Central Maryland is under a Flash Flood Watch on Friday, with 2-4 inches of rainfall possible. As an unusually violent summer in Baltimore continues, city officials announce a new partnership with federal law officials designed to prevent and prosecute crime. Republican Harford County Executive David Craig chooses Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio as his running mate for his 2014 gubernatorial bid. Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman says she’ll run for a full term. Maryland watermen take crabbing into the digital age. And more.
Wet Weather: Central Maryland is under a Flash Flood Watch today; the National Weather Service says 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall before Friday’s showers and thunderstorms end. Folks in Ocean City are particularly aware of the dangers of flash flooding… after a rainstorm yesterday morning dropped 3 inches of water on the resort town. It came at the same time as high tide, so the water had nowhere to go – and the Daily Times reports that Ocean City’s downtown was filled with ankle-deep water.
Baltimore Crime Fighting Partnership: Baltimore officials have unveiled a new partnership with federal and state law enforcement officials designed to prevent and prosecute violent crime. The plan involves hiring two prosecutors who will be assigned to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Baltimore – they’ll deal with specific parts of the city that have seen the most violence, and be able to prosecute criminals in federal court. That means tougher sentences can be imposed and convicts sent to prisons far from Baltimore. The formation of the partnership comes amid an unusually violent summer in Baltimore; at least 23 people have been killed in the last three weeks, and nonfatal shootings over the past month are up 115 percent compared to last year. WYPR’s Kenneth Burns has more here; there’s more here from the Baltimore Sun. And WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith talks with the Baltimore Sun’s Justin Fenton about the partnership – and at changes in the Baltimore City Police Department’s command structure – on today’s edition of Inside Maryland Politics.
Craig Picks Haddaway-Riccio For Running Mate: Republican Harford County Executive David Craig has chosen a running mate for his 2014 gubernatorial campaign. A spokesman for the Craig camp tells the Daily Times that Eastern Shore Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio will join his ticket; an official announcement is expected on Tuesday of next week. Haddaway-Riccio was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2003; the Eastern Shore native served as House Minority Whip from 2011 through April of this year. The Washington Post has more here.
Neuman Plans To Run For Full Term: Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman is planning to seek her own term in office. The Republican Neuman was appointed to the position in February after former County Executive John Leopold resigned following his conviction on misconduct charges. Neuman now says she would like a full four-year term, saying she enjoys serving and plans to continue. The Capital Gazette reports that Neuman will likely face Delegate Steve Schuh and County Councilman John Grasso in the GOP primary. The Baltimore Sun has more.
Taking Crabbing Into The Digital Age: A year ago, a coalition of crabbers, environmentalists, and regulators launched a project that they hoped would get more accurate, timely, and immediately useful data on the crab harvest. And they say the project has been successful… at least, so far. WYPR’s Joel McCord has more.
Heat-Related Deaths: Maryland has now recorded four heat-related deaths this summer. The newest additions to a weekly state health department report on heat illnesses include a young girl who died in Baltimore County. Other additions include an elderly woman who died in Wicomico County and an elderly man in Baltimore County. The state's first heat-related death of the year was a man who had underlying health problems who died in Howard County.
Maxwell Sets Last Day In AA: Earlier this week, the Anne Arundel County School Board set a deadline for the end of July to select an interim replacement for outgoing superintendent Kevin Maxwell. Now, Maxwell has announced that he’ll stay on until the job until that date – July 31st. The Capital Gazette reportsthat Maxwell’s decision to stay until the month ends means he won’t be taking a break before he starts his new job, as CEO of Prince George’s County’s Public Schools; he formally begins that role on August 1st.
Baltimore Baseball: the Orioles beat the Texas Rangers 3 to 1 in last night’s game. The O’s welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to Camden Yards tonight, for the first of a 3-game set. Tonight’s game starts at 7:05pm.