Man Shot in Rosedale Monday Night


Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting in Rosedale Monday night that left one man injured.

Officers responded to a call for a shooting just before 9:30 p.m. on November 23, where they located the victim outside of the townhomes in the unit block of Breslin Court in Rosedale.

The victim, an adult man, was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower body. He is expected to survive his injuries. The suspect(s) left the scene prior to police arrival.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are still investigating the motive for this crime. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call 410-307-2020.

Essex Fire Reported on Villa Capri Circle


Baltimore County Fire Department reported a house fire in the 100 block of Villa Capri Circle in Essex Monday night. Crews were on the scene with a fire showing from second floor of a residential house on Nov. 23 at 10:30 p.m.

The fire was reported extinguished at 10:48 p.m.

All residents were rescued safely with no injuries reported.

Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting This Sunday


The Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting will be held this Sunday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Poplar Place Center at the corner of Wise Avenue and Merritt Boulevard.

This is a completely outdoor event and face coverings and social distancing are required. Santa, the Grinch and live horses will be there.

The event is being hosted by the Eastern Regional LIONS CLUB.

For more information, go to the Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting Facebook page.

Overnight House Fire Reported in Edgemere


-photo courtesy of Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page-

Baltimore County Fire Department reported a residential fire on Sparrows Point Road in Edgemere on Saturday around 12:42 a.m.

Crews reported the single family home was fully envolved and there were reports of partial collapse.

Crews were fighting the fire from outside the structure.

No injuries were reported and the fire was under control at 2:21 a.m.

Person Injured in Perry Hall Basement Fire


White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company reported crews were on scene of a dwelling fire in the 9000 block of Kilbride Road on the corner of Ebenezer Road in Perry Hall.

The fire started Thursday, Nov. 19 before 9 a.m.

The fire department stated one person was trapped by later rescued from the home.

“EMS was able to care for patient removed from fire. Patient is now conscious and alert and being transported to an area hospital in stable, non-life threatening condition,” said a statement from Baltimore County.

The fire was placed under control in the basement.

Middle River Boat Parade Returns for 2020


The Middle River Parade of Lighted Boats will kick off the Holiday Season by lighting up Middle River area with the best display of boats in the area on Saturday, Nov. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The parade is in its 20th year and takes place in the Wilson Point area and can be seen at the waterfront restaurants in that area.

The parade could be watched from Wilson Point Park in previous years, but there is no word if the park will be available for viewing with social distance guidelines.

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/mrboatparade

BCPS Educators Honored with District Arts Awards


Six Baltimore County Public Schools teachers and one principal have been recognized with district awards from the BCPS Office of Visual Arts through the Maryland Art Education Association (MAEA). In addition, two BCPS visual arts teachers have been nominated for state recognition.

Since they cannot be honored in person at this time, the Office of Visual Arts surprised the honorees with the news during virtual faculty meetings, classroom pop-ins, and post-observation meetings. The award recipients will be formally honored by MAEA at event to be held in 2021.

“We are honored to recognize these amazing educators for their service and dedication to their students, schools, and field of art education,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS coordinator of visual arts. “Each of them truly understands the power of art to shape human potential.”

A list of BCPS teachers to be honored with district recognition follows – along with comments about them from Fisher and BCPS visual arts supervisor Ryan Twentey:

BCPS Career Art Teachers of the Year

Marta Biddinger, Deer Park Elementary School

“Always a step ahead, Marta Biddinger has recreated her entire teaching process in this virtual environment but did so without changing any of her style! … Marta’s leadership in her school and throughout the visual arts education community has been crucial this year, testing software and developing video tutorials and universal classroom management tips and techniques for new and veteran teachers alike.” – Twentey

Molly Schappel, Perry Hall Middle School
“Molly makes things happen! For the past seven years, she has championed and developed one of the most beloved service-learning programs in BCPS art classes, Kindness for Paws. Through Molly’s partnership with the MDSPCA and leadership, students throughout BCPS and beyond submit artwork of adopted animals. Last year over 4,000 student artworks were donated. … She is a true champion of the power art has to inform and improve the lives of others.” – Fisher

Ginger Cain, Kenwood High School
“As department chair of a large department…, Ginger manages a multitude of tasks with grace and respect, directing objectives while encouraging and motivating others to go beyond what they thought they could do. … Ginger has brought the same thoughtfulness and dedication to curriculum writing, having built a significant part of this year’s remote learning units to compassionately connect with students … regardless of the situation they may be in.”– Twentey

BCPS Novice Art Teachers of the Year
Natovian McLeod, Colgate Elementary School
“In her first five years with BCPS, she has quickly become a model teacher, working as a curriculum writer and leader in incorporating contemporary art in the elementary art room. This year she launched B.A.T.A., an affinity group for art teachers of color in BCPS. Natovian has presented on anti-racist and culturally responsive practices in art at the district and state levels to resounding praise.” – Fisher

Christina Snyder, General John Stricker Middle School
“Her classroom manner with students is honest and engaging. She helps students find their voice in the art room, honors their differences, and makes learning fun. She brings this knowledge and connectedness to her work in curriculum development and mentorship. In her first five years with BCPS, her joyful work ethic has made her a tremendous asset to our community.” – Fisher

Ariana Mygatt, Parkville High School
“Bringing new views to students and opening the way they perceive the world around them has been at the forefront of Ariana’s teaching ever since she came to BCPS. Her commitment to her students’ ability to be independent artists flows through every interaction, giving them the knowledge and skills they need to see hidden messages and contexts that truly direct and guide their lives.” – Fisher

BCPS Administrator of the Year

Dwight (Jerry) Easterly, Battle Monument School
“The challenges of leading a public special needs school this year are more intense than ever, asking administrators to make informed decisions on topics never before considered. Dwight “Jerry” Easterly takes on these challenges with years of experience, but also an instinctive ability to connect with the students and families of Battle Monument School to what they need most. This understanding recognizes that all K-12 students at Battle Monument need art and the tremendous impact it brings to their happiness and skills development.”– Twentey

Two other BCPS teachers— Taylor Boren of Logan Elementary School and Lindsay Miller of Towson High School – have been nominated by the Visual Arts Office for state awards. Recipients of those awards will be notified in December.

Firefighters Battle Parkville Morning Fire


-photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department-

Baltimore County Fire Department responded to reports of a single family house fire on the 3000 block of Edgewood Avenue in Parkville.

Crews arrived with fire showing from the second floor on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m.

According to the fire department, firefighters entered the structure and successfully knocked the fire. No injuries reported.

Dundalk Building Fire Reported on Merritt


– photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department-
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a commercial building fire at the State Farm building at the corner of Merritt Boulevard and Wise/Holabird avenues in Dundalk.

According to the fire department, crews arrived with fire showing from the rear of location. No injuries or entrapment were reported.

The fire department reported the fire was under control at 8:40 Monday evening.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Golden Ring MS Wins National FARE Award


Golden Ring Middle School is one of only 20 national recipients of a FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) inaugural Collaborator Community Impact Award. Golden Ring Middle is the only grant recipient in Maryland.

“As a health science magnet, our school is committed to informing and improving the health of our students, staff, and community,” said Principal Charlyne Maul. “We start by educating our students via a theme across disciplines and then ask them to use their knowledge to enlighten our community through public service, relationships, and partnerships. So far this school year, our students, staff, and community have participated in a virtual community health fair and breast cancer awareness thematic units. The FARE grant will help us in taking on the new and ubiquitous health issue of food allergies. We are very excited!”

For this grant program, FARE partnered with the National Parent-Teacher Association and National Association of School Nurses to invite their members to apply for funding of up to $750 for food allergy education programming and support in Title I/Title I-eligible schools. Title I schools are defined as schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. These schools receive federal funding to help ensure that all children meet state academic standards.

Golden Ring Middle School will use the funds to create a food allergy ambassador program and purchase resources for the cafeteria, health suite, health classroom, magnet classes, and general education classrooms.

“Food allergies are prevalent in many students at Golden Ring Middle School,” said school nurse Angela D’Alto, BSN, RN. “When I saw a grant available for an education program, I knew this would be beneficial for our students. With the funds we received, in collaboration with the health science magnet teacher, Melissa Swecker, we are going to integrate food allergy awareness into the curriculum in December.”

Through the school’s newly created food allergy ambassador program, students will learn food label reading, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) signs and symptoms, how to administer an EpiPen®, and they will create public service announcements. Students who successfully complete a mini-assessment will become food allergy ambassadors for the school.

“This certification will carry with them through their magnet courses and on to a future career in healthcare,” said D’Alto. “Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency and to have the power to save a life is extraordinary. The opportunity will be available schoolwide through virtual learning opportunities so that any student or teacher can also become a food allergy ambassador.”

“More than 5.6 million children live with potentially life-threatening food allergies – that’s about one in 13 children, or two in every classroom,” said Lisa Gable, chief executive officer of FARE. “A critical part of FARE’s mission is making sure underserved communities have the resources they need. In these under-resourced schools, everyone from teachers to the school nurse to the cafeteria staff plays a role in creating a safe environment for students with food allergies. FARE is committed to doing our part to help everyone better understand this disease, which can be fatal and for which there is no cure.”