Today's Bill Signing In Annapolis

I wanted to touch on our experience just a little bit today in Annapolis but get into more detail in tomorrow's Post.

I want to sincerely thank Jennifer Foxwell, Tracey Powell, Delegates Mike Smiegel, Jim Mathias, Norm Conway, Sheriff Mike Lewis and Wicomico States Attorney Davis Ruark for being present today. Most of all I want to thank Governor Martin O'Malley for stepping in at the 11th hour to adopt these bills into the Governors Bills to secure what was clearly the right thing to do.

I will hopefully get some more rest this evening and spend a little more time detailing today's experience in tomorrow's Post.

Governor O'Malley Signs Sex Offender Bills Into Law

Jennifer Foxwell Holds Interview After Sex Offender Bills Were Signed Today In Annapolis

What Going On Today With Salisbury News

Well Folks, at this time I am in Annapolis with Governor Martin O'Malley, Sheriff Mike Lewis, Mrs. Tracey Powell and Mrs. Jennifer Foxwell.

At 10:30 AM the Governor will formally sign the new Sex Offender Bills into Law.

When I return this afternoon I will begin to moderate comments and I'm sure you will understand my delay in doing so.

Jimmy Ireton’s Video Brouhaha

One thing is certain, Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton doesn’t have much of a future as an on-air television personality.  Despite three (or was it four?) features on WBOC news Monday evening, I don’t think that Ireton comes off half as bad as his predecessor.

For those of you who missed yesterday’s major scandal, Ireton made several errors.  First, he allowed the Daily Times, a newspaper not known for their competence in reporting city affairs and an ally of the Barrie Comegys party, to record audio and video of an hour long interview with Ireton.  Second, Jim appeared to be slightly over-caffeinated during the interview.  Third, he said a couple of things that he probably shouldn’t have.

Readers should note that neither SbyNEWS, nor this author, have been staunch supporters of Ireton since his assumption of the Barrie Tilghman throne.  While I count Jim as a friend, I have attempted to call them as I see them.  However, after watching WBOC’s take on the Ireton interview I have to rush to Ireton’s defense.  Unless you take the time to watch the ENTIRE interview on the Daily Times website, WBOC leaves you with the impression that Ireton spent the entire interview cussing like a sailor and attacking everyone who may (or may not) be a political enemy.  This simply is not the case.

While I listened closely to the interview, it appeared that Ireton may have mumbled a couple of four letter words.  He definitely said “shit” once.  He implied it another time when referring to two supposed allies, councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen, by stating that “they needed to MUMBLE or get off the pot”.  Yes, we all know what he meant.

Ireton said some things that he shouldn’t have.  That’s for sure.  He’s apologized for them.  I’m going to risk insulting him by stating that he appears to suffer from the same disease which inflicts RNC chairman Michael Steele.  If Jim is smart, he’ll keep any future on-camera appearances to the scripted variety favored by his hero – Barack Obama.

None of this excuses the poor job done by WBOC on this affair.  To actually use former councilman Mike Dunn as some sort of “morality arbiter” was disgusting to say the least.  This is one of the individuals chiefly responsible for the mess that was left for Ireton to clean up.  Dunn’s ties to the city’s slumlords and the Sassafras Meadows affair leave Dunn unfit for any office above inmate hall monitor.

I hope that Ireton learns from an obvious mistake.  I hope that WBOC does to.  For any citizens wishing to FAIRLY criticize Salisbury’s mayor regarding this interview, watch the FULL HOUR first.

MAYOR IRETON: APOLOGIZE NOW!

Regardless of what he may believe or have been told, and even if it’s true, Mr. Ireton’s recent remark about Barrie Tilghman is both uncalled for and inexcusable. He should, indeed must, make an immediate and public apology to her. His cursing can be excused – that’s a common failing – but not cheap shot at his political enemy.

If Women Controlled The World

Rush Limbaugh Suggests Environmentalists Planned Oil Spill

On his show,

Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh suggests environmentalists planned the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to derail support for offshore drilling

By Ethan Miller, Getty ImagesLimbugh expressed suspicion about the timing of the BP oil well explosion, which occurred April 20 -- shortly before U.S. senators were expected to unveil a compromise energy bill that included offshore drilling.

Now, lest we forget, ladies and gentlemen, the carbon tax bill, cap and trade that was scheduled to be announced on Earth Day. I remember that. And then it was postponed for a couple of days later after Earth Day, and then of course immigration has now moved in front of it. But this bill, the cap-and-trade bill, was strongly criticized by hardcore environmentalist wackos because it supposedly allowed more offshore drilling and nuclear plants, nuclear plant investment. So, since they're sending SWAT teams down there, folks, since they're sending SWAT teams to inspect the other rigs, what better way to head off more oil drilling, nuclear plants, than by blowing up a rig? I'm just noting the timing here.

Has Limbaugh, known for blasting environmentalists, gone too far?

GO HERE to read more.

Torches, Smashed Windows – Must Have Been A Tea Party!

After months of warning that Tea Party protests would erupt into violence, a wave of vandalism and violence crested in Santa Cruz this weekend. Masked protesters wielding torches swarmed through the business district, smashing windows and chanting “the streets are on fire!” and “Revolution!” It’s exactly the kind of armed uprising that Tea Party critics predicted … except that it didn’t erupt at a Tea Party: "

A group of protesters demonstrating at a May Day rally for worker’s and immigrant rights downtown broke off into a riot vandalizing about a dozen businesses around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.

"Windows were left shattered and graffiti including anarchy signs were tagged onto buildings. The Rittenhouse Building, Urban Outfitters, Jamba Juice and Velvet Underground all had windows broken, according to Capt. Steve Clark."

Santa Cruz police asked for help from all agencies in the county to break up the riot of about 200 people. At one point, protesters lit a fire on the porch of Caffe Pergolesi and blocked access to firefighters, officers said. Police were able to clear out the demonstrators before more damage was caused.

"A large rock sat outside Verizon Wireless on the 100 block of Cooper Street, where vandals tried to break the window twice, according to Clark."

Let’s do a quick recap. Tea Parties have been held in various locations for well over a year, and none of them has turned violent at all. Arizona passes an immigration law a week ago, and already we’ve had one Leftist demonstration result in violence, calls for the overthrow of the US, and rioting.

Will the same hyperventilating media that sees a militia in every Tea Party make the same broad-stroke analysis of the open-borders Left after a real show of violence and demands for revolution? Don’t hold your breath.

Update: Bob Owens at Confederate Yankee says it wasn’t just Santa Cruz, either, but also Asheville, NC. The Boss Emeritus finds another in San Francisco. She also finds a Univision reporter participating in a protest he was covering. Will Univision suspend the reporter as KOTA did Shad Olson?
Source with video..

FIND THE ERROR = IT'S IMPOSSIBLE

THIS DROVE ME CRAZY!! Even more than I already AM! Smile!!

Find the error, its impossible

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Did you know that 80% of UCDS students could not find the error above?

Forward this to at least 5 people with the title 'Find the error, its impossible', and when you click 'Send', the answer will be right in front of your eyes!

Caption This Photo

Cow Politics And Corporate Models

AN AMERICAN REPUBLICAN:
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
So what?

AN AMERICAN DEMOCRAT:
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
You feel guilty for being successful. You vote people into office who tax your cows, forcing you to sell one to raise money to pay the tax. The people you voted for then take the tax money and buy a cow and give it to your neighbor. You feel righteous.

A COMMUNIST:
You have two cows.
The government seizes both and provides you with milk.

A FASCIST:
You have two cows.
The government seizes both and sells you the milk. You join the underground and start a campaign of sabotage.

DEMOCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE:
You have two cows.
The government taxes you to the point you have to sell both to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow, which was a gift from your government.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE:
You have two cows.
You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when the cow drops dead.

A FRENCH CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create clever cow cartoon images called Cowkimon and market them World-Wide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You reengineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

A BRITISH CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
They are mad. They die.
Pass the shepherd's pie, please.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION:
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 12 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION:
You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.

A BRAZILIAN CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You enter into a partnership with an American corporation. Soon you have 1000 cows and the American corporation declares bankruptcy.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You worship both of them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported on them

AN ISRAELI CORPORATION:
There are these two Jewish cows, right?
They open a milk factory, an ice cream store, and then sell the movie rights. They send their calves to Harvard to become doctors. So, who needs people?

AN ARKANSAS CORPORATION:
You have two cows.
That one on the left is kinda cute...

Today's Wildlife Photo By Scott Phoebus

Wildlife Photo Of The Day

Eastern Screech in their red phase owl in our back yard in Snow Hill MD. These are the smallest owls of North America. No further than 20 feet from the ground and 20 feet from the house. A nesting pair. Eastern Screech Owls nest for life, and have a clutch of 2 to 5 eggs. Photo taken May 2 and 3rd in my backyard. We have named them Loretta and Henry. Loretta loves the view of our side porch from her front porch!

Meme Wells-Suznavick

WBOE

Should our school board be appointed by Governor O'Malley, or should local voters be able to choose who may serve?

Dear Joe,

Like the hour, this email is late.

By chance I was checking Wicomico County's website and see that an elected school board is on the work session agenda for tomorrow as well as night meetings.

Details Follow:

Tuesday May fourth starting at 1130 AM the Wicomico County Council, located at the G.O.B. (Government Office Building) at 125 North Division Street in Salisbury will be having an open work session on whether or not to have at least some night meetings as well as entertaining the question of whether or not an elected school board is superior to one that is appointed by our Governor, which is the current system.

To read the full agenda, please go to the following link
http://www.wicomicocounty.org/council/agenda_minutes/AGENDA.htm
Public Comments will be prior to the work session so if you are for keeping the current system of having Governor O'Malley pick who is on our school board then speak up, but if you think like I do that returning our school board to local control is a good idea, tomorrow is your day.
We Get the Government We Deserve
Your AFP Wicomico Team

The Best Newspaper Headlines Of 2000

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say
Include Your Children When Baking Cookies
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Drunks Get Nine Months in Violin Case
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Teacher Strike Idles Kids
Clinton Wins Budget; More Lies Ahead
Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
Miners Refuse to Work After Death
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Stolen Painting Found by Tree
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
War Dims Hope for Peace
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Space
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter

Mardela Days 5/8

22nd Annual Westside
Heritage Festival
May 8, 2010 9:15 – ‘til…
Mardela Springs, Recreation Park
“Women and Women’s Organizations”
~~Saluting the Women ~~
In recognition of the Mardela Springs Volunteer Fire Co
Ladies’ Auxiliary 75th Anniversary
Fun for the whole family!
Free Admission--Free Parking--Stay the Day
Parade 9:15~Antique Tractor Pull~1PM
Raffles Longaberger Basket Homemade Cakes 50-50 Silent Auction ~~Mardela Canning Token & Farmers Bank of Mardela Springs Items FREE AD Book Historical Gift Shop K-9 Demonstration from Wicomico Sheriff The Writers Bloc which is local authors will be on hand to sign books under the large tent
Entertainment by Local Singers~Tom Sawyer, Gerald Demashet, Lori Gagnon & Michele Reynolds

Antique Vehicle Display ~~Sillie Willie the Clown
Barren Creek Museum will be open 10 to 2 with refreshments

Kids Games Area
Bounce house
games
prizes
dime toss
Old fashion Relay races

Entertainment !!!
Native-American Dances
Exhibits
Demonstrations of traditional crafts
Black Smith

Great Food
Sandwiches –
Oyster Fritters
Firemen BBQ Chicken
Scrapple & Egg
Hot Dogs
Hamburgers

Exhibits of Women’s Organizations will be displayed at the Firehouse
Please stop in to see the importance women have in our society

PUBLIC NOTICE

Following the conclusion of the Council’s 4:00 p.m., May 6, 2010 budget session, the City Council will convene in a work session to discuss the following issues:

Library site proposals

Fire Department grant

The budget and work sessions are held in Conference Room 306 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY CONTINUES “JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND” TOUR

Visits with Employees at Cycle World; Visits Students at Freetown Elementary

BROOKLYN PARK, MD – Fulfilling his commitment to stimulate job creation and help put unemployed Marylanders back to work, Governor Martin O’Malley today continued his “Jobs Across Maryland” tour, and toured and visited with employees at Cycle World, the area’s largest volume power sports dealer. Cycle World has applied for the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit and has since made three new hires and plans to hire more. Governor O’Malley today also visited with students at Freetown Elementary School, a school that has recently been replaced through school construction funds allocated in FY2008 by the O’Malley-Brown Administration.

“There is no government program that is as important or as empowering as a job for helping a family put food on the table, pay the electric bill, and send their kids to college,” said Governor O’Malley. “I want to thank Jeff Hill and his team for putting more Marylanders back to work. It’s businesses like Cycle World that help in our efforts to create jobs, protect jobs, empower small businesses, and defend the hard-won progress of our hard-working families.”

Through the Jobs tour, Governor O’Malley visited Amethyst Technologies and Randallstown High School in Baltimore County, and visited Gray Graphics in Prince George’s County. As the “Jobs Across Maryland” tour continues, Governor O’Malley will visit with large and small Maryland businesses, public schools and career-training programs throughout the State to promote efforts to save and create jobs, including the passage of the emergency Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, which offers a $5,000 tax credit for every unemployed Marylander a company hires. The Governor will also discuss efforts to expand access to credit for Maryland businesses.

During his visit at Cycle World, Governor O’Malley met with employees in the service, parts and accessories, sales, and the showroom departments. He also met with the new employees who were recently hired through the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit. Cycle World was one of the first businesses to apply for the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, and recently applied for another on April 30.

Founded in 1984, Cycle World is the area’s largest volume power sports dealer. Cycle World features Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki motorcycles and ATV’s, as well as scooters from Honda, Yamaha and Tomos and personal watercraft from Kawasaki and Yamaha. The company has three locations – two in Brooklyn Park and one in Rosedale. Currently, the company employs about 25, and is currently hiring in the service, parts and accessories departments.

“Through the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, we have been able to hire more employees which has helped grow our business and better serve our customers,” said Jeff Hill, General Manager of Cycle World Inc. “We were one of the first companies to apply for the credit, and we hope to be able to hire additional employees through the program.”

Following his visit at Cycle World, Governor O’Malley visited with students at Freetown Elementary in Glen Burnie. Governor O’Malley ate lunch with students and toured the newly constructed 21st century classrooms which include SMART Board technology, and a new science lab. In FY2008, the O’Malley-Brown Administration allocated $6.7 million for a replacement school. Over the length of the project, Freetown employed about 250 workers for the construction project.

In March of this year, as part of his Economic Recovery Agenda, Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, which offers up to $5,000 to employers who hire unemployed Marylanders. The tax credit went into effect as of March 25, 2010, and already 51 applications have been certified by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR).

To claim the Jobs Tax Credit, employers must apply for and receive certification from DLLR that their hires meet the basic eligibility requirements. The tax credit, considered emergency legislation, will apply to qualified hires made on or after March 25, 2010 through December 31, 2010. An employer may receive a maximum credit of $5,000 for each qualified employee, up to a total of $250,000. The tax credit is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a program limit of $20 million. Employers can apply online at www.dllr.maryland.gov.

Business representatives in local One-Stop Career Centers can help employers obtain information about the tax credit program and identify qualifying prospective employees who are being served in the career centers. Employers may reach the appropriate business representative by logging on to www.dllr.state.us/county.

For additional information on the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, please call 410-767-2996 or visit www.dllr.maryland.gov.

In addition to signing the Job Creation Tax Credit bill last month, the Governor also signed a bill to modernize the State’s unemployment insurance trust fund, and maintain its solvency by leveraging federal funds. Under the Unemployment Insurance – Tax Deferment, Trust Fund Solvency, and Cost-Neutral Modernization Act, Maryland is eligible for $126.8 million in federal funds to return the UI Trust Fund to solvency at no additional cost to employers, while providing plans to help them in paying their unemployment insurance obligations.

House Dems Preparing For Immigration Reform Battle

House Democrats are quietly preparing to move an immigration bill this year.

While Democrats in the lower chamber are not deviating from their strategy of waiting for the Senate to act first, they are not just twiddling their thumbs.

Democrats at the subcommittee and full committee level have been staking their claim in the debate, arguing they will be able to hit the ground running if the Senate clears a bill.

According to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), his colleagues are getting ready in the event that their Senate colleagues pass an immigration bill.

Cuellar, chairman of the Homeland Security subcommittee on border security, recently approached the full Homeland Security Committee chairman, Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), about having a seat at the table.

“I was talking to my chairman, saying, ‘Hey, you’re the big chairman. I’m the little chairman; I want to be there with you.’ He said, ‘You’re definitely going to be in the room,’ ” Cuellar told The Hill last week.

Cuellar also had a lengthy conversation on the floor of the House last Thursday with Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Judiciary subcommittee with jurisdiction on immigration reform.

Over the past several weeks, Lofgren has been talking with members on the contentious issue, according to a Democratic aide.

Arizona’s enactment of a stringent border-security bill last month has generated some momentum on Capitol Hill for comprehensive immigration reform.

But the Senate is still a long way from passing a bill.

More

A Response To Linda Greenhouse

As some of you may be aware, New York Times columnist Linda Greenhouse wrote a column a couple of days ago comparing the new Arizona immigration law to Nazi Germany, apartheid era South Africa, and states that “the system of internal passports was one of the more distasteful features of life in the Soviet Union”. (I would love to know what the “tasteful” features of life in the Soviet Union were.) Then, Ms. Greenhouse further states that “breathing while undocumented is now a perilous activity anywhere in Arizona”. Note to Ms. Greenhouse and the rest of the liberal elites—it is supposed to be a crime to be an undocumented immigrant in every state (hence the term “illegal immigrant”). That is why legal immigrants are supposed to carry their green cards with them everywhere at all times.

However, I don’t think that most liberals really grasp this fact, because a few days ago on MSNBC when Contessa Brewer was foaming at the mouth about the possibility of “families turning in families”, the headline on the screen read “Law Makes It A Crime To Be Illegal Immigrant”. (Thank you Captain Obvious.) Not to mention, we’ve all seen liberals and members of the MSM get all lathered up in self-righteous outrage over the new AZ law—Richard Cohen of The Washington Post called it “the Anglos last stand”. And, of course, even Barack Obama weighed in calling the bill a “misguided piece of legislation that threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe. ”

GO HERE to read more.

RSC Update

The major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that began after the tragic accident on the Deepwater Horizon rig threatens to devastate both the environment and the livelihood of millions in the Gulf region. The future of the Gulf depends on cleaning up this spill as quickly as possible. It is also vitally important that we learn what exactly went wrong so similar disasters can be prevented and responded to more effectively in the future.

While the scale of this disaster has understandably given some folks second thoughts about greater utilization of American oil and gas resources, even the President and members of his administration have acknowledged that the need for production of domestic oil and gas remains very real. As unemployed and underemployed Americans continue to struggle through what has been called a “jobless recovery,” the beneficial economic impact of a comprehensive energy plan based on innovation, conservation, and production cannot be denied.

The lack of robust, private-sector job creation in this “jobless recovery” is not merely a failure of the Democrats’ $862 billion Porkulus. It is also a reflection of the uncertainty employers face with the prospect of a National Energy Tax, new health care taxes and mandates, decreased access to credit with a permanent bailout bill, a value-added tax, and income tax hikes scheduled to take effect beginning in 2011. Implementing common sense, pro-growth policies like those in the RSC’s Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act would go a long way toward giving employers the confidence they need to begin hiring and expanding in earnest.
Sincerely,
Congressman Tom Price

Chairman, Republican Study Committee

RSC Legislative Activity – RSC members have made it a priority to introduce productive, conservative alternatives to the Democrats’ reckless agenda.

· Rep. John Fleming (LA-04) introduced H.R. 5126, the Helping Save Americans’ Health Care Choices Act, which would repeal the additional taxes on HSA’s, repeal the prohibitions on tax-free reimbursements for over-the-counter medications, remove the cap on FSA’s and ensure that these more affordable plan choices will remain available to Americans as “qualifying plans” under ObamaCare.

· This week, the RSC will launch the 10th Amendment Task Force. By working to disperse power from Washington back to regions, states, local governments, and individuals, the Task Force aims to ensure that the principles within the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution serve as a framework for Republicans to fundamentally alter the way government interacts with and touches people on a daily basis.

Outlook – Here is a preview of upcoming Democrat proposals to advance their big-government, anti-taxpayer agenda.

· This week, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5019, also known as “Cash for Caulkers.” This legislation would spend $6.6 billion through the EPA and the Department of Energy to provide homeowners rebates for insulating attics, installing new windows, and other similar activities.

· The Senate will continue to focus on the Democrats’ financial regulatory reform bill, which includes numerous provisions allowing Washington to bailout and prop up failing firms.
Republican Study Committee

HELMICK’S HEROICS LEAD ‘BIRDS TO 2-1 WIN

‘Birds Play Longest Game of Season

Salisbury, MD – It took three hours and thirty five minutes for the Shorebirds to defeat the Savannah Sand Gnats 2-1 in game one at Perdue Stadium. Gary Helmick hit a bottom of the thirteenth inning line drive single to left field that scored Mikey Planeta.

The Shorebirds and Sand Gnats were dead locked at 1-1 through nine innings. In the 13th inning, Planeta rocketed a triple to the right field corner. Helmick followed with the walk off hit.

Nick Haughian (2-0) earned the win by tossing a flawless 13th inning.

The ‘Birds staff was outstanding. Jesse Beal went 6.0 innings in a starting role. He allowed an unearned run and just six hits. Bobby Bundy then threw three near perfect innings. He struck out five batters. James Brandhorst threw three scoreless innings as well.

The Shorebirds play game two of the series on Tuesday morning at 10:35 a.m

Unprecedented Arrogance

Barack Obama has warned Israel he will pave the way for an independent Palestinian state if the peace process remains deadlocked until the autumn.

The US president is proposing to hand control of the Middle East peace process to the international community unless there is a breakthrough in the next few months, Israeli officials have said.

Mr Obama has formulated a secret plan with leading European allies to convene an international peace conference by the end of the year, according to Israel's Haaretz newspaper.

The move would fulfil one of Israel's deepest fears by effectively stripping the Jewish state of its power to dictate the course of talks.

The conference would attempt to end decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict by pressing both sides to accept difficult compromises on issues ranging from the future of millions of Palestinian refugees to the status of Jerusalem.

Mr Obama is also eager to gain international recognition for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Officials in the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, have voiced their dismay in recent weeks over reports that Mr Obama was planning an effective takeover of negotiations by imposing his own peace deal on the two sides.

Such a step, they said, would undermine indirect peace talks, brokered by the US, that could begin as early as next month.

Mr Obama has strenuously denied considering such an idea, but observers have said it is likely the US president would have developed it as a contingency plan.

More on this

TROOPERS AND ALLIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SEARCH FOR ONE OF TWO JUVENILE ESCAPEES

(Baltimore, MD) Maryland State Police and allied law enforcement continue to search for one of two juveniles who escaped from a Baltimore County detention center last night.

The escapee, who remains at large, is identified as Frederick Catchings, 17, who was being held at the Charles H. Hickey School in Parkville, Maryland. He is an African American male, 5’9” and weighs approximately 140 pounds. Catchings has black hair, brown eyes and has a noticeable tattoo on the right side of his neck. He was last seen wearing yellow athletic shorts, no shirt and white tennis shoes.

The other juvenile escapee was apprehended at approximately 2:00 a.m. this morning. State police apprehended him at a nearby convenient store. He remains in custody and is being held at a detention facility.

Maryland State Police were contacted last night by Hickey school staff members who reported two juveniles had escaped from custody at approximately 10:00 p.m. Baltimore County Police were also notified and an immediate search of the area was conducted. The Maryland State Police K-9 Unit and Aviation Command also assisted.

The search for Frederick Catchings is ongoing. Anyone who may have seen Catchings is urged to contact the Maryland State Police at Golden Ring Barrack at 410-780-2700.

Highlighted Events This Week In Wicomico Schools

REMINDER ON SCHOOL CALENDAR CHANGES

An updated 2009-10 school calendar is posted at www.wcboe.org under Quick Links. Students and parents/guardians should note the following changes in the original 2009-10 school calendar:

May 3: School day with dismissal two hours early (originally scheduled as a professional day for teachers)
May 14: Mid-term reports distributed (originally scheduled for May 7)
June 9-11: Regular school days (originally scheduled as half-days)
June 14 and 15: Regular school days (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings)
June 16, 17 and 18: Half-days. A dismissal schedule will be available soon. (Added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings.)
June 18 is the last day of school for students

May 3-7
Teachers Appreciation Week

The annual observance of Teachers Appreciation Week will be held May 3-7, with National Teacher Day on May 4. Teacher appreciation activities will occur in schools throughout Wicomico County.

May 3-14
AP Testing
Wicomico County High Schools

Advanced Placement (AP) tests will be administered in Wicomico County high schools to students who took AP classes this year and signed up to take the end-of course test that could earn them college credit.

Tuesday, May 4
STEM Discovery Day
Bennett Middle School

Sixth- and seventh-graders at Bennett Middle School will have the opportunity to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) careers at a STEM Discovery Day from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, at Bennett Middle School. There will be 14 or more stations with hands-on activities, presentations and career information in STEM fields. Participating businesses and community partners include: Becker Morgan, Perdue Farms, Salisbury Zoo, The Traffic Group, Salisbury University, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Hillis Carnes Engineering Associates, U.S. Coast Guard and WMDT.

This school year, Salisbury Middle piloted a STEM Academy for students in grades 6-8. Bennett Middle will begin its STEM Academy next school year for students in grades 6-8. An informational presentation will be made at the next PTA meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 11.

RESCHEDULED: From Tuesday, May 4, to Tuesday, June 8
Maryland Blue Ribbon School Tour of Excellence
Northwestern Elementary School

Maryland Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick brings the Maryland Blue Ribbon School Tour of Excellence to Northwestern Elementary School in Mardela Springs at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 8 (originally scheduled for May 4).

Thursday, May 6, 1:15 p.m.
12th annual Career Fair
Fruitland Intermediate School

Fifth-graders at Fruitland Intermediate School will attend the school’s 12th annual Career Fair Thursday, May 6. Two dozen local businesses are expected to be on hand to present to the students and answer their questions about careers. 410-677-5805

Thursday, May 6
African-American Summit IV “Pass the Torch” Student Awards Ceremony
Wicomico High School auditorium

The culminating event for the African-American Summit IV from the 2009-10 school year will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, in the Wicomico High School auditorium. The African-American Summit is sponsored through the WCBOE Office of School Climate.

Saturday, May 8
McCool’s Alumni Jamboree
Mardela Middle and High Gymnasium

The first McCool’s Alumni Jamboree will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 8, in the Mardela Middle and High School Gymnasium where Coach McCool gave so many years of services to Mardela athletes and students before her passing this school year. The event is a fund-raiser for the Barbara McCool Scholarship Fund, which provides college funding to eligible graduates of Mardela. Players pay $20, which includes a complimentary T-shirt and food voucher. The Jamboree will feature a boys game, girls game, half-time contest, Chinese table auction, 50/50 drawings and catered food. Mardela alumni Tia Jackson (University of Washington basketball coach) and Russell Springman (University of Texas coach) are among the many alumni who will participate. Interested alumni should check in with Ron Wainwright at 410-677-5142 or wwainwri@wcboe.org. Tickets will be available closer to the event.

Through May 11
MSA Science Testing for Grades 5 and 8

The testing window for Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Science will run until May 11. The MSA Science test is taken by students in grades 5 and 8.