April Santana

April Santana is a Howard County reporter with a focus on local government. A New Jersey native, she previously worked at The Post and Courier in Columbia, South Carolina. She studied journalism and political science at Syracuse University.

Howard County Police confirmed that Samuel Louie Booker IV remains in critical condition after his brother allegedly stabbed him. Booker was known to students at the University of Maryland, College Park for bringing his bunny Butterscotch to campus. (Courtesy of Emily R. Condon)

Bodycam captures police fatally shooting man wielding spear after stabbing brother in Columbia

July 10, 2025 at 1:53 p.m.

Howard County police released bodycam footage of an officer fatally shooting a man holding a spear after he stabbed his brother.

A speed camera in the 1600 block of Cromwell Bridge Rd near Loch Raven High School. Baltimore County reported a 10% increase in speed camera ticket citations. Speed camera revenue increased by nearly 38% during the first nine months of the 2020 fiscal year. November 2, 2020.

Unlimited speed cameras now allowed in Howard County school zones

July 8, 2025 at 4:47 p.m.

Howard County police only have eight speed cameras, which they rotate among 172 permitted locations across the county. A new bill allows police to add more cameras in school zones.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball selected Esen Paradiso's design out of the final three entries for consideration to be the new county flag. The County Council must approve the design in April.

Howard County raises its new flag to represent ‘optimistic future’

July 7, 2025 at 3:14 p.m.

Howard County raised its new flag for the first time at a special ceremony Monday morning outside the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball led a trip to Canada last month meant to foster partnerships and economic development.(Courtesy/Howard County)

Howard officials say weeklong Canada trip helped build new business opportunities

July 3, 2025 at 4:19 p.m.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball led a county delegation last month to foster economic relationships in Niagara, Toronto and Ottawa.

Jessica Nichols, candidate for Howard County Council District 2. (Jessica Nichols/Courtesy)

Jessica Nichols, Howard Teacher of the Year, runs for County Council seat

July 3, 2025 at 5:14 a.m.

A social studies teacher at River Hill High School in Clarksville, Nichols, 49, realized she needed to run for council due to recurring budget issues, where her district, parts of...

The Columbia Inn at Peralynna serves as a bed and breakfast and boutique hotel. (Staff file)

Howard County Planning Board OKs petition for new nursing home in Columbia

July 2, 2025 at 10:24 a.m.

To make the changes, Blackrock Capital Investors is requesting that the board amend zoning language allowing an exception to the rule requiring a 50-foot buffer between the space and residentially...

Board members listen as Howard County Public School System Senior Communication Strategist Brian Bassett discusses students use of cell phones in the classroom during the Howard County School Board Jan. 30 meeting.(Karen Jackson/Freelance)

Howard County BOE sues drug manufacturers over surging insulin prices

July 1, 2025 at 6:08 p.m.

The Howard County Board of Education is suing Eli Lilly and Co., Novo Nordisk, CVS, UnitedHealth Group and several other drug manufacturers accusing the companies of deliberately inflating insulin prices...

Regina Clay announces her run for Howard County Council District 4 seat at her kick-off celebration on June 26 at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center.(Karen Jackson/Freelance)

Regina Clay hopes to be a ‘catalyst for change’ in run for Howard Council District 4

June 30, 2025 at 2:23 p.m.

Democrat Regina Clay, 61, pastor at LifeChange African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia, announces run for Howard County Council.

Über Bagels & Deli set to open their fourth location in Columbia. (April Santana/Staff)

Über Bagels & Deli to open a new location in Columbia

June 26, 2025 at 2:39 p.m.

The bagel shop has a variety of specialty sandwiches like the "Go Bananas" — a chocolate chip bagel with peanut butter, bananas and chocolate syrup, and the "Phoenix Riser" —...

Scene near two separate shootings in Columbia in October 2024. One was found dead in a car behind the office building, the other two teens were injured in the parking lot of the Giant. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

Columbia mom found guilty of attempted second-degree murder of two teens

June 26, 2025 at 9:29 p.m.

A jury convicted Dieneba Sekou Traore, 47, of Columbia, of attempted second-degree murder in the October 2024 shooting of two teens in Columbia.

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