Patapsco Alum and Movie Star Dies at 74

He was known in Hollywood as Ernie Lively


The Facebook group Patapsco Unauthorized Unabashed Yearly Reunion, which reports on alumni news for Patapsco High School in Dundalk, informed the group that Class of 1966 alum and movie star Ernie Brown passed away on Thursday, June 3 at the age of 74.

After high school and before Hollywood, Brown was a marine that served in the Vietnam War.

The entertainment site Hollywood Reporter said that Brown changed his name to Ernie Lively when he went to Hollywood.

According to the site, Lively was in many roles such as Passenger 57, Turner and Hooch, the Dukes of Hazzard and many other films and TV shows

Multiple sites reported that Lively died in Los Angeles of cardiac complications with members of his family by his side.

Overlea/Sollers HS Grad Named Young Woman of the Year


Michelle Sobambo, a 2021 graduate of Overlea High School, has been named Baltimore County’s Young Woman of the Year. She will be honored by Baltimore County government and its Commission for Women during the 39th Annual Woman of the Year Awards Ceremony, which will be a virtual event, held on Wednesday, June 16, at 6 p.m.

“Michelle Sobambo is a hardworking and dedicated student committed to her educational future,” said Dr. Monica Sample, principal of Overlea High. “Michelle is a natural leader and role model to others. Michelle selflessly and willingly serves her community and is always looking to contribute to the global society in a positive way.”

“Through her outstanding academic performance, student leadership, and community service, Michelle Sobambo brings honor to her family, her schools, and all of Baltimore County Public Schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Her example challenges all students to pursue their areas of interest and find ways to contribute and lead.”

At Overlea High, Sobambo was a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honors Society, African Students Association, World Language Club, Girls Who Code, varsity soccer team, varsity softball team, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and the Allied Bowling Team. In addition, she attended Sollers Point Technical High School as a member of the selective Academy of Health Professionals program, with a specialty in anatomy and physiology. At Sollers, she earned nursing assistant certification and was a member of the National Technical Honors Society. She expects to become certified as a pharmacy technician by August.

As president of the Overlea High Student Government Association, Sobambo coordinated the schoolwide One Love outreach campaign (to educate students about relationship abuse), the Angel Tree program (for helping the less fortunate during the holiday season), a project to assist animals living in animal shelters, and the Let’s Read book donation and guest reader program. Under her leadership, Overlea’s Student Government Association won the highest BCPS honor awarded for overall student council effectiveness, the Superintendent’s Cup.

Beyond Overlea High, Sobambo was a member of the Baltimore County Student Councils’ Board of Selected Students and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; has attended county and statewide leadership training; teaches Sunday school at House of Praise Baltimore; and volunteers at the Rosedale branch of Baltimore County Public Library.

Casanova Wins East Balt Co Scholarship


Congratulations to recent Patapsco High Center for the Arts graduate Joaquin Casanova who was named our East Balt Co News scholarship winner for the 2020-21 school year.

Casanova was selected by the school and was awarded the scholarship by EastBaltCo.com.

EastBaltco awards a scholarship to a student that has ambitions for a career in media. Casanova is the fourth winner for the Benstorming/East Balt Co News scholarship since 2017.

Casanova will be headed to the University of Cincinnati to study media production starting next year. He was also involved with the theatre department at the school and said his time at Patapsco was a valuable experience.

“Patapsco has prepared me for the future through the skills I learned in the theatre department but more importantly it has given me the confidence to succeed in new situations and interact with new people,” Casanova said.

According to Casanova, he was only at the school for two years, but said he was welcomed to the school with opening arms.

I’d say that my memories of Patapsco are of late nights working on theatre shows and studying with others before exams,” Casanova added. “Beyond that what really stuck with me was how quickly the students accepted me even though I only arrived in junior year.”

CCBC Essex Loses in National Title Game

Knights fall in Overtime


CCBC Essex Men’s Soccer dream season came to an end on Thursday as the Knights fell in overtime in the NJCAA Division II National Title Game 3-2.

After a scoreless first half, the Knights started off with a 2-1 lead over Southeastern with goals from Takeroh Murakawa and Andy Portillo.

Knight Goalkeeper Brendan LeMaster and CCBC Essex appeared to be on the verge of their first national title in 47 years but Southeastern tied the game in the 87th minute.

According to the CCBC Essex Athletics Twitter page, the game went into overtime as Southeastern scored the game winning goal in the 94th minute for the national title.

This was CCBC Essex’s first national title game appearance since 1989.

Olszewski to Host Community Input Meeting for Essex


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced plans to develop a multi-departmental place-based recovery initiative in the Essex community, an area which has been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The County will host a Virtual Community Input Meeting on Tuesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. so that County leaders can hear directly from residents about their concerns, priorities, and ideas for improvements.

“When our communities are in need, we have an obligation to come together to provide coordinated planning and the dedicated resources necessary to help empower residents, address disparities, and improve the overall quality of life,” Olszewski said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many long-standing challenges we face, and that has been especially true in Essex, which is why we are embarking upon this innovative, data-driven effort to provide transformative change.”

Last week, Olszewski held the administration’s second Essex community walk this year, which convened County government department heads as well as representatives of the Baltimore County Public Libraries, Community College of Baltimore County, and Baltimore County Public Schools to walk impacted neighborhoods and speak directly to residents in the area.

During the walk, Olszewski and County leaders spoke to residents about a wide variety of concerns, including public safety, code enforcement, access to recreational spaces, as well as other social and economic disparities.

Recognizing the need for a coordinated response to address these issues, Olszewski plans to develop a comprehensive place-based initiative, which will leverage cross-departmental collaboration and dedicate concentrated resources to support the Essex community’s recovery while combatting these challenges.

The upcoming Community Input Meeting will help guide the County’s planning process and inform the specific programs, initiatives and investments that will be included in the Essex Recovery Initiative.

Essex Recovery Initiative Virtual Community Input Meeting
Tuesday, 6/15; 6 p.m.
Via Webex
Call in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 730 701 249
Community members can also share feedback or concerns by email to JohnnyO@BaltimoreCountyMD.gov.

This effort will be monitored by the County’s BCSTAT team, which will use data to identify key metrics and track outcomes over the coming months.

Based on the progress of this effort, the place-based pilot model could be replicated in other communities in Baltimore County.

Flash Flood Watch Issued for Area Today


The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch is in effect for mainly northern and central portions of the area this afternoon and this evening, Thursday, June 10.
The flooding could occur almost anywhere today, and the risk will continue into Friday.

Pinland Bowling to Hold WAVFC Fundraiser in Final Days


A fundraiser will be held this Saturday, June 12 at Pinland Bowling Lanes in Dundalk. The fundraiser will be held for the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company from 7 to 10 p.m.”

“This station is run on volunteers and a love of helping their community!   So please come show them your appreciation. $15 a person for 3 hours of bowling and shoe rental is included,” said a statement on Pinland’s Facebook page.

“There will be a 50/50, raffle baskets, and baked goods for sale during the event.  No groupons will be honored during this event.”

The Wise Avenue VFC promoted the event on its Facebook page, but it also revealed that Pinland was on the verge of closing.

“Please Come Say “GOODBYE” To a Dundalk Landmark and Business!! Yes. Pinland Bowling Alley is closing it’s doors. Help Support the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company and Give Pinland a Great “Thanks For The Memories” send off!,” said a statement from WAVFC.

“Thank You Pinland Bowling Alley for your CONTINUED COMMUNITY SUPPORT for so many decades.”

Pinland is located at 10 N Dundalk Avenue and has been in operation for over 60 years. The bowling alley has held toy drives for the holidays, a food drive for Thanksgiving and held other charitably events for the community.

Pinland has still been hosting fundraisers as the bowling alley had an event to raise funds for Watersedge baseball/softball on June 2.

When EastBaltCo News asked about the future of Pinland, their social media coordinator said that the Pinland will be put on “pause”.

“At the conclusion of the firehall’s fundraiser Pinland and the Duckpond’s operations will be put on pause until the owner has his business plan set up to move forward.”

Man Shot in the Middleborough area of Essex


A 32-year-old man was hospitalized just before 9 p.m. on June 7, after being shot on Lanflair and Dargun roads near in the Middleborough area of Essex.

Responding officers found the man outside, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. He was transported to an area hospital and is currently listed in critical but stable condition.

VCU detectives are asking anyone who may have information about the incident or the individuals who committed the crime to call 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.

Double Shooting Reported in Middle River on Akin Circle


Detectives continue to investigate a double shooting that occurred Friday, June 4 just before 5 a.m. When detectives responded to the unit block of Akin Circle in Middle River, they found two men who were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to an area hospital.

While this case remains under investigation, detectives believe this was a targeted attack.

Anyone who may have seen or heard something in the area on Friday morning is asked to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.