Month: February 2021

County Announces Sparrows Point Park Project


County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced major updates for a new Sparrows Point Park project, which will be co-located at Tradepoint Atlantic.

This project will be the first entirely new park built by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks in six years and will fill a longstanding recreational gap in the Edgemere-Sparrows Point area.

“Our parks allow us to come together, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate all our county has to offer and I’m thrilled that this new site will provide an engaging and supportive space for the Sparrows Point community—and beyond,” said Olszewski. “Growing up in the shadow of the steel mill, I’ve seen firsthand how Tradepoint Atlantic is transforming our local economy and I’m thankful for their continued partnership as we now work to provide this vibrant neighborhood hub that will connect our families and communities for generations to come.”

“We are pleased to partner with the County Executive and the Sparrows Point – Edgemere community to provide this much needed and promised parkland for public recreational use,” Said Aaron Tomarchio, Executive Vice President for Tradepoint Atlantic. “Integrating a public park into our re-development plan is simply the right thing to do, and something the community requested we consider since day one. We look forward to taking this next step to bring a Sparrows Point community park to reality.”

Shortly after taking office in December 2018, Olszewski worked with Tradepoint Atlantic to adjust a previously negotiated public infrastructure agreement to provide the County with a major parcel of environmentally clean, accessible land for a new public park.

County officials and Tradepoint Atlantic have now identified a potential 22-acre water-view site located at 1900 Wharf Road to serve as the location for this new park.

PROJECT DETAILS
The proposed park will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum designed project that includes:

16,000 square foot community center with double court gym, two community-accessible activity rooms and concessions area
Full-size synthetic turf field with LED lighting
10,000 square foot playground
ADA accessible fishing pier and kayak launch
Scenic walking path
“The opportunity to create a new waterfront park with amenities for citizens of all ages is rare and I am excited by the potential. We have advocated and discussed the possibility since the advent of Tradepoint Atlantic and they have always been open to the discussion,” said Councilman Todd K. Crandell. “Thanks to the work and negotiation between the community, the Administration, TPA and the County Council, a once in a generation opportunity to create an amazing new park and community center is coming to fruition.”

“A new facility located at Tradepoint Atlantic would be an invaluable asset to the southeast area communities we have served for over 70 years,” said Tim Dodge, President of the Edgemere-Sparrows Point Recreation Council. “We’re excited for a state-of-the art site that will alleviate existing logistical challenges and expand capacity for our many programs, while paying homage to the proud history of the Sparrows Point area.”

COUNTY TO HOST COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING FEBRUARY 22
To ensure this project best meets the needs of communities, County officials will host a virtual community input meeting on Monday, February 22, at 7 p.m. to share additional details for the project and to seek community feedback on the proposal.

Sparrows Point Park Virtual Community Input Meeting

Monday, 2/22; 7 p.m.
Via Webex
Call in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 607 2992
Community members are encouraged to view the proposed plan and submit comments, questions and feedback by visiting baltimorecountymd.gov/sparrowspointpark or by emailing SparrowsPointPark@BaltimoreCountyMD.gov.

RESIDENTS INVITED TO TAKE ONLINE SURVEY
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks is inviting residents to participate in an online survey to share their input on amenities at Sparrows Point Park. The survey is available here.

More information about the project and proposed plan is available here.

Following completion of the project’s design, a groundbreaking for the new Sparrows Point Park is expected later this year.

Man Dies from Injuries in Kingsville Crash


A 61-year-old man died on Friday following a motorcycle accident that occurred in October 2020. The accident happened along New Cut Road in Kingsville near Harford Road.

Paul Blankenship sustained a traumatic brain injury after he traveled off the road and lost control of the Harley Davidson he was riding. Blankenship was found unconscious but breathing at the scene of the crash. Due to his injury, Blankenship was in and out of the hospital over the past four months.

He died while in hospice care on Feb
12. According to the medical examiner, Blankenship had been drinking and was impaired at the time of the crash.

Middle River Woman Dies in Dundalk Crash


46-year-old Rachel Ann Mashburnni of the 7500 block of Clearlake Lane of Middle River died on Feb. 10 from injuries she sustained after being struck by a car on Jan. 11.

Crash investigators determined as Mashburn attempted to cross the southbound lanes of Dundalk Avenue near Center Place South around 8 p.m., a Toyota Camry traveling southbound struck her.

Mashburn was not using the crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene.

Mashburn was taken by medics to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. She was later transferred to the Gilchrist Center Towson where she died.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team continues its investigation into this fatal crash and the factors that contributed to it.

Eastern Tech Student Among Finalists for School Board


Logan Dubel of Franklin High School and Christian Thomas of Eastern Technical High School have emerged as the final two candidates for student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County for the 2021-2022 school year.

Dubel and Thomas were selected following application reviews and Feb. 4 interviews with a panel of students and staff.

Dubel, a junior, is president of the Franklin High Class of 2022, a member of the school’s Mock Trial Team, managing editor for the school newspaper, public address announcer and press box manager for several sports, and co-chair of the Baltimore County Student Councils Infrastructure Committee. He has been a member of the varsity badminton team and been active in school theatre productions. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Outside of school, Dubel is a news anchor and digital reporter for OceanCity.com, a writer for the Art League of Ocean City, and co-founder and tutor for the Students As Tutors organization. Dubel also participates in Vanderbilt University Programs for Talented Youth, Legal Reasoning, and the American Legal System.

Thomas, a junior, is president of the Eastern Tech Class of 2022, vice-president/co-founder of the Eastern Tech Red Cross Club, vice-chair/co-founder of Eastern Tech Democrats, an executive officer of Eastern Tech’s student government association, treasurer of the National Honor Society, and member of the school’s theatre club and Future Business Leaders of America. In addition to the National Honor Society, Thomas is a member of the National English Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society. He represents Eastern Tech on the Baltimore County Student Councils Board of Selected Students. Outside of school, Thomas serves as co-chair/founder of The Domino Effect Initiative (a nonprofit that provides mentors and other supports for students in need) and special events secretary for the Red Cross North Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region Youth Advisory Board Executive Committee.

Middle and high school students will cast online ballots on Wednesday, Mar. 17, for either Dubel or Thomas. This is the first year, due to a change in Maryland law, that BCPS students will directly select the student member of the Board, without approval from the governor.

Videotaped speeches from the two candidates will be available online, on social media, and in selected English language arts and social studies classes from Monday, Feb. 22, to Friday, Feb. 26. Also during that week, middle and high school students will be able to submit questions to the two candidates. On Mar. 17, videos of the candidates answering selected questions will be available for online viewing. Student voting will take place online from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mar. 17.

Dundalk Man Killed in Rossville Accident


Baltimore County Police report that 39-year old Dominic William Ajello Jr. of the 3300 block of Belsford Court of Dundalk was killed on Saturday night after being struck by a vehicle on Pulaski Highway near Rossville Boulevard. 

Ajello crossed at the crosswalk, against the pedestrian signal, just before 7 p.m. He was struck by a Nissan Altima that traveled eastbound on Pulaski Highway. The driver of the Nissan remained at the scene. 

Ajello was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center by medics where he died. 

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing their investigation to determine all of the factors involved in this fatal crash

Murder-Suicide Reported in Middle River


A murder-suicide in Middle River remains under investigation.

18-year old April Renee Lawson was found fatally shot inside her Middle River home. Police found 20-year old Michael Ruben Morris Jr. inside the home suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officers responded to the 3900 block of Bayville Road for an attempted suicide with a gun last night just before 10:30 p.m.

Once inside the home, they found Lawson inside suffering gunshot wounds to the upper body. Morris suffered what appeared to have been a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper body. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Baltimore County Police Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surround this incident. 

Woman’s Death on Page Drive in Dundalk Ruled Homicide

Beverly Ann Bedell Found Dead in Her Page Drive Home


Baltimore County Police are investigating a suspicious death after they discovered a woman dead in her home Jan. 31.

The woman, identified as Beverly Ann Bedell (76) of the 2800 block of Page Drive in Dundalk was discovered inside her home by officers dispatched for a call of a welfare check. Family members called police to check on Bedell after they were unable to reach her by phone. Detectives are investigating to determine if the victim was targeted.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled the death homicide by traumatic injury. Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit are asking anyone who may have information to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.