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Friday, March 18, 2011

Radiation Fears May Be Greatly Exaggerated

Levels at present are 'no cause for concern,' say experts

They are hoping to get their hands on potassium iodide pills to protect them from radiation — despite warnings that, in the absence of a real nuclear threat, taking the medicine is riskier than doing nothing
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Sixty-six years after the first atomic bomb exploded over the city of Hiroshima, radiation spooks people everywhere. But the anxiety is largely disproportionate to the actual danger.

How much radiation is dangerous?
  1. Radiation is measured using the unit sievert, which quantifies the amount of radiation absorbed by human tissues. One sievert is 1,000 millisieverts (mSv).
    In the U.S., the average person is exposed to about 6.2 millisieverts a year, mostly from background radiation and medical tests.
    Some facts about radiation exposure:
    • A person would need to be exposed to at least 100 mSv a year to have an increase in cancer risk. Exposure to 1,000 mSv during a year would probably cause a fatal cancer many years later in five out of every 100 people.
    • Total body CT scan: about 10 mSv.
    • Mammogram: about 0.7 mSv.
    • CT colonography: about 5 to 8 mSv.
    • CT heart scan: about 12 mSv.
    • Typical chest X-ray: about 0.02 mSv
    • Dental X-ray: 0.01 mSv.
    • Coast-to-coast airplane flight: about .03 mSv. Airline crews flying the New York-Tokyo polar route are exposed to 9 mSv a year.
    Sources: Reuters; New England Journal of Medicine; American Cancer Society; World Nuclear Association and Taiwan's Atomic Energy Council
"People in general have an exaggerated fear of radiation. That is true in the United States, and it is probably even more so in Japan," said Jerrold Bushberg, director of health physics programs and clinical professor of radiology and radiation oncology at the University of California Davis.

Despite the Japanese government's assurances that the risk so far is minimal, residents of Tokyo have flooded out of the city and foreigners have fled the country, hoping to escape a threat they cannot see.

The fact is that everyone is exposed to small amounts of radiation every day just from living on earth or flying in an airplane. That all adds up to about 2.4 units, known as millisieverts, a year. This can vary widely, ranging from 1 to 10 millisieverts, depending on where you live.

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Obama Warns Gadhafi: Stop Now Or Face Military Action

Gadhafi forces attack rebels, advance to Benghazi

Obama warns Libyan leader to comply with U.N. resolution or face military action

TRIPOLI, Libya — Western allies stepped up military pressure Friday against Moammar Gadhafi, sending warships and fighter planes to the region to enforce a U.N.-authorized no-fly zone. Libyan forces shelled a rebel-held city and were quickly advancing towards the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, despite a cease-fire declared earlier in the day.

President Barack Obama warned Gadhafi that if the Libyan leader did not stand down the United States would join in military action against him.

"All attacks against all civilians must stop," Obama said.

"These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Gadhafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences."

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Fraternal Order Of Eagles Celebrate St. Patrick's Day On The 19th

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Exclusive Field Notes By Delegate Mike McDermott


Field Notes
Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
By Delegate Mike McDermott
March 14th-18th, 2011
  1. On Monday evening prior to session, there was a significant union rally on the Lawyer’s  Mall which greeted us as we moved toward the State House. It was all about the Governor’s budget and their dislike for what has been proposed by the O’Malley Administration. I found it interesting that the governor actually came out and took the stage to speak to the crowd and proclaimed, “I don’t like the budget either!!!” Of course, the crowd was happy about this proclamation. So, I guess it may be true for democratic governor’s in Annapolis...you can have your cake and eat it too!
  2. On Tuesday morning, the session was brief and we only voted on one bill:
  1. HB-209: Vote 139-0 On Third Reader in Favor. Authorizing the purchase of agricultural land preservation easements if the land meets specified requirements and is subject to specified regulations governing the use of the land; clarifying that specified provisions of the Act do not exempt a landowner from complying with specified local laws or State or local requirements; prohibiting land subject to agricultural easement from being used for specified purposes; allowing a landowner to reserve up to three 1-acre lots to construct single-family residential dwellings, etc.        
  1. On Tuesday afternoon, I met with a sub committee to review the Child Neglect statute being championed by Lt. Governor Brown. We made many recommendations for changing the bill and hope to have it ready for committee soon.
  2. On Tuesday, the following bills were heard in the Judicary Committee
  1. HB-1174: Would give more power to the Division of Parole and Probation when it comes to reimposing sentences for violations of parole or probation. It would allow for lesser sentences on minor offenses and should reduce some prison costs.
  2. HB-899: Would provide police powers to a unit within the Division of which deal specifically with the apprehension of offenders on Warrant Retake Orders. Currently, officers are not able to arrest for violations which occur in the process of their warrant service or other related actions.
  3. HB-677: Would make it a crime in Maryland for any municipality or government to grant “sanctuary status” to illegal aliens. It would require the state to enforce federal laws addressing illegal immigration. It was argued clearly on both sides, but it is clear that Maryland is fast becoming a sanctuary for illegal immigrants due to our lax enforcement policies and the current lack of enforcement by authorities from ICE.
  4. HB-724: Would increase the statute of limitations for 4th Degree Sex Offense from one year to three. This bill will probably be amended to allow for extended limitations in the case where a victim is a juvenile.
  5. HB-898: Would not allow for Bondsmen to fail to collect the full amount of their bond premium through various finance arrangements made with bonding companies. It does not allow for these companies to finance bonds, merely have an arrangement for collecting payment over time.
  6. HB-1207: Would allow local government entities to prohibit the sale of drug paraphernalia to a minor. It allows for the revocation of business licenses, etc by the local authorities for violations. It is believed that this type of tie in would impact the sale of drug paraphernalia items to minors locally. Based on questions asked, the bill may create confusion across county or municipal boundaries.
  7. HB-1075: Would repeal the Death Penalty in Maryland. This bill seeks to respond to the finding of the Maryland Commission on Capitol Punishment completed in 2008 which recommended abolishing the death penalty in Maryland in favor of Life in Prison.
  8. HB-1074: Would provide an exemption for any Division of Correction employee or other related service employee to exempt themselves from participating in the process of a state execution. This is a no brainer,  though, in all fairness, we simply do not exercise the death penalty in Maryland.
  9. HB-804: Would require the MVA to place a certain notation on the driver’s license and state issued ID’s of convicted sex offenders. It is said this may aid law enforcement officers in identifying potential bad guys who may be involved in an abduction when stopped for another violation.
  10. HB-1128: Would alter the definition of sexual contact to include any penetration by any part of the body or object. The current law does not make provision for penetration by other parts of the human body. Some recent cases have made this an issue that needs to be addressed according to some state’s attorney’s who testified in favor of the bill.
  1. On Wednesday, the following bills were heard in the Judiciary Committee:
  1. HB-1277: Would set the policy of the State so as to encourage the use of special needs trusts or supplemental needs trusts by individuals with disabilities of all ages to preserve funds in order to provide for the needs of the individuals not met by public benefits and to enhance their quality of life. The bill encourages self reliance on the part of those with disabilities.
  2. HB-1296: Would allow for the electronic transmission of Eviction related documents. This is currently being done manually by the Clerks and Sheriff’s Office personnel. This would save time and certainly speed up the process by which these papers are transferred and eventually served.
  1. On Thursday morning, the following bills were presented for Third Reader:

        Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #18

Third Reading Passed (104-33)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-3)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (94-46)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #19

Third Reading Passed (137-2)
Third Reading Passed (135-5)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (103-35)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (108-32)
Third Reading Passed (119-20)
Third Reading Passed (130-3)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #20

Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (130-10)
Third Reading Passed (122-9)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
  1. On Thursday afternoon, the Judiciary Committee heard the following bills:
  1. HB-1118: Requiring the juvenile court, in specified child in need of assistance hearings, to send written findings to specified individuals and agencies if the court finds that specified reasonable efforts were made but that a specified condition exists. Bills like this are generally procedural applications which may slightly modify one aspect of an existing law.
  2. HB-1190: Seeks to expand a pilot program dealing with children in need of supervision to Cecil County and Prince Georges County. The program has been used successfully to divert children from the juvenile delinquency system. They wish to see it work in a more rural county. The bill carries a fiscal note of $250,000.00 and this may be a stumbling block.
  3. HB-790: Seeks to create a crime of Home Invasion and see it classified as a violent crime. There was testimony that these crimes are often being treated as property crimes instead of violent offenses. We heard from several victims of home invasions.
  4. HB-1305: Would expand the notification that a school receives when a student is arrested for certain offenses. It would add the charges of drug distribution to the offenses reported to certain school officials. This makes a lot of sense.
  5. HB-825: Would provide a method for a juvenile defendant who has been waived to adult court to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals. This may create some unnecessary delays in criminal trials for a very low number of instances annually in Maryland. I think it may need further review before implementation.
  1. On Friday, the following bills were voted on during the morning session:

        Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #21

Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (118-22)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-1)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (127-11)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #22

Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-2)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #23

Third Reading Passed (108-30)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (102-36)
Third Reading Passed (133-4)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #24

Third Reading Passed (130-8)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #25

Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Motion Special Order until 3/22 (Delegate Feldman) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #26

Third Reading Passed (133-6)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (125-14)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
  1. On Friday afternoon, the Judiciary Committee voted on the following bills:
Favorable:  HB-921, HB-1072, HB-1118, HB-1174
Unfavorable:  HB-835, H-872, HB-1037,
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Found Dog


A woman at work found this dog at the shell station on Snow Hill Rd yesterday.  She is taking him to the humane society today because her lease does not allow animals.  Her number is 443-397-2149. 
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Wicomico County Sheriff's Office DUI Enforcement

Incident: DUI Enforcement

Date of Incident: 17 March 2011

Location: Wicomico County

Narrative: On 17 March 2011 beginning at 8:00 PM, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a multi-jurisdictional DUI Enforcement Initiative. During this operation, additional law enforcement resources were our roadways seeking out those behind the wheel that have had too much to drive. Deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with troopers from the Salisbury Barracks of the Maryland State Police along with officers from the Salisbury Police, Fruitland Police, Princess Anne Police and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to curtail drunk driving from our roadways.

Arrested for DUI:
Antwone J. Johnson, 27, Salisbury, MD
Marcel David Jones, 40, New Jersey
Brian Allen Caswell, 27, Salisbury, MD
Juan Jose Cervantes, 19, Fruitland, MD

Driving While Suspended
Marquise O’Bryan Drummond, 25, Fruitland, MD

These are in addition to numerous warning and citations issued for various infractions of the Maryland Transportation Article.
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The Twenty One Gun Salute

Today we say our final goodbye's to my Father In Law Art Goetz. Art will be laid to rest today in Arlington Cemetery where our Military will pay their respects with the traditional twenty one gun salute and a formal ceremony.

Dot and Art Goetz raised 6 beautiful Daughters while Art served in two wars in the Marine Corps. They say, "You can't pick your relatives." Well, fortunately for me, I could and I did. We may have been related by marriage but no one could ever say Art Goetz wasn't one of the best Father's, providers and examples of a damn good American.

Art was one of my biggest supporters with Salisbury News and my Freedom of Speech. Several times over the past few years I debated giving it up. Art always had my back and encouraged me to move forward.

Rest In Peace my dear friend and Thank You for protecting my rights and protecting America. God Speed.
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STATE POLICE DRUNK DRIVING ARRESTS TOP SAME DAY LAST YEAR

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland state troopers issued thousands of citations and warnings, arrested more drunk drivers than on the same day last year, and made numerous felony and warrant arrests yesterday during an intense traffic enforcement campaign across the state.

Troopers at each of the 22 Maryland State Police barracks were assigned to special drunk driving saturation patrols to supplement the regular patrol troopers who were also on the alert for increased numbers of drunk drivers. Statewide, troopers arrested 69 drunk drivers, compared with 42 arrested on St. Patrick’s Day 2010. The most DUI arrests were made by troopers at the JFK Highway Barracks, who patrol I-95 from the Baltimore City line north to Delaware. Troopers there arrested nine drunk drivers.

Troopers also issued approximately 1,800 traffic citations and 1,900 warnings for a variety of traffic violations. Troopers made 13 drug arrests, 13 arrests for other criminal offenses, and arrested 26 people wanted on warrants.

Troopers at the Golden Ring Barrack conducted a focused enforcement campaign on I-83 from Baltimore City to the Pennsylvania state line in response to several recent serious crashes and numerous complaints of aggressive driving. Troopers on I-83 issued 120 traffic citations, 192 warnings, and made four warrant arrests. Troopers from the Golden Ring Barrack made a total of six drunk driving arrests yesterday, as did troopers at the Bel Air Barrack and Hagerstown Barrack.

Troopers in the Washington Metro Troop conducted another Operation Centipede patrol around the Capital Beltway. Troopers there issued 185 traffic citations and 113 warnings. They made eight drunk driving arrests, three felony drug arrests and three warrant arrests.

There were no fatal traffic crashes investigated by members of the Maryland State Police yesterday. Overtime funding for additional patrols was provided by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Additional enforcement efforts will continue throughout the weekend.
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Video: Bear Makes Den, Has Cubs Beneath Maryland Porch

SWANTON, Md. - A house with a den is nice. But a house with a bear den is another story.

A Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologist said Tuesday that a 327-pound black bear spent the winter hibernating under the back deck of a summer home at Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland.

Clarissa Harris says the bear also gave birth to three cubs there.

She says the homeowner learned of the bear recently when he heard some strange noises while standing on his back porch.

Harris says the mother and cubs have been moved to a substitute den in the nearby Savage River State Forest.

She says the house is for sale, and prospective buyers might not consider a bear den an attractive feature.

Video
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Do You Know Anything About This Necklace?


Montgomery County investigators are hoping information about a unique piece of jewelry may shed some light on why someone would set off a pipe bomb in front of an empty Potomac mansion.

More
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Library Kicks Off “Love Your Library” Campaign


WHAT:  Fundraising campaign
WHO:  Wicomico Public Library
WHEN: Starting Friday, March 18
WHERE: All library locations

SALISBURY, MD – March 17, 2011 – Wicomico Public Library is kicking off a “Love Your Library” fundraising campaign on Friday, March 18. 

Everyone loves the library. It's the first thing patrons say about the services provided by Wicomico Public Library. The nice part is that the Library is free to citizens, right?

While services seem free, they are not. Funding comes from the State of Maryland and Wicomico County. Reductions in County funding have led to purchase of fewer books and replacement computers, fewer programs and events and finally fewer staff and reduced public service hours at all locations, including the bookmobile.  Our local funding is at a 13 year low and among the lowest in the state on a per capita basis.  We can't meet the current need and demand for library services in Wicomico County. 

We are asking Wicomico County citizens to assist us so we may keep helping people as part of our Love Your Library campaign. We make a difference in the lives of people everyday.  We help children learn to read; we help adults get jobs. Now we need the support of our patrons.

A recent comment card we received says, "Wicomico Public Library is very important to my family.  I am a single mother of three children.  We live on a very limited budget.  WPL is the place where we can see the latest movies, read enlightening novels, and stay current on nationwide and international events.  Please don't cut anymore services."

At our Job Search Center, we assisted first-time user Shawn P. with writing his first resume.  Shawn has been a CDL Truck Driver and has never found a need for a resume, but in today's labor market it is necessary.  He was quite pleased with his first effort.

Donating is easy - you can use your credit card at our website www.wicomicolibrary.org, you can make a cash or check donation at the check-out desks at the Main Library and the Centre and Pittsville branches, or you can mail it in.  Donation envelopes are available inside all library locations and on the bookmobile.  Any size donation is welcome.

“We want to provide the best services we can and do more than we are currently doing because the library is a benefit to all.  Community financial support is the only way for us to continue to do this,” says Library Board member Scott Duncan.
  
Wicomico Public Library: Supporting Learning, Building Community, Enriching Lives
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OYSTER SANDWICH LUNCHEON

Also soup hot dogs, beverages & desserts---
plus a bake table
 carry outs also available
Saturday, March 19th 10:00 am----2pm
St. Andrew's U. Methodist Church
400  E. Vine St, Salisbury, MD
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Notes From The March Meeting Of The Wicomico County Board Of Education

Bennett Middle Project
The Board of Education pulled from its March 8 agenda an action item that would have removed the Bennett Middle School replacement project from its fiscal year 2012 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This amendment to the CIP would be needed, in the wake of the County Council’s decision not to consider the Bennett Middle project until fiscal year 2013, for the school system to notify the state that the school system was withdrawing its request for construction funding for fiscal year 2012.

Board members said during the March 8 meeting that they were unwilling to withdraw the project from fiscal year 2012 plans until every avenue for moving the project forward had been explored. The Board plans to work cooperatively with the County on options for funding and redesign over the next several weeks, in an attempt to resolve the Council’s funding concerns prior to the April 1 deadline by which the school system must notify the state if it plans to withdraw Bennett Middle from its fiscal year 2012 state funding request. Any delay on the Bennett Middle project schedule would further delay other school projects throughout the county and the completion of the James M. Bennett High School project.

“I want to be able to say that we looked at every option available to use before I give up,” Board President L. Michelle Wright said.

More
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Check Out School Activities Happening This Weekend

Two places to help out students by enjoying a spaghetti dinner tonight, and the fun-filled Destination ImagiNation Eastern Region Tournament Saturday at Salisbury Middle School.

The Westside Schools PTA will have a spaghetti dinner and auction at the Intermediate School from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, March 18. This is a fun event for the entire family. There will be lots of great baskets and items for silent auction, live auction, 50/50 and more. Tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $7 adults and $4 kids, for spaghetti with sauce and meatballs, salad, bread, drink and desserts. For tickets please contact Michelle Corbin at 443-783-4582 or dmcorbin@verizon.net.

The Pittsville Band Boosters will have a spahetti dinner from 6-8 p.m. tonight at the Powellville Firehouse. The cost is $9. Call 410-677-5811 for information.

Saturday, March 19
Destination ImagiNation Eastern Region Tournament
Salisbury Middle School

All are invited to attend the 2011 Eastern Region Destination Imagination Tournament on Saturday, March 19, at Salisbury Middle School from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Awards Ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in the Gymnasium. Admission is free.

You will see many clever solutions to this year’s challenges. Come show your support for our 37 Wicomico County elementary, middle and high school DI teams. Teams compete at the Regional Tournament to earn the right to advance to the Maryland State Tournament on April 2 at UMBC. Qualifying teams can then earn the right to advance to represent the state of Maryland at Global Finals in May at the University of Tennessee.
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Wicomico County Board Of Education Approves 2012 Proposed Consolidated Current Expense Budget

The Wicomico County Board of Education on March 8 approved the fiscal year 2012 Proposed Consolidated Current Expense Budget in the amount of $180,014,143, with $168,255,537 in the unrestricted portion of the budget and $11,758,606 in the Restricted Current Expense Budgets.

The Board of Education and Superintendent said that by state law, the proposed budget is a maintenance effort budget that reflects the county providing a total of $50,126,691 for FY 2012, an increase of $6.9 million over FY 2011. While state law requires the Board to approve a budget at maintenance of effort level, the school system does not anticipate receiving that level of funding from the county. In fact, the Board is anticipating another year of reduced revenue from the County and as a result has been developing budget plans to accommodate such a reduction.

The fiscal year 2012 approved Proposed Consolidated Current Expense Budget is posted at www.wcboe.org. Click on “budget” on the home page, or go directly to http://www.wcboe.org/departments/BusinessSupportServices/reports.php?section=budget to see documents associated with the budget process. The March 8 budget presentation by Dr. John Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools, is also posted.

The Board delivered the approved proposed budget to the County by the County’s March 15 deadline. It will be incorporated into the County Executive’s budget proposal in April, and a public hearing on the County Executive’s budget proposal will be held. The Board of Education, which held a public budget hearing in January, will hold a second public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24. Once it has received the final budget numbers from the County, the Board will adopt its final budget by June 30 for the fiscal year that will begin July 1.

In many ways, the Board and school system have been preparing for two years for the challenge of developing a balanced budget for fiscal year 2012 that protects education in the classroom in a time of declining revenue.

• For fiscal year 2010, the Board returned to the County $2 million from the School Construction Savings Fund to enable the County to meet maintenance of effort. Throughout fiscal year 2010, the school system saved money anywhere it could and, with the County’s approval, set aside $4 million in savings to be applied to the fiscal year 2012 budget, when federal funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act would no longer be available.

• For fiscal year 2011 (this year), the Board made $11 million in budget reductions by eliminating 32 positions, eliminating programs including Adult Education and the Delmar Year Round program, moving grade 5 to the Delmar School District, eliminating the Beyond the Limits Rope Course, and reducing two bus contracts and expenditures on textbooks, materials of instruction, equipment and technology, capital outlay and professional development.

That preparation was critical, because this year the school system faces an anticipated $6.6 million reduction in funding, on top of $11 million in cuts last year. Without the $4 million carried forward from fiscal year 2010, Dr. Fredericksen said, the school system would have to make more than $10 million in cuts. The Superintendent told the Board that he was leaving no stone unturned in looking for places to cut costs. The Board has spent the past several months discussing cost-cutting options.

To respond to the necessity of reducing the budget by $6.6 million, the Board will combine the utilization of one-time revenue sources with additional expenditure reductions as follows:

• $2.6 million in one-time funding from the Healthcare Rate Stabilization Fund to cover the approximately 7 percent increase in healthcare premium costs
• $825,000 in one-time grant funding from the Federal Education Jobs Fund will be used to cover nine special education assistant positions and eight teacher positions formerly paid for by federal Elementary and Secondary Education Aid Title IIA funds
• transfer $1 million from the School Construction Savings Fund
• the remaining $2.2 million will come in the form of cuts in expenditures. Among the many items on the table for cuts:
o Nearly 13 full-time equivalent positions
o Conversion of some 12-month employees to 11-month positions
o No employer contribution to the employees’ 401(a) Retirement Plan for FY 2012
o 4 bus contracts that will be turned in at the end of this year will not be replaced
o $150,000 in textbook funding
o Some of the tutoring and support for High School Assessment (HSA)
o $163,000 for capital outlay
o $100,000 (5%) for School Climate initiatives (though the School Resource Officers and crossing guards would not be affected)
o Student agendas and the school system calendar/handbook
o Contractual hourly wages across all programs
o Contracted services for Student Linkages and other programs
o Field trip support for schools
o HSA transportation
o $52,000 for math supplies and equipment

The Board is also looking to reinstate Athletic and High School Band participation fees for students, and new or increased fees for staff professional development courses, fingerprinting, and facility rentals.
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Fukushima Situation Remains Critical But Fairly Stable

It has been confirmed by the IAEA the level of nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi has been raised to 5. There are seven points on the scale. The disaster at Chernobyl in 1986 was at 7 on the scale. Three Mile Island, America's worst commercial nuclear accident in 1979 was at 5 on the scale.

There is more detail about why the IAEA raised the nuclear alert level for Japan. A spokesman said it was done because of the condition of reactors 1, 2, and 3 at the plant. "The cooling function was lost and the reactor cores were damaged. Radioactive particles continue to be released in the environment," he is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

More on the cooling operation from a live press conference with Japan's chief cabinet secretary. "We observed vapour after water was deposited in [reactor 3] so we believe that water did reach the pool for sure," Yukio Edano says.

Around 50 tonnes of water were sprayed in about 40 minutes onto the storage pool at the reactor in Fukushima on the second day of the operation.

News just in: Electricity could be restored on Saturday morning at the Reactor 4 at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, operator Tokyo Electric Power says, according to the Reuters news agency.

BBC
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