Locks

Just six days into summer, more Baltimore City fire hydrants have been hacked open this year than last - wasting millions of gallons of water, city officials said. So far this year, people have burst open 401 hydrants to bask in the comfort of a free rush of cooling water, compared with 337 for all of last year, according to the Department of Public Works. "We've had a really hot period, and they're up this year," said Kurt Kocher, department spokesman. City crews are on alert for hydrant breaks, sometimes combing the streets but more often relying on reports from residents.

Joseph G. Locks IIIFuneral directorA Mass of Christian burial for Joseph Garland Locks III, an East Baltimore funeral director for 37 years, will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church at Caroline and Oliver streets.Mr. Locks, father-in-law of Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, died of cancer Sunday at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He was 59.The Baltimore native spent his entire career with the Locks Funeral Home in the 1300 block of North Central Avenue, which his grandfather began.

25 Years Ago (week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 1969)* A study made by the Howard County Human Relations Commission revealed that despite "extensive [residential] integration" in Columbia, most employers in the new city were reluctant to hire non-white employees except for relatively low-paying, menial jobs.* Howard County police were called to investigate an unusual odor in the vicinity of Route 1 and Kit-Kat Road in the Elkridge area. They discovered 20 55-gallon drums of the chemical Trimethylamine stored behind the Dutch Cabins Motel.

On the Orioles [Nick] Markakis' two assists [in the opener] were thrilling - it's so awesome seeing an outfielder who's not merely competent. If we had a couple more guys like him, man, what a team that could be. It is truly sad that the best available pinch-hitter on our bench [Monday] night was [Freddie] Bynum. From what I observed, I really liked Jay Gibbons' curly red locks.

On May 21, 2004, CAROLYN, mother of Charles and Sandra; beloved sister of Herman; she leaves two grandchildren Maria and Carol; three great-grandchildren, cousins Dorothy and Stanley Cook and a host of relatives and friends. Family hour Wednesday 10 a.m. Mass 11 a.m. St. James Episcoal Church. Interment Maryland National Cemetery. Arrangements by Joseph G. Locks Funeral Home, 1302 N. Central Ave.

Savage: 8700 block of Foundry St.: Someone stole a $30 purse containing $195 from behind a sales counter at Bearing Gifts Shop between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Monday.*Scaggsville: 11200 block of Route 216: Someone entered two trailers by cutting the locks between Friday and Monday, and took a torch and used it to cut off a lock on a third trailer. Tools were stolen, but the torch was recovered at the scene.

Pat and Henry Bradley say their landlord decided to suddenly kick them out of his waterfront Dundalk house, changing the locks while they were still frantically trying to remove their belongings. The couple, who didn't have a lease, are to testify about their experience in Annapolis this week when House and Senate members convene hearings to decide whether to stop landlords and property owners from locking out residents without court orders and sheriff's deputies on standby to evict them.

Before you pack up the bags and family to scoot off on vacation, remember that burglars are hard at work planning to pay your home a visit while you're gone. The Insurance Information Institute warns that there are 2.15 million burglaries every year. More than 65 percent of those are residential break-ins, and most occur in July and August. Standard homeowner's insurance policies cover theft of personal possessions and damage to the home caused by a break-in. If you own valuable jewelry, or other luxury goods, ask your insurance agent or company representative whether you should consider purchasing a floater to ensure adequate coverage for these items.

Tevin Johnson sat in front of an open fire hydrant at East Biddle and Homewood streets yesterday, a spray of pressurized water cascading over his back and down onto the kids around him. Neighborhood children, as young as 2 and as old as 13, bounded through the torrent in flip-flops and bare feet, laughing, splashing and cooling off in the afternoon heat. And defying city officials, who an hour earlier spoke about the dangers of illegally opening hydrants to cool off. Not only could the stream of water topple a small child and push him into traffic, the officials said, opening hydrants can lower water pressure for homes and for firefighters trying to put out a fire.

The governor wants to mandate personalized safety locks on handguns. Do you think this is feasible? Is it a good idea? Do you support another alternative? We are looking for 300 words or less; the deadline is March 20. Letters become the property of The Sun, which reserves the right to edit them. By submitting a letter, the author grants The Sun an irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use and republish the letter, in whole or in part, in all media and to authorize others to reprint it. Letters should include your name and address, along with a day and evening telephone number.