Category: News

With the mandated stay-at-home order in place, children are not permitted to go to the local mall or community breakfast to see the Easter Bunny this year. Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company [WAVFC] decided to bring the Easter Bunny to Dundalk residents.

WAVFC has the tradition of driving Santa Claus around on the back of a fire truck in December. They have announced that the Easter Bunny will be on the back on its truck during this week.

“We have some exciting news to share!!! We were able to make contact with the Easter Bunny who has decided to make a visit to Dundalk,” said a statement on the WAVFC Facebook page.

Charlesmont Village and Bear Creek are the first scheduled stops on Wednesday, April 8 starting at 6 p.m. Then he will return on Friday April 10 starting at 6 p.m. in the Inverness area known as the ABC Streets.

WAVFC added that they will “try to visit as much of Dundalk as we can before the Easter Bunny needs to get home” on Saturday April 11, starting at 11 a.m. WAVFC said they will try their best to get around the area, but explained there is limited time and social distancing regulations that must be followed.

“As you can imagine, the Easter Bunny is very busy this time of year so we will need to move quickly. We will be focusing on the area that we are the first fire station to respond but once those areas are finished we will branch out other,” said the WAVFC statement.

“Please remember that we are still adhering to all social distancing mandates from the state. We ask that you please wave from your front yards or porches. Please do not come up to equipment or gather in the streets to ensure everyone’s safety. Thanks as always for your continued support, stay safe and wash your hands!”

Are you looking for employment opportunities in Maryland during COVID-19? Labor has compiled a list of over 65 employers who are hiring individuals to immediately fill hundreds of positions. It’s like a virtual job fair! Here are a list of local employers. For the full list go to http://labor.maryland.gov/employment/jobfairs.shtml?fbclid=IwAR20-Vz0E7sJ_RZNRQL3seXgkDvNE9UhavCbCu9av_ARW2TIbNBMmS-2vsM
WEIS MARKET
Deli Clerk; Cashier/Stock Clerk
Accokeek, Arbutus, Baltimore, Bel Air, Boonsboro, Brunswick, Callaway, Carney, Cumberland, Damascus, Dundalk, Easton, Edgewater, Eldersburg, Elkridge, Frederick, Frostburg, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown, HavreDeGrace, La Plata, Laurel, Lexington Park, Lusby, Middle River, Mitchellville, Mount Airy, Odenton, Owings Mills, Pasadena, Perry Hall.
Weis Markets website or text “WEIS” TO 97211

BALTIMORE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Officer and Cadets
Baltimore County
E-mail msaywack@baltimorecountymd.gov

AMAZON
Warehouse Team Member
Baltimore, Hanover, Sparrows Point
Amazon website

COMCAST
Inbound Sales/Customer Service
8110 Corporate Drive Nottingham, MD 21236
Comcast website

COSTCO
Warehouse, Cashier, Bakery, Food Service Asst, Meat Cutter, Deli Asst, Stocker
Glen Burnie, Owings Mills, White Marsh, Arundel Mills, Columbia
Costco website

GOTHAM GREENS
Greenhouse and Packing Production Assistant, Shift Supervisors, Delivery Drivers
Essex, MD
Gotham greens website

Baltimore County has announced that all of its Residential Drop-Off Centers will be closed to the Public until further notice starting on Thursday April 2.

T‬he following sites will remain open only for commercial haulers with accounts.‬
– Eastern Sanitary Landfill 6259 Days Cove Road 21162‬
– Central Acceptance Facility 201 West Warren Road 21030‬
– Western Acceptance Facility 3310 Transway Road 21227‬

‪Yard Waste Collection, which normally begins April 1, has been suspended until further notice. The suspension will allow collectors to focus on residential trash collection, which has spiked.

With its next generation electronic toll collection system coming online this summer,
the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board today approved a measure that cuts in half the civil penalties for non-payment of a video toll, from $50 to $25, and accelerates a 15 percent toll rate discount for customers who pay video tolls within a certain timeframe. Both changes are anticipated to take effect July 1.

The change in the civil penalty comes as costs associated with processing and collecting citations have decreased over time. Currently, if a Notice of Toll Due is not paid within 45 days, a $50 civil penalty is assessed for each unpaid transaction. The vote by the MDTA Board cuts the penalty to $25, and is the result of analysis and feedback from customer, legal and financial perspectives.

“Today’s vote by the MDTA Board to lower the civil penalty is the right decision for our customers,” said Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary and MDTA Chairman Gregory Slater. “Our goal is to make our facilities accessible, reliable and affordable for everyone, and this vote helps us toward that mission.”

The reduction in civil penalties is expected to save Marylanders $7.4 million annually, and represents one segment of toll relief implemented under the administration of Governor Larry Hogan. Since 2014, Governor Hogan has announced up to $351 million in combined savings for Marylanders through toll related reductions.

The MDTA next generation electronic toll collection system coming online in July will allow new payment options that previously were limited by existing technology.

“As we continue converting our facilities to all-electronic tolling, we want to improve the customer experience by providing as many payment options as possible,” said MDTA Executive Director James F. Ports, Jr. “And we are always looking for more ways to reduce costs for our customers.”

Early Payment Discount
The early payment discount also approved by the MDTA Board provides customers with a 15 percent discount, up to $5 off the video toll rate, when they pay their Notice of Toll Due within a specified timeframe and prior to the mailing of the notice. This passes operational savings onto customers who proactively use one of the MDTA’s self-service options, including payment online or through MDTA’s phone interactive voice response system. In addition, a mobile app is coming soon.

Originally approved to go live in December 2020, the early payment discount will begin July 1. This discount is part of the overall toll modernization plan approved by the MDTA Board in November to enhance customer service and save Marylanders more than $28 million over five years. The package also includes a new Pay by Plate method and new vehicle classes with lower toll rates.

Pay by Plate
This new payment method benefits infrequent customers and those who don’t want to maintain an E-ZPass® account prepaid balance. Customers pay “as they go” by registering their license plate and credit card.
Originally scheduled to go live June 2020, the MDTA Board approved Pay by Plate to start July 1 to coincide with the new toll system implementation.

Pay by Plate toll rates were approved in November, and mirror the cash and non-E-ZPass® Maryland rates for MDTA bridges, tunnels and the JFK Memorial Highway (I-95). They are 25 percent higher than the E-ZPass® rates on the Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200 and I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL).

Pay by Plate will benefit customers who pay by cash today and prefer not to open an E-ZPass® account when the MDTA transitions to all-electronic tolling at all its facilities in the future. Customers who choose Pay by Plate will save money versus video tolling, which includes a 50% surcharge.

New Vehicle Classes & Lower Toll Rates
Another part of the plan approved in November is lower rates for certain vehicle classes, providing a 50 percent reduction in tolls for motorcycles and reductions of 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively, for “light” vehicles towing one- and two-axle trailers. These new classes and rates will go live in September.

The southbound bore of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895) will be closed continuously over the weekends for the remainder of March through the weekend of April 3. Two-way traffic (one lane in each direction) will operate in the northbound bore. Motorists are reminded to obey speed limits and stay in your lane.

Weather permitting, the southbound bore will be closed:
• From 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, to 4:30 a.m. Monday, March 23;
• From 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 27, to 4:30 a.m. Monday, March 30;
• From 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, to 4:30 a.m. Monday, April 6.

The closures are part of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) three year, $189 million project to replace the 60-year-old I-895 Bridge and the Holabird Avenue exit ramp north of the Harbor Tunnel. and rehabilitate the Harbor Tunnel. The project began in April 2018 and is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

Beginning this weekend, weather permitting, the southbound bridge will close and two-way traffic will operate on the newly rebuilt northbound bridge, with one lane open in each direction. Later this spring, the southbound bore of the Harbor Tunnel will close 24/7 for 60 days, with two-way traffic operating in the northbound bore. For details, visit 895bmore.com.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that all restaurants, bars, movie theaters and gyms will be shut down on Monday starting at 5 p.m. Events with over 10 people will not be permitted too.

On the county level, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced a series of new efforts to further expand Baltimore County’s coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus.

Olszewski issued an executive order prohibiting gatherings or events of 50 or more people at all locations and venues, providing local officials and law enforcement with the authority to enforce the limit. The order was part into place for Wednesday but that rule will change to Monday after Hogan announced the limitations of crowds 50 starting on Monday at 5 p.m.

This order also grants the Health Officer the authority to further reduce this number and to adopt additional rules or regulations governing places of public or social gathering as needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health and safety.

Extension of Licenses and Permits

Olszewski issued an executive order providing an extension of all County licenses, permits, registrations and other authorizations until 30 days following the end of the local state of emergency. The order also authorizes the head of each government agency to suspend the effect of any legal or procedural deadline, due date, time of default, time expiration, period of time or other statute, rule or regulation that it administers. This applies to suspensions concerning payments of late fees owed to Baltimore County. In addition, the order cancels or postpones all non-essential meetings of public boards, commissions or committees, and prohibits members of the public from attending those meetings deemed essential. Members of the public will be provided a way to participate in or observe all essential meetings. Guidance will be provided on a case-by-case basis.

Evictions Suspended

At the County Executive’s request, Sheriff R. Jay Fisher has agreed to suspend all evictions for the duration of the state of emergency in the County.

County Government Building Restrictions

County office buildings remain open at this time, but the County is instituting steps to limit public access. Permit requests and all other meetings with County department staff will be by appointment only as of Wednesday, March 18. All meetings and appointments currently scheduled with County departments or staff are cancelled unless individuals are otherwise notified. Instructions for scheduling appointments with County departments will be available in the next several days and posted to the County’s website. Until such time, members of the public will be restricted from entering County buildings. Visitors and those requesting appointments will be screened for illness prior to gaining access to County buildings.

“In the midst of this public health crisis, we must act decisively to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the public,” Olszewski said. “This situation continues to evolve rapidly and we remain committed to taking whatever action necessary to promote social distancing, limit the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

Other Protective Measures

County Executive Olszewski previously issued an Emergency Declaration to address COVID-19, and the County has taken the following actions to protect employees and members of the public and minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Baltimore County Health Department Hotline

The Baltimore County Department of Health has a hotline for residents to call with questions or concerns about COVID-19: the number is 410-887-3816. The hotline is open seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Library and Senior Center Closings

Baltimore County Public Libraries Closed: All Baltimore County Public Library branch locations are closed from Monday, March 16, through Sunday, March 29.

Baltimore County Senior Centers Closed: All Baltimore County Senior Centers will be closed to the public beginning on Monday, March 16, until further notice. Seniors can call the Maryland Access Point hotline at 410-887-2594. Calls are answered by a team of Certified Information and Assistance Specialists, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Water Shutoffs Halted

County Executive Olszewski and Mayor Young announced that neither municipality will turn off water service for failure to pay.

Department of Recreation and Parks

Buildings Closed: All Department of Recreation and Parks buildings are closed to the public effective Saturday, March 14, until further notice. County parks remain open to the public.

Department of Recreation and Parks Providing Meals: Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Department of Recreation and Parks will be offering limited meal distribution to children 18 and under through the Maryland Food Bank and Healthy Food Access St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. The Department will offer the take-away meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. There is a limited number of meals available and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at the following locations:
•Arbutus Community Center: 865 Sulphur Spring Rd, Halethorpe, Maryland 21227
•Dundalk PAL Center: 15 Commerce Place, Dundalk, Maryland 21222
•Cockeysville PAL Center: 9836 Greenside Drive, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030
•Hillendale PAL Center: 1111 Halstead Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21234
•Mars Estates PAL Center: 1498 East Homberg Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21221
•Scotts Branch PAL Center: 3651 Rolling Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21244
•Shady Spring PAL Center: 8876 Goldenwood Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21237
•Winfield PAL Center: 8304 Carlson Lane, Baltimore, Maryland 21244
•Woodmoor PAL Center: 7111 Croydon Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21207

CCBC Classes Canceled

All in-person CCBC classes are canceled Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 22, and will resume remotely via alternative teaching methods starting Monday, March 23. Online classes will continue to be held as scheduled.

County Employees

Non-Essential Employee Telework: Baltimore County has instituted telework for all non-essential employees who are able to do so.

Suspension of County Travel: Suspending all County government-related travel through April 30.