Penelope Blackwell

Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States

Breaking News and Accountability Reporter at The Baltimore Banner

reporter @baltimorebanner | drop me a line at [email protected]

Articles

Why Baltimore buried the Jones Falls River more than a century ago

Jan 13, 2025 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

It seemed like a good idea at the time — take a fetid waterway, thick with bacteria and sewage runoff, bury it under a vibrant neighborhood and cover it with concrete. The waterway was such a toxic cesspool that the master of ceremonies at the project’s 1915 dedication, Henry Barton Jacobs, declared he was seeking to “bury the Jones Falls River — not to praise it.”By the early 1960s, the Jones Falls Expressway, or JFX, had been built over the hidden river.
Ex-Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sued over $2M business loan

Jan 9, 2025 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

A lawsuit filed Wednesday by an Indiana-based bank against former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake seeks repayment on a $2 million commercial loan. Old National Bank, which merged with Capstar Bank in April last year, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Maryland for an outstanding loan balance, plus interest and late fees, in the amount of $2,109,114. The loan, issued on Nov.
Ex-Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sued over $2 million business loan

Jan 9, 2025 | flipboard.com | Penelope Blackwell

12 hours agoCritics warn the transfer of a D.C. National Guard unit puts the nation’s capital in jeopardy. An old-fashioned turf battle is erupting over the transfer of a fighter squadron from the District of Columbia to Maryland with critics worried this leaves the nation’s capital dangerously exposed to …
Busy Lake Montebello intersection gets new lane to ease traffic woes

Jan 7, 2025 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

Whether you’re headed toward Lake Montebello for a brisk walk around its nearly 1 1/2 mile loop or dropping the kids off at the local school, you’ll notice a new lane change at the busy nearby intersection.
Southern Baptist breaks ground on $32M facility to expand health care access in East Baltimore

Dec 15, 2024 | 92q.com | Penelope Blackwell

CLOSE All that remains where an old laundry factory in East Baltimore once stood is a pile of gravel, littered trash and broken bricks tagged with graffiti. But a local anchor church, which purchased and demolished the building years ago, is workingto transform the site into a $32 million health and wellness center.
Shakeia Allen’s killing goes viral as alleged gunman remains on the loose

Dec 10, 2024 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

The family of a 27-year-old woman, whose death was recorded in a video that has circulated widely on social media for several months, grows restless as Baltimore County Police have not been able to locate the man they say is her killer. “It’s not alleged — he’s on film killing her,” said Nakia Scott, the father of Shakeia Allen, who was fatally shot outside her apartment on April 21. Months later, Baltimore County Police named her ex-boyfriend, Amir Johnson, 24, as a suspect in Allen’s killing.
Baltimore firefighters install dozens of smoke alarms after fatal Greektown fire

Dec 3, 2024 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

After a three-alarm fire in Greektown left one woman dead in late November, Baltimore firefighters spent time making sure nearly 300 homesin the neighborhood had working smoke detectors and installing new ones where needed. The fire department reported Monday that firefighters conducted a “comprehensive safety sweep” on and around the 300 block of S. Newkirk Street last week offering fire prevention information to a total of 299 homes, inspecting 200 smoke alarms and installing 43 smoke alarms.
As historic Car Barn awaits next phase of renovation, community is cautiously optimistic

Nov 16, 2024 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

A 21st-century renovation of the Car Barn — a historic building in East Baltimore that was once a hub for the city’s cable car system — aims to help move communities forward, though this time, not bycable car. The long-vacant Baltimore Traction Co. Car Barn, located at 130 S. Central Ave., has been cleared and is awaiting its next phase. Developers aim to transform the empty43,000-square-foot space to offer improved access to amenities and bring jobs to nearby neighborhoods.
From ‘studio-to-street’, Alo Yoga opens new activewear store in Harbor East

Nov 15, 2024 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

Alo Yoga, the luxury yoga, activewear and accessory line with the cult-like following, has opened its first Maryland retail store in Baltimore’s Harbor East neighborhood. The brand received more than 600 RSVPs for a VIP member opening Thursday of its Alo Sanctuary store at the corner of Aliceanna and South Exeter streets, which also has a yoga studio and cafe.
Scout leader charged with rape and assault of teen in Howard County

Nov 5, 2024 | thebaltimorebanner.com | Penelope Blackwell

Howard County Police said Tuesday that an Ellicott City man has been charged in the sexual abuse of a teen and was arrested last week. James Alan Soltysiak, 56, has worked as a scout leader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City for the past five years,police said. He has been charged with second-degree rape and assault of a minor, as well as sexual abuse of a minor.