Traffic fatality

Tires stolen

Vehicle stolen (recovered)

Traffic Fatality

A 22-year-old Ellicott City man was killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 70. Police identified the driver as Timothy Lefebvre, 22, of Ellicott City; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe heavy rain and water on the roadway may have been factors.

📍 Westbound I-70 · Thursday, July 9

Tire Theft · 21043

Tires stolen off two vehicles parked overnight on the same block.

📍 3000 block Oak Green Circle · Overnight July 9–10

Vehicle Theft · 21043

A 2024 Honda Accord was stolen overnight — the vehicle has since been recovered.

📍 8700 block Town and Country Boulevard · Overnight July 9–10

📈 Market check: The average 21043 home is worth $644,483, down 0.9% over the past year — but don't read that as a soft market. Homes are still going to pending in about 6 days on average, and 49% of May sales closed above asking (only 23.5% went under).

🏦 Rates: The Fed's next meeting is July 28–29. Chair Kevin Warsh has kept a hawkish tone all summer — don't expect a rate cut. If you're waiting on rates to drop before buying or refinancing, this market isn't signaling relief soon.

DPW holds a public meeting Wed., July 15, 5–6:30PM at Bonnie Branch Middle School on three proposed Bonnie Branch Watershed sites: bank stabilization and two culvert replacements. Plans are in concept stage — no formal presentation, just displays and staff Q&A. Can't make it? Contact Megan Nolan at (410) 313-6145 or mnolan@howardcountymd.gov.

Reservations open Monday, July 13, with a grand opening set for Wednesday, July 15.

WLR Automotive Group's new location at 8532 Baltimore National Pike is expected to open this week, the week of July 13, with a 130-foot wash tunnel and 23 free vacuums.

Howard County opened six new dedicated pickleball courts at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville, bringing the county-wide total in County-owned parks to 28 — good news for western Howard County residents.

Howard County Rec & Parks' free Wednesday night concert series continues. Bring a blanket and a picnic.

📍 Centennial Park South Amphitheater · Wed Jul 15 · 7PM · Free

Match live song clips to your card instead of numbers — free to play, weekly at All American Steakhouse.

📍 8450 Baltimore National Pike · Thu Jul 16 · 8–10PM · Free

Free bingo in Manor Hill's heated Private Event Barn, plus farm-brewed beer and Neapolitan pizza from the trolley. 21+.

📍 Manor Hill Brewing, 4411 Manor Ln · Fri Jul 17 · 5–7PM · Free

Ellicott City's best singalong spot — seasoned performers and first-timers both welcome. Great drinks, electric atmosphere.

📍 Trolley Stop Restaurant & Bar, 6 Oella Ave · Fridays · 9PM till late

Local artists' work from this year's Paint It! festival, on display through late August.

📍 Howard County Welcome Center, 8267 Main St · Through Aug 23

🚘 Worth the drive

Train plays Merriweather with Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson.

📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia · Fri Jul 17

Phish plays Sunday night. Heads up: Saturday's show is sold out.

📍 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia · Sun Jul 19

Get Paid to Stay Cool: BGE's Connected Rewards

💰 $10/month per thermostat, up to 3. Enroll a smart thermostat in BGE's Connected Rewards program and earn bill credits every month you participate through the summer — no equipment purchase required if you already have one.

⚡ Extra credits on Energy Savings Days. Starting this year, enrolled customers also earn $1.25 in bill credits for every kilowatt-hour they save compared to normal use on high-demand days — stacks on top of the monthly credit.

🔁 Takes about 5 minutes. Sign up at enrollmythermostat.com/bge and confirm eligibility — free money for something most of us are already doing (running the AC).

🏙️

The ruins on the hill above Ellicott City were one of the first women's colleges in the country.

Patapsco Female Institute opened in 1837 as an elite boarding school for young women, teaching subjects like science and philosophy at a time when that was rare for girls' education. It closed in 1891 and later served as a hospital and even a Gilded Age summer estate before falling into ruin. Today it's a Howard County park — the roofless stone shell still stands overlooking Ellicott City, and it's a popular (some say haunted) spot for photos.

Know a neighbor in 21043?

Forward this to someone on your street. The ZIP is free — your neighborhood deserves to be in the loop.