Modine, who starred in films such as “Full Metal Jacket,” “Memphis Belle,” and “Oppenheimer,” will appear at Howard Community College on Sept. 14 for a screening, reception and audience Q&A alongside the film’s director, Stephen Wallis.

“The Martini Shot” is described as an existential comedic drama that follows an ailing film director as he begins to shoot what he believes to be his final work of art. The event is set for 6 p.m., Sept. 14, at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.

That film is one of 55 that will be shown during the weeklong film festival, Sept. 9-15. Local, national and international films from a range of genres and styles including documentaries, features, shorts, special themes, local-based films and world cinema as well as works by student filmmakers will be shown in person and can also be screened online.

Founded in 2016 by filmmaker and producer Robert Neal Marshall, the festival aims to introduce local audiences to the best in local, national and world cinema. Marshall said he created the film festival when he worked as a consultant with the Columbia Festival of the Arts. The festival occurred under the nonprofit for two years on a virtual platform during the pandemic, and was relaunched independently as the Columbia Maryland Film Festival after he retired from the nonprofit.

Marshall said the festival was inspired by his background as an actor, director and writer and his love of film.

“I had worked in the [film] industry in various capacities and I thought there are festivals like the Annapolis Film Festival, which is a wonderful film festival that has been around for many years and that there is room in Columbia in Howard County for a really solid film festival,” he said.

Marshall said he hopes the festival will expose audiences to different types of films.

“It’s a unique perspective for people who enjoy movies to see that it’s not just these mainstream mega hits that are in the large theaters,” he said. “Film is a beautiful art form of its own that can change people and the world for the better by opening people’s eyes to things that they never thought about.”

Audiences can view the films online through the film festival’s website now through 11:59 p.m., Sept. 15, and pay per view or purchase an all-access pass.

Aside from “The Martini Shot” screening and reception, there will be two other live events as part of the festival. On Sept. 12, at the Maryland Innovation Center, the documentary film, “Filmmakers on the Frontline” will be shown, with a pre-screening reception and post-screening Q&A. The film tells the story of four filmmakers who immortalized the fateful summer of 1944 and the D-Day Normandy landings via their films. And on the closing day of the festival, Sept. 15, short films by Maryland filmmakers will be screened live at Howard Community College.

For more information, and to purchase passes, go to colmdfilmfest.eventive.org/welcome.

Highs are expected to remain in the mid-80s throughout the week amid mostly sunny daytime weather.

[Get the latest weathercast from FOX45 News]

Tuesday will be clear with temperatures kicking up to around 86. Tuesday night will remain mostly clear with a low around 63.

Wednesday and Thursday should be identical to Tuesday with sunny conditions and a high around 85. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 64, and Thursday night will be the week’s first glimpse at mostly cloudy conditions.

Wine on the Water 2024 | PHOTOS

Some clouds will stick around into Friday, as conditions will be partly sunny with a high near 84. Friday night, conditions will shift to mostly cloudy with a low around 64.

After an 8-1 junior varsity season last year, Friday night marked the Panthers’ first football game as a varsity program. Hosting Hammond, 2,133 people packed the stands. Guilford Park exploded for 28 second-half points to satisfy the crowd with a 34-8 win.

“I’m ecstatic about it,” Guilford Park coach Thomas Montag said. “Last year, they probably hated me because I’d tell them, ‘Hey, I don’t care who we’re playing, the success we’re seeing, this is junior varsity. This isn’t the end goal, right?’ All of the kids we have this year, a majority of them were playing last year for us. I’m just proud of them because it shows me that they’re listening, and they’re bought in. They understand that we’ve got to wake up.”

It was a long journey to get to Friday night. Both junior Khadea McDonald and sophomore Tyler Lee described a mix of excitement and nerves as the regular season moved closer. However, the Panthers underwent consistent hard practices to prepare themselves for that jump in levels.

Friday’s action wasn’t just long awaited for the football team, but the entire school community. Tickets sold out for the game shortly after 1 p.m. and the Panthers faithful showed out in full force, including the packed student section with a mix of white and neon T-shirts.

“It made me feel like I’m an NFL player,” McDonald said. “I’ve got to put on for the people.”

The capacity crowd roared on the Panthers’ opening drive after quarterback A’Yar Reed-Wright connected with McDonald on a swing pass for a 46-yard touchdown. While the play was negated due to a holding penalty, that sequence showcased the community’s passion, just waiting to erupt.

The game remained scoreless for much of the first half until Lee broke through for the program’s first varsity score. The sophomore running back sprinted in from 7 yards out and put Guilford Park on the board.

“I was hyped,” Lee said. “First touchdown, we drove all the way down the field for it. Everybody was hype, everybody was screaming.”

However, Hammond answered right back on quarterback Lazaro Ribalta’s touchdown run and took an 8-6 halftime lead after the two-point conversion. Despite fielding a roster without any seniors, the young Panthers didn’t hang their heads.

Halftime proved to be a valuable reset as Guilford Park opened the second half by recovering an onside kick. While that possession didn’t end in a touchdown, it proved to be a pivotal momentum swing. Guilford Park scored touchdowns on each of its next four possessions as McDonald and Lee both finished with two touchdowns on the ground.

“We’re competitive,” McDonald said of the running back group. “We’re brothers, but we’re working for the same spot. Even though we’re friends, it’s one spot. We’re both going to work hard for it and if you don’t get the ball, you don’t cry about it. You wait until it’s your turn and when it’s your turn, you show up.”

Following the victory, the Panthers sprinted toward the end zone with a sea of smiling faces. Montag expressed how proud he was of the group and while he recognized the magnitude of the milestone, also emphasized that there was a long season ahead. He hopes the performance builds collective confidence and also reinforces the value of responding to adversity and playing for one another.

“For us to come out with a win, it’s such a huge thing for our community,” Guilford Park athletics and activities manager Mike Lerner said. “I just couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out. We’ve got great kids. We’ve got great coaches. I’m fortunate enough to be a part of this community.

“To win the first one, you don’t ever expect that. The history in Howard County shows that it takes a long time to get that first varsity win in most sports, football even more so without seniors. It’s just a testament to our kids, our coaches and all the hard work they put in.”

Oakland Mills players remembered that defeat all offseason. They got redemption Friday.

The Scorpions announced themselves as an early-season contender for the Howard County title, defeating defending county champion Reservoir, 33-0.

The Scorpions were a young team last season, which contributed to a 0-6 start. But a majority of the roster’s top talent returned, giving Oakland Mills a wave of confidence entering the season.

“It’s the tale of two years, we had [only] seven seniors last year,” Oakland Mills coach Thomas Browne said. “They’re a year older. Experience was the biggest difference in the game tonight.”

Part of that belief stems from a veteran backfield. Senior quarterback Isaac Ramsey and senior running back Kaiden Lee were both All-County selections last season. Jahcy Asomani also provides big play potential.

All three made an impact Friday. Oakland Mills operated out of a spread offense, targeting the perimeter on its opening 80-yard touchdown drive. Ramsey scored on an 8-yard run, giving the Scorpions a 7-0 first quarter lead.

Ramsey played quarterback and defensive back for the Scorpions in the win. The undersized quarterback did not play the position until last season. Ramsey emphasized changing his footwork and mentality in the offseason.

The quarterback delivered a strong throw at the end of the second quarter, finding Asomani for a 35-yard touchdown. The strike showed Ramsey’s improvements; he diagnosed the Reservoir blitz, stood tall in the pocket and delivered an accurate pass for the touchdown.

“I knew he caught it, because as soon as I was on the ground, I looked up and I saw it in his hands. It was perfect,” Ramsey said.

Asomani is just one of several weapons at Ramsey’s disposal. Oakland Mills’ offensive plan focused on getting its playmakers the ball in space.

“We have a bunch of killers on the outside, we’re going to keep taking advantage of,” Ramsey said.

Another senior flipped the momentum of the game. Oakland Mills defensive lineman Ayo Adeniyi returned a blocked Reservoir punt for a 35-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter.

The senior wasn’t done scoring, though.

Adeniyi pounced on a third-quarter Gators fumble, returning it 75-yards for his second touchdown of the game, which pushed the Scorpions’ lead to 26-0.

The play was emblematic of Reservoir’s night. For a roster that lost nearly half of its players from last season’s county championship winning-team, the season opener was expected to be a slog. The Gators offense looked lost all game.

Reservoir coach Matt Banta was frustrated with his team’s lack of execution, citing multiple turnovers and procedural penalties.

“We got punched in the mouth, and these kids are going to grow up quick if you want to compete in this county,” Banta said.

It was Oakland Mills potential that shined on Friday, though. The Scorpions have won six of their past seven games (dating back to last season). Browne expected his team to play well in the season opener — but even he was surprised by his team’s dominance.

“Taking the ball out of the punter’s hands, I’ve never seen that before,” Browne said.

“His body gave out and he died of natural causes,” said his daughter Shelly Himmelrich.

Born in Rejowiec, Poland, he was the son of Max Pechter and Sara Bittner. Beginning in 1939, as a 5-year-old, he and his family fled the Nazi occupation of Poland. They moved east and reached the Russian border on horse and buggy, then rode cattle cars with other refugees. They lived in Siberian and Uzbekistan displaced persons camps before reaching Baltimore in 1949.

His father burned all his personal documents to hide their Orthodox Jewish background.

Mr. Pechter’s mother told the family: “Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow will be better.” She also advised her son to take care of other people throughout his life and planted the seeds of his philanthropic endeavors.

He attended Talmudical Academy and Forest Park High School, where he met his future wife, Marilyn Bernstein. He studied at the University of Maryland, College Park and served two years in the Army.

“My father dove into real estate, first as a laborer, then a broker and quickly scraping a few dollars from friends and family to become an investor and developer,” his daughter said.

He built homes along Route 40 West, along York Road and in Parkville and White Marsh. He also owned the Timonium and Perry Hall shopping centers and the old Enchanted Forest property in Howard County.

In a 1999 Sun story, Mr. Pechter said he believed the power of hate can be diminished only through education. At that time he was the largest private donor to the then-new Yad Vashem International School for Holocaust Studies in Jerusalem.

She said her father was inspired by his parents and his journey to help the less fortunate.

“He truly had a rare kindness in him that was inherited straight from his mother. He did all of the things, and worked a lot professionally and in service to others,” said his daughter Shelly.

Named Tau Epsilon Phi’s 1989 Man of the Year, he was a founder of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Endowment Fund. He was honored by the Midtown Churches of Baltimore, a group based in the Old Goucher neighborhood, for his work for the homeless.

Mr. Pechter was also honored by the Jewish National Fund in 1995 for a lifetime of work.

He was active in the Associated Jewish Charities and Welfare Fund and the State of Israel Bonds. He also supported the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

He was a Sinai Hospital board member, and a cafe there is named in his parents’ honor.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Marilyn Bernstein Pechter; two sons, Martin Pechter, of Boca Raton, and Jeffrey Pechter, of Delray Beach, Florida; two daughters, Shelly Himmelrich, of Delray Beach, and Melissa Pechter, of Housatonic, Massachusetts; a sister, Dora Schwartz, of Florida; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 26 at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.

Residents in the Jessup area, surrounding the Savage Stone quarry, had complained of dust, as well as property damage and noise associated with the quarry’s blasting to mine a rock called gabbro, which is used in road construction.

After several lengthy hearings about the quarry’s operations, a Howard County hearing examiner agreed with the residents, stating that the quarry was in violation of conditions attached to its zoning permission, and should have its permission revoked.

But the quarry, which has operated since the early 2000s, appealed the ruling, bringing the case to the county appeals board, a five-member panel that is appointed by the County Council.

During an Aug. 29 hearing, the quarry’s lawyers argued that the original set of hearings should never have happened, because the county wasn’t allowed to set conditions requiring the quarry to come back for approval to keep operating every five years. That county requirement flies in the face of state law, which requires the Maryland Department of the Environment to govern mine operations.

Quarry attorney Sang Oh cited a 2012 decision by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, now named the Appellate Court of Maryland. In that case, East Star v. the County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County, the court ruled that Queen Anne’s could not set a time limit on a mining operation, because that power rested with the state.

“Our representative, the state legislature, saw fit to create laws to protect mining activities,” Oh said. “And what they specifically did was create a body of law that was so encompassing that they made a clear intent to say the state — the Maryland Department of the Environment — controls the activities of the quarry, once this board decides where it goes.”

Attorneys representing homeowners’ associations from neighborhoods near the quarry argued the East Star ruling didn’t apply.

In that case, Queen Anne’s County limited a mine’s operation to five years, going beyond state law, which includes a 25-year ceiling. But in this case, Howard County placed no such cap on the quarry, said Samantha Bingaman, a student attorney with the University of Maryland Carey School of Law’s Environmental Law Clinic, which is representing the homeowners’ associations. The county merely required five-year renewals during the mine’s 25 years of operations, she said.

“We see a huge difference between limiting the amount of time that a mine can operate, regardless of whether they’re in compliance with the conditions, which is what East Star stated, versus what’s going on here,” Bingaman said.

The Board of Appeals determined that the county’s requirement of five-year renewals for Savage Stone should be revoked, though its other zoning conditions, governing the basting, noise and vibrations for example, still would apply. The law clinic team is exploring its options following last week’s decision, Bingaman said.

Randy Heckler, Maryland operations manager at Laurel Sand & Gravel, which runs Savage Stone, declined to comment on the decision, given that the official order has yet to be released by the Board of Appeals.

University of Maryland law professor Jon Mueller, who manages the Environmental Law Clinic, said that even with the adverse ruling, the county Department of Planning & Zoning has the authority to pursue enforcement action against the quarry for the violations alleged earlier this year.

“The Board did not rule on what the hearing examiner said. The board ruled on a legal issue that the hearing examiner was not even presented with,” Mueller said. “They’re still blasting. We think they’re still in violation of the other conditions of the conditional use zoning, and the county does have the authority to act.”

“The ball is in the county’s court,” Bingaman said.

The quarry received a zoning violation from the county in April, because its zoning approval expired while it was in proceedings to receive its five-year renewal. The county decided against enforcing the violation until the end of the hearing process.

In a statement, Lynda Eisenberg, director for Howard County’s Department of Planning and Zoning said the county’s next actions are to be determined.

“The written decision of the Board of Appeals may yet be appealed to the Courts. The appeal period is 30 days from the date that the Board of Appeals issues their written decision,”  Eisenberg wrote. The Department of Planning and Zoning “will determine its next steps after the Board issues its written decision.”

The hearing examiner ruled that the quarry ran afoul of its original agreement with the county, which required it to maintain a fund to reimburse residents for any damage from blasting. Throughout its history, the quarry has never paid any residents, arguing that its blasts never exceed regulated levels, meaning that damage cited by residents cannot be caused by the explosions.

Residents, including in the neighborhood of Pleasant Chase, have described items falling from shelves and walls during the worst blasts, and argued that cracks they’ve noticed on their walls, foundations and driveways can be attributed to the mining operation.

For residents, the recent ruling was deeply frustrating, said Camille Edwards, president of the Pleasant Chase Homeowners Association. Some residents believed they would be able to testify before the Board of Appeals, just as they had earlier this year before the hearing examiner.

“People took time off their jobs to be there,” Edwards said. “And then they voted … to not proceed. So, who do the residents go to to complain now?”

During their deliberations, board members stated that neighbors still could go to the state or the county zoning departments with complaints about the quarry’s operation. But the five-year renewal hearings were unlawful, and not a proper forum for the complaints, the board ruled.

“It has to go through the complaint process through the county, or through whatever mechanism. They have to investigate it. They have to take action,” said Gene Ryan, chairman of the Board of Appeals. “Ultimately, it may come to us, but we can’t short-circuit that process.”

David Schneider, who purchased his home near the quarry site in 1997 — before the quarry existed — said he also was angered by the ruling. During the deliberations, he felt as though the board members already has reached a foregone conclusion: that they could not rule on the merits of residents’ complaints.

“It’s had a tremendous impact on our community: damage to our houses,” Schneider said. “In my driveway, in particular, there’s about a 2-foot crack across the driveway that developed after the mine.”

“It was our belief that this was coming to an end. And that basically, the quarry would be phased out,” he said.

The county is expected to once again be an extremely tight race. Glenelg, Mt. Hebron, Marriotts Ridge and River Hill are expected to be some of the county’s top teams with several others in contention for the county title. Guilford Park also joins the fold this year as the county’s 13th team in their inaugural varsity season.

Regular-season action begins on Sept. 6 with the state championships scheduled for Nov. 14-16 at Loyola University’s Ridley Athletic Complex. The Howard County teams are split between Class 3A South and 2A West. Howard, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron are in 3A South Region I, while Atholton, Guilford Park, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, Reservoir and River Hill make up 3A South Region II. Centennial, Glenelg, Hammond and Wilde Lake are in 2A West Region II.

Howard County is also implementing two six team-divisions, where the two division winners will face off to determine a county champion. Division winners are determined by winning percentage within the division. Guilford Park will be assigned a division once the school begins competing in all varsity sports in the 2025-26 school year. The Summit Division is Glenelg, Hammond, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, Oakland Mills and Reservoir. The Sierra Division is Atholton, Centennial, Howard, Long Reach, River Hill and Wilde Lake.

Here is a look at the Howard County teams. (Note: Not all teams responded to requests for information).

Atholton

Coach: Michael Constantine, first season

Last season: 2-10-1

Top returners: Seniors Chris Verastegui (CM), Jordan Fonseca (CB/LB), Ashwin Hazarinka (W/AM) and Fred Agyeman (W/F); sophomore Mathias Rausch (CM)

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Miguel Carballo (W/F) and Kian Alavi (W/AM)

On the pitch: The Raiders bring back several pieces in the midfield, including Hazarinka, Rausch and Verstegui. Agyeman, Carballo and Alavi are also expected to contribute to the attack, while Fonseca will be an important player defensively.

Coach’s outlook: “We’re coming off of a bad year in terms of results and the effect of last year is still influencing the team’s confidence and therefore performance. While we may still struggle slightly in terms of athleticism against some of the bigger/quicker teams, if we can instill some belief the team should be competitive in every game.”

Centennial

Coach: Justin Thomas, eighth season

Last season: 3-4-6

Top returner: Senior Noah Kantsiper (M)

Newcomers to watch: Junior Aaron Cochran (M)

On the pitch: The Eagles will look to move back over .500 in the 2024 campaign after a state championship game appearance two years ago. Kantsiper provides valued experience in the midfield as a four-year starter, while Cochran brings more versatility to the midfield.

Coach’s outlook: “This preseason has been a lot of fun so far. It feels like we are farther ahead than we usually are at this point but you don’t really know until we play some games. It looks like we have some depth, the practices have been very competitive. I really like this group and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.”

Glenelg

Coach: Joey Osborne, 10th season

Last season: 8-6-1, 2A West Region II finalist

Top returners: Seniors Nick Mirecki (M) and Jack McCarthy (F); junior Tito Tokunboh-Salako (F).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Alex Ball (M).

On the pitch: McCarthy and Tokunboh-Salako will be important pieces of the offense at forward. Mirecki and Ball are important midfield players, with Mirecki an established veteran, and Ball in his first year playing high school soccer.

Coach’s outlook: “I think we have a good combination of returning varsity players and new players on the team this year. We hope to find the right chemistry during the preseason to be prepared for the competition in Howard County.”

Guilford Park

Coach: Tomas Potts, first season

Last season: 7-5 as JV team

Top returners: Juniors Hodari Hampton (CB), Jason Riveros (ST) and Van Sang (ST); sophomore Robert Guzman (CM).

Newcomers to watch: Juniors Mario Aguirre-Rosales (CB) and Arlin Meza Hernandez (LW/LB); freshmen Christian Rodriguez-Sorto (CB) and Lorenzo Cerritos-Lemus (ST/CM).

On the pitch: The Panthers are making their debut as a varsity team, looking to build on a winning JV season. Hampton headlines the defensive unit, while Guzman, Riveros and Sang provide speed and versatility offensively. Howard County’s youngest team, Guilford Park welcomes in several newcomers throughout the pitch that are expected to contribute.

Coach’s outlook: “Despite being a young team without seniors, we refuse to let that be an excuse. Our first year in varsity will be defined by our relentless work ethic and commitment to growth. Every practice, every game, we will push ourselves to compete, improve, and become the best version of our team, one day at a time.”

Hammond

Coach: Elliot Quinteros, fourth season

Last season: 6-6-2

Top returners: Senior Carlos Perez (M); juniors Drew O’Neil (M/D) and Grant Pisone (M/D).

Newcomers to watch: N/A

On the pitch: The Golden Bears lost some key contributors from last year including midfielder Eliot O’Neil who had a team-high 15 goals. Fellow senior DJ Morafa was also an All-County performer. However, Drew O’Neil is back after being named second team All-County and provides stability at midfield and defense. Perez and Pisone bring more speed to the midfield and defense.

Coach’s outlook: “I think we will be decent. We have a large senior class this year and we lost some very important players last year so it will be a bit of a rebuild season.”

Howard vs South River boys soccer state semifinal

Howard

Coach: Nils Schroder, 16th season

Last season: 13-2, 3A state semifinalists

Top returners: Seniors Ashton Bui (M) and Remy Valiente (ST); junior Eben Koffi (M)

Newcomers to watch: N/A

On the pitch: After losing several starters, including 2023 Player of the Year Logan Ehart, the Lions will look for many newcomers to step up. Bui, Valiente and Koffi are three experienced players that will provide speed and athleticism in the attack. All three played last season but will be thrust into increased roles this year.

Coach’s outlook: “We graduated a lot of players from last year’s team. We hope this team can gel quickly, but realistically we are hoping to be playing our best soccer at season’s end.”

Marriotts Ridge

Coach: Quinn Khouri, ninth season

Last season: 9-2-1

Top returners: Seniors Mahmoud Babkir (F), Justin Wu (D) and Nick Wagner (M); sophomore Jake Hammond (M/D).

Newcomers to watch: Senior Gabe Montenegro (M).

On the pitch: Babkir will be a key piece in replacing some of the attacking production from his striker position. Wagner, Hammond and Montenegro will supplement that from the midfield. Wu returns as a leader of the defense after being named first team All-County as a junior.

Coach’s outlook: “We are looking to replace a significant number of goals from our three attacking players who totaled 21 goals last season as seniors. There is a good number of players who played significant minutes last year who are returning.”

Mt. Hebron vs Centennial boys soccer

Mt. Hebron

Coach: Mike Linsenmeyer, 25th season

Last season: 7-2-2

Top returners: Jonathan Sanchez, Will Kettering, Tyler Hagyard, Chris Belcher, Logan McWright, Luukas Nguyen and Parker Smith.

Newcomers to watch: Lucas Aguilar and Koti Mehta.

On the pitch: Kettering was a first team All-County selection in 2023 and will once again be an integral part of Mt. Hebron’s defense. Sanchez is entering his second season in goal after transitioning from midfield. He was first team All-County last year and anchored a defense that finished with eight clean sheets as Sanchez allowed just four goals. Hagyard, a second team All-County selection in 2023 will further bolster the defense.

Coach’s outlook: “I think the county will be very tight and there is a ton of parity. I think we need to prepare to play our best every game.”

Oakland Mills

Coach: Trevor Shea, third season

Last season: 3-10-1

Top returners: Seniors Victor Ipanaque (M) and Ronaldo Reid (F); juniors John Avery III (D) and Isiah Roach (D).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Dustin Stoutenborough (M) and Jack LeNoach (F).

On the pitch: The Scorpions are a battle tested group with experience in contested games. Ipanaque and Reid will be key leaders at forward and midfield, while Avery III and Roach are important pieces defensively. Stoutenborough and LeNoach headline the Scorpions young corps joining the varsity team.

Coach’s outlook: “Last season we had seven games decided by less than a one goal difference. We are hoping to continue growing and being competitive this year. We have a small core of players that have varsity experience and have played together the last two seasons. We hope to build upon our returning players with a solid group of incoming freshmen adding into the mix.”

Reservoir

Coach: Nick Valenti, fourth season

Last season: 11-6-1, 3A South Region II finalist

Top returners: Seniors Adam Hunt (RW), Noah Martin (CB) and Alan Gutierrez (CDM)

Newcomers to watch: Junior Harrison Newkirk (ST)

On the pitch: Hunt, a second team All-County selection last year is a dynamic offensive threat. He finished with six goals and 10 assists last year, while Martin, a team captain will anchor the defense after being named second team All-County as a junior. Gutierrez gives the Gators experience in the midfield group, while Newkirk will be a key piece in trying to replace some of the offensive production the Gators lost.

River Hill

Coach: Matt Shagogue, 19th season

Last season: 14-3, 3A state quarterfinalist

Top returners: Seniors Allan Ying (F), Zach Glass (GK) and Charlie Gerber (M/F); junior Logan Aranda (M/F)

Newcomers to watch: N/A

On the pitch: The Hawks have a lot of experience throughout the pitch without any underclassmen on varsity. Glass is a four-year starter in net, while Gerber and Aranda are key pieces of the midfield. Ying scored twice and added nine assists last season and will be important in replacing the offensive production of 2023 Howard County goal scoring leader Dylan Martinez.

Coach’s outlook: “We have nine starters back from last year, so almost everyone on the field has varsity experience. I’m hoping we can compete in every game, improve on our team defending, and have more balance offensively.”

Wilde Lake

Coach: Jonathan Robbins, second season

Last season: 3-8-2

Top returners: Seniors Drew Hollida (D/M), Evan Figueroa (M) and Aryeh Murphy (D/M); junior Bricen Manderson (F).

Newcomer to watch: Junior Jayden Rivera (ST)

On the pitch: Hollida, Figueroa and Murphy are each four-year starters that give the Wildecats a wealth of experience. Hollida and Figueroa were both second team All-County last year and tied for the team led in points. Manderson was tied for the team lead in goals while Rivera will play an increased role after being up from junior varsity late last season.

Coach’s outlook: “I believe we have a hungry team with a lot of potential.”

“With Mary Ann, you didn’t just do things, you did things right,” said Fred Lazarus, MICA’s former president. “She had an incredible eye for detail.”

Born in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of Powell Page Armel, a Fairchild Industries senior tool designer, and Nellie Armel, who worked in aircraft assembly at the same plant.

She was a 1959 graduate of North Hagerstown High School.

After winning a scholarship to MICA, she became head of the drama club and earned a bachelor of fine arts in visual communication.

She met her future husband, Nicholas Lambros, an interior design major, at the school. They lived in a Marriottsville farmhouse before moving to Columbia.

Ms. Lambros joined the administration of MICA in the 1970s. She retired in 2014 as associate vice president of advancement, after holding numerous posts, including director of alumni relations.

“She wore so many hats at MICA. She worked in fundraising and any large event,” her daughter, Tracy Lambros, said.

“She loved organizing special events at MICA — particularly the fund-raising gala Artafare, where donors and art students would create elaborately themed rooms and dinners,” her daughter said.

She was awarded the school’s distinguished alumni award, among other honors.

Fred Lazarus, former MICA president said: “Over my whole tenure, I had the privilege of working closely with her. She was wonderful with people, very engaging. She was a great writer and said things I wish I had said.

“She was not a person who wanted much attention either,” Mr. Lazarus said. “She would let others take the bows.”

Ms. Lambros was a gourmet cook and quickly learned Greek recipes, including her signature dishes, a cheese and onion pie and cheese and tomato tarts.

“No one ever turned down an invitation to her table,” her daughter said.

“She was generous and stylish,” her daughter said. “Creativity was a lifestyle for her, and her sense of style appeared in everything that she touched. She loved art, supported the Baltimore art scene, and collected works by many of her artist friends and colleagues.”

Among the works she owned was a 1972 anti-war sculpture by MICA ceramics professor Douglas Baldwin. Titled “All Volunteer Red Neck Duck Army Following the Yellow Brick Road,” she gave the work to the Missoula (Montana) Art Museum.

She also solved the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzles and enjoyed attending theater and art exhibitions.

Survivors include a daughter, Tracy Lambros, of Columbia; two sons, Christopher Lambros, of Timonium, and Jason Lambros, of Sykesville; a sister, Betty Snyder, of San Carlos, California; a brother, Michael Armel, of Hagerstown; and five grandchildren. Her husband, an interior designer, died in 2018.

A celebration of life is being planned for the fall.

As of the first day of school Aug. 26, Baltimore City Public Schools had 171 open teacher positions for the 2024-25 year, according to data provided by the school district. There are 15 administration positions posted on its website, including for educational specialists.

Last year, the district hired a record number of new teachers at 821, in spite of a nationwide teacher shortage, but there were still 177 teacher vacancies that needed to be filled by substitutes. The 171 teacher vacancies will need to be filled with substitutes this year as well, according to city schools.

Meanwhile, Baltimore County Public Schools has 73 vacancies remaining as of Aug. 26 and more than 100 schools with no vacancies. More than 250 vacant positions were cut this fiscal year, but more than 300 jobs were added to the fiscal year 2025 budget, the district said.

Harford County Public Schools report having zero teacher vacancies, though there are openings for 36 paraeducators, 17 bus drivers, 12 bus attendants and 25 custodians as of Thursday.

Carrol County Public Schools needed four teacher positions filled as of its first day of school Tuesday, down from 26 in mid-August of last year, according to a spokesperson.

Ahead of this academic year, Carroll County instituted a new career ladder featuring a $60,000 salary minimum for teachers. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan requires that a salary minimum be in place by fiscal year 2027, and Board of Education President Marsha Herbert said implementing the measure early was intended to attract a better pool of candidates. CCPS’ budget increased by $19.2 million this year to raise employee salaries.

The Howard County Public School System has 113.2 school-based vacancies, representing full- and part-time positions, as of Friday, a spokesperson said.

Anne Arundel County reported vacancies for 72 teachers, 32 custodians, 49 crossing guards and 122 food service workers as of Aug. 28.

Baltimore Sun reporters Bridget Byrne, Matt Hubbard and Thomas Goodwin Smith contributed to this article.

Ade Salim Lilly, 35, pleaded guilty in May to interstate communication of a threat for an October 2021 call to a congressional office and a charge of repeated phone calls for over 200 calls to one member of Congress in February 2023.

Lilly was charged with eight counts in an indictment from November 2023 for a death threat and thousands of calls. In total, his telephone harassment campaign included approximately 12,000 telephone calls over the span of 19 months to more than 50 offices for members of Congress, according to prosecutors. He was arrested in Howard County in December 2023 and had arrest warrants in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, according to court records.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Lilly to 13 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release, according to online court records.

“On October 21, 2022, defendant Lilly called from the State of Maryland into a Congressional office in Washington D.C. An employee of a member of Congress answered the phone. During this phone call, Defendant Lilly told the victim words to the effect of ‘I will kill you, I am going to run you over, I will kill you with a bomb or grenade’,” federal prosecutor Matthew Graves said in court documents.

Prosecutors recommended sentencing Lilly to 18 months of incarceration, arguing for a need to deter others from engaging in similarly threatening behavior. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger testified last year that threats against members of Congress had increased by approximately 400% over the previous six years. Prosecutors also asked that Lilly be barred from contacting a Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, the Maryland chair of the Health and Government Operations, the Maryland speaker of the House of Delegates and 911 emergency services in Howard County.

“This is an election year, and more and more often, criticism of a political position or viewpoint crosses the First Amendment line and leads to true threats of violence,” prosecutors wrote. “The pervasive rise in threats against elected officials creates a real risk that expressions of violence will become normalized.”

Lilly moved from Maryland to Puerto Rico during his harassment campaign, which lasted from roughly February 2022 until November 2023. He called one lawmaker’s Washington office more than 500 times over a two-day period in February 2023, prosecutors said. An attorney representing him did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.