◇ Program summary
1. La Niña is expected to make Washington’s winter warmer and less snowy.
Due to the influence of La Niña, the Washington area is expected to have a warm winter with less snowfall this year. Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said that only 5 to 10 inches of snow may fall throughout the winter, with 2 to 5 inches in some southern areas. Parts of Frederick County and northern Virginia could see slightly more snow, around 10 to 15 inches.
La Niña typically brings warmer and drier winters in the south and colder, wetter winters in the north. Temperatures in Washington are expected to be slightly warmer than normal this winter, around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. January is probably the coldest month, but it has less snow overall.
Johnson recommends heading to ski areas in Western Maryland or West Virginia if you want more snow activities. At the same time, she reminded everyone to be prepared for possible extreme weather.
2. Howard County police recovered more than 10,000 stolen construction tools and prepared them for auction
Howard County, Maryland, is holding an auction this weekend to sell more than 10,000 pieces of stolen construction equipment and tools. Police said the theft was the largest in the area in recent years.
Jose Aceves, 52, of Jessup, Maryland, was arrested in connection with the theft scheme. Earlier this year, about 18,600 stolen tools worth an estimated $3 million to $5 million were recovered in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Police identified 155 victims and their property has been returned. The remaining tools will be auctioned off at West Friendship on Saturday, November 16th at 9am.
Police said the investigation is continuing and no one else has been charged.
The case began in January when a Virginia victim’s device was stolen and a tracker inside the device led police to a storage unit in Elkridge, Maryland. Police executed search warrants in Howard County and elsewhere and recovered thousands of stolen tools.
3. Elderly homelessness is a growing problem in Maryland
The elderly homeless problem in Maryland is becoming increasingly serious. The number of homeless people over the age of 65 increased by 77% between 2018 and 2024, from 677 to 1,199 people. James Roberts, founder of Mission Possible, has seen an increasing number of seniors in their 60s and 70s flocking to Baltimore’s shelters. Housing Officer Danielle Meister believes this reflects a trend across the state, especially in the years since the pandemic, when the number of residents increased rapidly.
Major causes of homelessness among older adults include an aging population and rising costs of living. Maryland is aging rapidly. By 2030, the population over 60 years old is expected to reach 26% of the total population. Seniors, most of whom are on fixed incomes, are unable to cope with sudden financial hardships such as rising rents and medical care, and rising costs of living are exacerbating the housing crisis.
Elderly homeless people need more permanent support resources, such as long-term income or rent subsidies, to help them pay rent and maintain independent living. Mester noted that much of the aid is time-limited and not suitable for seniors who are unable to return to the workforce.
To combat the problem, state housing authorities plan to increase housing subsidies for seniors, offer co-living programs and expand shelters tailored to seniors’ needs. These measures are designed to help seniors maintain housing stability and avoid entering the homeless system.
4. Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) will vote on new cell phone policy
This comes after a successful pilot to limit cell phone use in middle and high schools. The current pilot requires middle school students to turn off their phones throughout the day, while high school students are restricted only during instructional time. The expansion coincides with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent “cell phone-free” education executive order, which aims to achieve cell-phone-free times from start to finish.
The pilot program launched last summer enforces specific rules at the school level: K-8 students mute and put away their devices during school hours, and high school students do the same in class. Exceptions are made for students with disability accommodations or other special needs. Violations are managed through a “response matrix” and repeated violations may be dealt with by returning the phone at the end of the course or requiring parents to come to school to retrieve it.
Two policy options are currently being considered. One of the pilot options would have K-8 students turn off their phones throughout the day, while high school students would have limited use during non-instructional times, such as lunch and in the hallways. The second option would be to enforce a stricter no-phone rule and have all students “ring the bell” to turn off their phones, in line with Virginia Department of Education guidelines. If option two is chosen, it will be implemented before August 2025 in order to be ready.
Feedback from focus groups that included students, parents and staff supported option one, particularly among high school students who want flexibility for tasks such as work-related communications. Board members will first discuss their preferences before a final vote in December. Supervisor LaTanya McDade has assured the board that the department is ready to enact whatever policy is chosen.
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