Baltimore~ Best Friends Fatally Struck By Vehicle

By Steve Kilar

They were best friends since kindergarten and lived a block apart in South Baltimore's Pigtown. One was feisty, the other shy. Monday night, they set off to meet an acquaintance, crossing Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

A car heading south struck Courtney Angeles, 16, and Emerald Smith, 17, at West Pratt Street and sped off without stopping, according to city police. The teens were rushed to nearby Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where they died early Tuesday, nine minutes apart.

You could never separate them two," said Courtney's sister, Stephanie Angeles.


On Tuesday, two groups of tearful family and friends gathered at the victims' rowhouses, one on James Street, the other a block away on Glyndon Avenue.

Outside Courtney's home, mostly young mourners smoked cigarettes to calm their nerves. At Emerald's house, parents with young children cried on the sidewalk. They recalled how close, and how different, the companions were.

As 18-year-old Angeles put it, when it came to Courtney and Emerald, "opposites attracted." Courtney was "feisty," she said, and Emerald was "more shy."

Police said the accident occurred about 11:40 p.m., just minutes after the teens had departed. They were hit while trying to cross the four southbound lanes of the divided thoroughfare. Police said the preliminary investigation shows they were in the crosswalk at West Pratt Street.

Angeles died at 12:10 a.m. and Smith at 12:19 a.m.

Detective Jeremy Silbert, a city police spokesman, said that shortly after the accident, Maryland Transportation Authority police stopped a car for an unrelated traffic infraction near BWI Airport. The officer noticed damage on the car and detained the occupants, Silbert said.

Baltimore police accident investigators have interviewed the suspects and are consulting with the Baltimore State's attorney's office before filing charges. Silbert also said the investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from red light cameras.

Randall Scott, traffic chief for Baltimore's Department of Transportation, said the intersection is not considered to be especially dangerous. He said the city has put in more visible street signs, installed red light and speed cameras and increased signal time for pedestrians to cross the wide street.

But Whitney Reed, who lives near Pratt and MLK and heard the crash as she was going to sleep, said car accidents and emergency vehicles with sirens blaring are commonplace in the area. "I didn't think anything of it," the 23-year-old said of the accident. "There was a lot of screaming."

News of Courtney and Emerald's death spread fast in the neighborhood near Carroll Park. By 3 a.m., Courtney's cousins Amanda Channell, 22, and Brittani Channell, 19, were in the car, heading up from their home in North Carolina to Baltimore.



Courtney Angeles' sister Stephanie Angeles, 18, of Baltimore mourns with their cousins Amanda Channell, 22, and Brittani Channell, 19. In the background is family friend Harold Hughs, 25, from Baltimore. (Steve Kilar, Baltimore Sun / June 14, 2011)

They arrived at Courtney's home six hours later and immediately joined the streetside mourning for the girl they all agree, even though she was the youngest, was the leader among them. Smiles broke out as Amanda Channell recounted how, as a child, Courtney pooled their change and escorted them all on candy-buying trips to the local penny store.

"She did anything for anyone," said Amanda Channell. "That's why she was walking Emerald to meet her friend."

Courtney was bright, a gifted artist and loved reading, said Brittani Channell. She especially enjoyed vampire novels, she said.

"She was Team Edward," said Amanda Channell, explaining Courtney's preference for the vampire character over the teen werewolf in the popular Twilight series of books and movies. But it was Taylor Lautner, who played the werewolf, that "Courtney thought … was hot," she said.


Courtney attended Maritime Industries Academy High School and would have entered the 10th grade in the fall.

Emerald's mother, Mary Kay Smith, said that the two girls had been friends since kindergarten. "She was a very loving, caring person," Smith said of her daughter. "She had a heart as big as gold."

Smith said Emerald was inspired to help people, and long ago decided she was going to be a bone marrow donor.



"She wanted to give the gift of life if she could," Smith said. Doctors were studying her body for potential organ donation. "She's going to donate whatever she can donate," said Emerald's mother.

As people trickled out of their homes to give their condolences on Tuesday, the teens' families formed ad hoc receiving lines and exchanged hugs with neighbors.

"I'm still expecting to wake up from this bad dream," Smith said.

Source;  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-mlk-pedestrian-crash-20110614,0,3321407.story



~FLAG DAY~

....And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
~Francis Scott Key~

From the National Anthem

“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”

“The flag of the United States” replaced the words “my Flag” in 1923 because some foreign-born people might have in mind the flag of the country of their birth instead of the United States flag. A year later, “of America” was added after “United States.”

No form of the Pledge received official recognition by Congress until June 22, 1942, when the Pledge was formally included in the U.S. Flag Code. The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The last change in language came on Flag Day 1954, when Congress passed a law, which added the words “under God” after “one nation.”

Originally, the pledge was said with the right hand in the so-called “Bellamy Salute,” with the right hand resting first outward from the chest, then the arm extending out from the body. Once Hitler came to power in Europe, some Americans were concerned that this position of the arm and hand resembled the Nazi or Fascist salute. In 1942 Congress also established the current practice of rendering the pledge with the right hand over the heart.

The Flag Code specifies that any future changes to the pledge would have to be with the consent of the President.

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

http://www.wvsd.uscourts.com/

During Sentencing Son Says He Didn't Mean To Kill MOM

Written by

Steve Muska

SNOW HILL -- A Darby, Pa., man convicted in the murder of his mother was sentenced to 25 years in prison during a Worcester County Circuit Court hearing Friday morning.

Steven Molin, 58, was convicted of second-degree murder in March in the death of his 85-year-old mother, Emily Molin, after he allegedly ran her over several times with a vehicle on a rural road near Berlin. He was acquitted of a first-degree murder charge.

Before Judge Thomas Groton handed down his sentence, Molin spoke in the courtroom for more than 30 minutes about the care he used to give his mother, the amount of money he spent on ensuring her well-being and his anger with the staff at the nursing home she had been living in until the day of her death.

Molin said once during the address that he was sorry his mother had died "in the accident."

"That was the extent of his remorse," said Groton, who also described testimony from responders to the scene who said Molin had been "somewhat calm" while his mother was lying in the middle of the road.

"For me, that bolsters the state's argument and the jury's findings that this was an intentional act," Groton said.

Molin continued to insist his mother's death was accidental during the trial and sentencing, something Groton said he believes Molin is using as a defense mechanism to avoid the remorse he would otherwise feel for his actions.

During State's Attorney Beau Oglesby's address to Groton, he mentioned Molin's conviction of murder, and Molin interjected, exclaiming that "it was an accident."

Molin was reprimanded by Groton for his outburst.

Oglesby sought the maximum sentence of 30 years for Molin's crime, due to the state's belief that Molin had "intentionally and deliberately killed his mom."

In Molin's account, he and his mother drove from Pennsylvania to visit his father's gravesite in Berlin. Molin had taken his mother from the nursing home without permission, according to trial testimony. He told police his mother had accidentally fallen out of the car, and he had not noticed when she did.

The case was one of the most unusual Groton has seen on the bench, the judge said. In some ways, Steven Molin is very intelligent, he said, but it had also become clear to him that there was "a piece missing" mentally.

Groton said Molin's autism and Asperger's syndrome are no excuse for what he did, and they don't prevent similar actions from happening again.

"Killing a parent is one of the most horrendous acts," Groton said before announcing the sentence.

Molin said to his public defender, Burton Anderson, after the hearing that the outcome was "a death sentence" for him.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110611/NEWS01/106110332/During-sentencing-son-says-he-didn-t-mean-kill-mom?odyssey=obinsite

Preacher Who Predicted The End Of The World Hospitalized

The man who warned his followers that Judgment Day would come last May was hospitalized after he suffered a mild stroke.

Staff at Harold Camping's Family Radio said the 89-year-old preacher is recovering in an Alameda hospital after the stroke on Thursday.

Camping predicted the world would end on May 21, 2011.

"It is not something where it's a tiny, tiny, tiny chance it may happen. It is going to happen,” Camping told the Huffington Post before the predicted Judgment Day.

After the world did not come to a screeching halt, Camping insisted that his calculations were not incorrect, and that the end would come on October 21, 2011.

Camping made his first incorrect end of days prediction in 1994.

Source;  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/13/harold-camping-stroke_n_876079.html

Lemonade Stand Opens.....

OPENS TODAY

Olivia's Lemonade For Reese

Location:  Exmore Diner

10:00 a.m.  until  8:00 p.m.

Olivia Hart will be selling lemonade and baked goods to help raise money for Reese Coffin and his family in honor of his 6th birthday.  Reese is battling a rare brain and spinal cord cancer.

Please come out and help support this family.

Trial Begins In Worcester County

Twenty-year-old Justin Michael Hadel of College Station, Texas, is on trial for first-degree murder as well as first- and second-degree assault in the killing of Christine Marie Sheddy. Ms. Sheddy, from Delaware,  went missing  from Pocomoke in November 2007 from the home of friends she had been visiting in Pocomoke.

Jury selection was completed Monday in Snow Hill, Maryland (Worcester County) for the man accused of murdering Christine Marie Sheddy while she visited friends in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

　A jury of twelve, 6 women and 6 men (2 alternates) were selected to hear the trial which is expected to last a week.

On Monday the jury heard testimony from the victims mother, Lynn Doddenhoff and an neighbor on Byrd Road.

　

Testimony was over by 11:30 a.m. and the jury was dismissed. In their opening statement  the prosecution  claimed  that the victim was  struck  in the forehead with a board and then stabbed.

Clarence  Jackson lived at the farm house in November of 2007 along with his girlfriend Tia Johnson. Justin Hadel was also a guest..

More testimony will be heard Tuesday when the trial resumes in the morning.  A cellmate, that Hadel may have shared information with,  is scheduled to testify.

Obama Killed By Wild Dogs

A popular farm animal met an unfortunate end at Diamond M Ranch Resort last week.


Obama the Llama was fatally injured by three dogs on June 4.


“They chased him down and mauled him to death,” said owner Carol Martin.


Obama was still alive when Martin found him, so Martin called a veterinarian. The vet came out and treated the wounded Obama.


Martin said he swelled up and suffocated.
“It’s really, really gruesome,” Martin said.
Obama was born a year ago. He was black and white — and his mom died while giving birth — so he was christened Obama the llama with no mama, Martin said.


“He was a friendly little guy,” Martin said. “He thought dogs were his friends. He was in the parades, he was in the newspaper.”


After his mom died, Obama nursed on a Nubian nanny goat. He ran with a pack of goats, one big state champion that Martin bought at the fair in Ninilchik last summer, and a couple of miniatures. One of the miniatures was missing Saturday when Martin found Obama.


That goat was found dead on Wednesday, also a casualty of the dogs running free.
Martin’s story is more common than wildlife and law enforcement officials would like.
Wildlife technician Larry Lewis, who works for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said that his office is among those that respond when dogs don’t get along with other animals.
“It’s relatively common,” he said.


There’s no one agency that has sole jurisdiction over incidents like the one at Diamond M last weekend.
“We all are responsive to those types of calls,” Lewis said.


Usually the Alaska State Troopers or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game respond, but it can also be a federal issue. In cities, city police or animal control are often responsible. Fish and Game refers calls about dogs chasing domestic animals to the troopers, because the department mostly deals with wild animals, he explained.


Both Kenai and Soldotna have animal control ordinances designed, in part, to prevent such events. But Diamond M is outside of city limits, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough doesn’t have leash laws.
“It’s relatively self-policing,” Lewis said. His department recommends that people keep their dogs constrained.


“And then be cautious,” he said.
Martin said it’s unfortunate that people don’t understand the need to confine their dogs, particularly in the spring.


“They become wild predators,” he said.


In the last 40 years, Martin has seen more than a few dogs harassing other animals.
“It’s happened over and over again.”


Last year, Martin saw some dogs harassing caribou out on the Kenai River flats, not far from the ranch. As allowed by Alaska statute, Martin shot at them to break up the attack. The dogs left, some running, at least one hobbling.


“That three-legged dog was one of the three that came up here,” Martin said, referring to the three that killed Obama.

READ MORE HERE

Northbound Lanes Now Re-Opened Following Fiery Crash

A vehicle burst into flames after a crash in Ocean City around 12:10 a.m. Monday, seriously burning one woman and injuring several others.

The accident happened on Coastal Highway at 67th Street in the northbound lanes.

The highway was closed in both directions. But as of 2:30 a.m., Jessica Waters, police spokeswoman, says northbound traffic is being diverted along the southbound lanes between 67th and 70th streets.

The roadway may have been damaged by the fire, and the accident will remain under investigation for several hours.

At least three people were injured, including a female who suffered serious burns to her legs, hands, forehead, nose and chin. Some were third-degree burns.

She was taken to a waiting helicopter at Jolly Rogers Amusement Park and flown to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. She may be transferred to Johns Hopkins Bayview burn center.

One report suggested that the vehicle had exploded. There was one radio report that also suggested that one of the vehicles involved in the accident could have been racing, but police will not confirm.

UPDATE

BY KELLI STEELE 5:45 A.M.:  The northbound lanes of Coastal Highway in Ocean City near 67^th Street have just re-opened following a fiery 3-car collision just after midnight.

Ocean City Police Spokesman Jessica Waters tells WGMD that the vehicle that caused the crash, a 1999 Ford Mustang, burst into flames and the driver is expected to be charged.

She says five people were transported to area hospitals; one person was sent to Bayview Medical Center for treatment of severe burns. The other four individuals had non-life threatening injuries.

Source; http://www.wgmd.com/?p=26736

Sheddy Trial Begins Today

The trial for a Texas man charged with murdering a  Delaware woman while she was visiting friends in Pocomoke City, Maryland  begins today in Worcester County.

Christine Sheddy was reported missing in November 2007. Her remains were found buried behind a bed and breakfast in Snow Hill in February 2010.

The Worcester County States Attorney says 19-year Justin Hadel was a guest at the  farm house when Sheddy  went missing.

Diver Says He Will Look For Bin Laden's Body

Oh, I can tell you right now, this might not be a good idea.......

KTLA News
A California scuba diver says he plans to go on an underwater search to find the body of Osama bin Laden, since there has not been a photo released to the public to prove the terrorist leader is dead.

Bill Warren, 58, is an experienced deep-sea scuba diver normally dives searching for underwater treasure in sunken ships. He said last week that he plans to scour the North Arabian Sea for bin Laden's body. The U.S. Navy allegedly buried bin Laden at sea by pitching his body overboard there in early May.

Warren said the expedition could cost about $500,000. He plans to rent a ship and a remote-control submarine at the cost of $11,000 per day.

The seach will begin next month in India, he said. If he finds bin Laden's body, he plans to photograph it and perform a DNA test on the ship.

Warren said he plans to bring a film crew on the expdition to document it.

Source; http://www.wtkr.com/news/ktla-diver-search-for-bin-laden,0,1060291.story

Hunting and Fishing Licenses To Increase July 1

If you hunt or fish read this:

Effective July 1, 2011, some hunting and fishing license fees will be increasing in Virginia. This was the first license fee increase since 2006 and only the second license fee increase for hunting and fishing since 1988.

The basic annual fishing and hunting licenses for adult Virginia residents will increase from $18 to $23 which includes the $1 license agent fee. Annual youth licenses will not increase. Non-resident fees for similar licenses were increased by the same percentage as the resident fees. A list of fishing and hunting licenses and the fees to purchase them, including the cost for non-residents, is available below.

The Board of Game and Inland Fisheries enacted the fee increase at their May 3, 2011 meeting with an effective date of July 1. At that same time they created a facility use permit for Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) wildlife management areas or public fishing lakes that will go into effect January 1, 2012. Anyone over 16 years old who does not have an annual hunting, fishing, or trapping license or a boat registration will need this new use permit. Users will have the choice of paying $4 for a daily pass or $23 for an annual pass to all VDGIF facilities

Source;  shoredailynews.com

TIME MACHINE

September, 1971

High School football was set to make its debut in Worcester County with teams in Snow Hill and Berlin but Pocomoke would not yet be fielding a team. The county commissioners had approved approximately $33,000 for each of the three High Schools for a football program. Pocomoke chose to use its first year funding for improvements to its athletic field, while continuing with its soccer program. Snow Hill and Berlin would continue their soccer programs as well.

February, 1930

J. Nelson Jester of Chincoteague, an 18-year-old free agent signed by the Washington Senators, was being mentioned as a prospect to bolster the team's 1930 line-up. However, an injury during minor league play forced an early end to Jester's professional career.

Footnote: Jester was a coach and teacher at Pocomoke High School in the 1950's, and later he was high school principal at Chincoteague.

September, 1953

In Central Shore League baseball play at Pocomoke City's Parker Field, 45-year-old Roscoe Bailey pitched the first four innings in a 7-2 win for Pocomoke over Cape Charles. Tommy Kellam's double brought in three of the runs. Colby Ashley finished the pitching chores for Pocomoke.

August, 1891

Pocomoke baseball fans were treated to a memorable experience when they witnessed their hometeam pitcher William V. Hawke strike out 26 players in a 13 inning game with an opposing team from Virginia. Hawke pitched for amateur teams in Delaware and Maryland before playing on the professional level in Reading, Pa., St. Louis, and Baltimore.

January, 1971

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Ed Watt was scheduled to be guest speaker at a Pocomoke Little League meeting designed to generate enthusiasm among parents and eligible players. Little League president Louis H. Kragler Jr. said plans were for eight Little League teams and four Senior League teams in Pocomoke involving 180 players for the 1971 season.

Moderate Drought Conditions for Eastern Virginia

Portions of Virginia are experiencing parched conditions.

The U.S. Drought Monitor says much of eastern Virginia is now in a moderate drought, while parts of Southside Virginia and the Richmond area are abnormally dry. The Drought Monitor is a service of the National Weather Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies

Temperatures hit 100 degrees in parts of the state on Thursday.

Last year more than two-thirds of the state experienced drought conditions and excessive heat that hurt crops and livestock.

Northampton County has experienced more than a moderate drought. The last significant percipitation event to occur in most of Northampton County was the December 26 snow storm. Accomack County has received some rain during that time however both counties are very dry right now and farmers and homeowners alike hope for some significant rain sooner rather than later.

Source;  easternshorenews.com

National Get Outdoors Day

Note: There will be NO guided walk on the Cypress Park Nature Trail on Saturday  (today).  Members at the Delmarva Discovery Center ask that you join them for National Get Outdoors Day in Eden.  There will be plenty of great things to do there!

GREAT day to get the kids outdoors and do something fun.

Saturday, June 11 · 10:00am - 2:00pm

Location:  Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center

                4025 Cooper Road

                Eden, Maryland

Join us for a FREE event encouraging healthy, active outdoor fun!

Thanks to our exhibitors and hands-on activities, kids can learn about archery, firearm safety, wildlife watching, kayaking, camping, cycling, nutrition, and more. Parents can learn about organizations that help kids develop safe & healthy habits while exploring our great Delmarva outdoors.

Free lunch for all and free t-shirts to first 400 kids.

Exhibitors include: Maryland Bowhunters Society, Allen Fire Dept., Wicomico Air Rifle Club, Wicomico 4-H, Wicomico County Sheriff's Department, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Delmarva Discovery Center, Pocomoke River State Park, Adrenaline High, Healthy U, and many more.

Pocomoke's 36th Annual Cypress Festival

Events Calendar

What: 36th Annual Cypress Festival

Where: Cypress Park

Jun 15,  8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Description: Opening Cermonies

Little Miss & Miss Cypress Pageant

Wounded Warriors Presentation

Live demos, arts & Crafts, rides - 

Jun 16, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Description: Pocomoke Idol

Rides, Arts & Craft

Great Food

Jun 17, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Description: Live Music

Great Food

Rides

Jun 18, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Description: All Day - Battle of the Bands

Rain Gutter Regatta by the Cub Scout Pack 143

Duck Derby - Free Boat Rides 1 & 3 by the Bay Queen

Rides start at 12 noon

Car Show by Crabtown Cruisers

Ty Sherwood & the Tydewater Band,

Fireworks

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Where Are They??

Where are the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in  restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods? Where is good old Michael Moore? 

Why  is the media NOT asking the tough questions about  why  the federal government hasn't solved this problem? 
...Asking  where the FEMA trucks and trailers and food services  are? 

Why  isn't the Federal government moving Iowa people into free hotels in  Chicago and Minneapolis ? 

When  will Spike Lee say that the Federal government blew up the levees  that failed in Des Moines ? 

Where  are Sean Penn, Bono, and the Dixie Chicks?

Where  are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes, cases of beer and  television sets?       

When  will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a  'vanilla' Iowa .. because that's what God wants?    

Where  is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of  shootings at rescuers, of rapes and murder? 

Where  are all the people screaming that Barack Obama hates white, rural  people? My God, where are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Oprah, and Ray  Coniff Jr? 

How  come you will never hear about the
Iowa flooding ever again?   Where are the government bail out vouchers? The government debit  cards?   

There must be one hell of a big difference between the value of the people of Iowa and value of the people of Louisiana. Pass this  unedited, un-doctored, factual information forward ..... to get Americans  thinking. Where the hell are all the people that think the Haitians are more important than the good people of Iowa, for that matter. 

Hat Tip; Eric

The Best Bumper Sticker Ever

2ND FRIDAYS IN ONANCOCK

June 10, 2011
5pm to 8pm

Participating shops, restaurants and galleries stay open late featuring local artists, demonstrations and specials. Sponsored by the Onancock Business & Civic Association (OBCA).

On North Street and King Street

North Street Market – 5 North St. – 5-7 p.m. Wine tasting/sampling of easy drinking summer wines, with cheeses and olives to match.

The Blarney Stone Pub – 10 North St. – The original Irish Pub on the Eastern Shore will feature the music of Greg Evans on the patio.

Janet's Cafe – 49 King St. – will offer light, fresh and healthy dinners during Second Friday: salads, pasta, desserts and coffee. Ice Cream season is here! 787-9495

King Street Exchange – 49 King St. – Check out Onancock’s new home goods consignment store! If you are looking for a perfect painting or chair to finish off a room, or have a treasure you’d like to see, stop in and talk to Kathy. Inventory changes daily!

gardenART on King St. – 44 King St. – 7th Anniversary Garden Party Celebration. New plants, gifts, and home accents at special anniversary prices. Holly Grove Vineyards will be in the garden with their award winning wines. 787-8818.

Richardson Gallery – 24 King St. – A show of paintings "Toasting Spring." New work by various artists with a spring theme. Reception for the artists with light refreshments.

At the Wharf

Mallards at the Wharf – Feed-a-Mind fundraiser for the Eastern Shore Literacy Council with celebrity waitstaff and Johnny Mo on the deck. Mention "Second Friday" and get half off Johnny Mo's famous mussels.

SouthEast Expeditions at the Wharf – Special guest: Bill McCarter of Eastern Shore Hang Gliding will have a glider you can get into. $10 kayak rentals and Kids Camp registration. 757-354-4FUN.

At the Historic Onancock School - 6 College Avenue

Art in Life Gallery - Room 109 – Stop by for door prize tickets for a free art lesson, info on the New York bus tour, Saturday workshops, and summer art camp. 665-1480 or theartinlife.com

Gailearai Ealaine – Room 115A – Open 1-8 p.m. See Marge's pieces using recycled material. Sign up for the Art Club for an opportunity to hang your work Second Friday. Refreshments. 757-665-4507.

On Market Street

Great Space ETC – 61 Market St. – Come by, have a cold beverage and see and sit in our new furniture. New fabrics, home scents, lamps, tabletop and gifts. Great square candles too!

Eastern Shore Art League Gallery – 59 Market St. – The theme of this month's show is "Splash," so get ready to dive right in! See how our local artists treat the subject of water. Light refreshments.

Red Queen Gallery – 57 Market St. – Wonderful watercolors from Diana M. Davis, photographs and sea glass jewelry from Gertraud Fendler. Light refreshments will be served.

Crockett Gallery – 39 Market St. - Come see Willie Crockett's new creations and get 20% off this evening! Willie is a Tangier native and an Onancock treasure.

Edward Jones – 25 Market St. – Join Mary McKenna for tasty refreshments, games and giveaways to celebrate summer. Schedule a free portfolio review to be well positioned in the current market.

Market Street Antiques – 20 Market St. – The store is loaded with a variety of treasures. Make sure to stop by and take a peak! Refreshments served.

NOTE FOR DOG OWNERS:

Our town welcomes furry friends of residents and visitors

alike! Look for a Pet-Friendly Decal in the windows of busi

that welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs inside. We
have two pet-friendly B&Bs and several pet-friendly events.nessesPlease respect our town leash law and if you forget your waste
bag, you’ll find one in the dispensers around town.

For more information:  http://www.onancock.org/

Pocomoke Officials Plan For Main Budget Fund To Rise

Written by

Bill Kerbin

POCOMOKE CITY -- The proposed budget for next year's municipal spending calls for the same tax rate for owner-occupied homes, 75 cents per $100 assessment, as they were charged last year. But rates for other real property would rise by four cents, to 80 cents per $100 of assessed value; and the budget calls for some increases in what property owners and businesses pay for municipal utilities.

Because the estimated value of Shore properties has declined recently, on average, no property owner should see an increase in any tax bills, town officials predicted.

The total budget for all three areas calls for spending $8.5 million next year, compared to $10.6 million in expenses in the current year. The drop in spending follows the end of one-time grants for upgrades to the sewer plant, which were taken in and spent right away in this year's budget. The water and sewer fund is shrinking from $4.8 million to $2.5 million.

The general fund portion of the budget, which pays for salaries and services like streetlights, road maintenance and trash pickup, is set to rise 3 percent, from $4.96 million to $5.1 million. A fund for ambulance service is planned to go up 5 percent, from $823,000 to $867,000.

One major cost for residents of Pocomoke City is the bill for water and sewer service, which will remain the same for owner-occupied homes. All other properties will see a 15 percent increase, the first in several years, if the proposed budget passes.

One increase for city residents is the trash disposal fee, which will be raised 50 cents per month to $9.50.
City Manager Russell W. Blake is expecting an increase in highway user funds from $22,900 to $59,200.

That's still down from recent years; in 2008 the town received $240,000 in state funding for city streets. That figure was substantially reduced the following year.

The $5 million upgrade at the wastewater treatment plant is expected to be completed by the end of this month. The only funds coming from the city will be $102,078, with the rest coming from grants, according to the budget.

Some other income expected includes $400,000 in economic development funds from Worcester County; $110,000 in room taxes; $40,000 from the county liquor department; $50,000 in franchise fees from the CATV service; and funds from other sources.

Concerning expenses, the town plans to increase employees' salaries by two percent to cover the state increase in their pension contributions. Another two percent cost of living allowance is planned because, officials said, they have not received raises for three years.

There are expected to be savings in personnel costs because of retirements and resignations in the public works department, the police department, the ambulance service and the golf course.

A major cost from the general fund is an $87,324 subsidy for the ambulance fund. The general fund will also have to subsidize the water and sewer fund to the tune of $22,356. With the purchase of the new building on Market Street for the Police Department, Blake estimates that the interior renovations next year will cost about $100,000.

Some other major costs include $150,000 for street lighting; over $100,000 for worker's compensation; $720,000 for health insurance payments, which is less than if the town had remained with Blue Cross (the town is self-insured); and $100,000 for street paving and repairs.

Blake has also included $20,000 to hire a new half-time employee to help promote downtown and work on other economic development. This money would come from a previous grant for downtown business start-ups and expansions.

The council will meet June 20 to vote on the final passage. The July meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 5.

The council granted the Rev. Barbara Bassuener, rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, permission to hold services one day a week in Cypress Park. Along with the service, bag lunches would be provided for homeless people attending.

Under other business Mayor Bruce Morrison presented a plaque to former Mayor Michael A. McDermott in recognition of his six years as mayor of Pocomoke City; he presented a proclamation to Bill Kerbin in recognition of his being named to the newspaper Hall of Fame; and swore in Jarmel Gibson and Jessica Villanueva as the town's new police officers.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110609/WCT01/106090310/Pocomoke-officials-plan-for-main-budget-fund-to-rise?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Worcester County Times|s