Anne Arundel Digest

Gambrills man charged with sexual offense

A Gambrills man was arrested yesterday and charged with performing sex acts with a 14-year-old Crownsville girl, said Anne Arundel County police.

Gary Thomas Lyvers, 33, of the 600 block of Route 3 was charged with third-degree sex offense, according to a police statement. He was released on bail, said Anne Arundel police spokesman Sgt. Shawn Urbas.

Police did not release the accuser's name because of her age and the nature of the case.

Teen charged with assault in attempted robbery

An Annapolis teenager has been arrested and charged in connection with the attempted armed robbery of a 73-year-old Annapolis man as the man walked near his home, an Annapolis police spokesman said.

The 15-year-old was charged as a juvenile with first-degree assault, said Officer Hal Dalton of the Annapolis Police Department. A 14-year-old received a weapons violation, he said. Both boys, whose identities have been withheld because of their age, were released to the custody of their guardians.

About 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, police received a report of three young men loitering at the Eastport Shopping Center. They fled as officers approached, but two were apprehended, Dalton said.

The 15-year-old, who had a ski mask and knife, confessed to the crime, Dalton said. The 14-year- old had a razor knife, the officer said. Investigators are searching for two others involved in the incident, Dalton said.

Investigation continues into Pasadena arson fires

Anne Arundel fire investigators are searching for the person or people who started fires that burned three vacant houses on property slated to become the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Park in Pasadena, a Fire Department spokesman said.

On Tuesday, firefighters responded to a fire at 2:37 p.m. at Fairview Beach Road and Dauses Lane near Rock Creek, said Capt. Michael Cox.

They found a one-story wood-frame home engulfed in flames, he said. It took 24 firefighters 30 minutes to control the blaze, which investigators determined was intentionally set.

At 7:39 p.m., units responded to a report of a brush fire in the area, Cox said. They found two vacant homes on fire and a second alarm was called. No one was injured, Cox said.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the arson tip line: 410-222-8477.

Legislators set hearing on school board selections

Members of the Anne Arundel County legislative delegation are set to consider - once again - whether changes should be made in the way members of the county school board are selected.

On Dec. 14, the delegation will hold a public hearing to gather county residents' views about different options.

"I think that the way we do it now lacks significant input from most of the citizens of Anne Arundel County," said Del. Tony McConkey, a Severna Park Republican.

Under the current system, a nominating commission forwards the names of several candidates for open seats to the governor. The governor makes an appointment but is not required to take the advice of the commission.

In the last legislative session, McConkey sponsored - and later withdrew - a bill that would have put a referendum before the voters regarding an elected school board. More than half the state's school districts elect board members, he said.

Other delegates suggested amendments to allow voters to consider appointment by the county executive with confirmation by the County Council. The Dec. 14 meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the Delegation Room of the Lowe House Office Building.