North Bethesda

WMATA has asked LCOR to do the following improvements on Parcel B in the grassy area between Harris Teeter and Rockville Pike. Per Amy Ginsburg of Friends of White Flint, the following has been requested:

In 28 months, when this project is completed, Parcel B will be used as a public green for events, such as outdoor fitness classes, outdoor concerts, and other fun community gatherings. Last December, Metro approved a name change for the metro station. It will be renamed “North Bethesda” Metro Station in the near future.


Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks has launched the Long Branch Parks Initiative a comprehensive look at the parks, trails, amenities, and recreational programs in the area. The initiative is aimed at identifying what needs to be improved or added so the parks can better serve the people living in the Long Branch Area. 

“We are taking a holistic approach in the Long Branch community to enhance the many parks in this area,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “By providing multiple ways for the community to provide input, we are hoping to engage a broad cross-section of residents so we can better understand how they use our parks and what kinds of improvements are most needed.”


Education

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County’s Board of Education approved a four-year contract that finalizes Monifa B. McKnight as superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools and will pay her an annual base salary of $320,000.  According to a report by the Washington Post, the contract will require McKnight, who currently resides in Prince George’s County, to relocate to Montgomery County “as soon as possible”, but no later than June 30, 2022, with the BOE paying up to $15,000 in relocation costs. McKnight and her family currently reside in Prince George’s County. McKnight will receive 30 days of paid annual leave and an additional 25 days for sick/personal leave, as well as a vehicle paid BOE. You can view the full contract here.

On Tuesday McKnight sent out a community message announcing a 3.35% cost of living adjustment and step wage increases for eligible MCPS employees.


Maryland

“Serving in law enforcement is one of the most dangerous jobs in our nation and we are thankful for all those who put their lives in harm’s way every day to protect us,” said Governor Hogan. “We will continue to honor the memories of those who have fallen in the line of duty and will continue to champion police officers every single day with record funding and support.”

Since 2015, the Hogan administration has directed more than $618 million in grants to support law enforcement. The funding has helped launch important programs like the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, which has disrupted and dismantled more than 1,400 criminal organizations. The administration also supports initiatives with community partners like Boys and Girls Clubs that build relationships between communities and police officers while providing healthy outlets for children and youth.


MoCo Government

“Addressing the economic impacts of the pandemic will take a sustained and intentional effort by governments at all levels,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want our most vulnerable families that have been negatively affected by COVID-19 to be able to stay in their homes, and this fourth phase of rental relief funds will help us do just that. Thank you to our state and federal partners who have helped our County in this collective work to keep our families whole.”

Funding for this fourth phase comes from U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance funds in direct allocations to the County and as a sub-grantee to the State of Maryland. $78 million in rental assistance has been distributed to approximately 10,500 Montgomery County households in the previous three phases of the program.


Olney

On April 6, Starbucks Workers United, on behalf of employees at the Starbucks location at 16806 Georgia Ave in Olney, sent a letter to Starbucks President Howard Schultz announcing their intention to unionize.  In the letter, workers at the Olney Starbucks say they have attempted on numerous occasions to communicate with management regarding their grievances but believe their concerns fell on deaf ears.

“Much like our neighboring stores, we have grown increasingly exhausted and stressed, not to mention faced with constant, inconsistently enforced changes. While as a team, we’ve been grateful for the opportunities given and the benefits provided with our employment. But these provisions, which should be bare minimum at any job, come at the cost of our physical and mental wellbeing, and money from our own paychecks. With labor cuts, COVID-19 restrictions and isolations, improper staffing, production shortage and outages, and facing the backlash from our customers- we are tired. Meanwhile Starbucks’ profits have been skyrocketing more than the pre-pandemic era.”


Silver Spring

On May 4, at approximately 8:15 a.m., 4th District Officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial burglary. The investigation by detectives determined that on May 2, an unknown suspect forcibly entered the church, rummaged through church property and then fled the scene. Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras and obtained a physical description of the suspect.

The suspect is described as a White male with dark hair. He is wearing a black t-shirt with a “P” over a skull design, blue jeans and black shoes. He is carrying a royal blue backpack or duffel bag.  Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to call the 4th District Investigative Section at 240-773- 5530 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers can remain anonymous.


MoCo

Pride in the Plaza will feature food, music, an LGBTQ+ focused resource and vendor fair, bilingual Drag Queen Story Hour, and the championship finale of Live in Your Truth Program’s Drag Duels series. The day will conclude with the second annual Pride in the Plaza Mini-Ball, a free voguing competition with cash prizes, starting at 5 p.m., in partnership with Capitol Ballroom Council. Local businesses that want to support Pride in the Plaza can visit PrideInThePlaza.com/partners-in-pride.

Pride in the Plaza will showcase a diverse cross-section of local nonprofit organizations, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, artists, and networks tabling to share information about their services for Montgomery County’s LGBTQ+ communities. HIV and other health screenings will be provided free of charge, in honor of National HIV Testing Day (June 27).


Silver Spring

Hancock is described as approximately 5-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 125 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. It is unknown what clothing he was last seen wearing Police and family are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of William Jamilton Pavon Hancock is asked to call the 3rd District Investigative Section at (240) 773- 6870 or the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line). Callers may remain anonymous.


Montgomery Village

There will be a food distribution event today, May 11, between 1-2:30pm at Watkins Mill Elementary School (19001 Watkins Mill Rd) in Montgomery Village.  Please remain in your vehicle while food is being delivered. For additional help accessing food in Montgomery County, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Rock Center has temporarily transformed into the Upcounty Consolidation Hub. The Hub provides essential food, baby, and household supplies to over 1,000 families disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic every week. Learn more at blackrockcenter.org 


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