Arundel Digest

Rescued family lived aboard boat

The family rescued Sunday afternoon off the west coast of Bermuda had lived aboard their sailboat in Annapolis before sailing for St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mark and Shannon Olden and their 4-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, had been living on their 47-foot Bavarian sailboat at the Annapolis Landing Marina, said Ed Hartman, president of the marina.

Mr. Olden worked in marine trades, particularly outboard motors, and had spent a lot of time fixing up his sailboat for the trip, Mr. Hartman said. Family members declined to comment.

But the boat lost engine power and steering capability about 175 miles northwest of Bermuda. The Oldens and the three other people aboard were rescued by the Coast Guard and flown by helicopter to Bermuda. No one was injured.

Interim health dept. head named

Annapolis - A former employee of the county Department of Health is returning from retirement to become the department's interim health officer.

Starting Dec. 1, Douglas L. Hart will temporarily replace outgoing Health Officer Frances B. Phillips. Ms. Phillips is leaving her post to serve as a deputy secretary in the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Mr. Hart came to the department in 1979 and worked as its deputy health officer, director of administration and human resources director. He retired in June.

County officials still are searching for a permanent replacement and are reviewing nine applications received from a nationwide search.

In a teary goodbye last night, Ms. Phillips received a standing ovation from the County Council and everyone in the council chambers. Ms. Phillips delivered her final briefing after 15 years with the department.

Schools, United Way plan event

For a second year, the county school system and the United Way of Central Maryland are collecting food, toiletries, school supplies and other items for the county's needy residents.

The items will be assembled into baskets during a National Family Volunteer Day event Saturday morning. At the event, children will make cards for people in hospitals and compete in a coloring contest.

Students and teams from schools can register at www.uwcm.org/family.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the school system's central office at 2644 Riva Road in Parole.

Detectors save couple from fire

Arnold - An Arnold couple and their pets escaped their burning home this morning after smoke alarms alerted them to the blaze, county Fire Department officials said.

The man and woman were sleeping at about 6:45 a.m. when they were awakened by the alarms, said Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia, a department spokesman. The home in the 800 block of Harmony Road was filled with smoke. The couple was able to get out without injury.

Firefighters found smoke and flames shooting from the front of the two-story, single-family home. They were able contain the fire within 15 minutes.

The fire was caused by an electrical malfunction and was deemed accidental. It caused $25,000 in damages to the home and its contents.

- From staff reports