County replaces seven buses in transit fleet
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman announced this week that seven new transit buses are being introduced to serve Howard County through the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland. The buses replace seven older buses in the fleet.
Officials said the 2017 El Dorado EZ-Rider II buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintenance costs while providing more reliable service. The new buses will join 11 additional new buses that were added to the fleet this past summer. That addition included the county’s first electric buses.
“A more reliable fleet, coupled with the better route structure we are planning, will transform our transit system into one of choice that will be a greater asset for our community,” Kittleman said.
In November, Howard County commissioned six more buses that will be in service in fall 2018.
County government closings on Christmas
Howard County government offices, courts, animal shelter, 50 + centers and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday on Monday. There will be no trash, recycling, food scrap or yard trim pickup and the county’s holiday “slide” schedule will be in effect. Go to howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule for information.
County parks will be open Monday, though no staff will be present.
The Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill activity rooms; Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter community centers; Robinson Nature Center; Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum; and county historic sites will close at 5 p.m. Sunday and remain closed Monday.
The Regional Transportation Agency buses will operate as usual on Sunday and will not run Monday. For more information on RTA, call 1-800-270-9553 or go to transitrta.com. Howard County parking fees will not be enforced Monday.
County offices will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday.
Howard County
celebrates Kwanzaa
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman and the Office of Human Rights will host an evening celebrating Kwanzaa, a seven-day festival commemorating African-American culture and history, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel.
Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of black studies at California State University, Long Beach in 1966 to bring African-Americans together as a community and reaffirm their culture and values. Observed Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, the name “Kwanzaa” is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits” in Swahili.
Today, people around the world demonstrate their belief in Kwanzaa’s seven principles and seven symbols with celebrations that often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, lighting of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder) and a large traditional meal.
Vendors sought for county’s GreenFest
Vendor applications are being accepted for Howard County’s 11th annual GreenFest, scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m. at Howard Community College’s Burrill Galleria, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia.
The vendor and sponsorship application is available at hcgreenfest.org. For information contact Alan Wilcom at 410-313-6433 or awilcom@howardcountymd.gov.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
