Two graduate students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore have created a service project to feed needy families in Somerset County. The project is called "A Day of Thanksgiving", which will provide 100 families with a holiday meal. The coordinators of the event say seeing too many residents struggling to make ends meet inspired them to do something.

"I just felt that it was necessary to try to help people in need. Just try to give them any kind of assistance they can get," said Clifton Harcum, one of the project coordinators.

Another coordinator of the event, Phillip Thomas says it feels empowering to help others. "Being that everybody has experienced those times at some point or another it only makes sense that when you're in a position to give back that's what you do."

Several area businesses contributed to the cause. Families selected by the Department of Social Services will be able to pick up their holiday meals on Saturday.

Delaware's Attorney General says he has successfully shut down a drug haven in Sussex County. Beau Biden says the Department of Justice has closed a property on Blueberry Lane near Frankford.He calls the property a "poster child of how drug crime and violence destabilizes neighborhoods and threatens the safety of our families." They've tracked contract drug trafficking among other crimes there in the past.

Police say two 15-year-olds assaulted and robbed another student at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School. They say it happened Thursday in the bathroom. They say the teens took the students cell phone and cash.

The victim was taken to the hospital for head injuries. The suspects are facing several charges and have been released to their parents.

A Maryland man will spend almost 60 years behind bars on a rape conviction involving a 14-year-old. Charles Kane was sentenced to 45 years for the incident from September of 2008. Authorities say he was on probation at the time for a controlled dangerous substance case. He also received 14 and a half years for violation probation.

A Salisbury teen is facing second degree rape charges. Police have arrested 19-year-old Elijah Kellam in connection with an incident back in June. Kellam is accused of assaulting and raping a woman he knew, and refusing to let her leave the home.

He is now facing several charges.

The swine flu appears to be easing up, but experts say don't be fooled, it isn't gone for good.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, with the CDC, says, "We do not know how long this wave will last, whether there may be multiple waves. We know that flu season can last until May."

Experts say the vaccine, while hard to find for some, appears to be effective. The CDC says we could see another rise in cases of the H1N1 flu during the winter months. They say Thanksgiving travel has the potential to increase the transmission if people who are sick don't follow recommendations to stay at home.

Saturday is the 7th Annual Love Thy Neighbor Community Food Drive. Join WMDT and bring your canned goods to the Wal-Mart Supercenter in North Salisbury from 10AM to 3PM. There will be plenty of entertainment plus meet some of your favorite TV and radio personalities. It's a great way to network and help out people in your community.
 

A program is underway at Pocomoke Elementary to help families in need put food on the table this holiday season. On Friday, parents of students at the school were able to pick up a turkey and other traditional goodies needed to make the perfect Thanksgiving meal. The turkeys were donated by the Worcester County Bar Association.

The program usually feeds 125 families each year. The program director says they continue the efforts for Christmas also, with the help of the Worcester County Santa House.

Students at Pocomoke Elementary were encouraged to reach for the stars on Friday. During an assembly they were able to learn about different careers, including what it takes to become a news reporter. WMDT's Amber Watson spent time with the second grade class to tell them the daily adventures while chasing a story.

The school put on the program to encourage students at a young age the importance of education and staying in school.

Delaware's Governor is promising to help workers "quickly" after news broke of the Valero refinery closing in Delaware City. Governor Jack Markell has already told Labor officials to activate the same rapid response as when General Motors closed their Delaware plant earlier this year. He says the State will also make every effort to ensure the environmental health and safety of the site to protect families living nearby.
 

Fire rips through a Princess Anne chicken house, causing $25,000 in damages. Fire Marshals say it started Thursday on Loretta Road. Luckily no one was injured in the blaze.

They say an electrical failure is to blame. Crews were able to contain the fire in about 20 minutes.

Virginia seems to be doing well when it come to recycling. A new report says recycling rates remained steady last year. The annual report by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality logs recycling rates of 324 cities, counties and towns and some businesses. Virginia's rate was 38.5 in 2008, the same as 2007. The state's rate is better than the goal of 35 percent by 2010 set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

The military is taking steps to learn more about post-traumatic stress disorder. A experiment is underway to try to predict who's most at risk for the disorder. Doctors say understanding underlying triggers might help reduce the burden of those who return from combat psychologically wounded. PTSD is a crippling condition that can emerge after a terrifying event. The disorder affects one in five veterans returning from war.
 

      A Delaware State Police employee has been arrested.
      Finisha Mills of Dover turned herself in on charges that she intentionally filed false information regarding a registered sex offender's status.
      Police say they received a tip that Michael Tilghman was living at Persimmon Tree Apartments in Dover.
      But, Tilghman was listed as homeless.
      Police say the apartment belongs to Mills and she was in a relationship with Tilghman.
      Mills is free on bond and has been suspended without pay.
      Tilghman is charged with one count of Failure to Verify Sex Offender Registry.

Eastern Correctional Institution is cancelling visitation this weekend. That's because of a lockdown at the prison for what's being called "security searches." Officials there say it's part of a periodic search. They say while it isn't being done specifically because of an inmate stabbed to death earlier this month, they will still be looking for evidence in the crime.

The lockdown is in effect until further notice.

A Fruitland man is headed to prison for sex offenses involving minors. Russell Burnett pleaded guilty earlier this month to the crimes and will spend 15 years behind bars. The charges involved three children, two eight-year-olds and one 11-year-old. He was accused of attacking the girls in his yard and at his home in April.

Burnett is also currently awaiting trial on federal charges involving child pornography.

Civil Rights organizations are asking Virginia's Governor to take action before he leaves office. They want Governor Tim Kaine to sign an executive order restoring the rights of nearly 300,000 felons. Virginia is one of only two States that permanently strip felons of their civil rights like voting, serving on juries or holding public office.

Kaine has said he would consider such an order before he leaves office in January.

Maryland's Comptroller is asking people to shop local for the holidays.
Peter Franchot toured the quaint Town of Easton Thursday, pushing his message. He says shopping locally helps provide jobs, which brings in more business and eventually gives shoppers more options. Senator Richard Colburn joined the Comptroller on his stroll through the Town.

He agrees with Franchot, "It's important for every downtown whether it's Downtown Salisbury, Cambridge, Denton or Easton to have a vibrant downtown but it's really hard to do with the Wal-Mart's, the shopping centers, etc."
 

The Town's Director of Economic Development, Maureen Scott-Taylor, said, "Our downtown businesses can't survive just on visitors coming in, we need our local citizens to come downtown."
 

Comptroller Franchot is also planning to tour other downtown areas in the State. On December 1, he will visit downtown Cambridge.

"We Support Our Troops" is a message that Americans spread loud and clear. But what about when they come home? For nearly 130,000 veterans that is when the real trouble begins.

"I was a veteran. I spent 23 years in the Air Force and a lot of folks don't understand why first off a person can become homeless, and they really don't understand why a veteran becomes homeless," said Rich Pokorny, the so called "founding father" of the Home of the Brave.

For 14 years, it's been the only homeless shelter in the State of Delaware. Inside, there are 15 beds, and the support the veterans need to rebuild their lives. The only rules are no drugs and no alcohol.

"If it wasn't for the Home of the Brave, I have no clue where I would be," said homeless veteran Glenn Leichliter.

Physical disabilities and mental health problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder make it tough for some vets to adjust to life after battle.

"At Home of the Brave, we tell them we give them a hand up, not a hand out," said Pokorny.

The shelter provides clothing, transportation, and meals. But, perhaps most important, the director acts as a liaison between the vets and the Veteran's Affairs Office.

"All you have to do is ask for help and that was my hardest problem," said Harry Wells, a veteran living at the Home of the Brave.

The average stay lasts about 30 days. But, when it's time to move on, the Home of the Brave doesn't let the veterans go empty handed. More times than not, the shelter helps furnish their next home through donations. The Director says this program is saving lives and proving to veterans that they do have support, even after they've served their country.

To find out how to help the Home of the Brave program, call 302-424-1681.

So many people buy gift cards for the holidays, now there's a card where a portion of the money goes to charity. It's called the "Give Card."

You choose the card value from $25 to $250 and you choose the value of the donation starting at $5. The person you give the card to picks the charity and can use the rest of the money anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

Facebook users now have the chance to shine a spotlight on a local charity. JP Morgan Chase is letting Facebook users help decide how to giveaway $5 Million. The 100 charities that get the most votes by December 11 will each receive $25,000. Then, in the program's second round, one of the 100 will get a million dollar grant. Five runners up will get $100,000. To nominate a charity, click on 47 weblinks.

If you are on Facebook or any social networking site, you could fall victim to cyber crimes. The FBI says more and more cyber thieves are targeting sites like Twitter because they provide a gold mine of personal data. It can all starts with a friend sending you an innocent link. Once you click it, it leads can lead you to a fake website that tricks you into divulging personal information.

Experts say before you click the link, ask your friend if they even sent you anything.

It's that time of the season where shoppers are hitting up the sales, hoping to stuff the stockings and pile gifts around the trees. Unfortunately, it's not just the sales seeing the action. It is a time when crime is also up.

"With the economy people are just desperate in taking more risks that you have to be more cautious," said Katie Wolfe, the owner of Velvet Pearl, a boutique in downtown Salisbury.

The owner of Velvet Pearl says her store being a target for crime this holiday season is a concern, but she is taking extra steps to keep the shop lifters away.

"We've got a great security system and burglar and theft system as well, so that definitely helps."

Wolfe says she also keeps her doors locked during slow business hours.

Local law enforcement say they are also taking action to keep the Salisbury area safe during the holidays.

"Between the three agencies, we are going to be increasing patrols. We'll be putting more people in shopping centers and busier areas in the community. Our hope is that we deter some of these crimes with our presence in certain areas," said Lieutenant Ernie Leatherbury, with the Maryland State Police.

"For business owners it's really important to have a good relationship with the local police department. You have to keep your eyes and your ears open and take whatever precautions you can to keep yourself and your customers safe," said Wolfe.

Police say during these times it is important to be a good witness. If residents see something suspicious, authorities say to pay attention to the details and report it immediately.

At the beginning of the year Sussex County will have to take over Dog Control Operations. New Delaware State law is forcing all counties to take control of dog related issues within its jurisdiction. County officials say the change will cost them an excess of $700,000 a year.

Currently they have two proposals with the Delaware SPCA and the Kent County SPCA.

A childcare provider charged with manslaughter has been released on bond. Trappe resident, Gail Dobson posted a $250,000 bond on Wednesday. Police say Dobson's care lead to the death of an infant, who suffered from an injury related to Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Dobson has been prohibited to come in contact with children under the age of 18, except for supervised visits with her grandchildren. A court date has not yet been set.

According to some officials in Wicomico County, the revenue cap that took effect in 2002 has kept the area from progressing. While the revenue cap keeps taxes lower for residents, it also limits the amount of revenue the county can generate. Mark Thompson, the President of the Wicomico County School Board, says the cap is hurting the schools in the County. With limited funds they are not able to bring in as many programs, or teachers as they would like.

"We want to maintain recruit and hire the best qualified teachers and the only way you can compete is by having monies coming into our County so we can offer better salaries to entice better educators to come here," said Thompson.

The NAACP is hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the problems with Wicomico County's Revenue Cap. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at First Baptist Church, it begins at 7PM.

Commissioners in Somerset County are breathing a sigh of relief after learning they will not have to adjust their budget. Governor Martin O'Malley announced he needs to cut nearly $300 million in spending to help balance Maryland's budget shortfall. Officials in Somerset County say the second round of cuts most likely will not affect them.

The County's Roads Department recently took a major hit when the State reduced about $736 Million of spending in the first two months of the current fiscal year.

The Town of Easton has began decking the halls and ringing in the holiday spirit. Right now, officials are sprucing up the downtown area. The Mayor said the season kicked off to a great start with last weekend's Waterfowl festival.

Mayor Robert Willey said, there is more fun on the way, "we've got a long list of events going on in the next two weeks, six weeks, and two months, that there's bound to be someone for everyone so come on down."

The Town's next big event is the 24th Annual Festival of Trees. It kicks off November 28 and runs until December 1. Easton is also offering free horse drawn carriage rides every Friday until Christmas from 5 to 8 PM. The Mayor said it is a great way to see the Town all lit up for the holidays.

Congress is preparing to open oversight hearings into the Fort Hood massacre Thursday. Lawmakers are concerned that federal agencies may not be sharing intelligence information. Officials also wants to know whether the shooting was the result of poor judgment calls which may have contributed to the rampage that claimed 13 lives.
 

Health officials say hospitalizations for the swine flu and other types of the illness have been declining since a spike last month.
According to state data, hospitalizations for untyped or seasonal strains of flu fell last week. Those numbers hit a high of about 260 in the week ending October 24th. About 150 of those were confirmed swine flu hospitalizations.
Official say the recent warm weather and rain may have helped reduce the spread of the virus.

Police are investigating an alleged hit and run in Salisbury.

The two cars collided in the middle of the road at Carroll Street before 9 PM on Wednesday.

Judy Myers of Salisbury says she was crossing Route 13 when another car flew into hers.

The male driver of the other car fled on foot into the area of PRMC, but officials now say they have a suspect in custody.

Myers was not injured.

A man is recovering after two accidents Wednesday night: he was both behind and in front of the wheel.

Police say the suspect first crashed his van into a ditch full of water on South Upper Ferry Road near Salisbury.

Then officials say he walked a few hundred feet, ending up in the path of an oncoming car on Cooper Road, where he got hit.

He was transported to PRMC for minor injuries.

Authorities say he appeared to be intoxicated.

No charges have been filed yet.

The Obama Administration is trying to calm the storm over a new mammogram controversy.

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that the new recommendations are not shared by the federal government.

Earlier this week, a federal advisory board recommended that women should start getting breast exams at age 50 and every two years instead of annually.

Sebelius says that is not federal policy, and every woman should make her own plan with her own doctor.

Caroline County officials are searching for a registered sex offender.

Authorities say Michael Burgess failed to report for his semi-annual check.

He was convicted of a 3rd degree sex offense back in 2002, and the incident involved a 4-year old victim.

Anyone with information on Burgess should call 410-479-2515.

A shocking crime in Delmar: someone has stolen from a children's fund.

Police say a white male took the container of money from the Delmar Public Library last night.

The funds were for an event called "The Teddy Bear's Picnic," where local kids come together for an afternoon at the library for building bears.

No word on how much was stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-896-3131.