Nigeria To Drop Charges Against Cheney

Former VP and Halliburton were accused of bribery over natural gas project

LONDON — Nigeria will drop charges against former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and Halliburton, the oil-services firm he once headed, after the company agreed to pay up to $250 million to settle a bribery case, the U.K.'sGuardian newspaper reported Wednesday.

The charges stem from a case involving millions allegedly paid in bribes to Nigerian officials by Halliburton and other firms to win a contract to build a $6 billion liquefied natural gas plant in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta.

Nigeria's anti-corruption police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said it met officials representing Cheney and Halliburton in London last week, according to the Guardian.

"There was a plea bargain on the part of the company to pay $250 million as fines in lieu of prosecution," Femi Babafemi, a spokesman for the EFCC, told the newspaper.

Several Nigerian newspapers reported that former President George H.W. Bushand James Baker, former secretary of state, took part in the negotiations with Nigerian officials, the Guardian said.

GO HERE to read more.

Armed Robbery Arrest / Shore Stop Berlin

Date & Time: 08/25/2010 @ 0105 A.M. Case #:10-0185
Location Occurred: Shore Stop, 11121 Racetrack Rd., Worcester County, Maryland
Crime or Violation: Armed Robbery
Victim: Shore Stop

Accused: Jordan Jamar Criner B/M 02/28/1987
Keenen Hassan O’Brian White B/M 08/01/1991

Narrative:

On 08/25/2010 at 0105 Hrs, investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation responded to the Shore Stop in Ocean Pines, Worcester County, Maryland to investigate an armed robbery. Investigation revealed that there were two suspects involved in the robbery and at this time both have been identified as Jordan Jamar Criner of Berlin Maryland and Keenen White of
Salisbury. Both subjects have been arrested and charged with the following crimes; Robbery, First Degree Assault, Handgun Use in Felony Violent Crime, Handgun on Person, Conspiracy-Robbery, Conspiracy-First Degree Assault, Conspiracy-Handgun Use Felony Violent Crime, Conspiracy-Handgun on Person, Armed Robbery, Second Degree Assault, Handgun in Vehicle, Theft Less than $100.00, Conspiracy-Armed Robbery, Conspiracy-Second Degree Assault, Conspiracy-Handgun in Vehicle, and Conspiracy Theft Less than $100.00.

Jordan Criner is currently being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center on $250,000 bond and Keenen White is currently being held on $150,000 bond.

About 1,200 Dogs Euthanized After Disease Outbreak

Wyoming distemper cases linked to large-scale breeder in Kansas

OBERLIN, Kan. — An estimated 1,200 dogs at a Kansas kennel were euthanized after an outbreak in Wyoming of the highly contagious disease distemper was linked to the large-scale breeding operation.

Kansas Livestock Commissioner Bill Brown said the state started investigating the Beaver Creek Kennels near Oberlin in September after being contacted by Wyoming's state veterinarian about distemper cases at a petstore in Cheyenne.

Brown said Wednesday that the Kansas Animal Health Department quarantined the kennel twice after investigators confirmed several cases of distemper in puppies that were being sold out of state. When breeder Jeff Fortin couldn't sell dogs because of the quarantines, he ran out of money to pay staff members and take care of the animals.

"It became an economic situation, and consequently became a health, safety and welfare issue for the puppies," Brown said. "The owner couldn't feed his dogs, his help left, and health, safety and welfare became an even bigger issue."

Distemper, which is usually lethal, can be spread through contact with wildlife, as well as through other infected dogs.

Brown said no shelters would take the dogs because of the outbreak, so the decision was made to euthanize them.

GO HERE to read more.

Obamacare Scam

"Let's stop the talk and just look at some facts. The wife and I got our SS checks today.They are $200.00 a month less then they were in Feburary. Reason? We have to pay $2,400/year for Obmama Care. Promblem is I'm retired Army Vet that is covered by the VA and the Wife and I are also coverd by Tri-Care, the military retirement system. We have no use for medicare, never used medicare nor will ever use medicare BUT UNDER PENALITY OF LAW, must pay $2,400/year anyway. How can this possibly in the most warped Democratic thinking, be fair and legal."

Joe Price

Wanted For Burglary / Theft Of Christmas Gifts

DATE & TIME: December 7 and December 8, 2010
Case # 10-0262

LOCATION: Pocomoke, Worcester County
CRIME: Burglary First Degree, Theft: $10,000 to Under $100,000
VICTIM: Christopher Litton and Shagmar Connors

ACCUSED: LeAnder Dynte Ward, age 18, Pocomoke, MD (Arrested)
***** Robert Irvin Branch Jr. age 27, from Pocomoke, MD (WANTED)

CHARGES: Burglary First Degree, Burglary Third Degree, Theft: $10,000 to Under $100,000, Theft: $1,000 to Under $10,000, Malicious Destruction of Property Under $500, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the First Degree

NARRATIVE: On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office were sent to a reported Burglary on Critcher Road, Pocomoke, Maryland. Deputies determined that the suspect(s) had gained entry into the residence by prying one of the exterior doors open. The victim determined that over $43,000 in personal property had been taken. Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation were contacted to assist with the investigation.

On Wednesday, December 8, 2010, Troopers from the Maryland State Police were
dispatched to Brantley Road, Pocomoke, Maryland. The homeowner had arrived at
his residence and observed three black males walking out of his house carrying his wrapped Christmas presents as well as other personal property.
While the victim was on the telephone with the Police, the three suspects fled.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police, assisted by Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Pocomoke City Police Department searched the area for the suspects.

LeAnder Ward, of Pocomoke, was subsequently located, arrested and charged with these two crimes.

Further Investigation revealed that Robert Irvin Branch Jr was identified as the second suspect involved in the burglaries. An arrest warrant has been issued charging Robert Branch Jr with 2 counts of Burglary First Degree, 2 counts of Burglary Third Degree, Theft: $10,000 to Under $100,000, Theft: $1,000 to Under $10,000, 2 counts of Malicious Destruction of Property Under $500, 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the First Degree and Conspiracy to commit Theft: $10,000 to under $100,000.

Anyone with any information please contacts TFC. Sigmund at Worcester County
Bureau of Investigation at 410-352-3476.

This Is What I Call A Merry Christmas!

Christmas is about believing. 

Christmas is about faith. 

Christmas is about miracles. 

Christmas is about prayer.

Thanks for staying strong and helping so many to believe.

Merry Christmas Mulford Family.  

Someone Filed A Formal Complaint Against William Gordy Oil Company

This little gem came to me anonymously in the US Mail. Mind you, this is only one side of the story but begs the question, how many "blacks" are working for the Salisbury Fire Department too?

Naylor Mill Road Finally Gets Repaved

For the past year, many of us have complained about the bridge at the bottom of the hill on Naylor Mill Road. It was so bad, many people would almost come to a complete stop to assure they wouldn't tear their suspension up. Worry no more Folks. As you can see from the images above, the road is like brand new.

Thank You Wicomico County! I travel that road almost every single day and it was pretty bad. Have any of you seen improvements on other roads we should all know about?

Alice Cooper, Neil Diamond To Enter Rock Hall

Darlene Love, Dr. John, Tom Waits also to be inducted on March 14

The votes are in and next year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class will include Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love and Dr. John. Leon Russell will be receive The Award For Musical Excellence (formerly the sideman category) and industry legends Jac Holzman and Art Rupe will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award. The ceremony will be held March 14 at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel and it will be broadcast live on Fuse.

Artists are eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first single or LP. All of this year's inductees, however, started in the 1960s — with the lone exception of Tom Waits, who released his first LP Closing Time in 1973.

GO HERE to read more.

Secret Santa Hands Out $100 Bills In Kansas City

One delighted recipient: 'I can only afford one gift for each child. But now ....'

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Secret Santa II hit the streets Tuesday in a long-standing Kansas City tradition of handing out $100 bills — sometimes several at a time — to unsuspecting strangers in thrift stores, food pantries and shelters.

Some people gasped in surprise. Some wanted to know if the $100 bill the tall man in the red cap offered was fake. Others wept.

Secret Santa II has seen a lot of reactions since taking over where his mentor, Kansas City's original Secret Santa, Larry Stewart, left off when he died in 2007 at age 58. Like Stewart, who gave away more than $1 million to strangers each December in mostly $100 bills, this Secret Santa prefers to stay anonymous.

GO HERE to read more.

In Plea for Leniency, Child Sex Abuser Says Relationship With Priest Is Linked To His Pedophilia

A Connecticut man who has confessed to sexually abusing several homeless boys in Haiti is claiming in his plea for leniency that a relationship he had with a priest while in college more than 20 years ago is linked to his pedophilia, according to a document filed by his attorneys.

Douglas Perlitz, 40, pleaded guilty in August to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and he admitted to engaging in sexual acts with eight children as part of a plea deal. He could receive from eight to nearly 20 years in prison on Dec. 21 when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton.

GO HERE to read more.

Assange Has Half Of Cash Needed For Bail

Why is it that Swedish authorities are so dead set that Julian Assange spends Christmas in jail?

LONDON — A lawyer for Julian Assange said on Wednesday that the WikiLeaks founder's backers had raised around half of the 200,000 pounds ($317,400) cash he needs to secure bail in the Swedish sex crimes case against him.

Lawyer Mark Stephens said members of the public had asked to contribute to the fund to release the Australian, who has outraged U.S. authorities by orchestrating the release of thousands of secret diplomatic cables.

Assange was in a London jail after Swedish authorities appealed against a judge's decision to free him on bail. Assange denies any wrong-doing.

Officials said an appeal against a judge's decision to grant him bail will be heard on Thursday at the High Court in London.

"We have to come up with 200,000 pounds in pound notes and that is difficult to come by," lawyer Mark Stephens told BBC News.

"We've got about half of that right now but of course people will understand that even wealthy people don't keep that kind of money knocking around," he added.

GO HERE to read more.

Prominent public figures including U.S. film-maker Michael Moore, Australian journalist John Pilger and British author Hanif Kureishi have pledged their support for Assange.

Border Patrol Agent Killed In Southern Arizona

The U.S. Border Patrol has confirmed that one of its agents has been killed in Southern Arizona.

Border Patrol spokesman Eric Cantu confirmed the agent's death but had very few details to release Wednesday morning.

The agent has been identified as Brian Terry, according to KVOA.com.

At least four suspects are in custody, while another one is still being pursued, according to Nogales International.

GO HERE to read more.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On Friday, December 10, 2010 at approximately 7:21 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to Verizon at 2423 North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with an adult female employee who advised that she had been in the closing process at the store when the store was entered by a lone male suspect. The suspect produced a handgun and ordered the employee to produce and give him all of the U.S. currency from the cash register. The suspect then pushed the employee away from the register and took the currency himself. The suspect then fled from the store on foot. A K-9 track for the suspect was conducted with the assistance of the Maryland State Police and led to the area of Eden Street. There were no injuries and the suspect was described as:

African-American male, dark complexion, between 20 and 30 years of age, approximately 5’10”, medium build, and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and a black bandana over his face.

This investigation is continuing, and the Salisbury Police are asking anyone with information concerning the robbery to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be given anonymously. CC # 201000048317

On December 14, 2010 at approximately 4:07 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Walmart Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that store employees had observed the below listed suspect take property from the store without making payment. The suspect was apprehended and the property was recovered and returned to the store. Following his arrest, the suspect was searched and found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: James Patrick Wilkerson, 31 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (under $ 1,000)
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201000048780

On December 14, 2010 at approximately 5:38 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Fairground Drive and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for traffic violations. A records check was run on the occupants of the vehicle and revealed that the below listed suspect was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant. The suspect was taken into custody, and a search of the suspect incident to arrest revealed a quantity of suspected marijuana in his pants.

ARRESTED: Zeton Lamont Lambert, 29 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia
Arrest Warrant – Second degree assault

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201000048793/48796

NY Senator Charged With Embezzling From His Clinic

ALBANY, N.Y. – Pedro Espada Jr. has been at the center of two of the most tumultuous years the two-century-old New York Senate has ever seen.

Now, the bold and charismatic Bronx Democrat who plied his way from freshman to majority leader in six months stands accused of embezzling state grants he directed to his Bronx health clinic in some New York's poorest neighborhoods to pay for a cool car and a hot night life.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday indicted the 57-year-old state senator and his son, Pedro Gautier Espada, 37, on six charges stemming from the activities involving the Comprehensive Community Development Corp., a federally funded not-for-profit in the Bronx known as Soundview. They are accused of embezzling more than $500,000 from clinic the senator founded for lavish spending, including a down payment on a $125,000 Bentley and $14,000 in tickets for sports and shows.

GO HERE to read more.

WIcomico Judicial Nominations

Hey Joe, just thought you would like to know that the local judicial nominating committee, finished up their interviews yesterday and they are only submitting two names to the Govenor, when traditionaly there are three or more sent up.  Looks like the fix is in.  The names sent up are the current Circuit Ct. Master Leah Seaton and M.J. Caldwell.  Funny part is that Seaton is a Democrat and Caldwell is a Republican and we know how this will work out.  Looks like the panel wanted Seaton only, because the other two females and male were all Democrats and this way Seaton has no competition.  Typical politics. 

Sometimes We Forget

If you have the time, help those who need it most. Blankets, jackets, gloves, hats, food, whatever you can spare, let's help our local homeless people today.

Austria: Judge Rules That Yodeling Offends Muslims

It seems as though in Austria, the popular yodel is an insult to Muslims.

An Austrian court has recently fined a citizen for yodeling while mowing his lawn, according to a report in The Kronen Zeitung newspaper.

 The citizen, 63-year-old Helmut G., was told by the court that his yodeling offended his next-door Muslim neighbors, who accused him of trying to mock and imitate the call of the Muezzin.

In Muslim tradition, the Muezzin is the chosen person at a mosque who leads the call to prayer at Friday services and the five daily times for prayer from one of the mosque's minarets.

The yodel is a song which is sung with an extended note which rapidly and repeatedly changes in pitch and makes a high-low-high-low sound. Developed in the Central Alps as a method of communication between alpine mountaineers or between alpine villages, the yodel later became part of the region's traditional lore and musical expression. The technique is used in many cultures throughout the world and Austria is one of the countries where it is most popular.

Unfortunately for Helmut G., his neighbors were in the middle of a prayer when he started to yodel. The Kronen Zeitung reported that he was fined 800 Euros after judges ruled that he could have tried to offend his neighbors and ridicule their belief.

Helmut G. clarified that “It was not my intention to imitate or insult them. I simply started to yodel a few tunes because I was in such a good mood.”

(Source- INN)

Today's Survey Question

Are you worried about your privacy on the internet?

Lame Ducks Break Into A Sprint

Forget about going quietly into the night.

Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a broad agenda for an end-of-session sprint that otherwise could be a whole year's worth of activity — including an arms-reduction treaty with Russia, a major immigration reform bill and legislation overturning the ban on openly gay military service members.

That's not to mention the nearly 2,000-page, $1.1 trillion spending bill that contains hundreds of pork-barrel projects and new rules governing things such as airport baggage and the fate of detainees at the military prison at U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"We're not through. Congress ends on Jan. 4," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat.

What is likely to get the most attention is the omnibus spending bill, spanning 1,924 pages and spending what amounts to an average of $575.13 million per page.

It stands in contrast to the House, which last week passed a bill freezing fiscal 2011 spending at 2010 levels. The Senate bill boosts spending by $16 billion — a tough sell at a time when deficits and debt are dominating the policy debate in Washington.                          

More on this

White House: Damn The Torpedoes-- Full Speed Ahead

The White House insisted Tuesday that the implementation of President Barack Obama's landmark health care law will not be affected by a negative federal court ruling, and the Justice Department said it would appeal.

"There's no practical impact at all as states move forward in implementing ... the law that Congress passed and the president signed," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters.

Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said that, as expected, the department would appeal Monday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson in Virginia. Hudson declared that a central provision of the law — the requirement for nearly everyone to carry health insurance — was unconstitutional.

Obama administration officials noted that consultations with states on implementing the law were moving forward. Later this week officials from all but a handful of states are expected to travel to Washington to meet with the Health and Human Services Department to discuss setting up the state-based insurance marketplaces, called exchanges, required by the new law.

More here

Doctors Claim HIV-Positive Man Cured By Stem Cell Transplant

There’s an estimated 33 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, and now doctors believe one of them may have been cured of the virus after receiving a stem cell transplant in 2007, the medical journal Blood reported.

Timothy Ray Brown, an HIV-positive American living in Germany, had leukemia and was undergoing chemotherapy, when he received a transplant of stem cells from a donor carrying a rare, inherited gene mutation that seems to make carriers virtually immune to HIV infection.

GO HERE to read more.

Charlie Sheen Cleared By NYPD In Alleged Hotel Rampage

"Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen won't be charged with any crime in connection with the complaint Capri Anderson lodged against him with the New York Police Department, according to Radar Online.

Anderson, who is an adult film star, was in Sheen's Plaza Hotel room Oct. 25, the night Sheen allegedly went on a rampage that ended when police arrived and escorted the actor to a local hospital for treatment for an allergic reaction. In the complaint, Anderson alleged that Sheen held her against her will, and she was traumatized by the event.

After Anderson filed the complaint, Sheen sued Anderson, alleging extortion. Sheen's rep has not responded as to whether Sheen will now drop his case.

Source

Florida School Board Shooting Captured On Video

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40674270/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

'We could tell by the look in his eyes that this wasn't going to end well,' chairman says

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

GO HERE if you have a problem viewing video.

Snow On The Way?

The unusually cold air pattern we've seen the past couple of days in the Washington area isn't going away anytime soon.

And on Thursday, we could add snow to the mix, according to NBC Washington meteorologist Tom Kierein.

A weak area of low pressure will be passing through Virginia south of Washington during the day on Thursday, Kierein said. That will likely spread some light snow through the region in the morning, with occasional light snow during the day.

How much could we get? Higher accumulations could occur 30-60 miles south of Washington, with accumulation of up to 2 inches. Less is expected in the immediate D.C. area -- perhaps a dusting to an inch.

The snow could start at dawn south and west of Washington in areas like the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville. The snow could arrive in the D.C. area a couple of hours after that.

Any snow that falls likely will stay around for a while, Kierein said, because there is no immediate break to the pattern of cold air that is racing into our region.

Another storm system may affect our area on Sunday, Kierein said.

GO HERE to read more.

Statue Of Limitations

The U.S. House of Representatives will today vote on whether to give the District of Columbia a single non-voting statue in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

Earlier this year, the Committee on House Administration approved a bill introduced by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton that would give D.C. two statues in the Capitol, as each of the 50 states gets. In a comically petty act, Republicans balked -- but said they were fine with the District getting just one statue.

Norton, who is used to this sort of thing, decided to go along.

“Its federal taxpaying status entitles the District to two statues, like other jurisdictions that pay the full freight to support our government,” she said. “However, we need to seize whatever rights we can, when we can, and pick up the rest when we can.”

GO HERE to read more.

Mark Zuckerberg Is TIME's 2010 Person Of The Year

Meet the second-youngest individual ever to be named TIME magazine’s Person of the Year: Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of the omnipresent social-networking site Facebook.

You may feel as though you already know the 26-year-old. If you regularly use a computer, you probably interact with Zuckerberg’s Facebook empire on at least some level.

And maybe you’ve seen the acclaimed movie “The Social Network,” which portrays Zuckerberg as socially stunted, calculating and arrogant.

But is there more to this story? Yes, TIME editors discovered — and that’s what prompted the magazine to choose the multibillionaire CEO for the Person of the Year distinction.

GO HERE to read more.

Funding Vote To Test Obama’s Resolve On Ending Earmarks

Senate Democrats are moving aggressively to pass a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that will test President Obama’s resolve on opposing congressional earmarks.

The 1,924-page bill would set aside funding for thousands of earmarks, according to Senate aides tracking the legislation.

Obama last month called for an earmark ban, saying in one of his weekly addresses that “we can’t afford” these items inserted by members of Congress “without adequate review.”

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) on Tuesday called on Obama to intervene in the Senate’s deliberations.

“It would be helpful if he said, ‘Don’t pass a bunch of earmarks,’ ” said Coburn, who asserted that the GOP will not have adequate time to review the massive bill.

Senate appropriators explicitly defied Obama by including $450 million for a second F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine made by General Electric and Rolls-Royce.

Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates say the engine is not needed and have repeatedly invoked a veto threat.

A Senate Democratic aide, however, noted the earmarks, taken together, account for less than 1 percent of the total spending package, which is $19 billion more than current funding levels.

Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan group that tracks federal spending, said Tuesday evening it had found 6,600 earmarks worth $8 billion — $2 billion less than the amount spent on earmarks in the fiscal year 2010 spending bills.                                               

More here

King Bill Would Punish Employers For Hiring Illegal Workers

Iowa Rep. Steve King, the House Republicans’ probable point man on immigration wants to take away employers’ tax deductions for the wages of any illegal immigrants they hire, The New York Times reports. The proposal from King, the top candidate to chair a key immigration panel, would reverse the federal government’s existing policy on privacy by requiring the Internal Revenue Service to share data on taxpayers with the Department of Homeland Security.

King said his bill, if passed, “opens up lots of jobs for Americans.” He also might seek funds for more border fencing, saying, “Build it until they stop going around the end — that would be my standard.”                                 
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Christmas Fundraiser/Food Drive

T'was The Night Before A Non-Denominational Winter Holiday

World's Smallest Political Quiz

GO HERE to take brief test.

HELP YOU MAKE IT TO YOUR FLIGHT

Tommy Moose Presentation

The Lower Eastern Shore Women of the Moose Chapter 2089 presented "Tommy Moose" stuffed moose dolls to local law enforcement agencies. "Tommy Moose" helps children during a crisis. Pictured from left to right are Ellen Dorsey (WOTM), Officer Jerome Stanford, Princess Anne Police Department, Deputy Ritchie Ward, Somerset County Sheriff's Office, Barb Gregory, (WOTM), Officer Mike Wokford, Crisfield Police Department and Dottie Ford(WOTM).
"Tommy Moose" dolls were also donated to Princess Anne VFD, Marion VFD and Crisfield VFD, not pictured.
Barbara Gregory
Senior Regent
LES WOTM Chapter 2089

Council Cuts $32M From Montgomery County Budget

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Cutting the Montgomery County budget has made the county council cranky.
Montgomery County Council member Mark Elrich may have summed it up for everyone.
 
"I would much rather not be in this situation," Elrich says.
 
Despite the sentiment, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett says he needs $36 million in budget cuts right now - in the middle of fiscal year 2011 - because he's staring down a budget gap of $300 million for FY 2012.
 
In the end, the council voted to cut just over $32 million from the budget.
The council elected to keep:

• Nine police officers in schools (School Resource Officers);
• 11 ambulances;
• an energy rebate program for low income households;
• pedestrian signal timing programs and road patching.

GO HERE to read more.

Save Money: Avoid Easy Tow Truck Scams

WASHINGTON -- Not all threats on the road come from other drivers, and one service to which most motorists usually look for assistance can actually be the source of a major scam.

Inflated fees for towing services increased 103 percent in 2010, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Their scams to draw more money out of drivers in need can take on many forms, so nation-wide insurer Allstate put together a list of tips to avoid getting burned on the pavement.

GO HERE to read more.

Beat These Deadlines To Ship Your Gifts On Time

If you're shipping out gifts to friends and family, you may have to start sending out packages this week if you want to get them to their destinations by Christmas. Here are links to domestic shipping deadlines for some of the more popular shipping services:

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Bride Sues Runaway Groom For $100,000 Wedding

A jilted bride is suing her ex-beau who dumped her days before the wedding, leaving her standing at the altar holding a bill for nearly $100,000 in wedding expenses.

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Measure Your Firewood Before You Pay For It

In case you hadn't noticed (or if you live south of the Equator), it's almost winter. For many people, that means firing up the old wood-burning fireplace. But before you try to save money by buying firewood in bulk, here are some tips to make sure you don't get burned.

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JCPenney Opens Up The First Facebook Store

JCPenney just snagged the "anchor store" spot on Facebook, becoming the first retailer to let shoppers purchase crap directly from their Facebook page application through a fully integrated e-commerce platform.

More »

Why Are Wars Not Being Reported Honestly?

In the US Army manual on counterinsurgency, the American commander Gen. David Petraeus describes Afghanistan as a "war of perception … conducted continuously using the news media." What really matters is not so much the day-to-day battles against the Taliban as the way the adventure is sold in America, where "the media directly influence the attitude of key audiences." Reading this, I was reminded of the Venezuelan general who led a coup against the democratic government in 2002. "We had a secret weapon," he boasted. "We had the media, especially TV. You got to have the media."

Never has so much official energy been expended in ensuring journalists collude with the makers of rapacious wars which, say the media-friendly generals, are now "perpetual." In echoing the west's more verbose warlords, such as the waterboarding former US vice-president Dick Cheney, who predicated "50 years of war," they plan a state of permanent conflict wholly dependent on keeping at bay an enemy whose name they dare not speak: the public.

At Chicksands in Bedfordshire, the Ministry of Defence's psychological warfare (Psyops) establishment, media trainers devote themselves to the task, immersed in a jargon world of "information dominance," "asymmetric threats" and "cyberthreats." They share premises with those who teach the interrogation methods that have led to a public inquiry into British military torture in Iraq. Disinformation and the barbarity of colonial war have much in common.

GO HERE to read more.

UK Court Grants WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Bail

Julian Assange was granted bail today in the UK, which will allow him to leave jail on the condition that he surrenders his passport and wears an electronic tracking device, The Guardian UK reports. Swedish prosecutors have two hours to file an appeal against the decision.

Assange is not able to leave until the appeals process is complete, leading one of his lawyers to predict that he won't be released tonight, via a tweet by UK Times reporter Alexi Mostrous.

In addition to surrendering his passport and wearing a tracking device, Assange must also abide by a curfew of 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM and check in at the police station every day at 6:00 PM. The restrictions were suggested by Assange's barrister Geoffrey Robertson.

More than £200,000 has been offered in collateral for Assange's bail, with ten celebrities and other well-known figures also offering surety, including American documentary filmmaker Michael Moore and English entrepreneur Vaughan Smith.

Source

Halliburton Offers Nigeria $250 Million In Exchange For Dropping Charges Against Cheney, Company

Nigerian authorities said Tuesday they may drop bribery and corruption charges against Halliburton and former Vice President Dick Cheney over bribes company executives paid to government officials during Cheney's tenure  as head of the oil services firm in exchange for securing contracts to build a liquefied natural gas facility in the country.

Last weekend, Nigeria's anti-corruption unit, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), met with representatives for Halliburton and Cheney in London in an attempt to hammer out a deal. Halliburton reportedly offered to pay $250 million in fines to settle the case.

Femi Babafemi, an EFCC spokesman, said the offer includes the "repatriation of $130 million trapped in Switzerland."

"It will need to be ratified by the government and expect a decision by the end of the week," Babafemi added.

A Halliburton spokesperson did not return a call for comment. But spokeswoman Tara Mullee said last week, "It is still our position that Halliburton was not involved in the project to which this bribery investigation relates and there is no legal basis for charges."

GO HERE to read more.

December Edition Of "Working Together For Children" Now Airing On PAC 14

The December edition of "Working Together for Children" is airing on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14). The show is currently scheduled to air at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and noon Saturday; visit pac14.org for additional times.

This month's show features interviews with two Wicomico County Public School families who share their experiences with Wicomico schools, their concerns and kudos, and their expectations for their children. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and Aaron Deal, host of “Working Together for Children” and a teacher at Salisbury Middle School, are the hosts.

"Working Together for Children" airs regularly at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and noon Saturdays; check the Programming grid at www.pac14.org for additional times. PAC 14 also streams its programming live on its web site at www.pac14.org, so viewers can visit the web site to "tune in" on line when the show is on the air.

"Working Together for Children" is produced monthly by the Wicomico County Public Schools for broadcast to the community on PAC 14. For further information or to give feedback, please contact Dr. Faye Wilson at 410-677-4529 or fwilson@wcboe.org.

Highlighted Events This Week In Wicomico Schools

Wednesday, Dec. 15
Holidays Around the World
Wicomico Early Learning Center

Pre-Kindergarten Three and Four Year Olds and Salisbury II Head Start will participate in the Holidays Around the World Parent/Child Event beginning at 9:45 a.m. at the Wicomico Early Learning Center. Students will travel to stations located throughout the school to participate in science, reading, math, art, social studies and cooking activities. Families are invited to attend with their child. This activity is a Judy Center funded event. 410-677-5900.

Wednesday, Dec. 15
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Office

A Superintendent’s Open Door Session will take place Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 4-6 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. The Open Door Sessions are opportunities to meet one-on-one with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen to discuss any issue, idea or concern. No appointments are made: Anyone interested in meeting with the superintendent should come to the Board office that day and sign in. Other Superintendent Open Door Sessions for this year are scheduled for Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27 and May 25. 410-677-4495.

Friday, Dec. 17
3rd annual Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition for Fifth-Graders from Prince Street, Pinehurst and Glen Avenue Schools
At Prince Street Elementary School

Prince Street Elementary will host the 3rd annual Operation SPEAK (Stimulate, Prepare & Encourage Articulate Kids) Oratorical Competition at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. There will be fifth-grade students from three Title I school competing - Pinehurst, Glen Avenue and Prince Street. This program encourages 5th-grade students to compete first with students from their own school in writing, memorizing, and reciting a speech. Three students from each school will participate in the contest on Dec. 17. Each student will have two to four minutes to present a prepared speech on either this quote from John Crudele: “Kids Spell Love T-I-M-E,” or Jesse Jackson’s quote, “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” Winners will be eligible for trophies and monetary awards. This year’s Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition is supported by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. For information please contact Tana Ellis at 410-677-5813 or tellis@wcboe.org.

Opportunity To Support Our Students At Schools

Saturday, Dec. 18
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the Wicomico High School Boys & Girls Lacrosse TeamsSupport the Boys & Girls Lacrosse Teams at Wicomico High School at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s by members of the 2010 WiHi Boys & Girls Lacrosse Teams. For tickets please contact Coach Todd Cushman at 410-677-5149 or tcushman@wcboe.org.

Schedule For Wicomico County Schools During The Winter Holidays

The last day of school before the winter holidays will be Wednesday, Dec. 22. Schools will be closed from Dec. 23-Jan. 2 for the winter holidays, with all schools and offices reopening on Monday, Jan. 3. The Central Office will be closed Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 30-31 and open Dec. 27-29; calls on Dec. 27-29 should be made to the Central Office at 410-677-4400, as schools will be closed.

Holiday Concerts, Programs And Music Events In Community For Wicomico Schools

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m.
“Holidays Lights” by Grades 1 & 2
Northwestern Elementary

Northwestern Elementary's holiday program, "December Lights," will be presented by students in Grades 1 and 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. The program tells this story: The house decorating contest judges are traveling through town to choose the best decorated house, but eventually decide that choosing one winner is not possible. Each of the December holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, have different kinds of decorations and each is beautiful in its own way. Admission is free. 410-677-5808.

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
“Can’t Wait for Christmas” with 8th-Grade Chorus
Salisbury Middle School

The Salisbury Middle 8th-Grade Chorus will present “Can’t Wait for Christmas” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, in the Salisbury Middle School cafetorium. Admission free. 410-677-5149.

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.
James M. Bennett High “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert
At Wicomico High School Auditorium

The Choirs and Symphonic Band of James M. Bennett High School will present the annual holiday concert Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. The concert is entitled "Sounds of the Season.” It will take place in the Wicomico High School Auditorium due to the ongoing renovation of the Bennett Auditorium. The Intermediate Choir will present seasonal favorites and end with a medley from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The Concert Choir will feature a special selection by the Senior Ladies, a beautiful rendering of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu, and a lively jazzy arrangement of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. The Symphonic Band will perform in its award-winning style and feature the Marching program with the Color Guard and Percussion ensemble. Admission is free but, as always, donation will be accepted. 410-677-5141.

Thursday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Band, Orchestra and 1st-Grade Holiday Show
Pemberton Elementary

Pemberton Elementary will present its holiday program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16 in the gym. The band and orchestra will play winter and holiday songs, and the first grade will present “Stars and Winter Skies.” Free admission. 410-677-5809.

Thursday, Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.
Winter Program with Wicomico Middle 7th- and 8th-Grade Bands
Wicomico Middle School

The Wicomico Middle School 7th- and 8th-Grade Bands will present a winter music program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, in the Wicomico Middle School auditorium. The bands will perform a variety of holiday and non-holiday selections. Free admission. 410-677-5145.

Thursday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m.
2nd-Graders Present “Elfis and the Sleigh Riders”
Fruitland Primary School

Fruitland Primary School 2nd-graders will present Teresa Jennings’ program "Elfis and the Sleigh Riders" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, in the cafeteria at Fruitland Primary School. This rock-and-roll and Elvis inspired program will get everyone tapping their toes as the characters and students learn that friends can disagree and still be friends – they just have to work together and listen to each other. Free admission. A full school performance will take place at 9:30 a.m. that day. 410-677-5171.

Thursday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.
“A Holiday of Music” with Chorus and Strings
Pittsville Elementary and Middle

The Pittsville Middle School Chorus and Pittsville String Orchestra will present “A Holiday of Music” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Parkside High School auditorium. Choral Selections include: Festive Processional; Welcome, Winter Winds; Grinch Medley; A Candle for Peace; Mele Kalikimaka. Orchestra selections include Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Sleigh Ride, Santa at the Symphony, and other carol medleys. Admission is free. 410-677-5811.

Thursday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.
Mardela High School Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, & Warrior Marching Band present the 2010 Holiday Concert, with special feature the Mardela High School Chime Choir. Free admission. 410-677-5170.