In Baltimore City
Arson suspected in fire that destroyed warehouse Saturday
The six-alarm fire that destroyed a Southwest Baltimore warehouse Saturday night is being investigated as arson, a Fire Department spokesman said yesterday.
Battalion Chief Hector L. Torres said the blaze at South Monroe and Eagle streets, which took several hours to bring under control and caused $500,000 in damage, was set intentionally. He would not elaborate.
Detective Edward M. Vogt of the arson unit said investigators have sent samples of debris from the fire to laboratories to test for an accelerant, and he expects results in four to six weeks.
Jury picked in trial of teen accused of killing officer
A jury of eight women and four men was selected yesterday in Baltimore Circuit Court to hear a case against a West Baltimore teen-ager accused of killing a city policeman by crashing into his squad car.
Eric Darcel Stennett, 17, of the 800 block of Harlem Ave., is charged with murder in the death of Officer Kevon Gavin, the attempted murder of another man and use of motor vehicle as a deadly weapon, among other charges. Opening statements are expected to begin today.
According to police, Stennett was fleeing officers after shooting a man. Gavin tried to head off Stennett's Ford Bronco, using his car to block part of West Lombard Street. The Bronco plowed into the police cruiser, killing the officer.
Police training to include community outreach work
Baltimore police trainees are being required to participate in community outreach programs to improve their understanding of the people and neighborhoods they will serve.
The first group is scheduled to help the homeless today at Our Daily Bread, Cathedral and West Franklin streets. Ten trainees will serve food, and 24 will distribute jackets, shirts and blankets.
The program will help "ensure the recruits truly understand the meaning of giving and service, and that by the nature of our job description, we are public servants," said Maj. Stanford O. Franklin, commander of the Education and Training Section.
Design center to unveil kit for cleaning marble steps
The nonprofit Neighborhood Design Center will hold its monthly meeting for volunteers 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at Cafe Hon, 1000 W. 36th St. in Hampden.
The group will unveil its new marble step cleaning kit, designed to introduce residents to tried-and-true techniques and materials for keeping up their rowhouses.
The 30-year-old organization, dedicated to providing low-income communities access to professional design services, is seeking additional volunteers. Information: 410-233-9686.
In Baltimore County
Teen held without bail in Burger King killing
TOWSON - A teen-ager charged in the beating death of James W. Stambaugh Jr. was ordered held without bail yesterday by a Baltimore County District Court judge.
Breon Carlo English, 16, of the 1100 block of Somerset St. in Pimlico turned himself in Friday after a warrant charging him with first-degree murder and robbery had been issued. Stambaugh, 21, a manager at the Hunt Valley Burger King, was fatally beaten during a robbery at the restaurant Dec. 23.
Three other suspects, one of whom worked at the restaurant, also have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. They were denied bail at hearings Friday and, like English, are being held at the county detention center.
Meetings set to discuss neighborhood preservation
TOWSON - The Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation is coordinating three community meetings this week as it crafts a five-year strategic plan to address the needs of the county's older neighborhoods.
The first meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Golden Dragon Inn, 8109 Liberty Road, and is sponsored by the Liberty Randallstown Community Council. A second gathering will be held at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Ridgely Middle School, 121 Ridgely Road, in Room 103 on the east side of the building. It is sponsored by the Greater Timonium Community Council. The third meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Dundalk Room on the Dundalk campus of the Community College of Baltimore County. The sponsor of the meeting is the Greater Dundalk Community Council.
African educators to visit Eastern Tech for seminar
ESSEX - Educators from the African nations of Namibia and Morocco will visit Eastern Technical High School today to discuss how to integrate technology into the high school curriculum.
The U.S. Academy for Educational Development is sponsor of the visit, which is designed to illustrate effective staff development for teachers and to show how the school has shared its technology achievements with surrounding communities.
Over the past few years, education specialists from 22 countries have visited Eastern Tech, which has been designated a Maryland Blue-Ribbon School and a U.S. Department of Education New American High School.