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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.

The latest from Rona Kobell

The old Choate House, photographed in 1989, was a 215-year-old tavern on Liberty Road. A developer demolished the historic property in March to make way for new townhouses.
Choate House was a national historic landmark. A Baltimore County developer bulldozed it.
The developer who tore the historic home down said he also wanted a different outcome, that he even offered to pay to move it to a parcel of land he is donating to the county.
Apr 2, 2025
The Letter, painted in 2018 by Karen Warshal, and shown at SPCE, a contemporary art gallery in Glen Arm.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from dance to drama
Things to do in Baltimore County, from jokes to horror punk and art galleries.
Apr 2, 2025
Rashard Mack has been charged with murder in a Parkville stabbing.
Man charged with murder in Baltimore County stabbing
Baltimore County Police detectives have charged a 23-year-old man with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Taejhiana Walker, 22.
Mar 30, 2025
State police are investigating the death of Shane Lanham, 28, at Eastern Correctional Institute.
Maryland State Police investigate inmate death at Eastern Shore prison
Shane Lanham, 28, was pronounced dead on Saturday at Eastern Correctional Institute.
Mar 30, 2025
Ryan Coleman, President Randallstown NAACP gives his remarks at the Randallstown NAACP Rally at the Baltimore County School Board in 2022.
Randallstown NAACP president abruptly resigns
Ryan Coleman has resigned as president of the Randallstown NAACP amid differences with the state conference over his role.
Mar 27, 2025
Toads don’t wait to reach their vernal pool spawning grounds to get busy. Lisa Lewenz often picks them up while they are mid-mate.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from gardening workshops to community cleanups
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week ending April 3 that will connect you to spring.
Mar 26, 2025
Prettyboy Dam impounds the Gunpowder Falls to create the 1500-acre Prettyboy Reservoir in northern Baltimore County.
Is breaching Baltimore County’s urban-rural divide ‘the dumbest growth possible?’
As the Baltimore County Council considers a measure that would make it harder to change its Urban Rural Demarcation Line, here are answers to five questions about the decades-old URDL.
Mar 26, 2025
County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, center, cuts the ribbon alongside local dignitaries and children at Sparrows Point Park on Wednesday.
From brownfield to green jewel: Baltimore County opens $25 million park in Sparrows Point
The park includes playing fields, an indoor gym, and a new playground. It also features a 16,000-square-foot community center and an ADA-accessible fishing pier and kayak launch.
Mar 19, 2025
Nara Khakurel at his cafe, Coffee Talk Cafe, in Towson.
Coffee Talk Cafe owner Nara Khakurel already knows your order. He wants to know you, too.
Nepali immigrant Nara Khakurel’s coffee shop in Towson is a nexus of jurors and Baltimore County officials.
Mar 19, 2025
Baltimore County reversed three consecutive years of population decline.
Baltimore County population grows for first time in 4 years, new data shows
Baltimore County reversed three consecutive years of population decline, thanks in large part to new immigrants.
Mar 13, 2025
The Hampton Mansion is seen at sunrise at Hampton National Historic Site in Towson.
Hampton plantation site tells the history of slavery – and of Towson. Will the Trump administration erase that?
The Hampton National Historic Site near Towson tells the history of slavery at a former plantation site in Baltimore County. Some worry that the Trump administration's push to revise history will erase that.
Mar 12, 2025
Crowds enjoy St. Patrick's Day at the Guinness Brewery.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from Irish music to ... Irish breakfast
Seven things to do in Baltimore County, including St. Patrick's Day festivities.
Mar 12, 2025
A selection of artifacts found by archeologists at the Ben Ross Homeplace, including various kitchen items and pieces of housewares.
Harriet Tubman died 112 years ago today. Her legacy endures in a virtual museum.
Harriet Tubman died 112 years ago today. Her legacy lives on in an archaeological virtual museum
Mar 10, 2025
Hugh Simmons of the Phoenix Wildlife Center, checks out the eagle that I rescued on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
I rescued an injured bald eagle after I woke up. How’d your morning go?
Sometimes, you have to do something that scares you. On Wednesday morning, I helped rescue a wounded bald eagle from a neighbor’s yard and transported it to a wildlife center.
Mar 6, 2025
Irish music in Oregon Ridge. The event is popular every year.
7 things to do in Baltimore County: Job fair for federal workers, Irish music in the park
Seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week ending Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Mar 5, 2025
Sharonda Huffman talks to attendees at the kickoff event for her campaign for Baltimore County Council at the Essex Branch of the Baltimore Public Library in December.
Much ado about $60. How 2 Republicans’ complaints led the library to cancel a Democratic candidate’s event.
Sharonda Huffman, who is seeking to become the first Black woman elected to the Baltimore County Council, is pushing back against claims that she held a political fundraiser at the Essex branch.
Mar 5, 2025
Councilman David Marks speaks during a meeting at the Old Courthouse in Towson last year.
There’s a push to make rural Baltimore County even more untouchable — despite housing crisis
A Baltimore County councilman wants to make it harder for developers to build in parts of the county outside of the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line.
Mar 3, 2025
Crews battle flames near Sheppard Pratt on Saturday March 1, 2025.
Brushfires break out in Baltimore County as 40 mph winds and dry air create fire risk
The Baltimore County Fire Department battled a brushfire late Saturday night that broke out on the grounds of Sheppard Pratt’s Towson campus near the historic gatehouse.
Updated Mar 2, 2025
Councilman Pat Young has launched a campaign for Baltimore County executive in 2026.
Councilman Pat Young launches campaign for Baltimore County executive
Councilman Pat Young of Catonsville gets an early start on the 2026 election by announcing that he is running for Baltimore County executive. He is an Iraq War veteran and former state delegate.
Feb 27, 2025
Baltimore County resident Ann George testifies that the County Council needs more minority representation. Looking on are Keith and Linda Dorsey, who have been advocating for more minority representation for many years.
Come 2026, the Baltimore County Council could look completely different
The Baltimore County Council is adding members and redistricting. It could look completely different in 2026.
Feb 26, 2025
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