Jess Nocera

5 days ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Jess Nocera

Howard County officials issued a precautionary health alert Friday after nearly 1.3 million gallons of sewage overflowed in a Columbia townhouse community this week. The county’s Department of Public Works was first notified of a potential sewage overflow behind 9405 Watchlight Court at noon Wednesday, the Health Department said in a news release Friday.

6 days ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Jess Nocera

Michael Martirano, who abruptly retired as superintendent of Howard County schools last year, will soon take the helm in Allegany County. The Western Maryland school system announced Tuesday that Martirano will begin his four-year term as superintendent on July 1, which would have been the start of his last year in Howard. He left in January 2024, 18 months into a four-year contract, following a rocky start to the school year.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Jess Nocera

The Howard County State’s Attorney’s office says a 48-year-old Baltimore County man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for his role in a “violent road rage shooting” on Interstate 95 in August. Quwan Lamar Gordon of Owings Mills was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and multiple firearms-related offenses on Jan. 31. Gordon was sentenced Thursday in Howard County Circuit Court.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Jess Nocera

Ceilings leak and the tiles fall. Mold spores appear on library shelves and pages of books. Classrooms are either sweltering hot or freezing cold. These scenarios and more aren’t uncommon at Oakland Mills High School, among the oldest schools in Columbia. Last May, the community celebrated its 50th anniversary. “We also celebrated our HVAC system‘s 50th anniversary,” said Jake Favero, a junior and president of the student government associationat the Howard County school.

1 week ago | thebaltimorebanner.com | Jess Nocera

Howard County’s school system is getting only about a third of the new money it asked for from the county under the current budget proposal. Now, educators, parents, residents and others are fighting to get the County Council to provide additional funding to stave off program and staff cuts. Many turned out at a public hearing Wednesday night to voice concerns about the funding gap.