Around Maryland

A unique program in Maryland is being recognized for rehabilitating and supporting at-risk youths affected by an increasing prevalence of gun violence. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services was honored with an innovation award for its Thrive Academy program, which works to interrupt a cycle of violence and stop future gun crimes before they start by giving victims and perpetrators resources and mentorship opportunities.

Almost half of Marylanders say they would support a tax increase if the state would invest in projects to ease traffic congestion and enhance safety on the road, a poll released in September found. According to a Gonzales poll of 820 registered voters conducted between Aug. 24 and Aug. 30, 49% of residents said they would be willing to pay a little more in taxes for projects that would significantly reduce traffic congestion, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, repair potholes and increase safety.

While Maryland officials are in Sweden to conduct environmental research, examine the feasibility of using electric ferries, and meet Swedish leaders, Annapolis Boat Show goers are considering electric boats. The event draws hundreds of visitors from around the world, but electric boats are still relatively new. Last year, there were approximately four on display. That number doubled to about eight this year, according to Ryan Gullang, communications coordinator for the show.

Christian Lynch loves Baltimore. He regularly attends concerts, dines at restaurants and hangs out with friends in Charm City. But he and his wife moved to Owings Mills last year, where they found a more reasonably priced house and a quieter and calmer place for their reactive dog who “was triggered by everything” living in the city.

Standing in front of a group of people inside a mental health treatment facility, James Oxley recounted the story about trying to help his then 15-year-old son — a sweet kid at home and a drug user hanging out with a bad crew while he was at school. Oxley described the struggle of trying to get his son help, but his awareness of what he could do was limited. The places where he did turn couldn’t really provide the help.

The City of Annapolis reached a new record for the most flooding events experienced in the city’s history, according to new data from the Annapolis Office of Emergency Management. The city has flooded 74 times in the past 8 months, according to data provided to The Capital Gazette from OEM. This is nearly ten more than the previous record of 65 set in 2019.

Maryland’s trucking industry is feeling the effects of the port workers’ strike at the Port of Baltimore. The Maryland Motor Truck Association told WJZ that terminals are essentially closed with only a few trucks able to pick up cargo that was dropped off before the strike. Truck companies were given extended hours last week to remove cargo from the terminal grounds at the Port of Baltimore.

As western North Carolina navigates the destruction in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Baltimore is readying a team of 911 operators and emergency dispatchers to potentially assist the state. “As a city who has seen our fair share of significant emerging situations and challenges, I know how meaningful support from other jurisdictions can be,” Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference Wednesday following the city’s Board of Estimates’ meeting.

Baltimore Police launched a citywide initiative last month focusing on unregistered motorized scooters due to increased traffic violations and crime involving illegal ones, the department said. Unregistered vehicles such as mopeds, minibikes and all-terrain vehicles have been targeted to a greater extent by Baltimore Police since mid-September, according to a Friday news release.