Crippen Gets 25 Years For Attempted Murder

Written by:  Jennifer Shutt
Staff Writer- Daily Times
SNOW HILL -- Pleas of "No, judge!" and sobs erupted from the family of Alexander Crippen after he was sentenced to 25 years in prison stemming from his December conviction of first-degree attempted murder.

Several members of Crippen's family left the courtroom after Judge Richard R. Bloxom handed down a sentence of life in prison with all but 25 years suspended, and a 10-year concurrent sentence for handgun use during a felony or violent crime. Crippen is 37 years old.

Crippen was originally charged in the shooting death of Reginald Handy Jr. in June after witnesses said they saw him shoot and kill Handy. Those charges were vacated just before the trial began and replaced with attempted murder charges. Prosecutors said forensic evidence would have made it impossible to prove Crippen was the murderer.

A nephew of Crippen's, Skylor Harmon of Pocomoke City, was then charged with Handy's murder, and Harmon's trial is pending.

At the sentencing hearing, State's Attorney Beau Oglesby recalled Crippen's criminal past, saying an escalation in charges and convictions against him shows increasingly violent behavior. In 1991, Crippen was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest; in 1996, he was convicted of assault with intent to maim and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

"These actions for an individual with no prior criminal history would be atrocious," Oglesby said. "Mr. Crippen was, and continues to be, a menace to our public safety."

Crippen's attorney, Arthur McGreevy, contested the state's request for a full life sentence, saying Crippen should be able to re-enter society at some point in his life.

"He is not a person devoid of potential," said McGreevy, after recalling stories of Crippen helping others and discussing Crippen's recently born son.

Before sentencing, Bloxom said Crippen's lengthy criminal history helped the judge determine the sentence. He also mentioned Crippen's conviction for assault of a corrections employee while he was behind bars.

"You have an adult criminal record going back 19 years," Bloxom said. "As the state's attorney observed, your criminal record is indicative of someone who has become more dangerous."

Although sentencing is often the last step in a criminal trial, Crippen is scheduled to appear at a motions hearing May 6, where he is expected to request a new trial. Crippen has also indicated his intent to appeal his conviction.

Source;  delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201104090432/NEWS01/104090333

Bogus Bomb Threat Evacuates School

Written by:

Shawn J. Soper - News Editor

SHOWELL -- Hundreds of Showell Elementary students were evacuated from the school building for a couple of hours yesterday as authorities investigated a potential bomb threat.

Around 8:40 a.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police officers responded to Showell Elementary to investigate a reported bomb threat on the school made during an apparent domestic dispute Wednesday night. According to a source close to the situation, an unidentified man was involved in a domestic dispute with his estranged wife, the mother of a student at Showell, the night before and made a veiled threat to blow up a classroom at the facility.

School officials immediately set in motion Showell’s prescribed and practiced emergency plan and the students, teachers and staff were evacuated from the building in a measure of “extreme caution.” The students, teachers and administrators remained outside the building for about two hours as Maryland State Police investigators along with allied law enforcement agencies searched the building for a potential explosive device.

A bomb-sniffing dog was brought in to do a complete scan of the school building and property, which turned up negative. Students, teachers and administrators started trickling back into the facility around 11 a.m., over two hours after police first arrived on the scene.

Colonel Doug Dods of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday the investigation was ongoing.

“At this point, we don’t think it was a valid threat,” he said. “Investigators are trying to track down where it came from. It appears somebody took something out of context. We had people calling and telling us there were armed gunmen in the school. That’s how it snowballs.”

According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes, when police informed school administrators of the potential threat, Showell Elementary’s school safety plan was immediately put into effect.

“The State Police arrived at the school around 8:40 a.m. and informed the administration about the situation,” he said. “As a result of that information, we implemented the school’s safety plan, which we practice and rehearse monthly in preparation for a potential situation such as this. Our primary concern is for the safety the children, and as a precaution we evacuated the facility to provide police with an opportunity to search the school.”

County Schools Public Information Officer Barb Witherow said yesterday the school’s automated message system was activated to inform parents about the pending situation.

“The students practice evacuation drills once a month and as a result, we had a very calm and very organized evacuation,” she said. “You hope that you never need the plan in real life, but it worked exactly how it was designed to work.”

Source; mdcoastdispatch.com http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/04/08/Top-Stories/Bogus-Bomb-Threat-Evacuates-School

Announcement Made For Preferred Hospital Location

Riverside's evaluation of and due diligence on two properties revealed that a 55acre parcel on Market Street behind Four Corners Plaza will best meet the needs for building a new hospital.


Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (RSMH) has applied to the Virginia Department of Health for a Certificate of Public Need to relocate the inpatient hospital in an area defined by the local Board of Directors as "between Keller and Parksley". RSMH's evaluation team and its local Board chose this site as the best location from which to serve the medical needs of all the citizens on the Virginia Eastern Shore in the decades to come.


"From this location we will be positioned to serve the entire Eastern Shore community well into the future. We chose the location because of its ease of access from Route 13 and its proximity to the center of population in our service area," said Joseph P. Zager, Administrator of RSMH.


Riverside is planning to convert the Nassawadox campus to an ambulatory healthcare complex. In keeping with the trend toward outpatient care, the current hospital campus is planned to include: urgent care, diagnostic imaging services, laboratory services, rehabilitation services and a strong physician presence.

Source; shoredailynews.com

JUDGEMENTS - Accomack Circuit Court

Nancy Drury Duncan
Staff Writer

ACCOMAC -- Colestino Cruz Aguilar, 39, of Exmore entered a guilty plea in Accomack Circuit Court to leaving the scene of an accident and causing property damage in an amount greater than $1,000.

According to evidence offered by Common- wealth's Attorney Gary Agar, Aguilar was driving in the parking lot of Four Corner Plaza when he struck another car. He continued driving around the area and was quickly apprehended by police. A witness identified the driver and told police.

Aguilar had "obviously been drinking," Agar said.

He was sentenced to three years with all time suspended on condition of good behavior. Aguilar will continue to be held in jail at the commonwealth's request, to await deportation as a result of his felony conviction.

Probation violation

Tyron Grant Sr., 23, of Belle Haven, convicted of burglary and grand larceny and sentenced to three years of probation last October, was back in court for violating the terms of that probation, which included community service and payment of restitution to his victims.

Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Agar detailed what he said were Grant's egregious failures to comply. "His probation officer drove him to the Virginia Employment Commision office because he said he had no transportation," Agar said. "When the probation officer later found out he had not applied for a job while there, he asked why. Grant told him the line was too long and he didn't want to wait."

"This is not New York here," Agar told the court. "There were only two people in line ahead of Grant."

On another occasion, Agar said, Grant was to attend an Employment Commission clinic. He was telephoned and reminded each day for several days leading up to the date of the clinic that he must be there.

He was asked of he needed transportation, said Agar. Grant assured his probation officer he would be there and that he had a ride to get there. When he did not attend, Grant told his probation officer he had no way to get there. Agar told the court that the man had been given bus passes to use to get there if he could not find a ride.

Agar detailed also Grant's lack of fulfillment of his community service requirement.

"He was supposed to do 100 hours of community service," said Agar. "He was supposed to pick up trash on the road. He said he was doing it, but when the bags were checked, they were found to contain only Grant's household trash."

"Mr. Grant has some limited abilities," said defense attorney Theresa Bliss. "He just can't follow through. He needs additional monitoring,"

"I believe we need to wake you up," said Circuit Judge Edward W. Hanson Jr. He ordered Grant to serve 30 days in jail and re-suspended the remainder of the sentence.

Welfare fraud

Cathy Jones, 45, of Onancock was sentenced to 15 years for four counts of welfare fraud and a bad check charge. The time was suspended on condition of her successful completion of Virginia's Detention and Diversion programs. She will be required to pay restitution.

She was originally eligible for food stamps, but failed to inform authorities when her two daughters went to work, which made her ineligible, said defense attorney Patrick Robbins.

"We generally consider these pretty serious cases," said Common- wealth's Attorney Gary Agar. "The system is set up to help people in need. This is not the first time she committed welfare fraud."

Agar told the court that Jones had been incarcerated seven separate times. "There are nine noteworthy crimes in the presentence report," he said. "She needs to stay off drugs."

He said she owed more than $3,500 for these crimes in addition to more than $5,500 already owed to the general district court.
Robbins was able to convince the court delay her incarceration for several days so Jones "could make arrangements for her six-year-old son and put her furniture in storage."

Armed robbery

Sidney Cottman, 34, of Eden, Md., will serve 21 years in a penitentiary for armed robbery and armed burglary in connection with the robberies of three local convenience stores.

Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Agar asked for a long sentence in light of Cottman's past violent history. "He was expelled from school in the 11th grade because he assaulted the superintendent of schools," he said. "He was fired from his last job for threatening the line boss at Tyson Foods."

"There are a lot of armed robberies around here. If you run out of gas on Route 13, my recommendation would be that you leave your car and walk home. Don't go to a convenience store around here."

"What are we going to do with this guy when we are so threatened here in our convenience stores?" asked Agar.

Agar told the court that Cottman was $8,000 in arrears in child support payments and that he had had past probations revoked for drug use.

Defense attorney Garrett Dunham told the court that his client was, "a polite individual" and said Cottman had been cooperative and truthful throughout the investigation.

"I've never seen someone so polite with these charges," Dunham said. He told the court that Cottman took steps to make sure he didn't hurt anyone by taking the pin out of the firearm.

Evidence was presented by the Commonwealth that Cottman held a shotgun on the store clerks as they were robbed.

Malicious maiming

Shakeva Matthews, 23, of Keller, charged with malicious maiming, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unlawful wounding.

Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Agar described the circumstance to the court. "Everyone was drinking and the defendant was assaulting her twin sister with a serrated butcher knife, according to a witness."

The incident occurred in a residence near Wachapreague, he said.
The stabbing victim, who he said was presently incarcerated as a result of another issue, received one stab wound in the back while trying to pull the twins apart.

Defense attorney Sharri Mapp asked the court to sentence her client on the spot but the judge asked that a presentence report be prepared as Agar described Matthews as having "a positive criminal history."

Indecent liberties

A presentence report was ordered for a 75-year-old man who pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge and indecent liberties with a child who is now a young adult. John Robbins of Onancock was allowed to remain free on bond. The illegal activity occurred during a period of several years and ended in 2009.

Defense attorney Tom Northam made that request, saying that his client worked in a seafood business in Washington, D.C., and that he had a heart condition and breathing issues.

Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110406/ESN01/104060341/Accomack-Circuit-Court-hands-down-judgments?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Eastern Shore News|s

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

ELECTION DAY

VOTING HOURS:  7 AM  UNTIL  7PM

POCOMOKE CITY LIBRARY

According to City Hall Officials there are 2,773 registered voters  in Pocomoke City.

IN THE RACE

For District 3 Council Seat

Don Malloy - has previously held a council seat

Bobby Brittingham - retired police officer

For Mayor

Bruce Morrison - Councilman for District 3

Lynn Duffy - professional counselor

Each individual in todays race wants the same thing:  To address crime in the city and to revitalize downtown  Pocomoke.  Those are just two of the issues to be tackled.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!

GET OUT AND VOTE!

Don't Forget To Vote On Tuesday

Pocomoke City Elections

Tuesday  April 5, 2011

Voting is held at the Pocomoke Libray,  301 Market Street

POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM 7:00 AM  UNTIL  7:00 PM

Good Luck Bruce!

Whitney Bennett's Body Found

Sadly, this is what the Daily Times Reports:

MANOKIN – Maryland State Police recovered the body of a Delaware woman who has been missing for four months and have arrested two Wicomico County men as their investigation continues into what caused the death of the woman.


An examination today at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore identified the body as Whitney L. Bennett, 23, of the 36000-block of Susan Beach Road, Delmar, Delaware. Although the body was identified, the medical examiner said the cause and manner of Bennett’s death remains undetermined. Additional forensic examination and tests will be conducted.


State Police investigators last night arrested two men in connection with the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Bennett.

They are identified as Steven L. Akers, 36, and Claude H. Hill, 49, both of the 400-block of South Camden Ave., Fruitland, Md. Both Akers and Hill are charged with accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice. They are being held in the Wicomico County Detention Center on $100,000 bond. They are believed to have known Bennett and others with whom she associated.

Bennett was reported missing by her mother to the Delaware State Police on December 9, 2010. Delaware State Police investigators determined Bennett had last been seen alive in Wicomico County on December 4, 2010. The Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) assumed the investigation into Bennett’s disappearance and began an intense search for her which has continued through this weekend.

During this past weekend, WCBI investigators received information indicating a possible location of a buried body that could be Bennett. Investigators obtained a search warrant for an unoccupied property of several acres located in the 29000-block of Pond Run Drive in Manokin, in Somerset County. WCBI and Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators served the search warrant yesterday morning. With the assistance of state police crime scene technicians, investigators recovered the body from where it was buried in a wooded area on the rural property.

The state’s attorneys from both Wicomico and Somerset counties worked with investigators throughout the weekend. No one has been charged with the death of Bennett and it has not officially been ruled a homicide.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Investigators are working to develop information on when and how Bennett died and if anyone was responsible for her death. Anyone with information is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101. Persons with information may also call Wicomico County Crimes Solvers at 410-548-1776 and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110403/NEWS01/110403011/Body-missing-Delmar-woman-found?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|frontpage

Accomack County Deputies Investigate Shooting

ACCOMACK, Va. (WAVY) - Deputies said a man is in stable condition after being shot near Painter, Virginia on Friday afternoon.

The shooting occurred on A.S. West Road around 4 p.m., according to the Accomack County Sheriff's Office.

He was transported to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and later transferred to another medical facility where he is listed in stable condition.

Deputies and investigators spent hours processing the scene, collecting evidence, and conducting interviews.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Virginia State Police, Virginia Marine Police, Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, Parksley Police, Onley Police, and Onancock Police.

Deputies said the investigation is continuing.

Source; fox43tv.com http://www.fox43tv.com/dpps/news/local/accomack-deputies-investigate-shooting_3762230

Wal*Mart Carjacking Suspects Arrested

This seems to be happening more often in alot of towns.  People working through the night, making an honest living and suddenly out of nowhere come thugs to do harm.  At ages 18 and still a juvenile it would just seem to me they would want to still be asleep in bed like most teens seem to do.  Instead of getting a job to buy a car they decide that it is more fun to frighten someone, a 69 year old woman,  and steal their car in the wee hours of the morning.

What kind of parents do these children of today have?  I wonder what will the parents do with their children now they have gotten themselves into trouble.  Maybe some pressure should be put on the parents.  Send them to jail with their rotten kids.

From the Daily Times

April 1, 2011

POCOMOKE CITY — Both of the men charged in the alleged armed carjacking of a 69-year-old woman at the Walmart parking lot have been taken into custody.

Troy Ewell, 18, of the 7400 block of Lankford Highway in New Church, Va., turned himself into the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office last night, according to police. The other man charged in the crime is a juvenile, who was arrested on separate charges and later gave a full confession to Pocomoke City police officers. He is awaiting extradition from the Eastern Shore Regional Jail to Maryland.

Both men are charged with several counts including armed robbery, assault and carjacking. Ewell also has charges stemming from his alleged use of a handgun during the alleged carjacking. He is being held in the Worcester County Detention Center on $250,000 bond.

Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110401/NEWS01/110401037/1001/news/CRIME-Walmart-carjacking-suspects-custody

Pocomoke's Election Day Nears

Election Day, APRIL 5,  is almost here for the citizens of Pocomoke. 

From the Worcester County Times

Written by:  Jennifer Shutt

March 31, 2011

POCOMOKE CITY -- In a few days, Pocomoke voters will head to the polls to select a new mayor and District 3 city council member.

Five people have registered to run for the two open seats -- three vying for the title of mayor and two campaigning to be the District 3 representative.

On election day candidates say they will be at the library for all or most of the 12-hour day from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., campaigning, shaking hands and letting voters know what matters to them.
Bruce Morrison, Lynn Duffy and Frank Ward will be competing for the mayoral seat, while Bobby Brittingham and Donald Malloy are both seeking the District 3 council seat.

Many of the candidates said reducing crime and revitalizing downtown will be priorities if elected.

"We've got to find a way to make downtown work again," says mayoral candidate Morrison, adding crime prevention would be similarly important.

Duffy, a professional counselor, also wishes to tackle crime if elected and says she would pursue a more open government. "I'm fully committed," she said in an interview about her campaign. On her often-updated campaign website, duffy4pocomoke. com, she has written insistently about crime as a growing and dangerous problem.

"Crime went up and our town has no plan," Duffy wrote. "Everything is not okay in Pocomoke."

Ward, the third candidate, could not be reached for comment.

Last year, 162 people turned out to vote for District 1 and 2 City Council representatives. This year, city officials expect more votes to be cast, because all registered Pocomoke voters will be able to cast a ballot for mayor. Officials said their voter rolls show 2,773 registered voters who could participate in the election.

The mayoral seat became available last year after mayor Mike McDermott was elected to represent part of the Eastern Shore in the House of Delegates. After Morrison announced his intention to run for mayor after six years as District 3 councilman, his council seat also became available.

Council race

Malloy, who was a councilman in the 1960s, is running to fill the District 3 seat, and says he's bringing no grand plans for changes with him.

"I don't think there is anything rather drastic to be changed in Pocomoke," said Malloy. "I think I am capable of keeping Pocomoke running as well as I think it does now."

In a campaign statement, Brittingham said his experience as a retired policeman could help Pocomoke, and he said city government is at times unresponsive. "What I see today is the lack of confidence in our city government, and the lack of information that the city government provides to the people," he said in the statement. He would step up code enforcement for abandoned buildings, he said, and work to get tenants for empty storefronts.

Brittingham won the Democratic primary race for Worcester County Sheriff last fall but lost to Republican Reggie Mason in the general election.

Source; delmarvanow.com http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110331/WCT01/103310302/Pocomoke-candidates-prepare-for-polling-day?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Worcester County Times|s

Carjacking UPDATE

UPDATE

From WMDT Channel 47 News

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - Police need your help locating two black male suspects they say are responsible for an armed carjacking Tuesday morning.

Authorities say the incident occurred around 5:00 a.m. in the employee parking lot of the Wal-Mart located on the on the 2000 block of Old Snow Hill Road.

The two suspects allegedly stole an employee's car at gunpoint. One of the suspects is being described as 5'10" in height and wearing a red jacket.

Police say they have located the stolen car. The vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Accomack County, said officials. Authorities say the drivers are unknown at this time.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Pocomoke City Police Department at (410) 957-1600.

Courtney Bloxom Benefit

Here are a couple of photos taken Saturday night during the Courtney Bloxom Benefit held at the Community Center in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

The contest included 35 beautiful contestants. What a difficult job it must have been to select princesses from these beautiful young ladies.

Contest Winners............

From left to right: Mrs. Hope Eastern Shore Angela Abell, Ms. Hope Eastern Shore Allison Funds, Miss Hope Eastern Shore Ashley Mapp, Miss Hope Eastern Shore Teen Amy Wigglesworth, Miss Hope Eastern Shore Junior Teen Madison Jennings, Miss Hope Eastern Shore Pre Teen Olivia Kurtz.

I will have more later................. <>

Costs of Operating Circuit Court

Written by:

Nancy Powell

Associate Editor

Ocean City Today

An increase in the number of jury trials adds to the cost of operating Circuit Court

“Jury trials have more than doubled in the past few months,” court administrator Richard Outmen told the Worcester County Commissioners during their budget session Tuesday.

From July 2009 through March 2010, 22 jury trials were conducted. From July 2010 through March 2011, that number increased to 49.

“The pace has intensified in the past six to eight months and probably will intensify further,” said Judge Richard Bloxom, who, along with Judge Thomas C. Groton III, accompanied Outten.

Sometimes, prospective jurors are notified to go to Circuit Court in Snow Hill, but before jury selection begins, the attorneys for the prosecution and the defense work out a deal and the people go home. Even if no trial is held, the people in the jury pool must still be paid a per diem rate of $25.

Three-fifths of any appropriation the commissioners make for jury per diem cost is reimbursed by the state.

By the end of January 2011, jury reimbursements had risen to $42,000, but the fiscal year 2011 budget only listed $40,000 for court fines and those reimbursements together. Fines accounted for $19,998.

The current budget for per diem jury costs is $34,100. Outten asked that the commissioners increase it to $70,000.

The number of jury trials for criminal cases has increased partly because Beau Oglesby, the new state’s attorney, wants more trials and fewer plea bargains and because many defendants request jury trials. Although some defendants request jury trials as a stalling tactic, others request them because they might be facing a stiff mandatory sentence if found guilty of certain felonies and prefer to take their chances with a jury instead of a judge.

There are also more indictments for drug dealers and for more serious cases, Bloxom said. The number of jury trials for civil cases has also increased.

Even though the state reimburses most of the per diem costs, other costs are involved. Those include salaries for people involved in scheduling and working with the juries. Theoretically, jury trials could be held simultaneously in the three courtrooms in Circuit Court in Snow Hill.

Partly because of the increase in jury trials, Outten and the judges requested that a vacant position be filled.

“It’s an essential, vital position,” Outten said. “The position is necessary.”

The vacant position is for Outten’s administrative assistant. His previous administrative assistant took over the duties of a criminal assignment clerk a few months ago. In addition to assisting Outten, the new hire would fill in as a judge’s secretary when needed, monitor the court smart system in the absence of a court reporter, fill in as a court assignment commissioner and organize and attend various meetings.

Outten asked the commissioners a few months ago for permission to fill that position, but was told to wait until budget time. Tuesday, Commissioner James Purnell told Outten, “We’ll take you at your word [that the position is needed].”

Altogether, the requested budget for Circuit Court is $1.25 million, an increase of $48,536 over the current $1.2 million budget.

Source; oceancitytoday

Toddler Dies As Result of Traffic Mishap On Private Property

By Linda Baylis Spence

According to Sgt. Michelle Ayana of the Virginia State Police, On March 10, 2011 at approximately 12:46 p.m., Virginia State Police was called to the 24000 block of Dreamland Way in the Dreamland Trailer Park of Accomack County to investigate a possible fatality as a result of a traffic crash.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., Virginia State Police received a call from the Eastern Shore 911 dispatch Center, stating that the subjects left the scene and were currently in Onley, VA en route to the hospital with an injured child. An ambulance was currently en route to their location.

Trooper R. C. Brown was called to investigate and found the following; Edgar Perez, 24 years of age, was backing up a 1998 Nissan Van when he hit two year old Dayme Robelo.

Mr. Perez and Adela Roblero, Dayme's mother, took Dayme from the scene and were en route to Riverside Shore Memorial when they were intercepted by an ambulance that assisted in reviving the child.

Dayme Robelo died of her injuries and was pronounced dead at Riverside Shore Memorial.

The accident occurred on private property and no charges will be placed.

Source; www.shoredailynews.com

Pictures of Bombs Posted On Facebook Can Get You Alot Of Attention

( March 4, 2011) When a picture or comment is posted on the Internet, it could be there forever for anyone to see. One Ocean City man learned this the hard way last week, when he was arrested and charged with a serious crime because of a picture he posted on his Facebook page.

Authorities contend that Ernesto Garcia-Bristo, 26, posted a picture of himself holding two pipe bombs, along with a comment that he made the bombs to use against another person. The Ocean City bomb squad arrested him Feb. 24 and charged him with possessing a destructive device.

The investigation into Garcia- Bristo’s activities was started by an agent with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement because Garcia-Bristo was supposed to have been deported in 2008, according to the police report. The agent began conducting surveillance of Garcia- Bristo after learning that he was still living in Ocean City.

As part of the investigation, the ICE agent examined Garcia-Bristo’s online Facebook page. The agent was concerned by some of the pictures posted on the page, and contacted the local bomb squad.

According to the statement of charges written by Deputy Fire Marshal Cliff Christello, one picture depicted a Hispanic male with a black ski mask over his face holding “two metallic, oblong cylindrical objects (one approximately half the size of the larger) attached together by what appears to be black electrical tape and connected on top by a thin item similar in size/consistency to a fuse or electrical wiring.” These were believed to be pipe bombs.

A string of online comments below the picture led police to believe Garcia-Bristo was the man in the picture holding the suspected bombs, that he made the suspected bombs in Ocean City and that he threatened to use them against another person.

According to the police report, one comment asked, “And is that one of your creations?” The reply, which police said was written by Garcia- Bristo, said, “C’mon, don’t you remember, Fat Boy, it’s the one we did in 76th, it was a gift for that [expletive]. Thank god they understood, because otherwise BBBBUUUMMM to hell.”


Read more HERE>>

Statistics Used In Decision To Move Hospital

Gee, I hope they got some actual input from the people of
Accomack County  before they decided to move a hospital.)

Accomack citizens who went to Maryland hospitals instead of Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital were a factor in the decision to move the hospital to Accomack County.

Statistics provided by Riverside Health Services show that in 2009, Eastern Shore residents represented nearly 7,000 inpatient admissions to hospitals, with 59% going to Riverside Shore Memorial in Nassawadox.


From Accomack County, there were 4,973 admissions with 1,518 using a Maryland facility, 723 receiving services from other Virginia Hospitals and 2,732 residents receiving care at Riverside Shore Memorial.

From Northampton County, there were a total of 1,944 hospital admissions with 58 residents choosing a Maryland facility, 515 went to other Virginia hospitals and 1,371 received care at Riverside Shore Memorial.


These statistics were used in the decision to move Shore Memorial to Accomack County.
http://www.shoredailynews.com/

~News From Candidate Duffy For Mayor~

WE HAVE ANOTHER SHIPMENT OF SIGNS ON THE WAY!

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE A SIGN,

or if you welcome a visit, or a chat in my office,

or even chat by telephone,

CALL 410-957-4200.

My campaign team is now delivering flyers and informing the community of this website. Due to inclement weather and demonstrating respect to individual property, this candidate will NOT show up 'uninvited', loitering, or trespassing on any property.

We respect your property!

We believe government should, too.

This upcoming Pocomoke City election for Mayor is a chance and who you decide as Pocomoke Mayor is important! "Revitalizing Pocomoke" - is our goal, with a vision for our youth! This is important for our community and our future!

The time is now as "Real People NEED Real Solutions!" for such a time as this!

Check out an uplifting & encouraging blog! http://duffyformayor.tumblr.com/

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Police Departments Working Together

What Corporal Katie Edgar did Tuesday night, February 15, 2011 was something that most of us only see on television. Her agility and quick thinking helped nab a burglar who may have otherwise gotten away with the chances of stealing again in the near future.

It is so wonderful to know that Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason and Worcester County Deputies, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, State's Attorney Beau Oglesby and the Maryland Police Homicide Unit are there for the citizens ready to do the job quickly and efficiently.

The hard dangerous work they all do is something most of us take for granted and only witness on television. While Corporal Katie Edgar was fearing for her life and trying to get grips on a criminal and while so many of the police agencies joined their forces to work on the crime scene the majority of citizens were snug at home totally unaware of what was happening.

Great job and thank you Corporal Edgar and to your K-9 also. And a big hoorah to the forces that aided her.

This just goes to show you the amount of true professionalism citizens get when they elect the right leaders to do the job.

Arrest Made For Embezzlement

On Friday, February 4, 2011 Mashonda Davis of Onancock was arrested, according to the Warrant of Arrest.

Davis, who was employed in the accounting department of the Accomack Department of Social Services, has been charged with embezzlement.

An April court date has been scheduled.