Regional News From WBAL-TV

Monument Climb At Naval Academy Could End. The head of the U.S. Naval Academy said a traditional climb on a 21-foot obelisk greased with 200 pounds of lard may be on its way out. Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler said Wednesday during a regular end-of-school briefing that the Herndon Monument climb is still scheduled this month, but said he believes midshipmen will decide it’s not as good a gauge of teamwork as the academy’s Sea Trials, which involve all first-year students in an all-day obstacle course competition.

116 Port Of Baltimore Workers To Lose Jobs.  Amports Inc. will lay off 116 workers at two auto terminals at the Port of Baltimore this summer.The Jacksonville, Fla.-based company detailed the layoffs in a filing with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. They will take effect July 1.The affected workers handle shipments of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Hyundai Motor Co., which builds both brands, announced last month that it would shift deliveries from ports in Newark, N.J., and Baltimore to Philadelphia.

Rehabbed Seal Set To Be Released.  A program run by the National Aquarium in Baltimore plans to release an injured seal that spent the last few months being rehabilitated back into the wild.For the past 20 years, the National Aquarium has been caring for injured animals. The Marine Animal Rescue Program has been a tremendous success in that time since it has rehabbed 83 animals that have been released back into the wild, officials said.

Police Search For Attempted Murder Suspect.  Howard County police are offering a reward to the public for helping to find a Gaithersburg man wanted on charges of trying to kill a female friend.Police are currently searching for Robert Lewis Thornton. He was charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, assault, attempted carjacking, attempted armed robbery and reckless endangerment.Officers responded to Brighton Dam Road in Fulton near the county line at about 11:15 p.m. Monday for a reported assault.