Haller

HIS CANDIDACY for governor isn't 100 percent certain yet, but Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is already showing an eagerness to go on the offensive. In a recent fund-raising letter, the Republican congressman takes some hard-edged shots at Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who in recent polls leads Ehrlich as well as her prospective Democratic rivals. The letter, which Ehrlich says has had "unbelievable" success in bringing in money, asks for donations to help him "test the waters" for a 2002 candidacy.

The death of 15-year-old Ratsmy Keosambath still does not seem real to her family, said her brother, Nylabonh."We're just trying to . . . make sure she is really gone," said Mr. Keosambath, 19, speaking for his parents and Ratsmy's three older sisters. "It's going to take a lot of time."Ratsmy fell through the ice on a pond at the Taneytown Rod and Gun Club Monday afternoon. She was underwater for about 20 minutes before rescuers could pull her out. She died at 3:30 a.m. yesterday at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

Baltimoreans Fritz and Lecky Haller failed to make the finals in the two-man canoe slalom event in the World Championships in Nottingham, England.They hit a wall and missed a gate in the qualifying round and were penalized by almost a minute, eliminating them from the competition. The Gilman grads still have a chance to qualify for the Olympics in races next spring.Bethesda's Davey Hearn, 36, the oldest entrant in men's single canoe slalom, won a gold. He has two golds and five silvers in World Championships events dating to 1985.

Singer Art Garfunkel, a real estate magnate and an investor are putting $2 million in gold bullion on the line to inspire researchers to cure blindness by 2020, establishing through Johns Hopkins Medicine one of the world's largest prizes for a scientific advancement. The men, one-time roommates at Columbia University, intend for the prize to trigger research into the variety of diseases that cause blindness — 80 percent of which are preventable — in 39 million people around the world.

BaseballNew York Mets -- Placed P Dwight Gooden (sore right shoulder) on the 15-day DL. Activated P Bret Saberhagen.FootballPittsburgh Steelers -- Signed CB Alan Haller.

The former treasurer of the Crofton Meadows Elementary School PTA has pleaded guilty to felony theft in Anne Arundel Circuit Court for stealing up to $3,500 from the organization.Susan Haller, 32, of the 2000 block of Cambridge Drive in Crofton, admitted to Judge Raymond G. Thieme Jr. Oct. 26 that she took the money during her three years in the office.Assistant State's Attorney Eugene M. Whissel II said yesterday that Haller had agreed to pay $3,500 in restitution as part of a plea agreement reached in the case.

On July 10, 2007, VERONICA A. (nee Jachelski); devoted mother of Tom France and Carol France-Haller; loving grandmother of Ashley and Kellie France; loving sister of Edward Jachelski. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Clare Catholic Church, 714 Myrth Avenue, Friday at 10 A.M. Interment to follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Arrangements by the Connelly Funeral Home of Essex, 300 Mace Avenue.

Two Baltimore physicians have been given the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award by the Baltimore Area Council of Boy Scouts of America in recognition of their contributions to society a quarter-century or more after attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Recipients of the national award are Dr. J. Alex Haller Jr. and Dr. Robert A. Barish. Haller, 74, a retired pediatric surgeon who specialized in trauma care, was instrumental in the creation of the children's shock trauma center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.

On July 11, 2008, BARBARA J. (nee Haller) beloved wife of the late Benny L. Fields, devoted mother of Nancy Fields and her fiance Ray Byer, loving sister of Nancy L. Wakefoose, aunt of Danny, Karen, David and the late Steve, great aunt of Sarah, Joel, Nicholas and Jessi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 12P.M. at St. Michael the Archangel Church. Visiting from the Lassahn Funeral Home Inc., (Overlea) 7401 Belair Road on Sunday 2 to 5 and 7 to 9P.M. Christian Wake Service Sunday at 3P.M.

On August 17, 2003; LAURA "TRESSIE" COOPER (nee Ensley); beloved wife of the late Gordon Clyde Cooper; loving sister of Evelyn Loney, Violet Haller and the late Edward Ensley, Ercel Ensley, Catherine Frampton, Judson Ensley and Dorothy Ensey. Also, survived by many loving nieces, and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the family owned AMBROSE FUNERAL HOME OF LANSDOWNE, 2719 Hammonds Ferry Road, on Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM, where a service will be held on Friday at the funeral hour of 10 AM. Interment to immediately follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.