Police: Dive Team recovers body from Inner Harbor — WBAL

President Joe Biden to visit Baltimore next week to tout infrastructure and ‘pro-union’ record — The Baltimore Sun

New lawsuit alleges child sexual abuse of WWE ‘ring boys’ in Maryland — WMAR

Dockworkers at ports in Baltimore and elsewhere to resume negotiations with operators — The Baltimore Sun

Group plans to revive Dundalk-area pub space — Baltimore Business Journal

The air was tense at a crowded pre-submission community meeting Thursday in western Howard County, where attendees discussed the impact and future of a go-kart track built on private property that has residents going in circles.

Howard County resident Charles Siperko built the half-mile long track for his son on a portion of his home’s 11-acre property at 6717 Mink Hollow Road in the rural suburb of Highland. His son has dreams of becoming a race car driver and participates in the sport of go-kart driving like other children participate in swimming, soccer, or baseball.

Siperko neglected, however, to obtain the required permits from Howard County and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to build the track. His neighbors are putting up a fight, and many want it removed. The family has retained prominent land attorney Sang Oh to help navigate the process of saving the track.

The family filed a conditional use application for the racetrack retroactively, asking the county to consider the track an “athletic facility,” though go-kart tracks don’t currently fall into that category legally. They’re also promising not to use the track until the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) issues a decision.

The meeting was informational in nature only, as decisions on next steps can only be made at the DPZ level. Residents who aren’t demanding the track’s removal want mitigations for noise and visual impacts and potential repercussions on the neighborhood’s wetlands. Some even went so far as to ask if he was planning to build a helipad on the property, as Siperko owns a helicopter and used it to bring his son to school. Siperko denied any plans for building a helipad on his property.

Siperko, in the application, offered to limit the hours of use to six days per week and only the afternoon/early evening hours. They pledge the racetrack will be kept private, will not be used for parties, and will be limited in use to the father, son, and coaches. They will also move part of the track to comply with the 100-foot buffer between properties required by the county. The family also promises no lighting will be added (ensuring no nighttime use) and to limit the use to electric motors only.

Residents claimed the engine is not the source of the noise they heard on the one day the family used the track, but the tires. One resident expressed concern about the microplastics shed by the tires on the surrounding wetlands, and others agreed.

While the Maryland Department of the Environment has jurisdiction over wetlands, Oh said the family’s application with MDE is on hold right now because it does not want to rule on a case in which DPZ may decide the track needs to be removed entirely. Oh expects a hearing with the DPZ to take place in the late February/early March timeframe.

This is the second such meeting because Siperko and his family were in Italy for a race in which their son was participating when the first pre-submission community meeting was held. The second meeting was scheduled so that Siperko could be there to hear from his neighbors and participate in the discussion.

The controversy has even attracted the attention of documentary filmmaker Scott Evans. Evans grew up in Howard County, and is doing preliminary work on a potential documentary about this dispute between neighbors.

“I grew up in Howard County and actively participated in both sports and environmentalism,” Evans told Fishbowl in a message. “After reading articles about the track on Mink Hollow Rd, I felt like there’s an interesting debate unfolding here on land rights, environmental impact, and creating safe spaces where kids can explore their sports interests. I want to hear all sides of this and plan to reach out to the community and interview anyone that wants to share their side of the story.” 

Nearly all who spoke at the meeting argued against the track, though degrees of animosity toward it varied. Some went so far as to insult Siperko’s parenting directly. Most, though, focused on the impact of the racetrack on their quality of life, property value, and the environment.

“It’s so frustrating,” said JoJo Lerner, a resident who also lives on Mink Hollow Road. “He said he Googled, and he didn’t see that he needed a permit for this. But it wasn’t just that. He didn’t talk to any of his neighbors. He didn’t tell anyone…. It definitely lowers the value of everyone’s property around it, because who wants to live right next to this go-kart thing?”

Colin Porter, another Highland resident, would like to see the county and/or state invest in a go-kart track like the one Siperko built so that other kids could have access to learning the sport. “These motor sports are certainly underserved,” he said. “We haven’t had a racetrack in this area since they closed Beltsville Speedway.”

Neither Siperko nor Oh would comment for Fishbowl’s article, citing the case being ongoing.

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 3:45 to 5:30 p.m.
Levering Field at The St. Paul’s Schools

Looking to sharpen your lacrosse skills with advice from IAAM championship players? St. Paul’s School for Girls will host a lacrosse clinic led by IAAM Coach of the Year Mary Gagnon for prospective students in grades 6 through 8. Following the clinic, participants and their families are invited to a conversation and Q&A with Coach Gagnon and varsity student-athletes from the 2024 IAAM “A” Conference championship lacrosse team.

On a brisk Saturday morning in October, amid the historic sites and small businesses of Gettysburg, Penn., 40 people were gathered in a small office space.

All were from Maryland, but these weren’t tourists seeking Civil War tales or you-pick apple orchards. They were politically active voters who wanted to help tilt the election in perhaps the most important swing state of all, where polls show a toss-up in the presidential race.

Maryland almost always lives up to its deep-blue reputation – Joe Biden bested Donald Trump here by more than 33 percentage points. So volunteers who want to make a difference often take the short drive north over the Mason-Dixon line to go door to door or work phone banks. 

Among those inside the Adams County Democratic Party office were Rob and Meredith Gramlich. The Bethesda couple first campaigned for President Obama more than a decade ago. They chose to travel to Pennsylvania in 2024 rather than volunteer for Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks in the Maryland Senate Race.

“It’s tough to have any influence in Maryland,’’ said Rob Gramlich, 55, president of an energy consulting firm. For the Gramlichs, it is more important to focus on the “bigger picture,” meaning the presidential race and swing state voters.

Volunteers like the Gramlichs are essential to produce a high-energy day of canvassing, said Casey Deck, lead organizer for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in Adams County.

“Last weekend, we reached 19,000 doors. This weekend, we’re aiming for 28,000,” he said, a number that would only be possible with out-of-state help.

Refining the script

On this Saturday, Deck told the volunteers they would be focusing on Democrat, independent, and some third-party voters.

“There are very few Republicans that will swing blue,” Deck said, explained why they avoid the homes of registered Republicans.

With route assignments in hand, the volunteers traveled into town. Each group followed a concise, three-question script: “Are you aware of the election? Do you have a plan to vote? And are you aware of the down-ballot Democratic candidates?”

Their routes took them to manicured neighborhoods near Gettysburg College, where they encountered multiple Harris-Walz signs on lawns along streets like West Broadway and West Lincoln Ave—a strong show of local support.

As they moved from house to house, the Gramlichs relied on an app created for canvassers to track their progress, marking each interaction down. The first task involved knocking on 23 doors, home to 39 potential voters.

“It’s about chunking the talking points,” said Meredith Gramlich, 56, who works at the University of Maryland College of Education. She explained her plan to keep the script conversational, not robotic, while covering key policy areas in the Harris-Walz campaign.

The Gramlichs left literature behind at homes where no one answered. They also received two confirmations that mailed-in ballots were submitted with only Democrats names checked, and they secured four confirmations of voters planning to vote on Election Day.

The same afternoon, Daniel Corbett, a Silver Spring retiree, was walking in Hanover, a working-class town located about 30 minutes outside of Gettysburg with a notable abundance of ‘Steelworkers for Harris’ signs in yards.

‘Out of my comfort zone’

The Hanover canvassing office was an empty warehouse, subleased for the election season. It was full of life, buzzing with volunteers from New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania residents, and those volunteers from Maryland. Corbett dressed for the occasion, sporting a new “White Dudes for Harris” hat.

Corbett’s day included four ‘lit drops’, three confirmations of mail-in ballots already cast, and two voters planning to vote on Election Day.

One interaction stuck out: Corbett approached a man in his driveway while the man was working on his boat. The man told Corbett he had already voted for Trump.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Corbett told the man, who quickly shot back, “No, I would be sorry for her,” referring to the Kamala Harris hat Corbett was wearing.

Still, Corbett’s resolve wasn’t shaken. He saw canvassing as a personal mission, one made more poignant by his wife’s reaction to the Trump administration.

“She felt disregarded,” he confided, explaining that the 2016 results affected them in ways they hadn’t anticipated.

As the day wore on, one of the most meaningful conversations came from an unexpected source. Bonnie Reese, a lifelong steelworker, opened up to Corbett during his visit. Reese, who had already made up her mind to vote for Harris-Walz, shared her growing frustration with the political divide in her own family.

“I’ve always respected Republicans,” she began, “But now, it’s a shame that I have family members who’ll no longer talk to me.”

Still, she is optimistic for the future.

“There’s a ladder to climb, and this is the best bet,” she said, referring to the Harris-Walz ticket.

Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have made multiple visits to Pennsylvania in the final weeks of the campaign.

Deck, the Democratic campaign coordinator for Adams County, said it was important for his party to pull its weight in the race for the White House, even if it meant bringing in volunteers from across state lines.

“I’m out of my comfort zone, but this is necessary for me to do,” Corbett acknowledged, adding that the 2016 election had left him with deep regrets. “After Hillary lost, I was depressed. I felt like I didn’t do enough to impact the campaign.”

From crab cakes and fall cocktails to spooky squid ink and Spanish cheese, this week is full of fun and unexpected ways to enjoy the Baltimore culinary scene. Here’s a look at what’s happening:

Openings & announcements

Mick O’Shea’s, which has been under construction since the underground fire that took place on N. Charles St. in late September, finally reopened on Wednesday.

Vessel, a new bar and lounge, has opened at the ROOST Baltimore hotel and apartment building. Vessel has both indoor and outdoor spaces and a cocktail menu with plenty of nods to port-city drinks.

Congratulations to Walker’s Tap & Table, which celebrated five years in business this week.

Speaking of anniversaries, Woodberry Kitchen marked 17 years in business this week. Congrats to the Woodberry team for its longevity and the impact its had on Baltimore’s dining scene.

In fast food news, Towsonites are getting a new Chick-fil-A this week. The restaurant, which is in the old Bob Evans spot, opens on Tuesday. To celebrate, the company is running a sweepstakes: people who live in nearby zip codes can enter to win free Chic-fil-A entrees for a year.

Café Campli has some lunchtime changes in the works. Starting Nov. 11, the Hamilton restaurant will begin opening at noon on Sundays, adding lunch to the lineup. However, starting Nov. 1, they will no longer serve Friday or Saturday lunch.

Sadly, Pavan Foods, the Indian restaurant and grocery in Parkville, closed this past Wednesday, after 24 years in business.

Happy 100^th to Grandma Beall

Grandma Beall, the matriarch of the Ledo Pizza empire, celebrated her 100^th birthday this past week. In honor of her birthday, Ledo’s is offering $1 fountain drinks through Sunday.

Oyster champs

Congrats to Dylan’s Oyster Cellar shucker Sydney Moran for taking home first place in the 2024 Women’s National Shucking Championship at the US Oyster Festival last weekend. Moran not only shucks at Dylan’s – she’s also the pastry chef.

New menus

Cosima has launched a new menu featuring more pizzas and comfort food as well as Sicilian street food-inspired dishes.

Magdalena’s updated fall cocktail list draws on local history, with drinks like the Homecoming Cocktail – a mix of Uncle Nearest Whiskey, apple spice and lemon olio, and a full Jazz Menu with drinks dedicated to legendary Baltimore jazz artists like Blanche Calloway and Ethel Ennis. These drinks will be available through November – so now is the time to go to try them.

Fried Chicken Thursdays are back at The Tilted Row. Every Thursday, the restaurant’s popular fried chicken dinner makes an appearance on the menu.

Maryland Crab Cake Festival

On Saturday, the Maryland Crab Cake Festival takes over the Carroll County Farm Museum. The kid-friendly event features live music, crab cakes from a bunch of great local restaurants, food trucks (it’s not all crab!), beer, wine, and fun vendors.

Ekiben at Black Ankle

The Ekiben crew is heading to Mt. Airy for a Saturday afternoon pop-up at Black Ankle Vineyards. The menu includes Neighborhood Birds, Tofu Brahs and more.

Ryes Up

On Sunday, the Baltimore Bartender Guild’s annual Ryes Up fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Maryland takes place at The Winslow. The party is always a hit, with excellent drinks and food from local restaurants and bars – all benefiting a worthy cause.

Bunny’s turns Upside Down

Starting on Monday, Bunny’s becomes the Upside Down, with a spooky week of pop-ups planned. From Monday through Saturday, Bunny’s will welcome a killer lineup of chefs, winemakers, brewers and more – including Carlos Raba of Clavel and Nana, Tae Strain of Ggoma Supperclub, Jonah Kim (formerly of Pabu), and the crews from Toki Underground, Old Westminster Winery, and Peabody Heights – plus some additional surprises that have yet to be announced.

Taco Tuesday at Heritage

On Tuesday, the crew at Heritage Smokehouse has plans for a whole hog BBQ and an evening of pork (or vegetarian) tacos with all the fixings. The theme will kick off during a taco lunch featuring barbacoa, chicken and chorizo options, and continue through dessert – churros.

Pumpkins at Swallow

Also on Tuesday, Swallow at the Hollow hosts its 9^th annual pumpkin painting contest. Paint a pumpkin (for free), win prizes and enjoy food and drink specials while you get in the Halloween spirit.

A Wicked Affair at True Chesapeake

On Wednesday night, True Chesapeake Oyster Co. brings back its Wicked Affair Dinner, just in time for Halloween. The four-course meal includes dishes like squid ink spaghetti with sea urchin sauce, along with wine pairings and “eerie” cocktails.

Halloween happenings

On Halloween itself, there’s plenty to do, even beyond trick-or-treating.

The Brewer’s Art has a lot going on for Halloween, including a Clue-inspired mystery game on the main floor, a Nightmare Before Christmas theme downstairs, and a generally spooky vibe.

Monarque is teaming up with Sweet Gwendoline Gin for a three-course dinner and themed Halloween show.

Spanish cheese at Pierpoint

Pierpoint in Fells is always doing something cool – and that’s especially true this week. On Friday, Chef Nancy Longo will lead a lesson on Spanish cheeses, including a tasting of a variety of different cheeses along with dishes made from each cheese. The courses will be paired with tastes of Spanish wines and sangria.

Planning for the future

Mark your calendars for:

Nov. 2: Clavel x Alma Cocina Latina Día de Muertos Collaboration

Nov. 3: Día de los Muertos at La Calle

Nov. 16: Chili Cookoff at Waverly Brewing

By ADAM HUDACEK

Capital News Service

There’s a little-known conservative power player in the nation’s school board elections, and it has endorsed more candidates in Maryland than in any other state. 

The 1776 Project PAC, which says on its website that it supports “reform-minded conservatives who oppose political indoctrination and believe in parental rights,” has endorsed 19 Maryland school board candidates in nine of the state’s 24 school districts. The endorsements come as the state’s Democratic Party announces strategic targeting of 24 “extreme” conservative candidates.

This isn’t the 1776 Project PAC’s first foray into Maryland’s election. In 2022, the political action committee campaigned for at least three Maryland school board candidates, but not without incident. 

A year ago, the state prosecutor and the Maryland State Board of Elections fined the PAC more than $20,000 for its campaign practices during the 2022 school board elections. The fine stems from what the 1776 Project PAC did in November 2022, when it sent 13,879 text messages to Carroll County voters urging them to vote for certain candidates.

“Stop indoctrination in our schools, early voting has started [sic] vote for the pro-parent ticket for school board Tara Battaglia, James Miller and Steve Whisler,” one message read. Battaglia and Whisler won election to the school board.

In Maryland, the law requires campaign messages sent on behalf of candidates to record who paid for the information to be distributed, regardless of whether it is a yard sign, a pamphlet or a digital advertisement. The 1776 Project PAC text in 2022 lacked such a provision and therefore deserved to be sanctioned, said Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard in announcing the fine a year ago.

“Being able to identify the source of information for campaign material is essential to honesty and transparency in our electoral process,” Howard said . 

This year, the 1776 Project PAC has spent a total of $75,409.58 on 13 Maryland school board candidates across Cecil, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Calvert, Somerset and St. Mary’s counties. Other candidates endorsed by the group did not receive direct funding as of the latest campaign finance filing deadline.

The political action committee is the brainchild of former political consultant and journalist Ryan James Girdusky, who founded the organization in 2021. A letter from Girdusky on the PAC’s website explains that he was spurred to start the 1776 Project when his godson’s teacher read his class two books about police brutality and white privilege. 

“Progressive activists within our public education system were using their positions to indoctrinate children,” Girdusky wrote in the letter. 

“I created the 1776 Project to change public education by reforming school boards and electing reform-minded conservatives who wanted to improve public education in this country, he added.

The Maryland Democratic Party calls the 1776 Project PAC a “radical ring-wing group”, alongside the conservative parental rights organization Moms For Liberty, which successfully banned 21 books from public school libraries in Carroll County earlier this year. The involvement of the two organizations has prompted the state Democratic Party to invest directly in Maryland’s school board races, a move the party referred to as “unprecedented.” 

“The Maryland Democratic Party is committed to defending our students from the dangerous fringe agenda that extremist candidates and the far-right groups are hoping to bring to our state,” said Ken Ulman, chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, in a press release. “We won’t allow radical activists dedicated to banning books and discriminating against students to take over our schools.”

In its X account bio, the 1776 Project PAC boasts that it has helped elect over 200 “un-woke,” or conservative, school board members since its founding. According to its website, the Project 1776 PAC has focused its endorsements on four states – Maryland, Tennessee, Florida and Arizona – after its successes in three Wisconsin races in April.

To date, the organization has endorsed six candidates in Tennessee, 15 in Florida and 17 in Arizona this election cycle.

The 1776 Project PAC did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the specifics of its policy proposals on school library regulation or preferred pronoun use in public schools. However, some of the candidates it endorsed – such as Elena Brewer of St. Mary’s County – did.

“My main priority is to promote excellence in education and not indoctrination,” Brewer said in response to a Local News Network questionnaire. “Our public schools should in no way become avenues for various special interest groups to promote their political agenda, such as radical gender theory, which attacks the children’s God-given identity and robs them of their innocence. I intend to promote age-appropriate teaching materials, stop the sexualization of children, and promote learning, and the building of character.”

On the 1776 Project PAC website, the organization writes that “biological sex is real and must be taken into account in schools” and that so-called “gender ideology” has been popularized among youth in recent years, something the 1776 Project PAC views as a threat against young girls.

On the topic of book bans, Girdusky stated  in a post on his X account that “the 1776 Project PAC does not take a position on which books are offered in school libraries.” He listed the organization’s priorities as fiscal transparency, improving academic standards, promoting classic education and patriotism, safe classrooms and parental involvement in public schools.

Specifically, the 1776 Project PAC opposes critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, stating on its website that they “subordinate the liberal arts to indoctrination.” 

That’s the kind of conservative agenda that some candidates want to stop.

“In recent years, I have become increasingly concerned with the politicization of public education,” Amanda Jozkowski, a Carroll County school board candidate who lost in 2022 and who is running again this year, said in response to the LNN questionnaire. “Decisions that impact our children should be driven by data, best practices and the needs of our students and educators – not by partisan agendas. I want to eliminate division and distraction and refocus the board’s efforts on what matters most: ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for life after graduation, whether that means college, career or other pursuits.”

Local News Network reporter Tolu Talabi contributed to this report.

GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL

The 110-acre, tree-lined Garrison Forest School campus gives students the space to explore, build, create and think. There are endless learning opportunities outside of the classroom! Younger students have access to several different playgrounds, and an innovative outdoor classroom offers students space to exercise—to climb and jump and also to imagine and pretend. This outdoor classroom features nature-based play structures, dirt and sand to dig and create, a garden and musical instruments.

The rolling campus includes state-of-the-art athletic fields, featuring a lighted turf field; an impressive equestrian complex that features riding and polo arenas, an outdoor riding ring and barns to house the many campus horses; bee hives that are maintained by the campus Bee Club—including honey that is extracted for community enjoyment; pollinator gardens; a dye garden used by art classes; and ample spaces to walk and explore. The academic buildings are designed to be modern, comfortable spaces to learn and collaborate. Each division—Preschool, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School—has a separate building to ensure each student’s needs are met as they move through their time at GFS. The arts building encourages creative, personal expression and houses several art rooms, concert and performance spaces and practice rooms. The Garland Theater hosts many performances throughout the year, including divisional programs, a Middle School play, two Upper School productions, dance performances and more.

The GFS campus center includes the Searle Athletic Center and Alumnae Hall, home to the dining hall. Within the Searle Athletic Center, students can run the raised track or use the workout room; it is also home to the dance studio and provides space for athletes to train and compete. Featuring natural lighting, the two-story library offers quiet meeting and study spaces and cozy nooks for reading. The boarding program, offered for grades 8-12, has four student dorms and 24 faculty residences, creating a homelike atmosphere for students joining GFS from across the country and around the world. Whether learning and exploring outdoors or finding your academic spark within one of the buildings, the Garrison Forest campus becomes an integral part of your overall educational journey.

Visit www.gfs.org.

This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.

An East Baltimore park has undergone a $3.6 million renovation, including upgrades to the playground, the addition of an outdoor classroom, and other updates.

Parks & People, a nonprofit working to improve and expand green spaces in Baltimore City, held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday to mark the grand opening of the renovated Cecil Community Park, located at Cecil Elementary School in East Baltimore Midway.

“Cecil Community Park is a beacon of what we can achieve when we invest in our youth and their education,” said Parks & People CEO Frank Lance in a statement. “Parks & People is committed to transforming our city, and Cecil Community Park stands as a testament to that mission. This park will not only offer a safe and fun space for children but will also provide a platform for educational programs, fostering a brighter future for our young generation.”

Spanning 1.5 acres, the project involved the complete renovation of the school’s park and playground spaces. The park also has a new outdoor classroom and raised garden beds, serving as “a hub for outdoor experiential learning, recreation, and community involvement,” according to a news release.

The park is intended to not only support the school community, but also the more than 2,000 residents who live within a quarter-mile radius of the space.

“This project embodies our commitment to building stronger, healthier neighborhoods through strategic investments in green spaces,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said in a statement. “Building better park and recreation spaces to ensure every Baltimorean has access to world-class facilities has been a cornerstone of my administration.”

Scott added, “Cecil Community Park is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can help create lasting, positive change in our communities. By transforming this space, we’re providing a safe, welcoming environment for families and children, improving the quality of life for residents, and fostering a sense of pride and ownership in the neighborhood. Projects like this show the power of collaboration in creating a better future for Baltimore.”

The renovated park is the product of collaboration among Parks & People, the Central Baltimore Partnership, The Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, and the East Baltimore Midway community.

Funding came from a mix of public and private sources, including The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the France-Merrick Foundation, the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs, and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

“Creating Cecil Community Park was the top priority for the Cecil Elementary School and East Baltimore Midway community,” said Ellen Janes, Executive Director of Central Baltimore Partnership. “Through a participatory process, they envisioned a welcoming space where the entire community could have fun and meet their health goals. This Park is a true community achievement, and we look forward to keeping it as vibrant and active as possible with sports leagues, classes, and a wide array of gatherings.”

This year, Parks & People celebrates its 40th anniversary. The organization has completed 48 park projects, which have reinvested $15.4 million in underserved communities and impacted approximately 109,000 residents, according to the news release from the nonprofit.

Mistrial declared in Edmonson Village mass-shooting case – WBAL News Radio

Poll: Alsobrooks up over Hogan for Senate seat, 52% to 40% – FOX Baltimore/WBFF-TV

Baltimore Police struggles with staffing but improves in other areas – WBAL-TV

Whooping cough cases are up tenfold in Maryland – The Sun

Lexington Market candy shop continues to honor family legacy – WMAR-TV

Ship owner-operator pays $102 million to settle claim over Key Bridge collapse – Maryland Matters

Amazon Fresh grocery store coming to Glen Burnie — WMAR

Rodent infestation, exposed wires and more at a Baltimore Recreation and Parks facility — Baltimore Brew

Excessive speed, unsafe lane changing caused deadly I-695 work zone crash, final NTSB report shows — WJZ

MCB’s Bramble defends Harborplace plan in fiery interview — Baltimore Business Journal

The Harbor Harvest Children’s Fall Festival will return for its 17th year on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rash Field Park. Families are invited to enjoy pumpkins, pony rides, and a petting zoo while dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes for a day filled with fall festivities.

Children can explore a pumpkin patch; dive into hay piles; and, for a small fee, enjoy pony rides, petting zoo animals, a trackless train, and carnival rides. There will be a pie-baking contest, and participants will compete for both the People’s Choice Award and the Judge’s Choice Award.

Enjoy the costume contest, where participants can win ribbons and prizes, and get some great exercise with a fun climb at Rash Field’s Adventure Park or enjoy the scenes at the BGE Nature Park!

Local food vendors will be on-site for the event.

Admission to the festival is free, and select activities like pumpkins, pumpkin decorating, fall crafts, and more are included at no cost.

With the purchase of a Harbor Harvest Children’s Pass, attendees can enjoy additional activities, such as mechanical rides, pony rides, a trackless train, and other attractions. The Children’s Pass is available in advance for $12 or at the event for $15.

For those interested in specific activities, individual tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $3 each. Participation in the pie baking contest is free, with advance registration available on Eventbrite. For the costume contest, sign-ups will take place on the day of the event.

Rash Field Park is located at the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD 21230.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit this link.

In the event of inclement weather, all proceeds will go towards children’s programming at Rash Field Park. All Children’s Pass items (pumpkin, pumpkin decorating, and fall craft) will be available to pick up at a determined date.

By CALEY FOX SHANNON

Capital News Service

SILVER SPRING, Md. – Early voting began Thursday in Maryland, with some voters lining up before sunrise to cast their votes when the polls opened at 7 a.m. for president, Senate, House, ballot initiatives and various local races.

In Montgomery County, early birds formed a line at dawn outside the Silver Spring Civic Building.

Campaign volunteers set up tables on the plaza and unpacked sheafs of sample ballots to hand out. Inside, election judges plugged in ballot scanners, opened boxes of pens and laid out “I Voted” stickers.

“It’s a festive time,” Alan Bowser of Silver Spring told Capital News Service. Bowser was first in line at 6 a.m., and said he’s held that honor in every cycle since early voting became an option in Maryland.

Early voting began in the state in 2010 after Marylanders overwhelmingly favored a 2008 ballot question empowering lawmakers to write early balloting into law. In the intervening years, the Maryland General Assembly has voted four times to expand the number of early voting sites.

State Board of Elections Deputy Administrator Katherine Berry told CNS that as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday, more than 90,000 voters had turned out to cast their ballots. That pacing is on par with early voting turnout in 2020, Berry said, but far higher than the 2024 primary.

Bowser, a precinct chair for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, told CNS the voters he speaks with are feeling motivated to elect the two women of color running close races at the top of the ticket: Vice President Kamala Harris for president and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for Senate.

Webb Smedley was out in the brisk morning sporting a Harris Walz cap in woodland camo, paired with an Alsobrooks t-shirt featuring the candidate’s portrait.

Smedley, who is retired, said that this is the first time he has volunteered for a campaign.

“I think that it’s the most important election of my lifetime, and I’ve voted since…for a long time,” he said.

Also on the Democratic ticket in Montgomery County is Rep. Jamie Raskin, who is running to keep his seat in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District.

Raskin arrived at the polls himself just after 7 a.m., greeting supporters with hugs and shaking hands with officials from the local board of elections. The Hill projects Raskin has a 99% chance of beating out Republican opponent Cheryl Riley to stay in Congress.

Walking in the front door of the polling place, Raskin told CNS, “I can’t wait to vote for Kamala.”

Of the many campaign signs dotting the parkway in front of the Civic Building, there was only one for Donald Trump, an unsurprising reality in deeply blue Montgomery County.

But that doesn’t mean there weren’t Republicans at the polls in Silver Spring.

Michael Fletcher, a Republican from Olney, was reprising his role as a poll watcher, a designated individual approved to observe election activities.

Fletcher told CNS that he became interested in being a poll watcher after the 2020 election, when, in his words, “there were so many allegations and innuendo and things like that. So I thought I’d get more involved and see how the process worked.”

Although Trump continues to repeat false claims of fraud in the 2020 election, a lie spread by FOX News and prominent Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Fletcher said that he hasn’t seen anything concerning at the polls in his county.

“I think the Board of Elections in Montgomery County does a really good job of training their judges,” Fletcher said. “But I also like to think that just my presence here maybe makes everybody get up a little higher on the step, you know, do a little bit better job.”

For Montgomery County Board of Elections Secretary Amie Hoeber, a Republican, it’s frustrating that so many within her party continue to cast doubt on the voting process. She told CNS, “I find it fair and reasonable, and object to the people who consider it a problem.”

Hoeber has already cast her ballot by mail and wants to reassure the public that mail-in voting is another option that is “completely secure.”

Montgomery County Board of Elections President David Naimon said many voters like to wait until the last minute, but he urged the public to resist the “real human tendency to procrastinate.”

Polling places specially designated as early voting centers in Maryland are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday October 31. More information about early voting can be found on the State Board of Elections website.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield this week opened its approximately 20,000-square-foot West Baltimore workspace at The Village at Mondawmin.

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, officials marked CareFirst’s dedication to community-centered healthcare and economic empowerment. The new workspace represents CareFirst’s commitment to West Baltimore, serving as a community hub for health and wellness resources, workforce development programs, and support services for residents.

“Completing this project marks a significant moment in our mission at CareFirst as we continue to invest with the communities we serve,” said Brian D. Pieninck, CareFirst’s president and CEO. “In partnership with leaders from Coppin State University, Center for Urban Families, and Whiting-Turner, who share our strong belief in West Baltimore’s future, we understand success comes through being led by the community. The center’s vision is built around community voices, community talents, and community dreams.”

CareFirst’s novel workforce development initiative launched in 2023 in partnership with Coppin State University and the Center for Urban Families. The program’s focus is to create economic growth and opportunities for West Baltimore residents living in the 21215, 21216, and 21217 zip codes.

The initiative recruits and trains residents for jobs in the healthcare industry, from customer service to community health advocacy and beyond. Choosing The Village at Mondawmin as the location for the workspace helps address common barriers to employment, like transportation and childcare.

The community hub and resource center give residents access to free fitness and health education classes, in addition to help from CareFirst team members on billing, claims, benefits, and more. This in-person support helps current and new members and addresses the neighborhood’s health equity needs. Additionally, the resource center offers programs ranging from home-buying courses to legal education.

“We are proud to see our vision for The Village at Mondawmin come to fruition with CareFirst as a vital partner in this important project,” said Tim Regan, co-owner of The Village at Mondawmin and CEO of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. “We are working hard with our community partners to revitalize West Baltimore and enhance the quality of life. By attracting meaningful tenants, a dynamic community hub that addresses critical needs and unlocks opportunities for growth is being built. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with CareFirst and community leaders to ensure this space serves as a catalyst for positive change.”

“Our collective aim is to build safer, vibrant communities across Baltimore,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “The commitment and involvement of CareFirst in West Baltimore is a shining example of the transformative change that can be generated when community organizations and leaders unite. When we harness our collective strength, we can effect meaningful change that benefits our region and its residents.”

“Baltimore will lead Maryland into a new decade and partnerships that contribute to our shared progress are crucial to that mission,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “I want to commend CareFirst, Coppin State University, and the Center for Urban Families for their innovative workforce development program, along with all the organizations in The Village at Mondawmin. Today, we are not only celebrating the continued success of the workforce development program and the new CareFirst workspace; we also recognize the potential, resilience, and power within a revitalized, healthier, and thriving West Baltimore.”

CareFirst members and non-members are encouraged to check out programming as it is shared at CareFirst or Eventbrite. Initial grand opening events include a Medicaid Made Simple Class on Oct. 28 and a Holistic Childbirth Class on Nov. 2.

Work began in recent weeks on the infrastructure for 247 townhomes by Ryan Homes at the One Westport development in the Westport neighborhood of South Baltimore. The townhomes are phase one of a development by Stonewall Capital on a 43-acre waterfront parcel on the Middle Branch.

Stonewall Captial sold the 11.2-acre Parcel B of the development to H&H Rock, a land developer working to create townhome pad sites for Ryan Homes. Ray Jackson of Stonewall Capital said he expects vertical construction to begin on the townhomes in the first quarter of 2025 with the completed homes being delivered in the spring or summer.

Read more at SouthBmore.

It’s the final weekend before Halloween, so spooky season is in full swing in Baltimore.

From the 25th annual Great Halloween Lantern Parade to Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, embrace some frightful fun.

Check it all out in our weekend events roundup:

ArBOOretum, Thursday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m., Cylburn Arboretum. Go on guided moonlit nature walks, explore spooky trails, and enjoy Halloween decorations at the Cylburn mansion. While this is a candy-free event to prevent litter, there is plenty of fun to be had.

Trixie & Katya, Thursday, Oct. 24, doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m., Lyric Baltimore. You know them from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “All Stars,” and on their web series “UNHhhh.” Now this comedic duo is bring their show, “The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya,” to Baltimore.

The Textures of Us, Friday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 27, Galerie Myrtis. Artist Devin Allen will display work in a solo exhibition titled “The Textures of Us” at Galerie Myrtis. The exhibition will feature photos from Allen’s new book, “Devin Allen: Baltimore”; unreleased images, and work from Allen’s students. The exhibition will open this weekend and will remain on view through Jan. 11.

Halloween Ride, Friday, Oct. 25, meet at 6:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park. Ride through the city with the Baltimore Bike Party. This event is a Halloween-themed ride, so costumes are encouraged.

Oyster Gardening, Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harbor East Marina. Join the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership in their efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population. Volunteers will help plant baby oysters (spat), build oyster habitats, and install a new oyster garden at Harbor East Marina.

ZOOmbie Run, Saturday, Oct. 26, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Maryland Zoo. Scary movies aren’t the only way to get your blood pumping this spooky season. Participate in a 5K run or a 1-mile walk through the Maryland Zoo. Costumes are encouraged. There will be food trucks, a photo booth, and other post-race activities.

Sailabration, Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fells Point Broadway Pier. Learn about the connections between sailing and tattooing. Plus, experience what life was like sailing on the high seas in the 18th and 19th centuries by drinking grog and sampling “hardtack.” Read more in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.

Play Me A Ghost Story, Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m., Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Listen to symphonic ghost stories inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, Frankenstein, and more. The event will feature music by Gustav Mahler, Lou Reed, and Jim Stephenson.

South Baltimore Halloween Bash, Saturday, Oct. 26, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Riverside Park. Participate in scavenger hunts and races; eat cotton candy, popcorn, and other yummy treats; get a glitter tattoo; shop vendors; and more.

World Oddities Expo, Saturday, Oct. 26, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Baltimore Convention Center. The strange, the peculiar, and the downright bizarre will all be on full display at the World Oddities Expo. This traveling event comes to Baltimore this Saturday, where it will feature vendors, speakers, performances and more. From taxidermy to insects to macabre art, there’s something for everyone who needs a little oddness in their life.

Great Halloween Lantern Parade, Saturday, Oct. 26, festival begins at 4 p.m., parade starts at 7 p.m., Patterson Park. Watch beautiful lanterns parade through the park — and even make your own — at the 25th annual Great Halloween Lantern Parade. There will be a kids costume contest, arts & crafts market, performances, food trucks, and more. Read more in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.

Haunted Harbor, Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 p.m., Power Plant Live! Get in on the ghostly fun, with DJ performances, costume contests, access to bars and nightclubs, and more.

Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert, Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Hear the music from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” performed live by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as you watch the film on the big screen.

Monument to Monument Ride, Sunday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m., Baltimore Washington Monument. Participate in a ride from Baltimore’s Washington Monument at Mount Vernon Place all the way to the Washington Monument in D.C.

Harbor Harvest Children’s Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rash Field Park. Decorate pumpkins, pet some animals, participate in pie-baking and costume contests, and more at the festival. Read more in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.

Bluegrass and Goats, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wyman Park Dell at 29th and Charles streets. Watch goats graze on invasive species while you enjoy a Baltimore Bluegrass Jam hosted by Alex Lacquement, Maddie Witler and Sam Guthridge.