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Howard County moves forward with Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

By Salim Addrey Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Howard County Government officials on Thursday issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the final design of the North Tunnel in the Ellicott City Safe and Sound flood mitigation plan.

The North Tunnel is the centerpiece of the projects in the plan, officials said.

“The extended North Tunnel is one of the most impactful projects in our Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan – keeping floodwater off the street and preserving the history of our town,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Even as we deal with the challenges of a global pandemic, we continue to make progress to protect Ellicott City from flooding for generations to come.”

Ball recently announced that the county would extend the North Tunnel, eliminating the need for a previously planned flood mitigation project for the West End of Ellicott City. The extended tunnel will keep more stormwater off the street and negate the need for other flood mitigation projects in the West End, preserve historic properties. The project is anticipated to be cost-neutral, he added.

“These projects don’t just move forward on their own,” said State Sen. Katie Fry Hester, D-Carroll and Howard counties. “There has been a ton of behind-the-scenes work to make this next step a reality. The extended North Tunnel is a perfect example of how hard the county is working to balance the critical need for flood mitigation with the desire to preserve as much of the town’s history as possible.”

The extended North Tunnel will start around 8800 Frederick Road and run approximately 5,000 feet to the Patapsco River. The previous design began in Lot F of Ellicott City, officials said.

Officials estimate that the qualifications-based selection process is anticipated to take between 60 to 90 days and responses will be evaluated, rating each firm’s experience, project management ability, approach to the project, understanding of the work effort, and qualifications of personnel to be assigned to the project.

Funding for the design was appropriated in Ball’s Fiscal Year 2021 capital budget.

“This project will have a big impact on the town by redirecting stormwater during severe weather,” said Del. Courtney Watson, D-Howard County. “I am proud of all the progress we have made and continue to make on moving the Safe and Sound plan forward.”

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Baltimore County set to make major investments in education (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

By Salim Addrey Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Wednesday proposed more than $2.05 billion in investments in public schools for fiscal year 2022, including more than $40 million over the required maintenance of effort in Baltimore County’s history.

Olszewski was joined by Superintendent Darryl Williams and Board Chair Makeda Scott as he stood on the steps outside the Baltimore County Historic Towson Court House.

“The pandemic has been especially difficult for our students, families and educators, and ensuring our education system’s recovery requires unprecedented investments,” Olszewski said. “My proposed budget includes historic investments to support our teachers, staff, and administrators as they work in the coming year to address the needs of all of our students.”

The proposed budget should cover nearly all the Board of Education’s requests and restore 122 teaching positions that were proposed to be cut due to declining enrollment in the current school year. The proposed budget fully funds step increases and a mid-year cost of living adjustment (COLA) for BCPS staff, officials said.

“As we look ahead to the next school year, this budget proposal responds to the COVID crisis with staffing and resources to buffer the pandemic’s impacts on our students and schools,” Williams said.

Investments in the proposed budget, funding by both the county general funds and federal stimulus dollars will not just restore positions but reclassify existing ones, officials said. Some existing programs will be expanded within the county school system.

Olszewski said the budget proposal also will increase support for the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students and will fund 35 new positions such as counselors and pupil personnel workers. Millions of dollars will be allocated solely for middle school programs and summer school efforts, he added.

“Recovering from the past year will require a massive investment and unwavering commitment on behalf of the entire community,” Scott added.

Olszewski will officially present his third budget to the Baltimore County Council on Thursday.

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Opioid abuse in Maryland increases during pandemic, health officials say (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

By Salim Addrey Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Unintentional intoxication deaths involving all types of drugs and alcohol increased 16% in Maryland last year when compared with 2019, state health officials said in a newly released study.

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) on Tuesday released their 2020 Annual Report on the opioid crisis in Maryland but also included preliminary data detailing increases in opioid- and other substance-related fatalities amid the coronavirus pandemic. There were 2,773 unintentional intoxication deaths involving all types of drugs and alcohol in Maryland between January and December of 2020 as opposed to the 2,379 reported in 2019.

“This has been a challenging year for us all,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a press release announcing the report, “and Americans suffering from substance use disorder have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Our administration will not waver one iota in its efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Maryland.

“Just as we have made tremendous progress against COVID-19, I am confident that we will work together to reverse the recent trend in opioid-related fatalities,” Hogan added.

Officials said that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed greatly to the opiate use and death increases and noted that, across the country, COVID-19 has disrupted treatment and recovery support systems. The pandemic also has led to economic stress, despair, and uncertainty, especially among vulnerable populations, officials said.

Opioids were involved in 90.1% of all substance use-related intoxication fatalities last year, a higher annual proportion of such deaths than at any other time during the opioid crisis. There was a total of 2,499 opioid-related fatalities last year, an increase of 18.7% from 2019. This increase was largely driven by the growing prevalence of fentanyl, which was involved in 93.1% of all opioid-related deaths, a historic high, officials said. In 2020. 2,326 overdose deaths involved fentanyl, an increase of 20.7%.

There also was an increase in deaths involving prescription opioids for the first time since 2016. There were 445 fatalities reported, a 20.6% increase compared to 369 reported in the prior year. Heroin was the only major substance category that saw a decrease. Heroin-related deaths decreased by 25.2%, a continuation of a trend that began in 2017.

The Opioid Center’s report included specific data on opioid-related overdose deaths categorized by age, race, and ethnicity, and gender. While data show that opioid-related fatalities increased across all demographic groups last year, Black Marylanders have seen a disproportionate share of such fatalities in recent years, officials said.

The report also provided an overview of the Inter-Agency Opioid Coordination Plan, which details goals and strategies to advance Hogan’s policy priorities of prevention and education, enforcement and public safety, and treatment and recovery. The Coordination Plan identified nine goals with accompanying strategies and tactics to combat opioid misuse.

This year, the new Racial Disparities Task Force, chaired by Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford and supervised by the Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council, began its work to promote equitable health outcomes by investigating contributing factors and proposing solutions to eliminate racial disparities related to overdose fatalities in the Black community, officials said.

“Many factors can lead to disparate health outcomes, including stigma, education, poverty, and trauma,” Rutherford said. “Marylanders of any race, age, or gender can find themselves without access to needed treatment as a result.

“Collecting data that shows us some groups are at a significant risk of dying as a result of substance use disorder is a first step. We must respond with action. The Racial Disparities Task Force will help us determine what must be done to address this epidemic and the needs of those communities,” he added.

The state’s efforts to respond to the increased number of fatalities include continued inter-agency coordination, development of initiatives targeting gaps in treatment, and enhanced recovery services for vulnerable communities, officials said.

“At this time last year, we saw a decline in statewide overdose fatalities,” said Steve Schuh, executive director of the OOCC. “It was the first time in over a decade that we could report seeing that modest, but vital, first step.

“Our ability to capture the detailed data outlined in the report helps us to identify where we succeeded in the past, when we can retrace our steps, and how we can improve our responses,” Schuh said.

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Homicide unit searches for murder suspect (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

Baltimore City police were investigating a shooting that left a man suffering with gunshot wounds in the 3700 block of West Belvedere Avenue on Thursday.

Northwest District patrol officers responded to shooting reports at 1:09 p.m. and found the man. The victim was rushed to an area hospital where he later died, police said.

Homicide detectives said anyone with information should contact them at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.

– Salim Addrey

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Fatal shooting in Western District (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

Baltimore City medics arrived at the 1600 block of Ashburton Street and pronounced a victim dead on the scene at 5:19 p.m. Thursday.

A 38-year-old was found in a vehicle with gunshot wounds to the torso. This came after city police were called on for a shot spotter alert.

Homicide detectives were summoned and are now investigating this murder.

Anyone with information about this incident should detectives at (410) 396-2100 and anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7lockup.

— Salim Addrey

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Hogan fills seat in Maryland House of Delegates (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

By Salim Addrey Baltimore Staff Writer

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday that the newest member of the Maryland House of Delegates will be a woman familiar with both state and national politics.

Hogan selected Rachel Jones, a field representative in southern Maryland for Sen. Ben Cardin since 2016, to fill a vacancy in District 27. She previously worked for former U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) for three years and as an associate consultant for the Federal Communications Commission. She also worked as a legislative aide to former Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden (D-Baltimore City). She is a graduate of Morgan State University.

“I am confident that Rachel Jones will be a strong advocate for constituents in Calvert and Prince George’s counties in her new role as delegate,” said Hogan in a statement. “This decision came after the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee recommended her for the vacancy earlier this month.”

The District 27 seat had been held by Democrat Michael A Jackson for five years before he moved to the Maryland Senate after former President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. of Calvert County resigned in January. Miller served about five decades but stepped down when he was diagnosed with cancer.

Outside of Jones’s roles within Maryland’s government, she has been active in her church community and also is the Farming 4 Hunger board of directors’ vice president.

“She’ll be a good [delegate] because she knows Southern Maryland very well,” said Jeanette Flaim, chair of the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee.

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Rylee & JJ

May '22

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Police investigate shooting of 14-year-old girl (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

A 14-year-old Baltimore girl is in stable condition at a local hospital Saturday after a shooting that both the mayor and police commissioner described as “senseless” and “very cowardly.”

Eastern District officers responded to the shooting before 7 p.m. Thursday in the 1700 block of E. North Avenue. The 14-year-old was found with gunshot wounds in her leg outside a beauty salon. She was rushed to a local hospital.

“This happened in broad daylight, right outside a business establishment,” said Police Commissioner Michael Harrison. “It’s very brazen, very cowardly and now a 14-year-old has gunshot wounds to her lower leg.”

Harrison said an investigation determined that an argument erupted inside the salon and continued out front of the business. He added that police have not determined if the shooting was over the girl or whether the girl was involved in the shooting. The dispute involved at least two people, but very little information is known about the possible suspects.

“I do not care what the dispute was over,” said Mayor Brandon Scott, “a 14-year-old girl should not have been shot. The salon was full of people who know what happened. I hope someone comes forward with information.”

Eastern District shooting detectives said anyone with information should call (410) 396-2433. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7lockup, officials said.

— Salim Addrey

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Maddy

May '22

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Southwest District Action Team earns awards for stellar performance (Baltimore Watchdog - April '21)

The Southwest District Action Team of the Baltimore City Police on Wednesday was awarded a Unit Citation for exemplary work to reduce crime.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison addressed the Southwest District midnight shift at roll call and presented each member an award. The team’s efforts have ultimately led to a reduction of violent crime within the Tri-District area and have resulted in federal prosecutions with the help of the ATF of several repeat violent offenders, he said.

Officials explained that the team is tasked with reducing violent crime in the Tri-District area. So far, the team has made 276 felony arrests, discovered 65 handgun violations and seized 72 firearms affecting a total of 616 arrests. In addition, officers have executed 50 search and seizure warrants, city police said.

Harrison presented several officers with Bronze Stars and Commendation awards.

– Salim Addrey

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Aji

May '21

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Unlocking Gurl | The Trailblazing Student, Musician and Advocate (Dillema Magazine - April '19)

Gurl Showcase at RAW., Baltimore, 2019. Photography by Salim Addrey

What started in a dorm room over a year ago for Gurl has now reached performances at independent artist showcases.

Gurleen Ahuja, more commonly known as the musician, Gurl, has been involved with music her whole life but has recently taken steps to be a professional artist while being a full-time student University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Gurl has been involved with music since “the beginning of time,” she says. She was introduced to music at a very young age and found herself immersed in music by way of her Sikh faith. She found herself singing things that she read as a young girl and familiarizing herself with the vaaja — commonly known as the harmonium.

This vaaja was the first of quite a few instruments that she’s mastered over the years and it’s an instrument she hopes to intertwine in her music. Her chill and hypnotic sound embodies the indie through and through but stands out with her voice style. Unlike the normal monotonous hums, whispers, and murmurs found in regular indie, Gurl makes use of her vocal range as an artist to hook you on a track as opposed to letting the beat do all the work.

Her Punjabi background hovers in her inflections and makes an appearance in her sound as well but isn’t overbearing. In fact, some would it uplifts and distinguishes the sound. And fortunately, the same can be said about her family.

Don’t get the narrative twisted though — She says she “did have to push a lot to receive the support and respect that she’s receiving now.” One would think that she faced loads of stigma and disapproval from her parents, but her parents are the complete opposite of what stereotypes may narrate. Not only do they accept her music by being listeners, they attend her shows as well.

“THINGS THAT GIRLS DO BUT DON’T GET TO SPEAK ABOUT MAINLY OUT OF FEAR.”

Part of gaining that respect had to with her consistency and excellence with her full-time gig: school.

Gurl started off with the goal of studying nursing at UMBC but as time progressed and her love for her music grew, she decided to try her hands at humanities by switching to Global Studies. Studying nursing and making time for Gurl proved not only difficult for her but she came to realize why it didn’t make sense; she was not as invested in her major as she had once thought.

The transition and change have proved beneficial for her as she made herself onto the RAW Artists lineup at their artist showcasing in Baltimore on March 27. She engaged the crowd with a number of songs — original tracks and a cover — and had a huge turnout of UMBC classmates there to support her.

Her performance and path haven’t been lonely either. Producers Eddie Priest and Nod-eezy engineered her sound and made their way to the stage as well.

Her music is on SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Google Play, Amazon Music, and even has videos on YouTube. Her next video should be releasing in late May. No date has been set in stone only because she knows her fan base quite well and she says she is “looking for the perfect time to release it.”

Gurl says it’s only been a year since she’s been a professional artist but “it has been fruitful,” she says. She hopes that her musical content will hit home by embodying the voice that tells of all the “things that girls do but don’t get to speak about mainly out of fear.” She will continue to strive to reach girls who feel locked away and hidden.

FOLLOW GURL

SOUNDCLOUD | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY

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Kate & Rob

July '20

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King Ju

June '20

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M.I.A. (The Advocate - November '17)

A room full of people With voices chattering all around But the one I wanted to hear the most Was nowhere to be found

With all the voices and laughter I started to drown Not because I was overwhelmed Or the noise was too loud It’s just the one I needed the most Was nowhere to be found

In my eyes, you were the queen that wore my love like a crown. But it was you who ordered for my castle of dreams to be burned to the ground. You knew That walking away Would bring my world crashing down. But yet you still Destroyed my heart And made me feel like a clown.

~ Salim Addrey

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Dre

May '20

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Germantown Campus Halloween Bash (The Advocate - Photographed November '17)

Original Gallery