The Monday Roundup

Anne Arundel County Shrinking Fire Department

Is Anne Arundel County looking to cut its Fire/EMS staff after diminishing the union earlier this year?

According to The Capital, the county's Fire Department shed 56 firefighters earlier this month and that it will be next summer before more are hired.

The president of the union represent county firefighters said that he believes County Executive John R. Leopold wants to axe one of the department's four 24-hour shifts and revert back to a three-shift system that would require about 20 percent fewer firefighters.

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Laurel Coalition Forms to Fight Domestic Violence

A coalition of state, local businesses and advocacy groups are forming a group to address domestic violence in Laurel.

City officials and Laurel Police will hold a "kickoff meeting" Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the new Partnership Activity Center at the Laurel Police Department, according to the Laurel Leader. Groups partnering for Laurel's program include the Prince George's County State Attorney's Office; House of Ruth; Community Advocates for Family and Youth; Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence; Prince George's Hospital Center; Hey Red Salon, on Laurel's Main Street; and the Family Crisis Center for Prince George's County.

Route 1 Businesses Near Closing Date

A demolition date has been set for a to make way for a new Walgreens store in Laurel.

Developers for the Walgreens told the Laurel Leader that they will begin demolition on the multi-level office building along the Route 1/Route 198 intersection in November and demolish the buildings that house Mango's Grill, Irene's Restaurant, and a check cashing store in February. 

City planners Laurel Patch during the summer that they were working with Mango's to relocate elsewhere in the city, while the check cashing store would be moving south along Route 1 to the Laurel Lakes area.