Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced today that the County’s Office of Transportation has been awarded a Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program grant from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) for its North Laurel Connections project. The more than $500,000 grant will assist the Office of Transportation in constructing a 5.6-mile bicycle and pedestrian route between Savage and Laurel.

Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks has announced the launch of its new “Schools Out” programming to be offered this fall on Wednesdays only when students have asynchronous school days and featuring art, cooking, drama, nature, LEGO and S.T.E.A.M. activities geared predominantly towards students, grades K through 5th.

 Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced $1.3 million in CARES Act Funding to support children and families through the county’s HoCo STRIVES (Strategies To Reach an Inclusive Vision and Equitable Solutions) initiative.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Health Department are reminding county residents about safety tips for celebrating the upcoming Halloween and fall season festivities to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to be joined by other local officials to announce $1.3 million dollars in CARES Act Funding to support virtual learning support through the county’s HoCo S.T.R.I.V.E.S. initiative that provides wraparound services to students and families in need. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has signed a property acquisition agreement allowing improvements on the Guilford Road and Oakland Mills Road intersection to move forward.

Howard County Executive Ball and the Howard County Health Department have introduced a new campaign, “Let’s Talk About Mental Health,” intended to promote mental and behavioral health resources and referral services available in the County.

On Friday, September 18th, County Executive Calvin Ball will be joined by CASA Executive Director and the Council of American Islamic Relations Director of Maryland Outreach to address Howard County Detention Center policies in regards to U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement detainees. 

County Executive to sign property acquisition agreement allowing improvements at the Guilford Road and Oakland Mills Road intersection to move forward. Improvements include a new traffic signal, sidewalks and bus pads.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Calvin Ball hosted a Public Safety Town Hall with Howard County leaders and officials yesterday evening. Leaders discussed handling operations through COVID-19, conveyed current efforts to keep our community safe and addressed social justice and equity issues, as well as provided an overview of their respective operations.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined Senator Guy Guzzone, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Joseph DeFelice and Field Office Director Carol Bryant Payne, iHomes President Judi Olinger, Standard Energy Solutions, President & CEO Steve Welsh, along with members of the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development and the Howard County Housing Board for a groundbreaking of the Greenfields Community Living Project in Jessup, MD.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to join the Howard County Health Department on September 17th to announce the “Let’s Talk About Mental Health” campaign. This campaign intended to promote behavioral and mental health resources and referral services available in the county to help mitigate these rising concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael J. Martirano and Howard County Board of Education Chair Mavis Ellis released the following joint statement regarding Howard County Police Department School Resource Officers.

A Howard County construction project to improve drainage near 6728 Walter Scott Way in Columbia has begun. Expected to be completed by late September, weather permitting, the project is not expected to impact the general flow of traffic in the area.

A Howard County construction project to replace a deteriorating sewer main near 6445 Cardinal Lane in Columbia has begun. During the construction, Cardinal Lane will be closed to through traffic between Brass Knob and Quarterstaff Road.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to host a Public Safety Townhall on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will join the Maryland Motor Truck Association on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:15 a.m. to celebrate Truck Driver Appreciation Week.  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month by announcing the newly formulated La Alianza Latina Workgroup (Latin Alliance) and recognizing Indigenous People’s Day in place of Columbus Day.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants, particularly business representatives, a representative from the general public and one from a consumer interest group, interested in serving on the Consumer Protection Advisory Board. The deadline to apply for these positions is Friday, September 4, 2020. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Commission for Women – two general members and one student member, who are interested in serving on the Commission. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 28.

County Executive Calvin Ball launched a new food distribution map for Howard County residents seeking food pantries or access to free meals. The innovative map currently lists 31 locations offering groceries, produce, non-perishables, fresh and frozen meals for students, residents, and older adults in need.

A Howard County construction project to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians accessing Harpers Choice Middle School in Columbia is expected to begin on or about Monday, August 10. Lane shifts along Cedar Lane can be expected during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., as needed.

Howard County is joining a New York lawsuit against President Trump and his Administration for their July 21, 2020 census policy attempting to “exclude from the apportionment base aliens who are not in a lawful immigration status.”

Howard County has activated Emergency Operations in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias, which is expected to cause heavy rainfall and winds between 20-30 miles an hour. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the county from Monday at 11 p.m. through Tuesday at 11 p.m. 

Howard County is joining an amicus brief, filed by the State of New York, in support of the CASA complaint against the Trump Administration’s rule to delay applicants for asylum from getting authorization to work while their application is processed.