Issuu

INSIDE OH DEER! State’s deer population collides with suburban life, P.4 SCORE: Laurel Spartans eye a soccer comeback, P. 12

VOL. 5 NO. 9

SEPTEMBER 2026

LAUREL’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER / LAURELINDEPENDENT.COM

Local police departments spend millions on high-tech surveillance By JALEN WADE From cameras that track license plates and drones that can reach a scene before officers to data centers that put crime information at police fingertips in real time, police departments across the Laurel area are spending millions on a new generation of surveillance technology.

The City of Laurel, Prince George’s, Howard and Anne Arundel counties are among jurisdictions investing in drones, automated license plate readers and real-time crime centers designed to improve police response times, analyze information and assist investigations. But the expansion is also raising concerns among residents and privacy advocates

about how much information is being collected, who has access to it and how it is being used. North Laurel resident Chris Boswell said he became concerned about data monitoring after noticing a Flock Safety automated license plate reader, or ALPR, along All Saints Road. The technology records vehicle license plate information and uses arti-

ficial intelligence to identify vehicle details and help law enforcement investigate crimes. Boswell said he was worried about how much data police agencies could access from the cameras. “I’m also a little bit concerned with the fact that … these video feeds are being broadcast out to several different people and

Data center ban under pressure

SEE DATA CENTER ON 14 

SEE POLICE ON 15 

Prince George’s ramps up student vaccinations as federal guidance shifts By JALEN WADE

By KIT SLACK Temporary bans on data centers in Prince George’s County are under pressure from all sides. Due to the increasing use of artificial intelligence, the construction of data centers that store computer servers is accelerating. The development of these structures has increased local tax revenue in some Virginia counties. In Maryland, state exemptions designed to attract data centers currently limit some tax revenue to local jurisdictions from data center development. Opponents point out that large data centers create heat islands, raising temperatures in areas near the facilities. Data

places,” Boswell said. “Even if 99% of the people who have access to that information or that footage respect that information, just one person is all it really takes to infringe on our rights.” Flock’s technology has also been involved in cases of alleged misuse by law enforcement. In March, a Milwaukee police officer resigned

Prince George’s County schools and health officials are urging families to make sure students are up to date on required immunizations. STOCK PHOTO

Prince George’s County health officials say they are making a major push to get all public school students up to date on required vaccinations, even as federal changes complicate the landscape around childhood vaccines. Prince George’s County Public Schools students return to school Aug. 25, but Maryland law gives students until Sept. 14 to meet state immunization requirements or risk being excluded from school. Maryland requires students to receive certain vaccines based on their age and grade level, including vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella; chickenpox; and hepatitis B. The county’s vaccination push began last year, when health officials discovered more than 4,000 Prince George’s County Public Schools students were not in compliance with immunization requirements, said Dr. Toyin Opesanmi, a health officer with the Prince George’s County Health Department. “And so we had a push and got students immunized down to I think it was 24 [unvaccinated kids],” Opesanmi said. Opesanmi said keeping children up to date on immunizations is particularly important because of how quickly SEE VACCINATIONS ON 13 

CENTER SECTION: Check out the latest issue of The Laurel Ledger

S E P T E M B E R

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THE LAUREL LEDGER O F F I C I A L

N E W S

R E L , F R O M T H E C I T Y O F L A U O R K E I T H R . S Y D N O R , M A Y

M A R Y L A N D

Scan the QR Code to access the September 2026 edition of Laurel Living Newsletter, the City of Laurel’s Award-Winning Newsletter. Discover the latest news & information from inside your local government in video.

The Mayor’s Summer Youth Internship Program A new class of students completed the City of Laurel’s Mayor’s Summer Youth Program after spending five weeks gaining hands-on experience in various City departments. Participants ages 14 to 16 explored careers in local government while developing professional, communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Throughout the program, students worked alongside City employees, learned about municipal operations and contributed to projects that supported the Laurel community.

“The Mayor’s Summer Youth Program allows us to invest directly in the future of our community,” said Mayor Keith R. Sydnor. “These students brought fresh ideas, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. We were proud to see all they accomplished.” Now in its 13th year, the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program continued its mission of preparing Laurel’s next generation of leaders by providing meaningful, paid work experience in City departments.

Safe Summer Nights 2026

The program also gave participants an opportunity to strengthen confidence, learn workplace expectations and discover career interests. As the program concluded, students reflected on their experiences, the lessons they learned and the work they performed on behalf of the City of Laurel.

Scan the QR code to watch the Intern Roundtable Report by Charlotte Freedberg

City's Safe Summer during the summer got their wish through the Laurel teenagers looking for fun activities to enjoy place to spend their 17, the program gave teens a safe and welcoming

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The Laurel Independent | September 2026

NEWS BRIEFS

FROM WHERE I STAND

Anne Arundel County Council considers pay raises

A 50th reunion becomes a celebration of generations

VISIT STREETCARSUBURBS.NEWS FOR MORE 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 September 17 to joshua@ streetcarsuburbs.news Managing Editor Joshua Garner Joshua@streetcarsuburbs.news Interim Associate Editor Jalen Wade Jalen@streetcarsuburbs.news Columnists Maame Adobea Amoyaw, Agnes Pasco Conaty Writers & Contributors Rory Cahill, Will Chase, Zoe Hammond, Jalen Wade 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 Nora Eidelman, Merrill Hartson, Alec Lynde, Salome Peters, John Pfeifer, John Rigg, Carter Ross, Paul Ruffins, Tara Susman-Peña Ex Officios: Joshua Garner, Nigel F. Maynard, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack General Counsel: Michael Walls The Laurel Independent is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News. Copies are distributed by U.S. mail to every address in Laurel.Additional copies are available at popular gathering spots around town. Total circulation is 29,300. ISSN 3069-3047 (Print) ISSN 3069-3055 (Online)

The Anne Arundel County Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 8 on legislation that would increase council members’ salaries following a recommendation from the county’s Salary Standard Commission. Bill 58-26, introduced by Council Chair Julie Hummer, follows the commission’s December recommendation for council members to receive a 30% salary increase phased in over four years. Council members currently earn $45,402 annually and represent about 84,000 residents each. Although the positions are considered part time, commission Chair Scott Howarth said members often work full-time hours and that Anne Arundel’s compensation has fallen behind comparable jurisdictions. The seven-member commission, appointed by the County Council in July 2025, reviews compensation for elected county officials using information from county officials and employees as well as comparisons with other jurisdictions. By comparison, part-time Howard County Council members earn a base salary of $73,663 annually, while full-time council members in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties earn $120,347 and $183,889, respectively. Howard County is also considering salary increases of roughly 16% over four years. The Anne Arundel County Council hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8. — Zoe Hammond

No sample ballot this summer? Not just you An unknown number of county voters did not get sample ballots in the mail from the Prince George’s County Election Board until after the June 23 primary election.

Some Prince George’s County voters received sample ballots in the mail after the June 23 primary election. STOCK PHOTO

According to reporting from Anna Bedford-Dillow of The Greenbelt News Review, reasons for the delay included bad address lists, lack of response from the county election board to the mailing vendor and a lack of funds in a county postage account. Maryland law required the ballots to be mailed by June 4 for the June 23 election. Some were still not mailed as of June 17, and may not have been sent until June 22, according to emails obtained by The Greenbelt News Review. The election board told the Greenbelt weekly paper that the last batch was sent June 19, a federal holiday on which the post office was closed. The county election board had a $370,000 no-bid contract with Indiana Printing & Publishing Company for the ballots.

“Aged to Perfection,” the theme for the Laurel High School Class of 1976, took on special meaning for me when I attended our 50th class reunion July 25. As wonderful as it was to see friends and reminisce about amazing teachers, one of the most meaningful parts of the evening was bringing my 96-year-old mom. Initially hesitant, she told me, “It’s your night to see your friends.” I convinced her to come and promised I’d bring her home whenever she was ready. She stayed the entire evening. Classmates, some of whom had known her since my elementary and junior high school days, surrounded her throughout the night. They stopped to say hello, sit with her and chat. She wasn’t just attending. She became part of the occasion. But something my friends said gave the evening even deeper meaning. My mom represented all of our parents, many of whom are no longer with us. Seeing her brought back memories of when our parents supported us from the bleachers, sat in the audience or waited at home for our return. I had not initially seen it through that lens. While our class was having its moment, my mom was having an experience many parents never get to have: attending their child’s 50th high school reunion. “Aged to Perfection” took on a broader meaning that evening. It became a celebration not only of our class and the years we’ve shared, but of the generations that helped shape us — together in one room, celebrating one another. Mark Woodman is a 1976 graduate of Laurel High School.

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September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

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Rabbits, tractors and tradition return to the Howard County Fair By RORY CAHILL Thirty years ago, Daniel Byington started going to county fairs as a child, raising goats for livestock shows. This year, for the second time, he attended the Howard County Fair with his two children. “There’s always amazing food here that you really don’t find anywhere else,” said Byington, of Woodbine. “And then all the different animals … you can interact with them and the people who raise them and get to learn about them.” The Howard County Fair, which ran from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15, has been a summer tradition for generations, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year for carnival rides, livestock shows, concerts and agricultural exhibits. With the exception of a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair has operated continuously since 1946, moving between several locations — including two years at Laurel Raceway — before settling at its current

home in West Friendship, in the rural western part of Howard County. “[The fair] may be the only time that some folks in suburban or urban Howard County interact with the rural parts of the county in a meaningful way,” said Jim Moxley, president of the Howard County Fair Association. “Connecting those communities is the best legacy that it can have. I think people are drawn to the community-based, highly local feel of the fair.” Moxley said most of the fair’s visitors come from central Maryland, but some come from as far away as Washington and its suburbs. “We’re one of the most accessible agricultural fairs with a carnival from their location,” he said. Over the two-weekend fair, attendees got an up-close look at farm animals such as cows, pigs and sheep. But it was the nearly 200 rabbits that drew the largest crowd. According to Wendy Feaga, superinten-

Visitors gather at the Howard County Fair, an annual tradition that has drawn residents from across the region for decades. RORY CAHILL

dent of the open rabbit show, about 120 of those rabbits were raised by children as part of the 4-H program, a youth organization that allows children ages 8 to 18 to grow crops or raise livestock. “We’ve really been enjoying [the] animals, like seeing all the

different rabbits and chickens,” said attendee Kory Sutherland. “The variety of the animals has been pretty cool.” The county fair is mostly staffed by volunteers, with the exception of a full-time facilities manager and a few parttime employees. Moxley esti-

mated that several hundred people volunteered at the fair this year, including volunteers with 4-H and FFA. “When I talk to them, two reasons [ for volunteering] typically surface,” Moxley said. “They want to give back to an organization that they loved as a junior going through the [agricultural] programs, and they want to help today’s youth have the same experiences and benefits they had growing up.” For those who preferred the more mechanical side of agriculture, there was a display of around 20 antique tractors, courtesy of the Howard County Antique Farm Machinery Club. Early Saturday morning, another 20 tractors competed in the antique tractor pull, with the winner being the tractor that could pull a large wheeled sled the farthest. “As the sled moves down the track, there’s a huge weight on it that you see going up to the front,” said Keith Beck, of Woodbine, “so it’s getting harder and harder to pull.” Beck brought two International tractors to the fair for display, neither of which competed in the tractor pull. The Howard County Fair will return next year from Aug. 7 to Aug. 14.

Rosapepe 21st District Democratic Team

Peña-Melnyk Ben Barnes Mary Lehman

BY AUTHORITY, TEAM 21 SLATE

Joseline

Standing Up for Working Families! LAUREL’S DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR

Jim Rosapepe Working with his 21st District colleagues to: • Stand up to Trump • Oppose electric rate hikes • Support UMD and our local schools • Invest in safer roads, transit, and neighborhoods

If you want to help us, scan the QR code, call us at (301) 642-0410, visit our website, 21stdistrictdelegation.com or e-mail us at 21stdistrictdelegation@gmail.com

Page 4 | LaurelIndependent.com

The Laurel Independent | September 2026

Oh deer: The challenge of managing Maryland’s suburban deer population By RORY CAHILL Nancy Steinecke of Laurel tried a scare tactic to stop deer from eating her plants. She bought three inflatable dogs and tied them to the clothesline in her backyard, hoping they would keep the deer away. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. “Two of them started to deflate naturally,” said Steinecke, 69, “and one of them … was gored by, I can only assume, an angry deer.” Once rare in Maryland because of overhunting and large-scale forest destruction, white-tailed deer have seen their population boom over the last 25 years. They’re now ubiquitous throughout Maryland’s woodlands and suburbs, with an estimated statewide population of nearly 264,000 before the 2024-25 hunting season. But experts say the rebound has created a new problem. There are now more deer than some Maryland habitats can handle, increasingly bringing them into conflict with subur-

ban communities through dangerous vehicle collisions and damage to native plants and home gardens. “The population in the early ‘90s was at about 140,000 deer, which was considered recovered, but [hunting] regulations were more restrictive,” said Kevin Lamp, deer project leader at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “So what happens is you see exponential growth start to take off.” Lamp said the population peaked at 290,000 in 2002, after which hunting restrictions were eased and the population stabilized. Maryland’s deer population generally ranges between 220,000 and 260,000, depending on the year, he said. But deer don’t just live in forests anymore — they’ve also spread throughout the state’s suburbs, including Laurel. Suburbs provide good habitat for deer, with an abundance of food and water and fewer threats from hunters. “In suburbs you have this

intermixing of mowed lawns, sometimes there could be some farm fields … but then you also have forested areas,” Lamp said. “So all of that creates this really good habitat.” Deer can also be dangerous for drivers. According to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources report, there were an estimated 31,047 deer-vehicle collisions in Maryland during the 2023-2024 reporting period. Laurel resident Brooke Burns said she has noticed changes in deer behavior as they adapt to a suburban environment, including reduced fear of humans and greater awareness of cars. Burns said she was puzzled when she saw a deer trying to cross a main road as if it were obeying traffic laws. “He came to the street, he looked both ways, and he crossed,” she said. “It was so unusual, but you could tell, literally, that’s what he was doing.” Too many deer in one place can also cause a sharp decline in ground-level vegetation, Lamp said, removing crucial habitat

Maryland’s white-tailed deer population has grown in recent years, increasing encounters with residents and raising concerns about vehicle collisions and damage to suburban landscapes. COURTESY OF PAUL DANESE

for ground-nesting birds, amphibians and small mammals. Among the most vulnerable plants are tree saplings, which are often eaten before they can grow, potentially preventing a forest from regenerating. To keep populations in check, Prince George’s and Howard counties cull deer in some parks as needed. Anne Arundel County also operates a deer management program that allows approved hunters to hunt deer in designated parks. According to Lamp, hunting remains the most effective method of population control, although non-

lethal options, including birth control, are also available. Fencing and tree tubes are effective ways to protect vulnerable plants when hunting isn’t feasible, Lamp said, and they can be used by residents as well as governments. He added that deterrents such as motion-activated sprinklers or noisemakers can initially be effective, but deer often become accustomed to them, especially if the lure of an easy meal is strong enough. “When populations get so dense, their backs are against the wall,” Lamp said. “They need to find something to eat.”

September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

LaurelIndependent.com | Page 5

WORD SEARCH

FALL IS COMING AUTUMNCHILLY EQUINOX FALL LABOR DAY LEAVES LIBRA MORNING GLORY OKTOBERFEST

ORANGE PEONY RED SAPPHIRE SCHOOL SEPTEMBER VIRGO YELLOW

LAUREL SQUIRREL By Agnes Pasco Conaty

“Who needs a chainsaw when Laurel has beavers!”

Art Food Music Brews Family Free Fun

17th annual

HYATTSVILLE ARTS FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 19 12 - 6 pm 4310 Gallatin Street Hyattsville, MD 20781

Page 6 | LaurelIndependent.com

The Laurel Independent | September 2026

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Find more local events all month long in our new, continuously updated online calendar at streetcarsuburbs.news/events. Please send notices of October events to heather@hyattsvillelife.com by Sept. 24. For more events, visit StreetcarSuburbs. News/events.

Event details change! For more info, end times, ticket prices and cancellations, call venues or visit websites.

CONCERTS > Sept. 5: InToneNation, old school good-time dance music, 7:30 pm, American Legion Post 60 > Sept. 12: Heat, classic rock, 7:30 pm, American Legion Post 60 > Sept. 19: Rebound, classic rock and oldies, 7:30 pm, American Legion Post 60 > Sept. 26: Doug Lester Band, classic rock/oldies/country, 7:30 pm, American Legion Post 60 > Sept. 27: Jake Landau, trumpeter accompanied by pianist Seojin Heo, 3 pm, Montpelier Arts Center

KARAOKE > Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun ongoing: Karaoke DJ, 8 pm, The Hideout

ART EXHIBITIONS

Exhibitions run all month unless otherwise noted. Check websites or call for hours. > Montpelier Arts Center: Montpelier Arts Center Instructor Exhibit (starts Sept. 4); “Unearthing Foundations” celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month (starts Sept. 11); Dandelion Black Women Artists’ abstract and figurative work (starts Sept. 12) > Montpelier Historic Site and Museum: Dr. Joanne Braxton’s photography of her odyssey to Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal (Thursdays to Sundays) > Patuxent Research Refuge: ImagineEarth Collective presents art and photography exhibit “Meet Your Neighbors”

On September 26, attend the Friends of Patuxent Pollinator Festival at the Patuxent Research Refuge to learn about the birds, the bees, the butterflies, and more. UNSPLASH

THEATER & COMEDY > Sept. 3: First Thursday Comedy, 7 pm, The Hideout > Sept. 11–27: The Drowsy Chaperone by Alex Campbell, Fridays and Saturdays 8 pm, Sundays 2 pm, Laurel Mill Playhouse

NATURE & OUTDOORS > Sept. 12: Science Saturdays: Hurricanes, 10:30 am, Maryland City Library > Sept. 13: North Tract Bike Ride, 8:30 am, Patuxent Research Refuge North Tract Visitor Center > Sept. 26: Friends of Patuxent Pollinator Festival, 10 am, Patuxent Research Refuge

LITERARY & LIBRARY > Sept. 3: Tail Waggin’ Tutors, 4:30 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 8: Teen Art Club, 5 pm, Maryland City Library

> Sept. 11: Second Friday Senior Book Club discusses A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler, 2 pm, Laurel Armory (October’s selection: John of John by Douglas Stuart), email book62worm@hotmail.com > Sept. 14: Game On: Switch, 3:30 pm Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 15: Needlework Social: Knitting & Crocheting, 6:30 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 17: Game On: Brain Games, 1 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 18: Get Active: Yoga for Families (6–10 years), 4 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 19: HSI CPR & AED Training, noon, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 21: Kids Create: Nasca Lines Art, 4 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 22: Teen Game Night, 5 pm, Maryland City Library; Game On: Magic: The Gathering, 6

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pm, Laurel Branch Library; Book discussion, The Women by Kristin Hannah, 7 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 23: Craft & Create: Junk Journaling, 6 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 26: Movement & Music (0–5 years), 10:30 am, Maryland City Library; Kids & Family Wellness Experience, 11 am, Laurel Branch Library; Fiesta Open House, 2 pm, Maryland City Library > Sept. 28: Legos: Freestyle, 4 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 29: Understanding Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law, 1 pm, Laurel Branch Library; Game On: Lotería, 6 pm, Laurel Branch Library; Needlework Social: Knitting & Crocheting, 6:30 pm, Laurel Branch Library Mondays ongoing: Storytime (2–3 years), 10:30 am, Laurel Branch Library; Babies in Bloom (0–18 months), 10:30 am, Maryland City Library > Tuesdays ongoing: Toddler Time (0–5 years), 10:30 am, Maryland City Library; Preschool Storytime (0–5 years), 11:30 am, Maryland City Library > Wednesdays ongoing: Storytime (3–5 years), 7 pm, Laurel Branch Library; ASL Conversation Club: Beginners, 4 pm, Laurel Branch Library > Thursdays ongoing: Storytime (0–2 years), 10:30 & 11:15 am, Laurel Branch Library

SENIORS > Sept. 2: Lunch & Learn at the Cabana “Making Your Money Last in Retirement,” 1 pm, Greenview Drive Cabana > Sept. 5: Chair Yoga and Movement Class, 11 am, Laurel Branch Library > Sept. 9: Glow & Groove Dance

> American Legion Laurel Post 60, laurelpost60.org > City of Laurel, cityoflaurel.org > Greenview Drive Cabana, cityoflaurel.org > The Hideout, hideoutlaurel.com > Maryland City at Russett Library, Laurel, aacpl.net > Laurel Armory, cityoflaurel.org > Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, pgparks. com > Laurel Branch Library, pgcmls.info/events > Laurel Elks Lodge #2283, elks.org > Laurel Mill Playhouse, laurelmillplayhouse.org > Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel, pgparks.com > Montpelier Historic Site and Museum, Laurel, pgparks.com > Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, fws.gov/ refuge/patuxent-research > Victoria Falls Community Association, myvfca.com

Party, 5 pm, Greenview Drive Cabana > Sept. 11: Second Friday Senior Book Club discusses A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler, 2 pm, Laurel Armory (October’s selection: John of John by Douglas Stuart), email book62worm@hotmail.com > Sept. 23: Senior Social at the Cabana, 1 pm, Greenview Drive Cabana > Mondays and Fridays ongoing: Bridge, 1 pm, Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center > Tuesdays ongoing: Bingo, noon, Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center; Bingo, 7 pm, Elks Club Lodge #2283 > Thursdays ongoing: Chess, 2 pm, Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center > Fridays ongoing: Bingo, 7:30 pm, American Legion Post 60

DON’T PUT ME IN A BOX Events that defy categories

> Sept. 12: Doggy Dip Day, 10 am, Greenview Drive Pool > Oct. 3: Victoria Falls Community Yard/Garage Sale, 10 am, 13701 Belle Chasse Blvd., Laurel, jen.demmert@gmail.com

September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

LaurelIndependent.com | Page 7

3,DE 2026 3OCTOBER DE OCTUBRE 2026 12-6PM 12-6PM

College Aviation MuseoPark de Aviación y Museumde&College AirportPark Aeropuerto 1985 CorporalFrank Frank Scott 1985 Corporal ScottDr.Dr.

LIVE MUSIC MÚSICA EN VIVO Performers y&otros artistas

FOOD TRUCKS CAMIONES DE COMIDA Treats y&antojitos

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FREE MUSEUM ENTRY ENTRADA GRATUITA AL & MORE! MUSEO ¡Y MÁS! Free nearby parking, Metro access, Estacionamiento cercano gratis, Metro, portabicicletas y transporte (shuttle) bicyle racks, and shuttle service

collegeparkday.org

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The Laurel Independent | September 2026

THE LAUREL INNER SPACE

Gnaw this: Lessons learned from watching beavers and other wildlife By AGNES PASCO CONATY

ver the past few weeks, beavers have been in the news for aggressive attacks on three occasions across Maryland, including in Montgomery County. In late July, a 13-year-old boy was attacked on his hands and chest by a rabid beaver at Hunting Creek Lake in Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County. The boy was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment. In early August, in the same area, another rabid beaver bit a 19-year-old fisherman on the ankle. He was treated at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown and received a tetanus shot. Both beavers were euthanized and tested positive for rabies. Since then, Hunting Creek Lake has been partially closed until it is safe for public use, according to wildlife experts and park officials from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

In mid-August, just a few days before this writing, a third case involved a 10-year-old girl who was attending summer camp at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County. While swimming and wading, the girl was bitten by a beaver and suffered three lacerations on her upper leg. She was later brought to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for treatment. The beaver escaped into the water and hasn’t been found. The Seneca Creek area and about a mile of the trail have been closed until further notice. The attacks are unusual because beavers generally avoid close encounters with humans and may slap their tails on the water as a warning when they sense danger. Beaver sightings are not unusual, but beaver aggression is uncommon. In general, for safety reasons, it is always a good practice to stay away from wildlife. My family lives in West Laurel, and our house backs up to woods and a creek. Through

Recent attacks in Maryland have drawn new attention to beavers, which typically avoid people and play an important role in wetland ecosystems UNSPLASH

the years, my family and I have spotted deer, groundhogs, foxes, raccoons, rabbits, snakes and other stray animals but never attempted to approach them unless our lives were threatened. During our family walks and bike rides across Maryland, we would spot beavers every now and then. We would stop in our tracks and watch them at work and at play. Here are a few lessons learned from those sightings: The American beaver (Cas-

tor canadensis) is more than a rodent with sharp teeth and a large, flat tail. It is also a hardworking animal, a protective parent to its young, a capable landscape architect, an ingenious dam builder, a great swimmer and a master teacher. Living among marshes, lakes, streams, ponds and rivers, a beaver showcases its innovative abilities and building skills by making good use of branches, logs, mud and other natural materials to create lodges and

The Laurel Historical Society presents

Raise a glass to Laurel’s rich architectural and cultural heritage during Heritage on Tap: A Laurel Oktoberfest. This festive fall event will feature local breweries, Oktoberfest-inspired foods, German wines, casino games, music, and more. Heritage on Tap is a fun new fundraiser without the greater formality and higher ticket prices of our Annual Gala. We hope you will join us!

Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Tickets: $55 for LHS Members | $65 for Nonmembers | $45 for Designated Drivers This event is for guests 21 and over. All tickets include $200 in “Fun Bucks.” Additional “Fun Bucks” may be purchased. Scan me for more www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org info or to purchase 301-725-7975 your tickets!

dams, often hiding its family from predators and altering the flow and storage of water to the beaver’s — and other wetland animals’ — advantage. The transformed landscape inadvertently creates new habitat for fish, insects and amphibians, which are food sources for birds and other wildlife. Halting the flow of water changes the landscape and dynamics of soil, vegetation and wildlife, making a significant impact on the ecosystem. The American beaver teaches us new ways of seeing water and the structures around it, without the need for engineering and environmental degrees, blueprints, concrete, machines or complicated math. While beavers do bite, cause flooding, gnaw trees, destroy infrastructure and cause other damage, their ecological benefits and importance to the ecosystem also need to be considered. Agnes Pasco Conaty is a college math and environmental science adjunct professor.

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THE LAUREL LEDGER O F F I C I A L

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F R O M T H E C I T Y O F L A U R E L , K E I T H R . S Y D N O R , M A Y O R

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Scan the QR code to watch the Intern Roundtable Report by Charlotte Freedberg

Safe Summer Nights 2026 Laurel teenagers looking for fun activities to enjoy during the summer got their wish through the City's Safe Summer Nights program. Designed for youth ages 13 to 17, the program gave teens a safe and welcoming place to spend their summer evenings while enjoying basketball, video games, karate, music, dancing and other engaging activities. The initiative is also part of Mayor Keith R. Sydnor's increased focus on public safety as communities across Maryland, including Laurel, have experienced concerns surrounding large, unplanned gatherings of teenagers often referred to as “Teen Takeovers.” Safe Summer Nights takes a proactive approach by providing young people with positive alternatives and a place to gather, socialize and have fun. The program also gave teens a voice in deciding what those activities should look like. Helping make Safe Summer Nights a success was Laurel High School senior Alyssa Utilla, the City's first Student Ambassador, who worked alongside Mayor Sydnor to bring a youth perspective to the program and offer ideas about the activities teens would enjoy. Watch the video to meet Alyssa and see how she’s helping shape Safe Summer Nights. Report by Tim Reid

One Stop, Many Opportunities

HelloNation RV Tour Makes a Stop in Laurel

Photo: Tyler Weber, Videographer; Coby Maslyn, Videographer and Drone Pilot; Natalie Williams, Director of Department of Communications, City of Laurel; Keith R. Sydnor, Mayor, City of Laurel; Tim Epner, Director of Videography

The City of Laurel recently welcomed HelloNation to the community as part of its RV tour, giving Mayor Keith R. Sydnor an opportunity to showcase how the City is working to create opportunities and support for its residents. During the visit, Mayor Sydnor took the HelloNation team on a tour of Laurel, including a stop at the Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center. The conversation centered on a simple philosophy: City government should not only provide services but also help create pathways for residents to succeed. For Laurel's young people, that includes the Mayor's Summer Youth Program, which provides paid internships and hands-on

experience across City departments, as well as a 10-week drone training program that gives youth ages 16 to 18 the opportunity to earn FAA Level 1 Drone Certification. Mayor Sydnor also discussed the City's efforts to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through a partnership with the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and the Mayor's Disability Program, participants have opportunities to gain valuable workplace experience while developing skills that can lead to meaningful employment. Support extends to Laurel's older residents as well. Mayor Sydnor highlighted the City's Senior Rental Assistance Program, created in 2026 to help eligible seniors facing rising housing costs remain safely and independently in their homes.

Your City, Up Close

Register for Laurel Citizens University The City of Laurel is now accepting applications for the 5th Annual Laurel Citizens University, an eight-week program that gives residents and local business owners an inside look at how City government works. Beginning October 1, participants will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30–8:30 p.m. for interactive sessions led by City staff. The program includes facility tours, demonstrations, presentations, and hands-on activities covering City operations, public safety, budgeting, community services, and more. The program is free and limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must be at least a high school senior and live, work, or own a business within the City of Laurel. Participants may not be campaigning for or holding an elected City position during the program. The course concludes with graduation at the November 23 Mayor and City Council Meeting, where participants will be recognized for completing the program. Interested in joining the Fall 2026 class? Contact Carreen Koubek at 301-725-5300, ext. 2109, or ckoubek@laurel.md.us. Space is limited, so register early!

The tour also highlighted the important role of the Multiservice Center in helping residents and families experiencing financial challenges. Through the Center and its community partners, residents can connect with employment assistance, housing resources, essential services and other programs designed to help them achieve greater stability and selfsufficiency. Join Mayor Sydnor and the HelloNation team for a closer look inside the Craig A. Moe Laurel Multiservice Center and learn more about the programs, partnerships and resources available to the Laurel community. Watch the video below to take the tour. Scan the QR Code to watch

T H E

L A U R E L

L E D G E R

LAUREL COUNCIL CONNECTIONS

Council President Brencis Smith At-Large bsmith@laurel.md.us

Council President Pro Tempore Adrian Simmons Ward 1 asimmons@laurel.md.us

Councilmember James Kole Ward 1 jkole@laurel.md.us

Listed below are legislative actions, if any, taken by the Laurel City Council during Mayor and City Council meetings held over the past month. For additional information regarding any of these legislative actions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300, ext. 2120, or by email at clerk@laurel.md.us. Full meeting agendas and related materials are available at www.cityoflaurel.org.

Adopted Legislation: No legislation was adopted by the Mayor and City Council during the August hiatus.

Bid Recommendations:

No bid recommendations were brought before the Mayor and City Council in August.

Appointments/Reappointments:

There were no Appointments or Reappointments brought before the Mayor and City Council in August.

Councilmember Kyla Clark Ward 2 kclark@laurel.md.us

Councilmember Jeffrey Mills Ward 2 jmills@laurel.md.us

Government Meetings Dates and Times Subject to Change September 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings September 2 @ 6pm - Mayor and City Council Work Session (Virtual) September 14 @ 6pm - Mayor and City Council Meeting (Virtual) September 28 @ 6pm - Mayor and City Council Meeting (In-Person)

September 2026 Boards and Commissions September 15 @ 6pm - Planning Commission September 22 @ 6pm - Historic District Commission September 24 @ 6pm - Board of Appeals

October 2026 Mayor and City Council Meetings October 7 @ 6pm - Virtual Mayor and City Council Work Session October 14 @ 6pm - Virtual Mayor and City Council Meeting October 26 @ 6pm - In-Person Mayor and City Council Meeting

October 2026 Boards and Commissions October 13 @ 6pm - Historic District Commission October 20 @ 6pm - Planning Commission October 29 @ 6pm - Board of Appeals

Upcoming Events September 7 Labor Day Holiday City/Passport Offices Closed. Adjusted Collections can be found at www.cityoflaurel.org In the Community

Council Connections with Councilwoman Kyla Clark, Ward 2 Councilwoman Kyla Clark sits down with Laurel Living’s Tim Reid to discuss the beauty of the City of Laurel, its growth, her favorite places, and the people and experiences that have shaped her connection to the community.

September 12 @ 10am-12pm Doggie Dip Day Greenview Drive Pool, $5/dog. If you have a Dr. Bruce Morley Dog Park pass, free entrance up to 2 dogs per pass. September 12 @ 2pm-6pm Community and Culture Day Emancipation Park, 520 8th Street (between Laurel Library and McCullough Field). Parade of Flags, food trucks, live music and more!

to watch the latest edition of Council Connections.

Emergency Preparedness Month

Laurel Emergency Management Team Works Year-Round to Prepare for the Unexpected When emergencies strike, first responders are often the most visible, but behind the scenes, Laurel's Department of Emergency Management works year-round to ensure the City is prepared. The department coordinates emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery for severe weather, flooding, major events, public health emergencies, and other incidents. "Our ultimate goal in emergency management is to enhance the resiliency of our community," said Acting Director Lauren Thompson. "After an emergency occurs, we're not just trying to get back to normal, we're working to come back stronger." During major incidents, the City's Emergency Operations Center brings departments together to coordinate personnel, equipment, information, and resources, while working with county, state, and federal partners when additional assistance is needed. Throughout the year, Emergency Management updates plans, conducts training and exercises, maintains response equipment, and promotes CPR, first aid, and AED training. Residents also play an important role. Households are encouraged to know local hazards, create a family communication plan, maintain emergency supplies for at least 72 hours, and stay informed through official City notifications. Through preparation, coordination, and community education, Laurel's Emergency Management team works to keep the City ready for the unexpected. Go behind the scenes with Laurel’s Emergency Management team and see how they prepare for the unexpected. Report by Joycelyn Jackson

Mayor’s Office 301-725-5300 | ext.2124 laurelmayor@laurel.md.us

City Administrator 301-725-5300 | ext.2242 cadmin@laurel.md.us

Laurel Police 301-725-3000| Emergency 301-498-0092| Non Emergency lpd@laurel.md.us

Communications 301-725-5300 | ext.2208 laurelpio@laurel.md.us

Parks and Recreation 301-725-7800 parks@laurel.md.us

September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

LaurelIndependent.com | Page 9

Patuxent Research Refuge celebrates 90th anniversary with environmental fair

Laurel youth boxers win national championships

By RORY CAHILL

Spencer Jackson (left) and Ryan Stewart pose after winning national boxing titles in Orlando, Florida, in August.

Laurel natives Spencer Jackson and Ryan Stewart won national boxing titles at the World of Havoc tournament, held Aug. 6-12 in Orlando, Florida. Jackson, 16, went undefeated in three matches to win the Junior Male 125-pound open division. He defeated Salih Wright of Philadelphia in the championship match. The tournament was Jackson’s first national competition. Stewart, 17, went undefeated in two matches, defeating Malachi Brown of Lake Wales, Florida, to win the Youth Male 132-pound open division. Both boxers train at Cherry Lane Boxing, which is housed inside the

Laurel Boys & Girls Club. Jackson, who has trained since he was 2, is coached by Wil Nicholson and his son, Desmond Nicholson. Stewart is coached by his father. The World of Havoc is a Tier 1 amateur boxing tournament, where competitors can earn points toward national rankings and seeding. Cherry Lane Boxing offers youth boxing training year-round from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Laurel Boys & Girls Club, 701 Montgomery St. “Our program keeps kids off the street at crucial hours,” Wil Nicholson said.

Explore the Trails and Towns of Prince George’s County!

www.anacostiatrails.org

Just two miles east of Laurel, one of the nation’s most important wildlife refuges marked its 90th anniversary this summer. Established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936, the 13,000-acre Patuxent Research Refuge is the largest contiguous forest in the densely populated region between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. For nearly nine decades, it has served as a center for wildlife conservation, environmental research and public education. To celebrate the milestone, the nonprofit Friends of Patuxent hosted its inaugural Local Community Environmental Fair on July 25 at the refuge, featuring exhibits from more than 20 environmental organizations. “This place has been kind of a hidden treasure for all these years,” said Richard Dolesh, chair of the Friends of Patuxent board of directors. “And I think with the growth of Washington and Baltimore … the refuge has become increasingly valuable and important.” Friends of Patuxent Treasurer Stephanie Kaufman said the event served two purposes: to give environmental organizations an opportunity to network with one another and to educate the public about simple ways they can help the environment in their everyday lives. That mission reflects the refuge’s longstanding role in advancing conservation. Over the years, scientists at Patuxent have conducted influential research, including studies on the

Patuxent Research Refuge celebrated its 90th anniversary with an inaugural Local Community Environmental Fair on July 25. RORY CAHILL

environmental effects of the insecticide DDT, which was later banned in the United States, and a captive breeding program that helped recover the endangered whooping crane. Dolesh said the networking opportunities alone made the event worthwhile. “[An exhibitor] said, ‘You know, if we just shut the doors and talk to each other, this would be a success,’” Dolesh said. “There are so many people here we want to meet and talk to whom we’ve never met before.” Exhibitors at the fair included the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Ornithological Society and several organizations distributing native plants to aspiring gardeners. Visitors also explored handcrafted musical instruments made exclusively from natural materials such as wood, gourds and seedpods. Among the fair’s most popular attractions was Blizzard, a 27-year-old red-tailed hawk brought by the environmental nonprofit Echoes of Nature. The organization also introduced

visitors to an alligator, a ferret, a turtle and several snakes. Echoes of Nature co-founder Michael Uzzo said Blizzard could not be released into the wild because of neurological injuries sustained after being hit by a car. “He would quickly re-injure himself or starve to death if left to his own devices,” Uzzo said. About 50 to 60 people at a time filled the refuge’s visitor center during the event, with another dozen or so gathered outside. Laurel resident Erica Decker said attending the fair introduced her to a local resource she hadn’t previously known about. “This is my first time going to this type of event,” Decker said. “I’ve lived here for a long time, and I didn’t even really know about the Patuxent Refuge. This is a great event to bring awareness to conservation and the different opportunities in the area.” There are currently no plans to repeat the event next year, but Dolesh said that could change. “If it’s such a success like this, we would sure look at doing it again,” he said.

L AU R E L • M A RY L A N D • R E A L E S TAT E E D I T I O N

Local Agent Dominates Laurel Real Estate Market Denise Y. Redmond of Long & Foster Real Estate ranks #1 in sales volume across the Laurel, MD market — outpacing every agent in the area B Y T H E L AU R E L R E A L E S TAT E D E S K • 2 0 2 5 M A R K E T DATA R E P O RT

In a competitive year defined by rising interest rates and historically low inventory, one name stood above all others in the Laurel real estate market: Denise Y. Redmond of Long & Foster Real Estate. Redmond closed more homes than any other listing agent in the 20707 and 20708 zip codes, finishing the year with five closed transactions and $2,752,400 in total sales volume — a commanding lead over the #2 agent.

Denise Y. Redmond R E A LT O R • N O TA RY P U B L I C L O N G & F O S T E R R E A L E S TAT E

410-878-5597 (direct) 301-441-9512 (office) denise.redmond@lnf.com

Denise Y. Redmond

Long & Foster Real Estate

LAUREL MARKET — 2025

$2.75M

TOTAL VOLUME

Page 10 | LaurelIndependent.com

The Laurel Independent | September 2026

LET’S EAT LAUREL

Tucked-away Prime Grill finds viral fame By MAAME ADOBEA AMOYAW

here’s no shortage of viral social media videos featuring best-kept-secret eateries. But the modestly sized Prime Grill in South Laurel is punching well above its weight after videos featuring the restaurant racked up more than 620,000 views on TikTok. Its secret? West African-spiced grilled beef, fresh vegetables and a creamy sauce, all wrapped in soft flatbread. Prime Grill calls it its beef suya wrap, and it has helped propel the eatery to social media stardom. But is this West African grill more than just TikTok hype? The restaurant delivers a wellrounded culinary experience that embraces its West African roots, drawing inspiration from Cameroon and Nigeria while incorporating familiar American flavors. Prime Grill opened its doors in

spring 2024 at the Pheasant Run Shopping Center along Mallard Drive, just off the BaltimoreWashington Parkway. Something was in the air on the day I visited because the restaurant was packed. The grill has a brisk ordering process using an iPad at the front counter. The menu mixes West African and American influences. It’s where spicy, peanut-based suya seasoning meets the Maryland classic Old Bay.

Atmosphere and vibe Prime Grill has a fast-casual feel, tucked into a relatively quiet corner of the shopping center. Inside, dark geometric wallpaper and limited interaction with staff give the space more of a pickupcounter atmosphere than a traditional sit-down restaurant.

Food and service Jollof rice, a common West African rice dish cooked in a tomato-

It’s not for the timid, and it’s not fine dining. It’s a grab-and-go food experience bursting with flavor. The first bite shocks you, in a good way. The sauce was on the sweeter side, balancing the tender, seasoned meat exceptionally well.

Prime Grill in South Laurel has gained a following for its West African-inspired menu and viral beef suya wrap. COURTESY PRIME GRILL

based sauce, is a prominent feature on the menu. There are also several grilled options, including tilapia, beef and asun, a Nigerian dish of spicy grilled goat. Classic American-style chicken wings and fries are also available. Most meal combinations start above $20, which initially felt steep for a fast-casual restaurant. The portions, however, were substantial.

with at the counter unless you call for someone. For some customers, that may be ideal. On the other hand, part of what creates repeat customers and neighborhood staples is relationships. It’s the greetings from the wait staff and interactions with owners that add to the authenticity of an establishment. Those traditional elements were missing here.

Ratings (out of 5)

Food: 5/5 I had the famed, viral suya wrap with fries. Prime Grill turns the West African staple into a fusion meal, wrapping seasoned beef in soft flatbread with red cabbage, tomatoes, onions and its house-made special sauce.

Service: 3/5 I landed on a 3 out of 5 for service because the experience was right in the middle. On one hand, I loved the seamless, digitally forward service. You order with an iPad, and there is no one to speak

Sip & Support

laureladvocacy.org

Grab a cup. Support your neighbors. It's that simple. Mark your calendars: National Coffee Day, Tuesday, September 29, Ragamufﬁns Coffee House is partnering with LARS for a good cause.

20% of all sales

that day will go to the LARS food pantry, helping neighbors across Laurel and South Central Maryland put food on their tables.

Bring a friend, grab your favorite brew, and support the cause. Every cup helps.

Tuesday September 29

Ragamufﬁns Coffee House, 385 Main St, Laurel, MD

Ambiance: 2/5 The space was decorated with black geometric wallpaper that complemented the seating. Most people there were picking up their orders, so it felt more like a waiting space than somewhere to sit and dine. There was also a lot of imagery on the menu and posters in the windows that appeared to be AI-generated. While the design may appeal to some people, I found that it lacked some of the authenticity of the food itself.

Viral online, great in real life Prime Grill may owe some of its newfound attention to TikTok, but the suya wrap gives customers a reason to make the trip beyond the social media hype. The restaurant isn’t much of a destination for atmosphere or personal service, but for a flavorful graband-go meal, the viral attention makes considerably more sense after the first bite.

September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

LaurelIndependent.com | Page 11

HAVIS FOR SENATE Maryland Legislative District 21

For the Citizens For a Change

Lee Havis

www.havisforsenate.com

Republican

Message to voters in College Park, Beltsville, and Laurel Born and raised in College Park, I've been a civic activist and advocate for freedom and citizen-friendly government for most of my adult life. In my private life, I am founder and director of a non-profit organization in the specialized field of scientific education.

In November, your ballot for Maryland State Senate in Legislative District 21 will show a choice to vote for either Rosapepe (D) or Havis (R). In fact, however, the vote is really between two very different visions of government, the Democrat higher tax, government control model of my opponent or the Republican model of lower tax/ more freedom for Maryland citizens, which is my vision as highlighted by the issues described here.

How to Fix Maryland Public Education

More Money?.... or Transformation! The current system of Maryland public educa‐ tion is failing students, leading to the disastrous result of their future failure to become productive, responsible adult members of society. The Democrat majority General Assembly approach of giving MORE MONEY to this failing system doesn't fix this problem. Needed instead is a total transformation of the whole system to return edu‐ cation to its original function of helping children

learn basic skills of Reading and Math, instead of building up a woke curriculum, which Ros‐ apepe supports, such as by his voting for “gen‐ der identity and sex orientation” studies in the K-12 public schools. More money? Maryland already has one of the highest per-pupil spending levels for educa‐ tion in the country. And since 2017, despite even more taxing for education, Maryland still ranks

Why are Electricity Bills so HIGH? Maryland's residential electricity rates are about 24% above the national average, making it one of the higher-cost states for electricity. The main rea‐ son is because there is a lack of cost-effective, reli‐ able local energy generation in the state. This is due to the Democrat majority General Assembly voting to join a “Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative” (RGGI) that penalizes cost-effective, reliable energy generation through clean coal and natural gas plants

Public Safety

In 2024, Maryland's violent crime rate was one of the highest in the na‐ tion, due primarily to lax enforcement of crime, especially among juveniles and as a result of the misguided policy of “sanctuary” for criminal illegal aliens. In 2026, Rosapepe and others in the Democrat majority Maryland

in the state. All that to save humanity from the perceived threat of too much CO₂ in the atmosphere! In practice, this foolish “climate change” policy forces fossil fuel plants in the state to pay a punitive carbon tax which is passed on to Maryland citi‐ zens in the form of higher electricity bills. And, ultimately, this has even forced some of these plants to close down completely.

General Assembly voted to pass the Com‐ munity Trust Act (S791) which restricts state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agen‐ cies like ICE, effectively creating sanctuary policies for illegal aliens. In the Maryland State Senate, I would work to restore this collaboration, as well as tighten state law en‐ forcement on repeat juvenile offenders.

For The Citizens, for A Change Don't forget to vote! Early Voting: October 22-29, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

havisforsenate.com

lee@havisforsenate.com

VOTE

below student performance levels in Reading and Math as compared with better student out‐ comes in states with much lower per-pupil spending. In the Maryland State Senate, I would in‐ troduce and work for passage of specific legis‐ lation to transform Maryland education, such as by providing parents with real choice and competition through a variety of alternatives to conventional public school placement. This would improve student outcomes and also lower taxes as well!

While Rosapepe and other Democrat legislators promote more so-called 'renewable’ green energy to lower electricity bills, wind and solar power generation has proven too expensive, unreliable and insufficient for large-scale use. In the Mary‐ land State Senate, I would therefore work to withdraw from the punitive RGGI and end Ros‐ apepe's war on cheap, effective, and reliable fos‐ sil fuel energy.

LEE

HAVIS For Maryland State Senate

Legislative District 21 on November 3rd! Visit my website or email me to learn more about these and other issues in my campaign for the citizens, for a change.

240-941-7737

https://havisforsenate.com

by authority, Havis for Senate, Glenn Davis, Treasurer

Page 12 | LaurelIndependent.com

The Laurel Independent | September 2026

New era begins for St. Vincent Pallotti football under coach Kenny Lucas By WILL CHASE Kenny Lucas has spent three decades coaching high school football, including years competing against St. Vincent Pallotti. Now, he is leading the Panthers. Earlier this year, Lucas was named head football coach at St. Vincent Pallotti following the departure of Tony Ashley, who led the Panthers to backto-back MIAA B Conference runner-up finishes in 2024 and 2025. Ashley coached Pallotti for eight seasons, compiling a 44-35 record and leading the program to the 2019 MIAA B Conference championship.

Pallotti is the latest stop in Lucas’ 30-year high school coaching career. His previous stops include Archbishop Carroll and Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.; Bishop O’Connell in Virginia; and Annapolis Area Christian School. The Panthers finished the 2025 season with an 8-5 overall record and a 6-1 mark in MIAA B Conference play. Pallotti enters the 2026 season ranked second behind St. Paul’s in the conference’s preseason rankings. After losing more than 25 players to transfers this spring, Lucas faces the challenge of rebuilding the roster while main-

We Train Dogs Of All Ages Our training is positive, humane, and fun! • In-Home Training & Behavior Consultation • Puppy Socialization • Group Classes • Serving Laurel & Surrounding Areas

By RORY CAHILL

Jody Broughton CPDT-KA (240) 882-4765 www.socialtailwaggers.com socialtailwaggers@gmail.com

Be the change. Become a CASA! A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) stands up for youth who have been abused and neglected. Be the voice in court for a child who has no one else. Legal experience not required — just a heart and a few hours per month. We provide all the training!

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301-209-0491 volunteer@pgcasa.org

er than 150 yards. “The score may not always be in our favor, but if we accomplish the goals we’ve set, we’re continuing to grow,” Lucas said. “Of course, it’d be nice to have more wins than losses at the end of the season, but right now it’s about building,” he added. “It’s about reaching the goals we set for these young men, and hopefully that will lead to success.” Three games to watch on Pallotti’s 2026 schedule are an Oct. 2 home matchup against conference rival St. Paul’s, an Oct. 30 road game at Boys’ Latin and the Aug. 28 season opener against Archbishop Carroll. The opener carries added significance for Lucas, who will face one of his former schools in his first game leading the Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex in Laurel.

After years of struggles, Laurel boys soccer eyes a turnaround

Every Child Deserves a Voice

MORE INFORMATION:

taining the success Pallotti has established in recent seasons. “Just looking to build upon what has been established,” Lucas said. “So I don’t look at it as a total overhaul, but certainly we will do things differently. As a new staff and a new program, we’ll use the ideals and the things that my staff and I see as beneficial to the group that we have. We’re going to coach the kids we have.” Lucas said he wants to build the program around unity, toughness and accountability, with success extending beyond football. One area he has already emphasized is academics. “Our team GPA was about 3.1 at the end of last semester. I’m

bumping it up to 3.2, and I’m going to challenge our guys,” Lucas said. “That’s a challenge that I’m sure they’re ready to take on.” Several seniors are expected to play key roles this fall, including running back Asher Williams, offensive and defensive lineman Kyrie Harrison, athlete Damani Gardner, quarterback Trace Klapaska and linebacker Christian Marbury. When asked what a successful season would look like, Lucas pointed to what he calls the “Three Ws.” “I throw out the three Ws to our guys a lot. It’s winning in life, winning on the field and winning in the classroom,” Lucas said. “It’s about us setting goals — team goals, group goals and individual goals — and accomplishing those goals.” Lucas said those goals can include benchmarks such as rushing for more than 200 yards or holding an opponent to few-

Scan for upcoming info sessions

Laurel High School’s varsity boys soccer team played its first preseason match Aug. 18. The Spartans lost 4-0, but the team says the score doesn’t tell the whole story. “Last game we definitely started out slow, but we picked it up in the second half,” said senior defender Brandon Ayala, 17. It’s been a tough few years for the Laurel Spartans, who play in Prince George’s County’s 4A soccer division. In coach Daryl Ferguson’s first season in 2019, the team won 11 of its 14 games. In 2021, its first season after the pandemic interruption, Laurel won just two of 13. The Spartans have struggled to regain that earlier success, finishing 3-9-1 last season. Ferguson said the loss of key players who graduated during the year off hurt the team, making the transition more difficult for younger players. “When we came back [ from COVID], it was just, everything was a little different,” Ferguson said. “So my goal this year was to try to get back to kind of a blue-collar [mentality]. Like, no one respected Laurel when I got there, and so they always played with a chip on their shoulder … that made us a very, very dangerous team.” Ferguson said attendance at tryouts has been another encouraging sign. Typically, he said, 50 or 60 players might show up on the first day of tryouts, competing for a varsity roster that generally includes about 20 to 22 players. This year? There were 71. “I’m very optimistic,” Ferguson said after the first day of tryouts. “I think we will have a chance to compete this year, based on the numbers, based on the skill set that I saw today, and then based on the amount of returning players we have.” After the first game and practice sessions, senior winger Jhirlenm Escolero, 17, said he’s already seeing improvement. “I think this year we’re communicating better,” Escolero said. “The years before, a lot of people were getting mad because they were getting criticized. But this year, they’re more open to it … they

The Laurel High School boys varsity soccer team plays Westminster-based Winters Mill High School in 2025. COURTESY OF THE LAUREL SPARTANS

take it as a positive thing, not a negative thing.” That communication helped during the Aug. 18 match against Our Lady of Good Counsel, an Olney-based Catholic school. In the second half, Ferguson changed the team’s formation to create more offensive opportunities and gain greater control in the middle of the field. While the Spartans weren’t able to pull out a win, Ferguson and his players said they saw noticeable improvement late in the game. Ferguson said the strategy shift was an important part of figuring out what works and what doesn’t. “We have only had two training sessions before playing against another opponent,” said Ferguson. “I think we will continue to improve and tweak a few things over the next two weeks as we prepare for the season opener.” The team’s next match, against DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, is scheduled for Sept. 8.

September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

VACCINATIONS FROM PAGE 1

diseases can spread among children. “Classrooms are crowded. They play together,” Opesanmi said. “... If one child has something, it’s very easy to transmit.” Laurel Elementary School nurse Yinka Fadiran said the beginning of the school year is a key time to ensure students are vaccinated, particularly after families have traveled during the summer. “Over the summer you have people traveling, going to different parts of the world, and being with others who may not have been fully vaccinated, or who may have some disease that are not even known, and then they are coming into school,” Fadiran said. Fadiran said younger children entering prekindergarten and kindergarten are among those most likely to arrive without all of their required vaccinations, in part because parents may be unfamiliar with school immunization requirements. “Because kids are just coming to school for the first time, the parents might not know that they were missing some shots,” Fadiran said. “So they do come in not having been fully vaccinated, not having received all of the doses of their vaccinations.” The local push comes as the Trump administration changes federal guidance on childhood vaccines. An Aug. 10 executive order recommends vaccines against 11 diseases for all children, down from 18 under previous federal recommendations, while placing others into categories based on individual risk or shared decisionmaking between parents and health care providers. The order also calls for the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to eventually be offered as three separate shots

LaurelIndependent.com | Page 13

“Because kids are just coming to school for the first time, the parents might not know that they were missing some shots. So they do come in not having been fully vaccinated, not having received all of the doses of their vaccinations.” Yinka Fadiran Laurel Elementary School nurse

and recommends, when feasible, administering childhood vaccines at separate medical visits. Opesanmi said additional visits could make it harder for families to keep children on schedule. “There is the urge to separate them into individual shots to be given individually at separate medical visits, which really will hinder compliance,” Opesanmi said. The executive order does not change Maryland’s school vaccination requirements, which are set by the state, but it advises states to review their requirements in light of the new federal recommendations. Nationally, childhood vaccination rates have also declined. CDC data released this month show vaccination coverage among kindergartners decreased for all reported vaccines during the 2025-26 school year compared with the previous year. The decline comes as the United States experiences its highest number of measles cases in decades. As of July 21, 2,295 con-

firmed measles cases had been reported nationwide in 2026, surpassing the 2,289 cases reported in all of 2025, according to the Johns Hopkins University International Vaccine Access Center. Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright said during an August 18 virtual news conference that this data is a reason schools should be monitoring for measles. “That is cause for concern because there are children that have died from having the measles,” Wright said. Dr. Jessica Nash, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at George Washington University and pediatrician at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, said one challenge for pediatricians is keeping parents informed about vaccination recommendations. Nash said pediatricians use shared clinical decision-making to present parents with information about the risks and benefits of vaccines and determine the best course for their children. “We are making decisions and providing them information that’s backed by years of science and is recommended by pediatric experts about what is the safest for their child and what offers them the most protection from preventable illnesses,” Nash said. Prince George’s County is also working to keep parents informed through pop-up events and online programs, Opesanmi said. Prince George’s County Public Schools is hosting free immunization clinics at High Point High School on Sept. 12 and Eleanor Roosevelt High School on Sept. 26. Clinics are also available at the Cheverly Health Center through Oct. 31 for families with children who are uninsured or underinsured. “Our goal is to vaccinate every child. That’s the goal. That’s the ideal,” Opesanmi said.

2026-27

ARTS & HUMANITIES DEAN’S LECTURE SERIES A CONVERSATION WITH

ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO Five-time Grammy Award winner and humanitarian Angélique Kidjo sits down with College of Arts and Humanities Dean Stephanie Shonekan for a poignant conversation about music, cultural fluency and global advocacy. Free, tickets required. MONDAY, OCT. 5, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.

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Laurel football looks to finish what it started By WILL CHASE The Laurel High School Spartans finished last season 5-5, with a 2-3 record at home and a 3-2 record on the road. The Spartans open their season Saturday, Sept. 5, at Parkdale High School. Laurel also opened last season against Parkdale, defeating the Panthers at home. According to MaxPreps, Laurel enters the 2026 season ranked 147th among 216 high school football teams in Maryland. The Spartans participated in the inaugural DMV High School Football Media Day on Aug. 6, hosted by the DMV High School Football Coaches Association. Coach Devonne Powell is entering his third season as Laurel’s head football coach and is looking to improve on last year’s win total. One of his biggest lessons from last season was the importance of finishing games. “We had a problem with finishing games, and that became an issue all season long,” Powell said. “That hindered us in a couple of games that we should have won because of it.” Powell believes Laurel could have finished with six or seven wins if the team had been able to close out some of those games. Finishing became a major focus for the Spartans dur-

Rai

ing the offseason. “It’s four quarters of football,” Powell said. “We shouldn’t be tired after the first quarter. That’s the thing that we’ve been working on.” Powell said the key to the Spartans’ success this season will be finishing games and focusing on their own performance rather than their opponents. Experience should not be an issue for Laurel, which returns players at several key positions. Center Brandon Brady, left tackle James Harding and safety Davion Stannard are expected to make significant contributions. Other key players include Michael Price, Deante Mack and several younger players joining the varsity team. Seniors Kareem Oyekan and Demerius Custis are among the team’s leaders. Oyekan has received Division I scholarship offers from Howard University and Morgan State University. The Spartans are aiming to start the season strong and set the tone for the rest of the year. Several games on their schedule could provide tests of how much the team has improved from last season, including matchups against Wise, Northwestern, Suitland, Potomac, DuVal, Eleanor Roosevelt and Bowie.

hin or s

FRIENDS OF PATUXENT POLLINATOR FESTIVAL Saturday, September 26 10:00 am-2:30 pm National Wildlife Visitor Center 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel MD Join us for an educational and fun day, including: Family arts and crafts Artisan and native-plant vendors Nature walks • Live music Wild bird meet & greet UMD Insect Zoo • Butterfly releases • Food vendor Bird Friendly® Coffees USGS EESC scientists/local experts Scan to learn more!

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Page 14 | LaurelIndependent.com

The Laurel Independent | September 2026

The Prince George’s County Council voted to stop approving plans for hyperscale, or very large, data centers for two years or until the council passes legislation on their placement, construction and operation.

STOCK PHOTO

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DATA CENTER FROM PAGE 1

centers consume large amounts of energy that can lead to higher energy bills for consumers, and the developments can put pressure on water and land use. Amid controversy, July 7 the Prince George’s County Council voted to stop approving plans for hyperscale, or very large, data centers for two years or until the council passes legislation on their placement, construction and operation. At least 13 other Maryland counties have similar restrictions, according to an analysis by Maryland Matters on Aug. 10.

Multiple moratoriums, all temporary The July 7 county council moratorium does not impact the plan for a massive data center on the vacant site of the former Landover Mall, because

that plan has already been approved, according to staff from the office of County Executive Aisha Braveboy. The Landover plan has become a flashpoint over the past year, with more than 20,000 residents signing a petition opposing it and dozens showing up to county meetings to voice their objections to the plan. A separate executive order forbidding review of any data center permit application, which Braveboy has extended through Sept. 30, stops the Landover project from moving forward.

Interfaith intervention? On July 10, an unknown number of Prince George’s County residents and community leaders received a mass text message promoting data centers as a way for the county to “lead the nation in ensuring that every family has a fair opportunity to build wealth, access new technology, and participate in the economy of the future.” The text cited high county tax revenue from data centers in Virginia. The Rev. Derrick Green, a political consultant and Seventhday Aventist who has lobbied

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for Braveboy and contributed to her political campaign, was the author of the text, according to reporting from Religion News Service (RNS), a nonprofit newsroom. Green’s text pointed residents to interfaithaction.net, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that RNS confirmed is not affiliated with Interfaith Power & Light, the DMV-area climate change nonprofit skeptical of data centers.

Legislative proposals to end the moratoriums On July 23, the Prince George’s County Planning Board held a hearing on proposed legislation to fast-track data center plan approvals in residential and agricultural zones. Wanika Fisher, the outgoing county councilmember for District 2, which includes Hyattsville, made the legislative drafting request. Her proposed legislation would set minimum lot sizes and minimum distances from residences, parks and places of worship. The legislation also would require each data center to have a community benefits agreement approved by the county executive and the county councilmember representing the potential data center location. Such community benefit agreements have been used in other jurisdictions to limit water usage and noise pollution and require donations to community organizations. County planning staff recommended that the planning board oppose Fisher’s proposed legislation, saying data center construction is at odds with residential and agricultural zoning. Staff said the proposal did not provide enough guidance on the content of community benefit agreements and failed to define “brownfield” locations, on which data center construction would be encouraged. The Prince George’s County Planning Board, all of whose members have been appointed by Braveboy in the last eight months, declined to take a position on the proposed legislation after a contentious public hearing July 23. The county council is likely to discuss legislative proposals in the coming months. County Councilmember Shayla Adams-Stafford, who represents District 5, which includes Landover, has also said she is drafting data center legislation. Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), the sponsor of the two-year moratorium, supports a complete ban on data centers. A study on data centers ordered by Maryland legislators is due on Sept. 1.

7/13/25 3:38 PM

September 2026 | The Laurel Independent

LaurelIndependent.com | Page 15

POLICE FROM PAGE 1

after allegedly using the department’s network of automated license plate readers to search for his significant other and one of his partner’s exes 179 times. Despite debate over privacy and the potential for misuse, Laurel and surrounding jurisdictions continue to expand their use of surveillance and data-analysis technology. In July, the Laurel City Council approved more than $89,000 for two aerial drones from Skydio. In a separate vote, the council approved a three-year, $79,500 contract for Peregrine software for use by the Laurel Police Department. Peregrine Technologies is a California-based company that develops data-analysis software for law enforcement agencies. The Laurel Police Department announced Aug. 21 that it is installing cameras with live-surveillance and license platereading capabilities near northbound U.S. Route 1 and Maryland Route 198. The 60day trial with technology company Axon began Aug. 24. The Peregrine AI system “will quickly summarize investigations, perform link analysis with persons and vehicles, and allow the agency’s crime analyst to do in minutes what typically takes hours or days to accomplish,” according to a memorandum from Laurel Police Chief Russ Hamill. Surrounding counties are making similar investments. Prince George’s County budgeted $600,000 in fiscal 2027 for Peregrine’s Real Time Crime Center software, with the

Police departments across the Laurel area are expanding their use of surveillance technologies, including cameras, drones and artificial intelligence-powered systems. STOCK PHOTO

county estimating the full contract value at $3 million. The county also budgeted $95,000 in federal funding for its police drone program. Howard County Police says it plans to invest approximately $200,000 annually over five years — about $1 million — to fully implement its recently opened Real-Time Information Center in North Laurel. Roughly 100 county cameras have already been connected to the center, with more being added. Anne Arundel County invested $1.5 million in a 1,300-square-foot Real-Time Information Center in Millersville that opened in February 2025. As Laurel expands its use of AI-powered police technology, some city officials are seeking assurances that the systems won’t be used for racial profiling or immigration

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enforcement. Laurel Councilmember Kyla Clark (Ward 2) said she asked Peregrine representatives whether the system had a history of racial targeting or ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “As AI gets used more, I want to make sure in the City of Laurel that we have human constraints and human visibility on these types of programs,” Clark said. Surveillance hardware like cameras and drones may seem innocuous on their own, according to critics, but the expansion of AI-powered data-analysis systems and realtime crime centers are creating interconnected networks capable of bringing together video, license plate information, police records and other data in real time. “Police have never been provided with

AI-enhanced superpowers to see, hear, fly, and record the lived experience of citizens before,” said Andrew Ferguson, a George Washington University law professor who studies police surveillance technology, privacy and civil rights. “While obviously helpful for criminal investigations, these networks of surveillance cameras and sensors monitor innocent citizens far more than they locate specific guilty persons.” According to the National Real-Time Crime Center Association, more than 300 law enforcement agencies have implemented some form of data-driven information center. Ferguson said the systems could be used to monitor political protests or assist immigration enforcement. Legal experts say residents concerned about the technology can push elected officials to establish guardrails governing how it is used. Ferguson said there is no single set of national rules governing how real-time crime centers operate, leaving policies over data collection, retention and access largely to individual jurisdictions. Back in Laurel, Boswell said he is continuing to track Flock cameras throughout the community. Using Deflock.org, a crowdsourced website that maps automated license plate readers, Boswell said he has identified 146 cameras and license plate readers listed across the Laurel area. “My concerns are that we are trading our liberty for safety. I don’t have an issue with police using tools to help them do their jobs. What I have an issue with is the errors that can occur using AI,” Boswell said.

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Page 16 | LaurelIndependent.com

The Laurel Independent | September 2026

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