 |
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: March 24, 2019
Time: 4:35 p.m.
Location / Address: 4553 Allen Road, Salisbury, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: One story wood frame single family dwelling
Owner / Occupants: Jennifer Corbin and David Smith (Occupants)
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $80,000 Contents: $20,000
Smoke Alarm Status: Present, activated
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Fruitland Fire Department
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 21
Time to Control: 18 minutes
Discovered By: Occupants
Area of Origin: Bedroom
Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation
Additional Information: Anyone with information is asked to call the Salisbury Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal at (410) 713-3780.
 |
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, March 25, 2019
NOI 3/24/19 Wicomico Dwelling Fire Allen Road
'Too Big To Sell' - Boomers Trapped In McMansions As Retirement Looms
Wealthy baby boomers are trapped in homes that are too big to sell. They want to downsize but can't get what they paid.
This was guaranteed to happen, and did. Baby boomers and retirees built large, elaborate dream homes only to find that few people want to buy them.
Large, high-end homes across the Sunbelt are sitting on the market, enduring deep price cuts to sell.
That is a far different picture than 15 years ago, when retirees were rushing to build elaborate, five or six-bedroom houses in warm climates, fueled in part by the easy credit of the real estate boom. Many baby boomers poured millions into these spacious homes, planning to live out their golden years in houses with all the bells and whistles.
Now, many boomers are discovering that these large, high-maintenance houses no longer fit their needs as they grow older, but younger people aren’t buying them.
More
This was guaranteed to happen, and did. Baby boomers and retirees built large, elaborate dream homes only to find that few people want to buy them.
Large, high-end homes across the Sunbelt are sitting on the market, enduring deep price cuts to sell.
That is a far different picture than 15 years ago, when retirees were rushing to build elaborate, five or six-bedroom houses in warm climates, fueled in part by the easy credit of the real estate boom. Many baby boomers poured millions into these spacious homes, planning to live out their golden years in houses with all the bells and whistles.
Now, many boomers are discovering that these large, high-maintenance houses no longer fit their needs as they grow older, but younger people aren’t buying them.
More
BAM: Tucker Runs Down a List of Democratic Party Shills Who 'Lied' When They Pushed Collusion Theory
During his Friday night show, Fox News' Tucker Carlson took viewers on a trip down memory lane. He played various clips from Congressmen, former CIA directors and talking heads that claimed President Donald Trump and others would be indicted for alleged collusion with Russia.
As we know, Special Counsel Robert Mueller has no more indictments, which includes President Trump.
According to Tucker, those who have made television appearances have done nothing but lie to the American people.
"The people on TV have been lying to you. They'll deny it now and will tell you this was always about Trump's taxes or some foreign real estate deal or hush money he paid to a girlfriend. That's a crock," Carlson explained. "This investigation was always, from day one, about collusion with Russia, about betraying this country. They told us that for years. And we have the tape."
More
As we know, Special Counsel Robert Mueller has no more indictments, which includes President Trump.
According to Tucker, those who have made television appearances have done nothing but lie to the American people.
"The people on TV have been lying to you. They'll deny it now and will tell you this was always about Trump's taxes or some foreign real estate deal or hush money he paid to a girlfriend. That's a crock," Carlson explained. "This investigation was always, from day one, about collusion with Russia, about betraying this country. They told us that for years. And we have the tape."
More
Police Body Cameras Aren't Having the Effects Many Expected
For years, many people hailed body-worn cameras as a potential key to improving police transparency and strengthening often-fractured relationships with the communities they serve. But so far, academic research suggests the technology largely hasn't lived up to those expectations.
That’s the conclusion of a new report from the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University.
Researchers reviewed 70 empirical studies on body cameras' effects, ranging from officer and citizen behavior to influences on law enforcement agencies as a whole. While much of the research remains mixed, it counters some promised benefits of body cameras at a time when departments are increasingly adopting the technology.
More
That’s the conclusion of a new report from the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University.
Researchers reviewed 70 empirical studies on body cameras' effects, ranging from officer and citizen behavior to influences on law enforcement agencies as a whole. While much of the research remains mixed, it counters some promised benefits of body cameras at a time when departments are increasingly adopting the technology.
More
More than a thousand migrants dropped off in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (WOAI/KABB) - Catholic Charities estimates 5000 migrants have crossed the Texas/Mexico border this past week, now they are in their care.
Catholic Charities said more than a thousand migrants have been dropped off to the San Antonio Greyhound bus station.
This comes after overcrowded detention centers started releasing migrants.
"This past week has been very long for us, a lot of people crossing the border, a lot of people coming to San Antonio," Catholic Charities CEO Antonio Fernandez said.
More
Catholic Charities said more than a thousand migrants have been dropped off to the San Antonio Greyhound bus station.
This comes after overcrowded detention centers started releasing migrants.
"This past week has been very long for us, a lot of people crossing the border, a lot of people coming to San Antonio," Catholic Charities CEO Antonio Fernandez said.
More
JUDICIAL WATCH UNCOVERS 756 PAGES OF NEW HILLARY EMAILS THAT SHE TRIED TO DESTROY, SEVERAL WERE CLASSIFIED
(Washington, DC) — Judicial Watch today announced it received 756 pages of newly uncovered emails that were among the materials former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tried to delete or destroy, several of which were classified and were transmitted over her unsecure, non-“state.gov” email system.
Hillary Clinton repeatedly stated that the 55,000 pages of documents she turned over to the State Department in December 2014 included all of her work-related emails. In response to a court order in another Judicial Watch case, she declared under penalty of perjury in 2015 that she had “directed that all my emails on clintonemail.com in my custody that were or are potentially federal records be provided to the Department of State, and on information and belief, this has been done.”
In 2017, the FBI uncovered 72,000 pages of documents Clinton attempted to delete or did not otherwise disclose. Until the court intervened and established a new deadline, the State Department had been slow-walking the release of those documents at a rate that would have required Judicial Watch and the American people to wait until at least 2020 to see all the releasable Clinton material. The production of documents in this case is now concluded with the FBI being only able to recover or find approximately 5,000 of the 33,000 government emails Hillary Clinton took and tried to destroy.
More
Hillary Clinton repeatedly stated that the 55,000 pages of documents she turned over to the State Department in December 2014 included all of her work-related emails. In response to a court order in another Judicial Watch case, she declared under penalty of perjury in 2015 that she had “directed that all my emails on clintonemail.com in my custody that were or are potentially federal records be provided to the Department of State, and on information and belief, this has been done.”
In 2017, the FBI uncovered 72,000 pages of documents Clinton attempted to delete or did not otherwise disclose. Until the court intervened and established a new deadline, the State Department had been slow-walking the release of those documents at a rate that would have required Judicial Watch and the American people to wait until at least 2020 to see all the releasable Clinton material. The production of documents in this case is now concluded with the FBI being only able to recover or find approximately 5,000 of the 33,000 government emails Hillary Clinton took and tried to destroy.
More
Businesses, Residents Plan to Leave New York
Several companies are relocating from the Empire State, numerous businesses have announced they are closing shop altogether citing economic reasons, and a new poll shows a third of New York residents plan to move because they can't afford to stay.
A review of the New York Department of Labor WARN notices shows several companies are relocating to other states. Private sector employers that have more than 50 employees must file a notice before closing a plant and must also notify the state when they are laying off 33 percent of their workforce.
AllianceBernstein, an investment management and research company, announced in its latest filing more worker layoffs are planned in May as it is moving its corporate headquarters to Nashville, Tenn. The company has been transitioning to Tennessee and laying off its workers incrementally.
The company did not respond to a request for comment.
More
A review of the New York Department of Labor WARN notices shows several companies are relocating to other states. Private sector employers that have more than 50 employees must file a notice before closing a plant and must also notify the state when they are laying off 33 percent of their workforce.
AllianceBernstein, an investment management and research company, announced in its latest filing more worker layoffs are planned in May as it is moving its corporate headquarters to Nashville, Tenn. The company has been transitioning to Tennessee and laying off its workers incrementally.
The company did not respond to a request for comment.
More
Google Downplays Searches for News of No New Indictments in Mueller Probe
Google search is hiding auto-completed text related to the Robert Mueller special counsel investigation, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis.
Mueller's investigation has finished with no further indictments, the culmination of a story that has dominated the news for the better part of two years. But the most popular search engine is avoiding the topic.
Using Google search on multiple browsers and on private-browsing mode, the Free Beacon found Google search had an aversion to the search term "indictment."
Using either "Trump" or "Mueller" as the subject, the following word "indictment" was not suggested even after spelling out most of it. For example, putting "Trump indi" into Google’s search bar does not lead to "Trump indictment" but rather to "Trump India," "Trump India Pakistan," Trump India tariffs," and "Trump Indiana."
More
Mueller's investigation has finished with no further indictments, the culmination of a story that has dominated the news for the better part of two years. But the most popular search engine is avoiding the topic.
Using Google search on multiple browsers and on private-browsing mode, the Free Beacon found Google search had an aversion to the search term "indictment."
Using either "Trump" or "Mueller" as the subject, the following word "indictment" was not suggested even after spelling out most of it. For example, putting "Trump indi" into Google’s search bar does not lead to "Trump indictment" but rather to "Trump India," "Trump India Pakistan," Trump India tariffs," and "Trump Indiana."
More
Salisbury University Student Found Guilty In Wiretapping Case
A student and political activist in Maryland has pleaded guilty to illegally wiretapping a congressional staffer and putting the conversation on Facebook Live without consent.
The state prosecutor's office said Monday a plea agreement was reached with Jake Burdett, a 21-year-old Salisbury University student. Under the agreement, Burdett will receive probation before judgment and 100 hours of community service.
In a statement, prosecutors said that Burdett, an advocate for the group Maryland Marijuana Justice, had participated in a rally in front of the Salisbury Office for Congressman Andy Harris in October of 2018. “When a Congressional Staffer of Congressman Harris offered to meet with the group, Burdett and a few others agreed to meet with the Staffer in his office, which could only seat a few people,” prosecutors explained. “Noticing people from this small group on their phones, different members of Congressman Harris’s staff notified the group that they were not allowed to record in the office because of the long-standing office policy.”
More
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/facebook-live-post-sparks-controversy-results-in-students-wiretapping-guilty-plea
The state prosecutor's office said Monday a plea agreement was reached with Jake Burdett, a 21-year-old Salisbury University student. Under the agreement, Burdett will receive probation before judgment and 100 hours of community service.
In a statement, prosecutors said that Burdett, an advocate for the group Maryland Marijuana Justice, had participated in a rally in front of the Salisbury Office for Congressman Andy Harris in October of 2018. “When a Congressional Staffer of Congressman Harris offered to meet with the group, Burdett and a few others agreed to meet with the Staffer in his office, which could only seat a few people,” prosecutors explained. “Noticing people from this small group on their phones, different members of Congressman Harris’s staff notified the group that they were not allowed to record in the office because of the long-standing office policy.”
More
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/facebook-live-post-sparks-controversy-results-in-students-wiretapping-guilty-plea
*Update #4* Victim Identified and Laurel Man Indicted on Murder Charges
The investigation began on March 9, 2019 at approximately 7:24 a.m., when Troopers were dispatched to S. Shell Bridge Road in the area of Broad Creek Estates for a victim that was found deceased on the side of the roadway. It was later determined that the cause and manner of death was ruled a homicide, sustained from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.
The victim has been identified by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science as 34-year-old Tia A. Tucker of Seaford.
Through further investigations, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit identified the suspect as 32-year-old Joseph Beck (photo 2010). On March 25, 2019, Beck was indicted on the following charges:
- Murder First Degree
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
- Abuse of Corpse
Beck is currently being held in Virginia, awaiting his extradition back to Delaware.
The case continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit.
CLICK READ MORE to see the previous press releases.
CNN analyst Mark Geragos said to be Avenatti’s alleged co-conspirator
The alleged co-conspirator in an extortion case against celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti is believed to be CNN legal analyst Mark Geragos.
Geragos, 61, was not named in the criminal complaint against Avenatti. Two people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that the co-conspirator, referred to in the document as "CC-1", a California attorney "known for representation of celebrity and public figure clients," was Geragos. It is not known whether Geragos has been charged or is cooperating with investigators.
A CNN spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Monday afternoon that Geragos is "no longer a CNN contributor."
One of the best-known criminal defense lawyers in America, Geragos' clients have included footballer Colin Kaepernick, the late singer Michael Jackson, actress Winona Ryder, former congressman Gary Condit, jailed Clinton associate Susan McDougal, murderer Scott Peterson, former hockey player Scott Barney, and actor Jussie Smollett.
More
Geragos, 61, was not named in the criminal complaint against Avenatti. Two people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that the co-conspirator, referred to in the document as "CC-1", a California attorney "known for representation of celebrity and public figure clients," was Geragos. It is not known whether Geragos has been charged or is cooperating with investigators.
A CNN spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Monday afternoon that Geragos is "no longer a CNN contributor."
One of the best-known criminal defense lawyers in America, Geragos' clients have included footballer Colin Kaepernick, the late singer Michael Jackson, actress Winona Ryder, former congressman Gary Condit, jailed Clinton associate Susan McDougal, murderer Scott Peterson, former hockey player Scott Barney, and actor Jussie Smollett.
More
Officials Now Looking for Evidence of Fraud in Military Housing Scandal
Military families went years with no one in leadership paying attention to their complaints of unhealthy and dangerous living conditions in on-base housing.
The top brass is listening now.
In the past several weeks, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force have visited military bases, viewing substandard homes and speaking with families. Lawmakers have traveled to installations in their districts for a first-hand look at living conditions. Staff members of influential congressional committees have flown far and wide to understand the scope of the issue.
And in these visits, they may be building cases against the eight major companies that hold the contracts to manage base housing.
More
The top brass is listening now.
In the past several weeks, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force have visited military bases, viewing substandard homes and speaking with families. Lawmakers have traveled to installations in their districts for a first-hand look at living conditions. Staff members of influential congressional committees have flown far and wide to understand the scope of the issue.
And in these visits, they may be building cases against the eight major companies that hold the contracts to manage base housing.
More
WCSO: Fatal Collision – Upper Ferry Road
UPDATE
Incident: Fatal Collision – Upper Ferry Road
Date of Incident: March 24, 2019
Location: Upper Ferry at Wicomico River
Deputies identified the body of Sara Stilwell, age 47, of Salisbury, who was recovered from the Wicomico river on March 24, 2019 at approximately 1630 hours. Sara’s vehicle collided with a street sign and then the cable barrier at the ferry ramp before the vehicle continued into the river. The vehicle was recovered on March 25, 2019 at approximately 1100 hours and towed from the scene. Both the body and the vehicle recovery were conducted with assistance from the MSP Dive Team.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash, which is believed to have occurred on March 23, 2019 at approximately 2030 hours.
If anyone has any information that may assist in this investigation, please contact Cpl. Scott Hamilton of the CRU, 410-548-4892, ext 222.
Releasing Authority: Cpl. Scott Hamilton
Date: March 25, 2019
Human Rights Activist: Islamists Murdered 70,000 Christians in Nigeria over Last 20 Years
Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, told Breitbart News that Islamists murdered 70,000 Christians in Nigeria over the last 20 years. He joined Thursday’s edition of SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Tonight with host Rebecca Mansour and special guest host Dylan Gwinn.
“We don’t always get the press,” said King of many news media outlets’ disinterest in persecution of Christians. “It is absolutely the case [that Christians are the most persecuted faith].”
King added, “A lot of people don’t know that … in Nigeria, probably 70,000 Christians have been murdered in the last 20 years by Islamists, and that’s just scratching the surface. It’s going on all over. There’s a spectrum to the oppression.”
On March 16, Breitbart News reported of Nigerian Muslim militants killing 120 Christians over a three-week period, saying, “The recent death toll of Christians in Nigeria has reached 120 with this week’s slaughter of more than 50 by Fulani Muslim militants in the Kaduna state of Nigeria, the Christian Post reported.”
More
“We don’t always get the press,” said King of many news media outlets’ disinterest in persecution of Christians. “It is absolutely the case [that Christians are the most persecuted faith].”
King added, “A lot of people don’t know that … in Nigeria, probably 70,000 Christians have been murdered in the last 20 years by Islamists, and that’s just scratching the surface. It’s going on all over. There’s a spectrum to the oppression.”
On March 16, Breitbart News reported of Nigerian Muslim militants killing 120 Christians over a three-week period, saying, “The recent death toll of Christians in Nigeria has reached 120 with this week’s slaughter of more than 50 by Fulani Muslim militants in the Kaduna state of Nigeria, the Christian Post reported.”
More
People Are Removing The Inside Of Their Ears As Part of Bizarre New Trend, and We Are So Confused
Oh, what is Conch Removal? Well, it’s a new body modification trend where people are getting the inside of their ears removed. Yes, their whole inside, and I’m not really sure what the point of it is. Chai Maibert, who owns the Calm Body Modification Studio in Stockholm shared photos of the removal, saying he thought this was a trend that people will eventually catch up to. Which I’m really hoping they don’t, but hey, people can surprise you from one day to the next.
More
WICOMICO COUNTY TO OPEN SAFE STATION FOR THOSE SEEKING TREATMENT
WICOMICO COUNTY TO OPEN SAFE STATION FOR THOSE SEEKING TREATMENT
(March 25, 2019, Salisbury, Maryland) The Wicomico County Health Department is pleased to announce that through close collaboration with Mid-Shore Behavioral Health, state opioid response (S.O.R) grant funding has been awarded to implement and operate a Safe Station location within the county. The Safe Station will play an important role in the treatment and recovery services that are offered in Wicomico County by closing gaps and barriers that may exist for individuals seeking treatment.
A Safe Station is an identified location where individuals seeking treatment for an addiction can visit anytime, day or night, to find assistance in gaining access to care. Traditionally, a Safe Station is located within a police or fire department, but Wicomico County will be taking a unique approach by utilizing our local Recovery Resource Center. “We are looking forward to providing this much needed service in an effort to remove barriers that may keep people from seeking treatment,” says Curtis Paul, executive director of the Recovery Resource Center.
Behavioral health has been clearly identified as a priority for the county. Additionally, combating the opioid crisis requires the joint utilization of peer support programs combined with behavioral health systems that support both treatment and recovery. Wicomico County Health Department will be working closely with numerous community partners including the Recovery Resource Center, Hudson Health Services LLC., Go-Getters, City of Salisbury Emergency Medical Services, and the Community Outreach Addictions Team. Although the date of full operations has not yet been determined, staff is working diligently to ensure that this much needed resource will be in full operational capacity as soon as possible. The public will be notified of this date as more information is made available.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, you can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org or by calling 211 and pressing 1. You can also contact Wicomico County’s Community Outreach Addictions Team (COAT) at 443-783-6875.
GM says it will invest $300 million in its Orion plant after Trump criticism
General Motors is announcing plans to add 400 jobs and build a new electric vehicle at a factory north of Detroit. The $300 million investment comes less than a week after a series of critical tweets from President Donald Trump over the closure of GM's Lordstown, Ohio factory.
The company says the investment in its Orion Township, Michigan plant will enable the factory to manufacture a Chevrolet vehicle based on the battery-powered Bolt.
GM wouldn't say when the new workers will start or when the new vehicle will go on sale, nor would it say if the workers will be new hires or come from a pool of laid-off workers from the planned closings of four U.S. factories by January. Mr. Trump last weekend publicly aired his discontent over the Lordstown factory's closure, issuing a series of tweets that urged the automaker to either sell or reopen the plant.
More
The company says the investment in its Orion Township, Michigan plant will enable the factory to manufacture a Chevrolet vehicle based on the battery-powered Bolt.
GM wouldn't say when the new workers will start or when the new vehicle will go on sale, nor would it say if the workers will be new hires or come from a pool of laid-off workers from the planned closings of four U.S. factories by January. Mr. Trump last weekend publicly aired his discontent over the Lordstown factory's closure, issuing a series of tweets that urged the automaker to either sell or reopen the plant.
More
Beto O’Rourke: “I Was Only Arrested Because of My Nickname”
El Paso, TX – The 1990’s were a mix of punk band shows, spending family dollars and getting arrested for Texas Presidential hopeful Robert “Beto” Francis O’Rourke. The former congressman was arrested twice: once for driving while intoxicated and another time for jumping a fence into the University of Texas El Paso Facility (which Beto says proves walls don’t work).
Beto, the candidates nickname for Robert, has never denied being arrested but in an effort to double down on previous claims that police officers are killing unarmed people at a “frightening level” is now raising the stakes even higher that his base will enjoy any anti-cop rhetoric he can muster. Beto happily took to the internet Saturday morning with his normal high energy approach:
Beto, the candidates nickname for Robert, has never denied being arrested but in an effort to double down on previous claims that police officers are killing unarmed people at a “frightening level” is now raising the stakes even higher that his base will enjoy any anti-cop rhetoric he can muster. Beto happily took to the internet Saturday morning with his normal high energy approach:
HAVE I BEEN ARRESTED? YES. HAVE I PARTICIPATED IN INSIDER TRADING? YES. WAS A PART OF A HACKING CULT? YES. DID I WRITE ABOUT A FICTIONAL DESIRE TO KILL CHILDREN? YES. BUT WAS I CAUGHT BECAUSE I HAVE A LATINO NICKNAME? PROBABLY. AT THIS POINT IT’S SAFE TO SAY I WAS ONLY ARRESTED BECAUSE OF MY NICKNAME, WHICH IS DISTINCTLY LATINO.
JUST IN: Michael Avenatti Arrested on Fraud Charges
Celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti has been arrested on charges related to an alleged $20 million extortion of the athletic apparel company Nike, federal authorities said Monday.
A press conference is scheduled to discuss the charges against Avenatti in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon. Avenatti is due to be presented in federal court on Monday.
Avenatti had represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
More
A press conference is scheduled to discuss the charges against Avenatti in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon. Avenatti is due to be presented in federal court on Monday.
Avenatti had represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
More
WITH RUSSIAGATE OVER WHERE’S HILLARY?
During most of the RussiaGate investigation against Donald Trump I kept saying that all roads lead to Hillary Clinton
Anyone with three working brain cells knew this, including ‘Miss’ Maddow, whose tears of disappointment are particularly delicious.
Robert Mueller’s investigation was designed from the beginning to create something out of nothing. It did this admirably.
It was so effective it paralyzed the country for more than two years, just like Europe has been held hostage by Brexit. And all of this because, in the end, the elites I call The Davos Crowd refused to accept that the people no longer believed their lies about the benefits of their neoliberal, globalist agenda.
Universal Basic Income might fix our broken welfare system – Give it the serious, scholarly debate it deserves
One of the most controversial ideas in political circles today is a Universal Basic Income(UBI). If Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka has his way, his state will be at the center of the debate.
Baraka announced last week that Newark will soon launch a pilot program to study the impact of a UBI on the city’s poverty rate. Unfortunately, he provided few details for his plan, making it difficult to evaluate.
The idea of a UBI has drawn increasing interest from both the left and right as either a replacement or supplement for our existing welfare system. It calls for everyone to receive a cash grant from the government without any strings attached. The same check would be available to rich and poor, working or not.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/universal-basic-income-might-fix-our-broken-welfare-system-give-it-the-serious-scholarly-debate-it-deserves
Court denies atheists who wanted pastors to pay more taxes
Last week, an appeals court reversed a previous ruling and protected a Chicago-based pastor and other religious leaders around the country from having their parsonage allowance taken away, which would have resulted in pastors having to pay nearly $1 billion per year in new taxes. This will hopefully be the last attempt by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, an atheist group, to sue to have this particular IRS code 107(2) removed. The provision allows churches, mosques, and synagogues to provide faith leaders a tax-free housing allowance to help them live in the communities they serve. FFRF claimed it violated the establishment clause.
In 2016, FFRF first sued, claiming the federal tax provision violated the establishment clause. Pastor Chris Butler of the Chicago Embassy Church and other religious leaders intervened in an effort to salvage their parsonage allowance. However, in 2017, a district court agreed with FFRF, prompting an appeal from Butler. In October 2018, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, acting as attorneys on behalf of Butler, argued 107(2) was perfectly constitutional.
Last week, the Seventh Circuit ruled that the parsonage allowance is consistent with the nation’s “lengthy tradition of tax exemptions for religion, particularly for church-owned properties.” In a statement, Luke Goodrich, Vice President and Senior Counsel at Becket said, “The tax code treats ministers the same as hundreds of thousands of nonreligious workers who receive tax-exempt housing for their jobs — that’s not special treatment, it’s equal treatment. The court rightly recognized that striking down the parsonage allowance would devastate small, low-income houses of worship in our neediest neighborhoods and would cause needless conflict between church and state.”
More
In 2016, FFRF first sued, claiming the federal tax provision violated the establishment clause. Pastor Chris Butler of the Chicago Embassy Church and other religious leaders intervened in an effort to salvage their parsonage allowance. However, in 2017, a district court agreed with FFRF, prompting an appeal from Butler. In October 2018, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, acting as attorneys on behalf of Butler, argued 107(2) was perfectly constitutional.
Last week, the Seventh Circuit ruled that the parsonage allowance is consistent with the nation’s “lengthy tradition of tax exemptions for religion, particularly for church-owned properties.” In a statement, Luke Goodrich, Vice President and Senior Counsel at Becket said, “The tax code treats ministers the same as hundreds of thousands of nonreligious workers who receive tax-exempt housing for their jobs — that’s not special treatment, it’s equal treatment. The court rightly recognized that striking down the parsonage allowance would devastate small, low-income houses of worship in our neediest neighborhoods and would cause needless conflict between church and state.”
More
MD lawmakers react to Special Counsel's findings
MARYLAND (WBFF) Maryland lawmakers have reacted to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's findings that President Trump's campaign did not conspire or coordinate with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen says, “The Mueller report confirms that the Russians interfered in our 2016 election, a point that President Trump continues to deny. I know our country is relieved that Mueller did not find that the President participated in a criminal conspiracy with Putin and Russia, but the President is simply wrong to claim he has been exonerated with respect to charges that he sought to obstruct justice.
In fact, the Mueller report expressly indicates that they did not reach a determination on that question. It is alarming but perhaps not surprising that Attorney General Barr — who was handpicked by President Trump — would try to exonerate the President of obstructing justice within 48 hours of getting a report that did not reach such a conclusion.
More
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen says, “The Mueller report confirms that the Russians interfered in our 2016 election, a point that President Trump continues to deny. I know our country is relieved that Mueller did not find that the President participated in a criminal conspiracy with Putin and Russia, but the President is simply wrong to claim he has been exonerated with respect to charges that he sought to obstruct justice.
In fact, the Mueller report expressly indicates that they did not reach a determination on that question. It is alarming but perhaps not surprising that Attorney General Barr — who was handpicked by President Trump — would try to exonerate the President of obstructing justice within 48 hours of getting a report that did not reach such a conclusion.
More
Restaurant worker arrested for repeatedly punching and kicking a helpless 78-year-old woman on the New York subway
Police have arrested the suspect caught on camera repeatedly punching and kicking an elderly woman in the face and body on the New York subway.
The horrific incident took place on March 10 around 3.10am at the Nereid Ave Station in the Bronx on a northbound 2 train, and video of it surfaced on social media.
The 78-year-old victim in the attack seemed to do nothing to provoke the merciless assault where she cowers as the man, identified as Marc Gomez, hits her. Other passengers on the train record the incident but fail to intervene.
More
The horrific incident took place on March 10 around 3.10am at the Nereid Ave Station in the Bronx on a northbound 2 train, and video of it surfaced on social media.
The 78-year-old victim in the attack seemed to do nothing to provoke the merciless assault where she cowers as the man, identified as Marc Gomez, hits her. Other passengers on the train record the incident but fail to intervene.
More
Victim Identified In State Prison Inmate Death
(CUMBERLAND, MD) — Maryland State Police identified the victim in the state prison inmate death investigation.
The deceased is identified as Wilbur Moyer, II, 30 years old and an inmate at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Md. Moyer was pronounced deceased at the Western Regional Medical Center. The autopsy results are pending at this time.
Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators are conducting an investigation into Moyer’s death. They are being assisted by investigators from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:40 a.m. this morning, a correctional officer was conducting cell checks when he observed an altercation between two cell mates, one of which was later identified as Moyer. The officer immediately took one of the cellmates, not being identified at this time, into police custody and called for immediate medical assistance for Moyer. Medical staff provided emergency care until Moyer was transported to the Western Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
The scene was processed by Maryland State Police crime scene technicians. State Police investigators are continuing to conduct interviews with prison staff and inmates.
The victim’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation is continuing.
How to end our national nightmare — probe Hillary Clinton again
Now that special counsel Robert Mueller has completed his investigation, it is tempting to breathe a sigh of relief and assume that our long national nightmare is over. Resist the temptation, the assumption is false.
We are not close to the end. Not by a long shot.
In fact, I believe the last two years, as traumatic as they were, will prove to be the easier part of the nightmare, because Mueller dealt only with whether Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia to swing the election. Based on what we know so far, especially that no more indictments are coming, it appears that Mueller’s answer is no, there was no collusion or obstruction of justice.
If true, this is an enormous vindication for Trump, who insisted all along that he had done nothing wrong. Supporters were understandably in a celebratory mood, with some saying on Twitter that it felt like 2016 election night all over again.
More
We are not close to the end. Not by a long shot.
In fact, I believe the last two years, as traumatic as they were, will prove to be the easier part of the nightmare, because Mueller dealt only with whether Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia to swing the election. Based on what we know so far, especially that no more indictments are coming, it appears that Mueller’s answer is no, there was no collusion or obstruction of justice.
If true, this is an enormous vindication for Trump, who insisted all along that he had done nothing wrong. Supporters were understandably in a celebratory mood, with some saying on Twitter that it felt like 2016 election night all over again.
More
Trump team turns tables after Mueller report, calls for investigation into probe's origin
President Trump and his legal team declared total victory Sunday following the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s key findings -- including no evidence of collusion with Russia during the 2016 campaign -- but sought to turn the tables by renewing calls to investigate the investigators.
Trump himself slammed the probe as an “illegal takedown,” as he called Mueller’s report a “complete exoneration” and said it was a “shame” his presidency had to deal with the investigation for two years.
“Hopefully somebody is going to look at the other side,” Trump said. “This was an illegal takedown that failed and hopefully somebody is going to be looking at the other side.”
More
Trump himself slammed the probe as an “illegal takedown,” as he called Mueller’s report a “complete exoneration” and said it was a “shame” his presidency had to deal with the investigation for two years.
“Hopefully somebody is going to look at the other side,” Trump said. “This was an illegal takedown that failed and hopefully somebody is going to be looking at the other side.”
More
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-team-turns-tables-after-mueller-report-calls-for-investigation-into-probe
So Obama knew all along about deep state's bid to Get Trump...
Has President Obama finally been caught in the act? Was he in on the FBI's FISA abuse all along?
Townhall editor Katie Pavlich has dug up something pretty interesting from the trove of newly released emails from the ultra-chatty FBI officials Lisa Page and Andrew McCabe, noted earlier here. She writes:
She cites this news report from Fox News as the indicator:
Townhall editor Katie Pavlich has dug up something pretty interesting from the trove of newly released emails from the ultra-chatty FBI officials Lisa Page and Andrew McCabe, noted earlier here. She writes:
Next, while Page and McCabe are refusing to clarify, it appears the Obama White House may have been directly briefed on the matter.
She cites this news report from Fox News as the indicator:
On Oct. 14, 2016, Page again wrote to McCabe, this time concerning a meeting with the White House.More
“Just called," Page said to McCabe. "Apparently the DAG [Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates] now wants to be there, and WH wants DOJ to host. So we are setting that up now. ... We will very much need to get Cohen’s view before we meet with her. Better, have him weigh in with her before the meeting. We need to speak with one voice, if that is in fact the case.” ("Cohen" is likely then-Deputy CIA Director David Cohen.)
Dershowitz: This Is a ‘Very, Very Bad Day for CNN’ — ‘They Should Be Hanging Their Head in Shame’
Sunday on Fox News Channel following the release of a letter from Attorney General William Barr to Congress about the findings of Department of Justice special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election, Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz offered his reaction.
Dershowitz criticized Mueller for not making a definitive statement on the obstruction of justice claim. However, he also condemned CNN for its handling of the news coverage of the entire Russian-collusion saga.
“This is a good day for the president,” Dershowitz said. “It’s a very, very bad day for CNN. I have to tell you, they should be hanging their head in shame when you think about how many people went out on a limb and predicted there would be indictments for obstruction. There would be indictments for collusion. There would be indictments for this and for that. They made it seem like it was an open-and-shut case. And they misinformed the American public. They have to have some public accountability when you say things that turn out not to be true.”
More
Dershowitz criticized Mueller for not making a definitive statement on the obstruction of justice claim. However, he also condemned CNN for its handling of the news coverage of the entire Russian-collusion saga.
“This is a good day for the president,” Dershowitz said. “It’s a very, very bad day for CNN. I have to tell you, they should be hanging their head in shame when you think about how many people went out on a limb and predicted there would be indictments for obstruction. There would be indictments for collusion. There would be indictments for this and for that. They made it seem like it was an open-and-shut case. And they misinformed the American public. They have to have some public accountability when you say things that turn out not to be true.”
More
Two Arrested for Reckless Endangering-Seaford
Seaford- The Delaware State Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a reckless endangering incident.
The incident occurred on March 23, 2019 at approximately 3:04 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the 26900 block of Sussex Highway, Seaford, for a report of a hit and run complaint. Upon arrival, Troopers located a white BMW in a ditch and learned that the parties involved in the incident were in the Arby’s parking lot in Seaford. Further investigation revealed that the victim, a 38 year-old female was driving on the back roads when a black Dodge Charger was driving aggressively behind her. As the victim pulled onto Sussex Highway, the Charger sideswiped her car causing her to drive into a ditch. The driver of the Charger, was identified as 26-year-old April L. Prior of Seaford. Also present in the Charger during this incident was the victim’s husband, 28- year-old Jeron E. Henry of Delmar. Henry exited the Charger and became disorderly while threatening the victim. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.
Prior and Henry were taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 5.
Prior was charged with the following:
- Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
- Reckless Endanger First Degree
- Conspiracy Second Degree
- Reckless Driving
- Malicious Mischief By a Motor Vehicle
- Failure to Drive in Proper Lane
Prior was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and released on $69,100.00 unsecured bond.
Henry was charged with the following:
- Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony
- Reckless Endanger First Degree
- Conspiracy Second Degree
- Terroristic Threatening
- Disorderly Conduct
Henry was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and released on $69,500.00 unsecured bond.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).