In Baltimore County
Man sentenced to 50 years in prison for Timonium killing
TOWSON - A 20-year-old Baltimore man was sentenced to 50 years in prison this week for the murder of a Morgan State University student after a college party in October last year at a Timonium bowling alley, a county prosecutor said.
Christopher Ahmed Bacote pleaded guilty last month to first-degree murder and a handgun charge for fatally shooting Lorenzo Monroe Hardy III on Oct. 4 last year as Hardy was walking through the parking lot outside the AMF Bowling Alley on York Road. Bacote was sentenced Monday to life in prison with all but 50 years suspended and a concurrent 20 year term, said Jason League, a county prosecutor.
In return for his guilty plea, Baltimore County prosecutors dropped charges of obstruction of justice that were filed after Bacote was accused of threatening prosecution witnesses when he was awaiting trial on home detention and after he had been ordered held at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
Community associations to hold meeting on traffic
PARKTON - The Community Associations of Central and Northern Baltimore County will sponsor a town meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Hereford High School auditorium, 1703 York Road, to discuss traffic problems in the area from Shawan Road north to the Pennsylvania line and from the Carroll County to the Harford County lines.
State and Baltimore County officials have been invited.
Information: Frank L. Purdum Jr., 410-218-9180 or fpur dum@qis.net.
Cummings to host seminars on how to pay for college
WOODLAWN - Seminars on fow to pay for college, with Rep. Elijah E. Cummings as host, will be presented this month and next in Baltimore and Howard counties, the 7th District Democrat announced.
The seminars will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Woodlawn High School, and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Atholton High School.
The seminars will provide information about the college application process, financial aid and scholarships. Representatives from college and financial institutions will be on hand to answer questions. Information: 410-685-9199.
Indian peace activist to speak at workshop
WOODLAWN - Indian peace activist Harsh Mander will speak at 8 p.m. tomorrow about safeguarding secularism and social justice in India at a workshop on grassroots activism at the Al-Rahmah School in Woodlawn.
Mander worked as a senior civil servant when he witnessed an explosion of sectarian violence in Gujarat, India, in which hundreds died. He has written articles and two books: Cry My Beloved Country and Unheard Voices: Stories of Forgotten Lives. In August 2002, he was awarded the 10th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for Outstanding Contribution in Promoting Peace and Harmony in India.
The school is at 6631 Johnnycake Road. The event is open to all. Information: Baltimore@imc-usa.org or 410-903-1157.
In Baltimore City
Harbor Point ice rink set to open tomorrow
The Baltimore Ice Rink at Harbor Point is scheduled to open for its second season tomorrow night with a celebration that includes a skating exhibition, face painting and giveaways.
Weather permitting, the rink -at South Caroline, Block and Thames streets in Fells Points - will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $5, and skate rentals are $3. Season passes for individuals and families are also available.
The rink's season is set to last through Feb. 28. For information on public skating times and the availability of private rentals, visit www.promotionandarts.com. To confirm weather and skating conditions, call the rink at 410-522-3213.
California firm is hired to manage retirement funds
The city hired a Santa Monica, Calif., company yesterday to manage $10 million of the Employees' Retirement System funds.
The Board of Estimates approved an investment management agreement with Palisades Investment Partners, which will manage about $10 million in domestic equities.
The Boston Co. Asset Management previously provided that service. Comptroller Joan M. Pratt said the switch was "a routine thing" and not because of any problems with the fund's performance. She said Quinn R. Stills, who left The Boston Co. last year to establish Palisades, is a native Baltimorean and African-American who has had "stellar performance" in managing funds.
