Centennial coach Rob Slopek, who has compiled 103 wins over eight previous seasons leading the Eagles’ girls varsity program, got to celebrate his first triumph while leading the boys following the Eagles’ 67-51 win on opening night Monday against Oakland Mills.

Lawmakers returning to Annapolis this week face a key task: whether to override dozens of Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes on measures ranging from limiting immigration enforcement to setting tighter rules on state contracts.

A hearing is scheduled for Monday as the General Assembly begins a special session to approve new boundaries for the state's congressional districts. Lawmakers are expected to approve a final map within the week.

The video shows three adults holding down a student on the floor of the cafeteria. One of them punches the student in the head twice and holds on to his hair while the other adult appears to hold the student’s arms down.

Track officials at Laurel Park suspended thoroughbred workouts and called off three planned racing cards for this weekend after eight horses suffered fatal fractures in October and November while racing or training over a recently installed dirt surface.

The Howard County Zoning Board voted 3-2 on Wednesday night to deny New York-based Kimco Realty Corp.’s petition to develop a 230-unit apartment building, retail space and a parking garage in the Hickory Ridge Village Center in Columbia.

Plans are moving ahead to transform what had been Maryland’s last active grain mill into apartments, a $55 million project on the banks of the Patapsco River in Oella that was awarded $3 million in historic revitalization tax credits.

The holiday shopping season kicked off with Small Business Saturday, two days after Thanksgiving. Locally owned shops on the main streets of Sykesville and Ellicott City saw a rush of shoppers, a much-needed economic lift. Through December various events, from tree lightings to cookie strolls to Santa visits, are being held around the region to attract customers to shop at small businesses, where holiday-related year-end sales are vital, according to the nonprofit groups who support and market them.

After closing 14 months for renovations, the Glenwood Branch of the Howard County Library System will open its doors to the public again Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The library includes the system’s only maker space, a teen area, two new studios and an outdoor patio with seating, among other amenities.

This week Howard County residents will celebrate Hanukkah with menorah lightings and family-friendly events featuring latkes and doughnuts, live music, a gelt (chocolate) drop and ice skating.

Gregory J. Der will assume the role of Howard County Police Chief on Jan. 1, replacing current Chief Lisa Myers, who announced her retirement earlier this month. The appointment was announced Monday by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Mary Regina “Jean” McCauley, a retired St. Agnes Hospital hematology lab worker and family matriarch, died of complications of kidney disease Nov. 18 at Gilchrist Hospice in Columbia. The longtime Ellicott City resident was 89.