Category: Essex

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.

Man Charged With Using Laser at Helicopter


Baltimore County Police want to remind the public that it is illegal to shine a laser pointer at any aircraft and an arrest was made for that type of incident on July 26 just after 12:30 a.m.

Police reported a suspect stood in front of the 1700 block of Earhart Road in Essex and shined a laser pointer through the cockpit of Baltimore County Police Department’s helicopter.

At the time, officers from the Baltimore County Police Department’s Aviation Unit flew the helicopter over Eastern Boulevard and Orville Road, assisting officers with an unrelated investigation. Officers flying the helicopter located the suspect and he was quickly arrested by patrol officers.

Brandon Dunevant (31) of the 1700 block of Earhart Road of Essex was arrested and charged with pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft. He is currently held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a no bail status.

The Baltimore County Police Department said they take these acts very seriously. Pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft is extremely hazardous to the flight crew and to people on the ground.

It should be noted that pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft is a misdemeanor that carries a $2,500 fine or up to three years jail time.

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.