Author: eastbaltco

Eastern Tech junior elected president of state Student Councils


Carmelli Leal, a junior at Eastern Technical High School, has been elected president of the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) for 2020 – 2021.

Leal is a student leader at the national, state, county and school level. Nationally, she is a member of the Student Leadership Advisory Committee of the National Association of Secondary School Principals and a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador. At the state level, she is a certified workshop presenter and special issues director for the MASC and vice-chair of the Maryland Youth Advisory Council.

In Baltimore County, Leal serves as legislative director for Baltimore County Student Councils. Her leadership roles at Eastern Tech include being active in the school’s Student Government Association and Future Business Leaders of America organization.

In her personal statement as a candidate for the MASC presidency, Leal wrote: “Since I stepped foot in my first middle school student council meeting, I was enraptured by the idea of being able to make a change. At first, it was just helping to decorate our school’s Spring Fling or sitting with someone who typically sat alone at lunch. Now, in my six years of student government, I realize the influence that students have when they come together. Through MASC, I have had the privilege of meeting hundreds of students from around the state – many of whom I have had the pleasure working with to present workshops, testify at the State Board of Education, and advocate on Capitol Hill. I want to continue working with the students of Maryland to make tangible differences in education by empowering students and helping them realize their true potential.”

Currently ranked first in her class, Leal is enrolled in Eastern Tech’s information technology network pathway CISCO magnet program. She has been inducted into the National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. She is also an award-winning volunteer at the Baltimore Veteran Affairs Medical Center, a volleyball manager, and member of Eastern Tech’s jazz band.

COVID-19 Found in Dundalk & Parkville Nursing Homes


The Baltimore Sun reported that there has been an outbreak of the coronavirus at the Genesis Loch Raven Center in Parkville and at the Heritage Center in Dundalk.

There was a report of seven cases of the virus at the Parkville location on Emge Road that included six residents and one staff member. The Sun also reported that one staff member and one resident tested postive at the Dundalk center on German Hill Road.

The week started off with a report of three residents that tested positive for COVID 19 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Carroll County. There was also a reported case of one resident at Oak Crest Living Center in Parkville that tested positive for the coronavirus.

Maryland has reported 1,985 cases of COVID-19 and 289 in Baltimore County.

Olszewski Announces Two Virtual Town Halls


County Executive Johnny Olszewski will host two Virtual Town Hall Meetings to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fiscal Year 2021 budget. Olszewski, Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Director of the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services and Health Officer, Police Chief Melissa Hyatt and Fire Chief Joanne Rund, and other County officials for the first town hall on Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m. This town hall will provide updates on the County’s COVID-19 response and answer questions and concerns from Baltimore County residents.

Residents can stream Thursday’s COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall at baltimorecountymd.gov/townhallbaltimorecountymd.gov/townhallbaltimorecountymd.gov/townhall. Residents can also call in at 833-946-1803. Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance of the Virtual Town Hall by sending an email to townhall@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The next town will be held next week on Tuesday, April 6 at 6 p.m. Olszewski will join County Councilmembers to provide another opportunity for residents to share their thoughts, ideas and priorities for the FY21 budget.

This meeting will provide a forum for public discussion focused on future budget priorities. County Executive Olszewski will be joined by Council Chair Cathy Bevins, Councilman David Marks, and Councilman Tom Quirk—representatives from the council districts for which in-person town hall meetings were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents can join the 2020 Budget Virtual Town Hall online here or at baltimorecountymd.gov/townhall. Residents can also call in at +1-415-655-0001. Access code: 472 548 188. Residents can submit questions during the town hall in the Virtual Town Hall application, or by sending an email to townhall@baltimorecountymd.gov All town hall meetings will be recorded and posted on the County’s website.

Olszewski is required by law to submit his FY21 budget to the Baltimore County Council by April 15, 2020. Sign language interpreters and other accommodations can be arranged upon request by contacting: townhall@baltimorecountymd.govtownhall@baltimorecountymd.govtownhall@baltimorecountymd.gov. Information for Baltimore County’s town halls is available at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/townhallwww.baltimorecountymd.gov/townhallwww.baltimorecountymd.gov/townhall

Rosedale Woman Dies in Pulaski Highway Crash


Police are investigating a fatal crash on Pulaski Highway in White Marsh Tuesday night.

The preliminary investigation revealed that around 10:37 p.m. a woman attempted to cross Pulaski Highway near Batavia Farm Road when she was struck by a BMW. The pedestrian is identified as Jennifer Lynn Armentrout (43) of the 8200 block of Pulaski Highway in Rosedale. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is working to determined all of the factors involved in this fatal crash. The driver of the BMW did remain at the scene of the crash.

Baltimore County’s Residential Drop-Off to Close to Public


Baltimore County has announced that all of its Residential Drop-Off Centers will be closed to the Public until further notice starting on Thursday April 2.

T‬he following sites will remain open only for commercial haulers with accounts.‬
– Eastern Sanitary Landfill 6259 Days Cove Road 21162‬
– Central Acceptance Facility 201 West Warren Road 21030‬
– Western Acceptance Facility 3310 Transway Road 21227‬

‪Yard Waste Collection, which normally begins April 1, has been suspended until further notice. The suspension will allow collectors to focus on residential trash collection, which has spiked.

County Unveils New Fund to Support COVID-19 Response


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced the Baltimore County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, which will support the County’s efforts to promote public health and support residents during to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will be managed by the Baltimore Community Foundation, and County leadership will determine how the fund is allocated.

“We know that in addition to health concerns, many residents are facing job loss, food insecurity, and other challenges during this extraordinary time, and this fund will help us keep them healthy and safe, while boosting our ability to respond to this evolving crisis,” Olszewski said. “We’re grateful to BCF for lending their expertise and infrastructure to help Baltimore County tackle the challenges we’re facing.”

“This fund meets a pressing need for Baltimore County and represents a model for cross sector collaboration,” said Shanaysha Sauls, President & CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation. “We are thankful for County Executive Olszewski’s leadership and tenacity in service to his residents and to the region. As a result, we can be nimble, aligned and strategic to stem the coming tide.”

Individuals, foundations and private sector donors can contribute to the fund in order to assist the county’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contributions to the fund may be used to support various efforts, including providing groceries to food-insecure families and seniors, ensuring first responders and public health workers have adequate personal protective equipment, and other things the county is doing to prevent the spread of the virus and support residents.

Contributions to the fund can be made at:
http://www.bcf.org/EmergencyResponseFund

Maryland State Police Clarify Stay-at-Home Order


Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Woodrow Jones III has directed troopers to continue their public education and enforcement efforts regarding the Governor’s Executive Orders and last night issued specific instructions regarding the stay-at-home order. Those instructions are as follows:

– Enforcement of the expanded Governor’s Executive Order will be conducted by Maryland state troopers. However, troopers will not make traffic stops simply to ask drivers where they are going to determine if their travel is essential or not.

– If, in the course of the regular performance of his/her duties, such as during a crash investigation or a traffic stop, the trooper develops information indicating the individual was engaged in non-essential travel, enforcement action can be taken, in consultation with the state’s attorney’s office in that jurisdiction.

– While it is not necessary for drivers in Maryland to have documentation about the purpose of travel, having such documentation may help resolve questions.

– Troopers will continue to initiate enforcement action when a business or group of more than 10 people is observed in violation of the Governor’s Executive Order.

– The Order does not prohibit people from going to the store to get groceries or prescriptions, seeking medical attention at an urgent care facility, getting cleaning or laundry supplies. In addition, the Order does not prevent people from going out to get necessities for pets or other livestock.

– The Order allows for travel to care for a family member, friend, pets, etc. Citizens are also permitted to travel for transporting family, friends, pet or livestock for essential health and safety activities.

– The Order also allows for travel to and from an educational institution to receive meals or instructional materials for distance learning.

– The Order allows for outdoor exercise activities (done in accordance to with social distancing guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and crowd gatherings of 10 people or less. However, such actives may not be done at a park that has been closed by state or local government.

– Restaurants can be visited if obtaining food for carry-out or drive-thru only.

Police Arrest Suspect in Overlea Domestic-Related Shooting


Baltimore County Police arrested a man after responding to a domestic-related shooting on Sunday afternoon.

Police responded to the 100 block of Walnut Avenue in Overlea at 3:47 p.m. for a call of a shooting. Detectives determined that the suspect was involved in an altercation with a woman at his home when another man attempted to intervene. The suspect shot the man in the lower body, and was then subdued and disarmed by other people in the home who held him until officers arrived on the scene.

Both the victim and the suspect were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Both are expected to survive.

The suspect, identified as James Thomas Blue (59) of the 100 block of Walnut Avenue, 21206 is charged with attempted first degree murder, first degree assault, second degree assault, and the use of a firearm in a felony. He is held on a no bail status at the Baltimore County Detention Center pending a bail review hearing.

Dundalk High Junior Selected as Student Member for Board of Education


Students from across Baltimore County have selected Dundalk High School junior Joshua Muhumuza to be the next student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County.

That was the result of an online vote held Thursday, March 12, just days before schools in Baltimore County and across Maryland closed as a result of Coronavirus precautions. A total of 8,072 middle and high school students from across the county cast online ballots for one of three student board member candidates. Opening the balloting process to all secondary students was a first for BCPS.

Muhumuza’s name will now be forwarded to Gov. Larry Hogan for consideration and appointment to the one-year position.
A member of Dundalk’s National Honor Society, Student Government Association, and Homeland Security Program, Muhumuza has participated in his school’s debate team, AVID program, soccer team, Model Congress, and Model U.N. programs. He also serves as the southwestern representative for the Baltimore County Student Councils and a member of its infrastructure committee.

Outside of school, he tutors with his church, serves as a volunteer soccer coach at Dundalk Middle School, and is a senior patrol leader with the Boy Scouts of America.

In addition to Muhumuza, candidates in the three-student election – also a first for Baltimore County – were Vinay Khosla of Dulaney High School and Rosalind Marfo of Franklin High School.

For the past four years, student Board member candidates were vetted and voted upon during a special convention with student representatives and council leaders. Prior to 2016, student members were chosen and recommended by a committee of BCPS educators, staff, and student leaders.

This year, the application process was expanded to allow and encourage participation from all BCPS middle and high school students. Students were able to view videotaped speeches from each of the three candidates as well as a videotaped question-and-answer session for each candidate.