Blackwell trial: Final Day

The trial of defrocked priest Maurice Blackwell--accused of molesting Dontee Stokes, who shot the priest in 2002 (he served 18 months of house arrest on handgun charges, but was acquitted of attempted murder), from '89-'92 at a West Baltimore church--closed quietly yesterday afternoon. But it looks like the jury, after not reaching a verdict following five hours of deliberation, may hang itself. They were scheduled to resume talking it over this morning. We'll see what happens. Also, Dan Rodricks files a predictably solid column on the whole sordid affair; he is mostly exhausted and disgusted, and remains, rightly so, in favor of dropping the priestly celibacy requirement.

If anyone has a link to a lengthy story--besides these two Sun profiles from last week--on the Stokes/Blackwell saga, send it my way (email link in the upper right-hand corner). I'd like to share it since, besides being exhausting and sickening, it's also a complex, harrowing story.

All Bets Off

I'm confused with what went on with slots yesterday. The Sun leads with the state Senate killing the attempts by some lawmakers to limit where slots may go (namely not in Prince George's Co., Timonium, or downtown Baltimore). The Post, however, leads with House members compromising on a bill that would keep slots out of P.G. Co. and Pimlico. In other words, the two bills making their way through the General Assembly barely resemble each other, and, I think, that means slots ain't going to get through the legislature this year. And they most certainly won't end up in P.G. Meanwhile, The Washington Times also led with the Senate's removal of certain sites from the list of potential slots sites. Its story also notes that the "deal-breakers" for Gov. Robert Ehrlich, slots' biggest proponent, are Timonium and Ocean Downs (near Ocean City). Oh, and here is the AP story, which leads with Senate President Mike Miller confident the legislature's gonna pass some sort of slots bill this year.

Like I said, it's confusing.

News Hole

In the General Assembly: Group of Baltimoreans, led by ACORN, demand tougher anti-lead-paint law at House committee meeting. And Harford County residents demand tougher clean-groundwater laws at, I think, the same House Environmental Matters Committee meeting. Same committee to hold live where you work legislation hearing today. Harford delegate introduces anti-Segway bill. Legislators push ehanol bill.

Raven Ray Lewis opens new restaurant, Ray's Full Moon Bar-B-Que, in Canton's Can Company. Remember Atlantic? Same space.

Speaking of restaurants, city not doing so well on the eatery-inspection front. Or maybe it is (or at least better than it was).

Towson University student raped at "Ghetto-mont". (Sun story.)

And Annapolis man charged with raping 89-year-old woman during V-Day blackout.

UMd hikes student fees, shuts Diamondback reporters out of meeting. Also from the D-back, police and students disagree about what happened Saturday night.

Homeland security money for Baltimore-area synagogues: Good or bad?

Baltimore Urban Area Workgroup spends $400,000 on decontamination vehicle for Carroll County.

Could have Baltimore implications: CSX sues Washington, D.C., to regain right to transport hazardous materials through city (turns out they were doing it anyway).

University of Southern California scientist arrested for allegedly molesting a Maryland boy 20 years ago.

Dundalkians hoping for redevelopment. Turner Station residents, too.

Feature Hole

The spotting of a rare-in-America European bird in Frederick County created a flutter of media attention. All you really have to read is this Post story. But here is the AP version, and go to MdBird.org for pictures of the northern lapwing.

In The Sun, Kelly Brewington tunes in to El Zol. Dennis O'Brien unearths world's oldest modern humans. Edward Gunts goes trainspotting at the recently reopened B&O Railroad Museum.

From LiVE!, Annie Linskey yells over the music to chat with local club designer Rania Webber. And why is Rashod Ollison writing about Creed survivors Alter Bridge? No, seriously, why?

Beyond the Beltway

Seattle Post-Intelligencier editorializes in favor of Hubble Space Telescope.

And CP's own Russ Smith, writing for OpinionJournal embarassed to be a Baltimorean.

Alternatives

Read it before it's gone: Washington City Paper's John Metcalfe listens in with jukebox junkies.

And in Minneapolis' City Pages G.R. Anderson Jr. conglomerates with Clear Channel.

In This Week's City Paper

In the Feature, "A Shot at Redemption," contributing writer Ron Cassie goes investigates in-depth the three recent murders of recovering drug addicts at a Remington recovery house. As Cassie noted, such recovery houses have taken a hit in the local media recently. While some in the city say they are little more than profit-generators for their owners nuisances for the neighborhoods they're in, "A Shot at Redemption" argues they provide a necessary service. While neither the Sun's Jan. 11 story critical of group homes nor the daily's Jan. 17 more postitve recovery-house story is available for free on its web site, these two Dan Rodricks columns and these two Gregory Kane columns on the Remington murders are. As is this story by The Nose, in CP, which is quite critical of such homes.

In Mobtown Beat, senior writer Van Smith expands upon his Feb. 10 scoop on Jada Pinkett Smith's co-ownership of an East Caroline Street property tied to the alleged "Rice Organization" drug conspiracy. Here's the Sun's version again. And the AP's, courtesy WJZ. Also in MB, staff writer Gadi Dechter reports on the firing of Morgan State University communication studies Chair Carl Burrowes. Dechter's story refers to a Feb. 3 Sun story and a Feb. 7 Inside Higher Ed story on instructor-less Morgan State classes, for which Burrowes was the source.

In the A&E section, editor Lee Gardner reviews The Assassination of Richard Nixon (though he says it's well made, he doesn't like it that much). Since the movie's got a local connection--would-be assassin Samuel Byck attempted to hijack a plane at BWI with the intention of crashing it into the White House--that means a localized story from The Sun.

One more A&E link: J. Bowers on J-Roddy--J-Roddy Walston and the Business web site;

News Hole

While we were thinking slots had a pretty good chance to get through the General Assembly this session, the Angelos family's decision to not buy P.G. County's Rosecroft Raceway can't be good for slots supporters. The Post's story focuses more on the Prince George's legislative delegation's opposition to any slots in their county. We should note here that Laurel Park, despite its name being tied to the P.G. town, is actually in Anne Arundel County. The Washington Times, on the other hand, ignored the Angelos story, instead saying slots have a better chance now that certain possible slots sites (Ocean Downs and Timonium) are off the table. Finally, the AP story, via the Salibury Daily Times, and the Gazette papers version.

More General Assembly stories: lead paint, Asian oysters, and SUV tax.

Speaking of P.G. County, more here on that insane house break-in/shooting/fender bender/murder on Monday night, including a touching profile of the victim, Robert Lee Gail, who was a team mate's of Len Bias on the 1981 Northwestern High School (Hyattsville) basketball team.

And more on that Cambridge-area murder/suicide.

Entertainment news: The rock quieted at Thunder Dome; BSO not selling Meyerhoff.

More troubles for Maryland prisons.

Blackwell trial: Day 3.

O'Rumors? Not much. Just this Gregory Kane column; he wants Democrats to apologize for race-baiting of Lt. Gov. Michael Steele before the governor apologizes to the mayor, or something like that.

Nine Maryland men indicted in international drug ring.

By the unlikely-named Daniel Valentine: Blackout darkens Valentine's Day in Annapolis.

From the Diamondback: good suite of stories on post-Duke game festivities.

Feature Hole

Story of the Day:: The Post's Christian Davenport ducks and covers with Maryland National Guard chaplins at Camp Fretterd near Reisterstown.

The Sun's Joe Burris shines the spotlight on pioneering black football player Fritz Pollard Sr., recently elected to Canton.

European bird, northern lapwing, spotted in Frederick County.

Alternatives

Men on Boys: LA Weekly's Alec Hanley Bemis wakes up Bright Eyes. And in The Village Voice Mikael Wood gives it to Gavin DeGraw and Ryan Cabrera.

Case Dismissed

I'm verging on outrage, but I can't say I'm surprised that the Sun's lawsuit trying to undo Gov. Robert Ehrlich's order barring state employees from talking to two of the daily's journalists was dismissed's yesterday by U.S. District Judge William Quarles Jr. As the judge wrote, "The Sun seeks the declaration of a constitutional right that neither the Supreme Court nor the 4th Circuit has recognized." While my heart has solidly been behind Calvert Street in this case, my head, if not agrees with, then understands Judge Quarles' decision. Yes, Ehrlich's bar on columnist Michael Olesker and Annapolis bureau chief David is incredibly dumb, politically and factually--the things he barred the two for turned out either to be not true or not the blamed person's fault--but I've heard no rock-solid argument that it is illegal. And, since the lawsuit seems bound to be dismissed by an even higher court after The Sun appeals, it means that officeholders elsewhere will happily install similar bans against their least favorite reporters, whereas before they may not have felt so bold. But who knows? Maybe the 4th will decide in the newspaper's favor. I hope so.

Anyway, here's the Washington Post story, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press press release, and the Associated Press report, via the Post.

Vote Troll

Political analysts seem to agree that the 2006 gubernatorial race will be won or lost in Baltimore County, but incumbent Bob Ehrlich showed yesterday that he's not taking the D.C. suburbs for granted, with a trip along the proposed Intercounty Connector corridor, promoting the highway that will ease traffic between Montgomery and P.G. counties and/or hurt the environment, destroy dozens of homes and businesses, and depress property values.

More stories on Ehrlich's DC suburbs trip: the Post and The Washington Times (which leads with the governor sharing the podium with Martin O'Malley's likely primary opponent, Mont Co Exec Doug Duncan).

News Hole

The Sun's William Patalon III on the Verizon/MCI merger. The score: Verizon employs more than 10,000 in Md., MCI about 1,000.

Del. Dr. Dan K. Morhaim (D-Baltimore County) charged by state medical disciplinary board with mishandling three living wills.

Maurice Blackwell trial: Day 3.

Maya Marcel-Keyes, lesbian daughter of wacko conservative commentator/perennial candidate Alan Keyes, makes public debut at gay rights rally in Annapolis. More on Keyes' coming out party from Daily News' gossip column, Rush and Malloy.

Mayor O'Rumor updates: David Nitkin (remember, the banned Annapolis bureau chief) answers Sun readers' questions; was Joe Steffen's downfall a sting, of sorts, by a Democratic operative?; a yawn-worthy column from the Post's Marc Fisher. (He's mostly right and all, but tying Mayor O'Rumor in with Ehrlich's "respect" speech is so last week, and, ugh, "Bobby Haircut.") Finally, a localized roundup (reporter talks to Frederick pols) from the News-Post.

Police Beat: City cops add charges to racial discrimination suit; man breaks into P.G. County house, shoots occupant, steals SUV, crashes into another SUV, shoots and kills that vehicle's driver, remains at large; man kills wife, self at Cambridge-area motel; two men plead guilty in 1998 murder of Dundalk teenager; White Marsh fire ruled arson; daily blotter; woman killed in Charles Village accident named.

Two JHU scientists--Dr. Solomon H. Snyder and Nobel winner Riccardo Giacconi--win National Medal of Science. Sun story.

Cecil County probably going to be teaching creationism--um, we mean intelligent design--soon.

UMd cracks down on unruly Terps fans. Terps fans not happy. Also from the Diamondback, College Park airport reopens to public.

State Sen. Richard Colburn (R-Mid-Shore) proposes third Bay Bridge span.

In business news, Frederick Brewing Co. selling caffeinated beer, Third Rail, in Northern California. Old Beltway brewery coming down, site being redeveloped. Sun biz columnist Bill Atkinson on former RESI chief Michael Conte's attempted comeback.

Hopkins Jewish studies department gets Blaustein papers (Baltimorean Jacob Blaustein pretty much invented the gas station).

From Elsewhere

From Sunday's Newsday, Long Island theater producer Fred De Feis, of Arena Players, to stage priestly pedophilia play inspired in part by Baltimore priest, A House Divided.

And from Sunday's New York Times, Atomic Books co-owner (and occasional CP contributor) Benn Ray hates the '80s.

Missed this: After way too much consideration NPR ombudsman Jeffrey A. Dvorkin decides that John Waters on NPR Saturday mornings is OK.

A few weeks ago, before we started blogging heavily, the Miami Herald reported on South American U.S. sports stars and their families, including O's third baseman Melvin Mora and his brother, getting kidnapped and attacked when back home. Definitely worth a read.

Feature Hole

Story of the Day: Sun Moscow correspondent Douglas Birch has a great job: Siberia really cold.

Ocean City surfers raise money for tsunami victims.

Good second-day story by the Post's Caroline E. Mayer on MCI/Verizon merger.

Alt-Weeklies Roundup

Speaking of Miami, the New Times' Kirk Nielsen gives serious wordage to a guy who may just have invented a machine that creates water out of thin air.

Yesterday Colorado, today Texas:
Houston Press' Jordan Harper on why you can't get that goddamn, motherfucking song out of your head; and Dallas Observer's Paul Kix on Brazilian bull rider Adriano Moraes.

Hard-Boiled Anniversary

Today marks the 75th anniversary of Dashiell Hammet's The Maltese Falcon. What, you ask, does that have to do with local news and culture? Well, Hammet was born in 1894 in St. Mary's County and raised in Baltimore (and Philadelphia), that's what. To celebrate, listen to NPR commentator and mystery writer John Ridley's walk around Hammet's San Francisco from today's Morning Edition. A little more searching will turn up some more recent NPR Falcon anniversary stories. Ross Macdonald biographer Tom Nolan celebrates all things Falcon for The Wall Street Journal. And I really like this Washington Post online discussion with Rick Layman and Julie Rivett, Hammet's biographer and granddaughter. It touches on Kant, Communism, Southern Maryland Hammets, Malta, Paul Auster, Raymond Chandler, and much more.

It's also, of course, Valentine's Day. The theme for V-Day stories this year seems to be failing florists, succumbing to internet and big-box retailers. Here's the Post on a recently shuttered Landover-based wholesale florist; and here's a similar Associated Press story, via The Sun.

Rumorgate: Weekend Break

Not much actually happened Friday-Sunday on the O'Malley rumor front. In fact, The Sun seems to have stopped updating its just-linked mini-site, and has taken it off the front page of its web site. Conspiracy-mongerers, start your engines. Anyway, the only actual "news" was Gov. Robert Ehrlich's denial of any sort of wholesale firings of Democrats in the state bureaucracy (a simmering story that has broken wide with the revelation of Joe Steffen's "Grim Reaper" reputation). More procedural stories on said denial from the Post and The Washington Times.

More fun are the weekend wrap-ups (The Sun) and various thumb-sucking pieces on the Ehrlich's likability (Post), the internet and the decline of civility (Post), and how this all will affect the race for governor (Post).

Then there's the opinion pieces: the Sun's C. Fraser Smith on, well, Ehrlich's likability, the inevitable Post editorial, and Post media columnist Howard Kurtz ties the Steffen scandal in with the week's other internet/media/politics scandals. Whew!

News Hole

As it was buried deep in the paper and on the web site, missed this Friday. Baltimore cops shoot two, kill one.

Missed this, too, from the Afro-American: Prominent black Marylanders denounce Don Schaefer's MBE comments.

Highlights from Friday's Baltimore Business Journal: National Aquarium expansion behind schedule and overbudget;

ImageCafe founder Clarence Wooten trying to start $75 million venture fund;

Profile of Hamilton's Large Art Co. founder Richard Rist;

And local broker Mark D. McGrath gets to manage Ben Stein's money.

From the Capitol, Annapolis' downtown Market House to become a Dean and Deluca.

From Saturday's Sun, a slots legislative update;

Maurice Blackwell trial opens, with Dontee Stokes testifying;

The daily's story on City Paper scoop on the Jada Pinkett Smith/Rice Organization connection;

And, in biz news, Crofton-based Wendy's franchiser DavCo plans to stay private, and John Deere spanks Maryland Port Administration for closing Midwest sales offices.

The must-read from Saturday's Sun, however, is Stephanie Desmon's weekend wrap-up of the prison bus murder, featuring in-depth profiles of both victim Philip E. Parker Jr. and suspect Kevin G. Johns Jr. The AP's David Dishneau has also been covering this story well; here's his wrap-up, via Wash Times, on several Maryland prison system murders in the past year or so.

Sunday news: Terps win! Terps win! Terps win!

Also from the Sunday Sun, national reporter Paul West on new DNC Chairman Howard Dean;

Cityside columnist Gregory Kane on Blackwell trial;

National reporter Gail Gibson on federal sentencing;

Biz columnist Jay Hancock on Big Sugar;

And ombudsman Paul Moore on the loss of Thomas Friedman's column.

Monday news: Terps lose.

Controversial local construction magnate Willard Hackerman (remember that Southern Md. land sale?) starts up $5 million Hopkins scholarship program for Poly students.

Feature Hole

A must-read, from Sunday's Post, whether you're for or against mass transit (we're generally for): Whether Baltimore gets a system or not, not many folks are gonna use it.

From the Sunday Sun's Perspective section: teen driving laws in the General Assembly and the future of NASA (and the Hubble Space Telescope).

Like every other art critic in the world the Sun's Glenn McNatt gets to go to Central Park to review Christo's The Gates.

J. Wynn Rousuck and Mary Carole McCauley obit Arthur Miller.

Kevin Van Valkenburg on the decline of Sammy Sosa's popularity in his native Dominican Republic.

Good appreciation of Ossie Davis from Michael Sragow.

Save the snakehead? Yes, if you're a sarcastic Western state Republican.

Dog-sledding in Maryland? Sure, if you're a little nuts.

From Elsewhere

Story of the Day: Rolling Stone eviscerates Hunt Valley's Sinclair Broadcast Group.

It's not been a good week for Baltimore City boosters, besides Mayor O'Malley, who got that rumor monkey off his back. The nation's major dailies seem to be taking turns spanking the city for its multitude of early-year homicides. The Latest: the Boston Globe's Gary Gately on the problem with witness intimidation in the city. It's hard to say how much stories like these actually affect the city's image--or its ability to attract residents, businesses, and tourists--but they can't be good.

Other Alt-Weeklies

Two stories today from Colorado papers:

Boulder Weekly's Pamela White interviews controversial UColo professor Ward Churchill.

And, in Denver's Westword, David Holthouse warns clubbers about party drug Nexus (aka 2CB).