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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

A Maryland man adjusts his E-ZPass inside of his car in this file photo. Baltimore County wasted more than $17,000 by either not having or not properly using the transponders in some government vehicles.
Baltimore County wasted $17K on highway toll late fees and citations, report finds
The Baltimore County inspector general found the county wasted more than $17,000 on unnecessary tolls and fees. It should have gotten, or in some cases properly used, E-ZPass transponders.
Nov 12, 2024
Kenneth Oliver at the opening of the Metro Crossing luxury apartments in Owings Mills in 2013.
Kenneth Oliver, Baltimore County Council’s first Black member, dies
Kenneth Oliver was elected in 2002 and represented the 4th District for more than a decade in Baltimore County.
Nov 12, 2024
Baltimore County Council Chair Izzy Patoka pushed for an expansion of the council. On Tuesday, county voters approved a ballot measure to expand the council from seven to nine members.
The Baltimore County Council will expand. Here’s what you should know.
Baltimore County voters approved a ballot measure to expand the council from seven to nine members. Backers hope it will lead to more diversity on a now all-male council with only one person of color.
Nov 8, 2024
Ed Leicht, 76, in the doorway of his home at Holly Neck Boardinghouse in Essex, where he has lived since his wife died.
A Baltimore County boarding house is a lifeline to its residents — and a nuisance to some neighbors
Neighbors want to shut down an Essex boarding house. Residents say it’s the only thing keeping them off the streets.
Nov 7, 2024
With three-fourths of Election Day precincts reporting, voters favored the the council expansion measure by a 3-2 margin.
Baltimore County voters approve expanding County Council, other ballot measures
Baltimore County voters on Tuesday were poised to expand the County Council and protect the inspector general from political meddling.
Nov 6, 2024
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr.’s administration wants to have an in-house labor commissioner instead of contracting the position to a law firm.
Baltimore County expands law contract as it awaits new labor commissioner
Baltimore County has begun advertising the new job of labor commissioner, which will pay between $147,900 and $221,850 and be based in Towson.
Nov 5, 2024
Baltimore County Council members would see an increase in their future pension benefits under a ballot measure that would expand the council from seven to nine members.
Baltimore County Council expansion is on the ballot. It would mean a hefty pension bump.
The ballot measure to expand Baltimore County Council is aimed at bringing diversity to the all-male and mostly white council.
Nov 1, 2024
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, center, participates in the groundbreaking for a new clubhouse at the county-owned Rocky Point Golf Course.
Baltimore County will spend millions to renovate a golf course clubhouse. Some call it an overreach.
Some question Baltimore County’s plans to spend more than $6 million in county funds to renovate Rocky Point Golf Course’s clubhouse. The county’s Revenue Authority, which oversees golf courses and parking garages, typically pays for such projects.
Oct 29, 2024
Two escalators inside a small structure that says "METRO" at the top with a black and red vertical sign out front indicating it is located at Reisterstown Plaza.
Baltimore County leaders air frustrations over delayed road projects, transit cuts
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. and other county leaders this week criticized the Maryland Department of Transportation for cutting funding and slow-walking important county transit projects.
Oct 22, 2024
A small bandstand-like building blares spooky music and uses smoke machines to turn the area around it green. Fort Howard Dungeons has many sites like this one, but they do not allow flash photography inside. We managed to take this one without a flash before it got too dark.
Dungeons and Dundalk: History and horror collide at Fort Howard
The Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons are spooky, scary fun.
Oct 22, 2024
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan addresses the Baltimore County Council during a hearing on two bills proposed to enshrine her office in the county's charter and remove a waiting period to subpoena non-government records Nov. 28, 2023.
Ballot measure would shield Baltimore County inspector general from interference
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan wants residents to vote for a charter amendment making her office permanent.
Oct 18, 2024
Gracie, who was rescued from Baltimore County via a Facebook crowd-sourced effort, stands on a platform at her new home. Goats enjoy levels. She perches here often, which has prompted her owner to call her "Queen Gracie."
What’s for dinner? Not Gracie the goat, who was rescued from the wild with help from Facebook
A Baltimore community of animal lovers banded together over Facebook to rescue a goat.
Oct 14, 2024
The Baltimore County Council is all male and almost all white in an increasingly diverse county. Voters have a chance to expand the council, perhaps adding diversity. But how to draw the maps is a tricky issue.
Baltimore County Council keeps its council expansion maps
The Baltimore County Council voted not to change the maps that accompany a ballot question on whether to expand the council.
Oct 8, 2024
C. Scott Holupka testifies before the Baltimore County Council at his confirmation hearing for chairman of the planning board.
Baltimore County Council approves Olszewski nominations for fire chief, Planning Board
The Baltimore County Council has approved the nominations of Joseph W. Dixon as fire chief, and of C. Scott Holupka and Emily Brophy to be Planning Board chair and vice chair, respectively.
Oct 7, 2024
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. speaks during a press conference at the SBA’s Business Recovery Center in Baltimore on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
Olszewski’s picks for top spots on Baltimore County Planning Board draw criticism
Some Baltimore County residents are expressing concern about County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.’s efforts to shape the makeup of the Planning Board shortly before voters head to the polls to consider term limits and City Council approval for planning board members.
Oct 3, 2024

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