The Howard County School Board approved a design for additions to Centennial Lane Elementary School in Ellicott City that will increase the capacity of the school by 125 students.

The additions will add five classrooms, enlarge the cafeteria and add an art room, music room and physical education classrooms.

The project is expected to be complete in August 2008.

About $5 million for the additions is budgeted for the fiscal 2008 capital budget.

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Howard parks, rec Web site awarded for good design

Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks has been recognized for having a well-designed and easy-to-navigate Web site.

The Learning Resources Network, an international association promoting lifelong learning, awarded the site because its pages featured programs considered “leading edge” in the field of lifelong learning.

The pages, which were chosen from among more than 100 entries from four counties, are part of the government’s Web site.

— Sara Michael

ACLU files motion in political-sign case

Free-speech activists Tuesday asked a judge to expedite on ruling on their request to overturn a Baltimore County law limiting the timespan of political signs on private lawns.

Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland filed a motion for summary judgment in their lawsuit challenging a law limiting the display of candidate-authorized campaign signs on private property to 45 days before a primary election.

Eight county residents including several defeated Republican political candidates, filed the suit in February. Enforcement of the law has been put on hold while the case is in court.

ACLU officials said a nearly identical county law was ruled unconstitutional in 1998.

County attorneys have previously said they stand behind the bill, which was sponsored by Democratic Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, who represents the county’s second district.

Kamenetz said the signs can be eyesores and traffic hazards and called the bill an extension of other regulations on candidates — like campaign finance rules.

—Jaime Malarkey

Carroll budget open for comment

Carroll residents are welcome to comment on and question the commissioners’ proposed fiscal 2008 operating and capital budgets.

The budget will be released at a 10 a.m. news conference Thursday in the County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster.

Director of Management and Budget Ted Zaleski will hold three community meetings at 7 p.m. Monday in the Mount Airy Senior Center and April 26 in the County Office Building.

A public hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 2 at Carroll Community College on Washington Road.

Commissioners will adopt their final budget May 22.

— Kelsey Volkmann

Class helps singles pick partners

The Marriage Resource Center of Carroll County is welcoming people to register for the nationally acclaimed P.I.C.K. a Partner class, a premarriage education course for singles. The deadline is April 25.

The five-part class will teach the areas to explore in a prospective partner, the influences of family background and bonding dynamics.

The class will be held from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. May 1, 10, 15, 22 and 29 at the Non-Profit Center of Carroll County.

The cost is $35 and includes materials. To register, call 410-876-8740.

– Therese Umerlik

Nominations sought for environment award

The deadline for nominations has been extended to Friday for the 2007 Tawes Award for a Clean Environment, which recognizes programs for outstanding efforts to enhance Maryland’s environment.

The award, named in honor of the late J. Millard Tawes, former governor and first secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, is co-sponsored by the state Department of the Environment and Maryland Petroleum Council.

The award recognizes any individual, nonprofit, civic and community organization.

Winners will be honored in May.

For more information, call 410-269-1850 or 410-537-3003.

— Sara Michael