DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Life in a Virginia Nursing Home
I never know what to expect on my weekly visits to the nursing home. The lobby has an occasional patient wheeling herself or pushed by a family member for a stroll around the property. There is a small park in the back with winding paths cracked here and there by the growing roots. Majestic trees surround the grounds.
The elevators and doors operate with codes – they don’t want Alzheimer patients to take off for unknown locales and the highway is too close to the parking lot. I am greeted every time by the same patients and a thin black woman in a wheelchair who always smiles. I wonder why she is there; she is cogent, always happy and friendly.
On the second floor, as soon as I step off the elevator, I see the opened door to the lady in the corner who never speaks and seldom has visitors; only a young woman twice in two years. She waves and smiles weakly.
Geo, the longest resident, is wheeling himself slowly in the middle of the corridor, stopping from time to time, lost in deep thought. He told us how much he misses his mom; she used to make him the best pancakes. He knows his parents’ names and his brother’s. I wonder if they are still alive. I’ve never seen anybody visit poor Geo in the two years since I’ve started going every week. I feel sadness for him that nobody comes to visit. We take extra care to engage him if he is willing to talk.
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The elevators and doors operate with codes – they don’t want Alzheimer patients to take off for unknown locales and the highway is too close to the parking lot. I am greeted every time by the same patients and a thin black woman in a wheelchair who always smiles. I wonder why she is there; she is cogent, always happy and friendly.
On the second floor, as soon as I step off the elevator, I see the opened door to the lady in the corner who never speaks and seldom has visitors; only a young woman twice in two years. She waves and smiles weakly.
Geo, the longest resident, is wheeling himself slowly in the middle of the corridor, stopping from time to time, lost in deep thought. He told us how much he misses his mom; she used to make him the best pancakes. He knows his parents’ names and his brother’s. I wonder if they are still alive. I’ve never seen anybody visit poor Geo in the two years since I’ve started going every week. I feel sadness for him that nobody comes to visit. We take extra care to engage him if he is willing to talk.
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He’s the Only Down Syndrome Restaurant Owner in the Country — and He’s Closing His Doors. Wait Until You Learn Why
But, recently he let them in on some bad news: Harris has made the decision to close “Tim’s Place” in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“My customers cry a lot into my arms,” he told the CBS Evening News.
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Tavis Smiley: In Past 10 Years, Blacks Lost Ground in Every Major Economic Category
(CNSNews.com) – Talk show host and author Tavis Smiley told C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” on Friday that blacks have lost ground in every leading economic category in the last 10 years.
“It’s depressing. You have to go where the data takes you … and what the data tell us is … that black folk have fallen behind in every major economic category,” said Smiley, who talked about his book, “The Covenant with Black America: Ten Years Later.”
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“It’s depressing. You have to go where the data takes you … and what the data tell us is … that black folk have fallen behind in every major economic category,” said Smiley, who talked about his book, “The Covenant with Black America: Ten Years Later.”
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Gun groups launch blitz to counter Obama
The offensive includes a series of videos, newspaper ads and email alerts from the NRA, the Gun Owners of America and the National Shooting Sports Foundation in an effort to swing public opinion against the measures.
The gun lobby hopes to rebut Obama, who cast the actions as reasonable steps to prevent senseless gun violence. They also hope to make the efforts politically unpalatable for any candidate that may back them in the 2016 election.
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Troopers Continue to Urge Caution During Winter Storm
NEWS RELEASE
DELAWARE STATE POLICE
Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr.
Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Jeffrey Hale
P.O. Box 430| Dover, DE 19903 | Cell: 302.304.0245 | Jeffrey.hale@state.de.us
**Update #2**
Troopers Continue to Urge Caution During Winter Storm
Dover, DE- The following is an update of traffic incidents investigated by the Delaware State Police as of 8:00 p.m. today. Troopers have responded to a total of 150 property damage collisions, 16 personal injury collisions, 260 disabled vehicles, and 70 traffic hazards statewide.
The following roadways have been closed due to being snow covered or flooded:
Sussex County
No additional road closures have been reported.
Kent County
Rt. 9 at Dutch Neck Road, Middletown
New Castle County
No road closures have been reported.
Released: 012316 2025
**Original Releases**
Governor Hogan Closes I-70 and I-270 to Safely Clear the Interstates of Snow
Governor Hogan Closes I-70 and I-270 to Safely Clear the Interstates of Snow
Motorists Encouraged to Stay Off All Roads
Motorists Encouraged to Stay Off All Roads
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Larry Hogan this evening has ordered the immediate closure of the entire 34.7-mile length of I-270 and I-70 from I-81 in Washington County to the Baltimore Beltway. The highways will remain closed until 7 a.m. on Sunday to all motorists except for emergency personnel. The closures follow snow related traffic incidents involving several tractor trailers and other vehicles on both interstates.
“As the state continues to fiercely fight Snow Storm Jonas, I want the citizens of Maryland to know that the state is taking every step necessary to ensure their safety,” said Governor Hogan. “Closing I-70and I-270 will give us the time needed to deploy all our resources to clear these essential interstates as quickly as possible as we prepare to get our transportation network back up and running. I am urging all Marylanders to stay off every road in the state, whether it’s the interstate or a local road. Stay safe and stay at home while crews do their jobs.”
“Please stay home where you are safe and give us the time and space to our jobs,” said Maryland transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn. “We can clear snow and ice on an empty highway much faster than one littered with cars and tractor trailers.”
AG: NICS Performed 23 Million Gun Background Checks in FY2015 - 3 Million in December Alone
(CNSNews.com) – U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) performed over 23 million gun background checks in fiscal year 2015 and a 3 million requests in December alone – the highest number of monthly requests since after the Sandy Hook shooting massacre in December 2012.
“Essentially, for fiscal year 2015, NICS performed over 23 million background checks. That number is increasing. In just this December alone, they received over 3 million requests. That’s the highest number of requests on a monthly basis since the month after the Sandy Hook shooting,” said Lynch.
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“Essentially, for fiscal year 2015, NICS performed over 23 million background checks. That number is increasing. In just this December alone, they received over 3 million requests. That’s the highest number of requests on a monthly basis since the month after the Sandy Hook shooting,” said Lynch.
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Police/Courts 01/22/2016
Ocean City police officers were called uptown and told by store employees that a man stole two cans of multipurpose cleaner on Jan. 9.
Gerald Conway, 47, of Ocean City was located inside a garage at his residence and officers allegedly heard what appeared to be the muffled sound of a person inhaling a substance from a spray can.
The officers found two multipurpose cleaner cans in his possession and Conway appeared to be disoriented, the report stated.
Emergency Medical Service personnel evaluated Conway’s condition and advised officers his blood pressure was above the normal range.
According to the report, Conway performed a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus field sobriety test where he exhibited all six clues of being under the influence of inhalants.
In addition, an officer stated in the report one of the multipurpose cleaner cans had less liquid than the other.
Conway was arrested and charged with theft and inhaling a harmful substance.
Stranded man
Mark Bell, 52, of Berlin was arrested on Jan. 15 for breaking and entering a convenience store in West Ocean City on Jan. 15.
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Water Main Rupture In Salisbury
One Transfer Station Open Tomorrow
Delmarva Power to preemptively de-energize a section of downtown Ocean City, Md.
If customers see a downed power line, they should stay away from it. Assume that all downed power lines are live and extremely dangerous. Customers are asked to please report any outages and downed wires by calling 1-800-898-8042. Customers also may report outages through delmarva.com or our mobile app. It is important that customers report their outage and request a call back to verify their power has been restored.
GAO: 70% of Firearms Seized in Mexico Came From USA
(CNSNews.com) – A new federal report reveals that 70% of the firearms seized by Mexican authorities between 2009 and 2014 originated in the United States. In addition, the report shows that the majority of those U.S.-originated guns were bought in California, Arizona, and Texas, southwest states that border Mexico.
The report from the General Accountability Office (GAO) was issued on Jan. 16 and is entitled, Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Firearms Trafficking to Mexico Have Improved, But Some Collaboration Challenges Remain.
Between 2009 and 2014, the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) confirmed that Mexican authorities seized 104,850 firearms. Using a sophisticated tracing program, called eTrace, the ATF determined that 73,684 of those weapons, or 70%, originated in the United States.
Another 17% of the firearms, 17,544 weapons, were traced to other countries, primarily Spain, China, Italy, Germany and Romania. For the remaining 13%, or 13,622 weapons, the ATF could not trace their origin because there was not enough information available.
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The report from the General Accountability Office (GAO) was issued on Jan. 16 and is entitled, Firearms Trafficking: U.S. Efforts to Combat Firearms Trafficking to Mexico Have Improved, But Some Collaboration Challenges Remain.
Between 2009 and 2014, the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) confirmed that Mexican authorities seized 104,850 firearms. Using a sophisticated tracing program, called eTrace, the ATF determined that 73,684 of those weapons, or 70%, originated in the United States.
Another 17% of the firearms, 17,544 weapons, were traced to other countries, primarily Spain, China, Italy, Germany and Romania. For the remaining 13%, or 13,622 weapons, the ATF could not trace their origin because there was not enough information available.
More
GAS PRICES PLUMMETING
HOW LOW WILL THEY GO?
With the price of a barrel of crude oil trading below $28 – a twelve-year low – it’s not surprising that the price of gasoline continues to decline precipitously.
According to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the United States currently stands at $1.87. In South Carolina, it’s $1.65 – one of the five lowest rates in the nation.
As you can see from the chart below, prices are down more than eighty cents from their 2015 peaks.
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With the price of a barrel of crude oil trading below $28 – a twelve-year low – it’s not surprising that the price of gasoline continues to decline precipitously.
According to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the United States currently stands at $1.87. In South Carolina, it’s $1.65 – one of the five lowest rates in the nation.
As you can see from the chart below, prices are down more than eighty cents from their 2015 peaks.
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OC: High Tide Cycles to Bring Moderate Flooding, Wind Continues
OCEAN CITY, MD – (January 23, 2016): Town of Ocean City officials are preparing for moderate flooding over the next two high tide cycles, on both the ocean and bay. High tide on the ocean will occur at 7:26 p.m. this evening and again at 7:58 a.m. tomorrow morning. The bay reaches high tide approximately two hours after the ocean, which will be approximately 9:26 p.m. tonight and 9:58 a.m. tomorrow morning.
With strong, sustained winds reaching 35 mph and gusts nearing 60 mph, the effects of the coastal storm system will continue through the morning hours tomorrow, January 24. Rain and potential snow are also expected, which will result in moderate flooding when combined with the storm and tidal surges.
The Inlet Parking Lot is closed and will remain closed until further notice. At this time, moderate beach erosion has been experienced in several areas. In addition, property damage and power outages have been experienced throughout town; however, they have been minor. Citizens should prepare for possible power outages lasting several hours or even several days. The Town of Ocean City will continue to update citizens of utility outages as frequently as possible, however; citizens can view outages at: http://www.delmarva.com/pages/connectwithus/outages/outagemaps.aspx
Flood warnings and wind advisories remain in effect, with the expectation that the current system will keep wet weather in Ocean City through Sunday afternoon. Before, during and after the storm, the Town of Ocean City will be posting storm related information on various websites, social media outlets and through the Emergency Alert system.
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In an effort to keep citizens informed with the most updated and accurate information, the Town of Ocean City will be posting storm related information on the following outlets:
- City Wide Emergency Alerts: Citizens can sign up for emergency alerts by visiting: http://oceancitymd.gov/enews and subscribing to “City Wide Emergency Alerts.”
- Town of Ocean City Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TownOfOceanCity
- Town of Ocean City Twitter: @townofoceancity
- Town of Ocean City website: www.oceancitymd.gov
- FM Advisory Radio Station – 99.5
- Town of Ocean City Access Channels 4 & 15
- Emergency Management Hotline: 410-723-6666The Town of Ocean City’s Emergency Services personnel will be working closely with local and state representatives to provide citizens with timely, accurate and essential information before, during and after the storm. Citizens are encouraged to Know Your Zone and be prepared for any impact the storm may have on Ocean City. 4:40 p.m.
- Winter Storm #3
CITY OF SALISBURY: Reinstatement of Snow Emergency
Salting operations have been underway throughout the day, and will continue through the night. Plowing of the streets will occur if and when snow accumulation exceeds FOUR (4) INCHES. In that event, the City’s seven (7) snow emergency routes will be the first streets to be plowed.
Pursuant to Chapter 10.12.040 of the Municipal Code of the City of Salisbury, it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on any city street that is designated and appropriately signposted as a snow emergency route and for which a snow emergency has been declared and is in effect.
Additionally, pursuant to Chapter 10.12.050, during the time when a snow emergency is in effect, the police department shall have the authority to take possession of, issue citations for, remove, tow away and impound any vehicle found parked, stalled, incapable of proceeding under its own power or left unattended upon any street designated as a snow emergency route; and, before the owner thereof may thereafter obtain possession of such vehicles, he shall first pay the cost of removing such vehicle and any storage charges.
Citizens are urged to stay at home and avoid driving if at all possible. If you must drive during this snow event, it is important to realize that the most slippery surfaces do not appear as hazardous as they actually are. Bridges, overpasses and intersections are common areas where the pavement freezes faster than on ordinary roadways. Please slow down, and allow extra distance when braking.
For service calls after normal business hours, please contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165.
For information on snow emergency routes and plowing/salting operations, visit www.salisbury.md and click on the “Winter Storm Preparedness Information” link at the top of the page.
New signs coming to resort as part of statewide program
The Tourist Area and Corridor Signing Program (TAC), facilitated by the State Highway Administration, has already been implemented in 10 Maryland counties.
On Tuesday, Stephen Hollie, a SHA Traffic Engineering Design Division consultant, briefed the council on the sign program, which will accept applications from attractions in Ocean City and Worcester County until March 3.
To qualify for the program, attractions must be primarily non-retail, with no more than 20 percent of interior square footage devoted to retail sales. Other criteria include being open to daily visitation without advanced reservations.
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Troopers Continue To Urge Marylanders To Stay Off Roads
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Troopers are reporting they are continuing to experience heavy snowfall, significantly reducing visibility and prompting a renewed call for people to stay off the road.
In Central and Western Maryland, troopers are reporting low visibility of 100 feet or less in some places, due to the heavy snowfall and wind. Troopers in Frederick County report even snow plows and tow trucks are having a difficult time maneuvering. Troopers there and in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties report traveling conditions are poor.
Troopers in Northern Maryland, including those patrolling I-95 north of Baltimore, continue to experience whiteout conditions and have been encountering numerous vehicles stuck in the snow. Troopers at the Bel Air Barrack are assisting with a call for dogs abandoned after a recent house fire.
Troopers in the Washington Metro Region say snow continues to fall with poor visibility. Troopers in Southern Maryland are reporting minor collisions and no major incidents. The same is true for troopers on the Eastern Shore, where the majority of precipitation is rain in Worcester and Wicomico counties.
In Central and Western Maryland, troopers are reporting low visibility of 100 feet or less in some places, due to the heavy snowfall and wind. Troopers in Frederick County report even snow plows and tow trucks are having a difficult time maneuvering. Troopers there and in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties report traveling conditions are poor.
Troopers in Northern Maryland, including those patrolling I-95 north of Baltimore, continue to experience whiteout conditions and have been encountering numerous vehicles stuck in the snow. Troopers at the Bel Air Barrack are assisting with a call for dogs abandoned after a recent house fire.
Troopers in the Washington Metro Region say snow continues to fall with poor visibility. Troopers in Southern Maryland are reporting minor collisions and no major incidents. The same is true for troopers on the Eastern Shore, where the majority of precipitation is rain in Worcester and Wicomico counties.
Major snowstorm delays cruise ship’s return to Baltimore
BALTIMORE (AP) — For the passengers on a cruise ship heading back to snowy Baltimore from the Bahamas, one more day at sea doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.
The Maryland Department of Transportation said Friday that a blizzard means the port won’t be ready for the Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas until Monday. The ship was to return Sunday from an eight-day trip to the Bahamas, said Cynthia Martinez, a Royal Caribbean spokeswoman. But plans changed after forecasters said the storm could dump more than 2 feet of snow.
Meg Ryan of Hamilton, New Jersey, one of the cruise ship’s passengers, said she learned about 1 p.m. Friday of the postponement from the cruise line’s website.
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The Maryland Department of Transportation said Friday that a blizzard means the port won’t be ready for the Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas until Monday. The ship was to return Sunday from an eight-day trip to the Bahamas, said Cynthia Martinez, a Royal Caribbean spokeswoman. But plans changed after forecasters said the storm could dump more than 2 feet of snow.
Meg Ryan of Hamilton, New Jersey, one of the cruise ship’s passengers, said she learned about 1 p.m. Friday of the postponement from the cruise line’s website.
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Dem. Rep’s Biggest Surprise in Congress: GOP Members ‘Really Good People’
In an interview with Roll Call last week, Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), an African-American, said that GOP members of Congress are “really good people,” and that they are “compassionate.”
When asked what her biggest surprise as a new member of Congress was, Rep. Lawrence responded, “My biggest surprise is that the people who are so opposed and so opposite in the rhetoric you hear are really good people.”
Here is a transcript (and video) of what Rep. Lawrence had to say:
When asked what her biggest surprise as a new member of Congress was, Rep. Lawrence responded, “My biggest surprise is that the people who are so opposed and so opposite in the rhetoric you hear are really good people.”
Here is a transcript (and video) of what Rep. Lawrence had to say:
Huge waves hit Rehoboth Beach
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Fishers Popcorn Found in Midtown Manhattan at New York Prices
On the Fishers Caramel Popcorn website, you can buy a decorative Ocean City tin with 1/2 gallon (64 oz) of popcorn for $ 12.00. That's $ .18 per ounce plus you get the tin. (Shipping not calculated.)
Maybe Ted Cruz was referring to Caramel Popcorn prices when he was talking about Donald Trump's "New York values!" We better hope the Ocean City flooding doesn't take out Fishers popcorn!
Here's what you can expect to pay for a rental in 10 major US cities
With rising rental rates, it can be difficult to maintain a reasonable budget. Rent.com analyzed data on what you can expect to get when renting one- and two-bedroom apartments in 10 major US cities:
Stop hurting your engine by 'warming up' the car when it's cold out
Harsh driving conditions in winter are already hard on your car, but you could be making things a lot worse if you're turning your vehicle on in the morning so it can "warm up" before you drive off.
If you're one of the many drivers who thinks it's important to idle your car — turn it on and let it sit — in these frigid winter months to protect the engine, you've likely fallen victim to a myth that may be doing more harm than good.
We spoke with mechanical engineer and former drag-racer Stephen Ciatti about the pervasive myth that you need to warm up your car in the winter.
For the last 26 years, Ciatti has worked on combustion engines — engines that generate power from burning fuel, like gasoline — and currently oversees all of the combustion engine work atArgonne National Laboratory in Illinois.
To get straight to the point, Ciatti said that idling your car in the cold not only wastes fuel, but it's also stripping oil from critical components that help your engine run, namely the cylinders and pistons.
How it works
If you're one of the many drivers who thinks it's important to idle your car — turn it on and let it sit — in these frigid winter months to protect the engine, you've likely fallen victim to a myth that may be doing more harm than good.
We spoke with mechanical engineer and former drag-racer Stephen Ciatti about the pervasive myth that you need to warm up your car in the winter.
For the last 26 years, Ciatti has worked on combustion engines — engines that generate power from burning fuel, like gasoline — and currently oversees all of the combustion engine work atArgonne National Laboratory in Illinois.
To get straight to the point, Ciatti said that idling your car in the cold not only wastes fuel, but it's also stripping oil from critical components that help your engine run, namely the cylinders and pistons.
How it works
Governor Hogan Announces Statewide Efforts for Winter Storm Jonas
State Agencies Launches Coordinated Effort to Keep Marylanders Safe
ANNAPOLIS, MD – With Winter Storm Jonas impacting all of Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan directed all state agencies to launch a coordinated effort to keep Marylanders safe and informed. On Friday, the governor signed two Executive Orders, declaring a state of emergency in Maryland and allowing for extended deliveries of commodities related to winter weather relief, such as petroleum products, propane, food, water, medical supplies, generators, restoration of electricity, and snow and debris removal equipment. Snow will continue to fall in Maryland today, with high winds causing blizzard conditions in some areas.
Yesterday, Governor Hogan joined Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn and State Highway Administrator Greg Johnson at the State Highway Administration District 5 facility in Annapolis to assess the state's snow removal equipment and procedures.
The Maryland Unites hotline, 1-888-756-7836, is available for public inquiries into Department of Human Resources services including emergency shelter information and other human service needs during the storm.
"We urge Marylanders to continue to stay safe, stay indoors, and stay off the roads as this severe weather moves through our region," said Governor Hogan. "Our state employees, law enforcement, National Guard, emergency responders and highway workers are working tirelessly to respond to this storm, and I know that Marylanders will do what Marylanders always do - and that is look after one another."
Statewide preparations include the following:
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
- Working with the National Weather Service to ensure the state has the best and most up-to-date situational awareness.
- Coordinating resources with local officials to aid them in positioning assets necessary to manage incidents.
- Increasing staffing to appropriately handle resource requests from local communities.
Maryland State Police
- Between 3:00 PM Friday and 7:00 AM today, MD State Police statewide responded to 661 calls for service, which included 150 accidents, and provided assistance to 238 drivers. No major incidents.
- The Statewide Snow Emergency plan requires vehicles traveling on all highways, which are designated as snow emergency routes be equipped with chains, snow tires or all season radials. Additionally, special hauling permits for commercial vehicles are not valid during snow emergencies. The snow emergency plan also allows the Maryland State Police to call tow companies to remove abandoned vehicles in the road or on the shoulder and restricts all parking on designated snow emergency routes.
- Reassigning troopers from investigative units, specialized units and Aviation Command to road patrol duties at all 23 barracks.
- Ensuring all 4-wheel drive vehicles in MSP fleet are available/assigned for patrol duties.
- Assigning troopers to local emergency operation centers in each county to ensure prompt assistance to local authorities.
- Making truck weighing scale house locations available for commercial truck parking during the storm.
State Highway Administration
- SHA and the Maryland Transportation Authority have all staff and contract forces prepared to respond with more than 3,000 pieces of equipment and 365,000 tons of salt.
- There are currently 98 salt domes across the state.
- Informing truckers to use SHA’s truck parking app for directions and locations of parking areas to wait out the storm.
- Coordinating tow truck operators for quick clearance.
More Images Of Storm Damage In Ocean City
Posted by Nick Denny Photography on Saturday, January 23, 2016
Movie Night CANCELLED
Movie Night CANCELLED
After looking at the impending driving conditions, Main St Gym is canceling tonight’s free “Movie” night. We WILL do it again soon.
Like Boxing,,,,,,,Saftey First
There's a worrisome problem with electric cars that no one's talking about
Every driver knows that no matter what type of car you drive, winter is taking its toll: less fuel efficiency, lower tire pressure, and frozen windshield wipers and washer solvent, for example.
What you might not know is that all-electric cars suffer far greater in winter time — in terms of fuel efficiency — compared to gasoline and diesel guzzlers.
But there is a way to lengthen the life of your battery during these frigid times.
Let's first compare the numbers:
When temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (F), conventional gasoline cars see a dip in gas mileage of about 12%, while in hybrids that mileage drops by as much as 34%, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Energy Department.
That's nothing compared to all-electric cars. In 2014, the AAA Automotive Research Center in Southern California published the results of its study that tested how the driving range of three all-electric vehicles (EVs) varied with temperature. At a steady 20 degrees F, the all-electric vehicles traveled a shocking 57% shorter distance on a single charge than they did at 75 degrees F. On average, an EV's batteries transported drivers105 miles at 75 degrees F, but only 43 miles at 20 degrees F, AAA reported.
What you might not know is that all-electric cars suffer far greater in winter time — in terms of fuel efficiency — compared to gasoline and diesel guzzlers.
But there is a way to lengthen the life of your battery during these frigid times.
Let's first compare the numbers:
When temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (F), conventional gasoline cars see a dip in gas mileage of about 12%, while in hybrids that mileage drops by as much as 34%, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Energy Department.
That's nothing compared to all-electric cars. In 2014, the AAA Automotive Research Center in Southern California published the results of its study that tested how the driving range of three all-electric vehicles (EVs) varied with temperature. At a steady 20 degrees F, the all-electric vehicles traveled a shocking 57% shorter distance on a single charge than they did at 75 degrees F. On average, an EV's batteries transported drivers105 miles at 75 degrees F, but only 43 miles at 20 degrees F, AAA reported.
Local Mobile Home Split In Half From Storm
2" To 4" More Snow To Come
Now we get word, (from elsewhere) that we can expect another 2 to 4" of snow again overnight. We could tell the past few days you've had your tail between your legs trying to play it as safe as humanly possible but really man, you suck.
I love how you say, (all the time) we're right on the border line, so it can go either way. How convenient. Total BS.
Fortunately, (for me) I have a big snow blower but I sure do feel bad for ALL those people who just knew the snow would end last night and they PAID to have their snow removed. Now they'll get another 4". WBOC should pay for all those elderly people who paid to have the snow removed and in the end were screwed.
WHOOPS, MY BAD!
As far as the County is concerned, they will replace any and all damaged mailboxes with a standard black mailbox.
What's For Dinner: Sensational Chicken Noodle Soup
Sensational Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 stalk celery, sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup uncooked extra wide egg noodles
1 cup shredded cooked chicken or turkey
- Heat the broth, 1 generous dash ground black pepper, carrot and celery in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil.
- Stir the noodles and chicken in the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Tips
- Flavor Variation: for Asian soup, add 2 green onions cut into 1/2-inch pieces, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Substitute uncooked curly Asian noodles for the egg noodles.
- Flavor Variation: for Mexican soup, add 1/2 cup Pace® Picante sauce, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder. Substitute 2 corn tortillas (4 or 6-inch) cut into thin strips for the noodles, adding them just before serving.
- Flavor Variation: for Italian tortellini soup, add 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed and 1 cup fresh spinach leaves. Substitute 1/2 cup frozen cheese tortellini for the egg noodles. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Sarah Palin Is Making Sense (Really!)
While the New York Times ridiculed Sarah Palin’s speech endorsing Donald Trump yesterday as “mystifying,” a big portion of it was a non-mysterious, coherent attack on big money politics. It’s worth reading that whole portion:
[Trump] is beholden to no one but we the people. ...
Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man. That’s why he’s doing so well. ...
The permanent political class has been doing the bidding of their campaign donor classand that’s why you see that the borders are kept open. For them, for their cheap labor that they want to come in. That’s why they’ve been bloating budgets. It’s for crony capitalists to be able to suck off of them. It’s why we see these lousy trade deals that gut our industry for special interests elsewhere.
We need someone new, who has the power, and is in the position to bust up that establishment. ...
His candidacy, which is a movement. It’s a force. It’s a strategy. It proves, as long as the politicos, they get to keep their titles and their perks and their media ratings. They don’t really care who wins elections. ...
And the proof of this? Look what’s happening today. Our own GOP machine, the establishment, they who would assemble the political landscape, they’re attacking their own frontrunner. ...
We, you, a diverse dynamic, needed support base that they would attack. And now, some of them even whispering, they’re ready to throw in for Hillary over Trump because they can’t afford to see the status quo go. Otherwise, they won’t be able to be slurping off the gravy train that’s been feeding them all these years. They don’t want that to end.
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[Trump] is beholden to no one but we the people. ...
Trump, what he’s been able to do, which is really ticking people off, which I’m glad about, he’s going rogue left and right, man. That’s why he’s doing so well. ...
The permanent political class has been doing the bidding of their campaign donor classand that’s why you see that the borders are kept open. For them, for their cheap labor that they want to come in. That’s why they’ve been bloating budgets. It’s for crony capitalists to be able to suck off of them. It’s why we see these lousy trade deals that gut our industry for special interests elsewhere.
We need someone new, who has the power, and is in the position to bust up that establishment. ...
His candidacy, which is a movement. It’s a force. It’s a strategy. It proves, as long as the politicos, they get to keep their titles and their perks and their media ratings. They don’t really care who wins elections. ...
And the proof of this? Look what’s happening today. Our own GOP machine, the establishment, they who would assemble the political landscape, they’re attacking their own frontrunner. ...
We, you, a diverse dynamic, needed support base that they would attack. And now, some of them even whispering, they’re ready to throw in for Hillary over Trump because they can’t afford to see the status quo go. Otherwise, they won’t be able to be slurping off the gravy train that’s been feeding them all these years. They don’t want that to end.
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VIDEO: FED EMPLOYEES CAUGHT BRAGGING ABOUT FEDERAL LAND GRABS
Employee brags they "stole the money from Washington" to push World War II vets off land
Federal employees revel in the fact that they swindle land from private property owners at pennies on the dollar, in astonishing admissions captured in a recently released video.
Federal employees revel in the fact that they swindle land from private property owners at pennies on the dollar, in astonishing admissions captured in a recently released video.
County to do own tax differential study
Putting aside the self-funded 2013 study Ocean City uses as a benchmark to claim $17 million in duplicated services, the Worcester County government has approved a nearly $30,000 expenditure to fund its own study to determine the nature of any duplicated services between the resort and surrounding county.
The issue isn’t new — the resort has been after a tax differential for at least a decade and has requested one every year in lieu of a grant, which is the county’s preferred method to redistribute tax revenue to municipalities.
Last year marked the first change in the discussion in a long time, when Ocean City proposed a graduated increase in the grant amount relative to percentages of returned tax income instead of a differential, but neither request was granted.
On Tuesday, the county commissioners approved the high bid of $29,960 from Bethesda’s TischlerBise consultants to conduct the study over a period of 90 days.
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The issue isn’t new — the resort has been after a tax differential for at least a decade and has requested one every year in lieu of a grant, which is the county’s preferred method to redistribute tax revenue to municipalities.
Last year marked the first change in the discussion in a long time, when Ocean City proposed a graduated increase in the grant amount relative to percentages of returned tax income instead of a differential, but neither request was granted.
On Tuesday, the county commissioners approved the high bid of $29,960 from Bethesda’s TischlerBise consultants to conduct the study over a period of 90 days.
More