BCPS Votes to Add More Trailers to Perry Hall Middle

The Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Board of Education voted to add more learning cottages to the overcrowded Perry Hall Middle School.

There were many different options on the table for BCPS, including initiating a boundary study to create a balance enrollment across the entire North East Area and annexing which would relocate households in a targeted area from one school to another.

The annex plan called for students from Vincent Farms Elementary to go to Middle River Middle School, and to annex some families from Chapel Hills Elementary down to Stemmers Run Middle School in Essex. The annex plan was controversial and unpopular among many families.

Fifth District Board Member and Vice President Julie Henn stated she was in favor of a comprehensive, community-driven boundary process and she did not agree with her fellow board members decision to add more trailers to Perry Hall Middle.

“[T]he Board voted to stay the course and ‘address’ Perry Hall Middle overcrowding by adding more trailers – a decision of inaction, rather than action, and one which I did not support,” Henn wrote in a statement.

“I also did not support the proposed option of annexing two select communities – without community input and for an indefinite period of time.”

Councilman David Marks said he was also disappointed in the Board’s decision to add more trailers and agreed with Henn for a boundary study.

“Perry Hall Middle School and Perry Hall High School are so large because in the 1990s, parents fought boundary changes back then – and the School Board opted to build the largest schools in Baltimore County,” Marks stated.

“Make no mistake – I opposed a sudden annexation of neighborhoods to other schools. I did support a thoughtful, deliberate review of boundaries.”

Baltimore County announced in 2017 that it was building a new northeast middle school at Nottingham Park and expanding student seating at Pine Grove Middle School to decrease enrollment at Perry Hall Middle for the 2021-22 school year. Baltimore County budget shortfalls and lack of state funding have delayed those projects for at least one year and Henn is hoping BCPS will receive that funding for next year.

“Councilman David Marks and I will be asking for your engagement and your advocacy as we seek full support from our state legislators to provide funding to advance the new northeast middle school that we so desperately need. We will be in touch with details on how you can help.”

Olszewski to Host Public Safety Town Hall With New Police Chief

The County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. and Police Chief Melissa Hyatt will hold three public safety community forums, including a town hall on the eastside of Baltimore County at CCBC Dundalk, Community Theatre
7200 Sollers Point Road in Dundalk from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The goal is to listen to the residents and business owners in the County. County residents are invited to attend any of the forums that will be held in the County.

“These will be more listening sessions than us speaking,” said Johnny Olszewski, Jr. “Chief Hyatt is excited to get out and meet the community and we want to hear from our communities about public safety concerns and collaborations.” 

A West County Policing Town Hall  will be held on Wednesday, June 19
at the Randallstown Community Center, 3505 Resource Drive in Randallstown and a Central County Policing Town Hall will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, Fasig-Tipton Building in the Lutherville-Timonium area. Both forums are also from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

If you have special translation needs for hearing or language, please email countynews@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Shooting on Hydra Lane Near Melken Court Injures Man

One man was injured in Nottingham om Sunday at 8 p.m. in a shooting on Hydra Lane near Melken Court.

Police responded to the 8500 block of Hydra Lane for a call of a shooting. A 28-year-old man suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to an upper extremity after neighbors reported hearing a verbal disturbance outside. The suspect fled prior to police arrival.

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the area around that time or who may have information about this crime or suspect(s) is asked to contact detectives in the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Police Continue Investigation into Weekend Shooting on Tace Drive

Baltimore County homicide detectives have charged a man for his involvement in the April 27th shooting of two victims resulting in the death of Jessica Diotte. The investigation identified Antonio Jay Dorsey, 30, of the 8500-block of Heath Road in Nottingham as being the person responsible for the shooting.

Dorsey has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute. He is being held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on a denied bond status.

Police Investigating Early Morning Homicide in Essex

Baltimore County Police responded to the alley in the rear of the 1000-block of Arncliff Road in Essex for a fight on May 31 at 1:30 a.m. When police arrived, they found a male suffering from at least one stab wound to the upper body. The victim was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced deceased at just after 2:30 a.m.

The victim has been identified as Thomas Eugene Hunt, 51, of the 1000-block of Arncliff Road, 21221. Police are continuing their investigation at this time. If anyone has information about this murder, please call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.

Students honored at 33rd Annual High School Art Exhibit

Baltimore County Public Schools students earned honors at the awards reception for the 33rd Annual High School Art Exhibit, held at the Rosenberg Gallery at Goucher College. The students recognized at the May 31 exhibit reception and below is a list of local students:

Laubheimer Awards

(named after the late James Laubheimer, former BCPS coordinator of art)

Best in Show – Bienn Bagalso, Eastern Technical High     

BCPS Awards

Honorable Mentions –

                                    Kahlea Branch, Parkville High

               Amy McHugh, Perry Hall High

                    Heather Catron, Kenwood High

                   Crystal Weyant, Perry Hall High

                 Azrael, Franz, Schwab & Lipowitz Awards

(The law firm of Azrael, Franz, Schwab & Lipowitz has been a longtime supporter of the visual arts in BCPS, and each year selects student works for exhibition in its Towson office.)

1st Place – Jennifer Casagrande, Parkville High              

              Crystal Weyant, Perry Hall High

              Bienn Bagalso, Eastern Technical High

            Baltimore Watercolor Society Excellence in Water Media Awards

Bienn Bagalso, Eastern Technical High

Kahlea Branch, Parkville High

People’s Choice Award

Bienn Bagalso, Eastern Tech

Superintendent’s Purchase Award

Kiara Raysor, Parkville High

“This show gets more impressive every year,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS coordinator of visual arts. “The skills and ideas that students presented through their artwork are tremendous. Juried exhibitions such as this provide a real-world experience for our students. Professionals in the field adjudicate works on the exhibition criteria. In a juried exhibition, the artwork along with its statement have to stand on their own.”

The exhibit closes on Monday, June 10. Many of the works are available for sale. For more information, contact the Office of Visual Arts at 443-809-4030.

The exhibit was made possible with the support of Azrael, Franz, Schwab, Lipowitz & Solter, LLC, and the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences, Baltimore County Public Schools, the Baltimore Watercolor Society, and Goucher College.

Adult, Juvenile Injured in Shooting on Radecke Avenue

Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting on Radecke Avenue in Overlea on May 29 that injured a man and a juvenile.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit were called to two separate area hospitals for walk-in victims with gunshot wounds after Baltimore City police determined that the injuries were sustained during the incident in Baltimore County. A 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old male both suffered at least one gunshot wound to the upper body during the incident in the 6000 block of Radecke Avenue. Both are expected to survive their wounds.

BCoPD responded to an assault call in the area around 8:45 p.m. but found no victims when they arrived in the area. Detectives were contacted by the Baltimore Police Department about an hour later in reference to the victims, and are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shootings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous. Callers submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers may also be eligible for a reward. Anonymous tips can be sent to Metro Crime Stoppers by phone, online or via mobile app.

Strong Storm Hits Northeast Baltimore County

The Parkville and Perry Hall areas were hit with a strong storm on Wednesday night.

Many trees and powerlines were down, which resulted in road closures. Silver Spring Road was closed down near Perry Hall Blvd. after a tree fell on the entire road. (picture below).

Councilman David Marks reported many homes were without power.

“I communicated with my BGE representative and there were nearly 28,000 customers out of service due to [Wednesday night’s] severe storms, hail, winds, and possible tornado event,” Marks said on his Councilman Facebook page.

-photo courtesy of Maryland State Game and Fish Protective Association


-photo courtesy of White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company-

Saturday Fire Destroys Perry Hall Home

Baltimore County Firefighters called to the 8500 block of Hanf Avenue off Belair Road in Perry Hall to battle a house fire on Saturday, May 25 at 11:30m a.m.

When firefighters arrived there were flames on the 1st & 2nd floors of a single family dwelling. No one was home at the time and multiple social media reports claim that the possible cause of the fire was damaged clothes dryer.

-photos courtesy of Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company-

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Shooting on Kingston Road Injures Woman

Police are investigating a shooting in Essex that injured a woman early this morning.

The woman, 21, had been dropped off to the rear of a home in the 100-block of Kingston Road when she was shot at least once in the upper body, suffering life-threatening injuries.  She was transported to an area hospital for treatment. 

The suspect(s) fled the area prior to police arrival. Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone who may have information concerning this shooting is asked to call police at 410-307-2020.