Home Care In Nottingham, MD

TOWSON, MD—A significant, multi-year construction project is set to begin on MD 45 (York Road) in Towson as soon as Sunday, December 14, requiring overnight lane closures and advising motorists to seek alternate routes.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works are collaborating on the $9 million joint effort, which involves replacing the county water line beneath the road and constructing extensive highway improvements.

Project Scope and Duration

The work zone extends along York Road from the Towson Roundabout at Joppa Road to Newell Avenue, just one block south of the Towson Bypass/Burke Avenue. The entire project is slated for completion by late fall 2027, weather permitting.

Contractor crews from Pessoa Construction Company will initially focus on the waterline replacement, beginning at Newell Avenue near Towson University and proceeding north toward the Towson Roundabout throughout 2026.

Expected Traffic Impacts

Motorists should prepare for nighttime travel disruptions:

MDOT SHA strongly advises through travelers on York Road between I-695 and Baltimore City to plan for extra travel time and consider using the Towson Bypass as an alternate route.

Improvements and Funding

The joint project addresses both aging infrastructure and highway needs:

Pedestrian access to all properties along York Road will be maintained throughout the construction period, with an ADA-compliant path provided during sidewalk and curb ramp work.

This York Road project is one of several State/County collaborations underway, including improvement and water line work on MD 139 (Charles Street) and MD 542 (Loch Raven Boulevard).

Drivers are asked to stay alert, stay focused and be aware of reduced speed limits and changing driving patterns in the work zone.

BALTIMORE, MD—American motorists are enjoying continued relief at the pump, as the national average price for gasoline has fallen to $2.90 per gallon, reaching a new multi-year low, according to data released on Monday by GasBuddy.

The average price has dropped 5.0 cents over the past week and is down 17.6 cents from a month ago. Significantly, the current average is also 7.3 cents per gallon lower than it was one year ago. The average price for diesel has followed a similar trend, declining 5.1 cents in the last week to stand at $3.671 per gallon.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, stated that the decline has put gas prices at “multi-year lows heading into Christmas.” He noted that in the cheapest cities, averages have dipped into the low-$2 range, with a few stations still offering gasoline under $2 per gallon. De Haan predicted that “Barring any major disruptions, prices are likely to stay relatively low into the new year.”

Oil Market and Supply Dynamics

The consistent drop in prices comes despite crude oil remaining in a tight trading range, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oscillating between the upper $58s and low $60s per barrel. Geopolitical tensions provided some upward pressure by raising supply concerns, but market sentiment, driven by expectations of future U.S. interest rate cuts and lingering demand uncertainty, moderated any major rally. WTI posted a modest weekly gain, rising to roughly $59.55 per barrel, while Brent traded around $63.22.

Oil and refined product supplies showed mixed but manageable dynamics for the week ending November 28, 2025. U.S. oil inventories saw a small increase of 0.6 million barrels, remaining about 3% below the seasonal average. However, inventories of gasoline rose by a significant 4.5 million barrels, easing supply concerns even as implied gasoline demand dipped slightly.

Price Extremes Across the Country

The most frequently encountered gas price by U.S. motorists this week was $2.79 per gallon, down 20 cents from the previous week. The median price nationwide sits at $2.79 per gallon.

Drivers in the following states are seeing the lowest average prices:

Conversely, the states with the highest average prices are concentrated on the West Coast and in the Pacific:

Nevada saw the biggest weekly price drop, falling 16.3 cents, followed by Colorado, which declined by 14.8 cents.

In and around northeastern Baltimore County, the cheapest gas this week could be found at these locations…

Photo via Pixabay

PARKVILLE, MD—A Baltimore County jury has delivered a guilty verdict against former insurance agent and financial advisor Michael C. Okolo, 68, of Parkville, for two counts of insurance fraud and one count of obstruction of justice, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced on Monday.

The conviction stems from Okolo’s misappropriation of a client’s funds intended for life insurance and annuity policy premiums. Specifically, after the client provided Okolo with two incomplete checks totaling $36,500, Okolo illegally made the checks payable to his own business, deposited the money into his business account, and subsequently used the funds for personal and business expenses rather than the intended insurance products.

In addition to the fraud charges, the jury found Okolo guilty of obstructing justice. In May 2025, after he had already been charged with insurance fraud, Okolo disclosed a letter he intended to be admitted as evidence at his trial. Prosecutors revealed that this letter, purportedly written and signed by the client, was a fabrication; Okolo wrote the text and then copied and pasted the client’s genuine signature from an entirely separate document.

Attorney General Brown emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “Marylanders deserve financial advisors they can trust with their life savings. This conviction sends a clear message that we will hold accountable those who betray that trust and steal from their clients.”

Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant echoed this sentiment, adding that the conviction “sends a strong message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated in Maryland,” and committed the Maryland Insurance Administration to continuing its work with the Office of the Attorney General to protect the public.

Okolo is scheduled for sentencing on January 7, 2026, in Baltimore County Circuit Court before the Honorable Michael S. Barranco.

Additional Pending Charges

The guilty verdict is part of a larger legal challenge for Okolo, who faces two other separate cases scheduled for trial in 2026. In one pending case, Okolo is charged with theft of $100,000 or more for allegedly spending client funds—intended for a “real estate investment”—on unrelated personal and business expenses. In the second pending case, Okolo is charged with numerous counts of acting as an insurance agent without a license after allegedly continuing to solicit and sell insurance products subsequent to the Maryland Insurance Administration revoking his license.

It is important to note that all charges in these upcoming cases are merely accusations of wrongdoing, and a defendant is presumed innocent until the state proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PERRY HALL, MD—Perry Hall High School is celebrating a monumental achievement as senior Edgardo Ramos-Euceda has been named a QuestBridge National College Match Scholar, securing a full scholarship to attend Columbia University in New York City.

The prestigious QuestBridge National College Match program connects high-achieving, low-income students with full, four-year scholarships to the nation’s top universities. The program recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic talent, leadership, and resilience—qualities that the PHHS community says Ramos-Euceda embodies fully.

A Visionary Leader and Advocate

Ramos-Euceda’s success extends far beyond his academic performance. He has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity and community advocacy throughout his high school career, taking on several leadership roles:

“Edgardo is not only an outstanding scholar but also a visionary leader and advocate,” the high school announced. His tireless efforts have focused on “creating spaces for support and equity,” including organizing community fundraisers, speaking on national panels, and lobbying state legislators to champion the cause of multilingual learners.

Overcoming Obstacles with Resilience

School officials noted that Ramos-Euceda’s journey is defined by remarkable perseverance. Despite facing many obstacles, his determination has been an inspiration to his peers and mentors.

“His perseverance, empathy, and determination have inspired everyone around him. He truly embodies the spirit of leadership and resilience,” the school’s announcement stated.

Ramos-Euceda plans to pursue a major in Finance or Economics at Columbia University. His academic path is driven by a profound personal goal: to build a secure future for his family and uplift his community.

The Perry Hall High School community expressed immense pride in his accomplishment, calling his selection for the QuestBridge scholarship a testament to his hard work and a promise of a bright future.