Author: eastbaltco

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.”

Police Need Help in Lanscaping Company Bulgaries


Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a burglary suspect linked to at least two burglaries in the White Marsh area.

Just after 2 a.m. on January 1, 2021, the suspect (pictured) entered the grounds of Final Cut Landscaping located in the 11000 block of Pulaski Highway, in White Marsh. He broke into storage containers and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of lawn equipment.

The suspect, described as a black male with a thin build can be seen leaving the location in the pictured white U-Haul van.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Burglary Unit are now asking the public for help identifying this suspect. If you recognize the suspect, the vehicle, or have any additional information to offer, contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020.

Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

BCPS Cancels High School Winter Sports


Baltimore County Public Schools announced that it has canceled its winter sports programs. BCPS announced a plan in the fall to return all three of its sports seasons starting for December. It released the following statement about winter sports:

Unfortunately, due to the continued impact of COVID-19 and the timeline for the winter athletic season, we are cancelling the 2020-2021 winter athletic season. We will evaluate the situation and examine potential alternatives for our winter sports athletes. Our 2021 fall sports season is tentatively scheduled to begin on February 13. We will continue to monitor state and local health metrics to determine if the fall athletic season can start on February 13.

Pedestrian Killed in Perry Hall on Sunday


Baltimore County police are investigating a fatal pedestrian-involved crash in Perry Hall.

Officers were called to Glen Park Road and Dundawan Road in Perry Hall at 5:45 p.m. when a pedestrian crossing Glen Park Road was struck by a 2002 Acura traveling westbound just east of Dundawan Road.

The pedestrian, identified as John Eric Bartoszak (67) of the 4100 block of Glen Park Road, 21236, was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he later died.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team continues working to determine all of the factors that contributed to this fatal crash.