Revealed: Trash Cans And Sinks Of Human Waste, Feces-Smeared Walls And Mushy Floors Inside The 'Hunger Games-Like' Carnival Cruise Ship

Tales of the repulsive conditions on board the ill-fated Carnival cruise ship began to emerge today as exhausted passengers disembarked late on Thursday night.

Guests spoke of the gruesome ordeal after enduring five days of overflowing toilets, mushy floors, food shortages and stomach-churning odors.

Passengers described to relatives and the media via cellphone the conditions on board the Triumph where cabins had raw sewage running down the walls and interior passages sloshed with waste. 

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Fireball From Outer Space: 1,000 Injured As 40-Ton Meteor Travelling At 33,000mph Explodes Over A Terrified Town

• Large object flashed across the sky at 9.20am local time
• Pictures show a streak of smoke followed by several bright blasts of flames
• 82 of the injured are children and two are in intensive care
• Landed in a lake near Chebarkul, a neighbouring town
• 6,000 square feet of a roof at a zinc factory collapsed
• One local said it 'was like a scene from the Armageddon movie'

 Some feared a plane was about to fall out of the sky while others thought the world was ending.In fact, it was a meteor streaking across the sky before exploding in a fireball brighter than the sun.The terrifying sight was caught in these astonishing pictures by residents of central Russia as they headed to work yesterday. 
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SU's English Hosts Performing Arts Fundraiser Saturday, February 16

SALISBURY, MD---“The blues is the roots; everything else is the fruits.” – Willie Dixon

Blues musician and Salisbury University Department of Music faculty Chris English presents his fifth annual performing arts fundraiser 7 p.m. Saturday, February 16, in the Black Box Theatre of Fulton Hall.

English and his band bring Delta-style blues to Salisbury. Special guests include Ted Nichols with SU’s World Percussion Ensemble, Nancy Mitchell reading blues poetry.

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This Is The Kind Of Leadership I Want To Bring To Salisbury

You have to have a long term vision, not instant and temporary fixes.  I need your vote to start redeveloping Salisbury with the incredible resources we already have, yet haven't cashed in on. We have a River Walk no one visits. We have a Downtown no one has really taken seriously.

Together we can do incredible things with new VISION and LEADERSHIP. Please take the time to watch this video. I can't answer major questions in Forums with only 1 minute to respond. 

Once you see this video you'll have a better understanding as to where I believe we need to be. I thank you for taking the time to view this video.

This video was found HERE.

Lehigh University Student's C-Plus Grade Will Stand, Judge Rules

A C-plus grade will stand for a Lehigh University student who sued over the poor mark, a Northampton County judge ruled today.

Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano made the ruling this afternoon in the lawsuit filed by graduate student Megan Thode for a grade she received in 2009.

Earlier Neil Hamburg, one of the lawyers representing Lehigh University, reminded Giordano that existing legal precedent from the United States Supreme Court bars courts from interfering in academic determinations except in the rarest of cases. Overruling the decision of a teacher or educational facility would undermine the entire academic system, he argued. The professors possess the experience and knowledge in their respected fields required for these decisions, not judges or juries.
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Gun Control

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun control. I appreciate you taking the time to write.

I am horrified by gun violence in our country. The shooting that occurred on December 14th in Newtown, Connecticut - the murder of 20 sweet, innocent children and the six adults who died protecting them - is an unthinkable, terrible tragedy. I join with all Americans during this tragic time in extending my deepest condolences to these victims' families, who are facing an incredible amount of grief and heartache.

Now more than ever, we need to work together to make sure another tragedy like this never happens again. I support the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. I also believe that we can take steps to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those with mental illnesses without infringing on the right of law-abiding citizens to buy firearms.

That is why I believe that we must take a substantive look at various proposals to strengthen background checks and get assault weapons off our streets. This includes reinstating the Assault Weapons Ban and limiting the use of high capacity ammunition. I have also continually supported extending required background checks at gun shows to help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals. Your views will be helpful to me as we further consider this issue.

While we need to look at gun control, I believe we must also look at the mental health issues that plague our nation. We need to make sure that people have access to the services they need. As a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I fought for over ten years to get mental health parity passed so that all Americans suffering from mental illness could have access to the treatments they need. We also need to find better ways to treat, or even cure, mental illnesses. That's why I am such a strong supporter of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). I will continue to fight to improve and expand mental health services.

Again, thanks for getting in touch with me about this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can assist you with in the future.
Sincerely, 
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

CDC: Young People Account for Half of All New Sexually Transmitted Infections

After years of sex education in the nation's public schools, a new report indicates that many young people are not listening or learning how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

The report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are more than 19.7 million new sexually transmitted infections in the United States each year, and young people ages 15-24 account for half of them.

Among those young people, the CDC found that 51 percent of the new infections occur in young women and 49 percent in young men.
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Ladies Aux Soup And Sandwich March 2

SOUP & SANDWICH 

Saturday March 2, 2013

Mardela Springs Fire House

11 am until sold out

EAT IN OR CARRY OUT

Oyster Fritter Sandwiches (Ronnie King’s)      Dumplings (Joan Catlin’s)

Auxiliary’s Homemade Chicken Salad 

French Fries     Hot Dogs

HOMEMADE SOUPS

Peas N Dumplings         Dried Lima Beans

Vegetable (Beef)       Chicken Noodle Soup

Green Lima Bean & Corn   

Sodas    Coffee     Water   Tea

Bake Table          Homemade Ice Cream 

To place order for Homemade Sausage 

Call 410-430-0619 leave name & phone number

            Also available for sale RADA Brand Knives & Tomato Slicers,    

                                Flavoring for baking

Benefits The Mardela Sprs. Vol. Fire Co. Ladies Aux..

Get Your MARCH 16th GUN BASH Tickets 

Man Allegedly Didn't Pay For $30,000 In Walmart Merchandise

A Sykesville man is accused of not paying for about $30,000 of goods from an Eldersburg Walmart, according to charging documents.

Franklin Alexander Rheubottom, 71, of the 800 block of Gibbons Road, was arrested Tuesday and charged with theft scheme $10,000 to under $100,000 and conspiracy to commit theft of $10,000 to under $100,000, according to charging documents. He was released Tuesday from the Carroll County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond, electronic court records show.

A Walmart employee, Teresa Diane Long, 55, stated that over a span of three or four years, Rheubottom would come to her cash register, and she wouldn't scan all of the items, charging documents state. The store employee stated that he allegedly had threatened to hurt her family if she did not comply, according to charging documents.
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3rd Friday Downtown Around 6 PM

Proverb

Old Proverb:

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
2013 Version:

Give a man a welfare check, a free cell phone, free Internet, cash for his clunker, food stamps, section 8 housing, Medicaid, ninety-nine weeks of unemployment, free medicine, and he will vote Democrat the rest of his life…even after he's dead.

HIGH SCHOOL GOALIE QUITS TEAM IN MOST DRAMATIC WAY: SCORES ON HIS OWN TEAM, FLIPS OFF COACHES, THEN LEAVES

There are epic ways to quit your job. Then there are epic ways to quit a team. Austin Krause just showed the world one way to do the latter.

Krause is (or was) a senior goalie at Farmington High School in Minnesota. It was senior night on Tuesday, and Krause got the start — a rarer occurence this season. And that was part of the problem: Krause had been losing playing time this season to a sophomore he’s not too fond of.

We’ll let him tell you in his own words what he decided to do to make his point (courtesy of the Farmington Independent):

“They played this sophomore goalie for the starter, he was terrible, I would try and talk to the coaches about this and tell them I want playing time but they never really listen to me or gave me a chance to show them that I’m a better goalie but still wouldn’t trust me so I had it it with I asked a few of my players if they care if I did it and they didn’t care they thought it would be funny so at the third period they dumped it in I stopped it put in my net started to skate off then flicked the coaches not the team the coaches then I saluted them then got off.”

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The SOTU & What We’ve Done In Maryland…Part I

The President made a persuasive case for why we must begin to make better choices as a nation. He focused on finding new and innovative ways to cut waste, improve efficiencies, improve education — from Pre-School to higher education — and create jobs. Here in Maryland, we are already working towards stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger America.
Better Choices:
Here’s what the President said:

“It’s not a bigger government we need, but a smarter government that sets priorities and invests in broad-based growth.”
And here’s what we’ve done and are doing in Maryland:

By using a fiscally responsible, balanced approach of cuts, revenue and investments, we’ve been able to:
Nearly eliminate the $1.7 billion structural deficit that we inherited in 2007
Cut more state spending than any other administration in modern Maryland history
Make government more efficient, reduce waste and cut red tape
Invest in key priorities like job creation and education
Maintain our Triple A bond rating and prepare for the future

Click the image below for an in depth look at the better choices we’ve made together.

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Ocean Zoning Funds Removed From Sandy Relief Bill

A potential plan to effectively zone vast areas of ocean along the nation’s coastlines will not get $150 million in federal funding after the House last week voted to remove the appropriation hidden in a much-larger Hurricane Sandy relief bill.

Last week, the House took up a massive federal funding bill intended to help victims of Hurricane Sandy and discovered some unintended pork had been added to the appropriation including $150 million in federal funding to start implementing the Obama Administration’s plan to zone vast areas of ocean off the nation’s coasts for different uses. However, the House Natural Resources Committee sniffed out the rather obscure addition to the Sandy relief bill and was able to garner the votes to kill the expenditure with an amendment.

In 2010, based on recommendations of the Interagency Task Force on Ocean Policy, President Obama issued an executive order calling for a National Ocean Policy, a proposal that included a somewhat controversial “marine spatial zoning” of the seas off the nation’s coastlines including here in Ocean City and the mid-Atlantic. The president called for the creation of a National Ocean Council, an organization of stakeholders to coordinate the federal regulation of activities along the nation’s coasts including among other things recreational and commercial fishing.
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SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA FEBRUARY 19, 2013

CONFERENCE ROOM 306

GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

2:00 p.m. Business Disclosure Ordinance – Follow-up discussion – Mark Tilghman

2:25 p.m. Resolution No. 2251 – amending Council Regulations and Rules of Order (Council travel policy) – Follow-up discussion

2:40 p.m. Ordinance No. 2230 – amending False Alarm fees and false alarm schedule – Follow-up discussion – Mark Tilghman

3:00 p.m. Critical areas ordinance – Jimmy Sharp and someone from the Critical Areas Commission

3:35 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. CIP – Follow-up discussion (to include information on TMDL/WIP by Keith Hall)

4:15 p.m. Fire Service Agreement – Update and Follow-up discussion

4:45 p.m. General Discussion/Upcoming Agenda Items

 Budget amendment – appropriating speed camera funds for Police range fence

 Requested grant for storm window replacement at Poplar Hill Mansion

 Other

5:00 p.m. Adjournment

Van Runs Into Home On Riverside Drive Moments Ago

A van crashed through a fence and into a home on Riverside Drive. They are using the jaws of life to get the driver out of the vehicle. 

RIP Chris Kyle

A few pictures that have been posted on social media

 

 

 

160 Navy SEAL trident pins were pounded into

the casket by Kyle’s fellow warriors

Change Maryland On Offshore Wind Proposal Being Considered In General Assembly

note: Marylanders are already paying more for electricity than the U.S. average. At nearly 11 cents a kilowatt hour, Marylanders are paying more for their electricity than residents and businesses in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Annapolis - Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan released the following statement today as Gov. Martin O'Malley attempted to revise his offshore wind energy proposal in a key legislative committee today.

"It seems Martin O'Malley's priority is to make electricity and gas more expensive. He is pushing an increase in the gas tax and pushing a wind energy policy that is not cost effective and guarantees that electricity will be more expensive for rate payers.

"At the close of the last session, the governor ignored the budgeting process which resulted in a train wreck. Instead he was out on the steps of the capital, leading wind energy activists in chant that said 'all we re saying is give wind a chance.'

"There are no assurances that this offshore wind proposal will not devolve into crony-capitalism that reward friends of the governor and political donors.

"While there may be political support for offshore wind among narrow special interest groups, 96% of Marylanders are opposed to higher taxes. And make no mistake, the Governor's offshore wind proposal is simply a tax by another name.
"This governor has raised taxes and fees 24 times, taking $2.4 billion out of the economy. Maybe instead of giving wind a chance, it's time to give hard-working families a chance."

SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO JET OFF AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER FROM THIS F/A-18 PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE

We’ve taken a look what F-15 pilots see thanks to the video filmed strictly with GoPro cameras, but how about this amazing pilot point-of-view footage of Super Hornets zooming off an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean?

The pilots in the F/A-18F aircraft part of Carrier Strike Group 8 take off — and land — on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

We don’t know what cameras were used to capture this footage, but it’s stunning.
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Rapper 2 Chainz Arrested In Easton Md. On Drug Charges

Rapper 2 Chainz.  

He was arrested last night in Easton.

He was charged with possession of marijuana and released with a citation and no bond.

Statement Of Senator Jim Mathias On Public Safety Improvement On Route 113

Annapolis, MD - Senator Jim Mathias released the following statement on the announcement by the State Highway Administration of a new traffic light by the intersection of Route 113 and Route 12.

“This intersection has long been an area of concern for our community, and the site of far too many unfortunate fatalities and injuries. I am pleased that the State Highway Administration has informed me that by mid-July, there will be a new traffic light at the intersection of Route 113 and Route 12 in Snow Hill as well as the continued intent to construct J-turns at Route 113 and Route 365 (Public Landing Road).

“In continuing this endeavor and accomplishing it for our community, this was a team effort including the Worcester County Commissioners,

Darrell B. Mobley, Maryland Acting Secretary of Transportation, State Highway Administration, especially Melinda Peters, State Highway Administrator and Donnie Drewer, District Engineer. I am grateful for their effective support and attention to this effort and remain committed with our team to accomplish an even safer Rt. 113 and regional roadways in our area. It is my goal that these efforts can avoid further tragedies in our community.”

Senator Mathias represents District 38, which includes all of Somerset and Worcester Counties and part of Wicomico County on the Lower Eastern Shore. He is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare, energy, and business legislation. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served the residents of the Lower Shore as a member of the House of Delegates and as Mayor of Ocean City.

CITY OF SALISBURY/WICOMICO COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED

February 15, 2013, Salisbury, MD – City of Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton and Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt would like to remind citizens that government offices will be closed for President’s Day on Monday, February 18th. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, February 19th.

Other facilities/agencies:

· Wicomico County Health Department will be CLOSED.

· Wicomico Public Library will be OPEN starting at 10am.

· The Newland Park Landfill and all Transfer Stations will be OPEN and operating at normal schedules:http://www.wicomicocounty.org/departments/public_works/faq/Recycling%20Drop-off%20Centers.htm

Maryland Part Of $29M Toyota Settlement

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler has announced that the state has reached a $29 million settlement with Toyota Motor Corporation, along with 29 other attorneys general.

Gansler announced the settlement on Thursday.

The settlement related to allegations that Toyota concealed safety defects in its vehicles. Those included issues related to unintended acceleration.
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Local News Anchor To Lead March of Dimes Effort To Improve The Health Of Eastern Shore Babies

Salisbury, MD — Our local TV station leaders are working with the  www.marchofdimes.com/marylandmetrodc March of Dimes to prevent preterm birth to give more babies a healthy start in life. Today we are pleased to announce that WBOC and Delmarva Life Host, Lisa Bryant has taken on the role of March for Babies Chair and is also a proud mother making her commitment to the good health of moms and babies personal and meaningful.
www.marchforbabies.org March for Babies is the largest annual fundraising event for the March of Dimes, which will celebrate its  www.marchofdimes.com/75 75th anniversary in 2013. More than four million babies are born in the United States each year and the March of Dimes has helped each and every one of them through research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.
As March for Babies Chair, Bryant will play an integral role in raising awareness and funds to advance the scientific research and educational programs at the core of the March of Dimes efforts to prevent preterm birth and birth defects. 
“My work with the March of Dimes is a real honor – especially during the Foundation’s milestone 75th anniversary year. March for Babies gives everyone in our community the chance to work together for stronger, healthier babies and make a difference in the lives of millions of babies,” said Bryant. “I can’t think of a more important cause than healthy babies. As a business leader, I know that preventing preterm birth can help our bottom line by lowering health care costs.” 
Bryant added, “Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death. In Maryland, one in eight babies is born premature, and that’s just not acceptable. It takes leaders in our community working together to ensure moms have healthy pregnancies.”
Last year, the Wicomico County March for Babies raised $120,000. Bryant has made the commitment to raise $15,000 in new revenue as part of the 2013 March for Babies total goal of $137,000. 
“I couldn’t be happier having Lisa Bryant serve as the Chair,” said Wendy Jarrett, Community Director for the Eastern Shore Division of the Maryland – National Capital Area Chapter. “I am sure that Bryant will bring the same drive, dedication and passion that made her a well-respected member of the community to her efforts on behalf of March for Babies. I know his contribution will go a long way to making this year’s event an unqualified success.” 
Eastern Shore residents can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family and friends. Last year, more than 700 people attended the event -- which will be held in Salisbury this year on Sunday, April 21 with the start/finish at the Salisbury Moore and Family Center on Snow Hill Road. 
The 2013 March for Babies is sponsored nationally by Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Macy’s, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Famous Footwear, Actavis, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines. Our local sponsors include Peninsula Regional Medical Center, State Farm, Perdue Farms, Pepsi and WBOC TV. 
In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life. Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive. Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects. About four million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted from March of Dimes lifesaving research and education.

SOMETHING REMARKABLE IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH THE PRICE OF FARMLAND

Investor Jim Rogers and Glenn Beck earlier today discussed the global decline in the number of people interested in pursuing farming as a professional career.

“Nobody wants to [farm],” Beck said, referring to an earlier conversation he had with Rogers. “And it’s not just here — it’s around the entire world. Farming has become a lost art.”

“The average age of farmers in America is 58,” Rogers noted. “In Japan, it’s 66. In Canada, it’s the oldest in recorded history. In Australia, it’s 58. In 10 years, those guys will be 68 (if they’re still alive). Somebody has got to go into the fields.”
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Flap Jack Fun Raiser

Hi Joe,

Can you help us to get the word out about our fund raiser for New Bethel United Methodist Church. Being held at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill tomorrow from 8am until 10am. Price $7.00 at the door or, see any usher from the church. All are welcome.

Publishers Notes: I'll do my best to be there. Joe

HOW DID IT WORK OUT FOR THEM?

Wicomico County Department Of Emergency Services

Weather Forecast National Weather Service

Tonight: A chance of rain before 4 am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 1pm, then a chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. North wind 5 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. 
Saturday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. North wind around 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Congressman Andy Harris Votes For Federal Pay Freeze

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. voted for an extension of the pay freeze on all federal civilian employees when he voted for H.R. 273 today. The bill would continue to freeze pay adjustments through December 31, 2013. The freeze includes Members of Congress.

Without this legislation, the current freeze on pay adjustments would expire on March 27, 2013. The legislation is in response to President Obama’s Executive Order #13635 that leads to an automatic .5 percent increase in pay for all federal civilian employees. President Obama’s Executive Order would cost taxpayers nearly $11 billion over ten years. Of note, this bill does not limit merit based pay increases or pay for federal employees in the military.

Over the last decade, the average federal civilian salary has increased 62 percent – from $51,518 to $83,679 while the average private sector salary was only $51,986 in 2010. With benefits factored in, total compensation for federal employees is $126,141 compared to $62,757 in the private sector.

“At a time when our country faces a national debt of over 16 trillion dollars, giving federal employees an automatic pay increase does not make sense,” said Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. “Hardworking taxpayers all over Maryland are having to cut back and prioritize their budgets, so government needs to cut back as well. The average federal civilian salary has increased 62% over the last decade, which is nearly twice the private sector average. Increasing federal pay without regard to merit or promotion is just not responsible.”

3rd Friday Is Tonight On The Downtown Plaza

Council Tables Elected Officials’ Travel Policy Changes

A discussion over elected officials’ travel expenses hit a nerve this week as a few changes were sent back for further discussion.

On Monday evening, a resolution came before the Salisbury City Council amending the Council Regulations and Rules of Order with travel policy. The issue was discussed at work sessions on Jan. 7 and Feb. 4, 2013.

According to the resolution, the Charter of the City of Salisbury provides that the City Council shall determine its own rules and order of business, and the council have amended those rules and regulations on many occasions in the past.
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Thank God Its Friday 2-15-13

What will you be doing this weekend?

NAACP WILL HOST FINANCIAL LITERACY SEMINAR FOR YOUTH

Salisbury, MD… Wicomico County NAACP Branch #7028 will host a Financial Literacy Seminar addressing how to write checks, budget, invest and save. The targeted audience is middle and high school students. President Ashanti said the seminar will be presented in such a way that the students will have hands on experience and fun. There will be an auction, so participants can buy real gifts using “play” money. Lunch will be provided at noon.
Date: February 23, 2013
Time: 10:00 A.M. – Noon
Place: Sojourner-Douglass College
408 Coles Circle, Suite D (Truitt Street near railroad track)
Salisbury, MD 21804
Cost: Free
Speaker: Dr. Geraldine Mason
Students must register by February 18, 2013 with name, address, phone number, age and a signed note from their parent or guardian, given permission to participate in this seminar.
Send registration to WCNAACP, P.O. Box 1047, Salisbury, MD 21802.Family must provide transportation to and from this event.
This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Ashanti at 410-543-4187 or 410-430-1896.

Caption This Photo 2-16-13

NAACP TO ADDRESS “DISMANTLING THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE”

Salisbury, MD … Reverend Mark Thompson, M.Ed. will be the guest speaker for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) monthly meeting on Thursday, February 28th at 7:00 P.M. This meeting will be held at Chipman Cultural Center, 325 Broad Street, Salisbury, MD. Reverend Thompson is the Disproportionate Minority Contact Coordinator at the Board of Education of Wicomico County. The public is invited to attend this meeting.
Rev. Thompson’s topic will be “Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline.” Thompson will give history into how the prison to school pipeline came into existence and the effects on youth of color. Mr. Thompson asserts, “Although the problems associated with the school to prison pipeline seem overwhelming, we will engage in a discussion on what the schools are doing and review strategic plans for the community in addressing this issue and dismantling the pipeline.”

FEMALE GOLFER GETS BITTEN BY DEADLY BLACK WIDOW SPIDER DURING TOURNAMENT — WHAT SHE DID NEXT IS INCREDIBLE

While playing in a pre-qualifier for the Women’s Australian Open in Yarralumla, Australia, Ladies European Tour rookie Daniela Holmqvist felt a sharp pain in her leg on the fourth hole. When she looked at her leg, she saw a black spider crawling off of her, which her caddies immediately identified as the deadly Black Widow.

The pain in her leg was instantaneous and severe. Holmqvist’s caddies told her that venom from a Black Widow can kill a child in just half an hour, so they knew something had to be done fast. Most people would probably head straight to the emergency room — but not Holmqvist.

As her leg started to swell, the golfer pulled a golf tee from her pocket, cut open her skin and squeezed the venom out. The Yahoo! Sports blog “Devil Ball Golf”speculates, quite accurately, that Holmqvist just may be the toughest golfer in the world.
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The State Of The Union Is... Dumber

Since James Madison's 1815 Address, the 'linguistic standard' of the State of the Union speech has plunged. As The Guardian notes, the lowest on record was George H.W. Bush's 1992 address - only just beating Obama's 2011 address for 'dumbest' speech ever. Whether this is representative of the American people as a whole or the lowest common denominator is unclear but one thing in this evening's speech comes to mind; if you were the President, would you invite, as your personal guest, a CEO who 1) has overseen massive wealth destruction in the last six months, 2) refuses to spend his massive cash hoard in the USA, and 3) outsources his manufacturing to china? Dumb and dumber indeed...

Using the Flesch-Kincaid readability test the Guardian has tracked the reading level of every state of the union
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Property Rights

Good Morning Joe

Above is a copy of the postcard I received yesterday about the public hearing to be held on Feb 20th.

I hope hundreds of land owners attend and opt out Tier IV which limits septic systems. 

According the the Chesapeake Bay Foundations website septic tanks are 4% of the Bay's problems.

Click on image to enlarge.

Wicomico Recreation’s Happy Timers To Hold Indoor Yard Sale Saturday, February 23

(Salisbury, MD) Wicomico Recreation’s Happy Timers will hold an Indoor Yard Sale on Saturday, February 23 from 7:00am-12:00pm at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Members of the Happy Timers will be selling clothing, household items, costume jewelry, baked goods, books and more. The public is invited to check out some great deals and hidden treasures. Admission will be $1 at the door, children under 12 and Happy Timers members will be admitted free. Proceeds will benefit the Happy Timers program.

Happy Timers is a program for men and women ages 50+. Members are residents of Wicomico County and surrounding areas who enjoy walking, line dancing, exercising, participating in arts and crafts and playing games like bridge, pinochle and bingo. The Happy Timers also go on trips with local and long distance travel.

For more information on the Indoor Yard Sale or the Happy Timers, contact Karen McInturff, Program Director at 410-548-4900 x118 or email kmcinturff@wicomicocounty.org.

City Okays Employee Pay Study

The City of Salisbury will receive an outsider’s opinion on how its employee pay/compensation structure compares to today’s market.

In second reading, the ordinance on the table was to approve funds to cover the city’s cost for a pay/compensation and classification study, which comes to about $44,000. The city has contracted with Evergreen Solutions, LLC to perform the study to determine if salaries and compensation packages are competitive in the labor market.

City employee Ann Konopik came before the council this week questioning the expenditure when the council turned down public work employees’ request for a 2-percent raise last fall.
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Council Woman Debbie Campbell Launches Campaign Website

Debbie Campbell, who is seeking another term on the Salisbury City Council, is pleased to announce the re-launch of her campaign website, www.Campbell4Salisbury.com. Constituents, including those with visual impairments requiring the use of screen readers, will be able to access Campbell’s message of innovation, vision and fiscal responsibility.

Featured on the site is one of Campbell’s recent accomplishments, crafting a solution that will result in the tear down and redevelopment of the failed condo building on Fitzwater St., known as River’s Edge, to transform the property into a campus of three buildings designed as Artisans’ housing. The concept lends itself to serving as a new gateway to Salisbury’s Arts & Entertainment District.

“River’s Edge illustrates the exciting things that can happen in Salisbury when we strive for better solutions instead of just settling,” Campbell says. The developer’s original proposal for ordinary affordable housing was turned down by the council. Members cited, among their reasons, that a traditional development could be located anywhere in the city and that the riverfront site and downtown proximity should be used to leverage additional opportunities for downtown and deliver a higher economic return for the city.

Campbell worked with the developer, applying her knowledge of what’s working well in communities around the nation, and suggested artisans’ housing. She pointed out that it could not only create a gateway to Downtown’s Arts and Entertainment District, but could also become a unique destination that would attract summer beach travelers a block off the highway to enjoy the gallery and boost our local economy.

“The new development will attract artisans who will appreciate the work of the neighboring shipyard and other nearby businesses like Chesapeake East. The apartments will be priced to be affordable and will also drive economic change, so everyone wins. Another plus is that a percentage of the River’s Edge apartments are set aside for people with disabilities – a very specific need identified for our community.” Campbell adds.

Campbell’s website also features links to interesting articles and videos about innovation, in addition to information about Campbell’s service to the public. Among her notable achievements on behalf of the people she serves are stopping several proposed tax increases and saving city taxpayers nearly $1,000,000 million in recent months. Her careful review of grant agreements and her push for the application of sound business practices, such as bidding the city’s insurance for a $90,000 savings and refinancing the city’s debt while rates are at an all time low, combined to achieve the substantial sum in savings.

For more on Campbell’s latest campaign to continue standing up for Salisbury, please visit www.Campbell4Salisbury.comAuthority: Shawn Thomas, Treasurer

Rivers Edge once completed.

SWEEP THE PLACE CLEAN

"His Love For Christ"

On the Today Show, Matt Lauer interviewed the wife of one of the Navy Seals killed in Bengazi. 

Matt asked her what she would say to her children about their dad and how she would want them to remember him. She said, and I quote, "His love for Christ," and then continued with a few other things.
Throughout the day and on MSN homepage, when the story is replayed they have edited the "His love for Christ" part out. Why? Because using the word, "Christ" might offend someone.
Well, I am a Christian and I am offended! Offended that they would edit it out. Offended that we as Christians are asked to tread lightly so as not to offend someone of another religion.
I think anyone who missed the original broadcast this morning should know what NBC has done. This man loved his country and loved his God and gave his life for both, just as Christ gave His life for him.

IT WON'T COST A DIME

Hot Air and No Substance; Obama’s Plan to Destroy Jobs “Won’t Cost a Dime”

When it comes to political lies that cannot and will not be met “It won’t cost a dime” is right at the top of list. Not unexpectedly, that was central thesis of numerous Fantasyland projections in Obama’s State of the Union Address Tuesday Evening.
Here are a few ideas from his state of the union address and my comments on them.

On Health Care Quality

In reference to health care costs, the president claims “medical bills shouldn’t be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital – they should be based on the quality of care that our seniors receive.”

Mish says good luck with charging healthcare based on quality, because quality is impossible to define.

On Closing Loopholes

Obama says we can hit deficit targets and “save hundreds of billions of dollars by getting rid of tax loopholes and deductions”.

Mathematically speaking, one cannot save a dime by closing loopholes. Closing loopholes may be more fair, but that has nothing to do with “saving money”. Rather, closing loopholes simply spreads costs around in a different fashion.

More

Harris Appointed To House Appropriations

Baltimore County Republican Rep. Andy Harris was appointed to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, giving the state another voice in how federal dollars are spent.

Harris, is in his second term representing the Eastern Shore and portions of Baltimore's northern suburbs. The announcement comes weeks after Maryland Democrat Barbara A. Mikulski was named as the chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Harris replaces Jo Ann Emerson, a Missouri Republican who retired.
More 

War On The Young Hits Charm City

Baltimore is considering an ambitious new plan to stave off bankruptcy by cutting off most new municipal employees from the city’s pension plan. Under Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s proposal, new police would be switched to a hybrid defined-benefit/defined-contribution pension plan, while new civilian employees would get no pensions at all. And while veteran workers would escape the brunt of changes, they would not get off scot-free, as Yahoo News reports:
Rawlings-Blake also proposed forcing current city employees to contribute to their pension plans for the first time. The contributions would be offset by pay increases but would still save the city money.

“We must shift to a 401(k)-style retirement plan for all new civilian hires,” Rawlings-Blake said. “The private sector has adjusted to this model. It’s time for Baltimore to change.”

In yet another city, the bill has come due on the boomer generation’s unrealistic pension promises, and younger and newly minted workers are getting stuck with paying most of it.

Source

Nightmare Ends: Passengers Leave Disabled Ship

After five days without power in the Gulf of Mexico, the more than 4,200 people aboard the Carnival Triumph returned home to the U.S., with many of them telling their horror stories for the first time.

Passengers began to disembark the damaged ship around 10:15 p.m. CT Thursday in Mobile, Ala. The last passenger disembarked the ship at 1 a.m. local time, according to Carnival's Twitter handle.

Passenger Brandi Dorsett was thankful to be home, especially for her mother who was with her on the ship. Dorsett said she wasn't pleased with the doctor on staff.

"My mother is a diabetic and they would not even come to the room because she cannot walk the stairs to help her with insulin. She hasn't had insulin in three days," Dorsett said.

More

Nothing Like A 2-Hour Bus Ride After Spending Days Adrift On Stranded Carnival Cruise Ship

Passengers aboard what has been described as a hot, smelly ship will finally arrive on dry land in Mobile, Ala. sometime tonight after days on the stranded Carnival Triumph. But alas, there won’t be rest for the weary just yet. Despite the mayor of Mobile noting that his city also has hotels, passengers will either board a bus for a two-hour ride to New Orleans or a more than 7-hour ride to Galveston or Houston, Texas.

More

Senator Brian Frosh has introduced Senate Bill 554 regarding the licensing and certification of process servers. It is a very lengthy bill, which can change the dynamics of our industry. 

It seeks to require process service "agencies" to be formally licensed. The bill also requires a certification process for servers. The way the bill reads, it would require that certified process servers work under a licensed agency. The bill is similar to Maryland Private Detective statutes.

In short, this would change our industry substantially.

It would require each business to obtain a license, and list all employees, officers, directors, and affiliations. It would also require: 1. State and Federal background checks, 2. require businesses to submit all business operations, including financial and tax records, 3. To submit proof of all insurance policy binders, 4. require any licensee to appoint a person to represent and to be responsible for the business, 5. submit a $ 1 million dollar bond, 6. a $375 application fee, and 7. pay all costs associated with the application fee, including the background checks for its employees, officers, directors, agents, or affiliates.
The actual costs for individual process servers, and process serving companies will be approximately $12,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of people involved in the business.
Individual licenses impose the same restrictions, but differ in that the application fee would be $200, and the bond amount would be $15,000. 
Process Servers must then be certified to actually serve process in the state, provided they work under a licensed person. They will be subject to pretty much the same requirements as listed above, with the exception of an application fee of $15.00, plus actual costs. 
However, process servers must be employed by or work under a license. So, if you are an independent self-employed server, you would need to apply for the individual license, meet those requirements, and register as a process server. In essence, this means having duplicate background checks. 

The licensee becomes responsible to the acts of the business, servers, employees, etc., but in a different section, the certified process server is also responsible for the agency because it works under the agency's licensee.

Independent process servers will need to obtain a license, and a certification in order to provide service of process in the State of Maryland. They will also need to comply with all of the documentation requirements.
This bill was introduced into legislation on Feb 1, 2012, and the hearing for this Bill is scheduled for Feb 19, 2013 in the Maryland Senate (Under a second read).

For a detailed analysis of this bill, please click on this link
We need your help. We also want to provide you a forum in which you can learn more about this bill. To do this, MAAPPS is hosting three meetings 
 Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at Canton Dockside at 6:30 PM
 Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Teds Diner - Rockville at 6:30 PM
Please join us so we can work together to chart our industry's future. For more information, please call Stephen Folcher at (410) 908-3885, Torri Schaffer at 301-869-5081, Mike Daigenault at 
301-251-1318 or Steve Harris at (703) 383-3007

Help Wanted

Part time person needed at fast paced grooming salon and doggie daycare. Tues - Thurs, 10 - 2. Apply in person to Cathy's Pet Salon, Spa and Doggie Daycare, Tues -Thurs, 8-4. No phone Call please!

Cathy's Pet Salon, Spa & Doggie Daycare 1005 Mt Hermon Rd Salisbury, Md 21801

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