Magruder

In a case that attracted the attention of the FBI and other federal agencies, two Carroll County teen-agers are accused of spray-painting racist and pornographic graffiti in the newly built Taneytown home of an African-American woman last month, police said yesterday.The pair -- one 16 years old and the other 18 -- are accused of breaking into three houses in Taneytown on the night of Oct. 4, police said, and vandalizing one of them, a home owned by Karen Magruder, a participant in a self-help housing project.

Leaders of an interfaith housing group will gather at the Taneytown home of an African-American woman today "to express solidarity" with her in light of racist vandalism and to celebrate the home-building accomplishments of her and her neighbors."

Residents of Taneytown expressed mixed reactions yesterday to news that the home of an African-American woman had been marred by pornographic and racial graffiti, in an incident the FBI is investigating as a hate crime.In dozens of interviews yesterday, ministers and merchants, police officers and longtime residents insisted this town of about 4,700 has no racial problems, though many said they are aware of recent Ku Klux Klan activity in the area."In our congregation, we have people who are African-American and Hispanic, and nothing's happened to them," said the Rev. Martin P. Feild, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

Residents of Taneytown expressed mixed reactions yesterday to news that the home of an African-American woman had been marred by pornographic and racial graffiti, in an incident the FBI is investigating as a hate crime.In dozens of interviews yesterday, ministers and merchants, police officers and longtime residents insisted this town of about 4,700 has no racial problems, though many said they are aware of recent Ku Klux Klan activity in the area."In our congregation, we have people who are African-American and Hispanic, and nothing's happened to them," said the Rev. Martin P. Feild, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

A Westminster man was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in Carroll County Circuit Court yesterday after pleading guilty to robbing a Union Bridge liquor store last year.In the plea arrangement, Kane A. Magruder, 23, of the first block of Church St. was sentenced to 12 years, but Judge William M. Cave suspended all but 6 1/2 years and granted Magruder credit for time served, dating to Jan. 14.All other charges, including one count of armed robbery, were dropped.When released, Magruder will serve four years' probation and must pay $3,000 in restitution to Joseph H. Kreimer, owner of Esquire Liquors on West Broadway.

How dominant was No. 14 Liberty in the 22-6 victory it scored over visiting Magruder yesterday in a Class 3A-4A West Region quarterfinal? Consider the following:Twelve players combined to score the team's 22 goals.Liberty (12-3) outshot Magruder, 45-12, and scored on its first two shots, and three times in the first 1: 47 of the game.Magruder (8-4) never could score back-to-back goals or keep up with the Liberty quickness, speed and stickwork.The Lions, who now play host to North Carroll tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the region semifinal thanks to the Panthers' 7-4 victory over Westminster yesterday, controlled every phase of this game.

150 years ago in The SunJan. 17: CAPTAIN MAGRUDER -- This gallant officer, who so nobly distinguished himself in the war with Mexico, has returned to our city, where his family resides. He looks well, is in good spirits, and has recovered from his wounds.100 years ago in The SunJan. 11: There is a similar condition of affairs in Baltimore County as in Annapolis, as reported in The Sun yesterday, of colored children being prevented from attending school by reason of not having shoes to wear.

Rosie O'Donnell introduced Broadway's new toll-free hot line on her show yesterday by calling for information on "Triumph of Love," the musical that had its world premiere at Center Stage last season.O'Donnell gushed over the musical -- which was produced by Baltimore native Margo Lion and has a book by Center Stage resident dramaturg James Magruder -- and over star Betty Buckley. The talk show host even tried to sing one of "Triumph's" songs before the operator on the new Broadway Line cut her off.Besides providing general show information, the number, 1-888-411-BWAY, allows callers to buy tickets, listen to recorded greetings from stars and answer a Broadway trivia question.

The musical "Triumph of Love" opened on Broadway Oct. 23 to mostly glowing reviews. (The notable exception was the New York Times.) A nonmusical version of the show -- based on an 18th-century French comedy by Pierre Marivaux -- originated in 1993 at Center Stage, with a translation by the theater's resident dramaturg, James Magruder. Last winter Center Stage premiered the musical, which has a book by Magruder.A newcomer to Broadway, Magruder has documented his debut in a journal, which he calls, "If It Ain't Broke, You're Not Looking Hard Enough," and which The Sun has been excerpting.

Dave Packer scored the winning goal with 21 minutes left to play to lift No. 5-ranked Hammond (4-0-1) to a boys soccer victory over Magruder (4-1) yesterday.Ryan Pflugrad added a goal and an assist for Hammond against the Montgomery countians.In other boys soccer action:No. 6 McDonogh 3, Loyola 0: Heroki Kawase scored two goals and added an assist to lead the Eagles (5-1) past the host Greyhounds (2-1).No. 8 Archbishop Spalding 1, Gilman 0: Brian Wright scored 20 minutes into the first half to lift host Spalding.