Wednesday, September 15, 2010

American Woman Set Free After $500,000 Bail Deal

TEHRAN, Iran – In just a few dizzying hours, American Sarah Shourd exchanged a cell in Tehran's Evin Prison for a private jet crossing the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, after an apparent diplomatic deal to cover a $500,000 bail and secure a release that seemed in jeopardy from the start.

Shourd was met by her mother and U.S. diplomats at a royal airfield in the capital of Oman, which U.S. officials say played a critical role in organizing the bail payment and assuring it did not violate American economic sanctions on Iran.

Shourd stepped off the private Omani jet and into the arms of her mother in their first embrace since a brief visit in May overseen by Iranian authorities — and her first day of freedom in more than 13 months. Shourd smiled broadly as they strolled arm-in-arm through the heat of the late summer night along the Gulf of Oman.

"I'm grateful and I'm very humbled by this moment," she said before boarding the plane in Tehran for the two-hour flight to Oman.

The whirlwind departure of the 32-year-old Shourd brought little change for two other Americans — her fiance Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal — who remained behind bars while authorities moved toward possible trials on spy charges that could bring up to 10 years in prison if they are convicted.

The three were detained along the Iraq border in July 2009. Their families say they were innocent hikers in the scenic mountains of Iraq's Kurdish region and if they did stray across the border into Iran, they did so unwittingly.

"All of our families are relieved and overjoyed that Sarah has at last been released, but we're also heartbroken that Shane and Josh are still being denied their freedom for no just cause ... They deserve to come home, too," said a statement by the three families.

Iran, however, has shown no hints of clemency for the two 28-year-old men. Indictments on espionage-related charges have been filed and Tehran's chief prosecutor has suggested the cases could soon move into the courts, with Shourd tried in absentia.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he welcomed Shourd's release "and I appreciate the flexibility of Iranian government."

"At the same time, as secretary-general of the United Nations, I would sincerely hope that Iranian government will again very favorably consider releasing the remaining two American hikers so that they could join their families as soon as possible," he said in an interview in New York with AP and AP Television News.

Any other scenario could bring more unwanted attention to the growing rivalries inside Iran's Islamic leadership.

Even the gesture to release Shourd on health grounds — first raised as an act of Islamic benevolence last week by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — turned into a spectacle of high-level political bullying and sniping over who controlled her fate and the overall wisdom of letting her go.

The open bickering seemed to harden the divisions that have been developing since the brush with chaos after Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election last year.

On one side are Ahmadinejad and his allies, led by the vast military and economic network of the Revolutionary Guard — what some analysts have called the "militarization" of the Islamic state. The other pole reflects the old guard of Iran's once-unchallenged authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the traditional pillars of the theocracy such as the judiciary.

In Shourd's case, the judges came out on top. They humbled Ahmadinejad and set the ground rules for her release with a staggeringly high bail.

But in the wider sense, the feuds display the fraying consensus among Iran's conservative leadership — with Ahmadinejad's critics increasingly outspoken in their claims he is trying to expand his reach and redraw Iran's political map.

Such rifts could eventually make it harder for Iran to speak in one voice on key issues, such as its nuclear program and any future overtures to end 30 years of diplomatic estrangement with the United States.

"Iran's leadership managed to put down the opposition after Ahmadinejad's election, and now they are fighting among themselves," said Mehrzad Boroujerdi, a professor of Iranian affairs at Syracuse University.

Ahmadinejad may have felt the sting from the judiciary over the handling of Shourd's release. But he came away with the outcome he sought: a goodwill gesture less than a week before he is scheduled to arrive in New York ahead of the U.N. General Assembly.

Ahmadinejad has said Shourd was being released on compassionate grounds. Her mother says she has serious medical problems, including a breast lump and precancerous cervical cells.

Shourd's release, some analysts say, could be used by Iran as a way to deflect the international outcry over a stoning sentence for a woman convicted of adultery and the continued crackdown on opposition groups — which led two Iranian ambassadors in Europe to quit this week and seek asylum.

"Ahmadinejad is possibly trying to make the environment less hostile in New York," said Rasool Nafisi, a researcher on Iranian affairs at Strayer University in Virginia.

Even in the last minutes, Ahmadinejad tried to put his stamp on the release. His adviser on women's affairs, Maruyam Mojtahedzadeh, was on hand to greet Shourd at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport.

In a statement to Iran's state-run Press TV before boarding the flight to Oman, Shourd thanked Ahmadinejad and other Iranian leaders for "this humanitarian gesture."

"I want to really offer my thanks to everyone in the world, all of the governments, all of the people, that have been involved," added Shourd, wearing a maroon headscarf and a tan coat.

Upon arrival in Oman, Shourd also thanked the sultan for his help and said she would turn her efforts to trying to win the release of her companions. Her immediate travel plans were unclear. A U.S. official said she would be in Oman for at least a day.

Shourd, who grew up in Los Angeles, Bauer, who grew up in Onamia, Minn., and Fattal, who grew up in Elkins Park, Pa., were detained on July 31, 2009, and accused of illegally crossing into Iran and spying in a case that has deepened tensions with Washington.

Up until the moment Shourd was led outside the gray walls of Evin Prison, it was unclear whether the opening for her release could just as suddenly close.

A day earlier, a commentary by a news agency linked to the Revolutionary Guard called the bail an insult to Iran's security and intelligence forces. Shourd's family then said they couldn't afford the amount and the State Department noted it would not offer financial help.

Then came the unexpected news from Tehran's chief prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, that bail had been paid to Iran's Bank Melli in the Omani capital Muscat. Shourd's family has not disclosed the source of the funds — opening speculation that a diplomatic pact was cut with Oman.

A U.S. official said neither the U.S. government nor the families of the hikers put up the money, but could not say who else might have paid it.

All signs pointed to Oman, both a close Western and Iranian ally that wraps around the southeast corner of the Arabian peninsula.

Oman is seen as an important diplomatic bridge with Tehran because the two nations share close bonds as guardians of the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf, the seaway for an estimated 40 percent of the world's oil.

Another U.S. official said Omani negotiators had played a critical, behind-the-scenes role, working with Iran's judiciary and Swiss diplomats who handle U.S. affairs in Iran. Oman was key in coordinating the bail payment, the official said — suggesting some kind of channel to avoid violating American sanctions on Iran.

Both U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

U.S. sanctions put blanket restrictions on transactions with Iran's main state bank, Bank Melli, which has been the channel for past bail payments to Iranian courts by foreign detainees. Washington accuses the bank of helping fund Iran's ballistic missile development and its nuclear program, which the U.S. says could eventually lead to atomic weapons. Iran says it only seeks peaceful nuclear reactors for energy.

In a statement, Oman's government said it "welcomes" Shourd's release and hoped "other positive steps will follow in the course of the Iranian-American relations."

President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton both thanked Oman for its assistance.

Oman "in recent days and weeks became a key interlocutor to help us work this case with the Iranian government," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said. "And we are very grateful to the role that Oman has played."

He could not say if any money had changed hands in winning Shourd's release, but noted that "arrangements were made that satisfied Iranian requirements under their judicial system."

At the same time, Crowley said the U.S. government had no information to suggest any U.S. or international sanctions on Iran had been violated.

"I am very pleased that Sarah Shourd has been released by the Iranian government, and will soon be united with her family," Obama said in a statement.

Shourd's mother, Nora, said she has hoped and prayed for this moment for 410 days.

"Sarah has had a long and difficult detainment and I am going to make sure that she now gets the care and attention she needs and the time and space to recover," she said. "I can only imagine how bittersweet her freedom must be for her, leaving Shane and Josh behind."

www.yahoo.com

Woman Finds Latex Fingertips In Bottle Of Dr. Pepper

NORFOLK - Elizabeth Perkins says she found more than just soda inside a bottle of Dr. Pepper she bought.

Floating in the bottle were two fingers from a latex glove. What's even more disgusting is that Elizabeth was actually drinking from the bottle that she had bought at a grocery store. In fact, it was almost halfway gone before she noticed the large clumps of latex.

"I took a couple of swigs of it, put the cap back on and when I arrived at work, there was something that was floating on the top that resembled, well it was just very jumbled plastic stuck together.

At first glace, Elizabeth wasn't sure what was floating in her Dr. Pepper.

She says, "At first, I thought it was some kind of worm."

After Elizabeth took a photo, she realized there were two latex glove fingers, cleanly sliced, floating in her soda.

"This is like, one and a half knuckles up on a glove. There are inch long pieces, inch and a half even, of latex glove fingertips," Elizabeth says.

Latex is obviously not an ingredient in Dr. Pepper, and that got Elizabeth wondering what else could be in the bottle.

She says, "It was awful to think that someone could have possibly lost two figures on a Dr. Pepper line and they didn't stop production or make sure none of that stuff got into the bottle is just, is disturbing to me."

Elizabeth called Dr. Pepper to let them know what she found. Dr. Pepper officials responded to Elizabeth by sending her a letter stating that they regret the inconvenience that this has caused. They also sent her a coupon for a free 12-pack of Dr. Pepper.

"They weren't necessarily interested in my welfare," Elizabeth says, "You know, did I have to go to the hospital? You know, was anything else in there? Nothing like that was asked."

Instead, the company told Elizabeth they wanted her to send the bottle back to them so that they could examine it. Elizabeth hasn't decided what she's going to do with the bottle or the latex fingertip. But she says she has learned something from this experience.

"I don't drink pop without pouring it into a see-through glass. No soda pop without a see-through glass. It's just my rule," she says.
www.wtkr.com

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Family Tried To Stop Driver

POCOMOKE CITY -- After friends and family made a late-night attempt to prevent him from driving drunk, police said, Jesse James Mason drove off anyway, dragging a friend who was hanging onto his truck, killing him.

Mason, 24, of Pocomoke City is being held on $100,000 bond after being charged in the death of Hunter Lee Stonnell. Mason was attempting to drive out of a parking lot Friday night, police allege, when Stonnell, who was trying to keep him off the road, was thrown from Mason's vehicle.

In an interview with police, Mason said he "began drinking earlier in the afternoon, before driving with Stonnell to Virginia, where he consumed another five to six beers," according to District Court charging documents.

After returning to his house in Pocomoke City, Mason and his wife became involved in an argument, because she didn't want him to drive, according to court records.

He returned to his vehicle. His wife called Mason's father for help and asked Stonnell to drive her to the parking lot where Mason's car was parked, charging documents say. Arriving at his car, Mason was met by his wife, his father and Stonnell.

When Mason refused to not drive, Stonnell grabbed onto the side of the truck, according to court documents. Mason reportedly told him to "hold on" and began to accelerate out of the parking lot.

Witnesses said the victim was hanging out of the driver's side of Mason's white Ford pickup truck, attempting to prevent him from driving, when he was thrown from the vehicle.

Mason told police he knew Stonnell had to be injured, but continued driving to his home, according to court documents.

Charges against Mason include homicide by motor vehicle, negligent homicide by auto while impaired, negligent manslaughter by auto, negligent auto homicide under the influence of alcohol, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence and related charges. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation conducted an investigation that led to the charges.

Mason has two previous alcohol-related charges in Worcester on his court record, including one in February 2006 for possession of an intoxicating beverage under the age of 21 and in September 2006 for possession of an alcoholic beverage under the age of 21. In both cases, he pleaded guilty and paid court-imposed fines.

Stonnell, 21, was born in Oklahoma to parents who made their home in Westover. He graduated from Crisfield High School in 2007 and was working as a heavy equipment operator with the Vulcan Materials Co. in Pocomoke City. He belonged to Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Pocomoke City.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.

www.delmarvanow.com

From Poem To Lyrics- "The Star Spangled Banner"

On Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem after witnessing how Fort McHenry in Maryland had endured a night of British bombardment during the War of 1812; that poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry," later became the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner," the American national anthem.

Mother Made Son Eat Feces And Vomit (excuse me- ALLEGEDLY

WHAT A BEAST THIS MOTHER IS!!


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland woman has been indicted on 12 counts for allegedly beating and cruelly treating her two 14-year-old sons, prosecutors say.

According to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason's office, Talthina Jackson, 37, of Cleveland, was indicted on charges of felonious assault, endangering children, domestic violence, and aggravated menacing for assaulted one of her 14-year-old sons by choking him, biting his face, and striking him in the head with an iron.

Prosecutors say Jackson attacked the teen because he was playing on the computer in her bedroom without permission, and she thought he was stealing from her.

A neighbor that called police reported the teen had blood running down his head as he ran from the family's home on Crenell Avenue. Authorities say the teen has multiple scars over his body from being beat with a pole by Jackson.

Prosecutors alleged that Jackson abused her other 14-year-old son on several occasions this year, making the teen lick up urine from the floor, eat cat food and eat his own vomit and feces.

Jackson was arraigned on the charges on September 8th and has posted a $35,000 bond. She has a pre-trial hearing set for September 14th.

Arrest Made In Duck Inn Robery



POCOMOKE CITY, Md. - A man has been arrested in connection to an armed robbery. Worcester County authorities have arrested Wayne Tyler Jr., 32, of Pocomoke City on charges of armed robbery and assault.


They say Tyler allegedly robbed the Duck Inn store in Pocomoke at gunpoint back on August 19th. Tyler is being held at the Worcester County Jail on $250,000 bond.

Authorities also say the Duck Inn store was robbed again a week later, on April 28th.



Anyone with information about that robbery is asked to call The Worcester County Bureau of Investigations at (410) 352-3476 or Pocomoke City Police Dept. at (410) 957-1600.

www.wmdt.com

Police Calls- Thursday-Sunday ACCOMACK


On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 9:49 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault and battery at 29471 Thornton Road, Temperanceville.

On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 11:49 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of discharging weapons at 10522 Lankford Highway, Temperanceville.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2:14 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of assault and battery at Shucker’s Roadhouse, Onancock.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 4:46 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suicide on Madison Avenue, Keller.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:04 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shooting into a dwelling at 19394 Lankford Highway, Parksley.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 9:14 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shooting into a dwelling at 30148 Chesser Road, Temperanceville.

On Sunday, Sept. 12 at 10:14 p.m. the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an attempted suicide on Corbin Street, Hallwood.

www.easternshorenews.com

Tangier Islands ESPN Commercials Will Air During Monday Night Football

TANGIER ISLAND — A series of ESPN3 commercials featuring Tangier Island began airing on national television Monday, introducing viewers to the remote Chesapeake Bay island — which, as Town Manager Renee Tyler says in one commercial, has “507 residents, one school and no cars.”

Eight episodes of the advertising campaign posted on YouTube had already been viewed by thousands of people Monday morning.

The commercials will air during Monday Night Football on ESPN and are also posted on ESPN’s Facebook page, according to a spokeswoman for the Richmond-based Martin Agency, which created the advertising campaign.

The campaign bills Tangier as “the biggest sports town in America per capita.” The commercials show watermen going about their work and familiar island landmarks including the airstrip and the water tower.

They feature Tangier residents including Mayor James “Ooker” Eskridge, Tyler and others touting the recent arrival on the island of broadband Internet access, including the ability to view live sports programming on ESPN3.

“Electronics enable Tangier to be as in touch as anyplace in the world, for good or for bad,” said John Pruitt, a retired journalist who grew up on the island. Pruitt is the founder of Tangier Pride Inc., a non-profit organization formed two years ago to support the preservation of the island and its unique way of life.

Pruitt said the commercials remind him of the folksy Ocean Spray juice ads that feature two men standing in a cranberry bog, “but these are real people,” not actors.
One episode highlights ESPN3’s college football programming and features resident Harold Pruitt, calling him “the island’s biggest FSU fan.” Pruitt concludes with a Florida State University Seminoles’ tomahawk chop.

In another, Dorthia Pruitt, wearing a Crimson Tide T-shirt, confesses to having a crush on University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban.

The distinctive Tangier dialect is prominent throughout the commercials, each of which begins with a snippet of a sea chantey recorded by the Smithsonian Institution in the 1950s.
“It was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get immersed in life on Tangier Island and meet and work with such great people,” said the campaign’s creative director, Rob Shapiro of the Martin Agency.

Shapiro and a production crew spent a week on Tangier in late July filming the commercials, all of which use actual island residents, not professional actors.

The agency contacted the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission in June about doing a campaign on Tangier after the Virginia Film office connected the two, Tourism Director Donna Bozza said at the time.

“We kept our fingers crossed that they would go for the ad campaign based on the authenticity of our wonderful Tangier and are so thrilled they did,” she said.

The tourism commission in the next two weeks or so will be posting on its website, http://www.esvatourism.org/, a behind-the-scenes video about the making of the commercials, Bozza said. That footage also will be sent to media outlets as a way to promote the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Tangier.

To see the commercials, search “Tangier ESPN” on YouTube.

www.delmarvanow.com

Mongols Motorcycle Gang Leader Pleads Guilty To Gun Charge

The head of the Virginia Beach chapter of the Mongols Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty Monday to the illegal sale of a fully automatic machine gun that once belonged to the Iraqi army.

Justin "Itchy" Wilson, 29, of Virginia Beach pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria to possession and transfer of a machine gun. He faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 3.

Wilson admitted in court that he sold the Russian-made machine gun in 2008 to an undercover agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Wilson told an undercover operative that he had taken the machine gun as a "souvenir" during his tour of duty in Iraq several years ago, according to a court document.

At the time, federal agents had infiltrated the gang to obtain evidence of illegal activity. Since then, authorities have made more than two dozen arrests of motorcycle gang members on various charges, including drug distribution, firearms possession and assault.

Wilson has been in the Navy since 1998 and was a petty officer 1st class working as a machinist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth at the time of his arrest.

www.hamptonroads.com

Cuccinelli Compares Obama To King George

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli accused President Barack Obama on Sunday of respecting liberty less than the British crown did in the years before the Revolution.

“King George III and the parliament of Great Britain that we rebelled against respected the liberty of the colonists of America more than the Congress and the president of the United States of America,” he told thousands of tea party activists gathered on Washington’s National Mall for the 9/12 rally.

Cuccinelli, who has become a darling of the right because of his eagerness to butt heads with the administration, called the health law “the greatest erosion of liberty in my adult lifetime.” His office filed suit against the federal government on the day Obama signed the health care bill into law.

The analogy came during a condemnation of the new mandate that individuals buy health insurance, a key provision in the bill Obama signed into law this March. In 1774, after the first Continental Congress boycotted goods, Cuccinelli said the solicitor general told the British Crown that the government couldn’t mandate subjects buy products like tea.

“If the federal government can order you to buy health insurance, they can order you to buy anything,” he said.

The health care law has become one of the biggest issues galvanizing conservative voters, and Republicans hope to capitalize on polls that show the new law remains unpopular with a majority of voters to make traction with independents in the coming midterms. The individual mandate was included in the bill as a cost-control measure.

“Make no mistake about it: this lawsuit is not about health care,” he said, wearing a full business suit and black cowboy boots on a sweaty afternoon. “It’s about liberty and preserving liberty as the Founding Fathers understood it, not as the people who occupy this building rewrite it every week…all that stands between us and the end of federalism is one lawsuit.”

He told the conservative activists who had come from around the country that he hopes to argue his case before the Supreme Court in about a year-and-a-half.

www.hamptonroads.com

Prison Sentences For Two On Charges Of Transporting Over 700 Pounds of Marijuana

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - On Monday, a man and woman were sentenced in Norfolk federal court on conspiracy charges involving over 700 pounds of marijuana seized in Virginia Beach and Nashville.

Ashlee Gina Bunn, 29, formerly of Virginia Beach, was sentenced to nine years in prison, and Antonio Allen Anderson, 29, of Newport News, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison.

According to court documents, Bunn was involved in transporting 200 pounds of marijuana from Tennessee to Virginia Beach for distribution. She recruited Anderson to help move the marijuana from Newport News to Virginia Beach. After her arrest, she recruited another person in Tennessee to remove 500 pounds of marijuana from the home she rented there.

Search warrants in Virginia Beach and Tennessee resulted in the recovery of over $50,000 in currency and 500 pounds of marijuana. Bunn will be transferred to federal court in Tennessee for trial there with another co-conspirator.

Bunn and Anderson previously pled guilty in May 2010.

www.wavy.com

About Half Of Our Nation's Veterans Don't Use G. I. Bill Benefits

Recognize this car? Did you see it at the Nascar race held in Richmond this past Saturday night?

If you are a veteran do you know any more about your G.I. Bill benefits than you did before this car was built?

Can anyone tell me why they had to build a car in order to inform the Veterans?

Do you suppose alot of those Veterans NOT using the G.I.Bill might be homeless, sick, and not near any reading materials at all? Has the government tried to contact them?

Read below and find out WHAT that one car was supposed to be all about! Do you think it brought some much needed publicity to the issue?The good news: As of May, Nearly 28,000 Virginia veterans and their dependents were enrolled in post-secondary education programs on the federal government's dime -- more than 19,000 of them on the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.

But according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than half of the service members eligible for G.I. Bill benefits aren't using it.

www.dailypress.com

Virginia officials hope this changes when NASCAR comes to Richmond this weekend for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400.

The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill has been named as the presenting sponsor for the NASCAR weekend.

"This will bring some much-needed publicity to the program," said Annie Walker, director of the State Approving Agency for Education and Training under the Virginia Department of Vetearns Services.

Generally, military sevice members qualify for Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits if they served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001. Unlike student loans,G.I. Bill benefits do not have to be repaid.

Benefits include $335.50 per credit hour, $1,000 a year for books and a housing allowance.

Studies Show That Sanitizers Do Not Ward Off Colds

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Applying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer may not limit your chances at catching a cold or the flu.

That's the finding of a University of Virginia study reported by The Daily Progress newspaper.

Every 100 study subjects who used hand disinfectants had 42 rhinovirus infections. That compares to 51 infections for every 100 subjects who went without hand sanitizers.

The rates of influenza were about the same between the two groups, 12 versus 15 cases per 100 subjects.

Dial Corp. sponsored the study. The results were to be expected to be announced during the weekend's Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Boston.

Researchers say other studies show hand sanitizer does curb gastrointestinal disease.

www.wavy.com

Gov. McDonnell Seeks Aid From Federal Government For Farmers

Gov. Bob McDonnell has asked the U.S. agriculture secretary to help farmers who suffered through a record hot and dry summer.

The appeal seeks to have 37 Virginia localities designated as disaster areas, in addition to seven already sought.

McDonnell wrote Secretary Tom Vilsack this month that the designation would give growers access to emergency assistance programs.

The localities range from Albemarle and Bedford Counties to the city of Suffolk.

"I can't say it's the worst summer I've seen but it's certainly bad," Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Todd Haymore said Sunday. "It's been a very difficult year for producers around the state."

Corn and soybeans have wilted under the hot, dry conditions, while grapes, tobacco and apples have fared better, he said.

Virginia sweltered under its hottest summers on record. The city of Richmond recorded 10 days of triple-digit temperatures. Drought conditions have also been widespread around the state.

Haymore said counties are assessing the agricultural losses and they should be known later this year. He said a federal disaster designation can make low-interest loans available to farmers as well as other assistance.
www.shordaileynews.com

NASA Rocket Launch Postponed Indefinitely


The rocket launch of NASAs suborbital rocket scheduled for Wednesday, September 15 has been postponed indefinitely, according to NASA officials.

The reason for delay is to extend testing of the payload system which is used to examine new technologies on the rocket.

The Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket was originally set for Tuesday morning before being pushed back to Wednesday.

Monday, September 13, 2010

It's Always Nice To Meet New Racers And See New Faces

Friday Night Dirt Drag at Melson's

Melson's is always happy to have new drivers bring their trucks to the events. In fact, the more the merrier.

This weeks new driver was Nick with his Dodge Cummins diesel.

Keep in mind that alot of the trucks that visit Melson's are built for mud tracks but not all. Nick's Dodge really ran good for its first-ever dirt drag.

He should really give himself a pat on the back.


Take a look at these videos.........





I'd say that's not bad at all for the first time.


Hope you enjoyed yourself, Nick, and hope you will be back again.



Don't forget: If you have a truck, jeep or anything (just about) that will roll bring it to Melson's and try it out on the sand drag. See website for rules www.melsontractorpull.webs.com

Pocomoke; Homicide By Motor Vehicle

On 9/10/10 at approximately 09:16pm, the Pocomoke City Police Department responded to the parking lot of 1701 Market Street, Pocomoke, MD for a subject that was thrown from a moving motor vehicle.

Upon their arrival, they learned from two independent witnesses that the victim was hanging from the driver's side door of mason's vehicle while it was in motion. mason had been consuming alcoholic beverages throughout the evening and the victim was attempting to stop mason from driving.

The suspect accelerated rapidly from the parking lot and the victim was thrown from the vehicle causing fatal injuries.
Due to the nature and circumstances of the investigation, the worcester county bureau of investigation was contacted to assist with the investigation.

Mason was subsequently charged with homicide by motor vehicle, negligent homicide by auto while impaired, negligent manslaughter by auto, negligent auto homicide under the influence of alcohol, reckless endangerment, dui and related charges

VIA: WMDT

Dirt Drag At Melson's Friday Night

Action At Melson's

These two drivers are quite competative when it comes to mud racing and get the chance to run side by side in the 200 ft. dirt drag Friday night.

"Cowpatty" and "Short and Sassy"






jmmb

Medal Of Honor Goes To Living Soldier

The White House announced today that President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, to an Army sergeant who will be the first living soldier to receive the honor since the Vietnam War.

The president personally called Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, an Army specialist in Afghanistan at the time the events took place, to let him know of the decision, the White House said in a statement. He was awarded the medal for placing his life in danger when he and fellow paratroopers were ambushed by the Taliban in 2007.

"When an insurgent force ambush split Specialist Giunta's squad into two groups, he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a comrade back to cover," the White House statement about the award reads. "Later, while engaging the enemy and attempting to link up with the rest of his squad, Specialist Giunta noticed two insurgents carrying away a fellow soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other, and provided medical aid to his wounded comrade while the rest of his squad caught up and provided security."

Awarding the Medal of Honor to Giunta, 25, carries symbolic weight beyond the individual decision to award it to a living service member. Only a handful of the medals have been awarded, even posthumously, to service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A more detailed description of Giunta's heroic actions has been pieced together through interviews with him and other soldiers present that day in 2007, when they were ambushed by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley.

Giunta "was knocked flat by the gunfire; luckily, a well-aimed round failed to penetrate his armored chest plate," The Washington Post reports. "As the paratroopers tried to gather their senses and scramble for a shred of cover, Giunta reacted instinctively, running straight into the teeth of the ambush to aid three wounded soldiers, one by one, who had been separated from the others."

A New York Times Magazine article, which provided a blow-by-blow description of the ambush and ensuing battle, described Giunta as a "quiet Iowan lofted into a heroism he didn't want."

Fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded since 1863.

Neighbors Called Womans Son Odd And Aggressive

Residents in Darby, Pa., were only mildly shocked to hear that a local man was arrested on murder charges last week in Worcester County, after police said he pushed his elderly mother out of his van and deliberately ran her over several times.

Steven Molin, 58, was charged with murder on Sept. 1 in the death of his mother, 85-year-old Emily Molin. He told police his mother fell out of his work van while they were driving down a country road outside Berlin and he must have hit her when backing up to go look for her, but the police said the evidence pointed to a deliberate act.

Neighbors living in the Pennsylvania town of Darby, where the Molins lived, were saddened by the news of Emily Molin’s death. But few were truly shocked to learn that her son was accused of killing her in such a bizarre and violent manner.

“It was kind of a shock to me that he would go to this length, but then again, I’m not really all that shocked,” said Paula Brown, a former mayor of Darby who has known the Molins for more than 30 years. “He has been quite a character. He’s quite aggressive. If you didn’t agree with his point of view he would get very, very aggressive with you.”

According to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, Molin allegedly ran over his mother two or three times. The story he told police that she accidentally fell out of his van did not add up with the evidence.

Emily Molin was a sweet woman who did not deserve to die in that manner, Brown said. She said Steven was extremely controlling with his mother when they lived together, often refusing to let her speak with the neighbors, and social services had moved Emily out of their home. He has an odd personality that made many people in the town uncomfortable, she said.

“He controlled her all the time. If I would go to the door to hand out information when I was on council and the mayor, he would sometimes push her in the house if he didn’t want her to speak to you any more,” Brown said. “A lot of people in Darby are very sad over this. Mrs. Molin was a lovely person.”

Molin is a self-employed handyman in Darby. His arrest in Worcester County was not Molin’s first brush with the law. In 1982, he was convicted on aggravated assault charges, according to online court records, and three years later, he was sentenced to two to four years in prison for receiving stolen property. Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to harassment charges. He also burned down a dentist’s office he was working on in Darby.

Molin is being held at the Worcester County Jail with no bond. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Sept. 30 in Snow Hill District Court. The residents of Darby will be keeping a close watch on the case, Brown said.

www.oceancitytoday.com

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The History Of Pocomoke By Murray James (18)

134 History of Pocomoke City,

Prof. Smith was his preceptor until he graduated at the University School of Medicine, in the City of Baltimore, in 1S69. In 1870, he commenced the practice of medi- cine in New Town, he remained here one year and removed to Millsboro, Sussex County, Delaware. He there practiced in partnership with G. F. Burton for one year, when the partnership was dissolved. He then practiced alone for three years, during which time he was married to Miss Virginia C. Burton, of that place. After remaining in Delaware during the time aforesaid Dr. Truitt again returned to New Town where he engaged in the practice of medicine until within a few years past, since which time he has devoted his time, exclusively, to Dental Surgery. Dr. Truitt is the only graduated physician, in Pocomoke City, who devotes himself, exclusively, to Dental Surgery in which he is a proficient.

He is a vestryman in the Protestant Episcopal Church in Pocomoke City and is a good citizen and worthy of patronage. Dr. Julius T. Hall was born on the old homestead near New Town, Worcester County, Md., on the 20th day of July, 1849- Soon afterwards his father, Zadock J. Hall •moved to town where he raised his family. Julius received his education from the schools of the town, completing it in the High School.

In 1867, he took charge of a school at Swansgut or Remson, where he remained for 18 months. In the fall of 1869, he took charge of Pitt's Creek School. In 1870, he accepted a position as teacher in the Pocomoke High School where he remained until 1874. He then ac- cepted the position of assistant superintendant of Baltimore

Formerly New Town. 135

House ol Refuge, after remaining there some time, he accepted the principalship of Jacksonville Academy near Crisfield, Somerset county, Md. This was his largest and most flourishing school ; he taught it for over three years and during the time he read medicine. In 1877, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the University of Maryland.

He attended two full courses of lectures and graduated in 1879. He forthwith opened an office in Pocomoke City where he has since been prac- ticing his profession. In October, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Thomas, of Norfork Virginia. Dr. Hall is a young man yet; he is a member of the Baptist Church in Pocomoke City ; he is studious, indus- trious and is highly respected, both as a physician and citizen. Having a good mind and physicial constitution,. he has flattering prospects of a useful life and will, no doubt, be ranked among the first physicians of his day.

Dr. Wallace W. Freeman was born in Nashville, Tenn.,. on the 13th day of April, I855. He was educated in the public schools of Memphis, Tenn., and Camden, New Jersey. He commenced the study of dentistry in Pocomoke City in the fall of 1879, and attended two sessions of lectures at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, where, in 18S2, he graduated and received his degree of D. D. S., after which he opened an office in Pocomoke City, where he is at present practicing his profession. He is studious and closely applies himself to business and is ambitious to excel in his profession. He may always be

136 History of Pocomoke City,

found at his office, where he is prepared to give entire satisfaction in dental surgery. Dr. Freeman is a member of the Baptist Church in Pocomoke City- He has a high sense of moral obliga- tion and is a thorough temperance man. If these qualifications betoken a bright future in his profession, he will reach it. Dr. John H. King was born in Princess Anne, Somerset County, Md., on the 29th day of August, 1857.

He was educated at the High School of Pocomoke City. After leaving school, he entered the drug store of E. Fontaine as clerk, and had six years experience in the drug business, during which time he had read medicine under Dr. S. S. Ouinn. After this he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of Baltimore, at which he attended two full courses of lectures and grad- uated in March, 1882. He at once returned to Pocomoke City and commenced the practice of medicine, associating himself in partnership with Dr. S- S. Cfuinn. Dr. King is a young man of considerable promise ; he has a good mind and an ambition to excel in his profession, which knows no flagging.

He is sound on the temperance ques- tion and is a supporter of moral reforms, and as a physician, it is already said of him, " he is becoming quite popular.

" I have no doubt but that he will hold a place in the front ranks of his proiession with honor. In summing up the history of the medical fraternity of Pocomoke City, I will say we have eight physicians and

Formerly New Town. 137

surgeons, all in the prime of life, their ages ranging from 25 to 54 years, all men of families except two, all belong- to church except two, and they are church-goers and are professedly temperance men. When I think ol former years when it was an exception for a physician to belong to church or to be professedly a temperance man, I am constrained to pronounce a eulogy upon the men who compose the medical fraternity of Pocomoke City, as being worthy of all praise for the noble stand which they have taken in support of Christianity and moral reform.

I think Pocomoke City can challenge any town on the Eastern Shore of 1,500 inhabitants to produce such a brotherhood of physicians.

138 History of Pocomoke City, CHAPTER XX. LAWYERS.

In 1867, Alpheus Sidney Stevens commenced the practice of law in New Town ; previous to this time we never had a resident lawyer in the place. He was born in Somerset County, Md., on the 15th day of December, 1840. He was a regular descendant of Col. William Stevens, of colonial fame. His father, who is still living at or near the age of 75 years, is no doubt the great great grandson of Col. Wm. Stevens. This declaration could be corroborated by such a statement of facts were it necessary, as would leave but little room for cavil.

Alpheus Sidney Stevens was a self-made man. He only went to school two years, fifteen months of that time he went to a country school, which he afterward said was time thrown away. The remaining nine months was occupied at New Town Academy, during which time he made some advancement, enough at least to inspire a thirst for knowledge, which never abated during his life.

At 15 years of age he engaged as clerk in a store and continued in that capacity for three years. At 18 years of age he obtained a first grade certificate from the School Board of Somerset County to teach school, and he

Formerly New Town. 139

engaged in that occupation for three years more, at which time he was 21 years old. He then commenced merchan- dising in Pocomoke City and was a successful merchant for six years. On the 3d day of November, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Truitt. During his mercantile life he read law and in 1867 was admitted to the bar of Worcester County, after passing one of the finest examinations. He practiced law for four years. His was a mind of no ordinary cast ; indeed, he was a genius.

Although he made great proficiency in the pursuit of knowledge for his opportunity, yet he was called away in the morning of life before he had reached the meridian of his intellectual manhood. Had he lived, no doubt he would have been a jurist of the first order and worthy to be associated with his ancestor of colonial fame. Mr. Stevens was a member of the Presbyterian Church in New Town. On the 19th day of July, 1872, he passed away like the blasted rosebud that just began to unfold its petals to make its fragrance known.

So died Alpheus Sidney Stevens, at the age of 32 years, leaving a widow and four children to cherish his memory. Benjamin Williams, attorney at law, was admitted to the bar of Worcester County Court about the year 1871. He was a native of Calvert County, Md. but moved to Worcester County prior to his study in law. Immediately after his admission to the bar, he located in Pocomoke City and commenced practicing his profession. He continued in the practice of law for about two years and then moved to another part of the State.

140 History of Pocornoke City,

Adial P. Barnes, attorney at law, was born in Nassa- naddus. Worcester County Md., on the 10th day of September, 1848. His parents were James A. and Sarah E. Barnes. His father was quite an extensive and very successful farmer and accumulated a large amount of wealth, and is living", at ease, in Pocornoke City, at the age of three score and ten years.

Adial P. Barnes, in his early life, labored on his father's farm with the farm hands except when going to school. He attended a country school, where only the elementary principles of education were taught. In his youth, he had an ardent desire to get an education that he might be prepared to enter upon a professional life. His father, seeing the bent of his mind, sent him to the Public High School of Pocomoke City, where he was taught the higher branches of education.

After attending this school for two years he read law in the office of George W. Purnell, Esq., in Snow Hill, for one year. He then went to the University of Virginia and attended law lectures, in that institution, for two years. After which he went to the University of Maryland and took his degree in the law department of that institution, in the month of June, 1873. Upon graduating he opened a law office, in the same year, in Pocomoke City, where he followed his profession until the month of October, 1877, when he removed to Snow Hill, Md., and opened an office there, where he is still engaged in the practice of law.
 Mr. Barnes is a growing lawyer and ranks well with his professional brotherhood.

Formerly New Town. 141,

He is a young man yet, and having an ambition to excel, he will, no doubt, with his application make his mark as a jurist whose talent will command a lucrative practice and secure a name to be envied. J. Lloyd Wilkinson was born in New Town on the 13th day of May, 1857. His father Rev. William Wilkinson was a Baptist minister. Mr. Wilkinson attended the High School at New Town until he was eleven years of age. After this he entered the Drug Store of Mr. C. C. Lloyd as clerk, after being in the drug store of Mr. Lloyd for several years he went to Culpepper, in Virginia, to take charge of a drug; store there.

During - the time, in which he was engaged in the drug business, he read law under Gen. J as. G. Field of Culpepper, who is at present, Attorney- General for the state of Virginia, and in 1878 he was admitted to the bar. At this period he was 21 years of age. He practiced in the courts of Madison, Green and Culpepper Counties, Va. In the winter of 1879 and 1880, he returned to Pocomoke City and in 1880 he was admitted to the Worcester bar. Mr. Wilkinson is a young man of promise, with a good mind looming up into brilliancy, and is rising in the estima- tion of all who know him, for his legal ability.

John Glenn Towsend was born in Nassawaddux, Wor- cester County, Maryland, on the 25th day of May, 1853, and resided, up to his early manhood, in the county of his birth. He received a common school education, and being of studious habits he prepared himself for a teacher

142 History of Pocomofce City,

in the public schools. He was appointed principal of the grammar school at Stockton, Worcester County, Md., which position he held some considerable time, during which he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Worcester County, in 1877. He, however, continued teaching- school for two years. Afterwards he opened a law office in Pocomoke City, where he has since practiced his profession. Mr. Towsend is the youngest son of Teagle Towsend, deceased, who was a leading man in the county, of the old Whig party.

J. Glenn Towsend is quite a young man and has, com- paratively, just entered the arena of public life as a lawyer. If a noted family record, with a good mind and studious habits, together with a good moral and religious character, is any warrant of success, he will doubtless honor his profession.

J. Shiles Crockett, attorney at law, was born in Princess Anne, Md., on the 12th day of December, 1858. He was educated partly at the Princess Anne Academy and at St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., at which latter institu- tion he graduated in 1878. He read law in the office of Col. Henry Page and was admitted to the bar of Somerset County Court in 1880. He then moved to Crisfield and practiced his profession until 1882, when he removed to Pocomoke City. Mr. Crockett is a young man with a good mind and is a graduate at college. He read law under one of the first lawyers of the State. With appli- cation he has everything in his favor to insure success in his profession.

Formerly New Town. 143

A history of the legal profession in New Town, now Pocomoke City, would be incomplete not to mention the fact that many of the lawyers, both of the Snow Hill and Princess Anne bar, have practiced law in New Town, and chief among those of the Princess Anne bar who have thus practiced are John W. Crisheld, James U. Dennis, Col. Henry Page and William McMaster. Those of the "Snow Hill bar. are Dennard Williams, Judge John R- Franklin, Walter P. Snow, Judge Ephraim K. Wilson, William H. W. Farrow, George W. Purnell George M. Upshur, William S. Wilson, Clayton J. Purnell and Adial P. Barnes. The Messrs. G, W. Purnell, G. M. Upshur, W. S. Wilson, C. J. Purnell and A. P. Barnes, have still their stated times ot visitations to Pocomoke City attend- ing to all business appertaining to the law.


NEXT; 144 History of Pocomoke City,

CHAPTER XXI. POST OFFICE.


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'God vs. Science'

Please read to the end.
'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.'

The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe in God?'

'Absolutely.'

'Is God good?'

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes'

'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible! He considers for a moment. 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Can you answer that one?'

The student remains silent. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. 'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'

'Er..yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student falters. 'From God'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'

'Yes, sir..'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'

'Yes'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Again, the student has no answer. 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'

The student squirms on his feet. 'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him.'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not..'

'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'

'Yet you still believe in him?'

'Yes'

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist... What do you say to that, son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies.. 'I only have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat? '

' Yes.

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit down to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation.. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains.. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.' 'Now tell me, professor.. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.' 'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I Guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?' Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it Everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in The multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'



To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down.

If you read it all the way through and had a smile on your face when you finished, mail to your friends and family with the title 'God vs. Science'

PS: the student was Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein wrote a book titled God vs. Science in 1921...

Pocomoke Woman rams cars, smashes windows

Troopers from the Berlin Barrack as well as Worcester County Deputies were dispatched to 2703 Worcester Highway for a domestic dispute.

Upon arrival, police observed 26 year-old Keshia Harris of Pocomoke smashing out several windows on a vehicle belonging to 26-year-old Jerone Scruggs of Pocomoke. Shortly before police arrived, Harris intentionally rammed a vehicle occupied by Janika Collick and Teirra Collick using her vehicle.
Harris was charged with two counts of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, and Reckless Endangerment.



VIA: DelMarVaNow


A Day Of Remembrance In Ocean City

Members of the Red Knight's Motorcycle Club held their 9/11 Parade of Brothers yesterday on the Ocean City boardwalk beginning at 27th and traveling to open the ceremonies at the Fire Fighters Memorial.
A large crowd gathered at the base of the memorial for the remembrance ceremonies.

Click on link below for photos from the parade and ceremony.


http://www.dailytimes.com/

New Date For Rocket Launch From NASA

ATLANTIC, Va.- NASA has delayed by at least one day the planned launch of a suborbital rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore next week to test new rocket technologies.

NASA originally planned to launch the Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket from Wallops between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday. The new launch date is Thursday, Sept. 15 "at the earliest," an e-mail message from Wallops Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca H. Powell said Friday.

Powell's message gave no reason for the delay.

The mission includes the third test of the rocket's primary payload, NASA's Autonomous Flight Safety System. The onboard system is designed to issue a destruct signal if a launch flight deviates from its path.

The rocket will carry two additional payloads. The first is a NASA package of seven sensors to observe the rocket's performance.

The third payload is a Federal Aviation Administration payload designed to inform aircraft and air traffic control systems of the in-flight location and velocity of launch vehicles that could pose a collision hazard to aircraft.

The launch can be viewed from the facility's visitor center, which will be open at 7 a.m. on launch day.

The launch will be web cast beginning at 7 a.m. on launch day at: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast

Launch status can be followed on Twitter at:
http://www.Twitter.com/NASA_Wallops

Launch status also is available at the Wallops launch status line at (757) 824-2050.

For more information about Wallops Flight Facility and its missions, visit http://www.nasa.gov/wallops

www.wboc.com

Soldier From Hampton Killed In Afghanistan

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WAVY) - A soldier from Hampton was killed Thursday after being struck by an improvised explosive device as he was leading a dismounted area reconnaissance in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, the Army said.

1st Lt. Todd W. Weaver, 26, was an Infantry officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at Fort Campbell, Ky. Weaver joined the Army in October, 2006, and arrived at Fort Campbell in April, 2009.

No additional information surrounding his death was released.

Weaver's awards and decorations included the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.Weaver is survived by his wife, Emma Louise Elizabeth Weaver and daughter Kiley Honoria Nell Weaver, all of Clarksville, Tenn.; father, Don A. Weaver and mother, Jeanne N. Weaver, both of Hampton, Va.

Officials say a memorial service will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony to honor fallen Screaming Eagles. The next ceremony will be held Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. at the Family Readiness Center.

Weaver graduated from Bruton High School in York County and then the College of William & Mary.

For article on Lt. Weaver in William & Mary's website:

www.wm.edu/news/stories/2010/todd-weaver-08-dies-in-afghanistan-123.php

www.wavy.com

Man Involved With Death Violates Probation And Gets Another Chance

Two years later and still hasn't completed his punishment. He's given a second chance and told not to come back again........a third chance?? Gee, I bet the family that had their son so horribly beaten to death by this creep wishes they had gotten more chances. Some people just never learn their lessons.........I wonder why they never do. Possibly the parents?


SNOW HILL -- A Circuit Court judge found 21-year-old Fernando Musiani in violation of his probation, two years after his involvement in the death of a Berlin teen, and ordered him to continue performing community service and attending anger management classes.

Judge Thomas C. Groton III told Musiani, who pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in the 2008 death of Berlin's Michael Harry "Mikey" Mitchell, to complete a anger management course he's failed three times and 100 hours of community service. He was given the same tasks at the start of his probation.

"This is your second chance," Groton said. "Rarely, if ever, do I give anybody a third chance."

Musiani was charged with violating the terms of his probation for his failure to complete an anger management course and not completing 100 hours of community service, to be performed by talking to high school students about the consequences of drinking, in the past two years.

Mitchell died at age 19 in a fight at a high school graduation party. An Ocean City man three years older than Mitchell, Dominic R. Canale, allegedly clubbed Mitchell in the head with a wooden baseball bat he retrieved from a car's trunk. Canale was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Musiani, who took part in the fight, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, and murder charges against him were placed on the stet docket.

Musiani, who represented himself, told the judge that he had tried to complete the anger management program three times but had failed each time because he missed too many classes. He said that he had trouble keeping jobs as well.

"When I start, I want to finish the things I do," he said, "but something blocks mentally."

Musiani told the judge he had seen a doctor who put him on a medication for depression. He also explained that his father had arranged for him to get counseling at Worcester Youth and Family Services.

"I've been making a lot of positive changes in my mind," he told the judge. "I've already seen an improvement in myself and I'd like to continue the program."

www.delmarvanow.com

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Nascar And The Star Spangled Banner

CONGRATULATIONS

NASCAR !!!!

You FINALLY found someone that can SING The Star Spangled Banner without the out of key sour notes and bad tempo!

Good idea to leave that song to the military.........or perhaps children...............

I might just enjoy this race for a change.

MELSON'S EVENTS TONIGHT

DON'T MISS THIS TONIGHT!!
TRUCK and TRACTOR PULLING !

Hook your tractor or truck to this sled and see how much weight you can pull !!Or...........

Try the MUD HOP



Spectators welcomed. So grab a lawn chair and come watch

Refreshments available Gates open at 5:00 PM

Events begin at 7:00 PM Great fun for the whole family !

9343 Guy Ward Road
Parsonsburg, Maryland

~~ SEE YOU THERE TONIGHT ~~

AMERICA- STILL THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE


~~WE WILL NEVER FORGET ~~

Obamaville USA



Hat Tip; Eric

Friday, September 10, 2010

SEE YOU TONIGHT AT MELSON'S

DON'T FORGET !!

Laura Bush To Speak At 911 Fundraiser Memorial

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. – Former first lady Laura Bush will speak at a National Park Foundation fundraiser in Pittsburgh on Friday, a day before joining Michelle Obama in rural Pennsylvania to remember the victims of Flight 93, which crashed there in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Bush's appearance is part of a wider effort to raise money for the memorial to the 40 passengers and crew who died after they fought back against their hijackers.

Just $40 million of the $58 million needed for the memorial has been raised, and the first phase of the project is scheduled to be dedicated in time for the 10th anniversary of the attacks next year.

A memorial plaza is under construction in these rolling hills, part of a long-awaited 2,200-acre national park that will eventually honor the victims. The finished memorial will include a 93-foot tower at the entrance with wind chimes for each of the victims and a grove of trees.

The project's planners say they hope Bush's and Obama's efforts help bring attention and much-needed cash to the project.

"In a world where there's so much politics, one thing we have always found is that our story and our efforts resonate across the board. And this is just one more indication of that," said Gordon Felt, the president of the Families of Flight 93, whose brother died aboard the flight.

Patrick White, whose cousin, Louis "Joey" Nacke II, died in the crash, called donating to the memorial "a patriotic thing to do."

"This is America's memorial, certainly primarily to the 40 heroes of Flight 93, but indirectly to the events of the day as well," he said.

More than 1.2 million people have visited the temporary memorial since the crash. Planners predict that about 250,000 people will visit the permanent memorial each year.

The park foundation has recently stepped up its efforts to raise money, including a new public service campaign encouraging people to make a $10 donation by texting the word MEMORIAL to 90999, or to contribute online at http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_bi_ge/storytext/us_

flight93_anniversary/37505749/SIG=10um8nnju/*http://www.honorflight93.org.

Flight 93 was en route from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco when hijackers seized control and diverted it toward Washington, D.C. But the passengers fought back and the hijackers responded by crashing the plane about 60 miles southwest of Pittsburgh.

It's imperative to honor the victims, said David Beamer, whose son Todd was believed to have led the revolt with the words "Let's roll." He said some textbooks only casually reference Flight 93 as the fourth plane to crash on Sept. 11, with no details.

"That's not sufficient," Beamer said.

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NASA Will Launch Rocket


NASA's next suborbital rocket launch will be on the morning of Tuesday September 14.

The launch of the Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket will happen between 8:00 and 11:00 AM at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, according to NASA.

The NASA Visitor Center will open at 7:00 AM for the public to view the launch.

The backup dates for the launch are Wednesday and Thursday.

The launch also can be viewed on NASA's website, beginning at 7:00 AM. on launch day.

The status of the launch also can be followed by calling (757)824-2050.