TV Legend Ann B. Davis Who Played Alice on "The Brady Bunch" Has Died

TV legend Ann B. Davis who played Alice on "The Brady Bunch" has died ... TMZ has learned.

According to the couple she lived with in Texas ... Ann fell in her bathroom early this morning and hit her head causing grave damage. We're told she never regained consciousness.

Her roommate says Davis had been pretty healthy for an 88-year old woman -- and her death was a total shock. In fact, she even walked downstairs to say goodnight before going to bed.
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BREAKING NEWS: Ron Pagano Drops Out Of 5th District Wicomico County Council Race

After careful consideration, including discussion with my physician and family members, I have decided to suspend my campaign and withdraw from the 5th District County Council race. I shared my physical concerns with supporters before agreeing to run, however, the physical demands have been greater than initially expected and I am unable to keep up with the pace. The Severe Degenerative Arthritis that I suffer from has flared up and increased in intensity, as a result of the schedule I have been trying to keep. I have never been one to quit, however, I am also realistic and understand that, in order to win, it will take a great deal of additional physical effort between now and November 4th for me to win.

My hope is that County leaders and elected officials will take to heart my recommendations. Foremost, I urge them to establish a county-level Office of Technology & Economic Development. No county in the state is growing or attracting real jobs without one. As the “Hub of Delmarva”, we need more than a one-person office if we hope to perform the work that’s needed to attract the jobs and partnerships that are available in the state. We cannot afford to sit idly by while the counties around us pursue the resources and opportunities that persons with vision can see. Wicomico County has a lot to offer and we need to get that message out, loud and clear.

We also need to support our schools and teachers. Without a great school system, there are few employers who will look to expand or relocate here. Without good training in high-tech skills, and without good job opportunities, our children will continue to leave the Shore and head over the Bridge, for a more secure future.

Our Deputies, Firefighters and EMS personnel also deserve to receive the best training and equipment available in order to continue to save lives and property. They are our First Responders and without their dedication and commitment, we are looking at an increased risk for loss of life and destruction of property. They put their lives on the line everyday, and when I see budget cuts affecting them, I wonder what some Council members are thinking.

We all want to keep taxes low, but there comes a point when excessive cuts will result in a failure, on the County’s part, to provide basic services to our citizens. Without these basic services, employers and businesses will continue to move elsewhere. Every business owner understands that it takes investment in order to achieve a return; without investment, there can be no revenue and no future. There are some on the County Council who have failed to grasp that concept. They are shortsighted and have little, if any, vision for the future. They are selfish and refuse to realize that there will come a time when ongoing budget cuts will erode the County’s ability to grow and prosper. Their wallets might grow a little fatter, but the County, its businesses and residents, will suffer in the end.

I sincerely want to thank every person who has worked hard, encouraged me and supported my campaign. Contributions will be returned over the next few weeks. I appreciate you all very much and hope we can continue to work together in the future, to make Wicomico County a better place for our families. I have learned a lot from talking to folks in the 5thdistrict, from Delmar to Willards, and every place in between. Thank you for listening and offering your ideas!

I plan on continuing to focus my efforts with the IPPS Mentoring Program, along with the other volunteer commitments I currently have.

I urge everyone to get out and vote in the Primary on June 24th and the General Election, on November 4th. If you don’t vote, you can’t make a difference. Be part of the solution and future you want to see!

Thank you,

Ron

Wicomico Judge Election – the people versus the Pappas

The campaign treasurers for each of the two candidates have now filed financial statements for their receipts and expenses through May 20. The following amounts are from those statements.

M. J. Caldwell has reported receipts of $7,360, including $2,000 of his own funds, and a bank account balance of $1,778.53. His largest single contribution, $500, was made by Dr. John Bartkovich.

By contrast, Spyros Sarbanes has received total contributions of $35,761, which includes a number of large donations, the sum of $12,800 being donated by four persons having the same last name – “Pappas” – with addresses in Philadelphia, the two largest ($4,000 each) being from Clement Pappas and Aleni Pappas.

We understand that the Pappas clan has also contributed to the congressional campaign of John Sarbanes, a liberal colleague of Nancy Pelosi in the House of Representatives. Interestingly, that Sarbanes is outspoken about getting big money from campaign donors out of politics!

Other 4-figure donors to Spyros Sarbanes’ campaign are: Dean Pappas ($2,400), Zoe Pappas ($2,400), Robert Rickards of Laurel, DE ($1,000), A. Gillis Allen, II of Salisbury ($1,000), JRT Rentals of Pocomoke City ($1,000) and Paul Sarbanes of Baltimore ($2,000). The $500 club includes Stella Adamopoulos, Jeffrey Badger, Laura Jenkins, Victor Laws, John Long, Eunice McKinley, Peter Richardson, Jeffrey Turner, Frances Urban and Peter Wimbrow III. The smaller donations include one by “Pagano, Ronald”.

Sarbanes’ campaign had a bank balance of $22,136.28 0n May 20 – over 12 times that of M. J. Caldwell.

Based bucks in the bank, we can expect the Sarbanes campaign to send multiple mailings and use media ads to a much greater extent than Caldwell. The Sarbanes campaign has already paid more than $1,000 for "consulting fees – media". Folks at the Daily Times must be smiling.

Salisbury News Delivers Investigative Reporting On HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT: Part 7

Starting today we will be listing names along with the charges at the Board of Ed however this disclosure does not necessarily mean that these persons consumed these products, they may have been acting on orders of supervisors. Also note that we have skipped June of 2013 on Wicomico Counties expenses as it was not posted on the counties website. Are they hiding something? Names of persons making charges are not listed on the counties website. 

County Executive 

7/19/13 McDonald's $3.07 

7/19/13 McDonald's $3.07 

7/19/13 Mcdonald's $.5.69 

7/19/13 Wawa $ 5.74 

7/19/13 Arby's $ 6.97 

7/31/13 Wawa $ 5.41 

7/8/13 Main Roots Coffee 

$12.71 7/8/13 Mojo's $26.25 

7/8/13 Lombardi's $51.96 

7/8/13 Vinny's La Roma $30.13 

7/26/13 Red Door Sub Shop $ 61.86 

7/26/13 Vinny's La Roma $ 24.56 

7/26/13 Market Street Inn $ 104.50 

7/26/13 Main Root's Coffee $11.71 

7/26/13 Market Street Inn $ 56.65 

Sheriff's Dept. 

7/13/13 Adam's The Place For Ribs $ 59.10 

7/26/13 Famous Daves $ 10.14 

7/31/13 Specific Gravity $ 111.00 

7/31/13 Back Street Grille $ 47.32 

Rec. & Parks 

7/31/13 Lombardi's $17.51 

7/31/13 Greene Turtle $ 38.69 

7/13/13 Goin Nut's Cafe $ 49.03 

Wicomico County Board of Ed 

Bonnie L Walston Domino's 10/03/12 $75.82 

Domino's 10/12/12 $63.95 

Goin Nut's cafe 10/17/12 $34.83 

Goin Nut's Cafe 11/08/12 $ 43.84 

11/09/12 Edible Arrangements $ 136.36 

Goin Nut's Cafe 11/26/12 $ 66.25

Panera Bread 11/27/12 $ 14.32 

Goin Nut's Cafe 12/17/12 $ 328.12 

Goin Nut's Cafe 2/01/13 $ 133.52 

Goin Nut's Cafe 3/21/13 $ 77.60 

Brian Foret My Turn To Cook 8/17/11 $ 144.00 

My Turn To Cook 10/20/11 $ 130.00 

Pat's Pizzeria of Salis 10/19/12 $ 66.42 

Bridget Reynolds Subway 3/29/12 $ 190.80 

Taylor's BBQ 7/03/12 $ 436.00 

Bryan D Ashby Back Street Grill 4/27/11 $168.00 

Back Street Grille 5/18/11 19.50 

Sobo's Wine Bistro 5/18/11 $ 448.50 

Dayton's Family Rest. 6/7/11 $71.95 

Carol Harrington Wright's Market 5/26/11 $279.00 

The Olive garden 6/8/11 $ 60.00 

Subway Salis Md 6/9/11 $262.12

Delmar Pizza Delmar Del $50.30 

Amy Cockey Dumser's DiaryLand Ocean City Md 5/22/12 $80.00 

Goin Nut's Cafe 6/2/12 $646.90 

OC Cakes Snow Hill Md 3/11/13 $292.20 

Tim's Pizza @ Subs 3/18/12 $772.00 

Panera Bread 3/19/13 $ 404.02 

Pizza Hut 3/21/13 $ 405.31 

Stay tuned more shocking news next week of how your tax dollars are spent.

JMB Graduation Keepsake

Nice Keepsake for JMB Grads & Families! This is last night's formal, printed graduation program. Note the "Presentation of the Class of 2013."

Did you people not know that it is the "Class of 2014" before you printed this? 

Common Core here we come.

Truer Words Were Never Spoken!

Check out ‘Beach week’ draws black crowd — and violence Coming to OC June 5, 2014

1 weekend: 3 shootings, 3 stabbings, 3 robberies

Reporters with all the local media had trouble describing what happened over the weekend when 40,000 black people descended on Virginia Beach for a party.

Their audiences, however, did not.

Daniel Johnson was one of dozens of people who had no trouble talking about the lawbreakers and the widespread chaos, danger, thefts, violence and lawlessness they brought to Virginia Beach as part of College Beach Week 2013; a time when black students could “blow off some steam” before final exams.

“Because it was a group of young black college people everyone is scared to say anything for fear of being called a racist,” he said in a post to a Virginian-Pilot news story. “It is what it is – these people come to the Beach and do everything in there [sic] power to intimidate the local and visiting White people at the Beach – rude – disrespectful – dirty and violent – They come here and treat our beach like a toilet On Saturday afternoon I went to the Harris Teeter and a LARGE group of young black visitors were in the parking lot drinking and playing loud music – intimidating locals – I called the police and even though 2 cop cars drove by nothing was done!”

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JACOBY JONES, BERNARD PIERCE, AND JIMMY SMITH KICKED OUT OF OCEAN CITY MD BAR - SEACRETS

VIEW MORE VIDEO HERE

41 Democrat Senators have signed to "REPEAL THE FIRST AMENDMENT"

Senator Ted Cruz stung Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer (NY), and 40 other Democrats, saying that the Democrat-controlled legislative body wants to “repeal the First Amendment.”

“I’m not making this up,” said Cruz, speaking at the Family Research Council event on Thursday. “Senator Chuck Schumer has announced the Senate Democrats are scheduling a vote on a constitutional amendment to give Congress the plenary power, the unlimited authority, to regulate political speech,” Cruz told the audience, who sounded quite disgruntled to hear the news (Watch Video Below).

Cruz then explained why Democrats are pushing for the anti-free speech measure: 

“Because elected officials have decided they don’t like it when the citizenry has the temerity to criticize what they’ve done. They don’t like it when pastors in their community stand up and speak the truth. And it makes their lives inconvenient when they’re not standing for principle and actually that’s pointed out back home.”

Cruz went on to explain that the amendment, which has 41 co-sponsors (all Democrats) would specifically protect organizations like the New York Times, but would be an attack on religious liberty and would “muzzle” citizens from “saying things that government finds inconvenient.” 

WATCH BELOW: 

h/t:  CNS NewsNOTE:  Because of several comments on this story indicating they would like the list of  Senate co-sponsors of S.J. Res. 19, we are providing the list below, courtesy of the Library of Congress (alpha order by last name): 

1. Tammy Baldwin (WI)
2. Mark Begich (AK)
3. Michael Bennet (CO)
4. Richard Blumenthal (CT)
5. Cory Booker (NJ)
6. Barbara Boxer (CA)
7. Sherrod Brown (OH)
8. Benjamin Cardin (MD)
9. Thomas Carper (DE)
10. Christopher Coons (DE)
11. Richard Durbin (IL)
12. Dianne Feinstein (CA)
13. Al Franken (MN)
14. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
15. Kay Hagen (NC)
16. Tom Harkin (IA)
17. Martin Heinrich (NM)
18. Mazie Hirono (HI)
19. Tim Johnson (SD)
20. Angus King, Jr. (ME)
21. Amy Klobuchar (MN)
22. Edward Markey (MA)
23. Robert Menendez (NJ)
24. Jeff Merkley (OR)
25. Barbara Mikulski (MD)
26. Christopher Murphy (CT)
27. Patty Murray (WA)
28. Jack Reed (RI)
29. Harry Reid (NV)
30. John D. Rockefeller, IV (WV)
31. Bernard Sanders (VT)
32. Brian Schatz (HI)
33. Chuck Schumer (NY)
34. Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
35. Debbie Stabenow (MI)
36. Jon Tester (MT)
37. Mark Udall (CO)
38. John Walsh (MT)
39. Elizabeth Warren (MA)
40. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)
41. Ron Wyden (OR)

CORRECTON:  Please note that the above article mentioned all co-sponsors as Democrats. Actually, there are 40 Democrats and one admitted socialist, Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), a registered Independent who caucuses with the Democrats. We apologize for the error.

Worcester Sheriff: ‘We’re Going To Be Very Proactive’; Agencies Prepared For Unsanctioned Event

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department and allied law enforcement agencies all over Worcester County are bracing for an unsanctioned event, rather ominously called “College Takeover Beach Week” next week, which will likely draw several thousand college-aged individuals to the resort area.

The active word in the event’s title is “takeover” and that’s exactly what the same group did in Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach, for example in recent years. In April 2013, the event in Virginia Beach resulted in crowds estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 college-aged individuals invading the town’s Oceanfront area.

According to reports, the big crowds roamed the streets, disrupted traffic and businesses and generally scared local residents and other visitors to the town. Perhaps more importantly, the event included several significant crimes including three shootings, multiple stabbings and other serious crimes all in the span of about four hours.

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Opponents Of Transgender Law "Scrambling" To Get Signatures

Opponents of a measure that protects transgender people from discrimination in housing, employment, credit and public accommodation say they do not have enough signatures to put the measure before voters this fall.

Washington County Delegate Neil Parrott, whose organization MDPetitions.Com is leading the referendum effort, told WBAL News that volunteers are "scrambling" to meet a deadline for filing signatures by midnight Saturday.

The opponents need to submit at least 55,736 signatures to the Maryland State Board of Elections by June 30, but must submit at least one-third of that total (18,579) by midnight on Saturday.
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EDITORS NOTE: I received a call from Mike McDermott last night stating they need at least 500 more people from the Eastern Shore to sign this petition.

WWW.MDPETITIONS.COM  

WICOMICO COUNTY

• Don Coffman - 1405 South Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801
  • 410-422-4811, doncoffman@ezy.net
  • Box is available for after-hours drop-off.
  • Sign from 9am to 2pm Sat.

Maryland Set To End 'Bounty System' For Speed Cameras

Beginning June 1, companies that operate speed cameras in Maryland will no longer by able to collect a commission for each ticket they issue to motorists.

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the Speed Monitoring Systems Reform Act of 2014 will end the current system, which some describe as a "bounty system." Now, companies will not receive a commission and must pay a fine to the jurisdictions if 5 percent of the citations issued by their machines are deemed to be invalid or fraudulent..

Also, AAA Mid-Atlantic said the new law requires that an ombudsman must be appointed in each jurisdiction to retract erroneously issued violations before they reach the suspected motorist. The law also bans jurisdictions from placing cameras in schools zones with speed limits less than 20 mph and demands that each camera is calibrated annually, according to a AAA Mid-Atlantic news release.

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WARNING: Drivers Heading To Ocean City

The State Police are out in force once again on Rt. 50 East. 

Former UMES Employee To Pay $3,800 Over Theft

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A former University of Maryland Eastern Shore employee who used state purchasing cards to buy an Xbox, cell phones, jewelry and other items for herself has been ordered to pay $3,800 to reimburse the state.

Maryland's Office of the Attorney General said Thursday that 41-year-old April Marie Sivak of Pittsville pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft. She was given a sentence of a year and a half in prison, but a judge suspended the sentence, put Sivak on three years of supervised probation and ordered her to pay the $3,800 cost of the purchases.

Sivak formerly worked as an administrative assistant in UMES's School of Pharmacy and Health Professions in 2012 and 2013. Her attorney did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
Source

BREAKING NEWS: White House Press Secretary Jay Carney Resigns

Carney replaced Robert Gibbs as the White House's chief spokesman in early 2011. He plans to leave in mid-June and will be replaced by Josh Earnest, a deputy press secretary.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is stepping down, President Obama announced Friday in a surprise statement at the start of Carney's daily press briefing.

Carney, who said he plans to leave in mid-June, will be replaced by Josh Earnest, a deputy press secretary.

Obama praised Carney for his "good heart" and "temperament" as he dealt with the media since he replaced Robert Gibbs as the White House's chief spokesman in early 2011.
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WBOC Weatherman Dan Satterfield, Hey, So I Lied...

During the summer months literally hundreds of thousands of people and businesses depend on the accuracy of Dan's experience. Today is a small but perfect example. 

The students of Delmar Middle and High School took a trip to Jolly Rodgers in Ocean City. The forecast last night, 70's and NO RAIN.

Well Dan, I'm in Ocean City and it has been raining all day, so far. It also is in the low 60's. Oh, wait a second, it's now 1:26 PM and I'll be darned, the sun just peaked out. Oh well, it went away again.

Thanks for letting all those parents be prepared while so many students simply showed up in short sleeve shirts and bathing suits for the day. 

While my Grandson was upset that I demanded he wear sweat pants and bring a sweat shirt, I'm sure he's been thinking all day, (so far) good move Grandpa! I'll explain to him later why I'm a much better Weatherman simply because MOST of us on Delmarva simply do the opposite of whatever WBOC tells us to do. 

Today's Survey Question 5-30-14

If Edward Snowden were to return to the U.S. do you think he should serve jail time?

National Park Service Plans To Note Places Linked To Gay History

SAN FRANCISCO — The National Park Service is launching an initiative to make places and people of significance to the history of lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual Americans part of the national narrative.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell is convening a panel of 18 scholars next month that will be charged with exploring the LGBT movement’s story in areas such as law, religion, media, civil rights and the arts. The committee will identify relevant sites and its work will be used to evaluate them for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, designation as National Historic Landmarks, or consideration as national monuments, Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis said. “The Park Service is, in my view, America’s storyteller through place,” Jarvis said “It’s important that the places we recognize represent the full complement of the American experience.”

MIRRORS OTHER EFFORTS

The process mirrors efforts the service already has undertaken to preserve and promote locations that reflect the roles of Latinos, Asian-Americans and women in U.S. history.
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WCSO PRESS RELEASE - Autism Awareness Training

PRESS RELEASE - Autism Awareness Training

On Saturday, May 31st, 2014, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office will host a class titled “Autism Awareness for Law Enforcement” at the Salisbury Fire Department Headquarters, 325 Cypress Street, Salisbury. Mr. Scott Fowler will be presenting.

Mr. Fowler has worked in public education for over two decades, serving as a teacher, lead teacher, assistant principal, principal and working in a central office capacity. Additionally, he is the parent of a child on the spectrum. He has provided training's for teachers/educators, the hospitality industry, law enforcement and other enterprises that benefit from a better understanding from autism awareness.

One in 68 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and persons with ASD are 7 times more likely to interact with law enforcement than the general population. The most common interactions between law enforcement and the ASD community occur during missing child/person situations, domestic issues (concerns in the home with the individual or the caregiver), as a victim reporting a crime or after having committed an offense. This training will assist police officers to better recognize and interact with members of our community with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and their families.

Inside the Ring: Directive outlines Obama's policy to use the military against citizens

A 2010 Pentagon directive on military support to civilian authorities details what critics say is a troubling policy that envisions the Obama administration’s potential use of military force against Americans.

The directive contains noncontroversial provisions on support to civilian fire and emergency services, special events and the domestic use of the Army Corps of Engineers.

The troubling aspect of the directive outlines presidential authority for the use of military arms and forces, including unarmed drones, in operations against domestic unrest.

“This appears to be the latest step in the administration’s decision to use force within the United States against its citizens,” said a defense official opposed to the directive.

Directive No. 3025.18, “Defense Support of Civil Authorities,” was issued Dec. 29, 2010, and states that U.S. commanders “are provided emergency authority under this directive.”

“Federal military forces shall not be used to quell civil disturbances unless specifically authorized by the president in accordance with applicable law or permitted under emergency authority,” the directive states.

“In these circumstances, those federal military commanders have the authority, in extraordinary emergency circumstances where prior authorization by the president is impossible and duly constituted local authorities are unable to control the situation, to engage temporarily in activities that are necessary to quell large-scale, unexpected civil disturbances” under two conditions.

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