Connect with us

Maryland

Md. grocer sues USDA after ‘criminal past’ blocked his business from accepting SNAP benefits – WTOP News

Published

on

Md. grocer sues USDA after ‘criminal past’ blocked his business from accepting SNAP benefits – WTOP News


Attorney Jared McClain with the Institute for Justice took on the case, claiming the interpretation of the agency’s rules regarding which applicants can be denied is at issue.

Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland, grocer Altimont Mark Wilks is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the ability to accept SNAP benefits at his grocery store despite previous criminal convictions, according to attorney Jared McClain with the Institute for Justice. (Courtesy, Institute for Justice)

A Maryland grocer is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a policy that he claimed blocked him from accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly known as SNAP — benefits from customers.

Altimont Mark Wilks, who owns Carmen’s Corner Store with locations in Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland, said he started the two stores after spending 14 years in prison for felony drug and weapons convictions.

Advertisement

“My entrepreneurial spirit was misguided,” Wilks said of his past.

During his time in prison, he said he transformed himself and came out looking to use his talents to make a career out of running a grocery store that supports an underserved community.

“When we opened up our first store in Hagerstown, Maryland, our real focus was to put an end to the food desert that existed there,” Wilks said.

He believed one important part of serving his community with a store was offering his customers the ability to buy their groceries using SNAP benefits. However, after years of trying, the USDA permanently denied his requests at both grocery store locations.

He said he was prevented from accepting benefits because business integrity rules ban business owners convicted of crimes involving drugs, weapons and other criminal offenses, from joining the program.

Advertisement

“I never thought that my past transgressions would be used against me,” Wilks said.

After several years of applying and exhausting appeals of repeated denials, Wilks decided to sue over the policies.

When asked about the lawsuit, in an email to WTOP, the USDA said it “does not comment on ongoing litigation.”

Attorney Jared McClain with the Institute for Justice took on the case, claiming the interpretation of the agency’s rules regarding which applicants can be denied is at issue. The USDA’s list of what can lead to a business owner being denied states “violation of laws relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, controlled substances, and/or gaming licenses.”

McClain said the word “licenses” is key because, if a person were to violate the rules of a firearms license, that could show that a business owner cannot be trusted. He said the line does not intend to prevent all convicted of committing crimes in their past from accepting SNAP benefits as business owners.

Advertisement

“If you’ve been caught with possession of marijuana, or you had an open container violation in college, you are permanently excluded from ever accepting SNAP,” McClain said.

According to court records, in 2022, Wilks was cited for operating as what is called an “other tobacco products” retailer. McClain said that charge was due to Wilks unknowingly selling three cigars, which did not fall under the tobacco selling licenses his store did have.

McClain said the situation happened after he was denied, so it does not impact the case. If their challenge is successful, he does not believe it will stop Wilks from getting a SNAP license.

“If the agency took the position that a $35 fine should result in a lifetime ban, we would also fight that,” McClain said.

Wilks is also working with lawmakers on this, including Congressman David Trone, who in March announced a bill called the “SNAP Second Chance Act of 2023” which Trone’s office claimed would limit the authority of the USDA to deny small business owners with previous criminal convictions from joining the SNAP program.

Advertisement

“In my business, I hired over 500 returning citizens because I know giving folks a real second chance leads to economic growth and a better community. It’s wrong to keep folks from rebuilding their lives — these bills fix that,” Trone said in a release.

For Wilks, he said fighting this case is about more than just getting the right to accept SNAP funds in his stores. It’s also about making sure others who re-enter society don’t avoid becoming entrepreneurs because of similar policies.

“We’re doing this because we truly believe that these obstacles that exist in many government agencies need to be eradicated,” Wilks said.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2023 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Advertisement



Source link

Maryland

Watch Aidan Chiles, Nick Marsh talk MSU win over Maryland

Published

on

Watch Aidan Chiles, Nick Marsh talk MSU win over Maryland


Michigan State won a big time road game over Maryland, improving their record to 2-0, and giving head coach Jonathan Smith his first Big Ten conference victory as the head man of the Spartans.

A big part of that win was the connection between Aidan Chiles and Nick Marsh, and more specifically their 77-yard touchdown connection tying the game 24-24 late in the fourth quarter.

Chiles and Marsh spoke to the media after the team’s win, which you can watch via Spartan Mag on YouTube:

Advertisement

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner





Source link

Continue Reading

Maryland

16-year-old arrested after 15-year-old fatally shot in Maryland high school bathroom

Published

on

16-year-old arrested after 15-year-old fatally shot in Maryland high school bathroom


A 16-year-old student at a high school in Maryland has been detained after he allegedly shot and killed a 15-year-old student in one of the school’s bathrooms.

The name of the suspect has yet to be released. The victim, Warren Curtis Grant, died following the shooting at Joppatowne High School. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler made the announcement at a press briefing.

The suspect fled the scene but was detained close by just minutes later.

“He has yet to be charged but will be charged, and at the time those charges are preferred as an adult, we will release the name of the suspect,” Gahler told the press, according to The Guardian.

Advertisement

The sheriff added that his office has handled more than 10 cases in the last two years “where the suspect was either the victim, witness or the suspect in an incident handled by the Harford county sheriff’s office.”

A member of the Harford County Sheriff's department tries to clear the way for an emergency vehicle as it heads toward Joppatowne High School after a shooting at the school, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Joppatowne, Md
A member of the Harford County Sheriff’s department tries to clear the way for an emergency vehicle as it heads toward Joppatowne High School after a shooting at the school, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Joppatowne, Md (AP)

While the sheriff’s office told the public to avoid the area after the shooting, it said that it was an “isolated incident, not an active shooter.”

An “active shooter” situation refers to when a suspect is firing against everyone they see rather than targeting a particular person.

An area church was used as a reunification center for students and their parents. The school is located about 20 miles northeast of Baltimore.

Gahler noted that more than 100 law enforcement officials responded to the scene.

The fight at Joppatowne High School took place just two days after the shooting at a high school outside Atlanta, Georgia where a 14-year-old shot and killed four people.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Maryland

How to watch Michigan State vs. Maryland (9/7/24): TV channel, kickoff time, live stream

Published

on

How to watch Michigan State vs. Maryland (9/7/24): TV channel, kickoff time, live stream


Michigan State got the job done in its season opener, but it wasn’t pretty as it hung on at home against Florida Atlantic. Now, it has to head on the road to open Big Ten play in what promises to be a tougher test.

· Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (free trial)

· Watch the Michigan State Spartans on Sling

· Watch the Michigan State Spartans on DirecTV Stream

Advertisement

· Visit MLive’s Betting Home for latest odds & sportsbook promos

Michigan State is 1-0, but the road gets tougher now. The Spartans go on the road and start Big Ten play early in Week 2 with a trip to Maryland. The Terrapins have a new look this year without quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa but looked strong in their season-opener against Howard last week.

· Who: Michigan State at Maryland

· When: 3:30 p.m.

· Where: SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland

Advertisement

· Twitter: Follow Matt Wenzel

· Live updates: Beginning at 2:30 p.m. at mlive.com/spartans

· Latest line: Maryland -9.5

TV Network: Big Ten Network

Streaming options:

Advertisement

· FuboTV is offering $30 off the first month for all U.S. plans. Sign up to get your favorite TV shows, live sports events, and much more

· Sling currently has an offer of $20 for the first month of subscription and has streaming coverage of live sports, news and entertainment.

· DirecTV Stream offers live sports, news and on demand TV.

Five must-reads before kickoff:

* Michigan State lost two members of its secondary, Dillon Tatum and Khalil Majeed, to long-term injuries in its season opener. The team is turning to some new faces to fill in the holes from those injuries.

Advertisement

* Alex VanSumeren was once Michigan State’s top-rated recruit, but he’s been seldom seen on the field due to injuries. Now, though, he’s healthy and making his mark on the Spartans’ defensive line.

* Aidan Chiles’ 10-completion, two-interception performance in Michigan State’s season-opener was his “floor,” according to offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren, who has a plan to improve the quarterback’s performance going forward.

* Jonathan Smith had a name for Week 1 in college football: overreaction Saturday. He’s cautioning fans not to put too much stock into an opening performance that likely underwhelmed many.

* The run game and discipline are two of Matt Wenzel’s five things to watch in this week’s matchup.

Michigan State

Advertisement

* Passing: Aidan Chiles 10-14, 114 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT

* Rushing: Kay’ron Lynch-Adams 9 rush, 101 yards, 1 TD

* Receiving: Michael Masunas 2 rec., 29 yards, 0 TD

* Tackles: Angelo Grose 12

* Sacks: Khris Bogle 1.5

Advertisement

* Interceptions: Grose, Nikai Martinez 1

Maryland

* Passing: Billy Edwards Jr. 20-27, 311 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

* Rushing: Roman Hemby 14 rush, 66 yards, 1 TD

* Receiving: Tai Felton 7 rec., 178 yards, 2 TD

Advertisement

* Tackles: Glendon Miller 6

* Sacks: None

* Interceptions: Ruben Hyppolite II, Miller 1

Friday, Sept. 6

Western Illinois at Indiana

Advertisement

Duke at Northwestern

Saturday, Sept. 7

Texas at Michigan, noon (FOX)

Rhode Island at Minnesota, noon (Peacock)

Bowling Green at Penn State, noon (BTN)

Advertisement

Akron at Rutgers, noon (BTN)

Iowa State at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

Michigan State at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)

Eastern Michigan at Washington, 3:30 p.m. (BTN)

South Dakota at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)

Advertisement

Kansas at Illinois, 7 p.m. (FS1)

Colorado at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

Western Michigan at Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. (BTN)

Boise State at Oregon, 10 p.m. (Peacock)





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending