Today's election day, in case you were unaware. If you haven't voted yet, today's your chance. Google has a cool polling place finder if you're not sure where to go. Not sure who to vote for? Here's some of our coverage on key candidates to help you compare... County Council David Marks Mike Ertel Governor Bob Ehrlich (1, 2, 3, 4) Martin O'Malley (1, 2, 3, 4) County Executive Kenneth Holt Kevin Kamenetz In other news, Towson University is setting off detonations at a construction site on Towsontown Boulevard. Don't freak out. There were a few armed robberies last week. Here's the rundown from…

Here at Patch, we're prepping for tomorrow's Election Day coverage. Here in Baltimore County, few politicians are resting on their laurels. The Sun reports Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Gov. Bob Ehrlich have been criss-crossing the state. And according to a statement released by his campaign, county executive candidate Kevin Kamenetz will be waving at intersections in Randallstown and Pikesville. For our part, we will be re-featuring some of our election profiles. And be sure to check out our Election 2010 column for some of our past coverage and the collected interviews with Ehrlich and O'…

This video took a surprisingly long time to get to me, but some enterprising people in Towson University's office of student activities organized a flash mob dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" last week. They're actually quite good. Here's an alternate angle courtesy of The Towerlight. If your Halloween party isn't quite that awesome, we have some ideas. Check out our events calendar, which is chock full of stuff going on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And check our weekend guide later today for highlights. Early voting is done. And boy, was it a hit. The general election is Tuesday, so be …

According to the Maryland Board of Elections, early voting is WAY up compared to the primaries. In Baltimore County, 24,264 people have already cast their ballots—of course, today is the last day to do so before Tuesday. Towson High's volleyball team swept the Dulaney Lions to win the county championship last night. We're looking for the best Halloween pics you got. Lawn displays, costumes, cakes, anything you've got, we want to show them off. Post your shots right over here. Part 2 of our videos with Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Gov. Robert Ehrlich are up. Weather today: Sunny, with …

You might have seen less of me than usual early this week. Where was I? I was with hundreds of other Patch employees in New York City for a conference on how to make Patch better. We shared ideas, heard from important media personalities and made fools of ourselves in a scavenger hunt. Huge thanks to Elizabeth Heubeck for stepping up and keeping an eye on things while all of us were gone. Towson High is still mourning the loss of teacher Donald Leifert. Calvert Hall beat John Carroll in soccer last night. Check out the first part of Patch's interviews with Bob Ehrlich and Martin O'Malley. …

Early voting for the general election continues today. Polls will be open through Thursday, October 28, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Towson residents can vote early at the Administration Building at Towson University. Officials report a huge spike in voters compared to the primary election early voting. Get some great deals for a good cause at GBMC's Volunteer Auxiliary Nearly New Sale, to benefit patient services. 6701 N. Charles Street, open 4-8 p.m. Find gently used clothing, electronics, house wares, jewelry, linens, books, toys, collectibles and more. www.gbmc.org/community/volunteers or…

First a reminder that early voting opens today at Towson University's Administration Building. Remember to vote early, but not often. At the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations meeting last night, two members of the Towson Y's board of directors presented plans for the new Towson Family Center. We'll have more on this and other stories from last night in the next few days. Also yesterday, Dr. Mark G. Midei, the once-celebrated cardiologist accused of falsifying medical records to implant stents in patients, spoke out at a press conference. Midei is suing St. Joseph Medical Center…

At last night's State Senate debate at Towson University, Democratic incumbent James Brochin and Republican challenger Kevin Carney has a heated discussion of issues ranging from higher education to taxes and balancing the budget. We will have more on that a little later today. Baltimore County is looking for participants in its first official restaurant week next January. If they need someone to go around for quality control, I'm game. Dr. Mark Midei, the cardiologist in the St. Joseph Medical Center stent scandal, will hold a press conference in Pikesville later this morning. Residents are …

Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. brings his campaign trail to Towson today, as he makes his semesterly visit to Professor Richard Vatz's persuasion class at Towson University. As a former student of Vatz, I can vouch for it being one of the most interesting classes of the semester. We will have video. Also, County Council candidates Mike Ertel and David Marks will have a debate at Goucher College tonight. Towson High soccer dropped one to Dulaney yesterday. Elsewhere in the county, a father is in the hospital after being slashed by his son outside a Panera in Rosedale. The County …

Patch's Ron Cassie went down to the Baltimore Marathon and reports one of the top runners calls Towson home. We'll have a little more on this. Cory Sorice, who you may recall, hit the four-hour ballpark he was looking for. The County Council meets tonight. Stay afterwards for a hearing on the county's master plan. We missed this over the weekend: Baltimore celebrities—including Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, "The Wire" show-runner David Simon and Debbie Phelps (mom to Michael)—found out who among them was "Smarter Than a Sixth Grader" at a charity event at Goucher College. Hat tip to The Sun…

Dignitaries gathered for a second, wetter dedication at Olympian Park, where Jim Smith unveiled a new sculpture, his personal gift to the county. Meanwhile, in Washington, gubernatorial candidates Martin O'Malley and Bob Ehrlich held their second televised debate. Our friends at The Sun have the story. And remember to send in your questions for our own interviews with the candidates. Could a new Towson Shuttle solve some of downtown Towson's ills? The Sun reports clerk of courts candidate Richard Reinhardt is suing opponent Julie Ensor for defamation. Expect sunny weather today, with a shower…

Last night, 42nd district House of Delegates candidates discussed their platforms and differences at a candidates forum on the Towson University campus. The audience in the Recital Hall included residents, former elected official, at least two candidates and a surprising number of students. Be on the lookout for two debates next week: one between state Sen. James Brochin and Republican challenger Kevin Carney, and the other a District 5 County Council debate between Democrat Mike Ertel and Republican David Marks. One of the most heated races in the state, of course, is between Gov. Martin O'…

Last night, your Patch team went to the county executive debate at UMBC in Arbutus. Unlike other debates lately, the most common phrase heard was probably "I agree." For those of you following at home, there's another debate—or rather, a candidates' forum—at Towson University's Center for the Arts tonight. The six candidates for the 42nd district House of Delegates seat will discuss the issues affecting people in Towson, Lutherville-Timonium and other towns in the 42nd. The forum in the Recital Hall starts at 7 p.m. Towson University will move its popular (among students) and much-maligned (…

Yesterday, Maryland's major gubernatorial candidates held a debate in the studios of WJZ-TV. It was their first debate and the first of many debates for local candidates in the next few weeks. For analysis, check with our friends at The Baltimore Sun and WBAL Radio. Tonight, county executive candidates Kevin Kamenetz and Kenneth Holt are holding a debate at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Patch will be there with stories, pictures and video. The 7-Eleven on Joppa Road was the site of an armed robbery early Monday. The suspects were quickly arrested. It's one of several armed …

Towson High's football team is on a roll. Next week they face the defending state champions Eastern Tech. Towson University's Tigers were unsuccessful trying to claw back against James Madison's Dukes as they head into a bye week. Towson University's fall film series has "Never Cry Wolf" tonight. The 1983 film is about a government biologist sent to study savage wolves in the tundra, where he discovers they're not so savage after all. The free screening starts at 7:30 p.m. in Van Bokkelen Auditorium. To the north, Patch's Nick DiMarco took one (or two, or three) for the team and visited …

Just south of the city line, the Senator Theatre has been surrounded by drama as gripping (depending on who you ask) as the movies it played. Last night, its new bosses publicly unveiled their plans for the place, including a restaurant, crepe shop and second screen. In Dundalk, county police made their largest marijuana bust ever. When I asked at a Towson press conference what they plan to do with all that pot on display, somebody in BCPD's media relations department said, "Destroy it." Presumably, that means burning it. Hopefully, it doesn't turn out like this. Weather? Mid-70s straight …

  The famed Senator Theatre, just south of the city line in Govans, is back under new management and set to reopen next Friday for its first film, "Red," starring Bruce Willis. We don't have the server space to go into the whole saga from an April 2009 foreclosure to this point (I covered it for another publication at the time), but suffice it to say it took a while. The new owners will hold a community meeting to officially announce their plans tonight. Mary J. Blige dropped by Towson yesterday to promote her new line of sunglasses. We have photos. Temperatures are on their way back up, …

  On Tuesday, Baltimore County officials celebrated a drop in crime in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period last year. For Towson, though, not a whole lot is really different. We found that area crime statistics changed only slightly, but still placed the neighborhood squarely in the middle of the road compared to other precincts. Sister Helen Prejean spoke Tuesday night at Goucher College. We have video. Go check it out! The Senior Expo continues for a second day in Timonium. Our friends at Timonium Patch have the story. R&B star Mary J. Blige will be at the Towson Macy's…

Last night, the County Council voted on and passed laws that, among other things, ban a substance called "spice" and limit hours so-called hucksters can operate. Sister Helen Prejean, an anti-death penalty activist (and yes, a nun), will give a talk in Goucher College's Athenaeum tonight. Tickets must be reserved through Goucher's website and cost $10 for outside visitors. Accuweather predicts the rainy weather will continue off and on until Wednesday evening. The good news, forecasters say, is that we can expect nearly a week of fewer clouds and high 60s to mid 70s through the middle of next…