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.

Locals Appreciation Weekend At Delmarva Discovery Center TODAY

TODAY

Locals Appreciation Weekend

 

There are a lot of great things happening at the

 Delmarva Discovery Center!

 

 Stop by today for locals appreciation weekend. The Program  today "It's lunch time, Come and get it "  is at 1:30 PM!

 

 Snapping turtle, George, swam down for an interview with our aquarist, Sarah, about his favorite lunch!

 

 

Delmarva Discovery Center

Search For Missing Queen Anne's County Woman Underway

MISSING
Robin L. Pope

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) – State troopers and sheriff’s deputies are continuing their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a Queen Anne’s County woman who has been missing for the past two days.

The woman is identified as Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. She is described as a white female, 5’4”, 105 lbs., with brown hair. Until December 2012, Pope had been residing with her husband, Wayne A. Pope Jr., in the 100-block of Beach Road, Stevensville. The couple separated in December and Robin Pope had been staying at a residence owned by a female friend on Kent Island.

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. on March 2, 2013, the Queen Anne’s County Emergency Operations Center received a call from Wayne Pope, who reported suspicious circumstances involving his wife. When Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Wayne Pope’s home, he told them his wife Robin had come to the home late Friday night to retrieve some belongings. After she arrived, he left the home. When he returned to the home early Saturday morning, he found his wife’s black 2011 Infinity still parked in the driveway, but she was not at the residence. He also said his dog, a Great Dane, was missing. Deputies found Robin Pope’s keys, purse, credit cards, and cash still in her vehicle.

Deputies entered Robin Pope into the National Crime Information Center database as a missing person and information was forwarded to area law enforcement agencies. They interviewed relatives and friends as they continued the search for Pope. A deputy responded to a residence in the vicinity of the Pope’s home, where their dog was found dead near the pier, with obvious trauma to the upper torso. The dog’s body has been taken to the Queen Anne’s County Humane Society pending further investigation.

On the evening of March 2, 2013, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Maryland State Police Criminal Investigation Bureau and requested troopers take the lead in this investigation. Troopers from the State Police Homicide Unit and Criminal Enforcement Division responded and have been working the investigation since. Assistance is being provided by troopers from the Centreville Barrack, as well as Natural Resources Police officers and Queen Anne County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

State Police investigators and crime scene technicians are continuing to examine the location where Robin Pope was last seen. The Maryland State Police dive team will be conducting a search of the Chesapeake Bay in the area of the scene today, assisted by a State Police helicopter and marine units from the Natural Resources Police and the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information about Robin Pope is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barrack at 410-758-1101. Callers may remain confidential.

Submitted: Maryland State Police

Accomack County- Jenkins Bridge Road Fire/REPOST

'
 REPOST

REKINDLE Around 9:00 a.m.

 3:00 Sunday AM-
Saxis Fire Department responded to the scene.  Station 4 - Atlantic alerted.  Staging at the church.

Around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, March 3 - abandoned structure  fire (near woods) on Jenkins Bridge Road.  Fire from the structure also caused a small woods fire.

This would be located to the right- at the Y at the Emanuel Episcopal Church - which is located on Horsey Road.

More details later.

TIME MACHINE ... 1895, 1910, 1953, 1977, 1949, 1934

　
(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)


　
February, 1895
(Peninsula Enterprise- Accomac)

Onancock.

Much duck shooting is being indulged in about the air holes in the ice on our waters.

Steamers Pocomoke and Eastern Shore are iced in at Crisfield, Md.

The skating here has been fine. Our creek is entirely ice-bound. Ice out on the bay as far as one can see.

Sleigh bells jingle all the time on the streets. The Accomac sleighing party, that visited our town the other evening in a boat drawn by four horses, lost the bottom of their boat near Pennewell's, on Main street, and had to walk home. A party of 21 sleighers from Locustville, in large bateau drawn by six horses visited out town Monday night.

　
July, 1910
(Eastern Shore Herald- Eastville, Va.)

Automobiles seem to be numerous in this county. One can hardly go a mile without meeting a machine or two.

June, 1953

Sale was announced of Pocomoke City's weekly newspaper The Worcester Democrat and The Ledger Enterprise from the estate of Dr. Edward A. Clarke to Elmer M. Jackson Jr. of Annapolis, a veteran newspaperman who was currently general manager of the Annapolis daily newspaper and four Southern Maryland weeklies. The sale included all publishing equipment and the Vine Street property of the Pocomoke paper. Miss Alice R. Young, with 25 years service, was to continue as Associate Editor and a general manager was to be named by Jackson. The Pocomoke newspaper was said to be one of the most successful large weeklies in the state.
　
Footnote: Alice Young remained with the Worcester Democrat until her retirement in March of 1963. During her career with the Pocomoke newspaper she also had served as business and advertising manager.


　　
January, 1977
(The Salisbury Times)

Employees AT Wallops Are Given Awards

WALLOPS ISLAND- A Parksley man was recently given a cash award by the National Aeronautics And Space Administration for his idea and design of a new concept of meter movement testing.

Williams H. Parker, whose new concept is presently being used in the daily check of electronic volt meters used in the process of pyrotechnic-no-voltage checks at the NASA installation here, and which has resulted in cost savings, was presented the award by the flight center director, Robert L. Krieger.

Mr. Krieger also presented honorary certificates and emblems of service to seven Wallops employees for service totaling 200 years.
They are: Charles B. Shields, New Church; Richard R. Johnson, Accomac; Abraham D. Spinak, Pocomoke City, Francis Ross, Chincoteague; Mrs. Jean F. Hall, Pocomoke City; Lloyd C. Hickman, Snow Hill; and Lavern R. Weichmann, Snow Hill.



April, 1949 (Time Machine Archive)　

At a meeting of the Medical And Chirurgical Faculty Of Maryland Dr. Norman Sartorius Jr. of Pocomoke, a Faculty delegate, spoke out against a compulsory health insurance plan proposed by the group. Dr. Sartorius said his Worcester County group opposed the plan and termed it an appeasement of federal efforts for a compulsory health insurance program.


　
April, 1934
(Eastern Shore News- Onancock, Va.)　

Aged Man Tells of Early E. Shore Life

(PART 1)

The material of this article was gotten from an interview with Benjamin F. Scott, a ninety-six year old Civil War veteran of Chincoteague Island. Beginning with his birth he has given us some interesting highlights of his life, which acquaint us with the conditions of former days.

Mr. Scott was born on the 8th of May, in 1838 at Hog Island. He was named for Benjamin Franklin, the eminent statesman. Mr. Scott also added that Franklin tried to sail to the North Pole, but his ship wrecked — thus not succeeding. The writer was not aware that Franklin had tried this.

Mr. Scott was hired out at the age of fourteen to work for his blind mother. And he worked from the 8th of March until Christmas for $10. The man who employed him was Tom Mears, an old sailor and sea captain, a former West Indies trader, who had settled in Northampton county. The next year he received $30 per year, and worked for a Mr. William Matthews.

Mr. Scott relates of his experience with one employer:

He had to get up at the crack of dawn and feed horses. When the o'clock a boy came out in the field to begin work immediately. About nine o'clock a boy came out in the field to him with a bit of fat meat and a bit of corn bread on a tin plate. Mr. Scott had to eat sitting on the plow beam and if he took longer than was thought necessary he got a sharp reproof. When he wanted water he could go to the corner of the fence and get it from a jug sitting there. On cold, frosty mornings when his feet where cold, he drove the cattle up from the spot in which they had been lying and stood there to warm his feet.

Hired help in those days were allowed one pair of shoes, one shirt, one pair of pants, and a jacket a year by the farmers. Mr. Scott earned his "holiday money" and money for his other clothes by cutting wood at night for fifty cents a cord.

Mr. Scott said that the poor whites of that time were worked like slaves — the girls till they were eighteen and the boys till they were twenty-one.

(NEXT WEEK.. PART 2)

Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting

A G E N D A

POCOMOKE CITY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

7:30 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2013

City Hall

 

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

2.  Review and approval of minutes from meeting of February 4, 2013.

3.  Review and approval of bills to be paid.

4.  Presentation of annual donation check to Chief Gladding and representatives of the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company.

5.  Police Chief Kelvin Sewell to introduce new police officer Matthew Conner.

6.  Mr. Wayne Dryden, of 1011 Market Street, to discuss request for new street light.

7.  Representatives of the Great Pocomoke Fair Committee to discuss tractor pull event scheduled for June 22, 2013.

8.  Mr. Mike Shannon to discuss proposed new “boat docking” event to be scheduled for late summer at municipal docks.

9.  Review letter from Planning and Zoning Commission recommending approval of boundary line adjustment plat for property at 1515 Linden Drive.

10.  Discuss letter from Chamber of Commerce requesting rain dates for two upcoming Chamber events.

11.  Second Reading of Ord. 414 concerning property maintenance.

12  City Attorney Hudson to present update on stormwater drainage project (Eighth Street/Butler’s Village).


Comments from the Audience.
Mayor and Council Items.
Adjourn.

 

AGENDAS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL THE TIME OF CONVENING.

 

Accomack County Fire Fighters Kept Busy

Saturday - March 2,2013 - 9:50 PM
Structure fire on NewBranch Road and Galand Lane/near Tasley 
An Accomack County Sheriff's Deputy was the first to arrive on the scene and reported that the structure (trailer) was on the ground.

Onancock, Onley, Tasley and Parksley responded.  Investigators were on the scene to determine if arson was involved.

There were three fires investigated on Saturday.  Fire departments and investigators responded to a structure fire around 3:20 a.m. on Saturday.  The structure at 20964 Bayside Road near Onancock had burned to the ground before fireman arrived.
 
At 6:23 a.m. there was a brush fire at 20720 Bayside Road which is  about 1 mile from the previous fire.

If Saturday mornings structure is declared arson there will have been 54 arson in Accomack County since November 12 2013.

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.

CRITICAL MISSING PERSON

Queen Anne's County Office of the Sheriff

CRITICAL MISSING PERSON

ROBIN LEE POPE

 White Female - 51 Years of Age from Chester, MD.
  Last seen March 1st @ 2300 hours in her vehicle at Kent Island Estates in Stevensville. Her pocketbook and cell phone were located in the vehicle.

 

 When last seen she was accompanied by her Great Dane dog which was located on the shoreline deceased.

 

Anyone with information of her whereabouts is urged to contact the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office at (410) 758-0770.

 

 

Still Missing ~ Have You Seen Them?

 

 

 

HARLEY

STILL MISSING

 

LUCY

STILL MISSING

 

 

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

　
　
1895.. An old fashioned winter; 1910.. Automobile sightings!; 1953.. Pocomoke's newspaper is sold; 1977.. Wallops employees get awards; 1949.. Pocomoke physician speaks against federal efforts for compulsory health insurance; 1934.. Part 1 of first-hand remembrances of life on lower shore in mid-1800's.
　
Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!


　 Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

TWO Fires Reported This Morning Arson Investigation

From WESR
At approximately 3:20AM Saturday morning an abandoned structure fire was reported at 20964 Bayside Road near Doe Creek. Onancock, Parksley, Tasley and Onley responded. If confirmed by investigators, this will be arson fire number 54 since the string began in early November.

Firemen arrived to find the abandoned structure fully involved and down on the ground. The fire was extinguished shortly after the arrival of the first units.


Second Fire 6:23 AM

Fire units from Onancock responded to an early morning brush fire at 20720 Bayside Road in Onancock.

The fire was one mile from the earlier fire in the vicinity Saturday morning.
The fire will be investigated to determine if it was deliberately set.

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 atb757-655-1437.
Source:

Mothers of Murder Victims Testify on Behalf of McDermott’s Bill

HB709
(March 1, 2013) Tia Johnson could have been sentenced for up to 20 years in prison if Delegate Mike McDermott’s bill had been passed before Nov. 13, 2007, the day Christine Sheddy was murdered.

Johnson pleaded guilty Oct. 11, 2012 to being an accessory to murder and was given the maximum sentence of five years in prison.

“Five years is all,” said Lynn Dodenhoff, Sheddy’s mother who testified on behalf of McDermott’s bill during a hearing held by the Judiciary Committee on Feb. 19. “Five years is not enough.”

McDermott’s bill would increase the maximum penalties for being an accessory to murder in the first and second degrees. A person convicted of being an accessory to first-degree murder would be subject to imprisonment for up to 20 years, while someone convicted of being an accessory to second-degree murder would be subject to imprisonment of up to 10 years.

“It makes so much sense to me,” McDermott said Wednesday. “It’s difficult to believe that five years is the maximum for carving up a body or moving it. Someone could get more time for burglary than for being an accessory.”

Sheddy, a 26-year-old mother of three, had been staying in Pocomoke with Johnson and Clarence Jackson Jr., Johnson’s boyfriend, for about two weeks. Johnson’s cousin, Justin Hadel, 17, was also staying there.

Angered that she wasn’t paying rent, Johnson and Hadel killed Sheddy on Nov. 14, 2007. Johnson drove her car with Sheddy’s body in the trunk, to Snow Hill, where the two men buried her in the backyard of a bed and breakfast. The body remained there for more than two years and Dodenhoff’s testimony last week “was exactly three years to the day we found Christine’s remains,” she said.

Hadel was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced on Sept. 9, 2011 to life in prison without parole. On Oct. 11, 2012, Jackson and Johnson entered Alford pleas, which means they did not admit guilt, but acknowledged that the prosecution has sufficient evidence for a conviction.

Jackson is serving a life sentence, with all but 30 years suspended, for first-degree murder and Johnson is serving her five-year maximum sentence for being an accessory after the fact.

“You have the power to make this right,” Dodenhoff said in Annapolis. “You know there’s going to be more. This will mean a lot to the victims coming up. Make this right for everyone.”

The Judiciary Committee also heard about the murder of Whitney Bennett, 23, in Wicomico County.

William A. Hill, now 25, murdered Bennett, his off-and-on girlfriend, in December 2010. Her body was found in April 2011 in Somerset County. Hill was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced April 24, 2012 to life in prison without parole.

Hill’s father, Claude Hill, 51, “helped bury her in a trash bag to hide her,” Robin Bennett, Whitney’s mother, told the committee.

Hill was sentenced last summer to five years in prison, the maximum for being an accessory to the murder.

“He’s already up for parole and he just went to jail in August for burying my child,” Bennett said.

Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby, Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello and Wicomico County Deputy State’s Attorney Ella Disharoon also testified on behalf of the bill.
READ MORE - -

Delmarva Discovery ~ Critter Corner Today

 

Critter Corner TODAY at The Delmarva Discovery Center

1:00 PM until 1:30 PM

Meet a new animal or animal group today and then create a

 critter-themed craft to take home!

 

 

Students Hurt In School Bus Crash- Parents Upset

Written by
Carol Vaughn
NEW  CHURCH – Six students were transported by ambulance to a Salisbury, Md., hospital Tuesday morning after an Accomack County school bus struck a pole and went into a ditch near here.

The bus was carrying 32 Kegotank Elementary School students.

Accomack County Public Schools Transportation Supervisor Frank Hurst responded to the accident at Sign Post and Kelly roads around 7:30 a.m. and the school board office initiated its emergency crisis plan, according to a press release.

Administrators and staff from schools in northern Accomack County as well as the central office responded to the scene, as did Virginia State Police and emergency medical services.

Benson and the principal drove to the hospital and were informed when they arrived in late morning all six students had been released.

It was the same bus that became the center of controversy last fall after driver Leon Harmon, who had driven the route for nearly four decades, was asked to resign after a parent complained about a comment he allegedly made.

Harmon was reinstated but assigned to another bus after parents spoke at a school board meeting and submitted a petition with over 200 signatures on his behalf.

A substitute was driving when the bus crashed.

“(H)ad the bus been in Leon’s capable hands this would not have happened ... Leon had an impeccable driving and safety record in the county,” school advocate Connie Burford said via Facebook, noting Harmon’s near-perfect attendance record.

Some parents said the school did not notify them or send home followup information, such as medical signs to watch for and who to contact with concerns.

“We only knew because of friends that called. We were never contacted,” said Melissa Guns, mother of a kindergartner. Someone was home throughout the incident and she knows of other families who never got a call.

Guns and her husband drove to the scene and signed their daughter out for the day.

Those who arrived at the scene were considered notified, parents were told later.

All but one were contacted and the principal since had a conversation with that person, Benson said, adding, “We want to do the best that we can in terms of communication ... I would very much like to hear from folks if they have concerns.”

Benson said those who took children to their own doctors to get checked after the crash should inform school officials so they can put them in touch with the district’s insurance carrier.

Guns said those answering the telephone at Kegotank after the accident “didn’t know what to tell you—they were just so flabbergasted.”

Her daughter said she bumped her head but was not physically checked out. “I kept her home just to monitor her,” Guns said.

“I’m just very disappointed with the school system and how they handled it,” Guns said, adding, “We have brought up safety issues and communication” at school board meetings in the past.
State Police are conducting an investigation .

Source:

Early Morning Abandoned Structure Fire

From WESR
At approximately 3:20AM Saturday morning an abandoned structure fire was reported at 20964 Bayside Road near Doe Creek. Onancock, Parksley, Tasley and Onley responded. If confirmed by investigators, this will be arson fire number 54 since the string began in early November.

Firemen arrived to find the abandoned structure fully involved and down on the ground. The fire was extinguished shortly after the arrival of the first units.

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 atb757-655-1437.

Source:

USNS Comfort Moves To Norfolk

USNS Comfort
WAVY/Larry Carney

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Hospital ship  USNS Comfort arrived to Naval Station Norfolk Friday morning.

USNS Comfort was docked in Baltimore and was moved to Norfolk in an effort to save money.

Photos: USNS Comfort arrives in Norfolk

The Navy says the move will save $1.7 million in its first year and $2.1 million every following year.

The move will give the USNS Comfort's 59 permanent military members better access to military facilities. A naval release states Norfolk will also provide "better use of the naval logistics hub and industrial base in Norfolk and a reduction in transit time to typical mission areas."

The number of service members assigned to the ship will increase when the USNS Comfort gets ready to do missions.

The ship provides acute medical and surgical care for forward deployed operational forces. In disaster relief and humanitarian efforts, the USNS Comfort also functions as a full-service hospital asset.

Source:

Legislative UPDATE ON GUN BILL

~Update on Gun Bill-From the Hearing~

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Mar. 1st, 2013

Update on House Joint Hearing on HB-294 (Gun Bill)

By Delegate Mike McDermott
(Annapolis) The House Joint Hearing on HB-294, the Governor’s Gun Bill, continues on into the night and is passing 8-hours of testimony at the time of this writing. Well over a thousand signed up to testify against this bill and only a very few testified in favor of the bill. In fact, except for the “professional” panels that came in support of the governor (about 20 people), everyone else has been opposed.

We have heard from retirees and 10-year olds, people in
suits and people in working uniforms, people of great means and people of  lesser means, people from Worcester and people from Prince George…all in all, we have heard from Maryland and they do not want this bill passed.

There have been a few good exchanges with some of those who
have come in to testify. The governor skated today and did not respond to questions as he had surrounded himself with a large panel providing insulation and the right questions were not asked.

The Speaker and Chairmen running the joint committee simply did not allow many questions and he quickly escaped out of the chamber and away from questions.As of 8:00pm, there were still over 600 hanging around to
testify against the bill. Sheriff Lewis joined several other Sheriff’s from around the state and provided passionate testimony before the committee in defense of the 2^nd Amendment. In fact, we heard from many in law enforcement who stood with the people’s right to defend themselves as they see fit.
We heard from Beretta Arms who strongly indicated that they
would look seriously at moving from Southern Maryland to another state. This echoes what we have heard from other manufacturers of firearms in Maryland. Beretta alone would mean over $400 million to our state coffers.

It was nice to see Worcester State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby
in attendance as well. It seems the only support the bill had was from inside the beltway. We will be going well into the early morning hours and may well need to come back later in the day on Saturday to insure that every Marylander who wishes to be heard on this issue is heard.

Pocomoke City Police Department PRESS RELEASE

Press Release

Pocomoke Police Department

Pocomoke, Maryland 21851

 

February 1 – February 28, 2013

 

2-03-2013 - Byrdie Johnson, age 31 of Pocomoke was arrested for 2nd Degree Assault .

02-04-2013-  David Anderson, age 28 of Pocomoke was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for Violation of Probation.

02-06-2013 -  Keith Gray, age 22 of Pocomoke was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for Theft and Failure to obey a lawful order.

 

02-07-2013 -  Honiss Cane, age 41 of Pocomoke was arrested for Theft less than $100.

 

02-10-2013 -  Benjamin Byrd, age 37 of Saxis VA was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for 2nd Degree Assault & MDOP.

02-11-2013 -  Gerri Fitch, age 32 of Pocomoke was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for Forgery, Theft less than $1,000, Issuing False Documents and Theft less than $100.

 

02-12-2013 -  Jarron Crippen, age 29 of Pocomoke was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant for three counts Distribution of Cocaine and three counts Possession of Cocaine.

 

02-13-2013 -  Leon Briddell, age 19 of Pocomoke was arrested for Theft less than $100.

 

02-20-2013 -  Christopher Schoolfield, age 32 of Pocomoke was arrested for Possession of Marijuana.

 

02-21-2013  - Dale Holcombe, age 20 of Chincoteague VA was arrested for Theft less than $500.

 

02-21-2013 -  Daniel Lawrence, age 21 of Greenbackville VA was arrested for Theft less than $500.

 

02-21-2013  - Austin Parks, age 18 of Melfa VA was arrested for Theft less than $500.

 

02-25-2013 -  Demarco Moore, age 30 of Pocomoke was arrested for Malicious Destruction of Property.

 

Kelvin D. Sewell

 

Chief of Police

March 1, 2013

 

 

TROOPERS INJURED WHEN STRUCK BY DRUNK DRIVER

(COLLEGE PARK, MD) – Two Maryland State troopers are recovering from injures sustained after their marked patrol car was struck by a vehicle operated by an impaired driver, just after midnight.

The troopers are identified as Trooper First Class Manuel Moreno, 42, a four year veteran and Trooper John Cabrera, 34, a three year veteran, both are assigned to the College Park Barrack. Tfc. Moreno and Tpr. Cabrera were transported by Prince George’s County, emergency medical personnel to Prince George’s Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The driver of the 2001 Pontiac Sunbird is identified as Arcenia D. Macklin, 48 of the 9000 block of Cherry Lane, Laurel, Maryland. Macklin refused medical treatment at the scene. She was taken into custody and later charged with driving under the influence.

The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 12:00 a.m., Tfc. Moreno and Tpr. Cabrera were investigating a crash which occurred northbound Interstate 95 in the area of Sandy Springs Road in Prince George’s County, Maryland. After establishing a flare pattern warning oncoming traffic, both troopers returned to their marked Maryland State Police patrol vehicle with its emergency equipment activated. While completing the necessary reports, a 2001 Pontiac Sunbird proceeded through the flares and struck the patrol unit in the rear. The crash injured both troopers.

Emergency medical personnel from Prince George’s County were called to the scene.

Arcenia Macklin has been charged with driving under the influence and for violating the move over law.

Both troopers were transported to Prince George’s Hospital and are being treated for non life threatening injuries.

Submitted:
Maryland State Police 

Congressmen Leave Washington Ahead of Looming Spending Cuts

CNN Photo

By Alan Silverleib and Dana Bash, CNN
Thursday, February 28, 2013
CNN Washington, DC

Washington (CNN) -- Absent an unforeseen agreement, $85 billion in widely disliked spending cuts begin to take effect Friday. The cuts are a product of the sequester, which Congress and President Barack Obama agreed to in hopes of making such slashing so unpalatable that it forces them to reach an alternative.

 

So what did many lawmakers do the day before the painful cuts take effect?

 

Skip town.

 

"I think the sequester is crazy, I think the president had to show more leadership, Congress should do more," said Rep. Peter King, a Republican heading back to New York. "But just to sit here by myself serves no purpose."

 

King was one of many congressmen who, before noon on Thursday, walked down the Capitol steps and into awaiting cars to leave Washington. Democrats criticized Republicans for not even sticking around when the cuts start coming; Republicans, in turn, blasted Democrats for not stepping up to do more to reign in spending.

 

Thus, there was plenty of blame to go around -- but not a lot of action.

 

The Republican-controlled House held one vote Thursday on the Violence Against Women Act. The chamber had no votes scheduled on Friday. Neither did the Senate.

 

There will be some movement Friday, if for no other reason than that's when Obama would be required to start implementing the cuts through the end of the current fiscal year.

 

Also, the president is set to meet with congressional leaders from both parties at the White House.

 

Expectations for that meeting are low. Most observers think both sides will use the occasion to underline their positions heading into the next round of the budget wars -- a possible government shutdown on March 27, when current federal funding authority expires.

 

"I mean, we could stay here ... and not pass ... a bill," said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, as he left the Capitol. "That's not any better."

 

Obama says spending cuts would be bad for business

 

Senate holds show votes on Democratic, GOP alternatives

As expected, a sharply divided Senate voted Thursday afternoon to reject alternative plans put forward by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. Reid's plan got 51 votes in support while McConnell's got 38 -- well shy of the 60 needed to clear the 100-member chamber.

 

Reid had proposed replacing the current spending cut package with a $110 billion blueprint that included placing new taxes on millionaires while cutting agriculture subsidies and defense spending.

 

Most Republicans object to new defense cuts and have called any new taxes unacceptable.

 

McConnell wanted to give Obama more flexibility to pick a set of replacement cuts by March 15. Democrats considered the proposal a trap, designed to put more responsibility for the cuts on Obama's shoulders. Critics in both parties considered the idea an abdication of Congress's power of the purse.

 

KEEP READING-

 

 

Spring Concert This Weekend

"Be The Samaritan" Spring Concert

 

 

 

Saturday, March 2nd:  7:00pm
Sunday, March 3rd:  2:30pm

 

Performance at:
 Pocomoke High School

 

Admission is $10.00 per person at the door or at

 Taylor Bank in Pocomoke, T's Corner,

and First Shore Federal of Pocomoke.

 

Performing ~
 Blue Crab Crossing
Holly Grove Christian School Honors Choir
The Eastern Shore Madrigal

 

Bring a household item (cleaner, paper product, etc.) donation for entry in door prize drawings.

Outside Group Distorts Rigell's Record on Gun Rights

"Today a special interest group began airing a radio spot in Hampton Roads that deliberately distorts my conservative position and voting record on the Second Amendment.  The group claims, falsely, that I am among “the gun grabbers in Washington, D.C.” working to “introduce a massive new gun control scheme” that would open the door for the ATF to “terrorize gun owners” and could “force law abiding citizens to register their firearms with the government.”
What is true, and what I stand by in my service to our district, is that I co-sponsored H.R. 452, a bill tightly limited to two gun related crimes:  trafficking in firearms and deliberately engaging in a “straw purchase.” To say the bill creates a federal registry is laughable.  You can read the two-page bill here. 

As a gun owner, hunter, and lifetime member of the NRA, I have not and will not support legislation which establishes in any form a national registry of guns or gun owners. 
The false radio spots now airing in Hampton Roads are a great example of what is so wrong in America:  some special interest groups, from the left and from the right, deliberately choose to use false, inflammatory messaging not to inform but to incite. (For perspective on the group running the radio spots, it claims that the NRA is “signaling a surrender” on the Obama Administration’s gun policies.) Their goal is not good policy but self-preservation which requires an “enemy” to fight if they are to raise more money.  I’ll defend this group’s right to make charges against me, even if the charges are false.  And in protecting the Second Amendment I’ll defend my right to set the record straight."                

Legislative Updates By Delegate Mike McDermott

Feb. 28th, 2013

‘HB 837 -- Protecting Maryland’s Farm Families’

 

(ANNAPOLIS) -- “The farming community plays an important role in our state’s economy. Since farmers are particularly vulnerable in these difficult economic times, we should not hesitate to ease their burden wherever we can, and stave off the frivolous environmental lawsuits taken against them.  HB 837 seeks to do just that,” declared Delegate Michael McDermott (R-Worcester and Wicomico Counties).

“The traditional family farm is a recognized heritage and treasure,” stated Delegate McDermott, “and farmers have proven themselves to be the original conservationists, continuing a strong tradition of protecting natural resources.” But a farm family today of limited means can find itself in court up against a multi-million dollar environmental group with endless resources at its disposal. As the cost of attorney fees runs up, the expense of the litigation alone can crush a farm into bankruptcy, regardless of its culpability in the case.

Under current law, a federal court can award legal expenses on behalf of a farm cleared of a clean-water regulatory violation, but no such recourse is available for a case in the state courts.  HB 837 (Family Farm - Prevailing Party - Attorney’s Fees and Expenses) allows a court to award reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses to a family farm  that is sued for causing water pollution but is successful in the case outcome.  This law would cover cases similar to the one that was brought against the Hudson Family Farm.  In 2010, the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic, the Assateague Coastkeeper, and the Waterkeeper Alliance filed a suit against Alan and Kristin Hudson, alleging that the farm’s operations were polluting Maryland’s waters.  In December 2012, the judge ruled in favor of the Hudsons, since there was insufficient evidence to show that their farm was the source of the pollution.  However, the Hudsons now face $3 million in legal fees and expenses.

The bill does not apply to local governments and does not undermine their authority and duty to enforce local environmental laws. It does however, protect farms from spurious suits by putting the burden of paying legal expenses on the prosecution.

Yesterday HB 837 was heard in the House Judiciary Committee.  Both the Maryland Farm Bureau and Delmarva Poultry Industry voiced their strong support for the bill.  HB 837 has not yet received a vote from the Committee.

“Sadly, this is something that Maryland has never had to contemplate before, but today we must take action to insure that our future farmers will have the hope of carrying on their family legacy.  The time has come to stand up and draw a line in the sand.”  said Delegate McDermott.

 

Pizza Shop Owner Comes Under Fire For Gun Discount

Wednesday - February 27, 2013
Written by
Rachael West
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - CNN Personality Piers Morgan had some harsh words for a Virginia Beach pizza shop owner who is offering a discount to gun owners.

All Around Pizza and Deli owner Jay Laze appeared on Morgan’s show 'Piers Morgan Tonight' via satellite from his restaurant on Holland Road. Video from the brief appearance was posted to Morgan’s blog Tuesday.

“I would imagine that the profits you’re making from this extremely cynical commercial exercise involving armed people who you’ve no idea who they are come into your restaurant, would perk up your profits nicely,” Morgan began. “I mean, that’s why you’re doing it, to make money, isn’t it?”

“I am trying to make money because that will…how it’s supposed to work is I can save money and then I can use it later in life to support me when I put my work into society,” Laze responded.

Laze has received both support and criticism for offering a 15 percent discount at his restaurant for gun owners. Anyone who comes into the restaurant with a gun or shows a concealed weapon permit would receive the discount.

Morgan then addressed several statistics, stating 12,000 gun murders occur in America every year as well as 18,000 suicides involving guns. Morgan also stated 100,000 people are hit by gunfire a year and claimed that by inviting people with guns into his restaurant, the likelihood of accidents occurring rises.

“Accidents do happen,” Laze said. “I mean, that’s life, that’s what we have to deal with is accidents happen. And there are bad people and there are people on drugs that don’t have any control over their body but we have to deal with it because that’s real life. Car accidents happen every day, people lose their life, it’s a tragedy, but it’s something that we have to live with.”

When Morgan asked Laze how many people had been shot at his restaurant since he’s owned it, Laze responded with “zero.”

“Zero. So actually there’s been no gun threat to your restaurant whatsoever,” Morgan said. “The only threat now is you’re encouraging all these people who may or may not be criminals or mentally insane people to come in armed to the teeth with weapons, the likelihood of there being an accident in your place or somebody doing something stupid has just massively increased, so actually, rather than making your restaurant safer, going from zero shootings, you have now raised a massively higher probability of their being a shooting in your restaurant.”

But Morgan did not end his criticism there.

“That is why I called you an idiot the other night, because it’s an idiotic premise to work off to somehow going from no shootings in your restaurant to encouraging everybody in the area without any way of checking who they are to come in armed to the teeth is going to make your restaurant safer. And it’s exactly the kind of attitude that is unfortunately causing America the most hideous gun violence problems. Mr. Laze, good luck with your promotion, I hope it fails spectacularly. Thank you for joining me.”

Laze told WAVY.com last week 80 percent of his customers came into the restaurant carrying guns.

The plan was for the discount to only run until March, but he may make it permanent due to the response.

It is unknown at this time if the plan is still in the works after the national attention Laze received.

Source:

Delegate McDermott on HB-837: Family Farm - Prevailing Party - Attorney's Fees

Published on Feb 28, 2013

 

On February 27, 2013 Delegate McDermott addressed HB-837: Family Farm - Prevailing Party - Attorney's Fees and Expenses.

Details of HB-837: Authorizing a court to award reasonable attorney's fees and expenses in a civil suit against a family farm alleging that the family farm caused water pollution in any waters of the State as the result of an agricultural operation; and applying the Act prospectively.

 

Reminder: Baseball & Softball Sign-ups

Just a reminder:
Little League (Baseball & Softball) Sign-ups
TONIGHT at the Pocomoke YMCA, 6-8PM and
THIS SATURDAY at the Pocomoke YMCA, 10AM-12PM