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Sunday, August 01, 2010

Troopers On Scene Of Missing Swimmer

Location: Phillips Landing Recreation Area, Laurel DE

Date of Occurrence: Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.

Resume:
State Police are on the scene of a missing swimmer in the Phillips Landing Recreation Area in Laurel, DE. The preliminary investigation has revealed that a Laurel resident was last seen swimming in the water at approximately 3:30 this afternoon. Fire Department dive teams are currently searching for the missing man. More information will be released as soon as it is received.

Earthsky Tonight—August 1, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn After Sunset

The western sky after evening twilight has hosted a trio of planets for the past several weeks. However, there is room for one more! Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, has been moving away from the solar glare to accompany Venus, Mars, and Saturn. Horizon-hugging Mercury does not stay visible long, however.

Brilliant Venus is the easiest to spot at daylight wanes. Look for Mercury soon after sunset as the brightest “star” between Venus and where the sun disappeared (where the sky is brightest). Observers at mid-northern latitudes should not wait too long, as the innermost planet soon nears the horizon and sets just an hour after the sun. Southern-hemisphere skywatchers can plan more leisurely. This planetary pileup appears more perpendicular to the horizon, affording more time to planet-gaze.

If Mercury has slipped too low in the sky, shift your view to the other side of Venus for the pairing of Mars and Saturn. Only 2 degrees apart, they’ll be easy to differentiate: Saturn is a bit brighter, and Mars has a ruddy hue. Although Mercury will leave the scene, watch how the remaining trio of planets shift with respect to each during evenings to come.

China Overtakes Japan as No.2 Economy . . . .Closes-In On US

The GDP numbers were released this past Friday and shows China overtaking Japan's No. 2 spot in world. According to the projections of the World Bank and Goldman Sachs - China should overtake the US by at least 2025.

China's GDP grew at a blistering 11.1 percent for the first half of 2010. China overtook Britain and France in 2005, and then Germany in 2007. It's no wonder Mad Man Jim Creamer is taunting Caterpillar stock - it is because they are sending virtually all of their equipment to China to help facilitate their economic boom.

In comparison - the US GDP only grew at an annual rate of 2.4% which lags nearly 5 times less than China's blistering pace.

In my estimation - with current US economic policies - the US is no match for competing against the Chinese. As China's communist government works to unravel the regulatory process - the US implements more regulatory regulations and barriers - (health care, tax increases, trade protectionist measures). The present and past economic trade policies have resulted in restraining the US economic corporate engine. So what has happened to the economic stimulus incentives? Inquiring minds want to know.

Folks . . . please keep all of this in mind when you go to the polls and vote. If you don't then China will most likely be looking at the US in their rear view mirror.

Learn To Use Our Search Feature

There's one tool on Salisbury News many people aren't aware of. I receive e-mail questions on a regular basis asking me about information on particular articles. Sometimes I'll even get calls on an article 3 to 4 years old.

Here's the deal. In the top left hand corner of Salisbury News is a search box. You simply type in the name or key words you recall from any particular article and click search and Blogger will take you right to that article.

The main reason I'm taking the time to mention this is because of candidate interviews. If you missed an interview, type in the candidates name and it should pop up as one of the top articles. This way you don't have to go to the bottom of each page and click on older posts, until you find what you're looking for.

If you can't find your candidate, it means one of two things. One, they haven't been published yet or two, they were too much of a coward to do the interview.

Israeli Airstrike Kills Senior Hamas Rocket Maker

Israeli warplanes fired missiles, killing a senior commander of the Hamas military wing and wounding 11 people in five targets hit across Gaza overnight, the group and the military said Saturday.

The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to a powerful rocket fired from Gaza that hit the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon on Friday, causing damage but no injuries.

Gaza's Islamic militant Hamas rulers said their slain member was Issa Batran, 42, a commander of the groups' military wing in central Gaza and a senior rocket maker.

Batran had survived several previous Israeli attempts to kill him, but his wife and five of his children were killed during Israel's three-week war in Gaza that ended in January 2009.

Later Saturday, some 3,000 Hamas loyalists marched in Batran's funeral procession, firing guns, waving the group's green banner and Palestinian flags. Batran was buried in a grave next to his wife and children.

The cross-border violence came after weeks of relative calm and raised concerns of further escalation.

A Hamas spokesman said the militant group would avenge Batran's killing.

The strikes hit a smuggling tunnel that runs under the Gaza-Egypt border used for smuggling weapons, the military said, as well as Batran's shack in central Gaza, which was likely used to make rockets, and a Hamas military training camp in Gaza City.

Israel's military says more than 400 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza since Israel ended its punishing assault in the Hamas-run coastal area 19 months ago.

The Islamic militants have been building crude rockets for the past decade, and have fired hundreds of them at Israeli border towns.

However, Hamas has largely held its fire since Israel's military offensive against Gaza, and most of the 400 rockets were pelted by smaller militant groups. They were mostly crude, short-range rockets. However in Friday's attack, Ashkelon was hit by a military-grade Grad rocket that can travel longer distances and cause far more damage.

More here

Meet Candidate/Senator Rich Colburn

City Of Fruitland Newsletter

NEWSLETTER
July 30, 2010


CITYHALL

Community News Website: The City has set up a Community News Weblog at http://cityoffruitland.blogspot.com to provide an informal venue for community sports, business, and nonprofit news and pictures. Submissions can be sent to rkonrad@cityoffruitland.com.

Annual Newsletter: The annual newsletter “The Grapevine” is completed and will be mailed within the next two weeks along with the tax bills.

Dog Ordinance Pending: A revision of Ordinance #186 is now being considered. Our current Ordinance gives the responsibility of dealing with dog complaints to Wicomico County. Unfortunately the County has cut their enforcement arm in the Humane Society and has turned over dealing with these issues to the Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department has no interest in dealing with our local problems in this matter.

Gateways and Image Enhancement Plan Being Studied: The City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Code Enforcement Officer are working together to craft a plan for upgrading welcome signs and other public areas to enhance the City’s image with guests and citizens.

City Council Election: Just a reminder that Candidates may file Petitions of Candidacy through Monday, September 6, 2010 for Fruitland’s General Election to be held on Monday, October 4, 2010; as of this writing, no Petitions of Candidacy have been filed.. Visit the City Website for more detailed information and to download filing forms.

PLANNING COMMISSION

The regular monthly meeting (August 3) of the Planning Commission has been canceled due to the lack of agenda items. Minutes of the July 3 meeting are enclosed with this mailing for members review.

POLICE

“National Night Out” will commence on Tuesday evening, August 3, 2010, at the Fruitland Little League Park. The public is encouraged attend.

Good job to officers in making an arrest of a suspect in connection with the burglary of Cooper Insurance and other previous burglaries within the city.

PUBLIC UTILITIES

Staff removed one of three sewage pumps from Clyde Avenue Pumping Station for a 20,000 hour overhaul and performance evaluation. The remaining two units will be serviced once the above referenced unit is returned to service.

The water service to 106 Gurney Drive was replaced due to leakage failure.

OTHER

A Live Demonstration for a Proposed All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Park will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at 613 Cedar Lane. This FREE demonstration is open to the Public and ALL are welcome!

On This Day In History

On July 30, 1966, the Troggs take their signature hit, "Wild Thing," a three-chord masterpiece, to #1 on the charts and it instantly took its rightful place in the rock-and-roll canon.

Today’s Quote

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

Back In The Day

The Year Is 1947

Some of you will recall that on July 8, 1947, a little over 60 years ago, witnesses claim that an unidentified flying object (UFO) with five aliens aboard crashed onto a sheep and mule ranch just outside Roswell , New Mexico . This is a well known incident that many say has long been covered up by the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies and organizations.

However, what you may NOT know is that in the month of April 1948, nine months after that historic day, the following people were born:

Albert A. Gore, Jr..
Hillary Rodham
John F. Kerry
William J. Clinton
Howard Dean
Nancy Pelosi
Dianne Feinstein
Charles E. Schumer
Barbara Boxer

See what happens when aliens breed with sheep and jackasses?

I certainly hope this bit of information clears up a lot of things for you. It did for me.

No wonder they support the bill to help illegal aliens!

Today's Wildlife Photo


National Park Grant From Coke

Hi Joe,

Though with your readership one of our local parks might have a chance to win this grant.
http://www.livepositively.com/#/americasparks/vote

Lawmakers Consider Ending Citizenship For Children Of Illegal Immigrants

The federal court decision blocking key provisions of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect could light a fire under lawmakers considering an alternative -- and some say radical -- approach to reining in illegal immigration.

Lawmakers since last year have been kicking around a proposal to bar U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants from becoming U.S. citizens. Such a move, which has been ridiculed by legal scholars, would be a drastic reinterpretation of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment.

But those supporting the move say it removes a key incentive luring illegal immigrants over the border. And with Arizona lawmakers now prohibited from requiring police to check immigration status, the option might be back on the table.

More:

Five Arrested On Drug Charges In Lewes

Location: Village of Five Points, 16924 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE
Date of Occurrence: Friday, July 30, 2010 at 3:20 p.m.
Defendants/Charges:

Cynthia Spurr, 47, Rehoboth, DE: 2 counts of Delivery of a Schedule II Narcotic (Oxycodone), Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Narcotic, Conspiracy 2nd degree. Arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2. Committed to the Department of Corrections on $6500.00 bail.

Brittany Staples, 20, Millsboro, DE: 2 counts of Delivery of a Schedule II Narcotic, Conspiracy 2nd degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2. Committed to the Department of Corrections on $4750.00 bail.

Bethany Wade, 21, Millsboro, DE: 2 counts of Delivery of a Schedule II Narcotic, Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Narcotic, Conspiracy 2nd degree, and Maintaining a Vehicle for Transporting Drugs. Arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2. Released after posting $6500.00 bail.

Brenda Decatur, 45, Lewes, DE: Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic. Arraigned at Justice of the Peace 2. Committed to the Department of Corrections for lack of $500.00 bail.

Greg Swift, 24, Lewes, DE: Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Schedule II Narcotic. Arraigned at Justice of the Peace 2. Released after posting $2500.00 bail.

Resume: Delaware State Police along with the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force arrest five people as part of an ongoing investigation into drug sales in Lewes.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of the Village of Five Points on Savannah Road in Lewes as troopers from the Sussex County Drug Unit and the Governors Task Force observed what appeared to be drug transactions occurring. The officers had watched as two female subjects entered the Cape Pharmacy then exited again. The officers learned that the subjects were attempting to have several prescriptions for Oxycodone pills filled. After the subjects obtained the prescriptions, the officers then watched as they then met other subjects in the parking lot. It was then that the drug transactions occurred. All of the parties were stopped by the officers after leaving the parking lot. A total of 144 ½ Oxycodone pills were seized along with $100.00 in suspected drug money. The subjects were arrested on the above listed charges.

LEGENDS WALK OFF WITH 11TH INNING WIN OVER DELMARVA, 7-6

Bumbry Connects on Three-Run Homer In Sixth

Lexington, KY
– The Legends gave away the lead in the ninth but walked away with a 7-6 game two win on a single in the 11th inning by Jonathan Meyer. Saturday night marked the 14th extra-inning game of the season. The Shorebirds are now 4-10 in extra-inning games.

Delmarva grabbed the lead in the top of the first. T.J. Baxter drew a lead off walk. Ty Kelly then placed a sacrifice bunt up the first baseline to move Baxter to second. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Baxter scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Kieron Pope.

Lexington exploded for back-to-back homers in the bottom of the first to build a 4-1 lead. Matt Hogue recorded a single to start the frame. Jiovanni Mier then hit a line drive single. Jake Goebbert followed with a line drive homer over the right-center field wall to lift the Legends in front 3-1. Before Shorebirds starter Matt Hobgood threw another pitch, Athletic Trainer Aaron Scott was called to the hill and Hobgood was removed. Nick Haughian replaced Hobgood with nobody out in the first inning. The first batter, Kody Hinze, hit a home run over the left field wall to give the Legends a 4-1 edge.

Haughian pitched admirably considering his early and unexpected appearance. In four innings, he allowed just four hits and one run.

Delmarva tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning. Brian Conley led off with a double towards the wall in right-center field. Before he turned around first base, Conley came up lame with an injury. He left the game after arriving at second. Kieron Pope then singled to the left side of the infield. Steve Bumbry followed with a blast over the tri-vision in right-center field to tie the game at 4-4. It was his fourth home run of the season.

The Legends regained the lead with one run in the sixth and one in the seventh. Aaron Bray led off with a triple towards right-center in the sixth. He scored on a controversial balk called against Tom Phelps. In the seventh, Rene Garcia reached second courtesy of a misplayed line drive to left by Pope. Hogue placed a sacrifice bunt to move Garcia to third. Jiovanni Mier followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Hogue.

Down 6-4 in the ninth, the Shorebirds battled to tie the game. Garabez Rosa reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to second on a low throw by Miguel Arrendell. Then, Baxter hit a triple towards the left field corner to plate Rosa. With two outs, Mikey Planeta hit a tapper to third that Aaron Bray pulled Kody Hinze off the bag with a high throw, allowing Baxter to score and knot the game at 6-6.

In the bottom of the 11th, the Legends scored the winning run. Hinze reached on a lead off walk from David Walters. He was pinch run for by Barry Butera. A wild pitch advanced Butera to second. Then, Aaron Bray dropped a sacrifice bunt. With Butera at third, Jonathan Meyer hit a hard liner to deep center field to bring home the winning run.

The Shorebirds and Legends will play the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. RHP Brent Allar makes the start for the Shorebirds.

SHOREBIRDS GAME NOTES: 7/31 @ Lexington

PREVIEW: The Shorebirds scored double-digit runs for the fifth time this season in a 10-5 rout of Lexington to level the series at 1-1. The ‘Birds aim to take the upperhand in game three. The Shorebirds plate nine of their ten runs in the first three innings last night.

18 HITS: The Shorebirds tied their season high last night with 18 hits. The ‘Birds also recorded 18 hits on May 14 against Kannapolis in a 10-4 win. Seven Shorebirds had multi-hit games on May 18. Six ‘Birds notched multiple hits last night.

4 RBI DAY: T.J. Baxter knocked in four of the ten runs last night. It was his second four-RBI game of the season. He also had a 4-RBI on 4/15 against Greensboro (two home runs).

ON THE RISE: Garabez Rosa has 12 hits in his last six games. His average has jumped 17 points from 232 to .249. His average has reached its highest point since July 2 when he was hitting .251. Rosa now has three 3+-hit games in the last six games.

17 POINT INCREASE: With a 3-for-5 game last night, Justin Dalles saw his average swell from .228 to .245. It was his first three-hit game of the season.

5 HITS: After going 1-for-26 with runners-in-scoring-position in four games prior, the ‘Birds went 5-for-15 last night.