In Baltimore City
Elderly man killed in fire at house on North Broadway
An elderly man was killed yesterday in a house fire on North Broadway, Fire Department officials said.
The blaze started about 2:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of N. Broadway, said Kevin Cartwright, a department spokesman.
Firefighters had the fire under control within 15 minutes after they arrived, Cartwright said. As they fought the blaze, search and rescue workers scoured the three-story house and found the victim inside.
They did not release his identity yesterday but said he appeared to be in his 70s or 80s and probably lived in the house. He appeared to have died of smoke inhalation and burns, Cartwright said.
In Baltimore City
Panel OKs master plan for Sharp-Leadenhall
The Baltimore Planning Commission unanimously approved yesterday a plan to preserve affordable housing in one of South Baltimore's historic black communities.
The "master plan" for Sharp-Leadenhall, a neighborhood south of Otterbein and west of Federal Hill, would assure that housing for low-income people is available in a part of town with rapidly increasing housing prices.
The plan also recommends more flexible zoning so that underused factory space in portions of the neighborhood zoned heavy industrial could be renovated into more residential-compatible uses.
Cordish fined $1,000 for illegal signs at garage
A prominent development company was fined $1,000 in Baltimore City District Court this week for illegal signs at the company's Inner Harbor parking garage.
Associate Judge Timothy D. Murphy ruled that Cordish Co., did not get proper permits for signs at its parking garage at 711 E. Pratt St.
The city also cited the company for signs advertising the parking garage at the company's nearby Power Plant building, but the judge dismissed that citation on a technicality. The city sent the violation notice to Cordish Power Plant instead of using the company's legal name, Cordish Power Plant LP.
The city will send the company a properly addressed violation notice, said Julie Day, deputy director of code enforcement's legal section. "Our position is still that it's a sign that must come down," she said.
Officials at Cordish did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
In Baltimore County
Air National Guard unit to leave for overseas duty
MIDDLE RIVER - About 20 members of the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing are to leave today for overseas duty aboard one of the unit's C-130J aircraft from the Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport.
The deployment is the second of three temporary assignments, each lasting up to 90 days, for the unit. Col. Rob Gould said the unit's personnel have been testing the C-130J for several years. The aircraft are used primarily for delivering cargo, equipment and personnel.
Gould would not specify where the contingent was going, saying only that the members would serve in the operational area of the U.S. Central Command, which includes the Persian Gulf.
Speech Sunday to focus on history of Catonsville
CATONSVILLE - Jean Walsh, local historian and founding member and former president of the Catonsville Historical Society, will speak on "Early Catonsville in Maryland History" at 2 p.m. Sunday at the society's headquarters, 1824 Frederick Road.
The presentation is free.
Information: 410-744-3034.
Forum set for Monday for county teenagers
CATONSVILLE - The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Police Athletic League are sponsoring a Youth Forum from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the Bloomsbury Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave.
The forum, for Baltimore County youths from 14 to 17 years old, is titled "Why Are We the Lost Generation?" and it is expected to feature discussion of politics, violence, health, relationships, nutrition, obesity and employment, organizers said in a statement.
Information: Beahta Davis, 410-887-4156.
