I agree with Representative Anthony Brown that widening I-270 and the Capital Beltway with toll lanes is an outdated solution to congestion. In the editorial “Hundreds rally to stop controversial highway widening project,” local officials and Montgomery County residents favor expanding transit to curb the horrific upper county traffic congestion. Highway expansion will guarantee more […]
On June 28, 2018, a man wielding a shotgun blasted his way into the offices of the Capital Gazette community newspaper in Annapolis. He murdered five staff members, including my brother-in-law, John McNamara. Not only did my young daughters lose a beloved uncle that day, but they must also now navigate a world where the […]
I’ve had the pleasure and the opportunity write this column for about 15 years. My goal was to inform and enlighten you about housing and real estate issues. And over the years, recurring themes emerged. Some are dynamic, while others seem to be unchanging. Through my many columns I wrote about the dynamic nature of […]
Last week, Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals called for the abolition of contested elections for Circuit Court judgeships in the State. As I say goodbye to this column, and the fine people at the Montgomery County Sentinel, I join in Judge Barbera’s call for a constitutional amendment to change […]
Most small cars conceived are for simple, economical transportation. You buy a small car because you want to get good gas mileage and not pay too much. Many of today’s leading small sedans and hatchbacks can rightly be called economy cars. Models like the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla are far from basic, rudimentary transportation, […]
I have often been asked whether there is anything I will admit to as a positive of the Trump administration. Well, there is. The Trump administration has provided me with more issues and incidents to write about than I could ever have imagined. That is as close as I could get to find a Trump […]
With the dispute over the timeliness of commencement of the impeachment trial being much in the news, Maryland’s Court of Appeals last week issued an opinion in Anthony Marlin Tunnell v. State of Maryland regarding the timeliness of commencement of a criminal trial. Maryland, by statute and a 1979 case called Hicks v. State, has […]
When you’re selling a home, a consequential decision is your list price and pricing strategy. Deciding on your price can be confusing because, sometimes, what you hear from the media is not exactly what your real estate agent is telling you. Additionally, making matters worse is hearing disparate information from different real estate agents. For […]
Today’s all-electric cars have made great strides toward everyday usability, with rapidly growing ranges. Even the cheapest models like the Nissan Leaf can now go 150 miles per charge, while the famous Teslas — along with a growing number of other electric vehicles — manage well over 200 miles. But if you’re not ready for […]
Amelia Earhart’s last confirmed words were spoken at 8:43 a.m. on July 2, 1937. She said, “We are on the line 157-337 flying north and south.” Earlier she had spoken the fatal words, “We are on you but cannot see you.” She was in trouble, and she knew it. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan […]
Appearances are often misleading. Your child comes home from school the day report cards are handed out, but he does not have one. You assume that he is hiding poor grades. You question him as to why he has no report card, and he tells you that he received straight A’s but that he did […]
It’s common knowledge that your home sale must have multiple high-quality photos. If you don’t, then be prepared for a long disappointing sale. Multiple high-quality pictures have not only become a home sale must, but it seems as if photos and tours have become the central feature of many real estate agents’ marketing plans. Not […]
Under the famous Supreme Court Miranda case, persons who have been arrested must be advised of their rights, including the right to consult with an attorney and to have their lawyer present during police questioning. Once a suspect requests an attorney, the extent to which the police may further interact with the suspect was explored […]
The most family-friendly crossovers are essentially big boxes on wheels. They focus on maximum interior space for the money, the smoothest possible ride, and tons of safety features. Most best-selling seven-passenger crossovers — like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse — are functional and thoroughly unexciting. If you’re looking for something with a […]
Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan famously asked America during a presidential debate with President Jimmy Carter in 1980, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” Good question and a question that has since been posed in every subsequent presidential election and sure to be asked in the 2020 election. However, that is […]
I recently delivered a sad message to the staff and freelancers of The Sentinel Newspapers, indicating that our last edition will publish on Jan. 30 after serving Montgomery County for more than 160 years and Prince George’s County for 88 years. In that letter, I said that The Sentinel Newspapers have not been profitable for […]
Every year, it is a tradition to resolve to make some changes in our lives. Rather than the same old and trite New Year’s resolutions, consider one of these three to help you this year. Selling a home this year? Your resolution is to not overpay real estate commissions. 2019 will be remembered as the […]
Maryland’s Court of Appeals some years ago decided that Comparative bullet lead analysis (CBLA) evidence was unreliable and inadmissible. Testimony about CBLA was based on comparison of lead in bullets which supposedly came from the same distinctive vat of lead, which was used to posit that bullets that struck a victim came from the defendant’s […]
Back in 2011, Donald J. Trump predicted that President Barack Obama would go to war with Iran as a means of retaining his presidency. It turns out Obama did not take that action; it turns out in 2020, Trump did. However, be assured that the assassination of Iran’s military leader, Qasem Soleimani, by a U.S. […]
As a former Navy enlisted man and officer, I am highly concerned with the Commander-In-Charge Of White House Chaos interference in Navy matters. The Commander-In-Charge Of White House chaos overruled the Navy’s decision to demote Chief Petty Officer and Navy Seal Edward Gallagher. Gallagher was convicted of posing with a dead detainee. Trump’s rationale was […]
On Dec. 18, I spent 12-straight hours in the House Press Gallery witnessing history as the House of Representatives adopted two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. The House settled on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and, indeed, those two articles of impeachment are more than justified; both were adopted on […]
Can zoning be the answer to solving housing shortages and increasing affordability? Many city planners and politicians think so. Although many localities are still considering upzoning ordinances, some have already implemented upzoning amendments that allow increased resident density. The immediate effect is likely to be felt by the addition of housing. However, it’s unclear how […]
At this time of year, law enforcement is rightly concerned with enforcing laws against drinking and driving. Maryland law includes a requirement that a person arrested for driving or attempting to drive while intoxicated or impaired, after being given their rights, agree to submit to a breathalyzer test or face suspension of driving privileges. Maryland’s […]
In fall 2017, we tested two popular compact crossovers: the Nissan Rogue and the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. At the time, we found the Hyundai to be the fancier-feeling vehicle, while Nissan’s Rogue was the better value for the money. Just over two years later, we tried them out again. Since that time, the Hyundai […]
As we slowly down dive into the 2020 Presidential Election with the Commander In Chief spewing rhetoric of “fake news,” I think that the masses need to understand another phrase that was brought to prominence by the vetting of credentials in the 20th century and forward: A gatekeeper. With daily attacks on traditional media by […]
Amelia Earhart, probably the most famous woman in the world in her time, disappeared 82 years ago, on July 2, 1937. Amazingly, the search for her is still very active, has cost over $50 million to date, and involves some of the top minds and searchers on the planet. I am lucky to have played […]
Some cars are the stuff of dreams: exotics that are fun to imagine but nearly impossible to obtain. Italian luxury brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini make up a big part of such lists. But one of their countrymen is much more attainable, and few people are noticing. This brand sells an exotic aura for less […]
For some, the holiday season is a time of enjoying family and friends. For others, it’s a time of giving. Regardless, many agree that it’s a time we wish each other joy and happiness. Here’s some thoughts on keeping your holiday safe and enjoyable. Protect your home from fire. According to the Consumer Product Safety […]
While the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants a criminal defendant facing possible imprisonment the right to have an attorney at trial, there are occasions when defendants still insist on representing themselves. That scenario raises challenges for the trial judge trying to conduct a proper trial, particularly in front of a jury. What happens […]
Enough already. Enough with the phony witch hunts and the steady stream of hoaxes on the American people. Enough! Get off our president’s back and let him do his job. It is a well-known fact that this president (Donald Trump) is directly responsible for lowering the unemployment rate to historic lows and the overall economy […]
Dear Editor, Massachusetts just passed the first law in the country to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products. Although Maryland has taken steps to address the youth e-cigarette epidemic in its own communities by raising the minimum sales age for tobacco products, it should follow Massachusetts’ footsteps quickly. Delegate Dereck Davis plans to […]
The courts in presiding over trials in criminal cases are careful in determining whether to admit evidence of criminal conduct other than that for which the defendant is on trial. This includes evidence of conduct that suggests a consciousness of guilt for the charges at issue. The admissibility of such evidence was considered in an […]
Experts’ home sale inventory forecasts for the spring echo expectations from recent years. And in some regions, it could be a very competitive homebuyer market. Affordability is likely to be a major issue according to CoreLogic’s chief economist Frank Nothaft (Peering into the Housing and Mortgage Outlook with 20/20 Vision; corelogic.com; Dec. 5, 2019). The […]
The Volkswagen GTI is a performance icon for the German brand. This more powerful, sharper-handling version of the Golf hatchback invented the “hot hatch” market segment back in the 1970s, ushering in a string of successful and less successful imitators. The idea is to take an ordinary economy car and turn it into a fun-to-drive […]
Let’s begin with President Donald Trump’s claim that Article II of the Constitution grants him unlimited powers. It does not. How do we know it doesn’t? Merely reading the Constitution makes that point quite clear. Maybe the first law that needs to be enacted whenever Sen. Mitch McConnell is no longer, as he refers to […]
A decade ago, Nissan stripped the features out of its entry-level Versa sedan to make it the least expensive car sold in America at $9,990. At this price, it had a manual transmission, crank windows and not even a radio or air conditioner, but the 2009 Versa offered a spacious interior at a ridiculously low […]
Each spring, we talk about cleaning our homes after cocooning during the winter months. The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) publishes an annual survey that reveals how many of us actually do a “spring cleaning,” as well as cleaning priorities and outcomes. However, beginning spring cleaning during the winter can make your spring a breeze. According […]
Under Maryland law, the Circuit Court for certain crimes has jurisdiction over criminal cases involving minors between the ages of 14 and 18. However, in such cases the defendant frequently requests what is known as a “reverse waiver” of the case to Juvenile Court where a child found involved in conduct that would constitute a […]
The one thing Republicans and Democrats have in common is that both parties attack Democrats, especially during presidential primary season. While the Democratic candidates for president bicker over which of their plans is the solution to providing universal health care coverage, whether it be Medicare for All or building on former President Barack Obama’s health […]
Those of Donald Trump’s followers, some in government and some not have carried out his unlawful orders, have engaged in criminal conduct and must spend time in federal penitentiaries. In addition, Trump himself also has allegedly committed federal crimes and he must also go to federal prison. The media has informed us of many reasons […]
Some cars look great on paper. They are inexpensive, have tons of cargo space and get great gas mileage. Other cars can charm you once you see them in person, winning you over with cleverly executed features, an enjoyable driving experience and perfectly shaped seats. Then there are those whose appeal is more personal. Those […]
If you have been following the housing market, you know that housing experts have been declaring a home sale inventory shortage since 2013. In National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Nov. 27 Pending Home Sales Index release, chief economist Lawrence Yun partly blamed October’s 1.7% decline to “inadequate levels of inventory across the country.” He stated […]
It has become common in many jurisdictions, including Montgomery County, for the police to wear body cameras that show their actions and record audio. The Maryland Rules of Evidence have been amended to allow, under prescribed circumstances, audio from police body cameras to be admitted in evidence against a criminal defendant. How those rules work […]
After intensely following the riveting testimony before the House Intelligence Committee impeachment hearing from Nov. 13 to Nov. 21, it is an excellent time to provide some observations. The twelve witnesses included three requested by Republicans and nine by Democrats. What did all of the witnesses have in common? They all agreed on the same […]
At their heart, the Cadillac Escalade and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport offer a similar first-impression appeal. These luxury SUVs deliver exuberant, flamboyant, ritzy styling that creates an instant “cool factor.” When you pull up and clamber down from their lavishly trimmed leather seats, people notice. And it’s not all about image. Both of […]
No matter what items a homebuyer has on their wish list, they are typically constrained by the home price. As a result, the buyer is often limited in their choices. Accordingly, buyers prioritize home features and benefits when comparing homes. Nonetheless, homebuyers often have a choice between a new home or resale. Besides the allure […]
Since 1991, a Maryland statute has made evidence of “Battered Spouse Syndrome” admissible to prove the defendant’s motive or state of mind at the time of a alleged crime of violence against her abuser. Such evidence may be important for the trier of fact in determining if self-defense is a viable defense to the killing […]
If you have owned a Subaru sedan from just about any time in the last 30 years, the pros and cons of the redesigned 2020 Subaru Legacy will likely sound familiar. The Legacy midsize sedan delivers an exemplary safety record, a comfortable cabin and a stellar all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment. But it is not […]
Our April 2019 circumnavigation of Japan aboard Holland America Line’s MS Westerdam Cruise Ship ended with a week on our own in Tokyo, Japan. We had been a bit nervous about this, since we do not speak Japanese. We knew that few street signs are in English, and the subway system appeared very complex. By […]
Wise men say wise things. That is ordinarily how we determine that the individuals who say these things are smart. We have had wise men say wise things throughout this country’s history. Few of these individuals, however, could not have imagined just how applicable their wise sayings would be to an eventual occupant of the […]
Courts are frequently called upon to apply the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures to police procedures. Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals this week reviewed whether the use of fare inspections on a light rail train violated the Fourth Amendment in a case called Kenneth Carter v. State of Maryland. The opinion indicates […]
A must see presentation on the rich history of the Montgomery County Sentinel, all 164 years of it, at the January 25th Montgomery County Historical Society Conference.
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Dr. Eugene Small of Colesville, age 88, A retired Professor of Protozoology at the University of Maryland, died peacefully in his sleep July 1st, 2019 at Brooke Grove Nursing and Rehab Center after a years long struggle with COPD and dementia. Gene is survived by: his wife Bootsy, his children, Jeff Small, Dan Small, Jon […]
Richard Hall Wilson, a retired educator from the Montgomery County School system, died Monday in his home in Leesburg, VA. He was 74. Richard was born in Salisbury, MD. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Salisbury State College, his Master’s degree from Loyola College of MD, and his PhD from University of Maryland. He […]
Gertrude Walter Lerch “Bobby”, 104, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2014. at her home in Chevy Chase Md. She was born in San Francisco to Albert and Mina Walter in 1910.
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