Tragedy and treachery marked the week's top headlines this week, starting with the death of firefighter Mark Falkenhan, who died while responding to a blaze in Hillendale Wednesday. The first firefighter to die in the line of duty in the county since 1984, he has since been awarded the medal of honor and a purple heart.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, followed by his burial at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium.

Snow turned to ice Thursday night, leading to slippery roads and at least three single-vehicle accidents along the back roads of Owings Mills and Reisterstown. One incident required the removal of the roof and door of a car so that the victim could be extricated and taken to care via a medevac helicopter.

In other police news, Capt. Matt McElwee announced at the monthly Police Community Relations Council meeting that the Franklin precinct, which serves Owings Mills and Reisterstown, had a "very good year in crime" and that not one burglary has been reported yet in 2011.

In schools, the proposed cuts in the BCPS budget for fiscal year 2011 continued to raise questions. Stevenson University students returned to class Tuesday, but not before some attended a leadership conference that included live karaoke and a talk from the real-life "Hitch" David Coleman.

In sports, sports editor David Snyder gave in-depth coverage as Owings Mills remained unbeaten against New Town while myself and contributor Zach Egolf contributed a photo gallery. Owings Mills wrestling also handled Catonsville in its match Thursday night.

In arts, myself and Arbutus Patch editor Bruce Goldfarb visited Edgar Allen Poe's grave site Tuesday night to await the infamous Poe Toaster, who did not show for the second time in 52 years. Goldfarb has been following the story for more than 25 years and thinks its his fault.

Also, Reisterstown editor Marc Shapiro shared with readers that he leads a double-life as a musician in the Baltimore scene, debuting a column called "Marc's Music Beat." His first installment detailed his connections as well as previewed what music we should look for in 2011, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jamiroquai, Umphrey’s McGee, Fishbone and local bands The Bridge, Lioinze and Future.

Our cooking columnist shared a recipe for a food oddity, beloved on the bayou: turkey necks. Our Lines By Linda columnist gave a humorous account of planning her daughter's bat mitzvah.

In government, our county reporter provided a nice video piece on the ritual to commemorate former county executives with a portrait, this time for Jim Smith. Baltimore County was actually given a slight increase in state aid in the governor's budget proposal.

In Maryland, Gov. O'Malley officially took office for the second time Tuesday and started off with cautious optimism. The state's delegation backed a plan for bipartisan seating at Obama's State of the Union Address.

And in sad kitties, the Feline Rescue Association was at the Owings Mills Petco Saturday for its weekly adoption service. If you're interested in giving an abandoned cat a home, contact the FRA at baltimorecats@gmail.com or call (443) 320-2231.

Until next week, keep up with the site's highlights by watching what I post on Twitter at @OwingsPatch or on Facebook at facebook.com/OwingsMillsPatch.