🌱 Catonsville Man Charged With Murder For Shooting + Change In Travel

Good morning, friends! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Catonsville Daily. Come along to find out the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and mild. High: 58 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories in Catonsville today:

1. On Dec. 27, police arrested 31-year-old Obadiah Malone of Catonsville for the Oct. 10 shooting of a 39-year-old man in the 2700 block of West North Avenue. Malone is charged with attempted first-degree murder. (CBS News)
2. According to CommercialCafe, a recent study based on U.S. census data, found that Baltimore had one of the biggest decreases in the average trip to work of any U.S. city after the coronavirus pandemic due to increased remote work and efforts to promote more efficient travel. Baltimore-area commuters traveled an average 31.5 minutes each way in 2019 and dropped to an average 27.3 minutes each way in 2021. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County has a "climate action plan" for the Catonsville campus which encourages faculty, students, and other staff to share rides, ride bikes, or use transit. Ryan Kmetz, the university’s sustainability director, said, "That’s going to help reduce the amount of emissions air pollution going out. We’re trying to get folks to come to school in the most environmentally responsible fashion possible." (Mass Transit Mag)
3. According to the latest round of statewide test scores, Maryland students have suffered staggering learning loss due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Baltimore County and other counties all saw a drop in science proficiency. The math statewide results showed only 18 percent of sixth graders, a 30 percent decrease since 2019, and seven percent of eighth graders, a 13 percent decrease since 2019, scored proficient. Delegate Kathy Szeliga, who represents Baltimore and Harford Counties, said, "These are all abysmal numbers." Szeliga said if about 70 percent of fifth and eighth graders are not proficient in science, there needs to be a reassessment of what is happening in the classroom. (Fox Baltimore)

Today in and around Catonsville:

• Live Music At Cross Street Market in Baltimore (5:00 PM)
• Kwanza Night of Purpose Campfire At Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum (5:30 PM)
• Live Jazz At Elk Room in Baltimore (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Catonsville Chamber of Commerce wishes everyone a very Happy New Year! The chamber office will be closed today, Dec. 30, and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. (Catonsville Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• Looking for a special way to ring in the New Year? Check out the link to see a list of "New Year's Eve Celebrations Around Baltimore County!" (Towson Patch)
• Catonsville Senior Center Council is proud to be certified as a "Safe Space." A Safe Space assures any victim of an LGBTQIA+ biased hate crime that the location is a safe space for someone to seek help as police are contacted. (Catonsville Senior Center Council via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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!