NEWS
October 25, 2009
Head-on collision kills 2 in Harford County Two drivers were killed in a head-on collision Friday evening in Belcamp, Harford County, state police said. Jared Todd Church, 34, of Bel Air, was driving a 2006 Honda Civic northbound on Route 543, south of Goat Hill Road, when the vehicle crossed the center line and hit a 2004 Nissan Titan driven by Mark David Stoneberg, 39, head-on about 9:50 p.m., according to investigators. Church died at the scene; Stoneberg was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
NEWS
By Mary Gail Hare | October 3, 2009
Baltimore County's busiest library will become its smallest this week as the Cockeysville branch undergoes a $2.2 million renovation that will add space, materials and equipment. The library, in a 23,000-square-foot building on Greenside Drive since 1982, will close Monday through Friday and reopen as a mini-branch Saturday in what had been its meeting room. The condensed space will offer basic services, allowing patrons to borrow, return and reserve items. Eight computer stations will be available, and patrons will have use of two self-serve check-outs.
NEWS
By Larry Carson | August 16, 2009
Four decades ago, when Columbia pioneer Andrea Gruhl worked part-time at what was then called the Frederick Road Library in Ellicott City, then-county commissioner Charles E. Miller's cattle grazed right outside the small red brick and glass building, she said. "I was sure I was the only librarian in the whole United States who had that view, and now we're going back to that," she said, delighted. Gruhl was among about 35 people who Monday night attended the first of two meetings at what is now called the Charles E. Miller library to find out more about the mega-replacement building set to rise next year just behind the current, outmoded library.
NEWS
February 15, 2009
Facing a $65 million shortfall in next year's budget, Mayor Sheila Dixon has warned she may have to cut back the hours or close some libraries and neighborhood recreational centers to balance the books. That's especially painful during an economic downturn, when demand for these services generally goes up as people seek less-expensive alternatives to ticketed cultural and sports events. If cuts become necessary, they should be part of an overall strategic plan to strengthen these institutions over the long term, not just respond to the current crisis.
NEWS
By John-John Williams IV | February 1, 2009
Howard County wants to spread civility fever to a larger audience. In the next year, organizers of the program want to strengthen the campaign on the local level before spreading the concept to the state and national level. The plans were unveiled last week during a news conference that attracted a slew of community leaders and residents. "It's going beyond what we expected," said Valerie Gross, chief executive officer of the county library, which is leading the effort. "It's become a hallmark."
NEWS
By Liz F. Kay | December 6, 2008
The line of buyers at the Enoch Pratt Free Library book sale stretched more than half a block, but no Black Friday-style madness erupted yesterday, the opening of the three-day annual event. Collectors, dealers and readers lined up at the main entrance of downtown's Central Library before the doors opened at 10 a.m. "We've seen a lot of talk about the Wal-Mart incident," Tim Doyle, a Sykeville dealer and collector who was first in line when he arrived at 7 a.m., said, referring to a fatal stampede last week in New York.
NEWS
November 6, 2008
Community services group publishes 2009 directory The Association of Community Services has published its new 2009 community resources directory, Looking for Answers? A Directory of Services. The free 2009 edition of the directory is available in schools, libraries, banks, community centers and elsewhere in Howard County. The directory lists more than 140 Howard County public and private agencies, their services and contact information. It is available at ACS offices, 10480 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 920, Columbia, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Information: 410-715-9545 or visit www.acshoco.
NEWS
By Ellie Baublitz | October 21, 2007
The Carroll County Public Library's new bookmobile is a 21st-century full-service library on wheels, complete with satellite capability and low-floor accessibility for wheelchairs and baby strollers. "That's the beauty of it. With the satellite, we can hook into the library system, and people can place their holds, and we can do searches for books," said Connie Wilson, who supervises the bookmobile staff. "Anything they can do in a branch, they can do here." The satellite dish folds flush with the roof when traveling or not in use, then can be raised when needed.
NEWS
October 12, 2007
Inside Edition's Deborah Norville is scheduled to discuss and sign copies of her new book at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave. Norville is the author of Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You, which contends that "giving thanks can make you happier and healthier," according to library official. Information: www.prattli brary.org.
NEWS
August 19, 2007
The A-OK (Assisting Our Kids) Mentoring/Tutoring Program, a project of Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, is recruiting and training volunteer mentors and tutors to work in elementary and middle schools with individual children and small groups. Opportunities are available during school hours, directly after school and in elementary school homework clubs. No skills are required; volunteers should be willing to commit to one hour a week during the school year. Information: Chaya Kaplan, 410-730-6030 or Joe Willmott, 410-730-0229.