Pikesville

Pikesville already tops expectations

First-year Pikesville football coach Jamie Willis came into this season with admittedly modest goals after taking over a team that won just two games a year ago.

Of heaven and hell

The branches are from Connecticut, but Martha Clarke is in hell. Or, she's in paradise. Sometimes, it's hard to tell the difference.

Former doctor given suspended two-year term

A 66-year-old former Pikesville doctor, convicted of writing prescriptions for painkillers for patients who admitted wanting to feed their addictions, was given a suspended two-year prison sentence yesterday and ordered to remain inside his home for three months.

Pikesville man pleads guilty to setting off explosions

A Pikesville man accused of setting off the loud nighttime pyrotechnics that disturbed his neighbors for months pleaded guilty yesterday in Baltimore County Circuit Court to possessing explosives without a license. Frederick Mackle, 59, of the 8000 block of Brynmor Court also pleaded guilty to importation of cocaine into the state, said Kristin Bloomer of the Baltimore County state's attorney's office. Mackler was arrested in April after neighbors in the Stevenson Commons condominium complex complained about mysterious explosions in the middle of the night. He will be sentenced Feb. 10.

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Pikesville home set afire when struck by SUV

An SUV crashed into a Pikesville home early yesterday morning, sparking a fire that engulfed the house and destroyed two other vehicles, police said. Driver Damon Carter, 19, of Randallstown was arrested after police said he admitted that he ran away from the vehicle after the crash and filed a false report that he had been carjacked. The crash occurred about 3 a.m. Carter told police he was driving north on Rolling Road when he lost control of the vehicle and drove into a home in the 4700 block of Marling Road. Police said two people who were inside were displaced from the home.

Pikesville methadone clinic OK for two more years

A methadone clinic in Pikesville may remain where it is for another two years while it seeks another location from which to operate, a federal judge has ruled.

3 charged in Pikesville vandalism

A 19-year-old member of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation was being held yesterday after being charged in connection with the spray-painting of a swastika and the word "Nazis" at the synagogue in Pikesville.

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Jerome N. Goldberg

Jerome Nathan Goldberg, a retired Pikesville photographer and community activist, died of acute respiratory failure Tuesday at Northwest Hospital Center. The Stevenson resident was 88.

Pikesville woman killed by falling tree is identified

A Pikesville woman who was killed Monday when a dead tree fell on her was identified yesterday by Baltimore County police as Vanessa Dale Sandler. Sandler was taking out the trash when an oak tree near the trash bins behind her condominium complex in the first block of Greenwich Place fell on her. Her 55th birthday was Sunday, police said. Firefighters from the Pikesville station arrived a few minutes after the 4:30 p.m. incident and freed the woman from beneath the tree. An ambulance crew pronounced her dead at the scene, authorities said.

Woman, hit by falling tree outside condominium, dies

A woman was killed yesterday afternoon when she was struck by a falling tree while emptying trash outside a Pikesville condominium, said a spokeswoman for the county Fire Department. The woman's name was withheld by police pending notification of her family, said Elise Armacost, the spokeswoman. Armacost said that about 4:30 p.m., the woman was emptying trash behind the condo in the first block of Greenwich Place when a large dead oak tree fell, trapping the woman. Armacost said someone called 911 and that firefighters from the Pikesville station arrived a few minutes later and removed the woman from beneath the tree. An ambulance crew pronounced her dead at the scene. Armacost said that police were investigating the woman's death.

Herbert A. Thaler

Herbert A. Thaler, a retired custom-home builder who developed parts of the Pikesville area during a lengthy career in his field, died of pneumonia complications Tuesday at Sinai Hospital. The Pikesville resident was 95.

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Pikesville doctor convicted of illegal drugs scheme

A Pikesville doctor was convicted yesterday of conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs and cocaine possession after an extensive investigation that included Baltimore County police, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maryland Board of Physicians. Dr. Louis W. Miller, 65, an internist, agreed to write prescriptions for narcotic pain medications for patients - including an undercover detective - who told the doctor they needed the pills only because they were addicted to them, Baltimore County prosecutor John Reilly told a judge in Baltimore County Circuit Court. Investigators found in Miller's office and home glass vials of cocaine, hundreds of pain pills, pill crushers, short plastic straws with white residue, bongs and a wooden pipe containing marijuana residue, according to court documents. As part of a plea agreement, Reilly dropped 10 other charges and will request a sentence of six to 12 months in prison. Defense attorney Joseph Murtha declined to comment after the hearing. Miller, whose medical license was suspended last year after his arrest, is to be sentenced in November.

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Southern Baltimore

M&T securities acquires Pikesville brokerage

M&T Securities Inc., the brokerage and insurance arm of M&T Bank Corp., said yesterday that it has acquired Pikesville-based brokerage firm Peremel & Co. from PNC Investments LLC. M&T will operate the business as a standalone investment center under the M&T name at its current location on Reisterstown Road. The brokerage, which has eight employees, has 6,000 customers and $700 million in assets, M&T said. M&T Bank Corp. is a bank holding company for banking subsidiary M&T Bank, which operates branches in seven states, including Maryland, and Washington. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

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Glimpsed in Pikesville: Tracey Colvin

As one of the area's best known musicians/bandleaders, Freddie Stevens is almost as well known for his dapper style of dress as his music. So he was mortified that the one night slipped out to grab a bite with a friend in the bar at Ruth's Chris Steak House in Pikesville, is the night we "Glimpsed" him. The 60-year-old Owings Mills resident loves his tuxedos, sports jackets and suits, but this night, Stevens was strictly casual in an American Eagle white cotton shirt and navy Tommy Bahama cotton shorts from J.S. Edwards. But, even when he's casual, Stevens knows how to accessorize, with navy ostrich tassel Belvedere loafers from Brian Lefko's Men's Clothier and an Ebel burgundy face watch from Mark Nusinov Jewelers. He got his gold and white gold bracelet, an onyx and gold pinky ring, another gold pinky ring featuring figures of a man and woman on it years ago at Mirkin's Diamond Source. His unique gold mezuzah pendant on a chain was a gift from his brother. And his glasses - Gray Eyetens from Optical Images - are one of many pairs he owns. "I view my glasses as an important fashion accessory. I wear different glasses with different outfits, and they are probably my most commented upon fashion item." Stevens' favorite stores include Brian Lefko's, J.S. Edwards, Filene's and The Rack at Nordstrom's. "I am a great shopper. I know what I like. I like to wear "off-centered" artsy stuff. ... I like to mix patterns, but you have to be careful. I only wear double-vented suits and sport coats. I don't wear socks, unless absolutely necessary. ... I never get a kick telling someone how much I paid. I enjoy telling them what a deal I got. I bought a $750 short-sleeved Armani knit sport shirt at Marshall's in Towson for $36." And then there's what Stevens calls his "Chanukah Miracle story." "I was shopping at Saks around holiday time and I saw [both] a Jhane Barnes and Boss sport coat. I couldn't decide which to buy. They were both on sale, but even so, they were too expensive. While I was standing there, perplexed, a lady's voice came over the PA system stating that for the next 15 minutes, all men's sport coats would be an additional 25 percent off. The rest is history."¶

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Crooners draw a crowd to McDonald's

Monday evenings under the golden arches of a McDonald's in Pikesville, a troupe of tie-and-jacketed crooners entertains a sitting-room-only crowd of aging, adoring fans. Headlined by Gary "The Singing Stockbroker" Richman, gentlemen and ladies take turns singing tunes from Sinatra to ... Sinatra. Diners sing or toe tap along, very slow dance in the aisle, or quietly sip their McDonald's coffee and nibble their grilled chicken sandwich. They come at 5:30 p.m. every Monday for dinner and a show.

Insiders' Guide

Tiny, historic area is tucked into Pikesville

Ralston is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Pikesville, an area in northwest Baltimore County.

All-Baltimore County: Boys track

PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Jermol Dix, Western Tech

All-Baltimore County: Girls track

PERFORMER OF THE YEAR: Amanda Kimbers, McDonogh

Quick cuts part of Passover tradition

There were twice as many stylists working as on a usual Sunday and every seat was taken, with pre-teens getting their curly locks blown straight and toddlers getting their hair trimmed, too distracted to cry as they watched Elmo DVDs. The phone had been ringing nonstop, not including the half-dozen messages waiting when she arrived.

First love, lasting love

All they remember is that they were on an elevator. But what do the details matter now?

Glimpsed

Bre Scullark

What do models wear when they're off the runway and off the clock? We would like to believe they lounge around in yoga pants and sneakers the way we do, but the fact is, they're often just as stylish off camera as they are on.

All-Baltimore County boys indoor track team