>State Legislators Hope To Close Cell Phone/Driving Loopholes
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Feb. 17, 2011
by Holly Nunn
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland legislators are looking to close gaping loopholes and ease enforcement of laws prohibiting cell phone use behind the wheel.
Bills heard Tuesday in House and Senate committees would amend laws that took effect last October, which banned hand-held cell phone use while the vehicle is in motion. Under the new rules, cell phone use would be illegal any time the car is in the travel portion of the road, including when stopped at a stop light or in traffic.
One bill, sponsored by Delegate James Malone Jr., D-Baltimore County, would make cell-phone use without a hands-free headset a primary offense, which means law enforcement could pull drivers over when they are observed using a handheld device.
As the law is now, drivers have to commit another violation, like speeding or running a stop sign, while talking on a cell phone to be given a ticket for the secondary offense.
>Beitzel's Marcellus Shale Bill To Be Heard Next Week
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Feb. 17, 2011
House Bill 411, a measure sponsored by Del. Wendell R. Beitzel (R–Dist, 1A), will be heard before the General Assembly’s House Environmental Matters Committee next Wednesday, Feb. 23, in Annapolis at 1 p.m. The measure would require the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) to submit regulations to the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee by Dec. 31.
Sen. George Edwards has submitted a companion bill, SB 422, in the Senate. The proposed legislation has been assigned to the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committed, which has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, March 3, at 1 p.m.
“This bill allows those who have the technical know-how to establish commonsense regulations regarding drilling that would ensure safeguards for the citizens of Garrett and Allegany counties,” said Beitzel.
This measure is modeled after a similar proposal approved by the House Environmental Matters Committee during the 2009 legislative session regarding coal combustion byproducts.
Beitzel noted that MDE already has many regulations in place to deal with natural gas and well drilling generally. These regulations give the department the authority to set permit conditions for each well application on a case-by-case basis.
The bill, as presented, tackles the issue on two fronts, the delegate noted. First, it gives the department the authority to promulgate regulations generally dealing with the Marcellus shale.
“Such enumerated power has been the focus of many who have expressed their concerns regarding the possibility of Marcellus shale drilling in Maryland,” Beitzel said.
Secondly, the bill specifically enumerates five aspects that the department must address in the regulations.
“MDE has broad authority in the state to regulate drilling for natural gas, both though statute and regulations found in COMAR,” Beitzel said. “However, there is no specific provision for horizontal drilling into the Marcellus shale. That is why Senator Edwards and I believed it was best to pursue legislation to require the department to move forward in a timely fashion to promulgate specific regulation for this purpose. The aspects specifically covered in the bill are also things that we have been told the department is already examining.”
Because the Beitzel/Edwards bills require regulations to be established, they same must go through a through a public comment process.
>13th Annual Deep Creek Dunk Set For Feb. 26
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Feb. 17, 2011
With chilly temperatures and snowy conditions in full effect, people form throughout Maryland are gearing up for an event synonymous with winter at Deep Creek Lake—the annual Deep Creek Dunk.
The dunk serves as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Maryland and is slated for Saturday, Feb. 26. A thousand dunkers are expected to partake in the event. Last year’s Deep Creek Dunk raised approximately $150,000.
The festivities will kick off early with the pre-dunk event Goosebumps & Grapes: An Evening of Fire & Wine. This wine-tasting event, jointly hosted by Honi-Honi, Uno’s, Long & Foster Vacation Resort Rentals, and Arrowhead Market, will feature a variety of wines courtesy of Republic National Distributing Company.
There is a $20 donation required to attend the event, which will allow individuals to taste wines around a bonfire or inside a heated tent. Dunkers will also be able to register, between 6 and 9 p.m., for the dunk and avoid the Saturday morning lines.
>A Regal Pose - The Republican News
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Posing regally in an icy-limbed forest was this American bald eagle, photographed recently in the Friendsville area by Friendsville resident Jesse Whittemore. With Presidents’ Day just around the corner, one can’t help but marvel at the resiliency of not only this national symbol but also of the United States and its people. The bald eagle was on the brink of extirpation in the lower 48 states not too long ago. But after much hard work and determination by many citizens, eagle populations recovered and stabilized – so much so that in 2007, the eagle was removed from the federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States. Americans can once again view this magnificent creature and emblem in many areas of their nation, including Garrett County.
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>It's Winter Fest Time! - The Republican News
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The streets of Oakland soon will be decorated with a variety of ice sculptures, as the fourth annual Winter Fest will get under way tomorrow, Feb. 18, and run through Sunday evening. The sculptures will be lighted, and a drive through the town in the evening can be particularly engaging for sightseers. The weather could possibly hamper the festival a little bit, as after months of bitter cold, the area is to experience a warm spell. However, Saturday’s high is to be just 37, so the sculptures should remain intact. Many will be placed and lighted Friday night, and more will be carved “live” throughout the day on Saturday by returning artist Bill Sandusky of Frozen Assets. There will be “ice bowling,” a campfire with s’mores, other food, and music. Brochures with maps and activity listings will be available. Photo by Deb Swiger.
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>America's Most Wanted - Deandre Kelly
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Felony Traffic Stop Leads To High-Speed Chase
When police in Garrett County, Md., made a felony traffic stop on Jan. 21, 2011, they didn’t realize there were multiple felons in the car.
Deandre Kelly, wanted for two outstanding narcotics warrants, sat in the back seat as he watched his friend get taken into custody. Amidst the commotion, Kelly seized an opportunity to escape. Kelly jumped into the front seat of the vehicle and took off. Police gave chase and quickly apprehended Kelly when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed. He was transported to a nearby hospital until Jan. 23, when he was transported to the Garrett County Detention Center at 11:30 a.m.
Later that evening, around 8:15 p.m., authorities say Kelly managed to escape – while brandishing a handgun.
Kelly is considered extremely dangerous, and U.S. Marshals fear he will not be taken into custody without a fight. Authorities urge extreme caution when dealing with Kelly. During his escape, police say Kelly assaulted two correctional officers with a handgun. Originally, Kelly fled the D.C. metro area, but police have reason to believe he has returned. Sightings have placed him in College Park, Md., and he was also tracked to Silver Spring within the vicinity of the Seven Spring Village Apartments.
Kelly has an extensive social network ranging as far as North Carolina, but U.S. Marshals believe he is taking refuge somewhere in D.C. or Maryland. If you know anything regarding Kelly’s whereabouts, call 1-800-CRIME-TV. You can remain anonymous.
Wanted For:
First Degree Escape , Garrett County , MD ; Jan 23, 2011
(Information valid as of February 17, 2011)
Keep informed with the case here.
>Just Listed - 7 acres Backbone Ridge - GA7532842
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Lot 18, Backbone Ridge subdivision. 7.51 acres to build your vacation getaway or full time home! Be part of the community at the highest point in Maryland!
Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property.
>January 2011 Real Estate Stats - Market Update
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3 ‘newer’ homes sold in January (5 years old or less)
- It appears that 12 or so of these sales were vacation homes
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8 homes sold under $300,000 (last month was 22)
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9 homes sold under $400,000
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1 house sold over $ 1million (3 last month)
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1 home sold for higher than full price (one sold for 139.56%)
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One house sold for 45.22% of asking price
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The oldest home that sold was 76 yrs old
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The average age of the homes that sold was 25 years
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3 condo’s/townhouse properties sold (4 last month)
Here are the statistical breakdowns:
Average Sale Price: $398,779 (last month $327,687)
Average Days on Market: 316/345 (last month 207/270) (days on market with current broker/total days on market)
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
>Just Listed - Lot 9 Harvey Estates - GA7531595
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HARVEY ESTATES, LOT # 9
SWANTON, MD 21561
Lot 9 Harvey Estates 2.06 +/- acre wooded lot, gentle slope w/ sewer tap. Lot offers easy access from (2) roads, great spot for vacation or primary home. Priced to sell @ $89,900
>Let’s find a way to resolve this issue without changing history
>To the Editor:
The Cumberland Times-News Wed Feb 16, 2011, 08:00 AM EST
— I am writing concerning the name change of a mountain in Garrett County Negro Mountain. I wondered many years ago how long would it take before someone was offended and wanted to change the name. Well, it has finally happened. Someone is offended by the word Negro.
I was born in 1940 and I have heard all the names referring to blacks. Both “N” words, colored people, and now African American.
What I don’t understand is why some expressions offend people and others don’t. For example, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) if the word Negro bothers you, why doesn’t the name colored people bother you? Why have you not changed that name to the (National Association for the Advancement of African American People?
I have another question. What about the United Negro College Fund. Is that not another racist expression? Why not rename it the United African American College Fund.
Slavery happened a long time ago. It was wrong I admit, but I had nothing to do with what happened before I was born, and personally I am tired of hearing all this.
Let us as a nation move forward and do what will make us the nation we once were.
We owe the American Indian as much of an apology as we owe blacks, but that is another subject.
I am against changing the name (Negro Mountain) but, I would suggest changing the marker to include naming the person with whom the marker was intended.
Can we not come to a simple solution without changing history?
Paul Williams
Cumberland
