BALTIMORE MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

(Baltimore, MD) - Members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit have arrested a Baltimore man in connection with the possession and distribution of child pornography.

Marcus Curtis Clark, 29, of the 1000 block of S. Beechfield Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, was charged today with five counts of distributing and nine counts of possessing child pornography. He turned himself in to a Computer Crimes investigator early this morning. Clark was processed and taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held on $50,000 bond, pending a future trial date. If convicted, Clark could be sentenced up to 70 years in prison and/or $150,000 in fines.

A trooper assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation in April 2008 after locating a computer on a peer-to-peer network that was offering pornographic videos of children for others to download. Troopers were able to trace the computer back to Clark. Investigators executed a search warrant at Clark’s residence and confiscated multiple computers, hard drives, and miscellaneous storage media.

A complete forensic analysis of the confiscated equipment was conducted by the State Police’s Computer Forensics Laboratory. Examiners recovered dozens of videos and images of children engaged in various stages of sexual activity.

The primary mission of the Computer Crimes Unit is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. The unit is also charged with helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education and community awareness.

One Lucky Family Will Win This Pool

The other day, my old friend, Billy Hill called me and asked me if I'd be willing to do him a favor. He had read the article about Bruce Hunter, (Bruce's Billiards) and Salisbury News giving away free Hot Dogs on the 4th of July and he said he also wanted to do something to give back to a family in need.

He told me he had purchased an above ground swimming pool and wanted to have me find a needy Family with lots of kids and give them this Swimming Pool. So here we are.

We're looking for a Family that have had to go through a rough patch and we want to make the rest of your HOT Summer months relaxing and enjoyable. We have this brand new pool in its original box and we're very excited about finding that special Family.

So here's what we want you to do. First, you need to spread the word that this FREE POOL is available to all of your friends, especially ones that could qualify. I'm sure in your circle of friends and associates you know someone who could really use this Pool to bring some joy to an other wise difficult period. I happen to know of at least two or three. However, this isn't about knowing somebody and giving it away to special interests.

I want this to be fair and we want to give it away very soon so this Family can enjoy the Summer. It can be assembled in less than 30 minutes and let me assure you, this Pool, (if you go out and shop it) isn't cheap.

I want you or your friends and or associates to e-mail me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and tell us why you think you deserve this Pool and what it would do for your Family. Please put the word "POOL" in the subjest line as I received hundreds of e-mails a day and I want to make sure they're not put in the trash bin as spam. I will NOT expose anyone's story with exception of the winner and their names will remain anonymous.

We stated on January 1, 2009 that this year was going to be all about giving back to those less fortunate. I will create a board in which we will review the letters that come in and choose a winner.

If YOU would like to participate in giving back by offering these types of items as a FREE Giveaway you may also contact me at the address above. We will gladly advertise your business, (if you so choose). Billy Hill Construction is the company and individual who provided this FREE gift.

I look forward to your letters and I'm sure we'll have someone picked out by the end of the week.

Salisbury News nor Billy Hill Construction are responsible for any liability with this Pool.

Does Congress Trade On Inside Information?

Did you know that it's perfectly legal for members of Congress to trade on information they gather about companies in the course of their work? Not only is this legal, but research suggests that the average member of Congress earns 25 percent higher returns on their investments compared to the average investor. You can't really expect Congress to enforce laws against insider trading if Congress is not bound by the same laws.

This is why it comes as a surprise to me that someone in Congress is actually trying to make insider trading by Congress illegal. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Brian Baird (D-WA) have introduced legislation that would prohibit lawmakers and their staffs from trading stocks or engaging in other financial transactions based on information they learn in their jobs that is not also available to the public.

GO HERE to read more.

Funeral Home Shut Down After Body's Legs Cut

By JEFFREY COLLINS, AP

COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 14) – A South Carolina judge Tuesday revoked the license of a funeral home where a worker cut the legs off a 6-foot-7 body so it would fit in a casket.

Administrative Law Judge Deborah Durden gave her decision immediately after hearing the appeal of Cave Funeral Home and owner Michael Cave.

GO HERE to read more.

Robbery Suspect Caught In The Act

Suspect(s): Kristin Kemplem, 24, of the 600 block of Stanton Road in Newark, Delaware

Resume: Kristin Kemplem, 24, of Newark, was arrested today during the commission of a robbery she was committing at the Happy Harry’s on McKennans Church Road.

At about 12:30 p.m., the State Police dispatch center in New Castle County, RECOM, received a call from inside the Happy Harry’s during which caller advised a robbery was currently taking place. The caller advised the suspect was a white female who was holding the pharmacy staff at gunpoint. RECOM relayed this information to responding Troopers who arrived quickly on the scene.

Officers made entry into the business and confronted the suspect at the pharmacy counter. She was holding a black handgun. Troopers ordered her to drop the weapon and to surrender- the suspect eventually complied. She was identified as Kristin Kemplem.

Ms. Kemplem was transported from the scene to Troop 2 where she will be charged this evening with robbery. This case is still under investigation and an additional news release will be provided later tonight.

UPDATE:

Wilmington- Ms. Kristin Kemplem was formally charged this evening with two counts of Attempted Robbery 2nd (felony). She was committed to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute in lieu of $40,000.00 secured bond.

Additional information: During the robbery, Ms. Kemplem presented a demand note to the pharmacy clerk while displaying what later proved to be a replica handgun. She was attempting to obtain prescription narcotics. No one was injured in this incident.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Fugitive from Delaware
Date of Incident: 11 July 2009
Location: 1200 block of Walnut Street, Delmar, MD
Suspect: Joseph N. Matthews, 42, Delmar, MD

Narrative: On 11 July 2009 at 2:00 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joseph Matthews in a campground in Delmar, MD. The Delaware State Police had obtained an arrest warrant on 10 July 2009 that charged Matthews with Failure to Re-register as a Sex offender after a change of address. As a requirement of his probation, Matthews was required to register his current address with the Delaware State Police. Delaware authorities became aware of Matthews location when a television interview that took place in Delmar MD was broadcast on WBOC on 7 July 2009. During the interview, Matthews identified himself as a resident of Delmar, MD. Previous information supplied to Delaware indicated that Matthews resided in Seaford, DE. During the subsequent investigation by both Delaware authorities and deputies assigned to the WCSO Sex Offender Registration Unit, it was learned that Matthews had been residing in Delmar, MD since April 2009.

Matthews was taken to the Wicomico County Detention Center where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner as a Fugitive from Justice from Delaware. After an initial appearance, Matthews was detained in the Detention Center without bond pending extradition to Delaware.

Charges:
Fugitive from Justice
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender


Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 13 July 2009
Location: 800 block of Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Andrew C. Heller, 21, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 13 July 2009 at 10:49 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Andrew Heller for speeding on Snow Hill road in the area of Regency Drive in Salisbury. During the traffic stop, the deputy asked for Heller to exit his vehicle at which point the deputy discovered Heller to be in possession of a baggie containing what the deputy recognized as marijuana.

The deputy placed Heller under arrest and transported Heller to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Heller was released on Personal Recognizance by the District Court Commissioner.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana


Incident: Possession of Cocaine / DUI
Date of Incident: 10 July 2009
Location: Main Street at Salisbury Pkwy, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Kenneth Wayne Pierce, 46, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 10 July 2009 at 9:39 PM a deputy with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Kenneth Pierce for an equipment violation on Main Street in Salisbury, MD. Upon stopping Pierce, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Pierce and also discovered that his Maryland driver’s license was suspended. Upon conclusion of roadside field sobriety tests, the deputy placed Pierce under arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. The deputy then located two small baggies inside the driver’s side door of Pierce’s vehicle that contained what the deputy recognized as crack cocaine.

Pierce was transported to the Wicomico County Central Booking where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Pierce was released on Personal recognizance.

Charges:
Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Sam's Club Does It Again

I was driving around Salisbury a little while ago and noticed two of the three Gordy Tiger Marts has gas for $2.45 a gallon. The one at the Mall mysteriously had gas at $2.39 a gallon. However, Sam's Club shows them all up once again by being as much as $ .11 cents per gallon lower than Gordy. I'll bet the lines are BIG at Sam's Club after this Post gets out there.

Lumber Companies Experiencing A 32 Year Decline In Demand

The images you see above is the yard behind the Salisbury Lowes. Typically you'd see this entire storage area completely loaded and stacked high full of lumber. However, the demand is so low, Lowes and other Lumber Companies are only storing materials indoors. We were told this is the worst anyone has seen in the past 32 years.

There are signs all around us Folks, you just need to open your eyes. If lumber has dropped that low just in inventory alone, imagine just how many people are now out of work.

I have been stating for years now, it will continue to get worse before it gets better. I have also stated that we are in fact in a deep depression, while our government keeps telling everyone we're in a recession and things are about to turn.

Again, I'm sick and tired of our own government pissing on our heads and telling us its raining! I for one don't buy it. I see for sale and for rent signs everywhere, it's not getting better.

Anyone dumb enough to purchase a home in this market right now has to be absolutely desperate. I just spoke to a woman who owns a home on Mt. Hermon Road. She just received her tax bill and in the last 2 years her taxes went up $2,000.00 a year and her property value dropped 50%!

To those Democrats with their eye wide SHUT, the Tea Parties are what many consider a way out. It's a way to express yourself and not act all dumb and stupid playing follow the leader. The leaders have screwed America out of everything we stood for and very soon it will all be over. They'll finally admit we are in fact in a Depression and the fingers will be pointed at everyone else.

Many of you ask, what's the answer then Joe. I'll tell you for the 100th time, VOTE OUT EVERY INCUMBENT IN CONGRESS! Congress is out of control. It's not Bush, it's not Obama, it's CONGRESS!

Vote for people with strong successful business backgrounds, not angry people who talk the talk but have absolutely no clue how to walk the walk. If you're not a proven businessperson, get out of our way because we have a ton of work to do.

The photos do NOT lie Folks. That yard truly was packed and now it's just about empty. Open your eyes, all of you. The County isn't bringing in any money for new housing either, so you can expect tax increases to keep up with all the new luxuries, especially within the City of Salisbury. We need to look ahead right now and start cutting EVERYWHERE. I hate to say it but places like the Zoo need to be closed until we rebound. If citizens want to take care of Parks or companies want to donate their time cutting lawns, so be it. However, I'm telling you we cannot keep up at the pace we've been going. The Library, stop these people from wasting every ones time and tell them there's absolutely no way we can even consider relocating or building a new Library in the next 5 years.

Stop the spending and STOP BAILING EVERYONE OUT!

US Supreme Court Pick Fires Back At Bigotry Charges

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Sonia Sotomayor, nearly sure to become the first Hispanic US Supreme Court justice, distanced herself Tuesday from her past remark that a Latina woman's heritage might make her a better judge.

On the second of at least four days of confirmation hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sotomayor called the much-criticized comment "a rhetorical flourish that fell flat."

"I want to state up front, unequivocally and without doubt, I do not believe that any ethnic, racial or gender group has an advantage in sound judging," the appeals court judge, 55, told the panel.

"I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge regardless of their background or life experiences," the appeals judge told the committee after weeks of fierce attacks on her impartiality.

Her comments came in response to questions by the panel's top Republican, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, about her remark that: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would, more often than not, reach a better conclusion" than a white judge.

GO HERE to read more.

COUNCILWOMAN SAMPLE-HUGHES RE-SCHEDULES NEXT DISTRICT ONE CITIZEN’S FORUM

Wicomico County Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes will hold the next in a series of District One Citizen’s Forum meetings on Wednesday, July 22nd, at 7:00 P.M. at Salisbury Fire Department Station 16 on Cypress Street in Salisbury. The meeting had been originally set for June 24th.

The program will focus on the just-approved Fiscal Year 2010 Wicomico County Operating Budget.

Councilwoman Sample-Hughes said that she will be joined by Sub-District 37A Delegate Rudolph C. Cane, Wicomico County Council President John Cannon, 1st Sergeant Tim Robinson representing Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis and Wicomico County Public Information Officer Jim Fineran representing Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr.

Wicomico County District One includes Delmar, Hebron, San Domingo, Salisbury- West Side and Mardela Springs. Mrs. Sample-Hughes said the over-all theme of the forums is “Creating Community Connections.” She commented that the purpose of the forums is to provide citizens with an opportunity to speak face-to-face with their elected officials. She further noted that this is the continuation of the fulfillment of her campaign promise to hold quarterly meetings throughout District One.

Mrs. Sample-Hughes said that “I encourage as many of my constituents who possibly can to join us for this important meeting.”

Don't Know Much About History

By pandora

Stories like this make me angry. Is our goal really to become the dumbest country on the planet? Perhaps we should rethink the Texas secession thing… especially given their influence over the textbook market.

The Texas Board of Education, which recently approved new science standards that made room for creationist critiques of evolution, is revising the state’s social studies curriculum. In early recommendations from outside experts appointed by the board, a divide has opened over how central religious theology should be to the teaching of history.

Three reviewers, appointed by social conservatives, have recommended revamping the K-12 curriculum to emphasize the roles of the Bible, the Christian faith and the civic virtue of religion in the study of American history. Two of them want to remove or de-emphasize references to several historical figures who have become liberal icons, such as César Chávez and Thurgood Marshall.

Christianists like to whine about the war against their faith, but if they keep shoving this nonsense down everyone’s throat they might find themselves creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have always been a live and let live sort of person, but this sort of indoctrination of our school children is where I draw the line.

And look at who’s on the committee and what they think (and I use the word think loosely):

The three reviewers appointed by the moderate and liberal board members are all professors of history or education at Texas universities, including Mr. de la Teja, a former state historian. The reviewers appointed by conservatives include two who run conservative Christian organizations: David Barton, founder of WallBuilders, a group that promotes America’s Christian heritage; and Rev. Marshall, who preaches that Watergate, the Vietnam War and Hurricane Katrina were God’s judgments on the nation’s sexual immorality. The third is Daniel Dreisbach, a professor of public affairs at American University.

The conservative reviewers say they believe that children must learn that America’s founding principles are biblical. For instance, they say the separation of powers set forth in the Constitution stems from a scriptural understanding of man’s fall and inherent sinfulness, or “radical depravity,” which means he can be governed only by an intricate system of checks and balances.

The curriculum, they say, should clearly present Christianity as an overall force for good — and a key reason for American exceptionalism, the notion that the country stands above and apart.

Talk about rewriting history.

Ah, empathy.

Justice Sam Alito on empathy and judging

“When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender. And I do take that into account.”

Flashback: Alito Knows A Thing Or Two About Empathy Also

A key part of the transcript of Justice Samuel Alito's 2006 confirmation hearing suggests that, just three and a half years ago, Republicans thought empathy was a pretty righteous quality in a Supreme Court nominee. Well, we've dug up the footage of that portion of the hearing and, as it turns out, he sells the empathy pretty well.

Flashback: George H.W. Bush On Clarence Thomas' 'Great Empathy'

"I have followed this man's career for some time," said President George H.W. Bush of Clarence Thomas in July 1991. "He is a delightful and warm, intelligent person who has great empathy and a wonderful sense of humor."

House Democrats Vow Healthcare Plan By August

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama's plans to overhaul the $2.5 trillion healthcare industry got a boost on Tuesday in the House of Representatives where Democrats predicted passage on schedule by August.

House leaders from Obama's Democratic party were set to release the final proposal in the afternoon with a planned tax on the wealthy to raise an expected $540 billion over 10 years to help pay for expanded care.

Health insurance is a top priority for Obama, who took office in January. Millions of Americans are without health insurance, even though the country spends more on healthcare per capita than anywhere else.

"The president made it very clear that this was his Number One priority," and wanted it done prior to the congressional August break, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer told a weekly news conference.

"We believe this can be done," he said.

GO HERE to read more.

Obama's Rosy Scenario Turns Thorny

President Barack Obama’s economic forecasts for long-term growth are too optimistic, many economists warn, a miscalculation that would mean budget deficits will be much higher than the administration is now acknowledging.

The White House will be forced to confront the disconnect between its original, upbeat predictions and the mainstream consensus about how the economy is likely to perform in a new budget forecast to be unveiled next month.

Christina Romer, chairwoman of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, said in a POLITICO interview that the administration — like many independent economists — did not fully anticipate the severity and pace of this recession. She said the White House will be updating its official forecasts.

The new numbers will come as part of a semiannual review that, under ordinary circumstances, is the kind of earnest-but-dull document that causes many Washington eyes to glaze over.

This time, however, the new forecasts — if they are anything like what many outside economists expect — could send a jolt through Capitol Hill, where even the administration’s current debt projections already are prompting deep concerns on political and substantive grounds.

GO HERE to read more.

Founding Fathers Got It Wrong?

The Treaty of Tripoli (1797), signed by President John Adams, and passed unanimously in the Senate explicitly states in Article 11:

"The United States is in not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion".

Verify it here or here.

So, by virtue of our founding fathers, a valid United States treaty, and history itself, Obama is correct. We are a secular nation, with a secular government, and freedom for all to worship however they please.

Questions From Two Sentz

Why does the Eastern Shore have so many racists and why do they feel the need to display there ignorant attitudes here on this blog? And when they proudly engage in such racism, why do they always cry foul (reverse racism) when the tables are turned on them? Please explain your views, anonymous racist commenters.

Obama's Car czar Steve Rattner Leaves: High Note Or Trouble Ahead?

Steve Rattner, the Democratic Party fund raiser extraordinaire (with whom I have worked) will leave his job as car czar at a good time. When President Obama visits Martha's Vineyard this summer, Rattner will be able to entertain Obama at his 15,500 square foot estate there and not have to worry about sucking up to the boss -- because Rattner will be out of Washington.

Rattner may be leaving because Tim Geithner is secure as Treasury Secretary -- a position Rattner would no doubt savor -- or it could be to take care of some legal problems.

Since Rattner announced he would join the administration in February, he's gotten credit for helping to bail out Chrysler and GM, both of which filed for bankruptcy and appear well on their way to some form of rebirth, depending on the skill of their new CEOs. But Ron Bloom, who will take over from Rattner, may have done much of the work. Lou Gerstner, the former CEO of International Business Machines (IBM), about whom I posted last week has criticized Rattner for his lack of industrial experience. I hope Gerstner ends up running GM.

GO HERE to read more.

Alleged KKK Member Arrested In Israel

By Jeffrey Heller, Reuters

JERUSALEM (July 14) - When Micky Mayon fled the United States, where he faced firearms charges, the alleged member of an anti-Semitic white supremacist group chose what he might have seen as a perfect hideout -- the Jewish state.

Mayon, 32, of Steelton, Pa., was arrested in Tel Aviv on Monday by an Israeli law enforcement unit that searches for illegal migrants. He had been on the run for two years.

GO HERE to read more.

YOU Decide

Two men, two tales. Click on these videos and then YOU decide.

Please let me know what you think.

God Bless America

DELAWARE VIDEO PRODUCTION COMPANY WINS 4 NATIONAL AWARDS

Watermark Productions, a Milford, DE based video production company, recently won 4 awards in two separate video competitions.

The 29th Annual Telly Awards honors the finest video and film projects in the United States. Watermark Productions won a Telly for the design and production of an interactive demo DVD for Alfano Communications. The entry won in the Use of Animation category. Watermark also collected a Telly award for its own interactive DVD in the Production Company/Ad Agency Demo Reel category.

Watermark Productions also was awarded two Videographer Awards. Judged by the Association of Marketing & Communication Professionals, Watermark was cited for having ‘talent that exceeds a higher standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry’.

The top award, Award of Excellence, was presented to Watermark Productions for its 30-second TV commercial for Dover International Speedway entitled “Big Wheels of NASCAR”. The spot aired nationally on Fox and ABC to promote the 2009 NASCAR series at Dover. An Award of Distinction was also given to Watermark for a marketing video produced for Monster Racing, Inc. of Dover. Monster Racing provides a fantasy NASCAR driving experience to guests at Dover International Speedway.

Watermark Productions is owned and operated by Bill & Josh Sammons, a father-son team who are natives of Milton, DE. They provide script to screen video production services to ad agencies, companies, and non-profit organizations. Watermark recently acquired high definition equipment and offers both standard & high definition production to its clients.

The award winning video projects, and other work, can be viewed online at http://www.watermark-productions.com.

9/12 Mania: Massive Tea Party Storms D.C.

Patriots take fight for America directly to Capitol Hill

By Chelsea Schilling© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Thousands of taxpayers from across the nation are planning to descend on Washington, D.C., to take their fight against excessive spending, bailouts, growth of big government and soaring deficits to the front door of the U.S. Capitol – and they say lawmakers can't hide from their loud and clear message.

Fox News' Glenn Beck has been promoting the 9-12 Project to bring citizens back "to the place we were on September 12, 2001."

"The day after America was attacked we were not obsessed with Red States, Blue States or political parties," the 9-12 Project website states. "We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the values and principles of the greatest nation ever created."

GO HERE to read more.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On July 10, 2009 at approximately 10:05 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on a warrant obtained by Salisbury detectives for a theft that occurred in June of this year. During that time the suspect took electronic equipment and a debit card from a vehicle on Ohio Avenue. The suspect then used the debit card at a store on South Salisbury Boulevard.

ARRESTED: Randy Darnell Cooper, 34 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (under $ 500) – 2 counts
Credit card offenses (5 counts)
Rogue and vagabond
Fraud – identity theft
Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900024143

On July 10, 2009 at approximately 1:42 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect on a warrant obtained for an assault that occurred the previous day. On July 9, officers met with a female victim at a residence on the eleven-hundred (1100) block of Parsons Road. The victim had been assaulted by the suspect who was known to her during a domestic type argument. During the assault the victim was struck in the facial area.

ARRESTED: Robert Martin Parker, 40 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Second degree assault

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900021171

On July 11, 2009 at approximately 12:31 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on a warrant obtained for an investigation that began in 2008. During that time the suspect was found to be in possession of suspected “fake” crack/cocaine.

ARRESTED: Shawn Lakeith Franklin, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of fake CDS w/intent to distribute
Possession of a noncontrolled CDS as a cont. sub.
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia
Obstructing and hindering an investigation

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800033684

On July 11, 2009 at approximately 3:41 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the seven hundred (700) block of Camden Avenue for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers found that the below listed suspect had assaulted a female victim during an argument. The suspect was located and taken into custody. The female was not injured.

ARRESTED: Dale Edward Wilson, 27 years of age Seaford, Delaware

CHARGES: Second degree assault

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900024273

On July 11, 2009 at approximately 7:27 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Food Lion Store on Nanticoke Road for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with a store employee who advised the officers that the below listed suspect had been observed by employees taking food from the business without making any attempts at payment before leaving the area. The officers located the suspect and recovered the food, which was returned to the store.

ARRESTED: Sandra Anne Foreman, 43 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900024354

On July 12, 2009 at approximately 5:26 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the four hundred (400) block of Harden Court for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, the officers met with a female victim who advised that she had been assaulted by the below listed suspect who was known to her. The victim advised that during a domestic-type argument, the suspect struck the victim on the leg with a baseball bat. The victim did not require medical attention.

ARRESTED: Patrick (nmn) Dennis, Sr., 40 years of age Millsboro, Delaware

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900024405

Topless Bar

AMAZING

I just received a nice letter from the HCEA (Harford County Education Association).

In this polite, well written, appeal I am informed that the HCEA has just formed a "New Teacher Store".

The purpose of This "New Teacher Store" is to supply "New Teachers" with school supplies....you know - poster paints, poster board, rubber bands, 12 inch rulers, staplers and etc. so that they can teach our children. Seems that teachers are finding it necessary to purchase these items out of their own personal funds. The letter goes on to ask local businesses to donate dollars to the "New Teachers Store" so that new teachers do not get frustrated and quit..

This truly amazes me. While the well heeled Councilman Mr. Dion Guthrie strives mightily to push, promote and insist on $87,000 Astro Turf Fields so our kids do not get muddy when playing ball (is this a campaign to eliminate washing machines???), our teachers go wanting and find it necessary to supply School Supplies out of their own pockets.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?? From reading this I conclude that the Education priorities in Harford County are way off base.

First: You would think that the HCEA, a powerful well funded union, could pony up the necessary supplies. Instead they beg them from the overtaxed local businesses that are already forced to support a bloated (with frivolous, ill thought out spending) school budgets.

Second: You would think that the local school boards would include these supplies in their budgets. I ask you, "How many rubber bands and etc. can you buy with the funds, $87,000.00, for just one Astro Turf field Mr. Dion Guthrie???". You make many so appeals for increased capital spending yet nary a rubber band in sight.

Third: Instead of refurbishing the Bel Air school for $15, 000,000.00, the School Board and Mr. Dion Guthrie, insist on building a new school for $85,000,000.00. Instead of building "Temporary Class Rooms" for around $10,000,000.00 to reduce potential over crowding, the School Board and Mr. Dion Guthrie insist on building new $85,000.000.00 schools. Harford County is groaning under a Capita Budget of millions and millions of dollars adding MILLIONS AND MILLIONS to our tax burden, YET, OUR TEACHERS MUST BUY SCHOOL SUPPLIES OUT OF PERSONAL FUNDS.

My humble observations:

Mr. Dion Guthrie's priorities are misguided. He would rather build new schools and cover ball fields with Astro turf, AND INCREASE OUR TAXES, while our teachers pay for school supplies out of their own pockets.

Our School Board would rather increase their Capital Budgets, increasing OUR TAXES, while our teachers are forced to pay for school supplies.

I could be polite and say "That there are many egregious errors in judgment affecting our Education Budget" or I could say it in plain English "THERE ARE TOO MANY STUPID PEOPLE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT OUR TAX DOLLARS." Come election day, use the power of the people and throw the stupid fools out of office before they spend us into the "Poor House"..

Sincerely,

Tony Passaro
Bel Air Tea Party Coalition

Stella Awards

Stella Awards

It's time again for the annual 'Stella Awards'! For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck, who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico where she purchased coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right? That's right; these are awards for the most outlandish lawsuits and verdicts in the U.S. You know, the kinds of cases that make you scratch your head. So keep your head scratcher handy. Here are the Stella's for the past year:



* FIFTH PLACE *

Goes to Terrence Dickson, of Bristol , Pennsylvania , who was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn't re-enter the house, because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to sit for eight, count 'em, EIGHT days, and survive on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner's insurance company, claiming undue mental anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish. We should all have this kind of anguish.
Keep scratching. There are more.

Double hand scratching after this one..


* FOURTH PLACE *

Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th Place in the Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle - even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for, because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite, because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.

Pick a new spot to scratch, you're getting a bald spot..


* THIRD PLACE *

Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania wins, because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone. The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms .. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions?

Only two more, so ease up on the scratching....


*SECOND PLACE*

Kara Walton, of Claymont , Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Even though Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge, the jury said the night club had to pay her $12,000....oh, yeah, plus dental expenses. Go figure.

OK. Here we go!!!!!


* FIRST PLACE

This year's runaway First Place Stella Award winner was: Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City , Oklahoma , who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back20of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down?


$1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.

Are we, as a society, getting more stupid.... or are more members of Congress serving on juries these days?

Chicago Cubs Consider Bankruptcy Filing

As the Tribune Co. looks to sell its Chicago Cubs baseball team, with the Ricketts family looking like the most likely buyer, the company is reportedly considering putting the team into bankruptcy to speed up the process.

A Chicago Cubs bankruptcy would make it the first team to file since the Seattle Pilots in 1970; the team played one season (1969) and then filed for bankruptcy. It was then sold to future Commissioner Bud Selig who moved the team to Milwaukee and changed the name to the Brewers.

An unnamed source told Fox Business that a bankruptcy filing "is an option that is under consideration. It amounts to what would be a potential way of clearing the team from any other liabilities and claims. It could be a relatively short process."

Putting the team in bankruptcy would help extricate it from Tribune's own bankruptcy woes, and allow for a cleaner, quicker sale to the Ricketts family.

GO HERE to read more.

A True Welcome Home To A HERO

A true Welcome Home to a HERO.

Killed in action the week before, the body of Staff Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City , Georgia , just south of Atlanta , on June 11, 2009 .

The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough , Georgia . A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time.

Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored.

Click below for the video. Turn up your speakers !!!

http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE

"Hung"

On Saturday afternoon, I was sitting in my lawn chair; drinking beer and watching my wife mow the lawn. The neighbor lady from across the street was so outraged that she came over and shouted at me, "You should be hung!"

I took a drink from my can of Budweiser, wiped the cold foam from my lips, lifted my darkened Ray Ban sunglasses, stared directly into the eyes of this nosy ass neighbor, and then calmly replied, "I am! That is why she cuts the grass."

Remote Security Locks

I locked my car --- as I walked away I heard my car door unlock I went back and locked my car again three times. I looked around and there were two guys sitting in a car in the fire lane next to the store. When I looked straight at them they did not unlock my car again.

How to lock your car safely -

While traveling, my son stopped at a roadside park. He came out to his car less than 4-5 minutes later and found someone had gotten into his car, and stolen his cell phone, laptop computer, GPS navigator briefcase.....you name it...

He called the police and since there were no signs of his car being broken into - the police told him that there is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your key-chain locking device..

They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going inside of the store, restaurant, or bathroom and have a few minutes to steal and run. The police officer said to manually lock your car door-by hitting the lock button inside the car, that way if there is someone sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim it will not be you.

When you hit the lock button on your car upon exiting...it does not send the security code, but if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain - it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be stolen. Something totally new to us...and real.

Be aware of this and please pass this note on...look how many times we all lock our doors with our remote...just to be sure we remembered to lock them....and bingo someone has our code...and whatever was in the car...can be stolen.

Event!

The Greene Turtle in Salisbury, Maryland has joined Hudson Health Services, a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility, in an attempt to bring better community awareness to substance abuse treatment and recovery. As Michael Jackson’s possible drug abuse has plagued recent headlines, country-wide dependence on alcohol and drugs has also worsened with the ailing economy and job loss. Please join us todat, Tuesday, July 14th, for Funds 4 Friends Day at the Greene Turtle; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Hudson Health Services to help those that have been adversely affected by alcohol and drug dependencies. Hours tomorrow are 11 a.m. to Midnight. Thanks for supporting substance abuse treatment!

Thank You,

Victoria L. Jester
Director of Development
Hudson Health Services Inc.
(410) 219-9000 ext. 120

Did Nano-Thermite Take Down The WTC????

Could the most audacious terrorist attack in history be a “sophisticated masterpiece of demolition”?

Obama In The Movies

SkillsUSA Students From Parkside High CTE Earn Top Honors At National SkillsUSA Competition

Six students trained and educated in the Parkside High School Department of Career & Technology Education recently won top national honors at SkillsUSA’s 45th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference and Competition, a showcase for career and technology education students.

“We are very proud of our students and our graduates for their outstanding performance at the national SkillsUSA competition,” said Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools. “This is a testament to the dedication and skill of these students, and to the outstanding programs and instructors at the Parkside High School Department of Career & Technology Education.”

This was the first year in which Wicomico sent a welding team to compete at nationals, and the three-man welding team of Dan Chance, John Winn and Matt Fletcher did an outstanding job, winning the silver medal in Welding Fabrication. The team members worked together against the clock to follow a blueprint to fabricate a stand-up toolbox. Chance and Winn are 2009 graduates of Parkside High, and Fletcher is a 2009 graduate of Mardela High.

For the third straight year, a Parkside CTE Electronics program student brought home the national SkillsUSA gold medal. (Alex Stevenson, 2008 Parkside graduate, won the gold medal in 2007 and 2008.) This year, the gold-medal winner in Electronics Technology was 2008 Parkside graduate Spencer Crockett, a student at Wor-Wic Community College who competed at the post-secondary level with Parkside’s SkillsUSA chapter. It was a strong win: Crockett was 53 points (out of 1,000 points) ahead of the second-place finisher, and more than 200 points ahead of any other finisher.

Parkside High’s Tyler Moskov also performed well in the Electronics Technology contest, placing fifth in a field of 36 state champions and coming home the highest-scoring junior in the Electronics Technology contest. As a senior this year, he will have the opportunity to compete in SkillsUSA again.

The outstanding showing by Wicomico students continued in the Electronics Applications competition, where 2009 Parkside High graduate Jung An finished second in the nation, earning a silver medal. He finished just 5 points (out of 1,000) behind the gold-medal winner. He will attend Salisbury University this fall, and plans to transfer to the University of Maryland College Park after one year for the engineering program.

This year’s SkillsUSA national conference, held June 21-26 in Kansas City, also brought special recognition for Jim Maynard, the Parkside SkillsUSA advisor. He was called on stage for recognition as one of the top 4 SkillsUSA advisors in the nation.

“Jim is not the type of guy to toot his own horn, but I sincerely give Mr. Maynard credit for keeping myself and all the students informed as to the requirements of each competition,” said Dave Miles, electronics instructor at Parkside CTE. “He constantly went above and beyond as he reminded us of what to bring, where to be, what to do and what not to do. He also drove his own vehicle with equipment for the competition to Kansas City, saving the county money in shipping costs and airfare. He is a true professional who fully deserved this recognition.”

The annual SkillsUSA competition and conference hosted more than 5,000 competitors from the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. The results prove that Wicomico students and the career and technology programs at Parkside are some of the best in the country – good news for the community, which benefits from the skills of many CTE students, said Bryan Ashby, supervisor of career and technology education.

Nationally, SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 CTE students and professional members enrolled in trade, technical, and skilled-service occupations, including the allied health professions.