Arundel Digest

Messy wintry mix on the way tomorrow

A mix of messy, wintry weather could be coming to the region tomorrow and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

It could start as "wintry precipitation" changing over to rain on Wednesday. Rain and sleet are likely after noon tomorrow, but little or no snow accumulation is expected.

By tomorrow night, there's a 90 percent chance of precipitation, with a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rain possible. Tomorrow's high should be near 37 with cloudy skies.

There should be more rain Wednesday morning - perhaps another quarter-inch to half-inch. The rain should taper off on Wednesday night. Wednesday's high will be near 47 with mostly cloudy skies.

The service has called for a winter weather watch for parts of the region tomorrow and Wednesday, but not for Anne Arundel County.

Thursday should be partly sunny at 41, while Friday should be mostly sunny with a high near 42, according to the weather service forecast.

Three escape burning home

DAVIDSONVILLE - A man and two women escaped their burning Davidsonville home last night after a passerby saw flames coming from the residence, county Fire Department officials said.

The passerby noticed the flames at 7:30 p.m. and called for help. Firefighters arrived at the two-story home in the 1000 block of Governor Bridge Road and found flames shooting through the roof, said Division Chief Michael Cox, a county Fire Department spokesman.

It took 58 firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control. The man and two women who lived at the home escaped without injury, Chief Cox said.

The fire began in the chimney and is believed to be accidental. Damages are estimated at $500,000 and the home is a total loss.

The residents are staying with friends.

Children's board director resigns

ANNAPOLIS - The head of the Anne Arundel Partnership for Children, Youth and Families resigned recently to take a post with the state Department of Education.

Alice Harris begins her new job Thursday.

County Executive John R. Leopold announced that he will begin a search for a new executive director, although the county is currently under a hiring freeze for most positions.

Talie Fretz will serve as interim executive director during the search.

Police officer, firefighter assaulted

MARYLAND CITY - A man allegedly assaulted a county firefighter and a county police officer who were called to his Maryland City home for a fire, county police said.

At just after 11 p.m. firefighters went to the first block of Gail Street where a one-story home was ablaze, said Division Chief Michael Cox, a county Fire Department spokesman.

It took 26 firefighters about 30 minutes to get the fire under control. Police said that, while crews worked, a man who lived at the home assaulted a firefighter. Police were called to the scene, and the man attacked one of the officers, police said.

He was arrested and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. Charges are pending.

His daughter, 14, was not injured and was put in the custody of her mother, Chief Cox said.

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, fire department officials said the blaze was intentionally set.

Damages are estimated at $35,000.

- From staff reports