BREAKING NEWS

There's a gas leak in one of the pods at the Wicomico Detention Center. More to come...

UPDATE: We have been told there is an astronomical amount of gas in one of the pod areas of the Detention Center. The Warden is on his way in. All of the prisoners from that section have been relocated and some are being taken to PRMC. They have located the exact area of the gas leak and we are told it will be an hour or two before they are able to repair the problem.

Lockheed Martin Cutting 1,500 Jobs

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin plans to cut 1,500 jobs in its aeronautics business. The Bethesda-based company says it must cut costs because of the prospect of limited defense spending. Most of the cuts will fall among higher-paid workers at its main aeronautics centers in Texas, Georgia and California. The aeronautics business has about 28,000 employees. Lockheed employs 126,000 people worldwide.

Musical Chairs In The Federal Government Today

Musical chairs begins today in the upper ranks of the federal government. Leon Panetta begins his new job as defense secretary. Army four-star General David Petraeus takes over for him at the CIA. Petraeus was confirmed yesterday by the Senate. Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on his last day in office.

Federal Workers vs. Private Sector Workers

A new Gallup poll found federal employees have higher overall wellbeing than private sector employees - except when it comes to their work environments. The poll found 42 percent of feds have positive relationships with their supervisors, compared to more than 48 percent of non-government workers. But overall, feds' wellbeing was higher with 86 percent compared to 83 percent of private sector workers. They have higher satisfaction in most areas including access to basic needs like adequate housing and having health insurance.

USPS Cancels $7 Million In Bonuses

The U.S. Postal Service canceled $7 million worth of bonuses for executives, officers and administrative staff. The Federal Times reports USPS is trying to save money anywhere it can as it faces an $8 billion deficit in 2011. Tony Vegliante, the agency's chief human resources officer, said the canceled bonuses affect 62,000 employees. Bonuses for unionized workers will still be paid.

DC Police Officer Richmond Phillips Indicted On Murder Charges In Deaths Of Wynetta Wright, Jaylin Wright

(WUSA) -- The DC police officer accused of killing a woman while leaving her infant daughter in a hot car has been formally indicted.

Late Thursday night, a grand jury filed charges against 41-year-old Richmond Phillips for the deaths of 20-year-old Wynetta Wright and her baby girl, 11-month-old Jaylin.

He is facing two counts of first degree murder, one count of child abuse resulting in death, and one count of reckless endangerment.

Wright had filed a paternity case claiming Phillips fathered the child.

She disappeared the night before a hearing in the case.

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Michigan Law Banning Racial Preference Struck Down by 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

A federal appeals court Friday struck down a state referendum that banned affirmative action in college admissions, employment and contracting, setting up another Supreme Court showdown on the issue.

"It's a tremendous victory," Detroit lawyer George Washington said shortly after a U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled in a 2-1 decision that Proposal 2 was unconstitutional.

"Affirmative action is now legal in college admissions in Michigan and that means thousands of black, Latin and native American students who would have been excluded from our best undergraduate and graduate programs will now be admitted," Washington said.

The Michigan Attorney General's Office had no immediate comment, but Washington, who represents a coalition of organizations that fought the 2006 ballot proposal, said he expects the state to ask the entire U.S. 6th Circuit to review the decision and, if that fails, ask the Supreme Court to take up the issue.

Jennifer Gratz, who led the campaign for passage of Proposal 2 following the conclusion of her own lawsuit against the University of Michigan for using race-based admissions, said Friday she had not yet reviewed the appeals court decision.

READ MORE …

Episcopal Church In Maryland To Convert To Catholicism

The Rev. Mark Lewis now offers a prayer every Sunday morning that centuries ago would have been considered an homage to the enemy. It's a prayer for the bishop of Rome, the pope and all the Catholic bishops and priests.

Lewis chants, "For Benedict our Pope ... Let us prayer to the Lord."

And the congregation sings its answer, "Lord, have mercy."

The distinctly Roman Catholic offering is the outward sign of an inner spiritual journey. St. Luke's Church in Bladensburg, Md., will become later this year the first American Episcopal Parish to convert to Catholicism, Anglicanism's one-time nemesis.

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Portrait Gallery Opens Exhibit On President Reagan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Portrait Gallery is chronicling the life and political career of President Ronald Reagan in a new exhibit.

A new gallery opening Friday will include a 1985 portrait of Reagan by Andy Warhol in the exhibit “One Life: Ronald Reagan.”

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143-Pound Blue Catfish Is Virginia Record

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - It's officially a state record. That 143-pound blue catfish caught in Virginia holds the state record for the largest catfish caught.
 
The state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' State Record Fish Committee certified the catch this week.
 
High school football coach Nick Anderson of Greenville, N.C., caught the 57-inch long catfish in the Kerr Reservoir along the Virginia-North Carolina border.
 
The previous record was 109 pounds. That catfish was caught in March on Buggs Island Lake near the confluence of the Dan and Roanoke rivers.

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Happy Independence Day

As we get ready to celebrate America's independence, I wanted to take a few minutes to extend my family's best wishes to your family for a fun and safe July 4^th weekend.

The July 4th celebration is more than a date…it is a celebration of our country, and the values upon which it was founded.  Values such as freedom, liberty and independence are why my parents risked their lives to come to America and start a family – and they are what make us the greatest nation in the world.

I will be marching in the Severna Park and Bel Air town parades, as well as enjoying celebrations in Centreville and Rock Hall – I invite you to join me for what are always great events.

May God continue to bless you, your family and the United States of America.
Congressman Andy Harris

Worcester Public Schools Receive Top Marks on MSA

Worcester County public school students continue to meet or exceed state standards in the elementary and middle school grades.

On Wednesday, the state released the results of the Maryland State Assessment tests taken by all students in third through eighth grades. Worcester students fared well in all areas and grade levels, with nearly all scores improving over last year.

The MSA examinations are taken in March of each year. They test students’ mathematics and reading skills and calculate how many students are meeting the objectives of the No Child Left Behind policy that requires all students be 100 percent proficient in reading and math by 2014. To meet the objective this year, at least 90 percent of students had to pass the tests.

The results of the similar High School Assessment tests will not be released until late July or early August.

READ MORE …

Crab Supply High For 4th Of July Feasts

WASHINGTON - This holiday weekend may be the perfect time to satisfy a craving for crabs.
 
Local watermen, vendors and restaurants say the crab supply should be enough to sustain demand for the Fourth of July weekend, with prices matching those seen during the Memorial Day holiday.
 
Clarence Goodman, with Jessie Taylor Seafood at the Maine Avenue Fish Market in Southwest D.C., says business has been booming all week given the prices.
 
"These crabs are five times better than Memorial Day," Goodman says. "They are loaded, they are heavy and they are cheap."

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44 RETIRE FROM COUNTY; POLLITT PROMISES CONTINUATION OF QUALITY SERVICES

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced today that 44 county employees have begun what he termed, “a well-earned retirement.” The departures were the result of a retirement incentive plan offered earlier in the year.

“As I salute our retirees for their many years of dedicated service, I am committed to maintaining a level of quality county services reflective of the resources that are available to us. However, our community must understand that four consecutive years of deep budget cuts totaling some $ 24 million cannot help but have a serious impact.”

Of the 44 retirees, 5 were department heads. Pollitt said that, as of today, the positions are filled with highly capable replacements. They are as follows:

Wicomico County Department Head Changes

Acting Director of Administration – Sharon A. Morris, Former Deputy Director (Theodore E. Shea II, Retired)

Acting Human Resources Director – Michele L. Ennis, Former Deputy Director (S. Michael Thompson, Retired)

Director of Finance – Andrew G. Mackel, Former Deputy Director (Patricia Petersen, Retired) - Subject to County Council Confirmation

Director of Emergency Services – David G. Shipley, Former Deputy Director (Sandra Silvia, Retired) - Subject to County Council Confirmation

Acting Director, Local Management Board – Diana Reinoso-Parnell (Linda Hardman,

Retired) 

Pollitt is preparing a restructuring plan to re-deploy county resources in response to the reduced workforce.  The plan is expected to be forwarded to the county council by the end of next week.

Extreme Couponer Arrested For Stealing Coupon Inserts

Some people really don't even deserve the label "extreme couponer." We should just call 'em "jerks." The Denton Record-Chronicle reports that a woman in Texas was arrested for buying just one newspaper from the vending machine but then taking all the coupon inserts from all the newspapers inside.

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Welcome To The Unemployment Line

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has signaled to White House officials that he’s considering leaving the administration after President Barack Obama reaches an agreement with Congress to raise the national debt limit, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Geithner hasn’t made a final decision and won’t do so until the debt ceiling issue has been resolved, according to one of the people. All spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions.

The Treasury secretary has said the U.S. risks defaulting on its obligations if Congress doesn’t raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by Aug. 2. The administration and congressional Republicans are at an impasse in negotiations to raise the limit, which also is tied to efforts to cut the nation’s long- term deficit.

An exit by Geithner would complete the turnover in Obama’s original economic team, with Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee scheduled to leave in early August to return to the University of Chicago.

That would leave Obama with two key posts to fill as Republicans are seeking to turn the 2012 election into a referendum on Obama’s handling of the economy and the recovery is slowing. The unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent in May, according to the Labor Department, and the U.S. economy grew at a 1.9 percent pace in the first quarter, according to Commerce Department figures released June 24.

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The Unions Rejoice

Joe-

I guess today begins the new era for the state employees in Maryland.

Beginning today, all state employees covered by the bargaining units will have to pay 'something' to the union-- they'll continue to pay their regular dues if they're members, and if they're not.. they'll pay anyway.

There will be a deduction from their paycheck for what's being called their 'Fair Share'-- money paid to the union to compensate the union for negotiating the pay and benefits they receive.

And they have no choice-- they pay either dues or the fee, whether they wanted representation or not.

And the deal gets even sweeter-- the employee contribution to the retirement fund has been raised from 5% to 7%.

But most employees don't know that much of that extra 2% is NOT going to the retirement fund (which is already way under-funded).The money is going to the General Fund to help balance the budget.

So the pension fund will remain perilously under-funded while O'Malley and his buddies divert the increase to pay for their pet projects.

I wonder how many of those smiling, sign-waving AFSCME union members we will see at O'Malley's next big event?

You'd think they would learn eventually.

Plan Maryland Concerns Worcester County Leaders

Some Worcester County officials are concerned the state will not consider rural input for its plan to regulate development.

The state has asked for comments on “Plan Maryland,” the planning initiative, but how much they will be considered is unknown.

“The governor just has to accept it and file it, and it becomes the state comprehensive plan,” Ed Tudor, director of the Department of Development Review and Permitting, said during the commissioners’ June 21 meeting.

That concerned Commissioner Madison Bunting, who has a background in surveying and planning and zoning. He was on his third reading of the extensive document.

“I think it is fair to say that the more we read, the more we became concerned,” Tudor, who began reviewing it a few months ago with Phyllis Wimbrow, his department’s deputy director, wrote in a memo to the Gerry Mason, the county’s chief administrative officer. “While there certainly are some positive ideas and laudable goals in the plan, it is our belief that the plan as written comes perilously close to an outright intrusion into local planning and zoning autonomy.”

READ MORE …

Will It Stay Or Will It Go?

The above image is the oldest portion of the old Feldman's building considered historic by the state of Maryland.

The City of Salisbury doesn't like what they see so they have filed an order to demolish it.

I did some research on this matter and to make a long story short, the City has no comment.

I wanted to know, IF you follow through with the threat of this letter, is the City actually going to tear it down. "No comment".

So let's see what you have to say about it. I'm not saying the City is right or wrong on this matter. I just know that back when I was negotiating a purchase of the entire property the state told me I could not take the above portion of the buildings down. I have no gripe and obviously IF I had been able to purchase the property one of the contingencies would have been to be allowed to tear it down. I just want to be open and fair about where I'm personally coming from.

The buildings have not been maintained for quite a few years and are in questionable condition. However, I could say that about several of the buildings Downtown.

Anyhow, let's hear what you have to say about this matter. Remember, IF the buildings are torn down it would be at taxpayers expense. You might be reimbursed by the Bank of Delmarve who holds the note on this property. Since the City has no comment its difficult to get more answers.

Making A Difference

Love Us or Hate Us, know one thing, We’re Making a Difference in a big way.

I say WE’RE making a difference because it’s not just what we provide here on Salisbury News that makes a difference. YOU do as well.

In just over the past two days we have published almost 600 comments. Salisbury News has published more than 300,000 comments. We've had more than 20 million page views and over 16 million daily unique visitors.

While we were hoping for a better start in 2011, I can't complain and neither can our Advertisers. We have published more than 42,000 posts and no matter what people say, we are making a difference. Staying informed and knowing what is going on in the greater DelMarVa area helps us to read into the future as to what we might expect next. It certainly allows us to be prepared to take action. A perfect example is the Toll Hike debate.

It was Salisbury News that highlighted the issue while the local mainstream media sat idle and ignored it completely. Salisbury News was the ONLY Lower Shore media outlet to cover the Kent Island public hearing and provide current coverage of the Perryville and Havre de Grace hearings.

On an average week day, Salisbury News readers can choose from upwards of 80 posts to stay informed about DelMarVa, our region, our nation, and the world. The print media cannot afford to put up anywhere near that volume of content. When it comes to television, they have 16 minutes, (in a 30 minute show) to tell the news. Almost half of that is weather and sports. What's left? A little Delaware and Maryland news. The cool thing about our format is: if you don't like a particular article or title doesn’t grab you, you can scroll right past it and go on to the next. They call that fast forward in the television industry. NO COMMERCIALS!

Another area Salisbury News has made a difference is in the cost of advertising. Ads for as little as $100.00 a month! That's less than $25.00 a week! The only thing keeping the print media afloat is legal advertising and WHEN a change to allow that information to be published online is made, another key part of the print media’s business model is up in smoke.

COMMENTS

The most important part of any article, to me, is the comments. The more people comment, the bigger difference we can all make. Do you have any idea what it's been like to go through and publish 300,000 comments? In addition to the comments we publish, I’m confident that we’ve had to reject over 200,000. They all have to be read as well.

As we continue to grow we do get comments referencing copy and paste articles. Another common comment is that some would like to see more local articles. OK, listen to me closely. We STILL provide local articles every single day. In fact, we've been providing even more local articles than we had in the past. The ONLY difference is, we've added MORE articles all together. Most of those focus on our region (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) and (we feel) impact our way of living here on the Shore.

Here’s something that’s really interesting. Go back and look at the comments on those “copy and paste” articles. You'll see more comments on many of those articles than you will on our original content. Not all the time, but for the most part our articles are providing information which impacts our way of life. You have proven that through your comments.

LOOK AT YOUR DAILY PAPER

Pick up a copy of your local daily newspaper. The majority of their articles are “copy and paste” from the AP, some other news service, or is syndicated. You may also want to look at the volume of comments their articles get versus ours.

Argue all you like; the truth is the truth. We are growing faster than anyone else and the MSM is shrinking. The next time you think about advertising, compare our costs with WBOC, WMDT, the Daily Times and even Metropolitan. Then keep it in the back of your mind that you can advertise here for as low as $100.00 a month, NOT per day. Metropolitan has a circulation of around 36,000. People do pick it up and thumb through it. But assuming their readers look at EVERY PAGE, how many times a month do you think they re-read it? Now there's nothing wrong with Metropolitan, but when you’re paying $5,000.00 to $7,000.00 for an ad, you may want to go back up to the top of this article and take a look at our numbers again.

In closing, I want to thank each and every one of you for visiting Salisbury News. More importantly I want to thank you for making your voice heard through your comments. From our local City Councils, to our County Councils, to our legislators and members of Congress, they follow Salisbury News and they do read your comments. Thanks to you, Salisbury News makes a difference; and that makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Keep Those Comments Coming In …

Thanks,

It's China's Turn To Wrestle With A Pile Of Bad Debt

Massive infrastructure spending has created a mountain of bad loans

The U.S. banking system was the first to get hit by the financial Panic of 2008. For the past year, European bankers have been scrambling to head off exploding debt bombs in Greece and other countries with high debt loads.

Now, it looks like its China’s turn to face up to a giant pile of bad debt. This being China, though, the story isn’t playing out like an ordinary Western financial crisis.

The source of China's current problem dates back to the collapse of the global economy in 2008 when, like its Western counterparts, the Chinese government unleashed a flood of cash to stimulate its economy. Much of that money was loans from state-owned banks to local governments, which were supposed to spend all those yuan on new roads, railways, power plants and other projects to help China maintain its torrid pace of economic growth.

Many of those yuan didn't get where they were supposed to go. It's still not clear exactly where they all went. But this week the Chinese government announced the results of a nationwide audit of 31 provinces and hundreds of municipalities which found that those local governments are now carrying some $1.6 trillion worth of loans. And a large portion — as much as 20 percent — may have to be written off as bad debt.

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Illegal Amount Of Debt Sold To China

Reuters - It has been reported to Reuters that the Treasury Dept. has been selling an illegal amount of debt to China and changed the rules to hide it from the public. But they got caught!

The rules of Treasury auctions may not sound like the stuff of high-stakes diplomacy. But a little-noticed 2009 change in how Washington sells its debt sheds new light on America's delicate balancing act with its biggest creditor, China.

When the Treasury Department revamped its rules for participating in government bond auctions two years ago, officials said they were simply modernizing outdated procedures.

The real reason for the change, a Reuters investigation has found, was more serious: The Treasury had concluded that China was buying much more in U.S. government debt than was being disclosed, potentially in violation of auction rules, and it wanted to bring those purchases into the open — all without ruffling feathers in Beijing.

Treasury officials then worked to keep the reason for the auction-rule change quiet........."

Read more: US Catches China Buying More Debt Than Disclosed "

Anne Arundel High School Seniors Secure $99.6 Million In College Scholarship Offers

North County High quadruples its amount over last year

Last year, North County High School in Glen Burnie received $1.7 million in college scholarship offers for graduating seniors, a figure that would draw kudos throughout much of the country but not as much in Anne Arundel County, which is fast becoming known for its students' penchant for garnering financial aid funds that would rival the Maryland Lottery.

North County's sum was last among the county's 12 high schools, and less than half that of 11th-place Southern High. The school also finished last in 2009 and had never received more than $2.1 million for scholarships in a single year.

That changed this year, as a concerted effort by students, faculty and the Glen Burnie community helped North County get $7.1 million in scholarship offers, more than four times what it raised last year and second only to Severna Park in the highest increase in scholarship offer amounts since last year.

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Ocean Downs Profits Up

The Casino at Ocean Downs might be on a hot streak, with higher revenue every month since opening in January, but this and Maryland’s other gambling venue, Hollywood Casino in Perryville, is up against ramped up competition from the gambling playgrounds in neighboring states.

This first summer of gambling tourism for Ocean Downs and Maryland’s other casino, Hollywood Casino in Perryville, will see if the curiosity factor and location will help them lure away gambling dollars that have been going to casinos in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. The combined 18 casinos in those states offer games that Maryland does not have, such as poker, blackjack, craps and roulette.

The Ocean Downs casino on Route 589 near Ocean Pines took in $3.7 million in net gambling revenue in May, an increase of $200,000 compared to April, according to the Maryland Lottery. Hollywood Casino in Perryville brought in $9.6 million in May, down from $10 million in April. Ocean Downs has 750 slot machines, which is half of the 1,500 electronic games at Perryville’s casino.

As a new player in the gaming business, Maryland has a long road ahead to match the high-rolling profits of the established casinos across the state borders. Pennsylvania’s 10 casinos raked in approximately $2.5 billion in 2010, according to the American Gaming Association’s 2011 State of the States report released in May. That report showed Delaware’s three casinos collected $571 million and West Virginia’s five casinos brought that state approximately $878 million.

READ MORE …

New Delaware Toll Plaza Open In Time For July 4 Travelers On I-95

Expansion project complete at long-time bottleneck on Interstate 95

Could Delaware's infamous toll plaza bottleneck finally have been uncorked?

Delaware Department of Transportation officials say they've completed a $32.6 million project — just in time for the July 4 holiday weekend — that will greatly reduce the mind-numbing toll collection backups that have made Delaware's border with Maryland the most dreaded stretch of Interstate 95 from Maine to Miami.

Department spokesman Michael Williams said the opening of two new high-speed E-ZPass lanes in each direction "will result in dramatic changes in what motorists face when they transit the Newark toll plaza in Delaware."

Work on the project, which started last spring and temporarily added to the congestion woes at the toll plaza, was completed a month ahead of schedule, Williams said.

The toll plaza has been notorious for its miles-long backups, which could add an hour or more to trips along the Eastern Seaboard on holidays, summer weekends and, sometimes, at times when there seemed to be no earthly explanation.

The kicker would come when the trapped-like-a-rat motorist finally reached the tollbooth and had to cough up $4 — each way — to drive through a state that took less time to cross than to pay for the privilege of doing so. The low return on investment in time and money has driven many drivers to seek bypass routes that have saved them both.

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Maryland Businesses Lead Job Losses

The region suffered a net loss of nearly 300 businesses during the height of the recession, the bulk of which were in suburban Maryland, new census data released Thursday show.

The figures reveal that, without the federal government increasing its spending, Virginia's suburban economy is better adapted for growth than Maryland's. And that holds true for the post-recession as federal and state governments continue to watch their wallets, experts said.

"Until Maryland invests in economic development we're going to continue to lag [behind] Virginia and continue to have lower levels of job growth because our engine of economic growth is idling right now," said Richard Clinch, a University of Baltimore economist.

Read more at the Washington Examiner.

Carroll County Sheriff Assumes More Law Enforcement

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) — The Sheriff's Office is replacing Maryland State Police as the primary law enforcement agency in Carroll County.

The shift happens on Friday. Based on previious years, there will be a 60 percent shift in calls the sheriff's office handles.

Sheriff Kenneth Tregoning says his department will also take over the monitoring of the county's sexual offenders and precious metal and pawnbrokers databases. ...

Read the full story at WJZ 13

Hopkins Hospital To Lay Off 160 Clerical Workers

BALTIMORE - The Johns Hopkins Hospital says some 160 clerical associates will lose their jobs as it makes the transition to an electronic medical support system.

A spokesman for the hospital says those workers might find new jobs within the hospital, including the new clinical building. The hospital has been offering paid training for clerical associates in December.

The work affected includes patient records and order entry.

Source

Black Employee Gets $1.65M In Wrongful Termination Because Of Race Discrimination

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.(AP) -- A jury has awarded a black man $1.65 million, saying he had been fired from his job at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission because of race discrimination.

The Prince George's County Circuit Court jury on Tuesday awarded Allen W. Cartwright Jr. $359,000 in lost wages and back pay. The rest was for non-economic damages.

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2011 Dew Tour Skateboard, BMX & Surf Event Comes To Ocean City, Maryland For First Of Four Tour Stops

Ocean City, Md., makes its debut as a stop on the annual Dew Tour, featuring skateboard, BMX and surf contests. The Pantech Open, the tour’s opening event, takes place July 21-24 on the beach at the inlet, near the pier in “OCMD.”

ResortQuest® by Wyndham Vacation Rentals offers vacation rental accommodations and real estate sales in Ocean City, as well as neighboring coastal Delaware (Fenwick Island, Bethany Beach, South Bethany, North Bethany and Ocean View) where the area’s finest, amenity-filled communities of Sea Colony, Bear Trap Dunes and Bayside can be found.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking…There is something wonderful in seeing a wrong-headed majority assailed by truth.”

John Kenneth Galbraith

Analyst: Bank Of America's Takeover Of Countrywide "The Worst By A Mile"

Three years ago this week, the acquisition-hungry CEO of Bank Of America looked at the menu of failing financial institutions and came upon a bargain bit of junk food called Countrywide that he could gobble up for only a couple billion dollars in BofA stock. Surely this little trifle couldn't do any damage to his bank's ironclad insides, right? But since that first bite of Countrywide, the nation's largest bank has been praying at the porcelain god, barfing up billions in losses.

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GE And Partners Invest In Israeli Water Tech Company

An American company will help fund an Israeli company that uses microbial fuel cells to turn waste water into an energy source, Greenbang.com reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, Energy Technology Ventures, a joint venture of GE, NRG Energy and ConocoPhillips, has decided to invest an undisclosed amount in the Israeli company Emefcy Ltd. This is Energy Technology Ventures’ first investment in a non-U.S.-based company and is also its first investment related to water.

Emefcy was founded in early 2008 by serial water technology entrepreneurs Eytan Levy and Ronen Shechter. The company is marked as one of the most promising water technology start-up companies and has received technology leadership awards such as The Guardian’s Cleantech 100, Global Water Technologies top 10, Artemis Top 50 and more.

Emefcy’s technology uses the principle of a fuel cell to generate electricity directly from the water. Its “electrogenic bioreactor” features an anaerobic anode chamber connected to a cathode chamber by an ion exchange membrane, produces electricity as organic matter in waste water decays and drives a current through the fuel cell.

This is different from other systems which use aerobic processes or anaerobic digestion to produce methane (natural gas) from the decomposition of organic material in waste water.

The technology generates electricity and also produces treated water as a by-product. The result transforms waste water treatment “from an energy-intensive, cost-intensive and carbon-intensive process, into an energy-generating and carbon-reducing process.”Read more here

Wicomico County Humane Society

Hi Joe,

There is a situation I think your readers should be aware of. This morning a call was made to Wicomico County Humane Society about a dog left tied to the fence at Joseph House on Boundary St. The dog was in need of medical care. Joseph House employees were told by Sandy Hudson the person that is in charge of animal control that the county had cut their budget and they were only doing animal control 1 hour a day and would not be able to come rescue this dog. As a result of this the sheriffs dept was called. Of course they responded to an animal in danger. The sheriff on the seen Deputy Jones of the K9 Unit called Salisbury City animal control and they responded immediately.The dog is now after all of this is at the Humane Society and probably still in need of medical care and on the euthanasia list. I think we should all find this appalling. Residents of Wicomico co. have to resort to using the sheriffs dept. that i'm sure have enough do. While the humane so. and county animal control do not do their jobs. If funding for animal control is an issue then maybe they shouldn't have built their picnic pavillion and thought about the animals in need. There have been many concerns over their actions for a long time and the residents of this county need to stand up and hold them accountable for the things they do and things they wont do like their jobs. I also don't think the county animal control officer should be supervised by the humane society but by the county itself.

YARD SALES

CLICK HERE

for upcoming yard sales!

Happy Independence Day! Have a great weekend!

Wicomico County Retirements Today

Many Wicomico County Employees will retire today.

The big question is, where's the party?

Thank God Its Friday

What will you be doing this weekend?

360 Degree Photography

Note it is not just 360 horizontally it is 360 at every angle!  Try going up or down. It is truly “next generation” photography. Don't get dizzy. You can also look straight up and down too.  Click on the pictures below, one at a time, and when they come up, click again and drag your mouse in any direction and the picture will give you a 360 degree view. Amazing Photography!

 

PICTURE NUMBER 1

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Today's Survey Question

Should doctors reimburse patients for time spent waiting?

County Hears Proposal To Harvest Wind At The Landfill

SNOW HILL — Over the next year, National Wind will conduct a study to see if Worcester County can combine two of the area’s more prevalent NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) projects — wind power and the county landfill — into one.

Patrick Pelstring, co-chair of National Wind, on Tuesday presented the commissioners with a proposal to begin a feasibility study for erecting wind turbines in the Worcester County landfill.

Should the company be able to erect the 8-12 turbines, the county would receive the dual benefit of generating additional revenue from the landfill while also participating in the alternative energy movement.

The county landfill already produces energy and some revenue from the methane plant installed last year.

Public Works Director John Tustin was skeptical that the landfill would accommodate the project but said if the study showed differently he had no objection.

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Pipkin: Bay Bridge A 'Cash Cow'

Claims MdTA numbersare 'smoke and mirrors' to justify toll hike

STEVENSVILLE Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-36-Upper Shore, called the recent numbers released by the Maryland Transportation Authority about the Bay Bridge "smoke and mirrors" intended to justify the proposed toll increases.

He doesn't buy MdTA's claims that the bridge is operating at a deficit, and he hopes citizens won't buy it either.

"We need to ask, where's the $940 million you've taken from us since 1952," Pipkin said. That's the amount Bay Bridge users have paid in tolls since the first Bay Bridge opened, by Pipkin's calculations.

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Sussex County Council Sued Over Prayer at Meetings

On Tuesday we asked why practices such as beginning a meeting with prayer or saying the Pledge of Allegiance are fast becoming a thing of the past.  One locality that still practices these civil niceties is now under fire.  The Sussex County Council is being sued to end its practice of beginning meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
The leftist group – Americans United for the Separation of Church and State – has filed suit against our neighbors because one woman “felt uncomfortable”.  I’m sure she will be REAL welcome after this.
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Allen's Workers Await Job News

Potential buyer hasn'tsaid whether it will keep Cordova plant employees

SEAFORD, DEL. All 447 employees at Allen Family Foods' Cordova processing plant could be out of a job by the end of July, as a result of Allen's recent announcement that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to sell all of its assets except the corporate-owned grow-out farms and related farmland.

In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice sent June 9 to local government officials, Allen's said Seaford Milling Company the Mountaire affiliate that has entered into a purchase agreement for nearly all of Allen's assets has yet to communicate whether it intends to retain any of the employees at the Cordova facility.

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BREAKING NEWS: Former IMF Chief Reportedly Released On Own Recognizance

Prosecutors agree to free Dominique Strauss-Kahn on his own recognizance after doubts were raised over the credibility of sexual assault accuser, Bloomberg reports.

From Fox News

Edit Draft BREAKING NEWS: Consumer Sentiment Slips In June

A final reading on consumer sentiment for the month of June came in at 71.5, slightly lower than a preliminary reading of 71.8 and also lower than the 71.9 economists had expected, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan.

From Fox News

Opponents Of In-State Tuition Have 100K Signatures

The Republican-led group trying to repeal the controversial new state law granting new benefits to illegal immigrants reported that they've met their goal of 100,000 signatures opposing the law.

The group submitted 57,000 signatures last month and plan to turn in the balance this evening in Annapolis. So far, the State Board of Elections has determined that 47,000 of the signatures are valid. The group needs another 8,400 acceptable signatures to have the law put to voters in November 2012.

Supporters of the new law, which grants illegal immigrants in-state tuition at Maryland's colleges and universities, held a rally in Baltimore earlier today where they pledged a state-wide campaign supporting the measure.

 

Source

Virginia Slips to 12th in Clean Beach Water Rankings

Virginia slipped to 12th from fourth out of the 30 states ranked for clean beach water in an annual report by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

"Testing the Waters 2010: A Guide to Water Quality at Vacation Beaches," released Tuesday, ranks coastal and Great Lakes states. States collect measurements of bacteria in beach water, which the environmental group compares to create the rankings.

Dan Horne, an environmental health supervisor for the Virginia Department of Public Health, said bacteria levels were unusually high in 2010 but he did not know why.

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O’Malley to be Drummed Out of Democrat Party

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has announced a set of initiatives that are designed to make Maryland more business friendly.  All we can say is – It’s About Time!

O’Malley, a two term governor of near limitless ambition, may have sealed his future during his speech about the newly established FastTrack and “Maryland Made Easy” programs:

Noting that small businesses account for 85 percent of the jobs in Maryland, O'Malley said, "We understand that government is not the job creator. But it sets the conditions." (emphasis mine)

This is worse than heresy for a Democrat!  Democrats swear that government can be a net creator of jobs.  Don’t believe me, ask Barack Obama.

Dear Dr. Ruth

Detectives Probe Bank Robbery

Location: PNC Bank, 2203 Kirkwood Highway, Elsmere, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence: Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 3:25 p.m.

Suspect: White male, 25-35 years of age, 5’09”-5’11” tall with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black long sleeved t-shirt, dark knee length shorts, white sneakers, and dark sunglasses.

Victim: 43 year old female employee (teller)

Resume:  

Elsmere- Delaware State Police detectives are investigating the robbery of an Elsmere area bank that occurred this afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:25 p.m. this afternoon as a male suspect entered the PNC bank branch located in the 2200 block of Kirkwood Highway west of the Elsmere town limits. The suspect then approached a 43 year old female teller and presented her with a demand note for cash. The teller complied with the suspect’s demand and turned over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect then fled the bank and was last seen running behind an adjacent shopping center. There were no injuries.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have any information in reference to this incident or who may recognize this suspect to contact robbery detectives at Troop 2 at 302-834-2630 ext. 325 or 6.  Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).  Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

Ex-IMF Leader Reportedly To Get Break On Bail

Former IMF leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn expected to get bail reduced in rape case as reports surface of issues with accuser's credibility.

McDonnell Says Part of Surplus Will Go to Virginia Retirement System

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Thursday that a portion of the state's expected budget surplus will be used to pay money back into the Virginia Retirement System.

He has estimated the state will have a budget surplus for the fiscal year that ended Thursday of at least $200 million.

To balance the budget, the General Assembly withheld $620 million in contributions to the pension fund. McDonnell said he wants to speed up the repayment.

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Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash, Millsboro

Location:

• Carey’s Camp Road (CR421) north of Laurel Road (SR24),  5 miles west of Millsboro, DE

Date of Occurrence:  

• Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.

Operators/Vehicles:

• William P Karbonick Jr.-50 of Lewes, DE
• 1990 Toyota Corolla

Resume

Millsboro-The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating a one vehicle crash in which a 50 year old Lewes man was killed Thursday afternoon.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon as William P. Karbonick Jr.-50 of Lewes, DE was operating a 1990 Toyota Corolla traveling northbound on Carey’s Camp Road north of Laurel Road.  As the Corolla began to round a right curve, it traveled off of the east edge of the roadway down into a 10’ drainage ditch.  The vehicle partially overturned igniting a fire in the engine compartment.   The engine compartment fire quickly consumed the rest of the vehicle trapping Karbonick inside.

Karbonick was pronounced dead at the scene.  His body was turned over to the Delaware Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

The roadway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours while the crash was investigated.

The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident.

An Illegal Aliens Guide to the Five Best Places to Live in America

When “relocating” to the United States, it’s best to avoid states that have selfishly put the interests of their legal residents ahead of yours with laws that hinder your access to jobs and benefits. But many attractive destinations remain, endorsed by millions of illegal aliens already living in each.

1. California

California’s state motto “Eureka” (I have found it!) aptly applies here. The state's population includes 3.2 million illegal aliens -- almost 24% of all illegal aliens in America -- have chosen the Golden State as their preferred domicile. 

Despite its $26 billion budget deficit, the state spends $21.5 billion dollars annually subsidizing illegal alien health care, education, welfare, other state benefits and criminal justice. Every California native-born household chips in $2438 each year to help.

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Do Read More.  You might be shocked to see where Maryland ranks. – Ed.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

JULY 5, 2011

4:30 P.M.

CONFERENCE ROOM 306

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

4:30 p.m. Follow-up on Ethics Ordinance – Council/Paul Wilber
5:00 p.m. Follow-up on Tenants’ Rights Addendum – Council/Paul Wilber
5:30 p.m. Follow-up on Towing Ordinances – Council/Paul Wilber
5:55 p.m. BREAK
6:05 p.m. Code change to 5.22.270 Cable Television Franchise Fee (PAC14) – Pam Oland
6:15 p.m. Audit rebid – Pam Oland
6:25 p.m. Park and Flea Lease Agreement with Urban Salisbury – Pam Oland
6:35 p.m. Constituent Handicap Parking Request – Pam Oland
6:45 p.m. CDBG Revised Action Plan Consensus Request – Terry Cohen/Council
6:55 p.m. Continuing discussion on Council Rules of Order – Council
7:25 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
7:30 p.m. Adjourn

Delaware Legislature Passes $3.5 Billion Budget

Delaware lawmakers on Wednesday sent Gov. Jack Markell a $3.5 billion budget to run the state for the next year, with one day to spare in this year's legislative session.

The session officially ends at midnight tonight, though lawmakers will gavel themselves into a special session and continue working in the early Friday morning hours to complete any unfinished business before vacating Legislative Hall for the year.

On a 17-4 vote, the Senate passed the spending plan for the 2012 fiscal year -- the largest in state history and a 6.15 percent increase from the current year.

The House passed a $41.23 million grant-in-aid bill, which funds a wide variety of nonprofit organizations ranging from senior centers to volunteer fire companies.

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MD DREAM Act Petition Nets Over 100,000 Signatures

MDPetitions.com, the organization founded by Del. Neil Parrott (R-2B) to force the Maryland DREAM Act to the ballot in 2012, has announced that they have turned in more than 100,000 signatures. In addition to the 47,288 signatures already certified, 74,980 signatures were turned in on Thursday.

The WaPo reports:

Del. Neil C. Parrott (R-Washington) and Del. Pat McDonough (R-Baltimore), who led the signature-gathering effort, cast their haul as a success for Marylanders who care about enforcing immigration laws and predicted the state’s voters would reject the controversial measure.

Supporters of the petition drive need to remember that this is just the hurdle number two. After the signatures are certified (there will be more than enough), the court battle begins. Assuming we are successful in court, the campaign begins in earnest.

Remember, all of us who support strong borders and national sovereignty are racists, bigots, sexists, homophobes, closet Klansmen, etc., etc.

For out Roman Catholic brethren, keep an eye out for pro-DREAM Act rhetoric from the pulpit of our state’s catholic parishes. I agree with the Maryland Catholic Conference that we are all one family under God. I just don’t think that I should have to pay for my cousins’ college tuition.

Editor’s Choice – 07/01/2011

These were the five (5) best, or most important, posts for June 30th, as judged by the editors of Salisbury News.

• 2011 Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Results Show Outstanding Progress By Wicomico Students
  
• Come Join Us on July 3rd in Willards 
  
• When and Where to Celebrate 4th of July 
  
• Ireton’s Interns 
  
• Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers

GOLD ALERT DELMAR MAN: UPDATE

The Gold Alert is now discontinued.

Location:

·         15000 block Denise Boulevard, Delmar, DE

Date of Occurrence:

·         Friday, July 1, 2011 3:00 a.m.

Gold Alert Subject:

·         Aaron D. Brubaker-26 Delmar, DE (Photo attached)

·         White Male, 5’10”, 160 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes

·         Last seen wearing green tee shirt, plaid shorts

·         Last seen operating a 2005 Nissan Altima, black in color, MD Registration #5CWA17

Resume:

Delmar- The Delaware State Police are issuing a Gold Alert for Missing/Suicidal subject Aaron D. Brubaker-26 of Delmar, DE

Delaware State Troopers have been unable to make contact with Brubaker or check on his welfare.  Attempts to locate Brubaker have been unsuccessful.  Brubaker’s mental status is such that there is a concern for his welfare.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Troop 5 at 302-337-1090

Reader’s Choice – 07/01/2011

These were the most popular posts for June 30th, judged by the most approved comments.

• Today’s Survey Question – What Do You Think Is A Fair Price for a Bushel of Crabs?
  
• Ireton’s Interns 
  
• A Message for Israel and Evangelicals – Genesis Isn’t a Policy Guide 
  
• Spelled Backwards 
  
• Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers 
  
• Come Join Us On July 3rd in Willards

Delaware DMV Announces New Help for Veterans

This weekend we will celebrate Independence Day, the day that the original 13 colonies, who later formed the United States of America, stood up to the might of Great Britain and made their Declaration of Independence. Since that time, our veterans have reminded us of the sacrifice that has been necessary to preserve our nation and the Department of Transportation's (DelDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is pleased to announce a new program aimed at helping veterans. Beginning July 5th, the DMV will begin to provide free replacement veteran identification cards to those service members who have lost, damaged, or misplaced them. These cards will not only be available to veterans who are retired or disabled, but to any veteran.

"Our veterans have made so many sacrifices for us, we are pleased to be providing this service to them," said DMV Director Jennifer Cohan. "By providing these replacement cards, we are helping veterans who have lost or damaged their cards to gain access to the services that they are entitled to because of their service."

The process for receiving these new cards is similar to getting a license or identification card, veterans who need a replacement card can make an appointment at the Dover or Wilmington DMV locations to get one. When going to the DMV they will need to bring their discharge papers or similar documentation, as well as their Delaware driver license or identification card. The card is similar in size to a driver license and features a photo of the cardholder. The replacement card is intended to give the user access to the same services offered to other veteran military personnel who possess their original veteran identification card.

The creation of the program was a collaborative effort between the DMV and State Senator Karen Peterson. Senator Peterson had begun looking into the creation of the program after being contacted by a veteran who was having trouble getting a replacement identification card.

"I am grateful to veteran Sam Mento for bringing this issue to my attention and to DMV Director Jennifer Cohan for her immediate and positive response to the request for Military IDs," said Senator Peterson. "This is a way of saying 'thank you' to Delaware's veterans who have given so much to protect our freedoms."

For an appointment in Dover please call (302) 744-2515 or for an appointment in Wilmington please call (302) 423-3203. For more information about the many services that are offered by the DMV or to share your ideas or concerns, please visit dmv.de.gov.

Five Great Places to Celebrate the Fourth in Hampton Roads

For our Virginia readers, the Daily Press offers some great options for enjoying the Fourth.  For our Lower Shore readers, you might find it interesting what kind of alternatives are offered by other communities.

Yes, Hampton Roads is far bigger in population.  It also offers ideas for us to emulate, if on a smaller scale.

If you live in the Hampton Roads area, or are travelling through, here are some great choices:

• Fort Monroe
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Yorktown
• Victory Landing Park, Newport News
• Towne Point Park, Norfolk

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New Group Wants Blueprint for Private Sector Jobs in MD

Commercial banker John Delaney says, “I’d like to see the federal government spend as much money as possible here” in Maryland, but “I’m not sure it’s realistic.”

With the country’s deficit problem, cuts are more likely and the state’s economy is “more vulnerable because of the reliance on federal spending,” Delaney said.

That’s why Delaney, founder and executive chairman of CapitalSource in Chevy Chase, has formed a new nonpartisan nonprofit called Blueprint Maryland to create a roadmap for private-sector job creation in the state.

“It’s not anti-government in any sense,” Delaney said in an interview. But “something that’s not related to government has a better chance of having a balanced dialogue. Politics do matter, and you’re more likely to get more input from stakeholders if it is not done in a political context and it’s more ‘we’re-all-in-this together’ context.”

Delaney is still putting together an advisory board and community board that he will roll out next month. Blueprint Maryland has already commissioned an economic analysis by Anirban Basu’s Sage Policy Group that will describe how “employment trends would be affected under different federal spending scenarios,” such as acceptance of the recommendations from the president’s deficit reduction commission.

The emphasis on private sector job growth sounds vaguely Republican – like Larry Hogan’s Change Maryland group – but Delaney and his wife are major contributors to the Democratic Party and candidates on the state and federal level. According to Federal Election Commission records, the couple gave $183,000 to national Democratic party and candidate committees in the last five years. According to the state campaign finance database, they gave more than $84,000 to the state party and candidates, including the maximum to Gov. Martin O’Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Attorney General Doug Gansler. John Delaney also has made small donations to Bob Ehrlich and a few other Republicans.

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Legislators Target State Auditor Tom Wagner

A group of state legislators asked the Public Integrity Commission to investigate allegations Auditor R. Thomas Wagner violated the state code when he helped fellow Republican Richard C. Cathcart secure a city manager job.

Wagner's office is conducting an on-going investigation into $1.5 million in no-bid contracts awarded to a heating and air conditioning company during Cathcart's tenure at Delaware State University as associate vice president of operations. At Cathcart's request, however, Wagner called a Delaware City councilman to ease suspicions that an indictment was eminent, allowing Cathcart to secure the $80,000 per year job with a unanimous vote.

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GOP PAC’s Boost Poindexter’s Campaign

Del. Charles D. Poindexter, R-Franklin County, is getting help from some of his Republican friends as he seeks to fend off a strong challenge from the House Democratic leader.

Four GOP leadership PACs have donated $100,000 to the Southside Victory Fund, set up to protect Poindexter, who faces Del. Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry, in the 9th House District.

The $100,000 donation came from Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford; House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights; House Majority Whip Bill Janis, R-Henrico; and Gov. Bob McDonnell. The governor's Opportunity Virginia PAC contributed $50,000 of the amount.

The Republican House majority in charge of redistricting had moved Armstrong's 10th District to Northern Virginia and put Armstrong in the unfriendly 16th District. Armstrong instead moved into Poindexter's district to challenge Poindexter, a two-term incumbent.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan tracker of money in Virginia politics, reported that McDonnell's PAC received a $100,000 donation in the second quarter from Consol Energy, a big Pennsylvania-based coal and oil producer. McDonnell's Opportunity Virginia PAC brought in $185,000 in the second quarter, VPAP reported.

from Tyler Whitely @ the Richmond Times-Dispatch

No Road, No Sex

Well, this gives a whole new meaning to civic duty.

In a proverbial battle of the sexes, the women of Barbacoas, Colombia have assembled into what’s being called, “The Legs Crossed Strike,” a pact that they will not have sex with the town’s men until they start construction on a new road.

"We are tired of the nervousness, incompetence and submissive attitude of our husbands who are not capable to get the mayor and the governor to build a decent road to the village. They are easy to demand things from us at home, but too weak to assert their rights as a part of a society," Maribel Silva, one of the over 300 women participating in the protest, said to Clarin.

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