Author: eastbaltco

Marks Wants Revised Plan for Gerst Farm Project


After receiving community criticism at a Feb. 6 meeting for the proposal of the Gerst Farm project in Perry Hall, Councilman David Marks announced that he is asking the developer of the property for a revised plan that addresses the concerns of the community.

Gerst Farm is located at 9328 Gerst Road behind the Honeygo Village Center and near the Joppa and Cowenton road traffic circle in Perry Hall.

“Specifically, I am calling for far fewer units, as well as deed restrictions that require the senior housing to be owned by older residents,” Marks said in a statement. “I have also asked the developer to work with Baltimore County to set aside a large section of the property near the Honeygo Village Center as a public park.

Elm Street Development’s plan calls for the building of 317 townhomes/rowhomes on 47.61 acres of land. Some of the community concerns were more traffic to the area and adding to an already overcrowded school system.

Police Look for Suspect in Three Robberies Near Perry Hall High


Baltimore County Police are looking for a suspect in three separate incidents in the robbery of students. All three incidents took place near Perry Hall High School and police believe the same suspect is involved in all three cases.

The first reported armed robbery took place on Nov. 12 around 3:30 p.m. at the Perry Hall High school basketball courts. According to police, an unknown suspect implied he had a gun and robbed two students of their iPhones and iWatches.

Police reported other incidents took place on Nov. 4 and again on Jan. 28. In both cases, the suspect approached female students and demanded their cellphones. One victim chased the suspect, but she stopped when the suspect implied he had a gun and would shoot her.

In both cases, the suspect was reported running in a wooded area near Parlo Road. Police have a photo (above) from a residential video surveillance. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Baltimore County Police at 410-887-5040.

Police Investigate Gunshot Wound in Middle River


Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Detectives are investigating an incident in Middle River that left a victim injured on Thursday.

Officers responded to the unit block of Oak Grove Drive in Middle River for a call of a gunshot wound on 4:42 p.m. Responding officers located a victim who sustained trauma to the lower body. Medics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital to be treated for injuries. The victim is expected to survive.

Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Anyone with information should contact the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit by calling 410-307-2020.

Middle River’s Klacik & Mfume Win Party’s Nominations in 7th


According to the Maryland Board of Elections, it appears it will be a show down between Middle River resident Kimberly Klacik and former Congressman Kweisi Mfume in April for the Congressional seat vacated by the death of Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Klacik appears to be the winner of the Republican nomination in the 7th District Congressional Special Election. She is a member of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee and a contributor for Fox News.

Klacik was one of seven Republicans battling for the nomation. Glen Arm resident and 2018 2nd Congressional GOP nominee Liz Matory finished in second place. Klacik and Matory, both African American females, combined for over 66 percent of the GOP vote.

Mfume, a former Congressman and former leader of the NAACP, was one 23 Democrats in the race, but still received over 40 percent of the unofficial vote. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Elijah Cummings’ widow, finished a distant second to Mfume.

The 7th District covers parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County. Although Middle River is not in the 7th, Klacik and other Maryland residents living outside the district are eligible to run for the Congressional seat in the district.

The General Election to this race will take place during the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, April 28.

Nottingham Man Killed in I-95 Catonsville Accident


Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Tuesday morning in Baltimore County.

Shortly before 1:25 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack responded to Interstate 95 North south of I-195 for a report of a single-vehicle crash that involved a pedestrian.

According to a preliminary investigation, the driver of a Mercedes sedan was traveling north on I-95 when he felt something strike the left side of his vehicle.

After coming to a complete stop, the driver saw a body lying on the left shoulder. The victim, identified as Joel Hopkins, 34, of Nottingham, was transported by ambulance by EMS personnel from the Baltimore County Fire Department to St. Agnes Hospital, where he was declared deceased.

According to a preliminary investigation, there is no indication that drugs, alcohol and/or speeding was a factor in this crash. It is also currently unclear why the victim was on the interstate at the time of the crash. The only vehicle at the scene was the Mercedes that struck the victim.

The crash remains under investigation.

Perry Hall Rec. Founder Jerry Soukup Dies


A Perry Hall icon has died. Jerry Soukup, who has dedicated his life to sports and rec in Perry Hall has passed at the age of 91.

Soukup founded the Perry Hall Rec. Council in 1955 and served as its first president until 1988. Soukup – along with his wife Pat, who proceded him in death- raised $1.5 million in funds to pay for half of a sport arena on Joppa Road. The arena was named Soukup Arena after Jerry and Pat.

Councilman David Marks, who is a friend of Soukup, released a statement on his passing.

“I am so sorry to pass along the news of the passing of Gerald Soukup, a towering figure in Perry Hall’s recent history – although one who did so much of his work modestly, behind the scenes. Jerry Soukup helped found the Perry Hall Recreation Council in 1955. For decades, he and his wife Pat raised money from concession stand sales and events for a gymnasium to house the organization’s sports leagues. That gym opened in 2015 and was named in their honor,” Marks said in a statement.

“We have lost so many of the local leaders who guided Perry Hall during the postwar years. Jerry’s service began when Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House and continued to the present. On behalf of all whose lives he touched, we thank him. My prayers are with his family and many friends.”

Joe Butta, who is a volunteer at Perry Hall Rec., said Soukup is responsible for the success of today’s Perry Hall program.

“For everyone that has played ANY sport in the Perry Hall rec area you have this man to thank. Mr. Jerry Soukup passed away today. He founded the rec office here and watched it grow into something special,” Butta said in a social media post.
“I’ve had the honor of working for him and with him for the past seven years and he truly was Mr Perry Hall!”

Police Arrest Man in Sunday Afternoon Middle River Stabbing


Police arrested a suspect in the afternoon home-invasion robbery and stabbing of a man in Middle River on Sunday, Feb. 2.

The suspect knocked on the door of a home in the unit block of Oakgrove Drive in Middle River shortly after 1 p.m. When a female resident answered the door he displayed a handgun and a knife, entered, and demanded cash and personal items. The suspect struck the woman with the gun and forced her into a closet, then stabbed a male victim and fled the location on foot. The suspect later threatened his girlfriend with the gun.

The victim suffered life-threatening wounds but is expected to survive. Detectives learned that the suspect frequented the area and were able to locate him and take him into custody shortly after 5 a.m. this morning. The suspect is identified as Reginald Louis Barber Jr (29) of the unit block of Oakroad Drive, 21220. He is held on denied bail status at the Baltimore County Detention Center, charged with attempted first degree murder, three counts each of first and second degree assault, and two counts of misdemeanor theft.

Sheriff’s Office Employee and Fullerton Man Indicted on 2nd Degree Rape Charge


A Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office employee has been indicted by a Grand Jury on one count of second degree rape.

Baltimore County Police initiated an investigation after being notified of the allegation of a sexual assault on November 30, 2018. The investigation was conducted in consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney for Carroll County after the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore County recused itself from the case due to the close working relationship between both agencies.
The Grand Jury indictment is sealed, prohibiting details of the case from being released at this time.

A warrant was issued on Jan. 27, at which time the sheriff, identified as Morton Stanley Winkler Jr (54) of the 7700 block of Jennelles Way in Fullerton, was taken into custody. He was released on his own recognizance following a bail review hearing.

The Baltimore County Police Department encourages anyone who had inappropriate contact by Winkler to contact the BCoPD Special Victims Unit at 410-887-2223. We also encourage contacting any sexual assault hotline or advocacy group to seek support and victim resources.

Justin Berk Visits Dundalk School


Meteorologist Justin Berk visited Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Berk was known as the meteorologist on WMAR-TV and now has a website called www.justinweather.com where he still forecast the weather

Berk gave students a crash course in weather forecasts at the school. Despite having limited snow in the Baltimore area, Berk told OLHSL students that he is hopefully that there will be snow in the forecast for February.

“I saw the word ‘Faith’ painted on the walls here, so if Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School has Faith in the (February) Flakes, then it might bring more people on board,” Berk said on social media about his visit. “Thank you for inviting me in to spend the afternoon with your students. STEM is always awesome, but with winter weather it’s extra cool”

This week is Catholic Schools Week and today was “Student Day” at the school.

“Thank you Justin Berk, Meteorologist for visiting our School and celebrating Student Day with us,” said an OLHSL post on the school’s Facebook page. “We certainly have Faith that we will see Flakes this February.”

BCPS to Open Schools on Presidents’ Day


The Maryland State Board of Education has approved a request from Baltimore County Public Schools to make Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 17, 2020) a regular school day, with all schools and offices open.

This change is in accordance with the 2019-2020 school calendar, and the planned use of emergency closure make-up days. Opening schools on February 17, 2020 will make up for the school system’s emergency closure of schools on December 16, 2019.

BCPS announced their plan to open schools on Presidents Day a few weeks ago to make up a snow day on Dec. 16 but it was not official until now with state approval.