Salisbury News Is Here To Help Again This Year

To those Seniors and Handicap individuals who cannot clear their sidewalks, ramps and driveways, Salisbury News along, (once again) with Bruce's Billiards will come to your home at NO CHARGE and clear your pathways.

We will base our snow removal on a first come, first served basis. Please e-mail us your address and telephone number to alberobutzo@wmconnect.com this evening and we will start scheduling each location for first thing tomorrow morning and throughout the day tomorrow. If we happen to be out doing driveways tomorrow you'll need to call me and leave a message on my cell phone along with an address. 410-430-5349.

Please keep in mind, if you have a gravel driveway we cannot clear them. They must be paved.

Wicomico County Health Department

The Wicomico County Health Department will be closed tomorrow Monday, December 27, 2010 due to the winter storm.

Delmar Fire 12/26 Bi-State Blvd

About 6pm my family smelled smoke and looked out the windows and saw flames shooting up from the roof of our neighbors house on Bi-State Blvd. in Delmar, DE. 

Ben Katzaman

Wicomico County Government Closings

Wicomico County Government offices are closed tomorrow, December 27, 2010. Weather Emergency personnel are to report to work.

 

Correction from earlier news release: The State of Emergency due to the snow is in effect till 11:59 P.M on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, NOT noon of that same day. 

Another Closing

Joe would you post our closeing of fraternal order of eagles  4503  for monday also monday bingo has been cancelled.

Even Plows Are Having Trouble Today

Setting up a loaded plow turned over on Route 13 Princess Anne.

City Of Fruitland Press Release - Closings

The City of Fruitland will be cancelling trash pick up on Monday December 27 due to weather conditions and the closure of the County landfill. Residents normally recieving pick up services on Monday will have Tuesday pick up instead.

In addition City Hall Offices will be closed all day on Monday due to road conditions. Residents are urged to remain at home if possilble.

Rick Konrad

City Manager

County Executive Declares State Of Emergency Due To Snow

All Wicomico Public Library locations are closed Monday December 27.

Tom Hehman, Director
Wicomico Public Library

County Executive Declares State Of Emergency Due To Snow

Good Afternoon:

 

County Road crews are out in full force fighting the storm. They have been involved in salting and plowing county roads all day.

 

Please see attached declaration of emergency. I suggest you open it as a web page.

 

On behalf of area motorists, please note Article 2 toward the end. It reads: "Snow tires, all weather rated radials or chains will be required when operating vehicles on all county roads. No parking or abondoning vehicles on any county road."

 

The order remains in effect till Tuesday at noon.

 

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, beginning on December 26, 2010, the severe winter weather (extreme cold temperatures, high winds, icy roadways, accumulation of snow, blowing and drifting snow) has, or may become, a hazard to the safe operation or parking of motor vehicles on roadways now threatens homes and other structures and the flow of traffic throughout the County; and,

WHEREAS, the aforesaid weather conditions make it difficult or impossible for citizens
to obtain the necessities of life, as well as essential services such as police, fire and medical aid; and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid weather conditions constitute a disaster from a natural cause
which threatens and presently endangers the health, safety and resources of the residents of the county may become too large in scope to be handled by the normal county operating services; and,

WHEREAS, Chapter 15 of the Wicomico County Code confers upon the County Executive authority to deal with emergencies which threaten the public peace, health, and safety of the citizens of Wicomico County or which may damage or destroy public or private property;

WHEREAS, after consultation with the local emergency and/or public health personnel, the County Executive has determined that an emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, and a declaration of emergency is necessary to protect the public and to allow emergency agencies and first responders to thoroughly prepare for any eventuality related to public peace, health, and safety and protection of property.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., County Executive, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Charter and laws of Wicomico County, including but not limited to Chapter 15, titled "Emergency Management" of the Code of Wicomico County hereby Declare pursuant to Section 15-7 of Chapter 15 that a local emergency exists throughout the County; and I hereby ORDER AND DIRECT, pursuant to Section 15-7.1, the following:


Authorize and empower the County Director of Emergency Services to implement the County Emergency Operations Plan and to direct the activation of county and municipal emergency operation plans as necessary.

Vehicles: Snow tires, all weather rated radials or chains will be required when operating vehicles on all County Roads. No parking or abandoning vehicles on any County Road
Authorize and empower the County Director of Emergency Services to utilize all facilities owned, rented, operated and maintained by the County or under an emergency mutual aid agreement to house and shelter persons who may need to be evacuated from a residence, dwelling, building, structure or vehicle during the course of this emergency.


It is further ORDERED AND DECLARED that this Executive Order shall be enforced as provided in Chapter 15 of the Wicomico County Code.
This Declaration and Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until December 28, 2010, 12:00 p.m.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, RICHARD M. POLLITT, JR, as County Executive of Wicomico County, Maryland, have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of Wicomico County to be affixed this day of December 26, 2010.

Snow Removal in Berlin area

Small businesses and residences that need snow removal, please contact
John Elliott at 410-213-2345

Snow Removal Companies

To those companies interested in advertising on Salisbury News for snow removal, contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349.

Library Closed

The Centre Branch of the Wicomico Public Library is closed today due to snow.

Salisbury Airport Closed

Hey joe, just found out that the salisbury airport is CLOSED. if you would please make a post on this.
Thanks, have a great day !! 

Phil

Snow Removal

Good Morning Joe,

I am sure you are busy this morning with the snow reports, delays and closings, but I wanted to contact you and see if you would be interested in posting information about our snow removal service.  Our crews just returned from our commercial job sites in Bowie, MD and after eating and showering we are ready for more plowing!  

We have several trucks and ATVs with plows and are willing to plow driveways and walkways for businesses AND homeowners if anyone is in need in Wicomico County.  We can plow homeowner's driveways, shovel the front sidewalk and put down a magnesium application on the sidewalk for $80.  We can quote out commercial parking lots depending on the size.  Feel free to have anyone interested give me a call.

Andy 

443-614-0720

Snow Removal Company

I am doing snow removal again this year.

It is free of charge for families of service men and women stationed overseas.

Thanks
Chuck Gordy
410-430-4060

Snow Update - City of Salisbury

Joe – Sorry this is late getting to you.  Have been working remotely, and just got into office from fire station. Jessie not here either, which slows me up!  Jim

City Department Heads met at 9:00 AM at Salisbury Fire Department Headquarters on Cypress Street.  Salisbury Public Works, SPD, SFD, NSCC, BPI, Internal Services, and Mayor and City Administrators were in attendance.

The City of Salisbury has this update as of 10:00 AM:

Salisbury Public Works Employees were activated at 6:00 PM yesterday (Christmas Day) evening.  Today 7 Six Wheelers and 5 1-Ton trucks have been deployed using thee 180 tons of salt delivered to the city last week and have been salting since late yesterday.  City staff will be out salting until enough snow has accumulated to warrant plowing in residential areas, which will not be done until primary snow routes are clear.  Staff will work through day and evening, today, and stop if white out conditions occur as winds pick up later Sunday evening.  The city is in the process of requesting assistance from the Maryland National Guard, which was activated when the State of Maryland called a limited state of emergency.  The City Service Center is staffed and can be reached at 410-548-3177.

Salisbury Police Department has access to all available 4X4 vehicles in the city fleet to supplement city police vehicles.  All patrols have been increased to 2 person vehicles.  ALL CARS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES BY 11:45 AM TODAY SO THAT THESE ROUTES CAN BE PLOWED.  A list of Snow Emergency Routes (updated 9/10) is attached.  Drivers are asked to use extreme caution when travelling.

Each of the 3 Salisbury Fire Department houses will be fully staffed by career and volunteer members by noon.  Staff is working with Public Works to clear stations of snow and ice.

Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance will alert the public as to the exact time that the 6 hour period begins for snow removal.  Currently snow should begin to be removed 6 hours after the end of snowfall. 

The city, per the staff of the Wicomico Emergency Management Service, expects the snow to pick up in the afternoon today and for conditions to become much worse due to high winds late this afternoon and throughout the evening hours.  Again, Motorists are urged to use extreme caution.

The next meeting of Salisbury Department Heads is 5:00 PM today at Salisbury Fire Department.  They will participate in an Emergency Management System conference call at that time.

Salisbury News Does It Again

Last year it was Salisbury News out there all by ourselves calling two blizzard conditions while the rest of the MSM played it off like we were not going to get much of anything.

Today, well, one look outside and you can clearly see the conditions are looking similar to last year and once again WBOC called for a light dusting and we called for this storm more than a week ago to hit us right after Christmas.

Yeah, call it luck or whatever you like. All I can tell you is, we have hit each one of these storm right on the mark and you better believe I'm going to take credit for it. Yes, we called it back on the 15th, 11 days ago HERE.

Now, lets get more serious about it. I have been out in this storm since very early this morning and I just returned home 20 minutes ago. It's REALLY BAD out there. Honest to God, there wasn't a snow plow, (state owned) in either Delaware or Maryland up until just after 1 PM today.

There are many cars off the roads and into ditches and quite honestly there are plenty of vehicles driving up and down Rt 13 acting as if there's been no snow fall at all and this is very6 dangerous. Underneath the top layer of snow is slush, (if the road isn't completely packed with snow to the pavement. To try to stop on that slush is just impossible. That is, unless you're driving 5 to 10 mph and you start to stop quite a ways from lets say a traffic light and so forth.

So please, be very careful out there and if you don't need to go out, DON'T! They're calling for around 18" of snow at this point, could be more, we'll see. I'm spending the rest of my day tuning up my snow blower.

Way to be on top of this storm Easter Shore, NOT!

Centre at Salisbury Closing

Winter Weather Update- The Centre at Salisbury is in a meeting regarding the weather conditions. They may be closing the Mall early. If you are planning to go out please call to verify they are still open. Also the roads are very slick and icy if you have to go out please use caution.

Court Ruling To Remove Memorial Crosses Stays

A federal appeals court said it will not reconsider its previous decision to order the removal of roadside memorial crosses for fallen Utah Highway Patrol officers.
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, CO said Monday it will let stand an August ruling by a panel of three of its judges that the crosses violate the Constitution's prohibition against government establishment of religion.
The Utah Highway Patrol and the Utah Highway Patrol Association had asked the full court to reconsider the case in light of the August ruling, a typical step as part of the appellate process.
It is unclear whether the patrol association or the Utah Attorney General's office, which represented the highway patrol, will appeal the 10th Circuit's ruling to the Supreme Court, as neither returned e-mail messages seeking comment.
Lee Perry, a lieutenant in the highway patrol who along with another trooper came up with the idea for the cross memorials, told The Washington Times he would like to see an appeal.
"Hopefully our Supreme Court will take a look at this case," Lt. Perry said, adding that he hopes it "turns out favorable there."
American Atheists, a Texas-based organization, had asked the court to order the removal of the crosses on the grounds they violated the Constitution. The three-judge panel agreed, concluding that "the cross memorials would convey to a reasonable observer that the state of Utah is endorsing Christianity.
"Moreover, the fact that all of the fallen (Utah Highway Patrol) troopers are memorialized with a Christian symbol conveys the message that there is some connection between the [Utah Highway Patrol] and Christianity," the judges wrote in a 38-page ruling. "This may lead the reasonable observer to fear that Christians are likely to receive preferential treatment from the [Utah Highway Patrol] -both in their hiring practices and, more generally, in the treatment that people may expect to receive on Utah's highways."
The three-judge panel said 14 crosses, which are 12 feet tall, were erected mainly on public land - on areas not meant as religious symbols, but as secular memorials.
The deceased officer's name and badge number are painted on the 6-foot crossbar in large black lettering. According to court records, the crosses bear the Utah Highway Patrol's symbol, the deceased trooper's picture and a plaque with biographical information.

More from The Washington Times here.

Delmarva Power Files For Adjustment In Maryland Delivery Rates

SALISBURY , Md. – Delmarva Power today asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to authorize an increase in electric delivery rates for the company’s nearly 200,000 Maryland customers. If approved, the change would add 2.8 percent to monthly residential electric bills, effective July 21, 2011. The typical bill for a Standard Offer Service residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would increase by $3.76, moving the average monthly bill from $135.26 to $139.02.

The proposed $17.8 million increase reflects rising costs required to provide customers with safe and reliable electric service. Factors include upgrades to the electric system to improve reliability and support investment in new technology.

“We are seeking a relatively modest rate increase to help us keep pace with the demands for quality service and the cost of maintaining and improving our electric delivery system so that we can ensure the continued, reliable flow of electricity to our customers,” said Gary Stockbridge, President, Delmarva Power Region. “Investing in a safe, reliable and efficient electric system benefits the communities we serve.”

Delivery rates cover the cost of the poles and wires that carry electricity to customers’ homes and businesses and are separate from supply rates. Supply rates are driven primarily by the cost of fuel to make electricity and reflect the cost of energy that Delmarva Power purchases on behalf of its Maryland customers who do not buy power from an alternate supplier. Customers who buy from a competing supplier will see the same increase in their delivery rates.