The Daily Record (Baltimore) back issues from January 2009:
Commentary: Need a Second Life? Have your avatar call my avatar
Jan 02, 2009; ... Don't like the way your life is panning out? People in Baltimoreand around the world are doing something about it. They are startingover on the Web with an Internet game called Second Life. Second Life is exactly what it sounds like. Everyday peoplecreate online personalities ...
Marylanders on the Move: January 2, 2009
Jan 02, 2009; ... ACCOUNTING RSM McGladrey announced that Jeremy Migliara has joined the firmas a director in the state and local tax practice in the mid-Atlantic region. He specializes in corporate income/franchise tax.Migliara will work with the SALT team to address technical taxissues and tax ...
Week in Review - Business Edition
Jan 02, 2009 ... First Mariner defers First Mariner Bancorp has taken action to preserve its money bydeferring interest payments on debt owed to its preferred investors.The holding company of 1st Mariner Bank said it will hold off onpaying interest on $73.7 million in subordinated debt in ...
Maryland Legal Briefs: January 2, 2009
Jan 02, 2009; ... Man gets life, no parole for killing cop A Baltimore man will spend the rest of his life in prison for theslaying of a city police officer. Brandon Grimes, 23, was sentencedto life without the possibility of parole. Grimes was convicted inAugust of first-degree murder and weapons ...
Hoteliers in Baltimore's northern part of City Center worried about future
Jan 02, 2009; ... The construction scaffolding a block to the south of the TremontPlaza Hotel on St. Paul Place in downtown Baltimore was an ominoussight to the hotel's Michael E. Haynie two months ago. But now the scaffolding is gone, the Quality Inn logo has gone upand in a few months the 125-room ...
Pikesville investors can proceed with suit against golf course developers, rules 4th Circuit
Jan 02, 2009; ... A pair of Pikesville investors may proceed with their lawsuitagainst two out-of-state golf course developers over a failed planfor a "Sam Snead Golf Trail" in Virginia, the 4th U.S. Circuit Courtof Appeals has ruled, vacating in part an April ruling by a federaljudge in ...
Md. Court of Appeals: Powell v. State
Jan 05, 2009 ... Criminal Law Jury selection BOTTOM LINE: Circuit court erred by failing to declare a mistrialwhen an empanelled juror was dismissed for cause and criminaldefendant did not consent to proceeding with only 11 jurors or tothe selection of a replacement juror. CASE: ...
4th Circuit: Johnson v. Advance America, Cash Advance Centers of South Carolina, Inc.
Jan 05, 2009 ... Civil Procedure Diversity jurisdiction BOTTOM LINE: A corporation with dual citizenship could notestablish diversity of citizenship under Class Action Fairness Actto allow case to be removed to federal court. CASE: Johnson v. Advance America, Cash Advance Centers of ...
4th Circuit: Palisades Collections, LLC v. Shorts
Jan 05, 2009 ... Civil Procedure Removal BOTTOM LINE: District court properly held that counter-defendantwas not eligible to remove class action suit from state court tofederal court under either 28 U.S.C. [section][section]1441(a) or1453(b). CASE: Palisades Collections, LLC v ....
4th Circuit: U.S. v. Whorley
Jan 05, 2009 ... Constitutional Law First Amendment BOTTOM LINE: 18 U.S.C. [section]1462, which prohibits the receiptof obscene cartoons in interstate and foreign commerce, fell withinthe line of cases authorizing the regulation of obscene materials incommerce, and did not violate the First ...
4th Circuit: U.S. v. White, US4th No. 07-4750
Jan 05, 2009 ... Criminal Procedure Search and seizure BOTTOM LINE: District court did not err in denying criminaldefendant's suppression motion where police officer personallyverified every facet of information given to him by informant,except whether defendant was carrying ...
4th Circuit: Champion v. Black & Decker Inc, et al.
Jan 05, 2009 ... Labor & Employment Disability benefits BOTTOM LINE: Claimant not entitled to long-term disabilitybenefits where condition fell within mental health exceptionoutlined in policy. CASE: Champion v. Black & Decker Inc, et al., US4th No. 07-1991(decided Dec. 19, 2008) ...
Case digest - 1/05
Jan 05, 2009 ... MARYLAND COURT OF APPEALS Administrative Law: Interpretation of HG [section]19-906: Courtof Special Appeals erred in upholding Maryland Department of Healthand Mental Hygiene's exclusion of hospice care center from providinghome-based services in two counties based upon ...
Week in Review - Legal Edition
Jan 05, 2009 ... Suit against golf-course developers revived A pair of Pikesville investors may proceed with their lawsuitagainst two out-of-state golf course developers over a failed planfor a "Sam Snead Golf Trail" in Virginia, the 4th U.S. Circuit Courtof Appeals has ruled, vacating in part an ...
Letter to the Editor
Jan 05, 2009 ... Inappropriate description I think the word "arrogance" is inappropriately used to describeMs. Robinson's insistent character (Racial disparity still plaguesMaryland corrections system, Maryland Lawyer, Dec ....
Md. lawyers turn life-changing experiences into careers helping others
Jan 05, 2009; ... For 20 years, Steven J. Kelly has dealt with fallout from hissister's murder. There was his mother's heart attack, suffered just days after aconstruction worker found Mary Frances Kelly's body in the woods. There was the consuming anger that, at times, made Steve Kellyand his ...
Life-altering accidents inspire career change for Md. lawyer
Jan 05, 2009; ... Gabriel A. Riveros knew he wanted to be a lawyer, but he neverthought he would practice in what he considered the slightlydisreputable field of personal injury law. It took two car accidents to change his mind. The first happened in 1998 to his best friend, Kevin ...
President of Md. Psychological Association says pain can ignite passion for a new profession
Jan 05, 2009; ... Mental health experts say people who experience trauma do wellwhen they channel their grief and anger into something constructive,like a new career. Kathy Seifert, president of the Maryland PsychologicalAssociation, said she suspects that many people in "the helpingprofessions" ...
The Daily Record Legal Briefs: January 5, 2009
Jan 05, 2009 ... Court: Vacant apartment is a 'dwelling' An apartment unit between tenancies is still considered adwelling under the state's burglary statute, the Court of Appealshas held, affirming the burglary conviction of a Silver Spring man. Patrick G. McKenzie was arrested after being ...
Md. Court of Appeals denies lawyer admission to bar
Jan 05, 2009; ... A veteran lawyer seeking to practice in Maryland who failed todisclose a DWI arrest until after he passed the bar exam was deniedadmittance by a divided Court of Appeals. Gregory John Strzempek spent four days in jail in April 2006 inFairfax, Va., as part of pleading guilty to ...
Md. lawyers take courtroom skills to the field with coaching
Jan 05, 2009; ... Coaching Little League all-star teams appears to be catching onat Gleason Flynn Emig & Fogleman Chtd. Law-firm partners Christopher C. Fogleman and Larry D. McAfeeboth coach preteens who have made "traveling" teams in theMontgomery County Baseball Association, a nearly year-round ...
Md. Court of Special Appeals remands on-call pay case
Jan 05, 2009; ... An administrative law judge has again incorrectly analyzedwhether a certain class of state employees is entitled to be paidfor on-call time, the Court of Special Appeals has held. The employees are juvenile transportation officers, responsiblefor escorting juveniles in the state's ...
Congress strengthens ADA by expanding definition of disability
Jan 05, 2009; ... In response to what many saw as a weakening of the federalAmericans with Disabilities Act by the courts, Congress hasbroadened the definition of disability as a means to provide greaterprotection against discrimination for employees and job applicants.The changes went into effect Jan ....
4th circuit rules guilty plea not bar to sentence reduction
Jan 05, 2009; ... Crack-cocaine dealers whose prison terms were specified as partof guilty pleas are eligible for reductions in those sentences as aresult of recent changes to the U.S. Sentencing Commissionguidelines, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in asplit decision, reversing a ...
Midwife reaches settlement in U.S. District Court in Md. over unpaid insurance coverage
Jan 05, 2009; ... A Washington, D.C. midwife reached a settlement last week withher former employer in a lawsuit claiming the birthing center didnot pay for her insurance coverage as it was required to under theterms of their contract. Margaret Green Wardlaw was awarded nearly $51,000 from ...
Md. Court of Appeals: VNA Hospice of Maryland v. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, CA No. 105
Jan 05, 2009 ... Administrative Law Interpretation of HG [section]19-906 BOTTOM LINE: Court of Special Appeals erred in upholding MarylandDepartment of Health and Mental Hygiene's exclusion of hospice carecenter from providing home-based services in two counties based uponmisinterpretation of ...
Md. Court of Appeals: Doe v. Montgomery County Board of Elections, CA No. 61
Jan 05, 2009 ... Election Law Statute of limitations BOTTOM LINE: Circuit court erred in granting summary judgment toCounty Board on statute of limitations grounds where limitationsperiod ran from date the Board certified the petition, andplaintiff's complaint, filed eight days later, was ...
Md. Court of Appeals: Washington v. State
Jan 05, 2009 ... Evidence Authentication BOTTOM LINE: Circuit court erred in admitting surveillancevideotape and still photographs taken from crime scene videotapewithout the State first laying the proper evidentiary foundation asrequired by Rule 5-901(a). CASE: Washington v. State, ...
Md. Court of Appeals: Pines Point Marina, A Condominium Council of Unit Owners, Inc. v. Rehak, et al
Jan 05, 2009 ... Real Property Standing BOTTOM LINE: Incorporated council of unit owners that forfeitscorporate charter has standing, under RP [section]11-109, to bringsuit as unincorporated entity as long as it does so prior toexpiration of applicable statute of limitations. CASE: ...
Md. Court of Special Appeals: Supervisor of Assessments v. Stellar GT, CA No. 36
Jan 05, 2009 ... Taxation Assessment of property BOTTOM LINE: Court of Special Appeals properly held that mid-cycle revaluation of property, prompted by its sale, was notpermitted because it was not caused by one of the permissibletriggers set forth in TP [section]8-104(c). CASE: ...
Baltimore City Circuit Court rules arena billboards can stay
Jan 06, 2009; ... A Baltimore's judge's ruling has ended a five-year legal battlebetween two of the city's high-profile businessmen over an unlikelyissue: billboards. In a decision handed down last month by Baltimore City CircuitCourt Judge Evelyn Omega Cannon, lawyers for 14 ...
In Attorney Grievance Commission action, Brooklandville lawyer denies misusing account
Jan 06, 2009; ... A Brooklandville lawyer on Monday denied misappropriating fundsfrom the client trust account of his former firm, including moneybelonging to the Pennsylvania radiology group where he once servedas president and executive director. Brian Grayson West testified in Baltimore County ...
Thousands of Baltimore Ravens fans expected to make trip to Nashville
Jan 06, 2009; ... For Baltimore Ravens fans who couldn't get to Miami last weekend,one thing became clear after their team beat the Dolphins Sunday toearn a trip to the second round of the National Football Leagueplayoffs: It's easier -- and cheaper -- to get to Nashville. The Ravens will play the ...
New Md.-based Sandy Spring CEO says bank is in a good position
Jan 06, 2009; ... Days into his tenure as chief executive of Sandy Spring BancorpInc., Maryland's oldest banking institution, Daniel J. Schrider saidMonday that the buyouts of large, locally owned banks will put hisfirm in a good position. Schrider's appointment comes at a time of economic ...
Grand jury in Baltimore Co. indicts Oliver: State prosecutor alleges theft of campaign money
Jan 06, 2009; ... Baltimore County Councilman Kenneth N. Oliver, who last yearadmitted he had borrowed campaign money to cover a "familyemergency," has been indicted on two counts of felony theft andseveral election-law violations. Oliver, D-Randallstown, wrote two checks of $2,000 each to ...
Nathan A. Chapman Jr.'s defense firms in Baltimore and D.C. battle over fees
Jan 06, 2009; ... Featuring competing charges of dishonesty and characterassassination, trial began Monday afternoon in the fee disputebetween the lead defense firm for now-imprisoned investment managerNathan A. Chapman Jr. and a Baltimore firm that claims it is owed$200,000 for serving as co-counsel ...
The Daily Record Legal Briefs: January 6, 2009
Jan 06, 2009 ... Analyst cuts Lockheed outlook Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co., the two largest U.S.defense contractors, were among aerospace and defense companies thathad their profit forecasts cut by J.P. Morgan analysts because ofhigher projected pension costs. Most of the major defense ...
The Daily Record News Briefs January 7,2009
Jan 07, 2009 ... FASgen signs up Centocor FASgen Inc., of Baltimore, a drug discovery company, announced ithas entered into a research and licensing agreement with CentocorInc., of Horsham, Pa. FASgen said the agreement gives Centocor -- asubsidiary of Johnson & Johnson -- and its Ortho Biotech ...
Worcester County sues hotel-booking Web sites
Jan 07, 2009; ... Following in the footsteps of Baltimore and municipalities aroundthe country, Worcester County has filed a federal lawsuit againstthird-party hotel-booking Web sites in an effort to collectoccupancy taxes on rooms they rent online. The allegations, defendants, supporting evidence ...
Md. truckers not happy over state's proposed toll hikes
Jan 07, 2009; ... Many in Maryland's trucking industry cried foul Tuesday over aproposed toll increase at the state's bridges and tunnels thatopponents say disproportionately affects their business and couldhurt ground shipping around the Port of Baltimore. The increases, proposed this week by the ...
Rochester Wegmans Food Markets Inc. joins Giant in offering free antibiotics
Jan 07, 2009; ... Wegmans joined a small group of grocery stores Tuesday offeringshoppers free generic antibiotics prescribed through the winterseason, spicing up the battle between grocers to grow their customerbases. The Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. will fillcustomers' ...
Cape Air to start Hagerstown to BWI service
Jan 07, 2009; ... Hagerstown Regional Airport is adding direct flights toBaltimore, a move that returns it to a daily commercial flightprovider and gives Western Maryland businesses a direct link to thestate's travel hub. "It's an arrow in our quiver," said Hagerstown-Washington CountyChamber of ...
Complaints drop against Md. attorneys: Six-month decline follows upswing in fiscal 2008
Jan 07, 2009; ... The number of docketed complaints of lawyer misconduct fell bynearly 24 percent in the final six months of 2008, compared to thesame period in 2007 -- a decline in client criticism that issurprising in this time of economic turmoil, Bar Counsel MelvinHirshman said ...
Commentary: Hospital-employed physicians: Learn the lessons of Sulzbach
Jan 07, 2009; ... In September 2007, the federal government filed a false claimscomplaint against the former Corporate Integrity Program Director ofTenet Healthcare, Christi Sulzbach. Sulzbach, an attorney, allegedlyhad knowledge of, and failed to stop, Tenet from paying employedphysicians compensation ...
Baltimore County Circuit Court hears 2nd fee suit against Howard County homebuilder
Jan 07, 2009; ... A Howard County homebuilder was back in court on Tuesday,defending himself against a second suit for attorneys' fees in asmany months.Vincent S. Serio still owes Miles & Stockbridge P.C. $23,500 forseven months' work between 2005 and 2006, according to the firm'slawsuit. Steve ...
Hilton helps Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association toward bookings goal
Jan 08, 2009; ... The hotel and lodging industry may be suffering -- along withnearly every other sector -- but, to the surprise of someeconomists, Baltimore's convention business is busier than ever. Midway through its fiscal year, the city's tourism bureauannounced Wednesday it is more than ...
Md. Office of the State Prosecutor indicts Holton, Lipscomb
Jan 08, 2009; ... A prominent Baltimore developer and an influential citycouncilwoman were indicted Wednesday on charges brought by theOffice of the State Prosecutor, which alleges that the councilwomanaccepted $12,500 in gifts in return for her support of twomultimillion-dollar tax breaks for the city's ...
Md. state board approves $14.4M conservation land buy in Worcester
Jan 08, 2009; ... The Board of Public Works approved a $14.4 million conservationland buy for the state in Worcester County on Wednesday, giving themeasure the go-ahead despite concerns that the price may not reflectthe current real estate market. The property, which includes 4,769 acres and is ...
Junior Achievement sues marketing firm in U.S. District Court in Baltimore over 'Junior Achievers'
Jan 08, 2009; ... The nonprofit organization behind "Junior Achievement" has fileda trademark infringement lawsuit against a Prince George's Countylawyer and her sports marketing company, which uses "JuniorAchievers" as a shorthand name for its own charitable foundation. JA Worldwide, the ...
The Daily Record News Briefs: January 8, 2009
Jan 08, 2009 ... Bozzuto offspring promoted Bozzuto Development Co., of Greenbelt, announced the promotion ofToby Bozzuto to president. Previously, he served as executive vicepresident. Bozzuto is the son of Thomas Bozzuto, the co-founder andcurrent head of The Bozzuto Group, a full-service real ...
Md. 2009 Legislative Preview: State seems willing to wait for federal action on foreclosure front
Jan 09, 2009; ... After a flurry of mortgage-related legislation last session, thefinancial sector looks as if it is taking a wait-and-see approachthis year. Although there have been rumblings about some housing bills onthe state level, the changing of the guard in Washington may putefforts on ...
Md. 2009 Legislative Preview: Retail sector gets defensive as legislature ponders budget woes
Jan 09, 2009; ... After a General Assembly session last year that saw gains forMaryland retailers in the form of tougher laws against theft ringsand the defeat of legislation that would have cost business ownersmore money in benefits payments, industry lobbyists are braced thisyear to hold their ...
Md. 2009 Legislative Preview: Death penalty, police surveillance take center stage
Jan 09, 2009; ... Proposals to repeal the death penalty and to prevent overzealouspolice surveillance of peaceful protest groups will be the dominantlegal issues before the General Assembly this session. Both legislative initiatives will come before the lawmakers inthe wake of two state reports, one ...
Commentary: Charitable Giving: A man with a philanthropic mission, Keith Campbell wants to save bays
Jan 09, 2009; ... Watching an inspired person in action is about as good as itgets. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to see Keith Campbell receivethe 2008 Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year award from theAssociation of Fundraising Professionals at its November NationalPhilanthropy Day ...
Week in Review
Jan 09, 2009 ... Holton, Lipscomb are indicted Baltimore developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, president of DoraconContracting Inc., and Helen L. Holton, who represents the 8thDistrict, which includes much of West Baltimore, and chairs thecity's powerful Taxation and Finance Committee, were ...
Commentary: Above all, writing about what matters
Jan 09, 2009; ... Some readers will know I've been in these parts since 1977, butplease allow me a moment of further introduction. My hope is to show you where I've come from literally and, in thevernacular, where I'm coming from. I'm joining The Daily Record after 31 years at The Sun -- ...
Letter to the Editor
Jan 09, 2009 ... This is no time to raise E-ZPass fees The proposal to charge E-ZPass users a monthly fee is a terribleidea. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) should beencouraging E-ZPass use, not discouraging it. For occasional userssuch as myself, imposition of the fee will just ...
2009 Md. Legislative Preview: Hard choices to make as session to be about eliminating $2B shortfall
Jan 09, 2009; ... Maryland's lawmakers go back to work Wednesday facing a long listof hard choices as they grapple with the state's most dauntingfiscal crisis in memory. The tax increases approved in the fall of 2007 are not nearlyenough to stem today's rising tide of red ink, and any ...
Marylanders On the Move: January 9, 2009
Jan 09, 2009 ... ACCOUNTING KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, has named Kevin M.Hall as managing partner for its Baltimore office. Hall will beresponsible for the strategic direction and growth of the office,including overseeing approximately 200 partners and professionals.He will ...
Md. 2009 Legislative Preview: Return engagement for global warming and re-regulation
Jan 09, 2009; ... This legislative session may feel like deja vu to lawmakers whenit comes to the energy sector. Two bills that nearly made the cut last year only to get wipedout on the last day of the session -- the global warming bill and autility re-regulation bill -- will return for ...
Commentary: Tech Talk: What to do with all those less than useful gift cards
Jan 09, 2009; ... The holidays are over and many of you are sitting back enjoyingthe great gifts that you got from family and friends. However,others of you are not so happy. This is probably because you got a gift card from Doggie Worldand you don't even have a dog! Gee, thanks a lot Aunt ...
Slumping market forcing layoffs at Sparrows Point
Jan 09, 2009; ... Challenging market conditions have lead to a temporary layoffprogram at the Sparrows Point steel mill and three other U.S.facilities owned by SeverStal North America Inc., the company saidThursday. SeverStal would not say how many employees have lost their jobssince the program ...
Daily Record News Briefs: January 9, 2009
Jan 09, 2009; ... $1M gift to UM nursing school The University of Maryland School of Nursing said it received a$1 million pledge from Mary Catherine Bunting to establish ascholarship for Maryland residents enrolled in the school's ClinicalNurse Leader program. Bunting, a retired nurse practitioner ...
Md. 2009 Legislative Preview: Real estate pros say small fixes needed to ease transactions
Jan 09, 2009; ... As Maryland developers and home-sellers greet 2009 in the midstof a decimated housing market and the tightest credit market inrecent memory, it's the little things that matter. In this year's legislative session, real estate professionalswill focus mainly on the details that make ...
2009 Md. Legislative Preview: Health care advocates foresee lean year
Jan 09, 2009; ... While some health care advocates are poised to introduce newbills this session, others are waiting to see how much money willbe left for programs after the legislature deals with the looming $2billion budget shortfall. "Things such as stem cell research funding, the biotechnology ...