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Southern Maryland's Only 24-hour Newsroom      
Copyright 2004
Island Publishing Company
News from October 15 thru October 30 2004

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Bats and Ghosts
Why not, after all it's Halloween and this will take your mind off the election...
Bats
read some tales of ghosts from Point Lookout state park
Ghost Story

Bear Hunt Season Lasted Only A Day with 20 Bears Harvested
Story
Ports Named Deputy
Secretary of Transportation
Story

Dickerson Named
Acting Administrator of MTA

Story
St. Mary's, Charles Schools Put On Watch List by State Along With Banana Republic Schools in Baltimore City and PG County
BALTIMORE--- Citing poor reading scores in St. Mary's County public schools, the State of Maryland has put Charles and St. Mary's Counties, both of which are led by high paid school superintendents, on the state watch list for poorly run public schools.  The next step after this watch list status is state takeover of individual schools.  But in St. Mary's, the reason for the watch list designation was due to the poor test scores of those with reading disabilities, a status which affects many students, not just the retarded and developmentally disabled.   Many learning disabilities cause poor reading performance and resulting low scores.    St. Mary's School Superintendent Pat Richardson surprised the county with her sudden resignation last month, now we know why.  She would likely have been canned when the test scores were announced.
Levy Picked as Replacement Delegate for Van Mitchell; Will Be Sworn in Thursday at Noon

Charles County Commissioner President Murray Levy will be sworn in as Southern Maryland's newest member of the legislative delegation, replacing Van Mitchell as the delegate for La Plata and the southern end of Charles County.  Mitchell was recently selected by Gov. Bob Ehrlich to be an under secretary of health, the third appointment of a Southern Maryland delegate to a high ranking position in his administration and the second Democrat to be pulled from a safe seat leaving it competitive for the General Assembly elections held in 2006.
Pedestrian Struck on Dark Mean Main Street of Lexington Park
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Bay District Volunteer Firefighters assist Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue squad personnel in securing a pedestrian for a trip to the hospital on Monday night after he was hit by a car in a road construction zone.  The incident took place at the intersection of Rt. 246 and FDR Blvd. A street light overtop of the location was burned out, one of many along the main drag of Lexington Park which the county can't seem to keep lit in spite of all the talk about revitalization of the county's main town.  Ten years ago the same fire department spent the evening washing down the street to remove the remains of a head trauma victim who was killed in this very spot.
ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

Man Dies When
Pickup Hit Tree

Story
Firefighters Lower Dogcatcher Down Cliff on Rope to Save Dog Which Was Stranded for 2 Days
Story

Man Had Baseball Bat Under Drivers Seat, Pot and Booze: all the required equipment of a St. Mary's County redneck
Story
Cardinal Hickey Dead

Services set for St. Matthews & Shrine later this week
Story
GOP Continues to Gain on Democrats in St. Mary's: Latest Voter Figures
Story
Down to the wire for Absentee Ballots: Get details on how you can still vote and leave a paper trail in doing so
Story
Court of Appeals Rules Police No Knock Search Legal
Ruling
Attorney General Joe Curran
Guest Speaker at Cobb Island
Story

Motor Mouth
Races to Jail
Story

Coast Guard Saved Fishing Boat in Distress Off of Virginia Shore


United Nations Steals from Poor in Iraq; Now UNICEF Box is Boosted in St. Mary's
CALLAWAY --- St. Mary's Sheriff's Cpl. Katherine Dassing reports that Sheriff's Deputy Jason Maletto is currently investigating the theft of a UNICEF container from the Abell's Tavern in Callaway. It was
reported that a black female placed the container under her coat and left the establishment. Investigation continues.

Armed Robber
Hits Radio Shack

WALDORF --- A robber held up the Waldorf Radio Shack on Tuesday while a pair of gunmen stuck up the clerk at the St. Charles Shell, at the corner of Rt. 5 and St. Charles Parkway.  
Big Box Blues:
Small business owner scolds St. Mary's Board for favoring out of state chains over local property owners
Story
Senators Dyson & Miller Warn Against McKay-Ehrlich Land Deal for Developer
Story
..see Cheap Shots now on newsstands for more on this stinky deal with St. Mary's Commissioner President Tommy McKay in the drivers seat...
Access to Beltway from Indian Head Highway to Change
Story

Boom!

Blown Transformer Dims Lights Sends Prince Frederick Firefighters Rushing to Calvert Executive Plaza
PRINCE FREDERICK ---  (Oct. 19, 5 pm) A transformer blew out with such force that one retired military man working as the Calvert County building engineer told ST. MARY'S TODAY that the noise sounded like an artillery shell being fired.  Prince Frederick firefighters emptied out the firehouse with a rapid and full commercial box response. The PFVFD Tower truck quickly sent their ladder to the top of the building where a firefighter was able to quickly inspect the roof for fire while others investigated inside.   The building was deemed safe but a nearby transformer required a response from SMECO to repair.
Trailer Fire
MECHANICSVILLE --- ( Oct. 20, 1 am ) A fire roared through a trailer on Lockes Crossing Road at about 1 am.  Responding fire units reported that the trailer was fully involved.  Older trailers can burn completely in just minutes. 
Drunk Walked into Traffic; Motorist Wrecked Trying to Avoid Him
Story

Man Stabbed;
Suspect Fled Before Police Were Called

ORAVILLE --- Just after 11 pm Sunday, a reported stabbing took place at a residence on Riverview Drive, at the end of Delabrooke Road, near Oraville.  The victim was awaiting the arrival of police, the perpetrator had fled.

Gangs on the rise in Maryland; officials differ on how to combat them
Story
St. Mary's Board Ready to Ditch Rodo Beach Taxing District
After a group of residents of the Rodo Beach neighborhood came up with a proposal for a taxing district to bring the two roads in the community up to current public road standards, the cost for doing so soon soared to that of buidling a freeway and made the cost of the entire project prohibiitive.  Now the commissioners are prepared to dissolve the taxing district and let a smaller group of homeowners establish an association to only fix the smaller of the two roads. 

St. Mary's Commissioner Meeting Agenda for Oct. 19th.
Agenda

Woman Dead in
Weekend Wreck
Story
Man Threatened
Suicide by Electrocution

Police were called early on Sunday to a home in Medley's Neck where a woman claimed her husband was attempting to commit suicide by ripping wiring from an electrical panel. 
Man With Gun at Motel
CALIFORNIA --- A security guard at the Best Western Motel in California reported to police that a man displayed a gun to him and was holed up in a room.
St. Mary's Board Asked to Sock Poor & Small Business with Higher Health Costs & Permit Fees

The St. Mary's Commissioners were asked at their weekly board meeting today to approve hefty hikes in various health fees for the poor and fees on businesses as a back door tax hike.  The Board told staff to get together with Dr. Icenhower and come up with a list of hikes for higher fees for the poor who use health department services. See full story about Dr. William Icenhower mixing obesity epidemic, his top staffer as a poster boy for failing to get exercise and the need to part citizens from their wallets. 

Now on newsstands...

Sleazefest at Fox: Bill O'Reilly Files Suit Charging Woman and Her Lawyers with Extortion; Fox Producer Accuses Sex Harrassment
Story
Woman's lawsuit against O'Reilly posted on The Smoking Gun website
www.thesmokinggun.com

Should Congress Act Now to
Restore Preacher's Right to
Endorse Candidates?
Commentary
Gov. Ehrlich Appoints Son of Dead Senator Kittleman to Senate
Story
Property Owner Scolds Board Over Discriminating Against Local Small Businesses While Favoring Big Box Stores

Tana Glockner gave the St. Mary's Board hell at the public forum Tuesday night, leaving Tommy McKay (R. Hollywood) uncharacteristically speechless.  See print edition this weekend for details.

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Reedville, Virginia Menhaden fleet  
Photo courtesy of Reedville Fishermen's Museum

Maryland Seeks Menhaden Moderation
Story
Kid Operating ATV Illegally on Road Died After He Crashed into Pine Tree

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MSP Med-Evac helicopter lands at crash scene of ATV. Photo courtesy of Prince Frederick Vol. Fire Dept.
Story

The Kids No Longer In
Charge at La Plata VFD
La Plata Takes Different Course on Frat House Antics When Planning New Year's Eve Party
Story


Halloween Madness
Church Set on Fire on Halloween
  8:20 p.m. BELTSVILLE, P.G. CO.FIRE OUTSIDE ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCH @ 11040 BALTIMORE AV.   FIRE WASPUT OUT EASILY.  FD CHECKING FOR POSSIBLE EXTENSION INTO CHURCH.
Mailbox Fires  7 P.M. HILLCREST HEIGHTS, P.G. CO. U.S. MAILBOX SET ON FIRE AT 22ND AVE & IVERSON ST. THIS IS AT LEAST THE SECOND MAILBOX SET ON FIRE IN PAST HOUR IN THE COUNTY.
Waldorf Heathen Robbed Girl of Candy & Shoes   7:45 P.M. WALDORF, NEAR DORCHESTER CIR & SPRINGFISH PL. 15-YR-OLD GIRL CLAIMS SHE WAS ROBBED OF HER CANDY AND SHOES AND WAS  COMPLAINING OF TROUBLE BREATHING.
Boozing Bozo Went Through Windshield on Rt. 301  7 P.M. WALDORF, CRAIN HWY NORTH OF SMALLWOOD DR. 50-YEAR-OLD MAN POSSIBLY INTOXICATED ATTEMPTED TO CROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND WAS THROWN INTO WINDSHIELD OF CAR MOVING 40-50 MPH. HE WAS INITIALLY UNCONSCIOUS, BUT WHEN HE CAME TO HE REPLIED "RONALD REAGAN" WHEN ASKED WHO THE PRESIDENT WAS.  HE WAS FLOWN BY TROOPER-7 AS A PRIORITY 1 HEAD TRAUMA.
Special Alert!  Criminals Have Guns in Gorgeous Prince Georges County --- Don't Let Jack Johnson Find Out!  7:45 P.M. FOREST HEIGHTS (P.G. CO) SHOOTING/ MEDEVAC AT 5724 OTTAWA ST NEAR TERRELL AV.  PATIENT WAS FLOWN TO SHOCK TRAUMA CENTER IN BALTIMORE.   POLICE HAVE A SKETCHY LOOKOUT FOR 2 MEN.
Dog Injures Officer in Attack; Shots Fired; Dog Presumed to Not Be Armed
7:45 P.M. FAIRMONT HEIGHTS (P.G. CO.) POLICE-INVOLVED DOG SHOOTING AT 61ST AVE & ADDISON RD. FAIRMONT HEIGHTS OFFICER ATTACKED BY DOG AND FIRED SHOT(S).  OFFICER
IS INJURED AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO P.G. TRAUMA CTR.
Carriage Driver Injured; Horse & Dog Loose After Vehicle Hits Buggy  7:30 P.M. D.C. 17TH ST AND INDEPENDENCE AV SW, 22-YR-OLD WOMAN HORSE CARRIAGE DRIVER THROWN APPROX 30FT AFTER BEING
STRUCK BY VEHICLE.  SHE WAS UNCONSCIOUS (LATER CONSCIOUS) AND SUFFERED CUTS AND BRUISES.  SHE WAS TAKEN TO GWU HOSP BY AMBULANCE 18.  THE HORSE FLED ACCIDENT BUT WAS SAFELY RECOVERED ON 14TH STREET.  A JACK RUSSELL TERRIER (HORSE DOG) ALSO TOOK OFF (DON'T KNOW IF THE DOG HAS BEEN LOCATED YET).

All Was Not Well....3:25 p.m. DRYWELL RESCUE - Fairfax Co. 6878 Churchill Rd Mc Lean, VA 22101 59-year-old woman fell more than 10 feet into dry-well.  She has ankle and hip injury.  After about a 30-min extrication time she was taken to hospital.
Boy Hit by Train as Kids Playing On Tracks...An Old Story
3:30 p.m. BOY STRUCK BY TRAIN 4642 42nd Pl, Hyattsville, P.G. Co. Eight-year-old boy hit by train.   Suffered an almost complete amputation of left ankle (still held by skin).   Eagle flying him to Children's Hosp.

Toddler Killed in I-295 Crash Wasn't in Car Seat or Seat Belt

Murder victim identified in D.C. Slaying
JUST WAIT UNTIL D.C. GETS A BASEBALL TEAM
American Univ (4400 blk Mass Av NW)
George Wash Univ (21st and H Sts NW)
250-300 kids at GWU in street, tried to overturn a car, no injuries yet. At least one arrest thus far.  Police suiting up with riot gear and calling for a paddy wagon.
Amer Univ is under control at the moment.
Photos of Gunman Who Robbed Gaithersburg Bank

Who Needs Guns in the Jungle of Northern Virginia? 
Three or four people were attacked by man with a machete. CUCO LINDO RESTAURANT, 8428 RICHMOND HWY, MT VERNON, FAIRFAX CO. Fight in restaurant involving 20-30 people. Medevac coming to fly one patient with possible arterial bleed. Police searching with canine.  Lookout for a man who may have fled in a silver Honda with D.C. tags.
Still Believe in Tough Gun Laws?
Two Shot, One Dying, More Trauma Center Fodder 3550 East Capitol St (D.C.) Two shot.  A 30-ish-year-old man in cardiac arrest will probably be dead.  Police found a 45-cal handgun in his waistband. Second victim is a woman shot in the right flank area with entrance/exit wound, conscious and alert. Lookout is for a man seen running from the area wearing a red shirt, unknown description on a second man.  Lookout provided by the woman is for one man in his 20's with a black leather coat with a hood, and 2-3-inch dreads and about 6-foot tall. Both victims going to P.G. Trauma Center.
2 Gunmen Snare Nissan in Carjacking

Oct. 22 1:45 a.m.  Mont. Co. ROSEMARY HILLS DR & EAST-WEST HWY (Silver Spring'ish) 2 MEN ARMED WITH BLACK HANDGUN CARJACKED A GOLD NISSAN ALTIMA WITH VA TAG YHR6149 / LAST SEEN IN THE REAR OF THE APT COMPLEX / CAR HAS
SCRATCHES ON RIGHT SIDE AND ROOF / ONLY 1 SUSPECT WAS DESCRIBED, HE IS A MAN WITH LONG DREADLOCKS

Another PG Stabbing (Oct. 22 ) 1:10 A.M. STABBING 1412 KANAWHA ST, P.G. Co. (Langley Park) 22-YR-OLD MAN WITH STAB WOUND NEAR BELLY BUTTON / GOING TO MEDSTAR ON MONT CO MEDIC 129
Security Guard Stabbed Jewelry Store Clerk
TYSONS Corner  --- Oct. 22, 12:45 a.m. Tyson's Corner Mall (Fairfax County) EMPLOYEE STABBED IN JEWELRY STORE / SUSPECT IS A SECURITY GUARD / POLICE CALLING FOR REINFORCEMENTS TO SEARCH / LOOKOUT FOR A MAN WEARING LONG-SLEEVE BLUE SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS / HE IS ARMED WITH GUN / SUSPECT'S DATE OF BIRTH IS 7/21/84

Two Women Robbed and Shot
  Oct. 21   11:25 p.m. D.C. 6622 7TH PL NW 30-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SHOT IN STOMACH, AND 55-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SHOT IN ARM / LOOKOUT IS FOR 8 SUSPECTS WHO MAY HAVE FLED WITH WOMEN'S PURSES
Police arrest teens in this shooting
Man Stumbles Into Metro Bus Freshly Stabbed -
-- Oct. 21  10:25 p.m. ANNACOSTIA (D.C.) METRO @ 1101 HOWARD RD SE SUBJECT WALKED INTO METRO BUS, HAS BEEN STABBED TWICE IN ROBBERY OR ATTEMPT / LOOKOUT FOR 2 MEN WHO FLED ON FOOT.  UNCLEAR WHERE CRIME SCENE IS YET.
Serious wreck in PG
Oct. 18 1:30 p.m. Trade Zone Av and Crain Hwy, north of Upper Marlboro.Motorcycle wreck with two pri-1 traumas for flyout.Two medevacs en route.
Children Critically Hurt in DC House Fire
On the second alarm in D.C., three children were seriously injured (smoke and inhalation burns).  It appears they may have been home alone and they were in the apartment where the fire may have originated. An adult jumped from the floor above, which brings the number of injured and transported to four. So far, all are still reported as alive, but the children are serious. Several residents were displaced. It's getting more gorgeous in Prince Georges, a regular garden spot of murder
....Another PG County Homicide   PG SUPER LIQUORS
4745 MARLBORO PIKE, Subject down in middle of the street in front of the business. Homicide detectives requested on arrival of police, although EMS has decided to attempt CPR. No lookout yet. Blvd. Hgts. area of P.G. County
The shooting in P.G. County is a confirmed homicide now.
New Questions for School Board Candidates:
Question # 5
Having been published in the local newspapers, I'm sure you're aware of the violent incidents that have occurred in upper grade St. Mary's County schools during the 03-04 school year.   School violence/bullying seems to be
a growing nationwide problem since President Bush along with, The US Dept. of Education and the U.S. Dept. of HHS is sponsoring a Stop Bullying Now program
(www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov).
Would you favor, propose, budget for on a yearly basis and implement as a part of the required curriculum a Stop Bullying program, to include the
elementary schools as well?

Answers received from:
Gary Kessler
Clare Whitbeck

Debate
Question # 4 Sept. 7, 2004: The St. Mary's School Board will likely not have the Indian Bridge site for a new elementary school.  Will you support using the previous offer of a free school site, complete with infrastructure of roads and sewer, at Wildewood?
This question posed by
ST. MARY'S TODAY

Answers received from:
Cathy Allen
Gary Kessler
Clare Whitbeck

Debate:

Questions # 2 & 3
Answers to these questions from:
Cathy Allen
Gary Kessler
Clare Whitbeck

Debate
First Question:
As a candidate, do you support the funding agreement reached between the school board and the St. Mary's Commissioners, if so, why; if not, why not?

This question is posed by
ST. MARY'S TODAY

Answers Received from The following Candidates:

Gary Kessler
Pat Woodburn
Clare Whitbeck
Cathy Allen

Debate
St. Mary's School Board Candidates Online Debate
ST. MARY'S TODAY will sponsor an
Online Debate beginning this week and lasting until the election with candidates invited to answer questions and ask questions of other candidates, even of candidates not competing with them for the same office.  Candidates are asked to confine their questions to 25 words and their answers to 75 words.  Questions may be posed as often as once daily.   All questions and answers can be sent to Ken@stmarystoday.com