A law student with student loans to pay off, Kevin Gracie had a friend pay for his ticket to the Baltimore Orioles-Boston Red Sox game Aug. 19.

Gracie, 24, of Ellicott City, is more than grateful. He became the 50 millionth fan to enter Oriole Park at Camden Yards, a distinction that won him $50,000 and season tickets to Orioles games for the next five years.

"It still hasn't set in," Gracie said the following day. "People give me grief because I'm an O's fan, because my friends are from New York. Now, it finally paid off."

Gracie, a 2002 graduate of Mt. Hebron High School, was given the check in an on-field presentation before the game. In addition to the cash prize and season tickets, Gracie was awarded a seat upgrade for the game for him and his three friends, limousine service for the evening and a commemorative jersey with "50" on the back.

An avid Orioles fan who goes to about 20 games a season, Gracie said his aunt first introduced him to baseball when he was about 5 years old. He still remembers the last game at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 6, 1991. The Orioles moved into Camden Yards the next season.

A student at the University of Baltimore School of Law, Gracie said he intends to use the money to pay off student loans.

He also plans to pay back the friend, Ben Reisz of Catonsville, who bought him the ticket for Tuesday's game. Gracie, at the time, had only $6 in his pocket.

--Kaitlyn Seith

Police to get tough on drivers in school zones

In conjunction with the start of a new school year Aug. 25, Howard County police plan to crack down on drivers who speed, fail to stop for school buses or break other traffic laws in school zones.

Through a program called H.A.S.T.E., which stands for Helping Arriving Students Through Enforcement, police hope to raise awareness of traffic safety around schools. Police will be stationed at elementary, middle and high schools for the first two weeks of the school year, according to a news release from the police department.

In addition to ticketing speeders, officers in unmarked cars will follow some school buses to make sure drivers stop when a bus turns on its red flashing lights, according to the release. Failing to stop for a school bus carries a $570 fine.

Officers also will be checking cars to make sure children are placed properly in safety seats or are wearing seat belts, according to police.

As in the past, students applying for school parking permits will have to attend a police-run traffic safety seminar with their parents. Other traffic safety programs aimed at students are planned throughout the school year.

-- Derek Simmonsen

Fast runners to slow Ellicott City traffic

Drivers can expect delays on several roads in the county Aug. 24 because of a triathlon, according to Howard County police.

The Aflac Iron Girl Columbia Women's Triathlon will take place at Centennial Park in Ellicott City and along area roadways.

Residents might experience delays of 20 to 30 minutes between 6 a.m. and noon on the following roads: Rt. 108, Homewood Road, Folly Quarter Road, Carroll Mill Road, Mount Albert Road, Cantor Lane, Jumpers Hill Road and Triadelphia Road.

Event organizers are anticipating about 1,500 participants, according to police.

-- Derek Simmonsen

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