Second Week

WASHINGTON - Mortgage applications fell for a second week, reflecting fewer home purchases and less refinancing, a survey of lenders showed. The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of mortgage applications declined 1.1 percent to 778.4 in the week that ended June 24. The index still is up 35 percent from the same week a year earlier. The index of applications for loans to buy homes declined 0.4 percent to 477.4, the trade association said. In the week ended June 10, the measure was at a record 529.3.

Alex Love scored the game-winning goal with 2:13 left to play as visiting Hobart stunned fifth-ranked Syracuse, 13-12, in men's lacrosse Tuesday at the Carrier Dome. The Statesmen (6-6) got the final four goals, including a pair from Derek Akner , in a span of 5:04. Hobart was led by six goals from Love, who added an assist, in beating their in-state rival for the first time since 2006 and the second time since 1986. Dylan Donohue had three goals and Derek Maltz and JoJo Marasco scored two apiece for the Orange (9-3)

Good morning --Venus Williams --For the second week at the French Open, you're the star of An American in Paris.

The Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club, Inc. offers a $3,000 scholarship for the first place applicant toward the field of animal sciences. Qualified scholarship applications are taken through June 1 and reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. The winner will be announced by Aug. 1. The scholarship is generally awarded by the second week of August. If interested in receiving a scholarship application and a copy of the guidelines, please contact Norma Skillman, scholarship chair, at 410-273-7996.

It was a week of superstar debuts at the nation's record retailers, though some of the stars have apparently lost a lot of shine in recent years. Prince and AC/DC managed to bow their latest albums in the top 10, but David Bowie and the Grateful Dead had to make do with the top 30 and Diana Ross opened at No. 114.Speaking volumes about the state of music today, the old warhorses struggled to the gate while such perky newcomers as Alanis Morissette, Coolio...

For the first time in Maryland, the firearms season for dee hunting will be two weeks instead of one, state wildlife officials said yesterday."This will increase recreational hunting activity, giving people a second week and a third Saturday to hunt," said Thomas P. Mathews, regional wildlife biologist.L The new two-week firearms season is Nov. 28 through Dec. 12.

This week's Lotto jackpot will be worth $6 million, since, for the second week in a row, no player matched all six winning numbers in Saturday night's drawing, a lottery spokesman said.Eighty-six players won $1,009 each for picking five of six winning numbers, said Carroll H. Hynson Jr., the spokesman, and 4,176 won $35 each for matching four of the six numbers.The winning numbers in Saturday's drawing were 3, 5, 19, 29, 33 and 46.

The Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club, Inc. offers a $3,000 scholarship for the first place applicant toward the field of animal sciences. Qualified scholarship applications are taken through June 1 and reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. The winner will be announced by Aug. 1. The scholarship is generally awarded by the second week of August. If interested in receiving a scholarship application and a copy of the guidelines, please contact Norma Skillman, scholarship chair, at 410-273-7996.

Today marked the beginning of the Ravens' last minicamp of the off-season. Even though this week is considered to be optional, some consider it a must-attend for their own benefit. For first-year Raven Kordell Stewart this week means more than just conditioning. "These are reps that are, to me, more important than the regular season," Stewart said. "These are the times you find out about yourself and get the kinks out. This is the time to get ahead of the game." Fifth-year wide receiver Travis Taylor said that the second week improves more than just a player's skills.

So, Ravens fans, are you ready for some "Monday Night Football"? The Ravens appear set to make their Monday night debut in the second week of the season, an NFL representative "unofficially" informed team officials yesterday. The Super Bowl champions are expected to play host to the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 17 at PSINet Stadium. "I'm happy and we deserve it," Ravens owner Art Modell said. "We want to continue to be on Monday night and we will be." NFL officials would neither confirm nor deny the report.

North St. John's The North St. John's Blue Marlins defeated Dulaney, 302-186, in the second meet of the Central Maryland Swim League season. North St. John's had 25 Straehle qualifiers and 173 improvement ribbons were given. Anika Ekanyake, Samantha Ekanyake and Deanna Parsons placed first in all three of their events. Parsons broke another pool record with her 50 breaststroke time of 37.78. Other first-place finishers included Emily Bullock, Alyssa Corb, Brendan Demek, Alex Holland, Matthew Kohler, Aaron Luther, Cassie Meyers, Brendan Rice, Tharen Rice, Jeffrey Roman, Maggie Roman, Benjamin Skopic, Kayla Snyder, Katherine Stagg, Anne Warren, Dylan Wilson, Kevin Zgorski and Kyle Zgorski.

For the second week in a row, Baltimore got some prime-time, Sunday-night love on high-end cable TV. Two weeks ago, Lutherville got a mention on "Mad Men. " Granted, it was a throwaway line, but a mention is a mention in self-conscious Baltimore -- and its north county cousins. This Sunday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice got the shoutout on HBO's "VEEP," which is made in Maryland. The mention came when Vice President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)

The second annual Harford County Restaurant Week, sponsored by the Harford County Office of Economic Development's Office of Tourism, is June 9 to 15. Participating restaurants throughout Harford County are offering prix fixe (price fixed) menus consisting of three-course meals for $20.11 (or less), plus tax, beverage and gratuity. Limited service restaurants or restaurants with a lower price point are offering other special values, according to the county. In addition, anyone wishing to be eligible to win $1,000 worth of dining should have dinner at a participating restaurant during Restaurant Week and fill out a dining card entry form.

For the second time in as many weeks, wide receiver Mark Clayton made significant plays on the Ravens' final drive, helping the team complete another comeback victory. And for the second consecutive time, Clayton shrugged off accolades, this time for his role in the Ravens' 16-13 win against the San Diego Chargers. The first-round pick in the 2005 draft didn't score or lead the team in receiving yards, but Clayton turned in two receptions for 30 yards on the Ravens' final series - a drive that ended with quarterback Steve McNair's 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap.

Good morning --Venus Williams --For the second week at the French Open, you're the star of An American in Paris.

WASHINGTON - Mortgage applications fell for a second week, reflecting fewer home purchases and less refinancing, a survey of lenders showed. The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of mortgage applications declined 1.1 percent to 778.4 in the week that ended June 24. The index still is up 35 percent from the same week a year earlier. The index of applications for loans to buy homes declined 0.4 percent to 477.4, the trade association said. In the week ended June 10, the measure was at a record 529.3.

The Young American Bowling Alliance leagues are finishing their first month of competition on the tenpin lanes at centers across the nation.The Saturday morning youth bowlers at Brunswick Normandy have been quick to put up some imposing numbers.In Division I for the first three weeks, the Bowlers of the Week for most pins over average are Chris Handel, Mike Hay and Lauren Everhart.In Division II, Bowlers of the Week are Jake France, Jason Kessler and Paul Norko.Handel, 7, is one of the veterans.

The Ravens began their second week of passing camp today in Owings Mills, which included nearly all of the more than 70 players who showed up for last week's workouts. One exception was cornerback Samari Rolle, who was unable to attend because of a family vacation he planned before signing with the team. Other notable players who did not attend were linebacker Ray Lewis, running back Jamal Lewis, cornerback Chris McAlister, safety Ed Reed, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs.

U.S. mortgage applications fell for a second week as the highest mortgage rates in two months resulted in fewer home purchases and less refinancing, a private group's survey released Wednesday showed. The Mortgage Bankers Association's applications index declined 5.8 percent to 673.3 from 715 in the prior week. The group's gauge of mortgage refinancing fell 12.3 percent to 1,912.3, the lowest since the end of August, from 2,179.3. Home purchases dropped 0.6 percent, bringing the index to 460.3, close to the record of 501.6.