Joppa Road Bridge Delayed Until November


Baltimore County gave an update to Councilman David Marks about the Joppa Road Bridge in Perry Hall and it appears the bridge reopening is pushed back to November.

The bridge has been closed since January and there was hope that it would open in October. The bridge is located between Snyder Lane and Honeygo Boulevard.

Marks shared the letter with his constituents from Kevin J. Sabolcik from
Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation.

Councilman Marks,

The precast concrete slabs (spanning elements) have been fabricated and are awaiting shipping. The critical path for the project now is obtaining the bearing pad, reinforced neoprene pads that the spanning slabs rest on at the abutment supports. These pads are custom designed for each bridge and are not off-the-shelve items. Due to supply issues related to natural rubber supply we have been informed the pads will not be available until late October.

Typically the turn-around time for these items is only a few weeks. Once the pads are received it will take our forces roughly three weeks to complete the work (set the precast concrete slabs, place the cast-in-place concrete traffic barriers, pave the roadway and install necessary approach traffic barrier treatments). As such it will be mid to late November before the bridge is re-opened to traffic.

Unfortunately, until the bearing pads are available there aren’t many activities that can be performed at the bridge. As we undertook the design and construction of this project on parallel production tracks there have been long durations where there is no activity at the bridge.

The overall time duration would have been roughly the same had we undertaken this project in a more conventional manner of completing the design 100 percent and then started construction.

Please be aware this project is one of our highest priorities. Once completed we anticipate this structure will have a service life of at least 50 years with minimal maintenance needs.

Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

Kevin J. Sabolcik, P.E., Chief
Structural Design Section
Bureau of Engineering & Construction

Marks said he knows residents of the Perry Hall area are upset with the bridge closure, but he said the delays are beyond Baltimore County’s control.

“The Joppa Road bridge delays are not due to incompetent county staff or any of the other claims I have heard. The delays are due to national shortages of materials – the same issues affecting every industry right now,” Marks wrote in a statement.

“I don’t have a pile of bridge parts in the backyard of my townhouse right now. If I had the power to fix this bridge today, I would do it. I know you are frustrated and angry – I am, too. My senior citizen parents are a half-mile from here, so it affects me as well. We will continue to do everything to push this along.”

 

 

Police Investigating Parkville Shooting


Baltimore County Police continues to investigate a shooting in the 7700 block of Harford Road in Parkville.

The shooting was reported Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5:28 p.m.

Medics took one person to a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound.

Baltimore County Police released new information on Wednesday that the shooting occurred outside a Baltimore County business on Harford Road

This remains an open and active investigation as interviews are ongoing.

Five Dundalk Schools Receive GREEN Grants


Five Dundalk schools were given grants as part of Team BCPS Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge.

There were 17 schools awarded grants across the county, but Charlesmont Elementary School in Dundalk led the way with a $3,000 grant.

Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts finished first in the BCPS high school division; General John Stricker Middle School placed first in the middle school division; Grange Elementary took the top spot in the elementary and Battle Monument School won the special school category.

All schools won $2,000 each in grants.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, visited Charlesmont Elementary School, Battle Monument School, and nearby General John Stricker Middle School.

After pausing a year for COVID, the Team BCPS Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge blossomed anew Tuesday, led by a bouquet of Baltimore County civic and educational leaders who brought thanks – and rewards – to students, schools, and community volunteers whose anti-litter efforts helped to beautify Baltimore County.

The annual competition, which this year awarded $22,000 in environmental literacy grants and technology prizes, challenges schools, students, and community partners to engage in quick, 15-minute local litter clean-up events.

“Clean Green 15 is a wonderful opportunity for Baltimore County students and their schools not only to help beautify their grounds and neighborhoods but also to learn the lessons of keeping the environment healthy,” said Dr. Williams. “Congratulations to our 17 winning schools for doing such a great job in keeping BCPS clean and green and also to all of those who participated in this important project both this year and last.”

Added County Executive Olszewski, “Over the past two years, Clean Green 15 volunteers removed tons of litter from our communities, and 17 of our Baltimore County schools earned thousands of dollars to pay for school-based environmental projects that will have a lasting impact on students for years to come.”

At each school stop on Tuesday, Debbie Phelps, executive director of The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, led the applause for school staff, students, and supporters who completed the clean-ups.

Through this program – now in its ninth year – BCPS schools and their community supporters compete for doing the most clean-ups. The program is open to any groups, including school-based groups, places of worship, youth groups, civic or community groups, scout troops, sport teams, businesses or other organizations, that wish to help clean up their community. Groups are asked to report their clean-ups online and designate a school to receive credit toward the grant competition.

Team BCPS Clean Green 15 is a collaboration of the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, BCPS, and The Education Foundation of BCPS.

The Education Foundation awards grants to 11 top winning schools to fund school-based instructional projects that emphasize the theme of environmental literacy. Another six schools earned Honorable Mention awards and received funds to purchase STEM supplies and equipment. The list of winning schools is attached.

The celebration also marked the kickoff for the 2021-2022 Team BCPS Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge for this school year, with schools and groups eligible to log clean-up events taking place from May 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022, for consideration in next year’s awards.

Here is a full list of the BCPS schools that received grants from the program and the school named honorable mention:

Award Prize School
Grand Prize $3,000 grant Charlesmont Elementary School
High Schools
1st Prize		 $2,000 grant Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
High Schools
2nd Prize		 $1,500 grant Dulaney High School
High Schools
3rd Prize		 $1,000 grant Franklin High School
Middle Schools
1st Prize		 $2,000 grant General John Stricker Middle School
Middle Schools
2nd Prize		 $1,500 grant Ridgely Middle School
Middle Schools
3rd Prize		 $1,000 grant Sparrows Point Middle School
Elementary Schools
1st Prize		 $2,000 grant Grange Elementary School
Elementary Schools
2nd Prize		 $1,500 grant Glyndon Elementary School
Elementary Schools
3rd Prize		 $1,000 grant Chesapeake Terrace Elementary School
Special School Prize $2,000 grant Battle Monument School
Honorable Mention $500 STEM prize Sparks Elementary School
Honorable Mention $500 STEM  prize George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Honorable Mention $500 STEM  prize Lansdowne Middle School
Honorable Mention $500 STEM  prize Rosedale Center Middle/High School
Honorable Mention $500 STEM  prize Deer Park Middle School
Honorable Mention $500 STEM  prize Sparrows Point Technical High School

 

HAZMAT Spill Reported at Back River Treatment


There has been a report of a HAZMAT spill at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant in the 8200 block of Eastern Boulevard on Monday, Sept. 27 after 6 p.m.

According to reports, there was chemical sodium bisulfate leak and an overwhelming odor at the site.

There are also reports that crews can’t get the value to shut off.

There are no other details at this time.

New Northeast Elementary School Needs Staff Members


The new northeast area elementary school in Rosedale, scheduled to open in August 2022, is holding in-person and virtual information sessions for individuals interested in working at the school.

The new school will be located at 7649 Gum Spring Road in Rosedale. Please note that during face-to-face sessions, attendees will be required to wear face masks and maintain physical distancing.

For additional information, contact Principal Kevin Jennings, Jr., at kjennings@bcps.org or at 443-809-8519.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m.
Golden Ring Middle School
6700 Kenwood Ave., 21237

Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m.
Milford Mill Academy
3800 Washington Ave., 21244

Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m.
Loch Raven High School
1212 Cowpens Ave., 21286

Perry Hall High Band Allowed to Travel


The band will play after all.

The Perry Hall Band Boosters announced on Friday that the Perry Hall Marching Gators could not to travel to out-of-state for band competitions.

The Perry High High School Marching Band was not allowed to participate as a result of COVID-19 restrictions implemented by BCPS.

BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn was upset with that decision said she was going to contact BCPS officials about reserving their decision. She also encouraged parents to email the BCPS Board of Education on Saturday.

On Monday, The Perry Hall Band Boosters released a statement that BCPS reserved its decision and the band will be allowed to attend out-of-state competitions.

“Thank you to everyone that emailed the BCPS Board of [Education]. Our trip to compete this weekend has been approved!!!,” said a statement from Perry Hall Band Boosters.

Henn, along with County Councilman David Marks, met with band members on Saturday and she believes the community phone calls and email made the difference in reserving this decision.

“Thank you to everyone for standing up and speaking out for our student musicians – both at Perry Hall and throughout BCPS,” Henn wrote on Monday.

BCPS Denying Marching Band Right to Travel


The Perry Hall Marching Gators (Perry Hall High Marching Band) were told that the program will not be allowed to participate in fall travel competitions as a result of COVID-19 restrictions implemented by BCPS.

BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn doesn’t support those restrictions and is asking for BCPS to reconsider their decision to allow the band to travel.

She released the following statement:

“This evening I reached out to BCPS central office leadership and asked that the decision to deny Perry Hall’s Marching Band permission to participate in fall travel competitions be reversed.

“The decision does not align with current guidance which permits weekend activities which adhere to mitigation requirements.

“For instance, travel sports ARE permitted. Also, several other nearby school districts are participating in the same outdoor band competitions.

“Outdoor marching band competitions pose no greater health or safety risks than outdoor sports, involve no contact, and are as important to participants as sports are to student athletes.

“They are demanding both physically and mentally and marching band members commit as much, if not more, time to their performance as athletes do to their sports. They have worked hard and deserve these culminating events.”

The Perry Hall Band Boosters page released a statement thanking Henn for her support and explained the disappointment of the students in the band.

“Our Marching Gators have worked very hard on their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Show this year and were looking forward to sharing it with others. To perform for other marching bands is something they have not had the opportunity to do for two years,” said the statement.

“Our Marching Gators have huge hearts and we hate to see them broken.”

$1 Million Ticket Sold in Perry Hall


A Perry Hall scratch-off player is a Maryland Lottery millionaire thanks to a $20 instant ticket bought at a Perry Hall convenience store.

The anonymous 66-year-old has claimed the top prize on a 100X.

The Cash scratch-off, which first went on sale in November 2020.

The $1 million prize he claimed Sept. 21 was the second to last of six top prizes on the game.

The lucky ticket was picked up at Dash In located at 9005 Belair Road.

Now the Baltimore County man is $1 million richer! For its role in selling a $1 million top-prize winning scratch-off, the retailer earns a bonus of $1,000 from the Lottery.

The 100X The Cash game offers 20 chances to win and still has lots of unclaimed prizes.

In addition to a single remaining $1 million prize, there are three more $50,000 prizes, four $10,000 prizes and 14 at the $5,000 level.

The scratch-off is a member of a family of multiplier games, many of which are still available in stores.