Things to Know in Columbia, 10/19

The Weather:

"Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 66. East wind between 10 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind 9 to 15 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible." — The National Weather Service

Reader comment:

"Thanks for running the article about Nora Scanlan. The memorial service, attended by close to 400 people, was a beautiful tribute to Nora." — Roselle Commins, longtime friend of Scanlan, who retired in 2002 after serving 30 years as a guidance counselor at Wilde Lake High School. The beloved counselor died Sept. 22.

Fiscally Sound County:

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced that the county has retained its Triple-A credit rating with all three major bond rating agencies — Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Services.

Howard County is one of fewer than 30 counties — of the nation's 3,000 — to receive the coveted pinnacle credit rating from all three agencies.

The county was cited for its strong financial management practices that are "well-embedded and likely sustainable," its maintenance of a sound reserve, and its affordable debt burden by the agencies.

County leaders have taken "proactive steps" to ensure the jurisdiction "stays on the right track," Ulman said in a statement.

Receiving the highest possible rating from all three agencies is always an achievement and never taken for granted, he said.

Headlines You May Have Missed Tuesday:

Crime Roundup: Break-Ins and Indecent Exposure in Columbia

Proposal: 1,220 Students Could Attend New Schools as Part of Redistricting

VIDEO: Speed Cameras Hit the Streets of Howard County

Happy Birthday, Columbia Patch

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