It’s been over one year since she was shot in broad daylight, in her home just outside of Rehoboth Beach.  The two witnesses, Paula’s son and his female friend have not talked to the press.  Last week Paula’s father pulled the $100,000 reward. 

Today he gives us this statement:  (bold is my emphasis)

Press Release Statement:
Mr. Fran J. Grossi
19606 Coastal Highway, suite 102
Rehoboth Beach, De.  19971
Date:  February 11, 2008
Re:  Paula Grossi Murder, January 26, 2007
I have chosen to withdraw the $100,000.00 reward offer for the murderers of my daughter, Paula F. Grossi, murdered January 26, 2007.
It has been over a year since her horrific murder without an arrest.  I never had any confidence in the accuracy of the composite sketch of one of the murderers released to the public in February 2007.  It is very difficult to get an exact sketch of a person in the manner it is done, so I am told.
From February 2007 to February 2008 there has been over 50 leads documented and a number of these leads are presently under investigation.
We have hired a highly professional private investigation company consisting of ex-F.B.I. agents.  These agents will have the flexibility of unethical actions verses the Delaware State Police’s ethical actions and the freedom to travel, etc, plus feeding each other information, a helping hand could go a long way.
This hiring has no reflection on the Delaware State Police what so ever.  At this time we need all the help we can get to apprehend these murderers.
I know there are many doubts and questions out there about my grandson being involved in his Mother’s murder and/or why two-(2) witnesses were left unharmed.  My grandson is innocent of any involvement, but the question of the unharmed witnesses still remains.
 

Sincerely,
Fran J. Grossi

 

Trees = Bad

Alleged environmentalists are being told to cut down the trees they planted because they’re blocking a neighbor’s solar panels:

“We’re just living here in peace. We want to be left alone,” said Bissett, who with her husband has spent $25,000 defending themselves against criminal charges. “We support solar power, but we thought common sense would prevail.”

Their neighbor Mark Vargas considers himself an environmentalist, too. His 10-kilowatt solar system, which he installed in 2001, is so big he pays only about $60 a year in electrical bills. He drives an electric car.

Vargas said he first asked Treanor and Bissett to chop down the eight redwoods, which the couple had planted from 1997 to 1999 along the fence separating their yards. Later, he asked them to trim the trees to about 15 feet.

“I offered to pay for the removal of the trees. I said let’s try to work something out,” Vargas said. “They said no to everything.”

He installed the panels.

The trees lost the court battle because of a 1978 law signed by then Governor Jerry Brown that gives solar “precedence” in California. The filthy, criminal, tree planters have until the end of March to cut down the offending trees or face a fine up to $1,000 a day. They may appeal.

Anthony Lofink, the son of State Representative Vince Lofink (R-Caravel Farms), may be going to the can for his part in the theft of $1 million from the State Department of Finance:   
         

Anthony J. Lofink, 29, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering in the scheme, which prosecutors said involved conspiring with four other people to submit false claims for the return of abandoned property seized by the state.

U.S. Attorney Colm Connolly said Lofink, son of state Rep. Vincent Lofink, used some of the money to buy luxury cars, clothing, jewelry and cosmetic surgery.

‘What motivated Mr. Lofink was greed,’ Connolly said.

Lofink, who worked in a Division of Revenue unit that processes claims for abandoned property, also known as escheat, is scheduled to be sentenced May 8. He faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison and a fine of $2.4 million — double the amount that was stolen.

Ouch, that hurts.  This came in today from Joe Fulgham at Legislative Hall:

The following statement is from State Rep. Vince Lofink regarding the guilty pleas entered by his son, Anthony J. Lofink, in U.S. District Court today on three felony charges.  This is the only comment Rep. Lofink will make on this subject:

“Even when your children are fully grown and responsible for their own actions, you never stop being a parent.  As Tony’s father, I’m saddened and disappointed that he has committed crimes against the residents of this state and betrayed the trust that so many people placed in him.  Tony needs to pay for the shameful things he’s done.  I hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on his transgressions and that he’ll emerge as someone who wants to become a productive, law-abiding citizen.” 

We’ll keep you up to date as this story unfolds….

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden seen during an August 2007 press conference in West Rehoboth.

We covered the press conference in West Rehoboth when Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden announced he would “aggressively pursue” the “newly enhanced Drug Nuisance and Social Vices Abatement Act,” and now we’re seeing the results.

A property in West Rehoboth is the “first residential property in Delaware to be judicially declared a nuisance under the Nuisance Abatement Act.” According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office:

In his ruling Judge T. Henley Graves ordered that several conditions must be met within 15 days, including:

- Any tenant on the property besides the property owners must be evicted

- Two apartments on the property must be vacated and shuttered

- Only the property owners and a limited number of specific family members are permitted on the property at any time

- Signs must be posted stating that loitering, trespassing, and illegal drug sales are prohibited

Biden’s DOJ also filed another lawsuit against a neighboring house. The Act allows the State to take action against properties declared a “nuisance.” Actions can include “closing” or even bulldozing a property.

Many people have asked about the fate of the children left behind when Christine Sheddy vanished in the Pokomoke City area Nov 13, 2007.  Christine has three children; two of them, (the young boys who were with her in Maryland) are now staying with their father Levi Hall, and his mother Joyce Hall in Milford, Delaware. 

I was surprised to learn this detail after Friday’s Dan Gaffney Show broadcast; surprised because Joyce Hall is an employee of WGMD radio.  She placed a note in my mailbox at work explaining she is Levi’s mother, and she and Levi are caring for the children.  Talk about hitting close to home!

I feel so sad for all the players involved in this story.  My heart breaks for Christine’s mother Lynn Dodenhoff of Bowers Beach who explained on the air Saturday, “I know, I know she is dead”.  Christine’s sister tells me via e-mail that she has just about lost all hope that Christine will be found alive.  Friends and family continue to ask for more news and co-operation from the police in Maryland. It is my wish you will somehow be able to find at least a moment of peace this Christmas to free you from the turmoil you are facing. 

We had some news that the FBI may be getting involved after our broadcast on Friday, but we are still waiting on “official” news of this from the police.  I must say I am also surprised the Delaware Sate Police are not talking about assisting in this case that remains officially just a “missing person” story.

This story has “foul play” written all over it.

Here is a link to the first blog post on the story.

Here is a link to a missing flyer that contains several pictures of Christine.

 

Christine Sheddy has been missing from our area since November 13, 2007.

WGMD Report:

A reward is being offered for information that leads to finding Christine Marie Sheddy, who has been missing since last month. Sheddy is 27 years old, about 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. She went missing on Nov. 13, and at that time Sheddy had blond, shoulder-length hair. Sheddy and her two young sons were staying with her mother at her Bowers Beach home. Sheddy told her mother she was going to Pocomoke to visit a couple she met through her boyfriend, who is the father of her children. Anyone with information about Sheddy should contact the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation or the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Those numbers – 410-352-3476 or 410-632-1111.

The Maryland Coast Dispatch gives us this detail

Sheddy left her Bowers Beach, Del. home on Nov. 13 with her two sons, ages two and four, in tow to visit a couple in Pocomoke she had met earlier through her boyfriend. Sheddy remained behind with her two sons at the Pocomoke residence while the couple went to pick up their own children at school.
When the couple returned, Sheddy was gone and her two boys were left home alone. Sheddy was supposed to have returned to her Bowers Beach residence on Nov. 17. She was reported missing, touching off a search throughout the county and beyond. According to reports, Sheddy’s two sons are now staying with their father.

The couple is only known to me as “Tia and Junior”.  Family and friends tell me Christine had only recently met “Tia and Junior”.  I have also learned the couple has left the property where the disappearance happened and are living elsewhere in the area.

The girls mother Lynn Dodenhoff tells me her missing daughter will turn 27 years old Saturday.  I have interviewed friends, and family and other acquaintances of Christine; no on has heard from her.
 

Christine’s Myspace page.

Boyfriend and children’s father Levi’s Myspace page.

Tia’s Myspace page?

Earlier today, WGMD News reported the story of three men arrested by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife for spotlighting deer:

Three men have been charged with spotlighting and killing deer in Fenwick Island. Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents arrested 28 year old Manuel Galvan, 32 year old Ariosto Lopez and 36 year old Javier Mendez on Wednesday after receiving a complaint about spotlighting. Each of the men face a variety of charges and officials also seized a truck and .22 caliber rifle as evidence. All three are being held at SCI in default of $3500 dollars secured bond.

Since then, and after making more phone calls than a teenager on a Friday night, WGMD has learned that the trio of deer poachers were in the United States illegally. Here’s what we know so far:

- The Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement had to make the determination as to whether or not the men were legally in the USA.

- The men are “Mexican nationals.” This was determined by ICE (much cooler name than “INS,” by the way), as the men sat at the Sussex Correctional Institution.

- Only one of the men had a driver’s license. The license was from Florida. Florida is one of the few states that will issue a driver’s license to an illegal immigrant. Big thanks to the Sunshine State for aiding a series of criminal acts with their slacker policy.

- The three were caught in Fenwick Island “spotlighting” deer, which is illegal. No one had a hunting license. They killed an antlerless deer that did not have a tag. Some of the other charges against them are shooting near a road, hunting out of season, and conspiracy. They were hunting with a .22 caliber rifle, which is also illegal.

- They were apparently not shooting from their truck, but they did throw the deer in the truck, and the truck has been seized.

- The .22 caliber rifle was the only weapon they were caught with. But that still begs the question as to how people in the USA and Delaware illegally got their hands on a rifle like that.

- The Delaware Fish and Wildlife officers were unable to communicate with the armed criminals because of a language barrier. They had to get an officer from Laurel to translate. What an incredibly dangerous situation for our men and women at Fish and Wildlife, fully armed people who can’t understand each other face to face in the middle of a crime scene.

- According to Michael Gilhooly from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the men may be entitled to a hearing, but when the State is finished with them, ICE will take them into custody and deport them, which is eerily similar to the way law abiding citizens of the United States want situations like this to be handled.

Dramatic reenactment of the deer’s final moments.

So “thank you” to Delaware Fish and Wildlife and ICE for administering some much needed justice. At a time when Delawareans are getting ready for a wave of regulations and financial costs associated with the State’s new Salt Water Fishing License, it’s nice to know that this is at least one area where being a lawful US citizen is an advantage. I’m sure that deer would totally agree with me.

The new seating arrangements for the Cape Henlopen School Board. (From left to right: Coveleski, Wray, Brittingham, Stone, Parker Selby, Redden, Conlon, Prettyman)

Ms. Stell Parker Selby in her new, maybe temporary position as Cape Henlopen School Board President.

As earlier reported, Cape Henlopen School Board President, Gary Wray, has resigned his leadership position, and Board Vice President Stell Parker Selby will be taking that seat until a new President is chosen.

“Remember that we are elected to serve our school community. That is my motto.” - Acting Cape Henlopen School Board President Stell Parker Selby AUDIO

Outspoken Board member, Noble Prettyman, called on Dr. Wray to resign last month after a particularly contentious meeting citing ethics violations:

“Dr. Wray’s actions last night give me no choice but to ask that he be removed as president of the school board,” Prettyman said during an interview Friday, Nov. 9. “As parents spoke, he put his glasses on his head and rolled his eyes in a degrading way. It is unacceptable behavior, and I absolutely feel he cannot be allowed to be the board’s president any longer.”

In addition to inappropriate behavior to Cape’s parents and taxpayers, Prettyman said, Wray’s conduct in taking unilateral action, violating the trust of the taxpayers and soliciting unilateral action by the Stone violated the ethical requirements for board members.

After Wray’s resignation Thursday night, Prettyman had this to say:

“I know he did the right thing, because it’s not about Dr. Wray.” - Board member Noble Prettyman AUDIO

 

Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation Mini grant Award Winners were on hand last night to tell parents, teachers, board members and the public how they are spending their grant money in the classroom. Milton Elementary School second grade teacher Jackie Shockley tells the crowd how she spends the money she received:

“I use the grant money to purchase sound systems for all of the second grade classrooms…to help at risk kids.” - Second Grade Teacher Jackie Shockley AUDIO

Last October a young criminal broke into the home of a 72 year old Lewes woman, tried to rape her, failed, smashed her in the head with a hammer a few times, robbed her then made her drive him to Rehoboth Beach. Well, the nasty pig who allegedly committed that heinous crime was caught by police with the help of a Cape Henlopen School District teacher, Bob Maull.

“I called Bob and he was there in seconds….As soon as he looked at it he told me who these people were.” - Lewes Police Detective John Miller AUDIO

The alleged hammer weilding, attempted rapist, Devonaire Augustus Jones of Milton, was also identified as one of two young men who allegedly broke into the home of a Milton woman last January and raped her at gunpoint. Maull identified Jones and another man, Robbie Robinson, also of Milton, in that crime, too.

Way to go Mr. Maull!

From left to right: Dr. Ed Seibert, Superintendent George Stone, acting Board President Parker Selby.

Cape Henlopen Business Director, Dr. Ed Seibert, was recognized last night for his years of hard work for the Cape Henlopen School District. Seibert, who filed a complaint of “retaliation” against Superintendent George Stone this month with the School Board, was all smiles as Dr. Stone and Acting President Stell Parker Selby honored his hard work.

“…for six years and four months of outstanding service to the Cape Henlopen School District.” - Superintendent George Stone reading Dr. Seibert’s plaque AUDIO

The historic Milton Theatre on Union Street in downtown Milton.

On January 12th, the Cape Henlopen School Board is invited to attend the opening of a time capsule from 1958. The event is open to the public and will take place at the historic Milton Theatre.

Holy teacher shortage, Batman! HO Brittingham Elementary School only has TWO 4th grade teachers. And, yes, this is the same school that had 12 out of the 14 violent felonies committed by students in the district last year.

Why the shortage? Well, apparently one 4th grade teacher requested to be sent back to 1st grade, and the open 4th grade position wasn’t filled, sound familiar?

While giving their presentation on the “H.O. Brittingham Elementary School Improvement Report,” 4th grade teacher Tracey van Rees took the opportunity to ask for…no, not another teacher…but an after school math program for at risk students.

Just thought I’d mention that little tidbit…it’s kind of funny since the district doesn’t seem to be hiring. See above.

Sarah Ross, a Cape Henlopen School Distrit teacher and a member of the Cape Henlopen Education Association, addressed the Board Thursday night about teachers “drowning” in paperwork from federal, state and local regulations and initiatives passed without input from teachers. Delaware State Education Association President Barbara Groff, attended the Board meeting Thursday night to show support for the Cape teachers and voice her concerns:

“They have more to do then they can possibly accomplish.” - Barbara Groff, President, Delaware State Education Association AUDIO

Groff also said that teachers around the state are, “worried about their Cape counterparts.”

Even though other board members seemed to share his doubts, Pete Coveleski was the only “no” vote on the Cape Henlopen School District’s new “Bullying Prevention Policy,” saying it would be “folly to approve this as written.” Coveleski’s reason for voting “no” is that the policy is written too broadly:

“They policy as it’s written now is really open to interpretation.” - Board member Pete Coveleski AUDIO

The School Board can re examine the policy at a future meeting.

That’s the breaking news from Baltimore right now and it sent a chill down my spine, here’s the story:

(WJZ) BALTIMORE WJZ.COM has learned a fuel truck has been stolen from a gas station in South Baltimore.

Officials say that the truck operator was refilling the gas tubes at a gas station on 3100 block of Vera Street, when a black male, wearing a blue jump suit, got into the driver seat and took off.

Police say the driver tried to get back in the truck, but the suspect pointed a gun at the driver and told him to get out of the truck.

The truck is described as a 1997 Peterbuilt with dark wood. On one side it says “Baltimore Tank Lines.” There is also a silver trailer attached to the truck.

The license plate is 1268185 from Maine.

There may be some front end damage to the truck, because the suspect struck a fence on his way out.

The truck was last seen heading toward Interstate 95.

New reports say it may be heading towards Delaware. That fast, that easy. Do dangerous trucks need to have two drivers and reinforced doors like armored trucks? Is this a disgruntled worker, an angry husband or just someone trying to make a buck?

Scary stuff, say a prayer to the entity of your choice if it’s the worst case scenario.

UPDATE:

Courtesy of WJZ TV in Baltimore… Police are still searching for the truck that was last seen heading towards I-95 in the Fairfield section of South Baltimore. A helicopter is involved in the search. The police are treating it as a robbery and “not as an act of terrorism.” The truck is believed to be carrying about 7,000 gallons of #2 diesel fuel.

UPDATE: Tanker truck found in DC.

Baltimore police said that law enforcement authorities found an 18-wheel tanker truck on the streets of Washington this afternoon, after a man stole the vehicle at gunpoint early this morning in South Baltimore.

The tanker was found unoccupied about 1 p.m. on 2nd Street and Malcolm X Avenue in the southeastern part of the district. A city police spokesman could not say which police agency found the tanker or whether the tanker was still filled with the 7,100 gallons of diesel fuel.

Whew!

from WGMD News:

The man known as the Bi-state shooter, Allison Lamont Norman, has been sentenced to death. Sussex County Superior Court Judge T. Henley Graves took the jury’s recommendation that Norman should die by lethal injection. Norman went on a shooting spree that began in Laurel with the death of 24 year old Jamell Weston and ended in Salisbury – with a total of two dead and 4 injured. Lethal injection in Delaware is currently on hold until a class-action lawsuit on behalf of death row inmates

A juror for the trial called my radio show yesterday to give her reaction to the verdict. Although, I felt a little uncomfortable announcing the news on the air of the verdict as she was on the phone with me, we heard her reaction live. This juror, I believe her name was Marianne, called the program a few months ago as well. You know, after her original call, I think a lot about that experience. I guess you could say, her story kind of haunted me a little bit. The idea of sitting on a jury in a case that horrible, I know that it would stay with me. Heck, I can’t even watch too many episodes of CSI without feeling it. Here’s the audio from her most recent call in… listen to her story… at times it’s hard to listen to, but, it’ll stay with you.

Juror Call-In