Region Digest

Worker charged in baby’s death

EASTON — Maryland State Police said they have charged a Talbot County day-care worker for the death of a child in her care.

State Police said the child suffered injuries consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. Gail Dobson, 52, is charged with manslaughter and child abuse resulting in death.

The District of Columbia Medical Examiner’s office said 9-month-old Trevor Ulrich died last month from inflicted head trauma, which is consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome. Paramedics found the child in cardiac arrest at Dobson’s day-care center in Trappe on Sept. 2. The boy died the next day at Children’s Hospital in Washington.
State police said the child had been in Dobson’s care for two days.

Groups for disabled raise concerns

BALTIMORE — Groups representing developmentally disabled people and workers who assist them say $29 million in state budget cuts are severely affecting their services.

Advocates said more than 20,000 Maryland residents and their families are impacted by funding cuts to emergency care for disabled children when a parent is hospitalized and wages for workers who help disabled people at home.

The groups will hold meetings across the state to discuss their concerns. The next one set for tomorrow in Anne Arundel County.

Advocates said they hope Gov. Martin O’Malley will restore some funds in next year’s budget. O’Malley said he’s hoping for more federal help.

'Science city' could help Md. light rail efforts

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Maryland Transit Administration says a proposed "science city" near Gaithersburg could draw more commuters, and help the state secure federal dollars for light rail.

Johns Hopkins University is leading efforts for the proposed $10 billion live-work community near life sciences office parks already in place.

Henry Kay, deputy administrator for planning and engineering for the transit administration, says the increased density would be "strongly beneficial" and makes light rail and bus rapid transit feasible for a federal funding application.

A state report on projected ridership for the project is set for release next week.

Local officials are evaluating the "science city" proposal. Critics say it would cause more road congestion.

Metro riders suffer from jerky ride since crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Riding Metro these days makes some people sick to their stomachs.

Trains have been operating in manual mode since the June 22 crash, and that has caused more sudden stops and starts.

Twenty-eight-year-old Todd Usher says he often has to hop off the train for air — or risk getting sick on a train and causing more delays. Other passengers have stopped taking Metro regularly or have abandoned their habit of reading on the train.

Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein says the increased jerkiness comes from efforts to make the system safer. She says trains will continue to run in manual mode until the investigation and any necessary changes are complete.

Proposed W. Va. wind farm testimony continues

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — Attorneys for the developers of a West Virginia wind farm questioned all but their last witness in a trial over whether the project will harm an endangered bat.

The defense witnesses said Friday in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt that netting has not captured any Indiana bats and disputed audio recordings that witnesses for the plaintiffs say show the endangered bats are at the site. The plaintiffs are seeking to force the developers to obtain permits under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The Washington-based Animal Welfare Institute and the Williamsburg, W.Va.-based Mountain Communities for Responsible Energy filed suit against Rockville-based Beech Ridge Energy and Invenergy Wind over the proposed Greenbrier County, W.Va. wind farm.

Judge Roger W. Titus said the final witness and closing arguments in the bench trial would be heard on Thursday.