Five Things To Know About Columbia, 8/22

1) Columbia Editor Andrew Metcalf is on vacation through Tuesday. Lisa Rossi (that’s me) is filling in and looking for help telling the stories behind what is happening in Columbia. You can get your voice heard by emailing me at lisa.rossi@patch.com, posting your thoughts to our Local Voices section by clicking here, or talking to us on Facebook or Twitter.

2) Howard County Patch editors spent the day yesterday telling the story behind the tragic train derailment that happened early Tuesday morning in Ellicott City. Editors Brandie Jefferson and Bruce Goldfarb had the , and all through Tuesday, we shared and of the wreckage, told the , the from the victims shortly before they died, and learned they were just about to occurred. Have a reaction to the story or how it’s been covered? Tell us. We want to hear from you. 

3) It’s the first day of school in Howard County Monday. Have a child going to kindergarten? Check out our story from last year about . It’s an ordinary experience most of us go through, but for some reason, this story made me tear up. Such a milestone! Have any back to school story ideas? Tell us in comments.

4) Remember the story about the woman accused of being responsible for dozens of ? She is in court this week. We will be bringing you updates. 

5) It’s supposed to be sunny with a high of 85 today. I could use a perfect day today, couldn’t you? If you eat lunch out on a patio somewhere in Columbia, let me know. I’m in search of good patio places in town and am looking for recommendations.