A 71-year-old Howard County woman was fatally injured yesterday when the Volvo station wagon she was driving slammed into the rear of a box truck on Route 32 near Interstate 95, police said. Gladys Ordonez of Columbia was taken to Howard County General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. About 11:30 a.m., Ordonez was eastbound on Route 32, east of I-95, when she drove into the rear of a 26-foot Ryder rental truck in the slow lane, police said. The driver of the truck, Jamette Hayes, 37, of Odenton was taken to Howard County General Hospital with minor injuries, police said. Police are investigating, and they urge anyone who witnessed the accident to call 410-313-3700.
Tyeesha Dixon
Woman, 81, dies in fire at assisted-living center
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An 81-year-old woman died in a small fire at an Anne Arundel County assisted-living community after she was apparently overcome by smoke in the building's lobby, fire officials said yesterday. Staff members at the Regency Park Assisted Living & Memory Care in the 700 block of Route 3 in Gambrills found Annita Owe conscious but having trouble breathing about 9:21 p.m. Wednesday, said Lt. Stuart Peters, a Fire Department spokesman. The woman's purse was engulfed in flames in the gas fireplace in the building's lobby, said Peters. Owe, who was unconscious when firefighters arrived, was takento Baltimore Washington Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Nicole Fuller
11 health clubs may close for failure to register
Eleven health clubs around Maryland could be forced to shut their doors for failing to register with the state, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced yesterday. Health clubs, self-defense schools and weight-loss centers are required to register with the Consumer Protection Division under Maryland law, and they may be required to post a bond or other security. Gansler filed administrative charges against the clubs, seeking civil penalties and cease-and-desist orders, unless they comply with registration requirements. A public hearing will be held this month.
Laura Smitherman
Reisterstown Festival scheduled for today
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The 22nd Reisterstown Festival will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the community, starting with a parade at 9 a.m. today on Main Street from Franklin Middle School to the Hannah More School, where the two-day event is scheduled to take place. Activities at Hannah More, 12039 Reisterstown Road, will include craft and food vendors, an international beer garden and community organization booth., The festival will continue tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. A car show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 410-833-4410.
