Ballou

Four Baltimore County Circuit Court judges and their two challengers awaited primary election results last night that would determine if they would be forced to continue their aggressive campaigning through November, or if they would soon be able to turn their full attention back to the law. The incumbent judges - Vicki Ballou-Watts, Dana M. Levitz, Susan M. Souder and John G. Turnbull II - were hoping to avoid a general election. In the past two elections, a challenger has knocked off one of the sitting judges in the general election, a significant shift from the days when Baltimore County judges glided into office uncontested.

Maggie Morrison scored a game-high 14 points to power No. 2 Archbishop Spalding past Perry Hall, 52-30, at the Basketball Academy on Saturday at Morgan State. The Cavaliers (16-2) have won three straight, and the Gators have lost the past two. Spalding led 19-11 at the half and outscored Perry Hall 19-11 during the third quarter. Boys Ballou (D.C.) 59, No. 3 City 52: : Jordan Lathem had a game-high 21 points as the Knights (10-1) suffered their first loss of the season at the Basketball Academy.

Astros: Agreed to one-year contracts with OF Glen Barker, OF Lance Berkman and IF Russ Johnson on one-year contracts. Named John Massarelli manager, Jorge Orta coach and Bill Ballou pitching coach of short-season Single-A Auburn. Blue Jays: Agreed to one-year contracts with 3B Casey Blake and P Clayton Andrews. Brewers: Agreed to one-year contracts with 2B Ron Belliard and P Chad Fox. Expos: Minor-league field coordinator Rick Sweet resigned. Agreed to one-year contracts with P Matt Blank, P Ted Lilly, P Marty McLeary, P Trey Moore, P Guillermo Mota, P Jeremy Powell, P Scott Strickland, C Bob Henley, C Brian Schneider, IF Trace Coquillette, OF Peter Bergeron, OF Milton Bradley, OF Manny Martinez and OF Talmadge Nunnari.

Gov. Parris N. Glendening appointed yesterday three women and a male state delegate to the Baltimore County Circuit Court bench. The four -- District Judge Vicki Ballou-Watts, Susan M. Souder, Ruth A. Jakubowski and state Del. Michael J. Finifter -- will fill vacancies created by the resignation of Judge James T. Smith and the retirements of Judges Edward A. DeWaters Jr., Robert E. Cahill Sr. and J. William Hinkel. The governor continued his push to make the county bench more diverse by selecting three women, including one who is African-American.

Police were investigating two unrelated shootings Monday night in Northwest and Southeast Baltimore, one of which was serious enough to bring homicide detectives to the scene, according to a department spokesman. The latest shooting occurred few minutes after 9:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Ballou Court, in the Perkins Homes public housing complex west of Upper Fells Point. Police had few details but said an adult male had been shot in the neck and critically wounded. Homicide was investigating.

A 14-year-old East Baltimore boy was fatally shot last night on the playground at the Perkins Homes, a large, low-rise public housing complex. About 9:15 p.m., the victim, Walker Louis Coleman of the 200 block of S. Spring Court in the Perkins Homes, was standing on a dimly lighted playground in the 200 block of Ballou Court when an unknown assailant shot him at least once in the head and fled, said homicide Detective Al Marcus. The youth was taken by ambulance to nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital, but died a short time later in the emergency room, Marcus said.

FREDERICK -- The strategy for the title game of the St. John's at Prospect Hall Pre-Christmas Tournament between the host Vikings and No. 7 St. Frances seemed obvious.St. Frances, the taller team, ran the court and scored on the transition. St. John's countered with its stronger outside game.What eventually made the difference, however, was St. Frances' Devin Gray.Gray, a senior center, and tournament's most valuable player, dominated the inside, scoring 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, as St. Frances won, 63-53, for the tournament crown.

On June 18, 2005, JAMES E. SR., beloved husband of the late Earleen M. (nee Webster) and devoted father of Virginia, Deborah and James E. Harrell, Jr. and Jeanne Mc Menamin. Cherished grandfather of Andrew and Amber Harrell, Megan, Abby and Michael Mc Menamin and loving brother of Lily Virginia Ballou. Also survived by other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the family-owned HARTLEY MILLER-STELLA FUNERAL HOME CHTD., 7527 Harford Rd., on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church on Friday at 10 A.M. Interment in Meadowridge Cemetery.

Even a forecast of rain won't stop TurnAround Inc. from taking back the night. TurnAround, a Baltimore nonprofit organization that offers counseling and support to survivors of sexual assault, will hold its annual Stop the Violence and Take Back the Night rally today at 6 p.m. It will include a march, a candlelight vigil and a chance for victims and community members to speak out about their experiences. All activities will proceed as planned, rain or shine, with the exception of the march, said spokeswoman Tracy Gibson.

Homicide detectives have arrested suspects in two fatal shootings this week in Baltimore. Police arrested and charged Blake Antonio Thomas, 18, of the 200 block of S. Ballou Court, with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his neighbor, Michael Tramuel, 27, who lived in the same block. Tramuel was shot several times in the head and chest about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of S. Dallas Court and died early Wednesday at Johns Hopkins Hospital, police said. Within minutes of the shooting, police arrested Thomas and charged him with attempted murder.