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Friday, November 22, 2019

NOI 11/21/19 Wicomico Auto Repair Cypress Street

new patch

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION

Date:   November 21, 2019
Time:  10:54 p.m.
Location / Address:  238 Cypress Street, Salisbury, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident:  Fire
Description of Structure / Property:  Two story automotive repair facility            
Owner / Occupants:  SMS Real Estate, LLC (Owner)   PNR Auto (Occupant)
Injuries or Deaths: None
Estimated $ Loss: Structure:  $80,000                    Contents: $20,000
Smoke Alarm Status:  None
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status:  None
Arrests(s):  None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Salisbury Fire Department
# of Alarms:  1     # Of Firefighters:  40
Time to Control:  50 minutes
Discovered By:  Passerby
Area of Origin:  Office
Preliminary Cause:  Accidental, unattended soldering equipment
Additional Information:  

Jeff

Animal rights activist accused of stabbing woman wearing fur coat

A rabid Ohio animal rights activist previously busted for trying to hire a hitman to kill a stranger wearing fur is now accused of stabbing a woman inside a church — because she too was wearing a pelt coat, officials said.

Meredith Lowell, 35, was charged with attempted murder and assault in connection with the slashing Wednesday at Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, Cleveland.com reported.


Police said Lowell allegedly attacked a babysitter who was dropping off children at the church for choir practice.

The babysitter was waiting for the kids’ practice to begin when Lowell “suddenly appeared” and assaulted her, a witness told news station WEWS.

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ICE announces Montgomery County, Prince George's County criminal offenders shielded by current non-cooperation policies

BALTIMORE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has repeatedly asked local jurisdictions to reconsider non-cooperation policies because those policies put politics before public safety. On Friday, ICE released more examples of foreign nationals with active ICE detainers who have been detained for serious criminal offenses in Maryland’s Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. These individuals have not yet been released to the community to potentially reoffend, and ICE asks that they are transferred to its custody prior to that happening.
ICE maintains that cooperation with local law enforcement is essential to protecting public safety, and the agency aims to work cooperatively with local jurisdictions to ensure that criminal aliens are not released into U.S. communities to commit additional crimes.
“The county leadership has chosen misguided politics over public safety,” said Francisco Madrigal, acting Baltimore field office director. “The individuals we have lodged detainers against have been arrested in the community and will likely be released directly back into that community under these dangerous policies. We aren’t asking Montgomery County or Prince George’s County to conduct immigration enforcement, we’re asking them to honor a lawful request to transfer these individuals into our custody where they can avail themselves of due process in the immigration court system.”

Montgomery County Detainers Currently Outstanding

CARBALLOS-Morales, Manuel
CARBALLOS-Morales, Manuel
Current charge(s): Sex abuse minor, 3 counts of sex offense 3rd degree
Arrest date: April 14, 2019
Detainer issued: April 15, 2019
Projected release date (if available): Unknown
 

Residents pray rosary and protest in Rehoboth Beach

Led by the Rev. William Cocco, nearly 100 people prayed the rosary as a sign of protest against Rehoboth’s decision not to allow a creche to be placed on city property near the Bandstand.

“We’re here to pray to the Blessed Mother to change the minds and hearts of the city,” said Cocco, prior to the Nov. 21 demonstration. “The reality is, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Last year, St. Edmond Catholic Church members placed the nativity scene by the Bandstand without permission. Less than 48 hours later, it was removed at the request of the city. A week later, but not before lots of media attention, the nativity scene was installed in the outdoor patio entrance of Grotto Pizza on Rehoboth Avenue.

At the time, the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce offered its front lawn as a home for the nativity scene. It’s done the same this year. During the chamber’s award luncheon Nov. 20, chamber President Carol Everhart said she didn’t know what was going to happen.

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A Florida dog put a car into reverse and drove it in circles for nearly an hour

Anne Sabol's cul-de-sac in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is fairly quiet.

Well, it was, until a dog hopped in its owner's running car, kicked it in reverse, drove in circles for an hour and smashed a neighbor's mailbox before safely exiting the vehicle without so much as a scratch.


But Sabol didn't know who was behind the wheel when she first spotted the car, whirling around the block like an inept student driver might.


"At first I thought I saw somebody backing up, but then they kept going, and I'm like, 'OK, what're they doing?'" she told CNN affiliate WPBF.


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Attorney General Frosh Joins Coalition Opposing EPA Proposal to Gut Standards for Super Pollutant Methane and Ozone-Causing Emissions

BALTIMORE, MD (November 22, 2019) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, joining a coalition of attorneys general and the City of Chicago, today filed comments opposing an unlawful proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which would gut the current standards that limit emissions of methane and other harmful pollutants from new, reconstructed, and modified facilities in the oil and natural gas industry.  This sector is the largest industrial source of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas up to 84-times more potent than carbon dioxide in its ability to trap heat.

“Gutting a common-sense rule that protects the health of our environment and of our citizens is contrary to the mission and purpose of the EPA,” said Attorney General Frosh.  “EPA and the Trump Administration have again ignored clear evidence of harm to our natural resources and our communities while siding with corporate polluters.” 

The proposed rule would increase emissions of hazardous air pollutants, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOC), accelerating the impacts of climate change.  VOC emissions contribute to the formation of ozone, which poses a significant threat to public health, particularly to children, older adults, and those suffering from chronic lung disease and asthma.
The weakened standards would undermine a common-sense rule that reduces harmful pollutants and recovers valuable natural gas that would otherwise be lost.  The current standard, which was set in 2016, is estimated to prevent 300,000 tons of methane emissions in 2020 and 510,000 tons in 2025.  In 2016, the EPA analyzed the costs and benefits of the current standard, including the revenues generated from recovered natural gas that would otherwise be vented, and determined that the standard would result in a net benefit estimated at $35 million in 2020 and $170 million in 2025.

The coalition argues in the letter the proposed rule is unlawful because EPA:
  • Disregards its own previous conclusions about the substantial adverse impacts of methane emissions from the oil and natural gas industry, the largest domestic source of climate-warming methane;
  • Fails to justify its decision to abandon the regulation of methane; and,
  • Arbitrarily eliminates pollution controls from the transmission and storage segment of the oil and natural gas sector, in direct contravention of EPA’s prior factual and legal findings.

In addition to Maryland, the letter was signed by the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, the Commonwealths of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the City of Chicago, the City and County of Denver, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.v

Salisbury MSP DUI-related Arrests October 2019


Troopers assigned to the Salisbury Barrack arrested the following for DUI-related offenses during the month of October. An asterisk after the name indicates a collision was involved.

Gary Lynn Foskey Jr 42 Salisbury MD
Humberto A Pillot 43 Fruitland MD
Michael Hynes 62 MD
Antonio Hopkins 53 DE
Madison Hogsten 20 DE
Brandon Esham 24 DE
Jabar Tooley Jr. 23 NC
David Rowley 68 DE
Tracy Gregory** 41 MD
Laura Vest 50 Pasadena MD
Kenneth Kelly 26 Salisbury MD
James Harte JR** 44 Pittsville MD
Brandon Ames 31 Delmar MD
Tashaneka Taylor 35 Salisbury MD
James Arrington 55 Salisbury MD
Kenneth Johnson 41 Salisbury MD
James Rickard 52 Hebron MD
Michael Coutu 32 TX
Darius Hill 23 Takoma Park MD
Merari Parano 17 Salisbury MD
Towanna Vernon 52 Salisbury MD
Wayne Ringgold 72 Salisbury MD
Raquan Williams 21 MD
Vaughn Lee Donaldson 36 Quantico MD
Rogelio Guitierrez** 34 Berlin MD
Dorian Williams 54 Salisbury MD
Alexius Horsey 21 Pocomoke City MD
David Arvey** 20 DE
Larry Merritt** 43 Hebron MD
Lawanda Ware-Brown 55 Upper Marlboro MD
Chad Shipley 28 VA
Ryan Lecates 34 Salisbury MD
Lache Smith-Perry 25 PA
William Bland 29 Federalsburg MD
Gerald Hornbuckle 59 Salisbury MD
Tylease Marshall 46 Salisbury MD
Lester Hckman 42 Lincoln DE
Jamil Handy JR 21 Dover DE
Ronald Nichols 58 FL
Gerlad Kenney** 64 Salisbury MD
Ross Abbott 37 MD
Lawanda D. WareBrown 35 MD

Governor Hogan Awards More Than $30 Million in Neighborhood Revitalization Funds


Five Programs Provide Support for 181 Projects in 23 Jurisdictions

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced more than $30 million in Fiscal Year 2020 neighborhood revitalization program awards. Grants from the Community Legacy program, the Strategic Demolition Fund, the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, and the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund will support 181 projects in 23 jurisdictions across Maryland and are anticipated to leverage more than $600 million in private and nonprofit sector funds.

All five revitalization programs are managed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and support business expansion and retention; streetscape improvements; homeownership and home rehabilitation incentives; commercial improvement programs; mixed-use development, and strategic demolition.

“These awards are about creating economic growth, new jobs, and improving communities for all Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration is proud to support such a diverse slate of important projects that will truly change Maryland for the better.”

Considered one of the state’s most flexible revitalization programs, Community Legacy awarded $6 million to 58 projects in designated Sustainable Communities throughout Maryland. Among others, these include rehabilitation of historic buildings in Frederick County, development of a co-working space in Harford County, and a park overlook in Somerset County.

The Strategic Demolition Fund awarded $5.5 million to 21 projects, including a mixed-use redevelopment in an Opportunity Zone next to Frostburg State University in Allegany County, infrastructure improvements at the Chestertown Business Campus in Kent County, and a community center in Wicomico County.

“Each of these projects makes a huge impact in their communities,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “With diligent allocation of our neighborhood revitalization resources in response to unique local needs, we are strengthening neighborhoods across the state.”

The Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative and the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, programs designed to support redevelopment in communities within the Baltimore and Capital Beltways, awarded $12.575 million to 80 projects and $4 million to 18 projects, respectively. Projects include property rehabilitation in Anne Arundel County, homeownership incentives in Baltimore City neighborhoods, a community family life center in Baltimore County, and facade improvements in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

The Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund provides grants and loans to anchor institutions for community development projects in blighted areas of the state. To be eligible for a grant or loan, an institute of higher education or a hospital must provide evidence of matching funds from a private source. The Seed fund awarded $2.5 million to four projects including the Sinai Hospital Center of Hope, a new facility that will house multiple partner agencies responsible for a variety of violence prevention and intervention programs, and a pedestrian/bike trail at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore City.

For a full list of award winners, visit governor.maryland.gov.

Joe Biden derides reporter for asking him about son Hunter's baby

Presidential challenger Joe Biden clashed with a reporter yesterday who asked him how it felt to have a new grandchild.

It follows the news, confirmed Thursday in court papers obtained by DailyMail.com, that Hunter Biden was compelled to take a DNA test by Lunden Roberts, 28, proving he was the father of their one-year-old baby.

'I'm wondering if you have a comment on this report, and court filing, out of Arkansas that your son Hunter just made you a grandfather again,' Fox News' Peter Doocy asked.

'No, that's a private matter and I have no comment. But only you would ask that,' Biden said as he gave a wry smile. 'You're a good man. You're a good man. Classy.'

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15 US Senators Demand President Trump To Halt Huawei License Approvals

Reuters is now reporting that more than a dozen US senators have demanded the Trump administration to halt the Commerce Department from issuing licenses to US firms that conduct business with Huawei.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration allowed some suppliers to restart sales with the Chinese telecom after it was placed on a blacklist for national security threats over the summer.

The Commerce Department started issuing licenses on Wednesday to some US firms to conduct business with Huawei. One US official told Reuters that 300 license requests were filed, and half of those requests were processed by late Wednesday. Another source told Reuters that most of the licenses were for sales of cell phone and non-electronic parts.

But by Thursday, a bipartisan group of 15 US senators had enough with President Trump's games. They demanded the administration to halt the Commerce Department from issuing licenses immediately.

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The Deep State: The Headless Fourth Branch Of Government

School children learn that there are three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. In actual practice, however, there are four branches of government.

The fourth is what for decades now has been called a "headless fourth branch of government," the administrative state.

As early as 1937, in a "Report of the President's Committee on Administrative Management," the authors write:



Without plan or intent, there has grown up a headless "fourth branch" of the Government, responsible to no one, and impossible of coordination with the general policies and work of the Government as determined by the people through their duly elected representatives.
The problem of waste and lack of accountability in this fourth branch, the report notes, has "been clearly recognized for a generations and ha[s] been growing steadily worse decade by decade."

The Spoils System and the Permanent Bureaucracy

The report isn't wrong. By the late nineteenth century, "civil service reform" had ended the old system "spoils system" and the advent of lifelong "professional" civil servants, brought the establishment of a bureaucratic class which saw its interests and loyalties as separate from the elected civilian government. This detachment from elected policymakers meant the administrative state was not terribly concerned with either efficiency of responsiveness to the public. It became an interest group all its own, but with far more power than any ordinary interest group.

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Fiona Hill: Obama Denied Weapons to Ukraine for ‘Political’ Reasons

Former National Security Council official Dr. Fiona Hill testified on Thursday that President Barack Obama had ignored the “interagency consensus” on sending weapons to Ukraine for “political” reasons.

Under questioning from Republicans, Hill admitted that she herself had been against giving weapons to Ukraine to help it fight Russian invasion, and that she had written an op-ed in the Washington Post expressing those views.

She also said that the “interagency consensus” had actually been in favor of arming the Ukrainians; she herself was not in government service at the time, but working at the liberal Brookings Institution think tank.

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Fact Check: Elizabeth Warren Falsely Claims Illegal Immigration Is ‘Man-Made Crisis’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) claimed during the fifth Democrat presidential primary debate that illegal immigration at the United States-Mexico border is a “man-made crisis” that President Trump “created.”

“The real point here is that we need to stop this man-made crisis at the border,” Warren said. “Trump is the one who has created this crisis. … When I found out that our government was actually taking away children from their families, I went down to the border.”

“There’s like a giant Amazon warehouse filled with cages of women, cages of men, and cages of little girls and little boys,” Warren said. “A great nation does not separate children from their families.”

As Breitbart News has chronicled, migrants are more often than not brutalized while making their journey to the U.S.-Mexico border. In a recent case, a federal immigration official said a pregnant migrant — saved by Border Patrol agents — was beaten by cartel smugglers because she did not pay her debt.

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Trump campaign selling 'Bull-Schiff' T-shirts as impeachment hearings roll on

President Trump's campaign is taking aim at House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., with new merchandise designed to disparage his impeachment inquiry with a pun on his name.

Released on Thursday, the "Bull-Schiff" T-shirts show the word "bull" alongside a caricature of Schiff with an extended neck -- an apparent reference to Trump calling him a "pencil neck."

"Our bull-schiff-o-meter is off the charts!" the Trump campaign tweeted. "Shifty-Schiff pushed the FAKE Russian collusion story for three years and now he’s on to another sham. Don’t let Adam Schiff get away with the bull-Schiff Ukrainian investigation." Sizes range from small to 3XL.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-campaign-bull-schiff-t-shirt

Giuliani Explains "Massive Pay-For-Play" Soros-Ukraine Scheme Facilitated By US Diplomats

Rudy Giuliani claims that US diplomats have been acting to further the interests of billionaire George Soros in Ukraine in what he described as a "massive pay-for-play" scheme which included falsifying evidence against President Trump.

"The anti-corruption bureau is a contradiction," Giuliani told Glenn Beck, regarding Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which Joe Biden helped establish when he was the Obama administration's point-man on Ukraine.

As a bit of background, in December of 2018, a Ukrainian court ruled that NABU director Artem Sytnyk "acted illegally" when he revealed the existence of Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's name to Journalist and politician Serhiy Leschenko in a "black ledger" containing off-book payments to Manafort by Ukraine's previous administration. The ruling against Sytnyk and Leshchenko was later overturned on a technicality.

In December, The Blaze obtained audio of Sytnyk bragging about helping Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US election.

"They took all the corruption cases away from the prosecutor general, they gave it to the anti-corruption bureau, and they got rid of all the cases that offended Soros, and they included all the cases against Soros' enemies," Giuliani told Beck.

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Woman 'violently shoves grandfather, 76, and snatches his four-year-old granddaughter

A Maryland woman has been arrested on kidnapping and assault charges after police say she shoved a 76-year-old man, yanked his four-year-old granddaughter from him and fled with the toddler.

Montgomery County police say the bloodied grandfather screamed after the girl was snatched by the stranger, who was soon tracked to a nearby store on Tuesday evening.

Police say the suspect, 39-year-old Yashica Terry, was found holding the unharmed girl behind a rack of clothes.

When questioned about a motive, Terry reportedly told officers she felt the 'vibe was off' between the man and the girl.

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Former Reagan Attorney General Ed Meese: Spying On The Trump Campaign Is Obama’s Watergate

Former Attorney General Ed Meese, who served under President Ronald Reagan, compared spying on the Trump campaign to the Watergate scandal in an exclusive interview with the Daily Caller.

Meese previewed the impending IG report on FISA abuse, which is expected to drop on Dec. 9. The report is expected to reach a conclusion as to whether intelligence agencies followed the correct processes when obtaining warrants to spy on members of the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. Meese debunked the idea that the IG report’s findings should be dismissed because the investigation occurred during the Trump administration, explaining that the IG’s investigations are independent.

Meese also reveals the significance of the Obama administration trying to undermine a political opponent using unjustified investigations by the intelligence community, comparing the tactics to those used by President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.

WATCH:

NFL player accuses Steelers quarterback of using racial slur moments before on-field brawl

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph denies an allegation from Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett that Rudolph called him a racial slur moments before the two got into a brawl at the end of last week's nationally-televised game.

Garrett, who is black, made the allegation during an appeal hearing for his indefinite suspension from the NFL, according to ESPN.

The two men got into a physical altercation in the final moments of last week's game in Pittsburgh. During the skirmish, Garrett ripped off Rudolph's helmet and hit him over the head with it.

“Mason vehemently denies the report of being accused of using a racial slur during the incident Thursday night in Cleveland," the Steelers said in a statement to The Washington Examiner. "He will not discuss this accusation any further, and his focus remains on preparation for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.”

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Sharyl Attkisson Dredges up the Ukraine Story Democrats Don't Want to Talk About

The final hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Trump is happening as we speak. Career diplomats and foreign affairs specialists Fiona Hill and David Holmes are testifying in what has been a week of hot air. We’ve had a lot of Democratic hyperbole and a lot of witnesses saying they don’t possess direct evidence of the so-called quid pro quo allegations that have been hurled at the Trump White House. It all stems from a whistleblower report that in July, President Trump threatened to withhold aid from Ukraine unless they opened a corruption probe into Hunter Biden’s position at Burisma, an energy company, despite having zero experience. Biden has been there since his father, Vice President Joe Biden, was in office. He recently left.

It’s a total clown show. Some of the witnesses, like Marie Yovanovitch, were just career diplomats who disagreed with Trump on Ukraine policy. Her testimony was a therapy session Yet, one thing that is missed in all of these proceedings is that Ukraine did collude with the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016 in a failed attempt to detail the Trump candidacy. Veteran investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson dredged this up from Politico. It’s right there in black and white

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Trump: Financial statement will show 'I am much richer than people even thought'

President Trump said that he plans to release his financial information prior to the 2020 general elections and that it will prove that he's richer than people think.

The president's tweet is likely related to a claim by New York prosecutor that he needs to see Trump’s tax returns in order to investigate whether Trump committed state tax fraud by paying hush money to a porn star as part of an extramarital affair.

Trump has refused to honor the tradition of the president releasing their tax returns, which dates back to President Richard Nixon.

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Jussie Smollett Demands Nigerian Bros And Cops Pay Him For Concocting Hate Crime Hoax

Jussie Smollett, whose ham-handed hate crime hoax led to the cancellation of Empire, thinks we're all morons.

The unemployed actor who paid his drug dealing Nigerian friends to buy MAGA hats, bleach and a rope before staging a 2am attack in "MAGA country" - also known as downtown Chicago, has demanded that the city of Chicago, the Nigerian brothers, and former police superintendent Eddie Johnson pay him for conspiring to frame him for concocting the hate crime, according to the Cook County Record.

Smollett's case case was mysteriously quashed after Michelle Obama's former Chief of Staff, Tina Tchen, leaned on Cook County top prosecutor Kim Foxx after a grand jury slapped Smollett with a 16 count indictment for lying to the police.

According to a counterclaim to a lawsuit brought by the city of Chicago, however, Smollett is the victim of a conspiracy.

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Smoked Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Ham and Wings Available Tonight At Caribbean Joe's

While other BBQ joints are closing for the winter, I'm going full steam ahead on absolutely delicious smoked bbq. I have sandwiches as well as platters that include gravy, mashed potatoes and corn. First come, first served. 

Chuck Schumer PAC accuses sexual assault survivor Joni Ernst of 'not serving the needs of domestic violence victims'

Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic group affiliated with allies of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, accused Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of not "serving the needs of domestic violence victims" despite the Iowa Republican herself being a victim of domestic violence.

Ernst worked with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on a bipartisan Violence Against Women Act, but the efforts fell apart, and Senate Democrats now back their own version. House Democrats previously passed a version of the bill, but it has stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Ernst does not support the Democrats' bill because she said it would retroactively and improperly apply restrictions on those convicted of domestic violence or stalking from owning firearms. And she accused Schumer of blocking her bipartisan efforts in order to hurt her 2020 reelection chances, according to Radio Iowa.

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Thanksgiving dinners offered by local churches and organizations

Area residents and guests can skip the tedious process of making Thanksgiving dinner and instead, enjoy a full holiday meal prepared by one of two local churches next Thursday, or, donate to various churches and organizations throughout the county.

For the 41st year, the Ocean City Baptist Church will host its annual Thanksgiving dinner at the North Division Street parish from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The ultimate purpose of Thanksgiving is it’s a day you should be with family and we just don’t think anyone should be alone, so we want everyone to be a part of our family if they don’t have one,” Pastor Sean Davis said. “It’s a nice warm meal filled with fellowship and everyone is so friendly.”

Guests have the option of dining in, carrying food out or calling in advance for delivery. Last year, the church prepared nearly 600 meals that were either eaten inside the church, carried out or delivered. 


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Epic fail: Most now oppose impeachment as Trump approval turns positive, 48% to 47%

House impeachment proceedings have helped — not hurt — President Trump’s approval in the eyes of voters, and in the latest survey, his rating has turned positive thanks to a massive revolt against impeachment by independents.

The just-released Emerson Poll found that 48% approve of Trump, and 47% do not.

What’s more, support for impeachment is now negative, a finding that backs up other recent polling.

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Flag retirement rescheduled for this Saturday at 9 a.m.

Strong winds last Saturday forced the flag retirement ceremony hosted by the American Legion and Scouts of America to be rescheduled for this Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Boy Scouts of Troop 261, Cub Scouts of Pack 261 and Girl Scouts of Troop 621 will properly discard hundreds of flags during the annual retirement ceremony, held at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines, Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

The Ocean City-based scout troops will place worn and torn flags into a fire pit for a respectful burning, in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code. Ocean Pines Public Works and the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Company will assist during the ceremony.

Worn U.S. flags are still being collected at American Legion Post #166 on 24th Street in Ocean City, Post #123 (10111 Old Ocean City Blvd.) and Post #231 (104 Showell Street) in Berlin, and at the Ocean Pines Community Center in White Horse Park, until Friday.

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GOP congressman accuses Schiff of abusing his power during impeachment hearings

Rep. Mike Conaway accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of abusing his power during one of the impeachment hearings held Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Conaway, a Texas Republican, became frustrated with Schiff after the California Democrat attempted to cut him off during questioning.

"Mr. Conaway, your time is expired," Schiff told Conaway before telling the witness, David Holmes, "You were cut off when you were talking about Mr. Sondland’s indiscretion. Did you want to finish that answer?"

"Mr. Chairman, that’s patently unfair. As is this entire investigation," Conaway shot back. Schiff said Conaway had repeatedly cut off witnesses before, a comment that elicited a furious response from the Texas Republican.

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'Homes for all': Ilhan Omar’s $1 trillion housing plan includes provisions for illegal immigrants

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar announced her $1 trillion affordable housing program to provide “homes for all,” including illegal immigrants.

The Democratic congresswoman revealed her “Homes for All Act” on Thursday, which would complement New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal by building 12 million housing units to the highest environmental standards.

In her announcement, Omar, 38, explained that her affordable housing plan would ensure that no one is denied access to public housing, no matter their gender identity, race, sexuality, or immigration status.

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Kirwan Commission Blesses Education Funding Formula, Rollout of Reforms

The Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education ended with a standing ovation on Thursday ― but there will be plenty more work to do in the upcoming legislative session.

With some reservations, 19 members of the commission voted in favor of putting forward a 10-year multibillion-dollar education reform plan and a new state education funding formula to support it. Three members of the commission ― citing financial and other concerns ― voted against the package. Three others were absent at the time of the vote.

The commission’s proposals for phasing in the reforms and the proposed funding formula will move forward to the General Assembly for further consideration once the session begins Jan. 8.

“This is maybe the best education reform package that has been produced by any state in this country in the history of this country,” House Majority Leader Eric G. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), a former teacher, said of the commission’s proposal.

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Thank God It's Friday


What will you be doing this weekend?

Statement on Vote on Education Spending


ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:

“After more than three years of meetings, the Kirwan Tax Hike Commission has still failed to produce any plan to pay for its massive spending proposals, which will cost taxpayers more than $30 billion. Local leaders agree with me—they will not support the billions in crippling state and local tax increases that would be required. Some good ideas have been discussed, but the commission mostly focused on simply increasing spending, rather than real accountability measures and better results for our children.

“I have made education the top priority of my administration, providing historically high funding five years in a row while leading the fight for more accountability in local school systems. We pushed for and enacted the casino lockbox initiative to require a further investment of $4.4 billion more for our schools. No governor in Maryland history has invested more in education. I will continue to focus on reforms that will produce better results for Maryland taxpayers, parents, teachers, and especially students.”

CAROZZA CALLS FOR “FAIR AND AFFORDABLE FUNDING FORMULAS” AND “LOCAL FLEXIBILITY” DURING KIRWAN VOTE



Senator Mary Beth Carozza (District 38) today voted against the funding recommendations proposed by the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (Kirwan Commission). Carozza is a member of the Kirwan Commission.

“While I support the overall Kirwan education policy recommendations, I could not vote for the Kirwan funding formulas as they simply are unaffordable and do not take into account the significant State and Local fiscal impacts,” said Carozza.

“My constituents expect me to balance the cost of both education and non-education priorities, and I will continue to push for a practical and affordable approach, partnering with our local jurisdictions, in moving these education recommendations forward.”

“The current all-or-nothing approach by the Commission is unrealistic and does not provide the flexibility needed for local jurisdictions. One size does not fit all when it comes to the Commission’s recommendations. I look forward to continuing to work on these education priorities when the Maryland General Assembly reconvenes in January.”

The Kirwan Commission recommendations passed with three members voting against it. The recommendations will be considered by the Maryland General Assembly when it reconvenes on January 8, 2020.

Friday November 22 Crab Balls / Shrimp at Delmar VFW

The public is invited for Crab Balls and/or Steamed Shrimp on Friday, November 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Delmar VFW Post, 200 West State St., Delmar, MD.

Homemade hush puppies will be served with each platter. The cost is determined by the single item or combination selected.

Carry outs may be ordered in person only after 5 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the many local charities and organizations supported by the Delmar VFW.