$50 million in federal funds may go to bay cleanup
Congress is poised to approve a record $50 million in federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort, with a portion earmarked to tighten controls on polluted runoff from urban and suburban lands and from farms. House and Senate appropriations conferees agreed Wednesday to increase bay restoration funding next year by $19 million over last year's amount - and $15 million more than President Barack Obama requested. The conferees, including Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., approved the increase in response to Obama's executive order pressing for increased federal and state cleanup efforts. The annual spending bill for the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies awaits action by the full House and Senate.
- Timothy B. Wheeler
Howard Co. plans 2 clinics for swine flu vaccinations
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Howard County Health Department officials have scheduled two appointment-only swine flu vaccination clinics for children on Thursday and Friday at the agency's Columbia office at 7178 Gateway Drive. Today, children with special health needs will be vaccinated by injection from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Friday, preschoolers ages 2 to 5 can get the FluMist nasal spray version. Dr. Peter L. Beilenson, Howard's health officer, said the county will accept 200 appointments each day. Anyone interested may call 410-313-6250 to schedule an appointment. The county is planning additional clinics as more of the vaccine becomes available.
- Larry Carson
Baltimore offers free seasonal flu vaccination
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The Baltimore City Health Department will hold a free seasonal flu vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Hippodrome Theater, 12 N. Eutaw St. The vaccine will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis and will not protect against the H1N1 virus. Vaccinations against the H1N1 virus will be offered to public and private school students in grades K through 12 next month as the vaccine becomes available. For information on future clinics for both seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccine, go to baltimorehealth.org.
Baltimore County considers bill to curb theft of metals
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Faced with an alarming escalation in the theft of copper, aluminum and other metals, Baltimore County is considering legislation to require scrap metal dealers to report daily transactions to police. In a work session with the County Council on Tuesday, Police Chief Jim Johnson said the worldwide demand for scrap metals has emboldened criminals who strip homes, vehicles and businesses of materials they can sell. Recording the identification of each seller and reporting information electronically every business day to the police "will lower crime and stop this avenue for moving these goods," Johnson said. Baltimore City is considering similar legislation, and officials from both jurisdictions said they will push for a state law during the next General Assembly session.
- Mary Gail Hare
