Mount Vernon shooting victim, 52, dies

A 52-year-old man who was shot and critically wounded last year in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood has died, according to authorities, who along with the victim's family say detectives are investigating whether the victim was shot because he was gay.

Financial woes to close Howard sex assault counseling center

A well-regarded Howard County nonprofit that is helping 88 clients deal with sexual assault and abuse has announced it will close Dec. 31 because of financial problems made worse by the recession.

Unidentified man found fatally shot in Edgewood

Harford County authorities on Friday were investigating the shooting death of an unidentified man in Edgewood.

First Mariner Bancorp agrees to plan to boost its capital

First Mariner Bancorp reached an agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond where the Baltimore bank's holding company must get regulator approval before paying dividends or taking on new debt and promises to come up with a plan to boost its capital, according to a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Friday.

Black Friday shoppers out in force

Cecilia Auth came to Toys R Us at 4 a.m. Friday with one item on her list: a Star Wars All Terrain Tactical Enforcer for her 7-year-old son.

Audit faults Baltimore liquor board's record-keeping

A recent city audit of the Baltimore liquor board found that the panel did not maintain accurate payroll attendance records, including several instances where full-time inspectors had signed in to work but failed to log out, according to the 15-page report.

State to redesign more college courses

Maryland will expand its efforts to redesign the college courses most responsible for stalling students' pursuit of degrees, using a $1 million grant from the Lumina Foundation.

Panel weighs 16 lawyers for judgeship

A commission is expected to decide Thursday which of the 16 lawyers seeking an Anne Arundel County judgeship should be considered by the governor for appointment to the job.

NAACP seeks volunteers to hand out fliers on rapes

The Baltimore branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is asking for volunteers, and particularly men, to help distribute reward fliers on Saturday following a recent string of rapes in the city. "This could be our mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, niece, aunt - you get the message," branch President Marvin L. Cheatham wrote in an e-mail. He promoted a $2,000 reward for information leading to an indictment in the rapes. Organizers plan to gather at noon on Saturday at Knox Presbyterian Church at 1300 N. Eden St.

State to begin testing speed technology

The State Highway Administration will begin testing next week on a system designed to help motorists move to reduced lanes more safely. A five-week study is planned for the Variable Speed Advisory technology, a traffic management tool that aims to permit lane merges without sudden stops or backups. Using roadside sensors, speed trailers and vehicle recognition software, SHA officials will gather information to determine if giving advisory speeds and travel time information helps reduce congestion. The test will be conducted on two miles of westbound Route 100 between Route 713 and Coca-Cola Drive. The $70,000 project is being done with the University of Maryland's Traffic Safety and Operations lab.

Soldier accused of deserting Army unit is en route to U.S.

Pfc. Christopher Pfeiffer, 20, a Westminster soldier accused of deserting his Army unit, is slowly making his way home after paperwork problems threatened to strand him in Kuwait a second time. Pfeiffer's superiors notified him last week that he might be discharged from the Army. They said he failed to return to his unit after coming home over the summer on authorized leave to take care of his sick wife and newborn daughter. Pfeiffer's family said he did everything he could to contact his chain of command and either further extend his leave or make travel arrangements back to Afghanistan. Early this week, Army officials arranged to send Pfeiffer back to Fort Richardson, Alaska, where his fate will be decided. Pfeiffer left Bagram, Afghanistan, to fly to Kuwait, then Germany, and then on to Alaska, said his mother-in-law, Theresa Mwimbwa. But when he tried to board a plane Tuesday morning to Germany, he was told he couldn't go any farther. He was cleared Wednesday to leave Kuwait. Mwimbwa said she was unsure when he would arrive in Alaska. Pfeiffer was stuck at the Kuwait airport from Sept. 14 until Nov. 3, attempting to board a plane to Afghanistan.

In bad economy, charity holiday meals feed new faces

Sitting at a table of strangers in a steamy gymnasium, Michael Brisco poked at turkey on his Styrofoam plate and reflected on the reversals that had buffeted his life these past few months.

Death of West Baltimore man, 57, added to homicide count

The death this year of a 57-year-old West Baltimore man who was found beaten and stabbed in 2002 was added this week to the city's homicide tally.

Howard County police seek man in attempted armed robbery

Police in Howard County were looking Thursday for a gunman who tried to hold up a Jiffy Lube station in Elkridge and fired a shot at fleeing employees. He missed and no one was injured.

Girl, 14, says man fondled her, exposed self in Howard store

Howard County police are looking for a Hispanic man in his late 30s or early 40s who a 14-year-old girl said kissed her hand, fondled her and exposed himself in an Ellicott City department store.

Calvert Hall dominates Loyola in Turkey Bowl

One morning of sheer dominance helped wipe away more than two decades of frustrations for the Calvert Hall football team.

Jury ends fifth day of deliberations without reaching verdict

Jurors in the theft trial of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon ended a fifth day of deliberations Wednesday without reaching a verdict. They will return to court on Monday after the long holiday weekend.

Padres claim pitcher Liz off waivers

Radhames Liz was claimed off waivers Wednesday by the San Diego Padres, ending the Orioles tenure of a pitcher once regarded as one of the organization's top prospects.

Man, 21, found shot to death in S. Baltimore

City police were investigating the shooting death Wednesday morning of a 21-year-old youth leader who was found clutching the leash of his dog.

Ruptured pipe damages 14 units at public housing complex

A radiator pipe on the 13th floor of a West Baltimore public housing complex ruptured Tuesday night, causing water and electrical damage that left 14 units flooded and shut down both elevators, according to housing and fire officials.

1st Mariner to close downtown Baltimore branch

1st Mariner Bank is closing its downtown Baltimore branch on Feb. 15, a result of the bank's periodic review of its branch network.

Grand jury does not indict mother whose child died in car

A Howard County grand jury Wednesday refused to indict the mother of an Ellicott City toddler who died after being left unattended in a car in front of her home for nine hours in late June.

Parkville man charged with attempted murder in shooting

A gunman who surrendered to police in the shooting of his girlfriend in Parkville has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and with using a handgun in a violent crime.

Early season proposal aims to protect striped bass

Hoping to protect spawning striped bass from early season fishing, state fisheries officials are proposing a regulation for the Chesapeake Bay that limits the type of hooks that can be used and the number of rods on trolling boats.

Mount Vernon club to be padlocked today by police

Baltimore police will padlock Suite Ultralounge at 5 p.m. Wednesday after an administrative hearing officer this month declared the bottle club in the basement of the historic Belvedere Hotel to be a "public nuisance."

Meighan charged in fatal hit-and-run of Hopkins student

A Baltimore grand jury indicted serial drunk-driver Thomas L. Meighan Jr. Tuesday for automobile manslaughter in the fatal hit-and-run last month of a promising Johns Hopkins University student.

Cockeysville soldier is killed in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, of Cockeysville died Monday in Pashay Kala, Afghanistan, when his mounted patrol unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device, the Pentagon said.

Suspect in shooting in Baltimore County surrenders to police

A 46-year-old man who was being sought in the shooting of his girlfriend Tuesday in Parkville surrendered later to authorities in Prince George's County.

Smith won't OK raises for Balto. Co. officials

Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. said he will not approve pay raises for his successor or for County Council members, despite recommendations by an advisory board that he do so. "I do not believe this is the time to raise the salary of elected officials," Smith said in a news release Tuesday. "We are in the midst of a difficult economy and individuals and families are working hard to make ends meet."

O'Malley: Public funds shouldn't be used to buy out Friedgen

Gov. Martin O'Malley waded into a brewing controversy over football coach Ralph Friedgen's contract at the University of Maryland, saying that public money shouldn't be used to buy out his contract if that's what officials in College Park decide to do.

BlueHippo files for bankruptcy

BlueHippo Funding, the Woodlawn electronic sales company recently accused of violating its settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, has filed for bankruptcy court protection.

Doctors wary of swine flu's apparent dip

As holiday travelers begin to crisscross the country, public health officials warn that swine flu cases could surge back from a recent decline, and they caution that flu season is far from over.

2 women sue Randallstown insurance agent, State Farm

Two women who work for a State Farm insurance agent in Randallstown sued him and his corporate employer Tuesday, saying he repeatedly subjected them to sexual harassment, vile insults and a hostile work environment.

Wizards owner Abe Pollin dies at 85

Abe Pollin, a pioneer in area sports and the first man to move a major league sports franchise out of Baltimore in the modern era, died Tuesday. He was 85.

Filmmaker Tyler Perry donates $1 million to NAACP

Observers say the $1 million donated by Tyler Perry to the NAACP on Monday might spark several other hefty donations from wealthy black philanthropists, gifts that could help revive the civil rights organization as it continues to face questions about its relevancy.

Dixon jury ends fourth day of deliberations without verdict

Jurors in Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's theft and embezzlement trial are heading into a fifth day of deliberations after they were dismissed from court Tuesday without reaching a verdict.

Severn Bancorp placed under federal supervision

Annapolis-based Severn Bancorp Inc., the parent company of its namesake bank, said Tuesday that it has been placed under federal supervision to shore up its operations hurt by the collapse of the real estate market.

Roethlisberger expected to play vs. Ravens

Ben Roethlisberger's fourth concussion since 2006 apparently won't put him on the bench.

Ex-Raven Fein died of drug overdose, according to autopsy

Tony Fein, an Iraq war veteran who was arrested at the Inner Harbor while in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens, died of an accidental drug overdose, an autopsy determined.

WMAR anchor Terry Owens leaving station Dec. 4

Ravens Insider: Ravens add FB, CB, place two on IR

Ritz-Carlton contractor sues developer for $10.7 million

The lead contractor for the Ritz-Carlton Residences has sued the developer for $10.7 million, claiming it is owed that amount for work on the luxury condo complex in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Body washed ashore in Arundel identified as missing kayaker

Maryland Natural Resources Police say a body that washed ashore from the Chesapeake Bay has been identified as a missing kayaker.

Howard tanning ban on hold; lobbyist vows lawsuit

A ban keeping teenagers out of tanning beds in Howard County, which went into effect almost immediately following its mid-November passage, won't be enforced until next year.

City prosecutors drop charges against officer accused of theft

Baltimore prosecutors dropped misconduct charges Tuesday morning against a city police officer accused of shaking down an undercover internal affairs officer posing as a drug dealer, citing "inconsistencies" in the case compiled by police.

Police arrest three, seize guns after fight in N. Baltimore

Baltimore police officers arrested and seized handguns from three men in the Parkview/Woodbrook neighborhood early Monday morning, a city police spokesman said.

Howard council holds work session on Columbia plan

The plan to remake central Columbia is both enforceable and safe despite developer General Growth Properties' bankruptcy woes, the Howard County Council heard during its first work session on two proposed bills Monday evening.

8 hurt in bus crash near Rosedale

Eight people were injured Monday night after a Maryland Transit Administration bus and a passenger vehicle collided at the edge of the Franklin Square Hospital complex near Rosedale, Baltimore County authorities said. It was not known how many people were in each vehicle.

Mosley leads Terps to first-round Maui victory

Even though the game was played on a neutral court Maryland definitely felt like the unwelcome visitor.

Police probe fatal E. Baltimore shooting

City police were investigating the killing of a 22-year-old man Friday in East Baltimore. Officers were called about 9:20 p.m. to the 3100 block of McElderry St., where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the right side of his face, police said. A woman on the scene identified him as her son, Brandon J. Benjamin of the 400 block of N. Ellwood Ave., according to police. Benjamin was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. Police had no suspects and knew of no motive.