Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman said he is pursuing a “sustainable community” designation from the state for Columbia's Village of Long Reach.

Officials said obtaining the designation would open eligibility for state programs and resources aimed at revitalization.

“We have been working diligently on revitalizing Long Reach, starting with the redevelopment plan for the village center. Seeking a ‘sustainable community' designation from the state's Department of Housing and Community Development is the next logical step,” Kittleman said.

Officials said the application was developed by a Sustainable Communities Workgroup with representatives from the county's planning, transportation, economic development, housing and public works departments, as well as the Columbia Association, Columbia Art Center, the Long Reach Village Board and staff, Long Reach High School and area business owners.

County officials expect a decision from the state by the fall.

— Baltimore Sun Media Group

Old Montgomery Road roundabout briefing set

Howard County Department of Public Works officials will hold a public meeting to discuss the preliminary design for a single-lane roundabout that will be installed along Old Montgomery Road at Tamar Drive in Columbia.

The meeting will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria at Jeffers Hill Elementary School, 6001 Tamar Drive.

Residents who are unable to attend but want to see the plans or ask questions can contact Yan Zhang of the department's Traffic Engineering Division at 410-313-2430 or yzhang@howardcountymd.gov.

— Andrew Michaels, Baltimore Sun Media Group

‘Click It or Ticket' campaign underway

Howard County police are asking residents to buckle seat belts as part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign designed to increase the use of seat belts and child safety seats. More than one-third of those who died in car crashes within the past five years in Howard County were not wearing seat belts, according to county police.

County police noted the crash May 17 in Ellicott City in which a 31-year-old woman was thrown from a car after the driver veered off the road.

She was not wearing a seat belt and died of her injuries, police said.

— Andrew Michaels, Baltimore Sun Media Group