Eastern Baltimore County News
Baltimore County Fire Department marine units have rescued three people from the water.
This is after an overturn vessel in the water near the 900 block of Seneca Park Road in Middle River Wednesday at 1:27 p.m.
No injuries are reported and units towed the vessel back to shore.
The Baltimore County Government released a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that Baltimore County Public School (BCPS) was a victim of a ransomware attack that closed its virtual school program for the day.
“We are aware that BCPS has been the victim of a ransomware attack. Our Office of Information Technology is working closely with them to offer technical assistance and guidance,” said the statement.
“We do not have any reason to believe that Baltimore County Government systems have been compromised, but the County’s Information Technology team is closely inspecting its network and all devices out of an abundance of caution, and has put in place additional security measures. We will continue to work with BCPS to help address this issue so that remote learning can resume as soon as possible.”
BCPS Site Might Be Hacked and Please Stay Off Site and Laptops
Baltimore County Public Schools will start their Thanksgiving holiday a day early. The school system had to close its virtual learning setting unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 25 after a network outage. The BCPS site is down this morning and everyone have been advised not to access the school laptops or go to the BCPS website as Baltimore County Government has confirmed BCPS has been a victim of a ransomware attack.
Mychael Dickerson, Chief of Staff for Baltimore County Public Schools, released a statement on Twitter.
“Due to issues with our network, all Baltimore County Public Schools will be closed today, Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.”
Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting in Rosedale Monday night that left one man injured.
Officers responded to a call for a shooting just before 9:30 p.m. on November 23, where they located the victim outside of the townhomes in the unit block of Breslin Court in Rosedale.
The victim, an adult man, was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower body. He is expected to survive his injuries. The suspect(s) left the scene prior to police arrival.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are still investigating the motive for this crime. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call 410-307-2020.
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a house fire in the 100 block of Villa Capri Circle in Essex Monday night. Crews were on the scene with a fire showing from second floor of a residential house on Nov. 23 at 10:30 p.m.
The fire was reported extinguished at 10:48 p.m.
All residents were rescued safely with no injuries reported.
The Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting will be held this Sunday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Poplar Place Center at the corner of Wise Avenue and Merritt Boulevard.
This is a completely outdoor event and face coverings and social distancing are required. Santa, the Grinch and live horses will be there.
The event is being hosted by the Eastern Regional LIONS CLUB.
For more information, go to the Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting Facebook page.
-photo courtesy of Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page-
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a residential fire on Sparrows Point Road in Edgemere on Saturday around 12:42 a.m.
Crews reported the single family home was fully envolved and there were reports of partial collapse.
Crews were fighting the fire from outside the structure.
No injuries were reported and the fire was under control at 2:21 a.m.
White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company reported crews were on scene of a dwelling fire in the 9000 block of Kilbride Road on the corner of Ebenezer Road in Perry Hall.
The fire started Thursday, Nov. 19 before 9 a.m.
The fire department stated one person was trapped by later rescued from the home.
“EMS was able to care for patient removed from fire. Patient is now conscious and alert and being transported to an area hospital in stable, non-life threatening condition,” said a statement from Baltimore County.
The fire was placed under control in the basement.
The Middle River Parade of Lighted Boats will kick off the Holiday Season by lighting up Middle River area with the best display of boats in the area on Saturday, Nov. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m.
The parade is in its 20th year and takes place in the Wilson Point area and can be seen at the waterfront restaurants in that area.
The parade could be watched from Wilson Point Park in previous years, but there is no word if the park will be available for viewing with social distance guidelines.
For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/mrboatparade
Six Baltimore County Public Schools teachers and one principal have been recognized with district awards from the BCPS Office of Visual Arts through the Maryland Art Education Association (MAEA). In addition, two BCPS visual arts teachers have been nominated for state recognition.
Since they cannot be honored in person at this time, the Office of Visual Arts surprised the honorees with the news during virtual faculty meetings, classroom pop-ins, and post-observation meetings. The award recipients will be formally honored by MAEA at event to be held in 2021.
“We are honored to recognize these amazing educators for their service and dedication to their students, schools, and field of art education,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS coordinator of visual arts. “Each of them truly understands the power of art to shape human potential.”
A list of BCPS teachers to be honored with district recognition follows – along with comments about them from Fisher and BCPS visual arts supervisor Ryan Twentey:
BCPS Career Art Teachers of the Year
Marta Biddinger, Deer Park Elementary School
“Always a step ahead, Marta Biddinger has recreated her entire teaching process in this virtual environment but did so without changing any of her style! … Marta’s leadership in her school and throughout the visual arts education community has been crucial this year, testing software and developing video tutorials and universal classroom management tips and techniques for new and veteran teachers alike.” – Twentey
Molly Schappel, Perry Hall Middle School
“Molly makes things happen! For the past seven years, she has championed and developed one of the most beloved service-learning programs in BCPS art classes, Kindness for Paws. Through Molly’s partnership with the MDSPCA and leadership, students throughout BCPS and beyond submit artwork of adopted animals. Last year over 4,000 student artworks were donated. … She is a true champion of the power art has to inform and improve the lives of others.” – Fisher
Ginger Cain, Kenwood High School
“As department chair of a large department…, Ginger manages a multitude of tasks with grace and respect, directing objectives while encouraging and motivating others to go beyond what they thought they could do. … Ginger has brought the same thoughtfulness and dedication to curriculum writing, having built a significant part of this year’s remote learning units to compassionately connect with students … regardless of the situation they may be in.”– Twentey
BCPS Novice Art Teachers of the Year
Natovian McLeod, Colgate Elementary School
“In her first five years with BCPS, she has quickly become a model teacher, working as a curriculum writer and leader in incorporating contemporary art in the elementary art room. This year she launched B.A.T.A., an affinity group for art teachers of color in BCPS. Natovian has presented on anti-racist and culturally responsive practices in art at the district and state levels to resounding praise.” – Fisher
Christina Snyder, General John Stricker Middle School
“Her classroom manner with students is honest and engaging. She helps students find their voice in the art room, honors their differences, and makes learning fun. She brings this knowledge and connectedness to her work in curriculum development and mentorship. In her first five years with BCPS, her joyful work ethic has made her a tremendous asset to our community.” – Fisher
Ariana Mygatt, Parkville High School
“Bringing new views to students and opening the way they perceive the world around them has been at the forefront of Ariana’s teaching ever since she came to BCPS. Her commitment to her students’ ability to be independent artists flows through every interaction, giving them the knowledge and skills they need to see hidden messages and contexts that truly direct and guide their lives.” – Fisher
BCPS Administrator of the Year
Dwight (Jerry) Easterly, Battle Monument School
“The challenges of leading a public special needs school this year are more intense than ever, asking administrators to make informed decisions on topics never before considered. Dwight “Jerry” Easterly takes on these challenges with years of experience, but also an instinctive ability to connect with the students and families of Battle Monument School to what they need most. This understanding recognizes that all K-12 students at Battle Monument need art and the tremendous impact it brings to their happiness and skills development.”– Twentey
Two other BCPS teachers— Taylor Boren of Logan Elementary School and Lindsay Miller of Towson High School – have been nominated by the Visual Arts Office for state awards. Recipients of those awards will be notified in December.
