Home Care In Nottingham, MD

BEL AIR, MD—Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly has appointed former board member Terri Kocher to fill a sudden vacancy on the Harford County Board of Education, following a week of significant leadership changes within the school system.

The appointment, announced Monday, comes in response to the resignation of Board President Dr. Aaron Poynton. Poynton stepped down last week, citing the heavy time commitments of a new professional role as a chief executive officer. His departure followed closely after the board voted to place Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson on administrative leave pending an independent investigation into a reported theft involving school property during a 2024 conference.

In selecting Kocher, County Executive Cassilly emphasized the need for continuity and proven experience. Kocher previously served as an at-large member of the board, having been appointed by Cassilly in 2023. A retired U.S. Army civilian with a 30-year career at the Pentagon and Aberdeen Proving Ground, she has already undergone the county’s vetting and confirmation process.

Cassilly described Kocher as a leader with firsthand knowledge of the current challenges facing Harford County Public Schools. He noted that her willingness to return to the volunteer role demonstrates a deep commitment to the county’s students and educators during what he characterized as uneasy times for the district.

The vacancy created by Poynton’s exit left the board short-handed at a critical juncture. With the superintendent currently on leave and an acting superintendent, Dr. Dyann Mack, leading the daily operations, Cassilly is urging the Harford County Council to act quickly to confirm Kocher’s appointment.

If the Council approves the nomination, Kocher will serve the remainder of Poynton’s term. The administration underscored that having a full complement of board members is essential for the school system to maintain stability and focus on its core mission of student achievement.

The Board of Education is scheduled to hold a business meeting on Monday night to address ongoing district matters.

BALTIMORE, MD—Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks have announced that the McGinnis family of Baltimore County will be the 2025 inductees into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. The family, whose agricultural roots in the region date back to the 19th century, will be the 58th inductee into the prestigious hall.

The official induction ceremony will take place during the 56th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel. This event is organized by the Maryland Agriculture Council and typically draws nearly 900 attendees, including state and national legislators and industry leaders.

The McGinnis family’s history in the area began in 1881 when the descendants of Samuel McGuinness moved to what is now Baltimore County. Over the generations, the family has been involved in dairy, poultry, and crop production. In 1968, Wayne McGinnis took over full-time operations, eventually transitioning the farm from traditional dairy to a successful Angus cow-calf operation.

The family’s dedication to the industry is further evidenced by the next generation, as Wayne’s children—Anne, Jay, and Brett—all pursued agricultural degrees and remain active in the farm’s success. Governor Moore praised the family, stating they embody the spirit of Maryland agriculture and have made significant contributions to the state’s economy and natural resource preservation.

The Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame was established in 1991 by former Governor William Donald Schaefer. It honors agricultural leaders who show a steadfast commitment to the sector and their local communities. Nominations for the award are submitted through local University of Maryland Extension offices.

In addition to the Hall of Fame induction, the February event will feature:

Tickets for the Taste of Maryland Agriculture are available at different price points based on the date of purchase. Through January 10, tickets are $100 per person. The price increases to $130 after January 10 and to $150 after February 1. Reservations can be made through the Maryland Agriculture Council website.

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Lawmakers from across the Mid-Atlantic are set to convene in Maryland’s capital this Friday to address what they describe as a mounting energy crisis threatening the regional power grid.

The Maryland Freedom Caucus announced it will host the second installment of its multi-state hearing series, titled Powering the Mid-Atlantic: Restoring Energy Affordability and Reliability, on January 16. The event follows an initial October 2025 hearing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and brings together legislators from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.

The discussion centers on the PJM Interconnection, the massive power grid that serves 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. According to caucus leadership, state-level mandates and the forced closure of traditional power plants are creating a dangerous imbalance between shrinking energy supply and rising demand.

Delegate Brian Chisholm, a founding member of the Maryland Freedom Caucus, criticized current legislative trends as being untethered from physical and economic realities. He noted that the region is demanding more electricity while simultaneously dismantling the infrastructure required to produce it.

The collaborative nature of the hearings reflects the interconnected reality of the modern electrical grid. Because the PJM operates as a single market, energy policy decisions made in one state often result in higher costs or decreased reliability for ratepayers in neighboring states.

Maryland Freedom Caucus Chair, Delegate Matt Morgan, emphasized that bad energy policy does not stop at state lines. He argued that when one state blocks new generation or forces existing plants to shutter, every customer within the PJM network pays the price.

The scheduled hearing will feature testimony from grid operators and policy experts. Key topics on the agenda include:

Vice Chair Kathy Szeliga stated that the objective of the hearing is to shift the conversation toward a course correction, moving away from what she described as fantasy-based policy in favor of market-driven solutions.

Organizers stressed that the goal of the multi-state series is to establish a factual record regarding the consequences of current energy mandates. The hearing is scheduled to take place in the Maryland House of Delegates Office Building from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A press conference featuring the participating legislators and expert panelists will follow immediately after the session.

Additional details can be found in the flyer below.

BEL AIR, MD—Drivers traveling through Harford County should prepare for significant shifts in traffic patterns starting next week as the Maryland Transportation Authority continues its billion-dollar effort to modernize the I-95 corridor.

Beginning the week of January 19, weather permitting, a new traffic configuration will be implemented on southbound I-95 at the MD 24 interchange (Exit 77). The MDTA announced that southbound lanes will be split by barrier walls just south of the interchange. Under this new pattern, one lane will be diverted to the left while three lanes remain to the right. This split is expected to remain in place through the fall of 2026.

The temporary adjustment is necessary to allow construction crews to proceed with the reconstruction of the bridge over Winters Run, a key component of the broader I-95/MD 24 interchange overhaul.

Safety remains a primary concern for officials during this phase of the project. The work zone speed limit on southbound I-95 will be reduced to 55 mph. To ensure compliance, the MDTA will utilize Automated Speed Enforcement. Drivers caught exceeding the limit face fines ranging from $60 to $1,000. Flashing lights will also be activated within the zone to alert motorists when workers are physically present behind the barriers.

Changes are also coming to MD 24 itself. On the southbound side of the highway at the on-ramp to southbound I-95, the two left lanes will continue straight on MD 24, while the two right lanes will transition to the exit ramp. The on-ramp will then narrow to a single lane before merging onto I-95.

These updates are part of the MDTA’s $1.1 billion I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL) Northbound Extension Program. While the primary goal is to extend the toll lanes between MD 43 and north of MD 24, the program also includes the replacement of bridges over 50 years old and the installation of new noise walls for neighboring communities.

Transportation officials are urging motorists to slow down, stay alert, and consider traveling during off-peak hours to avoid potential delays. For more information or to receive project updates via email, residents can visit the MDTA website.

WHITE MARSH, MD—Richardson Farms has announced that passing of Barbara May Richardson.

The White Marsh establishment posted the following to Facebook on Sunday:

Our dearest family, friends, employees, customers and community,

On January 4, 2026, our family said a final goodbye to the woman that made it all possible–Barbara Richardson. She now joins her husband Bill and son Donald to look after our family.

We appreciate all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers which are being sent and that we have already received.

Obituary:

Barbara May Richardson

Barbara (née Meyers) Richardson peacefully passed away on January 4, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late William W. Richardson and the devoted daughter of the late Martin and Lillian (née Arminger) Meyers.

Barbara was a loving mother to Marty, John, Diane, Leslie, Wesley and the late Don, and a cherished grandmother to Marty, Mandy, Christopher, Leanna, Jamie, Nancy, Kerrie, Emily, Brian, Nick, Dylan, Sophia, Collin, Henry and Kayla. She is also lovingly remembered by her many great-grandchildren, her sisters, Shirley Chilcoat and Phyllis Tremper, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family who held her close in their hearts.

Her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

Funeral services and interment will be held privately.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Barbara’s memory to:

Cowenton United Methodist Church 10838 Red Lion Road White Marsh, MD 21162 or White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company 10331 Philadelphia Road White Marsh, MD 21162.

The family is deeply grateful for the prayers, love, and support that have surrounded them during this difficult time.

Memorial contributions may be made online here or here.