From helicopter pilots to ‘hotel nerds’: Navy grads aim to expand luxury accommodations in Annapolis

A pair of Naval Academy graduates have highflying dreams for the Annapolis hotel scene, a vision that earned them both friends and enemies in a town rich with tradition, but dependent on tourists. Over the past three years, former helicopter pilots Cody Monroe and Clint Ramsden, who are both in their early 30s, have purchased five properties with the goal of boosting the city’s “luxury” accommodations. “The city has been longing for a higher-end option for a long time now,” Monroe said. “We are looking to increase the number of offerings that Annapolis has on the high-end of the hotel spectrum.”

Starting Monday, some Camden Line MARC trains suspended the rest of September due to CSX freight congestion

Beginning Monday, service on four Camden Line Maryland Area Regional Commuter trains will be suspended for two weeks, the Maryland Transit Administration announced Sunday. The changes aim to avoid service disruptions stemming from “severe freight train congestion” on the CSX Transportation rails, according to the MTA, with particular delays expected between Dorsey and Camden Yards. CSX owns the railroad and dispatches Camden Line MARC trains.

In redistricting, Carroll school board leaves out the public; Sewell Farm annex process based on fear

It is very concerning the direction that the Carroll County Board of Education is taking. First, it decided to adjust the manner in which we the public is allowed to comment in meetings. The Board of Education believes it should be allowed to limit the number of people who may participate in public comment. The board also wants to limit public comments to only those that relate to agenda items for that meeting. Has our Board of Education forgotten it is the public that funds them with our tax dollars? This is censorship plain and simple. Then our Board of Education decided to look at redistricting, but only for the southern part of the county.

E. coli contamination highlights challenges in updating Baltimore’s aging water system

Baltimore officials say that billions in federal money to upgrade water services nationwide could help the city replace the network of pipes and valves that feed residents’ faucets, an aging system that may be implicated in the E. coli contamination of last week. But nationwide demand, and the city’s vast infrastructure challenges, means whatever funding Baltimore receives from the federal infrastructure program will likely cover only a fraction of its needs, forcing the city to triage high priority projects and residents to bear much of the cost through their water bills.

Plans for Harris-Mizeur debate stall over 1st District congressman’s insistence organizers include third candidate

Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Harris and Democratic challenger Heather Mizeur agreed to a debate in their 1st Congressional District race but planning stalled when Harris suggested he wouldn’t participate unless the Libertarian Party candidate was invited. Harris, a conservative seeking a seventh term, has not said directly that he will withdraw from the Oct. 26 debate if Libertarian Daniel Thibeault is not included. But Harris’ campaign had agreed to the debate before a staffer contacted an organizer and insisted that Thibeault be invited, said Doug Donley, executive director of Cecil Public Media, also known as Cecil TV, which is overseeing the event.

Dan Cox was a backbench Md. lawmaker. Then the pandemic hit.

Long before Donald Trump elevated his primary bid for governor, Del. Dan Cox was a polite backbencher in the Republican super-minority, building his reputation in Annapolis as a thoughtful yet inflexible lawyer whose legislation rarely passed. Cox (R-Frederick) held the door for Democratic colleagues, earnestly suggested an acerbic GOP friend pick up “How to Win Friends and Influence People” — and championed bills often far outside Maryland’s political mainstream. “He was on the typical freshman path, finding his way,” said House Minority Leader Jason C. Buckel (R-Allegany), who supported Cox’s primary opponent. Then, “Dan’s sense of self and sense of himself as legislator really changed.”

Federal officials visit Sandy Point State Park to celebrate 50 years of Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act of 1972 pushed for nationwide change to pollutants discharged into America’s waters, cleaning up various watersheds and tightening other environmental regulations. On Monday, federal, state and local officials and representatives with the Environmental Protection Agency visited Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County to highlight the law’s positive effect on the Chesapeake Bay, and to cheer the estuary as one of the nation’s best natural resources for fishing and recreational activities. “What we’ve learned is that we can’t do this alone. We need people who are going to be passionate about the bay. The bay is a national treasure,” said Kandis Boyd, who started her job as EPA director of the Chesapeake Bay program in June.

Notre Dame of Maryland to go coeducational in 2023

Notre Dame of Maryland University will become coeducational and enroll men into its traditional undergraduate program beginning in fall 2023, ending its more than 125-year history as an exclusively women’s school. The school’s board of trustees voted at its Monday meeting to make the change. “By going coed, Notre Dame of Maryland University is uniquely positioned to deliver on its mission to advance inclusive and transformational education to more women and men and to equip them to realize their goal of attaining a college degree,” said Dr. Marylou Yam, the university’s president.

City Council bill would grant Baltimore renters access to their water bills

Baltimore renters don’t receive a water bill at the end of each month. By law, city water bills can only be made out to property owners, meaning most landlords tack that balance on top of monthly rental payments. For years, consumer advocates have complained that renters cannot easily view these bills, making them susceptible to bogus charges from landlords. A new proposal seeks to close that loophole. Councilman Kristerfer Burnett introduced legislation at Monday’s council meeting that would require the Department of Public Works to provide inquiring renters copies of any water bills issued to the owner of their residence during the duration of their lease.

Harriet Tubman Cultural Center to open this weekend in Columbia at site of former all-Black high school

Nearly 60 years after it closed its doors, the Harriet Tubman School in Columbia will reopen this weekend, transformed as a cultural and education center to highlight historic contributions of Black Howard County residents. A public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at 8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia. The Harriet Tubman Foundation will also host the annual Harriet Tubman Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the site, with food, music and other activities.