Dear Friends,

Howard County’s newest community garden is ready to welcome gardeners from Ellicott City and Elkridge! I celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Old Montgomery Road Community Garden, adding 126 plots where residents can grow vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Located at 8131 Old Montgomery Road, this is the fourth community garden site in our partnership with Columbia Gardeners, Inc. and the first outside Columbia. It gives more residents, including those without space to garden at home, an opportunity to grow fresh food and connect with their neighbors.

Designed to make gardening more accessible, the site includes 25 ADA-accessible plots and two plots designated for our Department of Recreation & Parks’ Therapeutic Recreation programs. Five plots will support the Community Action Council of Howard County and its Food Bank, giving participants the opportunity to choose what they grow and garden alongside their families.

Thank you to Columbia Gardeners, Inc. President Amod Bhide and Community Action Council of Howard County President Tracy Broccolino for your partnership. I also appreciate Recreation & Parks Director Nick Mooneyhan, Therapeutic Recreation and Accommodation Services Manager Susan Potts, and everyone who helped bring this garden to life.

I look forward to seeing what our community grows here in the seasons ahead. 

Sincerely,

First Source Power

First Source Electronics, now branded as First Source Power, has grown from 50 to 135 employees and relocated to a larger facility in Howard County’s Enterprise Zone.

During Business Appreciation Week, we celebrated the ribbon cutting at its expanded Elkridge location with Chairman Vijay Mony, Director of Operations Joe Lyon, Tommy Lute, and Woodson Equity Operations Executive Subir Shah.

The company designs and manufactures control panels, cable assemblies, power distribution equipment and electromechanical systems. Its products support industries including data centers, warehouse automation, manufacturing, and defense and space.

Its 135,000-square-foot facility at 6725 Business Parkway provides more room for engineering and production while keeping that work here in Howard County. Growing its workforce by 85 employees is a significant achievement and an investment in our local economy.

Congratulations to Vijay and the entire team on this expansion. Thank you for choosing Howard County as a place to grow and for the skilled work your employees contribute every day.

To learn more, visit First Source Power's website.

Staying Active After Cardiac Rehab 

Joining a Howard County 50+ Center starts with a free basic membership for adults age 50 and older. Members can explore educational programs, social activities and wellness opportunities, with separate registration and fees for some offerings.

For members interested in independent exercise, the Go 50+ Fitness Pass provides fitness room access at all six 50+ Centers and the Roger Carter Community Center. The annual cost is $89 for Howard County residents and $125 for nonresidents.

The Go 50+ and Pool Pass is also available for $210 annually for County residents and $270 for nonresidents. Group fitness classes require separate registration and are not included in the Go 50+ Fitness Pass.

Individuals transitioning from Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center’s clinically supervised cardiac rehabilitation enroll through this same process. There is no separate cardiac maintenance membership or special access arrangement.

Fitness rooms are for independent exercise. The Centers do not provide clinical cardiac rehabilitation or medical supervision, and staff do not continuously monitor workouts.

Contact your preferred Center to discuss membership and the options that fit your interests.

Learn more by visiting our Office on Aging and Independence’s “50+ Fitness” website.

Supporting Howard County Farms

Howard County’s farmers help feed our families and keep agriculture an essential part of our local economy. On National Farmers’ Day, October 12th, we thanked the people whose knowledge and daily work sustain our farms.

Since 2019, we have worked with our agricultural community to protect farmland and help farm businesses succeed. We reopened the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, investing more than $17.5 million to preserve more than 515 acres. We have also provided more than $3.5 million in grants to local farms and agricultural businesses, including emergency relief following the severe drought of 2024.

We created Howard County’s first Office of Agriculture, giving farmers a dedicated team for business development, education, marketing and regulatory support. Working with our County Council and farming community, we also updated agricultural zoning to expand opportunities for agritourism, farm stays and other sources of farm income.

Through The Roving Radish, we have purchased more than $424,000 in produce from Howard County farms since 2019, supporting local growers while helping residents access fresh food.

Our first New & Beginning Farmer Program launched in 2025 and has grown from seven farmers to ten. At the H. Mitchell “Mickey” Day New and Beginning Farm Complex, participants have access to 30 quarter-acre plots with water, shared equipment, a greenhouse, training and business support. Our FY2026 budget also dedicated $100,000 for a wash-and-pack station to help prepare their produce for market.

We are also advancing the Charles C. Feaga Agricultural Center at West Friendship Park, honoring lifelong farmer, former County Councilmember and former Howard County Farm Bureau President Charles “Charlie” Feaga. With $1 million for planning and design and another $3.3 million for site development, this future center will bring agricultural services, training and educational resources together.

I remain committed to helping both established and aspiring farmers build a future here. Buying from a local farm, farm stand or farmers market is one way we can all support that work throughout the year.

Grab a Chicken and a Friend!

Chick N' Friends is preparing a new home on Columbia Gateway Drive, continuing a family restaurant tradition here in Howard County. During Business Appreciation Week, I toured the space as renovations move forward.

Founded by the Lloyd family, the restaurant is led by co-owners Rhodney and Cassandra Lloyd. Their family’s work also includes Jarrod and Kemberly Lloyd and Rhodney’s parents, Joe and Juanita. Together, they have built a business known for pressure-fried chicken, seafood and homestyle sides.

Video Lottery Terminal financing is helping support renovations at 7185 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite L. This investment gives the family an opportunity to continue serving customers from a new Columbia location.

Congratulations to the Lloyd family and the Chick N’ Friends team as you prepare to welcome longtime customers and new neighbors to your new location.

Learn more by checking out Chick N’ Friends’ website.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the histories, cultures and continuing contributions of Native peoples. Meaningful recognition also requires acknowledging the displacement and injustices Indigenous communities have endured and listening to their experiences and perspectives.

In 2020, I announced that Howard County would recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an official County holiday. That decision reflected our responsibility to tell a fuller history and create opportunities for residents to learn from one another.

On Monday afternoon, Howard County Recreation & Parks hosted a free Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration at its Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, where residents could learn all about Indigenous cultures, contributions and experiences, past and present. To all who attended, I thank you for joining us and hope you had a great time learning about Native peoples’ experiences and contributions.

Built for Every Level of Play

Columbia has an innovative new gathering place for people who enjoy gaming. During Business Appreciation Week, I celebrated Noxide Esports ribbon cutting at 7085 Samuel Morse Drive with Senior Systems Administrator William Capon and Chief of Staff Paula Costello.

Founded by Air Force veteran Nicholas Minarik, Noxide brings competitive and casual gaming into a shared space where players can meet, practice and compete in person. The facility includes a 35-station gaming floor and an arena stage with spectator seating.

Noxide also participates in the Maryland Innovation Center’s Empower program, connecting the business with support as it grows. Its opening creates space for tournaments and other gaming events in Columbia Gateway.

Congratulations to Nicholas, William, Paula and the entire team on your opening!

Explore events and gaming options by checking out Noxide Esports’ website.

Emerging Technology Building Tomorrow

Shana Cosgrove founded Nyla Technology Solutions in 2013 while balancing work as an engineer with building a business and raising a young family. She named the company after her mother, Nyla.

During Business Appreciation Week, we visited founder, owner and Chief Executive Officer Shana Cosgrove, co-founder and Chief Information Officer Brian Cosgrove, and Vice President of Business Development David Capen at their Columbia office.

Nyla provides artificial intelligence engineering, data science and software systems solutions for government and commercial clients. Its work helps organizations use complex information and develop technology for their operations.

The innovative company earned recognition on the Baltimore Business Journal’s fastest-growing minority businesses list, with 30 percent revenue growth from 2023 to 2024.

Congratulations to Shana, Brian, David and the entire team. Thank you for growing your company in Howard County and contributing to the technology expertise that makes our business community strong.

Visit Nyla Technology Solutions’ website to learn more.

Be Loud; Be Proud

On National Coming Out Day, October 11th, we celebrated our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and recognize how much a supportive family, workplace or community can mean when someone shares who they are.

Coming out is a personal decision, and everyone’s circumstances are different. Whether someone is living openly, sharing with a few trusted people or choosing privacy, they deserve respect and support.

We can each help by listening without judgment, keeping what someone shares private and making clear that our care for them has not changed. Those everyday actions can make it easier for someone to feel safe and accepted.

To our LGBTQIA+ community: you belong in Howard County. I remain committed to a community where we embrace dignity and respect.

Stellar Record of Responsible Fiscal Management

Howard County’s AAA credit ratings over the last eight years is a stellar record of responsible financial management. We have once again earned the highest possible rating from Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, which helps keep borrowing costs low as we invest in our community.

The KKE Difference

The heating, lighting and plumbing systems we rely on every day begin with careful engineering. During Business Appreciation Week, I visited KK Engineering in Columbia to recognize the professionals behind that work.

Thank you to founding Principal Khalid Khalifa and Mechanical Engineers Elshaday Tegegne, Aboubker Elemam, Shoaib Tariq and Leena Khalifa for welcoming us to their Columbia 100 Parkway office.

This longstanding Black-owned firm designs mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for new and existing buildings. Its work also includes energy audits, conservation analysis and retrofit planning to help clients improve building performance.

I appreciate KK Engineering’s continued investment in Howard County and the technical skills its employees bring to our local business community.

Learn more by visiting KK Engineering’s website.

Let’s Give Something Back

As a second-generation Morgan Man and former Morgan State educator, I appreciated the opportunity to speak at the Morgan State University Alumni Association Howard County Chapter meeting. It was a pleasure to connect with fellow alumni who continue supporting the next generation of Morgan State University students.

Chartered in 1989, the chapter helps Howard County students pursue and complete their education at Morgan. Since 2023, it has invested more than $60,000 in Morgan scholars, helping cover expenses such as tuition, books and housing through its scholarship program.

The chapter’s service also reaches beyond campus. Members have supported organizations including the Howard County Food Bank, Grassroots Crisis Intervention and @hopeworksofhc, and help keep Benson Road clean through our Adopt-A-Road program. Their motto, “Let’s Give Something Back,” is reflected in that work.

Thank you to Chapter President Suzanne Haley, the leadership team and fellow alumni for your commitment to Morgan and our community. Your fundraising and volunteer service help another generation of students experience the opportunities our National Treasure provides.

Learn more about the chapter and its scholarship program by visiting the Morgan State University Alumni Association Howard County Chapter’s website. 

Keep Moving Forward

At Peace Of Mind Property Management’s Columbia office, I met with Property Manager Rachel Kohel and Leasing Agent Chris Meldrom to recognize the team’s work serving rental property owners and residents.

Founder Melissa Hargreaves established the company in 2014, drawing on her experience owning and managing rental properties. Its services include marketing available homes, coordinating leasing, managing maintenance requests and helping owners navigate the responsibilities of being a landlord.

The team also includes Property Manager Jenn March.

Thank you to Rachel, Chris, Melissa, Jenn and the entire team for serving local property owners and renters, and to the resident who nominated this business for recognition.

Learn more by visiting a Peace Of Mind Property Management’s website. 

World Mental Health Day

Asking for help with your mental health should come with support and understanding. On October 10th, World Mental Health Day, I encouraged residents to check in with themselves and the people they care about, and to know where help is available.

If you or someone you know needs emotional support, call or text 988 or visit 988 Lifeline's website. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, with free, confidential support. You do not have to wait until a crisis to reach out.

Supporting Grassroots Crisis Intervention has been a priority throughout my administration, helping residents access mental health care, crisis intervention and emergency shelter over the years.

In August, I announced $260,000 in emergency funding to help keep Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center open after the loss of a federal contract. Our FY2027 budget also provides nearly $1.9 million in Community Service Partnership grants to support Grassroots’ services and operations, a five percent increase over the previous year.

Grassroots continues to provide local crisis services, including free, 24-hour walk-in support at 8990 Old Annapolis Road, Suite A, in Columbia. You don’t need to suffer in solitude. Help is available.

Growing Pesticide Free Vegetables and Beans

Business Appreciation Week took us to West Friendship, where Cruz Crops LLC is growing a local farm business through Howard County’s New & Beginning Farmer Program.

I visited owner Nelson Colocho-Cruz and Administrator Alexis Downs De Colocho at their farm plot on Frederick Road. Cruz Crops grows vegetables and beans, with an emphasis on making fresh produce accessible and affordable.

Starting a farm requires access to land, equipment and practical knowledge. Our new Office of Agriculture has an impactful program that helps aspiring farmers address those needs through farmland access, shared equipment, hands-on training and business development support.

Thank you to Nelson and Alexis for sharing your work with us. Supporting businesses like Cruz Crops helps keep agriculture part of Howard County’s economy and gives residents more opportunities to buy food grown close to home.

Keep Moving After Cardiac Rehab

Completing cardiac rehabilitation is an important milestone. For residents ready to continue exercising independently, our 50+ Centers offer a community setting to stay active.

Our Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) is now working with Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center to connect eligible participants with community fitness and wellness opportunities at our six 50+ Centers. This transition is for individuals whose hospital care team has determined they no longer require clinical supervision and can exercise in a community setting.

While the Centers do not provide clinical cardiac rehabilitation or medical supervision, they do offer fitness rooms, classes and other activities that support healthy aging. Fitness rooms offer opportunities for independent exercise and are not continuously monitored by staff.

Participants age 50 and older can join through the same membership process as other eligible community members and choose the Center most convenient for them. The transition will also allow Johns Hopkins to offer additional clinical rehabilitation appointments to patients waiting to begin that care.

Explore our centers by visiting OAI’s “Howard County 50+ Centers” webpage.

Helping Kids Ride into a Happier, Healthier Childhood

A donated bicycle can give a child a way to explore their neighborhood, spend time with friends and stay active. I visited Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland’s eighth annual collection day in Elkridge, where volunteers are preparing donated bikes for children in need.

In 2025, the organization distributed 3,278 refurbished bicycles, each with a new helmet. More than 700 volunteers contributed over 6,900 hours to that effort. Since its founding in 2019, Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland has provided 15,359 bicycles to children, with a goal of distributing at least 3,000 more this fall.

Howard County supports this work through fire station collection sites, bicycle recovery and storage at Alpha Ridge, and storage space at West Friendship Park. Our partnership at Alpha Ridge has brought more than 1,400 bicycles and tricycles into the organization’s inventory, helping keep usable materials out of the waste stream.

Thank you to Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland President Ted Cochran, the volunteers, donors and community partners who make these giveaways possible. From collecting bikes to making repairs and fitting helmets, your work helps more children enjoy the freedom and fun of riding.

LGBTQ+ History Month

During this LGBTQ+ History Month, we honor the legacy and leadership of LGBTQIA+ people across Howard County, our nation, and our world. The rights and visibility of LGBTQIA+ people today reflect generations of advocacy, often by those who faced extraordinary barriers simply for being themselves.

In 2022, we established Howard County’s first LGBTQIA+ Commission to ensure our LGBTQIA+ neighbors have a permanent role and voice in County government. Working with our Office of Human Rights and Equity, commissioners help advance policies and services that better reflect our community’s needs.

In 2025, Columbia earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year. That recognition reflects sustained work by our community and public servants to foster a Howard County that is welcoming and inclusive.

As we reflect on this history and the progress we have made, we must continue our efforts to support our LGBTQIA+ neighbors and ensure a community where everyone feels safe and supported in the place they call home.

Empowering Military Families to Thrive in Every Community

As the proud son and grandson of veterans, I am exceedingly grateful for the work that Blue Star Families Maryland Chapter (BSF) does to support military and veteran families. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts.

I took the opportunity to visit during Blue Star Welcome Week, which recognizes the 600,000 military families that move to new communities each year. This special week raises awareness and builds support for military families across the country. The demands of moving are tough for military families, and BSF does a great job of making those transitions a little easier. Thank you to all of our veterans and military families for the sacrifices you make to protect our country.

Move, Strengthen, & Restore

At SHIFT Yoga & Strength in Fulton, you can find more than just group classes. As a trauma-informed, inclusive environment, Shift Yoga aims to integrate physical health with overall wellness. With classes that cater to beginners and women over 35, Shift Yoga offers evidence-based strength training and yoga classes to improve mobility, all in an inclusive, supportive environment.

Thank you to owner Jessie Kates and the entire staff at Shift Yoga for welcoming us into your studios during Business Appreciation Week. This business is one more way our community is helping to create a healthier Howard County and beyond!

Visit SHIFT Yoga & Strength's website to learn more.

The Loan Closet

Our Loan Closet in Columbia offers a wide arrange of durable medical equipment for Howard County residents to borrow. Since 2019, we have nearly doubled the number of equipment that we have loaned out from 2002 to 3712 last year. The number of donations has also increased significant in that time, allowing our Loan Closet to carry a plentiful supply for those in need. Thank you to our Loan Closet Manager, Jennifer Blevins, for helping residents find the equipment and services they need. For general questions, call 410-313-0356 or email loancloset@howardcountymd.gov. 

Visit our Office of Disability Services’ “Loan Closet Equipment” website to find the referral form and online inventory.

Celebrating the People and Partnerships Helping Move our Region Forward

I joined the 2026 UNCF Baltimore Mayor’s Masked Ball, where the Baltimore region’s corporate, civic, education and community leaders gathered to support students of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF awards more than $62 million in scholarships to more than 11,000 students, while also providing financial support to HBCUs.

As an educator, my work at Baltimore City Community College and as an Assistant Professor at Morgan State University reinforced my belief in the power of higher education to change lives. Helping students pursue their goals also means ensuring they have the resources and support to complete their education. That commitment continues to guide my work as County Executive.

This year’s Ball celebrates the people and partnerships helping move our Baltimore region forward while raising critical support for UNCF’s mission to help students access higher education, persist through college and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

As a second-generation Morgan Man, and with so many Howard County residents studying or teaching at our HBCUs, I’m grateful to UNCF for investing in our next generation.

Restorative Counseling and Wellness

Restorative Counseling & Wellness Center Co-Founders Nicole DeChirico and Dionne Jiminez understand that healing from deep mental and emotional wounds requires a compassionate, humanistic approach. During Business Appreciation Week, we took the opportunity to visit their practice, located in Ellicott City, where they offer a warm place for those looking for help with disordered eating, parenting classes, anxiety and depression, chronic pain, and much more. Their diverse group of skilled and dedicated professionals combine the latest advances with client-centered care to restore you to optimal emotional, spiritual and physical health.

Thank you Nicole, Dionne and your entire staff for being a haven for those who need help. We are proud to count you as a small business who is making our community a welcoming place for all.

For more information, visit Restorative Counseling & Wellness Center’s website.

A Cut Above the Rest

Leaving clients feeling so fresh and so clean is what Master Barber Christopher aims for every day. I got a chance to visit his barber shop during Business Appreciation Week. Christopher's Barber Studio is in two locations- Elkridge and Columbia, where you can get a stylish haircut, hot towel shave, facial, hair color dye and so much more. 

This new, upscale barbershop offers a professional, friendly, upscale environment where getting a haircut feels like a treatment, not a chore. For many men, going to the barber shop is a tradition. Thank you, Chris, for keeping that tradition alive and for giving so many men and young boys a memorable experience.

Visit Christopher's Barber Studio's website to learn more.

Connect to Possibility

During Business Appreciation Week, we visited UHY International's Columbia's office. As part of a global network of audit, tax and consulting specialists, UHY brings deep knowledge and collective intelligence to their clients. Whether it's a publicly listed corporation, large or medium-sized companies, privately-owned businesses, or not-for-profit organizations, UHY brings personalized, regional expertise to helping their clients with their accounting needs. Thank you to Harold Mohn and his entire Columbia team for making client service a top priority. 

To learn more about UHY, visit its website.

Pathways to Nature

The other week, we broke ground on the highly anticipated Pathways to Nature Project by The Howard County Conservancy. This inclusive, natural play and community space will allow children of all abilities to explore nature up close and personal. 

Spread across a broad five acres, this expansive area will feature an ADA-accessible path connecting residents of all needs and ages to our extensive trail network. It will also feature a natural tunnel, water and mud play area, a new picnic area and so much more. To support this much needed project, we provided two transformational capital grants over the course of FY26 and FY27 that totaled $450,000.

Our nature playspace will be a large destination playspace at our historic Mt. Pleasant farmstead that will draw families within Howard County and beyond. 

Once complete, our site will be the 8th largest park area in the county. Additionally, it will be the only ADA-accessible nature playspace in Howard County. We are so excited to bring this vision to life so that everyone can have a beautiful space where they can enjoy nature in all its glory.

Your Clothes Deserve the Royal Treatment!

We had a squeaky-clean time visiting Elkridge's newest laundromat, Royal Rinse. This community laundromat offers self-service laundry, wash and fold service and even commercial laundry solutions. High-capacity machines mean one can get in and out quickly without waiting all day for laundry. Easy scheduling online allows you to know exactly when you can pick up and return. With a modern space with state-of-the-art Huebsch machines, a bright family-friendly atmosphere, and service you can trust, we are happy to welcome this new business to our Elkridge community.

Every Step Counts

Each year, the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) hosts the Every Step Counts Autism Walk and 5K Run, which brings people impacted by autism and members of the wider community in a supportive, energizing, and fun environment. This was the 20th year of hosting this walk! This annual event helps raise the necessary funds so that we can continue to provide critical services to the families who depend on us raise awareness and educate the public about the complexities of autism. 

Since 1993, AUSOM has served Autistic individuals of all ages, their families, and our community. AUSOM promotes Autism acceptance and values the dignity and uniqueness of each Autistic person, opening the door to life's infinite possibilities. I join AUSOM in spreading the message that: we see you, we value you, and we celebrate you. Your talents, your perspectives, your determination, and the unique ways you experience the world make our community stronger.

I want to especially thank Executive Director, Melissa Rosenberg, who is retiring after 10 years of extraordinary leadership to the autism community. Melissa, you have touched countless lives, and I am grateful for our collaboration over the years to make every Howard County resident feel like they belong.

Objection, Your Honor

Students at Guilford Park High School had the unique opportunity to listen to live oral arguments before the Maryland Supreme Court. Students got a firsthand look at our justice system in action. Attorneys presented their arguments before Maryland's highest court. They even got to engage in a question-and-answer session with the Justices. It was an honor to host this group of esteemed judges right here in Howard County. This opportunity reflects our commitment to civic education, public engagement, and inspiring the next generation of informed citizens.

Students were able to observe the judicial process is about careful listening, asking difficult questions, examining precedent, and working toward decisions grounded in the law. Students who may not be considering the legal profession were still able to take away the importance of advocacy from the day's proceedings. Advocacy can be in the form of advocating to elected officials for needs of your community, persuading policymakers to create or change laws, raising awareness of individuals have been disadvantaged, or simply writing persuasively in a research paper.

Thank you, Howard County Public School System, Superintendent Bill Barnes, Board of Education Chair Jen Mallo, and the rest of the Board for helping bring this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to life for our students.

Special thanks to Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, Justice Angela M. Eaves, Justice Shirley M. Watts, Justice Brynja M. Booth, Justice Steven B. Gould and Justice Peter K. Killough. Thank you for sharing your expertise and for showing our students the bar of excellence. We are thankful you chose to share the incredible work you do daily with our students.

Loving Hearts, Growing Minds, Helping Hands!

During Business Appreciation Week, I want to express my gratitude to Cradlerock Children's Center in Columbia for their years of providing high-quality, loving early childhood education to the children of Owen Brown and beyond. Cradlerock is a Credential Level 6 program and has become one of the few childcare providers in Howard County to receive Accreditation from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

During my latest visit, I saw the spacious outdoor area where children can explore safely, as well as the large interior classrooms where kids learn not only academic concepts like numbers and letters, but also how to self-regulate, problem solve and prosocial behaviors.

Special thanks to Executive Director, Amanda Morton and her entire team and Board of Directors, for years of leadership and making Cradlerock a trusted place for parents and children to call home.

ATTENTION, TIME TRAVELERS! 

The Little Free Library TARDIS is preparing to regenerate! After much consultation with the Time Lords, we’ve determined that our current coordinates are no longer in the proper time stream. The TARDIS has just recently dematerialized, and is traveling to a new, undisclosed destination on October 29th. Where will it land? When will it appear? Will you be able to find it? All will be revealed… in time.

Two Luxury Beauty Destinations.

One Exceptional Brand.

Beyond Royalty in Jessup offers two distinct beauty destinations united by one purpose. BR Luxury Salon provides clients with elevated beauty services, personalized care, and a professional luxury experience. BR Luxury Salon Suites caters to those who are providing beauty services. Independent beauty professionals have access to a gorgeous, supportive environment where they can serve their clients and grow their own businesses. 

Thank you to owner Brittney Middleton for helping people feel more beautiful in their own skin, and for paying it forward by helping budding entrepreneurs find a safe space they can grow their brand.

To learn more about their services, visit BR Luxury’s website.

Ain’t Nothing a Pizza Can’t Fix

One of Baltimore's top pizza spots has come to Howard County! I was thrilled to visit Angeli's Pizzeria on Route 40 as part of Business Appreciation Week as they are beginning their next chapter expanding to Howard County. 

This family-owned restaurant was just named one of the Top 50 Pizzas in the U.S., and it's not hard to see why. With its friendly atmosphere, dedication to keeping things authentically Italian and their commitment to providing the best service, I'm confident Angeli's will find it's spot in every pizza lover's heart! 

The Baltimore region works together to help our businesses grow and thrive. Congratulations to co-owner Cuneyt Ozturk and his family, and welcome to Howard County! 

Visit Angeli's Pizzeria website to learn more. 

Digital Inclusion

Applying for a job, completing schoolwork, or connecting with a healthcare provider often starts with getting online. During Digital Inclusion Week that past week, we recognized how much reliable internet access matters in residents’ daily lives.

Since launching Transform Howard in 2021, we have worked to expand that access throughout our community. Howard County now has 118 public Wi-Fi sites, including parks, libraries, community centers, and senior centers. This June, we expanded free Wi-Fi at the Columbia Lakefront, building on a modernization effort that replaced more than 900 wireless access points.

Our Department of Technology and Communication Services and community partners make these connections possible. I remain committed to helping residents access the technology they need to participate fully in school, work, and community life.

Find free Wi-Fi locations by checking out our “Public Wi-Fi Hotspots” website.

Care for Your Pet’s Every Life Chapter

For many Howard County households, caring for the family includes caring for a pet. VivaVets Animal Hospital has added another local option since opening on Old Columbia Road in December 2025.

During Business Appreciation Week, I visited founder and Medical Director Dr. Kanwaldeep Sharma to recognize the practice’s investment in Columbia. VivaVets provides veterinary urgent care, diagnostic imaging, surgical services and dental care.

Thank you to Dr. Sharma and the VivaVets team for choosing Howard County and for the care they provide to animals and the families who love them.

To explore their services, visit VivaVets Animal Hospital’s website.

Charge Into Fire Safety

The devices we charge every day deserve a place in our household fire safety conversations. This past Fire Prevention Week focused on safe charging, with the theme “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.”

Use the charger supplied with your device or one approved by its manufacturer, charge on a hard surface, and keep exits clear. These are small habits families can practice together.

For help assessing safety at home, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) offers free home safety checks. DFRS personnel review smoke alarms and recommend improvements. Residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing can also ask about customized alarm solutions through the department’s application process.

I encourage residents to use this service and bring their questions to our fire safety professionals. To learn more, visit DFRS’s “Smoke Alarms” website.

Play. Learn. Grow.

Childcare is essential to both a child’s development and a parent’s ability to work. During Business Appreciation Week, I visited Blooming Buds Learning Center on Old Columbia Road to recognize a local business doing that work every day.

Led by Director Victoria Doe Herring, this Black woman-owned childcare provider uses play and hands-on activities to support children’s learning and preparation for kindergarten. I’m truly grateful for the educators who give our youngest residents a caring place to learn while supporting families across our community.

To learn more, visit Blooming Buds Learning Center’s website.

What's in a Name?

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is seeking public feedback on what should be the name of its new Faulkner Ridge Early Childhood Center. Howard County Board of Education Policy 6050 Naming and Renaming of Schools requires that all schools will be named for geographic terms related to areas of the county served. Any geographic terms from within Howard County may be utilized. To note, Policy 6050 also does not allow for schools to be named for specific individuals. 

To submit your feedback, complete HCPSS’s “Suggestions for Faulkner Ridge Early Childhood Center” online form.

Three Secure Ways to Vote and Deadlines for the 2026 General Election

As Election Day fast approaches, the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) has released a comprehensive guide on its "VOTE!MD" website – featuring key dates and deadlines and information on the three secure ways to cast a ballot in Maryland, to help Maryland voters navigate this year’s election.   

First up are those important dates and deadlines:

• Tuesday, October 13th – DEADLINE to register to vote online or register to vote by mail;
• Thursday, October 22nd to Thursday, October 29th – Early Voting. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. these days; to find your early voting location, visit SBE’s Voter Services’ “Voting Location Lookup” website.
• Tuesday, October 27th – DEADLINE to request a mail-in ballot delivered by max or fax.
• Friday, October 30th – DEADLINE to request a mail-in ballot online.
• Tuesday, November 3rd – Election Day. Final day to vote; polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To find your voting location, visit SBE’s Voter Services’ “Voting Location Lookup” website.
• By or Before Tuesday, November 3rd – DEADLINE to return a mail-in ballot, either by mail (postmarked by or before the 3rd) or you can hand-deliver your ballot to an approved dropbox or local board of elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Second, here are three ways to cast your ballot for the upcoming General Election:   

1. Vote Early – Skip the crowds and vote early at select locations in your county from Thursday, October 22nd through Thursday, October 29th, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
2. Vote by Mail – Any registered voter can vote by mail. It's easy and secure, simply request your mail-in ballot and then once you’ve completed your ballot, take it to an official dropbox or local board of elections by Election Day or mail it back (postmarked) on or before Tuesday, November 3rd. 
3. Vote on Election Day - Vote in person at your local polling place on General Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd; polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

With the preliminary deadline to register to vote or update your registration information fast approaching (Tuesday, October 13th), SBE is encouraging Maryland residents to verify their status early to ensure a seamless experience at the polls. Residents who are not registered to vote can do so using the online registration system at SBE’s Voter Services’ “Voter Registration and Mail-in Ballot Request” webpage. Those who prefer not to register online may print the registration form (English version and Spanish version) and submit it to SBE’s local board of elections office in Howard County at 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 200 in Columbia. 

Please note, per SBE, if you miss this deadline, you can register or update your residential address the same day you vote. To do so, make sure you bring a document that proves where you live when you attempt to vote at your local polling place or early voting center.

Finally, for more information about Maryland’s General Election, visit SBE’s “VOTE!MD” webpage or download SBE’s FREE “Go Vote MD” app from the Google Play store or the Apple store.

Election Judges and Election Pages Sought for General Election

With voting in the 2026 General Election set to begin shortly, SBE is seeking residents interested in playing a critical role in administering elections by serving as Election Judges and Election Day Pages.

Election Judges

Open to eligible Marylanders aged 16 and older, Election Judges are responsible for setting up polling places, checking in voters, and answering voter questions. To be an Election Judge, no prior experience is needed and training is provided. Additionally, Election Judges earn $250 per day and those who have previously served as judges are eligible for a one-time $100 bonus payment. 

To apply to be an Election Judge, simply use SBE’s online “Election Judge Application” found on its “Become an Election Judge” website or contact your local Board of Election. 

Election Day Pages

An Election Day Page is a 14- to 15-year-old student volunteer who assists election judges and voters at the polls on election day. The Election Day Page program was developed to encourage student involvement and understanding of the democratic process through participation in elections. Pages serve under the direct supervision of supervisory Election Judges called Chief Judges. On Election Day, Pages are prohibited from engaging in any partisan activity, touching ballots or voting equipment, and using electronic devices inside the polling room.

All Election Day Pages must attend a mandatory training session before Election Day and are required to work at least one four-hour shift on Election Day. To apply to be an Election Day Page, use SBE’s online “Election Day Page Program Application” found on its “Election Day Pages” webpage or contact your local Board of Election.

Office of Agriculture

New & Beginning Farmers Program Applications

Starting this Thursday, October 15th, our Office of Agriculture (OoA) will begin accepting applications for its 2027 New & Beginning Farmer (NBF) Program at the County’s H. Mitchell "Mickey" Day NBF Complex in West Friendship. 

Launched in 2025, the County’s NBF Program aims to support aspiring farmers as they build profitable and sustainable farm businesses in Howard County. Designed to address some of the biggest barriers facing new farmers, including access to affordable land, equipment, infrastructure, and technical knowledge, the program provides participants with:

• Access to farmland;
• Shared equipment and a shard greenhouse;
• Hands-on production experience; and 
• Business development support. 

For its 2027 NBF Program application, interested applicants will have the option to choose from two program pathways, the New & Beginning Farmer Direct Pathway OR the Emerging Farmer Pathway. The New & Beginning Farmer Direct Pathway is geared towards beginning farmers who already have some hands-on farming experience, such as completing a farmer training course or working on a farm for a period of time. Direct Pathway participants will receive their own plot and operate their own farm businesses while receiving mentorship, education, and access to resources designed to help them strengthen their skills and grow their businesses. Whereas, the Emerging Farmer Pathway is geared towards individuals who require additional hands-on experience before taking on a plot of their own. This pathway provides participants with apprentice training with a current farmer in the program, learning opportunities at OoA’s Teaching & Learning Farm, and mentorship. Emerging Pathway participants will gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed to establish and grow their own farm business and, once complete, will be able to transition into the New & Beginning Farmer Direct Pathway and obtain a plot of their own.

If you are interested in participating in the 2027 NBF Program, email OoA’s Agricultural Program Manager Jasmine Simon at jsimon@howardcountymd.gov, with the subject line “Farmer Program 2027”. A link to the application will also be posted on OoA's Facebook and Instagram social media pages.

Applications will be due by December 21, 2026, and all approved applicants will be notified of their acceptance in January 2027.

For questions and/or more information about the NBF Program, email OoA at officeofag@howardcountymd.gov or Jasmine Simon directly at jsimon@howardcountymd.gov.

Department of Community Resources and Services

Addressing the Challenges of Parenting

Our Department of Community Resources and Service’s (DCRS) Office of Children and Families (OCF) supports Howard County families with opportunities to learn, grow and thrive through their family workshops, local resources, events, educational programs, and more all year long.

For instance, this Thursday, October 15th, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., OCF will be hosting its virtual “Managing Parenting Frustration” workshop to assist parents and caregivers in feeling more confident and in control during tough parenting moments. Workshop participants will learn practical strategies to manage frustration, stay calm in challenging situations, and respond in ways that support both their child and them. To sign-up to participate in this FREE workshop, visit the County’s Active Network “Managing Parenting Frustration” activity registration webpage.

To learn more about the latest happenings, workshops, activities, and programs for children and families being offered by OCF each month, visit its Parent Pages Sign-Up website to subscribe to its latest Parent Pages online newsletter. In addition to its Parents Pages, OCF’s “Parent’s Guide to Howard County” for 2026 is also a great resource for parents, caregivers, and others looking to learn more about and find services in our community to help children grow and thrive.

If you need individual assistance, such as finding childcare, guidance with parenting issues, mental and emotional health support, special needs resources, food access, housing, and more, contact OCF’s free CARE line at 410-313-CARE (2273) to learn more about what’s available.

Winter Coat and Cold Weather Gear Giveaway

If you and/or your family needs a winter coat or cold weather accessories to stay warm in the coming fall and winter months, I encourage you to stop by DCRS’s “Cold Weather Gear” fall giveaway event this Saturday, October 17th from 10:00 a.m. to noon at our North Laurel Community Center. Bring your whole family to pick from new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, and heavy socks in all sizes, from infant to adult, while supplies last.

For more information and/or questions about this event, please contact Valerie Mathis at 410-313-0242 (voice/relay) or email vmathis@howardcountymd.gov.

Trunk or Treat

Calling all children, age infant to five, if you are looking for some not-so-spooky Halloween fun, be sure to check out OCF’s Family Support Center’s (FSC) community “Trunk or Treat” event next Thursday, October 22nd. Set to take place in FSC’s back parking lot at 9790 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia from 10:30 a.m. to noon, young children and their parents/caregivers are invited to come explore and trick-or-treat amongst decorated car trunks, tables, and tents set up by FSC’s team and local community partners. The event will also feature themed snacks, face painting, games, and small giveaways, and of course, participants are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costume best. 

To sign-up to participate in this FREE event, visit the County’s Active Network “Trunk or Treat” activity registration webpage. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place the following Thursday, October 29th, at the same time and location. Additionally, the FSC will be open during the event as a sensory friendly space for children who need a quiet place to rest. 

If you have questions about this event, please email Ashton Sullivan at asullivan@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.

Financial Wellness Seminar Series

As Howard County residents are living longer, now is the time to plan ahead to help you stay secure and prepared. Through its three-part “Financial Wellness Seminar Series”, DCRS' Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) will be offering participants practical tips and trusted guidance to help you make informed money decisions for the future with confidence. Led by Certified Financial Consultant Michael Branthover, the three-part series will take place on and cover the following topics:

• Monday, October 19th, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Financial Wellness: Understand Your Retirement Income
• Tuesday, November 3rd, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. – Financial Wellness: Planning for Long-Term Care
• Friday, November 20th, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. – Financial Wellness Seminar: When a Loved One Dies

Each series session is offered at no cost at our East Columbia 50+ Center. To register to participate in any one or all of the session dates listed above, click on the hyperlinked topic title listed next to the date. 

Thriving Through Midlife

For women, midlife means perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. If you are currently in or approaching this stage of your life, I invite you to join OAI and our Commission for Women next Thursday October 22nd for its “Thriving Through Midlife: A Community Conversation about Women's Health” event. Set to take place on the 22nd from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church at 9055 Tamar Drive in Columbia, the event will feature a medical and wellness panel discussion, roundtable conversations, and resource stations to help participants learn more about navigating perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause, and midlife health decisions. This event aims to dismantle midlife health taboos and empower attendees through straightforward, evidence-based guidance, and peer support. 

To reserve your spot for this FREE event, visit OAI’s “Thriving Through Midlife: A Community Conversation about Women's Health” Eventbrite registration website today. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Danielle Clifford-Earles at dcliffordearles@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-3506 (voice/relay) at least one week in advance.

Commission on Disabilities Seeks Your Input

In follow up to its comprehensive “Report on the Status of People with Disabilities in Howard County – 2019”, that focused on the issues of education, employment, transportation, housing, and peer relationships, the County’s Commission on Disabilities is seeking feedback from individuals with disabilities, family members and unpaid caregivers, service providers, and educational professionals via a quick five to 10-minute survey. Through this survey, the Commission is looking to learn more about what are the issues of greatest need and the current state of policy and programs in Howard County affecting these groups and what recommendations do you have to address these needs.

Links to each survey can be found in the bullet list below. Eligible survey takers are asked to please complete the survey version that best applies to them.

• Survey for Individuals with Disabilities
• Survey for Family Members and Unpaid Caregivers of Individuals with Disabilities
• Survey for Service Providers Working with Individuals with Disabilities
• Survey for Educational Professionals Working with Students with Disabilities 
• Vea Esta Información en Español

Additionally, all information collected from these surveys will be anonymous; identifying information (IP address, email, etc.) will not be captured, shared, or used to analyze collected data, nor will it be used to restrict access to services for any individual.

If you need accommodations to complete a survey, please contact Erica Lewis at 410-313-6402 (voice/relay) or email ealewis@howardcountymd.gov. We thank you in advance for your feedback.

Office of Consumer Protection

Financial Counseling Now Available

Our Office of Consumer Protection's (OCP) Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is now open! Offered in partnership with United Way of Central Maryland, the FEC provides free professional, one-on-one financial counseling to people who live, work, or go to school in Howard County as a free public service of the County. FEC participants receive help with learning how to manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, prepare for legacy planning, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products. 

To learn more about this service and/or to book your appointment, visit OCP's “Howard County Financial Empowerment Center” website. Services will be offered in-person at OCP's office at 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia and several other locations across the county, as well as virtually.  

Office of Emergency Management

The Great ShakeOut

This Thursday, October 15th at 10:15 a.m. is this year’s Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, a time to practice what to do when the ground begins to shake because you never know where in the world you might be when an earthquake strikes. As our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) always reminds us, “preparedness begins with knowledge.” 

While we realize most folks don't think about earthquakes when thinking about Howard County, our county is in fact home to small, ancient fault zones and underground weaknesses deep within the Earth's crust that occasionally cause low intensity quakes. For instance, the last recorded 2.5 magnitude earthquake recorded in Howard County by the U.S. Geological Survey was less than a year ago on October 27, 2025, by Hopewell Park in Columbia.

Like hurricanes, floods, and severe winter weather, earthquakes are one of the natural hazards that pose a threat to Howard County and Maryland. To learn more about how to prepare your home and family for an earthquake, visit OEM's “ReadyHoCo” website. 

Department of Fire and Rescue Services

National Fire Prevention Month

October is National Fire Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about fire safety and educating communities on how to prevent devastating home and workplace fires. The observance stems from the tragic Great Chicago Fire of October 8–9, 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed thousands of buildings.

This October, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) will be providing helpful tips and facts on its Facebook, X, and Instagram social media pages to make sure you, your family, and business know what to do to prevent, prepare, and what do should a fire occur. You can also find helpful information about fire prevention and safety on DFRS's website all year long.

Don’t Burn It

As the leaves begin to change color and fall from the trees, DFRS is reminding residents that it is illegal to burn yard waste in Howard County. To properly dispose of yard waste, residents can either a) place it out for pickup on their yard trim curbside collection day, b) place it in their Feed the Green bin for food scrap collection, or c) take it to the Alpha Ridge Landfill’s Wood Waste Area, where it will be processed into HoCoGro compost, mulch, and topsoil.

Howard County Health Department

Enjoy the Beauty of the Great Outdoors this Walktober 

Did you know walking is Maryland’s official exercise? To help get you moving and grooving this October and in the spirit of embracing walking, Howard County Health Department’s (HCHD) Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC) and local partners have come together this month to host a wide range of walking and moving called Howard County Walktober. To find a full schedule of Walktober events, including one-mile walking and moving maps of Recreation & Parks’ facilities and parks and Columbia Association parks and pathways, be sure to check out HCHD's "Walktober" website. 

Together, let’s walk, roll, or ride to a healthier you this October.

Community Flu Vaccine Clinics

It's fall and that means it's respiratory virus season. To help, the HCHD will once again be offering its free seasonal flu shot clinics. For a list of upcoming flu clinic dates, times and locations, visit HCHD’s “Flu & Respiratory Illness” webpage today. 

For the 2026-2027 flu season, HCHD will offer both the Flulaval 2026-27 Formula vaccine (recommended for ages six months and older) and the Sanofi Fluzone High-Dose 2026-2027 Formula vaccine, while supplies last (recommended for age 65 and older.)

Walk-ups are accepted at all HCHD flu clinic events; no pre-registration is required.

Department of Housing and Community Development

MIHU October Open Enrollment 

Our Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program is now accepting applications for its October open enrollment period. Held quarterly, DHCD’s MIHU is an inclusionary zoning program that offers quality new homes at reduced sale prices and rents to income eligible families.

To purchase an MIHU home, individuals must apply to DHCD during an open enrollment period to be placed in the database. Applicants with a combined annual household income of a minimum of $55,000 are eligible to apply; applicants who do not meet this minimum amount are not eligible for this program. Additionally, applicants must meet credit score requirements and household income must be sufficient to qualify for a mortgage based on industry standards (visit DHCD’s "Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) Homeownership Program" website for more information). For more details regarding our MIHU homeownership program are available on DHCD’s "Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) Open Enrollment" website or by contacting the department at 410-313-6318 (select option two) or email moderateincomehousing@howardcountymd.gov. 

To rent an MIHU unit, a qualified applicant’s household income may not exceed 60 percent of the Howard County median income (visit DHCD’s “I Want To Rent A Home In Howard County” website for more information). MIHUs are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, are interspersed throughout each community and residents enjoy the same amenities of community life as market rate tenants. Visit DHCD’s “I Want To Rent A Home In Howard County” website for more information.

MIHU homeownership applications can be found on DHCD's "Moderate Income Housing Units (MIHU) Open Enrollment" website and completed applications can be either submitted online from this same page, mailed to 9755 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 302, Columbia, MD, 21046, or dropped off at DHCD’s Patuxent Woods Drive office. Applications will be accepted through 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 30th. 

Office of Human Rights and Equity

Let's Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month runs annually from September 15th to October 15th and, in its honor, I invite you to join our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) and our La Alianza Latina Commission for this year's "Howard County Hispanic Heritage Festival" this Saturday, October 17th from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia. This family-friendly, vibrant community event celebrates Hispanic and Latino heritage, community, and culture. Come enjoy an afternoon of live music performances, vendors, delicious food trucks, fun activities for all ages, and more as we recognize the rich diversity of Hispanic and Latino heritage. 

To register to attend this FREE event, visit the “Howard County Hispanic Heritage Festival” Eventbrite webpage. For questions and/or more information about this event, contact the OHRE at 410-313-6430 or email ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.​

Be a Community Ambassador

OHRE’s Community Ambassador Program is a volunteer initiative aimed at equipping county residents with the tools, training, and knowledge they need to help their neighbors access vital Howard County Government services. Since its launch in 2023, our Community Ambassadors have been hard at work supporting and empowering hundreds of residents regarding quality-of-life issues across our great county.

If you are motivated by service and want to make a positive impact on your fellow community members, I encourage you to join our Community Ambassador Program next Wednesday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m. at our East Columbia 50+ Center for its next monthly meeting. This month, participants will hear from our Department of Fire and Rescue Services and Office of Emergency Management personnel about the County’s approach to fire and life safety and emergency management. Attendees will learn how this department and office promotes life safety in our community, how YOU can make a safer Howard County, and opportunities for public participation in safety trainings, classes, and community programs.

To attend this FREE event, visit OHRE's “Community Ambassador Program: Fire and Rescue and Emergency Management” Eventbrite webpage to register. For questions and/or more information about this program, contact OHRE at 410-313-6430 or email ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

El Equipo

The following Wednesday, October 28th, I invite you to join OHRE at 6:00 p.m. at our East Columbia 50+ Center for a FREE screening and post-screening discussion of the documentary, El Equipo. Presented as part of OHRE's “Reel Enlightenment Series,” in El Equipo, filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz investigates high-profile cases of mass violence and mysterious disappearances linked to government officials across Central and South America. Despite severe threats and official obstruction, investigators risked everything to uncover the truth, drawing a powerful, direct line between past state-sponsored atrocities and present-day systemic corruption.

To reserve your spot to attend this FREE event, visit OHRE’s “Reel Enlightenment: El Equipo” Eventbrite webpage today.

For questions and/or more information about this event and/or OHRE’s Reel Enlightenment Series, contact the office at 410-313-6430 or email ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

Department of Planning and Zoning

Design Advisory Panel Meeting

Today, October 14th, the County's Department of Planning and Zoning's (DPZ) Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a virtual meeting starting at 7:00 p.m., to review the following item:

• Cottages at Patuxent Branch

A copy of the meeting agenda and additional information about this meeting, including how to watch live and/or attend, can be found online on DAP’s website. 

Additionally, prior to the meeting on the 14th, the public may submit comments relating to design issues pertaining to the agenda item either by completing the County’s “Submit Comments to the Design Advisory Panel” online form or by emailing dap@howardcountymd.gov if you have any technical difficulties using the comment form. All web/email submissions received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting, will be provided to DAP members and the project applicant. Residents are reminded that online and emailed comments are considered public information and, as such, are subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.  

Route 1 Tax Credit Program            

DPZ continues to accept applications for its Route 1 Tax Credit Program. If you own a commercial, industrial, or mixed-use property along the Route 1 Corridor or Elkridge’s Main Street area, you may be eligible to receive tax credits for qualified façade and landscape improvements visible from the roadway. Eligible improvements include building façade upgrades, new signage, exterior painting and lighting, screening and landscaping, and other options.

For more information about this program, to apply and/or to hear what others have to say who have benefited from the tax credit, visit DPZ's "Route 1 Tax Credit Program" website.

Planning and Zoning Email Phishing Scam

SCAM ALERT, PLEASE SHARE: DPZ is warning residents of an ongoing email scam in which the scammer impersonates a member of DPZ's staff, sometimes using the name of the current DPZ Director Lynda Eisenberg, and demands payment for planning and zoning related forms. THIS IS A SCAM! DPZ will NEVER email demanding payment via wire transfer, peer-to-peer payment, or cryptocurrency. Additionally, the email address PlanningCom.HowardCountyMD.gov@usa.com is NOT a Howard County Government email address.

If you receive this email, DPZ advises community members to NOT click on any links or provide any information and to NOT forward or reply to the email. Instead, mark it as junk/spam and delete it immediately and contact DPZ directly by calling 410-313-2350 or by clicking on the "Email Us" button on DPZ's website if you have questions. For additional information about planning and zoning related phishing emails, please check out the FBI's online alert issued earlier this year.

If you believe you may have been a victim of an email scam in which you have provided payment and/or personal or financial information, please call Howard County Police Department's non-emergency number at 410-313-2200 (select option #2) or visit its "File an Online Report" webpage to file a police report. 

Police Department’s Animal Control Division

Pet of the Week

For this week’s “Pet of the Week,” HCPD’s Animal Control Division would like you to meet Tiara (53241), a one-year-old white and black pit bull mix. Tiara is an active and engaging pup, with a lot of high energy. While she will need some training, Tiara is very smart, takes corrections well, and is ready to learn.

If you think Tiara could be your new companion, call Animal Control Division at 410-313-2780 (select option 0). Applications are accepted in person at HCPD’s Animal Control and Adoption Center at 8576 Davis Road in Columbia, after you visit this pet out of their cage.

Department of Public Works

Bureau of Environmental Services

Holiday Slide Schedule Not in Effect this Week

While Howard County Government offices were CLOSED on Monday, October 12th in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, there was REGULAR Monday curbside trash, recycling, yard trim, and food scrap collection on the 12th. Our Department of Public Works' (DPW) Bureau of Environmental Services holiday slide schedule will NOT be in effect. 

To learn more about the County’s holiday slide schedule and the holidays that do affect curbside collection, visit the Bureau's "Holiday/Inclement Weather Trash & Recycling Schedule" webpage.  

Feed the Green Bin is Expanding!

Our Bureau of Environmental Services “Feed the Green Bin” curbside food scrap collection program is expanding! Starting next week, eligible households in Ellicott City and Marriottsville will receive a trifold postcard in the mail with more information about the program and how to sign up. Interested households will have until this Friday, October 16th to register for the program to receive their green bin by late October.

To find out if your home is in the newly expanded zone and to sign-up, or to learn more about the Bureau's curbside food scrap program, visit its “Feed The Green Bin” webpage. For questions and/or more information, contact the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or email help@howardcountyrecycles.org. 

The BIG SHRED

This Saturday, October 17th, the Bureau of Environmental Services will host its final 2026 County-sponsored shredding event, The BIG Shred. From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (OR UNTIL the trucks are full) on the 17th, county residents can bring up to three bags or boxes of vital documents to be shredded securely onsite at one of the following locations:

• North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
• Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD-97, Cooksville
• Elkridge Landing Middle School, 7085 Montgomery Road, Elkridge
• Long Gate Park & Ride, 4951 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City

To learn more about The BIG Shred, including what items are and are not accepted, please visit the Bureau's “Document Shredding” website.

Leave the Leaves!

As the leaves have begun to change colors, our Bureau of Environmental Services is encouraging residents to “Leave the Leaves” this fall as important insects and invertebrates depend on fallen leaves and other organic debris for their winter habitats. Of course, leaving the leaves and other plant debris doesn’t mean sacrificing your yard to the wilderness. Leaves don’t need to be left exactly where they fall, instead rake them into garden beds, around tree bases, or into other designated areas. Too many leaves can kill grass, but in soil they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. 

Also, avoid shredding leaves with a mower. Raking or blowing (electric) are alternatives that will keep leaves whole for the best coverage and protect the insects and eggs already living there.

If in the springtime you decide you need to clean up the leaves and debris, make sure you wait until late in the spring season so as not to destroy all the life you’ve worked to protect. 

Of course when leaving your leaves, make sure they are away from the roadway as they can clog the County’s storm drains (causing roadway flooding) and street sweepers. Leaves that are swept down into storm drains, will eventually make their way to our Chesapeake Bay where they can add harmful nutrients to this important Maryland waterway.

Student Coloring Book Contest

Calling all Howard County students in grades third through fifth, our Bureau of Environmental Services invites you to participate in its annual Coloring Book Contest promoting the importance of the three R’s: “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” This annual contest allows students to demonstrate their awareness and appreciation for our environment.

Drawings should be done on white, unlined 8.5 by 11-inch paper in black marker or ink – no color and should show how each artist practices at least one of the three R’s. Designs will be judged on creativity and originality. For complete contest rules, visit the Bureau’s “Coloring Book Contest!” website or contact your child’s school art teacher.

Completed drawings and contest entry forms are due by 5:00 p.m., January 15, 2027, and can be hand delivered or mailed to: Tim Kerr, Recycling Division, 9801 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD 21046. For questions about this year’s contest, call 410-313-6434 or email tkerr@howardcountymd.gov. 

For additional information, check out our “Howard County Seeks Entries for Student Coloring Book Contest” news release online.

Bureau of Highways’ Traffic Engineering Division

Deepage Drive and Rustling Leaf Traffic Calming Project Community Outreach Open House

DPW’s Bureau of Highways’ Traffic Engineering Division will hold a community outreach open house next Wednesday, October 21st, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., in Rooms 346 and 347 of OAI’s offices at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, to present traffic calming plans for Deepage Drive and Rustling Leaf. The project implements strategies available in the County’s recently updated Howard County Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy, including the proposed installation of speed humps and speed hump signs along Deepage Drive and a raised intersection along Rustling Leaf, to combat excessive vehicular speeds along the roadway.

During this open house event, DPW staff will be on hand to discuss the proposed traffic calming design, answer questions, and gather public comments.

After the open house, the proposed plans will be available on DPW’s Traffic Engineering Division’s “Traffic Calming” website for those to view who were unable to attend the event. At that time, community members may also submit questions and comments about the proposed project to the Traffic Engineering Division via email at traffic@howardcountymd.gov; emails must be submitted by no later than November 5, 2026.

For additional questions regarding Capital Project T-7089, contact Natasha Aidoo with DPW’s Traffic Engineering Division at 410-313-2430 or email naidoo@howardcountymd.gov.

Bureau of Utilities

Our Service Line Stewardship Program is NOT a Scam

DPW’s Service Line Stewardship Program (SLSP) is not a scam! That mailer you got from DPW about you testing your service line (pipe) material to determine what it's made out of as part of its SLSP, was in fact legit and sent by DPW to ensure the County meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's November 2027 deadline for its latest Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Under these revisions, DPW must establish a complete material inventory of all service lines in Howard County and while the department maintains an inventory of its lines and most residential properties, the material of many customer-side service lines still remains unknown.

So, if you received a mailer from DPW with details on how to identify their service line material and report it back to the County, we ask that you please visit DPW’s interactive “Howard County Service Line Stewardship Program Inventory Map” webpage to search your address and complete the available online self-reporting survey. To complete the survey, you will need a:

• Magnet;
• Penny or key;
• Smart phone or digital camera; and
• Internet access to upload information.

If you are unable to access your pipe(s) and/or need assistance, please contact DPW’s SLSP team at 410-313-6118 as the department does offer FREE service line inspections by appointment.

To learn more about the SLSP, visit DPW’s “Service Line Stewardship Program” website; for questions about the program, call 410-313-6118.

Voluntary Water Restriction Remains in Effect

Despite recent rain events, the VOLUNTARY WATER RESTRICTION Baltimore City Department of Public Works' (DPW) placed in effect for its public water customers, including those Howard County, back in May, REMAINS IN EFFECT at this time. 

According to National Integrated Drought Information System's website for Maryland, Baltimore City and most of Howard County are currently experiencing an "Abnormally Dry" drought rating, meaning we are on the cusp of a drought or recovering from one. While our area has experienced recent rainfall, water levels at the City's reservoirs remain negatively impacted due to dry conditions, low stream flows, and continued water demand limiting how much water reaches these reservoirs. As such, Baltimore City’s DPW continues to ask residential and commercial public water customers regionally to voluntarily reduce their non-essential water use to help protect our regional water supply, by: 

• Postponing lawn and garden watering;
• Repairing or replacing leaking faucets, hoses, and sprinklers;
• Running only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines; and
• Turning off taps while brushing teeth or shaving and minimizing shower time. 

Additionally, as water leaks are one of the largest sources of water waste, if you see any signs of running water outdoors that may indicate a leak or break in the County’s watermain, please contact our Bureau of Utilities at 410-313-4900 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 410-313-2200, select option #5 (after hours).

Please remember, this VOLUNTARY water restriction applies only to Howard County residents who receive public water supply, i.e., a water bill from the County’s Department of Finance. It does not apply to properties on private wells.

For updates and/or more information about this voluntary water restriction, please follow Baltimore City’s DPW Facebook page or visit its website for contact information.

Construction Report

Below are details regarding new, upcoming, completed and/or delayed Capital Projects and/or maintenance project(s) that have been announced.

Ellicott City

• Century Drive Drainage Improvements (Capital Project D-1124) – Project to improve drainage along portions of Centennial Lane and Century Drive. Work will take place along northbound Centennial Lane from 4345 Centennial Lane to the roadway’s intersection with Century Drive and along eastbound Century Drive from the intersection to 10137 Century Drive. Temporary shoulder and lane closures can be expected during construction hours, as well as sidewalk closures. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late November 2026.

Laurel

• Forest Stormwater Pond Repair (Capital Project D-1177) – Project to repair a failing stormwater pond located near 10408 Stansfield Road. Signs have been posted in the project area to alert residents of the construction work, which will take place Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the corresponding temporary lane closures. Weather permitting, the temporary lane closures will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays, beginning Monday, November 2nd through Friday, November 20th. The closure will begin with the closing of westbound Stanfield Road from 10416 to 10404 for approximately a week and a half, followed by the eastbound lane. The project is expected to be completed by late February 2027, weather permitting. 

To learn about our DPW projects currently underway, check out DPW's website. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) “Project Portal” website.

Maryland State Highway Administration

Upper Little Patuxent Stream Restoration Project Public Meeting

Next Tuesday, October 20th, the Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) will be hosting a Public Open House event from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Centennial High School in Ellicott City, to provide community members with the opportunity to view the proposed design concepts and provide feedback on SHA's Upper Little Patuxent Stream Restoration Project. 

Back in 2015, SHA completed a restoration project along approximately 4,250 feet of the Upper Little Patuxent River and an adjacent tributary. Unfortunately, following the project’s completion, the area experienced two unprecedented flood events associated with severe regional storms. While the restored floodplain successfully captured excess sediment and prevented downstream pollution during these storms, the accumulation of material and the physical force of the water created several site deficiencies:

• Restricted Floodplain Access – Accumulated sediment deposits have elevated ground levels along the stream, preventing high flows from spreading across the floodplain as designed.
• Streambank Erosion – Constrained water flow within the main channel has increased pressure on the banks, causing renewed erosion.
• Vegetation Loss and Invasive Species – Floodwaters damaged previously established native plants and introduced non-native invasive species from upstream seed sources.

To restore site functionality with minimal environmental disruption, SHA is looking to initiate a series of targeted adaptive management measures using low-impact techniques, including: 

• Sediment Removal – Removing accumulated sediments in targeted areas to restore proper elevation and reconnect the stream to its floodplain during high-water events.
• Streambank Re-vegetation – Installing native riparian vegetation to stabilize banks and reforest the stream valley. Replanting efforts include 710 trees, 159 shrubs, 2,974 live stakes (dormant wood cuttings), and 9,280 herbaceous plugs (grasses/sedges).
• Invasive Species Control – Executing a phased treatment program to suppress non-native plant species and establish native vegetation.

These corrective measures aim to restore functions lost during the severe storms, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and provide long-term structural stability to the channel and floodplain.

As SHA continues forward on the project's design, with 65 percent design completion anticipated this fall, its team seeks public feedback to improve and advance the project’s development. While there will be no formal presentation at the open house, SHA representatives will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback. 

Funding pending, project construction is expected to begin in 2028.

For more information about this project, visit SHA's "Upper Little Patuxent Adaptive Management" website; for questions about the project and/or the meeting, email SHA's Water Programs Division at wpd@mdot.maryland.gov. 

Department of Recreation & Parks

The Great Outdoors Initiative

Fall is a great time to get outdoors and explore all that Howard County has to offer! This October, our Department of Recreation & Parks challenges you to get outside at least 15 minutes a day to participate in its “Howard County’s Great Outdoors Initiative.” Hike a trail in our parks, walk your local pathways, go kayaking, or try something new like fishing, kite flying, or geocaching. To find a park near you, visit Recreation & Parks’ “Parks, Playgrounds & Trails” website.

All participants are eligible for random prizes from Recreation & Parks and more, with prizes drawn at the end of the initiative. To learn more about this FREE challenge initiative and/or sign-up to participate, visit Recreation & Parks’ “Howard County's Great Outdoors Initiative” SignUpGenius webpage. For questions, contact Recreation & Parks’ Adventure, Nature & Outdoor Supervisor Kelly Vogelpohl at 410-313-1754 or email kvogelpohl@howardcountymd.gov.

Feedback Sought to Help Shape the Future of Recreation & Parks

As Recreation & Parks continues to update its Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan (LPPRP), the department invites county residents to join its planning team for its second, and final, Preserve + Play Open House on Wednesday, October 28th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City. As the LPPRP serves as the department’s five-year plan, guiding it on the management and stewardship of public lands, facilities, programs, and experiences, its staff is seeking community member feedback on its draft goals and actions for the future of recreation and parks in Howard County. 

To learn more about the LPPRP, visit Recreation & Parks’ “Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plans (LPPRP)” website.

This is Halloween

Celebrate the spooky season this October with your beloved Recreation & Parks fan favorites! From The Haunted Experience to the Happy Haunted Hayride, Floating Pumpkin Patch, Halloween Tricks, Treats, and Trees, and more, there is something for everyone in your family – spooky and not-so-spooky, to get you in the Halloween spirit. Joining the spooktacular fun this Halloween season is Recreation & Parks new Autumn LEGO Train Garden at the Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum in Ellicott City and Haunted Hallways at Harriet Tubman Cultural Center in Columbia. 

For each program, prices vary and spots are filling up fast, so be sure to visit Recreation & Parks' Active Network “Halloween2026” activity search webpage for a full list of events, dates, times, and registration opportunities.

Fall Activity Guide Registration Now Open

Online, in-person, over-the-phone, and mail-in registration is NOW OPEN for Howard County and non-county residents for Recreation & Parks' Fall 2026 Activity Guide! From sports, dance and cooking classes, to a plethora of seasonal events and activities to do when school's out, there is something for everyone in this Activity Guide.

Office of Transportation

Public Meeting Planned for Hickory Ridge Area Transportation Projects

I invite you to join our Office of Transportation (OoT) this Thursday, October 15th at the Hawthorn Center at 7251 Eden Brook Drive in Columbia, for an open house-style public meeting to discuss two ongoing multimodal (bicycle and pedestrian connection) transportation projects in the Hickory Ridge area, specifically the:

• Hickory Ridge Road Pathway Design
• Cedar Lane Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities Feasibility Study

Currently in the design phase, the Hickory Ridge Road Pathway project seeks to provide pedestrian and bicycle connections along Hickory Ridge Road between Martin Road and Broken Land Parkway. At the public meeting, the project’s current design plans, as well as new shared use path connections and improved pedestrian crossings and signals along Hickory Ridge Road, will be on hand for attendees to view.

The Cedar Lane Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities Feasibility Study looks to evaluate the feasibility of providing pedestrian and bicycle facilities along Cedar Lane. The study area includes Cedar Lane from Owen Brown Road to MD 32, continuing along Sanner Road to Creekside Road. At the public meeting, attendees will be able to view the study’s initial findings, including multiple concept layouts for potential enhancements.

Both the Hickory Ridge Road project and Cedar Lane study are derived from the proposed improvements established in OoT’s 2020 Hickory Ridge Bike Corridor study, which investigated multimodal connection opportunities between the Village of River Hill, Village of Hickory Ridge, and Downtown Columbia.  

While there will be no formal presentation at the meeting on the 15th, members of the public are invited to stop by anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. to view the project design plans and initial study findings, as well as speak to OoT staff who will be on hand to explain the proposed work, answer any questions, and gather public comments.

After the meeting, the meeting materials will be available on OoT’s “Hickory Ridge Area Transportation Studies” website. From the same site, community members will also be able to complete an online survey to share their thoughts and feedback with OoT on these two projects. The survey will remain open until Friday, October 30th.

If you have further questions about this project/study and/or meeting, please contact OoT at 410-313-4312 or email transportation@howardcountymd.gov.