Warming Centers Open In Carroll County

From the Carroll County Government: The National Weather Service is forecasting freezing temperatures and low wind chills for Carroll County from Thursday, December 28, 2017 through Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Due to the anticipated cold weather, Warming Centers will be available throughout Carroll County during this time period. Carroll County’s Department of Citizen Services will operate six warming centers around the County, and Carroll County Public Library branches will also be open and available to anyone in need of a warm place. All residents who are vulnerable to extreme cold and who do not have sufficient heat in their homes are encouraged to seek warmth in any of the following locations until the close of business:

Warming centers are open during regular business hours at County Senior Centers and the Department of Citizen Services.

• Citizen Services Office Building, 10 Distillery Drive, Westminster (8 AM - 5 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• Mount Airy Senior and Community Center, 703 Ridge Avenue, Mount Airy (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Hampstead (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• South Carroll Senior and Community Center, 5928 Mineral Hill Road, Eldersburg (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road, Taneytown (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon. - Fri)
• Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Ave., Westminster (8 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon. - Fri)

All branches of the Carroll County Public Library System will also be open as warming centers during regular business hours, Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:45 PM; Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 PM.
• Eldersburg Branch, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg (Closed 12/31 & 1/1)
• Finksburg Branch, 2265 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg (Closed 12/31 & 1/1)
• Mt. Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Avenue, Mt. Airy (Closed 12/31 & 1/1)
• North Carroll Branch, 2255 Hanover Pike, Hampstead (Closed 12/31 & 1/1)
• Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive, Taneytown (Closed 12/31 & 1/1)
• Westminster Branch, 50 East Main Street, Westminster ((Closed 12/31 & 1/1)

Carroll County Government facilities and all branches of the Carroll County Public Library will be closed on Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1. On these days, in cooperation with Human Services Programs of Carroll County, a warming center location will be open at the Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Avenue, Westminsterfrom 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Additional options for keeping warm are available during the day:

• On Our Own (410-751-6600) provides a community center at 265 East Main Street, Westminster. Hours vary and are available here.
• Stores, malls, restaurants
• Churches
• Neighbor's home

For after-hours cold shelter needs: Human Services Programs (HSP) of Carroll County, Inc. operates a Cold Weather Shelter at 127 Stoner Avenue, Westminster overnight from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AMduring the cold weather season. Information about the Cold Weather Shelter can be obtained by calling 410-857-8473. In times when overflow space is needed, HSP has partnered with the Westminster Rescue Mission to provide transportation to a limited number of alternative overnight accommodations.

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