Section: CCR

Route 3, 450 intersection to be realigned

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00

A busy stretch of Route 450 in Crofton where motorists make turns at breakneck speeds is going to be reconfigured with a design to improve sight lines and alleviate the worries of nearby residents.

The people behind the shift said there will probably be some growing pains as drivers who have used the road for decades get used to the new pattern, but ultimately it will slow traffic and make the stretch safer.

The new pattern will affect t...

Around Crofton: Doors open at The Crofton School of Music

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00

A jet-black grand piano stands expectant and gleaming in the instrumental studio, like a thoroughbred in its stall. Across the hall, thick, quilted batting is affixed to classroom walls, to contain the gleeful drumming of infants and toddlers.

Just outside the front door, a wooden sign bears a northward-pointing arrow and the text, "Carnegie Hall, 210 miles." The Crofton School of Music is open for business.

The school, ...

Crofton resident quarantined in Singapore

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00

After an eight-hour flight from Tokyo to Singapore, Ron Bajor was informed by Singapore health officials that a fellow airline passenger had been diagnosed with swine flu.

Since the Crofton resident had been seated within 10 rows of the man, he was ordered to spend the next seven days in a Singapore quarantine facility - or stay even longer in a Singapore jail cell.

"You're not set up for that," said Bajor, who travels to A...

Jones family to sue county, Board of Ed

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00

When Jennifer Adkins pleaded with school officials to protect her son from local gangs, they promised help. But it never came.

Now Adkins has given notice that she will sue the county and the Board of Education for breaking promises that could have kept her son, 14-year-old Christopher Jones, alive.

"They didn't kill my son, obviously, but they definitely contributed," she said. "We feel like they failed us. The...

Around Crofton: 2 Arundel firefighters honored at banquet

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00

If you live in Crofton and have had a fire or medical emergency anytime in the past three decades, there's a good chance you've met Dave Ayres and Bob Couchenour. The two Arundel Volunteer Fire Department veterans were honored at a department banquet this spring for their more than 30 years of volunteer service. At the Davidsonville Road fire station earlier this month, the two reflected on their time with AVFD.

Bob, 47, is a ca...

Jones family victim of another crime

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00

A thief broke into the car of a Crofton woman Sunday, less than a month after police said two suburban gang members killed her 14-year-old son as he rode his bike near their home.

The theft from a vehicle - one of at least two that occurred over the weekend despite a visible increase in police presence in the area, the boy's mother said - now has the mother questioning whether county police are up to the task of keeping her and her ...

Around Crofton: 'Bully Busters' workshop benefits Christopher Jones fund

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00

Crofton residents were stunned and saddened by the passing last month of 14-year-old Christopher Jones, who died after being assaulted and beaten by a group of neighborhood teens.

Among the many affected by the news was Chien Vuong, owner of Vuong's Martial Arts on Route 3 North in Gambrills.

In response to the tragic event, Vuong's hosted a "Bully Busters" self-defense camp for children on June 11 and 12, with all proc...

Crofton beating victims get $733,000

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00

Three years ago, Ricky Langford was acquitted on charges of beating two boys until one lost consciousness. At the time, there were doubts he was even at the scene of the crime.

But on Monday, a county Circuit Court judge ordered Langford to pay $733,000 to the victims and their families after determining he was there and was responsible for the attacks.

After considering statements from the victims in the case, as well as other pe...

No murder charges in Jones' death

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00

A county grand jury yesterday refused to indict a 16-year-old Crofton boy on charges of second-degree murder in the May 30 death of a younger teen.

Javel George remains charged as an adult with a lesser offense of manslaughter for his part in the beating of Christopher Jones, 14, also of Crofton. Prosecutors filed those charges in Circuit Court after the grand jury's decision.

Jenny Adkins, Jones' mother, said she was not surpris...

Punches, not fall caused teen's death, police say

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00

A 14-year-old Crofton boy most likely died last month because he was slapped and punched by two other teens, not because he fell off his bike, a county police detective testified in court Wednesday.

The detective told a District Court judge in Annapolis that it appeared the assault ruptured a blood vessel in the back of Christopher David Jones' neck, allowing him to pedal only about 30 feet away from his assailants before he collapsed.

...

2-family Crofton fundraiser to feature Debbie Phelps

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00

Two families whose children died in Crofton have teamed together for a fundraiser tomorrow night. The Connor Cares Foundation will raise money to promote pool safety and the family of Christopher Jones will raise money to help cover costs incurred from his death. And they’re getting some help from Debbie Phelps, mother of Olympic swimming gold medallist Michael Phelps. Debbie Phelps will speak at 7 p.m.

Connor Freed drowned in June 2006 w...