SALISBURY, Md. - The Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police ended the appeal process today for the collective bargaining labor law.
In a press conference, the FOP said this is the right thing to do in order to save money.
The collective bargaining initiative began in 2006 to help sherriffs deputies receive a better retirement and disability plan.
County Executive Rick Pollitt says this decision will give time to establish a new plan that will meet the approval of the county and the FOP.
"You can't put a value on what these folks do to keep the community safe," said Pollitt. "So we do have to re-double our efforts to bring a good progressive valid and meaningful retirement plan to our sherriffs deputies."
Other agencies in the area use the Law Enforcement Officer's Pension System.
The FOP hopes to use this plan, and Pollitt says everyone needs to work together to get the money put in the budget.
 

SALISBURY, Md. - Counterfeit 100 dollar bills have been used at several local businesses.
The Salisbury Police Department says the bills feel and look real because they are printed over top of authentic five dollar bills.
In each case the fake bill was used...the purchase was ten dollars or less so the customer could get the most amount of money back.
Lt. Rob Kemp says a counterfeit pen will not work on the bills and you should examine them against a light source.
"Just hold it up to the light real quick you can match the water mark to the actual portrait thats to the face of the bill as well as looking for the security strip and that's not hard to find at all," said Kemp.
The police are looking for two suspects that passed off the bills, but anyone with more information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 410-548-17-76.

BERLIN, Md. - A Berlin man is accused of driving under the influence twice within 12 hours. Berlin Police say they saw 24-year-old Wayne Davis Junior driving "wildly" on US 113 this weekend. They pulled him over and say they smelled alcohol on him and his breathe. They say he failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. Officials say they processed Davis, then released him. Police say about five minutes later the vehicle he had been driving was gone from where they left it. Police searched the area and say they found Davis in the drivers seat with the keys to the vehicle. He was arrested again and recharged with another set of DUI's and driving within 12 hours of being arrested for DUI.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Guidelines used to set child support
payments would be changed for the first time in 21 years under
legislation approved by the Maryland Senate.
The Senate voted 43-2 on Tuesday to pass the measure.
Supporters say the change is needed to update the guidelines to
adjust for an increase in the cost of living since the guidelines
were last changed more than two decades ago. They also say it will
direct more money to raising children.
But opponents argue that lawmakers haven't spent enough time
studying the ramifications of legislation that will affect more
than one million people in the state. Sen. Robert Zirkin,
D-Baltimore County, says it's unclear how many people could face
big increases.
The bill now heads to the House of Delegates, where similar
legislation is pending.
---
On the Net:
Read Senate Bill 252:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/SB0252.htm
Read House Bill 500:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/HB0500.htm

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-09-10 1314EST

BERLIN, Md. - Students in Worcester County are speaking out loud to voice their concerns of environmental issues.
Sixth grade students at Worcester Preparatory Lower School are taking action.
The student's teacher Erika Phillips helped her class create a water conservation public service announcement. "After finding out a lot of information about the water deficit they wanted to share their knowledge with others," said Phillips.
So that's just what they did, last year the students finished the project for the National Association of Independent Schools challenge 20/20 project. Now the project has earned them the Environmental Star Award.
"I had a lot of fun doing it. I thought it was a great project to help the environment and to help people know water is a limited resource that we need to cherish it," said Ross Dickerson, a student involved in the project.
The PSA gives facts about water consumption and it also teaches ways to conserve water, which has been an important lesson for the students. "I take shorter showers," said Dickerson.
"I definitely wash my hands shorter, try to make it more efficient," said Grace Tunis, another student involved in the project.
It's information they are hoping will become contagious, in an effort to save one of our most precious resources. "Only 1 percent of the whole earth's water is available to us humans, and we've got to save it our else it will just go away. Now that we know it's much easier for us to save water," said Tunis.
The new fifth grade class at Worcester Preparatory Lower School is preparing to make another water conservation video.
If you know someone who is making an environmental impact and you would like to see them as next month's "Environmental Star" call Roger Marino at 302-934-3123.

CLEVELAND (AP) - An Ohio judge has handed down a life prison
term for a doctor convicted of killing his wife with cyanide.
Relatives of the victim sobbed and held each other as
41-year-old Yazeed Essa (EE'-suh) was sentenced Tuesday in
Cleveland. He could be eligible for parole after 20 years.
Essa was convicted last week of lacing his wife's calcium
supplement with cyanide in 2005. Rosemarie Essa collapsed while
driving and crashed her car into another vehicle near the couple's
suburban Cleveland home.
Prosecutors claimed the former emergency room doctor at an Akron
hospital killed his wife so he could be with a mistress.
Essa didn't testify at his trial or speak at sentencing. He
wants a judge to declare him indigent so he can get a
court-appointed attorney for appeal.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-09-10 1701EST

TRAPPE, Md. - Next months trial for a childcare worker charged with second degree murder has been delayed.
A pretrial involving Trappe resident, Gail Dobson was held last week. A judge granted a request for a continuance. The defense also withdrew a motion to suppress a statement.
Dobson is accused of abusing a 9-month-old, leading to the baby's death. Police say Trevor Ulrich suffered injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
The trial is now expected to be held sometime in August.

SALISBURY, Md. - There is a lot of reaction from a property in Salisbury that has earned the title of slum of the week.
Mayor Jim Ireton says, the house on 614 Smith Street, which is divided into two apartments has become a nuisance to law enforcement and code compliance.
A resident, Barbara Otey lives near the home says she is glad the property made the list. She used to live there and says management has let it go. "It's probably a good idea. Maybe the landlord, the owner of the property will finally do something about the property because he hasn't since I've been on the street. For almost two years, he hasn't done anything with that property," said Otey,
In the past four years, the Police Department has been called to the residence 65 times and has had issues with code and compliance.
Tomorrow, neighborhood services plans to go inside the property for an inspection.
A woman who currently lives in one of the apartments says she plans to move.
 

CAMBRIDGE, Md. - Cambridge is still working hard to bring more life to the downtown area.
Distressed buildings and vacant shops have lined the streets for a while now. However, the project Cambridge Main Street, is preparing for Second Saturday.
On March 13, shops and restaurants will extend their hours. A local business owners says the event helps boost business.

MARYLAND - Advocacy groups and legislators gathered in Annapolis on Tuesday to support increasing the tax of alcoholic beverages.
The legislation would cost patrons an additional dime to drink. Lawmakers say additional revenue is needed, and if the bill is passed it could bring more than 200 million to health care programs.
Maryland's liquor tax is the lowest in the country.

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. - Students in Wicomico County will soon find out how many missed days they will have to make up. The School Board is meeting Tuesday night and the missed snow days are on the agenda. Each school board is allowed to ask the State to waive up to five missed school days. Wicomico County has already made up one day, and have plans to make up some others. Officials have not yet decided if they will ask for forgiveness from the State. That meeting starts Tuesday at 7PM.

SALISBURY, Md. - A Salisbury man is facing drug charges Tuesday. Authorities say they responded to a room at the Temple Hill Motel to check the welfare of a two-week-old infant that was reportedly in the presence of illegal drugs. Sheriff's deputies say they saw drug paraphernalia through the window when they arrived. They say 32-year-old Christopher Betz answered the door and permitted them to check on the child. That's when they reportedly found 13 hypodermic needles used for injecting heroin, two spoons that had been used to cook heroin, cans that had been turned into smoking devices and a set of digital scales. Betz told authorities he owned it all.
Social Services is now involved in connection with the infant. Betz was arrested and is being held in lieu of $5,000 bond. He is charged with both possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

NEW YORK (AP) - A TV producer has pleaded guilty to trying to
shake down David Letterman over the comic's sexual affairs.
Robert "Joe" Halderman entered his guilty plea to attempted
grand larceny Tuesday in a Manhattan court.
He was charged last fall with demanding $2 million to keep quiet
about Letterman's love life. The case spurred the late-night TV
icon to tell viewers he'd had affairs with women on his staff.
Halderman's lawyers initially said he was just offering to sell
Letterman a thinly veiled screenplay about the comedian's life.
Halderman is a producer for CBS' "48 Hours Mystery."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-09-10 1433EST

NEW YORK (AP) - A person familiar with the case says a TV
producer is expected to admit trying to shake down David Letterman
over the comic's sexual affairs.
The person says Robert "Joe" Halderman will plead guilty
Tuesday afternoon to attempted grand larceny in exchange for a
six-month jail term. The person spoke on condition of anonymity
because Halderman's court appearance hadn't happened yet.
Halderman is accused of demanding $2 million to keep quiet about
Letterman's love life. The case spurred the late-night TV icon to
tell viewers last fall he'd had affairs with women on his staff.
The 52-year-old Halderman is a producer for CBS' "48 Hours
Mystery."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-09-10 1316EST

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - SeaWorld and the family of a trainer slain
by a killer whale want to prevent video of the attack from becoming
public.
Dawn Brancheau died last month after being pulled into the water
by the 12,000-pound orca.
SeaWorld's cameras recorded the death, and the tapes were
voluntarily turned over to law enforcement.
Once the Orange County Sheriff's Office concludes its
investigation, the material would become public under Florida law.
Brancheau's family said Monday through a spokesman that public
airing of the killing would only worsen their grief.
They could seek a court injunction. The family and SeaWorld have
been consulting the lawyer who represented Dale Earnhardt's widow
in a successful court fight to keep his 2001 autopsy photos
private.
---
Information from: Orlando Sentinel,
http://www.orlandosentinel.com

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-09-10 0846EST

SALISBURY, Md. - A 17-year-old is behind bars tonight, accused of firing a bb gun in another persons face. Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputies say Christopher Cadejuste was arguing with his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend on Edgar Drive in Salisbury. They say the argument became heated, and when they went outside to talk it turned physical. That's when officials say Cadejuste shot the other man in the face with what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun. Officials later determined it was a bb gun that resembled a Colt 45 handgun. Cadejuste was arrested in the parking lot of the Fruitland Wal-Mart. He is being charged with attempted murder, first degree assault and reckless endangerment. He is being held without bond.

SALISBURY, Md. - Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputies have made an arrest in the case of a bb gun shooting on Monday night. The suspect reportedly shot the victim multiple times in the face at 706 Edgar Street in Salisbury. The suspect is 17-years-old and will be charged as an adult for attempted murder and first degree assault. No names have been released at this time.

CINCINNATI (AP) - Procter & Gamble is recalling two flavors of
its Pringles chips because they may be tainted with Salmonella.
The Cincinnati-based company is offering replacement coupons or
refunds for the Cheeseburger and "Taco Night" versions of the
snack. The company has had no reports of illness.
P&G is the latest company to recall products with
flavor-enhancing hydrolyzed (HY'-droh-lyzd) vegetable protein made
by Las Vegas-based Basic Food Flavors.
Salmonella bacteria can cause serious infections in young
children and others with weakened immune systems. Federal
authorities say Salmonella was found on Basic Food's processing
equipment.
 

TOWSON, Md. (AP) - A Baltimore County woman charged with paying a man $9,000 to kill her husband at his gas station has been denied bail.
Karla Porter and five others, including her sister and brother, charged in the murder-for-hire scheme were ordered held without bond on Monday. Police say there could be more arrests in the slaying of 49-year-old William Porter.
Charging documents say Karla Porter used her cell phone to lure her husband to the Towson gas station, where he was shot. Documents say she confessed to the plot, but her attorney declined to comment on that.
 

EASTON, Md. - Ulysses Tyrell Bellamy, a 28 year old male, of Denton, MD turned himself in at the Easton Police Department on March 8th. Bellamy was charge for his participation in the home invasion that occurred on March 4, 2010 at 45 S. Washington Street.

Bellamy was charged with 28 charges which are: burglary first degree, conspiracy to commit burglary in the first degree, handgun on person, handgun use in a felony of violent crime, conspiracy to use a handgun in a felony violent crime, regulated firearm illegal possession, theft less than $100, conspiracy to commit a theft less than $100, burglary third degree, conspiracy to commit burglary third degree, burglary fourth degree, conspiracy to committed burglary fourth degree, burglary fourth degree theft, conspiracy to commit burglary fourth degree theft, two counts of assault second degree, two counts of conspiracy to commit two counts of assault second degree, two counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, two counts of first degree assault, and two counts conspiracy to commit first degree assault.

Bellamy was seen by a district court commissioner and held on no bond.

Anyone with additional information about this crime is urged to call Detective/Sergeant George L. Paugh III at the Easton Police Department 410-822-1111.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Forbes magazine says eight Virginia localities are among the country's wealthiest.
The magazine's annual list of America's Richest Counties is based on median income and U.S. Census Bureau data from 2008.
Virginia had the strongest showing of any state. Most of the localities are in northern Virginia.
Forbes placed Loudoun and Fairfax counties in the top two spots. Arlington, Stafford and Prince William counties were on the list. Also on the list were the cities of Alexandria and Fairfax, which are categorized as county equivalents.
Rural Goochland County near Richmond ranked 16th on the list.
Forbes said the county with a population of about 20,500 people had a median household income of about $88,550. In contrast, Loudoun has a median income of about $110,640 with a population of more than 277,430.
 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Hundreds of Marylanders protested the state's abortion policies outside the capitol Monday night, saying the state has some of the most permissive abortion laws in the country.
The 31st Annual Maryland March for Life began with a Catholic Mass at St. Mary's Church in Annapolis. Participants then marched over to the State House where they urged lawmakers to change Maryland abortion policy.
Speakers criticized Maryland laws they say allowed $2.2 million of state tax dollars last year to go toward abortions. They also rallied against proposals to spend millions this year on stem cell studies they said could include embryonic research.
 

WASHINGTON (AP) - It's a day of wedding bells for some gay
couples in Washington.
Couples who applied for marriage licenses on the first day they were available last week can pick them up Tuesday and tie the knot.
Three weddings are planned at the city's Human Rights Campaign office. The advocacy group helps with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.
An afternoon wedding is planned at All Souls Church - the same place where DC Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the bill legalizing the unions.
The District of Columbia is the sixth place in the country permitting same-sex unions. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue same-sex couples licenses.
 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro officials estimate that last year's fatal red line crash cost the transit agency $25.5 million. The Washington Examiner reports that the cost of the destroyed rail cars and track damage is detailed in a memo submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board. NTSB officials asked for the breakdown of damages during three days of hearings on the crash last month.
The memo says four rail cars were destroyed at a cost of $12 million, while the other cars involved had $3 million worth of damage. Metro spent another $3 million to run shuttle buses and it also had to pay for cleanup, police security of the accident scene and overtime.
Metro says it is trying to recoup about $24 million through its property insurance.
The estimates don't include legal fees from lawsuits against Metro.
 

FENWICK ISLAND, Del. (AP) - Delaware is looking for volunteers help plant dune grass along the coast. Volunteers will plant Cape American Beach Grass from Fenwick Island to Broadkill Beach on March 20.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the fast growing, thick grass with broad leaves helps stabilize and build the dunes.
Last year, about 900 people planted more than 150,000 stems of beach grass along four miles of coastline.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Jennifer Wheatley says a harsher nor'easter season this year has left a lot of work.
Online registration ends Friday, but Wheatley says she has accepted late additions in the past.
 

   EASTON, Md. - Easton Police have arrested 18 year old Tommy Park for rape.
    Police say he was sexually involved with a minor.
    Park is charged with multiple counts of second degree rape and assault.
    He's being held on $50,000 bond.

     MILTON, Del. - Every year, WMDT joins forces with two organizations on the shore as media partners.
    This year, one of those groups is the Milton Theater.
    While "the arts" all over the country have taken a hit in the recession, the Theater says they are staying solid.
    And, it's not just about music and theatre, it's about community and reaching out to children's programs.
    "There is so much competition in theatre now. Live productions and so many other things happening. We're really trying to do some new things and bring more youth in," said Libby Zando, a board member for the Theater.
    For more information on the Theatre and their upcoming events call 302-684-3400.
 

    BALTIMORE, Md. - Maryland firefighters are backing the Governor in 2010.
    The Professional Firefighters of Maryland endorsed Governor Martin O'Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for re-election Monday.
     The firefighters say O'Malley is committed to public safety and has helped get Homeland Security grants for the state.
      More than 7,000 professional firefighters, officers and EMS employees are a part of the organization.
 

HARRINGTON, Del. - Teachers can make a major difference in the lives of their students, and WMDT finds those rare gems.
On Monday a teacher at Lake Forest Elementary School in Harrington was honored.
Clay Beauchamp was selected as the Teacher Who Makes a Difference for the month of February.
Mr. Beauchamp teaches the third grade, and has been at the school for 10 years now. He also attended Lake Forest Elementary when he was younger and says he couldn't imagine doing anything else. "I like to see the kids at work especially when that light bulb comes on. You know they might take a long time to get what they need to get but eventually they will slowly get it," said Beauchamp.
The parent who nominated Mr. Beauchamp says her daughter is now on the honor roll.
If you'd like to nominate a teacher who you think makes a difference, just click on 47 weblinks and tell us why.
 

HARRINGTON, Del. - Table games will soon be up and running in Delaware.
Officials at Harrington Raceway and Casino say craps, blackjack, roulette and other games will make its way to the floor in the spring.
Currently the mission is hiring dealers. Table games are estimated to bring 750 jobs to Delaware.

OCEAN CITY, Md. - After months of snow and cold temperatures many people haven't had time to think about summer.
But after a job fair in Ocean City this weekend many businesses have seen an increase in applications.
Many businesses haven't even opened their doors to kick off the summer season in Ocean City, but owners say people have been coming out early looking for that summer job.
At places like the Dough Roller along the boardwalk, General Manager Kevin Gibbs says his restaurant is almost completely staffed for the summer.
"I almost have all my positions filled with the exception of maybe 10 to 15 positions, which I have filled now cause I have applications to eventually go through," said Gibbs.
The competition this year is on. Melanie Pursel works for the Chamber of Commerce and has seen first hand how people are acting early to get the best job in town.
"These days of having two and three jobs during the summer aren't there anymore because there's such a demand for jobs," said Pursel.
And for Gibbs, he never worries about being understaffed.
"Not in this economy, not right now. Not with this many people around looking for jobs," said Gibbs.
"The competition is greater and that's why it's so important to make yourself stand out," said Pursel.
There are still jobs out there and employers encourage everyone to apply and make sure your resume is up to date.
 

SALISBURY, Md. - It's not the list you want to make in Salisbury, there is now a Slum Property of the Week.
The property on 614 Smith Street has earned the title of the week. In the past four years, the Salisbury Police Department has been called to the residence 65 times and in also has a few issues with code and compliance.
Just last week officials say two people were shot near the property.
This is the first time though that properties are being called out. Mayor Jim Ireton says he hopes the list will make property managers clean up their act.
The slum property list is posted on the city's website.

SALISBURY, Md. - Salisbury is trying to get reimbursed for the cost of the snowstorms last month.
The storm on February 9th alone, cost as estimated 200 thousand dollars.
Mayor Jim Ireton plans on giving a presentation to City Council members tonight highlighting the city's efforts during clean-up.
The city is working with FEMA to try to get as much money back as possible.

 

SALISBURY, Md. - The Mid-Atlantic Institute for Science Technology has a new man in charge tonight.
Fotios Skouzes took over as the new Executive Director of MIST.
MIST is a joint effort between universities, government and private industries to help build jobs in the area.
He says his first priority is to raise money and educate students in science and math from a young age.
"I think we can develop quite a technology resource within the area and create jobs and opportunities for these students to go into once they graduate," said Skouzes.
Skouzes also wants to extend educational programs up and down the shore and be a truly regional organization.

SEAFORD, Del. - A Seaford drug bust that led police to more than 85 grams of crack cocaine and other drugs has some residents relieved.
Drug issues have plagued the neighborhood along Maury Avenue in Seaford for years now, and some residents believe many of the problems started with a home on the 10000 block of Maury Avenue. "It used to be a really, really good neighborhood. Had people move in. It's just been kind of rough in here, a lot of police coming once in a while," said Earl Hoops, a resident in the neighborhood.
On Friday police came once again to make arrests stemming from an ongoing drug investigation. Antonio Bailey and Sheena Ayers, are facing felony charges of Trafficking Cocaine and Possession with Intent to Deliver Narcotics. "We suspected there might be some drug dealing next door," said Hoops.
Residents who live next to the home where the arrests were made say over the years those inside the home have become a nuisance and they have seen a lot of strange activity. However, there was another thing neighbors found unnerving. "We received a notice in the mail about a tier three, which I understand is the highest sex offender living in that house and there was at least three boys," said Julie Chelton, a neighbor of those arrested.
Many in the community are hoping the recent arrests will bring change. "I think it's a step forward now, maybe we'll get things cleaned up around here," said Hoops.
"Hopefully the police will come by more and check out everybody," said Chelton.
Another person arrested Friday for drug paraphernalia, Patricia Uhey was already released and is back in the home on Maury Avenue. She says she was not aware of drug activity in the home. Uhey says the two facing felony charges just rented rooms there.