Harford

Whether you prefer department stores or small boutiques, there is something for every shopper in Harford County. For some, the best place to start is Bel Air, also known as the “heart of Harford County.” At the intersection of routes 1 and 24, there are four shopping centers: Harford Mall, Tollgate Marketplace, Bel Air Plaza and Bel Air Town Center. Harford Mall is home to more than 75 stores, including American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Macy's and Sears. The recently renovated mall also includes an outdoor component with new stores and restaurants such as Bonefish Grill and Five Guys Burgers.

Harford County emergency officials are warning residents to watch out for potential flooding and dangerous driving conditions because of the heavy rains falling Friday from the remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea. A robocall was sent to court residents shortly after 11 a.m. Friday telling them to be wary of standing water in roadways and not to drive through it, but to turn around and go back instead. The county has been placed under a flash flood watch by the National Weather Service until 10 p.m. Friday, county Emergency Operations Manager Rick Ayers said in the call.

Gene Robert Bowser Jr., 37, of Aberdeen, was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison without the benefit of parole, for possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone, an opiate narcotic, by Harford County Circuit Court Judge M. Elizabeth Bowen for charges stemming from an arrest Jan. 6, 2012, at the Travel Lodge Motel in Aberdeen, the Harford County State's Attorney's Office said. Bowser was convicted by a jury on Dec. 18, 2012. This sentence closely follows a sentence of 13 years handed down May 7 by Circuit Court Judge Stephen M. Waldron after Bowser was convicted Feb. 13, of misdemeanor possession of Hydrocodone and morphine, stemming from an earlier arrest in Aberdeen on Aug. 31, 2011, State's Attorney Joseph Cassilly said in a news release.

They've waited 13 years for this day to finally come – Graduation Day. For the hundreds of members of the Class of 2013 in Harford's public and private schools, it's the end to 13 years of hard work and the beginning of something new, whether it be full-time employment, going off to college or joining the military. One chapter of their lives is closing, another just starting. Students at John Archer, Harford Christian and John Carroll schools and Aberdeen, Bel Air and C. Milton Wright high schools have already accepted their diplomas.

Harford County Executive David R. Craig has launched his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor in 2014, betting that he can overcome the suspicions of the far right of his party and the Democrats' 2-1 voter registration advantage in Maryland. The 63-year-old veteran officeholder made his announcement Monday before several hundred backers at a hall in Havre de Grace, the historic town on the Susquehanna River where he grew up and got his start in politics. Craig denounced the record of Gov. Martin O'Malley, charging that the term-limited Democrat has raised 40 taxes and fees since taking office in 2007.

Fire departments from Baltimore and Harford counties responded to a house fire Saturday evening in the Kingsville area. According to the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, the call came at about 6:44 p.m. regarding a fire in the 11500 block of Sherwood Road, Kingsville. Due to a lack of fire hydrants in the area, additional fire engines with large volumes of water were requested, according to JMVFC. Firefighters used chain saws to cut the roof open, allowing the smoke and heat to escape, while personnel also searched the home for occupants, but none were found.

Harford County's 2013 Restaurant Week will be held June 3 - 15, the fourth year for the increasingly popular event. Restaurants throughout Harford County will be offering price fixed menus consisting of three course meals starting at $20.13 plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Limited service restaurants may be offering other special values, according to the Harford County Office of Economic Development and Tourism. According to the Harford County Office of Tourism, all Restaurant Week participating restaurants and their menus can be found on http://www.harfordmd.com the tourism office's website.

You know what they say about one man's, um, extra stuff being another's treasure? If you have extra stuff or need more treasure, the Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) has a great opportunity for you, and it will offer second chances to animals at the same time. The HSHC will hold a huge yard sale Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering all sorts of low-priced treasures to eager shoppers. And if you have extra pet, household or other goodies around your house, they'll happily accept donations through Monday, June 3, at 6 p.m. Items that will be accepted for donation and available at the sale include pet supplies, holiday decorations, household items, children's games, books, movies, electronics, furniture, and small appliances.

The Harford County State's Attorney's Office honored local law enforcement officers, at the annual DUI Award Ceremony May 15, for their drunk driving enforcement efforts. Harford State's Attorney Joseph Cassilly presented awards to law enforcement officers who made outstanding drunk and drugged driving arrests during 2012. The ceremony was held in the ceremonial courtroom in the Harford County Courthouse in Bel Air. "Our law enforcement officers are the best in their efforts to maintain safety on the county's roads," Cassilly said.

A 12-year-old Havre de Grace girl remains hospitalized after sustaining "significant" injuries from a fall from the King & Queen Seat in Rocks State Park Saturday, several emergency information sources said. Three Department of Natural Resources Park Service workers also suffered minor injuries during the rescue attempt, Sgt. Brian Albert, spokesman for the Maryland Natural Resources Police, said. The girl, who was not identified, fell between 40 and 50 feet from the south side of the rock outcropping that is popular with climbers but has a history of falls ending in serious injury and death, the Harford Fire & EMS Association reported on its media Facebook page.