DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, April 08, 2017
Tillerson: Russia ‘failed’ to deliver on vow to secure Syria’s chemical weapons
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Russia “failed” in its responsibility to deliver on a 2013 commitment to secure Syria’s chemical weapons.
Tillerson briefed reporters shortly after the U.S. launched cruise missiles against a Syrian air base in retaliation for a gruesome chemical weapons attack. The secretary said Russia has either been complicit or “simply incompetent” in failing to deliver on its end of the agreement.
The agreement was struck after a 2013 chemical weapons attack. President Barack Obama threatened air strikes at the time, but ultimately pulled back on military action.
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Tillerson briefed reporters shortly after the U.S. launched cruise missiles against a Syrian air base in retaliation for a gruesome chemical weapons attack. The secretary said Russia has either been complicit or “simply incompetent” in failing to deliver on its end of the agreement.
The agreement was struck after a 2013 chemical weapons attack. President Barack Obama threatened air strikes at the time, but ultimately pulled back on military action.
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Sussex Drug Unit Arrest Four in Illegal Narcotics Investigation
- Jamel S. Gibbs
Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier
Millsboro – The Delaware State Police Sussex County Drug Unit has arrested four people following a month long investigation into the sale of illegal narcotics.
Detectives assigned to the Drug Unit, along with the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force and State Police Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T.), conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 27000 block of Sandy Drive on around 3:00 p.m., Friday April 7, 2017. Upon the detectives arrival, Jamel S. Gibbs, 36 of the listed address, was observed running down the hallway and entered a bathroom. He then attempted to discard numerous bags of suspected cocaine and heroin in the bathroom toilet. Gibbs was then taken into custody without further incident. Navonda D. Farrow, 51, Pornell R. Farrow, 54, and Krista M. Gdowik, 28, all of the listed address, were contacted in the residence and placed in custody without incident. A 6-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl were also in the house and were turned over to family members at the scene. Detectives located a total of 326 bags of heroin (2.282 grams), 5.61 grams of powder cocaine, 1.73 grams of marijuana, over $4,200.00 in suspected drug proceeds, as well as a 12 gauge shotgun.
All four subjects were transported back to Troop 4 where Jamel Gibbs was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Heroin), Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Resisting Arrest, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $50,000.00 cash bond.
Navonda Farrow was charged with Maintaining a Drug Property and Unlawfully Dealing With a Child Where Dangerous Drugs are Present. She was arraigned at JP2 and released on $2,000.00 unsecured bond.
Pornell Farrow was charged with Maintianing a Drug Propery and released on $2,000.00 unsecured bond.
Krista Gdowik was charged with two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawfully Dealing With a Child Where Dangerous Drugs are Present. She was released on $300.00 unsecured bond.
(No mugshots available for Navonda and Pornell Farrow as well as Krista Gdowik)
Congress wants to hear Trump plans on Syria; debate on use of military force looming
Most members of Congress have praised President Trump’s missile strike Thursday against a Syrian regime airfield used to stage for this week’s chemical weapons attack — but lawmakers say the White House needs to quickly detail its plans for what comes next.
The cruise missile strike was the proportionate response to the Syrian regime’s action, most members of Congress said.
But they are worried about the next steps, and appear anxious to pin down the policy of a president who just days ago was saying he wasn’t concerned about the Assad regime.
“We cannot stand by in silence as dictators murder children with chemical weapons,” said Reps. Steve Russell and Seth Moulton, an Oklahoma Republican and Massachusetts Democrat who are chairmen of the Warrior Caucus of combat veterans in Congress. “But military action without clear goals and objective gets us nowhere. We look forward to hearing the president present a plan for Syria to the American people, for Congress to agree on bipartisan action, and for America to partner with the world community to help bring this treacherous conflict to an end.”
Mr. Trump acted under his powers as commander in chief, which according to the War Powers Resolution give him permission to commit the U.S. military to short periods of action, as long as he reports back to them and keeps them informed.
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The cruise missile strike was the proportionate response to the Syrian regime’s action, most members of Congress said.
But they are worried about the next steps, and appear anxious to pin down the policy of a president who just days ago was saying he wasn’t concerned about the Assad regime.
“We cannot stand by in silence as dictators murder children with chemical weapons,” said Reps. Steve Russell and Seth Moulton, an Oklahoma Republican and Massachusetts Democrat who are chairmen of the Warrior Caucus of combat veterans in Congress. “But military action without clear goals and objective gets us nowhere. We look forward to hearing the president present a plan for Syria to the American people, for Congress to agree on bipartisan action, and for America to partner with the world community to help bring this treacherous conflict to an end.”
Mr. Trump acted under his powers as commander in chief, which according to the War Powers Resolution give him permission to commit the U.S. military to short periods of action, as long as he reports back to them and keeps them informed.
More
Lost Bear Cub Found On Porch Of Western Md. Home
Wildlife officials tell WJZ, while it’s not an everyday occurrence, around this time of year, a bear sighting isn’t unheard of.
And while it can tempting to interact with one as small as this baby cub, their advice: don’t.
Pictures that without a doubt can be classified as “unbearably” cute.
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Democrats Praise Trump on Syria Military Action
The United States military launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Shayrat Airfield, a Syrian military airbase. U.S. officials believe the airbase was where Syrian President Basha al-Assad forces allegedly carried out Tuesday's airstrike that involved chemical weapons.
Trump's decision was met with praise by his political opponents across the aisle.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) released a statement that applauded Trump's actions as the "right thing to do."
Beef & Dumpling Dinner Tomorrow!!
Beef & Dumpling Dinner Fundraiser to benefit Delmar Little League. Tickets will be available to purchase through any player , coach or board member of Delmar Little League. $15/ticket- eat in or carry out
Georgetown Man Arrested by Troopers for Human Trafficking
NEWS RELEASE
DELAWARE STATE POLICE
Superintendent, Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr.
United States Department of Homeland Security
Resident Agent in Charge, Jonathan Free
Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier
Georgetown - The Human Trafficking Task Force comprised of the Delaware State Police, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Delaware Department of Justice have arrested a Georgetown man in connection with human trafficking.
On Thursday April 6, 2017, Jorge Arcinieja, 55 of Georgetown was arrested after a lengthy investigation into an alleged prostitution operation being conducted out of a mobile home located at 36 Garden Circle in the County Seat Mobile Home Park. Upon conducting surveillance on the home, detectives were able to obtain a search warrant on the residence after observing numerous vehicles and men frequent the home for a short period of time before leaving. When detectives and investigators entered the house, Arcinieja attempted to flee out of the rear door, but was taken into custody without further incident. A 25-year-old female, who was determined to be from the Dominican Republic, was located in a bedroom along with various items used in commercial sex trade.
Through the investigation it was determined that the female victim was transported to the Garden Circle location from outside of Delaware and was confined to a bedroom where she was forced to perform illicit acts with men visiting the home.
Pentagon: Russia May Have Directly Participated in Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack
A stunning update on Friday afternoon from the Associated Press said the Pentagon is investigating possible Russian participation in the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons attack.
These officials also supported the dire suspicion that nearby hospitals were attacked to cover up evidence of the WMD deployment:
The officials say Russia has failed to control the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons.
They say a drone belonging either to Russia or Syria was seen hovering over the site of the chemical weapons attack Tuesday after it happened. The drone returned late in the day as citizens were going to a nearby hospital for treatment. Shortly afterward, officials say the hospital was bombed.
The officials say they believe the hospital attack may have been an effort to cover up evidence of the attack.
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These officials also supported the dire suspicion that nearby hospitals were attacked to cover up evidence of the WMD deployment:
The officials say Russia has failed to control the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons.
They say a drone belonging either to Russia or Syria was seen hovering over the site of the chemical weapons attack Tuesday after it happened. The drone returned late in the day as citizens were going to a nearby hospital for treatment. Shortly afterward, officials say the hospital was bombed.
The officials say they believe the hospital attack may have been an effort to cover up evidence of the attack.
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OC’s Proposed Budget Includes Small Tax Cut For Resident Property Owners
City Manager Doug Miller and Budget Manager Jennie Knapp outlined the proposed fiscal year budget on Tuesday, launching a two-week process that will ultimately end with an adopted spending plan.
The total budget for all funds is just over $128 million with the general fund making up around $84 million. The general fund budget includes an increase of about $3.2 million over fiscal year 2017, or roughly 4 percent.
“This budget has been fully vetted,” said Miller. “What we’re doing with the budget is the single most important thing we do. Every dollar has been accounted for to the best of our ability. It’s a status quo budget for the most part, which means we told the departments not to ask for anything they didn’t have last year.”
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Grassley: Judge Gorsuch Confirmation Ends Sen. Schumer’s 16-Year Era of Filibustering Judges
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee told reporters he was proud to have shepherded the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch through to his Senate confirmation Friday, which ended the era of filibustering Supreme Court nominations that Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) began 16 years ago.
“There are a significant events that brought us to this point of adding a new member to the Supreme Court, but I think we just witnessed one of the most important votes that a member of the United States Senate can cast. Judge Gorsuch will be an independent voice on that Supreme Court. He proved that very much during the hearings,” said Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA).
The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s Gorsuch nomination 54-45, with Vice President Mike Pence presiding not so much because he was concerned there would be a tie, but because he and the other senators seem to enjoy his presence in the chamber.
Grassley said the dismissal of the 60-vote requirement returns the Senate to where it was before Democrats began the practice of blocking appointments with the filibuster.
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“There are a significant events that brought us to this point of adding a new member to the Supreme Court, but I think we just witnessed one of the most important votes that a member of the United States Senate can cast. Judge Gorsuch will be an independent voice on that Supreme Court. He proved that very much during the hearings,” said Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA).
The Senate approved President Donald Trump’s Gorsuch nomination 54-45, with Vice President Mike Pence presiding not so much because he was concerned there would be a tie, but because he and the other senators seem to enjoy his presence in the chamber.
Grassley said the dismissal of the 60-vote requirement returns the Senate to where it was before Democrats began the practice of blocking appointments with the filibuster.
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O.C. Brew Fest quietly canceled
MASIV Events & Festivals, the promotional company that organized the beer event, announced the cancellation three weeks ago on Facebook. Its website’s main page still advertised the O.C. Brew Fest after the cancellation.
But when visitors attempted to buy tickets, they were redirected to a page that had a message about the cancellation.
“Sorry for any inconvenience folks, due to unforeseen circumstances the O.C. Brew Fest has been cancelled,” the site reads. “There are plans to reschedule to a later date so stay tuned for updates!”
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IRS commissioner: 100K taxpayers potentially compromised in online data breach
Upwards of 100,000 taxpayers may have had their personal information compromised by an online security breach, the head of the IRS said.
Testifying Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said identity thieves exploited a bug within one of its web-based data tools to file millions of dollars’ worth of fraudulent tax returns.
“Fortunately we caught this at the front end,” Mr. Koskinen said at the hearing. “Our highest priority is making sure that we protect taxpayers and their identity.”
The agency’s “data retrieval tool” is designed to import financial records between the IRS and the Department of Education’s website to help taxpayers completing a lengthy college financial aid form know as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. According to the commissioner, however, criminals harnessed a security flaw within the tool to steal other people’s data and then file and collect false tax returns.
The IRS disabled the tool last month, Mr. Koskinen said Thursday, but not before the agency issued about 8,000 fraudulent tax returns totaling roughly $30 million. Another 14,000 bogus returns were spotted by investigators before refunds were issued, and another 52,000 filings were halted altogether, he said.
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Testifying Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said identity thieves exploited a bug within one of its web-based data tools to file millions of dollars’ worth of fraudulent tax returns.
“Fortunately we caught this at the front end,” Mr. Koskinen said at the hearing. “Our highest priority is making sure that we protect taxpayers and their identity.”
The agency’s “data retrieval tool” is designed to import financial records between the IRS and the Department of Education’s website to help taxpayers completing a lengthy college financial aid form know as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. According to the commissioner, however, criminals harnessed a security flaw within the tool to steal other people’s data and then file and collect false tax returns.
The IRS disabled the tool last month, Mr. Koskinen said Thursday, but not before the agency issued about 8,000 fraudulent tax returns totaling roughly $30 million. Another 14,000 bogus returns were spotted by investigators before refunds were issued, and another 52,000 filings were halted altogether, he said.
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Comptroller Franchot Halts Processing Returns from 15 More Private Tax Preparers
“We remain steadfast and committed to protecting the integrity of our tax system,” Comptroller Franchot said. “My Questionable Return Detection Team has been tireless in identifying fraudulent returns that attempt to drain state coffers and fleece Maryland’s hardworking citizens.”
Accounting for businesses removed from last year’s list of suspended tax preparers because they are now in compliance, the active number of suspensions stands at 93 tax preparation firms at 111 locations. Since 2007, the Comptroller’s Office has detected and blocked nearly 76,000 fraudulent tax returns worth more than $174.2 million.
The new preparers or businesses notified of the action are:
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Washington Post Publishes the Worst Analysis Yet of Neil Gorsuch’s Confirmation Fight
The prize for the worst analysis to date about the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court should be awarded to Professor Richard Hasen of the University of California–Irvine Law School. Professor Hasen’s evolution from a serious legal scholar to a partisan mudslinger is now sadly complete.
That is the only conclusion to be drawn from his April 2 Washington Post editorial, “Neil Gorsuch got where he is because of a form of affirmative action.” In it, Hasen calls Judge Gorsuch “an affirmative action baby” who did not “get where he is today solely based on his merits.” According to Hasen, Judge Gorsuch’s remarkable career is a product of Justice White’s affinity for law clerks from his home state, Justice Kennedy’s charity, political connections, and wealthy clients. To call Hasen’s charges unfounded would be more charitable than his baseless speculation deserves. But Judge Gorsuch’s sterling achievements and well-earned success at every stage of his career need no defense from me or any impartial observer.
What does merit a response is Hasen’s attempt to use his baseless speculation about Judge Gorsuch as a launching pad for a defense of affirmative action. Remarkably, Hasen’s convoluted argument makes one of the best cases against race-based preferences anyone has seen in a very long time. Hasen’s thesis is that simply by knowing the circumstances of Judge Gorsuch’s life — being a Coloradan, having a politically active mother, and representing powerful clients — one can label him an “affirmative action baby.” But these kinds of assumptions are of course what make racial preferences so pernicious. In Hasen’s view, for example, every African-American graduate from an Ivy League school is presumptively an “affirmative action baby” who did not gain admission on merit. As Hasen says: “There are often more qualified people than there are positions.” So, in his eyes, race must have played a role. Quite accidentally, then, Hasen proves Justice Clarence Thomas’s point: “These programs stamp minorities with a badge of inferiority,” and in so doing, “undermine the moral basis of the equal protection principle.”
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Well What Will You Do About April Jackson Governor?
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan issued the following statement regarding the final and unanimous passage of the administration’s Public Integrity Act of 2017 by the Maryland General Assembly:
“Today is a great day in our historic state capital. I commend Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Mike Busch, and the Maryland General Assembly for working with our administration in a bipartisan fashion to unanimously pass the most important and transformative ethics reform legislation in over a decade. Together, we have made major progress in fulfilling our shared obligation to preserve the honor and the foundation of public trust that our proud institutions of government should always command.
“With this legislation, we are reaffirming our promise and commitment to the accountability, transparency, and fairness that the people of Maryland deserve. I look forward to joining with both presiding officers in signing the Public Integrity Act of 2017 into law.”
OC Debating Whether To Eliminate Boardwalk Code Enforcer
OCEAN CITY — While complaints about off-color Boardwalk displays and signage have dropped significantly in recent years, resort leaders voiced concern this week eliminating a seasonal enforcement position could erase the progress and nurture a return to how things were in the past.
During a budget work session on Wednesday, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville pointed out some changes in the way his staff is best utilized has reduced the need for a part-time seasonal code enforcement officer on the Boardwalk. The individual monitors compliance with town’s codes regarding outdoor displays and signage. Not so long ago, complaints spiked on the Boardwalk about not only the content of some outdoor displays and signage but also the location and a concerted effort was made to enforce existing ordinances.
The efforts have received the desired results for the most part with fewer complaints about non-compliant outdoor displays and signs. Based on that success, Neville’s fiscal year 2018 budget calls for the elimination of the part-time code enforcement officer on the Boardwalk, which would cost an estimated $3,100.
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During a budget work session on Wednesday, Planning and Community Development Director Bill Neville pointed out some changes in the way his staff is best utilized has reduced the need for a part-time seasonal code enforcement officer on the Boardwalk. The individual monitors compliance with town’s codes regarding outdoor displays and signage. Not so long ago, complaints spiked on the Boardwalk about not only the content of some outdoor displays and signage but also the location and a concerted effort was made to enforce existing ordinances.
The efforts have received the desired results for the most part with fewer complaints about non-compliant outdoor displays and signs. Based on that success, Neville’s fiscal year 2018 budget calls for the elimination of the part-time code enforcement officer on the Boardwalk, which would cost an estimated $3,100.
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Hillary Clinton Again Blames 'Misogyny' for Election Defeat
Failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has once again blamed her widespread unpopularity on misogyny, telling a summit this week that it “certainly played a role” in her election defeat to Donald Trump last November.
“Certainly misogyny played a role,” Clinton told a Women in the World Summit on Thursday. “I mean, that has to be admitted.”
She then went on to claim that people felt uncomfortable with her being a successful woman, claiming that there is an “inverse relationship” between success and popularity that only applies to women.
Clinton’s comments were in response to a question on why she lost the election, to which she said she believed that there was no single reason.
“[Like] in any campaign, there are so many different crosscurrents and events, and some have a greater impact than others,” she said.
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“Certainly misogyny played a role,” Clinton told a Women in the World Summit on Thursday. “I mean, that has to be admitted.”
She then went on to claim that people felt uncomfortable with her being a successful woman, claiming that there is an “inverse relationship” between success and popularity that only applies to women.
Clinton’s comments were in response to a question on why she lost the election, to which she said she believed that there was no single reason.
“[Like] in any campaign, there are so many different crosscurrents and events, and some have a greater impact than others,” she said.
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Police pull ATM from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor (Photos)
On Thursday afternoon, powerful storms swept through the region and blew an ATM from the nearby Light the City event into the water. The department’s marine unit responded later in the evening and pulled it out of the water.
The team of several divers and officers retrieved the ATM, hooked it to a boat and pulled it out of the water, said Detective Jeremy Silbert with the Baltimore police.
He said it’s important to pull out large items in the harbor because if the current changes, it could move and possibly damage boats and piers.
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Getting the Mentally Ill Out of Jails
A dearth of beds at state psychiatric hospitals in many parts of the country and shortages of mental health resources mean that mentally ill people who commit minor crimes often end up languishing in jails, which are poorly equipped to handle their illnesses.
It’s a difficult problem that, without intervention, creates a grim cyclical pattern: Untreated mentally ill people get carted off to jail, where their illnesses go unaddressed, which increases the odds that they will commit crimes after their release.
But cities, counties and states across the U.S. are attempting to break that pattern, using law enforcement and criminal justice tools to direct those with mental illness toward treatment services that could help them control behaviors that got them into trouble.
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It’s a difficult problem that, without intervention, creates a grim cyclical pattern: Untreated mentally ill people get carted off to jail, where their illnesses go unaddressed, which increases the odds that they will commit crimes after their release.
But cities, counties and states across the U.S. are attempting to break that pattern, using law enforcement and criminal justice tools to direct those with mental illness toward treatment services that could help them control behaviors that got them into trouble.
More
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