Ellicott City Flood Tunnel Construction

Friday morning: mostly sunny, high near 82 degrees. East wind 2 to 8 mph.

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Ten years ago this week, catastrophic floods tore through Old Ellicott City, reshaping the mill town for good. The Baltimore Banner marked the anniversary this week with a look at how Main Street and the surrounding historic district have changed since. Howard County broke ground this summer on a flood tunnel beneath Ellicott City, part of the county's push to keep the historic district open during major storms. Construction on the tunnel is underway now, following years of smaller flood control projects along Main Street. For business owners downtown, the tunnel is meant to bring fewer forced closures when heavy rain hits. For visitors, it's meant to keep the shops and restaurants that make Old Ellicott City what it is open, storm or not. County officials have not given a completion date. A decade after the flood that changed the town, the tunnel is the county's biggest bet yet that the next big storm won't do the same damage. For a downtown that has closed and reopened more than once, that's the difference organizers are hoping to buy.

Howard County Public Schools is partnering with its Bright Minds Foundation and the nonprofit Prepare for Success to run two school supply drives this summer. The drives are meant to offset the cost of school supplies so students start the year with what they need. HCPSS says details on drop-off locations and dates are posted on the district's news site. The partnership pairs the school system's own foundation with a community nonprofit already working on getting kids ready for the new year.

At a swim school in Columbia, kids with autism are learning water safety skills built around their needs. Instructors work one-on-one on floating, breath control, and getting comfortable in the water at each child's own pace. It's one of the few programs in the area built specifically to teach water safety to autistic children.

The county's newest cultural landmark, the Capitoline Center, celebrated its grand opening this year as a hub for arts, culture and history. County Executive Calvin Ball marked the opening as a new gathering spot for exhibits and programming. The center adds another stop to the county's list of arts venues for residents looking for something to do close to home.

Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks are back across Howard County. Local restaurants and breweries are running special menus and deals through the event, a chance to try new spots or go back to old favorites at a discount. Check individual restaurant listings for specific deals and dates. It's a good excuse to work through the county's restaurant list this week.

In Howard County, 17 vehicles have been stolen in just the past six days, according to police records reviewed by Patch. Dormant second mortgages from the 2000s housing boom are resurfacing nationwide, putting some homeowners at risk of losing their home. County Executive Calvin Ball has established a new commission to review tax credits and deferrals for older adults and military servicemembers. Ball has also pre-filed legislation to expand the county's senior tax credit and extend its aging-in-place program for older residents. In Anne Arundel County, the deadline for Empire Towers disaster recovery grants is 5 p.m. today. More than 60 businesses have already applied. Next Friday, Manor Hill Brewing in Ellicott City brings back its restored Pizza Trolley, serving Neapolitan-style pizza from a custom brick oven. At the Elkridge Branch library today, a toddler play and learn session runs 9:30 to 10 a.m. At the Savage Branch, a Picture Book Parade with craft for kids ages two to five runs from 10 to 10:30 this morning. At the East Columbia Branch, a beginner sewing machine class runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today. Tropical Storm Bertha weakened after coming ashore in Louisiana, bringing heavy surf and some flooding before it moves on toward Texas.

Tonight, Manor Hill Brewing releases two new beer and wine hybrids from its Cellared Selection series in Ellicott City. In Baltimore this weekend, catch a Melanie Martinez concert, the Dragon Boat Challenge, or Woodshed Fest if you're driving into the city.

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