Flood Watches & Wind Advisories/Warnings Scheduled for Friday


While major coastal/tidal flooding will be the main story with this system, US National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington reports flood watches & wind advisories/warnings have also been issued in other portions of the area.

The NWS said this has the potential to be the greatest tidal flood since in the area Isabel in 2003. High tides are expected to be the highest levels between Friday mid-day and Saturday morning.

This could result in impassable roads and sidewalks.

Heavy rains and heavy waves could result in flooding

County Announces 22-Acre Preservation in Perry Hall


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the purchase of a 22.3-acre parcel of land at the northeast corner of Gerst Road and New Gerst Lane in the eastern Perry Hall area, through Maryland’s Program Open Space (POS).

The site was purchased for $3.07 million and is the latest effort under the Olszewski administration to expand park and recreation opportunities throughout Baltimore County.

“Preserving open space in Baltimore County is a vital way to support a high quality of life for residents of all ages,” Olszewski said. “Our administration’s latest acquisition ensures we are creating another vibrant space for the Perry Hall community to enjoy for years to come.”

“Acquisitions such as these not only preserve precious parkland, but provide opportunities for everyone to play where they live and work right now,” said Recreation and Parks Director Roslyn Johnson. “COVID has reinforced how important the outdoors is for both physical and mental health, and we are happy that this site will provide even more green space for Baltimore County.”

“Acquiring this property means this 22-acre site in eastern Perry Hall will be permanently preserved for open space,” Councilman David Marks said. “The County Executive became personally involved in negotiations last year, a role that helped finalize this sale, and I thank the Olszewski Administration for their support.”

This latest acquisition will add significant acreage to the County’s existing network of parks within the densely populated Honeygo Growth Area.

ABOUT PROGRAM OPEN SPACE
Established under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space provides financial and technical assistance to local jurisdictions for the planning, acquisition and development of recreation land or open space areas.

Since 1970, the County has utilized nearly $135 million in POS funding to assist in the acquisition of more than 6,800 acres of parkland, and for the construction, enhancement and renovations of recreational facilities at parks and public school recreation centers. The parkland acquisition program has allowed for the preservation of thousands of acres of woodlands, stream valleys and other sensitive lands.

With the support of POS funding, Baltimore County has secured or expanded a wide range of public parks and recreation sites including Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center, Cromwell Valley Park, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, seven regional parks and athletic facilities, and dozens of neighborhood and community parks.

Police Monitoring Sex Offenders on Halloween


Baltimore County Police will be keeping an eye on sex offenders who are not allowed to have contact with children this Halloween.

Only about 10 percent of registered sex offender in Baltimore County have what is called a “no contact order” as part of their probation. This, in effect, prohibits them from handing out candy to children on Halloween. Registered sex offenders that are not under such an order are not prohibited from giving candy out to children.

Officers in marked vehicles and undercover officers in unmarked vehicles will be monitoring the homes of registered sex offenders who have been identified by the Division of Parole and Probation as having no-contact restrictions with children, in conjunction with Parole and Probation agents.

Anyone who suspects that someone who has a no contact order is offering candy to children is asked to contact the Sex Offender Registration Team at 410-853-3660. Any other suspicious activity can be reported to 911 or Baltimore County’s non-emergency line at 410-887-2222.

Coastal Flood Warnings Issued for Region


The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington reported that several Coastal Flood Warnings have been issued along the Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Potomac River.

Water levels are already on the rise and will only rise more throughout the day today and into Friday.

Tidal inundation levels of 2-4 feet are expected in low-lying coastal areas.

AVENUE to Alter Holiday Tree Lighting


The Avenue at White Marsh announced it will still hold its 24th Annual Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 19 but announced the event will not hold a large community gathering.

“Due to the tremendous number of people this event typically draws and the limited viewing space available, it does not yet seem appropriate to host an event and encourage a gathering of this magnitude,” said a statement from The Avenue at White Marsh.

“Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate all festivities with exception to the countdown and tree lighting on Friday, November 19th.”

THE AVENUE explained the tree will be lit but the event will not be as festive as the shopping center’s street will not close and Santa will not attend.

The AVENUE Tree Lighting was held virtually and the Holiday Parade was canceled in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.

“Customers patronizing THE AVENUE will enjoy the moment and the community will be invited to view the lighting via Facebook,” said The AVENUE.

A decision has not been made for the 2021 Holiday Parade as the AVENUE said they with consult will Baltimore County before making an announcement about the status of the parade.

$100,000 Winning Lottery Tickets Sold in Rosedale & Middle River


There were five $100,000 Scratch-off Prizes throughout the state, including two in eastern Baltimore County last week.

In all, 26 players across the state won or claimed prizes of $10,000 or more, and the Lottery paid more than $27.5 million in prizes in the seven days ending Oct. 24.

Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Claims Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to cash tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.

Here is the weekly roundup of big winners from eastern Baltimore County:

Scratch-off Prizes Claimed from Oct. 18-24:

$100,000 Prizes

$100,000 Lucky, Royal Farms #042, 1302 Windlass Drive, Middle River
Ca$h Bonus, Rosedale Shell, 7514 Pulaski Highway, Rosedale

Event Being Held to Handle Stress and Grief During Holidays


Volunteers from Gilchrest and the library’s social worker will discuss the difficulties of grief at an event in November.

Grief can be rough terrain to navigate, even during normal times. When holidays roll around, you may find yourself on shaky ground — especially if you are unable to gather with loved ones due to the pandemic.

Learn tangible things you can do to get through these special days and even seek comfort and meaning.

The Baltimore County Public Library will hold an event Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rosedale Branch of BCPL, 6105 Kenwood Ave. Registration is required for this event. Please go to the BCPL website to register.

County to Change Solid Waste Regulations


The Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation announced several changes to the Bureau of Solid Waste Management’s regulations, including:

Beginning April 1, 2022, the County will require all separate yard material collection to be placed in paper bags and will no longer accept plastic bags for yard waste. This new rule will allow the County to turn more of the yard waste collected into compost, and will allow for a higher quality of compost material, which is available for free to County residents to use in their landscaping or gardens. This update fulfils a recommendation of the County’s Solid Waste Work Group.

To assist with this transition, the County will provide residents with paper yard material bags at no cost. Paper bags will be available for pick-up at all County trash and recycling drop-off centers, all Baltimore County Public Library branches, all County senior centers. Paper bags will be limited to five per person and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The County will accept larger weight and capacity limits for trash and recycling containers (up to 45 pounds and 45 gallon cans) as well as the ability to use containers compatible with mechanical cart tippers.

The County will introduce a new “sliding” schedule for collection holidays. Starting January 1, 2022, scheduled collection days which falls on or after a holiday will generally “slide” to one day later that week. This “slide” will apply to all types of collections (trash, recycling and yard material), meaning that residents will no longer have to hold recyclables for an extra week after a holiday.

The County will introduce a bulk collection program starting in early 2022. More details will be released in the coming months.

The County will update language to better reflect current programing at the County’s three drop-off centers, including accepted recyclables and the location of the household hazardous waste collection area at the Central Acceptance Facility.

Further details about these changes will be available in December, when the County mails new 2022 program guides to residents.

Specific collection calendars will also be included in this mailing, which will clearly outline the new holiday “slide” collection days.

For more information about Bureau of Solid Waste Management regulations, visit baltimorecountymd.gov/solidwaste.

Wise Avenue VFC Train Garden to Return


The Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company (WAVFC) announced that its annual train garden will return again this year after being shutdown in 2020.

The train garden will run from Saturday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Jan. 2 from 6 to 9 on the weekdays and noon to 9 p.m. on the weekend. The train garden will be closed on Christmas Day.

“We are thrilled to announce our annual Christmas Garden will be returning this year. See flyer (below) for info,” said a statement from WAVFC.

“We will be posting more once it gets closer. Thank you for the continued support”

For a full listing of holiday events go to eastbaltco.com

Flash Flood Watch Issued Until 2 a.m.


The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington has issued a Flash Flood Watch until Tuesday. Oct. 26 at 2 a.m.

Storms will move into the area from the south and west. 1-2 inches of rain is expected, with up to 4 inches possible.

Do NOT drive across flooded roads tonight. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.