Howard County Heat Advisory — 2026-07-18

Saturday morning: smoke then patchy smoke, high near 94 degrees. Southwest wind 3 to 12 mph.

Morning, Howard County. It's Saturday, July 18th. Today we've got a heat advisory in effect, with highs near 94 and a shot at severe storms this afternoon. Also on deck: black bears are turning up on decks in Ellicott City, a new restaurant and cocktail bar just opened in Old Ellicott City, and the Snowden movie theater in Columbia is closing its doors. Let's get into it.

A heat advisory is in effect across Howard County today as temperatures climb toward 94 degrees, with the heat index reaching as high as 105. The county issued the advisory in direct response to the high heat, urging residents to limit time outdoors during peak afternoon hours. The National Weather Service also warns of a chance of severe thunderstorms between one and four o'clock this afternoon, with wind gusts up to 22 miles per hour and up to a quarter inch of rain possible. Smoke is expected to linger over the region before one p.m. For anyone with outdoor plans today — yard work, sports, errands — the advice is the same: hydrate, take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and watch the sky in case those storms turn severe.

In Old Ellicott City, a new restaurant and cocktail bar has opened on Main Street. Local business coverage put together a rundown of what to expect at the new spot. If you're headed downtown this weekend, it's now open for business — one more reason to walk Main Street before or after the storms roll through.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced this week that the county has joined the Dementia Friendly America Network. The designation connects Howard County with a national program aimed at making communities more supportive of residents living with dementia and their caregivers. For families navigating a diagnosis, it's a signal that county resources and training are being built around that reality. Ball's office tied the move to the county's ongoing aging and independence services work.

Ellicott City residents, keep an eye on the back deck. The Baltimore Sun reports black bears are increasingly wandering into Howard County neighborhoods — decks included — as more bears move into developed areas near the Patapsco Valley. It's the kind of only-in-Maryland moment showing up in local group chats this week: the county's newest residents don't RSVP.

At the Savage Branch library, a Summer Reading Celebration called 'Into the Wild' runs today from 11:30 to 1:30. At the Elkridge Branch, families can 'Set Sail with The Odyssey' in a community reading marathon from 1 to 4 this afternoon. And if storms keep you inside tonight, WBAL's weekend watchlist has the rundown on what's new in theaters and streaming.

In Howard County, the Sisters of Bon Secours placed a conservation easement on some of its land, protecting it from future development. HCPSS is seeking members for a new Standing Policy Advisory Committee, with applications due August 21st. Howard County earned the highest AAA credit rating from all three major rating agencies. A Maryland-based mocktail company opened a new alcohol-free boutique in Howard County. Three new companies are joining the Howard County business community, according to the Maryland Daily Record. The county rolled out new digital communications for property tax bills. Roger Carter Pool hosted a Dive-In Movie screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In Columbia, the Snowden movie theater is closing its doors. Primary election results for Howard County are out, according to the Baltimore Banner. At the East Columbia library branch, a Little Learners preschool skills program runs this morning. Over at Elkridge, a toddler program called All Together Now meets this morning, with a matching session at the Glenwood branch. Nationally, Taco Bell is pulling shredded lettuce after it was linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak in five states. And in Baltimore, Morgan Wallen's concert at M&T Bank Stadium went on Friday despite unhealthy air quality.

What I keep coming back to today is how much of the county's news is really about coexistence — bears figuring out Ellicott City decks are easier than the woods, a heat advisory asking us to slow down, even the county building out dementia-friendly training so neighbors know how to help each other. None of it's flashy. It's just Howard County adjusting, a little at a time, to the summer and to each other. Stay cool out there today, and maybe bring the bird feeder in.

That's the brief for July 18th. Full stories and links at hocobrief.com — sign up for the newsletter, browse the archive, or send a tip. See you Monday.