Vandals suspected in sewer line clogging near Wintergull Lane
For the second time in a week, vandals have apparently clogged a sewer line, causing thousands of gallons of sewage to spill into a nearby waterway, county officials say.
A 12-inch sewer line was clogged off Wintergull Lane near Cape St. Claire yesterday, sending more than 10,000 gallons of wastewater into the Little Magothy River, according to county spokesman John A. Morris.
County crews have removed obvious waste from a ravine in the Woods Landing neighborhood and spread lime to disinfect the area. County officials advised residents to avoid walking in the ravine for several days and to wash their hands thoroughly if they touch water from the Little Magothy.
On Saturday, vandals apparently threw a basketball down a manhole off College Parkway in Arnold, clogging a 10-inch sewage line that runs along a ravine. Officials said the blockage caused 10,000 gallons of sewage to spill near Kimberly Woods Village townhouse community, and some entered a tributary of Forked Creek.
Owens OKs grant toward building of hospital site
County Executive Janet S. Owens has approved a $250,000 grant toward construction of Anne Arundel Medical Center's new hospital complex on Jennifer Road outside Annapolis.
The grant is the third installment of the county's $2 million commitment to the hospital, which is expected to open in its new location in the fall. The hospital is moving from downtown Annapolis.
The money will help pay for an improved emergency department. The county is expected to provide $1 million more over the next four years.
Last week, the hospital opened a new breast cancer center in the Sajak Pavilion, named for longtime "Wheel of Fortune" game-show host and broadcasting executive Pat Sajak and his wife, Lesly, who donated $1 million.
Eastport man charged after police's drug raid
A 33-year-old man was in custody yesterday, charged with running a drug operation from his Eastport apartment in the Harbor House complex. Annapolis city police seized 35 grams of crack cocaine, with a street value of about $3,500, along with $2,200 in cash, a 1984 Nissan 300ZX and a 2001 Ford Explorer in raiding the suspect's home Tuesday night, said Officer Hal Dalton.
James R. Boykin, 33, was arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to distribute.
The raid and arrest culminated an investigation of several months that was sparked by neighbors' complaints about suspected drug activity, police said.