Driver of Sedan Service Shot During Attempted Robbery in Overlea


Police are investigating an early morning shooting on Saturday, Dec. 8 in Overlea that is believed to be an attempted robbery.

Baltimore County Police were first called to the 6000 block of Marquette Road for a crash after a vehicle struck a tree around 4:30 a.m. Police responding to the scene found evidence of a crash but no vehicle. A short time later Baltimore City Police were called to a residence for a man in a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower body. He was transported to an area hospital where he is being treated for a non-life-threatening injury.

Police were able to piece together information and determined that the victim, an adult man, was the driver of a sedan service who picked up a fare in Baltimore City and transported two men, the suspects, to the 6000 block of Marquette Road around 4:30 a.m. Once there, the suspects produced a handgun and attempted to rob the victim.

A struggle ensued and the victim was shot once in a lower extremity. The two suspects fled the scene on foot while the victim got back into his vehicle and attempted to drive away but struck a tree first, then drove to a home in Baltimore City where a known resident called 911.

Anyone who may have information about this crime or these suspects is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020. The BCoPD Violent Crimes Unit is continuing to investigate this incident.

Police Made Arrest in Nov. 27th Essex Shooting


Baltimore County Police have arrested a man who they said is responsible for the Nov. 27 shooting on Back River Neck Road near Torhat Court in Essex The investigation led to the identification of Troy Peay, 18, of the 6800-block of Averill Road of Rosedale. Mr. Peay has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and armed robbery. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on denied bail status.

Baltimore County Police responded to the area of Back River Neck Road near Torhat Court in Essex for a shooting on Nov. 27 around 9:45 p.m. Officers arrived at the location and found a 34-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. with felony offenses.

Chesapeake High Student Named 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists


Chesapeake High student Heather Howard received a prestigious honor given to 1,896 students nationally out of 95,000 applicants.
Heather Howard of Chesapeake High School was one of two Baltimore County Public School students and among the 1,896 students just named 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalists. Mofeed Najib of Towson High School was also named a semifinalists.

Howard is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Math Honor Society at Chesapeake High in Essex. For the past two years, she has been a peer mentor and peer tutor for other students. She has been a member of the girls varsity volleyball team for four years and cheerleading team for one year. Outside of school, Howard maintains two part-time retail jobs and has done extensive volunteer work at Baltimore Animal Rescue Center, Pets on Wheels, Days End Farm Horse Rescue and Maryland Food Bank.

Chesapeake High school counselor Jillian Ganley describes Howard as “pretty amazing.”

Howard and the other semifinalists were selected – based on their leadership, academics and service – from among the more than 95,000 students who applied from across the nation. Forty Maryland students were named semifinalists. In January, 250 of the semifinalists will be named regional finalists, and 150 of those will ultimately receive $20,000 per year college scholarships.

Major Delays Expected on I-895 for Next Three Years


The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) warned motorists to avoid I-895 and the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel due to major construction and traffic impacts beginning now. Two-way traffic will operate on I-895 for two years started on Nov. 27. Motorists should use I-695/Key Bridge and I-95/Fort McHenry Tunnel as alternate routes. The work is part of the MDTA’s $189 million I-895 Bridge Project, announced on Dec. 21, 2017, to replace the 60-year-old bridge north of the Harbor Tunnel.

“To avoid sitting in traffic, motorists should plan on using I-695 or I-95 as alternate routes,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary and MDTA Chairman Pete K. Rahn.

Northbound I-895 is closed completely for one year from the north side of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel to the Boston/O’Donnell Street exit ramp (Exit 11). Two-way traffic – one lane in each direction – will operate on southbound I-895.

The I-895/Holabird Avenue exit ramp (Exit 10) will close completely during this time.
Additionally, the northbound bore of the Harbor Tunnel will close 24/7 for 60 days in spring 2019 with two-way traffic operating in the southbound bore. Northbound I-895 and the Holabird Avenue exit ramp will reopen to traffic in spring 2020.

“This I-895 Bridge is the MDTA’s only remaining structurally deficient bridge,” said MDTA Executive Director Kevin C. Reigrut. “We ask our customers to be patient as we deliver this long-overdue project and remind motorists to drive safely through work zones.”

In spring 2020, southbound I-895 will close completely with two-way traffic operating on northbound I-895.
Additionally, the southbound bore of the Harbor Tunnel will close 24/7 for 60 days in spring 2020 with two-way traffic operating in the northbound bore. Southbound I-895 will reopen to traffic in spring 2021.

The MDTA’s $189 million I-895 Bridge Project will replace the I-895 bridge located north of the Harbor Tunnel. Work includes replacing the Holabird Avenue exit ramp and rehabilitating the Harbor Tunnel, including repairs to the tunnel portal, approach ramps and walls, deck and tiles. Tutor Perini Corporation is performing the work. The project began in April 2018 and is expected to be completed in summer 2021. As part of the event, the MDTA announced that major impacts from two other projects in Baltimore will end before major impacts begin on I-895.

A $49.4 million project to provide four continuous northbound and southbound lanes on I-95 between the Fort McHenry Tunnel and Moravia Road began in March 2017 and was completed in October 2018. A $20 million project to rehabilitate the structural, mechanical, and electrical components of the Curtis Creek Drawbridge on I-695 began in December 2017 and is expected to be completed in time for the bridge to reopen to traffic on Nov. 20.

The I-95 project converted entrance and exit lanes into a continuous fourth lane northbound and southbound. Eliminating these bottlenecks will help manage congestion during the I-895 project and beyond. Work on the Curtis Creek Drawbridge will ensure reliable travel for commuters taking the I-695/Key Bridge alternate route. The completion of these two projects was key to preparing for the major impacts from the I-895 Bridge Project.
Due to the major traffic impacts and different stages of the I-895 Bridge Project, extensive public outreach will occur, including a project website at 895bmore.com. The MDTA will update motorists on changing traffic patterns via traffic advisories and social media. The MDTA will deploy an Active Traffic Management System for this project to alert drivers of ongoing traffic conditions.

Motorists should avoid I-895 and use I-695 and I-95 as alternative routes. Motorists also should pay attention to electronic and static signs for up-to-date travel information. To sign up for email/text alerts or view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov. For real-time updates on major incidents follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA.

White Marsh GM Plant, Don Pablo’s & Red’s Market to Close


It was a rough day for local businesses in eastern Baltimore County as the General Motors (GM) plant in White Marsh, Don Pablo’s in the Avenue and Red’s Market in Kingsville all announced they are closing their doors.

In a press release from GM, it announced that the White Marsh plant and a plant in Michigan will be “unallocated in 2019”. The White Marsh powertrain plant on Philadelphia Road opened in 2000 and GM reported it has over 300 employees.

Many local officials were upset with the news and released statements on the GM closure.
“Baltimore County stands with the workers and their families who are part of a decades-long GM manufacturing legacy in Baltimore, from advanced hybrid motors in White Marsh to vehicle production at Broening Highway. Our workers are second to none,” said interim-Baltimore County Executive Don Mohler.
“The county’s workforce development team is available immediately to assist with job and career counseling services for the 300 GM workers whose jobs will be affected next year. The Eastpoint Career Center will help match GM workers with other employers looking for their skills in advanced manufacturing and connect them to training and job search workshops.”

Congressman C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger was also not happy with GM’s decision.
“This plant has always been a source of pride for the Second District, Baltimore County and me, personally. It’s a modern manufacturing facility with a workforce to match and we are not ready to close this door yet. In the meantime, we stand ready to assist affected workers any way we can,” Ruppersberger said.

The owners of Red’s Market on Belair Road in Kingsville also announced their closure due to a leasing dispute.
“With the saddest of hearts we have an announcement: REDS MUST CLOSE it’s DOORS.
Where Mr. Kurrle loved the store and considered us partners, the children that inherited the store, not so much,” said a social media statement from the Red’s Market Facebook page.
“On November 16th the new landlords sent us an email via their lawyer stating, ‘we will not negotiate a new lease’. To say this was a shock, is an understatement. We are only given six weeks [Dec. 31] to exit and close the business we love and worked so hard to create.”

Councilman David Marks, who represents the Kingsville area, hopes that Red’s will find a new home before the end of the year
“It’s always a shame to lose a small-town business, one valued by so many customers. I talked to Mike Tull with Red’s Market and offered my assistance – as I would provide to any business. I am optimistic that they will find a location,” said Marks.

In addition, multiple outlets on social media have posted a note on the doors at the Don Pablo’s in the Avenue that reported the closure of the Tex-Mex restaurant.

Medical Emergency Suspected in Fatal Crash in Chase


Baltimore County Police investigated a fatal crash in Chase on Friday, Nov. 24 following calls to 9-1-1 for an erratic driver.

Police are investigating the possibility that the driver, 73-year-old Janet Anne Walper of the 1100 block of Chester Road, may have been suffering from a medical emergency prior to the crash. Officers from the Essex Precinct were dispatched to a call for an erratic driver in a silver Subaru Forester around 3:23 p.m. on Eastern Avenue before the vehicle struck two mailboxes and then a BGE pole west of Oliver Beach Road, causing the Subaru to roll over and eject the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt.

Police and medics responded to the crash but the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team are continuing their investigation into the cause of this fatal crash.

Police Seek Information in Essex Shooting


Baltimore County Police are investigating a shooting in Essex after the victim is driven to an area hospital by a friend.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim, a 24-year-old man, was in a parking lot in the 1100 block of Punjab Drive in Essex on Nov. 21 around 5:49 p.m. when he was approached by a group of men and ultimately shot at least once in the upper body. While the suspects immediately fled the scene, a friend drove the victim to the hospital. He is expected to survive his injuries.

The motive for this shooting remains under investigation. Given the shooting occurred in the early evening, police believe there may be witnesses with valuable information who have not yet spoken with investigators.

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary in the area of Punjab Drive around the time of the shooting, or who may have information regarding the shooting, is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020. The Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit is continuing to investigate this crime.

Eastern Tech Teacher Awarded TEEAM Honor


Angela Waldrop is an engineering teacher at Eastern Technical High School. -Photo Courtesy of BCPS –

The Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland (TEEAM) has selected Angela Waldrop, an engineering teacher at Eastern Technical High School, as the High School TEEAM Teacher Excellence Award winner for Maryland.

To receive this award, a teacher must have an extensive background in technology and engineering education and must pursue meaningful ongoing professional development opportunities. Creative and innovative use of resources and meeting the needs of a diverse student population are also crucial factors considered.

Waldrop, who has taught for Baltimore County Public Schools for 13 years, said, “The main goals of technology and engineering education are to prepare students to recognize and use various sources of technology, including cutting-edge tools and devices … to prepare them to be competitive, global citizens.”

Waldrop emphasizes that her global approach to teaching technology and engineering education is focused on the ‘Design Thinking’ process, in which students are taught to investigate and innovate based on the needs of a particular person or group of people. She added, “This branch of education should prepare students to have a positive attitude when problems arise so they may seek out tools and systems to solve such problems.”

Waldrop, who, in addition to teaching at Eastern Tech is also the coordinator of the school’s MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) Club, will be recognized at the TEEAM Teacher Excellence Awards dinner in February 2019 at The Engineers Club in Baltimore. She also will be considered for a state/national award at the ITEEA 2019 Conference to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Perry Hall Girls Soccer Wins 4A State Title


Perry Hall High School Girls Soccer has finally won a state title. The Gators defeated Walt Whitman High School out of Montgomery County 4 to 2 in the 4A title game at Loyola University on Friday night. This is Perry Hall’s first state title after the Gators were 0-5 in their previous state title game history.

The Gators advanced to the state title game after a dominating 10 to 0 win over Eleanor Roosevelt in the state semi-finals.

The team finished their season with an 18-3 record, which included an 1 to 0 overtime victory against five-time 1A state champion Sparrows Point in the Baltimore County title game in October.

Perry Hall High is becoming the home of state titles. In 2015, the Gator boy’s soccer team defeated Meade 1 to 0 in the 4A title game and the boys basketball team is the two-time defending 4A state champions with wins in the 2017 & 2018 seasons.

Man, 33, Critically Injured in Parkville Apartment Fire


A 33-year-old man remains in critical but stable condition at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center with injuries sustained Tuesday, Nov. 13  in a one-alarm Parkville apartment fire.

BCoPD fire investigators have ruled the fire accidental; it began when a lamp fell and ignited combustible materials.

Fire crews from Engine 11 (Hillendale), Truck 1 (Towson) and other central county stations responded at 8:40 p.m. to the 7700 block of Hillendale Rd., 21234, for an apartment fire and arrived to find smoke showing in the hallway.

Truck 1’s crew located the victim, who was unconscious. Firefighters did not find other victims in a search of the building.

EMS personnel provided care at the scene and transported the victim via Medic 11 to Shock Trauma.

Firefighters knocked the fire in about 15 minutes