Worcester County Sheriff's Department Makes Drug Arrest

POCOMOKE CITY -- Two men are in police custody after 107.9 grams of marijuana was seized by Worcester County sheriff's detectives after a traffic stop for a broken taillight.

Jarrell Bernard Roberts, 24, of Pocomoke City was charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana in a school zone, possession of paraphernalia, resisting arrest and assault of a law enforcement officer.

Roderick D. Collier, 20, of Pocomoke City has been charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana in a school zone, resisting arrest and possession of paraphernalia.

Roberts and Collier were charged after Sheriff's Office Detective Anthony Rhode pulled over the vehicle they were in for an alleged equipment violation on Young Street in Pocomoke City.

Detectives Rodney Wells, Brian Trader and Bethany Ramey then arrived and proceeded to search Roberts and Collier after seeing them make "furtive movements," according to charging documents.

A pat-down was given to ensure officer safety, police said, and officers found a gallon-sized plastic bag containing 20 individually wrapped plastic bags of marijuana as well as a digital scale in Roberts' pants, according to a police statement.

Collier allegedly shouted at the officers that the marijuana found on Roberts was his. Taking him at his word, police say, they searched Collier, finding a plastic sandwich bag allegedly containing 17 individual wrapped plastic bags of suspected marijuana as well as a digital scale, which contained what police say was marijuana and cocaine residue.

Once in custody, Collier and Roberts were unruly and uncooperative, according to police.

The driver of the car, Derrick Smith of Pocomoke City, was not charged nor searched, according to police.

www.delmarvanow.com

Sunday Matinee At The MarVa Theater

If you haven't been to see this movie you have one more chance!

Sunday Matinee 2:00 pm Admission: $5.00

Mayor McDermott To Be Sworn Into House of Delegates On Jan. 12

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - The town of Pocomoke will soon be losing its mayor, but not just yet.

Mayor Mike McDermott will be sworn into the House of Delegates for District 38-B on Jan. 12.

City officials say McDermott will remain mayor until then. At that point, Robert Hawkins, the First Vice-President of the City Council, will take on mayoral responsibilities, but not the official title. Hawkins will continue to serve as a councilman.

A new mayor will be elected in the city's scheduled elections in April of 2011.

www.wmdt.com

POCOMOKE WARRIORS ~ 1A Field Hockey Champs

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH PUSEY AND HER TEAM !!

State Champion Pocomoke with their trophy after winning the Maryland Division 1A High school Field Hockey Championship on Saturday against Patterson Mill at Washington College in Chestertown, Md.

info DailyTimes/photo Chuck Snyder

Mike McDermott Could Resign As Mayor of Pocomoke City

SNOW HILL -- In the wake of Nov. 2 elections, Mike McDermott is wearing three hats: working as a sheriff's deputy, serving as mayor of Pocomoke City and most likely being a delegate-elect to the Maryland General Assembly.

That's two hats too many to do a good job as delegate, McDermott said in an interview. He said he'll resign as Pocomoke mayor in a matter of weeks, and will retire from law enforcement later in 2011.

"I'll resign from being mayor as soon as I take office," says McDermott. "The vice president of the council will continue to run the meetings until the next city election, which is the second week in February."

Bob Hawkins, who represents District 1 on the Pocomoke council, is the current vice president.

If nothing nudges him from his current place in the race to represent District 38B along with longtime delegate Norman Conway, he'll be sworn in as a member of the General Assembly on Jan. 12, when the legislature convenes. Another candidate, Marty Pusey, would have to gain 1,468 or more votes compared to McDermott in a final count of remaining absentee and provisional votes to overtake him, and that appears unlikely to happen given the amount of ballots left to count. The last ballots mailed from overseas are set to be counted by Nov. 22.

McDermott doesn't have the option of being Pocomoke's mayor and representing it in the legislature as well. Since the position of mayor is elected and paid, McDermott cannot hold it while holding another elected, paid office in Maryland, says Raquel Guillory, public information officer for the state Attorney General's Office.

As for his duties as deputy in the Sheriff's Office, McDermott said he expects to continue being in charge of the Criminal Investigative Division through next year. He will take saved-up vacation time during the 90-day legislative session before retiring from the department.

"I knew I couldn't hold office and [be mayor]," McDermott said. "I ran knowing I would step down if elected, but my retirement decision wasn't relative to the election."

McDermott said he wanted to make sure he would be able to devote his time and energy to being a state delegate.

"Although the session is only 90 days, it's a year-round responsibility," said McDermott. "I wouldn't have wanted to take that on without having the time to do it."

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Mayor and Council Meeting Monday Night

POCOMOKE CITY -- The City Council and mayor are scheduled to hold the city's monthly meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The council will discuss regulations requiring the installation of sprinklers in new single-family homes, a letter from the Jenkins Orchard Homeowners Association concerning storm drainage and a letter concerning bow hunting on city property on Dunn Swamp Road.

Call 410-957-1333 or visit www.cityof pocomoke.com.

www.delmarvanow.com

TRICK OR TREAT IN POCOMOKE

Trick or Treat

Will be observed in Pocomoke City on

Saturday October 30th

From 5:00pm-7:00pm.

Children 12 and under in costume

This Weekend At the MarVa Theater

Friday, Oct 22nd Sat, Oct 23rd
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $5

PLOT:
Starring Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman, Kristin Chenoweth and Betty White, YOU AGAIN is an outrageous comedy about a successful PR pro who discovers that her brother is marrying her high school arch nemesis.
Rated PG-13

Aquarium Comes To Life At Delmarva Discovery Center In Pocomoke

POCOMOKE CITY -- The final step in the installation of Delmarva Discovery Center's 6,000-gallon freshwater aquarium is just days away.

A dedication ceremony for the aquarium is scheduled for Oct. 21 from 6-8 p.m. and will call attention to a $250,000 grant from the Fulton Owen Foundation, which made the purchase and operation of the tank possible.

Staff and volunteers are ready to show off the exhibit to the public, after working to install the tank and prep and introduce the fish to their new habitat.

"(The tank) is a great opportunity to highlight the ecology of the Pocomoke River and the unique fish that live in it," says Executive Director Brian Garrett. "We just want to recognize their generous donation and acknowledge the positive impact it's having on the discovery center."

The ceremony will include a speech by Garrett, in addition to a presentation of the tank, acknowledgment of the donors, a short speech by representatives of the Snow Hill-based Fulton Owen Foundation and a casual reception.

The tank is designed to look similar to the underwater world of the Pocomoke River and has been stocked with native fish, including Atlantic sturgeon, largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegills.

Garrett expects the tank to increase learning opportunities for area residents as well as the attractiveness of Pocomoke City as a regional tourist destination.

"For this summer, between June 1 and the end of August, we had 3,600 general admissions," said Garrett. "We are on pace to put between 7,500 and 8,000 through the center this year."

After the ceremony has ended, staff at the Discovery Center are expected to get to work on their next big project. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore recently donated a 1,500 gallon tank for a Chesapeake Bay ecological exhibit.

Garrett says before moving forward on that, the Discovery Center needs to secure additional funding, to ensure once the tank is installed there will be enough money to keep it operational and allow for the care of marine life.

If you go

WHAT. Fulton/Owen Foundation Dedication

WHERE. Delmarva Discovery Center, 2 Market St., Pocomoke City

WHEN. Oct. 21, 6-8 p.m.

COST. $20 per ticket, $18 for members, $35 for couples

INFO. 410-957-9933

www.worcestercountytimes.com

'Friendliest Town' Offers Many Positives ~~From Mayor Mike McDermott

RE: "Shift in services is a big concern in Pocomoke City," Oct. 11; "Pocomoke residents are looking for some answers," Oct. 12

Public safety is a core mission of government that is taken seriously by Pocomoke City's mayor and council. We have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in technology dedicated to thwarting and reducing crime in our city. This includes a bank of 24/7 targeted surveillance cameras monitored by police personnel. We have also focused efforts on building strong ties and relationships with our young people, in particular those deemed to be "at risk."

This has been done through direct support of the Save the Youth Organization, the Salvation Army Youth Programs, and a host of grant funded programs created and administered by our police department. We are the only municipal government in Maryland to be consistently recognized and awarded each year by the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention for these efforts.

We are an active partner with our local schools and were thrilled last week when Pocomoke Middle School received national recognition as one of the top schools in the nation. Principal Caroline Bloxom and her staff represent everything that is right in fostering a protected, learning environment for our young people. She provides them with hope and a future.

Pocomoke City takes a multi-faceted approach:

~A new comprehensive master plan for growth and development
~Comprehensive zoning review
~Housing enforcement review
~Downtown economic development
~Targeted industrial development
~Engineering studies of critical infrastructure needs.

Considering our city's future needs, we are reviewing options for construction of a new police department facility. Our existing facilities provide a full gymnasium for use by local nonprofits; we are examining ways to continue providing this service. Once all options are identified, they will be discussed openly at a regular meeting of the mayor and council.

With local investment in our downtown, including the Mar-Va Performing Arts Theater, Delmarva Discovery Center, new Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, Sturgis One-Room Schoolhouse, Costen House and the new riverfront restaurant breaking ground in the spring, it is no wonder new businesses are locating here.

City Hall will remain in its historic location, downtown, irrespective of any potential move by the police department. The city's commitment to a thriving downtown is self-evident.

I recently attended a celebration honoring Bishop Isaac Jenkins for his 50 years of service as pastor at New Macedonia Baptist Church. One can learn much from the dedication and commitment the reverend has displayed over five decades. He always focuses on that which is "good" and "positive," encouraging us to do the same.

Anyone can throw stones, but it takes vision to see how each stone can be used to build up a community. Pocomoke City has been blessed with citizens who gather and build up "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore."

Mike McDermott is mayor of Pocomoke City.

www.delmarvanow.com

Man Charged With Murder Is No Stranger To Jail

SNOW HILL -- Police arrested a Pocomoke City man for the stabbing death of a teen, charging him with murder.

James Edward Ballard, 29, of Pocomoke City, was ordered to be held without bond by Judge Gerald Purnell in Worcester County District Court.

Police charged Ballard with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 18-year-old Russell Matthew Bailey III, also of Pocomoke City. Police also charged him with second-degree murder, manslaughter and first-degree assault.

The circumstances of the incident were not immediately clear. First-degree murder is a charge that implies premeditation; Ballard told police he was defending himself.

According to court documents, Pocomoke City Police and Maryland State Police responded at 2:30 p.m. to a reported stabbing in the 700 block of Eighth Street in Pocomoke City, across the street from the middle school.

Police found the victim lying on the ground, bleeding from a chest wound. In charging documents, police said "numerous witnesses" said they saw Ballard stab Bailey.

Investigators telephoned Ballard to come in for an interview. At the Pocomoke City Police station, he confessed to stabbing Bailey, calling it an act of self-defense. In charging documents, police allege that Ballard killed Bailey with premeditation, based upon their investigation.

Pocomoke Mayor Mike McDermott said the event was sad and unfortunate.

"It's always a tragedy when people resolve anger and frustration with this kind of violence," said McDermott. "I'm glad we know who the bad guy is and we have dealt with the criminal."

Bailey had graduated from Pocomoke High School in June. Tyrone Mills, the school's principal, said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to learn of Russell's death. It is a tragedy to lose a young man who had his whole life ahead of him."

Mills described Bailey as a student who enjoyed working on vehicles in the auto tech program who had aspirations to continue his education after he graduated last spring.

At Snow Hill District Court early last Thursday, Ballard, the suspect in Bailey's killing, sported a bushy beard and shiny white Air Jordan sneakers with his a navy blue prisoner jumpsuit. He told the judge that he has "a lot of stuff going on" in his life, that he needed a lawyer, and asked for a preliminary hearing.

Ballard also told the judge he had barely been home two weeks after having spent 18 months in jail for a probation violation.

In September 2008, a Worcester County Circuit Court judge sentenced Bailey to a year in jail and two years on probation on charges of second-degree assault.

Months later, authorities learned not only had Ballard moved from Pocomoke City to Philadelphia, but he had been arrested there in February 2009 on drug charges. They also learned of his July 2009 arrest in Hampton, Va., also on a drug charge.

Both his move and the arrests violated the terms of his probation. As a result, a judge sent him back to jail for another 18 months in November 2009.

Ballard's criminal record in Worcester and Wicomico counties dates to 1999 and includes other charges for burglary, drug possession, armed robbery, assault and escaping from police custody. No date has been set yet for Ballard's next court appearance.

www.delmarvanow.com

Teen Dies After Stabbing

POCOMOKE CITY — An 18-year-old man died Wednesday after being stabbed, and Worcester County law enforcement officials are calling it a homicide.

The victim was stabbed around 3 p.m. in the area of Ninth Street and Laurel Street in Pocomoke City, according Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd. The victim was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where he was pronounced dead.

Todd said the victim has been identified but declined to give the boy's name. Todd said the victim's body was found behind a home and showed no signs of life. He said the Worceter County Bureau of Investigation and Pocomoke City Police are investigating. Todd said it was the third homicide this year in Pocomoke.

Pocomoke City District 3 Councilman Bruce Morrison said the body was found across the street from the town's middle school. As a result, the town's elementary, middle, and high schools were put on lockdown for a brief time as classes were about to be let out, as a matter of protocol.

"It's getting scary," he said, noting the incident occured near his home. "I don't want to see things like this happening my town. I'm very concerned about it. I'm going to talk to the City Manager about it, and we're going to see what we can do about getting it under wraps."

www.delmarvanow.com

Kudos to Councilman Morrison! I hope he will continue to work on this and all crime in the wonderful city of Pocomoke. The citizens deserve to know. The citizens NEED to know about ALL crime in the area. How can they fight something they do not have a full grasp on?

~~ Pocomoke Fire Department~~

Saturday, Sept. 25th. The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Co. and The Pocomoke City Ambulance Co. will participate in Community Safety Day at Lowe's in Pocomoke City.
9:30 til 2

Weather permitting....The Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Co. will conduct a control burn Sunday Sept.26th. near Walnut and 2nd Sts. beginning at 7 a.m. We will burning a rather large house. This will cause some street closings and some smoke in the area.

Arrest Made In Duck Inn Robery

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - A man has been arrested in connection to an armed robbery. Worcester County authorities have arrested Wayne Tyler Jr., 32, of Pocomoke City on charges of armed robbery and assault.


They say Tyler allegedly robbed the Duck Inn store in Pocomoke at gunpoint back on August 19th. Tyler is being held at the Worcester County Jail on $250,000 bond.

Authorities also say the Duck Inn store was robbed again a week later, on April 28th.

Anyone with information about that robbery is asked to call The Worcester County Bureau of Investigations at (410) 352-3476 or Pocomoke City Police Dept. at (410) 957-1600.

www.wmdt.com

~~Mar-Va Benefit~~

Basket Bingo To Benefit The Mar-Va

The Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center is hosting a Basket Bingo !
There will be food, Chinese Auction, 50/50, Silent Auction
For tickets or reservations call Diane @ 410-957-1351 or Beverly @ 410-726-0028

When: Friday September 10th

Time: Doors open @ 5:30 P.M. Bingo begins at 7:00 P.M.

Where: Pocomoke Fairgrounds

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !!

Trial Postponed In Worcester County

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - The trial for a murder suspect has been postponed in Worcester County.

Alexander Crippen was set to appear before a judge and jury (today)Wednesday, September 8th, but the trial has now been pushed back to December.

Crippen is accused of shooting Reginald Handy Jr. near Laurel and Fifth streets in Pocomoke back in May.

He is charged with multiple offenses including first degree murder.

www.wmdt.com

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN BREAST CANCER WALK

HOSTED BY MIDWAY Welcome to the 1st Annual "Help Midway Drive Out Breast Cancer" Charity Walk, to benefit Women Supporting Women - a local, non-profit group that provides support to those in our community who have in some way been affected by breast cancer.

The qualified and dedicated staff provides a variety of free services, including education and awareness events with free literature and guest speakers, monthly support meetings and private mentoring information, and counseling for the newly diagnosed and their families. WSW also provides wigs, hats, and scarves - at no cost - to women enduring and recovering from cancer treatments.

Since WSW is a local non-profit with no national affiliations, all contributions stay here on the Eastern Shore to help those affected by breast cancer.

Event Information
Date: August 21, 2010
Time: 10 AM (Registration)
11 AM 3 PM (Walk)
Location: Midway GM/Toyota
1337 Ocean Highway
Pocomoke City, Maryland
(Call for Directions)

Purpose: To raise money, through pledges by individuals and corporate sponsors, to benefit Women Supporting Women a local non-profit organization that provides awareness, education, and support to all those who are affected by breast cancer.

For more information, or to receive an official entry folder, fill out our form below or call Josh Nordstrom @ Midway: 443.614.6021

This Weekend At The MarVa Theater

Here's what everyone has been waiting for!!!

Friday and Saturday night August 6th and 7th

Showtime: 7 p.m. Admission: $5.00 Rated G

Be there for a chance to win a Toy Story 3 toy!

Pocomoke Bonanza Building Sold To Mexican Restaurant

POCOMOKE CITY -- The building that formerly held the Bonanza Steakhouse in Pocomoke City will be reopened as a Mexican restaurant later this year.

The former Ocean Highway buffet was sold recently for $950,000 to Tres Tacauches LLC, which owns a small chain of restaurants in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, according to Henry Hanna, a Realtor with Sperry Van Ness.

The company also purchased the former Bonanza location in Millsboro.

www.delmarvanow.com

Pocomoke Water Treatment System

POCOMOKE CITY -- The Pocomoke mayor and council agreed to additional work on the sewer plant upgrade that will change the way that the town's sewage is disinfected before it's released.

Presently, the sewage is disinfected by the addition of chlorine. When the new system is completed, waste will be treated with ultraviolet light. City Manager Russell W. Blake said that this system will not only be less expensive for the town but will be safer, too.

The state is urging towns to use a method of disinfectant other than chlorine so that the chemical can be eliminated from the Chesapeake Bay, Blake said.

Once the new plant upgrade is completed, Pocomoke City will have a "state-of-the-art plant, as good as or better than any on the bay," Blake said. He said that the Pocomoke City system is one of 33 plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed governed by a stricter set of regulations. The costs of the upgrade should be almost 100 percent covered by state and federal grants, he said.

An additional bandstand at Cypress Park is another town project expected to be covered by state funding. The addition is planned to include restrooms and a concession stand for use during functions on the bandstand.

Blake said plans include a sound system on the bandstand that would require the town to purchase an amplifier, microphones and speakers as well as other equipment. B&B Sound Design proposed to supply the system at a cost of $8,633. The expenditure was approved by the council and is also expected to be covered by state funding.

Another project in the pipeline is an addition to the ambulance garage. The town has three ambulances but only has space for two in the headquarters building. The addition would make room for the third ambulance as well as extra room for storage. The cost of this building would be about $100,000, of which $50,000 will be covered by a grant.

www.delmarvanow.com