Chincoteague Ponies Are Moved Due To High Water

Visitors to Assateague Island will find fewer Chincoteague wild ponies in the meadow to the right of Beach Road. Some of the southern herd, usually totaling about 50ponies, has been moved to the larger northern range until spring.

Denise Bowden, who took over public relations duties this past October, said they were moved due to the accumulation of water on the range where the ponies normally . “To get them through the winter, we moved them up on the northern end. In the spring, they will be moved back,” said Bowden.

The decision to move them came out of the flooding of the grazing area, for them to have grass to graze on and higher ground to get to,” Bowden explained. “The Pony Committee chairman (Harry Thornton), along with his group, makes the decisions.”

“This is the first time that I can remember them being moved due to weather,” Bowden said. “It wasn’t so much the snow. It was because of the pounding nor’easters that flooded the area.”

The Chincoteague ponies live in two herds on the Virginia end of Assateague Island. The estimated 50 ponies in the southern herd can often be seen by visitors driving to the beach or by hikers who go to the Woodland Trail overlook. The northern herd numbers about 100 ponies, but they are not seen by the general public until they are brought into the Beach Road corral for the July auction.

Referring to the impact winter weather can have on the ponies, Bowden said, “This past storm they made out great. They’re smart animals. They know where to get food and to seek higher ground if it’s too wet. In this past storm, we had people go over that Monday. They took 35 bales of hay. The ponies had water in their troughs that they were drinking.”

As to their behavior in rough weather situations and their reaction to snow, Bowden said, “I think they’re just like any other animal. They’re used to it. They’re used to the cold weather. I would think that some of the younger ponies probably like to frolic in the snow and play. I don’t see where it affects them much.”

Bowden said she believes their least favorite weather is rain. “If it’s a hard rain, they’ll relocate themselves. They will seek higher ground. It’s just a natural instinct to them. They’re not dumb animals whatsoever. If it gets to be where they are actually flooded out, that’s when we decide to move them up to the northern end where there is more of a highland area.”

Although it has not been an issue so far this winter, the biggest concern for the ponies during the cold months is a hard freeze. “Definitely during a hard freeze when we have to break water,” said Bowden. “This happens when there are a cold couple of days with temperatures below 32 degrees.”

While the majority of the ponies remain on Assateague, a few can be seen at the Chincoteague carnival grounds. This year’s buyback ponies — those purchased at the auction that will be put back into the herd — are being kept at the carnival grounds until spring.

Bowden said the ponies do not require much care. “We throw out hay a couple of times a week. The Pony Committee checks on them every day. There is still grass for grazing at the carnival grounds and we don’t keep hay there all the time, because too much hay is not good for their diet.” The ponies have the luxury of automatic water lines on the carnival premises.

“Every day someone from that Pony Committee goes out to the beach to make sure everything is OK,” said Bowden. “Everyone pretty much knows what to do, but if something does arise that needs to be addressed, the chairman will select a couple of people and ask them to go out and correct it. And,they'll correct it.”
www.easternshorepost.com
Windy Mason is a staff writer for www.wildponytales.info which is an online publication that covers Chincoteague and Assateague islands.

Try The Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery This Weekend

Too busy to cook?? Too tired?? Or just want to try something different for a change..........

The BAY QUEEN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY is now open!

"Home cooked comfort food" Daily special for $5.95.

Restaurant Hours:
MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM
SUNDAY 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM SUNDAY BRUNCH

While you're there check out the bakery.

Located on Rt. 13 North at the Days Inn just before the Ford dealer.

Carryout and delivery available.

Police Followed Footprints In the Snow To Make Arrests

PRESTON, Md.- Authorities in Caroline County say two people in Preston heard a knock on their door in the middle of the night. It was just the beginning of real-life nightmare.

The Caroline County Sheriff's Office says a man says a man knocked on the door of the home on Newton Road early Wednesday morning, claiming he needed to use the phone because his car broke down.

Police say when the people inside did not answer, the man kicked in the door and held a gun to one of the victim's head.

Investigators say the man demanded money and prescription drugs, and then ran away with some prescription medications he stole.

Police say they actually tracked footprints in the snow to a nearby house and a further investigation led them to make three arrests in the case-- Timothy and Robert Spence; and Jennifer Orr, all of Caroline County. All three are charged with armed robbery and related offenses.
www.wboc.com

Tickets Into Space...........

VIENNA, Va. - Space Adventures plans to sell three seats on the Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station starting in 2013.

The Vienna, Va.-based company said Wednesday it has signed an agreement with the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation and Rocket Space Corporation Energia for the additional seats.

The seats are being made available because of the increased production of the Soyuz spacecraft.

Space Adventures says the flights will be about 10 days.

Space Adventures first launched a private client into space in 2001. It has since arranged seven additional missions to the International Space Station. Its advisory board includes Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin and other astronauts.

www.myfox.com

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting

POCOMOKE CITY -- The mayor and council gave tentative approval Monday to a $404,775 bid that will apply an innovate method of treating effluent at the new sewage plant.

Instead of treating the sludge with chemicals, the new system, to be installed by the Bearing Construction Co., will use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. This method will save the town money and is safer, officials said, since town employees will not have to handle some caustic chemicals.

The decision is contingent on the Maryland Department of the Environment approving the construction bid package and the town receiving a loan to cover the cost of the system. If received, 87.5 percent of the principal will be forgiven.

The town also officially transferred the deed to the Benelli property in the Pocomoke Industrial Park. Beretta, a sister company, came to the park in 1989 to manufacture barrels for shipment to the company's southern Maryland plant for final assembly. Ten years later, Benelli took over the building.

Under Benelli, shotguns manufactured in Italy are shipped to Pocomoke City for distribution throughout the country and service of the shotguns is handled in the local plant. Manager Dan Boyle said there are presently 30 people working at the plant. He called them the "best employees around."

Additionally, the council voted to opt out of a state mandate for installation of sprinkler systems in any new single-family homes. Instead, the plan is to offer a discount on property taxes -- 50 percent or up to $2,000 in the first year -- if the owner installs the system.

During his last meeting as mayor, Michael A. McDermott publicly thanked a number of people who had worked with him during his term in office. He was elected as a member of the House of Delegates last year.

Councilman Robert L. Hawkins, who presented McDermott with a certificate for his tenure as mayor, will preside at the meetings until a new mayor is elected in April.

www.delmarvanow.com

AARP Offers Free Tax Preparation For Residents of Worcester

Beginning Feb 3, AARP will once again offer free tax preparation throughout the county. Locations are:

Mondays: Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213-1608 for an appointment.

Tuesdays: Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-632-1277 for an appointment.

Wednesdays: Pocomoke City Senior Center, 400 Walnut and Cedar streets, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-957- 0391 for an appointment.

Thursdays: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 10301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213- 1608 for an appointment.

Saturdays: Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213-1608 for an appointment.

Saturdays: Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213-1608 for an appointment.

Residents do not have to be an AARP member for this service. However, they must take complete records and their 2009 return with them.

Mother Charged With Contributing To the Delinguency of Minors

A Henrico County woman charged with 19 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after a New Year's Eve party at her home made an initial appearance in juvenile and domestic relations court today.
Judge Margaret Deglau scheduled an April 4 trial for Susan Lambert Hoback-Tweardy, 43, and ordered her not to have any contact with the juveniles who are the subject of the charges against her.

Deglau made an exception for Hoback-Tweardy's sons after the defendant told the judge that the two were among the 19.

Hoback-Tweardy was ordered not to use any alcohol pending the trial. She faces a maximum punishment of up to 12 months in jail on each charge.

She appeared in court without a lawyer but said she plans to hire counsel.

Hoback-Tweardy was arrested Tuesday after police were summoned minutes before midnight Dec. 31 to a residence in the 200 block of Middle Quarter Lane south of River Road near the Country Club of Virginia's James River golf course.

It was not clear why charges were issued nearly two weeks after the incident.

Police said medical units were called to the scene because of concerns about the inebriated condition of the some of the juveniles.

www.timesdispatch.com

Somerset County Officials Still Searching For Answers To Deleted Computer Files

PRINCESS ANNE -- Somerset County officials are asking for outside help in their investigation into how computer files from the State's Attorney's Office were deleted.

County Commissioners made the announcement Wednesday, the day after they held a closed-door meeting with their attorney, Kirk Simpkins.

"After preliminary review, the ... County Commissioners has agreed to seek guidance from outside counsel on whether adequate evidence is present to proceed with an investigation," County Administrator Cindy Ward wrote in an e-mail.

Ward said help was being sought "outside the county," but would not comment on whether it would come from public or private sectors.

Although the problem with the computers was discovered Jan. 3, County Commissioners were at a Maryland Association of Counties meeting last week and did not have time to discuss the case or meet with their attorney until this week.

Staff members realized files had been deleted from office computers the same day new State's Attorney Dan Powell and his assistant prosecutors were sworn in.

The county's two computer system specialists ran a program to recover the deleted files, but Powell said this week that some of the recovered files were in binary code, making them unreadable.

Most of them were forms used by the office, of which Powell said he was able to get copies e-mailed to him from another county.

The files had not been deleted as of late Dec. 30 when the office closed for the New Year's holiday weekend.

Part of the investigation has included looking into who logged on to the office computers during the weekend.

None of the current employees in the office logged on during that time, Powell said.

The Sheriff's Office also reviewed courthouse surveillance tapes from the same time period.

Powell -- who previously served as an assistant state's attorney in Baltimore, Somerset and Dorchester counties -- beat incumbent Kristy Hickman in the Nov. 2 election.

Hickman is now working in the Dorchester County State's Attorney's Office.

Karen Dean, the former deputy state's attorney, recently resigned to accept a similar post in Wicomico County, and Joe Riley, an assistant state's attorney, was fired by Powell the week before Christmas.

Riley said last week that he has been in Anne Arundel County since then.

This week, he started a new job in the Caroline County State's Attorney's Office.

www.delmarvanow.com

Northampton County Circuit Court

Norhampton County Circuit was in session Monday, and the following indictments were handed down:

Scott Joseph Abraham: 35 counts of forgery and uttering and 3 counts of petty larcency

T'Andre S. Brickhouse: possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute its - 2nd offense

Lenord Tromwell Brooks: possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it ... possession with the intent to distrbute more than 1/4 oz. but less than 5 pounds of marijuana ... possession with the intent to distrbute a controlled substance on school property ... driving on a suspended license ... tresspass.

Eban T. Hodge: also known as Jihad Terron Colvin and Jihad Terron Anderson ... Forging a Public Document

Estelle Quinntai Love: Grand Larcency
Terry M. Parker: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

William Jerome Reid Jr.: possession with the intent to distribute - 2nd or subsequent offense ... possession of marijuana 2nd or subsequent offense

Antionio Lee Robinson: Breaking and Entering ... Attempted Rape

Trawn Lavon Stratton: Murder ... displaying a firearm in a threating manner while committing murder ... entering a dwelling house while armed with a firearm.

Amy Gladden Sturgis: 12 counts of passing bad checks

Arron McNeil Taylor: Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute

Christopher Lee Tazewell: Third offense of assult and battery on a family member.
www.shoredailynews.com

Ballard Trial Is Delayed

SNOW HILL -- The trial of a man charged in the stabbing death of Russell Matthew Bailey III has been postponed until April because prosecutors believe the defendant recently placed phone calls to witnesses.

In Circuit Court, State's Attorney Beau Oglesby requested additional time after he said he'd learned James Edward Ballard, the man charged in Bailey's murder, allegedly made Jan. 9 calls from the Worcester County Jail to two potential witnesses.

Once Oglesby learned of the calls Jan. 10, he asked the jail, which records all phone calls, to preserve the recordings. In court, Oglesby said he needs time to listen to the tapes, determine if they have any impact on the case and share the information with Ballard's lawyer.

"I didn't contact nobody," Ballard said in the courtroom.

In a conversation with his public defender that visitors in the courtroom could hear, he indicated he had made calls related to a different case, not the murder charge.

Judge Thomas C. Groton III granted the motion, saying other factors would have made trying the case difficult Wednesday.

"The court would be reluctant to proceed," Groton said, adding several people who had been summoned for jury duty had called the court, concerned about forecasted snowfall and sleet.

Ballard was charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing of 18-year-old Bailey after he confessed to police, according to charging documents, saying he'd acted in self-defense. Police allege Ballard killed Bailey with premeditation, based upon their investigation.

Bailey's body was found across the street from Pocomoke Middle School in late September. He had graduated from Pocomoke High in June.

Criminal records for Ballard from Worcester and Wicomico counties date back to 1999 and include charges for burglary, drug possession, armed robbery, assault and escaping from police custody.

The trial is currently scheduled to take place the week of April 11-15, as opposed to the one day it was scheduled to take this week. Oglesby requested a longer trial, saying witness testimony and evidence would most likely require more than one day to get through.

www.delmarvanow.com

Gov. Bob McDonnell's Liquor Plan

Gov. Bob McDonnell's bill to privatize liquor retailing in Virginia would guarantee $200 million in up-front cash and perhaps cheaper booze prices thanks to lower wholesale markups.

Details of the bill The Associated Press obtained Tuesday confirm that McDonnell's revised plan would auction away the state's liquor retail outlets, but the state would remain the lone wholesaler.

The bill will set four levels of licenses ranging from big grocery chains to mom-and-pop stores. It allows restaurants and hotels to buy liquor from private retailers.

But it also reduces the wholesale mark-up for distilled spirits from 69 percent now to 50 percent, affording retailers a wider profit margin, drinkers cheaper booze, or a little bit of both.
www.shoredailynews.com

Organizations Working Together For A Better Community

POCOMOKE CITY, Md. --Members of the Midway family recently pitched in to help the Samaritan Shelter of Pocomoke at the first Tom Wall Pancake Supper.

Volunteers from Midway GM/Toyota --alongside representatives from host Lynnhaven Baptist Church of Pocomoke -- cooked and served pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage for more than 200 hungry supporters.

The event raised critical funds for the shelter, which helps people in crisis achieve self-reliance in a structured, supportive environment.

According to Midway spokesperson Susanna Annis, "Everyone from the Midway family enjoyed helping this great organization -- it's wonderful to be able to give back to the community that does so much to support us."

To learn more about The Samaritan Shelter and its programs, visit www.thesamaritanshelter.org.

www.easternshorenews.com

Returning To Parksley Fire Department

TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER

January 14, 2011 -

7:30 PM

Cost:

$15.00 buy-in

$10.00 add-on

$10.00 rebuys

Prizes include $150 Visa gift card for first place, $100 for second place and $75 for third place. Fourth to sixth place winners get a free buy-in.

This is the start of the 2011 Poker Championship Series, which will be held in December for eligible players. The prize will be a winner take all $1,000 Visa gift card.

Call 757-665-6977 or 757-710-2875 for more information.

All Proceeds to benefit the fire company.

Ty Pennington Will Show Up At Someone's Door .....

Surprise! "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" could be knocking on your door this month.
The Emmy Award-winning reality show is coming to Hampton Roads for the first time to rebuild a home for a family, but the beneficiaries won't find out until later this month, when host Ty Pennington shows up at their door.

Then, they'll be whisked away for a vacation to parts unknown, while volunteers rebuild their home in 106 hours.

Duane Cotton, president of Trademark Construction in Chesapeake, participated last year in a makeover in Georgia and said he knew the area had the kind of spirit to make it work.

Along with the construction, a food drive to help local food banks has begun, and a pep rally is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

The episode featuring the local home will air about eight weeks after the project ends.

Trademark, Waller Todd and Sadler Architects in Virginia Beach and others will donate their services. Organizers need skilled and not-so-skilled volunteers.

For more information on how to help, visit www.extremetmc.com.

www.hamptonroads.com

Man Sentenced To Six Life Terms, Plus.......

NORFOLK --Santiago Powell greeted two young female sailors at gunpoint in December 2009.

To prove he was the "baddest" gangster in the city, a prosecutor said, Powell held the women for hours while he robbed and raped them.

A jury on Monday convicted Powell of 28 felonies, including four counts of rape, abduction, robbery and weapons violations. Circuit Judge Mary Jane Hall followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced Powell to six life terms, plus 253 years.

The five-day trial brought testimony about Powell's role in a local affiliate of the Bloods gang.

"He thrives on power and he thrives on violence, and that's why he committed these crimes," prosecutor Charlotte Purkey said.

The first victim testified that Powell, 24, broke into her apartment on Dec. 9, 2009, and pointed a gun at her face. The woman, an active-duty Navy sailor, said that Powell robbed her, raped her and threatened to have her killed.

The woman said she thought her life was over. "This is it," she said she told herself. "It's not fair."

Purkey said the attack lasted three to five hours.

Powell stole the first victim's cell phone and, days later, used it to lure the second victim, according to testimony.

Powell and an accomplice traded texts to the second victim, also an active-duty sailor, and met her in a quiet neighborhood.

The two men pointed guns at the woman, blindfolded her, took her car and drove her around for several hours.

During the abduction, the accomplice, William Barco, used a phone that had been given to him by a Norfolk city employee and paid for with city funds, according to officials and court documents. Barco goes to trial this month.

After Powell dropped off Barco, he took the woman to a hotel and raped her three times, she testified.

"He took my life in his hands and played with it like a toy," she said.

The ordeal lasted for 13 hours, she said.

Powell was captured days later near Oceanair Elementary School. He was lured to the school by police and the first victim, who contacted Powell on her stolen cell phone. She pretended to be another woman wanting to meet him, according to testimony.

Instead, he was met by police.

The minimum punishment for the convictions was more than 100 years in prison. Defense attorney Daymen Robinson asked the jury for leniency, saying Powell had a difficult life and grew up in foster homes. Robinson said he plans to appeal.

The women said their lives had been permanently changed but vowed it would not hinder them. The second victim said she now looks forward to deployments.

"That was one place he couldn't get to me," she said, "out in the ocean."

www.hamptonroads.com

Maj. Todd E. Godwin Announces Candidacy for Sheriff

ACCOMAC -- Todd E. Godwin, a longtime deputy with the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, formally announced his candidacy for sheriff in the November election.

Godwin has over 25 years experience in law enforcement and is a 20-year veteran of the sheriff's office.

Godwin, of Parksley, will run as an independent for the post, which has been held by Sheriff Larry Giddens since 2008. Giddens is retiring.

Godwin has been chief deputy second in command with the rank of major in the department since January 2008.

Godwin began his law-enforcement career in 1985 as an officer with the Parksley Police Department followed by employment with the Virginia State Police as a weight-enforcement officer in 1987.

Godwin then joined the sheriff's office in 1990 as a patrol deputy and became the county's first certified K-9 officer in 1994 with his K-9 partner, Nitro.

He was promoted to corporal in 1995 and patrol lieutenant in 1999.

As lieutenant, Godwin was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the uniform patrol division, including the SWAT team, K-9 units, dive teams, and dispatch.

In 2002, Godwin also assumed responsibility of supervising animal control and began supervising the newly constructed Eastern Shore Regional Animal Control Facility in 2005.

In addition to his training at the Peninsula Tidewater Academy of Criminal Justice and the Virginia State Police Academy, he has received training in numerous areas during his career. Those areas include lawful employment practices for law enforcement, freedom of information training, managing jail risk and liability, budgeting for criminal justice executives, FBI first line supervisor school, liability issues for K-9 handlers, raid liability and planning, FEMA national incident management system ICS-100, 200, 700, 300 and 400, breath alcohol operator course, vehicle inspection course, uniform drug interdiction training, SWAT training, basic and advance patrol and narcotic K-9 schools, street survival and tactical use of police K-9, basic radar operator, domestic violence training, community policing in small town and rural areas, basic animal control school, and gang training.

As chief deputy, Godwin is responsible for the management of all departmental divisions to include law enforcement, corrections, courtroom security/civil process, communications, animal control and the animal control facility.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office consists of 75 sworn and non-sworn personnel.

Godwin is a member of the Eastern Shore of Virginia 911 Commission, member of the Chesapeake Bay ASAP Policy Board and a member of the Eastern Shore Regional Jail Board.

Godwin, 46, resides in Parksley, with his wife, Sheila, and their two sons, Johnnie and Logan.
www.easternshorenews.com

Community Comes Together For Funeral of Christina Green

Arizona lawmakers moved quickly Tuesday to try to block protesters from the funeral of 9-year-old shooting victim Christina Green, passing an emergency measure prohibiting protests within 300 feet of any funeral services.

In addition to the new law, hundreds of Tucson residents were making contingency plans to try to protect the family of the girl who was slain in Saturday's rampage.

The actions were prompted by the Westboro Baptist Church, a publicity-seeking Kansas congregation known for demonstrating at the funerals of U.S. soldiers, arguing that their deaths are retribution by God for America's acceptance of homosexuality. The church announced it would protest Green's funeral, scheduled for Thursday, because the family is Catholic.

The protest drew instant and unanimous condemnation from Arizonans.

"Protesting or picketing outside the funeral of an innocent victim is despicable," said House Speaker Kirk Adams. "It's time to bring Arizona in line with the many other states that protect the sensitivities of victims against groups that use fear and hate to denigrate the lives of Americans."

Adams sponsored the emergency measure that prohibits people from picketing or protesting within 300 feet of any residence, cemetery, funeral home, church, synagogue or other establishment during or within one hour of a funeral service or burial service.

The House and Senate passed the bill unanimously Tuesday. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the measure Tuesday evening.
The founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps, has traveled with his daughters and granddaughters throughout the county picketing soldiers' funerals, prompting new state and local laws to keep them away from grieving families. The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a free-speech case related to the funeral protests.

Tucson residents are preparing to line the funeral procession for Green, both to show their support of the family and to block them from seeing the Westboro protest.

"We just want to show the families in Tucson that we're a community that's bound together, through the good and the bad," said Janna Zankich, a 46-year-old dance studio manger.

On Tuesday evening, she planned to gather with dozens of people at Breakout Studios to construct 8- to 10-foot wings that volunteer "angels" would wear along the funeral procession to block the family's view of the protesters.

Residents' grass-roots response to the church's planned protest has spread quickly through social media.

A friend of Zankich's, Christin Gilmer, put up a Facebook page calling for volunteers to help protect the family from picketers from Westboro. Hundreds of volunteers have said they would attend.

Trevor Hill, a University of Arizona junior, is trying to coordinate the myriad groups so they are a calming and peaceful force on Thursday.

"Our goal is to be silent. We don't need to be a distraction — these are funeral processions," he said. "No signs or music, no counter-protests. Do not engage Westboro Baptist. It's just not worth it, and it's equally disrespectful for the family for us to be yelling."

Hill also hopes to show the world a different side of Tucson.

"There have been people claiming Arizona is the center of intolerance, the mecca of bigotry. That is absolutely not true. These are people who live their lives and want to raise families," he said. "It's honestly a very special community."
www.latimes.com

Ted Williams Detained By Police

LOS ANGELES – Ted Williams, the Ohio homeless man whose smooth radio voice made him an internet sensation, had to do some quick talking to Los Angeles police.

Officers were called when Williams and his daughter got into a heated argument Monday night at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, Officer Catherine Massey said.

"I don't know how loud they were" but the argument at about 9 p.m. led to a disturbance report, Massey said Tuesday.

"It was minor. Both parties were angry but there were no signs of visible abuse," Massey said. "They were brought in, calmed down, talked to and released."

She said she did not know the nature of the argument.

Williams and his daughter, whom Massey declined to name, were held at the Hollywood police station for less than an hour and they were not arrested, she said.

It was not known whether the two returned to the hotel. "Due to guest privacy laws, we don't share details of our guests or their stays," said Dan Shaughnessy, director of sales and marketing for the Rennaissance.

Williams' manager, Al Battle, declined to comment about or provide details of the incident but said a statement would be issued soon.

"Once we get all the facts, it'll be out there for everybody to have," he said in a brief phone interview with The Associated Press.

Williams was in town to tape an appearance on TV's "Dr. Phil" show.

The two-part episode was taped over the weekend to air Tuesday and Wednesday. On the Wednesday segment, Williams meets with his ex-wife, Patricia, and five of his nine children, according to a statement from the show.

"In this emotional reunion, Williams talks openly with his family about the man he is today, the influences that threaten his sobriety and what his children can expect from him in the future. His children respond in a very raw and candid manner," the statement said.

"Everyone is pulling for Ted, but his 15 minutes are going to be over and then he'll be left to manage a life filled with temptation," host Phil McGraw said. "We're going to try and help him prepare for that because it would be a real tragedy if he did not make the most of this extraordinary second chance."

Williams, 53, trained to be a radio announcer but found his life derailed by drugs and alcohol in the 1990s. He has served time in prison for theft and forgery and has been cited with numerous misdemeanors, including drug abuse.

Williams became famous almost overnight after The Columbus Dispatch newspaper posted a web video of him last week. Viewers were enthralled to hear a deep, honeyed professional voice coming from the shabbily dressed man.

Since then, he has done a TV commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, appeared on various news shows, recorded voiceover promos for cable news and was offered an announcing job with the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Although he says he has been clean for more than two years, the recovering addict has acknowledged that it has been challenging dealing with sudden fame.

"I wanted a nerve pill yesterday, to be honest with you," he told CBS on Friday.

www.yahoo.com

Suspect Identified On Surveillance Camera

BISHOPVILLE -- An Ocean Pines man faces criminal charges after he allegedly broke into a Bishopville business in order to buy drugs.

Police charged Shane William Lewis, 26, with theft over $1,000, malicious destruction of property and three counts of second-degree burglary after he allegedly broke into Northern Waterproofing and Restoration on Industrial Park Drive in Bishopville.

At about 9 p.m. on Jan. 6, an officer from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Industrial Park Drive in response to a complaint of a disorderly individual, who was determined to be Lewis. Police charged him with trespassing, making a false statement to an officer and failing to obey a lawful order.

The following morning, police returned to the business park to investigate broken windows at United Technologies and Atlantic Moving Systems, according to charging documents. At Northern Waterproofing and Restoration, the front door and a secondary door had been forced open and a flat-screen television was removed from the office wall.

According to court documents, police found the TV outside, along with a flashlight that was still turned on. Upon reviewing the business's surveillance video, police saw an above-average height white male gain entry into and begin looking around inside Northern Waterproofing at 8:17 p.m.

About two minutes later, the individual noticed the surveillance camera and knocked it off the wall.

Police showed the video to the person who had reported Lewis the night before, and the man positively identified him. When he was arrested later that day, Lewis "admitted to breaking into the three businesses and stealing the flat screen in order to obtain crack cocaine," according to charging documents.

The television was valued at $60, while the surveillance camera was valued at $300. The damage to the doors at Northern Waterproofing is estimated at $1,000.

Lewis has a preliminary hearing in Worcester County District Court scheduled for Feb. 4.

www.delmarvanow.com

Todd E. Godwin Announces Candidacy For Sheriff

Longtime deputy for the Accomack County Sheriff's Office Todd E. Godwin has announced his candidacy for Sheriff in the upcoming November election.

Godwin, a 20 year member of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, announced on Monday he will run as an independent for the post, which has been held by Sheriff Larry Giddens since 2008 until the end of this year when he will retire.

Godwin's other experience includes being a member of the Parksley Police Department as well as the Virginia State Police. He has been in law enforcement for 25 years and is currently a Major, the second in command in the Accomack County Sheriff's Department.

No one else has publicly announced they will run for the Sheriff's seat in November.
www.shoredailynews.com

PEPSI Plant To Stop Making Beverage In Baltimore

The Pepsi plant in Baltimore will no longer make soda, and the company plans to lay off 77 people as officials have decided to stop manufacturing operations — a decision they blame in part on a controversial new beverage tax in the city.

The last cans and 2-liter bottles of Pepsi-Cola, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew and other sodas ran through the production line Monday morning. Executives at Pepsi Beverages Co. told workers in meetings later in the day that production would be halted for good. Pepsi officials said they would work out details regarding the layoffs, including potential severance, with the local Teamsters union.

The company will continue most other functions at the plant on Union Avenue in Hampden. An additional 318 workers with positions in sales and in the warehouse will keep their jobs. Pepsi will continue making soda in other parts of the state and the Baltimore plant will get beverages from those facilities as well as others in the Mid-Atlantic region to distribute.

Kristine Hinck, a company spokeswoman, said a number of factors played into the closing of the production side of the business — including the 2-cent tax on bottled beverages passed by the City Council last year. The need to streamline operations was another factor in the decision.

"While the decision to close the manufacturing line was not easy — nor made without considerable thought for our employees — it is necessary to control costs for our customers and consumers and strengthen our core operations, which will continue to provide good employment opportunities in the area," the company said in a statement.

Hinck also said: "Given the climate, making a beverage in a city where there is a beverage tax certainly doesn't help."

The Baltimore plant is known for the digital clock and sign that can be seen from Interstate 83. During last year's contentious debate about the bottle tax, Pepsi used the sign to broadcast its protest. The sign will be unaffected by the halt in production.

The tax was part of a package of new fees intended to help close a $121 million hole last year in the city's $1.2 billion budget. City officials said earlier this month that they now face an $81 million gap in the budget.

While retailers have said they feel the brunt of the beverage tax, Pepsi officials said the levy also affects manufacturers and distributors, and signals an unfriendly business environment. As sales for retailers decline because of the tax, they buy less from the manufacturers, Pepsi spokesman Mark Dollins said.

"When we're looking at where to do business … we look at what we believe is an environment where we can invest and production lines where it makes the most economic sense," Dollins said.

A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said that Pepsi officials were hinting that the Baltimore plant might not remain open for other economic reasons at a spring meeting regarding the bottle tax — before it was approved.

"I asked them — hypothetically — if the bottle tax were not approved, could you guarantee you could stay another few years," said spokesman Ryan O'Doherty. "They couldn't say 'yes.'"

He also stressed that the tax is levied on the distribution of bottled beverages, not the manufacturing. And he pointed out that the tax is generally passed along to stores and shoppers.

"Who is this tax really affecting? The retailers are saying it's affecting them. The distributors ran ads saying it's affecting working families and now the manufacturers are saying it's them," O'Doherty said.

The 2-cent tax is slated to expire in 21/2 years.

Ellen Valentino, a beverage industry lobbyist, said the decision by Pepsi is another example of how the tax has hurt local business. Grocers said last month that they had seen a sales decline because of the tax.

"This has been a local burden," Valentino said. "We are going to continue to try to meet with the mayor's office and city leaders to make a case and outline why this law should be repealed."

The decision by Pepsi is the latest hit to the local manufacturing industry, which has seen declines for years as the country's manufacturing base has declined in general.

"I just think it's the continuation of a trend," said Gene Burner, president of the Manufacturers' Alliance of Maryland. "It's a wake-up call. We need to make sure we don't continue to lose these kinds of high-quality manufacturing jobs."

www.baltimoresun.com

Virginia Delegate Wants Alternative Currencies For State

The Commonwealth of Virginia would begin minting its own gold and silver coins as an alternative currency to the U.S. dollar under a bill that Virginia Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William) says he will file in coming days.

Marshall will ask the General Assembly to consider the idea when it convenes for its annual legislative session Jan. 12. It is a companion bill to a proposal he has already filed to establish a study committee to examine alternative currencies to that distributed by the Federal Reserve System "in the event of a major breakdown of the Federal Reserve System."

Marshall said his intention is to inject competition into the national economy and force the federal government to change monetary policy he believes is leading to hyperinflation. According to his bill, "many widely recognized experts predict the inevitable destruction of the Federal Reserve System's currency through hyperinflation in the foreseeable future." His critique mirrors that of the Tea Party movement, some of whose members have called for the end of the Federal Reserve system.

"State legislatures have to get a little more creative and savvy to counter the buffoonery that's been plaguing Washington," Marshall said in an interview.

Asked what he might say to people who believe the proposal is, well, a little wacky (after all, the last time Virginia used currency other than the U.S. dollar was during the Civil War), Marshall said he believes the Constitution allows for alternative currencies.

"The only people who would say that are people who don't understand or reject the clear language of the Constitution, of the law and of court decisions," he said. "We want to provide competition and some restraint on the profligates that have been running the Federal Reserve and the people in Congress who don't know the word 'no.' "

Marshall is one of the most conservative and controversial members of the Virginia legislature. He delights in proposing legislation that helps him advance his conservative philosophy and is considering running for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

But Marshall's bills aren't always embraced by the rest of the legislature, even his fellow Republicans. He is also sponsoring legislation this year to bar gays and lesbians from serving in the Virginia National Guard.

www.washingtonpost.com

Poof The Light Goes On

POOF and the light goes off 

An 86-year-old man goes for a physical.  All of his test results come back normal.   
 
The doctor says, "Gary everything looks great. How are you doing mentally and emotionally?  Are you at peace with God?"

Gary  replies, "God and I are tight. He knows I have poor eyesight, so he's fixed it so when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, *poof* the light goes on.  When I'm done, *poof* the light goes off."

"Wow, that's incredible," the doctor says.

A little later in the day, the doctor calls  Gary's wife. "Marianne, he says, Gary is doing fine but I had to call you because I'm in awe of his relationship with God.  Is it true that he gets up during the night and *poof * the light goes on in the bathroom, and when he's done, *poof* the light goes off?"

 

"OH MY GOD!" Marianne exclaims.   

"He's peeing in the refrigerator again!!!!"

Hat Tip: Eric

Jordan McCabe - Now this kid's got game

VIA: KOMONEWS

NOMINEES OF USA TODAY'S "MOST HEROIC DOG OF 2010" TURN THEIR VOTES INTO VOICES FOR FELLOW NOMINEE, TARGET.

TARGET WAS ERRONEOUSLY EUTHANIZED AFTER SAVING LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN

SAN DIEGO, CA, January 10, 2011… USA Today has narrowed the field down to five dogs in the running for Most Heroic Dog of 2010.  Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog, and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog have made the top five, along with Target, the Afghanistan dog who saved many soldiers lives, only to lose hers to an erroneous euthanization.  Ricochet & Sparkles have turned their votes into voices for Target, and are now raising funds and awareness for her.

Voting for the five nominees in USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010 started on Friday, January 7th. Ricochet and Sparkles were honored to be among the five nominees. They began asking their supporters for votes, but quickly joined together, and turned their energy toward fellow nominee, Target.  They are asking people to turn their votes for them into voices by helping with their fundraiser for Target's cause, Target's Bunker, a no kill shelter founded by Target's family.

On the night of February 11, 2010, Target saved the lives of many soldiers in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber walked into a Border Patrol compound.  Target, along with two other stray dogs, sensed something was wrong, and attacked the bomber.  Despite the bombing... she survived.  SGT Terry Young adopted Target, and brought her back to live with him in Arizona. One Friday afternoon, Target got out of the yard, and ended up in a shelter.  Tragically, by Monday morning, she was erroneously euthanized.  "Target's Bunker" has been formed with the hope of keeping another tragedy like Target's from happening ever again.

Ricochet and Sparkles agree... not only is Target USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010, but she is THEIR hero!  After contacting Target's family, they began reaching out to their voters, supporters, donors, and the world to help them raise awareness.  Since "Target's Bunker" is still in it's infancy stages of development, the fundraising campaign is being held through Puppy Prodigies/Surf Dog Ricochet, a 501(c)3 non profit organization.  Tax deductible donations are being accepted on behalf of "Target's Bunker".  Please visit http://www.SurfDogRicochet.com/Target for more information, to make a donation, and to help Ricochet and Sparkles raise awareness of their hero, Target.

Ricochet and Sparkles thank USA Today for giving them such an amazing honor, but more importantly for pointing them in the direction of Target!

For more information, contact Judy Fridono/SurfDog Ricochet at pawinspired@aol.com, 707-228-0679, or Dayna Hilton at dayna@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com 479-979-7328.

http://www.Targetsbunker.org
http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com/
http://www.SurfDogRicochet.com

Mayor McDermott To Oversee His Last Council Meeting

POCOMOKE CITY -- Mike McDermott will oversee his last City Council meeting as mayor, resigning the position as he moves into the role of state delegate.

Scheduled for the meeting is routine business, including the review of minutes, a second reading of legislation and the city manager presenting project bids.

Also on the agenda is discussion of the 2011 Cypress Festival. Denise Wagner, executive director of the Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce and event organizer, said the Chamber had previously spoken with the council and is expected to return with more information.

"It's more preliminary than anything," Wagner said. "(The council) asked for some additional information. ... We didn't have the sketches with us before."

The Cypress Festival is scheduled to enter its 37th year this summer, expanding once again, according to Wagner. She hopes to include life-saving demonstrations from the U.S. Coast Guard, expanded food and craft booths as well as a fishing tournament in Cypress Park.

"We haven't had our first Cypress meeting yet," Wagner said. "But we would like some additional space and to rearrange some things."

The council is also scheduled to discuss incentives for new homebuilders who install sprinkler systems in single family homes.

McDermott is specifically scheduled to present a deed for industrial property at the corner of Broad and Eighth streets to Dan Boyle of Beretta and Benelli Corp. The property was originally sold to Beretta on a lease-purchase contract in 1990.

After McDermott resigns, Robert Hawkins will fill in as mayor until city elections are held in April.

www.delmarvanow.com

Ocean Pines Man Behind Bars Charged With Burglary

A 26-year-old Ocean Pines man is behind bars today charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property and theft for allegedly breaking into Northern Waterproofing and Restoration in Bishopville last Friday.

Maryland State Police say Shane Lewis broke several windows to gain entry into the business. He then stole a flat screen TV.

Lewis is being held at the Worcester County Detention Center in lieu of $15,000 bail.

NEWS RELEASE

Worcester County Bureau of Investigation 13070 St. Martins Neck Rd Post Office Box 199 Bishopville, Maryland 21818-0199

#410-352-3476

NEWS RELEASE

DATE & TIME: 01/07/11

Case # 11-0005

LOCATION: 12010 Industrial Park Drive, Bishopville, Maryland 21813

CRIME: Burglary, Theft, Malicious Destruction of Property

VICTIM: Northern Waterproofing and Restoration, Atlantic Moving Solutions, United Tech.

ACCUSED: Shane William Lewis, W/M, DOB 1/19/84, of Ocean Pines, Maryland.

CHARGES: Burglary First Degree, Theft Over $1,000 and Malicious Destruction of Property.

NARRATIVE: On January 7, 2011, Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation were contacted by the Maryland State Police Berlin Barracks in reference to a burglary to Northern Waterproofing and Restoration at 12010 Industrial Park Drive, Bishopville, Maryland.

It was determined that the suspect had broken several business windows and actually made entry into Northern Waterproofing and Restoration where he removed a flat screen television and did over $1,000 in damages.

Through further investigation, the suspect was determined to be Shane William Lewis of Ocean Pines. The suspect was subsequently charged with three counts of Burglary-Second Degree, two counts of Malicious Destruction of Property under $500, one count of Malicious Destruction of Property under $500 and one count of Theft over $1,000. Shane William Lewis, is currently being held at the Worcester County Detention Center of $15,000. Bond.

www.wgmd.com

Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 p.m., Monday, January 10, 2011

City Hall

1. Call to Order, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Review and approval of minutes from meeting of December 6, 2010.

3. Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4. Mayor McDermott to present deed for industrial property at the corner of Broad Street and Eighth Street to Mr. Dan Boyle, representing Beretta/Benelli Corp. USA. (property originally sold to Beretta USA on lease purchase contract in 1990)

5. Mr. Chris Derbyshire, of GMB Engineers, Inc., to present summary of bids received for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system for new ENR sewage treatment plant.

6. Representatives of Chamber of Commerce to follow up discussion regarding 2011 Cypress Festival.

7. Second Reading of Res. No. 440 – to revise Personnel Policy Manual.

8. Discuss possible incentive for new homeowners who include sprinkler systems in initial construction of single family homes.

9. City Manager to present summary of bids received for two projects:

a. Ambulance Garage Building (Grant funding from State CDBG and from USDA)

b. Cypress Park Concession/Restroom building (Grant funding from State DNR)

10. Discuss proposed disposal of surplus public works equipment and acquisition of used plow.

11. City Manager to present six-month budget status report.

12. Discuss possible appointments to various City boards and commissions.

Comments from the Audience.

Mayor and Council Items.

Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel and real estate matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and to perform executive actions.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Cats and the Christmas Clean Up!

At the end of the Christmas holiday as you prepare to take down the tree are you like me and just hope and pray that you removed all ornaments and left none hanging? Do you not like sticking you arm into the half dead tree because you know its needles are going to poke you (again) and your hands will be sappy.

I have been known, a time or two........or three or four.......to leave a couple of ornaments inside the branches only to find them the next day, still clinging to the tree that is now outside.

Well, not this year!! My faithful companion was very grateful and extremely eager to assist me. Keep in mind this was her first experience with a pine tree.

After she jumped into the tree she went from limb to limb....................Even checking the drapes..........

Done! No ornaments left on the tree! All it cost me was some nice warm cuddle time and lots of praise.

She didn't bother to stay around for the rest of the clean up!!

Delegate-Elect McDermott Speaks To Committee

OCEAN CITY – Resort business leaders this week got a formal introduction to their newest representative in the House of Delegates, and if they didn’t know recently elected Mike McDermott before, they certainly got an appreciation of what he is all about.

The Ocean City Economic Development Committee (EDC) held its annual legislative breakfast. With Senator-elect Jim Mathias on a pre-session hiatus and Delegate Norman Conway and Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Dennis Rasmussen absent, Delegate-elect McDermott had the committee’s ear almost exclusively.

McDermott, like many others elected in November, will be a relative newcomer to Annapolis when the session opens next week and he appears to be embracing the role. He was decidedly self-deprecating at times during his introduction to the EDC on Wednesday although he made it known in no uncertain terms he would be no shrinking violet.

“I’m still waiting to find out where my office is going to be,” he said. “They’re probably going to put me in a hallway somewhere, but that’s okay.”

The freshmen Republican from Pocomoke will be part of a large new contingent of recently elected Delegates participating in their first session and said on Wednesday he expects change to come slowly in Annapolis.

“They keep talking about transitions, but they’ve been slow on the uptake in Annapolis,” he said. “There will be 30 new Delegates in Annapolis this year, and that’s a considerable amount of change, but there doesn’t seem to be the will to change.”

McDermott did not resist the opportunity to take a friendly jab at Governor Martin O’Malley, who was in the resort area the day before for the grand opening of the Casino at Ocean Downs.

“He told everyone how he felt relief when he came across the bridge, like a burden had been lifted,” he said. “That burden is higher taxes and stringent business regulations. I told him we’re tired of carrying that pack and asked him to please take it back with him.”

On a more serious note, McDermott said increased regulations, fees and taxes on business in Maryland was causing many to take their business elsewhere.

“There’s a real breakdown in Annapolis,” he said. “They keep piling more and more regulations on businesses and farming and they’re driving business out of the state. They’re driving millionaires out of the state.”

McDermott told resort business leaders to be alert for increased taxes and regulations during the upcoming session.

“The governor says there are no new taxes in his budget, but he’s going to force the General Assembly to look like the bad guys,” he said. “They’re talking about a gas tax to replace the money stolen from the Transportation Trust Fund and an alcohol tax to pay for health issues. We need to be vigilant about these.”

McDermott said the state’s habit of taking dedicated funds from one source to pay for shortcomings in another would not fly at the county or municipal level.

“When you raid one fund to pay another, we’re not allowed to do that on the local level,” he said. “They tell us over and over it’s not a raid, it’s a transfer.”

In not so many words, McDermott likened the raiding of the TTF and other “transfers” to fiscal piracy, using an analogy residents in maritime areas such as Worcester and Ocean City could understand.

“When you board my boat with a parrot on your shoulder, a patch over your eye and a sword in your hand, that’s called a raid on the Lower Shore,” he said.

With just nine Eastern Shore delegates and three Senators, McDermott said it would likely be difficult to overcome the numbers game, particularly in the 141-member House of Delegates.

“We need relief,” he said. “There are nine Delegates on the Eastern Shore and just three Senators and we’re going to have to fight the dragon that is the 141 number. I’m hopeful and optimistic going into it.”

McDermott said bringing his fellow Delegates around to his rural, conservative values on some issues could be difficult.

“Many of my colleagues in the House are myopic and have very urban perspectives,” he said. “For many of them, the Eastern Shore is drive-through country on their way to the beach and vacation.”

He related a recent story of a tour of the various departments in the state capital for freshmen delegates including the Department of Natural Resources, when some of the incoming legislators were asked if they were bird watchers. McDermott said he spoke up when no one else did.

“I told them, ‘yes, I am,’” he said. “I like to watch birds and identify them right before I shoot them. You can see how I will likely have my office in a hallway.”

McDermott promised EDC officials he would work hard on their behalf, even in his own self-deprecating way.

“I look forward to working on your behalf,” he said. “My office, or my hallway, is always open to you. I will not be shy or bashful about standing up for what we value most on the shore.”
www.mdcoastdispatch.com