Education reporter, Carroll County

Thomas Goodwin Smith

Thomas Goodwin Smith covers community news in Carroll and Howard counties with a focus on education. Thomas joined Baltimore Sun Media in fall of 2022. He is a Northwestern University alumnus and a former local news reporter/anchor for 1430 WNAV in Annapolis.

Dr. Patricia Dorsey, board member Carroll County Public Schools Board of Education. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Longtime Carroll educator, school board member Patricia Dorsey honored

July 6, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Longtime Carroll County educator and school board member Patricia Dorsey is being honored for her contributions to the field of education. Dorsey, 74, a current Carroll County Board of Education...

The "Get Syked Shuttle" turns left on Sandosky Road from Main Street. The free-to-ride shuttle service in Sykesville is available Saturdays and Sundays, connecting Freedom Park, Sykesville Middle School, and stops along Main Street. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Sykesville launches run free downtown weekend shuttle program

July 3, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Downtown Sykesville Connection Executive Director Julie Della-Maria said the shuttle aims to relieve parking constraints caused by ongoing construction on Baldwin Avenue.

Joanne Frederick, farm owner and a founding director of Stop MPRP, Inc. has helped organize resistance to a plan to upgrade the Baltimore region's energy grid via the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a new 500,000-volt overhead transmission line proposal that would cut through farms, parks, neighborhoods and forests in three counties. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Landowners fight ruling granting access to private property for Piedmont powerline surveys

June 27, 2025 at 4:34 p.m.

PSEG was contracted by PJM, the organization responsible for operating and planning Maryland’s electric grid, to build a 67-mile power line that would run through Carroll, Frederick and Baltimore counties.

Diners line up to patronize Bebo's Mac Shack, parked in an Eldersburg neighborhood, Thursday, June 18, 2020.

Westminster food truck helps Littlestown amid power outages and heat

June 25, 2025 at 2:05 p.m.

Westminster business Bebo's Mac Shack food truck headed to Littlestown, Pennsylvania amid power outages and hot temperatures

The Westminster Municipal Pool in 2024. Pool hours are noon to 7 p.m., every day through Labor Day. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Westminster Municipal Pool offers family-friendly way to beat the heat

June 24, 2025 at 5:28 p.m.

The municipal pool completed renovations in time to be open last summer, and the new splash pad has been especially popular among children.

Cows are seen running on Route 140 in Westminster. (Mariam Mastbrook/Courtesy)

Runaway cows in Westminster put down by police

June 23, 2025 at 6:15 p.m.

Two cows were loose in Westminster on Monday, and were put down by police, Westminster Common Council member Tony Chiavacci said.

Grammy nominee Guy Davis leads students in a blues harmonica class during Common Ground on the Hill at McDaniel College on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Westminster’s Common Ground on the Hill to host concert benefitting veterans

June 23, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Common Ground on the Hill, at McDaniel College campus in Westminster, to hold folk arts classes, concert for veterans initiative

Carroll County Board of Education members, left to right, Stephen Whisler, Chloe Kang, student representative, Dr. Patricia S. Dorsey, new members, Dr. Greg Malveaux and Kristen Zihmer, Tara A. Battaglia, and Dr. Cynthia McCabe , Superintendent of Carroll County Public Schools. Carroll County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court Heather DeWees issued the Oath of Office Monday to incoming Board of Education members, Dr. Greg Malveaux and Kristen Zihmer. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Carroll school board seeks comment on student health and restraint policies

June 23, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The Carroll County Board of Education is seeking feedback on its policy on student exclusion and physical restraint, and its policy governing first aid and health care.

Joe Gallagher, left, along with his sister Colleen Wittig and her husband Tyler Wittig, owners of Uncle Joe's Deli and Market, opening later this summer in Sykesville. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Two new businesses to open on Sykesville’s Main Street

June 19, 2025 at 4:49 p.m.

Two new businesses will open in a newly renovated building in downtown Sykesville; Uncle Joe's Deli and Market and Moonshadow Collective will share the address 7611 Main St.

Pre-kindergarten space will be added at Robert Moton Elementary School - 1413 Washington Rd, Westminster, MD 21157. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Robert Moton Elementary in Westminster eligible for poverty funding

June 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Robert Moton Elementary School in Westminster is now eligible to receive additional resources from the state, as a designated “community school,” based on student population characteristics related to poverty.

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