The Howard County Department of Public Works will spend the next eight years replacing radio transmitters on residential water meters.

The transmitters compute water bills by sending data to electronic readers used by utility workers.

Batteries on current residential transmitters last for 10 years. The new transmitters will have a 20-year life span.

The county's oldest devices will be replaced first.

"The nice part about this is we don't have to turn the water off," said Jeff Mozal, operations manager for the Howard County Bureau of Utilities.

Residents with water meters inside their homes will be contacted by the Bureau of Utilities to arrange for property access.

For more information about the replacement program visit www.howardcountymd.gov/DPW/u_meters.htm or call 410-313-4900.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

Cell phones available to low-income families

A Florida company is using federal subsidies to offer free cell phone service to low-income Maryland residents, including those in Howard County.

TracFone Wireless announced last week that 8,762 Howard County residents, and a total of 378,000 Maryland residents, qualify for a free cell phone and up to 68 minutes of service a month.

Jose Fuentes, director of government relations for TracFone, said the company receives $10-per-month subsidies from the federal government for each cell phone. TracFone provides the cell phones for free in the hopes that once the owners are on their feet financially, they will use the company's paid service, Fuentes said.

TracFone is taking advantage of the Universal Service Program started under President Reagan, which extended land-line phone service to low-income rural areas, Fuentes said. The program was enhanced in 1996 under President Bill Clinton, paving the way for wireless service, Fuentes said. TracFone has currently extended service to 20 states.

To apply for service, residents must receive food stamps, Medicaid, energy assistance or some other kind of government aid.

Potential clients can either call 1-800-safelink or go to www.safelink.com to apply.

-- Mike Santa Rita

Teen injured in hit-and-run; police looking for driver

Howard County police are offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest in a non-fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred shortly after midnight Nov. 22 in Columbia.

Devon James Carter, 16, of Columbia, was walking with two friends in the 9300 block of Farewell Road when the driver of a Honda heading in the same direction crossed the double yellow line and struck him from behind, police said.

Carter suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his head, body and legs. He was taken by ambulance to The University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, police said.

The Honda made a U-turn to return to the scene, and then turned around again and fled, police said.

The car is a red, two-door Honda Civic or Accord with dark-tinted windows. It is believed to have damage to the bumper, hood and windshield. The vehicle's tag may include the characters "A0Z," police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-313-3200. Callers may remain anonymous.

-- Mike Santa Rita

Parking free for holiday shoppers in Ellicott City

Parking in downtown Ellicott City will be free for holiday shoppers during the next two weekends.

Beginning Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, drivers will not have to pay to park through Sunday, Nov. 29.

Parking will also be free Dec. 4-6 as a part of the city's annual Midnight Madness event.

Midnight Madness includes special dining and shopping promotions on Friday and a parade at noon Saturday.

Non-perishable foods and monetary donations for the local food bank will be accepted at the Fire House Museum and historic district businesses.

For more information about Midnight Madness, go to www.ellicottcity.net/events/.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

Howard General Hospital lifts visitation ban

Officials at Howard County General Hospital this week lifted a ban that kept all non-patient children younger than 16 from visiting.

Issued in late October, the ban was designed to curb the spread of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.

The measure also restricted visitors to immediate family members and allowed Intensive Care Unit patients only two visitors at a time.

Hospital spokeswoman Sharon Sopp said there has been a decrease in emergency room visits by people with flu-like symptoms.

"Because of the decrease in the community and the decrease in the cases here, it just made sense," Sopp said. "We always intended it to be temporary."

Visitors are still encouraged to use hand sanitizer or soap and water before and after patient contact.

People with colds or fever should not visit the hospital.

-- Sarah Breitenbach

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