Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Jason M. Young, 29, and Javes T. James, 26, allegedly broke into the Triangle Pleasure Club on May 8, police said.
Two men were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary after allegedly stealing cash and alcohol from an Essex business. Jason M. Young, 29, and Javes T. James, 26, both of Essex, were arrested around 2:45 a.m. May 8 after police discovered them in the woods near the Triangle Pleasure Club, located at 45 Weber Ave. A neighbor told police he was awakened by loud noises coming from the Triangle Pleasure Club and saw two men running through the woods toward Old Eastern Avenue. According to police reports, officers discovered the suspects in the woods, along with slot/poker machine parts, a jar of pretzels and Coors beer, which the club’s owner said was unique to the business and could not be purchased from retail outlets. Officers also…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Baltimore County Police Department supplied the information for the following incidents. In cases where a criminal charge is noted, the information provided does not indicate a conviction.
Here are recent crimes reported to the Essex Precinct: Harrison Ave., unit block, between midnight and 8 a.m. May 12: A lawnmower and weed wacker were reported stolen from a home after someone broke into a shed in the yard. Total loss: $500. Lariat Road, 100 block, between 9 p.m. May 11 and 9 a.m. May 12: A leaf blower, weed eater and lawn mower were stolen after someone broke the latch to a locked shed. Total loss: $600. Alberge Lane. 100 block, between 8 p.m. May 10 and 8 a.m. May 11: A TV, PlayStation 3, 30 Xbox Games, shirts, a necklace, bracelet, watch and cologne were reported stolen from a home after someone pried open a sliding glass door to enter the residence. Total loss: $2,375. Maryland Avenue, 500 block, between 9:50 a.m. …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sluggish economy, skyrocketing value in metals are among the reasons for a 450 percent spike in such crime since 2009, police Chief Jim Johnson said.
Individually, the theft of copper wiring and piping from homes and businesses in Baltimore County usually amounts to little more than stealing a few dollars worth of metal. But, a closer examination of the issue finds the economic impact far worse, Baltimore County police chief Jim Johnson said. Destruction of property, business hours lost and a heightened sense of vulnerability make copper thefts one of the fastest growing problems facing the community, he added. This is why Johnson announced Monday the formation of the region's first law enforcement team dedicated to the growing problem of metals theft. The chief made the announcement at a news conference at BGE's White Marsh Learning Center to highlight the issue, as the utility is a …
Friday, May 11, 2012
In a ceremony in Towson Friday morning, police and county officials honored eight officers who died while serving residents.
In a ceremony at Patriot Plaza in Towson on Friday, friends, family, police and Baltimore County officials honored eight police officers who died while serving residents. Eight officers have died either in the line of duty or while doing security work since 1969, according to a county police press release. The release also described the acts of the fallen officers:
Between 3,000 and 4,000 people are expected to attend.
A major Christian rock event is coming to White Marsh Mall this Saturday—free of charge and open to the community. Located in the Boscov’s parking lot at 8200 Perry Hall Blvd., Rock the Block runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 12. Officers at the White Marsh precinct said they plan to assist in directing traffic during the show and festival, expected to draw between 3,000 and 4,000 people. A mall press release describes the event: Rock the Block is not a conventional event but a high-energy experience incorporating music and multimedia that encourages everyone to be involved. There are rappers that entertain and lasers and lights swirl overhead while drama, dance, and videos spread messages of love, hope and character. Rock the Block …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The following information was supplied by the Baltimore County Police Department. In cases where a criminal charge is noted, the information provided does not indicate a conviction.
A 55-year-old man was attacked and robbed by three unknown males after he got off a bus in Essex Sunday morning. The victim told police that the three young men, who he believed were 15-18 years old, approached him from behind around 3 a.m. on the 1100 block of Middleborough Road. According to police reports, the victim was then attacked with a stick before the trio stole the man’s cell phone and wallet. Police said the three attackers ran toward Eddystone Road. The victim’s bank and membership cards were later located in a nearby wooded area. Follow Essex Middle-River Patch on Facebook and Twitter and get daily updates from our newsletters. Here are other crimes recently reported to the Essex Precinct: Red Bud Court, unit block, between 7…
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
New interview process aims to make the Baltimore County police more responsible, accountable for selecting its leaders.
Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson threw out a more than three-decades old promotions policy just days before a class of sergeants was to take standardized oral interviews to become lieutenants. The change comes amid a looming U.S. Department of Justice inquiry into the county's hiring and promotions practices within the police and fire departments. The change involves who interviews prospective candidates for promotion. Until now, interviews had been conducted by outside law enforcement personnel. Now, those interviews will be conducted by officials who work for Baltimore County. "I have not determined the motivation of the administration as to why this change was instituted," said Cole Weston, president of the Fraternal Order of …
Plan to fix "Doomsday Budget" includes $247 million in tax increases and elimination of exemptions for single filers earning $100,000 or more and joint filers earning $150,000 or more.
UPDATE (5:59 p.m.)—Some Maryland residents will pay more taxes in the coming year under a plan worked out between Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders. O'Malley, accompanied by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, announced the nearly $35.8 billion plan during a Wednesday morning news conference in Annapolis to discuss the upcoming special session. "To leave this budget incomplete, to leave this budget as it stands right now, would damage the very forward motion that all of us, together, have worked so hard to achieve for our state," O'Malley said. "Progress is a choice," O'Malley said. "Job creation is a choice. Building America's number one schools, making a college education affordable, …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Police say the driver of a Harford County Public Schools vehicle was at fault.
A serious accident in the Fallston area claimed the lives of two men Tuesday morning and closed a portion of MD Route 152 to traffic most of the day. Police say the accident happened when a Harford County Public Schools utility vehicle crossed the double yellow line on MD Route 152 in the area of Reckord Road, according to Monica Worrell, public information officer with the Harford County Sheriff's Office. The county vehicle, driven by 59-year-old Donald Jones of Bel Air, hit a GMC Terrain head-on and a Jeep, driven by 51-year-old Mike Euler of Fallston hit the GMC from behind, according to Worrell. The driver of the GMC, 46-year-old Ronald W. Buchholz of Essex, was pronounced dead at the scene, Worrell said. Jones died later that day. …
macadoodle
9:05 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Re: flying out of the state/data from WSJ: The number of millionaire tax returns fell sharply to 5,529 from 7,898 in 2007, a 30% tumble. The taxes paid by rich filers fell by 22%, and instead of their payments increasing by $106 million as projected, they fell by some $257 million. The losses of Maryland and other high-tax states are the gains of the low-tax states: A Bank of America Merrill … more ›