The Laurel Independent

05/14/2026

Register of wills election matters for bereaved families

Among the races to be decided in the Prince George’s County election primary June 23, the county register of wills election is one of the least noticed. Yet this year’s race does matter, according to two lawyers who regularly deal with that office. Zachary Worshtil, who practices law in Upper Marlboro, said that in the past two years the office has been slow in processing wills of deceased county residents, creating unnecessary stress on grieving families and making the work of trust and estates lawyers more difficult....

Among the races to be decided in the Prince George’s County election primary June 23, the county register of wills election is one of the least noticed. Yet this year’s race does matter, according to two lawyers who regularly deal with that office. Zachary Worshtil, who practices law in Upper Ma...

05/14/2026

BREAKING GROUND AFTER DECADES 🚧

The long-discussed project officially broke ground Thursday, marking a major milestone for one of the largest planned developments in Prince George’s County.

The 1,400-acre mixed-use community near I-95 and the ICC is expected to include housing, shopping, dining, offices, parks, trails and new jobs over the coming years.

🎥 Prince George’s County Council member Tom Dernoga talks about how long the project took to become reality — and why today’s groundbreaking matters.

05/13/2026

Laurel-trained horse has its eye on the prize at the Preakness Stakes

A Laurel-trained horse and its jockey will take aim at one of horse racing’s biggest prizes at this year’s Preakness Stakes — on a track they know well. The 151st running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes will be held Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park, drawing national attention as the race relocates from its longtime home at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, which is undergoing renovations....

A Laurel-trained horse and its jockey will take aim at one of horse racing’s biggest prizes at this year’s Preakness Stakes — on a track they know well. The 151st running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes will be held Saturday, May 16, at Laurel Park, drawing national attention as the race re...

05/12/2026

Laurel restaurant temporarily closed after shooting, stabbing incidents

The City of Laurel has temporarily closed Amigos Mexican Grill after separate shooting and stabbing incidents near the restaurant left five people injured during a Cinco de Mayo celebration last week. Amigos Mexican Grill had its use and occupancy permit suspended by the city’s Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services effective May 8 after a sprawling Cinco de Mayo party on May 5 spiraled into a…...

The City of Laurel has temporarily closed Amigos Mexican Grill after separate shooting and stabbing incidents near the restaurant left five people injured during a Cinco de Mayo celebration last week. Amigos Mexican Grill had its use and occupancy permit suspended by the city’s Department of the F...

05/11/2026

***UPDATE*** The City of Laurel says Amigos Mexican Grill has been ordered closed for up to 30 days following a review of the restaurant’s Cinco de Mayo event that ended in separate shooting and stabbing incidents that injured five people.

City officials said preliminary findings included:
▪️ Misrepresentation of the event’s security plan
▪️ Misrepresentation involving the Prince George’s County liquor board
▪️ Misrepresentation of the intended use of the space

The restaurant’s use and occupancy permit was suspended effective Friday, May 8, according to the city.

“The safety of our residents, visitors, and businesses remains our highest priority,” Mayor Keith Sydnor said in a statement.

Police previously said three people were shot and two others were stabbed following the May 5 celebration at the Centre at Laurel shopping center.

05/11/2026

🚨 TONIGHT: The Laurel City Council could move to restore full funding for The Laurel Independent.

Thanks to community advocacy, councilmembers are expected to discuss a proposal during tonight’s 5 p.m. budget work session that could restore funding for local news in Laurel.

🗣️ Public comments will take place during the 6 p.m. virtual City Council meeting.

If you support local news in Laurel, now is the time to speak up.

⏰ To speak tonight, sign up by 2 p.m.
📧 Email: [email protected]

Include:
• Your full name
• Physical address
• Email address

The Clerk’s Office will then send Zoom information to participate.

🏘️ The Laurel Independent reaches thousands of Laurel-area residents every month through its print newspaper, website, newsletters and social media.

Community support is making a difference. Let’s keep the momentum going.

05/11/2026

Why every garden needs wild strawberries

Each year, I marvel at the curious lack of wild strawberries in our community. They will grow most anywhere, repel weeds, and feed people and wildlife alike. Moreover, few plants are easier for neighbors to share with each other. Even so, few of my neighbors, or even fellow gardeners, seem to know about this wondrous plant. For Maryland Native Plant Month, I invite you to explore the wild strawberry with me and see if it might have a place in your garden....

Each year, I marvel at the curious lack of wild strawberries in our community. They will grow most anywhere, repel weeds, and feed people and wildlife alike. Moreover, few plants are easier for neighbors to share with each other. Even so, few of my neighbors, or even fellow gardeners, seem to know a...

05/10/2026

Amigos Mexican Grill in Laurel has been shut down after the restaurant’s use and occupancy permit was suspended following two violent incidents during a Cinco de Mayo celebration earlier this week.

Five people were injured Tuesday night near the restaurant at the Centre at Laurel shopping center after separate shooting and stabbing incidents broke out following large gatherings in the area. Laurel police said three people were shot and two others were stabbed.

Police have since identified suspects connected to the incidents and continue to investigate.

📍 Centre at Laurel shopping center

05/08/2026

Residents press Maryland comptroller on rising energy costs, affordability

Prince George’s County residents sought answers from Maryland’s comptroller on affordability and rising energy costs during a meeting Thursday evening at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center. Comptroller Brooke Lierman took questions from roughly 50 residents who attended the District 1 Community Conversation event hosted by Prince George’s County Council member Tom Dernoga (Dist.1). The event focused on updating residents on the legislative impacts on the state level and the comptroller's…...

Prince George’s County residents sought answers from Maryland’s comptroller on affordability and rising energy costs during a meeting Thursday evening at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center. Comptroller Brooke Lierman took questions from roughly 50 residents who attended the District 1 ...

05/07/2026

Youth basketball league keeps winning on and off the court

On any given Saturday morning during the winter, you can walk into a community center in the City of Laurel and see gyms filled with young athletes playing basketball. It’s a familiar sight across the city — kids learning the game, building confidence and competing in a structured, positive environment. Behind the three-pointers and jump shots stands Winning In Sports and Education…...

On any given Saturday morning during the winter, you can walk into a community center in the City of Laurel and see gyms filled with young athletes playing basketball. It’s a familiar sight across the city — kids learning the game, building confidence and competing in a structured, positive envi...

05/06/2026

Police identify suspects in Laurel stabbing, shooting incidents

Police have identified suspects in separate stabbing and shooting incidents at a shopping center in Laurel that left five people wounded. The Laurel Police Department has charged Shon Juan Cook Jr., 26, of Howard County, in connection with the stabbing of two people during an incident Tuesday night near Amigos Mexican Grill at the Centre at Laurel. Law enforcement charged Cook Jr., who has not been arrested, with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and related charges....

Police have identified suspects in separate stabbing and shooting incidents at a shopping center in Laurel that left five people wounded. The Laurel Police Department has charged Shon Juan Cook Jr., 26, of Howard County, in connection with the stabbing of two people during an incident Tuesday night....