Howard County continues to see a decline in our COVID-19 cases and hospital utilization metrics. As of 9:00 a.m. today, our 7-day average positivity rate is 1.81% and our 7-day average case rate per 100,000 of our population is 7.5. There are currently 13 COVID-19 patients in both ICU and Acute Care units, as of October 14th.

Howard County also continues to be a leader in vaccination rates, with 94.2 percent of eligible residents 12 and older having received at least one dose of a vaccine and 87.8 percent of those residents are fully vaccinated. Please note, as more data becomes available through the Maryland Department of Health, for example data around boosters, we will update the County's COVID-19 dashboard as appropriate.

Residents who are unvaccinated are at much higher risk for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While the vaccines do not protect 100 percent from becoming infected, persons who are fully vaccinated are more likely to experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Persons who are fully vaccinated may be eligible for booster shots. Please check with your medical provider or www.hchealth.org for more information.

If you or a loved one has not yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to get your shot today. The Howard County Health Department has an abundant supply available and getting vaccinated is the single most effective way to prevent hospitalization or death from COVID-19. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you, including those offering the Pfizer booster shot, visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6284.

As cooler weather approaches, be sure to also schedule a flu shot for you and your family. Upcoming Health Department clinics can be found here.

If you have:

I strongly encourage you to get tested as soon as possible. As we see the rise of the Delta variant, please remember that it is possible to have COVID-19 and not have any symptoms.

Additionally, in order to prevent further spread of COVID-19, it’s important that residents who have tested positive work cooperatively with our contact tracers to keep our community safe. We've slowed the spread before, and we can do it again by working together, and taking the precautions we know are effective.

For more information, please click here.

I recently signed a budget amendment releasing nearly $500,000 in County Funding from contingency in the FY22 operating budget for Howard County's body worn camera program. I am pleased that the County Council unanimously approved my budget amendment to release these much needed public safety funds out of contingency.

The use of County and American Rescue Plan funds will ensure that the body-worn camera program can be fully implemented before the end of the 2022 fiscal year. When this program is fully implemented, Howard County’s officers and our community will have another vital tool that helps uphold security, transparency, and justice for all.

Read more about it here.

Getting a flu shot is more important than ever. It can help protect you and your loved ones. The flu vaccine can also reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

There are many places where you can get your flu shot. Learn more at Howard County Health Department’s website here.

While symptoms of COVID-19 and allergies may be similar, it's important to note the differences. Allergies will never cause a fever or chills.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as fever and chills, body aches, and the loss of taste or smell, we strongly encourage you to get a COVID-19 test. There are many testing sites available for residents. Learn more and find a location near you by visiting our website here.

The much-anticipated Busboys and Poets is now open in Columbia! We are so pleased to welcome the ninth and largest location in the country to our thriving Merriweather District. I encourage residents to continue supporting small, local businesses.

Learn more about Busboys & Poets here.

Howard county is a proud home to more than 12,000 Korean-Americans, and many live or operate businesses in Ellicott City. I recently joined Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan to designate a portion of Route 40 as Koreatown. This designation is an appropriate way to recognize the important contributions of our Korean-American community, which strengthens our cultural and economic diversity.

I was glad to serve as an honorary co-chair alongside my friend and steadfast champion First Lady Yumi Hogan on this important initiative. Thank you to Ambassador Soo-hcuck Lee, Chairman Henry Kim, and the entire Koreatown Planning committee for their incredible work to champion this effort which affirms our commitment to cultural and economic diversity.

Through our Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program, we're expanding opportunities for homeownership and helping more families build wealth and realize their dreams. For many of our residents, purchasing their first home may feel out of reach, but this program is designed to make homeownership a reality for more individuals and families, enable economic mobility, and ensure people of all incomes can call Howard County home.

To qualify, an applicant’s household income may not exceed 80% of Howard County’s median income. For example: maximum $94,184 for a four-person household to as much as $124,323 for an eight-person household. Applicants must also meet minimum credit score requirements and household income must be sufficient to qualify for a mortgage based on industry standards.

Learn more about this program and apply here.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to educate ourselves about cyber risks and online safety practices. The internet is prevalent in nearly every aspect in our lives, and it’s important to follow measures to protect our private information. Howard County is a proud home to many cyber-related businesses which help combat cyber threats and keep important information safe.

Together we will support our local cybersecurity and related businesses while growing our cybersecurity industry in Howard County to be an even greater hub and IT ecosystem, maximizing our potential.

Residential treatment options for people with substance-use disorders, including opioid addiction, have been and continue to be extremely limited in Howard County, and yet we have hundreds of people struggling with addiction. We're taking an important, giant leap to ensure safe, accessible and successful residential treatment right here in Howard County.

Columbia is still the Safest City in America!

For many of us, home is somewhere you feel secure and part of an inclusive community. We all want to be and feel safe in our neighborhoods.

I want to thank our police officers, firefighters and paramedics, social workers, community advocates, and engaged residents for working together to achieve this honor for our community once again.

Public safety and keeping our community safe remains a top priority of mine. I recognize that we still have work to do and will continue to make sure every community in Howard County is and feels the safest it can be.

Agriculture plays a vital role in Howard County, supporting our economy and our environment. Our farms provide locally grown food, minimize our environmental footprint, and create jobs. It is why I pre-filed a bill to acquire an agricultural preservation easement on property which is currently owned by the Dickey family. The approval of the legislation would preserve 127.7 acres of land, adding to the almost 22,900 acres of farmland that is already in the Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP). The overall cost of the easement will be $5.4 million, funded by 25% of the 1% local transfer tax that is dedicated to the ALPP. 

As we confront the threat of climate change, we must enact thoughtful policy that ensures we protect and preserve agricultural land and support the many people whose livelihoods depend on our farms.

Read more here.

It’s taco time every day of the week! I was excited to recently join Lourdes and J.C. for the grand opening of the Taco Joint in the Common Kitchen. Our Latino community continues to thrive here in Howard County and it’s evident in these new flourishing businesses.

We continue to be grateful that you’ve chosen Howard County as your home, and we wish you many years of success! Check out their menu and hours here.

Missed the Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland collection?

Don’t worry, Free Bikes for Kidz is still accepting bike donations! Residents can drop off their unused bikes to 6100 Merriweather Drive, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays or from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information and to help volunteer, please click here.

Howard County has been allocated $63.2 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan. We invite Howard County residents to provide input on how this funding should be used. The survey should take less than 5 minutes.

Now through Friday, November 5^th, our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Office of Veterans and Military Families (OVMF) is collecting handmade scarves and hats to send with care packages to our deployed military members. Scarves should be four to six inches wide and 48 to 50 inches long without fringe and hats should fit an adult-size head, and can be made from wool, acrylic or non-flammable fleece, in shades of blues, browns, olive, grays, maroon, black or red/white/blue combinations. Please be sure to pin a note to each scarf or hat with the yarn fiber contents listed, and feel free to include a personal note for a military member as well. Handmade items can be dropped off at one of 10 locations in Howard County by the 5^th at the latest.

For more information about this initiative, please contact Ms. Lisa Terry with OVMF at 410-313-0821 or lbterry@howardcountymd.gov.

Help us honor Howard County's veterans by joining myself and DCRS’ OVMF in Downtown Columbia on November 7^th for Howard County’s 7^th annual Veterans Day Parade. As part of the year’s Parade festivities, the Howard County Veterans Foundation is seeking nominations of Howard County first responders to serve as this year’s Parade Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal is an honorary title bestowed upon an individual who represents the values and moral fiber of what it means to be a member of the Howard County community of Veterans and military families. To learn more about this year's parade and/or to submit your nomination for Grand Marshal, click HERE.

Howard County Health Department (HCHD) is once again encouraging residents of all ages to get a seasonal flu shot this season, as the flu vaccination can help reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school due to the flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. To find a list of upcoming HCHD’s flu vaccine clinics and/or more information about the flu vaccine, click HERE.

Also, for Howard County seniors who needs a ride to a flu shot appointment, Neighbor Ride is providing FREE rides. To learn more, visit neighborride.org/freeride or call 410-884-RIDE (7433).

The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) is encouraging residents to join the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition and other local partners this October for a month of walk/move events called Walktober2021. Walktober is a celebration of Maryland’s official exercise and a call to action to promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities. For a list of events, including several webinars focused on walking and moving ,visit the Walktober2021 webpage.

Misplaced you COVID-19 Vaccination Card? Never fear! You can easily request your vaccination records the Maryland Department of Health’s “Maryland MyIR” website. Maryland MyIR is a free website service that allows residents to view and print copies of their official vaccination records directly from ImmuNet, Maryland's immunization information system. ImmuNet is used by healthcare providers to securely maintain vaccination records for Maryland residents of all ages.

All are invited to join our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) and the Howard County Human Rights Commission tomorrow, Tuesday, October 19^th for an evening celebrating the individuals, students and organizations who have had a significant impact in Howard County in the areas of human rights, social justice, and community uplift. The evening will being with a light reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Human Rights Commission Awards Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. To learn more about this year’s FREE event and/or register, click HERE.

Join OHRE for a virtual lunch and learn on October 20^th from noon to 1:00 p.m. to explore how embracing the complexity of human diversity fosters equitable environments. Participants will learn more about intersectionality and its role in creating equitable spaces. To register for this event, click HERE.

Also this Wednesday, OHRE’s Outreach Unit’s Humanity Matters Dialogue Series is set to return. Through this award-winning series, participants learn how to authentically interact with people from different races and cultures through the sharing of dialogue, historical and socio-economic data, all while gaining effective communication skills with the intention of creating a more inclusive and supportive community. To register for this five-part series, click HERE. For questions and/or more information about this or future workshops and training opportunities, please contact OHRE at 410-313-6430 or email OHRoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

Join OHRE this Thursday, October 21^st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for a workshop experience that offers hands-on training about protecting the humanity of people who are being targeted or harassed in your presence. Learn the tools and strategies you need to be a good ally. To register for this virtual event, visit https://bit.ly/BICA1021.

This Diversity Awareness Month, OHRE has partnered with Mount Hebron High School (MHHS) to put on a youth-led speaker series on diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness. The series will feature students of a variety of different racial, ethnic, gender and religious backgrounds from six of Howard County’s high schools. These students will tackle some of diversity and inclusion’s most difficult topics, such as the racialized experience of Asian Americans, the importance of diversity in the classroom, religious diversity and acceptance, and the liminality of race and the biracial experience. The event will take place next Thursday, October 26^th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at MHHS, located at 9440 Old Frederick Road in Ellicott City, and masks are required. For more information and/or register for this event, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/OHRE today.

In celebration of National Diversity Awareness Month, OHRE has partnered with the Howard County Library System to host a book discussion series from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on October 26^th, to explore and facilitate multiple conversations around race, belonging, immigration, dispossession and the lived experience of the socially invisible through narrative. The series will feature the books/film:

The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is seeking nominations for the Commission’s 2022 “Living the Dream” Award. This annual award recognizes an individual or organization (community, civic or religious) who has promoted the teaching and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through community involvement. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 29^th and the award winners will be recognized at the Commission’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, scheduled to take place Sunday, January 16, 2022. 

In addition to its “Living the Dream Award,” the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is also seeking entries from Howard County students for its essay, oratory and poster contests. For its three contests, the Commission is calling upon students to reflect upon Dr. King’s statement, and this year’s contest theme, “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” For the essay and oratory contests, middle and high school students must discuss what can be done to foster an inclusive culture in your school, community or organization and give an example of what they have done or experienced that illustrates this. For the essay contest, students with disabilities may submit entries using other media and/or visual presentation. For the poster contest, elementary and middle school students must compose an original piece of artwork using a medium of their choosing that shows their interpretation of this year’s theme.

For complete essay, oratory and poster contest rules and details on how to submit your entry and application, visit OHRE’s “Human Rights Contest and Awards” website . Contest winners will receive a cash prize. The DEADLINE for all contests is 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 29^th.

To learn about Department of Public Works (DPW) 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) “Project Portal” website.

For more information about this work, click HERE or contact SHA at 410-545-0303.

BGE -Purple Streetlights?

Have you noticed a streetlight in your neighborhood shining a little purple these days? If yes, BGE is looking for your help to identify these lights. A manufacturer defect in the LED light bulbs used by utility companies across the nation, including BGE, is causing streetlights containing the bulb to gradually turn purple or blue. If you notice a streetlight producing a purple low, please report it to BGE at https://bge.streetlightoutages.com.

REMINDER: DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services will hold its FINAL document shredding event of 2021 on Saturday, October 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (OR until the trucks are full) at the Long Gate Park & Ride, located off MD 100 Exit 1A in Ellicott City. Held rain or shine, Howard County residents may bring up to three bags or boxes of paper to be shredded onsite. For more information and/or questions, contact the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or visit www.howardcountymd.gov/documentshredding.

Throughout the month of October, I invite you to enjoy the health benefits of nature during Howard County’s Great Outdoors Initiative! During this free, self-guided activity, I encourage you to challenge yourself to do at least 15 minutes of outdoor activity a day. From hiking one of our trails or taking a leisurely walk in one of our parks, to fishing, kayaking or geocaching, the options to explore Howard County’s great outdoors are endless. To sign up to participate, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCGreatOutdoors. Participants who complete the challenge are automatically entered to win prizes!

Obsessed with all things spooky? Throughout his October, join Recreation & Parks to take part in your own supernatural investigations during its Ghostly Guide programs at the Patapsco Female Institute, B&O Ellicott City Station Museum and Historic Waverly Mansion. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/GhostlyGuidesFall2021. 

However, if you are looking for some Halloween fun that’s as cute as Casper the friendly ghost, then be sure to join Recreation & Parks and EAAA on October 24^th for a Happy Haunted Hayride through Rockburn Branch Park. This event is recommended for children age two to seven. Tickets are $5 per person (cash only) and can also be purchased at the gate.  

Recreation & Parks Adult Team Scavenger Hunt returns this weekend, October 22^nd to 24^th. Gather a team of two to six friends for a creative challenge that relies on teamwork, planning and problem-solving skills as you race across Howard County. Each team is given a list of items to find and some unique tasks to perform within a specified time limit. Each team will receive its instructions by 7:00 p.m. on the 22^nd, with entries due by midnight the following Sunday. For full details, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCRPOctScavengerHunt. 

Registration for our Howard County Lacrosse Program is now open! Played on fields in Howard County parks, HC Lax consists of one weeknight practice with a game on Saturdays starting in April. Teams enjoy a challenging, player-centered environment that encourages teamwork, discipline and good sportsmanship. To sign up, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCLaxSpringProgram.  

Join our Department of Recreation & Parks on Saturday, October 30^th for its first-ever Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest at East Columbia Library Park! Dress your furry, feathered or scaled family member in their favorite costume and show them off between the hours of 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. Participants will judged on costume, presentation, behavior and use of props – and off course there will be the opportunity to score some extra points for special skills or tricks. Pets must be on leash or otherwise contained and non-aggressive. 

The contest is open to pet owners age 18 and older, but the event is free for spectators of all ages! The entry free is $10 per pet and contestants must register by no later than October 25^th. To register for this spooktacular event, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCRPPetParade today.

A Recreation & Parks project to improve the lower restroom facility, boat rental area and pathway section in Centennial Park South in Ellicott City, is expected to begin on or about today, October 18^th. The project will include the construction of an ADA-accessible parking facility near the lower boat rental/restroom area and the replacement of deteriorating wooden retaining walls. An existing pedestrian pathway will also be reconstructed to meet ADA-accessible standards and widened to allow for emergency access. The pathway will also connect the new parking area to existing pathways, boat ramp, restrooms and the outdoor F. Leonard Dunn Amphitheater. Finally, a micro-bioretention facility with native plants will be constructed to improve water quality within the construction area.

On November 28^th, join Recreation & Parks for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center. Filled with enchanted toys, mischievous mice and sugar plum fairies, join us as Clara and her magical Nutcracker Prince make their way to Washington, D.C. Please note, the Kennedy Center does require that patrons present their COVID-19 vaccination card. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCRPNutcracker.

This October, our Office of Transportation will host its second virtual Complete Streets Design Manual Workshops this Thursday, October 21^st at 2:00 p.m. to provide a technical overview of the Design Manual. Please note, while this workshop is geared towards technical professionals and others who use the Design Manual on a regular basis, the general public is welcome to attend. To register for either workshop and/or for more information about the Complete Streets Design Manual, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/DM-updates.

In celebration of Walktober, our Office of Transportation has partnered with the Downtown Columbia Partnership to offer a Culinary Walking Tour of Downtown Columbia this coming Sunday, October 24^th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tickets come in two levels — Nibbles (all ages) and Nibbles & Drink Pairings (21+), and participants will receive a Walkabout Card to take along to the event’s participating restaurants to receive their nibbles and drink specials. Participating restaurants include: Cured, GrillMarx, Clove & Cardamom, The 3rd, Walrus Roadside, The Charmery, and Seasons 52. As this is a walking event, participants should be prepared to walk from restaurant to restaurant all around Downtown Columbia. Depending on the route you take, your total distance covered will be 2.5 to 3.2 miles. Get your steps in and get your snack on.

Our Office of Transportation will be hosting a virtual public meeting from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 28^th, to discuss design plans for Complete Streets improvements along Dobbin Road in Columbia. Improvements include a shared use pathway, new sidewalk segments and signalized pedestrian crossings. The segments along Dobbin Road to be discussed extend from Oakland Mills Road to Old Dobbin Lane.

To pre-register for this meeting and/or review design plans and the construction schedule for the different segments of the project, visit the project webpage today. You can also share your feedbac k with Transportation via a short survey located on the project webpage as well. The deadline for public comment is November 11, 2021.

If you have questions, please email Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please email Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-4312 at least five business days before the event.