Hunt Valley

MTA official says rail shutdown might have been prevented

The current shutdown of half of Baltimore's light rail line likely could have been prevented had Maryland Transit Administration engineers decided in 2000 to spend about $4 million on an electronic system designed to prevent trains from sliding on slippery tracks, according to a top MTA official.

Half of light rail halted indefinitely

Thousands of Baltimore-area commuters were forced to abandon trains and board buses yesterday, the first workday disrupted by a light rail shutdown that closed the northern half of the system. State officials were unable to say how long service would be curtailed by a problem caused in part by the fall of autumn leaves.

Light rail stretch closes

Light rail service has been discontinued indefinitely between the North Avenue and Hunt Valley stations because a large number of trains are out of service for wheel maintenance, the Maryland Transit Administration has announced.

Business Calendar

Thursday

Guilty plea in 4 murders

At court hearing after court hearing, Nicholas W. Browning has sat stoically as lawyers argued about his bail status, the doctors who would evaluate him and whether he would be tried in adult court or the juvenile system on charges that he killed his family.

Balto. Co. police search for missing woman

Baltimore County police said yesterday that they were looking for a 22-year-old developmentally disabled woman who has been missing since Saturday. Shaquana Smith was last seen at 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Hogarth Circle in Cockeysville and is unfamiliar with the area, police said. Smith is black, 5 feet 4 inches tall and 125 pounds. She was last seen in a purple, short-sleeve polo shirt and denim shorts. She has a noticeable birthmark on the upper right side of her face and a large burn mark on her right forearm. Anyone with information is asked to call the Cockeysville police precinct at 410-887-1820.

Hunt Valley roads close for Komen race

Several roads in the Hunt Valley area will be closed tomorrow morning for the annual Susan G. Komen Maryland Race for the Cure, Baltimore County police said. Southbound York Road will be closed between Phoenix and Ashland roads between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and northbound York Road will be closed between Ashland and Phoenix roads from 7:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. Detours using Paper Mill Road will be posted, police said. Parts of Shawan, McCormick, Gilroy, Beaver Dam and Schilling roads will be closed as early as 6 a.m., according to organizers. The race village will be in the parking lots of the Executive Plaza in Hunt Valley, and participants are expected to begin arriving at 6 a.m. for the 8 a.m. race.

Firefighter dies on duty at Cockeysville station

A 32-year-old firefighter and paramedic died while working an overnight shift as a supervisor at a Cockeysville fire station, Baltimore County Fire Department officials said yesterday. Brian D. Neville, who was filling in Wednesday night at the Texas Fire Station on York Road as an EMS district supervisor, was found yesterday morning by colleagues who had arrived at the supervisor's office to relieve him, according to the Fire Department. He was normally assigned to the Hillendale Fire Station, officials said. The state medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death, fire officials said. He had worked with the Fire Department since 2001 and previously had been assigned to the Westview, Woodlawn and Catonsville stations. He lived in Abingdon with his wife and three young children, officials said.

McCormick & Co. turns to solar power

McCormick & Co. plans to announce today that it will begin using solar energy at its distribution center and spice mill in Hunt Valley by early next year.

Desirable Spaces

A bit of Europe in Cockeysville

Taking a motif and running with it, Elizabeth and Charles Atwood custom-built a house that could sit in the French countryside with wood shutters, timbers and flower baskets against the hand-troweled stucco-look exterior, and an interior to match.

Golf tournament likely to create road congestion

Baltimore County police warn that traffic could be heavier than usual tomorrow through Oct. 12 along the Shawan Road area in Hunt Valley because of the Constellation Energy Classic Golf tournament at the Baltimore Country Club at Five Farms. There will be no parking along Shawan Road during the tournament, which has a rain date of Oct. 13. Parking will be available at a farm near the event. The most likely times for congestion from the tournament are from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A portion of Mays Chapel Road by the golf course also will be closed during the week. Information: 410-887-2210.

Junior League of Baltimore

For some, there's nothing better than finding the latest fashion at a bargain. Combine that with a cocktail and a few hors d'oeuvres, and you've got a party.

Cockeysville man given term in arson conspiracy

A Cockeysville man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison Friday for conspiring to burn down an Owings Mills home for the insurance, according to the Maryland U.S. attorney's office. Scott Ensor, 32, was paid $10,000 to set fire to Keith T. McMahon's Caves Road house in January, prosecutors said. A Baltimore County firefighter was hurt battling the blaze. McMahon, 41, previously pleaded guilty in the arson, which he arranged.

Business Calendar

Tuesday

Teen doesn't take plea in deaths of his family

The deadline for filing a motion that a Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and younger brothers is not criminally responsible for the deaths came and went yesterday without any paperwork being filed by lawyers representing Nicholas W. Browning. Baltimore County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Bollinger set yesterday as the deadline for defense attorneys to file a motion of their intent to argue that the 16-year-old is not criminally responsible - Maryland's equivalent of an insanity plea - in the fatal shootings of his family. By yesterday afternoon, the judge had not received any such motion, his staff said. Lawyers handling the case cannot comment on it because of a gag order imposed by the judge. Browning is accused of killing his parents, John and Tamara Browning, and his brothers, Gregory, 14, and Benjamin, 11, in the early-morning hours of Feb. 2 as they slept in their Cockeysville home.

Police Blotter & Crime Watch archive

Balto. Co. OKs scores of zoning changes

The constituents who packed a Baltimore County Council meeting last night for its quadrennial redrawing of the county's zoning map were silent as mice for almost the entire 90-minute gathering, during which officials gave rapid-fire assent to hundreds of proposed zoning changes.

Teen 'trance-like,' doctor testifies

A Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and two younger brothers was in a "trance-like state" when they were shot, one by one, as they slept in the family's home in February, a forensic psychiatrist testifying for the defense told a judge yesterday.

New chef brings lighter fare to Oregon Grille

When Mark Henry retired as executive chef of the Oregon Grille in Cockeysville a few months ago, it felt something like the end of an era for those who follow the local dining scene. That's impressive considering that for the past 11 years he's headed the kitchen of a restaurant best known for its steaks, chops and traditional Maryland seafood.

Hearing delayed in killing of family

A Baltimore County judge has postponed until July a hearing that had been scheduled for next week to determine whether the Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and two younger brothers should be tried in the juvenile system or remain in adult court.

It's not Fla., but reopened beach is fine

The sand felt mighty fine at Miami Beach yesterday - warmed by the 85-degree temperatures, scented from the salty tide. A toddler waded in and giggled with delight. Nearby, a couple sunbathed in beach chairs and two boys smoothed out the foundation of a sand castle.

Garden of grief

Sitting at the February funeral service for the four members of the Browning family, Garland Williams was overcome by the sheer number of people grieving the couple, their two youngest sons and the arrest of their eldest boy on murder charges in the deaths.

Teen held in killings will be evaluated

A Baltimore County judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation yesterday for the Cockeysville teenager accused of killing his parents and younger brothers.

Official focuses on bar games

Comptroller Peter Franchot is pushing for Baltimore City and Baltimore County to stop providing licenses for thousands of video gambling machines that critics allege make illegal, "under the table" payouts in area bars and restaurants.

Browning indicted in killings

While medical staff at the Baltimore County jail continue to watch over the Cockeysville teenager charged with killing his family this month, Nicholas W. Browning was indicted yesterday on murder and handgun charges.

United in life, and now death

As mourners shuffled into pews, images flashed on a screen above the altar: The couple dancing on their wedding day, the husband's strong arms wrapped around his wife. Their three sons posing in Christmas sweaters, all chubby cheeks and big smiles. The boys in recent years, shaggy-haired and gangly, clowning on a snow-covered mountain.

The search for 'why'

Minutes before services started, the Rev. Bill Brown still didn't know what on earth he would say.

High-profile lawyer hired for Cockeysville teen

From the 17-year-old D.C. sniper to a disgraced state politician, the new attorney for a 15-year-old Cockeysville youth who police say confessed to fatally shooting his family last weekend has had his share of high-visibility clients.

Gun death hit family before

The fatal shooting last weekend of a Baltimore County couple and two of their sons, allegedly at the hands of their eldest son, is not the first gun tragedy to have visited their extended family.

A suspect, few clues

Nicholas Browning appeared on the television screen in a Towson courtroom yesterday, his dirty-blond hair tousled, wearing a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. The 15-year-old Dulaney High School sophomore answered the judge's questions with "ma'am," as he was ordered held without bail in his first court appearance after being charged with murdering his family.

A Parent's View

Dulaney dad tries to make sense of deaths

At the house on Powers Avenue in Cockeysville where the killings took place, two police cars blocked the driveway yesterday and a makeshift memorial of balloons, flowers and teddy bears stood at the entrance to the wide front porch.

Vigil pays tribute to family

They told stories about the Browning family for an hour last night, the most colorful of which involved Greg Browning's attempts to play soccer.

15-year-old charged in killings

A 15-year-old Dulaney High School honor student and Boy Scout was charged yesterday with shooting and killing his parents and two younger brothers, a crime that police said he confessed to more than 24 hours after the killings - time he allegedly spent hanging out with friends.

Four bodies found in home

The bodies of two adults and two teenagers were discovered last night in a home in Cockeysville by a 15-year-old boy who lived at the home, Baltimore County Police said.

Spirit Of Sharing

A gift for giving to sick kids

One in a series of occasional features highlighting people and organizations in the Baltimore area who exemplify the "Spirit of Sharing," The Sun's annual holiday campaign.

High Holy Days head outside

As the sun sets tonight, when faithful Jews across the region flock to synagogues to honor creation in services steeped in tradition, thousands of others will gather with picnic dinners in a Baltimore County park.