Baltimore port to open deeper channel, enabling some ships to pass after Key Bridge collapse

ONFIRE-TV.com – Officials in Baltimore plan to open a deeper channel for commercial ships to enter and leave the city’s port starting on Thursday — a significant step toward reopening the major maritime shipping hub that has remained closed to most traffic since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last month. The new channel will be 35 feet (12 meters) deep, which is a substantial increase over the three other temporary channels established in recent weeks. It puts the cleanup effort slightly ahead of schedule, as officials previously said they hoped to open a channel of that depth by the end of April.

Five of the seven cargo ships that have been stuck in Baltimore’s harbor will be able to pass through the new channel, including one loaded car carrier, officials said Tuesday, marking one month since the deadly disaster. Other ships are scheduled to enter the port, which normally processes more cars and farm equipment than any other in the country.

“Four weeks ago, our way of life was dealt a huge blow with the collapse of the Key Bridge,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said during a news conference.

Baltimore Mayor Scott unveils updated crime-fighting strategy with new focus on youth justice

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, surrounded by city officials, on Monday unveiled an updated crime-fighting strategy, with a new focus on youth justice. Scott provided updates on Baltimore’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, which was first released in June 2021. He pointed to cuts in the number of homicides in the city, including 28 fewer than on this date a year ago.

“Our comprehensive, public health-informed approach to public safety in Baltimore has achieved remarkable results in its first two years of implementation, but there is still significant work to do,” Scott said in a news release. “Our efforts to build out the systems and infrastructure needed to treat violence as a public health epidemic, together with the efforts of the brave men and women at BPD, helped produce an historic 20% reduction in homicides in 2023.

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation Relocates to Downtown Baltimore

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) today announced its headquarters has relocated from State Center to the Candler Building located at 700 East Pratt Street in Baltimore’s Central Business District.

“This highly anticipated relocation offers a more modern and convenient working environment for our team and will allow us to serve our customers even better,” said Interim Director Dan Phillips. “We are thrilled to be part of Baltimore City’s downtown business community and look forward to all the benefits it has to offer.”

The Department’s headquarters staff will be fully relocated including the business charter functions, business personal property assessments, utility assessments, franchise tax, tax credit programs, tax sale ombudsman’s office, homeowner protection program, ground rent program, and general SDAT administration. The Department’s real property assessment offices are not impacted by this relocation, and SDAT continues to have a real property office in every Maryland county and Baltimore City. All county assessment office addresses remain the same.

During this transition, SDAT customers are strongly encouraged to use the Maryland Business Express online options to submit business filings and Maryland OneStop to apply for property tax credits. Although the Department’s new walk-in customer service counter located at 123 Market Place, Baltimore MD 21202, will be open for all customers in the coming weeks, at this time it is only available for tax credit customers. Same day Charter filing services, Annual Reports, Business Personal Property Returns, and other filings may be hand delivered to the drop-boxes available in the lobby of the new location. Mail sent to SDAT’s prior State Center offices will be forwarded to the new location.

Updates related to the relocation and availability of services will be posted on SDAT’s website at dat.maryland.gov.

Mayor Scott Announces Recipients of ARPA-Funded $3.6 Million “Diversity in Arts Grant”

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the recipients of the $3.6 million Diversity in Arts Grant. The arts grant, made possible with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, is part of a total of $6.25 million focused on supporting arts and cultural institutions led by diverse arts and cultural organizations announced in September 2023. The Diversity in Arts Grant funding will help awardees sustain and expand their work as they provide Baltimore City residents with quality art experiences and activities.

“Baltimore has always been a city defined by the arts, and our art community remains a cornerstone of our city’s identity, reflecting our history, diversity, and resilience,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Baltimore’s arts community has always been there to express what this city is about, often giving a voice to the voiceless. However, public dollars have too often gone just to the big names and the big players in town. This investment, made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act, underscores our dedication to ensuring that all artists and communities, particularly those minority and historically underrepresented organizations, have equitable access to resources and opportunities.”

“When we invest in the arts, we invest in the soul of our city, nurturing a vibrant culture that attracts talent, stimulates innovation, and generates economic prosperity,” said Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture Senior Advisor Tonya R. Miller Hall. “The arts are not just an expression of our city’s spirit; they are a powerful engine driving our future forward.”

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Maryland makes bipartisan case for federal funding after Key Bridge collapse

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore provided a briefing Tuesday afternoon after the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The governor said, as of Tuesday, crews have moved more than 1,100 tons of steel from the Patapsco River. To put that into perspective, Moore said that is five times the weight of the Statue of Liberty.

“We have not had a single injury on the job — three weeks, 1,110 tons of steel, no injuries. This is an absolutely remarkable achievement,” Moore said.

But the governor said one of the biggest priorities is to get the main shipping channel back open by the end of May, and he said the next step toward making that happen is by removing a large 300-ton steel structure that’s resting on the cargo ship.

The governor said about 40 containers have been lifted from the ship.

Source: WBAL

Baltimore mayoral candidate Sheila Dixon speaks on endorsement from State’s Attorney Ivan Bates

Former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, the Democratic candidate for mayor, appeared with T.J. Smith on Wednesday afternoon, days after she received an endorsement from City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.

Dixon said she is humbled by the endorsement and that she is happy that he has the confidence in her.

“I’m humbled that the state’s attorney has confidence in me being a great partner with the state’s attorney’s office,” Dixon said. “I know it’s taken a lot for him to come to this decision.”

Dixon noted that her predecessor as mayor, Martin O’Malley, had a tense relationship with then-State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy. Dixon said as mayor, she worked to improve that relationship.

Dixon would not say if she would keep Richard Worley as the city’s police commissioner if she was elected, saying she would have to meet with him first.

“Ten years from now, my hope is our crime will be so low that other cities will come to Baltimore to look at the collaborations and partnerships,” Dixon said.

The full interview can be watched above.

Baltimore police seek person in connection with fatal shooting of 17-year-old

Baltimore police detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify a person seen on camera in connection with a fatal shooting occurring on April 1. Commissioner Richard Worley said police responded to the 200 block of East Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore at around 8 p.m. Monday evening for a reported shooting. When officers arrived, they found a 17-year-old male that was shot. Four to five suspects fled the area. The victim was pronounced dead at a hospital. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott also reported to the scene.

“Make this easy on yourself and turn yourself in, because we will find you. This is not a game to us, this is very serious when we talk about taking lives,” Scott said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-369-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP.

Sen. Ben Cardin talks Baltimore Key Bridge replacement commitment

“We need to make sure that we have the commitment moving forward to replace the bridge with the type of bridge befitting of our community,” Sen. Ben Cardin said as he plans to meet this week with the Office of Management and Budget.

There’s a limit to how much money is appropriated for these types of projects, and Cardin says Congress has to appropriate those funds.

“The Congress has come together to make sure the resources are there so that infrastructure can be replaced,” Cardin said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the federal government will pick up the lion’s share of the cost of a new key bridge.

“There are pots of dollars that are unleashed under emergency declarations, and those funds are flowing,” Cardin added.

Source: WBAL

Gov. Wes Moore talks Baltimore Key Bridge collapse, efforts and victims families

President Joe Biden is expected to ask Congress for supplemental funding perhaps of a billion dollars or more to replace the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge before he comes to Baltimore on Friday. For the time being, federal and state agencies are looking to get the port back in operation, ASAP. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joined The T.J. Smith Show on Tuesday and discussed the current recovery efforts given the fact that overnight and into the dawn, a severe thunderstorm hit Baltimore with heavy rain expected on and off into Wednesday.

“The lightning…that really does hinder some of the salvage operations that can take place. It can hinder the mobility of the cranes that we have,” Moore said.

This Tuesday marks an official one week since the Key Bridge collapsed.

Moore highlighted how crews worked quickly to remove enough steel to create a shallow channel for some smaller craft to help with the effort.

“We have been working, really, around the clock speaking with these CEOs, speaking with these businesses; and letting them know that even if there is any form of temporary disruption, this is temporary,” Moore said. “We want to be able to keep them in the Port of Baltimore.”

Moore also reacted to the Singapore-flagged ship’s owner and operating companies looking to limit their liabilities for the destruction of the bridge and loss of six lives under an 1850s maritime law:

“We expected them to try to push toward the limitation of their liability,” Moore said.” There is an active investigation that’s going on at NTSB. And if people need to be accountable for this disaster, they will be held accountable.”

Key Bridge Updates, Mayor Scott Balances Budget | EP. 1557 | TDKS

ONFIRE-TV.com – Temporary, alternate channel established for commercial vessels after Key Bridge collapse. President Biden to visit Baltimore following last week’s collapse of Key Bridge and Mayor Scott says Baltimore’s 2025 budget is balanced without raising taxes or cutting services.

The Diamond K Show EP. 1557