Author: eastbaltco

BCPS Schools Stay Open; Extracurricular Activities Canceled


Baltimore County Public Schools sent out an email to parents on Monday morning stated that the school system will remain open for in-person at this time, but announced all before and after school non-athletic extracurricular activities will be suspended from Wednesday, Dec. 22 through Friday, Jan. 7.
All athletic events will be continue during scheduled school days, but all sporting events will be canceled during Winter Break.

BCPS Superintendent Darryl L. Williams released the following statement in an email.

“The sharp increase in positive cases and rapid spread of COVID-19 across the county, state, and country is deeply concerning, and I know many of you are worried about what it means for our school system and our efforts to keep our school buildings open and provide in-person learning for our students five days a week. I want to be clear—the health and safety of the Baltimore County Public Schools’ (BCPS) community remains our top priority. The decisions we make as a school system, while navigating the complexities of this ongoing pandemic, are guided by our commitment to ensure the health and wellness of our students and staff. We also know that for most of our students, their academic and social-emotional needs are best met when they are in person.

“As a result of our comprehensive COVID-19 health and safety practices, we can and will maintain in-person learning five days a week for all students. Our school buildings will remain open at this time. However, we cannot ignore the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases in Baltimore County, which have led to an increased number of cases in our schools in recent weeks. We will implement the following measures immediately to ensure we can continue to keep our school buildings open for teaching and learning:

“All in-person, before and after school non-athletic extracurricular activities are suspended from Wednesday, December 22, 2021, through Friday, January 7, 2022. This includes clubs, programs, and in-person tutoring. Schools are encouraged to transition to virtual meetings if possible. Community use of school buildings, including daycare programs, can continue as scheduled.

“Athletic practices and games may continue as scheduled given that student athletes are required to provide proof of vaccination or participate in weekly testing as a condition for participation. All games during the Winter Break (December 23, 2021 – January 2, 2022) are cancelled; optional masked practices are allowed. Beginning Monday, December 20, 2021, if a team has three or more active positive COVID-19 cases, team activities will be paused for 14 days. We want to remind all members of the community attending our games that masks are always required.

“In cases where the Baltimore County Department of Health identifies an outbreak and there is concern about increased spread of COVID-19 in a specific school, BCPS will work with health officials to determine next steps in accordance with the BCPS Response to Shifting Metrics.
BCPS will only close all schools and move to districtwide virtual instruction if required to do so by local and/or state government officials. The district will continue to work closely with the Baltimore County Department of Health to monitor cases in our schools. We will provide an update on our efforts by Thursday, December 30, 2021.
Next Steps and How You Can Help

“This is a rapidly changing situation and we need your continued support and partnership. In an effort to proactively prepare for any county and/or state ordered change to school operations, we ask that all students and staff bring their devices and chargers home for the winter break. We hold weekly meetings with health experts from the Baltimore County Department of Health, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Maryland to evaluate COVID-19 metrics and review our health and safety strategies as we respond to changing conditions. Here are some additional steps you can take to help us keep school buildings open for in-person instruction:

“* Get vaccinated. If you were vaccinated before May 2021 or you have only received a single dose of the J & J vaccine prior to October 2021, please consider getting a booster dose.
* Stay home if you are sick and get tested if exposed to someone who has tested positive for the Coronavirus.
* Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth at all times whenever you are in a BCPS building or school facility.
* Wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.

“If you are gathering or traveling for the holidays, please follow the safety recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As we prepare to close for the winter break, we ask that all staff and students bring their devices and chargers home for the break.”

Dundalk Man Arrested in Porch Package Theft


A Dundalk man was arrested in Harford County and charged in a porch package theft.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office reported an arrest was made after packages were stolen from the Belcamp area.

John Brock, 37, was arrested at his Dundalk home on Thursday night.

Brock was taken to the Harford County Detention Center where he was charged on multiple counts of theft.

He was later released on his own recognizance after his initial appearance with the District Court Commissioner.

The investigation is continuing, and additional charges are still pending.

Arrest Made in Nov. 21 Eastern Ave. Shooting


Detectives arrested 51-year-old Murkey Spruill and 23-year-old Dandre Cannon in connection to a shooting that occurred on Nov. 21, in the 2100 block of Eastern Avenue in Middle River

Spruill and Cannon have been charged with attempted first degree murder and first degree assault. Both suspects are being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

Police Release Victim’s Names From Kingsville Fatal Crash


Officers from the Baltimore County Police Crash Team continue to investigate a fatal crash that occurred on Saturday, Dec. 11 along Belair Road and Sheradale Drive in Kingsville.

A preliminary investigation indicates at approximately 12:20 a.m., a 2020 Toyota RAV4, operated by 30-year-old Sunil Baraili was traveling southbound on Belair Road. 47-year-old Maurice Harris, who was also operating a 2020 Toyota RAV4, was traveling northbound.

The two vehicles collided near the intersection of Belair Road and Sheradale Drive.

Paramedics transported Harris to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Paramedics pronounced Baraili deceased at the scene.

Two passengers in the Toyota RAV4 operated by Baraili were transported to area hospitals for treatment. This crash remains under investigation by members of the Baltimore County Police Crash Team.

BCPS Releases Statement on TikTok Threat


Baltimore County Public School released a statement about a TikTok threat against schools across the nation on Thursday, Dec. 16.

“The safety of all students, staff, and visitors at Baltimore County Public Schools remains a top priority. Since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, members of the Baltimore County Police Department, including school resource officers (SROs), have investigated more than 75 threats made both in person or on social media.”

“Baltimore County Public Schools and the Baltimore County Police Department remain committed to investigating each threat to ensure our youth are provided a safe learning environment in which they can receive a quality education. Both agencies will work in collaboration with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute these cases when warranted.

“Parents and guardians are urged to be vigilant. It is critical that social media accounts are checked regularly, and that the importance of acting responsibly is stressed. Please remind your children that if they see something, say something. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is urged to call 911 as well as notify their school resource officer and administrator. Social media threats should not be forwarded unless instructed to do so by a police officer or school official/administrator.”

Eastern Tech Senior Named a Semi-Finalist by Coca-Cola


Faith LeBrun, a senior at Eastern Technical High School, has been named one of 1,617 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists for 2022.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation program honors students for their academic excellence, leadership, and service in their schools and communities. The semifinalists were selected from among more than 68,000 applicants from across the nation. Next, 250 semifinalists will advance to become regional finalists, and then 150 of the regional finalists will become Coca-Cola Scholars, receiving $20,000 college scholarships.

LeBrun is president of Eastern Tech’s Class of 2022; president of her school’s National English Honor Society chapter; co-founder and editor-in-chief of EDEN, the school’s first-ever literary magazine; and a leader of the school’s Red Cross Society.

Enrolled in the Teacher Academy of Maryland program at Eastern Tech, LeBrun launched a Better Minds Tutoring business during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a project for her community leadership class at Eastern Tech, LeBrun’s latest initiative is Women Who Lead, a blog and podcast about the experiences, struggles, and achievements of female leaders.

In addition. LeBrun serves as a marketing advisor with the organization Alumni Answers, through which students at prestigious universities share their strategies for academic success. LeBrun plans to attend a four-year college and pursue a career in business, perhaps as a business consultant or entrepreneur, with some involvement in real estate.

“Faith is an intellectually curious young lady who is mature beyond her years,” said Stacey Kalwa, Eastern Tech’s English department chair. “She views things from multiple perspectives and approaches problems without preconceived notions.”

“I work with Faith daily in several capacities, and this girl is unstoppable,” said Erin Annis, Eastern Tech’s library media specialist (who serves as staff advisor to EDEN and the National English Honor Society and teaches LeBrun in an AP Research course). “She is a natural leader — she is perceptive, forward-thinking, and the true definition of ‘girl-boss.’ She doesn’t just come up with great ideas or acknowledge what needs to be done; she executes. She is one of a kind.”

A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2022 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,600 Coca-Cola Scholars nationwide with more than $78 million in scholarships over the course of 34 years.

Speed Enforcement Added to I-95 in White Marsh


In coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and Maryland State Police (MSP) Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will deploy ASE equipment for construction activities on I-95 in White Marsh.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 20, ASE equipment will be deployed on northbound I-95 near mile marker No. 67.5. The equipment will be used to deter speeding in the work zones currently in place along this stretch of I-95. Advance warning signs are in place prior to the work zone to alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use and a “speed trailer” will be on site to display drivers’ speeds.

After a 21-day warning period, the MSP will authorize citations starting Monday, January 10. By law, if a vehicle is recorded traveling at a specified rate or more over the posted speed limit – the posted speed is 65 mph at this location – a $40 fine will be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Maryland SafeZones’ goal is to slow drivers and make work zones safer environments for work crews, drivers and passengers. Even when workers are not present, work zones can be dangerous due to uneven pavement, lane shifts, reduced shoulders and other modifications. For more information on the program, visit safezones.maryland.gov.

The current work is part of the MDTA’s $1.1 billion I-95 Express Toll Lanes Northbound Extension program to relieve congestion and improve travel along the I-95 Corridor into Harford County. Construction began in May 2021 on the major project to widen northbound I-95 between MD 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) and MD 152 (Mountain Road) to make way for the ETL extension, which is expected to open to traffic by 2024 to MD 152, with the full extension to north of MD 24 open to traffic by 2027.

View real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways by visiting mdta.maryland.gov. For real-time updates on major incidents follow MDTA on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA and on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA

Shooting Reported Tinker Rd in Middle River


Baltimore County police officers responded to the 700 block of Tinker Road in Middle River in reference to a call of “shots fired.” on Sunday, Dec. 12, at approximately 10:20 p.m.

When officers arrived, they located 19-year-old Dominick Hill suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics transported Hill to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

As homicide detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident, they are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland at 1-866-7LOCKUP. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Two People Die in Saturday Morning Crash in Kingsville


-photo courtesy of Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company/M. Tomko-

The Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company reported a motor vehicle crash on Saturday after midnight with entrapment in the area of the Gunpowder Lodge on Belair Road. The accident resulted in two deaths.

According to reports, crews arrived at Belair Road and Sheradale Drive with a two car crash that saw with three people trapped. One person was deemed in grave condition upon arrival while all others patients had life threatening injuries.

In under 15 minutes, all patients were extricated from the vehicles and were transported to regional trauma centers. Unfortunately, one person died on the way to the hospital. Both of the other patients remain in critical condition.