Pocomoke City Mayor & Council Meeting Tonight

AGENDA

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 P.M., MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

CITY HALL

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

2.                  Review and approval of minutes from meeting of August 8, 2011.

3.                  Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.                  Introduction of new police officer, Lynell Green.

5.              Police Chief J. D. Ervin and CALEA Coordinator Shawna Gamino to present official certificate from CALEA renewing the Pocomoke Police Department’s status as a “Recognized CALEA Agency”.

6.                  Representatives of Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce to present plaques thanking several City Departments for their assistance during the 2011 Cypress Festival.

7.                  Authorize Mayor Morrison to appoint the Law Office of William C Hudson as the City’s legal advisor in accordance with Section C-66 of the City Charter.

8.                  City Manager and representatives from Becker Morgan Group to present summary of bids received for renovation to building at 1500 Market Street for new Police Department offices. (Bid opening 11:00 AM, 9/12/11).

9.                  City Manager to present memo recommending that certain delinquent business taxes be written off.

10.              Discuss letter from Landmark Insurance Company concerning Worker’s Comp. Insurance.

11.              Discuss vacancies on various Boards and Commissions.

Comments from the Audience

Mayor and Council items.

Adjourn.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

TIME MACHINE ... Clock Times Vary On Shore; Local Travel By Stage And Early Rail; Red Sox Players Help After Delmarva Train Wreck; CD's Coming?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week the TIME MACHINE recalls happenings of times past.

Today and everyday September 11, 2001 remains in our thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





August, 1947

While much of Maryland wasn't returning to Eastern Standard Time until September 29th, Pocomoke City had voted to return to "slow time" at midnight Monday, September 1st. Snow Hill and Berlin were expected to do the same based on an agreement by the mayors of the three towns to stick together on the time change. Salisbury was going to make the change early Tuesday, September 2nd so as to keep an extra hour for the Labor Day weekend, while Ocean City was expected to remain on Daylight Savings Time until September 29th.

Footnote: For many years the state of Virginia remained on Eastern Standard Time all year. In the 1960's when I was living in Pocomoke City and working in Virginia, I'd leave home at 6A.M. and arrive at work at 530A.M! However, when I left work for the 30-minute drive home the time in Pocomoke City would be an hour and a half later when I arrived back.


July, 1856

If you were living on the Eastern Shore in the mid 1850's and wanted to go to Philadelphia here's a connection route according to information in the July 4,1856 edition of the Delaware State Reporter in Dover: The Sea Steamer St. Nicholas leaves Lewes, Del., for Philadelphia every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 5AM. There's a stage route to Lewes from Cherry Stone, Va., via Drummondtown, Horntown, Snow Hill, Berlin, and Millsboro. There's also a stage route from Princess Anne via Salisbury, Laurel ,and Georgetown. For returning from Philadelphia, the steamer leaves the Arch Street Wharf on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7AM.


August, 1884

Opposition by property owners to the construction of The New York, Philadelphia, And Norfolk Railroad near Temperanceville came to a head after several cattle were stuck and killed by a construction engine. As reported by The New York Times: "...a gang of men went to work and tore up several lengths of track near Temperanceville. The next time the construction train came along it ran into the break and was hurled down a deep cut, and the fireman and engineer were so badly injured that their recovery is improbable. The excitement over the event is intense. No arrests were made."


November, 1884

A railroad route from Delmar, Md. to Cape Charles, Va., was put into service by The New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad. The line was to travel though Salisbury, Fruitland, Eden, Leretto, Princess Anne, King's Creek, Adelia, Pocomoke, New Church, Hallston, Matompkin, Accomac, Pungoteague, Belle Haven, Bird's Nest, and Eastville. At Cape Charles passengers were to be transferred to fast mail steamers and ferried over to Norfolk where rail connections to other locations could be made. A new steamer under construction would carry rail cars and was planned to be in service in March.


March, 1888

A Pocomoke City man, Mr. Lloyd Wilkinson, won a $72 law suit against the New York, Philadelphia Railroad for illness he attributed to riding in a rail car from Salisbury to Pocomoke without fire in the car. The case was heard in Pocomoke City by Justice Robinson.



TIME MACHINE Mailbox

Thanks to former Pocomoke resident M.W. of Columbia, Md. for contributing the following item this week:

The newest issue of the Keystone - the magazine of the Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Society - has an interesting article about another Eastern Shore train wreck. At about 3:15 in the morning on April 2, 1933, the Northbound Cavalier passenger express derailed in Wyoming Delaware - just south of Dover - killing the engineer and fireman, injuring numerous passengers, and destroying much of the Wyoming Ice and Cold Storage Plant. What makes the story interesting is that the Boston Red Sox baseball team occupied the back 3 Pullman cars of the train. They had played a spring training exhibition game in Norfolk, and were on their way north to Newark for another exhibition game. So they had boarded the train in Norfolk, which was then floated across the train car ferry to Cape Charles, and then North through Delmarva with brief layover in Delmar where the train changed crews. Article gives lots of details about the investigation and determination of cause of crash etc. The Red Sox team players were not injured, but got off the train and helped other passengers and received a lot of praise. The team trainer provided first aid until police and ambulance crews arrived. Just another interesting bit of shore history.



ACROSS THE USA

January, 1981

(The Daily Herold- Chicago)

(Excerpts)

Disc system to give ultimate in sound

Before this year ends, we finally will "hear" the end of the phonograph record as Thomas Edison invented it more than a century ago.

Digital technology could reach the American market place by next Christmas in the form of the first commercially available audio disc and playback system.

The developer of the new disc is Phillips, the Netherlands conglomerate that invented the compact tape cassette in the early 1960's. More than a year ago, Phillips unveiled the Compact Disc, a 4 1/2 inch record designed to be read by laser. Within the past year a prototype player for the disc has been developed through the joint efforts of Phillips and Sony Corp. of Japan.

The Compact Disc offers the best of both the cassette and LP record worlds plus sound quality the likes of which we have never heard in the home. It is also in a format small enough for use in automobiles, boats, and hand-carried portable players.

There is no stylus contacting a groove, so there is no wear, meaning the new discs will last indefinitely.

Word from last fall's Japan Audio Fair, where the Sony proto-type disc player was demonstrated, was that the price of the playback equipment can be kept in the $400 to $500 range.


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

"County Watch For Safer Communities " To Be Launched By Wo. Co. Sheriff's Department

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Sheriff’s Department and county employees are teaming up to keep a closer eye out for criminal activity and missing persons.

County Watch for Safer Communities (CWSC) is a collaborative effort between the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department, Board of Education, Public Works and State’s Attorney’s Office three years in the making. Beginning under former Sheriff Charles Martin and continued by current Sheriff Reggie Mason, CWSC is meant to be an umbrella program linking all departments involved together.

“It’s going to mean so much to law enforcement,” said Mason.

Under CWSC, county employees who often cruise the roads are asked to “observe and report” suspicious activity to their dispatchers, who will then contact the police. Mason explained that it will serve as an additional network of contacts beyond what officers in the field are capable of tracking. Between Public Works vehicles and school transportation units, the sheriff’s office estimates that the county might have 200 vehicles on the road on any given day.

“It’s more eyes out there,” Mason said. “It’s going to be a great safety feature for the county.”

The main focus of CWSC will be to quickly spread word throughout the county for missing people alerts. Amber alerts, which are issued for missing children, and Silver alerts, which are issued for missing, vulnerable adults, are the two most common. All information relating to the alerts, including descriptions of the missing person, information on any possible suspects and vehicles, will be broadcast to county employees. Those employees are then asked to keep an eye out, and to contact their dispatcher if they spot anything of notice.

However, Mason stressed that observation is all an employee should attempt to do if criminal activity is witnessed.

“They’re not to take action,” he said, “just to call.”

When Martin conceived the idea for what amounts to a professional, extended neighborhood watch for Worcester, the concept was well received, but ran into technical issues, according to Mason.

“It was something that never got completed,” he said.

However, Mason was unwilling to let the program drop, and together with partners throughout the county, took up where the past administration had left off.

“For the last eight months, I’ve pushed forward with it,” he said. “We’ve worked the issues out.”

Before joining CWSC, employees will be trained in recording broadcasts and reminded that they are neither required nor encouraged to place themselves “in harms’ way”.
Source; http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/09/09/Top-Stories/Worcester-To-Launch-New-Watch-Program

God Bless America.

This is the face of America's future.  It has no knowledge of what occurred on September 11th.  Nor does this face know the true meaning to the terror that we experienced ten years ago. 

Their lives are filled with days of make believe and the more simple things about life.  The arms that hold them close when they are frightened are the only protection they need right now ~ there should be no other "world" outside the one they exist in today.

And as they grow it is left to us to gradually teach them what terrorism is and  the significance of  September 11. 

As adults it is our duty to grow them into good strong adult American citizens so that if ever they should have to live in fear, as America did on this day, they may not be as afraid, and will take action to protect America and her people....once again.

~~~

"I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be
 reduced by it." Maya Angelou

TIME MACHINE Preview.. Shore Clock Times Vary; Local Stage And Early Rail; Pro Team Assists Train Wreck Passengers; CD's On The Way?

Daylight and Standard Time differences affect local areas.

1800's Eastern Shore travel routes by stage, and then rail.

Boston Red Sox players assist passengers following 1930's Delmarva train accident.

ACROSS THE USA.. Compact audio discs here by Christmas, 1981?

It's this Sunday on the Pocomoke Public Eye!


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Justin Hadel Is Sentenced

Christine Sheddy, mother of three small children, went missing November 2007.

In  February 2010, the remains of  Ms. Sheddy  were found in Snow Hill on the property of a bed and breakfast.

Justine Hadel, who was convicted of  murdering Christine Sheddy,  received his sentence Friday,
September 9, 2011 in Worcester County, Maryland.

Hadel was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Never.

And to use the words from the Worcester County State's Attorney Office:

"Today we remember that no matter how hard you try, no matter how far you run, no matter how many lies you tell – justice will find you in Worcester County. If Justin Hadel doesn’t remember that, then he has a lifetime in the Department of Corrections to think about it."

I think that just about sums it up.

Worcester County New Deputies Graduate Top Of The Class

Congratulations freshman deputies and the best of luck in the future.


Written By: Staff Writer, Travis Brown
SNOW HILL -- The latest batch of Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies wrapped up their time at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy (ESCJA) by taking all of the school’s top honors and graduating at the top of their class.

“We took every award,” said Sheriff Reggie Mason.

Freshmen deputies Shane Musgrave, Christopher Barrs and Mark Powell graduated from the Wor-Wic Community College-based academy on June 17. They graduated with the top three placements and between themselves, won the highest awards in their class for academics, physical fitness and firearms. The hat trick of awards is a first for outgoing Worcester Sheriff’s cadets and also marks the largest class of group to ever graduate at once.

“This is the first time we’ve ever put three in the academy,” said Mason.

Mason explained that watching all three of his deputies distinguish themselves to such a degree was “a shock.”

“You never expect that,” he said, stressing how impressive finishing in the top three spots amongst a class of almost a dozen highly qualified cadets was.

The commissioners, who got a chance to meet the deputies briefly Tuesday, were equally impressed.

“We couldn’t be prouder of you,” said Commission President Bud Church.

After graduation, the deputies went through a 60-day supervision period. However, as of Tuesday, the three will be running solo shifts as full-members of the sheriff’s office.

“Today, they’ll be on their own,” said Mason.

Following the success of the trio, Mason plans on utilizing the academy to train more deputies. While a standard practice among law enforcement agencies is to shuffle trained officers back and forth, Mason noted the importance of expanding the field of officers by graduating cadets from academies like the one offered at Wor-Wic.

“For many years, we’ve been involved in later transfers,” said Mason, referring to the practice of a veteran officer leaving one department for another.

Mason admitted that it saves money, since the officers are already trained. However, he revealed that it “hurts smaller departments” that might not be able to afford to entice new officers to join, or current officers to remain. On top of that, Mason explained that he wants to give young adults interested in law enforcement an opening to prove themselves.

“I want to give these kids a chance in the county,” he remarked. “I will give them that opportunity.”

Mason made sure to credit John Moses, associate director of the ESCJA, and the rest of the staff at the academy.

“Wor-Wic has been outstanding,” said Mason. “It’s a great working relationship.”

He pointed out that ESCJA is the only such academy on the Eastern Shore and without it cadets would need to be sent well out of the county to receive instruction, an inconvenient and expensive alternative.

The sheriff’s office has already enrolled another cadet into the program, said Mason. That deputy should graduate in December.
Source;  http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/09/09/Top-Stories/County-Gets-Three-New-Deputies#.Tmn6x5zNjvQ.email

~Photo Of The Day~



Photo by Marty D. Smith

 Does anyone know if a snake is fast enough to catch a hummingbird?

Panel Approves Hardwire Testing

SNOW HILL — Hardwire LLC received permission from a county zoning board to test its military-grade armor products by subjecting them to explosions on a patch of land close to Chincoteague Bay.

After an hours-long Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing Thursday night, the defense contractor got approval to use a 400-acre parcel off Langmaid Road for “the testing of military armament of vehicles."

Founded in 1999, Hardwire has secured multi-million government contracts to produce stronger-than-steel armor for bridges and vehicles.

Environmental advocacy group Assateague Coastal Trust opposed Hardwire’s efforts to use the site for detonations, saying it would go against the county’s comprehensive plan, and would set a poor precedent for uses of parcels zoned for “resource protection.”

Source;   http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110909/NEWS01/110909001/WORCESTER-Hardwire-can-conduct-tests-with-bombs-panel-says?odyssey=mod

Action At MELSON'S TRACTOR PULLING On Saturday

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

MELSON  POWER SHOW

Great way to spend your Saturday afternoon!
Bring your lawn chairs or use the picnic tables under the shade.

 Truck and Tractor Pull

Lawn Mower Pull

200 Foot Drag

And the recently popular - ATV Dirt Drag

GREAT food available

Note to drivers: REGISTRATION AT

 3:00 PM  SHARP

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

EVENTS BEGIN AT 5:00

PLEASE BE SURE TO BE REGISTERED BY 5:00 !

Admission: $5.00 - Children under 11 years FREE!

9343 Guy Ward Road

Parsonsburg, Maryland

SEE YOU THERE!!

http://www.melsontractorpull.webs.com/

facebook ~ Melson's Tractor Pulling

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council To Meet

AGENDA

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 P.M., MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

CITY HALL

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

2.                  Review and approval of minutes from meeting of August 8, 2011.

3.                  Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.                  Introduction of new police officer, Lynell Green.

5.              Police Chief J. D. Ervin and CALEA Coordinator Shawna Gamino to present official certificate from CALEA renewing the Pocomoke Police Department’s status as a “Recognized CALEA Agency”.

6.                  Representatives of Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce to present plaques thanking several City Departments for their assistance during the 2011 Cypress Festival.

7.                  Authorize Mayor Morrison to appoint the Law Office of William C Hudson as the City’s legal advisor in accordance with Section C-66 of the City Charter.

8.                  City Manager and representatives from Becker Morgan Group to present summary of bids received for renovation to building at 1500 Market Street for new Police Department offices. (Bid opening 11:00 AM, 9/12/11).

9.                  City Manager to present memo recommending that certain delinquent business taxes be written off.

10.              Discuss letter from Landmark Insurance Company concerning Worker’s Comp. Insurance.

11.              Discuss vacancies on various Boards and Commissions.

Comments from the Audience

Mayor and Council items.

Adjourn.

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Saturday At Crisfield Mud Bog

Saturday, September 3, 2011- The mudbogging on Saturday concluded the events that were scheduled in Crisfield for the season.  The remaining scheduled mud bog events will be held in Gumboro.

That Saturday wasn't much different from any race day that all of us had attended before. 

As usual before any mudding begins each truck is spic and span clean but only because the trucks were washed until every trace of mud was removed.  Unless you have washed one of these muddied truck you have NO clue the time it can take even with power washing.

But that's part of loving to race in the mud.

Lined up before race time: 'All Night Soldier', 'The Grey Ghost', 'In The Mix'

'All Night Soldier' with driver Patrick Long and 'The Grey Ghost' with drivers Lori Ann Sturgis and Lee Sturgis had a great racing day on Saturday.

This is what Patrick Long had to say;

"Had good weekend at Crisfield Mud bog, I took a 3rd, my brother in law took a 3rd driving his truck Grey Ghost and my sister took a 3rd driving Grey Ghost, pretty good for first time out after The Metal Shop put new suspension under the Grey Ghost."

And he's right!  'The Grey Ghost' did have an awesome day for it's first time out.  Personally, the condition of the mud kept alot of trucks slowed even this one.  But I have to give Lori Ann a big pat on the back because she did an awesome job!!  - Sorry guys.

Here are some photos of the brand new suspension under 'The Grey Ghost'.  My question is will they ever begin to squeak?  The truck looks great!  and if you are thinking about a  new suspension for your truck the website address is on the bumper of 'The Grey Ghost'.  - Clever idea.  http://www.themetalshopfab.com/

Lori Ann - only one of two female drivers on Satuday, does a wonderful job traveling through mud!

She's just not afraid of anything when it comes to racing.

Lori Ann

And neither is Lee...............

Lee

Great job Lori Ann, Lee and Patrick!

More photos and video to come...........

Sentencing For Hadel This Morning

Update:
Justin Hadel - the man convicted of murdering Christine Sheddy - has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.


Justin Hadel, the convicted killer of Christine Sheddy, is scheduled to be sentenced this morning in Worcester County. 

Christine Sheddy, mother of three small children,  went missing in 2007.

In 2010, her remains were found in Snow Hill on the property of  a bed and breakfast.

Last Day to RSVP To The Nighttime Pirate Event



Just a reminder...

click to enlarge

If you plan to attend the nighttime pirate event,
you need to RSVP by the close of business on

Friday, September 9th!

Mallards, LLC. will be providing heavy hors d'oeuvres during the evening and Johnny Mo will provide live music
(that makes it worth attending)
More information can be found on flyer.

This event has been VERY popular and tickets are selling fast!

We accept visa, mastercard, check, or cash and we are accepting payments over the phone.

RSVP is not required for the daytime children's activities - only for the nighttime events.

Husband Of Missing Teacher Found Dead In Apparent Suicide

The search for missing Maryland school teacher Alice Davis took an unexpected turn last night, when authorities found her husband dead inside their home.

The body of Jesse Davis, a 58-year-old taxidermist, was found in the living room of the couple's home in Allen at 8:30 p.m. last night, according to the Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis.

"We had his home under surveillance because he was a suspect in this investigation," Lewis told The Huffington Post. "A vehicle pulled up into the yard [and] two occupants entered the rear of the home. Moments later they ran out of the home and hollered there was blood all over the house."

A cause of death has not yet been released but Davis' death does appear to be a suicide, according to the sheriff.

"He died from what appears to be self-inflicted razor wounds to his left arm -- he severed his artery," Lewis said.

The discovery was made not long after authorities had executed a search warrant on the Davis home in regard to the unsolved disappearance of Alice Davis.

A 55-year-old English teacher at Parkside High School in Salisbury, Alice Davis was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to her husband, she left their Allen home to go shopping at  a Walmart in nearby Fruitland, Md.

When Davis failed to return home by 8 p.m. her husband  contacted police and reported her missing. During a search of the shopping center  property investigators spotted   Davis's blue  Honda hatch back parked across the street in Big Lots parking lot.

According to Lewis, evidence taken from the family's home and their vehicle is being analyzed by the Maryland State Police crime lab in Reisterstown.

For now, Lewis said Jesse Davis is the only suspect in his wife's disappearance. In regard to a possible motive, Lewis said, "We do [know what it is] but we are not going to release it at this time."

Lewis added: "We are conducting extensive ground searches again today [for Alice Davis]. We are hopeful that we will locate her -- hopefully in the next 24 to 48 hours."

Alice Davis is described as a white female, 5' 9" tall, 175 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a yellow shirt with images of cats on the front, blue shorts and sandals. Anyone with information is asked to call the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office at 410-548-4891.

Source;  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/08/alice-davis-missing-jesse-davis-maryland_n_953676.html#s352682&title=Alice_Elizabeth_Davis

Man Tries To Smuggle Cocaine Inside Clams At Dulles

WASHINGTON - In the latest attempt to sneak drugs across the U.S. border, a man from El Salvador concealed 15 bags of cocaine in clams at Washington Dulles International Airport. Authorities found the stash hidden inside the man's luggage.

 
Officials seized a combined 152 grams of the narcotic from David Rene Pocasangre Vaquiz, 26. The approximate street value of the drugs is about $10,000.
 
"Smugglers attempt all types of creative concealment methods to sneak their deadly poison into the United States and this is one of the oddest we've seen," says Christopher Hess, Customs and Border Protection port director for D.C.
 

Pocasangre Vaquiz arrived at Dulles about 2 a.m. Saturday from Panama, says Steve Sapp from the Department of Homeland Security. He was headed for Maryland, but was first stopped for a routine inspection.

 

Customs agents found a black plastic bag containing approximately 80 clams. Hidden inside the first clam opened by officials was cocaine. An X-ray revealed 14 more such clams, which had been pried opened, stuffed with drugs and glued shut.

 

"It could very well be that they were experimenting with that method," Sapp says. "We don't think they will try that again."

Pocasangre Vaquiz is being charged with transporting narcotics into Virginia and possession with intent to distribute. His preliminary hearing is Oct. 5. He is being held without bond.

Source;  http://wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2534820

U.S. Sees Credible But Unconfirmed Terrorism Threat

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered a redoubling of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the face of a "credible but unconfirmed" threat ahead of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.


U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the threat involved Washington D.C. and New York City, which were targeted in al Qaeda attacks a decade ago this Sunday that killed nearly 3,000 people.


A law enforcement source said a manhunt was underway for two or three suspects. One person familiar with the matter said they were suspected of having links to al Qaeda.

But the officials used strong caveats when discussing the threat information privately, with a national security official cautioning that experts thought the threat would ultimately not check out.


New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also stressed that the threat had not been corroborated, even as he announced heightened security measures "some of which you may notice, some of which you may not notice."


"There is no reason for any of the rest of us to change anything in our daily routines," he told a news conference.


Still, Bloomberg asked citizens to report suspicious or dangerous activity, adding: "Over the next three days we should all keep our eyes wide open."


The White House said Obama was briefed on specific threat information on Thursday morning, and noted that the government had already "enhanced its security posture" ahead of the anniversary.


"Nevertheless, the President directed the counterterrorism community to redouble its efforts in response to this credible but unconfirmed information," a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"HYPER-VIGILANT"

White House spokesman Jay Carney said "we're hyper-vigilant to this specific report that's just coming in." He told MSNBC television that the government was taking all necessary precautions, without offering details.

Documents discovered in Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, after he was killed in a raid in May by Navy SEALs, highlighted his persistent interest in attacking the United States around the anniversary of the 2001 attacks. But it is unclear if the plans ever evolved beyond aspiration.

"As we know from the intelligence gathered following the Osama bin Laden raid, al Qaeda has showed an interest in important dates and anniversaries, such as 9/11," said Jan Fedarcyk with the FBI's New York field office.

Bloomberg said he spoke with the head of New York's public transportation authority, which was hiking security. He added: "For the record, I plan to take the subway tomorrow morning."


New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly announced measures including more bag inspections on the subway, more bomb-sniffing dogs on patrol and increased deployment of radiation monitoring equipment.


"There will be increased focus on tunnels and bridges and infrastructure in general, as well as landmark locations, houses of worship and government buildings," he said.


The Department of Homeland Security, which said only last week that there was no credible information that al Qaeda was plotting an attack around the September 11 anniversary, declined to offer details on the threat.


It cautioned that there were always threat reports before important dates like the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.


"Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus, other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots under way," spokesman Matt Chandler said.


"Regardless, we take all threat reporting seriously, and we have taken, and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise."


A second law-enforcement source played down an ABC News report about missing rental trucks -- saying the vehicles had been recovered and there was no connection to terrorism.

Source;  http://www.wtkr.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-security-threattre7877s2-20110908,0,4433446.story

Rescuers Save Drunken Moose From Tree

An inebriated moose trying to get more fermenting apples apparently lost its balance and ended up stuck in an apple tree in Sweden, The Local website reported.

After returning home from work Tuesday evening, Per Johansson of Saro heard bellowing from his neighbor’s yard, The Local reported.

“I thought at first that someone was having a laugh. Then I went over to take a look and spotted a moose stuck in an apple tree with only one leg left on the ground,” Johansson told The Local.

Johansson called the police, he told The Local, but while waiting for a response, he and neighbors began to saw off limbs to try to help the entangled, thrashing moose.

Responding firefighters managed to bend the tree down far enough for the animal to slide off the branches, The Local reported.

Drunken moose are common in Sweden in autumn, when apples are abundant on the ground and in trees in homeowners’ yards, according to The Local.

Johansson surmised the moose had been indulging for quite a while.

“My neighbor recognized it as the animal that almost ran into her car earlier in the day,” Johansson told The Local. “She was pretty sure the moose was already under the influence."
T

he freed animal lay on the ground seemingly unconscious, The Local reported, before finally staggering to its hooves and eventually wandering off.

“We often see moose stuffing their faces with apples around here,” Johansson told The Local. “But this is the first time we found one perched in a tree.”

Source;  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44431492/ns/world_news-weird_news/

Bingo And More To Benefit DASH Rescue

MELSON POWER SHOW This Saturday

SATURDAY,

SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

TRACTOR PULL,  LAWN MOWER PULL, SAND DRAG 

and

MORE

More info coming..........