🌱 BCPS Settled Barr Court Case + County Council To Return In-Person

Hello again, friends! It's Saturday in Catonsville and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally.

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But first, today's weather:

Rain and drizzle in the p.m.. High: 55 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories today in Catonsville:

1. Baltimore County Public Schools and its chief auditor have settled their court case with Andrea Barr. Barr had alleged school board members engineered her firing to punish her for not following their orders in May. The school board will pay Barr $115,000 in non-economic damages and attorney's fees and give Barr a new employment contract. In exchange, Barr will withdraw the complaints she had filed. The agreement also says the board members admit to doing nothing wrong. (WYPR)
2. Since the pandemic, the Baltimore County Council has held remote meetings, but starting Jan. 3 the council will resume in-person meetings. The council work sessions and legislative sessions will be in-person, but there will still be a video link for residents who want to tune in remotely. (Subscription: Baltimore Sun)
3. The Maryland State Police will have extra troopers on the road and will conduct saturation patrols looking for impaired drivers and speeders on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Police will be on the lookout for speeding, aggressive driving, and impaired drivers that are unfortunately common during the upcoming celebration. Police suggest some tips for how to stay safe this weekend. (Maryland Patch)

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Today in Catonsville:

• New Year's Eve Last Day Bike At Patapsco Valley State Park - Hilton Area (9:00 AM)
• Noon Year's Eve Party At sweetFrog (11:00 AM)
• New Years Eve Gathering At House of Worship Christian Church (10:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Calling all artist-mothers! The Baltimore County Arts Guild posted Priya Vadhyar's new Artist at Work Program (Artist-Mother Edition) which begins on Jan. 25. Vadhyar will mentor five artist-mothers for free as part of the Maryland State Art Council Creativity Grant. Click here to learn more. (Baltimore County Arts Guild via Instagram)
• There are almost no more diners open 24-hours, seven-days-a-week in Maryland since the pandemic. Both Doozy's Diner and Double T Diner in Catonsville are not open very late. Double T closes at midnight and Doozy's closes at 2:30 p.m. (Subscription: Baltimore Sun)
• Congratulations to Catonsville girls basketball team! They won 51 to 30 against Bryn Mawr on Dec. 29. (Federal News Network)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. Happy New Year!

— 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!