Isabella Heinerichs, a Grade 3 student at Berkshire Elementary School in Dundalk, earned the first place – elementary level award for her entry, “Tree of Life,” in the 2020 Fall Virtual Student Artwork Exhibition, presented by the First Lady’s Art Gallery.
For her honor, Heinerichs was awarded a governor’s citation, a medal, and an art supply gift certificate.
Heinerichs’ work and “Shoes” by Kelsey Anders, a Grade 8 student at Ridgely Middle School, are the two artworks representing Baltimore County Public Schools in the exhibition, which features two pieces of student artwork from each Maryland jurisdiction.
Each year, the Maryland State Department of Education works with its partners and with Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan to host bi-annual statewide student artwork competitions and exhibitions. Most years, the art is displayed in the House of Delegates building in Annapolis.
The College Board’s SAT exam will be offered at 10 Baltimore County Public Schools high schools as National Administration Test Sites on Saturday, Dec. 5.
BCPS is opening facilities at the following schools for the weekend SAT:
Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228
Eastern Technical High School, 1100 Mace Ave., 21221
Hereford High School, 17301 York Rd., 21120
Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Rd., 21221
Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave., 21286
Milford Mill Academy, 3800 Washington Ave., 21244
New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., 21117
Parkville High School, 2600 Putty Hill Ave., 21234
Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236
Randallstown High School, 4000 Offutt Rd., 21133
Students interested in taking the test at one of these sites must register by Thursday, Nov. 5, on the College Board website. Early registration is recommended as these sites will be open for all area students, not just BCPS students. Information on fees and fee waivers also can be found on the College Board website. Fee waivers are available to certain Grade 11 and 12 students from low-income families.
Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting in Dundalk that left one man injured.
Police responded to the 7000 block of Dunmanway on Monday at 9:41 p.m. for a call of a shooting. Arriving officers found the victim, an adult male, suffering gunshot wounds to the upper and lower body.
He was transported to a local hospital.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ask anyone who may have information to contact them by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
Baltimore County Police said that the body of a woman discovered October 7 on the parking lot of the former Rustic Inn in the 11400 block of Philadelphia Road in White Marsh has been identified as that of Da Laine Eldean Johnson (31) with no fixed address.
The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development has named its 2020 school counselors and school counseling advocate of the year.
The association has presented the following honors:
Chapel Hill Elementary School’s Silvana Alsamadi – Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Sparrows Point Middle School’s Robin Taylor-Chadwick – Middle School Counselor of the Year
Perry Hall High School’s Stephanie Campbell – High School Counselor of the Year
Silvana AlsamadiAlsamadi, school counselor at Chapel Hill Elementary School, provides individual counseling, special issues group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, and mediation of peer issues. She collaborates with teachers, staff, and parents, participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and completes classroom observations. She contributes to her professional community by publishing articles – on topics such as screening tests for emotional problems and the need for gay-straight alliances in rural high schools – and facilitating presentations on topics related to welcoming Muslim students and parents.
In nominating Alsamadi, Chapel Hill Elementary Principal Nancy Hill wrote: “I find Mrs. Alsamadi’s most important and valuable quality the way she forms trusting relationships with students and parents, teachers and staff, and the administration. She leads with her heart, and her kindness, empathy, and true love of students shine through with every word she speaks and every action she takes to help our students (and staff).“
Robin Taylor-ChadwickTaylor-Chadwick, school counseling department chair at Sparrows Point Middle School, is a leader on the school’s equity team, provided fundamental support in developing the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), led the implementation of restorative circles, and created an advisory program, specialized small groups, and successful mentoring programs. She guides students through the high school magnet school application process, organizes the school’s annual career day, and facilitates a program that helps families in need during the holidays.
“This school year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s leadership brought our teachers and staff together by keeping our students at the center of our decisions and leading with the heart first….,” wrote Sparrows Point Middle Principal Jennifer Gounaris. “During these unprecedented times, she supported school, community, and family partnerships by integrating academics, social emotional learning, family support, health, and safety throughout the school closure. This has included facilitating difficult conversations about making assumptions as to why a student may not be logging on for classes or submitting work and how that can lead to unhealthy judgments about a student and his or her family. As a woman of color in a majority white school, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s passion and conviction demonstrate true courage. Her authenticity, coupled with the relationships she has built, create conditions in which this message can be heard, and true change can occur. As a result, our most marginalized students feel that they belong, have adults who care about them, and have diverse opportunities in our building.“
Stephanie CampbellCampbell, a school counselor at Loch Raven and Perry Hall high schools, was nominated by Kelly A. O’Brien Guerra, a parent of 2019 and 2020 Loch Raven High graduates and a Baltimore City Schools educator. Guerra describes Campbell as “without a doubt … the best counselor that I have ever met or worked with.”
In her nomination, Guerra wrote, “On March 15, 2020, due to COVID-19, the world stopped, and with it so did many students’ aspirations for the future. As the parent of a 2020 graduate from Loch Raven High school, … I can attest that Ms. Campbell went above and beyond her duty as a counselor by constantly reaching out to her students, not only regarding their college applications, but also to check on their mental and emotional health…. This year has been an extremely emotional year for the students and parents in the Class of 2020. However, thanks to Ms. Campbell, countless students now feel much more secure in such an insecure time.”
Guerra credits Campbell for offering extraordinary support in helping both her daughter and stepdaughter with their college choices and acceptances and for working diligently to educate underclassmen and their parents. Guerra wrote: “She understood as a mother does: that children’s’ futures are at stake.”
Nieves, the 2020 School Counseling Advocate of the Year, is the executive director of the BCPS Department of Social-Emotional Support.
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a two-vehicle accident overnight in Rosedale at the intersection of Pulaski Highway & 66 Street near the County/City line.
Crews reported one patient was extricated from vehicle and transported to hospital with life threatening injuries on Sunday morning around 7 a.m.
-photos courtesy of Baltimore County Fire Department ‘
– photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice-
The United States Department of Justice reported that Frank William Robertson Perry, age 39, of Dundalk, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Perry has been identified by law enforcement as a member of the Boogaloo, Movement.
“Boogaloo” is a term referencing a violent uprising or impending civil war, and is sometimes used by militia extremists and racially or ethnically motivated extremists.
Perry was arrested late on Oct. 7. A virtual initial appearance was scheduled in U.S. District Court on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson.
The arrest was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
According to the criminal complaint and court documents, a search warrant was executed at Perry’s residence, which he shares with his girlfriend.
Agents recovered from the bedroom: a black tactical vest containing two ballistic plates on the interior of the vest; two loaded rifle magazines located in pouches affixed to the exterior of the vest; a third loaded rifle magazine located on top of the vest; an AM-15 rifle which was partially concealed behind a nightstand; eight rounds of .223-caliber ammunition located in the nightstand; and other firearms-related accessories.
As detailed in the criminal complaint, Perry’s girlfriend was in the home at the time of the search and agreed to speak with agents. She advised that she had purchased the AM-15 lower receiver in April at the suggestion of Perry, who said that she needed the weapon for self-defense. She told agents that she learned Perry was obtaining firearms parts and shipping them to the residence in her name, and law enforcement found that the items were purchased using Perry’s credit card.
In addition, Perry’s girlfriend stated that she had not been involved in building the rifle—that was done by Perry and a neighbor. Perry was arrested while he was en route to the residence.
According to court documents, Perry is prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition as a result of a previous felony conviction.
Investigation revealed that while the firearm is registered to Perry’s girlfriend, a review of her social media indicates no apparent interest or involvement with firearms, hunting, the Second Amendment, or the Boogaloo Movement, nor was there any record of Perry’s girlfriend ever having a hunting license, or any other firearms registered in her name.
In contrast, as detailed in the court documents, Perry’s social media reflects a substantial interest in firearms and militia extremist activities.
If convicted, Perry faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the ATF, for their work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and P. Michael Cunningham, who are prosecuting the case.
Baltimore County Police are continuing their investigation into a late night shooting that left one man dead.
Officers responded for the call of a shooting around 10 p.m. Friday night. The victim, an adult man, was located to the rear of the 500 block of Welbrook Road in Essex with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Medics responded and pronounced the man deceased at the scene. He is identified as Essex resident Zeshaan Ali Toppa (21) of the 300 block of Leeanne Road.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit are continuing their investigation into this shooting this morning. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
Baltimore County Public Schools [BCPS] reported on Friday that a person associated with Essex Elementary School has recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The community is being alerted because many families were on the school campus on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to pick up Kindergarten bags and to pick up yearbooks.
Everyone who had close contact with the affected individual has been identified, notified, and will remain away from BCPS facilities until they are cleared to return by the Baltimore County Department of Health.
The school building has been cleaned in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.
BCPS is working with the Baltimore County Department of Health to ensure that recommendations and guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health are in place.
On Friday, Oct. 9, the school system distributed a letter to Essex Elementary School families about the situation, urging students and community members to be diligent in monitoring their health and taking steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.
A warrant has been issued in connection with yesterday’s assault in Rosedale.
Michael Fink, 36, from the 7200 block of Holabird Avenue in Dundalk has been charged with one count of second degree assault on a warrant.
He is currently in Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in stable condition.
Police recovered two knives, a silver chain and a can of pepper spray from the crime scene. The investigation is on-going.
The officer involved is Police Officer First Class B. Brown #6211 with 2 years, 2 months of service in the Operations Bureau.
He is currently on administrative leave per policy. An internal investigation is also being conducted.
