County Executive Calvin Ball highlighted the important impact of the Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The COAD is a collaborative effort of community stakeholders, each having an equal role in the organization. Their goal is to organize and deploy community resources in an efficient and timely manner, effectively contributing to each phase of a disaster.

Starting July 13th, temporary lane shifts can be expected along Woodleigh Drive and Kiteline Court due to a County construction project to extend the public sewer main to 6210 Woodleigh Drive and 10401 Northdale Road in Columbia. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by mid-August.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball launched the planning process for Howard County’s next General Plan, “HoCo By Design.” Last night, the Howard County Council adopted the General Plan Guidelines to be used by the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) in the preparation and revision of the General Plan.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball and Visit Howard County announced Summer Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages will be July 13-26th, 2020. Curbside and delivery options will available for the first time ever.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced two innovative private partnerships to improve diagnostic testing and antibody research in Howard County.

A Howard County construction project to install a water main near 5247 Brook Way in the Village of Wilde Lake in Columbia. This project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic.

Beginning Monday, July 6th, Howard County residents may apply for financial assistance to pay past due rent payments to prevent eviction. The $​1.5 million in housing ​payment relief is being allocated through local non-profit partnerships. Applicants must be Howard County residents, provide proof of home address, and provide evidence of loss of income due to COVID-related job loss, reduction in hours, and/or medical illness.

County Executive Calvin Ball will announce two private partnerships on July 6th to improve diagnostic testing and antibody research in Howard County. The County and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) have entered a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to collaborate in the analysis and understanding of infectious diseases and the use of emerging technologies in treatment and prevention.

County Executive Calvin Ball will announce two private partnerships on July 6th to improve diagnostic testing and antibody research in Howard County. The County and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) have entered a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to collaborate in the analysis and understanding of infectious diseases and the use of emerging technologies in treatment and prevention. Johns Hopkins APL will serve as a technical advisor to review technologies and make recommendations to the County on the efficacy of those technologies in addressing infectious diseases. The first priorities will be to determine the efficacy of serology testing and the use of air filtration systems that use high-intensity UV lighting to kill or neutralize bacteria and virus particles. Additionally, Howard County is partnering with Quality First Urgent Care will operate a diagnostic drive-through testing site at Savage Volunteer Fire Department Monday - Saturday.

In the past month alone, Howard County paramedics have responded to three potential drownings. To ensure residents has the information and resources to keep its families safe during the summer month, County Executive Calvin Ball joined county officials to talk water and swimming safety.

The County's Department of Housing and Community Development is now accepting applications for its MIHU program July open enrollment period, now through Friday, July 31, 2020.

The County's Department of Recreation & Parks has completed construction of a replacement pedestrian bridge along the pathway loop at Centennial Park, which connects the park's west and south areas and was initially closed earlier this year.

The Loan Closet of Howard County will open for non-contact donations and returns at two locations beginning on Monday, July 6th. The Loan Closet of Howard County provides refurbished durable medical equipment and resources to all Howard County residents and caregivers to improve their overall quality of life. 

In the past month alone, Howard County paramedics have responded to three potential drownings. To ensure the Howard County community has the information and resources they need to keep their families water safe this summer and beyond, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and other government departments to host press conference to discuss water and swimming safety.

Howard County Government offices, courts, animal shelter and 50+ centers will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3rd. However, the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open on the 3rd and there will be regular Friday curbside collection.

Voted on by members of our community, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to unveil Official Pollinator Plant of Howard County Bee City USA.

County Executive Calvin Ball and the Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office on Aging and Independence will present a teleconference town hall meeting for older adults, caregivers, and interested community members on Monday, June 29, 2020 beginning at 4:00 p.m.

The first phase of a Howard County construction project to rehabilitate an aging sewer main along Frederick Road between Toll House Road and Klein Avenue in Ellicott City, is expected to begin on or about Monday, June 29. Weather permitting, the first phase is expected to be completed by early July.

Howard County Recreation & Parks (HCRP) will begin childcare services, including all-day camps, in nine Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) buildings on July 6th. HCRP has traditionally provided all-day and half-day camps during the summer months at HCPSS buildings. In addition to childcare camps, HCRP will resume indoor camps at their community centers, historic sites, nature center, athletic complex, and smaller county-owned facilities on July 6th. 

This week, certified public accounting and business advisory firm SB & Company began a State-led audit of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS).

Howard County has completed the installation of private access point gates in Historic Ellicott City, allowing pedestrians to retreat quickly to higher ground in the case of imminent flash flooding.

The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability (OCS) was awarded two grants, totaling $109k, from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). OCS received a $9k grant to plan a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system at the Howard County Detention Center and up to $100k to plan a microgrid project at the George Howard Complex and the Roger Carter Center.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced the Ellicott City Safe and Sound’s stream debris removal program was triggered by last night’s severe thunderstorms. The Ellicott City Outdoor Tone Alert system was also triggered, for the first time since installation, after the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning.

Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks has announced additional reopenings of its indoor facilities and amenities starting Monday, July 6th.

A Howard County project to conduct soil borings to study the integrity of the structures near Main Street and Maryland Avenue in Ellicott City is expected to begin Tuesday, June 23 and take one week to complete, weather permitting.