A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From the Baltimore Sun: Bill to Encourage Police, Firefighters to Live in Baltimore City Advances
"State lawmakers are poised to grant a property tax break to Baltimore police officers, sheriff’s deputies and fire fighters who buy a home in the city.
"The House of Delegates on Monday unanimously approved a bill to allow the city to give first responders a tax credit of up to $2,500, leaving the details up to Baltimore to decide. The state Senate unanimously approved an identical bill earlier this month. One of the chambers will have to pass the other’s bill before it can be sent to Gov. Larry Hogan for final approval.
"The governor has no position on the proposal, a spokesman said.
"Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked the legislature for permission to create the tax incentive in order to increase the number of officers who live in the communities they police.
"About a quarter of the city's police force lives in Baltimore, and roughly a third of fire fighters do, according to a 2012 report by the Abell Foundation."
From the Baltimore Sun: City College Students Stage Protest, Ditch Uniforms as ‘Forced Assimilation’
"Some City College high school students with a growing profile in local activism circles have begun their latest protest — this time breaking from the school's dress code for a week and instead wearing clothing that has historical, cultural or political significance.
"The students, members of a group called City Bloc, announced their plans on social media last week, outlining their reasoning for the protest in a letter to school administrators. Among their goals is to start a dialogue at the school that reflects the national debate around racial and social justice issues.
"City Bloc members have participated in various protests in the past year, including in response to the death of Freddie Gray and on the issue of police brutality. They also led a sit-in at City Hall in October over the confirmation of Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, and some were arrested. The group wrote in a public letter to the school's administration that 'little has been done to answer the calls of students,' and some feel ignored both in school and in society at large.
"The students said they met with Principal Cindy Harcum on Friday, and she told them she saw 'no issue' with their plans, but the group also tweeted that it could not 'guarantee there will be no consequences' for students who break with the school's dress code of khaki pants and button-down City College shirt.
"Early Monday morning, the school tweeted, 'Students must wear regular uniform attire today. Appropriate, traditional cultural head wrap has also been approved.' A similar message was emailed to students late Sunday."
From the AFRO American: ‘A Beautiful Struggle’: Coach Mack & Son Give Back to Balto. Inner City Through Coaching
"Growing up in West Baltimore, Kendall Allison trained with his father nearly every day. From pushups and punches to sprints and shadow boxing, each day was a constant grind—but for Allison, it was also a privilege.
"His father is Coach Mack Allison III, known affectionately as Coach Mack, and was a longtime trainer for Upton Boxing Center, part of Baltimore’s Department of Recreation and Parks.
"Last summer, after 16 years at Upton, Mack Allison finally fulfilled his dream of opening a gym he could call his own. With the help of his pastor, David Biggers, he opened Time 2 Grind Boxing Gym, located at Transforming Life Church of God on Sipple Avenue in northeast Baltimore.
“'At Time 2 Grind, they can expect discipline, high self-esteem and character,' said Mack Allison. 'They can come in and feel like they’re just as good as the person before them or the next person coming behind them.'
"Mack grew up boxing and competing in martial arts, and has been a coach for most of his life. Even as a teenager, he would train eight-year-olds. When Mack Allison had four kids of his own—Kendall, Maya, Mack IV and Antoina—his service to Baltimore’s youth didn’t stop; he made sure everyone received the same attention."