Howard County - baltimoresun.com

Perkins hospital workers rally for more jobs

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:17:00 GMT

Improvements sought after three slayings at state mental hospital

Workers at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center in Jessup held a rally Wednesday to urge state lawmakers to add more jobs at the troubled mental facility where three patients were killed in a 14-month span.

Wine-to-go containers added to bill allowing growler sales in Howard Co.

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:27:21 GMT

Draft wines gaining in popularity as lawmakers consider expansion of draft beer sold in refillable containers

At Aida Bistro and Wine Bar in Columbia, 30 wines are on tap — including a number of limited seasonal varieties not available in even the best-stocked wine markets. Owner Joe Barbera, above, successfully lobbied to add to-go wines to a bill permitting Howard County restaurants to sell carryout containers of beer known as growlers.

1940 census records could help genealogical researchers

By Janene Holzberg, Special to The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Some hope records of those lost in WWII will shed light on family history

No one could predict in 1940 that World War II was destined to become the deadliest conflict in history, so they couldn't foresee how important the data in the 1940 census might become one day.

Appeals court affirms dismissal of Columbia petition

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:25:00 GMT

Dispute grew from petition drive over downtown redevelopment ordinances

Maryland's second-highest court has thrown out an attempt by residents to revive a failed petition drive challenging Howard County's plan for redevelopment of downtown Columbia.

Elkridge group wants end to possible CSX site

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Community association lobbies Howard delegation

Community association lobbies Howard Co. delegation

New supermarket opens in Long Reach

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:29:00 GMT

Customers flock to shop on first day of business

The parking lot at the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia was packed Friday morning. Inside the new grocery store, the cashiers had lines.

Board narrowly approves new middle school reading program

By Sara Toth, stoth@tribune.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:41:00 GMT

After weeks of debate and contention, a divided Howard County Board of Education approved a new middle school program of studies Thursday, by a vote of 5-3.

Howard County Red Cross chapter resells prom dresses

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:01:00 GMT

Donated dresses sold for low prices; proceeds go to Red Cross

One lucky girl looking for a prom dress could end up with a pageant gown worn by a reigning Miss Maryland, who has donated her pink, fluffy, beaded dress to Project Prom Dress. Kristen Duncan, special events coordinator for the American Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region, left, and Miss Maryland Cara Marrero, honorary chair of Project: Prom Dress, show off one of the donated prom dresses.

Man accused in killing at Perkins found competent for trial

By Arthur Hirsch , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:53:00 GMT

Vitali Davydov charged in killing of roommate at state psychiatric hospital

A man accused of beating one of his roommates to death at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center last fall was found mentally competent Thursday to stand trial in Howard County Circuit Court.

Mount Hebron teacher nominated for NAACP Image Award

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:56:59 GMT

Her novel is in 'outstanding literacy work' category

Children's book author Jerdine Nolen remembers the first time she saw her name in print. As a second-grader, she wrote a Thanksgiving poem that was published in the school newspaper, and she kept her eyes glued to the pink publication while walking home.

COPT posts $87.2 million fourth-quarter loss

By Lorraine Mirabella , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:17:00 GMT

Developer blames weak economy and uncertainty on federal budget cuts

Columbia-based office developer Corporate Office Properties Trust, or COPT, posted an $87.2 million loss in the fourth quarter, the company reported Thursday, blaming a weak economic recovery and uncertainty over federal budget cuts.

Board OKs razing prison buildings

By Michael Dresser , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:06:00 GMT

14 of 16 House of Correction structures to go

The Board of Public Works gave the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services approval Wednesday to dismantle 14 of the 16 buildings that made up the old House of Correction in Jessup.

Howard legislators back growler bill

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:01:00 GMT

General Assembly to vote on beer-to-go legislation

General Assembly to vote on beer-to-go legislation

Zoning issue pits county against Elkridge auto shop owner — again

By Kevin Rector, krector@tribune.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:24:00 GMT

Current case before hearing examiner is latest chapter in long, contentious battle

More than 25 years ago, when Brian Wilson first saw the small auto repair shop perched high on a residential stretch of Montgomery Road in Elkridge, he knew he wanted to buy it.

Petition effort begins to change Coon Hunt Court street name

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:18:00 GMT

County Council member Ball collecting signatures

Thomas Burick was the first to sign his name to the petition. His next-door neighbor, Michael Phillips, followed, and then Gordon Sickels, who lives one house over.

Outcry erupts over new store selling puppies

By Andrea F. Siegel, The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:28:00 GMT

Coalition opposing puppy sales forming

Coalition opposing sales forms after Columbia store opens

Toby's founder Orenstein wins award for community work

By Janene Holzberg, Special to The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Maryland Arts Day will honor her as advocate of the year

Toby Orenstein is once again at the helm of one of her favorite projects — directing the Young Columbians, a singing group formed in 1975 by the founder of Toby's Dinner Theatre when Columbia was still Jim Rouse's baby.

Howard weighs expanding growler beer sales

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:58:00 GMT

Beer-to-go option subject of local bills proposed in Annapolis

Beer-to-go option subject of local bills proposed in Annapolis

Coach in Earth Treks sex abuse case gets four years

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:08:00 GMT

A former climbing coach at Earth Treks in Columbia who pleaded guilty to having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl could spend another three years behind bars.

Some school superintendent candidates have asked about board controversy

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:06:26 GMT

But search firm head says effort to oust Allen Dyer is not deterring interest in the job

Some prospective candidates for the Howard County superintendent's job have asked about the school board's efforts to have a member removed, according to the head of the firm helping with the search.

Howard school system closes on new school site in Elkridge

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:49:24 GMT

Deal was held up because of lien dispute with shareholder

Deal was held up because of lien dispute with shareholder

Four animals rescued from Columbia home up for adoption

By David Greisman, dgreisman@tribune.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:02:00 GMT

The four animals rescued alive from a house where 40 others were found dead are now available for adoption.

Columbia Association to drop 'People Tree' from its logo

By Jessica Anderson , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:28:00 GMT

Social media, legal issues trigger change

Though the "People Tree" sculpture has symbolized Jim Rouse's vision of Columbia for nearly 50 years, the organization that runs the town says it will drop images of the tree from its signs, uniforms, stationery and business cards at a cost of as much as $200,000.

Local delegates sponsor bill to allow American flags in traffic circles

By Kevin Rector, krector@tribune.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:10:24 GMT

Law would require SHA to create permit program and standard regulations for displays

After a recent dust-up over the State Highway Administration removing an American flag a local family had put up in a traffic circle in Woodbine, two Howard County delegates have introduced a state bill that would require the highway administration to create a new permit program allowing such displays.

Community rallies around Strothers family after fire

By Janene Holzberg, Special to The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:01:00 GMT

Accidental blaze may have been caused by extension cord

Standing outside the charred remains of his family's Ellicott City home, David Strothers said jokingly that he'd been sporting the same new Adidas warm-up suit for over a week.