“Checkpoint Strikeforce” TO BE CONDUCTED

 

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

Checkpoint Strikeforce
March 15, 2014

 

The Pocomoke City Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on March 15, 2014.  The operation will be conducted with the national campaign “Checkpoint Strikeforce”.  The goal is to reduce the number of drunk and drugged drivers on Worcester County roadways during the St. Patrick’s holiday weekend.

 Chief Kelvin Sewell and the Pocomoke City Police Department would like to wish all a safe and sober St. Patrick’s Day.

 

 

 

      
         Kelvin D. Sewell
         Chief of Police

Space Station Crew Returns to Earth, Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Three crew members from the International Space Station returned to Earth Monday after 166 days in space, during which they made 2,656 orbits around the planet and traveled almost 70.5 million miles

Expedition 38 crew members Michael Hopkins of NASA, and Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazanskiy of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) touched down southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at about 11:24 p.m. EDT (9:24 a.m., March 11, in Dzhezkazgan).

During Expedition 38, the crew members participated in a variety of research, including protein crystal growth studies and biological studies of plant seedling growth to technology demonstrations that are helping to improve our understanding of how liquid moves in microgravity. They conducted student experiments that observed celestial events in space. One of several key research focus areas during Expedition 38 was human health management for long duration space travel, as NASA and Roscosmos prepare for two crew members to spend one year aboard the space station in 2015.

During their time aboard the orbiting laboratory, the three men were there to welcome three visiting cargo spacecraft. Two Russian Progress crafts docked to the station, bringing tons of supplies. In January, Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Cygnus spacecraft loaded with cargo and experiments flew to the space station as part of the Orbital-1 cargo resupply mission. This was the company's first of at least eight cargo delivery flights through 2016 to the station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract.

Kotov, Ryazanskiy and Hopkins were on hand as Mastracchio, Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency arrived on Nov. 7, 2013, bearing the Olympic torch used to light the Olympic flame at Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, which marked the start of the 2014 Winter Games in February.

Hopkins and fellow Expedition 38 NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio ventured outside the confines of the space station during two spacewalks in December to replace a suspect ammonia pump that is part of the station's equipment cooling system. On the Russian side, Kotov and Ryazanskiy conducted three spacewalks. The first trip outside was to install and replace experiments and hardware attached to the exterior of the Russian segment and display the Olympic torch. The other two walks were to install a pair of cameras on the hull of the station's Zvezda Service Module that are part of a Canadian commercial endeavor with Roscosmos designed to downlink Earth-observation imagery to Internet-based subscribers.

Hopkins, who is a life-long enthusiast of exercise and weight training, participated last month with four fitness professionals and athletes in a Google+ Hangout from space where the astronaut discussed the importance of exercise in a weightless environment. He demonstrated one of the many pieces of fitness equipment aboard the station that crew use during their daily 2-hour workouts.

The space station is more than a scientific research platform. It also serves as a test bed for technology demonstrations. During the past several months, the Expedition 38 crew members used the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) for a number of investigations. These included demonstrating and testing techniques related to micro electromagnetic formation flight and wireless inductive power transfer; examining how liquids move around inside containers in microgravity, which affects computer simulations of liquid rocket fuel behavior and increases the safety and efficiency of future rockets; and demonstrating and testing enhanced technologies and techniques related to visual inspection and navigation. The crew members helped launch several miniature satellites, referred to as CubeSats, from the Japanese Experiment module. CubeSats are testing technologies ranging from Earth observation to smartphone technology to satellite attitude control in affordable small satellites that are within reach of most universities and even high- and middle- school students.

Ryazanskiy, Kotov and Hopkins also we aboard the orbital outpost when the Obama Administration announced in January NASA planned to extend the operational life of the International Space Station until at least 2024.

Hopkins and Ryazanskiy each now have 166 days in space after completing their first missions in space. Kotov now has spent 526 days in space on three flights.

Expedition 39 now is operating aboard the station. Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is in command of the orbiting laboratory. He is the first Japanese astronaut to hold this position. Wakata and his crewmates, Flight Engineers Mastracchio and Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, will tend to the station as a three-person crew until the arrival in two weeks of three new crewmates: NASA astronaut Steve Swanson and Russian cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev. Swanson, Skvortsov and Artemyev are scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan March 25.

For more information on the International Space Station and its crews, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF KELVIN SEWELL – ST PATRICKS DAY 2014

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF KELVIN SEWELL –

POCOMOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

ST PATRICKS DAY 2014

 

 

IF Drinking Alcohol
 Be responsible.

 

 Choose a designated driver. Decide who's going to be doing the driving before you go out, and make sure that person doesn't drink any alcoholic beverages.

 

 Call a taxi. Sometimes even the designated driver slips. If nobody in your group is sober, take alternate transportation. Cab, bus, OR call a family member/friend – anything's better than getting in the car with a drunk driver.

 

 Hide keys. Don't be afraid to take someone's car keys. If the person gets angry, it's probably proof you're doing the right thing.

Pocomoke City Police Department LIKE on Facebook

Mar-Va Theater Auditions ~ "Little Shop of Horrors"

 

Spring/Summer Production Open Auditions

 

After much research and deliberation, the *NEW* Mar-Va Players have decided on Little Shop of Horrors. Open auditions will take place on:

 

Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 2 - 4 PM
Sunday, March 16, 2014 from 5 -7 PM

 

 

Callbacks will be held:
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM 

 

All audition & cast information are available at: http://marvatheater.com/marvaproductions.html. 

 

To join the Mar-Va Players Facebook page, click {here}.

No. 1 Ranking For Hopkins School of Education

Photo/BW

U.S. News and World Report ranked the Johns Hopkins University's School of Education No. 1 in the nation for graduate education programs, above two state programs better known as teaching schools: University of Maryland, College Park at No. 26 and Towson University at No. 116.

The annual rankings of graduate schools in various disciplines is being released, and it gives the education program at Hopkins the top billing for the first time, up from second place last year. The graduate program was started in 2007 and serves 1,600 full- and part-time students in the doctoral and master's degree programs.

"I am thrilled that our new ranking reflects the quality of our efforts in teaching, research, and the development of evidence-based models of instruction," David W. Andrews, dean of the School of Education, said in a news release. "We will continue our commitment to be part of the innovative solutions to the educational challenges in this country and take a leadership role in the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge affecting education."

Hopkins stayed in third place for research-oriented medical schools, while the University of Maryland was 34th. Hopkins' medical school was ranked No. 1 in internal medicine. In the category of medical schools focused on primary care, Hopkins was ranked 26th and Maryland 40th.

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Benefit ~ Ride For Awareness

Women Supporting Women

 

HELP SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE

 Call Mary at 410-213-1177 for more information

BINGO! To Benefit The Mar-va Theater

 CASH BINGO!!

 

To benefit

The Mar-va Theater

 

Friday, March 14

 & Friday, March 28

 

Captain's Cove Community Room
3370 Captain's Corridor

 

 

$20 per book

$10 per additional book

$1 per dabber Food & Baked Goods will be available for purchase to benefit Union United Methodist Church of Greenbackville. 

Doors Open: 6 PM

Bingo Begins: 7 PM

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

Somerset County (MD) Sheriff's Office

 

Charles Edward Collins - Princess Anne was arrested 2-28-14 for driving on a revoked driver’s license, driving on a suspended driver’s license, and driving without a license. Collins was released on signatures pending court actions.

 Leslie Lynn Benton- Wenona was arrested 3-2-14 for driving on a suspended driver’s license, and a stop lamp violation. Benton was released on signatures pending court actions.

 Shaneka Carlisa Woolridge - Glenn Dale Maryland was arrested 3-2-14 for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, and driving in violation of license restrictions. Woolridge was released on citations pending court actions. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop conducted by deputies in the area of UMES Blvd, Princess Anne.

 Everett James Williams Sr. - Crisfield was arrested 3-5-14 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Williams was held on a $ 500.00 bond.

Danyal Dnote Dashiell - Salisbury was arrested 3-6-14 on a warrant for violation of probation. Dashiell was held on a $ 35,000 bond.

Keshana Shaqcanda Miller - Berlin was arrested 3-9-14 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Miller was released on a $ 1,000 unsecured bond.


 Two female juveniles arrested 3-9-14 for fighting in public. During patrols, deputies witnessed a fight in progress in the area of Antioch Ave, Princess Anne between two females. Deputies arrested and charged both females with 2nd degree assault. Both females were later released to parents pending juvenile court actions.

Terry Alonzo Milbourne Jr - Princess Anne was arrested 3-10-14 on a warrant for violation of probation. Milbourne was held without bond.

Field Notes By Delegate Mike McDermott

 

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

By Delegate Michael A. McDermott

 

Week 9 March 3-7, 2014

 

Monday Evening Session:

Bills on First Reader

Tuesday Morning Session:

Bills on First Reader

Third Reading Calendar (House Bills) #15

HB 240
Third Reading Passed (80-56)

HB 740
Third Reading Passed (95-41)

 

Special Order Calendar HB 401 Third Reading Passed (131-6)

HB-240 is a bill which will place mandates on local government as it relates to recycling numbers when it comes to waste disposal. This centralized approach is going to cost Marylanders when county governments will have to change policies to meet set goals by the state. Interestingly enough, it was also highly opposed by many environmental groups who objected to some of the burning standards attached to the bill. While most republicans voted no, we were also joined by several democrats. Sadly, the bill was not defeated.

HB-740 involves another infusion of state money into cyber security efforts to encourage more of these companies to come to Maryland. This is truly crony capitalism in that it favors and promotes one type of business over every other business in the state. In fact, this is one sector of our economy that is growing and thriving on its own and does not need additional incentives. The vote was along party lines with the republicans voting against this type of favoritism.

Tuesday Afternoon Judiciary Committee Hearings:

There were 30 bills addressing various firearm regulations. They were set up in 9 groupings: Crimes-4 bills; Handgun Permits-7 bills; Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines-4 bills; Purchase of Firearms-4 bills; Handgun Qualifications Licenses-2bills; Handgun Safety Measures-2 bills; Disqualifiers for Ownership/Possession-2 bills; Bow Hunting-2 bills; Miscellaneous-3 bills.

HB 36     Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Permit - Applicant Qualifications  HB 42     Del Cardin     Public Safety - Firearms - Application Approval Before Sale, Rental, or Transfer  HB 60     Del Smigiel    Repeal of the Firearm Safety Act of 2013 (Jointly assigned to JUD and HGO)  HB 62     Del Smigiel  Rgltd Frarms-Lic Issued by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia - Reciprocity  HB 90     Del Simmons    Regulated Firearms - Disqualifying Crime -Domestically Related Crime  HB 94     Del Arora     Crim Law - Prohib on Manufacture of Detachable Magazine or Firearm Receiver - 3-D Printing  HB 115    Del Conaway    Task Force to Study Firearms and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Devices  HB 122    Del K. Kelly   Public Safety - Assault Weapons and Detachable Magazines - Possession or Transport by Nonresident  HB 215    Del Cluster    Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Renewal Period for Retired Law Enforcement Officer  HB 262    Del Beitzel,   Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for  et al          Protection  HB 286    Del Valentino Criminal Law - Use of Handgun in Crime of Violence Smith, et al   or Felony - Statute of Limitations  HB 521    Del Haddaway      Firearms - Handgun Permit Requirements - Handgun Riccio         Qualification License Holders  HB 623    Del Simmons   Public Safety - Crim Justice Information System - Integration With Md Automated Firearms System  HB 659    Del Szeliga    Public Safety - Regulated Firearms - Transport Through State  HB 712    Del Smigiel    Crimes - Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime - Diminution Credits and Sentencing  HB 713    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Safety Devices - External Safety Locks  HB 715    Del Smigiel       Public Safety - Handgun Identification Requirements - Repeal  HB 716    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Qualification License - Qualified Handgun Instructors and Permit Holders  HB 717    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Firearms Safety Training - Demonstration Component  HB 719    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Firearms - Probation Before Judgment  HB 720    Del Smigiel    Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Training Requirement  HB 800    Del K. Kelly, Public Safety - Handgun Permits - Training  et al          Requirement for Renewal Applications  HB 818    Del Smigiel    Regulated Firearms - Lic'd Dealer or Secon Seller - Natl Instant Crim Bkgd (NICS) Check  HB 919    Del K. Kelly   Public Safety - Transport of Weapons on School Property - Retired Law Enforcement Officer  HB 934    Del Smigiel    Firearms - Application for Prchs and Reqd Registr- Use of Term "Voluntary" Registrant Prohibited  HB 995    Del Dwyer      Firearms Freedom Act  HB 997    Del Beitzel    Criminal Law - Competition Shooting and Match Shooting - Firearms Exemption  HB 1005   Del Bromwell   Firearms - Handgun Permit Requirements - Retired Military  HB 1199   Del Clippinger Possession of Loaded Handgun or Regulated Firearm - Enhanced Penalties  HB 1356   Del Glass      Bow Hunting - Possession of Handguns for Protection

The hearings began at 1pm and continued until 11:30pm. There are clearly some issues that need to be addressed in Maryland which some of the bills spoke to today. The first is the issue of Maryland becoming a “shall issue” state when it comes to Conceal Carry laws. The “good and substantial” reason applied by the Superintendent of the State Police severely limits the issuance of any permits. It has left many to consider going to an “Open Carry” with their rifles and shotguns (which has been verified as legal by Attorney General Gansler). Many expressed their frustration with the state and their thoughts of moving to Open Carry if the state does not allow for greater permitting of residents.

 

There were a couple of bills designed to strengthen punishment on offenders who utilize a firearm in the commission of their crimes. We also listened to bills that would eliminate “good time” styled credits for prisoners who are serving a sentence involving a gun crime.

 

We also heard about several bills to modify last year’s SB-281 regarding training requirements and other needed modifications. It is apparent that the State Police have adapted some of the components of the bill in a way that was never intended by the General Assembly. Some of these include clear amendment changes that I offered in committee and on the floor in shaping this bill. The current training requirements are a good example and some of these bills sought to move the state back to the original intent expressed last year.HB-623 bears watching this year. The bill would require the MSP to link their gun database with the Criminal Justice Information System database. Due to some of the changes in law over the years, it is estimated that upwards of over 100,000 gun owners in Maryland may unknowingly be disqualified from possessing certain firearms. The bill calls for an expansion of the MSP to provide personnel for the purposes of tracking down these owners and seizing their firearms. The bill remains in committee at this time.

Wednesday Morning Session:

First Reading of Senate Bills Introduced

Bills on Second Reader

 

 

HB 295 Floor Committee Amendment { 123291/1 Adopted Floor Committee Amendment {703028/1 Adopted Floor Amendment (Delegate Davis) {403525/1 Adopted Floor Amendment (Delegate Bromwell) {583927/1 Rejected (45-87) Floor Amendment (Delegate George) {223625/1 Rejected (43-91) Floor Amendment (Delegate McDermott) {423829/4 Rejected (47-89) Floor Amendment (Delegate Fisher) {763626/1 Rejected (45-88) Floor Amendment (Delegate Boteler) {603523/1 Rejected (46-88) Floor Amendment (Delegate Krebs) {343720/1 Rejected (47-83) Floor Amendment (Delegate McDonough) {583621/1 Rejected (42-90) Floor Amendment (Delegate McDonough) {183927/1 Rejected (45-83) Floor Amendment (Delegate Bates) {363222/1 Rejected (46-89) Floor Amendment (Delegate Parrott) {703723/1 Rejected (43-87) Floor Amendment (Delegate Hogan) {773521/1 Rejected (44-84) Floor Amendment (Delegate Mizeur) {343920/1 Rejected (8-124) Floor Amendment (Delegate Ready) {433426/1 Rejected (43-89) Floor Amendment (Delegate McMillan) {463721/1 Rejected Second Reading Passed with Amendments This is the Minimum Wage Bill.(Press Release) It will raise the wage to $10.10 over the next two years and is one of the signature bills for the O’Malley administration this year.    Today, there were a series of amendments offered on the bill. They all attempted to address the concerns of businesses across the state. It became clear that the Six Flags Theme Park in Prince Georges County was exempted from this bill and for the same reasons (seasonal employment), I sought to exempt similar workers in Ocean City. There was a strong debate on the issue and the exchange is a great example of how the sausage is made in the Maryland General Assembly. Here is a link for you to listen. Ultimately, my amendment was defeated, as was the case with all of the floor amendments offered. The bill now goes onto Third Reader on Friday morning.

Wednesday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:

HB-635 would allow a health care provider to offer an apology to a patient or grieving family member and not withhold these types of statements for fear of being sued and held liable for inferred guilt due to an offered apology. Sadly, this is a needed bill.

HB-809 would remove protections from liability for local government in cases where an injury and claim arise out of the use of an artificial turf field which is owned and maintained by a government entity.

HB-930would alter the amount of damages that could be sought for non-economic damages in civil cases. The new limit would be $500,000. We heard from some folks who were severely injured and the current limits did not cover their needs.

HB-996 would make certain written records of health care officials accessible and usable for civil suit purposes. Currently, some of these types of records are shielded.

HB-1009 this is similar to HB-930 relating to catastrophic injuries.

HB-1221 provides for the methods for acquiring information from internet source providers when a tortuous complaint is being alleged from an anonymous source.

HB-1271 would address notifications on lead paint.

HB-1302 would void and eliminate certain requirements for civil claims contained within certain contracts. In particular it would eliminate the requirement for a party to pay for attorney fees associated under certain actions.

HB-1344 would establish a task force to study the prevention of sexual child abuse. I don’t think we need to fund a study, but we could use more money for law enforcement and victim services.

 

Thursday Afternoon Judiciary Hearings:

HB 29      Del Gutierrez Maryland Law Enforcement Trust Act  HB 539    Del Rosenberg Task Force to Study the Implementation and Use of                  Body Cameras by Law Enforcement Officers  HB 633    Del Conaway    Baltimore City - Law Enforcement Officers - Video Cameras  HB 785    Del George     Drones - Unauthorized Surveillance  HB 847    Del Rosenberg, Criminal Procedure - Government Drone Use - et al  Limitations  HB 912    Del Smigiel,   Courts - Electronic Communications - Privacy et al  HB 1003  Del McDonough Crim Procedure - Individual With Immigration                  Detainer (Md Law Enforc and Public Saf Trust Act)  HB 1074  Del Smigiel    Fourth Amendment Protection Act  HB 1126  Del Haddaway   Criminal Law - Synthetic Marijuana - Prohibition Riccio  HB 1161  Del Waldstreicher, et al        Criminal Procedure - Electronic DeviceLocation                                      Information - Warrant              HB 1188   Del Carter     Law Enforcement Officers - Alcohol and Drug Testing - Required  HB 1200   Del  Pena-Melnyk,           Public Safety - Eyewitness Identification - Procedures              HB 1202   Del Riccio   Crim Law - Distrib of Faked Controlled Dangerous Substance -                 Substantially Similar Chemical Struc  HB 1234   Del Swain      Criminal Law - Drug Paraphernalia - Penalties  HB 1316   Del Swain      Crms - Sale of Drg Paraphernalia to a Mnr - L  Law Authorzng                              Bsns Lic Revoc for Subq Violation

There was much discussion and debate on the issues pertaining to electronic surveillance as they relate to the protections under the 4th Amendment which were the subject of several bills today. One in particular seeks to address the use of drones by the government.  Many of the bills sought to provide guidance for emerging technology being utilized by the government. I do not believe we will see any of these bills come out this year unless it is in the form of an issue study.

We also has a couple of immigration bills that address any contact that law enforcement has with illegal aliens. HB-29 would make significant changes to the manner and dealings that law enforcement has with illegal aliens they encounter.  In fact, it would make the entire state of Maryland a sanctuary state for illegal aliens. I would prefer to see these issues addressed locally based upon area needs and community desires. The idea of not allowing local law enforcement to not communicate with Immigration authorities is absurd. The bill has a lot of amendments and appears on a fast track for passage so it is one to be watched.

 

Delegate Pat McDonough offered an alternative bill to HB-29 which is HB-1003. This bill seeks to further enhance law enforcement efforts ongoing in Maryland as the public safety sector seeks to deal with illegal aliens.

 

There were a couple of bills that would require law enforcement officers to wear body cameras while on duty. If a local department wants to fund this and implement it as policy, by all means do it-but to mandate the entire state to do so is over the top.

 

There were also a couple of CDS bills to address synthetic marijuana and paraphernalia items. I do not sense that any of these bills will move in the committee.

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