect.
The suspect assaulted the victim then robbed the victim of the victim’s U.S. Currency at knifepoint. The officers located the suspect, who was positively identified by the victim. The suspect was identified as 23 year old Deandre Thomas Ballard. A portion of the stolen currency was recovered.

ARRESTED: Deandre Thomas Ballard, 23 years of age Parsonsburg, Maryland

CHARGES:

Armed robbery
Robbery
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITON: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900016726


On May 16, 2009 at approximately 11:05 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for traffic violations in the area of Rt. 50 and Truitt St. During the stop, the offices observed a quantity of suspected marijuana on the floor of the vehicle. A juvenile was also located in the vehicle in possession of alcohol.

ARRESTED: Dominic Keith Chandler, 18 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of marijuana

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900016767

A Grateful Reader

Yesterday, 5/17, while at North Walmart in Salisbury, my wife was approached by a young woman while she was entering stating that her car was broke down, she had 2 small children, no money to get car fixed and needed a ride to Princess Anne. My wife was aware of the "scam" thanks to your blog. She explained that because of her husband(me) and our kids were waiting for her so couldn't help. She immediately found the manager and security but security wasn't able to find her. She then called me to let me know what happened. I want to thank you for always keeping us up to speed on things like this happening. Knowing my wife, in the past she would have
tried to help and I don't know what would have happened. She said she immediately remembered something had been posted about this in the past...

Thanks from a grateful husband. Who knows if it was a ploy to get her out to her car to rob her or worse. I'm just glad we didn't find out.

Faithful reader,
Reconciled1

State Police Seek Theft Suspect’s Whereabouts

Suspect: Frankie Galindez, 33, of Robinson Lane in Wilmington, Delaware

Resume: State Troopers are seeking the whereabouts of Mr. Frankie Galindez. He is wanted on 21 separate misdemeanor charges relating to vehicle break-ins and thefts in New Castle County.

The incidents all took place at the beginning of May in the Brandywine Towne Center (Route 202 and Naamans Road in North Wilmington). Authorities believe Galindez conspired with another unnamed individual to force their way into vehicles and steal wallets, purses, and GPS devices.

Mr. Galindez is wanted for Theft, Criminal Mischief and Conspiracy. Anyone who may know of his whereabouts is asked to call investigators at 302.834.2630 ext. 325 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

EVERYBODY'S DOING IT!

Crown Village Farm LLC, a developer for the billion-dollar proposal for the Crown Farm — Gaithersburg's largest planned housing project — filed for bankruptcy.
Developers for the billion-dollar Crown Farm retail and residential project in Gaithersburg filed bankruptcy this month.

KB Home Maryland LLC and Centex Homes Crown LLC, which teamed to form Crown Village Farm LLC, tried selling the 181-acre property near interstates 270 and 370 at Fields Road last summer. Bidders offered barely half the $140 million they paid for the property in 2006.

A 2006 annexation agreement for the property requires a $1 million donation to Gaithersburg in 2010, said City Attorney Lynn Board.

Plans call for a school, roads and a stop for the Corridor Cities Transitway, a planned 14-mile light rail or rapid bus line connecting the Shady Grove Metro station with Clarksburg.

Board said the city's position will be that any buyer of the Crown Farm property must honor the annexation agreement and approved plans for the parcels, she said.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

The Following individuals were arrested by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on Arrest Warrants 11 May – 17 April 2009

Arrest Warrants
Antoine M. Sturgis, 25, Salisbury, MD; Concealed Deadly Weapon / Resisting Arrest, held $15,000.00 bond
George E. Willey Jr., 44, Federalsburg, MD; Attempt to Flee and Elude, held $10,000.00 bond
Kim Teresa Rooks, 44, Salisbury, MD; Fraud / Credit Card Personation, held $5,000.00 bond
Stephen Wayne heater, 22, Seaford, DE; Theft Scheme over $500.00, held $12,500.00 bond
Michael Edward Outten, 26, Salisbury, MD; Illegal Possession regulated firearm, CDS Possession, held $12,000.00 bond
Kaliah R. Corbin, 28, Salisbury, MD; Assault 1st Degree, held $75,000.00 bond
April C. Figgs, 25, Salisbury, MD; Theft over $500 / Motor Vehicle Theft, released on personal recognizance.

Failure to Appear Bench Warrant
Marcquelos Lavar Rickmon, 32, Wilmington, DE; FTA – Forgery/ Uttering, held $5,000.00 bond
Keith A. Jackson, 26, FTA for a VOP hearing on Driving Suspended and Attempting to Flee and Elude, held without bond
Antwon James Townsend, 20, Pocomoke, MD; FTA – Distribution of CDS, held without bond
Brian Neal Bratten, 36, Parsonsburg, MD; FTA – Assault 2nd Degree, held $5,000.00 bond
Shawn Lee Fegley, 34, Pittsville, MD; FTA – Driving While Suspended, held without bond.
Deandre Thomas Ballard, 23, Parsonsburg, MD; FTA for a VOP hearing for Distribution of CDS, held without bond.

Violation of Probation Bench Warrant
Marquete Samar Byrd, 20, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Distribution of CDS, held $10,000.00 bond.
Jenna Lynn Ennis, 20, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Burglary 2nd Degree, held $5,000.00 bond.
Vincent Edward Reddick, 20, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Assault 2nd Degree on Law Enforcement, held $25,000.00 bond
Darnell L. Townsend, 23, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Distribution of CDS, held $25,000.00 bond
Printist Lamar Bratten, 22, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Robbery, held without bond
Margaret Jane Berg, 42, Pittsville, MD; VOP – Possession of CDS, held $25,000.00 bond

Circuit Court Juvenile Attachment
Juvenile, 15, Salisbury, MD; Violation of Electronic Monitoring, held Lower Shore Children’s Center
Juvenile, 15, Salisbury, MD; Failure to Appear Body Attachment, held Lower Shore Children’s Center
Juvenile, 12, Salisbury, MD; Failure to Appear Body Attachment, held Lower Shore Children’s Center

Fugitive from Another State
Patrick Orrie Vetra, 19, Delmar, MD; Fugitive from Delaware, Forgery / Theft, held without bond pending extradition to Delaware

Child Support Body Attachment
Jason Devoughn Cotton, 24, Salisbury, MD; Child Support Non Compliance, held $1,396.00 bond.
Arvin Carsell Wade, 48, Salisbury, MD; Child Support Non Compliance, held $500.00 bond

Circuit Court Indictment
Elizabeth Ann Keough, 33, Laurel, DE; Distribution of CDS, held without bond.
Michael Anthony Butler, 30, Salisbury, MD; Distribution of CDS, held $100,000.00 bond.

Matt Barcase, R.I.P.

Parents Cindy Barcase & Mark Witmyer mourn the loss of their 16 year old Son Matt Barcase after he was struck by a car Saturday Night in Ocean City on Rt. 50 near Hoopers Restaurant. Matt was a student at Stephen Decatur High School.

As we enter the very beginning of summer, we cannot stress enough the importance of using cross walks and following the direction of the signals. Use the Cross Walks! I lived in Ocean City for many years and you just wouldn't believe the amount of people ignoring these traffic signals. Do NOT drink and drive as well. There are no excuses is today's day and age.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Barcase, Mr. Witmyer & Families.

Female’s Identity Sought In Stolen Credit Card Case

Location of Incident: Wawa, 4601 Stanton Ogletown Road, Newark, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Sunday, May 17, 2009, at approximately 2:39 a.m.

Suspect(s): White female in her 20’s, sandy blonde hair and fair skin, wearing a black baseball hat and a camouflage jacket

Resume: Troopers from Troop 6 are investigating a stolen credit card incident which occurred yesterday.

The case originated at Delaware Park, 777 Delaware Park Boulevard, when a credit card was taken from a vehicle in the parking lot. A short time later, the stolen credit card was used at the Wawa on Stanton Ogletown Road. A female depicted below entered the store and used the card to purchase cigarettes.

Anyone who may recognize this suspect is asked to call investigators at 302.633.5000 x-650 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333.

Waller Landing Update

YET AGAIN, the Waller Landing property owner, Porter Mill Road Properties, LLC, has failed to pay delinquent taxes (presumably Hebron as well as County). The tax sale is advertised for 6/17/09.

Within the last 12 months, the LLC has had this land up for tax sale TWICE, (first time claimed it was due to an address issue) and has also failed to file Maryland personal property tax return resulting in forfeiture.

Latest action last week by Hebron Planning--voted NOT to proceed with the Developer's Rights and Responsibilities Agreement UNTIL Waller Landing developer has secured MDE approvals, (which will require extensive engineering by the developer).

A Letter To The Editor

POLLITT”S RESPONSE TO THE WAIVER DENIAL SEEMS STRANGE

Perhaps absurd is a better description of the statement that he issued last week upon learning that the Maryland State Board of Education had denied the request by Wicomico County (and similar requests by two other Counties) for waiver of the “maintenance of effort” requirement that a county must provide a certain level of funding for its schools in order to obtain special state funding for education. He blasted the Board for acting “carelessly and irresponsibly” in applying the rules that govern the granting of a waiver.

Under those rules, the Board had no real option but to tell the three counties, each having some form of tax cap, that they must play by the rules and meet the local funding requirement imposed by the General Assembly for State finding for education. If Mr. Pollitt wants to blame the state lawmakers or suggest that they change or repeal the maintenance of effort requirement, he need go no farther than to Delegate Norman Conway.

But that’s not the only notable part of Pollitt’s statement. He also said “We will immediately renew our discussions with the County Board of Education and impress upon them that they must now find, from within their department, the means to reach the MOE standard if we are to save over $4 million in available State funds.”

Doesn’t the maintenance of effort (“MOE”) standard require a particular level of funding for education in the County budget that is lacking by about $2,000,000 in Pollitt’s proposed budget? How is the County Board of Education going to change that?

Under the County’s Charter, isn’t Mr. Pollitt, as County Executive, the only person who can put funding into the budget?

Dancing With The Delmarva Stars Part I

Before the main event took place, many of the dancers went to Peninsula Plastic Surgery and met with Deneene to have their makeup and hair done. Stacy Sakai was kind enough to show the before and after on her hair. Can you see that, "I Hate You Joe" look on her face in the first picture? ;-)

I had the pleasure of meeting most of the women I had never met before and quite frankly these were some well chosen individuals. The hard work they put into this event was unbelievable.

Between nerves and lack of sleep the night before, to be there and watch them take the stage one by one, you'd never know any one of them had been affected by either/or.

Dancing With The Delmarva Stars Part II

The crowd started piling into the sold out arena and people were standing out front trying to purchase any tickets they could get, even if it meant buying one ticket at a time.

The Dancers started taking the stage and quite frankly I had no idea the kind of images I would actually get in the end because it was so dark inside. To my great surprise and pleasure, what I'm posting is just a small sample of the hundreds of photos I snapped off that evening.

Dancing With The Delmarva Stars Part III

While the formal winners were Bernadette DiPino and Instructor Bill Goschen, there wasn't a single performance that didn't absolutely amaze each and every one of us. I'll give credit where credit is due, Police Chief DiPino clearly was having the time of her life. Her children and friends were in the audience giving praise and I'm sure they couldn't be more proud.

The outfits, stunning, each and every one of them. The Judges, (Chuck Sugent, Carol Wright & Amanda Showell) what a classy group of people! OK, now for the best part of all. This charity event was for the Wellness Center and to every one's amazement, this event alone brought in $49,000.00!

The Dancers & their Instructors were:

Adrienne Neleppa & Bob Klinger

Howard Crossan & Agnieszka Beletsky

Susan Pernell & Nick Pasch

April Brilliant & Bill Goschen

Davis Cowall & Pam Wood

Steve Grant & Pam Showell

Stacy Sakai & Dick White

Mary McCurdy & Nick Pasch

Chris Eccleston & Pam Webster

Tom Jones & Cora Elliott

Stevie Prettyman & Marcus Taggart

Dancing With The Delmarva Stars After Party

Hundreds of people who purchased VIP Tickets enjoyed the after party for dancing, drinks and a ice cream spread to die for! Yes, even Fernando Guerrero joined in the party and showed up some of the dancers on the dance floor.

Skate Park Fundraiser A Huge Success

Talent, balance, skills, energy, practice, encouragement and a place to achieve such interests is what's been the driving force behind a place for all of our children to go and enjoy.

Rather than asking the taxpayers to front the money to achieve the goal of a new Skate Park, many adults and children have been getting together to fund raise to get what it takes to make this dream a reality.

Mayor Jim Ireton attended the event in what seemed like the busiest Saturday I have seen in years, filled with activities everywhere. To those of you who invited Salisbury News to your event, we're sorry we couldn't make them all. This one seemed to be one of the many we felt we wanted to be sure we participated with.

We have provided many photos over two posts I thought you might enjoy seeing. I'm not sure just how much they raised on Saturday but hopefully someone can chime in and let us know how well things went. I had to leave somewhat early because of all of the other events going on. One thing we know for sure though, they're much closer to reaching their goal with the turn out that they had.