City/county Digest

Coppin-run high school converting to charter facility

Coppin Academy, a public high school run by Coppin State University, is converting to a charter school, under an agreement approved by the city school board this week.

The academy, which is entering its second year of operation, will bring the total number of charter schools in Baltimore to 17 and the total in Maryland to 24. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently.

Though Coppin Academy already operated independently, officially converting to a charter school will make it eligible for nearly $400,000 in grants that it could not otherwise receive, city school system officials said.

Coppin Academy will serve 200 ninth- and 10th-graders in the coming school year, eventually expanding to serve 400 students in grades nine through 12, said David Stone, the city's director of charter schools. For 100 spots in this year's ninth-grade class, Stone said, the academy received 1,420 applications, more than any other city high school except Digital Harbor High.

In addition to Coppin Academy, Coppin State University operates Rosemont Elementary, which received approval this month to convert to a charter as well.

Sara Neufeld

Baltimore: Loyola College

Public forum on electric rates today

Baltimore City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. will host a community forum tonight at Loyola College to discuss recent state legislation regarding electric rates.

Harris is scheduled to be joined by several state senators and delegates at the discussion including Sen. Joan Carter Conway and delegates Ann Marie Doory, Maggie L. McIntosh and Curtis S. "Curt" Anderson. The 90-minute forum is set to begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Loyola's Andrew White Student Center.

McKeldin Fountain

Man nearly dies diving for coins

A man seen diving for change was pulled unconscious from McKeldin Fountain, in the Light Street median near Harborplace, yesterday evening. Although he appeared to be lifeless, the man was rushed to Mercy Medical Center and was reported in critical condition late last night.

The man, whose name was not immediately divulged, was seen diving at least twice about 7 p.m. in water about three feet deep for coins thrown by tourists and passers-by when he failed to surface, said Central District Lt. Frederick Roussey.

Richard Irwin

Frederick County: Emmitsburg

Intersection project at Route 140 starts

The State Highway Administration has started a $937,000 intersection improvement project along Route 140 (Taneytown Pike) at Toms Creek Church Road near Emmitsburg, Frederick County.

The project includes lowering Route 140 at Toms Creek Church Road to improve sight distance for motorists; widening Route 140 to create a left turn lane from westbound Route 140 to Toms Creek Church Road; and resurfacing and installing new curbs and gutters.

Motorists should expect single lane closures along Route 140 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Toms Creek Church Road may be closed at times and detoured to Bollinger School Road. Signs, concrete barriers, flag people, drums and cones will guide motorists through the work zone. The project should be complete this fall, weather permitting, officials said.

Information: 800-635-5119.