david marks

The Maryland Transit Administration's signature effort to improve its troubled Baltimore-area bus system — already delayed for nearly a year — faces an uncertain future because of new skepticism from the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan.

By Kevin Rector

Mar 22, 2015

After meeting with school system officials and architects for the $27.5 million project last week, a committee for the Rodgers Forge Community Association may have convinced the school system to scale down the project, which originally called for a large paved bus lot, additional parking behind the school, a new bus loop at the front of the school and regrading along Dumbarton Road with a large retaining wall.

The Baltimore County Council on March 2 passed a resolution proposed by Fifth District Councilman David Marks, mandating that the county's Design Review Panel review the look of residential as well as commercial projects in the downtown Towson core.

Gov. Larry Hogan has named Baltimore County Councilman David Marks to a key environmental commission that works to improve the Chesapeake Bay.

As Bonefish Grill open with fanfare at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by county officials, it's further testimony to downtown Towson's status as an emerging market in the region.

Greater Towson Committee issues a final report urging further study of the Towson Circulator bus route in the downtown core.

Beginning next weekend, drivers won't have to feed Towson's parking meters as often.

By Pamela Wood

Feb 5, 2015

Victor Tosti's persistence paid off as the county put in speed bumps on his street of 20 years, Clearwood Road in the Hillendale area of Towson.

White Marsh residents and the owner of White Marsh Mall are fighting a plan for a 125-store outlet mall.

By Pamela Wood

Feb 1, 2015

Mike Ertel of West Towson, longtime community activist, one-time candidate for County Council, has taken over as president of Greater Towson Council of Community Associations. It is his second term as president, the first time was in 2006. But this time, he says he's better prepared.

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks wants the county's Design Review Panel to look at residential development, not just commercial projects. He says residential development will be critical to growth in Towson's downtown core.

The Baltimore County Council on Tuesday paved a smoother path for Towson Row, a proposed mixed-use redevelopment project on York Road..

By Pamela Wood

Jan 20, 2015

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is proposing to reduce the stormwater fees that property owners pay for environmental restoration projects.

By Pamela Wood

Jan 16, 2015

The Bykota Senior Center, long the subject of speculation as a possible site for a new Towson-area elementary school, now is off the table, and the Baltimore County public school system is instead looking to expand Pleasant Plains and Oakleigh elementaries, a top official said Monday.

For 60 years — since Dwight Eisenhower's first term as president — a new reservoir for the Baltimore area has been on the books. Now, the huge project is finally getting underway in the Fullerton section of Harford County.

By Pamela Wood

Jan 11, 2015

Towson Row, the massive mixed-use project proposed for the heart of Towson's York Road corridor, begins Baltimore County's development approval process on Tuesday.

By Pamela Wood

Dec 22, 2014

Towson needs a thoughtful plan for long-term downtown development

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks awards Fifth District Citizen of the Year honors to five people Dec. 18, including a West Towson woman who has planted dozens of trees, a Ridgely Manor woman who helped get a neighborhood park, and a Burkleigh Square man who patrols solo on foot against crime several nights a week.

Towson University President Maravene Loeschke announced her resignation Thursday, saying her health left her unable to "give Towson the 100 percent of my attention that it deserves."

Caret, 67, has become known for an assertive and transformative style of leadership at the institutions he's led as part of a 40-year career in academia.

Baltimore County Council voted unanimously to move forward on a plan to create a new zoning category for downtown Towson.

By Pamela Wood

Dec 15, 2014

Towson is different from the rest of Baltimore County, and it ought to be treated that way.

The booming Towson area is so different from other Baltimore County neighborhoods that one county councilman thinks it needs its own zoning classification.

By Pamela Wood

Dec 14, 2014

Public meeting on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. to discuss Towson Circulator changed to Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce offices.

Kevin Kamenetz was sworn into office Monday for a second term as Baltimore County executive, pledging to go beyond running government with "an adroit hand with a ledger" to also press inclusion for the county's diverse population, opportunity in education and jobs and celebration of community traditions.

By Pamela Wood

Dec 1, 2014

Plans for free bus service via the proposed Towson Circulator will be discussed during a community meeting on Dec. 9 in County Council chambers.

After 150 years, the aim of University of Maryland, St. Joseph Medical Center is still compassionate care. Just ask Sister Evelyn Grudza, one of five Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who have worked at the hospital for decades and who believe, their job is to continue the mission of the three Franciscan sisters who opened St. Joseph's German Catholic Hospital in three donated rowhouses in East Baltimore in 1864.

Seasonally speaking, Jerusalem Mill Village is the perfect setting to recreate "A Dickens Christmas Village."

Fortunately, winner-loser paradigm doesn't characterize the Baltimore County Council, which added a Republican seat last week. The County Council is about fixing potholes, making zoning decisions and making sure the budget gets passed.

The search for Jasmine Leighlin Baker, missing since Tuesday, intensified as bloodhounds searched various locations, and members of the public called in dozens of tips.

By Alison Knezevich

Nov 13, 2014

Anneslie will dedicate its new neighborhood sign that trumpets the Towson community's historic status.

Maryland Gov.-elect Larry Hogan said he will wait until after he is inaugurated next year to discuss policy for his administration. Until then, advocates can keep wondering where Hogan stands.

By Erin Cox

Nov 11, 2014

Several newly elected or re-elected County Council members say they believe the 3-to-4 makeup of the new council brings better balance but also the opportunity for greater collaboration.

As early election results came in Tuesday night, Republicans were on track to pick up a seat on the Baltimore County Council, while Democratic County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was poised to win re-election by a wide margin.

By Alison Knezevich

Nov 4, 2014

Spurred by a running race organizer's spray-painting of streets in West Towson, the Baltimore County government will consider new administrative rules for races and parades.

By Pamela Wood

Nov 3, 2014

Incumbent Stephen Lafferty, a Democrat, faces Rebublican Michael McAllister in the race for House of Delegates seat representing District 42A.

The Parker House located on Jefferson Avenue in Towson was moved Oct. 22 to a new location at 410 Fairmount Ave. The historic house is being moved to make room for new development, Towson Mews.

Baltimore County officials announced plans Tuesday to spend millions in outfitting every public school with secure doors and live video surveillance, an expansion of previous school security efforts.

By Pamela Wood

Oct 14, 2014

The Baltimore County Council is consider new rules for races that are run through neighborhoods after receiving complaints that organizers of a recent event spray-painted streets in Towson.

A decision on whether Cromwell Valley Elementary stays a regional magnet, becomes a neighborhood magnet with definitive boundaries or loses its magnet status altogether won't be known until December, when BCPS's magnet task force makes its recommendations, but until then, parents have taken a proactive stand although they are not unified in their goals for the future of the school.

The county election may not be as close as in recent years. Barry Rascovar explains why.

Towson University, like other colleges in Maryland and around the country, has had longstanding issues with underage and binge drinking, and the tensions caused when college students throw large house parties in residential neighborhoods.

The future of an 11.01-acre wooded parcel of land at the end of Maple Avenue in Catonsville, which serves as the site of a historic mill that dates back to 1850, will move a step closer to being determined next week at a community meeting that will be held in the lower level meeting room at the Catonsville public library, 1100 Frederick Road, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Traffic and parking continue to top the list of concerns of Towson residents who attended a community input meeting with the developer of 101 York, a student housing and retail project proposed for York Road near Burke Avenue. About 100 people crowded into a basement meeting room at the Towson Library Tuesday, Sept. 9, to air their concerns about the project.

Providence Vol. Fire Co. honors member John W. "Jack" McClean with a surprise ceremony to acknowledge the Phoenix resident's 50 years of continuous active service with the company.

As Democrat Joe DiCara and Republican Todd Crandell face off in the general election, the race is drawing attention from state GOP leaders. They see the void left by Olszewski as an opportunity to make inroads in a Democratic stronghold.