Maryland State Police Conduct Operation Tailgate "May Day"

 STATE POLICE REMOVE 23% OF ALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES STOPPED DURING OPERATION TAILGATE: 'MAY DAY'

(Largo, MD) - Operation Tailgate: “May Day”, a special safety initiative conducted by the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division removed 23% of all the vehicles stopped and deemed unsafe yesterday in Prince George’s County.

A total of 580 commercial vehicles were inspected from 7:15 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. yesterday in an effort to remove unsafe and overweight commercial vehicles off of one of Maryland’s busiest interstates. State Police placed 132 vehicles out of service for equipment violations. Troopers and inspectors placed twelve drivers out of service for driver qualification violations, or for violations of hours-of-service regulations. Two people were arrested for outstanding warrants and one was arrested for a handgun violation. Troopers issued 140 citations and 361 warnings during this one day initiative.

Yesterday’s enforcement took place at Fed Ex Field and focused on the I-495/I-95 corridor. Operation Tailgate: “May Day” is a commercial vehicle safety initiative designed to remove dangerous drivers, dangerous commercial vehicles and dangerous cargo from Maryland highways. Operation Tailgate started in 2005 and takes place three times a year.

A new component was added to this Operation Tailgate initiative. A Preventive Radiation and Nuclear Detection (PRND) was implemented to detect the movement of radioactive materials (natural or for illegal purposes) through the area of operations. 

During the enforcement initiative, there were two activations for radiation that were adjudicated by the PRND Teams as natural materials.

Last year, the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division personnel weighed more than two million commercial vehicles and conducted more than 69,000 roadside inspections. They conducted over 1,800 maintenance audits and more than 220 compliance reviews, checking trucking company maintenance records, driver qualification files, hours of service, and other safety related information. Troopers issued 39,111 citations and 45,514 warnings for traffic and equipment violations involving commercial vehicles during 2012.

The Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division operates ten weigh and inspection stations across Maryland. The Division also has roving units that work throughout the state with portable scales and truck inspectors.

Operation Tailgate: “May Day” included assistance from MSP Special Operations Division, the Work Zone Automated Speed Camera Enforcement Unit, the Maryland Department of Environment, Maryland Comptroller’s Office, Motor Vehicle Administration and State Highway Administration. The inspection portion of the operation also included assistance from allied police agencies which included the Prince George’s County Police Dept., Greenbelt Police Dept., Riverdale Park Police Dept., and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. 

Major Accident closes Rt. 50/ US 301 in Queen Anne's County

WBOC
QUEENSTOWN, MD - A major accident has closed Route 50 in each direction prior to the U.S. Route 301 split in Queen Anne's County. Motorists are advised to expect major delays on Route 50 while the crash scene is cleared.

According to Maryland State Police, one passenger vehicle was traveling East, against traffic, in the Westbound Lane, and struck several other vehicles including at truck carrying hazardous materials.

So far three people have been flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. Their injuries are unknown at this time.

WBOC 

Designate a Sober Driver This Cinco de Mayo

Ocean City Police Urges Citizens to Designate a Sober Driver This Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is an increasingly popular holiday for citizens to celebrate with friends and family.  Because of the amount of people celebrating, roadways have the potential to become dangerous.

 

According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2007 and 2011, 38 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities that occurred each year around May 5th involved impaired drivers or motorcycle operators.

 

“With Cinco de Mayo celebrations on the rise across the country, alcohol-impaired crashes, injuries and fatalities may also rise,” said Acting Chief Gregory Guiton. “Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving, and is never safe or acceptable. So folks should plan ahead now to avoid the temptation on the big day.”

 

The Ocean City Police Department and Worcester County Sheriff reminds citizens of the following tips to ensure a safe Cinco de Mayo:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
Before you begin drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
If you are impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or take the bus so you are sure to get home safely.
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement agency.
Remember, if you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.

 

Submitted:

Ocean City Police Dept.

 

Senior Citizens Target of Jailed Relative Scam

Ocean City Police and Worcester County Law Enforcement agencies have seen an alarming increase in a scams directed at senior citizens and retirees.  The scam, which is fairly common, has several variations, but in the end involves a loved one who is in trouble and needs help getting out of an embarrassing or harmful situation.

Typically, the scammer will call the victim and claim to be their grandchild, child, niece or nephew, depending on what level of information they have on the family. The scammer will tell the family member that they are in trouble, indicating that they have been arrested and are in jail, and need help. In some cases, another scammer will interact with the victim via telephone, claiming to be a lawyer, a bail bondsman, a deputy or an official from a jail to further convince the victim the scam is legitimate. The scammer will then request credit card information or money, sent to a Western Union office out of the area, in order to get them out of jail or whatever harmful situation the scam presents.

Ocean City Police have learned that scammers are accessing family knowledge, usually gained from the Internet, to make the scam more convincing. In addition, unlike most scams, the scammer does not have a foreign accident but often doesn’t resemble the voice of their family member. Often times, the scammers will blame the phone line or an illness that is making them sound different on the phone.

The Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens to never wire money to strangers or someone you haven’t met in person. Requests to wire money are “red flag” signs that it’s a fraud. If you get a call like this, contact another family member, a trusted friend or your local police department. They can help you evaluate the situation and try to contact your loved one.

Also, police remind citizens to never provide any type of banking or credit card information to persons or entities they do not know.  If you are contacted and asked for this kind of information, it is most likely a scam.  Further, if you are told that a family member or loved one has been arrested and needs to be bailed out of jail, it is wise to verify this information by contacting other family members or law enforcement. 

Criminals can take advantage of us when we are at our most vulnerable.  By practicing a few easy proactive measures and reporting these types of scams, citizens can make it tough for criminals to take advantage of you.  Never make on-line or telephone transactions with credit cards that are directly linked to your checking/savings or money market accounts. 

In addition, bank and credit card accounts should be routinely monitored for suspicious and unauthorized transactions.

If you feel someone has attempted to scam you or you have been the victim of a scam or there is unauthorized activity occurring on any of your financial accounts (bank or credit) immediately contact your financial institution and report the issue.  If you are the victim of a theft report the theft to your local law enforcement agency.

 

Submitted:

Ocean City Police Dept.

Possession of Concealed Weapons Arrest



Roger Delano Holloway

OCPD Arrests Man for Possession of Concealed Weapons

On April 28, 2013 at approximately 2:10 a.m. Ocean City Police observed a suspicious male on the boardwalk at Dorchester Street with a partially concealed sheath knife protruding from his waist band.

Officers stopped the suspicious male who was identified as Roger Delano Holloway, 38, of Rosedale, Maryland.   Police recovered a large “Bowie” style sheath knife which was concealed under Holloway’s shirt and pants waistband. 

Holloway was arrested and searched revealing a second concealed fixed blade knife as well as automatic-opening folding knife and a set of metal knuckles. 

Holloway was charged with three counts of concealed deadly weapon and one violation of the Ocean City Martial Arts Weapons Possession ordinance.

Holloway was seen by seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and was released on his own recognizance.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

 

GUMBORO MUDBOG ~ First Event This Saturday

Winter is over!! 

The 2013 Gumboro~Crisfield Mudbogs Season begins THIS Saturday!

HOPE  TO  SEE  YOU  THERE !!

 

 

For more information and information on RACING RULES:

GUMBORO-CRISFIELD MUDBOGS

Pig and a Jig BBQ Festival

The First Annual Pig and a Jig

 BBQ Festival

Saturday, May 4th

10:00am until 10:00pm

 

 

Rt. 113 just north of Snow Hill

5761 Worcester Hwy

$2 admission/kids are free

 

Live music all day
 Corn-hole tournament
 amateur BBQ competition
unique vendors
 carnival games
 Fun for all ages!

 

 Band schedule...
 11:00 The Hot Meals
 1:00 The Zen Monkeys
 3:30- The Stims
 5:30- Semi Blind
 8:00- Bad Mojo
Dale Smack 10-3 and DJ Siren 3-10



 

For more information:
Pig and a Jig on FACEBOOK

SNOW HILL AUTOBODY on FACEBOOK

LOOK OUT ABOVE!!! Flight Activity Could Begin This Summer

A C-2A Greyhound
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication
Specialist 3rd Class Brent Thacker

It's a GO!

Navy To Conduct Landing Practice at Wallops
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. (WAVY) - A long battle over where to conduct Navy landing practice operations was finalized Thursday.

NASA announced it signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy to conduct Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) operations at the Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore.

The E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound flight activity is expected to begin as early as this summer, according to a NASA news release. The Navy says the aircraft will conduct up to 20,000 passes annually at the site.

As part of the agreement, the Navy will pay $1.9 million each year to assist with repairs and upgrades to the Wallops airfield. The Navy will also reimburse NASA for support services during training.

To prepare for the upcoming training, the NASA Wallops airfield will undergo construction and lighting upgrades in the next few weeks.

The Navy released a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) in January and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) after evaluating the potential environmental effects that could result from the proposal to conduct regular, scheduled E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) operations at Wallops.

The purpose of the decision to train at Wallops is to provide additional local FCLP training for E2/C2 squadrons operating from NS Norfolk Chambers Field.

SOURCE;

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1895..Temperanceville is okay with "road machine;" 1969.. New libraries planned for Pocomoke City and Snow Hill; 1938.. Farmers make a spring planting rush on lower Eastern Shore; 1887..Heavy loss in Onancock fire; 1913.. An arrest is made in the death of a young Salisbury office worker.
　
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!

Burglaries Reported In Worcester County

LOCATION: Pocomoke and Snow Hill,

Worcester County’s Bureau of Investigation is investigating two separate burglaries of residences in the county.

The first was reported on April 30, 2013 at 10:30 A.M., when the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Brantley Road near Pocomoke City, Maryland for a reported Burglary in progress.  Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the residence. Several items were stolen from the residence. The owner was not at home at the time of the burglary. An extensive search of the area failed to locate the suspect(s).

The second incident occurred on April 30, 2013, when the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Shockley Road, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland, for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, the homeowner observed that several items were stolen from the residence. It is believed that the burglary happened during the morning hours on April 30, with forced entry into the residence.

Anyone with information on these Burglaries or citizens that may have noticed something suspicious in these areas should notify the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 410-632-1111.

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE: Detective Mike Howard / Detective Jason Burnett
SUPERVISING INGESTIGATOR: Detective Sgt. Mike Lupiwok
Submitted:
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier

This Week Is FIRST FRIDAY PIZZA NIGHT

DON'T FORGET !!

FIRST FRIDAY PIZZA NIGHT

 

MAY 3

5 pm TO 8 pm

Large Cheese OR Pepperoni

 

$10.00 per pizza

 

 

New Church Volunteer Fire

and Rescue

4264 Firehouse St.

New Church,VA.

 

No need to call ahead to order!

It's Drive-thru!!

 

All proceeds go to support the

 New Church Volunteer Fire Department

 

~Thank you for your support~

At the Mar-Va Theater This Weekend

Friday, May 3

Saturday May 4

7 PM

Tickets  $5

Permit Needed For Boat Gatherings on Waterway

MD.GOV PHOTO

In 2012, the General Assembly passed legislation establishing a marine gathering permit to provide the Natural Resources Police, local law enforcement, and first responders adequate notice of large gatherings on State waters. The permit process helps law enforcement units and emergency services prepare appropriate safety and security measures for these large events. It also compels event sponsors and organizers to take a proactive roll in planning and managing for safety and security during their private parties on the water.
An organizer or planner of an event on State waters must apply for a permit if the event will likely:

(1) involve or attract 100 vessels or more;
(2) last three (3) hours or more; and
(3) create an extra or unusual hazard based upon consideration of the criteria set out in the answers above.

If a marine gathering organizer fails to obtain or comply with the permit, the Natural Resources Police may disband the gathering if necessary to protect public safety and maintain safe navigation.

The application cost is $100 and is non-refundable

(A marine gathering is an intentional congregation of more than 100 vessels in a specific area of water that, by the event’s nature, circumstances, or location, creates extra or unusual hazards to life or property.)

For more information click HERE..

Celebrate Your Birthday at the Delmarva Discovery Center

Mayor's Prayer Breakfast ~ Saturday

Coast Guard Hosts Memorial Run In Baltimore Helping Families In Need

Nate’s Run: Run in freedom, for freedom

 

By PA1 Tasha Tully

The 5th Annual Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Run was held at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore April 27. More than 80 people participated in the five-kilometer event in honor of Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal. Bruckenthal was killed in Iraq in 2004.

 

 

Matt Franco, of Baltimore, leads the pack of participants during the
 Fifth Annual
Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Run at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore,
 April 27, 2013.
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Masaschi
 

Each year the event is coordinated by the Coast Guard Yard’s Morale, Well-being and Recreation Program, the Chief Warrant Officers Association, the Chief Petty Officers Association, the Coast Guard Enlisted Association and the Greater Baltimore Area Coast Guard Spouses Association.

 

“This is the second year in a row that we have brought a group from [Coast Guard] Station Philadelphia,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Lennox, a maritime enforcement specialist.

 

“Though I didn’t know Nate, I worked in the same unit that he did in Miami and I feel like I had to come to honor him.”

 

Awards and prizes were given to the top two male and female finishers in the following age categories: 15 & under, 16-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over. The best overall times for male and female runners will have their name placed on a plaque in the Coast Guard Yard Galley. 

 

“I came to support a good cause,” said overall winner Matt Franco of Baltimore. “It is a nice event every year.”

All proceeds from the run will go to support Nate’s Open Door, a non-profit baby pantry that helps military members and civilian employees in the Baltimore area.

Submitted:

U.S. Coast Guard

Saturday IS "STUDIO DAY" At The Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce

STUDIO  DAY

 See artists Jan Coulbourne and Leslie Brett

at work

Saturday, May 4, 2013

10:00am until 4:00pm

 

Stop by to see the many beautiful paintings done by these local talented ladies

 

Jan an Leslie will be set up in the

 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

building

6 Market Street

Pocomoke, Md

Next to the Delmarva Discovery Center

 

POCOMOKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Be sure to LIKE of Facebook

 

Alien-looking Skeleton From Chile Poses a Medical Mystery

By Jeanna Bryner, LiveScience

A teensy skeleton with a squashed alienlike head may have earthly origins — but the remains, found in Chile's Atacama Desert a decade ago, do make for quite a medical mystery.

Apparently when the mummified specimen was discovered, some speculated that it was an alien that had somehow landed on Earth, though the researchers involved never suggested this otherworldly origin.
Now, DNA and other tests suggest that the individual was a human and may have been 6 to 8 years of age when he or she died. Even so, the remains were just 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. [See Images of the Alien-Looking Human Remains]

"While the jury is out regarding the mutations that cause the deformity, and there is a real discrepancy in how we account for the apparent age of the bones … every nucleotide I've been able to look at is human," researcher Garry Nolan, professor of microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, told LiveScience. "I've only scratched the surface in the analysis. But there is nothing that jumps out so far as to scream 'nonhuman.'"

Analyzing the tiny human
Nolan and his colleagues analyzed the specimen in the fall of 2012 with high-resolution photography, X-rays and computed tomography scans, as well as DNA sequencing. The researchers wanted to find out whether some rare disorder could explain the anomalous skeleton — for instance, it had just 10 ribs as opposed to 12 in a healthy human. They hoped to determine the age at which the organism died, as its size suggested a preterm fetus, a stillborn or a deformed child. They also thought the DNA would confirm whether it was human or perhaps a South American nonhuman primate.

The remains showed skull deformities and mild underdevelopment of the mid-face and jaw, the researchers found. The skull also showed signs of turricephaly, or high-head syndrome, a birth defect in which the top of the skull is cone-shaped.

The genome sequencing suggested that the creature was human, though 9 percent of the genes didn't match up with the reference human genome; the mismatches may be due to various factors, including degradation, artifacts from lab preparation of the specimen or insufficient data.

READ MORE.....

76 Year Old Man Arrested For Moonshine Ring

Vernon Thomas (left) and Berard Davis (right)
Source:Virginia  ABC

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) -
Special agents with the Virginia ABC arrested a 76-year-old for running moonshine, a man allegedly part of a ring making illegal liquor in North Carolina.

Vernon Thomas, 76, of Chesterfield, and Bernard Davis, 64, of Chase City, were nabbed in Mecklenburg County in separate takedowns. Thomas was caught on Interstate 85 at the intersection of Route 58 in South Hill. Davis was arrested on Route 58 in Boydton.

Agents seized 150 gallons of untaxed distilled spirits, $510 in U.S. currency, a Chevrolet truck and Chevrolet cargo van. The arrests happened April 21 around 5:30 a.m., after a three-month investigation.

According to the ABC, Thomas lives on the 7900 block of Southford Terrace in Chesterfield. The 76-year-old could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The suspects were charged with illegally transporting alcoholic beverages and possession of untaxed distilled spirits. Each charge is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2500.

SOURCE:

Pre-sale Wristbands for Cypress Festival Available May 1st

Pre-sale wristbands will be available at the Chamber office

at 6 Market Street

beginning at 10 am Wednesday May 1! 

Wristbands are $8, 1/2 price regular admission, and are good for Wednesday,  Thursday, or 12 to 4 Saturday.

Pocomoke Nature Trail Tentative Construction Dates - Volunteers Needed

THANK YOU TO CHRIS MILES / MILES BUILDING SUPPLY !!

From Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce:

Pocomoke Nature Trail Tentative Construction Dates

~Volunteers Needed~

 

Thanks to Chris Miles, the City has received enough lumber to start building the understructure for the new boardwalk.  The foundation lumber or "sleepers," are being delivered today.

 

 We are in need of volunteers to help us get ready for the construction of the 600' long final piece of the Stevenson's Pond loop. 

 

This truly is a wonderful project!

 

We would like to work on several Friday/Saturday times in May. 

If you can lift a board or drive a 16 penny nail, we need you!

 

Sign up sheets are posted at Harris Ace Hardware, the Chamber of Commerce and at the office of Ritchie Shoemaker MD.

 

The spectacular Bird shirts, including ladies cuts, are being made now.

 

 For more information on donation of time or some dollars, please call the Chamber at 410-957-1919 or Dr. Shoemaker at 410-957-1550."

Please see www.pocomoke.com for more details.

From Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan on O'Malley's

Response to Prison Scandal

 

 

 

 Annapolis - Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan released the following statement today upon Gov. Martin O'Malley's return from overseas travel in his first public appearance to address the Baltimore prison scandal.

 

"Martin O'Malley calls the corruption in his administration 'a very positive development.' This Governor is completely out of touch and his phony positive spin on this disgraceful failure of leadership is completely unacceptable."

 

Hogan, a former Appointments Secretary under Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, previously called on the State's corrections department secretary to step down.

 

"Unlike this Governor, the previous Governor said to government officials, 'don't screw it up.'  "Well. Secretary Maynard screwed up. He needs to go,"  Hogan said.

 

As Appointments Secretary, Hogan was responsible for placing cabinet secretaries and other senior government officials in key positions in state departments and agencies.

Virginia State Police Sends Thank You To Accomack County Residents

On behalf of the Virginia State Police and the Accomack County Sheriff's Department, we would like to thank all of the residents of Accomack County and surrounding jurisdictions for their steadfast support during the arson investigations.

Your assistance and generosity are greatly appreciated and left a wonderful impression on the many state troopers, special agents and officers who came from throughout the commonwealth to help in this investigation.

Our local police and fire departments also greatly benefited from your support and donations.

We would also like to thank the many law enforcement and fire personnel who came to our aid from throughout the region and the Eastern Shore. Your valuable assistance in this arson investigation is greatly appreciated. We would be remiss if we did not also give a special note of thanks to the many individuals, businesses and organizations whose role aided us these past several months.

1st Sgt. J.-P. N. Koushel, Virginia State Police commander, Area 31, Melfa

Capt. Timothy A. Reibel, Virginia State Police commander, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

Sheriff Todd E. Godwin of Accomack County

Shorebirds "Bark In the Park"

Worcester County Rabies Vaccination Clinics

SNOW HILL, Md. –Pet owners, mark your calendars and take advantage of the inexpensive rabies vaccination clinics offered this spring by the Worcester County Health Department and Animal Control.

Rabies is a dangerous fatal disease and ongoing problem in the county. People and animals can be infected by the virus if they are exposed to the saliva of an infected animal. Low-cost rabies clinics are offered to help residents protect their dogs, cats and ferrets.

The scheduled clinics will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at:
•
 Wednesday, May 8, WORCESTER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL, 6207 Timmons Road (east side Rt. 113, just north of Snow Hill), Snow Hill, MD.
•
 Thursday, May 9, BISHOPVILLE VOL. FIRE DEPARTMENT, 10709 Bishopville Road, Bishopville, MD.
•
Wednesday, June 12, WORCESTER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL, 6207 Timmons Road, Snow Hill, MD.

The cost for a rabies vaccination is $5 per pet for Worcester County residents and $10 per pet for non-Worcester County residents. Proof of residency is required. Vaccinations are available for dogs, cats and ferrets. Below are additional requirements for the clinics:
 
● If this is not the pet’s first rabies vaccination, written proof of the previous shot in the form of a rabies certificate must be provided in order to receive a three-year booster shot. Otherwise, a one-year shot will be given.


● To receive a vaccination, dogs must be on a leash under the control of an adult, and cats and ferrets must be in a carrier or box with air holes.

From the Worcester County Health Dept. and Animal Control

Arraignment Hearings Today For Trio Arrested In Shooting Death

Devon Thomas Blake

An arraignment hearing will be held today in Northampton General District Court at 1:30 for Devon Thomas Blake of Tasley.

Blake was charged with second degree murder of Jessie Leon Jordan at a party at A&E Auto Repair in Trehernville on April 13.  The victim was transported to the hospital by private vehicle and later died.

Deleon Kinte Fitchett

Arraignment hearings will also be held today for  Deleon Kinte Fitchett and his brother Durrell Marion Fitchett .  The brothers have been charged with  malicious assault by mob with intent to maim, disfigure, or kill.

Arrests were made in the early morning hours of April 26, 2013 by law enforcement officers from Northampton and Accomack County sheriffs’ offices, Virginia State Police, FBI, and DEA.

Durrell Marion Fitchett

The trio has been held at the Eastern Shore Regional Jail with bond denied.

Motion Filed To Get Judge Removed From Durham Case

Kirk Simpkins and Somerset County want a new judge in Durham case

Only a few days after getting a judicial smack-down from the United States District Court, which all but ordered Kirk Simpkins and Somerset County to settle their case with Troy Durham, attorneys for the county commissioners and Simpkins have filed a motion trying to get Judge Nickerson removed from the case.

Any reasonable person who read last week’s decision could see that, unless they settle quickly with Troy Durham, Somerset County, Kirk Simpkins, and several unnamed officials (who are current and former county commissioners, and a certain former county administrator who now happens to be States attorney) are in for a world of pain in the form of large civil lawsuit  judgements.

MORE OF THE STORY HERE....

DNA From Female Found on Bomb in Boston

Pressure Cooker Bomb

Investigators have found female DNA on at least one of the bombs used in the Boston Marathon attacks, though they haven't determined whose DNA it is or whether its presence means a woman helped the two brothers suspected in the bombings, according to U.S. officials briefed on the probe.

In another development, Russian officials revealed details about contacts between the older brother and suspected Islamist radicals in the Caucasus, including Internet exchanges that led to concerns by investigators that he was trying to join up with jihadist fighters.

Speaking Monday about the DNA discovery, the U.S. officials cautioned that there could be multiple explanations for why genetic material from someone other than the two bombing suspects—Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his younger brother, Dzhokhar—could have been found on remnants of the exploded devices. It could have come, for example, from a store clerk who handled materials used in the bombs or a stray hair that ended up in the bomb.

Monday, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents visited the Rhode Island home of the parents of Katherine Russell, the widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev. He died after a shootout with police four days after the April 15 bombings.

"The FBI is there as part of our ongoing investigation, but we aren't permitted to discuss specific aspects of the case," said FBI spokesman Jason Pack.

Ms. Russell has been staying with her parents since the bombings, and FBI agents have been seen posted outside the house since her late husband was identified as one of the bombers. Her lawyer has said she is "doing everything she can to assist with the investigation."

READ MORE

Driver Arrested During Traffic Stop

On 4/28/13, A Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy stopped a vehicle for weaving on Rt. 113 near Bishopville. The Deputy observed a suspected cocaine in the center console of the vehicle Mr. Paul Elwood Longacre 51 years old of Delaware, was operating.

Mr. Longacre was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of CDS paraphernalia.

Submitted:
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

BOTH Bundick and Smith Will Undergo Psychological Testing

Written by: Linda Cicoiro
Eastern Shore Post
More papers were filed in Accomack courts this week regarding a Hopeton couple suspected of setting most of the nearly 80 arsons in the county. 

Judge Gordon Vincent of Accomack General District Court granted a motion that both Tonya Susan Bundick, 40, and her fiancé Charles Robert Smith III, also known as Charles Applegate, 38, of Matthews Road undergo psychological testing.

Court documents show “competency evaluations” to determine if the defendants lack “substantial capacity to understand the proceedings” or to assist in their defense will be conducted by
  Dr. David Keenan of Norfolk.

“Sanity at the time of the offense” also will be evaluated, according to the court order.  That includes whether Smith and Bundick
had significant mental disease or defect, which rendered them insane at the time of the offense. “If further evaluation on this issue is necessary, the evaluator shall so state,” the court file notes.

 
Keenan will see Bundick and Smith on an outpatient basis at the Accomack Jail, where they are both being held without bond. Keenan must report back in 30 days.

The couple was charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson on April 1 at a house being renovated on Airport Drive in Melfa. Police allege Bundick was driving a van near the site and dropped
 Smith off there.  Police claim that  Smith then was observed setting a fire and getting back in the vehicle with Bundick.

According to court documents, Smith confessed to police that he set 52 fires. He allegedly said Bundick set 15 blazes. A search warrant alleged that Smith also admitted to spraying
graffiti in the Parksley area.

 First a magistrate and then Vincent denied bond for the two. Both have asked to appeal the decisions in the circuit court.

It is also being argued that evidence should be suppressed since there was“no probable cause or lawful basis after the initial seizure
to continue (with)“breath analysis or other test.”  Defense counsel wrote, “No voluntary consent” existed and any “alleged consent would have been during the course and product of  an illegal detention and seizure of the defendant’s person.” No probable cause existed for the defendant’s arrest, the lawyer argued.
“Miranda warnings were not given in this case.”

Papers filed for Smith state that he is “likely to obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice or threaten, injure or intimidate or attempt to
 threaten, injure or intimidate a prospective witness, juror or victim.”


In Smith’s file, Gordon specificallydenied a request that the psychological evaluation include “mitigating factorsrelated to the
defendant’s history,character or mental condition to include
an assessment to the extent possible of future dangerousness.”


Source;