The History Of Pocomoke By Murray James (24)

Well it looks like one or two more post after this one will finish this book.

202 History of Pocomoke City, 

There is only one incident of his life which I wish to mention and that is the circumstance of his conversion It was brought about by a dream, He was already under deep conviction for sin. He had no rest day or night and seemingly could find none. While in this condition he dreamed that he was down a deep well ; how he got there he could not tell. In contemplating his condition, he saw no way of his escape. He seemed hopelessly lost. In casting his eyes upward he saw a star, about which there was peculiar attraction. While looking at it he discovered himself rising out of the well. It was such a strange phenomenon he could not understand it ; and in looking" down the well, that moment he fell to the bottom. How- ever, in looking up again he saw the same star, and while looking at it, he discovered that he was rising again this time higher; but some how or other he took his eyes off the star, and down he fell to the bottom again.

In this sad condition he concluded there must be some power in that star to bring him out of the well, and if he could but see that star once more, he never would take his eyes ofT of it until he would be out of the well. Fortunately, again he saw the same star. He fixed his eyes upon it, and he felt that he was rising, but he would not take "his eyes off of it until he found himself entirely out of the well. At that moment he awoke out of sleep and concluded that that dream was from God, and was intended to point him to the Day Star from on high. He made the application and found Jesus without further trouble. He was converted immediately and awoke the family, and there was a great shout that night.

Formerly New Town. 203 

  The incredulous may say, oh, pshaw; that was only a dream. It was a dream, that is true, but it was more than a dream in the commom acceptation of that term. It was the instrumentality which the Holy One used to save his soul. Lorenzo Dow preached in New Town in 1805, to about 2000 people, assembled from all the country around, and at night he preached at Rev. Jas. Tilghman's house. After he had conducted the preliminary services and had read out the text, Captain Harry Long came into the congregation and after he had taken his seat, Lorenzo said, "Captain my text is "Pray without ceasing and in every thing give thanks." The fact of his giving Capt. Long his title, without having any previous knowledge of him, produced a wonderful thinking in the minds of the audience ; for they had previously heard that Lorenzo could foretell future events, and was a discerner of spirits.

There are only two incidents in the life of Lorenzo that I will here mention. The first is his courtship and marriage. On a certain preaching tour, he made the acquaintance of the lady whom he afterwards married. The courtship is as follows : he said to her' " I think you will suit me for a wife, and as I am going to such and such places to preach, and shall be gone such a length of time, you can think the matter over, and if you think you would like me for a husband, when I return we will get married.

204: History of Pocomoke City, 

But, one thing must be clearly understood, and that is, you must never get in my way in preaching the gospel, for if you do I shall pray to the Lord to take you out of the way and I believe he will do it, and upon his return they got married. The second incident is the tin horn story, which is as follows : He was going to fill an appointment which he had made, probably a year before. When he was nearing the place where he had to preach, he over-took a colored boy with a tin horn ; he asked him his name, the boy said his name was Gabriel. Lorenzo said to him : "I am going to such a place to preach to-day, and if you will go there and climb up into a tall pine tree, and remain there silent until I call for Gabriel to blow the trumpet, then if you will blow one of your loudest blasts, I will give you a dollar." The bargain was made, and Lorenzo commenced the services and took his text, which embraced the idea of the Resurrection and the general Judgment.

As he proceeded, in unfolding the awful truths contained in the text, in graphic style, holding his large audience, which was assembled in the grove, spell-bound, and as all eyes were upon him while contemplating the sublime majesty of Christ's coming in the clouds of heaven with ten thousands of His saints to judge the world. When he had reach the climax, and had Gabriel standing one foot upon the sea and the other on the dry land, with his long silver trumpet, he called aloud for Gabriel to blow, at that moment, Gabriel in the pine tree, blew the tin horn.

Formerly New Town. 205

The scene as portrayed by eye witnesses was indescribable, The people were in utter consternation, some falling to the ground and crying for mercy, while others were shouting salvation, in the immediate prospect of standing before the Throne, and the horses were squealing and prancing. Finally the congregation discovered the boy in the pine tree and became composed. When Lorenzo then said, if the blowing of a tin horn by a little black boy in the top of a pine tree could produce such an effect, what would they do when the great day comes ?

206 History of Pooomoke City, CHAPTER XXXII. CHURCHES (CONTINUED.) 

But to return to the subject of the church at New Town, I have already said, the house was built in 1808, on the site of the present one. Its dimensions were 30 by 32 feet. It had three galleries, two side and one end gallery. Its pulpit was of the old style of the Episcopal Church pulpits. At first, its benches were thick planks, laid on blocks of wood ; but in process of time it had benches with backs to lean against. The church had three doors, one side door leading out into the grave yard, and two end doors ; one for the white people to enter the church, and the other one for the colored people to go up into the galleries. There were eleven windows in the church, seven below and four above, those below were one-half sash and glass, the other half were wooden slides, and those above were all wooden slides. There was one old style box stove in it, which was given to the church by Miss Rosa B. Schoolfield, after-wards, Mrs. Rosa B. Quinn, wife of Rev. William Quinn.

The church was neither lathed nor plastered for thirty years. In its erection, some gave lumber, some work and others money. I have seen the old subscription book for the erection of the church, and in looking it over my heart has been cheered in reading the name of Michael Murray, my father as a subscriber to build the Methodist Episcopal Church in New Town, he being a Roman Catholic.

Formerly New Town. 207

 The reader will remember, that according to the limits given to New Town, that this church was in the suburbs. After it was ready for divine service, the appointments at the private houses were abandoned, and preaching was held every two weeks at the church. Of this church, Bishop Asbury, thus speaks in his journal, under date of April nth, 1810 : "I preached at New Town ; we were crowded. This is a flourishing little place, and we have a beautilul little chapel." As this was the only house of worship in the place for several miles around, great assemblages of people would attend divine service, especially on quarterly meeting occasions.

The church would be crowded to its utmost capacity and more people outside listening and looking in through the windows and doors than were in the house, and the thickets in the neighborhood of the church would be full of horses hitched. At such times the Presiding Elder would preach. In the order of time there were such men as Dr. Chandler, Lawrence Lawrenson and Henry White. These •men had great pulpit power. The subject selected would •be one of the most lelicitous in the Gospels. As the minister would proceed and be in his happiest mood and tired .with his subject, responses of loud aniens and hallelujahs would be heard in the congregation, and especially in the amen corner.

208 History of Pocomoke City,  

Before the services closed strongmen, who did not make any profession of religion, would be bathed in tears, and others crying for mercy, while Christians were shouting salvation, and the whole scene would impress the thought of the shout of the King in the camp of Israel. The first class was formed about 1790 or shortly afterwards. The names that were enrolled upon that first class-book were as follows : Littleton Long and wife, Win . Melvin and wife, William Merrill and wife, Geo. Houston and wife, Rosa Merrill. Avra Melvin, Joshua Sturgis and wife, Nancy Sturgis, Levin Mills, Polly Blades, Samuel Blades and wife-, Susan Ward. James Tilghman and wife,. Nancy Blades, Hannah Benson, Joseph Young and wife, James Dickinson, Sr., and wife. Jemima Henderson, Ibba Chapman and Nathan Milbourn. These names are very dear to many who are still living: in Pocomoke City. During the year 1800, Avra Melvin was licensed to- preach, and in 180S. James Tilghman was licensed to preach and shortly afterward, he was ordained a deacon. A little incident in relation to Mr. Tilghman is here inserted.

Shortly after his ordination, he was called upon to marry a couple in the country. It was his first attempt, and while he was on his way thitherward, he stepped a side from the road into the woods and selecting two trees representing the parties before him, he went through the ceremony, after which he went on his way to the place of destination and united the parties, applying.. in marriage.

Formerly New Town. 209

  Rev. James Tilghman was the father of Mrs. Mary Cottingham of Snow Hill, Md., he died in 1816, aged 34 years. His tombstone is still standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church burying ground of Pocomoke City and bears the above date. In reviewing the religious condition of New Town, as late as 1820, it may be of interest to notice its denomina- tional status. There were only two Presbyterian families in the place. There were no Baptists here then. There was one old lady by the name of Elizabeth Matthews, who was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Dividing Creek ; this old lady would be seen on Sunday morning wending her way to Dividing Creek, to church.

A little humorous story is here recorded about Aunt Betty, that was the name we used to call her by. Aunt Betty used to raise geese. At the usual time of picking the feathers off the geese, she picked the down also off both geese and goslins. There came a sharp snap of cold weather the night following, and next morning Aunt Betty's geese and goslins were all dead. She went over to the neighbour's to make her tale of sorrow known.

Said she in a whining tone, "child, what do you think ? I picked my geese yesterday, and today they are all dead." After telling how she picked them, the lady remarked: "Ah ! Aunt Betty that is the way, crave all and loose all."

There was another family in the town which was Roman Catholic, that family was my father's. He was educated a Roman Catholic in Ireland, his native country. My mother was raised a Methodist.

210 History of Pocomo/ce City,

I am happy to say, how- ever, though my father was a Roman Catholic, yet he was a liberal one, for he helped to build the Methodist Episcopal Church in New Town, and had his children baptized by Protestant ministers. He would hold family prayers on Sunday mornings, and teach his children the duty of private prayer. The prayers that he used to teach us, would be the Lord's prayer ; the Apostle's Creed, the salutation and invocation to the Holy Virgin, Mary, etc. All others in the town who professed Christianity, were Methodists, and there was a goodly number of them too.

In the early history of Methodism in Xew Town, putting up places for the preachers would be scarce. The members of the church were, almost without an exception, poor and had no accommodations for the preacher and his horse. As a general thing there was not more than one place at which they could stop and find entertainment. The preacher in charge lived in Snow Hill and the assistant preacher lived with the several Methodist families on the circuit. They would come here on Saturday after- noon, stay until after dinner on Sabbath, and then go to their afternoon appointments. This condition of things existed as late as the writer's own personal knowledge, and foremost among those who bore the burden and stood by the Church in its low estate was Jesse Long, who not only entertained the preachers, but would bear the greater part, if not all of the expenses of light and fuel for the church. He would collect the quarterage money, and go out among the citizens of the town and ask contributions for the support of the preacher.

Formerly New Town. 211 

 He was the mainstay of the church in New Town until he died, which event took place in 1845. He was buried in the Methodist Episcopal Church burying-ground in New Town, at the age of 52 years, as his tombstone bears the above date. In the early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as late as the writer's own personal knowledge, the amount of quarterage paid to the preachers by the church in New Town was fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents per quarter, or sixty one dollars per year, and as this was the only church in the place, until 1832, the amount of money paid for the support of the gospel, by New Town, was sixty one dollars per year. About the year 1835, accessions were made to the church, which was the result of revival meetings, among others was the Rev. John D. Long, who was a young man of prominence. His father and mother died before he reached his majority, and upon him devolved the responsible task of taking care of two sisters and a brother younger than himself. At this time he was merchandising at Steven's Ferry in Somerset County, on the lot of ground where the Phosphate factory now stands. After conducting this business until about 1837, he gave it up and commenced teaching school in Nassawaddux, at Williams' school-house, where he continued until the close of 1838. In the spring of 1839, he joined the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Subsequently he married Miss Sarah Caulk of New Castle County, Delaware; a young lady of fine intellect and culture, by whom he has four sons, all grown men.

212 History of Pocomohe City,

  Mr. Long was always delicate in health, and had been in the traveling ministry only about nine years, when his health was so broken down that he was compelled to take a superannuated relation. In that capacity he has remained until the present time. During the intervening years he became the author of a book called "Pictures of Slavery." For sixteen years he was missionary of Bedford Street Mission in Philadelphia. That position he resigned in April, 1882, and in order to show the value of his services and the esteem in which he was held during that long time of service, I will here insert an appreciative resolution by the Board of Managers of that institution, which was unanimously adopted. "The Rev. Mr. Long having tendered his resignation as superintendent of the mission, a position he has held for the past sixteen years, the Board of Managers hereby accept it. They do so, however, with sincere regret, as well for the separation it involves as for the cause (Mr. Long's increasing bodily weakness) that compels it. And they would place on record, in connecting with their action, the expression of their high regard and thanks to Mr. Long for his uniformly wise and faithful administration of the mission during his long term of service in it; for his personal worth, which secured for it so largely the confidence and support of our citizens; for his consistent life and just and kindly course towards all with whom his work brought him in contact, by which he won their affection and respect, and (as the result of all) for the good name in the possession of which he now leaves the mission.

Formerly New Town. 213 

They earnestly wish for him all possible benefit from the rest he has well earned and which he so much needs, and hope he may be long spared to enjoy it." The above resolution I copy from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin of Saturday, February nth, 1882. This resolution of the Board of Bedford Street Mission is eulogy enough, but I will add that I have known him from his infancy, and most intimately for forty-five years, and I must say that he has the highest sense of moral rectitude and is one of the most conscientiously just men I have known. He, now in all probability, has done his last work, and has returned to this his native place to rest.

NEXT: 214 History of Pocomoke City.

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Tracking Snow.......Again.

More and more signs are pointing toward a major storm along much of the Atlantic Seaboard next week, meaning a wind-whipped snow for some areas and wind-driven rain for others.

The storm could rank right up there with the Christmas Weekend Blizzard and could hit part of the same area, or different areas farther inland. No matter what, it looks like a "big deal."

While the storm will have its nasty moments over the Rockies, Plains and part of the Midwest this weekend into early next week, it will be at its worst along the Atlantic Seaboard, where it is forecast to markedly strengthen. Arctic air building into the Northeast will also be a major factor in the big storm that will unfold.

More and more signs are pointing toward a major storm along much of the Atlantic Seaboard next week, meaning a wind-whipped snow for some areas and wind-driven rain for others.

The storm could rank right up there with the Christmas Weekend Blizzard and could hit part of the same area, or different areas farther inland. No matter what, it looks like a "big deal."

While the storm will have its nasty moments over the Rockies, Plains and part of the Midwest this weekend into early next week, it will be at its worst along the Atlantic Seaboard, where it is forecast to markedly strengthen. Arctic air building into the Northeast will also be a major factor in the big storm that will unfold.

Storm Track(s)

The key for what the weather will be in your area is the exact track of the storm.

A track along or just inland of the coast would bring rain over the eastern Carolinas and even a wintry mix into the I-95 corridor of the mid-Atlantic. This track would dump heavy snow, perhaps on the order of 1 to 2 feet, over the Appalachians. Snowfall rates would be intense with perhaps 1 to 3 inches per hour.

A track just off the coast would bring the heaviest snow to the I-95 cities and the beaches, as we have seen before, thus sparing the Appalachians the worst.

It is also possible the storm could swing out off the southern Atlantic coast, then hook back in over the Northeast with a more complex precipitation pattern.

No matter which way the storm tracks, it looks like big trouble for the Atlantic Seaboard next week, not only for the U.S., but all the way to Atlantic Canada.

www.accuweather.com

Worcester County District Court

The following cases were heard in Worcester County District Court in Snow Hill by Judge Gerald V. Purnell on Jan. 7 and Jan. 11.

Patricia Jean Celmer, 26, of the 10000 block of Pin Oak Drive, Berlin, was charged with theft of less than $100 and theft of less than $100. The verdict was probation before judgment for the first charge. Nol pros was entered for the second charge.

Elizabeth Yvonne Jean, 19, of the 75000 block of Baringer Drive, California, Md., was charged with possession of intoxicating beverage under 21 years of age. Nol pros was entered.

Kennth Walkefield Davis Jr., 72, of the 900 block of Waterview Drive, Crownsville, Md., was charged with theft of less than $100. Nol pros was entered.

Denise Michelle Williams, 41, of the 11000 block of Back Creek Road, Bishopville, was charged with two counts of fraud -- per identification info theft, forgery -- private documents and theft of less than $1,000 value. For all charges, the verdict was not guilty.

Daniel A. Savage, 33, of the 7000 block of Tull Street, New Church, Va., was charged with violating exparte/protective order. The charge was placed on the stet docket.

Van Eugene Byrd, 57, whose last known address was the 400 block of Bank Street, Pocomoke City, was charged with robbery, theft of $500 plus value, assault second degree, sex offense fourth degree and two counts of malicious destruction of property valued at more than $500. For all charges, the verdict was abated by death.

Whitney Nicole Smith, 22, of the 500 block of Bay Street, Berlin, was charged with assault second degree. The verdict was not guilty.

Taneka Brittingham, no date of birth listed, of the 100 block of Branch Street, Berlin, was charged with assault second degree. The verdict was not guilty.

Mark James Bell, 47, of the 11000 block of Back Creek Road, Bishopville, was charged with assault second degree and reckless endangerment. The verdict was not guilty for both charges.

Kimberly Joy Hinkley, 44, of the 11000 block of Back Creek Road, Bishopville, was charged with assault second degree and reckless endangerment. The verdict was not guilty for both charges.

Bucky Ray Reed Jr., 19, of the 7000 block of Old Ocean City Road, Whaleyville, was charged with possession of marijuana. The charge was placed on the stet docket.

Jeff Murgatroyd, no date of birth listed, of the 50 block of Castle Drive, Berlin, was charged with acting as contractor without license and failure to perform contract. Nol pros was entered for both charges.

Sergio Adrian Fuentes, 23, of the 500 block of Monticello Avenue, Salisbury, was charged with assault second degree and false statement to officer. Nol pros was entered for both charges.

Paul Somers, 34, of the 6000 block of George Island Landing Road, Stockton, was charged with assault second degree, malicious destruction of property valued at less than $500, dangerous weapon with intent to injure, handgun in vehicle and reckless endangerment. Nol pros was entered for all charges.

Eric Michael Lawbaugh, 20, of the 300 block of Bay Avenue, Prince Frederick, Md., was charged with possession of alcoholic beverage under 21. Nol pros was entered.

Eric Michael Lawbaugh, 20, of the 300 block of Bay Avenue, Prince Frederick, Md., was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance -- not marijuana, controlled dangerous substance remove/alter required label, driving at speed exceeding the limit at 83 mph in a 55 mph zone, attempt by driver to elude uniformed police by means other than failure to stop and fleeing on foot, attempt by driver to elude uniformed police by failing to stop, attempt by driver to elude police in official police vehicle by failing to stop, driving on revoked license and privilege, reckless driving, negligent driving, failure to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions and driving at speed exceeding limit at 106 mph in a 55 mph zone. Nol pros was entered for all but the first and seventh charges. The verdict was guilty for the first charge and merged for the seventh charge.

Labronte Lamont Lewis, 19, of the 600 block of Hammond Street, Salisbury, was charged with two counts of theft of less than $100, resist/interfere with arrest, assault second degree and theft of less than $100. The verdict was probation before judgment for the first charge and merged for the third charge. Nol pros was entered for all other charges.

Benjamin Eley Travis, 42, of the 11000 block of Newport Bay Drive, Berlin, was charged with bad check/pass/stop pay $500 and up and theft of $1,000 to under $10,000. Nol pros was entered for both charges.

Julian Andres Bautist Carreno, 28, of the 10000 block of Keyser Point Road, Ocean City, was charged with burglary fourth degree. The verdict was probation before judgment.

Joseph Ralph Frontera, 41, of the 600 block of Ocean Parkway, Berlin, was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance -- not marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia. The verdict was merged for the first charge. Nol pros was entered for the second charge.

www.worcestercountytimes

Missing Teens Vehicle Located

Two Maryland teenagers have been missing for ten days and the search for the teens now has ties to the Valley.

Rachel Reilly, 16, of Olney, MD and Nicholas Balderson,17, of Brookeville, MD have been missing since January 12.

Virginia State Police found a 1989 black Jeep Wrangler that the two were last seen riding in at a rest stop in Augusta County on Friday.

The Jeep was abandoned at the rest stop near exit 231 along I-81.

The State Police have stored the vehicle and spoke with rest stop attendants who told them the Jeep pulled in on Thursday.

Montgomery County police detectives in Maryland have taken over the investigation.

www.whsv.com

Thank God and Greyhound He's Gone

Olbermann that is.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

i think the same fantasy popped into the head of everybody in my business who has ever been told what i have been told. this will be the last edition of your show. you go to the scene from the movie network complete with the pajamas and the rain coat and go off on a verbal journey of unutterable vision and you insist upon peter finch's gutteral resonance and you will the viewer to go to the window, open it, stick out his head and yell. you know the rest. in the mundane world of television goodbyes, reality is laughably uncooperative. when i resigned from espn 13 1/2 years ago, i was given 30 seconds to say goodbye at the end of my last edition of sports center. with god as my witness, in the commercial break before the moment, the producer got into my earpiece and said can you cut it down to 15 seconds so we can get in the tennis result? i'm grateful that i have more time to sign off here. regardless, this is the last edition of countdown. it is just under 8 years since i returned to msnbc. i was supposed to fill in for exactly three days. 49 days later, there was a-year contract for me to return to this 8:00 time slot that i fled years earlier.

MORE HERE>>

God Save Arizona

From the enemy within.

Chandler Sentenced For Drug Possession and Distribution

A Virginia man, arrested in May after police discovered 75 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of a vehicle in which he was traveling, pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to one count of possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced to five years in jail with all but two years suspended.

CHANDLER

On May 19, Maryland State Police stopped a vehicle heading south on Route 113 for speeding. During a search incident to the speeding stop, an MSP K-9 unit alerted on the trunk of the vehicle and 75 pounds of marijuana was discovered in two gym bags.

Two men were arrested including Darnell Kelley, 24, and Modis Chandler, 40, both of Newport News, Va.


Last week in Circuit Court, Chandler pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to five years in jail, all but two of which were then suspended. He was also fined $1,000 and placed on probation for five years.

In December, Kelley pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to five years with all but one year suspended. Kelley was also fined $1,000 and placed on probation for three years.
www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Stop By The Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery This Weekend

Warm up this weekend with a hot bowl of soup from the Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery



MONDAY THRU SATURDAY
6 AM until 9 PM
SUNDAY
6 AM until 7 PM
SUNDAY BRUNCH AVAILABLE

DELICIOUS DAILY SPECIALS !!

Carry Out and Delivery Available

In addition to great food, the bakery section is making Smith Island Cakes daily, featuring their Original "Smith Island BabyCakes". Cakes on hand daily. Be sure to try either one.
Need private dining for a group? The Bay Queen Restaurant has 2 dining rooms. One can be rented for private affairs.

Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery is located on Rt.13 North next to the Ford dealership.

Exercises From NASA Beginning Tonight

NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy is planning to conduct its first live sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) test on the East Coast this weekend.

The test is part of exercise Atlantic Trident 2011 scheduled through January 25.

According to the Navy, the exercise will provide realistic training for BMD ships and give them the opportunity to track a live target and simulate intercept of a short-range target missile in the midcourse phase of flight.

A target missile will be launched from the NASA Wallops Island Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The launch is scheduled during the overnight hours of Friday night into Saturday morning.

As part of the exercise, the Navy says a cruiser and destroyer will detect and track the target with its SPY-1 radar, develop fire control solutions, and simulate firing SM-3 missiles.

The Navy stresses that no missiles will be fired from the ships as Atlantic Trident 2011 is a tracking exercise only.

Aegis BMD is the sea-based mid-course component of the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) and is designed to intercept and destroy short to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.

The MDA and the U.S. Navy cooperatively manage the Aegis BMD program.

www.wavy.com

DiPino & Oglesby Attend "Governor's Forum on Security"

Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino and Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby attended Gov. Martin O’Malley’s “Governor’s Forum on Security” in Annapolis on Jan. 13.

As two of the Eastern Shore’s representatives, DiPino and Oglesby participated in identifying and building key partnerships with other regional leaders during breakout sessions. Participants reported their recommendations to the governor concerning the public safety and security needs of Lower Shore residents.

“I was asked by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to represent and facilitate the forum for the eastern region of the state. I was honored to be chosen. We discussed the direction of public safety. I was able to give my insight and opinions about various topics that impact Ocean City, including communication issues, better public safety cooperative initiatives and recommendations for new legislation including mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders. It was a privilege to be a part of this discussion,” DiPino said.

Working alongside DiPino, Oglesby discussed how the state plans to reduce crime in Maryland by 20 percent by the end of 2012. Strategies such as identifying high risk offenders and holding them accountable, enhancing warrant service to swiftly re- move violent of- fenders from the streets, maximizing the use of DNA samples to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent, expanding efforts to reduce illegal gun use and possession and modernizing the fight against crime by utilizing the best technology avail- able were among the topics discussed.

Presentations included topics on Homeland Security, ad- vances in public safety technology and emergency management strategies.

As the state continues to reduce crime in Maryland, Oglesby said he looks forward to building new partnerships and seeking fresh, innovative ways that Worcester County can continue to be a leader in the fight against violent crime.

http://www.oceancitytoday.net/

Bill Proposed To Exempt Firefighters From Jury Duty

RICHMOND -- Because they perform such a vital public service, Virginia law exempts police officers from jury duty. But what about firefighters?

They'd be exempt too under a bill proposed by state Delegate James E. Edmunds II, R-South Boston, and endorsed last week by a House subcommittee.

House Bill 1527 also would apply to emergency medical technicians, rescue squad members and arson investigators. Along with firefighters, they would be exempt from jury duty if they so request.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel often are stretched thin; in a fire department, only a handful may be licensed to drive a fire truck. Requiring them to serve on juries puts more stress on first responders and can undermine public safety, Edmunds said.

"A lot of departments only have one or two who have the license to drive a truck," Edmunds said.

"You can imagine if they were on vacation and there's no substitute, and you have to call somebody from a different department. It could potentially be a life-saving issue."

The issue was brought to Edmunds' attention by the Virginia State Firefighters Association.

On Wednesday, a subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice Committee voted 11-0 in favor of HB 1527. The measure now goes to the full committee for consideration this week.

Edmunds assured the panel that such claims could easily be disproved by simply calling the department.

He said the bill is a fitting recognition for public servants: "It's a small token of appreciation for those who serve.

www.easternshorenews.com

Missing Maryland Teens

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) and law enforcement agencies across Maryland this week continue to look for a pair of Montgomery County teens reported missing last week and were believed to have been heading to the resort area.

The Maryland Center for Missing Children and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, along with several state and local law enforcement agencies, this week continue to search for Rachel Elizabeth Reilly, 16, and Nicholas “Cole” Balderson, 17, both of Olney, Md., who were reported missing in Montgomery County last week. The couple was last seen on Wednesday, January 12, in the Damascus area in Montgomery County.

According to the Maryland Center for Missing Children, Balderson and Reilly may have attempted to travel to Ocean City or Lewes, Del. It is uncertain why it is believed the pair of teens could be headed to Ocean City or the Delaware resort areas, but Balderson’s grandmother lives in Lewes.

Reilly, 16, is a white female, about 5’5” tall and around 125 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Balderson is a white male, about 5’10” tall and 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The couple is expected to be traveling in a black 1989 Jeep Wrangler with a gray hardtop. Montgomery County Police said this week they were concerned for the welfare as the search moved into its second week.

“They are still missing,” said Montgomery County Police Public Information Officer Lucille Baur. “We know they left the area together of their own volition and we don’t have any evidence of foul play. It’s just a concern because they are so young and have been missing for over about a week now. You just don’t know what kind of choices they could make at their age.”

Meanwhile, Ocean City police remain on the lookout for the two missing teens although it is uncertain they ever came to the resort area.

“We’re all well aware of the situation,” said OCPD public information officer Jessica Waters on Wednesday. “Their information and descriptions go into our roll call every day. Our officers meet daily before they start their shifts and they are all well aware of the missing teens.”

Anyone with information on the welfare or whereabouts of Balderson and Reilly is urged to contact the Montgomery County Police Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5400, or the non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. Information can also be reported to the OCPD at 410-723-6610.

www.mdcoastdispatch.com

Increase In Ticket Prices For Orioles Games

For the first time since after the 2006 season, the Orioles are raising single game ticket price the s at Camden Yards.

All tickets -- except for the cheapest, left-field, upper reserve seats which will remain at $8 and $9 -- will increase in cost for 2011, ranging from $1 to $7 extra depending on the game desired and when the tickets are purchased.

Greg Bader, the club’s director of communications, said non-prime, advance tickets will increase on average $3, which would make the average price for those tickets roughly $28. The average season-ticket price remains at about $23, below the 2010 Major League Baseball average of $27, according to Bader.

“We believe that the average increase of $3 per ticket is not going to negatively impact someone’s decision to buy, although we recognize no one ever wants to pay more for anything. We certainly understand that point,” Bader said.

Season ticket prices did not go up for 2011 and this is the first, full seat hike for advance tickets since after the 2003 season, Bader said. The increase after 2006 affected some but not all of the tickets sold.

However, this increase comes after the Orioles lost 96 games in 2010, their 13th consecutive losing season. Fans who have not seen an increase of production on the field are being asked to pay more for that product.

“I understand that reaction, but the reality is that there are other factors that are part of that decision-making process,” Bader said.

The Orioles will also continue to implement higher prime-game prices – for all contests against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox as well as Opening Day on April 4 against the Detroit Tigers – and an extra charge for walk-up ticket purchases the day of the game.

Gameday charges were implemented last season and Bader said it had little to no effect on the number of walkups in 2010. The drop in attendance to an all-time low at Camden Yards last season had more to do with a drop in advance sales after the Orioles began the year 2-16 and 9-24, he said.

“The 2010 walkup figures were essentially unchanged from previous seasons. The difference in attendance from 2009 to 2010 was directly attributable to the lack of advanced sales, which was directly attributable to the team performance during the first two weeks of the season,” Bader said. “So from early April until July, we simply were not selling tickets in advance at the rate we did in previous years. But game day sales were practically identical. And we do not believe that the average $2 difference (for walkups) is going to prevent most fans from making a game-day purchase.”

www.baltimoresun.com

Concert To Benefit the Courtney Bloxom Fund

BENEFIT CONCERT TONIGHT


NASSAWADOX -- The Franktown United Methodist Church Choir will perform a variety of songs including "Child of Peace" by Mark Hayes, a seasonal cantata, in addition to solosists presenting Opera and Broadway selections on Jan. 21, 7 p.m. at the Franktown Methodist Church.

Performers include Marilyn Kellam, Anna Womble Sterrett, Jo Ann Molera, BJ Rogers, Dora Weston Wilkins, choir director Judi Tracy, and Stefan Dulcie on the piano.

All proceeds will benefit the Courtney Bloxom Fund.

Courtney is a local teen who was involved in a single car accident in May 2010. Although unable to attend graduation exercises she is a graduate of Arcadia High School. Courtney suffered a severe brain injury that left this young teen in a coma for six weeks with her Mother constantly by her side.

Through days and weeks and months of prayer and constant rehabilitation in hospitals far away from her hometown, friends and loved ones, Courtney now continues her daily sessions of speech and physical therapies to regain her skills from Shore Lifecare in Parksley.

This has been a long and hard struggle for Courtney and all that know her and love her. The hard work is far from over for her. Each day she continues to work hard and each day she is surrounded by those that love her and each person takes the time to give Courtney the extra care she needs to be complete again.

This Week At The MarVa Theater

"Chronicles of Narnia:
Voyage of the Dawn Treader "

Friday &Saturday
January 21st & 22nd - 7PM
Sunday
January 23rd - 2PM
Admission Only $5
Rated: PG-13

Lucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.

UPDATE: Criminal Investigation Into Parksley House Fire

Parksley -A structure fire occurred in Parksley on January 19th, 2011. State Police were notified at approximately 2:21 AM and Special Agent N. Glenn responded.

At this time there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

There was one fatality-45 year old Dana Rodriquez of Estate Lane in Parksley. At this time an arrest of a juvenile has been made.

There will be more details on a future report.

www.shoredailynews.com

Assateague Pony Shot During Deer Hunt

BERLIN — Assateague park officials said a wild horse was apparently shot during a two-day deer hunt. The horse was a 28-year-old bay mare, Assateague Island National Seashore officials said, and park rangers are looking into who may have shot the horse.

“Regardless of whether the shooting was accidental or not, the failure to report the incident violates National Park Service regulations and we intend to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Chief Ranger Ted Morlock said in a news release. The statement said a hunter found the dead animal on Jan. 15 and reported it to park rangers the next day.

Park officials allow several gun-hunting seasons a year to control the barrier island’s deer population, but do not permit the hunting of its wild horses, instead using contraceptives to keep their population on the Maryland side to about 125 animals.

The National Park Service is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible individual. Persons with information about the incident should contact Chief Ranger Morlock at 410-629-6055, or by email at ted_morlock@nps.gov. All information provided may remain confidential.

www.worcestercountytimes.com

Arrest Made For Breaking and Entering Into New Church Business

According to Major Todd Godwin, on Thursday, January 13 at approximately 1:07 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding an alarm at the Bargain Barrel in New Church which was found to be the result of an actual breaking & entering.

When deputies arrived at the location, they discovered the suspect to be still inside the building at which time a perimeter was established around the business. Further investigation revealed that the suspect was in possession of stolen merchandise and the property was recovered by the Accomack County Sheriff's Office as the suspect was apprehended on the scene.

Douglas Edward Waters, age 42 of Pocomoke, MD, was arrested on charges of Breaking & Entering and Grand Larceny. He is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail in lieu of a $3500 bond.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Virginia State Police and the Chincoteague Police Department.

www.shoredailynews.com

Gov. Bob McDonnell Ends Ban On Guns In State Parks

Gov. Bob McDonnell has ordered an immediate end to a ban on firearms carried openly in Virginia state parks.

The Republican governor ordered Conservation and Recreation Department Director David Johnson to stop enforcing the ban in a letter sent Friday.

McDonnell also gave initial approval to another administrative change allowing firearms to be carried openly in state forests.

Concealed handgun permit holders were already free to carry firearms. The right to openly carry guns is widely recognized across Virginia.

In his letter, McDonnell wrote that the department lacks authority under state law to prohibit firearms being carried in plain view.

McDonnell said it was clear that the General Assembly never intended to restrict firearms in parks. "Lacking specific legislative authorization to further regulate firearms, the Department of Conservation and Recreation can not promulgate a regulation that does so," he wrote.

The ban was put in place by McDonnell's predecessor, former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, now chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said J. Tucker Martin, McDonnell's chief spokesman.

"These regulations ... would simply allow law-abiding Virginians who legally own a firearm to exercise the same rights in a Virginia state forest or state park that they already possess while elsewhere in the commonwealth," Martin said.

In his letter to Johnson, McDonnell cites an opinion he wrote as attorney general on Sept. 26, 2008, answering an inquiry from then-Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, a Republican who is now attorney general.

In the opinion, McDonnell told Cuccinelli that although state laws don't explicitly permit weapons carried openly in parks, nothing in the law prohibits it, either.

Gun control advocate Lori Haas, whose daughter survived a gunshot in the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, said it was bad for public safety and for tourism.

"You really think we're going to get tourists to Virginia parks if people are carrying firearms everywhere," Haas said. "Who would want to be camping in a state park if the person in the next campsite is carrying an AK-47?"
www.shoredailynews.com

Bingo Night Tonight

The Shore Lifesavers Relay for Life team's 50-50 Bingo Night is tonight at the Parksley Volunteer Firehouse.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the last game will be at 9:00 p.m.

Bingo cards are $1 each and refreshments will be sold. there will be a raffle for a Smith Island Cake.

For more information, please contact (757) 709-2866 .

All proceeds are to benefit the American Cancer Society.

What Were They Thinking ????

MIAMI (Reuters) – Burglars snorted the cremated remains of a man and two dogs in the mistaken belief that they had stolen illegal drugs, Florida sheriff's deputies said on Wednesday.

The ashes were taken from a woman's home in the central Florida town of Silver Springs Shores on December 15. The thieves took an urn containing the ashes of her father and another container with the ashes of her two Great Danes, along with electronic equipment and jewelry, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.

Investigators learned what happened to the ashes after they arrested five teens in connection with another burglary attempt at a nearby home last week.

"The suspects mistook the ashes for either cocaine or heroin. It was soon discovered that the suspects snorted some of the ashes believing they were snorting cocaine," the sheriff's report said.

Once they realized their error, the suspects discussed returning the remaining ashes but threw them in a lake instead because they thought their fingerprints were on the containers, sheriff's spokesman Judge Cochran said.

Police divers were trying to recover the ashes. The suspects were jailed on numerous burglary and other charges.

www.yahoo.com

House Fire Claims Life Of Accomack County Mother

PARKSLEY -- An Accomack County woman was killed in a house fire early Wednesday morning.

The owner of the residence identified the victim as Dana Rodriguez, 45, of Estate Lane, off Country Court. Police could not be reached to confirm the identification of the victim.

Units and personnel from Parksley, Bloxom, Tasley and Onancock responded to the 2 a.m. fire, which flattened the single-wide mobile home where Rodriguez's body was found.

Rodriguez did not work, said neighbor Willie Tumblin. He said the victim's 14-year-old daughter escaped from the fire.

Tumblin said there had been no fire when he arrived home from his job at the Perdue Farms Inc. plant at about 1:20 a.m.

Before the blaze, he said, there had been a family argument in which one of the members threatened the others.

A state police fire detective is investigating the incident. A police spokesperson did not immediately return a phone call for comment.

Rodriguez is survived by her children and an estranged husband.

The house was owned by Henry and Wanda Johnson of Bloxom. Rodriguez and her family had lived there for about eight years, said Wanda Johnson. They were in the process of purchasing the home.

"She's always been nice to me," she said. "Isn't it horrible?"

www.delmarvanow.com

NOTICE To Hunters

Oh the joys we had of our youth

Oh the joys we had of our youth

Like waiting for a new nickel for a lost tooth

Remember the snow that we used to play in?

We thought it was deep if it was more then a dusting

The toys we enjoyed were all American made

We never ate them, because Maw raised us that way

Dad had 2 jobs and Maw helped us grow

Something today’s kids will never know

We never locked all our bikes at the rack

If somebody took it, we’d just go get it back

The morals diminished, the times how they’ve changed

Come robberies, and car jacking, more drug dealers, and gunfire exchanged

If I was a bad boy there was a spanking for me

And now if we touch them its jail time we’ll see

Oh yes, the joys we had of our youth

Oh, now it is 5 bucks for one stinking tooth

When I was a young’un I walked to and from

Now in the wrong place you’re bound to be mugged

When the fire whistle blew the whole town ran to see

Now sirens and whistles blow constantly

Oh the joys we had of our youth

Now it’s 10 bucks for one stupid tooth

As time ticked away and we grew day by day

Those memories stay with me, you can’t take them away

Now that I have 2 kids of my own

I wish they could have some of the memories I’ve known

Oh the joys we had of our youth

And I ain’t gonna pay 20 bucks for one flipping tooth

Pocomoke Councilman Has Filed To Run For Mayor

POCOMOKE CITY -- After serving two three-year terms as councilman of Pocomoke's third district, Bruce Morrison has filed to run for mayor. A lifelong resident of Pocomoke City, Morrison is the second longest-serving council member.

As Morrison took the oath of office in April 2005, along with outgoing Mayor Mike McDermott, a top concern was reducing crime and tackling the drug issue that seemed prevalent. The overall crime rate has dropped by 18 percent in the last year, according to Morrison. This focus on crime has been aided by community outreach and a number of concerned citizens getting involved. A Neighborhood Crime Watch has been established that meets in area churches to target problematic issues. Six cameras have been installed in hot spots around town, aiding in many drug crimes being solved and two additional cameras are scheduled to be added complete this year, Morrison said.

In early 2011, Pocomoke City will be completing a $6 million upgrade to its sewage treatment plant, making it one of the few compliant plants in the state. This effort was largely funded through federal sources.

Pocomoke's downtown makes up a large part of the third district that Morrison has served. Upon taking office six years ago, Morrison expressed his concern for the downtown area, hoping to make its revitalization a priority. Many area attractions have come to fruition, he said, including the new addition to the Sturgis One-Room School Museum, which has brought the black history of the area to life, adding to Pocomoke's other history museum, The Costen House.

The opening of the Mar-Va Theater now brings first-run movies to Pocomoke City on the first and third weekends of each month along with outstanding musical and theatrical performances.

The Delmarva Discovery Center is open and loaded with much of Delmarva's history, highlighting many outstanding exhibits depicting life in yesteryear -- a look into the past and a step into the future.

The Bay Queen calls the docks of the Pocomoke River home and offers cruises almost daily and by reservation three seasons a year.

Even though much has been accomplished in the downtown area, Morrison said he thinks much is left to be done. It is his hope Pocomoke City is charting a course toward reinvention as a tourist destination area, he said.

Morrison has served on the Maryland Critical Areas Commission, serving under governors Robert Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley.

Locally, he is an active member of Salem United Methodist Church, having served as chairman of the trustees for two years. He is a member of Pocomoke Elks Lodge 12624, where he is a past exalted ruler. In the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company he has served as a line officer and past president. He is also serving on the Board of Directors of the Lower Shore YMCA. Morrison is employed at Hardwire LLC and is married to Laura Gladding Morrison; they have two children.

Pocomoke's elections are held on the first Tuesday in April. Registered voters who wish to run for office must file nominating petitions 60 days before the elections are held.

www.delmarvanow.com

New Rocket Integration Facility to be Unveiled At NASA

NASA will unveil its new rocket integration facility at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 21.

The Horizontal Integration Facility will support medium class mission capabilities. The first customer to use the facility will be Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Va., with its Taurus II launch vehicle.

Orbital will be conducting missions for NASA under the agency's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project and Commercial Resupply Services program. Integration of the Taurus II at the facility will begin in February with launch expected later this year.

Participants in the ceremony:
- Sen. Barbara Mikulski
- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden
- NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Director Rob Strain
- NASA Wallops Flight Facility Director William Wrobel
- Orbital Sciences Corp. Chairman and CEO David Thompson

For more information about Wallops, visit:
www.nasa.gov/wallops

Structure Fire In Pocomoke

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a residential structure fire on January 15, 2011.

The fire was reported at approximately 1 pm by an occupant of the dwelling involved in the fire. First arriving fire units reported heavy fire showing from a single-story residential dwelling.

Firefighters from the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Company quickly extinguished the fire. Stockton Volunteer Fire Company assisted with the extinguishment of the fire and remained on the scene for approximately 2 hours.

The dwelling was occupied at the time the fire by Terri Jones. Jones was able to escape and no injuries were reported. The dwelling is located at 523 Young Street, Pocomoke, Maryland in Worcester County.

The fire originated near a portable kerosene heater. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the kerosene heater was filled with gasoline, not kerosene. The fire is listed as accidental.

The occupant of the dwelling is being assisted by the American Red Cross

Anyone with additional questions or comments should contact Chief Deputy Matt Owens at 410-632-5666 ext. 2 or mowens@wcfmo.org.

wcfmo.org

Christina Green Named Honorary Member Of Delaware Senate

DOVER -- The Delaware Senate passed a resolution Wednesday posthumously making the 9-year-old girl killed in Saturday's shooting rampage in Arizona an honorary member of the chamber.

Christina Taylor Green was among six people who were shot and killed at a constituent event sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who remains in critical condition after being shot in the head.

Christina was the granddaughter of former Phillies manager Dallas Green, a Newport native who in 1980 coached the baseball team to its first World Series victory.

Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton, said she sponsored the resolution because the girl had taken an early interest in public service.

www.delawareonline.com

Chincoteague Ponies Are Moved Due To High Water

Visitors to Assateague Island will find fewer Chincoteague wild ponies in the meadow to the right of Beach Road. Some of the southern herd, usually totaling about 50ponies, has been moved to the larger northern range until spring.

Denise Bowden, who took over public relations duties this past October, said they were moved due to the accumulation of water on the range where the ponies normally . “To get them through the winter, we moved them up on the northern end. In the spring, they will be moved back,” said Bowden.

The decision to move them came out of the flooding of the grazing area, for them to have grass to graze on and higher ground to get to,” Bowden explained. “The Pony Committee chairman (Harry Thornton), along with his group, makes the decisions.”

“This is the first time that I can remember them being moved due to weather,” Bowden said. “It wasn’t so much the snow. It was because of the pounding nor’easters that flooded the area.”

The Chincoteague ponies live in two herds on the Virginia end of Assateague Island. The estimated 50 ponies in the southern herd can often be seen by visitors driving to the beach or by hikers who go to the Woodland Trail overlook. The northern herd numbers about 100 ponies, but they are not seen by the general public until they are brought into the Beach Road corral for the July auction.

Referring to the impact winter weather can have on the ponies, Bowden said, “This past storm they made out great. They’re smart animals. They know where to get food and to seek higher ground if it’s too wet. In this past storm, we had people go over that Monday. They took 35 bales of hay. The ponies had water in their troughs that they were drinking.”

As to their behavior in rough weather situations and their reaction to snow, Bowden said, “I think they’re just like any other animal. They’re used to it. They’re used to the cold weather. I would think that some of the younger ponies probably like to frolic in the snow and play. I don’t see where it affects them much.”

Bowden said she believes their least favorite weather is rain. “If it’s a hard rain, they’ll relocate themselves. They will seek higher ground. It’s just a natural instinct to them. They’re not dumb animals whatsoever. If it gets to be where they are actually flooded out, that’s when we decide to move them up to the northern end where there is more of a highland area.”

Although it has not been an issue so far this winter, the biggest concern for the ponies during the cold months is a hard freeze. “Definitely during a hard freeze when we have to break water,” said Bowden. “This happens when there are a cold couple of days with temperatures below 32 degrees.”

While the majority of the ponies remain on Assateague, a few can be seen at the Chincoteague carnival grounds. This year’s buyback ponies — those purchased at the auction that will be put back into the herd — are being kept at the carnival grounds until spring.

Bowden said the ponies do not require much care. “We throw out hay a couple of times a week. The Pony Committee checks on them every day. There is still grass for grazing at the carnival grounds and we don’t keep hay there all the time, because too much hay is not good for their diet.” The ponies have the luxury of automatic water lines on the carnival premises.

“Every day someone from that Pony Committee goes out to the beach to make sure everything is OK,” said Bowden. “Everyone pretty much knows what to do, but if something does arise that needs to be addressed, the chairman will select a couple of people and ask them to go out and correct it. And,they'll correct it.”
www.easternshorepost.com
Windy Mason is a staff writer for www.wildponytales.info which is an online publication that covers Chincoteague and Assateague islands.

Try The Bay Queen Restaurant and Bakery This Weekend

Too busy to cook?? Too tired?? Or just want to try something different for a change..........

The BAY QUEEN RESTAURANT AND BAKERY is now open!

"Home cooked comfort food" Daily special for $5.95.

Restaurant Hours:
MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM
SUNDAY 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM SUNDAY BRUNCH

While you're there check out the bakery.

Located on Rt. 13 North at the Days Inn just before the Ford dealer.

Carryout and delivery available.

Police Followed Footprints In the Snow To Make Arrests

PRESTON, Md.- Authorities in Caroline County say two people in Preston heard a knock on their door in the middle of the night. It was just the beginning of real-life nightmare.

The Caroline County Sheriff's Office says a man says a man knocked on the door of the home on Newton Road early Wednesday morning, claiming he needed to use the phone because his car broke down.

Police say when the people inside did not answer, the man kicked in the door and held a gun to one of the victim's head.

Investigators say the man demanded money and prescription drugs, and then ran away with some prescription medications he stole.

Police say they actually tracked footprints in the snow to a nearby house and a further investigation led them to make three arrests in the case-- Timothy and Robert Spence; and Jennifer Orr, all of Caroline County. All three are charged with armed robbery and related offenses.
www.wboc.com

Tickets Into Space...........

VIENNA, Va. - Space Adventures plans to sell three seats on the Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station starting in 2013.

The Vienna, Va.-based company said Wednesday it has signed an agreement with the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation and Rocket Space Corporation Energia for the additional seats.

The seats are being made available because of the increased production of the Soyuz spacecraft.

Space Adventures says the flights will be about 10 days.

Space Adventures first launched a private client into space in 2001. It has since arranged seven additional missions to the International Space Station. Its advisory board includes Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin and other astronauts.

www.myfox.com

Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting

POCOMOKE CITY -- The mayor and council gave tentative approval Monday to a $404,775 bid that will apply an innovate method of treating effluent at the new sewage plant.

Instead of treating the sludge with chemicals, the new system, to be installed by the Bearing Construction Co., will use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria. This method will save the town money and is safer, officials said, since town employees will not have to handle some caustic chemicals.

The decision is contingent on the Maryland Department of the Environment approving the construction bid package and the town receiving a loan to cover the cost of the system. If received, 87.5 percent of the principal will be forgiven.

The town also officially transferred the deed to the Benelli property in the Pocomoke Industrial Park. Beretta, a sister company, came to the park in 1989 to manufacture barrels for shipment to the company's southern Maryland plant for final assembly. Ten years later, Benelli took over the building.

Under Benelli, shotguns manufactured in Italy are shipped to Pocomoke City for distribution throughout the country and service of the shotguns is handled in the local plant. Manager Dan Boyle said there are presently 30 people working at the plant. He called them the "best employees around."

Additionally, the council voted to opt out of a state mandate for installation of sprinkler systems in any new single-family homes. Instead, the plan is to offer a discount on property taxes -- 50 percent or up to $2,000 in the first year -- if the owner installs the system.

During his last meeting as mayor, Michael A. McDermott publicly thanked a number of people who had worked with him during his term in office. He was elected as a member of the House of Delegates last year.

Councilman Robert L. Hawkins, who presented McDermott with a certificate for his tenure as mayor, will preside at the meetings until a new mayor is elected in April.

www.delmarvanow.com

AARP Offers Free Tax Preparation For Residents of Worcester

Beginning Feb 3, AARP will once again offer free tax preparation throughout the county. Locations are:

Mondays: Ocean Pines library, 11107 Cathell Road, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213-1608 for an appointment.

Tuesdays: Snow Hill library, 307 N. Washington St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-632-1277 for an appointment.

Wednesdays: Pocomoke City Senior Center, 400 Walnut and Cedar streets, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-957- 0391 for an appointment.

Thursdays: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 10301 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213- 1608 for an appointment.

Saturdays: Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Racetrack Road, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213-1608 for an appointment.

Saturdays: Ocean City library, 10003 Coastal Highway, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 410-213-1608 for an appointment.

Residents do not have to be an AARP member for this service. However, they must take complete records and their 2009 return with them.

Mother Charged With Contributing To the Delinguency of Minors

A Henrico County woman charged with 19 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after a New Year's Eve party at her home made an initial appearance in juvenile and domestic relations court today.
Judge Margaret Deglau scheduled an April 4 trial for Susan Lambert Hoback-Tweardy, 43, and ordered her not to have any contact with the juveniles who are the subject of the charges against her.

Deglau made an exception for Hoback-Tweardy's sons after the defendant told the judge that the two were among the 19.

Hoback-Tweardy was ordered not to use any alcohol pending the trial. She faces a maximum punishment of up to 12 months in jail on each charge.

She appeared in court without a lawyer but said she plans to hire counsel.

Hoback-Tweardy was arrested Tuesday after police were summoned minutes before midnight Dec. 31 to a residence in the 200 block of Middle Quarter Lane south of River Road near the Country Club of Virginia's James River golf course.

It was not clear why charges were issued nearly two weeks after the incident.

Police said medical units were called to the scene because of concerns about the inebriated condition of the some of the juveniles.

www.timesdispatch.com