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Jess Nocera

Jess

Jess Nocera is a regional reporter covering Howard County. She previously worked for The Richmond-Times Dispatch, The Baltimore Sun and The Bristol Herald Courier. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a double major in multi-platform journalism and government & politics in May 2017. When not reporting, Jess enjoys practicing yoga, running and antique shopping. Jess lives with her boyfriend and their two adorable kitties.

The latest from Jess Nocera

Man charged with stealing designer shoes off women’s feet outside The Mall in Columbia
A Columbia man is charged with stealing two pairs of designer shoes off women’s feet outside The Mall in Columbia, according to Howard County Police.
Dec 12, 2025
The Mall in Columbia shopping mall on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
7 things to do in Howard County, from Frozen Fest to menorah lightings
Seven things to do in Howard County from Thursday, Dec. 11 through Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Dec 11, 2025
To celebrate Hanukkah this year, you can attend several menorah lightings throughout Howard County.
Library employees remain anxious as Howard County prepares to reopen Savage Branch
Howard County officials plan to reopen the Savage library branch, saying tests and inspections found no confirmed sources of carbon monoxide in the building after several employees reported exposure to the gas last month.
Dec 10, 2025
The Savage Branch Library in Howard County.
An aging Columbia village center moves one step closer to a makeover
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on Monday announced plans to revitalize the dilapidated Long Reach Village Center.
Dec 9, 2025
Howard County officials unveiled renderings of what the renovated Long Reach Village Center could look like during a Monday Dec. 8 news conference.
Howard County school board approves moving 146 Columbia students
The Howard County school board has voted to move 146 students to new elementary and middle schools for the 2026-27 academic year to relieve crowding at Bryant Woods Elementary.
Dec 4, 2025
School board member Jacky McCoy voted against two of the approved redistricting changes.
A farm that grows tea is tucked away in western Howard County
Heron’s Meadow Farm in western Howard County grows tea. The farm’s owners, husband and wife duo Lori and Bob Baker, say it’s the state’s only tea farm.
Dec 4, 2025
Lori Baker and her husband, Bob, co-own Heron’s Meadow Farm and a boutique called BLTeas in Woodbine.
Howard County Council advances plans for new Columbia lakefront library
The Howard County Council approved plans for a new library on Columbia's lakefront.
Dec 2, 2025
Howard County Library System President and CEO Tonya Aikens said the library administration's thoughts and prayers are with staff who may have been affected by carbon monoxide exposure at the Savage Branch location last week.
7 things to do in Howard County, from a holiday train garden to Merriweather’s Symphony of Lights
Seven things to do in Howard County from Wednesday Nov. 26 to Thursday Dec. 4.
Nov 26, 2025
The holiday train garden opens on Friday, Nov. 28 at The Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum.
Howard County library employees seek answers after branch closed amid carbon monoxide concerns
The Howard County Library Savage Branch location closed abruptly last week because of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Nov 26, 2025
The Savage Branch of the Howard County Library System.
Howard police take down alleged father-and-son firearms trafficking operation
Howard County police said a father and son face charges stemming from a months-long investigation into an alleged firearms trafficking operation.
Nov 24, 2025
Howard County police said a father and son face charges stemming from a months-long investigation into an alleged firearms trafficking operation.
Howard County school board set to move 146 Columbia students
The plan reassigns 122 Bryant Woods Elementary students to Longfellow, Running Brook and Swansfield elementary schools.
Nov 21, 2025
Board member Jacky McCoy was the sole dissenting vote in the decision.
Edward L. Cochran Jr., civil rights champion and Howard’s second county executive, dies at 96
Edward L. Cochran, the second county executive for Howard County, died at the age of 96 on Nov. 16, 2025.
Nov 20, 2025
Edward Cochran.
Howard County made a priority list for fixing schools. It’s not that simple.
The Board of Education deviated from the recommended schools on the priority list, postponing a long-awaited high school renovation.
Nov 20, 2025
Oakland Mills High School teachers, parents and students protest before school Wednesday over the HCPSS Board of Education’s cancellation of planned renovations to the school.
Howard County school board votes against redistricting Centennial Lane Elementary
The decision comes after months of advocacy from Centennial Lane families, who say their school doesn’t feel overcrowded.
Nov 14, 2025
Centennial Lane Elementary School
As Howard County school redistricting nears an end, families back a bare-minimum fix
No matter which option the Howard County school board selects, the specter of another round of redistricting haunts families.
Updated Nov 13, 2025
A person holds a sign in view of the cameras that reads “Please Don’t Overcrowd Swansfield” during a redistricting public hearing at the Howard County school board meeting in Ellicott City last month.
7 things to do in Howard County from bird watching to honoring Indigenous voices
Here's a look at seven things to do in Howard County from Thursday Nov. 13 through Wednesday Nov. 19.
Nov 13, 2025
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 — A Ruby-crowned kinglet forages for insects in a tree at RedGate Park, a former golf course in Rockville that is now a birding hotspot.
Howard Community College faculty escalate clash with president
The faculty forum of Howard Community College voted no confidence in college President Daria Willis’ leadership.
Nov 10, 2025
Dr. Daria J. Willis, president of Howard Community College since January 2022, is interviewed in her office on the campus.
Musician Billie Eilish donates $11,000 to Howard County Conservancy climate program
Musician Billie Eilish donates $11,000 to the Howard County Conservancy Youth Climate Institute.
Nov 5, 2025
Billie Eilish, shown performing in May at the Barclays Center in New York City, gave $11,000 to the Howard County Conservancy’s Youth Climate Institute.
Howard County schools earn highest average ratings in Central Maryland
Howard County Public Schools received high marks on the 2024-25 Maryland State Report Card.
Nov 4, 2025
The Howard County Public School System is one of the highest performing school systems in the state.
7 things to do in Howard County, from a monster mash to a Halloween costume party
Halloween is upon us! Here are seven things to do in Howard County from Thursday Oct. 30 to Wednesday Nov. 5.
Oct 30, 2025
This Halloween bring your little one to Howard County library branches for an indoor costume parade. Some branches include a not-so-scary story time before the parade.
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