Mall in Columbia Police Satellite Office Opens — 2026-06-17

Wednesday morning: mostly sunny, high near 87 degrees. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph.

Good morning. Wednesday, June 17. County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Police Department opened a new satellite office at The Mall in Columbia. HCPSS is seeking members for a new Standing Policy Advisory Committee. And 29 HCPSS parents graduated the Spring 2026 Hispanic Achievement Program Parent Academy. This is your morning brief for Howard County.

County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Police Department opened a new police satellite office at The Mall in Columbia. The satellite office is intended to enhance community safety at the Mall. The full announcement and the office's hours are on the county news page at howardcountymd.gov.

HCPSS is seeking members for its new Standing Policy Advisory Committee. The Policy Office is consolidating previous multiple policy advisory committees into one single-standing committee with a two-year commitment. Applications are due Friday, August 21. Details on how to apply are at news.hcpss.org.

HCPSS honored 29 parents this week for completing the Spring 2026 Hispanic Achievement Program Parent Academy. The academy, called Academia de Padres, is conducted entirely in Spanish. Topics cover the HCPSS Hispanic Achievement Program, navigating HCPSS online platforms and apprenticeships, and supporting students at home. The full announcement is at news.hcpss.org.

At the Elkridge Branch library tonight, Family Fun Video Game Night runs from 6 to 7:30 for families. Drop in if you're nearby.

Coming up this week. Voting in the Manga for Mayor program at the Glenwood Branch library closes tomorrow, Thursday June 18. Today at the Savage Branch: End of year arts and crafts party from 12:30 to 2:30. At the East Columbia Branch: Magazine Mosaic and Paper Collage with J. Scott from 11 to 1:30. And on Friday, the Manor Hill Brewing Pizza Trolley returns to the brewery in Ellicott City.

Also today. Howard County's heat advisory remains in effect — check howardcountymd.gov for the full advisory. County Executive Calvin Ball announced a major expansion of free public Wi-Fi at the Columbia Lakefront this week. Three Howard County schools will have extra police presence this week as online threats continue, per WMAR. County Executive Calvin Ball broke ground earlier this month on Howard County's first Bus Rapid Transit stop. Howard County joined the Dementia Friendly America Network this week. The county dedicated a bocce court this week to Grace Kubofcik, a senior-recreation advocate. The county Finance Department updated information on residential tax credits at howardcountymd.gov. Howard County Finance also rolled out Property Tax Digital Communications for residents. Four Howard County students earned scholarships in the third round of National Merit Scholarships, per Patch. The Aging and Independence office posted updated Housing Resources for older adults. At East Columbia, Teen Afterschool Programming Half Day runs from 1 to 3:30 today. At Glenwood, Puppet Presents Bear's New Friend runs at 10:30 for ages three to five. And at Elkridge, English Conversation Class meets tonight from 6 to 8.

Warmer Wednesday across the Baltimore area today, with isolated storms possible — per WBAL. Any storms that form are capable of isolated severe winds. Warmer air will start moving into the area today. Combined with the continuing county heat advisory, plan for heat and a chance of late-day storms.

Here's what I'm watching today. Calvin Ball and the Police Department opening a satellite office at The Mall the same week we're tracking online threats at three Howard County schools tells you what the county is signaling — visible safety in the places people gather. The 29 parents who finished Academia de Padres is the other side of the same coin: schools showing up for the families who need a direct line in. Back tomorrow morning.

That's today's brief. Full edition at hocobrief.com — newsletter, archive, send tips. I'm at the desk. Back tomorrow morning. Stay cool out there, Howard County.