Arundel Digest

ANNAPOLIS - Police were kept busy with several incidents on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge yesterday.

At 6:42 a.m., paramedics took a 25-year-old man to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore following a crash at Route 50 and Oceanic Drive near the bridge, said Capt. James Rosstek, a county Fire Department spokesman.

The man's injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

Later in the day, at 12:38 p.m., Maryland Transportation Authority Police received a report of an abandoned 2007 Ford Focus on the eastbound span of the bridge, said Sgt. Jonathan Green, a police spokesman.

Firefighters on a county fire boat later recovered the body of a deceased adult male. Green said the incident is under investigation.

There also were at least two other crashes with non-life-threatening injuries that contributed to traffic tie-ups on the bridge, Green said.

State retains top AAA bond rating

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland has kept its top AAA bond rating from all three rating agencies, a key determinant of how much the state pays for capital projects.

Treasurer Nancy Kopp announced July 14 that Standard and Poor's, Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors affirmed the ranking, which is only held by seven other states. Kopp said in a statement the "recognition of Maryland's fiscal strength and prudent management is an extraordinary accomplishment in what remains a very difficult economic climate."

Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement the ratings demonstrate "the fiscal strength of our state as a result of the tough choices and smart fiscal policies we've fought for … in the midst of the worst global recession since the Great Depression."

Adams dealership continues services

ANNAPOLIS - The Adams car dealerships in Annapolis continue to service and sell Pontiacs already on the road several months after General Motors stopped manufacturing the automotive brand.

Joe Adams, chairman of the board, said recently that his company entered into an agreement earlier this year with GM that allowed it to sell off its new models and keep its repair business.

Although Adams has taken down the Pontiac signs at his West Street dealership, the company will continue to provide warranty service as well as offer repair work on Chevrolet and other GM brands for five years.

Adams and his family also operate Buick, GM Truck and Jeep dealerships at their West Street locations.

Despite the loss of the Pontiac brand, Adams said he has found a good demand for used models.

"We are buying off-lease Pontiacs at auction and selling them as used," he said. "That business is doing real well."

- From staff and wire reports