2012 Third Hottest Year in Baltimore Area

It was also the hottest year on record in the D.C. area, according to the National Weather Service.

  2012 was the third hottest year on record in the Baltimore area, according to the National Weather Service. It was the warmest year ever recorded at BWI airport since 1950 when temperatures were first recorded there, said Jared Klein, a NWS meteorologist. The average temperature in 2012 at BWI was 58.6 degrees, just a half degree lower than the 59.2 degree average in 1931 and 1949 when temperatures were recorded at the customs house in downtown Baltimore City, according to Klein. “We had one of the warmest winters on record, the warmest spring on record and the thirteenth warmest summer on record,” said Klein. “Each month was consistently above normal, except November.” The 2012 average was 3.5 degrees warmer than the 1981-2010 normal, …

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Virtual Tour: Homes for Sale in Howard County This Week

In the market for a new house? Just curious? Check out these recently listed homes for sale in Howard County.

  These videos of Howard County homes for sale were recently uploaded to YouTube. Each listing links to the YouTube video (also attached to this article). Each home is also shown on the map attached to this article:   For sale this week: 6042 Watch Chain Way Columbia 6320 Departed Sunset Ln Columbia 6753 Sewells Orchard Dr Columbia 8937 Washington St Savage 8246 Academy Rd 11 Ellicott City 12212 Fawnhaven Ct Ellicott City   Check back next week for more virtual tours. 

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Bistro Blanc Disappoints HowChow: The Week in HoCo Blogs

Patch highlights five local Howard County blogs this week.

"What Could Have Been At Bistro Blanc" - HowChow Food blogger HowChow describes a disappointing experience after attending Bistro Blanc's half price burger night on Wednesday. The blogger writes, "We have friends who really enjoy Bistro Blanc. We even loved bits of the meal like those pickles, the mushrooms, sprouts and lettuce garnishes, and the bread basket.  But we have had a series of sloppy, disappointing dinners, including an epic failure in 2009.  We couldn't get over last night's experience -- a lonely 40 minutes and badly-cooked meat." "Gun Control" - HoCo Rising Tom Coale examines the arguments emerging around gun control after the Sandy Hook shooting. Coale specifically addresses non-gun control ideas such as arming teachers …

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Virtual Tour: Homes for Sale in Howard County This Week

In the market for a new house? Just curious? Check out these recently listed homes for sale in Howard County.

  These videos of Howard County homes for sale were recently uploaded to YouTube. Each listing links to the YouTube video (also attached to this article). Each home is also shown on the map attached to this article:   For sale this week: 8993 Watchlight Ct Columbia 9462 Single Bird Ln Columbia 9657 Stirling Bridge Dr Columbia 7009 Deepage Dr Columbia 8146 Woodward St Savage 12212 Fawnhaven Ct Ellicott City 5855 Rowanberry Dr 4 E Elkridge   Check back next week for more virtual tours. 

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Top News: Bailed-out Burglars, Ale House Opening, Main Street Upgrades

Headlines from around Howard County for the week of Monday, Nov. 26 - Friday Nov. 30 2012.

  Suspected Door Kick-In Burglars Sought By Police, Fail to Appear at Hearing Joseph Leo Baumgarten allegedly attacked Dianna Lynn Marketti after the two were released on bail. Police Release Mugshots of Suspected Door Kick-in Burglars Joseph Baumgarten, 40, and Dianna Marketti, 30, are wanted after failing to appear at a bail hearing. Teen Arrested for Partying in Vacant Ellicott City Apartment Police say the 19-year-old broke into a vacant apartment and trashed it. Police Capture Masked Man as He Leaves Burglarized House Columbia man arrested in string of burglaries. Ale House Columbia To Open in December Patch took a tour of the new restaurant last week. Ellicott City Historic District gets Funds for Facades Property owners can apply …

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Virtual Tour: Homes for Sale in Howard County This Week

In the market for a new house? Just curious? Check out these recently listed homes for sale in Howard County.

These videos of Howard County homes for sale were recently uploaded to YouTube. Each listing links to the YouTube video (also attached to this article). Each home is also shown on the map attached to this article: For sale this week: 9151 Gracious End Ct Se 302 Columbia 9462 Single Bird Ln Columbia 12212 Fawnhaven Ct Ellicott City 806 Charles James Cir Ellicott City 6006 Hosta Ct Elkridge 6205 Sandpiper Ct S 214 Elkridge 6419 Koffel Ct. #17, Elkridge   Check back next week for more virtual tours. 

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Election Day Baby, Alligator Seized, De Lacy Wins: Top Stories

Headlines from Howard County Patches from Nov. 2 - Nov. 9 2012.

  Columbia Father Delivers Surprise Election Day Baby 'It was simultaneously awesome, scary and nerve-racking at the same time,' said the Columbia father who delivered his daughter early Tuesday morning. De Lacy Says She'll Ask 'Tough Questions' as School Board Member The former teacher also says redistricting process is 'broken.' Casino Looks to Move Fast on Table Games The operators of Maryland Live! said it will move fast to hire 1,000 new workers and install table games now that voters have approved expanded gambling. Maryland Voters Approve Same-Sex Marriage DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting also survive referendum challenges. Former Teacher to Join Incumbents on School Board Ann De Lacy will join Janet …

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Howard County News Roundup

Peeping Tom, Main Street Meters and Tragic Death: Top News

A suspected 'peeping tom' was arrested after police release a photo of him to news outlets and parking on Main Street in Ellicott City continues to draw controversy.

  Police Arrest Suspected 'Peeping Tom' Police say Columbia man may have also secretly recorded at least two additional women.  Merchants Ask for Parking Project to be Postponed Steve Lafferty forwards request to the County Executive to postpone meters, sensors after a spirited meeting. Report: Poll Shows Marylanders Support Same Sex Marriage A newly released Washington Post poll shows residents favor upholding the same sex marriage law. Iron Bridge Gives Up Their Shirts After Losing Bet to AIDA Staff at Iron Bridge Wine Co. had to wear shirts saying "I'd rather be at AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar." Medical Examiner: Former Howard High Football Player Died from Drug Overdose Joey Bonavitacola's sudden death was caused by the combined effects of …

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Poll: Who Do You Support for Board of Education?

Talk about your top pick for school board in comments or vote in our poll.

  There are six candidates running for three seats on the Howard County Board of Education this year. So far the candidates have discussed the issues the county's schools face at two forums, which you can read about here and here. In addition, each candidate has posted on their websites where they stand on important issues such as redistricting, equity across schools, technology, open enrollment and much more. Find that information by clicking on the candidates' name below: Bob Ballinger - Staffer for Congressman Joe Pitts, of PA, from Ellicott City. Ann De Lacy - Retired teacher, former president of the Howard County Education Association, from Columbia. David Gertler - Technology executive, from Ellicott City. Ellen Flynn Giles - …

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(Update) Tornado Watch Canceled

National Weather Service has issued the following watch.

Updated at 4:52 p.m. The tornado watch for Howard County and much of the state issued earlier Tuesday has now been canceled.  Original story: The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch until 7 p.m. for Howard County and much of the state. The watch was issued at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday as severe storms made their way into the area. The most severe weather is predicted to occur from noon to 6 p.m., according to NWS. Other counties under the tornado watch include Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery, Baltimore, Harford and Prince George's as well as Baltimore City. Sign up for the Columbia Patch newsletter here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for instant news updates and community conversations. 

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