Month: September 2020

Perry Hall Shopping Centers Getting Facelifts; New Stores


Councilman David Marks announced renovations to two local shopping centers in the Perry Hall area.

Wooden structures were seen at the Silver Spring Shopping Center at the corner of Silver Spring & Belair Roads in Perry Hall as renovations started last week. This is the shopping center that added Lidl to take the spot of the old Mars Supermarket building.

“Our office worked with the Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections to have the permits reviewed. Everything was finalized on Sept. 10, and renovations started on Sept. 14,” Marks said.

“By the end of the year, the shopping center should have a nice facelift. Along with the Lidl that opened in January, this has been a good year for that area.”

The other facelift is a mile down the road at the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center at the corner of Ebenezer and Belair roads.

Marks released a schematic showing the new layout and stores scheduled at Perry Hall Square. Boardwalk Fries was reported to join the shopping center, but a Zips Dry Cleaning and a fitness center joins the shopping center. Those stores join Dollar Tree, Brunswick Bowling, Ace Hardware and many other stores.

“Very happy to see these changes. In 2012, the Council created a commercial revitalization district along Belair Road that has helped from this area down to the Silver Spring Shopping Center,” Mark added.

“If you don’t like the new businesses coming in, you have every right not to patronize them. My personal opinion is that occupancies are almost always better than vacancies.”

County Oks Increasing Restaurant Capacity


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.

White Marsh VFC Plan to Hold Train Garden


There have been many cancellations with COVID-19. We are starting to see holiday cancellations as the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company in Dundalk announced they were canceling their 2020 train garden.

But the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company, located at 10331 Philadelphia Rd., announced that they will have their train garden for the 2020 holiday season. They released a statement Saturday.

“Some positive news for the remainder of this year…our Holiday Train Garden will open on November 27th,” said a statement on the WMVFC Facebook page.

“Once we get closer to opening we will announce the various COVID policies which will include “general admission” and “scheduled viewing times”.

Police Report Friday Accident in Dundalk


-Photo courtesy of Sandy Moser-

Baltimore County Police reported that crews were on the scene of a crash at Lynch and Kavanagh roads in Dundalk on Friday, Sept. 18 after 9:30 a.m.

There were social media reports of an overturn vehicle at the location. There was no word on the condition of the driver in the accident.

There were major delays as Harold Road was closed at Lynch Road and Armco Way was closed at Kavanagh Road.

All roads reopened 11 a.m. on Friday.

BCPS Announces Dates for Student & Staff Return


Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams has announced the school system’s timeline for staff and student reentry.

“Since the pandemic began, we have had two primary concerns – the health and wellbeing of our students, staff, and community and continuing to support our students’ academic progress,” said Williams. “As I announced on August 27, we have been considering guidance from Governor Hogan and State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon about a phased-in process for bringing small groups of students back to school buildings for in-person instruction. We have been particularly concerned about students who might benefit most from in-person instruction – students with disabilities and our youngest learners. Our new timeline for staff and student reentry focuses on providing in-person services to those two groups of students. More details will be forthcoming, but we are pleased to announce our first steps back toward in-person instruction for all students.”

All Baltimore County schools reopened virtually on Sept. 8. Teachers who requested access have been allowed to teach from their school buildings as of Sept. 14.

Later this month and into early October, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, Y of Central Maryland, and local childcare providers will be opening Academic Support Centers for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Some of these centers will be in BCPS elementary schools; others in area PAL Centers. The centers will offer full-day childcare included recreation, meals, and support for virtual learning. In total, more than 1,500 students will be served by these centers.

From Friday, Oct. 2, through Friday, Oct. 9, BCPS will survey parents of identified students about returning to school buildings for in-person instruction. This group of identified students includes both students with disabilities who attend separate public day schools and self-contained regional programs and students in preschool, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, all teachers and remaining school staff will return to work from their school buildings.

Small groups of identified students will return to school buildings for in-person instruction by Friday, Nov. 13

BCPS to Add Academic Support Centers


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)

Man Killed in Dundalk Motorcycle Crash


Baltimore County police responded to Eastern Avenue and 48th Street in Dundalk for a call of a motor vehicle crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed that on Sept. 16 around 12:30 p.m., a Baltimore County School bus made a left turn from Westbound Eastern Avenue onto 48th street, headed to deliver meals to a school. A Honda motorcycle was traveling East on Eastern Avenue and struck the rear corner of the bus.

The rider of the motorcycle, identified as Frank Schmidt Jr. (71) of the 2100 block of Sunnythorn Road in Middle River, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and three adult passengers on the bus were not injured.

The Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Team is continuing their investigation. If anyone has information about the crash they are asked to call 410-307-2020.

Wise Avenue VFC Cancels 2020 Train Garden


The Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company in Dundalk announced that they have canceled their train garden for 2020. Here is the statement on their Facebook page

“After careful consideration of all the factors, the Officers and Members of the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Christmas Train Garden.

Our train garden, arguably one of, if not the largest in the State of Maryland attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Even during a non-pandemic situation, it is not uncommon for us to have people crowded into our hall and waiting in lines extending out of our front doors and around our building.

With COVID-19 still a public health concern, and with our physical constraints, we cannot envision a way, either through scheduling, social distancing, mask use, etc. to assure the safety of the public and our members.

Our primary goal is the safety and protection of life of the people and property in our community. We do not want to be in the position of potentially causing the needless spread of this virus. Also, as first responders we cannot afford to unnecessarily expose our members, which could ultimately impact our
ability to provide life-saving services.

We will be making sure Santa Claus still makes his rounds on the fire engine across the entire Dundalk community. Much like we did with the Easter Bunny last March and April, we can still bring Holiday cheer while keeping people safe.

It is our greatest hope that by this time next year this public health crisis will have passed, and we can once again resume this great Dundalk tradition.”

Woman Dies in Parkville Car Accident


One woman died following a vehicle crash in Parkville Monday morning.

Police responded to the crash just after 12 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13 when a Can-Am Spyder was traveling westbound on E. Joppa Road near Waltham Woods Road and struck another vehicle. The Can-Am lost control causing it to hit a median, roll over and eject both occupants. Baltimore County EMS transported the driver to an area hospital. The passenger of the Can-Am was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.

The passenger is identified as Elisha Denise Hemsley (30) of the 4000 block of Belwood Avenue in eastern Baltimore City. The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing to work to determine the cause of this fatal crash.

Middle River’s Orems Road to Close for Month


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.