Delmarva’s chicken industry boosts economic output and generates $1.05 billion in income for workers, farmers

APRIL 3, 2019 – Delmarva's meat chicken industry increased its economic output by 18.6 percent in the past five years by producing 4.3 billion pounds of chicken worth $3.4 billion in 2018, according to new data released by Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI). The 20,425 chicken company employees on Delmarva earned $784 million in wages in 2018, and the region’s 1,302 chicken growers earned $268 million in contract income. In total, income earned by employees and farmers associated with Delmarva’s chicken industry was $1.05 billion.

Since 1957, DPI has collected and compiled data from the poultry companies operating on Maryland's Eastern Shore, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and in Delaware to gauge the scope and growth of Delmarva's chicken economy. Overall, farmers raised 605 million chickens in 2018, about the same number as were raised in 2017. The chickens were raised in 5,166 chicken houses across Delmarva – 9 percent fewer chicken houses than were in active use 20 years ago. Modern chicken houses, larger than those built in the past, are more energy-efficient and have climate, feed and water technology that improves bird health. The average Delmarva chicken farm today has four chicken houses in operation.

“These numbers reflect certain challenges growers and chicken companies faced in 2018, including downward pressure on prices of all proteins, not just chicken,” said Holly Porter, DPI’s executive director. “The chicken community on Delmarva used resources efficiently and achieved modest growth in recent years, while at the same time embracing and extending environmental practices that are measurably improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Highlights from DPI’s 2018 report on Delmarva’s chicken industry:

• Chicken growers and companies planted more than 7,500 trees as part of DPI’s vegetative environmental buffers program.
• Delmarva’s chicken companies invested $137 million in capital improvements, including investments in wastewater treatment and processing plants.
• To make chicken feed, chicken companies purchased 93 million bushels of corn, 41 million bushels of soybeans, and 266,800 bushels of wheat. Total feed ingredient costs came to $1.01 billion, 3 percent more than the prior year.
• Chicken companies purchased $260 million in packaging and processing supplies.

Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. is the Delmarva chicken industry’s voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education and member relations. For more information, visit dpichicken.org; like DPI on Facebook; and follow us onTwitter.

$7 Billion In Equipment Looted From Former US Base In Afghanistan

The US handed over the Camp Kearney base in Paktika Province to the Afghan government in 2014, with an estimated $8 billion in equipment still inside.

Today, the estimation is that about $1 billion worth of equipment is left.

So what happened between then and now that cost the site about $7 billion?

Mass looting.

The provincial governor says that former governors, local mayors, MPs, and commanders have all had a go at the site, and everyone has been entering the base and taking anything that isn’t nailed down.

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New York ACLU comes to Chick-fil-A's defense in Buffalo

After Chick-fil-A’s arrival to a New York airport was scrapped over a top executive at the company’s conservative political beliefs, a surprising and powerful advocate has come to the company’s defense.

The New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union has sided with Chick-fil-A after the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority decided the fast-food chain could not open a store at Buffalo Niagara International Airport in the fall.

New York Civil Liberties Union Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs Erika Lorshbough told The Hill on Wednesday that the First Amendment does not allow the authority to take action against the restaurant chain for its political beliefs.

“Government actors cannot officially silence speech or take punitive actions based on a person’s or private entity’s political viewpoints,” Lorshbough said in a statement.

Plans to scrap the Chick-fil-A branch came after New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, a Democrat, pressured the authority. Ryan wrote in a Facebook post, “We can't allow companies who support anti-LGBTQ groups to do business at state owned facilities.”

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91-YEAR-OLD SWEDE PROSECUTED AND HEAVILY FINED FOR STATING THAT MUSLIMS “SEEM TO BE INBRED”

In Skåne in southern Sweden, the judicial system’s resources have recently, among other things, been used to frame a 91-year-old man who wrote negatively about Islam and Muslims on Facebook.

The man who is from Bromölla was convicted of “incitement to racial or ethnic hatred” after he wrote “offensive” about Muslims, according to the local newspaper.

“You cannot, with the best will in the world, call these creatures humans. They seem to be inbred, the way they behave”, the elderly man supposedly wrote.

The local newspaper calls him “Sweden’s oldest online hater”.

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Baltimore Files Major Class-Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Baltimore City is going after some big financial institutions in a class action antitrust lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges price-fixing and conspiracy in the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bond market. City Solicitor Andre Davis said he's bringing the suit to protect city taxpayer interests.

"We have focused on those inside the city and outside the city who pose a risk of harm, financial harm or other harm, to the people of Baltimore," Davis said.

Davis said the city has filed the class-action antitrust suit seeking to recover damages for a price-fixing conspiracy in the sale and purchase of debt issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., also known as Freddie Mac. They are referred to as "FFBs," short for Fannie and Freddie bonds.

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Wise words from this 'young' lady!

Wise words from this 'young' lady!

Twice this week, I have watched an elderly individual, fade into the busy life in which we all live. One man just needed Tylenol for his wife but the shop assistant simply said it’s in aisle ‘6’. But he struggled to navigate the supermarket and as I watched him go in the wrong direction, I left all my groceries and took him where he needed to go.

Today, I watched an elderly man struggle in the heat, who had obviously had a fall with a huge scrape and blood on his leg. He walked past people in the cafe, while he slowly made his way to his car. Not one person stopped. Or looked. Or acknowledged him. I took him to his car and checked he was ok. He told me he had a fall and wasn’t sure how the air con worked in his car so he just didn’t use it. I sat with him, until his air con kicked in and heard him talk about the old frail body that he is in, that fails him now, every single day.

When you see an elderly person walking down the street, searching in the supermarket or struggling to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule and ask them if they need a hand. Think about your grand parents and your parents and how pissed you would be if someone didn’t stop to help them. But more, think of them as you.

Once upon a time they were you. They were busy, they had work, they had children, they were able. Today, they are just in an older body that is not going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing. They deserve our utmost respect and consideration. One day it will be you, it will be us. I wish more people gave a shit about them and acknowledged them for their admirable existence and jeez I hope someday, not that far away, someone does it for me.

Chelsea Clinton will stop by the Curious Iguana to sign copies of her latest book

At the Curious Iguana’s next book signing, kids will get a chance to learn more about tigers, rhinos, and whales — and say hi to Chelsea Clinton.

The author and former first daughter is stopping in Frederick on April 9 to promote her newest children’s book, “Don’t Let Them Disappear.”

The illustrated text covers 12 different endangered species and the traits that make them special, from weighty blue whales to paw-washing sea otters.

Curious Iguana Owner Marlene England was thrilled when Clinton’s publicist emailed and asked if the store would host a signing, she said. Clinton is only expected to stop in two other bookstores across the United States, including Avid Bookshop in Atlanta and Women & Children First in Chicago. Earlier on April 9, she’s stopping by the Maryland Zoo for two scheduled readings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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Salisbury, MD Man Arrested on Fraud Charges-Laurel

Laurel– The Delaware State Police Financial Crimes Unit have arrested a Salisbury, Maryland man on multiple charges related to a fraud investigation.

The investigation began in September 2018, when a fraud report was filed in reference to a sales agreement that was made with Midway RV & Sales located at 32101 Sussex Highway, Laurel.  It was learned that the owner, 57-year-old William G Carey Jr. was taking in consignment used motorhomes and travel trailers and re-selling them.  Carey would take the victim’s money to purchase the consigned motorhomes and travel trailers and not pay off the previous liens.  Carey would then submit falsified sales invoices to the banks and department of motor vehicles.

During the sale, Carey would offer an extended warranty at an additional charge through a separate vendor.  Carey would complete the paperwork but would never submit it to the warranty company or send in the required payment to activate the warranty, keeping the money for himself.  It was also discovered that Carey would falsify the bill of sales to get his purchasers qualified for financing through their local banks on high end RV’s.

On April 4, 2019, Carey was taken into custody at his business without incident.  He was transported back to Troop 4 where he was charged with the following:

• Theft by False Pretense over $1500.00 (4 counts)
• Falsifying Business Records (15 counts)
• Offering False Instrument for Filing
• Defrauding Secured Creditors
• Deceptive Business Practices (6 counts)

Carey was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and released on $25,000.00 unsecured bond.

The case continues to remain under investigation by the Delaware State Police Financial Crimes Unit.  If you believe you are a victim of this crime, please contact Detective Shockley at 302-856-5850.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Berlin Fire Co. budget ask totals over $900,000

While the Town Council looked at a general fund budget proposal 18 percent lower than the current year’s spending, Berlin Fire Company and EMS officials on the same evening asked for a significant funding increase.

Several town officials also questioned some of the fire company’s accounting practices.

The Town Council a year ago approved a $605,000 contract for services for fire and EMS, representing a large increase over previous years. From 2015-2017, the average annual funding was $400,000.

This year, however, fire and EMS officials are requesting $909,000 in total funding, which includes capital requests for several new vehicles.

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WCSO Press Release - April 4, 2019

Incident: Safety Training Exercise: Salisbury Christian School 

Date of Incident: April 5, 2019

Location: Parker Road and Outten Road, Salisbury MD.

Narrative: On April 5, 2019, the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and Salisbury Fire/EMS will participate in a Full Scale exercise simulating an evacuation of Salisbury Christian School. The exercise will begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish around 11:00 p.m. on the grounds of Salisbury Christian School.
The challenge scenario will present a situation as a real time event.
The Wicomico County Sheriff’s office encourages all motorists to use extra care and caution in this area.

Trump Is Turning NATO Into a Viable Military Force

The Trump administration has made great strides in recent months to transform the cash-strapped and perpetually ailing North Atlantic Treaty Organization into a viable global military force that has the capabilities to confront Russia and other rogue regimes allied with terror forces.

Vice President Mike Pence, in wide-ranging remarks on Wednesday before a gathering of NATO members in Washington, D.C., outlined a series of reforms the Trump administration has taken to boost NATO’s military readiness and position it as a force that can combat Russian aggression, as well as that of regional terror groups.

Pence told NATO members the United States "will no longer agree to any measures or treaties that force unilateral disarmament upon us," a direct reference to Russia's continued construction and use of missile systems that violate international arms treaties.

This vision has guided the Trump administration's efforts to push NATO members into contributing greater financial resources to the organization, as well as recent efforts to create joint forces that can deploy to critical areas on the fly.

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*Update #5* Laurel Man Extradited and Arraigned on Murder Charges

Laurel– Joseph A. Beck, 32 of Laurel has been extradited back to Delaware, where he has been charged and arraigned.

On April 4, 2019, Beck was extradited back to Delaware from Stafford County Virginia, and charged with the following:

• Murder First Degree
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
• Abuse of Corpse

Beck was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $2,062,000.00 cash only bond.

Previous press releases on this case can be found HERE

Michigan boy, 12, fed up with potholes, decides to fix them himself

A 12-year-old boy in Michigan has decided he's not going to wait for officials to fill the large potholes dotting a street near his home and is instead getting his hands dirty and filling the craters himself.

Monte Scott starting filling potholes last week using a shovel and dirt from his backyard in Muskegon Heights after he grew fed up with the state of neighborhood roads.

“I didn't want people messing up their cars like my mom did,” he told WZZM-TV. “If somebody were to drive down the street and hit a pothole, and then would have to pay like $600-700 to get their car fixed, they would be mad."

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/michigan-boy-12-fed-up-with-potholes-decides-to-fix-them-himself

After Stressing Need to Present a Budget, House Dems Fail to Get One Done

After Democrats took control of the House with many candidates stressing the importance of passing a budget, party leadership has punted the idea of passing a budget due to internal divides over spending priorities and taxes.

It had become increasingly clear that House Democrats would be unable to agree on a budget blueprint that could pass a floor vote, with more liberal lawmakers demanding cuts to defense spending, an embrace of expensive liberal policies, and tax increases to pay for them. Leadership officially abandoned any prospect of getting a deal done on Monday, according to Bloomberg.

The failure is a blow to Democratic lawmakers in swing districts who bashed Republicans for failing to get a budget passed in recent years. Many of the freshman lawmakers, such as Rep. Cindy Axne (D., Iowa), cosponsored a bill that would raise the stakes for failing to come together on a budget.

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CHINESE NATIONAL CHARGED AFTER SNEAKING INTO MAR-A-LAGO WITH MALICIOUS SOFTWARE

Secret Service agents arrested a woman with two Chinese passports after she reportedly lied to agents and gained access to Mar-a-Lago with malicious software.

Yujing Zhang, 32, arrived at a Secret Service checkpoint Saturday afternoon outside of the president’s club in Palm Beach, Florida, while President Donald Trump was present.

She told agents she was a member of the club and coming to use the pool, The Associated Press reported. Zhang reportedly successfully gained entry to the club after showing the passports to an agent, according to court documents.

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Americans Had To Borrow 88 Billion Dollars To Cover Their Medical Bills Last Year

I know that the headline sounds outrageous, but it is actually true. According to a brand new report that was just released, Americans had to borrow 88 billion dollars to cover their medical bills last year. That is a truly astounding number, and it shows just how dramatically our current health care system has failed. And even though the vast majority of Americans are covered by “health insurance”, millions of us are deathly afraid to go to the hospital because of what it might cost. Today, two-thirds of all personal bankruptcies in the United States are caused by medical bills, and most of the people going bankrupt actually had health insurance. Overall, more than half a million American families are financially ruined by medical bills each year, and meanwhile our “representatives” in Washington are doing absolutely nothing to fix the problem.

Surveys have shown that up to two-thirds of the country is living paycheck to paycheck at least part of the time, and an unexpected medical bill can be absolutely devastating for those that are just barely scraping by.

Without much of a financial cushion to fall back on, many families must borrow money when confronted with a large medical expense, and the scale at which this is happening is absolutely stunning…

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Trump Savages AOC: 'Young Bartender' Has Dems 'Petrified'

The Democrats have been taken hostage by the "young bartender" Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), according to President Trump, who mercilessly mocked the freshman congresswoman and her Green New Deal on Tuesday night, reports The Hill.

"Trump told House GOP lawmakers at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner that he didn't want to be too critical of the Green New Deal because he hoped to campaign against it," reports the outlet. "He went on to chide Ocasio-Cortez without explicitly naming her."

The president characterized the Green New Deal as a ridiculous piece of legislation that Democrats are too afraid to openly denounce because of Ocasio-Cortez's popularity with the progressive base.

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TRUMP TO PURSUE ‘AGGRESSIVE’ EXECUTIVE CRACKDOWN ON IMMIGRATION

The White House is exploring all executive authorities in existing law that will allow an aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration and legal immigration fraud, senior adviser to the president Stephen Miller told The Daily Caller in an exclusive telephone interview.

“There’s going to be an aggressive effort to utilize every existing authority in statute,” Miller announced, explaining that several authorities exist in immigration laws passed by Congress throughout history, including the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.

Miller noted that the White House is “systematically reviewing all authorities that are already on the books, both in terms of cracking down on illegal immigration and […] the abuse of our legal immigration system.” The targeted abuse actions include illegal immigrants who overstay temporary visas, “combatting or addressing legal benefit seeking in the legal immigration system.”

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Greenbelt man ran global 'spearphishing' email scam, nets millions

GREENBELT, Md. — A 24-year-old Greenbelt man by the name of "Albanky" drove a Bentley Continental, a Porsche and a Land Rover. He made a hip-hop video documenting his life as a club denizen in D.C. area nightspots and claimed to run a media production business.

In reality, the man -- with roots in Cameroon -- identified as Aldrin Fon Fomukong, and a crew of collaborators, helped run a destructive series of email frauds that netted them millions and pushed innocent victims to the brink of financial ruin. The collaborators reached from Greenbelt, College Park and Bowie, to South Africa, West Africa and Europe.

The wire fraud and money laundering scheme was documented by prosecutors who have secured six guilty pleas sending at least one scammer to federal prison for more than seven years.

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Wicomico: Press release for the Alcohol Compliance Spot Check done on 04/03/19