MARYLAND BRIEFING

HOWARD CRIME

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Teen Charged in Shooting Death

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Howard County police have arrested a 15-year-old Columbia youth in connection with the fatal shooting of a Columbia man.

Monti Mantrice Fleming was taken into custody Tuesday evening in Prince George's County, police said. He is being charged as an adult with first-degree murder and other charges in the death of Shaun Powell, 18.

Police say Fleming shot Powell during a fight Saturday night at a gathering in the 11200 block of Powder Run in Columbia.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

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School Flier Policy Limits Some

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The Montgomery County Board of Education approved a policy yesterday giving parent-teacher groups and government agencies permission to send fliers home with students whenever they choose; nonprofit groups will be able to do the same at least two, but no more than four, times a year.

Businesses and other community organizations cannot distribute materials through students but will be allowed to display them on tables in schools. Other school groups, such as booster clubs, may distribute materials on an unlimited basis as long as it is part of a joint effort between the group and a parent-teacher organization. Otherwise, they must comply with rules for other nonprofit groups.

The policy change, which takes effect today, comes after a federal appeals court ruled earlier this month that the school system's previous policy on flier distribution was unconstitutional because it gave officials the unlimited power to determine which materials would be distributed.

-- Lori Aratani