Howard County Schools made headlines this week, from warning parents of recent "stranger danger" reports to eliminating reading programs for middle schools. But CSX controversy and a locally-born web phenomenon made waves as well:

School Board Approves Eliminating Middle School Reading Classes
The Board of Education on Thursday voted 5-3 to approve middle school instructional programs that include eliminating formal reading classes in favor of seminars, interventions and project-based modules. Educators are concerned about the longterm effects of reducing three years of reading instruction to two quarters.

Behind the Counter at Charity's Closet
A new shop in Savage Mill seeks to raise money for local charity and find gainful employment for low-income residents.

Board of Appeals Hearing Comes to a Halt 
An Elkridge auto repair shop was not the only agency under scrutiny at a hearing on Feb. 6. The county came under fire as well.

Howard Lawmakers Say CSX Is Witholding Information
Three months after CSX presented cost projections about a freight project it is considering putting in Howard County, it has refused to provide information backing those up. At a Feb. 8 meeting of the Howard County Delegation in Annapolis, state officials, the county executive's office and greater Elkridge residents found they had this frustration in common.

Police Talk Stranger Danger to Howard County Parents
After a string of incidents where strangers reportedly spoke to or acted suspiciously around school kids, the Howard County Police spoke to parents about how to keep cool in light of the chatter and how to keep their kids safe.

Laurel Native To Appear on "The Voice"
Moses Haughton, 25, a 2005 Laurel High graduate will be one of the contestents on the hit t.v.  show, "The Voice" vying for a $100,000 prize.

Meshkin Excluded, Then Allowed in School Board Meeting
After receiving a legal opinion that board member participation in a meeting by phone would satisfy the legal definition of "present" and therefore allow the member to vote on issues, the Board of Education voted 7-0 to allow fellow member Brian Meshkin, in California on a business trip, to phone into Thursday's meeting.