Heavy rains are in store for the WYPR listening area on Friday and Friday night, as Tropical Storm Andrea moves into our region. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain could fall, and winds 10 to 20 mph are possible. Flash Flood Watches and Flood Watches are in effect. A joint legislative hearing on Maryland prisons was held in Annapolis yesterday; a commission is being formed to study the state’s correctional system, and new procedures for state prisons have been announced. Plus: a sewage leak in Baltimore’s Wyman Park, a new skate park in Frederick, a berry recall, and more.
Tropical Storm Andrea: Maryland is getting a visit from Andrea today. The season's first named tropical system is sending wind and rains our way, and the Daily Times notes that tropical storm warnings have been extended as far north as the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The Baltimore Sun reports that 2-4 inches of rain could fall in Central Maryland; winds 10-20mph are possible.The National Weather Service has issued Flash Flood Watches and Flood Watches for various parts of the listening area.
Prison Probe: State legislative leaders are announcing the creation of a special commission to study Maryland's correctional system.The Baltimore Sun reports that the commission came out of yesterday’s joint legislative hearing on state prisons in Annapolis. The commission is being formed at the same time new procedures for Maryland prisons are being announced; Governor Martin O’Malley announced yesterday that new cell phone blocking technology will be implemented at the City Detention Center, and that people who apply to be corrections officers will now have to take polygraph tests; the Daily Record has more here. At yesterday’s hearing, it was revealed that the former head of security at the City Detention Center failed a polygraph test about criminal activity at the jail before she lost her job; the Washington Post has more.
Sewage Spill In Wyman Park: Between 40-thousand and 50-thousand gallons of untreated human waste flowed into Stony Run, in Baltimore’s Wyman Park, yesterday. The spill came when an 8-inch sanitary sewer pipe broke near 39th street. The Baltimore Sun reports that, after using non-toxic dyes that turned the stream bright colors to pinpoint the location of the leak, Public Works crews constructed a temporary bypass of the busted pipe; repairs begin today.
Frederick’s New Skate Park: Frederick has a new skate park, named in honor of former Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine, who was a strong advocate for its construction. The park was created in an effort to combat an increasing number of teenagers skateboarding illegally in downtown Frederick. Dine tells the Frederick News Post that the new park is about “giving the kids a place to go.”
Berry Recall: A recall order has been issued for bags of frozen berries sold at Harris Teeter and Costco stores; the “antioxidant berry blends” have been linked to an outbreak of Hepatitis C Hepatitis A. The Baltimore Sun has details on which bags of berries are being recalled. (This story has been corrected.)
Baltimore Baseball: the Orioles took down the Houston Astros 3 to 1 in yesterday afternoon’s game; The O’s will be in Florida tonight, to kick off a three game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.