🌱 Record COVID Cases In County + New Year's Day Hike At Patapsco

Hey, Catonsville! Here's everything you need to know to get this Wednesday started off right.

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First, today's weather:

Cloudy with a bit of rain. High: 52 Low: 46.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Catonsville:

1. On Tuesday, Dec. 28, Baltimore County recorded its highest-ever COVID-19 levels, with 90,568 positive new cases and 1,914 deaths. Catonsville zip code 21228 has 4,910 confirmed cases as of yesterday, which is among the top five highest confirmed case counts in the County. County officials urge all eligible residents to get fully vaccinated and boosted to slow the further spread of COVID-19. (Catonsville Patch)
2. Want to get in on the "First Day Hike" trend? Patapsco Valley State Park in Catonsville will host several family-friendly New Year's Day hikes this weekend. On Friday, Dec. 31, the Patapsco Mobile Visitor Center will give out kids' Discovery Packs for a "New Year's Eve Countdown." There will also be regular First Day Hikes on Jan. 1 and 2. (Patch)
3. Real estate developer Klein Enterprises has secured a $110 million refinancing deal for 11 retail properties in Maryland and Virginia, including Forty West Shopping Center, a 120,434-square-foot retail center at 700 Rolling Road in Catonsville. "This multi-loan closing allowed us to concentrate our efforts on a bulk refinancing all at one time, rather than as loans matured at different times over the next 24 months," said Daniel Klein, president of Klein Enterprises. (Commercial Observer)

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Today in Catonsville:

• 8 Week Pottery Course for Beginners - Week One At It's Neighbor Made (6:15 PM)

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From my notebook:

• After temporarily closing due to a lack of COVID-19 test kits for its staff, Farmhouse Greens restaurant had a generous patron donate all the kits they needed so they could clear their remaining team members to return to work. (Facebook)
• What book did you most enjoy in 2021? The Baltimore County Library wants to know! Post your book recommendation publicly using the hashtag #bwellread2021 to be included in the library's roundup later this week. (Facebook)
• In observance of the New Year holiday, county-wide government offices, including Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 vaccination clinics and testing sites, CountyRide van service, and all branches of the Baltimore County Public Library will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31. Baltimore County Loop and County parking meters will operate as scheduled. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.