Bel Air

As long as the weather holds, 10 hot-air balloons will be launched into the air Saturday from the Harford County Equestrian Center. They'll go up as part of SARC's Family Fun Day, one of two events this weekend to help raise money for SARC's programs, which include a 24-hour helpline, a safehouse, counseling, crisis intervention, a teen corner, hospital companions and legal advocacy and representation. For more information about SARC (Safety, Awareness, Resources, Change), visit http://www.sarc-maryland.org . The 2nd Annual Rising Above It Balloon Festival, with family-friendly activity sponsored by the county nonprofit that provides resources to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking, also includes the Balloon Glow Gala.

Even though we know better, it's still hard for those of us who have lived in Harford County any amount of time to accept that Bel Air is no longer a safe, sleepy, small town. Those of us who have lived here a long time wonder what how our quiet county became so dangerous. How dangerous? Anyone going to or from Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air Saturday night, who decided to stop for gas at the adjacent Exxon station, could have been subjected to random gunfire. As could anyone driving on Route 24. Granted, the shooting happened at about 11 on a weekend night when few people would ordinarily be going in and out of the medical complex, but that's not the point.

College freshman Daniel Zablocky recently received his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. A Patterson Mill High School graduate, Zablocky is the son of Paul and Barbara Zablocky of Bel Air. Attending Marion Military Institute in Alabama, he will report to West Point this summer to join the class of 2017.

Bel Air is home to the only Airsoft specialty store in Maryland. While other large sports retailers carry airsoft guns among thousands of other non-airsoft products, East Coast Airsoft is the sole airsoft-only store, carrying a wide variety of airsoft guns and accessories. The store also offers repair and upgrade services through its experienced gun tech specialist. Airsoft, to those unfamiliar with the sport, is a game most relatable to paintball. Airsoft, however, is designed to have a more realistic feel, and is aimed at people who want to simulate real battle.

The Bel Air Independence Day Committee is looking for its 2013 "Miss Bel Air Independence Day," the official hostess for the all-day festivities in Bel Air on Thursday, July 4, beginning with the flag-raising and pancake breakfast and ending with the traditional parade and fireworks. Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2013 will also compete at the 2013 Miss Maryland Pageant in Hagerstown in late June. The winner will be chosen by interview from all eligible applicants. Applicants must be young women from Harford County at least 17 years of age, and who will not turn 25 before Dec. 30, 2013.

Right-hander Josh Shere (1-0) limited No. 8 Bel Air's baseball team to one run in the third inning and hit a three-run home run in the sixth as host Franklin earned a 9-1 upset against the Bobcats (1-1) on Saturday. Shere went five innings, gave up one run on six hits and walked one. The Harford County team scored its lone run on a single in the third inning. No. 12 Loyola 8, Patapsco 2: Matt Hnatiuk went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple to lead the visiting Dons (4-4)

The Harford County Sheriff's Department has charged an 18-year-old Edgewood man with attempted murder, assault, robbery and other charges in connection with a shooting Wednesday in the Harford Commons neighborhood. Police said Shawn Scott Stansbury Jr. threatened the residents of a home in the 2000 block of Starr St. shortly before midnight. While pointing a handgun at them, he demanded valuables, police said. Thomas Joseph Sweiger, 20, of Bel Air struck Stansbury in the head with a baseball bat. Stansbury fired the gun, hitting Sweiger in the leg and forehead.

A 14-year-old Bel Air boy was struck and killed while he attempted to cross Route 24 Friday night, state police said. Joseph Paul D'Entremont of Bel Air was crossing the Route 24 intersection where Red Pump Road and Bynum Road meet at about 9:45 p.m. As he crossed, police said he was struck by Robin Monaco, 19, of White Hall, who was driving a 2005 Subaru. Police said D'Entremont used the crosswalk, but that Monaco had a green light. D'Entremont was taken to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Brady Daniels Kautsch, 17 of Bel Air, earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award, on Dec. 13, 2012 and was formally recognized in a ceremonial Court of Honor on March 17, at the Church of St. Mark - Monsignor McCall Center in Fallston. A member of Troop 801, Kautsch is one of approximately 4 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Steve Martinek. To earn scouting's highest award, each candidate must earn 21 merit badges -- some required, some elective -- and successfully coordinate and complete a community-related service project.

Bel Air will have a public menorah lighting ceremony this year at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah Thursday, Dec. 20. As was the case last year, the ceremony will take place, rain or shine, in Shamrock Park at the corner of Lee Way and Hickory Avenue, behind town hall, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The ceremony will feature music, dreidels, doughnuts and hot latkes. Harford County Executive David Craig is also scheduled to attend. Bel Air held its first public menorah lighting ceremony in 2010.