Author: eastbaltco

Dundalk Officer Injured After Driver Strikes Police Car


A Baltimore County Police officer from the Dundalk Precinct was injured last night after his police vehicle was struck by another driver on Sollers Point Road.

The officer was northbound on Sollers Point Road at 9:58 p.m. on Jan. 27 when a Chevrolet Aveo, also traveling northbound to the rear of the police vehicle but in the southbound travel lane, struck the police vehicle as it was making a left turn onto Waymouth Way, pushing the police car back across the northbound lane and into a driveway where it struck two parked cars. The Chevrolet continued forward on Sollers Point Road, crossing over the southbound lane and striking a tree.

The officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver of the Chevrolet also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is continuing the investigation to determine what factors contributed to this crash.

Man Found Dead After Double Shooting in Essex


A double shooting in Essex left one man dead.

On Jan. 24 around 5:11 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of Holgate Drive for a shooting. Arriving officers found two adult men outside a home who were both suffering gunshot wounds. Medics responded and transported one man to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second man was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The deceased man has been identified as David Leroy King, 29, of the 2100 block of Westfield Road.

Baltimore County Homicide Detectives are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information should contact the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Perry Hall Soccer Honored by Maryland General Assembly


The Perry Hall Girls Soccer team was honored in Annapolis at the Maryland General Assembly for winning back to back state titles.

Since the Perry Hall School districts covers both the 7th & 8th Legilative Districts, the team and their coach Coach Matt Smoot were invited to the General Assembly by all legislators in those two districts.

Photos are courtesy of Perry Hall High School Girls Soccer Facebook page

Water Main Break Reported in Colgate area of Dundalk


The Baltimore City Department of Public Works reported a water main break near the intersection of North Point Road/ Kane Street in the Colgate area of Dundalk.

It has been reported as a 16-inch main and is currently affecting 25 businesses in the area. DPW stated that this will impact water service in areas bounded by North Point Road, Baltimore Street, German Hill Road and Markel Ave.

The above map shows the area impacted. DPW is ask customers to please be patient as they make their way to those neighborhoods.

During the winter season when the area goes through freeze and thaw cycles, especially when accompanied by heavy rain, the ground shifts and the pipes can break. Often as mains are repaired, others break, and they can be miles away.

DPW said crews and contractors actively monitor the number of new service requests and monitor weather conditions for inclement weather and their staff is working overtime to make sure the customers are without water for the shortest amount of time possible.

Baltimore County Council Passes Gun Shop Bill 6 to 1


The Baltimore County Council passed County Executive John Olszewski Jr.’s controversial gun bill on Tuesday by a 6 to 1 margin. The bill is called the SAFE Act (Secure All Firearms Effectively). it requires gun shop owners to provide better security at their locations and for gun shows in Baltimore County to obtain a license to sell a firearm.

Olszewski released a statement after the bill passed.

“[A] bipartisan group of Councilmembers voted for safer communities across Baltimore County—and throughout our region,” Olszewski said. I applaud the members of the Council who joined us to support this commonsense public safety solution that will keep stolen guns off our streets and out of the hands of violent criminals.”

Republican Councilmembers Wade Kach and David Marks offered amendments to the bill that eliminated fees for gun shops, and provide financial assistance to help with security improvements. Those amendments passed 6 to 1. Marks said he believes the bill was going to pass and that is why he submitted the amendments to protect gun show owners.

“Republican Councilman Wade Kach and I joined with our colleagues to pass numerous amendments to make the County Executive’s gun security bill better for businesses. This was one. Make no mistake – the original bill would have been used at some point to regulate and tax gun retailers to extinction. It allowed for big fees and liens against properties, provided no financial help to businesses, and had few limitations on the power of those regulating gun retailers,” Marks explained. “Symbolic ‘no’ votes might gain a high-five from some, but are of no help in the long term when government regulations might force businesses into extinction”

Councilman Todd Crandell voted down the bill and along with the amendments. He explained his decision was ‘not symbolic’ on social media today. Crandell added that he voted with his conscience and what was best for his constituents.

“I was the only member to vote ‘No’. Contrary to what was posted by a Council colleague, my vote was not ‘symbolic.'” Crandell said. “I voted ‘no’ because this is a bad bill. It gives unchecked authority to the Chief of Police and the Chief Administrative Officer to control the industry and, under less reasonable leadership, potentially even shut it down.”

BCPS Students to Convene for Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program


One Grade 11 student from each Baltimore County public high school has been selected to participate in the 2020 cohort of the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program, a new initiative of the Towson University Women’s Leadership Collective. The Collective was conceived by Dr. Nancy Grasmick, the Presidential Scholar and Women’s Leadership Ambassador at Towson University.

The selected eastside BCPS students are:
•Eliya Behailu, Parkville High

•Adria Fialkowski, Sollers Point Technical High

•Lesly Guevara, Chesapeake High

•Chahat Kumari, Dundalk High

•Carmelli Leal, Eastern Technical High

•Michelle Ramirez, Overlea High

•Bianca Skipper, Patapsco High

•Karalyn Varricchio, Perry Hall High

•Sophia Wilson, Sparrows Point High

•Caroline Woodring, Kenwood High

The students will be engaged in academic and career activities approximately every six weeks throughout the calendar year. The first activity, a welcoming retreat, will be held on Towson University’s campus on Friday, Jan. 24. The students will participate in workshops from 2 – 5 p.m., followed by dinner on campus with Towson University President Dr. Kim Schatzel, and attendance at the Towson Tigers’ women’s basketball game against Northeastern University at 7 p.m. During the welcoming retreat, students will hear from Dr. Elizabeth Berquist, director of professional learning, BCPS; Kim Fabian, senior vice president, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland; Dr. Grasmick; Kristi Halford, founder/chief support officer, c3 Visionary Strategies; Pat Isaac, CEO, Capital Services; Dr. Keiwana Perryman, assistant director of leadership/student activities, Towson University; Diane Richardson, coach, women’s basketball, Towson University; Sharon Markley Schreiber, COO, Alliance of Greater Baltimore; and Kim Williams, youth outreach coordinator, First Financial Federal Credit Union.

Throughout the year, the participants in the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program will interact with a variety of Towson University administrators, faculty, and students. Each participant will be matched with a successful professional woman who will serve as coach and counselor during the program cycle.

The selection process for the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program began with each BCPS high school principal nominating up to three candidates who met academic, leadership, and community service requirements. The Towson University Women’s Leadership Collective selected a finalist from each school after reviewing their applications, recommendations, and transcripts and conducting interviews.

LIDL to Open in Perry Hall on Wednesday


Perry Hall is getting a new grocery store.

LIDL will open its doors on Wednesday morning, Jan. 22 on Silver Spring Road. According to its website, the European-based grocery store is operating in 32 countries and started in Germany in the late 1970s.

LIDL will be located across the street from ALDI, another German-based grocery store on Silver Spring Road.

There has been an empty spot on Silver Spring Road since the old Mars Supermarkets closed in the summer of 2016. Many Mars locations were bought and became Weis Markets, but the old Mars location has remained vacant for the past four years, Finally, the Silver Spring Road location will now be filled with a grocery store.

“Ever since the Mars supermarket closed in 2016, I have pushed to fill this vacant space at Belair and Silver Spring Roads,” said Councilman David Marks.

“Instead of building across from Dunfield Road or at Forge Road, our office encouraged LIDL to repurpose the Mars site.”
LIDL will open two stores in Baltimore County on Wednesday as Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. announced on his social media page that a store will also open in Catonsville.

“See you Wednesday morning, Lidl… Welcome to Baltimore County,” Olszewski wrote.

Fatal Accident Reported on Silver Spring Road in Perry Hall


Baltimore County Police responded to a crash on Silver Spring Road near Winding Way in Perry Hall just before 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18. Crash investigators were able to determine that a Dodge Ram truck was traveling east on Silver Spring Road when the vehicle struck a concrete wall at the dead end of the roadway.

The White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company reported that the vehicle crashed through the I-95 sound barrier wall at the end of Silver Spring Road near Silver Lake Drive. The vehicle was fully involved in fire as emergency crews were on the scene at both the end of Silver Spring Rd and on southbound I-95.

The driver was pronounced deceased by medical personnel shortly afterwards but was not identified at this time. The passenger of the truck was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

There is no access to I-95 from Silver Spring Road but there is speculation that the driver was not aware of this and might have tried to access the Interstate. More information will be provided as the crash investigation moves forward.

Chesapeake High Grad Horton Helps CCBC Essex Women Defeat Cecil


-By Rocco Geppi of CCBC Essex-

Head women’s basketball coach Mike Seney said in a March press release, in part, that his “…promise is to bring the same passion, determination, and commitment to CCBC Essex,” that led to him building a legacy in his last head coaching stint.

So far this season, Seney and the Knights have delivered on that promise, most recently with a 96-63 win over Cecil College on Friday night to go to 18-2 (4-0 Maryland Juco) on the season. The victory also extended Seney’s conference win-streak, which now stands at 90.

NJCAA Player of the Week and Maryland Juco Athlete of the Month Mya Moye had, by the standards set this season, a quiet night with nine points (4-13), however, did dish out a game-high eight assists, had seven rebounds and three steals.

Freshman Trinity Horton (a grad of Chesapeake High in Essex) led the way for the Knights with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including three three-pointers. She also had three rebounds, two steals and two assists.

The Knights have started many games slowly this season, but Friday was not one of them, as they outscored the Seahawks 30-16 in the first frame, while shooting nearly 43% from the field.

Sophomore Kasey Gagan had eight of her 16 points (5-9) in the second quarter, hitting 2-of-3 three-point attempts. She finished shooting 5-9 (4-8 on threes) and had five assists and two rebounds.

Sophomore Aislinn Flynn got things going in the second half, scoring 10 of her 14 points in the third quarter. She added 11 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season and had six blocks.

Sophomore Rayah Fink also had a double-double on 15 points (6-15) and 12 rebounds. She finished with three blocks, three steals, and two assists.

Freshman Kendal Haggerty scored 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting from three, had eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

The Knights converted 23 Seahawks’ turnovers into 28 points and finished with an 18-8 edge in second chance points.

CCBC Essex’s defense forced Cecil (5-7, 1-2 Maryland Juco) into its second worst shooting performance (29.7%) and its worst three-point efficiency (13.3%) of the season.

Two Alarm Fire Reported in Kingsville


Firefighters from Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company reported a two alarm fire on Franklinville Road in Kingsville. The incident was reported at two story building on Wednesday afternoon around 5 p.m. The fire was quickly upgraded to a second alarm.

There was a report of a partial collapse of the Kingsville home. No injuries reported.