Judge Denies Bond In Meth Lab Case

 Accomack Circuit Court - May 29, 2014

Joanne Strickland

Joanne Strickland- was back in court on Thursday again requesting bond.

Strickland was arrested on February 14, 2014 for operating a meth lab with her husband and codefendant and has been in jail ever since.

 Strickland was denied bond on March 13, 2014 and again on March 21, 2014.

Thursdays request was based on a lower court finding that Ms. Strickland was not directly involved in the manufacturing of meth.

Defense attorney Paul Watson told the court that she had no other law enforcement issues and with the lower court ruling she qualified for bond.

William Williams

Assistant Commonwealth attorney Spencer Morgan told the court that the Strickland knew her husband was manufacturing meth in the home and she was involved directly in the purchasing of pills from the local pharmacies. Morgan continued stating that Ms. Strickland had several failure to appears in other jurisdictions and even though they were traffic appearances it showed a trend.


Judge Lewis told the defendant that she didnt appear for minor traffic offenses therefore she may choose not to appear for the current pending charges so he denied bail.

Source:

Latest IRS Figures Show Continued Decline in Maryland's Tax Base

The David Craig campaign announced today the latest analysis of Internal Revenue Service tax migration numbers that show continued decline in Maryland’s ability to retain its tax base.  Released last month, the IRS figures advance a decade-long trend where the state lost a net $232 million in adjusted gross incomes during 2010 and 2011.

“We must stop the mass exodus of people leaving Maryland,” said Craig.  “Everywhere I go people tell me they are moving to Delaware or Virginia and these numbers prove it.”

Regionally, Maryland lost the most net incomes to Virginia at $105 million followed by North Carolina at $59 million.   That was closely followed by Texas at $58 million.  Overall, Florida is siphoning off most of Maryland’s earning power at $175 million.

From 2000 to 2010, Maryland lost $5.5 billion in taxable revenues to other states.  To reverse the net outflow of the tax base, David Craig announced a plan in February to reduce and eventually eliminate Maryland’s income tax to stop the flight of businesses  and “to keep families together.” A tenth generation Marylander, he would prefer to keep his children and grandchildren in the state.

“O’Malley and Brown’s record tax increases are hastening the decline of Maryland,” said Craig. “No state can provide essential transportation, public safety and health and education services and make other needed investments with a declining tax base.”

A Gallup poll released last month shows 47% of Marylanders would leave if they could, the third highest state in the nation where people prefer to live elsewhere.   Taxes and jobs are the main reasons Marylanders gave for wanting to leave, with the former being cited more than any other state except New York and Illinois. 

Maryland’s decline was the second worst in the region after Pennsylvania and 13^th worst in the nation in dollar terms.  Maryland joins high-taxed and rust-belt states including New York, Illinois, New Jersey, California and part of the mid-west that loses taxpayers at alarming rates.

The top two states in the nation attracting taxpayers are Florida and Texas, both of which have no personal income tax and collectively gained nearly $7.5 billion in incomes during 2010 and 2011 alone.

 

#####

 

 

Background:

1. attachment:  IRS tax migration state ranking 

2. IRS tax migration statistics

http://www.irs.gov/uac/SOI-Tax-Stats-Migration-Data-Downloads

 

3. Washington Examiner:  coverage from national perspective

http://washingtonexaminer.com/where-taxpayers-are-fleeing-and-where-theyre-headed-to/article/2547980

 

4. Gallup Economy: poll 

http://www.gallup.com/poll/168770/half-illinois-connecticut-move-elsewhere.aspx

 

 

Hundreds Felt Troopers Enforcement Heat

Maryland State Police

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – This past Memorial Day Weekend, the Maryland State Police turned up the heat on traffic enforcement with hundreds stopped for a variety of violations.

 During the Memorial Day weekend over 11,000 vehicles were stopped by troopers. Preliminary statistics indicate approximately 8,628 traffic citations were issued along with approximately 5,421 warnings. An additional 107 motorists were found to be operating a motor vehicle while impaired. Another 87 were arrested for drug offenses and 111 were arrested for various other criminal violations.

 Troopers conducted traffic enforcement initiatives such as, Operations Millipede and Showboat, throughout Maryland during the unofficial start of the summer travel season. During this Memorial Day weekend, each state police installation turned up the heat on Maryland roads. Additional initiatives will continue during the upcoming months focusing on impaired or distracted drivers, speeding and aggressive motorists, as well as those electing not to properly use safety restraints.

 The Maryland State Police encourage all motorists to be considerate and patient while traveling. Remove as many distractions while driving and never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. If you are impaired, call a friend or family member, use public transportation or stay where you are. If you see a driver you think is impaired or driving a vehicle in an unsafe manner, keep your distance and dial 9-1-1.

 These efforts are to reduce the number of aggressive driving motor vehicle crashes in which speed, alcohol and any other aggressive driving violations are contributing factors. The Maryland State Police will continue to support the Maryland Highway Safety Office’s ‘Move Toward Zero Deaths’ campaign.

TWO BROTHERS ARRESTED BY OCPD FOR ASSAULT AND THEFT

Charles Middleton
OCPD Photo

(May 28, 2014) – On Sunday, May 25, 2014 at approximately 3:20 a.m. Ocean City police responded to the  area of 8^th Street and Philadelphia Avenue in reference to a fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim of an assault who had been beaten. The victim informed officers that the suspects, who were friends of the victim, assaulted him and stole numerous items from his pockets.

With a description of the suspects, officers realized that they had seen a subject matching the description of one of the suspects get into a nearby cab. Through investigation, officers were able to locate and arrest the first suspect, later identified as Damon M. Middleton, 21, of Washington, DC. Meanwhile, other officers were assisted by witnesses in locating the second suspect later identified as Charles A. Middleton, 24, of New York, NY. Charles was eventually located and arrested in a nearby vehicle attempting to hide from police. Items stolen from the victim were located and returned.

Damon Middleton
OCPD Photo

 

Ocean City police charged Charles and Damon Middleton with multiple assault and theft charges. Damon Middleton was also charged with possession of an assisted opening knife. Both were seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and released after each posted $50,000 bond.

 

Submitted: Ocean City Police Dept.

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1997.. Hyatt resort coming to the Eastern Shore; 1970.. Fire damages Greenhill Church; 1870.. A Sunday transaction in Worcester County challenged; 1916.. U.S. President visits Crisfield; 1953.. Pocomoke City little leaguers play post season games for trip funds; 1908.. Carriage Emporium opens in Belle Haven.

Although you may not find all of 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!

International Space Station Gains New Residents

Thumbs up from the newest residents of the International Space Station.  

NASA Photo

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Maxim Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency joined their Expedition 40 crewmates when the hatches between the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft and the International Space Station officially opened at 11:52 p.m. EDT. Expedition 40 Command...er Steve Swanson of NASA and Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos welcomed the new crew members aboard their orbital home. The International Space Station has been returned to its full complement of six crew members.
Expedition 40 will continue to take advantage of the orbital lab's unique microgravity environment and expand the scope of research. Earth remote sensing, an assessment of human behavior and performance, and studies of animal biology and bone and muscle physiology define the research of Expedition 40. Other investigations include technology demonstrations, physical and space sciences, and educational activities. Expedition 40 activities will help advance our body of scientific knowledge, leading to potential Earth benefits such as better observation of a changing climate and human medical advancements.

The crew is scheduled to conduct a pair of Russian spacewalks and three U.S. spacewalks and greet a host of cargo vehicles during their mission. Expected to arrive at the space station during Expedition 40 are resupply flights aboard the Cygnus, Dragon, Progress and European ATV cargo spacecraft.

Swanson, Skvortsov and Artemyev will return home to Earth in September. At that time Suraev will become commander for Expedition 41. Wiseman, Suraev and Gerst will return to Earth in November.

To learn more about Expedition 40, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/QmEZOT.

 

Info from:

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration -facebook

Delmarva Discovery Center ~ Children's Archaecology Day

BINGO Friday Night !

SAVE THE DATE ~ PHS Field Hockey Team Presents.....

Spaghetti Dinner

PRESS RELEASE ~ Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Press Release

 

May 20th 2014, at 1047 hours, A Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy stopped a Red Audi, for a speed violation of 80 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone in the area of US Route 113 and Newark Road, in Newark, Worcester County, Maryland.

 

  The driver of the vehicle was identified as Sylvester L Hicks, 30, from Milford, Delaware.  Through the course of the traffic stop a front seat passenger was identified as Nathaniel A Gibbs, 47, from Salisbury Maryland.  It was learned that Gibbs had an outstanding Warrant for Failure to Appear in District Court in Wicomico County, Maryland.

 

Mr. Gibbs was placed under arrest and seen by the District Court Commissioner, and released on his own Personal Recognizance. Mr. Sylvester received a traffic ticket for his speed.

 

 

 May 24th 2014, at 0906 hours a Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy, was traveling northbound on US Route 113 in the area of Woodside Lane in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland.

 

The Deputy stopped and vehicle for 70 miles per hours in a 55 mile per hour zone. The Deputy identified the driver of the vehicle as David Phillip Zani, 23, of Portsmouth, Virginia.

A search of the vehicle produced Suspected Marijuana cigarettes and Suspected Heroin, along with paraphernalia.

 

Mr. Zani was issued a warning for speeding, placed under arrest and charged with two counts of Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and one charge of Paraphernalia.  Mr. Zani was seen by the District Court Commissioner and released on his Personal Recognizance.
 

 

May 25th 2014,  at 1240 hours a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed a black Dodge Charger traveling southbound on US route 113 in the area of Deer Park Drive in Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland driving at 81 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.

 

  The Deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle as the vehicle appeared to be increasing its speed to elude the Deputy.  The Deputy Stopped the vehicle and identified the operator of the vehicle as Brandon S Outarsingh, 20, from Silver Spring Maryland.   A Worcester County K9 Officer was also on scene, as the K9 Officer advised Mr. Outarsingh that the vehicle was going to be scanned, Mr. Outarsingh admitted to having Marijuana in the vehicle.  During the search of the vehicle the Deputies located a glass smoking device, and suspected Marijuana.

 

A female passenger of the vehicle, identified as Catalina A Custen, 19, of Silver Spring, Maryland admitted the paraphernalia was hers.

 

  Mr. Outarsingh received a Traffic Citation for 81 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour and he was arrested for the possession of Marijuana and possession of Paraphernalia.  He also received two Criminal Citations and was released on his signature.  Ms. Catalina was also arrested and she received a Criminal Citation for possession of Paraphernalia, and she was released on her signature.

 

 

May 25, 2014,  at approximately 0844 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, was on patrol in the area of Philadelphia Ave and 1st St Ocean City, Worcester County Maryland, when they observed a black Mercedes spinning its wheels.

 

The Deputy stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Jeremy Despasquale, age 23, of Laurel, Delaware, and the passenger Richard Stanley, 24, of Yorktown, Virginia.  Mr. Despasquale’s license appeared to be suspended by the state of Delaware.

 

A K9 scan of the vehicle was performed with a positive alert by the K9.  The Deputy searched both subjects and located in Mr. Stanley’s front pocket a Marlboro cigarette box, which had inside 2 suspected Marijuana cigarettes. Mr. Stanley was placed under arrest for possession of Marijuana less than 10 grams.

 

   Mr. Despasquale was cited for spinning wheels. Mr. Stanley was issued a Citation for possession of Marijuana less than 10 grams, and released on his signature.

 

 

 May 27, 2014,  at approximately 0733 hours, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, responded to Hurricane Rd, Ocean City, Worcester County Maryland, in an attempt to locate Ashley Nicole Lewis, 25, of Berlin, for an outstanding paternity warrant.

 

  Upon arrival, Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies, made contact with Ms. Lewis, who was asleep in the front seat of a van, in front of a residence. Ms. Lewis was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant.

 

   Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputies searched the van after consent was given and located hypodermic syringes, and metal spoons with suspected heroin residue.  Ms. Lewis was then placed under arrest for 2 counts of possession CDS paraphernalia, 1 count of possession controlled paraphernalia, and 1 count of CDS possession not Marijuana.  Ms. Lewis was taken before the District Court Commissioner for the drug charges, where she was held in the Worcester County Jail on a $5,000.00 bond, and is awaiting trial.  

 

 

Lt. Edward C. Schreier

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Hogan Receipts Top $1 Million Qualifying For Matching Funds....

Hogan receipts top $1 million qualifying for matching funds, nearly $400K cash on hand; over $1.3M available for primary and $2.6M for general election.

Annapolis, MD – May 27 – The grassroots gubernatorial campaign of Anne Arundel business executive Larry Hogan continued to surge according to his latest campaign finance report.  For the year, Hogan has collected $1.1 million and ends the filing period with $390,000 in cash on hand.  Because Hogan declared his candidacy in late January, his campaign’s fundraising figures cover just the past six weeks.  The figures reported by the other candidates for the state’s highest office began on January 9, a five and half month period.

Hogan said, “Our grassroots campaign to change Maryland continues to gain traction and unite voters who are fed up with one-party rule, runaway spending, massive tax hikes and incompetent leadership.
 
“While career politicians focus on winning over Annapolis elites, Boyd and I have been travelling throughout Maryland to win the support of each and every voter who is tired of politics as usual.  We are humbled by the outpouring of support from average Marylanders; clearly our message of change is resonating, our election strategy is sound, and we’ll have the resources to win the GOP primary and go the distance in the general election.

The Hogan-Rutherford campaign is the only GOP ticket to qualify for public financing and is expected to receive approximately $275,000 next week in state matching funds.  Overall, the campaign will have more than $1.3 million to spend in the June 24 primary and would have $2.6 million available for a general election effort.

Hogan-Rutherford By the Numbers:

 

·         Total 2014 Receipts                 $1,050,539.57

 

·         Total 2014 Expenditures          $675,192.30   

 

·         Cash on hand                           $389,206.92

 

·         1^st public fund tranche, approx            $275,000 (expected week of 6/2/14)

 

·         Available for primary, approx $1.3M

 

·         Available for general, approx  $2.6M

   

One Night FREE Admission To Cypress Park Sponsored By Tyson Foods

    Free Admission to the Cypress Festival Saturday, June 14th  sponsored by Tyson Foods! 

 

 

Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wristbands In Advance For Pocomoke Cypress Festival

Sign Up Your Teams! Pocomoke Cypress Festival

Get your team in the Raft Race,  Tug O War or enter your boat in the Boat Decorating Contest!  

Get more information at PocomokeCypressFestival.com!

Launch Today: International Space Station

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

 

NASA Photo

 

Three people head to space today, and you can watch it live on NASA TV!

Tune in at 3 p.m. ET (17:00 UTC) to watch ***NASA Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman, Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, and Soyuz Commander Maxim Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) lift off at 3:57 p.m. ET (17:57 UTC) en route to the International Space Station: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

 

 

***Reid Wiseman is from Maryland

MarVa Theater Presents "Little Shop of Horrors" LIVE

Investigating Student Aid Fraud

FBI Photo

FBI-It’s a yearly spring ritual: college-bound students, young and old, applying online for much-needed federal student aid in the form of grants or loans.

Unfortunately, a few unscrupulous individuals view Title IV Federal Student Assistance funding as a way to line their own pockets—not to get an education. According to a recent assessment by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General, the number of aid recipients potentially taking part in criminal fraud rings is increasing.

And while the FBI doesn’t generally become involved these cases because of our necessary focus on counterterrorism, cyber crime, and other national security and major criminal threats, we do—as resources allow—assist our partners at the Department of Education and other agencies in rooting out some of the more egregious offenders. The Bureau brings to the table the same investigative methods and techniques we’ve used so successfully against criminals who commit other types of government fraud.

Why the increase in student aid fraud? For one, there are more online higher education opportunities—a single criminal participant can create multiple online student identities and apply for aid in each name. Another reason is the growing popularity of open access, lower-cost schools—like community colleges—where perpetrators can get back a larger percentage of a financial aid award in the form of excess Title IV funds (once the school applies the funds to tuition, anything left over is remitted directly to the “student” to use on related educational expenses like books, supplies, transportation, living costs, etc.).

It’s not just the theft of millions of dollars of taxpayer money, though. Criminals committing federal student aid fraud are stealing enrollment slots from legitimate students and depriving qualified students of the Title IV funds they need. Those grants and loans sometimes make the difference between attending school and not attending school.

But the government and the higher education community are fighting back.

Recently, four people in Montgomery, Alabama were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the Department of Education and various colleges and universities of financial aid money. And just a week earlier, three defendants pled guilty to a federal student aid fraud scheme in San Francisco. The Bureau was involved in both cases. (See sidebar for more information.)
Over the past several years, we’ve played a supporting role in a handful of other student aid fraud cases as well. For example:

• A Baltimore-area school test proctor and an admissions officer pled guilty in a scheme to manipulate test scores of students who were taking assessment exams to qualify for federal grants.
• A former inmate at a South Carolina prison pled guilty to applying for federal student aid using the identities of some of her fellow inmates.
• A San Diego college paid a civil settlement and its financial aid director pled guilty in connection with a scheme to submit falsified financial aid applications to obtain grants for students who were not eligible to receive them.

Investigative entities will continue to identity and bring to justice those who commit federal student aid fraud. And the Department of Education and colleges and universities will continue to put protections in place that make it harder to perpetrate these crimes.
Both actions will help ensure that federal student aid for higher education ends up in the hands of those who need and deserve it the most.

Source:

Hogan Airs Second TV Ad in Statewide Buy....

Hogan airs second TV ad in statewide buy; “Together we can change Maryland for the better.” 


ANNAPOLIS – MAY 27 – Gubernatorial Candidate Larry Hogan today launched his second ad of the GOP primary.  Airing statewide, the 30 second spot “Together” is narrated by Hogan and features the Anne Arundel County business executive meeting with voters.  The new ad follows last week’s announcement that the Hogan-Rutherford campaign has surpassed the fundraising threshold required to receive matching public campaign funds.  In addition to the funds raised directly, the campaign is expected to receive more than $2.5 million in public funds which it says will enable them to “hit the ground running after the June 24 primary.”


The 30-second TV spot begins by referencing a recent Gallup survey that found that 47 percent of Marylanders “would leave if they could.”  The ad highlights Hogan’s economic platform and the need to “get spending under control” and “roll back as many of [the O’Malley-Brown administration’s] 40 tax increases as we can.”


SEE VIDEO CLIP:  ​ http://youtu.be/NfOyV0BlKns

 AD COPY:
“Tell me – how many of your know someone who is thinking about leaving Maryland?  Raise your hand.

Nearly half would leave if they could.  Now, that kind of breaks my heart.

We have three priorities:  We’re about jobs, middle class families and restoring our economy.

The first thing we’ve got to do is get spending under control, and then we want to roll back as many of these forty tax increases as we can.

We’re the only state that taxes the rain.

They never met a tax that they didn’t like, or at least one they didn’t hike.

My name is Larry Hogan and together we can change Maryland for the better.”

Don't Be A STUPID Pet Owner!

IF you love your pet why would you take a chance with his life?

 

 

Coast Guard Rescues 3 Stranded On Hog Island, Va.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard rescued a mother, her daughter and the daughter's friend Sunday after the three were lost and disorientated on Hog Island, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The boyfriend of the mother contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Road Command Center watchstanders at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday and requested Coast Guard assistance.

Sector Hampton Roads watchstanders dispatched a crew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene at approximately 9:30 p.m. and located the trio.

The helicopter crew lowered a swimmer, hoisted the mother and two girls into the helicopter and took them to Accomack County Airport in Melfa.

The Delmarva Discovery Center Begins Its Summer Schedule

Today we remember and thank all those who have given their lives to protect our freedom.

 

Delmarva Discovery Center  also begins its summer schedule and is now open 7 days a week from 10 am - 4 pm.

 

What will you DISCOVER?

First Summer Concert in the Park for 2014!

Pocomoke City invites you to our first Summer Concert in the Park for 2014!

 

Precious Memories Southern Gospel Band will open the season on Thursday, June 5th at 6:30pm under the Cypress Park pavilion. 

Free admission to the public! Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Bring your lawn chairs & enjoy the concert with a beautiful view of the scenic Pocomoke River.

Bleacher seating also available.

For more information & calendar of events please visit downtownpocomoke.com or call 410-957-1333.

 

 

Coast Guard Medevacs Diver 18 Miles East of Hatteras Inlet

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 52-year-old man from a dive boat approximately 18 miles southeast of Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, Sunday.

The captain of the dive boat Under Pressure contacted Coast Guard North Carolina Command Center watchstanders via VHF-FM at approximately 3 p.m. and reported a diver was suffering from from signs of decompression sickness.

Sector watchstanders launched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet to assist.

The Coast Guard crew arrived on scene at approximately 4:30 p.m., transferred the man aboard their boat and took him to the station, where the diver was met by an awaiting Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and taken to Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk.

MEMORIAL DAY

TIME MACHINE ... 1845, 1977, 1908, 1961, 1910

(Reader Friendly Viewing Of Newspaper Archive Material)

October, 1845
The Ottawa Free Trader. (Ottawa, Ill.)

(Excerpts)

I was traveling on the eastern shore of Maryland, a district renowned for female beauty and insect voracity- and on a certain Sabbath afternoon, in the month of July, I arrived at a diminutive village, on the shores of a stream called the Pocomoke, which seems to me to be an earthly duplicate of the river Styx; being dark, sluggish and tortuous, and swarming with musquitoes as the infernal flood was said to swarm with spectres. Every village hearabout, however small, has its church or meeting house; generally a neat white wooden tabernacle of extremely moderate size, with a pulpit at one end and a singing gallery at the other; the intermediate space being furnished with pine benches, never painted and sometimes scarcely planed. Altogether these temples would not be to the taste of those Christians who formally renounce the pomps and vanities of this world, while seated comfortably in handsome pews, decorated with crimson cushions and rich brussels carpeting.

It was not yet time for the afternoon service to commence, but the congregation had commenced to assemble.  I took a position at the door among a crowd of devotees  who were waiting there for the arrival of the minister. I was amazed at first to see the little throng in constant motion-- twirling and twisting about, in what I thought a rather heathen-like manner-- more after the fashion of a troop of dancing dervishes than a Christian assembly.  The mystery was soon explained, for scarcely had I taken my stand, when my face and hands were covered with colonies of musquitoes (as spelled in article), which began to eat me up alive in a way which showed me the expediency of keeping up some muscular motion to interrupt their sanguinary operations.

Most of my neighbors were sadly unprovided with defensive armor to repel the attacks of the multitudinous foe.  It was not the fashion in those parts for the ladies and gentlemen to wear shoes and stockings in warm weather, and their garments being made of homespun, or factory cotton, as is commonly called, are such penetrable stuff, that the musquitoes never consider them as any obstacle to the gratification of their appetites for blood.

By and by the ladies began to arrive; they were dressed in domestic plaid; but some who were particularly inclined to show off, were decked out in calicoes of the gayest colors.  These were the belles of the neighborhood. They wore straw or chip hats, decorated in extreme cases, with gaudy ribbons and feathers of all indigenous kinds that forest or farm-yard can supply; the plumage of the peacock, guineafowl, pheasant, and rooster being most conspicuous. The feet in all cases were uncovered. Never did I see such a delightful example of loveliness unadorned, as those shoeless and stockingless little feet exhibited. Commonly the foot unused to cotton and kid-skin bondage, expands rather much to suit our ideas of feminine delicacy, but with the eastern shore girls it is not so; the soil is soft and sandy, and yielding gently to the feet it neither indurates or enlarges them.

Being remote from all the corrupting influence of city life the people are incredibly innocent, and unsuspicious of course. Every stranger is considered a decent fellow until he proves himself otherwise; whereas, in places where human nature is better understood, it is the shrewder and safer practice to hold every unknown individual as a rascal until he gives some evidence to the contrary. 

May, 1977
The Morning Herald (Hagerstown, Md)

 DEALE ISLAND, Md. (UPI) - The marauding salt marsh mosquitos in Somerset County got a temporary reprieve from death Wednesday, but the state still plans to fight the Mosquito War of 1977.

A malfunctioning pump prevented a DC-3 charter plane from entering into pesticide warfare against the mosquitoes Wednesday morning.  

The mechanical problems disappointed state officials who feared the flight might have to be canceled because of bad weather. 

The light winds favored the pesticide sprayer Wednesday and state officials hope that Thursday's weather would be just as perfect for the $10,000 project. 

The buzzing, blood-sucking insects have plagued the residents of the marshlands around Deale island, Chance and Dames Quarter. 

State agricultural department officials said the broods began hatching early this year and that the population has increased well-above counts in the past 20 years. 

The huge swarms have forced most area residents to seek shelter in their homes to avoid the bite of the female mosquito in search of protein meals for her eggs.

March, 1908
Steubenvile Herald Star (Steubenville, Ohio)

Prohibition Strikes Maryland

Snow Hill, Md., March, 23.-  Worcester County has voted on the prohibition question and gone dry by a large majority.  This brings the last of the wet counties of the eastern shore of Maryland under the prohibition banner.

September, 1961
The Salisbury Times

(Excerpts)

$200 Miilion Project Moves Ahead 

First Of Tunnel Sections To Be Placed In Bay Bed

KIPTOPEKE — This is one of the big days in three-year project that will bridge and tunnel the Virginia Capes at the mouth cf Chesapeake Bay. 

The first of 37 sections of pre- fabricated steel and concrete tunnel will be put in the bay bed. Work has been going on with this $200 million project for a year now.

When finished, the 17.5 miles of tube and the bridges will have two lanes of traffic on a 24-foot roadway and the tube's inside clearance of 14 feet will accommodate any known truck. 

Tunnel sections are being fabricated in Orange, Tex., and are towed here in the open ocean.

The Virginia Capes bridge-tunnel will replace the world's largest ferry fleet and cut substantial time off the north-south travel on the Ocean Highway.

Virginia engineers are pleased that Delaware is ready with its link of U.S. Route 13, dualized from border to border.

Maryland has dual roads to a point below Pocomoke City and is rapidly dualizing to the Virginia line to be ready for the opening in the fall of 1964. Virginia has a large part of its dual highway now and is building missing links.

September, 1910 (Time Machine archive)
(Colorado Springs Gazette- Colorado Springs, Col.)

SHAME THE WHITTLERS

From the Baltimore Sun

The women of Pocomoke are having the streets cleaned and the weeds pulled up and the fences whitewashed while the men whittle.


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!

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

1845.. Visitor's discription gives peak of lower Eastern Shore life; 1977.. Mosquito war is on in Somerset County;  1908.. Worcester County makes choice on liquor prohibition issue; 1961.. Bridge-Tunnel progress being made;  1910.. Praise for the women of Pocomoke City.

Although you may not find all of 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!

The American Pickers ~ Do You Have Any Items They May Be Looking For?

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRAFFIC SAFETY & ENFORCEMENT A PRIORITY FOR VA STATE POLICE

With the Memorial Day holiday traffic surge well underway on the interstates of Northern Virginia, the Virginia State Police are stepping up their presence for the duration of the long weekend. As part of Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), which is conducted annually nationwide on all major travel holiday weekends, the Virginia State Police currently has 75 percent of its uniformed workforce out on patrol. The increased visibility began at 12:01 a.m. Friday (May 23, 2014) and continues through midnight Monday (May 26, 2014) in conjunction with the operation.

In addition, Virginia State Police will be participating in Operation Millipede, the Maryland State Police traffic initiative targeting Interstate 95. On the Virginia side of I-95 throughout the holiday weekend, Virginia troopers will be conducting strict enforcement of speed limits and targeting seat belt and child safety seat violations, impaired drivers, and aggressive driving behaviors.

“During the 2013 Memorial Day weekend, two of Virginia’s nine fatal crashes occurred in Northern Virginia,” said Capt. Mike Spivey, Virginia State Police Fairfax Division Commander. “We are encouraging all motorists to prevent traffic crashes by buckling up, not driving distracted or impaired, and not tailgating. Simply drive to save lives.”

With the increased presence of troopers on the Maryland and Virginia sides of Interstate 95, Interstate 495, and all other Northern Virginia interstate and highway corridors, motorists are reminded of both states’ “Move Over” laws. Virginia’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to change to another travel lane away from emergency personnel or, when not able to, cautiously pass first responders stopped on the side of the road. The law also applies to highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.

Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) just launched a new “Move Over Awareness Video” on Tuesday (May 20, 2014), which can be viewed on the Virginia State Police YouTube site at https://www.youtube.com/user/vspvideos. The video is available in both English and Spanish.

Follow ‪#‎MoveOver‬ on Twitter for the latest on Move Over safety efforts around the nation.

Coast Guard Coordinates Rescue of 3 People 350 Miles Offshore

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of three people Thursday who were rescued by good Samaritans after their 41-foot sailboat, the Elusive, was beset by storms in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 350 miles east of Virginia Beach.

Rescued are Larry Monesson, 60, Sean Monesoon, 40, and James Moore, 40.

The father of James Moore contacted Coast Guard 5th District Command Center watchstanders at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday reporting he received a message via satellite phone from his son.  The message stated the crew of the Elusive were experiencing high winds, 25-foot ocean swells and engine failure, but were attempting to repair the engine and not requesting assistance at the time.

District command center watchstanders established a communication watch with the crew of the Elusive.  The watchstanders also conducted a search for the closest automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) ships to the distress and conducted an enhanced group call (EGC), a broadcast service using the Inmarsat communication system, asking for possible assistance from ships in the area.

The crew aboard the Bow Clipper, a 600-foot Norwegian flagged tanker, responded to the Coast Guard's EGC broadcast and contacted the crew of the Elusive via VH-F radio.

At approximately 5 p.m., a crewman aboard the Elusive contacted the district command center watchstanders and informed them the situation worsened, and the crew intended to abandon ship and transfer to the Bow Clipper.

The two crews coordinated the rescue and at approximately 7:15 all three people were reported safe aboard the Bow Clipper.

"The early communications by the crew of the Elusive and the proactive response by the crew of the Bow Clipper allowed the watchstanders to arrange for the Bow Clipper to be in position to effect an immediate rescue when the situation aboard the sailing vessel Elusive deteriorated," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Eason, the 5th District's search and rescue mission coordinator. "Additionally, the crew of the Elusive took the proper precautions before departing port by ensuring they had a working satellite phone and personal locator beacons."

The Bow Clipper's next port of call will be Wilmington, North Carolina.

There are no reports of injuries.

4th Friday Art Stroll ~ Downtown Pocomoke City

4th FRIDAY ART STROLL

Downtown Pocomoke City

Tonight~ Friday, May 23, 2014

  5-8 pm.

 Local artists & craftsmen

 Stores open late

 Live music

 Refreshments

 Restaurant specials 

 Free admission to our museums! 

Fun for everyone.

The Costen House Museum will be offering FREE admission during the 4th Friday Art Stroll tomorrow from 5-8 pm. We will also be selling $2 "walking tacos" 

Riverside Grill Pocomoke, Golden Garden & Cafe Milano will be offering 10% off your purchase during 4th Friday Art Stroll hours. 

 Stop in one of the local retail stores in Downtown Pocomoke to pick up your coupon!