Mercer

Two civilians were injured yesterday morning as they tested a new Army gun at a remote firing range at Aberdeen Proving Ground.Shortly after 11 a.m., Louis Freeman, 49, of Aberdeen and George Niewenhous, 52, of Bel Air, employees of Aberdeen Testing Center, were preparing to fire a weapon that uses 20-millimeter bullets when the ammunition exploded in the gun, sending shrapnel flying, said APG spokesman George Mercer. Both men were taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center."They were working on a test of a weapon called the Objective Individual Combat Weapon -- it's under development," Mercer said.

The momentum is building, and the men's soccer team at Essex Community College is starting to enjoy itself.The Knights, ranked No. 2 among Division I junior colleges by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, have breezed to 11 wins in 12 games, leaving opponents in awe by outscoring them, 55-9, with four shutouts. Along the way, there was a three-week stop at No. 1.In some respects, this is not unusual for Essex. It's just that this season is moving along to a different hum.For starters, Essex has its most deeply talented and well-conditioned group in Tom Wall's five years as coach.

Health benefit costs in the Baltimore-Washington market dropped 2.3 percent last year, according to a survey of employers by William M. Mercer Inc., a benefits consulting firm.However, the decline in cost already seems to be reversed, John Welch, a principal in Mercer's Washington office, said yesterday."Most managed care organizations had depressed earnings in 1997, or actually lost money," Mercer said, so they are raising premiums. Among clients in the Baltimore-Washington area renewing for 1998, he said, price increases are 3 percent to 8 percent, with most at 4 percent or 5 percent.

Location, location, location: The size of your paycheck is not only determined by what you do but where you do it, finds William M. Mercer, a management consulting concern. In a survey, Mercer found that a job paying an average of $50,000 nationwide is likely to pay nearly $60,000 in San Jose, Calif., but only $41,400 in Brownsville, Texas. In Charlotte, N.C., that same job would likely pay $50,005, just at the national average.Eat right: A business lunch is more likely to succeed if you avoid common mistakes, says Suzanne Williamson, author of Entertaining for Dummies.

Stock booster:In a survey of 800 companies, Mercer Management Consulting found that companies that made money by expanding business operations between 1991 and 1996 saw their market value rise by 21 percent, compared with a 12 percent growth rate by companies that downsized to profitability. "Cost-cutting is still being pursued -- and may be required from time to time -- but the stock market appears to be giving fewer rewards to companies that still think they can shrink to greatness," says Mercer's Eric Almquist.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Kentucky's reign ended with bloody elbows and chins, with four players fouling out, with overtime, with exhaustion, and yes, with honor.The Wildcats' magnificent obsession for back-to-back NCAA titles met its match against an incredibly tough-minded Arizona team last night. When Kentucky relinquished its hold on the championship in a fiercely played, 84-79 overtime loss, coach Rick Pitino walked off the RCA Dome court not in anger, but in pride."I have to tell you, in past years, coming off the Marquette loss or the Carolina loss, I've been disappointed," he said.

Corporate survivors: The millions of job losses as U.S. companies restructured may have helped the bottom line, but they've left a lot of employees befuddled about their companies' mission, finds Mercer Management Consulting Inc. In a survey of senior executives at 86 big firms, the respondents told Mercer that half their employees can't articulate the corporate strategy.Recruiting the troops: The military is a great place to look for skilled workers, Inc. magazine reports. Small business owners who hired recently discharged service people find them easy to train, goal-oriented and possessing needed skills, Inc. says in its June issue.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Ray Mercer, who had not won a major heavyweight fight in three years, projected himself back into the title picture last night by upsetting two-time former champion Tim Witherspoon in a 10-round nonstop brawl at the Convention Center.The Mercer-Witherspoon bout preceded the rematch between Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota.Mercer, who once owned the World Boxing Organization crown, staged a strong rally in the last four rounds to gain a unanimous decision. Two judges -- Paul Venti and John Poturaz -- favored Mercer, 97-93; the third official, Calvin Claxton, seemed out of line with his 97-91 scorecard.

People's Lumber is saddled with huge debts. Wagner Brothers is in bankruptcy proceedings and the Whistle Stop Book Store is being audited by the Internal Revenue Service.These financial scenarios are possible in a new Monopoly-like board game in which Mount Airy businesses are bought, sold and mortgaged in high-stakes real estate deals.The game, called Wheeler Dealer, is a fund-raising project developed by the Mount Airy Rotary Club. Local businesses have rushed to become players, paying from $100 to $600 to reserve a place on the 34-space board.

Last November, seven months after losing his heavyweight crown to Michael Moorer and being advised by doctors to retire from the ring because of a heart disorder, Evander Holyfield received a clean bill of health from the Mayo Clinic.The former champion was told that his condition after the fight had been misdiagnosed and that his extreme fatigue and "stiff heart" had resulted from over-medication.But he still had to convince himself that he could return to the ring without great risk to his health.

On August 19, 2009, ARTHUR JONES. Beloved husband of Cleo Lewis Jones. Devoted father of two sons Anthony B. (Shirley) (MD) and Nathaniel D. Jones (Amelia) (MD); two daughters Deborah M. Jones (NC) and Wanda A. Mercer (Samuel). Survived by three sisters Minnie Stanley (GA), Ora Belle Register (GA) and Rosa Lee Gross (MD) and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call the WYLIE FUNERAL HOMES P.A. OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, 9200 Liberty Road on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. On Friday Mr. Jones service will be held in the chapel at the address listed above 10:30 A.M. Wake, 11:00 A.M. Funeral.

On July 21, 2009, BERNICE E. MERCER. Friends may visit the FAMILY OWNED MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue, on Monday after 2 PM, where the family will receive friends on Tuesday at 9:30 AM.

A fire during a vehicle testing operation Thursday morning in the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground left one employee dead and critically injured two others. "The crew of three was testing a vehicle and a malfunction occurred with an ensuing fire," said George Mercer, a spokesman for the Army base. Officials at the Harford County base said they will follow the Army's 24-hour policy for releasing the names of the victims - all civilians - and will disclose the information today.

COLLEGE PARK - Like a ghost of Christmas past, the memory of Maryland's loss to American had gnawed at the Terps for the better part of a year. It was a confidence-rattling specter that wouldn't go away. Until perhaps now. By beating American, 67-51, last night - exactly one year since last season's disaster, and on the same court - the Terrapins might finally have expelled their nightmare before Christmas. Last season, the somnolent Terps went nearly 11 minutes in the first half without a field goal.

Salary: $45,000 Age: 47 Years on the job: Four How she got started: Before starting with the Girls Scouts of Central Maryland, Mercer worked in the logistics and transportation industry managing segments of the supply chain process and public transportation. During her time off, she volunteered as a Girl Scout leader for 12 years, then later helped on various committees within the organization. When the slot for a product sales manager became available, Mercer decided she would be a good fit. Typical day: Although cookie sales last three months out of the year, Mercer said her job keeps her busy.

Like many Army posts around the country, Aberdeen Proving Ground is getting out of the housing business and turning over demolition, renovation, construction and maintenance to a private contractor. Picerne Military Housing, a Rhode Island-based developer, has signed a 50-year lease to manage the more than 1,000 homes at the Harford County base, a number that will surely diminish, company officials said. The elegant stone residences with commanding views of the Chesapeake Bay will be restored, and the smaller, outdated houses that have suffered from neglect will be razed.

Last Wednesday, on the first day of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association track championships, Vincent Mercer Jr. anchored Cardinal Gibbons' gold-medal-winning 800-meter relay team to a come-from-behind victory in 1 minute, 31 seconds. On Saturday, Mercer earned two more gold medals in come-from-behind fashion. First, Mercer won the 100-meter dash in 11.22 seconds; then he anchored the Crusaders' 400-meter relay team to a victory in 44.78. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound senior's versatility extends beyond the track.

An Ellicott City man died and another person was hospitalized after a four-vehicle collision late yesterday afternoon on the Baltimore Beltway near Liberty Road that caused miles-long delays for motorists, a state police spokesman said. The accident occurred on the outer loop about 5:30 p.m. when a 1999 Toyota driven by Michele Lynn Bosley, 26, of the 5500 block of Thomas Ave. in Halethorpe drove from the median shoulder into the fast lane and collided with a 2006 Land Rover driven by an Owings Mills man, said the spokesman, Trooper Darryl Clark.

It was a long drive from Atlanta to Baltimore for Morning Strickland and Keith Mercer. There was that awkward moment in a Waffle House in North Carolina when local residents eyed Strickland's traffic cone-colored orange Mohawk. But the folks at Red Emma's bookstore in Mount Vernon had plenty of coffee and vegetarian food on hand to welcome the pair, who came up for this weekend's Mid-Atlantic Radical Bookfair. Strickland and Mercer joined hundreds of activists from around the country for three days of workshops and discussions on such diverse topics as U.S. foreign policy and the prison system.

On April 9, 2006, DOROTHY A. (nee Pupek), beloved wife of Albert J. "Scoop" De Remigis, devoted mother of Albert De Remigis and his wife Lisa, Donna De Remigis, Jackie Herbert and her husband Cliff, Tommy De Remigis, Antoinette Mercer and her husband John. Loving grandmother of Daniel, David, Alison, Patrick, Samantha and Todd De Remigis and Lauren Mercer. Also survived by many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the SCHIMUNEK FUNERAL HOME OF BEL AIR, INC., 610 W. Mac Phail Road (at Route 24)