Perry Hall Town Fair Canceled for 2020


The Perry Hall White Marsh Business Association has postponed its annual Town Fair. The event was rescheduled at Perry Hall High School on Sept. 5 from its original June 27 date but announced on Tuesday that the county would not allow the fair at the high school.

“The FAIR IS POSTPONED (again),”said a statement from the Fair.

“Well, friends, Baltimore County Facilities has denied our request to use the high school driveway, and it is now unlikely that Baltimore County will grant a gathering permit for our Town Fair. We have no choice but to now POSTPONE The Town Fair to June 26, 2021.”

The Perry Hall Fair joins the Parkville-Carney Festival, the State Fair, Essex Day and many other local events that have been canceled this summer and fall as a result of COVID-19.

BCPS Releases Info. for Virtual Reopening


Baltimore County Public Schools has updated its Reopening Plan for the 2020-21 school year, with virtual learning planned from Tuesday, Sept. 8 through the end of the first semester on Jan. 29, 2021.

The version of the plan released today includes additional information about attendance, special education, assessments, schedules, and athletics among other topics. Highlights are included below:

Attendance: Teachers will take daily attendance based on student log-in to the Schoology learning management system each Wednesday and Google Meet on other days of the week.

Special education: BCPS provides free appropriate public education to students with disabilities through supports and services that address each student’s unique needs as identified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), while protecting the health and safety of students and staff.

SAT and PSAT: Through the end of the first marking period on Nov. 13 the following are cancelled: Saturday administrations of the SAT college entrance exam, the SAT Day initiative providing the SAT for free during the school day, and the PSAT.

Schedules: The plan provides sample teacher and student schedules for Preschool – Grade 12.

Athletics: Virtual sports conditioning and coaching will be allowed during the first semester. The Office of Athletics is considering how athletics may proceed during the second semester, with the possibility of shortened seasons for fall, winter, and spring athletics.

Preschool and Prekindergarten: Preschool and Prekindergarten materials will be mailed to students’ homes for each curricular unit. Teachers will contact students and families for direct instruction.

Use of facilities: Currently and while instruction is virtual, BCPS facilities are not open for use by outside organizations.

Face coverings: Face coverings and adherence to county and state health guidelines are required while on BCPS property for adults and children aged 2 and older.

As announced in July, teachers will provide live, virtual instruction on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in addition to independent student work and small group instruction. Wednesdays are reserved for targeted student intervention and independent student work. School schedules will provide opportunities for movement and screen and lunch breaks.

Chromebook distribution for students in Grades Kindergarten through 12 will continue until a 1:1 student-to-device ratio is achieved. BCPS will continue to provide mobile hot spots for students without home Internet connectivity, including students who are experiencing homelessness.

BCPS will survey families from December 1-18 regarding interest in continuing virtual learning or opting into hybrid (in-person and virtual) instruction, if safe to do so for February through June 2021.

The BCPS Reopening Plan was developed by BCPS and community leaders based on community surveys, advisory groups, and advice from health and education experts. Aspects of this plan may be adjusted as conditions warrant.

Two People Injured in Motorcycle Crash


Baltimore County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash in Dundalk on Tuesday evening that left two people with life threatening injuries.

Police responded to Holabird Avenue and East Avenue on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. for a call of a motorcycle crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcycle was traveling East on Holabird Avenue, passing traffic on the right that was stopped in traffic.

A Chevrolet Impala made a right turn from northbound East Avenue onto eastbound Holabird Avenue. The motorcycle struck the front of the Chevrolet causing serious injury to the driver and passenger of the motorcycle.

Both were transported to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing their investigation.

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.

Person Killed by Train in Middle River


THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED BY BALTIMORE COUNTY POLICE
Baltimore County Police are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian struck by a CSX train.

Just after 8 p.m. on August 11 police responded to the area of Pulaski Highway and Middle River Roadway for a call of a person struck by a train.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, an adult male, was walking along the train tracks when he was struck and killed. The investigation is on-going.

Dundalk Catholic School Named Best by Daily Record


photo courtesy of OLHSL School Facebook page-

Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk announced the school was selected as a Daily Record winner in the categories of Best Catholic School (Elementary/Middle) and Best Private School (Elementary School). The school is located on 8003 North Boundary Road.

“We were among other wonderful Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools who were also recognized! Congratulations to all of the winners!
Thank you for voting and continuing to support OLH/SLS! We love sharing the good of our school, a gem in the heart of Dundalk,Md,” said a statement from the school about the award.

According to the school’s website, Our Lady of Hope school opened in 1954 and currently has 247 students enrolled from Pre K 3 to 8th grade.

MDOT to Upgrade Honeygo & White Marsh Blvd.


The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has initiated project, MD43 (White Marsh Blvd) at Honeygo Blvd Intersection Improvements

MDOT SHA is reconstructing and widening this intersection to reduce congestion and improve traffic operations and safety.

This project is currently in the construction phase.
The MD 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) / Honeygo Boulevard intersection operates over capacity during peak-hour travel times, which leads to disruptions in nearby roadway networks.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) reviewed the intersection operation as part of MDTA’s project at the I-95/MD 43 interchange and MDTA made intersection improvements to facilitate additional work under this MDOT SHA project.

The upcoming improvements will widen and reconstruct the intersection with the following:

• Adding a third left-turn lane from westbound White Marsh Boulevard to southbound Honeygo Boulevard;

• Adding a third left-turn lane from southbound Honeygo Boulevard to eastbound White Marsh Boulevard;

• Adding an additional through lane along eastbound White Marsh Boulevard

• Increasing the left-turn lane capacity from northbound Honeygo Boulevard to westbound White Marsh Boulevard

• Adding a pedestrian crossing along the eastbound White Marsh Boulevard leg of the intersection

The project also includes grinding and resurfacing the pavement within the intersection; reconstructing right-turn channeling islands; improving sidewalks and drainage structures; upgrading pavement markings, signing, traffic signals; constructing two Storm Water Management facilities in the interchange area; and landscaping.

Construction is estimated to begin late summer 2020. The construction work will be done in stages and there will be temporary lane closures at the intersection during construction.

The tentative sequence of intersection improvements includes:

Stage 1A – Northeast Quadrant: Construct roadway widening and traffic island modification on westbound White Marsh Boulevard.

Stage 1B Southeast Quadrant: Construct Storm Water Management Facility south of White Marsh Boulevard.

Stage 2 Southwest Quadrant: Construct roadway widening, traffic island modification and Storm Water Management facility on eastbound MD 43.

Stage 3A Northwest Quadrant: Modify existing traffic island and construct proposed drainage structures.

Stage 3B Southeast Quadrant: Construct roadway widening, modify existing traffic island and median on northbound Honeygo Blvd.

Pavement patching, milling and resurfacing within the intersection.

Councilman David Marks said he worked hard with other elected officials to receive this upgrades.

“Motorists continually tell me that congestion at this intersection is one of the most frustrating challenges they experience. This project will help improve mobility in the long term. The State Highway Administration has directed contractors to work during non-peak hours, but please be patient as construction occurs,” Mark said.

“I will work with our state legislators as this project commences – Senator Kathy Klausmeier and Delegates Harry Bhandari, Joseph Boteler, and Carl Jackson, as well as my colleague Councilwoman Cathy Bevins.”

All Maryland Tolls Now Permanently Cashless


Governor Larry Hogan announced that full-time all-electronic (cashless) tolling is now permanent across Maryland, including at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95), Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95), Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895), and Nice/Middleton Bridge (US 301).

With all-electronic tolling, drivers do not stop to pay tolls. Instead, tolls are collected through E-ZPass and video tolling. The system provides convenience for motorists, less engine idling for better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, decreased congestion, and increased safety.

“In addition to historic toll relief and record-breaking progress on critical infrastructure updates, permanent all-electronic tolling is the latest step we have taken to save motorists time and money,” said Governor Hogan. “By combining innovation, safety, and savings, this truly is a win-win for the state government and for everyone who travels in our great state.”

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) implemented temporary all-electronic tolling statewide in March as part of its COVID-19 response, and made all-electronic tolling permanent at the Bay Bridge in May with the installation of a new tolling gantry.

Other MDTA facilities, including the Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200, I-95 Express Toll Lanes in Baltimore, and the Key (I-695) and Hatem (US 40) bridges, already operate under all-electronic tolling.

“During the COVID-19 emergency, all-electronic tolling has been an operational success and has helped us protect our toll collection employees and the traveling public,” said MDTA Executive Director Jim Ports. “With this system now permanent, stopping to pay tolls in Maryland is a part of history.”

Under all-electronic tolling, motorists who previously paid with cash at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Fort McHenry Tunnel, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, and the Nice/Middleton Bridge are currently assessed via video tolling at the cash rate. That temporary practice began in response to Maryland’s COVID-19 state of emergency, and standard video toll rates will be restored at a date yet to be determined.

Motorists are urged to join the nearly 1.4 million drivers who pay the lowest tolls with E-ZPass Maryland. Transponders are free, and sign-up is available 24/7 at ezpassmd.com. Motorists also can get E-ZPass On-the-Go transponders at participating Giant Food and Weis Markets. The transponder comes with $25 in prepaid tolls for immediate use, then users can sign up online for E-ZPass service. A full list of retail locations is available at ezpassmd.com/en/onthego/locations.shtml.

Drivers will soon also have the option to register their vehicle for a new Pay-By-Plate method that allows tolls to be automatically billed to credit cards at the same rate as cash toll rates for all facilities, except the Intercounty Connector and I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL). For the ICC and ETL, customers using Pay-By-Plate will still save at least 20% on their tolls compared to the video toll rate. Pay-By-Plate benefits infrequent toll customers as well as those who do not have an E-ZPass account.