Latest news with #BaltimoreCity
CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland launches new effort to improve vacant property assessments in Baltimore City
The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation on Wednesday launched an initiative aimed at improving the accuracy of vacant land assessments in Baltimore City, in response to community feedback about the valuation of vacant homes. "Baltimore is a city where property values can shift significantly block by block," SDAT Executive Director Bob Yeager said. "That's why we use neighborhood-based market groupings, which capture a more accurate reflection of local conditions and avoid one-size-fits-all solutions. We're prioritizing a full review of vacant land in each reassessment cycle." The department will methodically identify all properties that have not been developed in the Group 2 reassessment area of Baltimore City. Group 2 refers to a set of residential and commercial properties that are appraised on a three-year cycle by SDAT. The 2023 reassessment covered 779,573 Group 2 properties, based on sales data from the previous three years. A map of the Group 2 area is available on SDAT's website. Integrity checks of sales and property records will be performed to improve data accuracy as part of the initiative, the department said. The state also plans to analyze land sales to ensure neighborhoods are valued correctly. Addressing Baltimore's vacant housing crisis has long been a goal for Maryland leaders. As of August, there are nearly 13,000 vacant homes across Baltimore, according to data from the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Urban Development. In July, Gov. Wes Moore announced $50 million in grand awards to assist Baltimore's efforts to reduce vacant properties. The Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative provides resources to revitalize communities with high concentrations of vacant homes. Meanwhile, the Baltimore City Council passed legislation to triple taxes on vacant homes starting in 2026, escalating to quadruple rates if owners do not address neglected properties. In March, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott established the Bmore F.A.S.T. (Facilitating Approvals and Streamlining Timelines) initiative to speed up redevelopment and permitting processes, with added staff and technological upgrades to remove bottlenecks in bringing properties back into productive use.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
8 heat-related deaths reported in Maryland during dangerous heat wave
Maryland saw 8 heat-related deaths during a dangerous heat wave, according to the Maryland Department of Health. According to the MDH's report, which covers the week of June 22 to June 28, there were 472 emergency department and urgent care visits combined. Heat-Related Illness ED/UC Visits Maryland Department of Health The 18–44 age group made the most emergency visits, followed by the 65+ age group. Six of the individuals who died due to heat illness were 65 or older. Region three, which includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties, saw the highest number of visits (197). Dangerous heat wave Baltimore City was among multiple Maryland counties that declared extreme heat alerts and opened cooling centers. The WJZ First Alert Weather team issued Alert Days through June 25 due to the dangerous temperatures. Meanwhile, Gov. Wes Moore activated Maryland's State of Preparedness protocol. While normal temperatures in June for the region are typically in the upper 80s, we saw temperatures approach 100 degrees, before cooler weather returned. On June 22, the second day of the Baltimore AFRAM festival in Druid Hill Park, the heat index reached 100 degrees. Staying safe in extreme heat Heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States There are multiple ways to stay cool in extreme heat. Loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing is recommended to help stay cool, according to the CDC. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and overly sweetened drinks is also suggested. You should also avoid direct sunlight and stay in the shade when possible. Heat exhaustion and heat illness typically present with symptoms like dizziness, muscle cramps, thirst, profuse sweating, nausea, and fatigue, according to the National Weather Service. If you experience these signs, you should move to a cooler area, loosen clothing, and sip cool water. If symptoms still persist, seek medical help, as heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.
CBS News
02-07-2025
- CBS News
Protesters rally at Baltimore Police Headquarters over recent deaths involving officers
A group of demonstrators protested outside of Baltimore City Police Headquarters on Tuesday to raise their voices against recent officer shootings and in-custody deaths. In the past two weeks, there have been three deaths at the hands of police in Baltimore. Police and neighbors said the responses involved mental health issues. "We are here to protest the recent string of BPD killings and the recent activity of BPD," said Carrington Scott, with the People's Power Assembly. "We are out here against police violence, the state of oppression against the Black community and all communities." Deadly incidents involving Baltimore police On Wednesday, June 25, Baltimore police officers shot and killed 70-year-old Pytorcarcha Brooks, who they say lunged at officers with a knife during a mental health episode at her home on Mosher Street. Commissioner Richard Worley said officers attempted to take her into custody for her safety, but when she didn't comply with orders, she was tased and then shot. Worley said there have been more than 20 calls to the home this year, including for behavioral health crises. On Tuesday, June 24, a man police said was having a mental health crisis in West Baltimore was put into restraints, became unresponsive, and died at the hospital. Investigators with the Maryland Attorney General's Office said officers restrained a man with handcuffs and leg restraints. The officer tried to restrain him because he said he was going in and out of traffic and was in danger, according to the Maryland Attorney General's Office. At some point, he lost consciousness and was taken in a police car to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On June 17, Baltimore vendor B.J. Abdullah, who police say pulled a gun and fired at officers in the Upton area, was shot and killed by officers. Police said Abdullah fired three shots while officers fired 38 rounds. Abdullah, 36, was a well-known arabber who sold produce on a horse-drawn cart in the city, according to community members. Baltimore Police released body-worn camera video from three officers who shot and killed Abdullah. The Maryland Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division is looking into all three cases. In all instances, protesters argued that police could have handled the situations better. "It's a war against the Black community but also mental illness," Scott said. "Instead of activating proper resources to take care of the community, they'd rather just kill us." Scott added, "The best results today are to show the community we are out here, we care, the fight is going on for people to join us because justice isn't something that is given, justice is fought for. It takes a mass movement of people to show that we are out here and able to fight back in any way possible." Officer is accused of raping teen girl On Tuesday, WJZ obtained charging documents that detailed a Baltimore police officer's arrest for allegedly raping a 16-year-old, who he said he was dating. Curlon Edwards has been charged with first- and second-degree rape, assault, reckless endangerment and false imprisonment. He was ordered to be held without bail, according to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
WJZ's Baltimore newsroom evacuated due to electrical fire
The WJZ newsroom in Baltimore was evacuated Monday afternoon due to an electrical fire. Baltimore City Fire quickly responded to the building on TV Hill around 3:30 p.m. The fire was out by the time crews arrived. Parts of the building were vented due to heavy smoke. The incident prompted the cancellation of our 4 p.m. newscast. No injuries were reported.
CBS News
28-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Underground fire prompts emergency response in Downtown Baltimore; Residents urged to avoid the area
Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management has advised residents, visitors, and patrons to avoid the area of E Baltimore St and Guilford Ave due to an underground fire that occurred Saturday afternoon. Baltimore City Residents, Visitor's, and Patrons - BCFD is currently responding to a call of fire activity in the area of E Baltimore St & Guilford Ave. Please AVOID the area, and identify alternate routes of travel. — Baltimore City OEM (@BaltimoreOEM) June 28, 2025 Just before 4 p.m., the Baltimore City Fire Department reported no visible fire and smoke had died down. BGE has responded to the scene to isolate and deenergize the area. The Maryland Transportation Authority has also been notified, per the BCFD.
