Around Maryland

In June 2022, Angela Coleman filed an application with the Baltimore County Department of Housing and Community Development. The Owings Mills nonprofit executive wanted financial help building 22 apartment units after buying a single-acre property on Eastern Avenue near Beasley Lane in Bengies-Chase, a historically Black village in Middle River.

Collin Brady moved to Glen Burnie from Millsboro, Delaware, this year to teach middle school math with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The 28-year-old said he loves living in Glen Burnie. With its restaurants, variety of grocery stores and proximity to sporting events, Brady is happy to call it home. “I love the vibe of Glen Burnie. Some parts are a bit rough around the edges, but overall I love living here,” Brady said.

Leila invites a reporter into her two-bedroom apartment at Cider Mill, an 864-unit complex in Montgomery Village, where she lives with her three school-age children in a largely African immigrant and Latino neighborhood. She walks into her tiny kitchen and fires up all four gas burners on the stove, as if to prepare a big meal. But Leila – who has asked us not to use her real name – is not cooking on this day.

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.