Section: TOP

Shipmaster Court residents all display American flags year-round

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00

Don App would eagerly return to the military if it were ever asked of him, but he doesn't meet the age requirements anymore.

Instead, the Coast Guard veteran proudly flies an American flag every day of the year, weather permitting.

"We're patriots," he said. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for this country."

Apparently, all his neighbors feel the same way. Every one of the 15 homes on Shipmaster C...

Court upholds murder conviction

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00

A federal appeals court this week upheld the 2007 conviction and prison sentence of Leeander Jerome Blake in the 2002 murder of Annapolis businessman Straughan Lee Griffin.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., on Thursday rejected claims by Blake's attorneys that their client's confession was obtained by illegal interrogation, and that his sentence was excessive.

"We are pleased, no question about it," ...

Home of the Week: Maureen McCunn

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00

The appeal of downtown Annapolis living is not difficult to fathom, nor is a fondness for living in a historical home. To have both, well, that's a dream come true.

"It's a lifetime dream," admitted Maureen McCunn, who purchased her Georgian row home three years ago.

"I looked for a year and a half," she said. "I couldn't find anything in the Historic District that I could afford - I wanted to be in t...

Officials target drinking, boating

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00

It's a good weekend to take to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to celebrate, but officials are warning boaters to watch their alcohol consumption to ensure a safe outing.

Sgt. Art Windemuth, spokesman for state Natural Resources Police, the agency that patrols the waterways, said the laws regarding alcohol for the water are identical to those for the road, as far as the operator is concerned.

For a blood-alcohol level of .07 ...

Girl finds neighbor's 23-year-old learner's permit at bottom of pond

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00

Elena DeMajistre was collecting rocks from the bottom of the Ben Oaks community pond when she grabbed something that didn't feel a thing like hard stone.

The 9-year-old girl had found a provisional driver's license from 1986, and its owner still lives down the street.

"I must have been about 16 when I lost it," said Pat Murray, owner of the soggy but completely legible license. "It's just really neat it was sti...

World Digest

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00

N. Korea fires 2 missiles off coast

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea fired two missiles off it eastern coast today, a South Korean official said.

The missiles were fired at about 8 a.m. and the Defense Ministry was trying to confirm whether they were short or mid-range missiles. The ministry official did not give any further details and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A Yonhap news agency report said North Korea fired two...