July 2, 2026

Ready Report: Happy 250th Independence Day!

I hope you and your family enjoy the upcoming Independence Day weekend and celebration. We are so incredibly blessed to be Americans – God has truly “shed His grace” on this country. We have some serious challenges and things that we would all like to see better or changed – but that’s part of the greatness of America – we have the ability to reason and work together to keep making the future brighter for our children and grandchildren. As we celebrate this weekend, we can also pause to pray for God’s guidance and help as well as for our military and first responders who are working to keep us safe andfree. God bless America!

 

Addendum: Harney Fire Company and VFW are having Fireworks on July 4th at 9:00 other events from 6 to 10:00 at Harney Fire Company carnival grounds!

Carroll County Cooling Centers Open Due to Extreme Heat

Due to the anticipated high temperatures and excessive heat, Carroll County Department of Citizen Services and the Carroll County Public Library will activate cooling centers around the county.

Unless otherwise noted, residents who are vulnerable to extreme heat and do not have adequate shelter are encouraged to seek relief from the heat between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2, at the following locations:

  • Citizen Services Office Building, 10 Distillery Drive, Westminster (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
  • Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy
  • North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Hampstead
  • South Carroll Senior and Community Center, 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg
  • Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road, Taneytown
  • Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Ave., Westminster

Residents can also cool off at any branch of the Carroll County Public Library System during regular business hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, Thursday, July 2, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3.

  • Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg
  • Finksburg Branch, 2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg
  • Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Avenue, Mt. Airy
  • North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Hampstead
  • Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown
  • Westminster Branch, 50 East Main Street, Westminster

Additionally, the following community organizations will be operating cooling centers:

  • Human Services Programs of Carroll County’s Adult Only Shelter, located at 127 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD, 21157, will be operating as a cooling center Wednesday, July 1, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please call (410) 386-6679 for more information.

Access to air conditioning and water fountains will be available, if needed, at all of the cooling centers.

Traffic Alert – 4th of July Fireworks at Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster

The Carroll County Farm Museum will host the July 4th Celebration and fireworks on Saturday, July 4th, with a rain date of Sunday, July 5th. For more information about attending this great family event, click here.

In order to facilitate safe and orderly traffic flow to and from the event, the following roadways will be closed to all traffic beginning at 8:30 pm and will remain closed until all the traffic has cleared at the conclusion of the fireworks:

  • Center Street – From MD 140 to MD 32
  • Gist Road – From MD 32 to Kate Wagner Road
  • Kate Wagner Road – From MD 32 to MD 27
  • Hook Road – From MD 32 to the High School Entrance
  • Smith Avenue – From MD 32 to Gist Road

All traffic exiting the Farm Museum grounds will use Center Street from the Farm Museum to Maryland 140.  All traffic exiting the Agricultural Center will use Gist Road to Kate Wagner Road to MD 27 or MD 32/MD 97.

Access to the Carroll Hospital Emergency Room shall be made from the intersection of Gist Road and Maryland 32. Law Enforcement will be at this intersection to assist people needing access to the emergency room.

Carroll County Farm Museum Free for Military Personnel and their Family

Carroll County Government has announced that the Carroll County Farm Museum will join museums nationwide in the 2026 Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families this summer. The 2026 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.

It is an honor to represent you in the Maryland Senate. As always, feel free to reach out to my office anytime with questions or concerns. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for the most up-to-date information.

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