OMHS Teachers Rally, County Cops Lighten Up During Sunshine Week, Area Helps Japan: News Roundup for 3/13 - 3/20

News
Area teachers are saying they would rather work without pay than be reassigned to new schools in response to the $1.3 billion school budget for 2012 that calls for 5 percent cuts in school and office budgets.

Area church and charitable groups are organizing to help the victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. Also, a seismograph station in Owings Mills recorded the earthquake's activity.

Police & fire
No bomb was found after an incident at CareFirst, and first- and second-degree burglaries continue to occur in the Owings Mills and Reisterstown area.

As part of “Sunshine Week” in support of public access to open records, Patch did a document audit asking to see public police logs of arrests and incidents. After denying a reporter access, Baltimore County Police agreed to release daily police logs.

Sports

Catonsville's Whittington, Western Tech's Ade, New Town's Tucker highlight first team all-county squad.

Sports editor Dave Snyder shares some of the biggest shots and most gut-wrenching let downs in the NCAA Tournament over the years with the help of YouTube.

Government
The Baltimore County School system refuses to release new deputy superintendent's salary figure without a written request. (It has since other than Patch.com.)

Earl Ellington accepted a plea agreement from the Department of Justice last month that trades up to 32 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines for 40 months and full restitution of losses, or $51,841.

The Neighborhood Files

Kirk Bloodsworth, the first person to be exonerated with DNA evidence, joined a forum at  to discuss issues surrounding the repeal of capital punishment in Maryland.

As Congress debates the future of federal funding for public broadcasting, Maryland Public Television braces itself for the challenges ahead. Joseph Krushinsky, vice president for institutional advancement at shares their numbers.

Opinion
St. Patrick’s Day: A day to drink green beer, dress like a leprechaun, and eat cabbage. This recipe offers a Cajun take on the traditional Irish food.

Owings Mills Patch Editor Diana Soliwon , which offers a range of classes, from hands-on training at the shooting range to presentations on hostage negotiation and violent crimes.