Training

The Maryland General Assembly on Tuesday approved a new program that would distribute $2.5 million in state grants each year to train workers for high-demand industries. The House of Delegates voted 115-23 to approve the measure, which passed the Senate unanimously last month. Gov. Martin O'Malley introduced the Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now bill, given the acronym EARN, and on Tuesday celebrated its passage.  "Though Maryland has built up one of the most highly-skilled workforces in the nation, too many of our workers lack the skills they need to compete for the jobs in highest demand," O'Malley said in a statement, adding that "The EARN initiative will help us bridge that skills gap. "  Under the program, grants would be distributed through partnerships among workforce centers, community colleges, employers and others in "targeted industries" that have a high demand for skilled workers.

The Orioles have passed the halfway point in spring training and there is plenty that we still don't know about them, but you have to like what has happened at the Ed Smith Stadium facility so far. Almost nothing. The first four weeks have been surprisingly uneventful. There have been no major injuries and no big off-the-field problems, unless you count the fact that shortstop J.J. Hardy actually lost a game of ping pong the other day. The tone has been upbeat throughout, except the part where all the players in the Orioles clubhouse keep talking about the unfinished business to need to attend to in 2013.

Robert W. Cos, a crane equipment safety consultant who raised awareness in the 1980s of the unsafe car practice called "clipping," died Sunday of pancreatic cancer at Stella Maris Hospice. The longtime Canton resident was 65. Robert William Cos, whose parents owned John's Lunch on Pier 7, was born in Baltimore and raised on South Montford Avenue in Canton. After graduating from Patterson High School in 1964, he enlisted in the Marine Corps the next year. He served in Vietnam during the war and had attained the rank of sergeant at the time of his 1969 discharge.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold hasn't played left field since last Friday, and if he can't get out there consistently this spring, he could end up on the disabled list when the Orioles break camp. That's so far away in Reimold's mind, however, that he's not even slightly worried. “What do we still got, four weeks [left]? I think I'll be all right,” said Reimold, who has been dealing with right shoulder tightness and has been limited to designated hitter duties. “I'm not really concerned about not being able to play the field.

Johns Hopkins will train China's next generation of doctors, researchers and hospital administrators under a new agreement with Sun Yat-sen University. The agreement was signed this week in the city of Guangzhou, where the university has affiliated hospitals, officials with Johns Hopkins Medicine International said. China's health system is growing rapidly and officials there hope Hopkins' expertise will help them develop a strong foundation for medical care.   Under the agreement, Hopkins researchers will teach courses at Sun Yat-sen.

Non-roster invitee Conor Jackson continues to make the most of his opportunity this spring. Jackson hit a pair of homers in Sunday's 12-3 Grapefruit League win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Both of them were aided by the wind, but I thought both were hit well enough to get out of the stadium on a calm day. Orioles manager Buck Showalter disagreed. “He'd be the first to tell you they were good swings in the proper elements,” he said. Still, you can't argue that Jackson, who has played in more than 60 games just once since contracting Valley Fever in 2009, is off to a good start in fighting for a reserve roster spot.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter, back in Baltimore Monday evening to be honored as the Baltimore Sun Marylander of the Year, told a group of local business leaders that former Orioles closer Gregg Olson is planning on joining the team to help with spring training instruction. Olson, who was the Orioles closer from 1989 to 1993, remains the franchise's all-time saves leader with 160. The list of former Orioles who have helped with spring training instruction this spring include catcher Chris Hoiles, outfielder Al Bumbry and outfielder B.J. Surhoff.

Jonathon Rondeau, who recently ran an Upper Malboro training center for people with disabilities, has taken the reins at the Family League of Baltimore. Rondeau, who worked most recently as the chief program officer at Melwood Horticultural Training Center, said his initial goals include better using data to measure the effectiveness of the league's work. The nonprofit works to enhance the well being of the city's children, youth and families. "I look forward to working with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, public agencies and the Family League partners to ensure that children, youth and families have equal opportunities to live, learn and grow equipped with the tools and resources they need to go on to college, career and successful lives," Rondeau said in a statement.

Mixed Martial Arts has come to Bel Air. Ground Control – Bel Air, an MMA training and fitness center, is celebrating its official grand opening and open house on Saturday, March 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. The new facility is at 305 S. Atwood in Bel Air. The afternoon will feature professional fighter seminars and training sessions, autographs sessions, local celebrities, select vendors, music, food and many give-away items, including tickets to an...

After initially balking at The Baltimore Sun's request following an accidental shooting that critically injured a recruit, Baltimore police have released protocols and policies related to firearms exercises. With criminal and internal investigations pending, its unclear what specific policies might have been broken or how. But the documents make clear that no live firearm should have been present during the Feb. 12 training exercise. The policies state that a "safety officer" must be placed at every entrance or access point to ensure that no weapons are inside the training area.