CHINCOTEAGUE -- The new bridge to Chincoteague is on schedule for an April 2 opening if the weather cooperates. That was the message delivered to the Chincoteague Town Council Monday evening by Tom Rakowski of the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Despite all the adverse weather conditions encountered by the area so far this year, employees of American Bridge have been able to make headway on the new bridge and the April 2 date seems to be in reach.
"Depending on the weather we may be able to beat that target date," said Rakowski.
Rakowski said workers have been able to work on the new path to Chincoteague and the spur that leads to Marsh Island in recent weeks.
There remain, Rakowski stated, a few temperature sensitive jobs to be done, such as the road stripes on the new asphalt.
Drivers to and from Chincoteague in the coming weeks will see a new one-way path to Chincoteague as workers shift their attention from one side to the other.
"We need to shift the traffic one more time," said Rakowski. "The present detour road covers up part of the ramp."
The plan is to switch the detour to the north side and finish paving on the south side of the detour. "When we finish the south side and we take that detour sign down the bridge will be open for traffic," said Rakowski. "That will probably be the last two weeks in March."
Rakowski said the drawbridge has been undergoing "testing procedures" the past few weeks and everything seems to be going smoothly.
"Everything is functional on primary and backup power," he said. "And the span should be fully operational by the end of this week."
The new traffic signal will be state-of-the-art with an override feature that allows ambulance drivers to activate a green light while on emergency calls over the bridge.
"We've learned that there is a freight train of modular homes waiting for the bridge to open," said Rakowski. "We did our best to expedite that because some them are so big and wide they just can't get through that 'S' turn."
Rakowski said that some of council's ideas have been incorporated into the new bridge, including placing crape myrtles instead of loblolly pines near the entrance.
The main bridge is planned to be open by April 2 and the spur to Marsh Island should be completed by Aug. 26. Rakowski said the demolition of the old span should be complete by Dec. 13.
Rakowski and representatives from American Bridge and VDOT will meet next week for an informational meeting on how to proceed.
He said there will be time to have an "open house" for the new bridge and the old bridge before the demolition.
Rakowski said he had one request from a 92-year-old lady who as a child used to jump off the old bridge. She wants to be among the first to cross the new span.
www.easternshorenews.com
Ricochet started fundraising just six months ago, and has already raised $20,000 for charitable causes. 
Not Democrat, Not Republican, Not Independent.
It's called the "PISSED OFF PARTY" (or POP).
This party is dedicated to vote every incumbent out of office in the next elections.
If you're Democrat, vote Democrat. Just don't vote for the incumbent.
If you're Republican, vote Republican. Just don't vote for the incumbent.
We need to send a message to all politicians, that we're tired of their B.S.
If the country votes out all the incumbents, the new incoming politicians will get the message.
It's pretty simple. Nobody needs to change parties and let’s face it, there's plenty of blame to spread around.
A few good politicians will lose their job but they probably have better retirement and insurance then 95% of the American public.
You've had to struggle for the last 5 years. Some of you have lost your job and may be working in some other sector just to feed your family.
I guarantee you, none of them will suffer like this country has.
If you like what's going on and think this is a bad idea, delete this.
But if you're fed up and think this is a good idea, then pass this on.
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To All 535 voting members of the Legislature; it is now official you are ALL corrupt morons:
You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars
AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM? IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOOD HEALTH CARE, IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN IT.
Folks, keep this circulating. It is very well stated. Maybe it will end up in the
Hat Tip; Eric
Authorities in Tennessee confirmed Thursday, Clarence Jackson is out of jail.
A spokesperson for the family of Christine Sheddy, who's remains were found in Snow Hill last month, said Jackson was one of the last people to see Sheddy alive at his Pocomoke house before Sheddy went missing in November 2007.
Sheddy's remains were found in a shallow grave at a bed and breakfast in Snow Hill.
However, officials investigating Sheddy's death have not publicly linked Jackson to the Sheddy case.
But Tennessee court documents say Jackson was given probation and "must fully cooperate with Maryland detectives and DA's (District Attorney's) office in murder prosecution."
Officials say Jackson has checked in with probation officers in Maryland.
There are also reports Jackson has been spotted in the Pocomoke-area.
Jackson has an extensive criminal history.
"I think he's definitely a threat, from previous history of how our probation system is working," said Pocomoke-area resident Candy Holland.
However, other residents disagree.
"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty you've got to give him a fair shake," said Pocomoke-area resident Tyrone Suggs.
The owners of the bed and breakfast where Sheddy's remains were found, also said Jackson worked for them.
Worcester County State's Attorney's Joel Todd has refused to confirm Jackson's involvement in the case, saying answering questions regarding Sheddy's death would compromise the investigation.
So far no cause of death for Christine Sheddy has been released.
VIA: WBOC.COM
Fewer than a quarter of them showed.
To keep the fledgling museum from closing its doors -- less than a year after opening -- the Worcester County Commissioners provided $48,000 in financial assistance and a warning that they may not be so kind in the future.
"Was it an easy decision? No," said Commission President Bud Church. "But we invested a lot of money in that facility, and we couldn't let it fail."
About $2 million in county funds since 1999 have gone to the Discovery Center, which features the history of the region.
Without the commissioners' latest contribution, the museum would have been "forced to lay off all administrative and operational staff members, retaining only the aquarium position, and close until additional funds can be secured," said Brian Garrett, the center's executive director.
In 2009, roughly 4,000 visitors went through the facility, generating about $16,000 in ticket sales. The sale of memberships generated $7,200, another $6,200 was donated and $8,800 was received through programs and renting out the facility. Exhibits alone cost $130,500 last year, and $99,750 was spent on salaries.
The money provided by the commissioners will help the Pocomoke City museum until June. By then, organizers hope summer beachgoers and other visitors can be lured in to see the facility's sturgeon in the 6,000-gallon aquarium and steamboat replica.
Church said the museum's financial troubles were part of the learning curve for any new service or business. The facility initially asked for $60,000, an amount to which the commissioners could not commit.
"We told them, 'That isn't going to happen; you need to tighten your budget,' " Church said.
As a condition of the money, center staff provided the commissioners with money-saving and revenue-generating initiatives they're taking. The facility has already delayed most purchases for the building, exhibits, advertising and equipment. Programs are mostly grant-funded and furlough days for employees may be next. Going forward, the museum will offer birthday party and sleepover rentals, raffles and incentives to get people in the door.
The museum is the idea of a group of Pocomoke City residents who have worked for more than a decade to get the facility operational. The not-yet-finished Discovery Center opened in late 2008 to let people watch as work progressed on the building, a former car dealership adjacent to the Pocomoke River. An opening celebration was held last June. The museum is now open five days a week and hosts lectures and art classes.
"We think that between now and June 1 they can do things, bring in schoolchildren and work with Ocean City to bring people in and make it work," Church said. "We have a lot of money invested in the Discovery Center and every one of us believes that it could be a major draw for Pocomoke City."
VIA: DelmarvaNow.com
Winners of awards for other classes will be posted after the banquet.
Pictured above: BOWDEN RACING TEAM of the 2009 Gumboro MudBog in Gumboro, Delaware. Team mechanic: (kneeling) Donald Bowden.
For more information on the 2010 Gumboro Mudbog go to http://www.gumboromudbog.com/ or http://www.littlereddakota.webs.com/
Racing dates will be posted here.
Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said in a statement Friday that the state medical examiner's office made the identification using dental records. No cause of death has been determined. Todd declined to comment when asked about possible suspects or pending charges.
"All involved law enforcement agencies are treating this as a suspicious death," he said.
Sheddy, of Frederica, Del., went missing November 14, 2007. The 26-year-old single mother had last been seen at a Pocomoke City-area residence, authorities said. A month later, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation issued a warrant for Sheddy's arrest on charges of child abandonment.
The Worcester County Sheriff's Office and WCBI have been working on the case, with assistance from State Police and the State's Attorney's office. Since her disappearance, some area residents orchestrated their own searches as well, combing the Pocomoke area on foot.
An investigation led police Feb. 19 to the grounds of the River House Inn, a bed and breakfast in downtown Snow Hill, where they unearthed the skeletal remains. Todd said the inn owners were not connected with the missing woman. He declined to explain just what led police to the site.
Sheddy's daughter, 10, and two sons, ages 5 and 6, are currently in the care her mother, Lynn Dodenhoff.
Dodenhoff referred questions to Sean Henady of 3View Search Services, a nonprofit search and rescue foundation acting as a family liaison. Henady said Dodenhoff plans to make a public statement soon.
He said Sheddy's mother is "exhausted," but appreciates the thoughts and prayers of the community.
"This has been a very tough time for the family, understandably," he said. "Lynn right now is actually going through a lot of relief. She is pleased to finally have the answers and know her daughter is coming home. The family knows that the legal process is just starting, and they will be patient through that process to know that justice will be served."
VIA: DelmarvaNow.com
The National Education Association national reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and BOOKS! The event is designed to bring the incentive to READ not just to children but to everyone!
SILLY PUTTY-- introduced to the public today back in 1950!
The state of Maryland has fined Salisbury for problems at the wastewater treatment plant.
The city and state agreed to a $50,000 fine. The city council got a look at the yearlong payment plan during Monday's worksession. 
The fine covers sewage overflows and permit violations over the last several years. City Administrator John Pick says most of those problems occurred during the $80 million upgrade to the plant which used a new design.
The city of Salisbury says that design was flawed. Officials filed a lawsuit against the company O'Brien & Gere in October.
Salisbury contends the plant upgrade doesn't remove enough nitrogen to meet Maryland permit standards.
Snatched; WBOC.COM
