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Perry Hall High Class of 2020 Graduates

Seniors from Perry High School graduated virtually on Monday, June 15. The ceremony started with a Welcome address by Kaleb Todjo. Aya Neal said the Pledge of Allegiance. Linna Cui gave the Valedictorian’s speech and the President’s speech was given by Diana Tran.

Although Perry Hall Seniors were not given a traditional graduation, Perry Hall parents and the community tried to make it a special time for Seniors. A car parade was held on Monday night for Perry Hall Seniors at the Avenue at White Marsh.

“Big thanks to Councilman David Marks for connecting us to THE AVENUE at White Marsh to make this event possible for our Seniors!!
Our local dignitaries have been invited to lead the parade from their cars,” said a statement on the Perry Hall High PTSA website.

The school PTSA also announced that the Class of 2020 was invited individually for separate times to the school to receive their diplomas on Wednesday, June 17. Families were encouraged to go to the school as Principal Craig Reed was there to greet grads.

Principal Craig Reed. presents Morganne Manouse with her diploma. -photo courtesy of David Marks-

Perry Hall also had a created a Class of 2020 banner on the school building with all the names of each grad.

Illegal Fireworks Popping Up All Over Baltimore County

With the Fourth of July less than three weeks away, there has already been reports of illegal fireworks being sent off all over the county and at all hours of the night.

Second District Councilman Izzy Patoka said he has received phone calls and complaints from all over his northwest Baltimore County District.

Over the last week or so, I have noticed and received reports of folks setting off illegal fireworks in several neighborhoods throughout the 2nd District,” Patoka said in a Facebook post. “This post is intended to raise public awareness. Please do not set off fireworks in your neighborhood or community as people are attempting to sleep or getting their kids or pets to sleep.”

Fifth District Councilman David Marks, who resides in the Perry Hall area, says he has also heard the illegal fireworks at night.

“Last night was Sunday, June 14th – not the Fourth of July,” Marks wrote on social media.

“This post might not make any difference to some, but please do not set off fireworks in your neighborhoods when people are attempting to sleep, or getting their babies to sleep. Show some courtesy.”

Patoka also points out that backyard fireworks are illegal and shared a link to the Baltimore County website about fireworks.

“You cannot have a private display of fireworks at your home without a permit. All fireworks displays, regardless of location, require the proper permits and insurance. Call Baltimore County’s Fire Marshal’s Office at 410-887-4880 for information,” said a statement on the Baltimore County website.

Violators who possess or discharge illegal fireworks are subject to a misdemeanor fine of up to $250. The sale of fireworks without a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.

30 Eastside BCPS Seniors Earn Maryland Seal of Biliteracy

Ninety-two Baltimore County Public Schools seniors have earned the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy this year, an honor that recognizes their high proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages other than English.

The award is presented by the state through Baltimore County Public Schools. BCPS is one of 20 Maryland counties along with Baltimore City that have participated in the program since its adoption in 2016. Begun in California in 2011, the Seal of Biliteracy is offered in 36 states and Washington, D.C. In its first year of availability in BCPS, 202 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

“Baltimore County schools recognizes the tremendous value and importance of ensuring that our graduates are proficient in multiple languages as they enter a world of increasingly global economic competition, social awareness, and cultural appreciation,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “So we congratulate these superlative students for their hard work and determination to earn this distinction and enhance their abilities to become true citizens of the world.”

Including this year’s honorees, a total of 371 BCPS students have qualified for the Seal of Biliteracy since 2016, but more may soon be added to their number. “We expect many more seals to be earned following this year’s Advanced Placement exam results,” said Jennifer Hernandez, director of the BCPS Office of World Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages. “This achievement is also a testament to the hard work of our World Languages teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school level.”

2020 Seal of Biliteracy Recipients from Eastern Baltimore County high schools

Chesapeake High School

Joseph Agueta-Gutierrez – English & Spanish

Mohaimen Al Karm – English & Arabic

Stephanie Chavarria – English & Spanish

Bianca Darago – English & Spanish

Brianna Hawes – English & Spanish

Yoriam Laboy – English & Spanish

Boswell Pesienji – English & French

Alejandra Posadas – English & Spanish

Jennifer Torres – English & Spanish

Dundalk High School

Joselyn Chicas Barrera – English & Spanish

Yalile Garcia Gonzalez – English & Spanish

Astrid Matta – English & Spanish

Lizbeth Rodriguez-Hernandez – English & Spanish

Eastern Technical High School

Cindy Castillo – English & Spanish

Aneisa Jangbahadur – English & Spanish

Kara Kaskel – English & Spanish

Dimitrios Kostrivas – English & Greek

Sarah Lutz – English & Spanish

Alexander Ramirez – English & Spanish

Naeha Regmi – English & Spanish

Kamalmeet Singh – English & Spanish

Yuriria Vásquez – English & Spanish

Michael Vittini-Ponceano – English & Spanish

Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts

Karlos Garcia – English & Spanish

Perry Hall High School

Kaila Chen – English & Chinese

Cassie Li – English & Chinese

Amy Lin – English & Chinese

Michelle Lopez – English & Spanish

Fidel Rosales Sanchez – English & Spanish

Whitney Wang – English & Chinese

Christina Zhang – English & Chinese

Sparrows Point High School

Kathy Peralta Guachun – English & Spanish

Olszewski Outlines Police Reform Initiatives for County

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced a series of steps to improve accountability in the County’s Police Department (BCoPD) and promote more equitable policing.

These steps are the latest efforts by Olszewski’s administration to address systemic challenges and improve relationships between communities and the Police Department.

“The protests we’ve seen in Baltimore County and around the country are shining a bright light on what we already knew—that we have a long way to go to achieve equal justice for African American communities and that local leaders have a responsibility to take action,” Olszewski said. “We are listening to those in our community who have been marginalized, and we are recommitting to making real change.”

Taken together, the steps announced today aim to improve transparency and accountability in the Baltimore County Police Department, create a more diverse police force and improve relations between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.

The steps announced by Olszewski and Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt are:

Update Use of Force policy. The Department has previously made a number of improvements to its use of force trainings that are in alignment with police best practices. The trainings include de-escalation training, Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT), and implicit bias training. Additionally, Chief Hyatt has incorporated into the Department’s Use of Force policy the concept of Sanctity of Life, the Duty to Intervene and Report excessive or unnecessary use of force, and the importance of Constitutional Policing. The County will now sign the Obama Foundation Pledge to review and update its use of force policy with community input.
Implement Fair and Impartial Police Training Curriculum for all BCoPD members. The Department will bring in a nationally-recognized police training program on Fair and Impartial Policing to be provided to all BCoPD commanders, officers and employees in the coming year.
Increased transparency of complaint, use of force and traffic stop data. In accordance with Olszewski’s commitment to a more transparent, accountable government, the County will build public dashboards displaying data on the number and disposition of complaints against police officers, instances of uses of force and traffic stop data broken down by race.
Support state legislation to amend the MPIA to increase transparency related to discipline cases. County leaders will support legislation in Annapolis to amend the Maryland Public Information Act to increase transparency related to the disposition of police disciplinary actions.
Conduct independent analysis and review of BCoPD hiring and recruitment practices. The County will hire an independent third-party organization to conduct a comprehensive review of our hiring and recruitment practices, including a review of data for discriminatory impacts or practices in our testing and background investigations.
Expand scope and duration of Equitable Policing Workgroup. Olszewski has issued an Executive Order to expand the scope of the Workgroup on Equitable Policing, originally formed to examine traffic stop data. Going forward, the Workgroup will be a permanent advisory group and will focus more broadly on disparities in policing.

“I’m grateful to the men and women of the Baltimore County Police Department who serve honorably and put their lives on the line every day to serve our communities and I believe that these steps will make the Department even stronger,” Olszewski said.

About the Equitable Policing Workgroup

In November 2019, after reviewing traffic stop data showing that African American individuals were issued citations at a higher rate than other individuals, Olszewski created the Workgroup on Equitable Policing to examine policing policies and practices.

Chaired by the County’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Troy Williams, the group has met six times, including two community listening sessions, and will issue a report later this year. Going forward, the group will continue to examine traffic stop data and will also:

Review community policing training policies and practices
Review oversight systems, seeking community input and identifying best practices
Review the internal and external officer complaint and disciplinary process

Williams is the County’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, a position created by Olszewski to help address disparities and promote equity and inclusion countywide.

In addition to the Workgroup on Equitable Policing, Olszewski created a Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Community Advisory Council and Employee Advisory Council, both aimed at advancing equity and inclusion in Baltimore County and changing the culture of County government to focus consistently on equity in decision-making.

County Reopens Playgrounds, Restrooms & Park Facilities

Baltimore County’s Department of Recreation and Parks announced a series of updates to the status of its facilities as the County continues its safe and gradual reopening.

As the weather warms, more facilities will be open for recreational activities, though residents should continue to be safe and practice social distancing.

The following County facilities are now open:
•Playgrounds
•Outdoor tennis courts
•Basketball courts (residents should anticipate about two weeks to complete installation of rims)
•Other surface courts
•All fields and diamonds
•Pavilions and picnic areas
•Dog parks
•Skate parks
•Horseshoe pits
•RC/Model Plane Areas
•Lifeguarded swimming at Rocky Point
•Restrooms in regional parks
•Outdoor accessible restroom facilities will be opened in conjunction with scheduled permitted activities and as regular need demands.

Use of Pavilions for Worship in the Park Services

In an effort to help local religious organizations find safe outdoor spaces to worship, Baltimore County is opening access to outdoor pavilions at some County parks.

Local religious organizations may request a permit to use a park pavilion for regular religious services only.

These gatherings will be limited to 50 percent of each pavilion’s maximum occupancy.

Beginning today, religious organizations will be able to make reservations for the weekends of June 19 and June 26, at the following locations free of charge, and on a first-come, first-served basis:
•Eastern Regional Park
•Fort Howard Park
•Honeygo Regional Park
•Kingsville Park
•Meadowood Regional Park
•Northwest Regional Park
•Oregon Ridge Park
•Reisterstown Regional Park
•Rockdale Park
•Rosedale Park
•Southwest Area Park
•Sweet Air Park

More information and permit request forms are available on the County’s website.

Use of Pavilions for the Public Starting July 4

Beginning today, all pavilion rentals are available to be reserved by the public starting July 4.

More information and permit request forms are available on the County’s website.

Grab–and-Go Recreation Kits

The Department of Recreation and Parks today announced the creation of Grab-and-Go Recreation Kits, a new, free opportunity to provide youth with more activities to safely enjoy the outdoors.

Beginning Saturday, June 13 through July 22, young people can take part in these easy and free activities including the Ravens Fitness Flock (begins June 22), Locomotor Skills Obstacle Course, Nature Bingo, Butterfly Ring and Tissue Paper Flower Craft, and Recreation Rocks.

To find a location near you to pick up a premade kit, to learn how to make your own kit at home, or for more information, please email grabandgo-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov or visit the Department’s website.

Supplies are limited and if you are unable to get a Grab-and-Go Kit, please email grabandgo-rp@baltimorecountymd.gov to make additional arrangements.

Stay Safe

To the extent possible, residents should continue to practice social distancing and face coverings should be worn at park locations, especially when social distancing is not feasible.

Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in removal from park property.

The Department will continue to follow all State Executive Orders related to recreational activities.

Two Men Arrested After May Parkville Shooting

Baltimore County Police have arrested two adult suspects in the shooting of an 18-year-old man in Parkville last month.

Officers were called to the 8900 block of Old Harford Road in Parkville for a call of a shooting around 10:31 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

Arriving officers were advised that an 18-year-old man had been shot and driven to an area hospital by family members. Detectives from the Baltimore County Violent Crimes Unit responded to the hospital and began their investigation.

Detectives determined that the victim was involved in a confrontation with a group of male subjects approximately an hour before the shooting at a gas station on Joppa Road. Among those subjects were Chimel Witherspoon and Demonte Poole, who would approach the victim on Old Harford Road an hour later. Witherspoon fired a handgun at the victim, striking him once in the upper body.

Chimel Mequon Witherspoon (19) of the 1300 block of Dalton Road of Parkville was arrested May 22. He remains held without bail on the following charges:

Attempted first degree murder
Attempted second degree murder
First degree assault
Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/crime of violence
Illegal possession of a firearm
Possession of a firearm with a felony conviction
Possession of a firearm by a minor
Demonte Derrick Poole (20) of the 3300 block of Dudley Avenue, 21231 was arrested on May 21 and also remains held without bail on the following charges:

Attempted first degree murder
Attempted second degree murder
First degree assault
Use of a firearm in the commission of a crime
Three juveniles have also since been charged in connection with this crime. Their identities will not be released.

Middle River Man Dies in Chase Crash on Eastern Avenue

Police continue the investigation into a Monday Night crash in the 13000 block of Eastern Avenue after the driver died Wednesday.

The preliminary investigation revealed that just after 9 p.m. a Honda Civic was traveling eastbound on Eastern Avenue when it struck the rear of a trailer attached to a Ford F350 that was parked on Eastern Avenue. The driver, who was the only occupant of the Honda, was transported to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where he remained hospitalized until he succumbed to his injuries and died on Wednesday.

The driver is identified as Nicholas Marion Maenner (29) of the 7000 block of Greenbank Road of Middle River.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is working to determined all of the factors involved in this fatal crash.

Dundalk Man Arrested After Fleeing Police on Wednesday

One suspect was taken into custody after fleeing from officers in the Dundalk Precinct on Wednesday, June 10, crashing into three vehicles, and breaking into a residence.

Officers first responded to a late reported call for an assault of a male subject on the parking lot of Sandy Plains Elementary School in the 8300 block of Kavanagh Road in Dundalk on Wednesday at 9:47 a.m. A witness reported seeing two suspects on the parking lot just before 8 a.m. using a baseball bat to repeatedly strike a victim who was on the ground. One suspect fled in a black BMW SUV with New York registration plates. The other suspect fled on a bicycle. Neither were located at the time the officers were dispatched.

Hours later, around 3:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call for a black BMW SUV with New York registration plates. An officer located the BMW at the intersection of Trappe Road and North Point Road and initiated an investigative traffic stop, but the BMW refused to stop for the officer, struck another vehicle at North Point Road and Merritt Boulevard, then fled the scene. The aviation unit responded and surveilled the BMW from above, allowing patrol officers to discontinue following the vehicle. The BMW traveled to the intersection of Mornington Road and Liberty Parkway where it struck a second vehicle. The suspect fled from the moving vehicle, allowing it to drift into a third victim’s vehicle. That victim began to chase the suspect, who was fleeing on foot, but stopped when patrol officers arrived to the location.

The suspect shattered the glass window of an apartment in the 2900 block of Liberty Parkway and entered the residence in an effort to evade police, but K9 Officer Davies was able to take the suspect into custody without further incident. He is identified as Christopher Michael McClure (23) of the 2900 block of Liberty Parkway in Dundalk. He is currently charged with a number of traffic-related charges, third and fourth degree burglary, malicious destruction of property, and possession of narcotics that were discovered upon his arrest. He is held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on no bail status pending a bail review hearing.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the initial assault call at Sandy Plains Elementary School and are asking anyone with information to contact police at the Dundalk Precinct at 410-887-7320.

Former Parkville Resident Arrested on Sex Offense Charges

Baltimore County Police arrested John David Hobbs (51) of the unit block of Fallstonview Court, 21047 on a warrant Wednesday. He is charged with third degree sex offense, child abuse molestation and second degree rape.

The investigation began after Hobbs, who was a teacher at Bel Air Middle School, was accused of sexually abusing his former student who was a juvenile at the time. The incident occurred multiple times between 1999 and 2000 at Hobbs’ former home in Parkville. Hobbs is currently held at the Baltimore County Detention center on a no bond status pending a bail review hearing.

The Baltimore County Police Crimes Against Children Unit asks anyone who may have been abused by Hobbs to contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020.

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, reach out for help. You can call the police non-emergency line at 410-887-2222.

Baltimore County Public Library Announces Steps to Reopen

Baltimore County Public Library is moving forward with plans for the next steps in the re-opening of its branches*. The re-opening, which will occur in phases, is being conducted according to guidance from county, state and federal health agencies, and takes into account social distancing protocols and community needs.

This phased reopening begins on Monday, June 15 with a limited number of staff returning to library buildings to begin internal preparations. Staff will be preparing work spaces, receiving and processing 8,000 new books and resources for users, gathering the 58,000 customer holds and planning for the return of the 400,000+ items borrowed before the library closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Exterior book drops at branches* will be opened on Tuesday, June 16 at noon and remain open 24 hours per day. Interior book drops will remain closed until the library reopens to the public. To prepare materials for safe re-shelving and reuse, all returned library materials must be quarantined for 72 hours per CDC guidelines before being checked in and prepared for re-circulation. Understanding that some may not be able to return materials immediately, all fines that have incurred are being waived if materials are returned by August 31, 2020.

Contactless curbside holds pick up service, with drive-up and walk-up options, begins at all branches* on Monday June 22, 2020. Hours for this service will be Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Further details about this service will be coming soon.

Once facilities have been fully prepared for modified and safe service, Baltimore County Public Library will be reopening to the public with limited in-branch services and social distancing measures in place. While the buildings remain closed to the public, Wi-Fi is available outside of ten branches with an upgrade in Wi-Fi service scheduled for remaining branches by mid-July. All virtual services put into place during the closure remain ongoing and include chats for reference and resources via phone, text and online and more than 100 monthly events and programs for adults, families and children.

“We are delighted to be taking these next steps to make the library more available to the citizens of Baltimore County. We are a vital part of the community and want to provide as many resources and services as possible while keeping our customers and staff safe and healthy,” said Baltimore County Library Director Paula Miller. “Since our March 15 closure, the staff has been exceptional at pivoting to offer resources and services to our users. While the world seemed to stop for a bit, it is evident from the 2,332 new library cards issued, the 388,000 downloads and the 43% increase in views on our YouTube channel that the community’s love for reading and the library never wavered.”

“Our libraries provide invaluable resources and services to our communities, and they have continued to do so virtually since the beginning of this pandemic,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I’m grateful to the hard-working staff at all of our branches as they begin to gradually offer greater accessibility to their resources.”

*Baltimore County Public Library’s Loch Raven and Reisterstown Branch are currently closed for renovation.