The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Rona Kobell

Rona

Rona Kobell is a regional reporter covering Baltimore County. Before joining the Banner, she worked as an environmental reporter in the region for nearly 20 years at The Baltimore Sun and The Chesapeake Bay Journal. She has twice been honored by Baltimore Magazine for the best environmental reporting in Baltimore. Last year, she was a Johns Hopkins SNF AGORA fellow studying democracy. She’s also taught journalism at the University of Maryland, Loyola University and Towson University.

The latest from Rona Kobell

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier is the first woman to hold the office since the Baltimore County created the executive position in 1956.
‘How about me?’ Kathy Klausmeier reflects on first five months as Baltimore County’s first female executive
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, the first woman to hold the post, sat down recently for an interview with The Baltimore Banner. She addressed permit delays, teacher salaries and her controversial decision not to automatically reappoint the county's inspector general.
Baltimore County's Inspector General has found that another county corrections officer committed fraud.
Baltimore County IG finds another corrections officer involved in a fraud scheme
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan has found that another county corrections officer committed fraud, in this case by receiving an $18,125 federal COVID loan for a business that did not exist.
The seven-member Baltimore County Council holds a legislative session at the Old Courthouse last year.
Baltimore County is expanding its council and redrawing districts. It hasn’t been easy.
When the Baltimore County Council voted to expand to nine members, the decision launched a process that will take months. But making history can be messy.
The Wizard of Oz dancers of Charm City Ballet.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from ballet to backwoods music
Here are seven things to do in Baltimore County for the week, including Pokémon Club, Music in the Woods and Charm City Ballet.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said she decided to "go by the charter" and require Kelly Madigan to re-apply for her job.
Klausmeier says Inspector General Kelly Madigan never asked to keep the job
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said the county’s first inspector general never asked to be re-appointed to her position.
A window ledge in Edgemere is infested with midges. The pesky flies have invaded the Baltimore County waterfront.
Son of a midge: Swarms of the pesky flies are ruining summer pleasures in Middle River
The midges are back, and they’re worse than ever. The tiny flies that have terrorized marina owners on the Back River for two decades have extended their reach to the Middle River peninsula.
The Flying Vees is a bonafide supergroup composed of four seasoned musicians of varied backgrounds. Catch them this weekend at Manor Mill.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from concerts to a Caribbean workout
Still recovering from Artscape? Here are some fun local events, many of them free, to do in Baltimore County for the week ending June 3.
Workers sort through a conveyor belt of recycled materials at the Materials Recovery Facility of the Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility.
Yes, Baltimore County recycles everything in your bin — even glass bottles
Baltimore County is trying to get people to understand that it does actually recycle our trash and wants more people to believe it, and to put out their bins.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski speaks at the groundbreaking for a new clubhouse at the county-owned Rocky Point Golf Course.
Remember the golf course project Johnny O championed? The Baltimore County Council cut funding for it.
The Baltimore County Council approved all but $6.6 million of Kathy Klausmeier’s proposed $4.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, denying funds for a golf course renovation.
Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young is running for Baltimore County Executive and will be the first candidate in the race to take public financing.
Pat Young opts for public financing in bid for Baltimore County executive
Pat Young has become the first declared candidate for Baltimore County executive to fund his campaign through a newly created public financing option.
6/16/22—Exterior of the historic Baltimore County Courthouse in Towson, the center of county government.
For 25 years, Baltimore County undercharged developers for public improvements. That’s finally changing.
Baltimore County was charging 1999 prices for its bond funds. This was problematic for finishing projects. It took a quarter century to fix it.
The Towson skyline glows in the colors of sunrise.
Is your kid graduating from a Towson college? Here are some attractions to check out
So, you’re visiting Towson for your child’s graduation and you may be wondering what there is to do. There’s plenty of history, culture and nature to check out.
A group of Baltimore County residents visit the county courthouse on Friday. May 16, 2025 to deliver a petition calling for the reappointment of Inspector General Kelly Madigan. She was recently advised by the new county executive that she would not be reappointed.
Baltimore County residents deliver petition urging Klausmeier to keep inspector general
Ten Baltimore County residents gathered in front of county offices Friday morning to deliver a letter and a 260-signature petition urging County Executive Kathy Klausmeier to keep Inspector General Kelly Madigan in her role.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan speaks during a press conference Dec. 21, 2020. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. and Baltimore County Administrative Officer Stacy Rodgers stand behind her.
Baltimore County Council seeks to keep Madigan as inspector general
The councilmen are reacting to news that Madigan was notified by Klausmeier’s office that she wouldn’t be reappointed and that the inspector general’s job had been posted.
Visitors shop along and walk across Frederick Road in Catonsville, which hosts a weekly farmers market.
7 things to do in Baltimore County, from an arts fest to Jazz at the Armory
It’s gloomy out, but fear not, the weekend will be here soon, and fun events abound throughout the county. Here’s a snapshot of things to do through Wednesday May 21.
A male Baltimore Oriole perches in a black walnut tree along Minebank Run at Cromwell Valley Park.
Unlike their namesake team, Baltimore orioles are soaring in Cromwell Valley
This is the time of year for Baltimore’s birds – those pint-sized songsters whose bold tangerine sets off beautifully against the green trees.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan addresses the Baltimore County Council during a hearing on two bills proposed to enshrine her office in the county's charter and remove a waiting period to subpoena non-government records Nov. 28, 2023.
Kelly Madigan was honored as ‘fraud fighter of the year.’ She soon may be out of a job.
Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan was putting the finishing touches on her latest fraud investigation yesterday when her bosses told her she might be out of a job.
Living Classrooms’ Lady Maryland, a reproduction of a Chesapeake Bay pungy schooner, in September 2024.
Seven things to do in Baltimore County, from marine science trip to Beatles cover band
Here are some things to do in Baltimore County for the week ending Wednesday May 14.
Ben Carson and his wife, Lacena, entered into a contract in 2023 to turn their $2.4 million home in UpperCo into a 33-acre solar farm. Homeowners in the surrounding community have protested.
Ben Carson takes heat for proposed Baltimore County solar farm
Dr. Ben Carson, who served as Donald Trump‘s housing secretary, is trying to turn 33 acres that he and his wife own into a solar farm.
A photo of John Kitz and Frances “Fritzie” Kitz in their assisted living apartment in Brightview Towson. The centenarian couple has known each other for more than 80 years, and have been married for 79 of them.
Secrets of married centenarians: Never argue, always hold hands, occasionally skinny dip
The couple, who raised their family in Glen Arm, may be the oldest married couple in the county.
Load More Stories
Oh no!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com.