In Baltimore County
Sparks health firm indicted in deaths at Ohio nursing home
XENIA, Ohio - An Ohio grand jury has indicted Sparks-based Integrated Health Services Inc. on four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the deaths of four female residents at one of the company's nursing homes who were mistakenly given nitrogen instead of oxygen.
A Greene County grand jury also indicted New Jersey-based BOC Gases on charges of reckless homicide in connection with the December deaths at Carriage-by-the-Lake, 10 miles outside Dayton. The victims died of nitrogen asphyxiation after a nitrogen tank was connected to the home's oxygen system.
Integrated Health Services representatives could not be be reached for comment last night. Previously, though, spokesman Robert Gill said the company had for years received only oxygen tanks, and that its contract with BOC Gases called for only that. Bob Yeoman, a vice president at BOC Gases, has acknowledged a delivery mistake but said the tank was labeled as nitrogen.
Film on black workers to be shown at college
DUNDALK - The award-winning documentary "Struggles in Steel: A Story of African-American Steelworkers" will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Dundalk campus of the Community College of Baltimore County.
The 1998 PBS work chronicles the history of black steel workers from 1875 through the 20th century. Two of the former steel workers featured in the film, Francis Brown and James Mosley, will be present to speak about their experiences at Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant.
The free program will be held in Room 800-A of the Business and Industry Building. Information: 410-285-9563.
Spaghetti dinner Sunday to benefit church choir
PARKVILLE - The choir at St. John's Lutheran Church, 8808 Harford Road, will hold a spaghetti dinner and talent show at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students.
Proceeds will benefit the choir's trip to Florida to lead worship at Tampa's Joyful Servants Lutheran Church, a mission church sponsored by St. John's. Information: 410-665-1234.
Irvine nature center seeks volunteers for program
STEVENSON - The Irvine Natural Science Center, 8400 Greenspring Ave., is seeking volunteers for its Natural Connections urban education program.
The volunteers will help high school students learn more about the natural world and gain leadership experience as nature guides for young children. An orientation session for volunteers will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 28.
Information and registration: 410-484-2413.
In Baltimore City
Stamp honoring Wilkins to be unveiled today
As part of Black History Month celebrations, the Baltimore post office and the NAACP will dedicate a new stamp today honoring the civil rights group's former longtime leader, Roy Wilkins.
The ceremony is set for 11 a.m. at the main post office, 900 E. Fayette St. The stamp will be available through next month and a picture postmark of Wilkins' likeness is available for any item bearing first-class postage.
Wilkins, who died in 1981, was executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1955 to 1977 and helped steer passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Review board for children seeks volunteer members
The Citizens' Review Board for Children is seeking city residents to serve on the panel, which provides oversight of community systems that protect children from abuse and neglect.
The board, which reviews the cases of children who are in out-of-home placement for six months or more, requires members to commit one weekday a month to meetings.
Professional or civic experience in child welfare, law, health or education is a plus. Volunteers are appointed to four-year terms by the governor and receive free training. Applications: 410-767-7771.
Boys' Latin School to offer evening programs
The Boys' Latin School of Maryland is offering an evening school program in March and April for area residents interested in expanding their personal knowledge.
Academic courses include Internet Basics, Exploring Physics and the History of the American Soldier. Nonacademic courses include financial planning, investing in the stock market, Broadway bus trips and conversations with local political leaders.
Each course costs $100 and will meet four times over the course of five Wednesdays. Information: Tom Kotras, 410-377-5192, ext. 201.