In Baltimore County
Carpet cleaning firm owner sentenced to probation for polluting
TOWSON -- The owner of an Owings Mills carpet cleaning company has been sentenced to three years' probation for dumping pollutants into a storm drain in Parkville, state Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. said.
In September, Carl Helfand, 56, of the 100 block of Strongwood Road pleaded guilty in Baltimore County Circuit Court to a water pollution violation. Employees of his company, Scientific Carpet Care, were accused of illegally disposing of carpet cleaning wastewater while working at a job on Harford Road. The wastewater entered a storm drain that empties into the Chesapeake Bay, according to authorities.
The case was investigated by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the attorney general's office, with help from the Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland State Police.
Appellate court rejects adding parking at facility
ANNAPOLIS -- An assisted-living home in Towson was denied an additional 63 parking spaces by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals yesterday.
The court upheld rulings by Baltimore County Circuit Court and the county Board of Appeals denying the additional parking to Blakehurst Life Care Community in the 1000 block of Joppa Road.
The 278-unit continuing care center asked for the extra spaces in 1999. The request ran into opposition from a community group, whose approval was required under an agreement that preceded construction of the center, the Board of Appeals ruled.
Perry Hall students to open Macy's parade in N.Y. today
PERRY HALL -- Members of the group Showstoppers from Perry Hall Middle and High schools will perform in the opening number today at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York.
After the opening act, the 29 students will deliver canned goods and care packages to orphanages, shelters and hospitals in the city.
Showstoppers is part of America Sings, a service organization for youngsters who help children in need.
In Baltimore City
Police identify teen-ager fatally shot near his home
City police have identified a 16-year-old killed Tuesday night in West Baltimore as Willie Adams of the 1600 block of Appleton St.
Adams was shot several times at Appleton and Presbury streets shortly before 8:30 p.m., said Officer Nicole Monroe, a police spokeswoman. He apparently ran from the corner toward his house but didn't make it, collapsing in front of a neighbor's home.
He died about 40 minutes later at Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Police ask that anyone with information call homicide Detective Roscoe Lewis at 410-396-2100.
Man, 33, found shot dies at Shock Trauma
A man who was shot Tuesday night in a West Baltimore alley died yesterday afternoon at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
Police said they knew of no suspect or motive in the death of Alan Keith McLein, 33, whose address had not been determined. He was in an alley behind the 900 block of Franklintown Road about 8:30 p.m. when he was shot in the head, said homicide Detective Darrell Townsend.
McLein was found by officers responding to a report of a shooting. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Townsend at 410-396-2100.
Opening of harbor ice rink postponed until Dec. 6
The official opening of the Inner Harbor Ice Rink has been postponed until noon Dec. 6 because of inclement weather that delayed preparations, the city Office of Promotion and the Arts announced yesterday.
The opening will feature music, skating and an appearance by mascot Perky the Penguin. Admission will be $1 for the first 100 people.
Last year, rain thawed the rink's top layer of ice, delaying the opening three weeks.
This year, the rink -- at Rash Field next to the Maryland Science Center -- is to remain in operation daily through March 9, weather permitting. To check weather conditions at the ice rink: 410-385-0675.