Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Scenes from the morning "snow storm."
Despite school and government closings, most roads in Columbia and Ellicott City remained snow-free as of around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Maybe an inch of snow was accumulating in grassy areas in the county, but for the most part, the blades of grass could still be seen peeking through the slight accumulation. Flip through the pictures above and upload your own snow, or lack of snow, photos to the gallery by clicking the "Upload Photos" box below the pictures.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Deshawn Jones was indicted on second-degree rape charges this week.
The Columbia 17-year-old who is accused of raping a 14-year-old student inside Wilde Lake High School was indicted on rape and assault charges by a Howard County grand jury this week. DeShawn Rasheed Jones, of the 6000 block of Laurel Wreath Way, was indicted as an adult on second-degree rape and second-degree assault charges after he allegedly raped the 14-year-old girl inside an unoccupied choir practice room at the school on Feb. 4, according to court records. The police report notes Jones tried to persuade the girl to go to a number of different rooms in the school, including the roof, before bringing her to the choir room. Once inside, he blocked the door and forced her to have sex with him, according to the report. On Monday, Jones…
Thursday, February 28, 2013
This information was supplied by the Howard County Police Department.
Columbia Residential Burglary A man returned to his home in the 10300 block of Painted Cup to find another man coming down his stairs with his wife’s jewelry box at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26. Upon seeing the homeowner, the man fled out a rear sliding door. Police reported a rear kitchen window was pried open to gain entry. Someone used an unknown tool to punch a hole in the glass on a rear French door at a residence in the 10100 block of Hyla Brook Road between 2:30 and 8 p.m. on Feb. 27. A safe containing cash, passports and other personal papers was stolen. A television, laptop, electronic gaming system and a duffle bag were stolen from a residence in the 10100 block of Hyla Brook Road on Feb. 27 around 11 a.m. A rear door was forced open to …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Attorney says evidence will show teen's innocence.
The attorney representing DeShawn Jones, the 17-year-old accused of raping a 14-year-old girl inside Wilde Lake High School in Columbia earlier this month, said on Monday there is evidence that may prove his client's innocence. "Mr. Jones denies the allegations brought against him," said attorney Adam Frank in a statement released Monday. "He and his family would ask that you please refrain from any judgment until all of the facts are brought out during trial. The public must remember that there are two sides to every story and there will be evidence that will shed light on Mr. Jones's innocence." Jones, of Columbia, was arrested on Feb. 5 after a parent of the female student called police and reported the alleged rape. Jones is charged as…
Saturday, February 23, 2013
The Department of Defense could see spending cuts of more than 9 percent, leading to possible furloughs for civilian workers.
With the threat of deep budget cuts lingering, officials at Fort Meade are preparing for the need to carry out missions with fewer resources Congress has yet to reach an agreement to stop the automatic cuts known as the sequester, which would force $85 billion in across-the-board cuts to government spending in 2013, including more than $40 billion to the Department of Defense. The cuts would begin to take place on March 1, barring a new agreement from Congress and President Obama. "Every program gets a cut, so their base operating budget will get a cut, and they'll have to figure out how to do less with less," said Katherine Hammack, the assistant secretary of the Army in charge of installations. "I won't say more with less, because it'…
Friday, February 22, 2013
This information was supplied by the Howard County Police Department.
Columbia Armed Robbery – Oakland Mills Road Two masked men, one armed with a handgun, the other with a knife, entered the Pizza Boli's at 7060 Oakland Mills Road and ordered the employees to get to the ground and empty their pockets. The two men removed cash from the register, took cash from employees and cut phone lines before fleeing through a side door. Police described one suspect as black, about 20 years old, between 5-foot-8 and 6-foot-2, with an average build, wearing a dark jacket, gloves, a black mask and carrying a handgun. The second suspect was described as a black male, about 20 years old, with an average build, between 5-foot-8 and 6-foot, carrying a large knife. Robbery – Stevens Forest Road Multiple unknown persons …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The National Weather Service reports that the wintry mix is slated to begin after noon.
Those planning to leave the office for lunch may want to stay indoors Friday. The National Weather Service predicts that rain and sleet are likely to start after noon. Snow and sleet accumulation are anticipated to be less than half an inch, with temperatures near 39, according to the weather agency. The rain and snow are expected to return after midnight, and a precipitation amount of less than a tenth of an inch is possible.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The man who said he cared for the animals that were left to die in a Columbia townhouse filed a plea of insanity in the case.
The man accused of leaving more than 20 animals to die in a Columbia townhouse, who took responsibility for their deaths in his wife's trial, filed a plea of insanity in circuit court earlier this month. Brady Decker, 39, of the 9400 block of Hundred Drums Row in Columbia, was scheduled to begin a criminal jury trial on Feb. 13 for his role in the animals' deaths, but that trial was pushed back after the insanity plea was filed and Decker's lawyer asked for more time, according to documents filed in Howard County Circuit Court. The trial is now scheduled to begin April 23. The court has ordered that Decker be examined by a doctor from the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. Decker was charged with 72 counts of animal cruelty and 21 …
Sunday, February 17, 2013
A Howard County firefighter was injured in a fire on Saturday morning.
A fire early Saturday left one firefighter injured and nine residents displaced after it damaged a house in the 9300 block of Indian Camp in Columbia around 4 a.m. About 60 firefighters were able to control the two-alarm fire about an hour after initially responding, according to a fire official. One firefighter suffered a minor leg injury and was transported to Howard County General Hospital for treatment, but the nine residents were able to escape without injury, according to the fire department. Howard County Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of the fire and performing a damage assessment, according to a fire official.
Friday, February 15, 2013
The store in Columbia will close on April 7.
A big banner was draped over the windows in front of the Blockbuster video store on Dobbin Road in Columbia on Friday afternoon. It read "Store Closing." The location will officially close on April 7, according to sign posted inside the store, making it the last Blockbuster in Howard County to close. The last Ellicott City Blockbuster closed earlier this year. Inside the store on Friday, a customer who was returning rentals told one of the employees she thought the store was never going to close because it was so busy and the employee responded, "I guess they just picked us." As part of the closure, DVDs inside the store are priced at $9.99 or less and pre-used video games are selling between $10 - $40. Rentals are no longer available, …
Lorraine Kelly
5:21 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wondering if our trash was not picked up today due to ALL of the snow....what happened? more ›