Author: eastbaltco

County to Reopen Retail Stores & Salons with Restrictions


Following progress in major indicators including expanded testing and increased access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for nursing homes, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced new actions to reopen key portions of Baltimore County’s economy while maintaining public health measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“With significant progress in expanding testing and PPE, I’m confident that Baltimore County is ready to take these next steps, and do so in a safe manner that protects the health of our residents,” Olszewski said. “While these steps are important, we’re not out of the woods yet, and I urge all residents to continue practicing social distancing to limit the spread of this virus.”

New Actions Effective Friday, May 22

Olszewski will issue an executive order stating that effective Friday, May 22, at 9 a.m., Baltimore County will take the following actions:

•Retail stores may reopen for in-store retail with a maximum capacity of 10, including staff. This applies to all retail establishments outside of those considered essential under the state’s previous orders. Curbside pickup and delivery is strongly encouraged, and all public health precautions should remain in place. Shopping malls must continue to stay closed except for retail establishments that can be accessed from the outside.

•Barber shops and hair salons may reopen with a maximum capacity of 10, including staff. They may operate by appointment only and with appropriate health and safety guidelines. Other personal services establishments must remain closed until further notice.

Clarification on Religious Institution Restrictions

Olszewski also clarified that the restrictions that were in place on all religious institutions in the state prior to last week remain in place in Baltimore County. That means that the restriction on gatherings of more than 10 remain in place, either indoors or outdoors. Religious institutions may hold drive-through or drive-in services, as some have done.

Residents Encouraged to Continue to Stay at Home

Baltimore County’s prohibition on indoor and outdoor gatherings or events of 10 or more people at all locations and venues remains in place.

Residents and visitors to Baltimore County should strive to stay at home unless they are traveling to work or medical appointments, shopping for groceries or other retail goods, or traveling to outdoor recreational opportunities. Older and more vulnerable residents are strongly advised to continue staying home as much as possible.

Residents and visitors should practice safe physical distancing and wear masks in public, and frequently wash their hands and sanitize high-touch areas.

Employers should continue to encourage telework for their employees when possible. Individuals who can work from home should continue to do so.

Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke Principal Visits 8th Grade Homes


The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many cancellations all over the area that include Memorial Day services, 4th of July events and of course high school graduations.

Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke Catholic School in Dundalk was no exception as the school had to cancel its traditional farewell services for its 8th grade students.

Many students have been at the school for over a decade as they started pre-school at OLHSL.

Longtime school principal Sister Irene Pryle wanted to make sure this year’s 8th graders had a memorable exit, in spite of the cancellation of the school year.

Pryle and other teachers went to the homes of the eighth graders and presented each student with a gift.

“Sr. Irene, our Middle School Teachers, Mr. T, and Mrs. P visited all 24 8th Grade Students delivering signs, yearbooks, and lots of cheers,” said a statement on the school’s Facebook page.

“We are so proud of our 8th Graders and wish them all the best! We know that they will “Let their STAR shine!” In everything they do! Let’s hear it for our 8th Grade Students!”

To see all the photos go to the school’s Facebook page.

Golden Ring Middle’s Bridget Moore Receives Writing Grant


Bridget Moore, an English language arts teacher at Golden Ring Middle School, was selected from among 1,800 international applicants to receive one of 20 grants from the Sustainable Arts Foundation.

The $5,000 grants are designed to benefit artists and writers who are parents. Moore plans to use her grant to develop online lessons about children’s literature. The lessons will focus on children’s literature that reflects diverse backgrounds and often is not taught in schools or in homeschooling curriculum.

Moore, a Baltimore City resident who has been a Baltimore County teacher for two years, received the grant partially based on an excerpt from her upcoming young adult novel. The book, “Dr. Marvellus Djinn’s Odd Scholars,” will be published this fall by MVmedia, LLC. Although Moore has had numerous short stories and poetry published, this will be her first published novel.

The novel is an historical fantasy that Moore has described as “’Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ meets ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ meets ‘Kindred.’” The story is based, in part, on her research about African American amusement parks and magicians in the 1920s. Moore, who refers to her Golden Ring Middle students as “amazing,” said that five of them served as beta (or test) readers during the novel’s development and offered her valuable feedback.

Originally from New Jersey, Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Rutgers University and is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at McDaniel College. A teacher for 11 years, Moore worked for Baltimore City and Prince George’s County school systems before joining BCPS.

Eastern Tech, Parkville & Towson High Seniors Earn Grants


Baltimore County Public Schools seniors have earned all three of this year’s one-time scholarship grants from the Engineering Society of Baltimore Education Foundation (ESB-EF).

Emma Evans-Nolet, Parkville High School, is the recipient of the $2,000 ESB Board of Trustees Scholarship. She plans to major in electrical engineering at Duke University or the University of Maryland, College Park.

Amir Moon, Eastern Technical High School, is the recipient of the $3,000 James Posey Associates Centennial Scholarship. He is headed to the University of Maryland, College Park, to study mechanical engineering.

Rakrish Dhakal, Towson High School, is the recipient of the $2,000 Larry Lewis Memorial Scholarship. He will pursue a degree in computer engineering or computer science at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The goal of ESB-EF is to provide financial support to talented Baltimore metropolitan area high school students interested in becoming engineers. Each year, the program awards low-interest loans and three one-time scholarship grants. Eligible students must reside in Baltimore City or Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, or Howard counties.

County Confirms Its First Pediatric Death From COVID-19


A 15-year-old Baltimore County resident has died after being infected by COVID-19, the first pediatric death in the County associated with the virus. The individual had symptoms of an inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 infection that has been documented in children in New York and other locations.

“Any loss of life from this virus is tragic, but the loss of a child is devastating. Our prayers are with the family and loved ones of this young person,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski said. “This is a stark reminder that this virus spares no one, and that we all must remain vigilant in our efforts to stay home, socially distance, and limit the spread of this deadly disease.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is real, it is here, and it is lethal,” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Baltimore County Health Officer. “Our children and our most vulnerable residents need all of us to do our part to safeguard them from this unrelenting adversary.”

As of May 19, 2020, the number of Baltimore County residents confirmed to have the COVID-19 virus is 4,920. The number of confirmed deaths from the virus is 247 with an additional 16 deaths believed to be virus-related.

County residents are strongly encouraged to stay home whenever possible. If they must go out, individuals should wear masks or face coverings in public places and continue to maintain six feet of distance from other people.

More information about the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is available at www.BaltimoreCountyMD.gov/Coronavirus.

State Police Looking for Suspect After Rosedale Man Found Dead


Maryland State Police and deputies from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a wanted fugitive as the investigation continues into the murder of a Rosedale man who was found dead in Dorchester County.

The wanted fugitive is identified as James Andre Reddick, Jr., 29, of Baltimore. Police believe he also goes by Shane or Dre’. Reddick is wanted for first degree murder among other criminal charges. Reddick is also wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Reddick is an African American man. He is 6’1”, 165 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair. He is known to frequent York, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. Reddick is considered armed and dangerous.

The victim is identified as Deontae Vilada Belcher, 25, of Rosedale. Belcher was found deceased in a wooded area in Dorchester County on May 1, 2020. An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause and manner of death as homicide by gunshot wounds.

Shortly before 12:00 noon on Friday, May 1, 2020, deputies from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office responded to 9-1-1 calls reporting the body of the deceased victim, lying along a power line trail alongside Horns Point Road in Cambridge. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was requested to respond and take the lead in the investigation.

Upon their arrival, investigators found the decomposed body of the victim, later identified as Belcher, the subject of a missing person’s report. Evidence found at the scene indicated Belcher had sustained at least one gunshot wound.

Police learned Belcher was last seen on April 11 getting into a four door sedan with two other people. His mother had reported him missing to the Baltimore County Police Department on April 18.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is the lead in this investigation. Additional assistance is being provided by Criminal Enforcement Division Upper Shore investigators, the Maryland State Apprehension Team, deputies from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Dorchester County State’s Attorney’s Office. Maryland State Police crime scene technicians processed evidence found at the scene.

Suspect Dies After Police-Involved Shooting in Essex


The suspect involved in an officer-involved shooting in Essex last night has died.

The suspect is identified as Robert Johnson Jr (29) of the unit block of Championship Court, 21117.

The first-arriving officer encountered Johnson in the parking lot of Skipjack Court after responding to a call for a nuisance. The preliminary investigation reveals that the officer made contact with Johnson, who exited the vehicle armed with a gun.

A second injured subject remains hospitalized with an apparent non-life-threatening injury.

Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The officer, who will be named at a later time, has been placed on routine administrative leave.

Rossville Man Fatally Shot Outside His Home Saturday Night


Police are investigating a deadly shooting at Eagles Walk Apartments Saturday night.

Police were called to the unit block of Leatherwood Place in Rossville just after 9 p.m. for a call of a shooting.

The preliminary investigation reveals that the victim, identified as Lamont Taylor (33) of the unit block of Leatherwood Place, was arriving home when he was approached and shot by the suspect, who fled the scene. Taylor was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding this fatal shooting. Anyone who may have heard or seen anything, or who has any additional information, is asked to contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Essex


Detectives are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Essex last night that injured two people.

Officers were dispatched to a call for a nuisance at 10:42 p.m involving a crowd of people in the parking lot in the unit block of Skipjack Court in Essex.

The first arriving officer was confronted with an armed suspect and discharged his weapon.

Two subjects suffered gunshot wounds. The suspect was transported to an area hospital with life threatening wounds. A second subject suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital with apparent non-life threatening injuries.

Homicide detectives were on scene investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including reviewing body worn camera video.

Crandell Seeks Vote to Overturn County’s Executive Order


Seventh District Councilman Todd Crandell stated that he wanted to take action after Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. issued an executive order on Thursday.

Olszewski’s order calls for all in-person religious institutions and personal services establishments (barbershops, nail salons and hair salons) to remain closed as a result of COVID-19. The Executive Order is a continuation of Gov. Larry Hogan’s statewide executive order and Hogan allowed local jurisdictions to continue the order at their discretion.

Crandell created emergency county council legislation that would overrule Olszewski’s decision to continue that order.

“I began the process of drafting legislation and convening a County Council Emergency Legislative Session to vote on that legislation. The legislation revokes the County Executive’s emergency authority to restrict, among other things, religious worship,” Crandell said in a statement on Friday.

“Council members will be requested by our Secretary to convene the emergency session as early as [Friday]. As this is happening very quickly, the emergency legislative session is currently unscheduled. I will update as information becomes available.”

Crandell reported on Saturday that he was not able to gather all of his six other council colleagues for meeting and/or vote.

“The Council did not meet yesterday in Emergency Session to vote on the Resolution that would repeal and revoke the County Executive’s State of Emergency powers. Councilmen [5th District] David Marks and [3rd District] Wade Kach have committed to the session. An attempt to convene the Council later today, with four different options on the time, was made this morning, but has been declined,” Crandell reported.

“This leaves some churches in an awful situation – adhere to the County Executive’s Order or defy it and exercise their Constitutional right to worship.”

Crandell, along with Marks, have publicly stated that they were never consulted by the County Executive’s office about the Executive Order for Baltimore County. Marks released a statement after the announcement of the executive order was on Thursday.

“I have always approached my job in a spirit of collaboration and bipartisanship. It is difficult for me to rationalize any announcements when the legislative branch is not consulted,” Marks stated.