🍦Severna Park native gets huge MLB contract

Good morning, Annapolis. If this weekend hits 80º, we’re declaring it flip-flop season. No take-backs.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Brand new Weekend Preview

• Our favorite April Fool’s joke

• An important update on leaf blowers

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

THE DIGEST

Local kid Jackson Merrill is getting PAID in the MLB ⚾️

The San Diego Padres locked in rising baseball star and Severna Park native Jackson Merrill, signing the 21-year-old to a nine-year, $135 million extension. Merrill has recorded a hit in every game this seasons and leads the team with six RBIs. With incentives, the deal could reach $204 million. The son of two elementary school teachers (Merrill’s mom teaches at Severna Park Elementary btw), Jackson said any contract would be more than he could ever spend.

Merrill’s love for the game and commitment to the club make him a franchise cornerstone. As he puts it, “I’m here to win.” The Padres are definitely swinging for the fences and haven’t lost yet this season. ($)

Time to plug in the leaf blowers 🍂

We didn’t publish this on April Fool’s Day because we didn’t want you to think it was a joke. Because it’s not. All leaf blowers used in the City of Annapolis must now be electric. Technically they’ve had to be since January 1 but fines were postponed until Tuesday. So what’s the fine? $100 for your first offense, $200 for every one thereafter.

Btw, just because your address says Annapolis, doesn’t mean you live in the city limits. That’s the gray area on the map below. Everything else is governed by Anne Arundel County rules, which does allow gas leaf blowers.

Annapolis mourns fire victim 🙏

Anne Arundel FD responded to a fire at the high-rise Claiborne Place Apartments Tuesday. Although there was smoke in the 10th floor hallway, the sprinkler system contained the fire to just one unit.

Our hearts go out to the friends and family of John Wesley Blunt, the 74-year-old victim of the fire who firefighters found dead in his home when they arrived. Investigators said the fire was caused by smoking while using a medical oxygen tank.

👉 Worth remembering: Never smoke while using an oxygen unit because oxygen-rich environments increase the risk of fast-spreading, intense fires.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

@NAPTOWNSCOOP

We saw lots of April Fool’s jokes on Instagram Tuesday. Some were funny. Some were a good effort. And some should have stayed in your social media manager’s head. Our favorite was this one from Annapolis Boat Shows.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to the Annapolis Boat Shows lineup. In September of 2026, over 300 automobiles will be making their way to Annapolis City Dock for the Annapolis Car Show!

After over five decades of organizing the nation's leading outdoor boat shows, ABS is branching out to create the world's first in-water car show. We'll be bringing the latest and greatest models into the heart of downtown Annapolis - along with free driving seminars, live music, and local vendors. More information will be made available in the coming months. In the meantime, you can visit our website for the latest updates on our upcoming events.

Tag @NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

SPONSORED BY SCARBOROUGH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Four Spring Cleaning Tasks for Your Money

If you don’t review spending habits regularly, your finances can get messy.

For many, spring means opening windows, sweeping the dust out and cleaning up clutter that has built up over winter. While you’re freshening up your home, consider these four ways to also tidy up your finances. You may be surprised at what’s hiding in your accounts, inboxes, financial documents and tax returns.

1. Maintain a diversified portfolio

2. Don’t spend more than you can afford

3. Save for retirement

4. Maintain a consistent investment behavior.

Just like spring cleaning, it's important to check in with your budget and investments from time to time, and if necessary get help from a financial professional like Scarborough Capital Management.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

We’re trying something new here. More events with shorter descriptions and a featured event (right below). Let us know if you like it or hate it, please.

A celebration of Asian American heritage like no other in Anne Arundel County. Delicious Asian cuisine of many styles, performances from talented artists, and fun activities for the whole family. Everyone’s welcome.

FRIDAY 4TH 🧃 🧘 🎪
Spring Refresh + Renew, DTA - Annapolis Juice Shop and groundswell yoga help you spring clean your body. 6pm.

Cirque du Paris, Annapolis - A traditional French-style circus from one of France’s biggest circus families has set up the big top at Annapolis Mall. Runs through April 13.

SATURDAY 5TH 🧑‍🎨 🐔 🏆 📄 🐰
Artists’ Open Studios Tours, AACo - Dozens of artists open the the doors to their inner sanctums. Also on Sunday.

Chicken Wing Festival, Crownsville - The best wings around, axe throwing and contests, and bands. 11 AM – 7 PM.

Annapolis Cup, St. John’s College - Champagne, floral bonnets, and croquet: the true harbingers of springtime in Annapolis. Noon – 6 PM.

Paper Shredding Event, Annapolis - Release yourself of that which does not serve you. 8 AM –noon.

Adult Easter Egg Event, Annapolis - Not just jellybeans. Some prizes actually include alcohol so naturally, 21+ only. Bring a flashlight. 8 PM.

SUNDAY 6TH 🎺 🐲
USNA Trident Brass, DTA - The Naval Academy’s jazz and swing band performs in the William Paca Garden. 1 – 3 PM.

Asian American Festival, Crownsville - Asian food, dragon dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and much more. 11 AM.

Healthy Anne Arundel Day waives park fees this Tuesday

Celebrate World Health Day on April 7 by getting outside and enjoying some of the incredible parks in Anne Arundel County . . . for my favorite price – nothing! The initiative is a county-wide effort to encourage all of us to move, get outside, reduce stress, and improve both physical and mental health.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

Thursday

76 🌡️ 61 | ☁️ | 19% | SSW 18 mph (17 knots)

Friday

64 🌡️ 55 | 🌦️ | 35% | 💨 NNE 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 52ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

49 West | Jeff Antoniuk & Helluvaband | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | Ted Garber | 6:30–9:30 PM
Dark Horse | Dan Haas Duo | 9 PM
Killarney House | Steve McCoy | 6–9 PM
Market House | Suzy and Alex | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Victorie & Steve | 4:30 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM

Friday

49 West | Tom Mitchell & Friends | 8–10 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Nate Finn & All You Need | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Michael McHenry Tribe | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | Ciaran Quinn | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Christopher Dean | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Michael Ferro | 5–8 PM
Galway Bay | SVV Duo | 7–10 PM
Killarney House | Peter James | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Andy B | 8–11 PM
Market House | Moran Trip Trio | 8:30–11:30 PM
Middleton Tavern | Noelle & Jeff Band | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Luke Borchelt | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Al Di Meola - Electric Band | 6:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Aaron Hawkins | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Before Sunset | 10 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Fizz | 7 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Pro Day for Navy football 🏈

12 scouts from 10 NFL teams were at USNA last week for what’s known as Pro Day — a day for senior football players to show what they can do. Rayuan Lane (safety), Daba Fofana (fullback), Dashaun Peele (cornerback), Justin Reed (defensive end), Colin Ramos (inside linebacker), and Riley Riethman (punter) underwent evaluation for the scouts.

These tryouts are especially impressive for players at a service academy. Most college players with pro aspirations take the spring semester off to train. Navy students can’t do that. A few of the seniors are now being considered by NFL teams. ($)

This brings up a hot topic we’d love your opinion on. . .

Navy’s new basketball coach ⚓️ 🏀

Navy officially handed Jon Perry the head coach clipboard for men’s basketball. Perry just completed his 12th season at Navy, serving as associate head coach before becoming interim head coach last week after Ed DeChellis announced his retirement. He spent 24 seasons coaching or playing for DeChellis.

Perry’s first big play? Convincing star guard Austin Benigni — who recently entered the transfer portal — to stay. With a strong returning lineup and momentum from a deep Patriot League tournament run, Perry aims to keep Navy winning. “We’re putting our heads down and pushing forward,” he said. The ball is now in his court. ($)

Past results

Baseball (16-13)
4/2 vs. Maryland Eastern Shore | W 7–6 (11 innings)

Upcoming games

Men's Lacrosse (6-4)
4/4 vs. Lafayette | 7 PM

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with your friend who loves trying new restaurants and always “forgets” to Venmo after you pick up the check.