Coordinator Hired To Promote Pocomoke

Alot of Pocomoke citizens are looking forward to seeing what ideas Ms. Manos has for promoting Pocomoke!

Written by

Jennifer Shutt

POCOMOKE CITY -- During a recent municipal election, the question of how to revitalize downtown and attract new investment was a hot-button issue.

Now, for the fiscal year that started July 1, Pocomoke City has hired a downtown coordinator who will work part-time to promote what the city has to offer and hopefully attract new merchants.

Angela Manos, a government and public relations specialist with 20 years of experience, will work with downtown businesses, nonprofit organizations and property owners to enhance Pocomoke City, the city government announced.

"Her experience and interest make Angela a great fit for the private-public partnership Pocomoke City has been building upon," City Manager Russell W. Blake said.

Manos will work in a part-time capacity during the next year making $15 an hour, according to Blake.

Before coming to Pocomoke, Manos worked in the Transportation Security Administration following the Sept. 11 attacks. She worked as codirector of development for the agency's first public education campaign for federalization of the nation's airports.

Manos has also worked for the Department of Homeland Security and for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"In my previous experience I worked a lot with government relations and public relations," Manos said. "Now I'm promoting the Eastern Shore and Pocomoke City. It's a different subject matter, but still falls within my experience."

Manos has already expanded the Farmers and Flea Market to Fridays and Saturdays, instead of only Fridays. She said the growing number of people attending, as well as vendors and buyers voicing support for a two-day market, fostered the expansion.

During the next year, Manos plans to promote a family atmosphere within the community by creating and enhancing several events. She also hopes the opening of a restaurant next to the Delmarva Discovery Center, built on spec by the town government, can bring and keep people downtown.

"(The new restaurant) is going to be a major thing," said Mayor Bruce Morrison. "But in order for the restaurant to succeed we have to have other events and businesses downtown to attract people."

Although an opening date has not been set, Manos said she hopes the restaurant will be able to serve a variety of cuisine at varying prices.

"We do want to make it affordable to people in the area, while still offering nice cuisine," said Manos. "We are hoping to draw in some of the boaters, who can tie up and come in to get a sandwich during the day."

Manos is not the first downtown coordinator to work in Pocomoke. The position existed until three years ago, when it was eliminated by then-mayor Michael McDermott and the council at the time.

"We didn't have the money to put someone in that position until now," Morrison said . "We thought it was very important to add this position."

The job is expected to remain part-time for the foreseeable future. Morrison said if budgets allow it, he would like to eventually make the position full-time.

"We are going to wait it out and see how things go," Morrison said.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110708/NEWS01/107080307/Pocomoke-hires-downtown-booster

Federal Authorities Seek email Accounts in Missing-teen Investigation

By Justin Fenton

Baltimore Sun

Authorities searching for the killer of North Carolina teen Phylicia Barnes obtained search warrants for email and Facebook accounts belonging to her and at least three other people, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court.

The documents, filed by an FBI special agent assigned to the state's child exploitation task force, say authorities are seeking access to the accounts as part of a child pornography investigation and sexual exploitation of a minor, though the affidavits that spell out that angle remain sealed and agencies involved in the case refused to comment.

Legal experts say the move does not necessarily mean that the case has a sex crime element, but that evidence of sexually explicit material discovered during the investigation is being used as an entry into computer accounts that could provide new insight into her death. Barnes was 16 years old at the time of her disappearance.

"They're likely using that to hammer some people on the [the potential of sexually explicit material] and will use that to hammer back and find out how she died," said Harold Copus, a retired FBI agent who is not involved in the case.

The warrants seek access to two Yahoo email accounts and one AOL email account that include Barnes' first name, along with her Facebook page, records show. The court filings show for the first time some of the secretive tactics being employed by investigators, who have been tight-lipped about the case and publicly have said they have few leads.

In the May 10 federal court filing, unsealed on June 30, FBI Special Agent Jacqueline Dougher, who works from the Baltimore field office with the state's child exploitation task force, also requested access to three other Facebook pages and four other email accounts that appear to be associated with Baltimore men. At least one is linked to a man with the same name as a man previously interviewed by police.

Police have interviewed and reinterviewed those who were among the last to see Barnes alive, and the targets of the search warrant indicate that police are not through with those people. Their identities could not be confirmed, however, and emails sent by The Baltimore Sun to the accounts listed in the search warrant were not returned.

The documents say that authorities "have reason to believe that" within the accounts there is evidence related to a violation of "sexual exploitation of children" and "distribution and possession of child pornography."


The U.S. attorney's office for Maryland, the FBI, and state and city police declined to comment.

"It would be inappropriate at this point to discuss the criminal investigation or do anything that could jeopardize the case down the road," said Greg Shipley, a state police spokesman.

Russell Barnes, the girl's father, said authorities contacted him Wednesday night to inform him that the documents had been made public. But he said officials did not offer any insight into how child pornography relates to the case.

"They said some people weren't being truthful, and they had to go get some search warrants," he said.

"They've got it wide open to see what happened."

Barnes, who was from Monroe, N.C., went missing in late December while visiting her older sisters in Northwest Baltimore.

She planned to go to college here after graduating early from high school, where she was an honors student and ran track. Authorities said she vanished without a trace, until her nude body was found floating in the Susquehanna River in April.

Maryland State Police and city police are jointly investigating, and the FBI has provided assistance since the early stages. Authorities have not disclosed how she died.

Authorities must have probable cause to obtain the search warrants based on the sexual exploitation and child pornography statutes.


"It's ordinary practice for law enforcement to get search warrants on everybody and anybody who's related to it to see if there's other evidence of other crimes," said Andrew Alperstein, a Baltimore defense attorney who is not involved in the case. But, he said, "a tip is not enough for a judge to issue a search warrant — there has to be reliability to it and probable cause that a crime occurred."

"This is a very high-profile case, and I'm sure law enforcement is using every tool available to them," Alperstein said.

Copus, the retired FBI agent, believes the new search warrants, along with the fact that Barnes' body was found nude, suggests that there is a sex crime element to her death.

"Her being nude will tie back to that eventually," Copus said.

But for now, he said, investigators are casting a "wide net."

"They've got three or four names there that may have communicated with that girl, and they're casting a wide net, trying to find out if they have something else," Copus said.

Source;  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-barnes-investigation-20110707,0,3996374.story

Historic Palace Theatre In Cape Charles

Admission is free however,  a donation is requested that will benefit Arts Enter Cape Charles and the Cape Charles Memorial Library.

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Worcester County Sheriff’s office

and The Maryland State Police

target criminal activity in Pocomoke City

     On June 28, 2011, members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, the Patrol Division, and the Canine Division, along with the Maryland State Police, conducted a saturation patrol initiative in Pocomoke City, Maryland. During this initiative a total of 6.5 grams of cocaine and 9.7 grams of marijuana were seized. The following individuals were arrested and charged with the following offenses:

Gerry M. Laws, Age 25, of  Pocomoke, Maryland

On View Arrest:

4^th Degree Burglary

Trespassing

Gil Milbourne, Age 53, of Girdletree, Maryland

On View Arrest:

Possession of Cocaine

Possession of Marijuana

Possession with intent to Distribute Cocaine

Antrea Doggett, Age 36, Pocomoke, Maryland

On View Arrest:

Disorderly Conduct

Fail to obey a lawful order

George Handy, Age 33, Pocomoke, Maryland

Arrest Warrant:

Possession of Marijuana

Possession with the intent to Distribute Marijuana

Raymond Holiday, Age 40, Pocomoke, Maryland

Bench Warrant:

Fail to pay deferred payment

Charles McBride, Age 34, Pocomoke, Maryland

Bench Warrant:

Violation of Probation

Wysheka Trader, Age 22, Withams, Virginia

Body Attachment:

Non-Support

Donald Dorsey, Age 29, Pocomoke, Maryland

Parole Retake Warrant:

Violation of Parole

SOURCE: SBYNews

Brothers, 3 and 4, Found Dead in Car in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. –  The dead bodies of 3- and 4-year-old Wisconsin brothers were found in a parked car early Wednesday morning and the boyfriend of the children's mother was arrested, Madison police said.

The children's names have not been released and a cause of death has not been determined pending autopsies, said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. He said investigators are treating the case as a double homicide and the boyfriend is their primary suspect.

Police said the boys' 22-year-old mother arrived at police headquarters Tuesday afternoon and reported she had an altercation involving a knife a day earlier with her 28-year-old boyfriend at their apartment. Police didn't offer any further details.

The Associated Press is not identifying the boyfriend because he has not yet been formally charged. Police have not named the mother.

Several hours later, the woman returned to the couple's apartment and contacted the boys' biological father. The father told the woman that her boyfriend had picked the children up from his apartment. The boyfriend told him he was going to take the boys to meet with the mother's family and go shopping for shoes.

About 45 minutes later, the mother called police again and reported the children were missing and they were with her boyfriend. Police checked various addresses and tracked the boyfriend's movements through his cell phone, Police Capt. Joe Balles said.

Around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, the boyfriend called police and told them he was in a vehicle with a woman who had convinced him to turn himself in.

A few minutes later he pulled into a police station parking lot and was arrested on a parole violation stemming from the alleged domestic dispute, Balles said. He didn't offer any details about the other woman.

The children weren't in the car and the search for them continued. Balles declined to comment on what, if anything, the man told officers after he was arrested.

Shortly before 3 a.m., an officer discovered a gray Volvo that police believed the boyfriend had been driving earlier in the day parked in front of a medical testing lab on Madison's east side. The officer discovered the children's bodies in the car.

Balles said the lab apparently has no connection to the case and he didn't know who owned the Volvo.

Chief Noble Wray said surveillance cameras in the parking lot show the vehicle was parked there around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Online court records show the boyfriend has a lengthy criminal record.

He was convicted of felony battery by a prisoner in 2002, fleeing an officer and disorderly conduct in 2003, 2nd-degree recklessly endangering safety in 2004 and false imprisonment in 2006. In that case, he accused his girlfriend of cheating on him and held her in her basement with a pellet gun.

Read more: HERE

 

VIA: FOXNEWS.com

Texas executes Mexican after court stay rejected; Gotta Love Texas

The Obama administration wanted to keep this creep alive

 HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Texas executed a Mexican citizen Thursday for the rape-slaying of a teenager after he and the White House pleaded in vain for a Supreme Court stay, saying he was denied help from his home country that could have helped him avoid the death penalty.


In his last minutes, Humberto Leal repeatedly said he was sorry and accepted responsibility.


"I have hurt a lot of people. ... I take full blame for everything. I am sorry for what I did," he said in the death chamber.
"One more thing," he said as the drugs began taking effect. Then he shouted twice, "Viva Mexico!"


"Ready warden," he said. "Let's get this show on the road."
He grunted, snored several times and appeared to go to sleep, then stopped all breathing movement. The 38-year-old mechanic was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m., 10 minutes after the lethal drugs began flowing into his arms.


After his execution, relatives of Leal who had gathered in Guadalupe, Mexico, burned a T-shirt with an image of the American flag in protest. Leal's uncle Alberto Rodriguez criticized the U.S. justice system and the Mexican government and said, "There is a God who makes us all pay."


Leal was sentenced to death for the 1994 murder of 16-year-old Adria Sauceda, whose brutalized nude body was found hours after he left a San Antonio street party with her. She was bludgeoned with a piece of 30- to 40-pound chunk of asphalt.


Leal was just a toddler when he and his family moved to the U.S. from Monterrey, Mexico, but his citizenship became a key element of his attorneys' efforts to win a stay. They said police never told him following his arrest that he could seek legal assistance from the Mexican government under an international treaty.


Mexico, the Obama administration and others had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay Leal's execution so Congress could consider a law that would require court reviews in cases where condemned foreign nationals did not receive help from their consulates. They said the case could affect not only foreigners in the U.S. but Americans detained in other countries.


The court rejected the request 5-4. Its five more conservative justices doubted that executing Leal would cause grave international consequences, and doubted "that it is ever appropriate to stay a lower court judgment in light of unenacted legislation."


"Our task is to rule on what the law is, not what it might eventually be," the majority said.
The court's four liberal-leaning justices said they would have granted the stay.


Leal's attorney Sandra L. Babcock said that with consular help her client could have shown that he was not guilty. But she added, "This case was not just about one Mexican national on death row in Texas. The execution of Mr. Leal violates the United States' treaty commitments, threatens the nation's foreign policy interests, and undermines the safety of all Americans abroad."


Prosecutors, however, said Congress was unlikely to pass the legislation sought and that Leal's appeals were simply an attempt to evade justice for a gruesome murder.


Mexico's foreign ministry said in a statement that the government condemned Leal's execution and sent a note of protest to the U.S. State Department. The ministry also said Mexican ambassador Arturo Sarukhan attempted to contact Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who refused to speak on the phone.
The governor's office declined to comment on the execution Thursday.


Leal's argument that he should have received consular legal aid that could have helped his case was not new. Texas, the nation's most active death penalty state, has executed other condemned foreign nationals who raised similar challenges, most recently in 2008.


Leal's appeals, however, focused on legislation introduced last month in the U.S. Senate by Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy. Leahy's measure would bring the U.S. into compliance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations provision regarding the arrests of foreign nationals, and ensure court reviews for condemned foreigners to determine if a lack of consular help made a significant difference in the outcome of their cases.


"Americans detained overseas rely on their access to U.S. consulates every day," Leahy said after the Supreme Court decision was announced. "If we expect other countries to abide by the treaties they join, the United States must also honor its obligations."


The Obama administration took the unusual step of intervening in a state murder case last week when Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. joined Leal's appeal, asking the high court to halt the execution and give Congress at least six months to consider Leahy's bill.


The Mexican government and other diplomats also contended that the execution should be delayed so Leal's case could be thoroughly reviewed. Some also warned his execution would violate the treaty provision and could endanger Americans in countries that deny them consular help.


Measures similar to Leahy's have failed at least twice in recent congressional sessions. The Texas Attorney General's office, opposing the appeals, pointed to those failures in its Supreme Court arguments and said "legislative relief was not likely to be forthcoming."


Stephen Hoffman, an assistant attorney general, also said evidence pointing to Leal's guilt is strong.
"At this point, it is clear that Leal is attempting to avoid execution by overwhelming the state and the courts with as many meritless lawsuits and motions as humanly possible," Hoffman said.


Prosecutors said Sauceda was drunk and high on cocaine the night she was killed, and that Leal offered to take her home. Witnesses said Leal drove off with her around 5 a.m. Some partygoers found her brutalized nude body later that morning and called police.


There was evidence Sauceda had been bitten, strangled and raped. A large stick that had a screw protruding from it was left in her body.


A witness testified that Leal's brother appeared at the party, agitated that Leal had arrived home bloody and saying he had killed a girl.


In his first statement to police, Leal said Sauceda bolted from his car and ran off. After he was told his brother had given detectives a statement, he changed his story, saying Sauceda attacked him and fell to the ground after he fought back. He said when he couldn't wake her and saw bubbles in her nose, he got scared and went home.


Testifying during his trial's punishment phase, Leal acknowledged being intoxicated and doing wrong but said he wasn't responsible for what prosecutors alleged. A psychiatrist testified Leal suffered from alcohol dependence and pathological intoxication.


Sauceda's mother, Rachel Terry, told San Antonio television station KSAT her family already had suffered too long.


"A technicality doesn't give anyone a right to come to this country and rape, torture and murder anyone," she said.


In 2005, President George W. Bush agreed with an International Court of Justice ruling that Leal and 50 other Mexican-born inmates nationwide should be entitled to new hearings in U.S. courts to determine if their consular rights were violated. The Supreme Court later overruled Bush.

Read more: HERE

VIA: Chron.com

Breaking News Developing; Gunman Shoots Seven People Including At-least One Child

DEVELOPING: Michigan police say the suspect who they believe was involved in a brazen, mid-day shooting that left seven people dead, including a child, is currently barricaded in an apartment with two hostages.

Rodrick Shonte Dantzler, 34, called police and said he took hostages after he reportedly gunned down seven people in two Grand Rapids locations. Police consider Dantzler armed and dangerous.

Rodrick Shonte Dantzler, 34, called police and said he took hostages after he reportedly gunned down seven people in two Grand Rapids locations. Police consider Dantzler armed and dangerous.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk said officers were communicating with Dantzler, who is holding a man and a woman as hostage. Neither have been injured.

The highway chase ended when Dantzler crashed his vehicle in a ditch and fled on foot while he was pursued by Special Response Team members, the Grand Rapids Press reports.

A police SWAT team truck headed toward what appears to be the location where the suspect is believed to be hiding.

Earlier Thursday, police believe Dantzler entered an apartment by kicking down the back door, the Grand Rapids Press reports. 

Police found bodies Thursday afternoon at two separate but nearby locations. The victims were described as five women, a man and a small child. They were found at two separate locations, reported the station.

Sandra Powney lives across the street from one of the homes where the shootings happened and said she had seen Dantzler at the ranch house where she said a couple, who have been there for more than 20 years, lived along with their two adult daughters.

"I've seen him there. He would come periodically," she said.

Powney said she had been at home all day and didn't realize anyone had been killed until police converged on the cul-de-sac about 3 p.m.

"For a while we couldn't come outside," she said. "They didn't know if there was someone still inside the house."

A friend of a victim told the Grand Rapids Press that the shootings likely stemmed from domestic issues.

Dantzler has previous felonies that include felony burglary, felony damage to property in 1997, and felony assault with intent to do great bodily harm in 2000.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read more plus a video: HERE< SOURCE: FOXNEWS.com

~Save This Date!!~

THIRD SATURDAY OF RACING

DON'T MISS IT!

ALL EVENTS HELD IN ONE DAY!

DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND.......

Registration at 3:00 PM

~SEE YOU THERE~

Casey Anthony: Deputies With Gas Masks Seen at Courthouse Before Sentencing

Public outrage has been building since Anthony was acquitted Tuesday of first-degree murder and other serious charges in connection with her daughter's death in 2008.

At least two deputies have arrived at the Orange County Courthouse with gas masks in anticipation of a strong reaction following this morning's sentencing of Casey Anthony.


Other officers are patrolling on horses.


Public outrage has been building since Anthony was acquitted Tuesday of first-degree murder and other serious charges in connection with her daughter's death in 2008.

Calls to the Orange County Sheriff's Office about its preparations have not been immediately returned.


About 50 people have gathered peacefully outside the courthouse this morning for today's milestone moment.
Anthony, 25, could become a free woman today.

Chief Judge Belvin Perry will decide at a 9 a.m. hearing how much jail time — if any — Anthony will serve for her recent conviction of four counts of lying to law-enforcement.


Each count carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. If she is sentenced to time-served for the 997 days she's spent in jail, she could be released from jail today.


If Perry sentences Anthony, 25, to time-served, it's unclear when she would be released from the jail, or how that release would unfold.


"Due to the high profile nature of this case and intense, emotional interest by the public, appropriate measures will be taken to release the individual into the community in such a manner so as to preserve the safety of the individual and the public," said jail spokesman Allen Moore.


This kind of release would likely be similar to the 2002 jail release of Noelle Bush, the daughter of then-Gov. Jeb Bush.


Noelle Bush had a secure transfer back to the Center for Drug-Free Living for treatment. The precautionary measure was taken because her uncle was president at the time, and the nation had begun its war on terrorism, Moore said.


A 12-member jury convicted Anthony of the four charges Tuesday. The panel found her not guilty of first-degree murder, not guilty of aggravated child abuse and not guilty of aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Source; http://www.wtkr.com/news/nationworld/os-casey-anthony-sentencing-hearing-20110707,0,1070488.story

2nd Friday Night Out In Onancock, Virginia

It's time for a Friday Night out for Onancock's monthly art stroll with shopping, dining, wine-tastings, art, kayaking and more!

 Our shops, galleries, and restaurants appreciate your continued support! Sponsored by Onancock Business & Civic Association, http://www.onancock.org/ ~ Make a weekend of it and visit Chincoteague's Second Saturday Art Stroll July 9 (www.chincoteagueculturalal​liance.org)

Friday  July 8, 2011

5:00 PM  -  8:00 PM

At the Wharf

Mallards at the Wharf – Menti...on “Second Friday” and get ½ off Johnny Mo’s famous mussels.

SouthEast Expeditions at the Wharf – $10 kayak rentals, Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) demo and Kids Camp registration. 757-354-4FUN.

At Historic Onancock School – 6 College Avenue
Visit the many artists in their galleries at the Historic Onancock School.

Gailearai Ealaine – Room 115A – Open 3– 8 p.m. Enter the “creative ways” to use recycled material contest. Winner of a Roseland Theatre ticket announced in September. Refreshments served. 665-4507.

Art in Life Gallery - Room 109 – New works by Rita Whittaker, Maria Gayhart, Dan Bowen, Doug Small and Rose Jeffers. Bidding starts on “Serene Sail” and a free art lesson. 665-1480 theartinlife.com
On North Street and King Street

North Street Market – 5 North St. – 4-6 p.m. Wine tasting of four great wines, reasonably priced. Cheese and snacks served.

The Blarney Stone Pub – 10 North St. – The Americana Lovebirds will keep your toes tapping with the music of several generations. Try the rack of lamb or the Irish filet steak.

Janet’s Café – 49 King St. – will offer light, fresh and healthy dinners during Second Friday: salads, pasta, desserts and coffee. Ice Cream season is here! 787-9495

gardenART on King St. – 44 King St. – Holly Grove Vineyard revisits the garden for a refreshing Summer Wine Tasting and Tim Trout returns with “Sea Brass” jewelry and copper marine art. 787-8818

Richardson Gallery – 24 King St. – “Onancock Scenes” by various artists, including Jack himself and Dan Lawrence, showcasing the town in all its aspects. Reception for the artists with light refreshments.

On Market Street
Inn & Garden Café – 145 Market St. – Attitude Adjustment Hour 5–8 p.m. Reservations: 787-8850

Dawn – 63 Market St. – Will be open in all her glory until 7 p.m.

Great Space ETC – 61 Market St. – Have a cold beverage and see and sit in our new furniture. New fabrics, home scents, lamps, tabletop and gifts. Great square candles too!

Eastern Shore Art League Gallery – 59 Market St. – The summer themes continue with “Shore Fun.” Light refreshments served.

Red Queen Gallery – 57 Market St. – Baltimore painter Melanie Heacock, Karen Tweedie’s new jewelry designs based on lemonade, and Christine Sanders’ “fusion art.” Light refreshments served.

Crockett Gallery – 39 Market St. - Come see Willie Crockett’s new creations and get 20% off this evening! Willie is a Tangier native and an Onancock treasure.

Purls – a yarn shop – 27 Market St. – Stop in and knit with “green” yarns of corn, milk and soy.

Edward Jones – 25 Market St. – Challenge Mary McKenna and try your luck for a hole in one on the corn hole board. You may even win a prize! Refreshments will be served.

Market Street Antiques – 20 Market St. – The store is loaded with a variety of treasures. Make sure to stop by and take a peak! Refreshments served.

Reminder:  Onancock is pet friendly!  Look for the sticker in the window........

"Between Fences" Exhibit Comes To Snow Hill Library

SNOW HILL -- The Julia A. Purnell Museum and the Snow Hill community, in cooperation with the Maryland Humanities Council, will begin its exploration of the cultural history of fences and land use when it hosts the local showing of "Between Fences," a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition.

"Between Fences" will be on view at the Snow Hill library from July 1 through Aug. 20.

Through a selection of artifacts, photographs and illustrations, "Between Fences" examines the multiple meanings behind this everyday icon.

Between Fences will be in Snow Hill from July 1 to August 21.

The open hours of the exhibition are as follows: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm. Wednesdays: 12-7pm, except on Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, 3-7pm. Fridays: 10am-5pm, except July 1 (4-8pm) and Aug. 5 (1-8pm) Saturdays: 9am-1pm, except Aug. 6 and Aug. 13 (9am-4pm)

It is free to the public.

Guilty Plea For Breaking Into Soda-Vending Machines

Written by

Nancy Drury Duncan

EASTVILLE -- A man who was part of a national criminal ring that breaks into beverage-vending machines and takes the money has pleaded guilty in Northampton Circuit Court.

James Tyson, 57, of Severna Park, Md., was convicted of grand larceny and will be sentenced after guidelines are prepared.

Calling it "one of the most interesting crimes in a long time," Commonwealth's Attorney Bruce Jones told the court about the events that led to Tyson's arrest.

He and another man went into the visitor's center at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, where there are a lot of vending machines, Jones said.

One of the men moved the surveillance camera and the other began to take paper money from the machines using lock-picking tools, he said.

The amount taken was estimated to be between $800 and $1,000.

The machines were stocked by the Coca-Cola Co. Jones said he was told the company has a person who only job is to investigate this kind of crime, which he said costs Coca Cola billions of dollars annually.

Jones told the court that Tyson was part of a larger ring of thieves across the country who do this.

Jones said he was told that an expert can made between $100,000 to $200,000 annually and has resulted in the repositioning of public drink machines.

She asked that he be sentenced, but the court waited to get information on the sentencing guidelines for the crime.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110702/ESN01/107020306/Guilty-plea-comes-in-soda-machine-thefts?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Eastern Shore News|s

Last Space Shuttle To Launch On Friday - Weather A Factor

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s last space shuttle launch this week may have to contend with lousy weather.

There’s a 60 percent chance that rain or thunderstorms will delay Friday’s planned liftoff of Atlantis, Kathy Winters, the shuttle weather officer, said Tuesday. The weather improves with each passing day, as the launch time gets slightly earlier.

Friday’s launch time is 11:26 a.m.

The countdown clocks were set to start ticking Tuesday afternoon. The four astronauts assigned to the 12-day flight arrived at Kennedy Space Center on Monday.

Atlantis will make one final supply run to the International Space Station before retiring. As many as a million spectators are expected to jam the Cape Canaveral area for the historic send-off.

Jeremy Graeber, NASA test director, said the launch team is doing its best to put off any emotions associated with the end of the 30-year shuttle era, until Atlantis flies.

“The team gets into the mode of this-is-launch-countdown, and that’s really the focus that everybody has,” Mr. Graeber told journalists. “The rest of the emotion that really comes with the end of the space shuttle program, I think, will really kind of roll in as launch is completed.”



Astronaut Chris Ferguson (left), commander of the last space shuttle mission, looks on as his fellow crew members, (from left) pilot Doug Hurley and mission specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, wave American flags after arriving at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Monday, July 4, 2011. The space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to lift off Friday morning on a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Chris



Mr. Graeber, for one, can’t wait to take his seat in Launch Control. “It’s a really cool job … and [getting] to do it one more time is a great feeling,” he said.

Atlantis is loaded with thousands of pounds of food, clothes, experiments and other supplies for the orbiting complex. NASA wants to stockpile a year’s worth of provisions in case commercially sponsored cargo ships get delayed. The first such launch is targeted for later this year.

NASA is under orders to get out of the Earth-to-orbit business and focus instead on trips to true outer space: an asteroid and Mars.

This will be the 135th flight for the shuttle program and the 33rd for Atlantis, the last shuttle to be retired. Discovery was first in March, followed by Endeavour at the beginning of June. Each shuttle will head to a museum.

NASA said it must launch Atlantis by Sunday — choosing the best two out of three days — otherwise it will have to wait until at least July 16. That’s due to an unmanned rocket scheduled to lift off next week.

If the crowds are as huge as anticipated, NASA said, it will try Friday and then probably wait until Sunday to give launch controllers enough time to deal with the heavy traffic and get some rest.

Source;  http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/5/storms-may-wash-out-last-space-shuttle-launch/

Northampton Sheriff Offers Summer Security Tips

Written by

Sheriff David Doughty

On behalf of all of us at the Northampton County Sheriff's Office, I hope you and your family are excited to jump-start your summer plans in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Here are some safety tips to help keep your family safe during these busy summer months.

If you're traveling out of town, as so many of Northampton County families are planning to do this summer, keep your travel plans private -- don't "broadcast" when you are traveling away from home, when you are home alone or where your children are if they aren't with you.

Sadly, Facebook and other social media outlets are providing would-be criminals with a wealth of information and knowledge that they can use to commit crimes against people in our community.

Just as important, now that school is out, know who your children are with and the parents of their friends.

We all can do our part to reduce crimes of opportunity by keeping your garage doors closed and locked, back doors and windows locked, and cars locked. Remember to keep your valuables out of plain sight.

As always, it is my privilege to serve as your sheriff and I urge you to contact my office if you have any concerns about crime-prevention efforts in your community.

Make no mistake, my fellow law enforcement officers and I will continue to strive to do everything in our power to serve and protect the citizens of Northampton County.

And please, I hope you'll continue to be an important partner in our efforts to keep Northampton County secure by reporting crimes and suspicious activity when you see them so that we can do our very best to keep our county a safe place to work, play, live and raise our families.

I deeply appreciate your continued support.

The writer is sheriff of Northampton County. Reach him at 757-678-0458.

Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110706/ESN02/107060367/Sheriff-offers-summer-security-tips?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Eastern Shore News|s

Third Attempt To Launch Rocket Today

NASA decided to scrub Wednesday's rocket launch from its Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore.

The launch attempt was for two NASA sounding rockets carrying experiments to study the ionosphere, according to Keith Koehler with the NASA Office of Communications.


The next launch attempt will be Thursday, July 7 with a launch window from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m.


The facility will not attempt a launch on the Space Shuttle launch day which is currently scheduled for Friday, July 8.


Koehler said the Wallops tracking systems will be supporting the shuttle launch.

The webcast for the July 7 launch attempt at Wallops will begin at 8:30 a.m. and can be followed at

 http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast

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

Newspaper Price To Increase?

It was brought to my attention this afternoon that very shortly the Daily Times and Eastern Shore News will increase in price. 

Daily Times will increase to $1.00 per daily paper.  No word on the cost for Sunday paper.

The Eastern Shore News  will increase to $.75 per paper.

Has anyone else heard this?

Worcester Co. Sheriff's Office Searching for 2 Sex Offenders





Delmar James Cubbage

WBOC

By Kyle Parsons



SNOW HILL, Md.- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday it has arrest warrants on file for two men wanted for violating Maryland's sex offender laws.

Police are seeking 20-year-old Delmar James Cubbage of Bishopville. He is wanted for failing to re-register as a sex offender within three days of moving to a new location.

Edward Lee Robbins  Jr.

Police are also seeking 28-year-old Edward Lee Robbins Jr. of Ocean City. He is wanted for failing to re-register as a sex offender within three days of moving to a new location.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these two men is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (410) 632-1111. Tipsters may also call Maryland Crime Solvers at (410) 548-1776.

Source; http://www.wboc.com/story/15034412/worcester-co-sheriffs-office-searching-for-2-sex-offenders?clienttype=printable

Local Man Andy Linton Accepts Award For Service Dept. At Midway

Midway Service Earns Honor For Perfect Customer Satisfaction Rating

The Service Department at Midway in Pocomoke was recently honored for receiving a 100% Customer Satisfaction Index in the first quarter of 2011.

The perfect "CSI" rating reflected the responses of "completely satisfied" from Midway's service customers in several areas of customer satisfaction, including the quality of the work performed as well as the timeliness in which it was completed.

Dan Beck, Regional Facilitator from General Motors, spoke in lofty terms when describing the feat: "Congratulations to Midway! To achieve a perfect customer satisfaction score for three months running is an amazing accomplishment - unprecedented in this area, and perhaps the entire country."



Photo: Midway Service Manager Andy Linton (L) accepts award from GM Regional Facilitator Dan Beck (R). They are joined by the Midway Service Department staff.



For his part, Midway's Service Manager Andy Linton relayed how proud he is of each member of his department: "From our service advisors to our technicians, from the Parts Department to the detail and clean-up crew, every satisfied customer is the result of a total team effort. I am very excited to accept this for everyone who has worked so hard to achieve what this award represents."

Source;  shoredailynews.com

Record Numbers In Ocean City For July 4th

If you visited Ocean City over the Fourth of July weekend, you probably felt a bit of a crush. Tourism officials in the resort city estimate the crowds were among the largest for the holiday in nearly 20 years.

The population swelled to some 330,688 on Saturday and Sunday, according to Ocean City estimates. That compares with 318,368 in 2010 - an increase of nearly 5 percent.

The numbers were the highest since 2003, when the town recorded 342,952 for the first weekend in July, and ranks in the Top 5 Fourth of July weekends since 1992.

Officials said estimates for July 4, the holiday itself, put the population at 354,106 - the highest single day estimate on record for that date.

So if your square of sand seemed smaller than usual, it probably was.

Source;  http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/oc-blog/bal-ocean-city-md-july-4-crowds-20110705,0,6908.story