New York Corruption Investigations Lead To Legislators Wearing Wires

The New York political scene has been shaken up by the revelation that a former New York state senator sentenced to prison Thursday on corruption charges had recorded six of her colleagues as part of her cooperation with the FBI.

Former state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, days after it was revealed that information caught on an FBI wire she wore led to the arrest of Sen. John Sampson (D-Queens) on corruption charges. Huntley is the second former lawmaker in the last several weeks to admit to wearing a wire, with former Assemblyman Nelson Castro (D-Bronx) using one in an investigation that led to the arrest of Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D-Bronx).

Huntley and Castro's cooperation with federal investigators is leading to questions of whether the New York legislature will be able to function.
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Dover Man Arrested For 6th Offense DUI

Location: South DuPont Highway (US13) and South State Street, Dover, DE

Date of Occurrence: Thursday May 9, 2013 at approximately 12:45 p.m.

Defendant, Charges, and Bond Information:

Takoi A. Morris, 32, Dover, DE (Photo Attached)
6th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving While Suspended or Revoked
No Proof of Insurance
Driving While Using Electronic Communication Device (Cell Phone)

Arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $11,101.00 secured bond.

Resume:
Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police has arrested a Dover man for DUI after he was observed talking on a cell phone.

The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. this afternoon as a trooper on patrol in the area of South DuPont Highway (US13) and South State Street observed the operator of a silver Honda Accord traveling southbound on US13 talking on a cell phone. The trooper was able to perform a traffic stop in the area of the 1200 block of South Governors Avenue where he made contact with Takoi A. Morris. As the trooper began inquiring into Morris' license, an odor of alcohol was detected and a DUI investigation ensued.

Morris was eventually taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 3 where he was formally charged with 6th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, No Proof of Insurance, and Driving While Using an Electronic Communication Device. A computer inquiry revealed Morris had five previous convictions of driving under the influence: 06/14/2000, 12/15/2000, 01/26/2001, 09/30/2002, and 09/28/2005. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to SCI on default of $11,101.00 secured bail.

Wicomico Selects Transfer Station Site

SALISBURY -- Despite some misgivings about potential traffic and noise problems, Wicomico officials last week voted to approve the acquisition of roughly 23 acres near Fruitland for a new solid waste transfer station for the county.

The Wicomico County Council last week approved the purchase of a 23-acre-plus tract along Allen Rd. near Fruitland for just over $150,000 for a new solid waste transfer station. The council approved the purchase after considerable debate about the potential truck traffic in and out of the future facility, the safety along the access roads and the potential impacts on residents in the community.

The Allen Rd. site, referred to as the Banks property, was chosen from a short list of two final candidates for the future home of the transfer station. It was largely considered the best option of the two remaining sites on the list because of the width and quality of the access roads leading into the facility. Wicomico Director of Administration Wayne Strausburg said the two sites were comparable in terms of size and visibility from the roadway, making the condition of the access roads the tipping point, so to speak.
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Teaching The Teacher

Maryland Foreclosure Rate Is Seventh-Worst In U.S.

Scheduled residential foreclosure auctions in Maryland increased 199 percent over April 2012, highlighting the state's fast-rising foreclosure rate.

Maryland, which in February cracked the top 10 for highest foreclosure rates for the first time since July 2010, rose to No. 7 in April, according to market research firm RealtyTrac Inc.

There were 1,569 foreclosure starts in April, and one out of every 650 Maryland housing units is now in some stage of foreclosure. The state's foreclosure rate has soared 154.3 percent since April 2012.

Maryland is trending in the opposite direction from the U.S. as a whole. The national foreclosure rate in April declined 23.3 percent from the previous year. One out of every 905 U.S. housing units is in foreclosure.
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DUI Arrest Part II

DATE & TIME: May 10, 2013 @ 3:40 am
LOCATION: S/B RT 13 at Pine Hurst Street Salisbury, Wicomico County, Md. 
CASE NUMBER: 13-54-003563 
CHARGES: 1. Driving Under the Influence

Accused: Christina Anne Rhine W/F of Bowie, Maryland

BRIEF RESUME: On May 10, 2013, at approximately 3:40 am, a trooper from the Salisbury Barrack stopped a 2008 Mitsubishi Maryland registration 1EXB01 for a stop sign violation at the above location.
The trooper observed signs of impairment from the driver. Further investigation led to the arrest of the above driver. The above driver refused a intoximeter test and was issued the proper citations and released to a sober friend from the Salisbury Barrack.

Baltimore Attorney Sued For Negligence In Case Where Client Was Killed

The family of a Baltimore man is suing a local attorney who represented him, claiming negligence and legal malpractice because they say what he told another client ultimately caused the man's death.

Isiah Callaway is a smiling dad in photos taken with his infant son. Little Ryan Callaway, who is slightly bigger now, will only have those pictures to look at when he reaches back for a memory of his father. The 19-year-old was killed in a murder for hire in 2011. Baltimore-based attorney Steve Silverman says, “Now there's a 3-year old boy walking around who will never know his father, never remember his father and it's just tragic that this happened."

Silverman represents Callaway’s family in a civil lawsuit filed this week in Baltimore City Circuit Court. The suit was filed by Callaway’s mother, Constance, and also names Ryan as a plaintiff.

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Friday Night Dock Party

Finally some great weather! Live Entertainment by Beauty for Ashes 6pm & DJ VO 10pm No Cover!

DUI Arrest Part 1

DATE & TIME: May 10, 2013 @ 3:56 am LOCATION: College Ave at Smith Street Salisbury, Wicomico County, Md. 
CASE NUMBER: 13-54-003564 
CHARGES: 1. Driving Under the Influence

Accused: William Matthew Gough W/M of Parkton, Maryland

BRIEF RESUME: On May 10, 2013, at approximately 3:56 am, a trooper from the Salisbury Barrack stopped a 2002 Toyota Maryland registration 1AT7057 for an equipment violation at the above location.The trooper observed signs of impairment from the driver. Further investigation led to the arrest of the above driver. The above driver did submit to an intoximeter test and was issued the proper citations and released to a sober friend from the Salisbury Barrack.

MGM Resorts Pursuing Gambling License At National Harbor

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (WJZ) — Promising Vegas on the Potomac. MGM Resorts files paperwork to build a resort casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County.

Alex DeMetrick reports–if approved, it could dwarf Maryland’s other casinos.

When you’re in the business of building big, MGM Resorts has staked out its share of Las Vegas. And to do something on that scale in Maryland, it’s focused on National Harbor in Prince George’s County.

Across the Potomac from Virginia and D.C., it would be Maryland’s largest resort casino. Just how large was hinted at in the number of boxes it brought to Maryland Lottery’s gaming control agency.
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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY REGARDING ONGOING ACTIONS TO COMBAT GANGS AND ROOT OUT CORRUPTION AT BALTIMORE CITY DETENTION CENTER

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement:

“We have zero tolerance for corruption. When members of murder networks are behind bars, the public has every right to expect that they will be prevented from committing further crimes.

“We are continuing to coordinate with our federal law enforcement partners on investigations and prosecutions.

“Further, we are taking the following additional steps to enhance security and root out corruption:
We are expanding the installation of new technology that blocks inmates’ ability to use contraband cell phones from correctional institutions.
We will urge the General Assembly to pass legislation we submitted previously that would make smuggling a cell phone into a correctional institution a felony punishable with additional prison time.
We are enhancing security procedures at the Baltimore City Detention Center to prevent money laundering, smuggling of contraband, and fraternization.
We are reviewing the statewide discipline manual to consider updated policies and measures that will enhance our ability to crack down on correctional officers who violate the public’s trust.
We are reviewing the procedures of the Correctional Officers’ Bill of Rights (COBR) with an open mind to any amendments that would improve discipline while ensuring due process.
We will continue to administer polygraph exams to jail personnel to ensure the integrity of the institution.
Six months ago, we appointed a new jail administrator; last week, we removed the security chief; and we will remove all personnel whose job performance or integrity compromises the security of our jail or prisons.”
Since taking office, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has taken critical steps toward combating gang violence and rooting out corruption in prisons. Together, with our local law enforcement partners, we’ve driven down violent crime to 30-year lows.
In 2011, officials formed the Maryland Joint Prison Task Force, a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel focused on combating gangs and rooting out corruption in Maryland correctional institutions. Rod Rosenstein, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, says “Everybody in the task force anticipated it would result in the prosecution of a significant number of correctional officers.”
The Task Force’s work led to the indictments that were recently handed down. As Rick McFeely, executive assistant director of the FBI and a former head of the bureau’s Baltimore office, said: “the federal investigation into gang activity at the jail didn’t gain traction until [Maryland’s Secretary of Public Safety Gary] Maynard appealed for federal help and offered his department’s full cooperation.”
Since FY 2007, inmate-on-staff serious assaults have been driven down 65 percent, and inmate-on-inmate serious assaults have been driven down 47 percent.
In 2007, under Secretary Maynard’s leadership, the Administration closed the House of Correction and began an effort to combat illegal gang activity.

In 2007, DPSCS led a statewide gang and intelligence sharing initiative, and in 2008, formalized the Central Gang Unit to share gang information with local, state, and federal authorities.

Delmarva Chicken Festival To Include June 22 Car Show

S. H. Car Events will host a major car show during the 64th Delmarva Chicken Festival in Snow Hill, Md. Show organizer and sponsor Royal Plus Inc. expects more than 100 vehicles to arrive Saturday,

June 22, for exhibition between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. The show will be held in downtown Snow Hill, and shuttle service will be available to transport visitors between the car show and the main festival site at Byrd Park.

According to event coordinators, the show will include antiques, classics, customs, street rods, trucks and special-interest vehicles. A $10 registration fee will be payable the day of the show. Commemorative dash plaques will be presented to the first 100 registered vehicles. An awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. will present trophies to the Tops in Show in addition to sponsor-choice trophies.
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Update: OCPD Has Charged Two Additional Suspects Related To Stabbing From April 11

This week Ocean City Police Detectives have charged two additional suspects related to a stabbing incident that occurred on April 11, 2013, at 28th Street and Coastal Highway.

The primary suspect previously identified as Brandon Maurice Hudson had been charged with 1st and 2ndDegree Assault. During the investigation police identified two other suspects involved in the incident as: Christopher Alexander Jones, 38, of Salisbury, Maryland and Darian La Mar Waters, 25, of Snow Hill, Maryland.

Jones has been charged with 2 counts of 2nd degree assault and Waters has been charged with 1 count of 2nd degree assault .

The two suspects will appear at a later date in Ocean City District Court in reference to these new charges.

Maryland To Allow Health Exchange Info Requests

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland will make information related to its health benefit exchange available through public information requests.

But the state's Public Information Act does prevent disclosure of confidential commercial or financial information. Rebecca Pearce, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, says information that could cause substantial harm to the competitive position of the contractor would not be subject to the state's public information laws.
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OCPD Arrest Female Suspect For Early Morning Stabbing

On May 9, 2013, at approximately 3:50 a.m. Ocean City Police and Paramedics responded to 508 Robin Drive, in reference to a stabbing. Officers arrived at the scene and located the victim, who had obvious injuries to her neck and shoulders. In addition, officers located the suspect in Unit #35.

During the investigation police learned the victim, whose name is not being released, and the suspect who has been identified as: Sharon Lee Ward, 47, of Ocean City, became involved in an argument. During the argument and struggle, Ward attacked the victim with a kitchen knife stabbing her multiple times in the neck. The victim was able to flee the unit and with the assistance of neighbors, contacted the police.

The victim was treated by Ocean City Fire Department paramedics for stab wounds to the neck. The victim was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment. Ward was treated for minor injuries and transported to Atlantic General Hospital where she was later released to the OCPD.

During the investigation police learned the victim and the suspect were living together and that there was a Maryland Court Final Domestic Protective Order prohibiting Ward from having any contact with the victim.

Police have recovered the weapon believed to be used in the attack at the crime scene. Ward was arrested and taken to the Ocean City Public Safety Building and has been charged with:
1st Degree Assault
2nd Degree Assault
Weapon Openly with The Intent to Injure
Reckless Endangerment
Violation of a Protective Order

At the time of this release Ward is being held by the OCPD awaiting an initial appearance before a Maryland District Court Commissioner.

GARLIC & LEMON CHICKEN W/GREEN BEANS & RED POTATOES!

INGREDIENTS
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced, 1 juiced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound trimmed green beans
8 small red potatoes, quartered
4 chicken breasts (bones left in, with skin, about 3 1/4 pounds)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a large baking dish or cast-iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer in the bottom of the dish or skillet.

In a large bowl, combine the remaining oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper; add the green beans and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the green beans and arrange them on top of the lemon slices. Add the potatoes to the same olive-oil mixture and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, arrange the potatoes along the inside edge of the dish or skillet on top of the green beans. Place the chicken in the same bowl with the olive-oil mixture and coat thoroughly. Place the chicken, skin-side up, in the dish or skillet. Pour any of the remaining olive-oil mixture over the chicken.
Roast for 50 minutes. Remove the chicken from the dish or skillet. Place the beans and potatoes back in oven for 10 minutes more or until the potatoes are tender. Place a chicken breast on each of 4 serving plates; divide the green beans and potatoes equally. Serve warm.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev Body Buried In Virginia Muslim Cemetery

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s body has been buried in a Muslim cemetery in Doswell, Virginia, reports say.

The Al-Barzakh Cemetery is located in a small community in central Virginia—about 15 miles from Richmond.

Under state law, a death certificate also includes the location of burial, The Boston Globe reported.

Tsarnaev, 26, died from "gunshot wounds of torso and extremities" and blunt trauma to his head and torso.

Read more

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY JOINS KNORR BRAKE OFFICIALS AT OPENING OF NEW FACILITY

Company Remains in Maryland, Retains 290 Jobs

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley joined Knorr Brake Company officials for the grand opening of the company’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in the Westminster Technology Park. The move to the 235,000 square foot facility, which was driven by a growth in new business, more than doubles the company’s manufacturing capacity. Knorr Brake, which currently employs 290, has added 60 new jobs over the last two years and plans to hire an additional 10 to 15 permanent employees this year.

“In Maryland, we’ve recovered 97 percent of the jobs lost during the recession and continue to lead our region in job growth,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our progress has not happened by chance. This past session we passed the EARN initiative that will enable workers to get skills training for in demand jobs. We created and expanded tax credits for research development, biotech, and cyber security. Our progress is also due to the commitment of companies like Knorr Brake that have chosen to locate and expand their businesses here in Maryland.”

The State provided a $400,000 conditional loan under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority (MEDAAF) to assist with the land purchase and construction of the new facility. The building, which received LEED Gold Certification, uses green technology, techniques and design to reduce the carbon footprint.

Knorr Brake Company has been headquartered in Westminster since 1991. The company develops and manufactures Brake, Door, HVAC and Electronic Systems for Mass Transit such as METRO, Light Rail Vehicles, High-Speed Trains, Commuter Rail and Monorail Vehicles for the North America market. Knorr Brake Corporation became the first company in North America to be recognized for excellence in manufacturing by being registered to the International Railway Industry Standard in 2007.

Whod'a Thunk It?

What's the most rare, sought-after occupation in Britain? Lego builder. That's right, more Britons have been to space than have made a full-time living building Lego structures. Warren Elsmore made the career switch six months ago, when he gave up his IT consulting job to become a professional Lego builder. Last week, Elsmore made 1,500 Euros for one 18 inch-long, Lego corporate logo, and he can earn up to 25,000 euros for a replica of a major building. He just unveiled a 5-foot by 5-foot model of St. Pancras Station and Hotel, which includes working trains, passengers running down escalators, and a cut-away that allows you to see Lego-guests splashing in the bathtub. The model is made up of over 180,000 Legos and took Elsmore about 500 hours to build. He says that professional Lego building is "not just for grown-ups, but anyone who feels grown up." And here, we were foolish enough to believe Legos were children's toys... who knew?

5 Year Ban On Bonuses

A House panel has approved a five-year ban on bonuses for Veterans Affairs executives. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) says VA executives have collected huge performance bonuses year after year while, he says, they fail at their jobs. He cites the department's struggle with a backlog of disability claims. The VA already has said it would give no bonuses to executives in that section. But the department came under fire from Congress and veterans groups last week for a bonus awarded to a VA health official. He oversees the Pittsburgh hospital where an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease killed five people.

IRS Admits, Apologizes For Targeting Conservatives During 2012 Election

Just because you are a conservative and paranoid, doesn't mean the IRS is not after you. And, assuming the AP was not hacked again, this is precisely what happened. In a stunning disclosure, the supposedly impartial Internal Revenue Service has admitted and apologized for flagging and subjecting to extra reviews, conservative political groups - those that included the words "tea party" or "patriot" - during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status. No such privilege was apparently afforded to groups identifying themselves as "liberal."

From AP:
The Internal Revenue Service is apologizing for inappropriately flagging conservative political groups for additional reviews during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status.

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS unit that oversees tax-exempt groups, said organizations that included the words "tea party" or "patriot" in their applications for tax-exempt status were singled out for additional reviews.

Lerner said the practice, initiated by low-level workers in Cincinnati, was wrong and she apologized while speaking at a conference in Washington.

Many conservative groups complained during the election that they were being harassed by the IRS. They said the agency asked them an inordinate number of questions to justify their tax-exempt status.

Certain tax-exempt charitable groups can conduct political activities but it cannot be their primary activity.

It does make one wonder, just how far the IRS goes to make the lives of conservatives a living hell: will all 2012 tax audits be those who on their facebook profile admit to liking Ron Paul? And just how far does the IRS invade personal privacy to determine how any one tax filer is indeed, a "conservative?" But don't worry - aside from the obvious persecutions, America is a free country for one and all.

One wonders: how long until "conservatives" engage in "tax-avoiding" blowback and really give the IRS reason to persecute them. Alternatively, one wonders the IRS is simply limited by logistical considerations, due to the notional difference in number of actual tax filings submitted by "conservatives" vs "liberals" and the prepondrance of one group over the other...

Source

STATE POLICE MAKE TWO ARRESTS FOR PROSTITUTION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

(Linthicum, MD) - The Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit arrested a 31 year-old man and a 19-year old woman from Baltimore last night on criminal charges including prostitution and human trafficking.

The accused are identified as Lamin Manneh, 31, and Marissa Braun, 19, both of the 2400 block of Marbourne Avenue in Baltimore. After consultation with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney, Manneh was charged with human trafficking and prostitution. Braun was charged with one count of prostitution. Both individuals were processed at the Glen Burnie Barrack and transported to the District Court Commissioner in Glen Burnie for an initial appearance. 

Yesterday, the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit was working their normal pro-active child prostitution/human trafficking operation. They located a young looking female posting on an internet “escort” website. 

Members of the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, working in conjunction with the Child Recovery Unit, arranged to meet the female in a Baltimore area hotel where Braun was subsequently identified. After Braun was in police custody, it was revealed she had been working for her alleged husband, Manneh. Police located Manneh in the parking lot of the same hotel. Manneh was interviewed by police and subsequently placed under arrest. 

During the initial encounter with Manneh, police learned he was a current member of the Baltimore City Police Department. Manneh will be suspended without pay and subject to an internal affairs investigation by the Baltimore City Police Department.

The Child Recovery Unit working this operation is comprised of Maryland State Police, an FBI Special Agent and a Baltimore County Detective. Troopers from the Glen Burnie Barrack also assisted at the scene.

The Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit works in conjunction with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The Child Exploitation Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to identify and locate child victims of Human Trafficking. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and non governmental agencies to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force works to educate law enforcement and the public to recognize the signs of human trafficking violations.

Feds in NYC: Hackers stole $45M in ATM card breach

NEW YORK — A gang of cyber-criminals stole $45 million in a matter of hours by hacking their way into a database of prepaid debit cards and then fanning out around the globe to drain cash machines, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch called it “a massive 21st-century bank heist” and compared its size to the Lufthansa heist in the late 1970s immortalized in the film “Goodfellas.” Lynch said the fraudsters had moved with astounding speed to loot financial institutions around the world.

A security analyst said it was the biggest ATM fraud case she had heard of.

Read more

Wiretap Laws Expanded

The White House is developing a proposal to expand wiretap laws. Reuters reports, the FBI wants to eavesdrop on Internet communications just like it can on telephone calls. Online chats and Voice-over-Internet-protocol services like Skype are of particular interest. Providers argue they are exempt from wiretap laws. Tech companies have opposed the idea. It's not clear what their responsibility would be in translating encrypted data. Lawmakers are noncommittal. They say they want to see the details of the plan.

Why We Should Mistrust The Government

It should come as no surprise that President Obama told Ohio State students at graduation ceremonies last week that they should not question authority and they should reject the calls of those who do. He argued that "our brave, creative, unique experiment in self-rule" has been so successful that trusting the government is the same as trusting ourselves; hence, challenging the government is the same as challenging ourselves. And he blasted those who incessantly warn of government tyranny.

Yet, mistrust of government is as old as America itself. America was born out of mistrust of government. The revolution that was fought in the 1770s and 1780s was actually won in the minds of colonists in the mid-1760s when the British imposed the Stamp Act and used writs of assistance to enforce it. The Stamp Act required all persons in the colonies to have government-sold stamps on all documents in their possession, and writs of assistance permitted search warrants written by British troops in which they authorized themselves to enter private homes ostensibly to look for the stamps.

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House Republicans To Get Prison Tour; Call For Audits

Maryland House Republicans are calling for a wider investigation into corruption at correctional facilities as Governor Martin O'Malley announces additional steps to enhance security and address corruption.

Delegate Nicholaus Kipke, the House minority leader, joined Delegate Ron George, R-Anne Arundel, and Delegate John Cluster, R-Baltimore County, on Thursday to call for an investigation involving all state correctional facilities.

They also criticized the governor's management of correctional facilities during his tenure.
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Heritage Festival Tomorrow

World's First Solar-Powered Backcountry Survival Tablet

Jon Perry says his inspiration behind making a tough, reliable and rugged expedition gadget came from his long-time outdoorsy companion – his dog Earl. Now the world’s first backcountry survival tablet, also named Earl, is in development and asking for some crowdsourcing support.

Through June 9, you can be a project backer and reserve your own unit for just $249, 30 percent below the expected retail cost. Unit production is on track to begin in July, according to a post on theproject website.

Earl is solar-powered, features a 6″ flexible Amazon Kindle-looking E-ink touch screen and is water/dust/shock/mud-proof. The tablet runs a version of Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and keeps you connected while braving the wild with GPS onboard, FRS, GMRS and MURS two-way radio connectivity for up to 20 miles, and a built in AM/FM/SW/LW radio tuner.

The device can reach full charge on five hours of sunlight and that’s enough power for 20 hours of operation. Other mountain man features are “glove friendly” touch, gyroscope motion controls and the ability to measure temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.

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Ohio Captive Beaten Until She Miscarried

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Prosecutors said Thursday they may seek the death penalty against Ariel Castro, the man accused of imprisoning three women at his home for a decade, as police charged that he impregnated one of his captives at least five times and made her miscarry by starving her and punching her in the belly.

The horrific allegations were contained in a police report that also said another one of the women, Amanda Berry, was forced to give birth in a plastic kiddie pool.

Cuyahoga County prosecutor Timothy McGinty said his office will decide whether to bring aggravated murder charges punishable by death in connection with the pregnancies that were terminated by force.
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Football Season

Coincidence?? 
  Just wondering!
  Alabama beat Arkansas 
and they fired the coach. 
  Alabama beat Tennessee 
and they fired the coach. 
  Alabama beat Auburn 
and they fired the coach. 
  Then Alabama beat Notre Dame and the Pope resigns...
  Damn, I wish the White House had a team.

A Letter To The Editor 5-10-13

New Mental Health / 2nd Amendment Legislation?
Or, When does a person need to be prohibited from having access to guns? 

However new laws are written, it needs to be made clear to both the general public and the mental health providers that it is perfectly alright for anyone to seek help with mood and thought troubles at any time without risk that their counseling information will be shared with anyone, including law enforcement. Confidentiality should be paramount. No matter how many visits per year and at any level, as long as the patient is making the decision to seek advice and help, whether it is with or without medication, this information cannot be shared with anyone not specified by the patient in writing.

The trouble is, I don’t think anyone really knows where the laws stand on this subject at all, or how widely it varies from state to state.

However, as certain issues arise or are uncovered, and when certain medications become part of the program, the MHP (Mental Health Provider) must begin taking on a responsibility to the patient, his relatives/ housemates, and the general public that all remain in a reasonably safe condition. This has to involve direct discussions with the patient regarding his ownership and access to deadly items such as cars, bats, knives, guns, cliffs, and other common items and the patient’s feelings about all these in relationship to his condition. I would think it imperative that not discussing these things with the patient would be doing him a disservice.

At some point of mental instability, there will have to be a line drawn that would require a patient to have certain rights and/or privileges suspended until he becomes more stable. This is a highly judgmentalcriterion and must be approached with caution. This crossroad may arrive when the patient suspends all self-help and quitsor abusesmedication, suffers frequent depression, or rapid deterioration of any progress that had been made previously. This judgment call should be required to be made by a consensus of more than one MHP, and would most likely be at a point where the patient is admitted to a Mental Health Facility through a decision made by relatives/ housemates, and the MHP’s or even the patient. Under no circumstances shall this decision be made by someone outside the family and MHP community (meaning Law Enforcement or government officials).

This is a sensitive line to cross as far as the communication between the medical profession and law enforcement in regards to second amendment rights, the right to vote, and other rights that are really not clearly addressed, but need to be. Professionals from both sides need to build a strict set of criteria that must be met before this line is drawn. Once a person is judged to be past this point, mandatory care should be part of the program. It should be imperative that the patient be committed and treated for the mental illness and not just tossed back into society. Just as the bar should be high to commit a person to a mental health facility, it should be equally as high to be released, and this should include major measurable goals to be crossed and maintained, and solid responsibilities must be demonstrated for extended periods of time. Follow up maintenance visits need to be kept mandatory and permanent.
What do you think?

Comments Have Disappeared

So you know, there's an issue with Blogger at the moment where all comments have disappeared.

We have been experiencing other issues for the past 3 day so hopefully they figure it out and get back on line soon.

We apologize for any inconvenience. You can continue to comment and eventually they will show up when they do in fact get back to normal. 

WCSO Press Release 5-10-13

• 5/9/2013 Salisbury Kennel Club Donates Ballistic/ Stab Resistant Vest to WCSO K9
• 5/9/2013 Theft & CDS Arrest - Blankenship
• 5/9/2013 Warrant Arrest - Beaver

Abbott & Costello Predicted This

Grandson Of Malcolm X Dead In Mexico City: Report

A family friend posted on Facebook and Twitter that Malcolm Shabazz, 29, who was sentenced to 3 years in state prison for his role in a a street robbery in Middletown, N.Y. at age 17, passed way.

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Thank God Its Friday 5-10-13

What will you be doing this weekend?

SPD Press Release 5-10-13

PUBLIC NOTICE

FY2014 BUDGET HEARING

The City of Salisbury’s FY 2014 Budget Hearing scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2013 will be re-scheduled due to advertising requirements.

The new date of the Budget Hearing will be set on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the City Council Legislative Session, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, Room 301 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

FBI Issues Cyber Security Advisory That Could Impact All Users of Microsoft Explorer 8

Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging all consumers and businesses to pay close attention to a Cyber Security Advisory issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding a vulnerability in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 browser (IE8) that could allow scammers to access and take over users’ computers. The risk for all users – home, business and government – is high, and BBB is urging anyone with IE8 to follow the recommended steps to address the problem.

The problem was first announced yesterday, and last night Microsoft released a temporary fix. 
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

May 13, 2013 6:00 p.m.

Government Office Building Room 301

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER

6:01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:05 p.m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:08 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

6:12 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Kim Nichols

 April 18, 2013 budget session minutes

 April 22, 2013 regular meeting minutes

 April 23, 2013 budget session minutes

 May 2, 2013 budget session minutes

 Resolution No. 2271 – approving the appointment of Joel V. Olive to the

Central City District Committee (CCDC) for a term ending 9/30/2015

 Resolution No. 2272 – approving the appointment of Michael J. Piorunski to the Central City District Committee (CCDC) for a term ending 9/30/2014 

 Resolution No. 2273 – approving the appointment of Roland E. Holland, P.E. to the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a term ending 6/30/2018 

 Resolution No. 2274 – declaring that Walgreen Co. is eligible to receive Enterprise Zone benefits for property located at 909 Mt. Hermon Road, Salisbury, Maryland 

6:20 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Assistant Internal Services Director-Procurement Catrice Parsons 

 Police Department Surplus-Unclaimed Property

 Change Order #3 to Contract 111-09 Sewer and Stormwater Pipe & Manhole Rehab 

6:30 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick

 Resolution No. 2275 - authorizing the Mayor to sign the grant agreement and accept a grant of $13,750.00 from Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Bikeways Program for the provision of the initial two miles of pavement marking and signage necessary to create a bike path “spine” route from Downtown Salisbury to Salisbury University 
 Resolution No. 2276 – accepting a donation of $2,500.00 from Salisbury University, a donation of $2,500.00 from Sea Gull Century Foundation, and a donation of $1,250.00 from bike-SBY for the provision of the initial two miles of pavement marking and signage necessary to create a bike path “spine” route from Downtown Salisbury to Salisbury University 
6:45 p.m. FY 2014 BUDGET – Mayor James Ireton, Jr. 

 Ordinance No. 2243 - appropriating the necessary funds for the operation of the Government and Administration of the City of Salisbury, Maryland for the period July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, establishing the levy for the General Fund for the same fiscal period and establishing the appropriation for the Water and Sewer, Parking Authority and City Marina Funds (proposed FY 14 Budget and setting the date for a public hearing) 

 Ordinance No. 2244 – to amend Water and Sewer rates to decrease sewer rates by 6.5%, making said changes effective for all bills dated October 1, 2013 and thereafter unless and until subsequently revised or changed (proposed Water & Sewer rates) 

7:15 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

7:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

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Ireton Corrects Daily Times Error In Wastewater Treatment Plant Story: YOU MAKE THE CALL

In an effort to keep the citizen’s of Salisbury informed, Mayor James Ireton, Jr. would like to correct a recently published, May 4, 2013, report in the Salisbury Daily Times regarding effluent that was released into the Wicomico River from the Waste Water Treatment Plant during Hurricane Sandy.

“I’d like to inform the public of the correct facts of this case. It has been erroneously reported that the WWTP “spilled” almost 500,000 gallons of sewage into the Wicomico River due to Hurricane Sandy. At that time, due to an unusually high tide level during the storm, our fully treated water flow backed up slightly in the discharge manifold.

This back up caused about 500,000 gallons of fully treated water to flow out of the final water sampling station into an adjacent channel that is designed specifically for these events. It is important for the media to understand and report responsibly these events to the public. The staff at the WWTP, Salisbury Public Works Director Gardner, and I are on a round the clock heightened alert for issues that directly affect the WWTP and ultimately the Wicomico River and the Chesapeake Bay," said Mayor Ireton

Yet Salisbury News received the following message...

Joe,

I am one of your readers even though I live in Worcester County. 

Delmarvanow.com has reported on this waste water spill and, as usual, the city is covering their butts. My husband is the "employee" and when he reported the water to his supervisor at 5:45 am, he followed the procedure he was taught and opened the valve - which he then reported to the supervisor who thanked him and told him nothing else. He never mentioned "ground water or rain water" as the Plant says he did. The high water alarms never activated and he had checked all of the areas including the area where the overflow supposedly was occurring, both at 5 and at 7 when he collected the scheduled water samples. The WWTP told him it occurred before 8 am (The Times reports that the city says it happened at 10 am...he got off at 8 am). My husband was never consulted during the "fact finding investigation" the supposedly took 2 weeks to do. The letter he received firing him had many inconsistencies and stated he neglected procedures/protocols that were not even actual procedures/protocols. 

His supervisors Mike Banning, Maria Bailey and Doug Ehrisman have suddenly in the last 8 months begun to "write him up" for petty infractions after he had had no infractions for 2 1/2 years. This began coincidentally when Maria Bailey returned to this position and my husband applied to be a shift supervisor. My husband was denied the position twice, although the first time he was told he was their 2nd choice. One of the people they hired over him was fired fairly quickly because he was keeping notes on the way he was being treated and Ms. Bailey found it and fired him. 

My husband was the only person with a degree (in Biology) and the only person to pass the WWTP tests without cheating. Some of them had to take the test 15 times over a period of 9 years (they were told they had to pass it within one year of hire) and they could only pass it when the answers were given to them. My husband and another employee - that they let go for no reason - saw that they had answer sheet and they bragged about using it and spoke about possibly giving it to others who were hired as the supervisors (from outside and who had no WWTP experience.)

I know this is a lot of info, but I'm sure the citizens of Salisbury and any future hires for the WWTP would appreciate this being cleared up. There is a lot more sordid information to go with this.

Man Charged in NY Had Connections to Canadian Terror Suspects

A Tunisian man has been charged in New York for lying about his work visa because he wanted to facilitate "an act of terrorism" and authorities say he had connections to the thwarted terror plot that involved derailing a passenger train near the Canadian border.

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that the man has ties to the two suspects arrested recently in what the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said was an "al-Qaida-supported" plot.

Law enforcement sources tell NBC 4 New York that Ahmed Abassi met with the Canadian terror suspects and may have helped to radicalize them. The charges Thursday said he lied about his visa documents in an effort to "facilitate an act of international terrorism."
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Obama's Enemy!

OCPD Arrest Female Suspect for Early Morning Stabbing

Sharon Lee Ward

On May 9, 2013, at approximately 3:50 a.m. Ocean City Police and Paramedics responded to 508

Sharon Lee Ward
Robin Drive, in reference to a stabbing. Officers arrived at the scene and located the victim, who had obvious injuries to her neck and shoulders. In addition, officers located the suspect in Unit #35.

During the investigation police learned the victim, whose name is not being released, and the suspect who has been identified as: Sharon Lee Ward, 47, of Ocean City, became involved in an argument. During the argument and struggle, Ward attacked the victim with a kitchen knife stabbing her multiple times in the neck. The victim was able to flee the unit and with the assistance of neighbors, contacted the police.

The victim was treated by Ocean City Fire Department paramedics for stab wounds to the neck. The victim was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment. Ward was treated for minor injuries and transported to Atlantic General Hospital where she was later released to the OCPD.

During the investigation police learned the victim and the suspect were living together and that there was a Maryland Court Final Domestic Protective Order prohibiting Ward from having any contact with the victim.

Police have recovered the weapon believed to be used in the attack at the crime scene. Ward was arrested and taken to the Ocean City Public Safety Building and has been charged with:

· 1st Degree Assault
· 2nd Degree Assault
· Weapon Openly with The Intent to Injure
· Reckless Endangerment
· Violation of a Protective Order

At the time of this release Ward is being held by the OCPD awaiting an initial appearance before a Maryland District Court Commissioner.

Update: OCPD Has Charged Two Additional Suspects Related to Stabbing from April 11

Christopher Alexander Jones

Darian La Mar Waters

This week Ocean City Police Detectives have charged two additional suspects related to a stabbing incident that occurred on April 11, 2013, at 28th Street and Coastal Highway.

The primary suspect previously identified as Brandon Maurice Hudson had been charged with 1stand 2nd Degree Assault. During the investigation police identified two other suspects involved in the incident as: Christopher Alexander Jones, 38, of Salisbury, Maryland and Darian La Mar Waters, 25, of Snow Hill, Maryland.

Jones has been charged with 2 counts of 2nd degree assault and Waters has been charged with 1 count of 2nd degree assault .

The two suspects will appear at a later date in Ocean City District Court in reference to these new charges.

Report: CBS News Bosses Irked By Correspondent's Thorough Benghazi Reporting

The biggest Benghazi-related story that took place outside of the House Oversight Committee's hearing room today is this item in Politico, regarding CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. She's the reporter who famously drew White House officials' profane ire over her unapologetic pursuit of the Fast & Furious scandal story; now she's apparently facing searing criticism from another source: Her own bosses. Why? Because she's been covering the Benghazi story too aggressively. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you media bias:
"Attkisson, who holds a third-degree black belt in taekwondo, takes a fighting stance when she feels she’s being stonewalled. Which is exactly what she thinks the White House has done to her on Benghazi," Farhi writes. But from where Attkisson is sitting, there are actually two Goliaths, one of which is almost entirely absent from the Post profile. The second Goliath is CBS News, which has grown increasingly frustrated with Attkisson's Benghazi campaign. CBS News executives see Attkisson wading dangerously close to advocacy on the issue, network sources have told POLITICO. Attkisson can't get some of her stories on the air, and is thus left feeling marginalized and underutilized. That, in part, is why Attkisson is in talks to leave CBS ahead of contract, as POLITICO reported in April. Farhi mentions "internal conflicts" in the final paragraph, though he seems to dismiss them. The "internal conflicts" are indeed real -- Attkisson is still eyeing an exit, according to sources -- and provide important context for today's piece. Today, CBS News is celebrating Attkisson's commitment to the Benghazi story. It's good press. But that support is an aberration.

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Maryland Gov. Martin O'Shameless Rides Again

Maryland's Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley has mounted his trusty steed to sally forth and carry the banner of shamelessness once again. And people wonder why I call him Martin O'Shameless.

Years ago, when he was mayor of Baltimore, city schools ran up a deficit of at least $58 million. O'Malley pretty much admitted that he repeatedly asked the school superintendent questions designed to get to the bottom of the deficit, but got no answers.

In other words, he failed. But when he ran for governor, he shamelessly ran on a record of how fine and dandy Baltimore schools were. They weren't. The man ran on a record of failure, and won.
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DULLING THE BLADE OF TYRANNY

“By dulling the blade of tyranny, I reconciled Rome to the monarchy.”

Second City Jail Listed In New Federal Indictments

More federal indictments alleging gang crimes possibly directed from inside prison walls in Baltimore.

Just days after the scandal broke with indictments raining down at the city detention center, a federal grand jury has handed up a new box load of allegations.

This time it's involving the Chesapeake Detention Center.

That jail is across the street from the city detention center where 13 prison guards are accused of cooperating with the Black Guerilla Family Gang. 
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CIVIL RIGHTS CASE

A THIRD LAWSUIT was filed yesterday in MD FEDERAL COURT against MULTIPLE HIGH-RANKING STATE & GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (see below) for the continued retaliation against Deputy Troy Durham and the previous cases' judgements and court orders not being followed or obeyed

FILED 7-MAY-13

Durham v. Rapp
CASE # 1:2013CV01350

Charles w. Rapp
Albert L. Liebno, Jr.
Marcus L. Brown
John A. Bartlett, Jr.
Michael A. Lewis
Stephen E. Vogt
William McMahon
Robin E. Roberts
Charles Wellford
Anthony Batts
Jozette Pope
Douglas K. Holland
Stuart M. Nathan
Gary D. Maynard
Larry Brownlee
Charles H. Hinnant
Douglas Gansler

Business Group Leaders Say Maryland Needs To Be More Competitive On Taxes

Greater Baltimore Committee Chairman 
Brian Rogers of T. Rowe Price Group

With a report Monday by CEO magazine ranking Maryland among the 10 worst states to do business, the Greater Baltimore Committee said it’s going to renew its push to improve the state’s competitiveness.

“I’m always struggling with why we think we’re so good and others think we’re not,” said Brian Rogers, chairman of the T. Rowe Price Group who chairs the Greater Baltimore Committee’s board.

Rogers told the GBC’s annual meeting Wednesday night that despite Maryland’s good schools, highly educated workforce and quality of life, it’s a real concern that the state ranks at best in the middle of the pack for doing business.

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The Widening Chasm

An independent, critical account of the American economy would soon raise questions about the structural causes of inequality.

That some sectors of the economy will be doing better than others is natural. If you're a landlord or mobile-apps coding genius in San Francisco, the economy is excellent. Those working in the vast North American oil-patch are experiencing a boom economy. Realtors in resurgent markets such as Miami are having their best year since the top of the bubble in 2007.

This can be viewed through any number of lens, one of which is the inherent inequality of capitalism: capital and labor flow to what is most profitable at this point in time, and capital and labor left stranded in low-yield, declining sectors suffer poor returns and lower wages.

This inequality can be seen as the systemic cost of a dynamic economy in which capital and labor are free to move to better opportunities.

It can even be argued that the more dynamic and fast-changing the system, the greater the inequality, as those who move fast enough to take advantage of new opportunities reap most of the gain (The Pareto Distribution of 80/20 is often visible in these sorts of distributions).

Economic systems that can be gamed by bribery or purchased political influence are also inherently unequal, as those with power are more equal than those without power. This is the classic feudal society or crony-capitalist kleptocracy.

Those benefitting within the crony-capitalist kleptocracy will of course claim that the society is a meritocracy and their advantages are the result of their own hard work and brilliance (and perhaps luck if they are honest enough to admit to being lucky).

As a result, it is difficult to tease apart the capitalist functions of the U.S. economy from the cartel-state, crony-capitalist kleptocracy that I call neofeudalism.

What we do know is that the top 1/10th of 1% is reaping most of the income gains.

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Army Corps To Let Nature Address Inlet Jetty Beach

OCEAN CITY -- A rarely-seen “anomaly” in the Ocean City Inlet reappeared this week in the form of a wide, sandy beach on the south side of the north jetty in an area typically under water and pounded by waves.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which plowed through the resort in late October and other coastal storms, nearly all of the beaches in the area were altered to varying degrees with sand eroded from some areas and deposited in others. Perhaps the most startling change in the days after Sandy passed through the area was a sandy spit of new beach as wide as 25 feet at different times depending on the tide on the south side of the rocky north jetty, which, along with the south jetty on the opposite side, provide the manmade bookends for the Inlet created eight decades ago.

City officials and long-time locals said after the storm they had never seen a sandy beach form on the south side of the jetty and surveys were performed to determine the extent of the silting in of the Inlet. The sandy beach on the south side of the Inlet eventually disappeared again, likely corrected by natural processes, but it reappeared again this week. On Tuesday, the beach formed on the Inlet side of the jetty wide enough to set up an umbrella and chair or to walk a dog on. At least one surfer even rode a wave in the Inlet that was breaking on the beach on Tuesday.
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OBAMA COMMERCE PICK FUNDED AYERS' PET PROJECT

Revolutionary socialist's aims promoted through public education
A charity run by Penny Pritzker, President Obama’s nominee for commerce secretary, donated to an academic institution associated with Weather Underground terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

Pritzker’s family has further donated more than $1.5 million to the Chicago school, the Erikson Institute, which focuses on training people who work in early childhood development.

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Same-Sex Domestic Partners To Lose State Benefits

WASHINGTON — Maryland state employees in a same-sex domestic partnership will soon be unable to include their partner or their partner’s children on their health insurance, now that the state has legalized same-sex marriage.

No new domestic partners will be able to enroll in state health benefits beginning in July, and in mid-2013, no domestic partners will be covered. About 280 active and retired state workers are covering a same-sex domestic partner, said Robin Sabatini, Maryland Department of Budget and Management chief of staff.

Maryland voters passed the Question 6 referendum in November, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state by upholding the Civil Marriage Protection Act. Same-sex couples could marry beginning Jan. 1, which sparked the change in health care coverage, Sabatini said.

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PORT SETS RECORD BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS

The Port of Baltimore had a record year in 2012, including: general cargo from the port’s public marine terminals (9.59 million tons—up eight percent from 2011); autos (652,000 cars – most in the U.S. and up 18 percent from 2011); farm and construction machinery ( 1.09 million tons—most in the U.S. and up 16 percent from 2011); containers (6.29 million tons—up seven percent); and coal (19.6 million tons of exported coal—up two percent from 2011). The Port’s public and private marine terminals saw 36.8 million tons of cargo cross their docks in 2012. The total dollar value amount of that cargo was more than $54 billion, the Port’s highest dollar value ever.

The Port of Baltimore is ranked as the top port among 360 U.S. ports for handling autos and light trucks, farm and construction machinery, imported forest products, imported sugar, imported aluminum and imported gypsum. Baltimore ranks second in the U.S. for exported coal and imported iron ore. Overall, Baltimore is ranked ninth for the total dollar value of cargo and 11th for cargo tonnage. Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 14,630 direct jobs, while about 108,000 jobs in Maryland are linked to port activities. The Port is responsible for $3 billion in personal wages and salary and more than $300 million in state and local taxes.

Wheelchair-Accessible Van Maker That Got $50 million DOE Loan Shuts Down

A wheelchair-accessible van maker that received $50 million through the same Energy Department loan program that funded Fisker Automotive has shut its doors and laid off its employees.

The DOE froze the Vehicle Production Group’s loan after the company’s finances fell below the required level, former CEO John Walsh told USA Today. About 100 employees were laid off when VPG closed without fanfare in February, but the company has not filed for bankruptcy.

VPG used the advanced technology vehicles manufacturing loan to equip accessible vans with engines powered by compressed natural gas. Production of the MV-1 vans was supposed to create at least 900 jobs, and VPG expected to produce about 22,650 of the vans per year, according to the DOE’s November 2010 loan announcement.
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BREAKING NEWS: Cleveland Kidnap Suspect Could Face Murder Charges

Cleveland prosecutor vows to pursue aggravated murder charges against Ariel Castro for allegedly terminating the pregnancies of the women he held captive for a decade.

From Fox News 

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY LEADS CELEBRATION OF NEW 50-FOOT-DEEP BERTH AND SUPERSIZED CRANES AT PORT OF BALTIMORE

Public-private partnership project creates 5,700 Maryland jobs

Baltimore one of two East Coast ports that can accommodate extra large ships

BALTIMORE, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and private sector partners from Highstar Capital and Ports America Chesapeake, today led celebration of a new 50-foot-deep berth and four supersized container cranes at the Port of Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal. The project is part of a larger public-private partnership (P3) agreement that is supporting 5,700 new jobs and will allow the Port of Baltimore to accommodate larger ships and attract more cargo to Maryland. The new berth and cranes are key elements of the 50-year agreement between the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and Highstar Capital’s Ports America Chesapeake to lease and operate the 200-acre Seagirt Marine Terminal. Under the agreement, Ports America Chesapeake has daily operational control of Seagirt, but the state continues to own the facility.

“This new 50-foot-deep berth and these cranes were absolutely critical to the long-term future of the Port of Baltimore, enabling Maryland to retain existing business and jobs while allowing us to accommodate new business and create new jobs that will come aboard the larger ships that are on the horizon,” said Governor O’Malley. “Through our collaboration with Ports America, we’re moving the Port of Baltimore forward, creating jobs and connecting our State with cities and ports half a world away. This project puts the Port of Baltimore in an excellent competitive position when the Panama Canal expansion is completed in 2015 -- a project that will literally change the face of the maritime shipping business.”

This P3 project and partnership between the MPA and Ports America Chesapeake is expected to generate up to $1.8 billion in total investment and revenue for the State of Maryland over the life of the agreement. It also will generate $15.7 million per year in new taxes for Maryland. The 5,700 jobs created by this agreement include: 3,000 jobs to build the new berth for the Port of Baltimore and for related Maryland highway projects, and another 2,700 jobs to handle the anticipated increased container business that the Port will begin to see very soon.

“The Seagirt P3 is an important milestone. For Maryland it is creating 5,700 jobs and continuing the leadership of the Port of Baltimore,” said Christopher H. Lee, Founder and Managing Partner of Highstar Capital. “The longer term economic benefits to our state are immense. For America, it shows that the public sector and the private sector can truly partner together on a win-win basis to bring our infrastructure back to the world class levels we last enjoyed in the 1960’s without onerous tax hikes and hard political choices between investment, jobs and the health and welfare of all Americans. I thank Governor O’Malley for his extraordinary leadership in setting an example for all 50 states and once again proving that in Maryland, we get things done, the right way.”

Vet, 90, Gets Back Dog Tag He Lost During World War II

Willie Wilkins served in France during World War II, where he worked in the Army's Quartermaster Graves Registration Units. His job entailed retrieving the bodies of American soldiers. At some point, he lost his dog tag.

NJ.com reports that Wilkins, 90, recently had his dog tag returned to him from a woman who found it in France back in 2001.

Anne-Marie Crespo was digging near a tree in her yard more than a decade ago when she discovered the small metallic tag. She assumed the soldier had died. It wasn't until recently that a neighbor convinced her to track down Wilkins.
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Words That Replace Thought By Thomas Sowell

If there is ever a contest for words that substitute for thought, "diversity" should be recognized as the undisputed world champion.

You don't need a speck of evidence, or a single step of logic, when you rhapsodize about the supposed benefits of diversity. The very idea of testing this wonderful, magical word against something as ugly as reality seems almost sordid.

To ask whether institutions that promote diversity 24/7 end up with better or worse relations between the races than institutions that pay no attention to it is only to get yourself regarded as a bad person. To cite hard evidence that places obsessed with diversity have worse race relations is to risk getting yourself labeled an incorrigible racist. Free thinking is not free.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the government has a "compelling interest" in promoting diversity – apparently more compelling than the 14th Amendment's requirement of "equal protection" of the law for everybody.

How does a racially homogeneous country like Japan manage to have high quality education, without the essential ingredient of diversity, for which there is supposedly a "compelling" need?

Conversely, why does India, one of the most diverse nations on Earth, have a record of intergroup intolerance and lethal violence today that is worse than that in the days of our Jim Crow South?

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