Monday, August 8, 2011

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge To Remain Open For Meteor Shower

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Manager Lou Hinds on Thursday announced that the refuge will remain open all night from Wednesday evening, Aug. 10 until dawn on Thursday morning, Aug. 11, allowing visitors the opportunity to witness the spectacular nature of the Perseid meteor shower.


Visitors wishing to participate must arrive on the refuge before the entrance gate closes at 10 p.m. However, those, not wishing to stay overnight may leave at any time. Anyone who leaves after 10 p.m. will not be permitted to re-enter until 5 a.m. the following morning.

Public access to trails and other visitor facilities will be prohibited after 10 p.m., but beach access and parking will remain open. All campfires will be prohibited after 10 p.m. to enhance nighttime viewing opportunities.


For more information about the Perseid meteor shower observation at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, call (757) 336-6122.

Source; shoredailynews.com

What are meteor showers?

An increase in the number of meteors at a particular time of year is called a meteor shower.

Comets shed the debris that becomes most meteor showers. As comets orbit the Sun, they shed an icy, dusty debris stream along the comet's orbit. If Earth travels through this stream, we will see a meteor shower. Depending on where Earth and the stream meet, meteors appear to fall from a particular place in the sky, maybe within the neighborhood of a constellation.

Meteor showers are named by the constellation from which meteors appear to fall, a spot in the sky astronomers call the radiant. For instance, the radiant for the Leonid meteor shower is located in the constellation Leo. The Perseid meteor shower is so named because meteors appear to fall from a point in the constellation Perseus.

  Source: http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors

Pocomoke Mayor and Council Meeting Tonight

POCOMOKE CITY
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
7:30 P.M., MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011
CITY HALL

1.                  Call to Order, Prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance.

2.                  Review and approval of minutes from meeting of July 5, 2011.

3.                  Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.                  Representatives of Chamber of Commerce to present plaques of appreciation for City support of the 2011 Cypress Festival.

5.                  Continue discussion with Chamber of Commerce representatives regarding “Welcome to Pocomoke” signs.

6.                  Ambulance Department Director Mike Thornton to present twelve month status report.

7.                  Review of bids for Ambulance Department power lift stretcher. (Bid opening 11:00 A.M. 8-8-11).

8.                  Res. # 450 to authorize loan from John Deere Inc. for purchase of aerator with 3/4'” tine holders and tines.

9.                  Authorize requests for bids:
a.       Police Department building improvements at 1400 Market Street.
b.      Supplies for extension of water mains to Water Treatment Plant on Quinn Ave.

10.              Authorize City Manager to submit application for Community Park and Playground (CPP) grant funding.  (DNR)
a.       Cart Path # 2 and # 9
b.      New maintenance shop
c.       HVAC at Log Cabin

11.              Housing Repairs/Demolition:
a.       Recommended repair or demolish :
1.      705 Second Street (Owner Donna Joseph)
2.      523 Young Street (Owner Allen B. Blount, Jr)
3.      618 Clarke Ave.  (Owner Joyace Dale)

b.      Houses previously ordered to be repaired or demolish:
1.      707 Clarke Ave.   (Owner Sodoria Wallop) (Date June 15, 2010)

12.              City Manager to announce recent CDBG grant award for Housing Rehabilitation projects.

13.              Authorize Mayor to sign agreement with DDC and UMES.



Comments from the Audience
Mayor and Council items.
Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, real estate, and legal matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and perform executive actions

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Beau Oglesby- Getting The Job Done In Worcester County

Beau Oglesby and the best law enforcement organizations nearby did Worcester County a wonderful thing a few days ago by loading up some of the biggest druggies in the county and hauling their asses off to jail!  I'm just glad I wasn't one of the parents impacted by this with a child that had ever purchased drugs from one of these scumbags.  I would have asked for a turn to speak before the judge on the day Beau Oglesby met with the judge to discuss bail for these low living creatures.

I'd like to laugh in the face of the creep that told the judge he couldn't stay in jail because he needed his medication.  What?  Medication?  You care about YOUR miserable health (now that your ass is in a bind)  but NOT the health of someones child?  How dare you even speak that crap!  Bail?  NOPE!  Not for any of them!  Just cram them into the same cell and let them fight it out!

Not fair?  Not nice?  Inhumane?  Is what they do to our families fair and just?  Is it fair for these people to sell drugs in a school zone?  Is what they have done time after time humane?

Fortunately, for some,  I don't make the laws. 

I guess the one big question is why does it ever have to get to the point that we have to bring out the 'big guns' in order to  get these people off the street?  And why can't we keep them off the street?  And what can people do to erase drugs from the communities?

Unfortunately there will always be drugs.  But shouldn't the smaller local  police agencies be doing their part?

Keep up the good work Mr. Oglesby!  There is plenty to be done and I have no doubt that you will get to all of it very soon.


Nancy Powell
Staff Writer


Aug. 5, 2011) Minaster Fate Nixon Wright, 55, of Pocomoke, told Judge Thomas C. Groton during a bond review hearing on Monday that he had never been convicted of a crime.


Wright, one of 36 people arrested over the weekend as part of a massive drug distribution investigation, evidently forgot that this was not exactly correct.


State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby told Groton that Wright had been convicted in 1974 of forgery, in 1965 of theft, in 1987 of malicious destruction of property, in 1987 of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and in 2004 of resisting arrest. He had also been found guilty of violation of probation.


Wright’s arrest over the weekend was for drug offenses on June 27 and July 14. His charges included selling marijuana within 1,000 feet from a school zone. The drug transactions, Oglesby said, were from Wright’s property, which is adjacent to Pocomoke Middle School.


Wright’s bond had been set at $75,000, but Wright wanted it to be lowered.

“That is not fair,” he said. “I’m a diabetic. I need my medicine.”


Groton was not inclined to lower the bond.

“Of all the cases I’ve seen, I believe this one may be too low,” he said.


Groton kept Wright’s bond at $75,000. He spent much of the morning listening to the charges of people picked up as part of the massive arrests by members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, composed of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, the Ocean City Police Department and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office. Numerous other agencies assisted and eight people are still being sought.


Warrants for the 44 suspects, ages 19 to 55, were issued after a six-month investigation into drug dealing, primarily in the southern end of the county.


Suspect Tamar Gilbert Cutler, 27, of Pocomoke, was one of several people arrested in June 2010 as part of then- State’s Attorney Joel Todd’s initiative, Take Pride in Berlin, to rid Berlin of drug dealers. He was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute it and distribution of cocaine.


Those charges were placed on the stet, or inactive docket, but Oglesby told Groton that they will be removed. He is scheduled to be tried on those old charges Sept. 15. Two additional charges of possessing and distributing crack cocaine have also been removed from the stet docket and are scheduled for trial that day.


Oglesby said Cutler had a violent history and a considerable drug history. He asked for Cutler to be denied bond.


“I’d like to have bond re-established,” Cutler said to the judge.


“I don’t see why bond would not be issued for a drug case,” Groton said. “I believe you’re entitled to bond.”
He then set bond at $300,000.


Alleged drug dealer Dawn Rochelle Hudson, 52, of Snow Hill, told the judge she had a job pending in patient care. She was supposed to start work this week, but her employment depends on a background check. She was charged with distribution of crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
Groton left Hudson’s bond at $25,000.


One after another, more suspects appeared before the judge, Oglesby would relate their criminal histories and the judge would decide on their bond. Additional bond hearings were held Tuesday.

Among those arrested in the drug roundup were Joshua Handy Pitts, 43, of Snow Hill; John Donzell Ginn, 42, of Snow Hill; Clinton Waters, 38, of Salisbury; Honnis Webster Cane, 40, of Pocomoke and Broadus Lorenzo Mason, 32, of Pocomoke.

This investigation is continuing and the following individuals are still wanted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office: Jeremy Lonnel Fitch and Gerry Marshall Laws of Pocomoke, Travis Antonio Bowen, Terrell Maurice Holley, Larry James Davis and Jonathon Purnell of Snow Hill, Torrance Demar Davis of Horntown, Va. and Kelvin Knock of New Church, Va.

Source; http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2011-08-05/Front_Page/Massive_arrests_for_drug_violations_in_county.html

TIME MACHINE ... The Lighter Side!

October, 1943

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


August, 1953

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


January, 1975

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


July, 1896

(Peninsula Ledger)

Dr. W. H. Walters, Surgeon Dentist, Pocomoke City, MD. prepared to do all kinds of dental work, and guarantees satisfaction. Teeth extracted without pain by the use of ---troas Oxide Gas or Cocaine. Crown and Bridge Work a Specialty. Prices Moderate.
----
The cheapest place to get your Spectacles and Eyeglasses is at Wm. Sartorious. Eyes tested free of charge.
---
W. Ulysses Schoolfield, Surveyor, Pocomoke City, MD. special attention paid to adjusting disputed lines.


December, 1972

In a "Scratch Pad" column about Salisbury's old water standpipe, Daily Times editor Dick Moore included the following:

We got a postcard from the Rev. R. Cephia Perdue of Pocomoke City who recalled hearing the great orator, William Jennings Bryan, speak on that very site in 1897. He (Bryan) was a candidate running against President William McKinley. The standpipe was not there then. But in 1908 the Rev. Mr. Perdue recalls going with a cousin, A.W. Perdue, to the standpipe and the latter climbed to the top of it.

Footnote: A.W. Perdue was the father of Frank Perdue of poultry industry notoriety.


January, 1941

(Abilene Reporter-News [Abilene, Texas])

Pocomoke City, Md., Jan. 1-
(AP)- It's been a mild winter, but two local residents hadn't figured as too unusual until:

Young Billy Ross and Clifton Dennis, out hunting with new Christmas rifles, bagged a three-foot, nine-inch allegator- about as common in Maryland as patting a polar bear.

The gator is believed to have escaped from a circus visiting here last year.



Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Same Great Chicken - Even Without The Holiday!!

~It doesn't have to be July 4th to enjoy that wonderful barbecued Chicken!~


When my daughter and I reached the Pocomoke City fire house this afternoon the chicken had been cooked, clean up done and the cooks were sitting back enjoying the beautiful weather.
                                                  
And then there were the other great firemen boxing the chicken and getting orders out to hungry customers.

My daughter hasn't been in Pocomoke of the 4th of July (for years)to enjoy the barbeque but she sure did today.  The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department barbecued chicken has been her favorite since she was a very little girl.....so she bought two.
And just so you guys know.......one will be boxed up, iced down and return home with her.
    Maybe this is a good way to get her home ONCE a month!

The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department will be selling their wonderful and delicious chicken once every month as long as the weather continues.

I will be sure to post the dates here when they do.

So..... if you still missed it you'll get another chance.

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting

POCOMOKE CITY
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING
7:30 P.M., MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011
CITY HALL

1.                  Call to Order, Prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance.

2.                  Review and approval of minutes from meeting of July 5, 2011.

3.                  Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.                  Representatives of Chamber of Commerce to present plaques of appreciation for City support of the 2011 Cypress Festival.

5.                  Continue discussion with Chamber of Commerce representatives regarding “Welcome to Pocomoke” signs.

6.                  Ambulance Department Director Mike Thornton to present twelve month status report.

7.                  Review of bids for Ambulance Department power lift stretcher. (Bid opening 11:00 A.M. 8-8-11).

8.                  Res. # 450 to authorize loan from John Deere Inc. for purchase of aerator with 3/4'” tine holders and tines.

9.                  Authorize requests for bids:
a.       Police Department building improvements at 1400 Market Street.
b.      Supplies for extension of water mains to Water Treatment Plant on Quinn Ave.

10.              Authorize City Manager to submit application for Community Park and Playground (CPP) grant funding.  (DNR)
a.       Cart Path # 2 and # 9
b.      New maintenance shop
c.       HVAC at Log Cabin

11.              Housing Repairs/Demolition:
a.       Recommended repair or demolish :
1.      705 Second Street (Owner Donna Joseph)
2.      523 Young Street (Owner Allen B. Blount, Jr)
3.      618 Clarke Ave.  (Owner Joyace Dale)

b.      Houses previously ordered to be repaired or demolish:
1.      707 Clarke Ave.   (Owner Sodoria Wallop) (Date June 15, 2010)

12.              City Manager to announce recent CDBG grant award for Housing Rehabilitation projects.

13.              Authorize Mayor to sign agreement with DDC and UMES.



Comments from the Audience
Mayor and Council items.
Adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel, real estate, and legal matters as permitted under the provisions of Sec. 10-508 (A), (1), (7), (8) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and perform executive actions

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Members of SEAL Team 6 killed in crash in Afghanistan

NewsChannel 3 has confirmed an Associated Press report that most, if not all, of the Navy SEALs who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan late last night belong to locally based SEAL Team Six, formally known as Naval Special Warfare Development Group, or DEV GRU. They are based in Dam Neck.
That is the same team that successfully tracked and killed Osama bin Laden in May.

The crash is the biggest single loss of SEAL life since
World War II. A similar crash in 2005 that killed 16 SEALS, including several from Virginia Beach, was the deadliest such incident until today.
The Associated Press reports the SEALs, along with a SEAL dog, members of the Air Force and the U.S. and Afghan armies, were participating in a raid of a house occupied by Taliban fighters.
At some point, the Chinook helicopter carrying 31 people including a civilian interpreter, crashed. All onboard died. A Taliban spokesman said insurgents shot down the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade. U.S. officials have not yet confirmed that, although some did say the helicopter went down during a firefight.

President Barack Obama said Saturday that the deaths of Americans in the crash are a reminder of the "extraordinary" price the U.S. military is paying in the decade-long Afghan war.

U.S. officials believe that none of those who died in the crash had participated in the bin Laden raid, although they were from the same unit that carried out that mission, two officials told The Associated Press. They spoke about matters of military security on condition of anonymity.

Obama, who learned of the incident at
Camp David, issued a statement saying his thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who perished. The White House had no comment about the details of who died or what happened.

Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan," the president said. "We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied."

Obama said he also mourned the loss of seven Afghans "who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country."

National security adviser Tom Donilon first notified Obama of the incident shortly after 8 p.m. EDT Friday. The president spoke again to Donilon later Friday night and received a paper briefing both that evening and Saturday morning.


The Secretary of Defense released the following statement on the crash Saturday morning:

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of many outstanding Americans in uniform and of their Afghan counterparts earlier today in Afghanistan. Their courage was exemplary, as was their determination to make this a safer world for their countries and for their fellow citizens. We will stay the course to complete that mission, for which they and all who have served and lost their lives in Afghanistan have made the ultimate sacrifice. They and their families are in my thoughts, in my prayers and in my heart."

Source;  http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-seal-crash-update,0,772662.story?fe

Don't Miss The Fireman's Chicken BBQ TODAY

If you missed the chance to buy some of the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Departments delicious barbecued chicken in July  here's another chance!


The Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Co.

CHICKEN BBQ
SATURDAY - AUGUST 6
MARKET ST. AT 14 th. STREET

The menu will include: 1/2 a bbq chicken and a roll

 Price  $6.00  ~ Carryout ONLY

Limited number of dinners available so get there early!
NO advanced ticket sales

~Visit THE GREAT POCOMOKE FAIR~

The Great Pocomoke Fair
Saturday  August 6, 2011

Fair open – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
General Admission – $2.00
 6 and under Free

8:00 a.m. Equine Show, Horse show area

10:30 a.m. Meat Goat Judging, Livestock Barn

11:30 a.m. Sheep Judging, Livestock Barn

12:00 noon Kids Activities

12:00 Noon – Cake & Pie Auction

12:30 – 4:00 p.m. Harness Racing, Grandstand/Racetrack

12:30 p.m. Dairy Goat Judging, Livestock Barn

1:30 p.m. Greased Pig Contest

3:30 p.m. Registration for Tractor Pull begins

4:30 p.m.* Kute Kids awards presentation

5:00 p.m. Antique/Classic Tractor & Pickup Pull – Grandstand/Infield Track

6:00 p.m. Indoor & Livestock Exhibits
released for pickup

10:00 p.m. Fireworks by Fireworks Production, Inc.

Friday, August 5, 2011

~Blessing of the Combines In Snow Hill

The Thirteenth Annual Blessing of the Combines

Saturday August 6

Combines are a familiar sight on the Eastern Shore, moving purposefully and efficiently through fields of grain, corn and soy beans, offloading their harvest into waiting trucks. But seeing a combine from afar is very different from being close enough to touch one. 
 
The Thirteenth Annual Blessing of the Combines, held in Snow Hill on Saturday August 6, will have eight combines parked on Green Street (after a parade down Route 12), thanks to the owners of these multi-thousand dollar machines.  
 
 Children stretch to gently touch the top of a tire; adults stretch to touch the cab. A sense of awe comes after a noisy and impressive “throttle thrust” as the combine drivers power-down their behomoths.
 
Festivities begin at 10:45 with a performance by Pam Ward’s Snow Hill Dance Studio. 
 
Exhibits and displays are set up along Green and Pearl Streets, including a Petting Barnyard, face painting, tie-dye, sand art, a soy bean pit, and a moon bounce, with additional activities for children by Lollipop the Clown. 
 
Hayrides and carriage rides will be available.  
 
The Program Stage will feature talented local young people between 11:00 and 11:30, when the arrival of the Parade of Combines signals the beginning of a brief program, featuring keynote speaker Nelson Brice and Combine Blesser Rev. Rick Edmund. At 12:15 Mike Short Jr. and his musical group will provide an afternoon of entertainment. 
 
Festival food vendors on Bank Street join Harvest Moon, The Emporium, The American Legion and The Palette in offering a wide selection of delicious treats. Further down Bank Street craft vendors join Lost in the Country, Artique’s Gallery by the River, Bishop’s Stock, Adcock Studio Gallery, Pages and Pearls, Snow Hill Flower and Gifts and The American Art Gallery.
 
 The Wheels That Heal Car Club will host a car show along the PocomokeRiver.
 
At 3:00 the festival ends as the combines leave Green Street
 
For details contact Becky Payne at 443-783-1715, or email kfisher44@verizon.net .
 
 

~The Great Pocomoke Fair This Weekend~

The Great Pocomoke Fair continues tonight through Saturday evening.

Tonight is Gospel Talent Show and Concert at the Fairgrounds.
Come out and enjoy great local talent and inspirational Christian music.

Schedule of Events: 

August 5, 2011 (Friday)
The Great Pocomoke Fair
Fair open – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
General Admission – $2

5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Indoor Exhibits inside Grand Stand open
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Livestock Exhibits, Livestock Barn open
7:30 p.m. Gospel Concert/Contest** – Grandstand Stage
5:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. Hog Judging – Livestock Barn
7:00 p.m. – 8p.m. Dairy cow Judging Livestock Barn
8:00 p.m. – 9 p.m. Beef cattle Judging – Livestock Barn

August 6, 2011 (Saturday)
The Great Pocomoke Fair
Fair open – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
General Admission – $2.00, 6 and under Free

8:00 a.m. Equine Show, Horse show area
10:30 a.m. Meat Goat Judging, Livestock Barn
11:30 a.m. Sheep Judging, Livestock Barn
12:00 noon Kids Activities
12:00 Noon – Cake & Pie Auction
12:30 – 4:00 p.m. Harness Racing, Grandstand/Racetrack
12:30 p.m. Dairy Goat Judging, Livestock Barn
1:30 p.m. Greased Pig Contest
3:30 p.m. Registration for Tractor Pull begins
4:30 p.m.* Kute Kids awards presentation
5:00 p.m. Antique/Classic Tractor & Pickup Pull – Grandstand/Infield Track
6:00 p.m. Indoor & Livestock Exhibits released for pickup
10:00 p.m. Fireworks by Fireworks Production, Inc.

Phone Solicitation Is A SCAM

 Arcadia High School has received reports of a phone scam claiming to be from the school asking people for money to benefit the school's athletic programs.

Citizens are advised to be aware and to NOT send the solicitors any money!
This IS A SCAM!

If you have any information regarding the scam, or any questions, please contact Arcadia High School at 757-824-5613.

Double Fatality In Accomack County

At 10:15 Monday night a double fatal accident occured on Bobtown Road. Melfa, Painter and Exmore responded to the accident.


On August 1, 2011 at approximately 2214 hours Virginia State Police was called to a single vehicle accident on Route 178 north of Route 609 in Pungoteague, Accomack, Virginia.

A single vehicle, 1996 Buick Century was traveling on Route 178 when it ran off the road to the right struck a tree stump and overturned, killing the driver and front seat passenger.

The vehicle was occupied by four occupants The back two passengers were taking to the local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.


The driver Cecilio Purneda Alaniz, 53 YOA, of Craddockville, VA. died at the scene. The front seat passenger Shirley Mae Tate, 72 YOA, of Craddockville, VA also died at the scene.


Notification to family members has been made. All occupants were wearing their seat belts, alcohol was a factor.

Currently the investigation is on-going.

Source; shoredailynews.com

~At The MarVa Theater This Weekend~

Thursday, August 4, 2011

TIME MACHINE PREVIEW ... The Lighter Side!

Some items from the lighter side of Pocomoke City's past are coming your way this week. Take a look this Sunday on The Pocomoke Public Eye!

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two or more if you wish. Your name won't be used unless you ask that it be. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Little Girl 11 Saves Woodpecker and Gets Fined Over 500 Dollars



FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (WUSA) -- Eleven-year-old aspiring veterinarian, Skylar Capo, sprang into action the second she learned that a baby woodpecker in her Dad's backyard was about to be eaten by the family cat.

"I've just always loved animals," said Skylar Capo. "I couldn't stand to watch it be eaten."
Skylar couldn't find the woodpecker's mother, so she brought it to her own mother, Alison Capo, who agreed to take it home.

"She was just going to take care of it for a day or two, make sure it was safe and uninjured, and then she was going to let it go," said Capo.

But on the drive home, the Capo family stopped at a Lowes in Fredericksburg and they brought the bird inside because of the heat. That's when they were confronted by a fellow shopper who said she worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"She was really nervous. She was shaking. Then she pulled out a badge," said Capo.
The problem was that the woodpecker is a protected species under the Federal Migratory Bird Act.  Therefore, it is illegal to take or transport a baby woodpecker.  The Capo family says they had no idea.
"I was a little bit upset because I didn't want my mom to get in trouble," said Skylar.

So as soon as the Capo family returned home, they say they opened the cage, the bird flew away, and they reported it to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"They said that's great, that's exactly what we want to see," said Capo. "We thought that we had done everything that we could possibly do."

But roughly two weeks later, that same woman from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service showed up at Capo's front door. This time, Capo says the woman was accompanied by a state trooper.  Capo refused to accept a citation, but was later mailed a notice to appear in U.S. District Court for unlawfully taking a migratory bird.  She's also been slapped with a $535 fine.
"I feel harassed and I feel angry," said Capo.

"Kids should be able to save a baby bird and not end up going home crying because their mom has to pay $535. I just think that's crazy," said Skylar.

If convicted, Capo could face up to a year behind bars.

Virginia State Police just released the following statement: 
"We have confirmed that the US Fish and Wildlife agent requested our presence when they served their federal summons. The trooper stood on the porch and said nothing. We had nothing to do with the charge."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued this statement at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 2nd:
"On June 13, a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service observed a woman carrying a cage that contained a woodpecker at a home improvement store in Fredericksburg Virg.

As possession of a bird may potentially violate the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the agent initiated an inquiry to determine whether a potential violation had occurred.

Upon speaking with the subject, later identified as Alison Capo, on June 27, the agent determined that no further action was warranted. A citation that had been previously drafted by the agent was cancelled on June 28.

Unfortunately, the citation was processed unintentionally despite our office's request to cancel the ticket. The Service has contacted Ms. Capo to express our regret. The Service is also sending Ms. Capo a formal letter explain the clerical error and confirming that ticket should never have been issued.

This misunderstanding was the result of a Service inquiry into possible violations of federal wildlife law. In particular the Service is responsible for the protection of all federally listed migratory birds. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries did not participate in the inquiry."



See the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's apology for the citation on its website.






Via: 9 News Now

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Free cell phones are now a civil right

 This seams to be big news at the moment, I wonder why it wasn't so much stink about this when Maryland did this? That's right, for those of you that didn't know Maryland has the same deal and you don't even have to be on public assistance all you need to be is low income I think. I know a couple of people that have the free Obama phones. They are both on Social Security, not welfare. I'm not sure about how many minuets they are allowed here in Md. though I do know that they get the free phones.







Pennsylvanians on public assistance now have a new 'civil right' -- free cell phones. Meanwhile, the rest of us get to pay higher cell bills as a result.

Recently, a federal government program called the Universal Service Fund came to the Keystone State and some residents are thrilled because it means they can enjoy 250 minutes a month and a handset for free, just because they don't have the money to pay for it. Through Assurance Wireless and SafeLink from Tracfone Wireless these folks get to reach out and touch someone while the cost of their service is paid for by everyone else.



You see, the telecommunications companies are funding the Universal Service Fund to the tune of $4 billion a year because the feds said they have to and in order to recoup their money, the companies turn around and hike their fees to paying customers. But those of use paying for the free service for the poor, should be happy about this infuriating situation, says Gary Carter, manager of national partnerships for Assurance, because "the program is about peace of mind." Free cell service means "one less bill that someone has to pay, so they can pay their rent or for day care...it is a right to have peace of mind," Cater explained.


Well, the telecommunications companies don't seem to love providing this 'right' to poor folks because they are trying to renegotiate the deal with the FCC. The telecommunications companies like Verizon and AT&T want more paying customers, but their desire to reform their deal with the feds dovetails nicely with the political ideology of the current FCC chairman Julian Genachowski, who like all Obama administration flunkies sees 'rights' where others see 'priviledges'.



Just listen to how the agency put the question of providing broadband and cell service to those in rural and poor communities. "The goal of reform is to provide everyone with affordable voice and broadband," the agency said.

Between 14 million and 24 million Americans lack access to broadband, "and immediate prospects for deployment to them are bleak," the FCC said in a report last year. "Many of these Americans are poor or live in rural areas that will remain unserved without reform of the universal service program and other changes," the report said.



But who says that cheap or free broadband is anything more than a luxury?
Well, another Obama flunkie, Rahm Emanuel, that's who. As we reported in June , the new mayor of Chicago was all excited to proclaim the wonderful news of free internet service to poor kids in Chicago's worst neighborhoods. And how could Mayor Emanuel pay for this new 'civil right'?

Well, because the federal government extorted the money from Comcast when it wanted to buy NBC-Universal. Once again FCC chairman Genachowski was all about "helping the kids" by forcing the internet provider to give poor kids free netbooks, laptops, and internet service, indefinitely. And who is going to pay for this gift? Well, of course the rest of us poor saps who actually pay our bills.