Bel Air Celebrates Bike to Work Day

Harford County government shared a photo taken in Bel Air.

Across Harford County, including in Bel Air, some commuters traded four wheels for two. Harford County government emailed a photo of bikers in Bel Air taking part in Bike to Work Day last Friday, May 17. Bike to Work Day was launched in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists and is celebrated every May in the United States and Canada. Harford County government marked the day at its government building with giveaways and snacks, according to its website. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council sponsored the Bel Air event and several others in the Baltimore area.

• Photos (1)

Where's the Cheapest Gas in Bel Air?

You can use this gas price widget to always find the lowest price of the moment. Pro tip: Gas up early this week to save money.

Click here for a full-screen view of the gas price map. If you don't see a map of our local area, click the magnifying glass in the upper right to enter your address. Nationwide, gas prices were predicted to be lower this summer compared to the last three years, but that won't translate into savings at the pump this Memorial Day weekend, experts said. "Motorists this year are facing rising gas prices heading into the Memorial Day holiday," said Michael Green, a AAA spokesman, adding that Memorial Day 2013 would probably be the most expensive since 2011. Check local traffic conditions on our commute page. In past years, prices have declined heading into early summer as oil refineries produced more gasoline to meet expected summer driving …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Bel Air Weather: Chances of Rain This Week

A thunderstorm is in the forecast for Friday.

Rain is back in the picture in this week's forecast. Showers are possible nearly the entire week, according to the National Weather Service forecast for the area. Highs won't get above the low 70s. The highest possibility of rain is on Friday, where the forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms, but the clouds should start to clear up starting Saturday, according to the forecast. The Orioles are back in action Tuesday evening against the Tampa Bay Rays as they start a nine-game homestand. Rain delays may be possible later in the week.

• Photos (1)

Firefighters Rescue Injured Hiker From Bel Air Woods

A man was injured while hiking on Sunday morning near Summerville Road.

Volunteer firefighters from Bel Air and Whiteford rescued an injured hiker Sunday morning. A man in his late 40s injured his legs while hiking in the woods near the 1400 block of Summerville Road in Bel Air, according to Rich Gardiner, spokesman for Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association. The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company and Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company assisted in transporting the man out of the woods around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The hiker was treated for minor injuries, according to Gardiner.  No further details were available.

• Photos (1)

UPDATE: Parents of Missing Girl Located

Harmony was found at the Chuck E Cheese in Bel Air.

UPDATED (11:40 p.m.)—The Harford County Sheriff's Office has located the parents of a little girl found at the Chuck E. Cheese in Bel Air earlier Sunday night. A 3-year-old girl named Harmony approached an employee at the restaurant for a drink. Restaurant staff was unable to locate guardians, and sheriff's office deputies waited for approximately an hour after responding to the location around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. In an email at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Harford County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Monica Worrell wrote: "Because of the news coverage, Harmony’s family members have been located and are on their way to our precinct." The girl told deputies she has a sister named Heaven and an older brother, but did not provide a name. Her father's …

•  17 Comments
• Photos (2)

FOOTBALL: North Wins Inaugural UCBAC Showcase

The North defeated the South, 27-24, in the first ever UCBAC senior showcase game.

North Harford football coach Ken Brinkman knew the first would be the toughest. That's why, when talking with Patch in August about the inaugural Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference senior showcase football game, Brinkman looked to the future. “We just said, let's do something with our kids, with coaches in town, and you’ll get a chance for our kids to play,” Brinkman told Patch. “It’ll be a really good thing in the long-run.” After Sunday's game, the future looks bright. Before a solid crowd at Bobcat Stadium in Bel Air, the North Team defeated the South Team, 27-24, on a last-minute drive, orchestrated by Brinkman's Hawks quarterback Ryan Stinar. Aberdeen's Christian Carpenter (North) and Joppatowne's Jamil Lee (South) were named …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Dog Saves Owner, Dies in Fire; 2 Displaced

The residential fire was on Pritt Lane near East-West Highway.

UPDATE (12:18 p.m.) — Daryl Tillyard's dog awakened him with just enough time to escape their burning home, but the animal didn't make it out alive. The dog, Buster, woke up his owner to heavy smoke and flames Wednesday morning. Tillyard was able to escape without injury, but Buster was not. Firefighters later recovered the dog's body from the home. "It is safe to say the dog alerted the occupant in just enough time to escape," wrote Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire in an e-mail Wednesday afternoon. The bedroom was very small and had only one exit. The fire started when a space heater near Tillyard's bed ignited the bed covers, according to Alkire. Carol Akers, the homeowner, recently had her electricity turned off and neighbors …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (8)

PHOTOS: Bel Air Turkey Trot

Did you take part in the annual run through town Thanksgiving morning?

What better way to make room for all the turkey and stuffing Thursday afternoon than to run a 5K in the morning? More than 1,700 people took part in the 16th annual Bel Air Turkey Trot. The run and walk is a fundraising event for the Y of Central Maryland and the money raised goes to support kids and families in Harford County. Last year 1,369 people participated and the run raised about $30,000, according to center director, Suzanne Green. "This is the biggest event we do," Green said. Race results are expected later in the day. Did you run this morning? Talk about it in the comments, and add your own photos from the race.

• Photos (13)

Live Traffic: Holiday Commute Updates from Patch

Wednesday is generally regarded as one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Before you close the laptop and head out on your holiday travels Wednesday, you might want to take a peek at the local traffic reports. Thanks to Mapquest, Patch is able to bring you a traffic widget that provides live updates for commuters. We've fixed the opening screen to Harford County, but you can easily zoom in and out, and scroll around to whatever patch of pavement has you concerned. Have a major roadway catastrophe you want to share with your fellow commuters? Leave a comment below. Or, hit one of our Facebook pages—Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace—to notify the other turkeys trying to avoid traffic. Safe travels. Happy Thanksgiving from your Harford County Patches.

Aberdeen Wins First Annual Public Works 'Roadeo'

Harford County Department of Public Works employees from three municipalities competed in a multi-stage competition.

Training for Harford County public works employees got competitive on Friday. Aberdeen hosted a 10-stage course at Ripken Stadium, where department directors graded workers from Aberdeen, Havre de Grace and Bel Air. "This is more of a training day, but it has a bit of fun," said Matt Lapinsky, Aberdeen director of public works. Final scores for the first annual "Roadeo" were as follows:

•  6 Comments
• Videos (1)