Salisbury News: 01/02/12

Monday, January 02, 2012

Delegates Go After Maryland Department Of Natural Resources

Commercial Striped Bass Quotas Cut 5%...
“presumed” stealing factored into NRP decision.

by Delegate Mike McDermott

The rebounding of the Striped Bass is a great success story. The fishery is healthy and robust at a time when news coming from the Bay has been a mixed bag. In an effort to “protect” the fishery, the Department of Natural Resources is going beyond what many would consider “reasonable” when it comes to quota enforcement.

Quotas for species are set prior to the beginning of a season and commercial watermen adjust their budgets accordingly (as any business owner would do). When the quota is reached, the fishery is closed. Only within the past few years has an illegal catch (poached) discovered by officials been counted as part of the total catch quota. This makes sense as it is the fishery that is being depleted and the resource should be protected and counted as part of the quota.

What is disturbing is the recent action taken by the DNR and Secretary Griffin to limit the quota to 95% of the original set catch amount. This was said to be done in response to the presumption that thievery and poaching is occurring, though it may not be detected. This anecdotal response by Sec. Griffin is not the scientific, thoughtful estimates that the General Assembly has come to rely upon and, as such, is troubling and offensive on many fronts.

The 5% reduction will cost our commercial watermen about $300,000.00 out of pocket in lost revenue. This is multiplied in our local economy to represent a loss of approximately $1 to $1.5 million when you factor in losses faced by the processing and support industries. This at a time when we need every dollar for jobs to be maintained on the shore.

Removing actual tonnage of fish taken illegally is not based on an assumption...it is actual, proven loss to the fishery. To claim a 5% presumed loss through theft by the commercial watermen and punish them based on that assumption is ludicrous. How would we accept it from our employer if they docked our pay 5% based on their assumption that some of their employees may be stealing from them? We would cry foul and demand those wages be restored!

The Watermen approached the Eastern Shore Delegation and requested our assistance. I crafted a letter and submitted it to the entire delegation for their concurrence and signature. Only a couple elected not to sign onto the letter. I spoke with Sec. Griffin and listened to his reasoning, but I found nothing scientific in the decision. I asked him to rescind the order and allow the original quota to be harvested or at least consider a modification to the 5% figure.

I have supported much of what Sec. Griffin has tried to accomplish, but it is prudent to demand that these decisions be based and supported by science and not anecdotal evidence to the contrary. I hope his decision will change, but if I were a commercial waterman, I’d budget for the 95%.

New Posts to fall below.

My Retired Mom's Prescription Costs Skyrocket From $420 To $6,600 A Year

The unfinished health care battle really came home for the holidays in my family.

My mom is 71 and a retired public school teacher. In Sept. 2001, she awoke and found herself unable to walk. Eventually, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Yes, she is unusual to have recieved the diagnosis so late in life. Most people are diagnosed in their 20 or 30s. A doctor later determined she may have experienced earlier episodes that went undiagnosed.

Los Angeles Enters New Year On Alert For Serial Arsonist After More Cars Set On Fire

LOS ANGELES -- Fire trucks parked in neighborhoods. Police patrolled the city. Switchboards took hotline calls. City officials scrambled on a busy New Year's Eve to identify who was behind dozens of arson fires that have spooked the Hollywood area for two straight nights.

More fires broke out Saturday evening. Firefighters quickly put out a car fire at about 6 p.m. in Hollywood that "fits the profile of concern" authorities have been following for the arsons, fire department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

Islamic center, two homes and a deli targeted; 60 firefighters battle blaze at house

NEW YORK — Authorities were investigating after reports that Molotov cocktails were thrown at an Islamic center and several other properties in New York City late Sunday.

The Fire Department of New York said a blaze outside the Imam Al-Khoei Foundation building in Queens was brought under control quickly after a call came in at about 9 p.m. Sunday.

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Falling For Me

We've all had those moments where we wake up wondering when our lives are going to begin. Whether we're Fortune 500 executives or stay-at-home moms, we question the paths we've taken and where to go from here.

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Dead Woman's Holiday Card Arrives 11 Years Late

(AP)

QUINNESEC, Mich. - A Christmas card that showed up in an Upper Peninsula woman's mailbox a day before the holiday turned out to be a late arrival after all: 11 years delayed to be exact.

Lorraine Beauchamp says the envelope was postmarked in 2000 and has a 33-cent stamp, the price of first-class mail 11 years ago. And the sender, her sister-in-law Marion Beauchamp, died in 2010.

States Say It's Time To Rethink Medical Marijuana

(CNN) -- Medical marijuana advocates are hoping state governments can succeed where their efforts have failed by asking federal authorities to reclassify pot as a drug with medical use. Shortly before Christmas, Colorado became the fourth state to ask the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify marijuana as a narcotic in the same league as heavyweight painkillers including oxycodone.

The governors of Washington and Rhode Island filed a formal petition with the agency in November, and Vermont signed onto that request shortly afterward.

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So What Would Really Happen If Ron Paul Were As Elected President?

President Paul would immediately push for $1 trillion cut in federal spending (per year, not the $3 trillion that Democrats proposed over 10 years with half of that from increased taxes).

President Paul would have the authority as commander-and-chief to withdraw troops from overseas, within limits of treaty commitments which must be honored (US supplies defense for Saudi Arabia, many other nations). To the extent possible, the US would cease being the world's policeman and plunderer of foreign economies (Iraq, Libya). The US would cease being a war economy. President Paul would also push to eradicate foreign aid which essentially is bribery, often to foreign despots who the US quietly supports because they hold a strong hand over their masses.

President Paul would have some empty chairs in his Cabinet - the Department of Commerce, Department of Education and other Cabinet positions would be eliminated. Civil service employees would be ushered into other government jobs.

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Two More States Allow Same-Sex Civil Unions

(CNN) -- Several same-sex couples came together in the first minutes of New Year's Day in Honolulu to become the first in the state's history to enter into civil unions. "We really don't want to wait any longer because we have been together for 33 years waiting for the opportunity and our rights and everything that goes with it," said Donna Gedge, who was with her partner Monica Montgomery, speaking to CNN affiliate KITV. "So why wait?"

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Will Google, Amazon, And Facebook Black Out The Net?

the growing battle for the future of the Web, some of the biggest sites online -- Google, Facebook, and other tech stalwarts -- are considering a coordinated blackout of their sites, some of the web’s most popular destinations.

No Google searches. No Facebook updates. No Tweets. No Amazon.com shopping. Nothing.

The action would be a dramatic response to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), a bill backed by the motion picture and recording industries that is intended to eliminate theft online once and for all. HR 3261 would require ISPs to block access to sites that infringe on copyrights -- but how exactly it does that has many up in arms. The creators of some of the web's biggest sites argue it could instead dramatically restrict law-abiding U.S. companies -- and reshape the web as we know it.

2 teens are charged with setting the blaze

PERU, Ill. — A fire at a massive former clock factory that police say was deliberately lit provided an eerie backdrop for a northern Illinois city's New Year's celebrations, and despite the efforts of firefighters from throughout the area, the city landmark was destroyed.

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OC FOP Donates To “Operation We Care”

Members of the Ocean City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #10 recently donated $600 to “Operation We Care”. This donation will be used to help out with the shipping costs incurred by “Operation We Care” Packing Parties.

“Operation We Care” has been in existence since 2007 and has sent more than 1000 care packages to deployed U.S. Soldiers. “Operation We Care” holds two packing parties per year, May and November. During this packing party, volunteers packed more than 300 boxes that were sent to deployed U.S. troops prior to the Christmas Holiday.

Anyone that would like to send a package to a deployed solider should contact “Operation We Care” Coordinator Jeff Merritt at 410-713-8940 or mailto:jemerritt314@yahoo.com

For more information about “Operation We Care”, please check out http://www.operationwecare.org

For Big Money, A New Option In Big TVs: OLED

For flat-panel TVs, the choice for years has been between plasma and LCD. In the coming year, there'll be another choice, at least for those prepared to spend big.

LG Electronics says it's planning to sell a 55-inch set based on organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs. The South Korean company is set to show it off at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which starts Jan. 10.

The WH/GOP Battle Over The Pipeline

With President Obama’s decision on the Keystone XL pipeline looming, the White House and Republicans will spend the next several weeks trying to win the messaging war over the controversial project.

The stakes are high for both sides. Obama risks backlash from key union supporters if he rejects the project, but faces the ire of environmental groups if he approves it.

Republicans, meanwhile, stand to score a political victory if Obama green lights the pipeline. But their successful effort to force a decision could backfire if the president rejects the pipeline and pins blame on the GOP for rushing the review.

TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline would carry oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada, to refineries along the Gulf coast. The proposed project, which has been under federal review for years, has set off a firestorm in Washington, with supporters arguing the pipeline will boost the ailing economy and opponents raising concerns about oil spills and greenhouse gas emissions from oil-sands production.

Both sides are mobilizing to win the messaging war. White House and Obama administration officials have said they will have little choice but to reject the pipeline under the 60-day timeline that was outlined in the payroll tax package that passed in December.

By arguing that the GOP-backed measure will force the administration to reject Keystone on a technicality, the White House can avoid having to weigh in on the substantive issues raised by the pipeline — including whether it will boost the economy or harm the environment.

Obama sought in November to delay a final verdict on the pipeline by calling for review of alternative routes around the environmentally sensitive Sand Hills region of Nebraska. The move delayed a decision on the project until 2013 to give the administration time to conduct additional review of the new route.

The State Department, which is leading a multi-agency review of the proposed pipeline, has said the administration will have no choice but to reject Keystone because the expedited timeline pushed by Republicans will not leave enough time to conduct the review.

Proponents of the project are pushing back. Marty Durbin, a lobbyist at the American Petroleum Institute, said the measure in the tax package allows for rerouting the pipeline around the environmentally sensitive Sand Hills region of Nebraska, a requirement the Obama administration has said is essential for approval of the project.

“It gives them the time they need, however much time they need, to review what’s going on in Nebraska,” Durbin said.

Under the Keystone measure, if Obama approves the pipeline, the final permit must require the rerouting, along with necessary review of the new route by the state of Nebraska. But it specifically bars additional federal environmental review of the project, as the State Department has proposed.

Supporters of the pipeline are upping the pressure on Obama to quickly approve the project, arguing there will be political consequences if he rejects it.

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Progressives And The Ron Paul Fallacies

As I’ve written about before, America’s election season degrades mainstream political discourse even beyond its usual lowly state. The worst attributes of our political culture — obsession with trivialities, the dominance of horserace “reporting,” and mindless partisan loyalties — become more pronounced than ever. Meanwhile, the actually consequential acts of the U.S. Government and the permanent power factions that control it — covert endless wars, consolidation of unchecked power, the rapid growth of the Surveillance State and the secrecy regime, massive inequalities in the legal system, continuous transfers of wealth from the disappearing middle class to large corporate conglomerates — drone on with even less attention paid than usual.

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Ex-Mossad Chief On Iran’s Nukes

Iran’s suspected illicit nuclear program can be stopped militarily by hitting targets other than the country’s nuclear sites, the former chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency revealed in a rare interview.

“You don’t need to hit only the immediate, direct nuclear infrastructure of theirs,” said Shabtai Shavit, who served as Mossad director from 1989 to 1996. “You can achieve this goal by going after some other targets, without (my) being more specific.”

Shavit was speaking in an interview on “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio” on New York’s WABC Radio.

Shavit was responding to a hypothetical question about whether a U.S. military strike successfully could eliminate Iran’s nuclear program. Some of Iran’s scattered nuclear installations are known to be deep underground, with some reportedly positioned atop civilian zones.

Last week, Iran’s top naval commander boasted that closing the Persian Gulf to oil tanker traffic would be “easier than drinking a glass of water” but that his nation would not do so for now.

During the radio interview, Shavit predicted that Iran would not act on its threats for the time being.

“I don’t believe that their threat will be materialized. I do believe that in this case the Iranians are going to be at the end of the day pragmatists and not messianic,” the former Mossad chief told Klein.

Shavit said Iran will be deterred for now by the presence of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, as well as by recent statements from the Pentagon warning that Iran’s closing of the Straits “will not be tolerated.”

Shavit said the international community is rightly focusing on sanctions to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

He suggested, however, that stronger sanctions are needed besides the current restrictions being debated that would target Iran’s oil exports.

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Exxon Mobil Gets $908 Million In Venezuela

(CARACAS, Venezuela) — An international arbitration body has awarded Exxon Mobil Corp. nearly $908 million in a dispute with Venezuela over compensation for the nationalization of its assets, the company said Sunday.

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Salisbury Police Department Press Release 1-2-12

On January 1, 2012 at approximately 2130hrs, officers of the Salisbury Police Department responded to the area of Records St. near E. Church St. in reference to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a 15 year old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. Investigation determined that the victim was standing in the area when a gunman approached on foot and shot him. The victim was transported to PRMC for treatment, and the extent of his injuries is unknown at this time pending further medical evaluation.

The suspect is described as a thin African American male.

Investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information on this incident should contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410.548.3165 or Crime Solvers at 410.548.1776

SKorea President Warns NKorea Against Provocations

South Korea's president opened the door Monday to possible nuclear talks with North Korea and warned the neighboring country to avoid any provocations, saying the Korean peninsula is at a crucial turning point.

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Troopers Investigate Stabbing In Rehoboth

Location: 19000 block of Norwood Street, Rehoboth, DE

Date of Occurrence: Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 9:20 p.m.

Victim:

19 year old Havre De Grace, Maryland man

Defendant and Charges:

Lavar W. Hall, 34, Rehoboth, DE
Assault 1st Degree
Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony

Arraigned at JP Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution for lack of $20,000.00 secured bail.

Resume:
Rehoboth, DE- Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a Rehoboth, DE man in connection with a stabbing that occurred on Saturday night.

The incident began at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, as a 19 year old Havre De Grace, MD man was confronted by Lavar W. Hall, 34, in the 19000 block of Norwood Street in Rehoboth. Hall was angry at the victim for allegedly pointing an air gun at him the previous evening. The two subjects began arguing which then turned into a physical confrontation. During the fight, Lavar Hall produced a pocket knife and stabbed the victim several times in the upper body before fleeing the area. The victim then ran to a nearby driveway where he collapsed. He was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Lavar Hall was taken into custody by responding Troopers after he returned to the scene. He was arrested and charged with one count each of Assault 1st Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony. He was then arraigned at JP Court 3 and committed to the Department of Corrections for lack of $20,000 secured bail.

Apocalypse Not Now: 2012 Doomsday Predictions Debunked By NASA

On Dec. 21, 2012, many doomsday believers fear the apocalypse — anything from a rogue planet smashing into us to our world spinning end over end. However, the world should expect nothing more next year than the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, NASA says.

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Georgetown Barnes & Noble Quietly Shuts Its Doors

WASHINGTON - The Georgetown Barnes & Noble opened its doors for the final time Saturday.

There were no signs the store's windows announcing the closing, and many people didn't realize this location of the book store chain was closing after Dec. 31.

Rackel Sacks was waiting in line for the store to open when she heard the news.

"No, are you serious? I had no clue that it was even going to close at all," said the college student from Bethesda.

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JFK Jr. Asked Madonna To Pose As His Mother, Book Claims

NEW YORK – John F. Kennedy Jr. asked Madonna to dress up as his mother for the cover of his magazine, George, but the "Material Girl" declined, insisting she would "never do [Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis] justice," according to a new book.

"We'll have her in a pillbox hat, sitting on a stack of books," JFK Jr. told his assistant, RoseMarie Terenzio, the author of "Fairy Tale Interrupted," which chronicles her five years as John John's confidante and publicist until his untimely death in 1999 at the age of 38.

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Homeward Bound: Ravens Beat Bengals To Clinch AFC North title And First-Round Bye In Playoffs

They yelled and chanted and happily grabbed souvenir T-shirts and hats that contained an inscription these Ravens have longed to hear: "AFC North Division Champions"

"This feels good," said linebacker Terrell Suggs after emerging from a boisterous Ravens locker room. "You just have to take it all in."

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My Ex-Husband Wasn't Too Happy When Chase Used His Money To Pay My Credit Card Bill

Amanda might not be married to her ex any more, but that doesn't mean she wants to be in hot water with him for using his money to pay her credit card bill. Unfortunately, Chase seemed to want her to have a belated Christmas present and did just that.

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Fill In The Blank 02/02/12

My spouse's most annoying habit is _______.

Pohanka Wants To Make You A Deal Today And Tomorrow

If you've been thinking about buying a car and want to make the best deal you've ever experienced, today and tomorrow are your final days to take advantage because Pohanka wants to move 75 more cars in that time and they'll do what it takes to make it happen.

Call or stop by Pohanka and drive away in a vehicle you may have thought you couldn't afford. What's Your Baby Driving.

Wicomico Deputy Charges Delaware Man With Weapons Violations

A Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy was investigating a disturbance in Delmar early Friday morning when they spotted 23 year old James Taylor of Laurel, DE sitting in a vehicle nearby. While talking with Taylor the deputy became suspicious as Taylor acted like he was trying to hide something beside the seat. Taylor also ignored requests for identification and for him to get out of the vehicle. The deputy helped Taylor out of the vehicle and a search turned up 3 large knives – hidden but within Taylor’s reach. Taylor was charged and is free on bond.

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Explaining What We Do And Why We Do It

Every single day I receive numerous phone calls with potential stories. Some are very serious, others seem to be people with important things on their mind but many of those phone calls are people just looking to vent.

Salisbury News has become the "go to" place because we're not afraid to expose stories. Forgive me for repeating myself but in order to complete what I've started in this Post I need to repeat something we expressed in the past.

Take WBOC as an example. In one broadcast, (30 minutes) there is actually 14 minutes of news, the rest is commercials. Of the 14 minutes, how much of it is travels with Charlie? How much of it is Heart and Soul with Lisa Bryant? How much of it is Captain Willie? How much of it is Weather, (over and over again)? How much of it is Sports? Heck, let's even add the last 30 days, how much of it is Bless Our Children?

Where I'm going with this is, there is very little time left to actually tell the news. Much of what they deliver is national news, Delaware and Virginia news and there's very little time left over to bring local information. I thought they were in the news business, not show business.

Salisbury News is growing at an unbelievable pace because we deliver, (at times) more than 100 stories in a day in real time, something the television news can never do. Over the years there have been many people who have come to us after they had gone to the Daily Times and they refused to publish their story. Today, the roles have reversed. In most cases the stories come to us now and the rest of the local media desperately tries to make contact with our original source and their story comes out, (if it ever does) days later.

Where I'm going with this is, love us or hate us, Salisbury News IS getting the traffic none of the local media outlets ever thought we'd achieve. Tens of thousands of people each day are relying on what we provide. Years ago you'd pay a dime, then a quarter and now a dollar for a local newspaper. You PAID for this paper because professional investigative reporters would go out and do what you and I didn't have the time to do. They'd report the news and when all was said and done you'd walk away feeling as if you had been properly educated.

So why did Blogs come along? They came along because the local media was no longer doing investigative reporting. in fact, what you were getting, (and still are) is press releases made up well in advance. Why well in advance, because the Daily Times has a deadline each day and in order to publish the information they had to have it a day before every one else. They have no real time to investigate, so instead, they simply publish what they're being told.

I have complained for years about certain media outlets publishing information they know is a lie but they get away with it because they are quoting someone else. You don't see that on Salisbury News. So why are we successful, because we do the investigative reporting. We spend the time going to meetings. Over years we have gained experience and wisdom and we know what's right and wrong. What do you get from the local MSM, brand new reporters on a regular basis who have NO CLUE what the history is on each subject.

Now go figure, you PAY to buy a newspaper but what you're getting in the end is complete BS. Now mind you, this is going on around the entire Country. Bloggers are exposing what their intent is and little by little people are coming to learn and trust Blogs more than the Main Stream Media because we have no horse in these races. We're NOT selling legal ads, permit ads, help wanted ads and or whatever else local governments are required to advertise in print media. We're in this because we want to educate the public with the truth.

Some Anti Albero Bloggers and media have recently gone on the attack against me on the Earl Campbell story. Well, first of all, they're pissed off because Earl came to me first. They want to call me a liar, yet I never lied in any of his story. Politicians and other MSM outlets want to call us a "gossip blog" in order to attempt to discredit us, yet isn't it funny how ALL of the MSM came out telling the exact same story one week later and now two weeks later?

You can call us whatever you like. You can deny you visit Salisbury News. However, funny how EVERYONE happens to know about the multiple stories we publish daily, yet there's NO TIME for the local MSM to tell those stories, is there. Those in denial are coming here anyway, they just won't admit it. I'm cool with that. However, I see the hits every day. My friend GA Harrison would always tell me, when I see your world rating go down, then I'll be excited for you. A few weeks ago Salisbury News was hovering a little over the 300,000 mark. Heck, we've been around that number for probably two years now. Today, that number has dropped to around the 250,000 mark, (the lower your number the better). In a conversation we had recently he said, you should be really proud of yourself Joe. I guess it means more to him than it does me but one thing I can tell you is, when your number stays the same for two years and then makes such a dramatic drop, people are listening.

As I mentioned in an earlier Post last week, we plan to expand to Ocean City in 2012. Not that there isn't enough going on here in Salisbury, Ocean City is a huge market and quite frankly I strongly believe the OC Today and Dispatch are doing a lot of the same as the Daily Times. It's time Ocean City had an outlet in which the CITIZENS can get involved and make a difference. Its time your voices be heard and IF the local politicians refuse to listen to their constituents, well, its time to vote them out. It's also time to crush the local media like we did with the Daily Times.

We're not going in silent. We're announcing our intent so everyone is well aware of what is about to happen. We do what we do because "We The People" deserve to be heard. We deserve to know the TRUTH about our communities, crime, good deeds, lost animals, politicians, events, fundraisers, you name it.

When we made that announcement and asked if someone might be interested in joining us in Ocean City, we immediately got messages of interest. Without a doubt, we're coming to Ocean City. We are the new source of media. When the local MSM makes statements like "Delmarva's News Leader" or "More News In Less Time" PLEASE! That is a complete lie. You can't be Delmarva's News Leader with only 14 minutes of news, most of which is acting and very little of it is news.

2012 will prove to be our biggest year ever. Support our local advertisers and BUY LOCAL. Keep the money here on the Shore. Thanks for visiting and supporting Salisbury News. It's time to go to work.

New Hampshire House Of Representatives Members To Hold Press Conference On Obama’s Eligibility On January 3

On January 3, 2012, several members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives will hold a press conference with the primary purpose of informing New Hampshire citizens and registered voters that Barack Hussein Obama may not be eligible to serve as president and therefore should not have his name appear on the 2012 presidential ballot.

The time and place are tentatively set for 10:00 a.m. outside of the Legislative Office Building in Concord.

The website of the New Hampshire House of Representatives provides the following history regarding its beginnings:

Although threatened with reprisals from the British Crown and a bitterly divided constituency, New Hampshire’s leaders set the course for self-government in January 1776. Determined to keep the government close to the people, our forefathers fixed the size of the House of Representatives as a direct ratio to the state’s population. The first House consisted of 87 members, each one representing 100 families. As time passed and the population increased, the number of Representatives grew, until there were 443. In 1942, a constitutional amendment limited the size of the House to 400 but not less than 375 members. As a result, the New Hampshire House is the largest state legislative body in the United States.

New Hampshire has the largest House of Representatives in the nation. The Concord Monitor has stated that New Hampshire has “the most localized representation of any state in the country.”

On November 15, 2011, Atty. Orly Taitz filed a complaint with the New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission regarding the placing of Obama’s name on the state ballot, citing his use of a social security number not assigned to him as well as having presented two forged birth certificates as proof that he was born in Hawaii. Several state representatives joined the complaint, and citizens from around the country filed challenges as well. A U.S. Army reserve retired colonel has launched a campaign to prevent Obama’s name from being included on the New Hampshire ballot.

The New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission responded to Taitz by holding a hearing on November 18, during which Taitz presented her case challenging Obama’s constitutional eligibility, focusing on the crimes which she alleged he committed.

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Argentine Governor Fatally Shot In The Head

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The ruling party governor of Argentina's prime oil-producing province was killed early Sunday of gunshots to the head, and his wife was being questioned by police.

The gun fired as Rio Negro Gov. Carlos Soria and his wife Susana were in their bedroom after spending New Year's Eve at their home in General Roca, authorities said. Emergency personnel found him bleeding in bed and took him alive to the local hospital, where he was declared dead just before 5 a.m., local media reported.

Bus Line Kept Operating After Shutdown Order

A bus line that served Wilmington plagued by safety violations was still on the road, a day after federal authorities ordered it to shut down immediately. The New York Post reports that Double Happiness Travel buses were running as usual from their stops in Manhattan on Friday morning, the day after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered the company to cease operations.

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Fruitland Man Charged With Arson At Parent’s Home

Maryland Fire Marshal investigators have arrested a 45 year old Fruitland man on charges of arson. Officials say Thomas McGarvey set a fire inside his parents home Saturday afternoon – causing about $70,000 in damage. The fire was started in McGarvey’s bedroom after a dispute with his family – he’s charged with 1st and 2nd degree arson and other offenses.

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Today's Survey Question 1-2-12

Do you forward chain letters, as instructed?

I'm Not Getting My Haircut Until Eric Comes Back, You?

For many, I'm sure the timing of Eric's unfortunate heart attack has left many of us that much closer to looking like hippies. So, what do we do in times like these.

Well, I, (for one) will await for Eric's return before I get another haircut. Will you be joining me?

Todd Lawson Takes Over As New Sussex County Administrator

The New Year brings new leadership to Sussex County. Today Todd Lawson takes over as the county administrator. Former administrator David Baker announced his retirement last January, but held on to the position through the year as it took much longer for his successor to be named. Then Lawson spent the rest of the year learning the ropes.

Lawson is now responsible for the day to day operations of the County government – and leads a workforce of about 500. This week’s Sussex County Council meeting could bring some changes as well as the first order of business is the council’s reorganization.

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New Laws Toughen Rules On Abortions, Immigrants, Voters

Among 40,000 signed bills: No happy hours in Utah, safer golf carts in Georgia

About 40,000 state laws taking effect at the start of the new year will change rules about getting abortions in New Hampshire, learning about gays and lesbians in California, getting jobs in Alabama and even driving golf carts in Georgia.

Several federal rules change with the new year, too, including a Social Security increase amounting to $450 a year for the average recipients and stiff fines up to $2,700 per offense for truckers and bus drivers caught using hand-held cellphones while driving.

NBC News, the National Conference of State Legislatures, The Associated Press, and other organizations tracked the changes and offered their views on the highlights.

Many laws reflect the nation's concerns over immigration, the cost of government and the best way to protect and benefit young people, including regulations on sports concussions.

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Same-Sex Marriage Supporters, Opponents Ready To Face Off

After nine months of plotting and organizing, the two sides of Maryland's same-sex marriage debate are ready to campaign with full force during the General Assembly session, which begins next week.

Opponents plan a day of prayer that a same-sex marriage bill will fail, a slew of Sunday sermons focused on traditional marriage and a rally in Annapolis. They've united forces under a new banner, the Maryland Marriage Alliance.

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Advanced Degrees That Don't Pay Off

Grad students are making heavy investments of time and money in their future income prospects, but in many areas of study the odds are stacked against the gambles paying off. A Georgetown University analysis identifies the advanced degrees that gave students the smallest pay bumps.

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Hurlock Man Faces Drug Charges

HURLOCK - A 29-year-old Hurlock man was arrested Dec. 20 on charges including drug possession and distribution after allegedly more than 70 grams of marijuana was found in his car.

Brandon Terrace Milton of 4752 Skeet Club Road was charged with three counts of malicious destruction of property more than $500, two counts each of possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and trespassing on cultivated land, one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and third-degree burglary, and various traffic charges.

Court Says It's Fine That Telecommunications Companies Collaborated With Federal Wiretaps

A U.S. appeals court says it's just fine that certain telecommunications companies cooperated with the National Security Agency by monitoring customers' email and phones, upholding a 2008 law. This means they've got immunity, rendering 33 lawsuits against them ineffective.

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Boonies Chop House & Pub

Study Links Increased Life Expectancy For Citizens Of NYC To Anti-Smoking Policies

As if New York City residents need anything else to brag about to the rest of the country, they can now boast a record life expectancy of 80.6 years, which is more than the national rate of 78.2. The city attributes this longer life span in part to its anti-smoking policies.

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First Civil Unions Take Place In Delaware

More than 400 people, including a U.S. senator, have witnessed the first same-sex civil union in Delaware.

Lawyers Lisa Goodman and Drewry Fennell were joined in the New Year's Day union by the Rev. Patricia Downing, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Wilmington. Seven other couples also obtained licenses Sunday.

You Can't Score A Free Plane Seat For Your Baby By Putting Him On Your 3-Year-Old's Lap

As any parents who have flown with little babies probably knows, many airlines will not require a ticket for children under two years of age, so long as the child is seated on an adult's lap. But U.S. Airways had to give the boot to a family of six after the parents figured they could simply seat one of their under-2 children with their ticketed 3-year-old.

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‘Never Liked It Anyway’: Website Lets You Sell Your Breakup Casualties

With the new year upon us, resolutions and vows of a new beginning are, too. For some, it’s time to dump the bad relationship—and the stuff the ex left behind. Mashable has highlighted a startup that helps you do just that. You still have to break up with the person on your own, but Never Liked it Anyway is a marketplace for all the items you’re left with afterward.

In reality, these are perfectly fine goods: clothing, albums, wedding dresses, computer cases, MacBook Pros. However, we all know how a relationship’s end can render your house or closet into an emotional landmine.

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PETA Seeks Memorials To Cows Killed On Ill. Roads

CHICAGO (AP) - An animal rights group wants Illinois to install highway signs in memory of cattle killed when trucks hauling them flipped in two separate wrecks.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked for permission to buy the markers, one in suburban Chicago and one northwest of Peoria. The group says the signs would pay tribute to the more than 20 cattle killed as a result of negligent driving this year.

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Sci-Fi Brothel To Open In Nevada

An infamous entrepreneur plans to open the Alien Cathouse, located 90 miles from Las Vegas.
Hey gents, have you ever found yourself jealous of Captain James T. Kirk and his, …er intergalactic conquests? Do you longingly watch Jabba the Hutt’s dancing slave (her name is Oola, if you’re interested) and wonder, what if? Do you long to go where no man has gone before? Well, once a new sci-fi brothel opens in Nevada, you can.
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Cops: Man Tried To Use $1M Bill At NC Walmart

LEXINGTON, N.C. (AP) - Do you have change for a million-dollar bill?

Police say a North Carolina man insisted his million-dollar note was real when he was buying $476 worth of items at a Walmart.

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President Obama Signs Indefinite Detention Bill Into Law

WASHINGTON – President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law today. The statute contains a sweeping worldwide indefinite detention provision. While President Obama issued a signing statement saying he had “serious reservations” about the provisions, the statement only applies to how his administration would use the authorities granted by the NDAA, and would not affect how the law is interpreted by subsequent administrations. The White House had threatened to veto an earlier version of the NDAA, but reversed course shortly before Congress voted on the final bill.

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Delaware State Police Issues Gold Alert

Gold Alert Subject:

John R. Harvey, 33, Hartly, DE
6’03” tall, 260 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Possibly operating a green 2003 Chevrolet Silverado

Location Last Seen:

Residence in the 6000 block of Westville Road, Hartly, DE

Date and Time Last Seen:

Sunday, January 01, 2012 at 7:35 p.m.

Resume:
Hartly, DE- The Delaware State Police have issued a Gold Alert for a missing Hartly man.

The Delaware State Police are currently searching for John R. Harvey, 33, of Hartly, DE. Harvey was last seen leaving his residence located in the 6000 block of Westville Road, in Hartly at approximately 7:35 p.m. this evening and may be in the Houston area of DE. He is described as a white male, 6’03” tall and 260 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes. He may also be operating a green 2003 Chevrolet Silverado.

John Harvey’s medical condition is such that there is a real concern for his safety.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have any information as to the whereabouts of John R. Harvey to contact Troop 3 at 302-697-4454. 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.

A Bird Flu Death In China. What It Means — And Doesn’t Mean

Science and news cycles sometimes converge in unhandy ways. That was the case on on January 1, when word came out of Shenzen, a Chinese city bordering Hong Kong, that a 39-year-old bus driver, surnamed Chen, had died of the H5N1 (or bird flu) virus. The deeply personal tragedy for Chen and his family ought not to be such scary news for most other folks. Since 2003, there have been only 573 confirmed cases of H5N1, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and though 60% of the victims have died, that’s still a vanishingly tiny number of people in a global population of 7 billion. As long as the H5N1 virus doesn’t jump easily from person to person — which it manifestly does not — it will remain a danger only to those who happen to come in contact with infected poultry.

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Monday, January 02, 2012

Islamic center, two homes and a deli targeted; 60 firefighters battle blaze at house

2 teens are charged with setting the blaze