One Wal*Mart Carjacker Is Charged

Being held for bond in an unspecified location? Would anyone know why.....unless it's because he is a juvenile?


By:  Linda Cicoira

An Accomack youth was charged in connection with an armed robbery and motor vehicle theft that allegedly occurred late last month at the Pocomoke Walmart.

Troy Anthony Ewell,17, of New Church was charged with 16 counts according to the Pocomoke City Police Department

He will be tried as an adult and is being held for $250,000 bond at an unspecified location.

Another suspect is being held in Eastern Shore Regional Jail in Eastville. Information about that male has not been disclosed because he is a juvenile and has not waived juvenile status.
 
On March 28, Maryland officers responded to the Walmart on Old Snowhill Road. "Upon arrival they learned that a 69-year-old store employee was on her way into the store when she was approached by two blackmales with a gun who demanded her wallet and vehicle keys," a spokes person said. "The victim complied and the two suspects fled from the parking lot in her vehicle."

The following day, the vehicle was in a single-vehicle accident in Accomack County, where police found it had been severely damaged and abandoned.

Officers were able to identify the driver and passenger of the stolen vehicle, the spokesperson added.

Ewell was charged with armed robbery,  robbery, two counts of use of a firearm in a felony, two counts of handgun on a person, armed carjacking, conspiracy to commit armed carjacking, conspiracy carjacking, carjacking, two counts of unlawful taking of a vehicle, two counts of theft under $100, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery.

He turned himself into authorities on March 31.

Source: www.easternshorepost.com

Warrants Issued

Is it just ironic?

Action seems to continue since the arrest of the Walmart employee Tia Johnson. Johnson was arrested last week and charged with theft from Walmart that had been ongoing in the store for two years. In her statement she admitted to not charging family and friends for some purchases when they shopped at the store and turning in bogus return receipts for cash.

Warrants were issued on February 25, 2011 and served March 2, 2011 on Byrdie Johnson Gibbs and her husband TimmothyL. both of Fruitland, Md. The couple was charged with five counts of con-theft scheme.

Trial date is 4/22/11.

Better Holiday Season Than Expected At Onley Walmart

The new Walmart in Onley had better than expected sales this holiday season.

According to Frank Durst, Manager of the Walmart, beginning with Black Friday in November, the event went probably smoother than any he has seen in his 18 years with the Walmart Company. According to Durst, sales were better than expected through out the entire season. Durst said there the store was filled to capacity and that merchandise was plentiful, although he noted that he would be ordering more wrapping paper next year.

Although the Shore woke up to major snow on the day after Christmas, the Onley Walmart was open with only 11 associates able to get to work that day. According to Durst, there were about 1,400 shoppers who braved the storm to take advantage of the after Christmas sales and to purchase other merchandise. By Wednesday, things were getting back to normal and associates as well shoppers were plentiful.

When asked what he might do differently for next year, Durst says that he plans to have a bigger variety of merchandise, something shoppers will see happening all year long. Durst credits his great sales associates and very good customers for the successful beginning for Walmart on the eastern shore.

He also says that he appreciates how the community has welcomed Walmart and that he feels very much at home on Virginias Eastern Shore.
www.shoredailynews.com

Wal-Mart To Begin Carrying Virginia Grown Produce

Virginia farmers will see an opportunity to improve their incomes under Wal-Mart Stores' plan to have more locally grown food in its U.S. stores.

Wal-Mart announced this month it hopes to double its sales of locally sourced produce in the U.S. by the end of 2015. Its goals is to have 9 percent of its produce come from local farms.
Tony Banks, a commodity marketing specialist for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, says farmers should be aware that greater returns are possible from the increased demand.

Some Wal-Mart stores in the state already carry Virginia peanuts and other local foods.
www.shoredailynews.com

New Wal*Mart Opens Wednesday

A new Walmart opens this month in Onley, bringing approximately 350 planned new jobs, savings on a full line of groceries and an increase in tax revenue to support the area's economy. Nonprofit organizations will also benefit from the retailer's ongoing charitable contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at 26036 Lankford Highway, will be open to customers at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 21.

"We are excited to have Walmart here on the eastern shore of Virginia. For years our residents had to travel to Tidewater or Maryland to enjoy shopping at these stores," said Jeff Davis, president, Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce. "Not only will it now mean greater product selection and competitive pricing, it will mean important jobs to our workforce. We look forward to a long and positive relationship with Walmart and are pleased that they have elected to join our Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce."

Store Designed to Improve Customer Experience
In recent months, Walmart has taken major steps to refresh its stores, merchandising and customer experience. The improvements have all come together in the company's newest stores, such as the Onley Walmart.

The new Walmart features wide aisles, enhanced service and a layout designed to make the shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the departments that customers shop most frequently. The pharmacy, for example, is adjacent to food making it easier for customers to pick up their prescriptions while shopping for their groceries.

"The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities," said store manager Frank Durst. "By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier."

A bright interior color palette creates an inviting shopping experience and helps define the store's merchandise areas. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. Walmart also combined the customer service desk, Site-to-Store pick-up location and photo lab in one area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.

The store's opening has created approximately 350 new jobs. Three of the stores associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Durst began his Walmart career in 1993 as an hourly associate at a store in La Vale, Md.

Store Design Incorporates Environmentally Friendly Features:
The Onley Walmart, like all new Walmart stores, includes energy-efficient technology and environmentally friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The store's skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting in the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting.

The cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials, and the floors finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners. Low-flow toilets and faucets reduce the water used in the bathrooms. The new store also operates a recycling program and will promote sustainable product purchases.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration 7:30 a.m., July 21
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony. Store associate Kendra Townsend will perform the national anthem and representatives from the Virginia Marine Resource Corporation will present the colors.

Community Organizations Benefit from Grand-Opening Grants:
Walmart is continuing its support of the community by giving $19,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations. The grant recipients include Accomac County Sheriffs Department, Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Eastern Shore Rural Health, Lighthouse Ministries Food Bank, Olney Police Department, Southeastern Virginia Food Bank, Special Olympics and the YMCA.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed $2 billion to U.S. hunger relief efforts through 2015. The Fighting Hunger Together campaign will also engage Walmart customers and associates in the fight against hunger. More information can be found at walmart.com/fightinghunger.
www.shoredailynews.com

400 Employees Needed For New Walmart in Onley, Va.

ONLEY, Va. - Walmart is hiring close to 400 new employees to work at the new Walmart to open this summer in Onley, Va.

A temporary hiring center has been opened at 23334 Front Street in Accomac. The center will begin taking applications Monday, April 26. Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

You may also apply online at http://walmartstores.com/Careers/7745.aspx.

Store manager Frank Durst said in a release, the store will be hiring both full and part-time associates.

"We are excited to add this Walmart to Onley and bring good jobs with career opportunities to the area," he said. Durst began his Walmart career in 1993 as a department manager in Lavale, Md.

According to Durst, associates are needed in all areas, including supervisory roles.

Walmart extends benefits to both is full and part-time employees. Benefits include healthcare insurance, 401(k) plan and profit sharing, store discount, life insurance and more.

The majority of associates will begin work in June to help prepare the store for its grand opening late this summer.

www.wavy.com

Second Person Charged In Walmart Arson

Fire marshals announced new charges in an arson case involving potato chips set on fire in the Pocomoke Walmart.

Officials said Lamar Rashad Watson, 20, of Pocomoke City was charged as an accomplice in the Feb. 11 fire.

Police had already charged Vincent V. Harmon, 20, of Pocomoke City with lighting chips on fire in a store aisle. The ensuing blaze caused about $1 million in damaged food, equipment and merchandise, officials said, and caused the store to close for about two days for cleanup.

Watson was held on $150,000 bond at the Worcester County Jail.

www.delmarvanow.com