Around The Region

Pa. midshipman who died of infection is identified

Frederick Henry Eissler, 20, a midshipman at the Naval Academy, died Monday of bacterial meningitis, according to a Naval Academy spokeswoman. Eissler, a first-year student from West Chester, Pa., who had attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School, fell ill last Wednesday. He is survived by his parents, Fred and Helene Eissler, and four younger sisters. Funeral services will be held at the Naval Academy Chapel at noon Friday. Bacterial meningitis can be spread through kissing, coughing or other close contact. As a precaution, 63 midshipmen and staff members who had been in close proximity to Eissler are taking antibiotics. A state law requiring college students who live on campus to get the vaccine for bacterial meningitis went into effect in 2000 after several college students died, including two at Towson University and one at Frostburg State University. Students can opt out by signing waivers indicating that they understand the risks of the disease, but the Naval Academy requires the vaccine.

Rona Marech

Head of community group accused of stabbing wife

The man who was police say was shot by an off-duty city officer as he repeatedly stabbed his wife Monday afternoon has been identified as the head of a city community association. Cleaven Williams, 33, of the 900 block of E. North Ave. is the head of East Baltimore Midway Community Development Inc. According to police, Williams was stabbing his wife, Veronica, 29, in the neck in the 1300 block of E. North Ave. about 4 p.m. Monday, when an off-duty officer witnessed the attack and shot Williams as he approached with a knife. The officer, whose name was not released, was not injured. Williams was in good condition at Johns Hopkins Hospital yesterday; Veronica Williams was in critical condition there. The couple have three children.

Richard Irwin