Charlie Ban
County News Digital Editor & Senior Writer
About Charlie Ban
Charlie is the County News digital editor and senior writer. He previously covered Hanover, Goochland and Louisa counties in Virginia for the Herald-Progress; Westmoreland, Fairfax, Henrico and Chesterfield counties in Virginia for the Times-Dispatch; and Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland and Armstrong counties in Pennsylvania for the Valley News Dispatch. He has a B.A. from the University of Richmond, 2004.
Salute to county leaders: Calvin Ball
Calvin Ball’s appointment to the Howard County, Md. Council in 2006 launched a county government leadership career that will have lasted more than 20 years when he leaves office after two terms as the county’s first African American executive.
Reimbursement policy prolongs disaster recovery for counties
Counties that suffer major damage during natural disasters would benefit dramatically from a FEMA Act proposal to do away with reimbursement and instead offer counties recovery grants up front.
County craftsman celebrates the American flag
Blue Earth County, Minn. Commissioner Vance Stuehrenberg has refined his skills as a woodworker, designing commemorative American flag gifts for colleagues and organizations.
OMB proposes major change to federal grant administration
Counties have until July 13 offer comment on a wide-reaching regulation affecting federal grants to counties. A June 17 webinar will go into detail about the changes counties need to note as they budget for federal awards.
Holmes County, Miss.’s first strategic plan opens opportunities for industrial park
A $50,000 grant through NACo's Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility program helped a rural county start planning to grow.
Salute to County Leaders: Debbie Bell
Debbie Bell's trail to become Fremont County, Colo.'s first female commissioner started when she was 16 and suggested her father run for the commission, which prompted him to challenge her to do the same.