Salisbury News: 08/26/11

Friday, August 26, 2011

Centre at Salisbury closings...

I understand that many of the anchor stores at The Centre have already announced that they'll be closed tomorrow.

Sears, Macy's, Boscov's...

No, This Is NOT Another Business Boarded Up And Closing Down In Salisbury

Instead, it's another business sold by the MSM that the world, (at least the Eastern Shore) is coming to an end. Home improvement stores have pretty much sold out of just about anything and everything that isn't nailed down, because the weathermen/women have said we are going to experience the worst storm in history.

Well, at least there's next to nothing left in supplies and we won't have to see more businesses boarding up their store fronts. Well, not because of a storm, anyway.

Katrina Was A Catagory 5 As It Hit The Coast

I don't want to take Irene lightly but one thing is for sure, there's a major difference between Katrina making landfall as a category 5 hurricane and Irene still hundreds of miles away as a category 2 storm.

Like every one else out there, today I stopped in the stores to pick up some items, (or should I say necessities) just in case we do get hit hard. Better safe than sorry, I always say.

In the mean time, Americans always seem to fear the worst and obviously when Home Depot can unload 240 generators at $599.00 each, we tend to go overboard at the drop of a hat.

Ocean City has been completely closed down and now even inland areas are being told to evacuate. There is a good possibility of severe flooding because the storm is moving so slowly. However, are we really in as much danger as many would like to have us believe?

Mind you, I understand it's wise to be prepared but over my almost 50 years on this earth I have watched weather reports increase in accuracy and from what I can see at this point and time, this storm is weakening and will only get weaker as it moves north.

Yeah, I know, I'm not a meteorologist. Then again, I seem to call the weather better than the professionals who went to school for such a career. Before you react, I'm also not a journalist, yet I seem to have crushed the local MSM and that's something you can't argue.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, common sense sure does seem to beat the living crap out of very expensive degrees any more. Or maybe I should call it, WISDOM.

Media seems to get hyperactive on ONE issue.

In closing, Salisbury News will not be begging local radio stations to cover our blow by blow broadcasts during the storm in case every one loses power. IF things get that bad, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE and stop worrying about anything else.

Illinois College Is First To Ask Applicants If They're Gay

Those who are applying to private Illinois liberal arts school Elmhurst College will face a question that's apparently never been asked by a college admissions system: "Would you consider yourself a member of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community?"

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Tips For Keeping Your Food Safe When The Power Goes Out

By now, everyone from South Carolina to New England is tracking the cone of possibilities of Hurricane Irene. Will she tack west or go east? Whatever path she takes, it seems pretty certain that a lot of folks are going to get drenched and some may lose power, suffer flooding or worse. A power outage can affect the safety of your food supply but there are some things you can do now to prepare for that possibility.

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Lawsuit: Background-Check Service Incorrectly Reporting People As Sex Offenders

This may actually be worse than having the world think you're dead. A new class-action suit claims that a credit and background checking company is reporting "hundreds or thousands of consumers as sex offenders in consumer reports provided to employers."

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TROOPERS PREPARED FOR HURRICANE RESPONSE

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – In coordination with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and local emergency officials, Maryland State Police personnel are being deployed to strategic areas and will be ready to respond during and after the impending hurricane.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus Brown has activated the State Police Mobile Field Force and is pre-deploying additional troopers from that force in Worcester, Talbot, and Cecil counties. The State Police Underwater Recovery Team is pre-deploying along with three boats in those same counties.

Already this morning, 50 troopers joined Ocean City Police Department officers to assist with evacuation efforts in the resort. Troopers are assisting officers with door-to-door notifications regarding the mandatory evacuation order in Ocean City.

The largest State Police mobile command center is being moved to the Eastern Shore. It contains a full range of interoperable communications equipment. That command center will deploy as a command post at a disaster scene or it will be used to continue the operations of a barrack that sustains weather damage. Two other command vehicles will remain on the Western Shore and will be ready if needed.

Additional State Police personnel not normally assigned to road patrol have already been assigned to supplement troopers at barracks on the Eastern Shore throughout the weekend. Accommodations have been arranged at State Police barracks and through the National Guard. Extra troopers are prepared to stay on the Shore as long as necessary.

All State Police personnel have been put on standby and are to be ready for immediate recall to duty. Colonel Brown has directed supervisors, commanders, and personnel not normally assigned to road patrol to be ready for duty.

State Police personnel will be assigned to each county emergency operations center. This will provide troopers a direct link to issues in each county and increase State Police response speed to areas of need. Troopers are also a part of MEMA operations and will be coordinating State Police response with emergency managers there.

Throughout Friday, troopers will be working with Ocean City Police officers who are evacuating the resort town. Troopers are also deployed along evacuation routes; and are working to keep traffic moving.

Additional State Police four-wheel drive vehicles have been assigned to Eastern Shore barracks to provide better access to areas where roads may be flooded. Troopers will work with local fire and rescue services and will make every effort to reach anyone in need.

The State Police Aviation Command helicopter fleet will be ready to fly as soon as weather permits. State Police helicopter crews have conducted extra hoist rescue training this summer, which included training with the Beach Patrol in Ocean City. If aerial rescues are needed, State Police helicopter crews will be ready to respond.

Engineers and inspectors from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are on standby to assist with building inspections if needed. Deputy state fire marshals are also on alert and will be dispatched through MEMA if needed.

Colonel Brown urges citizens to heed the Governor’s advice and the instructions of local emergency officials. That advice includes staying off the roads during the storm and not driving into flooded roadways and risk being stranded.

“Use common sense,” Colonel Brown said. “Do not go out unnecessarily and risk creating an emergency rescue situation. The men and women of the Maryland State Police will be on patrol and ready to respond in coordination with our state and local partners.”

For the latest statewide emergency information, citizens are urged to visit the State of Maryland website at www.maryland.gov. In addition to making home and family preparations, citizens are also reminded to ensure their pets are appropriately cared for during the storm.

GSA Settles On New Location In Frederick County

The General Services Administration has acquired a site to construct the new Social Security Administration National Data Facility. GSA purchased the site in Frederick County, Md. The new building will be a LEED-Gold certified facility. GSA said it will use energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, have on-site renewable energy sources and will use of sustainable materials.GSA reviewed more than 150 sites before making its final decision. Construction begins in early 2012. The project is scheduled for completion in 2015.

Delaware State Police Prepare For Hurricane Irene

Date: Friday, August 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Resume:

Dover-Delaware State Police in preparation for Hurricane Irene have initiated operational plans and have placed all Troopers on a standby alert status ready to respond. Troopers will be prepositioned and deployed to the areas where they will be needed based on the final projected path of the Hurricane.

Additional Troopers will supplement operations in Sussex County to assist with the mandatory evacuations and providing additional patrols to protect property that has been evacuated. Troopers will also be providing security to the designated statewide shelters.

Troopers will be assisted by our Delaware National Guard partners and will have specialized National Guard vehicles and personnel prepositioned throughout the State to provide better access to areas that would be impassable by other means.

The Delaware State Police Aviation Section and Delaware State Police Maritime Unit will be ready to respond to conduct post hurricane search and rescue operations and assist in recovery efforts.

Troopers strongly encourage motorists to refrain from driving during this hurricane event due to the potential of high winds, heavy rain, limited visibility, and flooding, which make driving conditions treacherous.

The Delaware State Police would like to remind the public to utilize 911 only during true emergencies that would require a response by a public safety agency. Information pertaining to Hurricane Irene preparedness and related information can be obtained by contacting the Delaware Helpline at 800-464-4357 or DEMA at 302-659-2203. Information is also available via internet at www.delaware.gov

No One Is Talking About The Salisbury Zoo

The most critical area in Wicomico County is the Salisbury Zoo. While thousands of humans are concerned about their own well being, hundreds of innocent animals reside in the most severe flood plane zone in the County.

In years past, the Salisbury Zoo has become a victim of heavy floods and lost animals during flooding. The Zoo animals are also subjected to being traumatized by being transferred.

There are many things to also worry about. You know how old those trees are at the Zoo. God Forbid one of those trees comes down during the storm, believe me, the wire on the Jaguar Exhibit will not hold up. Mind you, more than likely the Jags will remain indoors during the storm but the damage could be very severe.

There's little the Staff can do to save the animals and or the Zoo. They simply cross their fingers and hope it won't be as severe as it could be.

Media Blackout: US In Yet Another Illegal War ... In Yemen

Airstrike Kills 8 Suspected Militants in Yemen ... Officials in Yemen say an airstrike has killed eight militants in the country's south. The officials said Thursday's strike targeted a position held by militants with suspected links to al-Qaida in Yemen. On Wednesday, clashes between Yemeni forces and militants near Zinjibar in southern Abyan province killed at least 30 militants and seven soldiers. Militants have taken control of several areas in southern Yemen during the six-month uprising pressing for President Ali Abdullah Saleh's resignation. – Voice of America

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Home Depot Open 24 Hours A Day

While most are not aware, Home Depot was open 24 hours yesterday and they have informed Salisbury News they will remain open all night again tonight for those in need of supplies.

Many people have learned there are NO D Size Batteries anywhere in Wicomico County and every one watched some 240 $599.00 Generators disappear in a matter of 4 hours at Home depot today but there's good news. Home Depot is expecting yet another major shipment of generators and D Size Batteries in a shipment to be delivered this evening.

Only On Salisbury News.

CAMDEN NJ – IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS

After reading this story you’ll understand why every urban area in the country is so screwed up. Here is a classic ultra-liberal bullshit waste of taxpayer money that rewards the exact opposite behavior that you want to encourage. Democrats have destroyed Camden and Philadelphia. They have run these shitholes for forty years. They encourage the entitlement mentality among the black communities that make up virtually the entire population of these Democrat created ghettos.
If you live in NJ, you should be outraged that your tax dollars are being paid to black deadbeat teenagers for doing what their parents should be doing. There is absolutely no personal responsibility taken by the black community and black parents in Camden NJ. Your $63,000 of tax dollars are being handed to these deadbeat teenagers for promising to go to school all the way through September 30.
The last I checked, the school year goes from September through June. What happens on October 1?
I wonder what the parents of the students who always go to school think about this program? How are the students who go to school to learn supposed to feel about the loser next to him in class getting paid $100 to show up? If this isn’t the most warped program in history, my name is Martin Luther King.

Camden to pay students $100 in anti-truancy program

August 24, 2011|By Claudia Vargas, Inquirer Staff Writer

Nearly 70 Camden high school students will be paid $100 each to not skip school.

The city’s newest attempt at combating truancy – I Can End Truancy, or ICE-T – will focus on conflict-resolution and anger-management workshops and educational reinforcement during the next five weeks, ending Sept. 30.

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Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Already Home To Local Residents

The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center has already become home to 18 people in the evacuation area proposed by County Executive Rick Pollitt.

So you know, they are accepting pets as well.

Federal Reserve Policy Mixed With Extreme Weather Has Put The World On A Fast Track To Revolution And War

There are many factors that clearly demonstrate why it would be disastrous for the Federal Reserve to repeat their vicious Quantitative Easing (QE) policy. If you want to know a significant reason why they cannot get away with another round of QE, here is an equation for you:
(Quantitative Easing + Extreme Weather = Revolution + World War III)
From the very beginning [17] we knew that the Federal Reserve’s QE program was going to cause the cost of food to rise and the dollar to decline in value, and that these intended results would lead to an increase in poverty and civil unrest. Now there is a new study that gives us some more proof of this obvious fact:

Are food prices approaching a violent tipping point?
A provocative new study suggests the timing of the Arab uprisings is linked to global food price spikes, and that prices will soon permanently be above the level which sparks conflicts….

… there is a specific food price level above which riots and unrest become far more likely. That figure is 210 on the UN FAO’s price index: the index is currently at 234, due to the most recent spike in prices which started in the middle of 2010 [coinciding with QE2].

Lastly, the researchers argue that current underlying food price trends – excluding the spikes – mean the index will be permanently over the 210 threshold within a year or two. The paper concludes: “The current [food price] problem transcends the specific national political crises to represent a global concern about vulnerable populations and social order.” Big trouble, in other words….

The next part of the study identifies that the serious unrest in North Africa and the Middle East also correlates very closely with [the QE2] food price spike. Bar-Yam also notes: “Several of the initial riots in North Africa were identified in news stories as food riots.” From there, the researchers make their prediction of permanently passing the 210 threshold in 12-24 months. [read full report [18]]

In other words, if the Fed engages in another round of QE, the global unrest that they have already ignited will go hyperbolic.
Before getting into the details on how the Fed deliberately made these food prices spike, let’s look at another new study, which also helps demonstrate the obvious, extreme weather is linked to war:

Climate cycles linked to civil war, analysis shows

Fatal Crash

Date & Time: 08/26/11 @ 1253 hours
Local Investigator: Tfc. N. Klahr # 5232
CRASH TEAM INVESIGATORS: Cpl. E. Gregson/Tfc. J. Bedell

On the above date and time Troopers responded to the above location for a fatal injury accident. The investigation revealed that vehicles two and three were traveling westbound on Route 50 business approaching the crossover that permits traffic traveling on eastbound Route 50 to turn left into a crossover that accesses the N/B Salisbury Bypass ramp. Vehicle one attempted to crossover westbound Route 50, when it failed to yield to vehicles two and three. Vehicle one was then struck by vehicle two and by vehicle three simultaneously. Charges are pending against the operator of vehicle 1 upon consultation with the States Attorney’s Office.

Vehicle 1: 2000 Mazda passenger (Destroyed).

Operator: Sara Goonasekeram w/f, 43yoa, of Gaithersburg, MD (Injured)
Front seat passenger: Ambrosina Buckley, w/f, 78yoa, of New York (Deceased)
Rear driver passenger: Child, 8yoa, of New York (Life threatening injury)
Rear passenger side: Child, 12yoa, of New York (Injured)

Vehicle 2: 1995 Ford Econline van (Destroyed)
Operator: Timothy Jason Thomas, w/m, 34yoa, Salisbury, MD (Not injured)
Passenger: Timothy Tyrone Day, b/m, 48yoa, Salisbury, MD (Not injured)

Vehicle 3: 2003 Ford Escape (Minor Damage)
Owned by: Beth Neiswinter Watson, w/f, 42yoa, Salisbury, MD (Injured)
Operator is the same.

A Little Will Rogers Wisdom

Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash, was one of the greatest political sages this country has ever known. Here is some of his wisdom:

1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.

4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

5. Always drink upstream from the herd.

6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.

8. There are three kinds of men:
    The ones that learn by reading.
    The few who learn by observation.
    The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

10. If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.

12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

Ocean City Updates Hurricane Irene Activity

Ocean City continues to monitor Hurricane Irene. Evacuation of the town continues and everyone is asked to be out of town by 5 p.m. today.

At 5 p.m. today public transportation ends.

The town’s wastewater treatment plant will be taken off line at 6 p.m. Saturday. Sewer service will be unavailable at that time. The town anticipates the system will be back in service late Sunday evening depending on impacts from the storm.

Emergency management officials advise residents to remove their vehicles from streets in the downtown area and other areas prone to flooding, and move them to higher ground. Route 90 eastbound is now closed to motorists. The Route 50 drawbridge openings end at 5 p.m.

All incoming traffic to Ocean City, Maryland, will be limited to emergency personnel. No other vehicles will be permitted entry to the island, except by approved authority (Mayor, City Manager and Emergency Services Director).

Ocean City Municipal Transportation System is providing transportation for special needs individuals. For special needs transportation, please call Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-1606. International student workforce evacuation has been completed, with 2,112 students safely evacuated.

The Ocean City Government Cable Access Channel 4, the Ocean City website www.ocmdemergency.com, recorded emergency management line, 410-723-6666 and Ocean City advisory radio station 1670 AM will remain operational for further advisories.

Ocean City is expected to receive a significant impact from Hurricane Irene.

Easterly gale force winds should start affecting the area on Saturday, August 27 at

10 a.m. with hurricane-force winds arriving around 6 p.m. and lasting for a period of eight hours. The highest wind speeds from Hurricane Irene should occur near 2 a.m.

Sunday morning when top sustained winds, from the north, could reach 95 mph with gusts near 110 mph. Winds should decrease below hurricane force shortly thereafter.

Sustained winds will fall below gale force after 11 a.m. Sunday and generally be from the north during this period of decreasing winds. Expect gusts above gale force level for several more hours thereafter.

The total rainfall for the Ocean City area over the next three days is forecast to be 10 to 15 inches. This can vary significantly as tropical storm and hurricane rainfall is very difficult to predict.

Storm surge is expected to be six to eight feet above normal high tide cycles resulting in significant flooding in low-lying areas.

Wicomico Public Library Closed Tomorrow

All locations of Wicomico Public Library will be closed tomorrow, Saturday, August 27th.

CLOSING NOTICE - THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WICOMICO COUNTY

THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WICOMICO COUNTY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2011 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE STORM AFTERMATH.

THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO BE OPEN ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2011, BUT THERE WILL BE NO JURY TRIALS. JURORS ARE ASKED TO CALL THE JURY OFFICE ON TUESDAY EVENING CONCERNING THEIR STATUS FOR WEDNESDAY.

INTERACTIVE WICOMICO COUNTY EVACUATION MAP ON COUNTY WEBSITE

County residents can now pinpoint their residence to see if it is within the evacuation areas. The interactive map is on the county website at http://www.wicomicocounty.org Residents can view the map by clicking on “Click Here for Hurricane Evacuation Map” located directly below “Click Here for Details.”

Readers of this message can view the map by clicking on the link below.

Earlier today, Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., issued a Declaration of Emergency for Wicomico County in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Irene. A part of the Declaration included an Order for the evacuation of segments of Wicomico County in low-lying areas near the Wicomico and Nanticoke Rivers.

http://gis.wicomicocounty.org/HurricaneEvac/default.aspx

Economy Grew At Slower 1% Rate In Spring

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. economy grew at a meager 1 percent annual pace this spring, a slower rate than previously estimated. The downward revision will likely increase fears that the economy is at risk of another recession.

Fewer exports and weaker growth in business stockpiles led the Commerce Department to lower its estimate for the April-June quarter from its previous rate of 1.3 percent growth. That means the economy expanded only 0.7 percent in the first six months of the year.

The Daily Times Will Do Anything To Sell Papers Any More

I am writing this letter and sending for post on your site because of my absolute disgust with journalists’ desire to shock or gain chatter through divulging details better left in Hades. Over the past several years, Delmarva has had to face brutal reality in the instances of Sarah Foxwell and the Damned Earl Bradley. I managed to shield my children as well as myself from the horrible details in both cases. In times of such trauma, aftermath and horror, details are better left to courtrooms and to ultimate Judges. Now, in reading one article regarding Bradleys sentencing on the delmarvaonline site, today, I want to vomit having read the words the author Cris Barrish felt the need to publish. Shame on him and shame on Gannett for publishing it. I read only to hear his sentence and was thrown head on into disgusting full details which are now emblazoned in my mind. Thank you, Cris, Gannett and all other shock journalists who are so desperate they need to go beyond “just the facts.” Bradley will get what’s coming to him and God bless those children and their families but do they or I need to hear of the travesties? Society does NOT need to know everything. Just because you have the right to know doesn’t mean you want to know or should. I write because I am appalled and call on others to express their voices in this matter as I have to the editor and author. Having read your blog before, I expect readers to attack me but I am asking for people to consider the impact of journalists’ words on victims and those attempting to shield our young children from such horrors.

Kerrie Bunting

New posts will fall below this one.

Winners, Losers In Danica Decision

Before this season, Danica Patrick had to decide if she wanted to again run the ARCA race at Daytona in February as a way to gain more experience in a stock car.

She had driven in that race in 2010, overcoming a spin to finish sixth, a result that left her smiling after exiting the car. But that day was one reason why Patrick chose not to run in the ARCA race this season.

"To be honest, if I go back for a second time, this is maybe my own fear, but you all expect me to do better,'' Patrick told reporters in February. "There's that added pressure of like it's not just to go out there and drive around for the day. Like, 'OK I did it last year, now I need to do better this year.' That's an added pressure. Public perception was one [of the reasons].''

The expectations will only intensify for Patrick.

There's New Scrutiny Over The Congressional Pension Plan

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) said he plans to introduce a bill reducing retirement benefits for lawmakers when Congress returns next month, according to GovExec. Coffman's bill would cut the defined benefit portion. This new proposal would not affect thrift savings plans as previous bills have. Other proposals have also called for longer service before accruing retirement benefits and pushing back the dispersal age to 65. Lawmakers currently begin accruing pension benefits after five years of service.

HUD Chief Being Investigated

Allegations of hiring abuses are being waged against the Housing and Urban Development's chief human capital officer. HUD confirms it's investigating charges of illegal hiring practices by its CHCO Janie Payne. The agency's inspector general IG is looking at whether Payne exerted her influence so her daughter could be hired at HUD. The Department has been a model in government when it comes to reforming its hiring process -— an effort led by Payne. HUD says they see the investigation as a was to ensure everyone of the integrity of their HR system.Payne is on paid administrative during the investigation.

Federal Employees To Get Paid More To Travel To Some Cities

Federal employees will be reimbursed at higher rates when they travel to some cities. The General Services Administration announced that 2012 lodging rates for feds traveling to D.C. will increase by about $15 — up to $226 per day during the peak travel months. GSA said per diem rates will vary by location, and by season. For example, the highest daily lodging rate is $296 dollars for travel to Vail, Colorado in December. New York City is a close second, at 295 dollars in September through December. In most cases, the new rates for high-cost cities will be $10-$20 a day more than current rates.

Troops Photograph Every Arlington Grave

ARLINGTON, Va. - Night after night this summer, troops from the Army's historic Old Guard have left their immaculately pressed dress blues, white gloves and shiny black boots at home to slip into Arlington National Cemetery in T-shirts and flip-flops to photograph each and every grave with an iPhone.

The sometimes eerie task to photograph more than 219,000 grave markers and the front of more than 43,000 sets of cremated remains in the columbarium is part of the Army's effort to account for every grave and to update and fully digitize the cemetery's maps. The Old Guard performs its work at night to escape the summer heat and to avoid interrupting funerals.

An Important Message From Delmarva Power

With the approach of Hurricane Irene, Delmarva Power is preparing for potential widespread power outages this weekend. The company has mobilized extensive internal and out-of-state resources to repair equipment and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Due to the magnitude of the storm, the company expects the restoration effort to extend over multiple days. Just as Delmarva Power is preparing for Hurricane Irene, we strongly urge you to prepare for the possibility of power outages.

Defense Department Employee Accused Of Taking Bribe

Bidding wars for defense contracts make particularly fertile ground for corruption, and a federal employee may have gotten caught with his hand stuck in the cookie jar. Federal authorities have accused an Afghanistan-based U.S. Department of Defense employee of taking a bribe from a company there in exchange for helping to secure a government contract. The suspect was caught with a backpack stuffed with $95,000 in alleged bribe money.

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Wicomico County Board Of Education Notice

Friday, August 26th : All school open houses & athletic events have been canceled. Staff dismissed at 2pm.

Ocean City Updates Hurricane Irene Activity

Ocean City continues to monitor Hurricane Irene. Evacuation of the town continues and everyone is asked to be out of town by 5 p.m. today.

At 5 p.m. today public transportation ends.

Ocean City is expected to receive a significant impact from Hurricane Irene.

Easterly gale force winds should start affecting the area on Saturday, August 27 at 5 p.m. with hurricane-force winds arriving around 4 a.m. and lasting for a period of eight hours. The highest wind speeds from Hurricane Irene should occur near 9 a.m. when

top sustained winds, from the north, could reach 90 mph with gusts near 120 mph. Winds should decrease below hurricane force shortly thereafter.

Sustained winds will fall below gale force after 3 p.m. and generally be from the north during this period of decreasing winds. Expect gusts above gale force level for several more hours thereafter.

The total rainfall for the Ocean City area over the next three days is forecast to be 9.5 inches. This can vary significantly as tropical storm and hurricane rainfall is very difficult to predict.

Storm surge is expected to be six-feet above normal high tide cycles resulting in significant flooding in low-lying areas.

Hells Angels Sue L.A. T-Shirt Maker For Copyright Infringement

It seems the Hells Angels aren't cool with the idea of an L.A. fashion boutique slapping its name on a t-shirt. The notorious motorcycle club is suing the designer and several online retailers for copyright infringement. The shirt in question bears the message: "My boyfriend's a Hells Angel."

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10-Year-Old Va Boy Charged In Sister's Shooting

RADFORD, Va. (AP) - A 10-year-old Radford boy faces a weapons violation in the accidental shooting death of his sister.

The Roanoke Times reports that after consulting with the commonwealth's attorney, police obtained a petition to charge the boy in juvenile court with reckless handling of a firearm.

Japan PM Resigns Amid Public Dismay

(TOKYO) — Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced Friday he was resigning after almost 15 months in office amid plunging approval ratings over his government's handling of the tsunami disaster and nuclear crisis.

In a nationally televised speech, Kan said he was stepping down as chief of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, effectively ending his tenure as leader of the country. The decision was widely expected because in June, Kan had promised to quit once lawmakers passed three key pieces of legislation. The final two bills cleared the parliament earlier Friday.

(Aug. 26, 2011) Maryland’s medical marijuana work group recently had its first meeting and will soon divide into subgroups to address concerns about the usefulness and safety of a statewide medical drug policy.

The work group met for the first time on Aug. 17, “to design a program that respects potential benefits as well as potential risks,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“The plan for the program will not be like California’s [medical marijuana program] where you can simply get an access card from a doctor to go to [a marijuana dispensary shop.]” Sharfstein said. “This would be overseen by academic centers and would be treated as an investigational therapy, which means there has to be a reason to use it based on evidence, based on informed consent and probably a set of other requirements. This committee’s job is to come up with those requirements.”

O’Malley Urges Md. Citizens To Have Plan For Tough Economy

(Aug. 26, 2011) Times are tough, but Gov. Martin O’Malley told state officials and visitors to Ocean City last weekend that Marylanders can cooperate and plan through the challenging economy.

During the Maryland Association of Counties summer 2011 conference, which ran from Aug. 17-20, at the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street, O’Malley touted state growth, private sector job growth, community investment and the need for state budgets to accommodate all of the above issues.

The governor spoke about the need to invest in the future while making sure Marylanders have enough money for the present during a keynote speech closing the conference on Aug. 20.

There is at least 2 mile back up heading West bound from Ocean City. Cars are traveling at a rate of 25 to 30 miles per hour.

Verizon Tech Support: Make Your Smartphone Stupider So It'll Work

Last fall, David upgraded his Verizon Wireless phone to the Samsung Fascinate, That's a decently powerful Android smartphone with a decent processor and the ability to run all sorts of online apps. You wouldn't know that if you were David, though. Even his warranty replacement phone is appears to be having software problems that make it unusable unless he uses it just for phone calls and texts, disabling everything else. That's what Verizon support has advised him to do. Because that's what people buy Android smartphones for.

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Airlines Waiving Re-Booking Fees With Hurricane Irene On The Way

A really nasty woman named Irene is about to swoop in from the tropics and potentially screw up air travel for everyone. So in advance of the hurricane, many airlines are playing nice with their re-booking fees and policies for flights to and from destinations affected by the storm.

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China Bars Lady Gaga Hits From Download Sites

(AP) BEIJING - China's Ministry of Culture has ordered music download sites to delete songs by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, the Backstreet Boys and other pop stars within two weeks or face punishment.

The ministry posted a list of 100 songs — including Lady Gaga's "Judas" and Perry's "Last Friday Night" — that had to be purged from the Chinese web because they had never been submitted for mandatory government screening.

A full-sized refrigerator is a pretty sizable appliance, usually requiring at least a van or pickup truck to haul to its destination. This is something the police in Richmond, British Columbia, had to remind a shopper who thought a few ropes and a prayer would get his fridge home in the trunk of a Honda Accord.

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Three Members Have Yet To File Financial Disclosures

All but three members of Congress have filed their 2011 personal financial disclosures.

Reps. Yvette Clark (D-N.Y.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) are the only lawmakers who do not have filings available through the House or Senate public records offices.

All 100 Senators have filed, with 10 of them doing so on or near the final extension deadline of Aug. 15.

Illegal Yellow Vehicle?

Joe:

I spotted this yellow vehicle traveling down business 13 in Fruitland this afternoon. There were no tags on it.

I called #77 to ask the MSP if the vehicle was street legal, they asked me if it was in the travel lanes, or on the shoulder? I told them it was in the travel lane, and then pulled off to the left-turn lane so I could snap this photo. You can plainly see it was NOT on the shoulder.

Is the same one you were telling about earlier this month?

-Concerned reader

Dear Concerned Reader,

We have been informed by several of the local law enforcement agencies that these vehicles are in fact illegal to drive on the road. The only exceptions are if they are tagged and IF you are licensed to drive, all of which Mr. Robinson and his Son did not abide by.

To answer your question, no, this is not the same vehicle but is identical style wise.

Women Prisoners Play The Liberation Role

Baabda Women's Prison, Lebanon - To a soundtrack of almost constant pounding of fists against iron doors, drama therapist Zeina Daccache is trying to capture the attention of a group of women prisoners. Many of the 45 women are suffering from drug withdrawal and alternately appear agitated, upset, energised and detached. Others chat loudly, take long puffs off cigarettes, or pace the room.

But it doesn’t take long for Daccache, who is also a well-regarded comedian on Lebanese television, to bring calm to the chaotic scene. After a few warm-up games intended to break the ice, she has several of the women relating their life stories and future ambitions, envisioning a world beyond the confines of bolted doors and barred windows.

Daccache has come to Baabda as part of her goal to bring drama therapy inside Lebanese prisons. Her organisation, the Lebanese Centre for Drama Therapy (CATHARSIS), is the only one of its kind in the Arab world and one of very few offering rehabilitation services to those behind bars.

Mandatory Evacuations Declared in Worcester County

Worcester County Government has ordered a mandatory evacuation no later than Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in the following areas: all properties in the West Ocean City Sanitary Service Area (east of Herring Creek and north of Old Bridge Road); all properties east of MD Route 611 (Stephen Decatur Highway); and all properties in South Point (both sides of South Point Road). This includes the communities of Cape Isle of Wight, West Ocean City, Mystic Harbour, Snug Harbor, Assateague Point, Frontier Town Camp Ground, Castaways and others.

No sewer service will be available in the West Ocean City Sanitary Service Area beginning Saturday afternoon.

Furthermore, the County Commissioners strongly recommend evacuation of the following areas: all waterfront properties throughout Worcester County, due to flooding, and all occupants of mobile homes due to the arrival of hurricane force winds and gusts of 100 miles per hour beginning Saturday and continuing through Sunday morning.

County shelters will open at 5:00 p.m. tonight, August 26, 2011. These shelters include Stephen Decatur High School, Stephen Decatur Middle School (SDMS), Snow Hill High School and Pocomoke High School (PHS).

Residents are encouraged to seek shelter with family and friends outside the area, if possible. Shelters will be crowded and should be sought as a last resort. Cots will not be available at general shelters, so those planning to reside in these facilities are urged to bring pillows, comforters, medical supplies and other needed items.

Pet friendly shelters include SDMS, PHS and Worcester County Animal Control. Domestic animals, dogs, cats and ferrets, may be housed at these locations. Those seeking shelter for their pets at either SDMS or PHS must remain at the facility where their animal is housed. The following items are needed to house pets at any of the pet-friendly shelters: carriers, food and water, which are mandatory for all pets; proof of vaccination, pet litter, litter pans and medications as needed

Further county advisories and actions for Hurricane Irene will be announced as more information becomes available, including the possibility of mandatory evacuations in areas currently being recommended for evacuation.

Do not call 911. These lines are strictly for emergencies. For additional emergency information, call the information line at (410) 632-2751 or visit www.co.worcester.md.us.

8 Tips To Protect Your Business From Disaster

Hi Joe.

We’re getting plenty of calls from area businesses wondering what to do to prepare their computer network for Irene’s arrival this weekend. I’m sure that some of your readers might have the same question, so I’ve prepared 8 tips to help:

If you have a Disaster Recovery Plan already, pull it out, check to see if anything is out of date, and delegate tasks to employees within your organization.

Do a full backup of your critical information, and take this information off-site. If you have the time, store it in your bank safety box. If you don't have a safety box, take it home with you. Customers that use Inacom's Offsite Backup Service are already covered! If you want, you are welcome to use a Free Offsite Backup Trial. We can't guarantee all of your data will get backed up in time, but chances are good that we can take a Quickbooks file or My Documents Folder before the storm comes.

Power off your systems, and unplug them. This includes your servers, PCs, Routers, Switches, Wireless Access Points, Copiers, and Telephone Systems. Don't forget to remove the coax or telephone lines from your equpment - lightning damage coming from these lines is very common!

Move any systems that are on the floor or next to windows to a safer location.

If you can't afford to turn off important systems, make sure that you have them plugged into an Uninteruptable Power Source (UPS), and that the UPS is properly configered to shut down your system.

Wrap important systems in plastic wrap, and make sure that they are off the floor.

Place important documents in sealed, plastic bins.

Make sure that you have emergency contact numbers on you when you leave the office. (Inacom’s number is 410.543.8200).

To help ensure that area businesses can properly prepare for Irene and get up and running as soon as possible, we’ve made plans ourselves. They include:

Free Offsite Backup Trial Accounts – We can’t guarantee that an entire server gets backed up due to time and the offsite location’s Internet speeds, but we can easily accommodate small files like a Quickbooks database. A decent Internet connection should be able to get 5GB of data to us this evening.

Technicians available Friday evening into Saturday morning to help proactively shut down systems and prepare them for Irene.

Emergency Computer Support – 11 technicians have volunteered to work this Sunday once the storm safely passes by. Just call 410.543.8200 and leave a message in our Emergency mailbox. We’ll call you back right away!

Additional inventory – PCs, Servers, Telephone Systems, and Copiers are in-stock and ready to go where needed.

If If anybody calls us today for help shutting down their computer network, we’ll donate $50 per site visit towards your community causes. They just have to say they are calling because they saw our tips on Sby News and we’ll bring a check to your office next week.

State Grants More Time For Local Feedback On PlanMaryland

Yielding to pressure from local officials, the state is putting more time – and more feedback – into its comprehensive smart growth plan. The Maryland Department of Planning announced on Thursday that it will allow about two more months for people to review and comment on the final version of PlanMaryland.

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During A Hurricane

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to the radio or TV for information.
Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
Moor your boat if time permits.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
If you feel you are in danger.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

Area Braces As Irene Approaches

National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read says any deviation of the storm to the west could put the Baltimore-Washington area in Irene's direct path. Read says the center of the storm is expected to pass the Delmarva peninsula Sunday morning.

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Random Pillow Fight !

SOMEONE_SHOULD_TELL_THIS_GIRL_THAT_THIS_CAN'T_BE_DONE

Amazing That We All Learned English!

You think English is easy??

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it, English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is is a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down; you fill in a form by filling it out; an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?

Billions Meant For Struggling Homeowners May Pay Down Deficit Instead

With housing prices dropping sharply [1], and foreclosure filings against more than 1 million properties [2] in the first half of this year, the Obama administration is scrambling for ways to help homeowners.

One place they won't be looking: an estimated $30 billion from the bailout that was slated to help homeowners but is likely to remain unspent.

Instead, Congress has mandated that the leftover money be used to pay down the debt.

Of the $45.6 billion in Trouble Asset Relief Program funds meant to aid homeowners, the most recent numbers available show that only about $2 billion has actually gone out the door.

The low number reflects how little the government's home loan modification and other programs have actually helped homeowners [3] deal with the foreclosure crisis.

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Don’t Miss The Ball On Fall Youth Sports

Registration is Open for Fall Soccer & Girls Field Hockey

(Salisbury, MD) Co-ed Youth Soccer and Girls Field Hockey will both get underway in September. If you haven’t had a chance to register your child, it is not too late as both programs will continue with open registration.

The youth soccer league is open to girls and boys ages three to sixteen. Registration will continue until teams are full and is $58 per child. During the season, games are played twice a week beginning Saturday, September 10. Full teams can also still register for the Sunday team entry league for U15 and U17. The fee is $350 per team for an 8 game season.

The Girls Fall Field Hockey Instructional Program is open to ages six to thirteen of all skill levels. The program runs on Friday evenings, September 2 to October 21. Girls ages six to nine will play from 6:00 – 7:00pm and girls ages ten to thirteen will go from 7:15 – 8:15pm. The fee is $60 and participants must register in advance. Players will need shin guards and a mouth guard in order to participate.

To register for either Fall Soccer or Field Hockey, please stop by the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office, or go online to http://www.wicomicorecandparks.org/ to register via Active.com. For more information contact program director Kelly Rados at 410-548-4900 ext. 108 or email krados@wicomicocounty.org.

Demonstrators in Front of White House Continue Their Push Back Against Proposed TransCanada Oil Pipeline, And More

In today's On the News segment: Washington, DC, schools and government building closed today fearing earthquake after shocks; demonstrators in front of the White House continue their push back against the proposed TransCanada oil pipeline; Libyan rebels tighten control of Tripoli, but Qaddafi not found; Paul Ryan touts legislation directly benefiting top campaign contributors; Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Corbett gives special tax breaks to natural gas fracking companies at the expense of education; enrollment at for-profit colleges plummets; and more.

Striking Restaurant Workers Accuse Owner Of Charging $8 For Bottles Of Tap Water

You may remember the story from January of the employees at a swanky Central Park restaurant who recorded their boss allegedly threatening them if they joined a union. Now those same employees have come out with allegations that the eatery misled customers into paying $8 for bottles of regular old tap water.

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Fannie, Freddie Takeover Could Be Key To Obama Jobs Plan

Obama Jobs Plan May Be Aimed at High Risk Mortgage Borrowers

“It almost seems to me you want to have some type of announcement or policy, program or something from the federal government that provides that clear signal that we are here supporting the housing market and this is indeed a good time to really consider buying,”

-- Frank E. Nothaft, the chief economist at Freddie Mac, talking to the New York Times about a reported administration plan to offer lower mortgage rates to borrowers with bad credit.

At the center of the Panic of 2008 were defaults on cheap mortgages for Americans with poor credit. The latest idea to reverse the resulting recession is for the government to offer cheap mortgages to Americans with poor credit.

There have been rumblings for weeks that the economic plan to be offered by President Obama after he returns from his vacation would be aimed, at least in part, at trying to re-inflate the American housing market.

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Camden to pay students $100 in anti-truancy program