Around Maryland

Vaccinations are available locally and are extremely important during the evolving season of respiratory illnesses currently in Washington County, and county health officials are urging residents to take advantage of them. “Vaccination rates against flu, COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are all low, which alongside ongoing increases of respiratory illness activity globally is the perfect storm for more severe disease in our community,” Health Officer Earl Stoner of the Washington County Health Department said in a news release.

Anne Arundel County’s two newest schools officially have names. The new high school will be named Severn Run High School and the new elementary school will be named Two Rivers Elementary School. Both are set to open this fall. At its first meeting of the new year, the Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt Superintendent Mark Bedell’s name recommendations.

Hundreds in and around the D.C. Metro area have reported feeling the effects of a small earthquake between Gaithersburg and Rockville, Maryland, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Here’s what you need to know. Preliminary information reviewed by the agency placed the earthquake at a magnitude of 2.3, with more than 200 individuals reporting feeling a rumbling or loud noise.

Paisley Parsons is 10 years into his medical gender-affirming transition, and a majority of that time he’s spent looking for a good team of doctors in Maryland. Parsons, from near Hagerstown, had limited access to nearby care when starting his transition. Driving to Philadelphia, the District of Columbia or Baltimore were the best options to receive what he needed. “It took me probably six or seven years to find a team of doctors that I felt like was up to par, but prior to that, finding someone educated and competent was few and far between,” said Parsons.

Your application for college or a mortgage loan. Whether you’re correctly diagnosed in the doctor’s office, make it onto the short list for a job interview or get a shot at parole. That bias can enter into these often life-altering decisions is nothing new. But today, with artificial intelligence assisting everyone from college admission directors to parole boards, a group of researchers at Morgan State University says the potential for racial, gender and other discrimination is amplified by magnitudes.

Constitution Park recently received several upgrades, and more plans are set for the near future. The mayor and City Council at Tuesday’s meeting accepted a maximum $378,336.82 bid from Global Action Sports Solutions of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for a contract to design and construct multi-use mountain bike and pedestrian trails in the park. The concept plan includes 73.7 acres of proposed development space, is budgeted for this fiscal year, and will use city and Community Development Block Grant funds.

The Franciscan Center, a nonprofit ministry, Tuesday announced a gift of a $20,000 grant from the Johns Hopkins Health Plans’ Corporate Giving Program to fund staff salaries and purchase healthy ingredients, including proteins for its culinary services.The Franciscan Center offers a continuum of care that includes food, clothing, emergency health services, counseling and technology training to help clients become as self-sufficient as possible.

More than 900 people braved the chilly ocean waters off 91st Street this week to raise funds for Atlantic General Hospital. On New Year’s Day, 910 participants – sporting costumes and bathing suits – took a plunge into the Atlantic Ocean for the 30th Annual Penguin Swim. This year, the hospital reported a gross fundraising total of roughly $109,000. “It’s incredible what the community does to support this event,” said Ryan Kirby, Penguin Swim co-chair.

The installation of new smart water meters is now underway in Berlin. On Tuesday, smart water meter installation began in the Decatur Farms area. From there, crews will move on through the rest of town until all homes’ water meters have been replaced with smart meters. Crews will be doing installation during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Residents are advised they may notice a temporary disruption to water service as meters are being replaced. The process at each home only takes about 15 to 30 minutes, however.