Government benefits: Who needs long-term help?

When the Census broke down recipients by race and the duration of their claims, it found some significant differences. 

Blacks

Whites, Non-Hispanic

Asians or Pacific Islanders

Hispanics (any race)

* Numbers in percentages by months participated. 

U.S. Census Bureau

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Participation in Government Programs, 2009–2012: Who Gets Assistance?

This File has all the information from the US Census Bureau

Fire chief: Decision to respond when drinking up to firefighters

Chief Don Johnson said there was no indication that firefighter Steve Ackerman was too intoxicated to do his job

VALLEY SPRINGS, S.D. — A volunteer fire department reportedly leaves it up to firefighters on whether or not to respond to a call after they have consumed alcohol.

The Argus Leader reported that an autopsy released last week revealed firefighter Steve Ackerman, a Valley Springs firefighter who died in an April 12 house fire, had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit to drive.

Fire Chief Don Johnson said Ackerman didn’t drive a fire truck to the scene — he rode in the truck with other firefighters. This raised a question after officials released their final report on the blaze.

Chief Don Johnson said the department policy for drinking is: "if you are not functional, don't show up."

The decision whether to respond is solely up the firefighter, Johnson said. Discussions about amending the policy have taken place, but nothing has come from it, according to the report.

"If you had one beer and you're going to a fire or a grass fire, it's no big deal," Johnson said. "I like to enjoy a beer with my pizza too."

At no point, Johnson said, was there any indication that fallen firefighter Steve Ackerman was too intoxicated to do his job. He credited Ackerman's judgment in evacuating the home, according to the report.

"He was the one to yell at the other two to get out," Johnson said. "He was the one who saw something go south."

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Fun Day at the Jolly Roger Amusement Park

Tickets are now on sale for the MAC Inc. Fun Day at the Jolly Roger Amusement Park in Ocean City. The Fun Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 25.

Tickets are $25 and are on sale in advance only. The Fun Day will be held rain or shine. Tickets include unlimited Splash Mountain from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; amusement rides from 2-6 p.m. (limit two rides on the roller coaster and excluding Speedworld and Extreme Zip Line); and unlimited golf at either course from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For tickets, call 410-742-0505, ext. 113. The deadline to purchase tickets is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.

Proceeds will be used to provide scholarships to MAC’s Richard A. Henson Wellness Center. MAC Inc., the Area Agency on Aging, is a nonprofit organization.

ALERT: Obama Issues “Gag Order” to BAN Americans From Talking About Major Issue

President Barack Obama and his accomplices in the federal government attempted to issue an ostensible “gag order” that would ban everyday Americans from talking about guns.

Obama’s administration reportedly wanted to retool the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to make it so that Americans must first obtain federal permission before they can share any sort of “technical data” about a firearm — think “blueprints, drawings, photographs, plans, instructions or documentation” — on the Internet.

The lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association accurately described this proposal as “a massive new prior restraint on free speech.”

“This is because all such releases (of technical data) would require the ‘authorization’ of the government before they occurred,” the NRA explained on its website. “The cumbersome and time-consuming process of obtaining such authorizations, moreover, would make online communication about certain technical aspects of firearms and ammunition essentially impossible.”

But that’s the point. Obama has failed at imposing direct gun control on Americans, so now he aspires to infringe on our right to merely talk about guns.

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Bank Bounces This Woman's Check, So She Sends Them An Angry Letter. What She Says Is Perfect.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to thank you for bouncing my check with which I endeavored to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his depositing the check and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honor it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly transfer of funds from my modest savings account, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only 31 years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank.

My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personally attend to your telephone calls and letters, when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has recently become. From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is an offense under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope.

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Thank God Its Friday 6-12-15

What will you be doing this weekend?

Hogan sued for blocking O'Malley power-plant pollution curbs

Two environmental groups filed suit Thursday against Gov. Larry Hogan and his administration for blocking a clean-air regulation developed by his predecessor that would have required coal-burning power plants in Maryland to curb their emissions of smog-forming pollution.

In court documents filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis, the Chesapeake chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and Maryland Sierra Club contend the state Division of Documents acted illegally in withholding publication of the power plant rule finalized under former Gov. Martin O'Malley.

That rule would have required a handfull of power plants to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides 48 percent by 2020. Nitrogen oxides mix with other pollution on hot, sunny days to form ozone, which irritates the lungs and can trigger asthma and other breathing difficulties.

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Black Lawyers for Justice Seek Charge in McKinney Pool Incident

Hakim Abdul Muhammed, representing Black Lawyers for Justice, speaks Wednesday, June 10, 2015, outside the McKinney Police Department a day after Cpl. Eric Casebolt resigned amid an investigation into allegations of excessive force.

GO HERE to view.

Don't Miss Chris English Blues this Weekend at HQ Live!

WANT LIVE MUSIC? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED. CHRIS ENGLISH BLUES - FEATURING BRYAN RUSSO  Friday, June 12   Chris English offers a combination of deep traditional blues and solid original material. Delta blues is his forte; singing, playing guitar and harp, stamping out the time on an old wooden coca cola crate. He uses vintage guitars from the 20's and 30's to replicate the sound and feeling of the blues he has studied and loves. For over 35 years, he has been true to his art learning the subtleties that make each blues special.  Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM $5 Admission | All Ages Welcome! HOT TUB LIMO Saturday, June 13 Hot Tub Limo got their start in the beginning of 2010 in Grasonville, MD. The fusion of different musical tastes, facial hair and whiskey fueled an unstoppable drive to entertain the masses and see the world. They play rocked up versions of top 40 music and play throughout Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, DC and beyond! Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM $5 Admission | 18+ Show SUNDAY JAMS: THE LARKS AND NOTHING BUT TROUBLE Sunday, June 14   Join us on Sunday afternoon for a day of all ages music and fun! The Larks began laying down their brand of deep-pocket funky jazz in the resort beaches of Maryland and Delaware to rave reviews. The Larks are comprised of top-notch professional musicians whose list of accolades, venues played, and musicians with whom they have traded licks is too numerous to list in full. Doors: 3 PM | Show: 4 PM $5 | All Ages Welcome   WHAT IS HEADQUARTERS LIVE?  Headquarters Live is a music venue in Downtown Salisbury. The focus here is on music, sound quality and the performers. It is a truly unique experience compared to anywhere else in the area! Sure, we have a bar - serving domestic and craft beers, wines and wine cocktails - but it's so much more than that! Check out our website for more upcoming shows and events!

Time To Celebrate

Getting Old

I very quietly confided to my best friend that I was having an affair.

 

She turned to me and asked, 'Are you having it catered'?

 

And that, my friend,

 

is the definition of 'OLD'!

 

~ ~ ~

 

Just before the funeral services, the undertaker

 

came up to the very elderly widow and asked,

 

'How  old was your husband?'

 

'96,'  she replied: 'Two years younger than me'

 

'So  you're 98,' the undertaker commented.

 

She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, isn’t it?'

 

~ ~ ~

 

Reporters  interviewing a 104-year-old woman:

 

'And  what do you think is the best thing

 

about  being 104?' the reporter asked.

 

She  simply replied,

 

'No  peer pressure.'

 

~ ~ ~

 

I've sure gotten old!

 

I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement,

 

new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes

 

I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine,

 

take 40 different medications that

 

make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.

 

Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation;

 

hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.

 

Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92.

 

Have lost all my friends. But, thank God,

 

I still have my Florida driver's license.

 

~ ~ ~

 

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape,

 

so I got my doctor's permission to

 

join a fitness club and start exercising.

 

I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors.

 

I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour..

 

But, by the time I got my leotards on,

 

the class was over.

 

~ ~ ~

 

An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and

 

told her preacher she had two final requests.

 

First, she wanted to be cremated, and second,

 

she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart.

 

'Wal-Mart?'  the preacher exclaimed. 'Why Wal-Mart?'

 

'Then  I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week.'

 

~ ~ ~

 

My  memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

 

Also,  my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

 

~ ~ ~

 

Know  how to prevent sagging?

 

Just  eat till the wrinkles fill out.

 

~ ~ ~

 

It's scary when you start making the same noises

 

as your coffee maker.

 

~ ~ ~

 

These days about half the stuff

 

in my shopping cart says,

 

'For  fast relief.'

 

~ ~ ~

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

 

I don't want to brag or make anyone jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school  

What's Next?

Caption This Photo 6-12-15

Meaning of American Pie by Don McLean

Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release 6-12-15

Robert lee Taylor of Princess Anne, arrested 5-27-15 on a warrant for violation of probation. Taylor was held without bond.

Wayne Ottis Hayman Jr. of Princess Anne, arrested 5-27-15 on a warrant for failing to appear in court.  Hayman was later released after posting bond.

Michael Wayne Thorne of Crisfield, arrested 6-2-15 for trespassing, and failure to obey a lawful order. Thorne was later released on signature pending District Court actions. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office  received multiple complaints regarding Thorne panhandling patrons and neighbors in the Crisfield area. During the investigation Thorne was instructed by deputies to stay away, and off different properties. Deputies later received additional complaints that led to Thorne’s arrest.

Tyrone Antio Greene of Salisbury, arrested 5-30-15 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Greene was later held on a $500.00 bond.

Jerry Lloyd Bloodsworth of Princess Anne, Criminal summons served 6-1-15 regarding 2^nd degree assault. Bloodsworth was later released on signature pending court actions.

Calvin Glen Handy of Salisbury, arrested 6-4-15 on a Circuit Court criminal contempt warrant. Handy was later held on a $10,000 bond.

Liza Marie Greene of Salisbury, arrested 6-5-15 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Greene was later held on a $300.00 bond.

Marion Monroe Gross of Deal Island, Criminal summons served 6-5-15 for theft less than $500.00, and malicious destruction of property. Gross was later released on signature pending District Court actions.

Jake Dakota Poole of Crisfield,  Criminal summons served 6-6-15 for violating a Exparte/protective order. Poole was later released on signature pending District Court actions.

Karen Jean Landon of Westover, arrested 6-7-15 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Landon was later released on personal recognizance.

Pat Joseph Carroll of North Augusta South Carolina, arrested 6-8-15 for possession of suspected Adderall pills, and drug paraphernalia. Carroll was later released on a $5,000 unsecured bond. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop in Princess Anne where deputies conducted a probable cause search on Carroll’s truck where they recovered suspected Adderall pills and other drug paraphernalia.

Ever wonder if a product has a recall? Wonder no more.

To provide better service in alerting the American people to unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six federal agencies with vastly different jurisdictions have joined together to create www.recalls.gov -- a "one stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls.

Follow the tabs above to obtain the latest recall information, to report a dangerous product, or to learn important safety tips.