Author: eastbaltco

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.”

Baltimore Kettlebell Club Moves to E Joppa Road


-photo courtesy of Delegate Carl Jackson-

The Baltimore Kettlebell Club held their grand opening in Perry Hall on 4132 E. Joppa Rd. Kettlebell Club has been in business since 2011, and they moved into a larger location in the summer and held the traditional ribbon cutting on Saturday.

The ceremony was attended by Delegates Carl Jackson Joe Boteler, Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, and County Councilman David Marks.

“Today, on behalf of myself, Delegate Harry Bhandari and Delegate Joseph Carroll Boteler I presented a citation from the Maryland General Assembly congratulating Baltimore Kettlebell Club on their new location in Perry Hall,” Jackson said. “I also had a chance to workout with some parents and kids as well.”

The Baltimore Kettlebell Club was founded by Dan Cenidoza and his wife Jessica 10 years ago.

“Dan Cenidoza ran a good event, with demonstrations of exercises they do with the parents and the kids, as well as various feats of strength and agility,” Boteler added.

“This has become a popular, family-oriented physical fitness organization – I was amazed at the number of kids today,” Marks said. “We are delighted to have this club in the heart of Perry Hall at the Festival shopping center on Joppa Road.

Volunteer Fire Companies Warn of Text Scam Using Their Names


Multiple Volunteer fire and emergency services companies throughout Baltimore County are warning the public about a fraudulent fundraising text message scheme.

Kingsville, Bowleys Quarters, North Point Edgemere and many other Volunteer fire companies shared the scam text messages.

None of the VFC in Baltimore County solicit donations or sell their merchandise through text messages.

Donations can be made on VFC’s website.

Anyone that receives a similar text message from a VFC is asked to contact that Volunteer fire company.

Eastern Baltimore County Recovering From Friday’s Weather


As predicted, eastern Baltimore County’s coastal lines were hit with bad weather. Many of the low-lying areas such as Bowleys Quarters, Edgemere and Dundalk were hit with high tides that flooded many homes and roads. That resulted in school and road closures on Friday.

Baltimore County Fire Department said that the storm is over but there is still a lot of damage left in the aftermath.

“Emergency crews are conducting damage assessments from yesterdays costal flooding and heavy rains. While water is receding there may still be flooded roadways. As always use extreme caution when driving and avoid driving through flooded roads,” said a statement for the Fire Department.

BREAKING NEWS- Vehicle Crashes Near Dundalk 7ELEVEN


Baltimore County Police reported a car crashed through a 7ELEVEN in Dundalk.

The incident was reported on Friday, Oct. 29 around 7 p.m. in the 3000 block of North Point Road as the vehicle crashed in the front of the store.

There are no further details at this time. There was an original report that the vehicle went through storefont but that has not been confirmed.