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Eric Zimmermann ― The Hill

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is not happy with criticism he’s taking from fellow Republicans.

In a startling radio interview, Steele unleashed on GOPers who have questioned his leadership of the party:

“I’m telling them and I’m looking them in the eye and say I’ve had enough of it. If you don’t want me in the job, fire me. But until then, shut up. Get with the program or get out of the way,” Steele told told ABC News Radio in an interview Thursday.

There’s more:

The Bay Net

Maryland State Fire Marshall’s and Charles County Sheriff’s are investigating a IED explosion.

Charles County Sheriff’s along with the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to 10155 Tucker Lane in White Plains on Jan. 6 shortly before 9 p.m. for a reported “I.E.D” explosion. Investigation revealed a Improvised Explosive Device “soda bomb” had gone off and was discovered by the homeowner.

The Bay Net

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has temporarily closed the left lane on southbound MD 5 (Branch Avenue) at Burch Hill Road/Earnshaw Drive in Brandywine, Prince George’s County. 

A drainage issue under MD 5 resulted in water in the roadway, which has turned to ice.  SHA had been salting the lane nightly but will close one lane most of the day to ensure motorist safety.  The left lane is open for afternoon rush hour only between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be salted, if needed, to ensure safe passage for drivers.
[...]
Currently, the left lane on southbound MD 5 at Burch Hill Road/Earnshaw Drive is closed 21 hours a day for drivers’ safety.

Motorists should prepare for delays and drive carefully in the work zone.  SHA reminds all drivers to “Take it Slow on Ice and Snow.”  Choose Safety for Life and buckle up, obey posted speed limits, think orange, and stay alert.  Customers who have questions about traffic operations on MD 5 or other state numbered routes in Prince George’s County may call SHA’s District 3 Office at 301-513-7300 or toll free at 1-800-749-0737.

The Bay Net

The Charles County Department of Health and Charles County Public Schools are partnering to offer three free H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination clinics for school-aged children ages 3-19. 

The clinics will be held Jan. 14, 3 – 7 p.m., at Henry E. Lackey High School; Jan. 28, 3 – 7 p.m., at La Plata High School; and Feb. 4, 3 – 7 p.m., at Westlake High School. An adult must accompany children under the age of 18. 

The Bay Net

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is reminding customer-members that the recent cold temperatures will affect energy bills. The sub-freezing temperatures that were prevalent in late December and that have continued into January will directly translate into higher energy usage, which results in higher energy bills, according to SMECO.

For customer-members who want to save money on their bills, the Co-op provides the following information on how to reduce energy use when the weather is cold.

Nanjemoy InfoWar Message Blog

Well, it was certainly an enlightening experience.  Mr Wolfgang made the petitioners points with Mr ONiel in consultation,  Mr Buchannon and Mr Mudd made their counter points, Judge Nalley seemed to be very familiar with the case, after spending his weekend reviewing the volumous material that was in the record.

No Decision was made today, Judge Nalley indicated he would give this more thought and make a decision which will be released by the Clerk at a future date.

Overall, I think most protestants were satisfied, that they had their day in court, and have faith that issues are now being considered by a very well informed Judge Nalley.

Related thread: Reminder: Appeal Against Docket 1232, Case Number C09-1912 is tomorrow

Volunteer Orientation is coming up at the new USO Center at Indian Head, MD. Come out and see how you can help! You can learn more about volunteer opportunities and available volunteer shifts (available Monday-Saturday).

Orientation will be 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12th. Light refreshments will be provided. Please contact if you can attend or would like additional information. This opportunity is open to new volunteers! Mariellen Curtis

(703) 805-4277, Mariellen@usometro.org

WTOP

A fire department spokesman says one person was killed and four others wounded when a man with an assault rifle walked into a St. Louis plant and began shooting.

Fire Department spokesman Bob Keuss says authorities believe the shooter is still in the building.

Names of the victims were not released. Two were hospitalized in critical condition, one in serious condition. The other had minor injuries.

MICHAEL CRUMB ― WTOP

Snow was piled so high in Iowa that drivers couldn’t see across intersections and a North Dakota snowblower repair shop was overwhelmed with business as residents braced Thursday for heavy snow and wind chills as low as 50 below zero.

Frigid weather also was gripping the South, where a rare cold snap was expected to bring snow and ice Thursday to states from South Carolina to Louisiana. Forecasters said wind chills could drop to near zero at night in some areas.

SHAILA DEWAN ― New York Times

The South has become the first region in the country where more than half of public school students are poor and more than half are members of minorities, according to a new report.

The shift was fueled not by white flight from public schools, which spiked during desegregation but has not had much effect on school demographics since the early 1980s. Rather, an influx of Latinos and other ethnic groups, the return of blacks to the South and higher birth rates among black and Latino families have contributed to the change.

New York Times

The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed stricter health standards for smog, replacing a Bush-era limit that ran counter to scientific recommendations.

The new limits—which are presented as a range—will likely put hundreds more counties nationwide in violation, a designation that will require them to find additional ways to clamp down on pollution or face government sanctions, most likely the loss of federal highway dollars.

The tighter standards will cost tens of billions of dollars to implement, but will ultimately save billions in avoided emergency room visits, premature deaths, and missed work and school days, the EPA said.

JASON BABCOCK ― Enterprise

St. Mary’s County government doesn’t have authority over oysters harvested in area waters, but two of the county commissioners got into a disagreement Tuesday over a new state plan to establish sanctuaries for the shellfish.

Commissioner Larry Jarboe (R) drafted a letter for the board’s consideration Tuesday supporting Gov. Martin O’Malley’s plan to protect oyster bars in the upper parts of the Patuxent and St. Mary’s rivers.

Commission President Francis Jack Russell (D), a former waterman himself, said he would not support the letter. “To have a sanctuary in the entire head of the St. Mary’s River is a perfect example of people not knowing what they’re doing or what they’re talking about,” he said.

Kevin Spradlin ― Cumberland Times-News

Columbia Gas Transmission representatives apologized, over and over again, about the way they handled outreach efforts to land owners in eastern Allegany County and the utility company’s plans to conduct seismic activity on certain properties.
[...]
The company and property owners remained at odds over the interpretation of Maryland’s “right of entry” statute. Roberts said CGT’s legal team, which was not present Wednesday, believed law was on its side to conduct the activity.

He noted while CGT hoped an agreement could be reached, individual cases are “going to have to be a battle of the experts,” likely through attorneys.

The Board of Education will be hosting a forum entitled “What Counts?” scheduled on Thursday, February 18th at Westlake High School. This forum will include roundtable discussions to gather input from our community on “What Counts in Education.”. Attendance and participation at this forum is by invitation only. Each board member has been asked to submit a list of 20-30 names by January 12th as invitees.

If you are interested in being one of my 20-30 invitees to this event, please EMAIL ME as soon as possible, with your name and mailing address.

Maryland Independent

(scroll down)

Ken Robinson of Swan Point has been appointed the Charles County representative to the advisory board of the Maryland Clean Energy Center.
[...]
“Ken brings a unique perspective to the Advisory Board having walked the walk on clean energy,” said Kathy Magruder, executive director of the Energy Center, in the release. “We look forward to his participation and guidance to the center,” she added.