Columbia

Howard County firefighters took 15 minutes to extinguish a fire in a garden-style apartment in Columbia on Saturday afternoon, according to authorities. The fire was reported about 12:40 p.m. in a third story apartment in the 6000 block of Majors Lane. Several occupants got out safely before firefighters arrived, a department spokesman said. No one was injured the cause of the fire remains under investigation. peter.hermann@baltsun.com Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

Howard County police are investigating a shooting early Sunday morning at a Taco Bell restaurant on Minstrel Way in Columbia. Police responded at about 1 a.m. to reports that a manager had been confronted and shot multiple times by two unknown men outside the restaurant. Employees at the store called police. The manager, whom police did not identify, was flow by Medevac to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he was listed in critical condition. Howard County police said an investigation continues.

An article in your newspaper last week shared the anticipation of the manager of the soon-to-open Wegmans that this one store would be a "destination" drawing customers from a 25-mile radius ("Wegmans officials readying for opening in Columbia," April 19). Another article discussed Howard Hughes Corp.'s plan for additional development at The Mall in Columbia, a regional shopping center of 175-plus stores, and how this new residential and retail complex "might not be as car-friendly but more people-friendly" ("Planning Board gives approval to Warfield plans")

A 42-year-old woman was killed in a fatal car accident in Columbia on Monday night after her truck collided with a tree, according to Howard County police. Police responded to the 5600 block of High Tor Hill about 9:30 p.m. for a report that a truck had crashed, police said. Police said based on an initial investigation, they believe the woman was alone, driving a 1999 Dodge Dakota south on the road when the truck left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck the tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The CA Board's Planning and Strategy Committee, as indicated in the Master Plan, is eager to close ("repurpose" being the operative euphemism) three neighborhood village pools (Faulkner Ridge, Jeffers Hill, Talbott Springs). At the CA Master Aquatics Plan Public Meeting on Jan. 31, many residents testified that they opposed the closing of their neighborhood pools. They stated eloquently and passionately that such closings would be a great loss. And, they testified that should their pools be closed, going to the nearest alternate pool would, in many cases, require their children to cross highway 175, a most dangerous trek which these parents stated they would forbid.

A Howard County judge denied bail Friday for the teen suspect in the death of another youth, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office said. Xavier Trevon Bates, 18, is still being held at the Howard County Detention Center after a morning bail review hearing before Howard County District Judge Pamila J. Brown, said T. Wayne Kirwan, of the Howard County State's Attorney's Office. Prosecutor Tricia Cecil argued that no bail should be set for Bates, who is accused of fatally stabbing Christian Lendell Hall on Wednesday, Kirwan said.

A German company that manufactures high-tech products started construction on a new facility in Columbia on Friday, Howard County officials said. Rohde & Schwarz, which produces communications and broadcasting equipment, is constructing a 55,000 square foot facility in the 6800 block of Benjamin Franklin Drive, according to a statement from the Howard County Economic Development Authority. The company now occupies 40,000 square feet on Robert Fulton Drive in Columbia, the statement said.

Micros Systems Inc., a maker of software for the hospitality and retail industries, jumped its most in 18 months Tuesday after ValueAct Capital Management disclosed a stake in the company. ValueAct acquired 5.9 million shares, or a 7.5 percent stake, in Columbia-based Micros, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday. Micros Systems increased 7.6 percent to $45.87 at the close in New York for its biggest one-day gain since Aug. 26, 2011. The shares had declined 21 percent in the past year through Monday compared with a 5 percent advance for the Standard & Poor's Midcap Information Technology Index.

Yes, Your Majesty, British food has come to Little Patuxent Parkway. The Brits, represented by Union Jack's, have taken over space once occupied by Italians, the departed restaurant That's Amore, and are serving up bangers, cottage pies and pints next to The Mall in Columbia. This operation, which opened about six weeks ago, is a sprawling gastro-pub. The bar alone has room for 40, the patio, which on pleasant days offers a sunny view of the Little Patuxent Parkway, seats 120. The whole restaurant accommodates close to 400, I was told.

Howard County police are investigating a shooting of a 20-year-old man Wednesday evening in Columbia. Officers called about 8:30 p.m. to a Sam's Mart store in the 5800 block of Stevens Forest Road found Marcus Lee suffering from a single gunshot wound. Lee, a Columbia resident, told police he was shot nearby on Stevens Forest Road near Whiteacre Road and had run to the store for help. He was taken to an area hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, police said. A preliminary investigation has led officers to believe the victim and assailant are acquainted.