Author: eastbaltco

Man Tries to Ignite Gas Pumps In Middle River


Baltimore County Police arrest one suspect for attempted arson in Middle River.

Police responded to Royal Farms in the 12500 block of Eastern Avenue, 21220 just after 10 p.m. Tuesday night for a disturbance. The initial investigation revealed that a man left the location after refusing to pay for an item.

A short time later he returned and removed a fire extinguisher from a gas pump and discharged it in the parking lot. Then he grabbed the gas pump nozzles of numerous pumps and forcefully struck them against the sides of the gas pump terminals. Afterward, he attempted to ignite numerous gas pumps while threatening to set the location on fire. Police found him a short distance away with the fire extinguisher.

Evan Wendell Hunt (26), who has no fixed address, was arrested and is charged with attempted second degree arson, threat of arson and various other charges. He is held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a no bail status pending a bail hearing.

Four Parkville HS Basketball Seniors to Play College Ball


Parkville High School announced that four players from its Boys Basketball team have committed to play college basketball in the fall.

*John Godinez has committed to Norte Dame College of Ohio.

*Khalil Dukes is headed to Central Penn College.

* Jordan Strickland will play college ball at Harford Community College.

* Alphonso Morrow will continue his basketball career at Penn State Fayette.

The Knights had a magical run this season as they advanced to play in the 4A State Semifinals, but their season ended with all other sports teams across the globe with a cancellation after COVID-19.

Even though the team never had the chance to finish its season, Parkville Athletic Director Jeff Markle said Coach Josh Czerski can still take pride in helping send his players to the college level.

“Our coaching staff, mainly Coach Czerski, works extremely hard to find the kids an opportunity at the next level. In his four years as head coach at Parkville he has sent 10 players to the next level,” Markle told EastBaltCo.com.

“This year he was 4 for 4 in doing so. He and the athletes deserve the credit.”

COVID-19 Could Delay Northeast School Construction Projects


EastBaltCo.com was the first to report that the General Assembly finally passed SB 1 which secured school construction funding across the state and Baltimore County.

This funding was set for three northeast Baltimore County school projects; a new elementary school in the Rossville area, a new middle school at Nottingham Park on King Avenue and to expand Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.

Gov. Larry Hogan was in favor of the construction money and was expected to sign the bill, but recent events of COVID-19 have changed the landscape of Maryland.

As a result of an unexpected economic downfall, Hogan said he was not going to sign any spending bills into law. It appears that the $400 million in Baltimore County school construction funding could be denied.

Fifth District School Board Member Julie Henn stated that BCPS is still going to plan for construction of those schools even though it is now unlikely.

“Last night, the Board approved a contract modification that authorizes the school system to purchase new technology for projects including the new NE Elementary School at Ridge Road and the new NE Middle School,” Henn said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The approval was bittersweet. While it is encouraging to see plans for these projects advance, construction cannot move forward without state funding.”

Henn added that she has been working hard to get these schools built in her district and said she will continue to fight for construction of those schools

“Baltimore County Councilman David Marks and I remain committed to doing everything we can to advance these schools for the communities we represent and call home,” Henn said.

Hogan Orders Face Coverings in Public Maryland Businesses


Gov. Larry Hogan has signed an Executive Order requiring Marylanders to wear a face covering when visiting establishments.

This face covering requirement does not have to be a medical mask. That includes a bandana or a scarf as long as it covers a person’s nose and mouth.

This applies to Marylanders entering all Retail and Food Establishments such as carry outs and grocery stores. All staff at Retail and Food Establishments are required to wear face coverings ypp.

This executive order also applies to all operators and riders of public transportation.

Baltimore County to Hold COVID-19 Testing Drive-Through


In an effort to keep pace with the demand for COVID-19 testing, the Baltimore County Department of Health will open a drive-through clinic to test patients who have a medical order from a healthcare provider.

The clinic will be located at the Timonium Fairgrounds (2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093) and will open on Thursday, April 16. Testing will continue to occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays while test kits are available.

“Our response to this pandemic must include every effort possible to help reduce the spread of the virus and save lives, and testing is a critical component of those efforts,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski.

“Increasing testing capacity in Baltimore County is part of our comprehensive effort to keep our residents safe and healthy during this crisis.”

“In a matter of weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed life, as we know it,” said Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch. “Providing a testing clinic at this location will allow for both efficiency and safety, and is another example of Baltimore County working to meet the changing landscape brought about by this pandemic.”
Increased access to testing is a priority in helping to prevent the spread of the virus. The fairgrounds are easily accessible and able to accommodate multiple lanes of vehicles at once. Additionally, patients will not have to leave their vehicles during the testing process.

Schedule an Appointment
Patients must first get authorization from a healthcare provider to be tested.
Once authorization is obtained, the person to be tested must schedule an appointment using the state-designated Chesapeake Regional Information System (CRISP). Tested individuals will receive post-test instructions at the clinic and test results will be available within five to seven days.
People arriving at the site without an order from a healthcare provider and/or without a pre-scheduled appointment will not be tested.

COVID-19 Hotline
Residents with questions or who need assistance can call the Baltimore County COVID-19 Hotline seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 410-887-3816.

Baltimore County Launches Detailed COVID-19 Dashboard


Baltimore County Government has created an app with information about COVID-19.

The dashboard covers all the cases of the coronavirus throughout the county. It has a list of the cases in each Baltimore County by zip code. The app also breaks down each case by race, gender and age.

According to the first version on the county’s dashboard, 59.13 percent of the county cases have been female with 40.87 percent of cases listed as male.

The stats by race show African Americans with 555 cases, Caucasians with 417 and Asians with 31 cases. There were 224 cases listed as “other” and 148 cases were listed with no race reported.

The Dashboard listed that there have been 1,377 confirmed cases and 41 deaths as a result of the virus in Baltimore County. The site also lists the state of Maryland with 9,472 cases and 302 deaths.

Hogan Appoints Dr. Erin Hager to BCPS Board of Education


Dr. Erin Hager, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), has been appointed by Gov.Larry Hogan to serve on the Board of Education of Baltimore County.

Hager was nominated by the Baltimore County School Board Nominating Commission and appointed by the governor to fill the remaining term created by the death of Board member Roger Hayden. She will officially join the Board as soon as she can be sworn in by the Clerk of the County. County courts are officially closed through Friday, May 1.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Hager as she joins the Board,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “I am certain that the Board will benefit from her unique perspectives as a parent and as a health and higher education professional.”

Hager holds faculty appointments in the UMSOM departments of Pediatrics and Epidemiology & Public Health and is the director of the UMSOM Program in Health Equity and Population Health. In her research, she implements and evaluates strategies to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children in schools and communities. Since 2018, she has served as the elected chair of the Maryland State School Health Council. Hager (formerly Sterner) graduated from Lansdowne High School in 1996 and then earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Loyola College in Maryland (now Loyola University Maryland) and a doctorate in human nutrition from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She lives in Catonsville with her husband and three children who attend BCPS elementary, middle, and high schools.

“We eagerly await welcoming Dr. Hager to the Board,” said Board Chair Kathleen Causey. “Her multiple connections to the school system – as a graduate, a parent, and as an advocate for children’s health – will enrich our discussions and decision-making.”

Perry Hall High Releases Senior National Signing Day List


Perry Hall High School released a list of all seniors that were a part of national signing day. These senior athletes will play sports at colleges during the fall.

“We are so proud of our Gators who are moving on to play their sport at the college level. Congratulations to these student athletes whose excellence in the classroom and on the athletic field deserves our celebration,” said a statement on the Perry Hall Athletic Booster page.

A celebration is traditionally held at the school, but had to be canceled because of COVD-19. Here is a list of Perry Hall seniors and where they signed to attend in the fall.

Aya Neal-Soccer to Charleston

Mackenzie Click-Lacrosse to LaSalle

Chris Peacock-Lacrosse to Wilmington

Logan Ryan-Lacrosse to Lee-Mcrae

Ellie Buckheit-Softball to Frostburg

Dylan Weiss-Golf to Stevenson

Caroline Warns – Lacrosse to Salisbury

Erin Marciszewski-Soccer York to College

Amanda Butz -Softball to McDaniel

Mary Tolentino-Basketball to Widener

Jake Schnepf-Lacrosse to Concordia (Chicago)

Justin Headley-Lacrosse to Concordia (Chicago)

Roman Auth-Lacrosse to Concordia (Chicago)

Paula Hernandez-Volleyball to Norte Dame of Maryland

Police Report Two Essex Men Shot & Killed Each Other


Police have identified two victims of a double shooting in Essex who shot and killed each other on Friday April 10.

Police responded to Norris Lane and Torner Road at 12:13 p.m. for a call of a shooting and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where they later died.

The investigation has revealed that both victims, identified as Garrett Lucas Cox Jr. (18) of the 400 block of Torner Road, 21221 and Antione Baye Richards Jr. (20) of the 1000 block of Debbie Avenue, 21221, were passengers of the same vehicle when they began to argue, escalating to both retrieving firearms and shooting one another inside the vehicle. Both attempted to flee the vehicle but collapsed nearby.

Baltimore County Police Homicide Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information should contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Water Rescue Reported in Essex After Car Stuck in Flood


With heavy amount of rain expected this afternoon, Baltimore County Police are reminding motorists not to drive through standing water. Water may be deeper than it appears or obscure other hazards in the road.

Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company reported that their Swiftwater Team 48 was alerted for a flood rescue on Monday morning near Golden Ring Road in Essex.

Kingsville VFC reported that the driver able was to swim to safety, but they are telling drivers to turn around if they find these types of flooded conditions.