It was a beautiful day to welcome Lidl US as an anchor at the Mall in Columbia. Lidl is active in more than 11,200 stores across 32 countries and offers customers the highest quality fresh produce, meat, bakery items, and a wide variety of household products at unbelievably low prices. The last 15 months have been tough on our businesses as they’ve been forced to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19. However, as we begin to reopen, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

This new store will play an important role in our economy and is essential to job creation and growth. Thank you to Lidl for making Howard County your home!

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder month, more commonly known as PTSD. Throughout this month, we must raise public awareness, reduce the stigma, and help ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war or other trauma receive proper treatment. I encourage us all to reach out to a family member, friend, or neighbor who may be struggling in silence and let them know they are not alone.

Those experiencing suicidal feelings or thoughts of self-harm should reach out for help. Call the Suicide Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

We know it's important to sustain the vision for the Harriet Tubman School as an educational and cultural center. It's why we included $1.3 million in our FY22 budget, including $750,000 in State aid, for construction of the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, allowing this historically significant, long-awaited project to be completed in FY 2022. 

Now, alumni and former staff can continue to share their stories and legacy with our community for generations to come.

Congratulations to Charan Bala for passing the preliminary round of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee! Out of 209 total contestants, Charan is one of the 74 bees who will be moving on to the quarter finals. He is our 2021 Howard County Library System Spelling Bee Champion and an 8th grader at Clarksville Elementary School.

Watch the quarterfinals live on ESPN on Tuesday, June 15, starting at noon and let's keep cheering him on!

We are dedicated to ensuring Howard County is leading in the fight for energy independence by promoting green infrastructure and decreasing emissions. It's why we included $142,000 in our FY22 budget to fund key environmental initiatives including updating the Climate Action Plan and enhancing the Green Infrastructure Network for better access for all Howard County residents. 

By promoting responsible environmental stewardship practices, we can guarantee our environment is clean and sustainable for our current and future generations.

The Howard County Veterans Monument will provide a meaningful space for reflection, connection, and a renewed appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our veterans. The importance of veterans to our community cannot be overstated. This monument will be a landmark for us all to gather and pay tribute to all who served our country.

Watch the WMAR News story here.

The majority of Howard County businesses are small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, and they are important economic drivers in our community. In our FY22 budget, we included $1 million towards our small business fund which is aimed at providing collateral assistance for small businesses seeking loans.

This fund will provide more access to affordable capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Together, we will strengthen Howard County’s economy by creating opportunity, attracting new entrepreneurs, and supporting small businesses.

COVID-19 has increasingly demonstrated the critical need to expand and increase access to technology for our older adult population. I recently joined Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services Office on Aging and Independence and the Department of Technology and Communication Services to distribute tablets to our older adults. Technology has become an essential tool for weathering the pandemic but it's also vital to reduce social isolation, share and receive critical information, and engage with family, friends, and our community.

This is just one step we're taking to ensure older adults are considered and included in our efforts to transform Howard County and make digital equity a reality.

I was so excited to join the Iota Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Pearl Foundation, Inc. to dedicate these little free libraries to Cradlerock Elementary School and Lake Elkhorn Middle School. During a time when the public libraries were closed due to COVID-19, these little libraries gave our community the opportunity to always have access to books. 

Thank you to my sisters for their continued commitment to our community and advancing education.

June is Internet Safety Month, and the perfect time to identify ways we can use the internet in safer ways. As we have seen an increased online usage, throughout the month, we will provide safety tips to encourage safe practices.

Tip #2 - Keep your web browser and operating system current with automatic updates. Most website exploits take advantage of easily patched vulnerabilities.

Howard County is home to the best parks, and it is one reason why we included $375,000 in our FY22 budget for the Sensory Trail and Playground at Centennial Park. This funding will allow for the completion of a sensory trail that is accessible for all abilities and inclusive for those who want to play outside. Children or adults with disabilities will use seeing, hearing and touching while experiencing nature to engage their senses. 

Together, we can ensure our public parks meet the needs of every resident and visitor.

As we’ve known since the start of this pandemic, it’s going to take all of us working together to get to the other side of this and we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. According to the Maryland Department of Health, 65.5% of residents between the ages of 12 and 17 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 48.6% are fully vaccinated. 

There are many vaccine clinics happening around the County. Find one near you by visiting vaccine.howardcountymd.gov. Let's StayCOVIDSafe and get vaccinated!

Howard County is currently leading the State with 82.3% of residents 18+ who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75.6% are fully vaccinated, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Howard County is the only jurisdiction in the State to have more than 80% of residents 18+ vaccinated with at least one dose. 

We remain committed to ensuring all eligible residents receive the COVID-19 vaccine as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible and will continue to StayCOVIDSafe by working together.

Parents, together we can create a community that provides opportunities for self-determination and independence, whether in college or in one’s career, for residents of all abilities. That is why I encourage parents looking to play an integral role in ensuring all our students are ready and successful, to apply to for our Department of Community Resources and Services' (DCRS) Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities. Comprised of 28 members, the Commission is responsible for: advocating for policy on behalf of students with developmental, intellectual and/or physical disabilities; examining current practices and making recommendations on ways to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities; making recommendations that would facilitate successful customized employment and postsecondary education for students exiting the Howard County Public School System; and fostering greater collaboration between the business, academic, non-profit and public sectors to engage in successful initiatives designed to immerse students with disabilities in a work environment and provide important job skills.

To learn more about the Commission, including eligibility requirements and details on how to apply, please click HERE. The DEADLINE to apply is Wednesday, June 30^th.

Howard County families looking for ways to keep kids entertained and engaged this summer are encouraged to check out the June issue of the DCRS’ Office of Children and Families’ Parent Pages newsletter. From details about the Howard County Library System’s Summer Reading Program and free online music lessons from ArtistWorks, to learning about The Power of Play and how to raise confident kids, there is something for everyone in this month’s issue. For more information about these and other parenting tips and kid-friendly activities, check out this month’s online edition of Parent Pages.

DCRS’ Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is alerting Howard County landlords and tenants of a recently passed amendment to the County’s Landlord Tenant Relations Act, that went into effect last Sunday, June 6^th. The updated amendment:

For questions and/or more information on County and State Landlord-Tenant laws, visit OCP’s website at www.howardcountymd.gov/landlordtenant, check out its Guide for Landlords and Tenants or contact the office at 410-313-6420 and/or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.

This past Memorial Day, DCRS’s Office of Veterans and Military Families (OVMF), with the support of the Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families, launched a new initiative to highlight veterans and military families. Our new “Fallen Heroes Tribute” initiative will feature profiles on our website of men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country and make sure these heroes are never forgotten. To learn more about the initiative and/or how to submit a narrative to honor the memory and service of a Howard County veteran, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans today.

Stay up-to-date on the latest DCRS’s Office on Aging and Independence news and learn what great activities are happening in the county this June, by checking out the latest edition of The 50+ Connection.

For questions about and more information about scams or for assistance with a consumer issue, please contact our Office of Consumer Protection today at 410-313-6420 or email consumer@howardcountymd.gov.

June is National Pet Preparedness Month and all month long, our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be sharing helpful tips on its Facebook page to make sure you and your pet are ready when disaster strikes. For starters, when developing your family’s emergency plan and assembling your family’s basic disaster supplies kit, do not forget about your pets. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen. Having a plan in place now for you and your pets, will hopefully mean less stress and worry when an emergency strikes and you need to make a decision.

For more helpful tips and information on pet preparedness, follow along with OEM on Facebook all month long or visit www.ready.gov/pets.

Also, in addition to June being National Pet Preparedness Month, June also kicks off the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1^st to November 30^th. Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomenon and this season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2021. To make sure you and your family stay in the know about the potential for hurricane activity in our area this season, be sure to download FEMA’s mobile app or sign up to receive text messages from FEMA.

For tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane, visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

He is our four-legged co-worker and he’s competing for highest honor in all the canine world, the American Humane's 2021 American Hero Dog award! Thanks to your votes, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services' (DFRS) accelerant detection canine Sowell has made it through to the next round of this year’s awards. By casting your vote daily, now through July 15^th, you can help us show everyone how great Sowell is and how much he means to DFRS, our community and Maryland.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of a hospital each year, with about seven in 10 happening at home. Do you know what to do if someone goes into cardiac arrest? Learn to save a life w/ DFRS through one of its FREE adult, child and infant CPR training classes. For a list of upcoming class dates and/or to register, click HERE. Help save a life, learn Hands-Only CPR today!

Last April near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I announced that DFRS would be stationing a uniformed member as a hospital liaison in the emergency department (ED) of Howard County General Hospital (HCGH). Onsite 24/7, the hospital liaison was tasked with serving as resource for DFRS personnel when arriving at the ED and was responsible for notifying ED staff of incoming patients, coordinating the EMS crews for room assignments and ensuring patient workflows were followed.

To thank our DFRS hospital liaisons for their help and ongoing support through this COVID-19 pandemic, ED staff last week presented DFRS staff with its “Golden Urinal” awards ... and yes, you read that right. The most prestigious award an ED nurse can hope to possess, the “Golden Urinal” award started at a local hospital where nurses utilized whatever was readily available to create an award for their colleagues. The nursing staff at HCGH presented our hospital liaisons with these awards as a thank you for their partnership over the past several months in the ED. These two groups shared a unique bond during this time, and we are forever grateful for the job they did/do to combat the COVID-19 pandemic together.

Misplaced your 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.

The Howard County Human Rights Commission is seeking nominations for its 2021 Human Rights Commission Awards, which honors individuals (students and adults) and organizations that have made significant contributions to eliminating or eradicating discrimination, while advancing human and civil rights in Howard County. This year’s theme, “We Are More; Uplifting the Human Spirit,” speaks to the need for us to come together as a human family to create a better life for all people. Nomination forms can be found online HERE or you can request a paper copy be mailed to you by contacting our Office of Human Rights and Equity at 410-313-6430 or email hrc@howardcountymd.gov. The nomination deadline is August 15, 2021.

This year’s winners will be recognized at the 2021 Human Rights Commission Awards Ceremony on October 19^th at the Howard County Conservancy.

Our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) DPZ’s Planning Board will be holding a VIRTUAL meeting this Thursday, June 17^th at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following items:

Please note, the Board has revised its Rules of Procedures with changes in accordance with the Virtual Public Meeting setting, particularly to the Board’s registration and document submission deadline process.

To register to testify at either meeting and/or to watch, visit DPZ’s Planning Board website. Those interested in participating must register by 7:00 p.m., June 16^th.

A five-member board, the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Zoning Board or County Council on matters related to planning and zoning and renders a final decision on selected development proposals. Before recommendations or decisions are made, the Board holds a public meeting or hearing to provide interested persons the opportunity to provide comment. For details about procedures for testifying at a Planning Board meeting, click HERE. To learn more about Howard County’s Planning Board and upcoming meeting dates, click HERE.

Howard County Police Department (HCPD) is reminding motorists, particularly those who travel US 1, that all traffic from both directions MUST STOP for stopped school buses with flashing red lights when the roadway is a two-lane road, a two-lane road with a center turning lane (as seen in HCPD's video) or a four-lane road without a median separation. As a reminder, Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) school buses are all now equipped with external cameras to capture violators. The fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus is $250. Avoid the fine and stop for the stopped school bus.

As noted by HCPD, HCPSS bus routes are set up so students do NOT have to cross major roadways to get to their homes, including at the stop shown in this video. However, students and others are not prohibited from crossing the street to get to another location once dropped off. That is why drivers in both directions must stop in this particular roadway set up.

Click HERE for more information about HCPD's External School Bus Camera Program.

In last week’s The Ball Bulletin, I shared the story of HCPD’s patrol squad that covers their Ellicott City that helped replace an elderly couples roof after they had been scammed out of $33,000 for an unfinished roof job. This week, I’m thrilled to share another great example of community policing at its best. After HCPD’s Neighborhood Community Resource Officers (NCRO) had stopped by Harper’s Choice Middle School just to say “hi” on day one of the school’s field day, the school invited the offices back for day. The NCRO’s happily accepted the invite and returned to participate in the fun and games with the students. By the gleam in their eyes and the smiles on their faces, I think it’s safe to say, a great time was had by all.

HCPD’s eight NCROs are each assigned to neighborhoods in Columbia and Ellicott City to build relationships and address community quality of life issues. To learn more about HCPD’s NCRO program, check HCPD’s “Community Outreach” website.

HCPD is REMINDING residents to NEVER leave your vehicle unlocked and NEVER leave valuables in your car. Recently, our officers arrested three individuals in several theft from vehicle cases on Trotters Chase in Ellicott City and Wecker Way in Elkridge, in which the suspects stole items such as designer sunglasses, AirPods, golf clubs, and a wallet from vehicles, used the credit cards from the stolen wallet to make various fraudulent purchases and pawned stolen items. In many cases like these, thieves target unlocked vehicles with valuables left in plain sight. Before exiting your vehicle, keep in mind, thieves often bypass vehicles they discover are locked or do not have items of value in plain sight. So, when parking your car, whether at work, home or elsewhere, ALWAYS remove valuables, lock your car and take all sets of keys with you. This will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of this crime.

If you do discover your vehicle has been rummaged through, but nothing has been stolen, HCPD still encourages you to file a police report. Doing so can help police connect related theft from vehicles and identifying trends. You can easily file a police report online or by calling the County’s non-emergency number at 410-313-2200. For crimes in progress, please call 911.

While this year's Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Maryland kick off was a bit smaller than we are used to, our HCPD community outreach officers still LOVED getting back out on the course at Meadowbrook Park with some amazing Special Olympics athletes! This year’s Torch Run will once again be held virtually, meaning everyone and anyone can sign up online to support Special Olympics and track their runs, walks or bike rides on the app. To learn and/or to register to participate in this year’s virtual event, click HERE.

To learn about 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.

Did you know you can properly dispose of your worn-out American flags at our Bureau of Environmental Services’ Flag Retirement drop-off at Alpha Ridge Landfill. The flags are then retrieved by representatives from the American Legion Adams, Hanna, Moore Memorial Post 156 and disposed of in a dignified fashion as required by the U.S. Flag Code.

Holiday Slide Schedule NOT in Effect this Friday, June 18^th

While Howard County Government offices, 50+ centers and animal shelter will be closed this Friday, June 18^th in observance of the Juneteenth National Freedom Day holiday, the County’s “holiday slide schedule” will NOT be in effect. There will be REGULAR Friday curbside collection of trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim on the 18^th and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open.

For a complete list of what’s open and closed this Friday, June 18^th, click HERE.

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun work to improve the roadway surface on MD 103 at the MD 100 interchange, including the two roundabouts and exit ramps in the interchange, in Elkridge. Crews will be working overnight, Sunday nights through Friday mornings, 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. A detour will be in place when crews are working on the exit ramps. Weather permitting, the roadway maintenance project is expected to be complete by July.

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

Looking for some last-minute summer fun for your child, check out our Department of Recreation & Parks summer camps! From sports and dance to nature and S.T.E.A.M., our Recreation & Parks camps provide something for everyone. For a full list of upcoming summer camps and/or to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCRPSummerCamps2021. 

Beginning this Friday, June 18^th and running through Sunday, June 27^th, I invite you to join our Department of Recreation & Parks and the Howard County Library System as the two celebrate National Pollinator Week with a free StoryWalk® along the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) trail, located at 5795 Trotter Road in Clarksville. Participants will learn about nature’s pollinators through the pages of Protect the Pollinators by Rachael Rose Zoller, which have been placed along the trail to enjoy. 

Combining reading, physical activity and family time in a fun new way, StoryWalk® deconstructs children’s books, turning them into signs and placing them along a trail where visitors can stroll and follow the story from page to page. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

If you’d like to join in the bocce fun, spots are still available for Recreation & Parks summer bocce league at Blandair Regional Park, set to begin this Thursday, June 17^th. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/HCRPSummerBocce2021. 

This Saturday, June 19^th, join our Recreation & Parks’ Robinson Nature Center for a night under the stars during its Ladies Overnight Camping Retreat! Enjoy night hikes, guided meditation sessions and evening/morning meals by campfire at this adults-only special event held on the Robinson Nature Center grounds. Tents are available for rent and evening-only/overnight options are available at registration. To register, click HERE or contact Robinson Nature Center at 410-313-0400. 

Planning an upcoming trip to our Blandair Regional Park? Recreation & Parks is reminding park visitors to ONLY park in designated parking spaces when arriving at the park, playground and other amenities. Additionally, to ensure the safety of all park visitors, Recreation & Parks is also asking park goers to use the pedestrian pathways to travel throughout the park and to stay out of roadways. 

In case you missed it last week, our Department of Recreation & Parks has closed the parking lot at Haviland Mill Park in Clarksville to allow for work to begin on the loop trail. The closure of the parking lot is necessary to allow for contractor vehicles to safely access the trail during construction. Improvements to the loop trail will begin at the edge of the parking lot and will include sections of elevated board walk, natural surface trail and crib wall. Once complete, the trail will provide visitors a universal accessible route to view the Patuxent River from an observational platform. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed in late fall, early winter 2021.

To learn more about this project and other Howard County construction projects, check out the County’s Construction Project Interactive Map.

For questions or concerns about this project, please contact Jason Thompson with Recreation & Parks at 410-313-4031 or email jthompson@howardcountymd.gov.

Grab your bike and join our Office of Transporation and the Downtown Columbia Partnership this weekend, June 19^th & June 20^th, for BikeAround Downtown Columbia. The course, which is open each day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., will start at Color Burst Park (located at 6000 Merriweather Drive), cross the multi-use pathway bridge to the village of Oakland Mills and ride out to Recreation & Parks’ Blandair Regional Park, before headinng back around Lake Kittamaqundi and through Merriweather Post Pavilion and ending back at Color Burst Park. To learn more and/or to register, click HERE.

If you are interested in participating in BikeAround Downtown Columbia, but don’t have a bike, no problem! Howard County Bikeshare is offering a SPECIAL BikeAround Downtown Membership, which includes 60 minutes of ride time at no cost and then $0.15 per extra minute. The special will be available on the Howard County BikeShare app this weekend.

Participants who are interested in learning more about how you can make biking a bigger part of your transportation, fitness and recreation activities, are encouraged to stop by Color Burst Park this Saturday, June 19^th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the BikeAround Downtown Rally. During the rally, attendees will learn about ways they can incorporate biking into their everyday routine, including commuting, and more. Lastly, the first 250 participants will get a free t-shirt, as well as be eligible for a number of prizes and other goodies.