Author: eastbaltco

Man Shot on Valley Arbor Court in Essex


Police are investigating a shooting in Essex that left one man injured this evening.

Officers responded to the unit block of Valley Arbor Court in Essex around 5:32 p.m. after gunshots were heard from inside an apartment. The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim, a 27-year-old man, suffered at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Violent Crimes Unit have responded to the scene and continue to look for at least one suspect that fled the apartment on foot following the shooting.

Anyone who may have seen anything or who has additional information is asked to contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

Parkville and Perry Hall HS Students Win 1st & 2nd in Black History Contest


Ava Wehr of Perry Hall High School and Breanna Pompey of Parkville High School were honored as first- and second-place winners respectively in the 34th Annual Champions of Courage Black History Month Essay Competition.

Wehr received a $200 scholarship, and in her honor, Perry Hall High received a $200 award. Pompey was awarded a $150 scholarship, and Parkville High was presented with $150 in her honor. The awards were announced during the broadcast special “Saluting Maryland’s Champions of Courage,” which aired on FOX45, CW Baltimore, and myTV Baltimore on Feb. 21. This was the first year that the awards program was broadcast for public viewing.

The “Champions of Courage” Black History Month Essay Competition challenged area students in Grades 6 through 12 to write a brief essay saluting a personal hero who has shared with them the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than 1,000 students submitted essays.
The essays by Wehr and Pompey follow:

First Place – AVA WEHR, Perry Hall High School

In the weeks and days leading up to this year’s election, [Stacey] Abrams helped to register more than 800,000 people in Georgia to vote. She founded and currently leads the organization Fair Fight 2, which works to educate people about voting, combat voter suppression and give every American a say in their government. Abrams has helped many African Americans to overcome the barriers to voting, bringing the nation closer to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of equality and fairness.

Second Place – BREANNA POMPEY, Parkville High School

My Champion of Courage is the late Chadwick Boseman. At nine, I sat on the edge of my seat as he swung his bat with an amount of vigor, I didn’t know was possible. At fourteen, I sat proud and mesmerized as I saw the first black superhero in a movie of his own. And at sixteen, I’m dejected and downcast at his passing. Like Dr. King, they both persevered and triumphed through adversity leaving people more empowered and inspired. And to them, I say thank you!

Man Fatally Shot on Yorkway in Dundalk


A Dundalk shooting on Yorkway on Tuesday evening has left a man dead.

Police responded to the scene around 7:52 p.m. on Feb. 23.

The victim, who has not yet been identified, was found in the 2900 block of Yorkway suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Medics transported the victim to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as 21-year-old DeShawnte Young. This homicide remains an open and active investigation.

The suspect fled prior to police arriving on the scene.

Olszewski & Marks to Host Budget Town Hall Tonight


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced his third annual series of town hall meetings to hear from constituents about their ideas and priorities.

The Fifth District Town Hall will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23 with Councilman David Marks at 6:30 p.m.

“Ideas presented in previous years have been incorporated into the budget – Joppa Road was resurfaced once the water project was finished, for example, and new park projects have advanced throughout our district. The county funded its share of two new schools soon to be under construction,” Marks said.

“This is your opportunity to discuss what you believe should be funded in the budget.”

Seven virtual meetings, one for each Council district, will provide a forum for public discussion focused on future budget priorities and ensure that community members have the opportunity to provide input into the budget planning process.

“In order to best serve the people of Baltimore County, we need to hear from them directly,” said Olszewski. “While this pandemic has upended our way our life, we remain committed to keeping Baltimore County’s government, open accessible and transparent so that we can continue to work with stakeholders in every community to build a better Baltimore County together.”

From 2016-2017, a total of two people testified on Baltimore County’s budget. In 2018, during his first year in office, Olszewski held the inaugural series of budget town hall meetings where over 2,000 residents attended, with hundreds sharing priorities for the county.

Last year, Olszewski held a second round of town hall meetings, which included a virtual opportunity for residents to share their priorities when in-person town hall meetings were canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Budget Town Hall Meetings will be livestreamed on Baltimore County Government’s YouTube page and Facebook page. Residents may also join by phone.

BCPS Meal Distribution Changes March 1


Some Baltimore County Public Schools students will begin attending classes in their school buildings during the week of March 1. To facilitate the Phase I and Phase II hybrid instruction model, the school system will modify its meal distribution program beginning Monday, March 1.

Under this new plan, all elementary school students who opted for in-person hybrid instruction will be offered in-person onsite meals. Students will receive two days of meals in-person and will be eligible for curbside meals on the alternative days. On the days when students are in school, they will either eat in the cafeteria, seated by small groups, socially distanced, or meals will be delivered to their classrooms, and they will eat there.

Curbside meal distribution will be available for all virtual students and for hybrid students when they are not receiving in-person instruction. Curbside meal distribution is available at all middle and high schools as well as selected additional sites on Mondays and Wednesdays between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The following is the complete list of Monday/Wednesday curbside meal distribution sites as of Monday, Mar. 1:

Alan Drive and Hooper Ave.
Arbutus Elementary
Arbutus Middle
Baltimore Highlands Elementary
Battle Grove Elementary
Bear Creek Elementary
Berkshire Elementary
Catonsville High
Catonsville Middle
Charlesmont Elementary
Chase Elementary
Chatsworth Elementary
Chesapeake High
Chesapeake Terrace Elementary
Cockeysville Middle
Colgate Elementary
Deep Creek Elementary
Deep Creek Middle
Deer Park Middle
Dulaney High
Dumbarton Middle
Dundalk Elementary
Dundalk High
Dundalk Middle
Eastern Technical High
Edgemere Elementary
Edmondson Heights Elementary
Essex Elementary
Franklin High
Franklin Middle
General John Stricker Middle
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Golden Ring Middle
Loch Raven High
Grange Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary
Hereford High
Hereford Middle
Holabird Middle
Johnnycake Elementary
Kenwood High
Lansdowne High
Lansdowne Middle
Loch Raven Technical Academy
Logan Elementary
Mars Estates Elementary
Martin Boulevard Elementary
McCormick Elementary
Melvin Park Apts.
Middle River Middle
Middleborough Elementary
Middlesex Elementary
Milford Mill Academy
New Town High
Northwest Academy of Health Sciences
Norwood Elementary
Oliver Beach Elementary
Orems Elementary
Overlea High
Owings Mills High
Parkville High
Parkville Middle
Patapsco High
Perry Hall High
Perry Hall Middle
Pikesville High
Pikesville Middle
Pine Grove Middle
Randallstown High
Red House Run Elementary
Ridgely Middle
Sandalwood Elementary
Sandy Plains Elementary
Seneca Elementary
Shady Spring Elementary
Southwest Academy
Sparrows Point Middle/High
Stemmers Run Middle
Sudbrook Middle
Sussex Elementary
Towson High
Western School of Technology
Westland Gardens Apts.
Westowne Elementary
Windsor Mill Middle
Woodlawn High
Woodlawn Middle

County Announces Sparrows Point Park Project


County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced major updates for a new Sparrows Point Park project, which will be co-located at Tradepoint Atlantic.

This project will be the first entirely new park built by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks in six years and will fill a longstanding recreational gap in the Edgemere-Sparrows Point area.

“Our parks allow us to come together, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate all our county has to offer and I’m thrilled that this new site will provide an engaging and supportive space for the Sparrows Point community—and beyond,” said Olszewski. “Growing up in the shadow of the steel mill, I’ve seen firsthand how Tradepoint Atlantic is transforming our local economy and I’m thankful for their continued partnership as we now work to provide this vibrant neighborhood hub that will connect our families and communities for generations to come.”

“We are pleased to partner with the County Executive and the Sparrows Point – Edgemere community to provide this much needed and promised parkland for public recreational use,” Said Aaron Tomarchio, Executive Vice President for Tradepoint Atlantic. “Integrating a public park into our re-development plan is simply the right thing to do, and something the community requested we consider since day one. We look forward to taking this next step to bring a Sparrows Point community park to reality.”

Shortly after taking office in December 2018, Olszewski worked with Tradepoint Atlantic to adjust a previously negotiated public infrastructure agreement to provide the County with a major parcel of environmentally clean, accessible land for a new public park.

County officials and Tradepoint Atlantic have now identified a potential 22-acre water-view site located at 1900 Wharf Road to serve as the location for this new park.

PROJECT DETAILS
The proposed park will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum designed project that includes:

16,000 square foot community center with double court gym, two community-accessible activity rooms and concessions area
Full-size synthetic turf field with LED lighting
10,000 square foot playground
ADA accessible fishing pier and kayak launch
Scenic walking path
“The opportunity to create a new waterfront park with amenities for citizens of all ages is rare and I am excited by the potential. We have advocated and discussed the possibility since the advent of Tradepoint Atlantic and they have always been open to the discussion,” said Councilman Todd K. Crandell. “Thanks to the work and negotiation between the community, the Administration, TPA and the County Council, a once in a generation opportunity to create an amazing new park and community center is coming to fruition.”

“A new facility located at Tradepoint Atlantic would be an invaluable asset to the southeast area communities we have served for over 70 years,” said Tim Dodge, President of the Edgemere-Sparrows Point Recreation Council. “We’re excited for a state-of-the art site that will alleviate existing logistical challenges and expand capacity for our many programs, while paying homage to the proud history of the Sparrows Point area.”

COUNTY TO HOST COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING FEBRUARY 22
To ensure this project best meets the needs of communities, County officials will host a virtual community input meeting on Monday, February 22, at 7 p.m. to share additional details for the project and to seek community feedback on the proposal.

Sparrows Point Park Virtual Community Input Meeting

Monday, 2/22; 7 p.m.
Via Webex
Call in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 607 2992
Community members are encouraged to view the proposed plan and submit comments, questions and feedback by visiting baltimorecountymd.gov/sparrowspointpark or by emailing SparrowsPointPark@BaltimoreCountyMD.gov.

RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE ONLINE SURVEY
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks is inviting residents to participate in an online survey to share their input on amenities at Sparrows Point Park. The survey is available here.

More information about the project and proposed plan is available here.

Following completion of the project’s design, a groundbreaking for the new Sparrows Point Park is expected later this year.

Man Dies from Injuries in Kingsville Crash


A 61-year-old man died on Friday following a motorcycle accident that occurred in October 2020. The accident happened along New Cut Road in Kingsville near Harford Road.

Paul Blankenship sustained a traumatic brain injury after he traveled off the road and lost control of the Harley Davidson he was riding. Blankenship was found unconscious but breathing at the scene of the crash. Due to his injury, Blankenship was in and out of the hospital over the past four months.

He died while in hospice care on Feb
12. According to the medical examiner, Blankenship had been drinking and was impaired at the time of the crash.

Middle River Woman Dies in Dundalk Crash


46-year-old Rachel Ann Mashburnni of the 7500 block of Clearlake Lane of Middle River died on Feb. 10 from injuries she sustained after being struck by a car on Jan. 11.

Crash investigators determined as Mashburn attempted to cross the southbound lanes of Dundalk Avenue near Center Place South around 8 p.m., a Toyota Camry traveling southbound struck her.

Mashburn was not using the crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene.

Mashburn was taken by medics to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. She was later transferred to the Gilchrist Center Towson where she died.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team continues its investigation into this fatal crash and the factors that contributed to it.