Contaminated kerosene sold at convenience store

Kerosene sold at a Windsor Mill convenience store between Jan. 23 and Feb. 5 was contaminated with gasoline, creating an “imminent fire risk,” the Baltimore County Fire Department said Wednesday. The contaminated kerosene was sold at the Shell station and Dash-In convenience store at 8200 Liberty Road. Dash-In estimates 46 customers purchased clear kerosene during the time period, according to Brooke Rieman, risk manager for Wills Group, the Dash-In parent company. Using gasoline in devices, such as space heaters, that are designed to be fueled by kerosene is known to cause fire and other hazards, fire officials said. As of Wednesday afternoon no incidents related to the sale of the contaminated kerosene had been reported, said Elise Armacost, a Fire Department spokeswoman. Emergency management officials in Maryland sent an emergency alert to cellphones in the area at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, bearing the message, “Do not use kerosene from Shell 8200 Liberty Rd MD sold between Jan 23 thru Feb 5 return it.”

— Cody Boteler, Baltimore Sun Media Group

Salvadoran woman released from ICE custody

A Salvadoran woman who won a civil rights lawsuit against Frederick County has been released from the custody of immigration officials after being unexpectedly detained in January during a routine check-in. Roxana Orellana Santos was released Monday evening after she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite a judge’s order for her to remain in the United States amid mediation for her 2009 civil rights suit, according to officials with CASA, a nonprofit organization that provided her with legal assistance. “She is now at home with her four children who were excited to see and hug her once again,” CASA officials posted on social media Tuesday. Santos has completed the check-ins with ICE officials since she was first arrested by Frederick County sheriff’s deputies in 2008. Santos later won a civil rights lawsuit against the county stemming from that arrest. Santos’ attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition in U.S. District Court and were granted a restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. ICE officials agreed to release Santos on an Order of Supervision, under which she was required to post a $5,000 bond, her attorney Nicholas Katz said in an email.

— Lillian Reed

Fourth Howard teen in vandalism is sentenced

The fourth and final Howard County teen charged with hate crimes after spray-painting racial epithets and swastikas at Glenelg High School last May is being recommended to serve weekends in jail under a plea deal announced Wednesday. Matthew Lipp, 18, of Woodbine pleaded not guilty to a hate crime charge, but agreed to the statement of facts prosecutors presented in Howard County Circuit Court. Administrative Judge William V. Tucker found him guilty. Lipp’s attorney, Brian Thompson, said his client was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Under a plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending Lipp serve 16 weekends at the Howard County Detention Center. He would also receive supervised probation, be required to attend cultural awareness or sensitivity training, and perform 150 hours of community service. Thompson said Lipp has already completed 75 of his 150 recommended hours of community service, with 50 hours being served at an African-American church.

— Jess Nocera, Baltimore Sun Media Group

Teen to serve as Arundel school board vice president

The Anne Arundel County school board has elected Josie Urrea, 18, to serve as the body’s vice president, making her the first student member to serve in the position. Urrea narrowly won her seat. Six of her colleagues voted for her, and she needed five for approval. “I have been an advocate for education since middle school,” Urrea said. “Although I have the word ‘student’ in front of my position, I am an equal board member in voice, vote and value. I hope to be judged by the integrity of my thoughts and actions, not my youth.” Board members unanimously voted for Terry Gilleland to serve as president. He has served previously as board vice president. Former board president Julie Hummer shared concerns about the length of Urrea’s term. The vice president will graduate from Severna Park High School in May, and the board will have to elect a new vice president when Urrea’s term ends June 30. Then, members will hold officer elections again, in December, per recently adopted policy. That will make three elections in one year.

— Lauren Lumpkin, Baltimore Sun Media Group