Latest news with #HowardCounty
CBS News
43 minutes ago
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County Council passes emergency bill targeting for-profit house parties
The Howard County Council unanimously voted to pass an emergency measure Wednesday that cracks down on for-profit house parties. The bill raises fines for paid parties on residential properties from $250 to $2,500 for the first offense and $5,000 for any further offenses. According to the council, the emergency measure is needed to address public health and safety issues surrounding the for-profit parties. Councilwoman Deb Jung, who introduced the measure, told our partners at the Baltimore Banner that several paid parties have been reported so far this summer. According to the Banner, the parties are often held at short-term rental homes, as some owners rent to groups who host the ticketed events. The parties violate zoning laws, which prohibit short-term rental and commercial activity in some residential areas. The new measure comes just after the Montgomery County Council took similar action this month, raising penalties to $5,000 for paid party offenses. Councilmembers in the Maryland county argued that the smaller fines were not effective, especially after a house party in a wealthy neighborhood advertised $1,000 tickets, the banner reported. Howard County has seen similar parties, though county police told the Banner they are usually called to the events for noise complaints, disorderly conduct or parking issues. Officials said the parties usually die down after police arrive. While the measure passed unanimously in Howard County - with the absence of councilwoman Liz Walsh – Councilman Opel Jones previously expressed worries about unintended consequences, according to the Banner.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Howard County issues heat alert as temperatures, humidity soar in Maryland
Howard County has issued a heat alert from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday due to dangerous temperatures and high humidity. The WJZ First Alert Team issued Alert Days for Friday through Sunday due to the risk of dangerous heat, especially for those working outside. Temperatures are expected to stay in the low to mid-90s, but high humidity and heat index values reaching up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit will make it feel significantly hotter. These conditions can cause heat-related illness, the county said. On Thursday, Howard County Health Department officials urged residents to take precautions during extreme heat. Lenora Painter, director of the Bureau of Infection Control and Public Health Readiness at the Howard County Health Department, said tips include limiting physical activity to early morning, finding shade, and staying hydrated. Painter also emphasized the importance of checking on others. "We can make sure that we have decided as a community, area, neighborhood, that we want to make sure we are helping each other," Painter said. According to Painter, there have been 12 heat-related deaths so far this year in Maryland. When the heat index is 90 degrees or higher, or when excessive heat watches, warnings, or advisories are in effect, people should take steps to cool down immediately if they notice a rapid escalation of heat illness symptoms, Painter said. She recommended creating a "cool room plan" by identifying the coolest space in your home to go to when feeling overheated. Keeping fans on and using blackout curtains are also advised. Howard County also has more than 50 cooling centers, available. Symptoms of heat illness include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, elevated body temperature, and heavy sweating, according to the CDC. The National Weather Service suggests removing excess clothing, loosening garments, and using water or ice to help cool person down if you are experiencing symptoms.
CBS News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland residents call on MDE to withdraw permit for proposed plastic recycling plant
Residents in Howard County are set to rally in support of a recent Howard County Hearing Examiner's decision to overturn the project's zoning approval. The update comes as residents fight to stop W.R. Grace and Co. from building a pilot plastic recycling plant for research in Columbia. A group called Stop the Grace Project has led much of the opposition against the project. Residents have shared concerns that the plant could bring pollution and increase health risks. Some worry about toxic leaks, fires, and long-term damage to air and water quality. In June, the Maryland Department of the Environment approved a permit to construct the facility. But neighbors appealed that decision and won, overturning the Department of Planning and Zoning's (DPZ) determination that the facility does not violate zoning conditions. The county hearing examiner found that DPZ's investigation into the proposed plant was insufficient, as it relied on W.R. Grace's self-classification of permitted zoning uses. Due to the appeal, the matter was sent back to DPZ for further review, and use of the building where the plant would be is paused until the review is complete. Howard County Council Member Deb Jung commended the decision. "The Hearing Examiner issued a scathing decision and order (D&O) on the W.R. Grace zoning complaint appeal," Jung said. "The D&O stated that the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) failed to investigate, document, and apply the law. This is such a big win for the community after so many disappointments." Work for the Stop Grace Coalition is not complete. The group wants the MDE to fully rescind the air permit that is currently under review. "The Stop Grace Coalition is calling on MDE to withdraw the air permit that lacks zoning approval and ignores residents' concerns," the group said in a statement. They are also asking for a full "local environmental and community impact review" before any more permits are granted. Residents of Columbia's Cedar Creek community and the Stop Grace Coalition are preparing for another Howard County Board of Appeals hearing. According to W.R. Grace, the facility will not burn plastic – but focus on developing safer and more effective recycling methods. On its website, the company says it has developed "a new plastic recycling solution that has the potential to reduce emissions, save energy, and lower costs compared to other options."
CBS News
20-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County's Head Start program to expand to children as young as infants
A $12.6 million federal grant is helping expand the early childhood program Head Start in Howard County. The Community Action Council of Howard County, the county's Head Start program provider, emphasized that this expansion will benefit more families beyond childcare. Lola Tanimowo knows how much Head Start can make a difference. WJZ first met the mom of two in September 2024, when CAC celebrated the reopening of its Children's Learning Center, or CLC. "My daughter got therapy [through Head Start]. She has a speech delay," Tanimowo said. "She got [in the program] when she was three, [and now] she is going to kindergarten without any delays at all." Tanimowo was outside CAC's Dasher Green Early Childhood Education Center on Wednesday to celebrate the new federal grant. The grant runs for five years and will help provide infants, toddlers, and two-year-olds with year-round, full-day classes starting next school year. These children will be served in the Bauder Education Center and CLC. "It has a lifelong impact on children and their families. It is the promise of a better future," said Tracy Broccolino, CAC's president. Tanimowo said without Head Start, she wouldn't have been able to further her education at Howard Community College. "There's no end to learning, I tell my kids every day," Tanimowo said. "I'm so happy that I'm given this opportunity." This Head Start expansion comes just months after Howard County Executive Calvin Ball put in $1 million to nearly 30 childcare providers to increase the number of children those providers can serve. This expansion is part of Ball's efforts to support federal workers in Howard County who may have lost their jobs under President Trump's workforce reductions. For families in Head Start, enrolling in the program goes beyond childcare. Since CAC is the Head Start provider, families enrolled get access to CAC's range of services -- which includes access to the Howard County Food Bank. "When a child enters a program, a family enters our program. Enrollment in our program opens the door to a broad range of services that help our families build stability and opportunity," said Erin Adelsberger, CAC's director of education. CAC is currently taking applications from families to enroll in its Head Start program, as well as applications for educators and staff for the expansion. You can learn more here.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County schools superintendent says special education audit affirms progress
A highly anticipated audit on special education in Howard County public schools highlighted some longstanding issues staff and parents have raised for years. Ahead of a presentation on the audit on Thursday at a Board of Education meeting, Howard County Public School System Superintendent Bill Barnes called the audit affirming. Barnes said the audit shows the school district is working toward fixing the right issues in special education. Some Board of Education members, though, felt the audit wasn't productive. For Barnes, undertaking this audit means the school district is responding to the concerns raised for some time. "We're not sitting still. We're moving. We're moving forward now with them," Barnes said. Barnes said the audit gives HCPSS a good picture. It was conducted by the nonprofit Research Triangle Institute, or RTI, from December 2024 to June 2025. The audit highlighted some longstanding concerns, including increasing caseloads with fewer staff and providers, not enough professional learning for staff, a lack of supports for students and their IEPs, and families feeling they can't effectively communicate concerns. One parent who was surveyed for the audit said, "It's always a fight. Every single time." "We know that we have to do better in helping families," Barnes said. "It's our goal to ensure that families feel as if they are true partners in the process. Not every family is feeling that, so we have work to do." Some of RTI's recommendations include developing supports to better monitor students' progress, including families more in the process, and reviewing staffing formulas. At the Board of Education meeting, board members questioned how actionable the recommendations are. Some board members went as far as to question the whole audit process, feeling it didn't go far enough. "I was hoping that the report would actually include a recommendation for what Howard County should use. This is a summary of things we already know," said Board of Education member Antonia Watts. Earlier this month, HCPSS unveiled dozens of new and repurposed special education positions to ease teachers' workloads. Barnes said moving forward, the audit will be influencing the creation of a strategic plan that's set to be released early August. "There are no quick fixes; we didn't get here in one day," Barnes said. "We're not gonna get out of here in one day. The improvements are gonna take some time."
