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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Gunmen Storm Government Building in Afghanistan

Gunmen wearing suicide vests stormed a government building in eastern Afghanistan early Sunday and engaged in a shootout with Afghan security forces who surrounded the compound, officials said.

The attack came a day after a Taliban suicide bomber infiltrated the capital's main military hospital and killed at least six Afghan medical students.

In Sunday's incident, one guard was killed as the attackers -- three or four men armed with guns and wearing explosives strapped to their bodies -- shot their was into the traffic department compound on the edge of Khost city at about 5 a.m., said Gen. Raz Mohammad Oryakhail, the army commander for Khost province.

The gun battle was still going on more than two hours later, with the assailants inside the second floor of the building and shooting down at police and soldiers outside, he said.

READ MORE …

BREAKING NEWS: Herman Cain Announces White House Run

Former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain announces he is seeking the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

Woman Flees Maryland Jail By Kicking Hole In Wall

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) - The Garrett County sheriff says an inmate escaped from jail by kicking a hole through a wall.

Sheriff Rob Corley explained on Friday how 31-year-old Alisa Shafer of Friendsville escaped Thursday afternoon. Deputies apprehended her that evening.

Corley says Shafer kicked a hole through the half-inch drywall of a bathroom to escape from a holding area into the jail lobby. He says neither cameras nor correctional officers observed her as she turned her black-and-white-striped jail outfit inside-out and fled.

Corley says blueprints for the holding area do not specify such flimsy material. He says the poor construction is inexcusable.

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Sheriff's Deputy Indicted On Sex Charges

A Frederick County grand jury on Friday indicted a sheriff's deputy on four criminal charges stemming from a sexual relationship he is alleged to have had with a 14-year-old girl at Walkersville High School, State's Attorney Charlie Smith said.

At the time of his arrest, Deputy Sam A. Bowman was assigned to the high school as its school resource officer.

Initially facing charges of sex abuse of a minor and a fourth-degree sex offense, the indictment returned Friday adds two more counts of fourth-degree sex offense for acts alleged to have occurred with the ninth-grade student between March 9 and March 15, Smith said.

Richard Bricken, Bowman's defense attorney, could not be reached for comment Friday.

As is customary in criminal cases involving members of local law enforcement, Smith called in a special prosecutor from an outside county to handle the case against Bowman, 46, of New Market.

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Maryland Firm Proposes Solar Farm Near State Prison

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- A private company says it plans to build Maryland's largest solar energy project on state land surrounding a state prison near Hagerstown.

Easton-based Maryland Solar LLC said Friday it expects to start construction of the $70 million project later this year near the medium-security Maryland Correctional Institution.

It would begin generating up to 20 megawatts of electricity in 2012, pending approval by the state Public Service Commission and Washington County.

The project would help meet the requirements of a state law mandating that 20 percent of Maryland's electricity be generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2022.

Constellation Energy Group plans to begin operating a 17-megawatt solar farm at Mount St. Mary's University in 2012.

STATE TROOPER KILLED IN CRASH

(LAUREL, MD) – An on-duty Maryland state trooper was killed early this morning in a traffic crash on southbound I-95 in Howard County.

The crash occurred about 2:40 a.m. on southbound I-95, south of Rt. 32, near the entrance ramp to the rest area. The trooper was pronounced dead at the scene. Maryland State Police officials continue to notify family members of the fallen trooper.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan will provide the trooper’s name and information from the preliminary investigation at a media briefing later this morning. The briefing will be held at 10:00 a.m. today at the Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack, 7777 Washington Blvd., Jessup, Md. Take I-95 to Rt. 175 east. Rt. 175 east to Rt. 1. Make a left on Rt. 1. Barrack is located on the right.

Due to the crash investigation, all lanes of southbound I-95 have been closed at Rt. 32. State Highway Administration personnel are on the scene and have established detours around the area. The interstate is expected to be closed until about 8:00 a.m. Northbound I-95 is open and traffic is unaffected.

SB-167 In-State Tuition For Illegal Aliens

Marylanders are being stretched pretty thin these days. While the family budget shrinks, the budget numbers continue to grow in Annapolis.  

With this increase in spending (over a billion dollars from last year) as a backdrop, liberals in the General Assembly took it upon themselves to provide In-State College Tuition rates to illegal aliens who reside (illegally) in Maryland. This will cost Maryland Taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. The bill requires this new class of “students” to attend our community colleges for the first two years at a time when we are already turning away legal residents.

Montgomery County has been a sanctuary for illegal aliens for a number of years. They took it upon themselves to offer In-State Tuition rates at one of their state run community colleges and it has cost them $6 million over a three year period. Yet, one of their Senators (and the sponsor of the bill) tells us the same plan conducted statewide will cost less than a million dollars per year. It appears the math gets fuzzy in Montgomery County.

We were told the illegal aliens must show that they or their parents have filed a Maryland Tax Return in order to qualify, yet there is no requirement that they actually pay taxes (anyone can file a MD Tax Form and claim zero income) as this requirement was stripped from the bill.

The governor says this will mean a better work force for Maryland, yet it is illegal to hire an illegal alien, and no degree will change one’s immigration status.

Ironically, if you are a legal alien resident, you do not qualify for the break.

If you believe this is wrong, a petition drive is underway to bring the issue to referendum before all of Maryland’s voters. You can access the petition at mdpetitions.com. The first deadline to meet is May 31st, so don’t delay.

I urge you to take back your state.

Sincerely,
Mike McDermott, Delegate
Wicomico & Worcester Counties

Maryland General Assembly Adjourns With Major Victories For Animals

ANNAPOLIS (April 12, 2011) -- The Humane Society of the United States applauds Maryland lawmakers for passing a slate of major animal protection measures before adjourning Monday.  The General Assembly passed bills to address the issue of puppy mills, the importance of spay and neuter programs, to crack down on animal abuse and to protect pets in domestic violence situations.
"We commend lawmakers in Maryland for passing this raft of legislation to protect animals from cruelty and abuse," said Tami Santelli, director of state legislation for The HSUS. "The anti-cruelty laws of a state are a reflection of our basic values and attitudes toward animals, and this collection of bills is a measurable step forward for the state of Maryland."
 The General Assembly passed the following bills during their 90-day session:

  • Senate Bill 839, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Gladden, D-Baltimore City, which requires commercial dog breeders to be licensed by the county in which they operate, and requires counties to report basic information about these commercial breeders once a year to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.  While most states have statewide licensing systems for commercial dog breeders, Maryland does not.  This bill, once signed into law, will provide critical information to understand the scope of the puppy mill situation in the state.  Companion legislation, H.B. 940, was introduced by Del. Tom Hucker, D-Montgomery County.

  • Senate Bill 639, sponsored by Sen. Joanne Benson, D-Prince George’s County, which will set up a task force to study the need for funding of spay and neuter programs in Maryland.  Each year in Maryland shelters, an estimated 48,000 homeless dogs and cats are euthanized – that’s 5 animals each hour. Affordable, accessible spay/neuter programs can help prevent this tragedy. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have a public funding mechanism to subsidize the cost of spay/neuter surgeries for those who cannot afford it.  The task force will be comprised of representatives from animal control, humane societies, non-profit spay/neuter organizations, the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association, the Department of Agriculture and others.  Similar legislation, H.B. 339, was introduced by Del. Barbara Frush, D-Prince George’s County.

  • House Bill 227/Senate Bill 115, sponsored by Del. Jeff Waldstreicher, D-Montgomery County and Sen. James Robey, D-Howard County, which will allow courts to prohibit someone convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals as a term of probation. A recent rash of horrific cruelty cases in Maryland has illustrated the need for stronger animal cruelty laws.  Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting, or allowing courts to prohibit convicted animal abusers from owning animals for a certain period of time.  This legislation would be a small first step towards protecting Maryland’s animals and communities.

  • House Bill 407/Senate Bill 747, sponsored by Del. Susan McComas, R-Harford County, and Sen. Norman Stone, D-Baltimore County, which allows courts to include protections for pets in domestic violence protective orders.  Research has repeatedly shown a link between animal abuse and domestic violence.  Children and animals in the family are often threatened, or actually harmed, as a way to manipulate and coerce others in the family.  This legislation will help protect Maryland’s animals and communities.
The General Assembly also passed H.B. 941, sponsored by Del. Dan Morhaim, D- Baltimore County, to permit restaurants to allow dogs in outdoor seating areas, and H.B. 897, sponsored by Del. Peter Murphy, D-Charles County, to require the addition of a bittering agent to antifreeze to protect pets and wildlife from antifreeze poisoning. Lawmakers considered several other animal protection measures, including legislation to require pet stores to disclose information about the puppies they sell, and to strengthen penalties for poaching. In February, more than 70 animal advocates from across the state participated in the 4th annual Maryland Humane Lobby Day to lobby in support of animal protection legislation.

Source

FREE CAR SEAT CHECK TOMORROW

WHO:      Safe Kids Lower Shore
WHAT:    FREE CAR SEAT CHECK/Spanish Interpreters available
Safety Seat Inspections:  Safe Kids Lower Shore will hold a child safety seat inspection station at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Salisbury.  Not sure if your car seat is properly installed….come have a trained certified child passenger safety technician check it for you!

Drive-ins welcome for more information Call (410) 219-7482.

WHEN:    May 22, 2011 from 12-2
WHERE:  Immanuel Baptist Church
                  1514 Old Ocean City Rd.
WHY:       Making sure young passengers are buckled into appropriate safety seats is critical. The safest place for children of any age to ride is properly restrained in the back seat. Data shows that child safety seats reduce the risk of death in car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages one to four.

Flea Market In Pittsville TODAY

Saturday May 21st  
 6:00 AM till ?
Parker Plant Depot
34292  West St    Pittsville, MD
 
Flea Market many items to choose from including
fishing and hunting  equipment, tools, household items, collectibles, 
some appliances and much much more.  Also have a great selection of
 hanging baskets, plants, and statuary for the yard.  Much to choose
from and priced to sell.
If interested,  spaces are available.  Stop on by to buy
or sell.    Refreshments also available.  
 Call 410 835 0332 for
more info.

Schwarzenegger Makes Partner Choice - You Decide




At Salisbury News we try and give our viewers the lowdown on the 'good, bad, and the ugly'. You decide - who do you think would make Arnold the best partner.

HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER

National Guard

The local National Guard was organized in 1901 by Captain Louis P. Coulbourne, a veteran of the ranks of the Regular Army. He kept a saloon in Salisbury when the law permitted it and a clothing store on Main Street in Salisbury when it did not. At this period, Salisbury was legally dry and the captain was in the clothing business.
         
Salisbury was selected to be Company I of the First Maryland Infantry.
By 1904, the First Lieutenant was a prominent local lawyer named L. Atwood Bennett. Another prominent Salisburian from 1904 on was Amos W. W. Woodcock. He joined as an enlisted man in 1904 and rose to the rank of General before his military career was over.
         
The first engagement was a maneuver near where the Battle of Bull Run was in Virginia. Salisbury’s Company I left Salisbury by train for the trip. It must have been quite raucous as the company’s quartermaster-sergeant brought his personal pistol and took pot shots at the lights in the train car. Due to his condition, he didn’t hit any. The captain didn’t seem to mind and actually thought the noise might attract attention to the company, which it seemed he desired. They had made quite a production of marching the thirty-odd men in the company from their headquarters at the corner of East Church and Williams Streets to the train station which was probably not more than 100 yards away. This building burned down in 1906 and left Company I without a home until the New Armory was built in 1915 on S. Division St. where the library is today.
         
The first real mission of Company I was their trip to the Mexican border in 1915 during the time when Poncho Villa was causing such problems that the Federal Government thought American troops would quell the disturbance. Company I didn’t stay down there very long, but long enough to further their training as a regular army unit. That training would become invaluable as they went to war in Europe during World War I.
         
When World War I ended, Company I came back to Salisbury and remained intact until World War II. At this time they became the 115th Infantry, part of Maryland’s 29th Division.
         
The Old Armory on S. Division St. moved out on Route 50 West on October 23, 1958. The Old Armory is now within the Wicomico County Library.
         
In 1965, another change was made in the organization. It became the 115th Military Police Company with the motor pool being attached to the 1229th Light Truck Company located in Crisfield, the support unit for the 115th.
         
A book could be written about the history of the National Guard in Salisbury. There has been many times where the Guard was activated for use around the local area. They assisted during catastrophes such as hurricanes and to quell things during the many riots during the 1960’s. The have been a vital and integral part of the community for over a hundred years. They are always there. Let’s just hope we don’t need them.

Big Gay Ice Cream Truck A Raging Success

It's Friday and we're getting a little exhausted after a week of sour news, so here's a small success story to get us through the afternoon.

If you're starting a business in an already glutted market, a good name is a great place to start, but it will only get you so far.

When the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck started rolling through the streets of NYC two years ago, some worried that the novelty of the rolling dessert oasis' name would only give the truck a few months before it was consigned to the dustbin of ice cream history.

But luckily for the truck's two owners, even as the name became less of an attention-grabber, their desserts continued to draw a crowd. So after logging thousands of miles and gaining over 16,000 Twitter followers, the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck has spawned the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop.

READ MORE …

MoCo Raises Taxes, Cuts Schools, Funds Viagra

Yesterday SbyNEWS asked a question – Is the Wicomico County government a good steward of the taxpayers’ money?  This question should be continually asked about every government – federal, state, county, and municipal.  I think the good people of Montgomery County are asking that question right now.

On Thursday the Montgomery County Council passed a $4.4 billion (that’s right, BILLION) operating budget for FY 2012.   While school funding was cut, the council found a way to pay over $400,000 for VIAGRA.

Frederick Commissioners Overturn Downzoning

In 2010 the Frederick County Commissioners enacted legislation which downzoned many properties or reduced the values of others through zoning changes.  The new county commissioners are overturning those decisions.

Commissioners President Blaine Young said he wants to revisit the comprehensive plan because the present board was elected in November on a pledge to revisit downzonings made by the previous board.

"I'm only going to deal with those that were downzoned or declassified by that previous board and had their property rights robbed," Young said.

Throughout Maryland, the state government has placed pressure on counties to downzone properties in rural areas and strip citizens of their property rights.  Currently, the state’s PlanMaryland proposal is attempting to strip county governments of their historical role in regulating land usage.

Last year a similar attempt was made in Wicomico County.  The proposal was narrowly defeated because one downzoning supporter (Sheree Sample-Hughes) would not support a less aggressive compromise.  Downzoning became a major issue in the 2010 campaign. Every county council member who supported downzoning, except one, left office.  County Executive Rick Pollitt, who supported downzoning of ag lands has not brought up the issue in 2011.

Gov. Mitch Daniels Cracks Head, Receives 16 Stitches

Indiana Republican governor Mitch Daniels was hit in the forehead by a swinging door after concluding a workout Friday afternoon, prompting an injury that required 16 stitches.

"Governor Mitch Daniels received 16 stitches to his forehead Friday afternoon after an accident at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport in Indianapolis," the governor's office said in a statement to CBS News. "As he concluded a workout at about 1:30 p.m., he was standing near a door. The door suddenly swung open and struck the governor in the forehead."

"The governor's security detail transported him to Methodist Hospital. He was treated and released and is recovering at home," the statement continued.

Daniels has vowed to decide soon on making a presidential run. The former White House budget director is being pursued by Republicans disenchanted with their party's contenders to take on President Obama.

from CBSNews.com

We hope that Gov. Daniels does not morph into a 21st century version of President Gerald R. Ford. - GAH

Improvements Proposed for New Open Government Committee

The governor Thursday signed legislation creating a Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government that specifically notes that “Maryland’s overall rankings on government transparency by prominent national organizations continues to lag behind other states.”

Del. Heather Mizeur, the lead sponsor of the bill that attracted 37 co-sponsors — including 10 Republicans — hopes to be appointed to the committee. Just before the bill signing, Mizeur, a Democrat who represents Takoma Park and Silver Spring, handed House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Mike Miller a memo giving an overview of proposals for the new committee to take up.

Mizeur’s proposals include:

● Using social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iPhone applications, to make the working of state government and the legislature more accessible. (Two years ago, the legislature’s IT staff blocked access to Facebook and MySpace for a brief period because the sites were generating viruses and malware.)

● Improving the legislature’s website, which “remains less user-friendly than its counterparts in other states,” Mizeur said, a point documented in a recent MarylandReporter.com article.

● Partnering with computer science programs at state universities, “where students could provide innovation work needed to adopt technological improvements at minimal or no cost.”

● Incorporating more data from the governor’s StateStat program for measuring government effectiveness into the legislature’s website.

● Centralizing information on contract bids, tax credits for business and other incentives, which Mizeur says, are “very difficult to find on state websites.”

Mizeur said she also wants the new committee to hear testimony from experts with national and regional organizations interested in transparency and open government,  such as the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments.

The Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government will have 12 members, six each from the House and Senate. It joins 17 other joint committees created by statute. Some are fairly prominent, reviewing proposed regulations and audits, but others are rarely heard of.

from Len Lazarick @ Maryland Reporter

One Family’s COMCASTIC Nightmare

David has finally reached the end of his cable when it comes to Comcast reception at his house. He has had multiple technicians out to help. He has contacted the executive customer service SWAT team. He has Twittered. His connection is still crappy, and he's locked in a contract. He finally fired off this letter to company executives, hoping that people at or above the Jack Donaghy level can help him receive the service he's actually paying for.

We have no idea where to turn at this point. Let me just get started with what's been going on for the past 6+ months with our phone/internet/TV bundle.

A few weeks into us bundling phone, TV and internet we started having pretty bad connectivity issues - the internet would drop out, phone calls would drop and we wouldn't be able to hear the other person on the line and TVs would be snowy/drop signal as well.

We called Comcast to create a ticket and get a service rep out to fix it. *Cue Yakety Sax * [Okay.-Ed.]

The first one says we're not getting enough power to power the line. He installs a booster. Everything works for a few days. A few days later the issues return, so we call and get another tech out (two weeks later was the earliest we could get someone out). This tech says we have too much power going to everything. He removes the booster and says that too much power is coming from the outside lines. Things work again for next few days. The issues still return and we call for another tech to come out. When he finally comes he says we need the booster but not set to such a high power level. At this point, we've given up on getting everything working and just focus on internet.

READ MORE …

This was a story that wanted to be told.  However, I can’t help but think that I am not the only person in the world who has had GREAT experiences as a Comcast and Delmarva Power customer.  Is Comcast perfect?  Of course not!  No utility is.  Yet, my experience with them at home and work has been overwhelmingly positive. - GAH

Horrified Viewers Flee Latest Banderas Flick

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's latest thriller, "The Skin I Live In," had filmgoers fleeing the theater Thursday night at its gala premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, due to some aggressively violent and disturbing content.

The film, which stars Antonio Banderas and budding actress Spanish actress Elena Anaya, focuses on a mad but brilliant surgeon (Banderas) who kidnaps a man who raped his daughter. 

The doctor's daughter killed herself from the grief and it drives him to take very drastic measures. This is where it gets complicated and disturbing. 

Banderas then gives the rapist a sex change and transplants his deceased daughter's face onto his body.

He later has sex with the man he has brutally experimented on and turned into a woman.

The movie also contained several disturbing rape scenes and nudity.

READ MORE …

Once More, the Law Doesn’t Apply to Barack Obama

Yesterday SbyNEWS ran a post that Congressional leaders were disturbed that President Barack Obama had not sought authorization to continue US involvement in Libya as required by the 1973 War Powers Act.  Well, the President has now made it official – the law doesn’t apply to him!

In an effort to satisfy those arguing he needs to seek congressional authorization to continue US military activity in accordance with the War Powers Resolution, President Obama wrote a letter to congressional leaders this afternoon suggesting that the role is now so “limited” he does not need to seek congressional approval.

“Since April 4,” the president wrote, “U.S. participation has consisted of: (1) non-kinetic support to the NATO-led operation, including intelligence, logistical support, and search and rescue assistance; (2) aircraft that have assisted in the suppression and destruction of air defenses in support of the no-fly zone; and (3) since April 23, precision strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles against a limited set of clearly defined targets in support of the NATO-led coalition's efforts.”

A senior administration official told ABC News that the letter is intended to describe “a narrow US effort that is intermittent and principally an effort to support to support the ongoing NATO-led and UN-authorized civilian support mission and no fly zone.”

“The US role is one of support,” the official said, “and the kinetic pieces of that are intermittent.”

Well, isn’t that SPECIAL!

I was not a supporter of our invasion into Iraq.  However, President George W. Bush sought Congressional authorization before taking action.  He did the same with intervention into Afghanistan.  President George H. W. Bush did the same with Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm (Gulf War I).  For some reason, only Democrats (who passed the War Powers Act in the first place) like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama don’t believe that the law applies to them.

This is at least as bad, if not worse, than Bush’s use of “signing statements” to avoid laws which he did not wish to comply with.  He was wrong.  Obama flouts the law even more regularly.

United Healthcare Decides Only One Procedure Was Needed

The good news is that after having two procedures on her spine last fall, Jackie is able to walk again. The bad news is that even though the two procedures were identical, United is only paying for the first one and not the second, and won't actually explain why. She has appealed the decision, but things don't look promising.

READ MORE …

This is NOT an endorsement of ObamaCare.  It is our view that incidents such as this merely enhance the argument for opening up the health insurance business to MORE competition.  More competition and allowing the individual to have more say in their healthcare coverage will reform an industry dominated by giants whose customers are not policyholders, but the corporations who pay for them. – Ed.