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 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.

A Howard County construction project to enhance the sidewalk along eastbound Whiskey Bottom Road between All Saints Road and Moonshine Hollow in Laurel, is expected to begin on or about Monday, November 23. The project is not expected to impact the general flow of vehicular traffic; however, flaggers will be in place to direct motorists during material deliveries. Furthermore, a portion of the sidewalk at each ramp connection point will be closed to pedestrians for the duration of the project.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, County Executive Calvin Ball addressed how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted reports of child abuse and neglect in Howard County. Since the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March, Howard County Department of Social Services has seen an average 60% decrease in Child Protective Services (CPS) reports.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee for fiscal year 2022 (FY22) earlier than previous years to allow more time for the committee to digest, discuss and offer constructive advice to the County amid the pandemic.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement regarding the announcement of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris:  "Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their historic election victory. Thank you for exhibiting leadership and patience as election officials worked diligently to preserve the integrity of our Democracy by ensuring that every voice mattered and every vote was counted..."

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Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced the second highest number of daily cases of COVID-19 in Howard County of 82 cases, according to the most recent data from the Maryland Department of Health. The highest number of daily cases was last recorded on May 23, with 83 cases, many of which were associated with a nursing home outbreak. These recent cases differ in that they are younger, have fewer associated deaths and fewer associated with nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The Howard County case rate per 100,000 is currently at 10.4, it previously peaked at 12 per 100k on May 30 and was at its lowest on June 27 at 4.9 per 100k. 

The Howard County Office of Human Rights, in partnership with local business Nava Be Diné, is honoring Native American Heritage Month with a month-long, virtual celebration recognizing the culture, traditions and history of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

A Howard County construction project to improve a stormwater management pond near 6340 Woodcrest Drive in Ellicott City, is expected to begin on or about Monday, November 9th.The project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic; however, the sidewalk at the end of Woodcrest Drive along the cul-de-sac adjacent to the pond, will be closed during construction.

Howard County Government offices, courts and animal shelter will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day holiday. However, regular trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap services will be in effect and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open. The County’s 50+ centers remain closed at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced the launch of a 21-day public comment period on the Howard County Forest Conservation Manual draft. The Forest Conservation Manual implements the Forest Conservation Act, by explaining the nuts and bolts of forest conservation in Howard County.

The Howard County Human Rights Commission announced that Jumel Howard, Erika Strauss Chavarria and The Horizon Foundation are the recipients of the 2020 Human Rights Awards during a virtual awards ceremony on October 22nd. In addition, Charmaine Y. Yuan is the recipient of the Human Rights Commission’s newly formed Human Rights Student Award.