Author: eastbaltco

Police Confirmed Loud Boom came from APG


Baltimore County Police reported receiving many phone calls about a large boom in Eastern Baltimore County on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.

There have been post on social media post from Perry Hall to Dundalk of people that heard and felt the sounds.

Baltimore County police said Aberdeen Proving Ground was conducting tests.

“Did you hear that? We’ve received some calls & emails asking about “a big boom sound” that many people reported hearing in Eastern Baltimore County. #BCoPD has confirmed the noise originated from APG (Aberdeen Proving Ground),” said a statement from Baltimore County police.

There shared an image (above) from APG.

BCPS Gives Update on Universal Masking


Baltimore County Public Schools staff provided a presentation on universal masking in schools and on Virtual Learning Program registration at a special meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Dr. Monique Wheatley-Phillip, BCPS chief accountability and performance management officer, offered a presentation regarding the school system’s rationale for requiring universal indoor masking for the fall of the 2021-2022 school year for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors in all BCPS schools.

“We are looking forward to having our students back in our classrooms this fall,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams, “but we must acknowledge that the pandemic is not over. We must take the steps that we can to protect the health of our students, staff, and community.”

BCPS staff explained that the universal masking decision is aligned with July 27 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that everyone in K-12 schools wear a mask while indoors regardless of vaccination status. The CDC noted that while “increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains the most effective means to achieve control of the pandemic, additional layered prevention strategies will be needed in the short-term to minimize preventable morbidity and mortality.”

According to BCPS staff, the following factors were considered in instituting universal indoor masking in BCPS schools:
• Emerging evidence suggests that fully vaccinated persons who become infected with the Delta variant are at risk for transmitting it to others.
• From July 1 to July 30, the Baltimore County case rate increased from 4.7 (in the CDC’s low transmission range) to 39.2 (in the CDC’s moderate transmission range). Medical experts have advised BCPS that Baltimore County will likely experience a continued rise in the rate of transmission in August and will likely reach the CDC’s substantial transmission range before mid-month.
• Children under the age of 12 are still not eligible for vaccination.

BCPS staff noted that universal mask wearing is just one of the layered prevention strategies the school system is employing, such as encouraging vaccinations, physical distancing, and handwashing. Staff also shared that universal mask wearing in schools has the support of local leaders including Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch.

The universal masking requirement will end as soon as transmission rates and guidance from health experts support that decision.

The meeting concluded with a response to several public inquiries related to registration for the BCPS Virtual Learning Program. BCPS staff said that BCPS families had the opportunity to register for the program during the last two weeks of May. Then, in response to student needs, the registration window was re-opened from June 4 through July 2. This second deadline, staff explained, was necessary to implement and enforce for planning and staffing purposes. BCPS is no longer accepting enrollments at this time.

USWind to Bring Manufacturing Jobs to Area


– photo courtesy of TradePoint Atlantic-

TradePoint Atlantic (TPA) held a press event on Tuesday to announce that they signed a deal with USWind to bring steel back to the Sparrows Point area.

Manufacturing is coming back to Sparrows Point and TPA said this deal will soon create 500 high quality, good paying, permanent union jobs for skilled workers once again.

Gov. Larry Hogan attended the event and said this announcement is both good for the environment and the economy.

“Expanding offshore wind in Maryland will diversify our economy and energy portfolio,” Hogan said.

“Through US Wind’s continued investment, the revitalization of Sparrows Point will be a shot in the arm for Baltimore, and another milestone for the transformative vision for Tradepoint Atlantic Industrial Complex.”

Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. said that the addition of 500 union jobs could be a “game changer for the area.

“The legacy of Sparrows Point is built on good jobs for our families, and I’m excited about the prospect of the return of manufacturing to this site,” Olszewski said.

“This is a full circle moment that will strengthen communities across our entire region.”

Essex Woman Wins $50,000 in Powerball


It wasn’t the cryptic message in a fortune cookie that inspired a Baltimore County woman into action, but rather the string of numbers the fortune contained.

The third time she played Powerball using those numbers, the 38-year-old won a $50,000 third-tier prize.

The winner, going by the nickname “Shopper’s Retreat,” told Lottery officials that she noticed the lucky numbers shortly after cracking into a fortune cookie. “They just spoke to me,” said the Essex woman.

“Shopper’s Retreat” decided to use the numbers the next time she purchased a Powerball ticket. Although she didn’t win using the fortune cookie’s numbers in two drawings, she persevered.

On July 7, before that night’s drawing, she bought a $2 ticket at One Stop Convenience located at 321 Stemmers Run Road in Essex and again played the numbers. She almost tossed that $50,000-winning ticket by mistake while tidying her home the next day! Luckily, she decided to scan it using the Lottery’s mobile app ticket checker. The ticket matched four of the numbers drawn plus the Powerball to give her the third-tier prize.

When her phone flashed back a quick “Congratulations,” “Shopper’s Retreat” knew she had won! She quickly contacted her sister and mother, showing each of them a screenshot proving her Lottery luck.

The lucky lady is also an entrepreneur. She recently started a rideshare and grocery delivery business called Shopper’s Retreat, which inspired her winning nickname. She said the funds from her Powerball win will provide seed money to help her business grow.

Players have plenty of time to buy tickets for the next Powerball drawing on Saturday, July 24. The jackpot, which keeps rolling, is set for $174 million and the cash option is $125.5 million. In 2021, 33 Maryland players have won $50,000 Powerball prizes.

Middle River Man Pleads Guilty in Delivering Cocaine


The United State Attorney’s Office sent out a press release that a leader of drug trafficking organization was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison that has ties to a Middle River man.

The United State Attorney’s Office revealed that two U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers, Zakiyya Holloman, 35, of Middle River, and Maurice Vaughn, age 34, of Washington, D.C. agreed to divert U.S. Priority Mail parcels, containing cocaine, sent to addresses on their routes, to Russell Stanley; who today was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison; a member of the Stanley DTO in exchange for money.

Holloman was a mail carrier in Prince George’s County.

Holloman serviced a route in Bowie from April 2017 to October 2019, and Vaughn serviced a route in Bowie from July 2018 to October 2019.

As USPS letter carriers, the U.S. Attorney’s office said that Vaughn and Holloman were public officials and were expected, among other things, to deliver each package to the addressee at the proper address and to keep an accurate record of their deliveries.

According to the release, Holloman began diverting packages containing cocaine to Stanley in approximately April 2018, after being introduced to Stanley by a mutual acquaintance.

Holloman received $500 from Stanley for each parcel diverted.

The release also stated that Hollman diverted cocaine parcels on at least six occasions, receiving a total of at least $3,000 from Stanley.

In an effort to conceal the scheme, Holloman scanned the parcels as delivered to the addressees, despite delivering those parcels to Stanley.

Maurice Vaughn and Zakiyya Holloman, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and to bribery.

They face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for bribery.

Scheduled sentencing dates have not been set for Holloman or Vaughn.

“Not your Usual” Defenders’ Day Returns


Defenders’ Day is back but at a new location and date.

Debbie Staigerwald, Chairperson of Defenders’ Day, announced that War of 1812 event will move from its traditional home of Fort Howard Park to Veterans Park in Old Dundalk. There is also a new date as Defenders Day will move a week later from Labor Day Weekend to Saturday, Sept. 11 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“I am pleased to announce we will be having “Not your Usual” Defenders’ Day this year! Because of COVID, it will be much smaller than usual and no re-enactment, but we will be having stations with living history actors recounting the events of that day and the history of “The battle of North Point,” Staigerwald said.

“We will also be having children’s activities and soldier encampments. We will also have a small 9/11 memorial service at 3 p.m.”

There will also be food trucks and other events at the shopping center during Defenders’ Day.

For more information and/or to volunteer, please email Debbie Staigerwald

Essex Man Arrested on Pornography Charges

He is cousin of Baltimore County Executive


Troopers arrested and charged a Baltimore County man today after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.

The suspect is identified as Robert Wayne Olszewski Jr. 31, of Essex. Multiple news outlets reported that he is the cousin of Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr.

Olszewski is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of possession with intent to distribute child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

He was arrested in Linthicum and transported to the Anne Arundel County Detention Center where he is awaiting a bail review hearing with the court commissioner.

Beginning in March, the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit conducted an investigation into the distribution and possession of child pornography online.
The investigation led to the identification of the suspect and his residence in Baltimore County.

On May 24, Maryland State Police served a search warrant at the identified residence of the suspect in Essex, Maryland. A preliminary forensic review of the suspect’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files.

The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit coordinates the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This is a combined law enforcement effort involving police departments across Maryland that is made possible in part due to grant funds provided by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services and by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Task force investigators focus on identifying those involved in child pornography via the Internet and other related crimes that victimize children.

Tots@10 event at THE AVENUE at White Marsh


The Baltimore County Public Schools Office of English Language Arts PreK-12 will share information and ideas with parents about strengthening students’ reading and writing skills at the shopping center’s Tots@10 event on Thursday, Aug. 5, beginning at 10 a.m. at THE AVENUE at White Marsh, 8125 Honeygo Blvd.

At the same event, The Education Foundation of BCPS will distribute free children’s books and will accept donations of school supplies for students from low-income families.

Throughout August, through its Back2BCPS campaign, the school system will be sharing information about school registration, immunizations, COVID-19 vaccinations, fall athletics, and new academic programs and initiatives.

Aunt Charged in Connect to Children’s Death


Baltimore County Police have arrested and charged 33-year-old Nicole M. Johnson, of the 3500 block of Elmora Avenue in northeast Baltimore City in connection to the deaths of her niece and nephew, 7-year-old Joshlyn Johnson and 5-year-old Larry O’Neil.

The children are siblings. Johnson faces multiple charges including 1st degree child abuse that resulted in the death of a child under the age of 13.

Due to the nature of this case, it will take time to determine the exact circumstances that led to the children’s deaths.

In partnership with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as well as the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department remains committed to bringing closure to this horrific case.