Around Maryland

Montgomery County, known for its cultural and ethnic diversity, healthy residents and the state’s largest school system, now has something else to crow about: It’s a top spot for the fast-growing sport of pickleball. A new report has named Bethesda as the top community for pickleball in the state. Rockville was in second place and Potomac and Olney in ninth and 10th place, respectively.

A recent progress report on the county's new budget draft led to a spirited discussion among the Washington County Commissioners over tax rates and finances. Bottom line, don't look for a change in your local income tax rate this year. Here's the background: Each year, the state of Maryland distributes "disparity grants" to jurisdictions whose per-capita tax revenues are less than 75% of the statewide average. And every year, Washington County seems to qualify.

Standing at the front of the serving line, Vicky Deuboue kept an eye on the people filing past and the red-shirted volunteers filling up the plates. Deuboue and others from the Kemmo and Nguefack Foundation served food during dinner Sunday as part of the Community Table program in downtown Frederick. The menu included rice, stewed tomatoes, chicken, vegetables, fruit salads and dessert.

The Anne Arundel County police chief, fire chief and chief administrative officer were the three highest-paid county employees this fiscal year, according to data from the county Office of Personnel. Police Chief Amal Awad and Fire Chief Trisha Wolford are tied for the top salary at $244,306. Christine Anderson, the county’s chief administrative officer, is next at $236,848.

Officials began a news conference to kick off Orioles opening day with a moment of silence for the six men who died in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, a solemn undertone that permeated what is historically an exuberant affair for city and state leadership. The region and nation were stunned when a cargo ship crashed into the bridge, causing it to crumple into the water. Officials, players and fans alike hope baseball serves as a respite from tragedy.

A total power and propulsion failure like the one the cargo ship Dali experienced before it struck and toppled the Francis Scott Key Bridge is an extremely rare occurrence, one possibly caused by either faulty equipment or contaminated fuel, maritime engineers and experts said. After the power failed, the ship coasted in the darkness before the generators and engine appeared to kick back on and its lights flickered before going dark again.

The patchwork system of safety regulations pertaining to massive cargo ships like the one that toppled a major bridge in Baltimore this week can allow freight transporters to skirt oversight, critics say, making maritime shipping what one expert called “the weakest link in the transportation system.” The thousands of container ships that carry more than 80% of all goods moved around the world are governed by rules established by the International Maritime Organization in London that are enforced by the various countries where ships are based and ports across the world.

A new county bill aims to combat human trafficking by adding more restrictions to current zoning law that make it harder to conduct illegal activities in massage parlors, spas and other bodywork businesses. Among the requirements are that a bodywork business get prior zoning approval by submitting copies of all state-required licenses to the county’s zoning administrator, as well as a list of current employees.

The Montgomery County police department has not properly overseen the contractors that handle red-light and speed camera citations, leading to questions concerning revenue collection, according to an audit report released Thursday by the county inspector general’s office. The Office of the Inspector General audited the department’s financial transactions and processes for the first time after the 2020 passage of a county law that expanded its responsibilities, the office said in an email to MoCo360.