Accomack County Supervisors Still Have NO Answers

By Linda Spence

The Accomack County Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, November 17, at the board chambers in Accomac.

Well, the top 20 delinquent tax payers don't have to be concerned about their names being in lights, on a big sign that is, but Supervisor Donald Hart isn't letting them off easy. Hart stated that these people have owed this money for a long time. Hart went on to say it's not fair to the low income, fixed income, elderly and other citizens who pay their taxes on time. The board agreed that the names of those delinquent tax payers will be put in big, bold letters in an advertisement in both local papers. To avoid this from happening, these county property owners need to pay up now.

Several citizens addressed the board during the public comment part of the meeting, including Accomack County Citizen Toni Trepanier; Trepanier asked the board why the county has citizens social security numbers to begin with. She said the county doesnt extend credit and she has never asked for credit and doesn't understand they have her social security number. Trepanier was referring to the county's stolen laptop that contained citizens' private information.
Concerning that stolen laptop, County Administrator Steve Miner gave an update. He reported that he has met with the Counties insurance advisors and their IT Specialists who made a number of recommendations that are being implemented, including encrypted software that is being installed. He also stated that the County Attorney's office is set up for any claims of fraud. According to Miner, there have been no reported cases of fraud that are affiliated with the stolen laptop and he encourages the citizens to remain vigilant.

According to County Attorney Mark Taylor, the notice provided by the county regarding the laptop theft complied and was approved by the VA Attorney General's Office. He stated that they have no information at this point that anyones identity information has been misused as a result of this theft. He continued, "it is most likely that the information has been cleared and the laptop has been resold. We would like to think that happened, but we cannot and have not proceeded on that basis. We have tried our best to protect our citizens without educating the crook on what could be on the computer."

And there's another crisis in the county, but this one has 4 legs. There's simply too many cats that are unvaccinated which can easily contribute to feline disease and most importantly rabies. Supervisor Ron Wolff had led the proposed idea of requiring cats to be licensed, but after talking to citizens and learning more about the issue, now believes that licensing will not achieve what he had hoped. He withdrew his attempt to license cats and the board voted unanimously to find a group of citizens who can come up with possibilities to help find a solution for the rabies and overpopulation problem.
www.shoredailynews.com

5 Year Old Donates Life Savings To Fire Department

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Financial support to help rebuild the Sissonville Volunteer Fire Department has poured in from across West Virginia and the country, but none touched members of the department more than the donation of one boy's savings.

On Saturday, Joshua Shaffer, 5, wearing a firefighter's hat and jacket -- his Halloween costume -- donated $45.85 from his plastic piggy bank.

The money, made up of change, was his life savings.

The department lost its main station, three trucks and nearly all of its equipment in an electrical fire on Oct. 1.

Shaffer's donation epitomizes the support from the community, especially the children, said Tom Miller, secretary of the 40-member department's board of directors.

Elementary, middle and high school students from across Kanawha County and the state have raised more than $5,000 through fundraisers, Miller said.

"There are just no words to describe it," Miller said.

J.T. Shaffer, Joshua's father, said Saturday his son decided to donate his savings after watching a YouTube video of the fire that destroyed the main station.

"They can't do it all by themselves," Joshua Shaffer said Saturday, after presenting the jar of coins to members of the fire department at Sissonville High School.

In honor of the donation, members of the VFD presented Joshua with a certificate, naming him an honorary junior firefighter.

He also shook each firefighter's hand before getting the chance to climb into the unit's fire truck and push a few buttons.

Joshua said Saturday he's already planning to begin saving money for "Big Josh," a fire truck the department plans to purchase and name after him.

The Sissonville VFD is operating out of the garage of Charleston Auto, just down the road from the burned-out station. The department runs three fire stations to cover an area of about 125 square miles.

Even after the loss of their main station, members of the volunteer department have not missed a single call, Miller said.

The fire destroyed nearly $2 million in property, equipment and vehicles, he said. The department's insurance will cover damage to the trucks and building, which totals about $1 million.

Insurance coverage for the lost equipment has not been settled.

Miller estimates that the department needs to raise an additional $350,000 to completely rebuild and re-establish itself.

The outpouring of support has been "overwhelming," Miller said.

In just two months, the department has raised about $100,000 through donations, fundraisers, and corporate and state pledges, he said.

Offers of help also have come from outside West Virginia. Fire departments from as far away as California, Alaska and British Columbia have donated equipment and supplies.

The department must have a plan to rebuild and re-establish itself by May, Miller said.

Without a plan, insurance policies of the people who live within the department's district could be affected, because the unit is operating out of a temporary location, he said.

The department is working on a plan, Miller said, "but "I have no idea where, or when we'll build. There are still a lot of questions that have to be answered yet."

Members of the Sissonville VFD will host a holiday family-portrait event from noon to 8 p.m. today at Sissonville High School. Portraits cost $10.

Additionally, the department is sponsoring a Dec. 18 holiday bus trip to Elkins. Tickets are $65 and include dinner, entrance to a Broadway-style show, time to shop in the area and transportation.

To book a ticket for the holiday trip, call the fire department at 304-984-0674.

www.wvgazette.com

Search For Ohio Family Ends In Tragedy

November 18, 2010

Mt Vernon, OH - The search for an Ohio family and a family friend came to a close today as they were found dead, hidden inside a hollow tree. The discovery was made approximately 2:30 pm today in the vicinity of the Kokosing River Lake, near Waterford Road in Fredericktown, Ohio, about 20 miles from where they were killed.

Matthew Hoffman instructed Sheriff's investigators where to find the bodies, which were stuffed in trash bags. It is not known how Hoffman got the bodies into the tree.

"The tree was hollow to a point," the sheriff said, adding it would be speculation to understand how the remains were put into the tree.

Hoffman is an unemployed tree trimmer, who has been observed by neighbors sitting in trees spying on people and also collected bags full of leaves while walking around near a local lake. Hoffman has been described as strange and scary.

Hoffman has been charged with kidnapping after a SWAT team found 13 year old Sarah Maynard, bound and gagged, in his basement.

Knox County Sheriff David Barber advised that Sarah's mother Tina Herrmann, brother Kody Maynard and family friend Stephanie Sprang were murdered on Wednesday, November 10, inside Herrmann's home. Sarah was also kidnapped at this time.

Exactly how the three were killed has not been released, but Barber advised that Hoffman is the only suspect.

Knox County Prosecutor John C. Thatcher advised that an indictment against Hoffman was being prepared and that the case would go to a grand jury. Neither he nor Barber would comment on whether, or not, Hoffman confessed.

Hoffman is scheduled to appear for a preliminary court hearing on Tuesday. An indictment against him could come within 4 to 6 weeks, Thatcher said.

Hoffman is being held in lieu of a $1 million bond.

www.examiner.com

Mickey Mouse Turns 80 Today

Today is the official Mickey Mouse birthday.

On November 18th 1928, First film Steam Boat Willie was showcased in a colony theater in New York City. It was a great hit and thus the date was officially declared to be Mickey Mouse birthday.
~HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY MICKEY MOUSE!!!~

"I hope that we never lose sight of one thing: that it was all started by a Mouse.” - Walt Disney.

We remember these famous words on 80th Mickey Mouse birthday.

Parents Want To Know What Happened To Recess

NEWARK -- Parents of Pocomoke Middle School students told the school board they want recess reinstated at their children's school.

Several parents of PMS students attended Tuesday's board of education meeting to voice their concerns over the lack of recess offered to fourth- through eighth-graders at Pocomoke Middle. They called recess a "fundamental need" for the students.

"Recess is something ancient," parent Douglas Voss said. "It's timeless."

Voss said recess, which had been offered on a limited basis in recent years, was eliminated at the school this year in an effort to further increase test scores and academic performance. If it were implemented in a balanced way, he contended, a recess of just 30 minutes a day could be beneficial.

"A cognitive break in the middle of the day does improve academic performance," he told the school board.

Voss said the brain needed time to relax so that students could continue to engage cognitively during the latter half of the school day. He added that schools with recess had fewer discipline problems.

Another parent, Michael Hooks, compared the student dismissal at Pocomoke Middle in the afternoon to a scene in the movie "Grease," with kids sprinting out of the building. He said he and his wife had trouble getting their fourth-grader to do his homework after school because he was so wound up -- a problem they did not have with him last year, when he enjoyed recess at the elementary school.

"They don't have that outlet," he said.

Theophilus Moses said that with childhood obesity rates high, it was crucial that the middle schoolers get some time outside. "They are our future," he said. "We owe it to them."

Although school board members said they needed more time and information before they could make a decision on the matter, they did pass a motion to have Superintendent of Schools Jon Andes review the county's policies and procedures regarding recess and to make a recommendation on the subject to the board. They expect to address the issue by budget work session scheduled for Dec. 7.

"We're really going to take a hard look at this," board member Doug Dryden said, thanking the parents for their professional presentation. "This is the way the process is supposed to work."

PMS principal Caroline Bloxom stressed that the school worked in partnership with its parents in a statement that did not commit the school to any course of action on recess.

"We are partners with our parents," she said in a statement, "and we seek their involvement and feedback. In fact, being receptive to all opinions is crucial to school improvement."

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Air Force Warns Troops About Facebook Feature

WASHINGTON – The Air Force is warning its troops to be careful when using Facebook and other popular networking sites because some new features could show the enemy exactly where U.S. forces are located in war zones.

In a warning issued on its internal website earlier this month, the Air Force said that "careless use of these services by airmen can have devastating operations security and privacy implications." The message was also sent to senior commanders, who were asked to get the word out to their forces.

The sites are a concern for U.S military services, which have 95,000 troops in Afghanistan and roughly 50,000 in Iraq. The Army, which provides the bulk of the battlefield forces, said it intends to circulate a similar warning about location services to key personnel next week.

The applications, which are offered by a variety of services including Facebook, Foursquare, Gowalla and Loopt, can identify a person's location, even pinpoint it on a map.

A key concern is that enemy forces could use such features to track troops in the war zone who have a Blackberry or other smart phone and use those networking services.

Location services have grown in popularity as more people get smart phones that have GPS and other means of determining the user's location.

In most cases, however, users have to go into the program manually and check in — or list a location — in order for that location to show up.

According to Facebook's practices, for example, users must either download the Facebook application and then check in to a location, or go to the mobile Facebook page to check in. The default setting for Facebook then allows a user's friends to see the location, but that setting can be manually changed to allow friends of friends or "everyone" see the location.

www.yahoo.com

Rastafarian Inmates No Longer Isolated Over Hair

RICHMOND, Va. – Many Rastafarians and other inmates in Virginia who have spent years in isolation for refusing to cut their hair were moved to a prison where they can live together, the state Corrections Department said Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported in June that 48 inmates were being held in segregation for ignoring the state's grooming policy, which bans beards and calls for hair to be kept above the shirt collar.

Department of Corrections spokesman Larry Traylor told AP that 31 inmates were transferred to Keen Mountain Correctional Center in southwestern Virginia late last week. The change was made to "better manage and utilize critical bed space" because the offenders will be held two to a cell instead of just one, Traylor said.

"While there remains a need for consequences when offenders choose not to adhere to VADOC policy, it was determined that offenders whose only offense is failure to comply with the grooming policy should be housed and managed separately from the general population but did not require housing in segregation," Traylor said.

Inmates will not have all the privileges of the prison's general population, but they are allowed to move inside their unit, more personal property, and educational and other programs.

Traylor said in June the policy was needed to prevent inmates from hiding weapons and drugs in their long hair or beards, and also to keep them from quickly changing their appearance if they escape. At least 10 Rastafarian inmates, who view growing their hair unbridled, typically in dreadlocks as a tenet of their religion, have been in isolation since the policy was enacted in 1999.

Traylor said about 300 inmates identified themselves as Rastafarians, and only 13 are out of compliance with the grooming standards. Inmates will continue to have their heads shaved when they enter prison, Traylor said.

"It should not have taken eleven years, but DOC is finally realizing that there was never any need to punish these prisoners because of their religious beliefs," said Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia.

The Virginia ACLU represented a group of Rastafarian and Muslim inmates who unsuccessfully challenged the policy in 2003.

Virginia is among only about a dozen states, mostly in the South, that limit the length of inmates' hair and beards, according to the American Correctional Chaplains Association. A handful of those allow accommodations for those whose religious beliefs prohibit cutting their hair. There is no hair policy for federal prisoners.

"Being isolated in such a fashion for years, even while inside prison, is beyond the pale of a civilized society," said Evans Hopkins, a former prisoner, award-winning writer and close friend to Rastafarian inmate Ivan Sparks, who died last year while in segregation. "I hope the DOC will continue to try to work these men back into the general population, and prepare them for release."

Others who have fought against the policy for years were not as pleased.

"I'm going to remain hopefully optimistic that this may prove to be better, but I don't quite know yet," said Janet Taylor, whose Rastafarian name is "Queen Nzinga."

Taylor said some inmates who have spent 11 years in segregation may have problems adjusting to having a cellmate, and the time in isolation may have taken a mental toll on the inmates.

www.yahoo.com

Man Shoots TV With Shot Gun Over Bristol Palin's Dance Routine

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A rural Wisconsin man apparently enraged by Bristol Palin's "Dancing with the Stars" routine blasted his television with a shotgun, leading to an all-night standoff with a SWAT team, investigators said.

Steven Cowan, 67, was arrested Tuesday morning after officers coaxed him out of his house in Vermont, a rural community near Madison. Cowan, who is accused of threatening his wife with the gun after destroying the television, appeared in a Madison courtroom Wednesday on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment. His bail was set at $1,500.

Cowan's attorney at the hearing, Jonas Bednarek, declined to comment.

Cowan's wife, Janice Cowan, told investigators that her husband suffers from bipolar disorder and had threatened her life in the past.

According to court documents, Janice Cowan said her husband came home Monday from the bar and had a beer with dinner before they settled down to watch "Dancing with the Stars."
When Palin, the 20-year-old daughter of tea party favorite Sarah Palin, began her routine, Cowan jumped up and began swearing, saying something like "The (expletive) politics." His wife said he was upset that a political figure's daughter was dancing on TV even though he felt she didn't have talent.

Janice Cowan told investigators her husband left the living room and reappeared 20 minutes later with his shotgun, "raging" with his face bright red, and blasted the TV. She said he then pointed the gun at her and told her to go fetch his pistols, and threatened to kill himself if she brought anyone back. According to the criminal complaint, Steven Cowan's daughter recently took away his handguns for safekeeping. It did not elaborate.

"He scared the bejebees out of me," she told detectives.

Janice Cowan fled the home and went to an attorney's office, where she phoned police.

She told officers that about 15 years ago her husband had threatened her with a machete when he couldn't find some ammunition and has threatened to shoot one of their cows.

She added he was under stress because of financial reasons, saying a doctor helping him with his mental health problems had suggested he temporarily turn over control of properties he rents out to the family's attorney. Calls on Wednesday to a number listed as the Cowans' could not be connected.

The Internet has been abuzz in recent days about how Bristol Palin, who has consistently landed at the bottom of the judges' leaderboard, has been able to remain on the ABC show. Some have suggested that voters - particularly supporters of her mother - have been voting in blocs and manipulating the system.

Both Palins have denied any organized vote-getting tactics. Bristol Palin says voters support her despite lackluster performances because she started the show with no dancing experience.
www.cbsnews.com

Two Men Convicted For Having Drug Laden Tractor Trailer

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two Florida men who were stopped in a stolen tractor-trailer carrying more than three tons of marijuana have been convicted of federal drug charges in Pennsylvania.

Thirty-six-year-old Stanley Narcisse and 35-year-old Eric Emmanuel were convicted Friday of conspiracy and drug distribution charges.

Authorities say Emmanuel was behind the wheel of the truck when police stopped it January 31 on Interstate 81 near the border between Dauphin and Lebanon counties. Paperwork problems prompted state police to search the trailer, where they found about 6,500 pounds of marijuana. Investigators put the street value of the drugs at $6.5 million.

Prosecutors say the trailer had been stolen in Georgia, picked up the drugs in Arizona and was heading to Connecticut when it was stopped.

A sentencing date has not been set.

www.wkptv.com

Two Pocomoke City Teens Arrested On Gun Possession Charges

POCOMOKE CITY — Sheriff's deputies arrested two 18-year-olds in the Pocomoke City area on charges of illegal handgun possession.

One suspect, David Dewayne Dickerson, 18, of Pocomoke, had a loaded revolver in his pants pocket when he stepped out of a vehicle that was the subject of a traffic stop, police said.

Sheriff's deputies had stopped the vehicle in which Dickerson was a passenger because they saw another man wanted on an arrest warrant for handgun possession in the car. That man, Martel Blake, 18, of Pocomoke City, was also arrested at the scene, police said.

Police said Blake had been wanted by police and had been spotted by Pocomoke City police earlier in the day, but had eluded capture. When sheriff's deputies saw Blake's vehicle on Buck Harbor Road, the Sheriff's Office said, they stopped the car and arrested both men.

www.delmarvanow.com

College Station Man Awaiting Trial For Maryland Murder

A 19-year-old College Station man accused of first degree murder for a Maryland cold case will be in court on December 9th for a motions hearing.

Justin Hadel is charged with the murder of 26-year-old Christine Marie Sheddy who had been reported missing in 2007. Maryland authorities say, at the time of Sheddy's death, Hadel was 17-years-old.

Authorities say Sheddy's skeletal remains were discovered in March near an Inn where she had been a guest, along with Hadel.

Maryland prosecutors say Sheddy died of blunt force trauma and tips from witnesses led them to the shallow grave where she had been buried.

Since his arrest, Hadel has been extradited to Maryland and has been in jail, without bond. Hadel's trial is scheduled to start on February 8, 2011.

www.kbtx.com

Rigell Is Closing His Car Dealership

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - transferredssman-elect Scott Rigell's car dealership in Chesapeake is closing, but hopes that his employees will be able to get jobs elsewhere.

Freedom Lincoln Mercury on Military Highway will close sometime between now and the first of the year.

WAVY.com asked Rigell about the closure and how it seemed contradictory to his campaign promise to create jobs.

"It's not a contradiction because this at the Lincoln Mercury store is so far beyond our control," Rigell said.

The biggest reason for the closing is that Ford will no longer make Mercuries after this year.

Despite the store closing, Rigell hopes for no layoffs but couldn't make any promises.

"We're going to stand with our employees, and do everything to make sure every person who is working for Freedom continues to be gainfully employed," said Rigell.

Rigell's business partner, Freedom Automotive president James Church said 40 of the current 67 employees will be transfered to one of the other two Freedom locations in Hampton Roads.

That leaves 27 employees, who mostly work in Parts and Services.

Church said a Cavalier Ford down the street was anxious to hire those employees.

Cavalier is in talks to buy the Lincoln dealership, which means they would sell Lincoln vehicles from their Greenbrier location.

If Cavalier doesn't hire all of them, Rigell hopes to put them to work someplace else.

"I've reached out to some other dealers and asked, 'would you be open to interviewing them and helping," said Rigell.

Rigell and Church both said the auto body shop at the Lincoln Mercury dealer will remain open. They are hoping to lease the rest of the building.

www.wavy.com

Target, The Dog Who Survived The Afghan War Mistakenly Put To Sleep

Target, the dog who survived Afghan war and melted hearts on Oprah, mistakenly put down at Arizona animal shelter

As a stray on the war-ravaged streets of Afghanistan, she had been shot by the Taliban and blasted by explosives. In fact, the plucky German Shepherd cheated death so often that U.S. soldiers named her Target.

She had even become a life-saving hero by sniffing out a suicide bomber on a military base. But, sadly, these dangers paled against the threat from a clerical error at a U.S. dog pound. An employee at the Pinal County facility was today on administrative leave after euthanizing the shepherd mix by mistake.

'When it comes to euthanizing an animal, there are some clear-cut procedures to follow,' said Ruth Stalter, director of the Animal Care And Control centre.
'Based on my preliminary investigation, our employee did not follow those procedures.'

Sgt. Terry Young, the owner of the dog, told The Arizona Republic, 'I just can't believe that something like this would happen to such a good dog.'

Target and two other dogs, Rufus and Sasha, were mutts who befriended soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, who began to feed them and treated the canines as pets on the military base.

One night in February a suicide bomber came to the base in the middle of the night, wearing 25 pounds of explosives and intent on killing Americans.

The three dogs frightened, barked at and bit the bomber, scaring him and waking the sleeping soldiers in the process. Deterred, the terrorist detonated himself outside instead of coming in.

The lives of 50 soldiers were potentially spared because of the dogs' actions.

Sasha was killed, but Target and Rufus lived. Medics treated the injured dogs like soldiers and the two were saved.

Only five soldiers were injured in the bombing and all recovered

Sgt Young said the dogs was treated like royalty from then on at the base at Dand Patan, near the Pakistan border. With the help of aid groups, Sgt Young brought Target to the San Tan Valley area south-east of Phoenix in August, when he returned home from his tour of duty. Rufus went to live with another soldier in Georgia.

Target was featured on 'Oprah' in September in a show about amazing animals.
On Friday of last week the dog escaped from the family's backyard. Sgt Young then put out notices and contacted TV stations that did reports on the missing dog.

A neighbour found Target wandering later that day and put her in his backyard and called the shelter. The dog did not have a microchip or tag.

On Friday night, Sgt Young found Target's picture on a website used by Pinal County's dog catchers to help owners track lost pets. He thought the shelter was closed for the night and weekend.

He showed up at the shelter in Casa Grande to claim his dog on Monday, only to find out she was dead. County officials say the employee mistakenly took the dog out of its pen Monday morning and euthanized it.

'My four-year-old son just can't understand what is going on with Target and keeps asking me to get the poison out of her and bring her home. They don't want her to go be with God yet,' a teary Sgt Young told the local CBS TV station.

The Arizona Republic said Sgt Young and his family will get the dog's cremated remains.
www.dailymail.co.uk

Wounded Bald Eagle Had To Be Euthanized

ONANCOCK -- An American bald eagle had to be euthanized after it was found severely wounded by a jogger who minutes earlier heard gunshots in the area.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is investigating the incident, which happened in Mount Nebo, near Onancock.

"Shooting a bald eagle is the equivalent of burning an American flag," said Michael Fazio of Nebo Lane, who saw the bird fall out of the sky late last week.

It is unclear whether the bird was shot or was injured some other way, according to a wildlife rehabilitator who was called to the scene. A veterinarian who examined the eagle did not find any shot in it, but its right wing was "totally destroyed," wildlife rehabilitator Kathy Cummings said.

The eagle's body was taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, where a necropsy will be conducted to help determine what happened, Game Warden Sarah Druy said.

Bald eagles are protected under the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, originally passed in 1940. The penalty for violating provisions of the act is a fine of up to $5,000 or up to one year in prison. Felony convictions carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or two years' imprisonment, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

The birds also are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacy Act.

Cummings said eagles sometimes fight with each other during breeding season and the bird could have been injured during a fight.

Fazio was jogging along the road when a man wearing a hood and carrying a gun shot over Fazio's head. The two men had a verbal exchange in which the shooter said Fazio should not be out running on the road during hunting season and Fazio asked the man to wait five minutes before continuing in order to give Fazio time to get out of the area safely. The man said he was shooting at targets.

Fazio continued jogging and had gone about the length of three utility poles when saw the eagle spiraling out of the sky.

"I don't know if they are connected. ... We're not sure exactly what happened," he said.

Fazio ran back to his house, about a mile away, told his parents what had happened and grabbed a blanket, with the thought of trying to help the injured animal.

When he and his father returned to the spot, they found the bird about 20 feet away from the road.

They called the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, who referred them to Game and Inland Fisheries, where they got a recorded message. Fazio's father then called a local veterinarian, who gave him Cummings' phone number.

Cummings came to the scene and took the bird to Eastern Shore Animal Hospital, but its injuries were too severe and the bird was euthanized.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries crime line at 800-237-5712.

www.delmarvanow.com

Pocomoke; ALERT NOTICE

ALERT NOTICE

Person(s) unknown have been entering unsecured motor vehicles during the day and night time hours removing change and other personal items (i-pods, cameras, pocketbooks, wallets). The only description is of a Black Male on a bicycle wearing a orange jersey with a white number on the back.

Anyone having information is requested to contact the Pocomoke City Police Department (410) 957-1600 or 911. If you see anyone suspicious in your area contact us immediately. 

NOTE:
When leaving your vehicle, secure items in your trunk or remove them from the vehicle and lock all vehicle doors for added security.
J. D. ErvinChief of Police
November 8, 2010

Man Arrested For Multiple Thefts And Burglaries In Pocomoke

POCOMOKE CITY — Police said a man arrested Nov. 12 after a foot chase has been charged with thefts and burglaries from four places and may be charged with additional crimes.

Wilbert Harmon, 49, of Berlin is accused of burglarizing a property at 200 Walnut St. on Oct. 27; theft from a Rite Aid store on Nov. 9; burglarizing an unoccupied home at 417 Walnut St. on Nov. 12; and a theft from the Walmart in Pocomoke.

Harmon is being held at the Worcester County Jail on $20,000 bond, police chief J.D. Ervin said in a statement. In the statement, Ervin said Harmon is a “person of interest in other criminal activities and thefts from motor vehicles” and said police are investigating further.

www.delmarvanow.com

Robbery At Seaford Motel, 1 Arrest, 2 Still On the Loose

A Maryland woman was arrested and two accomplices are being sought in a late-night robbery Monday at a Seaford motel.

Kristen A. Shockley, 20, of Pocomoke City, was charged with first-degree robbery, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy, said Seaford police spokesman Lt. Richard Jamison.

Police are still searching for Gianfranco Minello, 28, of Milford, and Randy T. Rickards, 30, who is believed to be homeless, on robbery and assorted other charges.

Shockley and the two men followed three people from a Royal Farms gas station on U.S. 13 (Sussex Highway) to the Quality Inn, where they followed the victims into their room and robbed them at gunpoint, Jamison said.

While Minello and Rickards ran out of the room following the robbery, the three victims were able to hold Shockley for police.

The two men were seen leaving in a dark-colored Ford Focus with a temporary Delaware license plate.

Minello

Rickards

Further investigation has linked Minello to an earlier attempted robbery about 2:30 a.m. Monday on Chandler Street where he allegedly confronted a 48-year-old man who was seated in his car and demanded money, Jamison said.

As the victim was complying, one of the bandits pulled out a long gun and hit the victim in the face, injuring him.

The victim was taken to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released.

Shockley is being held in the Baylor Woman’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $32,500 bail.

Seaford police are asking anyone with information about the other two suspects’ whereabouts to call (302) 629-6644 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333.

www.delawareonline.com

Many thanks to the reader that sent this in!

Accomack Sells WRONG Property At Auction

HALLWOOD -- A Hallwood resident came home recently to find a man hauling his possessions out of his house after it was mistakenly sold by Accomack County in an auction to collect delinquent taxes.

Eugene L. Justice owns the house at 12211 Mears Station Road in Hallwood, but it is shown on the county tax maps as belonging to the owners of the property next door -- an empty lot that was supposed to have been sold for back taxes.

That property is owned by C. Sheppard and Emma Griffin, according to county records.

Justice's mother, Dorothy Justice, who lives nearby, said her son called her and told her a man with sunglasses was at the house, telling him he had bought it.

Justice does not live in the house but stores items there and visits it from time to time, his mother said.

The man "cleared the house out," including a drum set and furniture, and broke some of the items, she said.

"He took a hammer and broke in. ... They got a hammer and an ax. ... I've never seen anything like it," she said. "He tore things up; he said that's his house."

"They don't want me to talk about it," Dorothy Justice said, identifying "they" as "the county people."

Eugene Justice could not be reached for comment.

An employee at the Accomack County Assessor's Office discovered the mapping error after Justice came into the clerk's office.

"His concern was, he went to the property and the new owners informed him they had purchased the property," said Clerk of the Circuit Court Samuel H. Cooper Jr. "He knew something was wrong because that had been the family home for many years."

It appears the two parcels had been reversed on the tax maps for years, likely before the Assessor's Office was created back in 1980, County Assessor Brent Hurdle said.

Treasurer Dana Bundick said the Assessor's Office notified her of the problem but said she has not been contacted by any of the parties involved.

Accomack's collection attorney, James Elliott of York County, said Monday no one had told him about the problem. He identified the purchaser of the property as Greg O'Bier, who is listed as a Delaware resident on county records.

Elliott said the error falls under an area of law called "mutual mistake of fact" and said the best course of action now is to "put everybody back" where they were before the sale and "untie the knot."

About damages to Justice's possessions, Elliott said, "I only sell land; I don't sell furniture."

He said property sold at tax sale auctions do not include the contents of the house.

"If you take something that's not yours, buyer beware," he said.

Bundick in January signed a memorandum of understanding with the Accomack County Board of Supervisors in which she agreed to pursue a more aggressive policy to collect delinquent taxes in return for her office being given $40,000 more this year to help pay for the work involved.

Elliott represents more than 30 localities in Virginia, including Accomack and Northampton counties. His office oversees the sale at auction of some 500 parcels a year to collect delinquent real estate taxes.

His website states that parcels sold are "subject to any discrepancies on the county, city or town's land maps and to possible rights of parties in possession, encroachments, overlaps, overhangs, deficiency in quantity, all questions of boundaries, location and acreage which a current and accurate survey would disclose, roadways, unrecorded easements or any other matter not of record which could be disclosed by inspection of the premises."

Eight tax sales have been held in Accomack County so far this year, with one more scheduled this week, according to Elliott's website.

www.delmarvanow.com

Female Giraffe, Keana, Dies At the Norfolk Zoo

NORFOLK — Female giraffe Keana, who was known for hoof issues that caused a noticeable limp, died at the Virginia Zoo on Sunday morning.

Staff always kept a close eye on the giraffe, aware that her abnormal foot growth compromised her stability and gait. Her stall was equipped with padded mats, and care was taken to ensure she was safe and secure. However, early Sunday morning, she was found in her stall unable to get up from a resting position in which her rear legs were in a splay position. Zoo staff and the vet responded immediately to comfort and calm her. Despite their attempts to get her up, she was unable to right herself and return to a standing position.

"Even without hoof issues, a giraffe's center of gravity is so high – 5 to 6 feet off the ground – that these animals are prone to challenges associated with lowering and raising their large bodies to the ground to rest," notes Zoo executive director Greg Bockheim. "Sadly, such challenges are dangerous for these tall, high strung animals; they can cause critical internal injuries or disruptions in their physiological functions that could possibly be fatal."

At times Keana's limp and structural sensitivity was quite pronounced. In the spring of 2009, the Zoo issued a release about her foot issues and discussed the medical care being provided. Keana had a condition that caused the edges of her hooves to grow and roll inward. This abnormal hoof growth creates complications that affect a giraffe's weight bearing bones and muscles, changing its bone structure. Keepers trimmed and filed the hooves on a regular basis to keep them as close as possible to a normal shaped hoof. However, these types of structural changes will jeopardize the long term survivability of an animal. Keana was 8 years old. The average lifespan for a giraffe in captivity is 25 to 28 years.

In October 2010, Keana gave birth to a male calf that survived for only 5 days. The necropsy revealed that the calf had an abnormal heart. After the birth, Keana provided minimal maternal care to the baby, perhaps sensing that it would not be able to survive. This lack of care is common in the wild where the concept of survival of the fittest is protection for the herd. If a mother in the wild senses that a newborn is not healthy and will not thrive, conditions that are not detectable to humans, she may abandon it. These instincts are strong even in animals living in Zoos.

Also in October, the year-old calf Willow was safely transferred to Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida. Willow's parents are the Zoo's other female giraffe, Imara, and male Billy.

Imara and Billy remain on exhibit at the giraffe yard.

Zoo staff, volunteers and faithful visitors appreciate the compassion and support of the Hampton Roads community during this very difficult time.
www.wtkr.com

Northampton County Court

Northampton County Commonwealth Attorney Bruce Jones reports the following cases were heard in Northampton Countys Circuit Court:

Brian Christopher Brittingham, 27 of Exmore, was sentenced to one year six months imprisonment for malicious wounding.

Leston Everton Wright, 23 of Exmore, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for carnal knowledge of an inmate.

Wayne Henry Shrieves, 47 of Melfa, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for carnal knowledge of an inmate.

Dawn Marie Williams, 34 of Cheriton, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and supervised probation for driving under the influence of drugs and aggravated involuntary manslaughter.

Steven Lamar Kilgore, 25 of Exmore, was sentenced to 26 years imprisonment for two counts of robbery, use of a firearm during commission of a robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, breaking &entering while armed with a deadly weapon and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Kilgore also had probation revoked on the original charge of grand larceny.

Gerald Lee Evans, 29 of Cheriton, pled guilty to grand larceny.
www.shoredailynews.com

Tow Truck Drivers Hold Vigil

Horns blaring and yellow lights flashing and twirling, a caravan of tow trucks from a dozen companies filled the 500 block of Mosher St. in West Baltimore Sunday night, the same block where 23-year-old Andy Joyce was shot to death two weeks ago while making a service call that his boss says would have netted the young driver $15.

It was part trucker rally, part vigil, an effort to return public attention to a senseless tragedy and to help police identify a suspect in the unsolved murder.

By 9 p.m., about 40 white trucks and red trucks from Quick Response, Greenwood, Universal, Frankford, Ted's, GRI, MEI, Mc-N-Mc, Mel's, AAA, Cherry Hill and Auto Barn towing companies were parked on both sides of Mosher Street. A 75-ton truck from Auto Barn filled the middle of the block and raised a crane adorned with a U.S. flag awash in flood lights.
Andy Joyce had worked only a few weeks for Gordon Kelly's Quick Response towing company when someone shot him once at close range, killing him instantly in the cab of his truck at the corner of Mosher Street and Druid Hill Avenue. The gunman took nothing — not Joyce's wallet, nor the two cell phones in the truck, nor its global positioning device. "I'd never had a driver assaulted," said Kelly, who organized Sunday's event. "To the best of my knowledge, I don't know of a tow truck driver ever being murdered in the city, or even assaulted. And what makes this so unique was that Andy was out on a friendly call, trying to help somebody. This wasn't an impoundment; it wasn't a repossession. This was a motor club call for help. Andy didn't want to do repos or impounds. He didn't want confrontations with people."

Andy Joyce answered a service call on Mosher Street, in an area with many abandoned rowhouses, about 12:30 a.m. Nov. 1. The owner of the disabled vehicle — a woman with a small child — gave Joyce the keys to her car and got a ride home, police told Kelly. More than an hour later, a passerby noticed the Quick Response truck's driver-side door open and the driver slumped against the steering wheel.

Joyce, the father of a 7-month-old boy, was pronounced dead at the scene. Baltimore police said they found his truck with its bed down, ready to load the disabled vehicle. "Andy had activated the bed of the truck and he had pulled cables back, but he had not attached them to the car," Kelly said. "Something made him leave the cables and go back inside the truck."

Kelly told the crowd of mostly drivers and family members Sunday that Joyce would have received $15 out of the $50 his company charged for the call.

No arrests have been made in the killing, which is why Kelly decided to organize Sunday night's vigil — to draw attention to the $5,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

"Collectively, as a society, we have to do something to stop all this violence," said Andy Joyce's father, Mike Joyce, a Verizon manager. "And the other thing is, Andy was just performing a service. He was a service guy, like so many others out here — like the BGE workers, like the mailmen, the trash collectors — like so many people out here. They are neutral entities, just performing a service for others. [The vigil] is a way of saying, 'Look what you've done to someone who was performing a service in the community.' "
www.baltimoreson.com

Accomack County Public Schools Thanksgiving Holiday Break

MAKE A NOTE ON YOUR CALENDAR

Accomack County Public schools announced Monday that all Accomack County Public Schools will close at 1:00 PM on November 24 for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break.

All students will have the opportunity to have lunch prior to dismissal.

All Accomack County Schools will also be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday November, 26.

Students will return to school on Monday, November 29 at regular scheduled times.

Community Thanksgiving Service

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Protesters From Westboro Baptist Church FINALLY Learn About Karma and Patriotism!!

McALESTER - Members of a Kansas church that protests at military funerals may have found themselves in the wrong town Saturday.

Shortly after finishing their protest at the funeral of Army Sgt. Jason James McCluskey of McAlester, a half-dozen protesters from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., headed to their minivan, only to discover that its front and rear passenger-side tires had been slashed.

To make matters worse, as their minivan slowly hobbled away on two flat tires, with a McAlester police car following behind, the protesters were unable to find anyone in town who would repair their vehicle, according to police.

The minivan finally pulled over several blocks away in a shopping center parking lot, where AAA was called. A flatbed service truck arrived and loaded up the minivan. Assistant Police Chief Darrell Miller said the minivan was taken to Walmart for repairs.

Even before the protesters discovered their damaged tires, they faced off with a massive crowd of jeering and taunting counterprotesters at Third Street and Washington Avenue, two blocks from the First Baptist Church, where the soldier's funeral was held.
Miller estimated that crowd to number nearly 1,000 people, and they not only drowned out the Westboro protesters with jeers, but with raucous chants of "USA, USA."

A few motorcyclists interspersed among the crowd also revved up their engines to muffle the protests.

More than two dozen law-enforcement officers - state troopers, sheriff's deputies and city police - formed a security cordon around the Westboro protesters.

"We're here to protect everyone," Miller said.

Westboro members picket military funerals across the country, spreading their message that "God hates America" because it tolerates homosexuality.
www.tulsaworld.com

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Shoot

The Stockton Volunteer Fire Company will be holding their annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Shoot on Thursday, November 25 start at 7:00 AM. There will be many prizes and a lot of fun.

Come early for shooter sign up.

This event is held at the turkey shoot grounds approximately 1/2 mile north of the Stockton Firehouse.

Pre-registration is available by calling (410)-957-1541, ask for David, or by faxing (410)957-1074.

Pocomoke Community Awareness Meeting (11-13-10)

Police Chief J.D. Ervin led the meeting. He passed out an alert of Theft from vehicles of persons unknown have been entering unsecured motor vehicles during the day and night time hours removing change and other personal items.

When leaving items in a vehicle, the Police advise to secure the items in your trunk or remove them from the vehicle and lock all vehicle doors for added security.

A few recent incidents of an officer allegedly telling one victim reported by the property owner at a recent town council meeting to get a gun and another incident of a group about 8 to 10 men on Homewood area without any follow-up and reporters not contacted for a description were mentioned, however, Police Chief stated ‘it’s been handled let’s move on’. He began to discuss an upcoming Christmas Santa Party on Dec. 19th. He requested any donations to be dropped off to the Police Station.

A letter was sent to landlords from the City. Only four total attended the meeting and two individuals attending care for several properties for landlords. Several issues were discussed of crime, consistency of residents and parking. 

Reoccurring issue of block captains were approached. Chief mentioned still no one has offered to be a block captain and there were 5 block captains in 1997-2000. A crime watch was formed, a city ordinance was passed and there is a considerable requirement of time/effort is involved. He mentioned these are always created during times of increased crime however they fizzle out once crime has decreased.

An individual from city hall mentioned, as they offered without discussing with city leaders or council, a few issues of a gun buyback program, which when efficiency was questioned, Chief offered they aren’t effective. A second issue of pursuit of a nationally recognized program such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, which may have funding available, the speaker offered, does not turn anyone away (what program does?) and participants bring a nominal fee to each meeting.

Save the Youth, Director, Minister Jones gave an update of an upcoming event for the area youth on Saturday, November 27th and looking forward to working collaboratively with City for a new location. Min. Jones mentioned a noticeable absence of any recent election candidates for public office.

Chief will post next meeting on city website. The next meeting was set for 2nd Saturday in December to meet at Rev. Tasker’s church on Front Street of Abundant Life Apostolic Church.

from Ms. Factchecker-

False Fire Alarm Ordinance Passed By Pocomoke City Council

POCOMOKE CITY -- With fire alarms and fire control taking up much of the Pocomoke City mayor and council's meeting this week, the council voted to pass an ordinance that would impose penalties for false fire alarms.

If a person is found guilty of intentionally activating a signal in a nonemergency situation, he or she will be given a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment or both.

A property owner or occupant will be allowed three responses to alarms within a 30-day period or eight responses in a 12-month period because of negligent or accidental activation of the alarm. Any responses in excess of the above numbers would subject the user to a $30 penalty for each false alarm.

Once the user receives a written notice, sent out by the police department, fire company or ambulance service, that the user has a defective alarm, he or she will not be allowed to use the alarm. Anyone violating this provision could be given a fine of up to $500 or given 90 days in jail or both.

Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon also presented the benefits of having sprinkler systems installed in single-family residences. A new state law calling for any new single-family homes built after Jan. 1, 2011, to have sprinkler systems will go into effect unless the council votes to opt out of the regulation.

McMahon said it would cost $1.61 per square foot or much less to install a sprinkler system in a new home, adding there could be an additional cost if there were no water source, such as a town system.

In other action, the mayor and council moved a step closer to the beginning of construction of a restaurant between the Delmarva Discovery Center and the Pocomoke River with the signing of an agreement with the Worcester County Commissioners for a $500,000 block grant.

This federal grant will come through the commissioners.

www.delmarvanow.com

Mother Of Deployed Son Sent Home From Work For Wearing Patriotic T-Shirt

-- A Walmart worker in Wisconsin claims she was punished on Veterans Day for wearing a Marines T-shirt.

But the corporation disputes the allegation, saying it was all a big misunderstanding.

Charyl Effle's son, Sgt. Aaron Nelson was a Marine deployed in Iraq for more than a year. During that time, Effle worked where she still does, a Walmart in Mount Pleasant.

"He would call me at work. I told everybody, Iraq calls, I'm there. Haha," she said of her son while laughing.

Effle, an employee of 12 years, said what happened to her on Veterans Day at the store is no laughing matter.

The assistant manager, Terry, came up to me and said you are not in work apparel -- you need to go home (sniff)," Effle explained.

Fighting back tears and clasping a picture of Aaron the entire time, Effle said she was sent home five hours into her shift for wearing a black Marine T-shirt under her blue uniform. "They really took me by surprise and I just, I'm in shock."

In a statement, a corporate Walmart spokesman said the associate manager simply approached Effle about a dress code violation.

In a statement, Walmart said: "Our management never asked our associate to leave their shift, we were merely attempting to engage in a conversation that apparently led to some miscommunication."

Another Walmart employee wouldn't go on camera but backed up the spokesman's version of events.

Effle sticks to her story that she was told to leave and said this isn't about her, it's about her Marine. "To be able to honor him is what I should be able to do as an American; he stood up for me I should be able to stand up for him," she said.

www.ksdk.com

Two New Church Men Charged With Possession of Cocaine

SALISBURY -- Two New Church men were charged early today with cocaine possession after their vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation near the Wawa store on South Salisbury Boulevard, Maryland State Police said.

John Robert Roseboro, 35, and Rashaw Strand, 31, were arrested just after 2 a.m. after a search of their vehicle revealed a small amount of cocaine, troopers said.

The two men were transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center, where they were charged with possession of cocaine and paraphernalia, according to police.

www.delmarvanow.com

Midwest Snowstorm

TOWN OF KEYSTONE, Wis. -- Parts of the Upper Midwest dug out from a heavy snowfall Saturday that caused more than 400 traffic accidents in Minnesota, and wintry conditions also were being blamed for a collision in northern Wisconsin that killed two people.

Nearly a foot of snow had fallen in parts of the Twin Cities area by Saturday evening, downing trees and causing sporadic power outages.

The storm that began late Friday night was blamed for a collision Saturday morning that killed both drivers and left a passenger hospitalized. The sheriff's department in Wisconsin's Bayfield County said the storm produced "rapidly deteriorating road conditions" that likely contributed to the crash.

Kevin Kraujalis of the National Weather Service's Duluth office estimated that Bayfield County had a couple of inches of snow on the ground when the collision occurred. The meteorologist said the county had about 5 inches as of 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Minnesota State Patrol responded to 401 crashes as of 4 p.m, with 45 of them involving minor injuries, Patrol Capt. Matt Langer said. There were no other immediate reports of fatalities or major injuries.

The storm dumped 11 inches of snow in parts of Eden Prairie, Minn., and 10 inches in the Forest Lake and Mankato areas, said Todd Krause, a federal meteorologist in Minneapolis. The major snowfall activity ended by early afternoon, and Sunday's forecast looked milder, he said. "People will still see snowflakes across much of Minnesota (on Sunday) but it won't be adding up to anything," he said. Jack Serier, a commander with the St. Paul Police Department, said officers dealt with 20 to 30 car accidents by about noon, with many of the collisions involving four or five vehicles. Drivers were being careful, he said, but they were skidding on a glaze of ice that developed under much of the snow pack.

"There was nothing reckless," he said. "But when they hit that ice, no matter what they tried to do they spun out of control." The snow left the football field unusable at Minnesota State-Mankato, prompting the postponement of the school's game against Minnesota Duluth. School officials and conference administrators were considering their options for rescheduling the game.

The football game between Gustavus Adolphus College and Carleton College was pushed back to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Meteorologists said Ashland and Bayfield counties could get 4 to 6 inches of snow on Sunday, while parts of western and north-central Wisconsin could see about an inch.

The snow in both states wasn't expected to stick around for long. Recent warm weather meant the ground is still relatively warm, meteorologists said, and temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to high 30s for the next few days.

www.wisn.com

POCOMOKE WARRIORS ~ 1A Field Hockey Champs

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH PUSEY AND HER TEAM !!

State Champion Pocomoke with their trophy after winning the Maryland Division 1A High school Field Hockey Championship on Saturday against Patterson Mill at Washington College in Chestertown, Md.

info DailyTimes/photo Chuck Snyder

NASCAR Hosts Youth From the Middle East

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. auto racing organization NASCAR is hosting young people from Bahrain and Qatar as part of a diplomatic program of the U.S. State Department.

The State Department said Friday that 11 young adults involved in auto racing would travel to Charlotte, N.C., and Miami Nov. 15-23. They are scheduled to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame and to attend races.

The trip is sponsored by SportsUnited, a State Department exchange program that brings foreign athletes to the United States.

www.wavy.com

The History Of Pocomoke By Murray James (21)

156 History of Pocomcike City, CHAPTER XXIV. S

( ) C I A L A S P E C T ( C O NT I N U E D . )

Again, the dance was a favorite source of social enter- tainment in the early history of New Town. There were three classes of characters, which I shall describe, partici- pating in this amusement. First, the first citizens ot the town engaged in it. Sometimes it was the result of a wedding, a cotton picking, quilting, or it may have been a special dancing part v.

 I am not now describing the balls held at hotels where a gentleman and lady could enter by paying the entrance fee, but social dances held at private houses for amusement. The host and hostess would pro- vide such - things as wines, liquors, candies, cake and tropical fruit to make the entertainment as enjoyable as possible. The invited guests would assemble after candle light.

They were composed chiefly of single persons, but sometimes there would be a small sprinkling of married ones also. An expert fiddler would be engaged. All things being ready and the parties on the floor, the fiddler having his fiddle well tuned, would draw his bow at full length, when a feeling of exhilaration would go through the room like electricity. The parties now engaged in a four or eight-handed reel. Oh! what a tine time there was.

Formerly New Town. 157

The cotillions, waltzing, capering, parties passing each other on the floor, crossing and around the room, cutting the pigeon wing, etc. After that reel was over the hat would be passed around to take a collection for the fiddler, for that was the way he was paid for his services. Then another party would be made up and after the dance the hat was passed around again, and so the night was spent till or near the break of day.

When they would get weary and laint they would keep their spirits up by pouring spirits down. At such places of hilarity many a young lady's heart and hand has been wooed in marriage. Secondly. The lower class of society in the country, both of men and women, would attend the holidays in New Town. On those occasions they assembled at the hotels and engaged in the dance, and some of the same order of men in New Town would participate with them.

It would be a novel sight at the present day to see such a gathering ol men and women at a hotel engaged in a regular hoe down, such as was practiced then. Thirdly. This class would be the colored people. They would assemble in town from all the surrounding country. They would construct booths on the hill or public square, in which they would have for sale cakes, candies, cider, beer and tropical fruits. They would have all sorts of jollity, boxing, wrestling, pitching quoits, dancing after the riddle and pattywhack.

This word pattywhack of itself is unmeaning, hence I shall be under the necessity of explaining the process of the dance in this way.

The 158 History of Pocomoke City,

company would be in the open air on the hill. The leader in this amusement would pat with his hands and stamp with his foot while the rest would dance. The leader would use some outlandish expression in song, such as the following : "Juber up and Juber down, Juber all around de town. 7 ' And when they would reach the climax, he would sing- out with an extended voice ■ " Jump over double trouble Juber." Then such antics and gymnastics as the dancers would perform with their hands and feet, keeping time with the leader, as would be truly diverting to the reader could he behold such a performance now.

Another song which they would sing in their dances was : "Possum up de gum bush, Raccoon in de holler. Saddle on de gray marc, Martingil and collar." I have endeavored to spell their words as they would pronounce them, Late in the afternoon, they would be seen with their little bundle of cakes, getting ready to start for home. Thus the day closed with them.

The social aspect of New Town, now Pocomoke City, has undergone a change for the better. Whereas in the description already given of social life, in the early history of New Town, as contributing to the pleasures and passions of the animal, now it is seen in the improvement of the intellectual and religious part of man.

Formerly New Town. 159

  Sociability seems to have .left the lower walks of our fallen nature and is aspiring to a higher sphere of our manhood, as may be seen in the following instances, namely : in the formation of literary and beneficial societies, in the mingling together in the pursuit of knowledge.

Indeed, the free public school system, in the Pocomoke City High School, has contri- buted largely to, and has acted a very important part in the social status of Pocomoke City. Here mind is pre- eminent, and the scholars who possess superior intellect are honored for their talent, and their society is appreciated whether they be rich or poor.

Again, the various picnics and festivals gotten up for the promotion of education, churches, sabbath schools missionary and other benevolent societies, in which all have an interest, and all mingle. Although the different churches may in one sense be considered distinct commu- nities, yet when contemplated in their great work of doing good they are one grand whole, emulating each other in elevating society and promoting the social and religious bearing of Pocomoke City.

Again the improvement of the musical talent, by the young folks, has contributed largely to social life in Pocomoke City. Whereas instead •of listening to the old timey songs, in the days of yore, by uncultivated voices, now it is simply fascinating to listen to the select pieces of music as sung either in the choir, .at concerts, or in social gatherings by those who have cultivated voices, and who are well educated in the science of music.


160 History of Pocomofa City,

The query may be agitated, what has produced such a change in the social condition? Answer. It may be the increase of the population, a higher grade of schooling and the influence of the churches.

Formerly New Town. 161 CHAPTER XXV. MORAL ASPECT. 

The moral aspect of New Town in its early history. Although there were some good and holy people in New Town, whose lives stood out as burning and shining lights, and although the gospel was making successful attacks on the fortifications of sin and wickedness, and winning" many jewels from the rank and file of sinners, and presenting them as trophies to the Saviour of men ; yet the morals of the people, as a whole were compara- tively at a low ebb.

In order to see more clearly the debased state of morals, I will give you some few specifi- cations for illustration, for instance : the habit of drunken- ness, though it was always condemned by the good and true, yet it was winked at, and the votaries of the practice moved along in society as though nothing very serious had hapened. Again, the habit of swearing was very common. When men would meet in New Town, on Saturdays, on business or for social interview, for that was the public day, he that could swear the keenest, sharpest oaths, attracted the greatest attention, especially from the boys.

162 History of JPocomoke City,

If there was a fray on hand, lie that could use the most awful asseverations and foul-mouth imprecations as though he were commissioned from the bottomless pit, serpent like to infect his poison, was the greatest man of the crowd. Again, gambling was much in vogue, gambling socially and for money, and many were the times that men would lengthen out the midnight taper till the dawn of coming day, using all their ingenuity to get each others money.

Again conjuration, fortune-telling, witchcraft and super- stition were all 'believed to be as true as preaching, by the lowest class of society. But while conjuration and witchcraft have long since disappeared from society, fortune-telling and superstition have lingered longer, and there may be some of the old folks now living, particularly among the fair sex, who have had their fortunes told by the cutting of cards or the grounds of a coffee cup, in order to learn who their future husbands would be. Perhaps there may be some of those already spoken of who have showed the new moon a piece of silver in order to have good luck that moon, or who believed in sowing certain seeds on certain states of the moon as sure, only then of vegetating, or who have their pork butchered on the increase of the moon in order for it to swell, believing if the moon is on the decrease the pork would shrink. But these practices, to some extent, have gone into the shades and the people have already learned that the only road to success in any enterprise is application ; that the diligent hand maketh rich, while laziness and idleness paves the way to poverty and ruin.

Next; Formerly New Town. 163 CHAPTER XXV!. TEMPERANCE CAUSE.

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