Community news reporter

Marissa Yelenik

Marissa Yelenik is a community news reporter covering Carroll County. Marissa was hired as an intern in September and worked with the regional team covering Howard and Carroll counties. Previously, she reported on national news as an intern at U.S. News and World Report. Marissa graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology. Contact her at myelenik@baltsun.com.

Johansson’s Dining House owner David Johansson stands outside his restaurant. (Thomas Walker/Freelance)

Liquid Library, 1623 Brewing owners plan gastropub at former Westminster staple

August 17, 2026 at 4:41 p.m.

Details about the planned restaurant at 6 W. Main St. were discussed at a Carroll County Board of License Commissioners meeting last week.

Residents have contributed photos, letters and memorabilia to Mount Airy’s 2026 time capsule, which will be buried Aug. 29 and opened in 2076 as part of the town’s 300th anniversary celebration. (Town of Mount Airy/Courtesy)

Mount Airy is burying a time capsule for 50 years. Here’s how to contribute.

August 14, 2026 at 5:51 p.m.

Mount Airy is preparing a time capsule to preserve a snapshot of life in 2026, with residents, businesses and organizations invited to contribute items before it is sealed and opened...

Jon Weetman, from left, Hannah Brookfield, Jason Stambaugh, Tony Gerald, Mike McMullin, Torie, Paisley, Nick and Crew Hoddinott, Kim Fernandez and Angelica Carter celebrate the Hoddinotts' company Little Locals Town & Gym’s winning of the 15th Annual Carroll Biz Challenge at the Carroll Arts Center. (Thomas Walker/Freelance)

‘Testament to the community’: Little Locals Town & Gym wins 2026 Carroll Biz Challenge

August 14, 2026 at 3:17 p.m.

Little Locals was created by Nick and Torie Hoddinott as a space where children can play while adults work, relax or socialize.

The Board of Carroll County Commissioners approved the sale of five county-owned properties bought in the mid-1980s in anticipation of the Westminster Bypass, which has since been removed from the county's master plan. The five parcels of land are located between; Route 27, Manchester Road at left, Old Manchester Road at top-right, and Gahle Road at top-right. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Carroll County moves to sell land left over from long-abandoned Westminster Bypass

August 12, 2026 at 5:03 p.m.

The Westminster Bypass plan was abandoned in 2003. Officials say few, if any, properties remain tied to the project.

Deborah Effingham named interim Carroll County administrator

August 11, 2026 at 2:44 p.m.

Carroll County’s deputy administrator will fill in as interim county administrator while the county searches for a permanent replacement for Roberta Windham.

Pearl Intelligence Network co-founders Douglas Hood, CEO, left, and Steve Warrick, COO, meet at Roggenart Bakery in Hampstead. PIN is competing for $10,000 in the Carroll Biz Challenge and uses environmental data from federal, state and local sources to flag water-related concerns such as water quality risk, compliance costs and ecological sensitivity. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

2026 Carroll Biz Challenge: Pearl Intelligence aggregates environmental data

August 10, 2026 at 7:01 p.m.

Founder Douglas Hood's company aggregates public water data from more than 100 sources, offering real-time alerts and risk assessments for restoration and development projects.

Carson, left, and Tailor pose for bridal party photos after a "wedding" ceremony for the two cats by House of Misfits Rescue, bonding the two felines together to be available for adoption only as a pair. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Two injured cats found each other. On Saturday, they got married.

August 10, 2026 at 11:04 a.m.

Two rescue cats who became inseparable after being injured in separate vehicle strikes celebrated their bond with a wedding in Westminster.

Westminster is annexing land for county sheriff's new headquarters at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Manchester Avenue. Baltimore Boulevard, Route 140, at top right, Manchester Avenue at right, Greenwood Avenue center, and Historic Westminster Cemetery at lower left. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff)

Carroll sheriff’s $39M headquarters clears critical hurdle

August 7, 2026 at 3:33 p.m.

The 14 county-owned parcels near Greenwood and Manchester avenues still need a planning commission review and public hearing before annexation is final.

Surveyors with PSEG make their way onto farmland along Baugher Road to survey land for the proposed MPRP power lines in November. (Brian Krista/Staff)

Appeals court upholds survey access to private property for MPRP line

August 6, 2026 at 4:47 p.m.

A federal appeals court ruled PSEG can access more than 100 private properties for surveys related to the proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project.

One of seven proposed Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project route adjustments, this change shifts the right-of-way in the Westminster-New Windsor area of Carroll County. PSEG said the adjustment was made after a landowner requested the route move away from a planned truffle farm expansion. The prior proposed route appears in blue; the adjusted proposed route appears in green. (Courtesy SGS/PSEG MPRP)

7 MPRP power line route adjustments proposed by utility company

August 5, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

The changes affect properties already in the proposed right-of-way, shifting the corridor away from homes, a truffle farm and wetlands identified during field surveys.

All Stories