News

     Laurel Mayor John Shwed and several local authorities instituted an emergency curfew today, in an effort to curb what the Laurel Police Department calls violent criminal and gang related  acts that have occurred
in the Carvel Gardens Communities.

     The Laurel Town Council and the Delaware Housing Authority confirmed the decision on Tuesday. The curfew effects non-residents of the Carvel Gardens and Carvel Gardens Annex Apartment Complex, located on Daniel and Wilson Streets. Laurel Police officials say crime has been an issue in the communities within the last three months.

    ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Senate is delaying debate on a bill to legalize gay marriage.

     Republican leaders asked that discussion of the bill and potential amendments be postponed until Thursday.

     Sen. President Thomas V. Mike Miller said the Senate could gather into the evening that day to consider the bill, which barely passed the House of Delegates last week. Debate could continue Friday before a final vote is taken.

     Opponents have offered an amendment to change the bill's effective date and say they have asked Attorney General Doug Gansler for an opinion on the constitutionality of amendments added to the House version of the bill.

     Last year the Senate passed a similar measure by 25 to 21.

       Abolitionist and civil rights leader Frederick Douglass had the honor of being the first African American to receive votes at a national convention of a major party for president.  Story teller and actor Bill Grimmette brings to life this historic figure in a one man show. During an appearance at Salisbury University he talked with Delmarva Public Radio's Don Rush about Douglass's journey from slave to adviser of Presidents.

    ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Senate committee will hold a hearing on a measure to expand gambling in Maryland.

     The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee is scheduled to discuss the bill that would pave the way for table games like blackjack. The measure also would allow a casino to be built in Prince George's County.

     Even if General Assembly approves, Maryland voters would have a say on table games and a new casino location in a statewide referendum.

     Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker is scheduled to testify in support of building a high-end casino at National Harbor near the nation's capital.

      ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland agriculture and environmental officials are opposing a bill to prohibit additional bay restoration regulations on farmers until other states in the watershed catch up to their pollution reductions.

     Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance appeared Tuesday a Senate committee in Annapolis saying the bill would tie his department's hands. Richard Eskin, director of the Department of the Environment's Science Services Administration, says it will significantly damage the state's ability to improve water quality and meet requirements under a new federally led bay restoration strategy.

       DOVER, Del. (AP) - Members of the legislature's budget-writing committee are mulling over spending for Delaware's costly Medicaid program.

     The Joint Finance Committee is holding hearings on the

     Department of Health and Social Services' proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. The committee was to hear Wednesday from the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance.

     Gov. Jack Markell has proposed about $622 million for Medicaid next year, an increase of about $22 million to meet enrollment growth in the government health care program for the poor.

            Superintendent John Fredericksen will serve another term to head up the Wicomico County public school system.

            But the vote by the school board was not unanimous.

            Members Carolyn Elmore and Don Fitzgerald opposed a second term.

            And several parents, who showed up at the board meeting, also spoke out against him complaining about the meeting being held at night with Fredericksen in the room.

            Board President Ron Willey said members had received many emails both for and against the reappointment.

          Worcester County has given its nod to plans for water and sewer capacity for the Pines Plaza Center development.

            Local officials will be soliciting proposals for a new connection to be built under route 589 with a public information meeting to be held today at the Ocean Pines library.

            The $2.9 million project would connect the development with the Ocean Pines sewer district.

            If approved work would begin later this year and is expected to be completed by the spring of next year.

            The Salisbury Daily Times reports that the shopping center’s private sewage system broke down about 18 months ago with the site management coming to the County for help.

     LEWES, Del. (AP) — A World War II gun that was once part of the heavy weaponry on the battleship USS Missouri will be making its way to Delaware.

     The 66-foot gun weighing a quarter-million pounds is scheduled to travel by train from Norfolk, Va., to Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, where it will join two similar Army guns. Park officials and a group of volunteers with the Fort Miles Historical Association have been developing a section of the former base into a World War II historical attraction.

    Five new members have been selected to the Delaware Arts Alliance 2012 Board of Directors.

   Among the new members to the advocacy agency for Delaware arts and culture, architect and jewelry artist Arden Bardol of Dover, real estate developer Henry Cox of Lewes and musician and actor Beth Howlett, a Sussex County resident.

    The new Board Members will serve 3 year terms. The Delaware Arts Council also approved term renewals for 3 current board members, Sheila Bravo, Mary Ann Ehlschlager and Leland Kimball. 

     The Maryland State Arts Council has honored 100 Maryland artists for their work, four of which who claim the Eastern Shore of Maryland as their home.

     Erin Geyelin from Talbot County, was an award recipient in the Non-Classical Music Solo Performance, Frederick Lagno of Queen Anne's County and  Jeanne Anderton of Wicomico County were recipients in the Visual Arts: Photography category and Peter Dudley was a recipient in the Visual Arts: Crafts category.

      An out of state jury reviewed 400 submissions, and 100 Maryland artists were selected to receive the Individual Artists Awards and grants ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.

     Today in New Castle County, U.S. Senator Chris Coons, hosted a roundtable discussion, highlighting the importance of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, which is currently awaiting Senate consideration.

     The discussion took place at the New Castle County Department of Public Safety. A dozen representatives from state and local law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations attended the discussion, which outlined measures for preventing domestic violence.

     Senators Coons is one of 50 co-sponsors of legislation to reauthorize the Act, which Coons says is under threat from some Senate Republicans who oppose the current measure.

        Fire officials responded to the Food Lion on Snow Hill Road for a reported fire on Monday morning.

        Jill Walbert with the Salisbury Fire Department said when the crews arrived, they did not observe fire or smoke, rather crews found what appeared to be a burned monitor in the heating unit of the building.

         No injuries were recorded, and the incident was placed under control shortly after the arrival of Salisbury’s three fire stations.

       Although tourism is down in the winter,  between the months of December and April, Delaware beaches are commonly used as resting grounds for four different species of seals.

      The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute Inc. said in the winter, seals frequently travel from the pupping colonies in the north and make their way to Delaware beaches to rest.

       MERR, an organization that rescues and protects mammals and sea turtles, will have volunteers stationed on several Delaware beaches to monitor the seals and determine the best course of treatment for them.

        In the case of a healthy seal, volunteers are assigned to help keep the public at least 100 yards away from the animal so that it can rest.

     This tax season, donating to cancer research will be as simple as making a checkmark on a Maryland income tax form.

     The form, which has been updated to provide residents with the opportunity to donate to the Maryland Cancer Fund, will allow residents to contribute to a fund that has already diagnosed and treated over 140 people.

     According to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Services, by adding a checkmark to line 37 on the Maryland tax form and including a donation amount, taxpayers can support cancer prevention, early detection and treatment programs.

    “Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Maryland,” said DHMH Secretary Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D. “Giving to the Maryland Cancer Fund is a great way to help your community.”

        Maryland State Police have identified the man who was shot and killed on Olivia Street last night.

       Authorities say he is Charles Duffy Elmer Jr, a 54-year-old Salisbury resident who was pronounced dead at the scene after police arrived around 6:30 p.m.

     The Salisbury Daily Times reports that Maryland State Police troopers found a 1991 white Oldsmobile convertible parked outside.  

     Duffy was inside the vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds.

       A record 429-thousand acres of cover crops were planted this past fall and exceeds to goal set for 2013.

      Governor Martin O’Malley hailed the new figures, saying that this demonstrates Maryland farmers are taking the lead in protecting the Chesapeake Bay and the region’s quality.

     Cover crops are one of the key ways the state reduces nutrient runoff and soil erosion.

            Boat registration rates could more than triple in Maryland under a measure sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources.

            The legislation is aimed at raising money for projects like dredging and maintaining buoys.

            DNR’s Director of Boating Services Robert Gaudette told the Salisbury Daily Times…that the rate hike would raise – what he called – critically needed funding.

            Under the measure the $24 paid by a boat owner for a two year vessel registration would rise depending on the size of the boat.

            The rates would begin next year.

            And by 2016 the owner of a boat between 16 and 32 feet long would pay a $125 for the same registration.

     ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - People who leave a job to escape domestic violence would be eligible for unemployment benefits under a measure coming before Maryland lawmakers.

     Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is scheduled to testify in favor of the legislation Tuesday in front of the Senate Finance Committee.

     It would apply to someone who leaves a job because continued employment could jeopardize the safety of the person or the person's spouse, child or parent.

     Brown has made legislation to battle domestic violence a priority in recent years. In August 2008, his cousin Cathy was murdered by her estranged boyfriend.

          Missing documents and unaccounted for checks are among the problems facing outside investigators…to be called into to probe of problems at the Delaware Department of Transportation.

            State officials say that the troubles could put millions of dollars of taxpayer money at stake.

            During a media briefing at the agency’s Dover headquarters the Wilmington News Journal reports that Secretary Shailen Bhatt said that talks were now under way with an accounting firm tentatively selected to look over DelDOT’s handling of checks.

            He did not identify the company.

            Governor Martin O’Malley’s proposal to divide the costs of teachers pension funds between the state and local governments is getting a thumbs down from Eastern Shore legislators.

            But…they do expect there will be a compromise that would be phased in.

            The measure would place $239 million in pension costs onto the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

            Delegate Norm Conway told the Salisbury Daily Times that he expects at some point…the counties will become a partner with the state on teacher pensions.

            The Worcester Democrat…who chairs the House Appropriations Committee says he has not heard anything yet about the details.

     ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Advocates for the developmentally disabled will hold a rally to highlight the need for more services.

     Advocates, family members and people who provide care will meet Tuesday in Annapolis.

     Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to address advocates before they hold a rally on Lawyers Mall near the Maryland State House.

     Advocates say they will be thanking the Democratic governor for signing an increase in the alcohol tax last session and restoring funding that was lost in the past year. They also will be reminding O'Malley that there is more to do.

     Delaware Route 1 east of Dover will be closed today between Exit 8 and South Little creek Road. 

     The Delaware Department of Transportation is replacing a drainage pipe.

      The closures will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through March 2.

       The right lane and shoulder will be closed on the southbound side first.

       When that work is finished, the right lane and shoulder on the northbound side will be closed. 

     ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - It's the last day to take advantage of a tax holiday in Maryland for energy-efficient appliances.

     Marylanders who buy new, energy-efficient appliances through Monday will not have to pay the state's six percent sales tax on the items.

     Eligible products include air conditioners, washing machines, furnaces and refrigerators. Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats are also eligible.

     The tax-free weekend is the result of legislation passed in 2007 by the Maryland General Assembly.

            During its work session tonight the Salisbury City Council is expected to take up a measure that would impose fines on problem properties.

            The legislation is the Three Strikes provision of Mayor Jim Ireton’s rental legislation.

            The nuisance law would allow the city to recover a portion of the costs connected with repeated calls for service to either the Salisbury Police Department or the Department of Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance.

            The Salisbury Daily Times reports that the measure would impose fines after the property gets three verified calls for service within a year’s time.

            The fourth call would carry a $100 administrative fee to be paid by the property owner.

            Soon, it could be more expensive to vacation in Ocean City.

            The Town Council is expected to hear a proposal that would allow taxis to raise their fares.       

            It’s being presented by Kevin Lyons, owner of Community Cab, in the form of a petition signed by other taxi owners and drivers.

            Lyons has asked for an increase in the base fare of 40 cents…bringing it to $3.60 and for a tenth-of-a-mile rate increase to 28 cents.

            Drivers also want to ask for a $1 surcharge per fare, if fuel prices go above $4 per gallon this year.

           Builders in Worcester County could be building structures higher than 45 feet without having to ask for permission.

            Since 1989, the county fire prevention code has capped the maximum height for any building intended for human habitation.  

            Any exception to that requirement has required approval from the county.  

            But that could change under a measure now being looked at by the
County Commissioners…that would eliminate the need for getting permission.

            But, the Salisbury Daily Times reports that every building would still have to go through planning and zoning approval.

   ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland lawmakers are still waiting for the big payout from the Legislature's gamble more than four years ago on legalized slot machines.

     To truly hit the jackpot, some lawmakers believe the state must expand state-approved gambling further. They say table games and a Washington-area casino are needed to compete with neighboring states and generate the dollars needed for education and other needs. Much of the competition comes from venues in Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

     When the General Assembly voted in 2007 to let voters decide whether to allow up to 15,000 slot machines at five casinos in the state, supporters touted it as a sure-fire way to bring in millions for education.

    WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware Gov. Jack Markell says he plans to talk to fellow governors next week about the best ways to create jobs.

     The Democrat is vice chair of the National Governors' Association, which holds its annual winter meeting in Washington beginning on Friday.

     The association's focus at the weekend meeting will be "Growing State Economies." NGA Chair and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's initiative is intended to give state leaders better ways to assess and grow their state economies.

     Markell said on his weekly radio address on WDEL-AM that he

plans to talk about the products and services offered by Delaware companies, with hopes of attracting out-of-state business.

        17 Worcester County businesses failed alcohol compliance checks when underage cadets with the Worcester County Office of the Sheriff, requested alcohol.
        The compliance checks were conducted on Jan. 24, Jan. 31, and Feb. 2 of this year.
        According to a report from Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, employees of the cited businesses did not ask for proper identification and the underage cadets were sold alcohol by 17 businesses , including Outback Steakhouse in West Ocean City, The Steer Inn Tavern in Berlin, Ruby Tuesday in Pocomoke and a 7-Eleven located on Coastal Highway in Ocean City.
        Fines and suspensions of liquor licenses can result if businesses fail repeated compliance checks.