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…
Dozens honored by city.
The City of Laurel kicked off its 17th annual award ceremony to honor employees. The luncheon took place at the Partnership Activity Center honoring dozens of employees for their years of service to the city. Click here to read the list of recipients.
The Washington D.C. music scene lost a titan today. How did Brown's music impact your life?
Update: 6:30 p.m. - Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker has issued a press release expressing his condolences over the passing of local music legend Chuck Brown. The statement reads in full: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and countless fans of Chuck Brown. It is a sad day for so many in Prince George’s County, the Washington region, and throughout the world. Chuck Brown left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds with his very distinctive voice and incredible genre of music that he created, Go-Go. He was an icon whose music inspired so many and become the sound that defined modern-day Washington, DC and Prince George’s County. He will be missed, but we are so fortunate that his music will be with …
Highlights from police incidents in Prince George's County. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
CK One and Done: PG Police Sniff Out Perfume Theft Ring For two District of Columbia women, their scented trail of theft has finally been sniffed out by the Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD), with groundwork laid by the Glenarden Police Department. The PGPD arrested 19-year old Darquesha Shelby Wilkinson and 23-year old Latasha Renee Mungo for their involvement in an organized theft ring where thousands of dollars worth of stolen assorted perfumes were recovered, according to police. Loss prevention officers at JC Penney spotted Wilkinson and Mungo stealing assorted perfumes on on May 8, in the store on the 9000 block of McHugh Drive in Glenarden, according to police. They left the store, however, without being detained. …
There were few surprises in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Laurel City Council voted this week to approve its 2013 fiscal year budget. There were few surprises in the $25.7 million budget, which marks a more than $470,000 increase from the fiscal year 2012 budget. Last year, the city maneuvered around a $3 million budget deficit by freezing pay raises for city employees. But this year, the city plans to partially reinstate raises, including merit-based raises, but will continue to hold off on cost-of-living increases. The city also plans to add funds to the retirement pension fund. This year the city plans to pay $1.6 million, up from the $1.5 million in the 2012 budget. Real property tax rates will remain steady at 71 cents per $100 of the assessed property valuation. Personal property tax …
May Public Safety Newsletter eyes hurricane season readiness.
Join Patch on Wedneday afternoon for a Liveblog with Howard County School Board Member Brian Meshkin.
Patch will be hosting a liveblog with Howard County Board of Education member Brian Meshkin on Wednesday afternoon. The blog will start at 2 p.m. and Patch users are invited to join in with questions or comments during the liveblog. The liveblog will be the first in a planned series of public blogs with local officials on issues throughout Howard County. Meshkin has served on the Board since 2010. He currently lives in Fulton and is the CEO of Proove Biosciences, which is based in Los Angeles. Meshkin often travels to California as part of his work with Proove, a company that provides information to help improve the selection, dosing and evaluation of pain medications, according to its website. Meshkin previously served as executive …
One blogger says local boxing gyms are using the sport as a solution to modern problems.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Building will be part of C Street Flats development.
The City of Laurel has completed the sale of the old police headquarters building, Mayor Craig Moe announced Tuesday. San Francisco-based Klingbeil Capital Management paid $2.3 million for the building at 350 Municipal Square. The building will be developed into a mixed-use community of apartments with commercial space called the C Street Flats. City officials had marked the area around the building as a revitalization zone, focused on transit-oriented development because it sits near the city’s MARC station and is part of the Laurel arts and entertainment district. Moe said in a press release that the C Street Flats project would help advance the development of galleries, shops and residences in the arts and entertainment district with C …
Celebration culminates with pit stops for "Bike to Work Day" on May 18
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Yesterday
Local and national bike organizations are encouraging cyclists to ditch their cars this week for "Bike to Work Week," a national celebration aiming to encourage citizens across the country to bike to work, or for pleasure, on a regular basis. The week culminates in Bike to Work Day on Friday, held rain or shine, when cyclists can make a "pit stop" at one of 58 locations across the D.C. region for T-shirts, refreshments, giveaways and bicycling advice. One of the pit stops is in White Oak, at the FDA's Historic Building #1, off New Hampshire Avenue and Mahan Road. Other pit stops are located in downtown Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville and Takoma Park. A map of all planned stops in the region is attached to this story. The national …
Denise Smith
8:58 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Chuck was not only an icon but he was also an Ambassador for Washington, DC worldwide through his music...Rest in peace, Mr Brown.. A Washingtonian more ›