In Baltimore County
Two men arrested after dog attacks watershed officer
LOCH RAVEN -- Two men were arrested last night -- one of them after a search of several hours -- after one of their two dogs attacked a city watershed police officer patrolling the city-owned area around Loch Raven Reservoir, county police said.
The officer -- Joseph Baribeault -- was treated at the scene for ankle bites after the attack by a pit bull about 3:15 p.m., police said. He had spotted the men on a fire trail off Dulaney Valley Road, allegedly smoking PCP-laced marijuana, and was attacked by the dog while attempting to arrest them, police said.
Charged with assaulting the officer, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana, PCP and a banned BB pistol were Daniel McGrevey, 47, of the 4300 block of Roberton Ave. in Baltimore, and Michael Becraft, 42, of Ocean City, police said.
Revitalization district proposed in Catonsville
CATONSVILLE -- About 150 businesses and property owners along Baltimore National Pike would be eligible for low-interest loans, tax credits and free architectural services under a proposal announced yesterday by County Executive James T. Smith Jr. and Councilman Stephen G. Samuel Moxley.
Smith and Moxley are asking the council to approve a 13th "commercial revitalization district," stretching west of the Baltimore City line to Rolling Road. The goal is to keep the county's older shopping areas attractive by promoting private reinvestment and improving the outside of buildings. The council is scheduled to discuss it at a work session today and vote Monday.
David Iannucci, the county's director of economic development, said the private sector has invested about $150 million in the past six years in the 12 revitalization districts.
Cardin to meet with seniors to discuss Medicare bills
TOWSON -- Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin will hold a town hall meeting at 10:30 a.m. today at Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Ave., to discuss legislation moving through Congress that would add a prescription benefit to Medicare.
Last week, the Senate and House approved different versions of Medicare legislation. Cardin will explain the differences between the bills and how each would affect seniors.
Democratic group seeks applicants for district seats
RANDALLSTOWN -- The Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee is seeking male applicants to fill two at-large seats in the 4th Council District.
Applicants must live in the district and be registered Democrats. They should send a resume and typed statement of no more than one page to the office of Councilman Kenneth N. Oliver at the Randallstown Family Resource Center, 3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown, by 4 p.m. July 11.
Eligible applicants will be required to attend a public meeting at 7 p.m. July 14 at Randallstown High School, where they will be asked to give a three-minute speech and answer questions from central committee members.
In Baltimore City
Warrant task force arrests 183 people during initiative
Detectives with the city's Warrant Apprehension Task Force arrested 183 people on charges ranging from domestic violence to homicide during a weeklong initiative that ended Sunday, police officials said.
The initiative was launched in response to a spate of violence that left eight dead during a 48-hour period. Lt. Col. Steven McMahon, commander of the unit, said detectives tried to serve about 1,130 warrants during the initiative.
On Thursday, detectives concentrated on domestic violence cases, arresting 20 of 100 people wanted on domestic violence charges, McMahon said.
Flowerpots put on Charles in streetscape program
North Charles Street not only has a new bridge, but a beautification program to go with it, as 62 stone flowerpots were placed yesterday on the street's sidewalks from Centre Street to North Avenue.
Mayor Martin O'Malley was on hand to help plant petunias as part of a $360,000 grant to the city by the Maryland Transit Administration to improve the Charles streetscape.
The long-awaited bridge opened Friday after a three-year construction project replaced the previous bridge, which stood for about 90 years and was crumbling with age.
