🌱 Balt. Co. School Board Approves Budget + Sun Scrape Live Festival!

Hello all. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Catonsville Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Catonsville Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Catonsville long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A passing morning shower. High: 67 Low: 38.
• Friday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 44 Low: 41.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Catonsville:

1. Following a rally of teachers petitioning for competitive pay, the Baltimore County School Board voted to approve the amended fiscal year 2024 budget proposal on Feb. 28. The amended proposal, which is $23 million more than last year, included adjustments for employee compensation, virtual learning, and athletic trainers. (Subscription: Baltimore Sun)
2. The 2023 Sun Scape Live Festival in Catonsville is on Saturday, May 13, at the CAA Park and State Fare! The free event features 15 bands performing on three stages from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. View the link to see the line-up! (The Magazine Plus)
3. Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) has set aside $2 million in next year's operating budget to start offering free lunches to all students. School board member Christina Pumphrey said, "Two-thirds of all students, which is 73,000 students, now qualify for free and reduced meals in BCPS, but there are thousands more who need food and are invisible in these statistics. Their families make too much money to qualify, but not enough to make ends meet." The county executive and the County Council still have to approve the plan, because it is part of next year's operating budget. (WBAL-TV)

Today and tomorrow in Catonsville:

Thursday, March 2

• MPRC Fundraiser For NAMI At Peace-A-Pizza (3:00 PM)
• Crop Planning 101 At Atwater's Catonsville (5:30 PM)

Friday, March 3

• Genuine Leather Earring Workshop with Michele Kendrick from KraftyKendrick At Catonsville Mercantile (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Artists4 ERA Reception is on Friday, Mar. 3 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Catonsville Clubhouse! Artwork from across the nation will be on display and auctioned off to benefit VoteEquality.us. (Baltimore County Arts Guild via Instagram)
• On the hunt for a new place to live, or just interested in what else is out there? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Catonsville area, including a three-bedroom with a great porch on Old Frederick Road for $549,999! (Catonsville Patch)
• Looking to add a shaggy ball of four-legged love and affection to your family? View the link to see the adorable adoptable pets in the Catonsville area, including a beautiful black Oriental Short Hair cat named Baby Boy! (Catonsville Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Storytime @ CrossLife (March 4)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (March 7)
• Trinity School Open House (March 8)
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Other featured classifieds:

• Calling All Blueberry Lovers! (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll catch up with you soon with your next update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!