Towson

Campaign brings the Towson I've always wanted

Not so long ago, Towson was a place that mirrored this year's Republican National Convention: tons of WASPs, miles of blonds and a door prize for spotting a minority of any sort. Obama for America headquarters came to 40 W. Chesapeake Ave. in late September. Here's what happened at the front desk:

Towson falls despite Schaefer's big day

Aaron Ball scored two touchdowns and James Pitts had a 65-yard interception return for a score as host Villanova held off Towson, 34-31, yesterday.

College sponsors lecture on China's resurgence

Towson University will sponsor a lecture on "The Revival of China as a Great Power and What It Means for the United States," by Richard Bush at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Burkshire Marriott, 10 W. Burke Ave., Towson. He will talk about Americans' perception of China's growing economic, diplomatic and military power, as well as China as a force for regional and global stability.

Cash is the crop college presidents cultivate

After eight years of raising money at the furious pace of $1 million a day, Johns Hopkins University President William R. Brody decided it was time for a break. He had raised billions for Hopkins, and said he didn't have the energy for another major campaign.

Adoption Day: time for cheers, tears

Each mom got a single red rose. Each child, whether toddler or teenager, got a brown teddy bear. Fifteen children in all, most living in foster homes, got permanent families.

Depleted Towson overwhelms Navy in opener, 86-68

The Towson men's basketball team was playing short-handed in its season opener against Navy last night after three players were suspended for violating team rules. But after five years as coach of the Tigers, Pat Kennedy finally has the depth to overcome that type of adversity.

Centennial, Towson advance to 3A final

Centennial and Northern of Calvert County both entered last night's Class 3A state semifinal undefeated. Both had dropped just two games during the season. Both knew something had to give and only one would be standing when the dust settled.

Man sentenced in serial rapes

A serial rapist who prosecutors believe began attacking women three decades ago in and around Baltimore County was sentenced yesterday to 60 years in prison.

Church to dedicate new pipe organ Saturday

Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church will dedicate its new Schantz pipe organ at 6 p.m. Saturday at the church, 8501 Loch Raven Blvd., Towson. Information: 410-668-0097.

No recovery

Home sales and prices in the Baltimore area fell in October, and experts said rising joblessness and tighter credit markets could further dampen sales in the months ahead.

Bus service picks up

At 5 p.m. on Monument Street in East Baltimore, the line of doctors, nurses, researchers, students and others winds down the block and around the corner. Coffee cups in hand and headphones in ear, they file on to the buses that line up three deep.

Ceremony to recognize Balto. County veterans

County Executive James T. Smith Jr. will recognize Baltimore County veterans in a ceremony at noon tomorrow in Towson Courts Plaza, 400 Washington Ave. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the National Guard Armory, 307 Washington Ave. Color guards from the Baltimore County Police Department and Sheriff's Office, the Towson High School marching band and the CCBC Chamber Singers will participate. Col. James Coleman, commander of the 175th Maintenance Group, 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, will speak.

Delaware outlasts Towson

Towson's second-half offensive explosion wasn't enough for the Tigers to overcome a dominating first half by Delaware as they fell, 31-21, yesterday at Delaware Stadium.

Police to stop moonlighting

Concerned that officers are being drawn into an escalating number of violent incidents, Baltimore plans to prohibit police from working off-duty jobs outside bars, clubs and other businesses with liquor licenses, a move that has frustrated the officers' union, business owners and some city officials.

Panel discussion set at Goucher on economy

Goucher College in Towson will hold a panel discussion on the economic crisis at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Buchner Hall of Alumnae House. "The Global Financial Crisis: Who, What, Where, Why and How" will feature speakers from the fields of education, government, banking and finance, and the law. Goucher is at 1021 Dulaney Valley Road. Information: 410-337-6316.

Conference for writers is tomorrow in Towson

Towson University will host the 2008 Baltimore Writers' Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. tomorrow in the University Union. The keynote speaker will be Larry Doyle, a one-time writer for The Simpsons and author of I Love You, Beth Cooper. The conference brings together aspiring writers from around the Mid-Atlantic to learn about writing from published authors, agents and editors. Panel sessions will include screenplays, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Registration is $95; $50 for students with identification. Information: 410-704-3695.

Writers conference is Saturday in Towson

Towson University will host the 2008 Baltimore Writers Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the University Union. The keynote speaker will be Larry Doyle, a one-time writer for The Simpsons and author of I Love You, Beth Cooper. The conference brings together aspiring writers from around the Mid-Atlantic to learn about writing from published authors, agents and editors. Panel sessions will include screenplays, poetry, creative nonfiction, blogging, children's books, thrillers and travel writing. Registration is $95; $50 for students with identification. Information: 410-704-3695.

Radio for the deaf gets a tryout

New technology that will allow for closed-captioning of radio broadcasts for the deaf and hard-of-hearing will get an election night tryout at Towson University tonight.

Second-half swoon

Things couldn't have gone much better for Towson in the first half yesterday, a period highlighted by an emotional charge just before the break from a desperation pass that turned into a touchdown and a seven-point lead.

People on the Move

Advertising

Jay Hancock: So, anybody out there in the market for a mall?

Bernard Freibaum, chief financial officer for General Growth Properties, began dumping his company stock six weeks ago.

Peter Hermann: Neighbors take action as 'Mischief Night' pranks turn ugly

At first, the pranks were annoying but harmless. Kids moved outdoor furniture and trash cans from one porch to another. They flattened car tires by opening the valves.

Updating the upscale

The floors at the Shops at Kenilworth are stripped, the ceilings ripped out, and the fountain is drained. Scaffolding stands throughout the mall.

Towson High teacher charged in sex-abuse case

A 59-year-old Towson High School teacher has been charged with sexually abusing a girl in Baltimore, according to court documents. Bernard Wenker, 59, of the 3100 block of Rosekemp Ave. in Northeast Baltimore, was indicted Friday on sexual abuse of a minor and second-degree assault charges. The incidents are alleged to have occurred over a five-year period, beginning when the girl, who is now a teenager, was 5 years old, according to court documents. Wenker was arrested Oct. 2 and released on $150,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 19, according to the Baltimore City state's attorney's office. Baltimore County schools spokeswoman Kara E.B. Calder confirmed yesterday that Wenker is a Towson High School teacher. While the school system does not discuss "specific personnel issues," Calder said, "in instances like this, the individual would be removed from any duty that would have them in contact with students, until the situation could be investigated."

Goucher president, Ehrlich to speak about election

Goucher College in Towson will present a conversation with former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Goucher President Sanford J. Ungar on the impact of the presidential election on the state. The discussion, "As Maryland Goes, So Goes the Nation," will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Buchner Hall. The program is free, but tickets are required. Information and tickets 410-337-6333.

Generals, Bulls take county titles

The Hereford boys and Towson girls each made a little bit of history at yesterday's Baltimore County championships.

Towson frats, sororities to hold MS walk

Towson University fraternities and sororities are banding together to hold a "Walk It Out" multiple sclerosis marathon beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow on Newell Field on the campus. The public is welcome to join students in raising funds for MS awareness. Each fraternity and sorority will have stations with activities for children and adults. Information: 609-529-2358.

Jacques Kelly: Carless in Baltimore is an exercise in hopelessness

It's been 41 years since I got a Maryland driver's license, and it's also been 41 years since I last drove a car. For the record, I passed the driving test in one try at Glen Burnie and then hung up the keys.

'Credit tsunami'

Facing a firing line of questions from Washington lawmakers, Alan Greenspan, the former Federal Reserve chairman once considered the infallible maestro of the financial system, admitted yesterday that he "made a mistake" in trusting that free markets could regulate themselves without government oversight.

Towson Town inaugurates a high-end 'luxury wing'

Towson Town Center probably didn't have the best timing yesterday when it unveiled a new luxury wing featuring a Burberry apparel store and plans for Louis Vuitton and Lacoste amid an economy that continues to falter.

Police eye rape suspect for tie to earlier assaults

Baltimore County police were trying to determine whether a Baltimore man charged in the recent rape of a Towson University student has assaulted other victims, officials said yesterday. Citing the violent nature of the Oct. 6 rape of a 21-year-old woman near Towson University, police said they believe Ian Alexander Murphy, 24, may have sexually assaulted victims who have not come forward. Murphy may have been in the Towson area for several weeks before the attack, said police, who did not give further details on the investigation. Police said the woman was attacked when she was unloading groceries outside her building in the 7900 block of Knollwood Road and forced to go to a nearby location, where she was raped. Anyone with information about Murphy or other crimes is asked to call police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587).

Commentator Huffington to speak tonight in Towson

Arianna Huffington, political commentator and editor of the Huffington Post blog, will speak at 8 tonight at Goucher College in Towson . Her talk will focus on the presidential election. The talk is free and open to the public. Tickets: 410-337-6333, or e-mail box office@goucher.edu.

Towson bank firm agrees to U.S. terms

Towson-based AmericasBank said yesterday that it has taken steps to maintain its financial soundness under an agreement with federal and state regulators.

Mother: 'I didn't kill this child'

She joked that before he died, her nearly 3-year-old son weighed less than her infant daughter. She offered no explanation for the blood that police found on the bedroom walls and ceiling or on the bassinet in which the boy often slept - other than the bloody noses that she said she and her children suffered in the dry winter air. And she said she and her husband worried whenever company came to their Rodgers Forge home that they would be accused of starving their children.

Upstart Hereford wins county field hockey title

A young and inexperienced Hereford field hockey team started to believe when it bunched together a few quality victories against rivals Dulaney, Towson and Catonsville in the middle of the season.

Walk to benefit Alzheimer's group

The Alzheimer's Association will hold its Towson Memory Walk fundraiser tomorrow at Towson University's Burdick Field on York Road. Check-in is at 8 a.m. and the 2.5-mile walk begins at 9 a.m. There also will be music, entertainment and refreshments. Information: 410-561-9099.

High school bands competition Saturday

The Bands of America Regional Championships will be held Saturday at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium, featuring 23 high school bands from six Mid-Atlantic states competing for a spot in the national finals. Preliminary performances start at 9:30 a.m., with the 10 top-scoring bands going that evening to the final competition, where the regional champion will be named. A preliminary class awards ceremony will be held at 4:45 p.m. and the Towson University Band will perform at 4:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Gates open for the finals at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $19 each for the preliminaries and finals, or $30 for a day pass to both. Information: www.musicforall.org.

Provident acquires deposits from Chevy Chase Bank

Provident Bankshares Corp. is increasing its market share in Maryland by acquiring deposits worth $42 million from seven Chevy Chase Bank branches that are to close in January at Giant Food stores, the parent company of Provident Bank said yesterday.

Towson rape suspect faces new assault charge

A Baltimore man charged with raping a Towson University student has been charged by city police in connection with a second rape that occurred in a parking lot at the Inner Harbor this month, police said.

After getting tips, police charge man, 24, in rape of Towson U. student

A 24-year-old Baltimore man is to appear before a Baltimore County judge today after being charged with raping a Towson University student last week.

Towson wins in wild one

It wasn't easy. Nothing in the Colonial Athletic Association ever is for Towson's football team.

Comets upset Towson in field hockey

Having most of the best competition at the end of the season allowed Catonsville first-year field hockey coach Lindsey Springer to build momentum. Yesterday, the Comets hit a season high when they upset No. 10 Towson, 3-2, to stand on the verge of earning a berth in the Baltimore County championship game.

Police searching for assailant in Towson rape

A 21-year-old woman was raped in Towson earlier this week, Baltimore County police said yesterday, and investigators are asking for the public's help in finding her assailant. The woman was unloading groceries outside a building in the 7900 block of Knollwood Road about 1 a.m. Monday when a man approached her and implied he had a gun, police said. He forced her to walk to the 7600 block of Knollwood Road, where he attacked her behind some bushes, police said. The victim was taken to Greater Baltimore Medical Center, where she was released after treatment. Towson University police sent an e-mail alert describing the incident to students, faculty and staff. Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore County police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587).

Business Calendar

Wednesday

Swastikas drawn on doors in Towson U. dormitory

Towson University police were trying to determine yesterday who drew swastikas on message boards on students' dormitory room doors, school officials said. The symbols, which appeared on dry-erase boards in one of the residence halls, were reported by students Wednesday morning, said Jerry Dieringer, director of housing and residence life. "We're trying to both allay concerns as well as keep students informed as to what steps are being taken," Dieringer said. The incident occurred just before the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and follows the arrests this week of three young men in connection with the spray-painting of a swastika and the word "Nazis" at a Pikesville synagogue and at a private high school.

Goucher apartment bedbugs send some scrambling

When the bedbugs moved in, Goucher College decided it was time to move out.

Man pleads guilty to 6 Towson-area rapes

The attacks, though spread out over 21 years, were strikingly similar.

Morgan State's MBA program director is fired

The director of Morgan State University's master's program in business administration was fired yesterday despite having significantly increased the program's enrollment in the past three years. Bill Vroman said that when he started as MBA program director in 2005, 22 students were enrolled. This year, enrollment is up to 125. In 2005, Towson University and the University of Baltimore started a joint MBA program, saying Morgan's program had been in decline. A coalition of current and former students at Maryland's black colleges has filed a lawsuit asking that the Towson-UB program be dismantled because it duplicates Morgan's program. Vroman says he turned Morgan's program around and was fired for personality conflicts with the dean of the business school, Otis Thomas. Vroman's letter of dismissal does not give a reason for his firing. Thomas said he could not comment on a personnel issue.

Phelps secures rare place in city's heart sports lore

Over the course of 17 races in 1 1/2 weeks, they celebrated Michael Phelps from the privacy of their homes, their excited voices careening off living room walls, waking up neighbors and stopping nearby traffic. But for the most part, the cheers and screams faded somewhere between Baltimore and Beijing.

One goal enough for Hereford

One goal is usually all it takes when field hockey rivals Towson and Hereford meet.

Towson, city traffic restrictions set in Phelps events

Today's celebrations of Michael Phelps and other local Olympians will cause significant traffic restrictions today in Towson and near Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

Laura Vozzella: Just get them to the church on time

Florist? Check. Photographer? Check. Police traffic coordinator? Double check.

Towson University to test emergency systems

Towson University will test its emergency warning siren and public address system between 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. today. The system alerts students, faculty and staff in the event of a campuswide emergency. The test is expected to be audible in surrounding neighborhoods. Information: 410-704-4471.

Behind Castor, Towson grinds out win

Limited in its passing game by a driving rainstorm, the Towson football team yesterday relied on the hard running of junior Matt Castor to avoid its worst start in nearly three decades.

Jacques Kelly: Oh, the tasks of homeownership

This country's home mortgage crisis reminds me of the advice my neighbor, Grace Darin, once gave me. Darin, who gave Charles Village its name and fought for the neighborhood and homeownership, warned me against buying the house I now own.

Bowhunters kill 42 deer in Loch Raven area

At least 42 white-tailed deer were killed by hunters around Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County during the first week of the fall bowhunting season, which began Sept. 15. An official at the state Department of Natural Resources said yesterday the season is "off to a good start," with archers claiming 11 antlered and 31 antlerless deer as part of an effort to curb the animals' population in a 1,600-acre area of the reservoir's watershed. Numbers for this week were not available. "We're particularly satisfied with the proportion of antlerless deer taken thus far," said George Timko, assistant leader of the DNR's Deer Project. "The harvest of antlerless deer plays an integral part toward stabilizing deer populations and will be critical to restoring the balance in this overabundant herd." The area around the reservoir has traditionally been off limits to hunters, 1,772 of whom hold permits to take part in the season. Officials allowed the hunt because they deemed the population of deer too large for the local ecosystem. Some deer starve, the officials say, and many die after being hit by vehicles. Opponents of the hunts say that killing the deer with arrows causes needless suffering, with many animals slowly bleeding to death. The hunting season concludes Jan. 31.

Towson prepares for crowds along Phelps parade route

It's beginning to sound like a military operation, complete with maps, complex logistics, moving machinery and marchers in uniform.

City's NE troubled by robberies

The women sitting on the front porches of two adjoining Northeast Baltimore homes say the well-kept appearance of their community belies a stubborn crime problem. One of them recalls that her son-in-law - an off-duty security guard returning home from work - was beaten and robbed of his possessions as he waited for a bus just a few weeks ago. The other notes that drug dealers come from nearby neighborhoods to hang out on their lush corner.

Harris' killing stuns residents, colleagues

In his eight years on the City Council, Kenneth N. Harris Sr. worked diligently to make parts of North and Northeast Baltimore safer from crime, including the Northwood Plaza, an aging strip mall that some say had its heyday in the 1960s.

Shirley Balser, dealer in rare books and art

Shirley Balser, a rare-books and art dealer, died Monday of a pulmonary embolism at Sinai Hospital. The Pikesville resident was 80.

Second time around

That silver-plated coffee server you've always meant to use is just collecting dust. Then there's that dress, bought last season, forgotten at the back of the closet. And your son's bicycle with the training wheels - he outgrew that in weeks.

Abandoned office tower in Towson may be revived

A long-abandoned office building that towers over the roundabout in downtown Towson - and which state and Baltimore County employees vacated seven years ago after complaining it was toxic - may get a new lease on life.

Police Blotter

Northern Baltimore

Police Blotter

police blotter

Bowhunters descend to thin Loch Raven herd

Perched in an oak tree and wearing camouflage from head to toe, Raymond Pryor was barely visible in the dense forest north of the Loch Raven Reservoir.

Towson falls to Richmond

Richmond intercepted Towson five times, converting those turnovers into 31 points en route to a 45-14 rout of the Tigers yesterday in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams.

Library lectures to brief voters on campaign issues

Beginning this week, voters will have a chance to be briefed by experts on issues such as immigration, health care, terrorism and the economy, thanks to a partnership between the Baltimore County Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Baltimore County.

See Donahoo's taillights

I am sitting in the solarium of Scott Donahoo's baronial Cockeysville home, staring up at a moose head that looks like something Sarah Palin brought down on her vacation.

Jay Hancock: Convenient mall walk-in clinics fill an unmet need

Pam Wahbe and her family have a primary-care physician. But lately they've been skipping the traditional doctor's office for minor ailments and instead using a walk-in clinic at a Towson CVS drugstore.