Police Need Help in Gwynn Oak Shooting


Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit of the Baltimore County Police Department are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a shooting that occurred around 6:10 a.m. Saturday in the 6900 block of Brightway Place in Gwynn Oak.

A 20-year-old male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound was located by officers on scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he is currently in stable condition.

Man Dies in Rossville Motorcycle Crash


Baltimore County Police reported a fatal motorcycle crash in Rossville on Friday.

A 2010 Harley Davidson Road King was traveling westbound on Rossville Boulevard when it collided with a 2007 Cadillac DTS turning eastbound onto Rossville Boulevard from Belridge Road on Friday, March 18 around 1:30 p.m.

The driver of the Harley Davidson, 42-year-old Preston Wyatt Coddington, was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

This incident remains under investigation by the Baltimore County Police Crash Team.

Perry Hall High Student Elected to School Board


Middle and high school students from across Baltimore County have selected Perry Hall High School junior Roah Hassan to serve as the student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County (SMOB) for the 2022-2023 school year. Hassan’s one-year term begins July 1, 2022.

A record number of 13,169 students cast online ballots on Thursday, March 17. The number of votes cast this year is 61.55 percent more than in 2020 when the previous record of 8,152 votes were cast. Hassan received 54.98 percent of the votes compared to 45.02 percent for the other candidate, Masah Farh, a junior at Towson High School. This is the third year that all BCPS middle and high school students could select the student member of the board and the second year, due to a change in Maryland law, that the student selection no longer needs approval from the governor.

Prior to voting, students were able to learn more about both candidates by viewing their resumes, video Q&A sessions, videotaped speeches, and campaigning via social media. The candidates also hosted virtual visits with schools that requested them.

In her speech, Hassan said, “Being the SMOB means never losing faith in the power of the students. It is to have hope, unfaltering empathy, and compassion as we make necessary decisions. Until our systems reflect every single student in BCPS, there will always be work to be done, work that I am prepared to fight for. As your student member of the board, I will work to close the opportunity gap and guarantee equitable funding across the county. I will work to redistribute 21st century resources within BCPS. I will work to rewrite a curriculum that evolves with us and addresses social inequities from the root. I will ensure that student mental health is at the forefront of our conversations and that students of color and LGBTQ+ students feel safe in their schools. We deserve educational justice and a fight that ensures your voice is equally as powerful as mine on the BCPS Board of Education.”

Hassan is president of the Perry Hall Class of 2023 Senate. At her school, she is also vice president of Girls Up, events coordinator of the Muslim Student Association, historian of the Rotary Interact Club, and secretary of Mock Trial. Hassan tutors and mentors Perry Hall AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) sophomores. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Social Studies Honor Society. At the county level, she is the co-legislative affairs coordinator for Baltimore County Student Councils. At the state level, she is vice chair of the Maryland High School Democrats’ Women’s Caucus, co-founder/co-executive director of Mic Up, Maryland!, and legislative coordinator of the Maryland Center for School Safety Student Focus Group.

Hassan will replace Christian Thomas, a senior at Eastern Technical High School, who will graduate in June.

Dundalk Man Charged in Mother’s Death


Baltimore County police officers from the Dundalk Precinct responded to the 7300 block of Kirtley Road in Dundalk in reference to a call for an unknown trouble on Thursday, March 17, at approximately 4 a.m.

Once on scene, officers encountered an individual who was walking in the roadway. This individual was stopped and identified as Raymond G. Swartz (23). Officers were then directed to the residence of Mr. Swartz, where they located Stacy Franz (54). Ms. Franz had sustained multiple puncture wounds, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Mr. Swartz was arrested and charged in connection with this homicide.

He is currently being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

GoFundMe Page Setup for Perry Hall Fire


– photo courtesy of GoFundMe-

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the victims of the Perry Hall fire on Monday.

The house is located in the 9000 block of Transom Road near the intersection of Ballygar Road off Ebenezer Road. and the family lost most of its belongings in the fire on March 14 before 3 p.m.

According to the page, the family has lived at the home for 27 years.

To donate, go to the page.

Bevins Won’t Seek Reelection on County Council


Sixth District Baltimore County Councilmember Cathy Bevins announced that she won’t seek reelection this year. Bevins has served on the council since 2010.

“After 11 years in the Baltimore County Council, it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that I have decided not to seek another term,” Bevins said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to represent the Sixth District and I will cherish every memory and every friendship that I have made along the way.”

With the new projected county council maps as a result of redistricting for 2022, Republican Tony Campbell and Democrats Mike Ertel and Caitlin Klimm-Kellner filed for the council seat before Bevins announced she was retiring.

House Fire Reported on Transom Road in Perry Hall


– photo courtesy of Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company-

A house fire has been reported in Perry Hall. The fire took place on in the 9000 block of Transom Road near the intersection of Ballygar Road off Ebenezer Road.

The fire was called in before 3 p.m. on Monday, March 14. The Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company reported the structure is a two-story house and all four sides caught on fire. No further details at this time.

Black smoke can be seen in the Perry Hall region. Motorists are advised to use caution around the Ebenezer Road.

Dundalk Woman Wins $200,000 from Lottery


Article & photo courtesy of Maryland Lottery

Have you ever woken up and just knew you would win the Maryland Lottery?

Well, that’s what happened to our winner, “Trini Girl.” Just a year after the dream, the Dundalk resident purchased a $10 FAST PLAY ticket and became $201,693 richer!

“I told my fiancé that I would win the Lottery,” said the winner, who selected the nickname “Trini Girl” because she was born in Trinidad and Tobago.

She immigrated to the United States at age 11. “He didn’t believe me at the time, but I’m here now!”

“Trini Girl” found her winning FAST PLAY Lucky Numbers ticket while visiting 7-Eleven #25756 in Baltimore.

The 26-year-old purchased multiple FAST PLAY tickets and then walked around the store to get food before scanning her tickets. Very quickly, the Baltimore County resident became upset at the message she saw on the screen about the jackpot for the Lucky Numbers game.

“I saw that the progressive jackpot dropped from over $200,000 to just $100,000 and I immediately felt a sinking in my stomach as I scanned my tickets,” said “Trini Girl.”

“And then, I realized the reason the progressive prize fell – I won!”

The winner said she would use the money to pay down debt, save for future purchases and take her two daughters to Disney World.

The $10 Lucky Numbers game joined the Lottery’s lineup of FAST PLAY games in February 2020. The game still has 21 unclaimed progressive jackpot prizes and 30 unclaimed $50,000 prizes. Progressive jackpots start at $100,000 and grow with each Lucky Numbers ticket purchased until a player buys a progressive jackpot-winning ticket.

Her retailer, 7-Eleven #25756 located at 7501 Dunmanway in Dundalk, will also benefit from selling one of 40 progressive jackpot prizes.

The Baltimore County store will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling a winning FAST PLAY ticket of $100,000 or more.

Overlea and Parkville Fall in Boys Final 4


-photo courtesy of BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams-

Overlea and Parkville’s Boys Basketball teams seasons came to an end in their respective State Semifinal games on Wednesday night.

Overlea fell to 52-41 to Westlake in the 2A MPSSAA State Semifinals at Montgomery Blair High School. The Falcons made it back to the state semifinals for the first time in 30 years.

Dr. Darryl L. Williams, BCPS Superintendent, attended Overlea’s game on Wednesday and said he was proud of the team’s effort.

“I returned to Blair HS and watched Overlea Boys Basketball team play a great game,” Williams posted on Twitter.
“Thank you to the Overlea community, students, staff, and alumni for supporting our athletic program, our coaches and our student athletes. Proud of you.”

Parkville’s perfect season came to an end with a 59 to 57 loss to Roosevelt in the 2A MPSSAA State Semifinals at North Point High School in Waldorf.

The Knights made it to the State Semifinals in 2020 but never got the chance to finish the season as the final two games were canceled after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The team released a statement after the game.

“The journey for the Boys Varsity Knights basketball team ended tonight with a loss of 57-59. Boys I’m sure you are disappointed but all your fellow Knights are so proud of you. You had an epic season coming off the craziness of the last 2 years. Hold your heads high because you are Knights and we are strong. Congratulations on all you accomplished this season.”