Resume:
Milton- Edward Madigan has been located and is in good condition. The Gold Alert has been cancelled.
Released Sunday, July 03, 2011 at 11:15 p.m.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Milton Man Arrested For Kidnapping And Rape
Location: 26000 block of Broadkill Road, Milton DE
Date and Time of Occurrence: Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 11:00 p.m.
Victim: 22 year old Milton, DE female
Defendant: Felipe Gomez, 33, Milton, DE
Charges:
-Rape 1st Degree (6 counts)
-Kidnapping 1st Degree
-Burglary 1st Degree
-Aggravated Menacing
-Theft of a Motor Vehicle
-Theft
-Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Felony (2 counts)
Resume:
Milton- Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a Milton man for the kidnapping and rape of a female acquaintance that occurred late last night.
The incident began at approximately 11:00 p.m. last night as Felipe Gomez, 33, of Milton, DE, responded to a residence located in the 26000 block of Broadkill Road, Milton, DE, in order to speak with his ex-girlfriend who resides there. Gomez knocked on the door which was answered by a 22 year old female who also resided in the home. Gomez was allowed to enter the residence but became upset after finding out that his ex-girlfriend was not there. He then grabbed the 22 year old female victim around her neck and held a knife to her throat. Gomez then tied the victim up and forced her into the back seat of her car which he then drove to a field located in the area of Clifton Road and Truitt Road, in Milton, where the car became stuck. Gomez then sexually assaulted the victim repeatedly until the following morning.
At approximately 6:00 a.m. this morning (July 3rd) Gomez walked to the home of an off-duty Delaware State Trooper who lived in the area and informed him that he had done something wrong. The trooper took Gomez into custody and called for assistance. The victim also arrived at the Trooper’s residence and was assisted by him until the arrival of EMS who transported her to the Beebe Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries.
Felipe Gomez was charged by detectives with the above list of crimes. He was arraigned at JP Court 3 and then committed to the Sussex County Correctional Center for lack of $1,213,500 cash bail.
Veteran Wins Fight to Fly Flag
A retired U.S. Army chaplain has won his fight to fly the American flag on a flagpole on his front lawn, ABC News reports.
Fred Quigley, 77, of Macedonia, Ohio, a minister who served active duty during the Vietnam War, had been told by the homeowners’ association that his flagpole violates the property rules.
The HOA rules state that a flag can only be displayed if affixed to the home, but that would mean Quigley would have to remove the flagpole and put up a smaller flag.
Now that fight is over. The association has decided to let Quigley run Old Glory up his flagpole. The decision came in the form of a letter hand-delivered to Quigley last week, according to the station.
The vet's troubles began last year, when he moved into the retirement community and erected a standard 15-foot tall flagpole from which to fly a standard U.S. flag, 3 feet by 5 feet. The pole put him at odds with association rules and with association manager Joseph Migliorini.
Lost Dogs
Comment Catch-22
I consider myself a civil libertarian. I truly wish that Salisbury News could do away with comment moderation. There’s just one problem – I didn’t sign on to run a porn site or a web site for the Aryan Nation. Without censoring comments, anyone coming in to SBYnews for the first time would think that we were one or the other.
In my one month of working full time here I have been accused to performing various unnatural sex acts, having my head in places it doesn’t belong, and of being a criminal. That’s just me. Publisher Joe Albero is accused of much the same (or worse). Various friends and family members have to endure a river of bile as well.
In addition to personal attacks, which I would probably post (at least the ones levied against me) if they weren’t so filthy, we have to endure a steady stream of attacks against elected officials, sundry public figures, and (worse of all) ordinary citizens whose only “crimes” are to sign their names to comments or to be perceived as a friend and / or ally of Salisbury News.
The latest example of the “civility” of Salisbury News’ most vocal, and disgusting, opponents came yesterday in response to a post about regular Saturday columnist George Chevallier being in the hospital:
Tom McGuire said...
I hope he is the first to die of you three assholes.
I’ve never met Mr. McGuire. I have talked to him on the phone a few times. I have no idea whether or not he actually wrote this horrible comment. I was going to delete it, but was overridden.
After the fact, one of the local cowards who publish anonymous blogs claimed “responsibility”. I have no idea whether that is true since about everything this person (or persons) posts is either a lie or a damned lie.
Here’s the bottom line, I would love to go through life without being a censor. Sadly, at SBYnews, that just isn’t possible.
One of the reasons it isn’t possible is because of you, our readers. Many of you frequent sites that attack Albero, myself and those that are perceived to be friends and / or allies. I understand. It’s prurient interest. You’re waiting for the train to wreck.
Many of you also want to see the train wreck here at Salisbury News. Part of my job is to prevent that from happening. I’m obviously not always successful. This was evidenced yesterday by our publisher’s hell bent desire to respond to the “McGuire” comment. He did, by attacking McGuire. Of course, many of you loved it. However, I was pleased to see that even more of you felt the same way that I did – assuming McGuire was the guilty party, he wasn’t worth the bandwidth to respond.
Because of the coward class, and those of you who want to see a train wreck, I will have to continue to be a censor. You will have to (hopefully occasionally) put up with personal attacks from here as well. I just hope that those of you who CLAIM to want a more news oriented, civil, and responsible SBYnews will stand up and be counted.
We may actually see the day that comments don’t have to be censored.
G. A. Harrison is the Managing Editor of “Salisbury News”. Delmarva Dealings appears each Wednesday and Sunday at SbyNEWS.com.
BREAKING NEWS: Djokovic Beats Nadal
Possible Sales Tax on Auto Repairs, Toll Increases Sow Doubt in Maryland
Marylanders are already going to pay new fees to fill the transportation budgets, and more taxes on tolls, gas and auto repair are being debated.
Possible toll increases for the Bay Bridge and other state toll roads will be debated in Berlin on July 14. The Maryland Transportation Authority has proposed doubling the toll on the Bay Bridge from the current $2.50 to $5 starting in October, and then raising it to $8 in 2013.
A town hall debate with officials from that department will take place at 5:30 p.m. on July 14, at Stephen Decatur Middle School, located at 9815 Seahawk Road, in Berlin. Check online at www.mdta.maryland.gov for any meeting updates.
A gas tax increase will also be discussed during the fall special session of the General Assembly,
“The Ways and Means Committee has had a number of discussions about applying state sales tax to other areas, even in lieu of increasing the sales tax,” which could apply to auto repair work, said Delegate Norm Conway (D-38B), a former member of the committee.
New fees approved for the fiscal 2012 budget have already increased the cost of a new car title from $50 to $100, and the cost of custom license plates from $25 to $50.
Segregation in the Land of Limousine Liberalism
Westchester County is far from the streets of Birmingham and the lunch counters of Greensboro, but the super-affluent suburban swath just north of New York City may be the premier civil rights battleground of 2011. Westchester is defying a landmark federal court order to desegregate housing in its whitest and wealthiest towns, prompting civil rights activists to return to court. The federal government has allowed wealthy municipalities to keep the poor and black out for decades, and municipal leaders nationwide are watching closely to see if the Obama administration forces the county to comply.
Tony Westchester locales like Scarsdale and Bedford have long been bastions of limousine liberalism, home to Ralph Lauren, Glenn Close, Martha Stewart, Bill and Hillary Clinton, George Soros, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and many others. Super-rich "entrepreneurs" like Donald Trump live here too, and it's a haven for Wall Street bankers -- from Jay Gould in the late 19th century to hedge fund pioneer Michael Steinhardt today.
Meanwhile, working-class black and Latino residents remain overwhelmingly concentrated in a handful of municipalities, most of which hug the Bronx border.
Come Join Us On Tonight In Willards
One small Chamber and a few small local communities have come together in Willards to provide this celebration and my hat is tipped to them once again for bringing yet another bigger fireworks show again this year. Yes, it will be even bigger than last year.
So come join us as we bring the Urban Assault Vehicle to enjoy Family and Friends for what always turns out to be one of the best events of the year.
We haven't decided what we'll be doing this year but you can always expect Salisbury News to have something going on. See you there.
Delaware Getting Its Money’s Worth from Turnpike, Bridge
The fee to cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge rose from $3 to $4 on July 1.
The twin suspension bridges connect the Delaware Turnpike, or Interstate 95 in Delaware, on the south side with the New Jersey Turnpike on the north side, as well as a series of other major routes.
The Delaware Turnpike is the most expensive per-mile toll road in the country: It costs $4 to cross just eight miles. "That much more than pays for that piece of pavement," said John Gilmour, a College of William and Mary government professor. "Delaware is just using the fact that people" -- like Washingtonians -- "have to go across Delaware to get places, to extort money from them to pay for all their transportation expenses."
The $21 million raised by the toll increase will help fund both the bridge and Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
New Jersey Network Signs Off After 40 Years
If election night was the World Series for the New Jersey Network, the state-owned public television network, the annual state government budget debates were the playoffs.
But in its last two days on the air this week, the network ignored the drama at the State House as the 130 remaining employees packed up their belongings, shared hugs and tears, took pictures and worried whether they would see each other only on Facebook.
The station, launched 40 years ago by lawmakers who felt neglected by Philadelphia and New York television news, was closed Thursday by politicians, including Gov. Chris Christie, who believe the state has no business in the broadcasting business.
New York's public TV station WNET will run the station, renamed NJTV. The new station will broadcast 20 hours a week of New Jersey-centric broadcasting, half of which will be provided by the Caucus Educational Corp., headed by Steve Adubato Jr., the son of a political powerbroker in Newark.
DeMint Planning Presidential Forum in South Carolina
Sen. Jim DeMint and a group of Palmetto State political insiders are organizing a presidential candidate forum for Labor Day weekend, according to Republican sources.
The details of the South Carolina forum and its exact timing during the holiday weekend have not yet been released. But multiple GOP sources said invitations could soon go out to the 2012 GOP contenders, requesting they participate in a forum designed to allow each politician to discuss at length their positions on key issues.
The event is not a debate, and candidates might even be given the questions and topics in advance with the goal of facilitating a more substantive discussion than is typical of multicandidate face-offs. According to one source with knowledge of the forum, the event would be sponsored by an independent organization.
Final Public Hearing on Toll Hike to Be in Berlin
Berlin will be one of two sites on the Eastern Shore for a town hall debate about the proposed increase of the bay bridge toll fee to $8.
The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on July 14, at Stephen Decatur Middle School at 9815 Seahawk Road in Berlin. This will be the 10th hearing that officials from the Maryland Transportation Authority have scheduled for citizens to have their say about the proposed increase on toll roads, which are funded and managed solely by the authority without finances from the state coffers.
Along with other rate increases proposed by the authority for state toll roads, the toll for the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge, as it is formally named, would double from the current $2.50 to $5 starting in October and then raise to $8 in 2013.
Until the announcement by the group on June 22, the only other scheduled meeting on the Eastern Shore was held on June 15 at Kent Island High School in Stevensville — more than two hours away from Ocean City. All of the other meetings were held in Maryland suburbs.
Because the Bay Bridge is an economic lifeline that brings traffic to the Eastern Shore, and specifically Ocean City, Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38) and Delegate Norm Conway (D-38) asked the Transportation Authority to hold a hearing in the Ocean City area for Lower Shore residents concerned about the increase.
Kelly Melhem, spokeswoman for the authority, said the hearings being attended across the state by board members of the authority are the most extensive in the history of the agency because of the importance of the toll issue.
Beach Council Give Sheriff Bonus That State Took Away
Dwindling budgets have forced state legislators to suspend a salary bonus for sheriffs in recent years, but Sheriff Ken Stolle has found a way to still earn an additional $11,767 annually.
Stolle asked the Virginia Beach City Council to approve a 9.3 percent bonus for himself last year and council members agreed, helping bump his gross salary to $163,652. The City Council unanimously passed the same bonus this past week.
"He's deserving," Mayor Will Sessoms said.
The state used to provide the bonus as an incentive for sheriffs in the career development program. To qualify, sheriffs had to get their office accredited, have clean audits, allow employees to participate in a state master deputy program and take eight hours of training, said Robyn M. de Socio, the executive secretary of the Virginia Compensation Board, which administers the program.
HoCo Dems Pull for Obama
With Maryland's presidential primary only nine months off, Howard County Democrats are organizing at basic levels, contacting newly registered Democrats, building their base of core neighborhood organizers and volunteers, secure in knowing they have President Barack Obama as their certain candidate.
But county Republicans say that while Democrats might be sure of whom they are supporting, it's the GOP that has the excitement for 2012, and the interest sparked by the wide range of early candidates will trump that organizing edge when the final choice is made.
"It's that time again! Volunteers needed!" reads the email that periodically comes from Michael McPherson, chairman of the Howard County Democratic Party. Early voting begins in March, he reminds people, though the primary election is April 3.
Frederick Co. Commissioners Seek County Employee Input on Privatization
The earliest Frederick County government could implement private outsourcing plans would be nine to 12 months from now, Frederick County Commissioners President Blaine Young told employees in a letter on Thursday.
Young wrote to county employees to encourage them to attend public hearings scheduled this month that will focus on an evaluation from Georgia consultant Oliver Porter, who recommended the county outsource core government services to a private company.
Those services are now provided by 528 government employees; privatization could save the county $84 million to $109 million by reducing costs and eliminating pension and other fixed retirement obligations, according to Porter.
"This board was elected with a mandate to address the fiscal challenges facing all Frederick County residents," Young said.
Allen, Kaine Meet Up at Crozet Parade
Former Govs. Timothy M. Kaine and George Allen, in competition to be the state’s next U.S. senator, both traveled the parade route, smiling, waving and shaking hands with the folks lining the road.
Kaine, dressed in jeans and a blue polo shirt, went on foot. Allen was on horseback, wearing a cowboy hat, boots and a big “Virginia” belt buckle.
A wailing, honking line of vintage firetrucks, tractors and military vehicles separated the two Senate candidates, who were positioned at opposite ends of the parade lineup. The event began at 4 p.m., and the two finally encountered one another a little after 5:30 p.m. in Claudius Crozet Park, when they shared a microphone and led the crowd in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other patriotic tunes.
11 Year Old Charged With Killing His Brother
An 11-year-old central Indiana boy charged with killing his brother is likely the youngest person to face a murder charge in Indiana in about 90 years.
The Indianapolis Star reported Saturday that the last time someone so young was charged with murder in Indiana came in the early 1920s, when an 11-year-old was charged with murder and tried as an adult in northwest Indiana's Starke County. That boy wasn't convicted.
Few details about the shooting Thursday night that killed 6-year-old Andrew Frye at his family's home near Martinsville have been released because a judge on Friday ordered details to remain sealed. Morgan County Prosecutor Steve Sonnega said some information might emerge Wednesday when the defendant appears for an initial hearing.
The 11-year-old was being held Saturday at the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center.
"Murder can be knowingly or intentionally," Sonnega said. "There is a slight difference. Knowingly means when you engage in conduct you know there is a high probability of the outcome."
Editor’s Choice – 07/03/2011
These were the five (5) best, or most important, posts for July 2nd, as judged by the editors of Salisbury News.
Reader’s Choice – 07/03/2011
These were the most popular posts for July 2nd, judged by the most approved comments.
Is David Craig Laying Groundwork for 2014 Run?
To Harford County Executive David R. Craig, it’s an endeavor to train grass-roots Republican activists and provide potential candidates with an inside look at how to run successful campaigns.
To political insiders, it’s an indication that the longtime elected official is laying the groundwork for a potential gubernatorial bid in 2014.
The announcement last week at the Maryland Republican Party’s Red, White & Blue Dinner that Craig (R) will conduct a series of campaign schools across the state, starting in September, fueled speculation about his future plans.
“Just based on his experience and the job he’s done in Harford County, he would be at the top of the heap of Republican candidates that are interested [in running for governor],” said Sen. Barry Glassman (R-Dist. 35) of Churchville, who is thought to be considering a bid for Harford County executive in 2014.
Is Support for Gay Marriage O’Malley’s Magic Carpet to the White House?
We’re doomed. In Sunday’s Washington Post, national pundit Chris Cillizza put Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s name on his short list for U.S. president.
Granted, he’s talking about the 2016 race, not next year’s, and granted, Cillizza and others have ulterior motives for boosting O’Malley’s White House candidacy at this moment. Nevertheless, we Marylanders are doomed. Putting O’Malley on the presidential short list is like pouring jet fuel on a bonfire. And O’Malley’s burning ambition hardly needs additional stoking.
Making matters worse, in the same Post edition reporter John Wagner, a big O’Malley fan, wrote a lengthy puff piece applauding O’Malley’s return to the stage as a singing troubadour. The guitar-playing governor was wrong to tone down his band appearances, says Wagner. Forget that gravitas stuff, O’Malley can croon his way into the hearts of national voters and into the White House.
O’Malley for president? That will be the term-limited governor’s sole focus between now and the end of his tenure, and we’re his candidacy’s guinea pigs. So get ready for a steady diet of offshore windmills, tuition freezes, “Jobs Across Maryland” tours and feel-good all-things-to-all-people initiatives flowing from Annapolis. Also, “O’Malley’s March” will be playing soon in your neighborhood.
Bachmann Rallies Iowa Voters
Republican candidate Michele Bachmann spent Saturday shaking hands in Iowa diners and strolling through a bustling farmers market as she tried to capitalize on her early popularity in the state that kicks off the presidential campaign season.
An Iowa native, the tea party favorite ranked nearly even with GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney in a recent poll of Republicans likely to participate in the state's lead off caucuses next year. But just six weeks before the state's closely-watched straw poll, the Minnesota congresswoman has done little to campaign or set up an organization here.
Beginning her first sustained campaign trip to Iowa as an announced candidate, Bachmann introduced herself to audiences from Iowa City to Des Moines in a new campaign bus emblazoned with her name. She spent much of Saturday posing for pictures and signing autographs rather than in meetings with key GOP activists.
McCotter to Enter GOP Presidential Field Today
U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, a five-term congressman with little name recognition but plenty of pizazz, will become the latest Republican to enter the GOP presidential sweepstakes when he officially announces his candidacy on Saturday.
McCotter, a guitar-playing lawmaker from Detroit's suburbs who is known for his eccentric sense of humor and independent streak, will make his announcement at an Independence Day festival at Whitmore Lake, about 30 miles outside the Motor City, He is expected to play guitar with his band at the event.
The 45-year-old attorney joins a crowded early field of GOP candidates, including former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, pizza magnate Herman Cain, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.
"There's a lot of people out there that worry the American dream is in danger," he said Friday on WJR-AM in Detroit. "So I was listening to the other candidates. They're fine people. But I don't think I'm hearing anything coming from them that's going to help us seize this opportunity."
Cain Loses Key Staffers
Herman Cain's campaign for the White House has lost two key staffers from its Iowa team, with the resignations coming on the heels of the loss of a key staffer from its New Hampshire operation, The Iowa Republican reported late Friday.
According to The Iowa Republican, Cain's Iowa Director, Tina Goff, said she resigned because the campaign was not making a serious effort in that key state, which hosts the nation's first presidential caucuses.
Cain's Iowa straw poll coordinator also stepped down, the newspaper reported.
Maryland Companies Aided By PORKULUS
WHO Is the Party of Corporate Welfare Now?
As the money from the two-year federal stimulus program dries up, many Maryland companies have received solid shots-in-the-arm from their multimillion-dollar contracts or awards, say executives with those businesses.
The $58.7 million grant that Hughes Network Systems won in August to provide high-speed satellite Internet service in rural areas nationwide has allowed the Germantown business to add sales, installation and call-center employees, said Mark Wymer, Hughes vice president of consumer marketing.
“It’s a nice-sized grant for us,” he said. “The program has been met with great enthusiasm by the consumers and small businesses we serve. ... They are in areas of the country that don’t have high-speed Internet services.”
While the board overseeing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds is not slated to disband for two more years, a good chunk of the money has been awarded. But many companies have not yet actually received all of those funds.