Harford County Brings PFAS Testing In-House

Harford County is expanding its ability to monitor drinking water safety with a new state-certified in-house laboratory for PFAS testing, a move county officials say makes it the first county in Maryland to operate its own certified lab for these contaminants. The new capability allows Harford to test for PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” in-house rather than relying solely on outside labs, significantly reducing turnaround time for results. For a county utility system serving more…

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Frederick Moves Forward on Green Infrastructure Plan

Frederick County is moving ahead with a long-range planning effort aimed at protecting natural resources, improving resilience, and shaping how growth and conservation work together over time. The County Council is set to begin reviewing the county’s Green Infrastructure Plan, a policy framework focused on preserving and connecting environmental, agricultural, and recreational assets across Frederick County. While the title may sound technical, the larger question behind the plan is straightforward: "How should the county protect…

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Charles County Marks Water Quality Milestone in Lower Patuxent

Charles County has earned a notable water quality milestone after the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) approved the removal of the county’s portion of the non-tidal Lower Patuxent River Watershed from Maryland's sediment impairment list. The decision took four years of environmental monitoring and means that this portion of the watershed will now be recognized as meeting Maryland’s water quality standards for sediment-related biological health. For the county, this milestone helps clarify where future restoration…

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Baltimore County Expands Support for Residents Living With Memory Loss

Baltimore County is expanding support for residents living with memory loss, and for the caregivers who support them, through new partnerships with local nonprofits. The county recently announced funding for a new round of memory cafés, informal, community-based programs designed to create welcoming, low-pressure spaces for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, along with their caregivers. The programs will be funded through the county’s Dementia-Friendly Baltimore County Creative Engagement Innovation Mini-Grants, which…

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Baltimore City’s Budget Reveals 2027 Priorities

Baltimore’s proposed FY2027 budget offers a clear picture of where city leaders want to focus next: core services, neighborhood investment, youth support, and long-term infrastructure. Mayor of Baltimore City, Brandon Scott’s preliminary budget closes a $12M funding gap while maintaining or expanding funding for several visible priorities, including violence prevention, summer jobs, homelessness services, libraries, public safety infrastructure, and neighborhood investment. That makes this more than a routine budget release. It is also a snapshot…

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MABE Names New Executive Director

The Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) has selected Joseph “Joe” Goetz as its next Executive Director, bringing a former local school board president and longtime education advocate into a key statewide leadership role. Goetz will begin on April 27, leading the association that represents all 24 Maryland public school systems. For counties and school systems alike, the role carries significance. MABE plays a central role in school board governance, public education advocacy, and…

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Harford County Fills Board of Education Vacancy

Harford County is moving to fill a vacancy on its Board of Education following the resignation of board member Mark Korn, who stepped down for health reasons. County Executive Bob Cassilly has appointed Jonathan T. Streett to serve the remainder of Korn’s term, which runs through 2028, pending confirmation by the Harford County Council. The appointment ensures continuity on the school board at a time when local education governance continues to carry major weight for counties,…

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Frederick Examines Equity in County Contracting

Frederick County is taking a closer look at procurement, specifically, how its contracting system works, and who it works for. County officials have released the County’s first-ever Procurement Disparity Study, an analysis of whether barriers exist to businesses' access to public contracting opportunities. The study marks a step toward evaluating fairness, access, and participation in county procurement, an issue many local governments are looking into. Conducted based on procurement data gathered for five years, the…

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Baltimore County Expands Senior Services in Jacksonville

Baltimore County is making a significant investment in services for older adults, breaking ground on a new Jacksonville Senior Center designed to better meet the needs of its growing and active senior population. The new facility will replace the current center with a space that is three times larger, giving the county more room to expand programming, improve accessibility, and support a wider range of activities and services. County officials say the project was shaped…

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Anne Arundel Opens New Crownsville Fire Station

Anne Arundel County has placed the new Crownsville Fire Station 6 into service, marking a transition in how the surrounding community is served. The 22,000+ square-foot facility, located at Sunrise Beach Road and Generals Highway, replaces the former Herald Harbor Volunteer Fire Department, which has now closed after years of service. The new station is designed to improve both response capabilities and firefighter safety. It will house multiple units, including Engine 6, Tanker 6, Medic…

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