Around Maryland

With work zone-related crashes injuring hundreds of people each year in Maryland, state transportation officials are challenging drivers to take extra care when they see orange cones on the road. From 2016 to 2020, Maryland saw more than 7,700 such crashes, which killed 46 people and injured 3,263 others, according to figures compiled by the state. Nearly half of those killed were drivers of vehicles involved in the wrecks.The Maryland Department of Transportation said the leading factors contributing to those crashes were distracted drivers, speeders and tailgaters.

Anne Arundel County officials on Tuesday unveiled plans for an apartment complex intended to provide transitional housing for residents experiencing homelessness. Using $3.19 million in American Rescue Plan grant funding, the county purchased the Doll Furnished Apartments off Crain Highway in Glen Burnie, which will be renovated into a new community known as the Heritage at Madison Park. The goal is to provide a stable source of shelter and resources for county residents experiencing homelessness and those coping with other issues such a mental health or substance abuse crises.

Speed cameras on Interstate 83 in Baltimore will start clocking speeding drivers Thursday, but motorists will receive only warnings in the mail until fines begin in July. The two cameras located northbound and southbound at the West 41st Street exit will flag motorists who travel 12 or more miles over the speed limit. Motorists caught speeding in the next 90 days will receive a warning citation in the mail. Once the three-month grace period ends, that citation will include a $40 fine.

Three hours before first pitch, Kristen Swader, her husband, Mike, and their 4-year old son, Michael III, stood in line awaiting entry to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.Mike, 28, has been to every Orioles Opening Day since he was a newborn, Michael III has yet to miss one, and Kristen’s passion is so permanent that she has a classic Orioles logo tattooed on her side.

In its first in-person meeting since January, the Annapolis City Council on Monday night extended outdoor dining permissions for restaurants until mid-June. The council unanimously approved an amended resolution, R-22-22, extending outdoor dining within the areas formerly known as recovery zones for an additional two months.

Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert won’t have a horse in the race at this year’s Preakness Stakes. The Maryland Racing Commission on Monday suspended Baffert — a move that makes him ineligible from running horses at the 147th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore on May 21. Maryland’s commission joins those from New York, California and Kentucky to suspend the trainer for his drug violations with Medina Spirit at last year’s Kentucky Derby.