In Delaware, yet another well-heeled utility intends to bleed customers. Delmarva Power, part of Pepco Holdings, which made $288 million in profit last year — plans to increase residential electric bills by 59 percent; power bills at some businesses could double, the Wilmington News-Journal reports …

In Annapolis, call it protectionism or call it preservation of a way of life. And call it a win for farmers, who would enjoy a break from low-bid procurement laws under House-passed legislation to allow state schools, hospitals and prisons to buy higher-priced produce in Maryland rather than cheaper food from out of state …

Polling Update: What’s the most important problem in Anne Arundel County? That’s easy: Growth and over-development, said the latest survey from Anne Arundel Community College’s Center for the Study of Local Issues. Next on the list were general economic concerns, followed by education and crime …

Polling Update II. Gov. Robert Ehrlich looked somewhat strong at this early juncture in the Anne Arundel Community College, leading his closest Democratic challenger. But there were warning signs, notably fellow Republican George W. Bush’s plummeting approval rating — down to 37 percent …

In Annapolis, gubernatorial election years mean sunny beach days ahead for Ocean City, where major beach replenishment projects are on the same four-year calendar. The Board of Public Works just approved $4.25 million this year to pump some 900,000 cubic yards of sand from the ocean’s floor onto the beach to protect the barrier island metropolis from 100-year storm damage …

Our Creature Feature comes from here at home, where bruins are unfairly bearing the brunt of the blame for crop damage in Maryland. Black bears do less harm than groundhogs, geese or deer. According to the Maryland Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, deer are the main culprits, grazing 83 percent of total crop damage by wildlife. Trailing far behind are resident geese, responsible for 6.4 percent, and migrating geese at 5.8 percent. Groundhogs chomp and chew 2.1 percent. Browsing bears only account for 0.9 percent of crop losses …