PayPal Millionaire's Rocket Blasts Off On 1st Test Flight

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A multimillionaire's test rocket has blasted off on its maiden voyage.

SpaceX's brand new Falcon 9 rocket soared off its Cape Canaveral launch pad Friday afternoon. It's carrying a mock-up of the company's spacecraft, named Dragon. The goal is to put the capsule into orbit.

The first attempt to launch the rocket was aborted in the final few seconds earlier Friday.

NASA hopes to use the Falcon-Dragon combo for hauling cargo and possibly astronauts to the International Space Station, once the shuttles stop flying. The first supply run could come next year.

SpaceX — or Space Exploration Technologies — was founded eight years ago by Elon Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur who co-founded PayPal.

www.dailypress.com

Only Woman On Death Row Gets Rejected By Federal Appeals Court

RICHMOND, Va. (CBS/AP) Teresa Lewis pleaded guilty to murder in 2002 for masterminding a plot that left her husband and stepson dead. Prosecutors said her intent was to collect the insurance money and inherit her husband's estate.

Shortly after that, Lewis became the first female death row inmate in Virginia in more than 90 years, but her appeals attorneys argued Tuesday that she should be spared the death penalty, because she was too dependent on drugs and other people to mastermind anything.

James Rocap, Lewis' attorney, argued that her trial attorneys should have presented hundreds of pages of medical and pharmaceutical records showing her increased dependency on prescription drugs following her mother's death, and expert testimony showing that a disorder made her especially dependent on men.

"She was not a person who could have come up with this," Rocap said.

Katherine Burnett, a senior assistant attorney general, painted an entirely different picture of Lewis, saying that she bragged to two friends that she was marrying Julian Lewis, Jr. for his money, came up with the idea to kill him and his 25-year-old son, Charles, and offered the two gunmen sex in return for helping her as well as buying the weapons used in the crime.

The gunmen, Rodney Fuller and Matthew Shallenberger, were sentenced to life in prison.

Lewis' daughter, Christie Lynn Bean, who was 16 at the time, served five years because she knew about the plan but remained silent.

David Furrow, Lewis' defense attorney when she pleaded guilty in 2002, said he had expected the judge to sentence Lewis to life in prison.

But at her sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Charles Strauss said that she appeared cold and emotionless throughout the proceedings, that she seemed to have no other motive besides financial gain, that he saw her as a continuing threat to society, and sentenced her to death.

www.cbsnews.com

Words from a LEGAL Mexican immigrant

This was written by a Mexican who is now a naturalized US Citizen, and I think it's a great explanation of the illegal immigration issue.

Here is the quote:

"If you had tickets to a sports event, concert, Disneyland, or for an airline flight, and when you got to your assigned seat you found someone else was in that seat, what would you do? You would call for a person in charge of ticket checking and have the person in your seat removed. You would properly be asked to show your ticket, and you would gladly and proudly do so, for you have bought and paid for that seat. The person in your seat would also be asked for a ticket, which they would not be able to produce. They would be called "gate crashers" and they would properly be removed.

Now in this huge stadium called the USA we have had millions of gate crashers. We have been asking security to check for tickets and remove the gate crashers. We have been asking security to have better controls in checking at the door. We have asked security to lock the back doors. Security has failed us. They are still looking the other way. They are afraid to ask to see the tickets. Many people say there is unlimited seating, and whether there is or not, no one should be allowed in for free while the rest of us pay full price!

In "section AZ", of "Stadium USA", we have had enough of the failures of Security. We have decided to do our own ticket checking, and properly remove those who do not have tickets. Now it seems very strange to me that so many people in the other 49 "sections", and even many in our own "section" do not want tickets checked, or even to be asked to show their ticket! Even the head of Security is chastising us, while not doing his own job which he has sworn to do.

My own ticket has been bought and paid for, so I am proudly going to show it when asked to do so. I have a right to my seat, and I want the gate crashers to be asked to show their tickets too. The only reason that I can imagine anyone objecting to being asked for their ticket is that they are in favor of gate crashing, and all of the illegal activities that go with it, such as drug smuggling, gang wars, murder, human smuggling for profit, and many more illegal and inhumane acts that we are trying to prevent with our new legislation. Is that what I am hearing from all of the protestors such as Phoenix Mayor Gordon, US Rep. Grijalva, even President Obama? If you are not in favor of showing tickets, (proof of citizenship, passport, green card, or other legal document) when asked, as I would do proudly, then you must be condoning those illegal activities."


Written by a US Citizen, Globe, Arizona.

This makes perfect sense to me. What do you think?

Since Obama has never shown his ticket I guess he feels obligated to not ask others to show theirs.



Hat Tip; Mrs M.

Parksley Spring Festival Is Tomorrow

PARKSLEY SPRING FESTIVAL

Saturday June 5, 2010

If you're looking for something to do tomorrow then downtown Parksley, Virginia

is the place to be because there is plenty to do!!

Town yardsale

Car show (open to any participants)

Amusements

Kids events

Womanless pageant

Creampuff eating contest

Good food (lots and lots of it)

At 9:00 PM a dance at the Parksley Firehouse
country/southern rock band

For more info call: 665-6977 or 709-4655

A Michigan professor sent an e-mail telling Muslim students to leave the country.

The story begins at Michigan State University with a mechanical engineering professor named Indred Wichman.

Wichman sent an e-mail to the Muslim Student's Association.
The e-mail was in response to the students' protest of the Danish cartoons that portrayed the Prophet Muhammad as a terrorist.
The group had complained the cartoons were 'hate speech.'
============
Enter Professor Wichman.
==========================================
In his e-mail, he said the following:
===============================
Dear Muslim Association,
As a professor of Mechanical Engineering here at MSU I intend to protest your protest.
I am offended not by cartoons, but by more mundane things like beheadings of civilians, cowardly attacks on public buildings, suicide murders, murders of Catholic priests (the latest in Turkey), burnings of Christian churches, the continued persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt, the imposition of Sharia law on non-Muslims, the rapes of Scandinavian girls and women (called 'whores' in your culture), the murder of film directors in Holland, and the rioting and looting in Paris France.
This is what offends me, a soft-spoken person and academic, and many, many of my colleagues. I counsel you dissatisfied, aggressive, brutal, and uncivilized slave-trading Muslims to be very aware of this as you proceed with your infantile 'protests.'
If you do not like the values of the West - see the First Amendment - you are free to leave. I hope for God's sake that most of you choose that option.
Please return to your ancestral homelands and build them up yourselves instead of troubling Americans.
Cordially,
I. S. Wichman
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
=============================
As you can imagine,
The Muslim group at the university didn't like this too well.
They're demanding that Wichman be reprimanded, that the university impose mandatory diversity training for faculty,
And mandate a seminar on hate and discrimination for all freshmen.
Now, the local chapter of CAIR has jumped into the fray.
CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, apparently doesn't believe that the good professor
Had the right to express his opinion.
==========
For its part, the university is standing its ground in support of Professor Wichman,
Saying the e-mail was private, and they don't intend to publicly condemn his remarks.

We are in a war.
This political correctness crap is getting old and killing us.

BP Disaster Reaches Florida's Panhandle Beaches

............ smell of oil hangs heavy in the sea air....... children with plastic shovels scoop up clumps of goo in the waves......... beachcombers collect tarballs as if they were seashells.......watermen can no longer work the waters............ resort towns are almost empty...... and wildlife dies...................

Think about all this when another country in need comes calling..............

Movie At the MarVa Theater

"DATE NIGHT'

In New York City, a case of mistaken identity turns a bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening into something more thrilling and dangerous.

Friday and Saturday, June 4th and 5th

Show starts: 7:00 PM

Tickets: $5:00 Rated PG-13

Volunteers Relocate Eggs Of Rare Leatherback Turtle

HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (AP) — Eggs from a rare leatherback turtle are safer on a North Carolina beach, thanks to the work of volunteers who saw the nesting turtle and moved the eggs to higher ground.

The StarNews of Wilmington reported Thursday that Mary Marwitz of the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol says volunteers saw the turtle earlier this week. She estimated the turtle at 6-feet-long and 800 pounds.

Marwitz watched the turtle for about 30 minutes early Tuesday until she went back out to sea. Volunteers then moved about 70 eggs to an area away from the high tide line. They staked off the nest to alert beachgoers and added grates and fox cages to stop predators from eating the eggs. Leatherbacks are the largest living reptiles in the world and are endangered. Marwitz says they usually prefer to nest farther south than North Carolina.

www.dailypress.com

McDermotts June 17th Event

Dear Fellow Patriot,

      The response to our June 17th Spaghetti Fundraiser in
Ocean Pines has been heart warming. In just two weeks, we have
already sold half the seats. There is still time to join with
other like minded Marylanders who desire to take back the
reins of an out-of-control government. Come join us as we
serve up homemade pasta, meatballs, and a proven track record
of effective government!

I have concentrated on budget friendly events so everyone can get involved, but I need your help for this event to be a success. Your partnership in this campaign is the only way to insure that I will have the opportunity to serve you and this district in Annapolis. Table Sponsorships are still available, but we need to hear from you soon. Individual tickets may also be purchased.

Our shared eastern shore values deserve to be heard. Please help me as I work to be your strong voice in Annapolis!

Click for Tickets!

With Warmest Regards,

Mike

New Church Man Sentenced For 2007 Slaying

ACCOMAC — An Atlantic man will serve 25 years in the penitentiary for killing a friend after a night of heavy drinking and drug use almost three years ago.

Dominique Miller, who was 20 years old at the time of the murder, was already a convicted felon and was on probation for a drug charge when the shooting took place.
He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and two firearms charges last summer.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 8, 2007, a group of young people were gathered at a mobile home park in New Church. They had been there since early evening, testimony at the preliminary hearing showed. All were drinking and some were smoking marijuana.

Some of the men had brought guns to the gathering. One of those was the victim, Michael McKyer. Another was defendant Miller, witnesses said. McKyer had a firearm earlier that night but it was stolen from him — he thought Miller had taken the gun, testimony showed.

Another witness saw Miller put the clip on the gun. He said he heard shots, but thought McKyer had gotten away.

McKyer was taken to the Nelsonia Royal Farms to save time. By the time the ambulance arrived, he was no longer breathing, the witness said.

Miller was charged with first-degree murder, a charge that was reduced to murder in the second degree in a plea bargain with a prosecutor last July. In the terms of the agreement, his incarceration was not to exceed 25 years.

At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, defense attorney James Broccoletti called the killing, “a tremendous, terrible tragedy that should not have occurred,” and argued that Miller should serve a sentence at the low end of the guidelines, which he said were 13 to 22 years. At the preliminary hearing he told the court that Miller and the victim were cousins as well as friends.

He cited Miller’s mental deficiencies related to an earlier head injury.

“His mental status was no fault of his own,” he said.

Broccoletti said Muller had been hit by the slain man and “reacted in a way he should not have reacted."

“He had problems long before the accident occurred,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary Agar. “Problems with fighting, with not following the rules in school.”

“The victim was shot seven times, once in the upper chest and the rest in the back while he was running away,” Agar said.

Agar spoke about young men and guns.

“This is something that has to be combated to bring order to the community,” Agar said. He said that the victims family asked him to “please let the court know we want a sentence commensurate with the damage he has done.”

“Neither family should be too critical of the other,” said Circuit Judge Glen A. Tyler before sentencing Miller.

“The event occurred at 1 a.m. among people who were drinking and partying and using substances that altered their minds.” He described the scene as “pretty bad circumstances all around.

Before being sentenced, Miller read aloud a statement apologizing for what he had done.

“Perhaps you will have the opportunity to persuade others to avoid firearms,” said Tyler.

www.delmarvanow.com

Mar-Va Theater Is Looking For Volunteers

The Mar-Va Theater is looking for friends!

The Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center is run by volunteers.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We need volunteers to help with the following:
- selling concessions
- taking tickets
- help with lights
- help with sound
- promotions

We also need friends to run the movie projector. We are willing to train for this position.

If you can help email Emily Rantz, theater manager: emily@marvatheater.com

Today Is NATIONAL DONUT DAY !!

In honor of this day, established in 1938 by the Salvation Army to raise funds to help people in need, Krispy Kreme is offering customers one FREE doughnut of any variety at participating U.S. store locations on Friday, June 4. No purchase is necessary to receive a free doughnut.

"On National Doughnut Day, Krispy Kreme is encouraging everyone to stop by for a free doughnut," says Ron Rupocinski, corporate chef of Krispy Kreme. "While my preferred indulgence is the signature Original Glazed(R) doughnut, we are inviting our guests to select their favorite doughnut. Make life a little sweeter by visiting your local Krispy Kreme store with your friends and family."

Krispy Kreme wants everyone to join the chatter about National Doughnut Day. Log on to Twitter to Tweet your desired doughnut variety with the hashtag #KrispyKreme. Take a picture of yourself at Krispy Kreme with your favorite doughnut and post it to Krispy Kreme's Facebook fan page. Also, send a Twitpic to your friends and followers, and remind them not to miss out on getting their free goodie.

The offer is good for one doughnut of any variety per customer. To find a participating U.S. store near you, visit www.krispykreme.com.

For updates on special promotions, exclusive offers and local events, join "Friends of Krispy Kreme" by visiting www.KrispyKreme.com, or interact with Krispy Kreme at www.facebook.com/KrispyKreme and www.twitter.com/krispy_kreme.

www.marketwatch.com

NASA Has Open House

The public is invited to see the research that is driving the excitement surrounding NASA's Wallops Flight Facility during an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 5.

Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held rain or shine.

In recognition of its 65th anniversary, NASA Wallops, along with many of its customers and partners that conduct activities at the facility, will have exhibits and demonstrations of the research and operations at one of the nation's oldest launch ranges.

Bill Wrobel, director of NASA Wallops, said "Wallops is at a very exciting point in its history. We want our neighbors on Delmarva to have this opportunity to share in this excitement."

"In addition, this is an opportunity to introduce students in the area to many science, technology, engineering and math careers. We hope that one day our local students will be carrying on the research at Wallops."

For the event, Wallops will have many of its facilities on its Main Base open including the sounding rocket payload facility, engineering labs, its scientific balloon labs and the range control center. Visitors will get to see full-scale sounding rockets, a scientific balloon, and the Cygnus spacecraft from Orbital Sciences Corp. Cygnus is scheduled to start carrying supplies to the International Space Station from Wallops in 2011. Also, three local high school teams will demonstrate their robots that competed in the First Robotics Competition.

For young explorers, there will be a kids' activities tent, a giant space shuttle slide and the Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company's Fire Prevention Trailer.

In addition, the military aircraft, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, performing at the Ocean City Air Show, will be based at Wallops. They will take to the skies in the afternoon. Departure and arrival times will be announced the day of the open house.

Parking will be available on the base and buses will run throughout the day. Food will be available in the facility's cafeteria and on the grill outside out side the café.

www.shoredailynews.com

Small Tremor NNW of Baltimore..........

Did anyone in Baltimore feel the earth move under your feet today?

The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a small earth tremor Thursday morning just 57 miles north northwest of Baltimore. The Mag. 2.9 shake occurred at 8:25 a.m. EDT northeast of Franklintown, Pa., and 14 miles south southwest of Harrisburg.

USGS reported the quake was very shallow, centered less than a mile below the surface.

www.marylandweather.com

Nandua High Recycles Plastic Bags and Gets A New Bench

Students, staffers, classes and clubs at Nandua High School collected 152,145 plastic grocery bags to earn a new Trex wood-alternative bench.

ONLEY -- Three years ago, social studies teacher Casey Davis provided the impetus to start recycling at Nandua High School.

Today, 152,145 plastic grocery bags later, the school now proudly displays a bench made of recycled plastic and sawdust -- the award given to the Accomack County school that collected the most bags between Oct. 1, 2009, and Earth Day, April 22.

The program was launched by Trex, the country's largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, and Food Lion. Bags collected at the school were taken to Food Lion, where they were collected and moved to Trex's location in Winchester.

"I've been nicknamed the 'bag lady' at Food Lion," teacher Susan Wilder joked.

Wilder played a key role in starting the bag collection program at Nandua, and her class -- the program's "Grand Central Station" -- was essential in counting and tallying the bags collected by the school.

"She was instrumental," said English teacher Kathy Evans.

The plastic bag recycling program was launched in addition to the school's Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y recycling program, "because the convenience center didn't take plastic bags," Wilder said.

To provide incentive to recycle bags, Nandua initiated a school-wide competition among all first-block classes. At the end of each month, the class that collected the most bags was given a doughnut party, and the winner at the end of the semester held a pizza party.

Evans' AP English class won the competition.

"It was amazing how much fun we had with the bags. Once it was finished, the kids just wanted to continue with it," she said of her students.

Every Tuesday, Evans' class joins George Boggs and the Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y clubs for a school-wide collection of recyclables. The bags used to collect the recyclables are emptied and put in the bins provided by Trex.

Since Nandua's recycling initiative began, it has expanded to almost every classroom. Just a month ago, Nandua got a receptacle for its recyclables so students no longer have to load them onto the back of Boggs' truck.

The bench, which is made of 4,500 plastic bags, will eventually be placed outside to replace an older, broken-down bench.

www.easternshorenews.com

Dishwasher Recall

Maytag Corp. is recalling about 1.7 million dishwashers because of a fire hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall Thursday, says the company has received 12 reports of electrical failures in the dishwasher heating element that led to fires and damage.

One kitchen fire caused extensive damage, the agency said. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand dishwashers with plastic tubs. The recalled dishwashers were made with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels and sold at department and appliance stores nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010. They cost between $250 and $900.
CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it.

Consumers can schedule a free in-home repair or receive a rebate of $150 or $250 toward the purchase of select new Maytag dishwashers. The amount of the rebate depends on the type of model to be purchased.

More information on the numerous serial numbers involved in the recall can be found at the company's website or the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

www.dailypress.com

Baltimore Grand Prix in 2011

From left, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr.; Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake; Gov. Martin O'Malley; Jay Davidson, president of the Baltimore Racing Development Corp.; driver Graham Rahal; and Terry Angstadt, president of the Indy Racing League's commercial division, formally announce a deal Wednesday to bring high-speed racing to the streets of Baltimore.

Gov. Martin O'Malley and Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake announced Wednesday the long-anticipated deal to transform downtown Baltimore into a high-speed raceway for Indy-style cars.

Flanked by racing stars Al Unser Jr. and Graham Rahal, officials proclaimed the Baltimore Grand Prix a "game-changer" that they said would inject millions of dollars into the city's economy.

"It will bring eyes from all around the world to Baltimore and to Maryland," said O'Malley, who compared the race's impact to the Preakness.

The three-day event, which will include an auto show and races leading up to the Indy Racing League-sanctioned competition, is scheduled for the first weekend in August 2011, and to return to the city each of the next four years.

Rawlings-Blake, who attended the Indianapolis 500 last weekend with Deputy Mayor Kaliope Parthemos and City Councilman William H. Cole IV, said open-wheel racing aficionados are preparing to visit Baltimore.

"We talked to vendors who were trying to figure out how to be a part of it. We talked to race fans who were already planning where they're going to stay and who they're going to bring," said Rawlings-Blake. "It's just an excitement I've never experienced before."

Officials estimate the race will draw more than 100,000 visitors to the city and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in ticket sales, hotel stays and restaurant meals. O'Malley said the race would support 400 jobs and produce $65 million to $70 million in economic impact.

City transportation director Alfred H. Foxx said the contract to build the 2.4-mile course, which will wind along Pratt, Light, Conway and Russell streets, with a pit stop by Camden Yards, would likely be awarded late this summer.

Surveying and planning will begin in the fall, and construction will start early next year, he said. Some streets will need to be widened, especially to accommodate passing at turns, and the light rail tracks will need to be altered, he said.

The city has dedicated $7.75 million in state and federal money for the roadwork. Baltimore Racing Development LLC, a private company, will pay the Indy Racing League about $2 million each year to host the event and will share the profits from ticket sales.

The group will spend about $14 million to prepare for the race and pay the city a $250,000 annual fee and a percentage of profits.

Martyn Thake, who has been hired to design the race course, said he has drawn up plans for more than 30 racetracks but is most excited about Baltimore's course.

"I think this location has the ability to be an East Coast Long Beach," he said, referring to the 37-year-old California course considered the grandfather of American street racing. "It's going to look so freaking sexy on TV — the water, the ships, the buildings."

www.baltimoresun.com

~~CLOSED TODAY~~

DUE TO A POWER OUTAGE

POCOMOKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS CLOSED TODAY

Husband's Alibi Is Questioned by Investigators

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Newport News investigators are intensifying their search for answers about a mother who vanished from St. Joseph County in Michigan a month ago.

They say they hope to find clues about Venus Stewart's disappearance by asking questions about her estranged husband Douglas Stewart.

Douglas, who lived in Newport News, told police he was in Virginia when his 32-year-old wife went missing on April 26. Detectives made it clear on Tuesday they do not believe him.

"He provided Michigan State police investigators with an alibi at that time," said Newport News Detective Todd Filer. "At this point we have reason to believe that there may have been someone that posed as Mr. Stewart in our area to provide that alibi."

Investigators have not released details about why they believe Douglas was in Michigan, but they are asking "anybody that has any information about someone posing as Douglas Stewart in the area between April 25 and April 26, around the time of Venus Stewart's, disappearance to contact us," Filer said.

Court documents from Newport News showed detectives searched Douglas' vehicles. Forensic investigators collected swabs described as coming from an "apparent blood stain."

According to the records, they found a "Walmart receipt" for a shovel, tarp and gloves. The receipt from a store in Ohio was dated the day April 25, one day before Venus vanished.

Venus has not been seen since the morning she went to the mailbox at her parents' home in St. Joseph County, Michigan. Police said Venus was wearing pajamas.

While Douglas has never been named a suspect in the case, Filer said he is still "a person of interest" in the case.

Douglas Stewart has moved back to Michigan. Friday, a judge ordered that he could not see his two daughters.

www.wavy.com

Traffic Accident - Use Caution

Reports of a traffic accident on Route 13 south in Trehernville, VA.

Traffic is currently stopped on Route 13 south while the accident is cleared.

Singer For The Temptations Dies

DETROIT –

Ali-Ollie Woodson, who led the legendary Motown quintet The Temptations in the 1980s and '90s and helped restore them to their hit-making glory with songs including "Treat Her Like A Lady," has died, a friend said. He was 58.

Woodson died Sunday in southern California after battling cancer, Motown Alumni Association President Billy Wilson said. Wilson said Woodson's wife, told him about the death Sunday.

Woodson was not an original member of the group, which had several lineup changes since it started in the 1960s. But he played an integral part in keeping the
Temptations from becoming just nostalgia act.

By the early 1980s, the Temptations were no longer posting hit after hit like they did in the 1960s and '70s with classics such as "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "My Girl," and "I Wish It Would Rain."

The group had lost original members, and Woodson was charged with replacing
Dennis Edwards, whose passionate voice defined the group during the 1970s.

Woodson's voice, though similar to Edwards' with its fiery tone, was distinct in itself, and helped the group notch the R&B hits "Treat Her Like A Lady," "Sail Away," and "Lady Soul," from 1984 to 1986.

"He had this swagger about himself. He was cool. He had a coolness about himself that was really very inviting," said Wilson. He said he first met Woodson in 1980 before Woodson joined the group and that he last spoke with his friend about two weeks ago.

Despite his fame, Woodson was "always a gentleman and always polite and kind to everybody. If we ever asked him to do anything, he never said, 'well, it's going to cost you.' He'd always say, 'yeah, let's go,'" said Wilson, who founded the Detroit-based Motown association in the mid-1990s.

"He was just a star performer. Wonderful person. Wonderful, wonderful person. He was very kind."

Messages were left Monday for a producer and a manager who worked with Woodson. A recorded message at a phone number for his wife said the voice mailbox was full.

www.yahoo.com

Woman Smuggles Heroin Into Jail By Stashing It In Herself

A woman has been charged with smuggling heroin into Florida's Charlotte County Jail by hiding it in her vagina.

Katrina Montez Wade, 37, was arrested on May 20th when deputies raided a suspected drug den in Port Charlotte.

Wade and another woman went to jail on trafficking charges after detectives say they found 98 grams of crack, 30 grams of heroin and pot at the home.

The other suspect told deputies at the time of the arrest that Wade had 50-100 baggies of heroin stashed in her vagina, but when she arrived at the county jail, the corrections deputies performed only a strip search - finding nothing - and denied a request for a body cavity search, according to the arrest report.

Deputies then started to hear rumblings that Wade was trading the heroin in the jail to get commissary items.

The deals were conducted by passing notes, reading lips and hand signals, according to the arrest report.

One note read, "Bags are $5.00. I am nice, but also a business person," according to deputies.
After interviewing several other inmates, corrections deputies confronted Wade on May 26th.

They told her they were prepared to use an ultrasound device to find anything she had hidden inside her body, according to the report.

Deputies say Wade gave in and removed one large plastic bag of heroin from her body. Inside the bag deputies found 12 smaller plastic bags of heroin.

In addition to the original drug charges, she's now facing Narcotics Possession, Possession with Intent to Distribute and Smuggling Contraband into Prison.

She remains in the Charlotte County Jail.

The sheriff's office wouldn't answer questions about why a body cavity search was denied upon her entrance into the jail.

This is Wade's 14th booking with 8 previous records.

www.thegrio.com

Man Considers Lawsuit After Being Bitten By Dog In His Home

TEMPERANCEVILLE — Continuing a trend of dog attacks that goes back more than a year, an Accomack County man was bitten twice by a neighbor’s pit bull — once in his yard and once in his own home.

Stephen Hopkins has filed a criminal complaint against the owner of the dog, has contacted an attorney and plans to file a civil lawsuit against the owner.

“I’m not going to lay down after getting bitten in the face and on the hand in my own house,” he said.

He thanked Oak Hall Rescue, which arrived at the scene quickly. He was disappointed that it took two hours, by his count, for the sheriff’s department to arrive.

The dog is under quarantine by the Health Department to see if it has rabies. If it shows signs of rabies, Hopkins will have to have post-exposure rabies treatment.

He said several children were in his back yard on the day of the attack and began screaming when the pit bull began to fight his pet beagle.

Hopkins ran out to rescue the beagle, and the pit bull bit him in the face.

“I get my beagle away and I run back in the house,” Hopkins said. ‘The pit bull chases me inside my living room and bites me on the hand.”

Hopkins thanked Supervisor Ron Wolff, who he described as being concerned about the attack and about Hopkins’ welfare.

“He was very, very helpful,” he said.

The beagle was fine afterward, he said.

Hopkins also asked that a photograph of him, bleeding from the face, be published so people would know the dangers of dogs running at large.

“From what I understand, there is a lot of this going on,” he said.

www.easternshorenews.com

Food Stamps For Felons??

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― California is now one step closer to providing food stamps for convicted felons who sold drugs. The measure has strong support – and also plenty of criticism at the Capitol – where some say it's a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars.

Vinita Crenshaw is a convicted drug dealer – and just days away from delivering a baby. She supports a bill that would allow some 900 convicted drug dealers in California to receive food stamps. Crenshaw says food stamps might have stopped her from selling drugs years ago.

"I don't think that I would have ended up resorting back to the behavior that If did," she told CBS 13, then added, " if I had just a little bit more help."

Just last month, the State Assembly passed a bill exempting California from a federal ban on food stamps for convicted drug dealers.

AB1756 Fact Sheet (.pdf)

"Right now under current law, if you commit murder you get food stamps," said Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, the author of a bill that would alter the rules of eligibility.

Swanson is correct – the federal food stamp program has no restrictions preventing convicted murderers form getting food stamps upon their release.

But for drug dealers it's a different story – with more than a dozen states banning the practice of providing food stamps for drug dealers – and California is one of them.

(See page 22 in link below)
State Options Report (.pdf)

But that may soon change.

"Why are we trying to do that?" Swanson asked out loud. The Democrat from Oakland then answered his own question. "We're trying to make sure that there's a rehabilitation package available that will prevent them from re-offending and coming back into prison at a cost of $50,000 a year."

Supplying convicted drug dealers with food stamps would cost federal tax players an estimated one million dollars a year. Critics say the bill would reward criminals for bad behavior.

Lew Uhler, president of the Roseville based National Tax Limitation Committee told CBS 13: "Giving them the currency to remain in the drug world, which is food stamps getting traded off for drugs, is a silly and stupid approach."

The controversial bill does not require drug dealers to go through any counseling to get the food stamps – and Capitol critics believe it's a step in the wrong direction for California.

"Every dollar that you put towards someone who manufactured and distributed drugs is another dollar less that you have for a poor family - a law abiding poor family," said Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a Republican from Irvine.

The food stamp bill now goes to the State Senate for a possible vote later this month.

The California legislature, which is dominated by Democrats, previously approved two similar bills – both were vetoed in the past by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

www.cbs.com

Students Produce Video About Texting While Driving

NEWPORT NEWS — Geoffrey Wilds sees it all the time while walking his younger brother through the Menchville High School parking lot.

Student drivers — making their way through the parking lot — texting while driving.

"I don't want my little brother getting hit by these idiots," said Wilds, a junior.

Texting while driving has become so commonplace that Wilds and other students from high schools across Newport News decided to create a public service announcement. It was part of a challenge from Police Chief James Fox to the department's student advisory council to devise a volunteer project that could have an impact on the community.

Students shot a 30-second video for a public service announcement. The video shows a student texting, the resulting accident, emergency vehicles arriving and a student being wheeled into a hospital emergency room. It ends showing a text from "mom" asking "Are you OK?"

Christopher Cheely, a Menchville High School senior, directed the video. He said he had all of the scenes imagined in his head, and he paid close attention to every detail. Cheely said his goal is to become a movie director.

The video was shot at Todd Stadium, Mary Immaculate Hospital and Woodside High School.

The students hope to land on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" because the talk show host has campaigned against texting while driving. If it's not showcased on Winfrey's show, the students also aim to have the video shown at high schools across the state and in driver's training classes.

Shooting and editing the video took about four months, the students said.

Taylor Henkel, a Menchville High School junior, said he's happy the message is getting out.

"The road is dangerous enough without any distractions at all," Henkel said. "Nothing is that important that it can't wait 10 to 15 minutes for you to drive home."

To view video go to www.dailypress.com/psa

Gun Trafficking Ring Began On Virginia's Eastern Shore

EASTVILLE — Three Northampton County men have been charged in New Jersey with second-degree conspiracy and other offenses related to a large gun trafficking network.

Charged are Jonathan Johnson, 28, of Cape Charles, Bobby Lee Henderson, 24, of Townsend, and Larry Nottingham, 28, of Eastville, according to the New Jersey attorney general’s office.

The three men were charged in connection with indictments against Trayle Beasley, 29, of Trenton, N.J., who police say led a network that trafficked guns from the Eastern Shore, including firearms recovered in connection with several homicide and narcotics investigations.

The offense is a first-degree crime and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Beasley grew up in New Jersey and on the Eastern Shore, reports indicate.
Amoi Smith, 21, of Cranbury, N.J., was also charged and faces a second-degree conspiracy charge, along with the four others.

Smith allegedly accompanied Beasley to the Shore to acquire guns and the two are charged in a pending indictment in connection with a New Jersey armed robbery last year, officials said.

Locally, Johnson would allegedly obtain guns for Beasley or arrange meetings for him to purchase guns locally, for cash, marijuana or other narcotics. Henderson and Nottingham allegedly sold guns that Beasley transported or attempted to transport to New Jersey.

Beasley is being held in the Mercer County, N.J., Jail with bail set at $250,000 cash. Arrest warrants were issued for the other four defendants in connection with the indictment.

Second-degree crimes are punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a $150,000 fine. In addition to the second-degree conspiracy count against all five defendants, Beasley and Johnson also face several other second-degree counts, and Smith and Henderson each face one second-degree count of either transportation or attempted transportation of a firearm into New Jersey for unlawful sale or transfer.

Beasley and Nottingham are charged with fourth-degree unlawful disposition of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. Beasley is charged with four counts, and Nottingham with one.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the State Police – ATF Joint Firearms Task Force, Trenton Police Department and several other New Jersey police departments and Eastern Shore Drug Task Force.

The Eastern Shore Drug Task Force is a partnership of Virginia State Police, the Northampton Sheriff’s Department and the Accomack Sheriff’s Department.
Johnson in May was charged with a federal offense of conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilos of cocaine.

www.delmarvanow.com

Congratulations Pocomoke Graduates

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland~

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

GRADUATING CLASS OF POCOMOKE HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS 2010

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Woman sues Google over walking directions

Oh boy this is a good'n, I wonder if her GPS tells her to turn right while she's driving across a bridge if she'd do it?

Complaint says Google Maps led her to walk on busy road with no sidewalks

SALT LAKE CITY - A pedestrian who says she was injured by a motorist while following an online walking route has filed a lawsuit claiming Google Inc. supplied unsafe directions.

Lauren Rosenberg filed a lawsuit seeking more than $100,000 on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Utah. It also names a motorist she says hit her.

Rosenberg, a resident of Los Angeles County, says she used her phone in January to download walking directions from one end of Park City to the other.

Google Maps led her to walk on a busy road without sidewalks that was "not reasonably safe for pedestrians," according to the lawsuit filed by the Los Angeles County resident.

"As a direct and proximate cause of defendant Google's careless, reckless and negligent providing of unsafe directions, plaintiff Lauren Rosenberg was led onto a dangerous highway, and was thereby stricken by a motor vehicle," the lawsuit states.

Rosenberg is seeking compensation for unspecified "severe" injuries and lost wages in addition to punitive damages. The lawsuit provided no further information on her age or residence.

Rosenberg couldn't be reached Tuesday. Her attorneys, Allen and Tyler Young of Provo, did not return messages.

Google spokeswoman Diana Adair did not return messages from The Associated Press.

The court papers didn't explain why Rosenberg walked along state Route 224 instead of choosing streets with sidewalks.

On its version for computers, Google Maps suggests one alternative for Rosenberg's route. It also highlights a disclaimer: "Use caution — This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths."

The mobile version of Google Maps, however, does not come with that warning.

VIA: msnbc

SURF DOG RICOCHET, HUMAN & CANINE ARTHRITIS, "LET'S MOVE TOGETHER" ARTHRITIS WALK

SURF DOG RICOCHET IS RAISING FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR
HUMAN & CANINE ARTHRITIS BY PARTICIPATING IN THE
"LET'S MOVE TOGETHER" ARTHRITIS WALK

SAN DIEGO, CA, June 2, 2010… Surf dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who raised almost $25,000 for charitable causes in the last seven months is now raising funds and awareness for human and canine arthritis. She will be participating in the Eighth Annual "Let's Move Together" arthritis walk on Saturday, June 5th at the NTC Promendade at Liberty Station in San Diego.

Ricochet is part of the twelve member "Leash Your Fitness With Kima" team. Leash Your Fitness is the only work out class in San Diego where your dog is your work out partner! To join the team, or for additional info on classes go to http://www.leashyourfitness.com/index.htm

Ricochet's personal goal is to raise $2500 for the prevention, treatment, and research of arthritis. RicoChet has raised $1740 in the last week, and continues to take donations at this link http://tinyurl.com/237mgu8. Many donations have come in from her 8000+ incredibly supportive Facebook fans!

This campaign hits close to home for Ricochet, as her guardian and handler, Judy Fridono has been suffering from debilitating arthritis since she was a teenager. "Ricochet has taught me to focus on what I CAN do, rather than what I can't" says Judy. Although she is in constant pain, and horrible fatigue, Judy is committed to helping Ricochet on her journey of raising funds and awareness for various charitable causes. More info can be found at http://www.surfdogricochet.com.

Ricochet is also co-hosting a photo contest with her long time supporter "I Love Dogs" in an effort to raise awareness of arthritis. The contest is beach and surf themed, and the winner gets a big gift basket with all sorts of goodies! For more details of the contest, go to http://www.ilovedogs.com/2010/05/surf-dog-ricochet-and-i-love-dogs-team-up-for-a-contest/

One in five adults, and over 300,000 children suffer with arthritis pain every day. Arthritis is one of the most common health problems a dog will face. In fact, at least one in five dogs will develop the debilitating disease. Arthritis is the most common disability in the nation. As such, Ricochet hopes her arthritis campaign will help all those suffering with arthritis... both human and canine! To make a donation, go to http://tinyurl.com/237mgu8. Thank you!

For more information, contact Judy Fridono at 707-228-0679, or pawinspired@aol.com.

http://www.SurfDogRicochet.com
http://www.arthritiswalksandiego.com
http://www.LeashYourFitness.com
http://www.Ilovedogs.com

After 40 Years Of Marriage Al and Tipper Gore Separate

Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, are separating after 40 years of marriage. They are telling friends they "grew apart" and there was no affair involved.

According to an e-mail circulated among the couple's friends and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the Gores said it was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."

Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider confirmed the statement came from the Gores, but declined to comment further.

According to two long-time close associates and family friends, their decision came after a "long process of careful consideration."

The associates said the Gores, over time, had carved out separate lives, with the former vice president on the road frequently. One of the associates said: "Their lives had gotten more and more separated."

Al Gore lost the 2000 presidential election to Republican George W. Bush. He has since campaigned worldwide to draw attention to climate change, which in 2007 led to a Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar for the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."

The Gores crafted an image as a happily married couple during his eight-year stint as vice president in the 1990s and a presidential candidate in 2000. The couple famously exchanged a long kiss during the 2000 Democratic presidential convention.

The image of their warm relationship stood in sharp contrast to the Clinton marriage rocked by Bill Clinton's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, a scandal that hung over Gore's own presidential campaign.

Al Gore at the time said his wife was "someone I've loved with my whole heart since the night of my high school senior prom."

Tipper Gore was a co-founder in 1985 of the Parents Music Resource Center, which pushed for parental warning labels on music with violent or sexually explicit lyrics. The group drew the ire of musicians ranging from Dee Snider of Twisted Sister to Frank Zappa, who said warning labels were unnecessary and a danger to freedom.

Tipper Gore later became friends with the late Zappa's wife, Gail, and played drums and sang backup on daughter Diva Zappa's album in 1999.

The Gores have four adult children, Karenna, Kristin, Sarah and Albert III.

www.foxnews.com

Delmarva Discovery Center

Beginning on Memorial Day, The Delmarva Discovery Center will now open 7 days a week intil Labor Day.

Hours are: 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM

Admission:
Adult (18 and over): $10.00
Senior (60 and over): $8.00
Student (with ID): $8.00
Child* (4-17): $5.00
DDC Members: Free

*All children must be accompanied by an adult

-Group rates available with advanced booking.

-Tour guides are only guaranteed to be available with advanced booking.

Also Available:

RIVER CRUISE PACKAGE: (Available April through October)

Visit the Delmarva Discovery Center's exhibits and take a guided cruise on the Pocomoke River with the Bay Queen. Purchase tickets for both activities for the low price of $18 per adult, $9 per child (under 18). The Bay Queen leaves the Pocomoke Docks at 1:00pm Thursday through Sunday.

For more information go to www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.com

Black Bear Spotted in Owings Mills, Maryland

(Enlarge) Baltimore County Police say a small black bear has been spotted in neighborhoods in the Owings Mills area, and are asking residents to keep trash cans covered and call police if they see the bear. (Baltimore County Police photo)

County police are warning Owings Mills residents to be on the look out for a small black bear that has been seen wandering around the area over the last two days.

Lt. Robert McCullough said the bear, thought to weigh about 50 pounds, has been seen in the area of Bond Avenue and Timber Grove Road. It was most recently seen Thursday morning in the 900 block of Timber Run Road.

“This is the time of year when bears become more active and venture out, looking for a free meal,” McCullough said.

Police do not believe the bear poses a public safety hazard.

“When they see people, they typically run away,’ McCullough said.

Police are asking residents to not feed or approach the animal and to make sure all food sources and trash containers are secured inside yards or other enclosed areas.

Police ask anyone seeing the bear to call 911 or the county animal control agency at 410-887-5961.

www.baltimoresun.com

Va. Gov. Will NOT Commit Public Schools To The President's New Education Initiative

Governor Bob McDonnell has announced that he will not commit Virginia's public schools to join President Barack Obama's "Race to the Top" Program. McDonnell believes the initiative would lower Virginias curriculum standards. The plan would also include more educational mandates on the states choosing to participate.

McDonnell has supported most of President Obamas education reforms, which have included merit pay and charter schools. Obama's "Race to the Top" Program aims to increase student achievement. However, current Virginia Standards of Learning requirements are currently more rigorous than Obamas initiative.

McDonnell did add in his comments that he believed the President's initiative could be the right approach for other states.

www.shoredailynews.com

Vehicle Owners At Risk of Break Ins Get Letters From Police

Responding to a surge in car break-ins in the downtown area, Baltimore police will be mailing photos of items left in plain view to the vehicle owners in an effort to warn them of the risks.

Car break-ins are up more than 100 percent in the past four weeks in the Central District, an area that includes downtown, Mount Vernon and the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor. Police said they plan to increase patrols and dedicate a monitor at the downtown closed-circuit television control center to watch for break-ins.

But they're also hoping to send a message to potential victims. Officers, along with the Downtown Partnership, plan to walk the streets, peering into cars and taking photos of items in plain view.

On a recent patrol, officers took photos of a woman's purse on the passenger seat, with her wallet exposed; other motorists left change purses and even laptop computers on car seats. Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said police will send photos along with a letter reminding people not to "feed the bears" and become a victim of crime.

Guglielmi said police are tracing a significant number of the break-ins to a small number of offenders who have been recently released from incarceration.

"These guys are heavy hitters," Guglielmi said. "This is what they do. They steal cars and break into cars."

Mark Butcher, 38, also known as Mikail Jazzar, was shot by an off-duty city police officer who encountered the suspect breaking into his vehicle just before midnight May 21 in the first block of W. Chase St.

Butcher has a long history of convictions for car theft, theft, destruction of property and drug violations. Newly released court papers outline the shooting. The officer, identified in court papers as Detective Derek Carver, was eating at a nearby restaurant when he heard a car alarm go off and went to investigate. Records indicate the suspect was sitting inside the 2007 Chevy Tahoe, got out when he saw Carver and pointed "what appeared to be a weapon at him."

Carver, fearing for his safety, fired one round, striking Butcher in the right knee, according to the documents. Officers who responded found a screwdriver among Butcher's possessions, as well as a tape recorder and BlackBerry belonging to Carver. Butcher has been charged with theft under $1,000, possession of burglary tools and assault.

Guglielmi said police plan to continue the patrols and picture-taking "a couple times a week, until we get a handle on it."

www.baltimoresun.com

Obama: June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

As he did last year, Obama today declared June "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month." But this year the announcement comes as Congress began moving to repeal the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy used by the US military when dealing LGBT service members.

President Obama hailed the Congressional moves, writing in a statement: “Our military is made up of the best and bravest men and women in our nation, and my greatest honor is leading them as Commander-in-Chief. This legislation will help make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity.”

The Senate Armed Services Committee passed an amendment that would do away with the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and allow LGBT service members to serve openly, without fear of being discharged. The House of Representatives is expected to pass similar legislation.

“The legislation, the compromise that was worked out at the White House, is respectful of the fact that there is a review going on, speaking at all levels to the military across the country and in theater about how we should go forward,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Under the compromise, the policy will not take effect until after the Pentagon has concluded its’ review of how the policy change might have an impact on the armed forces and how it can be implemented. That review is scheduled to be finished by December.

The LGBT Pride Month proclamation declares that Americans “renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.”

Obama also listed the policies he’s pursued to benefit the LGBT community, including the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and anti-discrimination laws.

“As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles," Obama wrote.

"Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all. … I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists."

Obama has come under criticism from gay and lesbian right groups who say he has not acted quickly enough on equality issues and legislation, as he promised during his presidential campaign.

VIA: ABCNEWS