More than 100 people submitted flag designs to the Howard County flag commission. The 19-member commission is now tasked with narrowing down the 184 designs to 10 after a public hearing next month. The new flag will be selected in 2025.

Howard County officials are set on purchasing Longwood, a former plantation in the western part of the county, for a public garden. Some want to make sure the history is researched and honored.

Here are seven things to do in Howard County for the week through Thursday Aug. 15. Be sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat — just in case!

Howard County Police released video footage of the suspect in a fatal shooting at The Mall in Columbia. Police are offering up to $7,500 to anyone who can offer information.

Laura Wallen’s story is back in the limelight on Hulu’s “How I Caught My Killer,” years after the Wilde Lake High School teacher’s boyfriend murdered her.

August has arrived, which means the Howard County Council is in recess, the weather will — hopefully — get cooler soon, and school is almost in session. Celebrate the last few weeks of no school with the Howard County Fair, free yoga and even goat yoga.

Howard County Police are searching for a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old male at The Mall in Columbia on Saturday night.

The Howard County Council voted Monday to approve a resolution needed to get a proposed inspector general office on November’s ballot.

Because of the community support of Howard County’s proposed inspector general, the council will move the bill to voters in the November election to enshrine the office in the charter.

Queen Takes Book, an indie bookstore in Columbia, is hosting a Where’s Waldo scavenger hunt for 6-inch Waldo cutouts that are hiding all around Columbia. It’s an annual national summer event.

Dozens of people appeared at a Howard County Council meeting Monday evening to share their thoughts and concerns about a proposal to create the county’s first-ever Office of the Inspector General bill. They offered thoughts and concerns, but most speakers backed the idea.

With $960,000 in a federal funding grant, Howard County will be better connected to Baltimore suburbs with two heavy-duty transit buses, allowing for more local transit options for commuters.

Overnight, Howard County Police recovered 31 stolen airbags and arrested the two suspects.

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash in Prince George’s County on Saturday morning that left three people dead, including Khyree Jackson, who was recently drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.

Howard County could, for the first time, establish an office of the inspector general to focus on complaints of fraud and illegal activities.

Old Ellicott City on Saturday will play host to what organizers are calling the nation’s largest free music festival with female-fronted groups Saturday. The festival is expanding into Maryland this year after more than a decade of being held in Delaware.

A presidential debate watch party and a free musical event featuring women-led groups are among the things to do in Howard County for the last week of June 2024.

Brave the heat this week with outdoor events like yoga, an outdoor symphony and even a butterfly walk, or if you’d rather cool off, you can stay indoors and see a ballet performance or relax with a night of painting alongside your friends.

Moms for Liberty is targeting more than three dozen titles for removal from Howard County school libraries.

Soak in all the summer sun with your pick of outdoor events that include live music, good eats and great company. One thing is important for many of this week’s events from Juneteenth celebrations to outdoor concerts to see Maggie Rogers or Brooks & Dunn: bring a blanket!