BREAKING NEWS

Egypt nears military coup. USS warships in Suez Canal !!!!!!

Helicopters on some of their decks to drop the 2,200 marines!       'debkafile's military sources report that the American force consists of the USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group of six warships. Helicopters on some of their decks are there to carry and drop the 2,200 marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit which has been bolstered by two special operations battalions.

The flotilla has a rapid strike stealth submarine, the USS Scranton, which is designed to support special forces' operations.

The US strike force has taken up position at a strategic point opposite Ismailia between the west bank of the Suez Canal and its eastern Sinai bank. ''          

To see more...GO HERE.

States Turn Down Federal Money For Jobless Benefits

Despite record levels of long-term unemployment, some states are choosing to walk away from a total of almost $1 billion in federal jobless benefits, according to a new report (pdf).

The 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, better known as the stimulus law, extends unemployment benefits to the fast-growing number of Americans who have been without work for six months or more. In addition to helping the jobless, the federal funds offer a much-needed economic stimulus for states.

To qualify for the program, known as Extended Benefits, states must meet certain unemployment thresholds.
Most must also pass new legislation empowering them to access the money—and 26 states have done so to date. But according to the National Employment Law Project (NELP) nine eligible states—Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming—have so far left a total of around $876 million in federal jobless benefits on the table, even though the costs of claiming the benefits under the program are reportedly minimal.


It's not as if the states couldn't use the extra cash right now. Thanks to budget shortfalls of varying degrees of severity, all have cut spending in other areas. But for now, they're saying thanks but no thanks to an average of almost $100 million per state in federal money.

GO HERE to read more.

Egypt Protests Draw Biggest Crowd Yet

CAIRO (AFP) – Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators flooded Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square and towns across Egypt on Tuesday, in the biggest show of defiance towards President Hosni Mubarak since the revolt began.

In Cairo, the immense crowd hailed as a hero a charismatic cyberactivist and Google executive whose Facebook site helped kickstart the protests on January 25 and who was released after being detained and blindfolded for 12 days.

AFP journalists overlooking the square confirmed it was the biggest gathering yet in a movement which began last month. Witnesses in Egypt's second city Alexandria said a march there also attracted record numbers.

Many protesters carried the symbols of the Internet social networks Facebook and Twitter, which have become vital mobilising tools for the opposition, thanks to online campaigners like the Google executive, Wael Ghonim.

"I like to call it the Facebook Revolution, but after seeing the people right now, I would say this is the Egyptian people's revolution. It's amazing," Ghonim said, after he was mobbed by adoring supporters in the crowd.

GO HERE to read more.

INMATE HOMICIDE VICTIM IDENTIFIED

(CUMBERLAND, MD) – After locating and notifying family, Maryland State Police, in cooperation with the Maryland Division of Correction, are releasing the identity of the state prison inmate found murdered last week.

The victim is identified as Blas Ramon Mata Aguilar, 41. He was an inmate at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland. According to the Division of Correction, he had been serving an 11-year sentence for sexual assault and other charges. He had been an inmate in the Division of Correction since 2004. The victim’s ex-wife and daughter were located and notified today by authorities where they live in New York.

Aguilar was found deceased in his cell by correctional officers at the Western Correctional Institution on the morning of February 2, 2011. An autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore ruled his death was a homicide.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, with assistance from the Internal Investigative Unit of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services are continuing their investigation, which includes numerous interviews and a review of evidence from the prison. No one has been charged at this time. No additional details regarding the investigation are able to be provided at this time.

Fed Probe: Don't Blame Toyota

Government investigation into Toyota safety problems finds no electronic flaws to account for reports of sudden acceleration after reports of gas pedals becoming trapped in floor mats.

GO HERE to read more.

More Charged As Insider Trading Probe Expands

Two new arrests and two guilty pleas announced

NEW YORK — Federal authorities revealed charges Tuesday against three hedge fund portfolio managers and a hedge fund analyst, describing a paper-shredding, flash drive-destroying panic that ensued when they thought they faced the scrutiny of investigators.

The two new arrests and the announcement of two guilty pleas expanded a federal crackdown on insider trading that masks itself as legitimate market research. The case raised the number charged in the probe to 12. The Securities and Exchange Commission said the conspiracy earned more than $30 million in illegal profits.

"Shred as much as u can," one of the men wrote to another in a string of electronic messages that were traded after they saw news reports describing U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's assault on Wall Street insider trading, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. One of the four told investigators he even destroyed computer drives and scattered the pieces in several garbage trucks.

Bharara on Tuesday promised more arrests, saying "we are far from finished."

GO HERE to read more.

Chipotle Under Fire From Feds

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to crack down on 60 Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in the D.C.-Virginia area in an effort to weed out undocumented workers, the restaurant chain confirmed Monday.

The popular burrito chain received "notices of inspections" from the federal agency alerting owners that they'll be audited to determine if they're in compliance with employment eligibility laws.

"The unfortunate part of the system is that it puts companies in a very difficult position," Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said in an email. "On one hand, we must comply with ICE requirements to verify the status of every employee we hire, but we must do that without discriminating and violating the mandate of the Department of Justice."

Chipotle has "very robust" policies in place that "ensure that everyone we hire is legally authorized to work in this country," Arnold said.

The audit of local restaurants comes on the heels of similar investigations at the chain's locations in Minnesota, which resulted in hundreds of employee firings.

 "As for why ICE is picking on Chipotle, that is a better question to ask ICE," Arnold said.

More

Citizen’s Police Academy

The Salisbury Police Department is inviting all interested citizens of Salisbury to attend the next session of the Citizen’s Police Academy. This academy is open to anyone living or working in the city.

The Academy will meet for eight (8) sessions totaling sixteen (16) hours. The sessions will be held from Wednesday, March 2 through Wednesday, April 20 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm in the Salisbury Police Department Training Room.

The class size will be limited and applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis. Each applicant must be 18 years of age.

The participants will learn about the organizational structure of the Salisbury Police Department including the patrol functions, communications, criminal investigation division, evidence collection procedures, tactical unit response, and more.

Applications may be picked up from and returned to the Salisbury Police Department, 699 W. Salisbury Parkway, the Mayor’s Office, 125 N. Division Street, or the Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance office, 501 B East Church Street.

Captain Paul Simon

The Skin Gun

Obama To Call For $53 Billion For High-Speed Rail

President Obama is calling for a six-year, $53 billion investment in high-speed rail, as he seeks to use infrastructure spending to jumpstart job creation.

An initial $8 billion investment will be part of the budget plan Obama is set to release Monday. If Congress approves the plan, the money would go toward developing or improving trains that travel up to 250 miles per hour, and connecting existing rail lines to new projects. The White House wouldn't say where the money for the rest of the program would come from, though it's likely Obama would seek funding in future budgets or transportation bills.

Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood were to announce the initiative during an event Tuesday in Philadelphia.

GO HERE to read more.

Set Up A Google Account To Comment On Salisbury News

This may be an easier way for you to set up a Google Account to comment on Blogger and Salisbury News.

GO HERE to set up your account.

AHOY MATE, THAT'S THE NEW CAMBRIDGE FAKE LIGHTHOUSE!

Thanks Addie, Jeannie, Rudy & Rich. It’s just what your constituents want and need -- a faux lighthouse.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/bills/hb/hb0021f.pdf

File Code: http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/filecode/B2.htm

Crossfiled with: http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/sb0026.htm

Sponsored By: Delegates Cane, Eckardt, and Haddaway

Entitled: Creation of a State Debt - Replica Choptank River Lighthouse Synopsis:

Authorizing the creation of a State Debt in the amount of $300,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society, Inc. for the design and construction of a replica of the Choptank River Lighthouse, located in Cambridge; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/bills/sb/sb0026f.pdf

File Code: http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/filecode/B2.htm

Crossfiled with: http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/hb0021.htm

Sponsored By: http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/sponsors/colburn.htm


Entitled: Creation of a State Debt - Replica Choptank River Lighthouse Synopsis:

Authorizing the creation of a State Debt in the amount of $300,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society, Inc. for the design and construction of a replica of the Choptank River Lighthouse, located in Cambridge; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc.

US Unemployment Approaches Reality?

Unemployment falls to 9 percent, lowest since 2009 ... The unemployment rate is suddenly sinking at the fastest pace in a half-century, falling to 9 percent from 9.8 percent in just two months — the most encouraging sign for the job market since the recession ended. More than half a million people found work in January. A government survey found weak hiring by big companies. But more people appear to be working for themselves or finding jobs at small businesses ... Eisenhower administration is the latest sign that the economic recovery is picking up speed. The service sector and manufacturing are growing again at pre-recession rates. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 12,000 this week for the first time since mid-2008. And retail sales have reached a five-year high. – Yahoo

Dominant Social Theme: After tough times, the magnificent "can do" spirit of Americans is beginning to pull the country out of recession. Americans are a proud and productive race. You can't keep them down.

Free-Market Analysis: We are glad that the terrible unemployment that America is facing has subsided.
This is what happens when the vital energies of the most innovative country in the world are challenged: American citizens respond magnificently. The country's largest, dynamic corporations – Boeing, General Electric and General Motors – use recessions to discipline costs and create new, streamlined product. Fat is cut and muscle is strengthened.

No less a publication than the Economist has noted the beginning of the end of the jobless recession. In a recent article, this august tome explained the following: "There's still a lot of misinterpretation of the drop in the unemployment rate from 9.4% in December to 9.0% in January. Some on Wall Street say it's a bad sign, attributing it to a decline in the labor force as people gave up looking for work. But that decline in the labor force is a statistical illusion. When you remove that illusion, the entire drop in the unemployment rate can be attributed to the unemployed finding jobs."

This is great news. A publication apparently affiliated with the Rothschild banking family – a self-described newspaper that proudly presents itself as one of the most trusted periodicals in the West – has made the determination that US unemployment is down. The figures released by the US government can be trusted after all.

OK, sarcasm off. In fact, the unemployment situation in the US – and in the West generally – remains disastrous. Alternative ‘Net news organizations estimate US employment to be in the area of 20 percent; and we believe it is likely much higher than that. Even some mainstream media voices cannot keep up the pretense that the economy is turning positive again. The website and news organization BMI informs of us the following:

[Chief among the less trusting] is CNBC's floor reporter Rick Santelli, who recently criticized 'kool-aid drinkers' [on-air] for trying to find good news in the 'disappointing.' Jobs are heading up and down at the same time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the morning of Feb. 4 that only 36,000 jobs were added in the month of January, but the unemployment rate dropped from 9.4 percent to 9.0 percent.

Santelli even lashed out at some of the CNBC "Squawk Box" panel that were discussing the latest jobs report. "[W]e have overwhelming evidence the jobs market is disappointing, and all of you are trying to look for that one half of spaghetti in a 50 lb. spaghetti bowl. This is not great data," Santelli claimed. "In terms of jobs ... if you work just one day. If you stay home but you get paid you're counted in the data."

GO HERE to read more.

DEATH'S DOLLARS: Abortionist Made At Least $1.8M A Year, Says He's Broke

HOW MANY severed baby spines does it take to pay for a $984,000 shore house?

How many severed infant feet is a boat worth?

And what part of Kermit Gosnell's clinic paid to keep his mistress, 41 years younger, on the payroll?

As investigators and civil attorneys build their case against Gosnell, charged last month with killing seven babies and a woman at his hellish West Philly clinic, a larger question looms:

What did he do with the money?

According to the grand jury's report, it's estimated that Gosnell, 69, made almost $1.8 million each year in abortions alone - and most of it was cash from desperate, poor women.

That figure does not account for any of the money he took in from allegedly selling illegal prescriptions to drug addicts in his community, including his notable distinction of being one of the top three prescribers of OxyContin in Pennsylvania, something federal authorities continue to investigate.

But when brought before a judge Friday to explain why he and his wife, Pearl, had not hired attorneys, Gosnell claimed to be broke.

The judge didn't buy it and refused to appoint public defenders for the couple. They have until Wednesday to hire a lawyer.

Just where all the blood and drug money went is still unknown, according to Sol Weiss, senior partner at Anapol Schwartz, the firm representing the family of Karnamaya Mongar, the patient whom Gosnell is accused of murdering.

"You just don't do the things he did unless you're motivated totally by greed," Weiss said. "We're doing our own investigation into the money, but we don't have any answers right now. I don't think anybody does."

Joanne Pescatore and Christine Wechsler, the assistant district attorneys prosecuting the case, agreed.

"The money's unaccounted for," Pescatore said. "The only thing we know about is the money taken out of the house."

When investigators searched Gosnell's massive, three-story brick home at 32nd Street and Mantua Avenue, they discovered $240,000 in cash and a gun in a filing cabinet in his 12-year-old daughter's bedroom, according to the grand jury report.

Aside from hiding their profits in their little girl's closet, Gosnell and his wife also invested in real estate. Together, they own as many as 17 properties, according to published reports; prosecutors said they know of at least seven. That includes at least five in Philadelphia and a house with two decks and a boat dock in Brigantine.

More here

Blue Dogs Mull Budget Defection

Blue Dog Democrats might support a plan from House Republicans to cut $32 billion in discretionary spending this year, a spokesman for the fiscally conservative bloc said Monday.

Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) said the Blue Dogs are waiting to see the details of the proposed GOP cuts before taking a position. The draft legislation from the House Appropriations Committee is due on Thursday.

But the comments from Ross and other Blue Dogs suggest at least some of the coalition’s members are willing to defect from their party and vote for the plan despite the vocal opposition of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Last week Pelosi rejected the GOP plan and said that $32 billion in proposed cuts “will come at the expense of economic growth and American jobs.”

“We must put our fiscal house in order, beginning with an aggressive attack on waste, fraud and abuse; but we must do so without jeopardizing targeted investments that are helping the private sector grow and hire new workers,” Pelosi said.

The Blue Dog openness to the GOP comes amid strained relations with Pelosi. On Monday, Blue Dog leader Rep. Heath Shuler (N.C.), who challenged Pelosi for the job of Democratic leader in the 112th Congress, said the coalition has been shut out by the leader’s office.

“There has really been no communication whatsoever,” Shuler told MSNBC. “We still do not have any connection between the Blue Dogs and leadership.”

In perhaps the ultimate rebuke to the Democratic leader, Shuler said Blue Dog Democrats often have more in common ideologically with former President Reagan than with Pelosi.

More here

GOP Urges Strict Rules For Jobless: ‘Get Real’

With Florida’s unemployment rate at 12 percent, those receiving jobless benefits may soon receive less and have to do more to get that, while the amount that businesses and the government spend on benefits would be reduced.

The state House and Senate are considering bills that would give more power to businesses fighting whether workers are eligible for compensation in the first place, then reduce the number of weeks the unemployed can receive benefits, require them to prove they are looking for work and make them take jobs paying far less than they were making before.

Gov. Rick Scott, who will release his budget proposal today in the Central Florida town of Eustis, is expected to offer a jobless-benefits plan that is more drastic than the legislature’s. Among the changes Scott’s transition team recommended are requiring drug testing for applicants and requiring them to perform community service or other jobs to receive benefits.

“What it really does is it casts jobless workers in Florida as shiftless, lazy drug addicts,” said Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the Washington-based National Employment Law Project. “It’s blaming the victim.”

Sen. Nancy Detert insists her bill, which would require laid-off workers to have a skills assessment before they can receive benefits and then to prove they are looking for a job, would get them back to work more quickly.

“We have to do more to help people get off unemployment quicker, because after a couple of months you’re going to be too depressed to go out there and look,” said Detert, R-Venice. “It’s not like we’re dying to kick people when they’re down. This is costing millions and millions and we’re not even really helping anybody.”

The proposal (SB 728) also would cut how long they can receive benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks. In the first 12 weeks of that period, those receiving benefits would be required to take any job paying at least 80 percent of their last salary, and in the last eight weeks they would have to take any job that pays at least as much as their unemployment compensation.

More here

Delmar Girls Basketball Hoops For A Cure

Next week the  Delmar Girls Basketball team will participating in  a "Think Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraising campaign.  In February, high school and college teams nationwide wear pink  and do fundraisers to help raise money and awareness for  breast cancer.  This year our basketball  girls are participating in this campaign by seeking pledges per point scored by them  for next weeks games vs. Woodbridge at home on Tuesday, Indian River Away on Thursday and Friday away vs Stephen Decatur.  

 

Some may come around and ask for your pledge or you can even just make a donation. If you pledge per point they will know their total points after our last  game Friday Feb 18th.    We will be making our donation this year to Women Supporting Women , a local foundations that provides support to LOCAL women battling breast cancer.  In addition, I have white t shirts with Hoops For A Cure Delmar Wildcats  on them for sale for $12.    I'll put one in the office. The girls will be wearing these shirts as their warm ups next week for the games. Our last home game  starts at 4pm  next Tuesday and we would love  for you to join us wearing some pink  or even one of the shirts!  If interested in purchasing a shirt please email me.  I have Med, Large and X Large. If interested in donating or pledging see one of the basketball girls or Ill send you one.  Thanks for your support.  Its a great cause and great to see our student athletes involved in it! 

 

Ms. Billie Fox
Delmar High School
Math Teacher
Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

Obama's Social Security Number Goes To Court

An attorney who has aggressively pursued the release of President Obama's Hawaii long-form, hospital-generated birth certificate filed a complaint in federal court yesterday to force the release of Obama's Social Security files.

"I'm not asking for Obama's Social Security number," Attorney Orly Taitz told WND, acknowledging that the Social Security Administration will not release the number of a living person. "I want related information, including information about deceased individuals that will help us prove whether or not Obama has committedSocial Security fraud."

Taitz filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to force the Social Security Administration to respond to her Freedom of Information Act request seeking information on Obama's Social Security number.

At the heart of Taitz's complaint to the court is the suspicion that Obama has engaged in Social Security fraud by using a number initially issued to another person.

Taitz contends the Social Security number Obama has used the most often since around 1980 was, according to Lexis Nexis and Choice Point, initially assigned to an elderly individual born in 1890 who resided in Connecticut.

This is Taitz's second FOIA request to the Social Security Administration, seeking to obtain Obama's Social Security records. An earlier request was denied May 18, 2010, on privacy grounds.

The D.C. court denied Taitz's appeal to the previous FOIA filing on the grounds that the appeal was filed prior to the final determination by theSocial Security Administration.

On Oct. 4, 2010, Taitz filed a second FOIA request with the Social Security Administration, refining her request in an attempt to avoid the privacy concerns that determined the agency's previous denial.

So far, the Social Security Administration has not responded to Taitz's second FOIA request, despite six certified letters she has sent the agency since Oct. 4, 2010.

To buttress her arguments, Taitz submitted to the federal court affidavits signed by private investigators Susan Daniels and John Sampson.

Both Daniels and Sampson state that in the 1980s, Obama assumed as his own a Social Security number that had been applied for in Connecticut and was issued by the Social Security Administration between the years 1976 and 1977

Sampson, a retired senior investigator with the Department of Homeland Security, provided in his affidavit an expert opinion that there is no reasonable explanation for a person residing in Hawaii to get aSocial Security number issued in Connecticut.

"The affidavits of the private investigators indicates Obama is using a fraudulent Social Security number," she said, "so I am requesting information from the Social Security Administration that would help us track down the Connecticut-issued number Obama is using as well as the multiple Social Security numbers that show up for Obama in the private investigator databases."

Read more

Dick Morris Disses (But Misses) Virginia Tea Party Candidate For Senate

Tea Party organizer Jamie Radtke is running for the United States Senate from Virginia.  She has already attended her first Senate Tea Party Caucus meeting by request of the caucus.  Sounds like they want her as a colleague.

Radtke's a constitutional conservative who isn't afraid to point out the mistakes of establishment big-government Republicans.  As it became clear the Tea Party was the major force of last year's elections, she wrote the  GOP is on probation, a phrase copied even by some Republicans in Congress who understand their party is in deep kimchi if they fail to rise to cause.

Radtke organized the largest Tea Party convention held to date while running a small business and home schooling her three children.  Add to her resume, which is deeply rooted in small-government conservative policy and politics, that she's a good fundraiser.

All that adds up, for now, to her being underestimated by the pundits.  That's good.  Successful conservatives are almost always underestimated at first.  Soon enough, however, the pundits will go on the attack against her.  She's a threat to their bread and butter, big government.

More here

Maryland's Highest Court Dumps On Docs

Potomac Valley Orthopaedic Associates, et al. v. Maryland State Board of Physicians, et al.,

Held: Maryland's statutory prohibition against physician self-referrals applies to an orthopedic surgeon’s referral of a patient to another health care provider in the same group practice for a MRI or a CT scan that will involve the use of an imaging or scanning machine in which the referring physician has a financial interest. The “group practice” and/or “direct supervision” exemptions to the Maryland Self-Referral Law are not applicable to such a referral.No. 18, September Term, 2008, Decided Jan. 24, 2011

Property Ownership Does Not Allow Owner To Be Sued In Maryland

Held: Defendants' ownership of unimproved land in Maryland, unrelated to the cause of action, did not support the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the defendant in an action to enforce a confession of judgment clause in a guaranty.

Facts: The Defendants signed a guaranty containing a confession of judgment clause. In the guaranty, the defendants agreed to appear "in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Virginia or any other State or Territory of the United States" to confess judgment.

Upon a default, the plaintiff filed a complaint and affidavit for confessed judgment in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. The clerk entered judgment against the defendants. The defendants filed a motion to vacate on grounds that the court lacked personal jurisdiction because of their minimal contacts with Maryland. The plaintiff opposed the motion on grounds that the defendants owned land in Maryland, thus availing themselves of the benefits and protections of the forum state. The trial court held that owning the property was a sufficient contact to justify the exercise of personal jurisdiction under International Shoe, and it denied the motion.
Analysis: First, the Court held that lack of personal jurisdiction is an appropriate basis under Rule 2-611(d) upon which to move to vacate a confessed judgment, though it is not specified in the rule.

Regarding the merits, the Court held that an out-of-state resident's ownership of real property unrelated to the cause of action, absent other ties, is insufficient to establish jurisdiction under either the long-arm statute or the Due Process Clause. Accordingly, the Court vacated the judgment.The full opinion is available in pdf.

Source

Maryland Casinos Generate More Than $10.7 Million In Revenue During January

The Maryland Lottery today announced revenue numbers for the state’s two casinos — Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County and the Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County.  January’s statewide revenue totaled $10,752,565.55, bringing the cumulative fiscal year total for both facilities to $38,348,993.46.

Hollywood Casino Perryville generated $7,717,143.81 in January bringing fiscal year-to-date revenue to $35,313,571.72 for the facility.  January’s gross gaming revenue per machine per day was $165.96, and the casino is averaging $185.37 in daily per machine gaming revenue since opening September 27, 2010. Ocean Downs generated $3,035,421.74 since opening January 4, 2011, making the gross gaming revenue per machine per day $144.54.

GO HERE to read more.

We'll Cut Our Pensions, Legislators Say — In 2014

To escape fiscal jeopardy, Gov. Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly are whacking the pensions and retiree health benefits of state employees — well, most state employees.

The budget being debated in Annapolis would do nothing to change generous pensions for Maryland governors or legislators. Shouldn't the policymakers serving up pain to teachers, safety inspectors, revenue analysts and so forth drink from the same cup?

"Absolutely," says Thomas V. Mike Miller, president of the Senate. "I think we should," says Michael E. Busch, speaker of the House.

GO HERE to read more.

Rep. Jane Harman Of California To Resign

Democrat Jane Harman, who represents a Los Angeles-area district, is expected to leave Congress to lead the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a congressional source says.

U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), a leading congressional voice on anti-terrorism issues, plans to resign from Congress to head up the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a senior congressional source confirmed Monday, setting up a special election to choose her successor in a coastal district that stretches from Venice into the South Bay.

She is expected to leave her seat soon to succeed former Rep. Lee Hamilton as head of the Washington-based think tank, though no date was immediately announced. Her departure comes after her Democratic party lost control of the House, and it creates a rare open congressional seat in the Los Angeles area.

Harman's departure was first reported by NBC News.
GO HERE to read more.

Massive Poaching Case Raises Questions About Enforcement

The word "poaching" has a small-scale, even homey feel. It evokes men sneaking into the woods to kill a few extra deer before hunting season, or yanking a couple illicit fish into a rowboat.

But there was nothing small-scale or homey about the illegal fishing operation Natural Resources Police uncovered last week off the southern tip of Kent Island. With grappling hooks, they pulled up hundreds of yards of illegal gill nets that had snared 10 tons of rockfish.

This was the largest such seizure by the Natural Resources Police in at least a quarter-century - an industrial-scale attempt to loot a bay resource that, while now in good shape, was once fast-diminishing, and could be threatened again.

This takes money out of the wallets and food off the tables of law-abiding watermen. An individual watermen is allowed 300 pounds of rockfish a day. The 20,016 pounds of poached fish were the equivalent of 67 working days on the water. This, together with the legal haul in the first two days of fishing in February, took up so much of the monthly quota that state authorities shut down gill-net fishing for rockfish until at least the end of the month.

While it's good news that the nets were found, it's not so encouraging that those responsible may never be caught. When the nets were first detected, an overnight police stakeout failed to snare the perpetrators - and it's hard to get a conviction for this crime if people are not caught red-handed.

GO HERE to read more.

GOP Leader Calls For End To Earmarks, Wants Them For Her District

Haddaway-Riccio has sought $1.4 million for Eastern Shore projects

A House Republican leader who is pushing to end the state's $15 million earmark program has herself introduced or sponsored bills this year that would use the fund to send $1.4 million to projects in her district.

House Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, who called for an end to the use of so-called bond bills this week during the Republican response to Gov. Martin O'Malley's state of the state address, says she introduced her legislation before she saw his budget proposal and learned how dire the state's fiscal situation is.

"I think all of us would love to have projects funded," the Eastern Shore Republican said. "It is not a responsible thing to do given the capital budget situation."

Source

Poll: Marylanders Favor Job Creation Over Environmental Protection

More than four in five Maryland voters think Governor Martin O’Malley’s administration should give a higher priority to creating jobs over reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, according to a new poll.

The poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Inc. – and commissioned by the Maryland State Builders Association – found that 57 percent of Marylanders believe economic growth should be given priority even if the environment suffers to some extent, while 33 percent believe the environment should be given priority even at the risk of slowing the economy.

GO HERE to read more.

$50 Million For Offshore Wind Energy

It is the first interagency plan for offshore wind energy. The departments of Interior and Energy are ready to provide $50 million for research and development to jump-start offshore wind energy projects in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and New Jersey. The Baltimore Business Journal reports the government could begin leasing sites off the mid-Atlantic coast by the end of this year or early next. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Energy Secretary Steven Chu say the National Offshore Wind Strategy could power nearly three million households by 2020. But they have to overcome some serious hurdles -- like lack of site data, the high cost, and technical challenges.

Scott Bloch Sentencing Delayed

It looks like the sentencing of Former Bush Administration official Scott Bloch has been delayed and that he may escape jail time. A judge said last week that Bloch had to spend at least one month in behind bars, but his lawyers passed a last minute motion to try to salvage a plea deal would keep him out of prison. Bloch is the former head of the Office of Special Counsel. He pled guilty to misdemeanor contempt of Congress for withholding information about having a government hard drive professionally wiped. The sentencing is rescheduled for March 10.

No Furloughs?

Maybe there won't be furloughs, after all. Republicans are expected to unveil details of their $32 billion dollar spending cut package this week. Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma tells our sister station WTOP Radio that Congress can create a smaller bureaucracy without having to fire a lot of people. He says through attrition, simply by not hiring any more feds, the government can save another two or three billion dollars. Critics, mostly Democrats, say cutting back the federal workforce would mean weaker health and safety inspections and reductions in homeland security.

Home Ownership Dream Dwindling For Minorities

WASHINGTON - It's the American dream to own a home, but it looks like that dream is dwindling -- especially for certain populations.
 
Home ownership rates are down across the board, but newly released U.S. Census data analyzed by The Greenlining Institute shows rates for Hispanics and African-Americans have dropped more severely.
 
Home ownership rates for whites was around 74 percent from 2002 to 2010.
 
But rates for African-Americans were down to 44 percent, and rates for Latinos were at 46 percent.

GO HERE to read more.

Bill Would Increase Minimum Wage To $10 In Three Years

Minimum wage would increase to nearly $10 an hour through a bill that Majority Leader Robert Garagiola planned to introduce in the Senate on Monday. The bill, which had 15 co-sponsors by Monday afternoon, would incrementally increase minimum wage from its current $7.25 up to close to $10 by 2013, a 35% increase over three years. It also would boost pay for employees who earn tips from half to 70% of minimum wage, and would add overtime and inflation provisions for other employees.

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The 79.99% APR Credit Card

It sounds ridiculous. First Premiere Bank launched a new credit card with a 79.99% interest rate. It targeted consumers who couldn't get a credit card anywhere else, and it was popular. Too popular, in fact. "A lot of the people ran up the card, defaulted and went directly to charge off," First Premiere's Bank told CNN Money. Since then they've dropped it to 59.99% and that's just low enough to keep enough people paying off interest to make it profitable. But wait, wasn't the CARD act supposed to prevent these really hight rates and stuff?

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Yep, There Was Semen In The Yogurt

The woman who reported to police last week that the free yogurt sample she received tasted like it had semen in it? Turns out she was right. Police have confirmed that the sample of Greek yogurt was tainted with semen. Results from DNA sample taken from the employee who handed out the sample are still pending. There's something fishy about the free sample story though, according to the police report it doesn't sound like there was an official sampling going on that day.

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Disney Now Marketing To Newborns In The Delivery Room

They say that first impressions are crucial and the folks at Disney are taking that very literally, having recently launched a campaign to begin marketing their products to brand new moms and to babies barely out of the womb.

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George W. Bush Threatened With War Crimes Arrest

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

Human rights groups are demanding the former U.S. president be arrested for his authorization of torture.

Revisiting The Reagan Nightmare

"Now that he is safely dead, let us praise him." poet Carl Wendell Hines wrote of Martin Luther King Jr, after his assassination. Ronald Reagan has been "safely dead" for just under seven years, but the economic impact of his policies remain with us.

In a sense, it's highly appropriate that the centennial of Reagan's birth falls upon us in the midst of a economic nightmare from which it is uncertain when — or if — the nation will awaken. Though we will be inevitably awash in conservative praise and hagiography of Reagan, his 100th birthday is also an occasion to remember how America's long economic nightmare began.

It's a story told many times, but it bears telling again, and again, as David Johnson did last year as he explained how the "Reagan Revolution" came home to roost. He even told it in charts.

As Dave said in his post. take a look at a chart of almost anything, and you'll notice that right around 1981, things take a sharp turn in the wrong direction — that is, for just about everyone but the wealthiest 1%.

Conservative policies transformed the United States from the largest creditor nation to the largest debtor nation in just a few years.

And it started with Reagan. Anyone who's wringing their hands about America's debt and China's ownership of it has Reagan to thank, as Reagan's former budget director David Stockman recently explained to David Corn.

GO HERE to read more.

Cousins Held For Almost Four Years Without Trial On Trumped Up Charges - Rape, Kidnapping

In early 1994, two men violently robbed, kidnapped, and carjacked an Oakland couple. The victims were forced into their own trunk, driven around to ATMs for the purpose of withdrawing cash (which was unsuccessful), and brought to a clearing in the hills only to see the male violently beaten, tased and forced back into the trunk before the female was violently raped. With no expectation but being buried alive, the couple was released. In the short time it took for someone who lived nearby to allow the couple to call the police, the two men disappeared.

Over fifteen years later, Dewayne Ewing and Kevin Barnes are being accused of the crime and have been in jail for the past three years without trial. While the charges are serious, there is little, if any, evidence against them.

Police investigators found four major pieces of evidence. First, photos were taken of the assailants by ATM machines. Second, fingerprints collected from the scene of the crime which do not match the victims are assumed to be those of the assailants. Third, the rape kit, which was collected within a few hours of the couple’s release, found the semen of two men, which are from one of the assailants and her husband. Lastly, a used condom was found near the scene of the rape.

The ATM photos show skin tones and facial structures which do not match those of Ewing or Barnes. The fingerprints are also unhelpful, as they give no match. It’s the combination of the second and third pieces of evidence which make the case especially peculiar.

The rape victim told police and doctors that her assailants did not use condoms during the rape, and the semen from her rape kit appears not to have been matched to Ewing or Barnes. Semen found in the condom was matched to Ewing. However, the condom was found at the scene of the rape, which is a public space—a clearing in the Oakland hills—where Ewing says he went with his girlfriend completely separately from this crime. There is a clear discrepancy between the DNA match and the victim’s account of the rape.

GO HERE to read more.

Bush, Rumsfeld And Iraq: Is The Real Reason For The Invasion Finally Emerging?

In Donald Rumsfeld’s new book, Known and Unknown, out February 8, Rumsfeld offers an account of George W. Bush’s early interest in Iraq. This was just days after the 9/11 attacks. There were no apparent reasons for Bush to focus on Iraq, instead of on the actual perpetrators of the attacks.

Here’s the Rumsfeld version as reported in an advance peek from The New York Times,

Just 15 days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush invited his defense secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld, to meet with him alone in the Oval Office. According to Mr. Rumsfeld’s new memoir, the president leaned back in his leather chair and ordered a review and revision of war plans — but not for Afghanistan, where the Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington had been planned and where American retaliation was imminent.

“He asked that I take a look at the shape of our military plans on Iraq,” Mr. Rumsfeld writes.

“Two weeks after the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history, those of us in the Department of Defense were fully occupied,” Mr. Rumsfeld recalls. But the president insisted on new military plans for Iraq, Mr. Rumsfeld writes. “He wanted the options to be ‘creative.’ ”

When the option of attacking Iraq in post-9/11 military action was raised first during a Camp David meeting on Sept. 15, 2001, Mr. Bush said Afghanistan would be the target. But Mr. Rumsfeld’s recollection in the memoir, “Known and Unknown,” to be published Tuesday, shows that even then Mr. Bush was focused as well on Iraq.

What Rumsfeld seems to be saying, without saying it explicitly, is hugely important: that Bush’s rush to war with Iraq seemed to make no sense. More than that, it was downright fishy.

Rumsfeld suggests that Bush had some kind of prior agenda that had nothing to do with any role Iraq might have had (and in any case did not) in the events of 9/11. Bush simply wanted to invade that country.

If so, why? Rumsfeld apparently doesn’t speculate. But he doesn’t need to.

GO HERE to read more.

Five Ways To Help Your Community Go Local

For four consecutive years, Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) has undertaken a unique research project, surveying thousands of independent businesses about their sales figures from year to year. The results of ILSR’s latest survey offered encouraging news for entrepreneurs battered by the recession and for organizations working to sustain vital communities.

Independent businesses in U.S. communities with an active Buy Independent / Buy Local (BIBL) campaign reported the strongest figures since the surveys began—a 5.6 percent increase over the previous year. This increase was more than two and a half times the gain (2.1 percent) reported by independent businesses located in areas lacking such a campaign.

Among independent retailers, which comprised just under half of nearly 2,800 surveys tabulated, the contrast was even more dramatic during the holiday season. Those in communities with BIBL campaigns experienced a 5.2 percent increase in holiday sales, while retailers elsewhere reported an average gain of just 0.8 percent.

The most influential community campaigns inspire residents to recognize their power and responsibility to guide the community’s future.

While the survey proves correlation, not causation, the consistently positive numbers each year for businesses served by these local alliances is powerful evidence that sustained and sophisticated campaigns can shift local culture.

In addition to the sales figures, nearly two-thirds of survey respondents said public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year and 55 percent said their local campaigns had made existing customers more loyal.

GO HERE to read more.

ANOTHER CITIZEN DISRESPECTED BY ANNAPOLIS LEGISLATORS

As an involved citizen in my community, I have attended and testified at Maryland House and Senate public hearings in Annapolis for almost ten years now.  On February 1, 2011, I drove in from Howard County to testify in favor of a bill submitted by Delegate Tony O'Donnell (R-Calvert/St. Mary's) HB 28 - "Public Benefits - Requirement of Proof of Lawful Presence" - assigned to the Appropriations Committee.

It's an important piece of legislation which would deny most non-emergency, taxpayer funded social services to those without lawful presence in our state.  In a time of economic hardship for many citizens and massive budget deficits at the state and county level, HB 28 holds the promise of eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from overburdened public benefit programs.

Upon my arrival in Annapolis, I signed in to speak in support of HB 28 (and HB 34) as is proper procedure, along with others, and sat down in the hearing room to wait for my name to be called.  The hearing, chaired by Delegate Norman Conway (D-Wicomico/Worcester) started off like any other.  Delegate O'Donnell presented his bill to the committee, but instead of those in favor of HB 28 being called up to testify first, Delegate Conway changed standard protocol and immediately called up those opposed to HB 28 to appear at the witness table.  Clearly Delegate Conway had a personnel agenda to fulfill by slighting Delegate O'Donnell and those in the room supporting HB 28. 

For the next hour plus, I had to listen to the anti-citizen, pro-illegal alien nonsense espoused by groups such as CASA of Maryland, the ACLU and multiple Catholic and other ethnic/religious based groups as to why it was "our moral duty" to provide taxpayer funded social services to illegal aliens, residents who clearly have no moral or legal right to be in Maryland.  No doubt these groups were afraid that the free services for their illegal alien clientele would end!

When these groups where finished, Delegate Conway abruptly ended the hearing and quickly disappeared into the back of the hearing room.  At no time were those in the audience asked if there were any in attendance who wanted to testify in favor of HB 28.   I rose and voiced my protest of this violation of my rights to testify at this public hearing but no one listened, including my own Delegate Guy Guzzone (D-Howard County) who told me it was a "mistake".  
I took time off from my struggling business to testify in favor of HB 28.  I properly signed in as did others to support HB 28.  Delegate Conway, a disciple of Governor O'Malley, obviously thinks that since the Democrats "won big" in the recent elections that opposing views by citizens on issues are no longer needed.  Open debate on illegal immigration has been replaced by "Governor O'Malley's "New Americans" policy of allowing illegal aliens full and unrestrained access to all Maryland taxpayer funded programs and services. 

Delegate Conway's office is now issuing statements that no one signed up to speak in favor of HB 28; that was quickly modified that citizens signed up for the wrong bill.  Tomorrow I sure it will be a different story.  Again this is not my first hearing.   I know the drill, and I signed in to provide oral testimony against HB 28 along with others.  The bottom line is that my right to address the government and to free speech was blatantly violated by Conway and his Democratic committee cronies.

Following the lead of Governor O'Malley, Maryland's state legislators, almost exclusively from the Democratic Party, continue to attract and sustain illegal aliens using my tax dollars. By funding
anti-citizen groups like CASA of Maryland and others that testified on February 1, promoting Day Laborer Centers which are really Hispanic illegal alien hiring halls fronted by a non-profit community charity, providing healthcare and other social services, Maryland has become the Mecca of the East Coast for those without lawful presence in our state.  It is a taxpayer funded safe haven for those avoiding arrest and deportation by federal authorities. 

On February 1, 2011, my Constitutional protections were violated in Annapolis. Where do I go now to have my voice heard on Maryland-wide issues?  Do Maryland's elected officials, like Delegate Conway, now believe they can tell me when, where and what I can say?  I will return to Annapolis to give testimony throughout the current session, especially against proposed In-State Tuition for illegal aliens. I now know the levels the dominate party in office will go to in forcing their lawless agenda on our citizens.  I will not run nor hide.  I will dedicate myself to exposing their actions for all Marylanders to see.

Tom Young
Howard County
 Tyoung5041@yahoo.com
Member, Help Save Maryland.com

POSTCARD CLUB ANNUAL SIGN

DELMARVA POSTCARD CLUB’S

12 th ANNUAL SHOW

SUNDAY -  FEBRUARY 13, 2011

WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER

CIVIC AVENUE, SALISBURY, MD

DANANG ROOM  -  10 AM TO 4 PM

POSTCARD DISPLAYS

FREE ADMISSION & PARKING

POSTCARDS, POSTCARDS & MORE

POSTCARDS!

LOCAL AND OUT OF TOWN DEALERS

FOR INFO CALL: NICK CARTER (410) 632-1474

                  or GEORGE CHEVALLIER (410) 749-1021

"All You Can Eat"

Spaghetti Dinner

(Includes Salad, Bread, Drink and Dessert)

Friday, February 11th

5pm to 7:30pm

Adults $7.00

Children $3.00

(12 Years Old and Under)

Carry-Outs are Available

Snethen United Methodist Church

Double Mills Community Hall

Route 54, Delmar-Mardela Road

If you need additional information,

please call 443-614-3170.

Blues Off The Street IV

Friday, March 4 at 7:00pm at Christ United Methodist Church, Salisbury, MD Fundraiser to benefit Community Emergency Shelter Project ~ "Blues off the Street IV" music will be "blues and ...jazz" presented by Hill Street Productions. CESP (along with 11 local congregations as host sites and multitude of volunteers ) is in it's 7th year of providing safe, temporary, emergency, overnight shelter and hospitality to homeless men in the Salisbury area. ~ money raised will purchase new cots and other necessary supplies for the shelter.  Tickets are available at the Gospel Shop and Christ United Methodist Church (office). $12 each and additional info can be obtained by contacting Steven Rumney 410-251-2804

Willards Elementary School PTA Annual Benefit Auction

The Willards Elementary School PTA is preparing for their 8^th Annual Fundraising Benefit Auction.  This event will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Willards Elementary School.  We will begin the evening at 4:00pm with food prepared and sold by the Powellville Volunteer Fire Company.  The live auction will begin at 6:00pm.

The main function of the PTA is to provide our children with the highest quality of learning materials possible.  All of the money earned is directly spent on enhancing our students’ education.  Last year’s fundraising made it possible for us to purchase agendas and parent contact folders, to hold fall and spring skate night, to pay for an artist in residence program for our 2^nd graders and to pay for assemblies throughout the year for all of the students at Willards Elementary School. 

We have requested and received donations from many area businesses; and we are grateful for these. If any other businesses or individuals would like to make any donations, we would glady accept them.  In return, we will advertise that your business made a donation towards our event.  Packages will be created for the live and silent auctions.  Any contributions will be extremely appreciated. 

 If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Patey, Willards PTA President, at 410-835-3633. 

SHOREBIRDS PLAN NUMEROUS FAN GIVEAWAYS IN 2011

First Ever Manny Machado Bobblehead Scheduled for July 1

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds, the class “A” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, have stacked the 2011 schedule with a wide variety of giveaways for fans of all ages.  In total, the Shorebirds will be giving away premium items at the gates on 13 nights during the 2011 season.  For the first time ever, the Shorebirds have organized a series of five collectible t-shirt giveaways featuring five of the best players in the history of the franchise; Ryan Minor (April 28), Brian Roberts (May 26), Nick Markakis (June 30), Jayson Werth (July 28) and Orlando Cabrera (August 25).  The Shorebirds have also planned a bobblehead for Orioles top prospect, Manny Machado, who was selected with the third overall pick in the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft. 

The giveaway schedule starts on opening night, April 7, when all fans in attendance will receive the official 2011 Shorebirds magnet schedule sponsored by Fulton Bank.  The magnet schedule features the entire 2011 home and road schedule for the Shorebirds.

To keep warm during the cool part of the baseball season, the Shorebirds will give away a blanket featuring the Shorebirds bird logo to the first 1,000 fans on May 13.  The blanket is sponsored by Holloway Tours. 

The Shorebirds have planned five t-shirt giveaways throughout the season sponsored by Courtesy Chevrolet.   The first t-shirt giveaway is scheduled for April 28 and the shirt features manager Ryan Minor.  The rest of the t-shirt giveaway schedule includes: Brian Roberts (May 26), Nick Markakis (June 30), Jayson Werth (July 28) and Orlando Cabrera (August 25).  Each t-shirt will have “Shorebirds” across the front with the players last name emblazoned on the back with the number he wore while playing in Delmarva.  The first 500 fans on each night will receive the t-shirts. 

·         Minor, the current manager of the Shorebirds, starred for the ‘Birds during their championship run in 1997.  He was named to the SAL All-Star team and pieced together one of the greatest offensive seasons in franchise history, batting .307 with 24 home runs and 97 RBIs.  Minor holds the franchise record for doubles with 42.

·         Roberts, the current second baseman for the Orioles, played in 47 games for the Delmarva Shorebirds in 1999.  He hit .240 with 21 RBIs.  The 2011 season marks his 11^th year in the major leagues, all spent with the Baltimore Orioles.  Roberts has accumulated over 1,000 hits, over 400 RBIs and over 80 home runs.  He was selected to the AL All-Star team in 2005 and 2007.

·         Markakis, the current right fielder for the Orioles, played in 96 games for the Shorebirds in 2004.  He batted .299 with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs.  Since his time on Delmarva, Markakis has blossomed into a star at the major league level.  He will enter his sixth season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2011.  Through five big league seasons, he has a lifetime batting average of .298 with 89 home runs and 422 RBIs. 

·         Werth, the current right fielder for the Nationals, played for the 81-win Shorebirds in 1998.  In 120 games, he hit .265 with eight home runs and 53 RBIs.  In 2008, Werth helped the Philadelphia Phillies capture their first world series title in 28 years.  Last year, Werth hit 27 home runs for the Phillies to increase his career total to 120.

·         Cabrera, currently with the Reds, played for the Shorebirds during the inaugural season in 1996.  In 134 games, Cabrera batted .252 with a team best 14 home runs.  Sixteen years later, he is still playing in the major leagues.  In 14 big league seasons, Cabrera has played in 1,855 games and accumulated 1,948 hits, and 803 RBIs.  He is a two-time gold glove recipient in 2001 and 2007.

On June 3, the Shorebirds will give the first 2,500 fans in attendance a Shorebirds logo car magnet.  Show your support for the Shorebirds by placing the magnets on the back of your cars. 

On June 10, the Shorebirds will give the first 1,000 fans in attendance a free team photo sponsored by the Delaware State Fair.  The following night, June 11, the Delaware State Fair will be handing out free tickets to the upcoming fair. 

The Shorebirds will unveil the first ever Manny Machado Bobblehead on July 1 to the first 1,000 fans.  Machado is the top prospect in the Orioles organization according to Baseball America and the 24^th best prospect in the minor leagues according to mlb.com.  The 18-year old shortstop from Florida has drawn comparison to the likes of Alex Rodriguez.  If Machado plays for the Shorebirds, as reported recently by the Daily Times, he would be the highest draft pick ever to suit up for the Shorebirds (third overall).  Currently, Adam Loewen (4^th overall in 2002) is the highest draft pick ever to play for the Shorebirds. 

On July 15, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will be greeted with Shorebirds Tin Lunch Boxes sponsored by Dr. Susan Vickers.  The lunch boxes feature the Shorebirds logo and action photographs of players from the past. 

The final giveaway planned is a Shorebirds Hat on September 2^nd, which is NFL Night at Perdue Stadium.  The Shorebirds will let the first 1,000 fans choose between a Shorebirds hat in Redskins, Ravens or Eagles colors.  Fans are encouraged to choose the colored hat of their favorite team.

“Overall, I’m really pleased with the unique items that we have come up with this season,” said Shorebirds general manager Chris Bitters.  “We feel like there is something in our giveaway schedule for every fan on the Eastern Shore.”

The Shorebirds open the 2011 season with an exhibition game against Salisbury University on April 5 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  Two days later, April 7, the Shorebirds play their first South Atlantic League game against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Perdue Stadium.

To secure your seats for all the great giveaways, contact the Shorebirds by calling 410-219-3112 or visit us online at http://www.theshorebirds.com/.  Four ticket plans are currently available and each includes a ticket to the 2011 SAL “Strike Out Hunger” All-Star Game and the exhibition game against Salisbury University. 

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On February 4, 2011 at approximately 9:25 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Safe Streets Unit executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on the seven hundred (700) block of Baker Street in Salisbury for controlled dangerous substance violations. During the execution of the warrant, the officers recovered substantial quantities of suspected "crack"/cocaine and suspected marijuana. In addition, the officers found equipment used to package, weigh and distribute these substances. As a result of the execution of the warrant, the below listed suspect was taken into custody. This investigation is continuing.

ARRESTED: Lloyd James Bingham, 43 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
Possession of marijuana with int. to distribute
Possession of cocaine
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (4 counts)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100004375

On February 4, 2011 at approximately 2:48 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Brew River Restaurant for two (2) disorderly subjects. Upon arrival, the officers met with restaurant security who advised that two (2) subjects were refusing to leave the establishment upon request. The officers met with both subjects, one of which left upon the officer’s request. The second suspect, listed below, became further disorderly and refused to leave.

ARRESTED: Kentae Lamonte Wallace, 32 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Disorderly conduct
Littering
Failure to obey a lawful order
Obstructing and hindering an investigation
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100004265

On February 4, 2011 at approximately 12:25 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the District Court Building on Baptist Street to assist the court bailiffs. Upon arrival the officers were advised that the below listed suspect had responded to district court with a cane. The cane was checked and was found to contain a long sword type blade when disassembled. The cane was confiscated and the suspect was taken into custody.

ARRESTED: James Andrew Coiner, 44 years of age
Berlin, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of a dangerous, concealed weapon
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100004309

On February 4, 2011 at approximately 10:36 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of East Main Street and Snow Hill Road and observed the below listed suspect running. The officers stopped the suspect to check his welfare and detected a strong odor of suspected marijuana on the suspect’s person. When asked about the odor, the suspect gave the officers a smoking device containing suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: Christopher John Smith, 34 years of age
Princess Anne, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100004390

On February 5, 2011 at approximately 5:40 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police responded to a residence on the seven hundred (700) block of East Church Street to attempt to locate a wanted suspect. As the officers met with the residents, the officers observed a smoking device and CDS related paraphernalia sitting in plain view. The smoking device was checked and found to contain suspected "crack"/cocaine. The items were seized and the below listed suspects were taken into custody.

ARRESTED #1: Jeffrey McKinley Stuart, 48 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #2: Wendy Denise Hewitt, 42 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES (both): Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
CC # 201100004498

Mistrial In Case Against Twins Accused Of Burning Pit Bull

After days of deliberations, jurors could not convince lone holdout

The animal cruelty trial of twins Travers and Tremayne Johnson ended in a mistrial Monday after 11 jurors were unable to convince the single holdout that the brothers had set fire to the dog that came to be known as "Phoenix."

The Johnsons smiled faintly as the result was read about 6:30 p.m., after three full days of jury deliberation that followed a five-day trial. Their supporters high-fived each other quietly on one side of the gallery behind them; across the aisle, animal activists stared ahead, mostly stone-faced.

Whether the case will be retried is up to the Baltimore state's attorney's office, which couldn't comment Monday because a gag order is still in place.
GO HERE to read more.

BALTIMORE COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER

(OVERLEA, MD) – What was initially thought to be a single vehicle crash on the Baltimore beltway turned into multiple counts of attempted second degree murder filed against a Baltimore County man who was allegedly trying to strangle the woman he was with in the backseat of the car they were traveling in early yesterday.

The accused is identified as Augustus Jung-Kai Gray, 25, of Parkville, Md. He is charged with three counts of attempted second degree murder, five counts of first degree assault, five counts of second degree assault, two counts of malicious destruction of property, motor vehicle theft, theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, DUI, and other traffic charges. As of late yesterday, Gray was being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center on $500,000 bail.

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. yesterday, Maryland state troopers from the Golden Ring Barrack responded to what had been reported as a single-vehicle collision on the outer loop of I-695 prior to I-95. Troopers found two men and two women, outside a 2002 Ford Explorer. One of the men, later identified as Gray, was being restrained by the owner of the vehicle, a man identified as Francis Thomas.

Thomas told troopers he and girlfriend were in the front seat of his truck and they were driving Gray and his girlfriend home after leaving a party in Baltimore County. Thomas said Gray began strangling his 23-year-old girlfriend in the back seat. Thomas said he told Gray to stop and he complied, but soon began choking her again and opened the passenger door while attempting to push her out of the moving vehicle. Thomas said he pulled to the shoulder of the interstate and all four of them exited the truck.

According to Thomas, Gray then said he was going to kill them all and jumped into the driver’s seat of the truck. Thomas was able to get into the rear seat and attempted to stop Gray. The suspect then apparently drove the truck across the beltway and struck the median barrier. He then backed the vehicle across the interstate towards the two women standing on the shoulder. They were able to get out of the way before the truck crashed into the barrier on the right shoulder. Thomas then drove back across the highway and struck the median barrier before the truck became disabled. Thomas said he was able to pull Gray from the truck and hold him until troopers arrived.

Troopers said Gray appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and also had other injuries to his face and head not consistent with the crash he had just been in. Further investigation revealed he had been involved in several altercations earlier in the evening.

Troopers had Gray transported to the hospital for an examination. He was treated and released about 5:00 p.m. yesterday. The other three individuals had minor injuries, but refused any treatment.

The investigation is continuing.