Year: 2019

Eastern Tech Boys Soccer Complete the Sweep of Sparrows Point 3-1


After the Eastern Tech Girls Soccer Team ended the six-year run of Sparrows Point Girls Soccer Tuesday afternoon, the Maverick Boys Soccer Team ended the season of the Sparrows Point Boys team with a 3-1 victory at CCBC Essex on Tuesday evening.

Bill Gates of the Dundalk Eagle & Avenue News tweeted out that Dylan Nesteruk scored all three of the Mavericks’ goals.

The Eastern Tech Boys team opened the playoffs with a bye and defeated Digital Harbor 4-0 in the second round in the 2A North Region II. Eastern Tech will now be reseeded in the 2A Quarterfinals and their next opponent will be announced after the reseeding.

The Maverick Boys team is looking for their second state title in the last three years.

Eastern Tech Girls Soccer Ends Sparrows Point 6-Year Dynasty


Eastern Tech Girls Soccer did something that no team has done in seven years. They defeated Sparrows Point Girls Soccer in a playoff game by the score of 1-0. The Pointers were the six-time defending state champions. Sparrows Point had won their six state titles in the 1A Classification but moved up to 2A this year.

The Mavericks won their first two playoff games in the 2A North Region II bracket by defeating local rivals Chesapeake 8-0 and Overlea 10-0 before winning at Sparrows Point in the Region II finals on Tuesday afternoon.

Eastern Tech will now go to the state quarterfinals where they will be reseeded with the other seven regional champions in the state 2A Classification.

Suspects Burglarize Fiesta Mexicana, Attempt Burglary at Pastore’s in Rosedale


Do you recognize any of these three young suspects or this red minivan? Baltimore County Police detectives hope to hear from you if you do.

These suspects burglarized Fiesta Mexicana and attempted to burglarize Pastore’s restaurants in the 8400 block of Philadelphia Road in Rosedale in the early morning hours on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Detectives have recovered surveillance video (watch here) that depicts the three suspects driving around the property just before 6 a.m., then stopping in front of Pastore’s. One suspect shattered the entry door to Fiesta Mexicana and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the restaurant, then unsuccessfully attempted to gain entry to Pastore’s. He did, however, do damage to the front door in his attempt.

If you recognize this vehicle or any of these suspects, please, contact the Baltimore County Police Burglary Unit with information by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Off-Duty Officer Arrests Bank Robber in Perry Hall


An off-duty Baltimore County Police officer caught a bank robber in the act on Monday, only to later discover he was wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore, Maryland Field Office for numerous bank robberies across the region.

Officer E. Legge of the Woodlawn Precinct 2 was inside Bank of America in the 7900 block of Honeygo Boulevard in Perry Hall on Monday, Oct. 28 when a man walked up to the teller station next to him and placed a backpack on the counter. Moments later the man left the bank with the backpack and the teller announced she’d just been robbed.

Legge chased after the suspect across the parking lot where he was able to apprehend the man and call for a uniformed officer response. The first responding officer, Officer R. Cross of the White Marsh Precinct 9 immediately recognized the suspect from an FBI wanted suspect release as Fletcher Myea Dorsett (51) with no fixed address.

Dorsett was arrested and is currently held in the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on no bail status.

Deep Creek Middle Student’s Artwork to be Featured at First Lady’s Art Gallery


Artwork by Deep Creek Middle School 8th Grade student Karyn Kasule will be featured in the 2019 Fall Student Artwork Exhibition at the First Lady’s Art Gallery. The opening reception takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 4 – 6 p.m at The House of Delegates Gallery 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, 21401. Hafsah Bala of the Southwest Academy in Western Baltimore County will also have artwork on display at the event.

The First Lady of Maryland, Yumi Hogan, hosts a bi-annual juried exhibition of artwork by Maryland students. At the opening reception for the student artists and their families and teachers, the exhibition will be adjudicated, and three awards will be given for outstanding accomplishments.

The exhibition will include an untitled graphite drawing by Kasule and a mixed media piece titled Colorful Flight by Bala. Kasule’s visual arts teacher, Jasmine Silverman, is the BCPS Middle School Novice Art Teacher of the Year, and Bala’s visual arts teacher, Joyce Boyer, is the BCPS Middle School Career Art Teacher of the Year.

Women’s Cross Country: CCBC Essex Earns 1st Regional Title Since 2012


-by Rocco Geppi –

On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Knights women’s cross country team earned its first NJCAA Region XX Division I Championship since 2012 at the Region XX/Maryland Juco Athletic Conference Championship meet hosted by Hagerstown Community College. Essex finished runners up for the conference title, missing by just four points.

“This is a major accomplishment considering three different student athletes were dealing with various injuries within a week of the meet,” said head cross country coach Noah Hutton. “The ladies raced hard against Anne Arundel Community College just barely losing out on the conference championship.”

This season was a unique combination of extreme talent, potential and student athletes new to the sport.

Gabrielle Turner and Karson Marcellino (Eastern Tech grad) led the way at the regional/conference meet and laid the foundation for a potential nationally competitive women’s team next year.

Turner ran with the top three women all race and out kicked the No. 3 finisher in the last 100m to finish as Region XX and Maryland Juco runner up. Marcellino peaked at the right point in the season and finished the meet in fourth place.

Both earned All-Region XX and All-Maryland Juco honors.

Over the course of the year, Turner led the Knights at every meet and broke the school record for the 5k at the Bud Smitley Invitational at PSU Harrisburg (Oct. 5).

“She races with guts and is always within the top 10-20 miles for the first mile,” Hutton said.

Marcellino was the second place finisher every meet for the Knights and technically ran her fastest 5k at the championship meet, but ran her first 5k of the 6k at Hood invitational (Oct. 19) faster, with a time of 22:09.0.

Both ladies are now top 10 in school history for the 5k and top five in school history for the 6k.

Turner and Marcellino will look to run personal bests at the NJCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 9.

Amber Pearce ran extremely well at regionals considering she recently rolled an ankle. Genevieve LaFon also pushed through an injury that has been lingering since the beginning of the year and ran the only personal best on the women’s side.

Eastern Tech grad Marisa Hernandez and Alisa Lawton also raced hard for the Knights.

Bicyclist Struck & Killed on Campbell Boulevard


A bicyclist injured in a crash with a motor vehicle on Sunday evening has died.

Andre Brown (28) of no fixed address attempted to cross Campbell Boulevard near I-95 around 7:15 p.m. when he was struck by a Ford Focus. He suffered life-threatening wounds and was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he died early this morning.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing their investigation into the circumstances of this fatal crash.

Mountain Christian Ends Plans to Build Wastewater Treatment Plant


Baltimore County Councilman David Marks announced that Mountain Christian Church in Harford County has reserved its plans to build a wastewater treatment plant.

This was controversial on the Baltimore County side as the plant would have dumped its discharge into a tributary of Little Gunpowder Falls in Kingsville. That led to community opposition and meetings in the Kingsville area.

Marks and the Baltimore County Council passed legislation that opposed the Mountain Christian proposal during summer, which he believes lead to the reversal.

“The church will pursue an on-site alternative, something unanimously recommended by the Baltimore County Council in a resolution I sponsored, “Marks explained “Many thanks to Councilmembers Bevins, Crandell, Jones,and Kach for their cosponsorship and my colleagues for their support.

Marks credited the stop to this treatment plant from the community’s determination and drive to fight the project. He also praised Mountain Christian for doing what is best for the community.

“Thanks also to all who expressed their opinion on this issue,” Marks added. “The Gunpowder River Valley is a beautiful resource for Baltimore and Harford Counties, one I will always fight to protect.

Former County Executive Roger Hayden Dies


Former Baltimore County Executive and Baltimore County Board of Education of Member Roger B. Hayden has passed away.

Hayden served as Baltimore County Executive from 1990 to 1994. He was the last and only second Republican to serve at the highest position in Baltimore County. He upset Democratic incumbent County Executive Dennis Rasmussen in 1990. Hayden would lose his-re-election bid to C.A. “Dutch” Rupperberger in 1994.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. released a statement about the passing of Hayden.

“We collectively mourn the passing of former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden. A dedicated public servant and tireless advocate for public education,” Olszewski said.

“County Executive Hayden exemplified what it means to give back to our communities. Baltimore County is stronger for his service and my sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Hayden served on the BCPS Board of Education of Baltimore County twice from 1974 – 1987 and from 2017 – 2019.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams said Hayden was a strong advocate for Baltimore County Public School

“Roger Hayden, in every conversation and with every vote, was focused on making the best decisions for the students and staff of Baltimore County Public Schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.

“I, unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to work with him for long, but I know that his voice and his leadership will be missed on the Board of Education. We all benefited from the depth of his knowledge of Baltimore County government and schools. The nearly 15 years that he spent on the school board are only part of his substantial legacy in this community. We join his family in celebrating his life and achievements.”

Hayden was also known as a successful business man in the area. His business career spanned management positions in finance, operations, facilities management, and transportation at Eastern Stainless Steel, George Transfer, the Baltimore Orioles, and Towson University. His career began in the mailroom at Eastern Stainless Steel and ended as president of The Hayden Consulting Group, which specializes in business and organizational issues.

All Electronic Tolling Begins Next Week at Key Bridge


There’s one week to go before the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) begins cashless toll collection at the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) in Dundalk. Prior to the morning rush hour on Wednesday, Oct. 30, all-electronic toll collection will begin at the Key Bridge via E-ZPass® and Video Tolling.

With all-electronic tolling, cash will no longer be accepted as payment at the Key Bridge. New overhead tolling structures, or gantries, have been installed to collect tolls electronically. The existing toll plaza will still be up until 2021. Drivers will continue through the plaza without stopping and must obey all roadway signs and speed limits, as the plaza will remain an active work zone.

Officials announced the move to all-electronic tolling at the Key Bridge and the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) in northeast Maryland this past spring. All-electronic toll collection began at the Hatem Bridge on Oct. 16. In spring 2021, work at these bridges will be completed, including demolition of the toll plazas. At that time, motorists will be able to travel at highway speeds.

Cashless tolling eases congestion and results in less idling time, which allows better fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle emissions. It is anticipated that cashless tolling at the Hatem and Key bridges will save $1 million in fuel and 44,000 hours each year. The change also increases driver safety and results in a safer work environment for employees.

At the Key Bridge, 80 percent of drivers are E-ZPass® users. E-ZPass® Maryland customers receive significant discounts at most state toll facilities. At the Key Bridge, the two-axle E-ZPass® Maryland toll rate is $3, and the two-axle Video Toll rate is $6. E-ZPass® commuter plans are available. Due to higher processing costs, the Video Toll rate is 50 percent above the base rate with a maximum of $15 above the base rates.

Standard E-ZPass® transponders are free and there is no monthly fee for customers with Maryland addresses. Interested motorists can sign up for E-ZPass® Maryland at ezpassmd.com or by visiting E-ZPass® Maryland Customer Service Centers at MDTA toll facilities, at many Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) locations and at retail partners. A full list of locations is available at ezpassmd.com.

While the schedule has not yet been finalized, additional MDTA facilities will be all-electronic in the future. To help traffic flow through the toll plaza during the westbound deck rehabilitation project, the MDTA has begun cashless tolling at the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge (US 50/301) on Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings. In addition, MDTA is developing a construction timeline to implement all-electronic tolling full-time at the Bay Bridge.