What Happened To Those Google Barges?

Remember a year ago, when Google-constructed barges popped up in the waters off San Francisco and Portland (the one in Maine)? They were supposed to be floating showrooms, but they never opened and have since been towed away or sold. But what exactly caused Google to scuttle its seafaring plans?

According to the Wall Street Journal, fire-safety concerns from the U.S. Coast Guard ultimately made the costly project not worth seeing through.

“These vessels will have over 5,000 gallons of fuel on the main deck and a substantial amount of combustible material on board,” wrote the Coast Guard’s acting chief of commercial vessel compliance, in a March 27, 2013 e-mail (uncovered via a Freedom of Information Act request) to Google’s barge contractor, Foss Maritime Co.

The Coast Guard and private fire-safety companies provided Foss and Google with a 20-page document detailing everything that would need to be done to make the barges safe for use by the public.

Google had hoped to have around 1,200 people each day visit the barge in San Francisco, telling the Coast Guard that there would be no more than 150 people on board the ship at any given time. But the Coast Guard said these were just numbers.

“I am unaware of any measures you plan to use to actually limit the number of passengers,” wrote the acting chief, who also expressed concern that Google and Foss had done so much work so quickly on these barges “without full consent of the Coast Guard.”

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2 IL Veterans Force 102 Corrupt Officials to Resign, Place Entire Local Board Under Citizen's Arrest

Illinois residents John Kraft and Kirk Allen, who run an anti-corruption non-profit called the Edgar County Watchdogs, have waged a campaign against crooked public officials over the past two years, forcing resignations from 102 bureaucrats and politicians and at one point placing an entire park district board under citizen's arrest. More

The 'Temporary' Recession Tax You're Still Paying

The Great Recession might be over, but residents and businesses in many states across the country are still paying "temporary" taxes put in place to help refill public coffers.

The downturn, of course, hammered state budgets. In response, 14 states and the District of Columbia tried to plug their revenue shortfalls in part by imposing temporary taxes, a new report from the Tax Policy Center found.

Combined, those states and D.C. imposed 25 temporary tax measures between 2008 and 2011.

Of those 25, however, 13 have since been extended, made permanent or replaced. Nine were actually allowed to expire on schedule and 3 still haven't reached their expiration date.

Connecticut, for instance, extended its temporary 10% corporate income surtax twice, and has since increased it to 20%.

Hawaii temporarily increased its lodging tax by 2 percentage points to 9.25%, then made that increase permanent.

Kansas raised its sales and excise tax from 5.7% to 6.3%. Then it ratcheted back the increase a little - to 6.15% - and made that permanent.

Similarly, Delaware increased its top income tax rate by 1 percentage point to 6.95%, then lowered it to 6.6% in two steps and made it permanent.

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Traffic Advisory. Accident In Berlin

Berlin Fire Company
Berlin Fire Company is currently operating on a two vehicle MVC with two patients trapped at Route 50 Whalleyville Road.

SPD Press Release 11-9-14 (Taco Bell Robbery)

SPD Press Release 11-9-14

U.S. airstrikes 'hit ISIS leader': Terror group chief 'critically wounded' in Iraq after coalition forces bomb jihadi leaders

American war planes have reportedly launched a strike on a gathering of ISIS leaders, critically wounding their leader.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was hurt in the strikes today, according to local witnesses and government sources.

Two witnesses confirmed that bombs had fallen on the town of al-Qaim, next to the Syrian border.

Local government sources described how an aircraft had swooped over a meeting of senior ISIS figures and dropped its payload, killing more than a dozen people.

Another witness said that eight people had died when a bomb struck a market.

A local hospital was said to be overwhelmed with the volume of patients from the raid - including al-Baghdadi.

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Burned remains are likely 43 missing Mexican students

MEXICO CITY -- Suspects in the disappearance of 43 college students have confessed to loading the youths onto dump trucks, murdering them at a landfill, then burning the bodies and dumping the ashen remains into a river, Mexican authorities said Friday.

In a somber, lengthy explanation of the investigation, Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam played video showing hundreds of charred fragments of bone and teeth fished from the river and its banks. He said it will be very difficult to extract DNA to confirm that they are the students missing since Sept. 26 after an attack by police in the southern state of Guerrero.

"I know the enormous pain the information we've obtained causes the family members, a pain we all share," Murillo Karam said at a news conference. "The statements and information that we have gotten unfortunately point to the murder of a large number of people in the municipality of Cocula."

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Today Is The Final Day For The Dog Show

Today is your last chance to come to the dog show at the Civic Center. Lots of vendors with great ideas for Christmas Gifts for their favorite dog.

Family Friends Shed Light On Md. Governor-Elect Larry Hogan

EDGEWATER, Md. (WJZ) — The general election upset in the governor’s race leaves many Marylanders wanting to know more about the man who will lead the state in the next four years.

Political reporter Pat Warren found some folks in Larry Hogan’s hometown Edgewater willing to share what they know.

Election morning, Larry Hogan shakes hands at Chick and Ruth’s Delly, where regulars are state leaders.

Little did Mike Busch know then he’d be calling Hogan governor, and for Democrats, not happily. This is the place where Hogan goes, and they’re always glad he came.

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Food Stamp Recipients, Advocates Sue Over Work Requirements

Most Americans agree that able-bodied adults should be required to do some type of work to receive welfare assistance. But two nonprofit groups and a handful of food stamp recipients in New Mexico are suing the state for trying to encourage just that.

Last Friday, a New Mexico district judge placed a temporary hold on the work requirements, which were set to go into effect Nov. 1. On Wednesday of this week, Republican Gov. Susana Martinez announced that the state would restart the process of putting the work requirements into place rather than going through the litigation process. The state will pursue the same work requirements.

While the food stamp program doesn’t have much of a work requirement, it does have a modest one for able-bodied adults without children (or other dependents). Able-bodied adults without children are limited to three months of food stamp benefits unless they work or participate in some type of work activity for at least 20 hours a week. However, since 2009 New Mexico—along with many other states—has received a federal waiver allowing them to bypass the work requirement. But New Mexico has decided to forego the waiver. The state also plans to insert modest work requirements for other able-bodied adults who don’t have young children (under age 6), requiring them to look for work or participate in community service.

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Pedestrian Killed on US13 South of Dover

Dover-The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash in which a pedestrian was struck and killed on South DuPont Highway US13 last evening.

Preliminary investigation has determined that the crash occurred on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at approximately 7:49 p.m. as Richard L. Daniels Jr.-40 of Dover, Delaware attempted to cross northbound travel lanes from the center median of South DuPont Highway (US13) south of Webbs Lane, Dover. He crossed directly into the path of a 2008 Cadillac DTS operated by John A. Cranston-62 of Seaford, Delaware. The left side of the Cadillac struck Daniels and he was thrown onto the roadway where he was struck by a northbound 1997 BMW 740 operated by Trevor M. Grimes-23 of Dover, Delaware.

Richard L. Daniels Jr. suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that Daniels was not in the area of a designated or marked crosswalk when struck.

Both vehicle operators were properly restrained and were not injured.

US 13 northbound was closed for approximately 4 hours while the crash was investigated and cleared. US 13 southbound was initially closed for approximately 2 hours and then reopened for traffic.

Troopers continue to investigate this crash and no charges have been filed.

Not An Improvement: Unemployment Falls, But Workforce Participation Hardly Budges

The October jobs report was released stating we had 214,000 jobs created and that was above the necessary rate needed to keep up with population growth (around 1

50,000). So the unemployment rate was lowered to 5.8 percent. 
However, once again the corresponding workforce participation rate was little changed at 62.8 percent in October and has been essentially flat since April. The employment-population ratio increased to 59.2 percent in October.

We must continue to be concerned that we do not have an increase in the workforce participation rate corresponding with a lowering of the unemployment rate. As we have presented here, there are some 92 million Americans who have dropped out of the workforce and are not even counted as part of the unemployment calculation.

We should be aware that at some point in time we will have to acknowledge what the U-6 report tells us regarding the employment situation in America. We all want economic success for our brother and sister Americans.

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Gold Alert Issued for Elderly Seaford Woman

Seaford - The Delaware State Police are issuing a Gold Alert for Vera C. King-85 of Seaford, Delaware.

Troopers are looking for Vera C. King who was last seen Saturday, November 8, 2014 at approximately 9:30 p.m. at her residence located in the 4700 block of Neal’s School Road, Seaford, Delaware.

She is described as a white female, 85 years of age, gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a green flannel long sleeve night gown, no shoes. (Photo attached)

Troopers have been unable to make contact with King to check on her welfare. Attempts to locate King have been unsuccessful and there is a concern for her safety and welfare due to her medical condition.

If anyone has any information in reference to the whereabouts of Vera C. King, they are asked to call Troop 5 at 302-337-8253 or by utilizing 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."

Somerset Planning Commission Chair Resigns Over Windpower Turbine Farce

Mary Fleury, who is the only member who voted against the proposed ordinance that would allow a maximum turbine height of 575 feet (with blade tips much higher) has resigned. In her announcement, Dr. Fleury cited the lack of meaningful information presented to the Planning Commission to warrant that height and the serious safety aspects that have been reliably reported.

The draft ordinance originally called for a maximum turbine height of 400 feet, but the Texas investors wanted taller windmills. That group, Pioneer Green, was recently refused permission for its proposed windfarms into other states that rejected its proposed legislation, and it has abandoned plans to put them there. Other states have objected to windfarm development of the kind proposed for Somerset County – the so-called "great bay" project.

With the change in Maryland government resulting from last week’s election, it is possible that the State of Maryland may abandon active support of Pioneer Green’s scheme for Somerset County, which has been endorsed by O’Malley, Brown and Mathias. In any event, with the opposition to the proposed windfarm recently voiced by the Department of Defense, the draft ordinance, if passed by the Somerset County Commissioners, may be dead on arrival.

Maine Changes Rule for Food Stamps that Every State Should Follow

Another state is making people work for food stamps, and it has some people up in arms without knowing all the details. Typical liberals, who are filled with lots of emotion but low on the facts, are worried that children and disabled people will now go without. If they did a little research, they would know this expired waiver will only affect able-bodied people with no children.

The federal waiver that has been in place since 2010 because of the recession has been allowed to expire in the state of Maine. This allows Maine to reinstate a mandate requiring able-bodied adults who are 18 to 50 years old and have no children to work or volunteer 20 hours per week or they will be limited to three months of food stamp benefits over a three-year period.

Just elected to a second term, Maine’s Republican Governor Paul R. LePage is focused on broad welfare reform and said, “People who are in need deserve a hand up, but we should not be giving able-bodied individuals a handout. We must continue to do all that we can to eliminate generational poverty and get people back to work. We must protect our limited resources for those who are truly in need and who are doing all they can to be self-sufficient.”

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SFD Calls For Service 11-8-14

• Saturday November, 8 2014 @ 23:13Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
• Saturday November, 8 2014 @ 20:37 Nature: Pro Qa FireAddress: 8048 N West Rd Hebron, MD 21830
• Saturday November, 8 2014 @ 16:34Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
• Saturday November, 8 2014 @ 13:58 Nature: Vehicle Accident w/InjuriesAddress: Ocean Gtwy & Naylor Mill Rd Salisbury, MD 21801
• Saturday November, 8 2014 @ 11:17Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Delmar
• Saturday November, 8 2014 @ 04:23Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury

WHAT A NIGHT!

First of all, I want to thank ALL of you for getting out to vote. 

Have you ever flown home after coming from a different time zone? If you have, then you know what it feels like to experience jet lag. That is what I'm feeling like today and I'm sure many elected officials are feeling the same way. 

Over the last three weeks we have been working day and night not only putting up regular articles but researching, interviewing, supporting candidates, all the while trying to balance a Family.

Getting up this morning was not at all easy but when I did, (like the majority of you) I did so with a HUGE smile on my face. I was smiling because I stood there side by side with the very humbled Carl Anderton and Bob Culver throughout the night. Neither man carried themselves as if they had just kicked their opponents rear end. That is NOT who they are.

These are two men who truly care. They want to deliver a better Eastern Shore and you know what, they will. 

I watched Larry Hogan give his acceptance speech last night and I have to say, the reason why we endorsed the candidates we did was based on exactly what Governor Elect Hogan stated. This is NOT about republicans against democrats. This is OUR state, ALL of us and we need to stand side by side and do what's right for ALL. 

You see, WE DO mean something to some public officials and for the first time in many years, WE need to come together. We cannot tax our way out of this horrible economy. Local counties and municipalities need to put on their big boy pants and figure out how we can rebuild without putting our hands out to Annapolis. Yet we also need strong leaders who will stand up for our way of life in Annapolis and demand respect. I firmly believe we now have those representatives.

This morning I had a wonderful conversation with Mike McDermott. Mike is so proud to have served you as a state Delegate. When you are up against a candidate that is financially backed with all the money Jim Mathias had been given, well, we all know that's hard to beat. HOWEVER, look at the numbers Ladies & Gentlemen. For a guy who had next to nothing financially, Mike did an incredible job. 

Funny, Congressman Andy Harris won his election by 71% and guess what, he never ran a commercial asking for a sympathy vote by bringing his recently deceased Wife into politics. GOOD PEOPLE would never think of going there and while I have known Jim Mathias for 35 years, he has lost my respect in a very big way. 

Now, let me say this. Yes, last night was a huge victory for the state of Maryland and especially the Eastern Shore. As we stated earlier, we certainly cannot, (will not) take all the credit but I will say that we deserve a small part of it. Why, because we have multiple people behind the scenes who have helped Salisbury News deliver information you did NOT see in the main stream media. 

Oh, some media sources were forced to tell some of the information we delivered but all in all we have a liberal media machine who never gave each republican candidate a fair shake. Salisbury News did. Because of these behind the scene contributors we delivered factual, documented information not seen anywhere else. These are every day citizens who helped make a huge difference and while I cannot name names, we thank you for all of your help.

Finally, our work is nowhere near done. In fact, similar to the way Carl Anderton and Bob Culver woke up this morning I'm sure they thought, Holy Crap, what do we do now. To answer that question to all newly elected people, YOU UNITE AND YOU LEAD. The snake oil salesmen are almost gone, the tide is in your favor and together, (democrat and republican) we heal and rebuild.

Congratulations to ALL newly elected representatives. Remember, NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM.  

A Letter To The Editor: Negligence at DOVE POINTE

Hello Joe. I am writing you to inform you of an incident that happened at Dove Pointe. A community client was left on a Dove Pointe bus ALL day long today. The client was found soiled and drenched in urine. The client also had no access to food or water ALL day. Word needs to get out to the community about this incident to show just how negligent this place is to it's clients.

Mr. Culver: The "PIO" Needs To Go (away) ASAP

We mean the position, although if Ms. Lee-Brooks does not find the door herself, you need to push her through it on a one-way trip.

The public information officer position in the office of the County Executive has been the venue for a series of political hacks – including George Roache and Jim Fineran in the past. Although Rick Pollitt came into office after the PIO position had been established, he opposed eliminating it after appointing his political pal, Fineran, to the position. During Pollitt’s tenure the cost of the PIO position to Wicomico County's taxpayers has probably exceeded $500,000, and for what??? Both Fineran and the current PIO have been political operatives for Pollitt and his causes, such as Anthony Brown's campaign.

The position is unnecessary and should be eliminated as soon as possible after Mr. Culver takes office. By doing that he will show that he is serious about cutting waste and pork from the County budget. As that lady who was elected in Iowa said, make them squeal.

A Comment Worthy Of A Post

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Election Results: “What’s Going To Change Is Only ...":

Hey Joe and readers. This is a comment that Rick Pollit made on his FB page.

Rick Pollitt - I admit a great relief being freed from the nonsense and the BS.

Sounds like a sore loser to me. What is the nonsense and the Bull Sh!t he is referring to? If he doesn't like his job maybe he should resign now.