Home Explosion In Laurel Delaware

Salisbury News has been informed that there has been a home explosion on Dogwood Lane in Laurel, Delaware. Numerous Fire Departments have been dispatched as well as three Ambulances and now they've called in for more Ambulances. More to come.....

UPDATE: Joe. I just heard the med report to PRMC. Two kids one adult hurt. The house is leveled. The 3 year old has several fractures. Not heard on condition of the others.

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OBITUARY: Dawn Kimberly Mitchell

Dawn Kimberly Mitchell

Dawn Kimberly Mitchell, 42, of Salisbury, passed on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury with her husband at her side. Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of Dale Lawrence Albert & his wife, Patsy of Salisbury and her mother, the late Bonnie Lee Albert in 1995.

She was the news director at WMDT 47 News for 23 years and graduated from Wicomico High School in 1985 where she was a majorette. She was involved in many community activities and a member of the Red Cross. She started the WB Cheerleaders which became nationwide.

She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Freddie Mitchell, Jr.; 2 daughters, Jessica Mitchell and Jeana Mitchell of Salisbury; step brother, John DiMare & his wife, Carrie of Fruitland; father in law, Fred W. Mitchell, Sr. of Salisbury; several aunts and uncles including Linda and Brian Phoebus of Quantico, Terry and Jan, Wayne and Liz and Jay Albert all of Salisbury, Kathleen Campbell and family of Fruitland; her loving pets, Winston, Linus and Angel and a large loving family. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her mother in law, Barbara Ann Mitchell in 2009.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 4:00 pm at the Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 217 Beaglin Park Drive in Salisbury with a visitation two hours prior. Rev. J. Harvey Dixon will officiate.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Dawn Mitchell Memorial Fund, Hebron Savings Bank, 1310 Mt. Hermon Road, Salisbury, Maryland 21804.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Maryland 21804. To send condolences to the family, please visit http://www.hollowayfh.com/.

SHOREBIRDS AND SUNS POSTPONED DUE TO HEAVY RAIN

Shorebirds will play one game on Tuesday at 10:35 A.M.

Hagerstown, MD – The Delmarva Shorebirds will have to wait until Tuesday morning to return to the diamond. Their scheduled game against the Hagerstown Suns on Monday night has been postponed due to heavy rain and unplayable field conditions at Municipal Stadium. A makeup game will be announced at a later date.

The Shorebirds will play one game on Tuesday morning at 10:35 AM.
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Drugs And Dog Fighting Equipment Seized, Two Brothers Arrested

Location: 12000 block of Old State Road, Ellendale, DE
Date of Occurrence: Thursday April 22, 2010

Missing Person:

Ray Purnell, 31, of Old State Road, Ellendale, DE
Thomas Purnell, 22, of Old State Road, Ellendale, DE

Resume:

Delaware State Police have arrested two brothers on drug charges. One brother also faces additional charges for dog fighting and animal cruelty.

On Thursday, April 22, 2010 state troopers assigned to the Drug Task Force and the Governor’s Task Force in Sussex County concluded an investigation into the illegal distribution of Marijuana by Ray Purnell of Old State Road, Ellendale, DE. This investigation was initiated in May 2009

On Thursday, April 22, 2010 troopers obtained a Search Warrant for the residence. The assistance of Kent County SPCA was enlisted for dog control issues. Ray Purnell was not at the residence. His brother, Thomas Purnell was linked to the distribution of marijuana, and was arrested without incident. During the search of the residence and surrounding property, approximately ½ lb (218.6 grams) of marijuana was located in a large white duffle bag. $500.00 cash was seized from Thomas Purnell. The marijuana was located in the midst of a large “kennel” area to the rear of the property. Contained in this area were 24 Pit Bull dogs of various ages. The condition of the dogs indicated that several were recently involved in “dog fighting”, as numerous serious injuries were observed. Two dog training treadmills were observed along with a “rape” stand for impregnating female dogs. Inside and outside the residence numerous injectable animal anti-biotics were located. Other medications used for the treatment of animal wounds were also observed. All of the above items were seized, and subsequently turned over to the Kent and Sussex Animal Control Officers. All 24 dogs located at the residence were seized by the SPCA.

Thomas Purnell was charged with Possession with the Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Conspiracy 2nd, Maintaining a Dwelling, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thomas Purnell was committed to the Department of Correction in lieu of secured bond. Ray Purnell was arrested on Friday, April 23, 2010 on the same drug charges as his brother. HE was committed to the Department of Corrections in default of $7,000 bail. Felony Arrest Warrants are also currently pending for Ray Purnell for Dog Fighting and Animal Cruelty. These charges are being obtained by the Sussex SPCA.

Dr. Thomas Sowell: The Limits Of Power

When I first began to study the history of slavery around the world many years ago, one of the oddities that puzzled me was the practice of paying certain slaves, which existed in ancient Rome and in America's antebellum South, among other places.

In both places, slave owners or their overseers whipped slaves to force them to work, and in neither place was whipping a slave literally to death likely to bring any serious consequences.

There could hardly be a greater power of one human being over another than the arbitrary power of life and death. Why then was it necessary to pay certain slaves? At the very least, it suggested that there were limits to what could be accomplished by power.

Most slaves performing most tasks were of course not paid, but were simply forced to work by the threat of punishment. That was sufficient for galley slaves or plantation slaves. But there were various kinds of work where that was not sufficient.

Even the totalitarian governments of the 20th century eventually learned the hard way the limits of what could be accomplished by power alone. China still has a totalitarian government today but, after the death of Mao, the Chinese government began to loosen its controls on some parts of the economy, in order to reap the economic benefits of freer markets.

Ironically, the United States is moving in the direction of the kind of economy that China has been forced to move away from. China once had complete government control of medical care, but eventually gave it up as the disaster that it was.

The current leadership in Washington operates as if they can just set arbitrary goals, whether "affordable housing" or "universal health care" or anything else -- and not concern themselves with the repercussions -- since they have the power to simply force individuals, businesses, doctors or anyone else to knuckle under and follow their dictates.

Friedrich Hayek called this mindset "the road to serfdom." But, even under serfdom and slavery, experience forced those with power to recognize the limits of their power. What this administration -- and especially the President -- does not have is experience.

Barack Obama had no experience running even the most modest business, and personally paying the consequences of his mistakes, before becoming President of the United States. He can believe that his heady new power is the answer to all things.

More here

(Thomas Sowell was born in North Carolina and grew up in Harlem. He is currently the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics (Magna Cum Laude) from Harvard in 1958, his master’s degree in economics from Columbia University in 1959, and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago in 1968.)

Death Investigation Ruled A Homicide

Location: 600 West 8th Street, Laurel, Sussex County, DE
Date of Occurrence: Thursday, April 24, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Victim: Raymond Elzey, 40, Laurel, DE

Resume:

Delaware State Police have ruled the death investigation in the town of Laurel a homicide.

Troopers have identified the victim in this homicide investigation as Raymond Elzey. The manner has been determined a homicide by the State Medical Examiner’s Office and the cause is being withheld at this time due to the on going investigation.

Anyone with information concerning this investigation is asked to call the State Police Homicide Unit at 302-739-5393.

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Wicomico County Darwin Award

While I never make remarks on Police Press Releases, I cannot resist on these two. You see, Deputy Tim Robinson pulled off a classic on these arrests. He arrested one guy for a DUI and when his friend came in to pick him up, he arrested his friend for a DUI as well. Talk about a Darwin Award!!!!!!

Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 24 April 2010
Location: Cedar Crossing, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Ryan David Rivera, 25, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 24 April 2010 at 12:55 AM, a deputy on foot patrol on Cedar Crossing in Salisbury observed a group of disorderly subjects who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol walk from a residence and get into a vehicle parked on the street. As the deputy walked up to the vehicle, the deputy observed open containers of beer being held by the occupants. After instructing the operator, Ryan David Rivera to put the vehicle back into park and turn off the engine, the deputy discovered that Rivera appeared under the influence of alcohol. When the deputy asked Rivera for his driver’s license, Rivera produced an Identification Card and told the deputy he did not have a license any more.

The deputy had Rivera exit the vehicle for the purpose of gauging his level of sobriety. After Field Sobriety testing the deputy placed Rivera under arrest. Post arrest, the deputy learned that Rivera’s Maryland Driver’s license and privilege had been both suspended and revoked due to previous convictions for alcohol related driving offenses.

The deputy transported Rivera to the Maryland State Police barrack where he was processed.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
Driving While Impaired
Driving While Suspended
Driving While Revoked

Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 24 April 2010
Location: North Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jonathan Thomas Handy, 19, Delmar, MD

Narrative: On 24 April 2010 at 2:15 AM, a deputy was at the Maryland State Police barrack in Salisbury processing Ryan David Rivera on a DUI arrest. At the conclusion of the processing, the deputy walked Rivera into the lobby where a ride was waiting for him. After speaking with the ride, Jonathan Thomas Handy of Delmar, the deputy determined that Handy appeared to have been consuming alcohol. During further investigation, the deputy determined that Handy was under the Influence of Alcohol and had driven Rivera’s vehicle from the area where Rivera had been arrested in order to pick him up at the Barrack.

Rivera was taken into custody by the deputy and processed at the State Police Barrack. During processing, the Deputy discovered that Handy did not have a Driver’s License, but that due to a previous Driving Under the Influence incident his privilege to drive a motor vehicle in Maryland had been both suspended and revoked.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Impaired
Driving While Suspended
Driving While Revoked
Driving Without a License

Update On Dawn Kimberly Mitchell Funeral Service

The viewing for friends and family will be held from 2 to 4 PM at the Emmanuel Wesleyan Church on Saturday May 1st. The funeral will also follow immediately after the viewing. The Emmanuel Wesleyan Church is located at 217 Beaglin Park Drive in Salisbury, Maryland. Pastor Jay Dixon from the Faith Community Church will handle the service.

Donations can be made in the name of Dawn Kimberly Mitchell at the Hebron Savings Bank.

Dawn was a 1985 Graduate of Wicomico High School.

HEAR MAYOR IRETON ON RADIO TOMORROW MORNING

WICO (1320 AM) will present in two separate segments an extended interview with Mayor Jim Ireton.

The morning program consists of a syndicated program with local segments hosted by Bill Reddish that air during the 7-8 AM period and also at about 8:15 AM. The interview will be presented during those segments.

Assault On A Deputy

Incident: Assault on a Deputy
Date of Incident: 25 April 2010
Location: Rockawalkin Ridge Road, Hebron, MD
Suspect: Cleo D. Hayes, 41, No Fixed Address

Narrative: On 25 April 2010 at 9:17 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Citizen’s Complaint of an intoxicated subject lying in the roadway on Rockawalkin Ridge Rd in the vicinity of Buckman Avenue. Upon arrival, the deputies observed that several vehicles were stopped in the roadway because of the subject lying in the roadway. The deputies located Cleo D. Hayes of no fixed address who had gotten up and was attempting to leave. The deputies observed that she appeared to be very intoxicated. While speaking to Hayes, she told the deputies that she thought she was walking on Naylor Mill Road and was on her way to a market on Delaware Avenue in Salisbury.

Due to her condition and the disturbance she created in the neighborhood a deputy attempted to place her under arrest, but she attempted to pull away and resisted efforts to be placed into handcuffs. During the arrest process, Hayes spit on one of the deputies in the face.

Due to her disruptive and assaultive behavior she was transported to the Central Booking Unit in a patrol vehicle equipped with a prisoner cage. Once at Central Booking she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Hayes was held in the Detention Center by the Commissioner in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.

Charges:
Assault 2nd degree
Public Intoxication
Disorderly Conduct
Resist Arrest

Dawn Mitchell: The Little Giant Of The Eastern Shore

As many of you know by now, Dawn Mitchell passed away of a massive stroke Friday afternoon.

Dawn Mitchell was the glue that kept Channel 47 News together. She was caring, compassionate, giving, happy, friendly, outgoing and could light up any room she walked into.

Dawn worked at Channel 47 News WMDT for 22 years. Her Husband Freddie has also been with 47 News for 11 years. Together they fought unbelievable battles being both Mother and Father to literally hundreds of young people trying to make a go of it in their Industry.

I have personally known Dawn and Freddie for several years now and while we initially had our differences in the beginning, we came to respect each other and ultimately became good friends over time. I worked hand in hand with Dawn on many local stories, the biggest one was the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant. As I'm sure many of you can share several stories of your experiences with Dawn in the past, she will truly be missed by all of the living she touched throughout her lifetime.

It came as a massive shock when I came to learn how bad things were. The feeling of helplessness angered me. There was simply nothing anyone could do. My deepest sympathies go out to Freddie and their Children. One can only imagine the pain they are experiencing.

The Staff at 47 News are not only experiencing a massive loss, they are trying their very best to keep things moving along and quite frankly Folks, this is an almost impossible task emotionally and physically.

We are expecting to get a funeral announcement some time today as many of you have e-mailed me for such information. We will make it available just as soon as we get it.

To my Friends at 47 News, may God be with you all. Dawn is in a beautiful place right now and as my Mom told me hours before she passed, "I'm going home." Welcome home Dawn.

LOST DOG FOUND - OWNER LOCATED!!!

Joe,

We located the owner for the back lab in Bridgewood! Thanks for your help. The family was worried to death about him. You should keep a running tally on the blog of how many pets you help reunite with their owners!

Thanks Again!

Mike DeMarco

Mike, to answer your question, ALL of the dogs we have posted have been reunited with their Families/Owners. Unfortunately, a couple of them were hit by cars but we are very pleased to tell you our success ratio. Thanks for taking him in Mike.

I'd Like You To Meet Two Year Old Brody Lewis

From Grandma:

"Sit back my friends and let me tell you a true story about good deeds.

Last week, I emailed Joe about a very special but odd request. Because of my grandson's special needs and life support system, I was hoping to find a beautician/barber who might be willing to make a house call.

You see, my grandson can't leave the house without all kinds of back up batteries and tubes which must be connected to him. He will be 2 years old May 14 and has never had a haircut. It would take too much time to use the phone book and call every shop in the area which is why I contacted Joe.

I anxiously waited for my post on his site. It never happened. The next thing I knew, I had an email from Joe stating that he had contacted Eric the Barber and Eric agreed!

Eric and Joe came yesterday to my grandson's house and by the way, Eric worked until 3 and was with us by 4, and my grandson got his first haircut! He looks SOOOO cute!

When I offered to pay, Eric flat out turned me down. He came with all of his tools and let me tell you, this was NOT an easy hair cut because of the special chair that my grandson has to sit in. Joe offered to pay himself because he knew what a wonderful thing Eric was doing but I think Eric went home with nothing but a feeling of doing something great!

I was running around taking pics with my cell phone but because of being short, I could not get a lot of shots. Joe was able to take some shots through the entire process and I can't wait to see them!

Folks, never say that no one reaches out to help others no matter how odd the request may be. Joe and Eric did and I have to say, they are some of the nicest people I have ever met!

Many thanks to Eric and Joe!

Your good deeds will not be forgotten!"

Cindy, Casie, Brad and Brody

Craft Beer Tasting Event

Talk about a huge success! The Craft Brew Tasting Event was held on Sunday and quite frankly I got there pretty much when they opened their doors and the place was packed.

They changed the location so it could be held indoors at the old Fire Station 16 Downtown. As you can see from the photos, things went better than I certainly expected.

People were able to try out many of the different brews available here on the Eastern Shore. Some they liked, some they didn't. However, it was a perfect way to get to know who has what and perhaps what they'll order in a local pub the next time they visit.

DAILY TIMES ROYALLY REAMS RICK POLLITT!

It’s not often that we complement an editorial in Salisbury’s newspaper, but the one in Sunday’s issue qualifies for kudos, primarily because it pulls no punches. The writer pointedly charges Pollitt with lack of leadership in his recently proposed budget, even stating that “we can do better.”

Pointing out that Mr. Pollitt has for years bemoaned Wicomico County’s property tax “revenue cap,” blaming it for all kinds of things, the editorial further observes that this year he could raise more tax revenue by increasing the tax rate, after having cut the rate in prior years because of that cap.

But he failed to request a tax hike in his latest proposed budget. Yes, that does seem two-faced, no matter which side of the fence you’re on. There’s a County election this year. As many baseball fans say each fall: “Wait until next year.”

The only point that seems debatable is the suggestion in the editorial that Pollitt could become the leader that “we need”. He has now had several years in which (as the writer states) “we’ve been warned that tough times were coming” during which “Pollitt has been adamantly opposed to certain painful steps that might narrow the gap.”

Can the County’s “public information officer” tell us how many strikes Mr. Pollitt gets before the umpire sends him back to the dugout?

Habitat For Humanity, Built By Women

This Is What Makes America So Great!

You take a bunch of great women, pull them together and watch them work and unbelievable dreams can come true. This can certainly be said about the Angelot Family and all of their new friends and neighbors who helped their dreams come true.

Saturday Habitat for Humanity delivered the keys to the Angelot Family, along with a ton of house warming gifts. They are now homeowners in Salisbury. I encourage all of you to at least click on the second image above and read their story.

While there are truly too many names to mention here, just know that because of some, the American Dream can still be achieved. Get involved Folks and make a positive difference.

47 News Director Dawn Mitchell Has Passed Away

Ladies & Gentlemen, it truly saddens me to announce that Dawn Mitchell passed away Saturday.

We will provide a more in depth story about this situation tomorrow but our thoughts and prayers go out to Freddie, (her Husband) and the Mitchell Family.

Dawn was a dear friend and quite frankly I am very concerned for those she has left behind. This is a massive loss for many so I'll ask that all of you keep the Mitchell Family and the WMDT Staff in your thoughts and prayers. Dawn was with WMDT for 22 years.

Quote Of The Day

"On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." --Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Johnson, 1823

Salisbury Festival Draws In 25,000 People

The Salisbury Festival kicked off at 6 PM on Friday and ended late yesterday. Louise Smith stated there would be some 25,000 people attending the event. They also celebrated Pete Cooper's 100th Birthday at the event where Congressman Frank Kratovil presented him with a proclamation from Congress on his 100th Birthday and his service within the state of Maryland.

Police Cuts Spark Debate Over Safety

It has become a recession mantra: Do more with less.

Now, a heartland city is testing whether that's possible when it comes to public safety.

Since January, Tulsa, Oklahoma has laid off 89 police officers, 11% of its force. That has pushed the city to the forefront of a national movement, spurred by hard times, to revamp long-held policing strategies.

In the crosshairs: community-policing initiatives created over the past two decades, such as having officers work in troubled schools, attend neighborhood-watch meetings and help small-business owners address nuisance crimes like graffiti. Such efforts are popular, and some experts credit them with contributing to the steady drop in the national crime rate since 1991.

But after years of expanding and taking on new duties, police chiefs say they have little choice but to retrench.

"Departments are pulling back to their Alamo—providing patrols and responding to calls for service," says Jason Stamps, director of professional training at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety.

Cuts have swept communities from Stockton, Calif., to Naperville, Ill., depleting some departments to 1980s-era staff levels.

In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently vowed not to lay off cops, but tight budgets have slowed hiring so much that the force is down about 12% from 2000, with more attrition expected. Some violent crimes, including homicides, are on the rise. Paul Browne, a deputy police commissioner, says the department has kept a lid on problems by flooding high-crime areas with cops on foot patrol who practice community policing, such as checking in with merchants and pastors. Mr. Browne said the department is committed to such programs but acknowledges that "it's getting harder" to devote enough resources.

The strain in New York and communities nationwide reminds William Bratton, former police chief in New York and Los Angeles, of the 1970s and 1980s. Then, departments lacked resources to focus on crime prevention and community partnerships, or deal with crimes such as drug dealing and prostitution.

"You'd think we would have learned our lessons from the past," says Mr. Bratton, who now runs Altegrity Security Consulting. "Policing still requires boots on the ground."

Citizens and officers in Tulsa are finding out together what fewer cops means.

The police have curtailed community outreach, investigations, undercover work, surveillance, even traffic enforcement, and poured many remaining resources into bread-and-butter street patrols.

The domestic-violence unit lost two officers, leaving four to handle about 5,000 cases a year. The undercover units that used to focus on armed gangs in public housing projects have disbanded. Veteran narcotics detectives are back in cruisers, answering 911 calls.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr. believes this is the first step in remaking the department into a lean machine, with fewer high-paid supervisors in desk jobs and more cops on the street fighting bad guys.

Early numbers look good. Reported crime was down about 20% in February and 15% in March from year-earlier levels.

More here

[There is also much to be said in favor of concealed-carry by a responsible citizenry. Proven fact: when thugs and criminals aren't the only ones on the street that are armed, crime rates drop significantly.-- Editor]

Mike Harpool Of Delmar Wins A Tough Fight

Not that long ago I wrote an article about a young man from Delmar who is bound to a wheel chair having to fight a tough battle taking his three young children to and from Delmar Elementary.

Now just imagine being permanently bound to a wheel chair for starters. Then imagine having three young children living 1/2 mile from their school and having to take them back and forth every day, yet the sidewalks don't have handicap ramps. Oh, it gets worse. Now go back to this past winter and the snow storms we had. Sidewalks weren't cleared so Mike had to travel down the middle of the road and trust me Folks, both sides of the road are jammed packed with vehicles, making it impossible for two way traffic, let alone one way to boot.

Then, (as pictured above) there was only one handicap ramp directly in front of the school and trust me, each and every day someone would park right in front of that ramp making it impossible for Mike to utilize it. Mind you, Mike would have to again travel down the middle of a very busy street in order to get to that ramp.

Learning of this problem, I contacted County Executive Rick Pollitt and asked if there was any way he could help. Rick immediately replied, no problem at all Joe. I'll get Mike an exemption and have a Bus take his children to and from school every day. Well, that wouldn't work simply because Mike truly enjoys getting out twice a day to take his children to and from school.

I then contacted Carl Anderton, one of the Delmar Town Council Members. Carl immediately got the ball rolling and made some phone calls. He called me back within a half hour and said no matter what the deal is, whether the BOE paid for it or the Town of Delmar, new ramps would be installed immediately and they'll settle the cost at a later point.

Low and behold, the very next trip I made to Delmar Elementary they had already torn apart the sidewalks where Mike has to travel and they immediately installed handicap ramps.

On Friday I stopped by the school and the next thing I knew, Fernando Guerrero was there to see his Niece in a talent show. I shared the story with Fernando and he said, Is Mike Here? I walked him over to Mike, (hence the photo above) and Fernando spent some quality time with Mike and his children.

I was then informed by the Principal that they are now working on an emergency plan to widen the road to make things much safer than they currently are. It's simply amazing what a little research can do and my hat is tipped to Rick Pollitt, Carl Anderton and the Staff at Delmar Elementary.