Drug Enforcement Advocacy Group Lauds Indiana Program

The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI)—a nonprofit organization based in Lutherville that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of drug diversion—applauded data showing the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) in Indiana is blocking illegal sales of medications containing pseudoephedrine (PSE).

"The data released by the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) shows recently passed legislation in Indiana putting in place a real-time, stop-sale system is already having a positive impact in the battle against methamphetamine," said Charles F. Cichon, executive director of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI).

"In less than six months, NPLEx has blocked the sale of more than 17,000 boxes of products containing pseudoephedrine from being sold illegally in Indiana for a total of more than 38,000 grams potentially being kept off the street. And while there is still some work to do to complete Indiana's deployment in every pharmacy and retail store selling products containing pseudoephedrine, electronic technology is proving it works in Indiana and blocks illegal sales, while ensuring law-abiding citizens with colds and allergies can access the popular and reliable medicines they need."

Universal Security Instruments Launches Plug-In Carbon Monoxide/Natural Gas Alarms

Two new plug-in carbon monoxide alarm models manufactured by Universal Security Instruments, Inc., based in Owings Mills, are now on the market in the United States.

The low-profile, compact alarm models, which plug directly into home electrical outlets, use a single sensor to detect the presence of both carbon monoxide and natural gas (methane).

"We are excited to introduce these new products to the U.S. retail market," said Harvey Grossblatt, chief executive officer. "We expect that Universal's new plug-in Carbon Monoxide alarms will be a significant growth driver for our company next year. We believe that being able to offer a dual-sensing gas detector at a cost which is similar to the current market for single gas detectors creates a compelling value for the consumer."

NVR's Ryan Homes Debuts New Mozart Townhome Model in Owings Mills

Owings Mills, MD--NVR, Inc., owner of homebuilding and mortgage banking companies, has introduced the Mozart, a new townhome model built by NVR's Ryan Homes division, at the Park Place development in Owings Mills.

Chesapeake Urology Associates Earns National Ranking as Quality Employer

Owings Mills, MD--Modern Healthcare magazine has named Chesapeake Urology Associates, a medical group based in Owings Mills with locations throughout greater Baltimore, to the annual Best Places to Work in Healthcare list.

Systems Alliance Hires Legg Mason IT Executive

Hunt Valley, MD--Systems Alliance, a Web and IT consulting firm based in Hunt Valley, has announced that Legg Mason IT executive Tom Shipley will join the company as vice president in January.

Leader of Private School in Owings Mills Honored By International Dyslexia Association

Ben Shifrin, Head of Jemicy School in Owings Mills, was inducted November 16 to the Hall of Fame of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), during a ceremony at the IDA headquarters in Towson.

New Sign Production Shop Opens in Reisterstown

Reisterstown, MD--Organizations in the Reisterstown area have a new, local option for their signage and graphics needs: a SIGNARAMA store at 11630 Reisterstown Road.

What Are Your Small Business Saturday Plans?

If your small business in Upper Baltimore County is actively participating in the Small Business Saturday initiative sponsored by American Express, we'd like to hear from you. What are you doing to encourage local consumers to include you in their holiday shopping plans the day after Black Friday? Are you using materials and tactics that American Express and their co-sponsors are providing? Are you promoting your Small Business Saturday efforts on social media? Are you holding a Small Business Saturday sale? Let us know at editor@upper-baltimore-business.com, and hopefully we'll be able to feature your comments in a story on Small Business Saturday in the Upper Baltimore County Business Bulletin!

A New License for Mid-Atlantic Gutters

Upperco, MD--Mid-Atlantic Gutters, Inc., of Upperco, has been awarded a license to sell and install the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System® produced by K-Guard LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio.

Local Web/IT Firm Upgrades University's Online Presence

Image via WikipediaHunt Valley, MD--Systems Alliance, a firm that helps clients build, assess and optimize online properties, has launched a newly redesigned Web site for Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Upper Baltimore County Business Bulletin Nominated for 2011 Mobbie Award as Best Baltimore County News Blog

Image via WikipediaThe Upper Baltimore County Business Bulletin has been nominated for a 2011 Mobbie Award, in a competition sponsored by the Baltimore Sun to honor the best Maryland blogs.

Conducted annually since 2009, the competition includes awards for blogs and social media sites that are either operated by Marylanders or that focus topically or geographically on Maryland or areas within the state.

Sinclair Acquires Eight TV Stations in Seven Markets

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the television broadcast company headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, has announced an agreement to purchase the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications, owner and operator of eight television stations in seven markets.

Hunt Valley Biotech Firm Fights Foodborne Pathogens

Hunt Valley, MD--In a report on a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation of a recent outbreak of Listeria from contaminated cantaloupes, KCNC-TV CBS4 News (Denver, CO) featured disinfectant products of the Hunt Valley biotechnology firm Sterilex as potentially life-saving chemicals.

When used at food processing facilities, the products help prevent Listeria growth.

According to Sterilex, the product line has a unique ability to kill resistant organisms such as Listeria living within protective biofilm.

Hamilton Federal Bank Wins Multiple Honors

In a banking world dominated by too-big-to-fail institutions, locally based Hamilton Federal is already noteworthy for having remained an independent community business for nearly a century.

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology Wins New Directions Award

Towson, MD--County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has honored EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with the 2011 Baltimore County New Directions Award, which recognizes businesses that exemplify the quality and future direction of the county's business community.

UK Private Auto Sales Firm Opens Branch in Owings Mills

webuyanycar.com, a company based in the United Kingdom that assists consumers seeking to sell their used personal automobiles on the private market, has chosen Owings Mills, Maryland, as the location of one of its first branches in the U.S.

Monkton Firm Partners with California Tech Company to Provide Social Business Platform

Monkton, MD--Gateway Technical Services, based in Monkton, has entered a solution partnership with Nimble, a social media solutions developer in Santa Monica, California.

The Nimble Social Business Platform combines relationship management and social engagement in a Web-based solution that makes contact management easier by integrating LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google, and email contacts and conversations.

McCormick Marks Hispanic Heritage Month with Donation

Image via WikipediaSparks, MD--McCormick & Company based in Sparks, has presented a donation of $30,000 to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), for a scholarship fund supporting Latino students in the culinary arts. The company presented the donation at a community open house at the institute's San Antonio campus. 

Hunt Valley Payroll Provider Launches New Features

Hunt Valley, MD--Custom Payroll Services, an independent payroll provider based in Hunt Valley, has announced Dashboard Navigator, an enhancement to a set of product features designed to control, manage, and reduce labor costs.

McCormick Appoints First Chief Science Officer to Spearhead Flavor R&D

Sparks, MD--McCormick & Company, Incorporated, has appointed Dr. Hamed Faridi, a noted food scientist researcher and 14-year veteran of the Sparks-based corporation, to the new position of Chief Science Officer. According to a statement from McCormick, Faridi's appointment emphasizes the company's focus on flavor innovation and inspiring healthy choices.