Water Damage Restoration in Perry Hall, MD

Schools changed who gets a take-home laptop in Baltimore County. See the new policy and its effect on virtual classes on snow days.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Baltimore County Public Schools changed its policy on which students get a take-home laptop.

BCPS announced the news last week in a Facebook post that drew 340 comments with questions from families.

Parents wondered how the changes would affect virtual learning days and equitable technology access for homework. Supporters, however, liked the idea of saving take-home devices for older, more mature students. Others thought it would be beneficial to reduce screen time for kids.

On Wednesday, the school system briefed Patch on how each grade level will be affected.

"All students will still have access to devices in school," BCPS spokesperson Gboyinde Onijala told Patch in an email. "The ratio of devices has only been reduced for prekindergarten-second grade. The ratio of devices remains the same for grades 3-12."

Elementary schools will no longer have a laptop for every student. A reduced number of computers will be available during the school day. Devices will be kept at school.

"The only change in ratio is at the prekindergarten through 2nd grade levels," Onijala said. "However, it is important to note that there will be no disruption to the instructional program as a result of this change."

Middle school students will leave their laptops at school.

"Schools will have a process for elementary and middle school students to check out a device for home use when needed," Onijala said. "School administrators have begun communicating their school-specific plan with families. Families can contact their child’s school with any questions."

High schoolers will continue to take their devices to and from school.

Schools will follow the same guidelines, but principals have some leeway.

"Principals have the local authority and flexibility to utilize student devices in a manner that best suits the needs of their school community," Onijala said.

BCPS seems likely to continue its virtual learning plans next school year.

The school system builds three snow days into its calendar. Classes are canceled on those days.

Schools will pivot to online instruction on inclement weather days four and beyond. Classes will follow a two-hour delay schedule on these virtual days. The weather plan is outlined here.

"If those days are used and we must transition to virtual learning, all students will have access to the appropriate technology and/or learning materials needed to engage in instruction," Onijala said. "Schools will provide information regarding their instructional plans in advance of any closures."

Onijala said the changes are intended to save money, reduce the burden on younger students and follow a data-informed device plan.

"Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers highlighted information on research and feedback from stakeholders regarding the use of technology, provided updates on breakage rates in BCPS, and discussed cost-savings during the 2024-2025 school year," Onijala said. "The Division of Curriculum and Instruction, Division of Operations and the Division of Schools worked in partnership to develop an updated device allocation plan based on feedback, data, and to alleviate the stress of transporting devices to and from school for our youngest learners."

An explosion leveled a Baltimore County home. Nobody was inside, but a report said a family was displaced.

ROSEDALE, MD — An explosion "completely destroyed" a Rosedale home early Tuesday morning, the Baltimore County Fire Department said.

Nobody was inside the house at the time of the explosion. A family of three was displaced from the home, WJZ reported.

A pick-up truck was still in the driveway, but WJZ said the fire department is working to confirm that the family was traveling out of town and is safe.

The explosion happened in the 8100 block of Callo Lane. One neighboring home was damaged.

The Baltimore Banner said the explosion happened just after 2 a.m. and crews had the ensuing fire under control around 4 a.m.

Photos from the scene show the roof lying completely flat on the ground and bricks scattered across the yard.

Firefighters couldn't search the home until specialized equipment removed some of the extensive debris, The Banner said.

"It's important for us to make sure any hazards are secured," Baltimore County Fire Chief Joseph Dixon said, according to The Banner. "But we're going to be vigilant and make sure that we take the right steps to keep the community safe."

BGE workers were called to the scene.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

This map shows the area where firefighters said the explosion happened.

A Perry Hall High teacher from Bel Air kissed and massaged students, police said. He's accused of telling a girl she should be a porn star.

PERRY HALL, MD — A teacher is accused of kissing and massaging underage students who consulted him about personal struggles, charging documents allege.

Sean Allen Brooks, 40, of Bel Air was charged with three counts of sex abuse of a minor in early June. The physical education and health teacher at Perry Hall High School faces up to 75 years in prison if convicted of all charges, which say the abuse happened between August 2022 and March 2025.

Patch obtained charging documents that claim that Brooks abused three girls and was grooming others for sexual exploitation.

"Suspect Brooks not only committed multiple sex offenses, but was escalating his behavior to potential rape of these victims given the opportunity," the court records say.

The court papers say Brooks assigned students to write about their life challenges.

The file alleges that Brooks then targeted girls with father issues and took them to a basement room that "was like a cellar."

The papers accused Brooks of hugging the girls, touching their thighs and kissing them on their forehead and neck.

Brooks is also accused of discussing sexual matters with the students.

The charging documents said Brooks would ask them to rate their looks, and he would tell them they were a 10 out of 10 when they gave themselves a low score. He's accused of calling them "cutie," "perfect" and "hot."

The papers said Brooks told one girl she should be a porn star when she's older and he could be her manager. He is accused of discussing the high number of people he has had sex with and detailing his sexual encounters. He is also accused of telling a girl to draw a picture of her genitalia and asking her how she masturbates.

A student witness reported seeing Brooks massage the shoulders of a girl who was kneeling in front of his desk, the records say.

Perry Hall High School Principal Abbey Campbell reported that a teacher on March 19 emailed her a photo of "Suspect Brooks standing behind a female student with his hands on her shoulders," the file says. The reporting teacher said "several students approached her to report concerns about Suspect Brooks" and told her they saw his shoulder massages and heard his comments about girls' physical appearance.

"These charges are deeply disturbing, and this alleged behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Campbell said in a letter to the school community on June 11, the day Brooks was arrested.

Baltimore County Public Schools hired Brooks in August 2017, and he has worked at Perry Hall High ever since.

"BCPS is fully cooperating with law enforcement on this matter and Mr. Brooks is on administrative leave and is barred from BCPS property," Campbell said.

The detective filing charges against Brooks wrote, "He groomed each of the juvenile victim students and was grooming other juvenile female students."

The detective said:

"Grooming begins with victim selection, with children often being selected due to low self-esteem or other pre-existing vulnerabilities. Each juvenile victim student described issues with their father's or their father passing away. The next phase of grooming is gaining access and isolation. The juvenile victim students reported that Suspect Brooks took them to areas of the school students don't typically have access to and would close the doors to his classroom while incidents were occurring. The next step in the grooming process is trust development. The juvenile victim students shared how Suspect Brooks was there for them and they thought of him like a father-figure. The next step is desensitization to sexual content and physical contact. Each juvenile victim student spoke about physical contact from Suspect Brooks, where he would rub their leg, kiss them, hug them, etc, with an intent for sexual gratification."

Brooks is represented by attorney Staci Pipkin of Rubin & Pipkin in Baltimore.

Patch contacted the firm for a comment. The attorneys have not yet responded. We will update this story if they reply.

Brooks did speak with a detective.

The charging documents recount that discussion and say:

"He advised that kids try to come in to see him during class time and he checks that they have passes. He stated that he does not let students in his classroom while he is teaching a lesson and he will close the door to indicate they cannot come in. He advised that during the last 30 minutes he lets students come into his class if it is ok with teachers and will allow them in his classroom during lunch and off period. Suspect Brooks described those students that come into his room are mostly athletes and they talk to him about track or sports. He mentioned one kid who tore his ACL stops by his room once a period to talk. Students sometimes talk about curriculum if it 'hits heavy' or stuff going on at home."

How safe is this busy road in Baltimore County? Highway planners will unveil their findings and share their path forward.

MIDDLE RIVER, MD — A safety improvement plan will be discussed for a busy Baltimore County thoroughfare at a community input meeting next week.

Results of the Eastern Boulevard Traffic Safety Study will be presented Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Gunpowder VFW, located at 6309 Ebenezer Road in Middle River. Officials will also answer questions from the community.

Safety on Eastern Boulevard/Avenue was thrust into the spotlight in January 2024 when Maryland Air National Guard servicemember Lacy O'Neill, 30, died after a crash entering the roadway. Her SUV was hit while driving out of a parking lot and onto Eastern Boulevard near Martin State Airport, police said.

“There have been too many accidents, including tragic fatalities on Eastern Blvd,” Del. Kathy Szeliga said in a press release. “This meeting will provide everyone a chance to hear the much-needed information from the State Highway Administration. We strongly encourage people to attend and participate.”

Improving safety on the roadway, also known as Maryland Route 150, has been a focus for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration over the past year.

The recent Eastern Boulevard Traffic Safety Study examined the roadway between Maryland Route 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) and Earls Road.

In August 2024, MDOT SHA announced that it selected Eastern Avenue to undergo a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and held public meetings on the project last October and this May.

The pedestrian improvements will center on the section of Eastern Avenue between Maryland Route 700 (Martin Boulevard) and Maryland Route 702 (Southeast Freeway).

This project is currently in the design phase. Design is scheduled to wrap up in fall 2026. Planners have not yet announced when construction will start. Updates will be posted in this portal.

“This corridor has become increasingly dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike,” Del. Ryan Nawrocki said in the release. “For too long, our community has endured serious safety concerns on Eastern Boulevard. This meeting is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from SHA and ensure that meaningful solutions are implemented.”

All residents and businesses of Middle River, Bowleys Quarters, Chase, Oliver Beach, Essex and the surrounding communities are invited to attend the meeting.

It's going to be "dangerously hot" this week. It could feel like 110 degrees in Maryland before storms snap the scorching temperatures.

Most of Maryland is under an extreme heat warning on Monday and Tuesday. True temperatures could flirt with 100 degrees, and the real feel may reach 110 degrees in some towns over the next two days.

The National Weather Service expects "dangerously hot conditions."

"Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events," the NWS said in its extreme heat warning.

The warning covers Baltimore City and these counties: Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Montgomery, Howard, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's.

Monday's warning lasts until 9 p.m. Tuesday's warning runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the NWS said in the warning. "Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes."

Highs will be in the 90s through Thursday. There's a chance of thunderstorms daily, Wednesday through Sunday.

Here is the NWS seven-day forecast for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport:

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 110. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Calm wind.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40%.