In Baltimore City
Board gives boost to Belvedere Square, Waverly projects
The city Board of Estimates approved a total of $2.2 million yesterday for two projects meant to revitalize faded shopping areas in Waverly and Belvedere Square.
The board approved $700,000 in state motor vehicle revenue funds and a $550,000 city grant to help develop an $8 million, 60,000-square-foot Giant Food supermarket on the site of a shuttered Super Fresh store at Old York Road and 32nd Street in Waverly. The store is to open at the end of next year.
It also approved $500,000 in motor vehicle funds and a $400,000, 5 percent, 15-year loan from the city for the renovation of Belvedere Square. The $14 million project calls for a 20,000-square-foot market, restaurants, specialty retailers and office space for Loyola College. It is scheduled to be completed in March.
Man, 22, is fatally shot at Douglass Homes
A 22-year-old man was found fatally wounded yesterday afternoon by police officers responding to a reported shooting in a public housing neighborhood in Southeast Baltimore.
The victim, Michael Taylor of the 1600 block of Division St., was walking in the Douglass Homes complex in the 200 block of N. Caroline St. about 1:30 p.m. when an assailant shot him several times in the upper body, said Detective Thomas Martin.
Taylor died about 30 minutes later at nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Martin at 410-396-2100.
Police seek tips about assailants in fatal beating
Police asked for the public's help yesterday in identifying three men who attacked and severely beat another man on a Southwest Baltimore street in October. The victim's death this month was ruled a homicide.
Edward "Eddie" Garbo, 28, of the 1700 block of Wilkens Ave. was beaten and kicked by the trio about 3 a.m. Oct. 10 in the 500 block of S. Payson St. Garbo suffered severe brain and rib injuries, and after treatment at two hospitals, he died Dec. 9 at the Joseph Richey House hospice, said Detective Charles Bealefeld.
Police also reported the death early yesterday of 18-year-old Gerard Faulkner, who was shot in the head, arms and torso by an assailant about 6:30 p.m. Monday in the 2000 block of E. North Ave. Faulkner, of the 1800 block of N. Washington St., died at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said Detective Gary Niedermeier.
Anyone with information about either slaying is asked to call the homicide unit at 410-396-2100.
Federal judge denies bail for suspect in fatal arson
A federal judge denied bail yesterday for a Baltimore man accused of setting the blaze that killed a family of seven on the city's east side in October.
In rejecting Darrell L. Brooks' request to be released from jail until his trial, U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner noted concerns about whether he would flee or be a threat to potential witnesses. Brooks, 21, was indicted in U.S. District Court in Baltimore last week.
Brooks could face the federal death penalty on arson charges in the fire Oct. 16 on East Preston Street that killed Angela and Carnell Dawson and five of their children. Investigators said the fire was set in retaliation for the Dawsons' efforts to fight neighborhood drug dealing.
$114,000 grant to help kids reduce storm water runoff
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded a $114,000 grant to help educate city pupils about ways to reduce urban storm water runoff.
NOAA's grant to the Living Classrooms Foundation will pay teachers to supervise pupil projects at 10 city elementary and middle schools. Pupils will collect trash, work with public works officials to help clear the areas around storm drains and replace paved areas with gardens, according to a foundation spokesman.
The grant was announced yesterday at the foundation's East Harbor campus.
In Baltimore County
Cavanaugh sworn in as Circuit Court judge
TOWSON -- Patrick Cavanaugh, the longtime Dundalk attorney who won a spot on the Baltimore County Circuit Court bench in the elections last month, was sworn in as a judge yesterday.
Cavanaugh ran as an anti-establishment candidate against the "sitting judges" ticket -- three judges who had been appointed by the governor. Three judgeships were at stake in the four-person race.
Judge Alexander Wright Jr. lost his seat in that race. He announced last week that he will join the Towson office of the law firm of Miles & Stockbridge early next year.
Alcohol safety kits available at liquor stores
TOWSON -- Starting tomorrow, the Baltimore County Licensed Beverage Association will join with the county's Bureau of Substance Abuse to distribute 3,500 safe holiday party kits at 19 liquor establishments.
The kits include four Breathalyzers; a designated-driver button; a Mothers Against Drunk Driving red ribbon; safe-party tips; nonalcoholic beverage recipes; an alcohol estimator; and a list of alcohol treatment centers.
The kits will be distributed for free. Information: 410-887-3828.