Hunt Valley

'It's well worth the suffering'

Joan Fessler has a pretty good idea how she must look. It's one of the most oppressively hot and humid days of the year. And she's in a room where the heat is cranked up to 105 degrees. On purpose.

Police program features Cockeysville

The current edition of Police Report, the county Police Department's cable TV program, features a profile of Precinct 7 in Cockeysville, including interviews with Capt. Marty Lurz, precinct commander, and Lt. Bob McGraw, assistant commander.

Scene

At Shore Leave, a sci-fi mind-meld

Michael Schilling is tired of the bum rap sci-fi convention-goers have gotten from "Mundanes," those who think the fandom is only comprised of one type of human.

Michael Dresser: Shifting gears on mass transit

When gas prices were clunking along in the low 3-buck-something range, mass transit didn't seem nearly as interesting as it does now. For the vast majority of us, the idea of sharing the commuting experience with strangers was as remote as planting our own tofu trees.

Dan Rodricks: Try on a new set of wheels

David Schapiro has a message for anyone, including other SUV owners, thinking about taking a bicycle to work: Don't dismiss the idea without giving it a try. There are plenty of excuses for scoffing - you're too old and rickety; you live too far away; it's too dangerous to bike; you'll shvitz too much - but, Schapiro says, a little common sense, combined with some open-mindedness and positive energy, can get you there.

New chef brings lighter fare to Oregon Grille

When Mark Henry retired as executive chef of the Oregon Grille in Cockeysville a few months ago, it felt something like the end of an era for those who follow the local dining scene. That's impressive considering that for the past 11 years he's headed the kitchen of a restaurant best known for its steaks, chops and traditional Maryland seafood.

Hearing delayed for teen charged in killings

A county judge has postponed a hearing to determine whether a Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and two younger brothers should be tried in the juvenile system or remain in adult court. The hearing had been scheduled for tomorrow.

Matthew Thierer

Matthew J. Thierer, a lifelong nurseryman who was sales manager at Valley View Farms in Cockeysville, died Tuesday of a heart attack at Howard County General Hospital. The Ellicott City resident was 53.

A lot of lots, but not enough

On Avon Court in Halethorpe, there's an unwritten law that says the parking space in front of your home is your spot. But the commuters who flock to the Halethorpe MARC station don't follow that code. They see the absence of no-parking signs as an invitation to leave their cars on the residential street - especially as the 770-space lot at the station fills up every day.

7 in Md. receive business awards

Ernst & Young has named seven Maryland winners of its 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year awards, drawing from fields that range from biotechnology to engineering to automotive services.

The great pretender

Millionaire entrepreneur Alan Fabian strode from the main house on his North Carolina beach property last August to deliver the bad news to a colleague vacationing in a guest cottage.

Hearing delayed in killing of family

A Baltimore County judge has postponed until July a hearing that had been scheduled for next week to determine whether the Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and two younger brothers should be tried in the juvenile system or remain in adult court.

An educator about nature

Kirk Dreier

It's not Fla., but reopened beach is fine

The sand felt mighty fine at Miami Beach yesterday - warmed by the 85-degree temperatures, scented from the salty tide. A toddler waded in and giggled with delight. Nearby, a couple sunbathed in beach chairs and two boys smoothed out the foundation of a sand castle.

Police pay to rise in new budget

Baltimore County Council members adopted a $2.58 billion operating budget yesterday that won't require increases in taxes or fees but that will improve the salaries of about 1,100 veteran police officers.

Miami Beach Park reopens to swimming

Miami Beach Park in eastern Baltimore County is set to reopen this weekend for swimming after having been closed for the past seven summers.

Main Street pushed at Canton waterside

Pushing gentrification of Canton's industrial waterfront farther east, developer Edwin F. Hale is planning a "Main Street"-style shopping center on a former oil refinery site that would likely be anchored by Target and grocer Harris Teeter and more than double the size of his Canton Crossing mixed-use development.

Crossing guard struck by car, injured

A school crossing guard remained hospitalized yesterday after being struck Tuesday morning by a car in Cockeysville, county police said.

All in a day's work(out)

Brenda Rivera has dropped from a size 16 to a size 8 after several rounds in an office weight-loss competition. Jeff Pedone has been able to stay fit by lifting weights during his lunch hour. And Tammy Godwin has lost 50 pounds by walking and pedaling on a treadmill, elliptical machine and stationary bike.

Lawyers drop request to be with Browning

Attorneys for the Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and younger brothers in February have withdrawn requests that they be allowed to accompany him during court-ordered psychiatric evaluations.

Garden of grief

Sitting at the February funeral service for the four members of the Browning family, Garland Williams was overcome by the sheer number of people grieving the couple, their two youngest sons and the arrest of their eldest boy on murder charges in the deaths.

Local Easter egg hunts

Teen held in killings will be evaluated

A Baltimore County judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation yesterday for the Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and younger brothers.

Official focuses on bar games

Comptroller Peter Franchot is pushing for Baltimore City and Baltimore County to stop providing licenses for thousands of video gambling machines that critics allege make illegal, "under the table" payouts in area bars and restaurants.

Browning indicted in killings

While medical staff at the Baltimore County jail continue to watch over the Cockeysville teenager charged with killing his family this month, Nicholas W. Browning was indicted yesterday on murder and handgun charges.

United in life, and now death

As mourners shuffled into pews, images flashed on a screen above the altar: The couple dancing on their wedding day, the husband's strong arms wrapped around his wife. Their three sons posing in Christmas sweaters, all chubby cheeks and big smiles. The boys in recent years, shaggy-haired and gangly, clowning on a snow-covered mountain.

The search for 'why'

Minutes before services started, the Rev. Bill Brown still didn't know what on earth he would say.

High-profile lawyer hired for Cockeysville teen

From the 17-year-old D.C. sniper to a disgraced state politician, the new attorney for a 15-year-old Cockeysville youth who police say confessed to fatally shooting his family last weekend has had his share of high-visibility clients.

Gun death hit family before

The fatal shooting last weekend of a Baltimore County couple and two of their sons, allegedly at the hands of their eldest son, is not the first gun tragedy to have visited their extended family.

A suspect, few clues

Nicholas Browning appeared on the television screen in a Towson courtroom yesterday, his dirty-blond hair tousled, wearing a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. The 15-year-old Dulaney High School sophomore answered the judge's questions with "ma'am," as he was ordered held without bail in his first court appearance after being charged with murdering his family.

A Parent's View

Dulaney dad tries to make sense of deaths

At the house on Powers Avenue in Cockeysville where the killings took place, two police cars blocked the driveway yesterday and a makeshift memorial of balloons, flowers and teddy bears stood at the entrance to the wide front porch.

Vigil pays tribute to family

They told stories about the Browning family for an hour last night, the most colorful of which involved Greg Browning's attempts to play soccer.

15-year-old charged in killings

A 15-year-old Dulaney High School honor student and Boy Scout was charged yesterday with shooting and killing his parents and two younger brothers, a crime that police said he confessed to more than 24 hours after the killings - time he allegedly spent hanging out with friends.

Four bodies found in home

The bodies of two adults and two teenagers were discovered last night in a home in Cockeysville by a 15-year-old boy who lived at the home, Baltimore County Police said.

Spirit Of Sharing

A gift for giving to sick kids

One in a series of occasional features highlighting people and organizations in the Baltimore area who exemplify the "Spirit of Sharing," The Sun's annual holiday campaign.

High Holy Days head outside

As the sun sets tonight, when faithful Jews across the region flock to synagogues to honor creation in services steeped in tradition, thousands of others will gather with picnic dinners in a Baltimore County park.