In Baltimore City
Job fair draws 600 teachers; half are hired
In an unexpectedly large turnout, 600 teachers showed up for a job fair yesterday, and half of them signed contracts to teach in city schools in the fall.
City education officials, who had been bracing for a significant teacher shortage, celebrated as they hired 300 teachers. The turnout allowed the school system to fill all but 190 of its vacant teaching positions two months before the school year begins.
The school system is continuing recruitment efforts through the summer and will hold a second job fair Aug. 10 at Roland N. Patterson Sr. Academy, 4700 Greenspring Ave.
Charge against pastor handing out tracts dropped
A pastor who hands out religious tracts to patrons of The Block in downtown Baltimore and was arrested last month on a loitering charge was cleared this week when prosecutors decided not to pursue the matter.
The Rev. Jack Graham, 60, of Rock Church in York, Pa., was cleared during a brief hearing Wednesday at Eastside District Court. Prosecutors declined to say why they dropped the charge.
A police officer wrote in his report that he arrested Graham after pedestrians complained that he was blocking a sidewalk as he evangelized against pornography.
Pikesville man found killed in car on Govans street
A 31-year-old Baltimore County man was found fatally shot in a car early yesterday in the Govans neighborhood in North Baltimore, police said.
Dennis Jerome Drake of the 4700 block of Byron Road in Pikesville was shot about 1:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of Winston Ave. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Agent Angelique Cook-Hayes, a police spokeswoman, said officers responding to a report of a shooting found Drake in a 1998 Honda Accord parked on the street. She said Drake had been shot several times in the head, chest and legs.
Courthouse to mark its 100th anniversary
The Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse at Calvert and Lexington streets will be rededicated at noon today in a ceremony to mark its 100th anniversary.
City Council President Sheila Dixon and other dignitaries will unveil a freshly sandblasted cornerstone marking the start of the structure's second 100 years and plant a "Clerk's Tree" in front of the courthouse to honor the many court clerks who have worked there in the last century.
Officials also will unveil a plaque proclaiming the courthouse a city landmark and bury a time capsule that will be opened in 100 years. The ceremony is one of several events planned this year to mark the opening of the courthouse in 1900.
In Baltimore County
Toddler Fair on July 8 is free, open to public
LUTHERVILLE - The Montessori School will play host to the sixth annual Baltimore Regional Toddler Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8.
From educational toys and services to recreation and day care, the fair gives parents the opportunity to learn what is available for toddlers in the Baltimore area. Musical activities, food, games and prizes also will be featured.
The fair is free and open to the public. The school is at 10807 Tony Drive, near the corner of Falls and Greenspring Valley roads. Information: 410-321-8555.
Harbor City Chorus to sing at Charlestown on July 9
CATONSVILLE - The Community Concert Series at Charlestown Retirement Community continues July 9 with a performance by Harbor City Chorus.
The concert by the barbershop chorus begins at 3 p.m. in the John Erickson Conference Center. Admission is $2 at the door.
Information: 410-247-3400, Ext. 8577.
Community campuses due extended holiday
CATONSVILLE - The three schools of the Community College of Baltimore County will be closed Monday as part of an extended Fourth of July holiday.
The summer session classes at CCBC's Essex, Dundalk and Catonsville campuses will resume on Wednesday unless other arrangements have been made.
The extended holiday was authorized for county workers by County Executive C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.