Friday, May 24, 2013
The Baltimore County Council lowers open space waiver fees charged to developers but gives more money to a group that protects open space in urban areas.
Developers will pay a little less to side-step open space requirements for residential projects but a group that helps protect open spaces in urban areas of the county will get a bigger cut under a bill passed by the Baltimore County Council. The council Thursday unanimously approved the bill that lowers the county's open space waiver fees. As part of the bill, the council also approved an amendment sponsored by Councilmen Tom Quirk and David Marks that will give NeighborSpace of Baltimore County 20 percent of the fees collected. Prior to the passage of the bill Thursday, NeighborSpace could receive up to 10 percent of the waiver fees collected annually. The county had the discretion to determine how much the nonprofit would receive each …
Thursday, May 23, 2013
AAA: Despite lower gas prices, sequestration is affecting family travel budgets.
Fewer Maryland motorists are expected to travel this year, but Memorial Day weekend 2013 will still be one of the busiest of the past 12 years, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. “It appears changing current economic conditions as a result of sequestration, which has impacted the wallets of many, may be influencing some residents’ uneasiness to travel this Memorial Day holiday,” said Ragina C. Averella, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. More than 718,000 Marylanders are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend—down 1.2 percent from Memorial Day weekend 2012. AAA estimates 91 percent of those traveling will go by motor vehicle, with the average roundtrip totaling 737 miles—up from 570 miles last …
National Melanoma Awareness Month highlights the dangers of sun exposure.
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 76,000 cases of malignant melanoma—the most serious form of skin cancer—diagnosed in the U.S. in 2013 alone. One American dies every hour from skin cancer, according to ACS estimates. Friday marks the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend 2013 and the unofficial beginning of summer days of fun in the sun. In an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet rays, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has declared Friday “Don’t Fry Day.” May is National Melanoma Awareness Month. People with lighter-toned skin, a family history of skin cancer, abundant moles/freckles and/or those who experienced severe sunburns early in their lives, are at a …
The timing of a bill that reduces fees for developers comes as an August deadline looms for more than a dozen projects.
The Baltimore County Council Thursday is scheduled to vote on a bill that would lower the rates charged to developers who would rather pay a fee in lieu of setting aside a portion of a proposed development as open space. Michael Harrison, a lobbyist for the Home Builders Association of Maryland, said his group asked for the rates to be updated last November—the first such change in seven years. "The fees were set at the peak of the market and developers could afford those prices," Harrison said, adding that later it became apparent that a number of developers were in danger of losing their ability to move forward because they had not yet paid the waiver fees. If the council adopts the new fee schedule, developers would pay rates equivalent…
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Capt. Andre Davis was replaced at the Woodlawn Precinct by Towson Precinct Capt. Jonathan Trentzsch in a series of command changes earlier this month.
The former commander of the Baltimore County Police precinct in Woodlawn is the subject of an internal affairs investigation. Capt. Andre Davis was transferred May 10 from his position as commander of the Woodlawn Precinct to an administrative position inside the department's Community Resources section. Elise Armacost, a police department spokeswoman, declined to comment on the investigation. "I can confirm that there is an Internal Affairs investigation into a complaint involving Capt. Davis," Armacost said. "I can't comment on or offer the details of that complaint because it is a personnel matter." Davis was transferred nearly two weeks ago as part of three command staff reassignments. Capt. Richard Howard, who previously was assigned …
Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are, you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.
Two barbeque experts uncover some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party. 1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead -- say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” Try these marinade recipe ideas. 2. Set your grill to medium …
Baltimore City has proposed a 15 percent increase beginning in July.
Water service for county residents will not likely cost more despite a proposal by Baltimore City to raise rates by 15 percent. At least not this year. The increase proposed by city Department of Public Works would increase water bills by nearly $24 per quarter for the typical city water customers. The system supplies water to 1.8 million residents in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard Counties. Baltimore County absorbs some costs of the system through a complex agreement with the city. Other costs are paid for through the Metropolitan District Fund that is assessed as a line item on county property tax bills. "Given [the agreement] and the metropolitan fund balance, there was no need to pass this increase on to…
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Yes, Wednesdays can be a challenge. Need some inspiration from those who "climbed a mountain?"
Are Wednesdays really so tough? Well, yes, they can be. Here, though, is to keeping things in perspective. For more than a month now, Patch and Grape-Nuts have teamed up to present stories about your neighbors - neighbors who have faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many of us. But not to the people we've featured in this series, Journeys. Not surprisingly, the stories have generated dozens of comments on Patch and on Facebook: "Great story..." "Thanks for sharing..." "So wonderfully inspiring..." And, so, here they are again. Great stories shared to inspire. Take a look at what these people have faced. Then click on the story to see their responses. And feel better about your tough Wednesday. Enterprising Dad Juggles …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Find the links to Hunt Valley and Cockeysville area funeral homes.
The following notices were posted to the websites for Hunt Valley and Cockeysville area funeral homes. Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley Evans Funeral Chapel Ruck Funeral Homes
Richard
8:56 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Prices have gone up in OC during the last several years. For many, that is a factor in Baltimoreons not going down to the ocean this year. Spend a week; spend a thousand. That's a no go. Dik more ›