Two Arrested For Farm Equipment Theft

Maryland State Police are investigating the theft of farm equipment from Public Landing Road in Snow Hill this morning.  Police found the trailer with the farm equipment at Allstate Salvage in Westover, where the 36 year old Aaron Poulson (upper left)of Snow Hill and 27 year old Anthony Davis  (l0wer left)of Girdletree were trying to sell the items as scrap.  Both have been arrested and the farm equipment recovered.

NEWS RELEASE:   Theft over $1,000 – Farm Equipment
DATE/TIME OCCURRED; 3/30/2011 @ 10:00 am
LOCATION; 7400 Block of Public Landing Road
Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland
SUSPECT(s); Aaron Patrick Poulson – AA Male 36 yoa
5700 Block of Castle Hill Road
Snow Hill, Worcester County Maryland 21863
Anthony NMN Davis – AA Male 27 yoa
2800 Block of Snow Hill Road
Girdletree, Worcester County Maryland 21863

BRIEF RESUME: On 3/30/2011 @ 10:00 am Troopers of the Maryland State Police received a 911 call regarding a citizen noting a vehicle leaving a residential community with a trailer full of farm equipment.

The caller noted the items might have belonged to the caller. The victim/caller noted the vehicle description and the suspects inside.

Giving the description of the vehicle, the vehicle’s occupants and the equipment on the trailer, the caller/victim responded to the 7400 block of Public Landing Road in Snow Hill Worcester County Maryland where it was noted the items on the trailer indeed were stolen. A police broadcast was announced with the vehicle description as well as the last known direction of travel.

Making several phone calls, the MSP Berlin patrol supervisor and dispatcher learned of the vehicle in question was at the Allstate Salvage in Westover, Somerset County Maryland attempting to “scrap” the items for cash. Requesting assistance from the Maryland State Police – Princess Anne Barrack – Troopers
arrived to the scene and detained Poulson and Davis. Further investigation by Troopers revealed Poulson and Davis had asked to borrow the items from the victim but when the victim refused to allow them to use the items, Poulson and Davis decided to steal them and turn the farm implements in to a scrap yard for
cash. All the items were recovered intact and functioning. Both subjects were brought before a Maryland District Court Commissioner and released pending trial.

Date of Incident: 03/30/2011
Case Number: 11-96-001788
Location of Incident: 7400 block of Public Landing Road, Snow Hill, Worcester County MD

Source; WGMD.comhttp://www.wgmd.com/?p=20960

Victim Of Baseball Bat Beating Still Hospitalized

SNOW HILL -- An altercation following a rural-road rendezvous on New Year's Eve has left one man hospitalized and another facing serious assault charges.

Kenneth Lee Wharton III, 18, of Snow Hill has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, armed robbery and theft after he allegedly beat 21-year-old Kendrick Lee Hall with a baseball bat.

According to court documents, both men met at Snow Hill Middle School on Friday before driving, in separate cars, to the end of Brick Kiln Road.

In charging documents, police allege Wharton demanded money and Hall's Droid X smart phone before beginning to beat him with a baseball bat.

Wharton told police that after driving to the location around 2 a.m., Hall "grabbed him and attempted to kiss him." Wharton admitted to hitting Hall "six or seven times," but maintained he never took the smart phone or stole $10, according to police. The men are considered to be acquaintances, police say.

On Monday, Hall was in fair condition at Peninsula Regional Medical Center after suffering a parietal bone fracture, a minimally depressed skull, hematoma, brain contusion, nasal bone fractures, an orbital wall fracture and numerous bruises on his back, according to court documents filed in District Court to support the charges against Wharton.

Dr. David Kerrigan, a trauma surgeon at PRMC, said patients who experience bleeding in or around the brain are given at least one year to recover and can experience an array of short- and long-term symptoms.

"If a patient gets good care, even in optimum circumstances they can have bad results," said Kerrigan. "On the flip side, you can have great results with very little invasive treatment."

Kerrigan, who was not speaking directly about Hall's condition, said side effects of similar brain and head injuries can range from headaches and migraines to bouts of depression and difficulty with everyday tasks.

Wharton has been released on bond, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled on Jan. 28.

www.delmarvanow.com

Beau Oglesby To Be Sworn In Tomorrow

On Monday, January 3, 2011 Beau Oglesby will formally take the Oath of Office as Worcester County State's Attorney.

11:00 AM until 2 PM
Worcester County Courthouse - Courtroom 1
One West Market Street
Snow Hill, Maryland

Beau is looking forward to seeing and thanking the many friends, family, and supporters who helped make this momentous day possible.

Manslaughter Trial Reset For January 11

SNOW HILL -- Jesse James Mason's manslaughter trial has been pushed to January, after State's Attorney Joel Todd filed a motion for postponement.

Mason was charged with homicide by motor vehicle, negligent homicide by auto while impaired, negligent manslaughter by auto, auto homicide under the influence of alcohol and related charges after he allegedly drove out of a parking lot while Hunter Lee Stonnell was hanging onto his vehicle. Stonnell knew Mason was drunk, police said, and had been imploring him not to drive when he was killed.

Todd said he disqualified himself in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. The victim's family believes he has a "too close relationship" with the defense attorney, Todd said in an interview.

The case is currently scheduled for trial on Jan. 11, and incoming State's Attorney Beau Oglesby will try the case after being sworn into office on Jan. 3.

www.delmarvanow.com

No Verdict For Attempted Murder

SNOW HILL -- The attempted murder trial of a 36-year-old Maryland man concluded with no verdict Tuesday after the judge said he needed time to review and consider the evidence.

After a day and a half of testimony, Alexander Crippen, who is alleged to have fired shots at 28-year-old Torrance Davis, will have to wait three days before the court will rule on the case.

Circuit Court Judge Richard R. Bloxom said the bench trial will resume at 1 p.m. Friday.

Crippen, who is listed as a resident of Fort Washington, Md., and Pocomoke City, has been held without bond at the Worcester County Jail since late May when he was charged in the murder of Reginald Jerome Handy Jr., a 22-year-old Greenbush resident.

Handy was gunned down outside a Laurel Avenue home May 27.

In June, a grand jury indicted Crippen on murder and other related charges connected to Handy's death in addition to attempted murder charges.

Bloxom dismissed the murder and assault charges filed against Crippen during a criminal motions hearing Dec. 1. The prosecutor and Deputy State's Attorney Michael Farlow said forensic evidence would have made it impossible to prove Crippen killed Handy.

During the trial Tuesday, two Pocomoke City women testified they saw Crippen in the area where the victim was killed before the shots were fired.

"When I first heard gunshots, I took off," 20-year-old Rashima Schoolfield said.

When she looked behind her, Crippen was 5-10 feet behind her, she said.

Shanna Harmon, 31, testified that she saw Crippen running toward Fifth Street after the shots were fired.

However, neither witness identified Crippen as the gunman.

The victim's cousin and witness for the state identified Crippen as the shooter during a recorded interview with investigators May 27; however, private defense attorney Arthur E. McGreevy of Baltimore pointed to inconsistencies in Davis' statements compared to evidence in the case and trial testimony from other witnesses.

"There really isn't a whole lot of physical evidence that links my client to this case," McGreevy said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Ceremonies Take Place This Morning In Snow Hill

Sheriff-elect Reggie T. Mason will be sworn in today as the Sheriff of Worcester County by The Honorable Stephen Hales, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County.

Following the swearing in of Sheriff-Elect Mason, John Dale Smack III will be sworn in as the Chief Deputy of the Sheriff's Office, followed by the swearing in of the Deputies of the Sheriff's Office.

The ceremonies will be held today, Monday, December 6, 2010 in the County Commissioner' Meeting Room, County Government Center in Snow Hill, Maryland.

Snow Hill will be bustling today with activity.

I'm sure Worcester County citizens are looking forward to the changes that can only make Worcester County an even greater place to live.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!

Worcester Animal Control Seeks Pet Food Donations

NEWARK--Worcester County Animal Control officers are asking for pet food donations to help feed hungry pets this winter.

Worcester County Animal Control (WCAC) is seeking small bags of dog and cat food for its second annual Secret Santa Pet Food Drive.

Donations can be delivered to the Animal Control facility in Snow Hill Dec. 2-16. Officers plan to distribute the pet food the week before Christmas.

“Lots of people, even those who have donated food to us in the past, are coming to us for pet food,” said Susan Rantz, chief animal control officer. “We’ve been helping as many as we can.”

This holiday season WCAC also plans to raise awareness of the proper care and handling of pets, which require a long-term commitment.

For more information about the Animal Control or the pet food drive call 410-632-1340.

www.delmarvanow.com

Sheriff's Office Begins Christmas Fund Drive

SNOW HILL -- The numbers have been growing ever since the Worcester Sheriff's Office began its annual program to insure that children are remembered at Christmastime. This past year there were more than 1,500 children who enjoyed a Christmas thanks to the Sheriff's Christmas Program.

With the economy still far from normal, about 400 families have been referred to the program as of mid-November. Dena Holloway, the coordinator, is receiving referrals from state and county organizations, schools, and churches. Once they are referred she has to interview each family. She also compares her list with other organizations such as Worcester County G.O.L.D. to insure that there are no duplications.

Each year she hears from people that were not on the lists in the past. "Some of the families have stories that are heartbreaking," Holloway said.

Families helped by the program will receive toys for the children, clothing if needed, and food for the members of the family.

Contributions can be made in the form of toys, non-perishable food and clothing or by sending in a check. Holloway said that she would prefer new toys and/or new clothing. Dropoff locations for donated items include all branches of Taylor Bank; DeNovo's at the south Gate of Ocean Pines; and Five Below near Ocean City. If anyone wishes to make a monetary contribution they can mail it to Worcester County Sheriff's Office, 1 W. Market St., Room 1001, Snow Hill, Md. 21863, Attn: Dena Holloway. Contributions can be accepted until Dec. 17.

As in past years, there is one contribution that Holloway desperately needs: non-perishable food. Last year the program helped 1,532 children in 485 families, exceeding previous years. Thirty-two senior citizens were also given assistance.

Another area in which the program has been of assistance is helping families who have been burned out of their homes. The Christmas program began in a small way in 1981 and has been growing each year since that event.

www.delmarvanow.com

Two Guided Nature Walks Planned At Furnace Town

SNOW HILL -- Guided heritage and nature walks will take place at Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum on Saturday, Sept. 25. The 2 p.m. walk will follow the Paul Leifer Nature Trail.

Beginning near the base of The Nassawango Iron Furnace, the trail leads though new-growth lowland forest; on boardwalks over the Nassawango Cypress Swamp; and along the towpath of the 19th century canal, now a fresh-water resource for wildlife. At 7 p.m. walkers will follow the same trail, but will focus on sounds of the night. Flashlights are recommended.

The walk is included in Furnace Town's daily site admission of $5 adults; $4.50 over 60, AAA or Military ID; $3 age 2-13; under 2, members of The Nature Conservancy and Furnace Town are free.

Walkers attending the 2 p.m. walk will receive free admission for the 7 p.m. walk. Call 410-632-2032 to register.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Worcester District 2: Absentee Envelopes Collected

SNOW HILL -- Detectives confiscated dozens of envelopes that had contained District 2 absentee ballots, launching what officials described in vague terms as a voting integrity probe.

The Worcester Bureau of Investigation officers placed empty ballot envelopes into evidence bags and sealed them with red tape, after county election officials tallied the votes on the ballots they had contained.

Members of the Board of Elections wore surgical gloves while counting all of the absentee ballots and separately counted ballots from District 2, which stretches from the outskirts of Berlin to Pocomoke City, covering mostly unincorporated areas of Worcester County.

Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said he was "made aware" Sept. 10 of a "potential issue" with absentee ballots cast by voters in District 2. He requested the election board have staffers handle absentee ballots with surgical gloves so as not to affect their evidentiary value.

Todd said the investigation is isolated to District 2 absentee ballots, and he has "no reason to believe the Board of Elections has done anything wrong."

The Office of the State Prosecutor, not the Worcester State's Attorney's Office, is leading the investigation, Todd said. The chief investigator with the state prosecutor's office, Jim Cabezas, declined to comment.

Jeffrey Cropper, an attorney for the county Board of Elections, said he could not comment on the substance of the complaint or who made it.

Two candidates' names appeared only on District 2 ballots, and not in other districts: County Commissioner incumbent James Purnell and challenger Edward S. Lee, both Democrats. The race between them turned out to be the only one in Worcester in which one candidate led among ballots cast in person, but another candidate leads among absentee votes counted so far.

After early voting and Election Day ballots were cast, Purnell held a comfortable lead, with 525 votes to Lee's 250 votes. Lee, the former head of the Worcester County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, had won just 32 percent of votes cast as of Tuesday night.

But absentee voters gave much more support to Lee, giving him 76 percent of their votes. Still, the additional 87 absentee votes for Lee and 27 absentee votes for Purnell didn't knock Purnell off the top spot; Purnell still leads 552-337. No Republican ran for commissioner in the district.

Only 184 absentee ballots sent out to Worcester voters in all seven election districts remain unreturned. Any more absentee ballots received in the mail by 10 a.m. Sept. 22 will be counted that day, along with provisional ballots used for in-person voting. Election officials must certify the results no later than Sept. 24.

Lee, asked to comment, said: "I have no comment at this time. You're telling me something I don't know about and have to look into."

Purnell, in a brief interview, said: "I hope it's not true. It looks bad on the district."

For statewide Maryland elections, people voting absentee can have someone pick up a blank ballot on their behalf, help them fill it out and also turn it in, as long as a "designation of agent" form is filled out. The voter's assistant can't be a candidate on the ballot, the voter's employer or an officer of the voter's union.

In two recent Worcester County municipal elections, candidates won seats when their support among absentee voters skyrocketed compared to the ratio of votes cast in person. In April 2009, Pocomoke City Council candidate Tracey Cottman split the in-person vote with candidate Stephanie Burke at 58 votes apiece, but won the seat on the strength of her 178 absentee votes to Burke's 4 votes. A special investigation of the vote by Todd's office found no wrongdoing by any candidate but urged the town to stop the practice of individually numbering absentee ballots and their envelopes, making it possible to name who cast which ballot. The investigation also found the town's own Election Board didn't keep an accurate list of voters.

Todd's report specifically cleared Lee, who supported Cottman's candidacy, of any wrongdoing in the 2009 Pocomoke election, saying Lee "was not and is not the 'subject' of this investigation." A blog post published by Burke claimed Lee was a subject of it.

In May 2009, resident David Suznavick said the two Snow Hill candidates, Rebecca Bowman and Gerald Shockley, handed in dozens of voters' sealed absentee ballot envelopes for them, prompting Suznavick to ask the Circuit Court to invalidate the election. A judge declined to do so, saying Snow Hill's election laws didn't prohibit what the candidates did.

www.delmarvanow.com

Spike Express Youth Volleyball Offered

SNOW HILL -- Worcester County Recreation & Parks is currently offers Spike Express youth volleyball for those ages 9 to 14 at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill.

This program provides an arena for young players to learn and practice skills needed to play the game of volleyball. Time will be allotted during each session for instruction, practice and game play. Teams will be formed based on age and skill level.

Beginners are welcome.

Practices take place on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. from Sept. 7 through Nov. 23. Knee pads are recommended for this program.

The cost is $20. Financial aid is available to those who show a demonstrated need, and proof of eligibility is required.

For more information, contact Daryl Gross at 410-632-2144 ext. 106 or dgross@co.worcester.md.us.

www.delmarvanow.com

Oglesby: Subject Of Lawsuit Regarding Unpaid Campaign Expenses

(Aug. 27, 2010) Beau Oglesby, candidate Worcester County state’s attorney, is being sued for alleged unpaid campaign expenses related to the 2006 election when he narrowly lost to State’s Attorney Joel Todd.

“I just want to be paid,” said Thom Gulyas, owner of ACE Printing and Mailing, who filed a lawsuit against Oglesby on Aug. 19. “I think waiting four years is long enough.”

Oglesby ordered printing and mail advertising that totaled $13,751.62. In November 2006, he made a $4,000 payment, Gulyas said. According to the online Maryland Elections Center at http://www.mdelections.org/, Oglesby made a $1,000 payment to ACE in August, a $4,000 payment to ACE in October and a $3,000 payment in November.

Also according to that Web site, Gulyas made a $4,000 contribution of campaign materials to Citizens for Beau Oglesby in November. The same Web site says Gulyas’ wife, Belinda, made a $2,000 contribution of campaign materials. Gulyas, however, denies that he or his wife ever donated campaign materials worth thousands of dollars, although he did donate some small printed items such as copies and fliers that he often donates to candidates who do business with him. The campaign materials, the envelopes, the mail processing and postage were not campaign contributions, Gulyas said. They were part of a business transaction.

Oglesby

In a press release issued Wednesday, Oglesby said Gulyas was a big supporter of his campaign and in the fall of 2006, “convinced Oglesby to use his services for a direct mailing in the closing days of the campaign.”

The statement said Gulyas was told to limit the scope of the mailing to that which would be covered by the balance in Oglesby’s campaign account. However, the Oglesby release said Gulyas insisted on expanding the coverage of the mailing, agreeing that his estimated $6,000 in additional printing and mailing cost would be viewed as a campaign contribution from his wife and him.”

Also in the press release, Oglesby said he had not seen the lawsuit filing, which Gulyas said contains a copy of an invoice from ACE to Oglesby dated Dec. 13, 2006. It shows the total of $13,751.62, a payment of $8,004.89 and a balance of $5,746.73. It says the terms are “Net 10 Days.”

In December 2006 and January 2007, Gulyas said, he received telephone calls from Oglesby saying he was getting funding together to pay the bill.

Oglesby’s press release said Gulyas contacted him more than a year after the campaign ended and the campaign account had been ended “and requested additional payment for the work that had been contributed.”

Gulyas continued to send bills and continued to be unpaid. Oglesby left his position as a prosecutor in the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office and moved to the Western Shore where he worked as a criminal defense attorney in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Howard counties. Gulyas found his addresses by looking online at the Web site for the Maryland Judiciary Case Search, http://casesearch.courts.state.md/. us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp. One of the addresses was for a law firm in Rockville. Oglesby also had a Greenbelt address.

Last spring, Oglesby, who had returned to the Eastern Shore and is now the deputy state’s attorney for Caroline County, called and said he would pay the bill, Gulyas said. Then he e-mailed Gulyas in April and May. In May, Gulyas was fed up and got a promissory note and asked Oglesby to sign it. Nothing happened for a few days, then Gulyas notified Oglesby that he would turn the matter over to his attorney. Oglesby responded with a phone call.

“He lit me up,” Gulyas said Monday. “He was extremely angry.”

The promissory note, Gulyas told Oglebsy, meant that he would drag Oglesby to the courthouse to get paid, but he also told him he would give him 90 days to pay the outstanding balance of $7,746.73.

“He was cursing and swearing at me,” Gulyas said. “He kept ranting and raving.”

According to the lawsuit, “The Defendant’s inability to maintain a civilized dialogue with the Plaintiff severed all further communications.”

In July, Oglesby sent Gulyas a $2,000 payment.

“That’s the last I heard,” Gulyas said.

Oglesby explains the $2,000 payment by saying in his press release that despite the prior agreement in which he had no legal obligation to repay the additional money, he decided he “would refund his donation from my new account as soon as it became active.”

Oglesby said the timing of Gulyas’ lawsuit is political.

“Now that Thom has publicly endorsed my opponent, the timing of this frivolous lawsuit, just two months before the election, a lawsuit that he knows is barred by the statute of limitations, speaks for itself,” he said.

Gulyas said the lawsuit is not politically motivated.

“That’s a damn lie,” Gulyas said. “Business comes first. It’s my money and I want to be paid. It has nothing to do with politics.”

The case is scheduled for Oct. 27 in District Court in Snow Hill.

www.oceancitytoday.net

Julia A. Purnell Museum- Last Of Summer Heritage Crafts

SNOW HILL -- The Julia A. Purnell Museum will host the last in a series of summer heritage craft activities for children on Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 1-3 p.m. Children can learn to create and decorate paper chains, just like those made by youngsters 100 years ago.

The Heritage Crafts are free with the price of general admission, just $.50 for children, and $2 for adults. Kids should expect to spend about 15 to 30 minutes working on their projects. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, contact the museum at 410-632-0515.

Worcester County Fair This Weekend

SNOW HILL -- Each day of the Worcester County Fair brings something new, along with the three-day standard features.

Held in Snow Hill's Byrd Park Aug. 13-15,

Fairgoers enjoy free parking and free admission

Standard features available each day include:

Livestock pavilions, the rabbit and poultry tent, livestock shows

A variety of product and craft vendors

Safe Kids Vendors

Public Interest Booths

Children's Activities

Demonstrations

Entertainers

River Cruises

Indoor Exhibit Tent

Friday Features Include:

Horse Show

Popular Cake and Pie Auction

Youth Talent Show

Saturday Features:

Classic Car and Truck Show

The Red Knights motorcycle show

The youth pet fair

The adult talent show

Sunday begins with a church service, and features include a Breyer horse show; open karaoke; and Cow Pie Bingo.

For a full listing of activities and events as well as entry information, visit http://www.worcestercountyfair.com/ or pick up a copy of the Fair Tabloid at any branch of the Worcester County Library.

12th Annual Snow Hill Blessing of the Combines

The Worcester County Times says it best I suppose. " Combines are a familiar sight on the Eastern Shore, moving purposefully and efficiently through fields of grain, corn and soybeans. But seeing a combine from afar is very different from being close enough to touch one. "

So here is your chance to see exactly what it is the farmers use on this good old Eastern Shore when they harvest some crops.

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE 12th ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE COMBINES

According to the Blessing of the Combines parade chairman, Mike Rew, the parade will take place in Snow Hill, Maryland on Saturday, August 7, 2010 beginning at 11:15a.m.

The Blessing of the combines will be given by the Rev. Sumner Jones.

Eight combines (old and new) will participate in the parade this year. The combines will travel down Route 12 and make their way to Green Street and park so those interested can get a close up view of what a combine looks and sounds like during the THROTTLE THRUST after being parked. They will remain parked on Green Street until 3:00 p.m.

Activities for ALL ages will be ongoing throughout the day from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

At 4:00 the Antique Tractor Pull will be held in the John Walter Smith Park.

Other activities planned for the day are as follows:
(and more)

Children's Tractor pull
Craft Booths
Local Artistis and their work
Hay Rides
Face Painting
Food vendors
Dove Release
Tootsie the Clown
Pie Eating Contest
T-shirts
Petting Barnyard
Scales-n- Tales Presentation by Pocomoke River State Park
Antique Car Show next to the Pocomoke River to benefit Coastal Hospice

The committee for this years events are: Kathy Fisher, Becky Payne and Mike Rew.

Call 443-783-1715 or 410-632-3838 for more information.

Take time to join in the celebration of the agricultural heritage of Snow Hill and honor the farmers.

Pocomoke Mayor Mike McDermott Stripped Of Police Powers In Worcester County

SNOW HILL — Worcester County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael McDermott was temporarily stripped of his police powers while the department investigates a Sept. 2009 incident involving a service weapon, according to his lawyer. McDermott is the mayor of Pocomoke City and a Republican candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B.

Worcester County Sheriff Charles T. Martin confirmed that McDermott’s power to arrest was taken away on July 22, and said McDermott is now on administrative office duties. An incident involving McDermott is being investigated, Martin said, but he declined to comment on the specifics of the case because it is a personnel matter.
“Those powers remain suspended until they are reinstated by me or the case is adjudicated,” Martin said. “It’s something that is going to be adjudicated within the system, and he knows the system as well as I do."
See continuing coverage in Thursday’s The Daily Times.
www.delmarvanow.com

Veteran Officer Seeks Position Of Sheriff

SNOW HILL -- A West Ocean City man filed his candidacy papers for the office of Worcester's sheriff, becoming the fourth person to join the race for the county's top law enforcement job.

If elected, David L. Catrino said he will bring "an evolution of sorts" to the office and address burgeoning problems of gangs, gambling and drugs.

"I think we have a dynamic change happening in our county," Catrino said. "And I certainly think we have some other issues coming that will need some outside-of-the-box thinking."

Carroll Overholt, Reggie T. Mason and Bobby Brittingham are also running for the job.

A 20-year law enforcement veteran, Catrino currently works as an officer for the Snow Hill Police Department and owns two businesses, the Crab Stop on 15th Street in Ocean City and several stand-alone ATMs in local restaurants and hotels. The combination creates a varied experience, Catrino said, one that he thinks will serve him well leading the Sheriff's Office.

"I come from a law enforcement background, but I'm also in business, so I understand budgets and man power and scheduling," he said. "I think I bring a dynamic there that can bring business, police and the community together working in partnership."

Catrino spent most of his law enforcement career with the Ocean City Police Department and left amid some turmoil in 2007. He is now involved in a wrongful termination suit with the town, claiming that he was inappropriately fired after leaving his post just before the end of his shift to attend to a problem resulting from his diabetes. The case is working its way through federal court.

Catrino said the situation should have no effect on his ability to work with the Ocean City Police Department if he is elected.

Once in the Sheriff's Office, Catrino said he would focus his efforts on accountability of the department, scheduling, community involvement and combating drugs, something he cites as a major problem in the county. In particular, he plans to take a proactive approach to law enforcement through an intelligence-led policing model.

In short, he said, "It approaches police work from a proactive stance, as opposed to a ride-around reactive stance, and I think it better serves our communities."

"Intelligence-led policing makes use of near real-time data collection to allow commanders to respond to the dynamic conditions of crime," Catrino said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Trial Could Begin As Early As July

Sheddy Murder Trial -
by - Amber Watson

SNOW HILL, Md. - The State's Attorneys Office in Worcester County is preparing for the trial of the man accused of killing Christine Sheddy.

Justin Hadel was indicted by the Grand Jury last month. Authorities say Hadel killed Sheddy when they both stayed as a guest in a house on Byrd Road in Pocomoke in 2007.

Almost two and a half years later since Sheddy went missing, police found her remains at the River House Inn, a bed and breakfast in Snow Hill.

State's Attorney Joel Todd says the trial could begin as soon as July.