Journey Burris – Baltimore Sun https://www.baltimoresun.com Baltimore Sun: Your source for Baltimore breaking news, sports, business, entertainment, weather and traffic Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:22:37 +0000 en-US hourly 30 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.baltimoresun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/baltimore-sun-favicon.png?w=32 Journey Burris – Baltimore Sun https://www.baltimoresun.com 32 32 208788401 Veterans Day parade returns to Baltimore; traffic, parking restrictions set https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/07/veterans-day-parade-returns-to-baltimore-traffic-parking-restrictions-set/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:22:37 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11787393 Several downtown streets will close and parking rules will be temporarily suspended Saturday for the city’s 2025 Veterans Day Parade, according to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon at the Washington Monument at Charles and Centre streets. Marchers will head south on Charles Street, turn left onto Baltimore Street, and make another left onto Gay Street before ending near War Memorial Plaza on East Lexington Street, according to a news release.

Street closures will begin around 9 a.m. Saturday, and traffic detours will be in place throughout the day. The affected streets include:

  • Mt. Vernon Place between Cathedral and St. Paul streets
  • Charles Street from Madison to Lombard streets
  • Centre Street between Park Avenue and St. Paul Street
  • Lexington Street from Charles to St. Paul streets and from Guilford Avenue to Gay Street
  • Holliday Street between Saratoga and Lexington streets and between Fayette and Baltimore streets
  • Commerce Street from Baltimore to Lombard streets
  • Baltimore Street between Hopkins Plaza and Gay Street
  • Gay Street from Pratt to Lexington streets
  • Transportation officials said intermittent traffic holds will occur for parade safety. Drivers should plan for delays and use alternate routes when possible.

In addition, the Charm City Circulator’s Purple and Green routes will run on detours from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Riders can check the Passio GO! app for live bus tracking or visit the Circulator’s website for more details.

Have a news tip? Contact Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.

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11787393 2025-11-07T15:22:37+00:00 2025-11-07T15:22:37+00:00
Maryland to provide extra SNAP support amid federal funding uncertainty https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/07/maryland-to-provide-extra-snap-support-amid-federal-funding-uncertainty/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:56:05 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11786792 Maryland residents currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits will get some extra help from the state beginning Tuesday, amid ongoing legal battles over the program.

Following Gov. Wes Moore’s Nov. 3 emergency order, households that typically receive SNAP support on or before Nov. 11 will get an additional payment equal to half of their October benefit on that date, according to the Maryland Department of Human Services. Others will receive the supplemental payment when their regular benefits are distributed later in the month, officials said.

Moore’s order allocates $62 million from the state’s Fiscal Responsibility Fund to cover the cost. The move comes amid uncertainty over federal SNAP funding. The Trump administration halted funding for the program on Nov. 1, then partially restored it on Monday, pledging to cover 50% of November benefits. A federal court ordered the administration on Thursday to fully fund SNAP, but the ruling has been appealed.

State officials said the supplemental payments will ensure that Maryland families continue to have access to food assistance while the federal case proceeds.

“Families in Maryland shouldn’t go hungry because the federal government paused these essential benefits,” said Maryland DHS Secretary Rafael López, adding that the state is working quickly to ensure residents can access food assistance, according to a news release.

Other programs not impacted

Other aid programs, such as Temporary Cash Assistance and Temporary Disability Assistance, are expected to continue as scheduled and are not affected by the shutdown.

This action follows Moore’s Oct. 30 announcement of a $10 million emergency food grant aimed at helping Marylanders cope with delayed federal SNAP payments.

State agencies and community partners, including the Maryland Food Bank and 211 Maryland, continue to offer resources and assistance to residents impacted by the ongoing federal funding issues.

Have a news tip? Contact Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com

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11786792 2025-11-07T13:56:05+00:00 2025-11-07T14:59:44+00:00
Hagerstown man charged with arson in high-rise blaze that injured firefighter https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/06/high-rise-fire-arson/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:59:38 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11783146 news release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The 33-year-old man was arrested by fire marshal deputies following an Oct. 26 fire at Potomac Towers, a 14-story, 326-unit apartment complex at 11 W. Baltimore St. in Hagerstown. Hagerstown Fire Department crews found flames on the eighth floor and rescued the man from his balcony, officials said.

Investigators determined the man set several fires inside his apartment and tipped over a refrigerator to block the door.

Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said the act could have led to “a catastrophic loss of life” given the number of elderly and mobility-impaired residents in the building, according to the release.

The man was released from Meritus Medical Center on Tuesday and taken into custody. He is charged with first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning and reckless endangerment, and is being held without bond at the Washington County Central Detention Center.

Damage to the Hagerstown Housing Authority-owned building was estimated at $300,000. The American Red Cross assisted displaced residents, most of whom returned home later that evening, according to the release.

Have a news tip? Contact reporter Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.

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11783146 2025-11-06T10:59:38+00:00 2025-11-06T16:48:14+00:00
‘Blue Bucket Boy’ deer believed to be freed after days with pumpkin pail on face in Parkville https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/11/05/deer-pumpkin-parkville/ Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:07:17 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11780677 A deer that drew community concern after being spotted with a plastic pumpkin bucket stuck over its face in Parkville has likely been freed, according to a nonprofit aimed at rescuing lost pets.

The deer — nicknamed “Blue Bucket Boy” and now called “Nubby” by the community — was found without the bucket this week, according to Bob Swensen of First Response Drone Pet Search & Rescue, in a Facebook post.

Photos and video captured by First Response drone operator Bernie Hilditch on Tuesday show markings on a deer’s head consistent with where the bucket’s strap had been, according to First Response.

Community members, including those from Maryland nonprofit Lost Animal Resource Group, had been tracking the deer since Thursday using trail cameras and thermal drones. Wildlife experts joined the effort, setting up feeding stations and coordinating with veterinarians and zoo professionals to monitor the animal, according to First Response.

After five days, the deer had reportedly managed to remove the bucket on its own and has since been spotted roaming safely, the group said. Swensen said another deer had been seen trying to nudge the bucket off for more than a week without success.

First Response said it worked with a zookeeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, who agreed there is a “98% probability” the deer seen is the same one that had been trapped for several days without access to food or water.

“What convinced us — and the zookeeper — was the way the mother deer was licking and grooming him right where the bucket had been,” Swensen said via text message.

Have a news tip? Contact Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.

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11780677 2025-11-05T13:07:17+00:00 2025-11-05T13:19:21+00:00
Maryland SPCA halts dog intakes after canine influenza case https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/30/maryland-spca-canine-influenza/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:23:39 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11768536 Facebook post.

Canine influenza, or dog flu, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by two influenza viruses known to infect dogs. The viruses can affect dogs of any breed, age or health status, and nearly all exposed dogs become infected. Most dogs recover within two to three weeks, but some develop pneumonia, and about 1% to 5% die from complications, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, runny eyes and reduced appetite. Infected dogs can spread the virus through coughing, sneezing, barking and coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as bowls, toys or clothing. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to two days and can also be transmitted by people who have handled infected dogs, according to the AVMA.

Maryland SPCA officials said the pause at the Baltimore shelter is intended to protect the health of pets, staff and the community. Adoptions and foster placements for dogs and cats already in care will continue, with all potential adopters required to sign an exposure waiver, according to the announcement.

To encourage placements, dog adoptions will be free during this period. The SPCA advises that adopters and fosters should not have other pets at home, as the virus is highly contagious and can linger.

According to an online tracker from Merck animal health company, there were eight positive tests for canine flu in Maryland this year as of Oct. 18.

Have a news tip? Contact Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.

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11768536 2025-10-30T09:23:39+00:00 2025-10-30T19:12:18+00:00
Fall back: 5 things to know about daylight saving time https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/30/fall-back-daylight-saving-time-maryland/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:30:59 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11756994 With fall in full swing and the holidays approaching, another familiar change is on the way — the end of daylight saving time. On Sunday clocks turn back an hour at 2 a.m., giving residents some extra sleep while pushing back the arrival of sunlight.

This is called “falling back,” a return to standard time that lasts until the second Sunday in March 2026. In recognition of the seasonal shift, here are five things to know about daylight saving time.

The Origins of daylight saving time

Before 1883, there wasn’t a single standard time in North America. Different towns and cities kept their own clocks, which meant there were over 140 local times across the continent. This worked fine when travel was slow, but as railroads expanded, the inconsistent times caused confusion and even led to train accidents, according to bts.gov.

To solve the problem, major rail companies created four standard time zones in 1883. Later, in 1918, toward the end of World War I, Congress officially recognized five time zones, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, and Alaska, and keeping accurate time became even more critical during World War II to coordinate transportation and industry, according to bts.gov.

In 1966, Congress took further action by creating the Department of Transportation and passing the Uniform Time Act, which standardized time zones across the country. This law also made daylight saving time a nationwide practice.

Minimal energy savings 

Historically, daylight saving time was based on the simple idea that getting up earlier could reduce the need for candles and help people save money. The practice of moving clocks forward to make better use of daylight during the warmer months was officially adopted during World War I as part of a national effort to conserve energy.

While saving energy was the original reason for daylight saving time, studies now suggest it might not be very effective. A 2017 study found that modern lighting uses much less energy than in the past, and having longer daylight hours can actually lead to higher electricity use for heating and air conditioning, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Here’s what happens to your body when clocks ‘fall back’ an hour

There’s been debate about keeping it

In 2020, some Maryland lawmakers aimed to make daylight saving time permanent in the state. House Bill 1610 and a companion Senate bill would have kept Maryland on Eastern Daylight Time year-round, requiring changes to federal law.

Supporters, including Del. Brian Crosby and Sen. Clarence Lam, said the time change was outdated, disrupted sleep, and could negatively affect health and safety, citing increased risks of heart attacks, accidents, and stress-related issues. They also pointed to studies showing minimal energy savings from daylight saving time.

The effects of daylight saving 

Experts say changing the clocks can affect health and safety. Studies link the shift to increases in heart attacks, strokes, mood disorders, and stress-related inflammation. Road safety can also suffer, with a 2020 study showing a 6% rise in fatal car crashes after the springtime change, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Sleep loss from the shift can also raise risks of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cognitive problems. Certain groups are especially affected, including people living on the western edges of time zones, shift workers, and teenagers. Studies show that teens, in particular, tend to be sleepier and less focused after the clocks change, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Would an end be better?

According to the National Institutes of Health, ending the practice might actually be better for our health.

The group’s argument is that switching to permanent Standard Time would align our daily routines with natural light , making it easier to wake up and feel alert. It would give our bodies a chance to get consistent sleep, which supports both mental and physical health. Getting rid of the twice-a-year clock changes would reduce the stress and health risks caused by DST. By living on Standard Time year-round, we could feel more rested, focused, and in tune with the natural rhythm of the day.

Have a news tip? Contact reporter Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.

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11756994 2025-10-30T07:30:59+00:00 2025-10-31T00:29:14+00:00
8 Halloween specials, parties at Baltimore bars, restaurants https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/29/halloween-specials-parties/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:00:25 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11766179 Halloween is quickly approaching Friday — and Baltimore restaurants and bars are getting spooky with parties, drink specials and costume contests. From daytime block parties to late-night haunted bashes, here’s where to celebrate.

Clavel

Clavel in Remington is offering a nostalgic pop-up menu featuring late-night favorites with some Taco Bell-inspired fare. The menu includes a cheesy gordita crunch, Mexican pizza, Nachos BellGrande, a Crunchwrap Supreme, hard-shell tacos, Baja Blasts and homemade Choco Tacos, alongside the restaurant’s regular menu. The event is dine-in only on Halloween, from 5 to 11 p.m. 225 W. 23rd St.; 443-900-8983; barclavel.com

Cowboy Row Saloon & Chophouse and El Bufalo Tequila Bar + Kitchen

Canton’s Halloween Block Party returns Saturday at 1 p.m. The outdoor event will feature DJs, Halloween-themed decor and drink specials including $4 Bud Light and $6 Smirnoff cocktails. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, with prizes and giveaways throughout the day. Tickets start around $10 for early birds, with general admission and group discounts available, plus a Fast Pass option for quicker entry. 2908 O’Donnell St; 443-602-7450; cowboyrow

El Bar at Pigtown

El Bar at Pigtown will host a Halloween party Friday, featuring Baltimore DJ 2-Piece live from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The bar is selling buy-one-get-one shots throughout the day, $7 bombs and free shooters for guests in costume. A costume contest will award $50 bar tabs in three categories: sexiest, scariest and most creative. The kitchen will remain open until midnight, and the bar will serve an exclusive Halloween cocktail menu. There is no cover charge, and parking is free. Doors open at 5 p.m. 737 Carroll St.; 443-525-0975

Kooper's Tavern and other restaurants in Fells Point set up parklets using parking spaces as outdoor dining areas during the early COVID era. However Baltimore City didn't set up a specific set of regulations and a fee structure for them until last year. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
File photo of Kooper's Tavern

Kooper’s Tavern and Sláinte Irish Pub

Kooper’s Tavern and Sláinte Irish Pub in Fells Point are getting into the Halloween spirit with spooky cocktails and mocktails, themed food specials, and a kids’ menu. Children eat free from 2 to 8 p.m., with “spooky specials” and “beast bites” on the menu, the restaurants said. Costumes are encouraged. 1702 Thames St.; 410-563-5423; koopers.com

Midlina Restaurant

Midlina’s in Canton will kick off its first annual Halloween party Thursday at 7 p.m., running for three nights. The event includes a $50 all-you-can-drink special on rail and specialty cocktails, live music, and a costume contest with cash prizes. 2206 Boston St.; 410-775-4094; midlinarestaurant.com

"Boom Boom Shrimp" are available at the now-reopened Pusser's Landing in Canton. (Courtesy of Cass Chrzanowski)
Boom Boom Shrimp at the now-reopened Pusser's Landing in Canton. (Courtesy of Cass Chrzanowski)

Pusser’s Landing Restaurant

Pusser’s Landing, newly arrived in Canton this year from Annapolis, will celebrate Halloween on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. Expect half-priced appetizers, discounted draft beer and wine, painkiller cocktails, a costume contest, and a photo station. 2780 Lighthouse Point E.; 443-869-2067; pusserlanding.com

Sally O’s

Sally O’s will host a mezcal dinner in Highlandtown on Saturday, featuring three courses and cocktails for $65. The restaurant will also offer Halloween-themed food and drink specials. 3531 Gough St.; 410-624-5631; sallyos.com

The Worthington

The Worthington in Canton is planning an all-day Halloween party Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m. The event boasts live DJs, festive cocktails, costume contests and giveaways. Drink specials consist of $4 Bud Light, $5 Jell-o shots and $6 Smirnoff cocktails. Tickets range from about $10 for early-bird entry to $20 for a Fast Pass, with general and group discounts offered. 2900 O’Donnell St.; 410-387-0125; theworthingtonbaltimore.com

Have a news tip? Contact Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com.

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11766179 2025-10-29T15:00:25+00:00 2025-10-29T15:33:32+00:00
3 overnight shootings kill 1, wound teen, Baltimore Police say https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/29/southeast-shootings/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:06:57 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11765837 Baltimore Police are investigating three separate shootings Tuesday night, one of which left a man dead, according to a news release.

Around 10:07 p.m., officers were called to a hospital after a shooting victim walked in seeking treatment, police said. A 15-year-old boy had a gunshot wound. The location of the shooting has not been determined.

About 15 minutes later, at 10:22 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of North Conkling Street in the area of the Ellwood Park/Monument and Orangeville neighborhoods for a report of gunfire. Officers located an unidentified man with a gunshot wound, police said. Despite attempts to save his life, he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Later that night, around 11:10 p.m., officers were called to the 400 block of Curley Street, on the other side of Ellwood Park/Monument, for another report of a shooting. A 36-year-old man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, police said. His condition is unknown.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shootings to call Southeast District detectives at 410-396-2422 or homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Metro Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Baltimore City Homicides

Have a news tip? Contact reporter Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com

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11765837 2025-10-29T07:06:57+00:00 2025-10-29T15:10:45+00:00
UMES announces record $38M donation from MacKenzie Scott https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/24/umes-announces-record-38m-donation-from-mackenzie-scott/ Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:23:09 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11757570 The University of Maryland Eastern Shore announced Friday that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $38 million, the largest single gift the university has ever received.

Combined with a $20 million contribution five years ago, Scott’s total giving to the university now reaches $58 million, according to a news release.

University leaders said the unrestricted gift highlights national confidence in UMES’s leadership under President Heidi M. Anderson.

“This gift is a clear vote of confidence in UMES and the strategic direction President Anderson has set,” said University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman in a news release. “It will expand the university’s ability to serve students, strengthen Eastern Shore communities, and increase UMES’s national impact.”

The funds will support a wide range of priorities, including:

Student Access and Affordability: Increasing need-based scholarships, providing emergency grants, and offering paid experiential learning opportunities to help students graduate faster and reduce debt.

Academic and Research Excellence: Funding interdisciplinary research projects, laboratory development, and faculty recruitment in fields such as agricultural innovation, coastal resilience, aviation, health professions and data science.

Student Success Infrastructure: Enhancing academic advising, mental health support, tutoring, and career services, while updating classrooms and student spaces to encourage collaborative learning.

Regional Engagement and Economic Mobility: Supporting community programs and partnerships with local businesses to create internships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities throughout the Lower Eastern Shore.

Anderson called the gift “transformational”  in a news release, saying it validates the hard work of students, faculty, staff, and alumni while advancing UMES’s goals of removing financial barriers, boosting research, and preparing graduates for meaningful careers.

This donation follows a previous gift Scott made to Morgan State University, in which she awarded the university a $63 million unrestricted gift, her second major contribution to the institution in less than five years. That donation, the largest in Morgan’s history, brought Scott’s total giving to the university to $103 million.

Have a news tip? Contact reporter Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com

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11757570 2025-10-24T14:23:09+00:00 2025-10-24T15:51:24+00:00
29-year-old arrested, charged in connection with South Baltimore murder https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/10/24/29-year-old-arrested-charged-in-connection-with-south-baltimore-murder/ Fri, 24 Oct 2025 16:17:42 +0000 https://www.baltimoresun.com/?p=11757118 A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing earlier this month in South Baltimore, according to police.

On Oct. 7, 63-year-old Terry Copes died from stab wounds on the 100 block of West Garrett Street near North Randolph Street.

Days later, on Oct. 22, Southern District Action Team officers identified and arrested Elijah Jackson without incident while on routine patrol in the 700 block of Freeman Street near East Patapsco Avenue in Brooklyn, police said in a news release.

Following his arrest, detectives transported Jackson to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he was charged with first-degree murder.

Have a news tip? Contact reporter Journey Burris at jburris@baltsun.com

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11757118 2025-10-24T12:17:42+00:00 2025-10-24T15:05:52+00:00