The Rural Sign Painter

I hope no one is giving this guy trouble........

Chincoteague Residents Involved In Fatal Accident

Chincoteague residents, once again, are greiving the loss of two residents and await  anxiously for any imformation concerning the driver of the vehicle who is a Chincoteague resident also.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those that have been saddened by this tragedy.  Photos are by Kenneth Lewis.


 CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia State Police said two people died in a head-on collision on the Eastern Shore Monday evening.

The accident occurred in Accomack County onthe  Route 175, Chincoteague Causeway, Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Anaya said.

A 2004 Volvo driven by 63-year-old Ivan Klychnik, of California, was traveling westbound when he swerved into the eastbound lanes striking a 1995 Ford Taurus driven by 47-year-old Christina Gallagher, of Chincoteague.

Klychnik was flown to the hospital with minor injuries.
Gallagher was traveling with two other passengers who were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Police said Gallagher's front seat passenger, 67-year-old Robert Cherrix, of 4100 Cherrix Lane in Chincoteague, was not wearing his seat belt and died at the scene.


The rear seat passenger, 62-year-old Laurence Gordon Cherrix, of New Church, Virginia was not wearing his seat belt and also died at the scene, police said.

Gallager was also not wearing her seat belt and was flown to the hospital with major injuries.

Police said alcohol was not a factor in the accident. An investigation into what caused the accident remains ongoing.

Source; wavy.com http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/two-killed-in-head-on-collision

UPDATE: Criminal Investigation Into Parksley House Fire

Parksley -A structure fire occurred in Parksley on January 19th, 2011. State Police were notified at approximately 2:21 AM and Special Agent N. Glenn responded.

At this time there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

There was one fatality-45 year old Dana Rodriquez of Estate Lane in Parksley. At this time an arrest of a juvenile has been made.

There will be more details on a future report.

www.shoredailynews.com

County Laptop Stolen- County Employee Responsible Resigns

ACCOMAC -- Accomack residents who may have had personal information compromised when a government-owned laptop computer was stolen Oct. 7 should receive official notice from the county this week.

"The notice is being provided by Accomack County as quickly as possible following the theft, given the totality of the circumstances," said county attorney Mark Taylor in an e-mail.

County Administrator Steve Miner said as many as 35,000 names and Social Security numbers, and some resident addresses, were on a computer stolen from a Las Vegas hotel room.

The computer had been taken there by county employee Joshua Taylor on a personal vacation; Miner said it was taken there without permission.

The letter states that the county has no proof that the recipient's personal information has been accessed "by any unauthorized person." It asks recipients to review account statements and monitor credit reports by providing websites and phone numbers.

It asks recipients to call the county office if they feel personal information has been accessed or misused.

It also suggests a change in how county computers are used "by ensuring that no other computers are permitted to leave county facilities containing such data."

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Marcus Martin said Taylor reported missing a Dell laptop valued at $1,300 and a backpack.

Taylor resigned shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release issued by the county.

The theft took place at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino. He said there are two periods of time in which the electronically monitored room lock wasn't fully latched.

"Who did that is still up for the detective to determine," Martin said. "Was it a maid? Was it engineered? Was it the visitor's carelessness? We can't say."

While the county waited seven days before notifying the media of the computer's theft, Miner said last week that the county had to determine what exactly was on the laptop.

"Any suggestion that Accomack County has 'waited' to take action is simply wrong," said Mark Taylor, county attorney. "Responding to this computer theft has been the county staff's top priority since the theft was reported."

www.delmarvanow.com

Accomack County Lap Top Stolen~ Social Security Numbers Compromised

ACCOMAC — An Accomack employee had a county-owned laptop computer stolen while on a personal vacation to Las Vegas, and with it the names and Social Security numbers of roughly 35,000 county residents.

In some cases, actual addresses of county residents also may have been included in computer files.

“It was taken there without permission,” said County Administrator Steve Miner of the computer.

Miner said the worker remains employed. The matter was discussed during a closed meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday.

“We really haven’t resolved the personnel side of this,” he said.

The incident happened on the evening of Oct. 7. The county waited seven days before issuing a prepared release to media warning citizens of it.

He said letters will be sent to affected residents “very soon.”

Miner said the county began determining what was on the computer immediately after its theft.

“We have since been trying to work on the problem,” he said. “That was not something we knew, in terms of files. That took some forensic work. Then we had to figure out what it meant.”

Neither Miner nor the release named the employee who had the computer stolen.

A prepared release stated the theft is under criminal investigation. An official with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the investigation on Thursday.
County officials believe at least one file, and possibly several, on the computer contained taxpayer identity information, according to the release.

The county advised any citizens who are concerned about the security of their identity may request a fraud alert on their credit report by calling 888-766-0008, 888-397-3742 or 800-680-7289.

The release stated that the county will not comment further during the criminal investigation and personnel review.

“We’re working with all the diligence we can muster through the number of issues to get to a place where we can speak to the matter further,” said county attorney Mark Taylor.

www.delmarvanow.com

Corner Marts Robbed AGAIN

According to Major Todd Godwin of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, an investigation is being conducted in connection with two robberies that targeted Corner Mart convenience stores in Wattsville and Oak Hall, Virginia.

Several black males entered the Wattsville Corner Mart on Tuesday, September 28 at approximately 10:19 p.m. and robbed the clerks of an undisclosed amount of money and property. Suspect 1 is described as 6'2 to 6'4 and slim build. Suspect 2 is described as 5'5 to 5'7 and medium build. Suspect 3 is described as 5'6 to 5'8 and medium build.

Two males entered the Oak Hall Corner Mart on Sunday, October 3 at approximately 10:01 p.m. and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of money and property.

Anyone with information concerning these two crimes is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriffs Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.
www.shoredailynews.com

Fire At Trails End Campground

HORNTOWN, Va.- One man is dead after an early Friday fire that occurred at the Trails End Campground in Horntown, Accomack County.

New Church Volunteer Fire Chief Danny Outten said the call came in at 5:05 a.m. Responding firefighters found a 28-foot camper and the building next to it fully involved. Once the flames were extinguished, the body of a man was found inside.

The name of the victim- who Outten said was the owner of the camper- has not yet been released. There is no word yet on the cause of the blaze. The Virginia State Police Arson Unit is investigating the incident.

www.wboc.com

NASA Rocket Launch Postponed Indefinitely

The rocket launch of NASAs suborbital rocket scheduled for Wednesday, September 15 has been postponed indefinitely, according to NASA officials.

The reason for delay is to extend testing of the payload system which is used to examine new technologies on the rocket.

The Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket was originally set for Tuesday morning before being pushed back to Wednesday.

Corner Mart In Oak Hall Robbed

According to Major Todd Godwin, on Saturday, August 21 at approximately 11:22 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report of a robbery at Corner Mart in Oak Hall, Virginia. Further investigation revealed that a white male entered the convenience store and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise. The suspect fled the scene in a black step-side Chevrolet pickup.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5'6" to 5'8", 150lbs, wearing plaid shorts, white shirt, and a red ball cap.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.
www.shoredailynews.com

Accomack County will be Declared Crop Disaster Area

Accomack County will be asking or help from the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Board of Supervisors have decided to declare the county a primary crop disaster area due to the extensive damage to crops during the high temperatures and almost non-existent rainfall in the past two months.

Officials estimate that non-irrigated corn will see a 65 percent reduction in potential yield this year. Soybean yield is expected to be down 15-20 percent. Losses in a yield reduction that large for farmers could exceed $6 million.

Accomack County is the largest producer of field corn in the State of Virginia and also is a vital supply line to Delmarvas poultry industry.
www.shoredailynews.com

Drowned Body At Johnson's Wharf Has Been Identified

PARKSLEY — Family members have identified a body found Sunday in the water at Johnson’s Wharf as a Parksley man.

Elias Espitia, 41, of Neblett Street, apparently went for a walk at 10 a.m., said his sister, Macrina Guzman of Parksley. Someone called 911 at 1:22 p.m. to report a man’s motionless body overboard.

Guzman said Espitia was prone to seizures that prohibited him from driving. She said Espitia may have had a seizure and fallen overboard — family members said he could swim.

Accomack Sheriff’s Office Major Todd Godwin said the preliminary cause of death is drowning, a medical examiner has determined.

Espitia was a handyman who performed carpentry jobs. His family didn’t immediately know he was missing, figuring he was working.

“We didn’t hear anything else from him,” Guzman said on Tuesday. “We knew nothing else until yesterday.”

She said her mother began looking for Espitia on Monday and contacted the sheriff’s department.

Espitia was unmarried and had no children. He is survived by seven siblings and his mother, who lives locally. His father lives in Mexico.

“He was a really good guy — he was always helpful to everybody,” said Guzman.

www.delmarvanow.com

!! NO BURNING !!

ACCORDING TO THE 911 CENTER

STILL NO BURNING IN

ACCOMACK COUNTY OR NORTHAMPTON COUNTY !

Cases Heard In Accomack County Circuit Court

Accomack County Commonwealths Attorney Gary Agar reports the following cases were heard in Accomack County Circuit Court:

Daniel Mains, 24 of Norfolk, was found guilty of driving while being a habitual offender.

Carl Wingender, 40 of Belle Haven, was sentenced to two years imprisonment with all time suspended for credit card fraud and credit card theft.

Davon Davis, 21 of Painter, was found guilty of armed burglary, attempted robbery and possession of a sawed off shotgun.

Gil Byrd, 59 of Onancock, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with all but 60 days suspended for felony shoplifting.

Brittany Edwards, 20 of Hallwood, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with all but four days suspended for burglary and grand larceny.

Rahiam Hope, 21 of Tasley, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with all but one year suspended for eluding and leaving the scene of an accident.

Lavar Crawford, 24 of Norfolk, was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with all but 5 years suspended for eluding, reckless driving and driving without a license.

Joseph Davila, 22 of Onancock, was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment with all time suspended for writing bad checks.

Tony Linton, 48 of Sanford, had probation revoked for burglary and grand larceny.
www.shoredailynews.com

6 A.M. Pony Day Swim

CHINCOTEAGUE -- Crowds are gathering on the banks of Assateague Channel this morning in anticipation of the 85th annual Pony Swim.

Accomack County Public Schools buses are taking people to Chincoteague's Veterans' Memorial Park to watch the event, made famous by Marguerite Henry's 1947 novel, "Misty of Chincoteague."

Longtime residents and people with an intricate knowledge of the event serve as guides on the buses, providing onlookers -- estimated to be in the tens of thousands -- with information about the event.

"The best thing to do is move forward and to the right," said guide Kat Edwards to a bus with onlookers. "Get as close as you can."

She told those on the bus that the first pony ashore will be named King or Queen Neptune and will be raffled off at the Fireman's Carnival.

But members of a family seated in the middle of the bus, with a young daughter in tow, shook their heads when Edwards announced the raffle.

Edwards, whose day job is director of housing services for the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, laughed.

"Don't let your kids hear that? Is that what you're trying to say?" she asked, as the young girl suddenly became interested in winning a pony.

They got off the bus and blended into the crowd at Memorial Park, some people seated in lawn chairs, others farther down the coast, standing in marsh grass, looking toward the channel.

www.delmarvanow.com

Being A Pony Penning Volunteer

CHINCOTEAGUE -- Roe Terry intricately understands the annual Chincoteague Pony Penning from every angle.

Terry, a 34-year member of the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, which owns and manages the herd of ponies, knows the importance of the event's tradition and cares deeply for the welfare of the animals.

As the company's public relations officer and media representative, Terry helps television and print reporters get access to the ponies and the volunteers who are so important to this week's activities.

The result is that Wednesday's 85th annual Pony Swim and Thursday's Pony Auction will get worldwide coverage and have a dedicated following of enthusiasts.

"It's a juggling job," Terry said recently from his decoy carving shop on North Main Street. "You've got to be diplomatic."

Terry also understands the impact of Pony Penning on Chincoteague Island. The event helps local businesses and restaurants. And the proceeds of the pony sale and annual Fireman's Carnival help the fire company.

Long after the ponies are sold and crowds are gone, the funding helps meet the operating expenses for firetrucks, ambulances and more.

"Chincoteague's very lucky because we have the ponies," he said.

This year has been no different from others. Terry has been in contact with a reporter from Europe who recently spent time on the island documenting the ponies, and a television reporter from Japan who is expected to attend the event.

Last year, he was particularly proud that Horse Racing Television came to town to film the event and produce a segment. And Terry enjoys recounting when Spencer Christian, the "Good Morning America" weatherman, interviewed him live on national television while the ponies swam in the background.

"You learn, through your trials, what to do," he said. Terry always gives credit to the volunteers and firefighters who came before him and thanks Donald Leonard for being his mentor as the company's public relations point person.

Terry's involvement with the event, however, lasts far more than one week. Caring for the ponies, organizing the swim and auction and preparing for the carnival is a year-round process.

He waves off attention and deflects the credit to all the dedicated volunteers in the fire company and Saltwater Cowboys who give their time and talents to make the event a success.

"Everybody does it, not just me," he said. "It's a tremendous amount of work."

Terry's background

Terry, 57, joined the Navy after high school in Chincoteague and then worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Terry and his wife, Monnie, have two grown children, Ryan and Irene.

For a decade, beginning in the early 1980s, he was a full-time decoy carver.

Terry has been a carver ever since he was 15. He credits a neighbor, Doug Jester Jr., with fostering a love of the outdoors.

"He took me clamming, fishing, hunting," he said of Jester.

After carving 5,751 pieces in a little more than nine years, he went back to NOAA as an electronic technician, saying he "decided I better get some retirement and health insurance."

Still, Terry enjoys carving -- he works 42 hours a week at his full-time job and carves another 20-25 hours a week behind his house in a shop where he shows and sells his intricate, detailed birds.

These days, Terry produces about 200 pieces a year and donates some of them to worthy causes like the new Chincoteague Island Library for fundraisers. He also gives 40 talks a year to groups like Elderhostel on carving and wildfowl.

Dedication to volunteering

It seems Terry likely won't get much carving done in the coming days as volunteers coordinate the swim and auction. He'll be speaking with the media and granting access to the swim site. Like many others who help with the event, he takes vacation time from work so he can volunteer for the storied event.

Volunteering is dear to Terry, whether it involves the Pony Penning, helping on a wintertime house fire or with any other organization. He bristles at people who complain about volunteers.

"Don't complain about your volunteers," said Terry, who keeps his firefighting gear in his pickup truck. "Be a volunteer."

That's exactly what people will see Terry and the other Chincoteague firefighters and Saltwater Cowboys doing, not only in the coming days, but all year long.

"It's a satisfying job because you're a volunteer," he said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Young Island Vacationer Donates Poem To Chamber

CHINCOTEAGUE -- Allison Doss of Dacula, Ga. is a budding young poet.

Allison, 9, a student at Freeman's Mill Elementary School, had an assignment to write a poem with the subject, "Beauty Is."

Allison wrote the following, arranging it in the shape of a Christmas tree:

Beauty Is

Salty air

A quiet marsh

On a secret island

Crashing waves

An Egret's nest

Muller's Ice Cream Parlor

On a hot summer night

A bike ride through mini Africa

A long hike up the striped lighthouse

My friends don't know this place

My teachers don't know this place

This secret island called Chincoteague

But I know

My Pop knows

The ponies know

That is what Beauty is....

Allison's poem won first prize at Freeman's Mill Elementary School and went on to win first place in a countywide competition in Gwinnet County, Ga.

Allison presented the poem to her "Pop," Walter Bulmer, as a Christmas gift last year.

Allison presented a framed copy of the poem to the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce last week, while she was on vacation with her parents and grandparents.

www.easternshorenews.com