DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, December 22, 2014
Letter to AELR Worcester County
The Honorable Paul Pinsky, Senate ChairCommittee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative ReviewJames Senate Office Building11 Bladen Street, Room 220Annapolis, MD 21401The Honorable Samuel Rosenberg, House ChairCommittee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative ReviewHouse Office Building6 Bladen Street, Room 365Annapolis, MD 21401(Electronic with hard copy to follow)Re: Proposed Phosphorus Management Tool RegulationsDear Senator Pinsky and Delegate Rosenberg:The Worcester County Commissioners are concerned with the potential economic impact from the proposed Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) regulations published in the December 1st issue of the Maryland Register. The regulations would modify the nutrient management recommendations in the Maryland Nutrient Management Manual by determining phosphorus as the limiting nutrient and transition to the use of the PMT tool. These regulations are now under review by the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR).Worcester County respectfully requests that a hearing be held to discuss the true fiscal implications that would result from the implementation of these regulations. These regulations will have a major impact on agricultural operations on the lower shore, especially in Worcester County. The original data runs by the developer of the PMT had estimated Worcester’s soil risk values to be high for a great majority of available croplands. This could necessitate manure relocation for a great majority of Worcester farms that use manure as a requirement in using the tool as proposed in the submitted regulations. The substitution of commercial fertilizers will also add costs to our local agricultural producers. The local infrastructure required to support a relocation effort like this does not exist on the shore today.While the economic impact study required by the state budget has been completed, we caution that the scenarios examined did not include: off-farm impacts, considerations for delays in alternative uses coming online, and local infrastructure that is inadequate to ensure compliance with the proposed regulations. Implementation of the PMT will result in significant economic impacts (both indirect and direct) in shore jurisdictions with economies dependent on agriculture. The proposal for spending on subsidies, construction of storage structures, and transportation cost-sharing do not inspire confidence they will be continued and institutionalized considering the scope of budget insecurities currently confronting Maryland.In addition, it should be noted that Maryland was not idle during the PMT debate. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has manure incorporation and the limits on fall nitrogen applications which took effect in fall 2012, with setbacks and stream protection measures coming on board in January 2014. The winter ban on spreading manure will be phased in beginning July 1, 2016, with complete implementation by March 1, 2020. These requirements will be in addition to the new requirements under the proposed regulation.Worcester County joins with our shore legislative delegation in requesting that a hearing be held to ascertain the fiscal impacts of these regulations and review information from our agricultural producers before the PMT is implemented.Sincerely,James C. ChurchPresidentcc: The Eastern Shore Delegation
De Blasio goes AWOL, avoids families of executed cops
As cops were being threatened and assaulted and the city reeled over the execution of two officers, Mayor Bill de Blasio prayed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Sunday — then went into hiding.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton visited the scene of the horrific attack in Brooklyn and Gov. Andrew Cuomo paid a wrenching condolence call at the home of one of the slain cops, but de Blasio ran from reporters and was nowhere to be found after the church service.
He showed up for 10:15 a.m. Mass with his wife, Chirlane McCray, and Bratton, with all three sitting in a front-row pew as Cardinal Timothy Dolan urged prayers for the slain cops’ families, the NYPD — and the embattled mayor.
Dolan asked Bratton to tell cops that “we love them very much, we mourn with them, we need them, we respect them, we’re proud of them and we thank them.”
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Police Commissioner Bill Bratton visited the scene of the horrific attack in Brooklyn and Gov. Andrew Cuomo paid a wrenching condolence call at the home of one of the slain cops, but de Blasio ran from reporters and was nowhere to be found after the church service.
He showed up for 10:15 a.m. Mass with his wife, Chirlane McCray, and Bratton, with all three sitting in a front-row pew as Cardinal Timothy Dolan urged prayers for the slain cops’ families, the NYPD — and the embattled mayor.
Dolan asked Bratton to tell cops that “we love them very much, we mourn with them, we need them, we respect them, we’re proud of them and we thank them.”
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Judge in Maryland Locks Up Youths and Rules Their Lives
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — “Judge Dawson, he don’t play,” a parent once said about Herman C. Dawson, the main juvenile court judge in Prince George’s County. And on this Tuesday morning, Judge Dawson was definitely not in a playing mood.
“Who’s in court with you today?” he demanded of Tanika, the 16-year-old standing before him in handcuffs.
“My mom,” she said.
“I know that,” Judge Dawson snapped.
An honors student, Tanika had never been in trouble with the law before. But for the past year, ever since she was involved in a fight with another girl at her high school, Judge Dawson had ruled her life, turning it into a series of court hearings, months spent on house arrest and weeks locked up at a juvenile detention center in Laurel, Md.
Most recently, he had detained her for two weeks for violating probation by visiting a friend on the way home from working off community service hours. Now he was deciding whether to release her.
“I’m hesitating because I don’t know whether you got the message,” he said.
Juvenile court judges in the United States are given wide discretion to decide what is in a young offender’s best interest. Many, like Judge Dawson, turn to incarceration, hoping it will teach disobedient teenagers a lesson and deter them from further transgressions.
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“Who’s in court with you today?” he demanded of Tanika, the 16-year-old standing before him in handcuffs.
“My mom,” she said.
“I know that,” Judge Dawson snapped.
An honors student, Tanika had never been in trouble with the law before. But for the past year, ever since she was involved in a fight with another girl at her high school, Judge Dawson had ruled her life, turning it into a series of court hearings, months spent on house arrest and weeks locked up at a juvenile detention center in Laurel, Md.
Most recently, he had detained her for two weeks for violating probation by visiting a friend on the way home from working off community service hours. Now he was deciding whether to release her.
“I’m hesitating because I don’t know whether you got the message,” he said.
Juvenile court judges in the United States are given wide discretion to decide what is in a young offender’s best interest. Many, like Judge Dawson, turn to incarceration, hoping it will teach disobedient teenagers a lesson and deter them from further transgressions.
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The dramatic moment a cop shot dead suspect who pretended to surrender then fired at him four times after car chase
This heart-stopping footage shows a Texas cop's brush with death as a suspect appears to surrender - then pulls a gun and fired four shots at him.
A split-second firefight then erupts, in which Andra Gibson, an officer with the police department of Hedwig Village, near Houston, downs Emilio Solis with a series of fatal gunshots.
Despite Solis letting off the first shots, and even brushing the officer's uniform, Officer Gibson was left unharmed in the deadly exchange this summer.
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A split-second firefight then erupts, in which Andra Gibson, an officer with the police department of Hedwig Village, near Houston, downs Emilio Solis with a series of fatal gunshots.
Despite Solis letting off the first shots, and even brushing the officer's uniform, Officer Gibson was left unharmed in the deadly exchange this summer.
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Annual Financial Report confirms Worcester County in solid financial standing
Worcester County Treasurer’s Office officials recently completed the County’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2014. This format, which adheres to the guidelines recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association, provides full accountability to Worcester County citizens and others with an interest in government finances. The CAFR outlines County finances and reflects a long-established history of prudent fiscal management practices.
Chris Hall of TGM Group, LLC, Certified Public Accountants met with the Commissioners on December 16, 2014, to review Worcester County Government’s annual financial report for the year ending June 30, 2014. He advised that the findings of TGM’s Independent Audit Report reveal that Worcester County’s financial statements are both complete and accurate due to the exercising of tight internal controls, assuring that this required information remains compliant with generally accepted accounting principles.
Worcester County Government remains compliant with the internal policy requiring that a reserve fund be maintained at a level equal to 10% of budgeted annual General Fund expenditures.
For more information about the CAFR, contact Finance Officer Phil Thompson or Assistant Finance Officer or Jennifer Swanton at (410) 632-0686.
Yankees will pay for education of children of NYPD cop Ramos
Yankee owner George Steinbrenner died in 2010, but his appreciation for the men in blue who protect New York City lives on.
For 32 years, Steinbrenner's Yankee Silver Shield Foundation has provided for the education of the children of New York City police officers, firemen and Port Authority employees who died in the line of duty, and will do so for the family of NYPD officer Rafael Ramos, gunned down by a cold-blooded killer Saturday along with his partner, Wenjian Liu.
The foundation will pay for the education of Ramos' son, 13-year-old Jaden, and another son who is in college.
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For 32 years, Steinbrenner's Yankee Silver Shield Foundation has provided for the education of the children of New York City police officers, firemen and Port Authority employees who died in the line of duty, and will do so for the family of NYPD officer Rafael Ramos, gunned down by a cold-blooded killer Saturday along with his partner, Wenjian Liu.
The foundation will pay for the education of Ramos' son, 13-year-old Jaden, and another son who is in college.
More
Young immigrants to line up for driver’s licenses
PHOENIX (AP) — Many young immigrants who are protected from deportation under new Obama administration policies are expected Monday to begin pursuing Arizona driver’s licenses.
The Arizona Department of Transportation said it is anticipating a rush of immigrant applicants in the weeks ahead at Motor Vehicle Division offices statewide,
A preliminary injunction issued Dec. 18 by U.S. District Judge David Campbell bars the state from enforcing Gov. Jan Brewer’s policy of denying the licenses to about 20,000 immigrants.
The injunction carries out instructions issued in July by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
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The Arizona Department of Transportation said it is anticipating a rush of immigrant applicants in the weeks ahead at Motor Vehicle Division offices statewide,
A preliminary injunction issued Dec. 18 by U.S. District Judge David Campbell bars the state from enforcing Gov. Jan Brewer’s policy of denying the licenses to about 20,000 immigrants.
The injunction carries out instructions issued in July by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
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State-by-state breakdown of child abuse deaths
The Associated Press asked all 50 states, the District of Columbia and military services to provide information on children who died of abuse or neglect over a six-year span, even as authorities were investigating them or their families or providing some form of protective services.
The overall tally for children who died under such circumstances was 786.
Here is a list:
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The overall tally for children who died under such circumstances was 786.
Here is a list:
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Congressman Andy Harris' vote on the Omnibus bill
I would like to share some thoughts regarding the passage of the Omnibus bill which has created real heartburn for conservatives.
As you probably know, the Senate under Harry Reid has not passed a single appropriation bill this year, out of the 12 that need to be passed to fund the government. In contrast, the House passed 7 of the 12 through the full House, with an unrestricted amendment process, and passed an additional 4 appropriation bills through the committee. The house stopped passing any more appropriations bills over the summer when it became clear that Harry Reid was obstructing the process to force a showdown this fall.
A new appropriation season begins in February - where we can expect the Republican controlled House and Senate to resume the normal budget process of 12 separate bills, allowing for amendments. This canresult in hundreds of time consuming amendments on each bill. It has been argued that re-visiting the entire budget next February for the current fiscal year under a short-term CR, would greatly set back the budget process for the coming year fiscal.
The message below from the Andy Harris Facebook Page addresses his decision to vote for the Omnibus bill. Of particular interest are the riders he lists, which have been largely ignored by the press. It helps to put into perspective the decision that he made.
Ellen Sauerbrey
Andy's Message
"A lot of misinformation has been spreading about what a vote on the bill to fund the federal government nicknamed the “Cromnibus,” actually meant. Here are the facts. If no funding bill had passed and the government had shut down, the President’s immigration executive order would have proceeded because it is funded through fees, not discretionary spending. (My edit: It would require passage of specific legislation to disallow the fees from being used for this purpose, which would have been killed in the Senate.) A short term continuing resolution (CR) would have still allowed for the executive immigration action to go forward. I supported an amendment brought to the Rules Committee by Congressman Mulvaney that would have banned the President’s immigration action altogether, but that amendment was rejected by the Rules Committee.
I supported a bill earlier this year that would have stopped the President’s illegal immigration executive orders, but the Senate has prevented us from holding President Obama accountable all year. By funding all of the government through September and the Department of Homeland Security only through February, Congress is in a better position to deal with the issue when the new Senate Majority is sworn in January 6th.
The “Cromnibus” bill, though far from perfect, was about putting Congress in the best position possible to take on the President’s unconstitutional actions, and advancing conservative principles on a wide range of issues. Our choice was to pass a continuing resolution, which maintains government spending just as it is now with no restrictions on the Administration, and without eliminating outdated government programs – or to pass an omnibus appropriations bill that includes many riders and spending levels that advanced conservative principles such as the following:
• Three new pro-life provisions
• Stopping DC from legalizing recreational marijuana use, while allowing medical marijuana use
• Returning discretionary spending to pre-Speaker Pelosi levels.
• Reducing funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by $345 million. President Obama had asked for a 1.5B increase for the IRS to implement Obamacare, so we really gave him 1.8billion less than what he wanted.
• Banning the IRS from targeting those individuals and organizations who are simply seeking to exercise their freedom of speech.
• Cutting funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by $60 million. The 21 percent reduction in EPA funding since FY2010 means the agency will be forced to reduce its staff size to 1989 levels.
• Prohibiting funds from being used to transfer detainees from the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
• Prohibiting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from implementing regulations that would allow union organizing rules to circumvent the rights of workers.
• Providing no new funding for ObamaCare, and cutting $10 million from the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) – an unelected board of 15 bureaucrats given authority to address rising health care costs by denying care to seniors.
• Preventing taxpayer bailouts of insurance companies through Obamacare's risk corridor program.
• Providing needed oversight of ObamaCare’s tax subsidies by directing the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury to report back on any waste, fraud or abuse.
• Restricting the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from implementing regulations harmful to the livestock and poultry industry - something important to our poultry industry on the Shore.
• Restricting the EPA from applying the Clean Water Act to certain agricultural areas like farm ponds and irrigation ditches"
As you probably know, the Senate under Harry Reid has not passed a single appropriation bill this year, out of the 12 that need to be passed to fund the government. In contrast, the House passed 7 of the 12 through the full House, with an unrestricted amendment process, and passed an additional 4 appropriation bills through the committee. The house stopped passing any more appropriations bills over the summer when it became clear that Harry Reid was obstructing the process to force a showdown this fall.
A new appropriation season begins in February - where we can expect the Republican controlled House and Senate to resume the normal budget process of 12 separate bills, allowing for amendments. This canresult in hundreds of time consuming amendments on each bill. It has been argued that re-visiting the entire budget next February for the current fiscal year under a short-term CR, would greatly set back the budget process for the coming year fiscal.
The message below from the Andy Harris Facebook Page addresses his decision to vote for the Omnibus bill. Of particular interest are the riders he lists, which have been largely ignored by the press. It helps to put into perspective the decision that he made.
Ellen Sauerbrey
Andy's Message
"A lot of misinformation has been spreading about what a vote on the bill to fund the federal government nicknamed the “Cromnibus,” actually meant. Here are the facts. If no funding bill had passed and the government had shut down, the President’s immigration executive order would have proceeded because it is funded through fees, not discretionary spending. (My edit: It would require passage of specific legislation to disallow the fees from being used for this purpose, which would have been killed in the Senate.) A short term continuing resolution (CR) would have still allowed for the executive immigration action to go forward. I supported an amendment brought to the Rules Committee by Congressman Mulvaney that would have banned the President’s immigration action altogether, but that amendment was rejected by the Rules Committee.
I supported a bill earlier this year that would have stopped the President’s illegal immigration executive orders, but the Senate has prevented us from holding President Obama accountable all year. By funding all of the government through September and the Department of Homeland Security only through February, Congress is in a better position to deal with the issue when the new Senate Majority is sworn in January 6th.
The “Cromnibus” bill, though far from perfect, was about putting Congress in the best position possible to take on the President’s unconstitutional actions, and advancing conservative principles on a wide range of issues. Our choice was to pass a continuing resolution, which maintains government spending just as it is now with no restrictions on the Administration, and without eliminating outdated government programs – or to pass an omnibus appropriations bill that includes many riders and spending levels that advanced conservative principles such as the following:
• Three new pro-life provisions
• Stopping DC from legalizing recreational marijuana use, while allowing medical marijuana use
• Returning discretionary spending to pre-Speaker Pelosi levels.
• Reducing funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by $345 million. President Obama had asked for a 1.5B increase for the IRS to implement Obamacare, so we really gave him 1.8billion less than what he wanted.
• Banning the IRS from targeting those individuals and organizations who are simply seeking to exercise their freedom of speech.
• Cutting funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by $60 million. The 21 percent reduction in EPA funding since FY2010 means the agency will be forced to reduce its staff size to 1989 levels.
• Prohibiting funds from being used to transfer detainees from the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
• Prohibiting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from implementing regulations that would allow union organizing rules to circumvent the rights of workers.
• Providing no new funding for ObamaCare, and cutting $10 million from the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) – an unelected board of 15 bureaucrats given authority to address rising health care costs by denying care to seniors.
• Preventing taxpayer bailouts of insurance companies through Obamacare's risk corridor program.
• Providing needed oversight of ObamaCare’s tax subsidies by directing the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury to report back on any waste, fraud or abuse.
• Restricting the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) from implementing regulations harmful to the livestock and poultry industry - something important to our poultry industry on the Shore.
• Restricting the EPA from applying the Clean Water Act to certain agricultural areas like farm ponds and irrigation ditches"
Predator Sentenced To More Than Two Decades In Prison
Watson, who was arrested in May, pled guilty on Oct. 29 to one count of second-degree rape and two counts of dealing in child pornography. Kent County Superior Court Judge William Witham sentenced Watson to 20 years on the second-degree rape charge and two years each on the child pornography charges.
DOJ Weekly Highlights Include Life Sentences for Two Murderers, Lengthy Sentences for Violent Criminals
WILMINGTON – Deputy Attorneys General in the Department of Justice secure a number of important convictions, sentencings and other court rulings each week. The Department of Justice will send out recaps of key cases. Here are the sentencing highlights from the week ending Friday, Dec. 19.
- Deputy Attorneys General Steve Wood and Dan Logan secured a life sentence for Jeffrey Kent, of the 800 block of West 9th Street in Wilmington after they convicted him at trial of first-degree murder and related charges earlier this year. Kent shot and killed Dewey Lee near the intersections of Eighth and Monroe streets in Wilmington on June 30, 2011.
- Deputy Attorneys General Ipek Medford and Matt Frawley secured a life sentence plus 28 years for Vincent Stallings, 23 of Wilmington, who pled guilty earlier this year to shooting and killing Mohammed Ullah, a clerk at a 7-11 in Glasgow. Stallings was in the process of robbing the 7-11 when he committed the murder Sept. 12, 2012.
- Deputy Attorney General Dave Holloway secured a 19-year prison sentence for Roderick Owens, 29 of the 700th block of Jefferson Street in Wilmington, who was convicted at trial earlier this year of two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Holloway successfully argued for Holloway to be designated as a habitual offender, triggering enhanced sentencing. Owens was prohibited from carrying a firearm due to prior violent felony drug convictions.
- Deputy Attorneys General Periann Doko secured a lengthy prison sentence for Desmond Scott of Wilmington, who had pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Scott was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the firearms charge, four of which were suspended. He was also sentenced to an additional three years in prison for violating his probation on a previous cocaine trafficking conviction, meaning he will spend nine years in prison.
- Deputy Attorney General Brian Robertson secured an eight-year prison sentence against Raymond Sawyer, 49 of Wilmington. Robertson successfully prosecuted Sawyer earlier this year on three counts of second-degree robbery and had Sawyer declared a habitual offender. Sawyer was convicted of robbing a PNC Bank in Greenville, a PNC Bank in Claymont and Artisans Bank in Wilmington.
- Deputy Attorneys General Melanie Withers and Casey Ewart secured a 12-year prison sentence for Philip Brewer, 18 of Bridgeville. Brewer had previously pled guilty to second-degree carjacking, three counts of kidnapping and four counts of second-degree conspiracy for his role in the March 2013 carjacking and kidnapping of an 89-year-old Sussex County woman, Margaret E. Smith. As part of his plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Brewer cooperated in the prosecution of the three other defendants, and the significant cooperation was reflected in his sentence. He received seven years in prison for his role in the carjacking and kidnapping and another five years for a previous parole violation.
Federalsburg firehouse now powered by the sun
The fire company contracted with Solar Lane, of Easton, to purchase all the energy needed to run the firehouse, which will be generated by a solar panel array, installed by Paradise Energy Solutions of Salisbury.
A groundbreaking was held Tuesday, Oct. 28, behind the firehouse, and the switch was flipped Tuesday, Dec. 9, to turn on the new 85 Kilowatt solar electric generating facility. The site is served by Delmarva Power. Electrical output of the solar generating facility is estimated to be 110,000 Kilowatt hours per year.
It is comprised of 285 Solar panels, each of which produces 300 watts of electricity in full sunlight. Output and operation of the Solar Generating Facility will be continually monitored and performance reported through the Internet.
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OCEAN CITY MAN ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE THEFTS IN MONTEGO BAY
Matthew W. Gruber
(December 22, 2014) – The Ocean City Police Department has arrested an Ocean City man after tying him to a series of thefts from vehicles and a burglary that took place in the Montego Bay area between December 10th and 13th.
On December 10, 2014, Ocean City officers responded to three separate locations in the Montego Bay area in reference to thefts from motor vehicles. Jewelry, electronics and other miscellaneous items with an estimated total value of over $3,800 were stolen from the vehicles. Later that week, officers responded to a report of another burglary in the Montego Bay area where multiple electronics with a total value of approximately $500 were taken.
Working with the community, police quickly identified a suspect in a chain of thefts from parked vehicles in Montego Bay. Subsequently on December 18, detectives located the suspect, Matthew W. Gruber, 30, of Ocean City, and took him into custody. During the arrest officer’s recovered jewelry reported stolen from the vehicles.
A search and seizure warrant was served a short time later on Gruber’s residence where detectives found most of the items stolen the week before. Additionally detectives located items taken during a first degree burglary of a private home in Montego Bay.
Detectives have charged Gruber with breaking and entering, two counts of theft less than $1,000, theft less than $10,000 and multiple other theft charges. Gruber was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and has been transferred to the Worcester County Jail on $75,000 bond.
Police are searching for further victims associated with additional property recovered from Gruber and believed to be stolen. Any citizens that believe they may have been a victim of theft are asked to contact Detective Carl Perry at 410-520-5439 or cperry@oceancitymd.gov.
Maryland Reforms Juvenile Probation System
ANNAPOLIS — For a youth on probation in Maryland, a minor fault could mean a trip back through the complex juvenile justice system, sometimes resulting in incarceration, and often causing major setbacks to the youth’s rehabilitation.
To keep children from being dragged back into court for non-serious issues, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is developing a tool that will help case managers make objective and appropriate decisions about the juveniles in their care, and also help combat racial bias in the system, said Eric Solomon, public information officer for the Department of Juvenile Services.
The department in October began training case managers, who are responsible for monitoring juveniles on probation, to use a system of “graduated responses” — a grid-based set of guidelines to help them decide step-by-step how to appropriately respond when juveniles violate the terms of their probation.
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To keep children from being dragged back into court for non-serious issues, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is developing a tool that will help case managers make objective and appropriate decisions about the juveniles in their care, and also help combat racial bias in the system, said Eric Solomon, public information officer for the Department of Juvenile Services.
The department in October began training case managers, who are responsible for monitoring juveniles on probation, to use a system of “graduated responses” — a grid-based set of guidelines to help them decide step-by-step how to appropriately respond when juveniles violate the terms of their probation.
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Philadelphia drops civil asset forfeiture case against family
The city of Philadelphia has dropped its attempt to seize two homes using civil asset forfeiture laws.
The city’s seizure of the homes made national headlines and became the basis for a lawsuit that challenges Philadelphia law enforcement agencies’ use of civil asset forfeiture in drug cases. That lawsuit will continue even though the city has dropped these two cases.
Chris Sourovelis and his family lost their home earlier this year after his son was caught by police selling $40 of heroine.
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The city’s seizure of the homes made national headlines and became the basis for a lawsuit that challenges Philadelphia law enforcement agencies’ use of civil asset forfeiture in drug cases. That lawsuit will continue even though the city has dropped these two cases.
Chris Sourovelis and his family lost their home earlier this year after his son was caught by police selling $40 of heroine.
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STATE POLICE ON SCENE OF BARRICADE IN STEVENSVILLE
(STEVENSVILLE, MD) – The Maryland State Police are on the scene of a barricade incident in Queen Anne’s County.
Shortly after 6:30 a.m. this morning, State Police at the Centreville barrack received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in a Stevensville community. The caller reported an unusual vehicle in the driveway of a home in the 900 block of Bayside Drive, where the residents were known to be on vacation. The caller also reported an unfamiliar man walking around the backside of the unoccupied residence.
Upon the arrival of two State Troopers, a broken sliding glass door was discovered on the back deck of the home. When troopers made verbal commands for the suspect to exit the home, the suspect refused to cooperate with police and barricaded himself inside the residence.
Troopers identified the blue Toyota Avalon in the driveway as a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in Berlin, Maryland last week during a burglary of an unoccupied home.
Although there is no indication there is anyone inside with the suspect, nor if he is in possession of any firearms, police are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of area residents. Troopers with the assistance of deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff Department established a perimeter and called for the Special Tactical Assault Team Element and State Police Hostage Recovery Team negotiators to make contact with the suspect.
Investigators from the Criminal Enforcement Division, Upper Shore Region, are on the scene assisting, along with the Maryland State Police K-9 Unit, Trooper 6 from the Aviation Command, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, officers from the Chestertown Police Departments, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department.
Shortly after 6:30 a.m. this morning, State Police at the Centreville barrack received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in a Stevensville community. The caller reported an unusual vehicle in the driveway of a home in the 900 block of Bayside Drive, where the residents were known to be on vacation. The caller also reported an unfamiliar man walking around the backside of the unoccupied residence.
Upon the arrival of two State Troopers, a broken sliding glass door was discovered on the back deck of the home. When troopers made verbal commands for the suspect to exit the home, the suspect refused to cooperate with police and barricaded himself inside the residence.
Troopers identified the blue Toyota Avalon in the driveway as a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in Berlin, Maryland last week during a burglary of an unoccupied home.
Although there is no indication there is anyone inside with the suspect, nor if he is in possession of any firearms, police are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of area residents. Troopers with the assistance of deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff Department established a perimeter and called for the Special Tactical Assault Team Element and State Police Hostage Recovery Team negotiators to make contact with the suspect.
Investigators from the Criminal Enforcement Division, Upper Shore Region, are on the scene assisting, along with the Maryland State Police K-9 Unit, Trooper 6 from the Aviation Command, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, officers from the Chestertown Police Departments, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department.
Registered Sex Offender Charged with Unlawful Sexual Contact
The investigation recently came to light at the beginning of December 2014 when an 11 year old female reported to her parents that she had been sexually assaulted by Kevin Marrs after he babysat her when she was, at that time, 9 years old. This incident occurred at her residence in Hartly sometime between September and November of 2012. An interview was also conducted with the victim’s younger sister who informed investigators that Marrs had sexually assaulted her while he was watching her at the same home sometime between March and May of 2013. At the time of the second incident, the victim was 7 years old.
On Friday December 19, 2014, Kevin Marrs was taken into custody by members of the Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R) and transported back to Troop 3 where he was charged with five counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Indecent Exposure 1st. He was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $134,000.00 secured bond.
Because of the sensitivity of this case, and in consideration of the victim, only limited information will be released. Kevin Marrs, who is a medium risk Tier 2 sex offender from a 2001 Rape 4th conviction, has no familial relationship to the family.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.
Ron Pagano At It Again
RON PAGANO: YIKES -- DID YOU TELL THE DAILY TIMES ABOUT THIS STUFF?
Perhaps WBOC should open their eyes as well to this man and his criminal history. Heck, click on the link above or go to the search bar in the top left hand corner and type in his name. All of the articles about who this man is and what he is all about will come up.
While he's been somewhat dormant since bowing out of the Wicomico County Council race after we exposed him for who he truly is, now he's latched onto something new and it's something YOU need to be very aware of.
A few weeks ago the owner of Lucky's Garage took in a high school friend who had been homeless for the past two years. WBOC did a wonderful article on his quest to reach out to the community and find housing for not only Clint, (his high school friend) but to others down on their luck.
To make a long story short, in comes Pagano. A guy out of nowhere who started up a Facebook Page using Clint's name, trying to raise money and goods on Clint's behalf. It didn't take long before Mack Malone, (owner of Lucky's Garage) caught on to this Pagano guy as Pagano started trying to friend Mack on Facebook. Since he had no clue who this Pagano guy was, he rejected all of his friend requests.
Come to find out, Pagano has been raising goods all along and when Mack called him out, he simply changed the goal of the page and changed it to say ALL homeless, yet he continues to keep the "Clint" name as the title. He also refers to Clint often. Know that Pagano never once gave ANY money or goods to CLINT.
I felt it important to EXPOSE this information to make sure ALL OF YOU who are truly interested in helping CLINT only do so by donating to Lucky's Garage. Pagano is a convicted criminal in multiple states and we urge you stay far away from him.
By the way, I want to personally thank ALL of the individuals and businesses who have contributed to Clint's cause.
More to come...
Letter to Santa, from a shelter dog
Letter to Santa, from a shelter dog
Posted on November 20, 2013 by Furry DogMa
Dear Santa Claws,
Some people don’t believe in you, but I do, because last year you brought me a tube of tennis balls, some yummy treats, a new dog sweater, and a plush, fleecy blue sheep that goes “Baaa-aaa-aaa” when I squeeze and chew on him. I stayed awake a long time next to the fireplace on Christmas Eve, waiting for you to come down, but I never did see you. Just my human Mom and Dad putting some packages under the tree. Thank you for those nice gifts last year! You are pretty special if you can sneak in past me!
This year I only want one thing for me for Christmas, and I promise, promise, promise that I’ve been good. My human Mom and Dad and sister and brother need your help a lot more than I do. See, Santa, my Dad lost something that was important to him this summer… something called a “job.” I looked for it all over the house and yard, but I don’t know what a job looks or smells like, so I couldn’t find it. He stayed upset for a very long time, and Mom got upset too, and they yelled at each other, and my brother and sister cried, and I don’t really understand.
Posted on November 20, 2013 by Furry DogMa
Dear Santa Claws,
Some people don’t believe in you, but I do, because last year you brought me a tube of tennis balls, some yummy treats, a new dog sweater, and a plush, fleecy blue sheep that goes “Baaa-aaa-aaa” when I squeeze and chew on him. I stayed awake a long time next to the fireplace on Christmas Eve, waiting for you to come down, but I never did see you. Just my human Mom and Dad putting some packages under the tree. Thank you for those nice gifts last year! You are pretty special if you can sneak in past me!
This year I only want one thing for me for Christmas, and I promise, promise, promise that I’ve been good. My human Mom and Dad and sister and brother need your help a lot more than I do. See, Santa, my Dad lost something that was important to him this summer… something called a “job.” I looked for it all over the house and yard, but I don’t know what a job looks or smells like, so I couldn’t find it. He stayed upset for a very long time, and Mom got upset too, and they yelled at each other, and my brother and sister cried, and I don’t really understand.
BREAKING NEWS: Rock star Joe Cocker dead at 70
Sky News reports legendary rock musician Joe Cocker -- famed for such hit songs as the Beatles cover 'With a Little Help From My Friends' and 'You Are So Beautiful' -- has died of cancer at his home in Colorado.
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The Biggest Economic Story Going Into 2015 Is Not Oil
Isn’t it fun to just watch the market numbers roll by from time to time as you go about your day, see Europe markets up 3%+, Dubai 13%, US over 2% (biggest two-day rally since 2011!), and you just know oil must get hit again? Well, it did. WTI down another 3%+. I tells ya, no Plunge Protection is going save this sucker.
And oil is not even the biggest story today. It’s plenty big enough by itself to bring down large swaths of the economy, but in the background there’s an even bigger tale a-waiting. Not entirely unconnected, but by no means the exact same story either. It’s like them tsunami waves as they come rolling in. It’s exactly like that.
That is, in the wake of the oil tsunami, which is a long way away from having finished washing down our shores, there’s the demise of emerging markets. And I’m not talking Putin, he’ll be fine, as he showed again today in his big press-op. It’s the other, smaller, emerging countries that will blow up in spectacular fashion, and then spread their mayhem around. And make no mistake: to be a contender for bigger story than oil going into 2015, you have to be major league large. This one is.
The US dollar will keep rising more or less in and of itself, simply because the Fed has ‘tapered QE’, and much of what happened in global credit markets, especially in emerging markets, was based on cheap and easily available dollars. There’s now $85 billion less of that each month than before the taper took it away in $10 billion monthly increments. The core is simple.
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And oil is not even the biggest story today. It’s plenty big enough by itself to bring down large swaths of the economy, but in the background there’s an even bigger tale a-waiting. Not entirely unconnected, but by no means the exact same story either. It’s like them tsunami waves as they come rolling in. It’s exactly like that.
That is, in the wake of the oil tsunami, which is a long way away from having finished washing down our shores, there’s the demise of emerging markets. And I’m not talking Putin, he’ll be fine, as he showed again today in his big press-op. It’s the other, smaller, emerging countries that will blow up in spectacular fashion, and then spread their mayhem around. And make no mistake: to be a contender for bigger story than oil going into 2015, you have to be major league large. This one is.
The US dollar will keep rising more or less in and of itself, simply because the Fed has ‘tapered QE’, and much of what happened in global credit markets, especially in emerging markets, was based on cheap and easily available dollars. There’s now $85 billion less of that each month than before the taper took it away in $10 billion monthly increments. The core is simple.
More
SFD Calls For Service 12-21-14
- Sunday December, 21 2014 @ 23:41Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Sunday December, 21 2014 @ 20:56Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Sunday December, 21 2014 @ 20:33Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Sunday December, 21 2014 @ 19:02Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Sunday December, 21 2014 @ 18:43Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
Up to 35% of your cell phone bill may be taxes and fees
Not only will you see 9-1-1 fees, you’ll also find franchise taxes, utility sales taxes and mysteriously named surcharges like the MCTD, TRS or PUC.
On average, customers pay 17.1% of their bill in federal, state and local taxes and fees. But in some states, the average charges can run as high as 24% of the bill, according to a new report from the Tax Foundation.
Some city residents, meanwhile, end up paying even more: Up to 35%, thanks to per-line fees and other charges.
All in, wireless customers end up paying tax and fee rates that are about twice as much as the average sales tax rate on other goods and services, the Tax Foundation found.
Here’s how it breaks down: First, there’s the 5.82% federal charge, which is part excise tax and part Universal Service Fund charge.
After that, how much more you pay depends on where you live.
The highest combined state and local rates are found in Washington state (18.6%), Nebraska (18.5%), New York (17.7%), Florida (16.6%) and Illinois (15.8%).
Read more
On average, customers pay 17.1% of their bill in federal, state and local taxes and fees. But in some states, the average charges can run as high as 24% of the bill, according to a new report from the Tax Foundation.
Some city residents, meanwhile, end up paying even more: Up to 35%, thanks to per-line fees and other charges.
All in, wireless customers end up paying tax and fee rates that are about twice as much as the average sales tax rate on other goods and services, the Tax Foundation found.
Here’s how it breaks down: First, there’s the 5.82% federal charge, which is part excise tax and part Universal Service Fund charge.
After that, how much more you pay depends on where you live.
The highest combined state and local rates are found in Washington state (18.6%), Nebraska (18.5%), New York (17.7%), Florida (16.6%) and Illinois (15.8%).
Read more
$524,403 Gov't Study Examines Link Between Diabetes and Lesbian, Bisexual Women
(CNSNews.com) - The National Institutes of Health through its National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has awarded $524,403 in taxpayer dollars to San Diego University to study diabetes and sexual orientation in women.
"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) contributes to substantial morbidity, disability, and premature mortality in the U.S.," thegrant said.
"Lesbian and Bisexual (LB) women may be at elevated risk for developing T2D because they are more likely than heterosexual women to experience Obesity and other risk factors linked with T2D such as cigarette smoking, Violence victimization, and depressive distress," the grant added.
The study involves data collected for more than 20 years from nearly 100,000 women who took part in the Nurses' Health Study II.
Researchers want to find out the extent to which risk factors for Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affect lesbian and bisexual women over a lifetime.
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"Type 2 diabetes (T2D) contributes to substantial morbidity, disability, and premature mortality in the U.S.," thegrant said.
"Lesbian and Bisexual (LB) women may be at elevated risk for developing T2D because they are more likely than heterosexual women to experience Obesity and other risk factors linked with T2D such as cigarette smoking, Violence victimization, and depressive distress," the grant added.
The study involves data collected for more than 20 years from nearly 100,000 women who took part in the Nurses' Health Study II.
Researchers want to find out the extent to which risk factors for Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affect lesbian and bisexual women over a lifetime.
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Unbelievable: Rolling Stone Writer Is Re-Reporting Her Botched UVA Story
Talk about sending the arsonist to put out the fire. Rolling Stone made it known that a re-reporting mission will be assembled to address the abysmal journalism in their disgraceful Nov. 19 story about an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia. Sabrina Rubin Erdely wrote the piece and came under fire for failing, amongst other things, to reach out to the alleged attackers for their account of the night’s events. Now, it seems Erdely is re-reporting what happened on the night of the alleged assault, a night where the fraternity allegedly at fault held no social gathering.
To recap, the alleged victim named Jackie claims several men gang raped her in a darkened room on a broken glass table. When the ordeal was over, she was bloodied, beaten, and traumatized. Yet, her three friends (“Andy,” “Cindy,” and “Randall”) who also weren’t contacted by RS, claimed that they felt something traumatic had happened to her, but there were no visible injuries on her when they saw her that night. They wanted to go to the authorities, but Jackie was against this course of action.
It’s a far cry from how Erdley described them. In her piece, they were distant, apathetic, and consumed about their position on UVA’s social ladder; claims they rejected in their recent interview with ABC News. Oh, and their real names are Ryan Duffin (“Randall”), Alex Stock (“Andy”), and Kathryn Hendley (“Cindy)”
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To recap, the alleged victim named Jackie claims several men gang raped her in a darkened room on a broken glass table. When the ordeal was over, she was bloodied, beaten, and traumatized. Yet, her three friends (“Andy,” “Cindy,” and “Randall”) who also weren’t contacted by RS, claimed that they felt something traumatic had happened to her, but there were no visible injuries on her when they saw her that night. They wanted to go to the authorities, but Jackie was against this course of action.
It’s a far cry from how Erdley described them. In her piece, they were distant, apathetic, and consumed about their position on UVA’s social ladder; claims they rejected in their recent interview with ABC News. Oh, and their real names are Ryan Duffin (“Randall”), Alex Stock (“Andy”), and Kathryn Hendley (“Cindy)”
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Fewer US-Born Americans Have Jobs Now Than In 2007
The amazing drop in employment highlights President Barack Obama’s slow recovery from the deep 2008 shock, but also spotlights many companies’ growing reliance on foreign migrant labor.
Almost one in every two jobs added since 2009 have gone to foreign-born workers.
In November 2014, one in every five U.S. jobs was held by a foreign-born worker, up from one-in-six jobs in January 2010, according to federal data highlighted by the Center for Immigration Studies.
Since November 2007, the number of working legal and illegal migrants has risen by two million, from 23.1 million in November 2007 to 25.1 million in November 2014.
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AG Gansler Announces $90 Million "Cramming" Settlement with T-Mobile
AG Gansler Announces $90 Million "Cramming" Settlement with T-Mobile
Refunds available for consumers improperly billed for third-party services
"Cell phone bills are already high enough without these unauthorized and often unwanted services," said Attorney General Gansler. "T-Mobile has agreed to provide refunds for overcharged consumers and adopt strict guidelines to ensure consumers are only billed for products or services for which they knowingly agreed to pay an additional fee."
Under the terms of the settlements, T-Mobile must provide each victim of cramming who files a claim under its Premium SMS Refund Program an opportunity for a full refund. In total, T-Mobile must pay at least $90 million, with at least $67.5 million paid to consumers (a portion of which may be paid by forgiving debts consumers may owe T-Mobile). T-Mobile will also pay $18 million to the Attorneys General and $4.5 million to the Federal Communications Commission.
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St. Louis Prosecutor Says Witnesses Lied Under Oath
Some witnesses speaking under oath before a grand jury investigating the shooting death of an unarmed black teen by a white officer told lies, St. Louis Prosecutor Robert McCulloch said Friday.
“Clearly some were not telling the truth,” he said in an interview on KTRS 550.
This was the first interview McCulloch has given since the grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
“Early on I decided that anyone who claimed to have witnessed anything would be presented to the grand jury,” McCulloch said. He added that he would've been criticized no matter his decision.
In the interview, McCulloch spoke about a particular witness who “clearly wasn’t present” at the time of the shooting. He said the witness recounted a story out of the newspaper.
There's more here..
“Clearly some were not telling the truth,” he said in an interview on KTRS 550.
This was the first interview McCulloch has given since the grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
“Early on I decided that anyone who claimed to have witnessed anything would be presented to the grand jury,” McCulloch said. He added that he would've been criticized no matter his decision.
In the interview, McCulloch spoke about a particular witness who “clearly wasn’t present” at the time of the shooting. He said the witness recounted a story out of the newspaper.
There's more here..
Welcome Back to Fishing!
It’s as simple as logging into the DNR Compass Licensing System or visiting a DNR Service Center or a tackle shop to buy a 2015 license. The discount is automatic, but only through January, 2015.
The promotion is designed to encourage anglers to return to Maryland waters and enjoy the excellent fishing the state has to offer.
Fishing is one of the best values in life, promoting quality time in nature with friends and family.
For a limited time, the already low cost of entry is just 50% better.
Welcome Back.
Troopers Seek Public's Assistance in Identifying Burglary Suspect
On Tuesday, December 9, 2014, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. two male suspects forced entry into a residence located in the unit block of Cedar Court, Holly Hills Estates, Smyrna, DE. Once inside the suspects removed items from the residence before fleeing in an unknown direction.
Both suspects depicted in surveillance photos are described as white males 30-35 years of age. One was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The second suspect was last seen wearing a dark jacket with a shirt underneath. No further physical or clothing description is available.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident or knows the identity of the suspects, they are asked to contact Detective William Miller at Troop 3, Camden, at 302-741-2807 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."
Saluting the fallen
This is the poignant moment hundreds of police officers saluted two police officers shot dead in a sickening revenge act for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
The officers lined up three rows deep at the entrance to Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, raising their hands in a silent salute as two ambulances carried the bodies of their slain colleagues.
It came after Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley, 28, shot his former girlfriend in Baltimore County, Maryland, at 5.45am on Saturday morning then travelled 190 miles to Brooklyn.
There, he fired a fatal round of bullets at recently-married officer Wenjian Liu and father-of-one Rafael Ramos - before turning the gun on himself.
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DID LEFTIST GANG SEND NEW YORK'S COP KILLER?
Possible ties to Bill Ayers' Weather Underground terror group
The gang to which NYPD cop killer Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley may have belonged, the Black Guerilla Family, is allied with U.S. leftist groups and worked as an ideological partner with Bill Ayers’ Weather Underground terrorist organization.
Brinsley is the assassin who executed two officers in Brooklyn on Saturday after posting on social media his intention to avenge the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, both of whom were killed by police officers.
The Baltimore media reported his killing spree actually began in Baltimore County, where Brinsley was said to have murdered his former girlfriend before traveling to New York City to kill NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. The New York Post reported the two officers were working overtime to participate in an anti-terrorism drill in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The New York Daily News reported investigators went to Baltimore to probe Brinsley’s ties to the Black Guerrilla Family, which dominates the Maryland prison where Brinsley spent time. The BGF is an African-American Marxist revolutionary organization that seeks the overthrow of the U.S. government.
Numerous Baltimore media outlets confirmed law-enforcement officials are probing the BGF link.
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The gang to which NYPD cop killer Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley may have belonged, the Black Guerilla Family, is allied with U.S. leftist groups and worked as an ideological partner with Bill Ayers’ Weather Underground terrorist organization.
Brinsley is the assassin who executed two officers in Brooklyn on Saturday after posting on social media his intention to avenge the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, both of whom were killed by police officers.
The Baltimore media reported his killing spree actually began in Baltimore County, where Brinsley was said to have murdered his former girlfriend before traveling to New York City to kill NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. The New York Post reported the two officers were working overtime to participate in an anti-terrorism drill in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The New York Daily News reported investigators went to Baltimore to probe Brinsley’s ties to the Black Guerrilla Family, which dominates the Maryland prison where Brinsley spent time. The BGF is an African-American Marxist revolutionary organization that seeks the overthrow of the U.S. government.
Numerous Baltimore media outlets confirmed law-enforcement officials are probing the BGF link.
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Nativity Scene will Remain in Brookville, IN This Christmas
On the heels of their spirited hearing this morning before U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, Thomas More Society has reached an agreement with the ACLU of Indiana that the Franklin County Nativity Scene will remain in place this Christmas. The agreement was reached on behalf of the two organizations’ respective clients—Franklin County and the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
“We’re pleased to secure the right to display the nativity scene on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn through Christmas,” said Peter Breen, Thomas More Society vice president and senior counsel. “The parties will now litigate the case on a normal schedule, without the threat of an emergency injunction forcing the removal of the nativity scene just before Christmas.”
“The Constitutional right to free speech protects religious speech in the public square, including nativity scenes, just as much as it protects nonreligious speech,” added Peter Breen. “We will continue working to protect the First Amendment rights of the people of Franklin County as they express themselves in the public forum in front of their Courthouse.”
More here
Could Marsha Blackburn Replace John Boehner?
Voters gave the Republican Party a majority in the House of Representatives they had not seen in 80 years. Voters kicked Democrats to the curb in the Senate as the GOP had a nine-vote swing.
How did Mr. Boehner treat the American people who just gave the Republicans a mandate?
He gave the American people and the conservative base of the GOP the middle finger.
The “CRomnibus” spending bill that he pushed through the House was more than just a surrender to President Obama and the Democrats. It was Mr. Boehner’s way of sticking it to conservatives and telling them he was the boss.
On Jan. 3, a new Congress begins and one of the first orders of business in the House of Representatives is to pick a new speaker. The conventional wisdom is Mr. Boehner will be re-elected speaker. That may well happen and if it does it will be a disaster for the Republican Party.
Mr. Boehner’s allies in the House have pushed for a rule change that would punish Republicans who vote against Mr. Boehner.
The Republicans will have 247 members in the next Congress. If 30 of these members vote against Mr. Boehner, he will not have the majority he needs to be elected speaker. At that point, anything is possible, including Mr. Boehner stepping aside.
Conservatives cannot simply oppose Mr. Boehner. That is not a plan. Some conservative groups are pushing Trey Gowdy of South Carolina as speaker. That makes a great headline but it isn’t going to happen. Mr. Gowdy has only been in the House since 2011 and has not built the kind of relationships necessary to lead.
There is one conservative who has been in Congress long enough and who has a solidly conservative record.
That is Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee.
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Federal Security Unit Warns Sony Malware Could Spread
The federal government issued a warning Friday about additional cyber attacks using the malicious software from the Sony Pictures cyber attack.
The U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT) said the targeted destructive malware affecting Microsoft Windows systems could be used in additional attacks.
“US-CERT was recently notified by a trusted third party of cyber threat actors using a Server Message Block (SMB) Worm Tool to conduct cyber exploitation activities recently targeting a major entertainment company,” the notice states.
The FBI said in a statement Friday that the Sony attack was carried out by “the North Korean government.”
The cyber attack “destroyed systems and stole large quantities of personal and commercial data.” The perpetrators posed as members of a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace.
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The U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team (US-CERT) said the targeted destructive malware affecting Microsoft Windows systems could be used in additional attacks.
“US-CERT was recently notified by a trusted third party of cyber threat actors using a Server Message Block (SMB) Worm Tool to conduct cyber exploitation activities recently targeting a major entertainment company,” the notice states.
The FBI said in a statement Friday that the Sony attack was carried out by “the North Korean government.”
The cyber attack “destroyed systems and stole large quantities of personal and commercial data.” The perpetrators posed as members of a group calling itself the Guardians of Peace.
More
Bratton: Cop killer made anti-police online posts
Mayor Bill de Blasio said this is 'not the time for politics' following the murder of two police officers in Brooklyn on Saturday.
This as New York City's police commissioner said the gunman who ambushed and killed two police officers had made online posts that were 'very anti-police.'
Police Commissioner William Bratton choked up at a news conference at the Woodhull medical Center on Saturday afternoon as he talked about the fatal shootings of two officers in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness who spoke to The Daily Beast said that 'a lot of people were clapping and laughing' following the murder of the two police officers.
'Some were saying, "They deserved it," and another was shouting at the cops, "Serves them right because you mistreat people!”'said the man, identified as Carlos.
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This as New York City's police commissioner said the gunman who ambushed and killed two police officers had made online posts that were 'very anti-police.'
Police Commissioner William Bratton choked up at a news conference at the Woodhull medical Center on Saturday afternoon as he talked about the fatal shootings of two officers in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness who spoke to The Daily Beast said that 'a lot of people were clapping and laughing' following the murder of the two police officers.
'Some were saying, "They deserved it," and another was shouting at the cops, "Serves them right because you mistreat people!”'said the man, identified as Carlos.
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Sony now says it WILL release 'The Interview' despite hacker's threats
Sony says it will release the Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy 'The Interview' mere days after it announced the film would not in theaters for its scheduled Christmas release date.
Sony cancelled the film's release last week after the hackers threatened real-world attacks on cinemas screening it.
'Sony only delayed this,' said company attorney David Boies on today's NBC's Meet the Press.
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Sony cancelled the film's release last week after the hackers threatened real-world attacks on cinemas screening it.
'Sony only delayed this,' said company attorney David Boies on today's NBC's Meet the Press.
More
Pro-law enforcement rally held in Annapolis
Participants walked bitterly cold downtown streets with signs reading "thank you" and "my daddy is my hero," and chanting "police lives matter." Cars honked their horns and passers-by shouted encouragement.
The rally, which drew more than 50 participants, was organized by Jessica Alvear of Arnold, who said her husband is a police officer in Maryland.
The group stopped at the intersection of Randall and Dock streets, holding signs and chanting "The police are here to protect you and keep you safe."
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Salisbury/Maryland Community Legacy Announce Downtown Grant Awards
Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce that the following local businesses have been selected to receive a grant from the City of Salisbury to assist with the cost of rehabilitation work to their commercial or residential buildings located in the Downtown Historic District:
1) $9,750 – Brickshire Condo Association / 224-226 West Main St.
2) $15,500 – Tribus Reges Properties / 100 North Division St.
3) $18,650 – Chesapeake East / 501-507 West Main St.
4) $18,650 – Devreco / 118 North Division St.
5) $18,650 – WMDT-TV / 202 West Main St.
6) $18,800 – The Opportunity Shop / 158 West Market St.
The City of Salisbury received the funding for these grants from the Community Legacy Program of the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). These funds may be utilized for interior and/or exterior improvements to the structure.
This program is designed to aid in the revitalization of the Downtown area by fostering the growth of new businesses and assisting expanding businesses. Its objectives are to improve the physical appearance of both the interior and exterior of commercial and mixed-use buildings. Additionally, the program helps to preserve historical structures which are architecturally significant, and address any health and/or safety issues by eliminating code deficiencies.
“Special thanks goes out to Deborah Stam in our Community Development Department, and to the grant recipients,” said Mayor Ireton. “This announcement, and our Monday awards visits, cap an incredible year in Downtown Salisbury. The downtown physical structures, and their historic designation can, at times, make rehabilitation restrictive and expensive. Working with DHCD and our partners at the state level, we have come up with a plan and funding to help offset those costs. I say congratulations to the recipients, for they are long-standing contributors to our success downtown. To our residents I say, in Downtown Salisbury the best is yet to come!"
Mayor Ireton is set to visit each of the grant recipients on Monday, December 22nd,between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Residents, Downtown Stakeholders, and the media are invited to attend.
Devreco: 10:00 a.m.
Tribus Reges Properties at 100 N. Division Street: 10:15 a.m.
WMDT-TV: 10:30 a.m.
WMDT-TV: 10:30 a.m.
Brickshire Condo Association: 10:45 a.m.
The Opportunity Shop: 11:00 a.m.
Chesapeake East: 11:15 a.m.
Chesapeake East: 11:15 a.m.
Governor-elect Hogan holds Thank-You Tour stop at BIGGY's Community Center in Baltimore
"I was very happy to get back to the BIGGY's community," Governor-elect Hogan said. "This is a wonderful organization that is doing great things for the community, and I was thrilled to help them and to see all the kids and their families."
Governor-elect Hogan and Lt. Governor-elect Rutherford are no stranger to the BIGGY's organization. During the campaign, the pair and staff held a Labor Day Cookout for BIGGY's and later toured the area and spoke to residents, many of whom were receptive to its message of change.
"This was a great opportunity to do something for an organization that does so much for our youth and inner city communities," Rutherford said. "It feels great to be out here with the Governor-elect."
More pictures can be found HERE
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