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In school, and in court, showing up is half the battle. So when statistics revealed that 60 percent of juveniles charged in Baltimore County were missing their court dates, officials decided they needed something to help make sure the youngsters showed up. The result was the Notification Caller Project, an effort in which a court staffer simply calls juveniles several days before their court dates to remind them — and their parents — of the...

Anne Arundel County officials say they will appeal an arbitrator's decision that the county must give deputy sheriffs pay raises from 2009 that were negotiated in their contract - but which the county cut, saying it needed help to solve a budget crunch. "We feel that the arbitrator did not get it right," said John Hammond, acting county executive, who added that the county will file for judicial review in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Last month, arbitrator Andrew M. Strongin found in favor of the deputies, saying the administration punished the union in a 2009 dispute when it held back the raises.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- On the eve of the first workout of the spring for pitchers and catchers, it was mostly quiet here at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Pitchers and catchers reported today - they filtered in throughout the morning and early afternoon - and the majority of position players are already here before Friday's report day. Center fielder Adam Jones played catch. Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit off a tee in the indoor batting cage. The Orioles officially have 60 players listed on their spring training roster.

The fifth annual Ecoball is scheduled for March 22. The event is the major fundraiser for Baltimore Green Works, which produces Ecofest and the Sustainability Speaker Series. The Ecoball will again include a cooking competition, inspired by "Top Chef," in which students from Stratford University's culinary program will use locally grown and sourced ingredients to prepare appetizers, entrees and desserts. The evening also includes a silent auction and dancing. Guests are encouraged to re-use or reinvent their gala attire by shopping consignment shops or creating their own evening wear.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors voted Saturday in favor of deregulation that will affect a wide swath of the rulebook for all sports, including getting rid of a ban on text messages from coaches to recruits. In all, 25 of 26 proposals recomended last month by the NCAA Rules Working Group were approved and will go into effect Aug. 1. The board delayed action on one of the most controversial - a uniform start date for recruiting. The presidents asked the Rules Working Group to expedite its study of the issue and return with a solution as soon as possible.

As taken from the pages of The Aegis dated Thursday, January 24, 1963: The First Harford Federal Savings and Loan Association in Aberdeen was robbed by a lone armed gunman. Robert Shutt of Havre de Grace, the assistant secretary of the Association, was the victim of the holdup. Shutt was alone in the Bel Air Avenue building when a man walked in and pointed a gun at him. The robber said, "How would you like to give me all your money?" Shutt brought out all the cash in the cash drawers and placed it on the counter.

Our Save The Dates finally went out. I am actually pretty proud of them. I do not consider myself to be creatively inclined but I definitely gave myself a pat on the back after seeing the finished product. We decided to save money and make postcards as opposed to using outer envelopes or magnets. We made them pretty inexpensively, and I've received so many compliments. Here's how we made them: We are fortunate enough to have our talented photographer and friend, Lauren (Check out her website !

Catonsville -based developer Steve W. Whalen Jr. is scheduled to be in Baltimore County Circuit Court on Thursday morning to face charges that he channeled $7,500 in illegal contributions to a Baltimore County councilman, and also exceeded the total campaign contribution limit for individuals. The allegations against Whalen, 62, owner of Whalen Properties, stem from contributions made to Catonsville-area Councilman Tom Quirk , County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Towson -area Councilman David Marks . Whalen has reportedly reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The dates for the winter version of Annapolis Restaurant Week are set. The annual dining promotion will be held from Feb. 25 through March 3. Over 40 restaurants are participating in this year's promotion , which is organized by the Annapolis Business Association. You can see them on the event website . The pricing details will be announced soon, the website says. Follow Baltimore Diner on Twitter @gorelickingood  

The civil rights chief for the Maryland attorney general's office was accused this week of violating probation in a drunken-driving case. Carl O. Snowden is scheduled for arraignment or similar appearance Jan. 7 in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in that case, according to court records. On probation for three years, he could be ordered jailed for up to 60 days if judge finds that he violated probation. The case has unusual twists. Snowden was initially given probation before judgment on a 2010 charge.