In Baltimore City

Dixon schedules hearing today on school deficit, layoffs

City Council President Sheila Dixon has scheduled an emergency hearing today with schools chief Carmen V. Russo and Chief Operating Officer Mark Smolarz to address questions about the school system's multimillion-dollar budget deficit and why hundreds of temporary employees were laid off last week without notice.

The hearing will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the council's fourth-floor chambers.

Information: Caprece Jackson-Garrett: 410-396-4804.

Man fatally shot; suspect charged in July killing

A man was fatally shot early yesterday as he walked along a street east of the city's downtown section, and police said they knew of no suspect or motive in the slaying.

The victim, Kenneth Fleming, 21, of the 1000 block of Comet St., was walking in the first block of S. Eden St. in the Southeastern District about 2:30 a.m. when he was shot by an unknown assailant. He died at the scene.

In another slaying, police said 23-year-old Tony Dewitt of the 2500 block of Harford Road has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting July 5 of Sherene Moore, 16, of the 1400 block of Fillmore St., in the 1700 block of Montpelier St., about three blocks from her home. A 17-year-old boy was wounded in the incident.

Dewitt was being held on an unrelated charge last week at Central Booking and Intake Center when he was served with an arrest warrant in the slaying, police said.

Pupils' art to be displayed today at elementary school

Elementary school pupils will present artwork representing Reflections on a Warmer Time at Govans Elementary School, 5801 York Road, at 3 p.m. today.

Twenty children created the pieces as part of last summer's Teach Baltimore Summer Academy.

The program, operated by the Center for Summer Learning at the Johns Hopkins University, sends trained undergraduates to eight city elementary schools to help prevent summer learning loss. More than 300 pupils in kindergarten through second grade attend the seven-week, daylong program.

The event is open to the public.

In Baltimore County

6 units damaged, woman injured in apartment fire

DUNDALK - Six apartments were damaged and one person was injured yesterday in a three-alarm fire in a Dundalk apartment complex where a neighboring building had been set ablaze in an arson during the summer.

Yesterday's fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m. in an apartment building at the Town & Country Charlesmont development in the 3100 block of Wallford Drive. Five units in the building sustained heavy damage, and one apartment in an adjoining building was slightly damaged, according to Battalion Chief Michael W. Robinson, a spokesman for county Fire Department.

A 21-year-old woman was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment of smoke inhalation, he said.

The cause of the fire was unknown and remained under investigation. A two-alarm fire July 1 that destroyed eight apartments and injured a firefighter was ruled to be arson.

School magnet program applications due today

TOWSON - Applications for Baltimore County high school-level magnet programs are due today. Applicants are limited to residents of Baltimore County.

Application packets must be completed and postmarked by today, said David Lukes, magnet programs supervisor for county public schools. Applications received after the deadline and those that do not contain all requested materials will not be considered.

Applications will be evaluated next month, and students will be notified by mail Jan. 31. Information: Crystal Ashe in the Office of Magnet Programs at 410-887-4127.

3 senior centers to offer Christmas Day dinner

TOWSON - Three senior citizen centers in Baltimore County will be offering dinner Christmas Day.

They are: Ateaze Senior Center, 7401 Holabird Ave., Dundalk, 410-887-7233; Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Ave., Towson, 410-887-3094; and Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Road, 410-887-0900. Dinner will be served at 12:30 p.m.

Guests younger than age 60 are asked to pay $5.22, the full cost of the dinner. Those 60 and older are asked to make a donation. Transportation will be available on a limited basis. For information and reservations, call the senior center you wish to attend.