Government

Independent coverage of Westminster's Mayor and Common Council, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, planning and zoning, and local elections.

Carroll County commissioners extend data center deferral to February 2028

Board votes 5-0 after hearing where two residents called for longer ban

Nov 7, 2026

Other recent government news

Unofficial results: Carroll commissioner, school board, sheriff and legislative vote totals

Nov 4, 2026

State Cites Low Manhole, Weather and Contractor Conflicts for Latest Route 27 Trail Delay

Oct 2, 2026

Taller buildings, four-story hotels and more stores could be coming to Westminster's business parks

Sep 28, 2026

More government news

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Carroll County wants residents' ideas for next parks plan at upcoming sessions in Eldersburg, Hampstead

What residents say at the Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 meetings helps set the county's priorities for trails, ballfields and open space for the next five years.

Sep 22, 2026

Carroll County wants residents' ideas for next parks plan at upcoming sessions in Eldersburg, Hampstead

Community Media Center, League of Women Voters to Host Forums for Every Contested Race in Carroll County

Forums begin Sept. 16 and run through Oct. 13, covering the Board of Education, three Commissioner seats, two Delegate districts, State Senate and Sheriff

Sep 11, 2026

Community Media Center, League of Women Voters to Host Forums for Every Contested Race in Carroll County

State highway crews to repave MD 27 through downtown Westminster starting Sunday

Work runs overnight, Sunday through Thursday, on the mile between Tuc Road and Bond Street, with completion expected by mid-October

Aug 28, 2026

State highway crews to repave MD 27 through downtown Westminster starting Sunday

Westminster council honors former Mayor Ken Yowan with formal resolution

Yowan, who died Aug. 10 at 84, served as Westminster's mayor from 1994 to 2001; council members who worked alongside him recalled his push for civility at City Hall.

Aug 26, 2026

Westminster council honors former Mayor Ken Yowan with formal resolution

First public hearing on Village Square development project set for Aug. 20

A staff report prepared for Thursday's hearing lists 10 items for the developer to address, including water, parking and a plan to relocate 32 households currently on the property.

Aug 17, 2026

First public hearing on Village Square development project set for Aug. 20

Risk assessment recommended fixes, not an end to CCPS's Outdoor School overnights

Westminster Wire obtained the report through a Maryland Public Information Act request to Carroll County Public Schools. CCPS has said there were additional inputs behind the decision.

Aug 6, 2026

Risk assessment recommended fixes, not an end to CCPS's Outdoor School overnights

Westminster takes first step toward annexing land for county sheriff's new headquarters

The Mayor and Common Council introduced a resolution to bring about 4.3 acres along Greenwood Avenue into the city limits, clearing the way for water and sewer service

Aug 6, 2026

Westminster takes first step toward annexing land for county sheriff's new headquarters

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City of Westminster launches app for reporting potholes, requesting pickups, and more

Residents can now submit and track city service requests from their phone through a new app called MyWestminsterMD

Aug 5, 2026

City of Westminster launches app for reporting potholes, requesting pickups, and more

Westminster P&Z approves 404 Malcolm Drive project design; Goddard School signed as first tenant

Project needs final sign-offs before the developer can break ground, which it hopes to do within 30 days

Jul 21, 2026

Westminster P&Z approves 404 Malcolm Drive project design; Goddard School signed as first tenant

Carroll school board hears pre-K, America 250 reports as Outdoor School dominates public comment

Nine speakers pressed the board on Outdoor School, transparency and spending at the July 15 meeting, which also featured early-learning data and a rundown of the district's 250th-anniversary lessons

Jul 16, 2026

Carroll school board hears pre-K, America 250 reports as Outdoor School dominates public comment

Westminster police launch two-week e-bike and scooter enforcement push downtown, with a focus on education

Council celebrates strong downtown event weekend, welcomes new K9 team, and awards road-striping contract at the July 13 meeting

Jul 15, 2026

Westminster police launch two-week e-bike and scooter enforcement push downtown, with a focus on education

Chick-fil-A pulls out of planned Route 140 location, Westminster council president says

The developer still fully intends to move forward with a restaurant on the site — and Chick-fil-A could return to the fold

Jul 10, 2026

SpaceX cleared to add two small structures at its Westminster plant

The county approved permits for a pair of 500-square-foot industrial buildings at the manufacturing site the company acquired this year

Jul 4, 2026

SpaceX cleared to add two small structures at its Westminster plant

Carroll County commissioners approve public hearing on Old Baltimore Road closure tied to Market Street Extended

Residents fear more trips through their neighborhood once new Chick-fil-A opens; commissioners to set hearing date with 30 days' notice required

Jun 30, 2026

Carroll County commissioners approve public hearing on Old Baltimore Road closure tied to Market Street Extended

Two weeks later, many CCPS Outdoor School questions remain unanswered

Other organizations are sleeping overnight at Hashawha, the board has information it won't share, and CCPS hasn't explained why the board's vote moved so fast

Jun 26, 2026

Two weeks later, many CCPS Outdoor School questions remain unanswered

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