Latest news with #EllicottCity
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland Gov. Moore to announce support for flood mitigation projects in Howard County
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is expected to announce support for flood mitigation projects in Howard County through a state loan fund Wednesday. Additional support would be provided through the Maryland Department of Emergency Management's Resilient Revolving Loan Fund. Flood mitigation in Howard County Parts of Howard County experienced deadly flooding in 2011, 2016 and 2018, prompting an aggressive effort to prevent similar events in the future. After eight inches of rain turned Ellicott City streets into rivers and damaged more than 70 businesses, the county launched the Safe and Sound plan to address flooding issues with retention ponds in four areas. The plan dictates that debris be removed from waterways after weather events that bring two or more inches of rain within 24 hours or after strong winds. Before the plan was enacted, the waterways were inspected on a quarterly or semi-quarterly basis. Between 2018 and March 2025, Howard County's Department of Public Works removed more than 100,000 pounds of debris. There are a total of seven projects under the Safe and Sound Plan. So far, two of four retention ponds have been built, and a third is expected to be done by fall 2025, according to county officials. In Ellicott City, several flood safety measures have also been implemented, like signage pointing to high-ground access and a tone alert system. Federal funding cuts spark concerns The funding for all of Howard County's flood mitigation projects was secured, Executive Calvin Ball said in February. However, the proposed state budget and the Trump administration's federal spending cuts sparked concerns. The Safe and Sound Plan costs about $250 million, and a third of that is supported by federal funds, according to Ball. The county's flood mitigation plan is supported in part by a $75 million WIFIA loan from the Environmental Protection Agency and $20 million in funding from FEMA. "Uncertainty about federal funding places Howard County in an extremely precarious position, assuming tremendous financial risk," Ball said in March.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Pepper House serves up top Chinese food in the nation with authentic Sichuan flavors
Pepper House serves up top Chinese food in the nation with authentic Sichuan flavors Pepper House serves up top Chinese food in the nation with authentic Sichuan flavors Pepper House serves up top Chinese food in the nation with authentic Sichuan flavors Pepper House, a local Chinese restaurant in Ellicott City, is attracting people from all over after getting national recognition as one of the county's top restaurants. Nestled along Route 40 in an office complex, Pepper House offers authentic Sichuan flavors. When Yuan Shen and her husband Frank Liang opened the restaurant during the pandemic in 2020, they never imagined making it on the national map. "Both me and my husband were teachers," said Shen. "We know nothing about restaurant. We never ran [a] restaurant before. But just one day, he said, 'Could we make real Sichuan food for American friend?' " Recently, Pepper House earned the 11th spot on Yelp's 2024 list of top 100 Chinese restaurants in the U.S., encouraging many supporters to come out and congratulate them. The ranking is now attracting people from all over, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, D.C., and more. What exactly is Sichuan cuisine? With over 200 reviews and a stellar 4.7-star rating on Yelp, customers praise Pepper House for its spicy, fragrant, and flavorful dishes that capture the essence of Sichuan cuisine, mostly known for its numbing effect from Sichuan peppercorns. "The flavor is incredible, and she's right, it's the flavor more than the spiciness," said Ryan, a customer who was dining inside Pepper House. "Everything blends together so well." Their secret is that everything is made from scratch and with love. "Our chili oil sauces, and dumplings, and noodles all are handmade," said Shen. "It's very tasty, yeah, it's different." That's what brings customers like Vineeth Garnepudi and Jack Ragonese returning for more. "We really like Sichuan food," Vineeth exclaimed. "I had to give it a try," said Jack. "I loved it the first time, so I had to come back." Both say they're proud to see Howard County represented at the national level. When Shen and Frank are not running their restaurant, they're singing opera. As a professional opera singer, Frank still teaches students sometimes at the restaurant, and when it's not busy, he plays the piano. It's music to your ears and food for your soul. "We want more and more people, all the country, all the people from everywhere to try this because it's good!" said Shen.
