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Monday, May 19, 2014

Police seek group in attack on Temple student

Police are looking for a group of young men who robbed and beat a Temple University student near the school's North Philadelphia campus.

Philadelphia police said the 20-year-old student was walking through an alley on the 1800 block of Berks Street at about 11:50 p.m. on May 5 when a group of five men approached him from behind.

Two of the suspects struck the victim on the back of his head, knocking the student to the ground. The assailants continued beating him and took his cellphone, authorities said. The man suffered a dislocated right shoulder, bloody nose and scrapes.

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‘What Did You Do?!’: Police Arrest Texas Teen for Attempted Robbery — Then Someone He’s Likely More Afraid of Than the Police Showed Up

A 16-year-old could face attempted robbery charges, but that’s not the only thing he has to fear. He quickly learned that his mother and grandmother are not afraid to dish out heavy doses of tough love to teach him a lesson.

KTRK-TV reports that the 16-year-old’s mother actually turned her own son in last week — and when Houston police arrived to pick the teen up, his grandmother was there to scold him while he sat in the back of the police car.

The best part? It was all caught on video.

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Detectives Conducting Death Investigation After Body Found Near Marydel

Marydel – Detectives are conducting a death investigation after a body was found along a road near Marydel today.

Shortly after 9:30 a.m. troopers responded to Sandy Bend Road, south of Lucks Drive, for a report of a body found in a ditch along the roadway. Troopers arrived to find the body of Timothy Ashley, 30, of Dover, who was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no immediately apparent cause of death.

The body has been turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

If anyone has any information in reference to this death, they are asked to contact Det. Porter at 302-531-5892. Tips can also be submitted using the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at: http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

No time to send help to Benghazi???

With Benghazi in the news again, you might want to see this response to the claim that there was no time to get help to our brave men.  Colonel Handley lays out a hypothetical demonstrating how quickly we could have responded if the President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense had used the assets less than an hour away.  We can only hope that Congressman Gowdy is able to bring out the truth on this disgraceful dereliction of duty
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Colonel Phil "Hands" Handley is credited with the highest speed air- to-air gun kill in the history of aerial combat. He flew operationally for all but 11 months of a 26-year career, in aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre, F-15 Eagle, and the C-130A Hercules. Additionally, he flew 275 combat missions during two tours in Southeast Asia in the F-4D and F-4E. His awards include 21 Air Medals, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Silver Star.

Here is what Col. Handley wrote in response to Panetta and Dempsey's claims there was no time to send help to 
Benghazi
---------------------------------------
Betrayal in Benghazi
Phil "Hands" Handley Colonel, USAF (Ret.)

The combat code of the US Military is that we don't abandon our dead or wounded on the battlefield. In US Air Force lingo, fighter pilots don't run off and leave their wingmen. If one of our own is shot down, still alive and not yet in enemy captivity, we will either come to get him or die trying.

Among America 's fighting forces, the calm, sure knowledge that such an irrevocable bond exists is priceless. Along with individual faith and personal grit, it is a sacred trust that has often sustained hope in the face of terribly long odds.


The disgraceful abandonment of our Ambassador and those brave ex-SEAL's who fought to their deaths to save others in that compound is nothing short of dereliction-of-duty. 

Additionally, the patently absurd cover-up scenario that was fabricated in the aftermath was an outright lie in an attempt to shield the President and the Secretary of State from responsibility.

California Chrome Cleared To Wear Nasal Strip

California Chrome can breathe easy -- he's allowed to wear a nasal strip when he goes for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.

Belmont Park stewards cleared the horse Monday to use the strip that opens his nasal passages, just as he did in winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

New York tracks have a rule prohibiting any equipment not specifically approved by stewards, and nasal strips were not on the list. A statement from the New York Racing Association and the state's Gaming Commission said the track's three stewards unanimously agreed to lift the ban.

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Unhealthy Food Taxes Vital To Fight Obesity: U.N. Investigator

Unhealthy diets pose a greater risk to global health than the increasingly regulated sale of tobacco and governments should move fast to tax harmful food products, a United Nations investigator said on Monday.

In a statement issued on the opening of the annual summit of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Belgian professor Olivier de Schutter called for efforts to launch negotiations on a global pact to tackle the obesity epidemic.

"Unhealthy diets are now a greater threat to global health than tobacco. Just as the world came together to regulate the risks of tobacco, a bold framework convention on adequate diets must now be agreed," he said.
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Why the FDA should be charged with murder

If you worked for a federal agency that was killing people at the rate of 100,000 a year, every year, like clockwork, and if you knew it, wouldn’t you feel compelled to say or do something about it?

At the FDA, which is, in fact, killing Americans at that rate, no one has ever felt the need to step forward and speak up.

Let’s shift the venue and ask the same question. If you were a medical reporter for a major media outlet in the US, and you knew the above fact, wouldn’t you make it a priority to say something, write something, do something?

I’m talking about people like Sanjay Gupta (CNN, CBS), Gina Kolata (NY Times), Tim Johnson (ABC News), and Thomas Maugh II (LA Times).

And with that, let’s go to the smoking guns. The citation is: BMJ June 7, 2012 (BMJ 2012:344:e3989). Author, Jeanne Lenzer.

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Coffee Fungus Raising Prices For High-End Blends

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government is stepping up efforts to help Central American farmers fight a devastating coffee disease -- and hold down the price of your morning cup.

At issue is a fungus called coffee rust that has caused more than $1 billion in damage across Latin American region. The fungus is especially deadly to Arabica coffee, the bean that makes up most high-end, specialty coffees.

Already, it is affecting the price of some of those coffees in the United States.

"We are concerned because we know coffee rust is already causing massive amounts of devastation," said Raj Shah, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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Black Americans Are Worse Off Under Obama

Yet they still support him almost unanimously.

According to a Fox News survey released on Wednesday, Obama’s approval rating stands at 45 percent among all registered voters. However, among black voters, Obama’s job approval soars to 86 percent.

Given Obama’s devastating impact on black Americans, this is even more confounding than the whereabouts of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Obama’s election, no doubt, generated considerable ethnic pride. Seeing a black man (or, precisely, a half-black man) inaugurated was a truly exceptional milestone for all Americans — black and otherwise.

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Left-Wing Grads Who Campaigned to Oust Commencement Speaker Get Chewed Out in the Most Ironic Way Imaginable

After more than 46 Haverford College students and three professors protested an invitation to Robert Birgeneau — former chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley — to speak at the suburban Philadelphia school’s commencement, Birgeneau eventually bowed out.

Those opposed to Birgeneau’s presence were apparently angry over how he handled a 2011 incident at Berkeley involving the use of force by police at a student protest.

Now enter former Princeton University President William Bowen — Birgeneau’s replacement — who stepped up to the microphone at Sunday’s ceremonies, ostensibly representing exactly what the protesters wanted.

Perhaps now they’re thinking…be careful what you wish for.
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SAUERBREY AND BENTLEY ENDORSE CRAIG FOR GOVERNOR

Maryland Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Harford County Executive, David R. Craig, announced endorsements of his candidacy by former Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey, former Maryland Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley and former Baltimore County Executive, Roger B. Hayden.

The announcement came on Wednesday at the official grand opening of Craig's Baltimore County campaign office in White Marsh.

"Delegate Jeannie Haddaway and I are honored to have the endorsement of these conservative leaders. They have been mentors to us. We appreciate their trust and support," Craig said.


Sauerbrey, a multi-term state delegate and a former Republican nominee for Governor expressed her full support and endorsement for the Craig-Haddaway ticket.

"I served with David in the House of Delegates," Sauerbrey said. "He was a tireless fighter for conservative values, lower taxes, and smaller government then, just as he is now. After nearly nine years as county executive in Harford County and all the success he has had there, I can't think of anyone else more qualified to lead our state."

Bentley, who served five terms in Congress, ran against Sauerbrey for Maryland's Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1994, pointed to Craig and Haddaway's combined years of experience and leadership.

"County Executive David Craig and Delegate Jeannie Haddaway have the right blend of executive and legislative experience to lead Maryland," Bentley said. "David is the only candidate that has cut taxes and reduced the size of government. His fiscal discipline and management of county resources were rewarded with a Triple A bond rating. He is the only candidate with the experience to bring economic prosperity to Maryland."

Craig has made it clear that as governor, he would overhaul state spending and eliminate the many unnecessary taxes initiated over the past eight years.

His unprecedented plan to reduce and eventually eliminate Maryland's personal income tax along with cutting waste in government spending have been centerpieces of his campaign."Our state has gotten off track and too many

Marylanders are being forgotten and left behind," Craig said. "Being endorsed by these distinguished leaders tells me that we have the vision and plan that will bring Maryland back to greatness."

Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail Opens for 2014!

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting officially opened the 2014 Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail today by enjoying the first official scoop of the season at South Mountain Creamery in Frederick County and urging Marylanders to visit at least one of the eight stops on the trail during the Memorial Day weekend.

“We launched the Ice Cream Trail two years ago to promote our dairy farmers and encourage Marylanders to visit a real working farm,” said Secretary Hance. “I encourage everyone to visit a local farm or two and enjoy some delicious local ice cream during the long holiday weekend.”

The trail is made up of eight dairy farms across the state that produce and sell ice cream directly to consumer.. Residents who are traveling to popular vacation destinations in Maryland this weekend – whether to the mountains of western Maryland or the beaches of Ocean City – have an opportunity to make at least one stop on the trail.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Most Wanted 5-19-14





Timothy Joseph Ardes
• White Male, 5’11” 180 lbs
• DOB 08/16/1974 39 years of age
• Brown hair, Brown eyes
• Ardes’ last known address was Elkton MD
• Ardes iis wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on three (3) Circuit Court Bench Warrants issued for Failure to Appear in April 2014 on the charges of Assault 2nd, CDS Possess Paraphernalia, and Traffic charges
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Ardes has history of being ARMED, of RESIST ARREST and ASSAULT POLICE, and of DRUG ABUSE. He should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION
• The state will extradite him from DE and VA



Jonathan Jacob Decker
• White Male 5’07” 140 lbs
• DOB 07/17/1989 24 years of age
• Brown hair, Brown eyes
• Decker’s last known address was Salisbury MD but he is believed to have left the state for an unknown location
• Decker is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Violation of Bond Conditions issued in April 2014 on the charge of Burglary 1st
• The bond has been revoked, and he must be brought before the court
• Decker has history of DRUG ABUSE and should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION
• The state will extradite him from DE and VA
 


Bryant Tyrone Deale
• Black Male 5’06” 220 lbs
• DOB 03/04/1962 52 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Dale’s last known address was Easton MD
• Deale also uses the name Charles Tyrone Taylor
• Deale is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued for Failure to Appear in June 2013 on the charges of Acting as a Contractor without a License, and Failure to perform contract
• He is also wanted by the Dorchester county Sheriff’s Office
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Deale has history of being ARMED, should be considered DANGEROUS, and has history of DRUG ABUSE








Sean Patrick Anthony Coy
• Black Male, 6’00” 160 lbs
• DOB 02/11/1991 23 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• During two separate incidents, Coy provided addresses in Cambria Heights NY as well as Lithonia GA. His current location is unknown
• Coy is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on two District Court Bench Warrants issued for Failure to Appear in March 2014 on the charges of CDS Possess Marijuana and Traffic charges
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Coy has history of DRUG ABUSE




Dasia Antwaniesha Banks
• Black Female, 5’05” 120 lbs
• DOB 09/11/1988 25 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Banks’ last known address were Salisbury MD or Seaford DE but her current address is unknown
• Banks is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Violation of Probation in May 2014 on the charge of ROBBERY
• She is also wanted by Fruitland Police
• There is no preset bond, she must be brought before the court
• Banks has history of DRUG ABUSE and should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION
• The state will extradite her from DE and VA

Tick Removal

Tick Removal: A nurse discovered a safe, easy way to remove ticks where they automatically withdraw themselves when you follow her simple instructions.

"I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. "Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball.

Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20); the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

Update: Troopers Investigate Suspected Murder, Suicide Near Selbyville

Selbyville – Delaware State Police Homicide detectives are conducting a death investigation after a male and female were found deceased in the parking lot in the rear of the Bayview Estates community clubhouse.

At approximately 5:50 a.m. today troopers responded to the clubhouse on Sea Gull Road after receiving a report of two people lying on the ground in the rear parking lot. Troopers arrived to find an unresponsive male and female lying near two vehicles. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The male, 63, and female, 53, were married and resided in the Maryland side of the Bayview Estates community, in Bishopville, Maryland.

A preliminary investigation indicates the pair drove separately to the clubhouse sometime during the late evening of May 18. The male shot the female twice and then shot himself. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

Both bodies have been turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an official determination of the cause and manner of death. The decedents' names will be released once next of kin have been notified.

Judge orders U.S. military to STOP force-feeding GITMO detainee

A federal judge in Washington ordered the U.S. military on Friday to at least temporarily stop force-feeding a hunger striking prisoner at the Guantanamo Bay naval base.

The order from U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler bars the force feeding of prisoner Abu Wa'el Dhiab at least until a hearing on Wednesday.

It also directs the military from forcibly removing the prisoner from his cell at the U.S. base in Cuba.

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BREAKING NEWS: FDA issues warning on dog jerky treats

The Food and Drug Administration says more than 1,000 dog deaths may be linked to toxic jerky treats imported from China.

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BREAKING NEWS: Judge strikes down Oregon gay marriage ban

A federal judge has ruled that Oregon's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.

From Fox News

Dick Cheney on Benghazi: Hillary 'clearly bears responsibility'

Add former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney to the chorus of Republicans who seem insistent on making the 2012 terror attack in Benghazi, Libya a black mark against Hillary Rodham Clinton if she decides to run for president.

In an interview taped for Fox News Sunday, Cheney told host Chris Wallace that the former Secretary of State will have some explaining to do.

'She was Secretary of State at the time that it happened,' Cheney said in an excerpt broadcast Friday afternoon on Fox.

'She was one of the first in Washington to know about it.'

'I think she clearly bears responsibility for whatever the State Department did or didn't do with respect to that – uh, that crisis.'

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Troopers Investigate Home Invasion, Millsboro

Millsboro – Detectives are investigating a home invasion that occurred yesterday evening.

The incident occurred Sunday evening at 11:30 p.m. at a residence in the 28000 block of Russell Street. Two black male suspects with bandanas over their faces entered the residence which was occupied by three males, ages 35, 28, 24, and two females, ages 40 and 13.

When the suspects entered the residence the 35-year-old male and 28-year-old male fled by jumping out of windows. The suspects assaulted the 24-year-old male, and may have discharged a firearm while in the residence. They stole money from the 24-year-old male, who eventually escaped by jumping out of a window. The suspects then fled.

The 24-year-old male was treated at a nearby hospital for a non-life-threatening head injury. No one else was injured. Detectives have determined through preliminary interviews and investigation that this was not a random act, and the victims were targeted in the home invasion.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Troop 4 at 302-856-5850 extension 224. Tips can also be submitted using the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at: http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

AT&T Agrees To Buy DirecTV in $48.5B Deal

DALLAS (AP) - AT&T Inc. on Sunday agreed to buy DirecTV for $48.5 billion, or $95 per share, a move that gives telecommunications company a larger base of video subscribers and increases its ability to compete against Comcast and Time Warner Cable, which agreed to a merger in February.


AT&T's proposed combination, which is subject to government review, could improve its Internet service by pushing its existing U-verse TV subscribers into video-over-satellite service, and thereby free up bandwidth on its telecommunications network.

AT&T currently offers a high-speed Internet plan in a bundle with DirecTV television service. The acquisition would help it further reap the benefits of that alliance.
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WCSO Press Releases - May 19, 2014

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 16 May 2014
Location: 700 block of Meadow Wood Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Eugene Custis, 45, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 16 May 2014 at 10:16 PM a deputy responded to a residence in the 700 block of Meadow Wood Drive in Salisbury for the report of a domestic related disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a visibly upset female who advised that she was engaged in a dispute with her live in boyfriend Eugene Custis who repeatedly refused to allow her to leave the residence. According to the victim, Custis pulled her back into the residence and held her down.  During the investigation the deputy observed signs of injury to the victim that corroborated her account. The deputy also detected that the Custis appeared to be intoxicated.  The deputy placed Custis under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Custis in the Detention Center in lieu of $50,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree and False Imprisonment
Custis, Eugene
Custis, Eugene


Incident: Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 17 May 2014
Location: Beaglin Park Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Marvin Joseph Huggins, 28, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 17 May 2014 at 8:56 PM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Marvin Huggins for an equipment violation. During the encounter, the deputy discovered an open warrant for the arrest of Huggins from Dorchester County. Post arrest, the deputy discovered that Huggins was in possession of what would be identified as heroin, Oxycodone and Xanax.  The deputy transported Huggins to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. The Commissioner detained Huggins in the Detention Center in lieu of $30,000.00 bond.
Charges: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Huggins, Marvin
Huggins, Marvin


Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol / Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 18 May 2014
Location: Salisbury Parkway at Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Leif Eric Lewis, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 18 May 2014 at 1:52 AM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Leif Lewis for speeding. Upon making contact with Lewis, the deputy detected an odor of alcohol emanating from with Lewis’ vehicle.  As the deputy got closer to Lewis, the odor of alcohol intensified.  Due to the suspicion that Lewis was under the influence of alcohol the deputy initiated sobriety testing, after which the deputy placed Lewis under arrest.  During processing, Lewis refused to submit to the breath test.  The deputy also found Lewis to be in possession of what was identified as marijuana and a smoking device.  Lewis was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Lewis on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Lewis, Leif
Lewis, Leif


Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 18 May 2014
Location: 4000 block of Skylar Drive, Fruitland, MD
Suspect: 1. Brenda N. Olivares, 24, Fruitland, MD
               2. Stacey N. Olivares, 24, Fruitland, MD
               3. Peggy F. Clapp, 55, Fruitland, MD
            
Narrative: On 18 May 2014 at 1:37 PM a deputy responded to a residence in the 4000 block of Skylar Drive for the report of a fight in progress. Upon arrival, the deputy learned that a male subject had arrived at the location and had begun moving his belongings from the residence when an altercation erupted with his wife, Brenda Olivares that eventually turned physical. During the ensuing encounter, Brenda’s sister, Stacey and her mother Peggy Clapp arrived at the location and joined the assault against the victim.  The victim suffered abrasions to the face, neck and back of the head as a result of being struck by the three women.  All three assailants were placed under arrest and transported to the Central Booking Unit. After their initial appearances in front of the District Court Commissioner, all three were detained in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond each.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Olivares, Brenda
Olivares, Brenda
Olivares, Stacey
Olivares, Stacey
Clapp, Peggy
Clapp, Peggy


Incident: Vandalism
Date of Incident: 18 May 2014
Location: 29000 block of Santa Fe Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Male Juvenile, 12, Salisbury, MD
               2. Male Juvenile, 9, Salisbury, MD
               3. Male Juvenile, 10, Salisbury, MD
               4. Male Juvenile, 12, Salisbury, MD
            
Narrative: On 18 May 2014 at 12:21 PM, a deputy responded to investigate the complaint of what appeared to be feces spread all over the front door of the complainant’s residence. During the investigation, the deputy identified four juvenile subjects that would all be determined to have knowledge of the incident and to have been involved. The smearing of the feces occurred while the resident was gone from the home.  The resident was able to wash the feces from the door.  All four juveniles were charged on a juvenile referral that will be submitted to the Department of Juvenile Services for adjudication.
Charges: Malicious Destruction of Property
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Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson        Date:  19 May 2014

NSCC Director Appointment

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Phillips as the Director of Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance Director

Salisbury Mayor, James Ireton, Jr., is pleased to announce that he is appointing Susan Phillips as the new Director of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance Department. Ms. Phillips started her career with the City of Salisbury in 1995 with the Department of Building, Housing and Zoning. In 2005, she was promoted to Code Enforcement Officer. Since the creation of Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance in 2006, she has held the position of Housing Supervisor. Ms. Phillips has worked in the capacity of Interim-Director of Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance since July 2013.

Ms. Phillips currently chairs the Neighborhood Services Task Force, serves as the Secretary to the Salisbury Historic District Commission and sits on various boards and committees throughout the city and state; such as the Mayors Safe Streets Coalition. Susan serves on the Maryland Municipal League’s Hometown Emergency Ad-Hoc Committee, and is a member of the Maryland Code Enforcement and Zoning Officers Association (CEZOA), and the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE).

Ms. Phillips holds an Associates of Arts degree in General Studies from Wor-Wic Community College, and is a Political Science major at Salisbury University.

“Susan Phillips’ experience and knowledge, of a department she helped build, is unparalleled. She has a vision for where and how she wants this department to grow. Additionally, she is keenly aware of the expectation of our citizens when it comes to safe and code compliant neighborhoods. Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance is the first line of defense against blight and an integral part of Salisbury’s continued revitalization, “said Mayor James Ireton, Jr.  


Publishers Notes: Congratulations Susan. Well deserved and well earned. 

Sussex Remains Strongest Home Sales Market

Figures from multiple listing agencies showed a mixed performance in the home sale market in the first three months of this year. New Castle County appeared to be the weakest county in the region.

The figures from Patterson-Schwartz Real State indicated that New Castle County saw a 12% decrease in the number of sold homes for the first quarter of 2014 compared to last year and a 6% increase in the median price of sold homes to $190,000. The number of homes that went under contract in the first quarter of the year decreased 13% from 2013

Neighboring Kent County matched New Castle’s rate of decline in the number of sold homes compared to the first quarter of 2013, with an 11% increase in the median sales price from $165,000 to $183,900. The number of homes that went under contract in the first quarter of 2014 increased 10% from 2013.
 
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Antidepressants Use Up 400%: 5 Ways to Boost Happiness Naturally

A few years back, Harvard conducted a study to reiterate what many in the psych professionals already know – Americans are addicted to anti-depression meds.

attempt to boost mood and feel better. The increase in sales of anti-depressants is up a startling 400%. This pill-popping became the norm, even though clinical studies suggest there are numerous natural remedies that can help us feel better, without the pricey and life altering side-effects that many of these drugs can cause.

Indeed, many individuals can find relief from depression with simple lifestyle changes, even just dietary changes. Even the spice turmeric has been shown to treat depression better than Prozac, one of the best selling, yet least effective anti-depressants of all time. Phytotherapy Research said that not only is turmeric effective at treating depression, but it is likely more effective than some of the most common anti-depressant drugs currently on the market.

Additionally, there are several things people can do to boost their happiness levels without ever popping a pharmaceutical pill. Here are 5 potential solutions:

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Flashback: Obama Administration Threatened Sanctions Against Nigeria For Fighting Boko Haram

In 2013, the Obama administration threatened to sanction Nigeria for fighting the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Canada Free Press reported:

Hillary Clinton wasn’t the only Obama administration official who went to bat for Boko Haram over the past few years.

Soon after John Kerry took over as Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence P. McCulley, accused the Nigerian government of butchery during a confrontation with Boko Haram terrorists in Baga, a Nigerian town on the shores of Lake Chad, and in May 2013 threatened to withdraw U.S. military aid from the West African nation.

Boko Haram militants attacked a Nigerian military outpost in April 2013 outside Baga, killing one soldier. Following the three-day battle human rights activists, including the George Soros-funded and liberal aligned Human Rights Watch, which is not exactly known for its impartiality when it comes to reporting on Islamic issues, claimed the Nigerian military wantonly slaughtered 183 civilians and burned down over 2,000 homes and businesses.

The Nigerian government denied the claims saying the death toll and destruction had been vastly overstated by its enemies, and in fact 30 Boko Haram terrorists, 6 civilians and one soldier, had died in the fighting. Reports from the Baga clinic, which treated 193 people following the battle, but only 10 with serious injuries, seemed to back up the Nigerian government claim that no large-scale massacre had occurred.

More here.

Police Now “Armed For War” Against Returning Veterans

Cops in armored vehicle asked by residents “Are you coming to take our guns away?”

In an interview with Fox 59, a Morgan County, Indiana Police Sergeant admits that the increasing militarization of domestic police departments is partly to deal with returning veterans who are now seen as a homegrown terror threat.

In a chilling story entitled Armed for War: Pentagon surplus gives local police an edge, we learn how a Mine Resistant Vehicle (MRAP) which was once used during the occupation of Afghanistan will now be “patrolling the streets of central Indiana,” according to the report.

Sgt. Dan Downing of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department states, “When I first started we really didn’t have the violence that we see today,” adding, “The weaponry is totally different now that it was in the beginning of my career, plus, you have a lot of people who are coming out of the military that have the ability and knowledge to build IEDs and to defeat law enforcement techniques.”

Downing goes on to relate how citizens approach the vehicle when it stops at gas stations to express their concerns that the militarization of police is about arming cops with the tools required for mass gun confiscation programs.

“We were actually approached when we’d stop to get fuel by people wanting to know why we needed this…what were we going to use it for? ‘Are you coming to take our guns away?’” said Downing. “To come and take away their firearms…that absolutely is not the reason why we go this vehicle. We got this vehicle because of the need and because of increased violence that we have been facing over the last few years….I’ll be the last person to come and take anybody’s guns.”

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Deathbed Requests

Morris Schwartz, on his deathbed, knowing the end is near, is with his nurse, his wife, his daughter and his 2 sons. So, he says to them: "Bernie, I want you to take the Beverly Hills houses." "Sybil, you take the apartments over in Los Angeles Plaza ." "Hymie, I want you to take the offices over in City Center ." "Sarah, my dearest wife, please take all of the residential buildings downtown."
The nurse is completely blown away by all this, and as Morris slips away, she says, "Mrs. Schwartz, your husband must have been a very hardworking man to have accumulated all of this property".
Sarah replies, "What property? The asshole had a paper route!"

Maryland Working Women Still Lag Behind Men

WASHINGTON - Across the nation, women earn less than their male counterparts, make up a majority of minimum wage workers and carry the greatest burden when it comes to balancing family life with work.

In Maryland, women have it a little better -- earning 85 cents on every dollar white men earn, 8 cents above the national average. Overall, women are doing better economically than their counterparts in any other state, according to a report by the Center for American Progress.

But a closer look at the data shows that not all women in Maryland, particularly women of color, are doing as well.

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Illegal NSA Surveillance of Americans: Secret Authorizations Granted by Bush and Obama

The May 13th PBS “Frontline” documents that on 4 October 2001, President George W. Bush signed a secret authorization for the NSA to see the “metadata” (the to-whom, and from-whom) records for all phone calls, and also “a lot of content of phone calls. They’re actually recording the voices — not for all of our calls, but for a lot of U.S. telephone calls.”

Titled “United States of Secrets,” this documentary reports that only about a half-dozen people were informed of this operation, which was called “the Program.” NSA chief Michael Hayden was informed of it, and he supported it. Attorney General John Ashcroft was informed of it, but he opposed it as being illegal, a direct violation of the 4th Amendment, and also possibly of the 1st Amendment. The Justice Department was sidelined from it. President Bush’s order was drafted not by the President’s lawyer, Alberto Gonzales (though he supported it), but by David Addington, VP Dick Cheney’s Legal Counsel, who was not so much asked whether it was Constitutional, as he was asked to come up with an argument for its being Constitutional, even if only a fig-leaf argument — which it turned out to be. Cheney actually ran the country, and Bush rubber-stamped whatever came out of Cheney’s office.

Within 30 minutes after the President signing the order, Addington placed it into his office safe, and he showed it to very few people, only on a need-to-know basis.

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Correctional Officer Charged in Smuggling Scheme

Smyrna - The Delaware State Police have arrested and charged a Correctional Officer with the Delaware Department of Correction in connection with a plan to smuggle marijuana and cell phones into the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC), Smyrna.

On Saturday, May 17, 2014, Delaware State Police Detectives initiated an investigation after being contacted by the Department of Correction Internal Affairs Investigators after uncovering a scheme involving Darryl L. West Jr.-27 of Bridgeville, Delaware, a Correctional Officer at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, along with a sentenced inmate confined to JTVCC, to smuggle contraband into the center.

After further interviews and investigation, it was determined that the sentenced inmate made arrangements for West to meet with an associate outside of the correctional center and obtain marijuana and cell phones to smuggle into the facility, in exchange for $800 cash. West made contact with the inmate’s associate and set up a meeting where he was provided the marijuana, cell phones, and only $700 in cash.

Further investigation determined that the plan called for West to smuggle the contraband into the correctional center and drop at a predetermined location, where it would be picked up by a second inmate and delivered to the conspiring inmate. A search of West’s 2006 Jeep Liberty parked at the correctional center revealed 113.2 grams of marijuana, 2 Nokia cell phones, recently purchased and in original packaging, and $700.00 in United States currency.

On Saturday, May 17, 2014, West was taken into custody by Troopers at JTVCC without incident. He was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (F), Possession with Intent to Deliver Prison Contraband to Person Confined within Detention Facility (F), and Conspiracy 2nd Degree (F). He was arraigned and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $15,000 Secured Bond. (Photo attached)

Troopers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Inquiries as to Darryl L. West’s employment history and status should be directed the Delaware Department of Correction.

Dept. of Agriculture Orders Ballistic Body Armor

A May 7th solicitation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks "the commercial acquisition of ballistic vests, compliant with NIJ 0101.06 for Level IIIA Ballistic Resistance of body armor."

According to the solicitation, "The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General," seeks "Body Armor [that] is gender specific, lightweight, [having] trauma plate/pad (hard or soft), [and] concealable carrier." The order includes "tactical vest, undergarment (white), identification patches, accessories (6 pouches), body armor carry bag, and professional measurements."

"All responsible and/or interested sources may submit their company name, point of contact, and telephone number." The solicitation says those sources received in a "timely" manner "shall be considered by the agency for contact."

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No Raises For Anyone: Real Hourly Wages Decline For The First Time Since 2012

In order to justify the US "recovery", one of the recurring themes has been that wages of US workers are going up.... any minute now.

And since any minute now has been the common refrain for about five years now, some are getting skeptical. Not us: we have known since 2009 that the Fed's "plan" of making billionaires trillionaires fixing the economy won't work from the start, but we are always willing to be convinced otherwise.

So for all those who keep warning that wage inflation is just around the corner (you know who you are), please point out on the chart below - which shows that real hourly wages just had their first annual decline since October 2012 - where this wage inflation is so stubbornly hiding?

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Strong Competition For Maryland’s Jewish Vote In June Primary

The 2014 primary has a noteworthy number of high profile Jewish candidates running for statewide offices. Some are competing against each other, which could set off a secondary battle for candidates vying for the Jewish vote.

In a move that surprised other campaigns, rabbis from two of the state’s largest Jewish congregations in Baltimore and Montgomery counties have thrown their support behind attorney general candidate Del. Jon Cardin, the nephew of U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin.

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SFD SWEARING IN CEREMONY

(Salisbury, MD), (5/16/14), 2014. The Salisbury Fire Department will be holding a Swearing-In Ceremony for Members of the Salisbury Fire Department. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Salisbury Fire Department Headquarters, located at 325 Cypress Street, Salisbury, Maryland.

During this ceremony, members will receive the “Oath of Office”. Members of the Salisbury Fire Department, as well as members from the Sharptown, Fruitland and Berlin Fire Departments, will be recognized for their successful completion of the Salisbury Fire Department’s Academy Recruit Firefighter I class #01-14.

This ceremony was created to have family members, friends and citizens participate in one of the most memorable events in a Firefighters career.

Targeted? Gun Sellers Say ‘High Risk’ Label From Feds Cuts Off Banking Options, Restricts Business

Gun retailers say the Obama administration is trying to put them out of business with regulations and investigations that bypass Congress and choke off their lines of credit, freeze their assets and prohibit online sales.

Since 2011, regulators have increased scrutiny on banks’ customers. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in 2011 urged banks to better manage the risks of their merchant customers who employ payment processors, such as PayPal, for credit card transactions. The FDIC listed gun retailers as “high risk” along with porn stores and drug paraphernalia shops.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has launched Operation Choke Point, a credit card fraud probe focusing on banks and payment processors. The threat of enforcement has prompted some banks to cut ties with online gun retailers, even if those companies have valid licenses and good credit histories.
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GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES DECISION TO PROTECT MARYLAND’S RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRESS

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Governor O’Malley tannounced that he vetoed HB 1168 –Electricity – Certificate – Wind Turbines – Limitation, in accordance with Article II, Sec. 17 of the Maryland constitution.

The Governor emphasized his commitment to Patuxent River Naval Air Station (Pax River) because of its critical importance to Maryland. “There are already safeguards in place to ensure that no renewable energy projects conflict with military facilities -- those safeguards render this bill unnecessary,” Governor O’Malleysaid.

In addition, the Governor noted that the Great Bay Wind Project helps alleviates the threat to Pax River caused by rising sea levels. The recent release of the Third National Climate Assessment highlights the costs that climate change is already imposing on Maryland and underscores the importance of human action and innovation to address the issue. Sitting on the Eastern Seaboard, Maryland is particularly vulnerable, as is Pax River, to the effects of climate change.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by increasing our use of renewable energy will help tackle environmental challenges like carbon pollution and sea level rise,” Governor O’Malley said.

The Governor also pointed out that the Great Bay Wind Project advances three of the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s 16 strategic goals: (1) creating jobs; (2) increasing Maryland’s in-State renewable generation to 20% by 2022; and (3) reducing Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020.

Full text of the letter is attached.

HB 1168 Wind turbines.pdf

Bravo! Dog and Cat Food Recall

Bravo of Manchester, CT is recalling select lots of Bravo Pet Food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

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A look into a housing inflexion point brought on by a dysfunctional real estate market

You would think that with all the surefire bets in housing that people would be dialing up their realtors and heading out every weekend to make those lustful multiple offers presented in PowerPoint format on properties. Yet the overall market data shows a different story. The house horniest of them all, investors, are clearly pulling out of markets including sunny and inflated California. Apparently home prices do matter when making investment decisions. Cash strapped hormonal buyers will keep on buying but housing prices are set on the margin. That margin is becoming razor thin on current volume. I find it interesting that the biggest housing supporter of them all, the National Association of Realtors is also somewhat tepid on this recovery. Why? Because home sales volume is pathetic. Keep in mind they make money on selling and buying. Volume is key. Their model doesn’t work so well with banks holding onto properties like Gollum holding onto the ring and the foreclosure process being dragged out like the forever college student enjoying year 10 at Santa Monica City College. You see this overarching trend occurring in many metro areas across the country. Investors have been propping up the market since 2008. They are now slowly pulling back. You are also starting to see a convergence of analysts putting out their predictions on how overvalued housing is and backing it up with mountains of data. The other side of the argument points to prices. Sure, they’ve gone up but value is created by actual price and that is sort of the point. The answer as always isn’t so simple but using your thinking cap it is important to understand that housing is not a “no brainer” decision in this market.

Still going into massive debt

It is interesting how corrections always follow a similar pattern. At first, every market in every area is going up. The euphoria stage. Idiots can buy and make out like bandits. Of course they attribute this to sheer mental agility versus blind luck. Ask the 7,000,000 foreclosure recipients and question them about their mental agility in their buying decision. Slowly the winds change. All of a sudden sales start slowing down. Prices stagnant. Those house horny sellers are not getting their delusional asking prices for simply slapping on a new coat of paint and installing some stainless steel Whirlpool appliances. Didn’t the housing cable show say I would have 10 above list price offers by the first week?

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PUBLIC NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL ITEM FOR CLOSED SESSION

The Council of the City of Salisbury will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2014 to entertain a vote to convene in Closed Session for the purpose of consulting with counsel and staff to obtain advice on two legal matters in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland §10-508(a)(7)(8).

ADDITIONAL ITEM

Additionally, the Council will discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals, in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland §10-508(a)(1).

The Closed Session will be held in Council Chambers, Room 301 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division St.) at which time the public can observe the motion, any discussion and the vote to convene in Closed Session as noted above.

Immediately following the adjournment of the Closed Session at approximately 2:15 p.m., the regularly scheduled Word Session will begin.

United Renter States Of America: Spot What's Wrong With These Housing Charts

The blue line is conventional, single-family housing starts and/or permits.

The red line is "New Normal", "Blackstone is America's landlord" multi-family (i.e. rental) housing starts and/or permits.

Go HERE

California Chrome Wins Preakness But May Not Race In Belmont

Trainer Art Sherman says California Chrome might not pursue a Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes if New York officials won't allow the colt to wear a nasal strip.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner has worn one during his current six-race winning streak after co-owner Perry Martin suggested it. Sherman said Sunday he will talk to New York racing officials and the horse's owners.

Some horses, like humans, wear nasal strips to assist breathing.

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New EPA Rules Next Move in Obama's 'War on Coal'

The Obama administration will escalate what Republicans call the White House's "war on coal" after Memorial Day when the EPA issues new rules to crackdown on carbon emissions, according to Politico.

President Barack Obama embraces the contention from many — but not all — scientists that the burning of fossil fuels is behind a global spike in temperatures that has lifted sea levels, melted glaciers, and increased the severity of storms.

In recent weeks, Obama has traveled the country sounding the alarm, and offering a proposed road map of legacy-building policy changes to address the impact of climate change. Many of the changes will be done by unilateral administration edicts and not by votes of Congress.

They include an onslaught of new rules demanding lower emissions from industries dependent on fossil fuels and incentives to turn to solar and wind power projects. But there is also a push to get a better handle on drought-driven wildfires and increase protections against flooding in the areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.

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Why Is the USDA Buying Submachine Guns with 30-Round Magazines?

Breitbart is reporting that the USDA recently put up a solicitation on the Federal Business Opportunities website as follows:

A May 7th solicitation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks “the commercial acquisition of submachine guns [in] .40 Cal. S&W.”

According to the solicitation, the Dept. of Agriculture wants the guns to have an “ambidextrous safety, semiautomatic or 2 round [bursts] trigger group, Tritium night sights front and rear, rails for attachment of flashlight (front under fore group) and scope (top rear), stock collapsible or folding,” and a “30 rd. capacity” magazine.

They also want the submachine guns to have a “sling,” be “lightweight,” and have an “oversized trigger guard for gloved operation.”

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Feds disguising the devastation of poverty

Easy benefits allow the poor to settle into ambition-numbing subsistence

Hiding the poverty consuming this nation is one of government’s big jobs these days.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics made a startling announcement. New data released by the bureau reveals that in one out of every five families — 20 percent — no one is employed. Not one person in those families has a job. This is monumental, but we don’t see it because of the remarkable effort by the federal government to hide the truth.

Why? Because seeing the government’s failure spells their political ruin. Your family and future have been designated as a sacrifice to ensure the future of incompetent — and sometimes malevolent — politicians. Hiding poverty is now Job One.

During the Great Depression, hundreds of people lined up at soup kitchens every day in every city, a resource many people used as their sole food supplier.

It’s not a good thing that people had to line up at a soup kitchen, but that’s the point. We saw the poverty, and by standing in line to get food, you felt the impact of a government that had failed in its policies and duties. There was no denying the truth. You knew something had to change.

How best to perpetrate a lie about the condition of our economy than by making invisible the truth of the matter? When no one sees people in unemployment offices, and no one sees lines of people waiting for food, and no one sees the homeless population soar, it allows the craven in Washington to prevail with lies about what’s really happening.

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North America's Oldest Skeleton Discovery: 13,000-Year-Old Body of 'Naia' Discovered in Mexico

One of the oldest human skeletons in North America has been discovered by a team of international scientists in an underwater Yucatán Peninsula cave.

Named "Naia", the teenager fell to her death in a large pit called Hoyo Nego, meaning "black hole" in Spanish.

Patricia Beddows, a cave-diving researcher from Northwestern University, said: "The preservation of all the bones in this deep water-filled cave is amazing - the bones are beautifully laid out."

"The girl's skeleton is exceptionally complete because of the environment in which she died -- she ended up in the right water and in a quiet place without any soil. Her pristine preservation enabled our team to extract enough DNA to determine her shared genetic code with modern Native Americans," she added.

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Troopers Investigate Shooting Near Harrington

Harrington – Detectives are investigating a shooting that left a 34-year-old man injured.

The incident occurred shortly before 1:00 a.m. at a residence in the 2000 block of Bloomfield Drive. The initial investigation indicates several shots were fired at the residence from a vehicle. A 34-year-old man inside of the home suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital and admitted for treatment of his non-life-threatening injury.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Troop 3 at 302-741-2808. Tips can also be submitted using the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at: http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

Troopers Conducting Death Investigation Near Selbyville

Selbyville – Troopers are conducting a death investigation after a male and female were found deceased in the parking lot in the rear of the Bayview Estates community clubhouse.

At approximately 5:50 a.m. today troopers responded to the clubhouse on Sea Gull Road after receiving a report of two people lying on the ground in the rear parking lot. Troopers arrived to find an unresponsive male and female. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives are currently on scene investigating the incident. The bodies will be turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for a determination of cause and manner of death.

This investigation is in its preliminary stages and more information will be released when available.

Republican Ron George Focuses Campaign On Economy

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Del. Ron George is focusing his campaign platform on economic issues in his bid for the Republican nomination for governor of Maryland.

In a recent interview about his campaign, George says a long list of tax and fee increases in recent years are hitting a larger number of people in the state.

George wants a 10 percent personal income tax cut. He's also campaigning to reduce the state's 8.25 percent corporate tax rate to 6.25 percent.
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Marriage

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.


King David

 

After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together.


Sasha Guitry

 

By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy.
If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

 

Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.


Anonymous

 

The great question, which I have not been able to answer... is, "What does a woman want?"


Dumas

 

I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.

Sigmund Freud

 

'Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays'

 
Red Skelton

 

'There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage.'

Sam Kinison

 

'I've had bad luck with both my wives
The first one left me, and the second one didn't.'


James Holt McGavra

 

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming.
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.


Patrick Murray

 

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once...

Nash

 

You know what I did before I married?
Anything I wanted to.

Anonymous

 

My wife and I were happy for twenty years.
Then we met.


Henny Youngman

 

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.

Rodney Dangerfield

 

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted'. Next day he received a hundred letters.
They all said the same thing: 'You can have mine.'

Anonymous

 

 
First Guy (proudly): 'My wife's an angel!'
Second Guy : 'You're lucky, mine's still alive.'
Anonymous