Woman Dies From Holabird Motorcycle Crash


Baltimore County police have announced that the female passenger in a motorcycle crash on Holabird Avenue Aug. 11 has died.

She is identified as Lanayah Monique Rodriquez, age 21.

The Crash Investigation Team is continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We Back Blue” Rally to be Held in Dundalk


Conservative activist Tim Fazenbaker and We Back Blue campaign are  coming to Baltimore to present We Back Blue – Motorcycle Ride and rally in an effort to  encourage Americans to stand up and support our law enforcers.

The rally will feature internationally acclaimed band, Trapt.

Rally will be taking place outside of The Green Room at 2401 North Point Blvd. in Dundalk, Sunday, Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The rally will include speeches from Free & Fair Election founder – Tim Fazenbaker as well as other influencers and personalities such as:, Delegate Joe Boteler, Eric Rittmeyer, Chris Taylor Brown,  Melissa Robey and more.

All are welcome to attend this peaceful event to engage in a respectful  and thoughtful discussion about the challenges facing law enforcement today. 

This rally will include a motorcycle ride around the 695 beltway in a display of support for our  men and women in blue.  

SPEAKERS: 
Tim Fazenbaker, Free & Fair Election Founder, Eric Rittmeyer, Author/Mental Toughness Speaker  Joe Boteler, State Delegate, Chris Taylor Brown, Musician/Political Commentator, Melissa Robey, We Back Blue Founder  Alexandra Levine, Singer/Jexit Member   Kristen Kalinowski, Law Enforcer Wife

More details can be found here

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.

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.

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.

Maryland Reports Positive Health Metrics Compared to Other States


Five weeks after the state entered Stage Two of recovery, Maryland’s key COVID-19 health metrics continue to trend in a positive direction. The statewide positivity rate has fallen to a new low of 4.34%, and ICU beds have dropped to their lowest level since March 30. State health officials continue to monitor the spikes and outbreaks in neighboring states, as well as the rising positivity rate among young people.

“Maryland continues to be much better positioned than most states in America because of our long term-testing strategy and strategic stockpile of test kits, but we are calling on local leaders to continue doing their part to expand testing efforts—particularly in Anne Arundel County, which is lagging behind all the rest of our most populous jurisdictions,” said Governor Hogan. “Fortunately, our numbers continue trending in a positive direction while infection rates in states all across the country, and those surrounding our state border, are spiking. We are concerned that the positivity rate among Marylanders under 35 is now 84% higher than the rate for Marylanders 35 and older, making it more important than ever for all Marylanders to remain vigilant, wear face coverings, wash their hands, and practice physical distancing.”

Statewide Positivity Rate Falls to New Low of 4.34%. The state’s seven-day average positivity rate has fallen to a new low of 4.34%—down nearly 84% from its peak on April 17—and the daily positivity rate is 4.64%.
• States in our region continue to see spikes and outbreaks, with Virginia experiencing a 6.83% positivity rate over the last week.
• The state is closely monitoring the situation in Queen Anne’s County, which has experienced a 225% increase in its positivity rate since June 30, and now has the state’s highest positivity rate at 7.67%.
Hospitalizations Fall to 385, ICU Beds at Lowest Level Since March 30. Current total COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen to 385, with 122 ICU beds in use—the lowest level of ICU bed use since March 30.
Nearly 775,000 COVID-19 Tests, 10.3% of Population Tested. In total, Maryland has now conducted 774,693 COVID-19 tests, including 13,298 tests over the last 24 hours. 621,603 Marylanders have now been tested for COVID-19—representing 10.3% of the state’s population.
Positivity Rate Higher For Marylanders Under 35. In keeping with trends states are seeing across the country, the positivity rate among Marylanders under 35 (6.33%) is 84% higher than the positivity rate for Marylanders age 35 and older (3.44%).
Anne Arundel Lags In Testing Among Most Populous Jurisdictions. Among Maryland’s most populous jurisdictions, all except for Anne Arundel County are at or close to the goal of testing 10% of the population. The state has offered an unlimited amount of tests to any jurisdiction that needs them.
• Baltimore City: 12.3% of population tested
• Prince George’s: 10.7%
• Baltimore Co.: 10.6%
• Montgomery: 10.2%
• Howard: 9.8%
• Anne Arundel: 8.5%
220+ COVID Testing Sites Statewide. To further increase convenience and accessibility at COVID-19 testing sites, the Maryland Department of Health and local partners are now providing patients with the ability to schedule their own appointments online at more sites.
• Patients can schedule their own appointments at the Columbia VEIP, Pimlico Race Course, and Baltimore Convention Center testing sites by visiting coronavirus.maryland.gov and clicking on the “Testing” tab.
• Although an appointment is strongly encouraged, the Pimlico Race Course and Baltimore Convention Center testing sites continue to accommodate walk-up patients. No doctor’s order is required at these sites.
• Both the Glen Burnie VEIP and Six Flags America theme park offer no-appointment, drive-thru testing. Both sites operate on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon
For more information about testing sites in Maryland, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov and click on the “Testing” tab.

COVID-19 Found in Dundalk & Parkville Nursing Homes


The Baltimore Sun reported that there has been an outbreak of the coronavirus at the Genesis Loch Raven Center in Parkville and at the Heritage Center in Dundalk.

There was a report of seven cases of the virus at the Parkville location on Emge Road that included six residents and one staff member. The Sun also reported that one staff member and one resident tested postive at the Dundalk center on German Hill Road.

The week started off with a report of three residents that tested positive for COVID 19 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Carroll County. There was also a reported case of one resident at Oak Crest Living Center in Parkville that tested positive for the coronavirus.

Maryland has reported 1,985 cases of COVID-19 and 289 in Baltimore County.