Month: June 2021

BCPS to Remain Open for Juneteenth Holiday


Baltimore County Public Schools – both schools and offices – will be open and operating on normal schedules on Friday, June 18, the new federal and state holiday for Juneteenth.

“We applaud the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal and state holiday,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “However, in accordance with the 2020-2021 school calendar approved by the Board of Education of Baltimore County, BCPS schools and offices will be open on Friday, June 18, 2021. Closing the schools on Friday would compel us to extend the school year by a day to meet state requirements regarding minimum number of school days. We look forward to working with the Board and staff to fully celebrate Juneteenth in 2022 and beyond.”

BCPS is one of only three Maryland school systems where school is still in session for students. Our teachers and staff have been provided with curriculum-based resources to support classroom learning on Friday about Juneteenth and its historical significance. In addition, students and families are being encouraged to learn more about Juneteenth and to participate in additional learning activities and cultural celebrations throughout the community.

While the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, enslaved people in Texas received word of their freedom on June 19, 1865, from Union troops. The celebration of Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19, honors the remarkable struggle and perseverance of African Americans.

Ribbon Cutting to be held for Rossville school


BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski will join members of the Board of Education of Baltimore County and the Baltimore County Council on Tuesday, June 22 at 10 a.m. in the officially breaking ground for a new 735-seat northeastern elementary school on 7649 Gum Spring Road in Rossville.

The school is designed to meet the educational needs of one of Baltimore County’s fastest-growing areas.

The $53.1 million project, which will provide more than 108,000 square feet of learning space along Ridge Road in the Rossville community of Baltimore County, is scheduled to open to students for the 2022-2023 school year.

Dundalk Man Dies in Reisterstown Road Crash


Baltimore County Police reported 24-year-old, Jesus Zuniga Gallegos of the 6900 block of Bank Street of Dundalk died early Wednesday morning at Sinai Hospital after he was involved in a motor vehicle crash in the 600 block of Reisterstown Road in Pikesville.

Gallegos was driving a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on Reisterstown Road approaching Irving Place when he struck a 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The driver of the Jeep remained at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing its investigation to determine the factors involved in this fatal crash.

Bad Storm Damage Reported in Edgemere Area


The North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department [NPEVFD] reported that a strong storm on Monday, June 14 resulted in 18 service calls in the North Point Peninsula area.

Some of those calls included down trees, down powerlines and flooding.

One of those calls sent the Baltimore County Marine Unit to rescue two boaters who were stranded near the Fort Howard Lighthouse after their boat was overtaken by bad weather.

The boaters were rescued in what was described as “extremely rough sea conditions”.

It was reported that all crew members returned back safely.

“Last night the North Point Peninsula community experienced mother nature at her worst,” said a statement from the NPEVFD Facebook page.

Some in the area have questioned if this storm was a tornado. The National Weather Service has not yet confirmed if Monday’s storm was a tornado but the NPEVFD said the storm appeared to have a “rotation”

“The crew entered into the first storm cell, which was indicative of some rotation, while the events are still being investigated by the NWS, it is hard to deny rotation of this storm,” said a statement from NPEVFD.

Hogan to End COVID State of Emergency


Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that the COVID-19 state of emergency in the state will expire on June 30 and will not be renewed.

“Today I announced the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency in Maryland. On Thursday, July 1, any and all emergency restrictions and mandates of any kind will end. Masks or face coverings will not be required in any settings anywhere, including schools, camps, and child care facilities.

July 1 will also begin a 45-day grace period through August 15 where certain regulations will continue to be relaxed to help people complete the transition out of the pandemic. This includes an additional 45 days to renew your expired driver’s license, and if you have not yet made an appointment to do that yet, you should take care of that as soon as possible.

Thanks in large part to the hard work, the sacrifices, and the vigilance of the people of Maryland, we have finally reached the light at the end of that long tunnel. Each and every one of you—your actions—have made this day possible.”

Two Partial Human Remains Found in Dundalk Water


Baltimore County Police were called to the Peninsula Expressway Bridge in Dundalk after a fisherman discovered what he believed to be two partial human remains in the water on Sunday evening June 13.

Responding officers made the same observation, retrieved the remains and transported them to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Homicide Detectives are investigating this case and believe this discovery is related to the May 4, 2021 incident where partial human remains were also located.

If you have any information on the identity of the victim or the circumstances surrounding their death, please call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.

Patapsco Alum and Movie Star Dies at 74

He was known in Hollywood as Ernie Lively


The Facebook group Patapsco Unauthorized Unabashed Yearly Reunion, which reports on alumni news for Patapsco High School in Dundalk, informed the group that Class of 1966 alum and movie star Ernie Brown passed away on Thursday, June 3 at the age of 74.

After high school and before Hollywood, Brown was a marine that served in the Vietnam War.

The entertainment site Hollywood Reporter said that Brown changed his name to Ernie Lively when he went to Hollywood.

According to the site, Lively was in many roles such as Passenger 57, Turner and Hooch, the Dukes of Hazzard and many other films and TV shows

Multiple sites reported that Lively died in Los Angeles of cardiac complications with members of his family by his side.

Overlea/Sollers HS Grad Named Young Woman of the Year


Michelle Sobambo, a 2021 graduate of Overlea High School, has been named Baltimore County’s Young Woman of the Year. She will be honored by Baltimore County government and its Commission for Women during the 39th Annual Woman of the Year Awards Ceremony, which will be a virtual event, held on Wednesday, June 16, at 6 p.m.

“Michelle Sobambo is a hardworking and dedicated student committed to her educational future,” said Dr. Monica Sample, principal of Overlea High. “Michelle is a natural leader and role model to others. Michelle selflessly and willingly serves her community and is always looking to contribute to the global society in a positive way.”

“Through her outstanding academic performance, student leadership, and community service, Michelle Sobambo brings honor to her family, her schools, and all of Baltimore County Public Schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Her example challenges all students to pursue their areas of interest and find ways to contribute and lead.”

At Overlea High, Sobambo was a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honors Society, African Students Association, World Language Club, Girls Who Code, varsity soccer team, varsity softball team, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and the Allied Bowling Team. In addition, she attended Sollers Point Technical High School as a member of the selective Academy of Health Professionals program, with a specialty in anatomy and physiology. At Sollers, she earned nursing assistant certification and was a member of the National Technical Honors Society. She expects to become certified as a pharmacy technician by August.

As president of the Overlea High Student Government Association, Sobambo coordinated the schoolwide One Love outreach campaign (to educate students about relationship abuse), the Angel Tree program (for helping the less fortunate during the holiday season), a project to assist animals living in animal shelters, and the Let’s Read book donation and guest reader program. Under her leadership, Overlea’s Student Government Association won the highest BCPS honor awarded for overall student council effectiveness, the Superintendent’s Cup.

Beyond Overlea High, Sobambo was a member of the Baltimore County Student Councils’ Board of Selected Students and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; has attended county and statewide leadership training; teaches Sunday school at House of Praise Baltimore; and volunteers at the Rosedale branch of Baltimore County Public Library.