Discovery Center Officials Encourage Performance Audit

POCOMOKE CITY - The Delmarva Discovery Center has retained BEACON (Business Economic and Community Outreach Network), a division of Salisbury University's Perdue School of Business, to conduct a study of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Center, its staffing needs, programs, exhibits and community relations.

In assessing the Discovery Center, BEACON will use a systematic method known as the "3E Model" to collect, analyze and use data and information to answer questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs, projects, processes and policies. The third "E" is evidence to be used for planning purposes and ongoing evaluation.

According to Nancy Goldsmith, board president, "this study will help the board learn what the Center is doing well and what can be improved. We couldn't be more pleased to be working with Dr. Memo Diriker, BEACON Director, and his staff on this important and timely study.  We look forward to maximizing its findings and continuing to move the Center to its full potential."

"In both the public and private sectors, stakeholders will want to know if the programs they are funding, implementing, voting for, receiving or objecting to are actually having the intended effect" says Dr. Diriker. He goes on to say "equally important are questions such as how the program could be improved, whether the program is worthwhile, whether there are better alternatives, if there are unintendedoutcomes, and whether the program goals are appropriate and useful.  One of the primary responsibilities of decision-makers is to assess the cost effectiveness of programs. In an era of "doing more with less," there is little tolerance for ineffective programs. Public administrators use a variety of tools to evaluate effectiveness, often seeking to quantify the inputs and outputs of a particular program."

The BEACON process will take a holistic approach to all that the Center is doing and how it is performing. The findings, which will be complete in about four months, will then be shared with the public.

National Donut Day Is FRIDAY JUNE 1st

NATIONAL DONUT DAY

FRIDAY  JUNE 1, 2012

FREE Dunkin Donut with beverage purchase ! 

Pocomoke City Has New Police Officer

Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell introduced the towns newsest police officer to the Mayor and Council during their regular monthy meeting on April 9, 2012

Welcome to the Police Department and welcome to Pocomoke City Officer McGlotten.

From the Worcester County Sher'ff's Office

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

 On 05/22/2012 at approximately 1830 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy arrested Edward Lee Byrd, 31, of Pocomoke City, Maryland on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant after Failing to Appear on 02/08/2012. Mr. Byrd was originally charged with several counts of CDS Possession-Cocaine and CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute-Cocaine. Mr. Byrd is being held at the Worcester County Jail on $200,000 bond.

On 05/19/2012, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were assigned to patrol Ocean City and support the Ocean City Police Department during the 2012 Cruising weekend. Several Deputies were conducting an investigation for underage drinking in the area of North Division St and Baltimore Ave when they encountered Richard John Garrett II; age 24, of Cambridge MD. The Deputies detected an odor of marihuana on Mr. Garrett. A search of Mr. Garrett located marihuana and a marijuana smoking device. Mr. Garrett was arrested and charged with possession of marihuana and paraphernalia, and released on his own recognizance.

 On 05/18/2012, at approximately 1312 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to Brantley Road Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland 21851 in reference to a Burglary that just occurred. Another Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was in the area of RT 113 traveling southbound just south of Johnson Neck Road. The Deputy was given information that the suspects fled the residence towards Rt 13 driving a gold colored Honda with two male suspects in the vehicle. The Deputy was in the area of RT 113 near the old Cowger Concrete Plant and observed a vehicle traveling RT 113 northbound matching the suspect vehicle description. The Deputy turned and pursued the vehicle north on RT. 113. The Deputy observed the vehicle speed up in what appeared to be an effort to elude the Deputy. The vehicle turned into a residence driveway on Worcester Highway north of Pocomoke. The suspects were all apprehended.

Further investigation revealed the suspects were allegedly in possession of stolen property from the residence in question. W.C.B.I. Detectives assisted in this case and were able to link the three suspects to a Burglary that occurred on 05/17/2012 on Worcester Highway in Snow Hill. This burglary included a theft of jewelry taken from the residence.

Arrested; Brian Keith Waters 30 yrs old

                 Bivalve, Maryland

                 Marco Phillip Lee   32 yrs old      

                 Quantico, Maryland

                 Zachary John Manley 24 yrs old

                 Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania

All three were charged in both cases with the following;

1)      Burglary 1^st Degree

2)      Burglary 3^rd Degree

3)      Burglary 4^th Degree

4)      Malicious Destruction + $500.00

5)      Theft : $1,000.00 to under $10,000.00

Disposition; Initial appearance held by Snow Hill District Court Commissioner

                      Brian Waters held without bond both cases

                      Marco Lee held on bond $25,000.00 on each case total $50,000.00

                      Zachery Manley held on bond $25,000.00 on each case total $50,000.00

Gumboro Mud Bog ~ May 5, 2012 ~ First Event of Season

Opening day of the Gumboro/Crisfield Mud Bog Season

A few things were a little different for the first mud bog race of the season.  Barry Long, driver of "Sod Buster"  was sidelined due to a  knee injury.  This left only one other person to drive that mud truck..his son and  my "go to guy" Patrick Long,  who has always driven his very own truck "All Night Soldier".

Patrick drove the "Sod Buster" in two classes on Saturday:

Mini Open/ 4.27 seconds  and Unlimited Class/ 4.38 seconds

(Viedeo: Not sure which class this is)

MORE PHOTOS FROM SATURDAY

"Short and Sassy"/Owner-Driver Barry Wise

Next Mud Bog Event:

Sunday ~ May 27, 2012

Crisfield, Maryland

COME SPEND THE DAY WITH US!

Three Burglaries, Three Arrests Made In Worcester County

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy Responds To  "Burglary In Progress" - Arrests Made

NEWS RELEASE
DATE:       May 21, 2012
CASE #:     12-000385 / 12-000391 / 12-000393
LOCATIONS: 1) 3000 BLK Brantley Road
Pocomoke, MD

2) 3100 BLK Brantley Road
Pocomoke, MD

3) 6000 BLK Worcester Highway
Snow Hill, MD
CHARGES:    Burglary, Theft and MDOP

ACCUSED:     1) Brian Keith WATERS   B/M   30yoa
Bivale, MD



Brian Keith Waters



2) Marco Phillip LEE   B/M   32yoa
Quantico, MD


Marco Phillip Lee


3) Zachary John MANLEY   W/M   24yoa
Saylorsburg, PA



Zachary John Manley


NARRATIVE:   On Friday, May 18, 2012 a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a Burglary In-Progress in the 3000 BLK of Brantley Road, Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland. The victim was able to provide an excellent vehicle description of a “beat up” gold colored Honda 4-door with a huge scratch across the back bumper occupied by two black males to the 911 Dispatcher and this information was relayed to responding units.

The Deputy observed a vehicle matching the exact description occupied by two black males and one white male traveling north-bound on Worcester Highway (Route 113) north of the Pocomoke Elks Lodge. When the Deputy slowed to make a U-turn the vehicle sped up and attempted to elude the Deputy before making a quick turn into a residential driveway. The occupants quickly attempted to exit the vehicle and were ordered back in the vehicle until additional units could arrive to assist.

Ultimately, the victim was brought to the scene and made a positive identification of the vehicle and the two black males. The victim also identified personal property that was recovered from the front pocket of one of the suspects. The above three suspects were transported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed by members of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the vehicle was impounded.

During interviews, all three of the above denied any involvement in any burglaries and offered no cooperation. A Search Warrant was obtained for the vehicle and as a result of the Search Warrant being executed all of the initial victim’s property was recovered. In addition a large amount of jewelry, electronics, baseball cards, coins and other valuables were recovered from the trunk and passenger compartment. In addition, three pairs of gloves and burglary tools were also recovered.

A check with area Pawn Shops revealed that MANLEY had pawned a large amount of jewelry on Thursday, May 17, 2012. A detailed description and photographs were obtained of the pawned jewelry. This resulted in the positive identification of items stolen from the above referenced Worcester Highway burglary that was reported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office on the evening of Thursday, May 17, 2012.

The above three were all charged identically for the burglaries in the 3000 BLK Brantley Road and 6000 BLK Worcester Highway cases. LEE and MANLEY were each held on $25,000 bond in each case and WATERS was held without bond because of an active Arrest Warrant in Wicomico County.

On Saturday, May 19, 2012 a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence in the 3100 BLK of Brantley Road, Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland for a burglary investigation. Upon his arrival he quickly determined that this incident was similar to the previous two and contacted the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.

After speaking with an investigator the Deputy learned that all the property being reported stolen had been recovered during the execution of the Search Warrant on the above mentioned Honda.

Based on these facts the Deputy was able to obtained Arrest Warrants for the above three for additional charges of Burglary, Theft and MDOP.

All related cases are a pending trial and future trial dates are pending.

New Aquarist at the Delmarva Discovery Center ~ Sarah Rubin

A few days ago, while in Pocomoke,  I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Rubin outside the Delmarva Discovery Center.  Sarah had only been on her new job as the new aquarist for the DDC for a few days.  She is such a lovely person to speak with and seems to be enjoying her new job.

Sarah was in Salisbury, Maryland on May 18 for Third Friday events.

The best of luck to you Sarah from all of us at the PPE.

ANEC Members Benefit from Reduced Energy Costs

A & N Electric Cooperative

Tasley, Va. – A&N Electric Cooperative (ANEC) consumer-members saw their power bills decrease slightly following a reduction in the wholesale power rate charged by the cooperative’s electricity provider.


Beginning May 1, ANEC bills decreased $4.31 per 1000 kilowatt hours, the amount of electricity an average household uses each month.


The new rate reflects reductions in the cost of fuels used to generate electricity by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, ANEC’s wholesale power provider.


"This change may help with the higher bills our members typically experience during summer months, when use of air conditioning increases electricity usage compared to other times of year," said Vernon Brinkley, A & N’s President and CEO.


Headquartered in Tasley, ANEC is a not-for-profit energy provider that serves nearly 35,000 homes, farms and businesses in Accomack and Northampton Counties in Virginia and Somerset County, Maryland. ANEC is the primary electric utility for all of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. For more information, visit www.anec.com.

The Great Pocomoke Fair ~ Seeking Entrants for Pageant

NEW THIS YEAR

AT

THE GREAT POCOMOKE FAIR

Junior Miss Pageant this year at the 2012 Fair!

Ages 10 to 13 are welcome. Must be from either Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico or Accomack county.

 See the rules and get a registration form at the fair's website: www.TheGreatPocomokeFair.org.

 Prizes include a beautiful crown, embroidered sash, robe, trophy, gift cards and goodies, free rides at the fair, feature opportunities throughout the next year and more!

No talent required.

 Pageant will be Thursday, August 2nd at 8PM following the Little Miss & Mister pageant.

Registration deadline is July 28th.

Coming Soon ~ Save the Date

SHORE BEEF & BBQ ~ Wednesday Specials

WEDNESDAY SPECIALS

LUNCH

Sandwich Special

Pulled Chicken BLT w/ side

Drink  ~  $8.95

DINNER SPECIAL

1/2 Rack of Ribs & 1/2 Chicken

w/ 2 Sides ~ $17.95

SCHOOL DELAY

2 HOUR SCHOOL DELAY

THIS MORNING FOR

ACCOMACK COUNTY SCHOOLS

Yappy Hour Fundraiser 2012

WORCESTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

& SUNSET GRILLE
INVITE YOU TO

YAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER 2012
   
  WEDNESDAY JUNE 13^th, 2012    
4:00pm – 8:00pm
SUNSET GRILLE, SUNSET AVE. WEST OCEAN CITY

FOR TICKETS OR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE CALL HEATHER @ (c) 410.430.9405 (w) 410.632.1112

ADULTS (Food Only) - $15 ** ADULTS (Food & Beverages) - $20
KIDS (Food Only) - $8
Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Pork BBQ, BBQ Chicken,
Corn on the Cob, Potato Salad & Watermelon
FOOD * BEVERAGES * ENTERTAINMENT * PRIZES * FUN

* K9 Water Tricks by Delmarva Dock Dogs * Pictures * BAND * Silent Auction *
* Special Guest Mitch Fletcher from K9 Heeling - As Seen on Animal Planet * 50/50 *
* K-9 Demonstration by Worcester County Sheriff’s Office * K-9 t-shirts for sale * 100% of all ticket & auction sales benefit
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit!
All food & beverages donated by Sunset Grille.

Delmarva Discovery Center ~ Fintastic Festival

YARD SALE

World Turtle Day!

If you like turtles or have one as a pet you might like to know:

Wednesday, May 23 is World Turtle Day!

This  little guy  lives in the woods across the street.

Founded in 1990 by the American Tortoise Rescue to:

Bring attention to

Increase the knowledge of

Respect for and

Encourage people to help turtles survive and thrive.

Be kind and move a turtle from the road.

Change Maryland Releases Updated Tax List Following Special Session

Change Maryland Releases Updated Tax List Following

Special SessionComes on the Heels of State Leading the Nation in Job Loss

5.21.12

 

Annapolis, MD - Change Maryland, a non-partisan grassroots organization, released an updated list of tax and fee increases from 2007 to 2012 that show levies have been raised  24 times with a $2.4 billion annual impact to taxpayers.  The tax and fee list comes on the heels of a dire U.S. Department of Labor April report in which Maryland led the nation in job loss.

“What happens when you have a monopoly that increases spending by more than almost any state in the nation and you raise taxes 24 times? You end up having the worst job loss in the entire country,” Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan said.

The fact sheet underscores a disturbing trend cumulative tax hikes have had on Maryland's economy.  Virginia's unemployment rate is a record 20% improvement over that of Maryland. The difference between the unemployment rates in Maryland and its primary economic competitor stands at 1.1% according to the labor department.  Maryland's rate is 6.7% while Virginia's rate is 5.6%.   In the four years of the Ehrlich Administration that differential averaged just .6%.

"Clearly we are falling further and further behind," said Hogan. "If we are to measure Governor O'Malley's performance by his own standards - jobs, jobs, jobs - then he has failed. These tax and fee increases are the reason Maryland had the worst job loss in the country last month and has been bleeding jobs to Virginia since O'Malley's been in office - nothing else explains it."

Virginia, under Republican and Democratic governors alike, has a long tradition of holding the line on taxes.  The results of these policies include the Old Dominion topping Maryland in every major business climate survey, attracting large corporations and encouraging small businesses to move across the state line.

Maryland's budget has grown $1.2 billion a year, on average - from $28.8 billion in 2007 to $34.7 billion in 2012.  While the Governor has claimed $7.5 billion in cuts during his term in office, the numbers simply don't add up.  The contrived "cuts" number is used to claim fiscal responsibility while raising taxes to support spending increases for politically-favored special interest groups.

"Gov. Martin O'Malley was not elected saying 'I'd like to drastically increase state spending and raise taxes on struggling Marylanders.' He ran on a false claim of fiscal responsibility, and voters had the wool pulled over their eyes," Hogan said. "All Marylanders -Democrats, Republicans and Independents -are paying the price through lost jobs and lower wages."

This most recent tax and fee list includes legislation passed in the special session of the General Assembly, which is estimated to raise $264 million through increased income, business, tobacco taxes and vital record fees.  The vast majority of these revenues are derived from raising the individual income tax which disproportionately affects small businesses structured as S-Corporations, Limited Liability Corporations and Sole Proprietorships.

The Change Maryland Tax and Fee fact sheet details measures ranging from the $603 million sales tax increase in 2007 to off-the-books measures such as the Maryland Transportation Authority - imposed $90 million toll hike last year.


###

Background:

Change Maryland Tax/Fee Fact Sheet: http://www.changemaryland.org/2012/05/fact-sheet-maryland-tax-and-fee-increases-2007-2012/

Levyland - the "Fee" State Gazette 5.11.12http://www.gazette.net/article/20120511/OPINION/705119665/1033/blair-lee-levyland-the-fee-state&template=gazette

Change Maryland: 

changemaryland.org
facebook.com/changemaryland

Two Downtown Pocomoke City Businesses Celebrate With Grand Openings

Two ribbon cuttings and grand openings - in the same building- were held Saturday in downtown Pocomoke City. 

The "Salty Dog Grooming" studio  and "Cottage Arts by Justine"  was the place to be on Saturday for the open house.  A host of various  guests were on hand to help celebrate the grand opening and feasted on some really great food along with the chance to win some fantastic door prizes donated by local businesses.

 A recap about the two businesses in this  newly rennovated building is below photos.

Congratulations and the very best of luck!



Ribbon Cutting for "Salty Dog Grooming" Studio
PHOTO/ Angela Manos



Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for "Cottage Art by Justine"
PHOTO by Angela Manos



Items sold at Cottage Art by Justine include painted and faux-finished furniture, fixtures, frames, accent pieces and other decorative items, along with original paintings. The business also sponsors several artists boasting different techniques, including her artist-in-residence, Annette Hicks. Annette is known locally for her canine portraits, but specializes in all custom portraits and mixed media canvas paintings.  A number of original artworks will be on display this Saturday, but a full selection can be found at: www.cottageartbyjustine.com

Salty Dog Grooming is a “doggie day spa” for pampered pets. The spa offers all-breeds grooming by Justine Oneal. At Salty Dog all pampered clients receive “hydrosurge bathing” with specialized shampoos, and plenty of “bling” accompanies all standard service.  Justine has over 30 years experience in the pet care industry. She built and operated for over 16 years a successful resort boarding kennel on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also earned her CKO status from the American Boarding and Kennel Association. Salty Dog hours are by appointment only.



This little adorable doggy in a bathtub from
Enchanted Florist- downtown Pocomoke
PHOTO/Angela Manos



Cottage Art’s opening marks another milestone in the city’s efforts to attract new businesses to Pocomoke’s downtown as it repositions itself as a tourist destination. 

Go to: Salty Dog Grooming on facebook for more photos.

Downtown Pocomoke City Restaurant

POCOMOKE CITY, MARYLAND

A walk-in freezer was installed last week at the new restaurant

in downtown Pocomoke City, Maryland.

The new restaurant is scheduled to open for business in June.

(Guess they were preparing for the approaching inclement weather)

All photos by jmmb

Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipse as seen last evening from  Albuquerque, New Mexico

Thanks for the photos, Meg!

Worcester County State's Attorney Oglesby Featured In Article

Staff Writer Brian Shane has written a wonderful article about a man that is an asset to Worcester County.  Only in office for about  18 months Worcester County State's Attorney Beau Oglesby isn't about to give up nor slow down. 

Great job, Mr. Oglesby!

Written by

Brian Shane
SNOW HILL — The criminals facing jail time at the hands of Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby can thank a computer glitch for their misfortune.
As a freshman attending Salisbury State College to study accounting, an error in the school’s course registration system blanked out the classes Oglesby had signed up for. He had to redo his schedule, and many of his classes were already full.

Oglesby recalls that the dean of the business school at the time was married to an attorney who taught business law. Her class was normally reserved for upperclassmen, but because of the good relationship he had with his dean, she let Oglesby in.

During the course of that semester is when Oglesby decided he wanted to be an attorney.

“I realized that the appeal of that was much greater than the appeal of being an accountant,” he said.

Today, the 42-year-old Oglesby is 18 months into his job at the helm of the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office. He won his seat on his third try, in 2010, ousting longtime incumbent Joel Todd.





Oglesby grew up as a self-described Army brat, bouncing between homes in Georgia, Germany, Maryland and Virginia.



"Blessing of the Combines"
Snow Hill, Maryland 2011



His father retired from the Army and took a job in security with the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The family settled in Prince George’s County, Md., and Oglesby graduated from high school there. It was his third high school.

“I think it made me stronger,” he said. “It taught me that you had to persevere yourself. You’ve got to learn how to make friends and deal with very cliquish communities sometimes.”

All that moving in some ways made it easier for him to take on new jobs at four different State’s Attorney’s offices on the Shore.

“If you look at my background, I’ve made my personal career of going into situations where I wasn’t known and having to fit. You move to two, three different middle schools, different high schools, you have to adapt and overcome,” he said.

After law school, Oglesby was hired by former Wicomico County State’s Attorney Davis Ruark. Oglesby spent 11 years working there and made a name for himself as a prosecutor of drug cases.

CONTINUE READING

The Rural Sign Painter

SCHOOL DELAYS

DUE TO FOG

2 HOUR SCHOOL DELAY THIS MORNING FOR

ACCOMACK COUNTY SCHOOLS

&

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY  SCHOOLS

TIME MACHINE ...

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)



I'm away this week but I've selected some postings from the past year that, perhaps, you may have missed or might like to read again. -tk



March, 1889

(The Herald And Torchlight- Hagerstown, Md.)

About eight o'clock last Thursday evening the large steam and planing mill, situated in the center of Pocomoke City, and owned by Messrs. Young and Colbourn, caught fire and was burned to the ground. The new fire engine and recently organized fire company did good service in saving the southwestern end of town, which certainly must have gone but for the assistance rendered by the engine. The loss was about twenty thousand dollars, covered by insurance.



August, 1908

(The Washington Post)

Amid a mass and jam of fully 15,000 people the third day of the Pocomoke Fair passed off without the slightest hitch to mar the pleasure of those who attended. Twenty-three carloads of visitors were hauled from the eastern shore of Virginia, and several thousand came from Delaware, in addition to the Maryland contribution.



February, 1930

J. Nelson Jester of Chincoteague, an 18-year-old free agent signed by the Washington Senators, was being mentioned as a prospect to bolster the team's 1930 line-up. However, an injury during minor league play forced an early end to Jester's professional career.

Footnote: Jester went on to a teaching and coaching career at Pocomoke High School for many years and later was high school principal at Chincoteague.



July, 1933

The presidential yacht Sequoia docked in Crisfield and President Roosevelt set out on a six-hour sight-seeing tour of the Eastern Shore, stopping in Pocomoke City for a soft drink. A crowd of several thousand were said to be on hand at the Crisfield dock to greet the president and were back later in the day to see him off.



1943

As a young Navy pilot former President George H.W. Bush trained at the Chincoteague base. As reported in various published accounts he flew low over an area of Crisfield where a circus had setup nearby and a frightened elephant broke away, in turn frightening nearby residents. Reports were that Bush's low fly-over was an attempt to impress a young Crisfield woman he had met at a USO dance at Chincoteague.



February, 1931

(Cumberland Evening Times)

Former World's Heavyweight Champion Goes Over Big In Pocomoke City

Pocomoke City, Md. Feb. 4(AP)- More than 2000 Eastern Shore fight fans saw Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion, as he refereed two matches of a boxing card here Tuesday night. Dempsey attended a dinner as a guest of the Lions Club of Salisbury, and before he entered the ring he was kept busy autographing programs.

Footnote: A December, 1930, news item reported that a 2,500 seat boxing arena was set to open on the Pocomoke Fairgrounds.



October, 1943

"Gone With The Wind" was playing at Pocomoke City's Fox Theatre. Admission for all seats was 55-cents.



August, 1953

The Pocomoke Drive-In Theatre, two miles south of Pocomoke City on Route 13, was advertising $1.25 a carload admission with opening night features.. Jeff Chandler in Bird Of Paradise, and Fred MacMurray in Smokey, two big features every night. "No Need To Dress Up - Come As You Are- Bring The Entire Family" -- "Enjoy Movies In Your Own Car - Eat- Relax- Smoke"


January, 1975

"The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford was playing for six nights at the Marva Theatre in Pocomoke. Admission: Adults $1.50, Children 75-cents.



July, 1955

After five months under construction Pocomoke City's new J.J. Newberry Store was set to open at the northeast corner of Market and Second Streets where the old Wilson Hotel once stood. The new store would feature 40 major departments as well as a lunch counter, and a half-mile of air conditioned selling and display space with slim-line florescent lighting and incandescent spotlights. The new Pocomoke Newberry's would be five times larger than its' old store located on the west side of Market Street and would have about 40 employees.



January, 1885

(The Freeborn County Standard [Minnesota])

SHIPS SAILING IN AIR

Remarkable Mirage Seen From The Decks Of A Steamer In Chesapeake Bay

From The Baltimore Herald.

"At the time I discovered it," said Captain Wilson of the steamer Tangier "we were off Watts Island on the Pocomoke Sound. The day was clear and bright. I was standing on the hurricane deck forward with a passenger, and we were commenting on the strange action of a dense line of smoke which rose perpendicularly from the stack of a saw mill in Pocomoke City, which lay to the east of us. My attention was suddenly called to the distinct outlines of a three-masted schooner which appeared above the line where the smoke spread out and disappeared. I could hardly believe my senses, and, calling my attention to the gentleman who was with me to the strange sight, I rushed into the pilot house and got my glasses. Through them I discovered more clearly the outlines of the vessel. There was evidently no breeze, as the sails were lying inboard. Then I scanned the horizon on either side of the smoke with the glasses and discovered four additional schooners, all of them similarly rigged and all wearing a full set of sails which were also inboard. They were more or less distinct as they were nearer or farther from the shore. Three of them pointed north and two south. The vessels were enveloped in what appeared to be a transparent haze, which I at once supposed to be the ocean. Fringing the lower edge of the haze were the outlines, perfectly distinct of the Atlantic coast between Chncoteague and Cobbs Islands. Even the inlets and small capes were discernible. Next appeared the broad waters between the outer bar and the mainland. This was also depicted as a haze, the land dovetailing into it here and there. Skirting the lower edge of the haze was the mainland, with open fields and clumps of trees. The mirage extended down to the meeting line of the land and the eastern horizon. I called all the passengers up from the lower deck and saloon, and all of them gazed at the phenomenon with wonder and admiration. The sight lasted about twenty minutes and gradually disappeared from view."

Captain Wilson stated that a land breeze had prevailed for several days previous to the mirage, and the phenomenon is accounted for on the ground that there was unusual retraction of the lower strata of the atmosphere. This is the first known instance of a mirage being seen in the lower Chesapeake. This phenomenon, however, is not infrequent in the Chesapeake, and Captain Wilson states that he once saw Cove point light from the lower end of Tangier Island, a distance of 38 miles. He calculated the distance of the mirage of a few days ago to be 30 miles.





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!

Pocomoke Farmers & Flea Market

DOWNTOWN POCOMOKE CITY

FARMERS & FLEA MARKET

OPEN  TODAY

Sunday   May 20, 2012

7:00 AM  until  5:00 PM

(extended days this weekend only)

NO VENDOR FEES

Former Somerset County Deputy Awarded 1.1 Million Dollars

Written by

Liz Holland
Staff Writer

PRINCESS ANNE -- A former Somerset County sheriff's deputy was awarded more than $1 million Thursday after a jury found he had been denied his First Amendment rights.

James "Troy" Durham, 44, of Pocomoke City, who was fired after filing a grievance against Sheriff Robert N. Jones, was awarded $412,000 in economic damages, $700,000 in noneconomic damages and $200 in punitive damages in U.S. District Court, said Howard Hoffman, Durham's attorney.

"Troy has been fully vindicated," he said.

Hoffman said he asked for only $1 in punitive damages since Jones is not a wealthy man, and was pleased the jury awarded 200 times that amount at the end of the four-day trial in Baltimore.
He said he also plans to ask the court to award Durham the cost of his legal fees.

The former deputy has been fighting a legal battle against the Sheriff's Office since 2008 when he filed a grievance alleging internal corruption and accusing co-workers of forcing him to change a police report.

In his lawsuit, Durham alleged he was ordered to alter a police report, but refused. He said he was threatened with his job and relented, but later filed a grievance with the Somerset County Commissioners.

Five days later, Durham was placed on administrative leave and was told his grievance was being investigated by Jones.

Durham was eventually terminated and has alleged Jones fired him in retaliation.

Durham filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court seeking reinstatement and claiming wrongful termination, but Judge W. Newton Jackson III said in a 2010 ruling there was not enough evidence to support Durham's claims.

Source: