iCommunity Connection Services' (iCCS) annual Back to School Festival donated nearly 700 backpacks to local families this past Saturday. The annual event was sponsored by the Offices of School Board Member Gloria Dent , Delegate Mike Rogers , and Councilman Pete Smith . This is the fourth year for the event which also counted Coca-Cola Consolidated, Maryland Live, and the Anne Arundel County School District as its sponsors. Community leaders said it was important to sponsor the event to ensure that kids are ready for a healthy start to the new school year. Sarah McDermott with Sheriff Everett Sesker and Maryland Labor Deputy Commissioner John Dove "This is just a wonderful event that brings the communities of Odenton and Laurel together. Delegate Mike Rogers, Gloria, and Pete did such a great job including partners that could provide needed services like the health department and the county library. It really does make a difference for parents. I'm so happy to volunteer and participate, " said school board nominee and Air Force veteran Sarah McDermott . Judge Ginina Jackson-Stevenson also lauded the participation of the county's first responders and said that such participation is crucial to building trust in the community. "It really is great to see our families interacting with the police department and the sheriff's office. These are important ties that helps ensure that everyone gets off to a great start for the school year," said Jackson-Stevenson. (L to R) School Board Member Dana Schallheim, Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell, School Board Member Gloria Dent, Delegate Mike Rogers, Sheriff Everett Sesker Gloria Dent said that she worried about the weather for the event, but that she is happy that the event continues to be play such a vital role for local families. "It grows every year with great volunteers, the fraternities, sororities, and our partners like Coca-Cola. We continue to see more families every year which means that the word is getting out and that we're having an impact. I'm tired but very happy that this was so successful."

Appointed personally by Governor Wes Moore , Ginina Jackson-Stevenson is the only judge with over 20 years of experience to be endorsed by the Russett Reader . Jackson is also the only candidate to be endorsed by the Maryland State Bar Association. Select one only.

Former Maryland Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year Looks to Build on Seventh Place Finish in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Whittaker offered the following statement on her experience. "What a privilege it is to be dissatisfied with a 7th place Olympic finish...an outcome I didn't think was a mere possibility even a week ago. Forever grateful for such a magical first Olympic experience, one I will never forget. Gave it my all and at the end of the day that's all I can ask for. Hungry for much more but also celebrating all of the growth and wins of the past year, big and small." Whittaker added that she looks forward to get some rest after the whirlwind experience of the past few weeks.

Air Force Veteran and Central Committee Member Sarah McDermott convincingly won the District 4 School Board Primary over her rivals by over 30 points. McDermott faced two rivals for the District 4 seat to represent Russett, Fieldstone, Maryland City, Seven Oaks, Piney Orchard, Two rivers, Laurel Highlands, Odenton, Bacontown, and Watershed. McDermott dominated the Primary with 58% of the vote while rivals Stephanie Mutchler and Juan Carlos Villao took 25% and 17% of the vote respectively. McDermott won in every precinct in District 4 and hopes to complete the feat this November as the newly elected school board representative for District 4.

Congratulations to Meade's cheer squad on their first place finish in the Anne Arundel County Cheer Championship. Meade will compete in the State Regional Finals next week at Harford Community College.

"Because bringing a guy like Donald Trump home on a date is not an option! Sign up for Tuesday's national rally call at www.girldadsforkamalaharris.us

Hey Fieldstone, Maryland City, Watershed, Russett, Bacontown, and Laurel Highlands, the Maryland City @ Russett Libray offers the following resources for budget conscious consumers. Russett Reader - Save Dollars at Your Local Libary Learn a new language or review the latest safety concerns with the power of your library card. A partial list of free resources is listed below. The library is open to all Anne Arundel County residents. The address is 3501 Russett Common, Laurel, MD 20724

Early Voting takes place beginning Thursday, October 24, 2024 through Thursday, October 31, 2024. Voting will take place between 7AM to 8PM everyday during the voting period. Residents in Russett, Fieldstone, Watershed, Maryland City, Laurel Highlands, and Bacontown can choose from the following Early Voting locations: Odenton Library 1325 Annapolis Road Odenton, MD 21113 Severn Center 1160 Reece Road Severn, MD 21144.

FirstTeam, in partnership with Campus Life Military, is sponsoring a FREE college and internship huddle for parents and students attending Meade High School. The event will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 10AM to 2PM. This early college awareness event is intended to give parents key information about college admissions and scholarships. Invited partners for the event include: University of Maryland College Park Anne Arundel County Community College Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Loyola University Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Space is limited and parents are encouraged to register online asap at at www.First-Team.org .  The college and internship huddle will take place at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover, MD. Other key sponsors for this event include the Harvard Club of Maryland and Coca-Cola.

Make your donation today at www.first-team.org Mentoring initiative mobilizes veterans to help Meade High School students balance teamwork, discipline, and personal growth.

The Meade High School Men's basketball program rallied from a six point deficit with two minutes left on the clock to beat North County High school 62-60 for the district championship. Sophomore point guard Keon Scott led the Mustangs in scoring with 25 points while his teammate Ashton Turman added in an additional 14 points. The win by the Mustangs was their 18th consecutive win and they finish the regular season with a 20-3 record. Meade will open up the Regional Playoffs on March 4, 2025 against the 5-15 Crofton Cardinals.