Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball reminded residents and commercial users that masks must be worn at all times when visiting Alpha Ridge Landfill in Marriottsville.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed CB-63, The Liberty Act, which prevents County employees from asking about the immigration status of residents, discriminating based on immigration status, and requiring that certain information related to citizenship be kept confidential in Howard County. Additionally, Ball penned a letter to the Biden Administration Transition Team emphasizing the need for changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and their current operations around the country.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a grant of $2.47 million to Patuxent Commons, a unique and innovative housing development proposed for Columbia that will provide housing for people with disabilities in an inclusive community setting.

County Executive Calvin Ball is reminding residents to enroll for health coverage ahead of the deadline one week from today, December 15, 2020. Any Maryland resident who is currently uninsured may enroll today for one of the Maryland Health Connection's (MHC) private health plans. In areas of Howard County, the number of uninsured residents has doubled since the pandemic.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes:

County Executive Calvin Ball marked the first anniversary of the detailed “Age-Friendly Howard County” initiative. The initiative encompasses a three- to five-year plan to join the AARP network of age-friendly states and communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization (WHO). Achieving this designation requires focused efforts to create a “livable” community and ensure Howard County continues to evolve as a great place to grow up and to grow older. 

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced Howard County’s comprehensive strategy to better understand the scope of COVID-10 spread among the population through serology testing. Ball shared a multi-pronged approach to introducing serology testing:  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced Howard County’s comprehensive strategy to better understand the scope of COVID-19 spread among the population through serology testing.

Governor Hogan has called on County governments across the state to assist with needed staffing for testing and vaccination sites and to support increasing clinical needs in hospitals. Howard County stands ready to support COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Sykesville Mayor Ian Shaw and County Department of Recreation & Parks Director Raul Delerme announced the completion of new improvements - improved parking, sidewalks, stormwater management controls and other amenities, to South Branch Park.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the launch of a new pilot program to provide venison to local food banks. Any hunter, hunting in Howard County, can participate in the program by simply donating their deer to one of three local processors. The processed venison will then be delivered to the Howard County Food Bank by the County's Roving Radish.

Today, Columbia was recognized as the “Safest City in America” by WalletHub for the third year in a row. WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three criteria, home & community safety, natural-disaster risk, and financial safety.   

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, December 15th to discuss plans for a stream restoration project to stabilize an unnamed tributary to the Little Patuxent River at a site behind 3951-3959 Ducks Foot Lane.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement in regards to the Circuit Court ruling of a preliminary injunction on the lawsuit between the Columbia Association and Inner Arbor Trust Downtown, Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, and It’s My Amphitheater Inc.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the County has met its recent goal to stockpile a 90-day supply of personal protective equipment ahead of the winter months.

County Executive Calvin Ball and community leaders are encouraging Howard County residents to “Shop Small, Shop Local” this Saturday and throughout the upcoming holiday season.

Howard County Government offices, courts, animal shelter, Recreation & Parks’ community and athletic centers, activity rooms and historic sites, and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be closed on Thursday, November 26th in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. As there will be no curbside trash, recycling, yard trim or food scrap collection on Thanksgiving Day, the County’s holiday "slide” schedule will be in effect for the remainder of the week.

County Executive Calvin Ball led a hospital appreciation caravan today through Howard County General Hospital’s campus. Staff from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Recreation & Parks, Office of Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, and hospital volunteers joined the caravan.

Three Old Ellicott City businesses received renovations and support from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s for his ‘24 Hours to Hell and Back: Save Our Town” production, premiering tonight to a national television audience from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on FOX. Ramsay and his crew spent a week in February filming in Ellicott City revamping the selected businesses and completing some beautification projects along Main Street. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will host his second Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about COVID-19 and the local response and recovery. The following panelists will join the Town Hall and be available for questions

County Executive Calvin Ball will lead a hospital appreciation caravan on Tuesday, May 12th at noon through Howard County General Hospital’s campus. Staff from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Recreation & Parks, Office of Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, and hospital volunteers will join the caravan.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball launched the HoCoCounts 2020 Census dashboard, an innovative online tool providing real-time statistics on census completion within Howard County. The dashboard provides the current response rate for Howard County, other Maryland Counties, and Maryland overall. The deadline for completing the census has been extended to October 31, 2020. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will host his second Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from Howard County residents about COVID-19 and the local response and recovery. Residents can register online to participate via WebEx or stream live on Facebook.

Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks has canceled plans for July 4th fireworks, hosted annually at Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia. The Department also canceled all weddings and other large gatherings at their facilities through June 14th.

County Executive Calvin Ball has designated $200k in relief funds to the Community Action Council (CAC) for food assistance in Howard County. The funds are part of the initial $500k Disaster Relief and Recovery Initiative in his proposed Fiscal Year 2021 operating budget and are subject to the approval of the County Council.