Ballinger

An Annapolis man with a long criminal record was given the maximum prison sentence for manslaughter yesterday in the death of another man resulting from a simmering dispute that began over a woman. Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Michael E. Loney ordered Al Ballinger Sr., 39, to spend 10 years in prison. Noting that Ballinger has 17 convictions -- among them violent offenses, drug possession and escape from jail -- Loney said Ballinger has a history of lawlessness. Public Defender Keith Gross, who sought a sentence of no more than three years, said he would appeal Ballinger's conviction.

Provident places mortgage lending programs on webMortgage lending programs offered by Provident Mortgage Corp. are now available on the Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Information Technologies web site at http: //www.marit.com.MARIT's web site contains information and photographs on roughly 14,000 homes in central Maryland. After finding a home, browsers can get information on mortgages, interest rates, prequalification and refinancing by clicking on Provident's name in the service directory.Provident Mortgage Corp.

The newest entrant in this year's Westminster City Council race would loosen the purse strings for city police and might offer breaks to businesses that owe back taxes.Robert D. Ballinger is the third candidate to announce that he will run for one of the three council seats open in the May 8 city election. Mr. Ballinger, 28, lives on Doral Court and is a district executive with the York-Adams Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.The other declared candidates are incumbent Councilwoman Rebecca A. Orenstein and Willis Street resident Suzanne W. Albert.