Baltimore's Rawlings-Blake Named One of World's Best-Dressed Mayors

Vanity Fair magazine has included Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on its list of the 10 best-dressed mayors in the world.

Vanity Fair magazine – chronicler of what is fashionable, trendy and hot among urban movers and shakers – included Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in its recent list of the top 10 best-dressed mayors in the world.

“Baltimore’s chief bureaucrat looks so on point for every occasion that she should write a style guide for the modern woman in politics,” Vanity Fair raves of the mayor. “Tasteful but feminine dress for a corporate party? Check. Skinny jeans and heels (yes, heels!) at her city’s Pride Parade? Check. Well-tailored jackets and a hairdo that’s far from dowdy? Check, and check.”

Rawlings-Blake told The Baltimore Sun – which has noted her perfect makeup, along with bold jewelry choices when she appears on the Sunday talk shows -- she appreciated the honor since she’s a fashion bargain hunter.

"I take a lot of pride in my appearance as a representative of the city of Baltimore, a city with world-class fashion talent and a rich cultural history,” the mayor told the Sun. “And as a serious bargain hunter 'frugalista,' I'm always looking for new ways to step up my game."

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MAWA Eastern Nationals Arrives on the Tail of Poodle Show

Glen Avenue Road Closure Announced

Salisbury, MD – The Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) will host its Eastern Nationals at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3. The tournament is expected to draw over 3,400 individuals including wrestlers, coaches and families to the WY&CC generating an estimated economic impact of just over $2 million.

The Eastern Nationals marks the third event brought to the WY&CC by Wicomico County’s Tourism Division within the last 30 days. It falls on the heels of the 83rd Annual International Poodle Club of America Show, which drew 700+ Poodles and their handlers to Wicomico County. Earlier in April, MAWA’s South Regionals brought over 3,300 attendees. The combined economic impact of the three events is expected to surpass $5 million, and each organizer has committed to hold their event in Wicomico County through 2018.

Wrestlers participating in the Eastern Nationals are traveling to Salisbury from other parts of MD, as well as DE, VA, WV, PA, NJ and DC. They represent the top four wrestlers from each region (North, South, East & West) in each age division and weight class. To protect the safety of participants and spectators, a portion of Glen Ave. in front of the WY&CC will close from 5 a.m. Saturday, May 2 through 8 p.m. Sunday, May 3. The closed portion runs from Civic Avenue to St. Albans Drive.

Advertisements You Will Never See Again (Part 2 of 3)

How drunk sports fans helped spark Saturday night's post-protest violence

On Saturday night, following the violence that broke out near Camden Yards, a photo of me supposedly protecting a woman from violent protesters surfaced on BuzzFeed and then trickled down to the conservative armpit of the internet where it was mischaracterized. In the photo, I look strangely heroic, and the picture was quickly co-opted by those who like to present an all-too-common and easy narrative: white people being terrorized by black people.

The truth, or as much as I have been able to cobble together from my own memory and notes, videos online, video I shot, and videos from City Paper’s Managing Editor Baynard Woods, is far less interesting, though much more important than “white dude saves white lady.”

I’m not exactly sure how the violence broke out around 6 p.m. in front of Pickles Pub on Washington Boulevard and traveled up the street to The Bullpen, Sliders Bar & Grill, and Frank & Nic’s West End Grille then down Howard Street. I know a small group of protesters and a small group of baseball fans started whipping bottles at one another and brawling. When the protesters turned the corner onto Washington Boulevard from Camden Street chanting “black lives matter,” some baseball fans applauded and a few angrily chanted back, “We don’t care”—someone who worked at The Bullpen confirmed this for me. He also said that some patrons chanted “run them over,” and one yelled “go get them.” Other protestors, including City Paper contributor D. Watkins and gang members interviewed on WBAL, recall bar patrons calling them “niggers,” among other racist epithets.

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Baltimore police arrest man on live TV, sparking interest on social media

(CNN)As viewers watched on live television, a manheld his hands up and walked in front of a phalanx of police in Baltimore on Tuesday night, after a citywide curfew had started.

Seconds later, several officers in riot gear rushed out of their line and arrested him, making social media churn with questions about what happened to the man.

The incident unfolded live on CNN about 40 minutes after the 10 p.m. curfew went into effect and as authorities tried to prevent the kind of rioting -- part of protests over the death of Freddie Gray -- that plagued the city a night earlier.

Authorities would eventually say the arrested man was Joseph Kent, held on a charge of curfew violation, according to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

But people on Twitter already were circulating the name of Kent, a Baltimore activist, just minutes after the footage aired and before anyone announced why he was arrested, making #JosephKent and #WhereIsJosephKent hot topics for hours.

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FBI police officer killed in Stafford; man arrested, charged with first-degree murder

A Maryland man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Monday morning slaying of an FBI police officer in Stafford County.

Jeremy Brown, 29, of 110 Abby Lane in south Stafford was gunned down as he was leaving his home at 5:01 a.m., Stafford Sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy said.

Antoine Gary Johnson, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md. is also charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

According to police, Johnson confronted Brown as he came out of his home in uniform on his way to work. Police said they exchanged gunfire in the ensuing confrontation and Brown was killed.

Kennedy said the two men knew each other, but would not say what the confrontation was about. He said that was part of the ongoing investigation.

Numerous citizens reported hearing multiple shots fired and deputies and detectives flooded the area. Police immediately got a description of the vehicle Johnson was driving and a lookout was broadcast.

A King George deputy spotted the vehicle about 20 minutes later in the area of Caledon and Dahlgren roads in King George, and the suspect was taken into custody on nearby U.S. 301.

A handgun of the same caliber used in the slaying was found in the vehicle, Kennedy said.

Kennedy said detectives are confident that Johnson acted alone and that the attack was an isolated incident.

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MD Citizen Soldier shares experience as history teacher

By By Staff Sgt. Michael E. Davis, Jr., Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office?
Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2015

In the midst of the sirens, fires, frustration, and vandalism recently in Baltimore, the Maryland National Guard stepped in to help, becoming a part of history in the making.

 

As an infantryman with the historic 175th Infantry Regiment, Sgt. Seth Pettit also became a part of this history. Along with 2,000 other Citizen-Soldiers, the full-time high school history teacher answered Maryland’s call as a Soldier to keep Baltimore’s citizens safe.

 

Looking back on the past, frustration from civil injustices culminating with the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., sparked the Baltimore riots of 1968. The Maryland National Guard has not been used in this capacity since then, until now.

“One thing I try to do in my classes is to show students that history connects to what’s happening today,” Pettit said. “Now I’ll be able to give them that first-hand experience of being in the situation.”

 

This isn’t the first time Pettit has put down the textbook to give his students a first-hand perspective of the historic events taking place present-day.  

 

“I share stories from Iraq and what motivated me to join the Guard,” said Pettit, who joined the Guard seven years ago. “One motivation I had was 9/11, and a lot of students that I have were two, three, four years old when that happened… so I am able to relate those experiences to them.”

 

Pettit said he is proud to be apart of the team patrolling in the heart of Baltimore, keeping his fellow citizens safe, and that he wishes his experiences will inspire his students.

Source

BREAKING NEWS: Sen. Bernie Sanders says he is running for president

Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announces he will seek the 2016 Democratic nomination for president in an interview with The Associated Press.

Governor Larry Hogan Mobilizes State Resources To Support Baltimore City Law Enforcement Response

The National Guard, State Police Among State Agencies With Deployed Resources (Update, 3:30 p.m.)

REISTERSTOWN, MD – Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland officials continue to coordinate the state’s response to violent civil unrest that has occurred in Baltimore City over the last couple of days. Maryland agencies are working together at the State Emergency Operations Center, which has been fully activated at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency since this past weekend’s demonstrations, in order to provide support to Baltimore City and manage state actions.

“We are working around the clock to ensure Baltimore City remains at peace, as it has throughout the day,” said Governor Hogan. “The presence of the National Guard, Maryland State Police, and other law enforcement officials will continue in the days to come to ensure order is fully restored for the citizens of Baltimore.”

The following is a list assets that have been provided, and information related to the response:

• National Guardsmen: 277 on-mission; 1,980 authorized 
• Maryland State Police: Over 400 State Troopers and other allied law enforcement officers including officers from Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s, and Harford counties;
• 300 law enforcement from Pennsylvania, 150 from New Jersey, and 45 from the District of Columbia;
• Department of Informational Technology is providing situational awareness mapping;
• Department of General Services has deployed Capitol Police to secure state buildings in Baltimore;
• The Maryland Insurance Administration is providing information to property owners and business owners whose property was damaged;
• The Maryland Transit Administration is providing logistical support to first responders throughout the city; 
• A list of Baltimore City underground storage tank locations has been provided;
• Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives organized 2,600 volunteers who volunteered for clean-up this morning on Pennsylvania Avenue. A social media campaign was led by the Governor’s Office of Service & Volunteerism;
• Last night, Governor Hogan launched a new Web page, “Maryland Unites,” as a way to provide information and encourage the public to lend a helping hand to the Baltimore community in the aftermath of rioting and looting. Click here: www.marylandunites.org
• The Maryland Department of Environment has offered assistance to the Baltimore City Department of Public Works in the event they need extended hours at their solid waste acceptance facilities to process all solid waste;
• 20,000 meals and 1,000 bottles of water, which will be provided to law enforcement and first responders; 
• With public schools back in session today, the Family League of Baltimore and the Maryland Out of School Time Network (MOST) announced this morning that after-school programs for city children and youth at Baltimore’s Community Schools will resume. Afterschool snack and supper services will be provided at school and OST sites as usual.
• Because of the closure of the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) offices yesterday, many food stamp and cash assistance recipients were unable to come in and recertify their eligibility for benefits. To ensure that no one goes hungry, DHR is extending their benefits by one month.
• The city has an ongoing 9 p.m. curfew for juveniles and a 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. curfew has been instituted for all citizens;
• The city has reported 20 police officers injured, two of whom remain in Shock Trauma and 144 vehicle fires; and,
• Number of arrests since curfew was instituted: 41 total; 19 adults and 22 juveniles.

Twelve emergency support functions have been activated at the State Emergency Operations Center at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency in order to support the response and provide these assets, including: the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, which provides situational awareness and intelligence; the Maryland Department of Human Resources, which is the state lead for social services and humanitarian aid; the Maryland Department of General Services, which coordinates logistical support; the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems; the Maryland Department of the Environment; the Maryland Public Service Commission, which regulates and monitors utility companies and associated infrastructure; the Maryland State Police; the Maryland Department of Agriculture; the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; the Maryland Department of Transportation, which provides transportation assets; and the Maryland Military Department, which houses the National Guard.

Steve King: Baltimore Leaders 'Handed Parts of That City Over to the Mob'

The shocking violence that has rocked Baltimore is something normally seen in foreign countries, not the United States, Rep. Steve King says.

And the Iowa Republican believes the city made a bad call by apparently telling cops not to go after the rioters who looted stores, set fire to cars and injured dozens of civilians and police officers.

"It looked to me that the cops had orders that said you're not going to engage them and if they come at you, you have to back up," King said Tuesday on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.

"To think that ranks of officers with riot gear had to retreat from a mob and they couldn't go in there and arrest or didn't go and arrest … you have to win that battle.

"They backed up, retreated and handed parts of that city over to the mob, to the rioters, and that's the kind of thing you see happen in foreign countries, not in the United States of America."

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Test Conservation Period Called for Participating Delmarva Power Energy Wise Rewards Customers

Live Video Of Protests In Baltimore

Click HERE to see the live video
This video feed is changing from Baltimore to New York.

Freddie Gray's Spinal Injury Suggests 'Forceful Trauma,' Doctors Say

Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said Monday that 25-year-old Freddie Gray died of "a very tragic injury to his spinal cord," the bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Gray died Sunday, one week after his arrest in West Baltimore.

Details about Gray's injury and what caused it remain unknown. Police did not release results of an autopsy conducted Monday.

Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts said investigators were searching for any evidence of abuse by officers or other trauma that might have occurred during a 30-minute ride in a police van. Gray was angry and having difficulty walking when placed in the van and then unable to talk or breathe when he was removed, Rodriguez said.

Gray's family has said he underwent surgery at Maryland Shock Trauma Center for three fractured neck vertebrae and a crushed voice box — injuries doctors said are more common among the elderly or victims of high-speed crashes.

Medical experts said it takes powerful blunt force, and often damage to the vertebrae that surround the spinal cord, to tear or sever it.

When the body undergoes trauma such as a car accident, the intense forces on the body can shift the vertebrae out of place. And if they move too far out of alignment with one another, they can tear or sever the spinal cord, Newman said. In many cases, spinal cord tears can cause paralysis even though the vertebral column may bounce back into place undamaged, he said.

In other cases, hyper-extension of the neck either forward or backward can cause vertebrae to fracture, crushing the spinal cord.

While injuries to lower portions of the spinal column can often lead to some degree of paralysis, trauma to the neck can have the most serious consequences, including quadriplegia, the need for a ventilator to breathe, or death as a result of an inability to breathe.

Spinal cord injuries also can lead to what is known as spinal shock, when the nervous system is overcome by the injury and unable to maintain control of blood pressure or oxygenation of vital organs, Dr. Ali Bydon said.

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Mayor Jim Ireton Destroys Economic Development In Salisbury

Once again, because Jim Ireton chose to be REACTIVE, Market Street Inn was forced to close their doors this evening as customers called in and cancelled their reservations after hearing there might be a RIOT in Salisbury tonight.

Nothing like a drama queen going way overboard. MoJo's have also closed their doors and Cellar Door is going to play it by ear and stay open, unless things get out of hand. 

Indonesia Executes Seven Foreign Drug Convicts, Defying Global Anger

Indonesia early Wednesday executed seven foreign drug convicts including two Australians by firing squad but a Filipina was spared at the 11th hour, local reports said.

Defying a firestorm of international criticism and heart-rending pleas by relatives, authorities put the seven, plus a local man to death after midnight Tuesday (1700 GMT), the reports said.

However the Filipina, Mary Jane Veloso, was spared after someone suspected of recruiting her and tricking her into carrying drugs to Indonesia turned herself in to authorities in the Philippines, MetroTV and the Jakarta Post reported.

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Roadie Joe's Will Remain OPEN This Evening

Regardless of Drama Queen Jim Ireton's request that ALL businesses close their doors this evening, the owner of Roadie Joe's told me they will remain open.

You see Jimmy,  this is how real men act. Now go get your nails done before you throw yourself in front of the cameras tonight and act like, because of you, there was no violence. Man this guy makes me sick to my stomach. 

Governor Hogan Launches ‘Maryland Unites’ Web Page To Assist In Baltimore Relief Efforts

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced that his administration is launching a new Web page, “Maryland Unites,” as a way to provide information and encourage the public to lend a helping hand to the Baltimore community in the aftermath of this week’s rioting and looting.

The Web page is a resource for citizens to do three important things in support of Baltimore City:

1) Obtain up-to-date information from law enforcement officials and pertinent state agencies;

2) Donate to charitable organizations assisting community members who are in need; and

3) Volunteer to assist in clean-up and other efforts.

“We have received an outpouring of support from Marylanders and people all around the country who want to help get our beloved Baltimore back on its feet in the wake of the violence and destruction,” said Governor Hogan. “This Web page is a one-stop shop for citizens to help, and I encourage everyone to do what they can to assist Charm City at this difficult time.”

Please click here to view the Web page: www.marylandunites.org

For real-time information on services and assistance in Baltimore City, please call the Department of Human Resources’ Information Hotline:1-888-756-7836.

Hard Core Chicks: Eight Self-Defense Tactics Every Women Should Know

Society seems to dictate that women should be delicate, passive and always polite. In many cases, we give our power away because we feed into these societal norms. Crime has escalated exorbitantly and women must know when to go from passive to a fierce warrior. We cannot stand idly by waiting for help. We must rise to the occasion and know how to give someone the beat down.

Self-defense is a crucial skill that all women should know, and it takes time to develop these skills. Many women, including myself have been in situations where we looked around and didn’t feel comfortable, and in some cases the situation had the potential to quickly become dangerous. It’s important to have situational awareness and be aware of your surroundings at all times. If you do not feel comfortable, don’t feel bad about getting out of the situation all together. As well, trust your gut. When your intuition is making your spidey senses go off, it’s time to get out of there.

In many cases, predators watch their potential victims before they strike. In a study regarding how predators selected their victims, pedestrians were videotaped walking down a street and had incarcerated convicts view them. Within seven seconds of viewing the pedestrians the convicts had selected their targets. Selections were not based on gender, size, age or race, but rather on the body language exhibited. The convicts identified the following body language cues used as their basis for victim selection:

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MARTIN O’MALLEY HECKLED BY SOME IN BALTIMORE

Former Mayor of Baltimore from 1999–2007, Maryland Gov. from 2007–2015, and now prospective Democrat presidential candidate Martin O’Malley joined a prayer circle outside Simmons Memorial Baptist Church in Baltimore on Tuesday. It’s hard to imagine anyone more steeped in the politics of the area than O’Malley, who was heckled by some when he appeared.

Evidently some people told him to “get out,” according to a Washington Post report. As mayor, he’s said to have enforced strict police policies.
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Baltimore…

So what do we have here.

A guy who has been arrested a crazy number of times in his adult life including four times in 2015. But that rap sheet exposes two problems that nobody has addressed but I have written about several times over the years.

First, the huge majority of these “busts” are for consensual adult acts that nobody complained about. That is, drug offenses. They’re simply a matter of control of others and a “negative mandate” imposed on other people because you don’t like that person’s particular choice of intoxicant. Other intoxicants, however (beer anyone?) are perfectly fine and in fact taxed. What sort of thuggish crap is this sort of so-called “law”?

The second problem is arguably worse. How does someone get arrested and accused of all these serious criminal acts and yet is either convicted of none or, if they were convicted, are not incarcerated? At what point do such “arrests,” which fail to lead to convictions and incarcerations, turn from “law enforcement” to an act ethically and morally indistinguishable from extortion and even kidnapping?

A few years ago I wrote on a story of a federal marshal that was shot trying to serve a summons on a convicted felon here in Florida. But not just any convicted felon; this guy had first decided that carjacking was his means of employment, was caught and sentenced to prison. Then, being released, he decided that sexually assaulting a minor (the common name for that would be “rape”) was his second calling. He got caught a second time and the people of this state let him out again. Being out he was able to shoot said marshal when he came to serve him papers (for a purpose that was not disclosed in the paper at the time.)

This situation appears to be even more-egregious, given the length of the rap sheet. But unlike the three-time loser in Florida who was committing felonies against other people, and serious ones at that, this guy was committing crimes against himself.

In other words but for the pronouncement of someone who was unaffected by his conduct he was committing no offense at all.

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