Gas pipe rupture causes evacuation in River Hill village

A underground gas pipe in River Hill Village Center broke yesterday morning, prompting the evacuation of the area for nearly two hours.

The pipe ruptured about 7:30 a.m. in the 6000 block of Daybreak Circle, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. No injuries or fires were reported, but emergency workers evacuated the village center while Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. workers repaired the break, authorities said.

Repairs were completed by 9:30 a.m., BGE said.

Hunters cull 52 deer from a pair of parks

Hunters in two Howard County parks have taken 52 deer so far in a sporadic hunt that will continue through Feb. 18, Philip C. Norman, the county's deer project manager, said this week.

Seven deer came from David Force Park, off U.S. 40, while 45 were killed in the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, a 1,000-acre preserve on Columbia's western edge. The county has sponsored hunts since 1999.

The hunt was delayed this year because of the sniper shootings, which meant eight days were added to the hunting season, Norman said.

Developers, members of communities to meet

Developers planning subdivisions in eastern Howard County or projects that require conditional-use permission must meet with neighbors before submitting plans to the county. The next scheduled meetings are:

Monday at 5 p.m. at the Glenwood library, 2350 Route 97, Cooksville, about a conditional-use request for an animal hospital at 14735 Frederick Road.

Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 6450 Elibank Drive, Elkridge, about a proposal for 34 units on 24 acres at Shadowbrook Downs, 6450-6460 Elibank Drive.

Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. at 3310 St. Johns Lane, Ellicott City, about a proposal for three units on 1.423 acres at the Gardner property, 3300-3310 St. Johns Lane.

Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. in the Rouse Co. Atrium Conference Room, 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, about a proposal for the Evergreens at Town Center, 156 senior apartments on 5 acres at 10100 Gov. Warfield Parkway.