Neighbors

A neighbor of a woman found stabbed death this week in Pigtown has been charged in her killing, police said Thursday.  Police say Antonio Johnson, 52, of the 1200 block of Washington Blvd., has been charged with the murder of Deborah Simon, 55, who had moved a few doors down after her home caught fire in August.  Johnson has been in jail since Nov. 4 on an unrelated assault charge - the day before Simon was found by a relative. But police believe the killing occurred on Nov. 3, and say they found some of her stolen belongings, including a television and cell phone.  "We believe he was looking for money, and she let him in because he was a neighbor," spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.  Court records show Johnson has been picked up for drug and assault cases.

Speaking from the city's Emergency Operations Center, which went into operation at 7 a.m. Sunday, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake urged residents to get ready now for Hurricane Sandy. The monster storm is expected to barrel into Maryland early Monday morning, with gale force winds arriving later Sunday. "Prepare your property. Clear all storm drains. Check on your elderly relatives and neighbors and make sure that they are prepared," Rawlings-Blake said. "This is absolutely important.

In an age when there are "baby apps" for the iPad and HBO is reissuing classic children's books as made-for-TV musicals, it's nice just to take the kids to visit some goats. Some hard-working, big-eating goats. My husband and I spent a weekend soloing as handlers for Mikey, the 22-month-old grandson with the halo of blond curls, and when a friend spotted a herd of goats along the side of a road, we were off. There's nothing toddlers like more than barnyard animals that are roughly the same size they are. "Goats!

Rita Frances Le Gette, a former teacher and homemaker, died Thursday of liver cancer at her Severna Park home, surrounded by her family. She was 74. Friends described a woman always willing to put others before herself and lend a helping hand. "When anybody would move into the neighborhood, she would try to get everybody together to greet the new family," said Rochelle Slutskin, who lived across the street from Mrs. Le Gette. "She was the first one on the porch with a casserole or a pie, or anything she could do to make somebody feel good.

A 35-year-old Crofton man is charged with drug possession and distribution and handgun offenses. Michael A. Shepherd was arrested Thursday evening at his home in the 1600 block of Airy Hill Court. After a series of surveillance operations that stemmed from community complaints about illegal drug activities, detectives obtained a search warrant and arrived at the home about 9:30 p.m. Officers recovered two handguns, one of which was stolen, and several rounds of ammunition.

In what organizers say is a first, Aberdeen Proving Ground is opening its gates to its neighbors this week for a free four-day celebration. The Army base in Harford County is staging its version of Germany's Oktoberfest from Thursday through Sunday. On tap: German food and beer, a festhalle with live entertainment and all the conviviality the military can muster. The purpose of the party, APG spokeswoman Teresa A. Kaltenbacher said, is "to enhance community relations and highlight the towns and counties.

Tony Assadi shakes his head as he looks out over the racetrack for the second Grand Prix of Baltimore, which zooms past his Luna Del Sea restaurant and its outside patio on West Pratt Street. He and his patrons have a clear view - no blue screen blocks the sightline to the street-turned-course. But for that privilege, he signed a contract and was charged $5,000 by race organizers. "I paid it," he said. "But I didn't feel comfortable. It felt like I was paying a bribe. " As the weekend of racing heads toward the finish line today, the stability and sustainability of the event remains unclear.

The following is compiled from police reports. It is the Baltimore Messenger's policy to include descriptions only when there is enough information to make identification possible. If you have any information about these crimes, call the Baltimore City Police Department's Northern District at 410-396-2455. West Belvedere Avenue 700 block at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24. Cash stolen from vehicle. 2400 block, between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Aug. 21. Tools stolen from truck. Buena Vista Avenue 4100 block, between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 21. 42-inch Samsung TV, two watches stolen.

Regarding Steven Riveli's praise for the Rotunda mall owner's design decisions and list of experts who favor this type of development, the key to the most favorable plan lies in the character of the community it will serve ("Rotunda owners right to turn the mall inside out," Aug. 21). The community surrounding the Rotunda is not Harbor East or Towson. It is in an area that serves three senior citizen complexes and several well-established neighborhoods. This community welcomes the upgrade of the Rotunda and new neighbors.

Multiple reports of gunfire sent police to Baltimore's Irvington neighborhood Thursday afternoon, where they found a 26-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest. Officers responded at 4:29 p.m. to the unit block of North Athol Street near Mountview Road. The victim was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he died at 5:20 p.m. Baltimore police have not identified the victim. Mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts