Bill would pay federal employees during government shutdown

The House of Delegates approved a bill Thursday that calls for establishing a fund to pay federal employees in Maryland who are forced to work without compensation during a U.S. government shutdown. Typically, employees who must work without pay aren’t allowed to receive unemployment benefits because they are not available to work another job. The federal government also won’t pay into the state’s unemployment system for those workers. An estimated 172,000 Marylanders were affected by the most recent government shutdown, including federal employees and contractors, according to the state comptroller’s office. Without pay, thousands of workers had to turn to food banks and other assistance. Del. Jessica Feldmark’s bill would create the Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund. If there’s another shutdown, Maryland’s governor could fund the account to provide interest-free loans to employees working without pay. The workers would have to pay the money back if they receive back pay once the government reopens. The bill passed 119-20.

— Pamela Wood

Annapolis man accused in 2018 killing in Glen Burnie

An Annapolis man was charged with murder as police say he shot and killed a man in Glen Burnie last year. Darius Mackell, 19, of Annapolis faces first- and second-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Dante Simmons on July 2, 2018. Anne Arundel County Police had been searching for a suspect in Simmons’ death, and charging documents state that DNA samples and witness testimony led to Mackell’s arrest on Wednesday. Officers first found Simmons at the emergency room of Baltimore Washington Medical Center, where medical personnel were attempting to treat multiple gunshot wounds, police said. Simmons died from his injuries a short time later.

— Phil Davis, Baltimore Sun Media Group

Crisfield school nurse charged with sex offenses

A Maryland high school nurse has been arrested and accused of sexual acts involving four students. Samantha Marsh, who works at Crisfield High School & Academy in Crisfield, has been charged with sexual offenses involving the teens, Maryland State Police said Wednesday. In all, she is facing 10 counts of fourth-degree sex offense, four counts of perverted practice, four counts of contributing to the condition of a child and one count of attempted fourth-degree sex offense. Marsh is being held without bail at the Somerset County Detention Center. The victims are all believed to be Crisfield High School & Academy students, although none of the alleged activity took place on school grounds. According to court documents, the four students claimed Marsh performed sex acts with them in the back of her van at other locations in Crisfield.

— New York Daily News

Snow and slush expected over this weekend

The weather pattern that brought snow and ice across Maryland this week is forecast to resume this weekend, bringing light snow and likely some slush around the Baltimore region. An atmospheric disturbance is forecast to produce snow showers starting early Saturday morning, tapering off in the afternoon. The National Weather Service predicts an inch or less of accumulation around Baltimore and 1-2 inches to the north and west. Sleet and freezing rain are not forecast to be a threat from the system, but some areas could see rain. Temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-30s Saturday morning, reaching the upper 30s by the afternoon. Then, another chance for wintry precipitation is forecast Sunday afternoon or evening. That precipitation is forecast to be lighter than Saturday’s, but it could come in the form of snow or freezing rain, meteorologists said. Temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 30s Sunday afternoon, so the type of precipitation will depend on when the system arrives and how quickly temperatures fall.

— Scott Dance