Falls Road

After a monthlong emergency repair, Falls Road has been reopened to Maryland Avenue, reinstating an alternative route for some motorists caught in rush-hour delays caused by roadwork on the Jones Falls Expressway. "By itself, it won't siphon off the bottleneck, but it could be a little help, give one more option," said Frank Murphy, chief planner for the Baltimore Department of Transportation. Falls Road between Lafayette and Maryland avenues in Hampden had been closed since Feb. 17 because a water main broke during the record-breaking snowfall and melt, undermining the road.

A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge cleared the way yesterday for the county to seize 95 acres at the entrance to Green Spring Valley -- a move that would halt development plans and preserve the land as a park.Judge Marshall A. Levin said the county showed it needs the land for recreation and the owner failed to prove allegations that the county wants his land because he is black.County officials said after the hearing that they would move within 24 hours to take the Meadowood property at Greenspring Valley and Falls roads by paying $1.5 million that a court-appointed appraiser said the land was worth.

PUT ON YOUR crash helmet if you head along Falls Road at its intersection with Chestnut Avenue. Chances are, you'll really need it.This is perhaps the most perilous stretch of roadway in Baltimore, a sharp S-curve made more dangerous by the placement of historic brick mills at the road's edge. Dave Grimm, who works in the area, has counted 57 accidents there this year.On a rainy day, the place becomes a demolition derby -- as it did last week when showers hit.In 24 hours, four accidents occurred along the stretch, including one in which a vehicle hit the curb and flipped over a 15-foot embankment, injuring the driver and a passenger.

By Kit Waskom Pollard Spring is a time for new beginnings, and that includes new hobbies. As the air gets warmer and the days last longer, it's the perfect time to try out a new outdoor sport. The Baltimore region offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun, from biking to paddleboarding. Thanks to local retailers that rent sporting equipment, budding outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen can try out new hobbies without investing too much money. Gary Weeden, of Annapolis boat and bike rental shop Paddle or Pedal, likens renting to test-driving a car. "Before you spend your money, this is a great way to try things out. Like with cars: Before you buy, rent and say, 'This is what I like and don't like.' " "If someone hasn't been on a bicycle for a while, and they're not sure of the type of bike they'll want to purchase, we offer several types they can try out at low cost," adds Jim White of Monkton Bikes.

FIRE* Hampstead: Hampstead responded to an auto fire on Falls Road in Baltimore County at 3:21 p.m. Saturday. Units were out 25 minutes.

FIRE* Hampstead: Hampstead assisted Baltimore County in fighting an apartment fire on Falls Road Sunday at 1:55 p.m.

A medical emergency disrupted service on the light rail between North Avenue and Falls Road late Saturday, according to tranportation officials. The nature of the medical emergency wasn't immediately clear. The Maryland Transit Administration reported the disruption around 9:30 p.m. Customers were advised to board shuttle buses on Falls Road at Union Avenue, Cold Spring Lane and Kelly Avenue. ywenger@baltsun.com twitter.com/yvonnewenger

On January 14, 2006, MARY FLORENCE (nee Troyer), of Sparks, MD; beloved wife of the late Howard Russell Thompson; devoted mother of Russell L. Thompson and the late Eva M. Smith; sister of Granville Troyer, Sterling Troyer, Dorothy Boone and the late Thomas Troyer. Also survived by three grandchildren. Services at the ELINE FUNERAL HOME, 934 S. Main Street, Hampstead, MD 21074, Wednesday, 11 A.M. Interment Falls Road U.M. Cemetery in Butler. Friends may call Tuesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 at the funeral home.

Some people go to Windy Valley Farms for the thick frozen custard shakes. Some, the Oreo cookie ice cream. Others, for the pony rides. Some make business deals at one of its tables.Everybody seems to agree that the roadside ice cream shop-lunchroom is one of Baltimore County's great unsung people-gathering places, where it's still possible to get a peach ice cream cone that's as good as you remember from your childhood.For as long as anyone can recall, this acre of land at Falls and Joppa roads has belonged to generations of the McCaffrey family, who once owned a horse farm that took in the acre plus the land where the Green Spring Station office buildings and shops now stand.