Salmonella Outbreak Spreads To 16 States

Tainted alfalfa sprouts tied to the foodborne illness; case count rises to 94

ATLANTA — An outbreak of salmonella that was tied to tainted alfalfa sprouts has grown to at least 94 cases in 16 states.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday said the case count had risen from 89 cases in 15 states in the past week, with California joining the list.

More than half the cases have been in Illinois. There have been no deaths.

GO HERE to read more.

Kentucky Violated NCAA Rules While Recruiting Basketball-Playing Dog

The NCAA will investigate the Kentucky program for major recruiting violations including improper gifts of milk bones and rope tug toys.

Source

Random Act Of Kindness In Salisbury

Mr. Albero,

 

I was driving on Walston Switch Rd., slid off to the side and got stuck.  I just wanted to thank Claudia, Nick, Vinny, and two other gentlemen who stopped and helped dig and pull me out for an hour.  I knew none of these people, but they took time out of their day to help a complete stranger and wouldn't take anything for their help. Thank you.

 

- A Salisbury resident

Rough Conditions

Hey, Joe.

We were out today, trying to get caught up on things.

The roads weren't too bad in most areas we went, but my nerves ended up frazzled from the things that happened in downtown Salisbury.

We were coming around through the 'S' turn hear the hospital in heavy traffic, when we encountered PEDESTRIANS walking in the right lane. We barely got past them without hitting one. I don't know why they didn't walk up on the side of the road (snow or no snow..) One of them was a child.

Coming across the Rt 50 bridge, also in heavy traffic, with the sun in my eyes was a nightmare. Two very narrow lanes and barracades on both sides, there were PEDESTRIANS walking in the right lane crossing the bridge, because the CITY had not cleared a walkway for them across the bridge! It was nearly impossible to get past them without hitting them.

If ANYONE gets a citation for not clearing their walks in this snow, they should tell the city to stuff it.

Home Prices Dip Again And Consumer Confidence Take Surprise Drop

Home prices dip again and consumer confidence take surprise drop

U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly deteriorated in December, while prices of U.S. single-family homes fell almost double the expected pace in October, tempering growing optimism on the economy's recovery.

The latest data was at odds with other signs suggesting the economic recovery is accelerating and a separate report last week showing consumer sentiment at its highest level since June this month.

The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of consumer attitudes slipped to 52.5 in December from an upwardly revised 54.3 in November.

The median of forecasts from analysts polled by Reuters was for a reading of 56.0.

Consumers' labor market assessment worsened. The "jobs hard to get" index rose to 46.8 percent in December from 46.3 percent last month, while the "jobs plentiful" index dropped to 3.9 percent from 4.3 percent.

"U.S. consumers are still worried about high unemployment, housing market stagnation and the generally meager growth they've seen so far," said Kathy Lien, director of currency research at GFT in New York.

Financial markets showed a muted reaction to the consumer and housing data, with traders citing very thin post-Christmas trade.

Separate data Tuesday showed the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas declined 1 percent in October from September on a seasonally adjusted basis.

GO HERE to read more.

Property Values Plunge In Maryland

Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Steve Fermier and Associated Press

The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation says real estate values on residential properties have dropped by 22 percent in the past three years, the largest decline in the history of the department.

The department mailed notices on Tuesday to about 739,765 property owners that reflected the drop
.
Maryland reassesses properties every three years. The new assessments are based on the sales of about 50,650 properties over that time.

While the assessments play a role in determining local property taxes, next July's tax bills will be calculated with tax rates set by local governments.

Source:

Library Closing Early

All locations of Wicomico Public Library will be closing at 5pm today, Tuesday, December 28th.

Burglary Arrest / DNA

Martino Galeaz, age 39, of Ocean City.

Date & Time:      12/29/10                                      
Case #:  10-0020
Location Occurred:  Atlantic Aquatech, 10902 Ocean Gateway, Berlin, MD
Crime or Violation:  2nd Degree Burglary
Victim:  Atlantic Aquatech
Arrested:
1.Martino Galeaz, 39yrs, of Ocean City, MD
Charges:  2nd, 3rd, and 4th Degree Burglary, Theft over $1000
Narrative:
   
On 1-22-10, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack, and Investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, responded to Atlantic Aquatech for a reported Burglary.  Investigation revealed the suspect entered the business and stole a number of items to include power tools. Through DNA analysis from evidence collected at the crime scene, Investigators were able to identify Martino Galeaz as the perpetrator of this crime.  Galeaz was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Burglary and related offenses.  He was held at the Worcester County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Anyone any information in regards to this incident is asked to contact the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at (410) 352-3476, or the Maryland State Police at (410)641-3101.

Today's Survey Question

Did you make it into work today?

Man Shot At Dunkin Donuts In Laurel MD.

A robbery at a Laurel, Md. Dunkin Donuts ended with a fatal shooting.

Police said that the owner of a coffee shop and gas station on Laurel Fort Meade Road shot a man trying to rob the store around 3:31 a.m Tuesday.

Anne Arundel County police said the investigation remains "very fluid." According to investigators, the suspect walked into the business and announced a robbery. The police said that the robbery suspect implied that he had a weapon. A struggle ensued, and police said the robbery suspect was shot in the parking lot outside the Dunkin Donuts.

The suspect died of his injuries at Prince George's County Trauma. Police have not yet released his identity.

Source

Police Fatalities Jump 37 Percent In 2010

'There is a more cold-blooded, brazen criminal element prowling the streets of America today'

ATLANTA — Two officers in a remote Alaska town were ambushed as they chatted on a street. Two California deputies were killed by an arson suspect with a high-powered rifle as they tried to serve him a warrant. Two other officers doing anti-drug work were gunned down by men along a busy Arkansas highway.

These so-called cluster killings of more than one officer helped make 2010 a particularly dangerous year for law enforcement. Deaths in the line of duty jumped 37 percent to about 160 from 117 the year before, according to numbers as of Dec. 28 compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, a nonprofit that tracks police deaths.

There also was a spike in shooting deaths. Fifty-nine federal, state and local officers were killed by gunfire in 2010, a 20 percent jump from last year's figures when 49 were killed. And 73 officers died in traffic incidents, a rise from the 51 killed in 2009, according to the data.

GO HERE to read more.

POLLITT ISSUES ANNUAL “COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S REPORT TO THE PEOPLE”

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., planned on delivering his 5^th “State of the County” address today but decided against it in light of the snow emergency. It has been traditional to distribute the first copies of the “County Executive’s Report to the People” at the “State of the County” speech. In lieu of that, please find attached a copy of the report. Hard copies will be available at the Government Office Building lobby and upon request. Please call 410-548-4801.

Mr. Pollitt issued the following statement:

“Section 402, paragraph B of the County Charter provides: B. Preparing and submitting to the Council and the public, within 6 months after the close of the fiscal year, an annual report on the activities and accomplishments of the county government, including a copy of the most recently completed annual audit required by Section 904 of this Charter.

Each year, I have published a printed “County Executive’s Report to the People” in compliance with the terms of the Charter and then chosen to follow with an oral presentation from the council chambers. However, due to the current snow emergency and a variety of other significant items of business currently underway, I plan to publish the usual report as required but will postpone an oral presentation to a future date.”  

Marketing To Muslims

In the ballroom of an upscale hotel a short train ride from New York, advertisers, food industry executives and market researchers mingled — the men in dark suits, the women in headscarves and Western dress. Chocolates made according to Islamic dietary laws were placed at each table.

The setting was the American Muslim Consumer Conference, which aimed to promote Muslims as a new market segment for US companies. While corporations have long catered to Muslim communities in Europe, businesses have only tentatively started to follow suit in the US— and they are doing so at a time of intensified anti-Muslim feeling that companies worry could hurt them, too. American Muslims seeking more acknowledgment in the marketplace argue that businesses have more to gain than lose by reaching out to the community.

"We are not saying, 'Support us,'" said Faisal Masood, a graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago, and management consultant. "But we want them to understand what our values are."

There are signs the industry is stirring: Masood, a Wall Street executive who organized the gathering, had attracted only 200 or so attendees when he started the event last year. This year, he had to close registration at 400 to keep from going over capacity.

The worldwide market for Islamically permitted goods, called halal, has grown to more than half a billion dollars annually. Ritually slaughtered meat is a mainstay, but the halal industry is much broader, including foods and seasoning that omit alcohol, pork products and other forbidden ingredients, along with cosmetics, finance and clothing.

Corporations have been courting immigrant Muslim communities in Europe for several years. Nestle, for example, has about 20 factories in Europe with halal-certified production lines and advertises to Western Muslims through its marketing campaign called "Taste of Home." Nestle plans to increase its ethnic and halal offerings in Europe in coming years.

In the United States, iconic American companies such as McDonald's (which already has a popular halal menu overseas) and Wal-Mart have entered the halal arena. In August, the natural grocery giant Whole Foods began selling its first nationally distributed halal food product — frozen Indian entrees called Saffron Road.

Along with new customers, however, the companies draw critics and can become targets in the ideological battle over Islam and terrorism.

Abdalhamid Evans, project director with the World Halal Forum Europe, which works with the global halal industry, said a recent backlash has prompted some mainstream businesses in Europe to keep a lower profile about their halal products or scale back their offerings.                      

More here

Helping Neighbors

Joe,  just  a  little  while  ago  while  trying  to  clear a  path  to  my  mailbox  one  of  your  Delmar  businesses  passed  me,  stopped,  backed  up  and  took a  few  minutes  to  clear  a  path  with  his  snow  plow.   Luckys  Garage,  Bi-State  Blvd.  in  Delmar  was  the  name  on  the  truck  but  the  young  man  never  got  out so  I  could  learn  his  name.   It  was  greatly  appreciated  becaused  I  had  planned  on  making  it  an  all  day  job,  little  at  a  time,  due  to  my  age.    I  have  looked  in  the  phone  book  but  not  listing.   Must  be  a  new  business,  but  with  young  employees  such  as  this  gentlemen  they  will  build  a  good  business  quickly.   Yes,  I  could  call  411,  I  guess,  but  have  not  had  luck  with  that  in  past.    Just  wanted  the  Delmar  community  to know  they  had  a  gem  with  Luckys  Garage  there.   To  paraphrase  Pam . . . Delmar  is  Awsome!   I  will  still  try  to  get  in  touch  with  them  and  maybe  someone  willl post  their  phone  number.   Thought  you  should  know  about  your  neighbors.

Jerry . . . living  near  Salisbury  Airport.

Snow Removal Part I

The images above and below this Post are just some of the people we touched yesterday while  Bruce Hunter, (Bruce's Billiards) and I removed the snow from those homes who needed it most. For a second year in a row we have been able to help handicapped people as well as seniors.

As usual, we had some problems with the snow blower. Bob, (from Bob's Automotive on Waller Rd.) came through for us once again with instant repairs as the pull rope to start the snow blower went up on us right in the very beginning.

Here's what makes it a really cool story though. This morning I received a call from a gentleman, (who would like to remain anonymous) who has a very large repair shop. He reads Salisbury News every day and heard of the problem we had at the very end of our day yesterday. He called early this morning to tell me he can fix the problem this weekend at no charge.

So you see Folks, Paying It Forward ALWAYS pays off! Over the last two years we have had carburetor problems and he's going to fix that as well. So the next time it snows we'll be ready to go once again.

Snow Removal Part II

Clearing The West End Of The Downtown Plaza

As we mentioned yesterday, the Plaza had snow drifts that were pretty thick and anyone attempting to clear them by hand would have been out there all morning just to get their footprint done. Rather than seeing the Mayor fine these people, we decided to go ahead and clear out those businesses and residents just to make life a little easier for some.

White Out Conditions

If you attempted to get out anywhere on Sunday afternoon this is what you faced. Yes, this is a road.

Chris Matthews: Release Obama's Birth Certificate

Chris Matthews, the anchor of MSNBC's "Hairball" program, is now calling for Barack Obama to release his original, long-form, hospital-generated birth certificate to put to rest any doubts about the president's constitutional eligibility to hold office.

On last night's edition of his show, Matthews stated: "I am not a birther. I am an enemy of the birthers."

But he continued with the questions, "Why doesn't the president just say, 'Send me a copy right now?' Why doesn't Gibbs and Axelrod say, 'Let's just get this crappy story dead?' Why not do it? ... If it exists, why not put it out?"

Matthews was joined by Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune and David Corn of Mother Jones, who both agreed with the call for Obama to publicly release the document, which to this point has remained under wraps.                       

More details and the video

Biggest Conservative Names Bidding Goodbye To CPAC

Two of the nation's premier moral issues organizations, the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America, are refusing to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference  in February because a homosexual activist  group, GOProud, has been invited.

"We've been very involved in CPAC for over a decade and have managed a couple of popular sessions. However, we will no longer be involved with CPAC because of the organization's financial mismanagement and movement away from conservative principles," said Tom McClusky, senior vice president for FRC Action.

"CWA has decided not to participate in part because of GOProud," CWA President Penny Nance told WND.

FRC and CWA join the American Principles Project, American Values, Capital Research Center, the Center for Military Readiness, Liberty Counsel, and the National Organization for Marriage in withdrawing from CPAC. In November, APP organized a boycott of CPAC over the participation of GOProud. 

The American Conservative Union, longtime organizers of CPAC, disclosed just before Christmas that GOProud would be considered a "participating organization," the second highest level of participation. As a "participating organization," GOProud has a voice in planning the conference.

The decision followed two hotly contested CPAC board votes over GOProud. The first vote ended in a tie. The outcome of the second vote has not been officially disclosed, but a source at ACU leaked the decision favoring GOProud to the media.                  

More

Woman Shocked

Wilmington Woman Electrocuted while Walking on Sidewalk

Location:  Centerville Road under DE Rt. 141 overpass, Wilmington, DE

Date of Occurrence: Monday, December 27, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.

Victim:  37 year old Wilmington woman

Resume:  The Delaware State Police investigated the electrocution of a Wilmington woman as she walked on a sidewalk on Centerville Road in Prices Corner yesterday evening.

The incident occurred as a 37 year old Wilmington resident, as well as her 14 year old son, were walking on the sidewalk on Centerville Road under the DE Rt. 141  overpass at approximately 5:45 p.m. The victim stepped on a metal grate in the sidewalk that had an exposed live electrical wire underneath of it.  The victim was then electrocuted and knocked to the ground. She was able to contact 911 using her cellular phone. The victim was transported to the Christiana Hospital where she undergoing tests. Her injuries were not believed to be life threatening. The 14 year old was not injured.

It was learned that the grate and wire were owned by the Delaware Department of Transportation who responded to the scene and made the necessary repairs.

Colleges Warned Of Liability For Free-Speech Violations

A civil rights organization says it has put hundreds of college presidents and attorneys who serve as legal counsel for the institutions on notice that their hefty personal payment  packages could be hit – and hit hard – if they violate the free speech rights of students on their campuses.

'Administrators may be held personally liable for continuing to maintain unconstitutional speech codes in violation of students' First Amendment Rights," according to a new letter from The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.

Certified letters containing the warning were dispatched to nearly 300 public colleges and universities across the nation suggesting that those education executives "should be ready to pay out of their own pockets if they continue to violation their students' free speech rights."

"For too long, public college administrators have been intentionally violating the free speech rights of their students, secure in the knowledge that they won't personally lose a dime should a court rule against them," said Robert Shibley, a senior vice president for FIRE. "This has given administrators the opportunity to censor whatever opinions they dislike and make all of us pay for it.

"But thanks in large part to FIRE, the excuse that makes this possible – that they 'didn't know' that students had free speech rights – is quickly vanishing," he said.

In fact, WND reported recently when U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. ruled in the case of Valdosta State student Thomas Hayden Barnes. He was expelled in 2007 after he peacefully protested plans by then-President Ronald Zaccari to use $30 million in student activity fees to build a parking garage.

The court found Zaccari was not shielded from personal liability for violating Barnes' rights.

"This is a major finding against a former university president, and if upheld (on appeal), it will serve as important federal precedent for holding future administrative malefactors personally responsible for their abuses of student rights," FIRE documented.

FIRE reported its letter was dispatched to 296 of the biggest and most prestigious public colleges across the nation.                            

More from WND

In Congress, A Harder Line On Illegal Immigrants

The end of the year means a turnover of House control from Democratic to Republican and, with it, Congress' approach to immigration.

In a matter of weeks, Congress will go from trying to help young, illegal immigrants become legal to debating whether children born to parents who are in the country illegally should continue to enjoy automatic U.S. citizenship.

Such a hardened approach — and the rhetoric certain to accompany it — should resonate with the GOP faithful who helped swing the House in Republicans' favor. But it also could further hurt the GOP in its endeavor to grab a large enough share of the growing Latino vote to win the White House and the Senate majority in 2012.

Legislation to test interpretations of the 14th Amendment as granting citizenship to children of illegal immigrants will emerge early next session. That is likely to be followed by attempts to force employers to use a still-developing web system, dubbed E-Verify, to check that all of their employees are in the U.S. legally.

There could be proposed curbs on federal spending in cities that don't do enough to identify people who are in the country illegally and attempts to reduce the numbers of legal immigrants. Democrats ended the year failing for a second time to win passage of the Dream Act, which would have given hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants a chance at legal status.

House Republicans will try to fill the immigration reform vacuum left by Democrats with legislation designed to send illegal immigrants packing and deter others from trying to come to the U.S.

Read more

Obamacare Program For Uninsured Failing In Many States

One of the main pillars of the Obama administration’s massive healthcare law – the special plans devoted to those unable to obtain insurance through normal means – is attracting only a small fraction of what was expected. The result is that the program may end up costing taxpayers far more than the $5 billion originally set aside, according to the Washington Post.

One reason for the reluctance of consumers to sign up for the plans, collectively known as the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, is that they are far more expensive than alternatives the uninsured might find elsewhere, the Post is reporting. Since the plans opened in the late summer and early fall, the medical bills in some states are much higher than anticipated.

The reason is that if fewer people sign up, the costs cannot be defrayed over a huge number of people paying into them.

The plans, known as high-risk pools, will take time to adjust prices and benefits, federal officials tell the Post. But since last spring, when Medicare program's chief actuary predicted that 375,000 people would sign up by the end of 2010, only 8,000 have enrolled, according to the Health and Human Services Department. Nationally, there are some 50 million uninsured who, in theory, should benefit from the plans.

State-level directors of the plans say that the insurance premiums are unaffordable for many who need the coverage.

Potential clients are also concerned about the plans' stability as federal lawsuits and congressional Republicans are trying to overturn the entire law.

The failure of the pools also could also cripple the planned changes in health insurance by 2014, when states are to open new marketplaces - or exchanges - for Americans to buy coverage individually or in small groups.
Twenty-three states have created their own high-risk pools. The rest used an option in the law to let their residents buy coverage through a new federal health plan. HHS officials refused to provide an update to the Post, although they collect such figures monthly, because they have decided to report them on a quarterly basis.

Read more

[ Well, DUH--   Editor]

Ceiling Lights Send Coded Internet Data

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Flickering ceiling lights are usually a nuisance, but in city offices in St. Cloud, they will actually be a pathway to the Internet.

The lights will transmit data to specially equipped computers on desks below by flickering faster than the eye can see. Ultimately, the technique could ease wireless congestion by opening up new expressways for short-range communications.

The first few light fixtures built by LVX System, a local startup, will be installed Wednesday in six municipal buildings in this city of 66,000 in the snowy farm fields of central Minnesota.

The LVX system puts clusters of its light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, in a standard-sized light fixture. The LEDs transmit coded messages — as a series of 1s and 0s in computer speak — to special modems attached to computers.

A light on the modem talks back to the fixture overhead, where there is sensor to receive the return signal and transmit the data over the Internet. Those computers on the desks aren't connected to the Internet, except through these light signals, much as Wi-Fi allows people to connect wirelessly.                                

More here

Lost Dog In Camden UPDATE

Joe –

Our 16 year old Jack Russell, Pandora, ran off this morning in the Camden neighborhood between South and Middle Blvd. .  She is wearing a green collar with fish on it.  She doesn’t see or hear very well.  If anyone has seen her please call us at 410-860-0893.  She is friendly, but may be scared. 

Burqa Bungle

A heated court case has seen a burqa-wearing woman convicted of making a false complaint to police – She claimed a policeman tried to remove her burqa to check her identity, but his official video proved otherwise. So is this ongoing social friction just another argument for banning the burqa?

GO HERE to see video.

The Germans Acknowledge The Inevitable

German airports should consider "profiling" passengers, a controversial practice used by other countries that risks discriminating passengers according to criteria such as religious and ethnic background.

The chief executive of the Duesseldorf airport, Christoph Blume, said in a German daily newspaper on Tuesday that grouping passengers into different categories of risk could put an end to the ever-growing number of security checks.

"Every new incident leads to further controls and security measures. This results in a race to upgrade equipment that at some point will reach their technological and operating limits," Blume told the Rheinische Post.

"This way (through profiling), control systems could be more effectively employed for the well-being of all participants," he said.                      

More here

Park On Even # Side Of Street

Please, move your cars, if possible, to the even numbered side of the street so the City’s Plows can pass through the streets. Emergency Snow Routes should still remain free of cars. The Police Department & City Public Works will reevaluate the situation by 5:00 p.m. this evening, December 28, 2010.

Governor's Challenge Tournament Begins Today At 2PM

DECEMBER 28TH, 2010
COURT 1
AWAY			HOME
2pm*	Delmar HS (DE)	v		Kent Island HS (MD)	G1
330pm*	Polytech HS (DE)	v		Queen Anne's County HS (MD)	G2
5pm*	Crisfield HS (MD)	v		Sussex Tech HS (DE)	G3
630pm*	Wicomico HS (MD)	v		Concord HS (DE)	G4
8pm*	Seaford HS (DE)	v		James M. Bennett HS (MD)	G5
COURT 2
AWAY			HOME
2pm*	Kent County HS (MD)	v		Laurel HS (DE)	G6
330pm*	CH Flowers (MD)	v		Dover HS (DE)	G7
5pm	Washington HS (MD)	v		Fairmont Heights HS (MD)	G8
630pm	Thomas Stone HS (MD)	v		North Caroline HS (MD)	G9
8pm*	Stephen Decatur HS (MD)	v		Woodbridge HS (DE)	G10
DECEMBER 29TH, 2010
COURT 1
AWAY			HOME
2pm*	Colonel Richardson HS (MD)	v		Delmar HS (DE)	G11
330pm	Snow Hill HS (MD)	v		Kent County HS (MD)	G12
5pm*	Concord HS (DE)	v		Thomas Stone HS (MD)	G13
630pm*	Easton HS (MD)	v		Caesar Rodney HS (DE)	G14
8pm*	Laurel	v		Kent Island	G15
COURT 2
AWAY			HOME
2pm			NO GAME
330pm*	Fairmont Heights HS (MD)	v		Seaford HS (DE)	G16
5pm	Queen Anne's County HS (MD)	v		Crisfield HS (MD)	G17
630pm	Parkside HS (MD)	v		Frederick Douglass HS (MD)	G18
8pm*	Cape Henlopen (DE)	v		James Hubert Blake HS (MD)	G19

DECEMBER 30TH, 2010
COURT 1
AWAY				HOME
2pm*		NO GAME				G20
330pm*	North Caroline HS (MD)		v		Polytech HS (DE)		G21
5pm*	Sussex Tech HS (DE)		v		Washington HS (MD)		G22
630pm	Frederick Douglass HS (MD)		v		Stephen Decatur HS (MD)		G23
8pm*	Caesar Rodney HS (DE)		v		Parkside HS (MD)		G24
COURT 2
AWAY				HOME
2pm				NO GAME
330pm*	Woodbridge HS (DE)		v		Colonel Richardson HS (MD)		G25
5pm	James Hubert Blake HS (MD)		v		Easton HS (MD)		G26
630pm	James M. Bennett HS (MD)		v		CH Flowers HS (MD)		G27
8pm	Dover		v		Wicomico HS (MD)		G28
* indicates this game counts towards the governor's challenge winner

Attached is a revised schedule for the 2010 Governor’s Challenge Basketball tournament (December 28-30^th). We will still be starting today at 2pm at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. For additional tournament information, please visit http://www.salisburychampionships.org/.

Photos From Sam Hotton

The Daily Times

Joe, Paper just arrived. Only problem...it is Monday's paper!

Joe, Tuesday's was behind Monday's in same bag.

Bistate Blvd House Fire

Joe,

 

I am emailing you in hopes you can get the word out to help my friends.  Cletus (Peanut) and Darlene Smyser were out helping people by plowing roads and driveways when I had to call them to tell them their house was on fire.  It is a total loss including their 3 dogs. Along with this total loss the day after Christmas she also just lost her job at Johnny Janosik, but it doesnt end there either.  While we were trying to contact her Mom to tell her about the fire she was unavailable because she was with Darlenes Brother who just had to have Hospice called in during the time of the fire.  He only has a few more days to live as his liver has failed before he could get his transplant.  My heart aches for them dealing with this all at once.  I ask that the community help me with donations to help get these people back on their feet...they truly are great people who would help you day or night.  My office is the Remax office across from Chilis and will be open Tuesday after 9am to take donations.  Monetary donations can be dropped off there too, as I will be opening an account for them at the Bank of Delmarva when they open Tuesday morning. Gift cards would be a huge help too.  Maybe our friends at Johnny Janosik could donate a bed and some furniture. If anyone wants to donate but can't make it out I would be happy to pick it up,  just call my cell phone.

   

I'm sure I can say thank you in advance as we live in the best community around...everyone helping anyone in need.

His sizes are XL shirts, 36/30 jeans and 10.5 shoes

Her sizes are XL shirts, 12 pants and 8.5 shoes

Household items are something we forget about but are needed.

 

Also, thanks to Mike Evans at Job Site Pumping for getting me to the scene safely and thanks to all the firemen that risk your life for others.  What a great bunch of people...I LOVE DELMAR!!

Thanks again,
Pam Price,
302-249-2546 Cell

North Point's iBand

North Point's iBand from North Point Web on Vimeo.

Christmas music using borrowed iPhones and iPads at North Point Community Church

A Letter To The Editor

While I generally give Jimmy Hoppa credit for being unbiased, this morning's off hand remark that his Toyota FJ40 is better in the snow than a Jeep is not only editorializing under the guise of purveying the news, but might influence people to believe it. He offer's no proof, and by his remark may hurt the domestic dealers locally. If it even influences one person he has done a grave disservice! He may have meant no harm but people that trust his opinion should at least have been told it was his opinion based on no certain fact.

Thank You,
Randy Wilson
Salisbury, MD

KEEPING A STRAIGHT FACE AS A COURT REPORTER

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.

ATTORNEY:  What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS:     He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY:  And why did that upset you?
WITNESS:     My name is Susan!
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS:     Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Are you sexually active?
WITNESS:     No , I just lie there.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  This myasthenia gravis , does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS:     Yes.
ATTORNEY:  And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS:     I forget..
ATTORNEY:  You forget?  Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS:     We both do.
ATTORNEY:  Voodoo?
WITNESS:     We do..
ATTORNEY:  You do?
WITNESS:     Yes , voodoo.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep , he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS:  Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________

ATTORNEY:  The youngest son , the 20-year-old , how old is he?
WITNESS:      He's 20 , much like your IQ.
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS:     Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS:     Yes.
ATTORNEY:  And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS:     Getting laid
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  She had three children , right?
WITNESS:     Yes.
ATTORNEY:  How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY:   Were there any girls?
WITNESS:      Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS:     By death..
ATTORNEY:  And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS:     Take a guess.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS:     He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY:  Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS:     Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS:  No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS:     All of them.. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  ALL your responses MUST be oral , OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS:     Oral...
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS:     The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY:  And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS:     If not , he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY:  Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS:     Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________

And last:

ATTORNEY:  Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS:     No.
ATTORNEY:  Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS:     No.
ATTORNEY:  Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS:     No..
ATTORNEY:  So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS:     No.
ATTORNEY:  How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS:     Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY:  I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS:     Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

Offshore Wind Bill In The Works For 2011 General Assembly

A bill requiring utilities to enter into long-term purchasing agreements for wind-generated power is in the works for the 2011 General Assembly, with supporters and opponents getting ready to air the issue.

Prince George’s County Sen. Paul Pinsky and Montgomery County Del. Tom Hucker, both Democrats, are planning to refile legislation similar to the ones they sponsored this year.

The bill did not specify a purchasing agreement with offshore wind producers, but wind was the only form of renewable energy that qualified.

The Pinsky-Hucker bill would support both renewable energy and an expansion of the wind-generated power industry in the state. Renewable energy proponents say that the only way developers can get financing for wind farms that can cost billions is through long-term contracts that guarantee a revenue stream.

Utilities and conservative legislators may oppose the measure again this year.

GO HERE to read more.

Charities Expect Busy Week Ahead

Local charities are expecting a busy week of donations as Frederick residents drop off items replaced by Christmas presents and search for last-minute tax deductions.

"We expect it to be very busy," said Tina Lilly, store manager at the Goodwill on Church Street in Frederick. "Usually, this time of year, it gets pretty hectic around here."

The last week and weekend before the new year is typically the busiest time of the year for Goodwill, Lilly said.
Most of the items being donated to the stores include clothes, TVs, DVD players and video game consoles that were replaced by Christmas gifts.

The beginning of spring and the month of October were also busy times for Goodwill this year, but things have been pretty slow at the store the past couple of days, Lilly said.

She attributed that to many people who may still be out of town and she expects the activity to pick up within the next day or two.

GO HERE to read more.

Colonel Allen West Answers A Marine's Question

Officer Won't Sign Order For Troop Indoctrination

Asks to be relieved of command over repeal of 'gay' ban in military

President Obama's repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is already  damaging the U.S. military.

An Army lieutenant colonel has asked to be relieved of command rather than order his troops to go through pro-homosexual indoctrination following the repeal of the policy, which required homosexuals to keep silent about their sexual preference.

Currently the commander of a battalion-sized unit in the Army National Guard, the officer also has threatened to resign his commission rather than undergo "behavior modification" training intended to counter his religious convictions about homosexuality.
 
Discover what's causing modern America to disintegrate. Read "HOW EVIL WORKS: Understanding and Overcoming the Destructive Forces That Are Transforming America"
The soldier sent the following letter to his commanding officer:

Subject: Request for Relief from Command due to Personal Moral Conflict with New Homosexual Policy

1. I respectfully request to be relieved of Command of XXX Squadron, XXX Cavalry prior to new policy implementation subsequent to the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." My personal religious beliefs and moral convictions do not permit me to treat homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle, compatible with military service, any more than adultery, illicit drug use, or criminal activity. I believe this lifestyle runs counter to good order and discipline in military units, and I refuse to sacrifice my belief system, protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, in order to fall in line with the command policy that will logically follow. This new policy will undoubtedly include mandatory sensitivity training as well as same-sex partner inclusion in Family Readiness Group activities and integration into the full spectrum of other military benefits, as well as a whole new category of discrimination standards and investigative procedures. I will not, as a commander, put my signature on a training schedule or other document recognizing or legitimizing any of these things that contradict my personal beliefs.

2. I would like to remain in the XXX Army National Guard until I am eligible for retirement (at 20 years and 0 days), which would be in the late summer of 2012, but on grounds of my religious beliefs, I will not attend sensitivity or behavior modification training consequential to this policy change, even if it means disciplinary action. I regret that I cannot continue to serve in the military further, but feel that my efforts would be insincere because my heart will no longer be in it."

Most December Car Sales Happen This Week

WASHINGTON - For car dealers, this may be the most intense week of the year, and dealers are feeling more optimistic than last year.
 
The week between Christmas and New Year's Day accounts for as much as 70 percent of December car sales.
 
"I would say [it's] the busiest week in the whole year," says Fernando Lobo, a sales manager at Bill Page Honda in Falls Church, Va.
 
Even though 2010 will still rank among the worst in decades for light-vehicle sales, Edmunds.com projects December sales will jump 10 percent from last year to about 1.13 million vehicles .
 
Edmunds projects five of six automakers will report better sales. Leading the way will be Nissan and Chrysler, with increases of 26 percent and 13 percent respectively. Double-digit gains are expected for Ford, General Motors and Honda, according to The Wall Street Journal. Toyota is expected to report a decline in sales.

GO HERE to read more.

To Our Animal Friends, Merry Christmas

Accidents

Friendly Advice

Please, take care of yourself over the holidays.  A recent joint study conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Motor Vehicles indicates that 13% of traffic accidents are alcohol related.  This means that the remaining 87% are caused by jerks who drink water, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices, yogurt and shit like that.

Therefore, beware of those who do not drink alcohol. They cause more than six times as many accidents. This message is sent by someone who worries about your well being.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

5 Downright Silly Sales Taxes

Several months ago, we wrote about New York State's decision to crack down on bagel vendors who weren't charging an 8.875% sales tax on sliced bagels. Believe it or not, that's not the silliest sales tax story of the year.

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What the Tax Bill Means For You?

With the clock winding down on 2010, one of the most biggest news stories about the lame duck session of Congress was whether we'd get a resolution to the issue of income taxes. With tax rates set to increase in 2011 after the sunset of the Bush era tax cuts, which the name given to the tax cuts in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, Congress passed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

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Cops Around The Country Getting Busted For Using Steroids

Steroids — they're not just for linebackers anymore. Some police officers, presumably seeking to get any edge they can to survive on the streets, are getting busted for 'roiding it up in increasing numbers.

More »

Verizon Tells Us We Can't Return Phone Because We Bought It On A Promotion That's Over

Andrea and her husband took advantage of a Verizon buy-one-get-one-free promotion, taking comfort that if either didn't like their new devices, they could return them thanks to Verizon's 30-day guarantee. But the company has refused to let her husband exchange his device because the BOGO promotion had ended.

More »

Pakistan Hit by First Female Suicide Bombing

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

The attack has many questioning Pakistan's ability to combat insurgents.

STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE CECIL COUNTY HOMICIDE

(Earlville, MD) – Maryland State Police are conducting an investigation into the death of a 71-year old man found inside his home in Cecil County this morning.

The deceased victim is identified as John R. Flemming, 71, of the unit block of New Jersey Avenue in Earlville, Maryland. The cause and manner of death are unknown at this time.

Shortly before 9:00 a.m. today, police received an emergency phone call from a friend of the victim. The friend reportedly found Flemming unconscious and unresponsive inside his Cecil County residence after locating Flemming’s vehicle less than a mile from his home. Police believe Flemming lived alone.

The friend reported to police after he apparently discovered Flemming’s truck on the side of the road, with the lights on, the keys left in the ignition and a broken out window. Flemming was not in the vehicle. The friend then removed the keys and went to Flemming’s home and found it unlocked. Flemming was found lying on the floor and immediately called 9-1-1.

Sheriff’s deputies from the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and state troopers from the North East Barrack responded and immediately secured the surrounding area. Flemming was pronounced dead at the scene and will be taken to the Office of the State Medical Examiner for autopsy.

The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office requested investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit to take the lead in initiating the death investigation. State police crime scene technicians are processing the scene for evidence.

Due to the suspicious nature of the crime scene, investigators are treating this case as a homicide. A motive for the murder has not been determined.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen Flemming or anything unusual around his neighborhood to please call the Maryland State Police at the North East Barracks at 410-996-7800.

The investigation continues…

FINAL REMINDER BEFORE NEW LAW CHANGES TRAFFIC CITATION TRIAL DATE PROCEDURE

(PIKESVILLE, MD) -- Maryland State Police are reminding motorists that if they receive a traffic citation on or after January 1, 2011, a new law requires the driver to request a trial date if they want one, instead of one being automatically assigned.

The new law gives drivers who receive a traffic citation three options:

1-Pay the full amount of the preset fine;
2-Request a hearing regarding sentencing and disposition in lieu of a trial,
(meaning you do not dispute the truth of the facts as alleged in the citation,
but you wish to be heard regarding sentencing); or
3-Request a trial date at the date, time and place established by the District Court.

The law requires that a person who received a citation make one of these three choices and notify the District Court within 30 days. If not, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will be notified and may take action to suspend the person’s driver’s license.

Previously, persons issued a citation were automatically given a trial date. The law required them to either pay the fine by the trial date, or appear in court that day to answer to the charge. Often, people waited until the day before, or even the day of trial to pay the fine. This meant the police officer who issued the citation was already scheduled to appear in court and it was too late to notify him or her that they were not needed to appear. This created scheduling difficulties for police officers and often incurred overtime expenditures for police departments required to have police officers present in court, even though they were not needed.

House Bill 829 and Senate Bill 560 were passed in the 2010 Maryland General Assembly Session and will become law on January 1st. Supporters of the new law believe this will increase efficiency in both the courts and police departments across Maryland.

State troopers believe the new law will eliminate needless trips to court and supervisors will be better able to schedule the deployment of personnel. State Police commanders believe there will be an overall cost savings to the Department in overtime pay. They also believe the new procedure will keep troopers on patrol who would otherwise be in court waiting for a case in which they ultimately were not needed.

The new law does not apply to citations issued for ‘must appear’ violations, such as drunk driving. Persons receiving citations for ‘must appear’ offenses will be automatically notified by either a circuit court or the District Court of a trial date and location where they must appear.

Information about the new procedure will be printed on citations given to motorists. Troopers will be reminding motorists of the new procedure when citations are issued. Persons with questions can also visit the District Court of Maryland website at www.mdcourts.gov/district, or call 1-800-492-2656.