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MD Announces Reopening of Indoor Dining and Other Events

With key statewide health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction, Governor Larry Hogan today announced additional safe and phased reopenings through Stage Two of the ‘Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.’

“This truly is one of the most daunting challenges our state has ever faced, but sometimes the worst times have a way of bringing out the very best in Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “And while I cannot promise you that we will fully recover from all these problems quickly, I will tell you that together we have faced and overcome daunting challenges before, and that we will get through these tough and difficult times together.”

The state’s critical health metrics continue to trend in a positive direction. Hospitalizations have dropped below 1,000, and to their lowest point in 61 days. ICU beds are also at an eight-week low. The state’s positivity rate has declined to 7.2 percent, and the positivity rate has dropped to single digits in 23 of the state’s 24 jurisdictions.

REOPENINGS EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, JUNE 12 AT 5 PM:
• INDOOR DINING. Restaurants can resume indoor operations at 50 percent capacity, with appropriate distancing, and following strict public health requirements consistent with the CDC, FDA, and the National Restaurant Association. Maryland Department of Health directives.

• OUTDOOR AMUSEMENTS. Outdoor amusements and rides, including miniature golf and go-kart tracks, may resume with appropriate health and safety protocols. Capacity restrictions at pools will be increased to 50 percent with strict safety guidelines still in place. Guidelines and best practices.

REOPENINGS EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, JUNE 19 AT 5 PM:
• INDOOR FITNESS ACTIVITIES. After an extra week of sanitization and safety preparations, indoor gyms, martial arts, dance, and other indoor studio fitness activities may begin to safely reopen at 50 percent capacity with strict health, distancing, and sanitization measures. Guidelines and best practices.

• CASINOS, ARCADES, AND MALLS. Casinos, arcades, and malls may also begin to resume operations with strict safety protocols.
SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE REOPENINGS
• GRADUATION CEREMONIES. The governor is encouraging local school systems to plan and hold safe outdoor graduation ceremonies with appropriate capacity and social distancing measures in place.

• SCHOOL BUILDINGS. School systems may now begin bringing small groups of students and staff into school buildings. School systems are encouraged to prioritize summer instruction for vulnerable populations. All nonpublic special education schools may reopen to serve students with disabilities.

• CHILD CARE PROVIDERS. All child care providers may begin to reopen, and the number of individuals child care providers can have in one room has been expanded to a maximum of 15.

• OUTDOOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS. Outdoor high school sports may begin to resume practice and training activities within the same guidelines that were previously announced for youth sports programs.
EXPANDED TESTING IN BALTIMORE CITY. State officials are encouraging anyone who has recently attended peaceful demonstrations to get tested for COVID-19. As part of this effort, beginning next week, the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland National Guard will open multiple high-volume COVID-19 testing sites across Baltimore City, including at the Baltimore Convention Center.

REOPENING GUIDANCE. As additional industries and activities begin to resume, the Maryland Department of Commerce continues to develop and issue guidance and best practices to help businesses reopen safely. These resources are available at open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness.

COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH. Stage Two will continue to be implemented with a flexible, community-based approach that allows local leaders to allow reopenings at their discretion.

Kenwood’s Powell Named High School Principal of the Year

Kenwood High’s Brian Powell has been named BCPS 2020-21 High School Principal of the Year.

Powell is in his fourth year as the principal at Kenwood High and his 12th year working for BCPS. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education from Salisbury University. For the continuity of education BCPS has used during the coronavirus, Powell was one of the first BCPS principals to start posting school announcement videos online, often with his two young daughters taking part.

“This is something we can celebrate with the entire team,” Powell said. “As far as I’m concerned, we are school of the year. It’s not just about me.”

The Principal of the Year selection process began this year with an opportunity for community members to nominate school leaders. BCPS received 3,905 community nominations, which were considered by the Principal of the Year selection committee led by administrators from the Office of Organizational Effectiveness. This was also the first year in which both a middle and a high school Principal of the Year were chosen; in past years, only elementary and secondary honorees were selected.

Mars Estates O’Connell Named Elementary Principal of the Year

Mars Estates Elementary’s Kelly O’Connell has been named 2020-21 Elementary Principal of the Year

O’Connell is in her fourth year as principal at Mars Estates Elementary and her 18th year with BCPS. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in human resources school leadership from Towson University. She refers to students as #MarsStars, and that social media hashtag is regularly used to celebrate school and community achievements.

“This award is not just about me, it’s a reflection for everyone at Mars Estates Elementary,” O’Connell said. “It’s about teachers, students, and families and doing what is right for all kids.”

During several recent virtual school staff meetings, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams surprised three Baltimore County school administrators with an unexpected but great announcement.

Woodlawn Middle’s Rochelle Archelus is the 2020-21 Middle School Principal of the Year; and Kenwood High’s Brian Powell is the 2020-21 High School Principal of the Year.

“We have encountered many unexpected challenges this year, but I am so proud of how these Principals of the Year rose to the occasion,” Williams said. “They are champions of their school communities and have shown exceptional leadership.”

Principals of the Year are typically announced during the annual Teacher of the Year celebration each spring. Because of the school closings this year, however, the announcement was made during the online staff meetings for each principal’s school.

Fire Reported at the Islander Inn in Millers Island

Two people have been displaced following a two-alarm fire early Thursday at the Islander Inn in Edgemere.

The displaced residents lived in an apartment above the business. The restaurant was destroyed by the fire.

Fire units were dispatched at 1:33 a.m. for a report of a commercial building fire in the 9000 block of Cuckold Point Rd. First-arriving units found fire showing and quickly upgraded to a working fire profile, followed by a second alarm.

Commanders quickly ordered defensive operations because of the volume of fire. Firefighters supplemented the water supply from hydrants by drafting water from nearby sources.

One firefighter was transported to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries or illness; another was treated at the scene.

The cause remains under investigation.

Long Lines Reported at Voting Center in Perry Hall

Motorists in Perry Hall reported that there was along backup on Honeygo Boulevard around Ebenezer Road. on Tuesday evening It was later revealed from Councilman David Marks that the backup traffic is the line to get into the voting center at Honeygo Run Community Center. It is the only voting center in northeast Baltimore County.

“This is the line of cars waiting to turn into Honeygo Run Regional Park for the primary election. If you are not familiar with Perry Hall, this traffic light is about a mile to the south of the entrance to the park,” Marks said in a statement.

“I understand the pandemic created extraordinary circumstances, but situations like these call for answers. Why were there only four in-person voting sites? Many people will never vote by mail – they do not trust the Postal Service with the solemn obligation of delivering a vote.”

Honeygo is only one of four voting sites open on Election Day. There was no early voting this year because of COVID-19 and all registered voters were sent mail-in ballots. Voters were asked to mail back the ballots but some voters complained that they never received their ballots and said they were forced to attend one of the four centers to vote today.

Arrest Made After Last Night’s Dunfield Fatal Shooting

Baltimore County Police have charged a suspect in the shooting death of a man in Dunfield last night.

SmokesSahmir Pasha Tahlib Smokes (20) of the unit block of Bernadotte Court of Parkville is charged with first degree murder and held on no bail status pending a bail review hearing.

The investigation determined that Smokes and the victim, identified as 20-year-old Nygel Allen-Lee Simmons, were known to each other and had an ongoing dispute. Simmons was parked on Stillmeadow Road around 6:30 p.m. when Smokes walked up to the car and shot Simmons. Smokes fled the scene but was seen leaving the area in a vehicle parked nearby on Arwell Court. Officers quickly located the suspect vehicle and stopped it at South and Baltimore Street in Baltimore City. Smokes, the passenger, was arrested along with the driver, who was later released without charge after detectives determined the driver had no knowledge of the crime.

Fatal Shooting Reported Monday in Perry Hall’s Dunfield

Baltimore County Police reported a fatal shooting in the Dunfield area of Perry Hall on Monday evening.

Police responded to the Stillmeadow Road near Dunfield Road in Perry Hall Monday at 6:30 p.m. for a shooting.

On arrival they discovered an adult man suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body and began life-saving procedures, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene by medics. The suspect(s) fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and there is no further danger to the general public.

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

The Dunfield area is located off Belair Road near Route 43.

Maryland Presidential Primary Election Set for Tuesday

The June 2 Presidential Primary election will be conducted by mail, with limited options to vote in person on Election Day. Early voting is not available.

How to Vote

Vote by Mail

Voting by mail is safe, secure and free. Ballots have been mailed to residents. You will not need a stamp to return your ballot—the envelope will already have postage on it. Voters simply need to fill out their ballot, sign the oath on the envelope and place it back in the mail.

Make sure your ballot is postmarked on or before Tuesday, June 2, 2020.

Watch a video about the vote-by-mail process.

Vote by Drop Box

If you would like to drop off your voted ballot at a physical location instead of mailing it, please make use of our secure voted ballot drop boxes. Drop boxes are available 24 hours a day leading up to Election Day—Tuesday, June 2. The boxes will be locked and will not accept ballots after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.

The drop boxes are currently available outside of all voting centers (listed below) and the Baltimore County Board of Elections Office, located at 11112 Gilroy Road, Suite 104, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21204.

Vote in Person

For those who are unable to mail in a ballot or would prefer to vote in person, the County will have four voting centers available on Election Day only. Social distancing guidelines will be enforced.

Voting Centers

Voting centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.

•Arbutus Recreation Center
865 Sulphur Spring Road
Halethorpe, Maryland 21227

•Honeygo Run Community Center
9033 Honeygo Boulevard
Perry Hall, Maryland 21128

•Martin’s West
6817 Dogwood Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21244

•Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center
323 Sollers Point Road
Dundalk, Maryland 21222

Kenwood to Hold Graduation Car Parade for Seniors

Kenwood High School announced that they will honor their Class of 2020 by holding a car parade on Monday, June 8, starting at 4 p.m. in the Essex area. Seniors will be encouraged to wear their caps and gowns for the car ride.

Seniors in Baltimore County Public Schools have had all of their spring senior events canceled as a result of COVID-19.

All BCPS graduations were canceled and are being held in a virtual setting and Kenwood’s graduation is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m.

Kenwood principal Brian Powell told EastBaltco News that this parade was created by parents to honor the Kenwood graduating Class of 2020.

“This event is being set up, hosted and organized by a group of parents. Parents and seniors are excited about the event and [this is] another great display of our community coming together to support our students,” Powell said.

Other BCPS schools have taken steps to honor graduating seniors after the cancellation of the traditional senior activities. Perry Hall High School has created a Class of 2020 banner on its building with a list of all seniors for the Perry Hall graduating Class of 2020.

What have other Baltimore County high schools done to honor their graduating seniors? Let us know at eastbaltco@gmail.com

Marks Reports Homes & Cars Vandalized in Perry Hall Area

Councilman David Marks reported more than 50 households had their tires slashed Friday night around 1 a.m. in the area between Silver Spring Road and Necker Avenue.

“Homes were victimized on several routes including Hallfield Manor and Manorfield Roads and Hanf and Slater Avenues. The police, with whom I spoke today, are actively investigating,” Marks said in a statement.

Police need help from neighbors who have camera systems. Even if you were not impacted, police are asking to check your surveillance systems and report any findings to the police at 410-887-5000.

Two teens were reportedly seen between midnight and 1:30 a.m.

“Vandalism and the destruction of property should never be tolerated and we hope the criminals are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible,” Marks said.