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Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The City of El Paso Department of Public Health confirmed three additional measles cases within the community for a total of five cases reported
The 1-year-old and the woman in her 30s were unvaccinated
The vaccination status of the man in his 40s is currently unknown
A measles case has been confirmed at Bel Air High School
The Ysleta Independent School District provided the following statement:
Health officials have launched contact tracing efforts to identify anyone who may have been exposed and are working to mitigate the potential spread of the virus
State health officials have also been notified
Concerns about vaccination rates are growing within the Bel Air High School community
"It was mandatory when I went to school to get vaccinated but along the line people didn't take it seriously," Morales said
"It definitely needs to be taken seriously
"It's just gonna get worse and worse."
The city has activated a public health awareness campaign and is collaborating with local hospitals
and community organizations to share timely information and ensure coordinated prevention efforts
While approximately 98 percent of El Paso County residents are vaccinated against measles
public health officials remain concerned about unvaccinated pockets within the community
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing
It can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area
followed by a rash that spreads from the head down to the rest of the body
Infected individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash
with the day the rash appears considered Day 0
Walk-in immunization services are available Monday through Friday
For additional information on measles symptoms
the City of El Paso has activated a Measles Hotline at (915) 212-HELP (4357)
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox
(WBFF) — Bel Air Police Department is warning drivers to expect delays in the area of the Circuit Courthouse on Main Street beginning March 31 for the Rachel Morin murder trial
delays and some road closures in the area of the Circuit Courthouse will take place
Police say that this is being done to assist with increasing security and safety during a court trial in a "high profile criminal case."
FOX45 has confirmed that that case will be Morin's murder trial
Officials say that traffic will be impacted
and pedestrian traffic is expected to increase in the area
Courtland Street and Office Street between Bond and Main Streets will be closed
and road closures will only occur during courthouse hours
Authorities say that local businesses will not be impacted and still be accessible to customers
Morin was a mother of five who was found dead near a hiking trail in Harford County in 2023.
including mentions at the Republican National Conference during the 2024 election
— An exclusive horror experience is coming to Harford County
The Flagship Theater in Bel Air will host an immersive pre-movie event before the screening of Blumhouse Productions' DROP
guests will join a live performance with planted actors playing unsuspecting victims
Audience members are instructed to turn on their phone's airdrop function
ominous memes and demands will be appear on their devices
The experience will lead attendees to turn on each other to obey the mysterious sender
Only seven theaters nationwide are participating and Flagship is one of those
For more information about tickets, click here
prosecutors laid out how defendant Victor Martinez-Hernandez was in the area around the time of the murder and the clues found on his phone that connects him to the case
which tracks all text written on the phone's keyboard
and "Merryland" (a misspelling of "Maryland")
Investigators also found several "cached" images or automatically saved photos taken from YouTube videos viewed on June 5
A screenshot of another news report about the case was recorded on the same phone on June 14
the very same day as the defendant's eventual arrest
pointed out the selective nature of the manual search by forensics expert Heather Marsh
and the limited number of times the terms come up
Ex-roommates and former co-workers of Martinez-Hernandez helped the state establish a timeline of the defendant being in Harford County from about March through August 2023
answering questions through an interpreter
"Apparently he was working at Popeyes for a period of time
then he had a job at Barrett's on the Pike
that puts him in contact with people and that ultimately establishes that he was here when this crime occurred," attorney Randolph Rice said
Former roommate Marcos Campos-Guevara testified he knew Martinez-Hernandez from El Salvador and helped him move into his cousin's place where he lived as well
They later moved to a house "near the park" believed to be Plumtree Park
which is less than a mile from the Ma and Pa trail
“We haven’t heard anything about a vehicle
so his ability to walk to the Ma and Pa trail certainly establishes his ability to go there and ultimately commit this crime," Rice explained
Campos-Guevara testified the defendant moved out suddenly around August
leaving only a written note after he failed to pay rent or any bills
The last time he heard from Martinez-Hernandez
he asked if he could buy him a ticket to Texas under his name instead
TRIAL DAY 7 🧵 Rachel Morin case Another juror dismissed (the alternate who replaced the juror dismissed yesterday) again
Nearly all the witnesses who know and are related to Martinez-Hernandez barely looked in his direction during testimony and vice versa
The defense also did not question many of the witnesses who know the defendant personally
there’s not much to ask these people there doesn’t seem to be any inconsistencies with their stories that the defense can grab onto and use," Rice said
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
After December 2023 through about May 2024
Martinez-Hernandez then stayed with cousins in Maryland and Virgina
who testified that after staying with them briefly he left clothing
Family handed these items over to police to be swabbed for DNA
which when the results come back an arrest warrant is generated
and the phone number also provided by family to police pings in Tulsa
Officers from the Tulsa Police Department testified that Martinez-Hernandez gave a false name of "Juan Carlos" when they found him at the Los Dos Amigos bar and arrested him
identifying him with his picture and more specifically
his teeth which an officer notes are "unique."
the alternate who replaced a dismissed juror on Wednesday
"Right now I think the judge is trying to keep as little information out there as possible," Rice said
Three out of six alternates remain with a little less than a week of testimony left
2025 at 6:57 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Raja Zahid Maqsood was recorded by surveillance equipment at the Abingdon Walmart shortly after the incident
(Harford County Sheriff's Office)ABINGDON
MD — Police are seeking the public's help to find a man wanted in connection with a domestic stabbing
Harford County deputies responded around 7:30 a.m
Sunday to a report of a stabbing in Abingdon
Maqsood was recorded by surveillance equipment at the Abingdon Walmart shortly after the incident
"We ask residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911," police said in a social media post
police said Maqsood was again recorded by surveillance equipment
this time wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt
Maqsood drives a black Hyundai but may be on foot
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Bel-Air is George Thomas and Billy Bell’s most impressive feat of construction
a sporting course carved out of a series of severe Los Angeles canyons
1974); Tom Fazio (renovation); Renaissance Golf Design (restoration
Join the clubJoin the clubJoin the clubJoin the clubLog inLog inLog inLog inAccessPrivate
2023aboutHousing-development golf has gotten a bad name in California recently
that some of the greatest Golden Age courses in the state started out as real-estate ventures
nestled in the canyons above the University of California
oil magnate Alphonzo Bell founded the club as part of Bel Air Estates
an upscale residential community catering to the film industry’s elite
Bell hired George Thomas to design the course
and Thomas’s associates Billy Bell (no relation to Alphonzo) and Jack Neville assisted on the project
Completing Bel-Air required audacious feats of engineering
soon to be joined by Riviera Country Club (1927) and the renovated North Course at Los Angeles Country Club (1928)
This trio still stands as perhaps the greatest single-city showcase of one golf architect’s mastery
but Tom Doak undid much of their work in his 2018 restoration
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His answer found its way to Bel-Air’s green committee
Doak’s firm also finished a restoration at Dornick Hills last year
The moral of the story: spilling the beans to nosy journalists is a wise career move
Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design team discovered the dimensions of several bunkers at Bel-Air simply by digging down and finding old bunker sand
It seems that the certain mid-20th-century construction crews had
just built on top of Thomas and Bell’s features instead of stripping them away first
Appointment viewing. The 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur will take place at Bel-Air Country Club August 7-13
Set your TiVos accordingly (people still have TiVos
Women’s Am is one of the best in-person viewing experiences in the game
this new HBO series starring Lily Rose-Depp and The Weeknd was partly shot at The Weeknd’s house
Fried Egg staffer Cameron Hurdus says The Idol is his favorite show of all time
surpassing even Breaking Bad and The Sopranos
The ninth hole at Bel-Air may seem like an odd choice for a favorite
given that the chasm-crossing 10th and the “Mae West” 12th are far more dramatic
but this short par 4 exemplifies the cleverness of George Thomas’s architecture
In a setting that provided little natural room for strategic golf—a narrow canyon just below the clubhouse—Thomas created several distinct options for play
runs along the left side of the fairway before crossing diagonally in front of the shallow
The most aggressive play is to a strip of short grass on the other side of the barranca
you can either aim the most visible section of fairway on the left
where you’ll have a good angle into the green
or seek a shorter approach by launching your tee shot over the shoulder of a hill on the right
You can play this hole many times and never be fully confident that you’ve figured out the “right” strategy
you get to walk through a tunnel and ride an elevator up to the 10th tee
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Bel-Air may not have an equal in American golf
and the property so disjointed that only a first-rate architect (not to mention a capable engineer) could have sculpted it into 18 sensible holes
George Thomas went on to design better courses
but he never demonstrated his creativity and panache more clearly
Thomas faced something like the inverse of the problem Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw had at Sand Hills 70 years later
Whereas Coore & Crenshaw needed to locate a single course within a web of a thousand wonderful possibilities
Thomas had to find and connect 18 holes on a piece of land that resisted golf at every turn
The initial property included a flatter (though far from flat) section to the south
The course could wander down there and then travel back up the canyons to the hilltop clubhouse without enormous difficulty
The more tractable land was no longer available; UCLA had claimed it and would later develop it into the heart of its campus
Bel-Air Country Club was left with three steep canyons that wouldn’t accommodate more than 11 holes
having flown his sea plane through these hills many times
Thomas knew of another valley west of the site
It was narrow but long enough to complete the course
How could you move golfers over the intervening terrain without a funicular
Legend has it that one day Thomas and his associates Billy Bell and Jack Neville stood on the hill where the clubhouse and first tee would be built
looked across an arroyo to the ridge that blocked the way to the extra canyon
They discovered that a long par 3 could play from one hill to a saddle in the other
one could walk 100 yards to a tee that overlooked the neighboring valley
transporting players to and across the 10th hole would require a tunnel
even if some of the details aren’t 100% factual
But designing the Bel-Air routing took more than a single flash of inspiration—hey
The property had several other troublesome transitions
squeezing through a gap in a hill from one canyon to another
Thomas appears to have availed himself of some dynamite.) The fifth and 16th holes each climb to a notch at the base of a hill so that the tunnel to the next tee can be as short as possible
What’s most impressive about these par 3s is that they don’t feel like connectors
Each is distinct and striking rather than merely functional
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Another problem that called for a clever routing fix was that the additional valley Thomas discovered was almost too cramped to fit fairways traveling in both directions
Thomas spaced out the landing zones on different holes
the area where most drives land on the 11th hole is about halfway between where players tee off on the 15th hole and where most drives end up
While changing equipment and more frequent play have tested these solutions
they still more or less work as Thomas intended
Bel-Air doesn’t have the sustained greatness of Thomas’s later efforts at Riviera and L.A
but Tom Doak’s restoration brought back some strokes of brilliance that the club abandoned in the late 20th century
and 12—stick in the memory because of the unusual green-side shaping that Doak’s team re-created
plural!) uncovered some of the original character of the land
So even if Bel-Air doesn’t quite reach the level of Riv and L.A.
it once again deserves to be spoken of in the same breath
Doak’s restoration didn’t—or couldn’t—go far enough
Houses and safety considerations appear to have been limiting factors
you could bite off as much of the natural hazard as you dared to gain a shorter approach
which were likely planted to protect the top-dollar mansions below
Other shortcomings of the restored course are harder to explain
The artificially powered brook that babbles through Nos
11-15 is an eyesore and a far cry from the natural ditches that Thomas and Bell incorporated into almost all of their Southern California designs
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The bunkers are also a touch too refined to my eye. Although they mimic the capes and bays of the originals, they lack the ruggedness of Thomas and Bell’s peak late-1920s style. The result is an in-between look—faithful in dimension and shape but not in spirit. Maybe Bel-Air’s members were reluctant to follow, or be seen as following, a bunker-restoration strategy that a rival club made famous
Bel-Air seems to have the most positive momentum right now
and its membership is vibrant and focused on fun and amateur golf rather than rankings and professional majors
I expect the prince of George Thomas’s portfolio to keep getting fresher
(How We Rate Courses)
Bel-Air has significant strengths across all three of our categories—land
and presentation—but no obvious Egg for any one of them
The land is unique but awkward; the design is ingenious but incompletely restored; and the turf is firm and expertly manicured
but the course’s overall presentation is more Hollywood than Thomas
On the Skillet: No. 2 at Bel-Air
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my dad gave me a copy of The World Atlas of Golf
That kick-started my obsession with golf architecture
I read as many books about the subject as I could find
filled a couple of sketch books with plans for imaginary golf courses
and even joined the local junior golf league for a summer so I could get a crack at Alister MacKenzie's Valley Club of Montecito
I ended up pursuing other interests in high school and college
but in my early 30s I moved to Pebble Beach to teach English at a boarding school
Andy offered me a job as Managing Editor in 2019
the two of us were the only full-time employees
The company has grown tremendously since then
and today I'm thrilled to serve as the Head of Architecture Content
I work with our talented team to produce videos
and written work about golf courses and golf architecture
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Fried Egg Course RatingWe rate golf courses using a three-"Egg" scale
a course must be very good; to receive three
Most courses will not get any Eggs at all — and this is not meant as an insult
Click here to learn more about our rating system and our criteria of Land
The Bel Air High School boys soccer team lost
to Saginaw on Tuesday in Midland in the regional final of the Class 5A
Saginaw scored the winner with about 20 seconds left in the match on a goal by Adrian Hinojosa
Saginaw also eliminated El Paso's Burges HS
Bel Air finishes the season 21-3-2 and won playoff games against Andress
The Highlanders failed to score a goal for the first time all season and in three previous playoff games the Highlanders scored 10 goals
The Highlanders were looking to reach the state semifinals for the third time since 2019
Saginaw advances to the state semifinals to play either Highland Park or Poteet
we had had opportunities," Bel Air coach Sergio Delgado said
Americas remains the lone El Paso team left in the playoffs and will play Friday in the Class 5A
More: Soccer News 2025 Texas UIL boys HS soccer playoffs: Americas defeats El Dorado, advances to Final Four
Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
The Dancing With the Stars co-host is the father of four kids: Sienna
(WBFF) — One man was hospitalized after a fire in Bel Air
The fire took place inside a smoke shop located in the 300 block of North Main Street in Bel Air
ALSO READ | Firefighters contain blaze at vacant buildings on Reisterstown Road
According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal
a 21-year-old man sustained burns to his body after accidentally spilling grease on himself while cooking
A passerby noticed the man in distress and used a fire extinguisher from the shop next door to help contain the fire until firefighters arrived
The man was transported to a hospital for treatment
Roughly $1000 of damage was caused by the fire
If Hotel Bel-Air's signature pink stucco walls could talk
Hotel Bel-Air's star-studded guest list is now private, but its reputation remains esteemed. It's ranked No. 35 on the World's 50 Best Hotels list — one of just four resorts from the US to make the cut
As I walked across the bridge connecting the valet to the lobby
A waterfall was softly burbling in the distance
Hotel Bel-Air's signature pink stucco walls have remained unchanged since the 1940s
even through the hotel's major renovations
The playful and cheerful hue transported me to the Mediterranean
Dozens of pink and fuchsia flowers added bright pops of color
while a koi pond filled with orange and white fish shimmered under the sunlight
Rooms at the Hotel Bel-Air start at $900 a night
(Business Insider received a media rate for the one-night stay.)
I was immediately struck by the change in vibe
The bright pink and green hues that filled the hotel's exterior had been swapped for deep earthy tones like olive green and burnt sienna
The shift in design initially took me by surprise and was more subtle than I expected
But it's clear that the canyon suite is meant to be a peaceful sanctuary
when you're confident in your natural glamour
Isn't that the true meaning of quiet luxury
told BI that the "refined interiors of the Canyon Suite are aligned with the hotel's overarching design aesthetic
which is to provide guests with a welcoming yet luxurious environment that is the perfect retreat from LA's busy scene."
"Its look and feel is contemporary and fresh while also reflective of old-world glamour and understated elegance
much like Hotel Bel-Air itself," Moje added
The bedroom's color palette was the same as the living room's
and a wood-paneled ceiling added warmth to the space
The leather bed frame had built-in book lights
The king bed was topped with one of the plushest comforters I've ever slept with
A retractable glass wall in the living room offers a full view of the huge patio
It was easily my favorite part of the suite
The delicious broth is light on the tongue but rich in flavor
with just a hint of creaminess thanks to the sour cream and knobs of avocado
The roasted chicken is tender and plentiful
while the wisps of saffron add a luxurious touch
Hotel Bel-Air's pool was once a horse-riding ring
and tall palm trees provide ample shade and a postcard-perfect backdrop
The Living Room is hands down my favorite part of the Hotel Bel-Air
It's a beautifully decorated space with stylish but comfortable velvet couches and chairs
A fire is always roaring in the center of the room
while big windows offer views of the fairy lights that twinkle from the trees at night
Chef Garcia told me The Living Room was conceptualized following requests from locals and guests who wanted a place at the hotel where they could get glammed up and enjoy cocktails
Garcia set out to create a playful menu that still fit the atmosphere
"I wouldn't put chicken wings on the menu," he said
The Restaurant's bread and desserts are clearly in good hands with executive pastry chef Christophe Rull
a world-renowned chocolatier who helped open the hotel's patisserie
I quickly learned that Rull's dedication to his customers is unparalleled
When one local wanted their almond croissant baked a certain way
Rull personally went to his house to try to get the flavor just right
Rull's croissant skills are also on display at The Restaurant
where he offers a savory garlic version with perfect flakiness
I was also a huge fan of his truffle brioche
But the chef told me he was up for the challenge
shifting The Restaurant's fusion-leaning menu to dishes that feel more seasonal and show off his classical French training
I loved the indulgent white truffle pasta and the lamb chops served alongside an elegant ratatouille
The Michelin-caliber dinner was delicious and creative
The five-star hotel obviously isn't in everyone's price range
but Hotel Bel-Air isn't just coasting on its reputation
plus the delicious patisserie and beautiful lounge
have infused the space with vitality and turned the resort into a dining destination
Whether you're looking for an Old Hollywood escape or just want some delicious food and cocktails
the Hotel Bel-Air should be on everyone's LA bucket list
MARYLAND — The trial of the man accused in the 2023 killing of Rachel Morin
which sparked fear in the Bel Air community and later became a talking point in the immigration debate amid the presidential race
The 37-year-old Bel Air mother of five was reported missing by her boyfriend on Aug
hours after she went for a walk on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air
Morin’s body was found in a ditch the next day
after what the Harford County Sheriff’s Office described as “a violent attack.”
was arrested in June in Oklahoma and is facing several charges
including first-degree rape and first-degree murder in Morin’s death
with Bel Air police warning of traffic delays around Harford County Circuit Court and the closure of several roads
Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun
That was the greatest car,” my grandpa says as I hand him a black-and-white photo of his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible
“I drove that to California … 1955.” I’ve heard this story a lot over the years
The ’55 Bel Air is a special model in the Wilcox family
My dad grew up hearing stories about this car
We’ve bought countless ’55 Chevy gifts—toys
especially any we could find in his rare India Ivory / Harvest Gold-over-green-interior color combination
It got to the point where he had enough memorabilia to erect a little shrine in his house where one could pay homage to the car and the glory days of Route 66
the ’55 Chevy wasn’t even in Grandpa’s life for very long
He owned his Bel Air convertible for only one year
no other family members had any first-hand experience with the car
With Grandpa Mel’s birthday on the horizon
I had been reflecting on my family’s love of cars
and how it all probably started with this one long-lost convertible
which would function as a long-overdue introduction for my dad
Grandpa shares what was so special about the ‘55 Bel Air in general: “It was a brand-new shape
They came out with all these different colors
two-tone color combinations for the 1955 model year
Since this was Chevy’s first attempt at a commercially successful V-8
it pulled out all the stops when designing the all-new Bel Air
The ’55 was the first Chevrolet to utilize a 12-volt electrical system
and with that came optional air conditioning
and power windows—all relatively new options to Chevy showrooms and unheard of in an entry-level car
Chevy designers completely modernized the Bel Air’s look with flatter side panels and wrap-around windshield glass
flowed down to a Ferrari-inspired egg-crate grille that hinted at the Bel Air’s firepower: an optional 180-horsepower 265-cubic-inch V-8
As important as the Bel Air is to automotive history
we don’t form deep attachments with cars because of what makes them great on paper
The experiences we have with them are what carve out a niche in family legends
While the Korean War was in full swing, and the Tri-Fives were still on draft paper
Grandpa Mel left Spring Arbor University in Michigan to work at GM Truck & Coach in Pontiac
He knew this was a temporary arrangement; every month he would get a notice saying his draft number was coming up
decided to volunteer for the military so they could have some say in their futures
even if neither had a clear vision of what that future would look like
As they were waiting in line at the recruiting office
Mel joked he planned to just pick the first door on the left
after he packed up his belongings and drove to see his parents
Mel found an empty house and a note on the kitchen table informing him that his draft card had arrived
Mel was stationed across the U.S.—basic training at Sampson Air Force Base near the Finger Lakes in Geneva
he received a two-year assignment at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks
Although he’d spent his whole life in Michigan up to that point
nothing prepared him for the cold of The Last Frontier
I think that had set a record at the time,” Grandpa Mel recollects
we would get out there in our sweats and play football in the parking lot.”
Mel planned on making the drive back to Michigan in his 1953 Ford Deluxe
he learned that his service was extended by 30 days to make up for a month of missed service due to a non-work-related hockey injury
and there was no way Mel was making the nearly 70-hour drive alone
He sold his Ford to the air base’s mail clerk (for a $100 profit) and
“I was 20-some-years-old and ready to do anything,” Mel laughs
thinking back on how horrible that drive would have been
it was a welcome surprise that my grandpa’s next assignment took him to Norton AFB in sunny San Bernardino
it seemed like a great excuse for a road trip
Mel and his dad went down to Summerfield Chevrolet in Flint
Mel still vividly remembers this day 70 years later
I see the car I would want.” Mel was shocked by his suggestion—a bright yellow 1955 Bel Air convertible—given that his dad was “the old black Chevy” type
They took it for a spin and Mel was blown away by this car of the future
He bought the lightly used Bel Air for $2100 and drove it home
The front fascia of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air convertible peaks out from a garage doorway
When Grandpa Mel comes face-to-face with the car
The rest of us introduce ourselves to the owners
who are kind enough to have facilitated this “reunion.” Mel remains a statue
I open the driver’s door and motion for my grandpa to take a seat
as he touches the knobs and feels the vinyl
he is transported back to that winter in Flint
It brought back so many memories of me buying it
and then getting ready to drive it to California.” Although he only owned it for a year
my grandpa had a lot of seat time in his ’55 Chevy
That outlook may have dampened a bit when the radio went out and all attempts to fix it were unsuccessful
Two-thousand-plus miles seemed even farther to Mel with the prospect of only his thoughts and the hum of the tires to keep him company
It was a welcome surprise when his older brother
connecting with Route 66 south of Chicago and making it to St
They pulled into the first motel advertising TV access so they could watch Michigan State beat UCLA in the Rose Bowl
stopping at any attraction along the way: Meramec Caverns
His drive through the Painted Desert in that Bel Air carved itself into memory
Their scenic drive across the country took four days and proved relatively easy
and well-marked through all the small towns and Albuquerque
Gas was only about 25 cents.” Aside from the broken radio and a thump from one of the tires
The car looked great and accompanied Fred through most of his school days, until it was totaled by a drunk driver while parked on the street. But he never forgot about his first ’55, and when the right one came along in 1977, he bought it: a beautiful Shoreline Beige / Gypsy Red Bel Air convertible with a small-block.
I watch Fred and my grandpa move around the Bel Air, reminiscing about their shared experiences and pointing out minor differences between their cars. Fred has owned this car for 47 years, so his mental recall makes sense. But I find it surprising how many of the little details my grandpa is able to remember, having not seen his car in 68 years. “I love that color, the red and white. But, you know, I haven’t seen a yellow/white one anywhere.”
Neither had the soldiers at Norton Air Force Base. When Mel and Duane finally got to San Bernardino, Duane took the train back while Mel reported for duty. “I remember pulling onto the base. I got quite a few looks,” he says. A big yellow convertible on a military base will do that.
California was a welcome change, he remembers. “When it would rain, I would grab a blanket and pillow and go out and sleep in the car, because I loved to hear the rain patter-patter on the roof.” It was a far cry from Alaska, where he needed to run an extension cord out of his third-floor window to power the head-bolt heater in his Ford in order to start it in the morning.
“I remember pulling onto the base. I got quite a few looks,” he says. A big yellow convertible on a military base will do that.
Did you know how easy these are to steal?” Fred says as he takes the keys out of the ignition after switching it from Lock to Off. He then holds the keys clearly in his left hand and outside the car, while turning the ignition with his right. The car starts right up. “Ready to go for a drive?”
My dad and uncle jump into the back. My grandpa slides into the passenger seat. As I lightly hold the thin metal steering wheel, I feel my fingers tingle. I don’t think it is entirely from the vibration of the small-block.
I idle slowly to the end of the driveway and turn right into the street. The slow steering ratio catches me off guard—a reminder I am driving an antique—as do the heckles from my dad and uncle in the back seat. With a few full turns of the wheel, I quickly adjust to avoid a ditch, but as I find my way to the main drag I overcorrect and end up in a lane closer than intended. Grandpa does not seem to notice. He is miles, or perhaps years, away.
A Bel Air begs to be cruised, and it embodies how my grandpa describes the attitude of the 1950s: “No sweat, just do your thing.”
While driving Fred’s Bel Air, top-down, on a nice fall day around Charlotte—a small town that hasn’t changed much since the 1950s—I imagine what life must have been like for my grandpa as a young man. I think back to myself at 22 years old, when my sister and I drove that same ’96 Camry to Alaska to work summer jobs. How much youthful freedom I felt then. The emotional attachment I still have to that indestructible machine.
That Bel Air was a turning point, for Mel and many others. By the time he got back to the States, the Korean War was over. An age of uncertainty was passing. He was overwhelmed by a new sense of the world having been cracked wide open: “It was an exciting time. I had my whole life to live and part of it was going to be in California.”
Through my grandpa’s eyes, I can see that the ’55 Bel Air is more than a vehicle for nostalgia. It represents, for him, the spirit of possibility and adventure—the type that happens only at major turning points in life. Once we park the Chevy back in the Darins’ garage, Grandpa Mel turns to me. “That was the top of my story as far as cars. It was a love story, and it was good to relive it with you.”
This car represents his youth and the great memories and accomplishments.
I think we all can draw ties to specific cars and times that make things special as we age.
It was great to see the glow in his eyes as to memories are still embedded in his head and that ride took him there.
Beautiful car but the color is gypsy red and shoreline beige
Good eye! I just pulled up a picture of the trim tag, and it has a paint code of “615S”, which is Shoreline Beige / Gypsy Red. I’ve updated this in the article.
That is an Awesome Story and a Beautiful Car, Nothing Like Family History Being Appreciated. Thank You for doing that.
We appreciate the opportunity to help you create Grandpa Mel’s nostalgic reunion with a ’55 Chevy Bel Air convertible. It was truly a rewarding experience for us!
It was an amazing day! Thank you again for being so generous, Fred and Marlene. My family is very grateful that we were able to have this experience together.
Exactly why the hobby is so great – wonderful people like you two!
Great job Adam – your Grandpa looked so happy!
I live in CT. I remember meeting an older guy at a car show who had a 55 convertible in green and white that I believe he owned since new with the 235 6 cyl engine and manual transmission. He spoke about taking it to the racetrack on weekends, swapping out the 6 with a V8, racing, and putting the 6 back in as he used it for many years as his daily driver. He kept that car in beautiful original shape all those years I was amazed at the condition it was in.
I understand what your grandfather was feeling. I have the same type of memories from my white with red interior 1962 Chevy Impala convertible. No other vehicle has given my the same type memories! I miss that old car!!!
I love the story and the smile he has with his family and a car he loved from his youth. As always I appreciate his service. Many great stories to tell there I am sure of.
I was so engrossed in this great article that it took a while for me to realize that water was leaking from my eyes a little bit. At first, I felt like a big ole girl, but then I just blamed it on the weather.
Y’know, Jack, you may think that you are fooling us, but we can see that the real reason is that you are just a feeling, caring, and empathetic human being. And there is no crime in that, sir!
Fantastic story! I have a gearhead buddy that still owns the ‘55 he dated his bride in 40+ years ago!
A great story, well done. My high school buddy got a 1955 Chevy two-door hardtop in 1961. Aqua and white, V-8, three on the tree manual. Such a lovely car. He burned rubber all over town. He also managed to bash in the front and it went away. I’ve been sad ever since. Can it be 64 years ago?
I never took a road trip like that in my ’55, a 210 post V8, 3-speed but I still have many fond memories of it. Unfortunately (or fortunately, what with hindsight being perfect) my parents felt that I should sell it in order to help fund my college efforts. After college and 4 years in the Navy, my tastes ran more to SS396s, Z28s and Corvettes but I still think about that ’55 and chuckle over some of the stunts we shared.
My Wife and parents in 55 drove to Calfornia in a 55 4 door CHevy Sooooo, in the 70’s I found a 55 4 door (like the one he had) and surpeised him and family and we went to dinner in the 55!!!! Great Stories Joe D
Thank you for taking Grandpa Mel down memory lane. A great tribute to your family.
Still waiting for my family to surprise me with a ’61 Corvette (white/red, dual Carter WCFBs, “Duntov” cam, 4-speed, 4.11s, Positraction).
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The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call about a burglary in process at a home shortly after 1 a.m. Monday, according to a department spokesperson. By the time officers arrived, the suspects were gone.
The home belongs to financial influencer Amanda Frances, an author and creator of online courses who says her aim is to help women acquire wealth.
“The burglars ransacked my closet, damaging my home in the process, but they dropped nearly everything, prioritizing the prop money when confronted by a neighbor’s security guard,” Frances said in a statement shared with The Times.
The thieves abandoned several designer bags in the streets, which the police were then able to recover, she said. In their rush to flee, they left some of the fake money scattered in the street. She believes they also made off with a handful of purses, a ring and a necklace but dropped most of the items of major value.
Amanda Frances is seen during New York Fashion Week in February. (Rachpoot / Bauer-Griff / GC Images) The fake money was used in a recent photo shoot to promote Frances’ “Money Mentality Makeover” digital course. In the past, Frances has withdrawn and returned real money from the bank for photo shoots, but she opted for prop money this time after her photographer suggested it would be safer, she said.
Although Frances is relieved the stolen money was fake, she remains rattled by the experience.
“I’ve worked incredibly hard my entire life to build what I have and own my home in Bel-Air,” she stated. “I am disheartened and distraught that the city I have dreamed of living in — since I was a child being raised in a tiny town in Oklahoma — has turned out to be an unsafe place to raise a family.”
California
A podcast host says he was on hold with the LAPD for almost an hour after his home was burglarized.
Frances founded an online education and coaching company specializing in financial empowerment courses for women in 2011. The influencer now has more than half a million followers on Instagram, where she bills herself as a “self-made multimillionaire” and a “repetitive unrealistic goal achiever.”
In an Instagram message shared with The Times, Frances noted that she bought the home from Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky, who raised their four children at the property. Richards is Paris Hilton’s aunt and best known for her long-running role on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” while Umansky is a real estate broker known for his own reality show, “Buying Beverly Hills.”
“They raised their four kids here, I have four kids,” she told The Times. “This is a family home and we no longer feel safe.”
Clara Harter is a breaking news reporter at the Los Angeles Times. Previously, she covered politics and education for the L.A. Daily News. While at the Daily News, she published a series on fentanyl addiction that won a first-place investigative journalism award from the L.A. Press Club. Harter majored in political science and Middle Eastern studies at Columbia University. She loves surfing and, when not reporting, can most likely be found in the ocean.
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— It was just after midnight when flames began spreading through a second floor apartment in a building along Conowingo Road in Bel Air
and that’s when a seven-year-old boy awoke his mother and came to his family’s rescue
“Kudos to the kid for (being) able to discover the fire and alert his mom,” said Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire
He did the right thing so this had a fantastic outcome.”
his grandmother and his 18-month-old sibling escaped without injury and his mother even had time to run back in to rescue their two dogs
It was later determined a misplaced space heater had ignited the flames
Bel Air family escapes fire thanks to 7-year-old boy
Investigators say the fire underscores the need to take safety precautions when using a space heater in your home
“Make sure that it’s UL listed,” advised Alkire
“Don’t ever plug a space heater into an extension cord and make sure that it’s actually somewhere in the middle of the room
Don’t have it near combustible items such as linens
water and smoke damage have shut down Olivia’s Place
located on the floor below the burned out apartment
As many as 1,000 clients are now taking stock of their merchandise and the owner has established a GoFundMe account to help the business recover
but he’s quick to point out the fire’s impact could have been much worse if not for the the seven-year-old boy
The kid… the little boy is definitely a hero
“I’m glad he did that and got them out of there and thank God they were okay and didn’t get burned up."
Wahconah Street will turn into a one-way road
redirecting southbound drivers from North Street onto Pontoosuc Avenue to access Wahconah Street during the removal of the hazardous Bel Air Dam.
The traffic rerouting plan for the removal of the Bel Air Dam has been unveiled
PITTSFIELD — The traffic rerouting plan for the removal of the Bel Air Dam has been unveiled
but I think folks will quickly fall into the pattern of how they navigate around it,” James McGrath
open space and natural resource program manager
said at a Traffic Commission meeting Thursday
Wahconah Street — which currently houses the dam — will be converted into a one-way road just north of the Wahconah Heights Apartments
where there will be a traffic barrier split down the middle of the road
Northbound traffic will be pushed into the current southbound lane
and the northbound lane will be a construction lane
Drivers traveling south on North Street attempting to turn right on Wahconah Street toward Berkshire Medical Center will be redirected to Pontoosuc Avenue
where they can access Wahconah Street at the stoplight further down the hill
The removal of the highly hazardous dam is expected to take up to 18 months, but McGrath said there will be a better sense of the timeline once the contractor, SumCo Eco-Contracting
The state Office of Dam Safety announced its plan to remove the deteriorating Bel Air Dam — which has visible bulges in its stone wall and water spraying through gaps in the retaining wall — in September 2023, after its late owner could not afford to maintain it.
Reports warn that a dam failure could be devastating to nearby neighborhoods and roadways
The project is slated to cost about $20 million, which the state allocated using federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars in December 2023
Over 350 tons of sediment polluted with chromium
arsenic and lead will also be removed from the area
It will also involve stream rehabilitation and the replacement of the riverbanks to improve habitat conditions for wildlife
Construction is set to begin in late June or early July in order to minimize disruptions
“We didn't want to disrupt the bus stops for the elementary and middle schools at the very end of the year,” McGrath said
there are concerns about Lenox Avenue being used as a bypass during construction
“There's a lot of speeding traffic in that section ..
people with animals,” said City Councilor Kenneth Warren
depending on the rerouting with the Bel Air Dam
because there's going to be some cutting.”
the city will conduct a speed study on Lenox Avenue
and McGrath said he will be looking to closely monitor that area during construction and potentially implement traffic calming measures
Nearby residents can expect to receive mailers with details about the project
and there will be signage boards on either end of the detour zone to indicate when it will take effect
“We're really trying to communicate this out as best we can,” McGrath said
Maryjane Williams can be reached at mwilliams@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6139.
The Tavern at the A in Pittsfield is preparing to reopen for food service this May, even as the fate of its liquor license remains uncertain after Monday afternoon's Licensing Board meeting
Hancock residents will vote on a 20-item warrant at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting 7 p.m. May 5. The town election will be held noon to 6 p.m. May 12.
At least 70 job-seekers connected with 18 employers at Lenox's annual job fair, with over 100 positions up for grabs.
Dalton's annual town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at Wahconah Regional High School. The town election will be May 12 at the Dalton Senior Center.
Two and a half centuries ago, in a Pittsfield tavern, three men discussed plans for a secret raid that would become America’s first offensive victory in the Revolutionary War. On Thursday, locals gathered to commemorate the largely forgotten meeting that helped shape history.
Becket voters will consider the proposed fiscal 2026 budget, adopting the seasonal community designation, a bylaw regulating outdoor lighting and other items at the annual town meeting on May 10.
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2025Photo: Amy & StuartSave this storySaveSave this storySaveChristopher Slager and Madeline Whitesell like to joke that they were set up by their HR department
then an assistant in WME’s motion picture department
was asked by human resources if an intern could shadow him for several days
He agreed—and up from the mailroom came Madeline
now head of film at the production company Fifth Season
They had their first date in the Blue Bar at San Vicente Bungalows soon afterward
After convincing her to ski into the glades
their initials and engagement date were carved into the bark
After she said “yes,” their Bernese mountain dog
Turns out Christopher asked ski patrol to snowmobile him up the mountain for one final surprise
On Saturday, the couple wed at the Bel-Air Country Club in front of 350 guests, including Candice Bergen, and Jane Fonda, who starred in the Fifth Season-produced Book Club. The bride walked down the aisle in a Reem Acra lace gown to “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele. The groom waited for her in a Brunello Cucinelli tuxedo.
The couple incorporated elements from both of their faiths—Catholic and Greek Orthodox, respectively—into their ceremony before they read their own vows. “For both of us, the second we stepped up on the beautiful plaster aisle, surrounded by all the people we love most in the world, it was like a lightning bolt shocked our hearts,” says Madeline.
After their officiant, Brian DePersia, pronounced them married, they sauntered not down the aisle but straight into the Bel-Air Country Club’s clubhouse for cocktail hour as the sun set among the hills of West L.A.
After a family-style dinner of fried chicken—and the couple’s first dance to Lady Gaga’s “You and I”—the band began to play and the night really got started. “After our song, the dance floor was mobbed as the room broke into a dance party before dinner even began. The energy was incredible,” says Christopher. Their friend producer Josh Rosenbaum also performed a set of original songs onstage.
At 11 p.m., guests headed back to Hotel Bel-Air, where Cove and her team had turned the ballroom into a nightclub called Roman’s—complete with a sparkly bar, neon palm trees, and passed trays of Jell-O shots. Madeline changed into a custom Undone by Kate corset and skirt set with beaded fingerless gloves.
Months later, Christopher and Madeline say the weekend was “perfectly them” in every way. “We loved having all of our friends and family all in one place to celebrate with us,” says Christopher. “It really felt like a destination wedding right here in L.A.”
Photo: Amy & Stuart1/52The presidential suite at the Hotel Bel-Air was our home base for the weekend. While tranquil in this picture, it was the center of a lot of action!
Photo: Amy & Stuart2/52While on a trip to London, I found this 1995 Versace dress at Lovers Lane Vintage and immediately knew I had to wear it on Friday night. It fit the garden party vibe of our dinner perfectly. Eteri Couture in L.A. tailored the dress and shortened it to tea length.
A food delivery driver who fatally shot a trans woman in the parking lot of her Bel Air condo community was sentenced on Monday to serve 10 years in prison
Brian Delen, 49, was convicted last November in Harford County Circuit Court of second-degree assault and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. He was found not guilty of first- and second-degree murder
Curtin also ordered Delen to serve a five-year concurrent sentence on the firearms charge
He will be on supervised probation for five years after release
Delen’s attorneys argued at trial that he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Meghan Lewis, 52, a beloved advocate for LGBTQ rights and avid Grateful Dead fan
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He turned to Lewis’ family and friends and said he harbored no hate against LGBTQ people
“I truly did not intend for her to pass,” he said
Delen said it had been an “unfortunate encounter.” Some of his family and Lewis’s family members appeared distraught during his address
beginning to cry as he looked around the courtroom
Eleanor “Ellie” Lewis learned her former spouse had been fatally shot through Facebook
She married Meghan Lewis before her transition and their friendship continued after their divorce as they co-parented their son and daughter
I lost my children’s dad,” Ellie Lewis said to the court
her days have been all about supporting her children
Meghan Lewis was a storyteller — and the better the story
the more one should take it with a grain of salt
She was also a Navy veteran with a huge heart and was dedicated to her community
The family has dealt with their grief and loss in private
but she hopes her children will share more about Meghan one day
Delen drove to the English Country Manor community to deliver food on Dec
Authorities said Delen and Meghan Lewis started arguing after he addressed her as “Sir.”
Delen’s attorneys said Meghan Lewis followed Delen as he began to drive off
Delen’s attorney reiterated that he never intended to kill Meghan Lewis
“We are all very sorry for your loss,” Katrina Smith said
addressing Meghan Lewis’ family and friends
Harford County State’s Attorney Alison Healey alleged that Delen had “intended to kill.” He had a loaded semiautomatic pistol
a folding knife and two magazines in his car the night of the shooting
Witnesses said during the trial that they did not hear anyone arguing
One witness said they saw Delen’s car pull over before he leaned out and shot at Lewis
Delen called 911 and asked for an ambulance
but he did not attempt to help Meghan Lewis when she was bleeding from her gunshot wound
He told the operator he had shot someone who had attempted to attack him
“I went right for the gut.” The bullet struck Lewis in her left abdomen
Healey urged the judge to take into account that Delen had at least four Glock magazines
six boxes of ammunition and slingshots in his car the night he shot Lewis
She also asked the judge to consider Delen’s outburst when the jury gave the verdict and said his screams and cussing from the courthouse cell could be heard through the courtroom’s walls
Healey asked for the maximum sentence of 30 years
She also read several Facebook posts where Delen mentioned firearms and made jokes involving school shooters
Smith said Delen’s outburst was from frustration with the judicial system and not indicative of future criminal behavior
and his case was one of “imperfect self-defense.” Delen has also been on edge and stressed
She quoted letters from his family and friends that describe Delen as a good person and a loving brother and uncle who used to play the guitar for the children his parents were fostering
The judge said Delen must also take an anger management course after release and cannot possess firearms or have contact with Meghan Lewis’ family
Clara Longo de Freitas
clara.longo@thebaltimorebanner.com
Clara Longo de Freitas is a neighborhood reporter covering East Baltimore communities
she interned at The Baltimore Sun as an emerging news and community reporter
She also has design and illustration experience with several news organizations
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Measles is making a disturbing comeback in the United States — and it's spreading faster than health officials have seen in years
Map of measles cases in the US as of Friday
A total of 935 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by 30 states and jurisdictions — more than triple the number reported in all of 2024
At least 12 outbreaks (three or more connected cases) have been reported so far this year
A staggering 93 percent of cases (869 of 935) are linked to outbreaks
with only 69 percent of those cases outbreak-related
Here is a breakdown of confirmed measles cases by age group:
A full 96 percent of reported cases were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status
Only 2 percent had received one dose of the MMR (measles
and another 2 percent had received two doses
The CDC has confirmed three deaths from measles in 2025
Measles spreads easily through coughing and sneezing
followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body
A person can be contagious four days before the rash appears and up to four days after
Measles was once considered eliminated in the US
but health officials warn that declining vaccination rates could lead to more outbreaks — and more preventable deaths
The CDC’s complete report from Friday, May 2, can be found here.
Wind gusts of 30+ mph along with afternoon and evening blowing dust, could reduce visibility.
Weather MapsRadarBel Air High School Swim Team Captain qualifies for stateby Evan O'Regan
Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — With a second place finish in last weekend's Regional Individual Medley
Aaron Villarreal is heading to the 2025 Texas UIL Swimming and Diving State Meet
It is the Bel Air senior's first appearance in the State Meet
Villarreal said he's not content with finishing lower than first
He also said he is surrounded by people who support him and help him improve
but one person in particular has stood apart from the rest over the years
He added that he will not be fazed by the big stage
and is keeping with his routine ahead of the biggest race of his life
The 2025 Texas UIL Swimming and Diving State Meet will take place February 21
and 22 at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center at the University of Texas at Austin
RECOMMENDED: Learning from football: the history of America's great game
ClassicCars.com Journal
Currently listed on AutoHunter is this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
which is powered by a new 350ci V8 crate engine mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission
Finished in dark blue over a two-tone gray vinyl and cloth interior
this Bel Air is now offered by the seller in Colorado with a clear title
The dark blue body features chrome bumpers and trim
This Bel Air rides on a set of staggered-width 15-inch front and 17-inch rear Boyd Coddington chrome wheels fitted with 205/60 and 255/50 BFGoodrich radial tires
The cabin is furnished with a light gray vinyl and gray cloth split-bench front seat and a matching bench seat in the rear
Instrumentation from Classic Instruments consists of a 140-mph speedometer
but the title for this vehicle indicates that it’s mileage-exempt
Under the hood is a new 350ci V8 crate engine
which is equipped with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and paired with a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission
The engine transmits its output to the road through a nine-inch rear end
Power front disc and rear drum brakes keep that power in check
If you want this American classic with more modern updates, bid on it now. The auction for this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ends on Tuesday
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
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This 1955 Chevy Bel Air’s Brilliance Totally Outshines Its Bad ReputationMarty Amaroso’s passion for classics inspired an unbelievable ’55 Bel Air that honors his grandpas
KJ JonesWriterAdam DobbsPhotographerMar 17
Since its inception, the 1955 Chevrolet two-door sedan has been one of hot rodding’s true superstars
because when enthusiasts are talking about “Fifty-Five Chevys,”all of those first-gen cars are revered
The beautiful Champagne-and-Cream Bel Air featured here belongs to 34-year-old Marty Amaroso of Chicago
As a young kid attending car shows with his grandfather back in the early 1990s
Marty fell in love with the badass machine that Grandpa and his buddy Bill built and cruised in
And after Marty drove it one day with Bill—who Marty says was his second grandpa—at the very illegal age of 14 and getting pulled over by police (for doing equally illegal burnouts)
“Bad Reputation.” Marty eventually did earn his driver’s license with the ’55
and his dream of actually owning the car came true
Marty continued to take the ’55 to shows and win trophies
So he brought the car to Bump andGrind Auto Body (where he works) to add Satin Maroon to the black car’s roof and quarter panels
Shop owner Kevin Flonder determined the car was“far too clean to not do the right way,” and that declaration ultimately jump-started a seven-month
frame-off dismantling and rebuilding effort in which everything on the car was replaced with brand-new parts or restored
The love and support from family, friends, and his co-workers at Bump and Grind helped Marty’s passion for classic cars and dream of building one result in this beautiful Tri-Five
It is a more than fitting tribute to his grandfather; the illuminated Playboy bunny logo in the factory clock’s location and a few of his other “favorite” treatments from the original build remain intact as legacy
Bad Reputation is powered by this 408-cubic-inch
The block is loaded with a Scat Crankshafts rotating assembly and a custom camshaft from Brian Tooley Racing
A Mattson Custom Radiator aluminum radiator dissipates heat from the engine
With Holley Terminator X engine management
A four-speed stick-shift car during Grandpa’s tenure
Marty updated the drivetrain with a 700R4 overdrive automatic transmission
custom leather interior with help from the team at Du-Now Upholstery
An Intellitronix Intelligent Electronics analog/digital instrument cluster is the centerpiece of the dash
The car’s booming audio comes from a complete Focal sound system that features a 10-inch subwoofer in the rear deck
with an amplifier and battery behind the close-out panels in trunk
The unique and absolutely beautiful color combination came together two days before the car’s scheduled date with the paint booth
Marty and the Bump and Grind staff used Spies Hecker paint to create and spray the custom Champagne and cream hues
Bad Reputation’s stance is achieved with Classic Performance Products’ tubular control arms and Viking Performance double-adjustable front shocks
and rolling stock features one-off 20x8 Corleone forged front wheels with 245/35R20 Nitto tires
In the Bel Air’s rear are 20x10 Corleones with 275/45R20 Nittos
a Strange Engineering 9-inch axle with Richmond Gears’3.73s
Viking’s double-adjustable dampers handle the ride quality
and CPP’s 3-inch drop leaf springs set the back of the ’55 down perfectly
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at former KFC sites in Bel Air and Annapolis
14 for an Arby's restaurant on West Street near Parole Street in Annapolis
on Baltimore Pike and Hays Street in Bel Air
The first 50 customers at each location will get a free roast-beef combo meal every week for a year
Arby's said the restaurants will bring a combined 80 new jobs to the area
— A kitchen fire at Sunny Day Cafe forced the Bel Air restaurant to close for the day
The fire happened this morning and briefly shut down part of Main Street
The restaurant posted a sign on the door saying they plan to open tomorrow morning
They are offering free coffee and 20% off meals for first responders to show their appreciation for the firefighters who arrived so quickly when their oven caught fire
The restaurant is open daily from 7 am to 3 pm serving breakfast
It has been in Bel Air since 2013 and is known for its selection of savory and sweet crepes and traditional breakfast and lunch items
2025 at 11:18 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}With the Rachel Morin murder trial starting next week
the Bel Air Police Department has plans to bump up security around the courthouse
Local businesses will not be impacted and will still be accessible to customers
(Photo courtesy of the Morin family)BEL AIR
MD — The trial of Victor Martinez-Hernandez — the man charged with murder in the death of Rachel Morin — starts Tuesday
and will bring increased security around the Circuit Courthouse on Main Street
along with traffic delays and road closures
"The closure is being done to help with increasing security and safety during a court trial in a high profile criminal case," said the Bel Air Police Department
Courtland Street and Office Street between Bond and Main streets will be closed to vehicle traffic
Road closures will be in effect only during courthouse hours
A Harford County judge denied a change of venue requested last month by Martinez-Hernandez
who is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape of Bel Air mother of five Morin
A plea offered by the prosecution also was rejected
The defense argued at last month's motion hearing that the pretrial publicity "tainted the jury pool" in Harford County
The prosecution responded that no one in the country hasn't heard about the case
Morin's body was found along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air in August 2023
several days after she was reported missing
She frequently jogged the trail near where she was found raped and beaten to death
entered the United States as an undocumented immigrant
Martinez-Hernandez also has been linked by DNA to a home invasion and sexual assault in southern California of a 9-year-old girl and her mother
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said at a news conference following the suspect's arrest in Oklahoma that Martinez-Hernandez also is a suspect in the homicide of a young woman in El Salvador in July 2023
— More information continues to come in about a massive house fire in Bel Air Wednesday night
It happened around 8:15pm on Woodhome Drive
Investigators determined the van struck a gas meter causing the engine to ignite and fire to spread all throughout the home
fled the scene but turned himself into police overnight
We're told Pollard lives in the neighborhood
So far there is no indication he targeted or intended to hit the home
For now Pollard faces a series of traffic charges
RELATED: Van hits gas meter causing house fire, driver flees, neighbors evacuate, one dog dies
unfortunately two dogs were there and died
A gas leak caused by the crash initially forced area residents to evacuate their homes
allowing for families to return home a short time later
Overall it's estimated the fire caused more than half-a-million in damage