Sunday, September 29, 2013

Today is Gold Star Mother's Day

Gold Star Mother’s Day, (not a public holiday) is observed in the United States on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.


A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces.  It may be seen on a service flag or in the form of a pin, which is worn by Gold Star mothers.

If you know a Gold Start Mom please recognize her today - and everyday.

Downtown Pocomoke's Fall Festival


TIME MACHINE ... 1956, 1911, 1930, 1909, 1884


(Reader-friendly viewing of newspaper archives material)


(Greenbackville's 1956 Accomplishment)
March, 1956
(Salisbury Times)

Greenbackville Gets Its First Fire Engine

GREENBACKVILLE, Va.- A new fire engine has been purchased from the Lombardo Beach Fire Dept. of near Baltimore and was driven back to town recently by Milton Kelly of the fire company.

In the midst of the excitement, someone shouted "Fire!" It was a fire but only a brush fire which was quickly put out by the fire company with no damage done.

Greenbackville Fire Dept. handles its own fires now without having to call on Stockton, New Church, Chincoteague, Girdletree, (or) Snow Hill.

A drive is now being conducted to secure donations for equipment. The Ladies Auxiliary will have a supper on April 14 for the benefit of the company.


 
October, 1956
(Salisbury Times)

Town To Dedicate New Fire Company

GREENBACKVILLE, Va.- The new Greenbackville Fire Co. will be dedicated 2P.M. Oct 28.
 
Organized in February, the new company recently completed a town fire house and moved two engines in on Sept. 1.

Prior to February, Greenbackville had no fire company of its own. When three fires struck the town in January, residents decided that a fire department was needed.

At organization meetings in February, officers were elected and people of the town donated enough money to purchase a fire engine. Committees were nominated to raise more money and a Ladies Auxiliary was organized.

Another engine was purchased and the townspeople, donating their time and talents, built a fire house on a lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Selby.

Until the fire house was built, the two engines were housed in a barn on the farm of Nelson Collins.

Footnote: On its editorial page a few days following the above article the newspaper stated: "Next Sunday is more than the dedication of a fire company. It is a demonstration that when a community becomes dedicated to the achievement of a goal, that
goal can be reached."


 
November, 1911
(Trenton Evening Times- Trenton, N.J.)

SAYS DANCING AND CARDS CAUSE CRIME

SALISBURY, MD., Nov 23.- Dancing, especially the "round" sort, card playing and other "worldly amusements" were subjects of animated debate at a conference of the Virginia Conference Methodist Episcopal Church South. President E.H. Rowe of the Southern Seminary, Buena Vista, offered a resolution against dancing, saying that he wished to discourage the desire of some of the young women who attended the seminary for that form of entertainment.

Other speakers declared that the conference should not confine its disapproval to dancing, but should go on record against other "worldly amusements." A substitute resolution was finally adopted, causing attention to the church's ruling on these questions. Bishop Klein pointed to the Beattle Case as an example of the evils to which dancing led.

Footnote: The highly publicized Beattle case of 1911 involved the state of Virginia's charge against Henry Clay Beattle Jr., in the murder of his wife. Beattle died in the electric chair about a week after this article was published. He claimed his innocence throughout his trial but confessed on death row. Unclear is why this case was cited as "an example of the evils to which dancing led." 


 
December, 1930
(The Morning Herald- Hagerstown, Md.)

STATE STREAMS ARE DRYING UP

Dangerous Water Situation Faces Many Communities

(Excerpts)

Baltimore, Dec. 12, (AP)- Surface streams upon which 70% of the population of Maryland draws its water supply are rapidly drying up, and the seriousness of the drought is becoming more apparent, the State Department of Health said today in a bulletin issued from its office here. 

Restrictions were placed on consumption at Pocomoke City, the only Eastern Shore community to feel heavy effects of the drought. - Officials of the Health Department some time ago said the Eastern Shore would not feel the worst effects of the drought for several months.



 
July, 1909
(The Washington Post)

Ice Plant for Lower Eastern Shore

Special to the Washington Post

Snow Hill, Md., July 21- An ice manufacturing plant is to be located here much to the satisfaction of hundreds of residents of this part of the peninsula. The water here is ideal for such purpose. It is said the plant will be in running order by September 15.

 
 
 
March, 1884 (Time Machine archive)
(The New York Times)

A LEARNED JUDGE AND A MULE

From The Wilmington (Del) Every Evening.

The celebrated "mule case" was decided in Princess Anne, Md., last week, and the people of Somerset County now breathe more freely. Squire Warwick rendered the decision in the presence of everybody who could squeeze into his office. The evidence in the case showed that Augustus Reid sold the mule to R.L.T. Dixon for $70, taking the payment in two notes, one for $50 and one for $20. The note for $20 was to be met in cash; the other was payable in goods from Dixon's mill. Dixon took his mule home and tried to make him work, but the long eared beast had made up his mind not to do anything, and he stuck to that resolve with pertinacity. Thereupon Dixon entered a plea of value not received, and refused to redeem the notes. Hence the suit. Four lawyers took hold of the case, and there were witnesses produced to testify that the mule was worth all the way from nothing downward or upward, as there sympathies vibrated between purchaser and seller. The hearing occupied the greater part of two days, the Squire taking the second day to review the evidence and the arguments and consider the best way out of the controversy. He finally came to the conclusion that the ends of justice would best be served by awarding the mule to Reid and requiring Dixon to pay the *costs. The lawyers consider the decision a little irregular, but the people generally hold that, as the mule possessed no monetary value, the Squire would have done violence to those great principles of justice which underline the framework of all jurisprudence had he required Dixon to pay anything for the animal.


*(assume reference to court costs)



 
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!

Enjoy The Warm Autumn Days Outside While You Can!

Autumn is upon us and very soon time will change giving us those shorter days and nights that seem to last forever!  

So, before the cold, rainy and shortened days arrive don't forget to get out with the family and stretch those legs and  enjoy the mild weather while you can.  

Photo/ BW

Activities are unlimited almost in Cypress Park.  If you don't like to fish walk the Nature Trail located in the back of the park. The Nature Trail, just recently completed,  now ventures all the way to Stevenson's Pond. 

Photo/ BW

Stop for a visit at the  Olive Lippoldt Memorial Tidal Garden.  A footbridge, erected by a group of volunteer Sailors from the Wallops Island Station makes it an excellent area to view plant life and marine life. The plaques around the garden will provide you will all the information you need.  

Photo/ BW
Olive Lippoldt Memorial Tidal Garden 

Pack a picnic lunch and have a picnic  on one of the brand new handmade picnic tables!   Nathan Stephens a local Boy Scout from Troop 0311 is responsible for building  the tables  in order to achieve his Eagle Scout status.

Photo/ BW

You'll also find tennis courts and a playground for the younger ones.  There's plenty of room to run......  And it's all free.

Better hurry.  The nice weather won't last forever!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Accused Arsonist Leaves Jail / Attorney Files For New Trial Location

Story and Photo by Linda Cicoira
Toting a clear plastic bag of books and papers and dressed in the T-shirt, rolled-up green pants and large white hoop earrings she was wearing on the night she was arrested in April, Tonya Susan 
Bundick was released from Accomack Jail Monday after being incarcerated for more than 5½ months.

In an effort to avoid members of the press, two county deputies escorted the accused arsonist out the side door and then drove her to the magistrate’s office around the corner. There she signed bond documents and was set free until her trial in November.

Eastern Shore Bail Bonds of Accomac posted the $30,000 needed for her get-out-of-jail card. Five weeks ago, Judge Glen A. Tyler set the amount. Before that Bundick was held without bond. Defense lawyer Shannon Dunham of Eastville brought the required $3,000 (10 percent) to the company Monday morning. 

“Due to confidentially reasons, I cannot disclose” who came up with the funds, said Michael Allen, an owner of the bond business. 

The 40-year-old Hopeton woman’s name is now a household word as allegations and photos of her and her fiancĂ©, Charles Robert Smith, 38, were published by news agencies around the globe. 

Bundick is facing counts of arson and conspiracy. Smith, who is still being held in jail with bond denied, was indicted on 68 counts of arson and conspiracy.

Dunham filed a motion last week asking Tyler for a change of venue, the legal term for moving a trial to a new location. Tyler will hear arguments on the motion Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, Carl Bundick, who represents Smith, also known as Charlie Applegate, asked that the court suppress “all evidentiary matters and items seized by the government during a warrant-less seizure and search of” Smith and the vehicle the couple were in when they were arrested on April 1.

The lawyer is arguing that the seizures violated Smith’s “fourth, fifth and sixth amendment rights of the Constitution of the United States.” 

“No probable cause and/or … existed after such initial seizure,” Carl Bundick wrote. “No voluntary consent existed for such seizure or search.”The lawyer says Smith was not given a “Miranda 
warning … in this case.” 

Nearly 80 arsons were reported in Accomack from November 2012 to April 2013. Smith confessed to setting a majority of the blazes, according to court documents. He told police Tonya Bundick set 15 blazes.

Source:

TIME MACHINE ...This Sunday's Preview


1956.. A year of accomplishment for Greenbackville's citizens; 1911.. Church conference debates evils of dancing and card playing; 1930.. Drought brings restrictions in Pocomoke City; 1909.. Snow Hill to get ice plant; 1884.. Princess Anne's celebrated mule case.

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!

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Seeking Information On Theft From Furnace Town

On September 26, 2013, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office responded to Furnace Town in Snow Hill for a reported theft. The responding deputy learned that a large metal "Pink Pig" had been removed from the property overnight.

 It was further determined that the "Pink Pig" has an indentical twin that is still on scene. The Sheriff's Office is asking for the Public's Assistance in locating said stolen pig. 

The pig is described as approximately 3-4 feet in length, and about 2 feet in width. The employees at Furnace Town would like to have it returned unharmed as they ready for the Celtic Festival. 

The Sheriff's Office is seeking any information that you can provide in assisting us in locating the missing pig. The pig is extremely heavy and would require at least two people to remove it.


 If you are able to identify or know of the whereabouts of the "Pink Pig" in the photograph, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 410-632-1112

WCBI Arrests Alleged Sex Offender

David Wayne Tatman
Arrest of an alleged sex offender in Worcester County.

On Wednesday, September 25th members of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Wayne Tatman

The arrest warrant was the result of several months of prior investigation which began with a former victim of Tatman’s filing a report with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. 

Through further investigation, evidence was obtained which indicated that Tatman had indeed committed the alleged offenses. 

The case was presented to the Grand Jury of Worcester County who issued an arrest warrant.Tatman was remanded to the custody of the Worcester County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

GUMBORO MUDBOG TODAY

GUMBORO  MUDBOG  
TODAY !!
Saturday, September 28, 2013


GATES OPEN @ 10 am
RACE BEGINS @ 1pm

REGISTRATION:
 10 am - 12 pm

ADMISSION:
* Adults  & Children 10+  - $7
*Children under 10 FREE (All 
    children must be accompanied
    by an adult
~~~
*Pit admission - $5 per person
*All drivers & 1 crew person
    FREE in pits.
~ ~ ~ ~
Winner of the Gambler's Race at Crisfield Mudbog, Saturday, August 31, 2013
Driver:  Barry Long
Sod Buster
Gambler's Race
Dial-In Time: 3.932
Actual Time:  3.870



Sunday ~ Cygnus To Rendevous With the ISS

NASA and its International Space Station partners have approved a Sunday, Sept. 29, target arrival of Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft on its demonstration cargo resupply mission to the space station.

NASA Television coverage of the rendezvous will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT and will continue through the capture and installation of the Cygnus spacecraft. For the latest schedule for spacecraft capture and installation, as well as the post-berthing news conference, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/19M65lk

Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., launched the Cygnus spacecraft on the company's Antares rocket Sept. 18 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

International Space Station Expedition 37 crew members Karen Nyberg of NASA and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency will capture the spacecraft using the space station's robotic arm. They then will install Cygnus on the bottom of the station's Harmony module.

Cygnus will deliver about 1,300 pounds (589 kilograms) of cargo, including student experiments, food and clothing, to the space station. Future Cygnus flights will ensure a robust national capability to deliver critical science research to orbit, significantly increasing NASA's ability to conduct new science investigations to the only laboratory in microgravity.

Cygnus had been scheduled for a rendezvous with the space station on Sept. 22. Due to a data format mismatch, the first rendezvous attempt was postponed. Orbital has since updated and tested a software patch. Cygnus' arrival also was postponed pending the Sept. 25 arrival of the Expedition 37 crew. Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA and Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) arrived at the space station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The updated Sunday rendezvous and approach will include originally planned tests to validate Cygnus' performance as it approaches the space station.

Orbital built and is testing Cygnus under NASAs Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Program. The successful completion of the COTS demonstration mission will pave the way for Orbital to conduct eight planned cargo resupply flights to the space station through NASAs $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract with the company.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For more information about the mission and the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Join the conversation on social media by following hashtags Cygnus and ISS. 

Driver Arrested & Charged With Drug Charges

On September 27th 2013 at 1030 am, a Sheriff Deputy with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the area of US route 113 and Hotel road, for a speed violation of 82/55. When the Deputy approached the vehicle the Deputy could smell a strong odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and through the course of the vehicle search the Deputy found a black purse on the front passenger side floor board. Inside the purse were numerous smoking devices (drug paraphernalia) and a baggie of suspected Marijuana. The owner of the purse, the front seat passenger, was identified as Imani Nicole Thomas, 19 years of age from Newark Delaware.

Thomas was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of Marijuana less 10 grams, and was released on Criminal Citations for both.

The operator of the Jeep was issued a Citation for speed of 82/55.

Submitted:
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Friday, September 27, 2013

STOLEN From Furnace Town

Sometime last night, Wednesday 25, 2013, this iron sculpture was stolen from Furnace Town. 

Since this does not belong to Furnace Town we ask that whoever has found it to be amusing to steal someone else's artwork to please return it! 

We (Furnace Town) will take care of repairing the fence that you knocked down in the process!

Furnace Town Photo

Furnace Town Photo

 As a non-profit historical site it is really a shame that people have no respect for others who are trying desperately to preserve the heritage.

Concerning Handgun Purchase Applications Submitted On Or Before September 30

FIREARM PURCHASE APPLICANTS WITH APPLICATIONS PENDING ON OCTOBER 1 WILL NOT  NEED TO OBTAIN A HANDGUN QUALIFICATION LICENSE

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Marylanders who have submitted handgun purchase applications on or before September 30 will not be required to obtain a handgun qualification license, as required by the new law that is set to take effect on Oct. 1.   

The new law that takes effect in Maryland on October 1 states that a handgun may not be sold, rented, or transferred unless the purchaser, lessee, or transferee has a valid handgun qualification license. 

The Maryland State Police (MSP) will not enforce the requirements of the new law with respect to applicants whose applications are pending as of October 1.  It was widely understood that the new requirements would not be enforced as to applications that were pending before October 1. In light of the number of currently pending applications—resulting from the unprecedented spike in new applications in recent months—it is a fair, reasoned, and appropriate result for those who are waiting for their pending purchase applications to be processed. 

Persons who submit purchase applications on or after October 1, 2013, unless otherwise exempted by law, will be required to apply for and obtain a handgun qualification license before attempting to purchase a handgun.   

MSP is working diligently to process all pending firearm purchase applications as expeditiously as possible. A record level of firearm sales in Maryland that began last fall—and which has only intensified in recent days—has led to an unparalleled number of pending purchase applications. MSP’s Licensing Division commenced 21-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operations last December—more than doubling the staff in the division—in order to process the spike in applications. MSP has also used additional State Police personnel, who worked more than 24,000 hours of overtime in the past year. Despite those efforts, the number of pending purchase applications continued to grow.   


The members of MSP’s Licensing Division will continue to work diligently to process pending applications as quickly as possible, without jeopardizing public safety for speed. MSP greatly appreciates the patience of both the licensed firearms dealers holding the weapons, and Marylanders awaiting approval to receive their guns. 

Submitted:
MD. State Police

Worcester County Rabies Clinic

Rabies Clinic
Worcester County

Wednesday, October 2nd
 Stockton Fire Dept. - 5:30-7:00 p.m.


Thursday, October 3rd 
Showell Fire Dept. 5:30 -7:00 p.m.

$5.00 resident / $10 non resident
Proof of residency required

Delmarva Discovery Center Presents 'Mommy and Me; Daddy's too!'


Do you have a young child age 3 or 4? 
Are you looking for interactive experiences for you and your child? 
The Delmarva Discovery Center proudly presents the newest environmental educational programming
'Mommy and Me; Daddy's too!' 




Every Tuesday, starting 10/15, we will have a 30 minute interactive program for children ages 3 and 4 and their parents/caretakers!

Call Sarah Rubin, Director of Education and Exhibits, srubin@delmarvadiscoverycenter.org

Thursday, September 26, 2013

UPDATE: Identity Released In West OC Fatal Hit And Run

WEST OCEAN CITY, Md. - Police have released the identity of the man killed during Friday night's hit and run crash in West Ocean City. Maryland State Police say Jerold Sharoff was reportedly hit by a vehicle on Route 50 near Elm Street on Friday night, around 10:10 PM.

58-year-old Sharoff was later pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital. Police say the suspect vehicle continued driving Eastbound on Route 50 after the collision.

Maryland State Police say the vehicle was a red Ford full sized pick-up, believed to be a 2009 - 2013. The truck reportedly will have severe damage to the driver side front fender, bumper, and headlight area. According to the report, the crash happened right in front of the Starbucks Coffee and Outback Steakhouse.

Anyone with information on the crash, or whereabouts of the truck, are asked to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. 


Crime Solvers is offering an up to $1,000 Reward for information leading to an arrest.

Source:

Arrest Made in Princess Anne Shooting

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.– Princess Anne police have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with last weekend's off-campus shooting of a University of Maryland Eastern Shore student. 

 Tyshon Gabriel Hobson Sr., 26, of Princess Anne, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and related firearm violations.


Police said Hobson shot 21-year-old Devin Ryan Johnson early Sunday morning on Somerset Avenue, just blocks away from the UMES campus. Johnson was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.

Following his arrest on the aforementioned charges, Hobson was ordered held without bond in the Somerset County Detention Center.

WBOC

GUMBORO MUDBOGGING THIS WEEKEND...



Mudbogging  Action  In 
Gumboro 
This Weekend!!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013  


GATES OPEN @ 10 am
RACE BEGINS @ 1pm

REGISTRATION:
 10 am - 12 pm

ADMISSION:
* Adults  & Children 10+  - $7
*Children under 10 FREE (All 
    children must be accompanied
    by an adult
~~~
*Pit admission - $5 per person
*All drivers & 1 crew person
    FREE in pits.

 

Refreshments sold on premises. 

  POWER WHEELS RACING @
    each event!!  (Must be equipped
    with manufacturer's battery.  NO
    EXCEPTIONS!!)

TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.




1956.. A year of accomplishment for Greenbackville's citizens; 1911.. Church conference debates evils of dancing and card playing; 1930.. Drought brings restrictions in Pocomoke City; 1909.. Snow Hill to get ice plant; 1884.. Princess Anne's celebrated mule case.

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 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!

Worcester County Recreation Center ~ Stroller Fitness

From Worcester County Dept. of Recreation & Parks:
Stroller Fitness started today at the Worcester County Recreation Center! We are still taking registration for this class, so join us next week, Thursday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m.




New Police K-9 Unit For Pocomoke City Police Department

The newest member of the Pocomoke City Police Department was introduced to the Pocomoke City Mayor and Council at their September meeting.
K-9 Exodus is ready to go to work and will be handled by K-9 Officer Matthew Conner. 

Welcome K-9 Exodus !!

Pocomoke Fire Co. 2nd Annual A.Y.C.E. Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction

Pocomoke Fire Co. 2nd Annual A.Y.C.E. Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction


Friday, October 11 
5 pm-8 pm

Pocomoke Community Center 
Pocomoke City, Maryland

INVESTIGATION QUICKLY LEADS POLICE TO SCOOTER THEFT SUSPECT

Treyon Miles Parker
(September 23, 2013) – On September 21, 2013, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Ocean City police
responded to Continental Cycles at 7203 Coastal Highway in reference to the theft of a scooter. Upon their arrival, officers learned that an employee had noticed a scooter was missing approximately a half hour before calling the police. The employee informed the officer that during that time, they had located the scooter in the area of 75th Street with a blanket draped over it and the registration plate and key missing.

 During the investigation, officers quickly determined the suspect’s as: Treyon Miles Parker, 22, of Laurel, DE.  When officers located Parker, they discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. During a search, officers found prescription Xanax pills on his person. Officers then were able to locate the registration plate and key to the scooter nearby. 

 Parker was charged by Ocean City police with theft ($1,000 to $10,000), possession of Xanax without a prescription and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. Parker was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and was held on $8000 bond.  Parker was later transferred to Worcester County Jail.

Submitted by:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company Celebrating 125 Years!

Celebrating 125 Years! 

The Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company was officially chartered on December 18th, 1888 following a devastating fire in November of that year. 

We are proud to have served our community for over a century.

Data Entry Personnel From a State Public Safety Department will Assist MSP With Additional Firearm Purchase Applications

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – With intense security protocols in place, two dozen data entry personnel from a state public safety department have been enlisted to assist Maryland State Police with the entry of information from additional firearm purchase applications that have been received in the last two weeks at the rate of about 1,000 per day.   

Beginning Friday, September 20, 2013, 24 data entry employees from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) have assisted the State Police Licensing Division with the input of applicant information from another 10,000 firearm purchase applications that have been received in the last two weeks.  This data entry enables law enforcement personnel from the Maryland State Police (MSP) and the assisting state law enforcement agencies to begin the required background investigations of each purchase applicant sooner.  No employees from any other state agency will be involved with the additional data entry assistance.  The DPSCS employees will not be involved in investigation of any firearms application. 

Security protocols are in place to limit the access of DPSCS employees to the State Police database.  They include the following: 

-The input screen for the database is on an internal MSP network, meaning the Internet will not be used; 

-Access to the internal network is encrypted; 

-A Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is being used to encrypt data to and from the server and the end user’s computer for both DPSCS and MSP employees; 

-Each individual DPSCS employee has been assigned a unique log-in and password; 

-Every action a user makes on the network will be recorded and all activity will be monitored; 

-IP addresses provided by DPSCS are filtered and restricted in range to the smallest amount needed to complete this task; 

-With the exception of the supervisor overseeing the work, DPSCS employees will only be able to enter data from new applications and will be unable to view or access any other records in the database; 

-Access to firearm application records will be restricted to only the information needed to enter the record into the database; 

-Upon their employment, all DPSCS employees agreed not to disclose confidential information acquired by reason of his or her public position; 

-In addition to this agreement and further instructions at the commencement of the assignment regarding the confidentiality of the 
information, all assisting DPSCS employees will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement specific to this detail;   

-No DPSCS employee will be accessing criminal background databases or conducting any aspect of a firearm purchase application background 
investigation. 

In a separate program, originally announced on September 12, 2013, additional assistance to conduct background investigations continues to be provided to the Maryland State Police by 20 sworn state law enforcement officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Natural Resources Police, the Maryland Transit Administration Police and the Maryland Capital Police.  Those officers were trained last week and have begun to assist with background investigations. They will be working in a Maryland State Police facility, using Maryland State Police computer systems and will work under the direct supervision of Maryland State Police Licensing Division personnel.  No firearms application data is being released to, or shared with, their employing agencies. 

The Maryland State Police Licensing Division continues to diligently address the unprecedented increase in regulated firearm purchase applications received this year.  As of September 20th, 102,001 purchase applications had been received.  Of those, 52,256 had been processed.   

MSP is committed to making this an open and transparent process and will, as it has done in the past, notify the public of any significant changes in the processing of firearms applications.

Submitted by:
Maryland State Police 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Ribbon cutting Oct 19

Contact:
Jennifer RafterPocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce
410-957-1919

####
Saturday, October 19th at 10 am
You are invited to the Ribbon Cutting at
RDL Boutique
1522 Market Street, Pocomoke
Hosted by the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce

RDL is a family owned business that carries a diverse array of unique items, including men’s apparel, religious gift and supplies, an assortment of scented and soy candles, handmade jewelry and a great collection of handbags you will not find anywhere else.  In addition, RDL Boutique is a local U-Haul dealer.  Stop by for the ribbon cutting at this distinctive store and see what RDL Boutique has to offer!

Annual Global Day of Student Prayer – Wednesday, September 25, 2013

See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led event. In fact, it started in the Ft. Worth, Texas suburb of Burleson in 1990, at the initiative of ten students praying at several schools in their community.

See You at the Pole ~ Pocomoke Middle School earlier today.
Photo/Lynnhaven Baptist Curch


See You at the Pole ~Pocomoke High Students begin to gather at the pole earlier today.
Photo/ Lynnhaven Baptist Church




Ocean City Police Dept. Lieutenant Graduates From FBI National Academy

Ocean City Police Lieutenant Ray Austin graduated on Friday, September 20, 2013, from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia.Lt austin 2 Lieutenant Austin was among over 200 law enforcement officers from across the country originating from local law enforcement agencies to federal and military organizations.

Lieutenant Austin began the internationally recognized program in July His time during the National Academy Program consisted of ten weeks of training, including topics on health and fitness, advanced criminal investigation and leadership development. The FBI Academy is a very selective program in which participants must have proven records as professionals within their agency.

“It is no surprise to me that Lieutenant Austin was selected for this prestigious program,” said Chief Ross Buzzuro.  “Graduates from the FBI Academy typically return to their agencies to serve as leaders of their departments in command level positions.  Ray has been a leader and a great example of a police officer for years.  His recent training at the FBI Academy will not only be a great experience for him but ultimately for the officers who work for him who will also benefit from his guidance.”

Lieutenant Austin is the assistant commander for the Criminal Investigation Division. He was hired by OCPD in July 1994. He was promoted to PFC in 1998, Sergeant in 2003, and Lieutenant in 2010. He has worked in the department’s Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division where he has served as a detective in both General Assignment and Narcotics Units. He was also a member of the Traffic Safety Unit while he was in the Patrol Division. In addition to his supervisor responsibilities, Lieutenant Austin is also a certified police trainer and has taught Drug Identification to Seasonal Officers during past seasonal academies.

Submitted:
Ocean City Police Dept.

Cygnus Rendezvous Postponed Until Sunday

Managers from Orbital Sciences and NASA decided Monday morning to postpone the approach, rendezvous, grapple and berthing operations of Orbital's Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft with the International Space Station to no earlier than Saturday, Sept. 28. Cygnus' rendezvous now will follow the launch and arrival of three crew members of Expedition 37-38 on Wednesday.

Orbital has confirmed that over the past 24 hours, the Orbital team developed and tested a software fix for the data format mismatch that necessitated a postponement of the first rendezvous operation that was scheduled for the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 22. 


However, that process, together with the impending Soyuz crew operations, resulted in a tight schedule to the point that both Orbital and NASA felt it was the right decision to postpone the Cygnus approach and rendezvous until after Soyuz operations. 

Source;

Northampton Circuit Court On Monday

Northampton Circuit Court
Monday~ September 23, 2013

By Wesley Edwards

Harry Anderson pled guilty to a charge of distributing cocaine.
Mr. Anderson from Cape Charles will remain out on bond pending a pre-sentencing report. 

Theany Tor was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

He pled guilty of possession and the intent charge dropped. Mr. Thor was sentenced to 10 years with all but 90 days suspended . A work release for work at the Pottery in Cape Charles was denied.

Shekia Thomas was charged with illegal obtaining a credit card, illegal use of a credit card, and unauthorized use of a credit card. Shekia and her sister faced use of the credit card in question for a total of $866.50. With a guilty plea the case was continued for a pre-sentencing report.


Robin Orsinger was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses and a probation revocation. The probation charge goes back to 2002 for embezzling. The restitution in that case was $74,595 dollars of which approximately $39,000 has been paid. Ms. Orsinger has been serving weekends before her sentencing today for a total of 56 days. Todays charge of obtaining money was related to welfare fraud of filing a false claim for food stamps and free school lunches for her 16 and 18 year old daughters. The total dollars in this charge was $1102 dollars with $220 dollars paid back. Ms. Orsinger was sentenced to 10 years on each charge to run concurrently with all but 10 months suspended and 3 more months for the probation charge for a total of 13 months to be served. Work release was denied.



Jermaine King was charged with Grand larceny, assault and battery of a family member and assault and battery. These charges were from the McDonalds in Cape Charles ladies room where Mr. King took money from his girlfriend and assaulted his girlfriend and her sister. The girlfriend Ebony Collins testified on his behalf and told the judge that she and Mr. King were living together and raising two sets of twins, one of which he was the father. With time serve on two other occasions Judge Revell Lewis III sentenced Mr. King to 5 years on each count with all but 2 months suspended.

Keith Jubilee was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Mr. Jubilee who was not in court today and had been found guilty in May of 2013. It was reported Mr. Jubilee was in a Seaford Delaware hospital. Mr. Bruce Jones the Northampton Commonwealths attorney said that Mr. Jubilee was not looking forward to sentencing and this report needed to be verified. Judge Lewis said that they would continue this case until October 21, 2013 and deal with it then.

Dijon Gaskins was charged with probation revocation. With a not guilty plea this case had a lot of issues. Mr. Gaskins was allowed to transfer his probation to Richmond Va. back on November 28th 2012 where he was to live with his mother or aunt. His Richmond probation officer went out on a leave of absence and according to Mr. Gaskins was told he would be coming to his home for a visit when he got back to work. A new parole officer reported Mr. Gaskins to Northampton County as missing with no word causing Mr. Gaskins to be arrested on September 11th 2013 and he has been in jail since. The mother and aunt brought to court payroll checks going back to sometime in 2012 where he had been employed since returning to Richmond and testifying that he had lived at one of their houses since returning to Richmond. Judge Lewis after hearing all the testimony and with the check stubs found Mr. Gaskins not guilty of probation revocation after clear instructions about how to prevent this from ever happening again.

Lawrence Bright was charged with probation revocation. With ongoing reporting problems and positive cocaine test Judge Lewis revoked Mr. Brights probation and reimposed the 6 year 6 month sentence with all but one year six months suspended.

Everado Rosales was charged with a 3rd DUI ,eluding, and reckless driving. With a plea agreement to drop all charges except the DUI charges this case was continued for a pre-sentencing report. With a question about was this the third or fourth DUI and questions about the defendant names it was felt that it was important to wait for the presentencing report. Mr. Rosales bond was revoked and as the minimum sentence was 90 days he was taken away to start whatever sentence is handed down after the pre-sentencing report is received. 

Arkiece Montwelle Davis of Exmore pled guilty to providing a cell phone to an incarcerated prisoner. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

FREE Concert in Cypress Park Wednesday

U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Band
FREE
Concert in Cypress Park

Wednesday, September 25, 2013
6:00 pm until 7:30 pm

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and listen to the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Band from Fort Meade, MD for free! 


Concessions will benefit the Samaritan Shelter.

In case of rain, concert will be held at the 
Mar-Va theater. 

Sponsored by the City of Pocomoke and the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce.

Public's Help Needed In Fatal West O.C. Hit-and-Run Probe

WEST OCEAN CITY, Md.– Maryland State Police are asking the public's help in identifying whoever was responsible for a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred late Friday night in West Ocean City.

Police said that shortly after 10 a.m., troopers responded to reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the area of eastbound U.S. Route 50 and Elm Street in West Ocean City. The male pedestrian was pronounced dead at Atlantic General Hospital a short time later.

Investigators are asking for help identifying the vehicle that fled the scene after hitting the victim. The incident occurred in the left-hand lane of eastbound U.S. Route 50 directly in front of Starbuck's Coffee and Outback Steakhouse, according to police.

Witnesses have noted the vehicle in question to be a 2009-2013 red Ford full-size pickup truck, investigators said. The truck would have severe damage to the driver side front fender, bumper and headlight region of the truck. The truck continued eastbound on U.S. Route 50 where witnesses lost visual of the vehicle.

Troopers are specifically requesting anyone that was in the area at the time of the incident that noticed something unusual or are aware of the whereabouts of the vehicle in question to contact Crime Solvers at (410) 548-1776 with any information.

Information leading to an arrest in this case may lead to a cash reward of up to $1,000. All information will remain anonymous and confidential.

Source:

David Craig on Baltimore County Common Core Meeting

David Craig on Baltimore County Common Core Meeting

For immediate release 9.23.13
Contact: Jim Pettit
@jamesmpettit

Harford County Executive and Maryland candidate for Governor David R. Craig released the following statement regarding the Baltimore County Common Core meeting last week in which a parent was ejected and subsequently arrested.    

"The value in public meetings - whether it is about Common Core or any other policy issue affecting a community - is giving people the opportunity to speak.  It is a long tradition that goes back to the founding principles of our country and occurs in county and municipal forums to this day. When speech is limited or meetings are overly scripted, it tends to cause angst among all who are involved.  

"The Common Core national education standard is controversial and for good reason. It slipped under the radar in Maryland three years ago and there are serious concerns about it,  many of which are being raised for the first time.  School administrators should be holding public forums like the one in Baltimore County, but these officials will actually learn more by encouraging a robust debate and the exchange of ideas.  Their ultimate constituents are students and their parents and those voices must be heard."


Background

Parent faces prison time after being removed from a Common Core public forum

Examiner.com 


http://www.examiner.com/article/exclusive-video-school-supers-have-parent-arrested-from-common-core-meeting

Arsonist Tonya S. Bundck Out Of Jail On Bail WITH Special Conditions

WMDT

ACCOMAC, Va. - The woman accused of setting fire to a home on April 1st is now Out Of Jail, more than a month after a circuit court judge granted her bail.

Tonya Bundick, 40, who is charged one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to arson for her alleged involvement during the night of her arrest, is no longer wearing handcuffs and a white jumpsuit, for the time being.

Bail bondsmen Bill and his son, Michael Allen say they took the call Monday morning. The elder, Bill, says he will treat Bundick's situation "just like any other case."

Minutes after Bundick made her exit from the Accomack County sheriff's office, Allen spoke with WMDT, outlying the details of her bond. According to Allen, two to three people co-signed for her release at $3,000, or ten percent of the original $30,000.

Even though she's free, there are conditions on her bail.

Court documents say Bundick "may not travel outside of Accomack and Northampton counties unless for a medical necessity or emergency. Also, the accused felon must submit to drug and alcohol screening and testing, plus refrain from the use of illegal drugs and controlled substances not prescribed by a health care provider.

Allen says Bundick must also go into his co-owned Eastern Shore Bail Bonds office at least once a week leading up to her trial.

"If she doesn't check in [any week], we'll go look for her," Allen says.

When Bundick left the sheriff's department, she walked out through the side of the building before getting into a sheriff deputy's vehicle. A person associated with the department drove her around the block before dropping her off right behind me at the Accomack County General District courthouse.

At that point, she gathered her belongings before WMDT saw her lawyer Shannon Dunham drive off with Bundick in the front seat.

WMDT caught up with Virginia commonwealth attorney Gary Agar about her release, but he said he was hard pressed to make any comments. 

"We'd rather try our cases in the courtroom than the news media," said Agar.

Neither Bundick nor Dunham would answer questions at this time.

Bundick's trial is set for November 6th at the Accomack County Circuit Court.

Meanwhile, Agar said an agreement came on the exact date for the other alleged arsonist and Bundick's fiance Charles Smith, who's charged with 67 counts of arson and one count of conspiracy to arson. 

Smith is scheduled to have a bench trial on December 16th at the same courtroom, according to the commonwealth attorney's office.

VIDEO / SOURCE