Arundel Digest | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

PASADENA - Nine men from Anne Arundel County who lost their lives in Iraq will be honored on Saturday, Armed Forces Day, during a memorial service at Fort Smallwood Park.

A memorial grove of nine red dogwood trees has been planted in honor of Sgt. 1st Class James J. Stoddardof Crofton, Cpl. Justin J. Watts of Crownsville, Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Swanson of Rose Haven, Pfc. Eric M. Kavanagh of Glen Burnie, Lance Cpl. Eric W. Herzberg of Severna Park, Command Sgt. Maj. Roger W. Haller of Annapolis, Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec of Annapolis, Spc. Micheal B. Matlock, Jr. of Glen Burnie and Sgt. 1st Class Collin J. Bowen of Millersville.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. before the service members' families and friends. County Executive John R. Leopold will also dedicate a 90-foot flagpole and a plaque to honor the fallen heroes.

"We can never say thank-you enough, and this is just another way to say thank-you," Mr. Leopold said. "By planting trees, we felt this was a memorial that would live on."

Spc. Matlock, who was killed in Iraq in March, will be honored May 26 at 10 a.m. at the Circle of the Immortals, Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium.

The memorial does not include Chesapeake High School graduate Marine Cpl. Jason Mileo who became the first county resident to die in Iraq in 2003. His family moved to the Eastern Shore by the time of his death.

Second trial starts in murder case

ANNAPOLIS - County prosecutors this morning began laying out their case against a Brooklyn Park man accused of killing an acquaintance, then tossing his body into the trunk of a car.

Antonio Moore, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the April 14, 2007 shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis behind a Brooklyn Park row house, even though police never found Mr. Francis' body.

It is the second such trial for Mr. Moore. A county judge declared a mistrial in March after a state witness testified the Toyota Solara Mr. Moore was driving the day of the killing was stolen from Russell Toyota in Baltimore.

Circuit Court Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch said in March the jury could conclude Mr. Moore stole the car, even though he was never charged with the crime and an employee of Russell Toyota is under investigation for insurance fraud in connection with the theft.

Attorneys yesterday question more than 90 jurors yesterday before selecting a new panel of 12 county residents to hear the case.

Nine schools earn 'green' honors

Annapolis - Nine local schools have earned "green school" honors from the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

To earn the designation, the schools must show that they incorporate the environment into classroom lessons as well as in practices around the school building, such as landscaping or recycling.

Projects include tree planting, energy and water conservation, erosion control and pollution prevention, recycling, wildlife habitat, storm water management and other significant efforts.

Green schools can fly a special flag and the designation is good for three years.

Six local schools earned the designation for the first time:

Benfield Elementary in Severna Park.

Broadneck High on the Broadneck Peninsula.

Chesapeake Bay Middle in Pasadena.

Hebron-Harman Elementary in Hanover.

Mayo Elementary in Edgewater.

St. Andrew's United Methodist Day School in Edgewater.

Three local schools renewed their designation:

Severna Park Elementary.

Shipley's Choice Elementary in Millersville.

West Annapolis Elementary.

Several other local schools hold the Green School designation, but were not up for renewal this year.

Sarah's House benefits from students' efforts

FORT MEADE - The 60 children currently staying at Sarah's House have something to smile about.

This summer they are going to have programs and activities, thanks to Raising4Reasons (R4R), a nonprofit, student-run board of directors that raises funds and approves grants to local organizations in need of assistance. Sarah's House, which offers shelter and support services to homeless families, is one of four recipients of grants provided by R4R. Now in its fourth year, there are 22 members, juniors and seniors from public and private schools, from throughout the county. Along with a five-member adult oversight board, the youth board meets monthly at the county Board of Education. R4R has four committees - fundraising, public relations, membership and grant giving - and every member must serve on a committee.

During the beginning of the year, the board decides on a theme for the year, and then votes on which local charities will receive an application for a grant. Once the applications are returned, the board debates and votes on which groups get funding and how much. "This year's theme was 'People in Poverty;' nine applications went out, six came back and four were chosen," said Taylor Lewis, chairman of the grant-giving committee, and an Annapolis High School junior.

In a ceremony held recently at the county Board of Education, Sarah's House received $1,000; Rebuilding Together, $1,500; Anne Arundel Ministries, $1,000; and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, $800.

Motorcyclist dies from accident injuries

Arnold - A 22-year-old man died Saturday as a result of injuries from a motorcycle crash last week on Ritchie Highway, county police reported.

Jerry Lynn Griffin of Severna Park was trapped during the afternoon accident near Anne Arundel Community College on May 5.

Crashes on Ritchie Highway have been put under increased scrutiny lately as residents and county politicians have attempted to bring attention to the intersection of Joyce Lane, which is near where fatal accident occurred.

County police said there have been 10 crashes at nearby Ritchie Highway and Joyce Lane in the past year, not including minor fender-benders in which drivers seldom call police.

Correction

A story about the county School Board Nominating Commission in the May 7 Maryland Gazette incorrectly reported the number of appointees the governor makes to the school board.

The governor appoints nine.

We regret the error.