may2026_laurel_web

Laurel bets big on small business ahead of Preakness

By ANIKA STIKELEATHER

The Preakness Stakes has found a temporary home in Laurel.

For the first time in the race’s 151-year history, the Preakness Stakes will gallop into Laurel Park on May 16. Its usual venue, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, is undergoing renovations.

With the race’s proximity to the City of Laurel, officials and business owners say the move presents an opportunity to boost local business and draw increased attention and traffic to the area.

“There’s just been a little bit of wait and see, because it’s only here for one year,” said Kim Cayce, owner of the Laurel Golf Center, which sits across the street from Laurel Park. “As a business owner, this is one of those things that you just take into stride.”

Councilmember objects to use of quote by candidate

By SHARON O’MALLEY

Two local legislators have accused a candidate for Prince George’s County Council of misleading voters into believing they have endorsed him.

In an April 17 joint letter to Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Maryland Delegate Mary Lehman (District 21) said quotations that Martin Mitchell posted on his campaign website imply they are supporting his candidacy.

Dernoga and Lehman have publicly endorsed one of Mitchell’s opponents, Michelle García, who has worked as Dernoga’s chief of staff for SEE QUOTE ON 19 

PREAKNESS DREAMS

District 1 candidates court voters during Laurel forum

By JALEN WADE

Prince George’s County Council District 1 candidates made their case to voters on April 16, outlining plans to tackle school overcrowding, affordable housing and community engagement in what is shaping up to be the district’s most competitive race in nearly a decade.

The candidate forum, hosted by The Laurel Independent and Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, drew more than 80 people to the Laurel Boys and Girls Club. Candidates Michelle García, Martin Mitchell and Darwin Romero answered questions moderated by Managing Editor Joshua Garner about their priorities if elected.

The hopefuls are vying to replace Councilmember Tom Dernoga, who is term limited. It will be the first time in

eight years that District 1 voters elect a new representative. No matter who wins in November, the outcome could be historic. García would be the first Latina elected to the seat. Mitchell would be the first Black or Afro-Caribbean council member to represent the district, and Romero

would be the first immigrant elected to the seat. District 1 includes Laurel, West Laurel, South Laurel, Beltsville, Calverton, North College Park and communities in Adelphi.

During the 90-minute forum, the candidates were peppered with questions

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 May 18 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

Maame Adobea Amoyaw, Will Chase, Agnes Conaty, Chris McManes, Jimmy Rogers, Anika Stikeleather

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, Stephanie Stullich, 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.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Stand up for Laurel local news: Thank you, and please keep it up!

Last month we learned that the City of Laurel intended to eliminate more than half of its funding to The Laurel Independent.

We called on our readers for support. Thank you to those who reached out to a council member or commented in a council meeting!

Your support for broad access to local news and information made a difference: we have heard from the city that they now plan to reduce our funding by $20,000 rather than $30,000.

Please keep up the pressure in May! Ask your council member to support a fully funded three-year contract ($50,000 per year) with cost-of-living adjustments.

The Laurel Independent’s contract with the city costs the city 33 cents per house-

hold per month, the cheapest way possible for the city to send a four-page newsletter, the middle pages in this newspaper, to 30,000 residents.

With additional support from local business advertisers, local donors, and county grants, the revenue from our contract with the city helps us stretch to deliver 12 to 20 pages of independent local news to every household in Laurel every month for free.

While we are proud of our new local news website, laurelindependent.com, studies show that readers both understand and trust information better when they read it in print. Monthly print publications like ours have seen increases in readership even as weekly and daily newspapers have lost readers. With the rise of AI, digital local news outlets are losing both search and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No endorsement for Mitchell

Contrary to what Martin Mitchell wants you to believe, we have not endorsed him for County Council. Nor has he been endorsed by a host of other officials listed on his website.

We did say something positive about him when he ran for Laurel City Council in 2021. However, he lost a lot of support running for mayor in 2023, when the Laurel Independent (September 2023) reported about his past sexual assault charges (to which he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge) and his 2013 guilty plea for driving under the influence.

He believes he can use those five-yearold statements in this election to bolster his campaign by association. Last April, he placed our old statements of support on campaign literature and on his website, strongly implying our endorsement. We immediately wrote him and requested that he cease using these statements.

Mr. Mitchell refused, stating, “There is a clear distinction between a previously

Change vs. more of the same

social media traffic, reducing digital ad revenue. That revenue was already too low, in many cases, to pay for sustained reporting on key local beats like land development, schools and public safety. The sustainability of local news depends on maintaining systems for broad delivery that justify real investment in reporting.

If you want to see local news in Laurel continue to offer every resident information, connection and the opportunity for civic engagement, please reach out to your councilmember today.

Kit Slack is the executive director of Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, which publishes The Laurel Independent

©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.

My historic candidacy for District 1 County Council clearly has the establishment, who want to control this seat, running scared. The two incumbents who have held this seat for the last 24 straight years wrote a deceptive letter to the editor, “No Endorsement for Mitchell,” alleging that I have wrongly claimed that they have endorsed my campaign. This is false. I have done no such thing. Their very true statements on my website only reflect their positive compliments about my more than a decade of public service, including as a community organizer and Laurel City Council member. None of that changes simply because they want their chosen candidate to take their place. I have news for them: This election will be decided by the people, not the powerful. Their editorial also implies that their

We reserve the right to edit letters to the editor for brevity and clarity.

approved quote and an official endorsement.” Councilman Dernoga let him know that using these quotes out of context is intentionally misleading and that the voters deserve elected officials with integrity. We have waited for a year, but he has ignored our requests.

At The Laurel Independent forum, Mr. Mitchell stated that we need good, honest actors in politics. Misusing our statements without context or permission is not a good example of integrity.

Not everyone cares what we think; however, as the two most recent County Council members, a lot of voters trust our opinion and ask us about candidates. Why else is Mr. Mitchell trying to associate himself with us?

We have endorsed Michelle García, longstanding chief of staff to Tom Dernoga and to Speaker Peña-Melnyk, for County Council and not Martin Mitchell.

Tom Dernoga, County Council member, District 1

Mary A. Lehman, Maryland state delegate, District 21

positive statements about me are “5 years old,” as if those positive sentiments ended then. That is also false. In fact, Tom Dernoga himself was an enthusiastic endorser of my 2023 campaign for Laurel mayor less than 3 years ago.

So why are these entrenched politicians attacking my candidacy, which, if successful, would make me the first African American ever elected to the District 1 seat? Because they’re afraid that I am going to win, and they fear the change that I am going to bring. Mr. Dernoga has a tradition of anointing his staff to take his place, like he did last time. This time, the people of Council District 1 will choose change over more of the same.

Revolutionary regards, Martin Mitchell, former Laurel City Councilmember and current candidate for Prince George’s County Council District 1.

LET’S EAT LAUREL

Olive On Main continues to charm

By MAAME ADOBEA AMOYAW

At Olive On Main, warm pita hits the table before you’ve even settled in — soft, steaming and impossible to ignore. That first bite tells you everything you need to know: this place isn’t trying to impress you. It already knows it will.

Since opening in 2014, the Mediterranean-American restaurant has become a staple on Main Street in Laurel. With a warm atmosphere, equally warm staff and fresh, out-of-the-oven pita bread, Olive On Main has charmed its way into the hearts of residents. But after more than a decade serving up approachable dishes with a strong neighborhood vibe, has the eatery begun to lose its luster?

The short answer is no.

Those hot plates of lamb chops, kabobs and grilled chicken may even shine a bit brighter in today’s economy. Olive On Main remains an affordable, conveniently located option within walking distance of communities throughout Old Town Laurel, with entrees and appetizers ranging from about $6 to $35.

Atmosphere and vibe

On a recent Saturday morning, as cherry blossoms began to bloom, the restaurant carried a light, almost springlike energy. Sunlight filters through the window panes, and the smell of fresh pita bread greets diners at the door. The servers seem intentionally selected to match the res-

Dairy plant closure signals strain in state dairy industry

By JALEN WADE

North Laurel is saying goodbye to one of the few dairy plants left in Howard County.

By the end of the year, the Maola Local Dairies plant will shut down production. The plant, which sits on 91 acres at 8321 Leishear Road, has been in operation since 1956 and will lay off 72 employees, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the Maryland Department of Labor.

The notice states that Maola decided to begin curtailing operations at the ingredients plant in Laurel on June 1, 2026, with full closure planned by Dec. 31, 2026.

“This step reflects how our processing network and milk supply needs have evolved over time,” said Amanda Culp, director of communications and marketing for Maola.

There are no cows at the plant, and it primarily produces bulk ingredients, including ice cream mixes, butter and dried milk powders.

The plant is owned and operated by the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative As-

sociation, a farmer-owned cooperative that has been operating since 1920, according to its website.

Its closure comes as the state’s dairy industry continues to navigate headwinds in the market.

Production costs for feed, fuel and labor have contributed to a decline in the number of Maryland dairy farms, falling from 505 a decade ago to 283 as of Oct. 2025, according to a 2025

report by the Maryland Dairy Oversight and Advisory Council.

Fewer farms could mean fewer dairy plants, which play a crucial role in the state’s supply chain, converting raw milk into consumer goods and contributing to the state’s economic output. The state’s dairy farming sector generates about $197 million in annual sales, according to 2024 data from the council.

Around the corner from Maola in North Laurel, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, formerly Nestlé, operates a 705,000-square-foot ice cream plant — one of the largest facilities in the world.

But processing dairy can be costly, from maintaining farmland for cows to operating large-scale facilities.

Jeff Semler, a dairy team member with the University of Maryland’s Agriculture and Natural Resources program, said farmland in Howard County has grown too expensive and that selling the plant property may generate more value than operating it.

“My gut feeling is that the piece of ground where their plant [sits] is too valuable to stay there,” Semler said. “Or the value is more than it would take to upgrade that plant so they can move somewhere else, or move the milk somewhere else.”

The cooperative previously sold 121 acres of land in Laurel in 2018 for residential development.

Semler said the impact of the plant’s closure will primarily be felt by farmers in Howard County, which now has only two active dairy farms. He said

transportation costs will likely increase as milk is sent to more distant processing plants, a challenge tied to rising land values that have priced some farmers out of the industry.

“When a data center can pay more for a farm than a farmer can pay for it, they’re gonna sell it,” Semler said.

Still, some residents have mixed feelings about the plant’s closure.

Each year in March, equipment failures at the plant caused a foul odor that could be smelled for miles, said Howard County Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

“I think the sentiment is that people are frustrated at an annual problem,” Rigby said. “Because they would assume that you would want to be proactive about that problem and prevent it.”

Rigby said the land the plant sits on could be repurposed for other community uses.

“It’s right off of [Route 216],” she said. “Residents could certainly use a coffee shop, a daycare, a place to get ice cream, things like that, and have more of a mixed-use retail with maybe senior housing on top.”

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY KEY RACES IN LAUREL

Michelle García

DEMOCRAT FOR COUNTY

COUNCIL

Michelle García worked for the families of Laurel for many years, first as Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk’s chief of staff, then as Community Liaison for the whole 21st District Democratic Team, and in recent years as County Councilman Tom Dernoga’s chief of staff. A first-generation college graduate, single mother, and daughter of an immigrant, she’s a progressive Democrat who refuses to accept corporate money for her campaign.

Jessy Mejia Terry

DEMOCRAT FOR CENTRAL

COMMITTEE

A 26-year resident of the 21st District and currently a homeowner in Laurel, Jessy Mejia Terry worked in Democratic politics and for progressive causes in our community and nationally. She is running for the Democratic Central Committee to ensure our Party prioritizes affordability and community building — and does everything it can to win the 2026 and 2028 elections.

e-mail us at contact@michellejgarcia.com, call us at (301) 642-0410, or visit our websites, 21stdistrictdelegation.com or michellejgarcia.com or

CITY OF LAUREL CRIME REPORTS

02/23/26 - 04/23/26

STOLEN VEHICLE

2/23 Acura 7500 blk Woodbine Dr

2/23 Hyundai Cypress St / Justin Way

2/27 Acura 1100 blk Westview Ter

3/1 Acura 14200 blk Jib St

3/1 Acura 14200 blk West Side Blvd

3/3 Honda 14300 blk Bowsprit Ln

3/3 Honda 8200 blk Harvest Bend Ln

3/5 Acura 14700 blk Fourth St

3/8 Toyota 200 blk Fort Meade Rd

3/10 GMC 7600 blk Arbory Ct 3/11 Honda 14300 blk Runabout Ct

3/12 Jeep Downdale Dr / Westmeath Dr

3/13 Ford 9300 blk Hilltop Ct

3/16 Kia 800 blk Fifth St 3/16 Hyundai 600 blk Seventh St 3/16 Kia 300 blk Domer St 3/17 Acura 14000 blk Vista Dr

A Legacy of Love Deserves a Plan

From all of us at Downs Law Firm, Happy Mother’s Day!

3/17 Acura 900 blk Nichols Dr

3/18 Hyundai 14000 blk Vista Dr

ATTEMPTED STOLEN VEHICLE

2/28 Unknown 14400 blk Laurel Pl

3/5 Unknown 8200 blk Harvest Bend Ln

3/17 Unknown 300 blk Main St

THEFT FROM AUTO

2/24 14100 blk Baltimore Ave

3/1 14200 blk Yardarm Way

3/1 6900 blk Andersons Way

3/2 7800 blk Sandy Spring Rd

3/3 14100 blk West Side Blvd

3/3 7900 blk Laurel Lakes Ct

3/4 6900 blk Andersons Way

3/6 600 blk Main St

3/6 200 blk Main St

3/9 2 blk Woodland Ct

3/9 800 blk Gorman Ave

3/9 14400 blk Laurel Pl

3/10 1 blk Second St

3/10 800 blk Fifth St

3/11 1 blk Second St

3/14 200 blk Fort Meade Rd

3/15 15700 blk Dorset Rd

4/23 15000 blk Haynes Rd

4/23 200 blk Eleventh St

4/23 1100 blk Snowden Pl

4/23 600 blk Prince George St

4/23 700 blk Park Ave

4/23 900 blk Nichols Dr

4/23 500 blk Ninth St

4/23 700 and 300 blk Laurel Ave

4/23 900 and 1000 blk Philip Powers Dr

4/23 14200 blk West Side Blvd

VEHICLE BREAK-IN

2/25 14700 blk Normandy Ct

3/1 14600 blk Cambridge Cir

3/4 30 blk Washington Blvd

3/14 6900 blk Andersons Way

THEFT REPORT

3/3 14900 blk Ashford Ct

3/9 300 blk Montrose Ave

3/12 300 blk Montrose Ave

3/14 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

PACKAGE THEFT

3/2 14700 blk Fourth St

3/9 14700 blk Shiloh Ct

SKIMMING DEVICE

2/28 9600 blk Fort Meade Rd

Laurel police also reported 19 instances of shoplifting and two DUIs during this period.

Education & Youth Opportunity ducation

Prioritizing schools, after-school prog rams, and access to quality education

“Ever y child deser ves a quality education I will support investing in schools, teachers, and programs that prepare our kids for the future ”

Overdevelopment & Infrastructure ve d velop ent

Preserving our communities and supporting smart growth for future generations

“We must slow reckless overdevelopment and ensure growth respects our communities, schools, roads, and quality of life ”

Learn how estate planning can help you protect what matters most. Public Safety & Justice Reform ic

Economic Development & Jobs conomic

Supporting local jobs, small businesses, and creating economic opportunities for all

“I will create opportunities in every community so families can thrive without leaving the county.”

Ensuring neighborhoods are safe while promoting fair policing and a transparent justice system

“I understand the impact of injustice will fight for a fair justice system that works for ever yone. ”

MAY COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

Send June events to jalen@streetcarsuburbs.news by May 20.

EVENTS

May 1. Sharp Radway Trio: Pianist, composer, arranger, and author Sharp Radway combines Latin jazz, spoken word, ensemble pieces, pocket grooves, and more in tribute to Black women. $25. 8-10 pm. Montpelier Arts Center.

May 2. Main Street Festival. Laurel’s flagship event for food, fun and entertainment. 9 am- 4 pm. Laurel Main St.

Spring Community Yard Sale at NLCC (All Ages). 9 am-12 pm. North Laurel Community Center.

Bonsai Basics. Learn the history of the Asian art of Bonsai and the basics for growing your own bonsai tree. 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Maryland City at Russet Library.

THE DMV DERBY DAY Party. Music and Food .$19.98. 4-10 pm. Laurel Park Race Track.

May 3. Garden Party at the Mansion. Behind the Mansion for live music a meal and life size fun and activities. $20. 4 pm-12 am. Gude Mansion.

May 5 & 19. Needlework Social: Knitting and crocheting. 6:30 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

May 8. Wingspan Game Days. 10 am-1pm. Patuxent Research Refuge.

May 9. Main Street Walking Tour. $20. Explore the rich and diverse history of Laurel’s historic commercial district. 817 Main St.

Rashid Cornish: Whispers of the Divine - A Spiritual Journey Through Nature. Explore the profound relationship between the natural world and spirituality through pastel painting. 10 am-5pm. Montpelier Art Center.

Rock, Paper, Scissors: A Celebration of World Collage Day. Listen to music (the rock) as you dive into the world of collage. $5. 11 am- 1pm. (18 and up). Montpelier Art Center.

May 12 Movie Night - Secretariat. 8 pm. Alice B. McCullough Field & Sturgis-Moore.

May 13. Paint and Pop. Bring your little ones for this special “Saddle Up, Laurel!” event. 5:307:30 pm. Laurel Armory.

May 15. 2026 Preakness Weekend at Laurel Park. Laurel Race Track.

Hubby Jenkins. Hubby Jenkins is a talented multi-instrumentalist who endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. $30. 8-10 pm. Montpelier Art Center.

May 17. H.E.A.R.T., Inc. Affordable Well-Pet Vaccination Clinic. 10 am.- 2 pm. Appointment required. Laurel Municipal Center.

May 20. Veterans Dinner and Book Group. Active service members and veterans join this monthly small-group reading and discussion dinner series centered around books which relate to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective. Ages 18 and up. Free; registration required. 7 to 9pm Montpelier Arts Center.

May 22. Coffee and conversation. Enjoy a cup of coffee and lively discussions. 10:00am11:00am. Laurel Branch Library.

May 22-June 6 Dracula, the play by Steve Deitz. $20. Children, seniors, active military: $15. Fri., Sat., & Sun 8pm; Sat. & Sun. 2pm. Laurel Mill Playhouse.

May 26. Book Discussion: “The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocumb. 7-8 pm. Laurel Branch Library.

May 30. Wild Bird Meet & Greet: Eastern Screech Owls! 2-3:30pm. Patuxent Research Refuge.

ART EXHIBITIONS

Amanda Spaid: Locals. 10am5pm. Detailed drawings of birds. Through May 2. Montpelier Arts Center.

Linda Bernard:From the Earth. Earth in ceramics. 10am5pm Montpelier Art Center. Ends May 17.

The 57th Annual Laurel Art Guild Juried Exhibition. 10am5pm Montpelier Art Center. Through May 31.

“Nature’s Wonders - Let’s Preserve Them!” photos by professor Nishanth Sunny, Ph.D. 10am-4pm Wed.-Sat. Hollingsworth Wildlife Gallery at Patuxent Research Refuge.

Melissa Burley, surrealist found object sculptor. May 23 - June 21. 10 am-5pm. Montpelier Arts Center.

VENUE INFORMATION

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

American Legion Post 60 2 Main St. 301. 725.2302

Alice B. McCullough Field & Sturgis-Moore. 8th Street and Montgomery Street

Gude Mansion/The Mansion at Laurel 13910 Laurel Lakes Ave. 301.725.7800 cityoflaurel.org/parks

Granville Gude Park Lakehouse 8300 Mulberry St. 301. 490.3530

Greenview Drive Cabana 14403 Greenview Dr. 301.725.7800

KIDS & TEENS

May 1. Get Active:Yoga for Families -w/Children’s Mental Health Matters. 4 pm. Laurel Public Library.

May 4. Teen De-stress Cafe. Participate in some simple art activities, watch some ASMR videos, or simply chill and hangout with friends. 5-7pm. Maryland City Library.

May 9. Science Saturdays: 1001 Worms Eat My Garbage. Explore the world of super-composting worms! 10:30-11:30 am. Maryland City Library.

May 12. Pajama Storytime: Ladybugs! Come dressed in your comfiest pajamas, and bring your favorite stuffie. 6-7pm. Maryland City Library.

May 16. Kids to Park Day. 3-7pm. Granville Gude Park and Lakehouse.

May 9, 16 & 23: Saturday Nature Programs 11am -12 pm, light refreshments and meet & greet with Hollingsworth gallery exhibitors. Ages 4-12. May 9: Wolves and predators. May 16: Monarch butterflies and their Magical Migration. May 23: Nature walk. Patuxent Research Refuge.

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

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

Laurel Elks Lodge #2283 8261 Brock Bridge Rd. 301.604.2975

Laurel Mill Playhouse 508 Main St. 301.617.9906 laurelmillplayhouse.org

Laurel Park Race Track 198 Laurel Race Track Rd, 301. 725.0400

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

Kids’ Discovery Center. Crafts, puzzles, games, nature. May: Insects/Ants - 100 species in Maryland, alone!. Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 12pm (35-minute time slots, onhour). Patuxent Research Refuge.

Library storytimes. Laurel Branch Library: Mondays at 10:30am (ages 2 to 3), Wednesdays at 7pm (ages 3 to 5) and Thursdays at 10:30 and 11:15am (ages 0 to 2). Maryland City at Russet Library: Mondays at 10:30 & Tuesdays at 11:30 (ages 0-5); Tuesdays 10:30 to 11am (toddler time).

StoryTrail: Sunrise to sunset (except Tuesdays: till 4 pm). All Ages. May: the dual-language, “I Know the River Loves Me; Yo sé que el río me ama,” by Maya Christina Gonzalez. Patuxent Research Refuge.

SENIORS

May 2. Get Active:Chair Yoga and movement class for seniors. 11 am. Laurel Branch Library.

May 6. Senior Paint Social. 11 am-12 pm. Greenview Drive Cabana.

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

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

North Laurel Community Center 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd,410.313.0390

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

The Laurel Volunteer Firefighters are looking for new members. If you are interested in joining their ranks, go to www.LaurelVFD.org to sign up!

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

Second Friday Senior Book Club. May 8: “For One More Day,” by Mitch Albom. June 12: “Broken Country,” by Clare Leslie Hall. 2 to 3:30pm, Laurel Armory: email book62worm@hotmail. com.

LANGUAGES

ASL Conversation Club for Beginners. 4pm Wednesdays at Laurel Branch Library

Virtual Spanish Conversation Club. Beginners meet at 4:00pm and intermediate learners at 5:00pm every Wednesday. Reservations not required. Laurel Branch Library

Italian Club welcomes all on the second Wednesday of each month. 6:30 p,m, St. Mary of the Mills Church, 114 St. Marys Pl. Call Jo Saunders at 301.490.8237

French Conversation Club

Virtual. Every Thursday at 7 pm. Laurel Branch Library

taurant’s easygoing ambiance. Walking in, guests are greeted by a painting in deep greens and reds depicting the restaurant. A server quickly ushers diners to their tables.

The place smells, well, meaty — and that’s not a bad thing. The scent of grilled meats lingers in the air, adding to the experience. Tables fill with families, couples young and old, and groups of friends catching up. Even the bar stays busy. It feels less like just another restaurant and more like the neighborhood spot.

FOOD AND SERVICE

For an appetizer, the baba ghanoush arrived fresh and wellprepared. Service remained attentive despite a packed dining room, though timing lagged slightly as the main course took longer to arrive.

If Mary had a little lamb, then so did I.

The lamb chops portion leaned small, but the meat was fresh, grilled with care and lightly seasoned with notes of garlic and onion. Dessert proved less memorable — the cheesecake failed to stand out — but the overall dining experience carried the meal.

RATINGS (OUT OF 5)

Service: 5/5

Staff remained attentive throughout, with a noticeable sense of teamwork as servers stepped in to assist one another when needed.

Food: 4/5

The lamb chops were well-plated and paired nicely with the

pita and baba ghanoush. The broccoli was properly cooked, though it lacked additional seasoning or sauce options beyond a yogurt-style accompaniment and hot sauce. Still, the meat’s seasoning stood well on its own.

Ambiance: 3/5

The decor is not particularly modern or social media-

driven, but it features playful puns and creative uses of the word “olive” throughout the space.

A neighborhood moment

The most memorable moment of the morning came when an elderly couple passed by a table of middle-aged women taking a break from a youth soccer outing. One woman stopped

them and asked how long they had been together.

“Sixty-two years,” they replied.

Nearby tables paused midconversation — and mid-bite — to smile, with some diners even rising to hug the couple.

That moment may best capture Olive On Main. After a long week, it feels like a warm Saturday morning hug.

Tracking Laurel’s phenology

By AGNES CONATY

Now that Earth Day (April 22, 2026) has passed, it’s worth considering how we can, as Americans and residents of Laurel, continue a collective effort to celebrate America 250 by caring for and monitoring our environment — starting in our own backyards. For instance, families can participate in phenology — a scientific study that tracks seasonal changes such as flowering trees, insect activity

and bird arrivals — without the need for special equipment, just attention, curiosity and consistency.

Teaching nature journaling to my environmental science class this spring has trained me to pay close attention. I noticed a late winter freeze delayed the first buds of snowdrops by our mailbox by about a week. Picking a handful of Lenten roses, I missed a stash of daffodils I anticipated from last year’s blooms. Our backyard teemed with white and

yellow varieties that my husband and son harvested into three flower baskets.

Coincidentally, at this time last year, a pair of mourning doves gathered twigs and prepared their nest in one of our flower boxes. Their absence this year is uncanny.

Why is there a delay? When one begins to ask a question — when one starts to be curious — one begins the process of science. While late blooms are not unusual in Laurel, the biological clock of plants is usually tied to temperature, moisture and sunlight. Tracking seasonal patterns requires consistency. I have a habit of taking pictures, which, through the years, allows me to see constancy and change. Our front yard wisteria blooms later than much of the neighborhood’s. Purple azaleas that get more sun in our front yard bloomed earlier than the red ones at the side of the house. The white ones in our backyard are the last to bloom. They may seem small and inconsequential, but following nature’s rhythms is scientifically valuable.

So how can families take part

in Laurel’s phenology? One way is to start a family phenology journal. Each family member can bring a notebook, pencil and coloring instruments. Pick a favorite backyard tree, front garden flowers or a neighborhood park to visit on weekends. Note the first blooms of snowdrops, daffodils, dogwoods, azaleas or even dandelions. Track the greening of leaves. Are you amazed at how a burst of green seems to appear overnight in your backyard? Green-up’s exponential growth is a mathematical wonder. Observe early insect visits from bees and butterflies, and the nesting and feeding of robins, sparrows and cardinals. Make it a habit to record the observation date, time, location and weather. Include temperature and rainfall readings, if possible. Describe what you see, hear, smell and feel. Encourage family members to draw and sketch with color. Over time, your journal can become part of climate data.

Residents can also take part in citizen science projects. This year, SciStarter launched its “2.50 Million Acts of Science” to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Explore the Nature’s Notebook app from the USA National Phenology Network, which collects, shares and monitors phenology data online. This program also in-

cludes visualization tools to map data across the United States. Planting a pollinator garden in your front yard is another way to engage. Spend a few minutes observing pollinators and count the number of visiting butterflies, bees or other insects. Native perennials such as milkweed attract monarch butterflies. Other favorites include asters, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans (Maryland’s state flower) and bee balm. Observe which flowers attract the most pollinators and track changes over time. This excitement continues through the seasons as you track the first lightning bug, the first leaf to fall and the first snowfall. These moments are not only meaningful family experiences, but also help answer real scientific questions: Are springs arriving later in Maryland? Are pollinators arriving at the same time as flowers? How is climate variability affecting local ecosystems? Who knows — your family’s phenology journal could become valuable scientific data someday.

professor.

LAUREL LEDGER

OF FICIAL NEWS FROM THE CITY OF LAUREL, MARYLAND

LAUREL PARKS & RECRE ATION KICKS OFF A SEASON OF COMMUNITY FUN

As the weather warms and summer approaches, Laurel Parks and Recreation is rolling out an exciting lineup of events and activities designed to bring the community together. From live music and familyfriendly movies to outdoor celebrations and aquatic fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in the coming months.

Kids to Parks Day

Families won’t want to miss Kids to Parks Day on May 16th from 3:00 - 7:00pm. at Granville Gude Park. This annual celebration encourages kids and families to get outdoors, explore local parks, and enjoy fun activities together.

Summer Movies

Outdoor movie nights return in June, offering a series of family-friendly films under the stars at Granville Gude Park. The lineup includes:

• June 5th - Zootopia 2

• June 12th - How to Train Your Dragon (2025 - Live Action)

• June 26th - The Bad Guys 2

All movies begin at sunset (approximately 8:30pm), so bring a blanket or lawn chair

and settle in for a memorable evening.

Saddle Up Laurel Events

To celebrate the Preakness coming to Laurel on May 16th, Parks and Recreation has planned some fun family events! Be sure to join us:

• Music on Main - May 8th - 6 - 8pm at the Laurel Market on Main, 378 Main Street.

• Movie, “Secretariat,” - May 12th8pm - McCullough Field

• Music at the Mansion - May 15th5:30pm - The Mansion at Laurel

And they’re not done yet! Cycling enthusiasts and families alike can join the Bike Parade on June 10th starting at 6pm at the Laurel Armory. Decorate your bike, show off your creativity, and ride along in this lively community event.

Aquatics also take center stage this season. The Main Street and Greenview Drive Pools Opening Day is set for May 23rd from 12 - 8pm, marking the unofficial start of summer in Laurel. Throughout the season, weekend pool hours will include a special time from 12 - 2pm reserved exclusively for City of Laurel residents and pass holders, ensuring a more relaxed and accessible experience.

With a full calendar of events and activities, Laurel Parks and Recreation continues to provide opportunities for residents of all ages to connect, stay active, and make lasting memories. Whether you’re enjoying live music, watching a movie outdoors, or cooling off at the pool, this season promises plenty of ways to celebrate summer in Laurel.

For the first time in its storied history, the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown, will be held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland on May 15-16, 2026. The move marks a significant moment for Maryland racing, as the event temporarily shifts from its longtime home at Pimlico Race Course while that venue undergoes a massive redevelopment. .

The shift to Laurel is part of a broader, state -led effort to modernize Pimlico. The historic Baltimore track is being demolished and rebuilt into a state-of-the-art racing and entertainment complex, with the Preakness expected to return there in 2027. Rather than pause the tradition, officials opted to bring the race to Laurel Park one of Maryland’s most established racing venues. The 2026 race will not only preserve continuity but also offer a unique, one -time experience for fans and the industry alike.

Unlike the massive crowds typically seen at Pimlico, the Laurel version of the Preakness will be notably smaller. Attendance for the two-day event, including Black -Eyed Susan Day on May 15th, will be capped at around 4,800 guests. The 2026 Preakness is being designed as a premium, curated experience, with luxury suites and exclusive viewing areas; temporary hospitality structures along the track; enhanced food and beverage offerings; and close -up access to racing action. The goal is to create a more intimate, high-end atmosphere that contrasts with the infield party culture traditionally associated with the race.

While the footprint may be smaller, Laurel Park is planning a full slate of events to match the prestige of the occasion. Acr oss the two-day Preakness weekend, visitors can expect:

• Black-Eyed Susan Day (May 15th)

• Preakness Day (May 16th)

Though the venue may be different, the temporary move offers a unique chance to experience the Preakness through a new lenssmaller, more exclusive, and more curated, yet still grounded in the tradition that has defined the race for over a century. Wh en the gates open in May 2026, Laurel won’t just be hosting the Preakness...it will be making history!

It’s Easy B eing Grreen!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FO R SUSTAINABLE WORKGROUP!

Farmer’s Market is BACK!!! The request to extend our market dates was heard and we are happy to announce that the 2026 Market will run through October 29th. Located at 378 Main Street, we are open every Thursday, from 3pm - 7pm. We are happy to be able to bring back many of your favorite vendors, as well as new vendors and food trucks! We continue to accept SNAP/EBT benefits and are part of the Maryland Market Money program, giving our shoppers extra market cash to shop with, so stop by th e Welcome Tent to get tokens. Follow us on Facebook, @LaurelMarketOnMain, and the Green Living website for updates and a list of market vendors.

As the weather starts to heat up, expect the mosquitoes to start biting! The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Mosquito Control Program is scheduled for City-wide spraying on Sundays starting in June, as needed. If you find that you are experiencing a large mosquito population around your home or if you would like your property to be exempt from the program, visit https:// mda.maryland.gov/plants -pests/Pages/mosquito_control.aspx for more details. Be proactive and be sure to Tip It or Toss It, an ecofriendly way to reduce the mosquito population.

We are looking for volunteers, not already sitting on a board, commission or committee, for our Sustainable Communities Workgroup! Are you passionate about building a healthier, greener, and more resilient community? This short -term, yet impactful commitment is designed to bring together community members, professionals, students, and advocates who want to help shape practical solutions for a more sustainable future. Together, we will focus on the areas of Environment, Economy, Transportati on, Housing, Community Health and Quality of Life, Local Planning and Staffing Capacity. To take part, you MUST be a resident of the City of Laurel; be able to commit to three 90 -minute meetings (virtual); and bring to the group a solution-oriented mindset. How to Apply: Send an email to ecd@laurel.md.us, and include in the subject line, “Sustainable Communities Workgroup. ” In the body of the email, provide us with your name, address, phone number, a valid email address, and your preferred meeting times (morning, afternoon, evening). Answer the following questions: Are you available to meet on Wednesdays starting in May? Do you have a specialized interest in any of the 6 categories listed above, if so please list them below. Can ’t wait to get started!

Follow us on Facebook at @SustainableLaurel. This is a place where we can share ideas, highlight upcoming events and resident s can stay informed on all things Sustainable. And check us out on the Green Living webpage at www.cityoflaurel.org/greenliving

PARQUES Y RECREACIÓN:

¡UNA TEMPORADA DE DIVERSIÓN!

A medida que el clima se calienta y se acerca el verano, el Departamento de Parques y Recreación de Laurel presenta una emocionante programación de eventos y actividades diseñadas para unir a la comunidad. Desde música en vivo y películas para toda la familia hasta celebraciones al aire libre y diversión acuática, hay algo para que todos disfruten en los próximos meses:

• Día de los Niños en los Parques (Kids to Parks Day) – 16 de mayo – 3 - 7pm, Gude Park

• Películas de Verano – 5, 12 y 26 de junio – Comienzan al anochecer, Gude Park

• Desfile de Bicicletas – 10 de junio – 6pm, Laurel Armory

• Apertura de Piscinas – 23 de mayo – 12-8pm, Piscinas de Greenview Drive y Main Street

Con un calendario repleto de eventos y actividades, el Departamento de Parques y Recreación de Laurel continúa brindando oportunidades para que los residentes de todas las edades se conecten, se mantengan activos y creen recuerdos duraderos. Ya sea disfrutando de música en vivo, viendo una película al aire libre o refrescándose en la piscina, esta temporada promete muchas formas de celebrar el verano en Laurel.

LAUREL POLICE MONTHLY

CRIME REPORT

MARCH 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:

 There was no new legislation as of the submission of this publication.

Bid Recommendations:

 Van Dusen Road Improvement Project - Phase 3 (North of Rte. 198 to Old Sandy Spring Rd.) - DPW

 Approval Request: Public Works - Cherry Lane Bikeway 65% Design Grant.

Government Meetings

(Dates and Times Subject to Change)

May 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings

 May 4th - Virtual Special Budget Work Session (6:00pm)

 May 6th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)

 May 11th - (If Necessary) Virtual Special Budget Work Session (5:00pm)

at www.cityoflaurel.org/parks.

May 11th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

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

May 2026 Boards and Commissions

May 12th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)

May 19th - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)

May 28th - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)

June 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings

June 3rd - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session (6:00pm)

June 8th - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

June 22nd - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting (6:00pm)

June 2026 Boards and Commissions

June 9th - Planning Commission (6:00pm)

June 16th - Historic District Commission (6:00pm)

June 25th - Board of Appeals (6:00pm)

y Announcements & Events

Main Street Festival - May 2nd - 9am - 4pm. Family fun, food, music and entertainment!

Larry T. Smith Park Clean Up - May 9th - 10am - A sustainability project scheduled to help keep Laurel clean and green! Community Service Hours available, call 301-725-5300 ext. 2109.

Mother’s Day Community Brunch - May 10th - 11am - 2pm, Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Road. Registration required. 301-974-3010.

Music at the Mansion - May 15th - 5:30pm - 8:30pm, The Mansion at Laurel, 13910 Laurel Lakes Avenue. Music, Food, Drinks and Fun! 21+ Only.

Kids to Parks Day - May 16th - 3 - 7pm - Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry Street. Register at the Concession stand, complete a lap around the lake and receive a one-time free boating pass!

Sip & Stretch Mother's Day Yoga Retreat - May 17th - 1 - 3pm, 13910 Laurel Lakes Avenue, Cost: $25. Visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks for details.

 Mental Health Symposium - May 23rd - 10am - 1pm - Laurel Multiservice Center, 204 Fort Meade Road. Workshops, Speakers, Demos and More!

 To learn more or register for Parks and Recreation Classes/Events and Senior Services events, visit www.cityoflaurel.org/parks or call 301-776-6168.

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

Public Works Monthly Glance

2026 PRIMARY VOTER GUIDE

LOCAL CANDIDATES

Compiled by THE LAUREL INDEPENDENT STAFF

Why vote in the primary election?

County and state representatives influence zoning, public schools, police, and government spending in our community.

In our area, Democratic primary elections will almost certainly determine who represents us at the county and state level. Most voters in our area register as Democrats. There are no Republicans running in the local races below.

How do you vote in the primary election?

Mail-in ballots start arriving in May for the June 23 election. To vote in Democratic primary races, you need to register as a Democrat. June 2 is the deadline to register to vote online or by mail.

You can also register to vote in person on Election Day or during early voting, which starts on June 11 and ends June 18, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit the Prince George’s County Board of Elections website for lists of early voting centers and drop box locations for mail-in ballots.

How do I figure out who to vote for?

We asked local candidates what they have accomplished for their communities, what they hope to accomplish if elected, and who’s on their team, both in terms of local organizations they are affiliated with and endorsements.

We also asked them about government spending. Their responses are below.

See our website, laurelindependent.com, for information on local candidate forums, as well as additional statements from local candidates. Our online guide will continue to be updated; please send voter education resources you think we should include to kit@ streetcarsuburbs.news.

COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1

(Laurel, North College Park, Beltsville, Calverton,)

MICHELLE GARCIA

Age: 50

Residence: Beltsville

Fun Fact: I foster dogs and have helped rehome many four-legged friends. I’m guilty

of two “foster fails.”

Accomplished for community:

In 2013, Kari Hunt was killed by her estranged husband in a motel room. Her 9-year-old daughter tried to call 911, but the phone required dialing “9” for an outside line. That single digit, and that tragedy, drove me to help pass Kari’s Law in Maryland. As Legislative Aide to Delegate Peña-Melnyk, I led the effort to draft and advocate for the bill. Now, everyone in Maryland has direct access to 911, regardless of the phone they are using. It makes me proud to know a child in that situation will never be prevented from reaching help because of an extra digit.

Goals: My goal is to use transparent, accountable governance to drive meaningful progress on housing, education, jobs, climate, and public safety.

Spending: We constantly debate budgets, priorities, and responsibilities, but too often these are bandaid solutions to overspending. Most of the budget goes to education and public safety, which remain underfunded, leaving everything else stretched thin. What we need first is full transparency in county government, along with a closer look at whether too much is spent on management and not enough on frontline staff. That means not only clearly explaining how systems work, but simplifying them and creating an open

government where residents know how their money is spent and who makes decisions. I am committed to advancing both digital and in-person solutions that address the root causes of government operations. Who’s on your team? I am a Democratic candidate with extensive government and relationship-building experience. I am not taking any PAC, corporate, or large contributions and was the first candidate to qualify for public financing in the county. I have been endorsed by organizations and leading elected officials, including AFL-CIO, LiUNA! Baltimore/ Washington District Council, CASA in Action, Progressive Maryland, and Sierra Club. I’ve been endorsed by 50+ elected officials, including the State District 21 Team: Senator Jim Rosapepe and Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, and Mary Lehman, and current District 1 County Council Member, Tom Dernoga. The full list of endorsements is available on my website, michellejgarcia.com.

MARTIN MITCHELL

Age: 35

Residence: Laurel

Fun Fact: I enjoy nature, hikes, writing poetry, and anime. A few of my favorites: Dragon Ball Z, Death Note, and Naruto Shippuden. Wrestling coach, mentor, and a former AllAmerican in HS and College. Accomplished for community:

I have been privileged to serve as a Laurel City Council Member, community activist, and policy advocate and have led the fight for more affordable housing costs, better pay and benefits for workers, and more resources for public schools. I helped Laurel’s Public Works get collective bargaining rights and unionize with UFCW McGeo.

Goals: I will work to reduce energy, housing, and health care costs for families, increase teacher pay with smaller class sizes, provide more resources to improve public safety, and invest in infrastructure.

Spending: I am concerned with spending for upper-level administration and bureaucracy.

Who’s on your team? Please go to: www.meetmartin.org/ services

DARWIN ROMERO

Age: 49

Residence: Laurel

Fun Fact: I love singing Christmas carols—it’s a tradition that brings people together and celebrates community spirit. Accomplished for community: I’m most proud of standing up for working families and underserved communities. At MCPS DOT, I founded a Lot Committee to elevate workplace concerns for drivers and attendants and push for real solutions. I also served on the Latin American Advisory Group, advising the County

Executive on policies to better support and engage the Latino community. As a Saturday School tutor, I helped students build confidence and mastery in math—opening doors and building confidence for their future success.

Goals: My focus is improving quality of life across our county. I will support our youth through stronger educational and career pathways, help families manage the rising cost of living, and ensure our seniors can age with dignity and security in the community they helped build.

Spending: The issue isn’t just how much we spend—it’s how we spend it. Too often, funding is misaligned with residents’ priorities and lacks strong oversight. We need greater accountability and a clearer return on investment to ensure taxpayer dollars deliver real results for our communities. Who’s on your team? My team is rooted in the community I serve—neighbors, small business owners, working families, and young people striving for opportunity. I’m also supported by family and friends who share my commitment to building a stronger, more responsive county. Additional endorsements will be shared as the campaign progresses.

COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE (entire county)

LAURA GILCHREST

Age: 41

Residence: Adelphi

Fun Fact: I enjoy karaoke, puns, puzzles, playing Magic! The Gathering, and gardening with friends.

Accomplished for community: I’m proud to be an educator and mentor to youth in

our county and around the country. I practice what I teach in ethics, human rights, and anthropology of development and global health as a community organizer. I’m proud of my work in community public health, in supporting immigrant families affected by ICE and systemic exclusion, and as an advocate for environmental and distributive justice.

Goals: I hope to improve transparency and accountability and repair trust and participation within our communities.

Community-driven policy and transparent and accessible meetings and hearings, with advanced notice, and public processes. Appointment reform that requires public input. Resources and programs to make homes and neighborhoods places where we can age in place, that are more accessible to disabled and elderly residents, safer and more kid- and

youth-friendly — sidewalks, home improvement, rehabilitation, and modernization funding, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges. Climate-centered smart growth and community development. Land use and planning and corporate tax fairness that improves affordability for residents.

Spending: There are inconsistencies in our budget allocation and procurement processes that require the scrutiny of an audit. I would work to ensure that we have a clear accounting of income and debts and that public goods and resources like our schools, infrastructure, and services are funded before any allocations are made for anything else. Who’s on your team? I am active in several grassroots and community organizations. I am endorsed by Prince George’s for Palestine, and other endorsements are pending. Visit www. electlauragilchrest.com for updates!

SYDNEY HARRISON

Age: 51

Residence: Brandywine, Maryland

Fun Fact: I am a native Prince Georgian with a 30-year-old son. I am an avid Commanders fan!

Accomplished for community:

As the current Council representative for District 9, I am most proud of my efforts to increase the County’s commercial tax base by working to update the Subregion 5 and 6 Master Plans, as well as to help establish the County’s first Medical Innovation Corridor. The master plans address zoning and land use while establishing the framework for potential new business expansion. The Medical Innovation Corridor will model the successful “The Pearl Innovation District” in Charlotte, NC. Over the past three years, I have actively worked with MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission to help bring this vision to reality.

Goals: As an at-large council member, I will work to help reduce the real estate tax burden for private homeowners while increasing the availability of healthy food options. I will also

continue my efforts to attract quality dining options, healthy grocers, vibrant retail, and business expansion throughout the County. I plan to bring my eight years of Council experience to the at-large position, with a focus on building government capacity, increasing business investment, improving senior services, diversifying the tax base by growing commercial revenue, expanding job creation, and strengthening the education system.

Spending: I do not believe the County is necessarily overspending in any one particular area. In my opinion, to provide residents with the best possible services and programs, the County must increase commercial tax revenue to lessen the tax burden on homeowners. Based on the calls and emails consistently received by the Council District 9 office, most residents expect increased and improved government services. Who’s on your team? My current endorsements include Council Member Jolene Ivey, Senator Kevin Harris, Senator Arthur Ellis, former County Executive Rushern Baker, Senator candidate Kevin Ford, and Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS

(PGCAR). Additional major endorsements are pending and expected.

Age: 64

Residence: Cheverly Fun Fact: I used to work at Disneyworld in the summers, and that is where I learned the importance of good and responsive service, and prompt consideration of people’s concerns. Accomplished for community: I am proud that I closed a $171M deficit when I was chair of the County Council, working closely with the Alsobrooks administration. Previously, I worked tirelessly to advocate for our residents as a Maryland state delegate in Annapolis, then as a County Council member in District 5, and currently serving at-large. My priorities have been and continue to be families in Prince George’s, including the full spectrum from

young families to our seniors who deserve to thrive and age in place. I want county residents to find what they need here in the county. The budget is a reflection of our values, and protecting the county’s bond rating is vital.

Goals and spending? This past year, my focus has been on the disability community, and through those efforts we will be opening the Prince George’s Vision Rehabilitation Center in the county for those who are low/no vision to find resources without having to leave the county. I have also worked with autism service providers to help create a network called the Prince George’s County Autism Coalition, which is working to streamline the information one receives to find resources in our county. I will continue to fight for all of those services that many of us want to see that will support the work of the executive branch to keep our streets safe and clean, attract economic development that will invest into our communities, and keep costs livable in the county. Beautification is important, so I am excited to have launched the “Creative Sidewalks” Pilot Program that will bring ground murals to five locations around the county to beautify and

increase pedestrian safety. Who is on your team? Currently, I have CASA in Action, ATU Local 689, Metro Washington AFL-CIO, and am waiting for other endorsements from a variety of organizations. In my previous campaigns, I have received a wide assortment of endorsements from environmental groups, labor, and community organizations.

Age: 58

Residence: Mitchellville

Accomplished for community: I have worked my entire career in public service. As a correctional officer, I retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel, managing the Office of Professional Responsibility and Legal Affairs. I served a decade on the school board, six years of which as chair of the board. While the county has had its share of struggles in student

achievement, during my tenure we were on a trajectory of improvement. I worked tirelessly to support families navigating the large school system, particularly our families with children with special needs and our alternative education population of students.

In my current role, I am most proud of the extensive support we provide states and school districts in the filing of amicus briefs, advocacy before Congress, and professional development.

In corrections, successfully led negotiations team resulting in significant quality-oflife enhancements, including retirement benefits, life-saving equipment, and workers’ compensation benefits for correctional officers harmed in the line of duty.

Goals: The county is at an inflection point. With the looming budget deficit, potential loss of significant revenuegenerating properties (i.e., Commanders, Six Flags), we will need to be creative and innovative to ensure sustainability. I hope to be a key contributor to stabilizing our financial status to ensure we can provide meaningful resources and support for residents, thereby

improving their quality of life.

Spending: I cannot say with absolute certainty. I am incredibly careful not to make accusations without evidence. The important question is one of efficiency and accountability. Who’s on your team? Endorsements: County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Senator Ronald Watson, District 23; Senate candidate Tiffany Alston; see website at jeanajacobs.org.

Progressive Maryland, Metro Washington AFL-CIO, LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America); Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689.

40

Residence: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Fun Fact: I am a rancher and an Airborne-qualified Army veteran, two things most people would never guess about their County Council

candidate.

Accomplished for community:

As a 13-year U.S. Army veteran, I came home and built three businesses in Prince George’s County: Pinnacle Software Consulting, VARIDD LLC, and PSCI-LIA, creating jobs and serving federal, state, and local government clients. I founded the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Prince George’s County to give our business community a seat at the table. I was appointed to Governor Wes Moore’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs and recognized by the Maryland State Archives as one of 20 Latino leaders who have shaped the history of this state. Every door I opened, I held open for the next person.

Goals: I will fight for housing affordability, safer neighborhoods, and stronger small business support. I will ensure our Latino, immigrant, veteran, and underserved communities are not just invited to the table but are driving the conversation where decisions about their lives are made.

Spending: We must audit administrative overhead and ensure every dollar reaches the residents it is intended to serve. Accountability and transparency are non-nego-

tiable, especially as families face rising costs and shrinking access to services.

Who’s on your team? Leadership: President & Chair, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of PG County; President, Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation; Appointed Member, Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs (2024–2028); Board Member, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County; Board Member, Maryland Hispanic Business Foundation; Board Member, NSBA Leadership Council. Endorsements: Run Sister Run, VoteVets, Delegate Deni Taveras, Mayor Monica Casanas (Colmar Manor), Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County. Full list at www.jennifernrios.com. Awarded 2026 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction.

KEITH WASHINGTON

Age: 64

Residence: Accokeek

Fun Fact: I love coaching baseball and fishing, but my passion is mentoring and creating opportunities. As a business owner, I’ve employed more than 40 people because everyone deserves a real chance. Accomplished for community:

as a paratrooper, followed by 17 years with the Prince George’s County Police Department, including 10 years as a detective solving serious crimes and protecting our neighborhoods.

While serving, I also founded a youth foundation, mentoring young people and providing scholarships to help them build a future. I’ve supported working families, protected seniors, and invested in our youth. That’s a lifetime of action, not talk.

Goals: My focus is restoring accountability and putting residents first: Safer Communities: Invest in real public safety to protect families and seniors.

Good Jobs & Union Support: Promote local hiring and protect union jobs.

Youth Investment: Expand

mentorship, job training, and scholarships.

Fiscal Responsibility: Cut waste and ensure transparency in spending.

Spending: There is too much waste in administrative overhead and programs that don’t deliver results. Meanwhile, seniors struggle and core services are stretched. We need real audits and must redirect funds to public safety, education, and infrastructure.

Who’s on your team? (a)

Leadership roles: Founder of a county youth foundation; former ARDCC commissioner; Army veteran and law enforcement professional. (b) Endorsements: This campaign is powered by working families, seniors, and community members. More endorsements will be announced. Working people are tired of being ignored. Your vote is not their property.

NOAH EMMANUEL WATERS

Age: 68

Residence: Town of Eagle Harbor

Fun Fact: As a child, I was known for playing numerous musical instruments and writing music. When I was 12 years old, Chuck Brown “The God-

father of Go-Go” came to my house with his band trying to recruit me to play in his band, but my father, a Methodist minister, would not let me go.

Accomplished for community: As the recent former mayor of the Town of Eagle Harbor, Maryland, which is only one of approximately seven predominantly African American waterfront municipal communities remaining in the United States, I am proud to have been the mayor who brought the largest financial benefits to the town in its nearly 100-year-old history and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places. I am an environmentalist who helped stop a billiondollar fossil-burning power plant from being built in Prince George’s County’s sacrifice zone of Brandywine.

Goals: I wish to help make Prince George’s County a role model for the nation by taking advantage

Why I’m Running

of the county’s heritage tourism designation and bringing jobs and needed revenue (CR-0382025); by reducing crime and the pipeline to prison by rewarding K-12 students for good behavior; and by offering scholarships to graduating seniors who maintain a record of legal behavior.

Spending: The county government is overspending millions of dollars by hiring “yes people” to serve at the pleasure of the County administration. Who’s on your team? My right-hand campaign help is Taylor Frazier McCollum, who is nationally known for starting the Change.org petition that has gained more than 23,000 signatures against building a hyper-scale data center at the old Landover Mall site and that led to the County Executive’s moratorium on data center permits. I have been endorsed by 5th Congressional candidate Harold Tolbert and former Eagle Harbor Commissioner Linda Moore-Garoute. I am a 2026 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate. My website is WatersforAtLarge.com.

Sean Floyd is also running as a Democrat in the at-large County Council race. He did not respond to our inquiry.

Like many families, I’ve experienced what it means to help care for a loved one while navigating complicated systems and important decisions about the future. The Register of Wills office plays an important role in helping families during some of life’s most difficult transitions. I’m running because I believe families across Prince George’s County deserve clear guidance, accessible information, and an office that helps residents plan, protect, and prepare for the future.

VOTE

RON OLIVER

A SHERIFF FOR ALL

A Prince George’s County Public Safety

Professional with 43 years of Law Enforcement and Fire Department service.

Born and raised in Prince George’s County, graduated from Crossland High School.

RON’S VISION

 Transparent Leader who cares for all

 Engage with the entire county to build stronger relationships

 Reestablish the Office of the Sheriff’s core functions with the courts, civil service and warrants

 Arrest domestic violence offenders and empower the victims

 Continue to mentor the youth and assist our seniors

 Rebuild a broken agency, to deliver the best service to all, while maintaining open, transparent communication

ABOUT RON

Ronald J. Oliver Jr., was appointed and sworn in as Assistant Sheriff for Prince George’s County, Maryland, in 2022 and retired in 2025 as Chief of the Bureau of Administration. In this role, he oversaw multiple divisions, including Budget and Finance, Human Resources, Training, and Special Operations. Ron’s public safety career began even earlier, in 1983, as a volunteer firefighter. He rose through the ranks to become Fire Chief of the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department, where he was on the departments board of directors and remains a life member. He currently serves as District VI Director for the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association and was inducted into the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association Hall of Fame, in recognition of his decades of dedicated service. One of his favorite annual community events is the Fire Department’s Toys for Tots bicycle drive; a reminder, he says, that “we can never give back enough to the community that needs us.”

“Great leaders never stop learning”

PUBLIC SAFETY ENDORSEMENTS

• PG Sheriff’s Lodge 112

• PG Police Lodge 89

• PG Fire IAFF Local 1619

• MD Park Police Lodge 30

• University of MD PD Lodge 23

• MD State FOP Lodge

• MCGEO Local 1994

• Bowie City PD Lodge 140

• The Honorable Cererta A. Lee, Register of Wills for Prince George’s Co.

• Craig Moe, Retired Mayor for Laurel City

• James V. Aluisi, Retired Sheriff, Prince George’s County

Scan to learn more about Ron or visit www.ronoliverforsheriff.com

with each candidate trying to communicate a distinct vision on the impact they would have if elected to office.

“I’m running to protect community health, support responsible and sustainable development, invest in equity in our schools, strengthen transparency and accountability in government,” said García, a Beltsville resident who has served as chief of staff to Dernoga since 2018.

Romero, a South Laurel resident and contract manager, said he would prioritize school construction, after-school programs and workforce development.

“I will also make sure we invest in tutoring programs, sports programs and extracurricular activities for our students,” Romero said.

Mitchell, a former Laurel City Council member, said he would push for more community input on development decisions.

“I am very concerned with development decisions passing and the community not having

enough input,” Mitchell said. “I’ve seen it happen in Laurel, and now I’m seeing it happen right there in Beltsville … I’m going to continue to fight back as your council member.”

Audience members also asked about housing affordability, transportation and data centers.

Georgena Ifill asked the candidates how they would address rising rents and housing costs.

“Now, with economics even being tighter, it’s even more of an issue, to pay your mortgage, to pay your rent, and when your rent is going up four or $500 and you’re getting calls with people being put out of their homes,” Ifill said. “What are we going to be doing about people paying excessive rent?”

Romero said he would support more housing options, including town homes, workforce housing and transit-oriented development. He also said new developments should include affordable units.

Mitchell said he would like to see free bus service in Prince George’s County and more frequent transit service in north-

ern parts of the county.

All three candidates had concerns about data centers, with Mitchell and Romero opposing any data center construction.

“I’d love to see us have something productive and something that’s going to support us in bringing jobs to this area,” García said. “I want to make sure it’s not at the risk of damaging your peace of mind and our community and making sure that we have sustainable growth while protecting the environment.”

PREAKNESS

To help give local businesses a boost, the city launched its “Saddle Up, Laurel!” initiative, which includes events and separate promotions with 21 local businesses. Several restaurants in the city, for example, will offer discounts or special menus the week of the race. City officials said it’s all meant to spotlight Laurel’s business scene.

“[Saddle Up, Laurel] is an opportunity for participating businesses to get a little bit of extra visibility, and hopefully for us to deliver some consumers into their stores,” said Jay Meashey, director of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Preakness continues to be a premier horse racing event, not only within the state, but nationally.

The candidates also addressed environmental issues and development.

Mitchell said the county should rely more heavily on community-created development plans. While García pledged she would work with environmental groups and uphold Laurel’s master plan for future development.

The forum ended with candidates discussing how they would remain accessible to residents.

“I want to be accessible. I want to be visible. I am in the community, and I am a neighbor,” Romero said. “I plan to be accountable to each of the residents of District 1.”

Mitchell said he would continue canvassing year-round and meeting with residents if elected. García said she would answer only to voters because her publicly financed campaign shows she is not beholden to PACs, businesses or developers.

The primary election is June 23.

“I’ve

Last year’s race drew 5.9 million viewers on NBC, according to the Sport Business Journal. Crowds also flock to Pimlico to see the event in person, spending millions of dollars. For years before the pandemic, Preakness drew crowds as large as 140,000. In 2018, the event generated more than $11 million in race-related visitor spending, according to the Maryland Department of Commerce.

But this year’s event will be a smaller, more curated affair with patrons receiving more of a boutique experience. Ticket sales are capped at 4,800 due to capacity restraints at the venue.

While businesses hope for the best, a large-scale economic impact in Laurel is uncertain.

“In the grand scheme of things, one extra race day probably doesn’t raise [businesses’] income very much,” said Dennis Coates, an economics professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and editor of the Journal of Sports Economics. “My guess is that … most of the people who attend it drive in for the day and drive out.”

Still, business owners remain cautiously optimistic about what Preakness will bring to their storefronts.

“First and foremost is engaging my community,” said Temitope Popoola, owner of Myste Lounge, when asked about his focus for the weekend. “I have no concerns, because whether or not [a Preakness bump] happens we’re going to continue

pushing with the community and making sure people come here.”

At the Laurel Golf Center, Cayce plans a watch party celebration and will hold a holein-one contest for the chance to win $1 million on May 12. Other businesses will be featured in a special “race card” promotion the city will produce, encouraging participants to spend locally, Meashey said. And the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will host five events, ending with music at The Mansion at Laurel on May 15.

“It’s up to the businesses to capitalize on the efforts that the city and surrounding counties have put into it,” said Nadol Hishmeh, president of the Laurel Board of Trade and owner of Olive on Main, a restaurant on Main Street in Laurel.

And while Meashey understands that visitors may not stay and spend in Laurel, city officials are still making the case.

For somebody who “appreciates small town America and appreciates the ‘shop local’ ethos, I think that Laurel is a great value proposition for them,” he said.

Youth basketball league keeps winning on and off the court

By WILL CHASE

On any given Saturday morning during the winter, you can walk into a community center in the City of Laurel and see gyms filled with young athletes playing basketball. It’s a familiar sight across the city — kids learning the game, building confidence and competing in a structured, positive environment.

Behind the three-pointers and jump shots stands Winning In Sports and Education, or WISE, a recreational youth basketball program in Laurel that runs three seasons each year — summer, winter and a spring skills clinic. Since its inception in 2013, the program has become one of Laurel’s premier youth sports programs, growing from

about 40 participants to as many as 170 young people, according to founder James Agbai. The league serves students in grades 1 through 9, ages 7 to 15, including both boys and girls, and welcomes players of all experience and skill levels.

“When you combine sports and education — it works. Kids are moving and having fun,” he said. “It really isn’t just about basketball.”

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Agbai, 49, said he played sports through college.

When he moved to Maryland and had a son, he said he noticed his 13-year-old performed better in school when his education was paired with a sport, which prompted him to partner with the city to start the program.

“I noticed there were no leagues in the

Laurel-trained horse has its eye on the prize

By CHRIS MCMANES

A Laurel-trained horse and its jockey will take aim at one of horse racing’s biggest prizes at this year’s Preakness Stakes — on a track they know well.

The 151st running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes will be held Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park, drawing national attention as the race relocates from its longtime home at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, which is undergoing renovations.

Among the field is Taj Mahal, who earned his spot by winning the Federico Tesio on April 18 at Laurel Park.

Taj Mahal has won each of his three career starts at Laurel, site of his training regimen under Brittany Russell, Maryland’s winningest trainer in each of the past three years. He captured the Tesio by 8 1/4 lengths.

“It was really impressive,” Russell said in a press release. “You want to see a really big run from him to give you confidence that he should go on to the Preakness, and I do. I feel like he did that.”

Taj Mahal’s victory followed his Feb. 21 win in the Wood Memorial. He won his first race Feb. 6 by 4 1/4 lengths.

His jockey is Russell’s husband, Sheldon Russell. She said she liked how he guided the 3-year-old colt in the Tesio, taking him from the outermost No. 10 post position to a 10-length lead on the rail. His advantage shrank to less than three lengths before Sheldon pushed him across the finish line in the 1 1/8-mile contest.

“He said he knew he had [a win-

ning] horse the whole time,” Brittany said. “He was just trying to give him a breather because he ran so hard. He said he was just hard on his hands the first part of the race, so he had to give him a chance to take a breath. He knew he had gears.”

Sired by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of Oola Gal, Taj Mahal was bred in Florida and has career earnings of $178,200. He will be Russell’s first horse to compete in a Triple Crown race.

“On the big day, for him to be able to have the chance to do it at home, I’d love to think it’s a major advantage,” Russell said. “No traveling or anything.”

OTHER CONTENDERS

Crupper also earned an automatic berth into the Preakness by winning the Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on April 18. The winner of the May 2 Kentucky Derby — first held in 1875, two years after the inaugural Preakness — will also line up for a chance to continue a Triple Crown bid with races in Laurel and the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Talkin, based at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, will skip the 20-horse Kentucky Derby and ship to Laurel in an attempt to give trainer Danny Gargan his second Triple Crown race victory (Dornoch, 2024 Belmont Stakes).

“He fits the smaller field. I think he’ll like that track. It’s a shorter distance,” Gargan said. “He really doesn’t want to go a mile and a quarter, probably. Hopefully that’s the race he can jump up and run big. … I’d love to win the Preakness.”

City of Laurel (outside of the Laurel Boys and Girls Club),” he said. “I’ve always coached basketball; [and] I’ve always been a mentor.”

And the program is about more than just shooting hoops.

Agbai said the game has always been about more than wins and losses, but rather discipline, accountability, teamwork and respect. Those same lessons helped shape him as a player and now serve as the core of what he teaches the next generation. Through WISE, young athletes are learning structure, gaining confidence and understanding that success on the court and success in life go hand in hand.

“If you don’t know the game, you have a home here with WISE,” he said.

Parents say the basketball program has become invaluable to the community.

“My [11-year-old] son has been a part of the WISE basketball program for the past four years, which in itself speaks volumes about the positive impact it has had on his growth and progression in basketball,” said

APRIL/MAY

Shernette Farmer, a parent. “As a basketball mom, the family dynamic within the WISE program has been comforting, and the support the parents and kids receive is welcoming.”

And WISE continues to grow. Agbai said the basketball program now has about 14 coaches, up from four when it started; he has tested additional programs in pickleball, archery and lacrosse. He also has set his sights on expanding travel teams so they can compete more frequently against leagues that are part of the Prince George’s County Boys and Girls Club Basketball Program.

Those interested in supporting WISE as a volunteer coach — even without previous coaching experience — can visit the organization’s website to submit their interest. The program is currently running its Next Level Youth Basketball Clinic on Thursdays, which began March 26 and runs through May 6.

Additional reporting by Joshua Garner.

ARBORDAY ASTRONAUTS AWAKENING BEAUTY BEGINNINGS BLOOM BLUESKY BRIGHT BRINGING

BUDDING CELEBRATED CHERISH DONKEY EARTHDAY ENERGY FLOWERS GOLFDAY GROWTH HARRYPOTTER HOPE JOY

JOYFUL KEEP KENTUCKYDERBY

KIDSWORK LAWDAY LEMONADE LIBRARYWORKERS NOPANTS NURSES PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE REDCROSS REFRESHING RENEWAL SEASON SHOWERS SIGNALING SPACEDAY SPRING SPRING TAXDAY TOPGUN TREE WARMTH

NATIVE GARDENING WITH JIMMY

Why every garden needs wild strawberries

By JIMMY ROGERS

Each year, I marvel at the curious lack of wild strawberries in our community. They will grow most anywhere, repel weeds, and feed people and wildlife alike. Moreover, few plants are easier for neighbors to share with each other. Even so, few of my neighbors, or even fellow gardeners, seem to know about this wondrous plant. For Maryland Native Plant Month, I invite you to explore the wild strawberry with me and see if it might have a place in your garden.

Fragaria virginiana, commonly called Virginia strawberry or wild strawberry, is native throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Unlike false strawberry (Potentilla indica), with yellow flowers and a tasteless fruit, wild strawberry has larger leaves, a white flower that blooms in mid-April, and a delicious edible fruit that’s about half the size of a typical grocery store strawberry. In fact, if you’ve ever tried to grow culinary strawberries, such as June-bearing or everbearing varieties, the plants look very similar. That’s because wild strawberry is one of the species that gives our modern hybrids their flavor.

I think everyone should grow strawberries because they can fit into most home gardens. They thrive in dry, full-sun conditions and can tolerate shade and some moisture. They also grow easily in poor soils, which means there’s no need to amend your beds in order to grow fruit. They

will flower and fruit most heavily where they get lots of sun.

They also function as a semievergreen groundcover, claiming each bed thoroughly and preventing weeds from emerging in early spring. Like any good groundcover, they play well with other native plants, letting the taller, later-season plants emerge and bloom as usual. As a result, I’ve spread them into at least half of my garden beds.

In my garden, every May is a

monthlong celebration of their delicious fruits. Instead of a big harvest all at once, I get a nice handful almost every day from each of my beds. They rarely make it to my kitchen, as I can’t help eating the sun-warmed fruits. However, I will collect some to use as cute cocktail garnishes (cut a slit down the middle for the lip of the glass) or as a tart pop in a homegrown spinach salad. I’m sure there are hundreds of other uses.

Strawberries are a powerhouse for wildlife. At least 11 groups of native bees and flies feed from the flowers, in turn cross-pollinating the plants. A number of caterpillars depend on the leaves to fuel their transformations into butterflies and moths. Plus, a variety of beetles and other less conspicuous insects feed either partially or exclusively on strawberries. None of these will cause significant or noticeable damage to your plants.

In addition to insect life, you’ll be supporting larger animals as well. Songbirds (such as robins), mammals (such as opossums and chipmunks), and reptiles (such as box turtles) will eat the fruits. Bunnies will also nibble the leaves.

All of these animal relationships add up to a special designation for strawberries: that of a keystone species. This term, coined by zoologist Robert T. Paine in 1969, calls to mind the wedge shape at the top of a stone arch that holds the rest of the structure together. Unlike taller and more well-known keystones like goldenrods (Solidago sp.), blueberries (Vaccinium sp.), and oaks (Quercus sp.), strawberries are an easy plant to integrate into any new or existing garden. If you’re ready to welcome strawberries into your garden, I can offer these tips on planting them. First, while I do sometimes buy them as plugs for customers needing larger quantities, I recommend you first ask around your fellow gardeners. Each fall, I probably give away

50 plants and could give away more. Each node on each runner can be subdivided into a new plant. I tend to favor those nodes with tiny white roots starting to emerge, as they’ll have an easier time working into the soil. If you can get larger nodes with their own leaves, they’ll establish and mature more quickly.

Planting is easy. First, gouge out a shallow hole for each node and make sure the roots and crown of the plant are covered, while the leaves are able to stick up out of the soil. Next, water immediately and keep watering periodically until you see new growth forming. They will need a couple of years to establish and start fruiting.

I recommend you pick a place where you won’t be bothered by future runners. Strawberries are great for beds adjacent to mown lawns, as the mower will continuously trim the edges for you. If you plant them along a high-foot-traffic path, you’ll need to commit to trimming the runners at least once or twice a year (and giving them away, of course).

In a few years, I hope to see strawberries creeping through every sunny garden in Laurel. Perhaps we will have to celebrate with a festival in May.

After 30 years of advocacy, Howard County opens second public pool

By ANIKA STIKELEATHER

The North Laurel Community Center just wrapped up a major expansion with the completion of two indoor pools that will expand public swimming access across Howard County.

The $22 million renovated space opened for public use in March with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility, which opened in 2011 and sits along Whiskey Bottom Road, now features a large eightlane lap pool and an adjacent smaller pool for therapy and leisure, with accessible entry options at both. The 23,000 square foot expansion includes new locker rooms, a reception area, office space, six family bathrooms and two playgrounds, including one for preschoolers, according to a

Howard County press release.

For some residents, the opening was 30 years in the making.

“Just wow,” said Susan Garber, president and board chair of the Savage Community Association, who saw four county executives and recreation and parks leaders come and go since the project was proposed and completed. “I admit I wasn’t sure the pool would be here in my lifetime.”

The land for the project was purchased in 1997. Howard County broke ground on construction two years ago after about 30 years of community advocacy for a pool in North Laurel, according to County Executive Calvin Ball.

“Oftentimes, great community projects take patience. They

require perseverance. They require a community that refuses to allow a good idea to sink beneath the surface,” Ball said at the grand opening.

Before the renovations, Howard County had just one public pool at the Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City. Now, like the Roger Carter center, North Laurel will offer open swim times, swim classes, therapy programs, camps, exercise programs and party space.

The pools are expected to serve more than 300,000 swimmers each year and provide instruction to more than 3,000 participants, according to Nick Mooneyhan, director of the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. The lei-

sure pool will range from 3 to 6 feet and feature a water slide and a smaller toddler slide.

“The two pools allow us to expand our swim lessons while offering the entire community a place to gather. And the two new playgrounds also include accessible features to break down any barriers to play,” Mooneyhan said.

The expansion is intended to serve residents of all ages and abilities.

“[North Laurel and Savage residents] advocated for a hub of recreation and leisure where community members can gather together … and seniors, especially those recovering from health challenges, can find healing,” said Howard County Councilmember Christiana

Rigby, whose district includes North Laurel and Savage.

The new playgrounds include a ramped play structure for accessibility, climbing opportunities, sensory panels, swings, spinners, including a wheelchair-accessible merrygo-round, an inclusive seesaw and musical elements.

The “universal design restrooms” meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and include adult changing tables for residents with limited mobility. On-site trails were also added as part of the reconstruction.

“We are proud to have this here because it moves us up the ladder,” said Bibi Foston, president of the Southeast Howard County Civic Association.

eight years.

“No, we have not endorsed Martin Mitchell for county council. But Martin Mitchell wants you to think so,” the pair wrote in the letter, (see p.2).

In an April 24 letter (see p.2), Martin disputed the claims by Dernoga and Lehman. Dernoga is not running for re-election after serving four terms on the council, from 2002 to 2010 and again from 2018 until now. Lehman held the District 1 council seat from December 2010 to December 2018.

“The two incumbents who have held this seat for the last 24 straight years wrote a deceptive editorial alleging that I have wrongly claimed that they have endorsed my campaign,” Mitchell said in the email. “This is false. I have done no such thing.”

Mitchell said statements from the pair that he posted on his campaign website are “very true” and “only reflect their positive compliments about my more than a decade of public service.

… None of that changes simply because they want their chosen candidate to take their place.”

The quotations appear in a section called “What People Say

About Martin,” separate from a list labeled “Endorsed by.”

In their letter to the newspapers, Dernoga and Lehman acknowledged that they made positive comments about Mitchell when the candidate ran for and won a seat on the Laurel City Council in 2021. However, they said, he “lost a lot of support” during his campaign for Laurel mayor two years later after an article in The Laurel Independent revealed that Mitchell and his roommate had been accused of sexual assault. Both of them ultimately pled to misdemeanor second-degree assault when they were students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 2014.

“Mr. Mitchell believes that since we and others made positive statements about him five years ago, he may use those statements today to bolster his campaign by association,” Dernoga and Lehman wrote in their letter.

Mitchell countered that the statements were made three years ago, not five. “In fact,” Mitchell wrote, “Tom Dernoga himself was an enthusiastic endorser of my 2023 campaign for Laurel mayor.”

However, Dernoga told College Park Here & Now that he did not endorse Mitchell during his

campaign for mayor. “I endorsed nobody for mayor,” he said. “I was staying out of it.”

When Dernoga and Lehman became aware, in April 2025, that Mitchell was still using quotes from them in his campaign materials, they said, they each “wrote to him immediately and requested that he cease using these statements to suggest that we were endorsing him.”

A flier that Mitchell circulated in April 2025 contains this quotation from Dernoga on the front: “I have been very impressed with Martin’s leadership. … He brings youthful energy mixed with government experience and a forward-looking agenda. This is an exciting time to be in Laurel, and Martin embodies the strong leadership and fresh approach that we need.”

In an email to Mitchell at the time, Dernoga wrote: “I cannot stop you from printing what you want, but you know it is misleading.” Dernoga also sent Mitchell a formal cease-and-desist letter in April 2025.

Mitchell announced his county council candidacy on March 29, 2025. The primary election is scheduled for June 23. Three candidates—Mitchell, García and Darwin Romero, a construction estimator and project

manager—are running for the seat Dernoga is leaving.

As of April 24 of this year, Mitchell’s campaign website included the same quotation, alongside one from Lehman: “Martin embodies the very best of Prince George’s County’s next generation of leadership. He is an effective advocate for social and economic justice and a community leader with a passion for rolling up his sleeves and doing the hard work that is necessary to accomplish meaningful change. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Martin on the priorities we share for Laurel, and I look forward to continuing

our work together in the years to come.”

Those quotations are among a dozen from elected officials, including one from Joseline PeñaMelnyk, who has also endorsed García for county council. Mitchell said Dernoga and Lehman are “running scared.” “Why are these entrenched politicians attacking my candidacy, which, if successful, would make me the first African American ever elected to the District 1 seat?” he wrote in his email. “Because they’re afraid that I am going to win and they fear the change that I am going to bring.”