Author: eastbaltco

State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dundalk


Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Friday morning in Dundalk.

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack responded to a report of a vehicle off the road in the area of Interstate 695 East near Cove Road around 4:30 a.m.

According to a preliminary investigation, a female driving a 2007 Chevy Cobalt exited the right side of the road for unknown reasons and struck a guardrail.

After crashing, the vehicle caught fire with the victim trapped inside. The driver, whose identity has not been confirmed, was pronounced deceased at the scene by responding Baltimore County emergency medical service providers.

Troopers are working to identify the driver and locate any possible witnesses. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted at the scene with traffic delays as the right lane and shoulder were closed for about three hours before being reopened shortly before 8 a.m.

Baltimore County Library Closing All Locations Until March 29


Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Baltimore County Public Library locations will be closed Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29. Programs and mobile services will be cancelled through May 3. All branches will be open on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Book drops will be closed during the closure, fines not incurred, and all books on hold will remain available for pickup for seven (7) days after the library reopens.

For those who still wish to use library services, the library offers a variety of digital options, including e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming movies and e-magazines. The library’s virtual branch, bcpl.info, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We will miss you all, dear customers, and look forward to seeing you again soon. In the meantime, we will continue to post on social media and share information and news as needed,” said a statement from BCPL.

County Announces New Measures to Prevent the Spread of the Virus


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski provided updated information about government actions to respond to the pandemic and released additional community guidance.

The Maryland Department of Health confirmed on Wednesday that a Baltimore County resident in his 60s who worked at the recent American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington, D.C., has contracted the virus.

“Keeping residents safe and informed remains our highest priority, Olszewski said. “Baltimore County’s agencies have been coordinating in preparation for the arrival of COVID-19, and we are prepared to respond to any potential impacts the virus has on our communities.”

“We’re taking the steps necessary to protect the health of our residents and minimize the spread of this virus in Baltimore County.” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Director of the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services and Health Officer. “We strongly urge residents to continue following public health best practices and rely on credible sources including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and your state and local health departments for accurate and up-to-date information.”

Hotline

The Baltimore County Department of Health has opened a hotline for residents to call with questions or concerns. The number is 410-887-3816.

Current and New Measures

The County is taking a number of actions to keep residents safe and minimize the spread of the COVID-19.

•Out of an abundance of caution, activities at Baltimore County Senior Centers will be suspended immediately. Based on state guidance, all Baltimore County senior centers will be closed to the public beginning on Monday, March 16, until further notice. County officials encourage individuals to coordinate with senior center staff to ensure they are prepared for the closure, and we encourage those individuals to call the Maryland Access Point hotline at 410-887-2594.

•The Recreation and Parks Department is cancelling all organized recreational activities until further notice. The Department is also advising the County’s Recreation Councils to cancel organized activities. This cancellation includes all travel programs out of state. Recreational facilities will remain open during normal operating hours at this time.

•The County Executive’s remaining budget town hall meetings have been cancelled. Information about a virtual town hall to allow residents to share their priorities will be shared in the coming days.

•The remaining scheduled Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP) hearings have also been cancelled. Additional information will be shared in the coming days.

•The Code Enforcement Working Group meeting scheduled for this evening, March 12, is cancelled. Further information will be provided in the coming days about virtual options for future meetings.

•The Baltimore County Women’s Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 19, has been cancelled.

•The County is suspending all non-essential out of state travel for employees until further notice.

•The County has implemented new protocols at our 911 call center to screen for COVID-19 risk in order to protect and prepare our first responders.

•The County is reviewing telework and sick leave options for all County employees.

•The County has issued emergency procurements for soap, hand sanitizer and other necessary cleaning materials, with a particular emphasis on jails, courts and other areas with large traffic flows and concentrations of vulnerable populations.

This evening’s Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting for Thursday, March 12 will occur as scheduled. The meeting is statutorily required and is expected to have a small number of attendees. Additional guidance about all future board and commission meetings will be provided in the coming days.

All in-person CCBC classes are canceled Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 22, and will resume remotely via alternative teaching methods starting Monday, March 23. Online classes will continue to be held as scheduled. CCBC remains open and services are available.

Additional guidance regarding programs, classes and activities at CCBC and BCPS will come directly from those organizations.

More Information

All County residents are encouraged to take the proper precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including regular hand-washing and social distancing as appropriate. All residents, and particularly those at high risk, should follow CDC guidance.

For up-to-date fact sheets and information about COVID-19, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.

For the latest information from Baltimore County, please visit: www.baltimorecountymd.gov/health.

Baltimore County Identifies First Positive COVID-19 Coronavirus Case


The Maryland Department of Health has confirmed Baltimore County’s first positive COVID-19 case. The individual is in their 60s and worked at the recent American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, D.C., and is not hospitalized. The individual had limited contacts, and they have been identified and notified.

Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Director of the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services, informed County Executive John Olszewski of the case late Wednesday evening and remains in regular communication with Maryland Department of Health officials.

“We have been preparing for this situation and we are ready to respond to any potential impact of the COVID-19 virus in our communities,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We continue to work with our partners across County government and at the state level to monitor this rapidly evolving situation.”

“Keeping residents safe and informed remains our highest priority,” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Director of the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services and Health Officer.

“We strongly urge residents to continue following public health best practices and rely on credible sources including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and your state and local health departments for accurate and up-to-date information.”

Police Need Help to Identify Eastpoint Movie Theater Burglars


Baltimore County Police need your help identifying these two burglary suspects who broke into Flagship Cinemas Eastpoint.

Officer Bull from the Essex Precinct was conducting business checks during his routine patrol around 3 a.m. on Feb. 17, when he came across an unlocked door at the movie theater in the 7900 block of Eastern Avenue. Surveillance cameras in the theater caught the two burglars on video, making themselves some snacks in the concession stand and stealing candy and electronics. They also discharged fire extinguishers inside one of the theaters before leaving.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives from the Baltimore County Police Burglary Unit by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Reward Offered

Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland, an organization that is separate from the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Government, offers rewards of up to $2000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges in connection with felony offenses.

Rosedale Shooting Leaves 13-Year-Old Dead, Five Injured


Baltimore County Police are investigating a homicide with multiple other shooting victims on Sunday morning.

Rickie Forehand, 13 years old, from the 5900 block of Hillen Road of Baltimore City was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers responded for a after midnight disturbance on the parking lot in the 6200 block of Kenwood Avenue when multiple shooting victims approached them for help. Five shooting victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries and Victim Forehand was deceased at the scene. Detectives believe the shooting victims were attending an event at the Triple Threat Elite Dance studio. As the victims left the event they were approached by several suspects on the parking lot. An altercation ensued then multiple shots were fired towards the group.

Homicide detectives are interviewing numerous people from the event and searching for any video surveillance in the area

The Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit is continuing the investigation into this incident. Anyone with information should call 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

Parkville Boys Basketball Advances to State Semifinals


Parkville Boy’s Basketball is now two wins away from a state title as the Knights defeated Churchville 74 to 64 in double overtime to advance to the 4A State Semifinals.

The Knights won the game at home in Parkville and will now advance to play Springbrook from Montgomery County in College Park on Thursday, March 12. Springbrook defeated Bladensburg 75 to 62 in their game on Saturday. The Parkville-Springbrook winner will face the winner of the other 4A state semifinal game between Richard Montgomery & Wise in the 4A State Title Game.

Parkville improves to 18-3 on the year. The team started off the 4A playoffs with a 69 to 49 win over traditional powerhouse Perry Hall. The Gators won the 4A state title back to back in the 2016-17 & 2017-18 seasons.

The Knights edged out Mervo 58 to 55 in the Regional Title Game before their win over Churchville in the state quarterfinals on Saturday night. Parkville has had home court advantage throughout the playoffs and the final two rounds will be played at a neutral site at the University of Maryland College Park.

Man Arrested for Desecration of a Mausoleum in Overlea


A man was arrested by Baltimore County Police following desecration of a mausoleum at Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens in Overlea. Police responded to a burglary call from the property manager on Thursday at 2:20 p.m. at the site.

According to police, the man broke into a mausoleum and was seen shattering glass display cases containing urns and memorabilia. He stole jewelry and other items that had been left in the display cases, then destroyed the urns containing the ashes of the deceased. He used a fire extinguisher to destroy a number of marble tombstone vaults containing human remains and discharged the fire extinguisher around the mausoleum.

Booking photo of Emanuel Eric PadillaThe suspect, identified as Emanuel Eric Padilla (22) with no fixed address, fled toward Kenwood Avenue where responding officers located him and placed him under arrest. Jewelry and other memorabilia was recovered from the suspect. Officials estimate the destruction and theft value at over $50,000.

The Baltimore County Police Burglary Unit is continuing the investigation into this case. They will be working with cemetery personnel to identify and return the stolen property to the families affected by this incident as quickly as possible.

Padilla remains in custody, charged with the following:
•Second degree burglary
•Fourth degree burglary
•Destruction of property
•Theft
•Removing human remains
•Destroying funerary object

Two Dundalk Girls to Compete in First Ever State Female Wrestling Championship


Dundalk High’s Masiel Nunez and Brooke Mason are among 14 BCPS students and two of 123 girls statewide that will compete in the first-ever MPSSAA Girls State Wrestling Championships. The event will take place March 5 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

Both girls are Dundalk’s first female regional champions. Nunez wrestles at 100 lbs. and Mason wrestles at 127 lbs.

Over the past few years, girl’s wrestling in the state of Maryland has continued to grow with the support of the MPSSAA, yet, 2020 will mark the first time that girls will have the same opportunities as boys to compete for their own state championship.

The coed, or “boys” tournament will start on Friday, March 6, in which females are still able to participate if they qualify through the MPSSAA regional tournaments. In the past, a few girls, typically at lighter weights, made it to this culminating point in the wrestling season. However, the recent success of female wrestlers in Maryland have paved the way for new opportunities.

For the first time in Maryland wrestling history, eight fully-bracketed regional tournaments were held for the girls in conjunction with the coed, or “boys,” events. In total, Baltimore County girls captured 11 individual Regional Championships on Saturday, February 29.

These regional champions will compete beginning on March 5, for the chance to wrestle in the state championship finals on Saturday, March 7. Both the MPSSAA coed and female state championship finals will be held simultaneously at 6:30 p.m.