Author: eastbaltco

Baltimore County Increases COVID Restrictions


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.

White Marsh VFC Train Garden Now Open


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.

AVENUE at WHITE MARSH Cancels Holiday Parade

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.

Essex Tree Lighting Still Set for Dec. 5


Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River will continue its tradition of holding its annual Essex Community Tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The tree lighting will take place at the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River at 416 Eastern Blvd.
Santa will be at this free event.

Face coverings and social distancing required.

For more information, visit the Heritage Society Of Essex And Middle River Facebook page.

Olszewski Provides COVID Update; More Funding


Amid a national COVID-19 surge, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski provided an update on Monday on the County’s ongoing response to the pandemic, announced new support for public schools as they prepare for an eventual safe return to in-person instruction, and provided details on the County’s latest efforts to expand direct relief for restaurants.

“As the weather turns colder and people are spending more time indoors, it is critical for residents to recommit to social distancing and wearing masks – two simple actions that can significantly reduce the spread of the virus,” Olszewski said. “If we fail to take responsibility for our own actions, we are risking our own health and the health of our family, our neighbors, and everyone in our community.”

COVID-19 Update

As cases have spiked nationwide and across Maryland, Baltimore County has seen a significant increase in the rate of cases and the positivity rate.
• The rate of cases in Baltimore County increased by 90.7 percent from October 23 to November 7, with 20.4 cases per 100,000 residents.
• Over the same time period, the positivity rate increased by 71.4 percent, to 4.8 percent.
• While hospitalizations have not yet matched previous highs, the number of County hospitalized COVID-19 patients has increased by 153 percent from October 7 to November 7.
The County will continue robust enforcement of state and local mask and social distancing requirements at bars, restaurants and retail establishments. To date, the County’s Social Distancing Task Force has conducted approximately 5,200 inspections of establishments – both pro-active and complaint driven.

However, Olszewski reminded residents that family and social gatherings also pose significant virus transmission risk. Ahead of upcoming holidays, individuals are encouraged to avoid large gatherings, particularly gatherings that take place indoors.

“I continue to believe that public efforts are most effective when enacted on a statewide basis, but if we continue to see increasing community spread of the virus, we must consider enacting new gathering restrictions in Baltimore County to combat this spike,” Olszewski said.

Olszewski Announces $11.5 Million for BCPS Principals to Support Safe Reopening

While the fight to contain the spread of COVID-19 continues, Olszewski today committed $11.5 million in CARES Act funding to provide supplies directly to Baltimore County Public School principals to help them prepare for eventual reopening. The County will leverage existing supplier relationships to secure and distribute personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing products, air purifiers, and other equipment or supplies that will help ensure that school buildings are safe for students, educators and staff. Principals will be able to acquire supplies directly from the county, up to $100 per student.

“We all want our kids and educators back in the classroom, and while currently we’re seeing a concerning increase in cases nationwide, we are doing everything we can to make sure our school buildings are prepared for the eventual safe return to in-person instruction,” Olszewski said. “These funds will support our school-level administrators as they work to identify and address their unique needs.”
Baltimore County will be coordinating directly with BCPS principals later this week to develop orders and requests for these additional safety supplies.

Olszewski Expands Support for Restaurants

In the latest effort to support Baltimore County’s restaurant industry, Olszewski also announced new plans to complement Baltimore County’s existing restaurant grants using additional funds provided by the state. The County will distribute these Restaurant and Food Service Grants in two phases.

In the first phase, establishments who have already received grants through the County – which were available up to $15,000 – will receive an additional $15,000 state-match to enhance their efforts to keep patrons and staff safe. Eligible establishments will be contacted directly by the County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development in the coming days.

The second phase will make grants of up to $30,000 available for restaurants that have not yet received previous grant funding from the County. Applications for these Restaurant and Food Service Grants will begin on Monday, November 16 at 9 a.m.

An application portal for these Restaurant and Food Service Grants will be available in the coming days and funds will be available on the Department of Economic and Workforce Development webpage.
This is the latest effort from Baltimore County to support small businesses impacted by the severe financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has already 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

Rosedale Man Dies in Perry Hall Shooting


Baltimore County Police are continuing to investigate a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday, Nov. 5 around 9:20 p.m.

Officers arrived in the parking lot of the 4300 block of Bedrock Circle in Perry Hall and located Teon Deontae Barnes (21) of the 8000 block of Neighbors Avenue of Rosedale suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Barnes was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Homicide detectives are actively conducting their investigation at this time and believe the victim was targeted. If you have any information about this murder, please call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.

Suspect Sought in July Gas Station Burglary


Do you recognize this suspect? Baltimore County Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying this man connected to an Exxon gas station burglary.

The suspect, pictured here on security camera, burglarized the Exxon gas station in the 8400 block of Honeygo Boulevard in White Marsh the morning of July 26. Surveillance video was recovered that depicts the suspect gaining entry through the front door of the Exxon while the store was closed. After unsuccessfully attempting to gain entry into the cashier’s office, he finally gave up and settled for face masks hanging on a display rack before leaving the location.

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.

Man Shot in Perry Hall Thursday Evening


Baltimore County Police detectives are on the scene of a shooting in the Perry Hall area tonight.

Officers responded to the 4300 block of Bedrock Circle in Perry Hall at 9:20 p.m. Arriving officers located a male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Anyone with information on this shooting should contact police at 410-307-2020.

Overlea Murder Still Unsolved from May 2020


Baltimore County Police continue to investigate the murder of 28- year-old Kenyon Jerrod Bryant and are turning to the public for assistance.

Bryant’s family is pleading with the public for help in an effort to encourage anyone with information to come forward.

On May 15 just after 2 a.m. police responded to the 6200 block of Radecke Avenue in Overlea for a shooting.

Responding officers found Kenyon Jerrod Bryant lying in the back yard suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. He was transported to a local hospital where he remained in critical condition until he succumbed to his injuries on May 24.

If you have information on this homicide you are asked to contact detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit at 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

BCPS Specialized Schools Won’t Open in Fall


Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams and Chief of School Climate and Safety Dr. Michael J. Zarchin reserved course and stated they will not open four specialized schools in November. Battle Monument in Dundalk, Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton, and White Oak in Parkville were set to open in the fall. Williams released the following statement in response to rising COVID-19 infections in Baltimore County:

“From day one, BCPS has prioritized the health and safety of staff and students. The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on current BCPS COVID-19 School Opening Scores. In accordance with guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Maryland Department of Health, BCPS staff will implement its reopening plan when the county positivity rate is 5 percent or lower and the number of cases per 100,000 residents is below 15.

“As of Nov. 3, the Baltimore County daily positivity rate is 4.6 percent and the number of cases per 100,000 residents is greater than 18. These numbers have steadily increased in the last week. As of Nov. 3, our cumulative number of cases per 100,000 (14 days total) is greater than 200. Our percent change in new cases per 100,000 (previous 7 days) is more than 10 percent.

“Therefore, we are unable to proceed with reopening our four public separate day schools (Battle Monument, Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton, and White Oak) as scheduled on Nov. 9 for staff and Nov. 16 for students. We will proceed with a safe reopening for students two weeks after we meet the established parameters. The return of school-based staff to school buildings is also being put on hold until further notice.

“As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, we will monitor our metrics on a daily basis in coordination with the Baltimore County Department of Health and make adjustments as necessary, always keeping health and safety foremost in our minds. Updates on our metrics will be provided every Friday.”