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Firefighters union alleges ‘toxic environment’ in Baltimore County Fire Department, holds votes of no confidence
September 1, 2023 -

When she became Baltimore County Fire Chief in July 2019, Joanne Rund said her priority would be enhancing safety protections for firefighters and upgrading aging fire stations. She was applauded for bringing new perspective as Baltimore County Fire Department’s first permanently appointed female leader. But four years later, firefighters say a “toxic environment” created by department leaders has led to poor morale, a shortage of staff and inconsistency in how discipline is meted out.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Squeezing more beds into dorm rooms, converting lounges, Maryland universities adapt to meet housing demand
August 31, 2023 -

Just weeks before move-in, Towson University freshman Katie Kochanek learned Aug. 4 that her dorm, originally set for two students, would be squeezing in one more. The double-turned-triple room is one of several in an adaptation plan for this year to fit 7% more students in college housing, according to Towson University spokesperson Jamie Abell.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
BPD defends cleanup of Brooklyn Homes crime scene. Experts think it was flawed.
August 31, 2023 -

The Baltimore Police Department claimed “every effort was made to collect any items of evidentiary value” in the 100-page postmortem on the Brooklyn Homes mass shooting. But forensic crime scene experts have said otherwise. Earlier this summer, The Baltimore Banner spoke with several experts who denounced BPD throwing out copious amounts of trash from the crime scene, claiming it resulted in the destruction of DNA evidence that could have been pivotal to a case where police have made little progress identifying and arresting suspects.

Read More: The Baltimore Banner
With home visits, mentorship and sneakers, Baltimore City schools program aims to bring students back to class
August 31, 2023 -

When Da’Quane Gilliam started thinking about dropping out of high school in 2019, Roger Shaw of the Baltimore City Public School System started showing up at his house to try to change his mind. The two first met when Shaw saw Gilliam walking across the street from Patterson High after school. Shaw had heard from teachers that he should keep an eye on the teenage ninth grader. Talking on the street that day, Gilliam told Shaw that school wasn’t for him. Shaw replied that he wasn’t going to give up.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Police begin disciplining staff following internal probe of Brooklyn shooting
August 31, 2023 -

Hours after the release of a much-anticipated, scathing probe into this summer’s mass shooting at Brooklyn Homes, Mayor Brandon Scott, public safety and housing officials admitted a series of failings across agencies that left the city unprepared for the gunfire that scattered a block party at the beginning of July.

 

Read More: The Baltimore Banner
‘Civil rights issues of the day’: New head of Baltimore Corps comes home to lead fight for economic justice
August 31, 2023 -

Caryn York is returning home to lead Baltimore Corps, a social justice and innovation hub, as its next president and CEO. Co-founded by now-Gov. Wes Moore and Fagan Harris, the organization is nearing its 10th anniversary of placing adults and youth in full-time jobs. York, a Baltimore native, succeeds Harris, who became chief of staff to Gov. Wes Moore earlier this year.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Front view of a yellow school bus
Howard superintendent says canceled bus routes will be restored next week; 70 out-of-state drivers flown in
August 31, 2023 -

The 54 bus routes canceled this week by contractor Zum Services should be restored by the end of next week, Howard County schools Superintendent Michael Martirano said Wednesday. Meanwhile Zum spokesperson Jenny Mayfield said school bus driver shortages were caused by difficulties the California-based company had with the state certification process.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Maryland Institute College of Art president to retire: ‘He has pivoted MICA toward the future’
August 30, 2023 -

Longtime President Samuel “Sammy” Hoi will retire from his post at the Maryland Institute College of Art come January, the school announced Tuesday. Hoi arrived at MICA in the summer of 2014 and has seen the college through layoffs and the coronavirus pandemic. He has shared that he will help in the transition to new leadership and will endow his own money to the Bolton Hill school for “a future-oriented professional development fund for faculty; a future-oriented professional development fund for staff; and a Baltimore City-focused community project grant for students,” according to a news release.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Brooklyn Day after-action report details ‘officer indifference’ ahead of deadly mass shooting in South Baltimore
August 30, 2023 -

The signs were there. The social media post three days earlier flagged by a police intelligence unit. A U-Haul truck loading in tables and other equipment on the morning of what would be the Brooklyn Day celebration. The growing crowd observed by city surveillance footage that CitiWatch employees viewed before gunfire claimed the lives of two young people and injured 28 other attendees.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Updates Procedures For School Deputies
August 30, 2023 -

Local law enforcement officials are hoping updates to operating procedures will have a positive impact at local schools. Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said changes in standard operating procedures for his deputies will make local schools even safer. Following a recent agreement between the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Worcester County Public Schools, school resource deputies now have updated guidelines on how to respond in certain situations.

 

Read More: MD Coast Dispatch

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