Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Police said Jose Molina was selling stolen goods.
The owner of a store in the US 1 Flea Market complex was charged on May 22 in the sale of $20,000 worth of stolen goods, according to WJLA. Prince George's County police spent months investigating Jose Molina, owner of Distribuidora Roxy in Elkridge, and selling him what they said were stolen goods before charging him with a felony count of theft, reported WJLA. A few doors down in the flea market plaza, another business recently had a run-in with the law. The now-defunct Calidad Furniture was ordered in March to pay $225,000 in damages for selling mattresses infested with bedbugs to an Anne Arundel County woman. Exactly one month ago—on April 22—U.S. Department of Homeland Security officers raided the Patapsco Flea Market in southwest …
Councilman Todd Huff drops measure that would have regulated BYOB establishments.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Crafts and color dominated the scene.
Thousands of people streamed through East Drive on Sunday for the 39th annual Arbutus Arts Festival. Arbutus Patch was among the 200-plus vendors with booths set up along the main drag. Did you go? Add your photos by clicking "Upload photos and videos" below the images.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Feathers, bows and sequins, oh my!
Marjae Hicks is busy adorning Baltimore area heads with feathers, jewels, bows, sequins, flowers and all the bling that is associated with a Preakness hat. The Preakness Stakes is one of Baltimore's historical sports events, offering tradition and excitement. And big hats. According to Marjae, owner of Hats by Marjae in Westminster, Preakness-worthy hats are big and whimsical and will get people talking. "You have to wear your hat with confidence. If you don't, it will show," Marjae said. "You have to have confidence in your hat. Even if it's the most whimsical, crazy-looking hat, it will be beautiful." Black-Eyed Susan-inspired hats are always popular, she said. The Black-Eyed Susan, a flower with a black button in the middle and yellow …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Baltimore County Republican calls for State Police patrols and to declare tourist area "a no travel zone."
The Inner Harbor area of Baltimore City is being terrorized by "black youth mobs" and city and state officials are "covering it up," according to one Baltimore County Republican. "This has been going on for years," said Del. Pat McDonough, a Middle River Republican who also represents part of Harford County. "I have a responsibility as an elected official to bring this to the public's attention," the delegate said, adding that "roving mobs of black youth are responsible for the attacks." A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake declined to comment directly to McDonough's remarks. "Del. McDonough's sad and racially-charged publicity stunt is not deserving of a response and Mayor Rawlings-Blake is proud of the men and women of the …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Republican Todd Huff went to the 2011 game in Dallas with a shopping center and apartment complex owner.
Todd Huff says he's not a big football fan, but in 2011 he attended at least four games, including taking a trip to Dallas to see the Super Bowl with a local shopping center and apartment complex owner. The games highlight a hole that the State Ethics Commission says exists in legislation passed by the County Council earlier this year. The legislation was meant to bring county law substantially into sync with the state ethics law. Huff, a Timonium Republican, attended at least four games in 2011, including the Super Bowl. He wrote about the games, which include three Baltimore Ravens games, on his official council Facebook page. Tickets to one of the games were provided by Merritt Properties, as first reported by the Baltimore Sun. None of…
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sluggish economy, skyrocketing value in metals are among the reasons for a 450 percent spike in such crime since 2009, police Chief Jim Johnson said.
Individually, the theft of copper wiring and piping from homes and businesses in Baltimore County usually amounts to little more than stealing a few dollars worth of metal. But, a closer examination of the issue finds the economic impact far worse, Baltimore County police chief Jim Johnson said. Destruction of property, business hours lost and a heightened sense of vulnerability make copper thefts one of the fastest growing problems facing the community, he added. This is why Johnson announced Monday the formation of the region's first law enforcement team dedicated to the growing problem of metals theft. The chief made the announcement at a news conference at BGE's White Marsh Learning Center to highlight the issue, as the utility is a …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Grant from county supporting new $17,000 sign with advertising billboard.
Arbutus Business and Professional Association is launching a fundraising campaign for a new $17,000 sign at the town's gateway at Linden Ave. and Southwestern Boulevard. ABPA president Patti Sue Nolan said that the group received a $5,000 grant from the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development to help offset the cost of the sign. The new "Welcome to Arbutus" sign will feature the organization's arbutus.org website address, and will have an advertising bulletin board available to local businesses and events for a nominal cost, according to Nolan. ABPA will begin soliciting donations for the project from local businesses next week, Nolan said. In exchange for a $100-200 donation, businesses will receive an advertisement on the …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The proposed liquor store in Wegmans has sparked the debate.
The proposed 10,000-square-foot liquor store inside the new Wegmans in Columbia has reignited the debate on whether wine, beer and liquor sales should be allowed in Maryland grocery and convenience stores. In an expansive article on Saturday, the Baltimore Sun examined how several supermarket are trying to find ways around rules that generally ban grovery chains from selling wine, beer and liquor. (There are some exceptions, such as an Eastern Shore Giant location with a license that has been grandfathered.) Adam Borden, the president of Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws, said the bans are antiquated. “Our culture has evolved,” said Borden. “It used to be one where temperance and orderly tax collections were our most paramount …
Bruce Goldfarb
12:39 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I had a terrific time at the Arbutus Arts Festival. The day just flew by. Our booth was right next to WPCRO, and we had a steady stream of people stopping by to visit. It was great to meet some people who I'd only known by name, and to make a lot of new friends as well. Arbutus Patch got a lot of nice feedback, and a few people suggested things that we could do better. It was amazing when people … more ›