🌱 Baltimore County Affordable Housing Proposals + Restaurant Week

Welcome back, Catonsville. I'm here in your inbox this chilly morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Hope you all have a great day.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy and colder. High: 39 Low: 26.

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Here are the top three stories today in Catonsville:

1. On Jan. 12, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced he will introduce legislation at the County Council's Jan. 17 meeting which would make affordable housing more attainable in the county. Olszewski's new affordable housing proposals include funding the development of more affordable housing, defining legally what is considered a vacant home, allowing more leeway in who can live in an accessory apartment at a home, and allowing developers to build more townhouses by making them smaller. (WYPR)
2. Baltimore County Restaurant Week started yesterday, Jan. 13. Enjoy half price meals from participating restaurants now through Jan. 22. Participating Catonsville restaurants include El Guapo, Farmhouse Greens, Jennings Cafe, Kora Lee's, and State Fare. (WMAR 2 News)
3. Dr. Rudiger Breitenecker, who worked at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, saved forensic samples from more than 2,000 rape exams from the 1970s to 1997. Decades later, the Baltimore County police solved more than 80 cold cases from testing a small portion of the samples, leading to dozens of arrests and exposing serial rapists. Maryland’s new Attorney General Anthony Brown and several other officials are trying to protect the collection, incorporate it into yearly inventories, and oversee its processing. Attorney General Anthony Brown wrote, "I am concerned that evidence from approximately 1,800 sexual assault
   exams has not yet been processed and am committed to ensuring that this evidence is protected from destruction." (ProPublica)

Today in and around Catonsville:

• Banneker's Winter Farmstead At Benjamin Banneker Historical Park And Museum (10:00 AM)
• Funsies In Your Onesies Bar Crawl At Power Plant Live, Baltimore (11:00 AM)
• Live Music At Cross Street Market, Baltimore (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Baltimore County Police are preparing for a "large unruly crowd" at White Marsh Mall today, Jan. 14, at 5:00 p.m. The social media post circulating Instagram called for "everyone" to "meet at White Marsh Mall" and boasted, "We shut down Towson, let’s make White Marsh next." In response, Baltimore County Councilman David Marks said the Baltimore County Police Department’s White Marsh precinct will have a "robust presence at the mall." Marks continued, "I personally will not accept any disruptive behavior and will push for consequences for anyone who creates disruption at our commercial centers." (Perry Hall Patch)
• The 17-year-old female suspect accused of stabbing fellow student 15-year-old Zoey at Lansdowne High School on Jan. 10 will be charged with attempted murder, first degree assault, and second degree assault. According to a police report, Zoey is currently dating the suspect's ex-boyfriend. Amber Holt, Zoey's mom, said her daughter did not know the suspect. (Fox Baltimore)
• On Saturday, Jan. 21, there will be a free, live music performance and ‘Q&A Session’ with Billy Kemp at Bill's Music in Catonsville. Click here for details. (Catonsville Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all Monday morning for another 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!