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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Three Injured In Seaford Motor Vehicle Crash

Location: Southbound Sussex Highway (US Rt. 13) at Elks Road, Seaford, DE
 
Date and Time of Occurrence: Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 4:05 p.m.
 
Operators and Vehicles:
 
Operator #1: Carlton H. Melvin, 89, Greenwood, DE
Vehicle #1: 2001 Buick Century
 
Operator #2: Neil Ruark, 79, Laurel, DE
Vehicle #2: 2002 Chrysler Concorde
 
Other Injured:
 
-77 year old female passenger in vehicle #2
 
Resume-
Seaford- The Delaware State Police investigated a serious two vehicle crash in which three people were injured that occurred this afternoon in Seaford.
 
The incident occurred as Carlton H. Melvin, 89, of Greenwood, DE was operating a 2001 Buick Century and was traveling in an eastbound direction on Elks Road at approximately 4:05 p.m. According to witnesses at the scene, Melvin slowed his vehicle for a stop sign at the intersection of US Rt. 13 but failed to stop and pulled directly into the path of a 2002 Chrysler Concorde which was being operated by Neil Ruark, 79, of Laurel, DE and which was traveling southbound on US Rt. 13 in the left hand lane. The driver’s side of Melvin’s vehicle was then struck, trapping him inside until he could be freed by emergency responders.
 
Carlton Melvin, Neil Ruark, and a 77 year old female passenger in Melvin’s vehicle were all transported from the scene by EMS to the Nanticoke Hospital where they are currently being treated for their injuries.
 
US Rt. 13 was closed for approximately ½ hour. It was then partially re-opened as the accident was investigated and cleared.
 
This crash is still under investigation at this time.
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Officials: Big Spike At Japan Nuke Plant An Error

Emergency workers struggling to pump contaminated water from Japan's stricken nuclear complex fled from one of the troubled reactors Sunday after reporting a huge increase in radioactivity — a spike that officials later apologetically said was inaccurate.

The apology came after employees fled the complex's Unit 2 reactor when a reading showed radiation levels had reached 10 million times higher than normal in the reactor's cooling system. Officials said they were so high that the worker taking the measurements had withdrawn before taking a second reading.

On Sunday night, though, plant operators said that while the water was contaminated with radiation, the extremely high reading was a mistake.

"The number is not credible," said Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesman Takashi Kurita. "We are very sorry."

He said officials were taking another sample to get accurate levels, but did not know when the results would be announced.

The situation came as officials acknowledged there was radioactive water in all four of the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex's most troubled reactors, and as airborne radiation in Unit 2 measured 1,000 millisieverts per hour — four times the limit deemed safe by the government, Kurita said.

Officials say they still don't know where the radioactive water is coming from, though government spokesman Yukio Edano has said some is "almost certainly" seeping from a cracked reactor core in one of the units.

While the discovery of the high radiation levels — and the evacuation of workers from one reactor unit — again delayed efforts to bring the deeply troubled complex under control, Edano insisted the situation had partially stabilized.

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Cell Phone Stop Leads To Gun/Drug Charges

Location:  US Rt. 13 northbound east of Bridgeville, DE
 
Date of Occurrence:  Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 7:20 p.m.
 
Defendants and Charges:
 
-Jaquan Leonard, 19, Delmar, DE (Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy 3rd Degree, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia)
 
-Tevin Scarborough, 20, Pungoteague, VA (Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Conspiracy 3rd Degree, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia)
 
-Breon Scarborough, 20, Temperanceville, VA (Conspiracy 3rd Degree, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia)
 
Resume:  
Bridgeville- The Delaware State Police have arrested three men for drug and weapons charges after they were stopped east of Bridgeville last night.
 
The incident began at approximately 7:20 p.m. last night, Saturday, March 26, as a trooper on routine patrol observed a green sedan traveling northbound on US Rt. 13 east of Bridgeville. The trooper saw that the operator of the vehicle was talking on his cellular phone and conducted a vehicle stop of the car. As the trooper made contact with the operator of the vehicle, later identified as Breon Scarborough, he detected the odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle. The trooper removed Breon Scarborough from the car and secured him in his patrol vehicle. He then responded back to the sedan, and with the assistance of other troopers, removed two passengers from the vehicle. A pat down search was then conducted of both subjects at which time a 40 caliber handgun was located in the waistband of the rear seat passenger, Jaquan Leonard. Leonard and the front seat passenger, Tevin Scarborough, were then also secured in patrol vehicles. A subsequent search of the sedan revealed a 380 caliber handgun under the front passenger seat. Ammunition for the weapons was located in the trunk of the vehicle as well as 3.6 grams of marijuana and digital scales in the glove box of the car.
 
All three subjects were then arrested and charged with the above list of crimes. They were then arraigned at JP Court 3. Both Jaquan Leonard and Tevin Scarborough were then committed to the Sussex County Correctional Institution for lack of $6000.00 cash bail. Breon Scarborough was also committed for lack of $4000.00 cash bail.
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Workers Evacuated As Radiation Soars

Radioactivity in water at reactor 2 at the quake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant has reached 10 million times the usual level, company officials say.

Workers trying to cool the reactor core to avoid a meltdown have been evacuated.

Earlier, Japan's nuclear agency said that levels of radioactive iodine in the sea near the plant had risen to 1,850 times the usual level.

The UN's nuclear agency has warned the crisis could go on for months.

It is believed the radiation at Fukushima is coming from one of the reactors, but a specific leak has not been identified.

Leaking water at reactor 2 has been measured at 1,000 millisieverts/hour - 10 million times higher than when the plant is operating normally.

"We are examining the cause of this, but no work is being done there because of the high level of radiation," said a spokesman for the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco).

"High levels of caesium and other substances are being detected, which usually should not be found in reactor water. There is a high possibility that fuel rods are being damaged," the spokesman added.

BBC
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A Special Gift For Baby Marissa From A Loyal Reader



Yesterday we received a very special gift for our Granddaughter Marissa from a loyal Salisbury News reader. Too Cool!
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Weekly Field Notes By Delegate Mike McDermott: A Salisbury News Exclusive


Field Notes
Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
By Delegate Mike McDermott
March 21st-26th, 2011
  1. On Monday evening, the House heard Second Reader bills and received a copy of HB-70 and HB-72, the House Budget Bill and the Budget Reconciliation Bill which will be heard on Wednesday afternoon. These documents consist of hundreds of pages and will be difficult to review in such a short amount of time.
  2. On Tuesday morning, the House voted on the following bills on Third Reader:
NOTE: (For quick review, check out the bills which have significant vote counts in opposition.)

        Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #27

Third Reading Passed (96-44)
Motion Special Order until 3/23 (Delegate Cluster) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (126-12)
Third Reading Passed (105-33)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (130-9)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (98-41)
Third Reading Passed (134-5)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #28

Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-1)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (102-38)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-1)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #29

Third Reading Passed (139-1)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (140-0)
Third Reading Passed (133-5)
  1. On Tuesday, the following bills were heard in the Judiciary Committee:
  1. HB-1327: Increases the penalty for the distribution of Salvia to persons under 21 years of age. The increases have been sought by Ocean City Police as they attempt to battle the use of Salvia by juveniles.
  2. HB-1327: Seeks to change forfeiture laws in Maryland to address certain financial crimes. Currently the law does not allow a prosecutor to attempt seizure of assets from a criminal involved in fraudulent financial dealings. This makes sense in that it gives the prosecutor to do more than simply request restitution for a victim.
  3. HB-1248: Seeks to establish “Earned Compliance Credits” for inmates on Parole and Probation as a means of encouraging parolees to remain out of prison and cut down on recidivism. The program has been utilized in other states, like Texas, with a great deal of success. It has led to a reduction in the prison population in those states and a tremendous cost savings.
  4. HB-1264: Seeks to the penalty of Elder Abuse from 10 to 20 years on a First Degree offense as well as doubling of the fines. It would also place further restrictions on the pretrial release of anyone charged under this statute.
  5. HB-1320: Would remove all credits for “Good Time” or Diminutive credits for a person convicted of a violent crime. It would require any time negotiated by any plea agreement be served in full prior to release from incarceration.
  6. HB-1332: Would create a “Drug Free” zone pilot program for the Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation Department. It addresses possession of paraphernalia, etc. on park areas designated in the zoned pilot program. The program is similar to the Drug Free School Zones already utilized across the state.
  7. HB-896: Seeks to punish law enforcement officers if they violate the law concerning race based profiling. There was much discussion over this bill. It was clearly indicated that the 10-year study commissioned in Maryland since 2000 that Officers are not discriminating on traffic stop based simply on their race. This did not sway the ACLU from being a big supporter of this bill. This is bad legislation and many from the law enforcement community testified against it.
  8. HB-744: Seeks to introduce the “Arizona Law” into Maryland law which would  provide protection to officers who check the immigration status of a person stopped for another violation. There were differences of opinion, but the idea of securing our state is sound, and our immigration issues are growing exponentially.
  1. On Wednesday morning, the House voted on the following bills during Third Reader:

        Special Order Calendar

Floor Amendment (Delegate O'Donnell) {263128/1 Rejected (50-78)
Floor Amendment (Delegate O'Donnell) {993129/1 Rejected (49-84)
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Third Reading Passed (101-37)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #30

Third Reading Passed (111-26)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (97-37)
Third Reading Passed (134-2)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-1)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #31

Third Reading Passed (97-41)
Third Reading Passed (136-2)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-3)
Third Reading Passed (137-4)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (132-6)
Third Reading Passed (134-3)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #32

Third Reading Passed (122-13)
Third Reading Passed (101-37)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (113-25)
Third Reading Passed (134-3)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #33

Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Motion vote previous question (Delegate Minnick) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (98-40)
Motion Special Order until 3/24 (Delegate Frush) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (124-14)
Third Reading Passed (136-2)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #34

Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (122-14)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-1)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (108-31)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #35

Third Reading Passed (108-31)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (123-10)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (126-12)
Third Reading Passed (95-42)
Third Reading Passed (133-5)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #36

Third Reading Passed (136-2)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-4)
Third Reading Passed (100-38)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (83-56)
  1. Following the morning session, I had a nice visit from the AFP (Americans for Prosperity) group from Worcester County. We gathered in the  Delegation Room for the Eastern Shore and I spent about an hour responding to questions and providing them an overview of our current state of affairs. It was great to see so many interested and concerned citizens including many young people on a Field Trip from an area private school.
  1. On Wednesday afternoon, the Judiciary Committee conducted a voting session with the following outcome:
Favorable: HB-135, HB-407, HB-794, HB-899, HB-1277
Unfavorable:HB-839, HB-896, HB-999
  1. On Wednesday afternoon, the House heard the Second Reading of the Budget Bill, HB-70 and the Budget Reconciliation Bill , HB-72. (I will cover the budget in a separate article). The following amendments were offered by the Republican Caucus: Among other things, these amendments would have eliminated millions in over spending, tax payer funded abortions, funds for illegal alien education, and, in short, it would have limited our spending to our projected revenue increase of 3% (not the 11% contained in this budget).
Floor Amendment (Delegate Krebs) {563526/3 Rejected (39-95)
Floor Amendment (Delegate Ready) {593628/1 Rejected (39-96)
Floor Amendment (Delegate McMillan) {353024/1 Rejected (42-94)
Floor Amendment (Delegate Vitale) {263626/1 Rejected (52-82)
Floor Amendment (Delegate George) {943020/1 Rejected (44-90)
Floor Amendment (Delegate Parrott) {753026/2
Floor Amendment (Delegate Parrott) Rejected (53-80)
Floor Amendment (Delegate McMillan) {6338241
Floor Amendment (Delegate McMillan) Rejected (11-121)
Floor Amendment (Delegate McDonough) {683129/1 Rejected (55-80)
Floor Amendment (Delegate McDonough) {683129/2 Rejected (49-81)
Floor Amendment (Delegate O'Donnell) {513120/1 Withdrawn
Floor Amendment (Delegate Haddaway-Riccio) {583227/1 Rejected (44-93)
Floor Amendment (Delegate Jacobs) {883328/1 Rejected (41-88)
Floor Amendment (Delegate O'Donnell) {873128/1 Rejected (45-88)
  1. On Thursday’s first session, the House voted on the following bills during Third Reader:

        Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #37

Third Reading Passed (134-2)
Third Reading Passed (125-10)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (91-45)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #38

Third Reading Passed (137-1)
Third Reading Passed (134-3)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Motion vote previous question (Delegate Minnick) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (118-17)
Third Reading Passed (123-12)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #39

Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (101-37)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
  1. On Thursday the Judiciary Committee heard the following bills:
  1. HB-1255: Would create a mechanism for people with previous convictions for Felony Theft to file for an expungement of the charge after 10-years of not having any issues with the Criminal Justice System. This bill has a few issues that need to be worked out before it is ready for prime time.
  2. HB-1279: Similar to HB-1255 seeks to allow expungement of charges to which a person did not receive a conviction on their record. This had issues raised by several people and is technically very problematic.
  1. On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee voted on the following bills:
Favorable:HB-511, HB-801, HB-859, HB-919, HB-1315, HB-1320
Unfavorable: HB-744, HB-1264
  1. On Thursday evening, the House conducted the Third Reading of the Budget Bill and the Budget Reconciliation Bill (HB-70 and HB-72). There was a great and thorough debate and two clear world views emerged on the floor. The ruling party sees no problem with an 11% increase in spending (a billion more than last year) while we only project a 3% increase in revenues. The minority party believes in cutting the deficit and spending while still allowing for moderate growth. In the end, it broke down on party lines with Republicans voting “No” and Democrats voting “Yes” (42-97).
  2. On Friday, the House conducted Third Reading votes on the following bills:

        Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #41

Third Reading Passed (127-7)
Third Reading Passed (117-17)
Third Reading Passed (122-15)
Third Reading Passed (127-10)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (96-41)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-1)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #42

Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-1)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Motion Special Order until 3/28 (Delegate McIntosh) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (108-30)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #43

Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (133-4)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (112-25)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #44

Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #45

Third Reading Passed (107-30)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-2)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #46

Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (108-29)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #47

Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (124-8)
  1. On Saturday, the House had a Third Reader Voting Session with the following results:

        Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #48

Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (99-36)
Third Reading Passed (129-8)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #49

Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (132-5)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (109-25)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #50

Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (134-2)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #51

Third Reading Passed (133-4)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (125-12)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (134-0)
Third Reading Passed (120-16)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #52

Third Reading Passed (89-46)
Third Reading Passed (101-95)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-2)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #53

Third Reading Passed (135-2)
Third Reading Passed (91-46)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-2)
Third Reading Passed (123-14)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (132-5)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #54

Third Reading Passed (99-39)
Third Reading Passed (105-32)
Third Reading Passed (122-14)
Third Reading Passed (134-2)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-1)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (99-39)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #55

Third Reading Passed (94-43)Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #48

Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (99-36)
Third Reading Passed (129-8)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #49

Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (132-5)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (109-25)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #50

Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (134-2)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #51

Third Reading Passed (133-4)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (125-12)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Third Reading Passed (134-0)
Third Reading Passed (120-16)
Third Reading Passed (135-0)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #52

Third Reading Passed (89-46)
Third Reading Passed (101-95)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (135-2)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)
Third Reading Passed (135-1)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #53

Third Reading Passed (135-2)
Third Reading Passed (91-46)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (138-0)
Third Reading Passed (136-2)
Third Reading Passed (123-14)
Third Reading Passed (137-0)
Third Reading Passed (132-5)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #54

Third Reading Passed (99-39)
Third Reading Passed (105-32)
Third Reading Passed (122-14)
Third Reading Passed (134-2)
Third Reading Passed (136-0)
Third Reading Passed (137-1)
Third Reading Passed (139-0)
Third Reading Passed (99-39)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #55

Third Reading Passed (94-43)
Third Reading Passed (111-27)
Third Reading Passed (101-36)
Third Reading Passed (124-8)

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #56

Motion vote previous question (Delegate Ross) Adopted
Third Reading Passed (86-52)
Third Reading Passed (93-45)
Third Reading Passed (111-27)
Third Reading Passed (101-36)
Third Reading Passed (124-8)
  1. One of the more disturbing bills passed on Saturday was HB-235. This is the “transgender, cross-dresser” bill which now requires for employer accommodations of these confused individuals. The bill will allow for our public school teachers to call themselves “Bob” one week and “Bonnie” the next week. It will be a real problem for small business and big business alike and is sure to be just one more reason not to move a family or a business into Maryland. Myself and Delegate Otto did not vote for this  bill for reasons too numerous to name.
  2. I am working on a budget summary over the next few days. It will not be a pretty report if you care about spending.
More Posts for today are under the older posts tab.
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