Detectives Seek Public’s Help In Locating Missing Man

Location:  R Farm Lane, Dagsboro, DE

 

Date of Occurrence:   Monday, January 24, 2011 at 1:00 a.m.

 

Victim:  John D. (Doug) Wisniewski, Sr., 45, R Farm Lane, Dagsboro, DE

 

Resume: The Delaware State Police are asking the public’s help in locating a missing Dagsboro man.

 

Detectives are looking for John D. Wisniewski, Sr. who was last seen at his residence on R Farm Lane in Dagsboro, DE on January 24, 2011. Wisniewski is a white male, 6’00” tall and 200 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He also has numerous tattoos on his right and left arms, left wrist, and the fingers on his right hand.

 

If anyone has any information as to the location of John Wisniewski, Sr, they are asked to contact the Delaware State Police Troop 4 at 302-856-5850. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).  Tipsters may also call provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

 

Fruitland Police Department Press Release

DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT: 2-11-11

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Fleeing the Scene of an Accident

LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 4200 Block - Disharoon Road, Fruitland

VICTIM: State of Maryland

CASE NO.: 2011-140

ADDRESS: FRUITLAND

The Fruitland Police Department has been involved in the following investigation:

On 2-11-11 approx 1517 hrs a Fruitland Police Patrol Officer observed a vehicle in the area of the 600 Block of Camden Ave, Fruitland, Maryland. A short time later the vehicle accelerated and travelled onto Disharoon Road. The vehicle was then involved in a property damage accident in the 4200 Block of Disharoon at which time the driver of the vehicle fled the area on foot. Following a coordinated effort between the Fruitland Police and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office K-9, the driver was apprehended approx 1648 hrs. The arrest was made in a wooded area near Stockyard Road approx 11/2 miles south of the accident.

The driver was identified as a 25 year old, white male by the name of:

Michael Anthony Bradds from Pocomoke, Maryland

Bradds will face charges for Leaving the Scene of a Property damage accident, Fleeing and Eluding on foot, Driving on a Suspended License, Driving without a License, Operating an Unregistered motor vehicle, Driving with Registration Plates issued to another vehicle, Driving without Insurance and Criminal charges for Controlled Dangerous Substance – not Marijuana, CDS paraphernalia, Obstructing and Hindering and Trespass on Private Property.

Train Accident

State Police Probing Possible Pedestrian Struck by a Train

 

Location: Red Mill Road at Ruthar Drive, Newark, DE

 

Date of Occurrence: Friday, February 11, 2011 at 2:05 p.m.

 

Resume:   

Newark- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a collision involving a CSX train that possibly struck a pedestrian in Newark. The incident occurred at approximately 2:05 p.m. in the area of Red Mill Road and Ruthar Drive. Troopers are currently searching the area for a possible victim. The CSX train has stopped in the area located behind Delaware Park. The incident is still under investigation. More information will be released after it is received.

Man Living Illegally In U.S. Charged In Manassas Deaths

A man wanted for deportation is charged with three counts of murder in Virginia.

GO HERE to read more.

TWO OCPD SEARCH AND SEIZURE WARRANTS LEAD TO FIVE DRUG ARRESTS

The Ocean City Narcotics Unit was busy this week with the execution of two separate

search and seizure warrants. The first, which took place on Sunday, February 6, 2011, in the 800 block of St. Louis Avenue, resulted in the arrest of four individuals. Trina Marie Bowers, 20, of Ocean City, Tyrone Mandela Finnikin, 20, of Ocean City, Leon Anthony Harvey, 25, of Ocean City and one juvenile, were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.

They were seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and released on their own recognizance.

The second search and seizure warrant took place on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, where members of the OCPD Narcotics Unit, with assistance from the DEA and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, concluded a three month long heroin distribution investigation with the arrest of Lamont Marvin Smith, 22, of Ocean City. After executing the search warrant at Smith’s home on Jamestown Road, a total of 11 grams of heroin and a 2004 Ford Taurus were seized.

Smith was charged with three counts possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and three counts of distribution of CDS. After being seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Smith was transferred to Worcester County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

OCEAN CITY CITIZENS HELP OCPD ARREST MAN FOR BURGLARY

The Ocean City Police Department recently arrested a man responsible for several residential burglaries in the Ocean City area that have taken place since November 2010. Acting on information from concerned citizens, detectives were informed

of a suspect, who was later identified as William Keith Freeman, 25, of Ocean City.

On February 8, 2011, Ocean City Police served a search and seizure warrant on Freeman’s residence and vehicle and located several of the items reported stolen, including items stolen in the recent burglary of Bailey’s Pharmacy. In addition, Ocean City Police recovered items that had been reported stolen in burglaries being handled by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the Delaware State Police.

Freeman was arrested by Ocean City Police and charged with first, second and fourth

degree burglary, three counts of theft, malicious destruction of property, possession of

controlled dangerous substance and possession of paraphernalia. After being seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Freeman was transferred to Worcester County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Police are asking anyone with information concerning Freeman’s involvement in

additional burglaries in Ocean City to contact the Ocean City Police Department’s

Criminal Investigation Division at 410.723.6604.

Make Your Valentine's Reservations Today

Chimney Fire At Flavors

Fire crews are on the scene on a chimney fire at Flavors of Italy Restaurant on Main Street in Downtown Salisbury. They have also called for the SPD to come to the scene for traffic control.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES TAX CREDIT

$11 million in credits will leverage commercial and residential construction projects to create an estimated 740 construction jobs

BALTIMORE, MD (February 11,  2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley this morning announced the recipients of the latest round of Sustainable Communities Tax Credits, which will help create 740 construction jobs in projects that will revitalize communities and promote green building practices around the state.  Ten projects that scored highest in the application process received a total of $11 million in tax credits. A total of 36 applications were received seeking $40 million in tax credits.  The construction projects have a total estimated cost of $82,430,000. The Sustainable Communities Tax Credit and its predecessor, the Historic Tax Credit, have invested more than $358 million in Maryland revitalization projects in the past 15 years, supporting 15,000 jobs and revitalizing communities. 

Click here for a complete list of the 10 projects that will receive the credit.

 “This tax credit represents the best of public investment and private enterprise as we continue to seek ways to fuel economic growth and create jobs,” said Governor O’Malley.  “The success of the program in recent years cannot be understated.  These projects will help revitalize historic communities, strengthen a green economy throughout our State, and create new construction and rehabilitation jobs in every corner of Maryland.”

Last year, Governor O’Malley successfully proposed an enhanced version of the Historic Tax Credit, transforming it into the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit to create jobs, spur economic development, and revitalize neighborhoods.  The Heritage Tax Credit in its 14-year history has invested more than $347 million in Maryland revitalization projects since 1996.  Those projects have produced more than $1.5 billion in total direct rehabilitation expenditures by owners and developers.  Coupled with wages, both construction and new jobs, and State and local revenues generated, this equates to more than $8.50 in economic output for every $1 invested by State government.  

In his proposed budget for FY2012, Governor O’Malley maintained funding for the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit at $10 million.

The Governor made his announcement at the former Hoen Lithograph plant in East Baltimore.  The project involves the rehabilitation and LEED green adaptive re-use for office and commercial space of a two-story, 85,000-square foot, pre-1900 industrial building.  The Sustainable Tax Credit was one of the first incentives in the country to link LEED green building design with historic preservation.

“The new Sustainable Communities Tax Credit strengthened the previous program as an incentive for smart growth and sustainable development,” said Maryland Secretary of Planning Richard E. Hall, who chairs the Governor’s Smart Growth Subcabinet. “This tax credit program has been hailed as one of Maryland’s most effective Smart, Green and Growing tools.  By expanding program eligibility and coordinating more closely with related state programs, the tax credit benefits more communities across the state as a critical vehicle for redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization.”

“The 2010 legislation that renewed this valuable tax credit program also recognized the importance of focusing many community reinvestment tools, including tax credits, grants and loans, in targeted areas,” said Raymond A. Skinner, Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development.  “Along with tax credits, Community Legacy grants and Neighborhood BusinessWorks loans are helping to transform East Baltimore and other newly designated Sustainable Communities throughout the State.”

Locally focused nonprofits statewide, and such organizations as HEBCAC, EBDI, BUILD and The Reinvestment Fund in East Baltimore, are working on comprehensive strategies for coordinating investments that result in more livable and sustainable communities.

The ten projects selected to receive over $11 million in the latest round of tax credits ($10 million for FY 2011 plus $1.8 million carried over) were selected based on a scoring scale.  Scoring was based on an established set of criteria, including those outlined by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior for historic rehabilitation standards. 

Click here for a complete list of the 10 projects that will receive the credit.

Accident On Rt. 50 With Rescue

There's been an accident with rescue car on its roof. Rt 50 East bound and Civic Ave.

There Will Never Be Another Sarah Foxwell, Ever

Rarely will you ever hear me tell you that you just don't know what it's like sitting in a court room day after day listening to horrific evidence on a particular case. However, in Sarah Foxwell's case it pleases me that so many of you do not have to be subjected to a piece of crap of a human being sitting there without chains and handcuffs humiliating him as many of us feel he should be treated.

Instead, Thomas Leggs sits in a cushioned chair with at least three attorneys by his side doing everything they can to get evidence removed from this trial. At times we're subjected to 35 minutes at a time of rambling on and on about how unfair their client is being treated.

Leggs sits there without any expression whatsoever, no remorse, nothing. As a taxpayer I watch 3 court appointed officers sitting there to make sure he doesn't do anything or better yet no one else does anything to him. I watch, (at times) Sarah's Father staring at this man for hours at a time and I'm sure each and every one of you know what's on his mind.

However, we would be remised if we didn't mention that Sarah's Father didn't have anything to do with Sarah for the past 7 years of her life. Jennifer Foxwell showed up yesterday and quite frankly it also made me sick to my stomach. Lord knows why a 7 month pregnant woman with her 9th child in her womb would show up in court with a very low cut dress and breasts hanging out as if, well, I'm just not going to go there. Someone needs to sit down with Jennifer and tell her a court room is not a place to dress like that. Just look at what the Press just did to Lindsay Lohan. Now imagine that dress on a pregnant woman.

Folks, my last report on this case the other day seemed to shock many as I discussed DNA evidence. I did so because I wanted each and every one of you to get at least a small piece of what actually happened. Sure, we all know Sarah Foxwell was murdered. However, I feel its important for each and every one of you to realize the scope of just how horribly she was taken from our world. The accused indicted by a Grand Jury Thomas Leggs has done horrible things to children. Sarah's death was by far the most horrific death any one of your minds could actually imagine.

This weeks hearings were more of the same, 49 motions to either remove the death penalty or remove DNA evidence. While I enjoyed the work of Sharahn Boykin from the Daily Times article today, I was truly disappointed in the very ending where she stated, "It's not reliable if it's contaminated," O'Donnell said.

Folks, I don't want you to believe in any way, shape or form that the State, any Police Agency, the FBI or ANY of the Labs did anything wrong in this case. Unfortunately the DT's wasn't present the day when this topic came up in full detail. Yes, the defense attorney made that remark at the end of the day yesterday but let me assure you that Davis Ruark took great offense towards that statement and the honorable Judge concurred.

The only piece of evidence that was contaminated was a fingerprint from the investigator himself. Once they learned that the fingerprint was his own they simply removed it from the case. The defense tried to claim that the State and others were trying to conspire to cover-up DNA evidence. The DNA evidence in this trial is pure and the Judge denied their requests.

Each and every day of these hearings I have multiple pages of detailed notes. Will I share those notes with you on this Blog, no. Perhaps one day I'll help write a book with a Family Member and tastefully put out the information compiled. However, for now we'll simply give you our personal thoughts and some of the experiences retained from this experience.

In the mean time I'll say this. I may not personally like the way Jennifer Foxwell is dressed and how she's carried herself over the past few years. However, I thank Jennifer Foxwell for coming to Annapolis with us last year to help get new legislation passed to raise the minimum time a sex offender's sentence to a minimum of 15 years and no chance for parole. I also tip my hat to Jennifer for placing her unborn child up for adoption to a very loving Family.

There are many unconditional couples out there who cannot have children. As someone who is the recipient of such a child in my life, there's never been a better gift in life, than life itself.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On February 8, 2011 at approximately 4:53 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Harrington Street and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by the below listed suspect for traffic violations. The suspect was a passenger in the vehicle. During the traffic stop the officers observed the suspect reach out of the vehicle and drop an item. The item was retrieved and found to be a baggie of suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: Jacob Stephen Adkins, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100004907

On February 8, 2011 at approximately 11:25 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Ohio Avenue and Smith Street and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by the below listed suspect for traffic violations. The suspect was a passenger in the vehicle. During the traffic stop, the behavior of the passengers resulted in a request by the officers for a K-9 scan of the vehicle. A K-9 from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to scan the vehicle and during the scan, the below listed suspect was found to be in possession of a baggie of suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: Timothy Vashon Hull, 22 years of age Tyaskin, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100004940

On February 10, 2011 at approximately 12:25 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police extradited the below listed suspect from the Delaware Department of Corrections in Smyrna, Delaware and served the suspect with an arrest warrant for an incident that occurred in 2003. In September of 2003, the below listed suspect is alleged to have forced his way into an apartment on Adams Avenue, in Salisbury, and assaulted an adult female victim. The victim was rendered unconscious and the suspect took her vehicle. Salisbury Detectives identified the suspect and obtained the arrest warrant.

ARRESTED: Christopher Charles Ring, 42 years of age Smyrna, Delaware

CHARGES:
Attempted first degree murder
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment
First degree burglary
Theft (Over $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200300023915

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO INTRODUCE THE MARYLAND OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY ACT OF 2011

Bill will boost offshore wind development to generate much needed clean, renewable energy, create new ‘green’ jobs, and promote long-term price stability

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 11, 2011) – Today, Governor Martin O'Malley will introduce the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2011, which will boost offshore wind development to generate much needed clean, renewable energy, create new ‘green’ jobs, and promote long-term price stability. The bill will require that public utilities leverage Maryland’s outstanding offshore wind resources by entering into long-term purchase agreements with wind power generation facilities off of the Mid-Atlantic coast. Harnessing the potential of offshore wind power is essential to ensuring that Maryland meets its Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of generating 20% of its energy from renewable resources by 2022.

“Thanks to the tough choices we’ve made over the last four years, Maryland has emerged as one of the leaders in the effort to harness the power of offshore wind – an industry with the potential to create thousands of jobs and power hundreds of thousands of homes,” said Governor O'Malley. “By requiring the utilities to enter into long-term agreements, we can finally shift our focus from short term profit to our state's long-term energy security.”

An analysis conducted by the US Department of Energy estimates that offshore wind will create approximately 20.7 direct jobs per annual megawatt, including jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and skilled labor. A 500MW wind generation facility in the waters off of the Delmarva coast could generate as many as 2,000 manufacturing and construction jobs during the five-year development period, with an additional 400 permanent jobs once the turbines are spinning.

The bill, which will be submitted today before the General Assembly as HB 1054, seeks to diversify the terms by which energy is purchased in Maryland by requiring long-term power-purchase agreements with offshore wind generation facilities, which would be located more than 10 miles from Maryland’s Atlantic coast. These purchase agreements allow Maryland to lock-in rates over the long-term, providing price stability and predictability in what is otherwise a potentially volatile commodity market.

The bill would require that public utilities purchase between 400-600 megawatts (MW) of power from offshore wind generation facilities in federal waters off Maryland’s coastline for a period of twenty or more years.  Five hundred MW of offshore wind energy is enough to power more than half of the homes in the City of Baltimore, or 79% of the homes on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  For residential ratepayers, the Public Service Commission currently directs the utilities to procure approximately 25% of their power at a time, in two year contracts, making ratepayers vulnerable to periodic increases in the market price of energy, particularly traditional electricity based on fossil fuel resources.

Due to its ideal location in the Mid-Atlantic, as well as the deep-water port and manufacturing infrastructure in Baltimore, Maryland is well positioned to be a leader not only in offshore wind energy generation, but also in ongoing construction and maintenance.

“Offshore wind power is our best, most promising renewable energy resource,” said Malcolm Woolf, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “If we act now we can ensure long-term price stability, create jobs, and generate much needed clean energy to power the next generation of Maryland innovation.”

For more information on offshore wind in Maryland, click here to view relevant facts and figures.

For more information on the Administration’s renewable energy efforts, visit the Maryland Energy Administration.

Alcohol Kills More Than AIDS, TB Or Violence

Drinking causes more than 4 percent of deaths worldwide, WHO warns

GENEVA — Alcohol causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide, more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence, the World Health Organization warned on Friday.

Rising incomes have triggered more drinking in heavily populated countries in Africa and Asia, including India and South Africa, and binge drinking is a problem in many developed countries, the United Nations agency said.

Yet alcohol control policies are weak and remain a low priority for most governments despite drinking's heavy toll on society from road accidents, violence, disease, child neglect and job absenteeism, it said.

Approximately 2.5 million people die each year from alcohol related causes, the WHO said in its "Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health."

"The harmful use of alcohol is especially fatal for younger age groups and alcohol is the world's leading risk factor for death among males aged 15-59," the report found.

GO HERE to read more.

Analysis: Welcome, GOP Says To Tea Party

High-profile coalition is both a blessing and a curse for Republican Party

WASHINGTON — GOP to Tea Party: Welcome to OUR party.

Not so long ago, the Republican Party and its conservative base weren't sure what to make of — or how to treat — the emerging rabble-rousing ranks of the latest political phenomenon.

No more.

Everyone from House Speaker John Boehner to the decades-old Conservative Political Action Conference is embracing, if not celebrating, the libertarian-leaning activists who upended the Republican establishment and helped the GOP post huge congressional gains last fall.

"I'm a big believer in the Tea Party," Boehner said. His comment came just days before Tea Party-backed House Republicans caused headaches for the speaker on Capitol Hill by dealing him a string of unexpected legislative defeats and forcing his lieutenants to propose deeper budget cuts.

GO HERE to read more.

Hosni Mubarak Resigns As President Of Egypt

Vice President Suleiman says military's Supreme Council will take over

CAIRO — Hosni Mubarak has resigned as president of Egypt, the country's vice president said in a brief statement Friday.

Omar Suleiman, speaking on state television, said Mubarak had decided to depart "the office of the president of the republic" and said the Supreme Council of the armed forces would "run the state."

Leading Egyptian democracy advocate Mohamed ElBaradei, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, said Friday was "the greatest day of my life."

"The country has been liberated after decades of repression," he told The Associated Press. He said he expected a "beautiful" transition of power.

The news swept the country and Tahrir Square, home of the protest movement, erupted in celebration.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters had gathered for a huge rally on what they called "Farewell Friday," and after 18 days they finally achieved their main goal.

"The people have brought down the regime," chanted the crowds in Tahrir Square.

GO HERE to read more.

Clueless On Cairo

My Three-week Victory, Your Seven-year Mess
It is difficult trying to figure out what the left’s position is on democracy and the Middle East. Here’s a brief effort.

Once upon a time, a number of prominent liberals — among them Thomas Friedman, Fareed Zakaria, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid — thought it was a good idea to remove Saddam Hussein and supplant his Baathist rule with democracy. I say that with confidence since one can watch the speeches of the senators in question on YouTube debating the 23-writ authorizations to use force in October 2002, in addition to reading the New York Times and Newsweek editorials between 2002-3 of prominent liberal columnists. The New Republic stable of authors was particularly in favor of the Bush-Cheney “just war” to invade Iraq. Jonathan Chait (who would go on to author an infamous essay about why “I hate George Bush”) and Peter Beinhart were especially hard on the fellow left for not joining the Bush effort.

By early 2004, almost all that liberal support had entirely dissipated, predicated on two developments. First, a presidential election was just months away and Bush’s war was no longer “mission accomplished” but turning into a campaign liability. Second, a resistance had formed under hardcore Islamists that was beginning to take a heavy toll on American forces. No WMD had been found, and it was now easy to suggest that one could withdraw support for building democracy in Iraq because two of the 23 writs for going to war were no longer operative, the effort was probably lost, and George W. Bush might well deservedly not be reelected.

No matter. Bush pressed on. His polls sunk yet he was barely reelected. His ongoing “democracy” agenda got little support from those who once had enthusiastically praised the Iraqi adventure and had proclaimed their belief in universal human rights. Few came to Secretary of State Rice’s support when in 2005 she chastised Hosni Mubarak’s regime to grant fundamental rights. Fewer saw any connection between Saddam’s fate and America’s pro-democratic stance and the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, the fright of Mr. Gaddafi who gave up his WMD arsenal, or the sudden willingness of Pakistan to harness Dr. Khan.

GO HERE to read more.

Missing Person Investigation Photo Update

Incident: Missing Person Investigation
Date of Incident: 7 February 2011
Location: Wicomico County


Narrative: On 7 Feb 2011, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the disappearance of 15 year old Gabriella Marie Blades. Gabriella lives in the Fruitland area and was last seen on 7 February on the campus of Parkside High School. Gabriella is believed to have left the school on her own volition and has been reportedly been seen in the west Salisbury area.

At this time the WCSO has an active investigation into the whereabouts of Gabriella. If anyone has any information, you are asked to immediately contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

Gabriella Marie Blades is a white female
15 YOA
5’9" 220lbs red hair and green eyes
Last Seen wearing a red zip-up hoodie, a white T-Shirt and blue sweat pants.
Reference case 11-534

Mexican Drug Cartels Hold 12-Year-Old For Ransom – In New Mexico

Thugs working for Mexican drug cartels kidnapped the 12-year-old daughter of a ranch foreman in New Mexico, holding the girl for ransom until her family and neighbors came up with $80,000 for her release. They didn’t dare call law enforcement for help because of very real fears their calls would be monitored by the kidnappers using sophisticated communications relay stations erected on U.S. public lands.

That was one of the most shocking stories four congressmen heard last week while visiting hot spots along the New Mexico, Arizona and Texas border, where specific American law enforcement officers are being targeted for assassination and high levels of violence, vandalism and threats against Americans are increasingly common. One rancher showed the lawmakers a photo she had taken on her property of a camo-clad drug runner brandishing an AK-47.

“The town hall meeting we held with ranchers in New Mexico was very lively,” Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., told The Examiner. “The drug smugglers use scanners, cell phones, GPS systems and other equipment that is better than anything Border Patrol or the local deputy sheriffs have. We could actually see them watching our Border Patrol agents from points on high ground” in Mexico.

There were 900 attacks on Border Patrol agents last year, Royce said, and 91 assaults on Customs Agents in the Tucson sector alone. Narco traffickers have become so bold that they shot up a U.S. Customs station in the process of intercepting a big cocaine shipment.

Royce noted that a retired Mexican general who had been recruited to be the police chief in a border town was assassinated within a month. “This is an emergency situation. We need to take decisive action. The Mexican government is losing control, and is unable to keep the narco insurgents at bay.”

To that end, the California Republican plans to introduce legislation to finish the 700-mile border fence – including double fencing in key areas – which is part of the House Republicans’ “Pledge to America.”

“Where the fence has been deployed, it’s been enormously successful. Before the fence was built outside San Diego, drug cartels controlled the area. The fence was 95 percent effective against people smuggling weapons, and crime dropped 50 percent in both Tijuana and San Diego,” Royce said.

The legislation would also give the Border Patrol operational control of the southern border, which it does not have now.

“My bill will prohibit the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture from interfering with Border Patrol activities on federal lands,” Royce told us. “It will also allow state and local law enforcement to enforce all U.S. immigration laws, and require the Department of Homeland Security to review all visa applications at high-risk locations.”

Read more at the Washington Examiner

Tea Party Freshmen Score Major Budget Victory

The massive class of Republican freshmen won its first major victory in the House Thursday, coercing the GOP leadership into nearly doubling the size of the cuts they planned to impose on this year's spending bill. The 87 new Republican lawmakers, sworn in just a month ago and largely backed by the Tea Party, told Republican leaders they were unhappy with a proposal to reduce the fiscal 2011 budget by $35 billion, complaining that it did not uphold their campaign trail "Pledge to America" that promised to slash federal spending by $100 billion this year.

The freshman class lobbied the GOP leaders intensely over the past 24 hours to increase the cuts, and the talks culminated in a sudden announcement Thursday afternoon from House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., who said he would reduce actual spending levels in this year's budget by $58 billion, a decrease of $23 billion below his original proposal released just a day earlier.

That makes the GOP budget proposal a full $100 billion below what President Obama requested last March in his initial budget request for fiscal 2011.

"After meeting with my subcommittee chairs, we have determined that the [budget] can and will reach a total of $100 billion in cuts compared to the president's request ... fully meeting the goal outlined in the Republican 'Pledge to America' in one fell swoop," Rogers said.

It was a major victory for the GOP freshmen, some of whom told The Washington Examiner they worked the phones, the hallways and the House floor to get the message through to the elder Republicans that they couldn't back a plan that did not uphold their pledge.

"We had some conversations with leadership, some direct face-to face conversations," said Tom Reed, a New York Republican backed by the Tea Party. Reed said he and other freshmen were "concerned" by the $35 billion proposal and made sure the leadership knew it. "They were receptive. They understood where we were and they heard us. And that's good."

The new cuts set up a potential fight on the House floor next week, when the GOP plans to vote on the spending bill. The bill funds the final seven months of the fiscal year, ending Sept. 30.

Several moderate Republicans, some on the Appropriations Committee, have told The Washington Examiner they believe some of the cuts go too far.

Without moderate GOP support, the proposal could fail because few, if any Democrats are likely to back the plan.

Read more