My Niece Reports In From Her New Years Experience In Afghanistan

My New Year started at 0600 when a CPL woke me up by shining a flashlight in my eyeballs and saying, “Ma’am…wake up…we have a patient in the STP (shock trauma platoon).  They’re asking for you.”  I jumped out of bed, threw on my boots and a fleece jacket and jogged the three steps into the STP.  All they really needed from me was access to the narcotics, but I stayed awake and helped take care of the Marine who just needed some pain meds, some fluids and a little TLC. 

 

At 0900 the wardroom made a big New Years Brunch for our enlisted staff.  The pancakes were a hit.  After all the corpsmen had had their fill, I put two steaming pancakes on my plate, drizzled REAL Vermont maple syrup over them (not as good as NH maple, but better than log cabin) and was about to take my first bite when one of the guys from DUSTOFF (the Army medevac crew next door) popped in the STP and said they had a mission and did I want to come.  I promptly dropped my fork, grabbed my flak, Kevlar and flight bag and sprinted for the bird.  We flew over and picked up the Marine (who was relatively stable, luckily) and flew him to the hospital at Bastion.  The doc in the ED was surprised to be receiving report from me, as I had been working in the ED with him just a week ago.  He said, “Is this our little Kim? You look combat-ready with a weapon and everything.”  I gave a quick report and headed back to the bird.   

 

No one shot at us or anything crazy like that and the pilots are good at what they do so it was a smooth ride.  My flight gear is staged and I’m semper paratus for another one.  What an exciting start to the New Year! 

 

Hope everyone is getting their rest after a fun New Year’s Eve.  I’m off to debrief with DUSTOFF and get a workout in before shower time.

 

The Camp Bastion field hospital in Afghanistan HERE.

Armed Robbery Arrest

DATE/TIME: December 31, 2010

LOCATION: Snowhill, Worcester County, MD.

SUSPECT: Kenneth Lee Wharton, 3rd.  Male age 18, Algonquin Trail, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland.

Victim: Kendrick Hall, male (from) Pocomoke, MD.

CHARGES: First degree assault, Second degree assault, Reckless endangerment, Armed robbery, Theft less than $500.00 and Theft less than $100.


Narrative:
On 12/31/10 at approximately 1200 hours, Worcester County Bureau of Investigations received information that a victim identified as Kendrick Hall was transported by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for numerous injuries regarding an assault/robbery.
Investigator’s responded to PRMC and made contact with the victim.  
The victim identified the suspect as Kenneth Lee Wharton, 3rd  from Snowhill, Maryland, stating the two were acquaintances. 

During the early morning hours of December  31, 2010 the victim and the suspect met along a roadside road, just off of Rt 113 (located) in  Snowhill, Worcester Co. Md.
The victim states, upon the two of them stopping their vehicles and exiting, the suspect immediately approached the victim, with a baseball bat in his hand.  The suspect demanded the victim’s cellular telephone and currency.
The victim, states he gave the suspect $10 in US Currency and his cell phone (Motorola Driod “X” smart phone). 

After the suspect received the items from the victim, the suspect then started to hit the victim with the baseball bat multiple times, about the head and body area. The victim fell to the ground and the suspect then re-entered his vehicle and left the area.
The victim, was bleeding profusely, but  was able to re-enter his vehicle and drove himself to his residence, where he seek emergency assistance and was transported by ambulance to PRMC. 

The suspect was located at his residence and was arrested without incident.

The victim is listed in stable condition at PRMC and is believed he will make a full recovery.
The suspect is currently being held at the Worcester County Detention Center, on $25,000.00 bond.

Five Injured In Delmar Crash

Location: Northbound US Rt. 13 (Sussex Highway) at Dorothy Road (CR 64), Delmar, DE

 

Date of Occurrence: Friday, December 31, 2010 at 10:45 p.m.

 

Operators/Vehicles:

 

-Operator #1: Christopher Moorefield, 24, Delmar, DE

-Vehicle #1: 2011 Ford F-150

 

-Operator #2: Amber M. Bennett, 16, Delmar, DE

-Vehicle #2: 2006 Pontiac G6

 

Resume:   

 

Delmar- The Delaware State Police investigated a two vehicle crash in which five people were injured late Friday night.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. last night as Amber M. Bennett, 16, of Delmar, DE was operating a 2006 Pontiac G6 and was traveling in an eastbound direction on CR 64 attempting to cross US Rt. 13. After crossing into the median, Bennett failed to stop at a stop sign and entered into the northbound lanes of Rt. 13 where her vehicle was struck by a 2011 Ford F-150 pick up truck that was being operated by Christopher Moorefield, 24, of Delmar, DE. After the collision, Moorefield’s truck traveled off of the roadway and overturned. Bennett’s vehicle continued traveling in a northeast direction into a ditch where it came to rest.

 

Christopher Moorefield, Amber Bennett, and two passengers in Bennett’s vehicle were all transported from the scene by EMS to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where they were treated for various non life threatening injuries. A third passenger in Bennett’s vehicle, a 16 year old Delmar female, was flown by helicopter to the Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE where she was treated for head injuries. Her condition is unknown at this time.

 

Amber Bennett was arrested and charged with Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, and No Proof of Insurance. She was issued a summons and released. The roadway was closed for approximately one hour as the crash was investigated and cleared.

Salvation Army Sees 60 Percent Drop In Red Kettle Giving

WASHINGTON - Did a decision to try to help many charities end up hurting one?
 
The Salvation Army of the National Capital Area was given less time to station bell ringers in front of Giant Food stores this year, and Salvation Army National Capital Area Command spokesman Ken Forsythe says bell ringers collecting donations for the Red Kettle Campaign raised $270,000 this year compared to $667,000 last year.
 
The dramatic decrease represents a 59.5 percent drop.
 
"It certainly is not out of the question that there is a program that we might have to look at cutting back or eliminating," Forsythe says.
 
Giant Food spokesman James Miller says the grocery chain made a decision this year to open the door to more nonprofits.
 
Instead of having the Salvation Army out in front of stores throughout the season, the chain invited other charities as well, and Miller says the stores only allow one group to solicit at any given time.
 
Forsythe says the Salvation Army is grateful to all the stores that allow them to station bell ringers in front of their businesses -- Giant, Safeway, Wal-Mart and JC Penney. Miller says Giant hopes to meet with the Salvation Army's local arm to discuss plans for next year.
 
Meanwhile, the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command came up about $408,000 short of its $1.6 million goal. Forsythe says donors can still get a tax deduction for 2010 if they give by midnight tonight.

Source

It goes to show you just how special the Eastern Shore is. While the rest of the nation saw a massive reduction, we had yet another  record year.

Bomb Hits Egypt Church At New Year's Mass, 21 Dead

A powerful bomb, possibly from a suicide attacker, exploded in front of a Coptic Christian church as a crowd of worshippers emerged from a New Years Mass early Saturday, killing at least 21 people and wounding nearly 80 in an attack that raised suspicions of an al-Qaida role.
GO HERE to read more.

USA Using Patriot Act Against Its Own Citizens

Joe....check this out. It would seem that the biggest threat to our own nations soverieghnty is our own government. How would you all react if the government came into your house and took your 16 year old son.....and wouldn't let you see him?

Worth Viewing

Nintendo Issues 3D Games Warning

Nintendo said 3D games on its highly anticipated new handheld console could harm the eyesight of children aged six or younger, warning of possible ill effects from a technology on which many companies are betting big.
Nintendo said some specialists believe that "there is a possibility that 3D images which send different images to the left and right eye could affect the development of vision in small children".

The undated statement appeared on a section of the company's Japanese website devoted to its upcoming 3DS handheld.

Nintendo joins peers like Sony and Toshiba in warning consumers about ill effects from watching video or playing games in three dimensions.

Sony recommends that a doctor should be consulted before kids are allowed use the 3D functionality on its PlayStation game console, while Toshiba says children should be closely monitored while watching its new 3D TVs that do not require glasses.

All the companies say that the technology can also cause adult viewers to tire and feel sick.

Most 3D devices on the market today rely on technology that rapidly flashes separate images to each eye, which creates a sense of depth.

Electronics and entertainment companies around the world are banking on 3D to fuel a new boom in TV, movies and games.

Nintendo's new 3DS, the latest in its wildly successful DS line of handheld consoles, will go on sale in February in Japan, then March in Europe and the US.

It looks much like the DS machines now on sale, with two screens that fold open. The top screen shows images in 3D without glasses, but can also be switched into standard mode.

Source

Early Targets For 2011 - Annapolis Delegation Members

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!  

  

AS WE BEGIN THE NEW 2011 SESSION  IN ANNAPOLIS LET'S REMEMBER TO TARGET EARLY AND OFTEN THE FOLLOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAVE COME OUT IN FAVOR OF IN-STATE TUITION FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS:

  

SENATOR-ELECT VICTOR RAMIREZ (D- PRINCE GEORGE'S & EL SALVADOR)

  

SENATOR RICHARD MADALENO (D- MONTGOMERY COUNTY)

  

SENATOR-ELECT ROGER MANNO -(D- MONTGOMERY COUNTY)

DELEGATE TOM HUCKER - (D - MONTGOMERY COUNTY)

MORE DETAILED CONTACT INFO WILL BE PROVIDED NEXT WEEK.

NO DOUBT THIS LIST WILL GET LONGER!

"Md. lawmakers battle over tuition benefits for illegals"

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/education/2010/12/maryland-lawmakers-fight-over-state-college-tuition-illegal-immigrants 
 "Md. to weigh own 'DREAM' tuition act"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/29/AR2010122904134.html 

baltimoresun.com

Tuition proposal encourages lawbreaking

1:55 PM EST, December 30, 2010

I continue to be amazed at some lawmakers' efforts to introduce and support legislation that appears to undermine and make a mockery of existing immigration law. Case in point, the proposed "in-state tuition for illegal immigrants." Is it logical to propose or support legislation that would knowingly grant a person the right to attend a university or college at a discount for living in a state in which they are not legally allowed to be? The proposal appears to simplistically ignore existing immigration law as if it didn't exist, and even worse encourages violation of the law. Instead of properly dealing directly with any perceived need to revise existing immigration law, such legislation brazenly attempts to legalize and legitimize looking the other way. That sets a bad precedent and a poor example.

While perhaps well intended, because it would benefit innocent children, the proposal if adopted would inadvertently promote illegal immigration by declaring that if one comes to this country illegally and is clever enough, devious enough, or lucky enough to avoid deportation and "successfully" break immigration law for a prescribed amount of time, the government would then not only overlook the ongoing violation of the law, but reward it as well.

Ironically, as a consequence, those that desire to be in this country just as much, but are attempting to obtain citizenship through proper channels - the obedient, law-abiding candidates that respect our rules (the preferable additions to our country) - they are unfairly placed at a disadvantage for being honest.

Regardless of one's position on the issue of immigration, if reform is the goal, the wrong approach is being taken, and the wrong message is being sent.

Scott Richardson, Westminster

OCEAN CITY & OCEAN PINES POLICE INVESTIGATE ARMED ROBBERIES OF TAXI CABS

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in apprehending suspects of two recent robberies that occurred in Ocean City and Ocean Pines. On December 30, 2010, at approximately 1:15 a.m., the Ocean City Police responded to the area of 5th Street and Edgewater Avenue in reference to an armed robbery. Officers
interviewed the victim of the robbery, who was an on-duty taxi-cab driver.

The victim told officers he received a call from a restricted phone number requesting a cab ride from Ocean Pines to Ocean City. The cab driver picked up two males at approximately 12:50 a.m. on Marview Drive and brought them to Ocean City. Once at 5th Street, the two males assaulted the taxi cab driver, taking money and other items.

The victim described the suspects as follows: The first suspect is a white male, approximately 22-26 years of age, 6 foot tall and wearing a hooded sweatshirt and knit hat. The second suspect is a white male, approximately 22-26 years of age, approximately 5’-7” to 5’-9”, wearing a sweatshirt and knit hat.

A second similar incident took place on December 30, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. A taxi-cab driver responded to Brandywine Drive in Ocean Pines. Two males entered the cab, demanded money, and assaulted the driver with a weapon.

The victim described the suspects as follows: The first suspect is described as a bi-racial male, possibly “Hawaiian,” believed to be in his 20s, wearing blue jeans. The second suspect, a white male, is believed to be in his 20s, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and carrying an edged weapon.

The Ocean City Police Department and the Ocean Pines Police Department are conducting a joint investigation of the armed robberies. Taxi-cab and pizza delivery businesses should be aware of these incidents and use crime preventive measures during their course of business. Those needing assistance in acquiring crime preventive measures are encourage to contact the Ocean City Police Department’s Office of Community Service at 410-723-6610.

Ocean City and Ocean Pines Police ask anyone with knowledge about the incident or the suspects to contact the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410-723-6600.

Detectives Probe Shooting In Laurel

Location:  Da’ Spot, US Rt. 13 and Trussum Pond Road, Laurel, DE

 

Date of Occurrence: Friday, December 31, 2010 at 11:28 p.m.

 

Victim: 

 

-62 year old Hurlock, MD man

 

Resume:  

 

Laurel- Delaware State Police detectives are currently investigating a shooting that took place at a night club in Laurel late last night.

 

The incident occurred at the Da’ Spot, which is an under 21 dance club, located in the 11000 block of Trussum Pond Road in Laurel, DE. Troopers were called to the club for the reports of a shooting and arrived to learn that there had been a large fight between two groups of people in the parking lot of the club. During the fight, an unknown suspect produced an unknown type of weapon and began shooting. One of the shots that were fired struck a 62 year old male in the head. EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD where he was admitted in critical condition.

 

The investigation into this incident is continuing. There has been no arrest made at this time.

 

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact detectives at Troop 5 at 302-337-1090 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com

 

HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER

Ashtrays

Another iconic item that has gone by the wayside is the advertising ashtray. I have always collected the square ones with a 4-digit phone number from Salisbury. But like any collector, I have relaxed my standards. Since I couldn’t find enough to fill my collector craving, I started collecting any ashtray from Salisbury. There are ashtrays from hotels, motels, restaurants, drive-ins, clubs/bars, energy/transportation companies, banks, insurance companies, miscellaneous businesses, events and one generic one with a sailboat on it. They tell a story of life in Salisbury that evaporated years ago. Now that it is not fashionable (or healthy) to smoke anymore, the advertising ashtray has disappeared.

         

I collected match books when I was in high school, but the quantity I amassed caused my mother to end my hobby. She said she was afraid that the whole mess could go up in flames and destroy our home. I didn’t know how to collect match books and if I had just taken the matches out, she probably wouldn’t have had a problem with them. I regret that I don’t have them now, because I’m sure a lot of Salisbury history went into the trash.

         

Some of the ashtrays I have found tell me things that I never knew. I have found four different ashtrays from Andrew J. Evans. He lived behind me on Holland Avenue and sold “America’s finest lamps”. I played basketball with his son, Jackie, every day in my back yard and never knew his father sold lamps.

         

There were two ways that the ashtrays found their way into the hands of the public. The first was that they were given away as advertising items. The second was that it was filched from the place of issue. They represent a history of Salisbury by advertising such places as Victor Lynn Lines, a familiar sight on the south side of the harbor from 1921 to the discontinuance of its boat service in 1954.

         

My personal favorite is the one from R. D. Grier & Sons with the tire encircling it. Usually, this type is found with a myriad of burn marks on the tire left by a lingering cigarette. I found this one about a year ago, so there is always something out there.

         

The ashtrays from the old Wicomico Hotel and the William Penn Hotel tell of a bustling downtown in years gone by. Other downtown businesses represented are the Chantry House, the Farmers & Merchants Bank, the County Trust Company of Maryland, Harris J. Riggin Agency, Booth & Brown Insurance and Avery Hall Insurance.

         

Out Main St. was the Union Bus Terminal next to Mrs. Blaine Drive-in. Many of the businesses are familiar names even to late comers to the Salisbury area. Names such as E. S. Adkins, Johnny’s and Sammy’s, the Oaks Drive-in, Buck’s Radiator Service, Eastern Shore Glass Co. and Benedict the Florist jump out at you as familiar Salisbury establishments. Some places have earned their notoriety by their contribution to Salisbury’s night life. The Pines and the Blue Moon are two of the night spots represented by ashtrays in my collection. These and memories are all that is left of these places.

New Years Day Service Special

 We are offering a ONE DAY only Service Special to our valued clients for New Years Day. On top  of our already low priced service offers you can earn as much as $50.00 in Gift Certificates if you have your service performed at Pohanka of Salisbury on New Years Day.

              WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS!

Contact any Pohanka of Salisbury Service Department today by calling (877) 476-4265 or schedule your service online at www.Pohankaofsalisbury.com.

This offer is valid for one day only, so don't delay.

We hope that this message finds you well and that you have a safe and happy New Year.

Respectfully,

Wayne Bowen

Service Director
(410) 548-4704
Wbowen@pohankaofsalisbury.com

Offer not valid on tires and cannot be combines with any other coupon or offer. See Service Advisor for details.

Happy New Year

Starting Out 2011 With A Clean Slate

Because we didn't want the Downtown area to look like a slum, Sparkle Wash was able to come in today and clean off the graffiti on my building to assure everyone we will not stand for such childish behavior.

As I stated in comments, its a building and material items can be replaced or fixed. I have spoken with a Realtor and I will put this building up for sale. It's just not worth risking a historic building to some low life jackasses who feel defacing such a structure hurts me personally. They couldn't be more wrong. They're hurting an entire community and no public official or Police Agency is going to stand for it.

So we clean the slate for 2010 and enter 2011 as if nothing ever happened. If you're interested in the building, (before I sign any contracts) you can call me at 410-430-5349 or e-mail me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and we can discuss it. 

In closing I'd like to thank Sparkle Wash for their fine work and speedy repairs.

HELP WANTED

Help Needed! Cathy’s Pet Salon, Spa & Doggie Daycare is looking for a Doggie Daycare Nanny. Duties include: responsibility for entertaining and disciplining large and small dogs, group playing outside and inside, computer skills a must, meeting and greeting pet owners, bathing dogs, and cleaning. 30 hours per week to start. Send information with references and phone numbers to: CathysPetSalon@yahoo.com or fax to: 410-546-0033.

Today's Survey Question

What's Your New Years Resolution?

2011

There were probably many, many times this year when

I may have.....
Disturbed You,
Troubled You,
Pestered You,
Irritated You,
Bugged You,
or got on your Nerves!! 

So today, I just wanted to tell you....

Suck it up Cupcake!!
          Cause there                
AIN'T NO CHANGES
Planned for 2011!!

I'm Looking For True Animal Lovers

The day after Christmas we had gone out early in the morning to do some shopping. As you'll recall, it snowed quite heavily that day and when we returned home we saw footprints in the snow running down our driveway. We knew our animals were inside and wondered where all these footprints had come from.

The next morning I got up early and saw two black puppy labs on my front porch. When I went outside to coax they towards me they simply took off and ran down the driveway, across the street and into the woods. While out plowing sidewalks and driveways my Wife called me and said, there's some black lab puppies running around the font yard. I explained how I had seen them earlier and asked if she could coax them towards her. She replied no.

Yesterday morning I went outside and heads a noise under my Motor Coach. I had made sure I left our barn door open just in case the puppies returned, they'd have a warmer place to stay. Turns out when they saw me they ran right into the barn. My neighbor was kind enough to supply us way some straw and they slept really well last night after some fresh water, cooked chicken breasts and dog food.

However, they're scared to death and clearly aren't used to being around people. We'll fix that, no problem. However, I'm looking for a Family or two who can adopt these little guys. Someone purposely dropped them off at our property in the snow and they need some lovin.

Since we have all of our animals indoors right now, adding two more just won't cut it. I know I can depend on our readers to come through. My Wife says they're a shepard/lab mix. They look like labs to me but she knows better than I. If you're interested contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.

Hail To The President

John Robinson had big aspirations when he graduated high school.  The yearbook says his plans were "to open up a chain of clock repair stores across the US and in the year 2008 run for President of the United States."     (direct quote)!!!!!!!!!