Latest news with #Baltimore
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
In Downtown Baltimore, a 1922 Madison Street murder gets a retelling
Park Avenue and West Madison Street seem an unlikely setting for the grim events of August 18, 1922. The landmark Gothic brownstone spire of First Presbyterian Church (the tallest church tower in Baltimore) threw a shadow toward Howard Street, where the Commonwealth Bank had just opened its bronze doors. Within minutes, William Norris and Fred Kuethe left the bank carrying a cash payroll of $6,750 for employees at their flourishing construction firm. A five-member bandit gang descended upon Norris and Kuethe. Within seconds, a stickup became a botched, bloody crime scene. Witnesses heard the gunshots. Passengers saw the incident from their seats as streetcars passed. The attackers jumped into a large, stolen Hudson Cruiser touring car and sped off toward East Baltimore. Many bystanders noted the license: 85:065. A city police officer saw the oversized Hudson and recognized one of the gang members. Within 24 hours, paper currency bands with 'Commonwealth Bank' on them appeared in Back River, where some of the loot was distributed. Bystanders picked up Norris' wounded body and carried the contractor two short city blocks to Maryland General Hospital, where he died on an operating table. A new book, 'Murder on Madison Street,' by author John Voneiff II, retells this Baltimore story based upon previously unpublished notes taken by the prosecuting attorney, Herbert R. O'Conor, who later became Maryland's governor and a U.S senator. By chance, Voneiff heard O'Conor's son, James Patrick 'Jim' O'Conor, retell this tale while both men were in the Baltimore County Club's exercise room in Roland Park. The men, who enjoyed a rich friendship, rehashed the particulars of the Norris murder case. Voneiff, supplied with the lawyer Herbert O'Conor's copious notes, then wrote the book over three years during the pandemic. James O'Conor died in 2023. His father, the governor-senator, died in 1960. The result is a Baltimore true crime classic. Things like this were not supposed to happen in Baltimore, steps away from the Washington Monument and the Peabody Institute. Within a little more than a year, the Alcazar, today's Baltimore School for the Arts, would open a few feet from the murder scene. Most of the best physicians and dentists in Baltimore practiced nearby. The victim, William Norris, was 44 years old, a City College and Maryland Institute graduate, married with young sons. He was a co-owner of Hicks, Tate & Norris, a construction firm located across the street from the murder site. He lived in Govans on Beaumont Avenue. Civic outrage burned bright when a business executive, just doing his job, was gunned down on an otherwise quiet Friday, a payday morning. The Baltimore Sun and Evening Sun immediately posted a $5,000 reward for the capture of the killer. Then Gov. Albert Ritchie added to the reward pot, as did members of Maryland's Masonic orders. Voneiff's book, drawn from the prosecuting attorney Herbert O'Conor's extensive private papers, indicates that Baltimore had more of a pervasive underworld crime scene than people commonly understood. National prohibition brought a trade in illegal liquor production and sales. Baltimore had plenty of thirsty customers who patronized what became an expanding army of haphazard crooks. Political corruption flourished, if not always acknowledged. City State's Attorney Robert F. Leach Jr. became so disenchanted that he left his office without seeking reelection. The Norris case involved a set of interesting players. The gang's ringleader and brain was a cool customer named Jack Hart, a crook with all the right credentials. He was smart, liked the illegal liquor racket and managed to escape the State Penitentiary at least twice. His wife, an East Baltimore lass named Kitty Kavanaugh, who by all accounts truly loved her man, added spice to the Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow scenario. The crime was conceived quickly in a house in the 900 block of North Broadway in Upper Fells Point. Some of the loot was divided up in Essex and Back River. The crime was so controversial that the trial of the shooter, a man named Walter Socolow, had to be moved to Towson's Baltimore County Courthouse. Socolow opened fire when Norris and Kuethe refused to surrender the payroll, worth about $150,000 in today's money. He was spared the hangman's noose and spent years incarcerated before being paroled and trained as a printer. He ended his days in 1970 living in a rooming house and making a living in the old News American's composing room. The sensational case unfolded quickly. Baltimore police detectives captured Hart in a Pennsylvania Avenue apartment near the White House in Washington, D.C., after being ratted out by the wife of one of his liquor-dealing criminal accomplices. Socolow fled to Long Island and initially hid at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. New York. New York City police detectives arrested him after he bought a copy of The Baltimore Sun at a Bryant Park newsstand near the New York Public Library. The story took a hit of criminal/legal adrenaline when prosecutor O'Conor, with Baltimore detectives and assisted by New York cops, kidnapped Socolow from an extradition hearing that could have delayed his speedy passage back to Baltimore. O'Conor and his captive Socolow, with detectives in tow, found backstairs out of the courthouse. An unmarked New York cop car took them to a steam ferry, the Elizabeth, to traverse the Hudson River. They disembarked at Jersey City and caught a series of trains to Baltimore. Justice moved very quickly. Socolow was convicted on October 20, 1922, less than two months after the heist. Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at and 410-332-6570.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Cosmic wonders from Chile, record heat wave and July Fourth food: The week in review
A 'cosmic treasure chest' has been opened with the debut of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in northern Chile as astronomers released startling first images, including one of a southern region of the Virgo Cluster capturing a stunning 10 million galaxies. That was just 0.05% of the 20 billion galaxies the telescope is expected to capture with its car-sized digital camera in the coming decade. Its principal mission: the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, an ultrawide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe, according to the facility's website − 'the largest astronomical movie of all time.' 13.5 billion years back in time: James Webb space telescope creates a vast cosmic map A dangerous heat wave smothered a large chunk of the central and eastern United States for days before easing, sending temperature records into oblivion as a huge atmospheric 'heat dome' trapped the scorching air over more than 150 million people. Baltimore's Inner Harbor soared to 104 degrees, just short of the 106 degrees in Death Valley, California. The town of North Hartland, Vermont, hit 101 degrees − hotter than Yuma, Arizona. In Paterson, New Jersey, graduation ceremonies were rescheduled for five high schools. And in the nation's capital, the Washington Monument was closed for most of the week as temperatures topped 100. Classic Fourth of July barbecues will cost a little more this year: $130 for food and drinks for a gathering of 10 people, a 2.2% increase from last year. That's according to a Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute analysis of data from NielsenIQ, which tracks food scanned at U.S. retailers. The menu used in the analysis: barbecued chicken breasts, beef sliders, hot dogs, fruit, vegetable platter, potato salad, cornbread, cake, apple pie, ice cream, beer, wine and sodas. But lots of people will pay nothing, according to another survey by Coupon Follow − the 1 out of 3 people who don't plan to celebrate Independence Day at Morissette's early days in the music industry were no strawberry festival. When faced with the 'lovely patriarchy' of the '90s, she told The Guardian in an interview, 'there was no one to hide behind,' adding that if men in the industry could not sleep with her, 'they didn't know what to do with me.' She was more of an introvert and had trouble breaking through, she said: "So, tequila – anything that allowed me to be the life of the party. ... Anything that would help me pretend I'm not me." But now, said the singer, 51, who has been open about her addiction struggles, 'there's zero desire to present as something I'm not." Her life in pictures: Alanis Morissette through the years Oklahoma City closed out its season with a rumble heard across the NBA. The Thunder dominated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, pulling ahead in the third and fourth quarters after Indiana lost star guard Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon late in the first quarter. The championship is Oklahoma City's first since relocating from Seattle in 2008; for the Pacers, close wasn't good enough for their second straight season with a strong playoff run before falling to the eventual NBA champs. Indiana has never won an NBA title. − Compiled and written by Robert Abitbol, USA TODAY copy chief This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave bakes US, Chile telescope reaches for stars: Week in review
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Henderson leads Orioles against the Rays after 4-hit game
Tampa Bay Rays (46-36, second in the AL East) vs. Baltimore Orioles (35-46, fifth in the AL East) Baltimore; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Zack Littell (6-7, 3.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 66 strikeouts); Orioles: Zach Eflin (6-4, 5.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 42 strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Orioles -110, Rays -109; over/under is 10 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles play the Tampa Bay Rays after Gunnar Henderson had four hits against the Rays on Friday. Baltimore has an 18-21 record at home and a 35-46 record overall. The Orioles have a 23-8 record in games when they scored at least five runs. Tampa Bay has a 46-36 record overall and a 19-13 record in road games. The Rays have the fourth-ranked team slugging percentage in the AL at .408. Saturday's game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Orioles have a 3-2 advantage in the season series. Advertisement TOP PERFORMERS: Henderson has 14 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 25 RBIs while hitting .279 for the Orioles. Gary Sanchez is 13 for 34 with a double and four home runs over the past 10 games. Brandon Lowe has 10 doubles and 17 home runs for the Rays. Junior Caminero is 13 for 41 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 5-5, .239 batting average, 4.91 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs Rays: 6-4, .311 batting average, 5.76 ERA, outscored by one run INJURIES: Orioles: Jordan Westburg: day-to-day (finger), Maverick Handley: 7-Day IL (head), Ryan Mountcastle: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Adley Rutschman: 10-Day IL (oblique), Cade Povich: 15-Day IL (hip), Jorge Mateo: 10-Day IL (elbow), Cody Poteet: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler O'Neill: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Grayson Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Albert Suarez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow) Advertisement Rays: Manuel Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ha-Seong Kim: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Bigge: 15-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Richie Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Henderson leads Orioles against the Rays after 4-hit game
Tampa Bay Rays (46-36, second in the AL East) vs. Baltimore Orioles (35-46, fifth in the AL East) Baltimore; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Zack Littell (6-7, 3.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 66 strikeouts); Orioles: Zach Eflin (6-4, 5.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 42 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Orioles -110, Rays -109; over/under is 10 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles play the Tampa Bay Rays after Gunnar Henderson had four hits against the Rays on Friday. Baltimore has an 18-21 record at home and a 35-46 record overall. The Orioles have a 23-8 record in games when they scored at least five runs. Tampa Bay has a 46-36 record overall and a 19-13 record in road games. The Rays have the fourth-ranked team slugging percentage in the AL at .408. Saturday's game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Orioles have a 3-2 advantage in the season series. TOP PERFORMERS: Henderson has 14 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 25 RBIs while hitting .279 for the Orioles. Gary Sanchez is 13 for 34 with a double and four home runs over the past 10 games. Brandon Lowe has 10 doubles and 17 home runs for the Rays. Junior Caminero is 13 for 41 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 5-5, .239 batting average, 4.91 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs Rays: 6-4, .311 batting average, 5.76 ERA, outscored by one run INJURIES: Orioles: Jordan Westburg: day-to-day (finger), Maverick Handley: 7-Day IL (head), Ryan Mountcastle: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Adley Rutschman: 10-Day IL (oblique), Cade Povich: 15-Day IL (hip), Jorge Mateo: 10-Day IL (elbow), Cody Poteet: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler O'Neill: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Grayson Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Albert Suarez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow) Rays: Manuel Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ha-Seong Kim: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Bigge: 15-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Richie Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
5 hours ago
- Sport
Orioles make history by turning a 6-0 deficit into a 14-run win against Tampa Bay
BALTIMORE -- No lead is safe this year when the Baltimore Orioles face the Tampa Bay Rays. Certainly not with seven innings still to play. On June 18, Tampa Bay beat Baltimore 12-8 after the Orioles had taken an 8-0 lead in the top of the second. Then on Friday night — nine days later — it was the Rays who opened the scoring with six runs in the second. Only for Baltimore to storm back and rout Tampa Bay 22-8. 'I'm proud of our hitters,' Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said. 'We were on the other side of this not too long ago.' According to information released by the team from the Elias Sports Bureau, Baltimore became the first team in either the American or National League to win by at least 14 runs after trailing by six. On a drizzly night at Camden Yards, the Orioles produced an offensive deluge, falling one run shy of the team record since moving to Baltimore. Gunnar Henderson and Gary Sanchez each had four hits and a homer. Colton Cowser doubled three times. He and Ramón Laureano each scored four runs. With the Orioles down 6-0 in the second, Coby Mayo delivered a two-run double to start the comeback. When he came to the plate in the eighth, Baltimore led 20-8 and the Rays had infielder José Caballero pitching. Mayo took him deep for his first career homer to complete the scoring. 'An awesome moment obviously, no matter who it's off of,' Mayo said. 'Really cool thing.' The last time two teams overcame deficits of at least six runs against each other was in 2023, according to Sportradar. Those two games also involved the Rays and happened in even closer proximity. On May 7 of that year, Tampa Bay trailed 6-0 before beating the New York Yankees 8-7 in 10 innings. On May 13, the Yankees fell behind 6-0 but came back to beat the Rays 9-8. Baltimore's 14 extra-base hits (nine doubles, a triple and four homers) set a team record since 1954, when the Orioles began playing in Baltimore. This game came after Tampa Bay allowed one run total in a three-game sweep of Kansas City. And after the Orioles had been no-hit at least into the seventh inning in three of their previous five games. They had 21 hits in this one. 'It was a lot of fun,' Cowser said. 'That's what this team's capable of, and being able to go out there and have a game like that hopefully continues that motivation and confidence.' ___
