Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Friday, March 13, 2020

NOI 3/12/20 Somerset Dwelling Fire Deal Island Road

new patch

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date:   March 12, 2020
Time:  7:49 p.m.
Location / Address:  10095 Deal Island Road, Deal Island, Somerset Co.
Type of Incident:  Fire
Description of Structure / Property:  1 ½ story wood frame single family dwelling              
Owner / Occupants:  Woodrow and Romona Trimmer
Injuries or Deaths:  None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure:  $130,000                      Contents: $20,000
Smoke Alarm Status:  Present and activated
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status:  n/a
Arrests(s):  n/a
Primary Responding Fire Department:  Deal Island Volunteer Fire Company
# of Alarms:  2     # Of Firefighters:  30
Time to Control:  60 minutes
Discovered By:  Occupant
Area of Origin:  Living room
Preliminary Cause: Accidental, combustibles too close to heat lamp
Additional Information:  

Jeff

Statement From Governor Hogan Regarding Legislative Session


Statement From Governor Hogan Regarding Legislative Session
Calls on Lawmakers to Immediately Pass Budget, Confirm State Police Superintendent, Approve Emergency COVID-19 Measures

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:

“With Maryland in a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature’s sole focus should be those measures immediately necessary to protect the public health and safety of Marylanders.

“Members of the General Assembly must take these three actions no later than Tuesday, March 17:

1) Approve the FY21 budget to assure the government remains open and functioning.

2) Confirm Colonel Woodrow J. Jones as Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

3) Pass the emergency legislation to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our state.

“It is impossible at this time to know how long this public health emergency will continue, and it is critical for legislators to take these actions immediately in the event that this rapidly evolving situation requires them to immediately adjourn.”

The Simpsons 'predicted' Tom Hanks would get coronavirus! Actor made a cameo in 2007's big-screen version in which he 'isolated' himself and stated 'If you see me in person, leave me be!'

Fans of The Simpsons believe that the show predicted actor Tom Hanks would be struck with the coronavirus.

The iconic animated TV show has been known to foresee major world events - from Donald Trump's presidency to the discovery of a three-eyed mutant fish to the erection of London skyscraper The Shard.

The show previously 'predicted' the coronavirus itself - with 1993 episode Marge In Chains featuring a far-eastern virus sweeping the planet and infecting the residents of Springfield.

More

Coronavirus: What happens if Trump invokes Stafford Act and declares national emergency?

Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic has invoked the Stafford Act, which makes millions of dollars in federal funding available to state and local authorities as the US mobilises against the outbreak.

The creation of the Robert T Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in 1988 enables the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to support local governments during national emergencies by tapping $40bn in federal funds set aside by Congress to provide that relief.

With his declaration on Friday, the president will rely on that aid to help communities set up mobile testing centres — including drive-through swab test clinics — and emergency operation centres in every state, as health workers across the US brace for potential strains on hospitals and other health systems. Mr Trump's emergency declaration could also be used to support more medical staff.

More

Delmarva Suspends Service Disconnections, Waives Late Fees Due To Coronavirus

With officials in Delaware and Maryland and other locations declaring a state of emergency in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delmarva Power understands customers may be affected by the ramifications and is taking steps to help, according to Delmarva Spokesman Timothy Stokes.

Stokes said in addition to reminding customers of existing bill assistance resources, the company is taking steps to expand awareness of the programs in place to help customers through temporary or extended financial hardship. Delmarva Power also is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment fees through at least May 1 and will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options.

“We are committed to helping every customer through difficult times, and we know there will be many challenges associated with this pandemic,” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “From programs that provide supplemental support, billing options that spread costs more evenly, to relief of late payment fees, we are taking important steps to support our customers and communities.”

More

Coming to your neighborhood soon

White House Officials Allege Speaker Pelosi Pushed To Include Hyde Amendment Loophole Into Coronavirus Stimulus Plan

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to include a potential way to guarantee federal funding for abortion into the coronavirus economic stimulus plan, according to multiple senior White House officials.

Speaking to the Daily Caller, those officials alleged that while negotiating the stimulus with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Pelosi tried to lobby for “several” provisions that stalled bipartisan commitment to the effort. One was a mandate for up to $1 billion to reimburse laboratory claims, which White House officials say would set a precedent of health spending without protections outlined in the Hyde Amendment.

The Hyde Amendment blocks clinics that perform abortions from receiving federal funding, and Democrats have pushed the Trump administration to end it since he was elected in 2016.

More

A 'highly pathogenic strain' of H5N1 bird flu has been reported in China's Hunan province

A "highly pathogenic" strain of the H5N1 bird flu has been reported in China's Hunan province, Chinese officials said, according to a Saturday report from Reuters.

The outbreak was reported on a farm in the city of Shaoyang in the Hunan province, according to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Of the 7,850 chickens on the farm where the outbreak occurred, 4,500 died of the H5N1 avian flu, Reuters reported.

The Chinese government said it culled 17,828 chickens as a result of the H5N1 outbreak, per Reuters.

Per the United States Geological Survey, the bird flu is deemed "high pathogenic" based on its ability to kill birds.

More

McDonald's worker is ordered to stand trial on food tampering charge 'for spitting on police officer's hamburger bun and rubbing it on the floor'

A California judge has ruled that there is enough evidence to put a former McDonald’s worker on trial for allegedly spitting on a police officer's food.

Tatyana Hargrove, from Bakersfield, smirked during a preliminary hearing on Thursday as she was ordered to stand trial on a felony count of attempting to mingle substances with food and drink.

The presiding judge, however, dismissed a misdemeanor count of battery, citing insufficient evidence.

More

Pocomoke City Police Department Press Release

Pocomoke City Police Department is focusing on staying healthy as Police Officers and staff. We have taken several short term actions in an attempt to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus. To name a few are:

Effective today March 13, 2020. New short term Pocomoke City Police Dept procedures when arriving to the Police Dept:

DUE TO THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE OUTSIDE SPEAKER FOR ASSISTANCE (PUSH THE BLUE BUTTON) OR CALL 410-957-1600 DIAL 0 FROM YOUR VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE IN DANGER PLEASE ADVISE AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED IN.

All requests for police reports will be made via telephone ONLY and will be received via email or fax ONLY. To request police reports please call 410-957-1600 dial Ext 204 or Email Angel@pocomokemd.gov.

All civil fingerprinting will cease until further notice. No exceptions!

Citizens, please expect to be asked questions from our Dispatchers upon requesting for a response from officers:

NEW Call Screening Coronavirus questions:


1. Have you recently traveled?
2. If YES, where, when?.
3. Do you currently have any flu-like symptoms we should be aware of?

This will help the officer prepare for the physical contact with the complainant.

Chief Brumley has provided each officer who has to be in constant contact with citizens, with "staying healthy as a Police Officer" paperwork to assure safety & sanitary procedures. Most importantly Educate yourself, Stay informed and Be safe!!!!

Furthermore, until further notice, we are a Handshake-Free zone!!!! Please be considerate of others and wash your hands regularly!!!

Executive Order From Governor Larry Hogan

 


5:15 pm on 13N in Salisbury near Ponzettis


The wind up key on the back is a nice touch!

The City of Salisbury's COVID-19 Operations Plan

Potomac Man Fatally Shot by Police Attempting to Serve Warrant

Police shot and killed a man in Potomac, Maryland, Thursday while serving a warrant at a house, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police.

Officers were serving a “high risk” warrant for firearms-related offenses at a house in the 12200 block of St. James Road about 4:30 a.m. SWAT officers were entering the house when they encountered the suspect, identified as Duncan Socrates Lemp, 21. Lemp was shot fatally by an officer assigned to the Special Operations Division - Tactical Unit.

Lemp's family released a statement Thursday night saying they are grieving and plan to investigate his death and hold those responsible accountable.

More

Panic in New York: Manhattan stores mobbed as New Yorkers stockpile supplies while Mayor de Blasio issues a desperate plea for calm after declaring state of emergency in the city over coronavirus

Panicked New Yorkers rushed to stock up on essentials forming long lines and clearing shelves of produce as Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in the city due the coronavirus outbreak.

He made the decision on Thursday afternoon saying the last 24 hours had been 'very, very sobering' and that the world had been turned 'upside down' in just a day.

The announcement immediately sparked furious panic shopping from New Yorkers as grocery stores across the city saw chaos and frantic stockpiling with residents fearing the worst.

De Blasio attempted to calm the panic, asking for a stop in the spread of misinformation and stating that Manhattan would not be quarantined.

More

Tyrant Pelosi Smacks Her Hand on Podium, Says It’s Her Way or Nothing When it Comes to Addressing Coronavirus

Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday made it clear during her weekly presser that it’s her way or nothing when it comes to addressing the Coronavirus.

Pelosi smacked her hand on the lectern as she told reporters that she is not willing to negotiate with Republicans and work with them on a Coronavirus response bill.

Congress cannot leave until they can agree to a bill that can pass the House, Senate and be ready for a signature from President Trump.

After delaying a vote on a Coronavirus bill, Pelosi is now saying she will not wait another day to work with Republicans.

More/Video

They’re TRYING to spread it! Sacramento County announces ending all 14-day quarantines and releasing high-risk people into the general public

Now we know the anti-Trump liberals in America are literally trying to spread the virus and make the outbreak worse. Three days ago, Sacramento County announced it was ending all 14-day quarantines of high-risk people who had come into direct contact with coronavirus patients. This is being described by the county as a “shift from containment to mitigation,” meaning they are declaring there’s no longer any point in trying to contain the outbreak (even though they have only 10 confirmed cases in the entire county).

The policy is criminally insane. It flies in the face of every principle of infectious disease containment known to the modern world. This tactic from Sacramento County is ripped right out of the 17th century and smacks of deliberate sabotage to try to spread the virus and worsen the outbreak.

From the Sacramenty County press release:
Sacramento County announced today that it will shift its effort to community mitigation measures that will slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community, protect those who are most vulnerable to severe illness, and allow our health care system to prepare resources to take care of severely ill patients. These new measures will include cessation of 14-day quarantines.
More

President Trump Live

This will be a live video. Once the video is complete you will be able to go back and watch it from the beginning in case you missed part of it.

Missouri SUES Jim Bakker for selling his fake coronavirus cure Silver Solutions after the FDA sent the controversial televangelist a cease and desist letter

The state of Missouri is suing disgraced televangelist Jim Bakker for selling a fake coronavirus cure on his website and show.

Attorney General Eric S Schmitt named Bakker and his production company, Morningside Church Productions, as the defendants in the suit which was filed in the state's circuit court of Stone County.

Both Bakker and the church are based in the state.

The suit states that the defendants 'violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act by falsely promising to consumers that Silver Solution can cure, eliminate, kill, or deactivate coronavirus and/or boost elderly consumers' immune system and help keep them healthy when there is, in fact, no vaccine, pill, potion or other product available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).'

More

INSANITY: New York Allows Minors to Change Sex on Birth Certificates

Last month a transgender (biologically female) child sued the state of New York. The lawsuit was filed because the transgender child wished to change the sex listed on their birth certificate.

Up until this lawsuit, changing the sex designation on a minor’s birth certificate was not allowed under New York law. It was only allowed for adults.

The legal team of the transgender child argued that not being allowed to change the sex listed on one’s birth certificate to match one’s claimed gender identity was a violation of both the 1st and 14th amendments.

More

Tyrannical Oregon Governor Implements Cap And Trade Scheme Via Executive Order

After cap and trade couldn’t pass through the state legislature during the last two legislative sessions, Oregon governor Kate Brown once again channels her inner tyrant and has started to implement the policy via executive order.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reports:
Closing a loop on a pledge she made last year, Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order Tuesday that aims to sharply curb greenhouse gas emissions with a full-court press by government agencies.

The 14-page order comes less than a week after a Republican walkout killed Senate Bill 1530, Democrats’ signature proposal for a cap-and-trade system in Oregon. It contains ambitions that are at once equal to and much broader than that bill.

“The executive branch has a responsibility to the electorate, and a scientific, economic, and moral imperative to reduce [greenhouse gas] emissions,” the order says, “and to reduce the worst risks of climate change and ocean acidification for future generations.”

More

JUST IN: President Trump To Hold Press Conference at 3pm today

How to spot census scams as we get close to Census Day

Census Day is almost here and Maryland's Attorney General's office is partnering up with AARP Maryland and the Census Bureau to make sure you don't fall for any scams.

Invitations to complete the census will begin arriving in mailboxes later this week and for the first time, residents can complete the form online or by phone.

Officials want you to know some census scam warning signs.

"The folks coming to your door will not ask if you're a citizen, they will not ask for your social security number, they will not ask for money or donations of any kind, they will not ask for anything on behalf of a political party, they wont ask for your bank account number, your credit card number, your personal schedule, when you leave for work," officials explained.

More

NEVER FORGET: Pelosi Held Up Vote on Coronavirus So Democrats Could Run Ads Against GOP on Super Tuesday

Speaker Pelosi held up a vote on coronavirus two weeks ago so that Democrats could run ads against Republicans on Super Tuesday.

Now today the Democrats and their mainstream media are blaming Trump for the coronavirus!

There’s a special place in hell for crooked politicians like Pelosi.

Minority leader Kevin McCarthy broke the news on The Ingraham Angle last week following the Super Tuesday vote.

More

Committee Hears Support Behind Special Event Zone Changes; Officials Seek More Tools For Police This Year

OCEAN CITY — The forum was different, but the message was strong and consistent this week as a local delegation testified in Annapolis on proposed legislation strengthening the resort’s motorized special event laws.

Last week, a large contingent from Ocean City testified in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Senate Bill 878, which, among other things, adds the offense of exhibition driving to the original legislation approved by state lawmakers two years ago. Less than a week later, many of those same local delegation members testified in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on sister legislation filed in the House by Delegate Wayne Hartman. The message was clear and concise and delivered with passion for the second time in less than a week.

House Bill 1493 would add the offense of exhibition driving to the existing special event zone legislation. According to the bill’s language, among the offenses under the umbrella of exhibition driving are operating a vehicle in a manner that produces abrupt acceleration or deceleration, skidding, swerving, raucous engine noise, gear grinding or wheels losing contact with the ground. For the first time in the evolution of the special event zone legislation, the potential penalties described in the bill include potential jail time. For example, violations could result in a term of imprisonment not exceeding 60 days, or a fine of $1,000 or both.

More

Officer in Oklahoma who accidentally touches the dangerous street drug fentanyl slowly falls to the floor before he's revived with Narcan

A cop in Oklahoma had a scary fall after coming into contact with fentanyl.

One minute, Sgt. Jim Warring of the Bartlesville Police Department was wearing protective gloves while wrapping up evidence believed to be the dangerous street drug fentanyl.

The next minute, he appears to be losing consciousness, as he slowly begins to fall to the floor.

Not long after, officers rushed in and saw Warring lying on the floor.

Then they quickly administered Narcan to revive him.

The narcotic overdose drug is credited with saving his life.

More/Video

Donald Trump defends his response to coronavirus after admitting a travel ban WITHIN the US is 'possible' if the outbreak 'gets too hot' or 'if somebody gets a little bit out of control'

Donald Trump has defended his response to the coronavirus outbreak hours after admitting that a domestic travel ban is a possibility if COVID-19 gets 'too hot' in certain areas of the US.

The president tweeted: 'Sleepy Joe Biden was in charge of the H1N1 Swine Flu epidemic which killed thousands of people. The response was one of the worst on record. Our response is one of the best, with fast action of border closings & a 78% Approval Rating, the highest on record. His was lowest!'

By Thursday night there were 1,758 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 39 deaths.

It was as Bernie Sanders called out the Trump administration for its 'incompetence and recklessness' as he demanded Thursday that the president declare the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency.

More

SEN. KLAUSMEIER: STUDENT SEX OFFENDERS MUST BE KEPT OFF SCHOOL CAMPUSES

Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County) stressed to panel of Maryland lawmakers on Thursday the urgency of legislation that would require public schools to find off-campus alternative learning arrangements for students who are registered sex offenders.

Senate Bill 1052 prohibits students who are registered sex offenders from attending places on school campuses. This emergency bill is needed to ensure the safety of Maryland students,” Klausmeier said at a Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing.

“As you probably are well aware, a registered sex offender was enrolled in a local high school in Baltimore County in my district. And while he attended classes he committed another sex offense. Under current law a student who is a registrant is allowed to attend classes on school campuses if they have permission from the superintendent, the local school board or the principal of the school.”

Klausmeier hammered her point home.

More

PolitiFact fact-checks obvious joke about Hillary Clinton

The absolute worst media trend of the Trump era has been the war on jokes.

From Snopes fact-checking the Babylon Bee to the New York Times writing entire reports on the dangers of political comedy, nothing has been dumber these last three years than the media’s vilification of humor.

It should not go unnoticed, by the way, that the news media’s newfound concern for political satire is reserved almost entirely for jokes told by people on the Right.

Consider, for example, PolitiFact's fact-check this week of Republican Wisconsin state Rep. Gae Magnafici.

More

How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart

The main uncertainty in the coronavirus outbreak in the United States now is how big it will get, and how fast. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Nancy Messonnier told reporters on March 9, “many people in the US will at some point, either this year or next, get exposed to this virus.”

According to infectious disease epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch at Harvard, it’s “plausible” that 20 to 60 percent of adults will be infected with Covid-19 disease. So far, 80 percent of cases globally have been mild, but if the case fatality rate is around 1 percent (which several experts say it may be), a scenario is possible of tens or hundreds of thousands of deaths in the US alone.

Yet the speed at which the outbreak plays out matters hugely for its consequences. What epidemiologists fear most is the health care system becoming overwhelmed by a sudden explosion of illness that requires more people to be hospitalized than it can handle. In that scenario, more people will die because there won’t be enough hospital beds or ventilators to keep them alive.

More

'Close this place down': Top Democratic senator calls for closing Capitol Hill to visitors

A top Democratic senator said Capitol Hill should be closed to visitors because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Dianne Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate at 86, cited the growing number of cases, breaking with fellow Democrat and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in addressing concerns about the number of constituents from across the country who visit the building daily.

“I’m worried about the fact that we need to close this place down,” Feinstein said. “I really believe that now. Look at us, how close. It’s just an example of what’s happened. The cases have topped 1,000 and here’s where they’re going.”

More

Garden Bros Circus, Community Yard Sale and Suitcase Party canceled


SALISBURY, Md. – The second showing of the Garden Bros Circus, the Indoor Community Yard Sale, and the Wicomico County Suitcase Party have been canceled.

These events were scheduled to take place at the Wicomico Civic Center.

The venue’s decision was guided by the state’s response to COVID-19, the Wicomico County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services.

Ticket holders for the Garden Bros Circus should direct refund requests to their original point of purchase. More information on this show can be found at https://www.gardenbroscircus.com/.

Refund information for the Indoor Community Yard Sale and the Suitcase Party will be forthcoming.

Information on other scheduled events will be released in the coming days. Updates will be shared with the press, as well as posted to the venue’s website, www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, and through the venue’s social media outlets.

“The COVID-19 situation is fluid and changing by the hour,” said Civic Center Manager Katie Rouse. “We will make every effort to streamline communication with our patrons.”

The Civic Center will continue to monitor the situation through regular updates from the CDC and the Wicomico County Health Department.

Individuals can learn more about COVID-19 preventative measures at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.

Trump says he's 'not concerned' that Brazilian official he met with tested positive for coronavirus

President Donald Trump on Thursday did not respond to multiple shouted questions in the Oval Office about whether he would get tested for coronavirus after reports a Brazilian official he met last weekend had tested positive.

But he did say he is "not concerned" as he awaits an update on the test results from Brazil concerning a press aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who who attended a dinner with Trump at his Florida resort.

“I did hear something about that," Trump said when asked about Bolsonaro himself being tested.

More

Wicomico School Board OKs Budget

SALISBURY – School leaders in Wicomico County adopted a $213.4 million proposed budget this week that includes additional funding for instruction, teaching positions and salaries.

On Tuesday, the Wicomico County Board of Education unanimously approved the proposed consolidated current expense budget for fiscal year 2021. The proposed budget, totaling $213,428,245, includes $47.68 million in county appropriations, $160.06 million in state aid and $5.69 million in other revenue sources.

Comptroller Jesse Reid said the school system is expecting an additional $1.5 million, or 3.3%, in maintenance of effort funding from the county, an additional $3.8 million, or 2.4%, in state aid, and an additional $1.4 million in other revenue sources.

“This gives us a grand total of $6.769 million over the current fiscal year,” he said. “Unfortunately, not all of that increase was able to go toward new requests because we have something called the mandatory cost of doing business.”

More

Democratic congresswoman asks ICE to release detained illegal immigrants amid coronavirus fears

Democratic New York Rep. Grace Meng called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release older illegal immigrants being detained to mitigate coronavirus exposure.

“It would be a prudent course of action for ICE to take steps now to minimize the number of detainees in your facilities,” Meng said to acting ICE Director Matt Albence on Wednesday during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

Albence disagreed with that assessment and argued that ICE is capable of handling detainees with contagious diseases and has “extensive experience” doing so.

More

Worcester County Healthy Department Call Center


The Worcester County Health Department opened a call center yesterday afternoon for questions regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Callers can reach the center during health department hours (8-5, M-F) by dialing 410-632-1100 option #8. General information on COVID-19 is available 24/7 through Worcester Health’s Public Information Line (410-632-4321) and WorcesterHealth.org

GOP expands battle to stop Democrat attacks on ballot security laws

Republicans are escalating their $10 million war on Democratic efforts to challenge voting ballot laws in several states that could lead to election rigging for Democrats in states key to President Trump’s reelection.

Late Tuesday, the Republican National Committee and Minnesota Republican Party moved to “intervene as defendants” in a Minnesota case to help fend off a suit brought by the ACLU, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

It came after the RNC and Michigan Republican Party went to bat for two Michigan laws challenged by Democrats in a bid to ease voting in ways that Republicans believe will open the door to ballot manipulation.

More

Political Memes






Friday Morning Funnies






Each Superstore customer is more memorable than the last