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Rona Kobell

Rona

Rona Kobell is a regional reporter covering Baltimore County. Before joining the Banner, she worked as an environmental reporter in the region for nearly 20 years at The Baltimore Sun and The Chesapeake Bay Journal. She has twice been honored by Baltimore Magazine for the best environmental reporting in Baltimore. Last year, she was a Johns Hopkins SNF AGORA fellow studying democracy. She’s also taught journalism at the University of Maryland, Loyola University and Towson University.

Latest content by Rona Kobell

6/16/22—A Baltimore County police car sits outside of the Public Safety Building and Police Department in Towson.
Middle River woman charged with murder in death of her 11-year-old daughter
Keyona Dillon, 34, was arrested around noon on Thursday when officers responded to a home in the 2100 block of Firethorn Road, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.
Updated Jan 24, 2025
Row of portable toilets.
A lot for Johnny on the spot? Baltimore County spending about $1.2 million on portable potties
The Baltimore County Council was asked to approve the expenditure of $1,174,101 on portable toilets, nearly twice its planned outlay.
Jan 22, 2025
Bronwyn Mitchell-Strong, education director at the Natural History Society of Maryland, describes the process of assembling a woolly mammoth skeleton.
Time is running out to see Baltimore’s woolly mammoth
Woolly mammoth bones on display at the Natural History Society of Maryland’s museum are leaving soon.
Jan 22, 2025
Councilman Michael Ertel, left, presents an award to fellow Councilman Izzy Patoka for his leadership. Both campaigned on expanding the Baltimore County Council.
Baltimore County Council confirms panel to guide council redistricting
The Baltimore County Council on Tuesday night will finalize appointments to a redistricting panel that will advise members as the legislative body expands from seven to nine members for the first time since 1956.
Updated Jan 21, 2025
Rockland Run resident Diana Evans looks up at the damaged ceiling above her bed. She has had to deal with water coming through the ceiling in her first floor condo multiple times in the past couple of years.
Baltimore County seeks relief for strapped condo, townhouse associations
Maryland makes homeowner associations collect funds for maintenance. Baltimore County’s councilmen say it’s too much.
Jan 20, 2025
Baltimore County must pay more than $4.2 million to resolve class-action claims by 171 retirees.
Judge orders Baltimore Co. to pay more than $4.2 million to shortchanged retirees
The court found that Baltimore County used the wrong calculation when it valued the pensions of those transferring into the county system from other local governments.
Jan 17, 2025
About 200 residents turned out to a meeting with Baltimore County Police Chief Robert O. McCullough and Councilman Mike Ertel at at Babcock Presbyterian Church in Loch Raven on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
String of crimes leaves Loch Raven on edge
Residents of the Loch Raven community in Baltimore County voiced concerns about crime at a recent meeting with county and police officials. The meeting followed a recent mass shooting and other incidents.
Jan 16, 2025
The Recher Theater in Towson, which is hosting School of Rock this month.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from an ’80s dance party to a teen rock concert
Seven things to do in Baltimore County, from a teenage rock concert to an adult ’80s dance party
Jan 15, 2025
6/16/22—A Baltimore County Police Officer’s polo patch.
Baltimore County Police investigate double homicide in Woodlawn
Baltimore County homicide detectives are investigating a double homicide in Woodlawn from over the weekend.
Jan 13, 2025
Korryn Gaines and her son, Kodi, in an undated photo.
Baltimore County Police shot a 5-year-old boy in 2016. Will the Supreme Court hear the case?
Baltimore County police shot Kodi Gaines in 2016 while serving a warrant on his mother. Now the Cato Institute is siding with the boy's lawyers and arguing that the shooting violated Kodi's constitutional rights.
Updated Jan 9, 2025
Maryland State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier speaks after being sworn in as Baltimore County Executive during a Baltimore County Council meeting in Towson, Md. Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
5 things to know about new Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier
Five things to know about Kathy Klausmeier, Baltimore’s new county executive.
Jan 8, 2025
Michael Ertel is named the new chair of the Baltimore County Council during Tuesday’s legislative session in Towson.
Baltimore County Council elects Towson Democrat Mike Ertel as chair
Baltimore County Councilman Mike Ertel was elected chair of the County Council on Tuesday, succeeding fellow Democrat Izzy Patoka. The Towson Democrat will lead the seven-member council in 2025.
Jan 8, 2025
Katherine Klausmeier, joined by her husband John, is sworn in as County Executive during a legislative session of the Baltimore County Council on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier named Baltimore County executive, becomes first woman to hold post
Baltimore County Council chooses longtime state Sen. Kathy Klausmeier to be county executive for the next two years.
Updated Jan 7, 2025
The Baltimore County Council is voting at 3 p.m. Tuesday on the replacement for now U.S. Rep. John A. Olszewski Jr. as Baltimore County executive.
Baltimore County Council decides who will be the new county executive today
Baltimore County Council picks a new Baltimore County executive.
Jan 7, 2025
A ruby-crowned kinglet chases an insect on Hart-Miller Island. Learn more about birds in the state Monday at the Cockeysville Senior Center.
7 Things to do in Baltimore County, from ice skating to learning about birds
From a late New Year’s Eve party to glow-in-the-dark painting, here are seven things to do in Baltimore County this week.
Jan 1, 2025

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