Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes:

County Executive Calvin Ball marked the first anniversary of the detailed “Age-Friendly Howard County” initiative. The initiative encompasses a three- to five-year plan to join the AARP network of age-friendly states and communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization (WHO). Achieving this designation requires focused efforts to create a “livable” community and ensure Howard County continues to evolve as a great place to grow up and to grow older. 

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced Howard County’s comprehensive strategy to better understand the scope of COVID-10 spread among the population through serology testing. Ball shared a multi-pronged approach to introducing serology testing:  

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced Howard County’s comprehensive strategy to better understand the scope of COVID-19 spread among the population through serology testing.

Governor Hogan has called on County governments across the state to assist with needed staffing for testing and vaccination sites and to support increasing clinical needs in hospitals. Howard County stands ready to support COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Sykesville Mayor Ian Shaw and County Department of Recreation & Parks Director Raul Delerme announced the completion of new improvements - improved parking, sidewalks, stormwater management controls and other amenities, to South Branch Park.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the launch of a new pilot program to provide venison to local food banks. Any hunter, hunting in Howard County, can participate in the program by simply donating their deer to one of three local processors. The processed venison will then be delivered to the Howard County Food Bank by the County's Roving Radish.

Today, Columbia was recognized as the “Safest City in America” by WalletHub for the third year in a row. WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three criteria, home & community safety, natural-disaster risk, and financial safety.   

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, December 15th to discuss plans for a stream restoration project to stabilize an unnamed tributary to the Little Patuxent River at a site behind 3951-3959 Ducks Foot Lane.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement in regards to the Circuit Court ruling of a preliminary injunction on the lawsuit between the Columbia Association and Inner Arbor Trust Downtown, Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, and It’s My Amphitheater Inc.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the County has met its recent goal to stockpile a 90-day supply of personal protective equipment ahead of the winter months.

County Executive Calvin Ball and community leaders are encouraging Howard County residents to “Shop Small, Shop Local” this Saturday and throughout the upcoming holiday season.

Howard County Government offices, courts, animal shelter, Recreation & Parks’ community and athletic centers, activity rooms and historic sites, and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be closed on Thursday, November 26th in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. As there will be no curbside trash, recycling, yard trim or food scrap collection on Thanksgiving Day, the County’s holiday "slide” schedule will be in effect for the remainder of the week.

A Howard County construction project to connect 9934 Old Mill Road in Ellicott City to the County’s public sewer main is expected to begin on or about Monday, November 30. The project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic and weather permitting, is expected to be completed by mid-December.

A developer project to install a sewer and manhole near 5635 Furnace Avenue in Elkridge, is expected to begin on or about Monday, November 30th. During the project, Furnace Avenue between Bushwacker Way and Railroad Avenue will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed within one week.

Once received, the $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding from Maryland to prevent evictions will be distributed through the Community Action Council of Howard County and provide up to six months of rental assistance to households that experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced additional gathering limits for 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors to include weddings, recreational sports and programs, as well as social/fraternal organizations and association clubs. Recreation & Parks is cancelling all upcoming tournaments.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball was joined by Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan to visit Korean businesses in Howard County and deliver $22,500 in HoCo RISE Business Grants.

Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks will plant 150 trees in Rockburn Branch Park in Elkridge to mark three decades as an Arbor Day Foundation-designated “Tree City.” This year, the County has planted more than 7,000 trees, including a free giveaway of 2,020 native trees to residents back in August.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will hold his first Resident’s Budget Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget cycle on Wednesday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. This year’s budget hearing will be held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced nearly $6 million in CARES Act funding will be allocated to the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to offset COVID-19 related expenditures for virtual instruction and lay the groundwork for safe and effective instruction moving forward. The funding will support technology, meals for students, public health and safety supplies, and increased unemployment costs. Ball also announced a CARES Act spending dashboard that will track the actual and projected spending of federal funding as the December 30th federal deadline approaches.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced new COVID-19 restrictions after Howard County exceeded a 5% positivity rate and a case rate of 19.1 per 100,000 residents. A new Executive Order prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 10 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people effective Tuesday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m.

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced additional CARES Act funding through HoCo RISE business grants and introduced the HoCo RISE Collaborative.

Today, Howard County reported the highest seven-day average of 15.8 cases per 100,000 people, a dramatic increase from 9.6 cases per 100k on November 3, 2020 and Governor Hogan has announced new capacity restrictions and expanded his travel advisory.