MARYLAND BRIEFING

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

ANNAPOLIS

Coffeehouse Manager Drowns

A 32-year-old Annapolis man drowned as he attempted to return to shore in Spa Creek near Revell Street while swimming with two friends about 2 a.m. yesterday.

The friends of Jeb Edward Bello of the unit block of Winslow Court told Annapolis police officers that they lost sight of Bello in the water and called 911, said officer Joe Ridley, a police spokesman.

Bello, a manager for nine years at the coffeehouse 49 West and a part-time musician, died while being taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center after paramedics could not revive him. Ridley said there were no signs of foul play.

In 1999, Bello sued Del. Melony G. Griffith (D-Prince George's) for defamation after he lost his job at the Treaty of Paris restaurant when Griffith accused Bello of discrimination in seating her and her African American guest. Griffith later apologized and reached an out-of-court settlement with Bello.

-- Shearon Roberts

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Man Hit, Killed by Freight Train

A Bethesda man died Monday after being struck by a CSX freight train in Kensington, Montgomery County police said.

Robert J. Crowley, 57, was hit by the train at 10:14 a.m. near the 10500 block of Metropolitan Avenue.

Crowley worked near the tracks and was struck while crossing them, police said.

-- Ernesto Londo?o

GOVERNOR'S RACE

Ehrlich's First Reelection Ad Airs

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) will begin airing the first campaign commercial today in what is likely to be a summer-long television advertising blitz aimed at securing his reelection in November.

The ad, which was e-mailed to supporters last night, sets the tone for a campaign that is expected to officially get underway next week.

In the ad, a diverse mix of Marylanders praise Ehrlich for not governing "from the right or the left, but the center, where most of us are."

Ehrlich aides said the ads would air in the Baltimore television market, both on network and cable television. The general manager of WBAL-TV, an NBC affiliate, confirmed the advertising purchase last night.

FREDERICK

Promenade Opens Downtown

San Antonio has its River Walk. Now Frederick has Carroll Creek Park.

Today the city will reopen a three-quarter-mile stretch of walkway designed to make Carroll Creek the splashy center of downtown revival.

The park, conceived 28 years ago, capitalizes on redevelopment opportunities created by a flood-control project that tamed the waterway in 1993. Restaurants, shops, offices and houses are starting to appear along both banks on land once occupied by factories.

-- Associated Press

HAGERSTOWN

Former Teacher Guilty of Abuse

A former Hagerstown middle school teacher has pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse for touching a female student more than 22 years ago.

Robert Merle Haines Jr., 47, of Annapolis remained free on bond after his hearing Monday in Washington County Circuit Court. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, but prosecutors agreed to seek no more than five years of incarceration in return for Haines's plea. No sentencing date was set.

-- Associated Press