Year: 2019

Police Identify 15-Year-Old Killed in Dundalk Pedestrian Crash


Baltimore County Police responded to Delvale Avenue at Martell Avenue in for a pedestrian crash on Tuesday, Dec. 3 around 5:30 p.m.

Officers conducted their investigation and determined that a 2006 Nissan Altima was traveling north on Delvale Avenue when the car drove onto the sidewalk. The car then struck a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk. The pedestrian has been identified as Trinity Lynn Brooks, 15, of the 1800-block of East Avenue in Dundalk. Trinity was later pronounced deceased by Baltimore County Fire Department personnel.

The driver of the Altima has been taken into custody. More information will be released once the driver has been formally charged by police.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Trinity’s family.

Police Investigating Shooting of 17 Year Old on Back River Neck Road


Baltimore County Police reported that they received a call for a shooting in the 100-block of Back River Neck Road in Essex on Dec. 3 around 4:30 p.m.

When police arrived, they were unable to locate any victims. A short time later, police received information that a 17-year-old male sought treatment at a local hospital for a gunshot wound to the upper body.

Investigators determined that the 17-year-old was the victim from the shooting on Back River Neck Road. The juvenile is expected to survive his injuries. No additional information or suspect information at this time.

All BCPS Schools Receive Grade From MSDE


Of the county’s 159 public schools evaluated in the 2019 Maryland Report Card, 85.5% received 3, 4 or 5 stars, according to data released today by the Maryland State Department of Education.

“While most of our schools performed well in comparison to schools across the state, every one of our schools has the potential for greatness,” said Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “The Maryland Report Card is one of many sources of data that we use to guide ongoing improvements that will raise the academic bar, close gaps, and prepare each of our kids for a successful future. For example, every school is using a data-based Community School Progress Summary, which is a streamlined version of the school progress plan, to highlight this school year’s focus areas for instruction and professional learning. Through my forthcoming budget proposal, I will identify systemwide priorities for student learning and growth.”

The state’s accountability system identifies a star rating, percentile rank, and percent of total earned points for each evaluated school. These scores reflect school performance on multiple components. For elementary and middle schools, the system includes academic achievement, academic progress, progress in achieving English language proficiency, and measures of school quality and student success. For high schools, the accountability system includes academic achievement, graduation rate, progress in English language proficiency, readiness for postsecondary success, and measures of school quality and student success.
 
Here is a list of the 2019 Star Ratings according to Maryland Report Card. Eastern Baltimore County Schools are in bold

5-star
Carroll Manor Elementary
Chapel Hill Elementary
Cromwell Valley Elementary
Eastern Technical High
Fifth District Elementary
Fort Garrison Elementary
Franklin Elementary
George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology
Hereford High
Hillcrest Elementary
Honeygo Elementary
Jacksonville Elementary
Kingsville Elementary
Pinewood Elementary
Prettyboy Elementary
Riderwood Elementary
Rodgers Forge Elementary
Seventh District Elementary
Sparks Elementary
Stoneleigh Elementary
Timonium Elementary
West Towson Elementary
Western School of Technology & Env. Science

4-star
Arbutus Elementary
Baltimore Highlands Elementary
Bedford Elementary
Catonsville Elementary
Catonsville High
Chadwick Elementary
Chesapeake Terrace Elementary
Deer Park Elementary
Dulaney High
Dumbarton Middle
Edgemere Elementary
Fullerton Elementary
Grange Elementary
Gunpowder Elementary
Halethorpe Elementary
Hampton Elementary
Hereford Middle
Johnnycake Elementary
Joppa View Elementary
Loch Raven High
Lutherville Laboratory
Mays Chapel Elementary
Middleborough Elementary
New Town Elementary
Oliver Beach Elementary
Padonia International Elementary
Perry Hall Elementary
Pikesville High
Pine Grove Elementary
Pot Spring Elementary
Relay Elementary
Ridgely Middle
Seven Oaks Elementary
Sparrows Point High
Sudbrook Magnet Middle
Summit Park Elementary
Towson High Law & Public Policy
Villa Cresta Elementary
Vincent Farm Elementary
Westchester Elementary
Woodbridge Elementary

3-Star
Bear Creek Elementary
Berkshire Elementary
Carney Elementary
Catonsville Middle
Cedarmere Elementary
Charlesmont Elementary
Chase Elementary
Chatsworth School
Chesapeake High
Church Lane Elementary Technology
Cockeysville Middle
Colgate Elementary
Deep Creek Elementary
Deer Park Middle Magnet School
Dogwood Elementary
Dundalk Elementary
Edmondson Heights Elementary
Elmwood Elementary
Essex Elementary
Franklin High
Glenmar Elementary
Glyndon Elementary
Halstead Academy
Harford Hills Elementary
Hebbville Elementary
Hernwood Elementary
Lansdowne Elementary
Loch Raven Technical Academy
Logan Elementary
Lyons Mill Elementary
Mars Estates Elementary
Martin Boulevard Elementary
Middlesex Elementary
Milbrook Elementary
Milford Mill Academy
New Town High
Norwood Elementary
Oakleigh Elementary
Orems Elementary
Overlea High & Academy of Finance
Owings Mills Elementary
Parkville Middle & Center of Technology
Patapsco High & Center for Arts
Perry Hall High
Perry Hall Middle
Pikesville Middle
Pine Grove Middle
Pleasant Plains Elementary
Powhatan Elementary
Randallstown Elementary
Randallstown High
Red House Run Elementary
Reisterstown Elementary
Sandalwood Elementary
Sandy Plains Elementary
Scotts Branch Elementary
Seneca Elementary
Shady Spring Elementary
Sparrows Point Middle
Sussex Elementary
Timber Grove Elementary
Victory Villa Elementary
Warren Elementary
Wellwood International Elementary
Westowne Elementary
White Oak School
Winand Elementary
Windsor Mill Middle
Winfield Elementary
Woodholme Elementary
Woodlawn Middle
Woodmoor Elementary

2-star
Arbutus Middle
Battle Grove Elementary
Deep Creek Middle
Dundalk High
Dundalk Middle
Featherbed Lane Elementary
Franklin Middle
General John Stricker Middle
Golden Ring Middle
Hawthorne Elementary
Holabird Middle
Kenwood High IB and Sports Science
Lansdowne High & Academy of Finance
Lansdowne Middle
McCormick Elementary
Middle River Middle
Northwest Academy of Heath Sciences
Owings Mills High
Parkville High & Center for Math/Science
Riverview Elementary
Southwest Academy
Stemmers Run Middle
Woodlawn High Center for Pre-Eng. Res.

Police Investigating Child Sexual Assault at Norwood in Dundalk


Baltimore County Police are investigating the sexual assault of a child on school property this morning.

Police said a child reported the incident to school officials at Norwood Elementary School in Dundalk immediately upon arriving at the school this morning. The school resource officer recovered surveillance video of an unknown black male suspect dressed in all dark clothing sexually assaulting the child on a footpath near the baseball fields, then fleeing the school property on foot.

A letter was sent home from Norwood Elementary explaining the situation to parents

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Crimes Against Children Unit are continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone who may have information on this incident or other potentially related suspicious activity is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.

Moye’s 33 Leads in CCBC Essex Basketball 104-83 Slaying of Dragons


– by Rocci Geppi of CCBC Essex –

CCBC Essex Women’s Basketball opened its Maryland Juco Conference and NJCAA Region XX slate on Tuesday at Howard and sophomore guard Mya Moye finished with a career and game-high 33 points in route to a 104-83 victory on the road.

Moye – a transfer from Florida A&M – shot 12-16 overall and hit 7-of-8 threes. She also finished one assist shy of a double-double and had five rebounds and two steals.

“Mya [Moye] has been finding her groove over the last few games,” said Seney, who extended his winning streak versus conference opponents to 86. “We knew a breakout performance was coming and we’re glad it happened in a tough road game.”

Moye is now averaging 19.8 points per game and 5.9 assists per game, both of which rank 6th in the conference and 4th in Region XX Division II. Freshman Logan Handy was second on the team and third in the game with 17 points (6-15). She also added four steals.

The Knights (8-1, 1-0 Maryland Juco) allowed the Dragons to stay in the game early, leading by only four points after the first frame. They outscored Howard 23-17 in the second quarter to take a 46-36 lead into halftime.

“We wanted to make sure we capitalized off [Howard’s] mistakes,” Seney said he and the coaches told the team at the break. “That’s how you extend a lead. You get stops and make the other team pay. That was our message at halftime.” The third quarter was a full on assault, as Essex went 16-27 from the field (59.3%), including 6-10 from beyond the arc (60%) to outscore Howard 41-24.

Handy scored 16 in the third and Moye was a perfect 4-4 overall, going 3-3 from three-point land. Howard (7-2, 1-1 Maryland Juco) bested the Knights 23-17 in the fourth frame, but the damage was already done, as CCBC Essex handed Howard its first conference loss of the season.

Freshmen Amiyah Holmes and Trinity Horton from Chesapeake High in Baltimore County, finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Holmes shot 6-9 and Horton 4-10, as both came off the bench for 20 minutes. CCBC Essex’s bench outscored Howard’s 31-17. As a team, the Knights shot 47.2% (42-89) from the floor and hit 40.6% (13-32) of its three-point attempts.

“It always feels good to win on the road in conference play,” said Seney. “Those games are always tough, especially with us having such a big target on our backs. We are going to get every teams’ best game.”

The Knights are off until Dec. 7 when they return home to host Potomac State College. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

BCPS Secondary Students Approved to Vote for School Board Representation


For the first time, all BCPS middle and high school students will be eligible to cast votes in March 2020 for the next student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County.

That change is thanks to a new process designed to increase student involvement in choosing who will represent them. The process, spearheaded by current Baltimore County Student Councils President Angela Qian and current Board Student Member Omer Reshid, will enable eligible students to cast ballots in all-day (7 a.m. – 8 p.m.) voting on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

“The Student Member of the Board used to be selected in a room with a bunch of adults,” Qian said. “Then, it was selected through student voting at a live forum with around 200 participants. This was a start, but it was not enough.”
Qian added,

“We’re making voting not only more accessible but more democratic by allowing every secondary student an online vote for the Student Member on the Board. That person represents every student in BCPS, so why not allow as many of them to vote as we can? We have the technology that can make it possible, so it’s our responsibility to turn it into reality.”

In the new process, student candidates can appeal directly to students through speeches that will be taped in February and available for viewing in English language arts and social studies classes as well as on the BCPS One online platform. Students also may submit questions in February for consideration during a question-and-answer forum, which students will be able to view March 10-11 prior to the March 12 online voting.

“Our student leaders have been committed to opening up the selection process to have as many students participate as possible,” said Nora Murray, BCPS advisor to Baltimore County Student Councils. “This school year, there will be more information available about candidates to more students than ever, who will have more opportunity than ever to let their voices be heard.”
The online period to apply for the student board member position opens Monday, Dec. 2, and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10.

Applications for the position will be located on the Student Member of the Board online page.
Much of the selection process will remain the same. Finalists for the position will continue to be selected by a panel consisting of student leaders and BCPS personnel. The individual who wins the student election will still require approval from Maryland’s governor.

Prior to 2016, student members had been chosen and recommended to the governor by a committee of BCPS educators, staff, and student leaders. But for the past four school years, BCPS students and student leaders from middle and high schools across the county have met in a convention to select their recommendation for student Board member.

Mother Killed & Toddler Killed in Middle River Crash


Baltimore County Police are continuing to investigate an early morning 5-car collision that killed a woman and injured her 3-year-old son.

The crash happened around 12:30 a.m. on Friday on Eastern Boulevard near White Marsh Boulevard when a Honda Element traveling westbound sideswiped another vehicle travelling in the same direction, then veered across the grass median, striking the Toyota Corolla that the woman and child were traveling eastbound in head-on. The Honda struck two additional vehicles before coming to a stop, causing minor injuries to those occupants.

The driver of the Toyota, identified as Alexis Lashey Steele (23) of the 3900 block of Cutty Sark Road, 21220, was transported to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where she later died. Her 3-year-old son, a passenger in the vehicle, was also transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Honda suffered life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized. Officers from the Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are working to determine the factors involved in the crash, including determining if any drug or alcohol intoxication is involved in this fatal crash.

Councilman Marks Initiates Zoning Changes to Protect Perry Hall Manor, Eastern Perry Hall


Baltimore County Councilman David Marks (R-5) has initiated zoning changes to protect the rural character of Perry Hall Manor and eastern Perry Hall near Interstate-95.

Under the proposal, the land east of Schroeder Avenue currently zoned DR 2 (two houses per acre) would drop to DR 1 (one house per acre). This is the lowest zoning permitted in the urban part of the county.

“The Perry Hall Manor neighborhood should continue to retain its rural character, and we appreciate Councilman Marks initiating this change,” commented Mario Borgerding, president of the Citizens to Preserve Perry Hall Manor. The organization’s board voted unanimously to support the change.

Similarly, land in eastern Perry Hall near Interstate-95 near Forge Road would drop from DR 2 to DR 1.

Councilman Marks downzoned thousands of acres in the Fifth District in 2012 and 2016 to lighten school overcrowding and preserve green space.

“With these steps, we will limit infill development and help preserve the rural feel in two relatively undeveloped areas of Perry Hall,” Councilman Marks commented.

Public hearings are scheduled on the zoning changes in the spring and summer, with a vote by the Baltimore County Council in August.

2019 Holiday Event Schedule for Eastern Baltimore County


Friday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 5
Holiday Train Garden at White Marsh VFC
The White Marsh VFC will start a new tradition with its first train garden this year starting on Friday, Nov. 29 and will be on display until Sunday, Jan. 5. The train garden will be open 2 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Closed Christmas Day. There is no charge but donations will be accepted. The train garden is located at 10331 Philadelphia Road, White Marsh, Maryland 21162.

Saturday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.
Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society Train Garden
The Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society Train Garden will open for the 2019 season on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Jan. 5
Wise Avenue VFC Train Garden
The Wise Avenue VFC Train Garden returns on Saturday Nov. 30 and will be on display until Sunday, Jan. 5. The train garden will be open 6 to 9 p.m. on weeknights and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Closed Christmas Day. There is a $2 charge and children seven and under are free. The train garden is located at 214 Wise Avenue in Dundalk.

Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.
Middle River Lighted Boat Parade
The lighted boat parade will return to the Middle River waterways on Nov. 30 starting at 5 p.m. Boats travel through the waterways with deocated boats for the holiday. The parade can be viewed at Wilson Point Park, Kingston Park in Hawthorne and local restaurants on the waterways.

Thursday, Dec. 5 & Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Destination Christmas at Central Christian
For two nights only, Central Christian Church at 7411 Rossville Blvd. in Rosedale is hosting a FREE walk-through Christmas experience at their White Marsh Campus! Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 5 or Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8: 30 p.m. Some of the events include: marshmallows by the fire, tinsel trail wagon ride, live nativity with real animals, winter wonderland train garden, the Christmas story musical light show, candy cane lane, the north pole with crafts for kids, costumed characters and pictures with Santa Festivities run continuously for the two days so arrive whenever you can and stay as long as you’d like!

Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.
THE AVENUE at White Marsh Holiday Parade
THE AVENUE at White Marsh will play host its 21st Annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. The parade will feature local high school marching bands, street performers, mascots, dance troupes and so much more.

Saturday, Dec. 7 at noon to 8 p.m.
Holiday Hoopla Street Fair
The Dundalk Renaissance Corp. will hold its annual Holiday Hoopla Street Fair on Saturday, Dec. 7 from noon to 8 p.m.at the Old Dundalk Shopping Center. This event is free and will have Letters to Santa, a cookie tour, Street Fair with Vendors and Holiday Inflatables!

Saturday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m.
Dundalk Christmas parade
The annual Dundalk Christmas parade returns on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Old Dundalk Shopping Center at 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.
Essex Tree Lighting and Open House
The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River, Inc. will host the Essex Tree Lighting and Open House at 516 Eastern Blvd. in Essex from 5 to 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by MC Karie May and DJ Russell Slocum . Santa will arrive in a fire truck parade courtesy of our Essex VFC and Middle River VFC. All children present can get a photo with Santa and receive a special gift (while supplies last). This is a free event.

Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
Parkville Tree Lighting
The Parkville Shopping Center is 9th annual Parkville Tree Lighting at the intersection of Harford Road and Taylor Avenue. The event will feature holiday music, the St. Ursula choir and Sneaks the BCPL Cat.

Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
Perry Hall Tree Lighting
The Perry Hall Improvement Association will continue its annual tradition of a tree lighting at Perry Hall Elementary on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. The ceremony started in 1990 and has coincided with the school’s choral program. The ceremony is sponsored by the Perry Hall Improvement Association and Perry Hall Elementary.

Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Dundalk Community Tree Lighting
The Eastern Regional Lions Club is hosting the Dundalk Community Tree Lighting at Poplar Place Shopping Center at the intersection of Wise Avenue and Merritt Boulevard. The event starts off at the North Point Library with crafts. Then the tree lighting will take place at the shopping center at 5:50 p.m with Santa arriving at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
Overlea Tree Lighting
The Overlea Tree Lighting will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Fullerton Community Center, 7209 Belair Road in Overlea. This is a free annual event to celebrate the holidays with local entertainment, FREE hot cocoa, s’mores, cannolis, and more.Kids are invited to sing carols, take home their free gift and see Santa from Rosedale VFC. This event is provided by Overlea Community Association volunteer.

Did we miss any events?
If so, email us at editor@eastbaltco.com

Marks Shares Map of District 5 Submitted Issues for 2020 CZMP


Councilman David Marks stated that today (Nov. 27) is the last day when County Councilmembers may submit issues as part of the 2020 Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP). Zoning determines what can be built on any property.

Marks has shared a map (ABOVE) of the 79 issues submitted in the Fifth District.

“I initiated dozens of issues to make sure development is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. In 2012 and 2016, we downzoned thousands of acres to lighten school overcrowding and preserve open space,”Marks said in a statement.

“Over the next few weeks, I will be announcing the Council-initiated issues. Public hearings will held this spring, with a Council vote in August.”