Field Notes From Del. Mike McDermott

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Week of Jan. 31st through Feb. 4th, 2011

Monday afternoon I met with a Children’s Day Care advocacy group from Wicomico and Worcester Counties. There were about a dozen women, primarily single moms, who struggle with the cost of Day Care and are concerned about current government subsidies provided to them for this purpose. Many of them are dealing with dead beat dads heavily in arrears on Child Support payments. They had this in common…they all wanted to work and provide for their children. Yet, most of them would have been better off financially to stay home and receive welfare as opposed to working and paying for Child Care. This is not an easy fix, but I would much prefer to supplement folks trying to help their families become independent rather than to pay the same people not to work. This is too typical of our social programs.

• Monday following session I participated in an annual Chess Tournament between the House and the Senate. I beat my opponent and advanced to the next round. I cherished it for a few moments…it may be my only “victory” in the legislature this year.


• Tuesday the Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB-35 which seeks to define “income” as it relates to Child Support payments. Those testifying wanted to see the state use the base amount of a person’s income used for determining Child Support payments as opposed to the counting of overtime into the mix as well. The same was said of second jobs. It seems many will take on second jobs to make up for payments in arrears and they do not want the secondary employment income seen as their “base income”. There were good points made, but I do not know if this bill will see a vote in committee.


• On Tuesday, the Judiciary Committee also received a briefing by MVA on the state’s Ignition Interlock System Program. This is a mandatory program which requires certain driver’s convicted of DWI offenses to have a device installed on their personal vehicle which requires the driver submit a breath sample before the vehicle will operate. Initial kinks seem to have been worked out of the system based on the questions asked by Committee members regarding past concerns. There was some discussion on the use of pictures taken by some of the machines which show clearly who is providing the breath sample at the time of delivery. It was thought this may be helpful insuring the breath sample is provided by the proper person. This was an interesting discussion as the committee will see at least two other bills regarding these devices and the potential for their expanded use in Maryland.


• I attended a reception hosted by the Cable Telecommunications Association early Tuesday evening and met with local Comcast representatives. On display was their latest technology offering of 3-D television viewing. The folks there were all sharing their concerns over further government regulations, mandates, and fees on their industry.


• Wednesday morning started off meeting with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Maryland Egg Council. This industry is pretty significant in Maryland and shared similar concerns that all poultry growers and farmers have of the current regulations being prescribed by the MDE and the EPA over their industry. We keep banging that gong, but so far we are meeting a deaf ear.


• Wednesday afternoon I met with Del. Conway, Sen. Mathias, and all 7 of the Worcester County Commissioners to discuss the LCB. We had a very open and candid discussion which lasted a little over an hour. It was agreed that the Commissioners would take a few days to address some of our concerns and then contact us for further action. It was very productive and moved the ball down the field of finding a satisfactory solution to the shared concerns around the table.


• Late Wednesday afternoon, a special meeting of the Republican Caucus was held. Following a great discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the caucus would issue a statement in support of Maryland’s definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. I felt this was an important decision as several bills in the House and Senate are moving forward which seek to redefine marriage in Maryland. No doubt, this will be a fight in committee and on the floor of both chambers.


• Thursday morning I attended a briefing on the various pension systems, their insolvency, and their potential impact on future budgets. This was the third briefing I have attended in the early morning hours being conducted by Republican law makers. I have found them very informative. Bottom line: our systems are in a great deal of trouble and are not sustainable. They are broke and need fixing. We have heard the reports from a bi-partisan committee, and they are ugly. The ruling party has neglected to fund these liabilities for the past 10-years. This, coupled with the Stock Market crash, has led to a crisis that must be solved.


• Thursday both houses convened in the House of Delegates at 11:30 AM to receive the Governor’s State of the State Address. Much as been said regarding the governor’s intended direction, and I have issued my own response to his speech. I will say that these events are full of ceremony and recognitions which take a long time. The House floor is full to overflowing with folks waiting to hear the speech. While I deeply enjoyed the history of the event and being a part of it, I was very disturbed by some of the things contained in the Governor’s speech…as were many on both sides of the isle. I continued to hear those sentiments echoed throughout Annapolis until I left for home on Friday afternoon.


• Friday morning was the weekly meeting of the Eastern Shore Delegation. It is always nice to see folks from home in Annapolis. We heard from the folks with the DPI on the state of the poultry industry. Director Bill Satterfield spoke about how the industry has gone through 5 years of relatively flat growth and how we need to average roughly 100-new poultry houses constructed on the Delmarva annually if we are to remain viable and growing. They voiced concerns over attempts to ban the antibiotic roxarsone (a feed supplement for birds which contains small amounts of arsenic). Some questions were raised over any potential impact of these trace levels of arsenic on the environment, and, in particular, the bay. DPI assured us the use was well within guidelines established by the USDA and the effects were negligible on the environment. The Delegation was also thanked for their support on legislative efforts to protect the poultry industry.

We also heard from Secretary John Griffin of the Department of Natural Resources. There was clearly some tension in the room as the Secretary was questioned about the status of Oyster Sanctuaries and recent enforcement efforts impacting local fishermen. It seems Natural Resources Police are utilizing GPS tracking devices to monitor the whereabouts of some fishing boats on the bay for possible violations. This led to some very testy remarks between Sen. Rich Colburn and Sec. Griffin. Clearly, there is general angst between the professional watermen and the DNR. The elected officials were just delivering the message.

We also heard from folks with Bramble Construction Contractors. They came in to voice support for a hike in the fuel tax to restore funding to the Transportation Trust Fund. It was clear that the Delegation believes that the Trust Fund is adequately supplied through current taxes if the governor and the ruling party would stop raiding hundreds of millions of dollars to support the General Fund. I did not see anyone at the table who though another 10 cents per gallon at the pump was a good idea.

One Of Virginia's Most Wanted Nabbed By Md. State Police

ABERDEEN, MD) – A Maryland state trooper was forced to use his patrol car to end a multi-jurisdictional pursuit and capture a fugitive who tried to run down deputies this afternoon in Harford County.

The accused is identified as Brandon L. Pegram, 23, of Stoney Creek, Va. Prior to the pursuit this afternoon, he was wanted for robbery, felony assault, and kidnapping. He is now being charged by Maryland State Police with first and second degree assault, vehicle theft, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, and numerous traffic violations.


Shortly before 3:00 p.m. today,(Wednesday) the Harford County Sheriff's Office received a lookout from the United State's Marshal's Service for a stolen silver Ford Taurus driven by Pegram, who was believed to be armed with a handgun and shotgun. Pegram reportedly held his family hostage yesterday and had allegedly threatened to harm any law enforcement officers who attempted to apprehend him.

Sheriff's deputies spotted the vehicle at Rt. 40 and Gateway Drive and a pursuit ensued that continued into Baltimore County, where troopers from the Bel Air Barrack joined the pursuit, along with Baltimore County police officers. The pursuit continued onto Whitemarsh Blvd., then to northbound I-95.

Just before the entrance to the Maryland House on I-95, the suspect attempted to ram citizen vehicles. Two sheriff's deputies were on foot after deploying stop sticks. Pegram nearly struck the first deputy, then lost control and traveled across I-95, nearly striking the second deputy. The suspect then appeared to deliberately drive his car directly at the second deputy, who was able to dive out of the way before being hit.
Upon observing these deliberate assaults on citizens and the deputies, a State Police sergeant used his patrol car to impact the suspect's vehicle, using a "pit maneuver" to force the suspect's vehicle to the side of the interstate and up against the guardrail. The sergeant then impacted the driver's side door of the stolen vehicle to prevent the fugitive from escaping on foot.

Police officers approached Pegram and he resisted arrest. Pegram was taken into custody, after sustaining minor injuries. He was taken to an area hospital, where he remains under State Police guard.

No firearms were found in the stolen vehicle being driven by Pegram. No one else was in the vehicle with him.

No citizens or police officers were injured in the incident. The suspect is expected to be treated and released. Upon his release, he will be taken to the Harford County Central Booking Center where he will have an initial appearance before a court commissioner.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit included the Harford County Sheriff's Office, Baltimore County Police Department, both patrol and air units, the US Marshal's Service, and state troopers from the Bel Air and JFK Memorial Highway barracks.

Questions regarding why Pegram was originally wanted should be referred to the US Marshal's Service. The investigation is continuing.
www.wtvr.com

Bill To Test Some Welfare Recipients For Drugs

Richmond,VA(AP) The Senate has passed legislation that would require drug screening for those receiving some welfare benefits.

Sen. Roscoe Reynolds' bill applies to the job-training program required to receive welfare. It passed 32-7 Monday.

The bill would require those who apply for, or already receive benefits, to answer questions regarding drug use.

If screeners have reasonable cause to believe the person is using drugs, they can require a drug test.

Individuals who fail a test or refuse to take one would lose their benefits for one year unless they participate in a drug treatment program.

Similar efforts have been unsuccessful in the past because it is estimated to cost more than $1 million for the program.

The bill goes to the House of Delegates.

www.whsv.com

Judge Granted Postponement of Trial

SNOW HILL -- The trial of a man charged with killing Christine Sheddy was postponed until June, instead of starting as scheduled Tuesday.

A motion filed by the Worcester County State's Attorney's Office said analysis of DNA evidence was not available to prosecutors or the defense 30 days prior to the trial date, as is required.

"Based on the time requirements, they have 30 days with which to request their own expert to look at it," said State's Attorney Beau Oglesby. "This is the most serious and important of cases. We want to make sure it is complete, fair and thorough."

Judge Thomas C. Groton III granted the motion. He cited several reasons to push the trial date to June, noting that Oglesby has only been in office for five weeks.

Oglesby also told the judge that records detailing what documents and information were shared with the Public Defender's Office were "not up to standards."

Oglesby narrowly defeated longtime Worcester prosecutor Joel Todd in last fall's elections. Since taking office, he said he and his staff have done everything they can to share information with the Public Defender's Office in the case, as is required by law.

The defendant awaiting trial, Justin Michael Hadel, is charged with first-degree murder in the case.

Sheddy, a 27-year-old mother of two, went missing from her Pocomoke City-area residence in November 2007. She was considered a missing person for more than two years until police found Sheddy's remains buried in the backyard of a Snow Hill property a year ago.

Shortly after that, Hadel, whose court records show he lives in Texas, was charged with killing her and held in jail.

Hadel's trial was scheduled to take place in December, when former State's Attorney Joel Todd would have tried the case, but was moved to February when the Public Defender's Office said it needed more time to prepare.

Due to the serious nature of the case and the potential of a five-day trial, Groton said the most suitable dates for the trial would be June 13-17.

www.delmarvanow.com

Sheriff's Deputy Charged With Shoplifting

ACCOMACK — A sheriff's deputy on the Eastern Shore has been charged with multiple counts of shoplifting after state police say he repeatedly stole large quantities of Five Hour Energy drinks.

Jerry Spencer Tarr, a deputy in Accomack County, faces 10 counts of petit larceny (shoplifting). Sgt. Michelle Anaya of state police said employees at a Chincoteague convenience store identified Tarr as the man captured on video on 10 separate occasions "stealing several Five Hour Energy drinks."

Anaya said Tarr was investigated and charged with the crimes.
www.dailypress.com

Miss and Little Miss Contestants Wanted

POCOMOKE CITY -- The Junior Women's Club of Pocomoke City is inviting contestants to enter the 2011 Miss and Little Miss Pocomoke Pageant, which will be April 2 in the Pocomoke High School Auditorium.

Any girls between the ages of 15 and 17 living in Pocomoke City are eligible to enter the contest.

Contact Cheryl Marshall, committee chairwoman, at 410-726-7502.

Any girls who are 4 but not yet 6 by April 15 and live in Pocomoke City may enter the Little Miss Pocomoke contest.

Contact Lisa Holland at 410-430-9376 for more information.

The deadline for all contestants to enter is Feb. 28.

Call Marshall, Holland or club President Andrea Lilly at 443-783-7563.

Murder Trial Postponed

SNOW HILL — The trial for the man charged with the death of Christine Sheddy was postponed this morning.

A motion filed by the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office stated that outstanding DNA evidence was not available to prosecutors nor the defense 30 days prior to the trail dates, as is required.

Judge Thomas C. Groton III granted the motion, citing other factors, such as State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby having only been in office for five weeks as reasons to push the trial date to June.

Justin Michael Hadel was charged with first-degree murder in the case, after Sheddy, a 27-year-old mother of two, went missing in November of 2007.

www.delmarvanow.com

Get Your Tickets In Advance............

The MAR-VA Theater will be hosting our Annual Meeting & Dinner on Wednesday, March 16th at 6:30 PM. It will be at the Pocomoke Community Center and the menu will include the Pocomoke Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary's Famous Chicken & Dumplings! Entertainment will be provided by some of our 2010 DGT (Delmarva's Got Talent)contestants. Please see flyer for details!

Rigell Announces Constituent Office Hours for Northampton County, Chincoteague

Congressman Scott Rigell has announced in addition to staff office hours in Accomac, members of his staff will be in Eastville the 3rd Tuesday each month to meet with constituents 9:30am noon.

Rigell will also have constituent office hours in Chincoteague on the second Wednesday each month at Town Office 9:30 am to noon.

Congressman Rigell urges the constituents to take advantage of these office ours to come in for assistance or just to express opinions or concerns.

www.shoredailynews.com

Tentmate Sells "Home" And Gives Money To Good Cause

It seems that while Ted Williams was in rehab for a few days and since leaving he has been informed that while he was away his tentmate sold their home! It went to a good cause, though.

January 29, 2011

LIMA, Ohio -- The tent in which Ted Williams, the golden-voiced homeless man who became an overnight media sensation, used to live sold for $355 Saturday in an online auction.

Victor Houston, who shared the dwelling with Williams before he became famous, put it on eBay on Jan. 23 with a starting price of $100. It attracted 16 bids before ending at $355.

The website listing stated, "This is your chance to bid on a piece of web history. Much could be said about Ted Williams, but one thing is for sure, he has had historical success overnight from the web ... This story will be remembered as the defining moment for viral video.

The money raised from the auction will go to Houston and the Lima Rescue Mission, a homeless charity in Lima, Ohio

Williams became an overnight sensation after a Columbus Dispatch reporter discovered him panhandling on the side of a highway in Ohio with a sign saying he had the God-given gift of a radio voice. He was inundated with freebies, bookings and voiceover gigs but made headlines for the wrong reasons when he was detained by Los Angeles police following an alleged Jan. 10 shouting altercation with his daughter.

Williams entered rehab on Jan. 12 for drug and alcohol dependency after admitting on the "Dr. Phil" TV show that he struggled with addiction. But after 12 days at the facility he left against medical advice and headed for an unnamed airport

On Friday, Williams returned to the Ohio street corner where he used to live and located Houston. Williams gave Houston a wad of cash and promised to help Houston get off the streets once he himself gets his life in order.

www.foxnew.com

Poe Museum May Have To Operate Without Public Funds

The long-time curator of Baltimore's Edgar Allan Poe House says the museum could be forced to close if city officials stick to their insistence that it be well on the road to self-sufficiency by July of next year.

Baltimore officials — who last summer cut the Poe House's funding — have ordered the city's Committee for Historic & Architectural Preservation (CHAP) to settle on a plan to operate the museum without using public funds. The plan must be in place by July 2012.

"That's a big order," says Jeff Jerome, who has been curator since 1979. "I've been talking to other museums, and each and every one of them — first of all, when they stop laughing, they say, 'Jeff, you should have been doing this three years ago.' You just can't do this in a year."

The museum, in a North Amity Street home where Poe lived from late 1832 or early 1833 until 1835, operates on an annual budget of $85,000.

"We were in the middle of the worst budget crisis the city had faced in decades," city planning director Thomas J. Stosur said of last year's decision to cut funding. "When the sausage got made, certain things got funded and certain things did not."

Although funding for it was deleted from the current fiscal year's budget, the museum has remained open thanks to private contributions and money raised through such events as last year's 200th anniversary celebration of Poe's birth.

CHAP and the city hope to have an individual or group in place by spring to oversee the transition. "We want to have a fresh set of eyes, look at what our asset is today and at what the market might be," Stosur said. "One idea is to spin it off into its own non-profit, and perhaps put it under the umbrella of another museum or educational institution."

Poe, a Boston native who would die in Baltimore in 1849 under circumstances never fully explained, was 23 when he moved into the house, which dated to around 1830. His aunt, Maria Clemm, was the head of the household, which besides Poe included her mother, Elizabeth Cairnes Poe, and daughter, 10-year-old Virginia Eliza Clemm. Poe left the home in 1835 for Richmond, where he edited the Southern Literary Messenger.

Most of Poe's reputation as a master of American mystery and suspense was built on writings penned while living in Richmond, Philadelphia and New York. But he is believed to have authored several stories and poems while living in Baltimore, including "The Visionary," "Morella" and "To Elizabath."

www.baltimoresun.com

NBC Employee Fired For Reposting Of "Internet Clip" From 1994

An NBC worker who posted old footage from the "Today" show of the hosts wondering, "What is the Internet anyway?" has been fired, the network confirmed, saying the person had a history of distributing material without permission.

The footage, in which Katie Couric, Bryant Gumbel and Elizabeth Vargas try to figure out the Internet and e-mail addresses, made the rounds via said Internet last week, posted and re-posted to Facebook pages and sent via email.

Filmed in 1994, the clip features Gumbel demanding, with a befuddled expression: "What is the Internet anyway?" and Couric stumbling to define it as: "that massive computer network, the one that's becoming really big now."

In a statement, NBC confirmed it fired the employee responsible for first distributing the footage.

"The individual in question violated the company's standards of conduct by repeatedly copying and distributing a variety of materials without permission," the statement said. It was reported on media-watching websites including All Things Digital and PaidContent.

In the clip, Gumbel also complains about e-mail addresses, particularly "that little mark with the 'a' and the ring around it."

As the clip gained attention, "Today" itself featured the footage and current host Matt Lauer laughingly noted: "We all felt that way at the time. It was a mystery to all of us."

www.aolnews.com

Green Bay Wins.......As If No One On the Planet Didn't Know

GREEN BAY PACKERS WIN SUPER BOWL 31 - 25

CHRISTINE AGUILERA LOSES..........

In case you didn't notice she repeated the same line twice while singing the National Anthem! Must have been the "crowd hype as she hit the high crescendos of the song".

Sorry. I'm just funny about things like that!

Dr Lynn Duffy Files for Pocomoke Mayor

There is something in the air this weekend - a fresh feeling of warmth and renewal. Heard there is a candidate who filed late Friday - Dr. Lynn Duffy. Go Pocomoke High School Alumni! She has a website, too. I've contacted her and we are awaiting a release. Check her site at: www.duffy4pocomoke.com

More on this coming later.

(Reminder) Pocomoke Upcoming Events

Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 6 pm; SAVE THE YOUTH, INC., Community Interest/Input Meeting, at Pocomoke Middle School. Adults, area youth, community officials and anyone interested are invited to this event to complete the Strategic Plan for our Youth in the community. If your agency, office, ministry, etc. is interested in setting a table with information, please contact Rev. Jones at 410-957-1750 or his cellphone of 443-397-2281.

Saturday, Feb. 19th at 10 a.m.; Pocomoke City Community Awareness Meeting at the Pocomoke City Library, Meeting Room, 301 Market Street, Pocomoke City, 410-957-0878.

Professional Standards Evaluation For Pocomoke City Police Dept.

POCOMOKE CITY — The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. has scheduled an on-site assessment of professional standards at the Pocomoke City Police Department.

PCPD employees and citizens are invited to comment on the department's professional standards as part of a commission evaluation of compliance in four categories. Findings from the evaluation will determine whether the police department qualifies for a program upgrade recognition, according to Pocomoke City Police Chief J.D. Ervin.

Areas of evaluation are policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services, the chief said.

An assessment team will field public comments on May 2 between 2 and 4 p.m. Comments can be made by calling 410-422-3451.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes, and must address the police department's ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available at the police department, at 300 Second St.

Written comments can be forwarded to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, Va. 20155, or CALEA@calea.org.

For more information, call Shawna Gammino at 410-957-1600.

www.delmarvanow.com

If You Drink- Don't Drive

Maryland State Troopers from the Berlin Barracks and officers from other local police departments will be conducting saturation patrols throughout Worcester County.

Maryland State Police – Berlin, Maryland Launches DUI Enforcement to Target Impaired Driving Super Bowl Sunday – 2011

Police Vow to Arrest Everyone Found Driving ‘Over the Limit’

Berlin, Worcester County Maryland – The problem of impaired-driving is a serious one. While America witnessed a decline in the number of impaired-driving fatalities from 2007-2008, the numbers are still too high. That’s why the Maryland State Police and their partners in Law Enforcement in Worcester County Maryland announced it will join other law enforcement agencies throughout the country in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving on February 6, 2011 (SUPERBOWL SUNDAY), known by its tagline,

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

100th Birthday Of President Ronald Reagan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Ronald Wilson Reagan Born February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois

Died June 5, 2004


At 73 years of age was the oldest person to ever be elected President.


Reagan's administration saw the collapse of Communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union.

"Eli" Orangutan Predicts Super Bowl Champs

SALT LAKE CITY - In Las Vegas it takes skill, time and luck to pick this weekend's Super Bowl winner. Here in Utah, we just need an orangutan. Eli at the Hogle Zoo made his prediction Tuesday morning. If his record holds true, his pick is a pretty safe bet.

The gigantic primate made the prediction for the weekend, picking the paper mache football helmet decked out with Green Bay colors.

Lindsay Renner with the Hogle Zoo works with the primates. She described Tuesday’s prediction. She said, “He did indeed choose the packers - you can mark it down as the winner for this year."

According to Eli, the Packers will take home the trophy during this Super Bowl weekend.

Renner said, “Contrary to popular belief we did not bribe Eli in any way with extra food. He made the decision free of his own choosing."

The primate keepers may have wanted to rig the vote, but they didn’t. Eli was just being an orangutan.

Dawn Neptune is the Behavioral Programs Coordinator at the zoo. She described what was going on, “He did what adult male orangutan's do - he did a display! So, he goes and tries to show how strong he is so it demonstrates to any females that he's a strong adult male."

These large helmets are part of the zoo’s enrichment program, helping these wild animals grow and develop in captivity. In this situation, the display of male dominance may be helpful if you’re betting this weekend.

Renner said, “Every single year that we have done this - this primate picks for the super bowl - he has chosen the correct team."

Four years with 100% accuracy, thanks to an orangutan at the Hogle Zoo.

www.abc4.com

hAppY BIrThDay tO You...............

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY...........................
CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY THAT YOUR TWO SISTERS ALLOWED YOU TO GROW STRONG AND HEALTHY!!.............

AND EASY TO LAUGH AT!!!!

(If you had been the brother of someone else we would have missed all the fun)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM

YOUR SISTERS

YOUR MANY FRIENDS

AND ALL YOUR RELATIVES (OF WHICH YOU HAD NO SAY IN)

Shall we dance???

WE LOVE YOU!!

Changes Made In Pocomoke Election Laws

POCOMOKE CITY -- After municipal elections in 2009 led to an investigation by the State's Attorney's Office, the Pocomoke mayor and City Council set out to fill gaps in and make changes to their election laws. With a second city election under the new rules slated for this April, a review of the new election code shows some recommended changes were put in writing, while other reforms rely on city workers remembering new instructions passed down in talks and training.

Resolution 432, passed before the 2010 elections took place, changed who maintains the list of registered voters, handing over that responsibility to the Worcester County Board of Elections. The only other change made in writing allows voters to download absentee ballot applications online.

Town Manager Russell Blake said other changes suggested by the state's attorney report have been adopted in practice, even if they are not specifically called for in the new code.

"As I recall, the state's attorney report was a recommendation, and all recommendations basically have been followed in writing or in practice," Blake said. The changes not committed to code, he said, are still known to the city workers who run the elections.

Distinguishing marks

After candidate Stephanie Burke alleged her opponents manipulated the absentee voting process to win in 2009, then-State's Attorney Joel Todd conducted an investigation and issued a report. No criminal charges were filed, and Todd found no evidence that candidates or city workers engaged in fraud.

Still, the report said the city did not maintain an accurate list of absentee voters and noted that the way city workers marked each absentee ballot with a number allowed his investigators to determine which absentee voters cast which ballots, violating the principle of the secret ballot.

"Clearly, the ballot number enables a party to identify not only who the voter was, but how the voter voted," Todd wrote. "If a voter can be identified and interviewed for investigative purposes, it is possible that they could be identified and interviewed for any other legitimate or nefarious purpose.

Pocomoke's election code at the time said if there are any distinguishing marks on a ballot, then that ballot can be thrown out; thus, the report noted, the town's practice of numbering the ballots conflicted with its own code.

"If the town employees and volunteers working for the Board of Elections supervisors need additional training, and it seems apparent that they do, then that training must be provided," Todd's report read.

Resolution 432, the new election code, also states any distinguishing marks can discredit a ballot. The updated resolution does not specifically instruct election workers to write ballot numbers on outer envelopes and to not write numbers on the ballots themselves -- the change in practice Todd urged.

"The recommendation about not numbering ballots was incidental," Blake said in an interview. In the 2010 election, he said, Pocomoke conducted the election the way the report suggested: Ballot numbers were placed on the envelopes, not the ballots.

Carol Justice, the city clerk, said she was not aware individual ballots should not be marked with numbers, as had happened in 2009. She said she had not received formal election law training after 2009. Mark Tilghman, the attorney who began representing Pocomoke City in 2008, declined to be interviewed.

Jim Peck, director of research and information management for the Maryland Municipal League, said the sanctity of the ballot box is important in all elections.

"In general, there are broad efforts made to ensure when you vote it's between you and the voting booth," Peck said. The practice of numbering each ballot, he said, is "relatively unusual."

www.delmavanow.com

Accomack County Sheriff's Office Accepting Scholarship Applications

Accomack County Sheriff Larry J. Giddens, Sr., announced today that he is accepting applications for the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute Scholarship Program. The VSI Program was established to provide an opportunity for young people across Virginia to pursue an educational curriculum in law enforcement or criminal justice. Full-time and Part-time students are eligible for this program and all applicants must meet the requirements set forth by the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute in order to qualify as a recipient of the VSI scholarship award.

Applicants must live in the locality where the sheriff is a member of the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute.

Applicants must be accepted to Virginia Colleges and Universities with a major in the criminal justice field.

All students interested in the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute Scholarship Program for the 2011/2012 school year should contact Karen C. Barrett of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office @ 787-1131, 824-5666, 891-2489.

Applications may be obtained from the Accomack County Sheriff's Office and must be completed and returned by April 15, 2011.

www.shoredailynews.com

Missing Boater Unlikely To Be Found

VIRGINIA BEACH

Virginia Marine Police planned to continue looking today for a boater who went missing this week, but officials said Friday that it's unlikely he'll be found alive.

Arno Dawson, 64, from Perth, Australia, was last seen Wednesday evening aboard his 40-foot sailboat, the Wampeter, said John Bull, a Virginia Marine Police spokesman. He moored to the observation pier at Buckroe Beach in Hampton and told authorities he was tired and would move in the morning, Bull said.

At 8:20 a.m. Thursday, a fishing crew spotted the Wampeter cruising unmanned about a quarter-mile north of Little Creek Inlet in the Chesapeake Bay. The Coast Guard and local emergency personnel launched a search for Dawson but called it off at 6 p.m.

Virginia Marine Police resumed the search Friday, focusing on the water and shoreline between the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Bull said. They ended their efforts Friday evening with plans to resume looking today.

Virginia Marine Police don't suspect foul play. It appears Dawson was on the boat alone, said Lt. Jack Smith, a spokesman for the Coast Guard.

Dawson is an experienced sailor who manage s a boat-building company in Australia, Bull said. He found the Wampeter, which was ported in Annapolis, Md., online, purchased it for $26,000 in December and came to the United States in the last few weeks to work on it. He went to sea Monday, planning to sail the boat home, Bull said.

"To our knowledge, he was a very experienced sailor," he said. "That's quite a long sail."

Dawson's daughter in Australia has been notified that he is missing, Bull said.

The Wampeter, a 1980s sailboat, is impounded while the Marine Police investigate. If Dawson doesn't turn up, the boat will go to his family, Bull said.

www.hamptonroads.com

Trial Date Changed For Pocomoke Rape Case

SNOW HILL— The trial for a man charged with raping a Pocomoke City woman has been postponed for a week.

Originally scheduled for Feb. 2, the trial now will be held Feb. 9 and 10, as the office of the state’s attorney and defense council determined that two days were neccessary to try the case. A conflict in schedule for the judges prevented the case from going to trial this week.

Sherrick Martell Handy, of Horntown, was charged for allegedly forcing his way into the apartment of a former girlfriend in the early hours of June 28. He is charged with rape and assault in the first- and second-degree, first-and third-degree burglary and false imprisonment.

www.delmarvanow.com

Possible Code On Drivers License To ID Sex Offenders

Pension reform and budget cuts may be the leading issues in this year’s General Assembly session, but scores of other subjects are under consideration as well, including sex offender identification on driver’s licenses, alcoholic energy drinks and a possible charge for plastic bags at the grocery store.

SEX OFFENDER IDENTIFICATION

Eastern Shore Sen. Richard Colburn (R-37) has submitted a bill that would require the state to put a code on the driver’s licenses of convicted sex offenders so police will be able to identify them.

The code would be something that only police can understand, such as a special numerical code or barcode. The purpose is to alert police that they are dealing with a convicted sex offender, so the officers can ask additional questions if necessary.

A similar measure failed to pass last year amid concerns that it violated the offenders’ rights. Local representatives supported the legislation and wondered if it might have prevented the death of 11-year-old Sarah Foxwell of Salisbury in December 2009, whose accused killer is a registered sex offender.

“This was in the predator bill the Eastern Shore delegation submitted last year. I believed in it last year and I still think it’s important,” Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38) said. “It’s a tool for police and investigators and offers heightened awareness of who they’re dealing with.”

Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B) agrees.

“I think anything we do that might aid law enforcement in making sure our children are safe and we understand who we’re dealing with when we stop a vehicle is not a bad thing. If it had an impact one time and helped save one child, then it would be worth it,” he said.

www.oceancitytoday.net

Delmarva Discovery Center This Saturday

LOCAL APPRECIATION DAY

Delmarva Discovery Center

Saturday - February 5

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Come join us for our 2011 Kick Off and Reef Tank Celebration!

50% off admission for locals!

Did you know the DDC has a 90-gallon reef aquarium with live corals? What are tropical animals doing at the Discovery Center? 3.5 to 5 million years ago, the Delmarva Peninsula did not exist and this area was covered by a warm shallow sea. Come learn more about our geological past and view our newest exhibit on February 5th!

Kids, receive a free sturgeon sticker if you find the clownfish at the Delmarva Discovery Center!

12-2 p.m. Dr Whaley, retired professor of geosciences at Murray State University, will bring hands-on fossils representing Eastern Shore marine animals, and discuss the geology of Delmarva.

Brooks Onley, wildlife educator, will be present at the touch tanks to show off our native aquatic animals.

Come touch a horseshoe crab or a whelk!

Check out the fish feedings every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 2 PM!

Police Seize Submachine Guns And Other Weapons From Attorneys Home

Eleven weapons — including two submachine guns — an empty carton of beer and an empty bottle of anti-anxiety medication were among dozens of items seized from the home of attorney Richard C. Ferris II after he was killed during an exchange of gunfire with Chesterfield County police last week.

Police said Wednesday that at least one of the seized guns — a pistol they declined to identify — was used by Ferris when he twice fired on SWAT team members within about 10 minutes Friday from the garage of his home in the 11200 block of Timber Point Drive.

He died of multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, according to the state medical examiner's office.

"There were weapons that … appeared to have been strategically placed throughout the house," Chesterfield police Maj. Terry Patterson said. That "would have indicated to me that there may have been some preparation on his part."

Police hope the items they recovered — including some writings by Ferris — will help provide insight into what led to the standoff and ultimately to his death, Patterson said.

"We're trying to sift through anything that we can to help us understand basically what was going though his mind that night," Patterson said.

Patterson said Ferris' wife, Michelle, and other family members have declined to speak with investigators and have contacted an attorney. Consequently, "we have to rely solely on what we see (and) what we collect" to learn what happened, he said.

Michelle Ferris initially called 911, but police said she had to be coaxed out of the house with her four children and didn't leave until about three hours into the eight-hour standoff. She initially reported that she was concerned about her husband's welfare.

Police executed two search warrants at the Ferris home within hours of his death. On Monday, police served another search warrant to obtain data from Richard Ferris' iPhone recovered from the house, court records show.

The affidavits for the three search warrants have been sealed. But copies of the warrants, which include inventories of everything seized, were made available Wednesday in Chesterfield Circuit Court.

One search warrant was devoted entirely to the numerous weapons, ammunition, gun magazines, cartridge casings and other gun accessories that police found in the home.

The guns police recovered include a .45-caliber Thompson submachine gun with an empty magazine, a 9 mm Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun loaded with 20 rounds, a 5.26 mm ArmaLite assault-style rifle, a 5.56 mm Colt M4LE assault-style rifle with scope and loaded with 17 rounds, a Kel-Tec .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol loaded with seven rounds, a .45-caliber Springfield Armory TRP semiautomatic pistol loaded with seven rounds, an unloaded Springfield Armory 1911 semiautomatic pistol and an unloaded 9 mm Browning CZ83 semiautomatic pistol.

Police said they are uncertain how many of the weapons, if any, may have been related to Ferris Firearms, a side business Ferris operated out of his Chesterfield law office.

Among other things, police are investigating whether a mixture of alcohol and prescription medication may have contributed to Ferris' actions.

Police recovered an empty bottle of Alprazolam that had contained 90 tablets in a prescription filled for Ferris on Jan. 10, and a carton with five empty bottles of beer. Alprazolam, known commercially as Xanax, is used to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks and anxiety created by depression.

www.timesdispatch.com

"Top Pet Toxins" From ASPCA List

The ASPCA released their annual list of top pet toxins on Friday, and for the third year in a row human medication topped that list.

In 2010, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, fielded more than 167,000 phone calls about pets exposed to possibly poisonous substances. Almost one-quarter of calls received was about human medications ingested by pets.

The most common culprits include over the counter painkillers, antidepressants and ADHD medications. Many times the pet accidentally ingested the medication when a pill was dropped on the floor.
Next on the list are insecticides, which made up about 20% of the call volume. That was followed by substances commonly used to kill mice and rats, that was ingested by animals when left around the home.

People food like grapes, raisins, onions and garlic was also a major toxin, as was veterinary medication. Veterinary medication is designed to taste appealing to dogs, which means they are likely to eat all of it at once if given access to it.

Cleaning supplies also made the list. Bleach and detergents can cause corrosive injuries to the mouth and stomach.

Both house plants and outdoor plants can be harmful when ingested by pets. Lilies can cause life- threatening kidney failure in cats, while sago palms can cause liver failure in both dogs and cats.

Herbicides are also likely to be eaten by cats and dogs, as they typically have a salty taste the animals are drawn to.

Outdoor toxins such as antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts round out the list. These items should be kept in securely locked sheds or up on shelves where pets cannot get to them.

www.wtkr.com

Reflections on the Governor’s State of the State Address

By Delegate Mike McDermott
2.3.11

Today, the full body of Maryland’s General Assembly heard from Governor O’Malley about his vision for Maryland, and his interpretation of the past year. The Governor stated in his speech, “Everything has a cost…” Well, the question Marylander’s are asking is, “How much?”

His proposed budget holds our deficit at $1.2 billion while actually increasing spending by over $2 billion. There are several fund raids conducted from the Transportation Trust Fund ($120 million) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund ($90 million) with additional tax increases to replace the raided funds. At the same time, the governor plans to increase our debt through the issuance of bonds. This will further push our debt ceiling to the edge.

We cannot afford bonuses for all state employees ($750.00), nor the five additional paid holidays he is offering. We cannot afford to continue cutting Medicaid reimbursements while, at the same time, taking our enrollment up over a million Marylander’s (20% of our population). We simply cannot afford to extend ourselves at a time when the revenues from our citizens are contracting.

Today the governor spoke about the state creating winners and losers when it comes to business and industry. If you are about “green” jobs, you’re a winner; if not, you’re a loser. When the state predicates tax incentives and government backed funding sources to favored industry, it is akin to the king extending the scepter to whomever he wishes. Wind farms may be a great idea, but they need to stand on their own as a business endeavor. When the governor talks about “investments”, he should be talking about the private sector, not tax dollars.

We heard about the governors desire to place a moratorium on septic systems in rural developments, with no regard of the chilling effect this could have on land values, private property rights, and development on the Eastern Shore. He stated that “where we eat, sleep, and live…” is affecting our environment as if this, too, is something the government should control.

The governor stated we were “moving forward”, while his budget anchors us to our indebtedness. He called us a grand “experiment in self government”, while he offers only additional regulations, fees, and taxes on the business community. He says, “It’s all about jobs”, as if the government is the one who creates those jobs. The “ghost of disconnect” continues to haunt Maryland policy.

The bottom line is the governor expressed more visible outrage over the recent power outages in Prince George’s County than he did about the dismal state of our economy, and our failure to address critical budget areas when time was of the essence.

Governor O’Malley wants us to move toward a “knowledge based” economy. Well, that begins with a wisdom based budget, and that was sorely missing from the State of the State Address I heard today.

Del. Lewis Introduces Bill To Curtail Freedom of Information Act

Delegate Lynwood Lewis is sponsoring House Bill 2383 that will be heard by a House subcommittee to allow government to seek a determination against a citizen who the government says is harassing the government with Freedom of Information Act requests.

Should the bill pass, any public body would be able to petition an appropriate court for a summary determination whether a requester, in making a request for records, is intending to harass or otherwise abuse the rights or privileges granted by the Freedom of Information Act or whether such request is overly burdensome on the public body.

www.shoredailynews.com

Friday Is Final Day To Register As A Candidate

POCOMOKE CITY -- Friday is the final day those interested in running for mayor or the District 3 City Council seat can file with the town to run in the April election.

Anyone wishing to run for mayor must be 25 years old, a resident of Pocomoke City for at least one year prior to the election and be a registered voter.

Those running for City Council have to be 21 years old and live in the district up for election. The election is scheduled for April 5.

For more information on how to nominate a candidate, visit city hall or call 410-957-1333.

Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF POCOMOKE!

POCOMOKE CITY -- The Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce, at its annual awards dinner, honored Jason Blair, of Floors Decor and More, with the "Businessperson of the Year" award.

The "Community at Heart" award was presented to Michael Dean of Holloway Funeral Home.

The "Lifetime Achievement for Business" award was presented to Sysco Eastern Maryland.

Pocomoke City Councilman Robert L. Hawkins received the "Individual Lifetime Achievement" award.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Emergency Alert Signals To Sound On Saturday

Saturday, Feb. 5, Worcester County emergency alert signals are scheduled to sound from area fire sirens.

The signals are tested the first Saturday of each month. A steady alert tone will sound at 10 a.m. for approximately one minute.

In the event of an actual emergency, the sirens would be used as additional means to warn the surrounding communities of imminent danger and the need to tune to either radio, television or the Internet for information.

At the MarVa Theater This Weekend

Inmate Labor At Rest Stop Approved By General Assembly In Spite Of Concerns

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Bills allowing inmates to maintain Virginia's rest stops has cleared both houses, but not without debate that doing so could hurt public safety and Virginia's image.

The Senate passed the bill on a 26-14 vote Wednesday after questions by legislators on both sides of the aisle about how the inmates would be supervised and what message it sends to visitors. The House also passed a bill on a 74-24 vote.

Sen. Emmett Hanger said his bill would save the state money. The state currently contracts with private companies to provide the labor, but could pay the Department of Corrections $1.50 per hour for the work.

All work would be outside the rest stops, such as mowing the grass, fixing the roofs and landscaping.
www.wtkr.com

Pocomoke Crime Reports for the Month of January

Family Offense    2011-01-01    1 Block SECOND STREET    ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE

Assault    2011-01-02    700 Block TENTH STREET    ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE

Family Offense    2011-01-03    200 Block BONNEVILLE AVENUE    ASSAULT - SECOND DEGREE

Breaking & Entering    2011-01-03    1000 Block LYNNHAVEN DRIVE    BURGLARY - FOURTH DEGREE

Theft    2011-01-04    1000 Block MARKET STREET    THEFT LESS THAN $100

Other    2011-01-05    1 Block CLARKE AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $500

Other    2011-01-06    400 Block WALNUT STREET    WARRANT

Theft    2011-01-07    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-14    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Other    2011-01-15    200 Block MARKET STREET    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Other    2011-01-18    800 Block CLARKE AVENUE    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Theft    2011-01-19    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    THEFT LESS THAN $100

Theft    2011-01-20    600 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-20    1200 Block CEDAR STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-01-20    700 Block FIFTH STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Breaking & Entering    2011-01-20    800 Block MARKET STREET    BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-20    900 Block WALNUT STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-20    800 Block CEDAR STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-01-20    400 Block FIFTH STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Breaking & Entering    2011-01-20    200 Block CARSONS COURT    BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE

Theft    2011-01-21    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-22    600 Block CEDAR STREET    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-20    600 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-20    1200 Block CEDAR STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-01-20    700 Block FIFTH STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Breaking & Entering    2011-01-20    800 Block MARKET STREET    BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-20    900 Block WALNUT STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-20    800 Block CEDAR STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-01-20    400 Block FIFTH STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Breaking & Entering    2011-01-20    200 Block CARSONS COURT    BURGLARY - FIRST DEGREE

Theft    2011-01-21    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-22    600 Block CEDAR STREET    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-22    800 Block CLARKE AVENUE    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Theft    2011-01-23    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-24    400 Block MARKET STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Breaking & Entering    2011-01-24    2000 Block BYPASS ROAD    MOTOR VEH/UNLAWFUL TAKING

Other    2011-01-24    600 Block LYNNHAVEN DRIVE    WARRANT

Theft    2011-01-24    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100.00

Theft    2011-01-25    1400 Block MARKET STREET    TRESPASS-POSTED PROPERTY

Other    2011-01-25    BANK AND GRAY STREET    WARRANT

Other    2011-01-25    400 Block LAUREL STREET    TRESPASS-POSTED PROPERTY

Other    2011-01-26    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Theft    2011-01-26    600 Block SECOND STREET    THEFT: LESS $500VALUE

Traffic    2011-01-26    RT 13 NORTH BOUND    DRIVER FAIL TO STOP AT STEADY CIRCULAR RED SIGNAL...

Other    2011-01-27    300 Block SECOND STREET    WARRANT

Theft from Vehicle    2011-01-27    1300 Block SNOW HILL LANE    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Traffic    2011-01-27    100 Block AMES PLAZA    FAILURE OF VEHICLE DRIVER TO STOP AFTER UNATTENDED (VEHICLE, PROPERTY) DAMAGE ACCIDENT...

Traffic    2011-01-27    900 Block MARKET STREET    FAILURE TO IMMEDIATELY RETURN AND REMAIN AT SCENE OF ACCIDENT INVOLVING BODILY INJURY...

Other    2011-01-27    300 Block SECOND STREET    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Other    2011-01-28    700 Block CLARKE AVENUE    BURGLARY/2ND DEGREE/GENERAL

Theft    2011-01-29    600 Block MARKET STREET    THEFT $100 - L/T 1,000

Other    2011-01-31    300 Block MARKET STREET    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Other    2011-01-31    2100 Block OLD SNOW HILL ROAD    ...DID WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY [DESTROY/INJURE/DEFACE/MOLEST]___________(DESCRIBE), THE [REAL/PERSONAL] PROPERTY OF _______(OWNER/LESSEE, ETC.), THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE HAVING A VALUE OF LESS THAN $500.00.

Theft    2011-01-31    500 Block LINDEN AVENUE    THEFT LESS THAN $100

SURF DOG RICOCHET & SPARKLES THE FIRE SAFETY DOG RAISE $5074 FOR TARGET, THE HERO DOG EUTHANIZED AFTER SAVING LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN

SAN DIEGO, CA, January 31, 2011… More than $5000 has been raised for Target's Bunker in a fundraiser that came out of USA Today's Most Heroic dog of 2010.  Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog, and Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog were among the five nominees, along with Target, the Afghanistan dog who saved many soldiers lives, only to lose hers to an erroneous euthanization.  Ricochet & Sparkles turned their votes into voices for Target, and began raising funds and awareness for her.

 On January 7th, Ricochet and Sparkles asked their supporters to turn their votes into voices during USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010. In addition, they started a fundraiser through Puppy Prodigies/Surf Dog Ricochet, a non profit 501(c)3 organization to help Target's Bunker, founded by Target's family.  Donations came in from all over the country. Thanks to their generous donors, $5074 has been raised during this month long fundraiser.

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, 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.

As this fundraiser comes to a close, a check for $5074 will be presented to SGT Terry Young in the name of Target's Bunker.  But, Ricochet has started a new fundraiser, "Tidal Wave for Target's Bunker" with the hopes of raising additional funds.  Since Target's Bunker is in it's infancy stages of development, donations will continue to be accepted through Puppy Prodigies/Surf Dog Ricochet.  Tax deductible donations can be made on behalf of Target's Bunker at http://www.SurfDogRicochet.com/Target.

Ricochet and Sparkles believe thousands and thousands of dollars can be raised for their hero, Target, and ask folks around the world to join their quest by making a donation, and/or help raise awareness by getting the word out about the new "Tidal Wave for Target's Bunker" fundraiser... which will ultimately save lives.

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

MARVA Theater 1950's [Guess Who] (BTTT)

These pictures were sent in by a reader.

From what I understand they were taken during a play performed at the MARVA in and around the mid 1950's

The reader request is that they would like to see if anyone can guess who the two young performers pictured are?

Do you know this cute couple?

Two Local Police Officers Arrested For DUI

Officer Acquitted on DUI Charge
Exmore Police Officer Raymond Justice, III was found not guilty for Driving Under the Influence and Failure to Maintain Control of a Vehicle at his court hearing on January 26th. The charge of Refusal to Submit to Sobriety Testing was dimissed on a technicality. The incident occured on October 30, 2010.

Upon learning of the charges against Justice, the Town of Exmore put him on administrative leave and he was later suspended without pay or benefits.

The Town has decided to continue the suspension until the Exmore Police Department conducts its own internal investigation.


Local Officer Involved in Accident and Charged with DUI
According to a Criminal Complaint filed in the General District Court in Accomac, Onley Town Police Officer Mark Whitney has been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated after involvement in a two car accident on January 27th. Officer Whitney was arrested and released.

Since that time Officer Whitney has resigned.

www.shoredailynews.com