— Frank Davis saw a lot of waste during his decades in the federal government
he voted for Donald Trump to get rid of it
but he is doing what he said he was going to do," says Davis
who serves as mayor of this town of about 3,000 people in western Maryland
In March, the Trump administration suddenly <a href="https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/courses/on-campus/" target="_blank">canceled in-person classes</a> at the <a href="https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/" target="_blank">National Fire Academy</a> here
which trains the United States' firefighters
Not only is the academy a big part of Emmitsburg's identity
Davis says the administration is reviewing the academy's operations
he'll see the administration somewhat differently
"It will change my outlook to say that they're not being fair," says Davis
who also serves as emergency medical services captain at the local firehouse
"They're just going in to cut and not caring what they cut."
Emmitsburg voted overwhelmingly for President Trump in November
NPR interviewed about two dozen people here
and many said his plans to cut federal spending were a key attraction
they say they are puzzled as to why the administration would cancel national training for firefighters
He served for two decades as superintendent of the academy
which he says trained 8,000 to 10,000 firefighters on campus each year
often referred to as the national war college for firefighting
offers courses in everything from leadership and management for fire chiefs to how to conduct fire
"The National Fire Academy takes men and women out of their comfort zone and ..
exposes them to real serious tragedies and forces them to work through ..
what kind of decisions they're going to make," says Onieal
"Every day that this training is unavailable to the locals is one day closer to a disaster they can't handle or won't know how to handle."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency oversees the academy
which pays for firefighters to come to Emmitsburg
FEMA did not answer directly but suggested in a statement that it had to do with travel costs
"The bottom line is we are no longer paying for non-employee travel," the statement reads
"We are only authorizing travel for mission critical programs
Some of these classes are still available online."
The fire academy website does show some upcoming in-person courses
They've been left up for now in case the administration changes its mind
who serves as fire chief of the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department nearby in Pennsylvania
had applied for a weekend leadership and development course at the academy in July
He voted for Trump and supports cutting waste and making government smaller
But Beck doesn't see how training first responders is wasteful
"We're only 100-plus days in," Beck says of Trump's current term
Back in Emmitsburg, the dinner crowd is arriving at <a href="https://ott-house.weeblyte.com/" target="_blank">Ott House</a>
a family-run pub and home away from home for firefighters who train at the academy
firefighters have left thousands of patches from their departments
They include patches for a government fire bureau in Taiwan and departments in Bath
Firefighters make up more than 30% of the pub's business
Co-owner Susan Glass is worried about the long-term impact
"I've already told a lot of our employees that it's a possibility they won't have a job for the summer
but we're hoping things open back up," Glass says
many of the town's residents hold out hope that the administration will see the value of the academy and start classes again
Glass also voted for Trump but feels the administration is moving too fast
"I agree with a lot of things that they're doing
but sometimes I disagree on how they're doing them," says Glass
who thinks the administration shouldn't try to do so much at once
It just seems like it's just one hammer after another."
Some members of Maryland's congressional delegation have pressed the administration for answers about the cancellation of the academy's classes but say they've heard nothing back
"I have no idea why they're doing this," says Rep
"It's extremely shortsighted and dangerous to cut this program," he says
An earlier photo caption mistakenly referred to a statue of three firefighters raising a flag as the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
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The City of Rockville has announced it secured key legislative wins during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session
and support for youth services and municipal governance
Per the City of Rockville: &#8220;The City of Rockville secured significant legislative wins during the Maryland General Assembly’s 2025 session
community facilities and transportation safety programs
Rockville received $460,000 in bond initiative funding
including $200,000 to transform the old water tower on Talbott Street into a neighborhood park and $260,000 for renovations and upgrades at the Elwood Smith Community Center
Key transportation safety measures were also passed
House Bill 18 extends the authorization for noise abatement monitoring system pilot programs in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties through June 2028
The bill also ensures data confidentiality with these systems
The city’s ongoing commitment to road safety was further boosted by HB 1173
which allows Montgomery County municipalities
to implement speed monitoring systems on high-risk highways that have been identified by the jurisdiction
The maximum civil penalty remains $40 per violation
Revenue from these systems is required to be reinvested into safety improvements
aligning with Rockville’s Vision Zero Plan
Rockville will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of each camera in reducing vehicle speeds to levels at or below those traveled by 85% of drivers
which Rockville and the Maryland Municipal League supported
establishes escalating penalties for speed violations detected by monitoring systems
reinforcing Rockville’s dedication to reducing road hazards
The bill establishes a maximum penalty that ranges from $50 to $425 for the offense
which streamlines administrative tasks for speed camera enforcement
This allows trained technicians rather than law enforcement officers to certify violations
freeing local officers for more proactive public safety efforts
Further legislative success includes HB 814
requiring the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to report annually on youth service bureaus
supporting youth development and preventive services — an advocacy priority for Rockville
One of the city’s legislative priorities was advocacy for youth and at-risk youth programming
including restoring funding to youth service bureaus
Municipal governance received a boost from HB 322
which enhances election administration through stronger collaboration between municipalities and the Maryland Board of Elections
Senate Bill 820 increases the maximum fines municipalities can impose for ordinance violations
providing potential new revenue streams and strengthening local enforcement
For a comprehensive overview of the legislative session
find the Maryland Department of Legislative Services’ 90-Day Report at dls.maryland.gov
contact Linda Moran at lmoran@rockville md.gov or 240-314-8115.&#8221;
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<a href="/520/Office-of-the-Mayor">Mayor Michael O&apos;Connor</a>
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Organized in partnership with the Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership and Transformative Arts Project &nbsp;
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce..
Applicant: City of Frederick Department of Public Works
Reason for closure: Asphalt mill and overlay
Lane to be closed: West 14th Street closed between Motter Avenue and Neidig Aven..
The rooftop work is scheduled to be completed in the morning
Sophie and Madigan&amp;rsquo;s Playground (651 Contender Way) will be closed for maintenance all day on Monday
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our facilities
The City of Frederick Council has requested a Closed Session on Wednesday
&amp;nbsp;The Council President will request a vote of the Council to convene in Closed Session at City Hall
significant roadwork will commence on Bowman&amp;apos;s Farm Road
This will necessitate the temporary closure of the road at the entrance to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
The focus of this work is near the cul-de-sac on Bo..
The City of Frederick is excited to announce a proposed filming project for the film &quot;Spinsters.&quot; The filming will take place in various locations throughout the City
and we are pleased to provide the following schedule:
The City of Frederick is dedicated to supplying its customers..
Join us for our spring open house &amp;ldquo;RecFest&amp;rdquo; on Saturday
This event features a variety of activities that promise fun and engagement fo..
a tractor-trailer accident caused significant damage to the guardrail just south of Treatment Plant Road on Monocacy Boulevard
The incident resulted in approximately 400 feet of guardrail damage
The City of Frederick is notifying residents of operational delays affecting waste collection services scheduled for Tuesday
Clover Ridge Community: Trash and recycl..
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s Historic Preservation Commission
in partnership with the Maryland Room at the C
is excited to announce the 6th annual Digging Local event
This special event will take place at the C
The City of Frederick Department of Public Works is excited to announce its upcoming Freecycle Roundup event
offers City residents a unique opportunity to dispose of bulk item..
Mayor Michael O&amp;apos;Connor presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget to the City Council and Frederick residents today
underscoring the City&amp;rsquo;s commitment to balanced growth
and the City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s Historic Preservation Commission is pleased to announce Digging Local
a special event offering the public exclusive access to local archaeological investigations.&amp;nbsp;
Youth Perspectives&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Organized in partnership with the Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership and Transformative Arts Project &amp;nbsp;
and organizations are invited to provide input on climate change impacts and help set climate priorities for our community
The Frederick County Government and the City of Frederick are working together to create the first Community-Wi..
the City&amp;rsquo;s Low Impact Landscaping Ordinance&amp;nbsp;will allow gardening techniques that conserve water
M&amp;B was approved for a contract with Triangle Constructing L.L.C
for stormwater improvements in the Motter Ave area
Triangle Constructing began construction on January 17
The City has experienced multiple high-intensity ..
The City of Frederick&amp;apos;s Water Quality Department has completed sampling for the 5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
We are pleased to inform our customers that these result..
the City of Frederick Department of Public Works will begin surveying public sidewalks City-wide
The City will be utilizing the services of a professional consultant: O&amp;rsquo;Connell &amp; Lawrence
The African American Resources Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) Society is proud to announce the groundbreaking of the African American Heritage Center
a landmark project dedicated to preserving and celebrating the ..
Embodied: Intersectional Experiences of Womanhood&amp;nbsp;
Curated by Jamie Gerhold and Jillian Abir MacMacster&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the opening of&amp;nbsp;Em..
City leaders Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor
and Manager of Opportunity and Transformation Ericka Rohrbaugh have been appointed to serve on various National League of Cities (NLC) Federal Advocacy Committees
the Tree Frederick program aims to assist City residents in planting more trees
The effort will ultimately increase tree canopy in the City
help improve air and water quality and might even help residents reduce energy costs.&amp;nbsp..
The City of Frederick- Waste Collection and Disposal
The Maryland Transit Administration is planning to replace all of the timber crossties through the railroad crossing and make grade adjustments to address settlement of the at-grade crossing panels within the Monocacy Blvd right-of-way
The City of Frederick is pleased to present &amp;apos;Reflections of Resilience: Celebrating Black Voices in Art,&amp;apos; a group exhibition featuring artists who have contributed greatly to the city&amp;apos;s cultural fabric
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s Parks and Recreation and Arts and Culture Departments announce that contractors will be on site at the Community Bridge
located in Carroll Creek Linear Park at the intersection of S Carroll and E All Saints Street
The City of Frederick invites residents from the East side of Frederick to participate in a cultural asset mapping workshop on Wednesday
from 5 to 7 pm at the C Burr Artz Public Library Community Room.&amp;nbsp;
Public Safety and Community Development Committee meeting scheduled for today
The next meeting is set to take place on Tuesday
The City appreciates the public&amp;apos;s under..
The City of Frederick will lift the Snow Emergency at 8:30 a.m.
The City of Frederick reminds residents that the Snow Emergency Plan went into effect at 8:00 AM this morning
Residents were required to move all vehicles off designated Snow Emergency Routes by 10:00 AM today
Cars not immediately removed from snow emer..
The City of Frederick offices will be closed on Monday
The City of Frederick is excited to support Gov
Wes Moore&amp;rsquo;s budget,&amp;nbsp;released Wednesday
which includes significant investments in initiatives critical to the City&amp;rsquo;s growth and prosperity.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
Members of the public are invited to attend a presentation on the small area planning process at the Citywide Planning Department Community Outreach Meeting on Tuesday
January 21 at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Boardroom.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick City Council has requested a Closed Session on Thursday
Council President Katie Nash will request a vote of the Council to convene in Closed Session at City Hall
This action is in accordance with the au..
The City of Frederick invites residents to participate in a districting town hall meeting on Wednesday
at the City of Frederick Municipal Annex Building Conference Room C
Tonight&amp;apos;s HPC hearing and workshop have been canceled due to a lack of quorum
All cases will be rescheduled for the January 23rd meeting
contact&amp;nbsp;Christina Maritnkosky at 301-600-1831
The City of Frederick will lift the Snow Emergency at 8 a.m.
There will be NO Waste Collection on Monday
There will be NO trash collection service on Monday
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor has declared a Snow Emergency&amp;nbsp;for the City of Frederick
in anticipation of forecasted winter weather
The Snow Emergency is designed to ensure public safety and effectiv..
Members of the public are invited to attend a historic preservation tax credit workshop Monday
January 13 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of the C
Burr Artz Public Library at 110 East Patrick Street in Frederick
The City looks forward to expanding the efficiencies that the OpenGov software has provided and plans to bri..
The City of Frederick Christmas Tree Drop Off and Recycling Program will begin on December 26
The designated drop-off locations are:&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick marked a major milestone Thursday morning as officials began demolition at the site of the long-anticipated Downtown Hotel and Conference Center.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe the Christmas Holiday on Tuesday
and the New Year&amp;rsquo;s Holiday on Tuesday
The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for 7:00 PM on December 17th has been cancelled
The items originally scheduled for this meeting will be reviewed at their next meeting to be held on January 28th meeting
Filming for a production called “Boomtown”
will involve properties at Maryland School for the Deaf
Maryland School for the Deaf will provide a background for filming historical scenes and involve prop guns and period costumes
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s City Council voted Tuesday night on the selection of leadership for the new City Council
Councilmember Katie Nash was elected as Council President
and Councilmember Derek Shackelford was elected as Council Vice Presiden..
The City of Frederick invites residents to participate in a Special Meeting on Tuesday
at City Hall to discuss the development of new election districts
This meeting is a step forward in implementing the recent charter ame..
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe Thanksgiving Day on Thursday
The City of Frederick's Water Quality Department has completed sampling for the 5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
We are pleased to inform our customers that these results are now..
Chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission
has called a special meeting to take place on Monday
at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Board Room (101 N
The meeting&amp;apos;s purpose is to review a Demoli..
Mayor Michael O’Connor&amp;nbsp;will hold a press conference on Thursday
November 21 at 10:00 am to discuss the City's response to the general election results.&amp;nbsp;
The press conference will take place in the City Hall Boardroom and will be streamed..
In partnership with the Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland
we invite Frederick County residents to join us in a day of community support
and celebration at the&amp;nbsp;Harvest of Hope Festival.&amp;nbsp;
Join us for the City of Frederick Budget Town Hall Meetings.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce two upcoming town hall meetings to discuss updates on the City and State budget requests
These meetings offer community members the chance ..
The City of Frederick mourns the passing of former Mayor Jim Grimes and extends heartfelt condolences to his wife
and the countless individuals whose lives he touched throughout his distinguished career in public service an..
and trash collection service will change as follows
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce&amp;nbsp;53&amp;nbsp;recipients of the ACCESS GRANTED grant program
an initiative designed to support and empower small minority
The City of Frederick Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS) is committed to supporting all residents in exercising their right to vote
HHS will provide transportation to polling stations for homeless residents
the roof level of the Court Street Garage will undergo repair and refurbishing work
The scheduled completion date for this project is December 18th
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce that construction on the closed portion of Shookstown Road between Waverley Drive and Kemp Lane is now complete
and the road is reopening today&amp;mdash;one month ahead of the originally scheduled completion ..
The City Of Frederick Department of Public Works will host its next Freecycle Roundup on Saturday
The event is being held to receive and recycle bulk items City residents no longer want.&amp;nbsp;
and the Ausherman Family Foundation are proud to announce a signing ceremony to celebrate their partnership in establishing a new Youth Center in Frederick
This event marks a step forward in providing our communit..
The City of Frederick celebrates Maryland Community Development Week with a strong commitment to affordable housing and community development
In celebration of Maryland Community Development Week
the City of Frederick is proud to spotlight its..
The City of Frederick is thrilled to announce the launch of its first-ever &amp;ldquo;Junior Entrepreneur Pitch Competition,&amp;rdquo; set to take place on Tuesday
from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at New Spire Arts Stages.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce an Artist Market &amp; Bazaar on Friday
This vibrant event will feature a showcase of visual and performing arts
the City of Frederick received notice from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that their application for renewal of the Sustainable Communities designation was approved by the Smart Growth subcabinet.&amp;n..
Right lane of Yellow Springs Road at Old Farm Drive to be closed for curb/gutter concrete work between September 26
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce upcoming changes to improve traffic and pedestrian safety at the Motter Ave &amp; West 9th St intersection as part of the Traffic Calming Project (CIP #340009)
Travel and walk safety at the Motter Ave &amp; Wes..
The City of Frederick plans to research and compile a historic context study identifying sites associated with slavery
The goal of this project is to help close the gap in scholarship related to the history
The City of Frederick’s Historic Preservation Commission will consider Kemp Property
for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places on September 12
The National Register is the Federal Government's official list o..
The City of Frederick Parks and Rec will be hosting two public meetings to present the concept plans for redesign at Hill Street Park and Mullinix Park
These plans have been shaped by your valuable input from earlier this year.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s East 3rd Street Park (252 East 3rd Street
MD 21701) will be closed from September 16th - September 20th
We appreciate your patience as we work to keep our park safe and..
in collaboration with the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) and Attain Sports
owner of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft League Frederick Keys
is embarking on a project to design and construct renovations to Harry Grove Stadium..
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the opening of Canterbury Station Dog Park
Canterbury Station Dog Park is the city&amp;rsquo;s third dog park
joining the Bentz Street Dog Park and Kel..
The City of Frederick offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday
Please see below for a list of holiday service changes:
The City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will conduct a site visit on September 12th at 4:45 PM at the Winchester House
This visit is part of the Commission&amp;apos;s review process for the propo..
The application for annexation of the Christoff Property and the application for annexation of the Winpenny Tell Property originally scheduled for tonight&amp;apos;s
August 15th regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen have been rescheduled to ..
The Historic Preservation Commission will be conducting a site visit at Overlook East
located at 423 East Patrick Street on August 26
The purpose of the site visit is to view the historic rehabilitation of the existing structure and wil..
the District Court of Maryland for Frederick County granted the City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s motion for a temporary restraining order against Ryan Weinstein and two associated LLCs
each defendant having an interest in the property loc..
The Frederick Municipal Airport is thrilled to announce the second annual &quot;Frederick Festival of Flight,&quot; a community aviation event that promises an exciting day for aviation enthusiasts and the general public alike
Filming for a production will involve a City of Frederick Street and sidewalk in downtown Frederick on Saturday August 10th
Court Street between West Church and West Patrick
near the FSK Apartments will be closed from 1:00pm &amp;ndash; 8:00pm
The City of Frederick&amp;apos;s Department of Public Works announces that M
under the direction of the Department of Public Works
will be resurfacing Hayward Road from Thomas Johnson Drive to Arrowhead Drive
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the completion of repairs to the City Hall Board Room
the building is reopened to the general public
and all public meetings will be hosted in the City Hall Board Room
To make composting more accessible to members of the community
the City of Frederick is pleased to announce a new Community Compost Drop-off Site.&amp;nbsp;
This will provide residents living in apartments within the City of Frederick the ability to drop ..
The City Planning Department is proud to announce that the following applications will become available online through the OpenGov portal beginning Wednesday
&amp;middot; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;Historic Preservation Commissi..
A&amp;nbsp;Heat&amp;nbsp;Advisory&amp;nbsp;is in effect from 11 a.m
The City of Frederick is offering its Community Table at 100 S
Market Street as a Cooling Center for residents who need to get&amp;nbsp;out of the heat sta..
The City of Frederick is excited to announce the launch of a new grant opportunity through the Department of Economic Development
called &quot;ACCESS GRANTED,&quot; is specifically designed to support and empower small minority
The survey offers residents the opportunity to weigh in on several areas
from funding local infrastructure projec..
The City of Frederick recently announced the launch of a comprehensive lead service line inventory initiative as part of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe Independence Day on Thursday
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor held a Pride Month briefing
where he reflected on the previous efforts made by The City of Frederick and announced a series of ongoing initiatives to support the LGBTQ+ communities
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Collard as the new Deputy Director of Planning for The City of Frederick
Gabrielle brings over 20 years of experience in urban planning to her new role
Shraddha Praharaj Named Among Institute of Transportation Engineers 2024 Young Leaders to Follow
The City of Frederick is thrilled to announce the inclusion of transportation engineer Shraddha Praharaj in the 2024 class of the Young Leaders to Follow progr..
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe Juneteenth on Wednesday
Due to continued work inside City Hall to remediate flooding damage
City Hall will remain closed to the public until further notice
with the exception of the finance window.&amp;nbsp;
All public meetings will continue to be held at the City&amp;rsquo;s A..
The Department of Housing and Human Services&amp;nbsp;is&amp;nbsp;participating&amp;nbsp;in the Summer&amp;nbsp;Food Service&amp;nbsp;Program.&amp;nbsp;Meals will be provided to all children without charge.&amp;nbsp;Acceptance and participation requiremen..
the June 10th Planning Commission Meeting will be held in Conference Room C of the Annex Building at 140 W
Sustainability for Historic Preservation Commissions&amp;nbsp;with Frederick Stachura from the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions
the building will be closed to visitors for the remainder of this week
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen Workshop on June 5 and the Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Hearing on June 6 have b..
The City of Frederick Department of Housing and Human Services is pleased to invite community members to participate in a public meeting regarding the Program Year (PY) 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan as well as Substantia..
The Historic Preservation Commission virtual training session scheduled on May 30th at 6PM will be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances
The new date for the training will be announced in the near future.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s residential compost pilot project has significantly reduced landfill waste
with more than 1,100 participating residents and 574,670 pounds of organic materials diverted from landfills
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe Memorial Day on Monday
Please see below for a list of service changes
Due to a brief delay needed to make necessary safety enhancements
the City of Frederick&amp;apos;s Diggs and Thomas Swimming Pools will now open on June 1
The City of Frederick is committed to providing safe and accessible recreational amenities for all ..
The City of Frederick wishes to inform the public of a change in the schedule for an upcoming Mayor and Board of Aldermen workshop
which was originally set to take place on May 15
The City of Frederick Taxicab Commission has forty-four (44) taxicab permits available.&amp;nbsp;
A person wishing to obtain a new taxicab permit must submit to the Taxicab Administrative Agency
Traffic Advisory: Monroe Avenue Closure&amp;nbsp;
The Dog Park located at 212 Carroll Parkway
from 7:30 AM to 2 PM for mulching and maintenance
The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a virtual training session on May 30th at 6PM
titled HPC201: Sustainability for Historic Preservation Commissions
is being provided in partnership with the Maryland Association for Historic Di..
The main switchboard for the City Department of Public Works will be without phone service on Sunday April 28th between 7 a.m
Residents are encouraged to use the online &amp;ldquo;I Want to Report&amp;rdquo; forms to submit non-emergency issue..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor announced a series of initiatives aimed at supporting our youth and reaffirming our commitment to creating a community where every child feels supported
The announcements highlight how The City is c..
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for membership on the newly established Re-entry Advisory Coalition
The coalition seeks to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders including agency partners at loca..
The City of Frederick Department of Housing and Human Services is pleased to announce new extended hours of operation for its Community Health Center beginning May 6
These extended hours aim to provide more flexibility and convenience for the commu..
The City of Frederick Department of Parks and Recreation invites the community to a fun-filled Spring Open House and Earth Day Celebration on Saturday
from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Baker Park and the William Talley Recreation Center - 121 N Ben..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor will be holding a press briefing this afternoon to announce an update in The City&amp;rsquo;s efforts to reduce vacant and blighted properties
The City of Frederick Board of Aldermen is scheduled to deliberate on three charter changes proposed by the Charter Review Committee during its session scheduled for Wednesday
The meeting will take place in the City Hall Board R..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor has requested a Closed Session on Thursday
Mayor O&amp;rsquo;Connor will request a vote of the Aldermen to convene in Closed Session at City Hall.?&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick today has announced its recovery from a phishing and wire fraud attack in November 2023
orchestrated by unidentified perpetrators posing as a legitimate city vendor
led to the fraudulent transfer of approximate..
The City of Frederick Department of Housing and Human Services is coming to your neighborhood this Spring!&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Starting in April 2024
and Program Staff will be bringing health ser..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor has requested a Closed Session on Wednesday
2024 at the conclusion of the Mayor and Board Workshop
&amp;nbsp;Mayor O&amp;rsquo;Connor will request a vote of the Aldermen to convene in Closed Session at City Hal..
The City of Frederick Department of Parks and Recreation will be holding community meetings to discuss the redesign of Hill Street Park (100 Hill Street
MD 21701) and Mullinix Park (16 South Bentz Street
in collaboration with The City of Frederick and Sports Facilities Advisory
is excited to announce a series of public meetings to gather community input on the Action Plan for the Westside Regional Park in Frede..
Mayor O&amp;rsquo;Connor will request a vote of the Aldermen to convene in Closed Session at City Hall
This action is in accordance with the authority..
at 6pm at the Talley Recreation Center - Classroom A
the City of Frederick will be hosting a workshop about the Jefferson Street Redesign study
a set of draft proposals covering all of..
Reason for closure: Road widening, curb work, and installation of a traffic signal at Yellow Springs Road/Tuscanney Drive intersection.Lane to be closed: Southbound Yellow Springs Road center lane closed between north of Old Farm Drive and 500 feet south ...<a id="newsFlashReadOn_7508"aria-labelledby="alertTitle_7508 newsFlashReadOn_7508"class="more" href="/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7508">Read on...</a>
The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a virtual training session on March 19th at 6PM
is being provided in partnership with the Maryland Association for Historic District Commissions
The Historic Preservation Commission Public Hearing and Workshop scheduled for March 14
will be cancelled due to the lack of quorum.&amp;nbsp;
All cases that were scheduled will be moved to the March 28th public hearing and workshop.&amp;nbsp;
Applicant: &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;..
Several residents and businesses may experience water service interruptions due to urgent repairs stemming from a major water main break Thursday morning
The main break and affected infrastructure is in the area of 7th Street
The City of Frederick Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to announce upcoming court renovations at Overlook Park
The playing courts at Overlook Park will be closed to the public starting on Mo..
The meeting will take place in the City Hall Boar..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor announced a comprehensive series of initiatives focused on honoring the legacy of the Black community
and promoting a future of inclusivity and equality this week
&amp;nbsp;Mayor O&amp;rsquo;Connor will request a vote of the Aldermen to convene in Closed Session at City Hall
Update: The snow emergency will be lifted at 6 AM February 17
&amp;ndash; Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor has declared a SNOW EMERGENCY in The City of Frederick in anticipation of forecasted winter weather
The City of Frederick Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking public feedback on the redesign of Hill Street Park and Mullinix Park
Feedback from the community will be carefully considered and is critical to the redesign process
The City of Frederick is excited to announce two upcoming town hall meetings to discuss updates on the City&amp;rsquo;s budget
These meetings will provide an opportunity for community ..
Tax-paying property owners may apply for a credit equal to 25% of the properly documented expenditures incurred during 2023 for exterior work that contributes to the restoration or preservation of a structure designated by the City of Frederick as a Histo..
DPW crews are responding to a major water main break on 7th Street
7th Street will be closed from Fairview Avenue to Toll House Avenue for the foreseeable future as crews work to repair the main
Commuters should attempt to find alternate routes
The City of Frederick is experiencing a phone outage
The Frederick Police Department non-emergency phone line and Department of Public Works switchboard are among the lines through which residents are currently unable to reach the City.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick at all times is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our community members
the City is operating under the activated Frederick County Freezing Weather Plan
a collaborative effort involving key partners ..
It is with a heavy heart that I extend my sincerest condolences to the family
and constituents of the late Alderwoman Marcia Hall
Marcia&amp;apos;s passing is a profound loss for our community
as she was not only a dedicated public servant but..
The City of Frederick is experiencing a temporary issue affecting the city&amp;apos;s website
particularly the public meeting calendar and the ability to view public meeting agendas and watch previous public meetings at cityoffrederickmd.gov/publicmeetin..
The City of Frederick is closely monitoring reports from the National Weather Service
which indicate the likelihood of inclement weather characterized by heavy rains and strong winds
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Collard as Acting Deputy Director for Planning
A seasoned urban planning professional with an impressive 20-year career
Collard brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her ..
The City of Frederick is pleased to share significant investments Gov
Wes Moore announced for projects in The City of Frederick that will drive economic growth and community development
These seven state revitalization programs administered by the Maryl..
The&amp;nbsp;City of Frederick&amp;nbsp;is proud to announce the launch of its new online portal,&amp;nbsp;powered by&amp;nbsp;OpenGov&amp;nbsp;Permitting &amp; Licensing,&amp;nbsp;aimed at enhancing resident services by streamlining and expediting the pe..
After an illustrious career spanning 35 years of dedicated service to the community
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s Deputy Director of Planning Joe Adkins announced his intention to retire effective Dec
The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s Sustainability Committee meeting scheduled for Dec
has been moved to a virtual meeting.&amp;nbsp;
Residents interested in attending the meeting are able to call in on the Microsoft Teams meeting numb..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor issued the following statement in response to reports that critical City transportation projects may be defunded in the state&amp;rsquo;s transportation plan.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick is excited to announce the hiring of Stephanie Chaiken as the new Manager of the Weinberg Center for the Arts
Chaiken brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the arts
and the City of Frederick is eager to welcome her as..
The City of Frederick is excited to announce the participation of Frederick’s Department of Housing and Human Services as a host site for the inaugural class of Service Year Option and Maryland Corps members
a partnership with the Maryland Department of ..
the much-awaited turkey distribution event hosted by the City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s Department of Housing and Human Services&amp;nbsp;in partnership with the Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland - Frederick ha..
The City of Frederick&amp;apos;s Charter Review Committee is pleased to announce the release of the Charter Review Committee&amp;apos;s draft report
a crucial step in the ongoing process to review and recommend changes to the city&amp;apos;s governing do..
Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor has requested a Closed Session on Monday
A prescribed burn is scheduled to take place in the City Watershed property off Fishing Creek Road from Nov
The purpose is to restore specific tree species
The prescribed burn will reduce the duff layer
The City&amp;rsquo;s newly-formed Technical Code Appeals Board is currently seeking interested individuals to fill vacancies for a 3-year term
The Technical Code Appeals Board meets as needed to hear disputes relating to the City&amp;rsquo;s Codes coveri..
the Department of Housing and Human Services in The City of Frederick is proud to announce a day of community engagement
Weatherization Day is an annual nationwide i..
The Division of Planning is publishing the Second draft of the East Street Form-Based Code for public review and to get feedback from the community.&amp;nbsp;
<a href="https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1584/Form-Based-Code">https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1584/Form-Based-Code</a>
The City of Frederick Department of Public Works is excited to host its upcoming Freecycle Roundup event
This community initiative invites City residents to participate in an environmentally ..
The elevator in the Court Street parking garage is undergoing repairs and will be out of order until Monday Oct
The garage remains and accessible to the public through the stairs
Mayor Michael O&amp;apos;Connor and Chief of Police Jason Lando have issued the following statements regarding ongoing violence between Hamas and Israel in the Middle East.&amp;nbsp;
The City of Frederick Planning Commission will host a Special Planning Commission Meeting scheduled for October 17th
to discuss the mixed-use master plan for development of the Brickworks Property
The City of Frederick&amp;apos;s Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS) is excited to announce the return of its Annual Community Engagement Summit
This event will take place at New Spires Art (15 W
The City of Frederick Department of Housing and Human Services is thrilled to announce the grand opening celebration of the Frederick Food Bank at Trinity
an expansion of food and nutrition services aimed at supporting individuals and families in need
The City of Frederick seeking resident input in shaping the legislative priorities that will guide the City&amp;apos;s future
This process aims to understand the collective desires of the community for projects and policies the State of Maryland could as..
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the establishment of an online portal for landlords to register rental properties to prepare for the launch of the Rental Licensing Ordinance
an initiative aimed at ensuring safe housing for all renters in Fre..
there will be a 15-minute delay to this evening&amp;rsquo;s planning commission meeting
The meeting will still be viewable on cable Channel 99 once it begins
The City of Frederick is delighted to announce a significant step forward in its commitment to promoting racial equity and fostering inclusivity
The City has been granted membership to the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
The City of Frederick has announced several service changes and closures in observation of Labor Day on Monday
City Offices Closure:&amp;nbsp;All City of Frederick offices will remain closed on Monday
Mayor Michael O&amp;apos;Connor cordially invites residents
and community members to tune in and participate in the upcoming State of the City of Frederick Address Tuesday
This annual event will provide an opportunity for resi..
The City of Frederick is proud to announce the launch of its residential compost pilot project beginning August 21
This program seeks to reduce waste in the city
and create new opportunities for composting.&amp;nbsp;..
The City of Frederick is excited to announce the installation of several electric vehicle charging stations.&amp;nbsp;
the City selected three sites for electric vehicle charging stations
A lane closure will be in effect on East Patrick Street between Monocacy Boulevard and approximately 700 feet of Monocacy Boulevard for several days as storm drain work is conducted.&amp;nbsp;
The storm drain work is expected to begin at 9 a.m
The City of Frederick is excited to announce the launch of its new easy-to-use bill pay service for residents.&amp;nbsp;
creates increased efficiencies and better customer service to residents by allowing them to pay how
The City of Frederick is aware of a recent increase in&amp;nbsp;rodent activity in several neighborhoods.&amp;nbsp;In response,&amp;nbsp;Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor&amp;nbsp;is announcing&amp;nbsp;a comprehensive strategy to address concerns&amp;nbsp..
A severe weather alert and tornado watch has been issued for much of The City of Frederick until 9 p.m
Please take appropriate precautions as wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible this evening
significantly increasing the risk of tornadoe..
The Ad-hoc Charter Review Committee for The City of Frederick will meet Thursday
2023 as it moves its deliberations to the preliminary recommendation stages.&amp;nbsp;
the Ad-hoc Charter Review Committee has spent the past eig..
The 2023 Annual Best Places to Work award winners were recognized recently at a reception at the Downtown Community Room at the ERUCC
and nine Frederick businesses proved why they came out on top for their specific ..
The Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) Foodbank is requesting donations
The Foodbank recently expanded services and donations are needed to meet the growing need for services in our community
The City of Frederick and Frederick County shared a new Frederick County Public Libraries branch will be built at Hillcrest Park
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and Mayor Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor of The City of Fre..
Work to widen Gas House Pike at the intersection with Monocacy Boulevard is scheduled to begin Monday
resulting in some traffic changes for residents.&amp;nbsp;
Gas House Pike between Monocacy Boulevard and Helix Way will be closed for appr..
The Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS)
is pleased to announce the availability of one (1) opening for a full-time AmeriCorps Member to serve at the DHHS
The City of Frederick Engineering Department continues to take public input on the Motter Avenue and 13th Street traffic engineering proposal.&amp;nbsp;
The public comment period remains open until July 9th
Residents who have not already commented are enc..
The Leadership Award is presented to organizations that have shown a strong commitment to the implementation of sustainable practices
and the continual improvement of environmental performance
along with the Maryland State Police and Frederick County Sheriff&amp;rsquo;s Office
are currently investigating a commercial burglary series that has been occurring since May
The suspect in this case has been targeting ..
As part of the Workshop series to present the first draft of the East Street Form-Based Code and to discuss different aspects of the Code and to get feedback from the community
the Division of Planning is holding the Second Workshop at The City Hall boar..
Contractors will be onsite at Monocacy Village Park for several weeks to perform initial topographical surveys
and other assessments in preparation for a stream restoration project
This project is an extension of the Motter Aven..
AM Liner East will continue rehabbing sanitary sewer mainlines in two locations in the City this week
June 12 and Tuesday June 13 crews will be working in the 100 block of W South Street
Expect the closure of the left lane on South St
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe Juneteenth on Monday
and some service schedules will change.&amp;nbsp;
Continuing its efforts to combat speeding in The City of Frederick through traffic calming measures
The City of Frederick Engineering Department is presenting a concept proposal for improvements at the Motter Avenue and West 13th Street and Fairview Aven..
The City of Frederick will welcome thousands of people to downtown for the annual Frederick Pride.&amp;nbsp;
To accommodate crowds that will be traveling along Carroll Creek Linear Park for the duration of the event
contractor AM Liner East will begin rehabbing sewer mainlines throughout the City
The sewer work will result in some parking disruption and road closures.&amp;nbsp;
The work will occur June 5-9 with the following timeline:
Work to resurface New Design Road from South Market Street to the U.S
resulting in some lane closures.&amp;nbsp;
will last from June 1 to approximately June 15
The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the release of the public draft of its first comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan
The City will be kicking off its public outreach with an open house on May 30 at 6:00 pm a..
After more than 17 years of service to The City of Frederick&amp;rsquo;s theater&amp;nbsp;community,&amp;nbsp;Weinberg Center for the Arts and New Spire Arts Executive Theater Manager John Healey&amp;nbsp;announced this week his intent to retire in Septem..
Mayor&amp;nbsp;Michael O&amp;rsquo;Connor is pleased to announce his amended FY2024 budget
which commits further investment into City park&amp;nbsp;facilities,&amp;nbsp;community&amp;nbsp;safety,&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;quality of life,&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nb..
The City of Frederick is working to approve a potential filming project in the vicinity of Baughman&amp;rsquo;s Lane and Rosemont Avenue from Monday
The filming activity will not impede traffic
The Water Department has scheduled a water shutoff on Hughes Ford Road between Bucheimer Road and Monocacy Boulevard from Sunday
This shutdown is necessary for the Water Departme..
The Water Department has scheduled a water shutoff for the 200 block of E
This temporary interruption is required to replace the water main service line
The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for February 25th has been cancelled
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause
please contact Jennifer Van de Griek at 301-600-6276
The Water Department announces a scheduled water service interruption for the 8th Street Court Apartments
This planned disruption will occur on Tuesday
This approval stems from Resolution 24-20 passed by the City Council in Se..
The&amp;nbsp;Water&amp;nbsp;Department has a scheduled&amp;nbsp;water&amp;nbsp;turnoff for Upper East Apartments
The City of Frederick offices will be closed to observe Presidents Day on Monday
the City of Frederick has announced the following service adjustments for residents:
The City of Frederick is announcing several changes to public meetings and services due to forecasted inclement weather.&amp;nbsp;
the Public Art and Parks and Recreation Commission meetings have been moved to virt..
the City of Frederick will submit a request to the U.S
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act..
Below are some quick facts about the upcoming Election in the City of Frederick. If you would like more information, be sure to visit <a data-fr-linked="true" href="https://frederickmd.gov/elections" style="background-color: initial; transition: color 333ms cubic-bezier(0.45, 0.45, 0.45, 1), background-color 333ms cubic-bezier(0.45, 0.45, 0.45, 1); color: rgb(11, 84, 134); user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="">https://frederickmd.gov/elections</a>
The City of Frederick has five voting districts
The City of Frederick is home to many federal employees and contractors
and we support all residents and their families impacted by changes in federal employment
including job reductions and shifts in federal funding
Summer Fun with Play Frederick!Explore our exciting range of summer camps
Registration is OPEN so sign up today and..
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 1100 block of Key Parkway
officers located two adult male victims suffering from gunshot wounds...
Several groups gathered throughout the City of Frederick on Thursday evening to exercise their First Amendment rights
The Frederick Police Department monitored these events to ensure the safety of all involved
Most participants demonstrated peacefully a..
The City of Frederick will welcome thousands of runners and visitors during the annual Frederick Running Festival
the event is expected to bring significant traffic impacts
The Frederick Police Department is proud to release its 2024 Annual Report
a comprehensive look at the department’s commitment to public safety
and community engagement over the past year
FPD responded to 83,274&amp;nbsp;calls for s..
officers responded to 28 separate burglaries at newly constructed homes nearing completion
These incidents occurred throughout the City of Frederick on weekends when construction crews were off for multiple days
The Frederick Police Department is proud to introduce GoodSAM
web-based technology designed to improve public safety and emergency response
First integrated into FPD&amp;rsquo;s operations on February 1
The Frederick Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of Lieutenant Kacie Strong from the prestigious School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety
Strong&amp;rsquo;s successful completion..
officers responded to reports of graffiti at several locations along N
affecting both private businesses and city property
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Opossumtown Pike for a reported theft in progress at a local business
after a Frederick County grand jury indicted him on several charges related to a sexual assault investigation.&amp;nbsp;Dr
who has been in practice as an internist and primary care d..
The Frederick Police Department is proud to highlight the outstanding success of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program
which has significantly reduced calls for service involving low-level offenses since its launch in 2022
The Frederick Police Department is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated annual Fire in Ice event
This weekend-long celebration will bring thousands of residents and visitors to Downtown Frederick for a spectacular display of winter fu..
officers responded to a reported shooting in the area of Steiner Way in Frederick
officers located a juvenile victim who had sustained a non-life-threatening injury
The Frederick Police Department is urging all road users—pedestrians
and drivers—to remain vigilant amid a rise in pedestrian-related vehicle crashes.&amp;nbsp;While safety is a shared responsibility
On November 16, 2024, the Frederick Police Department responded to a situation involving an individual experiencing a mental health crisis in the 300 block of W. Seventh Street. &amp;nbsp;Responding officers were assisted by members of the Crisis Response...<a id="newsFlashReadOn_7723"aria-labelledby="alertTitle_7723 newsFlashReadOn_7723"class="more" href="/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7723">Read on...</a>
The Frederick High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) group
comprising members from the Frederick Police Department
The Frederick Police Department reminds residents and visitors of road closures and parking restrictions for the annual Kris Kringle Parade on Friday
This Frederick tradition brings festive spirit and holiday cheer to downtown but will..
after receiving a tip from a security company contracted by a local church
Frederick Police officers took steps to help secure a community event in response to safety concerns
The security team notified officers that ..
members of the Frederick Police Department&amp;apos;s Tactical Investigations Unit (TIU)
in collaboration with the Special Response Team (SRT) and partner agencies
executed a search warrant at the apartment of Leonard Anthony Morris..
Detective DeWees of the Frederick Police Department began an investigation involving internet crimes against children (ICAC)
The suspect in the investigation was identified as
officers from the Frederick Police Department were patrolling the area of E Church Street and Market Street when they heard a firearm discharge
Officers quickly responded to the intersection of N Market Stre..
officers of the Frederick Police Department responded to the area of the Orchard Way and Apple Way for a vehicle crash with injury involving a motorcycle
Frederick Police officers responded to a report of a vehicle theft and child abduction in the 1700 block of Harvest Drive in Frederick
The City of Frederick will experience a planned power outage on Thursday
as Potomac Edison conducts upgrades to the underground electrical system near the Court Street Parking Garage
Frederick Police officers were dispatched to a domestic violence incident in the 1000 block of Heather Ridge Drive
Responding officers were provided with the description of a male suspect who fled the scene
Officers received information from another law enforcement agency that a subject
was possibly traveling to Frederick with a substantial amount of illegal narcotics
Patrol officers observed a gray Dodge Challenger ..
Frederick Police officers responded to the 5700 block of Butterfly Lane for a report of a hit-and-run incident
officers were notified that a vehicle had struck two parked cars before fleein..
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to a weapons complaint in the 100 block of West Patrick Street in Frederick
officers located a victim who reported being confronted by an agitated ..
The Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s Tactical Investigations Unit (TIU) made an arrest and drug seizure following an ongoing investigation into drug distribution activities
Rickilynn Nicole Dyer was apprehended after a traffic ..
officers of the Frederick Police Department responded to 1000 Heather Ridge Drive
they located an adult male victim with apparent gunshot wounds...
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the area of the East All Saints St parking garage
officers located an adult male who had sustained a gunshot wo..
Update:&amp;nbsp;This press release has been revised to include information on two additional shooting incidents that occurred in Frederick on the night of August 9, 2024.On Friday, August 9, 2024, at approximately 10:05 p.m., officers from the Frederick ...<a id="newsFlashReadOn_7655"aria-labelledby="alertTitle_7655 newsFlashReadOn_7655"class="more" href="/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7655">Read on...</a>
FREDERICK, Md. (August 2, 2024)&amp;nbsp;&amp;ndash; On Thursday Evening August 1, 2024, just before midnight, Deputies were dispatched in attempt to locate a 45-year-old adult male wanted on a Felony Warrant out of Beaver County Pennsylvania for Child Se...<a id="newsFlashReadOn_7645"aria-labelledby="alertTitle_7645 newsFlashReadOn_7645"class="more" href="/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7645">Read on...</a>
The Frederick Police Department has identified and arrested a subject on sex offense and child abuse charges
was assigned an investigation regarding a sex offense that occu..
The City of Frederick and the Frederick Police Department are excited to announce their participation in the Annual National Night Out event on Tuesday
This nationwide initiative brings communities together to strengthen police-community ..
The Frederick Police Department will be appearing in the television documentary series On Patrol: Live
On Patrol: Live airs Friday and Saturday Nights from 9 p.m
The Frederick Police Department is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the&amp;nbsp;28th Citizens Police Academy
This seven-week course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the functions a..
The Frederick Police Department is proud to announce the release of its 2023 Annual Report
This comprehensive document highlights the department&amp;apos;s achievements
and strategic advancements over the past year
The City of Frederick is gearing up to host its annual PRIDE Celebration and Festival this Saturday
from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Carroll Creek Linear Park
This highly anticipated event is expected to draw thousands of attendees downtown to..
detectives from the Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s Major Crimes Unit
along with members of the US Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force
apprehended three additional suspects connected to the murder of Limber Lopez Fune..
The Frederick Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of its 67th Academy Class
at the Frederick Community College JBK Theater
where twelve student officers representing three law enforcement ag..
officers from the Frederick Police Department's Tactical Investigation Unit (TIU)
operating within the Baltimore Washington High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force
initiated an investigation into William Joseph Jones Jr
The Frederick Police Department is proud to announce the release of our new strategic plan
outlining key goals and objectives for the fiscal years 2024-2027
This comprehensive plan reflects the department&amp;apos;s commitment to serving and protecting ..
REMINDER: Due to the Frederick Running Festival Half-Marathon there will be limited travel throughout the City this morning
The Frederick Police Department is pleased to announce the upcoming Frederick Running Festival
This annual event draws over 4,000 participants
officers of the Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s Patrol Squad-A were dispatched to the 900 block of W
Patrick Street in response to a reported domestic violence incident
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to a business in the 200 block of N
Market St following reports from an employee who discovered bullet holes in the rear of the establishment
officers of the Frederick Police Department were dispatched to the 1300 block of Hampshire Drive
During the initial investigation it was determined that two individu..
The Frederick Police Department is proud to announce the successful re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
an achievement that recognizes the department&amp;apos;s commitment to excellence and continuous ..
the Frederick Police Department received anonymous tips regarding alleged illegal prostitution activities occurring at several massage parlors in Frederick City
Detective Sharpe of the Frederick Police Department collaborated wi..
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to the 300 block of Ballenger Center Drive
Frederick for a reported domestic disturbance and robbery in progress
Corporal Sara Leishear of the Frederick Police Department has been honored with the Valor Award from the MD
DC Moose Association for her exceptional courage and selflessness during a life-threatening situation
The Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s Crash Reconstruction Team is investigating a fatal injury crash
officers from the Frederick Police Department&amp;apos;s Patrol Division responded to ..
The Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s Major Crimes Unit is investigating a stabbing death
officers of the Frederick Police Department responded to the area of the Mount Olivet Cemetery
detectives with the Major Crimes Unit arrested Jeffrey Whitney Bryan Jr for the murder of Tayquan Palmer
officers with the Frederick Police Department responded to the 100 Block of W All Saints Street for a shooting t..
the Frederick Police Department responded to a reported firearm discharge in the vicinity of N
an officer with FPD's Patrol Squad D was conducting a patrol check in the 400 Block of Waverly Drive in Frederick
This patrol check was initiated based on information obtained by officers regarding a wante..
The Frederick Police Department is dedicated to maintaining accountability and transparency in all matters
particularly in critical incidents involving our agency
we are releasing the body-worn camera footage associated with ..
several members of our Frederick Police family came together to support Officers Snyder and Kowalsky and their families at the sentencing for Dominique Lamarr Lewis
the suspect who shot both of these brave officers on&amp;nbsp;February 11,&amp;a..
the Frederick Police Department would like to remind residents about the importance of adhering to Snow Emergency Parking Regulations
As snowfall may affect the normal flow of traffic
The Frederick Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of the 66th Police Academy class
representing seven law enforcement agencies
The Frederick Police Department is set to provide road closure assistance during the upcoming Mountain City Elks Lodge 100th Anniversary Parade
This year&amp;apos;s parade route has been expanded to mar..
On July 7, 2023, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen amended Section 13-14 of the Frederick City Code regarding overweight through vehicles. The <a href="https://library.municode.com/md/frederick/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1225695">amended ordinance</a> prohibits commercial motor vehicles
as defined by &amp;sect; 16-803 of the Maryland Transportat..
Two automated speed monitoring systems have been installed on the Eastbound and Westbound lanes of Christophers Crossing at Fieldstone Way and Sawmill Court
The implementation of these systems aims to improve road safety and reduce speeding violations
The Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s Major Crimes Unit has charged a juvenile male in the October shooting death of a 14-year-old
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to 90 Waverley Drive
officers with the Frederick Police Department&amp;rsquo;s patrol squad A made an arrest of a Frederick man in possession of a handgun
Gerand along with several other officers from FPD patrol squad A were di..
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to a report of a man firing shots inside his residence in the 2600 block of Monocacy Ford Road.&amp;nbsp;
Additional information indicated that the man&amp;..
officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to the 200 Block of N
Market Street for reports of a shooting.&amp;nbsp;
After arriving officers quickly determined a fight had broken out in the establishm..
What CITY SPORTS FIELDS CLOSED means &amp;ndash; All City leased fields
&amp;nbsp;No one is to use the fields when closed
&amp;nbsp;If it is found that a permitted league is using a ..
took a scary turn when a slithery surprise emerged from the water
Roxanne Flanagan thought it would be fun to take the kids to the beach town this past weekend for Springfest
As they were hanging out on the beach on Saturday
Roxanne's daughter yelled that she saw a snake
but I walked over and it was moving," said Flanagan
Roxanne grabbed her phone and took pictures and video of the slithery guest
She said she will not be going in the ocean anytime soon
Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff were not on-site
but did tell the Scripps News Group in Baltimore that
it appears to be an eastern hog-nosed snake
It's a native species that likes habitats with sandy soil and isn't dangerous to the public
Ocean City Animal Control responded to the scene and confirmed it was an eastern hog-nosed snake and said that it was relocated
<a class="Link" href="https://www.wmar2news.com/local/slithering-seaside-sighting-startles-ocean-city-beachgoers-as-snake-emerges-from-the-waves" data-cms-ai="0">This story was originally published by Siobhan Garrett with the Scripps News Group in Baltimore.</a>
Ocean City's historic Boardwalk — a place to admire the cresting waves
strap in for exhilarating rollercoaster rides and toss french fries to an incoming flock of squawking seagulls
Since its official inception in 1902 — when the simple
wooden walkway was created solely for the convenience of hotel guests — the Boardwalk continues to be once of the most sought-after destinations on Maryland's Eastern Shore
the Boardwalk stretched just half a mile and was wide enough to fit 'four persons abreast,' " said Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum Assistant Curator Cara Downey
it was illuminated for the first time by self-regulating oil lamps
capable of burning for up to 20 hours," Downey said
making note of a Boardwalk much different to the one beachgoers know of today
FUN OCEAN CITY, MD., HISTORY: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/08/30/ocean-citys-hidden-treasures-get-new-spotlight-from-author-bunk-mann/70698416007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>Explore Ocean City's hidden treasures with local author Bunk Mann</a>
the Boardwalk was rolled up like a blanket and then stored on hotel porches
a storm would take the town by surprise and wipe out the Boardwalk
The resulting destruction led to many rebuilding efforts through the years
Local author and history buff Bunk Mann, who, through his three books — <a href=https://vanishingoc.com/ data-type=link data-id=https://vanishingoc.com/>"Vanishing Ocean City," "Ghosts in the Surf" and "Ocean City Chronicles"</a> — shines a spotlight on the historic resort town of Ocean City
has accumulated an extensive knowledge of the Boardwalk over time
"(The Boardwalk) would be completely wiped out in these storms," Mann said
After one of Ocean City's most memorable storms to date — the Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane of August 1933
which is credited with the creation of the Inlet — the town adopted a storm protection project to avoid future destruction
OCEAN CITY'S MUSIC FESTIVALS: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2025/04/10/behind-the-scenes-look-at-ocmds-oceans-calling-country-calling-fest/82972843007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>How Ocean City was transformed into music festival hotbed: A behind the scenes look</a>
According to <a href=https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/engineering/beach-replenishment/ data-type=link data-id=https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/engineering/beach-replenishment/>oceancitymd.gov</a>
along with the State of Maryland and Worcester County
accepted responsibility for operation and maintenance of the completed Atlantic Coast of Maryland Storm Protection Project in 1994
The storm protection project consists of the Beach Replenishment program
along with the seawall along the boardwalk
although not the most eye-catching structure to line the Boardwalk
Seawalls are a form of coastal defense erected in order to protect humans
towns and businesses from the sea during hurricanes
"There will probably never be another storm that destroys the Boardwalk now because of the seawall," Mann said
BOARDWALK TRAM'S ABSENCE: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2024/11/18/oceanwill-ocean-city-tram-return-in-2025-after-fatal-accident-a-look-aheadcitys-tram-unlikely-to-ret/76333539007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>Ocean City's Boardwalk tram won't return in summer 2025 after fatal collision</a>
a raised platform offering shade to beachgoers to
the 3-mile-long playground and commercial business hotbed it is today
the Boardwalk has undergone numerous changes and expansions
from rebuilding after storms to adopting a new concrete look
is that the Ocean City Boardwalk is the enduring heart of the community," Downey said
Ocean City's 150th Anniversary — a year-long celebration in honor of the town's extensive history and beloved community — is currently underway
The milestone is being commemorated with exciting events and monthly initiatives to engage the community and visitors alike
are taking place on none other than the Boardwalk
OCEAN CITY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2025/04/22/ocmd-to-host-inaugural-seafood-festival-with-live-music-cooking-demos/83198112007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>Ocean City, Md., to debut its inaugural seafood festival featuring cooking demos this fall</a>
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at <a href=mailto:ominzola@delmarvanow.com target=_blank rel="noreferrer noopener">ominzola@delmarvanow.com</a>
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Join the Environmental Health News community
State officials discovered toxic “forever chemicals” in wastewater at a Perdue AgriBusiness facility in Salisbury
but nearby residents weren’t informed until nearly a year later
<a href="ttps://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/food-drink/perdue-forever-chemicals-salisbury-water-contamination-STHKHW4KWRFYVCIN7OL5C5TMTQ/" target="_blank">Matti Gellman reports for The Baltimore Banner.</a>
“I really think that after the testing MDE should have said
Exposure to <a href="https://www.ehn.org/what-are-pfas" target="_blank">PFAS</a> is linked to serious health problems, <a href="https://www.ehn.org/pfas-firefighting-foam-cancer" target="_blank">including cancers</a>
and reproductive and immune system disruption
Because the chemicals can travel through groundwater and accumulate in living organisms
The fact that PFAS have been found near farms and homes in Salisbury
underscores how quickly and silently contamination can spread
Despite growing scientific consensus on the danger
regulation lags — especially for private wells and industrial wastewater
hand-picked by our editors and researchers
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Nonprofit organizations MADE SAFE and Plastic Pollution Coalition released the new <a href="https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/healthypregnancyguide" target="_blank" title="Healthy Pregnancy Guide">Healthy Pregnancy Guide</a>to help parents-to-be navigate the challenges of making healthier living choices for babies and the planet
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If you're caught using a leaf blower in one part of Maryland
If you&#8217;re caught using a gas-powered leaf blower in one part of Maryland
Gas-powered leaf blowers were banned in January in Annapolis
And if you see someone using a gas-powered leaf blower
Annapolis officials say don&#8217;t confront them
There are already bans in <a href="https://www.wbal.com/baltimore-city-council-approves-ban-on-gas-powered-leaf-blowers">Baltimore City</a> and Montgomery County
and the flagship stations for the Baltimore Ravens
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Following last weekend's NFL Draft, the <a target=_blank href=https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/nfl/teams/kansas-city-chiefs/339 data-autotag=e91367c2-d7b8-4bec-9359-95947acd6b0e>Kansas City Chiefs</a> are signing several undrafted players from their board who have the potential to make the team and contribute in the upcoming season
appearing in 11 games and starting nine in 2024
He finished his senior year with 39 tackles
The chances of Miller making the team will depend on his consistency in the secondary
as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo favors using multiple defensive backs in specific game plans
contributing to takeaways throughout his college career
which is an appealing attribute for Kansas City's unit
For more Chiefs UDFA signings, <a href=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chiefs/2025/04/26/2025-nfl-draft-kansas-city-chiefs-undrafted-free-agent-signings-tracker/83296197007/ target=_blank rel="noreferrer noopener">follow our tracker</a>.
It’s not unusual for Roxanne Flanagan and her family to be at Ocean City. They have two houses in nearby Ocean Pines, and try to travel to the shore several times a year.
The family’s trip this weekend, though, took a highly unusual — and now semi-viral — turn. 
Walking to the ocean to dip their toes in the water on Saturday, two of Flanagan’s children encountered a large black snake. One of her children, a 7-year-old girl, started shouting.
</a>Flanagan at first thought it was a stick
She told the kids to get back and give the animal space
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“It was slithering probably for a few good minutes,” Flanagan said
She described the snake as moving along the sand and being pushed bythe waves
Videos that Flanagan shared show the snake moving up and down the sand and attempting to enter the water
Local animal control officers came to the beach to relocate the snake, reported <a href="https://www.wmar2news.com/local/slithering-seaside-sighting-startles-ocean-city-beachgoers-as-snake-emerges-from-the-waves" target="_self" rel="" title="https://www.wmar2news.com/local/slithering-seaside-sighting-startles-ocean-city-beachgoers-as-snake-emerges-from-the-waves">WMAR</a>
A spokesperson for Worcester County did not immediately respond to a request for comment
a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
said the animal appears to be an eastern hognose snake
“This is a native species that likes habitats with sandy soil
so it would not be unusual for it to be found on the beach,” Bortz said in an email
The eastern hognose is native to the U.S., with a range that stretches from the Great Lakes to Maine and all the way south to Florida, <a href="https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/eastern-hognose-snake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/eastern-hognose-snake/">according to The Maryland Zoo</a>
They’re solitary and active during the day
They mate in late spring and females lay their eggs in the summer
the vice president of animal care operations at the National Aquarium
said that while it’s not unheard of to see an eastern hognose on the beach
it is “a little bit weird” to encounter a snake out in the open on the coast
Maryland is “designed perfectly” for the eastern hognose
because they like to live at the edges of forests with access to water
For anyone who encounters a wild animal — including snakes — the message is always the same
That’s especially the case with hognose snakes
and can instead just hang back and enjoy observing nature
Flanagan doesn’t know exactly where on the beach they were
Flanagan said part of the reason she stuck around after seeing the snake was because there were other people enjoying the beach
and she wanted to make sure to keep an eye on the reptile so it didn’t surprise anyone
And though she may not be the biggest fan of getting into the opaque water at Ocean City
Flanagan isn’t going to stop going to the beach anytime soon
She wants her kids to enjoy their summer and not be scared of the ocean
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="/author/cody-boteler/">Cody Boteler</a>
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="mailto:cody.boteler@thebaltimorebanner.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">cody.boteler@thebaltimorebanner.com</a>
Cody Boteler is a reporter on The Banner’s Express Desk
trending stories and interesting things in and around Baltimore
His work has appeared in The Baltimore Sun
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Redfin, a leading national real estate brokerage, has compiled a list of the “<a href="https://www.redfin.com/news/hottest-neighborhoods-2025/?utm_source=Iterable&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=1027446">Hottest Neighborhoods in 2025.</a>” This list is based on an analysis that ranks U.S
zip codes within the 150 most populous metro areas
utilizing year-over-year growth in listing views on Redfin.com and the Redfin Compete Score– an indicator of how competitive it is to secure a home in these areas
Bowie was the only Maryland city– and the only city in the DC Metro area– to make it onto the list
Situated in Prince George’s County between Washington DC and Annapolis
Bowie is described as an ideal location for commuters
with both major cities accessible within a 30- to 40-minute drive along Highway 50 in either direction
Local Redfin Premier agent Wemmy Collins noted that the Bowie area covered by the 20716 zip code features a balanced mix of new developments and slightly older
more affordable homes.“Every time I get a home listing in Bowie
it’s usually in the Bowie area,” she stated
“This zip code may be the last area in Bowie where you can find good deals.”
This is lower than the metro area&#8217;s median sale price of $558,990
home sales have surged by 31% year-over-year
and the median views per listing have skyrocketed by 140%
38% of homes in this area sold for above their list price
Featured photo shows Bowie Town Center, courtesy of Google Maps. The full top ten list by Redfin can be <a href="https://www.redfin.com/news/hottest-neighborhoods-2025/?utm_source=Iterable&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=1027446">seen here</a>
(7News) — Should a non-citizen be allowed to vote in local elections
The City of Frederick has taken up the issue and voted on it recently
Opinions are split in a city that has grown and has become more diverse
There are now more than 80,000 residents in Frederick
This has become a hot-button issue in the city with a lot of opinions
the Board of Aldermen has approved legislation to allow Green Card holders and undocumented immigrants to cast votes in local elections
This is now the largest city or town in the state of Maryland to take such action
It&#x27;s important to note this new law does not apply to federal or state elections
The only dissenting vote was lawmaker Kelly Russell
“I have talked to many people who worked to get their citizenship in order to vote who do not agree to that
who feel that their efforts and all the hard work that they did is being diminished by this,” she said
regardless of their legal status pay taxes here and no one lives here for free
and believe that if you pay taxes in the city you should have a voice
However local Republicans have voiced concerns that this could skew the upcoming presidential election
Opponents argue this is a slap in the face to those who have worked hard to become a naturalized U.S
7News spoke with John Funderburk who was part of a city commission that studied the issue last year
“15% of our residents are from the Hispanic community
We have many of our residents that have jobs
that their kids go to our schools,” said John Funderburk
“If you’re going through the process and you are working and you’re paying taxes
still have to prove that they are Frederick residents
Convicted felons would be ineligible to vote under the legislation
The next Local election in Frederick is next year
Frederick was founded in 1745 and became an official city in 1817. It has a democratic government with a mayor as the leader and a City Council that makes the laws. Elections for both of these positions happen every four years, and 2025 is an <a href="https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/150/Elections">Election Year</a>.&nbsp;
The 63rd City Council administration consists of the members below
<a href="mailto:knash@cityoffrederickmd.gov" style="color: #315F94;">Email</a>
<a href="mailto:dshackelford@cityoffrederickmd.gov" style="color: #315F94;">Email</a>
<a href="mailto:dkuzemchak@cityoffrederickmd.gov" style="color: #315F94;">Email</a>
<a href="mailto:bmacshane@cityoffrederickmd.gov" style="color: #315F94;">Email</a>
<a href="mailto:krussell@cityoffrederickmd.gov" style="color: #315F94;">Email</a>
With nearly 46% of all U.S. adults being unmarried but dating getting progressively more expensive, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-singles/9015">Best &amp; Worst Cities for Singles in 2025</a>, alongside its new <a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/financial-secrets-survey/131537">Financial Secrets Survey</a>
to help people maximize their chances of finding love without breaking the bank
One Maryland city was ranked almost dead last on the list
With its historic church steeples and the arched Blue Bridge stretching across the north branch of the Potomac River
the city of Cumberland in western Maryland offers a picturesque view of small-town Appalachia to anyone passing by along Interstate 68
But the once-robust hub of manufacturing has struggled since the days it was known as Maryland’s “Queen City,” as its population has dropped from nearly 40,000 in 1940 to less than half of that today
A fifth of Cumberland’s 19,000 residents live in poverty now after the glass factories and
the tire plant and other businesses shut down
As part of a broader effort to recapture some of the city’s former vitality
Cumberland is hoping to take advantage of the pandemic shift to remote work by giving $20,000 to 10 home buyers who promise to invest in those properties and become part of the community
The “Choose Cumberland Relocation Program” will give $10,000 in cash to 10 people
as well as up to $10,000 in matching funds toward renovations or down payments
while the matching payments will be funded by a $100,000 grant from Maryland’s Community Legacy Program
which supports projects aimed at strengthening and revitalizing communities
“It’s really to attract people who will benefit your community,” said Cumberland City Council member Laurie Marchini
“It’s not a social services program; it’s to bring people in who are employed.”
for which applications opened last week and will close after Tuesday
is not a particularly new approach to community building
Local and state governments across the country have launched similar programs in hopes of tapping into the massive demographic shift caused by the pandemic
where professionals allowed to work from home were suddenly searching for cheaper homes and more space
a program in Tulsa offers $10,000 to both renters and home buyers who have full-time
remote work and are willing to move there from out of state
a relocation program in the Rochester area offers home buyers grants of up to $9,000
plus professional networking opportunities and “customized programming to ensure successful integration into the community,” according to that program’s website
another program pays newcomers $12,000 in cash
a year’s worth of free activities such as white-water rafting
and other perks to employed people willing to relocate to certain areas
“Whether you put this $12,000 toward a new car for scenic drives down our country roads or a new mountain bike
it’s totally up to you,” West Virginia’s program
“It’s true what they say: Money goes further in the mountains.”
Cumberland officials are hoping that claim also applies to their mountain community
The city has been hurting since the mid-20th century
due to industrial shifts and the railroads’ decline in economic importance
Plant closures during later decades led to more job losses
culminating in the 1987 shuttering of the Kelly-Springfield Tire Co
After decades of continued economic dormancy
Cumberland officials have recently poured money into other revitalization projects with the aim of boosting the city’s tax base and bringing more energy to its small downtown area
city leaders have overseen a renovation and redesign of the streets in Cumberland’s historic central district
centered along the brick-paved Baltimore Street
have sprung up or relocated there during the construction
and two or three more are expected to be in place for the district’s grand reopening in November
state and local funds have been pledged for a new River Park along the Potomac to include walking trails
newcomers must commit to staying in the city for five years
The application includes questions about the nature of their employment
why they’ve chosen Cumberland and their interests and hobbies
Some critics of the program have argued that the money should instead go to people who already live in Cumberland
Mayor Raymond Morriss says the city has funded other programs for its current residents
including one that offers $25,000 in incentives for the rehabilitation of vacant properties and an initiative that helps low-income residents with home improvement efforts
Morriss said the relocation program is geared toward addressing one of the city’s biggest issues – its population loss
Before the city secured the state grant for its relocation program
a trickle of new residents had already been arriving – what Morriss calls a “silver lining” from the pandemic that the city hopes to harness even more
“A lot of people were kind of leaving the rat race and coming out to enjoy the outdoor recreation and the lifestyle that’s available out here,” he said
“We were looking at ways that we can continue that.”
small-town community” with walkable neighborhoods and outdoor attractions
The city is where the Great Allegheny Passage
a dirt and stone trail that runs 184.5 miles from Cumberland to Georgetown in the District of Columbia
president and CEO of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce
and this is the most exciting it’s ever been,” she said
And now I’m watching it be rebuilt and reimagined.”
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Roman Dombrowski reaches the milestone award with a 66-inch bluefin tuna caught off Ocean City
Master Angler Roman Dombrowski with a trophy sized red drum that was released
The fish was 43 inches long and caught from the surf at Assateague Island
used with permission by Maryland Department of Natural Resources
has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program
is the 17th Master Angler since the program began in 2019
The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland
“It is hard to even begin to think about what fishing means to me,” Dombrowski said
“I’ll never forget the first fish I caught with my dad
I was 4 years old fishing a canal in Ocean City when I caught my first spot; I was hooked ever since.”
Dombrowski gained an ample supply of fishing knowledge working for what he describes as “the best tackle shop in the world,” the famous Tochterman’s Fishing Tackle in Baltimore City
which has been in business for more than 100 years
“Spending four years gaining knowledge and being able to spread what I’ve learned to others is something I will never take for granted,” Dombrowski said
Dombrowski heard about the milestone award program from his friend and Maryland’s fifth <a href="https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2024/01/23/baltimore-county-resident-earns-fishmaryland-master-angler-award/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Master Angler, Tim Campbell</a>
“He soon very quickly convinced me to chase this award.” Dombroski said
“While chasing this award many memories were made.” 
taught Dombrowski a lot about offshore fishing and guided him to catching his 10th and final species
which he brought into the boat after a long 40-minute fight
Dombrowski is an Environmental Studies major at Salisbury University
and emphasizes the significant meaning that fishing and the outdoors has in his life
His reason for choosing his major in college is so that he can be a part of ensuring that future generations have the ability to experience the same wonders of the outdoors as he does
“We as fishermen are the ones who care the most about conservation because of our love for what we do,” Dombrowski says
“The FishMaryland program allows anglers to catch and release fish to live another day and those fish may become someone else’s 10th species to reach the Master Angler Milestone”
FishMaryland is Maryland’s recreational fishing award program and is a fun way to explore year-round recreational fishing and enjoy affordable, accessible, diverse, and high-quality fishing opportunities. More information on the Master Angler Milestone Award and the FishMaryland program is available <a href="https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/FishMaryland/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the program’s website</a>
<a href="https://www.maryland.gov">Maryland.gov</a>
With the International Day of Happiness coming up on March 20, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-places-to-live/32619">2025’s Happiest Cities in America</a>
with one city in Maryland coming in ranked at #16– Columbia (Howard County)
MD was ranked 16th overall with its highest ranking coming in the ‘Emotional &amp; Physical Well-Being’ subcategory
the only other Maryland city that was ranked
The top 20 and “key stats” can be seen below:
While New York City famously marks the start of a new year with the slow descent of a 12,000-pound Waterford crystal ball
other cities have taken a zanier approach: Boise
lowers a slab of bologna; and Port Clinton
Maryland communities have also adopted their own wonderfully wacky twists on the tradition
gin up civic pride and make a glittering ball drop in the heart of Times Square seem almost boring
Here are the stories behind some of Maryland’s quirkiest New Year’s Eve celebrations:
The small Eastern Shore town of Princess Anne <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/918323139810927/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D" target="_blank">rings in the new year</a> with Marshall Muskrat
a taxidermied rodent outfitted in a dark green top hat and celadon cape
Marshall used to glide down Somerset Avenue on a zip line
a NASA engineer devised the current setup for his descent: a 30-foot telescopic pole equipped with confetti cannons and a digital countdown clock
but that is what’s so wonderful about it,” said Carrie Samis
who describes herself as Marshall’s handler
“If people are looking for a memorable New Year’s Eve
<a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/family/muskrat-skinning-eating-eastern-shore-3CC6ERHPCJE23AJ2JJS626FGGM/" target="_blank">Muskrats</a> have been central to the Eastern Shore’s hunting
trapping and culinary traditions for centuries
With the Manokin River flowing through Princess Anne
buck-toothed rodents practically live in the heart of town
Marshall serves throughout the year as a town mascot
on postcards and alongside Samis during her legislative trips to Annapolis
which Samis called the town’s signature event
highlights a number of other local customs
Revelers feast on nearly 400 slices of Smith Island cake
A local waterman shucks oysters harvested from the Tangier Sound
featuring oyster sandwiches and crab balls
The festivities draw as many as 800 people to the town of about 3,500
“It’s very weird and spectacular,” she said
“and it gives us an opportunity to to bring folks to our town who might not have otherwise stopped through.”
Hundreds of onlookers line Concord Point Park at the head of the Chesapeake Bay for Havre de Grace’s midnight <a href="https://explorehavredegrace.com/event/new-years-eve-duck-drop-fireworks-celebrating-25-years/" target="_blank">duck drop,</a> which honors the Harford County city’s waterfowl hunting tradition
backed with a wooden frame and decorated with lights
It descends 100 feet as revelers fill the air with duck calls and fireworks erupt from a barge
The event began in 1999, when council member Richard Tome suggested the city host a special celebration for the new millennium. What was supposed to be a one-time occasion will mark its 25th anniversary Tuesday night. When Tome died in early 2021, the council observed that he <a href="https://website-media.com/havre-de-grace-town/havre-de-grace-town/2021/01/24101427/2.1.2021_Meeting_Documents.pdf" target="_blank">“was instrumental in championing the annual Duck Drop.”</a>
a firefighter with the Susquehanna Hose Company
his department lends a ladder truck to suspend the duck
Grainger also crafted the current duck after previous models were damaged by wind and fireworks
Waterfowl have long been synonymous with Havre de Grace
The waterfront city of about 15,000 anointed itself “The Duck Decoy Capital of the World” after serving as a home for generations of duck decoy makers
today’s decoys are more often art pieces and collectors’ items
For the all-volunteer Susquehanna Hose Company
organizing the duck drop is another way of community-building
“As soon as the countdown gets going and you hear all the duck calls
it’s a very warm feeling to look out and see everybody.”
In Hagerstown, the year ends with <a href="https://www.mdtheatre.org/donut" target="_blank">a celebration of local businesses,</a> as a 6-foot fiberglass Krumpe’s doughnut dunks into an oversized AC&amp;T coffee cup
The tradition began over a decade ago with a social media post from a Hagerstown marketing firm
which was seeking ideas for a New Year’s Eve celebration
Many of the replies suggested honoring a Hagerstown institution: Krumpe’s Do-Nuts
a family-owned confectioner that opened in 1934
Krumpe’s operates a wholesale business that supplies doughnuts to convenience stores and gas stations around Western Maryland
as well as a late-night retail shop that is open in the city from 7 p.m
the expression on their face and how that donut makes them feel is really empowering to me,” said Max Krumpe
a crew of four or five family members prepares 5,000 glazed doughnuts to distribute at that evening’s event
Free hot chocolate and coffee are also served
This year, the celebration is moving from the downtown clock tower to <a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/hagerstown-minor-league-baseball-new-stadium-J6QJ4SQUJBDRXLCEBJGMWSJEFU/" target="_blank">the city’s new baseball stadium,</a> where a digging company will help lower the doughnut with a crane
To keep the event family-friendly and accessible to children
“We didn’t necessarily want to have a party scene,” Krumpe said
“We just wanted it to be a family-friendly
Elsewhere in Maryland: Easton will host a <a href="https://tourtalbot.org/dont-miss-crab-drop-easton-new-years-eve/" target="_blank">crab drop,</a> Frederick will lower a <a href="https://www.visitfrederick.org/event/new-years-eve-key-drop-on-carroll-creek/9318/" target="_blank">key</a> and Rock Hall will drop a <a href="https://www.rockhallmd.com/visitors/events/58261" target="_blank">fish.</a>
Putting its own spin on New York City’s event, Berlin, Maryland, will host a <a href="https://berlinmainstreet.com/new-years-eve-celebrations/" target="_blank">ball drop</a> at 6 p.m.
coinciding with when the clock strikes midnight in Berlin
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="/author/sapna-bansil/">Sapna Bansil</a>
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="mailto:sapna.bansil@thebaltimorebanner.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">sapna.bansil@thebaltimorebanner.com</a>
Sapna Bansil is a regional reporter and Roy W
She graduated in May 2024 with her master&#x27;s from the University of Maryland and held internships at The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Post
A March cyberattack led to more than $1.5 million in identity theft fraud for the City of Baltimore
according to its comptroller&rsquo;s office
The city was notified of a cyberattack on Mar. 13 on its accounts payable department by a cybercriminal who used identity theft to gain access to more than $1.5 million in payments intended for a city vendor, Erika McClammy, deputy comptroller for the Maryland capital, told Baltimore TV station <a href="https://www.wbaltv.com/article/stolen-money-cyberattack-id-theft-baltimore-city/64354458">WBAL</a>
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t know yet who actually the bad actor was
they probably have several names,&rdquo; McClammy said
&ldquo;They were able to bypass Baltimore City&rsquo;s geofencing
the perpetrator established contact with the city last fall and nurtured a relationship with various city departments by using publicly available information online to adopt the name of a current vendor employee and infiltrate the city&rsquo;s IT systems
The infiltration took place around the time the <a href="https://statescoop.com/maryland-cybersecurity-training-wes-moore-2024/">state awarded $1.8 million</a> to fund training at community colleges with the aim of bolstering the state&rsquo;s cybersecurity talent pipeline
after months of building a trusted rapport
the cybercriminal changed the vendor&rsquo;s banking information and cashed one check in February for $803,000
They attempted to cash an additional check in March for $721,000
We froze the account that we have set up for that vendor so that nothing else could occur,&rdquo; McClammy told the news station
Officials at the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=maryland+department+of+information+technology&amp;oq=Maryland+Department+of+Information+Technology&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyDQgBEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyCAgGEAAYFhgeMgYIBxBFGDzSAQc1NjFqMGo5qAIAsAIB&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">Maryland Department of Information Technology</a> declined to comment due to the ongoing cybersecurity investigation
A city in Maryland is doing a pilot program that offers up to $20,000 to anyone willing to relocate to its city-limits
Residents from the DMV area who are a little exhausted from the <a href="https://secretdc.com/cost-of-living-in-dc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" class="shortcode-outbound-link" data-has-ga="true" data-ga-type="click" data-label="https://secretdc.com/cost-of-living-in-dc/" data-action="text_cta_0" data-category="click_internal">high cost of living</a> as well as the hustle and bustle of life around D.C
might be interested to hear that Cumberland
MD is now offering a relocation packager for up to $20,000 to anyone willing to relocate to the city of Cumberland
Cumberland is a small city in northern Maryland just over two hours away from D.C
that sits right along the borders of Maryland
The program does have strict<a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5018/CCRP-Eligibility" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="shortcode-outbound-link" data-has-ga="true" data-ga-type="click" data-label="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5018/CCRP-Eligibility" data-action="text_cta_2" data-category="click_non_sales"> eligibility requirements </a>including:
which means it is on its way to establishing itself as a sought-after place to live
so while this is undoubtedly an exciting opportunity to move to a new community and play a crucial role in its development
it is worth knowing what you&#8217;re signing up beyond the simple $20,000 of relocation cash
Here are two of the <a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5019/CCRP-Terms-and-Conditions" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="shortcode-outbound-link" data-has-ga="true" data-ga-type="click" data-label="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5019/CCRP-Terms-and-Conditions" data-action="text_cta_3" data-category="click_non_sales">limitations outlined in the deal</a>:
The Safe Winter Nights program is a continuation of Councilman Mills&rsquo; Safe Fall Nights Program
and will be held at the Laurel Armory Anderson &amp; Murphy Community Center
Participants will enjoy enriching activities such financial literacy classes offered by Navy Federal Credit Union
and other exciting activities hosted by various local businesses
Councilman Mills will continue the overall goal of creating an environment where our youth can have fun while learning and growing
The program promotes community engagement by bringing together youth
and law enforcement in a positive and collaborative environment; offers youth development through mentorship
and skill-building activities; and helps to reduce crime and violence by creating a safe space for our children during the hours of 6 pm to 8 pm
The Safe Fall Nights Program runs on the following dates:
Registration is now open via the Parks and Recreation ACTIVE Net portal
Please click the registration links next to each date above
8103 Sandy Spring RoadLaurel, MD 20707Phone: <a href="tel:+13017255300">301-725-5300</a>Standard Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter
or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources
Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content
The city of Frederick, Maryland, has passed a significant change to its charter allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections. The new law, however, does not affect state or federal elections, as non-citizens are not permitted to vote in races such as those for the U.S. president or <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/topic/congress" data-sys="1" class="multivariate">Congress</a>
made by the Board of Aldermen in a 4-1 vote
adding fuel to ongoing debates about voter eligibility and election integrity
aligns it with several other Maryland municipalities that have granted local voting rights to non-citizens
including Green Card holders and undocumented immigrants
federal immigration system remains slow and inefficient
local governments should not be bound by federal procedures when granting basic civic rights at the municipal level&#8203;
"I think as I continue to research this issue and listen to the discussions and comments that have come to our meetings and elsewhere
I lean more in favor than opposed &mdash; yes," he responded during Tuesday's edition of "The Morning News Express" on WFMD
Mayor O'Connor and supporters of the measure argue that non-citizens contribute to the local economy
and have a vested interest in how their communities are governed
which justifies their participation in city elections
"I am very excited to support this measure tonight as another way in which we are welcoming all members of our community into our civic circle here," said Alderman Ben MacShane
They estimate at least 6,400 non-citizens in Frederick would be eligible to vote by the 2025 election
critics argue that this undermines the value of U.S
citizenship and could compromise election integrity
raised concerns about fairness and expressed that non-citizens should go through the process of naturalization before gaining the right to vote
"The number of non-citizens who vote is pretty low
The estimates are less than one percent," he said
The charter amendment is not unique to Frederick; 11 other municipalities in Maryland have implemented similar policies
Frederick now joins cities like Takoma Park and Hyattsville in allowing all residents
the newly passed bill requires the city to develop and maintain separate voting rolls for non-citizens
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Nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland, the small town of Cumberland has been having an <a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/housing/cumberland-remote-work-pandemic-OFFQQ6KYNJBI7E5EUSBWHSXDX4/" target="_blank">unexpected revival as remote workers move in</a> and it upgrades its historic downtown
To keep the momentum going, <a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/1787/Choose-Cumberland-Relocation-Program" target="_blank">the city launched a pilot program </a>last week to offer up to $20,000 to 10 families who relocate and commit to staying for at least five years
but we don’t need to be the best-kept secret anymore,” said city planner and grants manager Ruth Davis-Rogers
Modeled after relocation initiatives in <a href="https://www.greaterrochesterchamber.com/talent/greater-roc-relocate/">Rochester, New York</a> and <a href="https://ascendwv.com/the-offer/">West Virginia</a>
Cumberland’s program offers $10,000 in relocation fees and up to a $10,000 match for a down payment or renovations on a home in the city limits
families must agree to move to Cumberland in the next six months and stay for the following five years
If grantees leave before the five-year mark
“We don’t want flippers,” Davis-Rogers said
“We want people who are going to become part of the community.”
This influx of post-pandemic transplants was key inspiration for the program
and the city leveraged the trend to help secure the $200,000 pilot grant from the state
Davis-Rogers said they have already received some “wonderful applications” from families in North Carolina
Between the pilot program and its <a href="https://reimaginecumberland.com/" target="_blank">unveiling of streetscaping and infrastructure improvements downtown</a>
Cumberland hopes its efforts to attract and maintain new residents will pay off
Cumberland once was a thriving industrial hub
dubbed Maryland’s “Queen City,” with a population second only to Baltimore
as cheaper labor and lower production costs lured manufacturing plants away
“Cities are like rivers,” Davis-Rogers said
“They change — and we’re just here trying to help manage the change wisely.”
More information about the Cumberland Relocation Program can be found <a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/1787/Choose-Cumberland-Relocation-Program" target="_blank">here</a>
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="/author/brenna-smith/">Brenna Smith</a>
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="mailto:brenna.smith@thebaltimorebanner.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">brenna.smith@thebaltimorebanner.com</a>
Brenna Smith is an investigative reporter for the Baltimore Banner
2025 at 10:13 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Maryland State Police said carjackers look for drivers slowing down
stopping or getting into or out of their vehicle
which is why carjackings often occur in parking lots and garages
at stop lights and signs and by the side of the road
more than 1 million vehicles were stolen across the country
The top two cities in the nation for vehicle thefts are Washington
But there are measures Maryland drivers can take to improve their safety
According to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a nonprofit <a href="https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/vehicle-thefts-surge-nationwide-2023" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">organization that tracks crime and fraud</a>
the District and Maryland each saw a considerable rise in thefts when compared to the previous year with increases of 64% and 63%
because police departments report carjackings and vehicle thefts differently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
Carjacking is a serious and very dangerous situation
but the life of every Maryland resident is precious," the Maryland State Police told Patch
<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/02/09/car-thefts-and-carjackings-are-up-unreliable-data-makes-it-hard-to-pinpoint-why/#:~:text=The%20cities%20with%20the%20highest,Tennessee;%20Chicago;%20and%20Denver." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stateline</a> reported that the District of Columbia saw 72.1 carjackings in 2022 and 142.8 carjackings in 2023
Baltimore reported 126 carjackings in 2022 and 101.9 carjackings in 2023
with 68.8 carjackings experienced in 2022 and 58.3 carjackings in 2023
Maryland State Police said carjackers look for drivers slowing down
Cristie Hopkins with the Harford County Sheriff's Office told Patch that in 2024
detectives investigated two carjackings and one in 2023
"We recommend residents be aware of their surroundings
don't flash valuables and travel in familiar areas," Hopkins said
more than 200 carjackings were reported in Prince George's County
Officials in that county reminded residents to choose safe parking locations
avoid sitting in a vehicle for extended periods of time
keep a cell phone within reach and report suspicious activity
director of public affairs for the Howard County Police Department
said there were 12 carjackings reported in the county in 2022
"Drivers can minimize the risk of carjackings by parking in well-lit areas and immediately locking doors upon entering the vehicle
It's also important to be aware of all surroundings
particularly when stopped at intersections and red lights
Drivers should never keep valuables visible in the car and always take keys or key fobs when they are away from the vehicle," Llewellyn told Patch
Officials noted there’s been a nationwide rise in thefts involving 2011-2022 models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles
The vehicles are not equipped with immobilizing anti-theft devices
which has allowed thieves to easily steal them using household supplies such as cell phone charging cables
Juveniles represented 34.7 percent of the arrests for vehicle theft in Maryland
The latest comprehensive carjacking data for Maryland was last compiled in 2022
The top 10 stolen vehicles in Maryland from that year were:
Maryland State Police also reminds residents to follow <a href="https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/OfficeoftheSuperintendent/VehicleTheftStatistics.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">three steps</a> and reduce the risk of having their vehicle stolen: 
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. <a target="_blank" href="/maryland/belair/subscribe" class="">Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.</a>
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Program OverviewThe City of Frederick&rsquo;s Art in City Hall program is administered by the Office of the Mayor
The program presents rotating exhibitions throughout the year
providing opportunities for the public to view artwork from the City&rsquo;s collection as well from local artists through partnerships with local arts and culture organizations
and other community groups in the public areas of City Hall
The Office of the Mayor is committed to highlighting historically underrepresented communities
Exhibitions are open and free for the public and visitors and displayed for a period of one to three months
Click&nbsp;<a href="/DocumentCenter/View/23198" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to view a full program description.&nbsp;
Questions? Please contact Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, Manager of Arts and Culture, <a href="mailto:ljadallah@cityoffrederickmd.gov">ljadallah@cityoffrederickmd.gov</a>
library or other entity is submitting the proposal
This field is not part of the form submission
The Ocean City Department of Tourism's year-long celebration in honor of the resort town's 150th Anniversary has officially begun
"Ocean City's 150th Anniversary is going to be special
activities and various promotions that will be happening throughout the year," said Ocean City Tourism & Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo
The milestone will be commemorated with events and initiatives designed to engage the community
OCEAN CITY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2024/12/05/ocean-city-to-commemorate-150th-birthday-with-big-festivities-in-2025/76774262007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>Happy 150th Birthday, Ocean City, Maryland! Town to kick off year-long celebration in 2025</a>
Ocean City launches its '150 Reasons to Smile' campaignThis month
the Tourism Department launched the "150 Reasons to Smile" social media campaign
in which the Ocean City social media page will share posts celebrating 150 things that make townspeople and visitors smile
"The 150 Reasons to Smile campaign aims to highlight the things that make Ocean City a beloved destination to visit or to call home," Perlozzo said
"We hope the campaign encourages our residents and visitors to share their favorite memories and experiences
showcasing the rich history and vibrant community that define Ocean City.”
the 150th Anniversary "Mobile Museum" exhibit will also be on display at the Roland E
Powell Convention Center throughout the month of January
This 150th Anniversary activation will change on a monthly basis to provide an array of stories about Ocean City's vibrant past
the January Mobile Museum is dedicated to a leader of the American civil rights movement
by honoring the historical contributions made by and stories of the Black community in Ocean City
2024 BUSINESS OPENINGS: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/money/business-review/2024/12/24/check-out-what-ocean-city-restaurants-bars-pizzerias-opened-in-2024/77072746007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>Business is booming in Ocean City, Md.: Check out what restaurants, bars opened in 2024</a>
Ocean City Tourism is also set to kick off its "Dine
Shop and Play" monthly specials to celebrate the 150th Anniversary
featuring promotions and discounts at participating shops and restaurants
"The Dine, Shop and Play promotion is a great way to get our business community involved in our anniversary celebrations," Perlozzo said. "Each month gives an opportunity for the business to offer our residents and visitors a new anniversary surprise so keep an eye on our website at <a href="http://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/5pMvCwpyQmHAR0PK6HqhPSJodM5?domain=ococean.com">www.ococean.com/150</a> for more details."
This month's "Dine Around" highlight is Ocean City staple restaurant The Bayside Skillet
which will offer a gift card special throughout January
Local shops will also feature exclusive 150th-anniversary deals
join the town for Tourist Day at the Convention Center
where families and friends can enjoy a day of fun games and activities
"We're celebrating everything that makes Ocean City such a special place — our rich history
and the strong spirit of our residents and visitors," Perlozzo said of the special commemoration
BUSINESS HAPPENINGS: <a href=https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/money/business-review/2025/01/20/salisburys-spice-bazaar-celebrates-grand-opening-whats-going-there/77600409007/ rel=noreferrer target=_blank>Spice Bazaar opens, plus Berlin Macaron Co. takes over coffee shop | What's Going There</a>
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at <a href=mailto:ominzola@delmarvanow.com>ominzola@delmarvanow.com</a>
2024 at 3:15 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The western Maryland city of Cumberland
has launched what it calls a relocation pilot program to entice families to move there
MD — A western Maryland town is reaching into its wallet in an effort to attract new residents
The relocation package includes $10,000 in cash and an additional $10,000 for approved renovations on an existing home or for a down payment on a newly built home within city limits
small-town community located in a historic setting," according to the city
Officials also note the city's lower cost of living
and outdoor recreation and cultural opportunities as benefits
Any new resident participating in the program must purchase a home and live in it as their primary residence for no less than five years
residents will be required to pay back the $20,000
Interested families should fill out an application <a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5017/Applicationv3-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">online</a>
More information about the program's <a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5018/CCRP-Eligibility" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">eligibility requirements</a> can be found online. Learn more about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5019/CCRP-Terms-and-Conditions" rel="nofollow" aria-label="terms and conditions Opens in new window">terms and conditions</a> of the program
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. <a target="_blank" href="/subscribe" class="">Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.</a>
2024 at 6:37 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}If you&#x27;re looking for a place close to home to get into the holiday spirit
one Maryland city is among the best Christmas towns in the United States
MD — If you're looking for a place close to home to get into the holiday spirit
The writers at Travel + Leisure <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/holiday-travel/americas-best-towns-for-the-holidays" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">released a list last week</a> highlighting the 25 most charming towns to visit during the holidays
the list includes cities from all corners of America
Travel + Leisure writers think Annapolis is worth visiting during the holidays
Here's what the publication had to say about Annapolis:
and you can expect not just late-night deals but also treat giveaways and Christmas decorations galore."
See the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/holiday-travel/americas-best-towns-for-the-holidays" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">full list of best Christmas towns</a> on Travel + Leisure's website
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. <a target="_blank" href="/maryland/annapolis/subscribe" class="">Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.</a>
Today Fortune launched the third annual <a href="https://fortune.com/well/ranking/best-places-families/2024/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families 2024</a>
showcasing the cities and towns across America that best support the unique needs of multigenerational families
Montgomery County’s very own Silver Spring was ranked first on the list
suburb offers local charm with the convenience of city life
just six miles away from the nation’s capital—a quick commute via the Washington Metro or MARC train
an iconic music venue that’s hosted everyone from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin
Colorful murals and vibrant community centers help bring the area to life.”
This year&#8217;s Fortune 50 Best Places to Live highlights a city in each state where multigenerational families are most likely to have access to great schools
The ranking is created annually as part of Fortune Well
which features tips and insights working professionals need to thrive in their careers and personal lives
The top 10 Fortune Best Places to Live for Families 2024 are:
&#8220;The 50 Fortune Best Places to Live for Families list is based on a robust data set to help our readers find places to settle down with ample resources to support their families for the future,&#8221; said Fortune senior reporter Alexa Mikhail
who dove into data sets to develop the ranking
&#8220;Where we live plays a critical role in determining the strength of our community ties
It&#8217;s why a list like this is critical.&#8221;
the District might be protected from what at least one city leader calls the &#8220;ravages&#8221; of the Trump administration
The conversation began recently with a suggestion by Maryland Rep
Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on the prospect of President Donald Trump taking over D.C
&#8220;If you guys want to come back to Maryland to get through this nightmare in the meantime
but not the first time this has been suggested
The &#8220;City of Washington&#8221; was created in 1790 when Virginia and Maryland ceded land to the federal government for the creation of a federal district
That was realized in 1800 when the nation&#8217;s capital was moved from Philadelphia to the new federal district
proposals have been made to make the 68 square-miles that make up D.C
The first retrocession bill was introduced in 1803
&#8220;That&#8217;s not something that even Congressman Raskin and other Maryland leaders who support (D.C.) statehood are seriously proposing
But it&#8217;s nice to know that he&#8217;s putting out the welcome mat.&#8221;
<a href="https://statehood.dc.gov/page/faq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On its official website,</a> D.C
government said retroceding back to Maryland is not something D.C
&#8220;DC voters have already said loud and clear that we do not want retrocession
we want statehood,&#8221; the website reads
we are trying to get the Congress of the United States
to back off on this disastrous proposal to slash the D.C
Over the weekend, <a href="https://wtop.com/government/2025/03/republicans-try-to-go-it-alone-on-government-funding-as-shutdown-deadline-nears/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">House Republicans unveiled a bill that would treat </a>D.C
requiring it to return to 2024 spending levels
the city would need to return to last year’s levels — effectively undergoing about $1 billion in cuts over the next six months
being annexed into Maryland would also give the city full voting representation in Congress
As for further consideration of Maryland absorbing the District
Congress needs to respect self-determination of the District of Columbia.&#8221;
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up <a href="https://wtop.com/newsletter-signup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>
This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area
Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek reporter based in London
She has previously extensively covered U.S
Giulia joined Newsweek in 2022 from CGTN Europe and had previously worked at the European Central Bank
She is a graduate in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Politics and International Relations from Università degli Studi di Cagliari
You can get in touch with Giulia by emailing: g.carbonaro@newsweek.com
is offering up to $20,000 to families willing to relocate there as city authorities try to attract new residents
The generous incentive is part of a limited-time pilot program by the City of Cumberland targeted at U.S
citizens and Green Card holders moving to the city from outside of Allegany County
Cumberland is a charming historic town in northwestern Maryland
according to the World Population Review's figures for this year based on the latest U.S
The city's population has decreased by -1.91 percent since the previous census
which recorded a population of 10,024 in 2020
and it's currently shrinking at a rate of -0.49 percent
shows that the resident population of Cumberland has been plummeting since peaking in 2010 when it reached 103,176
More From Newsweek Vault: <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/vault/mortgages/how-much-house-can-you-afford/" class="multivariate">How Much House Can I Afford?</a>
Newsweek reached out to the City of Cumberland for comment by email on Thursday morning
In order to be eligible for the city's relocation incentive, applicants must be aged 18 and over and eligible to work in the U.S. They also must have <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/vault/business-loans/how-to-make-money-online/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="multivariate">full-time remote employment</a>
proof of self-employment or accepting a new job in the Cumberland area
eligible applicants must not have a current home under contract with a local realtor
Successful applicants must have completed a relocation package application and have it approved before moving to Cumberland and be able to move to the city within six months of being accepted
The $20,000 "welcome" package includes $10,000 relocation cash
and up to $10,000 for approved renovations on an existing home
More From Newsweek Vault: <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/vault/mortgages/how-much-down-payment-do-you-need-for-a-house/" class="multivariate">How Much Down Payment Do You Need For a House?</a>
Those buying a newly built home can apply for up to $10,000 at closing or as a separate check
the home's value cannot be less than $150,000
That's technically more expensive than the median price of a home in the city
the median sale price of a home in Cumberland was $138,000 in July
up 36.6 percent compared to a year earlier
There's a catch to the City of Cumberland's offer: applicants must purchase a home and live in it as their primary residence for no less than five years
There's no changing your mind after you've taken the city's relocation incentive: applicants who have obtained the relocation package money but spent less than five years living in their Cumberland home would have to pay the money back to the city
More From Newsweek Vault: <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/vault/mortgages/income-needed-for-500k-home/" class="multivariate">What Income Is Needed for a $500K House?</a>
If you're interested in moving to Cumberland, you can fill out the city's <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/5017/Applicationv3-2" class="multivariate">application form</a> and email it to Ruth Davis-Rogers at ruth.davis-rogers@cumberlandmd.gov
Cumberland's relocation cash carrot follows in the footsteps of cities in other states that have successfully implemented similar initiatives
which has had 2,900 people taking its relocation incentive since 2018
Per the City of Cumberland: “This is a great opportunity if you
relocating to live in the City of Cumberland from outside of Allegany County
or accepting a new job in the area and do not currently have a home under contract with a realtor
and can move to Cumberland within six months of your application being approved
Applicant must purchase a home and live in it as their primary residence for no less than 5 years.  If applicant lives in home less than 5 years the funding will need to be paid back to the City of Cumberland. For more information about this program, or if you would like to apply, please visit the City’s website at: <a href="https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/1787/Choose-Cumberland-Relocation-Program">https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/1787/Choose-Cumberland-Relocation-Program</a>
Featured photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cityofcumberlandmd?igsh=MTFtbDNrNTRpd2V3eA==">@CityOfCumberlandMD</a> on instagram 
Though Gannon Sprinkle has the chance to make history as the first undergraduate elected to the College Park City Council next month
that isn’t what the University of Maryland junior is focused on
Sprinkle is more excited to discuss a slew of policy proposals for the City Council
from a way to prevent inflation in off-campus student housing to growing green space and increasing grocery options
“I very much enjoy hyper-local government,” said the 20-year-old government and politics major
who has done stints as the executive vice president of UMD’s Student Government Association and the deputy student liaison for the College Park City Council
He also has experience working as an intern at the Prince George’s County Council and in the Maryland General Assembly
Sprinkle is on the ballot in the District 3 special election on March 11
Voters will choose between Sprinkle; Michael Meadow
a mechanical engineer and local advisory board member pushing to expand the local contract police force; and Ray Ranker
a chaplain at UMD with experience on a local civic association and the city’s Charter Review Commission
The seat opened when council member Stuart Adams resigned last month
due to difficulties balancing his two young children
day job and responsibilities on the council
The winner of the special election will serve until November’s general election
Though Adams said in an interview that he isn’t endorsing a candidate in the race
he noted that Sprinkle was a serious option for voters
“I worked with Gannon on many different initiatives
and he was present for dozens of council meetings and learned how the process works,” he said
“Gannon was always attentive and willing to provide an informed opinion.”
This isn’t the first time an undergraduate student has run for City Council
Allen said she could remember three students
who ran for seats in District 2 or 3 in the last 10 years
Adams said that Sprinkle differs from other undergraduate candidates in the past
“There have been students that have run before for council seats that seem to focus mainly on the student perspective
but from my personal experience with Gannon
he not only considers student perspectives
but also long-term resident perspectives,” Adams said
Sprinkle often spends his free time knocking on doors and speaking to voters
He has built up a campaign staff of about a dozen
most of them students at the University of Maryland flagship campus
“A lot of students have historically not had a voting representative on the council
a UMD student and Sprinkle’s campaign manager
said the team was “really optimistic” but isn’t “taking any votes for granted.”
“Gannon wants to knock on every door and hear every voice,” he said
Mirani worked with Sprinkle when they both served as student liaisons to the College Park City Council last year
you can hear his experience in the way he speaks and the issues he talks about,” Mirani said
and nobody should discount that because of his age.”
Sprinkle and his team are leaning into social media and digital strategies to reach student voters
There are 30,000 undergraduate students at UMD
“We’re encouraging students who live in District 3 to update their voter address,” he said
said her office doesn’t collect data on how many students vote in elections but agreed that “usually they don’t come out.”
Sprinkle said he is still committed to building relationships with long-term College Park residents
“Lots of long-term residents are graduates of the university themselves,” he said
He hopes to “bridge the gap” between those residents and students
“I want to provide representation for all,” he said
This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. <a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/article/about-the-education-hub-F6BPQSZKPRGZTITEUYM4OOU7GM/" target="_blank">Read more</a>
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="/author/ellie-wolfe/">Ellie Wolfe</a>
<a class="author-bio-block__link" href="mailto:ellie.wolfe@thebaltimorebanner.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">ellie.wolfe@thebaltimorebanner.com</a>
Ellie Wolfe reports on higher education at the Baltimore Banner
Raised in western Massachusetts and a proud graduate of Bates College
Ellie spent a year reporting on higher education at the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson before moving to Baltimore
Ocean City is filling up with tourists on weekends leading up to summer
Thousands of visitors stay at homes located in what are known as R1 or MH Districts
R1 areas are described as low density single family residential developments
On March 3 Ocean City's Mayor and Council shook up rental requirements leaving some property owners concerned
Any R1 or MH rentals booked on or after March 3
2025 now require a minimum five-night stay
2027 that requirement increase to a minimum 31 days
The Council says the new ordinance aims to "prevent overcrowding of land and avoid undue concentration of population in the wrong zones caused by rental properties
to protect against noise and other disturbances."
Lawmakers also said their goal is to "promote long term property ownership and quality of life for year round resident populations."
This caused many home owners wanting to sell their properties
since they'd already booked future rental reservations
Ocean City is prohibiting existing rental licenses from being part of any property sale
This means new property buyers would be forced to reapply for their own rental license
Ocean City took that option away as well by implementing an 11 month moratorium on short-term rental licenses in R1 and MH Districts
Here is a <a class="Link" href="https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/finance/r1-rental-maps/" data-cms-ai="0">map of R1 rentals impacted</a> by the new policies
To read a full description of the newly passed ordinances, click <a class="Link" href="https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/oceancitymd/7ccc3651-ab4a-11ef-ab4b-005056a89546-cb8b5817-f6fb-4de7-9b40-77664955f5b8-1741013968.pdf" data-cms-ai="0">here</a> and scroll pages 120-132
— When Ambroise Agosse volunteered in 2020 with a mayoral candidate’s campaign here
he faced an unusual hurdle: persuading his wife to register to vote for the candidate
because she worried it would affect her citizenship application
He immigrated to the United States from Benin
But at the time of the 2020 local election
Takoma Park has allowed noncitizens —  including lawful U.S. residents and immigrants in the country illegally — to vote in <a href="https://takomaparkmd.gov/newsletter/30-years-of-non-citizen-voting-in-takoma-park/" target="_blank">local elections since 1993</a>
the city had a growing immigrant population concentrated in certain wards
Residents who championed the idea of noncitizen voting hoped that giving them voting rights would increase their participation in civic issues that affect quality of life
Some say they’re reluctant to vote because of fear it could negatively affect immigration applications or because sharing personal information with governments could make them easily traceable for deportation
As Republican leaders have amplified claims about noncitizen voters in this year’s election
we examined how Takoma Park started and manages its longtime noncitizen voting process
cities that allow noncitizen voting in municipal elections as evidence of what they baselessly say is a Democratic plot
House Speaker Mike Johnnson <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?535480-1/speaker-johnson-news-conference-voter-eligibility-legislation" target="_blank">said</a> in May that noncitizen voting poses a "clear and present danger to the integrity of our election system." In September, Johnson <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/26/republicans-noncitizen-voting-no-evidence/75291163007/" target="_blank">said</a>
"If you have a few thousand illegals participate in the election in the wrong place
you can change the makeup of Congress and you can affect the presidential election."
U.S. House Republicans have introduced bills to require proof of citizenship during voter registration; <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4563" target="_blank">to cut</a> federal election funding in places where noncitizens can vote in local elections; and to block a new law that lets noncitizens vote in the District of Columbia’s local elections
House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act
in July but it failed in the Democratic-controlled Senate
Despite Republican claims, experts have <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/noncitizens-dont-illegally-vote-detectable-numbers" target="_blank">consistently</a> <a href="https://www.cato.org/commentary/rights-bogus-claims-about-noncitizen-voting-fraud" target="_blank">said</a> noncitizen voting in federal elections is <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/noncitizen-voting-already-illegal-and-vanishingly-rare" target="_blank">rare,</a> and in instances when it occurred
Evidence shows that noncitizen voting is "very low frequency and the system is pretty good at preventing it," said Walter Olson
"There doesn't seem to be a large group of people trying to do it in the first place."
noncitizens have had municipal voting rights for 30 years
Olson told PolitiFact he understands the apprehension
"You never know when some bureaucratic or federal agency is going to get some information that is ambiguous and mistake (someone) for having voted in a federal election," he said
and the upside just consisting of casting one vote in Takoma Park
Takoma Park local ordinance <a href="https://www.codepublishing.com/MD/TakomaPark/#!/TakomaPark09/TakomaPark0904.html#9.04.040" target="_blank">prohibits</a> city officials from releasing "any information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual to any third party."
noncitizens and 16- and 17-year old residents
the city receives voter registration information on U.S
citizen residents from Maryland’s State Board of Elections
That agency is responsible for registering voters for statewide and federal elections
citizens may preregister for state and federal elections but cannot vote until they turn 18
Takoma Park’s independent municipal voter roll is not transmitted to the state or federal government
state and federal elections "are on the same day
but they are not interrelated at all," Carpenter said
"So there is no chance that someone who is registered for the purpose of voting in the city only will also end up voting with the state because their name isn’t provided to the state."
the number of noncitizens who voted in Takoma Park’s biannual municipal election peaked at 72 in the 2017 mayoral election
the most recent year for which the city has data
according to records the city shared with PolitiFact
The city stopped collecting data on noncitizens on its voter rolls after 2017
but Carpenter said she believes registration by noncitizens was very low
Low noncitizen voter turnout has also been the case in local elections in the few Vermont cities that allow it. In March 2024 local Vermont elections, 11 noncitizens voted in Winooski, 13 in Montpellier and 62 in Burlington, PBS <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/preserving-democracy/2024/04/02/heres-how-many-teens-and-non-u-s-citizens-voted-legally-on-town-meeting-day/" target="_blank">reported</a>
115 noncitizens voted in June’s local election out of 378,821 total registered voters
Carpenter said she didn’t know of any active opposition to noncitizen voting in Takoma Park
I hear about it from time to time from (people) outside the city but not from here," she said
"I think our residents are very accustomed to our processes and I think it is a well settled process here that is not really challenged locally."
Olson has become a widely cited noncitizen voting expert and debunker of false narratives about that cohort. But when his own city — Frederick, Maryland — was debating whether to allow noncitizen voting, Olson was a <a href="https://www.fredericknewspost.com/opinion/letter_to_editor/proposal-for-noncitizen-voting-should-be-scrapped/article_c5c887e9-7dc7-5b4a-8edb-5c7c1d25e330.html" target="_blank">vocal opponent</a>
Frederick’s Board of Aldermen <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/frederick-leaders-approve-letting-noncitizens-vote-in-local-elections/3722495/" target="_blank">voted 4-1</a> in September in favor of allowing noncitizen voting
Olson said the current political climate is one of many reasons he opposed the measure
"At a time when millions of people believe there is a plot to steal American elections by inviting millions of noncitizens to illegally vote in federal elections," he said
"you are just adding fuel for more misunderstanding."
Voters narrowly approved Takoma Park’s noncitizen voting initiative in a 1991 referendum and the city council passed it in 1992
even some of the Share the Vote plan’s 1990s architects say this has not happened
"The number of registered noncitizen voters is small and they are not decisive in any election," said George Leventhal
who co-chaired the Share the Vote campaign with U.S
"It has not had a profound or transformative effect on city politics
A few civically minded neighbors want to participate and they do and that is OK."
Many noncitizens are afraid that voting could negatively affect future immigration applications
They fear the federal government "may say they have done something illegal in the past" by registering to vote and refuse their citizenship applications
The fear is compounded for immigrants in the country illegally who are wary of sharing information such as addresses with governments
believing it can make them easily traceable for arrests and deportation
"They are scared that this is the way to put them in some system where (immigration officials) can have access to them," Agosse said
Agosse is running in November for city council to represent Ward 6
which has a high percentage of the city’s immigrant population
As dusk fell on a recent evening in the city — a time when people are likelier to be at home — Agosse left his office with a stack of campaign pamphlets for a round of door-to-door canvassing
the pamphlets remind residents of voter registration eligibility requirements in five languages
every new voter reached matters in this election
A campaign pamphlet educates Takoma Park residents about voter eligibility in local elections
a health care worker from Cameroon who has lived in Takoma Park for eight years
Doungue said she didn’t know she is eligible to vote in municipal elections
but she is hesitant because of a pending permanent resident application
"If something is gonna happen (to my application)
"A lot of people think that immigrants don't pay any taxes
As long as you are able to contribute to the economy
the original goal of adding noncitizen voters to bring more people into a democratic process has not materialized
Agosse believes it would be a very different election
Cornell Law School, <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/611" target="_blank">18 U.S. Code - Voting by aliens</a>
Takoma Park, <a href="https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/news/election_results_1182022.pdf" target="_blank">2022 City Election Results</a>
City of Takoma Park, <a href="https://takomaparkmd.gov/newsletter/30-years-of-non-citizen-voting-in-takoma-park/" target="_blank">30 Years of Non-Citizen Voting in Takoma Park</a>
PolitiFact, <a href="https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/may/30/instagram-posts/noncitizens-can-vote-in-washington-dc-local-electi/">Noncitizens can vote in Washington, D.C., local elections, not federal elections</a>
PolitiFact, <a href="https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/may/20/mike-johnson/mike-johnsons-false-claim-that-immigrants-paroled/">Mike Johnson’s false claim about noncitizens registering to vote at DMV, ‘welfare’ offices</a>
PolitiFact, <a href="https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/apr/12/republicans-push-for-noncitizen-voting-ban-in-cong/">Republicans push for noncitizen voting ban in Congress. But a federal ban already exists.</a>
PolitiFact, <a href="https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/jan/12/donald-trump/trumps-claim-that-millions-of-immigrants-are-signi/">Trump's claim that millions of immigrants are signing up to vote illegally is Pants on Fire!</a>
The Washington Post, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1985/10/30/takoma-park-offers-refugees-sanctuary-from-two-countries/0e66a73d-128a-48ea-96ff-fd7f5ec1aba4/" target="_blank">Takoma Park Offers Refugees Sanctuary From Two Countries</a>
The Washington Post, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/06/truth-about-noncitizen-voting-federal-elections/" target="_blank">The truth about noncitizen voting in federal elections</a>
Maryland State Board of Elections, <a href="https://elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/documents/English_Internet_VRA.pdf" target="_blank">Maryland Voter Registration Application</a>
CATO Institute, <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/noncitizens-dont-illegally-vote-detectable-numbers" target="_blank">Noncitizens Don’t Illegally Vote in Detectable Numbers</a>
CATO Institute, <a href="https://www.cato.org/commentary/rights-bogus-claims-about-noncitizen-voting-fraud" target="_blank">The Right’s Bogus Claims about Noncitizen Voting Fraud</a>
PBS News, <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/preserving-democracy/2024/04/02/heres-how-many-teens-and-non-u-s-citizens-voted-legally-on-town-meeting-day/" target="_blank">Here’s how many teens and non-U.S. citizens voted legally on Town Meeting Day</a>
The Associated Press, <a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/illegal-voting-by-noncitizens-is-rare-yet-republicans-are-making-it-a-major-issue-this-election/" target="_blank">Illegal voting by noncitizens is rare, yet Republicans are making it a major issue this election</a>
C-SPAN, <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?535480-1/speaker-johnson-news-conference-voter-eligibility-legislation" target="_blank">Speaker Johnson News Conference on Voter Eligibility Legislation</a>
Brennan Center, <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/noncitizen-voting-already-illegal-and-vanishingly-rare" target="_blank">Noncitizen Voting Is Already Illegal — and Vanishingly Rare</a>
USA Today, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09/26/republicans-noncitizen-voting-no-evidence/75291163007/" target="_blank">In case of loss, Republicans prepare to blame noncitizens voting − which is incredibly rare</a>
The Associated Press, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-budget-shutdown-citizenship-speaker-johnson-e308f980aeb0c6d1dd483bdd6bbdf561#" target="_blank">Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on funding bill with proof of citizenship mandate despite dim prospects</a>
X post, <a href="https://x.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1524726171421794304" target="_blank">Speaker Mike Johnson</a>
Congress, <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4563" target="_blank">American Confidence in Elections Act</a>
National Immigration Forum, <a href="https://immigrationforum.org/article/the-myths-and-truths-of-noncitizen-voting-in-the-united-states/#_ftnref10" target="_blank">The Myths and Truths of Noncitizen Voting in the United States</a>
The Takoma Park Municipal Code, <a href="https://www.codepublishing.com/MD/TakomaPark/#!/TakomaPark09/TakomaPark0904.html#9.04.040" target="_blank">Rights of Non-U.S. Citizens In Takoma Park</a>
City of Takoma Park, <a href="https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/city-of-takoma-park-election-information-two-separate-elections-on-tuesday-november-5-2024/" target="_blank">Election Information: Two Separate Elections on Tuesday, November 5, 2024</a>
City of Takoma Park, <a href="https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/community-conversations/20160206-community-profile-demographics.pdf" target="_blank">Community Profile: Takoma Park Demographics</a>
U.S. Census Bureau, <a href="https://www.census.gov/topics/population/foreign-born/about.html" target="_blank">About the Foreign-Born Population</a>
U.S. Census Bureau, <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/takomaparkcitymaryland/PST045223" target="_blank">Quick Facts - Takoma Park city, Maryland</a>
NBC 4 Washington, <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/frederick-leaders-approve-letting-noncitizens-vote-in-local-elections/3722495/" target="_blank">Frederick leaders approve letting noncitizens vote in local elections</a>
The Frederick News-Post, <a href="https://www.fredericknewspost.com/opinion/letter_to_editor/proposal-for-noncitizen-voting-should-be-scrapped/article_c5c887e9-7dc7-5b4a-8edb-5c7c1d25e330.html" target="_blank">Proposal for noncitizen voting should be scrapped</a>
former Takoma Park City Council member and community organizer
2025 at 10:06 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}WalletHub compared 182 U.S
cities across 31 key indicators of job market strength like job opportunities
employment growth and monthly average starting salary
Here are the top Maryland cities for jobs in 2025
(Shutterstock)MARYLAND — Two Maryland cities have named to a list of the best cities to find a job in 2025
and one is in the top three rankings nationally
according to the personal finance platform WalletHub
Baltimore is the only other Maryland city on WalletHub’s list
The website ranked Baltimore's job market the seventh-strongest in the country
while its score for socioeconomic factors was a low 172
cities across 31 key indicators of job market strength such as job opportunities
Columbia ranked high in part due to having the highest median household income in the country at nearly $124,000
Rent prices are relatively affordable for the high quality of life and amenities
helping offset the costs of living with the median income
The average annual fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around 16% of the median household income in Columbia
That’s the sixth-lowest percentage in the country
the website found that jobs in Columbia have the ninth-lowest share of jobs that are likely to be automated in the near future
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. <a target="_blank" href="/maryland/columbia/subscribe" class="">Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.</a>
2025 at 9:07 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A Maryland city was among the top 10 &quot;most popular markets&quot; for the real estate website Zillow in 2024
 (Shutterstock)MARYLAND — A Maryland city was among the top 10 "most popular markets" for the real estate website Zillow in 2024
Columbia was ranked fourth on the top 10 list from Zillow
Zillow said the Northeast dominated Zillow’s list of most popular markets for the second consecutive year
The list was created using housing metrics that reflect consumer demand
home value growth and how quickly homes sell
Zillow said it analyzed cities with a population of at least 100,000 people
The most popular market for 2024 was Manchester
"The majority of this year’s most popular cities were exurbs — smaller towns situated beyond the suburbs yet within commuting distance of a major metropolitan area
The increase in hybrid work models is likely contributing
leading more people to discover hidden gem cities that they may have previously overlooked when daily commutes were standard
These communities strike a balance of affordable living and lifestyle amenities," Zillow said in a summary
Here's Zillow’s top 10 most popular markets of 2024:
<a href="https://www.zillow.com/research/most-popular-market-2024-34669/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">You can view the full analysis here.</a>