CBS Baltimore

PASADENA, Md. (WJZ) — Krista Jacobs, 16, of Lake Shore cannot play softball this season, per doctor’s orders. “[I want to play] so bad. So bad,” Jacobs said last month during opening day of club softball. Jacobs is awaiting a kidney transplant after doctors discovered the Chesapeake High School sophomore has end-stage renal failure. “Which means my kidneys just kinda stopped working,” the 16-year-old explained. At a routine doctor’s visit last year, Jacobs complained of chills, bruises, and charley horses, or muscle cramps. “Thank God the doctor took her seriously and sent her down for bloodwork,” Jacobs’ mother Becky said. “Basically, they said, ‘Get her...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — It’s yet another day of gorgeous weather here in Maryland. We have dried out after a few overnight showers in the Baltimore area. The rest of our Thursday will be dry, sunny and even warmer than Wednesday. Our forecast calls for an afternoon high near 90 degrees. With very little humidity in place, it won’t feel too much warmer than that. There is a Code Orange Air Quality Alert in place for parts of our area. That means you’ll want to pump the brakes on any outdoor exercise, especially for children, seniors and those of us with underlying conditions. We stay dry...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Authorities are asking for help finding a 12-year-old girl reported missing in Baltimore County. The girl, Luisanna Rodriguez, was last seen about 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Dundalk area, Baltimore County Police said. Rodriguez, described as 5-foot-2 and 100 pounds, was last seen wearing a black crop top and blue jeans with a pink tote. Anyone with information on the child’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately or 410-887-7320. PLEASE SHARE #HelpLocate: Luisanna Lisbeth Rosario Rodriguez (12) 5’2, 100 lbs Last seen on 06/29/22 at 6 pm in the Dundalk area wearing a black crop top & blue jeans carrying a pink colored tote bag. #BCoPD needs help finding her. If seen/have info, call 911 or 410-887-7320^Gb pic.twitter.com/X1YVe2ESBT — Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) June 30, 2022

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Two men were wounded Wednesday night in a pair of Baltimore shootings, authorities said. About 10:30 p.m., officers called to a shooting in the 5300 block of Reisterstown Road found a 55-year-old man who had been shot, Baltimore Police said. He was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Less than an hour later, officers responding to a separate shooting in the 500 block of Freeman Street found a 42-year-old shooting victim. He was hospitalized but is listed in stable condition, police said. No information about a possible suspect or motive in either case was released. Anyone with information about either of these shootings is asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore has seen so much pain, with more than 1,500 people killed in the past five years. More than half of those killings remain unsolved. WJZ, in collaboration with CBS News, is examining a crime often going without punishment in our country. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. In the mid-1960s more than 90% of murders were solved, generally resulting in an arrest. By 1990, the percentage fell into the 60’s. Then, by 2020, as the number of homicides surged, the national clearance rate dropped to about 50% for the...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore’s big Fourth of July celebration is just days away, and the anticipation is building in a city that hasn’t celebrated Independence Day together in two years. The celebrations are coming back bigger and better than ever before, and the city is partnering with Baltimore institutions like the Baltimore Orioles, American Visionary Arts Museum, the National Aquarium, and media partner WJZ. Wondering what’s in store? Here’s a preview. The day starts with the pet parade and animal talent show at the American Visionary Art Museum. Get ready for a cuteness overload! Pet registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the parade starts...

JESSUP, Md. (WJZ) — Drive sober, or designate a driver who will be. That’s the message from the Maryland Department of Transportation Administration and Maryland State Police, especially this weekend. The agencies this week announced their plan to limit impaired driving. “Hopefully, many of you have already made the commitment to avoid impaired driving. As law enforcement, we would like this practice to become as natural as securing your seatbelt before you pull away,” said Lt. Col. Roland Butler Jr., the Chief of MSP Field Operations Bureau. Officials said the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort or “SPIDRE” team will be out in...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Baltimore police sergeant who was dragged two blocks by a car Tuesday night following a traffic stop is out of surgery and in fair condition, Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said. Joseph Daniel Black, 36, was arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the case, and Harrison claimed he confessed to injuring the officer. Black is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. After being taken to Shock Trauma for treatment on Tuesday night, the officer was listed in critical condition and said to be on full life support. Officers responded to the 1600 block of...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A man who seriously injured a Baltimore Police sergeant Tuesday night has been arrested nearly 20 times before, and now some are asking why he wasn’t already behind bars. Police say 36-year-old Joseph Black drove off from a traffic stop Tuesday night in Park Heights and dragged a sergeant two blocks. He was transported to Shock Trauma in critical condition Tuesday night, but is out of surgery and in fair condition Wednesday, officials said. Black was arrested Wednesday in the Upton neighborhood after what was called a “possible barricade situation” by police, in which SWAT teams blocked off roads. He...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Harford County State’s Attorney will not seek criminal charges against deputies who shot and killed a 53-year-old man in Bel Air last April, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. States Attorney Albert Peisinger said he reviewed body-worn camera footage, dash camera recordings, witness interviews and other materials in his decision, but the Attorney General’s Office said its own investigation in the shooting includes information that has not yet been requested or reviewed” by Peisinger’s office. Established in response to 2021 police reforms, the attorney general’s Independent Investigations Division is tasked with investigating all civilian deaths at the...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — With the Fourth of July just days away, those who patrol our waterways are warning boaters to stay sober, and brush up on how to stay safe on the water. Pam Seiter lives on a house boat, but she doesn’t venture out on the holidays. “We will stay in the marina we don’t go out because it’s too crazy there are too many new boaters out there,” she said. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police on Wednesday spread potentially life-saving advice as new boaters look to enjoy the water this vacation weekend. Pay attention to the weather and your surroundings,...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Part of the ongoing fight for equality for the LGBTQ+ community is the right to become parents. One local dad has made it his mission to help same-sex couples adopt. “I’ve always wanted to be a father, honestly as long as I can remember,” said David Marshall. For him, having a son like Josiah was something he once only dreamed of, and his adoption process was relatively seamless in Maryland. “The adoption process here in Maryland is pretty straightforward for same-sex couples,” said family attorney Allyson Goldscher. “Maryland doesn’t treat same-sex couples any differently than heterosexual couples.” But the process isn’t...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Baltimore man convicted in the 2019 beating and murder of his two-month-old daughter was sentenced Tuesday to 90 years in prison, the States Attorney’s Office for Baltimore said Wednesday. Quar’ran Allen, 25, was sentenced to 40 years for Second Degree Murder, to be served concurrently with 50 years with five years probation for Child Abuse. Allen was 22 when he was charged in the death of Elsie Cottman in June 2019. Officers responded to Johns Hopkins Pediatrics for a report of an unresponsive infant on May 28, 2019, but Elsie was pronounced dead before officers arrived. The family of the infant was interviewed and doctors noticed bruising on her body. An autopsy found the baby died of blunt force trauma, and that her injuries were consistent with a severe beating.  

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — State employees will get additional leave time if they work as election judges during the primary and general elections, Gov. Larry Hogan said. Employees who staff polling places on the July 19 primary, which is not a state holiday, or any early voting location will receive 16 hours of administrative leave for each day of service, the governor said. For the first time, contractors are also eligible. Election Day, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, is a state holiday. Employees will receive pay and an additional eight hours of administrative leave for working as a judge. Contractors are eligible for the...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A 17-year-old boy has been convicted of murder and rape in the 2018 attack of an elderly woman, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby said. Tyrone Harvin, who was 14 years old at the time of the murder and assault, was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree rape and a weapons offense, Mosby said. Dorothy Mae Neal, 83, was found unresponsive in her apartment following the attack and pronounced dead the next day at a local hospital. Investigators said in September 2018 that neighbors at the Rosemont Garden Apartments were concerned after not seeing Neal for days. Following Harvin’s arrest, police said...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — About 100 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to a fire Wednesday morning in the dining hall at the Camp Airy for Boys in Thurmont, Md., according to Frederick County Fire and Rescue. As of 12:05 p.m., the fire is under control, according to authorities. In a statement, the camp said all campers, counselors and staff at the camp for Jewish children are safe and accounted for. The fire was reported about 7:30 a.m. in the dining hall, also known as the White House, the camp said. “As you might imagine, the White House is not only where we serve meals, but...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Sunshine is in full force for our Wednesday. These bright skies have sent temperatures cruising into the upper 80s. We’ll likely top out a few degrees warmer than Tuesday’s high of 84°. Humidity will be low so besides being beautiful, it will be comfortable. Temperatures take another step up for Thursday with highs in the low 90s. Humidity makes a comeback by Friday. That means that highs in the mid 90s will feel more like the triple digits. Storms are in store over the weekend, with our best bet for wet weather on Saturday and rain chances dropping off Sunday into our Independence Day.  So far, storm chances are minimal by the Fourth of July, but we’ll keep a close eye on it so you can plan your picnics and barbecues accordingly. 

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Gov. Larry Hogan weighed in Wednesday after a Baltimore police sergeant was hit by a car during a traffic stop and dragged several blocks, offering his prayers. The officer remains on full life support. “Another senseless act of violence against law enforcement has left a Baltimore Police sergeant fighting for his life,” Hogan tweeted. “The perpetrator must be swiftly brought to justice.” The incident happened Tuesday night shortly after 8 p.m. in the 5200 block of Park Heights Avenue, according to police. The officer had pulled over a car during a traffic stop when, at some point, the driver hit...

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A person was taken into custody Wednesday morning following a “possible barricade situation” in a West Baltimore rowhome. WJZ has learned from sources that the arrest may be connected to a separate incident on Tuesday night where a Baltimore City police officer was hit by a vehicle during a traffic stop and dragged several blocks. The officer remains on life support. A heavy police presence, including a SWAT Team truck, was been reported just before 9:30 a.m. near The Y in Druid Hill in West Baltimore. SWAT teams and several police officers are on the scene on Druid Hill Avenue. Parts of two roads are closed for about 40 minutes due to what Baltimore Police are calling “a possible barricade situation. Police announced the 1600-1800 blocks of Druid Hill Avenue and the 1600-1800 blocks of McCullough Street were closed just before 11:10 a.m. They were reopened about 11:50 a.m. This is a a breaking news story and will be updated. #BREAKING A heavy police presence on Druid Hill Ave. near the YMCA. SWAT teams and several police officers are all over the scene. @wjz pic.twitter.com/oteut3tAn5 — Jessica Albert (@JessicaAlbertTV) June 29, 2022

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore’s waterfront will be lit up by fireworks and fun once again this Independence Day. After two years away, the mayor’s office, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore are partnering to bring the celebrations back bigger and better than ever before. To bring the Independence Day event back in style, the city is also partnering with several Baltimore institutions. The list of participants includes the Baltimore Orioles, American Visionary Arts Museum, the National Aquarium, and media partner WJZ. Several events, like the American Visionary Art Museum’s pet parade, are...