In Baltimore County
Va. man accused of driving under influence in accident
WHITE MARSH -- An Alexandria, Va., man was charged with driving under the influence yesterday after a fatal accident on Interstate 95, according to Maryland State Police.
Jose Ramon Espinal, 25, was behind the wheel of a Kia Rio that rear-ended a Mercedes, which then sideswiped a charter bus with 51 passengers early Saturday. The disabled Kia was struck in the rear by another vehicle, police said.
A passenger in Espinal's car, Anibal Espinal Andrade, 23, of Alexandria was pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger was flown to Maryland Shock Trauma Center with serious but nonlife-threatening injuries. Espinal and the Mercedes driver were treated and released, police said.
The Kia was being driven aggressively and at a high rate of speed in the northbound lanes of I-95 north of White Marsh Boulevard when the accident occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m., police said.
Man who entered VFW hall bleeding dies of stab wound
TURNERS STATION -- A 36-year-old man stumbled into the Turners Station Veterans of Foreign Wars hall early yesterday, bleeding from at least one stab wound, and died hours later at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, county police said.
The victim was identified as James Joseph Karcher of the 500 block of Main St. in the Turners Station neighborhood. Investigators did not know where the stabbing occurred, before he stumbled into the hall in the 400 block of New Pittsburgh Ave. about 12:15 a.m., wounded and seeking help. He collapsed on the floor as police and an ambulance were summoned.
Karcher underwent emergency surgery at the hospital, but died about 7:30 a.m. Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call police at 410-307-2020.
Holiday gets under way with tree lighting, caroling
TOWSON -- Baltimore County will begin the holiday season this evening with the annual tree lighting and caroling festival in Courthouse Plaza.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with music and refreshments. At 6:30 p.m., County Executive James T. Smith Jr. will preside over the tree lighting. The Towson High School Brass Choir will perform, and Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance.
Free parking will be available in the Washington Avenue garage near Susquehanna Avenue after 5:30 p.m. In case of rain, the event will be held tomorrow.
County Board of Education to meet tomorrow evening
TOWSON -- The Baltimore County Board of Education will meet in open session at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Educational Support Services Building, 6901 Charles St.
The board is expected to discuss proposed policy changes for business functions, such as external audits. The meeting will be preceded by a closed session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss appointments and resignations. No public business will be conducted at the earlier session.
The public is invited to all open sessions.
In Baltimore City
High-speed rail service is topic of forum tomorrow
Maryland transportation officials will hold a public forum tomorrow night to discuss proposed high-speed rail technology for the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
The state is competing with Pittsburgh to become the first test area in the nation for what scientists call magnetic levitation technology. State officials say the technology could cut travel time between Union Station in Washington and Camden Station in Baltimore by more than a half to about 20 minutes.
The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 4711 Edmondson Ave. Engineers, scientists and Maryland Transit Administration officials will participate. The agency plans to conduct more hearings on the technology early next year.
Sixth night of Hanukkah to be observed Wednesday
A celebration of the sixth night of Hanukkah will be held Wednesday at Chanukah House, 6211 Park Heights Ave.
A display of lights and a performance by Kol Hanearim Boys Choir will highlight the evening, and doughnuts will be served. Mayor Martin O'Malley and City Council President Sheila Dixon are scheduled to attend.
The celebration begins at 7 p.m.