Horoscope

Assaulting an officer

Edwin Hipolito Mata-Ruiz, 21, of Dagsboro, Delaware was arrested by Ocean City Police at 1:30 a.m. on July 22 near Herring Way and 21st Street and charged with two counts of second-degree assault.

Officers were dispatched to a nearby restaurant, and when they arrived, they found Mata-Ruiz being held down by members of the establishment’s staff after allegedly assaulting someone.

Staff tried to escort Mata-Ruiz out of the restaurant, but he fought with them as well. Police attempted to take control of the situation and asked him to sit up on his side, but Mata-Ruiz started yelling and was taken into custody.

As officers escorted Mata-Ruiz away from the scene, he turned toward one of the officers and struck him in the torso with his elbow while he twisted his body side-to-side, according to police.

Then, police noted, Mata-Ruiz began shouting that he was going to kill the officers, and at one point kicked a propane bottle near the entrance of the restaurant. Once Mata-Ruiz was placed inside the police squad car, police said, he started to strike the window and cut his eye. Police added that after another squabble with the officers, he was taken into custody and taken to police headquarters.

Sleeping and driving

Joel Bullock, 51, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at 12:24 a.m. on July 22 on the Route 50 bridge and charged with DWI among several other traffic violations. Police said Bullock was the driver of an SUV that was stopped on the bridge with its flashers on.

Officers noticed that a piece of the vehicle’s bumper was int he road with a large debris field, while the asphalt had a nearly 15-foot-long gauge. Police said Bullock appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and after speaking with him, he said he was tired and fell asleep at the wheel.

Possession of crack

Jessica S. Cartwright, 43, of Centerville, Massachusetts was arrested by Ocean City Police at 2:35 a.m. on July 23 on the Boardwalk near Seventh Street and charged with possession of drugs other than marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said Cartwright was stopped for being on the beach during prohibited hours, and when asked for identification, she said it was in her bag. Police said she agreed to allow the officers to search her bag. During the search, police noted, the officers found a glass pipe with what appeared to be cocaine, and when asked what it was, Cartwright said, “It’s a crack pipe. I smoke crack.” After being read her rights, Cartwright told the officers she did not want to answer any other questions and that she wanted to speak with her lawyer.

Two crashes

Kevin Michael Bellamy, 37, of Monroe, Ohio was arrested by Ocean City Police at 11:20 a.m. on July 23 near 56th Street and charged with DUI. Police said Bellamy was involved in a car accident after crashing a large Penske rental truck into an SUV.

When officers arrived, they asked the drivers of both vehicles to pull onto a sidestreet to avoid causing congestion, and when the truck turned, its side mirror hit another vehicle and caused damage.

Bellamy, who was driving the large truck, told officers when the light changed to green, he began to accelerate and hit the SUV in front of him. Then, when he went to move onto the side street as instructed by the officer, Bellamy said he did not want to drive on the wrong side of the road, so he hit the back of the van.

After an investigation, police said, officers determined that Bellamy was under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to police headquarters where he refused to submit to a breathalyzer.

Loaded gun

Alexander Kim Wascheck, 24, of Newark, Delaware was arrested by Ocean City Police at 5:15 p.m. on July 24 near 70th Street for gun related charges and various other violations.

Police said Wascheck was stopped for not wearing his seatbelt and when officers approached the car, they asked for his registration and insurance card. Wascheck, police said, pointed to a large plastic container under a blanket and said it was in the container in a folder, and when the officer asked him to retrieve it, he removed the blanket and opened the container.

Immediately, the officer saw a box of .38 Special ammunition and asked Wascheck if there was a firearm in the container, and he said no. But he did admit to the officer that there was a gun in the glove box in a lockbox that was loaded with six rounds, according to police.

Wascheck was ordered out of the car and searched, police said, and then he was asked if there were any other weapons in the car. He replied by saying there was a “Bowie knife” in the back of the driver’s seat, and when the officer went to retrieve it, a glass pipe with burnt marijuana was spotted.

The officer was able to retrieve a .357 Magnum revolver with six rounds of .38 special hollow point ammunition from the glove box. Wascheck was placed under arrest, and a further search of the car found he was in possession of a glass jar of psilocybin mushrooms, an axe concealed by two socks, and two revolver speed loaders. Police added that Wascheck did not possess a conceal carry permit from Maryland or Delaware.

Bike vs. car

Tyler Michael Fink, 26, of Ocean City was arrested by Ocean City Police at 4:22 p.m. on July 25 near 37th Street and charged with DUI. Police said Fink was injured after he crashed his bike into the rear end of a vehicle that pulled out in front of him.

Officers noticed damage to the sedan Fink crashed into, and an investigation found that he was under the influence of alcohol. After he was arrested, Fink refused to submit to a breathalyzer test and was transported to police headquarters.

Burglary

Nadia Andre Bowie, 22; Ayanna Mone Campbell, 19; and Dewayne Estee Raysor, 21, all of Baltimore were arrested by Ocean City Police shortly after 10:26 p.m. on July 25 near Fourth Street and charged with first- and third-degree burglary and fourthdegree burglary of a dwelling.

Officers were dispatched to reports of a burglary near 6th Street, and witnesses described the suspects as two black men and two black women – one of the women had a wrap on her head.

One witness told police he was sitting on the back porch and saw the individuals enter the unit through a window. When the witness went to confront the burglars, they ran away and headed south on Baltimore Avenue.

Another witness told police he was making a delivery and saw the four individuals leave the scene and run south, adding that he could identify them if he saw them again. The victim told officers a striped purse with a driver’s license, a phone, $400, credit cards, two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon with a white label, and a kindle in a yellow case were stolen from her unit.

Officers spotted a group of three individuals matching the description given by the witness, and when approached, one of the women was seen wearing a T-shirt wrapped around her head. Police said the delivery man identified Raysor as being in the unit, but he was not 100 percent sure about the two women.

Raysor was sitting on the curb with a small plastic bag next to him, and when he shifted his body, police said, he knocked over the bag and a bottle of red wine with a label that matched the victim’s description. Police also spotted a striped backpack, driver’s license, phone, and other items reported stolen. All three suspects were arrested and transported to headquarters for processing. As for a fourth suspect, none of the three who were arrested would provide their names.

Aries, you may have to tend to family matters this week. Seek input from trusted family members and work together to come to a solution that everyone can embrace. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, it can be difficult to know when to stop talking and start listening. It is a fine line to walk, but be patient and feel out the room before offering your input. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Things that appear to be confusing or intimidating may not be as complicated as they seem, Gemini. Keep doing your research and don’t be scared away. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, remember to treat others how you want them to treat you. This simple approach is a great way to build lasting friendships and strong relationships. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Get as much work done around the house as possible this week, Leo. You may soon be pressed for time, so now is the time to tackle projects. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Have fun with family and friends in the days to come, Virgo. Make the most of this precious time to relax with those you love. It will provide the kickstart you’ve been seeking. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Devote some time to figuring out the details of your spending habits. A little financial discipline now may pay big dividends down the road. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, seek others’ input when faced with a tricky situation. Sometimes a fresh perspective is all that’s needed to make sense of a perplexing problem. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, expect to make some progress on financial situations that may have seemed daunting in the past. A financial professional can help you navigate some confusing waters. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Connecting with friends has been a priority for you lately, Capricorn. In the days ahead, pend as much time as possible with those you hold near and dear.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Hidden strengths come to the surface when you are thrust into an unfamiliar situation, Aquarius. When forced to think on your feet, you realize you can adapt on the fly. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Siege of Odessa resulted in key Axis victory

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (July 30, 2021) This week, 80 years ago, the Siege of Odessa began as elements of the Romanian Fourth Army, commanded by Lt. Gen. Nicolae Ciuperc , arrived outside Odessa.

Odessa is located on the Black Sea and is the fourth largest city in Ukraine, with a population exceeding 1 million. At the beginning of the war, the city had a population of more than 600,000, of which Jews, with 33 percent, were the most numerous, followed by Ukrainians and Russians at 30 percent each. By the time of the siege, half the population had fled. Additionally, most of the heavy industry had been dismantled and shipped out.

The Romanians hoped to be able to take Odessa on the move — before the Soviets could perfect their defenses. Only 30,000 Soviet soldiers defended it at the time. However, strong defenses had already been prepared consisting of three concentric lines. That, coupled with Romanian ineptitude, prevented a quick conquest.

The defense of the city was entrusted to the Separate Coastal Army, which had been formed on July 20, 1941 and was commanded by Lt. Gen. Georgii P. Sofronov.

The Army consisted of the: 25th (Chapayev) and 95th Rifle Divisions, commanded by Ivan Y.Petrov and Vasilii Frolovich Vorobev; a Calvary Division; an N.K.V.D. Regiment and three antiaircraft battalions. The garrison was reinforced by the 175th Rifle Division in September.

One of the soldiers in the Chapayev (named for a hero of the Russian Civil War) Red Banner Rifle Division was Lyudmila Pavlichenko, who would become the most proficient female sniper in history with 309 confirmed kills, of which 187 came during the defense of Odessa. Most of the rest were achieved during the defense of Sevastopol.

Of the 309, 100 were Axis officers and 36 were enemy snipers. She was wounded four times. After the last injury, she did not return to combat, but turned to training other snipers.

In late 1942, Pavlichenko visited the White House, becoming the first Soviet citizen to do so. She then embarked on a tour of the country with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Before her return to the USSR, she also toured Canada and the United Kingdom. Upon her return to the Soviet Union, she was promoted to major and named a Hero of the Soviet Union. A stamp was issued in her honor. After her death, in 1974, a second stamp honoring her was issued. She is buried in the Novodevichye Cemetery, in Moscow.

The Romanian General Staff ordered Gen. Ciuperc to capture the city on Aug. 8, 1941. That same day Moscow sent the following message, “The situation on the land front notwithstanding, Odessa is not to be surrendered.” Within five days, Gen. Ciuperc ’s Fourth Army had surrounded the city by land. Four days later, the city’s water reservoirs were captured.

By Aug. 28, the first line of defense had been breached and the Romanians were preparing to assault the second line. The port was now within range of Romanian artillery, and Gen. Ciuperc ’s Fourth Army had suffered 27,307 casualties.

Gen. Ciuperc submitted a memorandum, on Sept. 3, to the Romanian General Staff, critical of its strategy. For that, he was replaced by the Romanian War Minister Lt. Gen. Iosif Iacobici on Sept. 9, with express instructions to follow the directives of the General Staff. Gen. Iacobici was replaced, as War Minister, on Sept. 22, 1941 by the Romanian Conduc tor, Marshal Ion Antonescu. Both Generals Iacobici and Ciuperc were arrested, after the war, tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison, where they died in 1950 and 1952.

The offensive resumed on Sept. 12, but had to be stopped after two days when the artillery units ran low on ammunition. The Romanians now numbered 200,000, divided into 12 infantry divisions. A German detachment, consisting of two heavy artillery, an infantry and assault pioneer, regiments commanded by Lt.-Gen. René von Courbier arrived. On Sept. 17, the Romanian Army’s Chief-ofStaff, Gen. Alexandru Ioani i, was killed when he was hit by the propeller of the plane, which had just transported him and the Conduc tor to Odessa.

On Sept. 24, the Conduc tor informed his German ally that Fourth Army would have to abandon the siege. By Oct. 1, he had been convinced to continue it, with the promise of further German assistance. But the German reinforcements were not expected until at least Oct. 17.

Gen. Safronov was replaced by Gen. Petrov, the 25th Division’s commander, on Oct. 5.

Just before what was hoped to be the final assault on the Soviet City, between Oct.14 and Oct. 16, the Soviet Black Sea Fleet successfully evacuated 86,000 of the garrison, 15,000 civilians, 3,625 horses, 1,158 motor vehicles, 462 guns,

Vorontsov Palace, in Odessa

Continued on Page 64

Continued from Page 63 19 tanks and armored vehicles and 25,000 tons of cargo.

Elements of the Romanian 7th Infantry Division, commanded by Olimpiu Stavrat, entered Odessa on Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Romanian casualties totaled 17,729 dead, 63,345 wounded and 11,471 missing. Material losses included 10,250 rifles; 956 light machine guns; 336 heavy machine guns; 115 mortars; 90 guns; 20 planes; and 19 tanks.

The Soviets reported 16,578 dead and missing, and 24,691 wounded. The siege had lasted 73 days, but the Soviets had left a few surprises for the conquering Axis forces. With its fall, Odessa became the only major European city captured by a non-German Axis Army.

On Oct. 22 one of those surprises exploded in the headquarters of the Romanian Army on Marazli Street, killing 67, including the Romanian 10th Division Commander, Major-Gen. Ion Glogojeanu, 16 other Romanian officers and four German Naval Officers.

Not being able to determine the actual responsible party, the Romanians began rounding up the remaining Jews in Odessa and killing them in groups of 30 to 40. After about 5,000 had been killed, Lt. Col. Nicolae Beleanu ordered that the Jews be moved into four large storage buildings where holes were made for machine guns. The doors were Continued on Page 65

NOTICE OF FY 2021/2022 ADOPTED EXPENSE BUDGETS FOR WORCESTER COUNTY

The Worcester County Commissioners adopted the expense budget for the General Fund on June 1, 2021. The Enterprise Fund budgets for Water & Wastewater and Solid Waste were adopted on June 15, 2021, all of which became effective as of July 1, 2021.

WATER & WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND Personnel Services $ 5,497,296 Supplies & Materials 984,292 Maintenance & Services 4,821,485 Other Charges 167,697 Interfund Charges 809,602 Capital Equipment 822,500 TOTAL APPROVED EXPENSES $ 13,102,872

Charges for Services $ 12,444,892 Interest & Penalties 157,200 Operating Grants 30,000 Miscellaneous 240,993 Transfers In (Out) 229,787 TOTAL ANTICIPATED REVENUES $ 13,102,872

SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND Personnel Services $ 1,456,204 Supplies & Materials 29,625 Maintenance & Services 1,033,475 Other Charges 52,887 Interfund Charges (185,259) Capital Equipment & Leases 1,088,251 TOTAL APPROVED EXPENSES $ 3,475,183

Tipping Fees $ 4,109,057 Licenses & Permits 4,500 Interest & Penalties 9,800 Other Revenue 0 Transfers In (Out) (648,174) TOTAL ANTICIPATED REVENUES $ 3,475,183 GENERAL FUND

Board of Education: Operating Expenses $ 97,002,221 Debt Payments to be paid on behalf 12,469,356 Boat Landings 387,155 Circuit Court 1,432,268 Commission on Aging 1,603,783 County Administration 1,048,557 Debt Service (less Education Debt) 1,218,575 Development Review & Permitting 1,938,815 Economic Development 366,952 Elections 1,225,156 Emergency Services 3,874,232 Environmental Programs 1,555,926 Extension Office 206,217 Fire Marshal 587,685 Grants to Towns 6,274,091 Health Department 5,676,975 Homeowner Convenience Centers 802,548 Human Resources 479,726 Information Technology 576,471 Insurance & Benefits: (Includes OPEB-all employees) 22,013,454 Jail 9,771,127 Library 2,860,717 Maintenance Division 1,415,387 Mosquito Control Division 228,953 Natural Resources 510,254 Orphan's Court 28,900 Other General Government 2,757,069 Other General Government: (State Dept. of Assessment Operating Exp) 555,440 Parks 1,125,733 Public Works Administration 526,033 Recreation 2,344,336 Recreation & Culture 70,000 Recycling 876,514 Roads Division 3,585,993 Sheriff 9,450,364 Social Service Groups 795,078 State’s Attorney 1,763,163 Taxes Shared with Towns 2,642,357 Tourism 1,307,645 Treasurer 1,281,949 Volunteer Fire & Ambulance 9,341,794 Wor-Wic Community College: Operating Expenses 2,530,242 TOTAL APPROVED EXPENDITURES $ 216,509,211

Property Taxes $ 148,385,337 Income Taxes 30,000,000 Other Local Taxes 16,811,000 State Shared 2,469,458 Federal & State Grants 4,692,274 Licenses & Permits 2,429,376 Charges for Services 2,950,095 Fines & Forfeits 29,000 Interest on Investments 200,000 Misc/Sale of Assets/& Other 358,843 Transfers In – Casino/Local Impact Grant Funds 3,857,893 Transfers In – Prior Year Surplus 4,325,935 TOTAL ANTICIPATED REVENUES $ 216,509,211