The Salvation Army's Accomack County Service Unit provides funds to families in emergency situations all year. Its major fundraising campaign is the Red Kettle drive during the Christmas holidays, but due the increase of requests, the unit will be conducting additional fundraising activities.
The Service Unit will be hosting a fundraising project on Saturday, June 20, in front of Edwards Seafood in Onley. It will be selling barbecue chicken dinners, which includes chicken, potato salad, green beans, a roll and drink for $7. Dinners will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is eat-in or takeout.
There will also be a yard sale at the same location starting at 8 a.m. Individuals or groups can rent a space for $10. Vendors must provide their own tables for set up. To donate items to Salvation Army yard sales, contact Mary Waldron at 757-787-3420, Julia Spickofsky at 757-302-9077 or Jesse Poulson at 757-787-1311.
To reserve a space for the yard sale and/or to order dinners, call Earline Washington at 757-787-8321 or Brenda Holden at 757-787-8590. All proceeds will be used for the Salvation Army County Service Unit's Emergency Services Program.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Local Virginia Youth Sports Activity Schedules
Swim lessons offered at Captain's Cove
Captain's Cove Golf and Yacht Club will offer swim lessons for ages 4-15 at its Town Center Pool.
Registration and a swim test will be conducted on June 19 from 2 to 5 p.m.
The class dates are June 22-26 from beginners and June 29 to July 3 for advanced. Swim times are 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.for ages 4-8 and 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. for ages 9-15.
Call Jimmy Coulbourne at 757-824-5478, ext.216 for more information
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Registration open for youth soccer
CHINCOTEAGUE -- Youth Fall soccer registration is open through Aug. 7.
Girls and boys, ages 4-to-13 are welcome to enroll.
Games are played every Saturday from September to November at the Chincoteague High School fields.
There are two ways to register. Pick up a player form at either H&H Pharmacy location or visit the youth soccer league at www.AYSO1184.org.
For more information, call Ricky Stanfield at 757-990-9770.
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Entries open for youth football
ACCOMAC -- The Accomack County Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its Youth Football League. Eligible ages are 7-10 and 11-13.
Practice will begin in August and games will start in September.
Call 757-787-3900 or 757-824-0314.
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Youth football clinic lined up
ONLEY -- The Accomack County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a youth football clinic that will be conducted by T.J. and Todd Washington, Coach Tony Washington, and others beginning Friday, June 26, with registration at the Parks and Recreation office and a full-day clinic on Saturday, June 27.
The clinic will conclude on Sunday, June 28, with a rap up session and picnic for the presenters, participants and their family. This clinic will be held on the grounds of the Nandua High School.
Those interested can register early at the Parks and Recreation office, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Youth ages 6 and up are eligible to participate. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
The registration fee is $20 for youth enrolled in the ACPR Youth Football League, and $25 for youth not enrolled in the youth football league.
The first 50 youth that register will receive a special gift package.
For additional information, contact the Parks and Recreation office at 757-787-3900 or 757-824-0314.
INFO: Daily Times
Captain's Cove Golf and Yacht Club will offer swim lessons for ages 4-15 at its Town Center Pool.
Registration and a swim test will be conducted on June 19 from 2 to 5 p.m.
The class dates are June 22-26 from beginners and June 29 to July 3 for advanced. Swim times are 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.for ages 4-8 and 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. for ages 9-15.
Call Jimmy Coulbourne at 757-824-5478, ext.216 for more information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration open for youth soccer
CHINCOTEAGUE -- Youth Fall soccer registration is open through Aug. 7.
Girls and boys, ages 4-to-13 are welcome to enroll.
Games are played every Saturday from September to November at the Chincoteague High School fields.
There are two ways to register. Pick up a player form at either H&H Pharmacy location or visit the youth soccer league at www.AYSO1184.org.
For more information, call Ricky Stanfield at 757-990-9770.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entries open for youth football
ACCOMAC -- The Accomack County Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its Youth Football League. Eligible ages are 7-10 and 11-13.
Practice will begin in August and games will start in September.
Call 757-787-3900 or 757-824-0314.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Youth football clinic lined up
ONLEY -- The Accomack County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a youth football clinic that will be conducted by T.J. and Todd Washington, Coach Tony Washington, and others beginning Friday, June 26, with registration at the Parks and Recreation office and a full-day clinic on Saturday, June 27.
The clinic will conclude on Sunday, June 28, with a rap up session and picnic for the presenters, participants and their family. This clinic will be held on the grounds of the Nandua High School.
Those interested can register early at the Parks and Recreation office, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Youth ages 6 and up are eligible to participate. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
The registration fee is $20 for youth enrolled in the ACPR Youth Football League, and $25 for youth not enrolled in the youth football league.
The first 50 youth that register will receive a special gift package.
For additional information, contact the Parks and Recreation office at 757-787-3900 or 757-824-0314.
INFO: Daily Times
Home Invasion Dreamland Trailer Park
The Accomack County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a home invasion at a residence in Dreamland Trailer Park shortly before 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
According to Sheriff Larry Giddens, several suspects had entered the trailer and were spotted, at which time shots were exchanged between the suspects and the victims. The victims were wounded and the suspects fled prior to deputies’ arrival, according to the sheriff. He said one victim was taken by Parksley Ambulance to Shore Memorial Hospital as his wife, who sustained minor injuries, followed in a personal vehicle. Both victims have been treated and released.
Giddens said the investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.
In other crime news, Elton Lewis Merritt III, 19, of Cape Charles was charged by Northampton deputies with malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, all in connection with a May 30 incident. According to Northampton County Sheriff Jack Robbins, Merritt is being held in Eastern Shore Regional Jail with bond denied.
According to Sheriff Larry Giddens, several suspects had entered the trailer and were spotted, at which time shots were exchanged between the suspects and the victims. The victims were wounded and the suspects fled prior to deputies’ arrival, according to the sheriff. He said one victim was taken by Parksley Ambulance to Shore Memorial Hospital as his wife, who sustained minor injuries, followed in a personal vehicle. Both victims have been treated and released.
Giddens said the investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.
In other crime news, Elton Lewis Merritt III, 19, of Cape Charles was charged by Northampton deputies with malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, all in connection with a May 30 incident. According to Northampton County Sheriff Jack Robbins, Merritt is being held in Eastern Shore Regional Jail with bond denied.
Corruption in NJ continues for distraught family (update)
From a recent email by the family in NJ that are desperately fighting for their War Veteran father that the snakes in the NJ government seam to think they need/want this hero's land more than the family that worked and fought for the right and freedom to property, they have advised me that it's not looking good finding an attorney that will even consider going up against the mafia NJ government.
Anyone that possibly has any connections or friends that know the system this family needs our help. If nothing else post this story all over the internet. This is one of the most disturbing things I have seen in awhile but not surprising
original post below;
How far up does Government Corruption go in New Jersey? Does it reach up to the Senate? The Governor? Who is it that oversees the Office for the Public Guardian?
Dear, Americans! Help!
My Father, a Vietnam Vet with a purple heart, is having his estate stolen by New Jersey’s Government Courts.
I am begging for your help on behalf of a Vietnam Vet who did three tours of duty and earned a purple heart. He is currently being robbed by the Office for the Public Guardian in Ocean County NJ
His name is Vincent Stanley Blasco and he is my Dad. He has Alzheimer’s and is in their care where they refuse to give any of his 3 children here in Georgia custody of him. Instead they continue to sell off dozens of plots of my Dad’s property and continue hiding thousands and thousands of dollars in false expenses. Now they are trying to sale his 19 acre farm off East Veterans Hwy.
The courts have allowed OPG to already sale 7 properties of his in Berkley NJ and they claimed it was for medical bills. We received accounting after 4 years of requests only to find out my dad by himself racked up $800 per month in Grocery bills, $2,000 a month in landscaping bills. $500 per day about 3 days a week in Home Depot bills, etc... I have a stack of accounting 2 inches thick of frivolous spending.
I am contacting News Agencies or whatever it takes to get this to quit. We deserve to have our father in Georgia where all 3 of his children live. Not tucked away in a nursing home in NJ to have his Army Pension and Social Security bilked as his farm goes on the market to cover thousands of bogus expenses and invented expenses
I found out second hand, through my sister, Amy Ferguson, that my father, Vincent Stanley Blasco, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By the time I found out, my father had already been placed in the care of OPG and we all assumed he was being taken care of. Well it was only after a trip up there that we started to wonder.
When Megan (employee of OPG) did call she told Amy Ferguson (my sister) and me that because they (OPG) were the guardians that all medical information on dad had to be retrieved through them (OPG) and any information on dad’s status would be reported to them only per the guardianship papers. They (OPG) told us that with any change in condition they would notify us. We had to call them consistently as they would never return our phone calls or give us any health updates, we repeatedly asked if we can get him in a home down here, could we get custody, could we email him? They told us they shut down his email and as far as transfer of Guardianship, they told us no! We are my fathers children, how can they say no?
The OPG recently went to court in Ocean County in front of Judge John Peterson to try to sale my dad’s 19 acres farm in Ocean County.
My older brother Joseph Stanley Blasco hired an Attorney (Olszak & Olsazk) to contest the sale.
We reside in the state of Georgia and had his attorney appear for us.
The OPG claimed not only that they had kept us well informed of my Dad’s health, but also his financial transactions. IN COURT BEFORE JUDGE PETERSON they also said Dad’s farm had been ON THE MARKET for 2 years already. How can they even place my dad’s farm on the market without notifying his children?
Why have we not been notified that Dad’s farm was for sale until 2 years after it went on the market? Because in front of a Judge it is easier to get permission to sell his property WITH a buyer on stand by.
OPG told the judge that we were well aware of the farm being on the market. Bull Crap!
WHAT HAPPENED? Read the complete story HERE
Anyone that possibly has any connections or friends that know the system this family needs our help. If nothing else post this story all over the internet. This is one of the most disturbing things I have seen in awhile but not surprising
original post below;
How far up does Government Corruption go in New Jersey? Does it reach up to the Senate? The Governor? Who is it that oversees the Office for the Public Guardian?
Dear, Americans! Help!
My Father, a Vietnam Vet with a purple heart, is having his estate stolen by New Jersey’s Government Courts.
I am begging for your help on behalf of a Vietnam Vet who did three tours of duty and earned a purple heart. He is currently being robbed by the Office for the Public Guardian in Ocean County NJ
His name is Vincent Stanley Blasco and he is my Dad. He has Alzheimer’s and is in their care where they refuse to give any of his 3 children here in Georgia custody of him. Instead they continue to sell off dozens of plots of my Dad’s property and continue hiding thousands and thousands of dollars in false expenses. Now they are trying to sale his 19 acre farm off East Veterans Hwy.
The courts have allowed OPG to already sale 7 properties of his in Berkley NJ and they claimed it was for medical bills. We received accounting after 4 years of requests only to find out my dad by himself racked up $800 per month in Grocery bills, $2,000 a month in landscaping bills. $500 per day about 3 days a week in Home Depot bills, etc... I have a stack of accounting 2 inches thick of frivolous spending.
I am contacting News Agencies or whatever it takes to get this to quit. We deserve to have our father in Georgia where all 3 of his children live. Not tucked away in a nursing home in NJ to have his Army Pension and Social Security bilked as his farm goes on the market to cover thousands of bogus expenses and invented expenses
I found out second hand, through my sister, Amy Ferguson, that my father, Vincent Stanley Blasco, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By the time I found out, my father had already been placed in the care of OPG and we all assumed he was being taken care of. Well it was only after a trip up there that we started to wonder.
When Megan (employee of OPG) did call she told Amy Ferguson (my sister) and me that because they (OPG) were the guardians that all medical information on dad had to be retrieved through them (OPG) and any information on dad’s status would be reported to them only per the guardianship papers. They (OPG) told us that with any change in condition they would notify us. We had to call them consistently as they would never return our phone calls or give us any health updates, we repeatedly asked if we can get him in a home down here, could we get custody, could we email him? They told us they shut down his email and as far as transfer of Guardianship, they told us no! We are my fathers children, how can they say no?
The OPG recently went to court in Ocean County in front of Judge John Peterson to try to sale my dad’s 19 acres farm in Ocean County.
My older brother Joseph Stanley Blasco hired an Attorney (Olszak & Olsazk) to contest the sale.
We reside in the state of Georgia and had his attorney appear for us.
The OPG claimed not only that they had kept us well informed of my Dad’s health, but also his financial transactions. IN COURT BEFORE JUDGE PETERSON they also said Dad’s farm had been ON THE MARKET for 2 years already. How can they even place my dad’s farm on the market without notifying his children?
Why have we not been notified that Dad’s farm was for sale until 2 years after it went on the market? Because in front of a Judge it is easier to get permission to sell his property WITH a buyer on stand by.
OPG told the judge that we were well aware of the farm being on the market. Bull Crap!
WHAT HAPPENED? Read the complete story HERE
Union Rules & Hookers
A dedicated Teamsters union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas and decided to check out the local brothels.
When he got to the first one, he asked the Madam, 'Is this a union house?' 'No,' she replied, 'I'm sorry it isn't.' 'Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?'
'The house gets $80 and the girls get $20,' she answered. Offended at such unfair dealings, the union man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the Madam responded, 'Why yes sir, this is a union house. 'We observe all union rules.'The man asked, 'And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?'
'The girls get $80 and the house gets $20.' 'That's more like it!' the union man said. He handed the Madam $100, looked around the room, and pointed to a stunningly attractive green-eyed blonde.
'I'd like her,' he said...'I'm sure you would, sir,' said the Madam. Then she gestured to a 92-year old woman in the corner, 'but Ethel here has 67 years seniority and according to union rules, she's next
NOW YOU Know what's wrong with the AUTO industry.And why they want a BAILOUT.
When he got to the first one, he asked the Madam, 'Is this a union house?' 'No,' she replied, 'I'm sorry it isn't.' 'Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?'
'The house gets $80 and the girls get $20,' she answered. Offended at such unfair dealings, the union man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the Madam responded, 'Why yes sir, this is a union house. 'We observe all union rules.'The man asked, 'And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?'
'The girls get $80 and the house gets $20.' 'That's more like it!' the union man said. He handed the Madam $100, looked around the room, and pointed to a stunningly attractive green-eyed blonde.
'I'd like her,' he said...'I'm sure you would, sir,' said the Madam. Then she gestured to a 92-year old woman in the corner, 'but Ethel here has 67 years seniority and according to union rules, she's next
NOW YOU Know what's wrong with the AUTO industry.And why they want a BAILOUT.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Cypress Festival Disappointment
This was the first time in I don't know how long I was able to get out because of my health so we decided to go to the Cypress Festival tonight, and let me tell you that was a tremendous disappointment other than seeing my good friends the Burton's. Seeing the Burton's made it worthwhile to say the least.
There was a time when the food vendors were strung out from the last bridge piling all the way around to the tennis court parking lot and they had more than every kind of food you could think of for an event as this.
But anyway, armed with my camera all excited to come home and report how nice it was and post some great pictures for everyone and tell them to get out there and enjoy the fun and food at the Pocomoke City Cypress Festival.
To start we entered on the dock at the big bridge end and gladly gave up six bucks for my son, wife and myself to enter we headed straight to the food as we had been waiting all day and we were starved.
There was oh, about 4 or 5, at the most 6 booths for food, each booth had it's own specialty except one booth that had hot dogs AND hamburgers. The wife had her taste buds set on a soft crab sandwich which we quickly found out they didn't have this year. My son loves hot dogs so that was a no brainer until I saw him throw it in the trash, he did eat his french-fries though.
I love most all seafood so a good'ol crab, oyster or clam fritter and I would be set. My only option this year was an oyster fritter so no big deal for me until I found out I'd be lucky to find a bite of oyster in the fritter.
After my son got his dog, fries and a drink the wife and I were his table, holding one of his items until he was ready for the next because there was no place to sit and eat, that was fun trying to juggle his food while holding our own drinks, camera and trying to dodge the mud and water.
There were seats on the bottom of the bleachers but the folks on the second row of the bleachers decided that the lower seats were foot stools so we waded through the water and mud and almost got run over a couple of times by golf carts, one of the golf cart operators was nice enough move over so he didn't throw an over abundance of mud all over us, then we made our way towards the little arch foot bridge on the walkway and found a bench that didn't have to much trash on it have a seat.
We had a seat on the bench and the son finished his fries (remember the hot dog lover threw it away). There was a nice officer standing right next to the bench where we sat, I had never seen him before so I greeted him and he very politely looked away.
All and All, for around 20 bucks for 3, the Cypress Festival was great if you have 6 hands and like French-fries, oyster batter sandwiches, overpriced hamburgers, 2 dollar sodas, playing dodge the mud slinging golf carts, bleachers with muddy foot stools, "police line do not cross" taped off around the pavilion tables, playing musical empty food containers and rude cops. Did I leave anything out? Oh, the drunks on their boats and the dock that expect you to walk on water to get past them seamed to be having a great time.
This festival was a complete disaster, I think it gets worse every year, clearly they need someone that knows how to put this thing together much, much better and sadly with the results I have seen over the last few years if something is not done in the form of a good committee and PR it's a dieing event and that is truly a shame it's been Pocomokes number one drawing card for what, 30 years now?
Hey! the funnel cake looked good but I didn't have any. Don't miss it, I can't wait 'till next year.
There was a time when the food vendors were strung out from the last bridge piling all the way around to the tennis court parking lot and they had more than every kind of food you could think of for an event as this.
But anyway, armed with my camera all excited to come home and report how nice it was and post some great pictures for everyone and tell them to get out there and enjoy the fun and food at the Pocomoke City Cypress Festival.
To start we entered on the dock at the big bridge end and gladly gave up six bucks for my son, wife and myself to enter we headed straight to the food as we had been waiting all day and we were starved.
There was oh, about 4 or 5, at the most 6 booths for food, each booth had it's own specialty except one booth that had hot dogs AND hamburgers. The wife had her taste buds set on a soft crab sandwich which we quickly found out they didn't have this year. My son loves hot dogs so that was a no brainer until I saw him throw it in the trash, he did eat his french-fries though.
I love most all seafood so a good'ol crab, oyster or clam fritter and I would be set. My only option this year was an oyster fritter so no big deal for me until I found out I'd be lucky to find a bite of oyster in the fritter.
After my son got his dog, fries and a drink the wife and I were his table, holding one of his items until he was ready for the next because there was no place to sit and eat, that was fun trying to juggle his food while holding our own drinks, camera and trying to dodge the mud and water.
There were seats on the bottom of the bleachers but the folks on the second row of the bleachers decided that the lower seats were foot stools so we waded through the water and mud and almost got run over a couple of times by golf carts, one of the golf cart operators was nice enough move over so he didn't throw an over abundance of mud all over us, then we made our way towards the little arch foot bridge on the walkway and found a bench that didn't have to much trash on it have a seat.
We had a seat on the bench and the son finished his fries (remember the hot dog lover threw it away). There was a nice officer standing right next to the bench where we sat, I had never seen him before so I greeted him and he very politely looked away.
All and All, for around 20 bucks for 3, the Cypress Festival was great if you have 6 hands and like French-fries, oyster batter sandwiches, overpriced hamburgers, 2 dollar sodas, playing dodge the mud slinging golf carts, bleachers with muddy foot stools, "police line do not cross" taped off around the pavilion tables, playing musical empty food containers and rude cops. Did I leave anything out? Oh, the drunks on their boats and the dock that expect you to walk on water to get past them seamed to be having a great time.
This festival was a complete disaster, I think it gets worse every year, clearly they need someone that knows how to put this thing together much, much better and sadly with the results I have seen over the last few years if something is not done in the form of a good committee and PR it's a dieing event and that is truly a shame it's been Pocomokes number one drawing card for what, 30 years now?
Hey! the funnel cake looked good but I didn't have any. Don't miss it, I can't wait 'till next year.
Looking for more fun on the shore?
This just sent in by a reader that participates in bogging. It's a very enjoyable event, in fact i used to build the BIG trucks when we had bogs here going crazy all over the place. What man doesn't like to play in the mud? Especially with lots of noise and horsepower?
I am sending you some news about a local event that does not get alot of publicity.
This is the website you can go to for just about all the info anyone needs.
www.gumboromudbog.com. Since the mudbog is supposed to be in Pocomoke this summer maybe more local people need to know about it.
Fun for the whole family. No alcohol. Plenty of seats but people do bring their own lawn chairs. Usually it is crowded so get there early. Refreshment stand with hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, etc. Even icecream!
If you have never been to a mudbog it is quite amusing at times. My husband races and so do some of his friends. I am sending a pic of his mud truck.
Sorry this is late but I just thought about it. Everyone else is busy with the Cypress.
Check out the website and see what you think.
Thanks to jmmb
I am sending you some news about a local event that does not get alot of publicity.
This is the website you can go to for just about all the info anyone needs.
www.gumboromudbog.com. Since the mudbog is supposed to be in Pocomoke this summer maybe more local people need to know about it.
Fun for the whole family. No alcohol. Plenty of seats but people do bring their own lawn chairs. Usually it is crowded so get there early. Refreshment stand with hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, etc. Even icecream!
If you have never been to a mudbog it is quite amusing at times. My husband races and so do some of his friends. I am sending a pic of his mud truck.
Sorry this is late but I just thought about it. Everyone else is busy with the Cypress.
Check out the website and see what you think.
Thanks to jmmb
Dog gets stoned on weed
A dog in a Seattle park ruined someones day when it found and ate their mary jane.
Read on.
A dog that ran off from its owner in Seattle's Seward Park found and ate some marijuana and got high.
Owner Jen Nestor Waddell told KING-TV the 11-year-old black Lab mix named Jack was "just stoned" May 12 after they returned home from the park. The dog's eyes glossed over and he had trouble walking.
The vet said Jack had swallowed a large amount of dried, harvested marijuana. After some medication to induce vomiting and a night of rest Jack was back to normal.
Waddell told police about the drugs and joked they could borrow Jack to find them if they paid the $1,500 vet bill.
Read on.
A dog that ran off from its owner in Seattle's Seward Park found and ate some marijuana and got high.
Owner Jen Nestor Waddell told KING-TV the 11-year-old black Lab mix named Jack was "just stoned" May 12 after they returned home from the park. The dog's eyes glossed over and he had trouble walking.
The vet said Jack had swallowed a large amount of dried, harvested marijuana. After some medication to induce vomiting and a night of rest Jack was back to normal.
Waddell told police about the drugs and joked they could borrow Jack to find them if they paid the $1,500 vet bill.
The 14 Liberal Commandments
The more things change the more they stay the same, except in this case worse.
Now I'm no fan of Rush, he is way to far left for me ;) but this very old video that he was obviously joking about way back then is absolutly true today plus more.
Now I'm no fan of Rush, he is way to far left for me ;) but this very old video that he was obviously joking about way back then is absolutly true today plus more.
WTH For Today, When your number is called, it's called
Woman who missed Flight 447 is killed in car crash
An Italian woman who arrived late for the Air France plane flight that crashed in the Atlantic last week has been killed in a car accident, it has been reported.
Johanna Ganthaler, a pensioner from Bolzano-Bozen province, had been on holiday in Brazil with her husband Kurt and missed Air France Flight 447 after turning up late at Rio de Janeiro airport on May 31.
All 228 people aboard lost their lives after the plane crashed into the Atlantic four hours into its flight to Paris.
The ANSA news agency reported that the couple had managed to pick up a flight from Rio the following day.
It said that Ms Ganthaler died when their car veered across a road in Kufstein, Austria, and swerved into an oncoming truck. Her husband was seriously injured.
Todays WTH was sent in by TWO SENTZ
Sick and Tired of Verizon
I am soooo sick and tired of dealing with verizon, I have nothing but trouble with their billing. They cannot get my bills correct and I get threatening emails that they are going to "interrupt" my services.
I have checks, I have all the paperwork needed, now they can't send the bills but I keep paying.
A few months ago I canceled my land-line and it's been really hell every since. I called in April and 'thought' I had everything straightened out, I was told I was paid-up and had a $13.00 credit toward my DSL because my final land-line/DSL payment went to the wrong department, today I get a "interruption" notice by email AGAIN for the DSL.
I have the bill AND the canceled check for 5/15 that I overpaid once again. They will not send me a monthly statement to save my life.
So... as it stands right now I have a $13.00 credit but verizon says I owe them $140.00 WTH?
After 17 calls and 4 disconnects and being unwillingly transfered to the wrong departments 6 times and hung-up on twice I'm still right where I started.
I told them they wont have to worry about this after Monday because I was going to cancel verizon after being a good customer since they have been in business and they offered to transfer me to the service cancellation department.
Boy has things changed, I remember when a good customer had problems and they would give you a credit for their error. Now! They offer to disconnect you.
Where do y'all do business with your ISP and cell phones?
How about this new $19.95 per year telephone service being offered now?
BTW; I was on the phone for 2 hours for nothing
oh I forgot to mention my wife was on the phone with them for an hour before i started out.
Today was not a good day for me either.
"press 1 for English" then I get someone that spoke broken English with a headset that was breaking up.
My first words were, "there must be a mistake, I pressed 1 for English"
I have checks, I have all the paperwork needed, now they can't send the bills but I keep paying.
A few months ago I canceled my land-line and it's been really hell every since. I called in April and 'thought' I had everything straightened out, I was told I was paid-up and had a $13.00 credit toward my DSL because my final land-line/DSL payment went to the wrong department, today I get a "interruption" notice by email AGAIN for the DSL.
I have the bill AND the canceled check for 5/15 that I overpaid once again. They will not send me a monthly statement to save my life.
So... as it stands right now I have a $13.00 credit but verizon says I owe them $140.00 WTH?
After 17 calls and 4 disconnects and being unwillingly transfered to the wrong departments 6 times and hung-up on twice I'm still right where I started.
I told them they wont have to worry about this after Monday because I was going to cancel verizon after being a good customer since they have been in business and they offered to transfer me to the service cancellation department.
Boy has things changed, I remember when a good customer had problems and they would give you a credit for their error. Now! They offer to disconnect you.
Where do y'all do business with your ISP and cell phones?
How about this new $19.95 per year telephone service being offered now?
BTW; I was on the phone for 2 hours for nothing
oh I forgot to mention my wife was on the phone with them for an hour before i started out.
Today was not a good day for me either.
"press 1 for English" then I get someone that spoke broken English with a headset that was breaking up.
My first words were, "there must be a mistake, I pressed 1 for English"
Another Pit-Bull attack on a child
I'm not a believer in laws that protect us, I strongly believe in personal responsibility, but on that note something needs to set in place when it comes to pit-bulls. These dogs just don't stop and inbreeding is making them worse. Yes this parent made a terrible mistake by letting the dog play alone with the children but it may have never shown any aggression as with pits is often the scenario, they just snap, they grasp their easiest pray usually being a small child or animal that cannot strongly protect themselves. (kinda like most of the dog owners act huh?) But Pits are strong and determined when they go into attack mode.
I have an old blind dachshund/beagle mix (mutt) that is a house dog that goes outside on a chain. One day I heard the wife screaming and I ran to see what was happening. An un-leashed pit-bull was in our yard attacking our dog while she was chained, the pit had her by the neck and shaking her like a rag.
I'm a big guy and I tried to pull the pits jaws from around our dogs throat and I couldn't budge it, they say they cannot lock their jaws but I don't believe that, I then started punching the pit in hopes to break a rib or hopefully it's neck, it wouldn't give up,
I then started kicking the pit hopefully to at least make it let go and start on me, the pi held on and was still doing major damage. Finally I told the wife to get my gun, just as she did the owner of the pit casually walked up and was able to get his dog off our old dog and he just walked away, not a word did he speak, I should have shot them both.
Pit-bulls are dangerous animals and have no place in society, this is one law I could get behind.
STORY TDT:
Wilmington police say a 2-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was bitten by a pit bull her mother was watching for a neighbor.
The girl was attacked while she and three siblings were playing with the dog around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of a home in the 1000 block of West Fifth Street.
The dog bit the girl on the neck, but her siblings got the dog off her and got the girl out of the basement.
The girl was taken to Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Rockland where Master Sgt. Paul Reutter says she was listed in stable condition after surgery.
The dog was turned over to animal control officers in Kent County. It will be quarantined while the investigation continues.
I have an old blind dachshund/beagle mix (mutt) that is a house dog that goes outside on a chain. One day I heard the wife screaming and I ran to see what was happening. An un-leashed pit-bull was in our yard attacking our dog while she was chained, the pit had her by the neck and shaking her like a rag.
I'm a big guy and I tried to pull the pits jaws from around our dogs throat and I couldn't budge it, they say they cannot lock their jaws but I don't believe that, I then started punching the pit in hopes to break a rib or hopefully it's neck, it wouldn't give up,
I then started kicking the pit hopefully to at least make it let go and start on me, the pi held on and was still doing major damage. Finally I told the wife to get my gun, just as she did the owner of the pit casually walked up and was able to get his dog off our old dog and he just walked away, not a word did he speak, I should have shot them both.
Pit-bulls are dangerous animals and have no place in society, this is one law I could get behind.
STORY TDT:
Wilmington police say a 2-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was bitten by a pit bull her mother was watching for a neighbor.
The girl was attacked while she and three siblings were playing with the dog around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of a home in the 1000 block of West Fifth Street.
The dog bit the girl on the neck, but her siblings got the dog off her and got the girl out of the basement.
The girl was taken to Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Rockland where Master Sgt. Paul Reutter says she was listed in stable condition after surgery.
The dog was turned over to animal control officers in Kent County. It will be quarantined while the investigation continues.
Panel to address racial disparities
This crap burns me up to no end, I want them to look at the ratio of breadwinner jobs at UMES and hold them to the same guidelines that the NAACP is forcing the county to do. When they get the staff at UMES at least 70% white then we can talk, until then take a walk NAACP. The NAACP basis it's finding on population and never considers the education of that population, as long as their skin meets the necessary color; they then by NAACP standards are qualified.
STORY TDT:
A diverse committee of ordinary citizens and professional heavyweights has formed to tackle what civil rights leaders call racial disparities in hiring practices by Somerset County government and Board of Education leaders.
At a Thursday meeting of the Somerset Branch of the NAACP and the ACLU of Maryland, 16 community residents volunteered to serve on a county committee formed to continue dialog on the hiring and appointment practices by county agencies and to make recommendations that would create a work force to include African-American professionals more closely reflective of the county's 42 percent black population.
The meeting was attended by an estimated 75 blacks and whites from across the county, and included Crisfield and Princess Anne elected officials, members of the Somerset County Commissioners, the Democratic Central Committee and the Somerset County Board of Education.
Public figures who volunteered to tackle the issue in committee are schools Superintendent Karen-Lee Brofee, School board members H. DeWayne Whittington and William Miles, State's Attorney Kristy Hickman, Police Chief Warner Sumpter at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Crisfield City Councilwoman LaVerne Johnson. Other members are county residents Joy Beacott and NAACP member Mary Handy.
The Rev. Craig Matheis of Princess Anne called on residents to admit that racial divides continue in the county, and urged them to be unafraid in speaking out against injustices. Disparity in the workplace hurts those shut out during uncertain economic times more than any other, he warned.
"In Somerset County, we have a problem," he said. "There is going to come a time when you will need a method to survive."
The session was moderated by noted longtime civil rights activist Carl Snowden, the first civil rights director for the state of Maryland, who told the audience that that the process to solving problem starts with an admission that there is one.
"As we move in this next phase, where community residents have an opportunity to ask the question, 'Where do we go from here?' " he said. "There are strong feelings."
The session followed the release of a report by the NAACP branch and ACLU several weeks ago claiming that, among other things, no African-Americans worked in a professional capacity for county government in the year 2007.
Most African-Americans employed by the school system "are mostly employed in a nonprofessional capacity," the report says.
Brofee called the report "alarming," and committed to working to address the issue. "There may be ways to increase the number of minorities," she said. "Black and white (students) need to see strong African-American models."
Delegate Page Elmore, R-38A-Wicomico, who also represents Somerset County, said while the number of African-Americans in key positions at the Board of Education could be improved, he has seen great strides since taking office seven years ago.
"There is room for improvement, although it's better today than seven years ago," he said, adding that he was instrumental in a move to hire more blacks at the Tri-County Council, a community services umbrella agency that represents Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester counties. "I went to (Director) Mike Pennington. We can do the same in this county."
Somerset Commissioner Rex Simpkins, though, said while he favored fair hiring practices, he questioned some of the facts in the NAACP/ACLU report, such as the statement that the county government lacked a black professional in the workplace in 2007.
He also cited the 350 or more African-Americans employed at UMES, out of the 433 county residents who work on campus.
"We're going to walk out of here and we'll be friends," he said, underscoring that he is not prejudice. "My house is open to anyone."
Hickman said that although she, too, doubted some of the statistics in the report, she argued "that that doesn't make up for the disparities."
"That's why I'm here, to see what can be done," she said.
NAACP President Kirkland Hall said he was pleased with the interest from the total community, and expected that through the committee, "there will be immediate change."
Debbie Jeon, an ACLU legal council, said she believes both races are committed to seeking a resolution.
Snowden said he hoped that recommendations would be formulated within 45 days of the first committee meeting.
STORY TDT:
A diverse committee of ordinary citizens and professional heavyweights has formed to tackle what civil rights leaders call racial disparities in hiring practices by Somerset County government and Board of Education leaders.
At a Thursday meeting of the Somerset Branch of the NAACP and the ACLU of Maryland, 16 community residents volunteered to serve on a county committee formed to continue dialog on the hiring and appointment practices by county agencies and to make recommendations that would create a work force to include African-American professionals more closely reflective of the county's 42 percent black population.
The meeting was attended by an estimated 75 blacks and whites from across the county, and included Crisfield and Princess Anne elected officials, members of the Somerset County Commissioners, the Democratic Central Committee and the Somerset County Board of Education.
Public figures who volunteered to tackle the issue in committee are schools Superintendent Karen-Lee Brofee, School board members H. DeWayne Whittington and William Miles, State's Attorney Kristy Hickman, Police Chief Warner Sumpter at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Crisfield City Councilwoman LaVerne Johnson. Other members are county residents Joy Beacott and NAACP member Mary Handy.
The Rev. Craig Matheis of Princess Anne called on residents to admit that racial divides continue in the county, and urged them to be unafraid in speaking out against injustices. Disparity in the workplace hurts those shut out during uncertain economic times more than any other, he warned.
"In Somerset County, we have a problem," he said. "There is going to come a time when you will need a method to survive."
The session was moderated by noted longtime civil rights activist Carl Snowden, the first civil rights director for the state of Maryland, who told the audience that that the process to solving problem starts with an admission that there is one.
"As we move in this next phase, where community residents have an opportunity to ask the question, 'Where do we go from here?' " he said. "There are strong feelings."
The session followed the release of a report by the NAACP branch and ACLU several weeks ago claiming that, among other things, no African-Americans worked in a professional capacity for county government in the year 2007.
Most African-Americans employed by the school system "are mostly employed in a nonprofessional capacity," the report says.
Brofee called the report "alarming," and committed to working to address the issue. "There may be ways to increase the number of minorities," she said. "Black and white (students) need to see strong African-American models."
Delegate Page Elmore, R-38A-Wicomico, who also represents Somerset County, said while the number of African-Americans in key positions at the Board of Education could be improved, he has seen great strides since taking office seven years ago.
"There is room for improvement, although it's better today than seven years ago," he said, adding that he was instrumental in a move to hire more blacks at the Tri-County Council, a community services umbrella agency that represents Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester counties. "I went to (Director) Mike Pennington. We can do the same in this county."
Somerset Commissioner Rex Simpkins, though, said while he favored fair hiring practices, he questioned some of the facts in the NAACP/ACLU report, such as the statement that the county government lacked a black professional in the workplace in 2007.
He also cited the 350 or more African-Americans employed at UMES, out of the 433 county residents who work on campus.
"We're going to walk out of here and we'll be friends," he said, underscoring that he is not prejudice. "My house is open to anyone."
Hickman said that although she, too, doubted some of the statistics in the report, she argued "that that doesn't make up for the disparities."
"That's why I'm here, to see what can be done," she said.
NAACP President Kirkland Hall said he was pleased with the interest from the total community, and expected that through the committee, "there will be immediate change."
Debbie Jeon, an ACLU legal council, said she believes both races are committed to seeking a resolution.
Snowden said he hoped that recommendations would be formulated within 45 days of the first committee meeting.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
WHY IS CALIFORNIA BROKE?
WHY IS CALIFORNIA BROKE?From a California school teacher "As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegalimmigration, there are some things that you should be aware of: I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a largesouthern California high school which is designated a Title 1 school,meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic and income levels.
Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park , etc., where these students are protesting, are alsoTitle 1 schools. Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program.
When Isay free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll -- but afull breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make aMarriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays andtrays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten.
( OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK) I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at leastmoderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The schoolalso provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls(some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenienceof having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids.
(OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK) I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing fundingfor the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; mybudget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for thecomputer learning center, half of which, one month later, have beencarved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feelhumbled and grateful to have a free education in America ..
(OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK) I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teacherswhose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in thecountry less then 3 months who raised so much hell with the femaleteachers, calling them "Putas" whores and throwing things that theteachers were in tears. Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc, etc. Is itany wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but todemand rights, privileges and entitlements ?
To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrantscontribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener andhousekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time inthe real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs .. Higher insurance, medical facilities closing , higher medical costs,more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding,new diseases etc., etc, etc .For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.
We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster becausewe won't have the guts to enforce it. Does anyone i n their right mindreally think they will voluntarily leave and return? It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-worldculture that does not value education , that accepts children gettingpregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses To assimilate , and an American culture that has become so weak andworried about " politically correctness " that we don't have the will todo anything about it. If this makes your blood boil , as it did mine, forward this to everyoneyou know.
CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about? Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage. Consumers don't want expensive produce. Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs. But the bottom line is cheap labor.
The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth,a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor." Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. Hetakes a job for $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents,he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an IncomeTax Return, he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free.
He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent. He qualifies for food stamps.
He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care.
His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school.
He requires bilingual teachers and books.
He qualifies for relief from high energy bills. If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI.
Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare.
All of this is at(our) taxpayer's expense.
He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeownersinsurance. Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printedmaterial.
He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour inbenefits. Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left afterpaying their bills and his.
The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trashclean-up. Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!
Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park , etc., where these students are protesting, are alsoTitle 1 schools. Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program.
When Isay free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll -- but afull breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make aMarriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays andtrays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten.
( OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK) I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at leastmoderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The schoolalso provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls(some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenienceof having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids.
(OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK) I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing fundingfor the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; mybudget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for thecomputer learning center, half of which, one month later, have beencarved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feelhumbled and grateful to have a free education in America ..
(OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK) I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teacherswhose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in thecountry less then 3 months who raised so much hell with the femaleteachers, calling them "Putas" whores and throwing things that theteachers were in tears. Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc, etc. Is itany wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but todemand rights, privileges and entitlements ?
To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrantscontribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener andhousekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time inthe real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs .. Higher insurance, medical facilities closing , higher medical costs,more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding,new diseases etc., etc, etc .For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.
We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster becausewe won't have the guts to enforce it. Does anyone i n their right mindreally think they will voluntarily leave and return? It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-worldculture that does not value education , that accepts children gettingpregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses To assimilate , and an American culture that has become so weak andworried about " politically correctness " that we don't have the will todo anything about it. If this makes your blood boil , as it did mine, forward this to everyoneyou know.
CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about? Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage. Consumers don't want expensive produce. Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs. But the bottom line is cheap labor.
The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth,a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor." Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. Hetakes a job for $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents,he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an IncomeTax Return, he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free.
He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent. He qualifies for food stamps.
He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care.
His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school.
He requires bilingual teachers and books.
He qualifies for relief from high energy bills. If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI.
Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare.
All of this is at(our) taxpayer's expense.
He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeownersinsurance. Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printedmaterial.
He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour inbenefits. Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left afterpaying their bills and his.
The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trashclean-up. Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!
Cash-for-clunkers’ bill clears House
it's unbelievable how quick we are headed toward communism, don't people remember how whenever the government gives us an option it soon becomes 'rule'?
The cash for clunkers bill past the house today, just after the government took over a major auto maker, hmmmm? smell a rat? I do. The new government motors is not unrealistic it's here.
Soon we will be driving little chump mobiles by law and if you don't have one tags will be unaffordable for anything the government thinks is "not green". GM, under it's new administration 'the white house' has already dropped the "mid size" trucks yup! Euro here we come. Do the people not see what happened in Germany? Cuba? with this very same craziness?
read more HERE
The cash for clunkers bill past the house today, just after the government took over a major auto maker, hmmmm? smell a rat? I do. The new government motors is not unrealistic it's here.
Soon we will be driving little chump mobiles by law and if you don't have one tags will be unaffordable for anything the government thinks is "not green". GM, under it's new administration 'the white house' has already dropped the "mid size" trucks yup! Euro here we come. Do the people not see what happened in Germany? Cuba? with this very same craziness?
read more HERE
More swine Flu reported in Worcester Schools
As previously reported the Swine Flu is here. 2 more cases found and must now be of concern.
Today the Pocomoke schools sent letters home to parents and guardians. If you did not receive the letter it states as follows.
Today the Pocomoke schools sent letters home to parents and guardians. If you did not receive the letter it states as follows.
The Board of Education of Worcester County
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Worcester County Health Department has confirmed that four Worcester County Public School students have now tested positive for the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). The students attend various schools in our school system. Students diagnosed with the H1N1 Flu are being treated by a physician and will return to school when cleared by their physician. It is anticipated that the number of causes of H1N1 will continue to increase in out community.
According to health officials, the symptoms of this new strain of flu appear to be similar to the seasonal flu. Like the seasonal flu, the H1N1 Flu can be transmitted from person to person. Symptoms include a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, and fatigue.
We continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Worcester County Health Department (WCHD) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention which include heightening prevention practices, since preventing infection remains the number-one defense against transmitting the flu to others.
Prevention best-practices include:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaner are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
According to the WCHD, "If individuals are sick or experiencing flu-like symptoms, they should stay home from work or school and limit close contact with others for at least 7 days after symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. If symptoms get worse, individuals should contact their primary care physician or provider for treatment. parents can help to slow the spread of this virus by keeping sick students at home for the recommended period of time".
For more information on the H1N1 Flu, you may contact the WCHD Information Line at 410-632-4321 or visit the WCHD Website at www.worcesterhealth.org If you have any questions or concerns, you may also contact me at 410-632-5021 or your child's principal at school.
The health and safety of our students are always a priority.
Sincerely
John M. Andes
Superintendent of Schools
Negative people, we all know at least one
This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade.
So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less tries to make your life miserable.
A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband...
She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:
"Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."
"We're going to go to the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continentals brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.
And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say?!"
He said "Who screwed up your hair?"
So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less tries to make your life miserable.
A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband...
She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:
"Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"
"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"
"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"
"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."
"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."
"We're going to go to the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."
"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."
A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continentals brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.
And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"
"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."
"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.
Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."
"Oh, really! What'd he say?!"
He said "Who screwed up your hair?"
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
WTH for the Day
Pedestrian Hits Side of Bus in O.C.
OCEAN CITY, Md.- Ocean City police say a Pennsylvania man was critically injured when he walked into a bus as it drove past him.
It happened about 11:20 a.m. Sunday on 123rd Street. Police say 18-year-old Brett Patrick Dellomo of Williamsport, Pa., was walking north on the sidewalk. Witnesses say he walked off the sidewalk and into the southbound bus lane as the municipal bus was approaching from about 100 feet away.
Dellomo was thrown to the ground and his head hit the sidewalk. He was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Police are still investigating this incident.
OCEAN CITY, Md.- Ocean City police say a Pennsylvania man was critically injured when he walked into a bus as it drove past him.
It happened about 11:20 a.m. Sunday on 123rd Street. Police say 18-year-old Brett Patrick Dellomo of Williamsport, Pa., was walking north on the sidewalk. Witnesses say he walked off the sidewalk and into the southbound bus lane as the municipal bus was approaching from about 100 feet away.
Dellomo was thrown to the ground and his head hit the sidewalk. He was taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Police are still investigating this incident.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Court Rejects Challenge to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
The Supreme Court on Monday turned down a challenge to the Pentagon policy forbidding gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, granting a request by the Obama administration.
The court said it will not hear an appeal from former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo II, who was dismissed under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
The federal appeals court in Boston earlier threw out a lawsuit filed by Pietrangelo and 11 other veterans. He was the only member of that group who asked the high court to rule that the Clinton-era policy is unconstitutional.
In court papers, the administration said the appeals court ruled correctly in this case when it found that "don't ask, don't tell" is "rationally related to the government's legitimate interest in military discipline and cohesion."
During last year's campaign, President Barack Obama indicated he supported the eventual repeal of the policy, but he has made no specific move to do so since taking office in January. Meanwhile, the White House has said it won't stop gays and lesbians from being dismissed from the military.
Last year, the federal appeals court in San Francisco allowed a decorated flight nurse to continue her lawsuit over her dismissal. The court stopped short of declaring the policy unconstitutional, but said that the Air Force must prove that ousting former Maj. Margaret Witt furthered the military's goals of troop readiness and unit cohesion.
The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was the first that evaluated "don't ask, don't tell" through the lens of a 2003 Supreme Court decision that struck down a Texas ban on sodomy as an unconstitutional intrusion on privacy.
The administration did not appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court and Witt's lawsuit is ongoing.
The appeals court in Pietrangelo's case also took the high court decision into account, but concluded that it should defer to Congress' determination that the policy fosters cohesion in military units.
The case is Pietrangelo v. Gates, 08-824.
The court said it will not hear an appeal from former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo II, who was dismissed under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
The federal appeals court in Boston earlier threw out a lawsuit filed by Pietrangelo and 11 other veterans. He was the only member of that group who asked the high court to rule that the Clinton-era policy is unconstitutional.
In court papers, the administration said the appeals court ruled correctly in this case when it found that "don't ask, don't tell" is "rationally related to the government's legitimate interest in military discipline and cohesion."
During last year's campaign, President Barack Obama indicated he supported the eventual repeal of the policy, but he has made no specific move to do so since taking office in January. Meanwhile, the White House has said it won't stop gays and lesbians from being dismissed from the military.
Last year, the federal appeals court in San Francisco allowed a decorated flight nurse to continue her lawsuit over her dismissal. The court stopped short of declaring the policy unconstitutional, but said that the Air Force must prove that ousting former Maj. Margaret Witt furthered the military's goals of troop readiness and unit cohesion.
The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was the first that evaluated "don't ask, don't tell" through the lens of a 2003 Supreme Court decision that struck down a Texas ban on sodomy as an unconstitutional intrusion on privacy.
The administration did not appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court and Witt's lawsuit is ongoing.
The appeals court in Pietrangelo's case also took the high court decision into account, but concluded that it should defer to Congress' determination that the policy fosters cohesion in military units.
The case is Pietrangelo v. Gates, 08-824.
Skeet Shooter?
Well with the price of ammo on top of the price of trap and skeet ranges I like the new alternative. Although some may not approve it's a lot cheaper.
Don't Forget, Analog to Digital this Friday @ 11:59 p.m.
Television stations go digital this Friday @ 11:59 PM, so don't forget if you have an antenna you WILL need a converter box to continue to receive television stations.
Now, don't get a 'converter' box and a cable box confused, if you have cable now you do not need a converter box. You will however need a 'converter' box if you use and external antenna to receive TV channels.
In other words if you do not get a monthly bill for cable or steal it you need a 'converter' box.
Here's a little tip for those that do have cable and do not need a 'converter' box.
The cable company will give you a couple of 'cable' boxes free of charge, but you have to go to Salisbury and go directly to the office and sweet talk them but they will do it.
Why? That's what I said too, but my son went and picked-up one and we get a lot more channels then the TV itself would receive. It also gives you access to on-demand, I thought it was only because we had an old TV but he went and picked-up another box and connected to a brand new LCD TV and it gets a lot more channels with the box then it did without it also.
Good luck on the change from analog to digital.
Now, don't get a 'converter' box and a cable box confused, if you have cable now you do not need a converter box. You will however need a 'converter' box if you use and external antenna to receive TV channels.
In other words if you do not get a monthly bill for cable or steal it you need a 'converter' box.
Here's a little tip for those that do have cable and do not need a 'converter' box.
The cable company will give you a couple of 'cable' boxes free of charge, but you have to go to Salisbury and go directly to the office and sweet talk them but they will do it.
Why? That's what I said too, but my son went and picked-up one and we get a lot more channels then the TV itself would receive. It also gives you access to on-demand, I thought it was only because we had an old TV but he went and picked-up another box and connected to a brand new LCD TV and it gets a lot more channels with the box then it did without it also.
Good luck on the change from analog to digital.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Newest member of Misty's family born on Chincoteague
The newest member of Misty of Chincoteague's family, Smoke'n Mist, was born last week and is now at the Chincoteague Pony Centre with his mother.
The black and white pinto colt is the son of Misty's Desert Sun, a direct descendent of Misty.
The sire is Tuffer than Leather, a Chincoteague stallion whose roots originate with the wild ponies on Assateague Island.
The foal was born on May 24, early in the morning, with no complications.
Smoke'n Mist is one of several Misty descendants that grace the paddocks at the Chincoteague Pony Centre, which has the largest herd of Misty family ponies in the world.
The black and white pinto colt is the son of Misty's Desert Sun, a direct descendent of Misty.
The sire is Tuffer than Leather, a Chincoteague stallion whose roots originate with the wild ponies on Assateague Island.
The foal was born on May 24, early in the morning, with no complications.
Smoke'n Mist is one of several Misty descendants that grace the paddocks at the Chincoteague Pony Centre, which has the largest herd of Misty family ponies in the world.
Library addition taking shape
CHINCOTEAGUE — A new addition to the Chincoteague Island Library is under construction and scheduled to be completed in September of this year, officials said.
The Eastern Shore Public Library Board of Trustees toured the addition on Monday after its monthly meeting, which was held on the island.
“As you can see, we needed room to grow,” said Carl Palmer, vice president of the Island Library’s Board of Directors and overseer of the construction project, on the tour.
The library opened in 1995 in a renovated 1890s barber’s shop. It is run by two part-time employees and about 25 volunteers.
“We had the idea to expand from the time that we opened,” said Board of Directors President Linda Ryan.
The town donated the land on which the addition is being built. The project was set in motion about five years ago, when the size of the addition necessary to serve the needs of the library’s patrons was assessed.“We just don’t have an adequate collection to serve the needs of the island.
During the summer, we have so many computer users and visitors that the space was inadequate,” Palmer said.Fundraising efforts ranged from collection boxes placed in businesses around town to grants. “We had so many groups and individuals that helped us achieve our goal in two years,” said Ryan.
Billy Reed Jr. Construction, a company located on the island, began building the addition in November of last year.
Plans for the new addition include a children’s room, meeting room, and a second reading room. The second floor will have additional bookshelves and a section on Chincoteague’s history. The addition will be complete with a sprinkler system and an elevator.“It’s very handicap-friendly,” said Palmer.
The new building will also allow the library to have more computers for public access. During the peak tourist season, approximately 500 people use the library’s computers each week.
The library currently has around 7,000 books. “We plan to triple that,” said Palmer.Once the addition is completed, everything will be moved out of the original building, which will be renovated.
The original part of the library will be used as a reading room and popular books section. “We just can’t wait,” said Ryan. “It’s happening.”The Chincoteague Island Library, located on Main Street, is open six days a week: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Eastern Shore Public Library Board of Trustees toured the addition on Monday after its monthly meeting, which was held on the island.
“As you can see, we needed room to grow,” said Carl Palmer, vice president of the Island Library’s Board of Directors and overseer of the construction project, on the tour.
The library opened in 1995 in a renovated 1890s barber’s shop. It is run by two part-time employees and about 25 volunteers.
“We had the idea to expand from the time that we opened,” said Board of Directors President Linda Ryan.
The town donated the land on which the addition is being built. The project was set in motion about five years ago, when the size of the addition necessary to serve the needs of the library’s patrons was assessed.“We just don’t have an adequate collection to serve the needs of the island.
During the summer, we have so many computer users and visitors that the space was inadequate,” Palmer said.Fundraising efforts ranged from collection boxes placed in businesses around town to grants. “We had so many groups and individuals that helped us achieve our goal in two years,” said Ryan.
Billy Reed Jr. Construction, a company located on the island, began building the addition in November of last year.
Plans for the new addition include a children’s room, meeting room, and a second reading room. The second floor will have additional bookshelves and a section on Chincoteague’s history. The addition will be complete with a sprinkler system and an elevator.“It’s very handicap-friendly,” said Palmer.
The new building will also allow the library to have more computers for public access. During the peak tourist season, approximately 500 people use the library’s computers each week.
The library currently has around 7,000 books. “We plan to triple that,” said Palmer.Once the addition is completed, everything will be moved out of the original building, which will be renovated.
The original part of the library will be used as a reading room and popular books section. “We just can’t wait,” said Ryan. “It’s happening.”The Chincoteague Island Library, located on Main Street, is open six days a week: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
CHINCOTEAGUE; Pit bull attack concerns council
Seldom does the public comment period of the Town Council's monthly meeting take center stage. But on Monday night it did.
Accomack County Supervisor Wanda Thornton addressed the council about a vicious dog attack recently that left her great-granddaughter, Joy, suffering serious injuries and her family traumatized.
"I'm here on a serious note," said Thornton. "Last Saturday afternoon people and four dogs were trespassing on my property. A pit bull attacked my great-granddaughter as she was getting out of the car."
Thornton said the attack came so fast that there was no time to stop it.
"I think they would have killed her," said Thornton and the council members listened to every emotional word.
Fortunately there were a number of people in the vicinity of the attack and they responded by pulling the dog off the 6-year-old child.
"She was bleeding profusely," said Thornton. "She was in shock."
Thornton said the dog got the little girl on the ground and went for her face.
"She put her arm up to protect her face and the dog bit her arm," said Thornton.
Thornton said that on at least two other occasions the dog had attacked others in the neighborhood.
Thornton said she contacted Accomack County Animal Control, but it takes about 45 minutes for the agency to respond to calls from Chincoteague.
Thornton stated the dog has been destroyed and the remains sent to a lab to test for rabies.
Thornton requested the town look into constructing a "holding pen" to keep such animals until the county's animal control can get here to pick up the animal.
She praised the response of Chincoteague Policeman Kenny Reese. "Kenny Reese was wonderful," said Thornton.
The council expressed concern about the attack and pledged to discuss the matter at the next meeting.
Accomack County Supervisor Wanda Thornton addressed the council about a vicious dog attack recently that left her great-granddaughter, Joy, suffering serious injuries and her family traumatized.
"I'm here on a serious note," said Thornton. "Last Saturday afternoon people and four dogs were trespassing on my property. A pit bull attacked my great-granddaughter as she was getting out of the car."
Thornton said the attack came so fast that there was no time to stop it.
"I think they would have killed her," said Thornton and the council members listened to every emotional word.
Fortunately there were a number of people in the vicinity of the attack and they responded by pulling the dog off the 6-year-old child.
"She was bleeding profusely," said Thornton. "She was in shock."
Thornton said the dog got the little girl on the ground and went for her face.
"She put her arm up to protect her face and the dog bit her arm," said Thornton.
Thornton said that on at least two other occasions the dog had attacked others in the neighborhood.
Thornton said she contacted Accomack County Animal Control, but it takes about 45 minutes for the agency to respond to calls from Chincoteague.
Thornton stated the dog has been destroyed and the remains sent to a lab to test for rabies.
Thornton requested the town look into constructing a "holding pen" to keep such animals until the county's animal control can get here to pick up the animal.
She praised the response of Chincoteague Policeman Kenny Reese. "Kenny Reese was wonderful," said Thornton.
The council expressed concern about the attack and pledged to discuss the matter at the next meeting.
Obama Offers French Profound Apology For D-Day
President Barack Obama marked D-Day today by issuing a long-awaited American apology for the invasion, saying that “the Nazi threat was a flimsy excuse for blatant American cowboyism.”
“For too long, my country has ignored the devastating impact that 160,000 soldiers, 5,000 ships, and 13,000 aircraft had on both the peace-loving French people and the delicate Normandy ecosystem 65 years ago. My friends, the epic struggle between good and evil that the United States presented as a pretext for the invasion was simply a ruse for our insatiable imperialism. I am here to say, Je suis desole. A thousand times, je suis desole.”
Obama also offered specific regrets for:
the deafening noise of the invasion, which interrupted German lessons for French citizens up and down the Normandy coast;
the widespread urination by anxious American GIs in the French surf, upsetting the delicate pH balance of the water
the failure to secure the proper beach permits for the invasion
“For too long, my country has ignored the devastating impact that 160,000 soldiers, 5,000 ships, and 13,000 aircraft had on both the peace-loving French people and the delicate Normandy ecosystem 65 years ago. My friends, the epic struggle between good and evil that the United States presented as a pretext for the invasion was simply a ruse for our insatiable imperialism. I am here to say, Je suis desole. A thousand times, je suis desole.”
Obama also offered specific regrets for:
the deafening noise of the invasion, which interrupted German lessons for French citizens up and down the Normandy coast;
the widespread urination by anxious American GIs in the French surf, upsetting the delicate pH balance of the water
the failure to secure the proper beach permits for the invasion
The Pastor's ASS
THE PASTOR'S ASS
The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won.
The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again,and it won again.
The local paper read:PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.
The next day, the local paper headline read:BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS.
This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey.
The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent.
The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day:NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.
The bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10.
The next day the paper read:NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.
This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.
The next day the headlines read:NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
The bishop was buried the next day.
The moral of the story is . . .
being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone elses ass and you'll be a lot happier and live longer!
The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won.
The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again,and it won again.
The local paper read:PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT.
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.
The next day, the local paper headline read:BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS.
This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey.
The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent.
The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day:NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.
The bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10.
The next day the paper read:NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.
This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.
The next day the headlines read:NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.
The bishop was buried the next day.
The moral of the story is . . .
being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone elses ass and you'll be a lot happier and live longer!
Pregnant Maryland Womans Body Found in Crawl Space
A 28-year-old Oregon woman has been charged with murder after the body of a new mother was found in the crawl space of her home.
Rescue crews first went to Korena Roberts' home in Washington County on Friday in response to a call of a newborn in distress. They found Roberts' boyfriend unsuccessfully trying to revive the baby using first-aid techniques.
Rescue crews first went to Korena Roberts' home in Washington County on Friday in response to a call of a newborn in distress. They found Roberts' boyfriend unsuccessfully trying to revive the baby using first-aid techniques.
Roberts told deputies the baby was hers, the county sheriff's office said. Medics noticed a lot of blood at the home, and sent Roberts and the baby to a hospital.
"Doctors at the hospital were not able to revive the baby," said Sgt. David Thompson of the Washington County Sheriff's Office in a news release. "They also discovered that Ms. Roberts had not delivered a child at anytime in the recent past."
Deputies returned to the home, where they found the body of 21-year-old Heather Snively in the crawl space under the kitchen, Thompson said.
Authorities learned Snively had been pregnant at the time she was attacked, and they determined she was the mother of the infant.
An autopsy will now determine how the baby was delivered, and whether he died before or after birth, Thompson said.
The outcome could result in another murder charge for Roberts, deputies said.
Residents in the woman's Mill Creek Drive neighborhood said Roberts had told them she was expecting a child, according to CNN affiliate KPTV.
"She didn't appear to be pregnant to us," neighbor Doug King told KPTV.
Authorities learned Snively had been pregnant at the time she was attacked, and they determined she was the mother of the infant.
An autopsy will now determine how the baby was delivered, and whether he died before or after birth, Thompson said.
The outcome could result in another murder charge for Roberts, deputies said.
Residents in the woman's Mill Creek Drive neighborhood said Roberts had told them she was expecting a child, according to CNN affiliate KPTV.
"She didn't appear to be pregnant to us," neighbor Doug King told KPTV.
Town of Parksley Awarded $100.000
The Town of Parksley has been awarded $100,000 by the Department of Housing and Community Development to create a business loan fund to encourage business expansion and job creation. This loan fund is a part of the town’s grant to construct a community fiber-optic network in conjunction with the Eastern Shore Broadband Authority.To be eligible for a loan, existing Parksley businesses must be expanding their services and other businesses must be locating to Parksley. The business owner must be willing to commit to the creation of one new job per $10,000 borrowed. The Town of Parksley will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis. The first step will be to complete a pre-application identifying the owner, type of business, location of operation, purpose of the loan and sources of additional funding. The application package is now available at Parksley Town Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The loan committee will meet June 23 to begin reviewing applications.
NASA’s Max Launch Abort System
NASA’s Max Launch Abort System is scheduled to be tested June 15 at Wallops Flight Facility. The launch window extends from approximately 5:45 to 8:15 a.m.The unpiloted test is part of an effort to design a system for safely propelling future spacecraft and crews away from hazards on the launch pad or during the climb to orbit. This system was developed as an alternative to the launch abort system chosen for NASA's Orion crew capsule. Orion, part of a new spacecraft system being developed by NASA's Constellation Program, is undergoing design reviews in preparation for flying humans to the International Space Station in 2015 and, later, to the moon. The Max Launch Abort System is being tested to provide experience in flight testing a spacecraft to NASA's Engineering and Safety Center, which leads the project from NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton. The 33-foot-high launch vehicle will travel to an altitude of approximately one mile to simulate an emergency on the launch pad. A full-scale mockup of the crew module will separate from the launch vehicle and parachute into the Atlantic Ocean.
Traffic Stop Nets 50 Pounds of Pot
How dumb can they be? It looks like they could have at least afforded to buy an enclosed trailer if they wanted to haul "bails" of pot.
NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) - Police say an officer spotted a huge load of marijuana in the bed of a pickup truck during a traffic stop in the New Castle area Friday night.
A Delaware River and Bay Authority officer pulled over the truck on southbound Interstate 295. The driver has been identified as 51-year-old Eric Baptiste of Virginia Beach, Va.
The marijuana weighed about 50 pounds. Baptiste has been charged with with trafficking in marijuana and related offenses. He's being held at the Young Correctional Institute on $27,500 bail.
NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) - Police say an officer spotted a huge load of marijuana in the bed of a pickup truck during a traffic stop in the New Castle area Friday night.
A Delaware River and Bay Authority officer pulled over the truck on southbound Interstate 295. The driver has been identified as 51-year-old Eric Baptiste of Virginia Beach, Va.
The marijuana weighed about 50 pounds. Baptiste has been charged with with trafficking in marijuana and related offenses. He's being held at the Young Correctional Institute on $27,500 bail.
Two Teenage Boys Drown in Md. State Park
Now this is a strange one. This is a sad ending that I do not understand. if these two teens were with adults on a boat, and as I understand this article the adults in the boat called to say the teens were struggling in the water? Do I understand this right?
If that being the case why in the world didn't the boaters pull the teens out of the water?
Something ain't right here. Stay tuned for more than we are hearing on this one.
Article from WBOC;
ABERDEEN, Md. (AP) - Authorities say two teenage males drowned while swimming in the Gunpowder River on Saturday afternoon.
The teens were on a boating excursion with adults when they drowned. Authorities say the boaters made an emergency call to report the two were having trouble swimming in the water off the Hammerman beach area at Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Police from nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground were involved in the search. George Mercer, a spokesman for the federal facility, says the teens' bodies were found late Saturday night in federal waters.
Their ages were estimated at between 17 and 19 years old. Aberdeen Proving Ground police are handling the investigation into their deaths.
If that being the case why in the world didn't the boaters pull the teens out of the water?
Something ain't right here. Stay tuned for more than we are hearing on this one.
Article from WBOC;
ABERDEEN, Md. (AP) - Authorities say two teenage males drowned while swimming in the Gunpowder River on Saturday afternoon.
The teens were on a boating excursion with adults when they drowned. Authorities say the boaters made an emergency call to report the two were having trouble swimming in the water off the Hammerman beach area at Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Police from nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground were involved in the search. George Mercer, a spokesman for the federal facility, says the teens' bodies were found late Saturday night in federal waters.
Their ages were estimated at between 17 and 19 years old. Aberdeen Proving Ground police are handling the investigation into their deaths.
A Comment Worthy of a Post
In reference to the Pocomoke City budget.
Great ways, and great ideas on how the city could very easily save our tax dollars. A little commonsense goes a long way.
Billy Burke said...
Tom,These are good observations.
I think the City of Pocomoke could save a lot of money by:Getting a new City Manager.Russ Blake has been there simply too long, he is at the highest end of the pay scale one could achieve for the position and he has a negative affect on bringing new business to town.
Limiting the mileage on take home police carsI understand that giving officers a take home car has become industry standard, has a positive effect when the officer lives in the city limits and is a financial motivator.
The lady who lives in Delaware is one of the nicest people on the force but 100 miles plus per day is over the top.
The cop who lives in town or just up the road 5 to 15 miles is not getting the same "bonus compensation" as someone who commutes 100 miles plus daily on the city's credit card.City needs to get out of real estate businessPocomoke City owns at least 60 parcels of land, lots & buildings they have taken from citizens by demolishing their buildings, taxes or whatever.
The City has NEVER publicly sold or offered for sale their real estate, its all back room deals.I can see negotiating for something like Industrial Park space where the land is owned to attract businesses.Lots around town are something else.
This is something Mikey campaigned on and he even took my suggestion to "tie conditions" to the sale such as building a home within a specific period of time.
The property will be on the tax rolls PLUS the city will get cash when it's sold.
Be more business friendlyThis goes back to the city manager wanting to control every business in town.If it's legal then let it go. Why can't someone get an adult beverage downtown?We don't need another Lawsons so Honiss Cane does not need to be a "silent-partner" in the first drinking establishment.
Snow Hill & Berlin are filled with art galleries, small shops and have more than a few places to get a coke or a beer. Why not Pocomoke?Utilize the riverfrontThe riverfront has needed gas & ice sales available since the day we moved here in 1987.
The City says you can't have a pump next to the bridge because that is the spot that makes the most sense.OK why not put the pumps down at the boat ramp? Duh???
Employee's NEED Raises & Benefits
The employees are dedicated and put up with a lot of crap coming out of City Hall.
They don't like to see or hear about Russ & the Chief going to their vacation condo's in Florida on the city's nickel when they don't get a $50 a month COLA raise.
That's about the worst thing you can do for morale and makes people less productive.It's back to getting rid of the City Manager and new blood at City Hall.It's quite obvious that what Russ Blake & Company have been doing does not work.
Great ways, and great ideas on how the city could very easily save our tax dollars. A little commonsense goes a long way.
Billy Burke said...
Tom,These are good observations.
I think the City of Pocomoke could save a lot of money by:Getting a new City Manager.Russ Blake has been there simply too long, he is at the highest end of the pay scale one could achieve for the position and he has a negative affect on bringing new business to town.
Limiting the mileage on take home police carsI understand that giving officers a take home car has become industry standard, has a positive effect when the officer lives in the city limits and is a financial motivator.
The lady who lives in Delaware is one of the nicest people on the force but 100 miles plus per day is over the top.
The cop who lives in town or just up the road 5 to 15 miles is not getting the same "bonus compensation" as someone who commutes 100 miles plus daily on the city's credit card.City needs to get out of real estate businessPocomoke City owns at least 60 parcels of land, lots & buildings they have taken from citizens by demolishing their buildings, taxes or whatever.
The City has NEVER publicly sold or offered for sale their real estate, its all back room deals.I can see negotiating for something like Industrial Park space where the land is owned to attract businesses.Lots around town are something else.
This is something Mikey campaigned on and he even took my suggestion to "tie conditions" to the sale such as building a home within a specific period of time.
The property will be on the tax rolls PLUS the city will get cash when it's sold.
Be more business friendlyThis goes back to the city manager wanting to control every business in town.If it's legal then let it go. Why can't someone get an adult beverage downtown?We don't need another Lawsons so Honiss Cane does not need to be a "silent-partner" in the first drinking establishment.
Snow Hill & Berlin are filled with art galleries, small shops and have more than a few places to get a coke or a beer. Why not Pocomoke?Utilize the riverfrontThe riverfront has needed gas & ice sales available since the day we moved here in 1987.
The City says you can't have a pump next to the bridge because that is the spot that makes the most sense.OK why not put the pumps down at the boat ramp? Duh???
Employee's NEED Raises & Benefits
The employees are dedicated and put up with a lot of crap coming out of City Hall.
They don't like to see or hear about Russ & the Chief going to their vacation condo's in Florida on the city's nickel when they don't get a $50 a month COLA raise.
That's about the worst thing you can do for morale and makes people less productive.It's back to getting rid of the City Manager and new blood at City Hall.It's quite obvious that what Russ Blake & Company have been doing does not work.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
2 Teenaged Girls Arrested for Taking Clothes Off at Store
LEWES, Del. - Police say they have arrested two 15-year-old girls for taking their clothes off at a video rental store in Lewes on Friday night.
According to Delaware State Police, at 8:30 p.m. a staff member of the Midway Movies in Lewes was viewing the surveillance video system in the theaters when they came across two young ladies in one of the hallways.
Police say the girls were observed taking off their clothes and snapping photographs of themselves with their camera enabled cell phones.
According to detectives, these acts were done in public and witnessed by several other patrons walking by.
Troopers arrived on the scene and took custody of the suspects. They were taken back to Troop 7 on charges of disorderly conduct and their parents were contacted.
Investigators say that the two girls were taking their clothes off and snapping pics of themselves as they intended on electronically sending their racy photos to their friends- memorializing their behavior.
DSP says this incident underscores the dark contrast of how technology can both benefit and adversely impact our youth.
Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh says, "The purpose of this news release is not to simply notify the public of this incident, but to encourage parents to engage in serious and meaningful conversation with their kids about the dangers vs. the benefits of technology. As silly as incidents such as this may seem on the surface, there are real concerns afoot. Once a digital image is sent across the information highway, it no longer belongs to the sender."
" Photos, such as the ones taken last evening, all too often end up on various web pages and file sharing sites. It is not until the original sender learns how many people have seen their pictures, including strangers that the realization of their decision to send the photos in the first place sets in. This is why parents need to talk to their kids. This is why the conversation needs to be meaningful and serious," Whitmarsh says.
According to Delaware State Police, at 8:30 p.m. a staff member of the Midway Movies in Lewes was viewing the surveillance video system in the theaters when they came across two young ladies in one of the hallways.
Police say the girls were observed taking off their clothes and snapping photographs of themselves with their camera enabled cell phones.
According to detectives, these acts were done in public and witnessed by several other patrons walking by.
Troopers arrived on the scene and took custody of the suspects. They were taken back to Troop 7 on charges of disorderly conduct and their parents were contacted.
Investigators say that the two girls were taking their clothes off and snapping pics of themselves as they intended on electronically sending their racy photos to their friends- memorializing their behavior.
DSP says this incident underscores the dark contrast of how technology can both benefit and adversely impact our youth.
Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh says, "The purpose of this news release is not to simply notify the public of this incident, but to encourage parents to engage in serious and meaningful conversation with their kids about the dangers vs. the benefits of technology. As silly as incidents such as this may seem on the surface, there are real concerns afoot. Once a digital image is sent across the information highway, it no longer belongs to the sender."
" Photos, such as the ones taken last evening, all too often end up on various web pages and file sharing sites. It is not until the original sender learns how many people have seen their pictures, including strangers that the realization of their decision to send the photos in the first place sets in. This is why parents need to talk to their kids. This is why the conversation needs to be meaningful and serious," Whitmarsh says.
WTH For Today: New Jersey Cop Beats Man for Standing On Corner
I'm interested in why these officers even stopped to confront this citizen.
Why would the police tell him to zip his jacket? Why can he not have his jacket zipper fastened?
If what’s on a tape captured outside a bar in Passaic, is what really happened, then a police officer in New Jersey has some big explaining to do.
The tape shows a cop getting out of his car and getting more than a little rough with a man standing on a street corner.
One week after the beating, Ronnie Holloway’s eye is still black and blue. But it’s an improvement.
Read entire article
Why would the police tell him to zip his jacket? Why can he not have his jacket zipper fastened?
If what’s on a tape captured outside a bar in Passaic, is what really happened, then a police officer in New Jersey has some big explaining to do.
The tape shows a cop getting out of his car and getting more than a little rough with a man standing on a street corner.
One week after the beating, Ronnie Holloway’s eye is still black and blue. But it’s an improvement.
Read entire article
Bow to the King
It's really unbelievable that the hard left are so in love with their messiah that they will actually bow in his presents.
It's time to check yourself Brain Williams.
It's time to check yourself Brain Williams.
Pocomoke's budget shrinks slightly
Next year's proposed budget is slightly lower than the current budget, largely because of a loss of state and county revenue of about $157,000.
City officials are planning to keep the tax rate for owner-occupied homes at 75 cents per $100 of value and 76 cents per $100 for other real property.
The proposed budget of $7.45 million is slightly less than the current operating budget. A major part of the budget is the ambulance fund at $828,248. Of that amount, $117,748 will come from city funds, with the balance coming from Worcester County, transport charges and other sources.
The largest part of the budget, $4.55 million, is for the general fund, with the balance for the water and sewer fund. There will be no increases in water and sewer rates, but the trash disposal fee will be increased 50 cents to offset an increase in the county tipping fee charged to Pocomoke and other towns for solid waste.
One major capital expense for the water fund is the construction of a new well off Clarke Avenue at $365,000. However, City Manager Russell W. Blake said he had applied for a federal stimulus grant to cover the cost of the project. He expects an answer on the grant this month. Without the grant, the money will have to be borrowed.
Another stimulus grant in the works is $500,000 to upgrade the town's sewer plant. The balance of the funding for the upgrade will come from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
With the reduction in outside income, the town's employees will see no increases in cost of living or step raises. With a lieutenant in the police department retiring, his position will not be filled immediately, and a position in the Public Works department will be eliminated.
The town is looking at a significant increase in hospitalization insurance costs of about 13 percent. Another major impact on the budget is the current year's increase in gas and oil prices and in heating and electric bills -- 25 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The city manager expects these increases to continue.
City officials are planning to keep the tax rate for owner-occupied homes at 75 cents per $100 of value and 76 cents per $100 for other real property.
The proposed budget of $7.45 million is slightly less than the current operating budget. A major part of the budget is the ambulance fund at $828,248. Of that amount, $117,748 will come from city funds, with the balance coming from Worcester County, transport charges and other sources.
The largest part of the budget, $4.55 million, is for the general fund, with the balance for the water and sewer fund. There will be no increases in water and sewer rates, but the trash disposal fee will be increased 50 cents to offset an increase in the county tipping fee charged to Pocomoke and other towns for solid waste.
One major capital expense for the water fund is the construction of a new well off Clarke Avenue at $365,000. However, City Manager Russell W. Blake said he had applied for a federal stimulus grant to cover the cost of the project. He expects an answer on the grant this month. Without the grant, the money will have to be borrowed.
Another stimulus grant in the works is $500,000 to upgrade the town's sewer plant. The balance of the funding for the upgrade will come from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
With the reduction in outside income, the town's employees will see no increases in cost of living or step raises. With a lieutenant in the police department retiring, his position will not be filled immediately, and a position in the Public Works department will be eliminated.
The town is looking at a significant increase in hospitalization insurance costs of about 13 percent. Another major impact on the budget is the current year's increase in gas and oil prices and in heating and electric bills -- 25 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The city manager expects these increases to continue.
June 6, 1944 A Day To Remember
June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.
Photos From the Front
A collection of U.S. Army photography from the build up of troops in England, to the beaches and airborne landings in France.
View the Photos
U.S. Army Divisions in the Normandy Campaign
A listing of the American Divisions involved in the Normandy Campaign and contact information for their active divisions and retiree associations.
View the DivisionsView the D-Day American Assault ForcesView the Allied Order of Battle for the Normandy Campaign
D-Day Beaches
Descriptions and maps of the Normandy beachheads the Allies invaded.
View the Invasion Descriptions
General Eisenhower's Message
Both text and the actual reading (.mp3) are provided of General Eisenhower's Message.
View the Message
WWII Poster Gallery
A selection of World War II posters available in high resolution to download.
View the Posters
News
A collection of news articles related to the D-Day invasion at Normandy.
Click for News
Photos From the Front
A collection of U.S. Army photography from the build up of troops in England, to the beaches and airborne landings in France.
View the Photos
U.S. Army Divisions in the Normandy Campaign
A listing of the American Divisions involved in the Normandy Campaign and contact information for their active divisions and retiree associations.
View the DivisionsView the D-Day American Assault ForcesView the Allied Order of Battle for the Normandy Campaign
D-Day Beaches
Descriptions and maps of the Normandy beachheads the Allies invaded.
View the Invasion Descriptions
General Eisenhower's Message
Both text and the actual reading (.mp3) are provided of General Eisenhower's Message.
View the Message
WWII Poster Gallery
A selection of World War II posters available in high resolution to download.
View the Posters
News
A collection of news articles related to the D-Day invasion at Normandy.
Click for News
Friday, June 5, 2009
A letter From a Teacher to Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington , DC
20500
Mr.. Obama:I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America .
You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world.
Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States?
This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia.
You didn’t show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you!You can’t find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don’t want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey .. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves.
What’s the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic,the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything?
I seriously doubt it.What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven’t said anything about that.
Who authorized that? I surely didn’t!Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that’s $45 million more than the AIG bonuses.. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives hav e already been awarded $51 million not a bad take.
Who authorized that and why haven’t you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.Sincerely,Every Real American
Ms Kathleen Lyday
Fourth Grade TeacherGrandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy. CHillsboro, MO
63050
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington , DC
20500
Mr.. Obama:I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America .
You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world.
Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States?
This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia.
You didn’t show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia . How dare you, sir! How dare you!You can’t find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don’t want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey .. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves.
What’s the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic,the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything?
I seriously doubt it.What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven’t said anything about that.
Who authorized that? I surely didn’t!Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that’s $45 million more than the AIG bonuses.. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives hav e already been awarded $51 million not a bad take.
Who authorized that and why haven’t you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.Sincerely,Every Real American
Ms Kathleen Lyday
Fourth Grade TeacherGrandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy. CHillsboro, MO
63050
Sears duped and spied on its customers online
After enticing customers to participate in an online marketing study, the company that owns Sears and Kmart spied on them -- capturing their secure web use and spending, the Federal Trade Commission alleged recently in a case against the company. Sears Holdings Management Corp. today settled that case, agreeing to stop the practices, instruct their customers how uninstall the software that had been watching them and to destroy the data that was collected.Here's what happened...Sears recruited participants in its marketing study off its web site and paid participants $10 if they downloaded and retained the software. They were told the software for "My SHC Community" would allow them to "participate in exciting, engaging, and on-going interactions – always on your terms and always by your choice." They also were told the software would only monitor their online browsing, the FTC said.Instead, the FTC said, Sears' software captured secured sessions from participants including online banking, drug prescriptions and even library borrowing history. In addition, the FTC said, Sears also was able to see certain information from web-based email programs and even from some non-Internet computer activity.
Sears Holdings Management Corp., the parent company of Sears and Kmart, settled a case to stop enticing customers to sign up for a software that spies on them. It must also instruct customers how to uninstall the software that monitored their spending across the web, even on sites that are supposed to be secure, and destroy the data that was collected. The Federal Trade Commission brought the case against the Sears Holdings.
Sears was unapologetic and admitted no wrongdoing in settling the case. In a statement, the company maintains that it was above-board with participants.
"Sears Holdings takes the safety and security of our customers' private information very seriously. The company conducted a research project nearly two years ago with a small panel of consumers who were recruited online to better understand the surfing behavior of US retail customers," the company's statement said. "The panelists were informed upfront of the nature of the work being conducted and were paid for their participation in the study. At all times, Sears Holdings ensured the privacy and security of the personal information of all participants who enrolled in the program. We also worked to ensure best practices of its disclosures and notifications to panelists."The company said that all the personal information gathered has already been destroyed and that the software was removed, adding, "No tracking software is being deployed on any of Sears Holdings' sites or communities."You can decide for yourself. Read the marketing materials here.
Sears Holdings Management Corp., the parent company of Sears and Kmart, settled a case to stop enticing customers to sign up for a software that spies on them. It must also instruct customers how to uninstall the software that monitored their spending across the web, even on sites that are supposed to be secure, and destroy the data that was collected. The Federal Trade Commission brought the case against the Sears Holdings.
Sears was unapologetic and admitted no wrongdoing in settling the case. In a statement, the company maintains that it was above-board with participants.
"Sears Holdings takes the safety and security of our customers' private information very seriously. The company conducted a research project nearly two years ago with a small panel of consumers who were recruited online to better understand the surfing behavior of US retail customers," the company's statement said. "The panelists were informed upfront of the nature of the work being conducted and were paid for their participation in the study. At all times, Sears Holdings ensured the privacy and security of the personal information of all participants who enrolled in the program. We also worked to ensure best practices of its disclosures and notifications to panelists."The company said that all the personal information gathered has already been destroyed and that the software was removed, adding, "No tracking software is being deployed on any of Sears Holdings' sites or communities."You can decide for yourself. Read the marketing materials here.
World Leaders Shun Obama
This is the respect the world leaders now have for our nation.
Recently Chevez said "Comrad Obama" was "farther left" of himself and Castro.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday that he and Cuban ally Fidel Castro risk being more conservative than U.S. President Barack Obama as Washington prepares to take control of General Motors Corp.
During one of Chavez's customary lectures on the "curse" of capitalism and the bonanzas of socialism, the Venezuelan leader made reference to GM's bankruptcy filing, which is expected to give the U.S. government a 60 percent stake in the 100-year-old former symbol of American might.
"Hey, Obama has just nationalized nothing more and nothing less than General Motors. Comrade Obama! Fidel, careful or we are going to end up to his right," Chavez joked on a live television broadcast.
During a decade in government, Chavez has nationalized most of Venezuela's key economic sectors, including multibillion dollar oil projects, often via joint ventures with the private sector that give the state a 60 percent controlling stake.
Obama has vowed to quickly sell off General Motors once the auto giant is back on its feet, but the government will initially control the company after a $30 billion injection of taxpayer funds.
Chavez, a vehement critic of the U.S. "empire," has toned down his rhetoric since Obama took office in January and the two men shook hands during a summit in Trinidad and Tobago in April.
Recently Chevez said "Comrad Obama" was "farther left" of himself and Castro.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday that he and Cuban ally Fidel Castro risk being more conservative than U.S. President Barack Obama as Washington prepares to take control of General Motors Corp.
During one of Chavez's customary lectures on the "curse" of capitalism and the bonanzas of socialism, the Venezuelan leader made reference to GM's bankruptcy filing, which is expected to give the U.S. government a 60 percent stake in the 100-year-old former symbol of American might.
"Hey, Obama has just nationalized nothing more and nothing less than General Motors. Comrade Obama! Fidel, careful or we are going to end up to his right," Chavez joked on a live television broadcast.
During a decade in government, Chavez has nationalized most of Venezuela's key economic sectors, including multibillion dollar oil projects, often via joint ventures with the private sector that give the state a 60 percent controlling stake.
Obama has vowed to quickly sell off General Motors once the auto giant is back on its feet, but the government will initially control the company after a $30 billion injection of taxpayer funds.
Chavez, a vehement critic of the U.S. "empire," has toned down his rhetoric since Obama took office in January and the two men shook hands during a summit in Trinidad and Tobago in April.
Residents Await New Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Somerset County
WESTOVER, Md. - Wal-Mart is expanding stores nationwide adding about 22,000 new jobs. For years now we've heard about plans to build a new Wal-Mart distribution center in Somerset County.
It's expected to bring 750 badly needed jobs. But construction has yet to begin.
The site of the distribution center, which has been fenced in, is on Revells Neck Road. But there's been no groundbreaking.
WBOC called Wal-Mart, but so far we've heard no word on when construction will begin.
Customers at a barber shop in Princess Anne have been talking about the Wal-Mart distribution center. The only question they have is when.
James Leatherbury says,"We want it to come. We want it to hurry up and get here."
Leatherbury says the 750 jobs are badly needed in Somerset County and he plans to apply for a job when the facility is built.
"For beneficial reasons. You know I have kids and I need benefits just like every other person," Leatherbury says.
Danny Stevens from the Princess Anne Chamber of Commerce says, "Any sort of center would have an impact, an immediate impact."
Stevens says he hasn't heard any updates on the project's status. Stevens says the center would help the town and the Eastern Shore.
Stevens says,"I think it would bring more businesses to town and the surrounding area."
But so far they've seen no construction. Leatherbury says it's frustrating.
It's expected to bring 750 badly needed jobs. But construction has yet to begin.
The site of the distribution center, which has been fenced in, is on Revells Neck Road. But there's been no groundbreaking.
WBOC called Wal-Mart, but so far we've heard no word on when construction will begin.
Customers at a barber shop in Princess Anne have been talking about the Wal-Mart distribution center. The only question they have is when.
James Leatherbury says,"We want it to come. We want it to hurry up and get here."
Leatherbury says the 750 jobs are badly needed in Somerset County and he plans to apply for a job when the facility is built.
"For beneficial reasons. You know I have kids and I need benefits just like every other person," Leatherbury says.
Danny Stevens from the Princess Anne Chamber of Commerce says, "Any sort of center would have an impact, an immediate impact."
Stevens says he hasn't heard any updates on the project's status. Stevens says the center would help the town and the Eastern Shore.
Stevens says,"I think it would bring more businesses to town and the surrounding area."
But so far they've seen no construction. Leatherbury says it's frustrating.
Robbery Suspects' Car Runs Out of Gas
If you're going to rob a bank make sure you have gas in the get-a-way vehicle
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 5) - Authorities say they've arrested two suspected bank robbers after their getaway vehicle ran out of gas.
Daytona Beach police say 38-year-old Randall Fredric Walker went into the Riverside National Bank Tuesday afternoon and demanded money from a teller. After leaving the bank with the money, authorities say Walker jumped into a Jeep Cherokee driven by 35-year-old Jason Warren Dietrich. The two didn't get far before the vehicle ran out of gas.
The men got out of the sport utility vehicle and left the area separately. But police found the abandoned SUV and traced it back to Dietrich, the registered owner.
Both men face bank robbery charges. They were being held on $50,000 bail.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 5) - Authorities say they've arrested two suspected bank robbers after their getaway vehicle ran out of gas.
Daytona Beach police say 38-year-old Randall Fredric Walker went into the Riverside National Bank Tuesday afternoon and demanded money from a teller. After leaving the bank with the money, authorities say Walker jumped into a Jeep Cherokee driven by 35-year-old Jason Warren Dietrich. The two didn't get far before the vehicle ran out of gas.
The men got out of the sport utility vehicle and left the area separately. But police found the abandoned SUV and traced it back to Dietrich, the registered owner.
Both men face bank robbery charges. They were being held on $50,000 bail.
NYC man charged with threatening Obama, Sotomayor
NEW YORK -A Manhattan man who threatened to kill U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor and said he wanted to kill President Barack Obama has been arraigned on charges of making a terroristic threat.
A criminal complaint says 48-year-old John Zaubler called 911 Saturday and said he was going to kill Sotomayor by "blowing her up" because he did not want his girlfriend to go to federal prison.
The complaint also says he wanted to kill Obama by "blowing him up."
Zaubler did not enter a plea in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Judge James Gibbons ordered Zaubler held without bail and ordered a psychiatric examination. He scheduled a hearing for July 6.
Zaubler's lawyer, Fran Hoffinger, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
A criminal complaint says 48-year-old John Zaubler called 911 Saturday and said he was going to kill Sotomayor by "blowing her up" because he did not want his girlfriend to go to federal prison.
The complaint also says he wanted to kill Obama by "blowing him up."
Zaubler did not enter a plea in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Judge James Gibbons ordered Zaubler held without bail and ordered a psychiatric examination. He scheduled a hearing for July 6.
Zaubler's lawyer, Fran Hoffinger, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Great Grandma Graduates High School
A Virginia woman will finally cross center stage to obtain her diploma, more than 60 years after she started high school.
At age 80, Marian Almond will be more than four times the age of most of her fellow graduates when she accepts her GED degree at Liberty University.
Almond dropped out of school when she was 16 to begin working in retail. She got married the following year.
"I just felt like I wanted to work," said Almond. "I didn't like school."
She never looked back and went decades without earning a diploma. It wasn't until Almond was rejected for a literacy volunteer opportunity that she felt compelled to return to school.
She hopes youngsters will avoid her path if they are on the fence about completing school.
"Heavens, don't quit school, go to graduation," said Almond.
She plans to celebrate with a bottle of champagne that's been stored in her refrigerator for years.
At age 80, Marian Almond will be more than four times the age of most of her fellow graduates when she accepts her GED degree at Liberty University.
Almond dropped out of school when she was 16 to begin working in retail. She got married the following year.
"I just felt like I wanted to work," said Almond. "I didn't like school."
She never looked back and went decades without earning a diploma. It wasn't until Almond was rejected for a literacy volunteer opportunity that she felt compelled to return to school.
She hopes youngsters will avoid her path if they are on the fence about completing school.
"Heavens, don't quit school, go to graduation," said Almond.
She plans to celebrate with a bottle of champagne that's been stored in her refrigerator for years.
Salisbury City ethics commission finds no ethics violation
Salisbury's Ethics Commission announced Friday that it has found no wrongdoing on the part of a City Council member accused of violating the municipal code by voting for a budget that includes health insurance benefits for herself. The commission also exonerated another councilwoman who discussed health benefits for herself at a city budget work session.
Jonathan Taylor, a city resident and blogger, filed a complaint against Councilwoman Terry Cohen. The complaint also named Councilwoman Debbie Campbell, who Taylor said advocated health insurance benefits for herself during an April 28 budget work session. The second complaint filed by Taylor alleged that both Cohen and Campbell discussed the council health insurance at a May 19 budget work session. The third complaint alleged that Cohen voted for the budget ordinance at the May 26 City Council meeting, when the budget ordinance included funding for health insurance for herself.
Cohen denied any wrongdoing, saying she is entitled to vote on the budget and was not voting on the restoration of her health benefits. Funds for the benefits had been restored with an amendment to the budget.
The Ethics Commission held a hearing on the complaints on Wednesday and on Friday afternoon ruled that neither Campbell or Cohen violated the city's municipal code when they participated in a discussion about health insurance at either one of the city's budget work sessions.
"The Ethics Commission finds that the city has a long-standing policy of providing health insurance coverage to City Council members, and that discussion of health insurance coverage for council members at a budget work session is necessary to determine the correct amount of funding for that category in the budget ordinance," the Ethics Commission stated in its published decision.
The Ethics Commission also determined that Cohen did not violate the municipal code when she voted on the budget that includes health insurance coverage for her.
"The Ethics Commission finds that health insurance coverage for City Council members is permitted by Maryland Code and by the long standing benefits policy of the city, and that a vote on the funding of the health insurance coverage as a component of the budget ordinance is not a violation of the city ethics code," the Ethics Commission said.
The Ethics Commission further stated that a vote by a council member on the budget ordinance- which includes an expenditure for council member health insurance- is a necessary exemption under the municipal code, in order to permit passage of a budget ordinance by three or more favorable votes, as required by the city charter.
In addition to rendering its decision, the Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion that recommended the mayor and City Council appoint a compensation review committee to study the benefits, including health insurance, that is offered the mayor and council.
"The review committee should recommend a future approach regarding these benefits to the mayor and council. The benefits, including health insurance, should be the subject of a written policy or a section in the city charter or code," the Ethics Commission said.
Jonathan Taylor, a city resident and blogger, filed a complaint against Councilwoman Terry Cohen. The complaint also named Councilwoman Debbie Campbell, who Taylor said advocated health insurance benefits for herself during an April 28 budget work session. The second complaint filed by Taylor alleged that both Cohen and Campbell discussed the council health insurance at a May 19 budget work session. The third complaint alleged that Cohen voted for the budget ordinance at the May 26 City Council meeting, when the budget ordinance included funding for health insurance for herself.
Cohen denied any wrongdoing, saying she is entitled to vote on the budget and was not voting on the restoration of her health benefits. Funds for the benefits had been restored with an amendment to the budget.
The Ethics Commission held a hearing on the complaints on Wednesday and on Friday afternoon ruled that neither Campbell or Cohen violated the city's municipal code when they participated in a discussion about health insurance at either one of the city's budget work sessions.
"The Ethics Commission finds that the city has a long-standing policy of providing health insurance coverage to City Council members, and that discussion of health insurance coverage for council members at a budget work session is necessary to determine the correct amount of funding for that category in the budget ordinance," the Ethics Commission stated in its published decision.
The Ethics Commission also determined that Cohen did not violate the municipal code when she voted on the budget that includes health insurance coverage for her.
"The Ethics Commission finds that health insurance coverage for City Council members is permitted by Maryland Code and by the long standing benefits policy of the city, and that a vote on the funding of the health insurance coverage as a component of the budget ordinance is not a violation of the city ethics code," the Ethics Commission said.
The Ethics Commission further stated that a vote by a council member on the budget ordinance- which includes an expenditure for council member health insurance- is a necessary exemption under the municipal code, in order to permit passage of a budget ordinance by three or more favorable votes, as required by the city charter.
In addition to rendering its decision, the Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion that recommended the mayor and City Council appoint a compensation review committee to study the benefits, including health insurance, that is offered the mayor and council.
"The review committee should recommend a future approach regarding these benefits to the mayor and council. The benefits, including health insurance, should be the subject of a written policy or a section in the city charter or code," the Ethics Commission said.
Student Busted a Fish Tank at Pocomoke High by a Thrown Rock
Today at Pocomoke High school a student threw a rock that busted a 55 gallon fish tank in the marine biology room.
A junior student picked up a rock that had previously been inside the fish tank and was removed for cleaning. the student threw the rock at another student missing his target. The rock missed and struck the 55 gallon fish tank full of water and fish and busted the tank.
Water and fish went everywhere of course, the water destroyed a school laptop and others personal belongings, notes school papers etc.
It took students and school employees over 2 hours to clean up the flooded classroom and the health of the fish are not known at this time.
A junior student picked up a rock that had previously been inside the fish tank and was removed for cleaning. the student threw the rock at another student missing his target. The rock missed and struck the 55 gallon fish tank full of water and fish and busted the tank.
Water and fish went everywhere of course, the water destroyed a school laptop and others personal belongings, notes school papers etc.
It took students and school employees over 2 hours to clean up the flooded classroom and the health of the fish are not known at this time.
Free doughnuts Friday, June 5 at Dunkin' Donuts, Krispy Kreme
Dunkin' Donuts is celebrating National Donut Day on Friday, June 5 by giving away a free doughnut with the purchase of any beverage, while supplies last.Krispy Kreme is also giving away one doughnut per customer on Friday, and no purchase is required.National Donut Day is celebrated the first Friday in June. It was established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise money during the Great Depression.
Bo Obama "Attacks" Microphone on Reporter's Camera
The First Dog is so darn cute, we can hardly stand it.
Proving that he's got a playful streak (he is, after all, a canine and still a puppy) Bo sniffed out the camera crew surrounding him on the White House lawn and decided that one particular microphone looked the tastiest.
As far as misbehaving goes, Bo's playfulness is mild and good-natured compared to some other presidential pets! (See below.)
Watch as he romps with the microphone and gives it a few good bites before it's rescued.
Want more Bo? Click here for more videos of the presidential pup with President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama. Every time a presidential pet breaks protocol or gives in to their "bad" side, it's reported as international news. So far the Obamas' Portuguese Water Dog, has only been guilty of trying to chew on people's feet and chomping on a news camera microphone like it was a tasty treat. How have other presidential pets acted badly in the past?
Proving that he's got a playful streak (he is, after all, a canine and still a puppy) Bo sniffed out the camera crew surrounding him on the White House lawn and decided that one particular microphone looked the tastiest.
As far as misbehaving goes, Bo's playfulness is mild and good-natured compared to some other presidential pets! (See below.)
Watch as he romps with the microphone and gives it a few good bites before it's rescued.
Want more Bo? Click here for more videos of the presidential pup with President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama. Every time a presidential pet breaks protocol or gives in to their "bad" side, it's reported as international news. So far the Obamas' Portuguese Water Dog, has only been guilty of trying to chew on people's feet and chomping on a news camera microphone like it was a tasty treat. How have other presidential pets acted badly in the past?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Health Officials Confirm First 2 Cases of Swine Flu in Worcester County
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Worcester County Health Department are confirming the first two cases of Influenza A H1N1 in Worcester County.
According to the DHMH, a lab confirmed two probable cases have tested positive for the H1N1 virus. As of June 4, Maryland has 83 confirmed cases.
"As we've monitored the increasing numbers of H1N1 flu nationwide, we anticipated that we would eventually see cases in our county," said Debbie Goeller, health officer for Worcester County. "The Worcester County Health Department continues to monitor reports of illness, provide preventive information to the public, and review and update local plans. We also continue to communicate with local health care providers to successfully diagnose and treat our residents who may be ill."
WBOC.COM
Salisbury City Council health insurance ethics complaint
Should Pocomoke follow suit? Yes, it IS wrong for members to vote for their own benefits. is it "unethical"? sure it is, is like giving yourself a $10,000.00 raise, more money than they make to sit on the council. What's taking Salisbury so long to come to this very easy conclusion? If they find it is indeed ethical will they let that ridiculous decision stand? let's hope not. I feel it's wrong for any city council members or any elected official to receive health insurance on the tax payers dime, this is not only a part-time position, it's a very part-time, part-time position. There's no reason that a council member does not have insurance through their full time employment or retirement plan. I hope Salisbury sees this and says no to the insurance.
On that same note who and when was Pocomokes insurance implemented? Was it voted on by the council? If they have a job or retirement plan are they being paid double by insurance companies somehow? Do we have a board of ethics? Some more questions that need to be addressed here in Pocomoke. Say NO to benefits for elected officials that are not full time. It's our dime.
Questions surrounding the actions of two councilwomen named in a complaint still remained following the conclusion of a Salisbury City Ethics Commission hearing late Wednesday morning.
Both City Council members, Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen, testified at the hearing that lasted more than an hour and a half, but the commission closed the meeting room doors in the Salisbury fire station headquarters and deliberated privately.
The five-member ethics panel, made up of city residents appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, is expected to publish a written opinion at an undetermined date.
The complaint against Cohen and Campbell, who receive health benefits through the city, was filed by city resident and blogger Jonathan Taylor early last week.
Taylor, known as The Salisbury Grinch, accused Cohen of violating the city's municipal code when she voted to pass the city's budget -- which included funds for health insurance -- in late May.
Taylor also alleges Campbell and Cohen violated the code when they discussed health insurance issues during City Council work sessions.
"I don't see any conflict of interest in the process," said Robert Gladden, who was voted vice chairman in the absence of Ethics Commission chairman the Rev. John Kennedy. "My personal feeling is there has not been any ethics violation," said the former Salisbury city councilman just before the public portion of the hearing concluded.
A third councilwoman, Shanie Shields, receives health benefits through the city; however, she was not named in the complaint.
Taylor said he declined to name Shields because she publicly stated her intent to discontinue receiving health insurance through the city.
While Taylor was not present during the meeting due to a scheduling conflict, City Administrator John Pick read Taylor's written testimony to committee members during the hearing.
"Anytime you discuss salary and benefits, it's a political thing," Cohen testified. "Do we commit an ethics violation every time we vote on the budget?"
Cohen alleges that when former mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman removed health insurance benefits from the 2010 budget, Tilghman violated the municipal code. The council's job is to create policy, and the mayor's job is to administer policy set forth by the council, Cohen said during the hearing.
"I cannot knowingly vote for a budget that contains something that was done illegally," Cohen testified.
Furthermore, Cohen said if she and Shields had abstained from what has become a controversial budget vote on May 25, the council would have been unable to take a vote because the remaining two voting members were not enough for a quorum.
Campbell was absent from the budget vote due to illness.
At the hearing, Campbell was represented by local attorney Steve Cox, who made arguments on her behalf before the commission.
Cox pointed to the conflict of interest section of the municipal code which makes an exception for elected officials, and others to whom the section applies, to participate in any city-related "decision-making process" if the individual has disclosed his or her interests and "does not create a conflict of interest."
"It is clear that the interest of Miss Campbell was disclosed," Cox said to the Ethics Commission.
While the code does not define conflict of interest, Cox said everyone knew Campbell received health insurance through the city.
While Campbell's attorney and Cohen both maintained the benefits-budget vote issue was a policy issue, Taylor asserted that it was the actions of the councilwomen that should be the focus of the probe.
"I must emphasize again this is not whether the former mayor was in her right to make the cut, it is on the actions that the two councilwomen took to re-obtain said benefits," Pick said while reading Taylor's statement to the committee. "I think this is financially irresponsible when the cost of Debbie and Terry's insurance for four years for Debbie will be $40,000 and two years for Terry will cost $20,000, which equals $60,000, or two police cars."
On that same note who and when was Pocomokes insurance implemented? Was it voted on by the council? If they have a job or retirement plan are they being paid double by insurance companies somehow? Do we have a board of ethics? Some more questions that need to be addressed here in Pocomoke. Say NO to benefits for elected officials that are not full time. It's our dime.
Questions surrounding the actions of two councilwomen named in a complaint still remained following the conclusion of a Salisbury City Ethics Commission hearing late Wednesday morning.
Both City Council members, Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen, testified at the hearing that lasted more than an hour and a half, but the commission closed the meeting room doors in the Salisbury fire station headquarters and deliberated privately.
The five-member ethics panel, made up of city residents appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, is expected to publish a written opinion at an undetermined date.
The complaint against Cohen and Campbell, who receive health benefits through the city, was filed by city resident and blogger Jonathan Taylor early last week.
Taylor, known as The Salisbury Grinch, accused Cohen of violating the city's municipal code when she voted to pass the city's budget -- which included funds for health insurance -- in late May.
Taylor also alleges Campbell and Cohen violated the code when they discussed health insurance issues during City Council work sessions.
"I don't see any conflict of interest in the process," said Robert Gladden, who was voted vice chairman in the absence of Ethics Commission chairman the Rev. John Kennedy. "My personal feeling is there has not been any ethics violation," said the former Salisbury city councilman just before the public portion of the hearing concluded.
A third councilwoman, Shanie Shields, receives health benefits through the city; however, she was not named in the complaint.
Taylor said he declined to name Shields because she publicly stated her intent to discontinue receiving health insurance through the city.
While Taylor was not present during the meeting due to a scheduling conflict, City Administrator John Pick read Taylor's written testimony to committee members during the hearing.
"Anytime you discuss salary and benefits, it's a political thing," Cohen testified. "Do we commit an ethics violation every time we vote on the budget?"
Cohen alleges that when former mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman removed health insurance benefits from the 2010 budget, Tilghman violated the municipal code. The council's job is to create policy, and the mayor's job is to administer policy set forth by the council, Cohen said during the hearing.
"I cannot knowingly vote for a budget that contains something that was done illegally," Cohen testified.
Furthermore, Cohen said if she and Shields had abstained from what has become a controversial budget vote on May 25, the council would have been unable to take a vote because the remaining two voting members were not enough for a quorum.
Campbell was absent from the budget vote due to illness.
At the hearing, Campbell was represented by local attorney Steve Cox, who made arguments on her behalf before the commission.
Cox pointed to the conflict of interest section of the municipal code which makes an exception for elected officials, and others to whom the section applies, to participate in any city-related "decision-making process" if the individual has disclosed his or her interests and "does not create a conflict of interest."
"It is clear that the interest of Miss Campbell was disclosed," Cox said to the Ethics Commission.
While the code does not define conflict of interest, Cox said everyone knew Campbell received health insurance through the city.
While Campbell's attorney and Cohen both maintained the benefits-budget vote issue was a policy issue, Taylor asserted that it was the actions of the councilwomen that should be the focus of the probe.
"I must emphasize again this is not whether the former mayor was in her right to make the cut, it is on the actions that the two councilwomen took to re-obtain said benefits," Pick said while reading Taylor's statement to the committee. "I think this is financially irresponsible when the cost of Debbie and Terry's insurance for four years for Debbie will be $40,000 and two years for Terry will cost $20,000, which equals $60,000, or two police cars."
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