Politics & Government

Essex-Middle River 2011 in Review: February-March

Patch reflects on the key moments that helped shape the last 12 months.

 

As 2011 comes to a close, Patch is taking the next week to look back and reflect on the events that shaped the last 12 months.

What were the biggest moments for you? How did they change your neighborhood? Tell us in the comments.

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Here are five stories that stood out in February and March:

Find out what's happening in Essex-Middle Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

February 2011

Feb. 7:

Six adults and three children sought emergency assistance from the Red Cross on Feb. 7 after a one-alarm fire caused extensive damage to their home on the 10000 block of Bird River Road.

No one was injured in the blaze and the family has since rebuilt the house.

Feb 11:

Police warned the community to be aware of car thieves after a spate of incidents where people broke into unlocked cars in the area. This included several incidents in Bowleys Quarters and Golden Tree.

Feb. 14:

Kiera Lane was one of many Parkville Middle students who got to meet President Barack Obama when he visited the school. Kiera was part of a press conference and then demonstrated to Patch the experiment she and her classmates had shown the President. She was in school despite her father being admitted to the hospital the night before.

Feb. 16:

The Middle River Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Co. received a 2-foot-by-2-foot piece of steel from the World Trade Center in New York. The artifact came to the station after more than a year of collaborative efforts between the volunteer company and the New York/New Jersey Port Authority.

Feb. 19:

Strong Arm Bail Bonds and Bed World, located on the 8500 block of Pulaski Highway, were destroyed following a three-alarm blaze.

The Rosedale fire was one of many reported throughout the region, which were exacerbated by high winds, warm weather and low humidity.

March 2011

March 6:

Nearly 200 people shaved their heads at Martin's East in Middle River to help raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which helps fund research to combat pediatric cancers.

The people who shaved their heads were joined by nearly 800 other people at the annual event. Along with the shavings, those in attendance enjoyed music, games, face-painting and had the chance to bid on several prizes during a silent auction.

March 11:

Gov. Martin O’Malley declared a state of emergency in Maryland after heavy rains across the state led to flooding. This includes the Essex-Middle River area, in which Race Road was closed off after the street flooded. Bowleys Quarters also had several areas with several inches of standing water.

March 18:

Greg Fuller, 23, was killed in a vehicle accident near Ebenezer Road and Honeygo Boulevard in Perry Hall shortly after 1:30 a.m. His friend, Jonathan Henry, was injured in the accident.

March 22:

Volunteer firefighter Mark Falkenhan, who died battling an apartment blaze on Jan. 19, was formally posthumously awarded the —the fire department’s highest honor—and a Purple Heart.

March 23:

U.S. District Court Judge William M. Nickerson sentenced John Fred Nicklas IV, 35, to 60 years in prison, followed by supervised release for life, on two counts of sexually exploiting minors to produce child pornography.

The plea came after one of the most horrific cases of child pornography in recent memory that included sexual abuse and producing videos.


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