Latest news with #HowardCounty
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Howard go-kart case stalls as Board of Appeals fails to reach decision at hearing
Jun. 27—The Board of Appeals will continue a hearing on a Howard County dad's go-kart track in July. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To log in, click here. Originally Published:June 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM EDT
CBS News
20-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Plan for new Maryland recycling plant moves forward, despite pushback
The proposal for a controversial plastic recycling plant in Howard County's River Hill neighborhood is moving forward, despite community frustrations. The Maryland Department of the Environment recently approved a permit to construct the facility. The permit allows W.R. Grace & Co. to build a pilot plastic recycling plant for research. The plant will sit near residential communities including River Hill and Cedar Creek in Columbia. Over the past two years, neighbors pushed back against the proposal. A group called Stop the Grace Project has led much of the opposition. Hundreds signed an online petition calling on local leaders to stop the project. Residents fear the plant could bring pollution and increase health risks. Some worry about toxic leaks, fires and long-term damage to air and water quality. The Howard County Council previously considered a zoning change to prohibit plastic incineration in residential areas, but it was voted down in March. W.R. Grace has said the facility will not burn plastic. Instead, the company says it will focus on developing safer and more effective recycling methods. WJZ reached out to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The agency said the permit meets legal air emission standards. "Protecting the health of nearby residents is our top priority," MDE said in a statement. Howard County residents voice concerns of proposed recycling plant While W.R. Grace and Co. told WJZ that the plant will introduce a new and safe and more efficient way to recycle plastic, many residents still say they don't want the plant near their neighborhoods. In Nov. 2024, Howard County residents from Columbia's River Hill and Cedar Creek communities went before board members to plead for a recommendation that would require an 1,800-foot buffer in certain scenarios between new research and development facilities and residential areas. Again in February 2025 at a Howard County Council meeting, residents voiced their concerns about the plant. "There's still a danger of an explosion. And why is it so close to residential?" Boyd said. "So even if every case they are making is true, why not build it away from communities?," a resident told WJZ. Other residents are worried about the chemical emissions. W.R. Grace & Co. told WJZ that the plant will not burn plastic, but will be to study a potentially game-changing innovation for recycling plastic that is safe and effective. "With this new project, we will not burn plastic, as some who misunderstand our project and our intentions have asserted. Rather, we are studying a potentially game-changing innovation for recycling plastic – a safe and effective way to solve a problem facing us all," the company said.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Commercial vehicles parked in Howard County residential areas could soon get larger fines
Many residents in Howard County hope a set of bills passes that would increase the fines for commercial motor vehicles parked in residential areas. The proposed bills, authored by Howard County councilman Opel Jones, would increase fees nearly ten times, just for the first offense. Several residents and business owners testified in support of the bills at Howard County Council's legislative public hearing on Monday. But even with all of the support, there's still some concern. Longstanding history Dr. Lillian Norris-Holmes, who has lived in Columbia for over 30 years, said Foreland Garth has been a go-to spot for trucks to park for as long as she can remember. "They took up a parking space and I'm not talking [just] one. I'm talking several [trucks] and it was done all the time, basically," said Norris-Holmes, who's also the vice-chair for the Long Reach Community Association's Board of Directors. Norris-Holmes said the sight of commercial motor vehicles around Columbia and the county hasn't let up. "We want to make sure our village is appropriate and inviting to the residents, and to the other people who would visit the community," Norris-Holmes said. Norris-Holmes testified in support of CR116-2025 and CB52-2025 on Monday. The bills look to significantly increase the fines for commercial motor vehicles parking in residential zones. Right now, in Howard County, the owner of a commercial motor vehicle is fined $33 if they have it parked in a residential area for more than six hours. If Jones's bills pass, that'll change to $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, then $750 for the third and any other subsequent offense. Business owners at The Clusters at Twin Knolls are also in support, saying these drivers are doing more than blocking parking. "[They are] also leaving trash and other things behind that are not too pleasant," said Aura Abrams, one of those business owners. Howard County Police also testified that many commercial motor vehicle drivers are willing to pay the current fine, rather than pay for somewhere to park. Will it work? Melissa Hogle , who was the only person to testify against Jones's bills on Monday, is concerned that the proposed fines could target the wrong people. "Contractors, landscapers, electricians, delivery drivers, and people who are providing essential services and honest work," Hogle said. "It's deeply troubling that the county council is proposing to punish them with exorbitant fines." Jones assured WJZ on Wednesday that these proposed fines won't do that. "We would never want to hinder the working class or do anything to stop a small business, but when you have people that have been living in their homes for [a long time], paying taxes, the last thing they want to drive home to is four or five tractor trailers parked at the beginning of their neighborhood," Jones Howard County Council will be voting on these bills in July. If passed, County Executive Calvin Ball could sign them into law a couple of months after that.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Howard County public schools reduce staff cuts in $1.6 billion budget
The Howard County Board of Education adopted a new operating budget after a tough budget season. The adoption of the $1.6 billion budget came after some last-ditch efforts to reduce proposed cuts by Howard County Public School System Superintendent Bill Barnes and board members. Some worked, while others didn't, with 102 positions cut. The fight to reduce cuts Before Thursday's meeting began, dozens of music students made their instruments heard outside to make the case for third-grade string teachers. Those students also filled the meeting, with their signs in tow. In the budget scenario the board approved last week, 12 third-grade string teachers were proposed to be cut -- effectively eliminating orchestra for that grade level. Ultimately, the board approved a budget with those cuts included. Before the vote, student board member James Obasiolu talked about how much having access to that class in third grade benefited him. "Having 3rd grade strings and that robust music education that so many people seek when they're moving to Howard County really allowed me to pursue those outcomes," Obasiolu said. Another cut that made it through was the loss of 39 positions to restructure the Elementary Gifted and Talented Program. Board member Meg Ricks did enter motions to increase the general fund balance to avoid these cuts; however, she wasn't able to generate enough support from other board members. Jolene Mosley, the board's chair, talked about her concerns about raising the general fund balance, saying those dollars will be needed for other things. "We have 700-plus incoming new IEPs. That staffing is not in this budget," Mosley said. These cuts left many students and parents who attended feeling defeated, including Anthony DeBella. His wife is a strings teacher, and his daughter is in the band. "It's a sad day when a program that started 50 years ago on the backs of parents, students, and teachers is cut out at the knees like this," DeBella said. Twenty-one elementary school media paraeducators and 12 high school teacher secretaries were also cut. What cuts were reduced, what's added In a move by Barnes, the number of health assistant reductions went down from 33.5 to 10. The number of float nurse positions was also dropped from two to one. While 13 athletic trainers will no longer be in the budget, 14 math and reading coaches have been added. There will also be two new student engagement liaisons.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
Maryland community shocked after police shoot, kill man with double-edged spear
Residents in a quiet Howard County community are still in shock over a police shooting that killed a 23-year-old man who reportedly stabbed his brother with a double-edged spear on Monday. Police shot the man along Oakland Mills Road in Columbia after he allegedly disobeyed orders and approached an officer with the spear, which was recovered at the scene. Meanwhile, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) is piecing together what instigated the stabbing and the shooting. The IID is the primary investigator for police shootings in the state. Police said the 26-year-old brother was stabbed multiple times in a home on Wilbur Court before calling 911 dispatchers. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A quiet neighborhood Residents say Wilbur Court in the Guilford Square neighborhood is a quiet community. They said it was shocking when the community was filled with police on Monday night. Resident Paul Pardoe said he has seen social services and police visit the home several times where the brothers live. However, he said there was nothing to suggest one would be a stabbing victim and the other shot by officers. "Those people have really been no problem to the neighborhood, not noisy or any of that kind of stuff," Pardoe said. "Stuff happens, you know." Police say the 26-year-old called 911 around 7:24 p.m. Monday, saying his younger brother stabbed him at their home in the 9200 block of Wilbur Court. The 23-year-old called 911 himself minutes later, admitting to the stabbing. Officers found him nearby in the intersection of Oakland Mills Road and Carters Lane, armed with a double-edged spear. Police say the suspect approached one of the officers, who then drew his gun and ordered the suspect to drop the spear. The officer fired when the suspect didn't comply. Family violence shocks neighbors Several neighbors told WJZ their hearts go out to the suspect and the victim's family. Lena Carter, who lives near Wilbur Court, said she was very surprised to hear the suspect and victim are brothers. "Brother to attack brother is just unheard of," Carter said. "I've had brothers of my own, I can't imagine that." Pardoe said the domestic dispute of his neighbors hit home, especially because he's recently lost family. His wife died three months ago. "It's tough watching this stuff and families having problems like that," Pardoe said. "I can't imagine what the family's going through. Obviously, they were going through stuff before this, now look at it. What a mess."
