North East Firefighter Funeral Prompts Traffic Alert

NORTH EAST, MD — Drivers in North East should expect major traffic delays Saturday, Jan. 4, due to the funeral for former chief of the North East Fire Company Otis Isaacs Jr.

Isaacs held the titles of past president and chief of the North East Fire Company, among others, according to his obituary. He was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Fireman's Association Hall of Fame in 2003.

Isaacs reportedly died of a medical emergency after responding to several calls for service Dec. 29. He was 73.

Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Isaacs, "who tragically passed away in the line of duty," he stated.

The funeral service will be at noon Saturday at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street in North East. Visitation started at 10 a.m. Rev. Phil Meekins and Rev. Greg Halsey will conduct the service. Interment will follow in North East Methodist Cemetery at 13 Cemetery Road.

Traffic Alert

Delays will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the Cecil County Sheriff's Office.

These roads will be closed:

• Cemetery Road
• Church Street
• East Cecil Avenue (intermittent from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
• Mauldin Avenue (intermittent from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
• Roney Avenue
• Thomas Avenue
• Wallace Avenue
• Walnut Street
• West Street

Fire vehicles will be staged at the North East VFW at 815 Turkey Point Road and south down MD 272, with overflow at North East Elementary and Middle schools.

Those going to the North East High School wrestling tournament should take Old Elk Neck Road to Irishtown Road.

The Cecil County Sheriff's Office advised: "Drivers, please be patient."