Author: eastbaltco

Parkville Boys Win County Basketball Title


-photo courtesy of Parkville HS Athletic Boosters Club-

The Parkville Knights Boys Basketball team won the Baltimore County Championship last week.

The Knights defeated Randallstown 80-72 on Feb. 22 to become county champions.

This is the first county title for Parkville since 1991.

Parkville is improved to 21-0 on the year and the team is playing in the 2022 MPSSAA Basketball Tournament.

The Knights made it to the state semifinals in 2020, but the rest of the tournament was cancelled as a result of COVID. There was no basketball season in 2021.

BCPS to Hold Improvement Meeting for East County Schools


Baltimore County Public Schools has scheduled four community forums during the next two months to review options and solicit feedback on how best to improve buildings, enhance school use, and provide capacity relief for high schools in the county’s northeast and southeast areas.

The forums – two each for residents in both of the county areas – are part of a long-term study on planning for
improvement in the county’s high schools. Schools under study in the northeast include Kenwood, Loch Raven, Overlea, Parkville and Perry Hall high schools, while schools included in the southeast area are Dundalk, Patapsco and Sparrows Point high schools.

Additional information about the forums may be found at Northeast Area High School Study website and the Southeast Area High School
Study website. Public input will be accepted through an online comment form that will be available to the public following the first meeting on March 2.

The 90-minute community forums will be virtual and will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
• Northeast: Wednesday, March 9, 2022, and Wednesday, April 6, 2022
• Southeast: Wednesday, March 2, 2022, and Thursday, April 21, 2022

81-year-old Killed in Perry Hall Crash


Baltimore County officers responded to the intersection of Belair Road and Penn Avenue in Perry Hall for a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at approximately 7 a.m.

The crash involved a 1997 Lincoln Town Car and a 1995 Toyota Camry. The crash resulted in the death of 81-year-old Laura Sperry, the driver of the Lincoln Town Car.

Crash Team investigators determined Sperry made a left turn onto Belair Road when she was struck by oncoming traffic. The driver of the Camry was also transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

This crash remains under investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Team.

BCPS to Close Monday & Tuesday; Reopen Wednesday


Baltimore County Public Schools sent out an email explaining their schools would close on Monday, Jan. 10 & Tuesday, Jan. 11 and reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

The purpose of the Monday and Tuesday closure is to prepare staff in the event that a school has to transfer over to virtual learning. Schools are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday.

Testing sites are going to be setup for staff at BCPS middle schools. There will be the distribution of KN95 masks and COVID-19 testing home kits.

Here is their letter to staff, parents and students:

We are sending this joint letter to provide important updates about Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) COVID-19 response and efforts to ensure student and staff safety. We also want to share information about the distribution of rapid COVID-19 test kits and KN95 masks for all students and staff. The health and safety of staff and students remains our top priority and BCPS is using all strategies and resources available to ensure that schools can stay open safely and we minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our school communities.

Here are some important next steps for our school system:

School buildings will be closed on Monday, January 10, 2022, and Tuesday, January 11, 2022, to provide staff with the time needed to prepare instructional lessons in the event of a temporary transition to virtual learning for their specific school. Staff from the BCPS Division of Curriculum and Instruction have prepared independent learning activities for all students to engage in on January 10 and 11, 2022. These activities cover multiple content areas, including science, social studies, math and language arts, and will be posted in Schoology by Monday morning. We are providing this planning time to all teachers now to minimize disruption should an individual school have to temporarily shift to virtual instruction. Currently, schools that are temporarily switching to virtual instruction are starting off with two days of asynchronous (independent) learning before live instruction begins on day three. We want to eliminate that asynchronous period and make certain that students are receiving live instruction from the first day of the temporary virtual period. Meals will be available for students while buildings are closed on Monday and Tuesday through curbside service. No sign-up or registration is required. For a schedule of curbside meal pickup locations, please visit: Food and Nutrition Services – Division of Business Services (bcps.org). Schools (except for those temporarily providing virtual instruction) will reopen on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, for in-person instruction.

Additional COVID-19 testing opportunities for all staff will take place on Monday, January 10, 2022, at all BCPS middle schools from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. All BCPS staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this testing provided by CIAN diagnostics. The list of schools for testing can be found here. Staff members who are not required to participate in weekly testing are strongly encouraged to register in advance at this link https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1e4c755d4dff450aa4b32e695f801610 to minimize delays at the testing site.

Distribution of rapid COVID-19 home test kits will take place on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at each school. We will distribute 126,000 test kits to BCPS staff and students. We have ordered additional testing kits, and anticipate they will arrive by Friday, January 14, 2022. Principals will contact their school communities to provide details on the distribution of testing kits. Rapid test kits will be distributed to central office staff by Friday, January 14. Additional details will be shared in a separate email.

Distribution of KN95 masks as an additional option for students and staff began Wednesday, January 5, 2022. To date, 74,000 adult-sized masks have been delivered to schools for staff and secondary students and we have ordered 54,000 child-size masks. Additional orders for KN95 masks have been placed to build our current PPE supply.

BCPS continues to utilize the following safety measures and strategies to keep students and staff safe:

Diagnostic testing:  Testing of students or staff who develop symptoms during the school day ensures quick identification and quarantine of cases. School nurses and our external testing partner will continue to provide onsite PCR testing for schools experiencing persistent or school-wide COVID-19 outbreak.

Screening testing: Routine testing of unvaccinated adults reduces risk of infection from the group most likely to transmit COVID at school. All staff members, regardless of vaccination status, will continue to have access to CIAN Diagnostics weekly testing.

Required masking in all schools and facilities: Masking significantly reduces the risk of COVID transmission from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people by reducing the number of viral particles released into the air by contagious people.

Temporarily pausing all extracurricular and athletic activities: This will help limit any potential transmission among students engaged in sports or other activities outside of school hours.

We understand this is a tremendously uncertain and difficult time for members of Team BCPS. We want to assure you that we are all in agreement that closing school buildings is our absolute last resort. Decisions to move an individual school or groups of schools to virtual learning are made after careful consideration and close collaboration with the BCPS Office of Health Services. A decision to pause in-person learning and activate remote learning is made only after a group of school and central office leaders meet to discuss critical factors including:

The number of staff and students who have tested positive for COVID-19 in a 14-day period.

The number of staff and students currently in quarantine.

The number of staffing vacancies at the school.

Special program considerations and overall impact on a school’s ability to maintain its normal, daily operations.

The availability of substitute teachers.

Whether the school can provide in-person instruction in a safe and supportive environment.

This work of maintaining in-person teaching and learning is a system and community effort. This week, more than 100 central office staff members—from across the organization—were deployed to assist in covering schools this week. Their efforts helped to preserve more than 2,100 hours of in-person instruction over a three-day period.

BCPS continues to meet with health officials and experts from the Baltimore County Health Department, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland to review and, as needed, refine current practices. We rely on the advice and strategies from these experts who share our commitment to keeping school buildings open and protecting the health and safety of members of the BCPS community.

As our community, state and nation continues to persevere through these challenges, please know that BCPS, TABCO, ESPBC, CASE, OPE, and AFSCME are committed to providing students with the high-quality education, support and access they need to thrive.

Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Overlea


Baltimore County Police reported a fatal pedestrian crash Wednesday night in Overlea.

A 2013 Lexus IS 250 struck a pedestrian along Belair Road near Taylor Avenue on Jan. 5 around 8:30 p.m.

The Lexus was traveling northbound on Belair Road. A preliminary investigation determined, the pedestrian, 34-year-old Byron Blowe, stepped into the northbound travel lane of Belair Road, from a sidewalk near Taylor Avenue, when he was struck by the 2013 Lexus.

Blowe was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

According to police, it does not appear that Blowe was in the crosswalk at the time of the crash. The driver remained at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team are working to determine all of the factors that contributed to this crash.

County to Distribute at-Home COVID Tests; Expand Test Sites


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced updates on Baltimore County’s ongoing efforts to expand access to COVID-19 testing, including plans for the distribution of 100,000 rapid at-home COVID tests for residents and the expansion of County-run testing sites.

“Expanding Baltimore County’s testing availability will help ensure residents can take every precaution to protect themselves and their loved ones amid the extremely contagious omicron variant,” Olszewski said. “I want to thank County Administrative Officer Stacy Rogers, Health Officer Dr. Gregory Branch, and the entire Department of Health and Human Services team for their dedicated efforts to secure and distribute these tests to community members.”

“Being fully vaccinated and having ample access to testing are vitally important tools in decreasing the spread of this virus,” said Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch. “Increasing testing options and availability will also help to lessen the burden on our hospitals and emergency rooms.”

Baltimore County Expanding COVID-19 Community Testing Clinic Locations and Hours

Beginning the week of January 10, Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services will expand the County’s COVID-19 public testing clinic capacity. Updated testing clinic locations and times include:

NEW SITE: Former Sears Automotive Center at White Marsh Mall (Lower Level) (8200 Perry Hall Blvd, White Marsh, 21236)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Liberty Family Resource Center (3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown, 21133)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Drumcastle Government Center (6401 York Road, Towson, 21212)
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Dundalk Health Center (7700 Dunmanway, Dundalk, 21222)
Wednesdays: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Baltimore County Moving to Appointment-based Testing

To improve the patient experience, Baltimore County will be moving to appointment only testing at County testing clinics beginning Monday, January 10. You must have an appointment to receive a COVID-19 test.

To schedule appointments for next week, please visit baltimorecountymd.gov/covidtest. Residents are asked to assist relatives, neighbors, and loved ones in scheduling online appointments if they do not have internet access.

For more information, residents can call the Baltimore County COVID-19 hotline at 410-887-3816.

Rapid At-Home COVID-19 Test Community Distribution

County officials today announced plans to equitably distribute 100,000 free rapid at-home COVID-19 tests directly to residents through a variety of community-based channels. Information on the County’s community test distribution schedule is below:

Date Time Location Type
Monday, 1/10/22 1 p.m. until supplies last Catonsville Senior Center, 501 Rolling Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228 Drive Thru
Tuesday, 1/11/22 1 p.m. until supplies last County Career Center – Eastpoint Mall, 7930 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21224 Drive Thru
Wednesday, 1/12/22 1 p.m. until supplies last Fleming Senior Center, 641 Main St, Dundalk MD 21222 Walk Up
Wednesday, 1/12/22 9.a.m. until supplies last Baltimore County Career Center – Liberty3637 Offutt Road, Randallstown, Maryland 21133 Walk Up
Wednesday, 1/12/22 4 p.m. until supplies last Dundalk PAL Center, 15 Commerce Place, Dundalk, Maryland 21222 Drive Thru and Walk Up
Thursday, 1/13/22 9 a.m. until supplies last Jacksonville Senior Center, 3605 Sweet Air Rd, Phoenix, MD 21131 Drive Thru
Friday, 1/14/22 9 a.m. until supplies last Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 Drive Thru
Friday, 1/14/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Pikesville Branch, 1301 Reisterstown Road Pikesville, MD 21208 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Arbutus Branch, 855 Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, MD 21227 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Catonsville Branch, 1100 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Cockeysville Branch, 9833 Greenside Drive, Cockeysville, MD 21030 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Essex Branch, 1110 Eastern Boulevard Essex, MD 21221 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Hereford Branch, 16940 York Road Hereford, MD 21111 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Lansdowne Branch, 500 Third Avenue Lansdowne, MD 21227 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Loch Raven Branch, 1046 Taylor Avenue, Towson, MD 21286 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL North Point Branch,1716 Merritt Boulevard, Dundalk, MD 21222 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Owings Mills Branch,10302 Grand Central Avenue Owings Mills, MD 21117 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Parkville-Carney Branch, 9509 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Perry Hall Branch, 9685 Honeygo Boulevard, Perry Hall, MD 21128 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Randallstown Branch, 8604 Liberty Road Randallstown, MD 21133 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Reisterstown Branch, 21 Cockeys Mill Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Rosedale Branch, 6105 Kenwood Avenue Rosedale, MD 21237 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Sollers Point Branch, 323 Sollers Point Road Dundalk, MD 21222 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Towson Branch, 320 York Road Towson, MD 21204 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL White Marsh Branch, 8133 Sandpiper Circle, Baltimore, MD 21236 Walk Up
Saturday, 1/15/22 9 a.m. until supplies last BCPL Woodlawn Branch, 1811 Woodlawn Drive Woodlawn, MD 21207 Walk Up
Sunday, 1/16/22 1 p.m. until supplies last Northwest Regional Park, 4515 Deer Park Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117 Drive Thru
Sunday, 1/16/22 1 p.m. until supplies last Eastern Regional Park, 11723 Eastern Ave, Middle River, MD 21220 Drive Thru

All residents are encouraged to continue taking precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

To get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, please visit baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine or by contacting your local urgent care, pharmacy, or your primary care provider.

Marks to Host Zoom Public Safety Town Hall


Baltimore County Councilman David Marks announced that his office will hold an online town hall meeting to discuss crime control and public safety.

He will be joined by the three police captains from the Fifth District and States Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

The town hall meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 18 at 7 p.m. Zoom information is below:

Topic: PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL
Time: Jan 18, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87359682409

Meeting ID: 873 5968 2409
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87359682409# US (Washington DC)
+19292056099,,87359682409# US (New York)

“Public safety is my top concern, and the major issue for most of the constituents I speak with,” Councilman Marks commented. “It’s why I have pushed for more police officers, expanded neighborhood watch programs, and not retreating on tough policies to punish criminals. I thank our police captains and States Attorney for participating in this important forum.”

Since there is a limit to the number of users, the session will be recorded for those who cannot participate.

More Snow Expected Overnight in Area


The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington is predicting another round of accumulating snow is expected across the region this evening into Friday morning, Jan. 7.

Multiple reports have the storming starting after 10 p.m. and finishing up around 6 a.m.

Two to three inches are predicted in eastern Baltimore County.

Freezing Rain Possible for Wednesday Morning


The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Light stated that freezing rain or freezing drizzle will be possible overnight into Wednesday morning which could lead to slippery travel conditions in the Baltimore Region and to the south of the region.

The potential exists for accumulating snow late Thursday into Friday.

Hazardous travel conditions may be likely.

Essex Shooting Reported on Jillway Court


Baltimore County police officers responded to the Unit block of Jillway Court in Essex for a reported shooting.

A preliminary investigation determined an armed person shot an adult male after he arrived home; the victim sustained a non-life threatening injury on Friday, Dec. 31 at approximately 10:20 p.m.

After the shooting, the armed suspect fled the scene.

Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit are asking anyone with information about this shooting to contact them at 410-307-2020.