🌱 Interview With Dr. Freeman Hrabowski + Kidnapping Charges

Morning, Catonsville! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a shower. High: 70 Low: 41.

Here are the top three stories in Catonsville today:

1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County President Dr. Freeman Hrabowski recently sat down with the Midday Newsmaker to discuss the 30 years he's spent at the helm of UMBC. Hrabowski is retiring at the end of June and will be replaced by a scholar and dean from Duke University, Dr. Valerie Sheares Ashby. Listen to the interview at the link. (WYPR)
2. According to the Department of Justice, four Baltimore area men, including one from Catonsville, are facing a federal indictment for three kidnappings among other charges. According to the 12-count indictment, Franklin Jay Smith, 32, of Catonsville along with three other men planned and organized the kidnapping and carjacking of three victims, two of which were employees of a check-cashing business. Court documents said the planning took place from May 3, 2021, through Aug. 26, 2021. (Department of Justice)
3. A $4.8 billion budget proposal has been introduced by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. The proposal includes hiring bonuses and recruitment incentives for county police officers and seeks to increase public transportation accessibility. The proposal also hopes to set aside $45 million for parks and recreation. In addition, the proposed education budget was increased to $1.7 billion. The county council will review and decide whether or not to approve the budget proposal in the near future. In the meantime, see the entire proposal here. (WMAR 2 News)

Today in Catonsville:

• Cooking In The Cabin - Benjamin Banneker Historical Park And Museum (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Maddy Saltzer of Harford County Girl Scouts Troop 1950 recently presented her "Silver Award" project to Baltimore County Fire Department Chief Joanne Rund: 160 hand-crafted beanies for babies born on ambulances and medics. The Silver Award is the Girl Scouts' second-highest award. Congrats to Maddy on this thoughtful project! (Facebook)
• Mother Goose On The Loose is coming soon to Better World Imaginarium! Mother Goose Is On The Loose is the award-winning early-literacy program for children from birth to age 3 created by Dr. Betsy Diament-Cohen. Get the details here. (Instagram)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!