National Click It or Ticket Enforcement

OCPD Taking Part in National Click It or Ticket Enforcement

As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday weekend, Ocean City Police are urging everyone to buckle up.   Beginning Monday, May 20th, law enforcement officials were out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

“We want everyone to enjoy their summer here in Ocean City. One big part of that is staying safe,” said Acting Chief Gregory Guiton. “Buckling your seat belt is one of the easiest choices you can make to ensure your safety.”

On the morning of May 20th, OCPD joined law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland and the entire northeast region in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket “Border to Border” Operation.

Law enforcement agencies that share State borders will team up to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: Driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what State.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime.  According to the NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

“Maryland’s seatbelt law is about to get tougher.  Come October first, everyone must wear a seatbelt.  Everyone.  Those in the back seat as well as those in the front,” said John Kuo Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative for in Maryland. “Governor O’Malley just signed into law a bill that will require all occupants of a vehicle to be buckled.”

In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to the NHTSA. While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Submitted by:
Ocean City Police Department

Change Maryland: More Job Losses for Maryland

More Job Losses for Maryland

 

Maryland lost 6,200 jobs in April according to the latest available numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Maryland is the only state in the region to experience significant job losses last month while many parts of the country have begun a path towards economic recovery. 

Change Maryland notes the tragic irony of the report’s release the same day as Governor Martin O'Malley and President Obama were in Baltimore city touting the President’s “Middle Class Jobs & Opportunity Tour.”

“The President has had a rough week.  Visiting Maryland to tout job creation on the same day a report shows Maryland lost the third highest number of jobs in the country is just another stroke of bad luck for this President this week,” said Larry Hogan, Chairman of Change Maryland. “But it is tragic for Maryland’s struggling middle class families." 

"After nearly seven years of failed economic policies, it has become crystal clear that the O’Malley-Brown Administration just does not get it when it comes to jobs,” Hogan added.   “Year after year, their jobs, jobs, jobs rhetoric is simply that – rhetoric.  But their record stands in stark contrast.  The fact of the matter is when it comes to jobs, our increased reliance on government to create jobs has left Maryland’s economy vulnerable to the ever changing political winds in Washington.”

In the most recent report, Maryland’s loss of 6200 jobs was the third worst, trailing only mid-western states Minnesota and Wisconsin for the numbers of jobs lost in April.  In all, 31 states experienced job growth for April. Further, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised Maryland’s employment numbers downward for March.

 

Regionally, only Delaware, with 300 lost jobs, experienced job losses over the same period of time. Virginia gained over 12,000 jobs and Pennsylvania added over 6,000. 

Riverside Grill Pocomoke Honors EMS This Week

National EMS Week May 19th-25th: EMS personnel get 15% off your check with ID

 

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE:

 

 Riverside Grill will be

CLOSED

for the holiday 

 Sunday 5/26

 and on

Memorial Day, Monday 5/27

BINGO ! Friday Night

CASH Bingo!

Mar-Va Fundraiser

 

 

Motorist Charged for Striking Pedestrian in Marked Crosswalk

On May 18, 2013, at approximately 6:15 p.m. Ocean City Police responded to the area of 28^th Street and Philadelphia Avenue, in reference to a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle.

Officers and Ocean City EMS personnel arrived at the scene and determined that a 25-year-old pedestrian, whose name is not being released, was walking with the pedestrian signal on Philadelphia Avenue at 28th Street from east to west when she was struck by a vehicle turning onto northbound Philadelphia Avenue from Robin Drive.  The investigation determined the driver at the intersection failed to yield the right of way to the pedestrian and struck her while she was in the crosswalk.

The pedestrian was transported to PRMC by OCEMS with non-life threatening injuries.  The driver, identified as Tess Ann Marianetti, 21, of Bel Air, MD, was cited for failing to yield to pedestrian in crosswalk.  Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Ocean City Police urge citizens to use extra caution while crossing streets, as well as advise drivers to be alert of pedestrians on the road.

For individuals who are traveling on foot, on a bicycle, moped or scooter, here are some important safety tips to remember:

Cross the street at a marked crosswalk or intersection.

Make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy intersections

Continue to watch for traffic the entire time you are in the crosswalk.

It is illegal to wear headphones in both ears at the same time while operating any vehicle.

Vehicle operators should to be extremely vigilant while driving, keeping consistently aware of pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds and scooters.

Avoid making quick, un-signaled turns or abrupt stops. If you can’t make the turn safely, proceed past the turn and turn around when safe.

Allow plenty of time to stop or proceed through intersections.

Pedestrians should only use crosswalks and not take unnecessary risks crossing busy streets against traffic lights.

Parents are reminded to pay extra attention to children when crossing busy roads. Keep hold of small children’s hands while waiting for traffic lights to change and while crossing.

The Ocean City Police Department reminds visitors to
 Walk Smart: Drive with Care, Walk with Caution.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Department

Throwback Thursday At the Mar-Va Theater

THROWBACK THURSDAY

 

Thursday, May 23rd

 

7 PM

 

Tickets: $5

 

www.marvatheater.com 

Arrest Made In Theft of City Property

OCPD Charge Suspect in Theft of City Property

On May 9, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Ocean City Police responded to the inlet lot in reference to a theft of Town of Ocean City property.  Officer arrived at the scene and met with an Ocean City Public Works supervisor who advised that two large sets of aluminum steps were stolen from a collapsible stage/trailer in the inlet parking lot.

Police noted the items that were stolen were from an area of the Inlet that is covered by the Town of Ocean City video surveillance cameras.   Officers were able to use the surveillance images that captured a person stealing the items.  After viewing footage from several cameras a suspect was identified as Timothy Allen Aulinskis, 46, of Berlin.

Officers located Aulinskis pick-up truck with the stolen city property at a residence in Berlin, Maryland.  During the investigation Police determined that Aulinskis did steal the items valued at approximately $3,000.

Ocean City Police have charged Aulinskis with the following:

• 2 counts Theft $1,000 to $10,000

This is another example of surveillance technology helping to solve crimes.  In an ongoing effort to improve public safety, The Town of Ocean City has strategically positioned video surveillance cameras at various public locations throughout Ocean City.  These cameras provide not only surveillance to catch criminals; they also assist public safety with vehicular traffic management and large event planning.

The OCPD reminds citizens that it can view real-time video images of the Ocean City Boardwalk, Inlet and Beach by going to: http://oceancitymd.gov/allcams.html.

A photo of Aulinskis is not available at this time.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Two FBI Agents Killed In Training Accident

FBI Mourns the Loss of Two Special Agents
Killed in Training Exercise

Two FBI special agents were tragically killed Friday during a training exercise off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Special Agent Christopher Lorek and Special Agent Stephen Shaw were members of the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, part of the Critical Incident Response Group based at Quantico, Virginia. The cause of the incident is under review.

In a statement, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller said, “We mourn the loss of two brave and courageous men. Like all who serve on the Hostage Rescue Team, they accept the highest risk each and every day, when training and on operational missions, to keep our nation safe. Our hearts are with their wives, children, and other loved ones who feel their loss most deeply. And they will always be part of the FBI Family.”

Special Agent Lorek, age 41, joined the FBI in 1996. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, ages 11 and 8. Special Agent Shaw, 40, joined the FBI in 2005 and is survived by his wife; a daughter, age 3; and a son, age 1.

FBI PRESS RELEASE

National EMS Week 2013

National EMS Week 2013

May 19-25, 2013

"EMS: One Mission. One Team"

 

 

 

National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's "front line."

 

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was instrumental in establishing EMS Week when President Gerald Ford declared November 3 – 10, 1974 as the first “National Emergency Medical Services Week.” This annual observance continued for four more years and was then reinstituted by ACEP in 1982. Around this time the observance of EMS Week was moved to September. In 1992 EMS Week was again moved to be the 3^rd week in May. The move was made to separate EMS Week from Fire Prevention week in October. The rationale for the move was the majority of fire and EMS services felt having the two events back to back hurt the effectiveness of each program so EMS Week was moved to May.

Alleged BGF Leader Tavon White Will Be Moved

Alleged BGF leader Tavon White will be moved to U.S. custom
Defendant's attorney had argued he was being held in poor


Tavon White
leader of the Black Guerrilla Family

conditions
 By Ian Duncan,
The Baltimore Sun
May 17, 2013
Tavon White, the alleged leader of the Black Guerrilla Family at the Baltimore City Detention Center, will await trial in federal custody out of state, his attorney said Friday.

A federal judge ordered him moved from state custody Friday after a hearing on the conditions of White's detention. His lawyer Gary E. Proctor complained earlier this week about the conditions he faced at a Maryland prison in Cumberland.

In a court order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan K. Gauvey cited the "allegations of corruption among the Division of Correction's staff in at least one of its correctional institutions." It is not clear how those allegations factored into her ruling.

White is accused of leading a smuggling operation at the city jail, and is charged in an indictment along with 13 female corrections officers who federal prosecutors say aided him.

Proctor argued in a court filing that White was being held without his personal belongings and was unable to receive visitors. His conditions, Proctor wrote, could hurt his client's ability to get ready for a trial.

State officials have said they had worked to meet Proctor's requests and that White's property had been turned over to him once it arrived in Cumberland.

Neither the U.S attorney's office, which is prosecuting the corruption case, nor the State's Attorney's Office for Baltimore City, which is pursuing an attempted murder charge against White, objected to his being moved, according to the court order

"The defendant is to remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service and not be returned to the custody of the State of Maryland," Gauvey wrote.

The parties agreed earlier this week to begin a two-month trial in the federal case next June. In the meantime, plea negotiations between the government and defense lawyers have started, according to a filing in the case.

SOURCE/READ MORE

TIME MACHINE ... 1962..1993..1884..1943..1906..1900

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)

March, 1962
(The Salisbury Times)

Famed Chincoteague Pony Foals A Filly

CHINCOTEAGUE, VA., (AP)- The most famous Chincoteague pony of them all foaled a filly even as the count showed 55 ponies died in last week's savage coastal storm.

Misty, the storied 16-year-old pony who was evacuated from this ravaged island when the floods struck, gave birth to a third off-spring at Pocomoke City, Md., Sunday.

That was about the only bright news to reach pony-owners and fanciers on Chincoteague.

A final count showed 55 of the little ponies perished in the flood on nearby Assateague Island, where they roam wild. Ninety died on Chincoteague.

Four Army helicopters will remove the dead animals from the two islands today, lifting them by rope and depositing them in trucks, which will take the carcasses to a mainland farm for burial.


　
November, 1993
(The Altoona Mirror- Altoona, Pa.)

(Excerpts)

WAYNESBORO (AP)- Stormy, a brown and white foal of Misty, the Chincoteague pony made famous by a 1940's children's book, has died at age 31.

Stormy, who died Wednesday, was born near Pocomoke City, Md., and lived nearly all her life on Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia's Eastern Shore. In 1989 she was moved here by Michael Pryor, who runs a non-profit organization with Misty's descendants.

Stormy was the third and final foal of Misty, who gained fame after Marguerite Henry wrote the 1947 children's classic, "Misty Of Chincoteague." It was the first of a series of tales she wrote about the herd of wild ponies that live on the island.
In 1962, the California author wrote a sequel, "Stormy- Misty's Foal." Pryor said it sold more than 12 million copies in eight languages.

Pryor said Stormy, who died at 745a.m. (11/24/93), would be preserved by a Mt. Alto, Pa., taxidermist and displayed along with her mother, who died in 1972.


　
November, 1884 (Time Machine archive)

A railroad route from Delmar, Md. to Cape Charles, Va., was put into service by The New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad. The line was to travel though Salisbury, Fruitland, Eden, Leretto, Princess Anne, King's Creek, Adelia, Pocomoke, New Church, Hallston, Matompkin, Accomac, Pungoteague, Belle Haven, Bird's Nest, and Eastville. At Cape Charles passengers were to be transferred to fast mail steamers and ferried over to Norfolk where rail connections to other locations could be made. A new steamer under construction would carry rail cars and was planned to be in service in March.　



May, 1943

A Pocomoke City man, described by authorities as a vagrant, was arrested for violating the "work or fight" law that had been enacted by the Maryland legislature. Trial Magistrate Crawford R. Hillman sentenced the man to serve six months in The Maryland House Of Correction. Worcester County State's Attorney William G. Kirben had ordered officers to look into enforcement of the law. No other violators were found.　


April, 1906
(The Denton Journal)

The Peninsula Agricultural Society's executive committee has decided to offer $35 in prizes to the school children of the Eastern Shore of Maryland for the best collection of insects made this spring.　

　
(An automobile is coming to the Eastern Shore!)

April, 1900
(Trenton Times- Trenton, N.J.)

Automobile Tour

An automobile bound for Salisbury, Md., passed through this city Wednesday afternoon. The vehicle was in charge of W.L. Edison of the Edison Vehicle Supply Company of New York, and Thomas Clarke of the Boston Theatrical Company. The run from New York (to Trenton) was made in four hours. The party expects to tour the South and may go to Paris.

　
(TIME MACHINE Archive)

"... it is said that Salisbury may have had up to a dozen cars on its streets by 1910. The first car to be driven in Salisbury was around 1900 and the driver and owner was Billy Edison, son of famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison. The young Edison had lived in Salisbury for a while and married a young lady from Salisbury. But he encountered the problem of tires on his Stanley Steamer being cut while negotiating Salisbury's sandy oyster shell based streets of that era. Years later when Edison returned to the area in an expensive Pierce Arrow he found that attempting to drive the vehicle on country roads was too hazardous an endeavor. He decided not to attempt a return trip from the country back to Salisbury; he sold the vehicle."　

　
Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1962 & 1993.. "Misty" and "Stormy;" 1884.. There's a new railroad route from Delmar to Cape Charles; 1943.. Maryland's new "work or fight" law brings Pocomoke arrest; 1906.. A spring school project for Eastern Shore children; 1900.. An automobile is coming to the Eastern Shore!  
　
Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Nature Trail UPDATE ~ Moving Right Along With Lots To See and Still Do!

NATURE TRAIL UPDATE

By Richie Schoemaker MD, project chairman

Posted Tuesday, May 14th 2013


Construction:
Looking back from where we are now, I can’t believe we only got started 2 weeks ago. Now we are ready to start building (come help us on 5/15 and beyond). The massive transport job led by foreman Andy Clarke is just about done. The 38 “second floor” racks are now waiting on the island (as yet unnamed; how about “Broken Back Island”?) near their final resting place in the final stretch of impenetrable swamp. Granted it took two sessions of 90 minutes each to load the 150 pound racks in groups of 10 onto Andy’s long trailer, transport them from the City Public Works lot to the building site, slide each rack down the hill and through the woods, over the bridges and into place. It took four people to load each rack; two to unload and move to the forest and four to haul into the swamp staging area.


Prothonotary Warbler - Male

We had some familiar faces sweating with the loads: Larry Fykes, Rob Clarke (right in there full bore!), Andy Clarke, Michael Redden and a newbie, Josh Weichman. Our first truck load took 58 minutes and the second 39 minutes. The next session was Andy, Larry, Rob, Scott Tatterson, some physician part time, and from the cadet corps came Kalie and Luke Speta. With all that crew, Larry suggested that they move some planks that we need to use as joists as well. And so they did.

Meanwhile, the Town Public Works crew has moved the hundreds of 4 foot treads that Chris Miles cut (for free, thanks Chris!) for us. Only 600 more to go (well, maybe a few more). We are ready for the machine-like assembly line in the swamps! But, one small item remains. What path does the Trail actually follow to get to its final end point? Into the swamp go Andy and Larry, with music from African Queen and Heart of Darkness quietly playing in the stream of consciousness. They make it back alive. Larry’s hip waders didn’t drag him down into the suction of the organic floor of the wooded wetlands (don’t laugh, that happens).

So now we are so close to finishing. Larry wants to jump start our deep water sections, the most difficult, which as one might expect are the first. Yet, our plan is still to push the work over Memorial Day weekend, beginning on Saturday at 9 AM. Volunteers will assemble at the Greenway parking area for the Trail entrance by the golf course and walk around Stevenson’s Pond to the work site adjacent to the northbound Route 13 Bridge. You will see and hear us. Bring your own tick repellent spray, water and work gloves. We will work for 3 good hours and see what we have.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Donations:We are so thankful for the support we have received so far. Many people have called asking about how to contribute. Checks are welcome, payable to CRBAI or the Pocomoke Nature Trail; mail them to Nature Trail, 500 Market St Suite 103, Pocomoke, Md 21851.


T-shirts are going out (as soon as they are done!) to Anne Hughes, Al Correia, Debbie Waidner, CD Hall and Nancy Newsome for their donations for a Foot of the Trail. Major donors are Dr. Tom and Dorothea Harblin and Dr. Scott McMahon who will each sponsor an observation station. Our biggest booster to date is Circuit Court Judge Richard Bloxom who is a Silver Sponsor and supporter of an observation station.

Why volunteer to do this much work?As I stood as quietly as I could last week on the island, I could hear the pileated woodpeckers and summer tanagers calling. Prothonotary warblers were all around. See them and hear them. There was a black and white warbler close to the trunk of the sycamore tree. The great crested flycatchers (AKA weep-weep birds) were definitely annoyed that I was in their space. I heard a new bird call, one almost like a warbler’s phrasing, but no, this was a vireo. We have lots of vireos in our swamps, but this one…

My hearing is getting bad, so I can’t rely on the sound any more. There it is, I can see it just overhead. It was a solitary vireo (and was by itself too), one that I personally have never seen around here. Where is naturalist John Dennis when I need him?

Pileated Woodpecker

I saw a blue-lined skink and found scat of a fox newly deposited on the top of the new bridge abutment. The lizard and fox couldn’t resist checking out our new trail. Neither can I. As the evening started to arrive with fading light, softening of the wind in the cypress and a few buzz, buzzing bugs around my ears, I could see schools of surface feeders breaking the calm of the slack waters between the tides. Solace, indeed.

And yet, what was that? Not a log; that was a head! An otter! Oh my, I haven’t seen otters here for twenty years! I waited, hoping if I held my breath that it would come my way but it swam to shore out of sight up by the magnificent cypress that will be our final destination of this loop.

Otters, birds, fish, and quiet magnificence of our Trail: all this wonder leads to some important questions. What really matters when people are slaughtered in Mother’s Day parade and stories of unspeakable horror fills our newspaper? Are we really better off to seal away human populations from use of our wooded wetlands as a place for solace, learning and recreation? Or are we better off teaching our visitors what splendor we have by letting them see it from our protected boardwalks and observation platforms. I have consistently voted to open access of our forests and swamps to school kids and visitors understanding that a few visitors will attack our signs and some others will toss cans and paper onto the forest floor. Not all people are good hearted.

For every knucklehead who trashes a part of our Trail, there are hundreds and hundreds of others who will value seeing an otter slide or an osprey soar or a calico bass ripple a still surface. Will seeing an elusive vireo (after first identifying its call) impact an eighth grader’s view of nature and the world? Will that attention to detail be the springboard for a new answer to approaching the complex problems of a global world? Can we just try?

Blue Lined Skink

I am not suggesting that studying lizard habitat or understanding where mammals hide under the snows in southern places like Pocomoke will help save the world, but as long as we have youngsters like Hunter Tatterson, Kalie and Luke Speta, and Josh Weichman who are willing to give back to a community like Pocomoke, almost before they are old enough to have taken from the community, then I am optimistic that all the efforts of old guys like Don and Jim and me, like Jack Spurling years ago, are based on an idea that won’t die as we will. We have a duty to teach, to share and to provide for those who will follow and improve upon our attempts to make this a better place to live, to work and to raise the next generation. We can’t ask our schools to take on extra burdens when we can combine our love of nature and our willingness to do the hard work to share with others in hopes that our survivors will see what we see now.

So, you can understand why I feel that building the last loop of the Trail means a lot symbolically. Please give generously of your time and what donations you can to help us make the Pocomoke Nature Trail better.

And don’t forget to pick up a couple of the famous Birds of the Pocomoke River t-shirts! And the bumper stickers too. Call us at 410-957-1550 or at the Chamber of Commerce at 410-957-1919.

Years ago (1980), Mayor Dawson Clarke told me that once I had some Pocomoke River mud under my toenails that I would stick around. The world has changed since then but the same river mud that helped shape my career to focus on environmental health issues might just be important for some one else.

Please help our Trail committee make that opportunity grow.

 Download the Pocomoke City Nature Trail Donation Form


Many thanks,

Ritch Shoemaker MD
Trail Committee, Chairman

~ Remembering NATIONAL POLICE WEEK ~

~ ARMED FORCES DAY ~

 

Photo/ BW/2013
Flag in Cypress Park

 

 

www.jointcommission.org

Police Catch Two Men Going Through Parked Cars

Two Clarksburg Maryland Men Caught Going Through Parked Cars

 

On May 15, 2013 at approximately 1:30 a.m. Ocean City Police responded to the 8800 block of Rusty Anchor Road, in reference to a citizen report of three males tampering with parked cars.  When officers arrived in the area, they observed two males tampering with parked cars by trying door handles to see if the vehicles were unlocked.

Officers confronted the two suspects at which point one of the suspects fled from police.  When officers attempted to subdue the suspect later identified as Harry Gardner Holmes, III, 25 of Clarksburg, MD, Holmes assaulted an officer. Holmes was subdued and subsequently arrested by an officer equipped with an Electronic Control Device (ECD/Taser). 

The second suspect, who was identified as Christopher Ryan Holmes, 22, of Clarksburg, MD, was taken into custody without incident.  During the on scene investigation police determined the two suspects are brothers and staying in the 94th Street area. 

Officers located several witnesses and victims and determined the suspects had gained entry to at least two vehicles.

Per OCPD procedure H. Holmes was treated by OC EMS and transported to Atlantic General Medical Center for treatment after being subdued by an ECD/Taser.  He was released from the AGH and transported by officers to the Ocean City Public Safety Building.

The suspects have been charged as follows:

Harry Gardner Holmes, III:

Two counts of Rouge and Vagabond (was in or on a motor vehicle with the intent to commit theft)

Assault on a Police Officer

Resisting Arrest

Christopher Ryan Holmes:

Two counts of Rouge and Vagabond (was in or on a motor vehicle with the intent to commit theft)

At the time of this release both suspects are being held by the Ocean City Police pending an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

Ocean City Police commend citizens for reporting suspicious activity and encourage other citizens to do the same. The Ocean City community continues to be proactive when it comes to their involvement in fighting crime.   With the summer season approaching residents and visitors should check the security of parked vehicles and residences particularly ones that will be left unattended. Don’t leave valuable items such as digital devices, money or any other items of value in plain view in the interior of an unattended car.   Remember it only takes three to five seconds to become the victim of a crime.  By practicing a few simple crime prevention measures, we can continue to make it tough for criminals.  For more crime prevention information visit our web site at: www.oceancitymd.gov/police.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Department
 

Suspect in Reputed Smuggling Arrested By Delaware Police

Adel Abuzahrieh

DOVER, Del. (AP/WBOC)- A man arrested in Delaware in the takedown of an alleged East Coast cigarette smuggling ring that authorities believe may have funneled money to terrorist groups is being held on $12.5 million cash bail.

Adel Abuzahrieh of Staten Island, N.Y., is being held at Sussex Correctional Institute in Georgetown on Friday, two days after troopers arrested the 47-year-old during a traffic stop on Route 1 near Milford. Police say they found 201 cases of cigarettes in the box truck he was driving and seized between $15,000 and $20,000 in cash.

Abuzahrieh is awaiting extradition to New York.

The two reputed leaders of the smuggling ring, brothers Basel and Samir Ramadan, remain in custody at the Worcester County, Md., jail after being arrested Wednesday in Ocean City.

Authorities said Basel Ramadan, 42, and his 40-year-old brother allegedly obtained cigarettes from a wholesaler in Virginia and smuggled the untaxed cartons to a storage facility in Delaware.

SOURCE:



More information concerning the smuggling ring:
New York Daily Times

Office of the Attorney General; New York Daily News

A diagram shows the hierarchy of the scheme and those arrested.

UPDATE: Sex Offender Turns Himself In

Delmar Cubbage
Sex Offender

It has been reported this afternoon, 05-17-13, from the Worcester County Sheriff's Department:

Mr. Delmar Cubbage, 22, turned himself into the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office on the outstanding arrest warrant on May 16 2013. Mr. Cubbage is being held in the Worcester County Jail.

According to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office,
Mr. Cubbage was released from the Worcester County Detention center on 05-02-13 after serving a nearly yearlong sentence for failing to register as a sex offender and violation of probation.

It was reported on May 17, 2013 that Cubbage was wanted for not notifying authorities of his current address.

Mr. Cubbage was originally convicted of fourth degree sex offense in July 2010. Mr. Cubbage has two prior convictions for failing to register as a sex offender.

Accomack County Arson: Bundick Competent To Stand Trial

By Linda Cicoira
Eastern Shore Post


Accused arsonist Tonya Susan Bundick “appears to have above average intelligence,” battles depression and is competent to stand trial, according to a psychological evaluation filed in Accomack General District Court.

A report for her fiancé and alleged accomplice, Charles Robert Smith III, also known as Charlie Applegate, has not yet been filed. Smith’s attorney has asked that it be kept sealed when it comes in.

Bundick, 40, who lived with Smith, 38, on Matthews Road in Hopeton before the couple was arrested, met with psychologist David H. Keenan of Virginia Beach on April 29 at Accomack
Jail, where both defendants are being held without bond, the record states.

“Bundick is clearly depressed at the present time,” Keenan wrote in information mailed to the court on May 8. “She has a history of long-term problems with depression. However, … Bundick’s current condition appears to meet the basic criteria for the finding of Competent to Stand Trial and Competent to Plead.” He said she should remain competent if she continues to take “her prescribed
mental health medications. She expresses the intent of doing so.”

She “understands the roles of the defense attorney, the prosecuting attorney and the judge,” the psychologist wrote. “She has a basic familiarity with most commonly used legal terms and procedures.

Tonya Bundick says that she intends to work with and to collaborate with her attorney. Ms. Bundick also understands the importance of maintaining appropriate conduct in court …
she is reportedly being maintained in a single cell in the Accomack County Jail.”

Keenan added, “Bundick … reportedly lived with her mother and father and older sister during her  developmental years.  She indicates that she was subjected to verbal and emotional abuse … (and) physically abused by her father at times.”

Source:

The evaluation of Smith notes that he was abandoned by his biological father.

The couple, who are engaged, had sought to keep sealed the reports, but General District Judge Gordon Vincent denied the motion on Wednesday.

From The Worcester County Sheriff's Office ~2013 Click It or Ticket

NEWS RELEASE

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

 

2013 CLICK IT OR TICKET

“Border to Border”

Glen Burnie, Maryland- As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is urging everyone to buckle up.   Beginning Monday, May 20th, law enforcement officials will be out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Chief Michael Kundrat, Maryland Transportation Authority Police. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt.”

On the morning of May 20^th,   Maryland will be joining law enforcement agencies throughout the northeast in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket “Border to Border” Operation.

Law enforcement agencies that share State borders will team up to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: Driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what State.


According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime.  According to the NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. 

Tragically, these national statistics are mirrored locally.  Preliminary data for 2012 shows that, 108 unbuckled drivers and passengers in Maryland lost their lives.

“Maryland’s seatbelt law is about to get tougher.  Come October first, everyone must wear a seatbelt.  Everyone.  Those in the back seat as well as those in the front,” said John Kuo Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative for in Maryland. “Governor O’Malley just signed into law a bill that will require all occupants of a vehicle to be buckled.”

 

In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to the NHTSA. While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

 

Participating Law Enforcement Agencies: Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Annapolis City Police, Baltimore County Police, Bel Air Police, City of Greenbelt Police, Crisfield Police, Cumberland Police, Frostburg Police, Gaithersburg Police, Garrett County Sheriff’s Office, Harford County Police, Havre De Grace Police, Landover Hills Police, The Maryland State Police, The Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Oakland Police Department, Ocean City Police, Ocean Pines Police, Prince George’s County Police, Princess Anne Police, Pocomoke City Police, Westminster Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Lt. Edward C. Schreier

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

  

Drug Arrests In Northampton County Virginia

EASTVILLE — The Eastern Shore Drug Task Force conducted a roundup Tuesday, May 16, 2013, to arrest multiple individuals that were indicted under seal for 19 counts of drug distribution by a Northampton County Grand Jury.

Arrested on drug charges were:

Corey Beckett,  34, Belle Haven, Virginia

Terrance Brisco,  38, Nassawadox, Virginia

Joseph Pae,  51, Exmore, Virginia

Antwine Twitty Reid,  32,  Machipongo.

Vashon Robinson,  37,  Cape Charles.

Nathaniel Fitchett,  35,  Cheriton.

Vincent Trackdown Stith,  34,  Cheriton.

Additional subjects were arrested on other criminal related charges according to   Special Agent C.S. Wade of the Virginia State Police.

The Eastern Shore Drug Task Force is still attempting to locate Harry Beau Anderson, 65, of Cape Charles. Anderson is wanted for one count of cocaine distribution.

WANTED
Harry Beau Anderson

Anyone having information in relation to ongoing drug activity may contact the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force at 757-414-0746. Call the respective Sheriff’s Department or 911 if it is currently occurring.

The Drug Task Force was created in 1989 and consists of the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff’s Departments and the Virginia State Police.

The Task Force was assisted by:  Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Charles Police Department, Exmore Police Department, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police.

 

Pocomoke Boat Docking Info

Pocomoke Boat Docking Association

 

Pocomoke Boat Docking Association is 
looking for sponsors for the 1st year of the boat docking event.  If you are interested leave a message on their
facebook  page.
    

Vendor booth spaces are $50 for the day. If you are interested in being a sponsor, those details are as follows:

Bronze Dockers $100-$500
- Name on sponsorship banner
- 2 free tickets to event
- 25% off vendor booth space

Silver Dockers $501-1500
- Name on sponsorship banner
- 4 free tickets to event

- Business announced at event
- Secondary bleacher seating
- 50% off vendor booth space

Gold Dockers $1501-$3000
- Name on sponsorship banner
- 6 free tickets to event
- Business announced all day
- Representative brought in by boat
- Business on all radio PSA's
- VIP seating
- Free vendor booth space

Pocomoke Boat Docking is in it 1st year and will be held in beautiful downtown Pocomoke on the riverfront.

 The event will be held on Aug. 18, 2013 starting at 1 pm.

Gate will open at 10 am.

More information as it becomes available.

Nature Trail Construction Update / Name The Island.....

by Ritch Shoemaker MD,

project chairman
Posted Tuesday, May 6th 2013

 

 

  Nature Trail Construction Update

Construction:
Any case you missed it this weekend, the fast moving tornado that swept through the Nature Trail Loop construction project was Larry Fykes (construction foreman) and Andy Clarke (transport foreman) scooping up very task we had to complete and blowing them away. Russ Blake caught a few candid photos of our crew at the Saturday rack building session. I hope he had a fast lens to stop the action!
Let’s face it; this entire project is complex and heavy. The construction project now includes over 50 tons of materials that have to be organized, moved to the Trail site, staged and assembled. We are well on the way!

Saturday we had just a couple of hours to put together 38 racks, each 4 foot by 16 foot, with five cross braces. Done; the racks are now stockpiled at the City Public Works lot. Back in 1993, building flimsier versions of these racks took us old guys at least three sessions of hand hammering of three hours each to finish. Now that Larry and Andy are tooled to do the job, our work crew of Andy, Larry, Robbie Mills, Scott Tatterson and his 9th grade son Hunter, Mike Thornton, Rob Clarke (no kidding I have photos of Rob working) and I knocked out all the racks in 125 minutes. Don Malloy supervised. You had to see those guys crank out the racks! After a task decision-process that took at least 5 minutes, the racks were put together in 115 minutes. It is incredible to think that a rack could be finished and stacked in less than four minutes each.

Robbie Mills has another nickname now: call him Hammer, the nail gun man. These racks are stronger than our old ones, with four nails per side (not three) and five cross braces not four. Hunter wasn’t too thrilled at first (it seemed) to be volunteering to carry 70-pound boards when the rest of his class mates might be still sleeping. And Mike was inscribing nailing lines as fast as he could bend over to do so.

Sunday afternoon Larry, Andy, Don and I had to clear out underbrush from our proposed staging area on the island in Stevenson’s Pond. I had no idea this site was an island. But the island apparently has no name; maybe because no one has visited! I hope that readers can help me with the name of the island, or if none is known, suggest reasonable names. I tend to think that we should honor Don by naming the island for him. Don’s Watery Den, anyone? Malloy’s Mire? Understanding that no man is an island, and only one island is named for Man, what should we call this island? “Trail Staging Area Island” doesn’t have a real clever sound to it.

Please don’t be bashful about suggestions.

 But since the access bridge to the island is now sturdy, we have to get ready for hauling in our materials for the Memorial Day weekend construction. Remember, we need you to help! If you aren’t interested in hauling wood for the actual construction, how about a nice donation? Or buy a famous Bird T-shirt!

Andy is so in to tools. He is often reminded of his uncle’s suggestion to invest in tools that will save labor immediately and for the days to come. Here again, the advances of the next generation need recognition. There I was, sweating for 10 minutes to use loppers to clear out a 30 square foot area of greenbrier, scrubby alder and gum. Andy had his metal blade on a device that looked like a trimmer. In 10 minutes, Andy is barely breaking a sweat and 70 square feet are clear. Meanwhile Larry has figured out how the Trail will traverse the creek and the wetlands beyond. Don has supervised. All told, 60 minutes passed and the entire site is cleared and is ready to go.

Monday afternoon the rocket pace of Trail work continued. This time, all it took was 90 minutes for the delivery of 50 trimmed railroad ties to the island site. Think about it. Take a chain a saw, cut through a sandy, creosoted railroad tie without significantly dulling the chain. First, though push the 200 pound tie far enough away from its stack to cut off 30 inches using a simple template to mark the 30 .inches mark. Nice work, Andy and Larry.

Meanwhile Larry is scrounging pallets for the (bound to be useful) 30 inch pieces. Scott Tatterson and son Hunter are joined by Mike Redden, who seems to be everywhere lifting ties and organizing them on Andy’s trailer. Almost immediately the trailer is loaded with 7500 pounds of ties, the pieces are on three pallets and we are off to the island. Don has supervised.

The ties don’t jump off the trailer by themselves and they sure don’t make a neat and tidy pile in the forward staging area by themselves. Amazing. The whole job only took 90 minutes.

Donations! Don agrees it is a good idea to show civic pride to help this project.
Mayor Bruce Morrison donated a foot as did Jennifer and John Rafter. Dr. John Whittaker (and Suzanne) donated two feet, as did Don Malloy; and also Jim and Dee Norton.

 Just about every business in town has received a donation packet by now, complete with free Trail book and a nifty bumper sticker (this one was designed by Debbie Waidner). If you don’t have a packet, call the Chamber at 410-957-1919 or my office at 410-957-1550. We will get one to you right away.

Next up is the rest of the railroad ties. We need strong backs and a willingness to work fast. And have a good time! We have started building bridges over deep holes in the island entry way to the new Trail construction; that work will be done soon. We need to transport the 38 racks and over 950 pieces of boardwalk decking.

Please join us in this worthy cause. We would like to be done by Memorial Day.