With temperatures expected to reach the high 90s on Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Heat Advisory for the greater Washington, DC area. The NWS expects the heat index to approach 107 degrees. The heat index is a measure of what the temperature feels like on the body when combining humidity and air temperature. The Maryland City at Russett Library, located at 3500 Russett Common, Russett, MD 20724, will serve as one of several cooling centers accessible to area residents. Additional cooling centers can be found at: Odenton Library, 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113 West County Police Station, 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton, MD 21113 Library locations will remain open until 9 PM on Thursday while the police station will remain open for 24 hours. As a reminder, please don't forget to take care of the fur babies too!

Several cases reported in the area. Report from WJLA, ABCNews 7.

The National Chapter & Greater Chesapeake Region of the Red Cross has issued a call for volunteers. Interested parties can sign up for on-call shifts to help respond to local disasters, ensuring those affected get the needed help. All trainings are free. Help your neighbors in their time of greatest need. Learn more by visiting: https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html

Dozens of new laws will go into effect today in Maryland including ones providing tax cuts for veterans and cash to local police departments for the purchase of body-worn cameras. However, the most significant new law to start in the state on Saturday may involve the use of recreational marijuana. The Maryland General Assembly passed the "Cannabis Reform Act" for "adult use" in April (HB556/SB516​) and Governor Wes Moore signed the new law on May 3, 2023. The new law also formally established the Maryland Cannabis Administration, previously known as the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. In preparation for the new law, the Maryland Cannabis Administration has prepared a toolkit to encourage the "responsible use" of marijuana. The toolkit includes information about the known health impact of marijuana use on pregnancies, purchase and possession of cannabis products, smoke-free spaces (parks, schools, streets/sidewalks), and legal reminders about driving under the influence of marijuana. In Maryland, the public use of recreational marijuana is limited to those who are 21 years old or older.

Laurel toddler was fatally injured last week A two-year-old toddler was accidentally struck and killed by a family member Monday night in Odenton, MD. Police say that the driver, operating a Ford truck, was unaware of the toddler who "stepped off the porch" in front of the moving vehicle. The victim was transported to an area hospital but was later pronounced deceased. The Odenton accident is the second one involving a toddler in a week. A 23-month-old toddler was accidentally struck and killed last Wednesday, June 14, after wandering in front of a Nissan Pathfinder at Speedy Tires in Laurel, MD. The driver in this accident was also not aware of the toddler according to the police report. Both accidents are currently under investigation by the Traffic Safety Division of Anne Arundel County Police.

Wishing all the great dads out there an awesome day!

The Savage Mill Bluegrass Festival returns for a third time celebrating local Bluegrass artists and culinary. The festival will take place this Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 12PM to 4PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.savagemill.com .

A 23-month-old toddler was fatally injured Wednesday evening at Speedy Tires in Laurel, MD. According to the police report, a vehicle dropped off two passengers at a local business. After a conversation between one of the passengers and the driver ended, the passenger walked to the rear of the vehicle. "At that same time, a 23-month-old male emerged from a carport area and walked within inches of the front of the Pathfinder while it remained stopped. The driver started to move forward, not seeing the child, and the child was struck." The child was airlifted to an area hospital but was later pronounced deceased. Police report that there is no relation between the driver of the vehicle and the toddler. The Traffic Safety Division of Anne Arundel County is investigating the accident.