BGE Reliability 'We Thought it was Just Us'

Howard County residents testified Tuesday night about their experiences with power outages.

While many of the people testifying about BGE’s reliability in Howard County were familiar faces at Tuesday’s public hearing, some new perspectives came to the forefront, too; particularly the business perspective. “Our business is to help small businesses solve technical problems,” Kristy Mumma said of the Columbia-based company Stewart Technologies, Inc. “But we’re having technical problems of our own due to frequent, unexplained outages.” About 20 people signed up to testify – all in favor of CR134, which would create a resolution on behalf of the County Council, asking the Public Service Commission to initiate a second investigation into BGE’s reliability in Howard County in neighborhoods not mentioned in the investigation currently …

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Howard County Program Renovates North Laurel Home

Arc of Howard County to hold open house on Thursday.

The Arc of Howard County will celebrate the re-opening of a renovated residence on Graeloch Road in Laurel at an open house on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Graeloch renovation project was undertaken to make the living space of the house more accessible for its residents with developmental disabilities and by the desire to be more energy efficient, according to Jay Raksin, Facilities and Maintenance Manager for The Arc. Since its inception in 1961, The Arc has become one of the county’s largest employers, with more than 250 staff members and hundreds of volunteers working to achieve full community life for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc provides a range of residential, employment and …

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Mapping Laurel's Speed Cameras

We're mapping speed cameras in the Laurel area.

With speed cameras popping up aside many roads in the Laurel area, we've decided to map some of the latest locations where your car may have its picture taken. Did we miss a few? Drop us a line via e-mail or in the comment section. Related Stories New Cameras To Watch Old Cameras Coming to Pr. George's New Law About Broken Traffic Lights Starts Oct. 1 No Successful Challenges to Speed Camera Citations New Law Enforcement Cameras Arrive In Laurel Residents, Police Clash at Hearing On Speed Cameras

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Student Access to Internet, Devices Under Debate

Should students have more access to technology at school? Tell us in the comments.

One school board member is proposing increased access to the Internet and mobile devices for students in Howard County schools. During a discussion about technology at a recent Board of Education meeting, school board member Brian Meshkin proposed changing what is known as the school system's "Acceptable Use Policy" to one focused on "Responsible Use." According to the "Acceptable Use Policy," only high school students may use Internet independently in the Howard County Public School System. They must also have signed permission slips to do so. Students in grades kindergarten through eight may not use the Internet independently, according to the policy. Should students have more Internet access during the school day? Tell us in comments. …

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Man Dies in Laurel Stabbing

Suspect taken into custody; fight reportedly escalated from verbal exchange.

A 46-year-old Savage man was found dead and a suspect has been taken into custody in Laurel following a stabbing Thursday night. Howard County police are investigating the death of Robert Lynn Foster of Savage, who was found dead Thursday outside Midway mobile home park, in the 10000 block of North 2nd Street of Laurel. Police were called to the park about 7:15 p.m. Thursday in response to a reported assault. Foster was found lying with stab wounds near the mobile home park's entrance. He was transported to Laurel Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A man identified by witnesses as the assailant has been taken into custody. Witnesses told police an argument between the victim and the suspect, who knew each other, had escalated…

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North Laurel Civic Association To Hold Community Picnic

Association will hold annual picnic Sept. 16.

Photo of the Day: Chopper on the Court

The Howard County Police helicopter was among the county's tools on display during National Night Out on Tuesday.

Some of the Howard County Police Department's most impressive resources were on display Tuesday evening for the National Night Out celebration at the North Laurel Community Center. The HCPD helicopter, the volunteer mounted police unit and Scruff McGruff the Crime Dog joined local police in the effort to combat crime on the ground level. “Community participation is essential in fighting crime,” Howard County Police Chief William McMahon said in a statement. “National Night out may last for only one evening, put the partnership between Howard County residents and our officers is an ongoing effort.”  

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Deputy Superintendent Retires Amid Realignment for HCPSS

The retirement of Deputy Superintendent Mamie Perkins is one of several changes to the Howard County Public School System this year.

Mamie Perkins, a Howard County Public School System employee of 26 years, announced her retirement as deputy superintendent on July 30 as the school system prepares for a realignment directed by the new superintendent Renee Foose. Perkins, who was interim superintendent for several months during Sydney Cousin's cancer treatment last year, said her plan was to retire after a new superintendent was fully transitioned, but before the new school year started, according to the Howard County Times. Her retirement became official on Aug. 1. Prior to being named deputy superintendent in February 2011, Perkins was chief of staff for HCPSS since 2005, as well as a teacher and coordinator for the system since 1986. She also held several positions at …

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Ball to Launch Minority Howard County Elected Officials Caucus

The Howard County Council member said the caucus will "help support minorities interested in serving in public office."

  Howard County Council member Calvin Ball has teamed up with the Maryland Association of Counties to announce the creation of the Minority County Elected Officials Caucus. In a press release announcing the decision Monday, Ball wrote that fewer than 25 percent of local elected officials are of minority descent, despite census figures that show the growth of minorities in comparison with non-Hispanic whites in Maryland. As of 2011, Howard County's population consisted of 58.5 percent non-Hispanic whites, 18.2 percent black, 14.9 percent Asian and 6 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data. In Maryland, the population numbers were 54.4 percent white, 30 percent black, 5 percent Asian and 8.4 percent Hispanic or Latino, …

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