Hazardous Waste Collection/ April 27, 2013

 

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee

 

 9th Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection

 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m.

 

The collection has been expanded and will be offered at three locations the first time in the history of the event. Accomack and Northampton residents may take their household hazardous wastes to any of the Convenience Centers in

 Horntown, Painter, and Birdsnest.

Participants can dispose of up to 50 pounds of hazardous waste for free. Additional waste will cost $1.00 per pound for every pound in excess of 50 pounds. Disposal of the first 50 pounds for free will be available only as funds allow. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to arrive early to ensure a spot. Collections will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end promptly at 2:00 p.m. and will take place rain or shine.

 

Please read to be sure that your waste gets accepted:

Accepted household wastes include garden chemicals, poisons, repellants, degreasers, fuels including gasoline and kerosene, fungicides, wood preservatives, wood stain, paint thinner and remover, driveway sealers, epoxy, rodent poison, and asbestos. Items not accepted include commercial and industrial wastes, car batteries, tires, motor oil, ammunition, flares, explosives, medical and biological wastes, radioactive waste, medicines, PCBs, smoke detectors, Freon, propane tanks, and empty containers of any kind. It is important to note that latex paints will not be accepted.

Paint will not be accepted. Oil and latex paints may be disposed of by removing the container lid to allow the paint to air dry or mixing the paint with an absorbent such as kitty litter or wood chips. Once the paint has solidified, dispose of the container with the regular trash.

If you have questions about the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, please contact Curt Smith with the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission at 787-2936.

This event is the only local option for proper disposal of household hazardous waste and is only held once each year. Residents are encouraged to plan for this event each year by storing hazardous wastes in a safe, secure location until the event occurs during the spring of each year.

The event is made possible with funding from Accomack and Northampton Counties, the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, NOAA, and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and with volunteer assistance from Waste Watchers of the Eastern Shore.

 

Source:

Pocomoke City Police Dept.'s 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

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Early Morning Fire Possible Arson

73
1:10 AM
Sunday March 24, 2013
7493 Bullbegger Road
Withams/New Church
Abandoned structure fire -  structure on ground by the time fireman arrived.

Central alarm received two calls this morning involving two separate fires occuring at the same time. First call provided the address of 4222 Lankford Highway in a business located next to Susan's Seafood.

When New Church Vol. Fire Dept. arrived on the scene they found no fire.  They were assisted by two Worcester County fire departments,  one of which was the Pocomoke City Vol. Fire Company.  Greenbackville Vol. Fire Co. also assisted.

At the same time additional Accomack County fire units were responding to an unoccupied (abandoned) structure fire in the Withams area.  When  units arrived the structure was fully involved and on the ground.

Saxis, Bloxom, New Church, and Atlantice reponded.

 Virginia State Police fire investigators have been called to the scene to investigate.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the string of arson fires.

If you have any information on this or other fires please call 757-655-1437

BODY IDENTIFIED AS MISSING QUEEN ANNE'S CO. WOMAN

Robin L. Pope

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) – An autopsy conducted today confirmed the body found in the water along the Kent Island shoreline yesterday afternoon is that of the Queen Anne’s County woman who has been missing for three weeks.

Doctors at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore positively identified the deceased as Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. The identification was made through dental records.

The cause and manner of death were not identified today. That investigation will be continued by forensic pathologists at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Robin Pope was last seen late on the night of March 1, 2013, in the 100-block of Beach Road, Stevensville, where she had lived with her husband until last December when the couple separated. Her husband reported her missing to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office early on the morning of March 2nd. He said his wife had come by the house late the night before to pick up some belongings and he had left when she arrived. When he returned home her car was still in the driveway, but she was not at the home.
An investigation has been ongoing since Pope was reported missing. The investigation included multiple searches on and under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as several land searches. Anyone with information about Robin Pope is urged to contact the Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barrack at 410-758-1101.

Submitted:
Maryland State Police

Pocomoke City Police Chief Speaks to Group On Important Issues

Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell spoke before a packed house of captivated listeners for a little over an hour on Thursday evening March 21, 2013. The meeting was at  the New Macedonia Baptist Church. The group in attendance consisted of school students between the ages of 6 to 16 and parents and was at the request of the Save the Youth Program of Pocomoke City.

Topic of discussion was "Bullying In Schools".

Chief Sewell assured the school aged children that bullying in schools will not be tolerated and presented a list of resources the children and parents could use if ever faced with a bullying incident.

"All kids should feel safe when they are in school and their only concentration should be on making good grades and not the fear of a bully", Chief Sewell told the crowd. He went on to say, concerning the schools in the Pocomoke City area,  that he "will not tolerate any bullying in my schools."

Other important topics discussed on Thursday evening, were "gang awareness" and internet crimes involving child predators and youth.

There was a question and answer period after the meeting at which time Chief Sewell patiently answered every question and handed out his business card to each individual, including children, in attendance. 

Disturbance/ Shooting At PJ's Pub Outside Pocomoke City Limits

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, at approximately 0100 hours, the Worcester County Emergency Services dispatch center received multiple 911 calls stating that there was a large fight involving gunfire at 2350 Old Snow Hill Road, Pocomoke, Maryland, “PJ’s Pub”.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, and Pocomoke City Police Officers encountered a large disorderly crowd. In an attempt to restore the safety of the remaining patrons and staff and to identify and treat the victims, several participants were taken into custody and charged with “disorderly conduct” after failing to obey the officers’ instructions. Order was again restored, and the victims were identified and the crime scene was secured.

Two victims were treated at the hospital. One was treated for several lacerations to their head and the other for a gunshot wound to their foot.

Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and Crime Scene Technicians from the Maryland State Police arrived and processed the scene.

The investigation is on going.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Corporal Alex Kagan of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at (410) 632-0lll

Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

TIME MACHINE ... 1913, 1977, 1947, 1930, 1934

(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)



(It's 1913 and a young Salisbury office worker is found dead in her office. Subsequent articles will follow, as investigation heightened the mystery surrounding her death.)
　
June, 1913
(The Washington Post)

FOUND DEAD AT HER DESK

Coroner Investigating Demise of Bookkeeper at Salisbury, Md.

Body of Miss Florence Wainwright Discovered With Box of Tablets by Her Side.
　
Special to The Washington Post.

Salisbury, Md., June 21.- Suspicion has been aroused by the death of Miss Florence Wainwright, aged 25 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Washington Wainwright, who was found dead last night in the office of the Home Gas Company, where she was employed as a bookkeeper.

Miss Wainwright had been employed by the gas company for about five years, and worked at the office all day yesterday. It being pay day she returned to the office last night to pay some of the employees who were working out of the city.

It was Mervin Ellis, a brother-in-law of Miss Wainwright, who discovered her dead body. While passing the office on his way home he noticed the lights were burning, and on investigation, found every door wide open and the screen hooked back. When he went inside he found Miss Wainwright sitting in a chair, dead. She had a box of tablets on the desk beside her. Dr. J. McFadden Dick was quickly summoned, and said Miss Wainwright had been dead some time.

It was at first said that Miss Wainwright had died from heart disease, but an autopsy is alleged to have disclosed that her death was not due to natural causes. The coroner refused to discuss the real cause and swore the jurors to secrecy.


　
January, 1977
　
The public was invited to dedication services marking the completion of a new sanctuary, seating approximately 300, at Lynhaven Baptist Church in Pocomoke City. Soloists Mrs. Rene Oliver, Mrs. Joe Duke, and Mrs. Elvie Whealton were to perform along with the church choir. The Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland, Dr. Roy B. Gresham, was the scheduled guest speaker. Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary was in October, 1975. The church was its own general contractor, with Jack Krimmel as building committee general chairman, and Charles Bryson as supervisor of construction. Architect was J. Linwood Walker of Nassawadox.




March, 1947
(The Annapolis Capital- Annapolis, Md.)
　
Salisbury, Md., March 28 (AP)- The lower Eastern Shore looked like a Christmas Card today as the sun shone on a countryside covered by a three-inch overnight snowfall.



January, 1930 (Time Machine Archive)

(Site selected for a new PHS on Market Street)

An injunction against building a new Pocomoke High School on a site selected by Worcester County Commissioners was denied in Circuit Court. County Commissioner Charles L. Mason and 20 area residents were seeking the injunction, claiming the County Commissioners authority was limited to a site within Pocomoke City's corporate limits.

The site selected by the commissioners was at Ninth Street which marked the city boundary. The Circuit Court ruling upheld the right of the Board Of Commissioners to determine the site.
　
Footnote: PHS was located on Market Street between 10th and 11th streets, but did those streets exist in 1930? When the school was constructed perhaps Ninth Street, as referenced above, was the closest street adjacent to the site selected for the school location. Anyone know more?
　
　April, 1934
(Eastern Shore News- Onancock, Va.)
　
Aged Man Tells of Early E. Shore Life

The material of this article was gotten from an interview with Benjamin F. Scott, a ninety-six year old Civil War veteran of Chincoteague Island. Beginning with his birth he has given us some interesting highlights of his life, which acquaint us with the conditions of former days.

Mr. Scott was born on the 8th of May, in 1838 at Hog Island.

(PART 4)


After the war Mr. Scott mentioned the carpet-baggers coming in and how they made money, facts which everyone knows. He could not remember any Eastern Shore negro who had held office but said the negroes were allowed to do pretty much as they pleased.

Mr. Scott, after talking of his Civil War experiences, discussed the causes of the war. He said that the North brought the negroes here and sold them to the South, then the North wanted them freed. (It was rather unfair!)

He told us of a church, the Northern Methodist, on the upper end of the Island. It firmly believed in the abolition of slavery. From the pulpit came political rather than religious sermons. Mr. Smith, the preacher, had been an old fighter. One morning three men met him on the way to church and forbid him to preach. Mr. Smith defied them and taking off his coat went into the pulpit to begin his talk. Two of the men charged him, one on either side. They dragged him to the church door and the other man brought his coat. They kicked him out. A general "free for all" fight resulted. Mr. Scott saw three women who had been there. Their old slat bonnets were torn up and their long capes were very mussed. To all appearances they had their share of the fight. The preacher never came back.

At this church negroes as well as white people could join. If a white person was converted but he owned a negro, he could not become a member, but if the negro was converted he could join. They had a gallery for the negroes which seated about forty. This gallery had a door which opened to the outside and a flight of stairs leading down. After the preaching the negroes held their meetings outside while the whites stayed inside. The wife of Mr. Matthews, Mr. Scott's second employer, was converted at the church. They owned a slave and the church would not let her join. The slave was converted, also, and when the members asked Mr. Matthews for the negro's certificate, he refused, "cussing them high and wide." Such little hard feelings and incidents in both the North and South helped bring on the Civil War.

In talking of slaves Mr. Scott explained that since it was so hot working in the cotton fields, the slaves could do the work much easier then whites, thus making them very useful in the south. Slave traders got much money. Mr. Scott heard a man say if he could rig up a ship and make one trip he would be fixed for life. A big, husky boy sold for $75 to $100.

The pirates were the slave traders' dread. They had a great, heavy chain on their ship to which the slaves were tied by a rope. When pirates threatened the slaves were pushed out of a hole in the ship and the chain pulling them down, drowned them.

The people of those days still used flint and steel and Mr. Scott was the first to carry matches to Hog Island.
Many are the tales that Mr. Scott tells, and they are interesting, both for themselves and their historic matter.


　Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

WOMAN'S BODY RECOVERED FROM KENT ISLAND SHORELINE

WOMAN'S BODY RECOVERED FROM KENT ISLAND SHORELINE

 

 

March 23, 2013

 

 (STEVENSVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police investigators will await the results of forensic examinations to determine if the body of a woman found along the Kent Island shoreline this afternoon is the Queen Anne’s County woman who has been missing for three weeks.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. today, Queen Anne’s County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from the 500-block of Bay Drive, Stevensville. The caller reported he had been fishing on a pier when he observed a body in the water near the shore.

Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and contacted Maryland State Police investigators who have been investigating the disappearance of Robin L. Pope, 51, of Stevensville, Md. Pope was reported missing by her husband early on the morning of March 2, 2013. Multiple land and water searches and a continuing investigation since that time had failed to locate Pope.

State Police Homicide Unit investigators and Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office personnel secured the scene. The body was recovered from the water with the assistance of personnel from the Kent Island and United Communities Fire Department shortly before 6:00 p.m. State Police crime scene technicians conducted evidence collection procedures.

The body is that of an adult female, but further identification cannot be made at this time. The body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. Investigators will be forwarding dental records and other information related to Robin Pope to assist pathologists in identification efforts.

State Police investigators notified Robin Pope’s husband and daughters of the recovery and the lack of a positive identification. They will keep family members informed of identification efforts and results from the medical examiner’s office.

The investigation has still not determined why or how Robin Pope disappeared. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about Robin Pope is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Centreville Barrack at 410-758-1101. Callers may remain confidential.

Submitted:
Maryland State Police

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

It's 1913 and a young Salisbury office worker is found dead sitting in a chair at her office desk. Mystery heightened as an investigation proceeded and it grew into a case drawing widespread attention. Read the first in a series of articles on the case this Sunday.

1977.. Pocomoke City church dedicates new sanctuary; 1947.. A late March snow; 1930.. Market Street site approved for new Pocomoke High School; 1934.. Part 4 (concluding portion) of first-hand remembrances of life on lower shore in mid-1800's.
　
Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!

　 Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Control Burn ? During A Burn Ban?

Friday, March 23, 2013/ 8:20 PM
26605  Texacotown Road

Tasley, Onancock, Onley and Melfa fire units responded to a structure fire behind a residence.

Once units arrived it was determined that the burning of a barn behind a residence was a control burn.

Units returned to their stations and no injuries were reported.


PLEASE PASS THE WORD ON:

EFFECTIVE  IMMEDIATELY   IN  ACCOMACK  COUNTY
 Controlled Burn Ban
The Accomack County Board of Supervisors approved a request made by Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin to authorize a temporary ban on controlled burns because of the arson spree plaguing the county.

 

The board will reconsider the ban on a month-to-month basis.

Accomack County Make CBS This Morning Show

UPDATE

It has been determined that the abandoned structure fire on Thursday evening, March 21, 2013 is a result of arson.

Tasley, Atlantic Bloxom and Parksley fire companies responded to the blaze on Metompkin Road near Mappsville, Va. The blaze was reported around 10:40 last evening. This brings Accomack County's arson count to 72.

Citizens are reminded that there IS a NO BURN ban in the county.

The video below aired this morning on CBS This Morning. CBS Reporter Chip Reid was in the Accomack County area very recently and interviewed the fire chief of Parksley Volunteer Fire Company Parksley Volunteer Fire Company Chief, Philip Kelly, speaks of the person(s)setting these fire since November 2012 as being ghost-like. Chief Kelly did an exceptional job during the interview and conveyed not only his thoughts but the community's as well. During his visit, Chip Reid also took time to visit the Club Car Cafe in downtown Parksley and spoke with a couple of residents while there. If video is not available on here go to this LINK

Change Maryland: House Passage of O'Malley's Fuel Tax Increase

Change Maryland on House Passage of O'Malley's

 Fuel Tax Increase

 

Annapolis - As expected, the full House voted today to approve motor fuel taxes, and the Senate will now take up the measure before the General Assembly adjourns on April 8.  Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan released the following statement:"A proposal as unpopular as this one must be hidden from public view and carefully timed to avoid news cycles.  In fact, this proposal is so unpopular that the Governor announced it in the evening, the first hearings were held on a Friday afternoon the same day as the death penalty vote, House passage is on a Friday afternoon, and final votes are taking place in the closing weeks of this legislative session.

"Just as unpopular is Governor O'Malley's record of raising taxes and fees.  There are currently 32 enacted measures that remove $2.3 billion out of the economy annually.  Marylander's are now faced with the prospect of paying another $800 million on top of the $2.3 billion a year we’re already paying in new taxes if this passes the Senate without substantive changes from the Governor's proposal. 

"Last week, House Ways and Means committee leadership was missing altogether.  The majority on the committee performed a rush job on hearings, and their rubber-stamp mentality failed the public miserably.  

"Committee leaders provided yet another platform for the big county executives, who time and again have pleaded for more revenues that help their urban areas.  Missing from this were elected officials from rural parts of the state.  Instead, we heard the tired argument that we need more transportation money to attract the FBI headquarters to Prince George's County.  Here we go again - relying on the federal government instead of putting in place policies that attract Fortune 500 companies and small businesses back to our state.  Moreover, nobody at the FBI is conditioning the move on Maryland increasing gasoline taxes, and this argument is simply pathetic.  

"We are approaching the one-year anniversary of when the Transportation secretary first announced her resignation.  The Governor has had three General Assembly sessions in which to get a permanent secretary confirmed and who could have possibly avoided the bumbling performance we saw from the acting secretary in the Ways and Means hearing.  Basic questions such as funding bridge repairs and realigning infrastructure investments based on how Marylander's actually travel were met with bureaucratic non-answers.

 

"I am also disgusted that top elected officials would compare Virginia's enacted transportation revenues as an excuse to further tax Marylander's.  Our tax code is a self-inflicted wound, which is why Virginia bests Maryland in every single economic performance metric there is.

"As for the bill itself, the so-called lock box provision is worthless and it should not even be called that.  Indexing the existing excise tax to inflation guarantees never-ending increases, and nothing has been done to stop the distorted spending levels on mass transit.

"This bill is a penalty that Marylanders will pay during every trip to a gas station for electing people to office who put their own interests ahead of theirs."

 

Delmarva Discovery Center ~ Easter Basket Craft and More !

TOUR the Delmarva Discovery Center and then participate in the Easter egg hunt.

 

FREE with paid admission

 

Change Maryland on O'Malley's Trip to South Carolina

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan released the following statement as Gov. Martin O'Malley attends yet another political event out of state tomorrow.
"There are two events going on in South Carolina just days apart that illustrate vast differences of the priorities of two governors.   One is a partisan political cheerleader event intended to help politicians.  The other is an economic development forum to increase jobs and employment.

"Governor O'Malley is attending the political event.  Governor Nikki Haley is attending the economic development forum.

"The event with Gov. Haley is the event that includes representatives from companies like Boeing, which set up facilities that create thousands of jobs.  Unfortunately, companies like Boeing consider Maryland fly-over country when it comes to locating anything from a corporate headquarters to a warehouse to our state.  That is because O'Malley has raised taxes and fees 32 times, removing an additional $2.3 billion out of the economy each year.  This includes raising corporate, individual income and sales taxes all of which affect a business of any size.  
"Maryland has just three Fortune 500 companies, while neighboring states Pennsylvania and Virginia each have eight times that many.  We have lost 6500 small businesses since 2007 - the second worst decline in our region.

"Struggling Marylanders looking for work would much prefer that O'Malley attend the event where he can learn about economic development, because as the most partisan governor in America, he has partisan politics pretty well covered at this point.  While he is in the southeast, he should also tour the BMW plant in Spartanburg, the KIA and Caterpillar plants in Georgia, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama, and make stops in Virginia and North Carolina on the way back to see why our tax base is fleeing to those two states more than any other." 
####

Change Maryland is a non-partisan, grassroots organization with 33,000 members.  

changemaryland.org

facebook.com/changemaryland

Background: Baltimore Sunhttp://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-03-08/news/bal-omalley-to-visit-sc-later-this-month-20130308_1_o-malley-aide-governor-o-malley-martin-o-malley

Post and Courier (South Carolina)http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130317/PC05/130319386/1011/mcdermott-column-south-carolina-wooing-fortune-500-real-estate-execs-in-charleston

NO CONTROL BURNS IN ACCOMACK COUNTY

 

 

EFFECTIVE  IMMEDIATELY   IN  ACCOMACK  COUNTY

 

Controlled Burn Ban

 

The Accomack County Board of Supervisors approved a request made by Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin to authorize a temporary ban on controlled burns because of the arson spree plaguing the county.

The board will reconsider the ban on a month-to-month basis.

 

An exception was granted for Chincoteague since no arsons have occurred there.

 

To read more about the burn ban go HERE

Worcester County Sheriff's Warns Computer Users About Scheme

Reveton ransomware scam page impersonating
the FBI

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office has received several recent calls from citizens that report an attempt to extort money from them while using the internet. It is believed that this is part of a widespread scheme to extort money from certain personal computer users.
The FBI has reported that this Citadel Malware delivers “Reveton Ransomware” to your personal computer. A victim is lured to a drive by download at which time the “Ransomeware” is installed on the user’s computer. Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user that they have violated United States Federal Law. The message further states that the users IP address was identified by the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section as visiting child pornography or other illegal content.
To unlock the computer the user is instructed to pay a fine using prepaid money card services. In addition to the “Ransomware”, the virus continues to be active on the computer and may be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud.
If you are a victim of this type of fraud it is suggested that you contact your banking institutions and file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

For more information on e-mail scams and warnings, concerned citizens can go to the FBI website and look under the tab, INTERNET CRIMES
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Accomack County Supervisors Meeting

A wide array of topics were discussed at the Accomack County Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday night.

The application for the extension of the implementation of the new Storm Water program until July 2014 was approved.

Chris Isdell of Virginia Department of Transportation tried to explain how the state could take over road maintenance of a private road. The bottom line came down to the state would only pay five percent of the actual construction cost. No funds being available for easement change or development.

Jack Gray led the longest discussion of the night about why after so many years of efforts the HVAC system in the administration building just didn't work correctly. The contractor explained that there were twenty thermostats in the building with ten different zones and with different people in different offices in the same zone being the biggest problem. He said he had quoted a complete overhaul of the system and it had been rejected due to cost. It was then agreed to have a separate meeting on this subject and not hold up tonight agenda.

Seven people spoke supporting the new library stating their reasons, from history of the shore to child development. The majority of the speakers were from Onancock but they ranged from Parksley to Melfa. No mention of the $8 million dollar price tag or location was made.

County audit report was made by David Foley CPA from the firm of Robinson, Farner, Cox Associates giving the county the highest possible rating. He did go on to say he had reached out to both of the Constitutional officers in the Treasurer's office and the Commissioner's office offering professional guidance on how they might rectify the deficiencies noted in their respective areas.

Stuart Hall Public Works Director spoke to the Board about the $376,000 that the county had received for Sandy clean up that requires $33,583 of local matching funds. A motion was made to take these matching dollars from the contingency fund and move forward.

County Sheriff Mr. Todd Godwin was briefly at the meeting to request a burning ban to prevent over working of the already stressed fire departments up and down the county. Wanda Thornton explained that she always supported request from the Sheriff's Department but in this case she could not because of all the trees down on Chincoteague and some being infested with the Pine bark beetle and the only way to kill them was to burn the tree. A motion was made and passed exempting the Island from the burn ban.

A $142,000 grant has been given to the County from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to do a joint land use study with the Navy. The Board approved the rewarding of this grant to Clark Nexsen & Ecology and Environment Incorporation to provide the consulting services for this study.

County manager Steve Miner suggested a work session with the Citizens for a new library and a separate work session with EDA and the EMS group.

Mark Taylor county attorney presented his letter to the supervisors on different ways to appoint or elect school boards.
Source:

Fire Being Investigated In Accomack County

After what seems to be only a few hours of a peaceful lull Accomack County could possibly working on arson #71.

Thursday, March 21,2013/ 10:30 PM
Stations were called to the vicinity of 30120 Society Drive in Mppsville, Va. The fire was reported as a woods fire but within minutes it was discovered  to be an abandoned structure fire and located on Metompkin Drive just a short distance from the address given.
It is not known if the fire is a result of a control burn (control burns are now banned) or arson.  The fire is under investigation.


Reminder:

An award of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of the person or persons involved in the fires.

Call the Accomack County Sheriff's Department tip line at 757 655-1437 if you have any information that might help police.

HARLEY IS HOME !

After days and days of waiting for him to tire of running and return home, and countless hours of looking and waiting

HARLEY   IS  HOME!

 

It no longer matters where he has been or what took him so long to miss home.....

 

Harley is home now playing with his toys, eating from his same food bowl and awaiting ANXIOUSLY for a long ride in the pick up truck!! 

 

Oh, and then a bath!

 

WELCOME HOME HARLEY !

 

 

Sheriff'sOffice Seeking Suspect Wanted In Shooting

From Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin


On Sunday, March 17 at approximately 4:54 pm, the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report from the Eastern Shore 911 Center of a subject shot at the Pine Ridge Trailer Park in Melfa. Upon the arrival of Deputies, it was determined that an altercation had occurred between several individuals resulting in multiple gunshots being fired.

 One subject received a gunshot wound and was transported by Melfa Rescue to Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and later transferred to a Hampton Roads area hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Through the investigation into this incident, a suspect was identified and warrants were issued against 20 year old Christopher Monfiston of Belle Haven for one count of Malicious Wounding, with additional charges pending.

Assisting with this incident were officers from the Parksley and Onancock Police Departments.

Anyone with information into this incident or the whereabouts of Christopher Monfiston is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666.

Harlem Shake Done Tasley Fire Company Style

In spite of the off  beat long hours these brave men and women are aroused from sleep or drawn from their loving families or arrive  late to work  it is wonderful to see that  there is still room for humor.

We care about them because they care about us.



Tasley Volunteer Fire Company
STATION 8
Tasley, Virginia

TASLEY VOL. FIRE COMPANY on Facebook

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview

It's 1913 and a young Salisbury office worker is found dead sitting in a chair at her office desk. Mystery heightened as an investigation proceeded and it grew into a case drawing widespread attention. Read the first in a series of articles on the case this Sunday.

1977.. Pocomoke City church dedicates new sanctuary; 1947.. A late March snow; 1930- Market Street site approved for new Pocomoke High School; 1934.. Part 4 (concluding portion) of first-hand remembrances of life on lower shore in mid-1800's.
　
Although you may not find these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye!


　 Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about. It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

Prayer Vigil Tonight

 

 

 Heading North on Rt. 13, Turn right at Saxis Rd and then left on Jerusalem Rd. Church is on Jerusalem Rd.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Sheri!

Burglary Suspect Arrested On Boardwalk

On March 16, 2013, at approximately 11:15 p.m. Ocean City Police responded to the Comfort Inn hotel located at 507 Atlantic Avenue, in reference to a burglary and theft of an off duty police officers handgun.
 
Officer arrived at the scene and met with the victim who was identified as an off-duty federal law enforcement officer who was staying in the hotel over the weekend.  The victim related that he had left the hotel room and returned to discover his off-duty .40 caliber handgun and several items of personal property were missing and believed stolen.

During the on-scene investigation, police were able to view the hotel video surveillance system which further helped identified a suspect.  The description of the suspect was broadcast to other police officers in the area. 

Within 30 minutes of the initial report of the theft, officers located a suspect at 8^th Street and the boardwalk.  Officers detained the suspect who was identified as Jeffery Lynn King, 19, of Bridgeville Delaware.  Police recovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun from King’s waist band, which they subsequently confirmed was the stolen handgun.

Additionally officers recovered several items of property belonging to the victim, which were stolen during the burglary of the hotel room. It was determined that King fired the handgun in the hotel room during the burglary.

King was arrested and charged as follows:

• 1^st Degree Burglary
• 3^rd Degree Burglary
• 4^th Degree Burglary
• Possession of a Handgun
• Reckless Endangerment $1000.00
• Discharging a Firearm within Ocean City

King, who also had an outstanding juvenile warrant from Wicomico County, was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and was held on $100,000.00 bond.  King was transferred to the Worcester County Jail.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Upcoming Events ~ Delmarva Discovery Center

Sharpen your pencil and save the dates for the great events the Delmarva Discovery Center is offering...

 

In the next few weeks we have the following;
 3/24 Easter Egg Hunt
 4/4 Ruby Tuesday's Fundraiser
 4/6 and 4/7 Locals Appreciation Weekend
 4/13 Reptile Fesatival

 

See flyer below for more events....

 

Project S.O.L.O. Results in 12 DUI Arrests for OCPD

The Ocean City Police Department took part in Project “Saving Our Loved Ones” (S.O.L.O.) over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  Project S.O.L.O. is a statewide initiative to combat impaired driving and underage drinking to ultimately save lives and reduce roadway deaths.

  Numerous officers were deployed during the initiative which resulted in 12 individuals being charged with driving under the influence, 2 criminal arrests, 3 alcohol citations, 13 equipment repair orders, 35 citations, and 77 warnings.

Citizens are reminded that officers are always patrolling the area for impaired drivers and are encouraged to utilize the many sober driving options available to them including the municipal bus service and private taxis.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Upcoming Community Events/ March 29- 31

The Pocomoke Ministerial Association will be having a Community Good Friday Service at the Abundant Life Apostolic Church on Front Street on Friday, March 29 at noon.

Pitts Creek and Beaver Dam Presbyterian Churches and Salem and Bethany Methodist Churches will have a joint Easter Morning Sunrise Service on the dock behind Salem church at 6:30 am on March 31. All are invited.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY IN ACCOMACK COUNTY!

Photo BW

This photos was taken on Sunday March 16, 2013 in a small community in Accomack County.  It is a photo of a control burn which is completely legal in the county after 4 PM.  Residents must call the nonemergency number to inform Accomack 911 Center that you will be burning.  It's a law that comes into effect in Virginia every February.  This year it should have been thought about sooner.

Saxis Volunteer Fire Company was alerted which resulted in the response of a brush truck followed by their tanker.

Normally this would have been no big deal but with Accomack County working on 71 unsolved arsons since November 12, 2012 IT IS!

Tuesday evening fire units were called to an abandoned structure fire.  The alerted fire departments responded to such fire in the same manner they have always responded only to find that this was a control burn.  Someone had seen flames and called the fire into 911 which in turn alerted the needed stations and sent them scrambling to a fire that did not need their response at all.  Control burn.

What a waste of resources in every capacity!  Our emergency personnel investigator, police officers, and anyone working deeply with this investigation is worn out! 

And this disturbed me greatly. It wasn't the residents fault for calling in a fire.  We have been told repeatedly to report anything suspicious.  And how can anyone consider even striking a match knowing the possibility  that a control burn can become uncontrollable in a matter of seconds.

These are two I am aware of.

However, things changed Wednesday afternoon.  I'm just sorry the change didn't happen sooner.  And shame on ALL the supervisors of Accomack County if you had to wait for your regular meeting to discuss this dire situation.

But it is what it is and I just hope everyone adheres to it because if I see a flame I'll be upset again.

Thank you Sheriff Todd Godwin !

 

EFFECTIVE  IMMEDIATELY   IN  ACCOMACK  COUNTY

 

Controlled Burn Ban.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Dept. says this was necessary after a few controlled fires caused already exhausted firefighters to rush out to the fires.

Wednesday - March  20, 2013
ACCOMAC--The Accomack County Board of Supervisors approved a request made by Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin to authorize a temporary ban on controlled burns because of the arson spree plaguing the county.
 T
here have been over 70 arsons in Accomack County since November

 Godwin said firefighters already weary from responding to near-nightly arsons were called out needlessly to two controlled burns Tuesday night, one in Painter and another in Poplar Cove.
 
Passersby reported the fires.

“We are taxing our firefighters now…God bless them, they are worn out,” said Godwin.
 
The board unanimously approved authorizing a standing committee to implement the ban, similar to what happens during a drought.
 
The board will reconsider the ban on a month-to-month basis.
 Supervisors agreed to exempt the town of Chincoteague from the ban after Supervisor Wanda Thornton, who represents the island community, said it has a serious issue with pine bark beetles that would make a burn ban a hardship.

“We have to burn them, there’s no other way,” she said of hundreds of affected trees on the island.

 None of the arsons have occurred on Chincoteague.
 
Godwin said he knows the burn ban will place a burden on area farmers and others, but said the safety of firefighters outweighs those concerns at present.

“I think we’ve got to protect our firefighters and our law enforcement,” he said.
 
The ban includes all towns in the county with the exception of Chincoteague.
 
Godwin assured the board, “We are doing everything possible to catch this person or persons” and thanked supervisors for their support.

Residents Pray For End To Arsons

Jason Marks/WAVY
ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - Tuesday night, local churches on the Eastern Shore teamed up to pray for an arrest of an arsonist who has so far burned more than 70 structures.
At Nandua High School in Onley, approximately 100 residents gathered for a prayer service.

Interactive Timeline: Eastern Shore arsons

"We should have been doing this after there were 10 arsons or 20 arsons," Reverend Steve Jones said.  "If it goes on long enough, someone will be serious injured or killed."

 

Accomac resident Ada Jo said there is fear throughout the county.

"I think everybody is afraid somebody will be hurt or someone's home will be burned," Jo said.

Brooks Pruitt, also from Accomac, said the prayer service was held in an effort to halt the terrorizing acts.

"The Bible says if you ask in his name you will receive it," Pruitt said. "So, we are asking."

"We're doing this because we think we need God's help, God's intervention," Jones said.

The group also prayed for the safety of volunteer firefighters, who are also receiving help in the form of donations from a Harrisburg, Pa. fire department. 

Locals throughout the Eastern Shore are setting up collection boxes for bottled water, hot chocolate, coffee, snack foods and cups for the firefighters.

There will be a similar prayer event Thursday at the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Temperanceville at 7 p.m.

Source:

Pocomoke City Police Chief Will Speak To Youths

Melanie Bolling from the Save the Youth organization has announced that
Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin D. Sewell will be speaking to the youth of the Pocomoke City community....

TOPIC:  Bullying

LOCATION: New Macedonia Baptist Church

DATE/TIME:   Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 6:00 pm

The Save the Youth organization is in the process of making some changes in order to make its group of youths more attractive to the community.  Your support will be appreciated.

Persons in the community of Pocomoke interested are also invited to attend.

For more info contact Ms. Bolling at 410-957-1750

Exmore Moose Lodge Accepting Donations For Accomack Co. Fire Departments

FOR MORE INFO

A Minute with Mike: Maryland's Outrageous Gas Tax & Budget

A Minute With Mike....


From March 15,2013

www.delegatemcdermott.com

 www.twitter.com/Del_McDermott

www.facebook.com/ElectMikeMcDermott

Driving While Impaired/Under Influence Gets One Arrested

On March 17, 2013 a Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy stopped a vehicle for weaving from lane to lane on Rt 50 near Bell Road. The driver, Ryan Taylor 21 of Salisbury Md. Appeared to have been drinking. Mr. Taylor performed poorly on field sobriety tests.

Taylor was arrested and charged with Driving While Impaired and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Taylor was released pending trial.

Submitted:
Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office  

Worcester County Sheriff's Dept. Looking To Arm Schools With Armed Officers

WMDT
By Alyana Gomez
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. - Law enforcement in Worcester County crunched the numbers and put a price tag on the cost to increase safety in area schools.

The Sandy Hook tragedy prompted a call for action, to heighten security in our schools nationwide, and now the Worcester County Sheriff's Department is responding.

"It's paramount that we have an armed police officer there who can make an arrest, who has been trained properly, who can make that split second decision whether to use deadly force," said Lt. Andy McGee, of the Worcester County Sheriff's Department.

The goal is to have 13 new deputies for each public school. The projected price is $1.7 million.

Police broke things down for WMDT. They say the base salary for a deputy is around $42,000. The cost of their patrol car is about $27,000, and the Tough Book system inside their car costs about $5,000. To hire one deputy, officials say it will cost the department about $121,000.

"The reason that cost is so high is because Ford doesn't make a sedan anymore, so we have to go to an SUV style vehicle," said Lt. McGee. He explained that the department is now shelling out more than $10,000 in those SUV vehicles, rather than the Crown Victoria they used to buy.

Worcester County School officials say they're backing this proposal and hope to add new safety features, like a buzzer entry system and magnetic key card for administrators coming back into the building from those portable classrooms.

"The governor has set aside $25 million for school safety, and school systems across our state are waiting to see how much is going to be allocated and we're in the same mode," said Barbara Witherow, Safety Committee Member and Coordinator for Public Relations for Worcester County Schools.

Police say if they're awarded grants it will most likely cover three years. After that, the county will have to absorb the costs. This proposal will be pitched at the Worcester County Commissioner's meeting around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday.

Right now the proposal is only to have officers in public schools, not private schools. However, police say they're in the beginning stages and will look into that later on.

SOURCE and VIDEO

Le Tour De Shore Event

Le Tour De Shore

Come bike on the beautiful country roads of the Eastern Shore.  Our charming little towns are sprinkled with historic homes, museums, art galleries and shops that we are sure you’ll want to come back and visit after your ride.  All routes start at and end at the Onancock School, 6 College Ave., Onancock, Virginia.  Saturday, May 18 is also “Super Saturday” in the town of Onancock. For more information on “Super Saturday” visit the town website.

Event Information

• Saturday, May 18, 2013
• All routes start and end at the Onancock School, 6 College Ave., Onancock, VA . Rides start at 8 a.m. with registration starting at 7:15 a.m.
• Choose from:
  • 17 Mile (9 a.m. Start)
  • 30 Mile (9 a.m. Start)
  • 55 Mile (8 a.m. Start)
  • 70 Mile (8 a.m. Start)
  Completion of the ride is optional.
• Designated rest stops with restrooms, beverages and light snacks.
• Sag (Support and Gear) Wagon support available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• All participants must complete an event waiver prior to participating in the ride.
• Participants 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times on the route and must wear a helmet.
• Finish line festivities from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• The ride will take place rain or shine. No refunds.
• BBQ Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. back at the Onancock School.    

 Registration Information

Fees

• Adults:
  • Early registration fee is $45
  • After April 15, 2013 - $55
  • Day of Tour - $60
• Children:
  • Ages 7 to 15 - $25
  • Under 7 is FREE

Registering

Online: Individuals can register online with a credit card.
Paper Form: Download a registration form, and     

• Complete and mail-in with check made payable to the ESVA Chamber of Commerce, or...
• Drop off at the Eastern Shore of VA Chamber of Commerce Office in Melfa, VA, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A portion of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce proceeds will benefit the Eastern Shore Coalition against Domestic Violence.

ESVA Chamber of Commerce

Worcester County Community Meetings

Community Meetings

Germantown Community Meeting,  April 5 at New Bethel United Methodist Church on Germantown Rd at 6 pm.

Bishopville Community Meeting, Bishopville Fire Dept, April 10th at 6 pm., community room.

Oyster Harbor Community Watch Meeting, April 11th at 6 pm at the West Ocean City Fire Department, Keyser Point Road, upstairs community room.

Stockton Community Meeting on April 19 that 6 pm at the Stockton Fire Department.