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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

A backpack of teenage angst: Some Howard County middle schoolers don’t like new rules
Select Howard County middle schools aren’t allowing students to carry backpacks from class to class. The teenagers have thoughts.
The backpacks of middle school students in class at Nottingham Middle School hang on their chairs on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Rosedale, MD.
Can’t afford to buy a home in Howard County? New census data offers some clues why
New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau suggests a harsh reality: it’s never been harder for young families to move to Howard County.
Julius Warren Jr., Black-owned barbershop owner, was an institution in Howard County
Julius Warren Jr., who owned what is believed to be the first Black-owned barbershop in Howard County, dies at 87
Julius Warren, Sr. poses for a portrait in Elkridge, October 2, 2024. Warren opened Howard County’s first Black-owned barbershop.
After 54 years, Howard County Police identify woman in county’s oldest cold case
Howard County Police have identified their Jane Doe in a 1971 cold case as Sarah Sharkey.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball speaks Thursday at a news conference outside the county police station about the department's identification of a woman in a 1971 cold case.
7 things to do in Howard County, from spooky ghost tours to the Columbia Film Festival
Seven things to do in Howard County from Thursday Sept. 4 through Wednesday Sept. 10.
The Columbia Maryland Film Festival returns Monday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 14.
‘Rabbits deserve better’: A look inside a bunny rescue in a Columbia home
Friends of Rabbits, a large animal rescue, recently took in 60 abandoned bunnies from a farm. Many of the bunnies gave birth.
A young bunny explores its surroundings during exercise time at Friends of Rabbits in Columbia.
Howard High School closed Wednesday due to power outage
Howard High School is closed to students and staff on Wednesday because the building has no power.
Howard High School was closed on Sept. 3 because the building had no power.
Howard County schools’ top 10 on state English and math assessments
The top 10 performing Howard County schools for the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) English and math tests.
Lime Kiln Middle School was one of the Top 10 performing schools on the English language arts assessment.
Howard Community College’s faculty secures 3-year contract
The Howard Community College board of trustees and its faculty union have ratified an inaugural bargaining agreement.
Dr. Alejandro Muzzio, an HCC faculty member, holds the hands of his children after delivering a list of the faculty’s demands of the HCCC administration following a rally to support Howard Community College faculty on the school’s quad in Columbia, Md. on Monday, July 28, 2025.
4 things to know about Howard County’s MCAP scores
Howard County Public School System elementary and middle school students once again outperformed state averages in the annual reading and math exams.
7 things to do in Howard County, from farm yoga to a sunset sunflower spectacular
Seven things to do in Howard County from Thursday, Aug. 28 to Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Roam through the sunflowers during Mary’s Land Farm’s Sunset Spectacular this Tuesday evening.
Howard County Police charge mother in last year’s death of 3-year-old
Howard County Police charged a mother in the November death of her 3-year-old child. At the time, the mother and child were living in Columbia.
A 3-year-old’s mother has been charged in the child’s November death by Howard County Police.
The lore behind Columbia’s quirky street names
Columbia's distinctive, some say quirky, street names have been around since its founding in 1967. But they’re gaining a new appreciation thanks to social media posts by a Columbia native who recently came home.
Fatal shooting in Columbia was targeted, Howard County Police say
Howard County Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened on Tuesday night in Columbia.
The Howard County Police logo seen outside their headquarters in 2024.
5 things to know about the first Marine superintendent of the Naval Academy
Things to know about Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, the first Marine to become Naval Academy superintendent.
Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte addresses attendees at the Naval Academy Superintendent’s Change of Command ceremony in Annapolis on Friday.
‘We will cultivate a warrior ethos’: Lt. Gen. Borgschulte becomes first Marine to lead Naval Academy
Marine Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte assumed command of the U.S. Naval Academy at a ceremony Friday afternoon.
Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte addresses attendees as he assumes command of the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday.
7 Things to do in Howard County, from a Renaissance Faire to a Back-to-School bash
Events in Howard County, including Renaissance Faire, 'Wicked' sing-along, and a Back-to-School bash.
The Oakenmist Renaissance Faire is back at the Howard County Fairgrounds this weekend.
5 hidden gems in Western Howard County that prove it’s not just farm country
A photo intern and I explored Western Howard County in search of hidden gems. I found the western section of the county is more than farms and McMansions and has pockets of diversity.
Owner Linda Heigh checks out a customer at Jenny’s Market in West Friendship.
Marine to take helm of Naval Academy on Friday, replacing first female superintendent
The U.S. Naval Academy will have its change of command ceremony for the new superintendent on Friday.
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte gets to know junior Marines at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., June 4.  Six weeks later, he was named the first Marine to serve as Naval Academy superintendent.
Howard Community College’s bitter 18-month contract battle ends — for now
The Howard Community College union reached a tentative agreement on its first contract with administration, resulting in the highest salary increase in seven years.
Howard Community College full-time faculty reached a tentative agreement on its first contract with administration, union officials announced on Monday.
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