Bay Foundation gets grant for oyster restoration

Maryland’s senators said Tuesday that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded a $156,101 grant to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to support its efforts to boost the native Eastern oyster population. The federal grant money will go toward the foundation’s restoration project in a section of the Choptank River identified by NOAA as a habitat focus area. The grant will support the foundation’s work increasing the number of oysters in the Little Choptank River and the Tred Avon River, as well as its plan to install a shoreline surrounding Hambleton Island to curb erosion in the area. In addition to trying to revitalize the oyster population, NOAA and its partners are restoring fish habitat and “researching the benefits of oyster reef ecosystem services” in the Choptank area, according to a news release from Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. “We cannot allow our commitment to oyster restoration to waver, because a healthy Chesapeake Bay means a healthy economy,” Cardin said in a statement. “This federal investment in our oyster restoration efforts demonstrates a commitment to both. Our oysters filter our water, provide an important source of food for our families and an important source of income for our watermen.” Van Hollen said the Chesapeake Bay “is vital to the environmental and economic success of our state — and a thriving oyster population is central to a healthy Bay and the livelihood of our watermen.” Van Hollen said the senators are “fighting hard for federal investments in programs like the Choptank River Habitat project.” Center in Bel Air died at a hospital Monday afternoon after going into cardiac arrest, according to the Harford County sheriff ’s office. Michael Belt of the 100 block of Hickory Point Road in Pasadena died at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air shortly after 5 p.m., according to a sheriff ’s office news release. Medical staff at the detention center, which is run by the sheriff ’s office, conducted a health and welfare check at 3:30 p.m. Monday, and Belt was found to have poor vital signs, Cristie Kahler, director of media relations for the sheriff ’s office, wrote in an email Tuesday. Staff from Correctional Care Services, the company contracted to provide medical service at the detention center, determined that Belt needed care beyond what they were able to provide and that he needed to go to a hospital, Kahler said. Belt was uncooperative but conscious during this process, Kahler said. While being transported to Upper Chesapeake, Belt went into cardiac arrest, according to the sheriff ’s office. He had been booked at the detention center July 25 on charges of driving while impaired, according to online court records. veys” taken from his cellphone. The attorneys, William C. Brennan Jr., and John M. McKenna, argue that such material is not “relevant evidence” and even if it were, it would not be admissible as part of the first- degree murder charge. Brennan and McKenna cited a Maryland court rule that allows for separate trials if evidence in one charge may prejudice a party in relation to another charge. ‘It’s safe to say we disagree,” said John E. Erzen, spokesperson for the Prince George’s County state’s attorney. “We feel the two are related and that the aspects of the hate crime are the motive for the murder. We believe that it is up to the jury to decide.” Collins had been visiting friends at College Park in May 2017 when Urbanski approached them near a campus bus stop, according to charging documents. The documents allege that a seemingly intoxicated Urbanski told the group to “Step left, step left if you know what’s best for you.” Collins refused, and Urbanski stabbed him in the chest, according to the documents. The next day, law enforcement found Urbanski followed a Facebook group called the “Alt-Reich Nation,” where members shared white supremacist memes.