Sykesville

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office says a man suffered minor injuries on Saturday evening when he lost control of a motorcycle he was driving in Sykesville. According to the report, at about 7:29 p.m., deputies responded to the 800 block of Avonshire Court, Sykesville, for a reported motorcycle accident. Deputies learned the 53-year-old victim was operating the motorcycle without a helmet, when he came to an intersection and lost control of the motorcycle. He sustained minor injuries, but was taken to Shock Trauma as a precaution.

One man and three teenage boys have been arrested by police in Sykesville after patrons dining outdoors at a restaurant had a homemade explosive device thrown in their direction from a moving vehicle Wednesday night, the Maryland State Fire Marshal announced Friday. The "soda bottle bomb," a device that explodes after pressure builds up from chemicals placed in an ordinary plastic soda bottle, was launched from the Ford Escape about 9:30 p.m., landing within feet of two diners eating on the outdoor patio of E.W. Beck's restaurant in the 7500 block of the town's Main Street, the fire marshal said.

There once was a village vexed by the pillage of motorists who sped through its streets. "Do something inventive, cunning and preventive to rid us of this terrible plague! Anything will do, maybe a gizmo two, so long as no new taxes are raised!" With no chance of more spending to keep people from upending the limits on motorists' speed, The police chief devised what the mayor soon prized as a quite good solution indeed. Instead of cops on the beat, speed cameras would watch the street, and keep drivers who passed under scrutiny, The better to catch on that straight little patch those who flouted the law with impunity.

The Inaugural Carroll 5K Mud Run will be held Sunday, June 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Freedom Park, 100 Raincliffe Road, Sykesville. The event is both a 5k race and a 5k mud run. Runners can run on a flat 5k trail or take the optional detours to paths that include a series of obstacles where runners must climb and crawl to the finish line. The 5K Mud Run is for ages 13 and up. Younger children are invited to take part in a kids' Mini Mud Run. Cost to take part is $40 for the 5k mud run; $25 for the 5k basic run; and $10 for the kids' mud run. A portion of proceeds goes to the Freedom Area Rec Council.

SYKESVILLE - The Town of Sykesville will host a Main Street Planting Day event on Saturday, March 31, beginning at 1 p.m., and is seeking people to help out with the task. People will help plant trees and flowers on Main Street and the parking lot islands. Students service hours will be available. Ivy Wells, Sykesville's director of economic development and Main Street manager, said the planting is made possible through a donation of the Sykesville/South Carroll Rotary Club in honor of the late Harry Weer Haight.

SYKESVILLE - Main Street in Sykesville has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program - a designation that means it meets commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce a list of accredited Main Street programs that have built revitalization organizations and demonstrate the ability to strengthen their economy and protect historic buildings. The evaluation includes standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress and preserving buildings.

The Inaugural Carroll 5K Mud Run will be held Sunday, June 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Freedom Park, 100 Raincliffe Road, Sykesville. The event is both a 5k race and a 5k mud run. Runners can run on a flat 5k trail or take the optional detours to paths that include a series of obstacles where runners must climb and crawl to the finish line. The 5K Mud Run is for ages 13 and up. Younger children are invited to take part in a kids' Mini Mud Run. Cost to take part is $40 for the 5k mud run; $25 for the 5k basic run; and $10 for the kids' mud run. A portion of proceeds goes to the Freedom Area Rec Council.

The Sykesville Town Council voted Monday night, Nov. 26, to maintain the town's contract for a U.S. Post Office, and the town will plan to hire at least two new employees to operate it. The decision does not guarantee the post office's future, however, as the council plans to address its fate again during next year's town budget talks. It was a decision that pleased the full house, where many stated the importance of the post office to the town for not only its services, but also for its atmosphere.

Sue Komaromy has been out of New York since leaving her home on Long Island more than a quarter-century ago to play volleyball at Towson. Yet there is still a lot of New Yorker that remains in the 44-year-old mother of two who lives in Sykesville. The speech pattern, the spunk and now the most significant accomplishment of her sports career: qualifying for the Ironman World Championship next month in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It seems only fitting that Komaromy gained entrance into the event by finishing first in her age group in the Ironman U.S. Championship in New York.

FIRE* Sykesville: Engines from the Sykesville and Gamber fire companies assisted Baltimore County for a house fire on Melstone Valley Way on Saturday. Units were out for 34 minutes.

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office says a man suffered minor injuries on Saturday evening when he lost control of a motorcycle he was driving in Sykesville. According to the report, at about 7:29 p.m., deputies responded to the 800 block of Avonshire Court, Sykesville, for a reported motorcycle accident. Deputies learned the 53-year-old victim was operating the motorcycle without a helmet, when he came to an intersection and lost control of the motorcycle. He sustained minor injuries, but was taken to Shock Trauma as a precaution.

Adam Benson is a different kind of weekend warrior. A former Marine marksman whose career in the military was derailed by a serious motorcycle accident, Benson has turned what he thinks is a natural ability to shoot into potential reality television stardom. An architectural engineer by training, the 48-year-old Sykesville resident was among 16 to make the cut on History Channel's first season of "Top Shot", and he was brought back earlier this year to participate in the show's fifth edition as one of its All-Stars.

Some restaurants just feel comfortable. E.W. Beck's Pub is one of those places. From the food to the service, dinner at the restaurant is easy, fun and enjoyable. Scene A Sykesville staple since 1992, E.W. Beck's occupies a large building right on the town's charming Main Street. The restaurant includes a bar and tons of dining space - most of which was filled during our Thursday night visit. E.W. Beck's is popular, and rightfully so. Between the friendly, prompt service and well-prepared takes on classic American food, it's no surprise that locals keep the restaurant busy.

Redevelopment plans for Carrolltown Center will be unveiled at the next Town Hall meeting, hosted by Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard. Dixon Harvey, of Black Oak Associates, will discuss plans and a timetable for the project at the meeting on Monday, April 22. "At long last, our community will see plans for the redevelopment of Carrolltowne Mall," Howard said in a press release. "This is an important milestone in our community and should be an exciting meeting. " The troubled shopping center at Liberty and Ridge roads has seen K-Mart and Sears anchor stores shuttered.

Norman W. Meekins, founder of a Baltimore County paving company who was also a World War II veteran, died Thursday from complications of an infection at Carroll Hospital Center. The Sykesville resident was 94. Born in Stevenson, Mr. Meekins moved in 1921 to Stevensville, where he grew up on his family's farm. After graduating from Stevensville High School, he moved to Baltimore, where he worked delivering ice for Melvin J. Burnham Co. He then took a job as a salesman for the Formstone division of Lasting Products.

Sunday 4/7 Easter eggs An Easter egg hunt will be held April 7, at 10 a.m., at Winters Mill High School, 560 Gorsuch Road, Westminster. Face painting, crafts, magic tricks and more. Tickets are $10, with proceeds benefiting Carroll Hospice. 410-871-7220. Lake explore Hike the underdeveloped side of Piney Run Lake, 30 Martz Road, Sykesville, April 7, at 10 a.m. A water bottle and light snack will be provided. Cost is $7. 410-795-6043. Owl focus Learn about owls at Piney Run Park, 30 Martz Road, Sykesville, April 7, at 1 p.m. Dissect an owl pellet with tweezers, gloves and a magnifying glass.

Eldersburg resident James Whittenburg was named to the dean's list for the fall semester at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. He is a medical studies major. Kathleen Bird, a junior politics major from Sykesville, was named to the University of Dallas Honor Roll for the fall semester. Collin Mitchell Orf of Eldersburg, a freshman majoring in engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, was named to the honor list for the fall semester.

The Town of Sykesville and the Warfield development along Route 32 will be the key topics of a town hall meeting Monday night hosted by County Commissioner Doug Howard, at 7 p.m. at the South Carroll Senior Center, 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg. The meeting is the fourth in a series of monthly sessions for District 5 residents. Guests Ivy Wells and Brad Rees from the Town of Sykesville will provide information on the Main Street and Warfield projects.