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In a pivotal decision, the Howard County Board of Appeals has put the Maryland International School's site-plan appeal on hold, leaving the future of the project hanging in the balance.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #HowardCountyPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #PublicSafety
Howard County Board of Appeals places Maryland International School site‑plan appeal on inactive docket
After parties stipulated that the Department of Planning and Zoning's "technically complete" letter is an appealable event, the Howard County Board of Appeals voted unanimously on Nov. 5, 2026 to place case BA830D on the inactive docket pending resolution of a related appeal in the Appellate Court of Maryland.
citizenportal.ai
November 8, 2026 at 6:41 PM
heyday.news
A barn fire in Woodbine, Maryland, destroyed the building and sent one firefighter to a hospital Monday. Crews from four counties responded; the fire was fully extinguished in about two hours.

#WoodbineFire #HowardCounty
November 3, 2026 at 10:37 PM
alignorthowell.bsky.social
Talk it through first: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/TQESN4CZNNEUBBfTbkVC
#VirtualCare #Telehealth #HealthyLiving #HowardCounty
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November 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
Howard County commissioners have decided to table crucial agreements for the Ranger solar project, raising concerns over drainage and community input.

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #HowardCountySolar #PublicParticipation
Howard County commissioners table three draft Ranger Solar agreements after drainage questions
County attorneys presented road-use, drainage and decommissioning agreements tied to the proposed Locomotive (Ranger) solar project; following public and drainage-board questions a commissioner moved to table all three agreements and the board voted to delay action.
citizenportal.ai
November 3, 2026 at 7:41 PM
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A contentious debate in Howard County led to the rejection of a bill aimed at empowering the inspector general with access to public records, highlighting the clash between local oversight and state law.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency
Inspector general records custodian bill fails after debate over state law and court conflict
Council debated CB 69—proposing to designate the county inspector general as a custodian of records—then rejected it after members raised state preemption concerns and conflicting court decisions about access to records under the Maryland Public Information Act.
citizenportal.ai
November 1, 2026 at 6:20 AM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
A local entrepreneur just secured a special exception to run an online firearm sales business right from his home, ensuring safety and compliance with federal regulations.

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #HowardCountyFirearms #PublicSafety
Board grants special exception for online firearm-sales business at private residence
The Board granted Slothdog Global LLC (Mark McCann) a site-specific special exception to operate online-only firearm sales from his home, subject to federal licensing (ATF) and conditions limiting in-person transfers.
citizenportal.ai
October 28, 2026 at 4:17 PM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
A new 195-foot Verizon monopole is set to transform connectivity near Judson Road, closing a critical coverage gap and enhancing emergency call reliability!

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #HowardCountyCoverage #EmergencyConnect #PublicSafety
Board approves 195-foot Verizon monopole to fill local coverage gap
APC Towers/Verizon presented a plan for a 195-foot monopole near Judson Road to close a local coverage gap and improve 911 connectivity; the board approved the special exception with staff noting setbacks and fencing measures.
citizenportal.ai
October 28, 2026 at 4:56 PM
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Howard County Council just approved a whopping $845,951.11 in new appropriations and salary changes to enhance vital services like elections and youth programs!

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #BudgetAppropriations #HowardCountyGovernment #CivicAccountability
Council approves nearly $846,000 in additional appropriations, transfers and salary changes
Howard County Council approved Ordinance 2026‑HCCO‑45 to add $845,951.11 across county funds, adopted transfers in Resolution 2026‑HCCR‑22 and approved salary ordinance amendments (HCCO‑46) after a series of department requests and explanations.
citizenportal.ai
October 28, 2026 at 4:18 PM
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Sheriff Asher reveals a critical staffing shortage at the county jail, requesting $135,000 in overtime funds as the council steps in to address the alarming 12-officer gap.

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #WorkforceDevelopment #HowardCountyJail #PublicSafety
Sheriff says jail is short about a dozen officers; council approves overtime and sergeant pay adjustments
Sheriff Asher described staffing shortages at the county jail—about 12 vacant positions—and asked for $135,000 in overtime funds and pay adjustments for sergeants; the council approved transfers and salary changes to address the shortfall.
citizenportal.ai
October 28, 2026 at 4:20 PM
mandarinvoice.bsky.social
Early bird gets the ballot! 🗳️

Voted early in Howard County today 🏃🏻‍♀️ Sunny skies, crisp fall air, and that "I Voted" sticker never gets old.
Early voting is open now. Skip the Election Day lines and make your voice heard before Nov 3!

#IVoted
#CivicDuty
#EarlyVoting
#HowardCounty
#Maryland
October 23, 2026 at 9:59 PM
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Early voting has begun! #HowardCounty has only a few races but it's still important to vote. Our survey of how local candidates stand on #LGBTQIA issues: www.cary-hoco.org/candidate-su...
Candidate Survey Results 2026 — CARY
www.cary-hoco.org
October 23, 2026 at 6:14 PM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
In a remarkable boost for veterans, Indiana's county service officers opened 271 new accounts last year, leading to a staggering $48.2 million in direct payments for fiscal year 2025.

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #HowardCountyVeterans #LocalGovAI #CommunitySupport
Indiana Veterans Services: Howard County officers opened 271 new accounts and local payouts rose in FY2025
Katie Jordan of the Indiana Department of Veterans Services told commissioners that local veteran service officers created 271 new accounts last fiscal year; she reported $48.2 million in direct GDX payments and $35.5 million in indirect expenditures for fiscal year 2025 and praised accredited county staff.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2026 at 8:45 AM
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Residents are rallying for council bill CB 69-2026, aiming to empower the inspector general with full access to vital public records necessary for oversight.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency #PublicRecords #CivicAccountability
Residents and oversight experts urge council to make inspector general records custodian amid access disputes
Dozens of residents, former officials and oversight professionals urged the Howard County Council to pass CB 69 to designate the inspector general as a custodian of county records so the office can access systems and documents it says have been denied under MPIA rules.
citizenportal.ai
October 20, 2026 at 5:09 PM
citizenptnewstx.bsky.social
Brian Lindsay revealed crucial updates on road maintenance and a significant budgeted water truck replacement that will enhance our county's infrastructure!

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#HowardCounty #TX #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureUpdate #HowardCountyRoads #CommunityMaintenance #BudgetApproval
County road engineer updates commissioners; Court approves CR-14 work and budgeted water-truck replacement
Road Engineer Brian Lindsay reported on ditching, patching and sealing work across county roads, described a collapsed subgrade requiring replacement structures, the Court authorized work on County Road 14, and approved purchasing a budgeted replacement water truck (reported price ~ $275,000).
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 2:27 PM
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In a dramatic turn of events, the Howard County Council voted 3–1 to remove Gene Ryan from the Board of Appeals following a contentious closed session and legal challenges.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #LegalProcedure #GovernmentTransparency #HowardCountyBoard
Howard County Council announces 3–1 removal of Gene Ryan from Board of Appeals
After a closed-session consultation with counsel, the Howard County Council announced a 3–1 vote to remove Gene Ryan from the Board of Appeals. Ryan and his attorney had filed a lawsuit alleging the council failed to provide required process and notice.
citizenportal.ai
October 15, 2026 at 1:41 AM
citizenptnewsmd.bsky.social
The Howard County Council faces a pivotal decision as they debate making the inspector general the custodian of records, raising questions about legal sufficiency and state-level implications.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #HowardCountyRecords
Howard County Council declines to reject bill making inspector general custodian of records, sends debate forward
Council members debated whether to make the inspector general the custodian of county records after citing state-level efforts and legal questions. A motion to reject CB 69 upon introduction failed, allowing the bill to proceed to regular consideration and further legal review.
citizenportal.ai
October 8, 2026 at 8:31 AM
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Howard County deserves better.
You deserve better.

#affordability #housing #rentcontrol #rentstabilization #affordablehousing #maryland #howardcounty #hocomd
October 6, 2026 at 3:11 AM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
The Howard County board has just approved a crucial encroachment plan that will move the oncology unit to a new facility, reducing impervious surfaces and enhancing community healthcare!

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #HowardCountyHospital #UrbanDevelopment
Board OKs HDB 26-08 encroachment for Terrace Gardens hospital oncology move
The board approved Resolution HDB 26-08 allowing utility and pavement encroachment tied to a hospital project moving an oncology unit to a separate facility; the engineer said the change reduces impervious area so no new detention is required.
citizenportal.ai
October 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM
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A huge thanks to Steven Brown & the Howard County RCC for your dedication!

Your support helps us reach more Marylanders with our vision of accountability & transparency.

#HowardCounty #LetsGetItDunn #Maryland #EveryDollarCounts #EverCitizenMatters #MarylandsMoneyManagedRight
October 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
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Howard County is taking steps to enhance local weather safety by negotiating the installation of a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter at South Mountain, but crucial security and operational concerns are on the table.

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#HowardCounty #TX #CitizenPortal #EmergencyCommunications
Commissioners form subcommittee to review National Weather Service plan for South Mountain tower
After a presentation from the National Weather Service, the court voted to create a two-commissioner subcommittee to negotiate security, power and site details for placing a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter at the county-owned South Mountain tower to preserve local weather-alert coverage.
citizenportal.ai
October 3, 2026 at 12:17 AM
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Neighbors are rallying against the Maryland International School's controversial expansion plan, claiming it threatens their property values and the environment.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvolvement #LandUseIssues #EnvironmentalProtection #HowardCountyNeighbors
Howard County Board of Appeals hears neighbor challenge to Maryland International School’s hilltop expansion
Appellants contest DPZ’s June 2026 approvals allowing Maryland International School to remove one specimen tree and disturb steep slopes for an expansion at 6135 Old Washington Road; neighbors say the site’s features are not unique and that the project needlessly impacts slopes and trees. Hearing continues Oct. 15.
citizenportal.ai
October 2, 2026 at 11:10 AM
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I'm attending Howard County for a Free Palestine's event, “Vigil for the Victims of the Gaza Genocide” - sign up now to join www.mobilize.us/howardcounty...
Vigil for the Victims of the Gaza Genocide · Howard County for a Free Palestine
Vigil for Gaza: Three Years of Genocide 📍 Little Patuxent Parkway & Broken Land Parkway 🗓 October 9, 2026 at 6pm For three years we have watched apartheid Israel kill tens of thousands of Palestinia...
www.mobilize.us
September 30, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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Sen. Katie Hester is pushing for clarity on agricultural preservation easements and warns that urgent federal tax-credit deadlines could jeopardize crucial projects in Maryland.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #TaxCreditTimelines #GovernmentTransparency #HowardCountyAgriculture
State senator urges multi-agency review; flags grandfathering and PPA questions
Sen. Katie Hester told the council she requested a legal opinion because RECA’s application to AgPres land appears ambiguous and offered to help coordinate state-level cleanup or grandfathering language; she also warned counties face a compressed federal tax-credit timeline for projects.
citizenportal.ai
September 30, 2026 at 6:50 AM
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Councilman David Youngman proposes a temporary hold on solar project applications to clarify local authority under the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, sparking a heated debate on the future of renewable energy in Howard County.

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#HowardCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #HowardCountySolar
Howard County council debates temporary hold on some solar projects to clarify county authority
Councilman David Youngman introduced CB59, proposing a limited hold so DPZ can convene state and county agencies to determine what siting and easement-related powers remain after the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (RECA). Supporters say it’s a targeted pause; critics warn of project loss tied to federal tax-credit deadlines.
citizenportal.ai
September 30, 2026 at 6:21 AM
citizenptnewsin.bsky.social
A new reform in Indiana is set to shake up municipal control by reallocating funding based on population and service needs, leaving smaller towns at a disadvantage.

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#HowardCounty #IN #CitizenPortal #PopulationEquity #ServiceDistribution #MunicipalReform
Association of Indiana Counties rep explains how new rate buckets will change municipal control
An Association of Indiana Counties representative outlined a shift to population- and service-driven distribution across county-service, municipal, fire/EMS and non-municipal buckets, and explained statutory caps that limit aggregate rates.
citizenportal.ai
September 28, 2026 at 6:38 AM