🍦Snow Scoop

Good morning, Columbia. We’d like to extend a special thanks to all the snowplow crews for cleaning the roads up this weekend. Y’all are tough as nails and we’re grateful for you.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Eleven acres. A crackling wood stove. Ceilings tall enough for a golf simulator in the basement. If we had to be snowed in anywhere, it’d be this cozy Mount Airy log home. Wrapped in knotty pine and rustic beams, this ranch-style retreat brings serious cabin-core vibes with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a wrap-around porch built for watching snow fall with a mug of something warm. Oh, and rough-ins are already there to add a third full bath.

Bonus: There’s a giant garage (think 4+ cars, stalls, tack room, water, and electric), room for horses, and space to build your dream homestead.

The particulars: 11 acres. 1,568 square feet. $825,000. Listed with Joseph McDonnell @ Corner House Realty.

As of this newsletter’s writing (about 6:30 PM on Sunday), nearly 10 inches of snow has befallen Howard County. Sleet/ice is expected to continue overnight and possibly into the morning, with the National Weather Services’ winter storm warning in effect until 4 AM Monday morning.

As a result, schools and county government buildings are closed today. That includes Rec & Parks, community resource & service centers, libraries, courts, and the Alpha Ridge Landfill. Curbside trash/recycling/yard trim for today is canceled and a slide schedule is in effect (Monday collection ➡️ Tuesday, Tuesday ➡️ Wednesday, etc.)

Click here to check the plow status of roads and locations of plows in HoCo.

After a tough start to his high school career, Guilford Park’s Tyler Lee came back with something to prove — and he proved it loud and clear. The junior running back rushed for over 2,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning him 2025 Howard County Offensive Player of the Year.

He averaged nearly 9 yards per carry, bulldozed through stacked defenses, and left defenders in his wake week after week.

Coach Tom Montag called him “one of one” — a relentless runner who finishes every play like the end zone owes him money. With one more season to go, don’t be surprised if Lee rewrites the record books. ($)

A person was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Saturday morning near Rt. 175 and Tamar Drive in Columbia, marking ICE’s first confirmed operation in Howard County, according to county police.

HCPD said they responded to reports of someone being removed from a vehicle. The department confirmed it was ICE activity, but has no more information to report. ICE hasn’t released details.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

If you love a good deal and trying a new place, time is running out. Howard County Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks are done on Sunday, February 1st and with them all the delicious prix fixe menus our local kitchens have dreamed up. View all 30+ participating restaurants here. Prix fixe is a thing of beauty and when these menus are gone, they’re gone. So let the roads clear (or walk if you can) and eat out!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

🎈 = family-friendly events 🙂

All week long
Rock of Ages @ Toby’s Dinner Theatre | Dinner and a show featuring the greatest hits of the 80s.

Wednesday
Sushi making class by Rec & Parks

Thursday
Dining in the Dark: A Unique Blindfolded Experience

Trivia, Karaoke, Open Mic Nights, and Bingo

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

County Executive Calvin Ball is nearing the end of his second term so the county’s top job is up for grabs. Four folks are vying for your votes on November 3.

Atterbeary has over $600k on hand to fund her campaign. She’s the only one not using the public campaign finance system. Deb Jung has just under a quarter million in the bank. Liz Walsh has about $26k on hand. And we don’t know how much Bob Cockey has since he wasn’t required to file a report last Wednesday based on when he registered his campaign.

Might finally be time to pony up for YouTube Premium because there’s nothing worse than a political ad when you’re just trying to learn how to make Joshua Weissman’s best chocolate chip cookies ever.

Bridge work on Guilford Road over the Little Patuxent River near Murray Hill Road is scheduled to start today, January 26 — but with the snow, don’t be surprised if it’s delayed. Crews will clear debris and place ripraps to stabilize the slope, with work happening weekdays 8–5 through early March (weather permitting). The right shoulder of Murray Hill Road will close during those hours, so drive with caution and give workers space.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

Monday
24 🌡️ 4 | ☀ | 10% ☔ | 💨 18 mph

Tuesday
23 🌡️ 3 | ☀ | 10% ☔ | 💨 10 mph

Wednesday
21 🌡️ 8 | ☀ | 20% ☔ | 💨 10 mph

Thursday
19 🌡️ 5 | ☀ | 0% ☔ | 💨 14 mph

Tuesday
Cured 1821 | Mark Kotision | 6 PM

Wednesday
Collective Encore | Eric Scott Trio | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Cured 1821 | Gene Okonski | 6 PM
Dive Bar & Grille | Rod Sebastian | 9 PM

Thursday
The Morgan Inn | Kylar Ray | 6 PM
White Oak Tavern | Jazz Brunch | 10 AM

Thanks for reading Columbia Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who helped you shovel this weekend.