Throughout this pandemic there has been a lot of disinformation making it difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction. This vaccine provides a lot of hope for our community, but there is still much work to do.

Residents should continue the preventative measures we’ve all grown accustomed to – wearing a mask, physically distancing, and washing our hands. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit StayCOVIDSafe.howardcountymd.gov

We want to ensure residents and families have reliable and accurate information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, understand the different phases of distribution and can make informed decisions. The vaccine will be distributed in three phases:

Once it becomes available, residents must register here to receive the vaccine. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit StayCOVIDSafe.howardcountymd.gov

Serology, or antibody, testing can provide a glimpse into the extent of COVID-19 infections in the recent-past and are critical to understanding the true prevalence of the virus in communities like ours. Our approach has always been data-informed and people driven. We will continue to search for innovative and efficient ways to mitigate the spread of this virus and ensure our community is safe and healthy.

Read more in this Baltimore Sun Article.

Over the past ten months, we have used every tool in our toolbox to ensure the health and safety of our community. While we are encouraged that Congress is acting to extend the CARES Act spending deadline, the recent Congressional relief package unfortunately provides no additional funding for State and local governments as we prepare for a winter surge. 

We all know there are brighter days on the horizon, but this pandemic is far from over. It is clear many people cannot wait for relief. Action is needed now.

Read more in the Baltimore Sun here, in WBAL here, or read our press release here.

Congratulations to Blowfish Poke on their one year anniversary! We are so thankful for our local restaurants who contribute to Howard County's amazing culinary scene. This holiday season and as we begin the new year, I strongly encourage us all to continue supporting our small restaurants and businesses. 

To see their menu and to order carry out, please click here.

To StayCOVIDSafe this winter, please heed the advice of our public health officials and implement your holiday plans accordingly. This holiday season, both Quality First Urgent Care testing sites at the Volunteer Fire Stations in Savage and Elkridge will be operating on limited hours. 

For more information on other testing sites in the county, please visit StayCOVIDSafe.howardcountymd.gov or call the Coronavirus Information line at (410) 313-6284

For five decades, former Senate President Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. has been a storied leader in Annapolis and throughout the state. He advocated for the protection of our beloved Chesapeake Bay, the best quality education for our students, and above all else - was a devoted public servant and mentor to dozens of legislators in every jurisdiction. 

I am incredibly grateful for his friendship and partnership, consistently working to improve the lives of those in Howard County and across Maryland. Please join me in sending Senator Miller and the entire Miller family continued love and strength.

The longer this pandemic stretches on, the more urgent rental and eviction relief becomes. With more than 23,000 renters in the county, and more than 46,000 residents who have filed for unemployment, we are doing all we can to keep people safely housed.

Beginning January 4th, residents may apply for additional housing assistance. As we continue to battle this virus, we must deliver the necessary relief and services to make sure no one falls through the cracks.

For more information, please click here.

As you begin to take down those holiday decorations, remember to recycle your holiday tree! Through our Merry Mulch program, we offer residents a variety of FREE holiday tree recycling options. Now through Saturday, January 16th, residents can place their holiday tree out for recycling on their curbside yard trim collection day or recycle their tree at one of the drop-off sites we’ve set up throughout the county. For more information and/or to find a drop-off site near you, please click here.

Since 1993, the Merry Mulch program has kept thousands of trees out of the landfill, helping to save money and the environment. All collected trees are delivered to the Composting Facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill and recycled into compost and mulch. 

Are you a local Business? The Meet the Primes event is an opportunity for small, local and EBO businesses to meet prime contractors in the fields of Construction Services, Architectural and Engineering Services and Technology Services in a virtual networking environment. 

Attendees can learn more about the types of work the primes perform, their subcontracting processes, which services they subcontract and doing business with Howard County entities including Howard County Government, Howard County Public School System and Howard Community College.

To register, email LocalOutreach@howardcountymd.gov and indicate which session you're interested in.

Governor Hogan announced mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 across Maryland and our region. The Maryland Department of Health issued a public health advisory urging residents to refrain from attending any gatherings of more than 10 people in one location. Additionally, residents who travel to and from Maryland must quarantine for 10 days or obtain a negative test result. 

To read more of the Governor’s announcement, please click here.

As we continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in Howard County, we are also seeing rise of residents who are getting tested or have questions about testing. The two drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations set up in the parking lots at the Elkridge and Savage fire stations are NOT being operated by the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, but are operated by Quality First Urgent Care.

Our volunteer fire stations in Savage and Elkridge are being inundated with questions regarding testing. If you have any questions regarding testing at either location, please call the Howard County Health Department’s Coronavirus Information Line at (410) 313-6284. We all have a responsibility to do all we can to reverse our concerning trends. For more information, please visit HChealth.org.

Recreation & Parks' three community center gymnasiums (Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter) are CLOSED, EXCEPT for scheduled programs. Visitors may still access the community centers walking tracks, but by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please contact the front desk of the community center you wish to visit. Visitors may also use the community center fitness rooms, but also by appointment only.

Additionally, Recreation & Parks’ indoor programs are limited to no more than 10 people per activity area and all outdoor sports facilities, athletic fields, playgrounds, courts and skate parks are now limited to 25 people or less.

For more information and/or questions, visit Recreation & Parks' website www.howardcountymd.gov/rap and/or please contact the department at 410-313-4700.

Our Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Aging and Independence (OAI) continues to work hard to offer our older residents the resources they need to remain active and engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic. From exercise, cooking, social engagement and lifelong learning classes, there is something to help get you moving, get cooking and stay social this 2020. Check out OAI’s December Virtual Offering Guide for this month’s activities or visit OAI’s website to learn more about its services. For questions, contact OAI at aging@howardcountymd.gov.

The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili), are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African Americans. Now through January 1st, I hope you will join us as OHRE hosts a number of virtual activities to celebrate and recognize these seven principles. To learn more, check out https://tinyurl.com/HoCoKwanzaa today.

For questions and/or more information about these events, please contact OHRE at 410-313-6430 or email OHRoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. 

Department of Public Works Construction Report

To learn about DPW Capital Projects currently underway, visit https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) website and search by “County” to learn more about State road projects in Howard County.

Department of Public Works – Bureau of Environmental Services

DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services is REMINDING residents, when visiting our Alpha Ridge Landfill, face coverings MUST BE worn at ALL TIMES and physical distancing of at least six feet maintained when possible. Also, the Landfill is only accepting credit card payments at this time; no cash, check or debit cards.

While the Bureau of Environmental Service’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Saturdays at the Landfill have ended for the season, the Bureau will be hosting three SPECIAL HHW collection days this winter: Saturday, January 2nd, Saturday, February 6th and Saturday, March 6th. On these three days, county residents may properly dispose of HHW items at the Landfill. For more information on this program and what is accepted/not accepted, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HHW.

REMINDER: The upcoming New Year’s Day holiday is one of the six holidays that does affect the County’s curbside trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim collection programs. As there will be no curbside collection on Friday, January 1st, the County’s holiday slide schedule will be in effect and Friday collection will slide to Saturday, January 2nd. Residents who normally have Friday collection are reminded to have their items out after 6:00 p.m. the day before collection or before 6:00 a.m. the day of collection.

For questions, concerns and/or more information about the County’s holiday schedule, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule or contact feel free to contact the Bureau of Environmental Services at 410-313-6444 or email help@howardcountyrecycles.org. 

If you are looking for a creative activity for your child to enjoy while school’s out for winter break, I encourage you to check out Recreation & Parks’ Little Brushes Club with Pinot's Palette! This take-home kit and interactive virtual art class guides your child through completing an original painting on canvas. All supplies are provided for pickup at Pinot’s Palette; however, you can opt to have a kit mailed to your home for additional fee. To learn more and/or to register, please click here.

Registration is now open for Howard County Lacrosse Program’s spring season. Open to new and experienced players, HC Lax is Howard County’s leading recreational lacrosse opportunity for all skill levels. For additional details and/or to register, click here today

This winter bundle up and join our Robinson Nature Center for some fun outdoor programming. Stop by the Nature Center on Wednesday afternoons for its “Kid’s Wednesday Afternoons.” If you are looking for more family-friendly fun, join the Nature Center on January 16^th for its “Your Family’s Tree.” Spend quality time with your loved ones by adopting and decorating a tree along the Nature Center’s trails. Also, all little learners are invited to check out the Nature Center’s Outdoor Saturday Puppet Theater programs this January and February. For more information and/or a full list of upcoming winter program fun at the Nature Center, click here or call 410-313-0400.

If you’ve ever participated in one of our Recreation & Parks’ health and wellness program this year, we invite you to take this quick survey to let us know how we may continue to improve our offerings. Note, all Recreation & Parks’ classes, leagues and seminars may be categorized under "health and wellness programs," as they aid physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.