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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
NO INJURIES IN HARD LANDING OF PRIVATE HELICOPTER IN DORCHESTER CO.
Maryland State Police Press Release
03/24/2015
03/24/2015
NO INJURIES IN HARD LANDING OF PRIVATE HELICOPTER IN DORCHESTER CO.
(TAYLORS ISLAND, MD) – Maryland state troopers on the scene are reporting there were no injuries to the two people on board a private helicopter that landed in the water just off the Dorchester County shore late this afternoon.The two on board the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter are identified as the pilot, Vincent T. Giglio, 45, of New Jersey, and his passenger, Ronald F. Lopes, 61, of New York. Neither reported any injuries.
At about 5:30 p.m. today, Maryland State Police from the Easton Barrack began a search for a possible downed aircraft in or near the water in the southern part of Dorchester Co. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office had been notified by Patuxent Approach Control of a distress call from an aircraft in that area. Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 6 launched and began an aerial search.
While troopers were en route, additional calls came in providing information on the actual location of the aircraft, which was in about four feet of water off the 500-block of Hoopers Neck Road, in Taylors Island. The crew of Trooper 6 located the scene and landed nearby. Troopers arrived and made contact with the pilot and passenger. Both had exited the aircraft without assistance and walked to shore.
The preliminary information indicates the pilot may have experienced some type of mechanical problem with the helicopter. He radioed a distress call, then made a hard landing as close to shore as possible.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. No further information is available.
Husband & wife celebrate 82 years of marriage
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Md. Senate votes to raise judges’ mandatory retirement age
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Senate has voted to raise the mandatory retirement age of judges from 70 to 73.
The Senate passed the bill unanimously on Tuesday. It now goes to the House of Delegates.
The measure is a constitutional amendment, so voters would decide whether to raise the mandatory retirement age in the next election, if the House passes the bill.
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The Senate passed the bill unanimously on Tuesday. It now goes to the House of Delegates.
The measure is a constitutional amendment, so voters would decide whether to raise the mandatory retirement age in the next election, if the House passes the bill.
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THIS Screenshot Exposes How UN-Affordable Obamacare Really Is
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Trooper arrested after wedding brawl sues Pittsburgh cops
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pennsylvania state trooper sued Pittsburgh police on Tuesday, saying they arrested him on false charges and used excessive force — including a kick to the groin — when he tried to calm a rowdy groomsman following a brawl after his brother’s wedding.
Trooper David Williams, 35, of Plum, contends city officers falsely claimed he attacked them when, instead, they pushed and punched him for no reason, escalating a situation he was trying to help defuse.
Williams spent 17 hours in jail and was suspended by the state police for 10 days without pay before Allegheny County prosecutors dropped charges including rioting and aggravated assault — both felonies — at a preliminary hearing after the Sept. 1 melee.
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Trooper David Williams, 35, of Plum, contends city officers falsely claimed he attacked them when, instead, they pushed and punched him for no reason, escalating a situation he was trying to help defuse.
Williams spent 17 hours in jail and was suspended by the state police for 10 days without pay before Allegheny County prosecutors dropped charges including rioting and aggravated assault — both felonies — at a preliminary hearing after the Sept. 1 melee.
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What makes the dark horses run?
The potential 2016 presidential field is a long list full of long shots.
Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R), has said he is “very seriously" considering a bid.
Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) appears to be mulling a challenge to frontrunner Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) is an all-but-declared candidate yet acknowledged in an onlinevideo that he would need to “overcome what many commentators see as nearly impossible odds.”
Do such unfancied candidates really believe they can win? Often, the answer — rooted in hope, optimism and the understanding that the Beltway conventional wisdom can be spectacularly wrong — is yes.
“The presidential primaries are just like the NCAA [basketball] bracket,” said Boston University professor Tobe Berkovitz, who specializes in political communications.
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Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R), has said he is “very seriously" considering a bid.
Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) appears to be mulling a challenge to frontrunner Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) is an all-but-declared candidate yet acknowledged in an onlinevideo that he would need to “overcome what many commentators see as nearly impossible odds.”
Do such unfancied candidates really believe they can win? Often, the answer — rooted in hope, optimism and the understanding that the Beltway conventional wisdom can be spectacularly wrong — is yes.
“The presidential primaries are just like the NCAA [basketball] bracket,” said Boston University professor Tobe Berkovitz, who specializes in political communications.
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No Point in More Defense Spending With Liberals in Charge
The patriotic conservative hawks who are terrified by the deterioration of our military are absolutely right – our military is in crisis. But lifting the sequester caps and pumping more money into the Pentagon isn't going to solve the problem. First, we need a president who actually cares about defending this country. Second, we need to change the Defense Department from a feeding trough for government workers and contractors into a lean, mean, warfighting machine.
We can solve the first problem in November 2016 by electing a president who cares about this country's defense. Barack Obama doesn't, and Hillary Clinton won't. They never have, and their posturing as friends of the troops and a supporters of a strong defense is a lie like everything else they say.
There’s no point in even trying to rebuild our forces until we get a president who actually understands the nature of our enemies and sides with America and our allies against them. You need to understand – liberals do not want America to be a superpower. They want us neutered. The decline of our military isn’t an accident; it’s a goal.
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We can solve the first problem in November 2016 by electing a president who cares about this country's defense. Barack Obama doesn't, and Hillary Clinton won't. They never have, and their posturing as friends of the troops and a supporters of a strong defense is a lie like everything else they say.
There’s no point in even trying to rebuild our forces until we get a president who actually understands the nature of our enemies and sides with America and our allies against them. You need to understand – liberals do not want America to be a superpower. They want us neutered. The decline of our military isn’t an accident; it’s a goal.
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Visit New York City with Worcester County Motorcoach Trip
On Saturday, April 25, 2015, spend the day in New York City. This On Your Own trip is your day to play in the Big Apple and check out the sights. Visit the Statue of Liberty, climb the Empire State Building, or go see the Rockettes Spring Spectacular show. Tour the Museum of Modern Art Exhibit or the Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History. Take a walk through Central Park Zoo or visit the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. Shop-till-you-drop at Macy's, Saks, Lord & Taylor, and FAO Schwarz.
The cost for roundtrip transportation is only $60 per person. We hope that you will come on out and join us for this fun-filled, family-friendly day trip.
For more information or to register for this Motorcoach Tour trip, contact Lea Cataggio at 410-632-2144 x109 or lcataggio@co.worcester.md.us.
Find us on the web at www.WorcesterRecandParks.org for a complete list of all our programs or to sign up to receive email announcements.
Rethinking Alcohol: Can Heavy Drinkers Learn To Cut Back?
The thinking about alcohol dependence used to be black and white. There was a belief that there were two kinds of drinkers: alcoholics and everyone else.
"But that dichotomy — yes or no, you have it or you don't — is inadequate," says Dr. John Mariani, who researches substance abuse at Columbia University. He says that the thinking has evolved, and that the field of psychiatry recognizes there's a spectrum.
Problems with alcohol run the gamut from mild to severe. And there are as many kinds of drinkers along the continuum as there are personality types.
People with severe problems, such as those who keep on drinking even after they lose jobs or get DUIs, need treatment to stop drinking completely.
But there are other drinkers, including some who are in the habit of drinking more than one or two drinks a day, who may be able to cut back or moderate their consumption and reduce their risk.
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"But that dichotomy — yes or no, you have it or you don't — is inadequate," says Dr. John Mariani, who researches substance abuse at Columbia University. He says that the thinking has evolved, and that the field of psychiatry recognizes there's a spectrum.
Problems with alcohol run the gamut from mild to severe. And there are as many kinds of drinkers along the continuum as there are personality types.
People with severe problems, such as those who keep on drinking even after they lose jobs or get DUIs, need treatment to stop drinking completely.
But there are other drinkers, including some who are in the habit of drinking more than one or two drinks a day, who may be able to cut back or moderate their consumption and reduce their risk.
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17 WICOMICO DESTINATION IMAGINATION (DI) TEAMS ADVANCE TO STATE TOURNAMENT
The following teams advanced to the Maryland DI State Tournament:
1st place
Pemberton Elementary Mega Master Minds
North Salisbury School Feary Flames
Westside Intermediate Funky Monkeys
Bennett Middle School Improv Waves
Bennett Middle School Daydreamerz
Salisbury Middle School Thunder Thinkers
Wicomico Middle School Glazed and Confused
Wicomico Middle School Uncommon DInominators
Parkside High School inDIcisive
2nd place
North Salisbury School SiFi Super Stars
North Salisbury School Ninja Fishies
Westside Intermediate Sassy Sisters
Bennett Middle School Imaginators
Bennett Middle School Primetime DI Funguys
Salisbury Middle DI-scoverers
James M. Bennett High School Not You
3rd place
Wicomico Middle School EverDIne
Tournament results are posted online at http://www.marylanddi.org/regions/eastern/. Scroll down to Documents and click on the Eastern Tournament 2015 results attachment.
BREAKING NEWS: Helicopter Crash In Dorchester County
Just Do Like Wicomico County Board of Ed, Wash Them and Repackage Them...
Report: Apples, Not Caramel Deemed Responsible For December Listeriosis Outbreak
A December outbreak of listeriosis linked to several kinds of prepackaged caramel apples may be over, but regulators say they now know it was the apple, not the caramel that led to the death of seven people and the sickening of 35 others.
A December outbreak of listeriosis linked to several kinds of prepackaged caramel apples may be over, but regulators say they now know it was the apple, not the caramel that led to the death of seven people and the sickening of 35 others.
Markell calls for action on climate change
“We know that climate change affects all of us, not only by impacting our natural resources and our environment, but it reaches across all sectors,” Gov. Jack Markell said March 2 during the unveiling of the state's new Climate Framework for Delaware, which includes a list of recommendations from state agencies on how to reduce emissions, address the results of climate change and plan for future sea level rise. The announcement was made at the American Birding Association headquarters in Delaware City, overlooking the Delaware River.
“I know it's easy for people to say this isn't real … ,” Markell said. “I understand this is a tough issue … but we have got to be having this conversation.”
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Most Recent Drone Information
Americans really might get package delivery from drones. But they won't come from very far away. The Federal Aviation Administration gave Amazon permission to fly drones, but only during the day, no higher than 400 feet and within sight of an operator who holds a regular pilot's license. Bloomberg reports, the FAA also granted Amazon an experimental airworthiness certificate for its drone design. That's a wider permission than it's given to 44 other companies.
Spring Cleanup & Community Yard Sale set for April 11-12
Ocean City’s bulk pick-up service offers a convenient way for residents to get rid of large household items, such as furniture, appliances, bicycles, carpet, etc., which cannot normally be loaded into a standard refuse truck. Normally, this service does not include building materials, yard debris, etc. However, during the Spring Clean Up the town will be accepting these items.
Reportedly dead Florida man arrested in N. Carolina
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A Jacksonville businessman reported dead two years ago in Venezuela was arrested in North Carolina on alleged fraud charges Saturday after his life insurance companies filed a lawsuit alleging he was alive and they shouldn't be making payments.
Details of the charges against 62-year-old Jose Lantigua are unclear. But Saturday's arrest ends two years of speculation about whether the former furniture store owner had faked an illness in 2013 while vacationing in Venezuela, leaving his business millions of dollars in debt.
His life insurance companies thought they were being swindled and launched an investigation saying the businessman was not dead after two lenders filed claims. The lawsuits by Hartford Life and Annuity Life Insurance Co. also alleged a worker was bribed to falsify documents stating the businessman's body was cremated. They also claim Lantigua fraudulently assigned benefits claims to a local creditor before he disappeared.
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Details of the charges against 62-year-old Jose Lantigua are unclear. But Saturday's arrest ends two years of speculation about whether the former furniture store owner had faked an illness in 2013 while vacationing in Venezuela, leaving his business millions of dollars in debt.
His life insurance companies thought they were being swindled and launched an investigation saying the businessman was not dead after two lenders filed claims. The lawsuits by Hartford Life and Annuity Life Insurance Co. also alleged a worker was bribed to falsify documents stating the businessman's body was cremated. They also claim Lantigua fraudulently assigned benefits claims to a local creditor before he disappeared.
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Hadel Avoids Retrial, Pleads Guilty To First-Degree Murder
SNOW HILL- A Texas man sentenced already to life in prison for the murder of a Delaware woman killed in Pocomoke in 2007 and found years later buried under a Snow Hill pleaded guilty again last Friday after his initial trial was turned over on appeal and now faces life in prison with all but 30 years suspended.
Justin Hadel, now 24, of College Station, Texas, was found guilty of first-degree murder in June 2011 for the beating death of Christine Sheddy, a 26-year-old Delaware woman reported missing in November 2007 from a farm near Pocomoke where she had been staying with friends. Hadel was sentenced at the time to life in prison without parole.
Last year, Hadel filed an appeal in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals seeking an overturn of his conviction on a variety of reasons. First and foremost, he claimed his conviction should be overturned because he was denied the opportunity to change his lawyer just four days before his scheduled trial. The Court of Special Appeals upheld Hadel’s conviction, but he filed a second appeal with the higher Court of Appeals, which overturned the Worcester County Circuit Court conviction and remanded the case back to the Circuit Court level for a new trial.
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Justin Hadel, now 24, of College Station, Texas, was found guilty of first-degree murder in June 2011 for the beating death of Christine Sheddy, a 26-year-old Delaware woman reported missing in November 2007 from a farm near Pocomoke where she had been staying with friends. Hadel was sentenced at the time to life in prison without parole.
Last year, Hadel filed an appeal in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals seeking an overturn of his conviction on a variety of reasons. First and foremost, he claimed his conviction should be overturned because he was denied the opportunity to change his lawyer just four days before his scheduled trial. The Court of Special Appeals upheld Hadel’s conviction, but he filed a second appeal with the higher Court of Appeals, which overturned the Worcester County Circuit Court conviction and remanded the case back to the Circuit Court level for a new trial.
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Britain's shame: Evidence mounts of child-abuse cover-up
LONDON — A toxic mix of misuse of power and official silence has become Britain's shame as the country faces up to a growing web of evidence that the abuse of vulnerable children by powerful men was covered up for decades.
Several lawmakers said Tuesday that former detectives and intelligence officers should be guaranteed protection from prosecution if they speak out about child abuse by senior police, politicians other prominent people.
On Monday, the BBC's "Newsnight" program reported that an ex-detective had told it that a lawmaker, Cyril Smith, was arrested in the early 1980s as part of an investigation into child-sex parties, but was released hours later.
He said officers were ordered to hand over notebooks and video footage from their undercover operation, and were told they would be violating the Official Secrets Act if they revealed what had happened.
The BBC did not identify the former detective because of the legal threat hanging over him.
After Smith died in 2010, prosecutors revealed that in 1970 eight men had accused the Liberal lawmaker of abusing them as teens. The prosecutors said Smith was never charged, but should have been.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Tuesday that the BBC was alleging "very, very serious dereliction of duty and of wrongdoing" against police investigating "some of the most grotesque crimes imaginable."
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Several lawmakers said Tuesday that former detectives and intelligence officers should be guaranteed protection from prosecution if they speak out about child abuse by senior police, politicians other prominent people.
On Monday, the BBC's "Newsnight" program reported that an ex-detective had told it that a lawmaker, Cyril Smith, was arrested in the early 1980s as part of an investigation into child-sex parties, but was released hours later.
He said officers were ordered to hand over notebooks and video footage from their undercover operation, and were told they would be violating the Official Secrets Act if they revealed what had happened.
The BBC did not identify the former detective because of the legal threat hanging over him.
After Smith died in 2010, prosecutors revealed that in 1970 eight men had accused the Liberal lawmaker of abusing them as teens. The prosecutors said Smith was never charged, but should have been.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Tuesday that the BBC was alleging "very, very serious dereliction of duty and of wrongdoing" against police investigating "some of the most grotesque crimes imaginable."
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Sex offender hired as Pennsylvania mall Easter Bunny
He was fired after three days on the job and now he's speaking out about what happened.
"I can understand, you know, where they're coming from, about them being upset. But what a lot of people need to realize is, you know, I wasn't put in jail for touching little kids," said Michael Paul Jacobs.
Jacobs worked at Westmoreland Mall as the Easter Bunny.
"My case -- it revolved around having consensual sex when I was a teenager myself, with another teenager," said Jacobs.
Jacobs was convicted in two different cases of having sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 19.
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U.S. top court rejects challenge to Wisconsin voter ID law
(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to Wisconsin's Republican-backed law requiring voters to present photo identification to cast a ballot, a measure Democrats contend is aimed at keeping their supporters from voting.
The justices declined to hear an appeal filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which challenged the law. The ACLU said it then filed an emergency motion with a federal appeals court to try to keep the law from taking effect immediately.
Republican Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said the law cannot be implemented for the state's April 7 election because absentee ballots are already in the hands of voters but would be in place for future elections. "This decision is final," Schimel said.
Voter identification laws have been passed in a number of Republican-governed states over Democratic objections. Republicans say voter ID laws are needed to prevent voter fraud. Wisconsin's measure, blocked by the Supreme Court last year, was backed by Governor Scott Walker, a potential 2012 Republican presidential contender.
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The justices declined to hear an appeal filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which challenged the law. The ACLU said it then filed an emergency motion with a federal appeals court to try to keep the law from taking effect immediately.
Republican Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said the law cannot be implemented for the state's April 7 election because absentee ballots are already in the hands of voters but would be in place for future elections. "This decision is final," Schimel said.
Voter identification laws have been passed in a number of Republican-governed states over Democratic objections. Republicans say voter ID laws are needed to prevent voter fraud. Wisconsin's measure, blocked by the Supreme Court last year, was backed by Governor Scott Walker, a potential 2012 Republican presidential contender.
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Here's An Update On Wicomico County BOE Expired Food Situation
I've been following the recent info on the expired food at the school cafeterias and I want to weigh in with my two cents.
Back in the late 70's & 80's, I was employed at the Health Dept. and one of my jobs was to inspect the school cafeterias. We were trained to check the dates on all food products to be sure that they were safe to serve. If we found one or two items with expired dates, we were to have the cafeteria manager open them, and then throw them in the trash. If we found a large quantity of an item, such as a crate of milk cartons, they were tagged, the manager was to call the supplier, while we were there, to have them come and get the crate and replace it. The out of date items had to be destroyed by the supplier (as I watched). This did not happen often. Back then the cafeteria workers actually prepared the meals and they were extremely conscientious of these issues. (Plus the food was MUCH better). As to out of date food being taken out of packages, rinsed and then re-packaged, this is not a safe practice. Rinsing off out of date food will not remove bacteria.
I'm sure the rules have changed since I was a food inspector and are more strict now. I can not imagine the Health Dept. encouraging the practice of rinsing off out of date food products and repackaging them
Thanks for letting me add my thoughts.
Gov. Hogan Meets Maryland Congressional Delegation, Discusses Federal Priorities
Bringing FBI Headquarters To Prince George’s County A Key Goal
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Hogan today met with all 10 members of Maryland’s delegation to the U.S. Congress to discuss the state’s federal priorities, and to develop strategies to ensure the administration and delegation are jointly focused and working as a team to do what is best for the state.
A main emphasis of the meeting was the relocation of FBI headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Prince George’s County—a move that would bring an estimated 11,500 jobs to Maryland. Currently, the largest proportion of the FBI’s workforce resides in Maryland.
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker joined the governor and the delegation after the meeting, highlighting that officials are united at the federal, state, and local levels in making sure the FBI headquarters relocates to Prince George’s County. Strategic assets like Joint Base Andrews and the National Security Agency, as well as access to mass transit, make Prince George’s County an ideal location.
Other key topics discussed included business and economic development, infrastructure, labor, licensing and regulation, housing and community development, the Maryland National Guard, and transportation.
“I’m so pleased the entire Maryland congressional delegation could join with us today,” said Governor Hogan. “Supporting essential state programs and infrastructure is something we all agree on and can work together to achieve. If there is one issue on which we are speaking in a unified voice, it is the relocation of the FBI headquarters to Prince George’s County. This is something we all want to see happen for the good of our state.”
Both the administration and the members of the delegation pledged to remain in regular contact and to work together to make lasting improvements to the state.
Comments from the delegation are as follows:
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Hogan today met with all 10 members of Maryland’s delegation to the U.S. Congress to discuss the state’s federal priorities, and to develop strategies to ensure the administration and delegation are jointly focused and working as a team to do what is best for the state.
A main emphasis of the meeting was the relocation of FBI headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Prince George’s County—a move that would bring an estimated 11,500 jobs to Maryland. Currently, the largest proportion of the FBI’s workforce resides in Maryland.
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker joined the governor and the delegation after the meeting, highlighting that officials are united at the federal, state, and local levels in making sure the FBI headquarters relocates to Prince George’s County. Strategic assets like Joint Base Andrews and the National Security Agency, as well as access to mass transit, make Prince George’s County an ideal location.
Other key topics discussed included business and economic development, infrastructure, labor, licensing and regulation, housing and community development, the Maryland National Guard, and transportation.
“I’m so pleased the entire Maryland congressional delegation could join with us today,” said Governor Hogan. “Supporting essential state programs and infrastructure is something we all agree on and can work together to achieve. If there is one issue on which we are speaking in a unified voice, it is the relocation of the FBI headquarters to Prince George’s County. This is something we all want to see happen for the good of our state.”
Both the administration and the members of the delegation pledged to remain in regular contact and to work together to make lasting improvements to the state.
Comments from the delegation are as follows:
Students Win Right To Hold “American Pride” Dance
Students at Lexington High School in Massachusetts said the administration had canceled their plans for a red, white and blue dance because it excluded other nationalities. Instead, the administration suggested a more inclusive “National Pride” dance.
“It was suggested by the advisors that the students come in – maybe a National Pride theme so that they could represent their individual nationalities,” Asst. Supt. Carol Pilarski told television station WHDH.
“Maybe it should be more inclusive and it should be ‘National Pride.’”
Word of the administration’s objections to an American-themed dance spread across town like the shot heard round the world.
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CA. First to Feel Hydro-Power Crunch of Drought
SAN FRANCISCO - Flying over the Sierra Nevada as California entered its fourth year of drought, the state’s energy chief looked down and saw stark bare granite cloaked in dirty brown haze — not the usual pristine white peaks heaped with snow that would run the state’s hydroelectric dams for the year.
Spring is arriving with the Pacific Northwest measuring near record-low-snowfall, and much of the rest of the West below average. But what California is experiencing is historically low snowpack — a meager accumulation that has serious implications not only for the state but potentially for the entire West if the drought not just of water, but of snow, persists.
Snowpack at 12 percent of average in the Sierra Nevada means there is less runoff to feed rivers and streams that run through dams to generate cleanly produced hydroelectric power. Despite the state’s ambitious clean-air goals, officials are turning to dirtier, more costly fossil-fuel plants to fill some of the power gap. They also will seek more hydroelectricity imports in a region expected to have markedly less to offer this summer.
At a minimum, “we’ll keep the lights on,” said Robert Weisenmiller, chairman of the California Energy Commission. “We’re not concerned about not having power.”
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Spring is arriving with the Pacific Northwest measuring near record-low-snowfall, and much of the rest of the West below average. But what California is experiencing is historically low snowpack — a meager accumulation that has serious implications not only for the state but potentially for the entire West if the drought not just of water, but of snow, persists.
Snowpack at 12 percent of average in the Sierra Nevada means there is less runoff to feed rivers and streams that run through dams to generate cleanly produced hydroelectric power. Despite the state’s ambitious clean-air goals, officials are turning to dirtier, more costly fossil-fuel plants to fill some of the power gap. They also will seek more hydroelectricity imports in a region expected to have markedly less to offer this summer.
At a minimum, “we’ll keep the lights on,” said Robert Weisenmiller, chairman of the California Energy Commission. “We’re not concerned about not having power.”
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The Dark Side Of iPads Coming To Light
Electronics cause unexpected problems in toddlers, adults
An alarming trend is coming to light as psychologists and counselors see more and more young people addicted to the Internet and portable electronic devices.
The “floodgates of desperate youngsters” opened in 2010, said child psychotherapist Julie Lynn Evans in an interview with Britain’s Telegraph. “I saw my work increase by a mad amount and so did others I work with. Suddenly everything got much more dangerous, much more immediate, much more painful.”
Official figures confirm the picture she paints, with emergency admissions to child psychiatric wards doubling in four years, and those young adults hospitalized for self-harm up by 70 percent in a decade.
“Something is clearly happening,” says Evans, “because I am seeing the evidence in the numbers of depressive, anorexic, cutting children who come to see me. And it always has something to do with the computer, the Internet and the smartphone.”
Hard on the heels of Evans’ interview comes the story of a 12-year-old Colorado girl who twice tried to poison her mother with bleach after her mother took away the girl’s iPhone. The preteen was detained at the Boulder County Juvenile Center on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
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An alarming trend is coming to light as psychologists and counselors see more and more young people addicted to the Internet and portable electronic devices.
The “floodgates of desperate youngsters” opened in 2010, said child psychotherapist Julie Lynn Evans in an interview with Britain’s Telegraph. “I saw my work increase by a mad amount and so did others I work with. Suddenly everything got much more dangerous, much more immediate, much more painful.”
Official figures confirm the picture she paints, with emergency admissions to child psychiatric wards doubling in four years, and those young adults hospitalized for self-harm up by 70 percent in a decade.
“Something is clearly happening,” says Evans, “because I am seeing the evidence in the numbers of depressive, anorexic, cutting children who come to see me. And it always has something to do with the computer, the Internet and the smartphone.”
Hard on the heels of Evans’ interview comes the story of a 12-year-old Colorado girl who twice tried to poison her mother with bleach after her mother took away the girl’s iPhone. The preteen was detained at the Boulder County Juvenile Center on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
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Proof the Black Brunch protest is based on a false narrative.
You may have heard about the string of Black Brunch protests across Georgia this weekend.
In case you missed it, black protestors have taken the struggle to end racial oppression where it hurts white folks the most: brunch.
Yes, that mid-morning Sunday ritual is apparently too much the repository of “white privilege,” so protestors, clad in black t-shirts descended on a number of Atlanta-area restaurants to remind diners that #BlackLivesMatter.
However, as blogger Douglas Ernst notes, if black lives matter so much, why don’t they stop killing each other?
Ernst took a peek into crime statistics in Atlanta and found that of the 84 murders in 2014, the vast majority of victims were black. He took a cursory view at the FBI Uniform Reporting statistics for the Atlanta Police Department.
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Homeschoolers Invent Way To Teach Braille
It’s as easy as pressing a button and listening to the songbook say the letter on each button that matches its corresponding braille symbol.
So simple, you would think it already existed.
Six middle school-aged kids formed a robotics club, and their invention — a device to teach beginning braille to the blind — recently landed them an invitation to the 2015 First Championship in St. Louis next month.
The championship is a culmination of First Lego League teams across the world that complete projects and build robots as a way to engage children ages 9-14 in science and technology.
The Braille Boys and Annie, as they named themselves, will join 19 other teams chosen out of 527 entries from 22 countries. A final three will be selected to attend a special awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in June.
Plus, every member from the top three teams gets a robot.
“We had to do a project to come up with a solution of how we can improve the way someone learns something,” said Dusty Haney, a seventh-grader on the team. “We decided we wanted to learn about braille.”
‘In Islam, they are all rotten apples’: Ex-Muslim’s call for religion’s reboot
There was a time when author and activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali believed it all: that, according to Islam, the infidel should die, that the Quran is infallible, that those who violated sharia law — thieves, gays, adulterers — deserved to be stoned to death or beheaded, as they were each Friday in a public gathering place she and her brother called “Chop-Chop Square.”
Today, she is that rare thing: a public intellectual who, despite death threats and charges of bigotry, calls for an end to Islam — not just as the faithful know it, but as we in the West think we know it.
“The assumption is that, in Islam, there are a few rotten apples, not the entire basket,” Ali tells The Post. “I’m saying it’s the entire basket.”
In her book, “Heretic,” Ali argues for a complete reformation of Islam, akin to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Though her own education led her to reject Islam and declare herself an atheist, she believes that for the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims, there must be another way.
“If you are a child brought up to believe that Islam is a source of morality” — as she was, in Africa and Saudi Arabia — “the Muslim framework presents you with the Quran and the hijab. I don’t want to be cruel and say, ‘You grow up and you snap out of it.’ But maybe we who have snapped out of it have not done our best to appeal to those still in it,” she says.
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Today, she is that rare thing: a public intellectual who, despite death threats and charges of bigotry, calls for an end to Islam — not just as the faithful know it, but as we in the West think we know it.
“The assumption is that, in Islam, there are a few rotten apples, not the entire basket,” Ali tells The Post. “I’m saying it’s the entire basket.”
In her book, “Heretic,” Ali argues for a complete reformation of Islam, akin to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Though her own education led her to reject Islam and declare herself an atheist, she believes that for the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims, there must be another way.
“If you are a child brought up to believe that Islam is a source of morality” — as she was, in Africa and Saudi Arabia — “the Muslim framework presents you with the Quran and the hijab. I don’t want to be cruel and say, ‘You grow up and you snap out of it.’ But maybe we who have snapped out of it have not done our best to appeal to those still in it,” she says.
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Orwell & Kafka Do America: How The Government Steals Your Money - "Legally," Of Course
Due process and rule of law have been replaced with "legalized" looting by government in America.
Did you know that the government of Iran steals your cash if they find more than loose change in your car? They don't arrest you for any crime, for the simple reason you didn't commit any crime; but it isn't about crime and punishment--it's about"legalizing" theft by the state.
So the government toadies don't charge you with a crime or arrest you--they just steal your money.
Pity the poor Iranian people--clearly, there is no rule of law to protect them from their predatory, rapacious, fake-democracy, quasi-totalitarian government.
Did you also know that if you deposit too much money in modest sums, the government of Iran steals all your deposits? They will claim--oh, the twisted logic of Orwellian, repressive governments--that you are obviously a drug dealer who is avoiding laws that require banks to report large deposits to the government.
Once again, you won't be charged with a crime--in true Orwellian fashion the suspicion that you may have committed a crime is sufficient reason to steal your cash. Pity the poor Iranian people, living in such a banana-republic kleptocracy.
Did you also know that if you are caught with any drug paraphernalia in your vehicle, the government of Iran steals your vehicle? The crime isn't a drug crime--it's a property crime: what are you doing with the government of Iran's vehicle?
Pity the poor Iranian people, living in a Kafkaesque nightmare where suspicion alone justifies the government stealing from its citizens, and an unrelated crime (possessing drug paraphernalia) is used to justify state theft.
As in a Kafkaesque nightmare, the state is above the law when it needs an excuse to steal your car or cash. There is no crime, no arrest, no due process--just the state thugs threatening that you should shut up and be happy they don't take everything you own.
Your car and cash are guilty--and your house, too.
Scientists Weigh In On Offshore Seimic Blasting Plan
OCEAN CITY – While the debate over a proposal to lease a vast area off the mid-Atlantic coast for oil and natural gas development intensified this week, a group of renowned scientists weighed in on the method for finding the energy reserves.
On Monday, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) hosted a public meeting in Annapolis to present a proposal to lease a roughly three million-acre area off the coast of Virginia for future oil and natural gas exploration and excavation. The plan is to eventually open the leased area along the outer continental shelf just 50 miles away from Ocean City, Assateague and the Delmarva coastline for the eventual private sector extraction of oil and gas reserves under the sea floor.
Before any offshore drilling or excavation can ever occur, however, the location of the vast oil and gas reserves under the ocean floor must be determined. As a result, BOEM is moving forward with a proposal to allow private sector companies to utilize potentially harmful seismic air gun testing to determine the location of the oil and gas reserves.
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On Monday, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) hosted a public meeting in Annapolis to present a proposal to lease a roughly three million-acre area off the coast of Virginia for future oil and natural gas exploration and excavation. The plan is to eventually open the leased area along the outer continental shelf just 50 miles away from Ocean City, Assateague and the Delmarva coastline for the eventual private sector extraction of oil and gas reserves under the sea floor.
Before any offshore drilling or excavation can ever occur, however, the location of the vast oil and gas reserves under the ocean floor must be determined. As a result, BOEM is moving forward with a proposal to allow private sector companies to utilize potentially harmful seismic air gun testing to determine the location of the oil and gas reserves.
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Public School will be Data Tracking Parental Conversations with Young Children
Would you volunteer to have a private organization (under public school contract) track your parental conversation with your child aged 0-5?
During the Huntsville City Schools Board of Education meeting last night, the board, without asking a single question, approved Dr. Wardynski’s recommendation for a 24 month contract with the LENA Foundation for $93,500.
For a two-year contract, this one is actually rather small, but it will have far-reaching implications. Basically what the LENA Foundation does is collect data on the amount of time parents spend speaking to their children in order to help reduce the language gap that typically exists between children born into poverty and those born into homes above the poverty line.
In order to collect this information, the district will be seeking parents of young children to give the district and the LENA Foundation the right to record every incident of conversation between the parent and the child.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Russell Winn provides some history on the company:
The LENA Research Foundation is located in Boulder, CO and is headed by a person who until 2013 was working for Lockheed Martin.
According to Dr. Wardynski, this is the first time that the LENA Foundation has worked with a school district. He excitedly proclaimed that the district would be able to “work hand in glove, even before they get to school, to make sure kids are school ready.”
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Manatees vs. Obama
Congressional Republicans have rushed to the manatee’s defense in an effort to slow new carbon emissions regulations, while the Obama administration is rejecting claims its forthcoming rules on coal-fired power plants will pose a direct threat to the Florida habitat of the endangered bulbous marine mammals.
Republicans say the Environmental Protection Agency erred by not consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service in designing its so-called Clean Power Plan because the proposal almost surely will force the closure of coal-fired power plants and subsequently reduce the warm water Florida’s manatees need to survive during cold winter months. Warm-water discharge from the plant becomes home to hundreds of manatees for a roughly six-month stretch each winter.
Federal law requires that the Fish and Wildlife Service be consulted on any regulation that could affect an endangered species, but administration officials admitted last week there has been no such consultation on the EPA’s carbon rules.
Warm-water discharge from Florida’s Big Bend Power Station, a coal-fired plant on Tampa Bay, attracts so many West Indian manatees to the waters beside the plant that owner TECO Energy, parent company of Tampa Electric, in 1986 opened a “Manatee Viewing Center,” complete with observation platforms and a self-guided nature walk, for tourists to observe the animals. Force the plant out of business, critics warn, and the manatees will be forced to find new waters to graze in.
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John McCain To Obama: Get Over Your 'Temper Tantrum' On Israel
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said on Sunday that President Barack Obama should "get over his temper tantrum" over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The president should get over it. Get over your temper tantrum, Mr. President, it's time that we work together with our Israeli friends and try to stem this tide of ISIS and Iranian movement throughout the region, which is threatening the very fabric of the region. The least of your problems is what Bibi Netanyahu said during an election campaign," McCain said on CNN's "State of the Union."
On Monday, just before Israelis headed to the polls in an election, Netanyahu said that there would not be a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians while he was prime minister. While Netanyahu later tried to backtrack on those comments, Obama told The Huffington Post on Friday that the United States was operating under the assumption that Netanyahu did not support a two-state solution.
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"The president should get over it. Get over your temper tantrum, Mr. President, it's time that we work together with our Israeli friends and try to stem this tide of ISIS and Iranian movement throughout the region, which is threatening the very fabric of the region. The least of your problems is what Bibi Netanyahu said during an election campaign," McCain said on CNN's "State of the Union."
On Monday, just before Israelis headed to the polls in an election, Netanyahu said that there would not be a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians while he was prime minister. While Netanyahu later tried to backtrack on those comments, Obama told The Huffington Post on Friday that the United States was operating under the assumption that Netanyahu did not support a two-state solution.
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Doctor Attacked By 12-foot Tiger Shark In Hawaii
"I just saw a dark gray cloud and I didn't know what it was," 58-year-old Ken Grasing told KCTV. "The cloud was getting bigger, and eventually I could see it was a shark. I said, 'Oh no! This is a shark. This is a shark attack.'"
Grasing, a physician from Overland Park, Kansas, was snorkeling Wednesday with his family in 4 feet of water in Hapuna Bay off the Big Island when the massive shark attacked him, according to media reports.
Grasing suffered deep cuts to his left forearm and a gash on his left thigh, according to the station. He reportedly struck the shark in the head with his right hand as it circled around him -- saying it felt like hitting a wall.
More here
Can Canadian-born Ted Cruz run for president? (Yes.)
Senator Ted Cruz, who has formally declared he's running for President of the United States, was born in Canada (Calgary, to be exact).
This inevitably means that, in the 19 months between now and the 2016 election, someone will argue that Ted Cruz is not actually eligible to serve as president — because the Constitution restricts the presidency to "natural born citizens" of the United States. Someone might even sue Cruz in federal court over his eligibility. That's what happened to John McCain (who was also born outside the US) in 2008.
It's pretty clear that Cruz can run for president — smart legal minds have looked at the relevant laws, and generally agree that an American born in Canada is still eligible to run the country. Of the many obstacles that stand between Cruz and the White House, his Canadian birth will near-certainly not be his campaign's death knell.
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This inevitably means that, in the 19 months between now and the 2016 election, someone will argue that Ted Cruz is not actually eligible to serve as president — because the Constitution restricts the presidency to "natural born citizens" of the United States. Someone might even sue Cruz in federal court over his eligibility. That's what happened to John McCain (who was also born outside the US) in 2008.
It's pretty clear that Cruz can run for president — smart legal minds have looked at the relevant laws, and generally agree that an American born in Canada is still eligible to run the country. Of the many obstacles that stand between Cruz and the White House, his Canadian birth will near-certainly not be his campaign's death knell.
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House bill would ban powdered alcohol in Maryland
A bill ( HB1288) introduced by Baltimore County Del. Dan Morhaim would prohibit the sale of powdered alcohol through June 2016. Offenders could face a fine up to $1,000. Maryland lawmakers will have to act fast and outside the legislature’s normal rules if they want to get new regulation, introduced late, on the books before their session ends next month.
The bill comes just weeks after Arizona-based Lipsmark LLC on Mar. 10 received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its powdered alcohol, Palcohol, which can turn into a cocktail when dissolved in water or another liquid. Lawmakers and public health experts across the country worry teenagers will abuse the easily concealed alcohol or endanger their health by trying to inhale it.
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Most Americans’ Perfect Presidential Candidate Will Change Obama’S Policies, According To New Poll — And Fox News Didn’t Conduct It
Most Americans’ perfect presidential candidate is someone who’s willing to change most of President Barack Obama’s policies, according to a new CNN/ORC poll.
More from CNN about the poll results:
Three statements generated wide-reaching support. Fifty-nine percent of Americans say they’d like a candidate who has been in the public eye as a political leader for many years over one who’s new to the political scene. Further, 59% say they prefer a candidate with executive experience over one who’s worked as a legislator, and 57% say their perfect Obama successor would change most of the policies enacted by Obama’s administration.
Another telling stat: Only 41% of respondents want a candidate who will keep most of Obama’s policies, the poll found.
By political party, the numbers are not surprising: 94% of Republicans want a candidate who will change most of Obama’s policies; 77% of Democrats want a candidate who will keep most of Obama’s polices while 22% side with the poll respondents from the GOP.
With respect to the perfect candidate’s religious views as they relate to public policy, the poll found that most Americans want someone in the White House who governs without the influence of religion (56%). Only 42% of respondents want a candidate whose policy is influenced by religion.
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Three statements generated wide-reaching support. Fifty-nine percent of Americans say they’d like a candidate who has been in the public eye as a political leader for many years over one who’s new to the political scene. Further, 59% say they prefer a candidate with executive experience over one who’s worked as a legislator, and 57% say their perfect Obama successor would change most of the policies enacted by Obama’s administration.
Another telling stat: Only 41% of respondents want a candidate who will keep most of Obama’s policies, the poll found.
By political party, the numbers are not surprising: 94% of Republicans want a candidate who will change most of Obama’s policies; 77% of Democrats want a candidate who will keep most of Obama’s polices while 22% side with the poll respondents from the GOP.
With respect to the perfect candidate’s religious views as they relate to public policy, the poll found that most Americans want someone in the White House who governs without the influence of religion (56%). Only 42% of respondents want a candidate whose policy is influenced by religion.
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Russian Cruise Missile Threat to U.S. Grows
“Russia is progressing toward its goal of deploying long-range, conventionally-armed cruise missiles with ever increasing stand-off launch distances on its heavy bombers, submarines, and surface combatants, augmenting the Kremlin’s toolkit of flexible deterrent options short of the nuclear threshold,” Adm. William Gortney, Northcom chief who heads the U.S.-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said Thursday.
“Should these trends continue, over time NORAD will face increased risk in our ability to defend North America against Russian cruise missile threats,” he said in prepared testimony to the House Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces.
A defense official said the missile that concerns the Northcom commander is the Russian KH-101 cruise missile which Russia has developed as a weapon to attack critical infrastructure in the United States, such as the electrical grid.
Cruise missiles pose unique threats because they can defeat defenses by flying at low altitudes, avoiding radars, and hiding behind terrain. Some newer cruise missiles have radar-evading stealth features making them even less visible to radar or infrared detectors.
The low-flying missiles also can overwhelm defenses by attacking with multiple missiles coming from different directions and defeating air defenses at their weakest points. They also can fly circuitous routes to reach targets, avoiding radar and air defenses.
More here
Netanyahu Pollster: Obama Role In Election Larger Than Reported
President Obama's role during the Israeli elections was larger than reported, according to a pollster for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party.
"What was not well reported in the American media is that President Obama and his allies were playing in the election to defeat Prime Minister Netanyahu," John McLaughlin, a Republican strategist, said in an interview on John Catsimatidis's "The Cats Roundtable" radio show broadcast Sunday on AM 970 in New York.
"There was money moving that included taxpayer U.S. dollars, through non-profit organizations. And there were various liberal groups in the United States that were raising millions to fund a campaign called V15 against Prime Minister Netanyahu," McLaughlin said.
He noted an effort to oust Netanyahu was guided by former Obama political operative Jeremy Bird and that V15, or Victory 15, ads hurt Netanyahu in the polls. McLaughlin said the Israeli leader rebounded after delivering a speech to Congress early this month, prompting more critical ads.
Amazon.com Widgets
V15 was viewed as part of a broader campaign to oust Netanyahu. The group was linked to Washington-based nonprofit OneVoice Movement, which reportedly received $350,000 in State Department grants. Money to OneVoice stopped flowing in November, officials said, before the Israeli elections.
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"What was not well reported in the American media is that President Obama and his allies were playing in the election to defeat Prime Minister Netanyahu," John McLaughlin, a Republican strategist, said in an interview on John Catsimatidis's "The Cats Roundtable" radio show broadcast Sunday on AM 970 in New York.
"There was money moving that included taxpayer U.S. dollars, through non-profit organizations. And there were various liberal groups in the United States that were raising millions to fund a campaign called V15 against Prime Minister Netanyahu," McLaughlin said.
He noted an effort to oust Netanyahu was guided by former Obama political operative Jeremy Bird and that V15, or Victory 15, ads hurt Netanyahu in the polls. McLaughlin said the Israeli leader rebounded after delivering a speech to Congress early this month, prompting more critical ads.
Amazon.com Widgets
V15 was viewed as part of a broader campaign to oust Netanyahu. The group was linked to Washington-based nonprofit OneVoice Movement, which reportedly received $350,000 in State Department grants. Money to OneVoice stopped flowing in November, officials said, before the Israeli elections.
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Assateague Rangers Earn Valor Awards
ASSATEAGUE- Two Assateague State Park Rangers last week were awarded Valor Awards for their heroic actions in potentially saving the life of a camper in the state park last October.
Around 9:20 p.m. on October 26, Assateague State Park Rangers Adam Stachowiak and Meghan Sochowski responded to a call for a camper in distress. The rangers quickly arrived at the campsite from which the call originated and found an unresponsive female patient lying face down in the upper bed of a small camper.
The victim’s boyfriend told the rangers she was diabetic and that she had last eaten around 6:30 p.m., or three hours earlier, but he was not certain when, or even if, she had taken her last insulin shot. Stachowiak and Sochowski called 911 to get an ambulance in route, but soon learned they would have to act on their own to begin treating the unresponsive woman. According to a letter from Assateague State Park Manager Angela Baldwin requesting honors be bestowed on the two park rangers, there was a problem initially with the response time for the ambulance.
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Around 9:20 p.m. on October 26, Assateague State Park Rangers Adam Stachowiak and Meghan Sochowski responded to a call for a camper in distress. The rangers quickly arrived at the campsite from which the call originated and found an unresponsive female patient lying face down in the upper bed of a small camper.
The victim’s boyfriend told the rangers she was diabetic and that she had last eaten around 6:30 p.m., or three hours earlier, but he was not certain when, or even if, she had taken her last insulin shot. Stachowiak and Sochowski called 911 to get an ambulance in route, but soon learned they would have to act on their own to begin treating the unresponsive woman. According to a letter from Assateague State Park Manager Angela Baldwin requesting honors be bestowed on the two park rangers, there was a problem initially with the response time for the ambulance.
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County Commissioners TODAY - March 24, Wind energy on agenda
We just found out that Pioneer Green was on the agenda for tomorrow's Commissioner meeting. I don't know if PioneerGreen's propaganda minister is going to be allowed to speak or what.
BREAKING NEWS: Passenger plane reportedly crashes in southern French Alps
An Airbus 320 passenger plane operated by Lufthansa's Germanwings budget airline reportedly has crashed in the southern French Alps. Reports say the plane was carrying nearly 150 people.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Education funding: Fact from Fiction From Delegate Kathy Szeliga
Governor Hogan's budget funded education at the highest level in Maryland history, $6.1 billion. Every jurisdiction received a 1% increase from a foundation formula they received last year. That formula is based on student population, wealth, and a number of other factors. Why are you hearing about "cuts to education?"
Prince George's County has declared that Gov. Hogan's budget would result in the layoffs of at least 400 teachers. PG Co received a $30 million increase in funding over last year. I'm sure they need a new accountant because a $30 million increase in funding should not lead to any teacher layoffs.
Only in government can an increase be called a cut. Here's how government math works.
Your boss gave you $100 last year for a gas supplement.
You ask your boss for $125 this year.
Your boss gives you $110 this year.
Regular people like you and me would consider this a $10 increase. Government accountants and politicians would call this a $15 cut.
The House Appropriations committee shifted some monies around in Gov. Hogan's budget and did increase the foundation funding for all school systems. Baltimore City is still facing a budget deficit, but that is a problem for Baltimore City to solve.
I support education funding. And I support more accountability. The federal audit done last year uncovered many inappropriate expenses from some school systems. I'm digging into some other public school funding issues and I will share them with you soon. In the meantime, I though you would be interested in knowing how much taxpayers are spending per pupil. These numbers do not include capital money spent to build buildings and do large repairs.
$17,322 per pupil - Worcester Co - #1
$16,740 per pupil - Baltimore City - #2
$14,407 per pupil - Baltimore County - #12
$13,073 per pupil - Harford County - #21
$12,636 per pupil - Talbot Co #23
Click Here to Read More
Prince George's County has declared that Gov. Hogan's budget would result in the layoffs of at least 400 teachers. PG Co received a $30 million increase in funding over last year. I'm sure they need a new accountant because a $30 million increase in funding should not lead to any teacher layoffs.
Only in government can an increase be called a cut. Here's how government math works.
Your boss gave you $100 last year for a gas supplement.
You ask your boss for $125 this year.
Your boss gives you $110 this year.
Regular people like you and me would consider this a $10 increase. Government accountants and politicians would call this a $15 cut.
The House Appropriations committee shifted some monies around in Gov. Hogan's budget and did increase the foundation funding for all school systems. Baltimore City is still facing a budget deficit, but that is a problem for Baltimore City to solve.
I support education funding. And I support more accountability. The federal audit done last year uncovered many inappropriate expenses from some school systems. I'm digging into some other public school funding issues and I will share them with you soon. In the meantime, I though you would be interested in knowing how much taxpayers are spending per pupil. These numbers do not include capital money spent to build buildings and do large repairs.
$17,322 per pupil - Worcester Co - #1
$16,740 per pupil - Baltimore City - #2
$14,407 per pupil - Baltimore County - #12
$13,073 per pupil - Harford County - #21
$12,636 per pupil - Talbot Co #23
Click Here to Read More
Sobo's On The Road
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Registration Open for Wicomico Recreation’s Adult Social Recreation Kickball
Salisbury, MD – As an adult, you may not get summers off anymore, but Wicomico Recreation offers the opportunity to relive those childhood memories with a playground favorite - kickball! Register as a team, group or individual and enjoy this unique recreational opportunity where players meet new people and bond with family, friends and colleagues.
Adult Kickball is open to men and women ages 18 and up. Games will be played on Wednesday evenings at the Henry Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury. The program fee is $25 per individual or $300 per team, recommended team size is 12-15 players. Individual registrants will be matched up with one another to create full teams. Register online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org or in person at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury; M-F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Registration deadline is Friday, May 15.
For more information, please contact Ken Tustin at ktustin@wicomicocounty.org or call 410-548-4900 x105.
Adult Kickball is open to men and women ages 18 and up. Games will be played on Wednesday evenings at the Henry Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury. The program fee is $25 per individual or $300 per team, recommended team size is 12-15 players. Individual registrants will be matched up with one another to create full teams. Register online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org or in person at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury; M-F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Registration deadline is Friday, May 15.
For more information, please contact Ken Tustin at ktustin@wicomicocounty.org or call 410-548-4900 x105.
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