Statement

A cocaine trafficking ring that for years distributed "vast amounts" of Honduran cocaine throughout the mid-Atlantic region has been busted, and three Maryland residents and 25 Virginia residents involved have been arrested, according to federal prosecutors. The drug ring, based in Northern Virginia, routinely paid couriers to fly into the United States from Honduras with cocaine stashed in shoes, decorative wooden frames and other "innocuous items" that would blend in with their luggage, according to a statement on the bust released Thursday by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Lefty Tsuyoshi Wada had season-ending elbow-ligament (Tommy John) surgery Friday in California. Dr. Lewis Yocum, who removed bone spurs from Wada's elbow in 2007, performed Friday's surgery. The Orioles issued the following statement from Wada: “The procedure went as planned and Dr. Yocum felt good about how it went. He predicts a full recovery,” Wada said. “I'm glad to have this over with and look forward to beginning my rehabilitation so I can get back to pitching for the Orioles as soon as possible.” There is no set timetable on when he will return to Sarasota, Fla., to begin his rehab.

We dread looking back on the events of May 3, 2010 and pray for the strength to get through each day. Time has not made us miss Yeardley any less, in fact quite the opposite. It is truly devastating to wake up each day and realize that she is no longer here. Yeardley's contagious smile, kind spirit and gentle touch have left this world but we know that heaven has an angel like no other. We will continue to keep her spirit alive by performing works of kindness in her name. We would like to thank the Commonwealth and particularly Dave Chapman for his tireless efforts on our behalf.

A cocaine trafficking ring that for years distributed "vast amounts" of Honduran cocaine throughout the mid-Atlantic region has been busted, and three Maryland residents and 25 Virginia residents involved have been arrested, according to federal prosecutors. The drug ring, based in Northern Virginia, routinely paid couriers to fly into the United States from Honduras with cocaine stashed in shoes, decorative wooden frames and other "innocuous items" that would blend in with their luggage, according to a statement on the bust released Thursday by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Lefty Tsuyoshi Wada had season-ending elbow-ligament (Tommy John) surgery Friday in California. Dr. Lewis Yocum, who removed bone spurs from Wada's elbow in 2007, performed Friday's surgery. The Orioles issued the following statement from Wada: “The procedure went as planned and Dr. Yocum felt good about how it went. He predicts a full recovery,” Wada said. “I'm glad to have this over with and look forward to beginning my rehabilitation so I can get back to pitching for the Orioles as soon as possible.” There is no set timetable on when he will return to Sarasota, Fla., to begin his rehab.

Thanks to the Sun's recent mischaracterization of the Maryland Catholic bishops' statement on religious freedom ("Bishops assail same-sex marriage," Nov. 10), many readers responded to one element - only five paragraphs long - of a 12-page document well worth reading carefully. The statement, "The Most Sacred of All Property: Religious Freedom and the People of Maryland," cites several examples of the problems that arise when government policies conflict with the deeply held moral and religious beliefs of individual citizens and religious institutions.

The Ravens have just released a statement from John Harbaugh regarding comments he made during a radio interview Tuesday about the New England Patriots' championships being 'stained.' Following is the full statement: “While on the 98 Rock show this morning to talk about the run to honor O.J. Brigance and raise funds for ALS research, I answered a question about playing within the rules and referred to the perception that...

GP Sports Management is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our dear friend and client, Dan Wheldon. Dan was a winner. For the past 11 years we were privileged to watch Dan become a champion on the track and a devoted family man off it. He loved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and was immensely proud to have his name etched twice on the Borg Warner trophy alongside some of the Indy 500 greats. He touched so many people in racing and around the world with his warm smile, his charming personality and his genuine good nature.

The following is a statement from INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard: "INDYCAR is sad to announce that Dan Wheldon passed away from unsurvivable injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan and his family. INDYCAR, its drivers and teams have decided to end the race. We will run a five-lap salute in honor of Dan. "

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake released this statement Friday: "It is with great disappointment that we announce the termination of the City's agreement with Baltimore Racing Development. Like many Baltimoreans, I hoped that BRD would restructure, recapitalize and begin to pay taxes and debts by the December 31 deadline. BRD's corporate officers and managers have failed to take the appropriate steps to put the company on a sustainable path forward. "The Grand Prix generated $47 million in economic impact and proved valuable in terms of positive media exposure and civic pride for Baltimore's residents.

The Ravens have just released a statement from John Harbaugh regarding comments he made during a radio interview Tuesday about the New England Patriots' championships being 'stained.' Following is the full statement: “While on the 98 Rock show this morning to talk about the run to honor O.J. Brigance and raise funds for ALS research, I answered a question about playing within the rules and referred to the perception that...

Political consultant Julius Henson plans to suggest in court this week that he is being prosecuted by the state's Democratic establishment only because he dared to work for Republicans, his attorney said Monday. Henson is accused of election fraud stemming from a 2010 Election Day "robocall" that prosecutors say was intended to trick black voters into staying home. But Henson's attorney contended Monday that prosecutors would not have brought the case had his client continued to work for Democrats, as he had in previous campaigns.

Owen Blye tied a season high with four goals in No. 8 Maryland's 9-6 victory over No. 9 Johns Hopkins Saturday night, and the junior attackman isn't shy about voicing his hope that his outburst made a statement to future opponents. “I have a lot of confidence in myself and I feel like if the defense doesn't respect me, I can make them pay,” he said Wednesday afternoon. “I don't think there's anything wrong with taking that approach into a game. Hopefully, I did send that message.” Blye ranks second among the Terps in goals (14)

For all the difficult problems the nation faces, from high unemployment to mounting national debt to the vexing war in Afghanistan, the contest for the Republican presidential nomination process has produced far more distractions than solutions. Primary voters and caucus-goers have elevated and rejected a string of front-runners, each seemingly more improbable than the last. And fueling it all has been the corrosive influence of millions in unlimited and unregulated campaign spending through super PACs that has propped some candidates up past their shelf lives and allowed for barrages of negative advertising the likes of which voters have rarely seen.

Jury selection began Wednesday in the retrial of Travers and Tremayne Johnson, brothers accused of setting fire to a pit bull, and it was expected to be a challenge given media coverage of the case. Baltimore Circuit Judge Emanuel Brown called a pool of about 80 potential jurors, about 40 more than usual, because he expects many to be disqualified for having previous knowledge of or opinions on the case. A hung jury caused a mistrial in 2011, covered extensively in newspapers and on local television.

A Jamaican man pleaded guilty in Maryland federal court Thursday to having sex with a young girl who was vacationing with her family on a cruise ship where he worked, prosecutors said. Fabian Palmer, 25, was working for Royal Caribbean Cruises, assigned to the ship "Enchantment of the Seas," in December 2011 when he sexually abused a 14-year-old girl, according to a statement from Maryland's U.S. Attorney's Office. The victim and her family boarded the ship in Baltimore and Palmer became friendly with her, prosecutors said, and they occasionally exchanged handwritten notes.

In case you missed it yesterday, the campaign of Newt Gingrich sent out what's likely the most epic political press statement of all time . Gingrich press secretary Rick Tyler, clearly frustrated with media criticism of his candidate, sent to the Huffington Post the following statement replete with medieval imagery of hellfire and war.  Here it is, in its entirety:  “The literati sent out their minions to do their bidding,” Tyler...

Franklin senior pitcher Matt Goodman and his new catcher, junior Jackson Thornton, worked together for two months in anticipation of this baseball season. Wednesday afternoon at Atholton, everyone saw how the hard work paid off. With Thornton calling the pitches, Goodman threw a two-hit shutout as the Indians defeated the No. 7 Raiders, 6-0, in the season-opener for both teams. In the process Goodman matched his career high with 10 strikeouts. "It feels great to come out here and beat a team of this quality," said Goodman, who was 4-2 with a 2.18 ERA last season.

Democrat John Delaney's campaign for Maryland's 6th Congressional District has brought a new manager on board a little more than a month out from the April 3 primary, the campaign confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Justin Schall, who has previously run campaigns in Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York, will replace Max Cummings. Delaney, a Potomac banker, is running in a feisty nomination contest against State Sen. Rob Garagiola and three other Democrats. “Our campaign has grown significantly and rapidly across the Sixth District," campaign spokesman Will McDonald said in a statement.