Arundel Digest

Woman jumps from bridge on New Year's

Bay Bridge - A Glen Burnie woman jumped to her death from the Bay Bridge on New Year's Day, Maryland Transportation Authority Police said yesterday.

The body of Suzanne Akers Kirwan, 29, was found by Maryland Natural Resources Police who were called to assist after a 2002 Toyota was discovered abandoned on the bridge.

Authority police said the car was found on the westbound span of the Bay Bridge at 10:55 a.m. The agency responded and found the abandoned vehicle then called other agencies including Anne Arundel and Queen Anne's counties fire rescue, Coast Guard and state police aviation.

Natural Resources Police responded with two boats and crews and found the body at 12:22 p.m. in the bay near the bridge.

One boat arrived on the scene at 11:06 a.m. the second about 30 minutes later, officials said. After the body was recovered it was taken to the Queen Anne's County side of the bridge and turned over to Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Natural Resources Police spokesman Sgt. Ken Turner said this morning.

Anne Arundel County responded with its "normal water rescue" detachment of an engine, squad vehicle, dive boat and divers, said Capt. Debbie Bowen, county Fire Department spokesman.

Apparently the victim had jumped from the center span of the bridge, which precluded the county from using divers because of the boat traffic, current and underwater debris, she said.

Winter farmers market to open

Parole - A winter farmers market is set to open this weekend at Westfield Annapolis mall.

This is a seasonal extension of the market that opened in the mall's parking lot last summer that sells produce, meats and other items on Sundays to the Annapolis area.

The market, open from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, will be in the first level of the Nordstrom parking garage and will run through April 26, according to a release.

Products will include beef, pork, eggs, chicken, winter produce and greens, baked goods, coffee, tea, honey, oranges, grapefruits, cheese, jewelry and alpaca products. Next month, herbal products also will be offered.

All Anne Arundel County farmers markets accept WIC and Senior FMNP checks.

County schedules open house

ANNAPOLIS - Residents can get face-to-face time with top county leaders at an open house later this month.

County Executive John R. Leopold and the heads of county departments will meet with citizens one-on-one from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27, in room 161 at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert St., Annapolis, to discuss any topic of residents' choosing.

The three-hour open house is the first of Mr. Leopold's administration, and the meetings with county officials will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Residents who want to attend the open house should e-mail jleopold@aacounty.org to allow staff members to research constituent concerns before the event.

"This is a personal invitation to any constituent who wants to meet with the county executive ... to discuss any issue they deem appropriate," Mr. Leopold said in a release.

- From staff reports