Zachary Lang Honored as Eagle Scout


– Councilman David Marks with Zachary Lang and his parent’s Tami Lang and Neal Houk-

Perry Hall resident Zachary Lang was honored on Saturday, Aug. 7 Troop 247’s newest Eagle Scout at the Perry Hall Worship Center.

Lang’s Eagle Scout project involved the soundproofing of the band room at Eastern Technical High School, which was his high school.

He joins his older brother Bradley Lang, who was also honored as an Eagle Scout a few years ago. Bradley was also the Masters of Ceremonies at the event.

Congressman Andy Harris, Councilman David Marks and Delegates Carl Jackson Harry Bhandari & Ric Metzgar came to the event to honor Lang.

“This afternoon, I had the pleasure of honoring Zachary Lang as Troop 247’s newest Eagle Scout,” Mark said. “Congratulations to Zachary and his parents, Neal Houk and Tami Lang, for all their hard work!”

County to Offer COVID Vaccinations at High Schools


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced a series of mass vaccination clinics aimed at getting more students vaccinated before the start of school on August 30. The clinics will be held at County high schools in communities that have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and that have vaccination rates lower than the County average.

“As students and educators prepare to return to school later this month, their health and safety is our top priority — and increasing vaccination rates among students 12 and older is the best way to keep them safe,” Olszewski said. “The vaccines are safe and they save lives. They are plentiful and widely available. Not getting vaccinated puts you, your family, and your community at risk. I urge every unvaccinated resident to become vaccinated as soon as possible.”

“It is time to get REVVed up for back to school,” said Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch. “Being Ready, Energized, Vigilant and Vaxxed will go a long way toward a successful school year for our students, families and staff.”

As part of the student vaccination initiative, mass clinics will be held at County high schools over the coming weeks and at Wellness Centers located inside of school buildings once school is in session. The Baltimore County Department of Health partners with Baltimore County Public Schools to support 17 School Wellness Centers located in elementary, middle and high schools across the County.

The first two High School clinics are scheduled at the following locations:

· New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd, Monday, August 9; 4 to 7pm

· Dundalk High School, 1901 Delvale Ave, Tuesday, August 10; 4 to 7pm

Vaccinations at these clinics will not be limited to students; any individual aged 12 or older can receive a vaccine. Individuals who wish to receive a vaccine but are not able to attend any of these clinics can find other available clinics at www.BaltimoreCountyMD.gov/vaccines.
Baltimore County has been a leader in efficiently and effectively delivering vaccines to residents, and more than 70 percent of County residents aged 12 and older have received at least one dose. However, many communities across the County continue to have lower vaccination rates. Vaccination rates are also lower for younger residents, with only approximately 47 percent of residents between the ages of 12 and 18 having received at least one dose.

With the Delta variant spreading rapidly nationwide and in Baltimore County, Covid-19 case rates are again on the rise after falling significantly for months. Increasing vaccination rates is critical for slowing the spread of the virus and bringing the pandemic to an end.

Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River to Host Raven Event


The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River, will have a FREE Purple Saturday Open House featuring a special appearance by Baltimore Ravens Super Fan CAPTAIN DEE-FENSE!! He will meet fans and take pictures on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

There will also be museum tours, kids’ activities and more!

Plus, wear purple and get a free raffle ticket for our gift basket raffle. The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River, gift shop will be open and there is still have a limited number of Middle River-opoly games available.

For more information, go to The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River Facebook page

Delcher was Named Parkville Officer of the Month


Sergeant Delcher was named Parkville Precinct 8 Officer of the Month in June. According to the precinct, Delcher went above and beyond in his efforts to serve the community.

There was an example of one incident where he worked together with other officer on the ground and the Aviation unit to gather information and search for a missing person.

When Aviation spotted an undetermined shadow in the deep end of a pool, Sgt. Delcher did not hesitate to jump in and locate the missing person in the water. He pulled that person out of the poo and performed CPR with the help of other officers until EMS arrived on the scene.

Baltimore County Council to Remain Virtual


The Baltimore County Council announced that it will continue with virtual sessions and meetings.

The Council had been considering a return to in-person sessions and meetings, including Work Sessions and Legislative Sessions, with the Legislative Session scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.

Since the Council held its Budget Adoption Session in-person in the
Council Chamber on May 27th, COVID vaccines were becoming more available,
cases/hospitalizations/deaths were trending down in a positive direction, the local State of Emergency had ended in July, and the State had lifted all restrictions.

It appeared that a return to in-person on Sept. 7 might be a realistic goal.

But now, as we are in the month of August and concluding the Council’s summer schedule, although many people are vaccinated, there is still a sizeable segment of the population
that is not vaccinated.

There are also significant concerns over the potential spread of the very
contagious Delta variant and cases/hospitalizations/deaths now appear to be trending in the wrong direction.

As a consequence, the Baltimore County Council will continue to conduct its meetings and sessions virtually via video teleconference.

“We want to be smart and deliberate about how we respond to the Delta variant and this recent uptick in COVID numbers,” said Council
Chairman Julian E. Jones, Jr.

“Although we would like to resume in-person meetings and ‘get back to normal,’ we don’t want to put anyone’s health and safety at risk unnecessarily.”

Anyone wishing to connect to the Council’s virtual meetings can do so by visiting the County Council Virtual Sessions and Hearings page on the Council Website
at
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/countycouncil/virtualmeetings.html.

You can also reach the County Council at 410-887-3196.

12-Year-Old Grazed by Bullet in Middle River


Baltimore County police officers responded to the 1500 block of Aldeney, in Middle River, after a 12-year-old reported he was grazed by a bullet.

Youth transported area hospital with a potential graze wound to upper arm – injury does not appear to be life threatening.

No other information has been provided.

Eagle Scout Looking to Honor Amy Caprio


An Eagle Scout is starting a project to honor fallen police officer Amy Caprio, who died on May 21, 2018 in the line of duty. Owen Mrok wants to build a memorial garden at the Parkville Police Precinct 8 and has started a GoFundMe page for the project. Below is his story.

Hi I am Owen Mrok. I am an Eagle Scout candidate for Boy Scout Troop 124

I have been in involved in scouting, since I was a 7-year-old Tiger Scout. During my elementary school years, I completed the tasks necessary to earn my Arrow of Light with Cub Scout Pack 984, prior to bridging over to Boy Scout Troop 124.

As a Boy Scout I have completed all the necessary badges to be qualified to earn my Eagle rank. The Eagle rank is the highest achievement of the Boy Scouts.

My final step to complete is my Eagle Project.

An Eagle project, is an opportunity for a scout to plan, develop and give leadership to others. These are all things that I have learned through my years of Scouting. And now it is my time to demonstrate my mastery of these skills.

I am creating a memorial garden at the Parkville Police Department in Memory of Fallen Officer Amy Caprio. Officer Caprio died on May 21, 2018 in the line of duty. Her death had a huge impact on my community not just for myself but for many others as well. Her co-workers still struggle with her loss, as does her family.

Amy’s mother Debbie Sorrells goes to the precinct on a regular basis just to feel closer to her daughter and to maintain the relationship she and her family had with the other officers. The station currently has a county planted garden that is in desperate need of attention. Ms. Debbie has tried on her own to add flowers and things to make it a bit nicer for the officers to enjoy when coming to and from work.

My plan is to create a garden in Amy’s memory. A place where her mother, other officers as well as the community will have a place to remember her always. It will include plants and a few shrubs that are native to Maryland. As well as many other easily maintained flowers. And a marble bench similar to the one at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, for the Fallen Heroes.

To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/memorial-garden-for-officer-amy-caprio?utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&fbclid=IwAR36bzq_V4Cln_if-mZr1XiPVjIWQVLcNY-JfxUKcaX7Vf1Xn1Nf20C9n8o

White Marsh Precinct 9 Officer Named Rookie of the Year


Baltimore County Police announced that Officer Stephen B. Dutton, Jr. of White Marsh Precinct 9 has been named Rookie of the Year Award.

Ofc. Dutton Jr. was selected to receive the Baltimore County Police Foundation’s 2020 “Michael P. Caruthers” Rookie of the Year Award.

In a video, Dutton said he started his training by breaking his hand a few weeks into the academy. He later had to retake the training.

According to to Dutton, his new career was an officer came into perspective when he made a traffic stop on Route 40 near the Baltimore City line that recovered stolen handguns in an intense situation.

Dutton added that he is proud to patrol the area of White Marsh, which is where he grew up.

For more, go to the full interview.

Police Confirmed Loud Boom came from APG


Baltimore County Police reported receiving many phone calls about a large boom in Eastern Baltimore County on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.

There have been post on social media post from Perry Hall to Dundalk of people that heard and felt the sounds.

Baltimore County police said Aberdeen Proving Ground was conducting tests.

“Did you hear that? We’ve received some calls & emails asking about “a big boom sound” that many people reported hearing in Eastern Baltimore County. #BCoPD has confirmed the noise originated from APG (Aberdeen Proving Ground),” said a statement from Baltimore County police.

There shared an image (above) from APG.

BCPS Gives Update on Universal Masking


Baltimore County Public Schools staff provided a presentation on universal masking in schools and on Virtual Learning Program registration at a special meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County on Tuesday, Aug. 3.

Dr. Monique Wheatley-Phillip, BCPS chief accountability and performance management officer, offered a presentation regarding the school system’s rationale for requiring universal indoor masking for the fall of the 2021-2022 school year for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors in all BCPS schools.

“We are looking forward to having our students back in our classrooms this fall,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams, “but we must acknowledge that the pandemic is not over. We must take the steps that we can to protect the health of our students, staff, and community.”

BCPS staff explained that the universal masking decision is aligned with July 27 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that everyone in K-12 schools wear a mask while indoors regardless of vaccination status. The CDC noted that while “increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains the most effective means to achieve control of the pandemic, additional layered prevention strategies will be needed in the short-term to minimize preventable morbidity and mortality.”

According to BCPS staff, the following factors were considered in instituting universal indoor masking in BCPS schools:
• Emerging evidence suggests that fully vaccinated persons who become infected with the Delta variant are at risk for transmitting it to others.
• From July 1 to July 30, the Baltimore County case rate increased from 4.7 (in the CDC’s low transmission range) to 39.2 (in the CDC’s moderate transmission range). Medical experts have advised BCPS that Baltimore County will likely experience a continued rise in the rate of transmission in August and will likely reach the CDC’s substantial transmission range before mid-month.
• Children under the age of 12 are still not eligible for vaccination.

BCPS staff noted that universal mask wearing is just one of the layered prevention strategies the school system is employing, such as encouraging vaccinations, physical distancing, and handwashing. Staff also shared that universal mask wearing in schools has the support of local leaders including Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch.

The universal masking requirement will end as soon as transmission rates and guidance from health experts support that decision.

The meeting concluded with a response to several public inquiries related to registration for the BCPS Virtual Learning Program. BCPS staff said that BCPS families had the opportunity to register for the program during the last two weeks of May. Then, in response to student needs, the registration window was re-opened from June 4 through July 2. This second deadline, staff explained, was necessary to implement and enforce for planning and staffing purposes. BCPS is no longer accepting enrollments at this time.