(WBFF) — Maryland State Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that left a man dead in Baltimore County early Sunday morning a crash occurred on the inner loop of Interstate 695 at Wilkens Avenue Police say that Dunkley was outside his vehicle described as a red 2005-2012 Toyota Tacoma Police have identified the crash victim as 67-year-old Junior Dunkley Dunkley was taken to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information relevant to the investigation to contact the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack at 410-780-2700 or Senior Trooper Bunger at gregory.bunger@maryland.gov — Maryland State Police are looking for a hit and run driver wanted for killing an Owings Mills man on the side of I-695 Sunday morning VIDEO: Police search for I-695 hit & run driver that killed man changing tire on I-695 was on the right shoulder attempting to change a flat tire on his Toyota Tacoma Dunkley was taken to Shock Trauma where he later died The getaway car is described as being red in color possibly made between 2005-2012 with a damaged or missing front bumper Anyone witnessing the crash is asked to call police at 410-780-2700 or email Senior Trooper Bunger at gregory.bunger@maryland.gov Maryland State Police are investigating a hit-and-run that killed a 67-year-old man on the inner loop of the Beltway in Baltimore County early Sunday Junior Dunkley of Owings Mills was parked on the right shoulder of Interstate 695 near the Wilkens Avenue exit changing a flat tire when he was struck by another vehicle Police responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash around 2:23 a.m Dunkley was transported to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one. Maryland State Police say any witnesses or people with information about the incident should contact them at 410-780-2700 or email Senior Trooper Bunger at gregory.bunger@maryland.gov Clara Longo de Freitas clara.longo@thebaltimorebanner.com Clara Longo de Freitas is a neighborhood reporter covering East Baltimore communities she interned at The Baltimore Sun as an emerging news and community reporter She also has design and illustration experience with several news organizations Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies The Baltimore Banner is a trademark registered in the U.S for The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism Statement from Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric DeCosta pic.twitter.com/TNQrqw3me2 Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies Click here to view our Terms of Sale.\n \n Click here to learn more about supporting local journalism.\n Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com — Applebee's has apparently pulled out of its plans to open in Owings Mills The restaurant was originally shown on the shopping center's directory in 2023 Applebee's did not respond to previous requests for comment about when it might open there Applebee's has nearby locations in Westminster RELATED | Tikka Shack, The Big Greek Cafe opening Balt. County locations 2025 at 10:49 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A GoFundMe has raised over $35,000 for 59-year-old Karen Halle Franklin of Owings Mills who died in an April 1 murder-suicide alongside her husband MD — A fundraiser has collected over $35,000 for the funeral of a woman who died in a murder-suicide last week in Baltimore County The campaign supports the family of 59-year-old Karen Franklin who is remembered as a selfless and loyal person Police said they found her dead in Owings Mills on April 1 alongside her husband Authorities think one of the deceased people took their own life Police said the shooting happened in the 3500 block of Avery Hill Drive That's located in the Worthington Park neighborhood started the GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses The effort had raised $35,539 as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The goal is $45,000. Donations are still being collected here "Karen was senselessly taken from us," Cohen wrote on the fundraiser page "Every dollar donated will go directly to these expenses and to Karen’s family your kindness at this most difficult time is greatly appreciated." was held Friday at Sol Levinson's Chapel in Pikesville "Karen was a selfless, sensitive, loyal, caring, and compassionate woman whose smile lit up every room. She loved being a Gigi. Karen was the glue that held her family together and her passing has left an enormous hole in the lives of everyone she touched," her obituary said Editor's Note: If you or somebody you know needs mental health support, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Domestic dispute help is available by contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visiting thehotline.org Related: Husband, Wife Die In Owings Mills Murder-Suicide: Police This map shows the area where the Baltimore County Police Department said the couple was found dead Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Scores of protestors — one organizer estimated the total at more than 600 people — lined both sides of Reisterstown Road just southeast of the Owings Mills Tesla dealership on Saturday to decry the company’s billionaire CEO and his unprecedented role in the federal government a mix of older and younger adults — even some parents with their children — most carrying signs denouncing Musk and President Donald Trump “I am outraged and appalled by what’s happening to our country,” Alan Cohen of Baltimore said “I never thought we could go basically toward fascism I want to do everything I can to stop this country from becoming authoritarian.” The protest was part of a “global day of action” to denounce Musk just one of hundreds of protests planned worldwide Other demonstrations were planned at Tesla dealerships in Silver Spring Peaceful protests have been happening in Owings Mills for weeks The demonstrations come after Musk morphed from the country’s richest person into one of its most powerful political figures almost overnight who is a “special government employee,” donated hundreds of millions of dollars to the campaign to elect Trump and has since led an opaque team known as the Department of Government Efficiency in a slash-and-burn sweep of federal agencies including some that regulate his own companies saying it is saving taxpayer dollars by rooting out government waste Democrats have largely decried his approach saying it is destroying critical programs; some even blast it as part of a hostile oligarchic takeover of the federal government Those cuts have been disproportionately felt in Maryland, which has enjoyed a steady stream of federal funds in recent years and where roughly 10% of the state works for a Washington agency The Baltimore Banner approached the Tesla dealership for comment after the demonstration and was directed to send an inquiry to the company’s corporate team via email is urging people to get rid of their Cybertrucks and Model Y’s and sell Tesla stock as a swipe at Musk’s bottom line Making him lose business makes him lose money and that’s all people like him care about,” said Amy Lee a representative of the Free State Coalition Though Musk is the “villain that can bring us all together,” Lee said demonstrators have been showing up for weeks in increasing numbers for myriad reasons “People are here because of Social Security people are here because they lost their federal job people are here because of national security because their kids no longer have programs,” Lee said said she came to Saturday’s event because she is concerned about the direction of the country and lamenting the sweeping impacts of DOGE’s cuts “It angers me to see restrooms trashed in national parks because there’s no one there to clean them up,” Grasso said said she and many others support trimming true government waste and making things run more efficiently But she thinks cuts should be “precise” — done in a careful “Musk is an unelected force governing us with no real authority,” said Burkhart who was protesting Tesla for the first time Reisterstown Road can see more than 30,000 cars on the average day A fire truck and a construction vehicle did though others mocked protesters or even gave them the middle finger was lively and loud as organizers mixed a little joy into the outrage “What they want is for us to be in our homes and that is the most important thing we can build.” The signs showed the anger and outrage — and folks got creative Trash Wheel about to gobble up the word “MUSK.” Another played on Dr Seuss with “the Rat in the Hat.” “Elon is the fraud + waste” and “First Lady Elon Trump is a punk” made appearances four-legged friend trotted along the sidewalk with a smile draped with cardboard that read “Good dog” on one side and “Bad DOGE” on the other was either a performance artist or an old guy with some free time and a fun idea dressed as “Tesla stock,” stumbling down the line of demonstrators “I’ve got this red suit I barely ever get to use,” said the man He said the crutches represented Trump and U.S others filming or taking photos of demonstrators with their phones Baltimore County police were on-site and in contact with event organizers though the demonstration remained peaceful — just as others have in weeks past They said a report of vandalism at the dealership weeks ago had no connection to their demonstrations and have repeatedly urged protestors not to take part in violence or vandalism Tesla Takedown says it is a peaceful protest movement that opposes violence and destruction of property chargers and even individual vehicles on the road — have been targeted with violent vandalism A woman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails on vehicles at a Colorado Tesla dealership Trump and his administration have labeled such acts domestic terrorism and vowed legal action The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electric vehicles around the world the maker of the most popular EVs on Maryland’s roads Daniel Zawodny Daniel.Zawodny@thebaltimorebanner.com Daniel Zawodny covers transportation for the The Baltimore Banner as a corps member with Report For America He is a Baltimore area native and graduated with his master's degree in journalism from American University in 2021 He is bilingual in English and Spanish and previously covered immigration issues Most of Maryland’s HHS workers are employed by the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration Source: Office of Personnel Management • Greg Morton/The Baltimore Banner used car sales dropped slightly from their 2022 high Source:Maryland Open Data Portal • Ryan Little/The Baltimore Banner A 68-year-old man is in critical condition after a townhome caught fire in Owings Mills the Baltimore County Fire Department announced Officials reported that on March 26 at 3:51 p.m. the fire crew responded to a report of a dwelling fire at the 9800 block of Bon Haven Lane the fire crew noticed the rear of the home engulfed in flames they located the man in cardiac arrest on the third floor Medics were able to revive the man while transporting him to the hospital Fire investigators determined the fire to be accidental and the cause of the fire was from improperly discarded smoking materials on the deck of the house BALTIMORE — An Owings Mills ice cream company has agreed to shutter operations after an FDA inspection last year detected Listeria and unsanitary conditions A federal court last week permanently barred Totally Cool Inc from manufacturing and distributing adulterated food products Totally Cool manufactured and distributed ice cream products sold under well known brand names like Friendly’s RELATED: Multiple ice cream products made in Owings Mills recalled over Listeria concerns The case stems from a March 2024 complaint alleging the company violated the Federal Food it's believed Listeria existed at Totally Cool's facility since at least 2017 This resulted in Totally Cool entering a food recall over health concerns The FDA later suspended Totally Cool’s food facility registration leading the company to file for bankruptcy Totally Cool ultimately settled the issue by agreeing to a consent decree requiring them to discontinue all food processing and preparation operations Totally Cool was avoids having to admit any guilt or liability The Baltimore County Department of Public Works is closing a section of Gwynnbrook Avenue at Walk Avenue in Owings Mills for emergency bridge repairs for at least a week The department said in a news release that the closure would begin at 6:30 p.m “The roadway damage was caused by streambank erosion which has made the road unstable,” the department said “The closure will remain in place until emergency repairs can be completed to rehabilitate the road and stabilize the streambank.” Photos shared by the department show significant erosion on one side of the road with concrete barriers serving as a buffer for passing motorists The agency plans to use video messaging board to alert motorists Those who live in a handful of nearby homes will be able pass through but others are advised to find alternative routes said Friday that the closure will last at least a week as officials assess options for repairing the roadway He said the reopening will depend on what option is picked and other factors (WBFF) — Southbound Owings Mills Blvd was closed due to a crash according to the Baltimore County Police Department The closure ran from Dolefield Road to Red Run Boulevard and lasted for roughly four hours — A new coffee shop will soon replace a Starbucks that closed in Owings Mills Coffee Beanery is set to open April 7 at the New Town Village Shopping center The Starbucks there closed in 2023 Coffee Beanery is a Michigan-based company that dates to the 1970s A grand opening weekend is planned for April 18 through 20 2025 at 1:05 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Maryland State Police said Junior Dunkley of Owings Mills was fatally struck Sunday while changing a flat tire on Interstate 695 in Catonsville (Jacob Baumgart/Patch Stock Photo)CATONSVILLE MD — A man was fatally struck while changing a flat tire recently on Interstate 695 in Catonsville Troopers are looking for the unknown driver who fled the scene Authorities identified the victim as Junior Dunkley Police said Dunkley was outside his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck on the right shoulder of the inner loop of Interstate 695 at Wilkens Avenue when a passing driver struck him Sunday around 2:23 a.m Authorities said an ambulance drove the victim to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore The Maryland State Police asked anybody with information to call the Golden Ring Barrack at 410-780-2700 or email Senior Trooper Bunger at gregory.bunger@maryland.gov This map shows the area where authorities said the fatal hit-and-run crash happened Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Rowe Price is considering turning most of its large Owings Mills property into as many as 1,200 apartment units The company's real-estate arm (TRP Suburban Second Inc.) wants to convert the 78-acre Owings Mills Corporate Campus - at Lyons Mill and McDonogh roads - into housing Baltimore County's development review committee is set to review the proposal at a Feb. 4 meeting The application notes: Rowe Price said it's considering consolidating its offices into two of the buildings The company is also "looking into the possibility" of building new housing on vacant land on the property notes the county just passed a bill allowing certain office parks to be turned into housing The revised site plan shows a possibility of 1,256 total apartment units The campus was expanded about 15 years ago T. Rowe Price is expected to soon open its new headquarters — Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continue to create waves in the federal government In an effort to slash the federal deficit Musk and company have taken a deep dive into government spending at various agencies They claim to have uncovered massive waste, fraud, and abuse, leading to billions-of-dollars in government contracts being terminated a move that's left thousands of federal employees jobless DOGE's actions have sparked activist organizations to assemble protests across the nation Among their targets are Musk owned Tesla dealerships including one on Reisterstown Road in Owings Mills WMAR-2 News captured footage of the building spray painted with the words "No Musk," and a symbol similar in appearance to a swastika Baltimore County Police acknowledged a "peaceful protest" held at the dealership Saturday but initially said they were "unaware" of any vandalism Detective Anthony Shelton later released this updated statement suggesting the symbol wasn't antisemitic in nature instead calling it an 'X' signifying Musk's social media platform The Space X founder came under fire in January for a hand gesture some pundits believe resembled a Nazi salute during an inauguration party for President Donald Trump who has become a close friend and adviser to Trump The pair has since faced wide-spread criticism over Musk's influence within the government There are several pending lawsuits challenging Musk and DOGE's authority — JOANN craft store is closing its longtime Owings Mills store - the second Baltimore County store to close in recent years on Reisterstown Road at Owings Mills Boulevard It will be replaced by KC Beauty Mart, according to the leasing map (Party City is also closing at that shopping center since the company's shutting down nationwide The store has already been removed from the company website JOANN also closed its store in Cockeysville in recent years The company did not respond to a request for comment about whether any other Maryland stores will be closing — A fire in Baltimore County left one man critically injured It happened in the 9800 block of Bon Haven Lane in Owings Mills Wednesday Officials say the man critically injured was a 68-year-old man He was found on the third floor in cardiac arrest Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental due to improperly discarded smoking materials on the deck of the home — A shooting that left a husband and wife dead in Owings Mills Baltimore County Police say an investigation has been launched into the deaths of 59-year-old Karen Franklin and 63-year-old Gary Franklin Authorities say officers were called to the 3500 block of Avery Hill Drive on Tuesday and found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds a preliminary investigation suggests that one of the victims sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound Police later confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide A GoFundMehas been created to help with funeral costs for Karen — A fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain is opening two Baltimore-area locations Hummus Republic is based in the Los Angeles area and has been expanding It "was established in 2013 by a group of friends who wanted to bring their families’ authentic Mediterranean cuisine to busy customers on the go," according to its website Hummus Republic will open in the Owings Mills Square shopping center (anchored by Best Buy) on Owings Mills Boulevard It's replacing the closed K&T Island Taste Jamaican restaurant In Bel Air, it will open at The Festival at Bel Air Hummus Republic offers pitas, wraps, bowls, and burgers with customizable combos of chicken, beef/lamb gyro, and vegetarian options. Sides include sweet-potato fries and grape leaves - and, there are two kids' meals options. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hummus Republic (@hummusrepublic) — A new county bill allows housing to be built in large office parks in Owings Mills and several properties are hoping to take advantage of that One of them is the Red Brook Corporate Center with 600,000 square feet of office space on Red Brook Boulevard Brown hopes to add 151 townhomes to the office park said attorney David Karceski at a county development review meeting last week T. Rowe Price made a similar application regarding its large Owings Mills campus Two residents spoke out at the meeting, expressing concerns about the Red Brook housing potentially becoming "Section 8 housing" and the potential impact on the school system (The property does already include a 36-unit condo building.) Barnett Matthews asked if this will be "another 'Section 8' building in the New Town area," and said there's a lot of concern that developers are trying to "influx the area with 'Section 8.'" County development manager Lloyd Moxley said he's not sure there's any "Section 8" right now Development Review Division Chief Jenifer Nugent said it's affordable housing whose children attend Lyons Mill Elementary School wanted to clarify whether this new development was taken into account during the most recent school boundary study She said she wants to make sure this housing plan would not overburden local schools county representatives questioned the arrangement of housing shown on the new plan (with some being grouped separately) and asked about stormwater management (given the steepness of the slopes) This Owings Mills home is straight out of a design magazine three and a half bathrooms and a large level yard with attractive outdoor spaces The home opens to a bright foyer and an attractive main hall with hardwood floors that continue throughout the rest of the house To the left is a spacious formal living room with a fireplace and mirrored panels An intimate dining room offers direct access to a covered patio custom cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances It opens to a relaxed living room with another fireplace and built-ins a cozy room with beautiful wallpaper and built-in shelves There’s also a mudroom with convenient storage a half bathroom and a first-floor laundry room two walk-in closets and an ensuite bathroom which could be used as a home office or den A one-and-a-half-acre lot provides plenty of space for outdoor activities entertain and dine al fresco on the home’s two patios The home is conveniently located in Owings Mills Jason Freeman Jason Freeman writes about real estate and historic homes around Baltimore — Sky Zone - an indoor trampoline park - is planning to open in Owings Mills It will be in an office park off of Red Run Boulevard, at 10715 Red Run Boulevard, according to the company's website Sky Zone had originally said in 2023 it would open a location in Sykesville Sky Zone currently has locations in Timonium The facilities include Ninja Courses "that spark friendly competition"; a Toddler Zone; "springy" Air Courts where kids can shoot baskets or score soccer goals; Drop Zones for "our most fearless fliers," interactive iWalls; and zip lines Nearly 300 protesters gathered outside the Tesla dealership in Owings Mills on Saturday waving homemade signs as drivers slowly passed by beeping their horns in a show of support Demonstrators gathered outside Tesla stores across the U.S on Saturday to protest the automaker’s billionaire CEO and his push to slash government spending on behalf of President Donald Trump was among the hundreds who turned out for the “Tesla Takedown” protest in Owings Mills but I felt like this one was a little bit different in that it could have a potential to have a financial impact,” Power told The Banner The demonstrations are part of a growing backlash to Musk’s disruptive role in Washington Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of Tesla the electric car company that is the world’s most valuable automaker Liberal groups for weeks have organized anti-Tesla protests in hopes of galvanizing opposition to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency Power was surprised at the large number of protesters when he arrived at the Reisterstown Road location “I thought to myself I could be the only person out there Power described the protesters as a cross section of the populace all races mixed with a strong contingent of federal workers Musk is taking direction from Trump to cut federal spending and reduce the workforce arguing that Trump’s victory gave the president and him a mandate to restructure the U.S DOGE officials have quickly gained access to sensitive databases canceled contracts and shut down sections of the government Baltimore County Police said officers responded to the Tesla dealership in the 9400 block of Reisterstown Road around 11:15 a.m after receiving several calls about a large gathering they were met by peaceful demonstrators who stated they were there to protest Musk The protesters stayed on the public property and did not become disorderly They peacefully protested until about 12:30 p.m beeping their horns and some even pulling off and joining the protest describes himself as a conservative but because of recent events he’s been driven to vote for Democrats He talked about Musk’s current role in the government “He has no authority to decide policy for the U.S Tesla and the White House did not respond to emailed requests for comment Saturday More than 50 demonstrations were listed Saturday on the website Tesla Takedown with more planned later in March from coast to coast in the United States The Associated Press contributed to this report Eileen Holliday eileen.holliday@thebaltimorebanner.com Eileen Holliday is the breaking news editor at The Baltimore Banner She is an award-winning investigative and breaking news journalist with a 26-year career spanning newsrooms across the country A sweet, strong, caring and compassionate woman who could light up any room is how many remember Karen Franklin “Karen was a selfless, sensitive, loyal, caring, and compassionate woman whose smile lit up every room,” her obituary read “Karen was the glue that held her family together and her passing has left an enormous hole in the lives of everyone she touched.” The outpouring comes as the Baltimore County Police Department announced Thursday that the deaths of the 59-year-old Owings Mills woman and her 63-year-old husband are being investigated as a murder-suicide a spokesperson for Maryland’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Thursday Their autopsy reports are not yet available Funeral services for Karen Franklin are scheduled forwere held at 12:30 p.m No further information on a funeral for Gary Franklin was available “His story ended in devastation, and that, too, is a loss to process in its own way‚" Eric Benzer said in a Facebook post shared on Karen Franklin’s page She was a pleasure to work around as she was always upbeat and positive,” Richard Gottlieb the president of Woodhome Insurance Group where Karen Franklin previously worked Jill Cohen, who said she has been Karen Franklin’s friend for 34 years, co-created a GoFundMe to help raise money for funeral costs and burial fees Friends flooded Karen Franklin’s Facebook page leaving messages of sympathy “There are no words for such a tragic loss,“ Jill Sagenkahn Linkoff wrote on Facebook and laughter — and the way you showed up in the world will always stay with us." Darreonna Davis darreonna.davis@thebaltimorebanner.com Darreonna Davis is an express desk reporter at The Baltimore Banner She previously reported at the intersection of gender health and economic policy as a fellow for the 19th News #UPDATE: The Baltimore County Homicide Unit is investigating this incident as a murder/suicide. https://t.co/1OnEJSfZUp BALTIMORE (WBFF) — A 53-year-old woman from Owings Mills was sentenced to over 11 years in prison for dealing drugs in Maryland Attorney's Office District of Maryland announced Friday to 135 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl Moran pled guilty to possessing two kilograms of fentanyl and over 50 kilograms of cocaine which were recovered from a storage unit and her purse in August 2023 the DEA identified her in 2023 as a source of supply for numerous drug traffickers in the Baltimore area Agents say they observed Moran conducting multiple drug transactions in a restaurant parking lot in Arundel Mills Moran handed a bag to a driver of a Subaru who was later found with 100 grams of fentanyl after a traffic stop agents say they tracked Moran's SUV to a storage center where she was seen transporting large duffle bags and a cardboard box to her unit ALSO READ | Police: Teen girl injured after shooting in Northeast Baltimore she left the storage unit with a black suitcase and conducted more drug transactions This led agents to obtain search warrants for her storage unit and residence recovering 50 kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of fentanyl and a search of her purse revealed two additional kilograms of cocaine A forensic analysis confirmed the drugs' quantities Agents also seized approximately $56,000 in U.S currency from Moran's Owings Mills apartment believed to be proceeds from her drug trafficking activities by JULIAN BARON & JEFF ABELL | Spotlight on Maryland — The Randallstown NAACP sent an urgent plea to Maryland Governor Wes Moore earlier this month about housing protocols for juvenile offenders after a rape allegedly occurred at an Owings Mills hotel sent a letter to Governor Moore on October 4 detailing the incident A juvenile offender who had previously been convicted of rape in Baltimore City allegedly raped a female victim while housed at Home2 Suites in Owings Mills in April 2024 Sources confirmed to Spotlight on Maryland the juvenile in question was charged with rape as a result of the incident Home2 Suites confirmed in a statement that the matter involved the juvenile’s “assigned caregiver.” Coleman claimed in his letter that the juvenile was in the custody of the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services at the time but Home2 Suites told Spotlight on Maryland the juvenile was in foster care with the Baltimore County Department of Social Services “Home2 Suites Owings Mills previously had an arrangement with Baltimore County Social Services in which the county could purchase room rentals for temporary placement of children in foster care along with their caregivers,” a Home2 Suites spokesperson said The Maryland Department of Human Services is the umbrella agency overseeing all local social services officers in the state Secretary of Human Services Rafael López was appointed to his position in 2023 by Gov who has yet to comment on the Owings Mills incident The Baltimore County Police Department refused to provide a copy of the incident report to Spotlight on Maryland claiming the document is part of an “ongoing investigation and cannot be released at this time.” No evidence of the incident exists in public court records likely due to laws pertaining to disclosure of information about juvenile criminal activity “We're really focusing hard on trying to uplift and keep the quality of life in Baltimore County and especially in Black communities,” Coleman told Spotlight on Maryland in an interview “We just can't have this sort of thing happening.” Coleman added that he has not heard back from the governor or any elected officials regarding his October 4 letter but he remains “hopeful” he will receive responses We just believe that wherever the children commit their offenses they should be rehabilitated in that area,” Coleman said was under Maryland Department of Juvenile Services monitoring at the time Courts have the power to place juveniles in DJS custody or supervision after certain types of cases are adjudicated DJS did not return a request for comment from Spotlight on Maryland about the incident Maryland law stipulates certain rape charges against juveniles can be elevated to adult court. That stipulation applies if the suspect is at least 16 years old and is charged with committing or attempting to commit second-degree rape, according to the Maryland People’s Law Library apply if the offender is at least 14 years old and is charged with rape that is punishable by life in prison including Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson Jones and Baltimore County Councilman Julian Jones did not respond to inquiries from Spotlight on Maryland Thursday regarding the alleged incident A spokesperson for Baltimore County ExecutiveJohn Olszewski provided no details when reached for comment Baltimore County will support every effort to hold individuals responsible and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the spokesperson said Email Julian Baron at jtbaron@sbgtv.com or follow on X @JulianTBaron (WBFF) — A loaded firearm was found at an indoor playground in Owings Mills Fox45 received a tip that a loaded gun was found in the ball pit at Hyper Kidz located in the 11400 block of Cronridge Drive Baltimore County Police then confirmed that just before 3:15 p.m ALSO READ |Harford Co. Executive Bob Cassilly sounds off on juvenile crime after series of violence Responding officers took possession of the weapon Baltimore County Police are still investigating — A Philly cheesesteak restaurant in Owings Mills that shut down after a year said it's reopening under new management The Original Steaks & Hoagies chain is based in Ohio and originally opened off of Owings Mills Boulevard (in the former Jimmy John's spot) in summer of 2023 RELATED | Philly cheesesteak chain to open 5+ stores in Maryland Now the restaurant says it plans "on starting over completely" and has announced a new grand opening for Oct and the first 50 people in line will get free cheesesteaks for a year Customers will also have a chance to win a 65-inch flat-screen TV and free cheesteak for a year certificates The company says it "will reopen our Owings Mills location under NEW LOCAL OWNERSHIP on Friday and will open its doors to the public with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration featuring FREE AUTHENTIC CHEESESTEAKS FOR A YEAR for the first fifty people in line when doors open everyone who visits during the grand opening celebration weekend through Sunday October 27th can enter to win one of 25 additional Free Cheesesteaks for a Year Certificates and one of several 65” Flat Screen Televisions on Saturday October 26th there will be an ALL DAY BOGO SPECIAL." Local franchisee Jeff Wiseman said in a statement: “The new local owner will be working in the store and looks forward to meeting everyone and showing his passion for making the best cheesesteaks in Maryland We're excited to bring a unique option to the area but we're also committed to being good neighbors." Finifter handed down that punishment for James Weems Jr. rape and displaying obscene matter to a child He drove the van for Lil Kidz Kastle Daycare Center and picked up and dropped off students at several elementary schools Weems faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison without the possibility of parole He’s also accused of sexually abusing three other children The girl wrote in a victim impact statement that Weems made her feel uncomfortable James did not do those bad things to me,” she wrote could not immediately be reached for comment Man found guilty of sexually abusing 10-year-old girl at wife’s day care in Owings Mills ‘I just snapped’: Day care owner shot husband after learning of sexual abuse allegations Man shot by wife is being charged with sexually abusing children at her Baltimore County day care Baltimore County police investigating accusations of molestation at an Owings Mills day care following D.C. shooting after the girl’s loved ones caught her using an iPad to watch pornography When family members questioned her about how she knew about the website showed her sexually explicit material on his cellphone and molested her in the van and at the day care The FBI analyzed and mapped data from his phone which revealed that he searched for porn and pulled up adult websites when he was near elementary schools Weems admitted that he watched porn on his phone while in the van But he testified that he took precautions to shield the children from the videos He joined the Baltimore Police Department in 1996 and medically retired in 2005 Baltimore County Police filed charges against him days after the shooting She divorced him and testified at his trial According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Shanteari Weems also wrote a victim impact statement “The anguish of learning what happened to her during my watch has taken a profound mental and emotional toll on me,” she said She said her ex-husband betrayed her trust and nothing can erase the pain and suffering Dylan Segelbaum dylan.segelbaum@thebaltimorebanner.com Dylan Segelbaum is the courts reporter at The Baltimore Banner Baltimore County firefighters extinguished a vehicle fire Tuesday in an Owings Mills parking garage SkyTeam 11 reported that firefighters were called around 4:45 p.m Tuesday to the parking garage next to the library in the 10300 block of Grand Central Avenue where a vehicle was fire on the first level and the flagship stations for the Baltimore Ravens Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs which means we may get paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites.©2023 on behalf of WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 Baltimore County Police are investigating the deaths of a husband and wife in Owings Mills, officials announced Wednesday Baltimore County police responded to the 3500 block of Avery Hill Drive on Tuesday where 59-year-old Karen Franklin and 63-year-old Gary Franklin were found dead with gunshot wounds Police say the Franklins were a married couple Though a cause of death is yet to be determined police say preliminary investigations show one victim has a self-inflicted gunshot wound Per public records Gary and Karen Franklin co-owned a home in the area Karen Franklin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and spent her career working in sales, insurance, account management, bookkeeping and administration, according to her LinkedIn profile “I just can’t wait to dig in a little further … I can’t wait to be one of those six-figure earners.” Though she promoted similar content on her Facebook page most of what Karen Franklin posted there were family photos she mentioned being an almost 60-year-old wife mom of three adult children and grandmother to one baby boy Friends took to Karen Franklin’s Facebook page to mourn her death “There are no words to describe the shock and grief of this loss,” Stacey Rubin wrote on Facebook Baltimore and the surrounding counties are full of unique neighborhoods The W Home Group will highlight their favorite neighborhoods to sell in and what makes each one so distinctive This week, we're heading to Owings Mills with agent Gus Ponton. Gus is a resident of Owings Mills and loves its diversity, convenience, and community feel. The Original Chicken Box is a family friendly small business with an amazing menu of chicken Recent residential construction combined with up and coming retail spaces like Foundry Row and Mill Station make Owings Mills an attractive destination The average home price in Owings Mills is $388,000 The W Home Group is the number one team of agents in Maryland, formed with the best of the best agents. Learn more or contact Gus Ponton here A vehicle crash in Baltimore County led to the death of 27-year-old Jamal Wright officers responded to Owings Mills Boulevard near Interstate 795 for a vehicle crash ALSO READ| Early morning shooting in Dundalk leaves man hospitalized, police say Investigation revealed a 2013 Ford Expedition was traveling southbound on Owings Mills Boulevard when the car struck a retaining wall for an unknown reason was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Crash Team are investigation this incident An 11-year-old was hit by a car and is in serious condition The accident happened in the area of New Town and Lakeside boulevards in Owings Mills at 7:45 am on Wednesday The driver of the car which hit the child remained at the scene The Baltimore County crash team is leading the investigation Owings Mills (WBFF) — A 24-year-old man died after he was hit by while crossing Owings Mills Boulevard last Friday officers went to Owings Mills Boulevard and I-795 for a car crash involving a pedestrian ALSO READ | Truck fire on I-95 kills one person, causes lane closures Detectives say they later determined that the pedestrian was attempting to cross Owings Mills Boulevard The driver of the vehicle remained on scene The pedestrian was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later The pedestrian has been identified as 24-year-old Brandon Coby 2025 at 1:25 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Maryland Lottery announced Friday that a Baltimore County couple won a $2 million jackpot on a Monopoly X200 scratch-off bought at an Owings Mills Royal Farms MD — A married Owings Mills couple may buy a new house with their recent $2 million lottery jackpot prize The Maryland Lottery announced the victory on Friday The anonymous wife bought the $30 Monopoly X200 scratch-off at the Royal Farms located at 9740 Reisterstown Road in Owings Mills The convenience store will get a $2,000 bonus from the lottery for selling the top prize winner having previously scored prizes ranging from $5 to $1,000 It was the first of four jackpots claimed from the Monopoly X200 game The game's remaining offerings also include five $50,000 second-tier prizes and others ranging from $30 to $10,000 The scratcher is part of a Monopoly family of games partaking in the Monopoly Second-Chance Promotion To learn how to claim a prize, click here Anybody with a gambling problem can get free and confidential help by visiting mdgamblinghelp.org or calling 1-800-GAMBLER — An investigation is underway after a loaded gun was discovered inside a popular indoor children's playground in Owings Mills It happened Saturday around 3:15pm at Hyper Kidz located on Cronridge Drive an unnamed Hyper Kidz employee confirmed a firearm was found claiming the weapon was initially located inside the kids ball pit Police were unable to verify those accounts Officers did seize the gun without any reported injuries Hyper Kidz has not returned our requests for further comment — The "Nights of Light," a celebration of the second night of Hanukkah was held in the Owings Mills Metro town center Thursday night one of the largest candelabrums in the world was lit "We have one of the largest Menorahs in the world director of the Owings Mills outpost of Chabad and divine inspiration and one of the most well-known emblems of Judaism The ceremony was filled with traditional dance reminded everyone why they were there and issued a challenge to all those in attendance James Weems Jr. is scheduled to appear on Monday in Baltimore County Circuit Court for jury selection. He faces more than 30 counts and stands accused of victimizing four children at Lil Kidz Kastle Daycare Center in Owings Mills dating back to 2020 Weems, 59, of Towson, is only set to stand trial on some counts Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger declined to comment ahead of the trial said his practice was also not to discuss pending cases Man accused of sex abuse at Baltimore County day care can be released on home detention, judge rules Man whose wife shot him over sex abuse allegations at day care faces at least 2 trials when family members saw the girl watching pornography on her aunt’s tablet the girl told them that she learned where to find the website from the van driver at her day care: “Mr James.” She reported that he had shown sexually explicit material to her on his cellphone That’s when a relative took the girl upstairs and started asking her more questions sexually abused her at the day care and in the van because he shouldn’t touch you and he shouldn’t be showing you dirty movies,” the relative said to the girl during that conversation “You’re not supposed to know about that — you’re a kid.” the girl told a forensic interviewer at the Baltimore County Child Advocacy Center that Weems was nice to her and gave her snacks drove from Baltimore County to what used to be called the Mandarin Oriental in Washington and shot him two times inside his hotel room He had been providing security at the National Urban League Annual Conference “I pretty much snapped,” she told The Baltimore Banner in 2023 during an interview from a federal prison in Lexington Police filed charges against James Weems days after the shooting Shanteari Weems is expected to testify against him at trial said she’s glad that the trial is moving forward “These children deserve justice,” Knox said Assistant State’s Attorney Zarena Sita and Deputy State’s Attorney Lisa Dever are prosecuting the case the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office filed notice that it intends to seek a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com. Tourism is a major economic driver in Maryland, contributing billions of dollars to the state’s GDP and supporting thousands of jobs in hospitality, retail, transportation, and entertainment. Events like Maryland Tourism Day provide an opportunity for industry leaders to advocate for policies that support growth, innovation, and sustainability in the tourism sector. Maryland offers something for every type of traveler, whether they are history buffs exploring Annapolis, adventure seekers hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, or families enjoying the beaches of Ocean City. Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD takes pride in welcoming visitors who come to experience Maryland’s vibrant cities, charming small towns, and stunning natural landscapes. The state’s tourism industry benefits from a rich variety of attractions, including: At 11:45 am, Maryland Tourism Day officially kicks off with a working lunch featuring remarks from key figures in the industry. Ruth Toomey, Executive Director of the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC), will welcome attendees, setting the stage for a series of discussions on the future of Maryland’s tourism landscape. The event will also include insights from Kristin Pironis of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, and other distinguished speakers. Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD is particularly excited about the Tourism Person of the Year Recognition, an annual honor that highlights the contributions of individuals who have significantly impacted the travel and hospitality industry in Maryland. Additionally, VIP guests and state leadership will address the audience, reinforcing the importance of continued investment in Maryland’s tourism sector. Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD is proud to be part of this dynamic conversation, recognizing that advocacy plays a crucial role in shaping policies that benefit hotels, attractions, and local businesses throughout the state. By collaborating with policymakers, tourism professionals can drive positive change that ensures Maryland remains a leading travel destination for years to come. With Maryland’s tourism industry continuing to expand, Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD looks forward to welcoming even more visitors in the years ahead. By investing in community partnerships and advocating for a strong tourism sector, the hotel remains a proud supporter of Maryland’s vibrant travel economy. Maryland Tourism Day serves as a reminder of the state’s vast potential as a travel destination. With its diverse attractions, rich history, and dynamic cultural offerings, Maryland continues to captivate visitors from around the world. Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD is honored to be part of this celebration, standing alongside tourism professionals and policymakers who are dedicated to driving the industry forward. As the state continues to invest in its tourism infrastructure, marketing strategies, and visitor experiences, the future looks bright for Maryland’s hospitality sector. Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD remains committed to supporting this growth and ensuring that every guest who walks through its doors enjoys the very best of what Maryland has to offer. Home2 Suites Owings Mills MD is excited to be attending Maryland Tourism Day, an event that highlights the incredible impact of tourism on the state’s economy and communities. By working together, industry leaders and policymakers can ensure that Maryland remains a premier destination for travelers from near and far. BALTIMORE — A rapidly-growing drive-thru coffee chain that promises "a fun, mind-blowing experience" is looking to open several restaurants in Maryland, including two in the greater Baltimore area. 7 Brew has applied for a location along Route 924 at Singer Road, in a vacant bank building, in Abingdon. The company is also hoping to open in Owings Mills, in the shopping center with Hobby Lobby, on Reisterstown Road at Owings Mills Boulevard. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 7 Brew Coffee (@7brewcoffee) The company says it's about "cultivating kindness" and aims to "make your visit the happiest part of your day." The menu hasseven original coffee drinks, as well as energy drinks, teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 7 Brew Coffee (@7brewcoffee) A community input meeting for the Abingdon location was just held Thursday A site plan shows two drive-thru lanes proposed. It would make use of 23 existing parking spaces said he notes 7 Brew doesn't offer any food because it's focused on beverages and speed "We think it's kind of a different coffee concept," he said "the music is pumping" and employees are just focused on getting people's day started Zimmer said other locations where he hopes to open 7 Brew include Edgewater in Anne Arundel County