Restraining

WASHINGTON — Maryland benefited far more than most states from the surge of federal stimulus spending since early 2009. Now it could suffer disproportionately as a new Republican majority in Congress tries to make good on its pledge to shrink the size of government — an effort that could put renewed pressure on cash-strapped state and local governments, and threaten projects that depend on federal assistance. "No question about it," Democratic Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin said in an interview.

Howard County Board of Education member Allen Dyer filed a lawsuit last week against the board attempting to prevent it and its employees from deleting electronic messages and other documents, but his request for a temporary restraining order was denied. Dyer requested a restraining order Tuesday as well as a temporary and/or permanent injunction in Howard County Circuit Court, insisting that the board cease destroying documents — particularly any e-mail from board members and employees — until it has a written policy outlining how such documents should be handled.

TV Ex-Ravens tight end Sharpe facing restraining order A woman has filed a temporary restraining order against TV analyst and former Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe . The woman filed the petition Thursday in Atlanta's Fulton County Superior Court. The case is classified under the "family violence" category. No court hearing has been scheduled. It was not immediately clear why the restraining order was filed. The ex-Denver Bronco and Raven is under consideration for the Hall of Fame.

A 32-year-old man convicted of trying to kill a police officer's husband had to be restrained by six officers during a hearing Monday sentencing him to life in prison plus 20 years, the Baltimore state's attorney's office said Thursday. Fernando Horton of the 400 block of Random Road shouted and struggled throughout the sentencing as victims spoke. A jury convicted him in January of attempted murder for shooting Asa Thomas, who's married to a Baltimore officer. Thomas had been visiting a family friend when he was shot through his driver's-side window, according to prosecutors, who said they believe the shooting was a "case of mistaken identity."

I always thought it would be fun to live in one of those cities where new products are tested. It must be neat to offer opinions about a thing still in development, knowing that someday you might look on, say, an automatic fabric softener dispenser with personal pride - "that fill line, my idea." And whenever I go to a movie preview, I dutifully fill out a little survey card. (I always write, "More dancing!") Anyway, sitting in judgment of someone else's concept is a large part of the fun of going to Punk's Backyard Grill, the lone locally owned restaurant among a dozen or so national chains that ring the Westfield Annapolis Mall.

The mother of Terrell Suggs' two children was granted a restraining order against the Ravens linebacker in a Baltimore District Court hearing that was devoid of abuse allegations and involved both sides working out custody and child support terms as they await the outcome of two civil lawsuits filed by the woman. Suggs' attorneys stressed that there was mutual agreement about the restraining order and said the 27-year-old football player denies any allegations of abuse involving Candace Williams, 26, who says he assaulted her on two occasions last month.

A woman who says she is the mother of Terrell Suggs' children has filed a $70 million lawsuit in Baltimore County Circuit Court, alleging that the Ravens linebacker abused her on two occasions last month. Candace Williams, 26, filed the suit Tuesday along with a separate complaint seeking custody of their two small children. The cases come on the heels of a restraining order she filed last week against Suggs, claiming that he knocked her to the ground and spilled bleach on her and their infant son. A hearing in that case is scheduled today.

A Baltimore County woman alleged in a court filing last week that Ravens linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs knocked her down and spilled bleach on her last month after an argument over game-day tickets, records show. Candace Williams, 26, who identifies herself as Suggs' fiancee and the mother of his two children, received a temporary protective order Friday requiring Suggs to stay away from her and to vacate their Windsor Mill home until a District Court hearing this Friday.