Around Maryland

Frederick County officials worry that Congress could claw back funds from the county’s $50 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation that have not yet been committed to a local organization. Frederick County is scheduled to receive its second $25 million federal allocation in May. If the County Council votes Tuesday to formally accept the funds, the county can continue to promise funding for local projects and lower the amount of money that Congress could potentially rescind, county officials said.

Nearly 11 years ago, Qi Shi was shocked when a male student asked her if she was good at math. Shi, who is Chinese, was then a school counselor at Maya Angelou Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. Some Chinese are, but some aren’t, she responded. The experience, and her research about immigrants and English as a Second Language students led to her work today in the diversity field.

An attorney for Maryland’s Administrative Office of the Courts on Monday defended its refusal to disclose the alphanumeric key used to identify District Court judges in the public Judiciary Case Search database, telling the state’s top court the key was not a “policy” statement required to be released under Maryland state law.

Health providers across Maryland have joined a federal initiative to expand COVID-19 testing and treatment access to residents. At Maryland pharmacies and health partners participating in the Test to Treat initiative, people are able to get a rapid COVID-19 test and — if they test positive — can get the appropriate treatment or prescription filled all at one location According to the Maryland Department of Health, more than 50 healthcare providers are participating in the initiative in the state.

The beach bonfire program in Ocean City has become wildly successful, but the cost of a permit could be increasing. During a budget work session on Monday, Ocean City Fire Marshal Josh Bunting presented revenue projections for the beach bonfire permit program, which began in the 1970s and has steadily gained popularity over the years. From a low of just 68 beach bonfire permits in 2010, the number grew to 251 in 2016.

The Baltimore Department of Public Works on Friday said it had been working with the Maryland Environmental Service for months to correct issues at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, and that it wasn’t given enough time before the state took over operations at the facility.Maryland  Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles on Sunday directed the Maryland Environmental Service to take over operations in response to pollution and other compliance issues at the wastewater treatment plant, the largest of its kind in the state.