BCPS Name Four Candidates for Superintendent Position


The BCPS Board of Education released the names of four finalists for the position of superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools.

According to Eastcountytimes.com, Superintendent finalists include:
• Dr. William Heiser, chief operating officer, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, who provides executive leadership for the fourth largest school system in Maryland, supporting more than 85,000 students and 130 schools, and who previously served as a principal in Baltimore County

• Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox, superintendent, Raytown C-2 School District, who is serving her fourth year as superintendent of schools for a suburban school district in Missouri, and has more than 30 years of experience in education, including several central office leadership roles in Baltimore County

• Dr. Edward Ryans, associate superintendent for high schools and non-traditional programs, Prince George’s County Public Schools, whose 30-year education career spans the classroom, the principalship, and central office leadership in Prince George’s County, the second largest school system in Maryland

• Dr. David Sovine, superintendent, Washington County Public Schools, who has more than 30 years of experience in education and previously served as superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools in Virginia for 11 years, and currently serves as the president of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland Executive Board.

The finalists will take part in a public town hall scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, Towson 21204. The Board plans to appoint a new superintendent no later than the week of June 22.

Once selected by the Board and approved by the state superintendent, the new superintendent will take office on Wednesday, July 1. They will succeed the retiring BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers, who has led the 108,000-student school system since 2023.

“The Board of Education has worked diligently to find visionary educational leaders to guide our system,” said Board Chair Jane Lichter.

“With today’s announcement, we are excited to introduce a slate of highly qualified candidates. We encourage the BCPS community to attend the town hall to learn more about their accomplished backgrounds and visions for BCPS.”

Chemical Spill Cleaned Up on UMBC Campus


Baltimore County Fire Department reported crews were dispatched for a Catonsville chemical spill near the UMBC campus on Hilltop Circle on Tuesday.

The building was evacuated around 8:39 a.m. as crews monitored the environment and continued working to contain the spill.

One patient was evaluated but no injuries were reported.

The spill was later contained and mitigated and crews  cleared the scene around 11 a.m.

Pedestrian Killed in Liberty Road Crash


Baltimore County Police reported a pedestrian died in a fatal crash on Liberty Road on Saturday night.

Police responded to the area of Liberty Road and Forest Hill Road for a pedestrian crash involving a motor vehicle on Feb. 14 at approximately 6:20 p.m.

When officers arrived they located 67-year-old Loretta Pretlow. She was transported to an area hospital in cardiac arrest, where she was later pronounced deceased.

The driver of the 2004 Acura RDX that struck Pretlow remained at the scene. Neither the driver nor the four passengers in the Acura were injured.

A preliminary investigation indicates Pretlow was attempting to cross Liberty Road when she was struck by the westbound Acura.

This crash remains under investigation by detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department Crash Team.

Pedestrian killed on Baltimore National Pike near Ingleside


A pedestrian, who was struck  along Baltimore National Pike near Ingleside Avenue, has died.

The victim has been identified as 48-year-old Jarrett Ayers. The crash took place on Wednesday, February 4,

Ayers was pronounced deceased on February 10. Preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a vehicle traveling westbound on Baltimore National Pike struck Ayers while he was in the roadway.

The driver remained at the scene.

Detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Team are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.

 

Fuel Tanker Rollover Shuts Down Beltway in Baltimore County

–photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department-

Fuel Tanker Rollover was reported on I695 near Washington Blvd on Tuesday around 10:34 a.m.

According to Baltimore County Fire Department, a truck carrying combined 7000 gallons of gasoline and diesel rolled over on the Inner Loop.

HazMat team and MDE were on the scene for the fuel leak.

Both the inner & outer loops were both closed.

Maryland State Highway reported
I-695 Inner Loop Left Travel Lane and Left Shoulder reopened at 3:30 p.m. Three Right Travel Lanes and Right Shoulder Remain CLOSED.

No injuries were reported.

Madigan Leaving Position as County Inspector General

Kelly Madigan announced she is leaving his position as Inspector General for Baltimore County to take the same job in Howard County.

Madigan has served as the Inspector General in Baltimore County since the inception of the office in January 2020.

There was controversy in July when
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier announced the selection of Khadija E. Walker over Madigan as her new appointee for Baltimore County Inspector General.

That angered many citizens and council members for Klausmeier bypassing Madigan for another term.

The selection of Walker was rejected by the County Council  and Madigan remained the IG.

No  statement has been released by Baltimore County on a possible replacements for the new IG.

Lansdowne Fire Reported on Baltimore Avenue


Baltimore County Fire Department responded to the 100 block of Baltimore Avenue in Lansdowne at 7:01 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 for reports of a house fire.

Crews arrived to find fire showing from the second floor.

Two residents suffered smoke inhalation and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Pedestrian and His Dog Killed in Towson Accident


Baltimore County Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred in the area of Towsontown Boulevard and Emerson Drive in Towson.

Officers responded to the scene of an injured pedestrian on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at approximately 4:15 p.m.

When officers arrived, they discovered that the pedestrian and his dog were struck by a 2014 Toyota Camry traveling westbound on Towsontown Blvd.

The driver of the Toyota remained at the scene after the crash.

The pedestrian, 32-year-old Jordan Sachs was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and his dog was taken to an animal hospital by a resident. Both were pronounced deceased on Wednesday.

Reisterstown Gas Leak Reported on Main Street


–photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department–

A gas leak was reported in the unit block of Main Street in Reisterstown on Tuesday.

Baltimore County Fire Department reported a high pressure gas leak around 2:55 p.m.

Main Street was closed from Westminster Pike to W Chatsworth Ave due to high winds outside odor of gas expected.

BGE crews was called to the scene and they secured the leak.

Fire crews conducted final monitoring of area and cleared the scene.

No injuries reported.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash Reported in Upperco Near Black Rock Rd


Baltimore County Police reported a motorcycle crash in Upperco that killed a man on Saturday.

Crash Team members are investigating the circumstances about the crash on Nov. 1 at approximately 2:45 p.m. near Black Rock and Mount Zion roads.

Police determined a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling southbound on Black Rock Road, approaching Mount Zion Road when it collided with a 2020 Volvo.

The driver of the motorcycle, 50-year-old John Sayo, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

This crash remains part of an on-going investigation.