Open Every Day!!

GOOD HOME COOKING EVERY DAY !!

SUNDAY BRUNCH

BLUE PLATE SPECIAL - $5.95

DINE in or CARRY OUT

Don Malloy Files To Run For Council Seat In Pocomoke

POCOMOKE CITY -- With the filing of Don Malloy for a council seat, both offices up for grabs in Pocomoke's April 5 election have a candidate. Malloy, who had served previously on the Council from 1965-1968, filed to fill the third district seat. That seat is now up for election as Bruce Morrison, the present occupant, has filed for mayor.

Malloy said that he had been asked by a number of friends and acqaintances to put his name in for the post. He doesn't see any problems with the direction of the town but would like to see Pocomoke continue to improve, he said in an interview.

A member of the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company for more than 40 years, he was also active in the ambulance service. He served on the board of the historic Mar-Va Theater during a number of the years the landmark was brought back to life. He is a member of the Pocomoke Elks Lodge where he is a past exalted ruler.

One project he points to with pride is helping with the construction of the Nature Trail from Cypress Park to the edge of the Winter Quarters Golf Course.

To be eligible to run for mayor, a person must be a resident of Pocomoke City for at least one year prior to the election, a registered voter and at least 25 years old. To be eligible to run for the open council seat, a person must be a registered voter and a resident of the Third District.

The deadline for filing is Friday, Feb. 4, at Pocomoke City Hall.

The deadline for registering to vote in the election is March 4. To be eligible to register, a person must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Maryland for the past six months and must have been a resident of Pocomoke City for at least 30 days just prior to the election.

Anyone who does not know his or her district of residence can find it at City Hall.

written by: Bill Kerbin

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Thefts From Unsecured Cars In Pocomoke

I found this article in the Salisbury Daily Times yesterday:

"POCOMOKE CITY — Police say they are investigating four reported incidents of thefts from "unsecured" cars on Jan. 20.

The thefts occurred in the areas of Cedar Street, Lynnhaven Drive and Walnut Street, police said.

Items taken include iPods, MP3 players, wallets and loose change, according to police.

Anyone with information on these thefts is asked to contact the Pocomoke City Police Department at 410-957-1600."

Come on Pocomoke people!! Unless you live under a rock you KNOW that this is happening frequently around Pocomoke. And it's not just in Pocomoke! It's everywhere. No matter where you live or who you are there is always someone that wants what you have and will take it with a clear conscience!

STOP!! being enablers and lock your car no matter how long you will be away from it. Lock your things in the trunk or take them with you. This has been said over and over again. Remember: If it's something you wanted and you bought it chances are those things are what others want to. They just don't mind stealing.

So stop making their job easy. But keep in mind a few weeks ago there was someone in the area opening locked cars with a slim jim.

Be on the lookout for this thief.

Stop By The Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery This Weekend

Warm up this weekend with a hot bowl of soup from the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery



MONDAY THRU SATURDAY
6 AM until 9 PM
SUNDAY
6 AM until 7 PM
SUNDAY BRUNCH AVAILABLE

DELICIOUS DAILY SPECIALS !!

Carry Out and Delivery Available

In addition to great food, the bakery section is making Smith Island Cakes daily, featuring their Original "Smith Island BabyCakes". Cakes on hand daily. Be sure to try either one.
Need private dining for a group? The Bay Queen Restaurant has 2 dining rooms. One can be rented for private affairs.

Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery is located on Rt.13 North next to the Ford dealership.

Pocomoke Councilman Has Filed To Run For Mayor

POCOMOKE CITY -- After serving two three-year terms as councilman of Pocomoke's third district, Bruce Morrison has filed to run for mayor. A lifelong resident of Pocomoke City, Morrison is the second longest-serving council member.

As Morrison took the oath of office in April 2005, along with outgoing Mayor Mike McDermott, a top concern was reducing crime and tackling the drug issue that seemed prevalent. The overall crime rate has dropped by 18 percent in the last year, according to Morrison. This focus on crime has been aided by community outreach and a number of concerned citizens getting involved. A Neighborhood Crime Watch has been established that meets in area churches to target problematic issues. Six cameras have been installed in hot spots around town, aiding in many drug crimes being solved and two additional cameras are scheduled to be added complete this year, Morrison said.

In early 2011, Pocomoke City will be completing a $6 million upgrade to its sewage treatment plant, making it one of the few compliant plants in the state. This effort was largely funded through federal sources.

Pocomoke's downtown makes up a large part of the third district that Morrison has served. Upon taking office six years ago, Morrison expressed his concern for the downtown area, hoping to make its revitalization a priority. Many area attractions have come to fruition, he said, including the new addition to the Sturgis One-Room School Museum, which has brought the black history of the area to life, adding to Pocomoke's other history museum, The Costen House.

The opening of the Mar-Va Theater now brings first-run movies to Pocomoke City on the first and third weekends of each month along with outstanding musical and theatrical performances.

The Delmarva Discovery Center is open and loaded with much of Delmarva's history, highlighting many outstanding exhibits depicting life in yesteryear -- a look into the past and a step into the future.

The Bay Queen calls the docks of the Pocomoke River home and offers cruises almost daily and by reservation three seasons a year.

Even though much has been accomplished in the downtown area, Morrison said he thinks much is left to be done. It is his hope Pocomoke City is charting a course toward reinvention as a tourist destination area, he said.

Morrison has served on the Maryland Critical Areas Commission, serving under governors Robert Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley.

Locally, he is an active member of Salem United Methodist Church, having served as chairman of the trustees for two years. He is a member of Pocomoke Elks Lodge 12624, where he is a past exalted ruler. In the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company he has served as a line officer and past president. He is also serving on the Board of Directors of the Lower Shore YMCA. Morrison is employed at Hardwire LLC and is married to Laura Gladding Morrison; they have two children.

Pocomoke's elections are held on the first Tuesday in April. Registered voters who wish to run for office must file nominating petitions 60 days before the elections are held.

www.delmarvanow.com

Try The Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery This Weekend

Too busy to cook?? Too tired?? Or just want to try something different for a change..........

The BAY QUEEN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY is now open!

"Home cooked comfort food" Daily special for $5.95.

Restaurant Hours:
MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM
SUNDAY 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM SUNDAY BRUNCH

While you're there check out the bakery.

Located on Rt. 13 North at the Days Inn just before the Ford dealer.

Carryout and delivery available.

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting

POCOMOKE CITY -- The mayor and council gave tentative approval Monday to a $404,775 bid that will apply an innovate method of treating effluent at the new sewage plant.

Instead of treating the sludge with chemicals, the new system, to be installed by the Bearing Construction Co., will use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. This method will save the town money and is safer, officials said, since town employees will not have to handle some caustic chemicals.

The decision is contingent on the Maryland Department of the Environment approving the construction bid package and the town receiving a loan to cover the cost of the system. If received, 87.5 percent of the principal will be forgiven.

The town also officially transferred the deed to the Benelli property in the Pocomoke Industrial Park. Beretta, a sister company, came to the park in 1989 to manufacture barrels for shipment to the company's southern Maryland plant for final assembly. Ten years later, Benelli took over the building.

Under Benelli, shotguns manufactured in Italy are shipped to Pocomoke City for distribution throughout the country and service of the shotguns is handled in the local plant. Manager Dan Boyle said there are presently 30 people working at the plant. He called them the "best employees around."

Additionally, the council voted to opt out of a state mandate for installation of sprinkler systems in any new single-family homes. Instead, the plan is to offer a discount on property taxes -- 50 percent or up to $2,000 in the first year -- if the owner installs the system.

During his last meeting as mayor, Michael A. McDermott publicly thanked a number of people who had worked with him during his term in office. He was elected as a member of the House of Delegates last year.

Councilman Robert L. Hawkins, who presented McDermott with a certificate for his tenure as mayor, will preside at the meetings until a new mayor is elected in April.

www.delmarvanow.com

Organizations Working Together For A Better Community

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. --Members of the Midway family recently pitched in to help the Samaritan Shelter of Pocomoke at the first Tom Wall Pancake Supper.

Volunteers from Midway GM/Toyota --alongside representatives from host Lynnhaven Baptist Church of Pocomoke -- cooked and served pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage for more than 200 hungry supporters.

The event raised critical funds for the shelter, which helps people in crisis achieve self-reliance in a structured, supportive environment.

According to Midway spokesperson Susanna Annis, "Everyone from the Midway family enjoyed helping this great organization -- it's wonderful to be able to give back to the community that does so much to support us."

To learn more about The Samaritan Shelter and its programs, visit www.thesamaritanshelter.org.

www.easternshorenews.com

SUNDAY BRUNCH at The Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery

DON'T FORGET!!

The BAY QUEEN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY is now open!

Stop by today for SUNDAY BRUNCH


"Home cooked comfort food" Daily special for $5.95.
Restaurant Hours:
MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM
SUNDAY 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM

While you're there check out the bakery.

Located on Rt. 13 North at the Days Inn just before the Ford dealer.

Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery Opens Today

OPEN TODAY !!

Don't forget to stop by the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery today and see what's cooking!

(How about a nice warm bowl of soup with a grilled sandwhich and for dessert a slice of Smith Island cake. Mmmm....)

Their menu will consist of a home cooked comfort food dinner and offer "Blue Plate Specials" for the resonable price of $5.95 daily. Take-out menu and delivery are available too!

Along with the delicious foods, the bakery will be making Smith Island cakes daily and featuring their Smith Island "BabyCakes".

Located on Route 13 North at the Days Inn (right next to the ford dealership).

The folks at the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery are excited about this new adventure look forward to serving you.

~~Let us know how you like it!~~

This Weekend At the MarVa Theater

Showing Friday, January 7th and Saturday, January 8th

at 7:00 PM.

Sunday, January 9th at 2:00 PM

Tickets: $5.00

PLOT:

As Harry races against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, he uncovers the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.
Rated PG-13

Opening Tomorrow In Pocomoke........

OPENING TOMORROW !!

BAY QUEEN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY

The folks that operated the sandwhich shop and bakery once located in downtown Pocomoke, next to the MarVa Theater, will open their doors on Wednesday in a new location offering not just those tasty and petite Smith Island "BabyCakes", but a full menu.

Their menu will consist of a home cooked comfort food dinner and offer "Blue Plate Specials" for the resonable price of $5.95 daily. Take-out menu and delivery are available too!

Along with the delicious foods, the bakery will be making Smith Island cakes daily and featuring their Smith Island "BabyCakes". (you MUST try one)

Located on Route 13 North at the Days Inn (right next to the ford dealership).

The folks at the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery are excited about this new adventure look forward to serving you.

More information on this tomorrow morning.

Delmarva Discovery Center Events For 2011

Suspect In Handy Murder Has Been Arrested

I have been out of town for the past few days on a family matter and am so glad to see that this possible murderer has been arrested! Hopefully the Handy family will be working towards some closure. Great job police department!

POCOMOKE CITY — A suspect in a Pocomoke murder case was arrested without trouble outside the Walmart store Friday night, police said. They arrested Skylor Dupree Harmon, 19, who days ago was charged with murdering Reginald Handy Jr., 22, in May.

A state police fugitive apprehension team, assisted by a special team of Worcester sheriff's deputies, caught Harmon Friday at about 6 p.m., police said, and he is being held without bond.

At a news conference last week, prosecutors and police said they believe Harmon killed Handy. A different man, Alexander Crippen, 36, was the first person charged with murder in Handy's death, but those murder charges were dropped before Crippen's trial; he was later convicted of attempting to kill a different man, based on testimony about what he did at the same scene where Handy died.

Harmon is currently the sole suspect in Handy's death, and police had said he was at large in southern Worcester or Somerset counties, and possibly armed and dangerous.

www.delmarvanow.com

Christmas Basket Drawing To Benefit Samaritan Shelter

A Bountiful Blessings Christmas Basket

A Bountiful Blessings Christmas Basket drawing is a chance to shop for holiday stocking stuffers as well as raise money to benefit the Samaritan Shelter in Pocomoke City.

The basket is stuffed with items ranging from dinner for two at Texas Roadhouse to a family membership at the Delmarva Discovery Center. Basket items are valued at more than $950.

Tickets for the drawing are $5 each or $10 for three.

The drawing will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Heart 'N Home gift store and vendor, 1532 Ocean Highway in Pocomoke City.

Call 410-957-4310

No Verdict For Attempted Murder

SNOW HILL -- The attempted murder trial of a 36-year-old Maryland man concluded with no verdict Tuesday after the judge said he needed time to review and consider the evidence.

After a day and a half of testimony, Alexander Crippen, who is alleged to have fired shots at 28-year-old Torrance Davis, will have to wait three days before the court will rule on the case.

Circuit Court Judge Richard R. Bloxom said the bench trial will resume at 1 p.m. Friday.

Crippen, who is listed as a resident of Fort Washington, Md., and Pocomoke City, has been held without bond at the Worcester County Jail since late May when he was charged in the murder of Reginald Jerome Handy Jr., a 22-year-old Greenbush resident.

Handy was gunned down outside a Laurel Avenue home May 27.

In June, a grand jury indicted Crippen on murder and other related charges connected to Handy's death in addition to attempted murder charges.

Bloxom dismissed the murder and assault charges filed against Crippen during a criminal motions hearing Dec. 1. The prosecutor and Deputy State's Attorney Michael Farlow said forensic evidence would have made it impossible to prove Crippen killed Handy.

During the trial Tuesday, two Pocomoke City women testified they saw Crippen in the area where the victim was killed before the shots were fired.

"When I first heard gunshots, I took off," 20-year-old Rashima Schoolfield said.

When she looked behind her, Crippen was 5-10 feet behind her, she said.

Shanna Harmon, 31, testified that she saw Crippen running toward Fifth Street after the shots were fired.

However, neither witness identified Crippen as the gunman.

The victim's cousin and witness for the state identified Crippen as the shooter during a recorded interview with investigators May 27; however, private defense attorney Arthur E. McGreevy of Baltimore pointed to inconsistencies in Davis' statements compared to evidence in the case and trial testimony from other witnesses.

"There really isn't a whole lot of physical evidence that links my client to this case," McGreevy said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Pocomoke Mayor and Council Vote On Sprinkler Installations

POCOMOKE CITY -- The mayor and council voted to opt out of a state regulation requiring the installation of sprinkler systems in new single-family homes in Maryland after Jan. 1.

Instead, the town will offer owners of a new home a rebate on property taxes if they decide to install a sprinkler system. The amount of the rebate will be decided later.

Two-family homes are not affected by the town's decision since they already come under the code that calls for structures with more than one family to have the systems.

Worcester County Commissioners have so far decided to let the state regulations stand, meaning they would go into effect in the new year. But the two newly elected commissioners who were sworn in Tuesday -- Merrill Lockfaw Jr. and Jim Bunting Jr. -- want to revisit the issue.

In Ocean City, the Town Council is on track to clear the way for the state regulations to take effect in the resort.

Other business

Chris B. Derbyshire, representing George, Miles and Buhr, also gave the mayor and council an update this week on the upgrade to the town's sewer plant.

He said work on the upgrade is 82 percent complete. The original completion date was Dec. 29, but an additional 48 days is needed because of a change order in the original contract. Because of the increase in time, the architects requested an additional $32,234 to monitor the construction. The request was approved.

City Manager Russell W. Blake said no local funds will be needed to cover this cost. Derbyshire also said bids should be opened in about two weeks on the UV disinfection project. This addition, costing about $225,000, will disinfect sewage leaving the plant and reduce the cost of operation because it will eliminate the need for chemicals. Again, no local funds will be needed to cover the cost of this project.

www.delmarvanow.com

Murder Charges Dropped At Pretrial Hearing

SNOW HILL -- Alexander Crippen is no longer charged with the murder of Reginald Jerome Handy Jr. after a Circuit Court judge approved a motion to dismiss the charges at a pretrial hearing.

Deputy State's Attorney Michael Farlow did not object to the dismissal of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault charges against Crippen.

"The forensic evidence would have made it impossible to prove Mr. Crippen is the person who killed Reginald Handy," Farlow said, noting Crippen is still charged with the first- and second-degree attempted murder of Torrance Davis, Crippen's cousin, along with separate first- and second-degree assault charges and other related offenses.

Arthur McGreevy, Crippen's lawyer, said it felt good to get the murder charge against his client dropped. He is focusing on the trial scheduled to begin Monday.

"At the trial, I believe my client will be exonerated of all the charges," said McGreevy. "He was not any of the people firing weapons on that day."

The shooting death of Handy occurred on May 26 at about 10 p.m. in Pocomoke City, when he was shot once in the back before being transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where he was pronounced dead, according to police and court records.

Upon searching the area where Handy was shot, McGreevy says police found six .45-caliber shell casings, six other shell casings and a .223 rifle cartridge.

The deputy state's attorney and defense council put several additional motions in front of Judge Richard R. Bloxom, including allowing audiovisual equipment in the court during the trial, redacting objectionable statements in Crippen's interview transcripts and correcting a typographical error in court documents.

In a July interview, Davis said he and his cousin didn't know Crippen personally before the night Handy died, and disputed police accounts that had Crippen arguing with Handy beforehand.

www.delmarvanow.com

Northeastern Supply, Inc. Buys 84 Lumber Property

POCOMOKE CITY -- Northeastern Supply Inc. is buying a warehouse property held by a lumber yard that abruptly closed in early 2009.

The company, one of the region's fastest-growing businesses, just bought the former 84 Lumber company facility on Ocean Highway, in a transaction handled by Sperry Van Ness-Miller Commercial Real Estate.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Northeastern Supply distributes a variety of products used by the construction industry, including plumbing, heating, air conditioning, water systems, hardware and lighting supplies.

"We have been asked by many professional contractors to locate in this area, and this is just another example of what we will do to bring our products and services closer to our customers," said Steve Cook, president and CEO of Northeastern Supply, which operates 33 branches throughout Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

The facility, which sits on just under 17 acres, contains a 21,000-square-foot main facility and two 8,000-square-foot storage facilities, according to Sperry Van Ness. It is on track to become the 34th branch of Northeastern Supply.

The Pocomoke 84 Lumber location was one of nine stores nationwide that went out of business on Feb. 9, 2009, as the retailer attempted to streamline operations in the face of declining revenues. Its inventory and some of its seven-member staff were transferred to the Fruitland store. At the time, a corporate spokesman said the downturn in the overall housing market hurt the store's bottom line and prompted the closing.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/

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