Howard County Restaurant Weeks Launch

Wednesday morning: partly sunny then slight chance showers and thunderstorms, high near 85 degrees. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Morning, Howard County. It's Wednesday, July 22nd. Coming up on the brief: County Executive Calvin Ball kicks off Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks, a Howard County teacher sues the county school board, kids get hands-on with ice cream science at the Savage library this evening, and BWI Marshall clears its ground stop after last night's severe storms. Plus, construction on Ellicott City's flood tunnel is underway. Let's get into it.

County Executive Calvin Ball announced the launch of Howard County's Summer Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks this week. The county-wide promotion spotlights local restaurants and craft beverage makers. Ball's office made the announcement through the county's official news page. No list of participating businesses or specific dates has been released yet.

A Howard County teacher is suing the county Board of Education, according to a report from Patch published this week. The report doesn't name the teacher or detail the specific allegations. It's unclear when the case was filed or what the teacher is seeking.

At the Savage Branch library this evening, kids ages seven to eleven can join Ice Cream Science, a hands-on STEAM program from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. It's one of several free programs at Howard County Library branches this week.

Dropped by validator: sources outside input pool

A New York-style Italian restaurant announced plans to open in Ellicott City, according to the Baltimore Sun. The restaurant's name and exact opening date haven't been released. Worth keeping an eye on if you're downtown.

After storms knocked out power across Howard County earlier this month, a local snowball stand became a gathering spot for relief, according to WTOP. Neighbors grabbed shaved ice while they waited for the lights to come back on.

A few more library programs on tap today. At the Elkridge Branch, "3, 2, Fun" runs for toddlers ages two to three from 9:30 to 10 a.m. At the Savage Branch, "Time For Us," for kids 18 months to three years, runs 10 to 10:30 a.m., followed by "Babysitting 101" from 10 a.m. to noon. At the East Columbia Branch, families can drop into "Puzzle Pop-In" any time between 10 a.m. and noon.

In Baltimore, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School named Amy Middleton its new vice president of institutional advancement, after nearly a decade at the Salvation Army. WBAL explains what a PDS severe thunderstorm warning means, the label used for the most dangerous storm alerts issued this month. The FAA's ground stop at BWI Marshall, issued at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday for severe weather, lifted at 11 p.m. Rain from Tuesday's storms cleared the Baltimore area overnight, with drier air and lower humidity expected the rest of the week. Anne Arundel County officials prepped for the same severe storms, warning of damaging wind, heavy rain and possible power outages. The Cromwell Light Rail station reopened after weeks of repairs to power lines downed in storms earlier this month. Baltimore's mayor announced Boyz II Men and Case will headline the fifth annual Charm City Live on September 5th at War Memorial Plaza. In Prince George's County, new bills would raise the property tax rate to five times normal on vacant, blighted buildings. In St. Mary's County, body camera footage shows deputies rescuing a missing 9-year-old with autism from the water. The Baltimore Banner published its 2026 voter guide for Howard County Council District 3 ahead of the fall election.

Dropped by validator: no sources cited

That's the brief for Wednesday, July 22nd. Read more, sign up for the newsletter, or send tips at hocobrief.com. See you back here tomorrow.