Finksburg

State police were investigating an apparent murder-suicide Thursday in Carroll County, after the suspect in the early-morning slaying of a 48-year-old man was found dead in the same neighborhood shortly after. Police responding to a report of gunshots about 12:15 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pilgrim Lane in Finksburg found Steven W. Focht's body lying in the driveway of his home with gunshot wounds. One of the cars in the driveway, police determined, belonged to Gregory Alan Martin, 51. Police found Martin's body in a backyard in the 2400 block of Shawnee Drive, around the corner from where Focht's body was found.

John Wilson "Reds" Abbott Sr., a retired Baltimore firefighter who enjoyed horseback riding, died Saturday of cancer at his Mount Airy home. He was 79. Mr. Abbott, the son of a painter and a homemaker, was born in Finksburg and raised on McKean Avenue. He was a graduate of Gwynns Falls High School. Mr. Abbott joined the Baltimore Fire Department in 1956 as a tiller man and was assigned to Truck 12 in the 4000 block of Liberty Heights Ave. in Forest Park. He later served at the Glen Avenue station of Engine 45 until his retirement in 1979.

A Finksburg woman was killed Saturday when she chased her dog into the street and was struck by a passing car. Dawn Susan Buell, 50, was killed at about 1:20 p.m. on Bethel Road, just north of Sherwood Road in Finksburg, state police said. Buell was walking south on Bethel Road with her dog, which was on a leash, when the animal darted into the street, police said. Buell gave chase and was struck by a 1998 Chrysler Sebring driven Christopher Lee Childers, 19, of Westminster, police said.

Residents of a block in Finksburg whose wells were infected with a hazardous gasoline additive are asking a Carroll County jury for a minimum $1.5 million civil judgment against the oil company found by the state to be responsible for the pollution. A six-person jury will begin deliberations Monday in Carroll County Circuit Court to decide whether a Tevis Oil-owned gas station tainted wells in a neighboring community with methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE. If the jury finds Tevis at fault, it can award monetary damages.

On February 1, 2010, Megan A. Estey Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road at Mount Wilson Lane on Wednesday, February 3 at 11 A.M. Interment Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery, Berrymans Lane. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Hope For Megan, P.O. Box 438 Finksburg, MD (21048). In mourning at 2993 Kenshaw Drive, Finksburg, MD 21048 A separate gathering for the Westminster High School and Hope For Megan communities will be held at Lifepoint in Reisterstown.

Karen Michele Putnam, daughter of Timothy R. and Mary Ruth Putnam of Sykesville, Maryland and Eric Michael Lubitz, son of Shelly K. Burns of Finksburg, Maryland and the late Larry H. Lubitz were married at The Best Western Westminster Catering and Conference Center in Westminster, Maryland on September 20, 2008. The groom is also the stepson of Michael P. Burns of Finksburg, Maryland and the grandson of Martha Kirson of Pikesville, Maryland. The blended ceremony was jointly performed by Rev. Dr. Judy Powell and Cantor Alvin Donald.

On October 23, 2008, Mildred S. Levy Funeral services and interment will be held at Beth Jacob Cemetery - Finksburg, MD, on Friday, October 24 at 12 Noon. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to The Harbour School, in memory of Mildred S. Levy, 11251 Dolfield Blvd, Owings Mills (21117). In mourning at 3732 Ashley Way, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Arrangements by SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC. sollevinson.com

On October 3, 2008, Harold W. Lipsitz Services at SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC., 8900 Reisterstown Road, at Mount Wilson Lane on Sunday, October 5, at 11 A.M. Interment Beth Jacob Cemetery - Finksburg, MD. Please omit flowers. Contributions in his memory may be sent to Tifereth Yisroel, 6201 Park Heights Avenue, (21215). In mourning at 3201 West Strathmore Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 sollevinson.com