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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

HOLD ON, DOMA WASN’T TOTALLY THROWN OUT: HERE’S THE PROVISION THAT COULD LEAD TO ANOTHER GAY MARRIAGE BATTLE

The Supreme Court’s historic rulings on gay marriage have people on both sides of the debate responding strongly. As TheBlaze previously reported, the majority of justices struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) this morning — and subsequently also threw out the contentious Prop 8 appeal (read that decision here). As for DOMA, there may be some confusion surrounding what, exactly, was included in the original 1996 law and which parts of the legislation that was signed into law by Democratic President Bill Clinton have been axed.

To begin, the portion of the DOMA law that was ruled against in United States v. Windsor is a provision that denies benefits to legally-married gay couples. Same-sex couples, under federal law, will now, as a result of the ruling, be considered “married.” But before today, under Sec. 7 of the law, marriage was explicitly confined to unions between men and women.

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Matthew Mikowski charged with killing Samuel Cross

A teen is facing second degree murder charges for allegedly choking another teen in Talbot County.

Matthew Mikowski, 17, was charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of Samuel I. Cross, 18, near Bozman-Neavitt and St. Michaels roads.

Cross was found asphyxiated in his car on June 10. The night before, a group including Cross and Mikowski may have used LSD behind Mikowski’s home.

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Welcome To The Greatest Muscle Car Era

If you've ever lusted after a 1960's or '70's muscle car, but missed the chance to buy when these now-classics were new, don't fret. Today's modern muscle cars are better in every way.

You can argue styling pros and cons to the end of time. But from a pure driving dynamic, safety, and fuel economy perspectives, the new muscle positively trounces the originals. (Read: "2011 Ford Mustang V6 vs 1970 Mustang Boss 302: Who's the real boss?")

Looking to capture some of that America muscle this summer? Here's a run down of what's available now for V8 singing, roll-down-the-windows cruising:

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Delta CEO Gives Up Seat For Struggling Mom

Jessie Frank was having one of those nightmare travel days.

Earlier this month, she was heading home to Atlanta to pick up her 12-year-old daughter from diabetes summer camp. But a string of weather delays, flight cancellations and a mechanical failure landed Frank at a Washington, D.C., airport instead.

As she wrote in an open letter to Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson posted on her Facebook page, despite the “calm, kind, diligent [and] funny” efforts of multiple Delta employees who tried to help her, at 9:30 p.m. she thought she’d miss the last flight to Atlanta – and the chance to share an end-of-camp experience with her daughter, who has Type I diabetes – because hers was the eighth name on the standby list for a very overbooked flight.

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Problems With Flies?

Try this trick if you are experiencing flies around the home. Put 4 pennies in a ziplock bag half filled with water, zip it closed and hang it up in a spot where flies tend to come. Bigger areas may require a few "penny/water bags". For some reason, flies seem to avoid these areas. A quick google search shows success from various sources. There seems to be varying theories as to why it works including the bag may appear as a nest to the fly and the water/bag/penny combination gives a prism light affect to the insect. It seems to work. Good Luck!!

Muslim Scholar Tied To Pro-Hamas Group, Radical Cleric Visits White House

A Muslim scholar whose group supports Hamas, who has urged the U.N. to criminalize blasphemy and who is the deputy of an Egyptian cleric banned from the U.S. over his radical statements was able to secure a visit at the White House earlier this month.

A report from The Investigative Project on Terrorism uncovered a statement on the website of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah claiming he met June 13 with Obama administration officials in Washington.

Bin Bayyah is vice president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, a group founded by Egyptian cleric Yusuf Qaradawi -- a Muslim Brotherhood leader who has called for the death of Jews and Americans and himself is banned from visiting the U.S. 

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The Federal Reserve - A Study In Fraud

In a previous article entitled “Government: ‘A Seedy Circus … Perpetually In Debt’,” government was likened to Larsen E. Whipsnade, the character played by the one-of-a-kind W. C. Fields in the 1939 movie “You Can’t Cheat An Honest Man.” Characterizing Leviathan government as an individual, even one as large as Whipsnade, was a stretch. Fields’ fans objected because he was reasonably harmless, likeable and entertaining, certainly not adjectives one would apply to our modern-day State.

Ben Bernanke as Larsen E. Whipsnade

If comparing government to Fields’ character is improper, then why not compare individuals in that institution to Whipsnade. Surely there is no shortage of characters (clowns?) that could qualify as circus employees. The commonality between the Fields’ character and most high government officials is that both are out to dupe the people.

Barack Obama doesn’t make the cut, only because he is unlikeable and a genuine fool rather than pretending. Jay Carney is bumbling enough, but only haplessly acting on the orders of others. Eric Holder is too unlikeable and probably too devious to be a carnival barker. His aspirations could not be satisfied in small circus towns. Additionally he is too easy to see through. Timmy Geithner might have qualified, but he’s gone now.That leaves Ben Bernanke.

Mr. Bernanke fits the role quite nicely. He is bumbling, likeable and reasonably harmless, at least as a person. He seems a victim of circumstances, a man out of his comfort zone. But his clinching qualification is his modus operandi which is identical to that of a “carnie.” [For those unfamiliar with the term "carnie," Wikipedia defines it as follows: "Carny or carnie is a slang term used in North America and, with showie, in Australia for a carnival (funfair) employee, and the language they use, who runs a "joint" (booth), "grab joint" (food stand), game, or ride at a carnival, boardwalk or amusement park."]

Like a carnie, everything Mr. Bernanke says and does is aimed at deception. A modern day Federal Reserve Chairman must be like a carnie. The primary difference between a carnie and a Fed Chairman is the veneer of sophistication and false omniscience. Gary Dorsch contrasts what the Fed used to do with what it has become:

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OC Maintains $50 Inlet Parking Fee On Fourth More About Convenience Than Money

OCEAN CITY – Resort officials are hoping Fourth of July beach-goers will enjoy their day on the beach and Boardwalk and hang out for the fireworks without having to worry about beating the meter with the new option to pay a $50 flat fee at the Inlet parking lot.

On Thursday, July 4, the Town of Ocean City will be charging a $50 fee for all-day parking in the Inlet parking lot. The fee is good for one entry and will allow visitors to come as early as 5 a.m. and stay as late as midnight, without being charged an hourly parking rate.

“We hope the new flat fee parking will allow our visitors to be more flexible during their trip to Ocean City on July 4,” said John VanFossen, Deputy Director of Public Works. “We think this will not only allow visitors the opportunity to come to Ocean City early and stay late, but it will also smooth the amount of traffic exiting the downtown area after the fireworks.”

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The Militarization Of Pigs

Radley Balko describes the growth of the Pentagon supply for police forces around the country.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/welcome-to-the-police-ind_n_3415442.html

HIGHLIGHTS:

* In 1968, Congress passed a law authorizing the military to share gear with police agencies in aid of the War on (some) Drugs.

* 1987, local enforcement agencies were advised what surplus gear was available.

* The Pentagon established an office of implement this.

* Congress set up an 800 number to facilitate such activity.

* GSA produced a catalog for such police agencies to utilize.

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Obama Cuts 12 US Army Brigades, Leaving Soldiers Unemployed

Despite still being involved in both Iraq and Afghanistan, President Obama is moving ahead with plans to cut our armed forces by twelve brigades of soldiers, cutting forces from 45 brigades to 33. Obama wants to cut the size of our forces by 80,000 troops.

Obama plans to eliminate troops at 10 Army bases by 2017, quite despite world affairs. With China rising, a nuclear armed North Korea, terrorists still active, and no telling what other situations the country will find, Obama has already slated two brigades in Germany for elimination.

Several bases will be hardest hit. Bases such as Fort Knox, Kentucky. CBS reported that other bases will also be hit.

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The Land Of The Blind: The Illusion Of Freedom In America

In the Wachowskis’ iconic 1999 film, The Matrix, the protagonist Neo is wakened from a lifelong slumber by Morpheus, a freedom fighter seeking to liberate humans from virtual slavery – a lifelong hibernation state – imposed by hyper-advanced artificial intelligence machines. With their minds plugged into a perfectly crafted virtual reality, few humans ever realize they are living in a dream world to such an extent that most are willing to give their lives in order to preserve the system that enslaves them.

Sound familiar? It should, because as I make clear in my new book, A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State(available on Amazon.com and in stores), we too are living in a fantasy world carefully crafted to resemble a representative democracy, while in reality we are little more than slaves in thrall to an authoritarian regime, with its constant surveillance, manufactured media spectacles, secret courts, inverted justice, and violent repression of dissent. And for the few who dare to challenge the status quo such as Edward Snowden, they are assured of being branded either as conspiratorialists, alarmists, lunatics or outright traitors.

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THESE 5 DEM SENATORS CAN’T ANSWER KEY QUESTION ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION BILL THEY JUST VOTED TO ADVANCE

Five Democratic senators who support the comprehensive immigration reform bill were pressed Tuesday on a controversial provision that would reportedly create a financial incentive for some employers to hire non-citizens granted legal status over American citizens.

Not one of those five senators were able to address this key concern found in the current bill.

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FORMER PATRIOTS PLAYER CHARGED WITH MURDER

Former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez charged with murder in killing of semi-pro football player in Massachusetts.
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Bit By Bit Strategy

There's a move on to prohibit Washington's football team from calling itself "Redskins," even though a 2009 U.S. Supreme Court decision said that it has that right. Now the name change advocates are turning to the political arena and intimidation. The NCAA has already banned the University of North Dakota from calling its football team the "Fighting Sioux."

This is the classic method of busybodies and tyrants; they start out with something trivial or small and then magnify and extend it. If these people are successful in banning the use of Indian names for football teams, you can bet the rent money that won't end their agenda. Our military has a number of fighting aircraft named with what busybodies and tyrants might consider racial slights, such as the Apache, Iroquois, Kiowa, Lakota and Mescalero. We also have military aircraft named after animals, such as the Eagle, Falcon, Raptor, Cobra and Dolphin. The people fighting against the Redskins name might form a coalition with the PETA animal rights kooks to ban the use of animal names.

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Texas Senate GOP Passes Restrictive Abortion Bill

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republicans have passed new abortion restrictions expected to close almost every abortion clinic in the nation's second most populous state.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted for the bill while hundreds of protesters screamed from the gallery. Reporters and Democrats saw the voting begin after midnight, but Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said it began just before.

Texas' special legislative session ended at midnight, and Democrats spent most of the day filibustering the bill. Republicans cited rules to eventually force a vote to end the filibuster.
 
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War, Christianity, And The State

Introduction to Laurence M. Vance, War, Christianity, and the State: Essays on the Follies of Christian Militarism (Vance Publications, 2013), 416 pgs., paperback, $19.95.

These essays, although organized under four headings, have one underlying theme: the relation of Christianity to war, the military, and the warfare state. If there is any group of people that should be opposed to war, torture, militarism, and the warfare state with its suppression of civil liberties, imperial presidency, government propaganda, and interventionist foreign policy it is Christians, and especially conservative, evangelical, and fundamentalist Christians who claim to strictly follow the dictates of Scripture and worship the Prince of Peace.

These seventy-six essays also have one thing in common – they were all published on the premier anti-state, anti-war, pro-market website, LewRockwell.com, during the period from October 29, 2003, to March 28, 2013. The vast majority of them first appeared on and were written exclusively for that website. LewRockwell.com is the brainchild of Lew Rockwell, the founder and chairman of the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, Ala., and a leading opponent of the central state, its wars, and its socialism.

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NO BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ILLEGAL ALIENS

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration’s requirement for background checks on illegal aliens being helped under the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program – which grants a two-year deferment from deportation – has been dropped.

Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services abandoned the requirement for background checks late last year to keep up with the flood of amnesty applications sparked by the Obama’s plan.

The documents revealed that USCIS adopted costly “lean and lite” procedures in favor of the more time-consuming required background checks.
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Texas Abortion Bill Fails After Chaotic Stand-Off In Capital

Chaos reigned in the final minutes of the Texas Senate late Tuesday night as opponents of a strict abortion bill succeeded in killing the measure, using a sprawling Democrat-led filibuster, egged on by noisy "unruly mob" protests, to blunt last-ditch efforts by Republicans to save the legislation.

The drama centered largely around Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis, who staged an hours-long, old-fashioned filibuster on the Senate floor against a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Republicans initially succeeded in cutting her filibuster off, in part by objecting when another lawmaker helped her with a back brace. But protesters picked up where she left off, jeering at lawmakers as they rushed to meet a midnight deadline for the bill. 

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Is The Government Spying On You Through Your Own COMPUTER’s Webcam Or Microphone?

We documented earlier today that - if you are near your smart phone – the NSA or private parties could remotely activate your microphone and camera and spy on you.

This post shows that the same is true for our computer.

Initially, the NSA built backdoors into the world’s most popular software program – Microsoft Windows – by 1999.

And a government expert told the Washington Post that the government “quite literally can watch your ideas form as you type” (confirmed). Even that is just “the tip of the iceberg”, according to a congress member briefed on the NSA’s spying program.

The New York Times reported in 2011 that German police were using spyware to turn on the webcam and microphone on peoples’ computers

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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON U.S. SUPREME COURT RULINGS ON DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT AND PROP 8

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 26, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement on today's U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and Prop 8:

“Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional as applied to states that recognize equal marriage rights.
“This ruling is a powerful step forward for those who live in states like Maryland. But the Court’s decisions make clear that there is still more work to do as a nation to achieve greater respect for the equal rights and human dignity of all.

“As Marylanders, and as Americans, we ultimately all want the same thing for our children: to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected equally under the law.”

Maryland Adopts New Science Education Standards

Maryland has adopted a new set of standards to give science education a major overhaul starting in kindergarten.

Maryland is one of five states on board with this new set of international science standards called Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a new set of voluntary, but rigorous benchmarks for science education.

It's all part of a larger push for more science, technology, engineering and math education.

The Maryland State Board of Education approved the science changes during its monthly meeting, paving the way for Maryland schools to give students a foundation based on scientific principles.
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Meet Genea: Maryland's "Governor for a Day"

A few months ago, we announced the first-ever “Governor for a Day” contest to encourage young women to pursue careers in public service. Throughout my life, I’ve benefited from being surrounded by strong and talented women–from my mother, wife, and daughters; to the women of the O’Malley-Brown Administration; to my days working for Senator Barbara Mikulski, the longest-serving woman in Congress and first ever woman to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee.

In Maryland, our diversity is our greatest strength and the accomplishments of women are an integral part of our progress as a people. Together, we’ve made the better choices to support our women-owned businesses, appoint a record number of exceptional women to the bench, provide better health care to those previously uninsured, and drive down violence against women.

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PETA Calling On Local Retirement Community To Set Caged Birds Free

For years, PETA has received complaints about conditions endured by finches locked in a small barren cage in a retirement community in Cockeysville.

Those at PETA said they have offered to relocate the birds caged in Broadmead to a more natural setting with room to fly freely, have fresh food, among other essentials.

Broadmead had also assured PETA in May that it would implement "ASAP" the basic animal welfare standards set forth by The Eden Alternative, according to PETA. 

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Senate Backs Border Amendment To Immigration Bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a $46 billion plan to increase federal law enforcement efforts at the U.S. border with Mexico, a move aimed at winning bipartisan passage this week of a comprehensive immigration bill.

The amendment approved by the Senate aims to double, to around 40,000, the number of U.S. agents patrolling the southwestern border, complete the construction of 700 miles of border fence and enable the purchase of high-tech surveillance and other equipment to detect illegal border crossings.

The Senate backed the border security amendment by a vote of 69-29, with 15 of 46 Republicans joining all 52 Democrats and two independents.

None of the top four Senate Republican leaders voted for the amendment, however, in a sign of continuing divisions within the party over immigration legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented residents.

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The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Conducted Alcohol Compliance Checks

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
    
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks at 64 establishments in Worcester County that hold liquor licenses May 30th and June 20, 2013. Out of the 64 establishments that were checked only 10 made a sale to a person who was under the age of 21. Below is a list of the establishments and the result of the compliance check.

             
  Business                                                            Result

Plaza Tapatia                        Pocomoke                  SALE

Plaza Tapatia                        Ocean Pines               SALE

The Upper Deck                     Pocomoke               SALE

Town Market Basket                Snow Hill             SALE

Atlantic Hotel                          Berlin                    SALE

Smiths Market                        Showell                   SALE

Your Stop                          Snow Hill                       SALE

O.C. Party Market             Ocean City                     SALE

Assateague Market            Berlin                             SALE

Castaways                          Berlin                            SALE

Markell Seeks More Mental Health Aid For Middle School Students

Delaware middle school students facing behavioral problems or mental health issues could get help from 10 times as many health consultants and receive other aid under Gov. Jack Markell’s proposed education budget.

Markell has set aside $3.3 million to boost mental health efforts at schools. In his “State of the State” speech in January, Markell discussed the suicides of 12 Delaware students last year and the need for support services in schools.

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Sad But True

Joe,
Talk radio had an interview this morning with Billy & Karen Vaughn whose son Aaron was killed during a mission in Afghanistan. You may recall reports of a helicopter shot down by the Taliban when transporting 29 American Soldiers mostly Seals and all 29 perished. For more information, The Vaughn's have a web site appropriately named For Our Son. Here is the link: http://forourson.us/

Committee Votes To Put Casino Bailout In Budget

The General Assembly’s joint Bond Bill Committee voted today to accept an $8 million plan to aid Delaware’s casino industry, presented this week by Gov. Jack Markell.

The money will be used to offset payments to vendors that supply video lottery machines to Dover Downs, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway, administration officials said. The casinos will not be able to use the money for other expenses.

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States Missing Out On Millions In Medicaid For Prisoners

Only a dozen states have taken advantage of a long-standing option to stick the federal government with at least half the cost of hospitalizations and nursing home stays of state prison inmates.

The other states have left tens of millions of federal dollars on the table, either because they didn’t know about a federal rule dating to 1997 or they were unable to write the laws and administrative processes to take advantage of it.

Obama Must Use 'Fear

Despite mounting evidence of the federal government's abuse of power, Politico's analysts have decided that the cure for Obama's second-term "doldrums" are that he must use "fear" to exert his will on Washington.

"Obama does not instill fear--one of the customary instruments of presidential power," write John F. Harris, Jake Sherman, and Elizabeth Titus. The president should make clear "that people have good reason to be afraid of him," they quote another analyst as saying. They add that Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) believes Obama should be "more forceful," and seem to lament, along with one Democratic strategist, that "there’s not a single member of either party who fears paying a political price" for disagreeing with Obama.

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This Week Old Post Is Still The #1 Post Every Single Day

A Letter To The Editor By Steven Rumney 6-19-13 is still the #1 Post with 240 comments so far. I can see why so many continue to ask me to keep it at the top.

The #2 Post is, Should Salisbury Taxpayers Be Outraged? and the #3 Post for the past week is, Mayor Ireton Removes Your 1st & 2nd Amendment Rights: IF You Want To Keep Your Job, That Is!

These three article along with the Delmar articles last week skyrocketed our traffic as well as comments. 

So I ask,  have any of you seen ANYTHING of the sort in the Daily Times, WBOC or WMDT?


Maryland Democratic Party Chairwoman Statement On Supreme Court Decision To Strike Down Key Portion Of Voting Rights Act

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Democratic Party Chairwoman, Yvette Lewis, issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the section that determines which states and counties must receive “pre-clearance” or pre-approval before changing their voting rights laws as a result of past history of voter suppression and discrimination:

"I am deeply disappointed in the Supreme Court ruling striking down critical provisions in the Voting Rights Act. Despite the progress that has been made, discrimination at the polls remains a major problem across the country. It is critical that we move forward to overcome this setback, redouble our efforts to end discrimination, and work to protect the right to vote for all Americans."

17-Year-Old Indicted In Md. Man's Death

ST. MICHAELS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland State Police say a 17-year-old has been indicted in the death of a St. Michaels man whose body was found on a rural road.

A Talbot County grand jury returned an indictment Tuesday charging Matthew Mikowski as an adult with 2nd-degree murder and other offenses in the death of 18-year-old Samuel Cross of Easton. Mikowski was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Wernersville, Pa., and is being held pending extradition.

Cross' body was found near his car on June 10. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death was asphyxiation and the manner of death was homicide.

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HOUSE OF THE DAY: A Maryland Crab Tycoon Is Selling His Sick Mansion For $32 Million

It may not be the most expensive home in the state, but being No. 2 isn't bad.

The Friary on the Severn in Annapolis, MD just hit the market at $32 million, making it the second most expensive house for sale in Maryland, according to Curbed, and this house is sick.

It's being sold by Steve Phillips, CEO of Baltimore-based fish purveyor Phillips Seafood, and his wife, who completely restored the place.

It now features a boat slip, a carriage house, 270-degree river views, a spa, a hot tub, a tennis court, wine cellar and grotto, a steam room, roof garden, a conservatory, and an over-sized ballroom ,just to name a few of the outrageous amenities.

The Friary has 10 bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms, and five half-baths.

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Small Plane Crashes Near Kent Island

STEVENSVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Maryland State Police say no one was hurt when a small plane crashed near Kent Island.

Troopers received 911 calls about the crash around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. Troopers went to Stevensville and saw the small plane.

Police say the two occupants of the plane, a Cirrus SR22, were not injured.

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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release 5-26-13

Curtis dale Roberts Sr. of Joppatowne Maryland, arrested 6-22-13 regarding two warrants for failing to appear in court. Roberts was held on a $1,000 bond.

Edward E. Warfle of Pocomoke, arrested 6-22-13 for driving on a suspended driver’s license, driving without license, driving on expired license, and a break light violation. Warfle was released on signature pending District Court actions.

Lavernea Khadjia Michelle Hodge of Princess Anne, arrested 6-24-13 on a warrant for harboring a felon fugitive. Hodge was held on a $20,000 bond.

Odunayo O Akanbi of Lanham Maryland, arrested 6-24-13 on a warrant for disturbing the peace. Akanbi was later released on personal recognizance.

Jeremiah Alexander Irwin of Crisfield, arrested 6-26-13 for three warrants regarding violation of probation. Irwin was held without bond.

Tye Tribbett’s Pre-Release Concert Takes The WY&CC Stage On August 1st

Salisbury, MD –Grammy nominated Tye Tribbett announced a stop at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center to celebrate the pre-release of his latest CD Greater Than. The concert, also featuring Mali Music, Jessica Reedy, Earl Bynum and more is slated for Thursday, August 1st at 7:30pm.

Tye Tribbett is said to have one of the most relevant voices of this generation, with a sound that reaches the hearts of the young as well as the old. Tribbett, often heralded as the ‘Elvis of Gospel,’ has helped redefine gospel music through his energy and powerful, infectious music. He has earned two #1 albums, two Stellar Awards and three Grammy nominations.

Tickets can be purchased at www.WicomicocivicCenter.org, by phone at 410.548.4911 or in person at the WY&CC Box Office (open M-F 8am to 6pm).

Texas Woman Set To Be 500th Execution In State

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Texas, the nation's busiest death penalty state, is set to mark a solemn moment in criminal justice Wednesday with the execution of convicted killer Kimberly McCarthy.

If McCarthy is put to death in Huntsville as planned, she would become the 500th person executed in Texas since the state resumed carrying out the death penalty in 1982. The 52-year-old also would be the first woman executed in the U.S. since 2010.

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Make Safety First on July Fourth

From the Ocean City Fire Department:

The Ocean City Fire Department would like to remind the visitors and citizens of the danger involved with consumer fireworks as the July 4th holiday approaches. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage.

“On Independence Day in a typical year, fireworks account for two out of five of all reported fires, which is more than any other cause of fire,” said Ocean City Fire Marshal David Hartley. “In addition to causing damage, fireworks can cause injuries and we want people to be safe during their holiday stay in Ocean City. The safety and wellbeing of all residents and visitors of the Town of Ocean City is the primary goal of the Ocean City Fire Department.”

Although the State of Maryland has approved the use of ground-based sparkling devices such as cylindrical and cone fountains, these are not legal to use or possess in Ocean City. All other fireworks that may be sold in neighboring states are not legal for use by the general public anywhere in Maryland.

Within the Town of Ocean City, products such as handheld Gold labeled sparklers, “Snap-N-Pops”, “Black Cobra Snakes”, and “Party Poppers” are allowed to be used and possessed without a license. However, injuries and property damage may still occur from these types of products, so parental supervision is always encouraged.

Maryland law prohibits the shipping or transportation of fireworks into the state if the fireworks are to be possessed, used, sold, or distributed by citizens of Maryland. Illegal fireworks found are subject to seizure by law enforcement authorities, and persons found in possession of illegal fireworks with the intent to use them run the risk of both criminal charges and the confiscation of the fireworks. Fines for possession of illegal fireworks may be as much as $250, and those found selling or distributing illegal fireworks may be fined as much as $1000.

Anyone with questions pertaining to fireworks should contact the Ocean City Fire Department, Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-289-8780.

What Next?

Deputy of banned cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi who endorses Palestinian suicide bombers had White House meeting with National Security Council staff

The UK and U.S. have banned Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who leads the anti-Israel International Union of Muslim Scholars.

The Obama administration invited that group's VP, Abdallah bin Bayyah, to a private meeting on the day it announced support for Syria's rebels

The organization ended its December 2012 board meeting by calling for the end of Israel and the return of its lands to the Palestinians
Hours after MailOnline began inquiring with the National Security Council about its meeting with bin Bayyah, the cleric's website was edited to remove the claim that National Security Adviser Tom Donilon attended

BREAKING NEWS: NFL Star, Subject Of Murder Probe, In Police Custody

New England Patriots tight end
Aaron Hernandez taken into police custody in handcuffs amid probe of murder near his home in North Attleboro, Mass.

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A Letter To The Editor: Net Kill On The Chesapeake

Joe,

There are hundreds, probably thousands, of dead fish lining the beaches in this area of the Eastern Shore, including some reports on creeks and coves. The commercial net boats were right off the shoreline of the Eastern shore (Nassawaddox/Exmore areas) of Virginia yesterday…as they have been off and on for the last several days. This “net kill” is reportedly attributable to a net on a boat from Texas breaking. We work so hard on restoring the Chesapeake. How can this be allowed to happen? Does anyone care? Does anyone have any information on a law that was rumored to have passed that restricts these boats from being North of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The authorities explain that they use their nets until they are worn out because they are expensive to replace and that they catch to the net’s capacity to maximize their catch for the cost of fuel…at who’s expense?

I know commercial fisherman, and the ones I know are very responsible. The businesses of some of them are suffering as rockfish regulations become more and more restrictive, but they do it to protect the fisheries. I, for one, would like to see the wholesale stripping of the fish that provide a healthy food chain for the Chesapeake stopped.

Investigators Looking For Wanted Sex Offender

Location: Georgetown, DE

Date of Occurrence: June 10, 2013

Suspect and Charges:

Jonathan Sample, 25, Georgetown, DE (Photo Attached)
Black male, 5’06” tall, 175 lbs., black hair, and brown eyes
Failure to Verify Address

Resume:
Georgetown, DE- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is currently looking for a Georgetown sex offender after he failed to verify his current address.

Investigators have obtained warrants on Jonathan Sample, 25 of Georgetown, who is a medium risk Tier 2 sex offender, after they learned that he failed to re-register his home address and had not notified S.O.A.R. of his status within 3 days as he is required to do by law.

Jonathan Sample is described as a black male, 5’06” tall and 175 lbs., black hair and brown eyes. He may be homeless in the Georgetown area.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit is asking anyone who may know the location of Jonathan Sample to call 9-1-1 or 302-672-5306. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet atwww.tipsubmit.com.

Ocean City Police K-9 Graduates from Training

The Ocean City Police Department’s newest K-9 team recently graduated from a six-week training program at Shallow Creek Kennels training facility in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. Both Ofc. Nicholas Forsyth and his K-9 partner Goro are currently certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association as patrol and drug detection police K-9. They join an elite group of K-9 patrol teams, which are an integral part of the Ocean City Police Department.

Goro, a 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, is specially trained and came to the Ocean City Police Department from Holland, where he received specialized training for law enforcement duties. In addition to his training in Holland, Goro and Ofc. Forsyth received additional patrol/narcotics schooling, which develops the capabilities and physical conditioning of both the handler and K-9 alike. Upon completion of their training, both were certified by the North American Police Working Dog Association and the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission.
 
Ofc. Forsythe and Goro
Once on patrol, the new K-9 team is authorized to respond to calls for service and is often among the first specialized units to be called to a scene. Their specific skills, including apprehension techniques, obedience, narcotics detection, searching and tracking, are a critical asset to the Ocean City Police Department. In addition to their duties and responsibilities on the road, K-9 units participate in continual training, community events and public relations functions, self-initiated patrol and/or rendering assistance to state and county law enforcement patrols in the Ocean City area.

Oprah Winfrey And Ellen DeGeneres – Talk Show Celebrities Compare Their Money And Status

Women make an average of 30% less than men: $.70 cents to a man’s $1.00. Women of color fair even worse when it comes to income—making just around $.64 cents to a white man’s dollar. While the odds are against the average woman, especially the average minority woman, in the United States some women have risen above, reaching both superstardom and financial virtue. Two of the most successful and powerful women in the United States today are, without a doubt, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.

Oprah and Ellen have beaten all odds when it comes to financial success by hosting some of the most popular daytime television talk shows. Oprah is the wealthiest African American woman in the country, worth over a billion dollars. Ellen is well on her way to becoming just as successful as one of the first openly lesbian TV personalities, and a multi-millionaire.

Not only are Oprah and Ellen both successful in the same industry, but they have been friends for years. Overcoming similar barriers hindering their success, they now are both similarly philanthropic.

Washington & Wall Street: Obama, Energy & 'Californication'

It's the edge of the world
And all of western civilization
The sun may rise in the East
At least it settled in a final location
It's understood that Hollywood
Sells Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers

Barack Obama is arguably the most incompetent and duplicitous individual to occupy the White House since Franklin Roosevelt. His ineptitude is illustrated by fiascos like the terrorist attack in Benghazi. More recently, we saw the gratuitous public rejection of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke during an interview with Charlie Rose on PBS. Obama’s cavalier comments about the Fed chairman staying “too long” caused a week-long sell-off in the financial markets that has badly shaken public confidence in the US economic recovery.

But America’s analog to Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez is just getting started. Today President Obama will make a climate policy address at Georgetown University. The White House has been keeping its intentions under cover, in part because Obama’s socialist, anti-growth agenda on energy is even contentious among many of his supposed supporters in the Democratic Party. But the President’s duplicity will again be on display--for all who bother to take notice.

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