Rona Kobell

The roots of ‘We Shall Overcome’ lie in Maryland’s Eastern Shore Charles Albert Tindley, who wrote the lyrics to more than 50 gospel hymns, including what became the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” was molded on the country roads of Worcester County in the...

The man who wrote the words to "We Shall Overcome" came from Maryland's Eastern Shore. Now, the town that molded him has finally honored him.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Will Baltimore County Council reverse its controversial pension bump? Amid growing controversy over a Baltimore County Council vote in November 2024 that would double pensions for five of its seven members, two of them proposed legislation to roll that decision back.

Here we are staying on top of the pension story.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Maybe not national media. But local media is. This is from local media, and I’m sure the Oregonian thoroughly covered it. We are covering these stories in Baltimore. It is happening in too many places.

Animal control officers seize 13 dogs, multiple birds and reptiles from Halethorpe home One bird, a colorful parrot, chirped “hello” from the animal services van. Five vans crowded the busy, two-lane road in Halethorpe to load up all the animals.

I spent the afternoon watching animal control officers seize 13 dogs and a number of birds and reptiles from a woman who had been charged last year with 328 counts of animal cruelty. Acting on a tip, we were just in time to see police execute the warrant and enter. @thebaltimorebanner.com

Prince Andrew's Arrest Across the pond in Britain, justice and accountability is a serious matter

Never in a million years did I ever fathom when I resurrected the Epstein story in 2018 that it would lead to first arrest of a British Royal in four centuries. Not since King Charles I was arrested in 1647.
open.substack.com/pub/jkbjourn...

Halethorpe woman charged with 328 counts of animal cruelty could get animals back A Halethorpe woman charged with 328 counts of animal abuse wants to amend her sentence so she can sell some of the 80 animals seized and possibly reclaim some as pets.

For reporters, no tool can replace shoe leather, sourcing and hard work. I put all of them to work to get this story about animal abuse - 328 accounts - and the likelihood that the accused abuser will reclaim both her animals and the money she spent to get them.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Baltimore County needs more apartments built. One councilman’s absence may be stalling them. Baltimore County Councilman Wade Kach said he regrets missing meetings, but added: “If I thought for one minute that I was shortchanging my constituents in my district, I would resign.”

Baltimore County needs apartments. One councilman is in control of many of them, but he's been slow to turn the key and open the door. My latest.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

A woman charged with 328 counts of abusing animals is now helping decide where they go A Halethorpe woman charged with 328 counts of animal abuse a year ago is taking a role in finding homes for the dogs, cats, birds and reptiles that prosecutors say were harmed in her care.

A Baltimore County grand jury indicted her on 328 counts of animal cruelty. Animal control took her 82 animals. A couple were in such bad shape they had to b euthanized. And a year later, Kimberly Klein gets a year of probation and gets to help rehome her animals.

www.thebanner.com/community/lo...

Why did Baltimore County Police hire a former registered sex offender? Baltimore County follows Maryland regulations when hiring police officers, which stipulate that departments can disqualify applicants with criminal histories from becoming police officers. But Marylan...

The Baltimore County Police Dept. hired a convicted rapist. My colleague Ceili Doyle investigated the story and interviewed the convicted rapist and the woman he assaulted and told the story. @thebaltimorebanner.com

Most Baltimore County renters struggle to afford housing Baltimore County renters are facing one of the most severe housing affordability crises in Maryland, a Banner analysis of new census data found.

SCOOP: The rent is too damn high.
Not news. But in Baltimore County, many people are considered "burdened" because they're paying between 30-50 percent of their salaries on rent. Where that happens may surprise you.

www.thebanner.com/baltimore-co...

Baltimore County Council won’t landmark Ruxton house, saving owner a $160K window tab Joseph Coale, a local historian who nominated the home for inclusion on the Baltimore County Landmarks List a year ago, withdrew his application for the property, known as Maroney House, to receive la...

We interrupt the wall-to-wall local pension story to bring you news of a house that is not going to be landmarked, which will save the new owner $160,000 on windows.

www.thebanner.com/economy/real...

Baltimore County Council pension boost bill intensifies county executive battle A pension bill the Baltimore County Council passed 15 months ago that could double their retirement payouts is heating up the competitive four-way race for county executive.

This is the fourth story I have written in a week on pensions.
If you missed the other three, this one tells you what you need to know.
You could say I am paying pension attention.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

I grew up with Alex Pretti The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.

I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com

Baltimore County Council members announce plan to rescind pension bill Baltimore County Council members announced plans to repeal legislation that would double the pensions of four of its seven members.

@thebaltimorebanner.com has been reporting on the pension bump since November 2024. The heat intensified last month, when a county board recommended doubling the council's salaries. That also would double the council's current pension. Two councilmen now saythey'll repeal the pension bump bill.

Baltimore County Council members could earn more as retired lawmakers than working ones A bill could increase the earning power of Baltimore County Council members, giving them more in retirement than as working members.

Councilman Todd Crandell announced he would not run for re-election to focus on sobriety. He could earn more as a retired councilman than as a working one - because of a pension boost tied to a salary increase for future council members that 6 of 7 supported. His $41,400 benefit jumps to $84,000.

I don’t know! I did not ask about that. Folo possibly?

All of Towson Square's restaurants went out of business. Why? Visitors to the county seat value local ownership, variety

Why did Towson Square die? In this story, I circle the square, or square the circle, to find out why. And it's not what anyone has said before. It's something else.

Nepalese restaurants bring delicious meals to Baltimore County Don’t let the uninviting strip malls of Eastern Baltimore County deter you. They offer cuisine every bit as flavorful as the city’s.

I asked myself, what if I wrote about Baltimore County's growing Nepalese community through its food? And then, I did. Mo Momos!

As Trump targets Black history, a Maryland ranger guards Harriet Tubman’s place in it Mary Dennard has served as a guardian of Harriet Tubman's history since the 2000s, when residents and later federal and state officials came together to develop a plan for the $21 million Harriet Tubm...

I received an email today from a woman who had heard all her life she was a descendant of Harriet Tubman.
Mary Dennard helped her prove it.
Now, the woman is educating all of her nieces and children that they are Harriet's cousins.
This cynical scribe shed a tear.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

They thought the property would remain ballfields.
Then, a few days before Christmas, the bulldozers came.
What will become of the site now?
We are at the council meeting trying to learn!

www.thebanner.com/economy/grow...

As Trump targets Black history, a Maryland ranger guards Harriet Tubman’s place in it Mary Dennard has served as a guardian of Harriet Tubman's history since the 2000s, when residents and later federal and state officials came together to develop a plan for the $21 million Harriet Tubm...

On a national level, Trump officials have tried to erase Black history. In Harriet Tubman's home county, one 77-year-old part-time ranger is working to keep it alive. #Harriet @angryblacklady.blacksky.app @imaniperry.bsky.social @marthasjones.bsky.social

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Howard County board member files complaint over Kelly Madigan selection The complaint alleges that Steve Quisenberry violated Howard County ethics laws by serving on the advisory board that selected his boss, who in turn picked him for the top job in Baltimore County.

More IG news.

I was cooking dinner and my kids were fighting over which one was going to help me and I decided the best course of action was to step out of the kitchen and let them finish the meal I was making together.

New faces everywhere: A look ahead at the politics in Baltimore County No one can really predict anything in politics, but one thing seems certain: this time next year, there will be new faces preparing to take over many Baltimore County offices.

Baltimore County is shaking things up.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

East Egg? No, East Essex. Gatsby-style mansion on Middle River is up for sale Italianate mansion with water views is up for sale for under $800,000 in Essex, Baltimore County.

The beer baron mansion owners have three showings this week, which I think is because of this story. If you're one of them, and you buy it, I hope you enjoy all the gimlets.

www.thebanner.com/economy/baue...

East Egg? No, East Essex. Gastby-style mansion on Back River is up for sale Italianate mansion with water views is up for sale for under $800,000 in Essex, Baltimore County.

This house is under $800,000 and it comes with all the period furniture, a saltwater pool, a view of the Chesapeake, and a boatload of local history. It's perfect for a gimlet and a day of reading on the porch. Pass the quail terrine!

www.thebanner.com/economy/baue...

East Egg? No, East Essex. Gastby-style mansion on Back River is up for sale Italianate mansion with water views is up for sale for under $800,000 in Essex, Baltimore County.

Bauernschmidt Manor was built for a beer baron. Now the Essex villa could be yours. "The map says Essex, but the house reads Gatsby." From @rkobell.bsky.social. (via @thebaltimorebanner.com)

I just listened to an hour-long interview on @podsaveamerica.crooked.com with Rahm Emanuel and Tommy Vietor did not ask the presidential hopeful one question about the 16 shots Chicago police fired at LaQuan McDonald's back when Emanuel was mayor.

Bedbugs bedeviling Baltimore County library branch in Dundalk The North Point branch of the Baltimore County Public Library has seen bedbugs on and off over the years, but the problem seemed worse to some this time.

The Baltimore County librarians have been through a lot.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

It’s not zoning. It’s a historic preservation issue