Maryland
Maryland parents push to hold drug dealers accountable in overdose deaths
Parents who’ve lost their children to fentanyl overdoses went to Annapolis, Maryland Tuesday in search of accountability.
They want a new law that would hold drug dealers accountable when someone dies from an overdose. Their efforts have met strong opposition in the past, so this year, lawmakers are making changes.
Isis Flores held photos of her 16-year-old son, Yader, who died from a fentanyl overdose.
The Montgomery County mom pleaded with lawmakers to pass legislation that would hold drug dealers accountable when someone dies from an overdose.
“A mother who lost a child in 2022 to this horrible drug,” she said. “This is something horrible and that a child passed through — my son was one of them.”
Scott Broadfoot Sr. spoke through tears about his 21-year-old son, Scottie, who also died from an overdose. While prosecutors say there was a suspect in his son’s death, the person could not be charged under current Maryland law.
“Losing Scottie is a devastation unlike any other,” Broadfoot said. “The pain that follows, his passing, is something our family carries every day.”
These families are supporting a bill that would make distribution of heroin or fentanyl causing serious bodily injury or death a felony in Maryland. Supporters say it’s needed to hold people accountable for overdose deaths.
“We can’t bring these brothers, sisters, moms, dads back,” said Maryland Del. Chris Tomlinson, who represents Carroll and Frederick Counties. “But we can take this small step to keep this poison off the streets and hold drug dealers accountable for selling a lethal product that results in death of those we cherish the most.”
This is the third year in a row this legislation has been introduced, but because of the opposition, supporters have made changes. They’re hoping those changes will make a difference in getting it passed this year.
Among the concerns from opponents is the bill could punish those struggling with addiction who need help and treatment they won’t get through the prison system.
The biggest change supporters made to the bill is that a suspect must have a prior drug manufacturing or distribution conviction in order to face this new felony charge.
Supporters say dozens of other states already have similar laws.
“It is time that House Bill 1386, that this bill be passed so Maryland can join the vast majority of jurisdictions that already see the dangers of fentanyl and already have drug-induced homicide laws” said Stuart Welch with the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office.
In previous years, the bill has not come up for a vote. Supporters say they’ll keep coming back until the bill passes.
“How many lives must we lose?” Broadfoot said.
The maximum sentence for anyone convicted under this new law – if it passes – would be 20 years in prison.
Maryland
Celebrating America 250, July 4 in Maryland | Here’s what you need to know
MARYLAND (WBFF) — Marylanders won’t have to wait until July 4 to celebrate Independence Day.
Communities across the state are hosting fireworks displays, festivals, concerts and family-friendly events leading up to the Fourth of July, with many continuing through the holiday weekend as the nation marks America’s 250th anniversary.
Here’s a look at some of the celebrations happening around Maryland.
Send us your photos here!
Baltimore Metro: Sunday, June 28
Hereford Independence Day Parade & Fireworks
- Time: Parade at 6 p.m.; festival at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks at dusk
- Where: Parade begins on Mount Carmel Road, heads north on York Road and ends at Bunker Hill Road. Fireworks at Hereford High School.
- Rain date: June 29
Baltimore Metro: Friday, July 3
Glen Burnie Fireworks
- Time: 9 p.m.
- Where: Saw Mill Park
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Star-Spangled 250
- Time: Evening performance
- Where: Oregon Ridge
- Details: Patriotic concert featuring the “1812 Overture” with a fireworks finale. Tickets required.
Baltimore Metro: Saturday, July 4
92nd annual Dundalk Parade
- Time: Begins at 8:15 a.m.
- Where: The parade starts at the Logan Village Shopping Center.
- Details: It’s the longest continually running parade in Maryland!
Baltimore Inner Harbor Celebration
- Time: Live entertainment from 4-9:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Waterfront Promenade
- Details: Performances by the Navy Band Commodores, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Wordsmith.
Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival
- Time: 1-10 p.m.
- Where: Middle Branch Park
- Details: Free festival featuring live music, children’s activities, art experiences and waterfront views of the city’s fireworks.
Park & Relax at the Baltimore Museum of Industry
- Time: 6-10 p.m.
- Details: Waterfront viewing party with live jazz, face painting and fireworks. Tickets required.
Catonsville Independence Day Celebration
- Time: Parade at 3 p.m.; Family Fun Fest at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
- Where: Parade on Frederick Road; fireworks at Catonsville High School.
- Rain date: July 5
Dundalk Fireworks Spectacular
- Time: Festivities begin in the evening; fireworks around 9:15 p.m.
- Where: North Point Government Center
- Details: Live music, carnival rides, food vendors and family activities.
- Rain date: July 5
Fullerton Fireworks Celebration & Music Festival
- Time: Food and music begin at 2 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
- Where: Fullerton Park
- Details: Free admission.
- Rain date: July 11
Middle River Fireworks Extravaganza
- Time: 9 p.m.
- Where: Fireworks launched from the Middle River 6-knot zone.
Towson Fireworks
- Time: Dusk (approximately 9:10-9:30 p.m.)
- Where: Loch Raven Technical Academy
Baltimore Metro: Sunday, July 5
Kingsville Fireworks
- Time: Parking opens at 5:30 p.m.; festivities begin at 6 p.m.; fireworks around 9-9:15 p.m.
- Where: Mount Vista Park
Havre de Grace Celebration
- Time: Parade at 2 p.m.; concert at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
- Where: Concord Point Park and Susquehanna River waterfront.
Central Maryland: Wednesday, July 1
Queen Anne’s County Fireworks & Family Fun Celebration
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Where: Chesapeake Heritage & Visitors Center, Kent Narrows
- Details: Kids zone, live music and fireworks.
- Rain date: July 2
Central Maryland: Friday, July 3
Mount Airy Fireworks
- Time: Gates open at 4 p.m.; festivities begin at 5 p.m.; fireworks around 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Mount Airy Fireman’s Carnival Grounds
Taneytown Fireworks
- Time: 6-10 p.m.
- Where: Taneytown Memorial Park
Central Maryland: Saturday, July 4
Frederick’s 4th
- Time: Noon until dusk
- Where: Baker Park
- Details: Entertainment, rides, food vendors and fireworks.
Carroll County Farm Museum
- Time: Gates open at 4 p.m.; fireworks at sundown.
- Where: Westminster
- Details: Live music, food and the county’s largest fireworks display.
Sykesville Let Freedom Ring Parade
- Time: 10 a.m.
- *Where: Historic Main Street
Capital Region: Saturday, July 4
Annapolis Independence Day Celebration
- Time: Parade at 6:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
- Where: Downtown Annapolis and Spa Creek
Howard County Celebration
- Time: 5-10 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
- Where: Columbia Lakefront
Rockville Independence Day Celebration
- Time: 7-10 p.m.
- Where: Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park
Upper Montgomery County Fireworks
- Time: Gates open at 4 p.m.
- Where: Poolesville Soccer Fields
Eastern Shore: Friday, July 3
Rock Hall Fireworks Over the Harbor
- Where: Rock Hall Harbor
- Details: Parade, midway games and fireworks.
Berlin Fireworks
- Time: Dusk
- Where: Heron Park
Eastern Shore: Saturday, July 4
Ocean City Fireworks
- Where: Downtown Beach and Northside Park
- Details: Music and fireworks at two locations.
Red, White & BOOM
- *Time: Activities begin at 5 p.m.; fireworks around 9 p.m.
- *Where: Salisbury
Southern Maryland: Friday, July 3
Chesapeake Beach Fireworks
- Time: Dusk
- Where: Waterfront and Fishing Creek Bridge
St. Mary’s Freedom Fest
- Where: St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds
- Details: Free event featuring live entertainment, vendors, kids activities and fireworks.
Southern Maryland: Saturday, July 4
Charles County Fairgrounds Celebration
- Time: 3-10 p.m.
- Where: La Plata
- Details: Live music, food, family activities and fireworks.
More Fourth of July Celebrations (No Fireworks)
- Bel Air Independence Day Parade – July 4 at 6 p.m.
- B&O Railroad Museum’s 250th All-American Bash – July 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Cape St. Claire Parade – July 4 at 10 a.m.
- Eastport Parade – July 4 at 9 a.m.
- Galesville July Fourth Parade – July 4 from 1-4 p.m.
- Severna Park Parade – July 4 at 10 a.m.
- West Annapolis Bike Parade – July 4 at 10:30 a.m.
- River Hill Independence Day Parade – July 4 at 9 a.m.
Planning to attend?
Many communities expect large crowds and limited parking. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early, allow extra travel time and check individual event websites or social media pages for weather updates, parking information and any last-minute schedule changes.
Send us your photos here!
Maryland
Parents of former Maryland athlete killed in 2024 car crash start foundation in his honor
A Minnesota Vikings player Khyree Jackson (left), 24, and two of his former Wise High School football teammates Isaiah Hazel (middle), 23, and Anthony Lytton, Jr., 24 (right), died after a three-car crash in Prince George’s County, Md. on July 6, 2024. (AP Images, University of Maryland, and Penn State)
Maryland
Off-and-on weekend showers before intense heat builds in Maryland
Happy Saturday, Maryland!
A muggy weekend is ahead with some wet weather. High levels of heat and humidity come into play around midweek.
Weekend showers
A stationary front has made it’s way to the mid-Atlantic for this weekend. Due to the lack of movement with this front, it’ll keep cloud cover in our forecast. We’ll also be seeing a little bit of rain from this.
Showers will be off-and-on through the day. There will be many periods across the state where we see just clouds at some points of the day. While a washout isn’t expected, we could still see a few bouts of heavy rain. The atmosphere is so humid this weekend (and beyond) so that increases the likelihood of heavier rain with the stationary front nearby. The overall risk for thunderstorms is low and severe weather is not expected.
Sunday’s forecast is trending a little drier. A few spot showers are still possible. Again, it won’t be a washout of a day to close the weekend.
Highs on Saturday hover closer to 80° while Sunday warms into the low to mid-80s.
Dangerous heat incoming
Monday and Tuesday feature afternoons with near-normal temperatures closer to 90°. Those two days also bring dry conditions.
Once we get into the middle of the week, we’ll be battling very high – and dangerous – levels of heat and humidity.
Wednesday is forecast to get into the upper 90s, close to 100°. Thursday and Friday could see high temperatures that surpass 100° in a number of areas in the state. Here we are talking about *air temperatures*, which is before you factor in any humidity. With humidity included, “feels-like” temperatures or heat index values could pass 105°. Due to the combination of heat and humidity, the First Alert Weather team has issued four Possible Alert Days starting Wednesday into the Fourth of July holiday on Saturday.
It’s not just the daytime temperatures, either.
Overnight, we won’t feel much relief. Overnight lows in the mid to upper 70s – and even low 80s – will be rough for those who don’t have adequate air conditioning or another way to keep cool.
We could see the heat begin to break next weekend with a chance for storms Saturday.
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