Deal Reached To Postpone Doctors' Medicare Cut

The Senate late Thursday voted to postpone a massive cut in Medicare pay for doctors, agreeing to pay doctors at current levels through Dec. 31.

If the House goes along, Congress would stave off a 23 percent cut in doctors' pay scheduled to take effect Dec. 1. The cost of the one-month postponement, $1 billion over 10 years, will be paid for by changes in Medicare reimbursement for outpatient therapy services.

The Senate's voice-vote approval came after an agreement on the one-month postponement was announced earlier in the day by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and the panel's top Republican, Charles Grassley of Iowa. Baucus and Grassley also pledged to work toward a mutually acceptable 12-month postponement that could pass before the end of this year.

Doctors were threatening to stop taking new Medicare patients if the cut went through, and experts warned that the situation would undermine the health care program for 46 million elderly and disabled. Health care for military service members, families and retirees also would be jeopardized because Tricare payments are tied to Medicare's.

AARP Senior Vice President David Sloane hailed the Senate vote and urged to House to follow suit to avoid what he called "a potentially devastating pay cut to doctors in Medicare, ensuring seniors can continue to see their doctors during the holiday season."

"Tonight's vote will help to extend the immediate deadline and give lawmakers time to adopt the yearlong extension that seniors and doctors need," Sloane added.     

More

National GOP Group Mum On Miller In Alaska

A national Republican group is staying mum on whether Joe Miller should concede Alaska's Senate race.

The state GOP called on Miller to do that Wednesday, when the last votes were tabulated and Sen. Lisa Murkowski claimed victory.

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brian Walsh said the group believes the race "should be decided by the people of Alaska." He declined further comment until the election is officially certified. That's expected Nov. 29.   
More

Boehner, Republicans Plan $100 Billion Budget Rollback

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner and his new tea-party fueled colleagues are laying the groundwork for what would be, in absolute terms, the largest reduction ever in federal discretionary spending.

During the recent midterm elections campaign, Republican leaders pledged to reduce non-entitlement spending by a whopping $100 billion.

Doing so would effectively roll back the federal government’s non-entitlement spending to 2008 levels, budget experts tell Newsmax.

“I’m here tonight to tell you that our new majority will be prepared to do things differently,” Boehner declared after the elections, “to take a new approach that hasn’t been tried before in Washington by either party. It starts with cutting spending instead of increasing it. … Reducing the size of government instead of expanding it.”

Democratic leaders, keenly aware that budget cutting will draw bitter opposition from special-interest groups, seem almost amused by the “rollback to 2008” mantra that Boehner and the freshman GOP members of Congress have enthusiastically embraced. The newly re-elected leader of House Democrats, Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she welcomes Republican proposals.

But Pelosi’s openness figures to change once the 112th Congress gets down to business. Experts on the federal budgeting process tell Newsmax there is little doubt that Republicans will move quickly to trim federal spending.

“The Republican leadership has committed to this $100 billion cut,” says Brian Riedl, lead budget analyst for the Heritage Foundation. “I expect them to do everything in their power to enact it. They’re on the record, they ran on this, and if it’s brushed aside there would be harsh political consequences.”

In fact, some Republicans want much deeper cuts. Outgoing Florida Republican Sen. George LeMieux tells Newsmax that he will introduce legislation in the lame-duck session to roll back all federal spending, including entitlements, to 2007 levels.

Doing so, he says, would balance the budget by 2013.

“And it doesn’t seem like that should be that hard to do,” LeMieux tells Newsmax. “Were things really so bad with the way the government was providing services just three years ago? … let’s go back, let’s cap all spending. That will make Congress do its job.”

No one expects LeMieux’s initiative to be much more than symbolic. But in the soon-to-be GOP-controlled House, the budget cutting fervor is palpable.     
More at Newsmax

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On November 16, 2010 at approximately 5:07 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant following the report of a shoplifting from the Sears Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury. Sears security contacted the Salisbury Police on November 15 and advised that the suspect had been observed by Sears employees taking video games from the store without making payment. The suspect was confronted and dropped the stolen property, which was recovered by the store. The responding officer was able to positively identify the suspect and obtained the arrest warrant.

ARRESTED: Amy Lynn Donoway, 27 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft ($ 1,000 to under $ 10,000)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000040824


On November 16, 2010 at approximately 12:11 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Walmart Department Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of two (2) shoplifters. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised the officers that store employees had observed the below listed suspects attempt to take property from the store without making payment. The suspects were stopped and the property was recovered.

ARRESTED #1: Kevin Colin Waryasz, 24 years of age
Millsboro, Delaware
ARRESTED #2: David Richard Lathbury, 49 years of age
Millsboro, Delaware
CHARGES (Both): Theft (under $ 1000)

DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
CC # 201000045322

On November 16, 2010 approximately 11:20 pm, Detectives of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant for a check fraud that was reported on July 7, 2009. Detectives received the arrest warrant for the suspect following her identification as the suspect responsible for creating and passing fraudulent checks at a check cashing business in the Salisbury area.

ARRESTED: Kathryn Alexandra Phillips, 25 years of age
Seaford, Delaware
CHARGES: Forgery of private documents
Issue false documents
Theft (under $ 500)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900032859

On November 17, 2010 at approximately 5:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Safe Streets Unit were at an apartment on the three hundred (300) block of North Division Street attempting to locate a wanted subject. The officers made contact with the below listed suspect and were attempting to positively identify the suspect when the suspect attempted to flee from the area. The officers chased the suspect and during the chase, one of the officers sustained an injury to his rib area. The officer was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment and was found to have sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung. The officer remains in fair condition. The suspect was apprehended and a search incident to arrest revealed a smoking device containing suspected "crack"/cocaine. This suspect was not the suspect wanted on the outstanding warrant.

ARRESTED: Robert Russell Davis, 48 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: False statement to a police officer
Resisting arrest
Obstructing and hindering an investigation
Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
201000045460

Friday All-You-Can-Eat At Brew River

Maryland Very Different Politically And Much Better Off Economically Than The Rest Of The Nation

Len Lazarick did not need to fly 2,000 miles to arid Arizona to confirm that Maryland is very different politically -- and much better off economically -- than most other states, as Gov. Martin O’Malley has been telling us for a year and a half.

But being among scores of statehouse reporters from states across the nation for the annual meeting of Capitolbeat, the national association of State House reporters, reinforced those facts.

In many states, voters formed a Republican tidal wave to flip the party makeup of legislatures and the governorships on Nov. 2. But the wave skipped Maryland as if we had a massive seawall.

GO HERE to read more.

Bruce's Billiards

Bruce's Billiards Christmas Sale!

Pack Your Stockings Full Of Accessories This Year!

All Cues On Sale!
Meucci Cues In Stock!

All Pool Tables 10% Off

Bruce's Billiards
1504 S. Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-334-6533
or e-mail us at:
brucesbilliards@mail.com

Come In And Check Us Out!!

Nothing Says I Love You Better Than A Potato Chip

I wanted to share this with you and I wasn't exactly sure how send it, I figured e-mail would be the safest way to do so.  My boyfriend found this potato chip in a bag of Ruffles potato chips this evening.  I just thought it was the neatest and funniest thing.  What are the chances of finding a potato chip like this in a bag of chips, and intact at that. 

Leslie Johnson Needs To Resign

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott issued the following statement today regarding Leslie Johnson’s failure to resign one week after being arrested for federal corruption charges:

“In order to restore confidence in the Prince Georges County Government Leslie Johnson must resign immediately. Just one week after being caught with more money in her undergarments than most Marylanders make in a year, her failure to resign continues to plague a county that has endured enough scandal this year. It’s time to clean up our state and local governments, with record unemployment burdening our residents, our politicians need to focus on getting Maryland back to work, not needless distractions from politicians who break the law. Leslie Johnson must go.”

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION 2010 RANKING OF ‘NEW ECONOMY STATES’

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement following the release of the Kauffman Foundation’s 2010 Ranking of ‘New Economy States.’  The report found Maryland ranks third among all 50 states for moving toward a global, innovation-based economy.  In addition, Maryland ranks second for the education of our workforce and the percentage of managerial, professional and technical jobs in our workforce.

“Maryland’s economy is an innovation economy, and today’s study by the prestigious Kauffman Foundation reaffirms that Maryland is in a strong position to come through this national recession stronger and more quickly than other states. 

“To move forward creating and saving jobs, and expanding opportunity – our challenge and opportunity is to advance innovation and its primary ingredient: the skills and education of our people.  And if we are to expand opportunity to greater numbers of our people and continue to create jobs in the new economy, we must commit to continued advancement of innovation.”

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY CONTINUES “JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND” TOUR, VISITS NIH CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Continuing his “Jobs Across Maryland” tour, Governor Martin O’Malley joined National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins and members of the Federal Facilities Advisory Board on a tour of the Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center, the largest clinical research hospital in the world, on the campus of the NIH headquarters in Bethesda. Governor O’Malley visited the Center’s Pediatric Unit, facilities for obesity research and the patient care areas that support clinical research. Following the tour, Governor O’Malley addressed the Federal Facilities Advisory Board, which he appointed earlier this year to develop a comprehensive assessment of how Maryland can best support and leverage the vast potential of its more than 50 federal facilities and help connect Maryland companies with federal opportunities to create jobs. The NIH employs more than 18,000 people and awarded more than $2 billion in procurement contracts and $1.2 billion in research grants within the state of Maryland in FY 2010.

“Maryland is proud to be the home of the NIH, a center of innovation, groundbreaking research and life-saving discoveries that help save the lives of millions around the globe,” said Governor O’Malley. “Through our Federal Facilities Advisory Board, we are working hard to strengthen our partnerships with federal facilities like the NIH and others, so that we can expand opportunities for federal contracting and procurement, create jobs and grow Maryland’s economy.”

“As the largest employer in Montgomery County, we are honored to have Governor O’Malley and his Federal Facilities Advisory Board visit the NIH campus,” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. “Maryland is a leader in life sciences research and NIH is an integral part of this important effort that has a positive impact on the entire country.”

The NIH is the nation’s medical research agency, conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research on diseases and disorders from rare and unusual illnesses to the common cold. A component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers. Annually, the NIH invests more than $31 billion in biomedical research, which has helped lower death rates from heart disease and stroke, increased the survival rate for childhood cancers, and protected millions from infectious diseases like rubella, whooping cough and pneumococcal pneumonia through vaccines. The NIH Clinical Research Center serves the needs of 17 NIH Institutes, focusing on rare diseases and research that sheds new light on common conditions. While the Center has more than 124,000 active patients from all over the globe, nearly 57,000 patients are Marylanders.

Governor O’Malley has made strengthening Maryland’s biotechnology and life sciences sector and increasing partnerships with the State’s federal facilities a key part of the State’s economic development plan. In 2009, the Governor launched BioMaryland 2020, a 10-year, $1.3 billion strategy for moving Maryland’s bioscience industry forward. To date, more than $100 million has been spent, or approved for spending, on BioMaryland initiatives, not including $70 million in science and technology related infrastructure at the State’s universities and community colleges. One of the first key deliverables was the opening of the Maryland Biotechnology Center in September 2009. Home to nearly 500 bioscience companies and 50 research-intense federal institutes and centers, Maryland is well positioned in the global bioscience industry and has been recognized by the Milken Institute as one of the top tier states highly specialized in overall bioscience development. Since the early 1990s, Maryland has focused on bioscience development and was one of the first states to develop a strategic plan for the industry.

Since January 2010, the Federal Facilities Advisory Board has been focused on developing a strategic plan to guide the State’s efforts in building sustainable partnerships with the federal community, comprised of 58 non-military and 18 military facilities. The Board developed a white paper supporting the creation of the National Cyber Security Center of Excellence, which received Senate Appropriations Committee approval earlier this year for $10 million to create the center. In addition, the Board is also creating a Team Maryland Network and Mentoring Program to teach Maryland small businesses best practices in federal contracting and provide teaming opportunities with experienced companies in federal procurement. In FY 2009, the federal government spent $92.2 billion in Maryland, up from $77.9 billion in FY 2008, with $34.3 billion in federal procurement contracts.

In the past year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has implemented an aggressive agenda of new and expanded programs to create jobs, retain jobs and improve the conditions that allow businesses large and small to create and save jobs, including: 

·         Increasing the biotech tax credit to $8 million in fiscal year 2011;

·         Pioneering the Jobs Creation and Recovery Tax Credit;

·         Expanding the Small Business Loan Guaranty program to increase access to credit; and

·         Creating InvestMaryland, an administrative and legislative proposal designed to support the growth of the state’s knowledge based industries by stimulating investment in the Maryland Venture Fund. 

TSA Frisks Screaming 3-Year-Old To Confirm She's Not The Littlest Terrorist

It's embarrassing and totally politically incorrect, but you have to admit you've done it. You're seated on a flight, start looking around, and your gaze stops at the 3-year-olds you come across, wondering whether or not they're potential hijackers. But fear not, concerned travelers. The Transportation Security Administration has got your back, demonstrating it's fully capable of giving pre-schoolers vigorous pat-downs to ensure they're not packing any WMDs underneath their pull-ups.

More »

Returning Veteran TONIGHT

Friday Nov 19 at 2131/9:31 PM  SFC (E7) Orlando Duffy U.S.Army will be flying into Salisbury airport.

He completed three (3) tours in IRAQ and is returning from Germany with wife and daughter.

Don't Worry About The Economy, People Are Buying Pickup Trucks

Everything is going to be just cupcakes, at least judging by how pickup trucks are selling.

More »

Blockbuster To Waste $15-20 Million On TV Ads

Bankrupt relic of a bygone time, Blockbuster Video, announced plans yesterday to launch its first national TV ad campaign since 2007 and that they plan on somehow taking aim at Redbox and Netflix.

More »

Found Dog UPDATE

The Humane Society has contacted us this morning saying that Scouts Parents have called looking for him. They gave me the contact info and I have called and left messages on both lines. So we are very hopefully by the end of the day scout will be returned to his home. Thanks so much for all you do!!!

Hello Joe,

We live in Nanticoke Acres and have found a lost Black Lab wondering in our neighborhood. He is well tempered and has rabies tags but no tag with ownership. Im sorry but I dont have a way to send you a picture of him. Please help us find his home. You can reach us at 443-665-4027. Thanks so much.

The McDormans

American Family Association Calls For Boycott On Dick's Sporting Goods For Not Using The Word "Christmas"

If there's one thing the not-at-all insane people at the American Family Association are good for, it's hilarious boycotts. The latest on their hit list is Dick's Sporting Goods, not because of the sorta-phallic name -- though you might expect that from a group that spells "nudity" as "nud**y" -- but because Dick's has the balls to not use the word "Christmas" in its holiday sales promotions.

More »

War Hero Dog Euthanized By Mistake

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

A dog credited with saving her owner's life in Afghanistan has been mistakenly put to death by an animal shelter in Arizona.

Major Thanksgiving Week Traffic Delays Expected At I-95 Toll Plaza In Delaware

Dover -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) warns motorists to expect major traffic delays throughout the Thanksgiving Holiday Week at the I-95 Newark Toll Plaza. The predicted impacts are expected to be greater than in recent years and could stretch for miles and take hours to clear.

Due to the on-going I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Reconstruction, reduced toll lane access and altered traffic patterns will greatly impact Thanksgiving Holiday travelers. These factors, combined with the anticipated increase of holiday traffic, will result in serious backups and travel delays, starting as early as Tuesday morning, November 23 and lasting through Monday evening, November 29. Travelers should consider using alternative routes, using alternative modes of travel or traveling during hours with lower traffic volumes.

DelDOT's Traffic Management Center (TMC) will be monitoring the Plaza area closely to assist any stranded motorists and to help expedite the clearing of any accidents that may occur. Motorists travelling through the area can get updates by following Twitter @DelawareDOT, or by tuning to WTMC 1380AM radio. Those at home can check delays by viewing the Interactive Traffic Map

Available northbound and southbound toll lanes have been reduced as part of the construction. This reduction impacts both the manual cash lanes as well as the dedicated E-ZPass lanes. Additionally, due to the construction, the three open northbound E-ZPass lanes merge into a single lane just beyond the toll plaza creating a reduction in available lane space.

The I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Reconstruction Project will include significant improvements to the 47 year old site, with an expected completion of summer 2011. The changes will result in much better plaza operations when two non-stop, highway-speed E-ZPass lanes plus seven manual cash-lanes will be open in each direction. This $32 million modernization project is fully funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and was awarded to A-Del Construction Company of Newark, Delaware.

Some of the additional improvements include:

1. Widening of the approach lanes for the northbound plaza to create more vehicle storage space
2. Installation of new roadway signing and pavement markings
3. Upgrades to the plaza lighting systems
4. Reduction of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by reducing congestion
5. Improvement of mobility for interstate truck traffic
6. Improving safety of traveling public by reducing queues and need for lane changes
7. Toll worker safety is addressed by creating an overhead passageway, new crash attenuators, and a dedicated equipment maintenance gantry

Fundraiser