Jess Nocera
Howard County reporter
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
Family of autistic Columbia man killed by police sues Howard County
A lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court against Howard County and three police officers in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex LaMorie, a Columbia resident with autism.
James Rouse thought of nearly everything for Columbia, except death
When the planned community of Columbia was designed, it included everything people needed to live, but not to die.
Howard County schools earn top marks in Maryland’s latest school ratings
For the third consecutive year, the Howard County Public School System earned the highest average star rating in the Baltimore region on the Maryland School Report Card.
Some Howard County students are learning how to garden year-round
Harper's Choice Middle School is one of seven Howard County public schools that has a Gardyn Hydroponic System to teach students about growing their own food.
Just how nonpartisan is the Howard County Board of Education’s election?
Partisan politics have crept into school board elections before. Here's how they factor into this race.
Howard High School cancels JV football season following locker room incident
Howard High School officials announced Wednesday that the junior varsity football season has been canceled in response to a locker room incident among players.
Video shows Howard High JV football locker room incident that led to charges
Cellphone footage captured in a Howard High School locker room sheds light on what unfolded that resulted in the program being suspended.
A promising young singer-songwriter, this Columbia native is teasing her next project
A Q&A with singer-songwriter Lyn Lapid about her journey with songwriting, growing up in Howard County and what’s next.
Bozzuto is relocating its headquarters from Greenbelt to Howard County early next year
Bozzuto, a real estate development company, is relocating from Greenbelt to Maple Lawn, a mixed-use community in Fulton in early 2027.
Following undisclosed incident, Howard High School suspends its JV football program
Following a Sept. 25 incident, the Howard High School junior varsity football program has been suspended. Seven players were charged with second-degree assault.
Ousted Columbia Association board members denied reinstatement for second time
A Howard County Circuit Court judge ruled against the three ousted members of the Columbia Association’s board of directors who are seeking to be reinstated on the board.
Neighbors resist western Howard County development, citing well water concerns
Some western Howard County residents are pushing back on a proposed housing development they say could hurt their neighborhood’s reliance on well water. A developer has proposed building an age-restricted 26-home community on a rural Triadelphia Road parcel.
Driver in Ellicott City fatal collision identified as Elkridge teenager
Howard County Police have identified an 18-year-old Elkridge resident as the victim of a fatal single-vehicle collision that occurred in Ellicott City on Friday.
Nearly 200 years later, Tom Thumb locomotive returns to Old Ellicott City
A replica of the first U.S.-built steam locomotive, nicknamed Tom Thumb, is on display at the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum.
A Howard County school bus went the wrong way. Students intervened.
A Howard County school bus went off route Tuesday, crossing into Carroll County before police stopped it. Maryland State Police said the driver may have had a medical emergency.
Tech woes limited ER services at three Johns Hopkins hospitals over two days
Three hospitals within the Johns Hopkins Health System were under “Code Black” status on Monday, Sept. 7.
Baltimore County crash that left 11 injured remains under investigation
Maryland State Police troopers responded to a crash between a passenger van and a tractor trailer on I-695 in Baltimore County on Sunday morning.
Gambrills man faces manslaughter charge after altercation in Howard County leaves man dead
Howard County police charged an Anne Arundel County man with manslaughter on Wednesday, nearly a week after he was arrested on assault charges.
Columbia Association has no timeline to fill 3 seats of ousted board members
It’s been nearly five months since the Columbia Association’s board of directors ousted three of its members. Those seats remain unfilled, and there’s no timeline for filling them.
Howard County schools can’t keep up with bathroom vandalism. Their solution? Lock them.
Howard County Public Schools cannot keep up the pace with students who are vandalizing bathrooms. Their quick fix is locking up bathrooms throughout the school day.
