Howard County - baltimoresun.com

State approves last round of school construction projects

By Erica L. Green, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:18:31 GMT

School systems receive increased funding to tackle infrastructure, renovation needs

State officials approved more than $161 million in school construction funding Wednesday that will allow school systems in the Baltimore area to undertake renovation projects, tackling problems that include sweltering and overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings and amenities.

After 66 years, Forest Diner set to serve last meals May 28

By Karen Nitkin, knitkin@verizon.net — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:55:00 GMT

It's Sunday morning, so that means Dick Weinknecht and Rick Dietrich are in their usual perches — sitting atop the red-vinyl-covered stools at the counter of the Forest Diner, nearly-empty coffee cups and folded newspapers in front of them. But his 43 years of breakfasts at the Forest Diner will end Monday, May 28, when the 66-year-old Ellicott City institution closes its doors for good. Michael and Steve Weal, the brothers that own the property, are creating a mixed-used space, with 75,000 square feet of retail space and 38 apartments.

Traffic, other concerns raised at Columbia redevelopment meeting

By Lindsey McPherson, lmcpherson@patuxent.com — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:23:00 GMT

Finding little to fault in the design of the first building project in the downtown Columbia redevelopment process, residents at a community meeting Tuesday night presented concerns regarding traffic and affordable housing.

Dyer sues fellow board members, claiming open meetings violation

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:34:00 GMT

Complaint says interviews with superintendent candidates were violations

Complaint says interviews with superintendent candidates were violations

Wine in the Woods marks 20th festival year in Howard

By Janene Holzberg, Special to The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:49:00 GMT

Maryland wineries, seminars, tastings featured

When the first Wine in the Woods festival was being planned in 1992, Ellicott City restaurateur Fernand Tersiguel suggested organizers add enlightenment to their goals for the event. This weekend, as the wine festival marks its 20th anniversary in Symphony Woods, the education seminars still attract a loyal following.

Sophie Kerr prize winner displayed writing talent in high school

By Ellie Kahn, The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:42:00 GMT

Kathryn Manion of Clarksville plans career in fiction-writing and publishing

As a child, Kathryn Manion used to sit on her father's lap late into the evenings and read with him. That, said her father, Jim Manion, didn't last long. "She quickly began to read on her own," he said, adding jokingly, "I guess we weren't reading fast enough." The Clarksville native last week received Washington College's Sophie Kerr Prize for her body of short stories and other creative work.

Navy commencement rite of passage for River Hill friends

By Colin Campbell, The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:30:45 GMT

River Hill graduates are ready for military careers

When they graduated from River Hill High School in 2008, Jonathan Hill , Rajiv Stone and Daniel Thyberg had a grueling summer of physical training awaiting them as they prepared to attend the U.S. Naval Academy together.

More homes added on new flood maps

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:55:00 GMT

Additional homes, business around the county must buy flood insurance policies

Additional properties must buy flood insurance policies

Motorcycle crash in Howard Co. kills man, 45

The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:15:00 GMT

Gary Alan Lynch of Woodbine was driving motorcycle that struck post; passenger also taken to hospital

A motorcyclist was killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday evening on Route 99, Howard County police reported.

Residents split on proposed dog park in Oakland Mills

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:42:00 GMT

A proposal to bring a dog park to the new Blandair Park, which would be Columbia's first such facility, has left local residents divided, and a county government panel involved in the decision wants to hear more from them.

Local officials excited, encouraged by first new downtown Columbia building

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:35:00 GMT

Local officials — many of whom have waited years as the redevelopment of downtown Columbia has been debated and discussed, and pondered and pitched — say they are excited that construction on the first new building could soon be beginning, and encouraged by what that building could look like.

Howard school board set to vote again on adequate facilities measure

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:42:00 GMT

It determines if schools can accommodate new residential development

The Howard County school board is scheduled to reconsider Tuesday a measure that would determine which schools can accommodate new residential development.

Bumps in the road: County to start funding speed humps again

By Lindsey McPherson, lmcpherson@patuxent.com — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:58:00 GMT

Speeding is so bad on Furrow Avenue that resident Tom Albert said cars have veered off the road, knocking down mailboxes and clipping hedges, and forcing joggers to jump out of the way.

Developers unveil plans for $100 million project in Columbia

By Edward Gunts , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:05:00 GMT

The Metropolitan Downtown Columbia designed to include 380 luxury apartments, retail space, at least 675 parking spaces

The master developer of Columbia's Town Center aims to begin construction by early next year on a $100 million apartment and retail complex, the area's first new housing in a decade.

Howard County native wins 2012 Sophie Kerr Prize

By Colin Campbell and Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:12:00 GMT

Washington College's Manion 'at a loss for words' with literary win

Kathryn Manion was "at a loss for words" Tuesday night — shortly after being honored for her way with them.

Judge in Dyer's hearing says board's charges are not clear

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:27:00 GMT

He will take up Dyer's motion to dismiss when hearing resumes

The administrative law judge hearing the Howard County school board's case against fellow member Allen Dyer said Tuesday that Dyer's assertion that the board has not clearly spelled out its reasons for wanting him removed is "becoming increasingly more relevant."

Seniors identified as prank turns into vandalism at River Hill High School

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:31:43 GMT

Vandals struck at River Hill High School this past weekend in what the school's principal described as something students had intended to be a senior prank but instead caused a wide range of damage.

Future of Wegmans liquor store in limbo

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:29:00 GMT

Proposed store in Columbia wouldn't be the only such store owned by someone related to employees of the chain

Dyer hearings extended into June

By Sara Toth, stoth@patuxent.com — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:25:37 GMT

Administrative hearings on removing Allen Dyer from his seat on the Howard County Board of Education are now set to last to the end of June.

'Barefoot' triathlete readies for race

By Janene Holzberg, Special to The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 GMT

Ross Kennard is among the school of minimalist runners

Ross Kennard's "barefoot shoes" will play an integral role in the Columbia Triathlon next weekend, when the 53-year-old tries something new in his ninth competition. He will do both the running and biking portions of the race in the special footwear, which is akin to wearing no shoes at all.

Transportation department head, council discuss budget

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:53:00 GMT

New Howard County department to play growing role

Howard County must act soon to improve its public transit options, the county's new transportation chief says, arguing that the growing population will be choked with traffic in coming years if people are not provided with better options.

'Bottle bombs' make for possible felony

By Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:04:01 GMT

Police say teens' homemade explosives are no laughing matter

Police say teens' homemade explosives are no laughing matter

Jacques Kelly: Shrine of St. Anthony has majestic history

Jacques Kelly — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:55:00 GMT

Howard County monastery is a lunch stop on tour May 19

This coming week offers a chance to visit two worthy Maryland landmarks. The normally off-limits Gibson Island Club will be open and you can enjoy a lunch overlooking the Magothy. And I advance-visited the Shrine of St. Anthony at Folly Quarter, a remarkable Roman Catholic monastery complex in western Howard County.

Single dad named Howard Community College student of the year

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:15:02 GMT

He has hopes of becoming an art teacher

When Mark Chewning was a kid, he dreamed of being an artist. But at some point, the Baltimore resident's dream became all but dormant, giving way to about 27 years in the photograph-retouching business and a stint as supermarket deli clerk, as well as marriage, parenting, unemployment, divorce and self-doubt.

Howard fire department moves toward EMS-based model

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:12:00 GMT

Officials try to reduce response times amid economic constraints

When units from Ellicott City's fire Station 8 roll out on a cardiac arrest call, each crew member already knows who will start chest compressions, who will operate the defibrillator and who will provide artificial respiration to get oxygen flowing to the brain and heart.