Saturday, February 1, 2014

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.



1952.. Big expansion plans for Chincoteague base;  1886.. Beginnings of a future Pocomoke City landmark; 1969.. Soviet trawler fleet invades waters off of Eastern Shore of Virginia; 1966.. American and National Football leagues working on details of a merger and a “Super Bowl;” 1881.. Dry weather brings high-priced water to Crisfield; 1901.. What’s the new big attraction at Accomac’s Peninsula Fair?  It’s an a _ _ _ m_ _ _ _ e!


Read more about it this Sunday right 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!

UPDATED~ Missing Sheriff’s Deputy Found Dead In Creek

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – The Greensville County Sheriff’s Deputy whose disappearance Friday morning sparked  massive search was found deceased Saturday.

“Early this morning, Percy Lee House III, the Greensville County Sheriff’s Deputy missing since Friday morning, was found deceased in his vehicle located in a creek off of Massie Branch Road in Greensville County,” the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association wrote in a Saturday morning email.

“While the Virginia State Police is in the midst of conducting a full investigation, the accident is reported to be the result of icy road conditions.”

Deputy House, 52, last made contact with the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office about 9:24 a.m. Friday. House was last spotted in the small town of Skippers.

“I want to thank my staff, volunteers from our community, and public safety agencies from the surrounding area for their quick response and support over the last 24 hours,” Greensville County Sheriff James Edwards said. “The loss of Deputy Lee House III to our close department and our community is tragic and unexpected. Please keep his family and all of our first responders in your thoughts and prayers.”

Anyone with information about this situation is asked to call Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at 434-348-4200.

This is a developing story.

Source and VIDEO

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council AGENDA

Corrected.  Thank you.  bw


  
A G E N D A 
POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING 
7:30 PM, Monday, February 3, 2014 
City Hall


 
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance. 

2.         Review and approval of minutes from meeting of January 6, 2014.

3.         Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.         Discuss proposal from G.M.B. Engineers for study and design of improvements to water distribution system in Pocomoke Heights neighborhood.

5.         Representatives of "Save the Youth" to make presentation regarding recent activities.

6.         Representative of Eastern Shore Communications to discuss proposed new wireless           broadband system.  

7.         Councilman Clarke to discuss recent activities of the Worcester County Solid Waste         Committee.

8.         Consider request from Mr. Harold Scrimgeour for a waiver for permit fees for new well    at his vacant property at 1309 Ocean Highway.

9.         Discuss letter from Elks Club requesting permission to use Winter Quarters Golf Course    for tournament on May 10, 2014.

10.       Discuss letter from Chamber of Commerce requesting permission for use of Cypress Park for Cypress Festival and Pocomoketoberfest.
 
Comments from the Audience.
Mayor and Council Items.
Adjourn.
 
 
AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.



Federalsburg Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison

Federalsburg Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

 BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Scott Zalewski, age 31, of Federalsburg, Maryland, today to 40 years in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for two counts of producing child pornography. Judge Motz ordered that upon his release from prison, Zalewski must register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Caroline County Sheriff Randy Bounds; and Caroline County State’s Attorney Jonathan Newell.
According to the plea agreement, on at least three occasions from July through August 2011, Zalewski took sexually explicit photographs of a minor female, under 12 years of age, including several photographs documenting his sexual abuse of the girl, which he then e-mailed to another person.

On January 2, 2013, the Zalewski’s live-in girlfriend provided police with photographs that contained sexually explicit images of the victim, which she reported finding in Zalewski’s e-mail account.

Police arrested Zalewski later on January 2, 2013. A search warrant subsequently executed on Zalewski’s e-mail account recovered digital copies of the sexually explicit pictures of the victim being sent to another individual. More than a dozen other e-mails were also seized, dating from July and August 2011, in which Zalewski was trading sexually explicit images of other children with other individuals.

A hard drive recovered from Zalewski’s house and a laptop Zalewski’s ex-girlfriend previously turned over to police were also searched pursuant to a federal warrant. The hard drive contained 45 images of child pornography, dating from approximately April 2008. On the laptop were records of chats in which the defendant discussed and exchanged child pornography with others, dating from approximately December 2006 through October 2007.

Text messages recovered from Zalewski’s cell phone showed discussion of child pornography with others on December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2013. Some text messages had image attachments, but the images were deleted and could not be recovered.

Zalewski previously pleaded guilty in Caroline County Circuit Court to a second-degree sex offense and to rape in the second degree and was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison on those charges. Zalewski’s state and federal sentences will be served concurrently.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc
and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

Source:

SAVE THE DATE: Another PHS "PINK OUT" For Worthy Cause

 
Pocomoke High School Warriors
 
PINK OUT
 
Monday, February 17, 2014
Games start at 4 pm
 Pocomoke Girls and Boys Varsity vs  Mardela
 
Some of the prizes available
 
 All proceeds benefit:
Women Supporting Women (local agency supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer)
&
 Canine Cancer Foundation ( for our four legged friends fighting cancer)
 
Come Out and Support This Event !!
 

Maryland State Police: MAKE THE RIGHT CALL BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS

MAKE THE RIGHT CALL BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS....
 DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER


(PIKESVILLE, MD)— As Super Bowl Sunday quickly approaches, troopers suggest fans take the time now to make the right call to save lives and designate a sober driver because friends don’t let fans drink and drive.

Maryland state troopers are anticipating fans will be traveling on Super Bowl Sunday to and from different locations to enjoy the game. With this in mind, Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, has directed each of the 22 barracks to conduct saturation patrols focusing on impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Additional troopers will be assigned to these enforcement efforts on special assignment duty and overtime. Also deployed will be the team known as the State Police Impaired Driving Effort, or S.P.I.D.R.E. Team.

“Motorists should plan ahead and designate a sober driver for the game,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “There will be zero tolerance for anyone who elects to jeopardize the safety of others and chooses to drive while impaired.”
If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

-Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.

 -If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay for the night.

 -Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.


Last year, on Super Bowl Sunday, troopers arrested 24 drunk drivers. Driving with a blood alcohol content of .07 (driving while impaired) is illegal in Maryland and .08 (driving under the influence) or higher is illegal in every state. A driver under the age of 21, with any measurable alcohol in their system is in violation of alcohol laws in Maryland.

 S.P.I.D.R.E is a full time team of troopers dedicated to removing impaired drivers off the roads statewide. The S.P.I.D.R.E team will be assigned to the Baltimore Metropolitan area during this initiative. In many other areas of the state, the Super Bowl enforcement initiatives will be joint operations with local law enforcement.

 Law enforcement will conduct saturation patrols on roads designated as high crash areas. These patrols are effective methods to prevent impaired or aggressive driving as well as a successful means to arrest those who choose to drink and drive.

 The additional state police patrols coincide with the Maryland Highway Safety Office initiative “Towards Zero Death.” Overtime funding for additional patrols is provided by grants from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. 

Maryland State Police

DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE UNCOVERS HEROIN MILL ...

DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE UNCOVERS HEROIN MILL IN THE BRONX, NY: $8 MILLION WORTH OF HEROIN SEIZED

 JAN 31 - (New York)James J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division (DEA), Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton and Joseph A. D’Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police, announced the discovery of multi-million dollar, high-volume heroin packaging location at 2910 Wallace Ave. Apt. #2E, Bronx, NY, and the seizure of 13 kilograms (33 pounds) of heroin worth $8 million last night.
 
On January 30th, 2014, a team from the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force – comprised of DEA Special Agents, New York City Police Department Detectives and New York State Police Investigators – conducted surveillance in the vicinity of 2910 Wallace Ave., in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx, as part of an ongoing investigation into heroin distribution organizations operating in the Northeast region of the United States.   At approximately 4:30 p.m., agents and investigators observed an individual carrying two bags, one of which contained a green box. The individual, later identified as CRISTINO THEN, entered 2910 Wallace Ave. and walked up the stairs. Shortly thereafter THEN was observed exiting the building empty handed.  Agents and officers stopped THEN to investigate his explanation as to why he was at the building. 
 
Simultaneously, another individual was observed climbing out of a fifth floor window of the same building onto a fire escape. Agents apprehended this individual, later identified as AUGUSTIN RIVERA, aka “JOSE THEN,” as he attempted to flee.  Subsequently, Task Force members used the fire escape to access the same window, which was open and entered a fifth floor apartment. Inside, they found a fully operational heroin mill. Agents and officers seized approximately 13 kilograms of heroin (33 pounds) and hundreds of thousands of individual “glassine” bags stamped with numerous brand names, including “NFL”, “government shutdown,” “iPhone”, and “Olympics 2012.” Also recovered from the heroin mill were scales, 18 coffee grinders, rubber bands, baking soda and face masks. In typical heroin mill operations, coffee grinders are often used to cut pure heroin with a dilutant, such as baking soda. Individual dosages are then packaged into small glassine bags for retail distribution.
 
The Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor is prosecuting RIVERA and THEN. A criminal complaint charges both defendants with one count each of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree. RIVERA and THEN are expected to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, 100 Centre St., this afternoon.

DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated, "Heroin is pummeling the northeast, leaving addiction, overdoses and fear in its wake. The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force faced this threat with uniformed police work which resulted in the dismantlement of a heroin mill located in the Bronx that had resources to distribute over half a million heroin glassines throughout the streets of New York."

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “A seizure of this size should open everyone’s eyes to the magnitude of the heroin problem confronting us. We’ve heard from public officials throughout the Northeast of soaring addiction within their own localities. Last night we seized 33 pounds of heroin in the Bronx, which could be transformed into millions of user-ready glassine packages, saturating the region. The brand names used are tied to upcoming events, indicating the savvy and sophistication of the heroin distribution ring.”

New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said, “Thanks to the efforts of the investigators in this case an operation that would have led to the sale and distribution of illegal drugs on the streets of New York City has been thwarted.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “The hard work and partnership between the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police, New York City Police Department and New York City Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor is responsible for preventing a large amount of a highly addictive and dangerous drug from making into our communities. These individuals were operating a multi-million dollar heroin mill out of an apartment with plans to distribute this illegal drug on our streets. I commend the considerable efforts and dedication of our agency personnel and our law enforcement partners who were able to pinpoint this drug activity and put a stop to this drug operation.
 
 
DEFENDANTS
CHARGES

Augustin Rivera, aka “Jose Then”
2170 University Ave.
Bronx, NY
 
11/12/1978

CPCS 1st - 1 ct

CPCS 3rd - 1 ct

Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 1 ct

 
Cristino Then
2230 Woodhull Ave.
Bronx, NY

07/24/1988

CPCS 1st - 1 ct

CPCS 3rd - 1 ct

Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 1 ct

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
 
 
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
 
 

Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy Missing In Greensville County

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A sheriff’s deputy from the Emporia area has been missing since Friday morning.

Sgt. Katina Mason Harrison with the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office said 52-year-old Deputy Percy Lee House went missing while on duty. The last known contact with him was around 9:30 a.m. and his last known location was in Skippers, Va. (23879 zip code).

House is bald, has hazel eyes, is about six feet tall and weighs about 260 pounds. He was wearing a black BDU-type uniform with a full duty belt.

He was driving a marked brown Greensville County Sheriff’s Office cruiser, a 2006 Crown Victoria with a local Virginia license plate, number 110359L). Harrison said the vehicle has yellow reflective markings on both sides and a lightbar on top. It’s missing the front right wheel cover.

House’s medical history is unknown.

If you know where Deputy House or his vehicle may be, please contact the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at 434-348-4200.

Source:


Friday, January 31, 2014

Worcester County Sheriff's Deputies Respond To Parole and Probation Office in Snow Hill, Md.

On January 30, 2014 at approximately 11:15am Deputies responded to the Parole and Probation Office in Snow Hill, Worcester County Maryland to investigate a possible fugitive from Delaware Mr. Christopher Ryan Jones, 25, of Delaware.

Allegedly Mr. Jones had admitted to his Probation Officer that he had just smoked Marijuana with some friends in the vehicle that he just arrived at the Probation Office in. 
 
Deputies approached the vehicle in the parking lot and upon making contact with the vehicle and its occupants; a strong odor of marijuana was smelled coming from within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.  The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Mercedes E. Dukes, 21, of Georgetown, Delaware.  A front seat passenger identified as Deshae T. Foster, 24, of Millsboro, Delaware and a back seat passenger identified as Asia M. Brittingham, 21, of Georgetown, Delaware. 
 
 Through the course of the search, a bag of suspected marijuana was found on Mr. Foster and a metallic pipe (paraphernalia) was located on Ms. Brittingham. 
 
 Both Mr. Foster and Ms. Brittingham were charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and were released on Signature.
 
It was learned that Mr. Jones was wanted in Delaware but the state of Delaware would not extradite Mr. Jones back to their state. Therefore Mr. Jones was released at the scene. 
 
Lt. Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
 

Message From the Administrator ~ NASA Day of Remembrance 2014

 
"Today we pause in our normal routines and reflect on the contributions of those who lost their lives trying to take our nation farther into space. On our annual Day of Remembrance, please join us in giving thanks for the legacy of the STS-107 Columbia crew; the STS-51L Challenger crew; the Apollo 1 crew; and Mike Adams, the first in-flight fatality of the space program as he piloted the X-15 No. 3...
on a research flight.

These men and women were our friends, family and colleagues, and we will never forget their lives and passion to push us farther and achieve more. They have our everlasting love, respect and gratitude.

Today, their legacy lives on as the International Space Station fulfills its promise to help us learn to live and work in space and move farther into the solar system. We see our lost friends in the strivings of so many missions to take humans to new destinations and to unlock the secrets of our universe. And we honor them by making our dreams of a better tomorrow reality and by acting to improve life for all of humanity.

Let us join together as one NASA Family, along with the entire world, in paying our respects, and honoring the memories of our dear friends. They are with us still on this grand journey."
 
-Charles Bolden, 12th  NASA Administrator -

 Learn more:
http://go.nasa.gov/1b5Oh9I

Local Restaurant Has Closed Its Doors...Thanks For The Memories...

Most of us have  been there at some point in our adult lives.  We have dined there, had a few drinks there with friends, made new friends, danced, laughed, sang karaoke  and many of us have even booked our wedding receptions, meetings there.  Through the years we've seen owners come and go, each time adding something different and exciting to keep the crowd coming back. Even in the most recent days the "Deck" was well known for the performances of local live bands and  DJ's.

The Upper Deck Seafood Restaurant and Lounge  has been a "constant" in the lives of so many through the years.  And even if we no longer stop by for a drink or dinner it is always satisfying to know the "Deck" was still there.  Most of us can recall those who worked there once upon a time... David Lee, Martha, Esther...just to name a few.  And of course we can never forget the valuable daytime waitress Nancy!  They- along with the others whose names I have forgotten right now- gave all they had to ensure the diners and drinkers had a pleasant visit. 

I am saddened myself to hear the news and don't know where to go for the BEST cornbread you can ever eat!

This is the notice that was on The Upper Deck Restaurant and Lounge facebook page this morning....

It is with deep regret and personal sorrow that I must inform all of The Upper Deck Seafood Restaurant & Lounge faithful that this longtime icon of Pocomoke city is closed for good. Toni and I have many personal matters to attend to that will require much more or our time than we have to give, so something had to give in our lives. We deeply appreciate all the public support since we purchased the restaurant in 2006.

  If anyone knows of a potential buyer, send them to Jeromy Mason at Hall realty.

My very best to all of you... thanks for the memories.

FBI Offers $25,000 Reward in Missing Girl’s Case

Photograph taken circa 2011
The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the location or return of Erica Lynn Parsons.

Age-progression photograph

Erica was reported missing by a relative on July 30, 2013. The relative advised investigators he had not seen Erica since November 2011 when she was 13 years old. Erica’s adoptive parents say the girl went to stay with relatives in the Asheville, North Carolina area and that they have not seen her since. Sheriff’s investigators have determined the information the parents provided was not true.

The reward was announced at a news briefing this afternoon in Salisbury, North Carolina. “The FBI, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, and the SBI are confident our agents and investigators will uncover the details needed to lead us to Erica, but we are facing a difficult task because of the amount of time that has passed since she was last seen and when law enforcement was notified,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Deron Roberts.

Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten said, “We know there is someone who can help us; now is the time to come forward. We also want to hear from anyone who had contact with the Parsons family in November 2011. We’ve said previously that was the last time that Erica was seen.”

If you know where to find her, call the Rowan County Sheriff’s at 704-216-8700 or FBI Charlotte 704-672-6100.

Source:

MAKE THE RIGHT PLAYS....OCEAN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

OCEAN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

"MAKE THE RIGHT PLAYS THIS SUPER BOWL"

(January 28, 2014) – The Super Bowl is one of America’s most highly anticipated sports events, when friends and family gather in homes, bars and restaurants to celebrate. As Super Bowl Sunday approaches and football fans across Maryland prepare for the game, the Ocean City Police Department has joined in the statewide push to spread the message about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday, because – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

“There is absolutely no reason to get behind the wheel after drinking,” began Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro. “If you will be drinking, make a plan to get home safely before you go out. Designate a sober driver before the party begins, call a cab or arrange to stay where the party is occurring.”

According to Maryland crash data, an average of 175 people have lost their lives in each of the past five years to alcohol-related crashes. Nationally, 9,878 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2011 (the last year of complete national data) and those crashes were 31 percent more likely to occur on weekends than on weekdays.

If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:
  • Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party      begins.

  • If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay for the night.

  • Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
  • Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or arrange for alternate transportation to ensure they get home safely.

  • Serve food and include non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

  • Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.

  • Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who has had too much to drink.
And remember, your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver in a crash.

COMBINED EFFORT LEADS TO ARRESTS - ADDITIONAL ARRESTS EXPECTED

COMBINED EFFORT LEADS TO ARRESTS IN CECIL CO. BURGLARY INVESTIGATIONS - ADDITIONAL ARRESTS EXPECTED

(NORTH EAST, MD) – An ongoing partnership with Maryland State Police and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators has led to an arrest in connection with more than a dozen burglaries committed in the past three months in the North East area. 

As part of the ongoing investigation into 15 residential and commercial burglaries, most of which occurred in the North East area, state troopers and sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant last evening in the 400-block of Lakeside Drive, North East, Md. Police found stolen property from several burglaries, as well as quantities of suspected heroin, marijuana, oxycodone, and a digital scale. Six people were arrested in the residence, including one who is being charged with at least one of the burglaries. 


The suspect is identified as John A. Barton, 31, of the 400-block Lakeside Drive, North East, Md. He is charged with first degree burglary, second degree burglary, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance not marijuana, and one count of possession of marijuana. An agent from the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation, who was working with investigators, will be filing today to violate Barton’s parole. Barton had recently been released from prison on parole.

Also arrested and charged last night as a result of the search warrant were: Shantell L. Florian, 27, of the unit-block of Keppels Mill Court, Rising Sun, Md., Christina A. Blevins, 36, of the unit-block of Blevins Drive, North East, Md., Richard F. Adams, 34, of the 1500-block of Theodore Rd., Rising Sun, Md., William Renshaw, 43, of the 400-block of Baron Rd., North East, Md., and Christine Benjamin, 40, of the 400-block of Lakeside Dr., North East, Md. All five were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not marijuana and possession of marijuana.

  The first of the 15 burglaries police believe are connected occurred on November 4, 2013 and the latest occurred January 26, 2014. State Police Criminal Enforcement Division investigators have been coordinating their investigative efforts with Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators.

Relentless investigative work has been underway by both departments for months. Police have used a variety of techniques, including interviews and covert surveillance, to identify those responsible for the burglaries. Information has also been provided to investigators by concerned citizens.

Police believe there are several other suspects involved in the burglaries. Additional arrests are expected soon.

State Police and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators received additional assistance from the Maryland State Police Gang Unit, the Maryland State Apprehension Team, and the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about those responsible for the burglaries is urged to contact Maryland State Police criminal investigators at the North East Barrack at 410-996-7800. 


 Callers may remain anonymous. 

Maryland State Police

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Virginia Closings / Delays for Friday January, 31, 2014



Virginia Closings / Delays for Friday January, 31, 2014

Northampton County Schools are closed Friday

Accomack County Schools Closed Friday

Broadwater Academy Closed Friday


Head Start in both counties closed Friday

Davis Disposal will pickup Wednesday Customers on Friday, Thursday and Friday customers will be picked up Saturday. Chincoteague customers will be picked up Friday

NMA Federal Credit union Branches will reopen on Friday January 31st at mid day

Eastern Shore Community College will open Friday at 10 AM

Eastern Shore Community Services Board w0ill open 10:30 AM

ANPDC, the Regional Housing Authority and the Virginia Housing Alliance will open at 10:30 AM

Head Start in both counties will be closed Friday

Senior centers in both counties will be closed Friday

The Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging will be closed Friday

UPDATE / Maryland State Police - Missing Persons Alert Issued

Missing Persons Alert Issued


Glen Allen Vickers

**The Maryland State Police have announced that the missing person, Glen Allen Vickers of Pocomoke City, Maryland has been located.**

1/29/14
The Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack is attempting to locate a reported missing person identified as Glen Allen Vickers.

 It is believed Vickers may be traveling through Maryland, Virginia or Delaware and could possibly be seeking shelter or assistance.

Few other details have been provided about his disappearance: He may be operating a red 2002 Ford F-150 truck with Maryland registration plate 7AM839. Vickers currently has long hair, a beard and is roughly 5’11” tall and around 375 pounds.

 Anyone who comes into contact with Vickers or the vehicle is urged to contact the MSP Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101.

Hogan Kicks-Off Campaign with Surprise Running Mate Announcement

Hogan Rallies supporters at gubernatorial campaign kick-off

Surprises Audience with Running Mate Announcement

ANNAPOLIS – A boisterous crowd of several hundred enthusiastic campaign supporters braved unusually cold January temperatures Wednesday night to kick-off Larry Hogan’s campaign for governor. In his rousing speech, Hogan took on the leading Democratic candidates for Governor and outlined the case he will make to voters as his campaign swings into high gear:

“We're told that this election is between the number 2 and number 3 incumbents in the current administration, and that our only real choice is to either promote the Lt. Governor, or the Attorney General.”

“But that's not what Maryland wants. Marylanders are demanding real change in Annapolis – and neither of those career politicians is capable of delivering it.”
 
“The people of Maryland deserve a real, clear choice for a change, and we're going to give it to them.”
 
Hogan has quickly emerged as the frontrunner to take on the O’Malley-Brown-Gansler regime.  Internal and external polls suggest nobody is better positioned to defeat this monopoly.  Recent polling shows just 31% of likely voters wanting to see a continuation of the same failed leadership in Annapolis.  In fact, this same polling indicates that Maryland voters favor a dramatic change of direction by an impressive 25 point margin.
 
In addition to rallying support for his campaign, Hogan surprised an already enthusiastic crowd by announcing his running mate – Boyd Rutherford, former Assistant Secretary for Administration at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a former Maryland Cabinet Secretary.

 
“As Lt. Governor, [Boyd’s] management experience and his experience in state government will be put to good use,” said Hogan.  “In my administration, he will be involved in every aspect of the operations of state government, as we work together every day to improve the efficiency with which your state tax dollars are used.”
 

Together, Larry Hogan and Boyd Rutherford have the right mix of private and public sector experience to turn Maryland around. 
 
A business owner for over 25 years, Larry has helped attract hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs to Maryland.  He took time away from his successful business to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the Ehrlich Administration, and founded the state’s largest non-partisan grassroots organization, Change Maryland, focused on bringing fiscal responsibility and common sense policies to Annapolis.
 
Boyd Rutherford is an accomplished attorney and operations executive with broad private and public sector experience and expertise at both the federal and state levels.  He has served as the Assistant Secretary for Administration at the Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS).
 
Hogan and Rutherford’s full remarks as prepared are included below:
 
HOGAN:
 
Thank you all for being here tonight, and for caring enough about our great state to be involved in this effort to Change Maryland for the better.
 
This three-year campaign to bring fiscal responsibility and common sense to Annapolis has taken me all across our state, and I've listened to the concerns of Marylanders from all walks of life.
 
The common theme I've been hearing is frustration. People everywhere see a real disconnect between Annapolis and the rest of Maryland.
 
We feel that our elected leaders are not only not solving the serious problems that face us, but that they are actually causing the problems, and making things worse.
 
The average Marylander sees a governor and a legislature willing to impose record tax increases on the rest of us that we don't need, don't want, and simply cannot afford.
 
Marylanders see our state hemorrhaging jobs, businesses, and taxpayers at an alarming rate, with no discernible response, or action from Annapolis.
 
An overwhelming majority of Marylanders, regardless of party, feel that we are way off track, heading in the wrong direction, and that new leadership is needed in Annapolis.
 
And on thing is clear: We can't change Maryland without changing governors.
 
So, after serious reflection, I decided to answer the call, and step up to this challenge by declaring my candidacy to become Maryland's next governor.
 
Now, this was not an easy decision for me to make. I'm not a career politician, I'm a small businessman, concerned citizen, and lifelong Marylander who loves this state.
 
I didn't make this decision to run for governor out of a desire to be something. I decided to run because I feel an obligation to do something.
 
We simply cannot just sit back and accept status quo, politics-as-usual in Annapolis, knowing that – together – we can make a difference.
 
A year from now, our current governor will finally be moving on.
 
But, that same group that has mismanaged our state for eight years plans to stay in power and continue leading Maryland in the exact same direction.
 
We're told that this election is between the number 2 and number 3 incumbents in the current administration, and that our only real choice is to either promote the Lt. Governor, or the Attorney General.
 
But that's not what Maryland wants. Marylanders are demanding real change in Annapolis – and neither of those career politicians is capable of delivering it.
 
The people of Maryland deserve a real, clear choice for a change, and we're going to give it to them.
 
Up until now, the arrogant monopoly in Annapolis has just been expecting another coronation in November.
 
Tonight, we're putting hem on notice, that what we're going to give them instead is the toughest fight of their lives.
 
This isn't a fight between the right and the left. This is a fight between right and wrong.
 
And this isn't just another fight between Democrats and Republicans. It's more important than that.
 
This is a fight for Maryland's future, and it's a fight worth fighting!
 
We're fighting back for the millions of hard working Marylanders suffering under the burden of forty consecutive tax hikes.
 
And we're standing up for the tens of thousands of Marylanders who are losing their health insurance because of politics and incompetence.
 
We're standing up for the 200,000 Marylanders who have lost their jobs and we're fighting back for their families who are struggling to make ends meet.
 
And we're standing up for those thousands of small business owners who have closed their doors, and the thousands of others who are struggling just to keep them open.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, I decided to run for governor, because I believe it's about time the politicians in Annapolis started listening to the rest of us.
 
With your help, next January it will be my honor to be sworn in to represent you, as your next governor.
 
On day one, together, we will begin the hard work of turning our state around.
 
Our administration will set Maryland on a new path, guided by these three fundamental principles:
 
First, our focus will be on jobs, middle class taxpayers, and restoring Maryland's economy.
 
Despite so many natural advantages, our state economy ranks 44th out of 50 states. That's simply not acceptable and the people of Maryland deserve better.
 
Job one, will be to get the government off our backs and out of our pockets so we can grow the private sector, put people back to work, and turn our economy around.
 
And incidentally, we are the only state in the nation that taxes the rain. When I'm your governor, we'll repeal the rain tax. That's one change you can count on.
 
Second, and this isn't complicated, every decision I make as governor will be put to a simple test.
 
Will this law or action make it easier for families and small businesses to stay in Maryland, and will it make more families and businesses want to come to Maryland?
 
If something comes across my desk as governor that doesn't pass this test, I'll veto it.
 
And finally, integrity. We need more truthfulness, more transparency, and tougher ethics and disclosure laws.
 
No more of the phony political spin, the backroom deals, questionable donations, and cronyism that pervades the current culture in Annapolis.
 
On day one, we are going to get to work on cleaning up the mess in Annapolis and restoring integrity to our state capital.
 
Let me tell you a story about integrity…
 
Forty years ago, a Maryland congressman, a Republican, sat on the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate, when the entire nation was watching.
 
Would a Republican be willing to buck his own party, his own president, to do what he thought was right for the country?
 
In spite of tremendous pressure, this congressman put aside party politics and partisanship and made the tough decision. He put doing the right thing ahead of his own personal political career.
 
And he became the first Republican to come out for the impeachment of President Nixon.
 
That man was my dad, former Congressman Larry Hogan, Sr. He taught me more about integrity in one day than most men learn in a lifetime, and I am proud to be his son.
 
Folks, after many years of civic involvement, fighting for reform, and challenging the status quo in Maryland, I am fully aware that this isn't going to be easy.
 
But I have never been one to walk away from a tough challenge. I'm running because it's the right thing to do, and because I believe that we are the only ones who can do it.
 
They may have all the powers of incumbency and the millions in special interest money.
 
But we have all of you, the will of the people and a grassroots army of 75,000 fed-up Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who so desperately want to see a change of direction in Maryland.
 
The current incumbents who have been responsible for this mess in Annapolis for the past eight years, say they should be given another four years, because they have been 'Moving Maryland Forward.'
 
Well if that's moving Maryland forward, then I say this November, the people of this great state are just going to have to take Maryland back!
 
Now, we have one more important piece of business to take care of tonight. We have a special surprise announcement for you.
 
Turning our state around is going to be an enormous challenge, and I knew that I needed to recruit the most capable and most experienced Lieutenant Governor I could possibly find.
 
Someone who understands how state government works, and knows what it will take to fix the problems and to make our government more efficient.
 
Someone with real management experience who has the ability to be a full partner in our administration and who is actually qualified to be governor.
 
I also wanted someone of character, and someone I genuinely liked and admired and whom I felt most comfortable with.
 
Tonight, I want you to know that I have found that partner.
 
He and I served side by side together in the state Cabinet, when he was the Secretary of General Services.
 
At the federal level, he served as the Assistant Secretary for Administration of the Department of Agriculture, and prior to that he was Associate Administrator of the GSA.
 
He is a graduate of Howard University and went to law school at USC. He's a family man who cares deeply about his community, and loves this state.
 
As Lt. Governor, his management experience and his experience in state government will be put to good use.
 
In my administration, he will be involved in every aspect of the operations of state government, as we work together every day to improve the efficiency with which your state tax dollars are used.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome from Howard County, my good friend, and the next Lieutenant Governor of the state of Maryland, Secretary Boyd Rutherford.
 
 
RUTHERFORD:
 
Larry, thank you very much. I am both proud and honored to join you in this quest to bring real change to Maryland.
 
Let me introduce you to my family  - - -
 
I’d like to start with a quote that speaks to me, by Harlem Renaissance writer, Zora Neale Hurston: “I have the nerve to walk my own way, however hard, in my search for reality, rather than climb upon the rattling wagon of wishful illusions.”
 
Folks, I am here tonight to tell you that the people who defend the status quo in Maryland are those driving that “rattling wagon of wishful illusions.”
 
Change is never easy. It makes some people uncomfortable.
 
Not me. 
 
The status quo establishment is and should be uncomfortable because hard working Maryland families are not comfortable with the amount of money that they have left after paying 40 consecutive tax and fee increases over the last 7 years!  Including increases in Maryland’s income tax, sales tax, gas tax and bridge tolls—and now they tax the rain.
 
Those families are not comfortable with shrinking job opportunities for their adult children as they watch employers, including Fortune 500 companies and 6,500 small businesses, pack up and leave Maryland for other states where career politicians don’t treat them like unwelcomed guests.
 
 
And those families are certainly not comfortable with being forced to send their children to underperforming schools which career politicians who are captives of special interest groups defend in a blanket of mediocrity that must not be allowed to envelop a generation.
 
We have a divide in this State: Some very good schools and some with significant challenges.  For too long the parents of students in those troubled schools have been ignored.  That must change.
 
Larry and I have discussed the role we envision for the Lt. Governor and that is to bring my management skills to the operations of State Government.  And for those who’ve worked with me in Government before, they know I believe in managing from “the deck of the gun boat”! 
 
Accordingly, my pledge to you is simple:  When Governor Hogan assigns this Lieutenant Governor a policy initiative to implement, I will question and I will monitor, and I will safeguard the spending of your tax dollars every waking hour.
 
In the Hogan-Rutherford Administration, the use of your tax dollars will never be treated with the cavalier attitude that we have seen from this administration over the past seven years.
 
My friends, I look forward to the debate.  I look forward to working with all of you to Change Maryland and I look forward to helping to elect Larry Hogan as the next Governor of Maryland. 
 
Thank you and may God bless All the people of Maryland.