No parking for Wayne

Just after sunrise two months ago work outside my window awakened me. Nothing unusual. When I got to my car a few hours later it had a ticket on it. Huh? I’d parked there for almost five years without a problem. Sure enough, there was a shiny “no parking” sign beside the rear fender. The ticket had been written at 8:30 a.m. Must have been a team effort. Friends were... More

Rockville man accused of drowning children enters plea

State prosecutors are seeking life in prison without parole for a Rockville man charged with drowning his three children at a Baltimore hotel.Prosecutors filed a formal notice Friday in Baltimore Circuit Court. Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office spokesman Joseph Sviatko says prosecutors haven’t ruled out seeking the death penalty against Mark Castillo. More  Read More →

Colo., W.Va. gamblers could be nabbed for child support

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Deadbeat parents, listen up: Win big at the casino tables in West Virginia or Colorado, and your kids might win, too. The two states are moving ahead with plans to garnish the winnings of casino gamblers who owe child support. West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources is working on a plan that could be in place within 90 days, while Colorado is rolling out its system July 1. More  Read More →

Callers beware - especially if you go by “Weed Man”

When Zach Mazzola called Josh Greene’s cell phone on Monday night, he probably didn’t know that his name appeared as “Zack the Weed Man.” Or that the man who answered the phone was an Annapolis police officer. See, Josh was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested after his license turned up suspended. After the arrest, his cell phone rang, and the caller’s... More

Administrator: Staff acted appropriately in prisoner’s death

Baltimore County Detention Center administrator James O’Neill says he investigated the death of a prisoner from Halethorpe and concluded that his staff acted appropriately.O’Neill says he determined no disciplinary action was needed in connection with the December death of 45-year-old Michael Payne. However, the prison advocacy group Justice Maryland is raising questions about the case. And the director of civil rights in the Maryland attorney general’s office, Carl Snowden, says... More

Baltimore County police say seized machines were illegal

Baltimore County police have concluded that 110 video machines seized this month from 41 bars and other establishments were used for illegal gambling.The case has been referred to county prosecutors. The machines were seized May 8 in raids throughout the county. Under an order from a Circuit Court judge, police had two weeks to either determine the machines were illegal or else return them to owner Carbond, Inc. Carbond president Carroll Bond III claims the seizures have caused him financial losses. Source:... More

Judge: Duke lacrosse players can pursue lawsuit

Three former Duke lacrosse players falsely accused of rape can pursue a civil lawsuit against the disgraced Durham County prosecutor who led the case against them, a judge ruled Tuesday. More  Read More →

Liquor store owner told to stop taking shoplifters’ shoes

Police are telling a Colorado liquor store owner to give shoplifters the boot — literally.Tired of losing what he says was about $1,000 worth of merchandise a month in thefts, Gabe Fidanque started telling shoplifters he caught that they had two choices: Give him one of their shoes or he’d call the police. More  Read More →

Young people & debt: What can parents do?

Under what circumstances can adults be held responsible for their children’s financial obligations? Adults can be responsible for their children’s obligations if they co-sign for them for credit purchases. Rather than co-signing, a parent could help with a cash down payment or by giving the child the money. What can parents do to teach their children about personal finances? One of the many ways is to show good spending habits. Let the children see the parents pay bills and save for more expensive... More

Young people & debt: How does it affect lives?

What is bankruptcy? Personal bankruptcy can be generally defined as a legal process that either eliminates or discharges the debts of an individual, or provides a mechanism for some percentage of a person’s debts to be repaid over three to five years. How does debt affect lives in the short- and long terms? Too much debt will have both short- and long-term impact on young lives. When applied to for credit, banks or other lenders look at the percentage of debt as compared to assets. So if, for example,... More

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