COPS: WMD FOUND AT RUSSIAN NATIONAL'S HOUSE DURING POT BUST

On Friday evening, Pennsylvania authorities arrested a Russian citizen for reportedly possessing a weapon of mass destruction.

Police arrested Vladislav Miftakhov, a 19-year old who the Altoona Mirror reports is an engineering student at Penn State Altoona, after finding "a suspected bomb and other bomb-making materials inside a suitcase." They had originally gone to his residence to investigate reports that he was growing marijuana at his home.
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Howard County Police Department News Release On Columbia Mall Shooting.

Howard County Police Department
NEWS RELEASE: Police continue to investigate shooting at Mall in Columbia

Howard County police are continuing to investigate a shooting at the Mall in Columbia that resulted in the deaths of two store employees and the shooter.

Police received a call into 911 at 11:15 a.m. about a shooting at the mall. Officers responded in less than two minutes and found two employees at the Zumiez store on the upper level deceased. They were identified as Brianna Benlolo, 21, of College Park, and Tyler Johnson, 25, of Mt. Airy. Investigators have confirmed that Johnson had recently moved from Ellicott City to Mt. Airy.

Investigators have tentatively identified the shooter and are following up on investigative leads. It is believed he died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. A shotgun and ammunition were found at the scene. No additional information can be released at this time about the suspect or the weapon. The motive in the shooting is still unknown.

A search of the shooter's bag found inside the store revealed two crude devices that appeared to be an attempt at making explosives using fireworks. Both were disabled. Police will conduct a thorough search of the mall using K-9 units through the night, which is protocol in this type of scenario. The mall will remain closed tomorrow. People may retrieve vehicles from the mall parking lot this evening. Anyone with an emergency situation related to property left inside the mall should call the mall's Public Safety Office at 410-730-3302.

Police also have interviewed a victim who was shot in the foot during the incident. She advised that she was on the lower level of the mall below the Zumiez store when she received the injury. Detectives are still investigating how that injury occurred.

Throughout the investigation, Howard County Police have been assisted by numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Police expect to hold a media briefing Sunday morning, time unconfirmed. Follow @HCPDNews on Twitter for details.

Federal Government To Issue New Guidelines For Banks Dealing With Legal Marijuana Businesses

Now that marijuana for recreational use is doing booming business in Colorado where it’s legal(with Washington State to join it eventually) the federal government is getting around to answering some weighty questions. Namely, how will it deal with the revenue coming in from pot sales?

United States Attorney General Eric Holder said yesterday that the federal government is working on new regulations that would make it easier in those states for businesses dealing in legal marijuana to have access to banks, reports USA Today, which is likely welcome news in Colorado and Washington.

Holder told an audience at the University of Virginia that Justice and Treasury department officials will soon issue the new guidelines in order to try to help banks decide what to do in situations involving legal marijuana businesses.

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CONSTRUCTION WORKERS UNCOVER AMAZING TIME CAPSULE DURING CHURCH’S DEMOLITION

Construction workers were in for a big surprise when they discovered a time capsule filled with historical and religious documents during the demolition of St. Paul’s Church in Berkeley, Calif., last week.

The capsule, a 10-inch-by-8-inch copper box, contained a Bible from 1875, newspaper articles about the church’s construction in 1948, documents supporting temperance, old sermons and other records.

It was opened Monday after developer William Schrader Jr., who is building an apartment building at the site, delivered it to Pastor Leonard Nielson of the Presbytery of San Francisco, Berkeleyside reported.
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Ron Paul: Congress Needs To Keep Obama ‘In Check’

'Founders devised a system, separation of powers, with Congress leading'

Former Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, contends Congress needs to do a much better job of keeping President Obama “in check.”

He was speaking in a podcast interview posted on his Ron Paul Institute website.

“I’m sure the founders would be astounded that this responsibility of the Congress to keep the executive branch in check was given up so easily,” Paul said.

Speaking with libertarian commentator and author Charles Goyette, the former congressman explained that the usurpation of power by the Oval Office happened gradually.

“It was always conceded that you have to have a strong president [in foreign policy],” he said.

That power became “contagious,” said Paul, and spread to other policy areas.

His comments came as debate over Obama’s use of executive orders has intensified.

“It’s a defect in our understanding of our system,” Paul said. “The founders were well-intentioned, they devised a system with separation of powers, a balance of powers, with Congress leading the three areas.”

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Dog Found 1-25-14

We found this dog at Lucky's Garage on East Line Road in Delmar Maryland at 9 o'clock tonight. Please feel free to contact me if you know of the dog owner. 

Mack Malone 

443-735-6350

Republicans Push To Remove Marriage Tax

Married couples in Maryland pay a little more than 1 percent extra on their yearly taxes, compared to unmarried couples who file separately. Two Republican legislators say this penalizes marriage and want to flatten the tax levels.

Del. Neil Parrot introduced a bill to the House on Thursday that would reduce the tax level for married couples to the rate that two single people would pay. Sen. Joe Getty said on Friday he will introduce a parallel bill in the Senate.
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Obama Blind To Facts On Extended Unemployment Benefits

President Obama relentlessly argues the unemployed lack work through no fault of their own, and Republican reluctance to reinstate long-term jobless benefits is both heartless and harmful to the economy. Those assertions contradict the facts and sound economics.

Last July, North Carolina cut maximum unemployment benefits from 73 weeks to 20. During the next five months, the state's unemployment rate fell from 8.8 percent to 7.4 percent — more than four times better than the progress registered at the national level.

Eliminating the subsidy for not working inspired many Tar Heels to more earnestly seek jobs and accept positions they had previously shunned. Many others who lost benefits dropped out of the state labor force altogether, indicating they neither needed jobs nor unemployment benefits to get along, or they pulled up stakes and moved to places like South Dakota where good jobs go begging.

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Guy in a Hospital Starts to Sing - And His Voice is Unbelievable

Congress Grants Obama ‘Free Rein For Martial Law’

'Subjugation of citizenry' looming as U.S. becomes 'police state'

Some of the nation’s most respected legal teams are asking the Supreme Court to take up a challenge to the indefinite-detention provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act, charging the law has created the framework for a police state.

The controversial provision authorizes the military, under presidential authority, to arrest, kidnap, detain without trial and hold indefinitely American citizens thought to “represent an enduring security threat to the United States.”

Journalist Chris Hedges is among the plaintiffs charging the law could be used to target journalists who report on terror-related issues.

A friend-of-the-court brief submitted in the case states: “The central question now before this court is whether the federal judiciary will stand idly by while Congress and the president establish the legal framework for the establishment of a police state and the subjugation of the American citizenry through the threat of indefinite military arrest and detention, without the right to counsel, the right to confront one’s accusers, or the right to trial.”

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Natural Gas Price Expected To Spike Soon

Jack Frost is doing more than nipping at your nose in this brutally cold weather.

He's shortly going to taking a bigger chunk out of your wallet.

Wayne Harbaugh with BGE's pricing division expects that the market price for natural gas will be going up by 10 to 20 percent soon after February first.

Supplies of natural gas are not the problem, Harbaugh said.
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What An Incredible Saturday

Not only is the traffic incredible today, we've published 340 comments so far on just today's Posts. There's been plenty more that came in today on articles from yesterday as well but your participation, your opinion, your wisdom and experience expressed through comments is what makes each article that much more powerful. So we thank you very much for participating. 

Republicans Seek Own Policy Cure To Replace Obamacare

(Reuters) - Top Republicans are saying they can no longer just be the party of "No" on Obamacare: They need to come up with an alternative healthcare policy.

While many Americans are skeptical of President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, they also tell lawmakers they worry about keeping their costs from getting out of control. For those voters, a party that offers a platform to repeal the 2010 law without anything to replace it may not be very attractive.

As a result, lawmakers from both the establishment wing of the Republican Party and the more fiscally conservative small-government proponents in the Tea Party movement are exploring healthcare policies.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said it would be a major topic at a Republican retreat next week.

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‘Winter Blues’ Can Be Diagnosable Disorder

Starting around October, calls to the Worcester County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Unit jump, its Director Tracy Tilghman said.

Whether it’s the weather, post-holiday stress or unemployment, more people feel down this time of year and sometimes that seasonal slump turns into winter depression — “a real, diagnosable disorder,” Tilghman said.

Feeling SAD

There are two main mood-related disorders that roll in with the cold weather: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the “holiday blues,” said Debbie Dotson of Seaside Counseling & Wellness Center on Route 50.
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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY ISSUES STATEMENT ON COLUMBIA MALL SHOOTING

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 25, 2014) -- Governor O’Malley today released the following statement on the shooting at the Columbia Mall in Columbia, Md.:

“On behalf of the people of Maryland, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by this senseless act of violence. Protecting the public’s safety is our most solemn obligation.”

“We thank all of the first responders who are on the scene. I have been in close contact throughout the day with Col. Marcus Brown of the Maryland State Police -- personnel from the State Police, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems responded immediately to support Howard County law enforcement officials. I’ve also spoken with County Executive Ken Ulman to offer any other support he needs, and to commend the quick work of the brave men and women of the Howard County Police and our first responders.”

Top Republican Says EPA Fraudster Revelations 'First Layer Of A Very Big Onion'

The top Republican on the Senate environment committee said Thursday that newly released transcripts showing an ex-EPA official discussing his widespread fraud against the government -- as well as a pet "project" to "modify" capitalism -- are likely "the first layer of a very big onion" at the EPA.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is continuing to call for a hearing before the Environment and Public Works Committee on the case of John Beale. The former EPA official was sentenced in December to 32 months in prison for bilking taxpayers out of nearly $1 million by pretending to be a CIA agent.

The plot thickened, though, after a House committee this week released hundreds of pages of transcripts from a deposition he gave to congressional lawmakers in December. In it, Beale freely discussed the lies he told his colleagues, but also claimed he had been working on a "project" examining ways to "modify the DNA of the capitalist system."

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Cyber Attack Hits Federal Judiciary Websites, Filing Systems

Websites, electronic filing and public record access systems for much of the federal judiciary were attacked Friday afternoon, leaving lawyers hard-pressed to meet deadlines and officials scrambling to restore service.

The so-called denial of service attacks affected bankruptcy, district and appeals courts all across the U.S. for at least a few hours.

The Supreme Court’s site remained up. But with most lawyers, judges and clerks filing and reviewing records electronically, the outages essentially shut down much of the federal judiciary.
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5 Natural Products As Good As Prescription Drugs

We're a medicated nation. American doctors write more than 4 billion prescriptions for drugs every year to the tune of about $320 billion. Almost 70 percent of us take at least one drug regularly, and according to the Centers for Disease Control, the majority of Americans aged 60 and older take two or more prescription drugs, and 37 percent used at least five.

A study published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience found that in 2011, antidepressants were the most prescribed class of drugs. The No. 1 selling brand-name prescription overall was the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor.

In addition to being costly, many drugs come with a wide range of serious, even possibly lethal, side effects. But there are natural substances that rigorously conducted scientific studies have shown work as well as pharmaceuticals for common ailments, including depression and high blood cholesterol, with few or no side effects.

Check out these products that are available on store shelves:

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JOINT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOCUSES ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ANNAPOLIS – Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael E. Busch announced their joint legislative agenda on Friday, which focused on promoting economic and business development.

The package includes legislation to assist universities and their surrounding communities with tax credits and endowments, a seed fund for cybersecurity start-ups and a reformation of the estate tax.

“This is a proposition to move our state forward in the area of creating a better business climate and taking advantage of an innovative economy, such as cybersecurity,” Busch said.
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Amazing Photos Of Ocean City From the Facebook Page of Robyn Phillips Photography

Looking into the West Ocean City, MD harbor just blankets of ice 1-25-14

 

 

 

Ocean City Md inlet covered in ice 1-25-14

Water. Like a blanket. Dark. Intoxicating. Cold. Oc MD under the pier 1-23-14

Click to view the facebook page of Robyn Phillips Photography

20 Early Warning Signs That We Are Approaching A Global Economic Meltdown

Have you been paying attention to what has been happening in Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Ukraine, Turkey and China? If you are like most Americans, you have not been. Most Americans don’t seem to really care too much about what is happening in the rest of the world, but they should.

In major cities all over the globe right now, there is looting, violence, shortages of basic supplies, and runs on the banks. We are not at a “global crisis” stage yet, but things are getting worse with each passing day. For a while, I have felt that 2014 would turn out to be a major “turning point” for the global economy, and so far that is exactly what it is turning out to be. The following are 20 early warning signs that we are rapidly approaching a global economic meltdown…

#1 The looting, violence and economic chaos that is happening in Argentina right now is a perfect example of what can happen when you print too much money…

For Dominga Kanaza, it wasn’t just the soaring inflation or the weeklong blackouts or even the looting that frayed her nerves.

It was all of them combined.

At one point last month, the 37-year-old shop owner refused to open the metal shutters protecting her corner grocery in downtown Buenos Aires more than a few inches — just enough to sell soda to passersby on a sweltering summer day.

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OC BikeFest Will Be Under New Leadership For 2014

Although the 2014 iteration of the OC BikeFest will be largely unchanged from previous years, the landmark resort event will now be under new leadership as former event head Cliff Sutherland has sold his stake in the project.

“I was never in it for the long haul,” Sutherland said. “The city gets a great event, and now I finally get my life back. I think my wife is happier about it than I am.”

Sutherland and two of his partners in OC Jams, LLC, the company responsible for the event, have sold their interest to the fourth partner, Kathy Micheal.

As BikeFest’s now sole proprietor, Micheal will be running the event through her long-standing company, Katancha Corporation, which stages motorcycle festivals and rallies across the country.
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Obamacare Is A Bad Deal For The Young: Cheaper To Be Uninsured, Study Shows

The success of Obamacare largely rests on the shoulders of the estimated 2.7 million “young invincibles” whose premiums are needed to subsidize healthcare costs for others. People in the 18 – 35 age group are needed to create a balanced risk pool.

Now a study shows that coverage through the ACA is just not a good deal for those young adults.

The study, conducted by The American Action Forum, concluded that for 86% of that demographic, ACA coverage is just not worth it:

The ACA’s perverse economic incentives are well documented. The law makes health insurance more expensive for many young adults, while at the same time making the decision to go without health coverage exponentially less risky than it previously was. It is impossible to predict how many young adults will ultimately enroll in coverage, but it is clear that many young adult enrollees will be worse off financially if they decide to purchase health insurance.

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A Tweet From Jessie Jackson LOL!

HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAL SPECIAL INTERESTS MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO BROWN-ULMAN CAMPAIGN

ANNAPOLIS – Gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and his running mate collected more than $328,000 from health care-related donors in 2013, according to a Capital News Service analysis of reports filed this month with the State Board of Elections.

At least $247,318 in donations made to Brown and $81,230 made to Howard County Executive Ken Ulman came from health-related donors, including political action committees, businesses such as insurance carriers, hospitals and medical technology companies, and individuals who reported they are employed by these companies.

Brown, a Democrat, has been the point-person for the state’s flaw-ridden online health insurance exchange.

Contributions made to Brown and Ulman from donors in the medical and health insurance fields have sparked fierce opposition from Republicans.
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DOG STORY

A dog had followed his owner to school.

His owner was a fourth grader at a public elementary school.

However, when the bell rang, the dog sidled inside the building and made it all the way to the child's classroom before a teacher noticed and shooed him outside, closing the door behind him.

The dog sat down, whimpered and stared at the closed doors.

Then God appeared beside the dog, patted his head, and said,

'Don't feel bad fella'...they won't let ME in either'.

Bdwk. Banners To Honor Military

Visitors this coming season may notice a bit of extra patriotism along the Boardwalk, as the city has agreed to allow the local Elks’ Lodge to place banners honoring military service members along a downtown stretch of the boards.

Up to 20 banners, measuring roughly five-by-two-and-a-half feet, will be placed on the light poles adjoining the concrete portion of the Boardwalk from the pier to Fourth Street.

“I couldn’t ask for a better location if I had hand-picked them myself,” said Pat Riordan of the Veteran’s Committee at Ocean City Elks Lodge 2645.
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Registration Open For Wicomico Recreation’s Junior Girls Softball

Salisbury, Md. - Registration is now open for Junior Girls Softball. The program offers six different leagues for girls ages 4-18 that focus on teaching softball skills, player participation, being part of a team and sportsmanship. Girls of all skill levels and experience are invited to join in the tradition.

Participants will be divided into the following leagues:

Li'l Miss T-Ball: Ages 4-6
Ponytail Coach Pitch: Ages 7-9 (9/1/04 - 8/31/07)
Pre-Minor: Ages 9-10 (9/1/03 - 8/31/05)
Minor: Ages 12 & Under (9/1/01 - 8/31/03)
Major I: Ages 14 & Under (9/1/99 - 8/31/01)
Major II: Ages 18 & Under (9/1/95 - 8/31/99)

The Junior Girls Softball season will begin in May and run through the end of June. Girls must bring their own glove, all other equipment will be provided. The program fee for Li'l Miss, Ponytail and Pre-Minor is $40; the fee for Minor and Major leagues is $45. (Fees are subject to change.)

Pitching clinics will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. These clinics are open to girls of all levels and are instructed by Salisbury University softball coach Margie Knight. The registration fee is $12 per night or $20 for both nights. Clinic are limited to 20 participants - register early to reserve your spot!

Registration for Junior Girls Softball leagues and pitching clinics is available at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury; M-F, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.) or online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org.(Pitchers registering for both clinics should register in person to receive $20 rate.) A special registration day will be held at Dick's Sporting Goods in Salisbury on Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Those registering onsite will receive store coupons and may enter a raffle for a $50 Dick's gift card.

Volunteer coaches, umpires and team sponsors are needed. To volunteer or for more information on Junior Girls Softball, please contact Emily Eskridge, Program Coordinator at 410-548-4900 x110 orrecsports@wicomicocounty.org.

Murray Warns GOP: Democrats 'Will Not Negotiate' Debt Limit

Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray is standing firm against concessions in exchange for raising the debt limit.

The Washington Democrat planned to issue a letter Friday saying her party will not meet any demands by the GOP to tie an increase in the debt limit to other budget issues, Politico reported Friday.

"We will not negotiate over whether or not the United States of America should pay its bills," Murray writes in the letter obtained by Politico. "And once again, before they get any further down this damaging path, we call on our Republican colleagues to not play politics with our economic recovery."

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Super Bowl 2014

Superbowl Sunday from a Marine Corps Colonel in Afghanistan: 

"So with all the kindness I can muster, I give this one piece of advice to the next pop star who is asked to sing the national anthem at a sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics and the physical gyrations for your concerts. Just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten - straight up, no styling. "Sing it with the constant awareness that there are soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines watching you from bases and outposts all over the world. Don't make them cringe with your self-centered ego gratification. Sing it as if you are standing before a row of 86-year-old WWII vets wearing their Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and flag pins on their cardigans and you want them to be proud of you for honoring them and the country they love - not because you want them to think you are a superstar musician. They could see that from your costume, makeup and your entourage. Sing 'The Star Spangled Banner' with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it is about America, not you. And please remember, not everything has to be sung as a Negro spiritual. We're getting a little weary of that. Francis Scott Key does not need any help." Semper Fi !

19 Numbers Which Prove That Americans Are Angrier And More Frustrated Than Ever

Have you noticed that people are becoming angrier? You can see it everywhere – in our homes, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our television shows, in our movies, and certainly in Washington. In fact, many have said that there is an “epidemic” of anger in America today. And it is undeniably true. As you will see below, a whole host of surveys and opinion polls show that America has become a seething cauldron of anger and frustration unlike anything that we have ever seen before. As a nation, we are more divided than we have been in decades, and economic conditions continue to deteriorate. People are working harder than ever and Americans get less vacation days than anyone else in the world, but median household income keeps going down every year. Americans are dissatisfied with their relationships, their jobs, their communities and their political leaders. There is this growing sense that our country is steamrolling toward disaster, and yet there is very little agreement on what the solutions to our problems are. Instead, blaming others for our problems has become a new American pastime. The very fabric of our society is coming apart at the seams and the thin veneer of civilization that we all take for granted isbeginning to disappear. What is America going to look like if we continue to go even farther down this road?

The following statistics come from various surveys and opinion polls that have been conducted recently. Without a doubt, these numbers show that Americans are angrier and more frustrated than ever…

#1 65 percent of Americans are dissatisfied “with the U.S. system of government and its effectiveness”. That is the highest level of dissatisfaction that Gallup has ever recorded.

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How Do You Feel About This Internet Neutrality Ruling

One company is taking a major stand to protect internet freedom. The online movie company Netflix is threatening to mobilize their 44 million customer if internet providers slow down Netflix streams. In response to the recent net neutrality ruling, Reed Hastings, Netflix' CEO, said, "In principle, a domestic ISP now can legally impede the video streams that members request from Netflix, degrading the experience we jointly provide." He added, "Were this draconian scenario to unfold with some ISP, we would vigorously protest and encourage our members to demand the open Internet they are paying their ISP to deliver." When the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down net neutrality, they opened the door to a pay-for-play internet. Because of that ruling, internet providers could charge companies like Netflix more for their content, or charge users more to access it. This poses a huge threat to free speech and the free exchange of ideas, and it's great to see Netflix joining the fight to protect a free and open internet.

"MORE NFL" — A Bad Lip Reading of The NFL

PLUNGE CANCELED FOR TODAY DUE TO EXTREME CONDITIONS

(ANNAPOLIS,MD) -- A combination of extreme wind, cold temperatures, ice on the beach and in the water, as well as approaching snow, has caused the cancellation of all activities today related to Plungefest and the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. 

Sustained winds of 20-30 miles an hour are pounding the beach from the east and are creating waves up to five feet. The east wind has also pushed ice into a path about ten feet wide for the entire length of the beach. Ice is also in the surf.

The cold temperature is made extreme by the wind chill. Plunge medical team members said in these conditions, frostbite would begin within five minutes on exposed skin.

The decision to cancel activities was made after consulting with a team of experts involved with the Plunge. Maryland Park Service officials said the beach would have been closed even in July, due to the high waves. The medical team felt persons exposed to the wind after plunging would also be more susceptible than usual to risk. The water safety team, led by Natural Resources Police divers, felt the water conditions were unsafe and any water rescue efforts would be greatly inhibited due to the rough water.

The generosity of all those who signed up for the Plunge and collected money to support Special Olympics is amazing and appreciated. Those who had money to turn in to Special Olympics today can do that at their local Maryland State Police barrack. A list of barracks is available on the MSP website under "barracks."

An alternative date for the Plunge is being considered, but would not occur before March. Further information and updates will be on the Plunge website at www.plungemd.com and on the Special Olympics website atwww.somd.org.

Government Spending Out Of Control

Get ready for another economic standoff, because the next debt limit fight is right around the corner. On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced that our nation will reach the debt ceiling "by late February", and he called on lawmakers to act soon. In a letter to congressional leaders, Secretary Lew wrote, "I respectfully urge Congress to provide certainty and stability to the economy and financial markets by acting to raise the debt limit before February 7, 2014, and certainly before late February." Unfortunately, it's practically a guarantee that Republicans will hinge any increase to a long list of demands. The only thing left to wonder is what we will have to sacrifice to protect our nation's credit rating.

EU Dumps Green Energy Mandates, Embraces Fracking

Obama is now more left-wing and reactionary on energy productivity than the European Union.

The EU’s reputation as a model of environmental responsibility may soon be history. The European Commission wants to forgo ambitious climate protection goals and pave the way for fracking — jeopardizing Germany’s touted energy revolution in the process.

At the request of Commission President José Manuel Barroso, EU member states are no longer to receive specific guidelines for the development ofrenewable energy. The stated aim of increasing the share of green energy across the EU to up to 27 percent will hold. But how seriously countries tackle this project will no longer be regulated within the plan. As of 2020 at the latest — when the current commitment to further increase the share of green energy expires — climate protection in the EU will apparently be pursued on a voluntary basis.

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More Issues On Chemical Contamination In West Virginia

Twelve days after West Virginia residents learned about a massive chemical spill, Freedom Industries finally admitted that a second chemical may have contaminated the water supply. In addition to 7,500 gallons of the coal-cleaning chemical MCHM, the Elk River may have also been contaminated with 300 gallons of PPH – which is also a skin and eye irritant. Gary Southern, the president of Freedom Industries, did not disclose the second chemical to state officials until almost two weeks after the original leak was reported. However, Mr. Southern managed to find the time to file for bankruptcy before reporting the additional leak. Because of these chemicals, almost half a million people had to struggle to find safe drinking water, yet Freedom Industries' executives were only worried about skipping out on financial responsiblity. Almost two weeks later, residents still are being told to drink the water at their own risk. It's time that someone be held accountable.

Md. Elections Board Confronts Its Top Administrator For Ruling On Fundraising Without Its Knowledge Or Consent

Maryland elections board members held the state elections director and her staff accountable at the first public board meeting since she ruled on a controversial fundraising law without the board’s knowledge or consent.

The ruling by State Election Administrator Linda Lamone allows running mates of gubernatorial candidates who are statewide officeholders to raise money during the legislative session. It benefits Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown but not his chief rival, Attorney General Doug Gansler, because Brown is running with Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, while Gansler’s running mate, Del. Jolene Ivey, serves in the Maryland General Assembly. Like Gansler and Brown, she is barred from fundraising during its session.

The controversial ruling is being challenged in court by Gansler supporters.
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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 1-25-14

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Why Isn't Local Law Enforcement Telling Us Everyth...":

Unless someone out there carries a gun loaded with silver bullets most of us don't need to know.The need to know basis applies to anyone who can actually make a difference.Scaring everyone to death is reducing their quality of life and therefore unnecessary.

A Letter To The Editor: Perdue Owes Pa. Taxpayers $150 Million

Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett has awarded Perdue $8.75 million for a factory in Lancaster County planned to create 35 permanent jobs.

That means that for each of those 35 jobs, Pa. taxpayers owe multibillion-dollar Perdue $250,000 in corporate welfare.

Now Perdue has announced it's exporting 600 Lebanon County jobs out of state. So doesn't Perdue fairly owe Pa. taxpayers 600 x $250,00 or $150 million?

A Step Back Toward Peace Keeping

I grew up in an America with cops in the background. Most people – being not criminals – had almost no interaction with them and when they did it was generally civil and far more important, almost always on equal terms – with the cop respectful of the citizen.

It goes without saying that’s all gone now. Cops are a menacing omnipresence – and when they deal with us, it is usually order barking Command Voice style. You do not discuss, much less dispute. You Submit and Obey. Or else.The least recalcitrance – merely to question anything – is often sufficient to bring down a Fallujah-style escalation. People are routinely dragged out of their cars, roughly thrown to the ground, pummeled, kicked – and much worse than that. Often, over trivial things. Police even in small towns have become indistinguishable from soldiers.

It is out of hand – obviously so – and if left unchecked will grow much worse, much sooner as the vortex picks up speed. What was inconceivable 20 years ago is routine today. What will be routine 20 years from today?

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Nations Largest Cocaine Smuggler Revealed: The DEA

Newly released documents, and testimony from Justice Department and DEA officials now show the stories of government running cocaine are true.

An investigation conducted in Mexico found the American government allowed that country’s largest drug cartel, Sinaloa, to operate without fear of persecution. That groups is estimated to be responsible for 80 percent of the cocaine coming into the country through Chicago. In exchange, the leaders of Sinaloa provided the DEA information on rival gangs.

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Teacher Spiked Pot-Luck With Pot, Police Say

She's charged with suspicion of poisoning

Police have arrested an elementary school teacher after she allegedly brought marijuana-laced food to an after-hours employee pot-luck dinner.

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Lost Dog 1-25-14

Lost Pit/German Shepherd Mix dog. He is brown with a black face. He has a collar on with no tag. He lives in the Eastern Shore Drive area (home on Evans Place). He has been missing since Thursday. Answers to the name “Scooby”. Please contact Tina at 410-713-9319

SFD Calls For Service 1-24-14

• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 22:20:08Nature: Automatic AlarmAddress: 300 Moss Hill Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 20:20:00Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 17:42:04Nature: Appliance FireAddress: 124 Village Oak Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 15:57:06Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 15:20:46Nature: Assist Fire DepartmentCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 15:20:46Nature: Gas LeakAddress: 337 Civic Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 13:20:52Nature: Unresponsive PatientCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 12:19:22Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 832 S Schumaker Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 12:07:54Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 11:45:59Nature: Chest PainCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 08:01:13Nature: Automatic AlarmAddress: 519 White Pine Dr Fruitland, MD 21826
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 04:47:55Nature: Smoke / Co DetectorAddress: 103 Roseberry Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 04:20:48Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 02:57:30Nature: Automatic AlarmAddress: 833 E Church St Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 02:04:00Nature: Chest PainCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 01:47:47Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 01:26:55Nature: Automatic AlarmAddress: 1024 Beaglin Park Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 24 2014 @ 00:53:29Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury

Newspaper Chain Plans 'State-By-State' Concealed Weapon Databases

A national newspaper chain with nearly 100 publications and 1.6 million readers is considering building “state-by-state databases” on concealed weapons permit holders, according to an internal e-mail.

The plan, laid out in an email from a top editor at North Carolina-based Civitas Media, could be similar to a controversial project a New York state newspaper carried out in 2012 which included an online map that identified gun owners in two counties by name and address. Civitas' database project was detailed in a Jan. 19 e-mail to newsrooms across the chain, which has papers in 11 states, including Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

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Your Time Will Come

Sam's Club Lays Off About 2% Of Its Workforce: WSJ

Wal-Mart Stores plans to lay off 2,300 workers at its Sam's Club stores, about 2 percent of its 116,000 U.S. employees, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

About half of the cuts will target salaried assistant managers, and the remainder will be hourly employees at underperforming stores. As of now, the chain has the same number of management positions in every location, regardless of the amount revenue it generates.

"Over the years, we've migrated to a top-heavy structure in our management," Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer told WSJ. "What this does is align the number of assistant managers to the sales of the club and to where our growth areas are."

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VIRGINIA LOOKS TO BRING BACK THE ELECTRIC CHAIR FOR DEATH ROW INMATES

On Wednesday, the Virginia legislature passed a bill making the electric chair a go-to method of execution for death row inmates.

Since 1995, electrocution has been employed in Virginia but only if requested by the sentenced prisoner. In that time frame, only six of the 85 inmates executed in Virginia have chosen electrocution over lethal injection.

The new law allows electrocutions whenever lethal injection is not available.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center, only six states – Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia – electrocute prisoners. The decision to bring back the electric chair in Virginia and other states is the consequence of two underlying factors.

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DSP S.O.A.R. Searching For Wanted Sex Offenders

Location: Sussex County, Delaware

Suspects and Charges:

Durron Jones Jr., 22, Dagsboro, DE (Low Risk, Tier 1)
Black male, 5'06” tall, 130 lbs., black hair and brown eyes
Failure to Verify Address (2 counts)
Failure to Re-Register
Rape 4th (Millsboro Police Department)

Clifford T. Downes, 36, Milton, DE (Medium Risk, Tier 2)
White male, 6’02” tall, 190 lbs., brown hair and hazel eyes
Failure to Verify Address (2 counts)
Failure to Re-Register

Resume:
Sussex County, DE- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is currently looking for two sex offenders after they failed to re-register or verify their current address.

Investigators have obtained a warrants for Durron Jones Jr., who is a low risk tier I and Clifford T. Downes, who is a medium risk tier II after they learned the two failed to re-register or verify their address as required by law. Jones is also wanted by Millsboro PD for Rape 4th.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit is asking anyone who may know the location of either of the two to call 302-672-5306 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

8 Foods That Speed Up Ageing While Promoting Sickness

Eating what’s quick, convenient, and tasty may fit your lifestyle for now, but you may be subjecting yourself to progressively worsening health. If you don’t shift to a healthier diet, someday sooner rather than later you’ll be a young person in an old person’s body, wondering what happened. Below are 8 foods you should avoid to age gracefully and avoid sickness.
Avoid These 8 Food-Like Substances

1. Despite FDA press releases announcing its ban of trans fats, trans-fatty processed hydrogenated oils are still ubiquitous. Don’t use them for cooking or salad dressings. They’re less expensive, but they’ve been processed only for creating a longer shelf life while shortening your time with a healthy life.

A similar tip: choose butter over margarine. You’d might as well use molten plastic because plastic and margarine have molecular similarities. Real butter is better. Use only cold pressed oils, but refuse any version of Canola oil.

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Super Plunge Suspended Due To Weather

Organizers of the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge and Plungefest have suspended the hourly "Super Plunges" this morning due to severe weather conditions.

Since Friday morning, more than 50 people who have each raised at least $10,000 for Special Olympics of Maryland, have taken hourly plunges into the Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point State Park

The decision to suspend the event was made after the 2 a.m. plunge.
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An Economy With A Human Purpose

Maryland’s Nation-Leading Progress

Yesterday, Governor O’Malley delivered his eighth State of the State address, focused on our work as a State over the last seven years to be fiscally-responsible, strengthen and grow our middle class and create jobs for more Maryland families.

Throughout the speech, the Governor spoke about a central pillar to our progress as a State: accountability. He pointed out that the test of any policy, action, or expenditure has been whether or not it is actually working to produce the intended results.

We see the results of that test in the presence of a Maryland family, an Eastern Shore manufacturer, and a community college president, all of whom have benefited from strategic policy actions established just last year: The Veteran’s Full Employment Act and the EARN Maryland Program.

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6 Habits Of Instantly Likeable People

When you meet someone, after, "What do you do?" you're out of things to say.

You suck at small talk, and those first five minutes are tough because you're a little shy and a little insecure.

But you want to make a good impression. You want people to genuinely like you.

Here's how remarkably likeable people do it:

1. They lose the power pose.

I know: Your parents taught you to stand tall, square your shoulders, stride purposefully forward, drop your voice a couple of registers, and shake hands with a firm grip.

It's great to display nonverbal self-confidence, but go too far and it seems like you're trying to establish your importance. That makes the "meeting" seem like it's more about you than it is the other person—and no one likes that.

No matter how big a deal you are you pale in comparison to say, oh, Nelson Mandela. So take a cue from him. Watch how he greets Bill Clinton, no slouch at this either.

Clinton takes a step forward (avoiding the "you must come to me" power move); Mandela steps forward with a smile and bends slightly forward as if, ever so slightly, to bow (a clear sign of deference and respect in nearly every culture); Clinton does the same. What you have are two important people who put aside all sense of self-importance or status. They're genuine.

Next time you meet someone, relax, step forward, tilt your head towards them slightly, smile, and show that you're the one who is honored by the introduction—not them.

We all like people who like us. If I show you I'm genuinely happy to meet you, you'll instantly start to like me. (And you'll show that you do, which will help calm my nerves and let me be myself.)

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TED CRUZ: OBAMA'S 'CONSISTENT PATTERN OF LAWLESSNESS' IS 'EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS'

On Mark Levin’s radio show on Thursday night, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) made criticized President Barack Obama for his selective adherence and enforcement of laws passed by the U.S. Congress, especially his 2010 health care reform law.

“It’s extraordinarily dangerous,” Cruz said. “Mark, I know you fully that of all of the dismaying aspects of the Obama presidency perhaps the most dangerous is this consistent pattern of lawlessness. We have never had a president who over and over again openly aggressively defies the law. If he doesn’t like the law, he refuses to enforce it or he simply proclaims it changed and this is something that ought to bother everyone. This is something that shouldn’t be a partisan issue on area after area – from immigration to drug law to welfare law – he decided he didn’t like the law so he simply proclaimed it changed. That’s not the way our legal system works.”

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Libertarian Wing Of GOP Gains Strength In Congress

A few times each month, a couple dozen House Republican lawmakers gather in a meeting room in a building adjacent to Capitol to discuss ideas and legislative proposals that focus on limited government, reducing the debt and maintaining individual rights.

The group considers itself conservative with a libertarian emphasis. They call themselves the Liberty Caucus and believe that in order for the GOP to win more elections in the future, the party must begin embracing their libertarian-minded philosophy because voters are beginning to demand it, particularly in the wake of government data collection revelations that some believe infringe on privacy rights.

"I think you are seeing a movement in the Republican Party where it is becoming more liberty minded," Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, a member of the Liberty Caucus, told the Washington Examiner.

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Car Dealers Charge White Customers Less Than Everyone Else, Study Finds

Things that are okay for a car dealer to do: charge a buyer seeking financing a different rate based on his or her credit history. Things that are completely not okay for a car dealer to do: charge a buyer seeking financing a different rate based on his or her race. And yet they just keep doing it anyway.

Car dealers have a nasty and pernicious habit of charging black and Latino customers higher rates than white ones, a study from the Center for Responsible Lending has found. The full report (PDF) delves into the research, methodology, and findings.

It’s not a matter of one group of buyers being less savvy shoppers than another group: white buyers were actually the least likely to try to negotiate the terms of a loan, with only 22% of white buyers giving it a go. In contrast, 32% of black buyers and 39% of Latino buyers negotiated their interest rates.

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