Americans love sandwiches, probably more than any other food. There's just something so perfectly delectable about a meal that can be stuffed in between two slices of bread. And while there are plenty of classic American sandwiches — Katz's corned beef in New York, Philippe's French dip in Los Angeles — with no offense intended to those standard-bearers, there are few things more exciting to food lovers than discovering a fantastic new sandwich. That being said, here are the best sandwiches we discovered this year.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Honolulu Judge Puts Man in Chokehold for Ruckus
HONOLULU (AP) - It got personal for a judge in Honolulu when he put a man in a chokehold for jumping onto his bench and breaking a flagpole bearing the state flag, authorities said.
District Judge Lono Lee knocked down Steven Michael Hauge and restrained him Monday after the man caused a ruckus in Lee's courtroom, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ( http://bit.ly/GFfNuA).
Hauge had been going from courtroom to courtroom in the Honolulu District Court building screaming, State Sheriff Shawn Tsuha said. "He was quite upset about something," Tsuha said.
It was not clear why Hauge was in the building. Court records show a criminal record dating to 1977 with more than 50 convictions on charges including, burglary, fraud and assault.
Hauge was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction of government operations and fourth-degree criminal property damage. Tsuha said Hauge allegedly broke the flag's staff while swinging it.
Hauge couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday at Oahu Community Correctional Center, where he was being held on $1,500 bail.
Centennial Cherry Blossom Festival Offers Myriad Of Activity
The 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival will bring many special activities to its home, Washington, D.C., and other places across the United States.
Here is a round-up of some of the best events, many of them free:
•A kick-off “Pink Tie Party” will raise funds for the festival, a not-for-profit organization. This will be the evening of Tuesday, March 20, at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, and be hosted by renowned chefs Jose Andres and Roy Yamaguchi; tickets are $200.
•The National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony will take place March 25 at 5 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with entertainment by Grammy-nominated performer Sara Bareilles, Japanese R&B recording artist MISIA, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery, the Washington Ballet and others. The free event requires advanced ticketing; although all available tickets have been reserved, there could be returns.
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Here is a round-up of some of the best events, many of them free:
•A kick-off “Pink Tie Party” will raise funds for the festival, a not-for-profit organization. This will be the evening of Tuesday, March 20, at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, and be hosted by renowned chefs Jose Andres and Roy Yamaguchi; tickets are $200.
•The National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony will take place March 25 at 5 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with entertainment by Grammy-nominated performer Sara Bareilles, Japanese R&B recording artist MISIA, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery, the Washington Ballet and others. The free event requires advanced ticketing; although all available tickets have been reserved, there could be returns.
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Senate Drops Tougher D.C. Insider Trading Bill
WASHINGTON — Senate leaders on Tuesday abandoned their own, stronger version of legislation to explicitly prohibit members of Congress and other government officials from making investments on insider information. They agreed to accept a scaled down House version instead.
Both chambers overwhelmingly passed different versions of the legislation designed to approve Congress' image, but the Senate included two provisions that were stripped out by the House.
One would have required registration and public reports — similar to those filed by lobbyists — by anyone selling inside information learned from Congress.
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Both chambers overwhelmingly passed different versions of the legislation designed to approve Congress' image, but the Senate included two provisions that were stripped out by the House.
One would have required registration and public reports — similar to those filed by lobbyists — by anyone selling inside information learned from Congress.
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200,000 Is The New 100,000 For Cars
WASHINGTON - When it comes to cars, 200,000 is the new 100,000.
As the recession wages on, drivers have been reluctant to purchase new cars and now, the average age of vehicles on the road has stretched to a record 11 years.
Multiply that by the number of average miles a car travels per year -- 15,000 -- and the old adage about selling a car once it the odometer hits 100,000 goes out the window, says The New York Times.
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As the recession wages on, drivers have been reluctant to purchase new cars and now, the average age of vehicles on the road has stretched to a record 11 years.
Multiply that by the number of average miles a car travels per year -- 15,000 -- and the old adage about selling a car once it the odometer hits 100,000 goes out the window, says The New York Times.
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Postman: Ayers Family Put 'Foreigner' Obama Through School
CHICAGO – Did the parents of former Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers help finance Barack Obama’s Harvard education?
Did Ayers’ mother believe Obama was a foreign student?
And was the young Obama convinced at the time – long before he even entered politics – that he was going to become president of the United States?
A retired U.S. Postal Service carrier who delivered mail to Tom and Mary Ayers in a Chicago suburb in the late 1980s and early 1990s and claims to have met Obama in front of the Ayers home emphatically says yes to all three questions.
Pope Names 16th Archbishop Of Baltimore
Bishop William E. Lori Of Bridgeport, Ct., Named Archbishop of Baltimore
BALTIMORE (AP/WJZ) - Bishop William E. Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., has been named the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore.
Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement Tuesday.
Lori will succeed Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, who served as Baltimore's 15th archbishop from October 2007 to August 2011 when he was named grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
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BALTIMORE (AP/WJZ) - Bishop William E. Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., has been named the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore.
Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement Tuesday.
Lori will succeed Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, who served as Baltimore's 15th archbishop from October 2007 to August 2011 when he was named grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
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Paul Ryan: My Plan Can Balance the Budget in 10 Years
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) said that under a different economic growth scenario than that assumed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), his budget can balance over the 10-year window that conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Club for Growth, have said is the ideal goal.
“Under the right kind of economic growth scenarios--under what I think are more realistic scorekeeping--it is done,” Ryan said at a press conference on Tuesday in unveiling his budget, The Path to Prosperity, for fiscal year 2013. “If you put this budget through what we think are more reasonable projections of the economy, then that is accomplished.”
In other words, if the economy grows faster than current government estimates predict, Ryan’s budget could balance within 10 years, well before the 2040 date it is currently projected to balance in.
Teen Records Fatal Drunk Driving Crash As It Happens
Desaleen James Shares Her Story and Video from the Drunk Driving Crash That killed Her Two Friends
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -- 9 Wants You To Know the heartbreaking reality of what a drunk driving crash really looks like. A teenager inside a car in which a legally drunk woman was behind the wheel videotaped the tragedy unfold. A police report confirms she was more than twice the legal limit for intoxication.
The video is gut-wrenching and allows a viewer to witness exactly what happened in the minutes leading up to a fatal crash on December 29 of 2011 along University Boulevard in Silver Spring.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -- 9 Wants You To Know the heartbreaking reality of what a drunk driving crash really looks like. A teenager inside a car in which a legally drunk woman was behind the wheel videotaped the tragedy unfold. A police report confirms she was more than twice the legal limit for intoxication.
The video is gut-wrenching and allows a viewer to witness exactly what happened in the minutes leading up to a fatal crash on December 29 of 2011 along University Boulevard in Silver Spring.
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Md. redistricting changes voting locations
WASHINGTON - Maryland voters who might be confused about where they go to vote on April 3 have a reason to be. The state's Congressional districts were changed which is sending some voters to new polling places.
When Congressional districts are redrawn, the boundaries move even if you have not moved residence.
Maryland's Elections Board suggests voters check in with their county elections site before they head to the polls. The Board of Elections page for Montgomery County, Md. offers a comprehensive site that will return the location of the polling place assigned to an address.
The same site also offers access to information on early voting, which starts this Saturday, March 24th. Election day is April 3rd.
Md. Senate Panel To Hear Abortion Reporting Bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland senators are scheduled to hear testimony on a bill that would require hospitals and abortion providers to report the number of pregnancies they terminate.
The bill, which will be considered Wednesday, would require the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to collect demographic information including the age, race and marital status of women treated in Maryland.
The reports would also include the estimated gestational age of the fetus at the time of the abortion and the number of prior pregnancies the patient has had, as well as an explanation of the "outcome" of those pregnancies.
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The bill, which will be considered Wednesday, would require the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to collect demographic information including the age, race and marital status of women treated in Maryland.
The reports would also include the estimated gestational age of the fetus at the time of the abortion and the number of prior pregnancies the patient has had, as well as an explanation of the "outcome" of those pregnancies.
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Chu Gives Himself High Marks on Gas Prices, Drawing Criticism
The Obama administration’s energy policy chief on Tuesday gave himself an A for controlling gas prices that have reached a record high at pumps across the country, drawing criticism and even chortles from Washington Republicans.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu made the comment during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in which he was asked whether he was still doing A-minus work.
“Well, the tools we have at our disposal are limited, but I would say I would give myself a little higher,” he told committee Chairman Darrell Issa. “Since I became secretary of energy, I've been doing everything I can to get long-term solutions."
Forgerygate: Media Threatened With Federal Investigations If Obama Birth Certificate Story Reported
Individuals and member organizations of the American media were threatened with FTC and FCC investigation if information gathered by Sheriff Arpaio’s Cold Case Posse concerning the forgery of Barack Obama’s long form birth certificate were passed on to the American public.
It was Posse lead investigator Mike Zullo who made this stunning revelation, stating “During our investigation, we actually were told [that media] had been threatened with FTC investigations. Commentators [had been] threatened with their jobs.”
And Jerome Corsi, author of “Where’s the birth certificate,” the book whose imminent publication was responsible for forcing Barack Obama to quickly create and place the fraudulent long form birth certificate on the White House web site, has said that “Testimony is being developed that the White House is intimidating, in a systematic way, the mainstream media and if any broadcasters dare go into this birther story, they’re going to risk FCC investigations… people are going to have careers ruined… thrown off the air.”
Zullo went on to say the threats actually caused some individuals to “…quit their positions over safety concerns for their families.”
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It was Posse lead investigator Mike Zullo who made this stunning revelation, stating “During our investigation, we actually were told [that media] had been threatened with FTC investigations. Commentators [had been] threatened with their jobs.”
And Jerome Corsi, author of “Where’s the birth certificate,” the book whose imminent publication was responsible for forcing Barack Obama to quickly create and place the fraudulent long form birth certificate on the White House web site, has said that “Testimony is being developed that the White House is intimidating, in a systematic way, the mainstream media and if any broadcasters dare go into this birther story, they’re going to risk FCC investigations… people are going to have careers ruined… thrown off the air.”
Zullo went on to say the threats actually caused some individuals to “…quit their positions over safety concerns for their families.”
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Obama, DNC February Fundraising Shows Weakness Versus 2008
The entire Obama reelection effort raised a reported $45 million in February, according to a video released by the campaign. That figure is well below the $56.8 million Obama raised all by himself in 2008.
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According to an Obama campaign video released Sunday, Obama’s campaign, the Democratic National Committee, the Obama Victory Fund, and Swing State Victory Fund combined to raise $45 million in February.
However, according to Federal Election Commission data, that $45 million is well below what the Obama campaign alone was able to raise in during the same period in 2008More
Employers Ask Job Seekers for Facebook Passwords
SEATTLE (AP) — When Justin Bassett interviewed for a new job, he expected the usual questions about experience and references. So he was astonished when the interviewer asked for something else: his Facebook username and password.
Bassett, a New York City statistician, had just finished answering a few character questions when the interviewer turned to her computer to search for his Facebook page. But she couldn't see his private profile. She turned back and asked him to hand over his login information.
Bassett refused and withdrew his application, saying he didn't want to work for a company that would seek such personal information. But as the job market steadily improves, other job candidates are confronting the same question from prospective employers, and some of them cannot afford to say no.
OCPD SEEKING THEFT SUSPECTS’ IDENTITY
On March 17, 2012 at approximately 4 p.m., Ocean City Police responded to the Wine Rack, located at 8501 Coastal Highway, in reference to a theft.
The manager of the Wine Rack advised that a bank bag containing a large amount of money was stolen from the Wine Rack. The money was in a blue colored bank bag in the back office of the Wine Rack. The Wine Rack’s video surveillance system captured the suspect taking the bag.
The OCPD has recovered video surveillance footage of the suspect committing the crime as well as several still images.
Clip number 1 – Shows one of the unidentified suspects entering the office and stealing the blue bank bag containing the money.
The subsequent investigation has revealed a total of four suspects working together to steal the bank bag. The suspects are described as follows:
SUSPECT 1: black male, medium build, wearing a knee length black colored coat, light blue knit hat, black shoes, bracelet on right wrist, blue jeans with designer torn knees.
SUSPECT 2: black male, medium build wearing a light grey sweatshirt, blue jeans and light colored boonie/fisherman’s hat.
SUSPECT 3: black male, medium build, short cropped hair cut, wearing blue jeans, dark colored jacket.
SUSPECT 4: black male, yellow construction hardhat, black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, yellow safety reflective vest.
The suspects were seen leaving the scene in the following vehicle describe as a: tan or gold colored older model four door passenger vehicle.
Clip number 2 – Shows the suspects’ vehicle as well as one of the suspects in the front parking lot of the Wine Rack just prior to the theft.
The OCPD is asking anyone with information related to this crime or the identity of the suspect, to contact the OCPD Criminal Investigation Division Detective Todd Speigle at: 410-520-5353 or 410-723-6604 or Detective Speigle directly by email: tspeigle@oceancitymd.gov.
You do not have to leave your name.
Md. House Panel Approves Doubling "Flush Tax" As Environmental Bills Move Through Legislature
A handful of high-profile environmental bills, including Gov. Martin O’Malley’s (D) proposals to increase the “flush tax” and restrict septic systems, are reaching critical junctures in their journey through the Maryland legislature.
Tuesday, the House Environmental Matters Committee voted to approve a bill that would double the annual cost of nearly every resident’s flush tax, which is used to restore the Chesapeake Bay, to $60 from $30.
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Tuesday, the House Environmental Matters Committee voted to approve a bill that would double the annual cost of nearly every resident’s flush tax, which is used to restore the Chesapeake Bay, to $60 from $30.
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MEDIA ADVISORY FOR BALTIMORE MEDIA: MSP BOOST AWARENESS OF MARYLANDS MOVE OVER LAW
(Pikesville, MD) – Two recent separate incidents resulting in injuries of law enforcement officers show the need for more public awareness of Maryland’s ‘Move Over’ law.
Today, State Police Superintendent Marcus L. Brown and M. Kent Krabbe, Executive Director of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), will be joined by Howard County Police Chief and President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, Chief William McMahon, Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson, members of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Lieutenant Scott Goldstein, of the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and other emergency service providers, to reiterate the importance of Maryland’s ‘Move Over’ law.
As part of this effort to increase awareness of the law, officials will unveil a new decal, provided by the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), to be displayed on public safety vehicles. Examples of these vehicles will be on display to include police patrol cars, fire apparatus, including an ambulance and a heavy rescue squad from Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and CHART trucks from the Maryland State Highway Administration. The decal will be a reminder to motorists to move over when these emergency vehicles are working on the side of the road.
WHAT: MOVE OVER LAW AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012
Today, State Police Superintendent Marcus L. Brown and M. Kent Krabbe, Executive Director of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), will be joined by Howard County Police Chief and President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, Chief William McMahon, Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson, members of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Lieutenant Scott Goldstein, of the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and other emergency service providers, to reiterate the importance of Maryland’s ‘Move Over’ law.
As part of this effort to increase awareness of the law, officials will unveil a new decal, provided by the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), to be displayed on public safety vehicles. Examples of these vehicles will be on display to include police patrol cars, fire apparatus, including an ambulance and a heavy rescue squad from Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and CHART trucks from the Maryland State Highway Administration. The decal will be a reminder to motorists to move over when these emergency vehicles are working on the side of the road.
WHAT: MOVE OVER LAW AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012
‘Death Stare’ And ‘Foul Odor’ From ‘The Devil’ Greet SLC Deputies
Christopher Reed looked at a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputy with a “death stare.”
“I am the devil and I will kill you,” Reed is quoted as saying in a recently released arrest affidavit.
Reed, 43, gave the deadly look and said he was Satan March 7 after the deputy asked whether he felt OK – responses that could suggest he wasn’t feeling OK.
A deputy went to the 5600 block of Angle Road after an apparent report of a man on the side of the road. The deputy found a man later identified as Reed on a canal bank.
“As I got closer, I could smell a strong foul odor coming from the subject,” the affidavit states.More
Wicomico County Public Schools On Facebook
Wicomico County Public Schools now has a page on Facebook. Please visit the page at facebook.com/wcboe and like it to see the latest information and news from Wicomico Schools.
Bozell: Comcast's Board 'Will Soon Hear From Hundreds Of Thousands Of Americans' Protesting MSNBC's Hate Speech
Today, Media Research Center (MRC) Pres. Brent Bozell said the time has come for Americans to let Comcast's board of directors know that they will not tolerate the hate speech being spewed by MSNBC hosts.
In his latest letter to Comcast Pres. Brian Roberts, Bozell says MRC's campaign will ensure that Comcast's board will "soon hear from the hundreds of thousands of Americans who agree with me that hate speech from the likes of Ed Schultz and Al Sharpton has no place in a news organization."
Full text of letter from Brent Bozell to Brian Roberts: Here
State Pension System Uses Expensive Currency Management To Reduce Volatility
The state pension system’s investment officers say that the $52 million it has paid a British company in currency management fees has resulted in some lower rates of return, but is likely to stay because it has achieved its goal of reducing volatile ups and downs in foreign stock values.
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MARCH 22ND COMMUNITY FORUM POSTPONED
March 21, 2012 -- The Office of the County Executive regrets that tomorrow’s meeting (March 22nd) at the Civic Center has been postponed. An emergency meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon in Annapolis with top legislators in the House of Delegates to discuss HB 1412 and the negative effects of maintenance of effort rebasing.
County Executive Pollitt is hopeful that tomorrow’s meeting will convince the House leadership that while he shares their commitment to support education funding to the maximum affordable extent, the current proposal before the legislature will be devastating to Wicomico County’s fiscal health. Pollitt will be accompanied by Director of Administration Wayne Strausburg, County Attorney Ed Baker, Director of Finance Andrew Mackel, and Public Information Officer Tamara Lee-Brooks.
The proposed legislation before the General Assembly would cause a more than $14 million gap in next year’s operating budget; something Pollitt maintains cannot be resolved without extreme and virtually unworkable measures on the county’s part.
The following is the REVISED SCHEDULE of upcoming community forums:
County Executive Pollitt is hopeful that tomorrow’s meeting will convince the House leadership that while he shares their commitment to support education funding to the maximum affordable extent, the current proposal before the legislature will be devastating to Wicomico County’s fiscal health. Pollitt will be accompanied by Director of Administration Wayne Strausburg, County Attorney Ed Baker, Director of Finance Andrew Mackel, and Public Information Officer Tamara Lee-Brooks.
The proposed legislation before the General Assembly would cause a more than $14 million gap in next year’s operating budget; something Pollitt maintains cannot be resolved without extreme and virtually unworkable measures on the county’s part.
The following is the REVISED SCHEDULE of upcoming community forums:
WHO:
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
WHAT:
COMMUNITY FORUMS – FISCAL 2013 OUTLOOK
WHEN:
(1) THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 @ 7:00 PM,
HEBRON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
200 S. MAIN STREET, HEBRON (parking/entry behind the fire hall)
(2) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 @ 7:00 PM,
WICOMICO YOUTH & CIVIC CENTER – MIDWAY ROOM
500 GLEN AVENUE, SALISBURY
(3) MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 @ 7:00 PM,
PITTSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
7442 GUMBORO ROAD, PITTSVILLE
All citizens are urged to attend and actively participate with comments and questions.
Please forward this notice. If you are interested in having this presentation at your next organizational meeting please email tleebrooks@wicomicocounty.org
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
WHAT:
COMMUNITY FORUMS – FISCAL 2013 OUTLOOK
WHEN:
(1) THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 @ 7:00 PM,
HEBRON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
200 S. MAIN STREET, HEBRON (parking/entry behind the fire hall)
(2) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 @ 7:00 PM,
WICOMICO YOUTH & CIVIC CENTER – MIDWAY ROOM
500 GLEN AVENUE, SALISBURY
(3) MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 @ 7:00 PM,
PITTSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
7442 GUMBORO ROAD, PITTSVILLE
All citizens are urged to attend and actively participate with comments and questions.
Please forward this notice. If you are interested in having this presentation at your next organizational meeting please email tleebrooks@wicomicocounty.org
New Posts to fall below.
AG: Justice Committed to Protecting Gays, Lesbians
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Justice Department is "committed to using every tool in its arsenal" to combat bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and has already made strides in bringing more prosecutions in that area, Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday.
"I'm proud to say this Department of Justice has never been more committed to this (issue)," Holder said, touting the department's efforts during a speech at a conference at the University of Texas at Arlington aimed at promoting safe schools and communities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
About 400 law enforcement officials, educators, students and community leaders registered for the one-day conference sponsored by the White House and the U.S. departments of justice and education. It was the third in a series of events the White House is sponsoring to raise awareness of LGBT issues.
Israel's Fight With U.N. Heats Up
UNITED NATIONS – Israel’s clash with United Nations is quickly intensifying.
In less than a week, Israel’s United Nations mission has filed three official protests with the office
The complaints have ranged from Security Council silence on Hamas’ recent rocketing of Israeli cities to a publicized fraud made by an official in the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and an “invitation” to Hamas to address the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
And, throughout, the U.S. mission to the U.N. has remained silent.
Rep. Andy Harris Co-Sponsors Bill To Create Jobs At Wallops Research Park
Washington, DC – Rep. Andy Harris (MD-01) joined Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02) to pass legislation through the House that could create hundreds of jobs at an expanded Wallops Research Park, which is located near NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The bill removes restrictive federal government deed provisions that hinder job creation on the Delmarva. The legislation creates these jobs at no cost to hard-working taxpayers. Additionally, up to half of the potential high-paying jobs could be filled by Maryland’s Eastern Shore residents.
“We need to work to reduce undue burdens that the Federal Government is placing on the ability of local communities to create jobs,” said Rep. Andy Harris. “I will support any bill like this that helps foster an environment for job creation while costing hard-working taxpayers nothing.”
“We need to work to reduce undue burdens that the Federal Government is placing on the ability of local communities to create jobs,” said Rep. Andy Harris. “I will support any bill like this that helps foster an environment for job creation while costing hard-working taxpayers nothing.”
Bible Studies Face New Challenge: Driveway Tax
A Kansas town’s plan to raise revenue by taxing parishioners attending worship services has gone by the wayside, but the ripples from the controversial decision still are developing.
One consequence is that the state’s attorney general has issued a statement, albeit in a non-binding opinion, that such a tax is illegal.
The complaint brought on behalf of the churches in the city of Mission was resolved some weeks ago when the city decided to settle a lawsuit rather than fight for its decision to impose a “driveway tax.” The municipal tax was based on an estimate of the number of people who would attend the church and use its parking lot in a given week.
Could Salisbury Be Next?
Small Carroll County town wants a recall option
New Windsor residents dissatisfied with town leaders
In the quaint town of New Windsor, officials have sold the municipal ball fields to a cement company, purchased a dilapidated inn with taxpayer money for development that hasn't happened and stuck residents with the bill for a nearly $5 million wastewater treatment plant.
While the town council is up for election next year, angry residents aren't waiting to express their displeasure. They're pushing a measure to allow the recall of local officials. Petitioners say they aren't targeting the entire council or any one official: They want their petition campaign to send a message to all.
"We are not Occupy New Windsor," said Rebecca Merson, who moved to Atlee Ridge, one of the town's new developments, in 2004. "We are not asking to recall anyone specific. There is no coup. We just want the ability to recall an official who is not doing the job."
Rebellion in this corner of Carroll County mirrors the citizen activism that has led to petition drives from across the political spectrum — against the state's Dream Act, which would allow in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, and the recently approved same-sex-marriage law — as well as challenges to some U.S. corporations.
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New Windsor residents dissatisfied with town leaders
In the quaint town of New Windsor, officials have sold the municipal ball fields to a cement company, purchased a dilapidated inn with taxpayer money for development that hasn't happened and stuck residents with the bill for a nearly $5 million wastewater treatment plant.
While the town council is up for election next year, angry residents aren't waiting to express their displeasure. They're pushing a measure to allow the recall of local officials. Petitioners say they aren't targeting the entire council or any one official: They want their petition campaign to send a message to all.
"We are not Occupy New Windsor," said Rebecca Merson, who moved to Atlee Ridge, one of the town's new developments, in 2004. "We are not asking to recall anyone specific. There is no coup. We just want the ability to recall an official who is not doing the job."
Rebellion in this corner of Carroll County mirrors the citizen activism that has led to petition drives from across the political spectrum — against the state's Dream Act, which would allow in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, and the recently approved same-sex-marriage law — as well as challenges to some U.S. corporations.
More
Best and Worst States to Make a Living 2012: Complete List
For the second year in a row, MoneyRates.com has crunched data on income, cost of living, taxes and unemployment to make its lists of the Best and Worst States to Make a Living.
These rankings are determined by an adjusted average income figure for each state, a number that factors together the four variables above to determine each state's relative standing for career-related conditions.
For more info on the best and worst states on the list, please see the 2012 Best States to Make Living and Worst States to Make a Living lists.
First Steps In Starting Your Own Business
What: First Steps in Starting Your Own Business
When: April 02, 2012
Where: One Stop Job Market, Conf. Room #025
Registration: Pre-registration is required. To pre-register or for more information regarding this course or other general inquiries, please contact Jessica, Training Coordinator of Maryland Capital Enterprises by telephone: 410-546-1900 or via email: jweber@marylandcapital.org. Sign up Online at www.marylandcapital.org
Course Fee: FREE
Course
Description:
Decide if entrepreneurship is for you. Find out about pros and cons of small business ownership, what skills and resources are needed, State of Maryland requirements to start a business, why is the credit important, why a business plan is needed.
When: April 02, 2012
Where: One Stop Job Market, Conf. Room #025
Registration: Pre-registration is required. To pre-register or for more information regarding this course or other general inquiries, please contact Jessica, Training Coordinator of Maryland Capital Enterprises by telephone: 410-546-1900 or via email: jweber@marylandcapital.org. Sign up Online at www.marylandcapital.org
Course Fee: FREE
Course
Description:
Decide if entrepreneurship is for you. Find out about pros and cons of small business ownership, what skills and resources are needed, State of Maryland requirements to start a business, why is the credit important, why a business plan is needed.
Obama Debt Hole Deeper Than George W. Bush's in Less Than Half the Time
President Obama once asked a campaign crowd in 2008 what to do when you're trying to get out of a hole. Uniformly, the crowd responded: stop digging.
Yet three years into his term, the president is digging a deficit hole that so far is deeper than the one he complained President George W. Bush had dug during his eight years in office.
From the time Bush took office in January 2001 to his departure on Jan. 20, 2009, the debt increased $4.9 trillion -- from $5.73 trillion to $10.63 trillion. The debt now stands at $15.57 trillion, up $4.94 trillion since Obama took office less than four years ago.
When Obama was campaigning, he called the debt increase under Bush "irresponsible" and "unpatriotic."
Facebook For Business By Ira Wolfe
Have you ever wondered how to use Facebook to your advantage when it comes to promoting your business? How about the do’s and don’ts of facebook when it comes to doing business? In this class you will be able to discover why you need to be on Facebook if you want your business to stand out from the competition. Don't waste your valuable time - you need to be strategic about how to get maximum business results from your Facebook presence. Also, learn how you can use this powerful tool to leverage your results!
Course Details: Thursday, April 5th, 2012 11:00am-1:30pm at the Talbot County Community Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD. Cost: $39.00 For more information you can contact Jessica Weber, Training Coordinator for Maryland Capital Enterprises at (410)546-1900 & jweber@marylandcapital.org or sign up at www.marylandcapital.org.
Course Details: Thursday, April 5th, 2012 11:00am-1:30pm at the Talbot County Community Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton, MD. Cost: $39.00 For more information you can contact Jessica Weber, Training Coordinator for Maryland Capital Enterprises at (410)546-1900 & jweber@marylandcapital.org or sign up at www.marylandcapital.org.
Judge Rules for State in Inmate Lawsuit Over Playboy
DOVER, Del. — A federal judge says a former Delaware death row inmate can’t get back a Playboy magazine that was seized from him.
Robert Gattis claimed in a 2008 lawsuit that officials violated his constitutional rights and prison policy by seizing a Playboy magazine he had ordered.
The judge ruled Tuesday that Gattis had no legitimate claim because he lost both an internal prison appeal as well as a court complaint seeking return of the magazine or its $6.99 face value. The judge said the fact that officials did not keep the magazine for a specified time period did not violate Gattis’ constitutional rights.
Gov. Jack Markell commuted Gattis’ death sentence to life without parole in January. In return, Gattis agreed to waive all further legal challenges related to his murder conviction.
Maybe Your New TV Is Watching You
It's the entire point, really. New smart TVs from Samsung boast video cameras with facial-recognition software and microphones with speech-recognition software. They can tell who's in the room, understand spoken commands, and be controlled with gestures. That's great news for those of us who can never find the remote, but made our friends over at HD Guru wonder: is there anyone behind that camera watching us back?
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Radio Host Offers $50,000 Challenge To 'Anti-Israel' Activist
On his WABC Radio show, Aaron Klein offered $50,000 to an organizer of the upcoming Global March to Jerusalem if the activist could name one city in the Middle East outside of Israel that has more freedom than Jerusalem.
Following in the footsteps of recent flotilla events, the March 30 event aims to storm Israel’s borders to “demand freedom for Jerusalem and its people and to put an end to the Apartheid, ethnic cleansing and Judaisation policies affecting the people, land and sanctity of Jerusalem.”
Endorsers of the Global March include President Obama’s controversial former pastor, Jeremiah Wright; Cornel West, a longtime friend of Obama who served as an adviser to the president’s 2008 campaign; and Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink. According to reports, Iran is also heavily involved in organizing the march.
The YouTube clip shows the exchange between Klein, who doubles as a WND reporter, and march activist Frank Romano, who is organizing the portion of the march that seeks to infiltrate Israel from the Qalandia checkpoint, at the border that leads from Ramallah to Jerusalem.
Can You Get A Prenup If You're Not Actually Getting Married?
Breakups are the worst, right? So what, you weren't married — long-term relationships in whatever form can go kaput, and you might find yourself with the uncomfortable task of deciding who gets what, disentangling bank accounts and credit cards, etc. Which is why some couples are getting prenups that aren't actual prenuptial agreements.
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Obama Campaign Says ‘White First Lady’ Joke Was ‘Inappropriate’
A spokeswoman for first lady Michelle Obama said a racially tinged joke by actor Robert De Niro at a campaign fundraiser Monday night was “inappropriate,” after Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich demanded the White House apologize.
“We believe the joke was inappropriate,” spokeswoman Olivia Alair said in a statement.
“My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone — especially the First Lady,” he said, according to reports.
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Mortgage Settlement? Not So Fast!
Mortgage bondholders are threatening legal action over the $25 billion national mortgage settlement, which will give the five largest servicers credits for principal writedowns that the bondholders may be forced to take. As American Banker notes [6], the investors in those trusts were not a party to the settlement agreement, and now they are objecting to being forced into taking losses - to the banks' benefit - as a result of it. The government is forcing investors to take losses even though they were not responsible for the foreclosure process abuses that led to the banks' settlement with state and federal officials. "The banks are trying to pay these fines with our money," says Vincent Fiorillo (of DoubleLine). Chris Katopis, the executive director of the bondholder trade group, says it is considering its legal options, including filing a friend of the court amicus brief or suing servicers individually..."Banks are shifting their liability to first-lien investors that were innocent of robo-signing,".
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Silent March Decries Violence Against LGBT Community
WASHINGTON - On the same day the federal government held talks aimed at promoting safe schools and communities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, area residents silently marched through D.C. for victims of hate crimes.
Hundreds of people attended the rally, which kicked off outside the Columbia Heights IHOP where a gay man was shot March 11. The demonstration stopped at two sites of recent attacks against LGBT individuals.
"We are here to express our anger and concern about these senseless hate crimes," said D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham.
OCEAN CITY POLICE WARNING CITIZENS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG
The Ocean City Police Department is warning citizens of an over-the-counter cold medicine which has become a popular drug for juveniles and young adults. The medicine, known as coricidin or chlorpheniramine, is taken orally to treat the common cold. Also known as Dextromethorphan (or “DXM”), coricidin is a cough-suppressing ingredient in a variety of cold medications. Depending on the dose, DXM’s effects may vary.Dextromethorphan is a safe and effective cough suppressant when used as indicated on the product label. However, when taken in doses that far exceed the amount recommended, the ingredient may produce feelings of euphoria that some seek to get “high.” A teenager looking to get high or experiment with drugs may turn to over-the -counter cough and cold preparations that contain dextromethorphan because they are readily available at home or the local drug store. Dextromethorphan can also be purchased in a bulk powder form on the Internet. Some websites encourage teenagers to abuse dextromethorphan and actually offer “recipes” for the best way to achieve a high.
The misuse of the drug creates both depressant and mild hallucinogenic effects. Users report a set of distinct dose-dependent “plateaus” ranging from a mild stimulant effect with distorted visual perceptions at low doses to a sense of complete disassociation from one’s body. If a child consumes large doses of a product containing dextromethorphan, it may cause a number of adverse effects, including impaired judgment and mental performance, loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea, hot flashes, disassociation and hallucinations.
Parents should be concerned if you notice that your child is taking excessive amounts of a cold and flu remedy, or if he or she continues to take medicine even after symptoms have subsided. Likewise, if cough and cold medications seem to disappear from the medicine cabinet or if you find packages of cough and cold preparations in the child’s room or backpack, he or she may be abusing the product.
In order to help prevent the abuse of dextromethorphan, parents should be mindful of children who are using medication outside of cold and flu season. In addition, check and frequently inventory your medicine cabinets, monitor your child’s internet use and talk to your kids about drug abuse. Additional prevention techniques include knowing your child’s friends and their parents and monitoring your child’s outside activities and whereabouts.
For more information, please visit www.naddi.org, www.dfaf.org and www.theantidrug.com.
Appeals Court Rules Graphic Cigarette Labels Don't Violate Free Speech
The latest battle over those graphic anti-smoking labels on cigarette packaging has been won by the FDA, after a federal appeals court ruled yesterday that requiring the warnings does not violate tobacco companies' First Amendment right to free speech.
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BREAKING NEWS: Tebow Traded To New York Jets
Denver Broncos trade quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets for a fourth-round draft pick, FoxSports.com reports.
From Fox News
From Fox News
BREAKING NEWS: Saints Coach Sean Payton Suspended For A Year
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton suspended for 2012 season over team's bounty program that offered cash bonuses to players for hits that injured opponents, NFL reports.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Dog Helps 5-Year-Old Diabetic Boy
A 5-year-old Virginia boy is getting some big help in keeping his diabetes in check, thanks to a specially trained four legged friend named Harley.
Harley, 17 weeks old, looks like any other playful black lab. But she's on the clock. Her job is to stay with Will to let him know - by smelling him - when his blood glucose level spikes too high or dips too low
Harley, 17 weeks old, looks like any other playful black lab. But she's on the clock. Her job is to stay with Will to let him know - by smelling him - when his blood glucose level spikes too high or dips too low
“It is an odor that your body produces,” says dog trainer Cheri Campbell. “When you go high, it's sweet. Low is acetone smell.”
Training Labradors to be diabetic alert dogs is pretty new. They say it’s similar to training dogs to detect explosives.
Microsoft Patents System That Would Let You Pay To Skip Commercials
It used to be that streaming a show online meant you had to deal with a minimum number of ads. But those online ad breaks are now growing longer and longer, and you usually don't have a method for fast-forwarding past them. That's why Microsoft has patented a system that would allow you to skip ads — for a price.
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Tennessee Abortion Bill Would Publish Names Of Doctors, Demographic Information Of Women
Physicians who perform abortions in Tennessee could have their identities revealed online, while women who receive the procedure could have their demographic information published for public perusal under a new bill pending in the state House of Representatives that is scheduled to come before a committee on Wednesday.
The legislation, known as the Life Defense Act of 2012, would require Tennessee's Department of Health to publish extensive details about women who receive abortions, giving lawmakers a rare chance to make a move that will potentially regulate the controversial procedure.More
The legislation, known as the Life Defense Act of 2012, would require Tennessee's Department of Health to publish extensive details about women who receive abortions, giving lawmakers a rare chance to make a move that will potentially regulate the controversial procedure.
In 2000, the Tennessee State Supreme Court ruled abortion is a right protected under the state constitution, making it almost impossible for conservative lawmakers to push through some of the divisive abortion-regulating laws that have been popping up across state legislatures in recent months.
Now You'll Hit New York Times' Online Paywall After 10 Stories Instead Of 20
Some of you may have never come close to the 20 articles it takes before New York Times' online paywall goes up — heck, maybe you don't even use their site. But for those who do, bad news starting in April: Now you've just got 10 articles for free before your free access is cut off.
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Next Demolition Scheduled For Thursday, March 22
The Department of Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance to raze 1018 Spring Avenue.
Since June of 2008 Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance (NSCC) has identified 33 (thirty-three) code violations (noxious growth, rubbish, boarding up of unsecure windows and doors, exterior violations and neighborhood complaints) at the subject property. There was call for service to the Salisbury Police Department during this time for vandalism of a vacant structure. The property was eventually condemned in March 2011. Considering the property owner failed to bring the property into compliance it was eventually ordered demolished also in March of 2011.
During the enforcement period the City spent $3,221.21 in abating violations. As a result of the neglect and condition of this property, this structure has begun its own demolition by neglect of the owner. The demolition that will take place will improve the safety and health of those surrounding properties.
In addition, a total of $3,145.28.00 has been issued in municipal infractions, resulting in twelve (12) district court hearings. Also, $1,746.89 is owed for water, sewer, trash removal and bay restoration fees. To date, these fees have not been recovered by the City of Salisbury.
This demolition is being funded through the City of Salisbury's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program awarded to Salisbury by the federal government. In 2011 the City set aside a portion ($55, 041) of its annual CDBG funding award to be used to demolish blighted properties in our neighborhoods that pose a public health and/or safety risk. The City is funding demolitions of four blighted properties, with
a fifth property a possibility with remaining funds.
The demolition is scheduled to begin Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 8:00 am.
Health Insurers: We'll Deny Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions If Health Mandate Is Repealed
Health insurers and supporters of the Obama administration’s health-care reform law are currently in the midst of drawing up possible contingency plans in case the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.
The insurance industry argues that premiums are likely to skyrocket without the individual mandate in place to aid in pushing millions of new enrollees into the marketplace, as healthy people will be less likely to buy insurance, while insurers will still be required to sell policies to all applicants. In fact, a repeal of the individual mandate would increase insurance premiums by 25 percent, according to a study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“The insurance reforms would have to change if the mandate were struck,” said Justine Handelman, vice president of legislative and regulatory policy for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association trade group.
Health-insurance officials say that if the mandate is repealed, “their first priority would be persuading members of Congress to repeal two of the law’s major insurance changes: a requirement to cover everyone regardless of his or her medical history, and limits on how much insurers can vary premiums based on age.” Their next step would be to “set rewards for people who purchase insurance voluntarily and sanction those who don’t.”
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The insurance industry argues that premiums are likely to skyrocket without the individual mandate in place to aid in pushing millions of new enrollees into the marketplace, as healthy people will be less likely to buy insurance, while insurers will still be required to sell policies to all applicants. In fact, a repeal of the individual mandate would increase insurance premiums by 25 percent, according to a study released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“The insurance reforms would have to change if the mandate were struck,” said Justine Handelman, vice president of legislative and regulatory policy for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association trade group.
Health-insurance officials say that if the mandate is repealed, “their first priority would be persuading members of Congress to repeal two of the law’s major insurance changes: a requirement to cover everyone regardless of his or her medical history, and limits on how much insurers can vary premiums based on age.” Their next step would be to “set rewards for people who purchase insurance voluntarily and sanction those who don’t.”
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Today's Fill In The Blank 3-21-12
My vote will go to ________ as the next President of the United States.
WCBOE Wasting More Money
Joe,
Would you please look into the waste of time, resources & money spent on the Wicomico County Kindergarten Registration Fair.
It is held at the Wicomico County Civic center for an entire week.
Here is the link on the wcboe website.
http://www.wcboe.org/department/Technology/OfficeofEnrollment
I went last year & it took over 3 hours to register my child for Kindergarten. I waited in line 5 different times before we were done. --and I preprinted my own paperwork ahead of time!!!
Many parents were upset & had to take 1/2 day off of work to drive all the way to the Civic Center on their "scheduled day" & register their child. If they couldn't make it to the Fair, they had to drive to the BOE & set up an appointment with them.
There was a ton of staff present at the event all week & I'm sure they incurred rental fees as well. The children did not get to visit the school they would attend in the fall.
Parents were very upset last year, and the kids hated it. I see they are doing the same thing again this year. I do not understand why they are using the Civic Center for the entire week, when the district owns so many buildings. I wonder how many extra people had to be paid for the week to sub at the schools. I also wonder how many different times the child's paperwork was transferred before arriving at the child's actual school.
Thanks for looking into it.
--Fed Up Parent
Would you please look into the waste of time, resources & money spent on the Wicomico County Kindergarten Registration Fair.
It is held at the Wicomico County Civic center for an entire week.
Here is the link on the wcboe website.
http://www.wcboe.org/department/Technology/OfficeofEnrollment
I went last year & it took over 3 hours to register my child for Kindergarten. I waited in line 5 different times before we were done. --and I preprinted my own paperwork ahead of time!!!
Many parents were upset & had to take 1/2 day off of work to drive all the way to the Civic Center on their "scheduled day" & register their child. If they couldn't make it to the Fair, they had to drive to the BOE & set up an appointment with them.
There was a ton of staff present at the event all week & I'm sure they incurred rental fees as well. The children did not get to visit the school they would attend in the fall.
Parents were very upset last year, and the kids hated it. I see they are doing the same thing again this year. I do not understand why they are using the Civic Center for the entire week, when the district owns so many buildings. I wonder how many extra people had to be paid for the week to sub at the schools. I also wonder how many different times the child's paperwork was transferred before arriving at the child's actual school.
Thanks for looking into it.
--Fed Up Parent
Gone Without A Case: Suspicious Elder Deaths Rarely Investigated
Nothing, it seemed, was unusual about Joseph Shepter's death.
A retired U.S. government scientist, Shepter spent his final two years dwelling in a nursing home in Mountain Mesa, Calif., a small town northeast of Bakersfield. A stroke had paralyzed much of his body, while dementia had eroded his ability to communicate.
He died in January 2007 at age 76. On Shepter's death certificate, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, the nursing home's chief medical officer, explained that the cause was heart failure brought on by clogged arteries.
Shepter's family had no reason to doubt it. The local coroner never looked into the death. Shepter's body was interred in a local cemetery.
But a tip from a nursing-home staffer would later prompt state officials to re-examine the case and reach a very different conclusion.
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A retired U.S. government scientist, Shepter spent his final two years dwelling in a nursing home in Mountain Mesa, Calif., a small town northeast of Bakersfield. A stroke had paralyzed much of his body, while dementia had eroded his ability to communicate.
He died in January 2007 at age 76. On Shepter's death certificate, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, the nursing home's chief medical officer, explained that the cause was heart failure brought on by clogged arteries.
Shepter's family had no reason to doubt it. The local coroner never looked into the death. Shepter's body was interred in a local cemetery.
But a tip from a nursing-home staffer would later prompt state officials to re-examine the case and reach a very different conclusion.
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Opportunities To Support Our Students And Schools
Saturday, March 24
Fund-raising Car Wash for Wicomico High Track and Field
Kmart Parking Lot, Salisbury
Wicomico High School boys and girls Track and Field will hold a fund-raising car wash this Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Kmart parking lot on Tilghman Road in Salisbury. Come out and get your car washed to support our student athletes! 410-677-5146
Available Now
Panera Bread and Bagel Coupons
Benefitting the Wicomico County STEM Program
Strips of Panera coupons are now on sale for $10, with half the cost of each coupon strip going to support the activities of the STEM Program in Wicomico County Public Schools. The coupon strips are either for all bagels, or for a mix of bagels, bread and other baked goods. These coupons strips are a great deal and can be used at any time. They make terrific gifts. Buy your Panera coupons at a STEM event, or contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or 410-677-4504.
Bennett Middle School: Recipes for Success
Cookbook Fundraiser
Bennett Middle School PTA
You can support the PTA of Bennett Middle School and get a great new cookbook to use for your family or give as a gift. The BMS PTA is selling the cookbook Bennett Middle School: Recipes for Success for $10 in the school office. The book contains recipes from students, staff and parents. Call 410-677-5140 for more information.
Fund-raising Car Wash for Wicomico High Track and Field
Kmart Parking Lot, Salisbury
Wicomico High School boys and girls Track and Field will hold a fund-raising car wash this Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Kmart parking lot on Tilghman Road in Salisbury. Come out and get your car washed to support our student athletes! 410-677-5146
Available Now
Panera Bread and Bagel Coupons
Benefitting the Wicomico County STEM Program
Strips of Panera coupons are now on sale for $10, with half the cost of each coupon strip going to support the activities of the STEM Program in Wicomico County Public Schools. The coupon strips are either for all bagels, or for a mix of bagels, bread and other baked goods. These coupons strips are a great deal and can be used at any time. They make terrific gifts. Buy your Panera coupons at a STEM event, or contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or 410-677-4504.
Bennett Middle School: Recipes for Success
Cookbook Fundraiser
Bennett Middle School PTA
You can support the PTA of Bennett Middle School and get a great new cookbook to use for your family or give as a gift. The BMS PTA is selling the cookbook Bennett Middle School: Recipes for Success for $10 in the school office. The book contains recipes from students, staff and parents. Call 410-677-5140 for more information.
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release 3-21-12
Incident: Warrant Arrest
Date of Incident: 19 March 2012
Location: Baltimore City, MD
Name: Lajuane Fowlkes, 20, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 19 March 2012 at 8:00 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office travelled to Baltimore for the purpose of picking up Lajuane Fowlkes who was being detained there. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office held a warrant for the arrest of Fowlkes in an Armed Robbery Case.
The warrant had been issued in July 2011.
The deputy transported Fowlkes to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Fowlkes was detained without bond pending an appearance in front of a Circuit Court Judge.
Charge: Armed Robbery
Date of Incident: 19 March 2012
Location: Baltimore City, MD
Name: Lajuane Fowlkes, 20, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 19 March 2012 at 8:00 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office travelled to Baltimore for the purpose of picking up Lajuane Fowlkes who was being detained there. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office held a warrant for the arrest of Fowlkes in an Armed Robbery Case.
The warrant had been issued in July 2011.
The deputy transported Fowlkes to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Fowlkes was detained without bond pending an appearance in front of a Circuit Court Judge.
Charge: Armed Robbery
Obama Leads All GOP Candidates In Va., Poll Finds
President Barack Obama enjoys a healthy advantage over all Republican presidential candidates in Virginia, a new poll shows, with his eight-point lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney the largest to date.
Obama leads Romney 50 percent to 42 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll. That’s double the president’s four-point lead last month.
“The president’s lead over Romney in Virginia is due mainly to his strong margin among women, 52–39 percent, but he also wins 48 percent of men to Romney’s 45 percent,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
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Obama leads Romney 50 percent to 42 percent, according to the Quinnipiac University poll. That’s double the president’s four-point lead last month.
“The president’s lead over Romney in Virginia is due mainly to his strong margin among women, 52–39 percent, but he also wins 48 percent of men to Romney’s 45 percent,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
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Troopers Seek Public’s Help In Identifying A Subject
Location: Billy’s Sub Shop, 38015 Fenwick Shoals Boulevard, Selbyville, DE
Date of Occurrence: Friday March 9, 2012 between 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Suspect:
White male, 5’08” – 5’09” wearing a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and hat (Surveillance Photos Attached)
Resume:
Selbyville, DE- The Delaware State Police asking the public’s assistance in attempting to identify a subject who broke into a local business.
Sometime between midnight and 8:30 a.m. on Friday March 9th, a white male was captured on surveillance cameras breaking into Billy’s Sub Shop on Fenwick Shoals Boulevard in Selbyville. Once the suspect made entry, he removed a computer and an undisclosed amount of money and then fled in an unknown direction.
If anyone has any information on incident, they are asked to contact Troop 4 at 302-856-5850 ext. 219 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Democrat Sues to Boot Obama From Ballot
Another lawsuit has been filed asking state officials to remove Barack Obama’s name from the 2012 election ballot because he has not documented that he is eligible for the office, but this case in Florida has a twist: It was brought by a Democrat.
The case was filed by Larry Klayman of Freedom Watch USA on behalf of Democrat Michael Voeltz, “a registered member of the Democrat Party, voter, and taxpayer in Broward County, who was an eligible elector for the Florida Primary of Jan. 31, 2012.”
As part of his responsibilities, the lawsuit explains, Voeltz took “an oath to ‘protect and defend’ the U.S. Constitution.”
The complaint cites widely reported suspicions that Obama might not have been born in the United States and the fact that his father never was a U.S. citizen. It contends that because of those circumstances, Obama is not a “natural-born citizen” as the Constitution demands of the president.
Welcome To The Predatory State Of California--Even If You Don't Live There
Theft has been "legalized" for governments and banks in America.
Every once in a while an event crystallizes the stark reality behind the lacy curtain of propaganda and artifice. Here is one such event.
Correspondent R.T. is a retired accountant who has resided in Arizona since 2001. Prior to 2001, he resided in California.
On March 14, he received a letter from the California Franchise Tax Board (the agency that collects income taxes) claiming that he owed $1,343 for the tax year 2006. This was the first notification he'd ever received of this claim. This was an interesting claim given that R.T.:
-- Did not reside in California in 2006
-- Did not file a State income tax return in California in 2006
-- Did not have any outstanding tax issues with California in 2006
-- Did no business in California in 2006
-- Owned no property in California in 2006
The number $1,343 is also interesting, as R.T.'s total Federal tax liability in 2006 was $650. Since the top income tax rate in California is about 9%, and that only kicks in at relatively high income levels above $100,000 annually, then it's difficult to see how anyone could owe double their Federal tax in California state tax.
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Every once in a while an event crystallizes the stark reality behind the lacy curtain of propaganda and artifice. Here is one such event.
Correspondent R.T. is a retired accountant who has resided in Arizona since 2001. Prior to 2001, he resided in California.
On March 14, he received a letter from the California Franchise Tax Board (the agency that collects income taxes) claiming that he owed $1,343 for the tax year 2006. This was the first notification he'd ever received of this claim. This was an interesting claim given that R.T.:
-- Did not reside in California in 2006
-- Did not file a State income tax return in California in 2006
-- Did not have any outstanding tax issues with California in 2006
-- Did no business in California in 2006
-- Owned no property in California in 2006
The number $1,343 is also interesting, as R.T.'s total Federal tax liability in 2006 was $650. Since the top income tax rate in California is about 9%, and that only kicks in at relatively high income levels above $100,000 annually, then it's difficult to see how anyone could owe double their Federal tax in California state tax.
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What Exactly Did Happen To The Famed Flyer Amelia Earhart?
Now even Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wants to know. Clinton is meeting with historians and scientists today from the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery. That group is planning a June search for Earhart's plane, which disappeared 75 years ago. Researchers believe it crashed on or near the South Pacific island of Nikumaoro. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were attempting an around-the-world flight.
Today's Survey Question 3-21-12
Is life in prison without parole ever an appropriate sentence for a juvenile?
GOP Budget Plan Cuts Deeply into Domestic Programs, Reshapes Medicare, Medicaid
House Republicans laid down a bold but risky election-year marker Tuesday, unveiling a budget proposal that aims to tame the national debt by reshaping Medicare and cutting deeply into Medicaid, food stamps and other programs for the poor, while reshuffling the tax code to sharply lower rates.
Congressional Republicans plan to use the document to demonstrate their willingness to tackle the nation’s difficult fiscal problems head-on. They argue that restraining future borrowing is a moral imperative and that entitlement programs for the elderly and the poor must be redrawn both to reduce red ink and to ensure that federal benefits continue to be available.
But the document — which pairs deep spending cuts with a reduction in the top tax rate paid by the wealthy — quickly provided new fodder for Democrats, who argued that Republicans would slash the social safety net while protecting the rich.
QUOTE OF THE DAY 3-21-12
“Our government…teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.”
Louis D. Brandeis
Louis D. Brandeis
Feds, Fla. Probe Teen's Shooting by Watch Captain
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - An unarmed black teenager shot to death by a neighborhood watch captain told his girlfriend moments before he was killed that he was being followed, a lawyer said Tuesday as federal and state prosecutors announced they would investigate.
"'Oh he's right behind me, he's right behind me again,'" 17-year-old Trayvon Martin told his girlfriend on his cellphone, the Martin family's attorney said.
The girl later heard Martin say, "Why are you following me?" Another man asked, "What are you doing around here?'" attorney Benjamin Crump said.
Indonesian Muslims Condemn Lady Gaga Concert: ‘Intended To Destroy The Nation’s Morality’
Pop star Lady Gaga may have millions of fans across the globe, but some Islamic leaders in Indonesia cannot be counted among them.
The Jakarta Globe is reporting that the singer has drawn the ire of Muslim leaders in the Southeast Asian country after her concert, which is bound to be provocative, sold out in less than two hours.
The June 3 performance that has religious leaders up in arms is scheduled to take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. After selling 25,000 tickets, Lady Gaga attracted the attention of Indonesian Council of Ulema (ICU) chairman Cholil Ridwan, who said, “[The concert is] intended to destroy the nation’s morality.”
“She is from the West, and she often shows her aurat [private parts of the body] when performing,” the chairman continued, going on to state his worry that Western singers, like Lady Gaga, have a negative influence over Indonesian youths. It may be time, he maintained, for these “cultural attacks to end.
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The Jakarta Globe is reporting that the singer has drawn the ire of Muslim leaders in the Southeast Asian country after her concert, which is bound to be provocative, sold out in less than two hours.
The June 3 performance that has religious leaders up in arms is scheduled to take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. After selling 25,000 tickets, Lady Gaga attracted the attention of Indonesian Council of Ulema (ICU) chairman Cholil Ridwan, who said, “[The concert is] intended to destroy the nation’s morality.”
“She is from the West, and she often shows her aurat [private parts of the body] when performing,” the chairman continued, going on to state his worry that Western singers, like Lady Gaga, have a negative influence over Indonesian youths. It may be time, he maintained, for these “cultural attacks to end.
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The Real Reason The NAACP Went To Geneva
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP, has gone to the United Nations — specifically the U.N. Human Rights Council — for, in the words of USA Today, “help battling what the organization views as forces attempting to push back voting rights.”
Those “forces” are laws being passed by various states that require a photo ID for voting. The NAACP move is so absurd and so self-destructive that one has to wonder why the organization has done this. According to the Freedom House 2011 assessment of freedom in the world, of the 41 members of the U.N. Human Rights Council, fewer than half are free countries. Ten are ranked “Not Free,” and 12 “Partly Free.” Among the “Not Free” members are Angola, China, Congo, Cuba, Jordan, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Those countries’ elections, if they have them, are rigged, and prominent opponents are jailed, tortured and killed.
To bring a human rights complaint before countries in which there are almost no human rights is truly absurd. That the alleged human rights violation takes place in the freest country in the world further elevates the level of absurdity. And when the alleged violation is a law that requires all voters, irrespective of race, creed or color, to show photo identification before voting, we have gone beyond the absurd and entered a modern Twilight Zone.
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Those “forces” are laws being passed by various states that require a photo ID for voting. The NAACP move is so absurd and so self-destructive that one has to wonder why the organization has done this. According to the Freedom House 2011 assessment of freedom in the world, of the 41 members of the U.N. Human Rights Council, fewer than half are free countries. Ten are ranked “Not Free,” and 12 “Partly Free.” Among the “Not Free” members are Angola, China, Congo, Cuba, Jordan, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Those countries’ elections, if they have them, are rigged, and prominent opponents are jailed, tortured and killed.
To bring a human rights complaint before countries in which there are almost no human rights is truly absurd. That the alleged human rights violation takes place in the freest country in the world further elevates the level of absurdity. And when the alleged violation is a law that requires all voters, irrespective of race, creed or color, to show photo identification before voting, we have gone beyond the absurd and entered a modern Twilight Zone.
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IRS Forms 'SWAT Team' For Tax Dodger Crackdown
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is staffing up with high-powered talent to crack down on companies shifting profits from country to country to lower their tax bills, a strategy the agency has targeted before with only limited success.
The IRS showed its elevated concern on the issue, known as "transfer pricing," last May by hiring Samuel Maruca to fill the newly created post of transfer pricing director.
He has since brought aboard specialists from Big Four audit firms KPMG and Ernst & Young LLP, as well as law firm Mayer Brown and boutique consultancy Horst Frisch.
Race And Rhetoric
One of the things that turned up, during a long-overdue cleanup of my office, was an old yellowed copy of the New York Times dated July 24, 1992. One of the front-page headlines said: “White-Black Disparity in Income Narrowed in 80′s, Census Shows.”
The 1980s? Wasn’t that the years of the Reagan administration, the “decade of greed,” the era of “neglect” of the poor and minorities, if not “covert racism”?
More recently, during the administration of America’s first black president, a 2011 report from the Pew Research Center has the headline, “Wealth Gaps Rise to Record Highs Between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics.”
While the median net worth of whites was ten times the median net worth of blacks in 1988, the last year of the Reagan administration, the ratio was nineteen to one in 2009, the first year of the Obama administration. With Hispanics, the ratio was eight to one in 1988 and fifteen to one in 2009.
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The 1980s? Wasn’t that the years of the Reagan administration, the “decade of greed,” the era of “neglect” of the poor and minorities, if not “covert racism”?
More recently, during the administration of America’s first black president, a 2011 report from the Pew Research Center has the headline, “Wealth Gaps Rise to Record Highs Between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics.”
While the median net worth of whites was ten times the median net worth of blacks in 1988, the last year of the Reagan administration, the ratio was nineteen to one in 2009, the first year of the Obama administration. With Hispanics, the ratio was eight to one in 1988 and fifteen to one in 2009.
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A Month Off (without pay)?
If you've got friends in the organized crime world, here's some good news you may want to pass along. It could earn you a big tip. Or at least a pass should you at some future date turn rat.
The good news:
The FBI may have to shutdown — for a month or more — next year. While crime statistics are down in many places, that isn't the reason the G-men and women, and other Justice Department employees may be told to take an extended break. Without pay.
The furloughs, if they take place, would begin early next year as part of the sequestration process. That's an across-the-board budget cut hitting nearly every federal agency regardless of the importance of it's mission. The cuts would happen if Congress doesn't come up with a plan to trim just over one trillion dollars in spending over the next 10 years.
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The good news:
The FBI may have to shutdown — for a month or more — next year. While crime statistics are down in many places, that isn't the reason the G-men and women, and other Justice Department employees may be told to take an extended break. Without pay.
The furloughs, if they take place, would begin early next year as part of the sequestration process. That's an across-the-board budget cut hitting nearly every federal agency regardless of the importance of it's mission. The cuts would happen if Congress doesn't come up with a plan to trim just over one trillion dollars in spending over the next 10 years.
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Full-Blown Media Cover-Up of Hottest U.S. Story
Though Media Matters and other pro-Obama outlets such as the Democratic Underground are reacting in full mock-and-ridicule mode, WND’s report today – featuring video of a retired Illinois postman who claims former terrorist Bill Ayers’ parents told him they were financially supporting “foreign student” Barack Obama through Harvard – is one of the hottest, most-read news stories in the world.
At one point today, the Web information company Alexa ranked the story as the fifth hottest page on the Internet.
The establishment media, meanwhile, have completely ignored the story, and when news-agenda-setter Matt Drudge posted it on his Drudge Report, liberal watchdogs Media Matters and the Democratic Underground quickly unleashed scorn on Drudge.
Where Does All That Money Go In Maryland
Remember when they said the largest portion of the Lottery/Keno money would be going towards education. Then slots came along and we heard the same thing. Well, how is it then that HB 1412 has forced the hands of so many Counties in Maryland?Obviously the millions upon millions of dollars they raise each and every week is going somewhere other than the Board of Education, right?
Yet the largest taxes each County pays goes towards the Board of Education. Mind you, I'm talking about each and every household, not just the ones who have children attending schools.
In my honest opinion, things are so out of control one has to wonder if there are any checks and balances at all when it comes to Board of Education funding.
7.4 Quake Shakes Mexico, 100s of Homes Damaged
MEXICO CITY (AP) - A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit southern Mexico on Tuesday, damaging some 800 homes near the epicenter and swaying tall buildings and spreading fear and panic hundreds of miles away in the capital of Mexico City.
One of the strongest to shake Mexico since the deadly 1985 temblor that killed thousands in Mexico City, Tuesday's earthquake hit hardest in the border area of southern Oaxaca and Guerrero states. In Guerrero, officials confirmed that some 800 homes had been damaged, with another 60 having collapsed.
Long after the shaking at noon local time (18:02 GMT), there were still no reports of death, even after a less powerful, magnitude-5.1 aftershock was felt in the capital and several other aftershocks near the epicenter in a mountainous rural region. Interior Secretary Alejandro Poire said late Tuesday night that nine people were injured in Oaxaca and two in Mexico City, but no one had died.
Armed Robbery
On March 20, 2012 at approximately 7:10pm, a black male entered into the business of Wal Beauty Supply located at 521 N Salisbury Blvd. The black male approached the victim who was standing behind the counter. The black male told the victim that he had a knife, but never displayed the weapon. The black male then went behind the sales counter and grabbed the victim by the hair and said “open the register!” The black male was able to take an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency from the register before fleeing the store. The black male was last seen running across Rt 13 and west on Elizabeth St in to the Newtown area.
The victim was not injured.
The black male is described as approximately 30yo, 180-200lbs, 6’0-6’3hgt, and large lips. The suspect was wearing a black in color hoodie and dark blue jeans (nfd).
There is no video available at this time.
Anyone with any information regarding this robbery is asked to call the Salisbury Police Department at 410.548.3165 or Crime Solvers at 410.548.1776.
The victim was not injured.
The black male is described as approximately 30yo, 180-200lbs, 6’0-6’3hgt, and large lips. The suspect was wearing a black in color hoodie and dark blue jeans (nfd).
There is no video available at this time.
Anyone with any information regarding this robbery is asked to call the Salisbury Police Department at 410.548.3165 or Crime Solvers at 410.548.1776.
Romney Routs Santorum in GOP Primary in Illinois
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (AP) - Mitt Romney took a major stride toward the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday night, routing Rick Santorum in the Illinois primary for his third big-state win in a row and padding his already-formidable lead in the race for convention delegates.
"What a night," Romney exulted to cheering supporters in suburban Chicago. Looking beyond his GOP rivals, he said he had a simple message for President Barack Obama, the man Republicans hope to defeat next fall: "Enough. We've had enough."
Returns from 98 percent of Illinois' precincts showed Romney gaining 47 percent of the vote compared to 35 percent for Santorum, 9 percent for Ron Paul and 8 percent for a fading Newt Gingrich.
Do Our Elected Officials Really Care About Our Kids, Or Is It All About The Money
If you truly want to slow people down in school zones, install multiple speed bumps. However, feeding us the line of crap that speed cameras are about kids safety does NOT slow people down, period.If they gave out ONE single ticket from those cameras, clearly they continued to allow people to speed in those areas. Heck, we have proven that even local Police Officers have received multiple speeding tickets in these zones, did it stop them?
Mrs. Fredericksen received multiple tickets in these speed zones, SO THEY DON'T WORK. They do not save the children and receiving so much revenue from these cameras proves its not slowing people down.
So why did most of the County Council buy that load of crap spewed by the Sheriff's department yesterday? Why do we as Americans continue to buy the load of crap spewed to us by our elected officials? From the President all the way down to a City Council Member, we're constantly sitting back going, OK, I guess they know what they're doing. I guess it is all about the safety of our children. BS!
If you want people to slow down, put in multiple speed bumps. The first time some jackass tries to fly through that area and screws up their front end, believe me, they'll never speed through that area again. Sheriff Lewis is quickly becoming a politician selling his snake oil to those who voted for him.
Public Pressure Still Rules
Put someone in a high power position and sometimes they think they can walk on water. Unfortunately, some people actually believe they can walk on water.
It's good to see that Mr. Fredericksen chose to delay school today. Claiming there wasn't any fog in the early morning yesterday was simply a load of crap. Too many lives are at risk on days like today and yesterday.
My little guy is sound asleep getting additional rest and hopefully yours is too.
NASA Reschedules Virginia Suborbital Rocket Launches
ATLANTIC, Va. – Bad weather has prompted NASA to reschedule the launch of five rockets from its Wallops Facility in Virginia.
The rockers are part of a study of the upper-level jet stream.
The launch had been set for Wednesday morning but has now been pushed back to early Thursday. Bad weather has postponed the launch several days.
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The rockers are part of a study of the upper-level jet stream.
The launch had been set for Wednesday morning but has now been pushed back to early Thursday. Bad weather has postponed the launch several days.
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France Shooting Suspect Holed Up In Building
TOULOUSE, France (AP) - A predawn police raid on a home in Toulouse erupted into a firefight Wednesday with a gunman who claims connections to al-Qaida and is suspected of killing three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi and three paratroopers.
The man has thrown his handgun out a window but has other weapons on him, including an AK-47 assault rifle, and has used them in volleys with police surrounding the building in this southwestern city, French Interior Minister Claude Gueant said.
Three policemen have been wounded in the operation, which is still ongoing, Gueant said. The suspect's brother has been arrested.
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The man has thrown his handgun out a window but has other weapons on him, including an AK-47 assault rifle, and has used them in volleys with police surrounding the building in this southwestern city, French Interior Minister Claude Gueant said.
Three policemen have been wounded in the operation, which is still ongoing, Gueant said. The suspect's brother has been arrested.
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Md. House Panel Approves Flush Tax
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland House committee has approved doubling the state’s “flush tax” from $30 a year to $60 a year.
The House Environmental Matters Committee passed the bill on Tuesday.
The measure, which is one of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposals, would enable the state to finish upgrading the 67 largest sewage
plants in the state to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.
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The House Environmental Matters Committee passed the bill on Tuesday.
The measure, which is one of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposals, would enable the state to finish upgrading the 67 largest sewage
plants in the state to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.
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WICOMICO COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE A 2 HOUR DELAY
Schools will be opening 2 hours late. No AM Pre-K
Delmar Middle and High School are also on a 2 hour delay this morning.
Worcester County Schools are also on a 2 hour delay.
Somerset County Schools 2 hour delay.
Delmar Middle and High School are also on a 2 hour delay this morning.
Worcester County Schools are also on a 2 hour delay.
Somerset County Schools 2 hour delay.
Twenty-Six Wicomico Teachers Recognized as Semifinalists For Wicomico Teacher Of The Year
Twenty-six semifinalists for 2012-13 Wicomico Teacher of the Year have met with a blue ribbon panel of judges and will find out on Thursday, March 22, who will be named the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year.
The annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year banquet, with more than 200 guests including dozens of outstanding teachers, will be held at The Commons at Salisbury University beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 22. The announcement of four finalists (one for each school level) and the naming of the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year will take place by around 8:30 p.m. The banquet will also feature student musicians and the honoring of a new Friend of Education.
Congratulations to all of these semifinalists for 2012-13 Wicomico Teacher of the Year:
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The annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year banquet, with more than 200 guests including dozens of outstanding teachers, will be held at The Commons at Salisbury University beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 22. The announcement of four finalists (one for each school level) and the naming of the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year will take place by around 8:30 p.m. The banquet will also feature student musicians and the honoring of a new Friend of Education.
Congratulations to all of these semifinalists for 2012-13 Wicomico Teacher of the Year:
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