A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From The Baltimore Sun: Director of Baltimore Police Training Academy Resigns
"Paul Banach, director of the Baltimore Police Department's Professional Development and Training Academy since June of last year, has resigned and will be replaced by the commander of the department's Northwestern District, police officials confirmed Thursday.
"Banach, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, could not be reached for comment Thursday night. He came into the position after two years of resignations, temporary appointments and a nearly fatal 2013 training accident that led the department to improve its safety guidelines.
"After the unrest in the city in April, the department again took heat from the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, for not training officers well enough on riot response before sending them out into dangerous situations.
"Replacing Banach will be Maj. Marc Partee, a 19-year veteran of the force who most recently has served as the commander of the city's Northwestern District."
From WBAL TV: Maryland Governor Gets Papal Blessing
"Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan received a blessing Thursday morning from the pope, the governor's office told 11 News.
"Hogan attended an event at the Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C. The pope blessed the chapel as well as those in attendance.
"The Governor's Office said Hogan was the only one out of the 30 people in the room to receive a blessing. The pope gave Hogan and his wife, Yumi Hogan, rosaries from the Vatican and took the governor by the hand.
"On his Facebook page, the governor wrote, 'It was an incredible honor to meet His Holiness Pope Francis today in Washington and receive his blessings on behalf of all cancer patients. My faith, like the faith of countless other patients like me, gives me strength to defeat this disease, and continue to be the best public steward I can be for the people of this great state.'"
From The AFRO American: Walter R. Dean, Civil Rights Leader and Md. Delegate, Dies at 80
"Walter R. Dean, a civil rights leader and a Maryland legislator died at the age of 80 on Sept. 18. The cause of death was reportedly congestive heart failure.
"Dean, while an undergraduate at Morgan State University, began to participate in the civil rights protests of the time. 'Morgan began to protests more once we crossed that barrier [the Supreme Court desegregation decision] in1954. He participated in lots of protests up until the early 60s,' said Helena Hicks, a Morgan grad and retired adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore Law School.
"In 1970 Dean ran for, and won, a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 41st district. He served until 1982. Dean advised many up and coming civil rights advocates, including Cortly 'C.D.' Witherspoon, a Baltimore activist and clergyman. 'He was a consummate educator and was always trying to teach someone something new,' said Witherspoon. 'He was a teacher inside and outside the classroom.'"
