Suspect Arrested For Brooklyn Park Murder

07-29-WNAV- One person has been arrested and another is being sought for a murder earlier this month in Brooklyn Park. County Police announced Thursday that they have arrested 22-year old Ricky Lamont Mason for the killing of Adam Ray Bucklew. Bucklew was found shot to death in a car outside his home on Audrey Avenue back on July 1st. Police immediately began looking for two suspects and spokesman Justin Mulcahy says they caught up with Mason Wednesday night in the Curtis Bay area of Baltimore City. Mulcahy says they are not releasing the name of the second suspect until he is in custody. He also revealed that the motive for the killing was robbery.

Armed Robbery Suspect Caught by Off Duty Officer

07-29-WNAV- An off-duty Anne Arundel County Police Officer was at the right place at the right time, apprehending a robbery suspect Wednesday. About 10:15 in the morning the off-duty officer arrested 23-year old Annapolis resident Richard Parker. Moments before, Parker had allegedly robbed employees of the Birthright Pregnancy Center located in the 600 block of Ridgely Avenue at gun-point. Parker has been charged with two counts each of armed robbery, robbery and first degree assault.

Fire Damages City Apartment

07-29-WNAV- Fire damaged an apartment in Annapolis this week. Wednesday night at 8:46 City firefighters responded to an alarm at 312 Severn Ave. When firefighters arrived at the apartment complex they found smoke in the living room and hallway of an unoccupied unit. Within 15 minutes the fire was extinguished. No one was injured. The residents are away on vacation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation

Woman Arrested Following Disturbance at Hotel

07-29-WNAV- Throwing all your furniture out of the room, then standing in the doorway nude while yelling, will most likely draw some attention. And that's exactly what an Annapolis woman is accused of doing today at a hotel near Ocean City. Police say 45-year old Maureen Queen caused the disturbance at the Francis Scott Key Motel a little after three in the morning. Queen was arrested and later released on personal recognizance.

BPW Okay's Funding For Turf Fields at County High Schools

07-29-WNAV- The Maryland Board of Public Works approves $2 million to add turf fields at Southern and South River High Schools, as well as expand the Lake Shore Athletic Complex. Southern and South River High will receives over 1.5 million dollars and $522,000 goes towards the expansion of Lake Shore's Athletic Complex. With the completion of Southern and South River turf fields, eleven out of twelve high school stadiums in the county will include synthetic turf. The Northeast High School field will be installed as part of the Northeast High School Renovation project currently under construction. County Executive John Leopold says "These facilities will help address the increased participation in youth and adult athletics in the southern and northeast sectors of the County,"

Fire Destroys Millersville Shack

07-29-WNAV-The cause of an Anne Arundel County fire remains under investigation. The blaze broke out early Wednesday morning and was reported by a motorist driving by the site near the intersection of Oakwood Road and Old Mill Boulevard in the Millersville area according to Battalion Chief Steve Thompson. Thompson says the structure was a complete loss. No dollar amount of damages was tabulated because the building was vacant.

Credit Limit Public Hearing This Afternoon

07-29-WNAV- Today will provide the newest hurdle for Mayor Josh Cohen's plan to fix Annapolis' money woes. A public hearing is slated for 4:30 this afternoon with a vote to follow on Cohen's proposal to amend the city charter. The amendment would double the current borrowing limit to 20-million dollars. The mayor says it's not a budget issue, in that the 12-month spending plan is balanced. Earlier this year, Cohen got council to up the borrowing limit to 10-million dollars, but it appears that cash infusion will not keep the lights on a city hall past October.

Transportation Public hearing scheduled for today

07-29-WNAV-Annapolis residents will have a final opportunity to voice comments and concerns regarding the proposed elimination of the C-40 bus route today when a public hearing takes place at 6pm. In addition, fare increases and other transit wide serve adjustments will be addressed. A joint meeting of the City Council Transportation Committee and the Citizen run Transportation Board is also open to the public. That hearing gets under way at 8pm. Both will be held in City Council Chambers and can be viewed live on City TV channel 34 or 99.

Grants Awarded Throughout the State for Environmental Protection

07-29-WNAV- The State Board of Public Works has awarded the latest round of grants aimed at protecting the environment and the Chesapeake Bay. This round of grants totals more than 353-thousand dollars. Some of that money will help fund two projects in Anne Arundel County for roof runoff collectors. In all, the agricultural cost-share grants go to 11 counties for 42 projects that will prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Together, these projects will prevent approximately 6,008 pounds of nitrogen, 1,294 pounds of phosphorus and 1,283 tons of soil from entering the Bay and its tributaries.

AACC Seeks Help to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

07-29-WNAV- With a major birthday looming, Anne Arundel Community College is looking for help with setting up a celebration. AACC has put out a request for proposals, seeking an event consultant to coordinate the 50-th anniversary celebration for the two-year institution in Arnold. Proposals will be taken until August 18th, but the school should have an idea of how many bids it may receive at a pre-proposal conference on August 4th. On Jan. 2, 1961, the county Board of Education established Anne Arundel Community College. The college opened in September that year for 270 students in temporary quarters at Severna Park High School. There are now more than 20-thousand students.

Jet Ski Fatality Due to Lightning Strike

07-28-WNAV- A preliminary report says an Annapolis man recently killed in a jet ski accident, died from electrocution. The Maryland Natural Resources Police released the results today regarding the July 25th death of 63-year old Warren Douglas Smith. The boating accident occurred one-half mile south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge during Sunday's severe thunderstorm. The investigation indicated that Smith, who was riding a jet ski prior to the accident, was caught in the storm as he raced back to port. NRP investigators believe Smith was not struck directly by lightning but was electrocuted by a nearby lightning strike. The information was released after the preliminary autopsy of Smith was performed on July 26th. The final autopsy will occur within the next month.

Police Seek Victim of Attempted Car-Jacking

07-28-WNAV- Police are looking for the victim of an attempted carjacking near the Annapolis Mall. It was just after three Tuesday afternoon officers were called to the mall, where a man reportedly stole a cell phone and MP3 player from Sears. The suspect was chased by store loss prevention officers and ran into the parking lot and across Bestgate Road, where he approached a car at Industrial Drive. The female driver of the vehicle attempted to drive off, but the suspect opened the driver's side rear door and jumped inside. The car began to drive again, stopped about 50 yards later and the suspect jumped out. Annapolis resident Arthur Tyler Felton was arrested, but police say the victim drove away from the scene and has not been reached. They are asking her to come forward.

Local Wells Test Positive for Arsenic

07-28-WNAV- Well water tested just outside Annapolis and in parts of Talbot and Queen Anne's counties was found to contain arsenic. The revelation is in a new water quality report from the Maryland Geological Survey, who with the Maryland Department of the Environment, studied more than four-thousand public and private wells in the state. In addition to the local results, two of the aquifers that provide water to numerous wells in Maryland were found exceeding federal standards of arsenic levels. In those places the arsenic naturally occurs. Aquifers that are affected include the eastern shore's Piney Point aquifer, as well as another that runs from the eastern shore under the bay and into southern Maryland.

Senior Citizen Arrested for Drug Dealing

07-28-WNAV- A Senior Citizen has been arrested for allegedly dealing drugs in Anne Arundel County. County Police say that 69-year old Franklin E. Kleinsmith was arrested and charged after a raid on his Brooklyn Park Home earlier this month. Police say that inside the residence in the 200-block of 11th Avenue, they recovered prescription pills and guns. Seized were a quantity of Oxycodone and Xanax as well as a .38 caliber revolver and a 12 gauge shotgun. Kleinsmith is charged with five counts in all, including charges of intending to distribute both drugs he was allegedly caught with.

Naval Academy Superintendent’s Exit Set

07-28-WNAV- Embattled U-S Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler will be relieved of duty August 3rd. The academy announced plans for the change of command ceremony Tuesday, saying that Vice Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert will be the guest speaker at the event. Fowler's retirement had originally been planned for September, but the date was pushed up after allegations of wasteful spending and an off the books slush fund surfaced. At the time, Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations says that it would better position the Naval Academy for success in the upcoming year if Fowler left sooner. Vice Admiral Michael Miller will take over the Superintendent's post.

Deeper Look at City Unemployment Rate Finds More Residents, No New Jobs

07-28-WNAV-A closer look at Annapolis' unemployment numbers show June might not have been as bad as the eight-tenth of a point increase may suggest. On the surface, the jobless rate would have you believe that the city shed jobs in a major way between May and June, but that's not what the numbers bear out. According to the report from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, the number of Annapolitans that held down jobs in June were virtually unchanged from May...just four less. Where the city ran into trouble was an increase to the civilian labor force, but no new employment to support it. Annapolis registered a 6.8 percent jobless rate in June, slightly better than the statewide rate of 7.1 percent.

Annapolis Among Cities Pro-Life Group will Distribute Flyers

07-28-WNAV- Annapolis will be among the stops as Pro-Life activists from across America have begun the Defend Life 2010 "Face the Truth" tour. The group says the tour is to educate the citizens of West Virginia, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware about the grave injustice of Abortion and the killing of innocent children. To reach their ends, hundreds of volunteers will gather at 15 locations over 5 days carrying large photographic images of aborted Pre-Born babies. Today Defend Life supporters will be distributing flyers in the Annapolis neighborhood of long time abortionist Romeo Ferrer, who the group is asking have his medical license revoked due to several malpractice claims.

Court Date Set in Iraq War Vets Death

07-28-WNAV- A preliminary court appearance has been set for a Glen Burnie man accused of causing the death of an Iraq War veteran. Twenty-five year old Ryan Richard Hynson will appear August 4th on counts of manslaughter, 2nd degree assault and reckless endangerment. July 3rd, police found 23-year old Robert Raeke lying in the road in the 900-block of Princeton Terrace. Raeke was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead as the result of head trauma. Police say that Hynson and Raeke, who had been friends since high school, were involved in a fight while at a pool party when Raeke fell and struck his head. Raeke was a 2005 Glen Burnie High School graduate.

Suspect in Glen Burnie Stabbing Arraigned, Set for Trial

07-28-WNAV- A Severn man accused in a stabbing has been arraigned and a trial date has been set. Court records show that a October 19th trial has been scheduled for 20-year old Johnathan Dean Hunter. He faces three counts, including attempted murder. The charges stem from a June 16th incident near the intersection of Century Towne and Hardmore Court in Glen Burnie. Police say Hunter and an 18-year old man got involved in a heated argument that ended with the victim being stabbed multiple times.

Report Says Some Bay Water Dirtier than Toilet Water

07-28-WNAV- A new report compares the Chesapeake Bay to an unflushed toilet, and not favorably. Testing was done by students at the University of Maryland and the results were analyzed by Anne Arundel Community College biology professor Sally Horner. Bay water was compared to that from toilets and in some places following a strong rain, bay tributaries were six times dirtier than an unflushed toilet. Horner says that is a safety hazard. The report says the while the Bay is already impaired; the test results show how much worse storm water runoff can make things.

City Appoints First Members to Economic Development Corporation

07-28-WNAV- Lost in the "Bar Wars," credit increase and Markethouse negotiations was the fact that Annapolis took another step towards having a functioning Economic Development Corporation. Mayor Josh Cohen signed legislation last week creating the EDC, but Monday night, Council appointed the first four members, including Chairman Midgett Parker. The EDC is a public-private entity launched with $400,000 of seed money the City Council approved as part of the fiscal year 2011 budget. Ultimately, there will be an 11-member board and an executive director.

Bar Wars End With Repeal of 2am Ban

07-27-WNAV- The so-called Bar Wars are over...who the winner is has yet to be determined. Annapolis City Council voted 6-3 Monday night to overturn current city policy and allow more bars and restaurants to stay open until 2 a.m.. Bars and restaurants had lobbied for the chance to remain open for the additional two hours between midnight and 2am since it's considered a lucrative time to be open and since some grandfathered establishments were already allowed to be open until the traditional 2am "last call." Local residents fought against the additional hours, complaining of drunken patrons and the problems they cause in the surrounding neighborhoods. Mayor Josh Cohen and Aldermen Dick Israel and Ross Arnett cast the dissenting votes.

Georgia Fugitive Arrested in Stevensville

07-27-WNAV- A fugitive from Georgia has been apprehended in the WNAV listening area. According to the Queen Anne County Sheriff's Office, 45-year old Robert Allen Miller was taken into custody in Stevensville. The Warner Robbins, Georgia resident was wanted on four counts of child molestation and a count each of aggravated sexual battery and solicitation of sodomy. The Sheriff's Office says it got a tip that Miller was working on a construction project in Stevensville. Miller was subsequently charged on a Fugitive Warrant and held without bond pending extradition back to Georgia.

Separate Court Dates in Armed Robbery Case

07-27-WNAV- A pair of Glen Burnie residents accused of robbing a gas station together will go their separate ways in court. Online records show 22-year old Julia Anne Craver will be tried November 9th on numerous counts including armed robbery. Seventeen year old Robert Edwards Jr. will be tried as an adult five days earlier. It was June 14th police say that Edwards robbed a cashier at the Ron Meadows Service Station in the 700 block of Aquahart Road in Glen Burnie at gunpoint. Craver allegedly drove the getaway car.

Travel delays expected on Ritchie Highway in Arnold

07-27-WNAV-Sunday’s storm is still having an effect on this morning commute on Ritchie Highway between College Parkway and Moore Road as various utility crews remain on site removing toppled trees and erecting downed power lines. While crews continue to work motorists can expect one lane of travel in both directions with intermittent closures. Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible or take alternate routes.

City Issues Tips in Wake of Severe Storm

07-27-WNAV- In the aftermath of the Sunday storm, the City of Annapolis has issued some safety tips for the coming days and for the next time Mother Nature shows her might. Some in the area lost power for the better part of a day or more and City Spokesman Phill McGowen says there is some concern when it comes to food. The tips also say if a streetlight is not functioning, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop. They should bring their vehicles to a complete stop and look both ways before proceeding carefully through the intersection.

Cohen Proposes Upping Borrowing Limit to $20M

07-27-WNAV- Two weeks ago, Annapolis Finance Director Tim Elliott told City Council that money was tight, Monday night Mayor Josh Cohen announced his plans to deal with the situation. Cohen requested a change to the city charter to allow a 10-million dollar increase in what the city can borrow. The move comes not long after Cohen had the charter changed to allow a 10-million dollar limit. A public hearing on the measure will be held at a special meeting Thursday, with a likely vote to follow.

Two Suspects Sought Following Armed Robbery in Severn

07-27-WNAV- A Monday armed robbery in Severn has police looking for a pair of suspects. A man and woman called police just before one in the morning, reporting they were approached by two men as they were sitting on the patio of their residence in the 1700 block of Carriage Court. The couple told officers that both of the men pointed handguns at them and robbed them of personal property and keys. Both men ran from the scene and were not located despite the efforts of officers who canvassed the area.

Charter Amendment Proposed to Deal with County Council Vacancies

07-27-WNAV- An amendment to the Anne Arundel County charter is being proposed that would call for additional elections. The resolution would draw a line of distinction between when a seat can be filled by appointment and when a special election would be required. Under the proposal, a vacancy on County Council would require a special election if it took place within the first three years of the term of the person leaving the seat. If the vacancy occurred in the final year of a term, council would simply be able to make an appointment to the post. A public hearing on the charter amendment is set for August 2nd.

Suit against Local Cosmetology School Seeks 35 Million Dollars

07-27-WNAV- A multi-million dollar class action lawsuit has been filed against a Glen Burnie cosmetology school. Several students claim the Fila Academy, and its owner, Larry Fila Jr., made false promises to get them to sign up for one of the school's programs. They claim they were forced to clean toilets and to sell the school's products. The suit also says that Fila falsely claims to be associated with Paul Mitchell, all reportedly part of a plan to get the students to obtain federal loans for the more than 16-thousand dollar tuition. The students are seeking $15 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages for five counts of fraud, unfair trade practices, and breach of contract and infliction of emotional distress.

Kidnapping Arrest Made

07-26-WNAV- A woman abducted from a Hanover home early this morning has been found unharmed. About 3:45 this afternoon, police found Sherry Lane in the 1400 block of Houghton Road in Glen Burnie. Additionally, her ex-boyfriend, Roy Albert Thomas, was taken into custody without incident. Police say that Lane was abducted at gunpoint from her home in the 7700 block of Pinyon Road just before 4:30 this morning by Thomas and several other men. County Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy says Lane was not injured, but is being offered Mobile Crisis. The investigation is described as "very active" and ongoing at this time.

BGE Continues To Work on Power Restoration

07-26-WNAV- Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), spokesperson Linda Foy says that it has restored electric service to more than 90,000 customers since severe thunderstorms began to affect its Central Maryland service area Sunday afternoon. Foy says crews worked around-the-clock and continue working to ensure the vast majority of customers are back in service by late Tuesday evening. As of 3:00 this afternoon, nearly 15,000 residents remained without power in Anne Arundel County. That number is down from the 55,000 that suffered a power outage during the height of the storm.

Annapolis Man Dies During Severe Thunderstorm

07-26-WNAV- The Maryland Natural Resources Police are investigating the death of Annapolis resident Warren Douglas Smith. The 63-year old died during Sunday's fierce thunderstorm while he was riding a jet ski one-half mile south of the Bay Bridge in the Chesapeake Bay. Smith and a friend, 65-year old Elmer Sappington of Severn, who was riding another jet ski, encountered a storm that produced winds estimated at 60 miles per hour, waves five to six feet in height, and strong lightning. Sappington and Smith were racing back towards Sandy Point State Park as they saw the storm approaching but were unable to reach the safety of the park. Sappington was knocked off his jet ski by the force of the storm and when he got back onto his jet ski, he noticed Smith laying face down in the water. Sappington picked up Smith, who was unconscious, headed towards Sandy Point and flagged down a passing tug boat. The tug boat operator called NRP, and officers responded and transported Smith to Sandy Point. From there, Smith was transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. NRP's Special Operations Division is continuing the investigation.

Woman Kidnapped From Hanover Home

07-26-WNAV- Anne Arundel County Police are investigating a kidnapping. Officers were called just before 4:30 this morning to a home in the 7700 block of Pinyon Road in Hanover for a report of a home invasion. Police say that an ex-boyfriend of one of the residents of the home had arrived with some other men and demanded that his ex-girlfriend come out. The woman's housemates report at least one of the men had a gun and that they forcefully removed 26-year old Sherry Anne Lane, put her in a car and left. One suspect has been identified as Roy Albert Thomas. Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy says Thomas is the ex-boyfriend and that he and the other men are considered "armed and dangerous" and that they believe that Lane's welfare is in jeopardy. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Lane or Thomas is urged to call police.

NSA Expansion Planned to Bring Thousands to the Area

07-26-(AP)- A draft environmental impact statement says a project by the National Security Agency will bring 6,500 workers to the Fort Meade area - challenging the area's infrastructure. The NSA statement says the planned expansion will cost at least $2 billion. The project - called Site M - will include a 1.8 million-square-foot building on land at Fort Meade currently used by two golf courses. While local officials are excited about the job growth and benefits to the local economy, they are also worried whether the county can accommodate the growth. Roads, schools and other infrastructure could become congested - and Anne Arundel County does not have money for major projects.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Armed Robbery in Glen Burnie

07-26-WNAV- A weekend robbery in Glen Burnie has police looking for a suspect. A man told police that as he was walking along a foot path near the 6900 block of Glen Ridge Circle, he was approached by a man with a gun. The victim says he turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect, described as a black male in his 20's, about six feet tall with a thin build, was last seen running from the area towards Wellham Avenue.

Robbery at Park Probed

07-26-WNAV- Anne Arundel County Police are looking for four people after a Sunday night robbery. The incident took place about six-PM in the 300 block of 10th Avenue in Brooklyn Park. The 25-year old Glen Burnie resident told responding officers that he was at the 10th Avenue Park when a dark-colored SUV pulled behind him. Two men got out and forcefully removed money from the victim's pockets while displaying a handgun. During the incident, two other men remained in the SUV. The men left after the robbery and headed towards Ritchie Highway. Numerous officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspects.

Three Charged With Tampering With Cars

07-26-WNAV- Three Pasadena residents have been arrested, charged with tampering with and stealing from cars. Police got the report early Saturday morning from the community of Elizabeth Landing. Officers arrived and quickly saw three people on Marblehead Way that matched the general description provided by the witness. Further investigation revealed stolen property on and near the suspects. They were subsequently taken into custody. The investigation revealed several vehicles had been tampered with and some had items such as Ipods removed from them. Twenty-one year old Brittany Kelly, 19-year old Corey Sawyer and 18-year old Eric Markley were all charged.

Residents left without power

07-26-WNAV- A huge portion of Anne Arundel County residents remain in the dark this morning. The power was lost when severe thunderstorms brought winds topping 60 miles an hour, downing both trees and power lines. Baltimore Gas and Electric is reporting in Anne Arundel County as many as 55,000 residents lost power. As of Nearly 21,000 are still waiting for restoration. About 10,000 homes in the PG County are affected.

BGE experiencing widespread power

07-26-WNAV-Baltimore Gas and Electric is experiencing wide spread outages after yesterdays storms. Crews are actively engaged in restoration efforts. Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County were hit the hardest when a huge storm blasted the area Sunday evening. It lasted less than ten minutes producing winds in excess of 50 miles an hour toppling trees, snapping branches and limbs causing power lines to snap. BGE reports more than 35,000 residents in Anne Arundel and Prince Georges County remain without electricity. According to BGE’s website all available crews are actively engaged in restoration efforts and service will be restored as safely and quickly as possible

Transportation officials urge caution

07-26-WNAV- Transportation officials are cautioning motorists to be on the lookout for some non-working traffic signals and some road closures. State Highway Administration spokesman, Chuck Gischlar says crews have been working all night since the storm. If you travel Ritchie Highway expect delays and detours. Traffic is being rerouted south bound at College Parkway and Northbound at Arnold Road. Defense Highway at St. Stephens Church road is closed and several traffic lights are out throughout the area. Authorities say drivers should follow temporary stop signs which have been placed at some locations.