HARFORD COUNTY MAN COMMITS SUICIDE ON A TRAFFIC STOP

(ESSEX, MD) – State Police are investigating the death of a Harford County man who committed suicide yesterday afternoon while on a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Baltimore County.

The deceased is identified as Scott Kampes, 23, of the 1800 block of Oxford Square in Bel Air, Maryland. He was operating a 1999 Saturn at the time of the incident. Emergency medical personnel from Baltimore County Fire Department transported Kampes to Franklin Square Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel. An autopsy is being conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore.

Shortly before 2:00 p.m. yesterday, troopers from the JFK Barrack received a call for a stolen vehicle from a relative of Kampes, who had been following him. Information indicated the vehicle was traveling towards Interstate 95.

Troopers located the vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 95 north of White Marsh Boulevard in Baltimore County. A traffic stop was conducted by a trooper from the JFK Barrack who immediately made contact with the driver, Scott Kampes.

After securing the keys from Kampes’ vehicle, the trooper returned to his patrol car to speak with the relative who had been following Kampes. The relative was parked in front of Kampes’ vehicle and the trooper’s marked patrol car. Kampes had remained in the driver’s seat of his vehicle.

Moments later, a back up trooper arrived, and after ensuring the other trooper was okay, approached the Saturn and found Kampes slumped in the driver’s seat with trauma to his head. A Ruger .22 caliber semi-auto handgun was found inside on his lap.

Emergency medical personnel were immediately requested and arrived on scene. Kampes was transported to Franklin Square Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

Investigators from the JFK Barrack responded and are conducting the investigation. Preliminary investigation indicated the 1999 Saturn belongs to Kampes’ grandparents. He did not have permission to use the car.

Troopers are investigating how Kampes obtained the gun. Investigators have learned Kampes had recently threatened suicide.

The investigation is ongoing.

Submitted: MD State Police

Melfa Structure Fire

Thursday, March 7, 2013  - 12:49 AM
 29546 Lankford Highway
Melfa, Virginia
Abandoned structure fire- Just south of Chamber of Commerce building

When units arrived the flames were showing from the structure. High winds made containing the fire difficult.

Melfa, Painter, Wachapreague, Onley and Onancock  responded.  The building was destroyed.

REMINDER:A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the series of arson fires.
If you have information call the Accomack County Sheriff's Department at 757-655-1437

Coast Guard temporarily Suspends Search For Men

 Coast Guard Temporarily Suspends Search for 2 Missing

 Men Off Eastern Shore

 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard temporarily suspended the search Wednesday for two missing men approximately 15 miles east of Assateague Island, Md.

Due to the low visibility from clouds, rainfall and on scene winds of 50 to 60 mph, the Coast Guard suspended the search until sunrise Thursday.

Coast Guard 5th District watchstanders initially received an emergency position indicating radio beacon alert from the 67-foot fishing vessel Seafarer at 10:39 a.m.

Watchstanders contacted the vessel's owner, who believed the Seafarer had become disabled and the vessel's sister ship started towing the Seafarer.  It was reported that the ship lost the tow and sight of the Seafarer when weather conditions worsened.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched a Jayhawk crew to the Seafarers reported position. Once on scene, the aircrew rescued a man from a life raft and took him to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md. Afterwards, the Jayhawk crew continued their search for the two missing men.

A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Chincoteague also searched the area.

Worcester County Public Schools.....

Worcester County Public Schools will be opening

 2 hours late on Thursday March 7, 2013

Community Support and Arson

AS ARSON COUNT CONTINUES TO INCREASE IN ACCOMACK  COUNTY,

SO DOES NEED FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT

 

$25,000 Reward Still Available

 

As the number of suspicious fires set in Accomack County continues to rise, so has the determination and persistence of state and local law enforcement to identify and arrest the individuals responsible. As of March 5, 2013, suspicious fires have destroyed 62 vacated structures and piles of debris in Accomack County since Nov. 12, 2012.
Analytical review of the arsons has concluded that 69 percent of the fires are being discovered between 6 p.m. and midnight. However, after sunrise additional fire sites have been found, as well. The majority of the targeted structures have been located on primary and secondary routes, with easy access to other roads.

“Based on the evidence to date, we are confident that these fires are being set anywhere between an hour to two hours before being discovered,” said Capt. Timothy A. Reibel, Commander of the BCI Chesapeake Field Office. “Some of the targeted structures have been in very remote, random locations throughout this rural county. This not only makes the fires more difficult to detect, but also enables the criminal to come and go with minimal detection.”
“Thus we are asking the residents to keep a very watchful eye on abandoned or vacant properties during the day time and early evening hours for suspicious activity or persons,” continued Reibel. “Please look out for an unfamiliar car or truck parked on your road, especially if you live on a road that would provide easy access to an abandoned structure nearby.

Residents can report suspicious activity to the Accomack County Tip Line via text, phone or email at 757-655-1437. Since established Feb. 14, 2013, the tip line has received close to 100 calls, texts and emails.

“We are thankful no one has been hurt as a result of the arsons, but it could only be a matter of time before that changes and a citizen, firefighter or investigator is seriously injured. So, we urge those individuals who may have any information to contact us. If you see something suspicious – call us. If you see someone or something that looks out-of-place – call us. The public is the eyes and ears of its community. We depend on those eyes and ears to help us because solving crimes, especially arsons, happen when residents and law enforcement work together,” stated Reibel.

The $25,000 reward is still available for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the arson fires. The reward has been made available through funds committed by the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office and International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

During the course of the investigation, state police has continued to increase uniformed patrols and surveillance across the county; as well as bring in additional arson and crime scene investigators from other State Police BCI Field Offices around the state. State police is also working with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, the ATF and the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office on the cases.

In Virginia, state law declares the burning of a structure – an unoccupied dwelling – as a Class 4 Felony. A Class 4 Felony carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.

Shelter Open In Worcester County

The Worcester County Sheriff's announces that a pet friendly shelter will be opening at 9:00 tonight at Stephen Decatur Middle School. This is to accommodate those who have been displaced by this storm.

The Worcester County Sheriff's Office request for residents to stay in and not be out on the roads for their safety. Worcester County is experiencing high winds causing trees to fall.

Please use caution and common sense during this storm. Stay Safe.
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

From Delegate Mike McDermott: March 5 Bill Hearing HB395 & HB397: School Safety Bills

Published on Mar 6, 2013

This is an audio clip of Delegate Mike McDermott speaking at a Bill Hearing on March 5, 2013.

The two bills that he discussed were HB 395: Handguns - Permit Qualifications and Carrying on School Property - School Guardians & HB 397: Criminal Law - Carrying Weapons on School Property - Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun on the other side of the door," stated McDermott in his opening to the committee.

www.delegatemcdermott.com
www.twitter.com/Del_McDermott
www.facebook.com/ElectMikeMcDermott

Arrests Made For Multiple Burglaries

According to Sheriff Todd Godwin, the Accomack County Sheriff's Office has arrested two individuals for multiple burglaries and thefts from area businesses.

Based on the investigation into these incidents and information received by the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, arrests were made for the following in Virginia:

October 18, 2012 burglary and theft from Colonna Industries in Painter

November 19, 2012 burglary and theft from Sturgis Farms in Painter

December 24, 2012 theft from Bundick Well and Pump in Painter
 
January 11, 2013 theft from Bundick Well and Pump in Painter

January 23, 2013 burglary and theft from Virginia Art Castings in Tasley

January 27, 2013 theft from Turner Sculpture in Melfa.

Jacqueline Hunter, 45 of Melfa, was arrested on February 4, 2013 and charged with 3 counts of Breaking and Entering and 6 counts of Grand Larceny and is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail with bond denied.

Keisha N. Merritt, 25 of Melfa, was arrested on February 4, 2013 and charged with 3 counts of Breaking and Entering and 5 counts of Grand Larceny and is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Telephone Sweepstakes Scam Alert

The Ocean City Police Department is investigating a series of telephone scams involving fraudulent sweepstakes.   The scam, which targets an un-suspecting victim, is perpetrated by calling the victim and advising them that they have won a sweepstakes.  The victim is instructed in order to receive the large sweepstakes prize they must go to a convenience store or drug store and purchase either a Green Dot, Money Pac Reload Card for a certain amount of money usually between $200.00 and $500.00.

Once the victim has purchased the card they are instructed to contact the scammer who is pretending to be a sweepstakes representative who will process the winning claim.  The victim is asked to provide the Green Dot, Money Pac Reload Card information over the telephone as a means of verification the victim has actually completed the task.

The result of this is that the scammer will use the information provided by the victim to redeem the value of the card that was purchased and the victim will be out the money.

The Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens that legitimate sweepstakes require that you enter to win; if you did not enter a sweepstakes, you should not be named as a winner. 

Legitimate sweepstakes will not ask you for a “processing fee” and federal and state taxes are usually deducted from the sum total of the winning amount prior to the sweepstakes winner receiving the final pay out.

Citizens should never provide personal information including social security numbers, birth dates, passwords or home addresses to unknown “businesses or individuals.  Also, never give out banking information or credit card account numbers over the phone to persons or businesses you cannot verify as legitimate. 

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

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

Submitted: Ocean City Police Department

Hogan Blasts O’Malley’s Gas Tax Proposal

Hogan Blasts O’Malley’s Gas Tax Proposal

 

Tuesday  March 5, 2013

Annapolis, MD - Last night, Governor O’Malley again proposed increasing the gas tax, which, if enacted, would be his 25th consecutive tax hike. The Governor has already enacted 24 tax, toll, and fee increases that have taken an additional $2.4 billion every year out of the pockets of struggling Maryland families and small businesses. The Governor’s latest tax increase proposal is yet another regressive tax that hits the state’s most vulnerable the hardest. Maryland already has the highest income, corporate, and other tax rates in the region. If the Governor’s gas tax increase is enacted, Maryland will have the highest gas taxes in the entire region.

“The Governor complains that Maryland has crumbling roads and bridges and the worst traffic congestion in the country, but what he doesn’t tell you is that it’s his fault. There has been no comprehensive transportation strategy from the O’Malley administration. Over a billion dollars has been diverted from the Transportation Trust Fund, and the vast majority of the billions of dollars that has been spent on transportation have been wasted on expenses that are completely unrelated to fixing our road problems. Now he wants struggling Maryland families to pay for his mistakes and his lack of leadership,” said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan.

Over the last 4 years, Governor O’Malley has spent over $1 billion in dedicated transportation funds for things completely unrelated to transportation – even the money left in the transportation budget was also spent in the wrong place. In his 2014 budget, O’Malley proposes to spend $1.1 billion – a whopping 46% of our state capital and operating transportation budget – on public transportation, even though only 8% of us use public transportation to commute.

“What we need is a coherent transportation policy that makes roads a priority and realigns spending based on how Marylanders actually travel. We also need the Governor to restore all of the money he has diverted from the Transportation Trust Fund and immediately appoint a competent Secretary of Transportation. The last thing in the world Maryland needs is another tax increase,” Hogan said.

Last year Change Maryland was a leader in the fight against the gas tax increase, and successfully led the effort to kill the proposed legislation. An overwhelming majority of Marylanders strongly oppose more tax increases, and particularly oppose an increase in the state’s gas tax. “Our 30,000 members are outraged, and we will fight this with everything we’ve got in an effort to stop it again. If they ram this through, this 25th tax increase may very well be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The taxpayers have had enough and are not going to take it anymore,” Hogan said.

Change Maryland, the largest and fastest growing grassroots citizen organization in the state has been critical of the lack of a coherent transportation plan by the O’Malley Administration. They have argued against the raiding of the Transportation Trust Fund, the fact that road improvements have not been a priority for the past six years, and that the Department of Transportation is a rudderless ship that has been without a Secretary for more than 8 months.

NASA Wallops Flight Center ~ Rocket Launch

Rocket Launch Scheduled March 8 from Wallops

 

WALLOPS ISLAND, VA – A Terrier-Lynx suborbital rocket is scheduled between 1 and 1:45 a.m. EST March 8 for the Department of Defense from NASA’s launch range at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The backup launch days are March 11 and 15 between 12:15 and 2:15 a.m. EDT. The rocket may be visible to residents in the mid-Atlantic region.

The launch will not be shown live on the Internet nor will launch status updates be provided on social media once the countdown begins. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will not be open for viewing the launch.
The visibility map for the launch on March 8 is below.

Two Structure Fires In Accomack County

As of this writing Accomack County fire departments, Accomack County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, investigators - the list is endless - have battled two more abandoned structure fires this evening.

These are trying times for those of us living in this area of the Eastern Shore and especially those who are called upon to respond.  Please remember that everything possible is being done to bring this to an end.  So, regardless of what your beliefs  and your opinions are please exercise politeness before you speak.

  Many of those working on this horrible nightmare we've been thrown into have been in the area for weeks now.  They have been working  24/7 every day.  And I don't have to remind you that each and every fire dept.  and local officer is always there for us any time - 24/7.


FIRE 1
Tuesday, March 5, 2013  8:00 PM
Abandoned structure fire
22001 Wachapreague Rd and Drummondtown Intersection
Wachapreague, Virginia

FIRE 2
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 - 11:00 PM (approx.)
Abandoned structure fire with possible exposure to woods
24510 Church Road, Tasley, Virginia
Onancock, Onley, Tasley and Melfa responded.

REMINDER:A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the series of arson fires.
If you have information call the Accomack County Sheriff's Department at 757-655-1437

**Please know that shortly before 12:30 AM these same fire departments were called upon for a third time.  This time a residential fire with occupants.  All occupants are out of the building- everyone is safe.  Maybe the pouring rain will help the two fires from tonight- sure doesn't help the firemen.**

Riverside Grill - Tuesday Specials / Kids Menu

Kids meals are only 99 cents Tuesday after 4 pm

Kids MENU

Tuesday Specials

March 5, 2013

 

-Cream of Asparagus Soup w/ 1/2 roast beef sandwich or side salad 5.99
 -Meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes and green beans 6.99
 -Blackened Shrimp Caesar Wrap w/ fries 8.99
 -Blueberry Fields Salad 7.99

 @ 4 pm : 99 cent kids meals

 Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off all appetizers

 @ 8 pm: 50 cent wings

Budget Cuts Could Pull Navy Out of The War on Drugs

U.S. Coast Guardsmen unload 3,500 pounds of cocaine in

 Miami March 16, 2012. The crew seized the cocaine from

a 35-foot vessel in the Caribbean

 Sea as part of Operation Martillo.

 US Coast Guard Photo

USNI News
U.S. Navy frigates will stop patrolling for drug runners by April because of forced sequestration budget cuts, a Navy spokesman told USNI News on Monday.

On Saturday, U.S. 4th Fleet was informed by Navy leadership it would suspend deployments of two ships—part of the Joint Interagency Task Force South’s Operation Martillo—by April because of the 1 March sequestration cuts, said the 4th Fleet’s Cmdr. Cory Barker.

“The cancellation and deferment of ship deployments to 4th Fleet is unfortunate,” Barker said. “We will remain hopeful that Congress will act so we can recover and continue those missions.”

Currently the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates USS Gary (FFG-51) and Thach (FFG-43) patrol the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific looking for drug runners  using either high-speed “go-fast,” boats or slow-moving, hard-to-detect drug submarine-like craft to smuggle hundreds of tons of cocaine and other drugs from South America into the United States.

With the frigates out of the picture, the amount of drugs entering the country will increase, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert Papp told USNI News following Tuesday’s State of the Coast Guard address.

“We already don’t have enough surface assets down there to interdict all of the drugs that are smuggled from South America into North America,” Papp said.

“If those [frigates] go, we don’t have enough platforms to put Coast Guard Law Enforcement Teams on. We would be down to the point where we would only be using Coast Guard cutters and we don’t have enough [of those] to meet the demand JIATF South has for us.”

CONTINUE READING.....

NASA Does The Harlem Shake !

Things that make me laugh...

 

HARLEM SHAKE: WALLOPS STYLE. —

at Wallops Range Control Center.

 

Employees used their lunch break to film this! 

 

 

 

NASA's Wallop Flight Facility

Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

Week 8 Field Notes Feb.25-Mar. 1, 2013

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

Mar. 4th, 2013



Week 8 Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 2013
Monday Afternoon Hearing in Economic Matters:
I presented HB-999 to the members of the Economic Matters Committee. The bill seeks some minor modifications of current liquor control laws governing only Worcester County and was requested by the Board of License Commissioners and the Worcester County Commissioners.Tuesday Judiciary Hearings:
HB-698 would create a study of the feasibility for Ex-Offenders to be provided business development programs to promote entrepreneurships of the former inmates. Last year the bill required investing in the businesses of the former inmates, and this year it only seeks to study the issue.HB-909 would allow for the venue of a homicide scene to be the location where the body or parts of a body were recovered in instances where the establishment of a crime scene cannot be determined.HB-777 would allow Defendant Cash-Only Bail Bonds to be made by a private surety as opposed to only being made by the defendant.HB-933 would keep somebody charged with Human Trafficking saying, as a defense, that they did not know the age of the victim in the case.HB-943 would alter the crime of abducting a child under 16 years of age for the purposes of prostitution from a misdemeanor to a felony with a 10-20 year service. After reviewing the bill, it would seem better to simply eliminate this charge as a misdemeanor and simply allow a defendant to be charged with the general charge of Kidnapping which carries a 20-year sentence.HB-541 would allow for the state to issue a Certificate of Rehabilitation to an Ex-Offender who has successfully completed various established programs. The Certificate would provide a tangible way for our Division of Corrections to assert that an offender has been rehabilitated. It is thought that this may help former inmates become employable in many instances where before they were viewed with great skepticism.HB-787 would require a person be charged with Reckless Endangerment as a specific charge but it could not be considered a lesser charge for another offense unless specifically charged.HB-921 allows for victims of crimes to be provided a portion of the money earned by an inmate who is earning money while incarcerated.HB-1188 increases the age covered by the Human Trafficking statute from 18 to 21 years of age. It is believed this would aid in the prosecution of these crimes.HB-1112 would create a process for the release of an individual from custody for a person convicted but found Criminally Responsible. It would put the decision back before the Trial judge before a final disposition is rendered and a person released.HB-742 seeks to correct last year’s Citation bill which failed to capture a couple of misdemeanor charges which previously could be written via citation but now are not on the list. This bill corrects that omission.HB-891 would include Anne Arundel County to the list of counties who enhance penalties around the drug hot spot areas around a school zone.HB-1056 seeks to require sensitivity and awareness training for law enforcement personnel in Maryland to recognize the victims of human trafficking.HB-1018 seeks to create a task force to study the use of debt collectors through the office of a prosecutor to address “bad check” diversion programs. Some State’s Attorneys are utilizing these private services to assist in the collection of bad debts. The complaint was that this avoids due process.
HB-1228 would create a commission to study the disproportionate justice impact on minorities.HB-887 would create a Search Warrant to obtain cell phone tracking information (commonly called “pinging” a location). The new technology is forcing law enforcement and the courts to examine the mechanism utilized when securing things such as cell phone records and locations. There would be an exemption for exigent circumstances where law enforcement needs to act with great speed.HB-854 would allow for the expungement of records for those persons who have been found “not criminally responsible” when the crimes are not of a violent nature. There may be some room for relief in these cases. I mentioned shielding of the records as opposed to expungement and this may be a starting point.HB-829 would require the Dept. of Corrections to adopt specific policies whereby pregnant detainees would not be shackled while they are receiving medical care relative to their pregnancy or while giving childbirth. We heard from witnesses how some of the procedures utilized by corrections staff have been overdone when it comes to securing an inmate under these circumstances. This needs to be weighed out between the issues surrounding public safety under these conditions and the bill appears to make these types of provisions.
Wednesday Meeting of Gun Bill Work Group:
We reviewed the amendments which had been applied to SB-281. Some represent significant modifications to the bill. The biggest changes are to the licensure process for the Handgun Qualification License which was amended to a 4 hour course at a cost of $50.00 (which does not include the cost of fingerprinting and background investigation). The Senate also added an additional feature requirement in order for a rifle to be considered an “Assault Weapon”.  They also altered the language to state that if a firearm was purchased in Maryland it would be considered to have been "registered" by the owner at the time of purchase. I will be reviewing the amendments and seeking to add additional changes and modifications to the bill as it moves through the House Judiciary Committee in the coming weeks.

Wednesday Judiciary Committee Hearings:HB-626 would provide for increases in the salaries of the Register of Wills across the state. This is a standard review practice that adjusts wages on a periodic basis and would take effect in 2014.HB-942 seeks to tighten up the regulations governing medical records being protected from identity fraud.HB-658 would require the Register of Wills in every jurisdiction to submit a report to the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate JPR Committee. Since the issue is centered on one form, it seemed to have been worked out in the committee during deliberations.HB-1211 this is known as “Slayer’s Statute” and would prevent someone who murders another person from being able to profit from anything tied to those actions. We see this in cases involving the murder of one family member over another who may have been the person named in an estate. The idea that someone could profit in Maryland from the murder of another person is ludicrous, but we will need to pass this bill if it is to be the law in Maryland.HB-950 provides for increases in the salaries of the Clerk of Court positions across the state.  This is a standard review practice that adjusts wages on a periodic basis and would take effect in 2014.HB-837 would provide for the awarding of attorney’s fees and expenses in cases involving family farms when they prevail in suits filed for violations of environmental regulations impacting any waterway.HB-858 would modify the current Administration Law governing Estates and Trusts and the Inheritance Tax.
Judiciary Committee Voting Session:
Bills voted “Favorable” by the committee-HB-60, HB-152, HB-183, HB-250, HB-264, HB-278, HB-282,HB-311, HB-430,HB-476, HB-709, HB-719
Thursday Morning Session:Bills Passed on Third Reader
Of the bills passed this morning, one contains another Electric Tax/Fee that will be seen in every Maryland Consumers bill each month to continue funding the Environmental Trust Fund and various program areas. Once again, this was a “Sunset Bill” whose time had come and , of course, we renewed this tax on Marylanders without fail. These fees and taxes which the democrats often hide in plain sight are often sold to the body as being less onerous due to a “Sunset Provision” which promises to end the fee or tax collection at a date certain in the future. Sadly, the sun never sets on a tax or fee once instigated in Maryland. The same was true today with passage of HB-385.
Thursday Judiciary Hearings:HB853 addresses Permanent Final Protective Orders and expands some of the provisions under such an Order when a 2nd Degree Assault charge is the subject of the Order.HB-792 allows the Washington County Sheriff to collect Child Support payments for inmates who are working while incarcerated. This is already allowed in many counties in Maryland and this would add Washington County to the list.HB-849 requires a different calculation for parents paying Child Support when multiple children are involved.HB-1099 seeks to craft legislative language to address reproductive rights when conception involves collaborative reproduction. It attempts to address intended parents versus the gestational rights of a surrogate in case there is a dispute.HB-715 addresses the issues surrounding the termination of parental rights in cases of rape.HB-1006 would create the ability to “shield” public access to certain non-violent misdemeanor criminal records from general public viewing. If it could be amended to require a 5-year span be applied before shielding could occur and some modifications can be made to the delineated crimes, this could be made to work.
Friday Morning Session:Third Reader Bills Passed
The House received several of the surviving members of the original Buffalo Soldiers, the 92nd Infantry Army Division composed of all black soldiers who distinguished themselves on numerous occasions and battlefields during WWII. It was an honor to see them on the floor of the House.
Friday Joint Hearing of Judiciary and HGO Committees on Governor’s Gun Bill:
The hearing concluded at close to 4:00 am on Saturday morning following nearly 16-hours of non-stop testimony. 1342 signed up to speak against the Governor’s Gun Control Bill while only 34 spoke up in favor of the bill. I wrote an update about 8-hours into the hearing not realizing I had just hit the halfway marker. There were some great points made during the hearing and we will be putting them together for distribution this week. In spite of the overwhelming presence on display against the bill, and the paltry number who showed up in support, many have their minds set and the road ahead is bound to be full of many disappointments for liberty minded Marylanders.

Two More Fires For Accomack County

**According to Sgt. Michelle Anaya of the Virginia State Police all five weekend fires were ruled arsons. That brings the official total of arson fires to 58.**


FIRE 1
Monday, March 4, 2013 - 10:25 PM
25225 Savageville Road, Savageville, Virginia
Abandoned Residential Structure Fire
Melfa, Tasley,  Onancock, Onley fire departments responded.  When units arrived  one the scene the structure was fully involved.

FIRE 2

Monday, March 4, 2013 - 11:20 PM
26900 block of Whites Crossing Road and Mears Station Road, Mears, Virginia (near Hallwood)
Fire was spotted by Virginia State Police aircraft.
Saxis, Atlantic, Parksley, Bloxom responded to a fully involved structure fire.  Fire was found to be in the rear of the structure.

No injuries reported during either fire and both fires remain under investigation. Awaiting official word to declare these arsons 59 and 60.

REMINDER:
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the series of arson fires.

If you have information call the Accomack County Sheriff's Department at 757-655-1437.

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan on Sequestration

 

 

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan on Sequestration

Annapolis - "Sequestration is a wake up call that Maryland must wean itself from the federal government spending trough. A nation that carries $16 trillion debt and runs chronic $1 trillion deficits is going to downsize its federal presence one way or another.

"There are some things Governors can not control - dysfunction in Washington D.C. being just one of them.  What can be controlled is tax and regulatory policy that must be reformed to make Maryland competitive in the region.

"Pennsylvania has 23 Fortune 500 companies; Virginia has 24; Maryland has three.  We have lost 6500 small businesses from 2007 to 2010.  We need to control our economic future, diversify our economy and grow the private sector employment base.

"The alternative is to blame Congress, blame the President and blame anyone else.  The better approach is to develop bipartisan policy solutions that will better prepare Maryland for the era of a downsized federal presence."

SEARCH CONTINUING FOR MISSING QUEEN ANNE'S CO. WOMAN

(CENTREVILLE, MD) – The search is continuing for a Queen Anne’s County woman who has not been seen or heard from for the past three days.

Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md., a white female, 5”4”, 105 lbs., with brown hair, was last seen late on the night of March 1, 2013, in the 100-block of Beach Road, Stevensville, where she had lived with her husband until last December when the couple separated. Her husband reported her missing to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office early on the morning of March 2nd. He said his wife had come by the house late the night before to pick up some belongings and he had left when she arrived. When he returned home her car was still in the driveway, but she was not at the home.

The search for Ms. Pope has been ongoing. Searches of the area around the Pope home began Saturday and continued through Sunday. A sonar-equipped boat from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office searched the Chesapeake Bay behind the home Saturday. The Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team divers searched the water behind the home for about six hours yesterday. An aerial search was conducted by a Maryland State Police helicopter. Ground searches were conducted by Natural Resources Police cadaver dogs.

The Pope family dog, an 11-year-old Great Dane, had been found dead Saturday in the water along the shoreline near a pier at a neighboring home. A Queen Anne’s County veterinarian examined the dog today and found there were no external traumatic injuries to the dog, as originally suspected. The dog had large tumors in its upper torso region. The veterinarian said the dog did not drown, nor did it die from external injuries. An exact cause of death has not been determined and additional tests are underway.
Investigators have searched homes and vehicles used by the Popes and conducted numerous interviews with families and friends. Police continue to consider all possibilities and have ruled nothing out.

 

 Investigators continue to urge anyone with information about Robin Pope to contact

them immediately at 410-758-1101. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, assisted by investigators from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, and uniform personnel from the Natural Resources Police, Sheriff’s Office and State Police, is continuing the investigation.

 

Submitted: Md. State Police

Riverside Grill Pocomoke ~ Monday Specials

 

SPECIALS 

Monday

March 4, 2013

 -Turkey Barley Chili w/ 1/2 tuna salad sandwich or side salad 5.99
 -BBQ Chicken Wrap w/ fries 7.99
 -Strawberry-Mango Salad 7.99 (mixed greens, mangoes, strawberries, craisins, almonds)

 

 

 Happy Hour 4-7 w/ $1 off all appetizers

 @ 8 pm: 1/2 price appetizers and import beer bottles
 

Spring Rabies Vaccination Clinics

Worcester County to hold Spring Rabies Vaccination Clinics

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

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

The scheduled spring clinics will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at:
WORCESTER COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL,
 6207 Timmons Road off of Rt. 113, just north of Snow Hill:
● WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
● WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
● WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

BISHOPVILLE VOL. FIRE DEPARTMENT, 10709 Bishopville Road, Bishopville, MD
• THURSDAY, MAY 9
The cost for a rabies vaccination is $5 per pet for Worcester County residents and $10 per pet for non-Worcester County residents. Proof of residency is required. Vaccinations are available for dogs, cats and ferrets. Below are additional requirements for the clinics:
● If this is not the pet’s first rabies vaccination, written proof of the previous shot in the form of a rabies certificate must be provided in order to receive a three-year booster shot. Otherwise, a one-year shot will be given.

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

Keeping pets’ required rabies vaccinations current is the best way to prevent the spread of rabies from the wild animal population to the domestic animal population.
For more information on the clinics or to report animal bites or possible rabies exposures to pets from wild animals contact the Worcester County Health Department at 410-352-3234 or 410-641-9559. If an incident occurs after normal business hours, contact your local law enforcement or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

The health department recommends the following tips to protect your pets and family from rabies exposure:

• Have your dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated regularly and keep those vaccinations current in accordance with the law. (Especially outdoor cats).
• Do not let your pets roam free - they are more likely to have contact with a rabid wild animal.
• Avoid feeding your animals outside; this draws stray and wild animals to your doorstep. (If you must feed outdoors, do not leave the food out overnight and clean up any spillage.)
• Cover your garbage cans securely.
• Avoid sick animals and those acting in an unusual manner and teach your children not to approach wild animals and animals they don’t know.
• If your pet has contact with a wild animal, avoid touching your pet with bare hands (wear gloves or other protective barrier) and do not touch the wild animal. Report the incident immediately to the health department or your local police in order to arrange testing of the wild animal, if available, and consult your veterinarian.    

Accomack County Weekend Fires / Total Five

There were a total of five fires in Accomack County over the weekend.

Sunday Morning - March 3, 2013- Approx. 3:00 a.m.

Photo/BW

Abandoned structure fire  on Jenkins Bridge Road, Withams, Virginia - North of the Jenkins Bridge Road/Horsey Road intersection.

Photo/BW

Saxis, Atlantic, Bloxom and New Church responded.  By the time firefighters got to the scene the structure had burned to the ground.

Fire still under investigation. 

Sunday Evening - March 3, 2013 - 9:35 PM
62151 Pungoteague Road, Keller, Virginia
Abandoned structure fire. (near Hart's pond)
Wachapreague and Exmore responded.  Structure was fully involved but firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly.

The fire is still under investigation to determine if it is to be classified as arson.

The Virginia State Police is investigating the blaze. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the string of arson fires.

Anyone with information can call the Accomack County Sheriff's Department at 757-655-1437.If the weekend fires are determined by State Police investigators to be the work of the arsonist, that will bring the total to 58.