Local Voices: Firefighter Safety, Finding Lost Pets

This week's posts also include a defense of media critic Howard Kurtz and a Dundalk reader questioning the honor of county officials.

Here are a few of the top Local Voices posts from Baltimore city and county Patch sites. Want to share your own thoughts on local sports, politics, entertainment or anything else? Just click Start a Blog under the top stories on our home page. Baltimore County Fire refuses to enhance Command Staff following Death of Firefighter: Following the recent death of firefighter Gene Kirchner, Jonathan D. Hart looks back on recommendations made following Baltimore County's last firefighter death. Defending Howard Kurtz: the Best Media Critic in American Journalism: Towson professor Richard Vatz writes about the media critic and CNN host, who recently resigned from The Daily Beast. Where Has the Honor Gone? Maybe There Never Was Any Honor: Juanita …

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Local Voices: Constitution, Water History

Here are a few of the top posts this week in Local Voices for Baltimore city and county.

Here are a few of this week's top Local Voices posts from our Baltimore city and county Patch sites. Got something to get off your chest about politics, entertainment, sports or anything else? Click Start a Blog under the top stories your Patch's front page. Jump: How does the Bible tell us to respond to challenges? Miracle on Chestnut Street: How the U.S. Constitution Created the Most Successful Country in the World: Larry Smith writes about America's governing document. Baltimore Waterworks History: Joe Stewart shares photos of Baltimore's early drinking water infrastructure. Building Bridges…Shaping Futures: A county economic development staffer blogs about a recent youth symposium.

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Local Voices: New Park, Lifeline Phones

Here are a few of the top posts this week in Local Voices.

Here are a few of the best Local Voices posts this week on Baltimore city and county Patch sites. Want to get something off your chest about politics, crime, sports, entertainment or anything else? Just click Start a Blog under the top stories on our home page. First New Perry Hall Park and Trail in a Decade: County Councilman David Marks writes about funding to complete Gough Park that's included in the next fiscal year's county budget RINGING REBUKE — Maryland named No. 2 abuser of federal free cellphone program: Alan Z. Forman writes about FCC officials' admission in congressional testimony that twice as many cell phones are distributed under the agency's lifeline program than there are people who qualify for them. Worried about How …

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Assistant Chief: Injured Firefighter Is Key Responder for Company

Gene Kirchner, 25, has been a member of the company for nine years, and was injured while fighting a fire Wednesday morning at a home at 19 Hanover Road, Reisterstown.

Gene Kirchner, 25, began his career with the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company when he was only 14. "He has been a member for nine years. He is very smart, intelligent individual. He is a very key part of our company," said Assistant Chief Craig Hewitt, pausing frequently. "He is one of our key responders. He is here all the time." On Wednesday, however, Kirchner is in critical condition at Maryland Shock Trauma after he was injured fighting an early-morning fire at a home in the unit block of Hanover Road. Having a key member injured is emotionally difficult for the company, so firefighters, family members and friends have gathered at the station. "Everybody's grouping together, coming together as a whole, supporting each other," Hewitt…

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Report: Pikesville Homes Selling More Quickly than Last Year

Last month, houses on the market sold in an average of 117 days, compared to an average of 142 days last March. Read more statistics, including median price.

Pikesville High School Teacher Honored by Chamber of Commerce

Principal Ed Mitzel Jr. nominated Greg Hrinda.

The Pikesville Chamber of Commerce honored physics teacher Greg Hrinda for outstanding contributions to education. During the chamber's annual Community and Business Recognition Breakfast, the chamber gave him an award, and a chance to be county teacher of the Year, according to a news release from the school. That county awarded by the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. The county chamber's 27th Annual Excellence in Education Ceremony will be held May 13 at Martin's West. "Mr. Hrinda was honored for his outstanding contributions to the school and for his efforts at building interest in the physics program," the release states. Principal Edmund Mitzel Jr. nominated Hrinda for the Pikesville chamber award. “Being the only physics teacher…

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County: Rabid Cat Found, Feline Colony To Be Trapped

Baltimore County reports that a feral cat has died of rabies, and is trying to remove the cats in a feral colony from the area near Rhonda Court.

A gray, tan and white, feral cat has died in Baltimore County custody. Now the county is trying to find any other pets who may have come in contact with this cat whose fur is in a dilute tortoise shell pattern, according to a news release by the county Department of Health. "If you, anyone you know or your pet had any exposure to this cat between March 28 and April 12, please contact the Baltimore County Department of Health immediately at 410-887-6011, the release states. Crews are working in the Rhonda Court area to catch other feral cats who may be rabid, it states. Meanwhile, pet cats should be kept inside so they don't get trapped accidentally, the release states. "Please be advised that, under county law, cats are not permitted to be…

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Pikesville High School Seniors To Be Honored

Honorary and monetary awards will be given May 21 at the school.

Local Voices: Spring Grove, Towson Sports

Here are the top posts this week on Local Voices in Baltimore city and county.

Here are some of the top posts on Local Voices from Baltimore city and county Patch sites this week. Want to share your thoughts on local politics, sports or entertainment? Click Start a Blog under the top stories on your Patch's homepage. Sensible Spring Grove Redevelopment: Paul Dongarra writes about alternatives for the long-planned Promenade development in Catonsville. Franchot: Public Conversation on Towson University Sports Is Imperative: Comptroller Peter Franchot cautioned that Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to spend $300,000 in state funds to revive Towson University baseball sets a bad precedent. Ruppersberger Encourages Tax Filers to Use Free Prep Clinics: With April 15 drawing nearer, the congressman highlights the Internal …

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