Author: eastbaltco

CCBC Essex Men’s Soccer Wins Regional Title

Knights to play in national tournament in Wichita, Kan


-Article by Devon Douglas & photo by Rocco Geppi-

CCBC Essex Men’s Soccer defeated the Howard Dragons 3-0 on Saturday to capture their 10th consecutive NJCAA Region 20 title and second straight NJCAA Mid-Atlantic Division II championship.

With the victory, the No. 1 ranked Knights earned an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championships tournament in Wichita, Kan. The tournament will run November 15-21.

Sophomore midfielder Andy Portillo (Laurel, Md.) scored the first goal of the match in the 49th minute after he dribbled past a few Howard players and drove the ball perfectly into the top right corner from the left side of the field, 20 yards out.

Portillo has been one of the Knights target men this season and is the team’s third leading goal scorer with nine goals.

Portillo’s goal gave the Knights (16-1) the momentum they needed, as they were finding chance after chance on goal.

Howard had trouble winning the ball from the Knights and growing frustrations led to fouls.

Just seven minutes after the Knight’s first goal, sophomore midfielder Sam Mejia (Riverdale, Md.) scored on a free kick from 25 yards out, also placing the ball in the top right corner.

Sophomore forward Sam Diaz (Lanham, Md.) capped the Knight’s scoring in the 77th minute on an assist from freshman forward Michael Adekanmbi (Bowie, Md.)

Sophomore goalkeeper Brenden LeMaster (Bowie, Md.) displayed a good performance for the Knights, as he saw more action this game with five shots coming his way.

It seems when these two programs meet, the match narrative is intensity and the result is decided late in the match.

Earlier this season, the Knights defeated the Dragons 2-1 in overtime after sophomore defender Kota Tsuchisawa (Yaita, Japan) won the game by way of a 97th minute golden goal.

This matchup was more of the same in the first half, as both teams found opportunities on goal and displayed good defensive shape.

However, in the second half the Knights found a way to expose Howard and take complete control of the match.

Ethan Stewart (Fairfax, Va.), Mejia, Portillo, Toga Katsuma (Honshu, Japan) and LeMaster all earned All-Region 20 Division II Tournament Team honors.

The Knights now have two weeks to prepare for the national championship tournament.

With added depth this season, CCBC Essex looks to improve over the spring season’s national runner-up finish and earn their first national championship since 1974.

Arrest Made In Rosedale Double Homicide


Baltimore County police have arrested two men in connection to a double homicide that occurred on October 11, in the 7400 block of Plainview Road in Rosedale.

24-year-old Ameer D. Gittens of the 5600 block of Whitby Rd., 21206 and 25-year-old Derrick T. Jamison of the 400 block of Chartley Park Rd, 21136 face charges of first degree murder and remain held without bond.

On October 11, officers from the White Marsh precinct responded to the 7400 block of Plainview Road, 21237 to investigate reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located two adult males inside the location suffering from gunshot wounds.

55 year-old Christopher Walker and his son, 24 year-old Justin Walker were both pronounced deceased on scene.

Middle River Boat Parade Kicks Off 2021 Christmas Season


Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the Christmas Season and the Middle River area will celebrate with the 21th annual Middle River Parade of Lighted Boats on Saturday, Nov. 27 starting at 5:30 p.m.

The parade starts at Carson’s Creekside around 5:45 and ends at Frog Mortar Creek around 7:45. The parade can be viewed on land at Bauernschmidt Manor/Eastern Yacht Club (6:30 to 7) Rockaway/Turkey Point (6:40 to 7:10)and Bowley’s Point/Bowley’s Quarters (6:50 to 7:20).

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/mrboatparade

The Dundalk area will also hold a Bear Creek boat parade on Dec. 4.

For a full listing of holiday events go to eastbaltco.com

All Local Schools Start Football Playoffs on Friday


-photo courtesy of Parkville-HS-Athletic-Boosters-Club-

The high school football playoffs begin this weekend and for the first time all MPSSAA high schools have qualified for the playoffs, including all nine public schools in eastern Baltimore County from 9-0 Dundalk to 0-9 Eastern Tech. Here is a look at the regions with local schools.

4A East Region
5 Glen Burnie at 4 Parkville
The Knights finished 5-4 on the year and have a first round home playoff game against Glen Burnie. If they win, they will travel to Broadneck next week.

4A/3A North Region
1. Dundalk – Bye
5. Catonsville at 4.Kenwood
6. Woodlawn at 3.Perry Hall

There are many familiar teams in this region. Dundalk is number 1 at 9-0 and has a first round bye. The Owls have the chance to win the state title. Kenwood will play Catonsville in the first round Friday at 7 p.m. The winner is at Dundalk next week. Perry Hall is number 3 in this region and will also host a first round playoff game against Woodlawn on Friday at 7 p.m. If the Gators win, they win play at Mervo next week.

3A North
5. Patapsco at 4. Manchester Valley
The Patriots will play in their first playoff game since 2003 but they have to travel to Carroll County on Friday at 7 p.m. If they can pull off the upset, they will play at two-time defending state champion Franklin next week.

2A North
8. Eastern Tech at 1 Milford Mill
One of the downsides of allowing every team to make the playoffs is a winless team such as Eastern Tech is going up against a state champion contender in Milford Mill. Let’s hope this game does not get ugly.

5. Overlea at 4 Hereford
The Falcons lost 7-0 on Oct. 1 at Hereford. They get the Bulls in a rematch this Friday night. Overlea had a mid-season slide where they lost 6 out of 7 but they enter this game with a two-game win streak. Hereford is also hot going into this game as they have won six in a row after starting off 0-3. The 7-0 win over the Falcons started their winning streak. The winner will play at Milford Mill next week (unless Eastern Tech pulls off a major upset).

Class 2A/1A
5. Chesapeake at 4. Fairmount Heights
The Bayhawks looked like they were on the verge of a winless season at 0-3 but first year coach Chris Acab’s team upset Patapsco 14-13 and finished 3-2 down the stretch. They play in Prince George’s County on Friday. The winner plays at Baltimore City powerhouse Dunbar next week.

7. Central at 2. Sparrows Point
Of all the great football stories in eastern Baltimore County, Sparrows Point’s 7-2 record has to be the best story. The Pointers won seven in a row in the middle of the season. They will host Central High out of Prince George’s County on Friday. If Sparrows Point wins, they will host a second round playoff game against the winner of Largo and Carver (Baltimore City).

Community Food Drive to be Held at Fullerton Weis on Saturday


This weekend, Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6, Saving IND (Institute of Notre Dame) will hold its second annual community food drive at Weis Markets, located in the Fullerton Plaza Shopping Center at 7927 Belair Road in Fullerton from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The goal is to collect as much non-perishable food as possible. The donations that Saving IND receive will go to the Student Support Network, as well as a Catholic charity in downtown Baltimore.

Last year, this group collected approximately 5,000 pounds of food and 150 turkeys. The food drive is sponsored by Weis Markets and Councilman David Marks.

Saving IND was formed by a group of dedicated Institute of Notre Dame (IND) alumnae after the historic 173-year-old all-girls high school at 901 Aisquith Street in Baltimore City was abruptly closed with little advance notice in June 2020. Saving IND is now working to open a new school, to be known as Marian Preparatory Academy, in Baltimore County.

The original IND was founded in 1847 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In addition to its proud academic tradition of educating young women and developing future leaders, IND anchored Baltimore during some of its most difficult storms. IND provided shelter as part of the Underground Railroad and served as a medical facility during both the Civil War and 1918 flu pandemic.

Two Maps Released for New Northeast Elementary School


The Northeast Area Elementary Boundary Study Committee held a virtual meeting on Wednesday night to release their two proposed boundary maps for the new Northeast Elementary School in Rossville.

The creation of the new school in Rossville will also shift some students in Elmwood, Fullerton, Joppaview, McCormick, Perry Hall Red House Run and Shady Spring elementary school to the new school or one of the existing schools.

This was a similar move in 2018 when Honeygo Elementary School opened and many of the students in the Perry Hall/Carney area were shifted. Honeygo students, along with Seven Oaks, Gundpowder, Chapel Hill or Carney will not be affected by the opening of the new Rossville school.

Perry Hall and Joppaview were will be apart of rezoning again, but it appears different neighborhoods from those schools will be shifted that did not take part in the 2018 rezoning.

BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn released the maps from the meeting on social media.

“The Northeast Area Elementary Boundary Study Committee has been meeting since September 22, 2021, to review and create options for revised attendance boundaries at elementary schools in the Northeast area,” Henn explained.

“The goal is to relieve overcrowding through additional seats at a new Northeast elementary school located near the intersection of Rossville Boulevard and Gum Spring Road and a replacement building of Red House Run Elementary School.”

Option 1

Option 2

The two options are also available on the Interactive Mapping Tool (View School Zones – Select Elementary Option 1 or Elementary Option 2)

BCPS is looking for feedback from the community for both options.
https://survey.k12insight.com/r/wvJlq3

Baltimore County to Offer COVID Vaccine to 5 to 11-Year Olds


Following the approval late yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Baltimore County is moving forward with plans to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine into the arms of its approximately 67,000 residents aged 5 to 11.

The Department of Health will begin administering the vaccine this week with clinics scheduled for both Friday and Saturday, November 5 and 6.

“I know parents across Baltimore County – myself included – are breathing a sigh of relief knowing we can give our children the critical protection provided by the vaccine,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Our staff have been working diligently to prepare for this next phase of our vaccination effort, a critical step toward safely getting our kids back to all the things they’ve been missing.”

“We have received 8,700 doses of the pediatric vaccine in our initial allocation for use as first and second doses,” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Baltimore County Health Officer. “This latest approval by the FDA and the CDC helps bring us closer to protecting the entire family against COVID.”

The County has secured a new space for large clinics at the former Sears building at the White Marsh Mall (8200 Perry Hall Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21236).

The November 5 and 6 clinics will be held at this new location, on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The clinics are part of the County’s three-pronged approach for vaccinating this population, including partnering with pediatricians and family physicians; working with the public school system; and mounting family clinics that are free, accessible and convenient.

“BCPS is pleased to continue to partner with the Baltimore County Department of Health to support COVID vaccine efforts, by providing staff and use of our facilities, to ensure that COVID shots are readily available for our 5-11 year olds,” said Dr. Darryl L. Williams, Public Schools Superintendent.

Beginning Friday, each of the Baltimore County vaccine clinics will serve individuals 5 and over looking to receive the pediatric vaccine, as well as those 12 and older looking for first, second, or third doses of the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine.

Appointments are required to receive service.

You may schedule appointments at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine or by calling the COVID-19 Hotline at 410-887-3816.

Olszewski Announces American Rescue Plan Wish List for County


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced spending proposals for Baltimore County’s $160.7 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan, which advance a broad range of innovative, equity-focused efforts in addition to ongoing pandemic response needs.
• The County will utilize approximately $80 million in funds to support Baltimore County’s ongoing public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The County is proposing approximately $60 million for various programs to ensure an equitable recovery for all residents and businesses based on previous public input and the work of the County’s Economic Recovery Subcabinet.
• The County has reserved approximately $20 million in funds for a second round of proposals based on future public input.
“Baltimore County is ready to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity though our proposed recovery plan, which provides a bold, equitable roadmap to address the needs of families, workers, and businesses for years to come,” Olszewski said. “We are grateful for all who have already shared their priorities as we crafted this ambitious vision and we look forward to hearing from additional community members to ensure Baltimore County emerges from this crisis stronger than ever before.”

About The American Rescue Plan Act

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, signed into law by President Biden in March 2021, provided Baltimore County with $160,706,923 to support the County’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative impacts on businesses, families and communities.

These funds must be fully committed by December 31, 2024.

Baltimore County’s Economic Recovery Subcabinet

To ensure Baltimore County maximizes the potential of this one-time funding to support the County’s long-term recovery, Olszewski formed the Economic Recovery Subcabinet to develop a holistic countywide plan that incorporates the needs of families, workers, and businesses.

Comprised of department and programmatic leaders across County government, the Subcabinet held multiple public listening forums with community stakeholders and examined nationwide best practices as they developed recommendations.

Proposed Funding Highlights

Baltimore County’s $60 million phase one ARP spending proposal provides funding for a number of key projects focused economic revitalization, community supports, public health and safety, and more.

The proposal is focused on providing support to underserved communities and ensuring an equitable, sustainable and robust recovery across Baltimore County.
Highlights include:
• $16 million to expand housing supports and create a Local Housing Trust Fund to support the ongoing development and preservation of affordable housing.
• Over $6 million to support solid waste diversion and increase recycling and composting.
• $3 million to support Baltimore County’s multi-departmental place-based recovery initiative in the Essex community.
• Nearly $4 million to support small businesses and County tourism.
• Over $2 million to support childcare providers across Baltimore County.
• Over $2 million for behavioral health supports, including expanded crisis response and providing trauma informed care training for County employees.
• Nearly $2 million to fund college tuition grants for students at Historically Black Colleges or Universities in Maryland in order to create a pipeline for BCPS teachers.
Details of the complete list of proposed funding programs are available online.

Olszewski to Host Two Public Input Meetings, Releases Online Survey

To ensure community members will be able to share their feedback, ideas and priorities regarding the finding proposals, the Olszewski administration will host two virtual public input meetings:
• Wednesday, November 10; 6:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 29; 6:00 p.m.
Additional details regarding these virtual public input meetings will be available online at baltimorecountymd.gov/arp.

Residents can also submit feedback and sign up to testify during the input meetings by emailing townhall@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Additionally, the County today released a survey allowing residents to provide additional input throughout the County’s ARP process.

Information Available Online
For more information about the Baltimore County’s plans for ARP funds, including the planned community input meetings, please see visit baltimorecountymd.gov/arp.

For more information regarding eligible use of ARP funds, fact sheets, and other information, please visit the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).

Man Dies in Crash on Rossville Blvd. Near Stemmers Run Rd.


Baltimore City resident Roger Dyer. 25, of Winston Avenue, died in a single vehicle crash on Sunday, October 31 before 2 a.m in Essex.

Dyer was driving a 2012 Honda Accord southbound on Rossville Boulevard past Stemmers Run Road when the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Members of the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Investigation Team are continuing their work to determine if other factors were involved in this fatal collision.

Joppa Rd. Bridge Construction Starts Next Week in Perry Hall


Baltimore County Councilman David Marks announced today that forces will mobilize at Perry Hall’s Joppa Road bridge the week of Nov. 8 to start replacing the structure, which has been closed since January.

Bearing assemblies and precast concrete slab units will be delivered, and installation will start immediately. Baltimore County expects the work to be completed by the end of November, weather permitting.

“I would like to thank the Department of Public Works for working to complete this project, which was delayed due to the parts shortage affecting many parts of the U.S. economy,” Councilman Marks said.

“I appreciate the inconvenience experienced by many motorists. It has affected my family as well. We look forward to the bridge opening.”