Maryland Philanthropist Wins Lottery

Some people might say Marco Avila proves the benefit of keeping your karma balance on the positive side.

He is the co-founder and executive director of the Healing Hands Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Baltimore County. The group provides surgical, dental and educational services to children throughout the world. Avila also plays the lottery. He bought a Mega Millions ticket Dec. 1 at the White Marsh BP station on Campbell Boulevard. He won the game's "second-tier" prize in Friday's drawing -- $250,000. The married father of two didn’t make any sudden moves. "I was calm. Actually, I was calm but excited at the same time,” he told WBAL-TV. He took his time to digest the news and didn’t even tell his family right away. Although he did ask his daughter, "What would you do if you won the lottery?" Without hesitation, she said she would donate the money to Healing Hands, Maryland Lottery officials said. He picked up his $250,000 check at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore Tuesday. He plans to donate a portion of the winnings to the foundation and use the rest for bills and his kids' educations. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Maryland Lottery officials. “We love having winners that do meaningful, great things with the money, and Marco’s certainly an example of that," Maryland Lottery Communications Director Carole Everett told WBAL. "We're thrilled for him and his foundation.”

Source

New Year Brings New Tax Reporting Requirements For Rental Property-Owners

Owners of rental property will soon face tough new tax reporting requirements and stiff penalties for not doing so. The federal law that goes into effect January 1 applies equally to landlords of multiple units, investors with a handful of properties and individuals who own a vacation home that they rent out for part of the year.

“This is going to create a lot of chaos,” Thomas Hood, president of the Maryland Association of CPAs, said of section 2101 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

For the first time, the Internal Revenue Service is treating rental property as a trade or a business for Form 1099 reporting purposes, said Steve Wiseman, a CPA, which means that starting in the new year,  Marylanders will have to keep records of any service to rental property that amounts to $600 or more per service-provider during the course of the year.

GO HERE to read more.

Suspended D.C. Firefighter Still Being Paid $72k Salary

WASHINGTON - A D.C. firefighter has been paid for not showing up at work for more than two years, WTOP has learned.
 
The reason for the payments can be traced back to a 2008 corruption investigation
.
According to documents obtained by WTOP, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin received a complaint from the NoMa Business Improvement District saying a firefighter had sent an invoice to the company for CPR training provided by the fire department.
 
The invoice was printed on D.C. Fire and EMS letterhead, but instructed that a $120 payment be made to an individual - Natalie O. Williams - rather than the department.
 
The complaint was received in July 2008.
 
D.C. Fire and EMS officials confirm Natalie Overton Williams has been a firefighter/EMT since November 1988 and was part of the unit that provided CPR and first aid training to the public.
 
D.C. Fire and EMS offers the training to the public for a nominal fee.

GO HERE to read more.

Woman Fights Foreclosure For 25 Years

This lady has been successfully fighting off foreclosure for twenty-five years, pulling out every trick in the book along the way. But her winning streak may be drawing to a close.

More »

Know Your Renter Rights

Do you rent? Better know your rights. Here's a state-by-state guide with links to statutes for both landlords and tenants. If you want to negotiate down your rent, get a drippy ceiling fixed, fight an eviction, or squelch a noisy neighbor, first bone up on your renter law.

More »

Traffic Camera Enters Drivers Who Obey Speed Limit Into Lottery

The winning entry in "The Fun Theory" contest is a traffic camera that instead of just ticketing speeders, it also enters people who drive the speed limit into a lottery. Randomly selected winners get paid out of a portion of the tickets paid by the scofflaws.

More »

Bernanke Says Economy Needs Another Stimulus

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says it will take four or five years before the unemployment rate improves.

Consumer Reports: AT&T The 'Worst' Wireless Carrier

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

In a recent survey by Consumer Reports, AT&T came in dead last among wireless carriers in eight of nine categories. U.S. Cellular took the top spot

Major Foreclosure Contractor Underplayed The Extent Of Document Flaws

A report by Reuters sheds light into the convoluted system set up by Lender Processing Services, a mortgage and foreclosure contractor that processes about half of all U.S. mortgage loans.

 

GO HERE to read more. 

Opportunities To Support Our Students And Schools

Saturday, Dec. 11
Fund-raiser for Mardela Middle and High 8th-Grade Class
Sonic, Fruitland

The 8th-Grade Class of Mardela Middle and High School will host a fund-raiser at Sonic in Fruitland from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Ten percent of total net sales during that time will benefit the 8th-Grade Class. Come for food and fun, including a moon bounce and mascots. 410-677-5142.

Sunday, Dec. 12
Bookfair to Benefit STEM Academies
Barnes & Noble, Salisbury

The Wicomico County STEM Academies will be hosting a Barnes & Noble Bookfair with displays and projects on Sunday, Dec. 12 , 1-5 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Salisbury. Any purchases made in the store that day that reference the STEM Bookfair # 10319630 will have a percentage of the sales go to support STEM activities at Bennett Middle School and Salisbury Middle School. Starbucks Cafe purchases also apply. You can visit the B&N site to find out more about the various STEM activities scheduled to occur from 1-4 p.m. A Nook, compliments of Mt. Hermon Discount HealthMart Pharmacy and Pittsville Pharmacy, will be raffled off that day. You do not need to be present to win and the winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $1 each and will be available at the Bookfair as well as at various events and activities prior to the Bookfair, or from Gretchen Boggs (SMS), Teresa McCain (BMS), and various committee members.

Saturday, Dec. 18
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast Benefitting the Wicomico High School Boys & Girls Lacrosse Teams

Support the Boys & Girls Lacrosse Teams at Wicomico High School at an all-you-can-eat Applebee’s Pancake Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8 -10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $6 per person for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and beverage (coffee, orange juice, soda and tea). The breakfast will be served at the North Salisbury Applebee’s by members of the 2010 WiHi Boys & Girls Lacrosse Teams. For tickets please contact Coach Todd Cushman at 410-677-5149 or tcushman@wcboe.org.

Yearbooks Available
James M. Bennett High School

James M. Bennett High School has yearbooks available for sale from the past 20 years. Editions are available for 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996-2004, and 2006-2010. Prices range from $5 for older yearbooks to $40 for the 2010 edition. Please contact Debbie Sebach at 410-677-5141 or dsebach@wcboe.org for information.

Poinsettias Available
A+ Garden Centre at Parkside High School

New varieties of poinsettias are longer-lasting and can be enjoyed throughout the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. The A+ Garden Centre at Parkside High School has poinsettias in red, plus some white, pink and marble. Sizes available: 6.5" -- 1 plant pinched per pot for $5; 8" -- 2 plants pinched per pot for $10; 10" -- 3 plants pinched per pot for $15, 2 red & 1 white per pot. 410-341-8746 [internal calls to x2580].

Available Now
Panera Bread and Bagel Coupons
Benefitting the Wicomico County STEM Program

Strips of Panera coupons are now on sale for $10, with half the cost of each coupon strip going to support the activities of the STEM Program in Wicomico County Public Schools. The coupon strips are either for all bagels, or for a mix of bagels, bread and other baked goods. These coupons strips are a great deal and would be a terrific gift for people on your holiday list. Buy your Panera coupons at a STEM event, or contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or 410-677-5149, X4634.

Basket Raffle
Mardela High School Class of 2016

The Mardela High School Class of 2016 is selling tickets for its 2nd annual Basket Raffle. The “basket” contains gift certificates and gift cards from many local restaurants and businesses for goods and services, a Longaberger basket, a hunting trip, original watercolor by a local artist, home décor products, bath and beauty supplies, and much much more. The entire contents are included in the basket raffle and are valued at more than $4,000. Tickets are only $5 each. The drawing will take place on Dec. 17. For information please call 443-736-7948, or check with the school at 410-677-5142.

Commemorative JMB T-Shirts

The Junior Class of James M. Bennett High School is selling T-shirts commemorating the new Bennett. The shirts are $15 for sizes small-XL and $17 for sizes XXLarge and XXXLarge. Please email Erin Davis (esdavis@wcboe.org) or Kathy Elliott (kelliott@wcboe.org) if you are interested. Checks payable to JMB can be mailed to the school at 300 E. College Ave., Salisbury MD 21801, or dropped off at the school. Call 410-677-5141 for information.

Highlighted Events This Week In Wicomico Schools

Dec. 6-10
One Man Band Curtis Blues and The History of Acoustic Delta Blues: The Roots of Rock and Hip Hop
Wicomico elementary and middle schools

Blues preservationist and one man band Curtis Blues is a talented musician and educator whose performances keep the tradition of acoustic Delta blues alive, and demonstrate for students the roots of modern rock and hip hop music. Curtis has been playing Delta blues since he was 14 years old, when he was exposed to some of the last living Delta blues masters at folk festivals. Curtis has recorded two critically acclaimed CDs and performs at blues festivals and schools in an effort to pass this precious music down to the next generation. This show demonstrates the origins of modern popular rock, country, and hip hop music from the Mississippi Delta in the 1920's to 1940's. Tracing rhythms from work songs, Curtis invites students to help demonstrate infectious blues rhythms. Curtis Blues plays a one-string Diddley Bow, a handmade box guitar, and an African gourd banjo, as well as 1928 style metal resonator guitars and wood guitars along with his harmonica, foot drum, and cymbals. By taking his instruments into the audience for a closer look, this presentation makes African American and musical history come alive for students.

Tuesday, Dec. 7
Interact Story Theatre Performance
Willards Elementary School

Willards Elementary School will welcome Interact Story Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 7, for a day that will begin with an 8:45 a.m. performance of “Two-Tone Tale.” Following the performance they will do a performance "talk-back" where students will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about what happens behind the scenes. Throughout the day on Dec. 7, students will participate in either an "Extension Workshop" or a "Story Can Theatre Workshop," depending on the grade level. These performance and workshops are part of Willards Elementary’s Artist-in-Residence grant awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council. 410-677-5819.

Friday, Dec. 10
Mid-term Progress Reports Sent Home

Friday, Dec. 10
Heroes Night
Fruitland Schools

The Fruitland Schools PTA will host a Heroes Night for students and families on Friday, Dec. 10, to honor and remember the heroes of 9/11 and to meet the heroes who serve in the community every day. Heroes Night will begin in the cafeteria from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and continue in the gym from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guests will include Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, longtime State’s Attorney Davis Ruark, Fruitland Police Chief Mike Phillips, Ernest Leatherbury of the Maryland State Police, the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department, and a man who reported to the Pentagon to help on the day after 9/11. Other guests for the program who have a connection to 9/11 or are in public service are being sought. There will be a roll of paper on hand for all Fruitland students to sign; the paper roll will be mailed to the active duty troops. If you would like to participate in the Fruitland School PTA Heroes Night on Dec. 10, please contact coordinator Sheila Nichols at 410-334-6450, 443-735-2058, or nichols1011@verizon.net.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
LEGO Competitions and Workshops, FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Tournament
Salisbury Middle School

Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. will be a time for LEGOS and robotics at Salisbury Middle School. With their own LEGO blocks and building on site, children ages 4-6 can build a house for their favorite cartoon character, while students ages 7-9 and 10-12 can transform their LEGO blocks into a future hospital for Salisbury. No charge to participate but advance registration is required. Wicomico County 4-H will sponsor WeDo workshops on robotics for children ages 5-11; there will be two sessions on introduction to simple robotics, one from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and the second from 11 a.m.-noon. The Eastern Shore Regional FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Tournament will also be held at Salisbury Middle School that day, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. FIRST LEGO League Robotics is a fun program for ages 9-14. FLL Robotics introduces students to the engineering design cycle, and software design principles in a fun, and exciting way. Spectators are welcomes. The FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Tournament is for registered teams only. To register for any of these events or for more information, please contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or 410-677-5149, X4634.

Red Kettle Volunteer Charts

Thank you, for your continued support of the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.
To volunteer call 410-749-RING (7464)

Click on images above to enlarge.

BREAKING NEWS:

Elizabeth Edwards dies of cancer at 61, NBC reports.

POLLITT SWORN IN FOR SECOND TERM

Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., took the oath of office for the second time as Wicomico County Executive at noon today. In 2006, Mr. Pollitt was elected as Wicomico County’s first executive joining six other county executives in Maryland.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Pollitt said, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as our county’s first executive and the re-affirmation of the public’s confidence in me on Election Day has only enhanced my desire to continue to serve for another four years. These are challenging times for Wicomico County and I pledge to work on a bipartisan basis to keep our county strong. The time has come to grasp the reins of government with vigor and solid purpose to bring our community to its fullest potential. The hand-wringing and moaning and groaning about how bad things are must come to an end. We must, as one community, declare our independence from despair and commit ourselves to the obligations of citizenship that call us together to keep our county strong.” 

Tuesday Night Special At Boonies

Get a large cheese pizza every Tuesday night from 5:30 to 10:00 PM for only $5.99!

Broadcast Problems

It must be a year now since the networks changed to digital broadcasting and quite frankly WBOC, channel 16 sucks.

Look, this isn't a bashing post. While it may come off as one, the truth is the truth. ANYONE with cable and or even a converter box knows that WBOC cuts off 30, 40, 50 times per 1/2 hour show. You miss at least 1/10th of their broadcast.

Now I thought maybe it was because I was out in the middle of nowhere with a converter box and perhaps that was the problem. NOPE! I was at a Bar/Restaurant watching cable, (I asked the owner) and all of a sudden the broadcast was breaking up just as it does at my home. So I asked, isn't this annoying, does this always happen? YES!!!!!

I then spent some time at my mother in laws and low and behold, she too had the same exact problem. So, do tell me Folks, just how long are you going to continue to watch a television station that keeps breaking up, you miss 1/2 of what they're telling you, yet many are so glued to the robotic brainwashing you just continue to watch and throw remotes at the TV because it's not working?

At least it's now being discussed. It's been a year, (or so) and quite frankly my Wife and I have had enough. No more WBOC or channel 16 in this house. They don't have enough RESPECT to me as a viewer to FIX their ongoing problem, I'm not a robot. Are You?

Tax Plan Offers Short-Term Relief, At A Price

Lower rates will benefit all taxpayers, but swell longer-term deficits

Think of it as a stimulus plan with a large price tag.

The tax deal between the White House and Congressional Republicans, if approved, will put a little extra money in your pocket for the next two years. But you're going to pay for it eventually.

Without sizeable cuts in federal spending, Americans can expect higher taxes to cover the $500 billion cost of the package down the road.

The hope is that the plan will help boost spending, increase demand and get companies back in a hiring mood. But the deal doesn’t include spending cuts to offset the expiration of lower tax rates. That means the government will have to borrow to pay for the plan.

Congress and the White House are still hammering out the details. But without a deal, temporary tax cuts enacted in the early 2000s will expire this month, sending rates higher across the board and threatening to dampen an already feeble economic recovery.

The size of the package won’t be known until the details are finalized. Initial estimates put the cost at around $500 billion over two years. Here’s where all that money will flow:

GO HERE to read more.

A Message From Governor O'Malley

Dear State Employee,

Over the last several years, we have reduced State spending by $5.6 billion and will have eliminated more than 4,200 State government positions.  State employees have played crucial roles in identifying reductions and promoting efficiencies while sharing the burden through furloughs and temporary salary reductions.  I truly appreciate your dedication, patience, sacrifice, and ingenuity as we have moved through this difficult process.

Despite these past efforts, as we look toward the future we must do what so many Maryland families are doing and find new ways to live within our means.  In the case of State government, this means identifying additional opportunities for streamlining operations and reducing the size of the workforce.

As part of this effort, I have authorized a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) for State employees, to be implemented immediately.  Under this Program, I hope to continue to decrease the size of our workforce by allowing employees to voluntarily elect to leave State government.  Application to the program is open to eligible employees within the Executive Branch of State government who voluntarily elect to separate from employment no later than January 31, 2011.  Eligible employees who apply and are selected to participate will receive a lump sum severance payment of $15,000 and an additional service bonus of $200 per year for each year of service.  Additionally, participants will receive three months of fully subsidized health benefits and payment for leave accrual in accordance with applicable law.

There is no doubt that many of you will have questions concerning this program.  I encourage you to fully explore the informational materials available to you on the Department of Budget and Management's website.  Please visit that website at http://dbm.maryland.gov and click the link to the Voluntary Separation Program.  There you will find information on eligibility, the application process, due dates, and other program details.  Additionally, you may call toll free at 855-500-4661 or 410-767-6831, to reach a State representative who will assist you in obtaining information that you may wish to consider as you make your decision about whether to apply to participate in the program.

Thank you again for all your work on behalf of Maryland's families.

Martin O’Malley

Governor 

A Letter To The Editor

Joe,

I see you put Ireton's plea for support from the citizens for his safe street legislation package. His unofficial PIO, Chuck Cook is working overtime on this. The sad thing about this plea is he wants to pack the house to support his legislation yet no where in that plea is it mentioned that the Old Firehouse and Linens of the Week is also on the agenda.

Ireton doesn't want anyone to speak out against his giveaway of the Old Firehouse, to Palmer Gillis. People should be up in arms over this tragedy, Instead he is crying over a poorly written, in some parts, piece of legislation that the council won't even look at, let alone consider it enough to take it to work session. Ireton fully agrees with giving the Firehouse away for $100,000 to his new buddy, Palmer Gillis. This building is costing the city nothing just sitting there until a fair bid comes along. There is nothing that says the city has to accept that bid or any bid they don't want to. They have never stuck to the low bidder rule in the past on various contracts so why stick to this bid? It doesn't make sense. Ireton is not much different than his predecessor, Barrie Parsons Tilghman. In fact, he is becoming more and more like her everyday. Ireton promised to revitalize down town. Is this his plan for reviatalization? Give away a $700,000 building to someone that intends to bring a state subsidized entity in to compete with locally owned businesses? If he thinks downtown is dead now, he'll have a ghost town down there without Market St Inn, Flavors of Italy, Escape, Brew River or any of the other TAX PAYING businesses in the area. Now that I've mentioned Brew River, I'm surprised Frank Hanna is keeping quiet, he certainly had enough to say when Bob Culver considered buying a piece of property on the North Prong.

The Linens of the Week deal is going to break the bank. Once the city spends hundreds of thousands of dollars to demolish the building then gives it away to uncommitted non profit groups, another piece of commercial property will be removed from the tax rolls and we will have paid for the demolition and remediation of contamination. Where does the wanton spending end? Who will make up for the loss of these tax dollars? WE, the taxpayers, that's who. The church and Habitat for Humanity have not committed to rebuilding this piece of property. Does the church or Habitat have the funds to rebuild? Do they even have a plan for how to best utilize the property? No, I don't think they do. What we will have is another promise to rebuild and create Nirvana. What we'll get is another vacant lot. Does the Old Mall ring any bells? That too, was supposed to be Nirvana, or close to it.

Instead of spending $100,000's to raze a building why don't they use the money to fight crime? Hire a few police officers, purchase a few police cars or something tangible. Didn't Ireton promise to reduce crime, fund police? That promise is not fulfilled in his legislation that is keeping his drawers in a knot.

Wilmington Man Arrested For Inappropriate Conduct With Teen

Location:  Martial Arts Training Center, 3100 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE

 

Date of Occurrence:   Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

 

Victim:  14 year old Boothwyn, PA youth

 

Defendant:   Thomas G. St. Joseph, 43, Wilmington, DE

 

Charges:

 

-Unlawful Imprisonment 2^nd degree

-Offensive Touching

 

Bail Information:

 

-Arraigned at JP Court 2. Released on $2000.00 unsecured bail.

 

Resume:  

 

Wilmington- A 43 year old Wilmington martial arts instructor has been arrested after being accused of inappropriate conduct with a juvenile female student.

 

On November 18^th, 2010 troopers were called to respond to the residence of a 14 year old Boothwyn, PA youth. Troopers learned that on November 10, 2010 at approximately 10:00 p.m. the victim, who is a student at the Martial Arts Training Center in Wilmington, DE, was finishing her training for the evening at the center when her instructor and owner, Thomas G. St. Joseph, 43, cornered her in a rear office area. St. Joseph then made contact with the victim that caused her alarm. The victim then pushed St. Joseph away from her and demanded that he take her home. St. Joseph then drove the victim to her residence where she then reported the incident to her parents. The incident, however, was not reported to the Delaware State Police until November 18, 2010.

 

On November 29^th Thomas St. Joseph turned himself in at state police Troop 1 in Wilmington. He was arrested for one count each of Unlawful Imprisonment 2^nd degree and Offensive Touching. He was then arraigned at JP Court 2 and released on $2000.00 unsecured bail.