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.

Columbia Association leader Shawn MacInnes reflects on first year

July 24, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

The biggest change Columbia Association's CEO Shawn MacInnes has noticed since moving to the are is the sense of community, a shift from his home state of Massachusetts.

Arinze Ifekauche, right, Howard County Council District 2 candidate, poses for a photo at his candidacy announcement on May 1. (Tyler Walker/Courtesy)

Ifekauche’s District 2 campaign focuses on making Howard County more affordable

July 23, 2025 at 9:08 a.m.

Democrat Arinze Ifekauche's campaign for Howard County Council is centered on improving affordability. The Oakland Mills resident says his focus is on creating job growth and reducing costs of childcare and...

The 6000 block of Llanfair Drive. Residents in the neighborhood, have expressed concerns about a neighbor renting out his house for commercial parties on Llanfair Drive. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Columbia neighbors complain of traffic, smell from pool parties. Homeowner says he’s done nothing wrong.

July 24, 2025 at 7:25 a.m.

Neighbors contend a Columbia homeowner has been renting out his swimming pool for daily parties, leading to traffic jams and smells of urine, vomit and marijuana in neighborhood.

FILE – People enjoy the summer day in the pool on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, in Omaha, Neb. (Anna Reed/Omaha World-Herald via AP, File)

Hourly for-profit pool rentals and house parties in Howard could face $5,000 fines

July 21, 2025 at 5:58 p.m.

Howard officials will consider a new law to increase fines for illegally hosting for-profit by-the-hour parties at private homes and pools.

Howard County Council Chair Liz Walsh discusses her reasons for running for county executive, at her home. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Liz Walsh is 3rd Democrat to enter race for Howard County executive

July 21, 2025 at 3:03 p.m.

Howard County Council Chair Liz Walsh will run for county executive in 2026 to replace Calvin Ball, she announced Monday.

Annette Fleishell speaks in January in opposition of a solar project during public comments. The Maryland Public Service Commission held an in-person public hearing on a proposal from Spring Valley Solar 1, LLC to build a 2.25-megawatt solar farm on 14 acres of an 80-acre property at 1500 Fannie Dorsey Road in Sykesville. Residents were given the opportunity to comment. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Why Carroll landowners find economics of fighting solar farms difficult

July 18, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Annette Fleishell lives on a 50-acre farm on Fannie Dorsey Road, the 2-mile strip that's home to two proposed solar projects, one of which is directly across from her house....

Officials and community partners break ground on two major affordable housing projects in Howard County: Legacy at Cedar Lane I and II, which will expand senior housing in Columbia, and The Vision at Parkway, which will replace a 41-unit building with 82 new elevator-served apartment homes. (Nia Meyers/Staff)

205 more affordable homes coming to Columbia

July 16, 2025 at 3:55 p.m.

Howard County officials broke ground this week on two projects in Columbia that will bring 205 affordable homes to the region.

Howard County Sheriff Marcus Harris is running for his third term in office. (Meaghan McKelvey/Courtesy)

Howard County Sheriff Marcus Harris eyes third term, reflects on career

July 16, 2025 at 2:39 p.m.

Howard County Sheriff Marcus Harris has filed to run for reelection because he doesn't think his work in the county is finished.

Signs alert motorists against street parking on historic Main Street after officials shut down street and lot parking in flood-prone areas following a flash flood watch, forecast for the Ellicott City area. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Heavy rainfall brings 3rd closure to Historic Ellicott City’s streets

July 14, 2025 at 6:08 p.m.

With a potential 4-6 inches of rain forecast, Howard County is taking precaution in Historic Ellicott City, urging "an abundance of caution."

Lime Kiln Community Solar Project in Fulton. Looking South-west from Lime Kiln Road. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Howard County solar project unveiled, brings thousands of panels

July 11, 2025 at 9:41 a.m.

The Lime Kiln project, developed by Chaberton Energy and owned by Pivot Energy, has built more than 5,000 solar panels across 13 acres. The panels were officially turned on in...

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