Anne Arundel
Police banned from stepping into traffic
Anne Arundel became the first major county in Maryland to ban the practice of police stepping out into traffic to stop speeders and other traffic scofflaws, saying it puts officers and motorists at unreasonable risk. County Executive John R. Leopold and Police Chief James Teare Sr. announced the decision after reviewing traffic enforcement policies of departments across the country. It follows the June 18 death of Howard County Officer Scott Wheeler, an Anne Arundel native who was struck by a car he was trying to stop.
Maryland section, Wednesday
Annapolis
Navy doctor charged in sex tapes case
A Navy doctor will face the most serious form of military trial on charges that he illegally shot videos of sex acts involving midshipmen he hosted in his Annapolis home, officials said yesterday. Cmdr. Kevin Ronan, who also worked at the Naval Academy as a brigade medical officer and physician for several varsity sports teams, was charged Monday with seven counts of conduct unbecoming an officer, three counts of illegal wiretapping and one count of obstruction of justice. If convicted on all charges at a general court-martial, he could receive a sentence of more than 10 years in a Navy brig.
Maryland section, Wednesday
Annapolis
2nd female honored on Navy plaque
Throughout her accomplished Naval Academy and Marine Corps career, Capt. Jennifer J. Harris never attracted attention for being a woman. So it was fitting, friends said, that she was not singled out in death, when the academy placed her name yesterday among hundreds of others on a marble tablet designated to honor graduates who were killed in action. She is the second woman in school history to be added to the list, which includes 954 men dating to the Civil War, many long celebrated as heroes. The first woman, Maj. Megan M. McClung, was distinguished as a combat death in December.
Maryland section, Wednesday
Anne Arundel
Jails may need expansion soon
Anne Arundel County's two jails are stretched to the limit, and officials say building expansions may be needed in the next few years. While the annual number of inmates at the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Annapolis and the Ordnance Road Correctional Center in Glen Burnie has hovered around 11,000, their average stay has risen from 35 to 42 days in the past five years, said Robin R. Harting, superintendent of the county's detention facilities. An inability to make bail and longer sentences are among the reasons for the rise.
Arundel Section, Friday
Annapolis
Moyer to spend 6 weeks in Europe
Annapolis will be without a mayor for the next six weeks as Ellen O. Moyer embarks on a European tour to visit sister cities in France and the British Isles. Moyer will begin her trip in Rochefort, France, and then travel to Richmond, England; Dumfries, Scotland; Wexford, Ireland; Newport, Wales; and Cowes, England. She will return Aug. 15. Although Moyer is paying for the vacation herself, she said the trip would be mostly business.
Arundel section, Friday