Jess Nocera - The Baltimore Banner
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Jess Nocera

Jess

Jess Nocera is a regional reporter covering Howard County. She previously worked for The Richmond-Times Dispatch, The Baltimore Sun and The Bristol Herald Courier. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a double major in multi-platform journalism and government & politics in May 2017. When not reporting, Jess enjoys practicing yoga, running and antique shopping. Jess lives with her boyfriend and their two adorable kitties.

The latest from Jess Nocera

Community parent Cindy LaFollette speaks to the Howard County School Board during Thursday's meeting, which included redistricting proposals.
Howard County school officials present three redistricting options amid protests
The Howard County Public Schools needs to relieve overcrowding at two elementary schools — Bryant Woods in Columbia and Centennial Lane in Ellicott City. Doing so could affect attendance zones in as many as 11 of the county’s 78 schools starting in fall 2026.
Outdoor movie screenings this week include "Clifford the Big Red Dog" at Belmont Manor & Historic Park and "Wicked" at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.
7 things to do in Howard County, from a ‘Wicked’ screening to girls’ night out
Here is a look at things to do in Howard County for the week ending Wednesday July 23.
Collin Sullivan, a lifelong Columbia resident, was first elected to the Columbia Association board in May 2024.
A ‘zillennial’ takes the helm of the Columbia Association board
The Columbia Association board of directors is getting younger, and residents say it's for the better.
The Howard County Board of Appeals voted XXXX on Thursday, June 26.
Zoning fight over Western Howard County dad’s go-kart track inches toward finish line
Nearly a year after a Western Howard County resident retroactively applied for a permit to keep a go-kart track on his property for his son, a local county board is poised to decide the track’s fate later this month.
Centennial Lane Elementary School
Howard County parents want to ax pre-K to avoid redistricting. It’s not that simple
Shuffling preschool classrooms doesn't fit in with Howard County's plan to expand pre-K access for high-need kids
Scenes from the 2023 Columbia Lakefront Fourth of July fireworks.
7 things to do in Howard County, from Fourth of July fireworks to ‘National Treasure’ viewing
Events in Howard County, including Fourth of July fireworks, 'National Treasure' viewing and more.
The Howard County Health Department issued a precautionary health alert after a clogged sewer line overflowed at a Laurel rest stop.
Sewage overflow at I-95 rest stop in Laurel prompts health alert
The Howard County Health Department issued a precautionary health alert Wednesday after a clogged sewer line overflowed at a Laurel rest stop.
The Caribbean American Heritage Festival returns to Color Burst Park in Columbia on Saturday.
7 things to do in Howard County, from a Maker Faire to ‘The Princess Bride’
Head down to the Columbia Lakefront Friday night for a screening of “The Princess Bride” or Saturday night for live music.
The W.R. Grace & Co. headquarters in Columbia.
Despite outcry, Maryland approves Columbia plastics plant for company with toxic past
The Maryland Department of the Environment has approved an air quality permit for W.R. Grace to build a pilot plastics recycling plant at its Columbia headquarters.
Juneteenth at the Lakefront is taking place in Downtown Columbia beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday.
7 things to do in Howard County, from Juneteenth celebrations to a butterfly walk
Events in Howard County, including Juneteenth, LakeFest Weekend, a Butterfly Walk and more.
Howard County students, parents and community members packed the Board of Education Thursday afternoon looking to save funding for several district programs and positions.
Howard County school board eliminates third grade orchestra, makes other cuts despite public pleas
Cuts to the orchestra program were among the difficult choices that the Howard County school board made to close a budget gap.
Kimco Realty, a New York-based retail real estate company that purchased seven of Columbia’s 10 village centers in 2002, wants to revitalize the Hickory Ridge Village Center.
A Columbia village center needs a facelift. No one agrees on what that means.
Kimco, a New York-based company that owns seven of Columbia’s 10 village centers, wants to revitalize the Hickory Ridge location, but the community can’t agree on what redevelopment should look like.
Henry and Ilean Johnson, 64 and 60, dance in between rounds of Midnight Mini Golf at Columbia SportsPark held by the Columbia Association on Friday, Aug. 23rd, 2024.
7 Things to do in Howard County, from a Savage Bluegrass Festival to yoga in the park
Events in Howard County, including Savage Bluegrass Festival, Yoga in the Park, Midnight Mini Golf at Columbia SportsPark and more.
A Howard County man built a go-kart track on his property in Highland for his son.
Controversial Howard County go-kart track may get the green flag after all
A controversial go-kart track built on a Western Howard County property inched closer to the starting line Thursday afternoon.
The Howard County Board of Education is slated to vote on its operating budget on June 12.
Howard County school board OKs cuts, eliminates 127 positions to close funding gap
The Howard County school board voted 6-1 to approve roughly $11.3 million in budget cuts.
Howard County school bus driver Javion Hinmon waits to depart on a practice route in Hanover last year.
More Howard County students will be able to ride the bus this fall. Will yours?
With more Howard County Public Schools students eligible to ride a yellow school bus this August, families can check an online map to verify their transportation for the 2025-26 academic year.
No plans have been proposed to the Board of Education on redistricting yet.
Howard County students face redistricting again — and parents are already pushing back
It’s nothing new for the school district, which grappled with a contentious countywide redistricting nearly six years ago that left lingering wounds.
Thousands will gather at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront on the Fourth of July.
7 things to do in Howard County, from a Columbia block party to a wildflower walk
Seven things to do in Howard County from Thursday May 29 to Wednesday June 4.
7/8/22—A Baltimore Police officer’s car is parked on the corner of E Lombard St. & President St.
Police investigating double fatal shooting in West Baltimore
Baltimore police are investigating a double fatal shooting that occurred early Monday morning.
The Maryland State Police logo emblazoned on a lectern in front a police vehicle from a separate agency before a press conference, pictured outside the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barracks on 11/10/22.
Two dead in weekend pile-up on I-70 in Frederick County
Maryland State Police investigate a double fatal traffic crash in Frederick County on Sunday afternoon.
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