Friday, October 14, 2011

Millions Unaccounted For In Biodiesel Fraud Case

Perry Hall businessman accused of selling phony fuel credits enters no plea

A federal prosecutor said Thursday that the government has recovered only a third of the $9 million that authorities charge a Perry Hall businessman with taking from his customers in a massive biofuel fraud scheme.

The businessman, Rodney R. Hailey, president of the now-shuttered Clean Green Fuel, appeared in U.S. District Court for what had been scheduled as an arraignment. But Hailey surprised prosecutors by not going through with a guilty plea that they said he had agreed to before the proceeding.

The switch prompted prosecutor Stefan D. Cassella to express concern that federal investigators have been unable to track down most of the money they say Hailey collected by selling allegedly phony credits for biodiesel fuel he never produced.

Arrest Made In January Home Invasion

Defendant: David S. Benson, 50, Magnolia, DE

Charges and Arraignment Information:

-Burglary 1^st Degree

-Wearing a Disguise during the Commission of a Felony

-Unlawful Imprisonment 2^nd Degree

-Assault 3^rd Degree

-Malicious Interference with Emergency Communications

Arraigned at the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution for lack of $14,500 secured bail.

Today's Survey Question

Which protest movement do you favor more, Occupy Wall Street or the tea party?

BREAKING NEWS IN WORCESTER COUNTY

Salisbury News just learned of an explosion in Ocean Pines. The blast was heard in Ocean City. More to come.

Free Trade, Free Trade, Free Trade

Congress passed three so-called Free Trade agreements last night – meaning transnational corporations now have new pools of cheap labor in Colombia, South Korea, and Panama.

All three trade deals were passed with bipartisan support in both Chambers of Congress despite the face that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was against them – and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed skepticism about the Colombia deal. Over the last two decades – we’ve seen the effects of these so-called Free Trade deals on our economy. We’ve seen trade surpluses turn into massive trade deficits. We’ve seen millions of factories and manufacturing jobs shipped overseas. And we’ve seen the wealth and power of transnational corporations explode while small businesses collapse. Yet – our lawmakers – continue to buy into this gimmick year after year. It’s time to put down the Free Trade Kool-Aid.

Source

LaHood Says He'll Leave at End of Obama's Term

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will leave the Obama administration at the end of the president's current term, his top spokeswoman said Thursday.

LaHood, 65, indicated his intention to leave the cabinet at a media luncheon, but gave no reason for his decision, spokeswoman Jill Zuckman said. He hasn't yet discussed his intentions with President Obama, she said

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Cat Found In Delmar

This cat showed up at my house last night and it clearly belongs to someone. It is very loving (wasn't the least bit shy). Found in Delmar near Dagsboro Rd.

Kitty is having some breakfast but would love to get back home.

410-742-4954

Occupy Wall Street: The T-Shirt

"It's time, the anger is boiling over and we're sick of being taken advantage of and taken for granted! Occupy Wall Street! It is time to stop the greed and bring about real social change," so states what sounds like a passionate tweet from a 19-year-old New York University undergrad skipping her sociology classes to camp out on Wall Street. Instead, this mini-manifesto is the product description for a preshrunk, durable, 100 percent cotton T-shirt from Café Press, which will help you "look cool without breaking the bank," for a mere $28 (unless you want a 3XL, which will cost you three bucks more). And if a T-shirt isn't your thing, you can order "Occupy Wall Street" bags, mugs, water bottles, maternity wear, laptop skins, or performance dry T-shirts, in case you need to take a jog and express your distaste of greedy bankers, all the while hiding your sweaty armpits.

No, you, too, can Occupy Wall Street - all without leaving the comfort of your couch!

Disabled Navy Veteran In Same-Sex Marriage To Sue For Benefits

A disabled Navy veteran is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize her marriage to her longtime female partner in what is believed to be the first time a U.S. veteran has sought recognition of same-sex marriage from the department.

Carmen Cardona, 45, of Norwich, Conn., announced details of the lawsuit at a press conference in New Haven Thursday morning. The 18-year Navy veteran was filing an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denied her and her wife spousal disability benefits last year.

Cartels Carve New Drug Routes In Central America

Corozal, Belize - I met Bobby on my last night in Belize, the night before this Central American nation celebrated its 30 th anniversary of independence.

I was standing outside a Chinese market, waiting for the town’s fireworks display to start. Most of Corozal’s 10,000 people, it seemed, were jammed into the civic center plaza across the street.

“Hey man, you OK? You look kinda scared or something.”

The question and comment came at me from a man sitting on a crate next to the entrance to the market, drinking a Heineken beer.

“Where you from, man?” he asked.

States, I told him. And, no, not scared, just taking in the scene. I’d been watching the Chinese family selling beers to young Belizean men through the market’s metal bars, wondering if there weren’t better opportunities in today’s booming China than in this sleepy waterfront town just south of Belize’s border with Mexico.

Is Dating The Worst?

Let’s face it. Most of us grown-ups relegate dating to the category of necessary but generally quite uncomfortable. As a guy, it’s sort of like getting a prostate check from a doctor with freakishly oversized hands.

But we do it because we must. That’s the way it’s always been done, right? How else does one meet “The One.” Love is a numbers game, is it not? You’ve got to get through your share of “duds” to find your “stud”, right?

Well, maybe not.

Georgia Considers Replacing Firefighters With Free Prison Laborers

Forcing prison inmates to work as unpaid laborers is not a new practice, but GOP-controlled states are increasing taking the idea to extremes as they face budget shortfalls and refuse to raise taxes. Under Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) anti-collective bargaining law, at least one Wisconsin county replaced some union workers with prison labor. Inmates are not paid for their work, but may receive time off of their sentences.

Now Camden County in Georgia is considering tasking prisoners to take on one of the most dangerous jobs there is: fighting fires. Using prisoners as firefighters is a cost-cutting measure that’s expected to save the county a bundle:

A select group of inmates may be exchanging their prison jumpsuits for firefighting gear in Camden County.
The inmates-to-firefighters program is one of several money-saving options the Board of County Commissioners is looking into to stop residents’ fire insurance costs from more than doubling. [...] The inmate firefighter program would be the most cost-effective choice, saving the county more than $500,000 a year by some estimates. But that option is already controversial, drawing criticism from the firefighters who would have to work alongside – and supervise – the prisoners.
The Camden program would put two inmates in each of three existing firehouses, and they would respond to all emergencies – including residential – alongside traditional firefighters. The inmates would have no guard, but would be monitored by a surveillance system and by the traditional firefighters, who would undergo training to guard the inmates.

Ron Paul Challenges Cain Over Fed

Tuesday night’s GOP Debate went for two hours with largely no new points brought up or any sharp criticisms delivered. That was until late in the event when Congressman Ron Paul challenged up-and-comer Herman Cain over his stance on the Federal Reserve.

Given the recent economic turmoil erupting in America, more and more citizens are rallying for a regular audit of the Fed – a statistic Ron Paul says is evident in more than three-fifths of America. As a result, Congressman Paul pinned a question regarding the central bank on pizzaman Herman Cain, a former bigwig with the Kansas City Fed.

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GOP Pushes For Single County District

Unveil redistricting maps that keep Anne Arundel unified

Republicans plan to introduce at least three alternative maps when the General Assembly meets in special session Monday to take up congressional redistricting.

Del. Ron George, R-Annapolis, is co-sponsoring a plan being promoted by Del. Michael Hough, R-Frederick. Under this proposal, Anne Arundel County would be combined with Calvert and St. Mary's counties to form the 3rd District, which sponsors are calling the "Chesapeake Bay District."

UNO'S RAISES MONEY FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS, HAUNTED HOUSE OPENS TODAY AND BOY SCOUTS SELL PEANIUTS

Uno Chicago Grill in Fruitland recently hosted their 'Deep Dish Tuesday" and raised more than $1,000 for Special Olympics of Maryland Lower Shore. Left to Right: Natalie Costello, Uno’s Manager, Joe Rosales (General Manager), Eddie Cherrix, Special Olympics Maryland Lower Shore Area Director and Julie Stewart Event/Marketing Coordinator for Uno’s.

19th Annual Cemetery House opens today

Presented by Odd Fellows Charity Lodge #27

LAUREL, DE (Oct. 13, 2011) – Don't let the agonizing screams of current...and past...patrons deter you from entering the disturbing dungeons and maddening mazes in the Mid-Atlantic!

Ghouls, corpses, monsters and maniacs are eagerly waiting to guide those willing to traverse through the terrifying twists and turns of this season's Cemetery House in Laurel, DE.

Sponsored by The Odd Fellows Charity Lodge #27, the Cemetery House is open Fridays and Saturdays, October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 and is located on the west side of town at Sharptown and Hastings Roads next to the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Parking is only available next to the Laurel Firehouse on 10th St. Ride on the free farm wagon to start your journey. Then stroll through 10-foot high grassy fields with spooky characters around every bend, as you wind your way to the haunted Cemetery House. The century-old home will thrill those brave enough to enter with a half hour tour accompanied by spirits and phantoms in every room.

“We have new attractions every year, we change the inside and outside of the house each year. You never come in the same way or leave the same way,” says Jerry Lynch, Odd Fellow member and co-chairman of the event.

Tickets are sold from 7 p.m. – 11 .pm. Admission is $8 and children under 6 admitted free. Receive $1 off admission with a non-perishable food item donation. Limit one discount per person.

Peanuts for sale!

Cub Scout Pack 182 Saturday fundraisers

Seaford, DEL. Cub Scout Pack 182 of Seaford is selling Virginia Diner brand gourmet nuts to raise money for their annual Pinewood Derby, the Blue and Gold Banquet, and field trips. Stop by Rommel’s Ace Hardware Store in Seaford, Oct. 22 and 29, to purchase these Mid-Atlantic favorites!

Buy from Virginia Diner's gourmet seasoned peanuts collection: Old Bay, Smoked Cajun, Chili Lime, Mesquite Barbecue & more seasoned, spicy peanuts. And… raw peanuts, in the shell peanuts, peanut brittle, trail mixes, gift baskets and more varieties. Gourmet Virginia peanuts make great gifts!

For more information about Rommel’s ACE in Seaford, visit http://rommelsace.com/ or call Bryan D. Burkholder at 302-628-7890. Rommel's Ace Seaford is at 800 Norman Eskridge Hwy Route 20 Ames Plaza Seaford, DE 19973.

Rommel’s ACE is a customer-focused organization and lives by its mission statement: "Together we will always strive to satisfy completely every customer we serve." Each store prides itself on “getting you in, getting you help and getting you on your way in 15 minutes or less.” Information and store locator: http://rommelsace.com

Inside Trader Gets 11 Years In Hedge Case

(NEW YORK) — A former billionaire who was the primary target of what prosecutors called the biggest hedge fund insider trading case in U.S. history was sentenced Thursday to 11 years in prison.

Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam also was fined $10 million. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Holwell announced the sentence after concluding that Rajaratnam made well over $50 million in profits from his illegal trades. "His crimes and the scope of his crimes reflect a virus in our business culture that needs to be eradicated," Holwell said.

TROOPER JUST TRAINED IN CRIMINAL INTERDICTION ARRESTS TWO AND RECOVERS LOAD OF MARIJUANA

(ELKTON, MD) – A Maryland state trooper returning from criminal interdiction training put his new knowledge to use when he stopped to assist a disabled vehicle last night on I-95 in Cecil County and found a load of marijuana with a street value of more than $300,000.

The suspects are identified as Fernando A. Gonzalez, 45, of Miami, Fla., and Juan C. Gomez Romero, 51, of Homestead, Fla. Both are charged with importing marijuana into the state, possession of a large amount of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were taken to the Cecil County Detention Center for an initial hearing before a court commissioner.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. yesterday, a trooper assigned to the JFK Highway Barrack was returning from a three-day training class on criminal interdiction when he stopped to assist a disabled pickup truck on the exit ramp from northbound I-95 to Rt. 279 near Elkton. The two occupants, later identified as Gonzalez and Romero, were changing a flat tire on the truck.

After conversation with the suspects and visual observations indicative of possible criminal activity, the trooper requested and received consent to search the truck. In the enclosed truck bed, the trooper found two duffle bags and a box. Inside the bags and box he found dozens of plastic bags of high-grade marijuana.

The total weight of the marijuana was 67 pounds. The high-grade “hydroponic” marijuana has an estimated street value of $335,000.

The investigation is continuing.

Congress Finally Gets Something Right

New York (CNN) -- Our dysfunctional divided Congress finally was able to find some common ground Wednesday, passing long-delayed free-trade bills with South Korea, Panama and Colombia.

Together, these treaties promise to increase U.S. exports by more than $12 billion a year while creating more than 300,000 jobs -- good news for our still-sluggish economy and struggling American workers.

Wicomico Teacher of the Year Chad Pavlekovich, Science Teacher And Science Lover, Vies For Maryland Teacher Of The Year

When Salisbury Middle School science teacher Chad Pavlekovich was just a first-grader, he became fascinated with all things dinosaur during his school’s Dinosaur Daze celebration. Little did he know that dinosaurs would provide the spark for the love of science and learning that, decades later, now guides an approach to teaching that has made him the 2011-12 Wicomico Teacher of the Year and a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year.

“My childhood sense of wonderment and excitement is now prevalent within my classroom through the lessons that I experience with my students,” Pavlekovich said. “The little boy is back as a teacher who is sparking the scientific interest in students. In the back of my room, I have a 3-D cardboard dinosaur hanging from the ceiling as a reminder of my humble beginning and what could have been my ‘extinction’ as a scientist. It is a personal symbol of commitment to my students.”

Pavlekovich’s interest in science stayed with him, but it did not lead him straight into a career as a science teacher. Entering college with plans to become a doctor, he found he couldn’t master calculus and realized he needed to choose another career. To pay the bills, he took a job performing water quality testing in a wastewater treatment plant. “During those lonely days in the lab, I often thought back to my excitement as a young student and how I would like to be able to give other children the opportunity to have the same life-changing experience with the wonders of science.” He began doing just that in 2001, when he began working as a science teacher at Salisbury Middle School.

During the past 10 years at Salisbury Middle, Pavlekovich’s enthusiasm for science has benefitted the students in his classes and students and families throughout the school. He worked with a team to create the first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy in Wicomico County; he continues to serve as its science teacher and as a lead STEM teacher. He engages eighth-graders in an annual Punkin Chunkin, blending physics and fun. He leads the planning for annual family nights that drew several hundred participants for activities on astronomy and crime scene investigation. In 2009, he was recognized as the Teacher of the Year, Excellence in Middle School Science, by the Maryland Association of Science Teachers. He was named the 2011-12 Wicomico Teacher of the Year last March, and learned in August that he was a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year.

At Friday night’s Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala in Baltimore, Pavlekovich and the other six finalists, as well as the other county teachers of the year, will be celebrated for their passion for teaching. The 2011-2012 Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced at about 9:30 p.m. during this gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West in Baltimore. The winner will receive cash awards, technology equipment, national travel opportunities, and a new car valued at more than $25,000, donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association.

Wicomico is proud of its 2011-12 state finalist and of the school system’s record of educational excellence, with two past Maryland Teachers of the Year (Bonnie Walston and Aaron Deal) working to support the success of Wicomico County students.

Attention