VA. Governor Seeks Changes On Texting and Drones

BY OLYMPIA MEOLA AND MICHAEL MARTZ Richmond Times-Dispatch

 Gov. Bob McDonnell is seeking changes to legislation cracking down on texting while driving and to a measure placing a moratorium on drones as part of a series of actions on legislation to meet a midnight deadline.

As his deadline to act on legislation approved in the 2013 General Assembly drew nigh, some of the weightiest issues remained, including amendments to the state budget, language on Medicaid reform and expansion, and the massive transportation funding package.

McDonnell is expected to tweak the provisions of the transportation funding bill - particularly as they relate to revenues for regional initiatives - and the budget language for Medicaid reform and expansion, according to legislators who asked not to be identified.

Also before him were measures to require Virginia voters to present photo IDs at the polls and an effort to allow a statewide school division to seize control of academically struggling schools.

On texting while driving, McDonnell's office said he supports making the action a primary offense, meaning a law enforcement officer could pull over a motorist for that alone, but wants to reduce the proposed penalties "to bring them more in line" with penalties for violations such as driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Under current law, texting while driving is a secondary offense, which means a motorist can be fined only if pulled over for another reason. A motorist can be fined $20 for a first violation and $50 for subsequent offenses.

As House Bill 1907 passed the legislature, violation of the law would bring a fine of $250 for a first violation and $500 for a second or subsequent violation.

The bill also imposes a mandatory minimum $500 fine for anyone convicted of reckless driving if the person was texting at the time of the reckless-driving offense.

McDonnell has said for months that he thinks the current "blanket laws" on reckless driving and aggressive driving implicitly cover a variety of conduct, such as texting while driving.

McDonnell also is seeking to amend legislation that would place a moratorium on the use of drones.

The amendments "would allow the use of this technology for certain law enforcement operations such as the search or rescue of missing persons or in cases involving imminent danger to any person," the governor's office said.

"This will allow law enforcement officials to use this developing technology to protect public safety while respecting individual rights of citizens and their expectation of privacy."

The amendments also seek to clarify that the legislation does not apply to institutions of higher education or other entities engaged in research and development of drone and related technology.

Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, who introduced one of the bills to impose a two-year moratorium on drone use, said Monday night that "at a glance ... none of this sounds objectionable, but I have to take a look at the precise language."

READ MORE....

REPTILES FESTIVAL 2013 ~ Delmarva Discovery

Medical Marijuana Measure Passes In the MD. House of Delegates

Maryland's House of Delegates passed a medical marijuana measure 108-28 Monday.

The measure, which will now go to the Senate, would create a state commission to oversee medical marijuana programs at academic medical research centers that want to participate. It would not be up and running in Maryland until at least the 2016 fiscal year.

More from GlobalPost: Marijuana as medicine: medical miracle or public health catastrophe?

"It may take several years for a program to get up and running, and federal policy presents a substantial obstacle to a law like this one ever being fully implemented," said Dan Riffle, deputy director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project. "Still, this bill gives us hope that patients could have safe, reliable access through programs that bear the imprimatur of some of the country's most respected medical institutions."

Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia currently allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Physician and Baltimore Democrat Del. Dan Morhaim, who sponsored the bill, described Maryland's potential program as the most controlled in the country.

Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration previously opposed the bill, but reversed course in recent weeks and now supports it.

Several years ago California was the first state to approve medical marijuana.

 

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/130325/maryland-house-delegates-passes-medical-marijuana-measure

 

Source:

Gumboro Mudbog 2012 Ending Of The Mud Season

The Gumboro~Crisfield  mudbog season has been over for some time now.  The new schedule for the 2013 season has been made and most drivers have been working on their trucks all winter in preparation for this years competition.

 

Between now and the time we begin the new racing season I will be posting video and photos to finally close out last year.

 

Below video is the "Short and Sassy" (driver/owner Barry Wise) during the last day of the racing season.  Time was 6.525 seconds. This certainly was not the Short and Sassy's best run of the year but considering the truck had a broken  right front axle, which occurred during the Super Stock run earlier in the day, it executed a powerful run.

 

 

 

 

 Things that make you go Hmmmm.....

 

There is an old saying that goes something like "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink".  Just about the same thing goes with owning and racing a mud truck. Disappointments can happen anytime no matter what you have planned.   When certain circumstances occur that are unplanned they can certainly make anyone almost mess their pants- not to mention create a few moments of fear.

 

"Freak Nasty" - Owner/driver Chuck West - Mini Open Class

 

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS!

 

 

 

Looking forward to seeing "Freak Nasty"  run during the 2013 racing season!

Fill The Truck Fundraiser

The Island House Restaurant and Marina

 

 If you want to donate items for auction please do so. Let's show our community support through giving, prayers,

 volunteerism and love. (M.L., A.L.)

 

1pm: Donation drop-off begins (feel free to drop off earlier)
 5pm: Specials start and run all night
 9pm: Live music begins

 

 

LIVE & SILENT AUCTION ITEMS: • $100 Moonrise Jewelry Gift Card, Meredith Lusk
• Clams and Sewansecott Apparel, Heather Lusk
• Thirty-One thermal lunch tote w/ luggage tag & $25 and $50 gift certificate, Cindy Read Marshall
• Shore Life artwork, Adam Lattimore
• $50 Gift Card, Mallards

 

Event will be updated as new fundraising opportunities arise.
See facebook page for updates:FUNDRAISER

 

 Shore Life, Adam Lattimore, 710-8126* (accepts $$ via phone)
 Island House Restaurant, 787-4242
 Mallards Restaurant, 787-8558

 

 A portion of The Island House Restaurant food & alcohol sales will be donated directly to Accomack County Fire Co.'s. DINNER RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED!

Hazardous Waste Collection/ April 27, 2013

 

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee

 

 9th Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection

 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

 

The collection has been expanded and will be offered at three locations the first time in the history of the event. Accomack and Northampton residents may take their household hazardous wastes to any of the Convenience Centers in

 Horntown, Painter, and Birdsnest.

Participants can dispose of up to 50 pounds of hazardous waste for free. Additional waste will cost $1.00 per pound for every pound in excess of 50 pounds. Disposal of the first 50 pounds for free will be available only as funds allow. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to arrive early to ensure a spot. Collections will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end promptly at 2:00 p.m. and will take place rain or shine.

 

Please read to be sure that your waste gets accepted:

Accepted household wastes include garden chemicals, poisons, repellants, degreasers, fuels including gasoline and kerosene, fungicides, wood preservatives, wood stain, paint thinner and remover, driveway sealers, epoxy, rodent poison, and asbestos. Items not accepted include commercial and industrial wastes, car batteries, tires, motor oil, ammunition, flares, explosives, medical and biological wastes, radioactive waste, medicines, PCBs, smoke detectors, Freon, propane tanks, and empty containers of any kind. It is important to note that latex paints will not be accepted.

Paint will not be accepted. Oil and latex paints may be disposed of by removing the container lid to allow the paint to air dry or mixing the paint with an absorbent such as kitty litter or wood chips. Once the paint has solidified, dispose of the container with the regular trash.

If you have questions about the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, please contact Curt Smith with the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission at 787-2936.

This event is the only local option for proper disposal of household hazardous waste and is only held once each year. Residents are encouraged to plan for this event each year by storing hazardous wastes in a safe, secure location until the event occurs during the spring of each year.

The event is made possible with funding from Accomack and Northampton Counties, the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, NOAA, and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and with volunteer assistance from Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore.

 

Source:

Pocomoke City Police Dept.'s 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Be A Volunteer At the Delmarva Discovery Center

        ON FACEBOOK  DELMARVA DISCOVERY CENTER


DELMARVA DISCOVERY WEBSITE

Early Morning Fire Possible Arson

73
1:10 AM
Sunday March 24, 2013
7493 Bullbegger Road
Withams/New Church
Abandoned structure fire -  structure on ground by the time fireman arrived.

Central alarm received two calls this morning involving two separate fires occuring at the same time. First call provided the address of 4222 Lankford Highway in a business located next to Susan's Seafood.

When New Church Vol. Fire Dept. arrived on the scene they found no fire.  They were assisted by two Worcester County fire departments,  one of which was the Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Company.  Greenbackville Vol. Fire Co. also assisted.

At the same time additional Accomack County fire units were responding to an unoccupied (abandoned) structure fire in the Withams area.  When  units arrived the structure was fully involved and on the ground.

Saxis, Bloxom, New Church, and Atlantice reponded.

 Virginia State Police fire investigators have been called to the scene to investigate.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the string of arson fires.

If you have any information on this or other fires please call 757-655-1437

BODY IDENTIFIED AS MISSING QUEEN ANNE'S CO. WOMAN

Robin L. Pope

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) – An autopsy conducted today confirmed the body found in the water along the Kent Island shoreline yesterday afternoon is that of the Queen Anne’s County woman who has been missing for three weeks.

Doctors at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore positively identified the deceased as Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. The identification was made through dental records.

The cause and manner of death were not identified today. That investigation will be continued by forensic pathologists at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Robin Pope was last seen late on the night of March 1, 2013, in the 100-block of Beach Road, Stevensville, where she had lived with her husband until last December when the couple separated. Her husband reported her missing to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office early on the morning of March 2nd. He said his wife had come by the house late the night before to pick up some belongings and he had left when she arrived. When he returned home her car was still in the driveway, but she was not at the home.
An investigation has been ongoing since Pope was reported missing. The investigation included multiple searches on and under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as several land searches. Anyone with information about Robin Pope is urged to contact the Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barrack at 410-758-1101.

Submitted:
Maryland State Police

Pocomoke City Police Chief Speaks to Group On Important Issues

Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell spoke before a packed house of captivated listeners for a little over an hour on Thursday evening March 21, 2013. The meeting was at  the New Macedonia Baptist Church. The group in attendance consisted of school students between the ages of 6 to 16 and parents and was at the request of the Save the Youth Program of Pocomoke City.

Topic of discussion was "Bullying In Schools".

Chief Sewell assured the school aged children that bullying in schools will not be tolerated and presented a list of resources the children and parents could use if ever faced with a bullying incident.

"All kids should feel safe when they are in school and their only concentration should be on making good grades and not the fear of a bully", Chief Sewell told the crowd. He went on to say, concerning the schools in the Pocomoke City area,  that he "will not tolerate any bullying in my schools."

Other important topics discussed on Thursday evening, were "gang awareness" and internet crimes involving child predators and youth.

There was a question and answer period after the meeting at which time Chief Sewell patiently answered every question and handed out his business card to each individual, including children, in attendance. 

Disturbance/ Shooting At PJ's Pub Outside Pocomoke City Limits

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, at approximately 0100 hours, the Worcester County Emergency Services dispatch center received multiple 911 calls stating that there was a large fight involving gunfire at 2350 Old Snow Hill Road, Pocomoke, Maryland, “PJ’s Pub”.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, and Pocomoke City Police Officers encountered a large disorderly crowd. In an attempt to restore the safety of the remaining patrons and staff and to identify and treat the victims, several participants were taken into custody and charged with “disorderly conduct” after failing to obey the officers’ instructions. Order was again restored, and the victims were identified and the crime scene was secured.

Two victims were treated at the hospital. One was treated for several lacerations to their head and the other for a gunshot wound to their foot.

Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and Crime Scene Technicians from the Maryland State Police arrived and processed the scene.

The investigation is on going.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Corporal Alex Kagan of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at (410) 632-0lll

Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

TIME MACHINE ... 1913, 1977, 1947, 1930, 1934

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)



(It's 1913 and a young Salisbury office worker is found dead in her office. Subsequent articles will follow, as investigation heightened the mystery surrounding her death.)
　
June, 1913
(The Washington Post)

FOUND DEAD AT HER DESK

Coroner Investigating Demise of Bookkeeper at Salisbury, Md.

Body of Miss Florence Wainwright Discovered With Box of Tablets by Her Side.
　
Special to The Washington Post.

Salisbury, Md., June 21.- Suspicion has been aroused by the death of Miss Florence Wainwright, aged 25 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Washington Wainwright, who was found dead last night in the office of the Home Gas Company, where she was employed as a bookkeeper.

Miss Wainwright had been employed by the gas company for about five years, and worked at the office all day yesterday. It being pay day she returned to the office last night to pay some of the employees who were working out of the city.

It was Mervin Ellis, a brother-in-law of Miss Wainwright, who discovered her dead body. While passing the office on his way home he noticed the lights were burning, and on investigation, found every door wide open and the screen hooked back. When he went inside he found Miss Wainwright sitting in a chair, dead. She had a box of tablets on the desk beside her. Dr. J. McFadden Dick was quickly summoned, and said Miss Wainwright had been dead some time.

It was at first said that Miss Wainwright had died from heart disease, but an autopsy is alleged to have disclosed that her death was not due to natural causes. The coroner refused to discuss the real cause and swore the jurors to secrecy.


　
January, 1977
　
The public was invited to dedication services marking the completion of a new sanctuary, seating approximately 300, at Lynhaven Baptist Church in Pocomoke City. Soloists Mrs. Rene Oliver, Mrs. Joe Duke, and Mrs. Elvie Whealton were to perform along with the church choir. The Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland, Dr. Roy B. Gresham, was the scheduled guest speaker. Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary was in October, 1975. The church was its own general contractor, with Jack Krimmel as building committee general chairman, and Charles Bryson as supervisor of construction. Architect was J. Linwood Walker of Nassawadox.




March, 1947
(The Annapolis Capital- Annapolis, Md.)
　
Salisbury, Md., March 28 (AP)- The lower Eastern Shore looked like a Christmas Card today as the sun shone on a countryside covered by a three-inch overnight snowfall.



January, 1930 (Time Machine Archive)

(Site selected for a new PHS on Market Street)

An injunction against building a new Pocomoke High School on a site selected by Worcester County Commissioners was denied in Circuit Court. County Commissioner Charles L. Mason and 20 area residents were seeking the injunction, claiming the County Commissioners authority was limited to a site within Pocomoke City's corporate limits.

The site selected by the commissioners was at Ninth Street which marked the city boundary. The Circuit Court ruling upheld the right of the Board Of Commissioners to determine the site.
　
Footnote: PHS was located on Market Street between 10th and 11th streets, but did those streets exist in 1930? When the school was constructed perhaps Ninth Street, as referenced above, was the closest street adjacent to the site selected for the school location. Anyone know more?
　
　April, 1934
(Eastern Shore News- Onancock, Va.)
　
Aged Man Tells of Early E. Shore Life

The material of this article was gotten from an interview with Benjamin F. Scott, a ninety-six year old Civil War veteran of Chincoteague Island. Beginning with his birth he has given us some interesting highlights of his life, which acquaint us with the conditions of former days.

Mr. Scott was born on the 8th of May, in 1838 at Hog Island.

(PART 4)


After the war Mr. Scott mentioned the carpet-baggers coming in and how they made money, facts which everyone knows. He could not remember any Eastern Shore negro who had held office but said the negroes were allowed to do pretty much as they pleased.

Mr. Scott, after talking of his Civil War experiences, discussed the causes of the war. He said that the North brought the negroes here and sold them to the South, then the North wanted them freed. (It was rather unfair!)

He told us of a church, the Northern Methodist, on the upper end of the Island. It firmly believed in the abolition of slavery. From the pulpit came political rather than religious sermons. Mr. Smith, the preacher, had been an old fighter. One morning three men met him on the way to church and forbid him to preach. Mr. Smith defied them and taking off his coat went into the pulpit to begin his talk. Two of the men charged him, one on either side. They dragged him to the church door and the other man brought his coat. They kicked him out. A general "free for all" fight resulted. Mr. Scott saw three women who had been there. Their old slat bonnets were torn up and their long capes were very mussed. To all appearances they had their share of the fight. The preacher never came back.

At this church negroes as well as white people could join. If a white person was converted but he owned a negro, he could not become a member, but if the negro was converted he could join. They had a gallery for the negroes which seated about forty. This gallery had a door which opened to the outside and a flight of stairs leading down. After the preaching the negroes held their meetings outside while the whites stayed inside. The wife of Mr. Matthews, Mr. Scott's second employer, was converted at the church. They owned a slave and the church would not let her join. The slave was converted, also, and when the members asked Mr. Matthews for the negro's certificate, he refused, "cussing them high and wide." Such little hard feelings and incidents in both the North and South helped bring on the Civil War.

In talking of slaves Mr. Scott explained that since it was so hot working in the cotton fields, the slaves could do the work much easier then whites, thus making them very useful in the south. Slave traders got much money. Mr. Scott heard a man say if he could rig up a ship and make one trip he would be fixed for life. A big, husky boy sold for $75 to $100.

The pirates were the slave traders' dread. They had a great, heavy chain on their ship to which the slaves were tied by a rope. When pirates threatened the slaves were pushed out of a hole in the ship and the chain pulling them down, drowned them.

The people of those days still used flint and steel and Mr. Scott was the first to carry matches to Hog Island.
Many are the tales that Mr. Scott tells, and they are interesting, both for themselves and their historic matter.


　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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

WOMAN'S BODY RECOVERED FROM KENT ISLAND SHORELINE

WOMAN'S BODY RECOVERED FROM KENT ISLAND SHORELINE

 

 

March 23, 2013

 

 (STEVENSVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police investigators will await the results of forensic examinations to determine if the body of a woman found along the Kent Island shoreline this afternoon is the Queen Anne’s County woman who has been missing for three weeks.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. today, Queen Anne’s County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from the 500-block of Bay Drive, Stevensville. The caller reported he had been fishing on a pier when he observed a body in the water near the shore.

Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and contacted Maryland State Police investigators who have been investigating the disappearance of Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. Pope was reported missing by her husband early on the morning of March 2, 2013. Multiple land and water searches and a continuing investigation since that time had failed to locate Pope.

State Police Homicide Unit investigators and Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office personnel secured the scene. The body was recovered from the water with the assistance of personnel from the Kent Island and United Communities Fire Department shortly before 6:00 p.m. State Police crime scene technicians conducted evidence collection procedures.

The body is that of an adult female, but further identification cannot be made at this time. The body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. Investigators will be forwarding dental records and other information related to Robin Pope to assist pathologists in identification efforts.

State Police investigators notified Robin Pope’s husband and daughters of the recovery and the lack of a positive identification. They will keep family members informed of identification efforts and results from the medical examiner’s office.

The investigation has still not determined why or how Robin Pope disappeared. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about Robin Pope is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barrack at 410-758-1101. Callers may remain confidential.

Submitted:
Maryland State Police

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

It's 1913 and a young Salisbury office worker is found dead sitting in a chair at her office desk. Mystery heightened as an investigation proceeded and it grew into a case drawing widespread attention. Read the first in a series of articles on the case this Sunday.

1977.. Pocomoke City church dedicates new sanctuary; 1947.. A late March snow; 1930.. Market Street site approved for new Pocomoke High School; 1934.. Part 4 (concluding portion) of first-hand remembrances of life on lower shore in mid-1800's.
　
Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Control Burn ? During A Burn Ban?

Friday, March 23, 2013/ 8:20 PM
26605  Texacotown Road

Tasley, Onancock, Onley and Melfa fire units responded to a structure fire behind a residence.

Once units arrived it was determined that the burning of a barn behind a residence was a control burn.

Units returned to their stations and no injuries were reported.


PLEASE PASS THE WORD ON:

EFFECTIVE  IMMEDIATELY   IN  ACCOMACK  COUNTY
 Controlled Burn Ban
The Accomack County Board of Supervisors approved a request made by Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin to authorize a temporary ban on controlled burns because of the arson spree plaguing the county.

 

The board will reconsider the ban on a month-to-month basis.

Accomack County Make CBS This Morning Show

UPDATE

It has been determined that the abandoned structure fire on Thursday evening, March 21, 2013 is a result of arson.

Tasley, Atlantic Bloxom and Parksley fire companies responded to the blaze on Metompkin Road near Mappsville, Va. The blaze was reported around 10:40 last evening. This brings Accomack County's arson count to 72.

Citizens are reminded that there IS a NO BURN ban in the county.

The video below aired this morning on CBS This Morning. CBS Reporter Chip Reid was in the Accomack County area very recently and interviewed the fire chief of Parksley Volunteer Fire Company Parksley Volunteer Fire Company Chief, Philip Kelly, speaks of the person(s)setting these fire since November 2012 as being ghost-like. Chief Kelly did an exceptional job during the interview and conveyed not only his thoughts but the community's as well. During his visit, Chip Reid also took time to visit the Club Car Cafe in downtown Parksley and spoke with a couple of residents while there. If video is not available on here go to this LINK

Change Maryland: House Passage of O'Malley's Fuel Tax Increase

Change Maryland on House Passage of O'Malley's

 Fuel Tax Increase

 

Annapolis - As expected, the full House voted today to approve motor fuel taxes, and the Senate will now take up the measure before the General Assembly adjourns on April 8.  Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan released the following statement:"A proposal as unpopular as this one must be hidden from public view and carefully timed to avoid news cycles.  In fact, this proposal is so unpopular that the Governor announced it in the evening, the first hearings were held on a Friday afternoon the same day as the death penalty vote, House passage is on a Friday afternoon, and final votes are taking place in the closing weeks of this legislative session.

"Just as unpopular is Governor O'Malley's record of raising taxes and fees.  There are currently 32 enacted measures that remove $2.3 billion out of the economy annually.  Marylander's are now faced with the prospect of paying another $800 million on top of the $2.3 billion a year we’re already paying in new taxes if this passes the Senate without substantive changes from the Governor's proposal. 

"Last week, House Ways and Means committee leadership was missing altogether.  The majority on the committee performed a rush job on hearings, and their rubber-stamp mentality failed the public miserably.  

"Committee leaders provided yet another platform for the big county executives, who time and again have pleaded for more revenues that help their urban areas.  Missing from this were elected officials from rural parts of the state.  Instead, we heard the tired argument that we need more transportation money to attract the FBI headquarters to Prince George's County.  Here we go again - relying on the federal government instead of putting in place policies that attract Fortune 500 companies and small businesses back to our state.  Moreover, nobody at the FBI is conditioning the move on Maryland increasing gasoline taxes, and this argument is simply pathetic.  

"We are approaching the one-year anniversary of when the Transportation secretary first announced her resignation.  The Governor has had three General Assembly sessions in which to get a permanent secretary confirmed and who could have possibly avoided the bumbling performance we saw from the acting secretary in the Ways and Means hearing.  Basic questions such as funding bridge repairs and realigning infrastructure investments based on how Marylander's actually travel were met with bureaucratic non-answers.

 

"I am also disgusted that top elected officials would compare Virginia's enacted transportation revenues as an excuse to further tax Marylander's.  Our tax code is a self-inflicted wound, which is why Virginia bests Maryland in every single economic performance metric there is.

"As for the bill itself, the so-called lock box provision is worthless and it should not even be called that.  Indexing the existing excise tax to inflation guarantees never-ending increases, and nothing has been done to stop the distorted spending levels on mass transit.

"This bill is a penalty that Marylanders will pay during every trip to a gas station for electing people to office who put their own interests ahead of theirs."

 

Delmarva Discovery Center ~ Easter Basket Craft and More !

TOUR the Delmarva Discovery Center and then participate in the Easter egg hunt.

 

FREE with paid admission

 

Change Maryland on O'Malley's Trip to South Carolina

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan released the following statement as Gov. Martin O'Malley attends yet another political event out of state tomorrow.
"There are two events going on in South Carolina just days apart that illustrate vast differences of the priorities of two governors.   One is a partisan political cheerleader event intended to help politicians.  The other is an economic development forum to increase jobs and employment.

"Governor O'Malley is attending the political event.  Governor Nikki Haley is attending the economic development forum.

"The event with Gov. Haley is the event that includes representatives from companies like Boeing, which set up facilities that create thousands of jobs.  Unfortunately, companies like Boeing consider Maryland fly-over country when it comes to locating anything from a corporate headquarters to a warehouse to our state.  That is because O'Malley has raised taxes and fees 32 times, removing an additional $2.3 billion out of the economy each year.  This includes raising corporate, individual income and sales taxes all of which affect a business of any size.  
"Maryland has just three Fortune 500 companies, while neighboring states Pennsylvania and Virginia each have eight times that many.  We have lost 6500 small businesses since 2007 - the second worst decline in our region.

"Struggling Marylanders looking for work would much prefer that O'Malley attend the event where he can learn about economic development, because as the most partisan governor in America, he has partisan politics pretty well covered at this point.  While he is in the southeast, he should also tour the BMW plant in Spartanburg, the KIA and Caterpillar plants in Georgia, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama, and make stops in Virginia and North Carolina on the way back to see why our tax base is fleeing to those two states more than any other." 
####

Change Maryland is a non-partisan, grassroots organization with 33,000 members.  

changemaryland.org

facebook.com/changemaryland

Background: Baltimore Sunhttp://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-03-08/news/bal-omalley-to-visit-sc-later-this-month-20130308_1_o-malley-aide-governor-o-malley-martin-o-malley

Post and Courier (South Carolina)http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130317/PC05/130319386/1011/mcdermott-column-south-carolina-wooing-fortune-500-real-estate-execs-in-charleston

NO CONTROL BURNS IN ACCOMACK COUNTY

 

 

EFFECTIVE  IMMEDIATELY   IN  ACCOMACK  COUNTY

 

Controlled Burn Ban

 

The Accomack County Board of Supervisors approved a request made by Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin to authorize a temporary ban on controlled burns because of the arson spree plaguing the county.

The board will reconsider the ban on a month-to-month basis.

 

An exception was granted for Chincoteague since no arsons have occurred there.

 

To read more about the burn ban go HERE

Worcester County Sheriff's Warns Computer Users About Scheme

Reveton ransomware scam page impersonating
the FBI

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has received several recent calls from citizens that report an attempt to extort money from them while using the internet. It is believed that this is part of a widespread scheme to extort money from certain personal computer users.
The FBI has reported that this Citadel Malware delivers “Reveton Ransomware” to your personal computer. A victim is lured to a drive by download at which time the “Ransomeware” is installed on the user’s computer. Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user that they have violated United States Federal Law. The message further states that the users IP address was identified by the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section as visiting child pornography or other illegal content.
To unlock the computer the user is instructed to pay a fine using prepaid money card services. In addition to the “Ransomware”, the virus continues to be active on the computer and may be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud.
If you are a victim of this type of fraud it is suggested that you contact your banking institutions and file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

For more information on e-mail scams and warnings, concerned citizens can go to the FBI website and look under the tab, INTERNET CRIMES
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Accomack County Supervisors Meeting

A wide array of topics were discussed at the Accomack County Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday night.

The application for the extension of the implementation of the new Storm Water program until July 2014 was approved.

Chris Isdell of Virginia Department of Transportation tried to explain how the state could take over road maintenance of a private road. The bottom line came down to the state would only pay five percent of the actual construction cost. No funds being available for easement change or development.

Jack Gray led the longest discussion of the night about why after so many years of efforts the HVAC system in the administration building just didn't work correctly. The contractor explained that there were twenty thermostats in the building with ten different zones and with different people in different offices in the same zone being the biggest problem. He said he had quoted a complete overhaul of the system and it had been rejected due to cost. It was then agreed to have a separate meeting on this subject and not hold up tonight agenda.

Seven people spoke supporting the new library stating their reasons, from history of the shore to child development. The majority of the speakers were from Onancock but they ranged from Parksley to Melfa. No mention of the $8 million dollar price tag or location was made.

County audit report was made by David Foley CPA from the firm of Robinson, Farner, Cox Associates giving the county the highest possible rating. He did go on to say he had reached out to both of the Constitutional officers in the Treasurer's office and the Commissioner's office offering professional guidance on how they might rectify the deficiencies noted in their respective areas.

Stuart Hall Public Works Director spoke to the Board about the $376,000 that the county had received for Sandy clean up that requires $33,583 of local matching funds. A motion was made to take these matching dollars from the contingency fund and move forward.

County Sheriff Mr. Todd Godwin was briefly at the meeting to request a burning ban to prevent over working of the already stressed fire departments up and down the county. Wanda Thornton explained that she always supported request from the Sheriff's Department but in this case she could not because of all the trees down on Chincoteague and some being infested with the Pine bark beetle and the only way to kill them was to burn the tree. A motion was made and passed exempting the Island from the burn ban.

A $142,000 grant has been given to the County from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to do a joint land use study with the Navy. The Board approved the rewarding of this grant to Clark Nexsen & Ecology and Environment Incorporation to provide the consulting services for this study.

County manager Steve Miner suggested a work session with the Citizens for a new library and a separate work session with EDA and the EMS group.

Mark Taylor county attorney presented his letter to the supervisors on different ways to appoint or elect school boards.
Source:

Fire Being Investigated In Accomack County

After what seems to be only a few hours of a peaceful lull Accomack County could possibly working on arson #71.

Thursday, March 21,2013/ 10:30 PM
Stations were called to the vicinity of 30120 Society Drive in Mppsville, Va. The fire was reported as a woods fire but within minutes it was discovered  to be an abandoned structure fire and located on Metompkin Drive just a short distance from the address given.
It is not known if the fire is a result of a control burn (control burns are now banned) or arson.  The fire is under investigation.


Reminder:

An award of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person or persons involved in the fires.

Call the Accomack County Sheriff's Department tip line at 757 655-1437 if you have any information that might help police.

HARLEY IS HOME !

After days and days of waiting for him to tire of running and return home, and countless hours of looking and waiting

HARLEY   IS  HOME!

 

It no longer matters where he has been or what took him so long to miss home.....

 

Harley is home now playing with his toys, eating from his same food bowl and awaiting ANXIOUSLY for a long ride in the pick up truck!! 

 

Oh, and then a bath!

 

WELCOME HOME HARLEY !

 

 

Sheriff'sOffice Seeking Suspect Wanted In Shooting

From Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin


On Sunday, March 17 at approximately 4:54 pm, the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report from the Eastern Shore 911 Center of a subject shot at the Pine Ridge Trailer Park in Melfa. Upon the arrival of Deputies, it was determined that an altercation had occurred between several individuals resulting in multiple gunshots being fired.

 One subject received a gunshot wound and was transported by Melfa Rescue to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and later transferred to a Hampton Roads area hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Through the investigation into this incident, a suspect was identified and warrants were issued against 20 year old Christopher Monfiston of Belle Haven for one count of Malicious Wounding, with additional charges pending.

Assisting with this incident were officers from the Parksley and Onancock Police Departments.

Anyone with information into this incident or the whereabouts of Christopher Monfiston is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666.

Harlem Shake Done Tasley Fire Company Style

In spite of the off  beat long hours these brave men and women are aroused from sleep or drawn from their loving families or arrive  late to work  it is wonderful to see that  there is still room for humor.

We care about them because they care about us.



Tasley Volunteer Fire Company
STATION 8
Tasley, Virginia

TASLEY VOL. FIRE COMPANY on Facebook

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

It's 1913 and a young Salisbury office worker is found dead sitting in a chair at her office desk. Mystery heightened as an investigation proceeded and it grew into a case drawing widespread attention. Read the first in a series of articles on the case this Sunday.

1977.. Pocomoke City church dedicates new sanctuary; 1947.. A late March snow; 1930- Market Street site approved for new Pocomoke High School; 1934.. Part 4 (concluding portion) of first-hand remembrances of life on lower shore in mid-1800's.
　
Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at 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. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Prayer Vigil Tonight

 

 

 Heading North on Rt. 13, Turn right at Saxis Rd and then left on Jerusalem Rd. Church is on Jerusalem Rd.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Sheri!

Burglary Suspect Arrested On Boardwalk

On March 16, 2013, at approximately 11:15 p.m. Ocean City Police responded to the Comfort Inn hotel located at 507 Atlantic Avenue, in reference to a burglary and theft of an off duty police officers handgun.
 
Officer arrived at the scene and met with the victim who was identified as an off-duty federal law enforcement officer who was staying in the hotel over the weekend.  The victim related that he had left the hotel room and returned to discover his off-duty .40 caliber handgun and several items of personal property were missing and believed stolen.

During the on-scene investigation, police were able to view the hotel video surveillance system which further helped identified a suspect.  The description of the suspect was broadcast to other police officers in the area. 

Within 30 minutes of the initial report of the theft, officers located a suspect at 8^th Street and the boardwalk.  Officers detained the suspect who was identified as Jeffery Lynn King, 19, of Bridgeville Delaware.  Police recovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun from King’s waist band, which they subsequently confirmed was the stolen handgun.

Additionally officers recovered several items of property belonging to the victim, which were stolen during the burglary of the hotel room. It was determined that King fired the handgun in the hotel room during the burglary.

King was arrested and charged as follows:

• 1^st Degree Burglary
• 3^rd Degree Burglary
• 4^th Degree Burglary
• Possession of a Handgun
• Reckless Endangerment $1000.00
• Discharging a Firearm within Ocean City

King, who also had an outstanding juvenile warrant from Wicomico County, was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and was held on $100,000.00 bond.  King was transferred to the Worcester County Jail.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Upcoming Events ~ Delmarva Discovery Center

Sharpen your pencil and save the dates for the great events the Delmarva Discovery Center is offering...

 

In the next few weeks we have the following;
 3/24 Easter Egg Hunt
 4/4 Ruby Tuesday's Fundraiser
 4/6 and 4/7 Locals Appreciation Weekend
 4/13 Reptile Fesatival

 

See flyer below for more events....

 

Project S.O.L.O. Results in 12 DUI Arrests for OCPD

The Ocean City Police Department took part in Project “Saving Our Loved Ones” (S.O.L.O.) over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  Project S.O.L.O. is a statewide initiative to combat impaired driving and underage drinking to ultimately save lives and reduce roadway deaths.

  Numerous officers were deployed during the initiative which resulted in 12 individuals being charged with driving under the influence, 2 criminal arrests, 3 alcohol citations, 13 equipment repair orders, 35 citations, and 77 warnings.

Citizens are reminded that officers are always patrolling the area for impaired drivers and are encouraged to utilize the many sober driving options available to them including the municipal bus service and private taxis.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Upcoming Community Events/ March 29- 31

The Pocomoke Ministerial Association will be having a Community Good Friday Service at the Abundant Life Apostolic Church on Front Street on Friday, March 29 at noon.

Pitts Creek and Beaver Dam Presbyterian Churches and Salem and Bethany Methodist Churches will have a joint Easter Morning Sunrise Service on the dock behind Salem church at 6:30 am on March 31. All are invited.