Rich Urban Counties Spend More on Schools than Rich Rural Ones

ANNAPOLIS – Two of Maryland’s wealthiest suburban counties rank second and third statewide in the percentage of local tax base spent on students, while its two richest rural counties are at the bottom, a Capital News Service computer analysis reveals

Harford Couple Keeps Local History Alive at Old Mill

WHITE HALL – Ivory Mills is not a pristine example of the gristmill it was in the 19th century

McKinstry Settlement Is At the Crossroads of Counties and Time

NEW WINDSOR – In the mid and late 19th century, farmers drove their flatbed wagons over the winding roads of north- central Maryland until they stopped under one end of Sam McKinstry’s gristmill at Sam’s Creek

Congress Eyes Mandatory Osteoporosis Testing for Fed Workers

WASHINGTON – Congress will decide next year whether to require government health insurance providers to cover osteoporosis testing for patients who are at risk of developing the debilitating bone disease

Chestertown Landmark Recognized for History, Architecture

CHESTERTOWN – Lauretum looks like someone slapped together the “Addams Family” mansion and a gingerbread house

Machinist Union Is Biggest Special-Interest Spender In Maryland

WASHINGTON – A Maryland-based labor union that represents machinists and airline workers is one of the nation’s biggest spenders on federal elections, according to government reports

Experts Suggest If You Have the Holiday Blues You Should Relax

Carollers sing with delight

Smart Growth Planning Sparks Interest Around Country

BALTIMORE – “Smart Growth” ideas are gaining momentum among America’s environmentalists, architects and planners, say land- use professionals who took part this week in a major national conference

Maryland Cuts Gonorrhea Infection in Half During Last Decade

WASHINGTON – The number of new gonorrhea infections in Maryland has dropped by half in the last decade, from 24,132 cases diagnosed in 1987 to 11,318 in 1996