Osama Bin Ladin Is Dead

That is the breaking news. More to come....

UPDATE: DNA evidence has identified it is Bin Ladin. They were able to use dna from a family member. U.S. is in possession of his body. He was living in in Pakistan. Some are suggesting he was shot, others say it was a misisle that killed him. Either way, he was killed by US Forces. Reports are saying it happened about a week ago but they have been holding off until his dna was confirmed.

BREAKING NEWS:

President Obama to make statement at 10:30 p.m. ET — subject unannounced.

Salisbury Receives Nearly $60,000 In Rebates

SALISBURY, Md. (AP) — Salisbury’s mayor said the city has received nearly $60,000 in rebates from Delmarva Power and Light.

Mayor Jim Ireton says the rebates came through an energy savings program and offsets the cost of improvements to the Paleo Water Treatment Plant.

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Convicted Sex Offender Arrested At Egg Hunt

One of his victims recognized the 67 year old

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Authorities in Montana say a convicted sex offender was arrested at a Missoula-area Easter egg hunt after one of his victims recognized him there.

 

Deputy Ken White tells the Missoulian that 67-year-old William Harvey Suthers was arrested Saturday afternoon in East Missoula and was being held in the county jail on a probation violation.

 

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Monday Could Be Critical Day For NFL Labor

The NFL lockout is back in force after a short hiatus last week. A St. Louis appeals court could determine as early as Monday whether the league deserves a permanent stay of an injunction granted to the players in Minnesota to block the lockout.

"We are in uncharted but fascinating legal territory," agent and attorney Ralph Cindrich said as he examined the short-term reinstatement of the lockout by three judges from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "The owners' lockout is temporary now; it can become permanent after the same three judges do a detailed review. If the lockout is reinstated, it puts the players down on points big."

If it's not, something Cindrich predicts, league business could resume almost immediately, even as more NFL appeals are filed. Cindrich believes that even though those judges voted 2-1 Friday to review the matter, they won't overturn Judge Susan Richard Nelson's original determination that the lockout was preventing the players from earning a living.

With the draft behind them, the 32 teams can't have contact with any players. That includes veterans along with rookies just selected. It also means undrafted free agents, who usually sign contracts hours after the seventh round concludes or the next day.

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April Considered US' Deadliest Month In Iraq Since 2009

BAGHDAD -- The death of an American soldier on Friday made April the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Iraq since 2009, AFP reports.

According to a statement released by the U.S. military on Saturday, the soldier "was killed April 29 while conducting operations in southern Iraq."

The soldier's death brought the U.S.' total Iraq death tally in April to 11. 

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NASA: No Monday Launch For Space Shuttle

The space shuttle Endeavour's launch to the International Space Station has been put off for several days, due to a troublesome glitch with an onboard heater system, NASA said Sunday.

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Libya: Gadhafi Survives Attack That Killed Son, Grandchildren

UK official says he cannot confirm reports that Libyan leader's family died in NATO airstrike

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi survived a NATO air strike on a Tripoli house that killed his youngest son and three young grandchildren, a government spokesman said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a British official said his government couldn't confirm reports that the Libyan leader's son, Saif al-Arab Gadhafi, 29, was killed in the strike.

"We've no verification of that at the moment. These are still unconfirmed reports. I'm afraid we don't know one way or the other," junior Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt told Sky News when asked about a Libyan government statement that the air strike had killed Gadhafi's relatives.

Burt said command and control centers were "often placed in civilian areas by forces overseas."

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Maryland Furniture Store Closing After 174 Years

BOONSBORO, Md. (AP) - Inside the old brick building on Boonsboro's Main Street where generations of local families have gone for furniture, for friendly conversation, and, in the old days, even for funerals, employees have been quietly informing customers of a difficult decision.

This summer, after celebrating its 174th anniversary, Bast of Boonsboro, believed by the proprietor to be the oldest continually operating furniture store in Maryland, will close.

"Mr. Bast has operated the store for a long period of time, and has been considering retiring, and the economy has just helped to make that decision a little easier," store manager Kim Teska said.

For owner Douglas G. Bast, 74, who also operates a neighboring history museum, a passion for preserving heritage has made the decision all the more harrowing.

"I just hate to see something like this close, but you have to face up to it: It just doesn't work out anymore," Bast said during a recent interview in the store's showroom.

The store has survived hard times before, but a combination of a poor economy and changing culture have convinced Bast there is no way forward from here.

"The younger set, when they are interested in furniture, they go to the computer and they, you know, find out who has what," Bast said. "They don't really look for furniture that's going to last a long time. They say, `Well, gee, if it only lasts three or four years, I'll be interested in something new by that time, anyway.'"

Bast of Boonsboro will began a going-out-of-business sale last month but, will accept special orders through the third week of May, and has set July 1 as its anticipated closing date, Teska said.

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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On Saturday April 30^th the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the Maryland Coastal Bays program teamed up to collect unused and expired medications from the community. The medicine was collected and destroyed so as not to fall into the hands of someone that is not prescribed the medicine, and so the medicine does not leak back into the environment from flushing down the toilet. Food Lion food stores was a supporter of the program allowing the collection points to be established at their stores throughout Worcester County.

Worcester County Sheriff Mason and Chief Deputy Smack help staff many of the collection points collecting the medications.

The program was very successful and there are plans to continue these collection sites throughout various times during the year.

MDGOP Statement On O’Malley Transportation Tax Meeting

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Republican Party Chairman Alex X. Mooney issued the following statement today in response to Governor O’Malley’s meeting this morning on transportation funding.

“It’s outrageous that Governor O’Malley would even consider new taxes to replenish the Transportation Fund which he constantly raids to pay for his out-of-control spending. After the release of new job data showing Maryland is far behind other states in job creation, the last thing we can afford are more taxes and fees to subsidize O’Malley’s fiscal mismanagement. The only reason the Transportation Fund is deficient is because Democrats in Annapolis have been stealing from it.  Maryland taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for their irresponsibility." 

Marylanders shouldn’t have to pay for transportation fund raids:

According to the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding, close to $1 billion has been transferred out of the trust fund since 1984. Gov. Martin O’Malley’s budget proposal for fiscal 2012, now before the General Assembly, would transfer $100 million from the fund for other needs. (Megan Poinski, Lockdown for transportation trust fund examined, questioned,” Maryland Reporter, 2/23/11)

But O’Malley’s Democrat allies are already laying the ground work for more taxes:

“We’ve got to tax more things,” (Senator) Kasemeyer said, and broadening the sale tax to cover more consumer services is “where we might end up. … I see that as the place to go.” (Len Lazarick, Broader sales tax a good idea to fix deficit, Senate Budget chairman says, and O’Malley likely to propose tax hike to fund transportation,” Maryland Reporter, 4/22/11)

And Maryland businesses and taxpayers who are struggling with some of the worst job creation numbers in the nation can’t afford more taxes:

Maryland ranks 44th in the nation for percent change in job growth from March 2010 through March 2011; last among neighboring states. Pennsylvania (1.37%), Delaware (1.37%), Virginia, (1.02%), Washington D.C. (0.76%), West Virginia (0.71%), Maryland (0.22%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1556-3092-125-12759, Accessed 4/25/11)

Maryland ranked 38th in the nation for annual employment gains through the end of the first quarter. (G. Scott Thomas, “Maryland adds 5,400 jobs in the past year,” Baltimore Business Journal, 4/25/11)

Even the consideration of new taxes shows Democrats in Annapolis are willing to say anything to get elected:

Gov. Martin O'Malley told Frederick business leaders Wednesday his budget for next year includes no new taxes or fees. (Meg Tully, “No new taxes, fees in 2011, O'Malley tells Rotary,” Frederick News Post, 9/30/10)

“I don’t see any appetite for any kind of revenue increases,” said House Speaker Mike Busch (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter,11/5/10)

“They’re (Marylanders) not looking for any tax increases; they’re looking for less government,” Senate President Mike Miller said. (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)

On Wednesday (Governor O’Malley) told reporters and on Thursday he told his cabinet that next year’s budget would be trimmed with “a constant diet of cuts, cuts, cuts” rather than tax hikes. (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter,11/5/10)

Pro-Life Movement Emerging In Force On College Campuses

As Washington and Americans turn their attention to the coming fiscal crisis, the pro-life movement, still energized by its recent fight to federally de-fund Planned Parenthood, is in full force, engaging the abortion industry on multiple fronts that span from the Beltway to your local hospital.

One major front that is often overlooked in the abortion debate is on college campuses.  According to the Guttmacher Institute, Planned Parenthood’s research organization, 52% of all abortions are performed on women ages 25 and younger.

And it’s everywhere on campus—from the abortion industry’s ads in the newspaper to the university health centers' referrals to the freshman orientation, when the administration promotes Planned Parenthood as a trusted health organization.

Abortion is seen by many as an easy "fix” for a young woman or couple facing an unplanned pregnancy, “helping” her to complete her education and not to disappoint her parents.  But while some women actively choose it, others report that they felt they never had another choice.

An active pro-life presence is desperately needed on these campuses.  In 2006, Students for Life of America (SFLA), led by current and former student pro-life leaders, stepped up to the plate with the goal of expanding both the number of student pro-life groups on campuses as well as the number of trained youth pro-life leaders.

The pro-life groups they mentor and start up help give a voice to this rising pro-life generation, educate peers about the reality of abortion, and provide real hope and support to women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Often these students face opposition from pro-choice groups such as Vox, Planned Parenthood’s college chapters, and the Feminist Majority, but most of the time the opposition comes from student government associations or the university’s own administration.  This spring, Students for Life of America has helped pro-life students who have faced suppression of free speech from their school’s written and unwritten policies, 10-month-long waits for club approval, and rejection to be an official club because the pro-life issue isn’t “unique enough” or “new.”


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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

    

April 28, 2011.  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks on a total of nine establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. Out of the nine establishments checked, seven of them sold alcoholic beverages to a minor. Those establishments that allegedly sold alcohol to a minor were:

Super Soda Center, Snow Hill                    

Town Basket, Snow Hill                                

Newark Station, Newark                             

Shop Kwik, Berlin                                            

7-Eleven, Ocean Pines                                  

Barley Hops & Grapes, Berlin                     

Trader Lees Store, West Ocean City       

The establishments that did not sell alcohol to a minor were:

Friendship Exxon, Berlin

Wine Rack, West Ocean City

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office encourages all businesses that sell alcohol to check their customer’s identification thoroughly. 

In-State Tuition Breaks For Illegal Immigrants

The Board of Elections will throw out any signature that is not perfectly clear – even on the seemingly smallest detail.

Ask petition signers what county they live in.

• This is important because the Board of Elections separates signatures by county, and you have to either fill in the line at the top for the County or check for Baltimore City. For example, if someone from Washington County signed a sheet that had Frederick County at the top, their signature could be invalidated.

2. Before petition signers fill in their information, make sure to tell them that they need to put down their full name and address. At a minimum, signers need to include full first name, middle initial, and full last name.

• More information is better, because if they put their abbreviated name or leave out their address or date of birth, their signature will be invalid.
• Notice that the street address and the city have separate columns. Please point this out to signers.

3. At the end of the day, or if your sheet is full, you must personally fill out the information at the bottom

• Individual circulator’s printed or typed name – this is for whomever witnessed the signatures.
• Residence address, City, State, and Zip –your full, legal name and address.
• Telephone Number – must be included to have a valid sheet.
• Circulator’s Signature and Date – THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST THING YOU FILL OUT!
  • If any date in the left column is a later date than the date with your signature, the entire sheet will be thrown out.

Please mail all signed petitions to:

MDPetitions.com
c/o Neil Parrott
PO Box 32
Funkstown, MD 21734

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, LOCAL HAGERSTOWN LEADERS OPEN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL AT HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT

HAGERSTOWN, MD – Governor O’Malley arrived at Hagerstown Regional Airport aboard a Cape Air regional flight from BWI-Marshall Airport to announce the opening of the Aviation Maintenance Technology School. The school, operated and administered by the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, trains students to become entry level aircraft technicians. Graduates of the AMT program are eligible to sit for the FAA’s Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification examinations. The program for aviation mechanics will develop a skilled workforce to fill high-paying aviation maintenance positions and allow Hagerstown Regional Airport to expand services.

“In the new economy, the states and regions that win will be those states and regions that make the difficult choices to invest in their human capital. I am pleased to join the people of Hagerstown to open the doors of the Aviation Maintenance Technology School and the doors to a brighter future for all of Western Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “Maryland is well-positioned to recover more quickly than other states because of our talented and skilled workforce. We must build on that strength and continue our work to prepare all Marylanders for the new economy.”

The school is a collaboration of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) Aerospace Industry Initiative, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Hagerstown Regional Airport, the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and the local business community. Twenty-five students are already enrolled in the school’s first session and three more sessions will be offered before the end of the year, providing 100 local residents with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to compete for aviation maintenance jobs in western Maryland. More than 95 percent of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics graduates pass the FAA’s A&P examinations of the first attempt.

“Governor O’Malley is a proven leader when it comes to workforce creation. While governors in other states have proposed drastic cuts to important training initiatives, Maryland has protected investments in skills development and continuing education,” Maryland Labor Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez said. “The Aviation Maintenance Technology School will provide Western Maryland workers with the skills to compete in an innovative economy. I’m proud that the Maryland Department of Labor and the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board have had the opportunity to partner with the Western Maryland community to make this project a reality.”

U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin successfully secured $273,000 for the ARC in federal funding to support the creation of the Aviation Maintenance Technology School. The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics has also invested $427,000.

“The launch of the Aviation Maintenance Technology School means jobs, jobs, jobs in Western Maryland – jobs that are in demand today, and jobs that will now be filled by local workers. The school will help train the workforce Hagerstown Regional Airport needs to stay competitive,” said Senator Mikulski. “The Hagerstown Regional Airport is critical to keeping Western Maryland’s economy moving. I will continue to fight to keep Marylanders on the go and for a continued federal investment in our communities.”

“Hagerstown Regional Airport is an important economic hub, and federal investments like this help keep Maryland’s workforce competitive even during tough economic times,” said Senator Cardin. “I am proud that we are able to deliver resources that will help ensure Western Maryland continues to be a magnet for quality businesses thanks to a growing pool of local, high-tech workers and state-of-the-art facilities.”

As many as half of the jobs created in the new economy will require more training than a high school diploma but less than a four year degree. However, less than 40 percent of Marylanders have the “middle skills” training necessary to fill many of these jobs. Last year, Governor O’Malley launched the Skills2Compete Maryland initiative to expand skills training and continuing education to fill middle-skill jobs. The Initiative is led by Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and Maryland Labor Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez and is administered by the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board – a division within the state’s Labor Department. As part of the Skills2Compete initiative, Governor O’Malley set an ambitious goal to expand participation in skills training by 20 percent by 2012.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON MICHELLE SHEARER BEING NAMED NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 1, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement of Frederick County teacher Michelle Shearer as National Teacher of the Year:

“We are so proud that one of Maryland’s own has been named National Teacher of the Year. I’d like to congratulate Michelle on this distinguished honor and commend her for her dedication and hard work.

“Maryland has become a national model for quality, public education. Thanks to outstanding teachers like Michelle and the diligence of our students, parents, faculty and staff, our public schools have been named number-one in the nation for three years in a row. Michelle’s ability to reach our students, her belief in the talents, skills and education of our people, and her commitment to the STEM disciplines have made her a national example for educational excellence.

“Working together with our federal and local partners, we will continue to improve public education in every region of our state, and make sure our teachers have the resources they need to educate Maryland’s next generation of leaders.”

Capital Meats

Joe,       Someone was relentlessly ringing our doorbell this morning, yes Sunday at 11am. I finally went to the door and it was the guy from Capitol Meats. I told him to get off my property and he was not to happy. They are in a unmarked silver Ford Transit, Snow Hill Rd area. So if your readers dont want to deal with these folks maybe this will help them.   Thanks Joe.

Andy Harris Showing True Independence

During his two years representing Maryland’s 1st District, former Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) pushed two core issues:  he was “independent”, and that he was fiscally conservative.  During this period of time Kratovil voted for President Obama’s stimulus plan and Obama’s budget bill; costing the American taxpayer trillions of dollars both now and into the future.  While Kratovil could (sorta) claim that he was independent from his own party, his record showed that he only opposed his party’s leadership on major votes where his vote was not needed to pass legislation with Democrat votes (e.g. ObamaCare).

In his runs against Kratovil in both 2008 and 2010, current Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) was portrayed by many in the media as an arch-conservative (or wingnut, if you prefer) and as someone who would be a lap dog for the GOP establishment.  After four months in office, Harris has shown himself to be a different kind of representative; one who votes his conscience, the best interest of the country, and the best interests of his constituents.  The want or will of the House GOP leadership doesn’t appear to hold much sway with Harris to this point in his (admittedly short) Congressional career.

The Washington Post has developed a database tracking the members of the U.S. House and comparing each member’s votes with the votes their respective party caucuses.  Harris’s record is surprising:

• Of the 435 members of the U.S. House, only 35 (Democrats and Republicans) vote with their respective parties less than Harris.
  
• Of the 242 Republican members, only 11 votes with their leadership less often than Harris.
  
• 111 members received the endorsement of various Tea Party groups.  Of these, only three show a more independent voting record than Harris.

This last fact was the one that I probably found most surprising.  Well respected conservatives such as Michele Bachmann, Jeff Flake, Duncan Hunter, Mike Pence, Marlin Stutzman, and Allen West have all voted more consistently with their leadership than has Harris.

To be sure, a willingness to vote against one’s own party doesn’t necessarily make you a great representative.  We should also note that we haven’t agreed with every vote Harris has made since being sworn in last January.  However, independent judgment and a commitment to a core set of principles show a strength of character that is sorely lacking in too many of today’s elected officials (Democrat AND Republican).

The voters of Maryland’s 1st District should be proud (and thankful) that Harris has been willing to put principle, and his promises to voters, ahead of the whims and inside-the-beltway judgment of his party’s leadership.  We recognize that there are still 20 months remaining in Harris’s current term.  We just hope Harris continues to show the same resolve in those 20 months that he has shown in his first four.