Arundel Digest

Officials seek info in playground arson

SEVERNA PARK - County fire officials are asking for the public's help in finding out who set a fire at a community park in Severna Park early this morning.

Firefighters were called to the Chartridge community pool on Retford Drive at 3:15 a.m., said Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia, a county Fire Department spokesman.

When they arrived, they found "an obvious arson fire in which several benches and playground equipment had been ignited," Chief Tobia said. The fire destroyed two benches, some sliding boards and a trash can, he said. Damages were estimated at more than $1,000.

Anyone with information about the arson may call 410-222-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.

Schools in session for inauguration

PAROLE - Students hoping for a break on Inauguration Day will have to pack up and go to school after all.

County schools will be open on Jan. 20 when President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office so they can learn from the event in class, Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said in a release.

"We feel this is the ideal time to make this notable moment a teachable one," he said.

The Social Studies Office has developed activities for inauguration lessons, including reflective questions and worksheets for students who watch it on television in their classrooms.

With a signed note by their parents, students who miss school to attend the inauguration will receive an excused school absence. But students who miss Center for Applied Technology semester exams must make arrangements through their administrator to make up the tests.

High school students should note that the high school assessment algebra makeup exam is scheduled for this day, and the Maryland State Department of Education will not be scheduling any additional makeup dates for the test, according to the release.

Police seek info in city shootings

ANNAPOLIS - Police are still looking for the person who shot a 25-year-old man in Robinwood late last month.

Police have identified the victim as Kelton Linwood Foote Jr., 25, of Henson Avenue in Annapolis. At 8:42 p.m. Nov. 22, police responded to a call about gunshots in the 1300 block of Tyler Avenue and found Mr. Foote lying in a parking lot.

Police initially withheld his name due to the investigation.

Meanwhile, police continue to search for Brandon Randall, 21, who they say shot Rico Delass Thomas of Arnold Friday on Newtowne Drive.

Police said Mr. Randall is black, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 150 pounds with brown hair and eyes and goes by the nickname "BeeLow."

Anyone with information either incident may call police at 410-268-9000. Callers may remain anonymous.

What not to take to the police station

ANNAPOLIS - When you turn yourself into police, make sure you don't have anything illegal in your pocket.

City police officers said a man who turned himself in on a routine warrant at about 4 a.m. Tuesday didn't heed that advice. During the booking, officers said they found a device for smoking crack cocaine in his pocket.

Ovidio Olivera Pujadas, 47, of Washington, D.C., was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and was served the warrant, police said.

The prior warrant was for failing to appear in court on a theft charge, police said.

- From staff reports