Shady Spring ES Assistant Named Professional of the Year


As an administrative assistant in the front office of Shady Spring Elementary School in Rosedale, Steven “Brad” Fisher prides himself on knowing just about everything happening at his school.

On Tuesday morning, however, he had no idea that Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams would be stopping by with other education leaders to announce that he (Fisher) is the 2021 BCPS Office Professional of the Year.

“As a former principal, I know the positive difference outstanding office professionals can make in a school,” said Williams. “Congratulations to Brad Fisher on his well-deserved honor. In highlighting his excellence, we hope to bring attention to office professionals throughout the school system.”

Fisher joined BCPS in 2012 as an office professional at Elmwood Elementary School. He moved into his current role at Shady Spring Elementary in 2018.

“Since Brad arrived, he has worn many hats at Shady Spring,” said Principal Sandra Jimenez, “like best-dressed, first smile to see in the building, and prime organizer, but some unusual roles as well, such as first responder to student and teacher needs, Black History Month schoolwide event organizer, and this year, schoolwide mailman! Brad is dedicated to all the staff and students in the building and shows his care and support daily. Brad even sponsors his own Teacher Appreciation Day for the staff.”

Jimenez also notes that Fisher frequents classrooms and makes it a point to connect with some of the school’s students. “The younger students love to see his face because they know that he will most likely be reading a special story to them,” Jimenez said. “Brad helps many staff members with his problem-solving approach. Brad is loved and appreciated by staff, students, and parents. He also supports the ESPBC [Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County] organization and regularly presents at the annual conference. The school runs more smoothly because of him.”

In addition to Supt. Williams and Principal Jimenez, others participating in the surprise announcement were Dr. George Roberts, community superintendent, East Zone; Mildred Charley-Greene, acting chief of staff; Jane Lichter, executive director – elementary and secondary, East Zone; Jeannette Young, president, ESPBC; Joe Coughlin, vice president, ESPBC; Dianna Woodlon, chair, ESPBC Recognition and Retirement Committee; and Seleste Harris, director, UniServ.

Baltimore County Resumes In-Person Services


Baltimore County agencies will begin offering in-person services at County buildings in the coming weeks. Safety precautions will remain in place to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.

All individuals entering county buildings are required to use the www.bacosafe.org mobile health screening prior to entry.
County agencies will adjust service offerings as explained below.

Additional services will be offered in-person at a later date to be announced in the future.

Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability
• In-person services currently being provided:
o Services limited to field appointments. No in-person services in County Office Building.
• In-person services to resume Monday May 17, 2021 include:
o Customers may request by phone 30-minute in-person meetings in the County Office Building by appointment.
For more information and telephone numbers to schedule meetings with individual sections please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/environment/

Department of Economic and Workforce Development
• In-person services currently being provided:
o Career Center Services – Available at two Career Centers by appointment only. To schedule an appointment: https://bcgappt.cxmflow.com/Appointment/Index/d74f48b1-33a9-428c-acd1-d7d1bfc9555c or by phone 9am – 3pm, Monday through Friday:
 410-887-7940 to make an appointment at our Hunt Valley Career Center;
 410-887-8912 to make an appointment at our Liberty Career Center
• The following in-person services will be offered by appointment only beginning Tuesday June 1, 2021:
o Access to computers, internet, fax, copy machines
o Job Search Assistance
o Labor Market Information and Career Assessment Tools
o Career Planning & Guidance Assistance
o Planning for short-term Skills Enhancement Programs
o Planning for Occupations Skills Training
• The following online services will continue to be provided:
o Workshops and Virtual appointments

Department of Permits Approvals and Inspections
• In-person services to resume Tuesday June 1, 2021:
o Permitting for electrical services through appointment only. Information for scheduling will be provided.
• The following online services will continue:
o Permit applications and online payment of fees:
o File a code complaint: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/permits/codeenforcement/codecomplaint.htm
o Attend Administrative Hearings both Zoning and Code Enforcement: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/adminhearings/
o Attend Development Management Meetings: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/permits/pdm_devmanage/devmgmtmeetings.html
o Schedule an inspection, access here: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/permits/inspectionconnection/

Department of Aging
• In-person services currently being provided:
o Food Distribution by appointment. Slots open Mondays at 8am for the following week. Appointments can be scheduled online.
o Senior Center Orientation at Nine Regional Centers. Appointments can be scheduled online.
• In-person services to resume beginning Monday May 17, 2021 by appointment or walk-in at the 611 Central Avenue, Towson, MD 21204 location:
o Maryland Access Point (MAP) – for information and assistance including durable medical equipment loan closet, contact by phone at 410-887-2594 Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.
o Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) – contact by phone at 410-887-2059 Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.
• The following online services will continue:
o Online programming will remain available at the County’s senior centers and can be accessed here: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/aging/centers/onlineclasses.html

Office of Budget and Finance
• In-person services currently being provided:
o Real Property Tax payments
o Personal Property tax Payments
o Red Light Payments
o Speed Payments
o Telephone and Transient Tax and other payments
o Some inquiry and support.
o OBF Fiscal Operations managers are available to customers at the kiosk
o Mail Services
• In-person services to resume Monday May 17, 2021 include:
o OBF Customer Services Window
o Tax payer Services (real and personal)
o Traffic and False alarm Services
• The following online services will continue:
o Procurement Services pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences and bid/proposal openings via webex.
o Vendor Disbursements: By Email
o Pay Services (payroll): By Email
o General Accounting : By Email
o Sponsored programs (Grant and Project Accounting): By Email
o Taxpayer Services Tax and Credits
 Real and Personal Property Tax
o Traffic and False Alarm services
o Lien Request
For more information, please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/publicworks/

Department of Recreation and Parks
• In-person services currently being provided:
o Access to County parks, trails and open spaces, and various outdoor facilities and activities.
• In-person services to resume Monday May 17, 2021 include:
o Permits to indoor facilities
o Indoor Nature classes and programs
o Indoor games and scrimmages
o Indoor tournaments
o Licensed Day Care at all locations
o Indoor tennis courts
o Stage rental requests
• On Friday May 28, 2021 (Memorial Day Weekend) Rocky Point Beach will be open.
• Please check with your local Recreation and Parks Council or Nature Council for virtual program schedule.
For more information please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/recreation/programdivision/
Department of Public Works
• In-person services currently being provided:
o The Bureau of Utilities – Cash, Check and Charge payments for waste hauler permits, waste hauler invoice payments. Water meter repair, fire hydrant permit, and water meter rental for fire hydrants.
o The Bureau of Solid Waste – Full service
• All in-person services will resume beginning Monday May 17, 2021 and will transition to appointment only beginning June 1, 2021.
• The following online services will continue:
o The Bureau of Engineering & Construction – Professional Service solicitation proposals; Capital project bids
o The Bureau of Highways – Utility permitting within the roadway, tree removal, sidewalk replacement, adopt-a-road and driveway permits.
o The Bureau of Utilities – Reports of water main breaks, sink holes, sewer and water line blockages, inquiries for basement sewage backup, street sewage overflow, manhole cover cracks or missing manholes, inquiries for copies of video of sewage or water pipeline, reports of grinder pump overflows, grinder pump malfunctions, illicit FOG (fats/oils/grease) dumping into County sewage pipeline, reports of illegal fire hydrant hookups
For more information, please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/publicworks/

Department of Health and Human Services
• In-person services currently being provided:
o COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination – by appointment or walk-in. Testing and Vaccination schedules can be accessed by calling COVID-19 Hotline at 410-887-3816 or online here: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/health/index.html
o Animal Services – current operation at 50% capacity.
o Social Services – contact Department of Human Services Call Center at 1-800-332-6347.
o Health Services – Environmental Health Services, Family Planning, WIC, Harm Reduction, Hearing & Vision, Audiology
• In-person services to resume by appointment only beginning Monday May 17, 2021 include:
o TB testing
o HIV testing (walk-in)
o Partner Services
o Maryland Children’s Health Program
o Housing Services
o Administrative Care Coordination Unit
For more information, please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/hhs/

Fire Department
• In-person services to resume Monday May 17, 2021 :
o In person public education and outreach events
o Non-emergency access to fire department (career) stations
For more information, please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/fire/

Department of Planning
• In person services currently being provided:
o Community planning related services by appointment only.
• In person services to resume Monday May 17, 2021 include:
o Historic aerial photos review, by appointment only
o Inquires of historic and future County plans, by appointment only
• The following online services will continue to be available:
o Virtual meeting and engagement for various community planning processes; including the master plan.
For more information, please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/planning/

Police Department
• In-person services currently being provided:
o Walk in lobby service at police precincts
o Response to public calls for service
o Retrieving property from evidence management
o Fingerprinting services
• The following online services will continue to be provided:
o Crime reporting
o Data dashboards
For more information, please visit: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/police/

Alleged Incident Reported at Essex Park


Baltimore County Police are alerting the public about an alleged incident that occurred at a local park involving a registered sex offender.

The man reportedly approached a young girl last week at Cox Point Park, which is located in the 800 block of Riverside Drive in Essex.

Attached is a picture of the man police arrested in connection to the case; he’s 57-year-old Rodney Key.

Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims in the community. You can contact officers at 410-887-0220.

Man Shot in Middle River on Holcumb Court


Police are investigating a shooting in Middle River that left a man injured.

Just after 9 p.m. on Thursday. May 13, the victim was walking in the area of Holcumb Court in Middle River when he was shot in the lower body.

The victim was transported to Bayview Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Police are asking neighbors to check any exterior cameras they may have and contact police with any possible information.

Anyone who may have additional information to offer can contact detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit by calling 410-307-2020.

Apartment Fire Reported on Cedarburg Court


-photo courtesy of Providence Volunteer Fire Company of Towson-

Baltimore County Fire Department were on the scene of a two alarm apartment fire in the unit block of Cedarburg Court in Parkville.

The fire was reported on Friday, May 14 at 4:29 p.m.

First arriving units reported fire from the second and third floors of a three-story apartment building.

The fire was reported under control at 5:04 p.m. One civilian was evaluated for medical cause.

BCPS to Provide 2021-22 Virtual Information


Baltimore County Public Schools is committed to providing full-time, in-school instruction, five days a week, for all students during the 2021-2022 school year, pending the latest health and safety guidelines.

However, for those families for whom full-time, in-person learning is not an option, BCPS will offer a Virtual Learning Program for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The BCPS Virtual Learning Program will provide full-time virtual instruction from BCPS staff, including live (synchronous) instruction and anytime (asynchronous) learning.

Students enrolling in the BCPS Virtual Learning Program will also remain enrolled in their BCPS school. As a BCPS student, they may participate in meals, sports, extracurricular activities, and other opportunities.
Families interested in the Virtual Learning Program are invited to attend a Family Information Session to learn more about the program’s benefits and limitations (such as which classes will be available). No registration is required for the online information sessions, and links for the sessions are provided in this release.

Sessions will be offered:

Wednesday, May 19, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. — Virtual Learning Program Family Information Session in English

Thursday, May 20, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Virtual Learning Program Family Information Session in Spanish

Thursday, May 20, from 6 – 7 p.m. – Virtual Learning Program Family Information Session – multilingual (The meeting code for this session is BCPSmulti, and participants must use a BCPS student email address to log in. Translators will be available to assist with Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, and Urdu. Other languages available by request to adregier@bcps.org.)

In addition to the information sessions, families can send questions to VLP@bcps.org at any time.

Registration for the Virtual Learning Program will take place from Wednesday, May 19, through Friday, May 28. Families who register for the Virtual Learning Program will be asked to commit for the full school year.

County Agrees in Lifting COVID Restrictions


Baltimore County will join the state of Maryland in lifting all restrictions on indoor and outdoor venues and indoor and outdoor dining effective Saturday, May 15.

Face covering requirements for indoor establishments remain in effect. This means that individuals must continue to wear face masks while inside public spaces, in schools, and in restaurants while not eating or drinking.

While Governor Hogan announced that the statewide indoor mask mandate will lift when 70 percent of adults have received at least a single dose of vaccine, County leaders will consider this measure in the coming days, and may decide to continue the indoor mask mandate in Baltimore County beyond the state’s order.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski released the following statement:

“After a long and difficult year, I am pleased we have reached a point where we feel that it is safe to lift capacity restrictions. A sense of normalcy is returning, and I know we are all anxious to get back to the things we love to do.

At the same time, despite incredible progress in our vaccination efforts, we still have a considerable amount of work ahead to vaccinate more of our residents. We should remember that Marylanders under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for a vaccine. We have a responsibility to keep our children safe. We are currently considering whether to continue the indoor mask mandate in Baltimore County, as we want to be sure that we do not inadvertently put our youngest residents at risk.”

Weber’s Strawberry Festival to be Held in Parkville


Weber’s Farm 5th Annual Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, June 5 & Sunday, June 6 at 2526 Proctor Lane in Parkville.

Tickets for entry into the event are now available for purchase. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Register early, space is limited!
Admission, $6 per person, is required for anyone attending the festival who is 2 years old and older. Under 2 years old are free.

The event will include live music, food trucks, barnyard animals, and other activities.

For more details about the Strawberry Festival and to purchase tickets please visit the Strawberry Festival ticketing page:

Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River to Reopen


The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River, Inc. will hold its Museum Grand Re-Opening on Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Museum is located at 516 Eastern Blvd. in the heart of Essex.

The event will focus on First Responders Day with tours. Members of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police K9 Unit will be there along with Baltimore County Police Community Relations, the Essex Volunteer Fire Company and Historian Paul Blitz.

For more information, visit the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River Facebook page.

County Senior Centers Announce Reopening Plans


After a 14-month hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA) announced that beginning Monday, May 10, nine of the County’s largest senior centers will host orientations in advance of reopening for limited programming later this year.

All County senior centers have been closed since March 17, 2020, when Governor Hogan closed centers across Maryland to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“We’re thrilled to begin to reopen our senior centers so we can do even more to serve the more than 20,000 residents are members of the county’s 20 senior centers and Senior Box Office,” said Laura D. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging. “This phased reopening will ensure that we can provide a clean and safe environment at our largest centers as we work towards reopening all our centers as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Safety Orientation Required Prior to Reopening
Prior to reopening for limited in-person programming, senior center members will be required to attend an orientation session to learn about new COVID-19 safety protocols and complete annual center registration forms.

Beginning Monday, May 10, individuals can register for these orientation sessions by calling 410-887-2040 or going online at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging to sign-up.

Following completion of orientation by a significant number of members, the County will begin to offer in-person programming, which is currently expected to begin in July. Due to distancing and capacity requirements, Baltimore County will begin with the nine largest senior centers, including four in eastern Baltimore County.

Ateaze Senior Center, 7401 Holabird Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222, 410-887-7233, ateazesc@baltimorecountymd.gov

Essex Senior Center, 600 Dorsey Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21221, 410-887-0267, essexsc@baltimorecountymd.gov

Parkville Senior Center, 8601 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21234, 410-887-5338, parkvillesc@baltimorecountymd.gov

Seven Oaks Senior Center, 9210 Seven Courts Drive, Perry Hall, MD 21236, 410-887-5192, sevenoakssc@baltimorecountymd.gov
The County’s remaining eleven senior centers will reopen following state expansion of capacity limits, additional Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, and state and local Department of Health approval.

Virtual Programs to Continue
Due to physical distancing restrictions, programs with high attendance will continue to be offered virtually. Virtual programs will continue to be publicized in the senior center monthly newsletters and on the Department of Aging’s website at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/seniorcenters.

Senior Food Distribution Program Expanded

Until the Eating Together program resumes, BCDA will continue to provide a weekly bulk food program for seniors, and it is now expanding to 9 sites: Ateaze, Bykota, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Essex, Liberty, Parkville, Reisterstown and Seven Oaks senior centers. One member per household can register online at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging or call 410-887-2040 on Mondays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to reserve a food kit. Each “kit” includes canned goods, fruits and vegetables, dairy products and a small chicken. Food distributions will occur on Wednesdays.

Questions and Information Requests

Questions about the phased opening of our senior centers can be directed to Jill Hall, Chief, Senior Centers and Community Services Division, at 410-887-3424 or jphall@baltimorecountymd.gov