Saturday, January 5, 2013

Saturday Specials ~ Riverside Grill Pocomoke


SATURDAY
JANUARY 5, 2013
 
 -Shrimp & Corn Chowder w/ 1/2 deli sandwich or side salad 6.99
 -NC Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich w/ cole slaw and hush puppies 6.99
 -Ale-Batter Fried Shrimp Basket w/ fries 8.99*
 -Cajun Shrimp Caesar Salad 8.99

**Take another $1 off shrimp baskets all day!


 
$2.50 Mimosas & Bloody Marys
 
5 PM ~ $4.00 Burgers
 
8 PM ~ $3.50 Stoli drinks
 
Corona, Corona Light and Red Stripe

 

TIME MACHINE Preview ... Clogg's Garage Left Mark In Pocomoke City's History.



Its' 1921 opening was described at the time as one of the largest days ever experienced in Pocomoke City; the structure later played a significant role following Pocomoke's disastrous fire of 1922, and the location has been a Pocomoke landmark even through today.
 
Read more about it this Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 


  Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

TRAFFIC STOP IN WORCESTER CO. LEADS TO ARREST AND HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF MARIJUANA

Photo  WMDT
(BERLIN, MD) -- A recent traffic stop by a Maryland state trooper in Worcester County led to the recovery of more than 350 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of the driver who was transporting it.

The suspect is identified as Donald P. Gayle, 54, of New Brunswick, NJ. After consultation with the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office, Gayle was charged by Maryland State Police with importation of a controlled dangerous substance into the state, possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of marijuana. He was incarcerated in the Worcester County Detention Center on $650,000 bond. The investigation began shortly before 4:30 p.m. on December 30, 2012. A trooper from the Berlin Barrack was on the slow shoulder of southbound Rt. 113, north of Germantown Road, near Berlin. He was stopped in his unmarked patrol vehicle, but had his emergency red and blue lights activated, which were visible to passing traffic.

The trooper observed a Toyota Sienna van pass his patrol car and fail to move over into an available lane, which is a violation of the state’s move over law. The trooper stopped the van for the violation on southbound Rt. 113 south of Germantown Road.

During contact with the driver and only occupant of the van, later identified as Gayle, the trooper observed a number of factors that indicated criminal activity may have been underway. A Berlin Police Department officer who was nearby stopped as a backup, while the trooper called for a State Police drug dog team to respond.

A trooper and drug dog quickly responded and conducted a canine scan. The drug dog gave a positive alert for the presence of drugs.

Troopers then conducted a probable cause search of the van. They recovered five large nylon duffel bags, which each contained three large cellophane wrapped packages of suspected marijuana. The combined weight of the 15 packages of marijuana was more than 350 pounds.

Gayle was placed under arrest and taken to the Berlin Barrack for processing. Contact was made with the ICE Homeland Security Investigations task force and an agent responded to assist. Also assisting was a member of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team.

The investigation is continuing.

  Maryland State Police Press Release

Visit The Delmarva Discovery Center This Weekend

 
 

1/2 PRICE
 Delmarva Discovery Center this weekend !!
 

Here's a great deal you need to take advantage of!!!

The First Weekend of Every Month, 50% off Admission for Locals!

 (Sussex, Worcester, Somerset,  Wicomico and Accomack Counties)

Judge Declares Mistrial For Tyvon Smith Murder Trial

 By Connie Morrison

Judge Glen A. Tyler has declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Tyvon Smith, who was accused of the July, 2011 murder of Belarmino Escalante. He also faced charges of attempted murder and related firearms charges.

Day two of Mr. Smith's trial began with testimony from Devonte Davis, who is a co-defendant in the murder case. Mr. Davis testified that he, Mr. Smith, and Kevonte Bell, another defendant in the case, were hanging out together in the early morning hours of July 21, 2011. They pulled alongside a fuel pump the Royal Farms at Nelsonia, and decided to rob the Hispanic at the pump in front of them. They followed the individual in his truck to Candelero de Oro church on US-13 near Gargatha, not knowing that there were three other vehicles also going from Royal Farms to the same location. The co-defendants pulled up to the first vehicle to commit the robbery, but others began to arrive, frustrating their plans. Mr. Escalante had left his vehicle and was approaching on foot. They decided to leave, and as they did, Mr. Davis testified he heard Mr. Smith tell Kevonte Bell to back up the vehicle, then he heard a gunshot. Mr. Escalante was shot, and the three co-defendants sped off in their vehicle. Mr. Davis said he saw the gun in Kevonte Bells hand.

Mr. Davis testimony concluded the Commonwealths evidence, and defense attorney Carl Bundick immediately moved to strike the Commonwealths evidence because he said that even in the best light, the evidence did not support the charges. Judge Tyler granted the motion on counts three and four attempted robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of an attempted robbery but denied the motion for murder and two other related firearms charges.

Mr. Bundick then called Mr. Smith's parents as alibi witnesses, and Mr. Smith testified in his own defense. All testified that Tyvon had worked at Tyson that night, and was picked up by his mother at around 2:00 a.m., and he did not leave the house again that night. A Tyson's employee provided records that showed Mr. Smith arrived at work on the 20th around 4:00 p.m., and clocked out around 11:33 p.m. that same night. Mr. Smith explained that he was required to stay another two hours off the clock because he was still learning his job.

Royal Farms surveillance first caught the three codefendants and their vehicle on video around 12:30 a.m. on the July 21st 2011 as they purchased gas at the Parksley Royal Farms. Royal Farms in Nelsonia captured the vehicle again around 4:00 a.m. on the 21st at as it waited behind a white pickup truck, and then followed it out of the Royal Farms Parking Lot. In both cases, the video was not of a resolution to permit identification without other knowledge of the scene. In the Parksley video, a witness who knew the three and engaged them in conversation while they were pumping gas identified himself and the codefendants in the video. Devonte Davis provided identification for the second video.

The judge gave the jury instructions, and then the jury heard closing arguments.

Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Agar emphasized the instruction regarding concert of action.

"Were they planning to kill someone? It doesn't matter. All who participated in bringing it about are responsible whether the resulting crime was originally contemplated or not," said Mr. Agar.

After deliberating for about three hours, the jury returned and the foreman reported they were hopelessly deadlocked on the murder charge and use of a firearm in the commission of a murder, but they had reached a verdict on the charge of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime as a juvenile that would have been a felony for an adult. Judge Tyler said he did not see how he could accept a verdict on the last, without a verdict on the other two when all three charges were so intertwined, and declared a mistrial. Mr. Agar said he intends to re-try the case.

Source:

Dress In Your Princess Finery and Have Tea....


Friday, January 4, 2013

Riverside Grill ~ Pocomoke

FRIDAY SPECIALS
JANUARY 4, 2013
 
-Shrimp & Corn Chowder w/ 1/2 ham sandwich or side salad 6.99
 
-Fried Rockfish Sandwich w/ fries 9.99
 -Wedge Salad w/ blackened shrimp 8.99
 -Shrimp and Clam Strip Basket w/ fries 8.99
 
 

Happy Hour 4-7
w/ $1 off appetizers
 
@ 8 pm:
$3.50 Captain Morgan and Sailor Jerry drinks
 $1.50 Yuengling, Bud Light, and Coors Light Drafts


Tax Returns Could Be Late Due To Fiscal Cliff Deal Delay

There’s some potentially bad news for those who can’t wait to get those tax refunds.

They may be late.

Congress took too long to pass the fiscal cliff deal, so now the fate of Americans’ tax returns is in limbo.

Congress didn’t get a deal done until January 1st.

Now the IRS has to re-program its systems and issue tax forms based on the revised laws.

That could delay the start of the tax filing season, which typically starts in a few weeks.

The later the tax return forms go out, the later the tax refund.

The IRS hasn’t said exactly when the revisions will be made, so it looks like millions of taxpayers could be waiting for their cash.

Source:

SBA Still On Eastern Shore Offering Low Interest Loans To Residents/ Hurricane Sandy

The Small Business Administration is currently on the Eastern Shore offering low interest loans to folks who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy.

"Hurricane Sandy really tore up the Eastern Shore. We have low interest loans available for home owners, renters, nonprofits and small businesses here," explained Erin Knapik of the SBA. "Rates are as low as 1.68%. Our loans don't come with any fees or costs. You don't have to accept the loan immediately or at all."

The SBA will be on the Eastern Shore through the month of January at the Accomack Regional Training Center in Melfa. The SBA also will soon open an office in Crisfield. If you would like more information about low interest loans from the Small Business Administration, you can call 800-659-2955 anytime or visit sba.gov/sandy.

More Information Small Business Administration's Website

Source:

Francis Makemie Society Archaeology Project ~ Volunteers Needed


For more photos of the area and what is being done go to Francis Makemie Society on Facebook

Two Arrested In Connection With Officer-Targeted Shootings

Orrin Joudrey
WMDT
SUSSEX CO., Del. - State Police have arrested two men in connection with the recent string a shootings involving law enforcement's homes. Delaware State Police say on Wednesday morning, they arrested Orrin Joudrey, 20, of Delmar, for driving under the influence of alcohol. Police searched the vehicle where they say they found a shotgun and rifle ammunition.

They believe the items were used in the December 27th shooting of a Dewey Beach Police Officer's home, West of Laurel. Joudrey apparently told the officers that he was staying with a friend, David Watson II, at a home on County Seat Highway, in Laurel, for the past few days. A Police investigation reportedly found that Joudrey and Watson had driven around Sussex County, DE and Maryland and fired multiple rounds of shotgun and rifle ammo into law enforcement officer's homes. No one was injured during the incidents.

David Watson II

On Wednesday afternoon, police additionally arrested 24-year-old Watson, who is on level III probation, without incident. Officials searched his home, where they say they recovered a 12-gauge shotgun, and a 7.62mm rifle, along with shotgun and rifle ammunition. Joudrey was charged with 1st degree attempted murder, 4 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, driving under the influence of alcohol, and other related offences. He is being held at Sussex Correctional Institution on $320,500 cash only bail.

Watson is also being held at SCI on $330,500 cash only bail. He is charged with 1st degree attempted murder, 4 counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, and other related offences.

Delaware State Police say that they are still investigating a shooting that happened on December 30th on
Sharptown Road in Laurel. Anyone with information on that incident is asked to call Det. Kelly at 302-856-5850 x.219, or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or text DSP to 274637 (CRIMES). Tips can also be submitted on the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office is holding a
press conference on Friday morning to release information about the reported Maryland shootings. Last week, they informed WMDT that there had been a similar shooting of both a Wicomico County, and a Worcester County Sheriff's deputy, involving their private homes. At that time they said that the cases were related, and that the homes had been targeted based on there being a marked police car outside of each of the homes.


Source:

2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Gala


Thursday, January 3, 2013

STATE POLICE TO DETAIL MARIJUANA ARREST/INTERDICTION IN WORCESTER CO.

(BERLIN, MD) – The commander and assistant commanders of the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack will be joined by the Worcester County State’s Attorney to announce a recent arrest and the recovery of more than 350 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop. Although the marijuana was packaged in an attempt to reduce its scent, a State Police drug dog was able to detect its odor and alert troopers to the presence of drugs in the stopped vehicle.

The marijuana will be on display at the media briefing. Further details will be provided at that time.

WHAT: ANNOUNCEMENT OF ARREST AND LARGE
MARIJUANA INTERDICTION

WHEN: FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013, 1:00 P.M.

WHERE: MARYLAND STATE POLICE BERLIN BARRACK
9758 OCEAN GATEWAY
BERLIN, MD
410-641-3101


Maryland State Police Press Release

UPDATE: Arrests Made In Officer-Targeted Shootings

WMDT
SALISBURY, Md. - Wicomico County officials say they have made arrests in possible assassination attempts on law enforcement across Delmarva. They aren't releasing much information at this time, but last week they told WMDT there were three shooting incidents at the private homes of officers.

Authorities say the incidents involved a Wicomico County Police officer, a Worcester County Police officer and a Delaware State Trooper.

Those shootings reportedly happened between 10PM and 4AM at the private homes of the officers.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said, "We do believe that they were targeted because of their jobs and the profession they chose, which is to serve our Country and to serve our Citizens."

Luckily no injuries were reported. Authorities did say last week they believe the cases are connected.

The Wicomico County Sheriff's Department has planned a press conference for Friday January 4, 2013 to release more information.


Source:

TIME MACHINE Preview ... Clogg's Garage Left Mark In Pocomoke City's History.



Its' 1921 opening was described at the time as one of the largest days ever experienced in Pocomoke City; the structure later played a significant role following Pocomoke's disasterous fire of 1922, and the location has been a Pocomoke landmark even through today.
 
Read more about it this Sunday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 
 
  Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Riverside Grill ~ Thursday Specials

THURSDAY SPECIALS
JANUARY 3, 2013
 
-Tomato Florentine Soup w/ 1/2 shrimp salad sandwich or side salad 6.99
 -Ale-Batter Fried Shrimp Platter 9.99
 -BBQ Chicken Sandwich w/ chips and a pickle 7.99
 -Apple-Cranberry Salad 7.99



 Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off appetizers
 @4 pm: $4 burgers
 @ 8 pm: $3.50 Bacardi drinks

Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce ~ 80's Night


Support Brunch To Be Held ~ Delegate Mike McDermott



MarVa Theater This Weekend

A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.
 

Friday and Saturday
January 4th & 5th
7PM
Tickets  $5

Meteor Showers Will Light Up The Night Sky

Meteor Showers.Org Photo
By CNN Staff
(CNN) — Skywatchers will be setting their alarm clocks for the early morning hours Thursday when the annual Quadrantid meteor shower peaks.

This year’s show in the sky may not produce as many highlights for some viewers because of light from the moon, NASA said in a statement.

Meteor watchers can expect to see 60 to 200 meteors an hour streak across the sky, NASA said.

Bill Cooke, the head of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, said by e-mail that the shooting stars would be visible after about 11 p.m. in each time zone in the United States, with the best viewing time from 3 a.m. until dawn.

The Quadrantids were first noted in 1825 and got their name from the constellation of Quadrans Muralis, which is no longer considered a constellation by astronomers, according to NASA.

The material that is burning up in Earth’s atmosphere during the Quadrantids likely comes from a comet that broke into fragments centuries ago, NASA says.

“After hundreds of years orbiting the sun, they will enter our atmosphere at 90,000 mph, burning up 50 miles above Earth’s surface,” NASA said.

The space agency said observers at latitudes north of 51 degrees south should be able to see the meteor shower.

NASA and Ustream will have a webcast from Wednesday through Friday with one view of the meteor shower. The camera is mounted in Huntsville, Alabama, at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

The-CNN-Wire/Atlanta/+1-404-827-WIRE(9473)

Source:

MarVa Theater Seeking Volunteers


Billy "Zombie Marsh" Benefit

Come on!!  Gumboro/Crisfield Mudboggers!!   We've been called to help one of our own.




BILLY "ZOMBIE" MARSH BENEFIT
 
Saturday, January 19, 2012
3 PM until  11 PM
 
Princess Anne Civic Center
11828 Crisfield Lane, Princess Anne, MD.
 
TICKETS $35.00 EACH OR $60.00 PER COUPLE
 (BEER & FOOD INCLUDED IN TICKET PURCHASE
)
 
COME JOIN THE FUN FOR A GREAT CAUSE!!
TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!
 
 WITH A CHANCE TO WIN A NIGHT FOR 2
IN OCEAN CITY
 
*CASH BAR*
*LIVE & SILENT AUCTIONS*
*BLACK JACK*POKER*ROULETTE*
3 BANDS & DJ*
 
TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED AT HEBRON SAVINGS BANK (CRISFIELD BRANCH)
AT THE DOOR
 
OR
For further information or tickets please contact Wright Townsend at 443-614-6585.

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BILLY MARSH WITH EXPENSES TOWARD HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER 
 

Man Charged In Ocean City for Child Abuse

During the month of December 2012, Ocean City Police concluded a child sexual assault investigation stemming from an incident occurring in August of 1981. 

 OCPD investigators have charged, 70, of Salisbury, Maryland with:
  • 4th Degree Sex Offence
  • Child Abuse: Custodian

    Tucci is alleged to have brought a child to an Ocean City motel room in August of 1981.  While in the motel, it is alleged the illegal sexual acts occurred. 

     Police ask that anyone with information about Tucci, a former Priest in Allentown, Pennsylvania from 1971 until 2007, contact Detective Brett L. Case at 410-723-6632.

    Ocean City Police Dept.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Eastern Shore Robotics Season Kicks Off January 5

Robotics seasons kicks off January 5 as high school students from across Delmarva receive their challenge that will pit them in competition with other students from the mid-Atlantic to across the nation.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., January 5, at the Marine Science Consortium outside the gate of the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, students from several Eastern Shore teams will gather to learn what task befalls them in the 2013 FIRST Robotics competition.

Amy Davis, FIRST Robotics coordinator at NASA Wallops, said, "Every year there are more and more students and adults on the Eastern Shore interested in robotics programs. There is a lot of excitement when these students get together to work as a team and use their ingenuity to solve the challenges placed before them."

This years kick-off day will include check-in from 8:30 to 9 a.m. An engineering challenge will be conducted from 9 to 10:30. This will lead up to the live announcement of the 2013 game challenge from FIRST headquarters in Manchester, New Hampshire,

Davis said, "The kick-off day is open to the public to encourage more students in elementary, middle and high school to take part in the robotics programs in their schools and across the Shore. You don't have to be a member of an established robotics team to attend."

For directions to the Marine Science Consortium, visit:

http://msconsortium.org//location/4536272607

For more information on NASA education programs at the Wallops Flight Facility, visit:
http://education.wff.nasa.gov/

Tyvon Murder Trial Scheduled To Start

Tyvon Smith
Accused of murder
The trial of Tyvon Smith, accused of murder in the July, 2011 shooting death of Belarmino Escalante, is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2013. Mr. Smith, who turned himself in to the Accomack County Sherriff's Office in August after a Grand Jury indictment for the crime, also faces charges of attempted robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony that stem from the same event.

A co-defendant, Devonte Davis, pled guilty to and was convicted of attempted robbery on August 20, 2012. Mr. Davis' charge of murder, along with two felony weapons charges, were continued until March 23, 2013, as was his sentencing for the attempted robbery conviction.

According to evidence given by Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Agar at Mr. Davis' August court appearance, Mr. Smith, Mr. Davis and co-defendant Kevonte Bell, were pumping gas at the Royal Farms in Nelsonia when they determined that they would rob the vehicle in front of them once it had left Royal Farms. The three co-defendants followed the vehicle, which contained Mr. Escalante and two or three other men, into the parking lot of Candelero de Oro church at about 4:00 a.m. on July 21, 2011. The men were meeting a foreman for a job they were going to start. Mr. Escalante was not robbed, but he was left with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. One of the cars in the church parking lot followed Mr.Davis' car and obtained enough information to lead investigators to Mr. Davis, and the case unfolded from there.

Mr. Escalante, of Greenbush, was 27 years old at the time of his death and is survived by his wife and four young children.

Source:

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Facebook Password Laws Go Into Effect In Six States

Employers in six states will no longer be able to require their employees hand over personal Facebook account passwords thanks to new laws passed this year.

California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey all passed similar bans, reported Reuters.

The California and Illinois’ laws also include job applicants.

The Michigan law adds educational institutions to the ban. They can be punished for dismissing or failing to admit a student who does not provide passwords and other account information used to access private internet and email accounts, including social networks.

Laws preventing employers from demanding access to an employee’s Facebook or other social media accounts began after the case of a Maryland state correctional services worker was told he had to turn over his Facebook password if he wanted to be reinstated to his job after a leave of absence.

The ACLU of Maryland took up the case saying the request was a violation of Robert Collins’ privacy and was discrimination.

“My personal communications, my personal posts, my personal pictures, looking at my personally identifiable information, where my religious beliefs, my political beliefs, my sexuality — all of these things are possibly disclosed on this page,” Collins said in a YouTube video. “It’s absolute total invasion and overreach.”

Yet despite these protections, workers and job seekers will still need to be careful what they post online: Employers may continue to use publicly available social networking information.

Be aware of your privacy settings and remember inappropriate pictures, tweets and other social media indiscretions can still come back to haunt your job prospects.

For more information about the various state laws, visit the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Source:

Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year's Eve Specials ~ Riverside Grill

MONDAY
DECEMBER 31, 2012

-Chicken Noodle Soup w/ 1/2 deli sandwich or side salad 5.99


-Taco Salad 6.99

-Open-Face Roast Beef w/ mashed potatoes and green beans 6.99

-Buffalo Shrimp Wrap w/ fries 8.99


Happy Hour
4 TO 7 pm
w/ $1 off appetizers


@8 PM
1/2 price appetizers and import beer bottles,
$3 margaritas
 $1 tacos & quesadillas


HAPPY NEW YEAR !



Riverside Grill Downtown Pocomoke ~ OPEN New Year's Eve

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!


Riverside Grill will be OPEN New Year's Eve
11 AM  until  2 AM

CLOSED
New Year's Day

Saxis Volunteer Fire Company Santa Run

SANTA RUN
Sunday  December 23, 2012
It should be noted that the Saxis Volunteer Fire Company had just completed a successful toy giveaway a few days prior to the Santa Run.

The annual Santa Run was a very necessary thing to do this season.  Not just for the sake of the children in the area, but the fire department too.  October brought Hurricane Sandy and devastation just about everywhere you looked in the area.   And because the Saxis Firehouse was  the meeting center and drop off center for hurricane donations many of the fireman were always there.  And now, as if the storm wasn't  enough,  the department- along with all Accomack Fire Companies-  are plagued with arsons.  Never knowing when the next call will be for them they still brought Santa to the community.


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I've seen alot of Santa's in my lifetime but this was the real deal!  It was just like  seeing Santa Claus for the very first time and actually, I guess I was.  No fake beard, real eyelashes and no padding!  I will never forget how this one moment changed a hectic Sunday into the mode for me that it didn't matter if I got everything I needed to do completed or not.  I had seen with my own eyes the face that photos seem to capture.



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The fireman, natually, thought it was funny that I made such a fuss and didn't take them long to tell me they "don't mess around" with something this important!

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It was amazing to see, that even in this day and time, children young and old still take the time to sit on Santa's knee and even those who chose not to still received a candy cane.

Thank you to the Saxis Volunteer Fire Company for letting me tag along.  A Happy New Year to all of you with many thanks for all you do unselfishly throughout the community all year.

HAPPY  NEW YEAR!

Why Your Paycheck Is Getting Smaller - No Matter What!

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — For middle class Americans, there may be no escaping higher taxes come January.

President Obama is trying to push through legislation to keep broader middle class income taxes from rising by Monday night. But they may still have to pay at least 2% more in payroll taxes.

That’s because the government had temporarily lowered the payroll tax rate in 2011 to 4.2% from 6.2%, in an effort to keep more cash in the pockets of Americans and provide a boost to the economy. The tax cut is expiring in December.

Come 2013, much of the country’s 160 million workers will pay more. No one is expecting the payroll tax cut to be extended, even as lawmakers in Washington meet for budget talks to avoid the fiscal cliff.

The payroll tax could be anywhere from $700 a year for people earning $35,000 annually, to $2,202 for those with incomes over $110,100.

The amounts could be large enough to deal a blow to middle class Americans’ spending budgets, especially at a time when the economic recovery is still struggling to gain a foothold.

Already Americans are feeling jittery. The latest reports show that consumer confidence took a dive in December as fiscal cliff fears weighed on the country. A closely watched consumer confidence index, which measures the American public’s sentiments every month, sank six points. It was major turnaround from October, when the index reached a four-year high.

It was also the largest drop in consumer confidence since the nation’s credit rating was lowered in August of last year.
Concern over these tax hikes are already holding shoppers back.

During the holiday shopping season, between Oct. 30 to Dec. 24, shoppers spent just 0.7% more than they did last year, according to a MasterCard Advistors SpendingPulse report released last week. That’s compared to the 2% sales growth in the same period in 2011.

President Obama’s top economic advisers have also warned that if Congress didn’t prevent tax hikes on middle class families, consumer confidence could decline, retailers could be hurt, and jobs may be cut.

“As we approach the holiday season, which accounts for close to one-fifth of industry sales, retailers can’t afford the threat of tax increases on middle class families,” the report said.

Payroll taxes are used to fund Social Security, and the tax cut has cost about $120 billion each year. The Treasury Department has made up for the difference with money from general funds.

Source:

Sunday, December 30, 2012

TIME MACHINE ... New Year's Eve


(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)

 
December, 1964

The Carousel Hotel in north Ocean City was advertising a Gala New Year's Eve party to welcome in the new year 1965. It included a buffet preceding a New Year's eve party, with the party including drinks, noisemakers, snacks and a bottle of champagne for the midnight toast, breakfast immediately following the party, plus a night's lodging in an oceanfront room. Total price for two.. $42.00.
 
 
December, 1941 (Time Machine Archive)

Town Tavern in Pocomoke was advertising informal dancing for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve with music by Slim Marshall's Orchestra. Admission 75-cents per person.
 
 
December, 1966 (Time Machine Archive)

If you were planning to go out to welcome in the new year 1967 here's a look at some of the local New Year's Eve activities you could consider:

A "Chop Hop" at the Pocomoke armory featuring music by the Midnight Walkers and with master of ceremonies Choppy Layton and Wayne Powell...The Orbits appearing at Salisbury's Northwood Bar...Dancing at the Delmar Moose Lodge featuring music with Joey Welz...The True Tones providing the music at Salisbury's Eastside Men's Club Dance...Richard Maltby's Orchestra in Salisbury at the Civic Center's New Year's Eve Ball And Breakfast.

 
December, 1929

A special vaudeville show and a Fox "Super Special" singing and dancing picture, "Words And Music," provided the late night New Year's Eve entertainment at Salisbury's Arcade Theater.

 
December, 1929
(Salisbury Times)

N.Y. PREPARES FOR NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION

New York, Dec. 31 -(AP)- Predicting a noisier, more boisterous welcome for 1930 than has been enjoyed by any of its recent predecessors, hotel and restaurant managements today prepared to entertain thousands of New Years eve celebrants.

Police Commissioner Grover A. Whalen announced that the curfew will drown out the blare of jazz, tin horns and other noise makers in nightclubs promptly at 3 A.M. Wednesday. Hotels, which are immune from curfew restrictions, advertised "dancing until dawn." Cover charges will run as high as $20 a person.

The management of the Hotel Ambassador announced that the capacity of its three large dining rooms would be taxed with reservations for more than 1,000. The Savoy-Plaza made ready to care for an equal number, and other hotels and restaurants announced preparations for capacity crowds.

Radio listeners may hear the New Years chimes as early as 7 P.M. ,Eastern Standard Time, tonight when because of the difference in time it will be midnight in London and the peals of Big Ben, famous clock in the tower of Parliament building, will be radiocast across the Atlantic and rebroadcast throughout this country.

Special New Year's eve radio programs will include a series of concerts by dance bands playing from New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Sydney, Australia.
   
January 1, 1901 (Time Machine Archive)

On the the first day of the Twentieth Century an Iowa newspaper, The Davenport Republican, reported on the comments of speakers at its area churches on the previous evening, the last evening of the Nineteenth Century.

Some excerpts:

From a judge... "Certainly we have not yet gone too far in strengthening the federal government. -- Somewhere, however, must be set the limits of this centralized power, at some point the line must be firmly drawn between the nation and the states. Where this line shall be fixed no one can safely say in advance. It is one of the grave problems we must leave for solution to the courage, wisdom, and patriotism of our children. -- There is some little we may say with assurance of the future. It will be what our children and their descendants make it. To such young people as hear me and who shall take part in molding the coming century I wish to say that you will not do so well as your fathers and mothers have done in life work unless you do better than they did. You have advancement they did not possess. -- We have now in every considerably town a high school where a course of study is pursued equivalent to that of Dartmouth college when it graduated Daniel Webster in 1801. Our state with some others has made provision for establishing free public library in every school district. This, with the university extension courses, so popular throughout the country, and which are continually developing, mark an era in advanced education. Eventually it will bring the college courses to the door of every earnest seeker for knowledge." 


From a lawyer... "By firing my imagination, giving it the reins and allowing it to run rampant, I might predict that in 2000 the stars and stripes will float in sole and unquestioned sovereignty from the North Pole to Cape Horn. I might speculate on the downfall of monarchies and the rise of new republics. I might be right, I might be wrong. I might be so bold and conceited to announce to you that in the coming century men, with artificial wings, will fly like birds through the air. I might contend that our whole system of transportation will be overthrown and a new one put in action. I might even be so rash as to predict that the day is not far distant when mankind will know no disease, no sickness. Trusting in the blessed trinity of chance, accident, or mistake for the fulfillment of my prophecy, I might say that the science of medicine will be so revolutionized that medical assistance will be required only to prevent disease, not to cure. I might be right, I might be wrong, it matters not. Whatever speculation we may make upon the future, we at least know enough to know the past. The world has learned that no man is good enough to govern another man excepting by that other man's consent, and in my humble judgment thereon hangs the destiny of the nations."  
 
 
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