Lots of schedule changes are in effect as Maryland celebrates the nation’s birthday; we’ve got an overview and information about the 4th of July fireworks displays around the region. Plus: water rates are going up in Baltimore, MD has seen its first heat-related death of 2013, and a milestone for MD’s DNA Crime Database. Also: water quality in Baltimore’s harbor, the health of the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore’s law on signs at pregnancy clinics goes back to District Court, retired Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis embarks on a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, and more.
Independence Day Schedule Changes: As the nation celebrates its independence on this Fourth of July, many schedule changes are in effect… the Baltimore Sun has a comprehensive look here. An overview: federal, state, and local government offices are closed today. Courts, banks, and public libraries are closed as well. There’s no regular mail delivery from the US Post Office, but express mail is still going out. There's no trash pickup today, and landfills and recycling centers are closed. Baltimore City residents whose trash or recycling was supposed to go out today get a make-up day this Saturday, July 6th. And the parking meters are taking the day off as well in most of Maryland, including Annapolis, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County.
Bay Bridge Travel: The Bay Bridge is expected to be busy today through Sunday; officials encourage you to plan your travels so you hit the Bridge in off peak times – that’s before 10 this morning and after 10 tonight.Details on Bay Bridge traffic here, or by calling 877-BAYSPAN. And remember: tolls went up at many MD bridges and tunnels on Monday; you’ll now pay $6 to cross the Bay Bridge, and $4 to use the Key Bridge or Fort McHenry and Harbor Tunnels. The MdTA has information here.
MTA Schedule Changes: this Independence Day brings lots of changes to public transportation; the MTA has a complete look here. Again, an overview: MARC Trains and MTA commuter buses are not operating today. The Metro Subway, Light Rail, and Local Buses are running, but they’re on Sunday/Holiday schedules. And even that’s incomplete – the Light Rail is running late, a full hour after Baltimore’s downtown fireworks display. And some firework-related diversions are in effect for some Local Bus routes.
Baltimore’s Fireworks: Baltimore's Inner Harbor fireworks display will begin precisely at 9:30 tonight. The Baltimore Sun reports that about 200-thousand people are expected to visit the Inner Harbor today. Baltimore City police are increasing enforcement in an effort to make the city's Fourth of July celebration safe; the Baltimore Business Journal reports that today the city will see police in cars, on foot and on horseback; undercover officers will also be in patrol, and state and transit police will also be on hand. The city has suspended leave, so that officers can work the holiday.
Other Fireworks: Annapolis has its own fireworks display, starting at 9:15 tonight. Fireworks in Frederick start at dusk. Ocean City sets off its fireworks at 9:30 tonight, at two different locations. More about fireworks in our region can be found here; and there’s even more here, compiled for the Maryland Morning Culture Calendar.
Baltimore Water Rates Go Up: Baltimore’s Board of Estimates has approved a 15-percent increase in water rates for this year and eleven-percent increases in the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake voted for the rate hike, but said it was one of the most difficult votes she’s ever had to make as an elected official.According to the Baltimore Sun, Rawlings-Blake said that Baltimoreans simply have no choice but to pay more because of large number of water main breaks and the threat of more in the future.
MD’s First Heat-Related Fatality Of 2013: The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says that a Howard County man between the ages of 45 and 54 died of heat-related complications, the first heat-related death of this year. As the Baltimore Sun reports, health officials also urge Marylanders to take precautions this week, as the high heat continues. Highs are expected to remain in the 90s through Saturday, at least.
Chesapeake Bay Health: The health of the Chesapeake Bay received a “C” grade for 2012, in the annual report card issued by the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science. That “C” is up from the “D-plus” that Bay health got last year. The Baltimore Sun reports that most indicators of bay water quality and biological vitality increases from year to year.
Baltimore Harbor Water Health: A study released last month by the Waterfront Partnership gave Baltimore's harbor a grade of C-minus. Not good, but better than many in the city may have expected. WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith comments in his weekly essay.
MD’s DNA Crime Database: Maryland is marking a milestone in the state's DNA crime database. As of last Friday, the three-thousandth positive match was made between DNA collected from a crime scene or victim and a sample in the State Police database. The Gazette notes that Maryland began requiring everyone arrested for a serious crime to submit a sample in 2009; that law was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Baltimore’s Pregnancy Clinic Sign Law: A Baltimore law requiring pregnancy clinics that don’t provide abortions to post signs saying so has been sent back to US District Court. That court had earlier struck down the law, but yesterday the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned its ruling, calling that decision “laden with error.” Both sides will now have an opportunity to present more information on their arguments; the Baltimore Sun reports that the city has agreed to keep the law on hold until a ruling has been reached.
Anne Arundel Continues Search For New Superintendent: The Anne Arundel County school board has scheduled another meeting as it works to replace outgoing Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, who’s moving to Prince George’s County, to become CEO of schools there. The Anne Arundel County board held a four-hour meeting yesterday, it’s second. The Capital Gazette reports that another closed-door meeting has been set on Tuesday of next week, the day before the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Bacteria Shut 3 Baltimore County Beaches: The Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, the Oregon Ridge Park Beach and the Beaver Dam Swim Club beach are all closed today; officials tell the Baltimore Sun the heavy rains in the area over the last few weeks are responsible for high bacteria levels that have prompted the closures. The swimming areas will be reopened when testing determines that bacteria have dropped below acceptable limits.
Lewis Climbing Kilimanjaro: Retired Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is embarking on a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Baltimore Sun reportsthat Lewis is making the trek to raise money and awareness for clean water projects in East Africa. At more than 19-thousand-300 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.
Baltimore Baseball: The Orioles were victorious in yesterday’s game against the Chicago White Sox; the score was 4 to 2. The O’s look to do it again when the two teams conclude their series this afternoon.