The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Upper Shore Region, is comprised of investigators who specialize in drug and criminal investigations. The investigators work closely with our federal and local partners and are tasked with investigating crimes occurring within Maryland jurisdictions as well as those crimes that cross state lines.
As a part of the Criminal Enforcement Division (CED)-Upper Shore Region Drug Enforcement, the Maryland State Police operates drug task forces in Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Caroline counties. Each of these task forces is staffed by troopers, as well as our local and federal partners. These partners include: Chestertown Police Department, Kent County State’s Attorney’s Office, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Centreville Police Department, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, St. Michaels Police Department, Talbot County State’s Attorney’s Office, Caroline County Sheriff’s Office and the Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office.
As a result of the cooperative efforts of CED Upper Shore drug investigators and their partners during 2015, 563 drug investigations were conducted throughout the four-county region. These investigations led to the service of 126 search warrants and the arrest of 226 individuals for violations of state and federal drug laws.
During 2015, investigators from the Maryland State Police-Upper Shore Region Criminal Investigation Section conducted 92 criminal investigations. Those investigations resulted in the arrests of 35 people and the service of 96 search warrants.
A priority of the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division is to focus on criminals and criminal enterprises that cross county borders or state lines. The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division is committed to working with federal and local law enforcement partners, prosecutors and citizens to apprehend these criminals and bring them to justice. If not for the cooperation from all involved, the criminals arrested during 2015 may not have been brought to justice.
The following case summaries highlight a few of the successful collaborative investigations that occurred during 2015, due in great part to citizens, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies working together for the citizens of Maryland.
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 22, 2016
One of the greatest video of TRUMP you will ever see
The President of the United States.One of the greatest video of TRUMP you will ever see.Like (y) ----> End The Fed#TRUMP2016 #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #VoteTrump
Posted by End The Fed on Saturday, January 9, 2016
Maryland Senate panel advances tax relief bills for every income level
Cuts to corporate rate eyed to lure businesses
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland General Assembly is advancing a set of tax-relief proposals for all income levels and to lure multistate businesses by cutting corporate income taxes.
The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee approved the bills Thursday to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit for poor families, as well as mild tax relief for middle- and high-income earners. The proposals emerged from the Augustine Commission, a workgroup organized by Democratic leaders to ascertain how best to improve the economic climate.
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ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland General Assembly is advancing a set of tax-relief proposals for all income levels and to lure multistate businesses by cutting corporate income taxes.
The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee approved the bills Thursday to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit for poor families, as well as mild tax relief for middle- and high-income earners. The proposals emerged from the Augustine Commission, a workgroup organized by Democratic leaders to ascertain how best to improve the economic climate.
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National Park Service Fighting To Keep Historic Yosemite Names
The National Park Service isn’t quite ready to let go of some of the historic names scattered around Yosemite National Park. After the news that the park would have to change the monikers on several hotels, camping villages, and other areas of the park after ending a longterm deal with the concessions company that owns the trademark on those sites, the NPS is ready to fight over those trademarks.
The agency formally urged the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to cancel the trademark registrations for the Yosemite sites that are owned by the park’s former concessionaire, The Sacramento Bee reports.
“These registrations are causing damage and injury to the National Park Service,” Interior Department attorneys stated in a filing with the trademark board.
Attorneys for the former concessioner say the demands are “particularly astounding,” and that they’re urging the trademark board to hold off on a decision until a separate lawsuit is resolved in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
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The agency formally urged the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to cancel the trademark registrations for the Yosemite sites that are owned by the park’s former concessionaire, The Sacramento Bee reports.
“These registrations are causing damage and injury to the National Park Service,” Interior Department attorneys stated in a filing with the trademark board.
Attorneys for the former concessioner say the demands are “particularly astounding,” and that they’re urging the trademark board to hold off on a decision until a separate lawsuit is resolved in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
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Trump: 'Obama Should Have Turned the Plane Around and Left'
(CNSNews.com) - Donald Trump told a rally in Palm Beach, Florida on Sunday that President Obama should have returned to the United States when the president of Cuba failed to greet him at the airport when he arrived.
Trump called it "amateur hour."
"So President Obama landed in Cuba, and the head of Cuba, who was there for the pope and he was there for other dignitaries that come in, but he wasn't there for the president of the United States. I mean, we are amateur hour, folks -- amateur hour!
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Trump called it "amateur hour."
"So President Obama landed in Cuba, and the head of Cuba, who was there for the pope and he was there for other dignitaries that come in, but he wasn't there for the president of the United States. I mean, we are amateur hour, folks -- amateur hour!
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Sheriff Arpaio: Protesters Who Obstructed Trump’s Speech Were Jailed
Anti-Donald Trump protesters blocked traffic in both directions on a roadway in Arizona, near the town of Fountain Hills, where the GOP frontrunner held a rally on Saturday.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is in charge of law enforcement for the area, joined FOX Business Network’s Stuart Varney and explained what happened to the demonstrators after they were arrested.
“Well, they probably were released on bond, what else is new,” Arpaio said. “I was there to also introduce Donald Trump like I’ve done several times before, and if they think they’re going to disrupt that rally, I got news for them—they tried and they’re in jail where they belong.”
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Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is in charge of law enforcement for the area, joined FOX Business Network’s Stuart Varney and explained what happened to the demonstrators after they were arrested.
“Well, they probably were released on bond, what else is new,” Arpaio said. “I was there to also introduce Donald Trump like I’ve done several times before, and if they think they’re going to disrupt that rally, I got news for them—they tried and they’re in jail where they belong.”
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Laurel Police Department Press Release
The Laurel Police were contacted in reference to a possible sexual assault that occurred in the town limits on Thursday night 03-17-2016. Investigations by the Laurel Police Department revealed Mr. Chambers had sexually assaulted a 6 & 9 year old while he was babysitting them. Mr. Chambers had fled from the residence prior to the police arrival, but turned himself in on 03-22-2016.
Mr. Chambers was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to the Sussex County Correctional Institution in default of a $471,000 cash bond and a future court date.
Mr. Chambers was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to the Sussex County Correctional Institution in default of a $471,000 cash bond and a future court date.
The Cuba Thaw Will Be Big for America's Frozen Chickens
Poultry producers see a familiar, hungry, and very convenient market—once trade restrictions are eased.
Less than 100 miles off the U.S. coast sits an island nation that can’t feed itself. Cuba, which imports as much as 80 percent of its food, has developed a huge appetite for American chicken, despite the decades-long trade embargo. That's why few businesses are quite as excited about normalized relations as poultry producers in Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Chicken is one of Cuba’s top imports, and an exemption to the embargo for agricultural products has made the country the fifth-largest export market for U.S. poultry producers. Over the past 15 years, more than $1 billion of U.S. poultry—nearly all of it frozen legs and thighs—has been packed aboard cargo ships for the short journey to Cuba. Much of the chicken departs from ports in Jacksonville, Fla., Mobile, Ala., New Orleans, and Savannah, Ga.
“They can place an order on a Monday and probably have the product on a Friday, if they need it,” said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council in suburban Atlanta. “If they buy it from Europe or Brazil, it’s going to be 20 to 30 days.”
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Less than 100 miles off the U.S. coast sits an island nation that can’t feed itself. Cuba, which imports as much as 80 percent of its food, has developed a huge appetite for American chicken, despite the decades-long trade embargo. That's why few businesses are quite as excited about normalized relations as poultry producers in Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Chicken is one of Cuba’s top imports, and an exemption to the embargo for agricultural products has made the country the fifth-largest export market for U.S. poultry producers. Over the past 15 years, more than $1 billion of U.S. poultry—nearly all of it frozen legs and thighs—has been packed aboard cargo ships for the short journey to Cuba. Much of the chicken departs from ports in Jacksonville, Fla., Mobile, Ala., New Orleans, and Savannah, Ga.
“They can place an order on a Monday and probably have the product on a Friday, if they need it,” said Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council in suburban Atlanta. “If they buy it from Europe or Brazil, it’s going to be 20 to 30 days.”
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ANTI-TRUMP ACTIVISTS VIOLATING CANDIDATE’S CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT TO SPEECH AND ASSEMBLY
Attorney General Loretta Lynch, your phone is ringing
Leftists and Democrats attempting to shut down Donald Trump are violating his constitutionally protected and guaranteed right of speech and assembly.
On Saturday Mike Holmes wrote for Lew Rockwell’s website:
In reading and watching the recent anti-Trump blockades and semi-violent disruptions it seems obvious that this highly organized movement is explicitly calling for violating candidate Trump’s protected civil rights to assemble and speak before his supporters.
As a libertarian I’m all for protest and dissent. However that doesn’t include preventing people with whom we disagree from speaking to or assembling their supporters or fans. Legitimate protest/dissent doesn’t including shutting up the other side by force or threats of force.
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Leftists and Democrats attempting to shut down Donald Trump are violating his constitutionally protected and guaranteed right of speech and assembly.
On Saturday Mike Holmes wrote for Lew Rockwell’s website:
In reading and watching the recent anti-Trump blockades and semi-violent disruptions it seems obvious that this highly organized movement is explicitly calling for violating candidate Trump’s protected civil rights to assemble and speak before his supporters.
As a libertarian I’m all for protest and dissent. However that doesn’t include preventing people with whom we disagree from speaking to or assembling their supporters or fans. Legitimate protest/dissent doesn’t including shutting up the other side by force or threats of force.
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ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTER WHO SLAPPED POLICE HORSE DESCRIBES HERSELF AS A “COMMIE FEMINIST”
Imagine my shock
Waving a giant red flag, 29-year-old April J. Foster was caught on camera yelling at the horse and trying to scare the animal as police attempted to control an unruly mob. She subsequently slapped the horse and tried to run away when police singled her out for arrest.
Despite initially being able to flee, Foster was later charged with abuse of a police service animal.
In Foster’s Instagram bio (now deleted), the individual (who apparently identifies as ‘transgender’) describes him/herself as a “commie feminist”.
Imagine my shock.
No word has yet emerged from Donald Trump as to whether his campaign disavows the individual responsible for slapping the horse.
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Waving a giant red flag, 29-year-old April J. Foster was caught on camera yelling at the horse and trying to scare the animal as police attempted to control an unruly mob. She subsequently slapped the horse and tried to run away when police singled her out for arrest.
Despite initially being able to flee, Foster was later charged with abuse of a police service animal.
In Foster’s Instagram bio (now deleted), the individual (who apparently identifies as ‘transgender’) describes him/herself as a “commie feminist”.
Imagine my shock.
No word has yet emerged from Donald Trump as to whether his campaign disavows the individual responsible for slapping the horse.
More
Why Cubans are going to love President Obama after this trip
Havana is abuzz at the sheer weight of the president of the United States arriving in Cuba.
In the hours before President Obama’s arrival, astonished Cubans told tales of planeloads of black limousines and massive Suburbans, of heavily armed security personnel, of sunglass-sporting secret service officers arriving at the airport and making their way through the city.
Cubans have anticipated the arrival of the Obama family with considerable joyfulness, but the festive mood is colored by a certain reticence, a deep-seated fear of, once again, being overwhelmed by the Colossus from the North.
The government has bargained hard with Obama’s advance team to hem him in, to limit his direct contact with the Cuban people.
There will be no large outdoor speech—rather on Tuesday morning Obama will address a hand-picked audience in the newly renovated Grand Theatre with its limited seating capacity—although the Cuban government agreed to live television coverage. The U.S. president will also meet with local entrepreneurs, but in a constricted venue, and ditto for his meeting with independent civil society and political dissidents.
More
In the hours before President Obama’s arrival, astonished Cubans told tales of planeloads of black limousines and massive Suburbans, of heavily armed security personnel, of sunglass-sporting secret service officers arriving at the airport and making their way through the city.
Cubans have anticipated the arrival of the Obama family with considerable joyfulness, but the festive mood is colored by a certain reticence, a deep-seated fear of, once again, being overwhelmed by the Colossus from the North.
The government has bargained hard with Obama’s advance team to hem him in, to limit his direct contact with the Cuban people.
There will be no large outdoor speech—rather on Tuesday morning Obama will address a hand-picked audience in the newly renovated Grand Theatre with its limited seating capacity—although the Cuban government agreed to live television coverage. The U.S. president will also meet with local entrepreneurs, but in a constricted venue, and ditto for his meeting with independent civil society and political dissidents.
More
Store Closures Surpassing Last Year
The retail sector is continuing to contract as the U.S. economy continues to struggle with anemic growth in the era of President Barack Obama, resulting in increased store closures.
As Men’s Wearhouse announced it is shutting down 250 stores, the New York Post pointed out this year’s store closings are already outpacing that of this time last year.
The paper lists nearly half-a-dozen firms that are closing stores. Kohl’s, Walmart, JCPenny, Gap, and Macy’s are all in the losing category, with closings already totaling a 33.2 percent rise above store closings in 2015.
But even 2015 was a 29 percent increase from the numbers in 2014, and 2014 was up from 2013.
“We are hitting a tipping point,” Richard Church, managing director of Discern Investment Analytics, told the Post. “We are in a weak demand environment that could meaningfully accelerate next year.”
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As Men’s Wearhouse announced it is shutting down 250 stores, the New York Post pointed out this year’s store closings are already outpacing that of this time last year.
The paper lists nearly half-a-dozen firms that are closing stores. Kohl’s, Walmart, JCPenny, Gap, and Macy’s are all in the losing category, with closings already totaling a 33.2 percent rise above store closings in 2015.
But even 2015 was a 29 percent increase from the numbers in 2014, and 2014 was up from 2013.
“We are hitting a tipping point,” Richard Church, managing director of Discern Investment Analytics, told the Post. “We are in a weak demand environment that could meaningfully accelerate next year.”
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Focus Group: Hillary ‘Worst Liar I Think I’ve Ever Seen,’ She ‘Lied About Lying’
Sunday on CBS “Face the Nation,” pollster Frank Luntz spoke with a group of Florida Republicans and Democratic voters who oppose both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
After a clip of Hillary Clinton saying she always tries to tell the truth a female voter said, “You could turn off the sound and still see on her face that she was lying. She was the worst liar I think I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Another woman said, “She lied about lying.”
GO HERE to view video.
After a clip of Hillary Clinton saying she always tries to tell the truth a female voter said, “You could turn off the sound and still see on her face that she was lying. She was the worst liar I think I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Another woman said, “She lied about lying.”
GO HERE to view video.
NBC: FBI, Secret Service Probe Letter Sent to Trump's Sister
U.S. authorities are investigating a threatening letter sent to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's sister, a federal appeals court judge in Philadelphia, according to NBC News.
Maryanne Trump Barry, 78, received the letter on Friday, the network's Philadelphia affiliate said in a report late on Sunday, citing a source familiar with the investigation.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.
Separately on Friday, officials said they were investigating a letter sent to Trump's son Eric that contained a granular substance.
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Maryanne Trump Barry, 78, received the letter on Friday, the network's Philadelphia affiliate said in a report late on Sunday, citing a source familiar with the investigation.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.
Separately on Friday, officials said they were investigating a letter sent to Trump's son Eric that contained a granular substance.
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Lost Dog 3-22-16: UPDATET
Will Trump Seal the Deal Tonight?
Republicans and Democrats in Arizona and Utah visit polling places and caucus meeting sites today, as do Idaho Democrats and Republicans in American Samoa. The big question is whether Ted Cruz can capture Utah with a majority vote, thereby making it a backdoor Winner-Take-All state. Arizona is the final large Winner-Take-All on the GOP side.
March 22 Lineup:
Arizona (Primary)
Republicans: 58 delegates; Winner-Take-All
Last Public Poll: Opinion Savvy – Fox 10 Phoenix (3/20; 588 AZ likely Republican primary voters through interactive voice response system): Donald Trump 46%; Sen. Ted Cruz 33%; Gov. John Kasich 17%.
Democrats: 85 delegates; proportional – Super Delegates announced: Ex-Sec. of State Hillary Clinton 5; Sen. Bernie Sanders 1.
Last Public Poll: Merrill/West Group (3/7-11; 300 AZ likely Democratic primary voters): Clinton 50%; Sanders 24%.
Utah (Caucus)
Republicans: 40 delegates; 15% vote threshold; converts to Winner-Take-All if a candidate breaks 50% of the statewide vote; converts to 0% threshold if less than three candidates exceed 15%.
Last Public Poll: Y2 Analytics (3/17-19; 500 UT likely Republican caucus attenders): Cruz 53%; Kasich 29%; Trump 11%.
Democrats: 37 delegates; proportional – Super Delegates announced: Clinton 2; Sanders 0.
Last Public Poll: Dan Jones & Assoc/Deseret News (3/8-15; 194 UT likely Democratic primary voters): Sanders 52%; Clinton 44%.
Idaho (Democratic Caucus)
Democrats: 27 delegates; proportional – Super Delegates announced: Clinton 1; Sanders 0.
Last Public Poll: No available public data
American Samoa (Republican Territorial Caucus)
Republicans: 9 delegates; unbound delegation; the six at-large and three RNC delegates may vote as they please throughout the GOP convention.
Last Public Poll: No available public data
Source: AAN
The Importance of Climate Change
THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO SNAPPED THIS PHOTO AT THE RECENT CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN PARIS SHOULD BE GIVEN AN AWARD FOR THE FUNNIEST PHOTO OF THE YEAR! SO HOW IMPORTANT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
ASK THE GUYS IN THE PICTURE.
Republicans Seek to Deny Funds to Sanctuary Cities
During a congressional hearing about the budget of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency’s director publically accused five major cities of ignoring ICE’s requests to detain illegal immigrants charged with crimes. Sarah Saldana said Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle do not honor the requests from ICE to detain certain individuals to give the agency a chance to deport them. Some tell ICE after the fact that they had the illegal immigrant in custody, but then released them.
This matters because the Obama administration’s deportation policies are currently to deport only the worst of the worst — the illegal immigrants who have committed major crimes. The cities' catch-and-release method of law enforcement has fomented a crime spree. One of the more well-known victims being Kathryn Steinle, who was shot in San Francisco by an illegal immigrant who was deported five times, yet still freely walked the city’s streets. In response, congressional Republicans are looking to stop sending money to the self-avowed sanctuary cities. “They can keep their policy; just don’t ask for federal money,” Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) said. Similarly, even the Obama Justice Department has warned those cities that federal grant money going to law enforcement needs is imperiled if the cities continue to stymie ICE.
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This matters because the Obama administration’s deportation policies are currently to deport only the worst of the worst — the illegal immigrants who have committed major crimes. The cities' catch-and-release method of law enforcement has fomented a crime spree. One of the more well-known victims being Kathryn Steinle, who was shot in San Francisco by an illegal immigrant who was deported five times, yet still freely walked the city’s streets. In response, congressional Republicans are looking to stop sending money to the self-avowed sanctuary cities. “They can keep their policy; just don’t ask for federal money,” Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) said. Similarly, even the Obama Justice Department has warned those cities that federal grant money going to law enforcement needs is imperiled if the cities continue to stymie ICE.
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Subject: ISIS is Committing Anti-Christian Genocide. Now What?
(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) on Thursday applauded Secretary of State John Kerry’s decision to call the ISIS atrocities in Iraq and Syria against Christians and other religious minorities “genocide,” but also asked, “Now what?”
“I—and many others—had been appealing to the Administration for almost three years to recognize the systematic slaughter, rape and torture of Christians and other people of faith by ISIS as genocide,” Smith, chairman of the Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee, said, “I chaired my first hearing on this in June of 2013. Last December 9, I chaired an emergency hearing on the hoped for designation.”
“Now what?” Smith asked.
Smith argued in his statement that part of the answer to that question is in a resolution that passed the House of Representatives on Monday along with Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s (R-Neb.) resolution designating ISIS atrocities against religious minorities as genocide.
Smith’s companion resolution, which passed the House by a vote of 392-3 on Monday, calls for the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal and asks specifically “the President to direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to promote the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal; and other nations to apprehend and deliver into tribunal custody any persons indicted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Syria.”
More here
“I—and many others—had been appealing to the Administration for almost three years to recognize the systematic slaughter, rape and torture of Christians and other people of faith by ISIS as genocide,” Smith, chairman of the Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Subcommittee, said, “I chaired my first hearing on this in June of 2013. Last December 9, I chaired an emergency hearing on the hoped for designation.”
“Now what?” Smith asked.
Smith argued in his statement that part of the answer to that question is in a resolution that passed the House of Representatives on Monday along with Rep. Jeff Fortenberry’s (R-Neb.) resolution designating ISIS atrocities against religious minorities as genocide.
Smith’s companion resolution, which passed the House by a vote of 392-3 on Monday, calls for the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal and asks specifically “the President to direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations to promote the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal; and other nations to apprehend and deliver into tribunal custody any persons indicted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Syria.”
More here
OCPD 2015 Annual Report Highlights Lowest Crime in 25 Years
When compared to 1990, the total number of serious criminal offenses in Ocean City has dropped 45 percent. This equates to thousands of residents and visitors that did not become victims of serious crimes such as assault, burglary or robbery. In addition to the significant drop in total number of offenses, since 1990 there has been an 89 percent decrease in motor vehicle thefts, a 60 percent decrease in aggravated assaults and a 68 percent decrease in burglaries.
“This dramatic decrease in crime over the past 25 years is an accomplishment that not only our employees, but the residents and visitors of Ocean City should be very proud of,” commented Chief Ross Buzzuro. “Our personnel has worked extremely hard to ensure that Ocean City remains a safe place to live and visit and the statistics and accomplishments in this report prove that to be true.”
When comparing 2015 crime statistics to more recent years, the OCPD saw an 11 percent decrease in total number of serious criminal offenses from the most recent five-year average. There was also significant decreases in robberies, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. In addition, the OCPD saw a 35 percent decrease in forcible rapes from 2014. Statistics also showed that 58 percent of serious crimes occurred during the months of June, July and August.
For a copy of the entire 2015 Annual Report, visit our website at www.oceancitymd.gov/police.
Soros Board Member Chairs Firm Running Online Voting for Tuesday’s Utah Caucuses
Smartmatic Group, an electronic voting firm whose worldwide headquarters is located in the United Kingdom, will be running the online balloting process in the Utah Republican Open Caucuses on Tuesday.
The chairman of Smartmatic’s board, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, currently serves on the board of George Soros’s Open Society Foundation and has close ties to the billionaire.
The Wall Street Journal dubbed the Republican party’s online adventure on Tuesday as “one of the biggest online votes conducted so far in the U.S.” and the “largest experiment with online presidential voting since 2004, when Michigan allowed Democrats to vote in a party caucus via the Internet.”
The Journal further reported this..
The chairman of Smartmatic’s board, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, currently serves on the board of George Soros’s Open Society Foundation and has close ties to the billionaire.
The Wall Street Journal dubbed the Republican party’s online adventure on Tuesday as “one of the biggest online votes conducted so far in the U.S.” and the “largest experiment with online presidential voting since 2004, when Michigan allowed Democrats to vote in a party caucus via the Internet.”
The Journal further reported this..
How To Break Out Of Your Autopilot Work Mentality
“Any sequence of mental action which has been frequently repeated tends to perpetuate itself,” wrote influential philosopher William James on habit.
Mona Patel, founder and CEO of the New York City firm Motivate Design (www.motivatedesign.com), has seen the many shades of the autopilot work mentality, from severe creative block to those who haven’t even realized they have a problem. Either way, it’s always worth asking whether there’s a better way, she says.
Patel, author of “Reframe: Shift the Way You Work, Innovate and Think,” offers steps that have helped awaken her many Fortune 500 clients.
• Step 1: If you’re stuck or not sure, ask “What if?” Are you treading water? What are your work goals that you haven’t yet achieved? Can you imagine a new way of achieving those goals? If you answer “I can’t,” then it’s time to reframe how you think. “I can’t” predetermines unaccomplished goals, but asking the question “What if?” is the first step to opening the door of possibility.
• Step 2: Start making the “What ifs?” real with your work team. Schedule a meeting and start with a silent warm-up ideation period of three minutes, and then write down as many “What if” ideas as possible. Let people come up with ideas at the same time and write them down, so more vocal people don’t have an advantage. Share the ideas with your team. Lather, rinse and repeat the process for more ideas.
• Step 3: Follow good response practices when ideas are shared. There are helpful guidelines when responding to a group. Saying “plus one” means you have a similar suggestion to one being shared. It streamlines the process and strengthens bonds between those with similar ideas. “Plus love” is a good way to express that you wish you came up with the idea. Hearing “plus love” on a crazy idea encourages you to come up with more crazy ideas and enables the group creatively. “I’m good” is a nicer and more positive way of saying “I don’t have any more ideas.”
• Step 4: Filter your ideas. How much do you love an idea? Does it solve a real need? Will the idea save money and is it feasible? You may have 50 ideas, which you’ll want to whittle down to a single digit. Refine the evaluation by asking how easy or difficult an idea would be to execute. Then consider the “wow” – meaning how much this would impact one’s life, or how much a client would like it.
“It’s one thing to offer a client fresh ideas, but it’s much better to teach them how to discover new ideas for themselves,” Patel say.
“It’s one thing to offer a client fresh ideas, but it’s much better to teach them how to discover new ideas for themselves,” Patel say.
Facebook’s Zuckerberg Meets with China’s Propaganda Chief
Liu Yunshan told Zuckerberg in their meeting Saturday that he hopes Facebook can share its experience with Chinese companies to help “Internet development better benefit the people of all countries,” China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported. Zuckerberg was in Beijing to attend an economic forum.
China has called for the creation of a global Internet “governance system” and cooperation between countries to regulate Internet use, stepping up efforts to promote controls that activists complain stifle free expression.
Facebook and other Western social media, including Twitter, are banned in China. Zuckerberg has long been courting China’s leaders in a so far futile attempt to access the country with the world’s largest number of Internet users – 668 million as of last year.
China has been increasing control over its Internet, dubbed the Great Firewall because it is already heavily censored. Liu, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the ruling Communist Party’s top leadership panel, recently said that all Internet users must not cross the “baseline” when discussing China’s governance.
Chinese censors have introduced a slate of new regulations to better enable them to police digital and social media as closely as traditional publications.
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Trump Names National Security Advisory Team
Billionaire and 2016 GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump has listed, for the first time on Monday, a series of national security experts who are advising him and his campaign for the presidency.
Trump had already previously named U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as the chairman of his national security team, but on Monday, for the first time ever, he provided the Washington Post with a list of advisers that comprise the team. Trump’s rivals and critics have argued repeatedly that his refusal, until now, to name his advisers meant he was not to be trusted with a president’s most important responsibility: Keeping the country safe.
But Trump’s list of national security advisers, preliminarily released in the Post interview with more on the way, comes on a day he has held meetings with Sessions, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and other Republican lawmakers.
“Walid Phares, who you probably know. Ph.D., adviser to the House of Representatives. He’s a counter-terrorism expert,” Trump said in the Post interview, according to reporters Robert Costa and Philip Rucker. “Carter Page, Ph.D. George Papadopoulos. He’s an oil and energy consultant. Excellent guy. The honorable Joe Schmitz, [was] inspector general at the Department of Defense. General Keith Kellogg. And I have quite a few more. But that’s a group of some of the people that we are dealing with. We have many other people in different aspects of what we do. But that’s a pretty representative group.”
Rucker and Costa noted the interview went for about an hour in the Washington Post’s new offices downtown in Washington, D.C., and Trump began the meeting “by pulling out a list of some of his foreign policy advisers.”
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Trump had already previously named U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as the chairman of his national security team, but on Monday, for the first time ever, he provided the Washington Post with a list of advisers that comprise the team. Trump’s rivals and critics have argued repeatedly that his refusal, until now, to name his advisers meant he was not to be trusted with a president’s most important responsibility: Keeping the country safe.
But Trump’s list of national security advisers, preliminarily released in the Post interview with more on the way, comes on a day he has held meetings with Sessions, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and other Republican lawmakers.
“Walid Phares, who you probably know. Ph.D., adviser to the House of Representatives. He’s a counter-terrorism expert,” Trump said in the Post interview, according to reporters Robert Costa and Philip Rucker. “Carter Page, Ph.D. George Papadopoulos. He’s an oil and energy consultant. Excellent guy. The honorable Joe Schmitz, [was] inspector general at the Department of Defense. General Keith Kellogg. And I have quite a few more. But that’s a group of some of the people that we are dealing with. We have many other people in different aspects of what we do. But that’s a pretty representative group.”
Rucker and Costa noted the interview went for about an hour in the Washington Post’s new offices downtown in Washington, D.C., and Trump began the meeting “by pulling out a list of some of his foreign policy advisers.”
More
Subject: DOJ Admits 'Flawed Execution' in Fast and Furious
In a letter to Congress this week, the Justice Department said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms “accepts full responsibility for the flawed execution of Fast and Furious.”
In the early months of Barack Obama’s administration, the Justice Department started the sting in order to prove that American guns were arming the Mexican drug cartels, which would thus aid in making a case for gun control. (So notice that Justice accepted responsibility for “flawed execution,” not flawed intent.) To make their case, the ATF turned into gunrunners, allowing straw purchasers to pass off hundreds if not thousands of firearms. But play with fire, and you will get burned, as the guns were turned onto American law enforcement, leading to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in 2010. And more deaths are being uncovered.
Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik wrote in his letter: “ATF and the department deeply regret that firearms associated with Operation Fast and Furious have been used by criminals in the commission of violent crimes, particularly crimes resulting in the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officials.”
More here
In the early months of Barack Obama’s administration, the Justice Department started the sting in order to prove that American guns were arming the Mexican drug cartels, which would thus aid in making a case for gun control. (So notice that Justice accepted responsibility for “flawed execution,” not flawed intent.) To make their case, the ATF turned into gunrunners, allowing straw purchasers to pass off hundreds if not thousands of firearms. But play with fire, and you will get burned, as the guns were turned onto American law enforcement, leading to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in 2010. And more deaths are being uncovered.
Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik wrote in his letter: “ATF and the department deeply regret that firearms associated with Operation Fast and Furious have been used by criminals in the commission of violent crimes, particularly crimes resulting in the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officials.”
More here
Subject: Indonesian Psychiatric Assn: Gays Have ‘Psychiatric Problems,’ Trans Have ‘Mental Disorders’
The Indonesian Psychiatric Association (IPA) has officially announced that homosexuals and bisexuals are “people with psychiatric problems,” and that transgender people have “mental disorders,” conditions that can be treated.
The announcement was reported in several media outlets, including The Jakarta Post, The Guardian, and The Christian Post.
The IPA said that “people with homosexuality and bisexuality can be categorized as people with mental problems,” as reported in The Guardian. The group added that gays suffer from “physical, mental, and social problems, growth and development, and/or life-quality problems, thus giving them risks to experience mental disorders.”
Transgender people “can be categorized as persons with mental disorders,” said the IPA, which “may cause suffering and obstacles in functioning as a human being.”
IPA member Suzy Yusna Dewi said of homosexuals and transgenders, “We really do care about them,” as reported in The Jakarta Post. “What we are worried about is, if left untreated, such sexual tendencies could become a commonly accepted condition in society.”
Suzy also drew a parallel between these sexual problems and drug addiction. “Without constant intervention, a person can easily return to their previous sexual tendency once he or she experiences withdrawal.”
More
The announcement was reported in several media outlets, including The Jakarta Post, The Guardian, and The Christian Post.
The IPA said that “people with homosexuality and bisexuality can be categorized as people with mental problems,” as reported in The Guardian. The group added that gays suffer from “physical, mental, and social problems, growth and development, and/or life-quality problems, thus giving them risks to experience mental disorders.”
Transgender people “can be categorized as persons with mental disorders,” said the IPA, which “may cause suffering and obstacles in functioning as a human being.”
IPA member Suzy Yusna Dewi said of homosexuals and transgenders, “We really do care about them,” as reported in The Jakarta Post. “What we are worried about is, if left untreated, such sexual tendencies could become a commonly accepted condition in society.”
Suzy also drew a parallel between these sexual problems and drug addiction. “Without constant intervention, a person can easily return to their previous sexual tendency once he or she experiences withdrawal.”
More
Subject: Let the People Decide
The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia marked a great loss for our nation. Justice Scalia possessed a brilliant legal mind and loyally served our country throughout his distinguished career.
His passing created a unique situation – a Supreme Court vacancy in the middle of a highly contentious presidential election process. These are rare circumstances, as the Senate has not confirmed a nominee in a similar situation in 128 years.
The last time a justice was nominated to the Court in a presidential election year and confirmed by a Senate controlled by the opposing party was 1888, when President Grover Cleveland nominated Justice Melville Fuller to be Chief Justice.
Over the past eighty years, a Supreme Court vacancy has arisen only twice after primary voting began in the presidential election process. In both of those years – 1956 and 1968 – the Senate declined to confirm a replacement.
Article 2, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution tasks the president with the responsibility of nominating justices for the Supreme Court and the Senate with the role of providing its “advice and consent.”
One of the most important responsibilities of a United States Senator is to provide this input on judicial nominees. I take seriously my responsibility to determine the best way to offer my “advice and consent” regarding lifetime appointments to our nation’s highest court.
The Constitution gives the Senate the right to withhold consent on the president’s nominees, either by rejecting a nominee or taking no action. This has been the precedent for both Democratic and Republican Senates.
The current Supreme Court opening is of unprecedented importance. Filling this vacancy will fundamentally alter the Court’s direction for generations.
Senator Dan Coats (R-IN)
His passing created a unique situation – a Supreme Court vacancy in the middle of a highly contentious presidential election process. These are rare circumstances, as the Senate has not confirmed a nominee in a similar situation in 128 years.
The last time a justice was nominated to the Court in a presidential election year and confirmed by a Senate controlled by the opposing party was 1888, when President Grover Cleveland nominated Justice Melville Fuller to be Chief Justice.
Over the past eighty years, a Supreme Court vacancy has arisen only twice after primary voting began in the presidential election process. In both of those years – 1956 and 1968 – the Senate declined to confirm a replacement.
Article 2, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution tasks the president with the responsibility of nominating justices for the Supreme Court and the Senate with the role of providing its “advice and consent.”
One of the most important responsibilities of a United States Senator is to provide this input on judicial nominees. I take seriously my responsibility to determine the best way to offer my “advice and consent” regarding lifetime appointments to our nation’s highest court.
The Constitution gives the Senate the right to withhold consent on the president’s nominees, either by rejecting a nominee or taking no action. This has been the precedent for both Democratic and Republican Senates.
The current Supreme Court opening is of unprecedented importance. Filling this vacancy will fundamentally alter the Court’s direction for generations.
Senator Dan Coats (R-IN)
Pediatricians Call Transgender Ideology ‘Child Abuse’
In a strongly worded statement issued today, the professional association of pediatricians says “a person’s belief that he or she is something they are not is, at best, a sign of confused thinking.” It describes such thinking as problem that exists in the mind and not the body and “it should be treated as such.”
The college of pediatricians is joining a heated debate that increasingly pits concerned parents against school teachers, administrators, legislators, and transsexual advocates who are pushing the trans agenda in grade-schools, city governments, state governments, and the federal government.
A wave of “non-discrimination” bills are appearing around the country that require public women’s restrooms to accommodate men who think they are women and even those who consider themselves “gender non-binary,” that is, men who appear to be men but who say there are neither male or female.
The American College of Pediatricians will release a full statement this summer. The statement released today explains, “human sexuality is an objective biological binary trait: ‘XY’ and ‘XX’ are genetic markers of health — not genetic markers of a disorder.”
The statement goes on..
China's Extraterrestrial Goals Prompt US Ire
China plans to initiate 20 space missions this year including the testing of its most sophisticated rocket and the launching of a habitual space module. But security analysts in the US are expressing suspicions they have military implications.
China is already testing surface-to-air missiles that could strike targets in orbit and it’s also working with experimental lasers that can scramble or “blind” satellites. But as China keeps looking up to space, it’s raising some concern down below. Particularly from the US, according to China Cheat Sheets.
#ChinaSpaceProgram raises #security concernhttps://t.co/w4GO7o6RkL pic.twitter.com/6zcDtVnyun
— China Cheat Sheets (@ChinaCheatSheet) March 19, 2016
The United States is already at odds with Beijing over cyber-warfare accusations and China’s militarization in the South China Sea. Now, security officials are worried that China’s armament might spread to outer space, home to US satellites vital to American interests.
More here
China is already testing surface-to-air missiles that could strike targets in orbit and it’s also working with experimental lasers that can scramble or “blind” satellites. But as China keeps looking up to space, it’s raising some concern down below. Particularly from the US, according to China Cheat Sheets.
#ChinaSpaceProgram raises #security concernhttps://t.co/w4GO7o6RkL pic.twitter.com/6zcDtVnyun
— China Cheat Sheets (@ChinaCheatSheet) March 19, 2016
The United States is already at odds with Beijing over cyber-warfare accusations and China’s militarization in the South China Sea. Now, security officials are worried that China’s armament might spread to outer space, home to US satellites vital to American interests.
More here
A Letter To The Editor: MD Transportation Funding Bill - HB 1018 & SB 908
On Saturday March 19, 2016, the MD House of Delegates passed HB 1013 This bill severely lessenw the amount of transportation funds available to the Eastern Shore by favoring urban areas (Balt/Wash area).
Instead of the current system relying on experts and local officials to balance state-wide need, the proposal would establish nine goals that the department must consider. HB 1013 would severely limit how the Department of Transportation sets priorities for spending. The department is required to 'assign a score from 1 to 100 for each goal using the following measures:
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROJECT–BASED SCORING SYSTEM DEVELOPED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION, RANK MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE DRAFT AND FINAL CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.
THE STATE TRANSPORTATION GOALS ARE:
(I) SAFETY AND SECURITY;
(II) SYSTEM PRESERVATION;
(III) QUALITY OF SERVICE;
(IV) ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP;
(V) COMMUNITY VITALITY;
(VI) ECONOMIC PROSPERITY;
(VII) EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION; AND
(VIII) COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT; AND
(IX) LOCAL PRIORITIES AND PLANNING. ""
The details of each requirements are listed in the bill.
The scoring system is spelled out: each of the nine priorities is given 100 points maximum. Many of the measures promote mass transit over highways. 'Quality of service' requires measuring 'connections between different modes of transportation and promotes multiple transportation choices,' which are rarely found in rural communities. For 'environmental stewardship,' the requirement is to 'limit or reduce harmful emissions,' which is a statement against automobiles...
Bolton: FBI Will ‘Explode’ If Hillary Not Indicted
Speaking in a radio interview on Sunday, John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, stated he believes the FBI will “explode” if Hillary Clinton ultimately is not indicted for her email infractions due to what he described as politics triumphing over the legal system.
Bolton was being interviewed for “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio,” broadcast on New York’s AM 970 The Answer and Philadelphia’s NewsTalk 990 AM.
Klein, who doubles as Breitbart’s Jerusalem bureau chief and senior investigative reporter, asked Bolton whether he thinks Clinton will ultimately be indicted for allegedly sending classified information over her private email server.
“I think that the pressure is definitely building,” Bolton responded. “And just take the politics out of this for a second. What Hillary Clinton and her top aides did is not just make a few small violations of laws to protect classified information. They made wholesale violations and they did it for a sustained, indeed for a four-year period.”
He continued:
Bolton was being interviewed for “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio,” broadcast on New York’s AM 970 The Answer and Philadelphia’s NewsTalk 990 AM.
Klein, who doubles as Breitbart’s Jerusalem bureau chief and senior investigative reporter, asked Bolton whether he thinks Clinton will ultimately be indicted for allegedly sending classified information over her private email server.
“I think that the pressure is definitely building,” Bolton responded. “And just take the politics out of this for a second. What Hillary Clinton and her top aides did is not just make a few small violations of laws to protect classified information. They made wholesale violations and they did it for a sustained, indeed for a four-year period.”
He continued:
Superintendent To Be Voted On And Announced Tonight
I understand tonight at 7 PM will be a public meeting to formerly vote on and introduce the new Wicomico County Superintendent of Schools.
WICOMICO OPIOID ADDICTION AWARENESS ART & FILM COMPETITION
The heroin epidemic is a growing problem nationwide. In 2014 there were 578 heroin/opioid deaths in Maryland. In just one recent weekend, there were 13 overdoses and 3 fatalities in our county alone. When interviewed, most of the addicted in our county tell a similar tale. The users of heroin first became addicted to prescription opiate pain medication. They were prescribed the pills, or they got them at a party, or from a friend, or the medicine cabinet at home. An opiate addiction is insidious-- it grabs the user quick and then as the pills become more expensive or harder to obtain, the user switches to heroin which often times is more potent.
We are working on getting resources to help the addicted, but our best hope is to reach the youth, to get them to understand the dangers of using and abusing prescription opiates and how abusing pills is a pathway to heroin use. So in order to foster an awareness in our community, we are reaching out to the youth to participate in this Film and Art Competition.
WICOMICO FILM COMPETITION
The rules are simple, create a 30 second video about the dangers of opioid abuse and the link between prescription drugs and heroin.
1st Prize--$1,000 Scholarship
2nd Prize--$500 Scholarship
3rd Prize--$100 Scholarship
WICOMICO ART COMPETITION
Create an art project on any medium except video or film (canvas, paper, photography, etc.) that communicates the dangers of opioid abuse and the link between prescription drugs and heroin.
1st Prize-$1,000 Scholarship
2nd Prize-$500 Scholarship
3rd Prize-$100 Scholarship
The entry form and releases can be found on the Wicomico County website here: http://www.wicomicocounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=201
All competitors, their parents or guardians must certify in the entry form that they watched the video “Liz’s Story” before submitting their entry. The video can be found here:
http://www.mass.gov/…/stop-a…/stop-addiction-lizs-story.html
Submissions must be brought to the front desk of the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office on or before May 1, 2016 with the completed entry form. Judging will take place on or before May 20, 2016 and award winners will be announced at Third Friday in downtown Salisbury. All entries will be on display at 3rd Friday in May and may be on display throughout the year at events and festivals during for one year after submission. All individuals who appear in the video must sign the attached release. Videos may be aired on PAC-14 and local media websites and broadcasts. This competition is open to any student enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in Wicomico County, Maryland.
The scholarships have been provided by the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force (Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury City Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Maryland State Police)
We are working on getting resources to help the addicted, but our best hope is to reach the youth, to get them to understand the dangers of using and abusing prescription opiates and how abusing pills is a pathway to heroin use. So in order to foster an awareness in our community, we are reaching out to the youth to participate in this Film and Art Competition.
WICOMICO FILM COMPETITION
The rules are simple, create a 30 second video about the dangers of opioid abuse and the link between prescription drugs and heroin.
1st Prize--$1,000 Scholarship
2nd Prize--$500 Scholarship
3rd Prize--$100 Scholarship
WICOMICO ART COMPETITION
Create an art project on any medium except video or film (canvas, paper, photography, etc.) that communicates the dangers of opioid abuse and the link between prescription drugs and heroin.
1st Prize-$1,000 Scholarship
2nd Prize-$500 Scholarship
3rd Prize-$100 Scholarship
The entry form and releases can be found on the Wicomico County website here: http://www.wicomicocounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=201
All competitors, their parents or guardians must certify in the entry form that they watched the video “Liz’s Story” before submitting their entry. The video can be found here:
http://www.mass.gov/…/stop-a…/stop-addiction-lizs-story.html
Submissions must be brought to the front desk of the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office on or before May 1, 2016 with the completed entry form. Judging will take place on or before May 20, 2016 and award winners will be announced at Third Friday in downtown Salisbury. All entries will be on display at 3rd Friday in May and may be on display throughout the year at events and festivals during for one year after submission. All individuals who appear in the video must sign the attached release. Videos may be aired on PAC-14 and local media websites and broadcasts. This competition is open to any student enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in Wicomico County, Maryland.
The scholarships have been provided by the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force (Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury City Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Maryland State Police)
The Path to the Presidency
On the Republican side, Donald Trump took four of the five state primaries, but losing Winner-Take-All Ohio to the state’s Governor, John Kasich, keeps the door open for Trump’s remaining opponents to force a contested convention. After Trump’s strong victory in Winner-Take-All Florida, home state Sen. Marco Rubio suspended his presidential campaign. His 172 pledged delegates, earned in previous primaries and caucuses, remain in abeyance. Sen. Rubio can release the delegates, and then they would become unbound votes, or he can keep them. In the latter scenario, these individuals would vote for Rubio on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention. This could be a meaningful group if Trump does not have the necessary 1,237 votes to claim the nomination.
Though Trump is now in the 675-range for delegates, he still needs approximately 55-57% of the remaining pool to reach the victory plateau. Kasich and Sen. Ted Cruz working together to strategically deny Trump delegates especially in Winner-Take-All by congressional district states (Wisconsin, Maryland, Connecticut, Indiana, California) could conceivably keep the race leader from winning on the first ballot. Most delegates become freed on the second ballot, meaning the voting could continue for several rounds. The convention will remain in session until a nominee is chosen.
The next set of primaries and caucuses will take center stage on March 22nd, and features voting in Arizona and Utah for both parties. Democrats will vote in Idaho, Republicans in American Samoa. Arizona, with 58 Republican delegates, is the last of the large Winner-Take-All states.
Source: AAN
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release 3-22-16
Small, Shileshea
Date of Incident: 18 March 2016
Location: 1500 block of South Division Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Shileshea Ann Small, 38, Seaford, DE
Narrative: On 18 March 2016 at 7:23 AM a deputy was at a residence in the 1500 block of S. Division Street in Salisbury, investigating an unrelated criminal matter when that deputy discovered a wanted subject. The deputy arrested Shileshea Small who was wanted on three outstanding failure to appear bench warrants.
Failure to Appear for False Statement, Obstruct and Hinder, Drive Suspended
Failure to Appear for Theft under $1,000.00
Failure to Appear for Drive Suspended
The deputy transported Small to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Small in the Detention Center in lieu of $21,000.00 on all three bench warrants.
Charges: Failure to Appear
Bratten, Calvin
Date of Incident: 18 March 2016
Location: 7200 block of Main Street, Willards, MD
Suspect: Calvin George Bratten III, 28, Willards, MD
Narrative: On 18 March 2016 at 2:39 PM, a deputy located and arrested a wanted subject, Calvin Bratten, at a residence in Willards.
Bratten was wanted on a Circuit Court bench warrant that was issued after Bratten failed to appear for a CDS Possession with the Intent to Distribute case.
The deputy transported Bratten to the Detention Center where he was detained without bond pending an initial appearance in front of a Circuit Court Judge.
Charges: Failure to Appear
Townsend, Mark
Date of Incident: 19 March 2016
Location: 4000 block of Pheasant Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Mark A. Townsend, 42, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 19 March 2016 at 2:05 AM a deputy was at a residence in the 4000 block of Pheasant Drive speaking with a subject regarding his involvement in a hit and run accident when that subject’s housemate, Mark Townsend, exited the residence clad only in his underwear. Townsend began approaching the deputy in an aggressive manner while yelling loudly. As Townsend advanced towards the deputy with raised and clenched fists the deputy instructed Townsend to retreat into his residence. Instead of complying, Townsend continued towards the deputy making threatening profanity laced statements. The deputy took the necessary steps to cease Townsend’s aggressive actions and to take him into custody. Townsend struggled against the attempts of the deputy to place him into handcuffs while continuing to yell threats at the deputy.
The deputy observed that Townsend was visibly intoxicated.
The deputy did manage to subdue Townsend and place him into handcuffs at which point he was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Townsend in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.
Charges: Attempted Assault 2nd Degree, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest
Is This RINO's Long Career Coming to an End?
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is facing what may be the toughest reelection of his Senate career in an unpredictable presidential year, when many voters are angry with Washington.
Early polls show McCain tied with his Democratic challenger, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.), at around 40 percent despite having nearly 100-percent name recognition in the state he has represented in either the Senate or House since 1983.
“The basic problem for John McCain is the same kind of thing that faces a lot of incumbents right now. He’s been there a long time. People are leery of Washington. They don’t like Washington,” said former Republican Rep. Jim Kolbe, who served 18 years alongside McCain in Arizona’s congressional delegation.“This is a very tough challenge, probably the toughest race that he's faced since he was first elected,” Kolbe added.McCain’s path to victory is complicated by the likelihood the GOP ticket will be headed byDonald Trump, who has an overwhelmingly negative rating among Hispanic voters, a powerful and growing electoral bloc in Arizona.
The Establishment favorite is well funded and has deep ties in the state, so it's not curtains yet. But it wouldn't be surprising if this is the end of a long illustrious career.
Source: AAN
The Battle for Utah
The Y2 Analytics survey shows Cruz with 53 percent support among likely Republican caucus-goes and if that matches Tuesday's caucus vote, he'd win all of the state's 40 GOP delegates.
Coming in second is Ohio Gov. John Kasich with 29 percent, while Trump, the national front-runner, was a distant third at 11 percent.
The Y2 Analytics poll was conducted from Thursday to Saturday and included 500 respondents, capturing some of the reaction from public events held by all three of the Republican candidates. Cruz held three public events in Utah on Saturday with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, commentator Glenn Beck and former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. Kasich and Trump held events on Friday.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune
Castro's Gift to Obama
Obama's making nice with the Castros was criticized by Cuban American Senators on both sides of the aisle, including Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Robert Menendez. These children of Cuban immigrants predicted that normalizing relations would simply provide the Castros with more cash to operate their prison state.
Today it appears those gentleman are right. As Obama arrived in Cuba, Raul Castro provided him with a gift- an absence of protesters. As USA Today notes:
Just hours before President Obamalanded Sunday in Cuba for his historic visit to the communist island, Cuban authorities arrested more than 50 dissidents who were marching to demand improved human rights.
Members of the group, known as the Ladies in White, are used to the routine. They march each Sunday after Mass at a church in a suburb of Havana called Miramar and usually get arrested and detained for hours or days.
Some in the group thought Cuban authorities would back off this Sunday out of respect for Obama's visit. Berta Soler, one of the founding members who has been marching since 2003, said while walking to the church Sunday morning that maybe they would be allowed to protest without getting arrested.
"Everything looks good so far," she said.
Despite dozens of international reporters in town for Obama's trip, the group was quickly rounded up in buses and police cars.
Will Obama decry this crackdown on free expression, or will he simply pretend it didn't happen, and go on living in a fantasy world where the Castros are interested in political freedom?
Source: AAN
Two Officers Honored by American Legion, Knights of Columbus
OCEAN CITY, MD – Two Ocean City police officers were recently honored by the American Legion Post 166 and Ocean City Knights of Columbus. Police Officer First Class (Pfc.) Michael Valerio received the Officer of the Year award from the American Legion and Pfc. Nathan Kutz received the similar honor from the Knights of Columbus. Both officers are members of the Ocean City Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit and were recently finalists for the Neighborhood Watch Officer of the Year.
“Pfc. Valerio and Pfc. Kutz are both very driven, ambitious officers who are dedicated to the safety of our roadways,” commented Chief Ross Buzzuro. “They are both exemplary officers that are very deserving of these awards.”
Pfc. Valerio joined the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) as a seasonal public safety aide in 2007. He returned in 2008 as a seasonal police officer and worked each summer until being hired as a full-time police officer in 2012. Pfc. Valerio joined the Traffic Safety Unit in the fall of 2013 and since then, has obtained training in on-scene traffic crash/traffic homicide investigations, advanced traffic crash investigations and crash reconstruction. Pfc. Valerio is also a certified drug recognition expert trained to recognize impairment in drivers who are under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol.
Pfc. Kutz joined the OCPD as a seasonal police officer in 2009 and later was hired as a full-time police officer in 2012. He joined the Traffic Safety Unit in 2012 and has advanced training in traffic crash investigations, drug and alcohol impaired driving investigations and breath test instruments. In 2015, Pfc. Kutz made 1,722 traffic stops and 160 arrests; 90 of which were DUI arrests. In 2014, Pfc. Kutz earned the Officer of the Year award from the American Legion.
“Pfc. Valerio and Pfc. Kutz are both very driven, ambitious officers who are dedicated to the safety of our roadways,” commented Chief Ross Buzzuro. “They are both exemplary officers that are very deserving of these awards.”
Pfc. Valerio joined the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) as a seasonal public safety aide in 2007. He returned in 2008 as a seasonal police officer and worked each summer until being hired as a full-time police officer in 2012. Pfc. Valerio joined the Traffic Safety Unit in the fall of 2013 and since then, has obtained training in on-scene traffic crash/traffic homicide investigations, advanced traffic crash investigations and crash reconstruction. Pfc. Valerio is also a certified drug recognition expert trained to recognize impairment in drivers who are under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol.
Pfc. Kutz joined the OCPD as a seasonal police officer in 2009 and later was hired as a full-time police officer in 2012. He joined the Traffic Safety Unit in 2012 and has advanced training in traffic crash investigations, drug and alcohol impaired driving investigations and breath test instruments. In 2015, Pfc. Kutz made 1,722 traffic stops and 160 arrests; 90 of which were DUI arrests. In 2014, Pfc. Kutz earned the Officer of the Year award from the American Legion.
Was There Something Wrong With America Back Then?
Andy Griffith Show - Opie's Allowance
Posted by Jernigan Landing on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Spring Season Brings Chances for Hazardous Weather in Maryland
March 21-25 is Severe Storms Awareness Week
REISTERSTOWN, Md. — Maryland Severe Storms Awareness Week begins today and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is teaming up with the National Weather Service and local emergency managers to promote citizen awareness and preparedness. During spring, Maryland is at risk for heavy rainstorms, flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail and lightning. All of these hazards typically occur throughout the state every year; however, residents can “be weather prepared” by ensuring that they know how to receive warnings and practice safety tips.
“The spring brings warm weather and more time spent outdoors but this season is also the time of year when we can experience dangerous thunderstorms, flooding, and even tornadoes,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Marylanders should follow the advice of local and state officials and also use common sense when severe weather is in the forecast.”
The National Weather Service emphasizes that the mid-Atlantic region is at risk for flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, and lightning storms every year. “Maryland experiences severe storms regularly during the spring,” said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christopher Strong. “Our area is particularly at risk for damaging winds and flooding. We also see hailstorms and even tornadoes. In fact, Maryland has had nearly 100 tornadoes in the past ten years.”
The National Weather Service and MEMA work closely together and with local government agencies to identify and monitor severe weather systems, develop preparedness plans and safety information and coordinate the response to these storms.
“Severe Storms Awareness Week is a reminder that hazardous weather regularly occurs in Maryland,” said Russ Strickland, Executive Director of MEMA. “If a strong storm is in the forecast or you receive an alert or warning, first, get indoors, then, communicate with your neighbors, friends and family to make sure they’re aware of the situation and are safe.”
REISTERSTOWN, Md. — Maryland Severe Storms Awareness Week begins today and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is teaming up with the National Weather Service and local emergency managers to promote citizen awareness and preparedness. During spring, Maryland is at risk for heavy rainstorms, flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail and lightning. All of these hazards typically occur throughout the state every year; however, residents can “be weather prepared” by ensuring that they know how to receive warnings and practice safety tips.
“The spring brings warm weather and more time spent outdoors but this season is also the time of year when we can experience dangerous thunderstorms, flooding, and even tornadoes,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Marylanders should follow the advice of local and state officials and also use common sense when severe weather is in the forecast.”
The National Weather Service emphasizes that the mid-Atlantic region is at risk for flooding, damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, and lightning storms every year. “Maryland experiences severe storms regularly during the spring,” said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Christopher Strong. “Our area is particularly at risk for damaging winds and flooding. We also see hailstorms and even tornadoes. In fact, Maryland has had nearly 100 tornadoes in the past ten years.”
The National Weather Service and MEMA work closely together and with local government agencies to identify and monitor severe weather systems, develop preparedness plans and safety information and coordinate the response to these storms.
“Severe Storms Awareness Week is a reminder that hazardous weather regularly occurs in Maryland,” said Russ Strickland, Executive Director of MEMA. “If a strong storm is in the forecast or you receive an alert or warning, first, get indoors, then, communicate with your neighbors, friends and family to make sure they’re aware of the situation and are safe.”
Trump reportedly to Meet with Top Republicans
Donald Trump will reportedly meet Monday in Washington with nearly two dozen influential Republicans, with the apparent hope of improving relations with the GOP establishment.
The Republican presidential front-runner will be in the nation’s capital to speak at the annual policy conference for AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major pro-Israel group.
Trump’s meeting with Republican lawmakers and other party leaders, as first reported by The Washington Post, will be his first major discussion with them since last fall, when he was on Capitol Hill to protest President Obama’s Iranian nuclear agreement.
The off-the-record meeting was reportedly organized in part by Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions, who has endorsed Trump.
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The Republican presidential front-runner will be in the nation’s capital to speak at the annual policy conference for AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major pro-Israel group.
Trump’s meeting with Republican lawmakers and other party leaders, as first reported by The Washington Post, will be his first major discussion with them since last fall, when he was on Capitol Hill to protest President Obama’s Iranian nuclear agreement.
The off-the-record meeting was reportedly organized in part by Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions, who has endorsed Trump.
More
ISIS: Coming to a College Campus Near You?
Faisal Mohammad, 18, wounded four students in a knife attack before a campus police officer shot and killed him. Federal authorities now say Mohammad had ISIS propaganda on his laptop and other evidence proving he frequented the Islamic terrorists’ websites, the Associated Press reported.
Law enforcement agencies initially said Mohammad’s attack was not terror-related despite the fact that he was found with an ISIS flag and a manifesto to behead his fellow students.
Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said early on that FBI agents looked into Mohammad’s background and family and found nothing to indicate terrorist ties, WND reported Nov. 5, 2015. Authorities also moved quickly to scrub Mohammad’s social-media websites before releasing his name.
Source: WND
Your Prescription Information Isn’t Really Private
Who sees your prescription information? No, there are more people involved than just the pharmacists and technicians at your local drugstore and your doctor and his or her employees. Information about your medications can also end up with data miners, insurance companies other than your health insurer, and companies that your pharmacy does business with.
Your Marty McFly Dreams Are Coming True: Nike Debuting Self-Lacing Sneakers
If you weren’t one of the lucky few to snag a pair of Nike’s special edition Air Mag self-lacing shoes last year, don’t give up hope — your Marty McFly dreams may still come true this very year: Nike unveiled sneakers with self-lacing technology, as well as sensors that adjust the sneaker’s fit.
Though it won’t be quite as automatic as when Marty steps into his Back to the Future: Part II kicks, the HyperAdapt Trainer 1.0 will have buttons on either side of the shoe to tighten or loosen the grip on your foot, reports the Wall Street Journal.
When users step into the shoe a sensor is triggered that conforms it to the wearer’s foot. The laces are then tightened or loosened by pressing buttons near the ankle, which, again, isn’t the full Marty experience, but Nike said it hopes to someday make a version without the manual buttons.
Pricing information hasn’t been released yet, but we don’t expect these sneaks to come cheap.
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Though it won’t be quite as automatic as when Marty steps into his Back to the Future: Part II kicks, the HyperAdapt Trainer 1.0 will have buttons on either side of the shoe to tighten or loosen the grip on your foot, reports the Wall Street Journal.
When users step into the shoe a sensor is triggered that conforms it to the wearer’s foot. The laces are then tightened or loosened by pressing buttons near the ankle, which, again, isn’t the full Marty experience, but Nike said it hopes to someday make a version without the manual buttons.
Pricing information hasn’t been released yet, but we don’t expect these sneaks to come cheap.
More
Driver Ticketed After Police See Facebook Video Of Him Ignoring A Stop Sign
A man in Colorado recently received a traffic ticket for blowing through a Stop sign — not because a police officer witnessed the violation in person, but because the driver posted video of the incident on Facebook.
CBS Denver reports that the driver made the video to demonstrate how he avoids traffic in his area by cutting through the parking lot of an apartment complex.
(We’re not sure why exactly you’d want to share that information with the world, as it could only result in more people using that shortcut, thereby increasing the traffic on your previously secret route, but oh well.)
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CBS Denver reports that the driver made the video to demonstrate how he avoids traffic in his area by cutting through the parking lot of an apartment complex.
(We’re not sure why exactly you’d want to share that information with the world, as it could only result in more people using that shortcut, thereby increasing the traffic on your previously secret route, but oh well.)
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Automatic Emergency Braking To Be Standard In Cars By 2022
A number of cars being sold today already have forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking as available optional safety features, but automakers and federal regulators have reached a deal that will make these features standard in almost every car sold in the U.S. by 2022.
Numerous media outlets, including our colleagues at Consumer Reports, are reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will announce tomorrow that it has reached an agreement with car manufacturers to put these features in almost all the cars they make starting with 2022. That timeline will be extended for all manual transmission vehicles, along with some heavier (more than 8,500 pounds) pickup trucks and SUVs. Commercial trucks are not yet part of the agreement.
The Detroit News names Ford, Fiat Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, and Toyota among the manufacturers that have agreed to the timeline.
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Numerous media outlets, including our colleagues at Consumer Reports, are reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will announce tomorrow that it has reached an agreement with car manufacturers to put these features in almost all the cars they make starting with 2022. That timeline will be extended for all manual transmission vehicles, along with some heavier (more than 8,500 pounds) pickup trucks and SUVs. Commercial trucks are not yet part of the agreement.
The Detroit News names Ford, Fiat Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, and Toyota among the manufacturers that have agreed to the timeline.
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SU Contributes Over $480 Million Annually to Local Economy
With a community of some 10,500 students, faculty and staff, SU has had an increasingly positive impact on the area economy, growing by some $130 million in the last decade. A steady, planned increase in student population; hiring of new faculty and staff; and a dynamic reconfiguration of the physical campus with several notable construction projects have been hallmarks of the expansion.
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If You Thought Texting & Driving Fines Were Bad Here...
The Alaska Senate voted unanimously to change the penalty for texting from a misdemeanor to a $500 fine. Under current law, anyone caught texting while driving could face a $10,000 fine and up to one year in jail, but the law has been difficult to enforce.
RADICAL LEFTISTS UNLEASH ANTI-TRUMP RIOTS STARTING ON MARCH 19TH
Now there is a very organized effort to turn this into a national movement
Many of the exact same groups that participated in Occupy Wall Street and helped organize protest rallies in Ferguson and Baltimore are now promising to bring us “the largest civil disobedience actions in a generation”.
I recently wrote about the trouble that radical leftists have caused by attempting to disrupt Trump campaign events, but now there is a very organized effort to turn this into a national movement. On March 19th, thousands of angry protesters will descend on Trump Tower in New York City to denounce Donald Trump’s “fascist policies”, and on April 2nd dozens of leftist organizations will join together to launch “Democracy Spring” in Philadelphia. From there, large numbers of liberal activists will march to Washington D.C. where they will “risk arrest” during a “peaceful” sit-in at the U.S. Capitol from April 11th to April 18th. If the radical left is this freaked out about Donald Trump now, how bad will things get if he actually becomes the Republican nominee?
I suppose that it was only a matter of time before the radical left began to specifically target Trump properties. I hope that Trump has good security, because it will definitely be tested starting today…
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Many of the exact same groups that participated in Occupy Wall Street and helped organize protest rallies in Ferguson and Baltimore are now promising to bring us “the largest civil disobedience actions in a generation”.
I recently wrote about the trouble that radical leftists have caused by attempting to disrupt Trump campaign events, but now there is a very organized effort to turn this into a national movement. On March 19th, thousands of angry protesters will descend on Trump Tower in New York City to denounce Donald Trump’s “fascist policies”, and on April 2nd dozens of leftist organizations will join together to launch “Democracy Spring” in Philadelphia. From there, large numbers of liberal activists will march to Washington D.C. where they will “risk arrest” during a “peaceful” sit-in at the U.S. Capitol from April 11th to April 18th. If the radical left is this freaked out about Donald Trump now, how bad will things get if he actually becomes the Republican nominee?
I suppose that it was only a matter of time before the radical left began to specifically target Trump properties. I hope that Trump has good security, because it will definitely be tested starting today…
More