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.

BCPS Summer Lunch Program Starts June 28


Baltimore County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch meals through the Summer Food Service Program from Monday, June 28, through Friday, August 20. The final day for hybrid in-school and curbside meal distribution for the 2020-2021 school year will be Tuesday, June 22.

During the Summer Food Service Program, meals will be provided at the following sites and times in eastern Baltimore County:
Battle Grove Elementary, 7828 Saint Patricia Lane, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Berkshire Elementary, 7431 Poplar Avenue, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Carney Elementary, 3131 East Joppa Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Colgate Elementary, 7735 Gough Street, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Cove Village Apartments, 2 Driftwood Court, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Deep Creek Middle, 1000 S. Marlyn Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Deer Park Middle, 9830 Winands Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Dulaney High, 255 East Padonia Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Dundalk Elementary, 2717 Playfield Street, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Dundalk High, 1901 Delvale Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Elmwood Elementary, 531 Dale Avenue, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Fontana Village Apartments, 1 Orion Court, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Golden Ring Middle, 6700 Kenwood Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Grange Elementary, 2000 Church Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Hawthorne Elementary, 125 Kingston Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Hereford High, 17301 York Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Hopkins Point Apts (formerly Whispering Woods Apts), 37 Alberge Lane, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Logan Elementary, 7601 Dunmanway, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Mars Estates Elementary, 1500 Homberg Avenue, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Martin Blvd Elementary, 210 Riverton Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Middle River Middle, 800 Middle River Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Parkville High, 2600 Putty Hill Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Perry Hall Middle, 4300 Ebenezer Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Pine Grove Middle, 9200 Old Harford Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Sandy Plains Elementary, 8330 Kavanagh Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Seneca Elementary, 545 Carrollwood Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center, 323 Sollers Point Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Sparrows Point Middle, 7400 North Point Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Stemmers Run Middle, 201 Stemmers Run Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Sussex Elementary, 515 South Woodward Drive, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
West Inverness Rec Center, 8301 Lynch Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

GreenDrop to Open Site at White Marsh Mall


Councilwoman Cathy Bevins announced the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new GreenDrop site at White Marsh Mall on Friday, June 18 at 10 a.m.

The GreenDrop bin will be located in the mall parking lot behind the Burger King.

“This was a collaborative effort between a vital nonprofit in GreenDrop, a wonderful private business in White Marsh Mall, and local government, and I could not be more thrilled to see this come to fruition after working on this for the better part of a year, ” Bevins said.

According to Bevins, donations to GreenDrop benefit charities like the American Red Cross, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Federation of the Blind. Clothing and household items are accepted at GreenDrop sites, as long as they are in decent condition, and then resold, with funds from resale go to the aforementioned charities.

There have been complaints in communities over Baltimore County that donation boxes have been the source of dumping.

Bevins added that GreenDrop has staffers onsite for their donations.

“Not only is this a fantastic partnership, it will also go a long way toward keeping our communities clean by reducing dumping. These are manned bins, so there should not be any issue with piles of goods accumulating near the bins, and the workers manning the bins will be able to tell you if your potential donation is something they can accept,” Bevins said.

“I would like to thank GreenDrop and White Marsh Mall for seeing the potential in this collaboration and working so diligently with me to get this project off the ground. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the Baltimore County Council for supporting this effort, especially Councilman David Marks for expanding the program countywide.”

Marks thanked Bevins on her hard work to bring the GreenDrop site to the White Marsh Mall area.

“This type of business is far preferable to the unmanned boxes that accumulate piles of donations. With GreenDrop, each site is manned with workers. Hopefully, this type of operation will significantly cut down on dumping,” Mark said.

Dundalk Heritage Fair To Return in 2021


The Dundalk Heritage Fair is returning in 2021. After being forced into a virtual event in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, the fair will return Friday, July 2; Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4 at its Heritage Park site in Old Dundalk.

The main concert acts include the Mahoney Brothers on Friday, July 2 at 8 p.m.; Crack the Sky on Saturday, July 3 at 8 p.m.; Beginnings on Sunday, July 4 at 8 p.m. There will be many other performers including Dean Crawford & The Dunn Rivers Band, Chesapeake Sons, Gene Vincentt and many many more.

The fair will include food, beer garden, rides, games and arts and crafts. Tickets are $10 per person and children under 12 are free.

It was announced that all three Independence Day Events will return as the Dundalk Independence Day Parade will return, Saturday, July 3 at 8 a.m. and the Dundalk Fireworks will be held Monday, July 5 after 9 p.m. at the North Point Government Center; along with the Fair. The parade and fireworks were moved off their traditional July 4th dates to not conflict with Sunday morning and evening church services.

For more information, go to the Dundalk Heritage Fair website