Featured Articles from the Baltimore Sun

No fireworks for the Fourth of July? Residents of Loch Raven Village exploded when they heard their beloved tradition was in jeopardy. The spark of civic protest was lit when residents learned that the Associates of Loch Raven Village, a volunteer group that manages and pays for the show, was told it would have to pay for a $3,100 fence around a construction site at Loch Raven Academy where the display is held. The group, whose funds come from voluntary membership dues and fundraisers, said it could not afford to pay for the fence and the fireworks show, which alone cost over $8,000.

Gov. Martin O'Malley and his wife, Katie, have put a "green" stamp on the governor's mansion since moving in three years ago. Next week, they will take environmentalism to a new level by installing solar panels on the roof. The panels, and other upgrades such as more efficient lighting and temperature controls, are part of a broader project to save energy at state-operated buildings. The solar array will provide about half of the hot water used by the mansion's residents, and will be installed inconspicuously to preserve the character of the 140-year-old historic mansion that is one of the most visible landmarks in Annapolis.

Jerrod Rowlett is counted among Baltimore's worst criminals. He's racked up dozens of arrests in his 25 years, including at least four murder charges (one of which is still pending). He has a handful of gun, drug and assault convictions, and he's classified as a "violent repeat offender" by the state. He's also never served any significant time. But he's about to. After cutting Rowlett a generous break in 2007, setting him free under probation via a plea deal on assault and drug charges, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart ruled Thursday that he would have to serve the rest of his previously suspended 15-year sentence because he violated probation.

Gov. Martin O'Malley told members of the state's horse-racing and breeding industry Thursday that Anne Arundel County's indecision on rezoning land adjacent to Arundel Mills mall was delaying the process of getting what is the largest proposed slots parlor under way. Speaking to a group of 250 during the Maryland Horse Forum at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, O'Malley said the entire slots initiative, which includes four other locations, "is...

Maryland seafood processors, desperately short of hands to pick crabmeat, are rushing to apply for visas for foreign workers after the federal Department of Homeland Security declared Thursday that 25,000 seasonal immigration permits have gone unclaimed for this year. The unexpected discovery that some of the annual allocation of 66,000 seasonal worker visas were still available was a welcome relief for the operators of Eastern Shore crab "picking houses," some of which had remained shuttered when the season started in the spring because they could not find enough help.

As the U.S. Postal Service considers closing hundreds of post offices nationwide to save money, one question looms, especially for those 25 and younger: Who'd notice? During her freshman year at the University of Richmond, Kaitlyn McDowell enjoyed receiving the occasional letter with a care package from younger cousins. Beyond that, though, the 19-year-old from Ellicott City mostly corresponds by e-mail, text messaging and social networking, like many of her generation. "It's easier.

CLARIFICATION: During a Sept. 1 town hall meeting about health care, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer said that Congress would look "very seriously" at curbing medical malpractice lawsuits in order to "prevent specious suits," and pointed out that states have addressed the issue by adopting a "cap" on pain and suffering awards, but he did not specifically say that health care legislation now under consideration would include such caps. The Baltimore Sun regrets the error. WALDORF - -House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Tuesday night that Congress is likely to consider caps on medical lawsuits as part of its health care overhaul deliberations, but stopped short of assuring his Southern Maryland constituents that he would push for changes in malpractice awards.

The tortuous legislative road that led to construction of 106 rental apartments for limited-income residents ends Tuesday with a celebratory ribbon-cutting for Ellicott Gardens, the only residential property in Howard County with its own wind turbine to generate power. County Housing Director Stacy L. Spann said 41 tenants have been approved and 14 have moved in, though applications have been accepted only since late August. County workers, people displaced from mobile home parks and employees of nonprofits receive preference.

The No. 6 Westminster Owls (3-0) had never been to the Sally E. Nyborg Field Hockey Invitational at Roland Park before Saturday but had no trouble making themselves at home. The Owls warmed up with a 2-1 victory over host Roland Park and then, with goalie Emily Cauliflower making 14 saves, beat No. 10 Fallston, 3-1. Westminster senior midfielder Lindsay Nichols scored both winning goals. "I took my time and set up for the play [against Fallston]," Nichols said. "I was aiming for a corner, but it went between the goalie's legs.

Ethel Bohle was in the attic of her Severn home Friday morning, retrieving photos of her grandson, Brad, from more than five dozen albums and recalling memories of the 29-year-old soldier who was killed this week in Afghanistan. One of her favorite memories involved her husband, Edward, who died three years ago. "They would do woodworking together, and Brad even had a lathe in his house," she said. "After they were done working, Pop would make him a milkshake and shave the ice for it. When Brad's father came to tell me the bad news, he said, 'I guess Brad and Pop are having a milkshake.

The Annapolis mayoral candidate whose spokesperson announced her withdrawal from the race Friday amid revelations of personal financial problems said Saturday that she is staying in the contest. Zina C. Pierre won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, putting her on track to become Annapolis' first African-American mayor. Her campaign abruptly announced her withdrawal Friday amid questions about a foreclosed home, bounced checks, state liens for unpaid income taxes and other problems. But less than 24 hours later, Pierre said she was staying in to "continue to fight for all residents, many of whom are calling, texting and e-mailing me with extraordinary support."

If you crave shortening in your pie crust or french fries seeped in "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil," you'll have to dine outside Baltimore. As of Sunday, Baltimore restaurants, delis, bakeries and corner lunch carts can no longer prepare food that contains 0.5 grams or more of unhealthful trans fats per serving. The city joined a growing number of places, including Montgomery County, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston and California, to ban trans fats that health advocates say clog arteries and lead to heart disease.

Sixteen students who were involved in serious incidents of misbehavior have been told they can never return to Baltimore public schools, even as city and state school board members debate the legality of denying students an education. The city students, who are 16 or older, were permanently expelled last school year under a practice instituted last October by city schools chief Andres Alonso. Angry about the number of small fires that were being set in schools, Alonso told parents in a letter that he would permanently expel all students who were involved in arson or explosives.