PRINCE GEORGE'S: Police shooting
Reduced damages sought in killing
Prince George's County filed a motion yesterday asking a judge for a new trial and a reduction in the $3.7 million in damages awarded in the case of a Howard University student fatally shot by a county officer in 2000. A county jury last month awarded the money to the family of Prince Jones, who was killed by an undercover county officer who had followed him to a Northern Virginia neighborhood after mistaking him for a suspect in a gun case. County Executive Jack Johnson said he decided to file the motion for a new trial and lower damages "to protect the financial interest of the county."
Associated Press
ALLEGANY COUNTY: Fairgrounds
Boat ramp slated to be built this year
Construction of a public boat ramp at the Allegany County Fairgrounds south of Cumberland is expected to begin this summer or fall, increasing access to the North Branch of the Potomac River, a state official says. "This ramp was our priority for the river, and we've been trying to get it done for a lot of years," said Alan Klotz, a Department of Natural Resources fishery biologist. The scenery of the river and the healthy population of big smallmouth bass are the main attractions. The fairgrounds are reached from U.S. 220 at Potomac Park by taking Moss Avenue.
Associated Press
Cumberland
Sarbanes hopes to save postal jobs
U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes said yesterday that he has intervened to try to save 30 Postal Service jobs in Cumberland. Sarbanes, a Maryland Democrat, said he obtained a promise last week from Bill Galligan, U.S. Postal Service senior vice president of operations, that no consolidation of the Cumberland mail distribution and processing center would occur until the agency has listened to community concerns. The American Postal Workers Union has been warning since mid-2004 that the Cumberland facility could be targeted for closure.
Associated Press