Officer Jones

A Baltimore Circuit Court judge denied a motion yesterday to dismiss rape charges against two of the three police officers who were once part of the department's now-disbanded Southwestern District "flex squad." Defense lawyers argued that the alleged victim has changed her story and now says she was not present during a conversation in which the officers supposedly discussed the incident. Judge Wanda K. Heard denied the motion, noting that it was not unusual for witness statements to change over time.

On the streets, they're known as "knockers" for their aggressive style. The Baltimore Police Department calls them "flex squads" - teams of officers given the freedom to chase down suspected criminals in neighborhoods dominated by drug dealing and violence. But as one flex squad's officers cruised the Southwestern District, questions mounted about their activities. Defense attorneys, prosecutors and community members say they have heard for years about allegations of misconduct that included planted drugs and troublesome practices about how suspects were treated and charged.

Departmental charges were dropped yesterday against a county police officer accused of using excessive force while arresting a Glen Burnie man after a wild car chase last July."

If you're one of the millions of Americans who travel by air, a question you no doubt frequently ask yourself, upon boarding an airplane, is: "What, exactly, are the odds that this airplane will be pecked apart by birds?"Unfortunately they are a lot higher than you thought. Alert reader Colleen C. Brown has sent in an Associated Press article stating that ravens have been pecking holes in small airplanes at the airport in Sodoltna, Alaska. This is not the first example of nature getting out of control in Alaska (official state motto: "Bear?

Eleven employees of the Annapolis Housing Authority last night graduated from a carpentry training program that is the first of its kind in the state.The 18-week course was funded by a federal grant and accredited by the building trades organization, Associated Builders and Contractors. It provides a first step toward a journeyman's license.The program allows the Housing Authority to upgrade its maintenance staff while at the same time teaching skills to workers who can go on to qualify for better jobs.

Shifting a little nervously in his seat, county police Officer Gerald Jones had no idea why he was being honored yesterday by the Victim-Witness Assistance Program of the county state's attorney's office.But Joan Jenkins did.Ms. Jenkins works with victims of spouse abuse at Glen Burnie District Court.It was she and co-worker Jennifer DuLaney who nominated the 27-year-old Northern District officer for the award."He works the midnight shift, but often comes to our office when his shift is done and brings us a police report of domestic violence cases," Ms. Jenkins said as she presented the six-year veteran of the force with an "Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy" gold certificate.

Ocean City may up property taxProperty owners in Ocean City could face a five-cent property tax increase. City Manager Dennis Dare has proposed the increase to help pay for the tippingh fee imposed by the Worcester County commissioners for use of the county's landfill in Newark.Rick Meehan, president of the Ocean City Council, said the tax increase would give the town an extra $140,000 each year, enough to pay the tipping fee, which the county imposed of offset state funding cuts. Ocean City's current tax rate is $1.25 per $100 of assest property value.

Brushed by dispute An assistant secretary of the Department of Natural Resources answered questions about a program that landscaped public land adjacent to his Severn house. Case dropped against officer Baltimore prosecutors abruptly dropped a rape case against city police Officer Jemini Jones, who said afterward he was relieved it was over. Other investigations are continuing. The Sun's parent is sold The proposed $8.2 billion sale of the Tribune Co., which owns The Sun, to a Chicago real estate magnate will take the company private and allow it to keep its newspaper and broadcast properties intact, executives said.

Baseball BRAVES -- Purchased contract of P Buddy Carlyle from Triple-A Richmond. Optioned P Joey Devine to Double-A Mississippi. PADRES -- Placed OF Brian Giles on 15-day DL, retroactive to last Sunday. Recalled IF-OF Paul McAnulty from Triple-A Portland. RANGERS -- Purchased contract of OF Marlon Byrd from Triple-A Oklahoma. Optioned OF Kevin Mahar to Oklahoma. Designated C Miguel Ojeda for assignment. ROYALS -- Placed P Joakim Soria on 15-day DL. Recalled P Ryan Braun from Triple-A Omaha.

County police, responding to a complaint of loud music at an apartment complex where they say drug dealers stash their wares, arrested an 18-year-old Glen Burnie man on drug charges Sunday morning, police said yesterday.Officer James Haskell arrived at Woodhill Drive shortly before 3 a.m. and saw several men walking from an apartment building to a nearby convenience store. Meanwhile, Officer Gerald Jones spotted the same group and called them to his car. But one of the men, carrying a plastic bag, turned back toward the apartments.