Author: eastbaltco

BCPS Students Named “Champions of Courage” Finalists

Four of five BCPS students from East Side


Five Baltimore County Public Schools students will appear on WBFF-TV FOX 45, WNUV-TV The CW Baltimore and MyTV Baltimore saluting their personal heroes this January and February.

The students are among the 15 area finalists in the 34th Annual “Champions of Courage” Black History Month Essay Competition.

The BCPS finalists are:

Bruce Ferstermann, Middle River Middle School

Kameron Brockington, Milford Mill Academy

Breanna Pompey, Parkville High School

Grace Duong, Perry Hall High School

Ava Wehr, Perry Hall High School

As finalists, each student will receive a $100 award.

The top three essayists, selected from among the 15 finalists, will be announced during a Champions of Courage television special that will air on WBFF-TV FOX 45, on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

The top three essayists will be presented with additional awards, and in their honor, their schools will receive cash awards.

According to contest organizers, “Champions of Courage” is designed to commemorate Black History Month by celebrating positive role models for youth.

The essay competition provides an opportunity for students in Grades 6 – 12 to participate in a scholastic competition, gain confidence in their abilities, and be recognized for their achievement.

“Champions of Courage” also serves to share with the legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bowleys Quarters VFC Battles Saturday Fire


– photo courtesy of Bowleys Quarters VFC-

Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department reported their crews were first on scene of a house fire on Luthardt Road in Middle River on Saturday afternoon.

Crews arrived around 1:30 p.m. with a heavy volume of fire showing from two second floor windows of an occupied 18th centuryfarmhouse.

According to BQVFC, firefighters advanced a hose up a very challenging closet style staircase and advanced on the fire.

Crews were tactically withdrawn after experiencing high heat, it was confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure, and exterior firefighting knocked down the flames.

The fire was reported under control within an hour.

Dundalk Apartment Fire Reported on Holabird


–photo courtesy of Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company-

Baltimore County Fire Department reported an apartment fire in the 6900 block of Holabird Avenue in Dundalk near Crafton Avenue.

The fire was reported on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

Crews reported that the apartment is two floors and six people have been displaced.

There have been unconfirmed reports that a man and a woman were rescued from the second floor.

More details to follow.

Man Shot on McClean Blvd. in Parkville


Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting in Parkville last night that left a man hospitalized.

Just before 11:30 p.m. on January 22, police responded to the 7300 block of McClean Boulevard in Parkville for a shooting.

Responding officers found the victim, a 33-year old man, suffering gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. He was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. 

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are continuing to investigate this shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-307-2020.

Red House Run Student Honored for Fire Safety Contest


Multiple fire trucks pulling up in front of your home usually signals that urgent help was needed. But the three hook-and-ladder trucks and three fire chiefs that arrived at the home of Braden Bassinger, a student at Red House Run Elementary School, were there with nothing but good news.

Braden and his family were participating in a Jan. 12 virtual recognition ceremony for Baltimore County Fire Department’s annual fire safety poster contest when the caravan arrived to surprise him with the grand prize for his entry.

The contest, open only to Grade 3 Baltimore County Public Schools students, had the theme “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.”

For his award-winning poster, Braden received a basket full of prizes, including a T-shirt customized with his poster design.

This year’s contest honorees are:

1st Place – Braden Bassinger, Red House Run Elementary

2nd Place – Olivia Faint, Sparks Elementary

3rd Place – Gavin Edelson, Jacksonville Elementary

4th Place – Jaiden Cox, Red House Run Elementary

5th Place – Olivia Drysdale, Glenmar Elementary

Honorable Mention:
Alisonclare Arcipe, Glenmar Elementary
Elliana Cunnington, Sparks Elementary

Jane Dudderar, Fifth District Elementary

Rory Fox, Summit Park Elementary

Khloe Funes-Nievves, Red House Run Elementary

Grace Hallengren, Fifth District Elementary

Anna Harris, Fifth District Elementary

Durga Hebbar, Lutherville Laboratory

Guy Hurley, Jacksonville Elementary

Amirah Jones, Orems Elementary

Elizabeth Leber, Jacksonville Elementary

James Manigault, Glenmar Elementary
Giada Mentzer, Fifth District Elementary

Daniel Njiri, Orems Elementary
Sophie Razumovsky, Summit Park Elementary
Samantha Schneyer, Summit Park Elementary
Scarlett VanBuskirk, Orems Elementary
Sama Zaki, Lutherville Laboratory

Both County Executive John Olszewski and Baltimore County Fire Chief Joanne R. Rund participated in the virtual event. Among those on hand for Braden’s surprise were staff from the BCPS Office of Visual Arts and Parkville High School Assistant Principal Willis Spencer, a member of the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department.

“It was quite the parade,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS visual arts coordinator. “It was one of the best things I have ever been a part of. The pure joy of the celebration was just perfect.”

Prizes for the contest winners were sponsored by the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1311, and Baltimore County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

East Joppa Road Closed Near Honeygo Elementary


Baltimore County announced that it has closed a small bridge on East Joppa Road (over Honeygo Run) in order to make emergency repairs.

The bridge (No.B-0545, located between Snyder Lane and Honeygo Boulevard) will remain closed four months to permit restoration. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Ebenezer Road and Honeygo Boulevard, but access to Honeygo Elementary School will be permitted. The Joppa Road Bridge, built in the 1940’s and widened in the 1960’s, is a two-lane span. Its construction is concrete slab; its length is 16 feet.

Councilman David Marks released a statement about the closure.

“The condition of this bridge was known by County engineers since the fall,” Mark said.

“I have notified the Perry Hall Improvement Association, the police and Honeygo Elementary School, none of which had received advance notice.
Please use caution and be respectful of the neighborhoods now receiving more traffic.”

Woman Dies in Middle River House Fire


The Baltimore County Fire Department reported that a woman has died in a fire in the 2100 block of Cockspur Road in Middle River Wednesday morning.

A male victim is also being treated for burn injuries at a local hospital.

Fire crews arrived at 6:13 a.m. with smoke showing from the residential structure. The fire was reportedly under control before 8 a.m.

The fire is still under investigation.

Dundalk Pedestrian Killed on North Point Blvd.


A pedestrian crossing North Point Boulevard in the Dundalk Precinct was killed on Saturday, Jan. 16 after being struck by a vehicle.

Just after 7 p.m. on Saturday, Police responded to North Point Boulevard and Old Battle Grove Road in the North Point Village area of Dundalk for a pedestrian struck. Crash Team investigators determined that a 2007 Kia Forte was traveling southbound on North Point Boulevard approaching Old Battle Grove Road with a green traffic light. The Kia struck the pedestrian and remained at the scene.

The pedestrian, Andrea Rachele Yarish (48) of the 8100 block of Plaza Drive of Dundalk, was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The driver of the Kia did not report any injuries.

The Baltimore County Crash Team continues the investigation.

BCPS Releases Details for Staff COVID Vaccines


Baltimore County Public Schools sent out a statement on COVID-19 vaccines and it’s availability for BCPS staff.

“We learned this afternoon that the earliest opportunity for some BCPS employees to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be Friday, Jan. 22. Due to our size and the unknown availability of the vaccine, we are organizing BCPS employees into priority groups. Over time, all BCPS employees will have the opportunity to register for the vaccine.

“The first priority group includes the highest contact employees: Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers, Infants and Toddlers teachers, staff at the Public Separate Day Schools, as well as bus drivers and attendants; nursing assistants; substitute nurses; pupil personnel workers; and related services, food services, and technology field staff.

“As soon as registration information is available, a registration link will be shared with staff in the first priority group. After registering, interested staff will either receive an appointment or be placed on a wait list in an email from the Baltimore County Department of Health.

“We continue to collaborate with the Baltimore County Department of Health, and we will provide updates as they are available.”