Author: eastbaltco

State Announces Recovery Plan for Schools


Baltimore County Public Schools announced last week that all classes will operate remotely until Jan. 29.

There is still uncertainty on how this school year will be conducted but Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon provided some clarity at Tuesday’s state of Maryland Board of Education meeting.
Salmon announced the Recovery Plan Stakeholder Committee’s guiding principles for reopening plan.

Some of those guidelines include requiring attendance in all classes and assigning grades to students.

All BCPS grades were pass/fail in the third and fourth quarters and there were reports that some online classes did not take attendance. Here is a full list of the state’s guidelines:

• Equity is the underlying basic principle.
• Ensure safe learning and working environments for students and staff.
• Consider family choice in student learning format.
• Ensure that all students receive instruction that meets state standards and has the
necessary supports for success including:
o Access to technology and connectivity.
o Socio-emotional wellness and health supports.
o Additional supports to meet needs of special populations.
• All school operating scenarios will ensure consistent implementation of instructional schedules that provide significantly more synchronous student-teacher interactions via a
reliable, safe, and secure virtual learning platform.
• Provide training, time, support, and flexibility necessary for staff to prepare for a successful school year.
• Provide proactive, clear communication to all families, staff, and stakeholders.
• Attendance will be required in all school operating scenarios.
• Grading will be required in all school operating scenarios

Pedestrian Struck By Car in Essex Tuesday


Police reported a 38-year-old man was struck by a car attempted to cross Eastern Boulevard near Orville Road in Essex. He was attempting to cross against the pedestrian signal at a crosswalk on Tuesday, July 28 around 5 a.m.

He was hit by a 2020 Nissan Sentra that was traveling east on Eastern Boulevard. The man was transported to a local hospital by medics. He is in critical condition. The driver of the Nissan remained at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team continues to investigate the crash. Any witnesses are asked to call the crash team at 410-887-5396.

County Offers Grants to Chambers of Commerce


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski a $600,000 grant program designed to assist chambers of commerce and business associations in their missions to support businesses in their communities.

The grant program will fund initiatives that support local businesses by providing educational programming and marketing efforts to help sustain the viability of this important economic sector that has been hit especially hard by the pandemic.

“Our independent small businesses and our neighborhood business corridors are an important element of our local economy and they add to our overall sense of community,” said County Executive Olszewski. “These grant funds will quickly go where they are needed to provide critically-needed support to help our small businesses districts.”

The COVID-19 Business Corridor Sustainability Grant Program is narrowly focused on providing financial support to Baltimore County’s small business associations and chambers of commerce so that they can provide professional-level services to support member and nonmember businesses in their communities.

A total of $600,000 will be awarded to eligible applicants, capped at $20,000 per organization. Applicants will be required to submit a proposal that demonstrates how the organization plans to utilize these funds to support small businesses in Baltimore County by providing COVID-19 related services.

These grant funds will enable the County’s chambers and small business associations to pay staff or outside experts to conduct virtual educational programming on COVID-19 related recovery efforts such as accounting requirements for government assistance programs or negotiating forbearance agreements with landlords and financial institutions. Funds could also be used for marketing campaigns to help promote community patronage and support for local “Main Street” businesses.

Apply Now

Applications are open now and available.

Applicants must be a not-for-profit business association or chamber of commerce that:
•Serves businesses located in Baltimore County
•Has been in operation as of January 1, 2020
•Has at least one paid staff member, and provides an employee roster listing all employees as of January 31, 2020
•Is registered and in good standing with the State of Maryland, if required to do so by law
•Is not currently in default on any loans, or out of compliance with any grants from Baltimore County, or delinquent on any taxes owed to Baltimore County
•Submits a complete and acceptable application and proposal by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 31

Baltimore County staff will review the application to ensure proper completion, and an inter-agency committee will be responsible for reviewing each application submitted to determine eligibility.

Police Report Airbag Thefts as Latest Trend


Police are investigating a series of airbag thefts in Baltimore County since late June, targeting mostly Honda vehicles.

Since June 26 there has been a general increase in thefts from autos, but specifically airbags. Police have determined that most of the vehicles being targeted are Honda Civics and Honda Accords. The department has experienced thefts of airbags in the Lansdowne area of Precinct 1 Wilkens, the Rodgers Forge area of Precinct 6 Towson, and additional incidents in Precinct 4 Pikesville and Precinct 12 Dundalk.

Most of the thefts are occurring during the overnight hours and involve the suspect breaking out the driver side window of the vehicle and stealing the airbag out of the steering wheel.

Avoid These Thefts

In a number of cases where the suspects did not succeed in stealing an airbag, some type of anti-theft device was used. While most car alarms will not sound if only the glass window is broken out, a sounding alarm has prevented the theft in some instances. In cases where a steering wheel locking device has been used on the car, the thief was not able to steal the airbag. Police are recommending the use of these devices to deter the theft of airbags, and the theft of your vehicle. Make sure that your doors are always locked and try to park in a well lit area.

If you see a vehicle driving through your neighborhood slowly during the overnight hours, safely try to get a description of the vehicle and call 9-1-1 immediately. The sooner you call police, the sooner we are able to respond and are more likely to locate and stop the suspicious vehicle to determine if there is any criminal activity at foot.

If you are the victim of a theft from auto or theft of your airbag, contact police immediately by calling 410-887-2222. Make sure you have your airbag replaced by a dealership or certified repair shop as criminals are known to sell stolen airbags to less reputable auto repair shops.

BCPL to Hold Police Relations Forum on Race


Baltimore County Public Library is hosting an online forum about race and community & police relations on Tuesday, July 28 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Farajii Muhammad, host of For the Culture with Farajii on WEAA 88.9, will moderate a discussion on ongoing issues surrounding policing in the region.

Panelists include DeRay Mckesson, civil rights activist; Melissa Hyatt, Baltimore County Chief of Police; and Adam Jackson, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle; Anthony Fugett, Baltimore County NAACP; and Deneisha Seaman, VP, Blue Guardians.

The forum is presented by Baltimore County Public Library, Baltimore County Human Relations Commission and Baltimore County Office of Diversity and Equity, in collaboration with WEAA 88.9.

Registration closes one hour before the start of the program. A valid email address is needed at registration to send a Zoom link to the program 30 minutes before scheduled start.

To register go to https://bcpl.info/events-and-programs/list.html#!/register/188157

Bowleys Quarters Residents Killed in Crash


Baltimore County Police investigate a crash that left two dead and one hospitalized on Wednesday afternoon.

On July 23, just after 3 p.m., a 2013 Buick Lacrosse was traveling south on Ebenezer Road near Meyers Lane in White Marsh.

The Buick drove off of the road for unknown reasons and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu and a Baltimore Gas and Electric pole in the 6000 block of Ebenezer Rd. The Chevrolet was parked and unoccupied when the crash occurred.

The driver of the Buick, identified as Shirley Ellsworth (84), and the rear passenger, identified as Leona Schleicher (83), both of the 600 block of Bowleys Quarters Road in Middle River were pronounced deceased at the scene by medics.

The front passenger, an adult male, was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. He is in stable condition.

Investigators from the Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are asking anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact police at 410-307-2020.

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle in Rosedale


Baltimore County Police are asking for help from the public in finding the vehicle that hit a woman and fled the scene early Wednesday morning.

The woman, 39, was on the westbound side of Pulaski Highway just west of Chesaco Avenue in Rosedale around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning when she was struck by a vehicle. The vehicle made no attempt to stop and continued driving in the direction of Baltimore City.

The woman was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.

Investigators from the Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are asking anyone who may have seen any portion of the incident or who may have information regarding this incident to contact police at 410-307-2020.

Overlea High Resource Officer Named SRO of the Year


Officer Danielle Moore, a member of the Baltimore County Police Department since 2012, has been named 2020 Floyd Ledbetter National SRO (School Resource Officer) of the Year by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).

Officer Moore has served as a school resource officer at Overlea High School since 2018.

“Officer Moore has quickly made an impression on Overlea High School’s scholars, families, and staff,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “She serves the school community in a way that affirms each student’s potential and promotes a healthy school climate. We are so thankful for her service and so proud of her for earning this national honor.”

According to Overlea High Principal Monica Sample, Officer Moore is the school’s “biggest cheerleader” and someone who “demonstrates commitment, loyalty, empathy, discipline, and diplomacy” and interacts with students “in a positive and restorative manner.”

“Many female scholars,” Sample wrote, “consistently approach Officer Moore for guidance, support, and mentorship with social-emotional issues. She is viewed by many as an honorary mother who represents confidence, optimism, and hope.”

Three of the many ways that Officer Moore contributes to the school culture are by serving as co-coordinator of the female mentoring I.T. Girls of Overlea High School, as a member of the Overlea student support team, and as a member of the Restorative Practices team. According to Sample, Officer Moore has “conducted over 100 restorative conferences,” thereby preventing numerous altercations in the school and community.

“SRO Moore is non-judgmental in her role and gives each scholar endless opportunities and support despite their disciplinary histories,” Sample wrote. “She inspires and gives hope to our scholars that each day is a new day and that our scholars are all capable of being model citizens who will make a great impact on society.”

Mo Canady, executive director of NASRO, said of Officer Moore, “It is apparent that she demonstrates the SRO Triad Concept in serving as a coach and mentor, educator, and law enforcement officer while seeking opportunities to serve her school community. It is our privilege to bestow this honor to one who exemplifies the title of school resource officer so well.”

Officer Moore will receive her award during the Aug. 5 opening ceremonies of the virtual 30th Annual NASRO School Safety Conference.

Serious Crash Reported on Ebenezer Road


The White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company reported fire/rescue units on scene of multi-vehicle crash with rescue in the 5800 block of Ebenezer Road near Vincent Farm Elementary School around 3:30.

This crash happened after a vehicle struck another vehicle and a utility pole. Two people were trapped and three seriously injured.

All occupants were rescued and Maryland State Police Medevac is transporting one person to a trauma center in life-threatening condition.

Ebenezer Road will be closed for crash reconstruction into the evening hours. Motorists are encouraged to use White Marsh Boulevard as an alternative route.