Officials are warning people to avoid the Patapsco River after a huge sewage spill in the Halethorpe area. About 22 million gallons of diluted sewage streamed into the river over 10 hours beginning Saturday evening, according to the Baltimore County public works department. Heavy rains and melting snow flooded a Halethorpe sewage pumping station under renovation and triggered the overflow, which was staunched this morning, according to the public works department. Residents should avoid the river until further notice.

- Julie Scharper