🌱 Blood Crisis + Baltimore County Reform Recommendations

Morning, neighbors! It's me again, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Catonsville Daily.

---

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and milder. High: 47 Low: 35.

---

Here are the top 3 stories in Catonsville today:

1. Amid the recent "blood crisis," the American Red Cross is calling for Catonsville residents to donate blood as soon as possible. Due to the Omicron COVID variant, Baltimore County is facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Potential donors can attend the upcoming Jan. 21 blood drive at the Catonsville Middle School starting at 2:00 p.m. (Catonsville Patch)
2. As COVID cases and hospitalizations rise in Maryland, local health departments are providing at-home rapid-test kits as well as opening testing clinics. Baltimore County switched to appointment-only testing but is also distributing 100,000 rapid at-home tests. Click to register for an appointment or to find a location for picking up an at-home test. (WBALTV)
3. The Baltimore County Procurement Reform Commission has issued its final report outlining its recommendations for improving County policies. The recommendations are intended to streamline and improve the County's procurement, purchasing, and contracting functions. (Press Release Desk)

---

From our sponsor:

Today's Catonsville Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at GoodRx — the best way to save money on your prescriptions. GoodRx helps you locate the lowest prices for medications at local pharmacies, so you're not overpaying. Works for pet medications too! To see how much you can save, go to GoodRx.com.

---

Today in Catonsville:

• Understanding Human Trafficking At The Baltimore County Public Library Virtual (9:00 AM)
• Catonsville Wednesday Farmers Market At The Christian Temple (10:00 AM)

---

From my notebook:

• The Baltimore County Fire Department has announced that a recent Reisterstown fire was intentionally set. (Facebook)
• The Baltimore County Arts Guild shared a painting and a heartfelt message from artist Elaine Weiner-Reed. (Instagram)
• The Baltimore County Public Library shared its Martin Luther King Jr. virtual book display. Click to find your next read. (Baltimore County Public Library)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (January 25)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Strong Aide (Details)
• Add your job listing

---

Loving the Catonsville Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

---

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.