Maryland

Changes coming to protect Maryland workers from dangerous heat

Published

1 year ago

August 13, 2024

Press Room

Changes coming to protect Maryland workers from dangerous heat

BALTIMORE, Md. — “DPW heroes work here.” That’s what a banner reads outside the DPW sanitation yard in Cherry Hill.

But some employees, and the people who represent them say they’re not always treated like heroes.

“No workers should be pushed to such a point of exhaustion that their body fails them,” Roderick Pickett, vice president of City Union of Baltimore, saidat a rally about DPW’s work environment on August 6.

In recent weeks, we’ve reported on the citywide calls for change after two inspector general’s reports exposed unsafe working conditionsat Baltimore’s DPW yards, including broken air conditioning units, and a lack of access to cold drinking water. Then, at the beginning of the month, an employee, Ronald Silver II, died from heat exhaustion while on duty, collecting trash.

“The circumstances that led to brother Silver’s death are deeply concerning because they are largely preventable,” Patrick Moran, president of the labor union of which Silver was a member, AFSCME Maryland Council 3, said at the same rally.

But change is already in the works to protect Maryland workers from dangerous heat. For years, labor groups have pushed for Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) to implement what’s called a “heat stress standard.” That standard would apply to all employers in the state, and basically require them to give workers breaks, and access to water and shade when temperatures are high.

There are only five states that have such standards right now – California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington.

Scott Schneider is one of Maryland’s members of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH). He says the push for heat stress standards in the workplace is happening on the federal level too. But the process of changing Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) regulations takes significantly longer. Schneider showed us the 33 steps it takes for OSHA to add a new rule.

“It’s gonna take probably another 2 or more years for the federal rule to get finalized. So we didn’t want to wait that long,” he told WMAR-2 News’ Elizabeth Worthington.

In Maryland, the state standard could be implemented as soon as next summer. Here’s what the draftlooks like right now.

In 2020, the General Assembly passed a bill that gave OSHA two and a half years to publish a heat stress standard. In 2022, the agency put out a draft.

“It was really inadequate. It didn’t provide the protections that workers really need. It kicked in at a much higher temperature, and one of the weird things about it was – it required that at this temperature, at 88 degrees, you had to have a program to protect workers from heat. But the program didn’t have to be written down. […] How do you enforce that?”

A month later, Wes Moore was elected governor. Schneider and other COSH members asked the legislature review committee to put a hold on the regulation. When Governor Moore appointed new heads of the labor department, COSH asked them to re-write the regulation, which they did. The draft came out in mid-July. Schneider said it’s “much better,” but he still sees room for improvements, such as factoring in radiant heat, or working in direct sunlight. The current draft standards only relies on the heat index, which takes into consideration the ambient temperature and the humidity.

There’s a virtual hearing on the proposed standards this Friday, August 16 at 1 p.m. A link to the hearing will be posted on the MOSH website. Public comment period lasts until August 26.

Under the proposed standard, when the thermometer hits 80 degrees, employers have to be ready with a written heat safety plan. At 90 degrees, workers need to be given a 10 minute break every two hours. At 100 degrees and above, it’s a 15 minute break every hour.

“These standards are not written for most employers. They’re written for the bad actors. Most employers are already doing this,” Schneider said.

Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming is relieved this issue is getting more attention, after her reports on the DPW.

“Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, it’s all very, very real. And people have jobs that are so difficult, yet they push themselves to keep working because they have families to support and everything else,” she told WMAR-2 News’ Elizabeth Worthington.,

After the death of Ronald Silver, the DPW held a mandatory heat safety training session for its employees. Under the proposed state standards, that would have already been required.

“If you knew that cramping hands, or something, was a real warning signal, then you know what to do to help yourself,” Cumming said.

She’s excited about the changes coming to Maryland’s workplaces, and hopes penalties are actually enforced.

“To really give anything teeth, you have to have consequences. This is just the world we live in.”

The City Council will be holding a hearing on “DPW Capacity in Extreme Heat” on Thursday, August 22.

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Maryland

4 takeaways from Michigan Basketball’s 101-83 win at Maryland

Published

17 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

4 takeaways from Michigan Basketball’s 101-83 win at Maryland

It wasn’t a 40-point win like the Michigan Wolverines have been used to, but they put together a strong second half to take down the Maryland Terrapins, 101-83, on the road Saturday night.

The Wolverines haven’t had a true road test in over a month, and it took 30 minutes to shake off the dust. While Maryland had a strong night from the three-point line to flirt with an upset, Michigan stuck to its game plan and went on a run in the final 10 minutes of the contest to win the game.

There is a lot to unpack, so here are four takeaways:

David “Diggi” Coit legacy first half

The Terrapins gave Michigan its first deficit going into halftime this season, and it can be largely thanks to point guard David “Diggi” Coit. The Northern Illinois and Kansas transfer was on another level in the first half, scoring 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including six makes from three.

Coit wasn’t just sitting in the corner either. He was creating his own shot from everywhere on the hardwood, going up against Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau, Yaxel Lendeborg, and even hitting one in the face of Morez Johnson Jr., all of whom are taller than the graduate transfer.

He continued his hot streak to start the second half, but eventually cooled off and finished with 31 points. It was a remarkable showing, and it should be a good sign for the Terrapins going forward if he can produce every night like Saturday.

As for Michigan, it was a good test to face a player who could not miss for a half, and learn how to adjust at halftime to take away the threat. It will happen again, and as Dusty May always says, it is better for it to happen now than in March.

Michigan hasn’t played a close game since Nov. 14. Its reserve players have seen a ton of action, but it came at the expense of the Wolverines having to put games away at a consistent rate. While Maryland put the pressure on Michigan for 30 minutes, the final 10 are what gives May confidence in a potential national championship for this team.

The Wolverines shot 8-for-10 from the field to balloon their lead from five to 15 in a matter of minutes. It was an uncomfortable, yet promising finish for the Wolverines.

When many top teams would start forcing shots, Michigan continue to attack the paint and get the ball in the hands of its go-to players, capitalizing on a Maryland cold streak to go from a deficit to a double-digit lead late in the game.

There are a lot of talented teams on Michigan’s schedule, and there will be a few more matchups with spunky teams like Maryland that will force the Wolverines to lock in. They passed this test and can rest easy as they face some lighter non-conference opponents before the New Year.

When Michigan has needed a spark since its tournament in Las Vegas, the Wolverines have turned to their top transfer portal get — Yaxel Lendeborg. He led Michigan scorers with 13 points in the first half, but coming out of halftime down seven points, he was on a whole other level. Lendeborg put the ball in his own hands with 20 minutes to go, scoring 10 straight points to start the second, bringing Michigan within one point.

As Maryland continued to keep pace, Lendeborg would not let up and put together seven more points to get to 29 points for the night and 16 for the half with 11 minutes still to go.

When Maryland started double-teaming Lendeborg, he started spreading the wealth and giving his teammates open-opportunities. Elliot Cadeau knocked down a couple of shots, L.J. Cason made back-to-back threes and Mara was putting on a show with reverse dunks and alley-oops. Before long, Michigan held a 15-point lead.

While it was tough-sledding for most of the team in College Park, Michigan showed it only needed a couple of guys to be in rhythm to keep pace and even lead opponents who were having their best shooting night.

Michigan continued dominance in the paint

You can try to beat Michigan with the three-ball, but it is going to be very hard to claim ultimate victory if you can’t stop it in the paint. The Terps shot 55 percent from behind the arc in the first half and 48 percent in the second half, but Michigan didn’t mess around down low in the paint.

The Wolverines dominated Maryland, 20-10, in the paint in the first half, and put on an even stronger showing in the second with 24 points down low. It didn’t help that Maryland best front court player, Pharrel Payne, went down with a knee injury in the first half. As a result, Michigan quietly continued to grow its lead when the Terps’ threes stopped falling.

Between Mara, Will Tschetter, Johnson and Lendeborg, the options are limitless for the Wolverines in the post.

After gritting it out to stay undefeated, Michigan heads back home and will get a week off before facing La Salle on Sunday, Dec. 21 (4 p.m., BTN).

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Maryland HOA holiday lights dispute highlights what homeowners can and can’t do

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Maryland HOA holiday lights dispute highlights what homeowners can and can’t do

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A Maryland family’s ongoing battle with their homeowners’ association over a Christmas light display has reignited a broader conversation about how much control HOAs can legally exercise over holiday decorations.

7News has been following the case, in which the family continues to face fines from their HOA over their holiday lights.

To better under how homeowner associations operate and what options residents may have, 7News spoke with Alfredo Vásquez, a Washington, D.C.-based homeowner defense attorney.

RELATED COVERAGE | HOA vs. Christmas decorations: Maryland family facing hundreds in fines for lights

Why HOAs often cite holiday decorations

According to Vásquez, disputes over holiday decorations are common, but they usually center on timing rather than style.

“It may vary by community or HOA,” Vásquez said. “The most common reason would be that residents put decorations up too early or take them down too late.”

He explained that most HOA governing documents regulate how long decorations can remain on display, outlining specific start and end dates of holiday decor.

Are there rules on lights, music, or colors?

While many homeowners wonder whether HOAs can ban flashing lights, colored bulbs, or loud holiday music, Vásquez said those restrictions are less common.

“I haven’t seen any restrictions that are specific in that way,” he said. “Most governing documents I’ve reviewed focus on whether lights or music interfere with a neighbor’s lot.”

In other words, enforcement is often tied to nuisance complaints rather than aesthetics.

What if homeowners feel targeted?

Vásquez emphasized that HOA boards are legally required to enforce rules consistently.

“The Board of Directors has a duty to implement regulations in an equitable manner across the entire community,” he said.

If homeowners believe they are being unfairly singled out, the first step is reviewing the HOA’s governing documents to confirm whether the association actually has authority to regulate the issue at hand.

MORE COVERAGE | HOA still not specifying ‘nuisance’ in Germantown, Md. family’s Christmas decorations

Can issues be resolved without going to court?

Yes, and in most cases, that’s the recommended path.

HOAs must follow state condo and HOA laws, which typically require formal processes for enforcement, including notices of violations and opportunities for hearings.

“It would be ideal for homeowners to act quickly and request a hearing with the board,” Vásquez said. “They should present their case and allow the board to decide whether the violation and fines can withstand scrutiny.”

Do homeowners have any recourse after signing HOA bylaws?

Once a homeowner buys into an HOA-regulated community, they are generally bound by its bylaws, Vásquez said.

“As long as those bylaws comply with federal and state laws, homeowners’ hands may be tied,” he explained.

However, bylaws can be changed, usually through a supermajority vote of the community. Homeowners may also have stronger grounds to challenge newly adopted amendments, as long as they act promptly.

Vásquez added that staying engaged in HOA meetings and decisions is critical.

“Homeowners have to pay attention to what’s going on in their community so they can challenge changes in a timely manner,” he said.

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Attempted traffic stop leads to arrest of Maryland man wanted for kidnapping

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Attempted traffic stop leads to arrest of Maryland man wanted for kidnapping

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) announced the arrest of a man wanted for kidnapping on Thursday afternoon.

Suba Washington Jr., 27, of Williamsport, Maryland, was apprehended in Frederick after an attempted traffic stop early Thursday morning, according to deputies.

The pursuit

When officers tried to pull over a Hyundai Elantra in the 7300 block of Crestwood Blvd., the driver, later identified as Washington, refused to stop.

Deputies were later notified that Washington was wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment in Washington County, Maryland.

As Washington fled northbound on Route 85, he struck a car near Crestwood Blvd. and Buckeystown Pike; however, the driver of the vehicle was unharmed as the suspect continued onto northbound I-270 and then westbound I-70.

Washington’s tires were eventually flattened after deputies deployed stop sticks near the Middletown exit.

Though the pursuit still wasn’t over, as the vehicle managed to cross over into Washington County, where the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Maryland State Police (MSP) aided in apprehension.

Washington was taken into custody after his vehicle approached the Route 40 exit, coming to a full stop on the highway.

The charges

A 17-year-old in the passenger seat was found with Washington during the pursuit. The teenager was released to WSCO.

According to FCSO, Washington Jr. was taken to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center and charged with numerous traffic citations, including reckless driving, negligent driving, and two counts of attempting to elude law enforcement.

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