December 30, 1990
For the first time, county Public Library officials file criminal charges against patrons accused of not returning library books. Three county residents, charged with the theft of a total of $287.50 worth of books and tapes, had been contacted at least five times before charges were filed, officials said. Conviction could bring an 18-month jail term, a $500 fine or both.
Industrial accident kills man
OSHA officials say the investigation of the accident that killed Martin L. Collins will take one to three months. The 36-year-old Westminster man died when he fell or was pulled into a 20-foot-high paper shredder at the McGregor Printing Corp., state police said. Collin's body was found by a co-worker who was looking for him at quitting time.
Red Cross destroys blood
Red Cross officials destroy two or three units of blood donated by students at Westminster High the same day two youths were arrested there on charges of possession of LSD. The arrests occurred on the same day as a one-day blood drive. Police said one of the students arrested had sold about 30 doses of LSD.
Expanding Manchester
Government officials review the first comprehensive plan for Manchester, which shows a Route 30 bypass through the eastern part of town, expanded residential and business districts and sites for new elementary and high schools. The public will get a chance to comment on the 80-page document at a hearing in mid-May.
Man robs toy store
State police search for a suspect who entered the Toy & Hobby World store in Mount Airy and grabbed a clerk and held a knife to her throat while ordering another clerk to open the cash register. The man tied up both clerks and threatened to kill them if they screamed. Assisted by a bloodhound, police tracked him to the 800 block of Ridgeville Boulevard before losing the trail.
Groundhog causes crash
A groundhog out for a stroll caused a two-car accident on Route 140. The animal darted across the road near Route 97. Several motorists who had spotted the animal stopped, including Matthew Cole, 19, of Owings Mills, Baltimore County. But Kenneth Bowea, 44, of Union Bridge was unable to stop, and his car collided with Cole's Ford Bronco. Bowea's wife was treated and released for injuries at Carroll County General Hospital.
B's closes
After 54 years as a restaurant in the big stone house on Liberty Street in Westminster, B's Coffee Shoppe/ Dining Room announces it is closing.
Patrons were greeted with a sign that read, "New hours, starting March 25 -- None -- It's been fun -- We will miss all of you." The building where B's is located is being sold.
Vo-Tech wins big
Carroll County Vocational-Technical Center students sweep the 17th annual state Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Skill Olympics, winning a record 31 medals. Carroll Vo-Tech was host of the competition for the first time, a home-field advantage for the 53 students competing. Nearly 1,000 total students competed in 47 skill areas, including carpentry, culinary arts, nursing, plumbing and brick masonry.
Teacher dies in accident
Daun K. Scherr, a part-time speech and language pathologist at William Winchester Elementary School, dies from injuries sustained in a March 21 automobile accident. The 30-year-old Reisterstown woman was on the Northwest Expressway on her way to a meeting about children's speech disorders when a northbound car crossed the grass median strip and struck her car. The public schools' Crisis Intervention Team talked with 117 students to help them cope with Scherr's death.
Mine approval nears
Lehigh Portland Cement Co. moves closer to mining in New Windsor following a ruling by the state Department of the Environment. The Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Administration has issued a final determination on Lehigh's water discharge permit, the last step before issuing the permit. Lehigh owns 720 acres southwest of town, and company officials say the mining operation would use 186 acres, including a 66-acre pit.
Census woes
They want to stand up and be counted, but nearly half of New Windsor's 835 residents didn't receive their census forms. The problem isn't limited to small towns. More than 20,000 census forms were returned as undeliverable to the Baltimore post office, including thousands from the suburbs. And many new housing developments were built too recently to be added to the Census Bureau's mailing lists.
Byron battles PAC
For the first time in her 11-year career, U.S. Representative Beverly B.
Byron, D-6th, is requesting campaign money from constituents. Citing escalating campaign costs as the reason in her unprecedented plea to countians, she added, "The invasion of outside political action committees with special agendas into local elections have escalated that cost."
Arundel Corp. loses again
