Eastern Baltimore County News
Maryland State Highway Administration has temporarily closed one lane along north and southbound MD 151 Sparrows Point Boulevard at MD 151B Wharf Road in the Sparrows Point area.
SHA reported that 24/7 closures will allow work in the median for the project to replace three bridges at the interchange.
The closures will take place through late October.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that Baltimore County will continue alignment with state actions, which will allow operations at restaurants to increase from 50 to 75 percent capacity, with appropriate distancing, and following strict public health requirements consistent with the CDC, FDA, and the National Restaurant Association, effective Monday, September 21 at 5 p.m.
Governor Hogan’s Executive order is available here (PDF).
According to State metrics, Baltimore County’s positivity rate is currently 2.3 percent—a reduction of 81 percent reduction since May 29, 2020.
County Executive Olszewski released the following statement:
“Baltimore County continues to see progress in major health metrics as we have gradually and safely reopened our economy. While we are continuing to align with the state, we cannot let our guard down.
In Baltimore County, we’re focused on getting our kids back in school, which requires all of us to do our part to slow the spread of this virus. We have to Be Safe to Stay Safe by wearing face coverings and socially distancing—especially while indoors—to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
This dangerous disease is still with us and we must continue to follow public health guidance. We know that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors than outdoors, so as we move forward today, we continue to urge residents to prioritize less risky activities in their support of restaurants, such as carry-out and outdoor dining.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to strictly enforce state and local ordinances—any businesses found to be violating face-covering or social distancing mandates will be held accountable.
As with every step we have taken, we will continue to monitor this situation and will do whatever is necessary to protect public health. We’re still in this together and can only get through this together.”
Face Coverings Still Required
Under state and local order, individuals ages five and up are required to wear face coverings in any indoor business, service, organization or establishment that serves the general public.
This includes, but is not limited to, retail establishments, recreational establishments, theaters, houses of worship and other locations open to the public.
Individuals ages five and up are required to wear face coverings when outdoors and unable to consistently maintain at least six feet of distance from individuals who are not members of their household.
Individuals are not required to wear a mask if eating or drinking while seated. In accordance with Governor Hogan’s orders, face coverings are still required when otherwise moving in or about a restaurant or bar premises.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams today announced two new initiatives – Childcare Subsidies and Academic Support Centers – designed to help support families of young children during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have an obligation to support the working families hit hard by this pandemic as they navigate the multi-faceted challenges presented by COVID-19, a struggling economy and remote learning,” Olszewski said. “These programs will provide support for working parents, and our subsidy will ensure that our lowest-income residents can access the care they need to allow them to continue working.”
“We are pleased that county government and local service providers are working to provide structured environments to assist students with virtual learning and assist families with childcare,” said Superintendent Williams. “Simultaneously, BCPS is continuing to develop its plans to bring small groups of students back into our classrooms are early as November. Today, I will be releasing a timeline with more details about how we will schedule staff and student reentry.”
Childcare Subsidies
Olszewski has allocated up to $7 million to provide childcare subsidies for working families with children ages 5 to 12. The program aims to support low-income working parents who are not able to stay home to manage their children’s remote learning. Eligible families will receive a subsidy of up to $250 per week per child to cover the cost of care at any childcare provider licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits where all parents or guardians in the household are employed will be eligible.
To streamline program access, potentially eligible families will receive a letter with instructions on how to access the online application portal. Letters will be mailed to families by September 28. Families that believe they may be eligible but are not receiving SNAP can apply for SNAP and other assistance at the state’s Department of Human Resources website or call 311 to be connected to the Maryland CASH campaign for a benefits eligibility screening.
Academic Support Centers
In addition, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, the Y of Central Maryland, and other local daycare providers will open academic support centers to provide full-day, in-person childcare for families of children in Kindergarten to Grade 5. The centers will offer support for virtual learning as well as recreational activities. Students will be grouped in cohorts of up to 14 students. Social distancing and mitigation strategies will be followed, and meals will be provided. SNAP recipients who receive County Childcare Subsidies may use them at the academic support centers.
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks will host Learning Centers at its nine PAL Centers sites around the County. These centers are designed to serve disconnected youth identified by the Baltimore County Department of Social Services. These families will be invited to participate, and care will be offered at no cost to the families. Transportation will be available. Meals will be provided by the Maryland Food Bank. Following MSDE approval, these centers will run daily Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A second group of centers, operated by the Y of Central Maryland, will open in five BCPS elementary schools. The centers will operate beginning Monday, October 5, and will run daily Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Meals will be provided by Baltimore County Public Schools. Fees range from $225 – $250 per week per child. Interested families can apply online now. SNAP recipients who receive County Childcare Subsidies may use them at the academic support centers.
An additional 40 centers, located in BCPS elementary schools, will open Monday, Oct. 12, and will be operated by local daycare providers – Hot Spots Extended Care Program, Kids Place Baltimore, Open Door Before and After School Care, and Play Centers, Inc. Depending on the provider, these centers will begin offering care either at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. All will end at 6 p.m. Meals will be provided by Baltimore County Public Schools. These centers will charge $250 – $275 per week per child for fulltime care. Families interested in these centers should contact the appropriate daycare provider for registration information. SNAP recipients who receive County Childcare Subsidies may use them at the academic support centers.
In total, the 54 academic support centers will be able to serve 1,552 students across Baltimore County.
The list of Baltimore County’s Academic Support Centers is below:
Opening Schedule for Baltimore County Academic Support Centers
Operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks
Cockeysville PAL Center, 9836 Greenside Dr., 21030
Dundalk PAL Center, 15 Commerce Pl., 21222
Hillendale PAL Center, 1111 Halstead Rd., 21234
Lansdowne PAL Center, 2301 Alma Rd., 21227
Mars Estates PAL Center, 1498 East Homberg Ave., 21221
Scotts Branch PAL Center, 3651 Rolling Rd., 21244
Shady Spring PAL Center, 8876 Goldenwood Rd., 21237
Winfield PAL Center, 8304 Carlson Ln., 21244
Woodmoor PAL Center, 7111 Croydon Rd., 21207
Locations scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 5
Operated by the Y
Catonsville Elementary School
Cedarmere Elementary School
Johnnycake Elementary School
Westowne Elementary School
Woodmoor Elementary School
Locations scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 12
Operated by licensed local daycare providers with approved, pre-existing relationships with BCPS (name of daycare provider in parentheses)
Carney Elementary School (Open Door)
Carroll Manor Elementary School (Play Centers)
Chapel Hill Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Chatsworth Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Church Lane Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Cromwell Elementary School (Play Centers)
Elmwood Elementary School (Play Centers)
Fort Garrison Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Franklin Elementary School (Open Door)
Fullerton Elementary School (Open Door)
Glyndon Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Hampton Elementary School (Open Door)
Harford Hills Elementary School (Open Door)
Honeygo Elementary School (Open Door)
Jacksonville Elementary School (Play Centers)
Joppa View Elementary School (Open Door)
Kingsville Elementary School (Open Door)
Lutherville Lab Elementary School (Open Door)
Lyons Mill Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Mays Chapel Elementary School (Open Door)
New Town Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Oakleigh Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Owings Mills Elementary School (Open Door)
Padonia Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Pine Grove Elementary School (Open Door)
Pinewood Elementary School (Play Centers)
Pleasant Plains Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Pot Spring Elementary School (Open Door)
Reisterstown Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Relay Elementary School (Open Door)
Riderwood Elementary School (Open Door)
Rodgers Forge Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Seven Oaks Elementary School (Open Door)
Seventh District Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Sparks Elementary School (Play Centers)
Stoneleigh Elementary School (Play Centers)
Summit Park Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Timber Grove Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Timonium Elementary School (Open Door)
Villa Cresta Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Vincent Farm Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Vincent Farm Elementary School (Open Door)
Warren Elementary School (Play Centers)
Wellwood Elementary School (Hot Spots)
West Towson Elementary School (Play Centers)
Westchester Elementary School (Open Door)
Woodbridge Elementary School (Open Door)
Woodholme Elementary School (Open Door)
County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins reported that Orems Road in Middle River will be closed to traffic between Compass and Old Orems Road from Wednesday, Sept. 16 to Friday, Oct 16.
This area is the Aero Acres portion of Middle River.
The closure will allow crews to rehabilitate a 48-inch diameter sewer line. Construction traffic will be detoured to Fuselage Avenue and Compass Road.
The US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington issued a weather alert this afternoon Thursday, Sept. 3 and evening as scattered to numerous severe storms are expected to move across our area from west to east.
Baltimore County and the surrounding areas are expected to receive numerous severe storms.
The main threat will be damaging wind gusts, but tornadoes cannot be ruled out. For the latest forecast visit weather.gov/washington
Conservative activist Tim Fazenbaker and We Back Blue campaign are coming to Baltimore to present We Back Blue – Motorcycle Ride and rally in an effort to encourage Americans to stand up and support our law enforcers.
The rally will feature internationally acclaimed band, Trapt.
Rally will be taking place outside of The Green Room at 2401 North Point Blvd. in Dundalk, Sunday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The rally will include speeches from Free & Fair Election founder – Tim Fazenbaker as well as other influencers and personalities such as:, Delegate Joe Boteler, Eric Rittmeyer, Chris Taylor Brown, Melissa Robey and more.
All are welcome to attend this peaceful event to engage in a respectful and thoughtful discussion about the challenges facing law enforcement today.
This rally will include a motorcycle ride around the 695 beltway in a display of support for our men and women in blue.
SPEAKERS:
Tim Fazenbaker, Free & Fair Election Founder, Eric Rittmeyer, Author/Mental Toughness Speaker Joe Boteler, State Delegate, Chris Taylor Brown, Musician/Political Commentator, Melissa Robey, We Back Blue Founder Alexandra Levine, Singer/Jexit Member Kristen Kalinowski, Law Enforcer Wife
Baltimore County announced that the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Solid Waste Management has started a new glass recycling program in partnership with Cap Glass, Inc. of Connellsville, PA.
Under the new 10-year agreement, the County will deliver glass from the Cockeysville Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to the Cap Glass facility in Baltimore City. Cap Glass will process the glass to remove contaminants (such as paper and other items) and recover marketable glass. The marketable glass will be sent to OI Glass, Inc. to make new glass containers.
“A better Baltimore County is one where sustainability and the future of our planet is a top priority, and this new agreement puts that commitment into action as we make our County’s recycling even more efficient,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
“I’m proud that our team was able to find an innovative solution to resume glass recycling in Baltimore County, reducing waste output in the process.”
The glass recycling program will expand both the number of products and the volume of material that the County will be able to market. The County started delivering glass loads on July 20.
“This is an important initiative to expand the County’s current recycling efforts,” said Michael R. Beichler, C.P.E Chief of the Baltimore County Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Solid Waste Management. “We’re thankful to engage in this productive partnership with Cap Glass and are looking forward to working together for years to come.”
Until 2013, Baltimore County directly processed glass recycling. Like most jurisdictions across the country, Baltimore County experienced both technical and financial limitations that prevented efficient glass recycling at municipal facilities.
This new agreement is the result of Baltimore County’s multi-year search for a sustainable glass market. Olszewski, who took office in December 2018, provided new funding in the County’s FY21 budget to help support County efforts to pursue a cost-efficient glass recycling initiative.
This is the latest effort from the Olszewski Administration to promote environmental sustainability.
Shortly after taking office, Olszewski created the County’s first Chief Sustainability Officer who is leading the development of county-wide Climate Action Plan, covering topics such as reduced energy consumption, promotion of green infrastructure, and sustainable growth policy. Earlier this year, Olszewski convened a Youth Climate Working Group to ensure youth voices and recommendations are included in the County’s Climate Action Plan and other sustainability efforts. The Youth Climate Working Group presented their recommendations to the administration in April 2020.
Baltimore County Public Library is hosting an online forum about race and community & police relations on Tuesday, July 28 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Farajii Muhammad, host of For the Culture with Farajii on WEAA 88.9, will moderate a discussion on ongoing issues surrounding policing in the region.
Panelists include DeRay Mckesson, civil rights activist; Melissa Hyatt, Baltimore County Chief of Police; and Adam Jackson, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle; Anthony Fugett, Baltimore County NAACP; and Deneisha Seaman, VP, Blue Guardians.
The forum is presented by Baltimore County Public Library, Baltimore County Human Relations Commission and Baltimore County Office of Diversity and Equity, in collaboration with WEAA 88.9.
Registration closes one hour before the start of the program. A valid email address is needed at registration to send a Zoom link to the program 30 minutes before scheduled start.
To register go to https://bcpl.info/events-and-programs/list.html#!/register/188157
Baltimore County announced the completion of the latest phase of the Campbell Boulevard project, which runs between Bird River Road and Windlass Run in Middle River.
The new road completes a continuous circuit between Route 40 to Route 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) and will open to traffic Tuesday, July 7.
“This long-awaited project is a major gain for eastern Baltimore County and will provide a convenient connection for residents that will reduce congestion, expand bike access, and improve street safety,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski said.
Started in the fall of 2018, the 0.7 mile stretch of Campbell Boulevard will provide two travel lanes, a center turn lane and two, seven-foot wide bike lanes. The project cost approximately $5 million with a private developer match.
This newly completed segment fulfills a longtime need for an East-West connection first identified in the 1980s.
“I’m glad to see this latest investment in our community,” Council Chair and District 6 Councilmember Cathy Bevins said. “This new stretch of road will better connect our neighborhoods and help improve quality of life for our residents.”
This is the latest component of the County’s three-phase Campbell Boulevard Extended Project, a 3.1 mile long project which, when completed, will connect Route 7 (Philadelphia Road) to Route 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) to help relieve congestion at key intersections and improve road safety.
The project’s completed second phase runs from Route 40 to Bird River Road and intersects with the newly completed portion of Campbell Boulevard. The final stage of the project will run from Philadelphia Road to Route 40 and will include the reconstruction of the Mohrs Lane Bridge. This final phase of the project is anticipated to begin in 2023.
Although this year’s Heritage Fair was canceled as a result of COVID-19, the Dundalk Heritage Fair Association announced that they are teaming up the Dundalk Eagle to host a virtual Heritage Fair.
The online fair will take place Saturday, July 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. and feature nine bands.
According to an online poster, the bands include: High Voltage (AC/DC band), Cold Gin (KISS), Mark Bray, Robert Wawa Legrand, Mickey Light, Gene Vincentt & the Cadillac Cruisers, Tom Beers & Free Range Blue, Landry Taylor and Dean Crawford & the Dunn’s River.
The online Heritage Fair can be watched
at www.virtualheritagefair.com
It was also announced the Dundalk Parade Committee and the Dundalk Optimist Club is hosting a vehicle-only parade in place on the traditional parade on Saturday morning.
