Arundel Digest

Wind storm to have 60 mph gusts

It's going to be a windy New Year's Eve as the National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning until 10 p.m.

As of 11 a.m., about 5,000 Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers in Anne Arundel County were without electricity; power already had been restored to more than 3,000 homes.

According to the weather service, northwest winds are expected between 31 and 36 mph today, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Tonight, winds are forecast from 21 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Winds are expected to die down tomorrow, with forecasted winds topping out at 15 mph.

Justin Mulcahy, a county Police Department spokesman, said officers have dealt with some wind-related incidents early this morning. Police are advising residents and drivers to be alert for downed wires today. Treat all wires as though they are live and potentially dangerous, he said.

Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia, county Fire Department spokesman, said the department has responded to several calls this morning for wire problems and downed trees. Sometimes trees contact the wires, causing leaves to burn when winds are high, he said. The problems were spread throughout the county, he said.

Linda Foy, a BGE spokesman, said power outages are typical with high winds, and they likely will continue throughout the day. Some repairs cannot safely be made until winds subside, she said. She said she could not estimate when customers would have power restored.

Downtown ready to ring in 2009

ANNAPOLIS - Downtown Annapolis again will host festivities to ring in the New Year.

With a theme of "Sailing into 2009," the New Year's Annapolis celebration kicks off at 3 p.m.

Entertainment is scheduled throughout the night at venues around downtown. Many of the afternoon and early evening shows are family-oriented.

Two sets of fireworks are planned. The first is at 7:30 p.m. and is aimed at families with little ones. The second set of fireworks will go off at midnight, just after a sailboat drops to mark the countdown to 2009.

New Year's Annapolis is an alcohol-free event, but downtown restaurants and bars will be selling alcohol as usual.

There are $15 admission buttons on sale tonight at St. Anne's, the Annapolis Recreation Center, St. Mary's, City Dock and Annapolis Elementary School. Children under 5 are free.

Parking is available at the downtown garages for $5. The Bladen Street garage is free. A shuttle will run from the parking lot at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, where parking is $5. Starting at 4 p.m., no parking will be allowed at City Dock or on Main Street or the metered lots along Compromise Street.

The event replaces First Night Annapolis. Last year's celebration drew 7,000 people and organizers hope to top that number this year. For more information, visit www.newyearsannapolis.org.

Police investigate toddler's death

ANNAPOLIS - City police officials said they are investigating the death of a 2-year-old child earlier this month.

Emergency responders were called to the 400 block of Captains Circle just before 6 p.m. Dec. 7 for the report of an unconscious child. When paramedics arrived, Cyrus Besche was unconscious but breathing, said Capt. Kelly Martin, city Fire Department spokesman.

He was rushed to Anne Arundel Medical Center and later transported to Johns Hopkins Children's Center, where he died Dec. 10.

- From staff reports