july2026_laurel_web

Women sweep key races in local primary

By JOSHUA GARNER and RORY CAHILL

Women emerged as some of the biggest winners in the June 23 primary elections, capturing nominations for county executive, county council and other key local offices across Prince George's, Howard and Anne Arundel counties despite relatively low voter turnout statewide.

State election officials reported that about 16.7% of eligible Maryland voters cast ballots, well below turnout in the 2024 presidential primary.

Beltsville resident Michelle García won the Democratic primary for Prince George's County Council District 1, which represents Laurel, Beltsville, West Laurel, South Laurel, Calverton and parts of College Park.

With the backing of Mary Lehman, state delegate and former District 1 council member, as well as current Council member Tom Dernoga, García emerged as the frontrunner and the only woman in the race. She defeated former Laurel City Council member Martin Mitchell and political newcomer Darwin Romero.

Juneteenth celebration honors history while building community

By JALEN WADE

As more than a thousand people gathered at Emancipation Park to celebrate Juneteenth, Laurel resident Leon Bookman thought about the Alabama he remembers from the 1990s.

After moving there from New York as a teenager, Bookman said he was shocked by the open racial tension he encountered, memories that resurfaced as he celebrated Juneteenth with his daughters in Laurel.

“[Juneteenth] is a celebration not just one day a year but every

day to remind ourselves that we are a free people,” Bookman said.

Bookman joined community members, elected officials and vendors who came together June 20 for the City of Laurel’s fourth annual Juneteenth celebration.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, including the last enslaved people in Texas who learned of their freedom in 1865. Laurel first recognized Juneteenth in 2019 under then-Mayor Craig Moe.

In 2022, the city started hosting an annual celebration. The event is usually held at Granville Gude Park, but this year it moved to Emancipation Park.

Sandra Choute, chair of the Laurel Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration Committee, said the move brought the celebration closer to “The Grove,” a historic Black community in Laurel that served as a gathering place in the 1870s and is the site of an annual Emancipation Day event in September.

She said the celebration is

Laurel mayor, Boys & Girls Club clash at City Council meeting

By JOSHUA GARNER

A proposed $1 million investment to expand after-school youth programs into city-owned facilities is sparking a debate over transparency and funding for Laurel-based nonprofits.

During a June 22 City Council meeting, council members, residents and representatives from the Laurel Boys & Girls Club sought answers from Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor about the proposal, which would allow the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America to operate a free afterschool program inside one of the

city's three community centers. The national organization would pay $1 per year under a proposed 15-year agreement.

The approximately $1 million in state funding would not pay for the program itself but instead would fund renovations to the Laurel Armory–Anderson & Murphy Community Center, where the program would be housed.

“This is something that's going to benefit our city, that's going to get invested in our program,” Sydnor said during the meeting. “The parents who can't afford daycare,

A community newspaper chronicling the people and events of Laurel, Maryland. LaurelIndependent.com StreetcarSuburbs.News

Submission Information

The Laurel Independent is published monthly at the start of each month. We welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs. Send by July 17 to joshua@ streetcarsuburbs.news

Managing Editor Joshua Garner Joshua@streetcarsuburbs.news

Interim Associate Editor Jalen Wade Jalen@streetcarsuburbs.news

Columnists

Agnes Pasco Conaty, Jimmy Rogers Writers & Contributors

Rory Cahill, Zoe Hammond, Joe Murchison

Layout & Design Editors

Valerie Morris, Ashley Perks

Advertising Information

For advertising inquiries, please email catie@streetcarsuburbs.news or call (301) 284-8611

Streetcar Suburbs Publishing

Business Manager Catie Currie Catie@streetcarsuburbs.news

Executive Director Kit Slack Kit@streetcarsuburbs.news

Marketing Director Ashley Perks ashley@streetcarsuburbs.news

Board of Directors

President: Marta McLellan Ross

Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk

Treasurer: Joe Murchison

General Counsel: Michael Walls Nora Eidelman, Merrill Hartson, Alec Lynde, Carter Ross, Tara Susman-Peña

Ex Officios: Joshua Garner, Nigel F. Maynard, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack

The Laurel Independent is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Laurel High School opens its doors for Community Day

By RORY CAHILL

It turns out there’s a right and a wrong way to pie a teacher in the face.

That’s what David Jahangiri, a health teacher at Laurel High School, said during the high school’s second annual Community Day celebration on June 6. Jahangiri had volunteered to be pied, for the price of just $3 per pie, but often found himself struggling to breathe in the aftermath. The problem, he said, is when people swirl the pie around his face after hitting him with it.

“Anyone who pies, then swirls [it in my face with their hand], it gets into the nose,” Jahangiri said. “So a straight-on pie [without swirling] ... and we’re good.”

Pieing teachers was one of many activities offered during Community Day, which also featured bounce houses, video games, a wide variety of vendors and entertainment, including performances by the school choir and cheerleaders.

But beyond the entertainment, organizers said the event was designed to strengthen Laurel High School’s connection with the broader Laurel community, showcase student talent and connect residents with resources and opportunities.

In an email statement after the event, organizer Tia Harris said Community Day was created to make the school a gathering place for the community while publicizing programs such as food assistance and job opportunities.

“The event was intentionally designed to be family-centered and free of charge so that all community members could participate regardless of financial circumstances,” she said.

Dara Mayomi and Janelle Bassole, two graduating seniors, were among the students attending. Mayomi said she enjoyed the “close-knit” atmosphere of Community Day, as well as the music provided by a DJ and several student performers.

“It’s also fun because we get to see some of our peers that we haven’t seen in a

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I RAN FOR OFFICE AND LOST. I LEARNED VOTERS NEED MORE ENGAGEMENT.

Organizers said the event was designed to strengthen Laurel High School’s connection with the broader Laurel community, showcase student talent and connect residents with resources and opportunities.

while,” Bassole said.

So far, Harris said, Community Day has drawn between 300 and 500 attendees in each of its first two years. She said the event has attracted at least a few people from outside Laurel, including Lanham and Burtonsville.

Still, the focus remains on Laurel. Harris said she wants Laurel High School to be a “hub” for the entire community, not just its students.

But even with so much to do, the opportunity to pie a teacher appeared to be one of the event’s most popular attractions.

The “pies” started the day as paper plates covered in whipped cream, according to Jahangiri. But the whipped cream soon ran out, forcing organizers to switch to shaving cream.

“It tastes absolutely diabolical,” he said.

©2026 Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, Inc.

501(c)(3) non-profit publisher of the Hyattsville Life & Times, the College Park Here & Now, The Laurel Independent, StreetcarSuburbs.News, and The Streetcar Spotlight.

PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781

First and foremost, I want to thank every resident who supported our campaign, volunteered their time, opened their doors, shared their concerns, and believed in our vision for the future of District 1. Running for Prince George’s County Council has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that there are many residents who want to be involved but do not always have access to information about local elections. Many people shared with us that they did not know there was a

competitive race or that I was running. That reminds us that we must continue building stronger connections throughout District 1 and finding new ways to reach every neighborhood.

Over the past several months, our team distributed more than 9,000 pieces of campaign literature, connected with thousands of residents through conversations, forums, festivals, parades, farmers markets, social media, and community events. We brought new conversations into the community and encouraged residents to become more engaged.

Instead of only focusing on signs and visibility, we chose to serve. We cleaned our communities, supported our educa-

tors and service workers, and invested our time in the people who make District 1 special.

Thank you for your trust, your encouragement, and your support. My commitment to District 1 does not end with an election. I will continue listening, serving, and advocating for the community we all call home. This journey is not over.

Darwin Romero

Laurel resident and former candidate for Prince George’s County Council District 1

We publish letters to the editor in our discretion and reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.

City Council restores funding to The Laurel Independent

By JOSHUA GARNER

A showdown between the Laurel mayor and City Council over funding for The Laurel Independent and a proposed housing program ended June 1 with council members voting unanimously to restore funding and override mayoral vetoes.

Mayor Keith Sydnor and the City Council met at the Laurel Municipal Center on June 1 to discuss two vetoes issued by Sydnor on May 28 that cut funding for The Laurel Independent and restored $1 million in funding for the City of Laurel Family Resilience and Housing Stability Program. The two issues were separate line items in the city's $50 million fiscal year 2027 budget.

The council voted unanimously to override both vetoes, restoring funding for The Laurel Independent to $45,000 and again removing $1 million allocated to the housing program. Under a contract with the city,

Mayor Keith Sydnor and the City Council met to discuss two vetoes that cut funding for The Laurel Independent and restored $1 million in funding for the City of Laurel Family Resilience and Housing Stability Program.

The Laurel Independent publishes the city’s newsletter in its center four pages. The revenue from that contract helps pay to print and mail the paper to every address in Laurel.

Kit Slack, executive director of Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, which publishes The Laurel Independent, said she was grateful for the council's support after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the newspaper's funding.

“We’re thankful for the City Council’s unanimous support,” Slack said. “They understand that The Laurel Independent is an affordable way for the city to reach all residents with news and information.”

But the two line items drew attention from advocates and community members who rallied to restore funding for The Laurel Independent, while council members questioned the process used to develop the housing program, calling it a “surprise $1 million spend.”

The housing program would provide $750 per month to 100 families earning between 60% and 80% of the area’s median income for one year to help them meet rising expenses and remain housed. To qualify, applicants must be stably housed and employed. Recipients also would receive financial literacy training as part of the program. Funding would come from American Rescue Plan Act money.

By the time the vote occurred Monday evening, nearly 100 people had packed the Laurel Municipal Center. Council President Brencis Smith said he and the council were committed to working with the

NOW HIRING:

mayor and the community on the issue.

“The [mayor] stood on his position. The council will stand on their position, but you got to work together,” Smith said. “We can agree to disagree, but you got to follow the process.”

Sydnor contended that funding for the housing program included community input and went through proper approval processes before being presented to the City Council.

“There’s no right or wrong way when you invest in the community,” Sydnor said before the vote. “I chose to do something that helped renters out, and I stand by that. ... I followed the guidelines to a T.”

Human Resources Managers in Laurel

• Develop recruitment strategies to attract healthcare professionals.

• Oversee hiring, credentialing, background checks, drug screenings, etc for placements.

• Maintain compliance w/regulations.

• Develop training programs.

• Salary = $150,000/yr.

Send resume to: Maakay Group LLC, 14900 Sweitzer Ln, Suite 101, Laurel, MD 20707.

Thank you!

CITY OF LAUREL CRIME REPORT

05/26/26 - 06/21/26

BREAK IN REPORT

6/16 1 blk Dell Pl

BURGLARY

5/31 30 blk Orchard Towne Ct

6/8 30 blk Orchard Towne Ct

6/8 1000 blk Marton St

SHOOTING

6/9 400 blk Talbott Ave

SHOPLIFTING

5/30 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

5/31 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

6/1 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

6/2 300 blk Domer St

6/3 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

6/4 14200 blk Baltimore Ave

6/7 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

6/11 14700 blk Baltimore Ave

6/15 600 blk Washington Blvd

6/16 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

6/18 300 blk Montrose Ave

6/18 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

6/20 300 blk Domer Ave

6/21 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

6/21 14700 blk Baltimore Ave

6/21 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

STOLEN VEHICLE

5/29 500 blk Washington Blvd

5/30 Acura 8300 blk Ashford Blvd

6/2 Honda 6900 blk Andersons Way

6/3 14100 blk Bowsprit Ln

6/8 Honda 100 blk Ninth St

6/9 14700 blk Fourth St

6/9 15600 blk Millbrook Ln

6/10 7700 blk Cypress St

6/11 Volkswagen 8200 blk Harvest Bend Ln

6/11 800 blk Fairlawn Ave

6/12 Honda 1000 blk Tenth St

6/13 14800 blk Baltimore Ave

6/13 Honda 14100 blk West

Side Blvd

6/15 Ford 14100 blk Oxford Dr

6/17 13700 blk Baltimore Ave

6/18 Dodge 14400 blk West Side Blvd

6/19 Honda 6900 blk Andersons Way

6/20 7900 blk Laurel Lakes Ct

THEFT FROM AUTO

5/26 14700 blk Fourth St

5/26 15000 blk Wheatland Pl

5/26 300 blk Seventh St

5/27 14700 blk Baltimore Ave

5/27 800 blk Fifth St

5/29 14700 blk Baltimore Ave

5/29 7900 blk Sandy Spring Rd

5/29 8300 blk Ashford Blvd

6/1 800 blk Fifth St

6/4 14000 blk Justin Way

6/5 Lafayette Ave / Bowie Rd

6/8 800 blk Eighth St

6/8 9400 blk Spring House Ln

6/17 15000 blk Cherrywood Dr

6/17 14600 blk Cambridge Cir

6/19 14100 blk Yardarm Way

THEFT REPORT

5/28 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

5/28 300 blk Montrose Ave

5/28 600 blk Seventh St

5/29 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

5/29 200 blk Fort Meade Rd

5/29 14700 blk Baltimore Ave

6/1 500 blk Ninth St

6/1 800 blk Fifth St

6/3 14800 blk Baltimore Ave

6/3 14100 blk Baltimore Ave

6/9 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

6/9 14700 blk Baltimore Ave

6/9 200 blk Bowie Rd

6/10 300 blk Domer St

6/11 600 blk Seventh St

6/11 7900 blk Laurel Lakes Ct

6/11 13600 blk Baltimore Ave

6/12 1700 blk Mill Branch Dr

6/16 14800 blk Baltimore Ave

6/17 15100 blk Baltimore Ave

6/18 14200 blk Park Center Dr

VEHICLE BREAK-IN

6/12 1100 Blk Eleventh St

6/15 200 blk Stanley Pl

6/17 6900 blk Andersons Way

6/17 6900 blk Andersons Way

6/19 6900 blk Andersons Way

CLASH

who can't afford child care can have something to benefit their kids.”

But leaders of the Laurel Boys & Girls Club, which is not affiliated with the national organization, pushed back, accusing the city of favoring an outside nonprofit over the Laurel-based club, which has served local youth since 1965.

“If you can give [the national club] a million dollars to operate, and you can't give the [Laurel] Boys and Girls Club one dollar, there's something wrong with that picture,” said Wilbert Nicholson, president of the Laurel Boys & Girls Club. “How can we win in this situation?

Nicholson said the Laurel club currently serves about 400 youth through sports, mentoring and after-school programs. Its building, constructed in 1899 as the first high school in Prince George's County, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nicholson said the building now requires significant repairs.

“We've done some renovations. We haven't done the full thing because that roof costs almost a million dollars,” he said.

Residents also questioned why the community had not been no-

tified about the proposal before it advanced and how the Armory would accommodate both the after-school program and existing programs for adults and senior citizens.

“We've been hearing just through the grapevine that something was happening that we haven't been able to really get any answers from normal points of contact,” said resident Scott Lilienthal, who uses the Armory's exercise room with his wife.

Other residents questioned why there was no publicly available request for proposals.

“Why not put it out to a community proposal? ... Why not open it up to the public?” asked Jennifer Laskin of West Laurel.

During the meeting, Sydnor repeatedly defended the proposal as an administrative decision that did not require City Council approval, saying the proposed partnership falls within the authority of the mayor and the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

“ ... and I stand by [the proposal],” he said.

It is not clear when, or if, the proposal will move forward. Calls to the city's Department of Parks and Recreation seeking additional comment were not immediately returned.

JULY COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Find more local events all month long in our new, continuously updated online calendar at streetcarsuburbs.news/events.

EVENTS

July 1 Journey to the center of the earth. Travel from outer space inward to learn about the conditions that made life possible on Earth! 11 am-12 pm.Maryland City Library.

July 4. 53rd Annual Independence Day Celebration. 3-10 pm. Granville Gude Park and Lakehouse.

July 6. Shark Week Art. Celebrate by creating your own ocean-themed crayon resist artwork. All supplies provided, just bring your creativity!. 6-7 pm. Maryland City Library.

July 7. Needlework Social: Knitting and Crocheting. Connect with others in your community who share your love for needlecraft. 6:30-8pm. Laurel Branch Library.

July 8. Beginner Line Dancing Fun. 6-7 pm. Learn beginner soul line dances and discover a fun, low-impact physical activity. Maryland City Library.

July 10. Coffee and Conversation. Enjoy a cup of coffee and lively discussions on a variety of timely, engaging topics. 10-11 am. Laurel Branch Library.

July 10-19. Four Old Broads on the High Seas. Murder mystery play set on a cruise ship. $20, $15 children & seniors. Laurel Mill Playhouse. Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, 2pm matinees July 11, 12, & 19.

July 11

Science Saturdays: Ice Cream. Explore the science of making ice cream and enjoy a special treat afterwards. 10:30 - 11:30 am. Maryland City Library.

She Blooms anyway. Create, connect, and bloom through chair yoga, breathwork, and playful plant head art in this soulful creative wellness experience. 11 am-2 pm. $71. Laurel Municipal Swimming Pool.

Storybook Magic Show. 2-3 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

July 15. A Foreign Policy Discussion Series. This discussion is an opportunity to hear from a foreign policy expert about decisions and decision makers that are currently shaping US foreign policy. 6-7:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

July 17. Playday at the Library: Water Play. Play and socialize during outdoor water play at the library. 10:30-11:30 am. Laurel Branch Library. Repeats July 31.

July 18. Mr. Lilo Live! Lilo Gonzalez is a singer and songwriter who has touched the lives of many people with his fun yet thoughtful music. 2-3 pm. Maryland City Library.

July 20. Game on:Escape Room. 4-5 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

July 22. Craft and Create: Junk Journaling. Unleash your creativity while learning new crafting skills. 6-7:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

Celebrating

VENUE INFORMATION

Event details change! For confirmation, ticket prices, and cancellations, visit websites or call.

American Legion Laurel Post 60 2 Main St. 301.725.2302 Clyopatra Winery 24 C Street. 240.345.3500

Granville Gude Park Lakehouse

8300 Mulberry St. 301. 490.3530

Laurel Armory

422 Montgomery St. Call or text Gail Gibson at 301.452.7700 or email book62worm@hotmail.com

July 23. A Dino-Sized Magical Circus. Former Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus performer Circus Greg gives a magic show with the assistance of a dinosaur. 11 am- 12 pm. Maryland City Library.

July 24. Game Night! UIU DMV and Igbo Table Talk at Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard. UIU DMV is partnering with Igbo Table Talk for an unforgettable Game Night at Clyopatra Winery. $5. 6:30 pm-10:30 pm. Clyopatra Winery.

July 25

Friends of Patuxent’s Local Community Environmental Mini Fair 10 am-2 pm. All ages. The mini fair is part of the 90th-Year Anniversary celebrations for this national wildlife

Laurel Branch Library 507 7th St. 301.776.6790 pgmls.info

Laurel Mill Playhouse 508 Main St lmp508main@gmail.com, 301-617-9906.

Laurel Municipal Swimming Pool 901 Main St

Maryland City at Russet Library 3501 Russett Common. 410.222.1070 https://www.aacpl.net/services/maryland-city-at-russett

refuge! 20+ local environmental groups, live music, continuous film showings of “The Extraordinary Caterpillar,” photography exhibit, children’s activities, Jersey Mike’s foods onsite for purchase. Visitor Center area. Rain or shine. Patuxent Research Refuge.

Wild Bird Meet & Greet 2-3:30 pm, last Saturday of month. All ages. Meet in the Visitor Center lobby to “greet” a live bird of prey! Cameras & questions, welcome. Patuxent Research Refuge.

Gardening Together: Plant Therapy - Revive & Refresh. Emotional Intelligence coach will guide participants through a hands-on activity focused on plant care, pruning, and refresh techniques. 1-2 pm and 2:30-3:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

Sons of the American Legion Annual July Crab Feast. Annual July Crab Feast that includes

Montpelier Arts Center 9652 Muirkirk Road. 301.377.7800 pgparks.com

Patuxent Research Refuge South Tract & National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. 301.497.5772 fws.gov/refuge/patuxent

Roland B Sweitzer Community Park. Old Sandy Spring Rd. 301.725.5300

all you can eat crabs, sides and dessert. Draft beer included. $81. 3:30-7 pm.

July 28. Book Discussion: "Combee" by Edda L. FieldsBlack. 7-8 PM. Laurel Branch Library.

KIDS & TEENS

StoryTrail. Sunrise to sunset (Tuesdays, till 4 pm). [S]. All Ages. July-August: “Bugs for Lunch/Insectos Para El Almuerzo” by Margery Facklam. Explore a seasonal children’s book, page-by-page, in childheight display boxes on the paved Loop Trail (near outdoor bathrooms). Patuxent Research Refuge.

July 2. Tail Waggin Tutors Boost your child's confidence by reading to friendly, trained therapy dogs! Bring a favorite book or choose one from the library's selection of books. 4:30-5:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

July 6. Makerspace: Passthrough in Tinkercad. 3:30-5:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

July 10. Get Active: Yoga for Families. Fun and engaging yoga class for children ages 6-10 and their caregivers. 4-4:45 pm. Laurel branch Library.

July 10. “Wingspan” Game Days. 10 am-1 pm, July 10 & 25; . Ages 12+. No experience needed. Play the award-winning board game; learn more about BIRDS! Use ours or bring yours. Sign in, Front Desk. Patuxent Research Refuge.

July 17. Family Fun Staffed: 10 am-1 pm. July 17/18. On Own: 10 am-4 pm, Wed.-Sat. All ages.

July-Aug : Colors in Nature Explore through hands-on activities, games and crafts. Drop-in. Patuxent Research Refuge.

July 18

Bowie-Crofton Camera Club. Nature Photography Talk/ Walk, 11-12:30 pm. July 18. Ages 5+. Club members present a talk on nature photography

in the Visitor Center auditorium, followed by a photo walk outdoors. Patuxent Research Refuge.

Game-on:Switch. Bring your favorite game or enjoy one from our collection-there's something for everyone. 3:305:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

Mobile Safety Town. Safety Town helps young children

build a foundation of safe road use early in life-teaching them essential traffic safety habits. 6-7 pm. Maryland City Library. July 25. Teen Escape Room: 2-3 pm. Maryland City Library. July 27. Legos: Freestyle. Build, create, and explore with legos. 4-5 pm. Laurel City Library.

July 28. Game On: Magic the Gathering. 6:00pm-7:30pm. Laurel Branch Library.

ART EXHIBITIONS

Aaron Oldenburg: Night Walks - Public Reception Aaron Oldenburg creates artworks using game engines, coding languages, 2D and 3D digital art creation software, and audio sampling. Reception July 11 2-4 pm. Montpelier Art Center.

Hollingsworth Wildlife Art Gallery. Local multidisci-

plinary artist Keith Kozloff dedicates his exhibit to Rachel Carson: findings at this refuge alerted her to the risks of DDT. Keith’s exhibit partners with Friends of Patuxent in July as a fundraiser. Reception July 25 12-2pm. Patuxent Research Refuge.

SENIORS

July 8. Senior Social In the park. 12 pm. Roland B Sweitzer Community Park.

Chess. All levels are welcome. Thursdays. 2pm Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center.

BINGO. Every Tuesday at Laurel Senior Friendship Club, doors open at 11am bingo starts at noon. Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activities Center. Also Every Tuesday at Laurel Elks Lodge #2283. Doors open at 5pm, bingo starts at 7pm Every Friday at American Legion Post 60. Doors open at 5pm and bingo starts at 7:30pm

July 10. Second Friday Senior Book Club. “Bread Givers” by Aniza Yezierska. 2 to 3:30pm, Laurel Armory: email book62worm@hotmail. com.

For years, 12-Step clubs have provided a safe, welcoming space for local individuals seeking a new way of life. Now, a brand-new hub is coming to our area.

The Laurel “Don’t Rest on Your Laurels” Club, Inc. will be a dedicated space for 12-step meetings, fellowship, and social activities. But to open our doors, we need our community’s help. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, your tax-deductible contribution goes directly toward securing our location, paying utilities, and covering essential operating expenses.

Help us turn the lights on for the next person who is looking for a way out, and a way forward.

Visit www.laurelclub520.org or scan the QR code to make a tax-deductible donation.

At age 91, longtime Laurel Turkey Trot runner keeps going

By JOE MURCHISON

Bill Beydler has run in most of the 21 Laurel Turkey Trots since the annual Thanksgiving Day 5K fundraiser began in 2004.

For the past 14 years, he has finished first in his age group.

Actually, he has not had much competition during that time, perhaps because he was running in his 80s and 90s. He plans to enter the 22nd annual race next November, when he will have just turned 92.

“I run six days a week,” he said. “I lift weights and do calisthenics three days a week. The Lord’s been kind to me.”

The Laurel Turkey Trot, organized by Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services, raises money to support residents facing hunger, homelessness and financial hardship.

Beydler, who looks younger than his 91 years, had another explanation for his remarkable fitness: genetics.

“I come from a good-gene family,” he said.

His father lived to 90, his mother to 87. Several aunts and uncles lived well into their 90s, and a cousin died at 104.

Beydler spent his early childhood on a farm in Missouri, where his family struggled with poverty during the Great Depression. He began running as a teenager to get in shape for the sport he really loved: football.

That was in the 1940s, before television had become widespread. Beydler arrived

at high school never having heard of football. He took to it quickly, playing center and serving as team captain.

After high school, Beydler became the first in his family to attend college, playing football at Missouri Valley College and the Missouri University of Science and Technology then known Missouri School of Mines. In between, he served two years in the Army as a radar operator at Fort Meade. His military service paid

for his final two years of college through the GI Bill.

He majored in engineering at the School of Mines and, after graduating in 1959, moved to Laurel and took a job with Westinghouse’s aerospace division in Baltimore. For the next 36 years, he designed memory systems for computers used to operate radars.

Beydler retired from Westinghouse in 1995 but was not ready to put his feet up. He earned a teaching certificate and took a job with Howard County Public Schools, teaching computer design and networking at its Applications and Research Lab, a high school for technical career training. He taught there for 16 years, retiring in 2012 at age 78.

As a lifelong runner, Beydler has excelled less at speed than at longevity, both in age and distance.

In 1963, inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to the nation’s service members that they be able to cover 50 miles on foot in 20 hours, a group of western Marylanders created the JFK 50 Mile. The course included parts of the Appalachian Trail and C&O Canal towpath.

Beydler and a Westinghouse friend entered the first race, which they partly ran and partly walked.

“They gave you 14 hours, and I did it in 12 hours,” Beydler said.

He participated six more times, ending his JFK 50 Mile career in 1984 at age 50.

Local Agent Dominates Laurel Real Estate Market

In

Redmond closed more homes than any other listing agent in the 20707 and 20708 zip codes, finishing the year with five closed transactions and $2,752,400 in total sales volume — a commanding lead over the #2 agent.

“Results that speak louder than words.”

With an average sale price of $550,480, Redmond’s listing consistently commanded strong values. Her deep knowledge of Laurel neighborhoods — from Walker Hill to Wyndham Woods — proved to be an unmatched advantage for buyers and sellers alike.

Long & Foster Real Estate, the region’s leading brokerage, continues to be home to the market’s top performers across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Preparing for the JFK 50 Mile kept Beydler dedicated to daily training runs. He also entered other races, including about 10 marathons.

He said it was not just the challenge that kept him going, but also the “runner’s high.”

“You get to a point, you’re just floating along,” he said.

His age-group dominance in the Laurel Turkey Trot began in 2012, the year he retired from teaching. He was 78. He faced only one competitor in the 75-79 age group and beat him by 11 minutes, finishing in 31 minutes, 11 seconds — about a 10-minute-mile pace.

While running in his 80s from 2014 to 2023, Beydler faced competition only once, in 2021. He finished that race in 38 minutes, 20 seconds, seven minutes ahead of the other runner. Now, he is dominating the 90-and-over age group without competitors.

He is not running the whole way these days, instead alternating walking and running. For training, he walks six days a week from his West Laurel home 1 1/2 miles uphill to Route 198, then turns around and runs and walks back. His Turkey Trot time last November was 43 minutes, 51 seconds.

He is thinking he might be able to bring that time down next fall.

“Maybe I’ll train better than I have,” he said.

LAUREL

LAUREL LEDGER

OF FICIAL NEWS FROM THE CITY OF LAUREL, MARYLAND

As temperatures rise and families spend more time outdoors, the Laurel Police Department is encouraging residents to make safety a priority while enjoying everything summer has to offer. From neighborhood gatherings and youth activities to vacations and outdoor recreation, the summer season presents opportunities for both fun and increased awareness.

The Laurel Police Department remains committed to protecting the community through proactive policing, crime prevention initiatives, and strong partnerships with residents. One of the most important messages from law enforcement this summer is simple: crime prevention begins with community involvement. Summer is a popular time for vacations. Before leaving town, residents should:

• Lock all doors and windows.

• Use exterior lighting or timers to create the appearance that someone is home.

• Pause mail and package deliveries or ask a trusted neighbor to collect them.

• Avoid posting travel plans on social media until after returning home.

Laurel's parks, trails, and recreational facilities attract many visitors during the summer months. Police encourage residents to:

• Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles.

• Remain aware of their surroundings.

• Travel in groups whenever possible.

• Report suspicious activity immediately.

Parents should also discuss safety rules with children, including staying with trusted adults and knowing how to contact emergency services.

Summer often brings increased traffic, road trips, and community events. Drivers are reminded to:

• Obey speed limits.

• Eliminate distractions such as texting while driving.

• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, and children playing near roadways.

One of the highlights of the summer is National Night Out, an annual communitybuilding campaign that strengthens relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

National Night Out provides an opportunity for residents, businesses, civic organizations, and public safety personnel to come together in a positive and informal setting. The event reinforces a critical message: public safety is a shared responsibility. When residents know their neighbors and maintain open communication with law enforcement,

communities become safer and more resilient.

For the Laurel Police Department, National Night Out, being held on August 4th, from 6 - 8pm this year, is more than just a community event. It is an opportunity to build trust, strengthen partnerships, and encourage residents to become active participants in neighborhood safety efforts.

The Laurel Police Department's community policing philosophy focuses on collaboration, transparency, and engagement and events such as National Night Out help foster these relationships by creating meaningful interactions outside of emergency situations. Residents gain a better understanding of law enforcement services, while officers have the opportunity to hear directly from community members about local concerns and priorities.

As Laurel residents enjoy the summer season, the Laurel Police Department encourages everyone to remain vigilant, look out for one another, and take simple steps to protect their families and property. By working together, residents and law enforcement can continue building a safer, stronger, and more connected community. For more information, residents are encouraged to contact the Laurel Police Department at 301498-0092 and stay connected through the department's official communication channels.

For nearly five decades, the Laurel 4th of July Committee has brought the community together to celebrate America's independence with a day filled with togetherness, family activities, and hometown pride. This year marks the Committee's 47th Annual Independence Day Celebration, along with the Nation’s 250th Birthday, continuing a cherished tradition that draws residents, visitors, veterans, and families from throughout the region.

To honor and recognize our Nation’s milestone, the Committee has added a few extra special activities, along with the long honored tradition of their parade (starting at 3:00pm from 4th Street and Marshall Avenue), family fun games on the field (from 4:00 - 6:00pm on the field in Gude Park), Music by Oracle (from 5:00 - 9:00pm), and of course our fabulous Fireworks (starting at 9:15pm).

Look for a Kiddie Carnival from Jolly Shows on Mulberry Street (road will be closed from 9am, Friday, July 3rd - 8am, Sunday, July 5th). At the heart of the celebration is a deep appreciation for the men and women who have served our Nation. Special recognition will be given to all branches of the United States Armed Forces, brought to you by the American Legion Post 60, a nd our first celebration highlight happened at the Laurel Juneteenth Committee ’s Celebration on June 20th, with the community coming together to form a 250 for a drone photo that was taken by Laurel resident, Joe Harab (picture above)!

Reminder to follow road closures throughout the day and the Lake path from Northlake Court to Laurel Place will be CLOSED to Pedestrians all day on July 4th for everyone’s safety as the Committee sets up and prepares to fire off the fireworks.

The Laurel 4th of July Committee invites everyone to join in this year's festivities and help make another memory in this rem arkable community tradition. Happy Independence Day, Laurel!

It’s Easy B eing Grreen!

FARMER’S MARKET, COM POSTING, MOSQUITOES, OH MY!

One year ago, our Public Works Department completed the daunting task of delivering over 6,000 curbside organics recycling kits to all of our single -family and townhome communities. The information provided explained what can go into the compost carts - all foods, even expired products – paper napkins/paper towels, with NO chemicals on them and pizza boxes are just some examples of what can be put in your composting cart. Remember, loose leaves and grass clippings are also acceptable in your curbside compost cart. Still have questions? Click the QR code to go directly to the organics recycling page for more information.

Our Farmer’s Market is back in full swing!! Come out and visit your favorite vendors from last year, meet some “new” favorites, pick up some tasty food and relax and listen to music in the shade. We are very excited to once again accept SNAP/EBT benefits and be part of the Maryland Market Money program, giving our shoppers extra market cash to shop with. Stop by the Welcome Tent to get your tokens. Remember to bring a reuseable bag and get a star stamp on your card! The Market is open every Thursday from 3 - 7pm at 378 Main Street through October 29th. Be sure t o check out our Facebook page, @LaurelMarketOnMain, and our City web page, www.cityoflaurel.org/1617/Laurel -Farmers-Market.

Mosquito Control Program: With the rain and warmer weather arriving, mosquitoes will start becoming very active! To help combat the spread of mosquitoes, the City of Laurel will once again participate in the Maryland Department of Agriculture ’s (MDA) Mosquito Control Program, but residents can do a lot to reduce the mosquito population and reduce the need to spray. For more ecofriendly, proactive ideas like Tip It or Toss It, visit the Green Living page at www.cityoflaurel.org/431/Mosquito -ControlProgram and www.cityoflaurel.org/1478/Mosquito-Control-Program, for more detailed information on how to contact MDA. We now have TWO spray nights in Laurel, Sunday and Monday, as needed.

Want to be part of the sustainability solution? Join the Sustainability Action Group (SAG)! We have a few residents that ar e dynamic and committed to making Laurel a great sustainability community now and for future generations and we need more! Our Composting Ambassadors are already on the move, engaging with residents and promoting our curbside program. We have volunteer opportunities to help with the pollinator gardens around the City, as well as other “green initiatives”. For more information and to see what we are up to, like and follow us on Facebook, @SustainableLaurel, and on our web page, www.cityoflaurel.org/ greenliving!

LA POLICÍA DE LAUREL PROMUEVE LA SEGURIDAD COMUNITARIA

A medida que aumentan las temperaturas y las familias pasan más tiempo al aire libre, el Departamento de Policía de Laurel anima a los residentes a priorizar la seguridad mientras disfrutan de todo lo que el verano tiene para ofrecer. Desde reuniones vecinales y actividades para jóvenes hasta vacaciones y actividades recreativas al aire libre, la temporada estival brinda oportunidades tanto para la diversión como para una mayor conciencia sobre la seguridad.

Uno de los eventos más destacados del verano es el National Night Out, una campaña anual de fomento comunitario que fortalece los vínculos entre las fuerzas del orden y las comunidades a las que sirven. El National Night Out brinda a los residentes, empresas, organizaciones cívicas y personal de seguridad pública la oportunidad de reunirse en un ambiente positivo e informal.

Para el Departamento de Policía de Laurel, el National Night Out, que este año se celebrará el 4 de agosto de 6:00 - 8:00pm, es más que un simple evento comunitario. Es una oportunidad para generar confianza, fortalecer la colaboración y animar a los residentes a participar activamente en las iniciativas de seguridad vecinal.

Para más información, se invita a los residentes a comunicarse con el Departamento de Policía de Laurel al 301 -498-0092 y a mantenerse informados a través de los canales de comunicación oficiales del departamento.

LAUREL POLICE MONTHLY CRIME REPORT

MAY 2026

List of Laurel Police Crime Reports can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org/1896/LPDCrime-Reports

You can also read the full monthly Laurel Police Crime Reports in the Laurel Independent!

Legislation

Listed below are recent legislative actions taken, if any, by the Laurel City Council during the past month of Mayor and City Council meetings. For further information on any of these legislative actions, please feel free to contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300 x2120 or at clerk@laurel.md.us. For full agendas, visit www.cityoflaurel.org.

Adopted Legislation:

 Motion to Override the Mayoral Line-Item Veto 1. Family Resiliency Program Funding $1,000,000.

 Motion to Override the Mayoral Line-Item Veto 2. Funding for the Laurel Independent Monthly Insert $30,000.

 Ordinance No. 2055 - An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes.

 Ordinance No. 2056 - An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Provide an Effective Date.

Bid Recommendations:

 Bid Recommendation - Laurel Police DepartmentEnterprise Fleet Management Acquisition

 Bid Recommendation - Darktrace Cyber Platform Renewal- Department of Information Technology

Appointments/Reappointments:

Appointments:

Krystle Nelson - Clergy Advisory Council 06/22/202606/22/2028

Dr. Starsha Sewell - Clergy Advisory Council 06/22/2026-06/22/2028

Megan Celestine - Multicultural Advisory Committee 06/22/2026-06/26/2028

Reappointments:

Maria Gonzales-Jackson - Youth Services Commission - 06/22/2026-06/22/2029

Karen Lubieniecki - Ethics Commission - 06/22/202606/22/2029

Clyde Williams - Public Safety and Transportation06/22/2026-06/22/2028

Government Meetings

July 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings

 July 1st - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)

 July 13th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

 July 27th - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

July 2026 Boards and Commissions

 July 14th - In-Person Planning Commission (6:00pm)

 July 21st - Virtual Historic District Commission (6:00pm)

 July 23rd - Board of Appeals (CANCELLED)

August 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings

 The Mayor and City Council Work Session and Meetings will be on recess for the month of August.

August 2026 Boards and Commissions

 All Board and Commission meetings will be on recess for the month of August.

City Announcements & Events

 Job Fair - July 1st - 10am - 2pm, Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Road.

 Independence Day Celebration - July 4th - 3 - 10pm - 250th Birthday of Our Nation! Parade: 3pm, 4th Street (Starts at Marshall Ave.) Family Fun, Vendors Music and Fireworks: 4 - 10pm, Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry Street.

 Mon., July 6th (Note Change in Day) - 4th of July Holiday - City/Passport Offices Closed. Visit www.cityoflaurel.org for collection details.

 Free Friday Flicks start at Dusk (approx. 8:30pm), Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry St. Bring a blanket and enjoy a family, friendly movie.

 July 10th”A Minecraft Movie”

 July 17th“Hoppers”

 July 24th“GOAT”

 July 31st“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”

 City Hall in the Park - July 16th - 6:30 - 8pm at Greenview Drive Pool. Join Mayor Sydnor, Council and Management Staff for an informal conversation.

 Touch-A-Truck - July 21st - 6:30 - 8pm at Emancipation Park on 8th Street.

 Outdoor Concert - August 7th - 7 - 9pm at Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry Street. Live performance from “The Too Much Talent Band.”

 To learn more or register for Parks and Recreation Classes/Events, visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks or call 301-725-7800.

 Senior Services provides recreational and leisure opportunities at multiple locations throughout the city, as well as exciting trips. Call 301-776-6168.

Scan the QR Code for the online volunteer application and start to get involved in your community today!

Thank you to our volunteer puzzle maker, Jenna Robles

“The best part of Independence Day is remembering we’re all under the same sky.”

Laurel Elementary celebrates 100 years of educating generations of students

By ZOE HAMMOND

Nicole Parks remembers when students carried book bags filled with textbooks and teachers relied on chalkboards instead of tablets and smart screens.

"We've moved from books to technology," said Parks, a school counselor who worked at Laurel Elementary for 30 years.

Parks was among about 100 students, teachers, parents and alumni who gathered June 5 to celebrate Laurel Elementary School's 100th anniversary.

Built in 1926, Laurel Elementary combined two of the city's three schoolhouses under one roof — the "Uptown School" and the "Downtown School."

At the time, the school was surrounded by a shirt factory and

a blacksmith shop. Today, it sits in a largely residential neighborhood.

Since then, the school has expanded several times, renovated its library and, in 1955, began integrating as African American students enrolled following the end of segregated education.

"The foundation is still the same. How we teach, how children learn, that hasn't changed. It's just the methods and the styles that we use to reach the children and keep them engaged," Principal Tyrone Harris said.

Harris began teaching at Laurel Elementary in 2008 and returned as principal in 2023.

"We are home of the Limitless Leopards, the sky's the limit for us," Harris said. "Our staff is dedicated to making sure that students receive the best education that they can.”

Over the past century, the school's greatest changes have extended beyond its class-

the student population.

"I think the biggest shift in math in the last few years of Prince George's County is it's a lot more hands on, a lot more minutiaes, a lot more working in groups collaboratively," Kampmann said.

rooms. Laurel Elementary now serves a majority Hispanic student body, a large African American population, and nearly half of its students are classified as English learners, according to Prince George's County Public Schools.

To meet the needs of its changing community, Laurel Elementary has expanded services for immigrant families whose first language is not English. Much like Laurel itself, the school reflects a changing community — nearly 33% of city residents are foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Maridania Brazoban, whose daughter Samara Vicmari attends the school, said Laurel Elementary also offers classes for parents. Brazoban has completed computer, CPR and crisis hotline courses and is currently taking English classes through the school and PGCPS.

Former teacher Heather Kampmann said classroom instruction has evolved alongside

Students also said they appreciate the school's learning environment.

"My favorite part about school is being with my friends and learning new strategies for math," said fifth grader Ariana Cornejo-Castro.

Parents Benjamin and Caitlin Lewis said they appreciate the school's supportive environment.

"The teachers genuinely care about their students, pre-k in particular is just really neat," Caitlin Lewis said.

"The fact that [our daughter] loves school and makes friends, enjoys being in school, feels special and is excited to talk about what she's done, I think that's a really good thing," Benjamin Lewis said.

For Parks, however, the school's greatest strength has remained constant through a century of change.

"It's my school family—the kids, the community—that's why I stay," Parks said.

Data center developments put on hold in Howard County

By RORY CAHILL

New data center development could soon be on pause in Howard County after the county council unanimously passed legislation temporarily halting new projects and establishing a task force to review future proposals.

Council members approved the Strategic Moratorium for Assessing Responsible Technology Siting Act (S.M.A.R.T. Act) on June 1, which would temporarily halt development plans for new data centers in Howard County while creating a task force with up to 11 appointees from the county council and county executive. Task force members would include individuals with expertise in utilities, environmental science and data center operations, among other fields.

The moratorium on data centers could last until November 2027 or end sooner if the task force issues recommendations that update zoning regulations and are approved by the county council.

Council members said the bill is intended to establish guardrails and smart-growth regulations for data center development in the county, which has not updated its data center regulations since 1993, long before sprawling data center campuses became a contentious issue in local communities.

“We know that in this modern world that data centers will grow, but we have to ensure that any of that growth is occurring in a way that is thoughtful and respectful to our residents and businesses that are here, and to the planet that we all inhabit,” said Council Vice Chair Christiana Rigby (Dist. 3), whose district includes North Laurel.

Doug Siglin, a Howard County resident who volunteers with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, applauded the county’s actions.

“To me this is a no-brainer,” he said. “If Howard County is going to have large data centers, we must ensure that they don’t screw up our climate, our air quality, or our water.”

Still, some council members felt the bill did not go far enough.

Council member Liz Walsh (Dist. 1) objected to a proposal which would have shortened the period of the task force from 18 months to 12, and another amendment which specified data center developers as one of the groups that should be represented on the task force.

“I’ve seen this council dilute

my bills over and over again by amendment, but this notion of diluting one’s own bill by your own amendment was a new spin on things,” Walsh said.

The bill was also amended to allow changes to existing or previously approved data centers. Rigby said this would allow smaller, older data centers to make upgrades. Walsh was the lone "no" vote on the amendment, saying it deviated from the original spirit of the bill.

Rigby said she hoped to bring a more nuanced approach to the data center debate. She said the amendment would not apply to huge data centers designed for artificial intelligence use because Howard County does not currently have any hyperscale data centers, only smaller, older facilities designed for cloud storage.

“You can have a data center that fits in a shipping pod that fits on your driveway, and you can have, like, a 40-acre Utah hyperscale AI data center,” Rigby said, referencing a controversial data center planned for northern Utah. “And until you define the universe between the shipping pod and hyperscale, then you don’t have that ability

to say ... what types you want and what types you don’t want.”

Howard County remains a relatively small market for data centers and has largely avoided attracting the giant modern hyperscale facilities used to support generative AI. But it does have a smaller existing data center just outside North Laurel, and Rigby said another is under construction in the same area. In total, the Laurel area has about three to four data centers, according to DataCenterMap.com.

Like Howard County, Maryland trails Virginia in data center development. Virginia has more data centers than any other state or region in the world, according to the American Edge Project, with 663 already built and 595 in the planning or construction phase. By comparison, Maryland has 44 existing data centers and another 19 under development.

The bill comes at a time of increasing local opposition to the construction of giant hyperscale data centers, as residents raise concerns over excessive water use, noise, pollution and rising electricity costs if development becomes widespread in Mary-

land. Last year, Prince George’s County announced a similar pause on data center development, and Baltimore County followed suit earlier this year.

But proponents of data centers argue that the economic impacts are worth it. An August 2025 analysis by the Maryland Tech Council, which represents technology companies, says Virginia’s data center industry produced more than $1 billion

in state and local tax revenue as of 2022 and supports nearly 80,000 jobs. The Tech Council argues Maryland is missing out by not embracing data center development.

The bill now heads to County Executive Calvin Ball for consideration. If signed into law, the Howard County Data Center Task Force would present its findings no later than Nov. 2, 2027.

Family Groups, call 1-888-425-2666 (1-888-4AL-ANON) Al-Anon.org

JUNETEENTH

meant to bring the community together across racial and cultural lines.

“We celebrate Juneteenth, not only to honor the profound resilience of those who survived the horrors of slavery but to lift up the rich culture, achievements and contributions of Black Americans,” Choute said in a speech opening the event. The event also highlighted local businesses. More than a dozen vendor booths lined the park, with Black-owned businesses selling food, drinks and handmade crafts. Along Eighth Street, food trucks served visitors while families relaxed in lawn chairs and on park bench-

es, chatting with neighbors and cooling off with ice cream in the 80-degree weather.

James Elango-Nnoko, 16, who was helping his aunt and uncle sell Nigerian bead bracelets for their online business, GC African Creations, said the celebration offered Laurel’s Black community a chance to reconnect with its heritage. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, more than 53% of Laurel residents identify as Black.

“We come together once a year to remember our roots and how we got here and just to appreciate what our ancestors have done for us,” Elango-Nnoko said.

Throughout the afternoon, DJ 2KNITRO kept the park moving with Black cookout staples, from the “Cha Cha Slide” and DJ

Kool’s “Let Me Clear My Throat” to go-go music, while the Laurel High School choir performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the Laurel Wildcats cheerleaders entertained the crowd.

Sonia Leriche, who arrived in Laurel 45 years ago from France, said she has attended the city’s Juneteenth celebration every year. As her 10-year-old and 8-year-old nieces were presented with a proclamation from Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor, Leriche said she believes Juneteenth is about unity, coming together and sharing knowledge.

“There’s joy and unity that’s brought people here today,” Leriche said. “There’s so many vendors and people of all races out here. They’re able to love one another, and there’s no judgment.”

PRIMARY

“I plan to be a voice on the council for those who sometimes may feel voiceless,” García, the daughter of an immigrant father, said during her election night party. “And I say that first and foremost because I will be carrying that with me every day I will be sitting on the dais.”

García is unopposed in the November general election and is expected to win. If elected, she would become the first Latina and first person of color to represent District 1 on the county council.

Women also won several of Prince George's County's other high-profile races. County Executive Aisha Braveboy secured the Democratic nomination for a full term, while State's Attorney Tara Jackson won her primary in an all-female field. Atlarge County Council member Jolene Ivey also won renomination alongside fellow incumbent Sydney Harrison. With Democrats holding a significant voter registration advantage in Prince George's County, the primary winners are heavily favored in November.

The trend extended beyond Prince George's County, where women also captured the Democratic nominations for county executive in Howard and Anne Arundel counties.

HOWARD COUNTY

In Howard County voters also nominated women for the county's top offices, with Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (Dist. 13) winning the Democratic primary for county executive and incumbent County Council member Christiana Rigby securing renomination in the North Laurel-based District 3 race.

Because no Republican filed to run for county executive, Atterbeary is expected to win in November. She would become the first Black woman elected Howard County executive.

“Thank you Howard County, I am honored by your confidence and your trust,” Atterbeary said after the election. “I

State election officials reported that about 16.7% of eligible Maryland voters cast ballots, well below turnout in the 2024 presidential primary.

will always be your champion and your voice.”

Rigby, the only Howard County council member seeking reelection this year, won more than 77% of the vote in her primary and also faces no Republican challenger.

“This result reflects eight years of work we have done together,” Rigby said after winning.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

In Anne Arundel County, County Council member Allison Pickard captured the Democratic nomination for county executive, while incumbent County Council member Julie Hummer won renomination in District 4, which includes parts of Laurel in Maryland City, Russett, and Watershed.

Unlike neighboring Prince George's and Howard counties, Anne Arundel remains politically competitive. Pickard will face Republican Dave Crawford in November, while Hummer will take on Republican Thomas Wieland.

“I am so incredibly honored and grateful for everyone who supported my campaign,” Pickard said after her victory.

Hummer, who won more than 71% of the vote in her primary, thanked supporters after the election, saying, “We knocked [on] thousands of doors to share our vision for serving the residents of Anne Arundel County—and you heard us!”

Sharon O’Malley contributed to this report.

Seeking Public Policy Volunteers

The University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy, in partnership with the State of Maryland, is looking for volunteers aged 50+ to serve as volunteer legislative leaders during the 2026-2027 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly. The twelve-week classroom training (two days per week) begins on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and ends on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026. Classes will be held at the University of Maryland Extension, 8930 Stanford Blvd, Suite 25, Columbia, Maryland 21045. The volunteer assignment will be at the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. Participants will serve a minimum of two (2) days per week with a legislator’s office starting Wednesday, January 13, 2027, and ending on Monday, April 12, 2027.

For more information or an application contact Wesley Queen at wqueen@umd.edu

As economic pressures mount, salon workers feel the squeeze

By JALEN WADE and JOSHUA GARNER

For years, Laurel salon owner Glenn Nelson said he'd look at his schedule every Monday and see at least 22 to 24 clients already booked for the week. Over the past year, he said, Mondays have begun with just eight to 10 appointments.

“I think people are afraid to spend,” he said.

As federal layoffs and rising cost of living continue to reshape household budgets, salon owners and stylists say customers are stretching appointments farther apart, choosing longerlasting styles and cutting back on hair care.

Consumer spending data reflects the trend. A 2025 report by consumer analytics platform CivicScience found 40% of salon customers are visiting less often and doing more at home, while nearly one in four have stopped going altogether. The report found Gen Z was most likely to reduce salon visits, while Millennials and Gen Xers were most likely to stop going entirely.

Taylor Turner, 27, of Bowie, said she once spent as much as $250 a month at salons before teaching herself to do her own hair during the pandemic. Now she spends about $25 a month maintaining styles such as knotless braids, cornrows and blowouts at home.

“I wouldn't be able to afford that every month with the bills, inflation,” Turner said.

For Nelson and other stylists in the Washington region, business began slowing after layoffs tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) affected federal workers last year. Nelson estimated about half of his clients work for the federal government.

“I wouldn't say it was a complete cutoff, but I noticed that instead of coming four times a month, some people were only coming two times a month,” Nelson said.

The slowdown has continued into 2026. Nelson said clients who once booked appointments months in advance now often wait until the week of their appointment because they're unsure they'll have the money.

Customers who once spent about $150 per visit—roughly $500 to $600 a month through multiple appointments—are now paying more upfront for styles that last longer.

“They'll spend $400 or $500 on extensions or a wig be-

cause it can last two or three months. Instead of spending $150 to $200 every few weeks on a silk press, treatment and trim, they're paying more once and stretching that style out over a longer period,” Nelson said.

Stylist Zadia Brown of Sola Salons in Bowie said she has experienced a similar slowdown.

Like Nelson, Brown's clientele is largely Black. Many customers now come only for braids while handling twists, weaves and other styling at home using techniques learned from YouTube. Clients who once visited every two or three weeks now come about every three months, she said.

Brown, who serves clients throughout Prince George's

County, said federal layoffs have hit her business especially hard because federal workers make up 75% to 80% of her clientele. County officials estimated about 73,000 federal employees worked in Prince George's County in 2025.

“Every time I hear something going on within the federal government, I'm like, 'Oh Lord, here we go,' because they're not coming in to get their hair done if they're not going to work,” Brown said.

Rather than raising prices, Brown said she has allowed some longtime customers to split payments overtime.

“If the fee is $200, they'll send me like $100 this week and another $100 in two weeks. ... It's not everyone that I do that with, it's just a few,”

Train Dogs Of

Brown said.

Rising supply costs have added another challenge. Brown said the shampoo she uses has increased from about $27 to $40 a gallon. Nelson said boxes of foils and gloves have roughly doubled in price, while color treatment products have climbed from the low $30 range to nearly $60 per box. Altogether, he estimates he now spends $400 to $500 a month on salon

supplies.

As customers spend less on discretionary services, stylists are making sacrifices of their own. Brown said she has considered taking a second job to support herself and her child, while Nelson supplements his income as a brand influencer for hair care companies.

“I'm doing the best that I can,” Nelson said. “Nothing has gone unpaid. Thank you to Jesus.”

The America I want for my son

By AGNES PASCO CONATY

Iwas born and raised in the Philippines and spent part of my childhood under martial law, where our basic freedoms were restricted.

Growing up, I longed to go to the United States, where I could pursue the American dream and be free. I was told that if you studied and worked hard, you could reach your potential, find your niche and contribute to society.

I’ve been in America for more than 25 years as a college professor teaching math and sci-

ence. I was blessed to have a husband who shares my faith, values our family and enjoys the benefits of freedom. We are doubly blessed with a son who is almost 21.

Like millions of people around the world, what attracted me to the United States was the opportunity for a better life, a life guided by principles envisioned by the Founding Fathers as “the pursuit of equality, liberty and justice for all.” These foundational principles have Christian roots.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of indepen-

dence, I decided to write about the America I want for my son.

The America I want for my son is a nation anchored in values that promote faith in God, strengthen the family and guard our basic freedoms. It’s a country where there is respect for the dignity of every human being, protecting life at every stage, from conception to death.

I want my son to thrive in a nation under God where parents teach strength of character, moral values, manners, compassion and respect for elders. I want my son to remember that the value of every human person comes from being created in the image and likeness of his divine Creator.

I want to instill in my son an appreciation for the beauty of our country, from coast to coast, from small farms and quaint towns to sprawling cities, each charming in its own way. I want him to care for the creeks and rivers, the forests and mountains — to be a responsible steward of his sur-

The America I want for my son is a nation anchored in values that promote faith in God, strengthen the family and guard our basic freedoms. It’s a country where there is respect for the dignity of every human being, protecting life at every stage, from conception to death.

roundings in gratitude for our immense blessings.

Most importantly, I want my son to grow up in a nation where we can disagree respectfully, work for the common good, care for our neighbors and remain united by our shared principles despite our differences.

My hope is that as we travel this American journey together, he inherits a country whose foundations are built on strong moral principles and the high-

est ideals — faith in God, devotion to family, commitment to freedom and respect for the constitutional principles that have guided our nation for 250 years.

Your clay soil isn’t the problem. It might be you

By JIMMY ROGERS

If I had to pick the most common complaint I hear among gardeners, I would choose, “I can’t grow anything in this clay soil we have.” This attitude of predetermined defeat seems to saturate gardening culture without much evidence backing it up. Let’s dig into some soil questions and give you new ways to make peace with the ground under your feet.

First, I want to dispel the myth that we have bad soil in our region and that clay is automatically bad soil. If you look at a vibrant, untended meadow, you will notice that no one is tilling, amending or otherwise messing with that soil. Yet those plants are thriving. Our native plants have adapted their root systems to make the native soil their home, extracting water and nutrients like experts. That’s why you rarely see bare soil in nature: Plants have evolved to grow in even the smallest unused niche. So why do people think they have bad soil? I believe many home gardeners have had the experience of planting a goodlooking nursery plant and watching it die over the next few weeks. There might be any number of reasons for this: transplant shock, climate, or the wrong light, moisture or soil conditions. However, it’s hard to find out for sure, so the soil plays the scapegoat.

Soil is composed of particles of different sizes, ranging from sand (the largest) to silt (smaller) and clay (extremely small). A mixture of all three soil types is called loam. It might surprise you to learn that here in Laurel, we mostly do not have heavy clay. I use a 12-inch soil sampler before starting the design for a new garden bed, and typically I find a soil texture called silty or sandy loam. I can tell this because when I wet the soil a little and squish it in my hand, the soil breaks apart easily (not much clay) and is either gritty (like sand) or smooth (like silt). This makes sense, as the Patuxent River has been depositing sand and silt across our area for millions of years.

Standing water is another clue to the clay content in your soil. If an area will not drain for several days after a storm, it means the clay in the soil is already saturated and not allowing water to percolate. In this case, you may need to install drainage to get that water moving along more quickly. All of that said, soil can sometimes cause problems for gardeners. Around homes, especially newer ones, the soil is often heavily disturbed. Finicky natives like mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) can struggle in residential soil, even though they’re commonly found in our nearby woodlands. They seem to need something special in the untouched soils of our forests.

Some ornamental plants and vegetables require a great deal of organic matter, nutrients and drainage to thrive. For example, tomato plants are famously fickle about their growing conditions. Planting them in unamended, native soil probably won’t result in many tomatoes, but that’s not the soil’s fault. It just means you will need to take some artificial measures to support a plant that has diverged from its native kin. Common nightshade and ground cherry, native plants in the same family as tomatoes (the Solanaceae), may appear on their own in your garden and love to grow in the soil as it is.

An immediate way to support your soil is to avoid walking on it. Compacted soil, mostly caused by foot traffic and turfgrass, repels water and can be a harsh environment for many plants. Conversely, avoid tilling—digging, rototilling, etc.—your soil. This destroys the existing soil structure, disrupts beneficial microbes, fungi and animals in the soil, and will activate a huge number of weeds that respond to erosion. Instead, plan garden paths around beds of manageable size to concentrate foot traffic in a small area. If you’re planting non-native flowers or vegetables and want to amend the soil, consider the no-till method, where soil is continuously enriched with compost from the top down. Charles Dowding’s No

Dig covers this technique in a level of detail that’s perfect for new gardeners. I have been building both native gardens and vegetable beds with no-till methods ever since I saw how it dramatically reduced the number of weeds at Koiner Farm in downtown Silver Spring when they switched to this technique.

Ultimately, if you’re still puzzled by your soil and want to learn more, I recommend visiting the University of Maryland Extension webpage on Soil Basics.

Jimmy Rogers is an avid gardener and the owner of Laurel-based Vibrant Gardening LLC. Send your native plant gardening questions to him at: nativegardenguy@gmail.com.

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