Tom Horton to Be Featured Speaker in Delmarva Authors Program

Well known author and environmental advocate Tom Horton will be speaking at the “Authors on Delmarva” series offered by Westside Historical Society on Friday, May 26. Horton, a Delmarva native, has been exploring, discovering, and writing about this very special place in which we live for more than thirty years. His eloquent arguments always are founded in sound science, but with the soul of a Chesapeake waterman he couches them in beautiful pictures and a sense of romance. Several of his works produced in partnership with photographer David Harp attest to that, especially. Readers of his works want to “save the Bay” not just because it makes sense but because he makes it seem a spiritual mission! 

The program, at Layton's Chance Winery near Vienna, MD, will begin at 5 pm with a chance to meet and greet Horton, then listen as he speaks about his latest book and other publications, with plenty of opportunity for questions and answers. The program will end with a chance to purchase a signed copy of his works, or have him sign publications guests might already have. Refreshments will be provided. These programs are free, and reservations are not required, but for further information call Westside Historical Society Director Sylvia Bradley at 410-726-8047 or email westsidehistorical@gmail.com or phone Layton’s Chance Winery at 410-228-1205.

Governor Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Protects Maryland’s Environment

Budget Ensures Maryland Remains a National Leader in Environmental Stewardship

“We have been aggressive, proactive, and innovative in our effort to safeguard Maryland’s environment. We have made a great deal of progress. But together, we can - and we must - do more.” - Governor Larry Hogan, February 1, 2017

Historic Investments To Protect Our Most Precious Natural Asset

Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Provides Historic Funding Toward Bay Restoration Efforts

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests Over $1.15 Billion In State Funds, A Record, Toward Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $51.3 Million In The Chesapeake And Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund. For the second year in a row, and for the second time in state history, the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund will be fully funded; Governor Hogan is the only governor in state history to fully fund the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

Fiscal Year 2018 Will Be The Second Time In State History In Which No Budget Actions Will Divert Funding Away From Bay Restoration Efforts To Support The General Fund. For the second year in a row, and for the second time in state history, no budget actions will divert funding away from Bay restoration efforts to support the general fund. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Governor Hogan: “Just A Few Months Ago On Its Latest Annual Report Card, The Chesapeake Bay Received Its Highest Score For Water Quality In Nearly A Quarter Century. The Amount Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Sediment In The Bay Has Dropped Dramatically Compared To Recent Years.” (Governor Hogan: 2017 State Of The State Address,” Office Of The Governor, 2/1/17)

Preserving And Protecting Green Space Throughout Maryland

Coast Guard warns of laser strikes to commercial vessels in National Capitol Region

BALTIMORE — The Coast Guard is investigating multiple laser strikes during the past month aimed at commercial vessels transiting the Chesapeake Bay and warns the public of this dangerous act.

Four incidences occurred early Wednesday morning between midnight and 3 a.m., involving the motor vessels Salome, Bulk Spain, and AM Annaba. Additionally, a pilot vessel was lased as it was on its way back to the pilot launch.

Three other incidents occurred: Monday around 2 a.m., involving the motor vessel Hoegh Osaka; Sunday at 4 a.m., and involved the cruise ship Carnival Pride and another April 7 at approximately 1 a.m., involving the motor vessel Maersk Kolkata.

During all incidents, the laser light was described as steady, powerful and somewhat painful to the eyes. The reporting source believes the laser originated in the area between Drum Point and Cove Point, and lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

Governor Larry Hogan Signs Environmental Agenda Into Law

Bills Protecting Water & Air, Establishing Energy Innovation Institute Among 207 Bills Signed

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan, along with Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker of the House Mike Busch, today signed 207 bills into law, including the Clean Cars Act of 2017 (SB 393/HB 406), the Clean Water Commerce Act of 2017 (SB 314/HB 417), and Economic Development – Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (SB 313/HB 410). These bills comprised the governor’s 2017 environmental agenda, designed to improve water and air quality, promote the use of electric vehicles, and attract and develop private clean energy innovations in Maryland. These legislative initiatives build on the Hogan administration's strong commitment to protecting and improving Maryland's environment, which has included over $3 billion for in funding for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts since taking office.

“I want to thank President Miller, Speaker Busch, and legislators from both parties for passing our environmental package, which I am proud to sign today, along with along with several other bills to protect our soil, our air, and our water,” said Governor Hogan. “All of these initiatives represent bipartisan efforts to protect our environment and grow clean energy investment and jobs, and will help Maryland continue to lead the charge when it comes to protecting our environment.”

The governor and presiding officers arrived at the signing, which took place at Susan Campbell Park in Annapolis, in an electric vehicle. The Pride of Baltimore II, a replica 1812-era schooner that promotes Maryland’s maritime history in ports throughout the world, served as the backdrop for the ceremony.

Suspect Named In Shooting Over Chicken Bones

 

Baltimore police have named a suspect in connection with a shooting after an argument over chicken bones.

Gerald Gaffney, 26, is wanted on first-degree attempted murder charges in connection with a shooting April 15 in the 1800 block of Harlem Avenue.

Investigators said a man and a woman were walking down the street, eating chicken and throwing the bones in people's yards. The 90-year-old woman told them to pick up their trash, and others nearby got involved in the argument.

The couple left, but police believe that the man came back with a gun. Police said a 90-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man were wounded in the shooting.

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Pelosi: GOP 'Maliciously Attempting to Destroy Healthcare'

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi ripped into Republicans for pushing ahead with a vote on the GOP healthcare bill.

"They have this vote tattooed on them," she said of House Republicans. "This is a scar they will carry. Republicans are maliciously again attempting to destroy healthcare and coverage for the American people. I would hope they would realize this is very bad for the country."

The Hill reported the Congressional Budget Office has not completed its analysis of the latest changes of the bill.

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Ringling Bros. to broadcast final circus live on Facebook

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The final performance from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will air live on Facebook on May 21, as the near century-old circus prepares to give its curtain call.

Known as "The greatest show of earth," Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced earlier this year that operations costs and declining ticket sales have forced the company to close.

According to the Associated Press, the final performance in Uniondale, New York will be streamed live on the company websiteand through Facebook. The show will begin at 7 p.m. on May 21.

The circus's vice president, Sam Gomez said they will present the circus in a way that is more pleasing for people watching on a phone or tablet.

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Accident In Delmar Earlier Today

The End

Pharmacist helps police by slipping GPS tracker into suspected robbers' bag

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio —Suspected robbers who allegedly tried to steal prescription pills at a pharmacy near Cincinnati were tripped up by a tracking device.

Police reports stated a GPS tracker in a bag gave officers turn-by-turn directions to the suspects as they were driving away from a Rite Aid pharmacy on Central Avenue just before 8 p.m. Saturday.

Yasar Burnett, 18, and Eric Bates, 19, both were charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping. The alleged driver, Brandon Dawson, 18, was charged with complicity to aggravated robbery.

The pharmacist told police the suspected robbers “rushed her and pounced on her, striking her in the back … screaming, 'Open the safe! Where is the safe?'"

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DHS Uncovered More Than 60 Cross-Border Tunnels along Mexican Border Used for Smuggling

The Department of Homeland Security uncovered more than 60 cross-border tunnels along the southwest border that were used to smuggle people and illicit drugs into the United States over a five-year period, according to a new government report.

The agency also detected more than 530 "ultralight aircraft" intrusions into the United States and roughly 300 drug smuggling incidents involving small fishing boats and recreational vessels along American borders from 2011 to 2016, the Government Accountability Office reported.

All 67 tunnels discovered by border patrol agents were located along the U.S.-Mexican border. Likewise, all but one of the light aircraft incursions was detected on the southwest border in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

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Breaking News: Murder charges have been filed against the Dallas-area police officer who fatally shot a black teenager last weekend

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department issued a warrant on Friday for the arrest of the officer, Roy Oliver, the authorities said. Mr. Oliver had not yet been taken into custody.

Mr. Oliver, who was a patrol officer with the Balch Springs Police Department, responded late Saturday night to reports of underage drinking at a house party in the suburb east of downtown Dallas. Mr. Oliver saw a car leaving the house and fired his rifle, fatally striking Jordan Edwards, 15.

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Gov. Hogan Signs 4 Anti-Animal Cruelty Bills Into Law

Annapolis, Md. (WJZ)– Maryland lawmakers took big action against animal abuse by signing four bills into law Thursday.

The four laws are a big victory for the Humane Society, ASPCA, and thousands of mistreated Maryland pets.

Governor Larry Hogan signed four anti-animal cruelty bills into law.

With the stroke of a pen and a wag of a tail, Hogan pumped up financial support and standards for shelters and increased oversight on breeders.

“I think that the message of the whole day is that Maryland cares about animal welfare. And we are taking a strong stance for animal welfare in the state of Maryland, and obviously the legislature, General Assembly, and Governor Hogan agrees,” said Emily Hovermale of the Humane Society of United States.

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Could Diet Aggravate Asthma?

The idea that diet could have a role to play in preventing the signs of asthma is starting to gain ground, with studies highlighting certain deficiencies in patients or warning against the consumption of certain foods. On World Asthma Day, May 2, Relaxnews spoke to Dr. Bertrand Delaisi, a pediatric pulmonologist at Clinique Marcel Sembat in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, for an overview of what's currently known on the subject.

The prevalence of asthma has increased considerably in recent decades, in parallel with changes in lifestyles and dietary habits, tending towards diets rich in carbohydrates and fat, and low in fiber.

As well as pollutants, allergens, passive smoking and air pollution, allergy specialists are increasingly interested in how diet can promote or modify the development of asthma on a physiopathological level.

Eating ham, cured sausage or smoked meats at least four times a week could aggravate the symptoms of asthma over time, concludes a study carried out by researchers at Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, published in January in the medical journal Thorax.

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Council: keep turbines out of view

Remaining steadfast in its opposition to wind farms on the resort’s coast, the Ocean City Council on Monday agreed to send another letter to the Public Service Commission and various elected officials.

This time, the letter explicitly states the council’s main gripe: the visual pollution and negative impact on tourism the two proposed wind farms from U.S. Wind and Deepwater Wind might create.

Both companies are vying for approval for one of two 80,000-acre wind energy fields, offshore from downtown and the other near the Delaware line, created by the state years ago. The U.S. Wind project would involve 148 turbines, each 480 feet tall, which could be 17 miles offshore from the Boardwalk. Deepwater proposes 15 turbines at 600 feet tall about 20 miles off the beach at 145th Street.

In the final moments of Monday night’s session, Councilman Tony DeLuca made a motion to draft the second because of new research.

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COMEY: Huma had no ‘intent’ to send classified info to Weiner

FBI Director James Comey revealed in testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that his agency was investigating Hillary Clinton’s close aide after she forwarded Hillary’s classified emails to her husband, Anthony Weiner, to print out.

In a line of questioning by Sen. John Kennedy, Comey said the FBI closed its investigation into Abedin after concluding she had no idea what she was doing was in violation of the law.

“Huma Abedin appears to have had a regular practice of forwarding emails to him for him, I think to print out for her so she could then deliver them to the Secretary of State,” Comey said.

“Is there an investigation with respect to the two of them?” Kennedy asked.

“There was, it — we completed it,” Comey said.

When asked why the FBI concluded neither of them committed a crime, Comey responded, “With respect to Ms. Abedin, we didn’t have any indication that she had a sense that what she was doing was in violation of the law.

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Berlin, Adkins Co. at crossroads

The tension between the Adkins Company building supply store and the Town of Berlin isn’t going anywhere just yet.

The evidence is a large roadblock on Harrison Avenue put up last June by Adkins, which owns part of the road, and the fact that both sides remain far apart on a dollar amount that would resolve the dispute. Adkins officials want $400,000 for its section of the road and town officials have offered $60,000, both figures apparently based on separate appraisals.

Adkins General Manager Rick Holland brought the issue to a town work session Monday night, asking if the town’s plan to close Baker Street was a jab at Adkins.

When residents of Baker Street complained of its poor condition there and asked that it be addressed with sensitivity to its historic ­­­– the only one remaining paved with oyster shells – the town responded by escalating plans to do that and to limit through traffic to minimize further damage on the roadway.

The town is expected to introduce an ordinance that would redefine the term “truck” in town code to be any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 10,000 pounds, or five tons, during a Town Council meeting on Monday, May 8.
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President Donald J. Trump delivers the Weekly Address

Sean Hannity: Jim Comey thinks we're all stupid

Most of the media ignored it, but FBI Director James Comey dropped a bombshell about Hillary Clinton and her aide Huma Abedin's potentially criminal mishandling of classified information Wednesday during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The FBI boss was trying to explain why he told the nation, just before the presidential election, that the bureau had reopened the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private server and mishandling of sensitive government information. The alt-left believes this, and not Clinton’s woeful campaign, lack of a message and endless baggage, is what cost her the election.

Comey explained how a separate probe had turned up emails from Clinton on a computer owned by Anthony Weiner, the pervert married to Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

“What they could see from the metadata was that there were thousands of Secretary Clinton's emails on that device, including what they thought might be the missing e-mails from her first three months as secretary of state,” Comey said. “We never found any emails from her first three months.

But alas, Comey said, the bureau had no reason to believe Huma Abedin had any criminal intent in mishandling sensitive emails. Once again, he ignored the fact that the statute does not require intent, but that’s another issue.

The real issue is, why was Comey only revealing this information now?

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Netflix Edits ‘Bill Nye’ Episode to Remove Segment Saying Chromosomes Determine Gender

When uploaded to Netflix, an episode of the educational children's show "Bill Nye the Science Guy" cut out a segment saying that chromosomes determine one's gender.

In the original episode, titled "Probability," a young woman told viewers, "I'm a girl. Could have just as easily been a boy, though, because the probability of becoming a girl is always 1 in 2."

"See, inside each of our cells are these things called chromosomes, and they control whether we become a boy or a girl, " the young woman continued. "See, there are only two possibilities: XX, a girl, or XY, a boy."

But in the version of the episode uploaded to Netflix, the segment has been cut entirely. While noncontroversial at the time, the 1996 segment appears to contradict Netflix's new series "Bill Nye Saves the World."

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