Eastern Baltimore County News
-photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department-
Baltimore County Fire Department responded to reports of a single family house fire on the 3000 block of Edgewood Avenue in Parkville.
Crews arrived with fire showing from the second floor on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m.
According to the fire department, firefighters entered the structure and successfully knocked the fire. No injuries reported.
– photo courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department-
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a commercial building fire at the State Farm building at the corner of Merritt Boulevard and Wise/Holabird avenues in Dundalk.
According to the fire department, crews arrived with fire showing from the rear of location. No injuries or entrapment were reported.
The fire department reported the fire was under control at 8:40 Monday evening.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Golden Ring Middle School is one of only 20 national recipients of a FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) inaugural Collaborator Community Impact Award. Golden Ring Middle is the only grant recipient in Maryland.
“As a health science magnet, our school is committed to informing and improving the health of our students, staff, and community,” said Principal Charlyne Maul. “We start by educating our students via a theme across disciplines and then ask them to use their knowledge to enlighten our community through public service, relationships, and partnerships. So far this school year, our students, staff, and community have participated in a virtual community health fair and breast cancer awareness thematic units. The FARE grant will help us in taking on the new and ubiquitous health issue of food allergies. We are very excited!”
For this grant program, FARE partnered with the National Parent-Teacher Association and National Association of School Nurses to invite their members to apply for funding of up to $750 for food allergy education programming and support in Title I/Title I-eligible schools. Title I schools are defined as schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. These schools receive federal funding to help ensure that all children meet state academic standards.
Golden Ring Middle School will use the funds to create a food allergy ambassador program and purchase resources for the cafeteria, health suite, health classroom, magnet classes, and general education classrooms.
“Food allergies are prevalent in many students at Golden Ring Middle School,” said school nurse Angela D’Alto, BSN, RN. “When I saw a grant available for an education program, I knew this would be beneficial for our students. With the funds we received, in collaboration with the health science magnet teacher, Melissa Swecker, we are going to integrate food allergy awareness into the curriculum in December.”
Through the school’s newly created food allergy ambassador program, students will learn food label reading, severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) signs and symptoms, how to administer an EpiPen®, and they will create public service announcements. Students who successfully complete a mini-assessment will become food allergy ambassadors for the school.
“This certification will carry with them through their magnet courses and on to a future career in healthcare,” said D’Alto. “Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency and to have the power to save a life is extraordinary. The opportunity will be available schoolwide through virtual learning opportunities so that any student or teacher can also become a food allergy ambassador.”
“More than 5.6 million children live with potentially life-threatening food allergies – that’s about one in 13 children, or two in every classroom,” said Lisa Gable, chief executive officer of FARE. “A critical part of FARE’s mission is making sure underserved communities have the resources they need. In these under-resourced schools, everyone from teachers to the school nurse to the cafeteria staff plays a role in creating a safe environment for students with food allergies. FARE is committed to doing our part to help everyone better understand this disease, which can be fatal and for which there is no cure.”
Baltimore County Public Schools has launched an online COVID-19 data dashboard that will be updated every Friday.
The dashboard provides data on COVID-19 cases in Baltimore County Public Schools and Baltimore County based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health.
On the dashboard, graphs and tables show the average seven-day case rate per 100,000 Baltimore County residents, the seven-day percent positive rate, the number of BCPS schools with outbreaks (of the schools that are open to students) as well as the current BCPS School Opening Score (and details about how it is calculated). More information about how the BCPS School Opening Score is calculated and used can be found in “Safety Is Our True North.”
“Baltimore County Public Schools is pleased to share this important information with the public in an easily accessible format,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “We are committed to using the latest data and best medical guidance to advise our decision-making during this unprecedented time and to being transparent about how decisions are being made.”
Marc Jason Jones (31) of Unit block of Cedar Avenue, 21204, has been charged in connection with the Nov. 7 homicide of Teon Deontae Barnes.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the Jones and Barnes were engaged in an argument on the parking lot of 4300 Bedrock Circle in Perry Hall that ended with Jones shooting Barnes. Jones then forced a witness into his vehicle and fled the scene with the witness prior to police arrival.
Jones is charged with murder in the first degree, the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/violent crime, kidnapping, false imprisonment and second degree assault. He remains held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on no bail status
Do you recognize this suspect? Baltimore County Police are seeking the public’s help identifying the suspect, pictured here from security video, that burglarized a Royal Farms store three times.
Since September 8, between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., the suspect burglarized the Royal Farms store in the 8200 block of Eastern Avenue before the Essex bridge by forcing his way through the front entrance of the store, which was closed for business at the time.
Once inside, he stole various tobacco products. He is described as a white male, approximately 5’10 – 6’1 and approximately 21-30 years old. In one incident, the suspect fled the location on a bicycle.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Burglary Unit are now asking the public for help identifying this suspect.
If you recognize this suspect or have information about this crime, contact detectives at 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Board of Education of Baltimore County approved the 2021-2022 school calendar for Baltimore County Public Schools.
This calendar has BCPS students beginning the school year, before Labor Day, on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, and ending between Thursday, June 9, and Thursday, June 16, 2022, depending on the number of inclement weather/emergency closure days used.
Schools will be closed for all students on the following days:
• Monday, Sept. 6 – Labor Day
• Tuesday, Sept. 7 – Professional Development Day/Rosh Hashanah
• Thursday, Sept. 16 – Professional Development Day/Yom Kippur
• Friday, Oct. 15 – Professional Development Day/Maryland State Education Association Convention
• Thursday, Nov. 25 & Friday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving Holiday
• Friday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 31 – Christmas Holiday/Winter Break
• Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Friday, Jan. 21 – All schools closing three hours early for end of second marking period
• Monday, Feb. 21 – Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday
• Monday, Apr. 11 – Friday, Apr. 15 — Spring Break
• Monday, Apr. 18 — State Mandated Holiday
• Tuesday, May 3 – Systemwide Professional Development Day and Pre-K and Kindergarten Conference Day/Eid-Al-Fitr
• Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day Observed
There are other days on which schools will be closed for specific grade levels.
This calendar was designed to ensure that BCPS provides its students with a minimum of 180 days of instruction including a minimum of 1,080 hours for elementary and middle school students, and 1,170 hours for high school students.
A detailed PowerPoint presentation about the calendar and the calendar itself can be found on BoardDocs.
If no emergency closure days occur, the school year will end for students on Thursday June 9, 2022, and the Assessment Days, the last day of classes for Preschool-3 and Pre-K, and the last day for teachers will be re-designated accordingly. Should emergency closures occur, up to five make-up days will be added to the end of the school year, making the latest possible date for the last day of school Thursday, June 16, 2022.
If more than five emergency closures occur and/or there are a significant number of delayed openings and/or early dismissals used, the school calendar also may be adjusted appropriately to meet the minimum required student days and the required number of student hours.
Amid a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced on Friday a series of new public health actions to help curb community spread of the virus.
Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15:
• Social gatherings limited: All social gatherings not associated with operating or patronizing a business establishment or otherwise subject to existing state orders will be limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Bars and restaurants will be required to close at midnight.
Effective Tuesday, November 17:
• Baltimore County organied youth recreational indoor and outdoor sports will be prohibited until further notice.
“Now is the time to take action. We need all our residents to take this dangerous spike seriously so that we can protect the health of everyone in our community and save lives,” Olszewski said. “We all want to get back to normal, we want to go about our lives without restrictions and we want our kids back in school, but none of that can happen unless we all do our part.”
As cases have spiked nationwide and across Maryland, Baltimore County has seen a significant increase in the rate of cases, positivity, and hospitalizations. The positivity rate in the County, which has increased 129 percent since Oct. 23, is now at 6.4 percent, and the case rate per 100,000 residents has increased over 158 percent to 27.6 per capita. Hospitalizations have increased over 120 percent since October 23 to the highest level in over five months.
While County officials have continued robust enforcement of state and local mask and social distancing requirements at bars, restaurants and retail establishments, contact tracing data has consistently shown that family and social gatherings also pose significant virus transmission risk.
As the holidays approach, residents are encouraged to avoid gatherings where asymptomatic individuals could unknowingly spread the virus to others.
Earlier this week, Olszewski committed $11.5 million in grant funding to provide supplies directly to Baltimore County Public School principals to help them prepare for eventual reopening. He also announced expanded support for restaurants. The County has also made millions in grant funds available to:
• Support small business payroll, operating, and rent expenses;
• Reimburse improvements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19;
• Assist chambers of commerce and business associations to support businesses;
• Provide direct funding to assist professional artists, musicians and performers.
In addition, the County has undertaken a number of efforts to support residents who have faced challenges due to the pandemic, including providing financial support to help residents avoid eviction and subsidies to help families access child care for school-aged children participating in remote learning.
The County and its partners, including Baltimore County Public Schools, have distributed more than 8 million meals since the start of the pandemic.
Eastbaltco.com reported in September that the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company still planned to hold its second annual train garden. Now WMVFC has released the dates, COVID-19 guidelines and a link to reserve a time to visit the train garden.
“In order to accommodate additional guests at our Train Garden, we will be opening two weeks early! We will now open this Saturday Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.,” said a statement on the WMVFC Facebook site.
General admission is Saturday & Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday through Friday 3 to 9 p.m. Private scheduled Admission is from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. To schedule an appointment go to https://calendly.com/wmvfc/15min?month=2020-11
COVID policies are in place to help provide a safe and enjoyable visit.
COVID Policies: Masks must be worn and hand sanitizer is highly encouraged due to the perimeter railing.
The number of guests in the display will be limited and WMVFC asked guests to be patient with COVID restrictions.
“Prior to the Governor’s announcement [on Tuesday], we had decided to cap our indoor attendance for the train garden at 20 people. Fortunately, we are under the recommended guidelines from the Governor.”
Admission is free and donations are encouraged. No access or tours will be provided in the station. Public restrooms are available.
This appears to be the only train garden in the area as Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company cancelled their train garden for 2020.
Tree lighting ceremony to be held virtually
The AVENUE at WHITE MARSH released a statement on its website that it will not host its holiday parade in 2020 and will hold a virtual tree lighting ceremony.
“As our businesses and management team collectively address the many challenges presented in 2020 – we are faced with the reality that the upcoming holiday season will require a different approach to hosting our favorite community traditions. Lining the streets with thousands of people in celebration as we light our magnificent tree, along with cheering from the sidelines as we come together to watch our holiday parade, will not be permitted or appropriate in today’s environment,” said the statement.
“That said, it is with heavy hearts that we accept THE AVENUE at White Marsh 23rd Annual Tree Lighting will be virtual and our 22nd White Marsh Holiday Parade will be postponed until December, 2021.”
The AVENUE joins the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company Train Garden to officially cancel its holiday events for 2020 as a result of COVID-19.
The White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company Train Garden and Essex Tree Lighting are still hold their events for 2020. There have been no other official announcements about the continuation and/or cancellations about other holiday events in Eastern Baltimore County. Eastbaltco.com will report those events when they are announced.
The AVENUE at WHITE MARSH said the virtual tree lighting can be viewed on on the Avenue’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
