Author: eastbaltco

Fullerton Man Dies in Fire on Fitch Avenue


A 75-year-old man has died of injuries sustained on Thursday in a Fullerton area house fire.

The victim is Michael Richard Praglowski. He was pronounced deceased at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

BCoFD units were dispatched at 11:08 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3 to a dwelling fire in the 4500 block of Fitch Avenue.

OhCrews did not see fire from the exterior, but they found the victim in the second-floor bedroom, unconscious on the floor. There was a small, extinguished fire beside him.

BCoPD investigators found that the victim had been smoking while attached to medical oxygen. This is an accidental fire.

Man in Wheelchair Killed in Edgemere Crash


Baltimore County Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in Edgemere that left one man deceased on Monday.

Just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, police responded to the intersection of North Point and Lodge Farm roads for a pedestrian involved crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a GMC Sonoma was traveling northbound on North Point Road when it struck the man as he was in a wheelchair attempting to cross in a marked crosswalk. The driver of the GMC did not stop and continued northbound on North Point Road.

Officers located the vehicle and placed the driver under arrest. The pedestrian, Joseph Stefan (69) of the 2800 block of Lodge Farm Road, 21219 was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The driver, Nicklos Koltko III (45) of the 100 block of McQuay Road, 21146, is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on no bail status following a bail review hearing.
He is charged with involuntary manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, and other traffic-related charges.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing their investigation.

Fullerton Fire Units Honored for 2019 Middle River Rescue


A Baltimore Fire Company Unit Citation has been awarded to the team of Fullerton Truck 8, Fire Lt. Brandon Watkins (off duty) and other personnel in recognition of exceptional performance during a house fire in Middle River on Nov. 12, 2019.

Fire units were dispatched at 12:16 p.m. to the Contact Court for a dwelling fire with rescue. First- arriving crews found heavy fire and smoke showing from a single-story home.

During a search of the home, firefighters located the victim in the living room — the room BCoPD fire investigators have identified as the place where the fire started. No one else was in the home at the time of the fire.

Firefighters removed the victim from the home and transferred him to EMS providers. EMS personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.

BCPS to Reopen Online This Wednesday


Baltimore County Public Schools announced it was restarting its online virtual program on Wednesday, Dec. 2 after closing last Wednesday, Nov. 25 and Monday and Tuesday this week after a ransomware attack.

BCPS released the statement about reopening online.

“We are planning to resume virtual instruction for all students on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Schools will follow what would have been their schedule for today, Monday, November 30, 2020.

In order to prepare for Wednesday, the following will occur tomorrow, Tuesday, December 1, 2020:

For middle and high school instructional staff (including teachers, special education teachers, related service providers, and special area teachers): follow the “Steps to Perform a Confidence Check” on the device. If needed, assistance will be available from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at their assigned cluster high school. See the list by zone under Round 1.

For all instructional staff (elementary, middle, and high): go to the School-Based Staff webpage at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday for information and directions about using Schoology, the resources available, and Google Meet. This is the opportunity for instructional staff to reorient themselves to these platforms and resources.

For students who have an HP or Windows-based device: follow the “Steps to Perform a Confidence Check” on Tuesday. This is not necessary for Chromebooks. Students needing a new device or assistance should go to the high school closest to their home between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. BCPS IT staff will be available to assist students with getting a different device, or if needed, performing a confidence check.

For all other staff: follow the “Steps to Perform a Confidence Check” and let their supervisor know if their device is infected.”

BCPS to Stay Closed on Monday and Tuesday


Baltimore County Public Schools announced on Saturday that online learning will stay closed on Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 1 as a result of last week’s ransomware attack. Here is the official statement that was sent out to parents.

“Good evening Baltimore County Public Schools families and staff,

Due to the recent ransomware attack, Baltimore County Public Schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 1. BCPS offices will be open and staff will receive additional information about Monday and Tuesday.

This provides much-needed time for our staff to continue working to set up the instructional platform and to communicate next steps regarding devices.

On Monday, November 30, and Wednesday, December 2, student meals will be available for pickup at no cost, at more than 300 locations as usual, including all middle and high schools.

We understand how challenging this situation is for families and staff, and we thank you for your patience as we work through this crisis. Please note that future daily updates will be available at 5 p.m.”

Dundalk Pedestrian Killed on Wise Avenue


A pedestrian crossing Wise Avenue in the Dundalk Precinct was killed on Friday evening after being struck by a vehicle in the travel lane.

The pedestrian, identified as Evelyn Ann Cornell of the 2300 block of Searles Road in Dundalk was crossing Wise Avenue east of Church Road around 5:40 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, when she was struck by a 2019 Nissan Altima traveling eastbound on Wise Avenue.

Cornell was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased. The driver of the Nissan remained at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team continues to investigate this fatal crash.

Driver Identified in Dundalk Fatal Crash


The driver in a single-vehicle crash in the Dundalk area died shortly after the incident yesterday evening.

Crash investigators were called to the scene on Rolling Mill Road near North Point Boulevard at 7:32 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27.

The preliminary investigation determined that the vehicle, a 1993 Honda Accord, was traveling southbound on Rolling Mill Road when, for as yet undetermined reasons, it crossed the oncoming northbound traffic lane and left the roadway, traveling into a wooded area where it came to a stop.

The driver, identified as Antonio Dominique Whittington (38) of the 3400 block of Woodstock Avenue, 21213, was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are continuing to investigate the factors that contributed to this fatal crash

Lighted Boat Parade Comes to Dundalk Waterways


The Dundalk area is having a holiday parade on the water as Bear Creek’s first annual Lighted Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. This event is presented and organized by Bear Creek Sailing Association and hosted by the Hard Yacht Cafe.

There has been a similar lighted boat parade in Middle River for the past two decades.

Boaters that want to participate in the parade are encouraged to register their boat at http://bearcreeksailing.com.

The parade will start at the Hard Yacht Cafe, located at 8500 Cove Road, and check-in is at 5 p.m.

This event can also be watched from one of the many parks, bridges, restaurants, homes or clubs along the parade route such as Inverness Park, the Wise Avenue Bridge and Watersedge Park.