The Daily Record (Baltimore) back issues from December 2008:
Maryland Port Authority says it will relax access card requirement
Dec 01, 2008; ... The Maryland Port Administration is relaxing its requirements asit moves Monday to become one of the largest public terminal ownersto implement a new, federally mandated worker identificationprogram. By April, all public and private marine terminals will requirevisitors to ...
Court Proceedings - Maryland Court of Appeals: December 1, 2008
Dec 01, 2008 ... MARYLAND COURT OF APPEALS Estates & Trusts Inter vivos transfer BOTTOM LINE: Court of Special Appeals erred in holding that aninter vivos transfer constituted a per se violation of a survivingspouse's right to a percentage of the deceased's net estate under ...
Legal Opinions - U.S. District Court, Maryland: December 1, 2008
Dec 01, 2008 ... U.S. DISTRICT COURT, MARYLAND Civil Procedure Class action certification BOTTOM LINE: District Court granted plaintiffs' motion toconditionally certify a class action where plaintiffs demonstrated,by self-authenticating documents, that potential class members ...
Law Digest
Dec 01, 2008 ... MARYLAND COURT OF APPEALS Estates & Trusts: Inter vivos transfer: Court of Special Appealserred in holding that an inter vivos transfer constituted a per seviolation of a surviving spouse's right to a percentage of thedeceased's net estate under ET [section] 3-203. Karsenty ...
Commentary: Of Service: St. Ambrose works for sustainable homeownership
Dec 01, 2008; ... With the possibility that one out of every 26 Maryland homeownersmay face foreclosure in the next two years, there's not much goodnews to report. But here's something positive: Reality is sinking in and at-riskhomeowners are reaching out for help sooner. "We are finding a ...
My First/Gold medal: In snowboarding and law, it's best to be adaptable
Dec 01, 2008; ... When Nadine Osinski arrived at Mount Snow on the morning of theU.S. Amateur Snowboard Association's national championship in thespring of 1996, she was met with an 11th-hour surprise. Instead of the giant slalom she had been practicing and racingall winter, the chosen course more ...
Baltimore County jury orders lender to pay couple $84K
Dec 01, 2008; ... A Baltimore County jury has awarded $84,001 to a couple afterthey were charged additional, undocumented fees on their mortgage bya lender who also hindered their ability to sell their home. Vincent S. Serio was ordered to pay damages to John and CynthiaClark on Nov. 21 after ...
Dana Mark Levitz steps down after 23 years on Baltimore County Circuit Court bench
Dec 01, 2008; ... By the time Dana Mark Levitz was 13, he knew he wanted to be ajudge. It was that summer -- the first he was permitted to usepublic transportation by himself -- he took buses and streetcarsdowntown and watched trials at the city courthouse. "There were real detectives there. There ...
$207M suit against Bowling Brook Preparatory School dismissed
Dec 01, 2008; ... A $207 million federal lawsuit filed by the family of a teenagerwho died at a now-closed Carroll County school for juvenileoffenders has been voluntary dismissed so it can be moved to statecourt. Steven D. Silverman, a lawyer for the family of Isaiah SimmonsIII, said Wednesday ...
Harford County truck driver injured by forklift awarded $305K
Dec 01, 2008; ... A Baltimore jury has awarded $305,000 to a Harford County truckdriver who suffered broken bones and a torn rotator cuff when he wasstruck by a loaded forklift at a spice warehouse almost two yearsago. After a three-day trial last month in Baltimore City CircuitCourt, the jurors ...
Lawsuit takes aim at Md. State Highway Administration's rules on contracts
Dec 02, 2008; ... A 67-year-old Frederick construction company has taken the StateHighway Administration to court, claiming its program to ensurediversity in public contracts discriminates against firms that arecontrolled by white men. Richard F. Kline Inc., a family-owned business since 1941, ...
The Daily Record News Briefs: December 2, 2008
Dec 02, 2008; ... Money market funds update Legg Mason Inc., of Baltimore, a global asset management firm,said Monday it will prop up four money market funds with $420million. The funds had exposure to structured investment vehicles,or SIV, which issue short-term debt to purchase ...
Developer Struever Bros. puts Baltimore's Tide Point up for sale
Dec 02, 2008; ... Developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse has announced that TidePoint, one of its largest and most prominent commercial projects, isfor sale for $102 million, putting into play more than half amillion square feet of office space occupied by some of Baltimore'smost notable companies ....
On Cyber Monday, a hint of cautious optimism
Dec 02, 2008; ... With Black Friday weekend sales going better than many predicted,online retailers entered Cyber Monday feeling cautiously optimistic. But after the dust of the holiday shopping season's officiallaunch settles, some industry experts say while the in-store trafficmay calm down, sales ...
The Daily Record News Briefs: December 3, 2008
Dec 03, 2008; ... Weinberg grants: $99M in '08 The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, of Baltimore, one ofthe nation's largest private foundations with approximately $2billion in assets, said Tuesday it gave away $99 million incharitable gifts during 2008. The announcement came during ...
Utilities balk at Maryland Public Service Commission's 25% minority contracting goal
Dec 03, 2008; ... Local utilities balked at signing an agreement with regulatorsTuesday, and argued that a suggested goal for doing business withdiverse suppliers might not be attainable. The Maryland Public Service Commission said the utilities shouldtry to reach a goal of spending 25 percent of ...
Chrysler takes its case for a bailout on the road to Maryland
Dec 03, 2008; ... One of Chrysler Motors LLC's top executives is in Maryland thisweek, pushing to raise public support for the U.S. automotiveindustry as Chrysler and other top carmakers continue to lobbyCongress for a bailout to help them get through a slow year. President and Vice Chairman Jim ...
Greater Baltimore Committee calls for swift action on proposed Red Line
Dec 03, 2008; ... Business leaders rallied Tuesday for swift action on the proposedRed Line transit link between East and West Baltimore, calling theproject a necessary improvement to the region's transportationsystem. More than 100 people gathered for a lunchtime event hosted by theGreater ...
Baltimore lawyer heads to Ghana for 3rd African campaign
Dec 03, 2008; ... Larry S. Gibson will be jetting off to Ghana Wednesday night togive a presidential candidate closing days' advice in advance of theAfrican nation's election on Sunday. It's a trip that Gibson, a University of Maryland law professorand attorney in Baltimore, has made several times ...
Homeowners testify in gas-leak lawsuit in Baltimore County Circuit Court
Dec 03, 2008; ... The Twardziks, DePasquales and Fritzes moved to the Jacksonvillearea in different decades but for the same reason: to raise familiesin their dream homes. But their dream has become a nightmare since amassive gasoline leak in 2006 at a nearby Exxon station. Family members testified ...
Maryland-based Iridium Satellite LLC sees profit rise
Dec 04, 2008 ... Iridium Satellite LLC, of Bethesda, a supplier of mobile voice,data and Internet services worldwide, reported third-quarter netincome of $16.9 million, an 8 percent increase over net income of$15.7 million in the prior-year period. Revenue rose 19 ...
Baltimore Court of Special Appeals rules Workers' comp law no bar to negligent-hiring claim
Dec 04, 2008; ... A woman who says she was fired for complaining that a co-workergrabbed and kissed her is entitled to a new trial in her lawsuitagainst her former employer, the Court of Special Appeals has held. The decision reverses a defense verdict in Kathleen Gasper's suitagainst Ruffin Hotel ...
The Hodson Trust gives $3M in grants to four Maryland colleges
Dec 04, 2008 ... A trust that benefits four Maryland colleges has given $3 millionto each of the schools. The Hodson Trust announced the grantsWednesday. The money goes to Hood College, St. John's College,Washington College and the Johns Hopkins University. The ...
Maryland-based American Capital Ltd. cuts staff
Dec 04, 2008 ... American Capital Ltd., a Bethesda-based asset manager thatsuspended its dividend last month, said it will cut 19 percent ofits U.S. and European staff, or 110 workers, to reduce costs. Afterthe reductions, American Capital said it will have 160 ...
Libertytown Shopping Center sale slated
Dec 04, 2008 ... A trustee's sale is set for the Libertytown Shopping Center onRoute 26 on Tuesday. The center in Frederick County is currentlyheld by Damascus Community Bank. Sunset Supply Hardware is one oftwo stores left at the center. Rob Cline's family business has beenthere for 18 ...
Baltimore-based Laureate Education Inc. to provide 100 full scholarships for master's degrees
Dec 04, 2008 ... Walden University, an online university that is owned byBaltimore-based Laureate Education Inc., announced it will provide100 full scholarships to selected teachers to help them earn amaster's degree in education. The scholarships will be known asRichard W. Riley Scholarships in honor of ...
Maryland school system receives "A-"
Dec 04, 2008 ... The Maryland school system received an "A-" in a new reportranking states' effectiveness at preparing their students forcollege. "Measuring Up: 2008," a report from the nonprofit NationalCenter for Public Policy and Higher Education, cited the state'sstrong record ...
Community College of Baltimore County gets $18K dental grant
Dec 04, 2008 ... The Community College of Baltimore County has received $18,000from the Baltimore Community Foundation to help in the school'sefforts to improve the oral hygiene of local Head Start students.Approximately 250 students in seven Head Start programs will receiveprophylaxis, oral hygiene ...
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore issues a congestion alert
Dec 04, 2008 ... The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore issued a "congestion alert"due to performances of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular throughSunday at the 1st Mariner Arena. With thousands of people expectedfor every show, plus the usual evening peak traffic, heavycongestion is anticipated in ...
Port of Baltimore gains 10-year agreement with a Finnish paper manufacturer
Dec 04, 2008 ... The Port of Baltimore is entering into a 10-year agreement with aFinnish paper manufacturer. Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to signthe agreement on Thursday guaranteeing continued shipment of UPM-Kymmene cargo through the port over the coming decade. Stateofficials said this is the ...
Maryland's universal health care proposal to be discussed in legislative session is doubtful
Dec 04, 2008 ... Maryland lawmakers doubt that the General Assembly will takeaction next year on a proposal to bring universal health care to thestate. Montgomery County Sen. Robert Garagiola said Tuesday the planis "probably a non-starter" in the 2009 legislative session due tothe budgetary squeeze, but ...
Baltimore City Circuit Court refashions motor tort mediation mandate
Dec 04, 2008 ... The Baltimore City Circuit Court said it has refashioned aspectsof its scheduling and procedural requirements for motor tort cases,to require mediation in all such cases with claimed damagesexceeding $20,000. Mediation will be required to be completed nolater than 30 days after the ...
Frederick County Commissioners decide to allow booze in parks
Dec 04, 2008 ... The Frederick County Commissioners have voted to get rid of a two-year ban on alcohol in parks. But despite Tuesday's 3-2 vote, theban will stay until new rules have been ...
Washington D.C. Metro ads spark complaints
Dec 04, 2008 ... More than 200 people have complained to Washington, D.C.'s Metroabout an ad campaign that questions believing in God. One personpraised the campaign. The ads by the American Humanist Associationfirst appeared on buses two weeks ago and inside buses on Monday.They say, "Why believe in a ...
Baltimore-based Legg Mason's heavy hitters say prospects for another depression are very unlikely
Dec 04, 2008; ... The current economic situation does not resemble the GreatDepression of the 1930s, according to Harry "Hersh" Cohen. "I have a house full of prints from the 1930s, and let me tellyou, this is not the 1930s, people selling apples on the streetcorner, bread lines," said Cohen, chief ...
Baltimore County Circuit Court judge rules for lawyer in former client's countersuit
Dec 04, 2008; ... Wednesday was supposed to mark the start of a jury trial in thecase of a Hunt Valley lawyer seeking $35,000 in attorneys' fees froma former client and the client's $78,000 countersuit against thelawyer for negligence and misrepresentation. Instead, after four hours of pretrial ...
Electricite de France SA proposes $4.5 billion deal to Baltimore- based Constellation Energy Corp.
Dec 04, 2008; ... In a second attempt to prevent the sale of Constellation EnergyGroup to MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., Electricite de France SAWednesday proposed a $4.5 billion deal that would keep the Baltimore-based energy company largely intact by creating a joint venture forits nuclear generation ...
After good 3rd quarter, Maryland-based Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. slows growth plan
Dec 04, 2008; ... Beating analysts' expectations, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.posted a 31 percent increase in third-quarter profits Wednesday andreported a net of $9.3 million -- but the company warned theslumping retail economy would severely dampen its growth plans inthe coming years. The ...
News Briefs - 12/04
Dec 04, 2008 ... Iridium sees profit rise Iridium Satellite LLC, of Bethesda, a supplier of mobile voice,data and Internet services worldwide, reported third-quarter netincome of $16.9 million, an 8 percent increase over net income of$15.7 million in the prior-year period. Revenue rose 19 percent ...
World Stem Cell Summit coming to Baltimore in September
Dec 04, 2008; ... Maryland has landed an international trade show that focuses onstem cell research, which officials say could help boost the city'sprofile abroad. Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Wednesday that the BaltimoreConvention Center will host the 2009 World Stem Cell Summit nextSeptember ....
Baltimore-based Legg Mason to cut 8 percent of its workforce
Dec 05, 2008; ... Legg Mason Inc. joined the list of companies to downsize staff,eliminating about 200 employees from its corporate business,including 99 from its Baltimore and Owings Mills offices Friday. The layoffs will constitute 8 percent of the company's workforce, with most of the cuts coming ...
Regulators give environmental OK to LNG plant at Sparrows Point
Dec 05, 2008; ... A proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Sparrows Point wouldhave little environmental impact if developers implement numerouschanges to their plan, according to a Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission report released Friday. Although the recommendations made by FERC staff ...
Solo Cup cuts 29 jobs at Owings Mills corporate offices
Dec 05, 2008; ... As part of a planned 9 percent cut in its corporate work force,Solo Cup Co. said Friday it had eliminated 100 salaried positionsand 25 contractual positions. Of the cuts, 29 came from the OwingsMills corporate offices. The cuts did not include manufacturing jobs in Owings ...
Ficker fights for right to practice law in Maryland
Dec 05, 2008; ... Saying he has finally learned his lesson, a contrite and oft-disciplined Robin K. A. Ficker asked the Court of Appeals onThursday to reinstate the law license it has withheld from him for17 months for leaving several clients in the lurch. Pressing his own case before the judges, ...
Maryland Court of Special Appeals sends rural project back to planning board
Dec 05, 2008; ... The Prince George's County Planning Board must do more than "cutand paste" a staff report when approving development plans, theCourt of Special Appeals has ruled.The court sent the matter back to the planning board for furtherexplanation of why it approved a residential ...
Hunt Valley lawyer, home builder square off over unpaid attorneys fees
Dec 05, 2008; ... The opening statements in the trial of a Hunt Valley lawyerseeking unpaid attorney's fees from a former client boiled down to apair of homophones -- the fax versus the facts. Charles R. Diffenderffer's lawyer told a Baltimore County CircuitCourt jury that his client did not receive ...
Marylanders on the Move: December 5, 2008
Dec 05, 2008; ... AWARDS Jane Lipscomb, a professor at the University of Maryland Schoolof Nursing, has been honored with the university's 2008 Founders DayResearch Lecturer Award. Lipscomb is internationally known for herwork in occupational and environmental science. She focuses on ...
Commentary: Get ready to take advantage of refinancing 'moments'
Dec 05, 2008; ... It's been a little more than a week since the Federal Reserveannounced that it plans to buy up to $600 billion of debt issued orbacked by mortgage giants Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae andthe Federal Home Loan Bank. But when that announcement came, it senta jolt of electricity and ...
Commentary: Shop Savvy will surf the Internet to find the best price while you keep shopping
Dec 05, 2008; ... During this holiday shopping season, all of us are looking forthe best possible deal. To find it, we'll spend hours lookingthrough Internet Web sites, advertisements in the paper and evendrive from store to store to get the best price. Well, there is a new piece of software ...
Commentary: Homeownership Preservation Coalition helps Baltimore families at risk of foreclosure
Dec 05, 2008; ... In 2005, when a group of foundation, bank and nonprofitcolleagues created the Baltimore Homeownership PreservationCoalition, few of them realized that unsustainable loans andincreasing foreclosures were a serious problem. Baltimore had suffered a wave of foreclosures as recently ...
In Baltimore, condemnation drives urban renewal
Dec 05, 2008; ... For many people, the words "condemned building" bring to mind acreaky, dilapidated house with boarded-up windows and caution signsposted: somewhere you don't dare go without a hard hat. But in Baltimore, the use of condemnation powers -- otherwiseknown as eminent domain -- has ...
Week in Review
Dec 05, 2008 ... Tide Point for sale Developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse has announced that TidePoint, one of its largest and most prominent commercial projects, isfor sale for $102 million, putting into play more than half amillion square feet of office space occupied by some of ...
Fired Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Group workers will have some job options
Dec 05, 2008; ... As Constellation Energy Group Inc. looked to reshape itsbusiness, the company announced job cuts that could reshape thecareers of some of its employees. Constellation told employees in a letter Wednesday that it wouldreduce its global work force by 8 percent, or more than ...
The Daily Record News Briefs: December 5, 2008
Dec 05, 2008 ... GBC's Fry to head slots panel Gov. Martin O'Malley has appointed Donald C. Fry, president ofthe Greater Baltimore Committee, to head a state commission on slotmachine licensing. Fry is the first appointment to the seven-membercommission. O'Malley will appoint two more members to ...
Maryland Legal Briefs: December 5, 2008
Dec 05, 2008 ... Labor Dept. sues 401(k) plan trustees The U.S. Department of Labor said it has sued the trustees of theMaryland Sound & Image Inc. 401(k) profit-sharing plan in Baltimorefor violating their fiduciary responsibility under the EmployeeRetirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The suit, ...
Commentary: As medical expenses rise, don't miss key deductions
Dec 06, 2008; ... There are plenty of horror stories about uncovered medicalexpenses these days, and the truly horrifying part is that many ofthem belong to people who actually have health insurance. Butanytime you or a family member is facing a health crisis or anunusual medical-related expense, it's ...
Maryland Court of Appeals hears post-election firing case
Dec 09, 2008; ... In an apt case for a political year, the Court of Appeals onFriday heard arguments on whether a winning candidate for office mayfire civil servants who campaigned for his opponent. At issue is the validity of then-incoming Caroline County State'sAttorney Jonathan G. Newell's firing ...
The Daily Record News Briefs: December 9, 2008
Dec 09, 2008; ... More work for Profectus Profectus BioSciences Inc. a biopharmaceutical company that isdeveloping proprietary prime/boost vaccines and small molecules totreat and prevent viral infections and cancers, announced that ithas received two contracts totaling $21.6 million from the ...
Md. Court of Appeals reinstates former delegate's law license
Dec 09, 2008; ... It's not as though Robin K.A. Ficker has been idle these last 17months. Suspended indefinitely from the practice of law, Ficker has run aBethesda real estate office, successfully spearheaded a ballotinitiative limiting the Montgomery County Council's ability to raiseproperty ...
Baltimore County parents waive jury trial in starvation of two-year- old son
Dec 09, 2008; ... The Rodgers Forge husband and wife accused in the starvationdeath of their 2-year-old son waived their rights to a jury trial inBaltimore County Circuit Court. John and Susan Griffin instead will have their cases heard byJudge Timothy J. Martin, who granted the waivers on Monday ...
Maryland Business Roundtable to boost its outreach in Baltimore City
Dec 09, 2008; ... A statewide business group that advocates for education reformsays it is boosting its career education outreach in Baltimore Citypublic schools. The Maryland Business Roundtable for Education said Monday it isbeginning a $350,000 project to expand its programs in ...
Chicago-based Tribune Co. files for bankruptcy
Dec 09, 2008; ... Tribune Co., the Chicago-based parent company of The BaltimoreSun, filed for bankruptcy Monday in an effort to manage its nearly$13 billion in debt. "The company will continue to operate its media businesses duringthe restructuring, including publishing its newspapers and ...
Md. Court of Appeals grapples with online anonymity
Dec 09, 2008; ... The Court of Appeals took a trip to cyberspace Monday, as thejudges heard arguments in a clash between the First Amendment rightof people to speak anonymously and the ability of a businessman topursue a claim of defamation based on anonymous comments posted onthe ...
Baltimore-based Constellation Energy to begin talks with EDF on $4.5B bid
Dec 09, 2008; ... Despite its merger agreement with another firm, ConstellationEnergy's board of directors Monday authorized the company to begintalks with the firm that offered to buy half of its nuclear holdingslast week. Baltimore-based Constellation Energy Group Inc. will discuss the$4.5 ...
Elkton settles suit brought by homeless residents
Dec 09, 2008; ... The Town of Elkton has settled a federal lawsuit brought by agroup of homeless residents whose lives were upended when their campin the woods was bulldozed in August 2006. Elkton will pay each of the eight plaintiffs $7,500, a sum thatincludes their attorneys' fees, according to ...