Police National Night Out Events Announced


The 37th annual National Night Out is being celebrated on Tuesday, October 6 this year. The COVID-19 pandemic may have communities celebrating a little differently and later in the year, but one thing remains the same and that is the partnerships and camaraderie that are strengthened as police and citizens unite in neighborhoods.

Community engagement has been especially challenging this year. This annual community-building campaign is an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances and enhance relationships with the goal of keeping neighborhoods safe.

Join your neighbors and friends in events scheduled throughout Baltimore County. There will be food, games, vehicle parades, and visits from police officers. The theme at each event will be the same – to keep your community, businesses and visitors safe.

Turn on your porch light on Tuesday, October 6 to show your support. And remember another safety precaution when gathering this year – wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands.

The following is a list of events that are scheduled at the various precincts in eastern Baltimore County.

Precinct 8 Parkville

Magnolia Glen Homeowners Association
Contact: Greg Hamilton (jghamilton53@att.net)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Neighborhood dessert party
Location: Bender Ridge Court
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.

Perring Park Citizens On Patrol (COP)
Contact: Kristen Piscopo (443-823-1738 or kpiscopo@baltimorecountymd.gov)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Block party with KONA Ice Truck
Location: Harford Hills Road behind Harford Hills Elementary School
Time: 6 to 7 p.m.

Seven Courts Citizens On Patrol (COP)
Contact: Shawn King (shawn@owl-analytics.com)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Neighborhood party
Location: Seven Oaks Senior Center, 9210 Seven Courts Drive
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.

Precinct 9 White Marsh

Linover Improvement Association
Contact: Caitlyn Klimm (president@linover.org)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Neighborhood caravan and hand out Citizens On Patrol (COP) fliers
Location: Holt Park, 34 Elmont Avenue
Time: 8 to 8:30 p.m.

Park East Community
Contact: Danielle Fowlkes (410-866-3443)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Enjoy refreshments while discussing how to keep the neighborhood safe and build partnerships
Location: Playground area at Park East Apartments, 2022 Kelbourne Road 21237
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Precinct 11 Essex

Henderson-Webb Properties
Contact: Dave Hopp (410-440-7121)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Community picnic
Location: Hartland and Middleborough roads
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Precinct 12 North Point

Boston Courts
Contact: Lee McBride (410-288-1313)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Cookout and games
Location: Red Rose Way and Villager Circle, 21222
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Old Dundalk
Contact: Jessica Lilli (443-955-1541)
Officer(s) assigned: Community Outreach Team
Activity: Cookout and games
Location: Heritage Park, 2717 Playfield Street
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

EASTBALTCO-Precinct 11 Essex Police News


Week of Dec. 19

Assault in Middle River-Due to a dispute with the victim’s family member on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 4:45 p.m., the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim who was standing in the window in Cool Breeze Drive in Middle River.

Robbery on Beach Road in White Marsh-While walking towards the front door of the residence in the 13000 block of Beach Road in White Marsh, the victim was approached from behind by unknown suspect(s). One suspect grabbed her and assaulted her until she passed out on Friday, Dec. 18 at 9:45 p.m. The suspect(s) stole her work laptop, cell phone, purse and a work bag before fleeing.

Phone Store Robbed in Middle River-A suspect entered the T-Mobile store in the 100 block of Middle River Road After a verbal argument with an employee, the suspect opened the cash register and began taking money from the register on Tuesday, Dec. 14 around 10:32 a.m. The employee attempted to stop the suspect. The suspect assaulted the employee, took more money from the register and fled on foot. The suspect was captured a short distance away.

Burglary in Middle River-Sometime between midnight on December 12 and 11 a.m. on December 18, an unknown suspect entered the victim’s apartment in the 300 block of Nitram Court in Middle River by unknown means and took a bag of spices and medical equipment.

Phone Store Robbed in Rosedale-Two unknown suspects entered the AT&T store in the 8800 block of Rosedale, implied a weapon, and stole an undetermined amount of merchandise and currency on Friday, Dec. 11 at 6:17 p.m.

Week of Dec. 9

Middle River Robbery-Three unknown suspects ran up to the victim, assaulted him and went through the victim’s pockets in the 9800 block of Tailspin Lane in Middle River. The three suspects took the victim’s cash and a wallet and then fled in a vehicle on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 9:20 p.m.

Hawthorne Juvenile Robbed in Hawthorne- An unknown suspect exited a vehicle in the 300 block of Grovethorn Road in Hawthorne, displayed a gun to a juvenile victim and demanded his belongings on Monday, Dec. 7 at 9:10 p.m. The victim fled to his residence and contacted 911. The suspects left in the vehicle. Nothing was stolen from the victim.

Man Arrested After Essex Assault- A known suspect kicked the front door down of the victim’s residence in the unit block of Landmark Court in Essex, assaulted the victim and then left the location on foot on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 9:50 a.m. The suspect was later arrested.

Burglary in Chase -On Thursday, Dec. 3 at 9:41 p.m., a known suspect stole a TV, medications, a credit card and money from the 12300 block of Eastern Avenue in Chase.
Week of Nov. 26
Dirt Bike Stolen at Gun Point- A victim was riding his dirt bike when he was followed by a vehicle with two unknown suspects inside in the 2200 block of Eastern Avenue in Middle River. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at the victim and stole the victim’s dirt bike on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m.

Burglary in Hawthorne-Sometime between 9 p.m. on Nov. 30 and 8 a.m. on Dec. 1, an unknown suspect(s) gained entry through the unlocked rear door in the 2100 block of Coral Thorn Road in Hawthorne. Multiple items were taken from the location.

Game System Stolen Out of Essex Home- Sometime between 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 2 a.m. on Nov. 29, an unknown suspect forced open the backdoor of the residence in the unit block of Ebbtide Count in Essex and stole a new game system.

Victim Assaulted in Middle River- An armed suspect assaulted the victim during an argument on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 5:50 a.m. The known suspect was arrested at the scene in the 4100 block of Cutty Sark Road in Middle River. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Robbery in Hawthorne- A victim was assaulted by two known suspects on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 9:29 p.m. and his cell phone was forcefully stolen from his possession in the South Hawthorne Road. The two suspects were placed under arrest and the victim’s property was recovered.

Essex Robbery-A victim was robbed by an unknown armed suspect who approached him from behind and demanded his belongings in the 800 block of Briar Hill Place in Essex. The victim refused and a physical altercation occurred leaving the victim with non life-threatening injuries on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m.

Week of Nov. 18
Robbed in Middle River- Two suspects, one armed, approached the victims in the unit block of Finnsbu Place in Middle River and demanded their property on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 1:25 p.m. The suspects stole a cell phone, cash and other miscellaneous items from the victims before fleeing the scene.

Burglary at South Marlyn Liquors-An unknown suspect pried open the front door of South Marlyn Liquor in the in the 700-block South Marlyn Avenue by smashing the front glass door. The suspect stole cigarettes and cash on Friday, Nov. 12 at 3:40 a.m. On Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 12:15 a.m. The suspect then fled on foot.

Another Burglary at South Marlyn Liquors-Six days later, an unknown suspect gained entry into South Marlyn Liquors in Essex in the 700-block South Marlyn Avenue by smashing the front glass door. The suspect stole cash and four cartons of cigarettes On Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 12:15 a.m. The suspect then fled on foot.
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Attempted Dirt Bike Burglary-On Monday, Nov. 16 1:30 a.m., two unknown suspects attempted to steal a dirt bike from the victim’s shed in the 200-block of Mulberry Lane in Middle River. The suspects then fled the scene when the victim saw them by the shed.

Verbal Argument Becomes an Assault- A known suspect assaulted the victim in the 100-block of Carroll Island Road after engaging in a verbal argument on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:20 p.m. The suspect was later located and placed under arrest.

Verbal Argument Becomes an Assault- A known suspect assaulted the victim in the 100-block of Carroll Island Road after engaging in a verbal argument on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:20 p.m. The suspect was later located and placed under arrest.

Week of Nov. 10

Robbery at Essex ATM- After depositing money into an ATM, a victim returned to his vehicle in the 600 block of Eastern Boulevard in Essex where an armed suspect entered his vehicle and demanded the victim return to the ATM to withdraw money. The suspect took the money fled on foot on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:45 p.m.

Wampler Road Burglary-At 11:55 a.m., a known suspect kicked open the front door of the victim’s residence in the 500 block of Wampler Road in Middle River and stole a cell phone and purse belonging to the victim on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 11:55 a.m. The suspect was later apprehended and placed under arrest.

Keys Stole From Home- An unknown suspect broke into the victim’s home on Northrop Lane in Middle River and stole keys and a wallet on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 1:10 a.m..

Household Appliance Stolen with Other Items- Sometime between 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 an unknown suspect broke off the window screen to gain entry through an unlocked window in the 700 block of Shipfriend Road in Middle River . The suspect stole the victim’s wallet, purse, car keys and a household appliance. The purse and household appliance were recovered nearby.

Another Purse Stolen from Middle River Home- Sometime between 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 and 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, an unknown suspect cut the screen of the victim’s kitchen window to gain entry in the 9800 block of Edisto Way in Middle River . Once inside, the suspect stole the victim’s purse and then fled.

Burglary at Freestate Indoor Sports Arena- A known suspect gained entry into the Freestate Indoor Sports Arena in the 5800 block of Allender Road in White Marsh with three unidentified subjects and stole cash, a check and sodas on Saturday, Nov 7 at 1 p.m.

Lawn Equipment Stolen– Sometime between 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, an unknown suspect entered the victim’s property in the 100 block of Foxwood Lane in Essex and forced the locked shed door open. Lawn equipment was stolen.

Week of Nov. 3

Second-Degree Burglary: On Tuesday, Nov. 3 between 2:45 and 6 a.m., an unknown suspect(s) broke into two trailers at Classic Lawn & Landscaping in the 100 block of Earls Road in Middle River and stole several pieces of lawn equipment.

Second-Degree Burglary: An unknown suspect entered the shed in the unit block of Pelczar Avenue in Essex and stole several tools on Monday, Nov. 2 at 8:30 p.m..

First-Degree Burglary: An unknown suspect attempted to gain entry into the victim’s apartment in the 9800 block of Tailspin Lane in Middle River. The suspect fled the area before entry was gained on Monday, Oct. 26 at 8:34 p.m.

Week of Oct. 21

Second-Degree Burglary-A suspect broke the glass at the Dunkin’ Donuts drive through window in the unit block of Longeron Drive in Middle River with a hammer on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 9:15 p.m. The suspect then stole three cash drawers from the registers and several beverages. The suspect was arrested.

Robbery- On Monday, Oct. 19 around 4:40 p.m., a victim was robbed of his money and his bicycle by two suspects in the 800 block of Martin Road in Essex.
Second-Degree Burglary- An unknown suspect stole a mountain bike and a tree trimmer from the victim’s shed in the 200 block of George Avenue in Essex on Sunday, Oct. 18 around 12:21 p.m.

Robbery- Two victims were robbed at gunpoint in the 11400 block of Pulaski Highway in White Marsh by an unknown suspect. The suspect discharged his firearm during this incident on Friday, Oct. 16 at 11:36 p.m. No one was injured. The suspect stole cash from one of the victims and then fled.

Second Degree Burglary-Sometime between 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and 6:30 a.m. on Oct.15, an unknown suspect(s) broke into a detached garage on the victims’ property and stole three dirtbikes in the 3500 block of Edwards Lane in Middle River.

Robbery- Two suspects assaulted the victim on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. and stole the victim’s bicycle before fleeing in a vehicle in the 100 block of Yawmeter Drive in Middle River. The suspects were located and arrested. The bicycle was recovered.

Robbery- On Wednesday, Oct. 14, a victim was robbed of a cigarette and his cash by an unknown suspect while walking home in the 1200 block of Martin Boulevard in Middle River.

Week of Oct. 10
Attempted Second-Degree Burglary-An unknown suspect used an unknown tool to smash the lock to the shed door in the 1200 block of Evergreen Lane in Essex. The lock was destroyed but nothing was taken from the shed on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 3 a.m.

Robbery-The suspect entered the Royal Farms store in the 3300 block Eastern Boulevard in Middle River and displayed a knife and stole cash from the register on Friday, Oct. 11. The suspect then fled on foot.

Second Degree Burglary- on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 a.m., two unknown suspects broke the glass door of the secured Tobacco and Vape King store in the 100 block of Carroll Island Road in Middle River. Once inside, they removed multiple vape pens, cigars and lighters. The suspects then fled on foot.
Week of Oct. 1

First-Degree Assault- On Wednesday, Oct. 7 around 1:30 p.m., a known suspect stabbed the victim in the arm with a pair of scissors in the 9800 block of Avro Road in Middle River. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.

First-Degree Assault- An unknown suspect entered the Royal Farms in the 3300 block of Eastern Boulevard in Middle River displayed a knife to the cashier and demanded money on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 8:51 p.m. The suspect then fled on foot.

First-Degree Burglary- Sometime between noon on Friday, Oct. 2 and 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, an unknown suspect(s) possibly gained entry through an unsecured window and removed clothing items, two lamps and various cleaning supplies in the 100 block of Benoni Circle in Middle River.

Robbery- A victim was robbed at gunpoint by an unknown suspect on Friday, Oct. 2 at 10:09 a.m. in the 500 block of Mace Avenue in Essex. Two suspects were arrested.

Second Degree Burglary- Police reported that a victim’s shed in the 10500 block of Windlass Run in Middle River was pried open with an unknown tool and various tools and lawn equipment were stolen on Tuesday, Sept. 30 around 3:30 p.m.

Second Degree Burglary- On Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 4:25 a.m., an unknown suspect(s) gained entry into Your First Pharmacy in the 500 block of Eastern Boulevard in Essex by prying open the front door. The location was ransacked, a cash register drawer was damaged and medication was stolen.

Second Degree Burglary- Three unknown suspects broke into the One Stop Convenience store in the 300 block of Stemmers Run Road in Essex and stole an ATM on Tuesday, Sept. 30 around 4:15 a.m.

Week of Sept. 26
First Degree Assault- Two unknown suspects assaulted the victim on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 5:19 p.m.. The unknown suspects then left and entered a nearby building in the 1400 block of Hadwick Drive in Essex.

Second Degree Burglary- An unknown suspect forced entry into Dunn-Rite Automotive in the 1500 block of Martin Boulevard in Middle River and stole a cash box containing cash on Sunday, Sept 27 at 10 p.m.

Second Degree Burglary- A suspect was moving property in the 500 block of Dorsey Road in Essex from the victims’ garage when he was chased down by the property owner. The suspect attempted to steal a bicycle, electronic equipment and miscellaneous property on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4:30 a.m. The suspect was arrested and some property was recovered.

First Degree Assault- On Friday, Sept. 25 at 1:30 a.m., an unknown suspect fired several shots at the victim’s house in the 1000 block of Cord Street.

First Degree Burglary- Sometime between 11 and 11:40 a.m., a known suspect gained entry into the victim’s residence in the 300 block of Stillwater Road in Essex and stole tools on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.

Second Degree Burglary-Sometime between 8 p.m. on September 21 and 9:30 a.m. on September 22, an unknown suspect(s) gained entry into Testimony Auto LLC in the 100 block of Back River Neck Road through an unsecured door. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole various power tools, a laptop, money and miscellaneous items.
Week of Sept. 17

First Degree Assault- Two victims were assaulted when they got into a confrontation with an unknown suspect who was driving a vehicle in the neighborhood in the 2300 block of Bauernschmidt Drive in Essex. The suspect then struck one of the victims with the car. Both victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. Officers located and arrested the suspect on Sept. 19.

First Degree Burglary- Sometime between 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 1:24 p.m. on Sept. 18, an unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s residence by smashing out a door window. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole several tools in the 100 block of South Taylor Avenue in Essex.

Second Degree Burglary- Sometime between noon on Sept. 17 and 7 a.m. on Sept. 20, an unknown suspect cut the lock to the victim’s shed in the 2100 block of Redthorn in Middle River and stole miscellaneous tools.

Eastern Tech Student Named National Merit Semifinalists


Lena Wang of Eastern Technical High School is one of 21 Baltimore County Public Schools [BCPS] students from nine high schools to be named semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program coordinated by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

“Congratulations to these outstanding BCPS students for their academic achievement and to the teachers, families, and administrators who taught, challenged, and supported them,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “These students represent schools from across our district and represent the potential we see every day in all of our students, in all of our schools. Recognitions such as this inspire all members of the BCPS family to set and reach higher goals.”

More than 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by participating in the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NSMQT®). The highest scoring entrants in each state create the national pool of 16,000 semifinalists, which represents less than 1 percent of high school seniors in the nation. Most semifinalists advance to the finalist level (based on their academic records, recommendations and SAT scores) and compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships.

All of the honored BCPS students are:

Catonsville High School
Nikitha C. Mupparaju
Sean O. Nowak

Dulaney High School
Serena Chen
Grace Cong
Kristine C. Xie
Steven H. Zhang

Eastern Technical High School
Lena Wang

George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Elise T. Kylin
Lucas A. LaBuff

Hereford High School
Rishi R. Anand

Loch Raven High School
Alexander M. Spielman

Pikesville High School
Jacob D. Lane
Benjamin S. Matz

Towson High School
Shuming A. Mao
Daniel J. Melia
Noah J. Rich
Adam K. Viazanko
Eleuthera Wang
Tyler N. Yup

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
Shaheer A. Imam
Benjamin K. Smith

Through its longstanding partnership with the College Board, which administers the PSAT/NSMQT, BCPS provides funding so that all students in Grade 9 can take the PSAT 8/9, all students in Grades 10 and 11 can take the PSAT/NSMQT, and all Grade 11 students can take the SAT – all at no charge to the students or their families. The PSAT test provides practice for the SAT and provides BCPS educators with important assessments of student strengths and challenges. Due to the pandemic, however, there may be changes in the testing offered during the 2020-2021 school year.

Essex Man Dies in Sunday Motorcycle Crash


Baltimore County Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Essex Sunday night that left one man dead.

Just before 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, police responded to North Marlyn Avenue and Franklin Avenue in Essex for a call of a motorcycle crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling southbound on North Marlyn Avenue near Franklin Avenue when it drifted out of its lane and into the back of a parked and unoccupied Ford dump truck.

Joseph Richards (64) of the 1000 block of Foxcroft Lane in Essex suffered life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The Baltimore County Crash Team is continuing their investigation into this incident.

Suspect Charged in Brewers Landing Death


The suspect in yesterday’s stabbing death of Roger Walker is identified as Reisterstown resident Shawn Alan Parks (32) of the 200 block of Log House Way, 21136.

The incident took place by Brewers Land in Essex.

He is charged with first and second degree murder and held on no bond status pending a bail review hearing.

Man Dies After Essex Bar Fight Sunday


Baltimore County police reported an early morning fight at an Essex establishment escalated, leaving one man dead and another injured.

Officers responded to ‘Brewers Landing Bar & Grill’ in the 800 block of Woodrow Avenue in Essex on Sunday at 1:41 a.m. after multiple fights broke out, resulting in one man being stabbed and the suspect also suffering injuries.

The victim was transported to MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The suspect was also transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries but remains in police custody.

The victim is identified as Roger Paul Walker (25) of the 400 block of Torner Road, 21221. The suspect’s identity will be released following formal charging.

The Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Hit-and-Run Reported on 702 in Essex


Baltimore County Police are asking for help from the public finding the vehicle that hit a pedestrian and fled the scene Saturday, Aug. 22 around 10 p.m. in Essex.

A pedestrian crossed the northbound lanes of Route 702 near Middleborough Road against the pedestrian signal when he was struck by a vehicle traveling north on Route 702.

That vehicle made no attempt to stop and continued driving on Route 702. The adult male was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The vehicle is described as a metallic green 2007 – 2008 Nissan Titan or Nissan Armada with damage to the front headlight, area below the headlight and the passenger’s side mirror.

The photos attached are a representation of the vehicle, not the actual vehicle.

Investigators from the Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are asking anyone who may have witnessed the vehicle fleeing the scene or may have information regarding this incident is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020

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.

Essex Day 2020 Canceled Because of COVID-19


The list of cancelations continue to pile up as a result of COVID-19. First the spring and summer events were canceled and now the fall events are feeling the effects of COVID-19.

The Essex Day Festival Board of Directors had decided to cancel Essex Day, which was scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19.

“The Essex Day Festival Board of Directors is saddened to announce that the 2020 Essex Day Festival is canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a statement from the Board of Directors. “The health and safety of our community is a top priority for us, and we will be back better than ever in 2021. Vendors who have already paid their fees will receive a full refund within 30 days.