Five Baltimore County Public Schools students will appear on WBFF-TV FOX 45, WNUV-TV The CW Baltimore and MyTV Baltimore saluting their personal heroes this January and February.
The students are among the 15 area finalists in the 34th Annual “Champions of Courage” Black History Month Essay Competition.
The BCPS finalists are:
Bruce Ferstermann, Middle River Middle School
Kameron Brockington, Milford Mill Academy
Breanna Pompey, Parkville High School
Grace Duong, Perry Hall High School
Ava Wehr, Perry Hall High School
As finalists, each student will receive a $100 award.
The top three essayists, selected from among the 15 finalists, will be announced during a Champions of Courage television special that will air on WBFF-TV FOX 45, on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
The top three essayists will be presented with additional awards, and in their honor, their schools will receive cash awards.
According to contest organizers, “Champions of Courage” is designed to commemorate Black History Month by celebrating positive role models for youth.
The essay competition provides an opportunity for students in Grades 6 – 12 to participate in a scholastic competition, gain confidence in their abilities, and be recognized for their achievement.
“Champions of Courage” also serves to share with the legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Baltimore County announced that it has closed a small bridge on East Joppa Road (over Honeygo Run) in order to make emergency repairs.
The bridge (No.B-0545, located between Snyder Lane and Honeygo Boulevard) will remain closed four months to permit restoration. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Ebenezer Road and Honeygo Boulevard, but access to Honeygo Elementary School will be permitted. The Joppa Road Bridge, built in the 1940’s and widened in the 1960’s, is a two-lane span. Its construction is concrete slab; its length is 16 feet.
Councilman David Marks released a statement about the closure.
“The condition of this bridge was known by County engineers since the fall,” Mark said.
“I have notified the Perry Hall Improvement Association, the police and Honeygo Elementary School, none of which had received advance notice.
Please use caution and be respectful of the neighborhoods now receiving more traffic.”
Baltimore County police are investigating a fatal pedestrian-involved crash in Perry Hall.
Officers were called to Glen Park Road and Dundawan Road in Perry Hall at 5:45 p.m. when a pedestrian crossing Glen Park Road was struck by a 2002 Acura traveling westbound just east of Dundawan Road.
The pedestrian, identified as John Eric Bartoszak (67) of the 4100 block of Glen Park Road, 21236, was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he later died.
The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team continues working to determine all of the factors that contributed to this fatal crash.
White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company reported crews were on scene of a dwelling fire in the 9000 block of Kilbride Road on the corner of Ebenezer Road in Perry Hall.
The fire started Thursday, Nov. 19 before 9 a.m.
The fire department stated one person was trapped by later rescued from the home.
“EMS was able to care for patient removed from fire. Patient is now conscious and alert and being transported to an area hospital in stable, non-life threatening condition,” said a statement from Baltimore County.
The fire was placed under control in the basement.
Marc Jason Jones (31) of Unit block of Cedar Avenue, 21204, has been charged in connection with the Nov. 7 homicide of Teon Deontae Barnes.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the Jones and Barnes were engaged in an argument on the parking lot of 4300 Bedrock Circle in Perry Hall that ended with Jones shooting Barnes. Jones then forced a witness into his vehicle and fled the scene with the witness prior to police arrival.
Jones is charged with murder in the first degree, the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/violent crime, kidnapping, false imprisonment and second degree assault. He remains held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on no bail status
Baltimore County Police are continuing to investigate a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday, Nov. 5 around 9:20 p.m.
Officers arrived in the parking lot of the 4300 block of Bedrock Circle in Perry Hall and located Teon Deontae Barnes (21) of the 8000 block of Neighbors Avenue of Rosedale suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Barnes was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Homicide detectives are actively conducting their investigation at this time and believe the victim was targeted. If you have any information about this murder, please call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.
Baltimore County Police detectives are on the scene of a shooting in the Perry Hall area tonight.
Officers responded to the 4300 block of Bedrock Circle in Perry Hall at 9:20 p.m. Arriving officers located a male victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Anyone with information on this shooting should contact police at 410-307-2020.
Here is a list of public Halloween events in Eastern Baltimore County. It appears that all events are free and family friendly. All events are following COVID-19 safety protocols. There are probably many more. If your organization is hosting a free and kid friendly Halloween event, please contact us at eastbaltco@gmail.com so we can add your event to our list.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Dundalk Merchants In The Park Halloween
Support Soup For A Soul and the merchants of Dundalk Village & over 60 vendors of Merchants In The Park.
Trick-or-Treating is allowed with an adult with merchants & participating stores from 11am – 2pm. Vendor event is 10am – 3pm. Food will be available also.
The 4th Merchant’s In The Park event will take place Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10am – 3pm. This time bring your children between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and have them dressed up in a costume to receive a treat from each of the vendor tables and participating Merchants in Dundalk Village Shopping Center.
**OVER 60 VENDORS WILL BE PARTICIPATING!**
Most importantly don’t forget to bring donations for Soup For The Soul & purchase raffle tickets from them to win items from all of our AWESOME VENDORS/CRAFTERS.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone must wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Friday, Oct. 23
Boo Drive Thru at Honeygo Park
Baltimore County Department of Rec, and Parks will hold a Boo Drive Thru on Friday Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Honeygo Regional Park in Perry Hall. This event celebrates Halloween with a drive-though style. Local organizations will pass out prepackages bags to families in vehicles.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Fort Howard Trunk or Treat
The Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons will hold a park wide trunk or treat on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. Fort Howard park 9500 North Point Road. Social distancing measures will be in place. Participates must wear a mask / face covering while in the park where social distancing is not possible and during the event. It is free event.
Friday, Oct. 30 Eastpoint Mall Trunk or Treat
Eastpoint Mall will hold Trunk or Treat from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the overflow parking lot off of North Point Blvd (between JCPenney and Burlington)
This is in partnership with Eastern Regional Lions, Dundalk Optimist Club, Holabird Middle PTSA & Dangerously Delicious Pies
All patrons and participants will be required to wear face masks at all times throughout the event.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Dundalk Post 38 Trunk or Treat
Post 38 is having a ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 3 – 6 p.m. for all the little ghosts and ghouls in our community. This will be a great and safe way for our kids to enjoy Halloween, come in costume, load up on great candy, play games, sit on a prop Electric Chair and other surprises.
We invite parents, our neighbors and local businesses to come with trunks full of candy (commercial wrapped only please) to distribute. You can decorate your vehicle and come in costume (we will have a contest for best decorated car!)
The event will be held in the Parking Lot and Outdoor Patio of Post 38 at 3300 Dundalk Ave.
Call 443-421-5001 or 410-288-2297 for more info.
Cars with candy should arrive by 2:30 pm to setup. Of course we will be observing all COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development has named its 2020 school counselors and school counseling advocate of the year.
The association has presented the following honors:
Chapel Hill Elementary School’s Silvana Alsamadi – Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Sparrows Point Middle School’s Robin Taylor-Chadwick – Middle School Counselor of the Year
Perry Hall High School’s Stephanie Campbell – High School Counselor of the Year
Silvana AlsamadiAlsamadi, school counselor at Chapel Hill Elementary School, provides individual counseling, special issues group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, and mediation of peer issues. She collaborates with teachers, staff, and parents, participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and completes classroom observations. She contributes to her professional community by publishing articles – on topics such as screening tests for emotional problems and the need for gay-straight alliances in rural high schools – and facilitating presentations on topics related to welcoming Muslim students and parents.
In nominating Alsamadi, Chapel Hill Elementary Principal Nancy Hill wrote: “I find Mrs. Alsamadi’s most important and valuable quality the way she forms trusting relationships with students and parents, teachers and staff, and the administration. She leads with her heart, and her kindness, empathy, and true love of students shine through with every word she speaks and every action she takes to help our students (and staff).“
Robin Taylor-ChadwickTaylor-Chadwick, school counseling department chair at Sparrows Point Middle School, is a leader on the school’s equity team, provided fundamental support in developing the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), led the implementation of restorative circles, and created an advisory program, specialized small groups, and successful mentoring programs. She guides students through the high school magnet school application process, organizes the school’s annual career day, and facilitates a program that helps families in need during the holidays.
“This school year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s leadership brought our teachers and staff together by keeping our students at the center of our decisions and leading with the heart first….,” wrote Sparrows Point Middle Principal Jennifer Gounaris. “During these unprecedented times, she supported school, community, and family partnerships by integrating academics, social emotional learning, family support, health, and safety throughout the school closure. This has included facilitating difficult conversations about making assumptions as to why a student may not be logging on for classes or submitting work and how that can lead to unhealthy judgments about a student and his or her family. As a woman of color in a majority white school, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s passion and conviction demonstrate true courage. Her authenticity, coupled with the relationships she has built, create conditions in which this message can be heard, and true change can occur. As a result, our most marginalized students feel that they belong, have adults who care about them, and have diverse opportunities in our building.“
Stephanie CampbellCampbell, a school counselor at Loch Raven and Perry Hall high schools, was nominated by Kelly A. O’Brien Guerra, a parent of 2019 and 2020 Loch Raven High graduates and a Baltimore City Schools educator. Guerra describes Campbell as “without a doubt … the best counselor that I have ever met or worked with.”
In her nomination, Guerra wrote, “On March 15, 2020, due to COVID-19, the world stopped, and with it so did many students’ aspirations for the future. As the parent of a 2020 graduate from Loch Raven High school, … I can attest that Ms. Campbell went above and beyond her duty as a counselor by constantly reaching out to her students, not only regarding their college applications, but also to check on their mental and emotional health…. This year has been an extremely emotional year for the students and parents in the Class of 2020. However, thanks to Ms. Campbell, countless students now feel much more secure in such an insecure time.”
Guerra credits Campbell for offering extraordinary support in helping both her daughter and stepdaughter with their college choices and acceptances and for working diligently to educate underclassmen and their parents. Guerra wrote: “She understood as a mother does: that children’s’ futures are at stake.”
Nieves, the 2020 School Counseling Advocate of the Year, is the executive director of the BCPS Department of Social-Emotional Support.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) reopened the US 1 (Belair Road) driveway to the parking lot for the Gunpowder Falls State Park – Central Area in Baltimore County on Tuesday morning, Oct. 6. The closure was part of the $3.6 million US 1 bridge rehabilitation project that is expected to be complete later this fall.
The park’s parking lots, adjoining trails and pathways over the Gunpowder Falls and the pedestrian tunnel had been closed since October 2019.
During the closure, MDOT SHA and its contractor, Marine Technologies, Inc. of Baltimore, rehabilitated the corrugated metal pipe arches of the of the US 1 bridge over the Gunpowder Falls and the metal pipe arch pedestrian tunnel underneath US 1.
The bridge rehabilitation project also includes enhancements to the park, such as stabilization of the connector pathway from the parking lot to the trail tunnel, and stabilization of part of the trails. Learn more about the project HERE.
MDOT SHA advises park visitors that parking on the shoulder of US 1 is prohibited in the vicinity of this park entrance. No Parking signs are posted along this segment of US 1.
MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.
