Eastern Baltimore County News
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a house fire in the 100 block of Villa Capri Circle in Essex Monday night. Crews were on the scene with a fire showing from second floor of a residential house on Nov. 23 at 10:30 p.m.
The fire was reported extinguished at 10:48 p.m.
All residents were rescued safely with no injuries reported.
Do you recognize this suspect? Baltimore County Police are seeking the public’s help identifying the suspect, pictured here from security video, that burglarized a Royal Farms store three times.
Since September 8, between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., the suspect burglarized the Royal Farms store in the 8200 block of Eastern Avenue before the Essex bridge by forcing his way through the front entrance of the store, which was closed for business at the time.
Once inside, he stole various tobacco products. He is described as a white male, approximately 5’10 – 6’1 and approximately 21-30 years old. In one incident, the suspect fled the location on a bicycle.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Burglary Unit are now asking the public for help identifying this suspect.
If you recognize this suspect or have information about this crime, contact detectives at 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River will continue its tradition of holding its annual Essex Community Tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The tree lighting will take place at the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River at 416 Eastern Blvd.
Santa will be at this free event.
Face coverings and social distancing required.
For more information, visit the Heritage Society Of Essex And Middle River Facebook page.
Police have arrested a suspect in the Oct. 9 shooting death of Zeshaan Ali Toppa in the 500 block of Welbrook Road in Essex.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit determined that Toppa was murdered during a drug-related robbery by the suspect, identified as Keonta Adrian Skipwith (18) of 8000 block of Pennington Drive in Laurel, 20724.
A warrant for Skipwith’s arrest was issued on Oct. 14 for the charge of first degree murder. He was arrested Monday, Oct. 26 and remains held without bond following a bail review hearing.
–photo courtesy of North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Company-
Baltimore County fire crews reported a building fire at Al’s Seafood in the 1500 Block of Eastern Boulevard in Essex early this morning.
Firefighters reported heavy smoke from the second floor early Thursday morning. Roads were shutdown in the area.
There were no reports of injuries.
Al’s Seafood released a statement on their Facebook page.
“My family would like to give a huge thank you to all of our friends, family, Essex and Rosedale Fire Departments and Police for the help, support, security, and encouragement through this difficult time.
I want to also thank Johnny Salling, Ric Metzer, and Val Mcdonough for the support and positive reinforcements.”
These Strange Times: Young Writers Reflect on the Pandemic,” a new anthology released by Maryland-based Salt Water Media, includes writing by nine 2020 graduates of Kenwood High School and one Kenwood High senior.
The book, which is available free in Kindle and iPad e-pub versions, features poetry and prose by students about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following Kenwood graduates and student are the only BCPS students whose work appears in the book: Class of 2020 – Brianna Allen, Myasiah Bilola, Raven Brooks, Alexia Crook, Halle Kerr, Miciah Patterson, Taylor Soutar, Luvia Thomas, and Breanna Wickham; Class of 2021 – Desiree Jones.
“At a time when our seniors could have easily given up last spring, they threw their frustrations into writing, and I’m immensely proud of their grit and perseverance to overcome in these tough times,” said Angela Glenn, Kenwood High English teacher and newspaper and literary magazine advisor.
Glenn noted that this is the second published book that Kenwood students have been a part of this past year. Three students – 2020 graduate Luvia Thomas and current juniors Linda Neewary and Kaylee Norton — were published in the Young Writers USA Mission Contamination series anthology.
The anthology features student-written mini-sagas about a virus outbreak. Glenn said that it was “creepily ironic” that the students received printed copies of the books about one week before schools closed
Baltimore County Police are continuing their investigation into a late night shooting that left one man dead.
Officers responded for the call of a shooting around 10 p.m. Friday night. The victim, an adult man, was located to the rear of the 500 block of Welbrook Road in Essex with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Medics responded and pronounced the man deceased at the scene. He is identified as Essex resident Zeshaan Ali Toppa (21) of the 300 block of Leeanne Road.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit are continuing their investigation into this shooting this morning. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
Baltimore County Public Schools [BCPS] reported on Friday that a person associated with Essex Elementary School has recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The community is being alerted because many families were on the school campus on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to pick up Kindergarten bags and to pick up yearbooks.
Everyone who had close contact with the affected individual has been identified, notified, and will remain away from BCPS facilities until they are cleared to return by the Baltimore County Department of Health.
The school building has been cleaned in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.
BCPS is working with the Baltimore County Department of Health to ensure that recommendations and guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health are in place.
On Friday, Oct. 9, the school system distributed a letter to Essex Elementary School families about the situation, urging students and community members to be diligent in monitoring their health and taking steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.
This is the second known case of COVID-19 at a BCPS location within a three-day span. It was reported that a Dundalk BCPS meal worker Tested Positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 7.
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works reported a 12-inch water main break on Turkey Point and Back River Neck Roads in Baltimore County on Tuesday Crews are on site.
There are about 700 residents whose water services may be impacted in addition to a school.
It is recommended that motorists and pedestrians temporarily avoid the area. Crews are working expeditiously to repair the water main break and anticipate that the break will be repaired soon.
Baltimore County and Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) have released the recommendations from the first phase of the Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools (MYIPAS).
MYIPAS is a 10-year capital planning process that will identify and prioritize needed improvements to Baltimore County’s school infrastructure.
The first phase focused on high schools. The second phase, focusing on all remaining schools, centers, and programs, is scheduled to be complete in May 2021. A final report is expected by fall 2021.
“We view the development of this plan as an important step forward on the path toward ensuring that all of our school buildings offer the type of physical environment most conducive for teaching and learning,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.
Part of the construction recommendations has three groups based on priority.
Group 1 is considered the highest priority and is called Legacy Project which includes a $150 million demolition/reconstruction 1700-seat capacity school at Lansdowne High School.
The Group 2 recommendations is called Critical Additions which includes for four projects:
• Additional 650 seats to Dundalk High School
• Additional 500 seats and renovation for a new kitchen and cafeteria area at Towson High School
• Additional 200 seats and renovation at Loch Raven High School, which would relieve some overcrowding at Parkville High School
• Additional 250 seats to Patapsco High Center for the Arts
The Group 3 Recommendations is Relief Schools and/or Additions for a new high school in the northeast area of Baltimore County area and a new middle school/high school in the Sparrows Point/Edgemere area.
There are two options for both areas depending on funding. The first option calls for Perry Hall High School to add 225 seats with an addition to the cafeteria area; additional 200 seats to Overlea High School; and an additional 75 seats to Kenwood High School. Those three additions are projected to cost $50 million.
The second option for the northeast area is for Baltimore County to acquire land and to build a 1,200 seat new high school, along with the Perry Hall High renovation plan. Total cost is projected at $200 million.
Fifth District Councilman David Marks said he favors new school buildings.
“For more than two decades, I have worked to build new schools in Baltimore County. We have had some success with the construction of Honeygo Elementary School and county funding for two new schools,” Marks said in a statement.
“While these recommendations are preliminary, I do not support warehousing students by building additions at already-crowded schools. This plan needs input, scrutiny and changes.”
In Sparrows Point, both the high school and middle school share one building.
The first plan is to add 325 seats to the high school for around $50 million. The second proposal is build a new 750-seat middle school at a new location at $200 million and renovate the high school/middle school campus into a larger Sparrows Point High school.
Of course, the plans will be determined by the amount of funding. It appeared that Baltimore County and other jurisdictions throughout the state were going to be beneficiaries of the Learn to Build Act. The $400 million school construction bill was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and was expected to be signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and Hogan vetoed all spending bills. The Maryland General Assembly could override Hogan’s veto.
A portion of that bill would provide funding for three northeast Baltimore County school projects; a new elementary school in the Rossville area, a new middle school at Nottingham Park on King Avenue and to expand Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.
If the veto is overridden and Baltimore County commits local matching funds, large renovation projects for all assessed adequacy, equity, and condition priorities could take place at all schools within 15 years.
If the Learn to Build Act does not provide local funding, there are two scenarios.
The first scenario would prioritize renovations for reduced scope at all schools within 15 years. The other scenario is not recommended by Baltimore County but would provide single large renovations every two – three years, but with many schools waiting decades for improvements.
“Every student in Baltimore County, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to a safe, modern school facility that meets the needs of their community,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
“With aging infrastructure and a growing population, we have significant needs at the high school level, and these initial recommendations will serve as a critical resource as we work to ensure equitable allocation of resources throughout the County.”
The initial recommendations were developed by consultants from CannonDesign, a national architecture and planning company that has led over 1,300 education facility projects across the country, including over 200 education master plans.
