DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
The Salisbury City Council voted this evening to postpone consideration of “The Bricks” pending information from both the administration and City Attorney Paul Wilber.
The council also did not accept a grant from the state for “Disproportionate Minority Youth”. The 2 – 2 (councilwoman Debbie Campbell was out of town on business) vote was primarily due to questions regarding the city’s long term financial obligation under this grant.
More to follow Tuesday Morning.
A motorcycle, traveling at a high rate of speed down N. Main Street in Hebron was pursued by a Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy. The motorcycle appears to have lost control and wrecked.
Hebron fire and EMS personnel were dispatched.
More to follow ….
No, that’s not Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt’s view about hiking the Wicomico property tax rate by 5 cents; it’s his view of having his property taxes in Ocean City go up.
On September 2, 2007 the Daily Times ran a very sympathetic article (I’m so surprised) regarding a tax hike on the Pollitt family beach house. While quoting numerous members of the Pollitt clan, Rick’s response was:
”It’s just no fair”. …
I realize that Pollitt would argue that this is apples and oranges. In one sense it is. Pollitt claims that his proposed hike would only hit the average Wicomico taxpayer for the cost of “a dinner out”. Maybe, but what about those taxpayers who can’t afford that dinner out?
The Wicomico council has worked diligently to spare taxpayers that rate hike. Tomorrow, we’ll know for sure whether they have been successful. I empathize with Pollitt’s desire not to “oversee the dismantling of the Wicomico County government”. We need government, but less of it. We need core services; but we need those services delivered efficiently and in a cost effective manner. It’s in limiting government and providing those services in a cost effective manner where Pollitt has failed.
My advice to Pollitt is simple:
The next time Pollitt proposes a tax increase, perhaps he will remember how he felt when it was done to him.
STICKY POST! NEW POSTS WILL SHOW UP BELOW THIS ONE UNTIL 5 PM.
The Wicomico County Council has decided to flip again and allow County Executive Rick Pollitt to keep level funding in the FY 2012 budget. The vote was:
Gail Bartkovich, Bob Caldwell, Stevie Prettyman, and Sheree Sample-Hughes to give Pollitt’s office level funding. Bob Culver and Joe Holloway voted to cut $100.000 from the County Executive’s salary account and place in contingency until council approves his “reorganization plan”. Matt Holloway was not present, but Bartkovich noted that he was in favor of level funding.
STICKY POST! NEW POSTS WILL SHOW UP BELOW THIS ONE UNTIL 3:30 PM.
Dear Abby, My husband has a long record of money problems. He runs up huge credit-card bills and at the end of the month. If I try to pay them off, he shouts at me, saying I am stealing his money. He says pay the minimum and let our kids worry about the rest, ….….but already we can hardly keep up with the interest. Also he has been so arrogant and abusive toward our neighbors that most of them no longer speak to us. The few that do are an odd bunch, to whom he has been giving a lot of expensive gifts, running up our bills even more. Also, he has gotten religious. One week he hangs out with Catholics and the next with people who say the Pope is the Anti-Christ, and the next he's with Muslims. Finally, the last straw. He's demanding that before anyone can be in the same room with him, they must sign a loyalty oath. It's just so horribly creepy! Can you help? Signed, Lost in DC -------------------------------------------------- - Dear Lost: Stop whining, Michelle. You get to live in the White House for free, travel the world, and have others pay for everything for you. You can divorce the jerk any time you want. The rest of us are stuck with the SOB for two more years! Signed, Abby |
Del Quentin Wilber, a Washington Post reporter and author of Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan, says that after studying Reagan’s character and the actions Reagan took when his life was in imminent danger, he came to the conclusion that the 40th president of the United States was “the quintessential leader.”
“I found him to be kind of the quintessential leader,” Wilber said in an interview with CNSNews.com’s Online With Terry Jeffrey. “I found that the portrayal of him in the media at the time and even today as someone who just read what was put in front of him like a script was not true.”
MPPI’s Gabriel Michael argues the pro’s and con’s of tax credits and their impact on economic activity.
Inertia goes a long way in politics. Entitlement programs, once established, can be incredibly difficult to reform or repeal – consider the current debate over Medicare, or earlier attempts to reform Social Security during the Bush administration. But inertia isn't limited to entitlements – it also runs rampant throughout the tax code. Tax credits established years ago often escape the scrutiny of the legislature, even well after they have outlived their usefulness. Because such credits are not perceived as a direct expenditure, they less frequently become targets of spending cuts.
Yet the distinction is illusory. There may be philosophical reasons to prefer tax credits to direct expenditures, but the effect on the state's bottom line is the same: a tax credit is financially indistinguishable from a direct payment of the same amount. In fact, in economics, public policy and public finance, tax credits are often referred to as “tax expenditures.”
Wanted: More domestic energy production and crude oil from Canada.
That’s the gist of a new ad campaign sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, a group that represents more than 470 oil and natural gas companies.
Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, says if the U.S. develops its own oil and natural gas resources and imports more oil from Canada, the country could meet 92 percent of its liquid fuels needs by 2030, compared with 62 percent today.
“Let me repeat that once again for emphasis,” Gerard told reporters during a conference call on Wednesday. “The analysis we’re releasing today will be part of our rollout, and the (ad) campaign shows that the U.S. could meet 92 percent of our liquid fuel demand by 2030.”
The Worcester County Health Department, along with Worcester County Animal Control, have added three additional rabies vaccination clinics to those already held in the County in an effort to assist citizens in keeping their pets’ rabies vaccinations up-to-date.
Scheduled clinics will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Reminders for rabies clinics:
Maryland law requires that cats, dogs and ferrets are adequately vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and that those vaccinations are to be kept current. Rabies continues to be a threat in Worcester County and was laboratory confirmed in raccoons, foxes, groundhogs, and cats. Since January 1, 2011 there have been 6 confirmed rabid animals in Worcester County and there were 26 confirmed animals in 2010. For more information about protecting against rabies or the scheduled clinics in Worcester County, visit www.worcesterhealth.org, or you may call 410-641-9559.
Please report all animal bites or other contact and exposure to wild animals to the Worcester County Health Department at 410-352-3234 or 410-641-9559. If an incident occurs after normal business hours, contact your local law enforcement or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111.
This post isn’t to proselytize about abortion. I just came across this video and thought that it was interesting, moving, and thought provoking.
I hope that you enjoy it, think about it, and take it in the spirit with which it was intended.
In case you haven’t figured it out, I like alliteration.
It’s a “Who’s Who” of Delaware Democrats. From VP Joe Biden down, Delaware Dems have been the recipients of Chris Tigani’s largesse. Of course, Tigani has received some quo for his quid – just ask former governor Ruth Ann Minner about that sweetheart land deal Tigani benefited from up near Milford.
Well, it all came to a screeching halt last week as Tigani pleaded guilty to multiple counts of federal income tax evasion and violations of federal elections laws. But wait … I thought the Democrats were the party of the little guy.
Then you can read about Joe’s son Beau having to recuse himself from the state portion of the investigation. Like father like son I guess. or … Maybe Beau knows.
H/T – DelawarePolitics.net
Opponents of the petition drive to force the MD DREAM Act to referendum would have you believe that it’s only a bunch of Republicans, and right wing Republicans at that, who are signing the petitions. Sadly for them, nothing could be further from the truth.
It appears that at least 50% of those signing the petitions are Democrats. There are even Democrat legislators backing the drive. One such legislator is Maryland Sen. James Brochin (D-42) of Baltimore County.
Perhaps we should ask where Jim Mathias and Norm Conway are on this issue.
Watch this video from FOX45 in Baltimore.
H/T – Cecil Calvert
Join us Tuesday, June 14th, as SbyNEWS hosts another LIVE BLOG EVENT.
Time: 10 AM
Place: A computer near you.
What: The Wicomico County Council will debate and adopt (or possibly REFUSE to adopt, as they did last year) the county budget for FY 2012.
If you can’t come out to the hearing, tune in on PAC-14 and follow the meeting at SbyNEWS with our always insightful play by play.
Don’t forget; you get to participate as well. Comments are live. Just remember, the same rules apply. Because we experienced technical difficulties during our last LIVE BLOG EVENT, we will be tied in to a back-up network in case the GOB’s wi-fi fails again.
Live Blogging software courtesy of CoverItLive.com
On Saturday, the Daily Times editorial page “Jeered” the Wicomico County Council for what it termed “inconsistency”:
The Wicomico County Council has spent a good deal of time picking apart the county executive's proposed budget to find more cuts and avoid raising the property tax rate by the amount allowable under the revenue cap. Yet its hypocritical members failed to take a logical step that would save property owners from increased tax bills resulting from rising assessments. County Executive Rick Pollitt asked the council to lower the Homestead Tax Credit from 10 percent to zero, which would have effectively frozen property values until ownership changed hands. Instead, expressing concern over loss of revenue to the county, the rate was lowered to 5 percent. In another stunning example of hypocrisy, the Republican-majority council opted for government intrusion when it authorized use of speed cameras in school zones. If speeding is a problem, it's worth the time and effort to patrol and ticket motorists on a more personal basis.
While I have to admit that I am not in agreement with the Wicomico Council regarding the Homestead Tax Credit or speed cameras, I think their decision hardly makes them hypocrites. If anyone is hypocritical on this it would be Pollitt and the DT.
Regarding speed cameras, there has been no secret among the Republican majority of council that the speed camera bill is about REVENUE, rather than child safety. In fact, when the council first voted the measure down (much to the dismay of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office) several councilmembers stated publicly that they would be more supportive of the measure IF Pollitt and Sheriff Mike Lewis had been more forthcoming over the fact that this bill is more about money than safety.
Regarding the Homestead Tax Credit, where is they hypocrisy. The DT’s argument is similar to a rabid Republican who is ALWAYS claiming that cutting taxes is the answer to every national ill. For some reason, they never want answer what happens when the tax rate hits 0%.
The council has worked diligently to cut Pollitt’s proposed tax rate hike. Pollitt and the DT are adamantly opposed to their efforts. Why is the council’s refusal to cut future revenue hypocritical? It’s not.
We can agree to disagree. However, it is ironic that it is the DT, rather than SbyNEWS, that has been the leading name caller during this budget process. Perhaps they would be willing to take the same advice that I have been offering SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero over the last several years…
Take a deep breath, relax, and ask yourself if you REALLY need to say that. Albero has been improving over time. We can’t say that about the Daily Times over the last month.
If a petition to overturn the Maryland Dream Act makes it to the ballot in 2012, referendum leaders may have more to gain than just a repeal of the law.
Republicans who have backed the petition drive and political observers say the chance to vote on the law that gives in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants could turn out a number of conservative voters who otherwise might stay home, given the likelihood of a President Barack Obama win in Maryland.
GOP faithful don’t stand a chance of winning the presidency in Maryland, but very likely could overturn the Dream Act and possibly put a dent in some typically Democratic congressional districts, said Todd Eberly, a political science professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Twitter-addicted political junkies got a surprise last night when State Sen. Catherine Pugh's account published the following:
@PughforMayor: Mmm mmm good looking men here (@ Martin's West w/ 4 others) http://4sq.com/mHPlKY
Pugh, a candidate for mayor who was attending the Associated Black Charities gala, says she did not send the tweet-- and she did not even have her phone with her.
"I don't know why anyone would want to do that to me," she said. "It's not even my kind of terminology. I don't speak that way."
The tweet was sent using Foursquare, an app that allows users to record their location. That means whoever sent the tweet had to have been logged into Pugh's Foursquare account and been at or near Martin's West.
Tri-county residents who work outdoors may be exposed to extreme heat this summer.
Health officials from Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties warn that farmers, construction workers, beach and pool lifeguards, and others who work outside should be especially cautious as the temperatures rise.
Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers because it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety goggles and dizziness.
Workers are at greater risk of heat stress if they are 65 or older, overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.
Prevention of heat stress in workers is critical.
Workers should avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible. When these exposures cannot be avoided, workers should take the following steps to prevent heat stress:
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton. Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing.
Gradually build up to heavy work.
Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity. Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible.
Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty.
Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar.
Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress. Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.
Recommendations for employers:
Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in hot areas for cooler months.
Schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day.
Acclimatize workers by exposing them for progressively longer periods to hot work environments.
Reduce the physical demands of workers.
Use relief workers or assign extra workers for physically demanding jobs.
Provide cool water or liquids to workers.
Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar.
Provide rest periods with water breaks.
Provide cool areas for use during break periods.
Monitor workers who are at risk of heat stress.
Provide heat stress training that includes information about:
Worker risk
Prevention
Symptoms
The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms
Treatment
Personal protective equipment
For more information about heat safety, visit:
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: http://www.dhmh.maryland.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.bt.cdec.gov/disasters/extremeheat/
For information about your county, call your local health department:
Somerset: 443-523-1700
Wicomico: 410-334-3480
Worcester: 410-632-1100
AGENDA
COUNTY COUNCIL OF WICOMICO COUNTY, MD
Room 301, Government Office Building, Salisbury, Maryland
LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2011-12
June 14, 2011 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. Gail M. Bartkovich, President
Call meeting to order
Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
10:05 a.m. Matthew E. Creamer: Council Administrator:
Resolution 76-2011-Institute a temporary ban on any outdoor burning in Wicomico County, Maryland
10:10 a.m. Edgar A. Baker, Jr., County Attorney:
Adoption: Legislative Bill 2011-04-Budget and Appropriation Bill
10:30 a.m. Public Comments-Please limit all public comments to five minutes or less; any presented material may be submitted to Council members-Please include eight copies
10:40 a.m. Council Comments
10:45 a.m. Council President’s Comments
10:50 a.m. Closed Work Session:
Internal Audit-Audit discussion
Last week, Maryland Public Policy Institute fellow and Wicomico resident Marc Kilmer penned an op-ed decrying the tactics of Maryland’s own senator – Ben Cardin - in the current debate over fiscal policy and entitlement reform. We highly recommend that you give it a read.
The highly anticipated process that will shape the political futures of dozens of current and would-be elected officials is not yet visible to the public.
A general redistricting timeline outlined on the General Assembly website indicates that the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee would be formed in April or May and that the panel would conduct public hearings beginning in late spring.
But as of Thursday, a redistricting committee had not been appointed, and it remains unclear whether one will be established for the redrawing of congressional boundaries, a process that will be conducted separately from legislative redistricting because the 2012 primary election will be held in April in Maryland.
There are no statutory requirements for creating an advisory commission or holding public hearings for the congressional reapportionment plan. The state constitution mandates public hearings only for the legislative redistricting plan, which will be introduced on the first day of the 2012 General Assembly session.
Already facing questions about their takeover of the Liquor Control Board (LCB) despite not actually assuming control until July 1, the Worcester County Commissioners defended their policies and promises Tuesday at a public hearing.
“We feel that we were somewhat mislead,” said Shawn Harman, owner of Fish Tales restaurant in Ocean City.
Harman spoke on behalf of the Worcester Alliance for Fair Markets (WAFM), a collection of liquor licensees formed earlier this year in an attempt to have the LCB abolished after the board was found guilty of several trade infractions.
Instead of abolition, however, the commissioners decided to bring the pseudo-government LCB organization under direct county control, a decision that many still consider controversial.
“I don’t believe anyone up here wants to be involved in the liquor business,” said Commission President Bud Church.
The question of whether or not a public government should insert itself into a private industry has been hotly debated in Worcester for many years. Even before the commission decided to absorb the agency, the LCB was still something of a county organization, though it operated independently.
Twenty-eight months ago—on Feb. 13, 2009--Congress passed a $787-billion economic stimulus law and sent it to President Barack Obama who signed it while declaring it would create or save 3.5 million jobs.
This Saturday, in his weekly address, President Obama pointed to his predecessors for causing problems in the economy and indicated a full recovery would not come soon.
“I wish I could tell you there was a quick fix to our economic problems,” Obama said. “But the truth is, we didn’t get into this mess overnight, and we won’t get out of it overnight. It’s going to take time.”
The Coastal Bays Program will celebrate its 15th year of conservation work and release the 2010 Coastal Bays report card on Jun 17 at 4:30 PM at Fager’s Island on 60th Street in Ocean City. The party is open to the public.
A Norfolk police officer has been charged with 11 drug-related felonies in Virginia Beach, according to court records.
Officer Kristen Wayne Harris was arrested Thursday in Virginia Beach. He was charged with 10 counts of manufacturing or selling steroids or illegal stimulants and one count of selling or distributing marijuana.
He also faces misdemeanor charges of selling or intending to sell drug paraphernalia, and assisting an individual in unlawfully procuring a prescription drug, court records show.
He is scheduled to appear in Virginia Beach General District Court for an arraignment Tuesday morning.
Getting to know Atlantic sturgeon isn't easy.
Case in point: watermen netted a 6-foot, 200-pound spawning female in the James River in April. Thinking it would move toward Richmond to lay its eggs, scientists placed a tracking device in the fish.
It disappeared, presumably with its eggs intact, a day later.
"Some fish will do that, especially sturgeon," said Greg Garman, a Virginia Commonwealth University professor who studies the dinosaur-like fish.
Once common in the Chesapeake Bay and other East Coast estuaries, Atlantic sturgeon levels are thought to be a fraction of what they were when settlers arrived in Jamestown more than 400 years ago — victims of overfishing, loss of habitat, pollution and ship strikes.
Conservation groups want the fish listed under the Endangered Species Act. But researchers and multiple state agencies oppose the effort. They favor a less strict designation, which they say will allow them to continue their research and prompt fewer restrictions on commercial fisheries.
Tickets are now on sale for the 34th annual Sussex County Prayer Breakfast, to be held Tuesday, June 14, 2011, with Pastor Bob Carey of Delmarva Teen Challenge as this year’s featured guest speaker. The theme of this year’s event will be ‘Changing One Life at a Time.’
Pastor Carey, of Seaford, Del., is executive director of Delmarva Teen Challenge, a program that provides second chances to young men affected by drugs, alcohol and other social ills by introducing them to a personal relationship with God. Pastor Carey, who once had a promising corporate career, will discuss his own personal transformation through the Teen Challenge program and how it saved him from a life of alcohol abuse, bringing him peace and to a new life of ministry.
Teen Challenge participants have a chance to rebuild their lives through education, counseling, and spiritual guidance designed to turn them away from a life of temptation and toward one that builds hope, strengthen families and supports communities. Since its first center opened in New York in 1960, the Teen Challenge program has grown to more than 400 centers worldwide.
Pastor Carey is a graduate of the Central Bible College – Detroit Campus, where he completed his ministers’ certification with the Assemblies of God. He began his full-time ministry in 1994 at Life Challenge of Southeastern Michigan, where he eventually served as assistant to the executive director. He joined Delmarva Teen Challenge as executive director in 2008.
Joining Pastor Carey as this year’s musical entertainment will be ‘The Reminders’, with their eclectic mix of original and familiar gospel music, as well as the Teen Challenge Praise Team and vocalist Greg Fuller.
The Sussex County Prayer Breakfast is held each year to bring citizens and community leaders together for a morning of ministry, music, and personal reflection. The event is attended by business professionals, community leaders, and various representatives of local, County, State and federal governments.
This year’s breakfast is once again hosted by the Sussex County Council. Ticket sales and community sponsorships from individuals, organizations and businesses – not County funding – pay for this annual event. Again this year, former County Councilman Dale R. Dukes is volunteering his time to coordinate the breakfast.
The breakfast will begin at 6:45 a.m. June 14 at Crossroad Community Church, Del. Route 404 and State Forest Road, west of Georgetown. The ministry and music portion of the program will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.
Tickets are $15 per person, or $110 per table of eight, and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
For tickets or more information, call (302) 855-7743 or (302) 875-7551.
Faded, tattered and worn, nearly 3,000 American flags, collected by American Legion Post 273, will be formally retired on Flag Day in Poquoson.
Unable to retire flags last year due to bad weather, the group stored flags in garages, houses and storage areas, waiting for Tuesday, Flag Day 2011. A drop box in front of the Poquoson Library is regularly checked by members of the post. Donations from other veterans' organizations in York County, including the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars, contributed to the growing collection. Damaged flags from schools, neighborhoods and churches also added to the count.
"It almost becomes an obsession for some of us to make sure the flag is properly cared for," said Post 273 Commander Raymond Yannello. He has considered asking the City's waste department to pull flags out of garbage if they spot them during a pickup.
Why this article? I thought it was interesting. Flag Day is tomorrow. I also lived in Poquoson during my last two years of high school + college. It’s great to see our veterans caring about our nation’s flag. - GAH
Mayoral candidate and former city planning director Otis Rolley III has vowed to offer private school vouchers to students zoned to attend failing middle schools and says he would lobby to restore mayoral control to the city school system.
"Our future is directly tied to the success or failure of our schools," Rolley said in an interview. He is slated to unveil his education plan across from school headquarters on North Avenue on Monday.
Rolley, whose eldest daughter is a third-grade student at Roland Park Elementary School, believes better schools would keep more families in Baltimore and persuade others to move to the city.
A 29-year-old man was in cardiac arrest after being struck by lightning on the fishing pier at Fort Smallwood Park in Pasadena, Anne Arundel fire officials said Sunday.
Witnesses called an ambulance after the man was found unconscious after they heard a clap of thunder on Sunday afternoon. He was given CPR and was transported to Maryland Shock Trauma.
Fire officials did not have information about the man's condition.
Tim Pawlenty may be nice, but he's not willing to be anybody's fool. So says the former Minnesota governor and 2012 presidential candidate, who blasted claims by Fox News' Bill O'Reilly that he is too "vanilla" to be president.
"Is he playing the race card on me?" Pawlenty jokingly asked on "Fox News Sunday" before getting serious.
"I'm not running for comedian- in-chief, or entertainer-in-chief. If people want that, they should go to the ball park or Broadway play or a Las Vegas show. ... Being strong is not the same as being loud. ... So, if you want the clown-in-chief, vote for somebody else. That's not me."
In an interview heavy on policy specifics, Pawlenty also proved false charges that he won't take the fight to President Obama in a 2012 presidential race. Targeting a few jabs at the president, Pawlenty also tossed out a couple proverbial body slams at frontrunner GOP candidate Mitt Romney over the former Massachusetts governor's health care policies.
Foes and supporters of embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner yelled at each other in front of the New York Democrat's district office on Sunday as congressional leaders called on Weiner to resign amid a sexting scandal.
"He's not fit to be our congressman," said Jim Scott, 61, one of about two dozen constituents who rallied in front of Weiner's office in the Kew Gardens section of Queens. "People are sick of him, especially his attitude."
Weiner said Saturday that instead of resigning over the scandal, he was seeking professional treatment and asking for a leave of absence from Congress.
A pair of earthquakes struck within 90 minutes of each near Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, reviving vivid memories of a deadly quake that killed more than 150 people in February.
"It was quite an exciting ride," Christchurch Police Acting Inspector Murray Hurst told CNN after the first quake, adding that there was some damage caused by the quake and a few injuries that were not life-threatening.
Police evacuated sections of the city's central business district after reports of a possible gas leak, police said. Several bridges in the city was closed as a precaution.
The first quake -- a magnitude 5.2 -- was centered 9 kilometers (5 miles) east-southeast of Christchurch at a depth of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), according to USGS.
The second quake -- a more powerful 6.0 -- hit about 13 kilometers (8 miles) north-northeast of the city at a depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).
The quakes came nearly four months after a 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area, killing more than 180 people.
With deadly traffic crashes peaking for teens during the summer months of June, July and August, AAA urges parents of teens to increase their focus on safety during the school-free months ahead. Summer is the deadliest time of year for teen drivers and passengers with seven of the top 10 deadliest days of the year occurring between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, according to an analysis of crash data completed by AAA.
“Parents should not underestimate the critical role they play in keeping their teens safe, especially during these high-risk months,” said Jim Lardear, director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Life feels more care-free when school’s out and teens have more opportunities to drive or ride in cars late at night with other teens – a deadly mix. With the majority of the most dangerous days falling during the traditional summer vacation months, parents must realize that there is no summer break from safety and be vigilant about remaining involved and enforcing rules with their teens.”
FreedomWorks is adding 500 to 2,000 members a day to its network of like-minded Tea Party activists. Those activists will provide an army of volunteers for a presidential candidate who supports their small-government goals, say FreedomWorks’ staffers.
Despite its expanding network, the D.C.-based libertarian group isn’t claiming to be a leader of the Tea party movement. The movement has no national leadership, but “I think we have credibility with a majority of Tea Partiers,” said FreedomWorks’ CEO Matt Kibbe.
These days, Tea Party activists are focused on state and local issues, such as school choice legislation in Pennsylvania, Kibbe said. They’re not looking to mount another massive D.C. march, such as the 9/12 protest in 2009, in part because the movement has already proved its influence during the 2010 election, he said.
An Amtrak train headed from Richmond to Boston broke down northeast of Baltimore on Sunday, leaving 451 passengers sweltering without air conditioning for more than an hour until a replacement train arrived, a railroad spokeswoman said.
Train No. 88, which left Richmond at 8:35 a.m. and picked up passengers in Washington at 11:25 a.m., became disabled shortly after 1:30 p.m. in Perryville, Md., about halfway between Baltimore and Wilmington, Del., spokeswoman Danielle Hunter said. She said the train’s engine developed a mechanical problem. Without power, the train’s air conditioning system shut down, Hunter said.
Passengers were not allowed off the train for safety reasons, she said. She said the replacement train arrived shortly before 3 p.m.
A new post on the "A Gay Girl in Damascus" blog that has been reported to belong to a Syrian-American woman claimed Sunday that her dramatic story is, in fact, a hoax.
In a post entitled "Apology to readers," author "Tom MacMaster" said he is the sole person responsible for material on the site. The writer signed off from Istanbul, Turkey.
"I never expected this level of attention," MacMaster wrote. "While the narrative voice may have been fictional, the facts on this blog are true and not misleading as to the situation on the ground."
All previous posts, which began appearing in February, had been attributed either to "Amina Abdallah," the outspoken Syrian-American woman, or her cousin, "Rania Ismail."
Abdallah was reported on the blog to have been abducted last week and her alleged disappearance prompted online campaigns demanding her release.
The Old Dominion University student who was fatally shot last week in his off-campus house in Norfolk was the nephew of U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), the congressman said in a statement late Sunday.
Christopher Cummings, 20, whose family lives in the Woodbridge area, was a junior at ODU and was studying criminal justice.
“Christopher was an amazing young man who was loved and admired by so many people who had the honor of knowing him,” the congressman said. “An exceptional student with a 3.5 GPA, he had ambitious plans for his future after graduating from Old Dominion.”
Cummings said he and his family “ remain in shock over the news of the random shooting.”
Police in Norfolk have said they had no suspect in the Friday shooting and knew of no motive. A roommate of Christopher Cummings was shot in the incident, and Cummings said his family’s prayers were with him.
He urged the community to help the police in their investigation.
