Author: eastbaltco

Police Investigating Essex Shooting on Ashbridge Drive

Just before 1:30 a.m. on June 22, 2019, Baltimore County Police responded to the 900-block of Ashbridge Drive in Essex for a shooting.

Police arrived and located the victim who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim told police that he was exercising around the neighborhood when he was approached by a suspect who threatened him with a gun and told him to get on the ground.

The victim refused and walked away from the suspect. The suspect then shot the victim and ran away.

The victim, a 32-year-old man, was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive his injuries. The Violent Crimes Unit is investigating this case. If anyone has information, please call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.

Marks Gives Perry Hall Community Update

-by Councilman David Marks-

Here are updates on issues I am frequently asked about.

Joppa Road – Resurfacing from Magledt Road to Belair Road will occur this summer. Curbs have been replaced in some areas. This is a two-mile project, the largest resurfacing initiative in Perry Hall in more than a decade. I get a lot of requests for other roads – and I know this post will prompt dozens of other inquiries – but this is an expensive and important project. The resurfacing will happen during the day; there is no perfect time to do it, but traffic is lighter in the summer. The resurfacing was prompted by the replacement of the water main, important if you have been following recent problems along York Road.

El Salto – The opening will occur once fire sprinklers are approved, likely in July. As I mentioned, the owner of Perry Hall Square initiated a renovation of the whole shopping center. This last happened in the early 1990s.

School Construction – School Board member Julie Henn and I will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 2 at 6 PM at the Perry Hall Family Worship Center. Due to the State Senate’s failure to pass school construction funding, the new elementary school and middle school are delayed, likely by a year. The School Board rejected plans for a boundary study, which means more trailers.

High School – It costs more than $100 million to build a new high school. I support a new high school, but three other communities need replacements. Perry Hall High School is big – thanks to a bad decision to add an addition in the 1990s, in my judgment – but enrollment has actually been lighter as students prefer to attend magnet schools.

Rezoning – 2020 is a rezoning year. In 2012 and 2016, I downzoned thousands of acres to lighten development – but many projects were already approved, such as the apartments on Cowenton Avenue built on land rezoned by my predecessor. Much of our overcrowding comes from demographic change as younger families buy from older homeowners.

Klausmier Road – in 2018, I formed a task force to recommend ways to improve mobility on this major corridor. Each of the recommendations has been adopted – the new county budget includes funding to expand the parking lot; speed bumps will be installed this fall (thanks to a local petition effort); and a light was recommended by the State Highway Administration.

Lidl – the Mars supermarket space will be filled by Lidl, a European-based supermarket with locations in Harford County. I don’t have an exact date for an opening.

Seven Courts Courts Citizens on Patrol – We have been assisting this effort. The COP will have its inaugural National Night Out in early August.

As always, you can contact me privately if you have any questions, but I try to respond here as much as I can. I will be away in late July and unavailable to reach by Internet.

Marks to Hold Meeting at Indian Rock Park

Councilman David Marks announced that he is holding a Neighbors Meeting for Indian Rock Park at the trail site on Tuesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. to address some concerns about the 10-year-old park. Indian Rock Park is located next to Perry Hall High School.

“I will be hosting a meeting for neighbors and other interested residents to discuss Indian Rock Park – future improvements and how to cut down on trash, vandalism, and other issues,” Marks said about the meeting.

“The park was created in 2009 after Baltimore County purchased the woods to block a housing development. The northern section of the Northeast Trail was constructed in 2014. I have organized quarterly cleanups of this area, and thank all those who have taken an interest in this area.”

BCPS school libraries to offer summer hours, activities

One of the best things about summer? More time to read! And some Baltimore County Public Schools’ libraries are offering special summer hours during which students can check out great books. The libraries will also offer opportunities for students to write stories, use computers, and engage in makerspace and other fun learning activities.

Here are summer hours at the 11 BCPS school libraries in eastern Baltimore. (Please contact the schools for more information.)

Battle Grove Elementary, 7828 St. Patricia Ln., 21222

Library Media Specialist: Kelly Greer

Tuesday, July 9, from 2 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30, from 2 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, August 13, from 2 – 4 p.m.               

Carney Elementary, 3131 East Joppa Rd., 21234                  

Library Media Specialist: Nicole Byrne            

Tuesday, July 9, from 10 a.m. – noon.
Wednesday, July 24 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Thursday, August 8, from noon – 2 p.m.


Chase Elementary, 11701 Eastern Ave., 21220

Library Media Specialist: Sarah Lancaster        

Monday, July 8, from 4 – 6 p.m.
Monday, July 22, from 4 – 6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 5, from 4 – 6 p.m.                     

Glenmar Elementary, 9700 Community Dr., 21220

Library Media Specialist: Maria Polikandriotis 

Monday, Aug. 19, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 23, from 9 – 11 a.m.

Hawthorne Elementary, 125 Kingston Rd., 21220                 

Library Media Specialist: Melissa DeRuchie      

Wednesday, July 10, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 24, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.      

Middleborough Elementary, 313 West Rd., 21221                

Library Media Specialist: Laura Ferrante         

Thursday, July 11, from 10 a.m. – noon
Thursday, July 25, from 10 a.m. – noon
Thursday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. – noon

Perry Hall Elementary, 9021 Belair Rd., 21236

Library Media Specialist: Anne Martinelli        

Friday, July 12, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Wednesday, July 24, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 – 11 a.m. 

Sandy Plains Elementary, 8330 Kavanagh Rd., 21222

Library Media Specialist: Alison Gray              

Wednesday, July 10, contact the school for exact times
Wednesday, July 31, contact the school for exact times         

Seneca Elementary, 545 Carrollwood Rd., 21220

Library Media Specialist: Shelle Schnell          

Tuesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 9, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Sussex Elementary, 515 S. Woodward Dr., 21221

Library Media Specialist: Regina McDonald      

Wednesday, July 10, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 
Wednesday, July 17, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  
Wednesday, July 31, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Vincent Farm Elementary, 6019 Ebenezer Rd., 21162

Library Media Specialist: Susan Wells              

Tuesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. – noon.
Tuesday, July 30, from 10 a.m. – noon.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, from noon – 2 p.m.

Man Injured in Carney Wood Chipper Incident Remains in Critical Condition

A man injured on Thursday, June 20 while working with a tree removal company in Parkville remains in critical condition at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

The incident occurred at 11:34 a.m. Thursday in the 10000 block of Harford Rd., in Carney and was dispatched as a long fall. Preliminary reports said the man fell from a tree into or onto a wood chipper and suffered a life-threatening injury.

Subsequent information from EMS providers at the scene shows that the patient was critically injured when he became entangled in a rope that pulled taut. He was on the ground when the incident occurred. The rope became caught in the chipper, pulling him against against the chipper; but he was not injured by the blade of the chipper. The injury was caused by the tightness of the rope.

BCoFD EMS personnel provided immediate critical care. The patient was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Shock Trauma.

Town Hall Meeting to Discuss PH Middle Overcrowding Relief

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks and Baltimore County Board of Education Member Julie Henn will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 2 to discuss next steps in building the new northeast area (Nottingham) middle school.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd at 6 p.m. at the Perry Hall Family Worship Center located at 5125 East Joppa Road.

Councilman Marks and Board Member Henn will answer questions about next steps in the school construction process and how communities can advocate for legislation to provide state school construction funding. The Build to Learn Act, which would have provided such funding, failed to pass the General Assembly this year.

Boy Struck, Injured in Bowley’s Quarters

A 9-year-old boy suffered potentially life-threatening injuries on Monday, June 17 when he was struck by a vehicle in Bowley’s Quarters.

Police were called to the scene around 8:34 a.m. when the boy ran across Carroll Island Road and back, being struck by a Honda Odyssey minivan as he was crossing the second time just north of Issacs Road. The boy was flown by Maryland State Police Medevac to a local hospital. The driver of the Honda remained at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are conducting the crash reconstruction to determine the factors involved in this incident.

Police Make Arrest in May 31 Essex Murder

Detectives have arrested Derrick Paul Christopher (38) of the unit block of Goeller Avenue, 21221, in the stabbing death of Thomas Eugene Hunt on Arncliff Road two weeks ago. (Police Investigating Early Morning Homicide in Essex)

The investigation into the homicide revealed Christopher met with the victim for a narcotics transaction. They argued, resulting in Christopher stabbing Thomas Hunt in the upper body and causing a fatal injury.

Christopher is held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center pending trial on the charge of First Degree Murder.

Crash in Essex Kills Motorcyclist

The operator of a motorcycle involved in a crash in Essex on Friday, June 14 has died.

The motorcyclist was traveling southbound on Route 702 around 5:13 p.m. when it struck the passenger side rear quarter panel of a 2013 Nissan Maxima making a left turn onto East Homberg Avenue from northbound Route 702.

The operator of the motorcycle was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene by medics. He is identified as Michael Johnson (49) of the 1000 block of Foxcroft Lane in Essex.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is continuing their crash reconstruction efforts to determine the factors involved in this fatal crash.

Rising Seniors Invited to Participate in Summer College Boot Camps

This summer, BCPS rising seniors (students who will enter Grade 12 in the 2019-2020 school year) are invited to participate in free regional or school-specific Summer College Boot Camps.

Each camp will vary, but all will offer information and resources on the process of selecting and applying to a college and applying for financial aid. Some camps will invite parent participation. Many will feature guest speakers from college admissions and financial aid offices. One camp (for students from Chesapeake, Eastern Tech, and Kenwood high schools) will be preceded by a separate event for parents.

Students interested in participating must register with their school counselors.

The following is a list of the boot camps:

Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies
Catonsville High School
Lansdowne High School
Western School of Technology
Tuesday, June 25, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
@ Catonsville High School
421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228

Chesapeake High School
Eastern Technical High School
Kenwood High School
Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
@ Eastern Technical High School
1100 Mace Ave., 21221

Parent event, same location
Monday, Aug. 19, from 6 – 8 p.m.

Dulaney High School
Hereford High School
Pikesville High School
Thursday, June 20, from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
@ Dulaney High School
255 Padonia Rd., 21093

Dundalk High School
Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Sparrows Point Technical High School
Thursday, June 20, from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
@ Dundalk High School
1901 Delvale Ave., 21222

Franklin High School
Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
@ Franklin High School
12000 Reisterstown Rd., 21136

George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology
Loch Raven High School
Perry Hall High School
Towson High School
Wednesday, June 19, from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
@ Towson High School
69 Cedar Ln., 21286

Milford Mill Academy
New Town High School
Randallstown High School
Woodlawn High School
Wednesday,Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
@ New Town High School
4931 New Town Blvd., 21117

Overlea High School
Friday, June 28, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
@ Overlea High School
5401 Kenwood Ave., 21206

Owings Mills High School
Tuesday,Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
@ Owings Mills High School
124 Tollgate Rd., 21117

Parkville High School
Thursday, June 27, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
@ Parkville High School
2600 Putty Hill Ave., 21234