POCOMOKE CITY, Md.- Students across Delmarva are building robots to learn about engineering.
On Monday, a team of local high schoolers showed off their latest creation, affectionately called "Bubbles" the robot, at the Hawk Institute for Space Sciences in Pocomoke City.
The students say they spent about 150 hours to build a robot that competed in an international competition earlier this year. It went against other robots in a game that required each machine to toss balls into the attached trailing nets of competitors.
Organizers of the local non-profit group, called Eastern Shore Robotics, say it helps recruit a next generation of engineers. The group participates in the international FIRST Robotics competition.
"As our older engineers retire, we don't have a lot of really well-trained [and] technically-minded young kids coming in to fill those positions," said Chris Thompson, an organizer of the group.
The group uses resources from the Navy and NASA. It plans to begin working on a its next robot, under a strict six-week build period for the competition, beginning in January.
Watch the Video HERE
Into the Deep
This can be an explosive month, a month that offers the potential for breaking through stubborn resistance and empowers you to overcome difficult obstacles. You are forced to take relationships and your own limitations much more seriously now -- tough decisions are in the air.
More Aries Horoscopes for November.
Fresh Perspectives
November is slated to stir up relationship conflicts and perhaps even anger with yourself. The stakes in the game of love are getting higher as your desire for more may upset a current companion or attract the ardor of a new one.
More Taurus Horoscopes for November.
Conscious Cutbacks
Something big has changed, yet it might be difficult to put your finger on it. You could run into obstacles that seem to stand in the way of your happiness this month. Although you may worry whether you can withstand the slow but intense pressure to change, have faith that you are up to the task.
More Gemini Horoscopes for November.
Passion and Power Personified
November fuels competitive feelings and challenges you to get more out of yourself. There is a temptation to pursue a romantic fantasy, and the foresight to achieve your goals in ways that stir up the least amount of folly.
More Cancer Horoscopes for November.
Extreme Makeover
November starts a long-term process where you begin establishing healthy patterns in your everyday life that will sustain you for years. You are forced to eliminate destructive behavior and excessive consumption of resources while still finding the freedom to explore your imagination.
More Leo Horoscopes for November.
Student of Life
Travel and education are key this month, and you feel the need to break from the pressures of your routine. You may have to struggle to get what you want, so be bold in the pursuit of your dreams.
More Virgo Horoscopes for November.
Deconstruction Zone
There's no room for laziness this month, and extra efforts will be recognized and rewarded. There is change in the air, change that will affect the most stable and fundamental areas of your life, but leave you stronger and wiser if you're up for the challenge.
More Libra Horoscopes for November.
The Shape of Things to Come
Professional and personal change are stressed this November, and it's better to be bold and take the initiative than to stand still and simply react. You find yourself more comfortable in your own skin now, making you more alluring to others.
More Scorpio Horoscopes for November.
Work in Progress
Service, spirit and self-awareness are three major areas of interest throughout November. Your attention is drawn to meeting your obligations, but patience is essential. Spiritual ideals can be turned into action now, and there is a call to connect with higher meaning and dimensions beyond the ordinary.
More Sagittarius Horoscopes for November.
True Grit
November introduces demands that aren't likely to be satisfied by more hard work -- and events may not unfold according to your plan. Life seems harder now, and this time can be a test of your will. You are urged to think long-term yet stay on top life's immediate changes.
More Capricorn Horoscopes for November.
Taking Care of Business
Practical and immediate issues get the attention this November, leaving less time to fantasize about the future. Professional lives feel the shuffle as a sense of spirituality or community service feels like it's missing. The danger is taking on more than you can handle.
More Aquarius Horoscopes for November.
The Power of the Mind
Serious conversations are on the agenda this November. Dreams come into the focus of reality, bringing new life to your desires. Total discipline is critical to achieving your goals, and distancing yourself from individuals who don't respect you may determine whether you gain more control over your life.
More Pisces Horoscopes for November.
The USS New York, a Navy assult ship built with steel from the World Trade Center, will make its inaugural visit to New York today. The $1 billion ship, was built in Lousiana with using about 7.5 tons of steel in the bow.
The ship is scheduled to stop near ground zero today where survivors and families of the
victims, along with the public, have been invited to watch a 21-gun salute. Afterwards, the ship will travel up river to the George Washington Bridge where it will turn around, head south and dock at Pier 88 and remain there until Veteren's Day. On Saturday, an official commissioning ceremony is scheduled. After Veteren's Day, the USS New York travels to Norfolk, Virginia for a year of training and exercises.
The USS New York, which was actually scheduled to be built before the World Trade Center terrorist attack, is 684 feet long, can handle helicopters and the MV-22 osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.
Out of the 361 sailors serving aboard the ship 13 percent are from New York state. And the assult ship can carry up to 800 Marines.
Of the other four ships being built two of those will also have names related to the 911 attacks.
They are the USS Arlington, built in honor of the attack on the Pentagon, and the USS Somerset, named after the county in Pennsylvania in which the United Airlines flight 93 crashed.
Looking back on the summer I remembered all those hot, sunny, humid days we had. I like those brightly lit summer days and I even enjoy the humidity! I'm going to miss the sound of thunder in a distance and the soft breeze. I'm going to miss my abundance of blue birds, humming birds and finches. And I am even going to miss (somewhat) the sound and the bites of the mosquitoes and sleeping with the windows wide open.
I am a sunlight person. I like the sunny days, even if they are just warm. It's the long dreary days and nights that get to me. And I suppose that maybe there will be a few more warm sunny evenings to light the wok and sit on the patio watching the sun set. Our "world" is in the autumn mode now. It's time to rake leaves, mulch flower beds and take one long glimpse of the colorful sketches that Nature gives us this time of year.
Authorities on Friday morning arrested a Crisfield teen wanted on attempted murder and related charges in connection with a shooting that occurred earlier this month.
Crisfield police say that on Oct. 13, 17-year-old Denzell J. Gregory got into an argument with another male at the Somers Cove apartments complex in Crisfield. Investigators say Gregory pulled a handgun from his waistband and began shooting at the victim while he ran away. The victim was not injured during the incident, according to police.
Police say while investigating the shooting, they received information that Gregory had fled to the Salisbury area.
At around 6 a.m. Friday, Crisfield police, working with Salisbury police, Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation and the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, executed two search and seizure warrants at 907 Apartment G on Booth Street in Salisbury as well as at 154 Somers Cove apartments in Crisfield.
During Friday's execution of the search and seizure warrants, police located Gregory in the Booth Street apartment and took him into custody. Investigators say that hidden inside Gregory's jacket was the .38 caliber automatic handgun used in the Crisfield shooting, along with several pieces of crack cocaine. Police say that in addition, officers located inside the apartment 1-ounce of crack cocaine and several bags of heroin.
Read more @ WBOC
Axe Murder Hollow
Laura Dekker, 14, wants to sail solo around the world, but on Friday a Dutch judge ruled that she is too inexperienced and barred her from the trip.
All Hallow Eve, or Halloween, originated as a pagan celebration dating back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, over 2000 years ago. Samhain means "summers end" and is celebrated on November 1st as a joyous occasion. Many of the festivities included eating, drinking and dancing and the lighting of bonfires. The ashes from the burned bonfires were spread to protect the land for next years crops.
On the night before the new year the Celts believed the boundaries between the living and the dead became blurred. Ghosts of the dead returned to earth on October 31. The wearing of the masks, as a way to "hide" from the dead, became a tradition.
In the 1800's, with the Irish immigrants coming to America they brought their traditions of Halloween and the Jack-o-Lantern. The immigrants carved potatoes, turnips and beets and place a light inside using pieces of coal or a candle. These ornaments were placed in windows or on porches to welcomed the deceased and to serve as protection against horrible spirits or goblins freed from the dead.
Through the years, as the Irish Immigrants spread out across America, the lack of turnips, beets, and potatoes were replaced by the pumpkin to stand the watch for the "freed dead".
The origin of Trick-or-Treat, it is believed, orginated from the Druids. The Druids were preists and preistesses that served also as
historians, astronomers, teachers, etc. in their communities. Because the country folk believed that the dead had to be kept happy they would give the Druids food as they visited their homes. Today it is simply known as trick-or-treat.
Halloween has many names. Other names are : All Hallows Eve, The Feast of the Dead, Samhain, All Hallow Tide, All Saints Eve.
Jose Carlos Montano, 18, was arrested Thursday evening outside his San Pablo home. He was being held on $1.3 million bail, on suspicion of rape, rape in concert with force and other charges, Richmond police said.
Authorities were still looking for suspects, and have said as many as 10 people ranging from 15 to the mid-20s may have attacked the girl for more than two hours Saturday in a dimly lit area.
Montano's arrest came after three other teen suspects appeared in court for the first time Thursday.
Cody Ray Smith, 15, pleaded not guilty, while Ari Abdallah Morales, 16, and Marcelles James Peter, 17, did not enter pleas during their arraignment in Contra Costa County Superior Court.
Smith, Morales and Peter each were charged with rape in concert and sexual penetration with a foreign object. They were being held without bail and could be eligible for life in prison, if convicted.
The three were charged as adults because of the severity of the crime, prosecutor Dara Cashman said.
Another suspect, 19-year-old Manuel Ortega, was arraigned separately but did not enter a plea. He is charged with rape, robbery and assault causing great bodily injury, and is being held on $1.2 million bail.Salvador Rodriguez, 21, also remained jailed but has not been charged.
More HERE
A Democratic fundraising video on President Obama's political Web site shows an American flag mural being covered in graffiti and desecrated with slogans about health care reform.
As a heart monitor beeps ominously in the background, a graffiti artist paints over the Stars and Stripes with phrases criticizing opposition to the Democratic legislation, including "profit over life" and the crossed-out words "death panel." The whole flag is eventually smeared with paint and blacked out.
One of 20 finalists in the Democratic National Committee's "Health Reform Video Challenge," the video shows the Los Angeles-based graffiti artist "Saber" at work, according to a copy of the video posted to YouTube.
The DNC is using the splattered Old Glory to pick up some change, asking for donations to air the winner of its contest. "[T]o put the winning ad on national television, we'll need folks to chip in and help cover the cost of getting the ad on the air," the DNC says on its my.BarackObama.com Web site, which hosts its Organizing for America campaign program.
"I think that most Americans no matter what their political persuasion is will find this pretty obscene and pretty shocking," said Armstrong Williams, a conservative radio host. Williams said it was a bad message to send for the DNC to give "energy and credibility" to an artist desecrating the flag.
The video made it past a panel of judges "comprised of DNC employees," the site says. All finalists were screened to find "the most apt, creative, original and interesting video" that provides "clarity of message concerning supporting health insurance reform."
Supporters defended the video and said it might strike a chord with Americans who are interested in health care reform.
"I don't really think it's an issue," said Leonard Jacobs, editor of the Clyde Fitch Report. "It's one of 20 videos, and graffiti is protected by the First Amendment. And it's certainly something that might hook up with the way people feel."
Now in the final round, the remaining 20 videos will be judged by a panel of experts including DNC chief Tim Kaine; Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa.; singer will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas; actress Rosario Dawson; and Seth MacFarlane, creator of the TV cartoon "Family Guy."
A spokesman for Organizing for America told the Politico that the group was not prepared to provide comment on the video, but gave the contest a big push online.
"We're closer than we've ever been to passing real health reform, but we need to keep pushing forward and tipping the debate in favor of reform -- and the winning video could do just that," they wrote.
A Maryland state senator blocked the showing of an X-rated film at a state university. Predictably, the Washington Post ridiculed him for it. But what’s really at stake here?
This commentary contains material that may not be suitable for children.
Women’s groups are going to have their work cut out for them at the University of Maryland. So will the health clinics and campus police. They’re going to be busy cleaning up the mess if the school decides to give a green light to showing X-rated films on campus.
Last spring, Maryland students planned to screen a triple-X-rated film at the student union. When State Senator Andrew Harris heard about it, he threatened to cut off the school’s share of state operating funds. Good for him!
The school canceled the film, but defiant students showed a portion of it anyway in a lecture hall where they did not need permission from school authorities.
Many students are portraying this as a case of academic freedom. And the Washington Post agrees. The newspaper mocked Senator Harris for wasting the school’s time. But it’s just possible that Senator Harris knows a lot more about the consequences of viewing hardcore porn than does the Washington Post.
In CitizenLink, writer Daniel Weiss describes pornography research conducted by Dr. Victor Cline. Cline found that “once addicted, a person’s need for pornography escalates both in frequency and in deviancy.”
Weiss writes that the porn viewer gradually becomes desensitized, no longer getting a thrill out of what he’s viewing. Ultimately, he is driven to act out his fantasies on innocent victims.
More HERE
Gary Belote, 37, of Decatur Avenue pleaded guilty to theft less than $100 for an Aug. 24 incident, in which he was caught walking out of the Pocomoke City Walmart Supercenter with a $99 cell phone SIM card. Worcester County District Court Judge Gerald Purnell gave him the maximum penalty of 90 days in jail, although the judge allowed the 64 days he had already served since his arrest count toward that total. The remaining 26 days were suspended, and Belote was ordered not to return to Walmart for three years.
Six other counts of theft and trespassing in the case were placed on the inactive docket as part of a plea deal. In addition, while the store had surveillance tapes of Belote taking other merchandise off the rack and opening packaging, Deputy Worcester County State's Attorney Paul Haskell said he "can't prove that he went to the register or not."
However, Belote will still have to pay restitution to the Pocomoke City store for all the goods he is accused of stealing between Aug. 8 and Aug. 24 -- a value of $1,196.32.
Read more at DelmarvaNow
A "typographical error" resulted in the recall of student T-shirts at Linda Vista Elementary School's recent jog-a-thon, after a parent called the phone number printed on the back of the shirts and was connected to an adult chat line.
T-shirts were handed out to all students participating in the Oct. 16 jog-a-thon during recess and recalled before students left at the end of the day, Principal Jackie Howland said. The school believes that all of the T-shirts were retrieved, but parents were called just in case, Howland said.
The T-shirts featured the school mascot – a lion – running with a 1-800 number featuring words instead of numbers.
The number was written as a cute slogan for the jog-a-thon, but turned out to be an actual number, said Rosemary Gladden, public information officer for Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.
Linda Vista PTA is not the first group to make a mistake with that exact spoof number. The two word 800 number shows up online as part of a popular running slogan sold on T-shirts and merchandise.
But a Google search for the 1-800 number on its own returns news articles and blogs about schools in Ohio and Iowa that made the same mistake.
The 1-800 number goes to an adult chat phone line.
More HERE
Singer-songwriter Taylor Mitchell, 19, died after being attacked by coyotes in a Canadian national park. She "was so excited about the future," her manager said.EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
Richmond police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the two-hour gang rape of a semiconscious 15-year-old outside her homecoming dance at Richmond High, authorities said Monday night.
Police arrested and booked a 15-year-old student from Richmond High for felony sexual assault and are continuing to actively search for other suspects - both juveniles and adults - through the night, Detective Ken Greco said. The boy's name and grade level were not released.
The suspect was one of two students in custody for questioning early Monday evening, Greco said. Authorities have already arrested 19-year-old Manuel Ortega as he ran from the crime scene, police say.
Authorities said people took photos,laughed and some joined in as the girl was repeatedly assaulted. The victim, a student, remained hospitalized Monday with injuries that were not life-threatening.
"She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other's presence," said Lt. Mark Gagan, a patrol supervisor in the city's Northern Policing District. "What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening, and failed to report it."
The company has produced 50,000 of the suits and will start selling them on Thursday, according to a company spokesman.
The suit is coated with the chemical titanium dioxide, which reacts to light to break down and kill the virus when it comes into contact with it, according to Junko Hirohata. The chemical is a common ingredient in toothpaste and cosmetics.
The suit - which is indistinguishable from any other worn by Japan's legion of "salarymen" - comes in four colours and styles, which are medium grey, charcoal, navy and a grey pinstripe. It will go on sale for about £365.
The company said it spent a year developing the suit, which retains its properties even after being washed numerous times.
Japan has been gripped by swine flu fear since the global outbreak began a year ago, with the World Health Organisation confirming more than 340,000 cases worldwide and around 4,100 deaths.
A seven-year-old boy became the latest victim in Japan on Sept 22, the youngest and 18th fatality from the disease here.
In the same week, medical institutions across the country reported treating 23,275 cases of influenza, the majority with the new H1N1 strain. Most of the new cases were reported in urban areas, where population density increases the risk of transmission.
Wait, ain't that the guy running from the bear?
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. - The Coast Guard along with local emergency medical service personnel rescue two people in the water under Chincoteague Swing Bridge late Friday night.
Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector Hampton Roads received a report at 10:55 p.m., from Chincoteague police dispatch of a person in the water near the swing bridge.
A rescue boat crew from Station Chincoteague was dispatched to the scene and recovered an unconscious 29-year-old female while EMS personnel recovered an uninjured male out of the water. The female was transfered to awaiting EMS personnel near the and transported her to Peninsula Regional Medical Hospital in Salisbury, Md., where she was revived and then transported to Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore for further evaluation.
The two were under the bridge fishing when the incident occurred.
Wonder what the artist had on his mind when he painted this.......................
