MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

U.S. and Montgomery County Based Pharmacy and Pharmacist Reach a Consent Decree Over Allegations of Illegally Dispensed Controlled Substances

Published May 31, 2023 at 1:06PM

United States Alleges that the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Ignored Red Flags Indicating Prescriptions Were Not Legitimate, Including Filling Controlled Substances Prescriptions for Over 300 Patients that Traveled More than 180 Miles to the Pharmacy

Per the Office of the U.S. Attorney, District of Maryland: – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte approved the United States’ consent decree with Abtin Youssefi-Rashti, a Montgomery County based pharmacist, and Upton Care Pharmacy, Inc. (“Upton Care”), resolving the United States’ civil allegations that Youssefi-Rashti and Upton Care violated the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) in illegally dispensing controlled substances. Under the consent decree, in addition to paying a $100,000 civil monetary penalty, Youssefi-Rashti agrees to surrender his pharmacist’s license to the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and not to reapply for three years. Additionally, Upton Care agreed to voluntarily surrender its DEA registration to dispense controlled substances for cause.

Montgomery Planning

Montgomery County Planning Board and Planning Department Announce June 2023 Calendar of Events

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 9:25AM | Updated May 31, 2023 at 10:15AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board and Montgomery County Planning Department, both part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), have announced their June 2023 calendar of events and meetings. Residents can participate in Planning Board meetings by testifying in-person, testifying virtually, over the phone, and by watching the meetings on the Planning Board’s live stream. Community members may also testify by sending in written comments to the Planning Board. Information about submitting written testimony and testifying in front of the Planning Board can be found below. Contact us for accessibility accommodations.

For more details, review the list of events below and visit www.montgomeryplanning.org. These events are subject to change. To sign up to testify at Planning Board meetings, please go to the sign up to testify page and view individual agendas. Agendas are usually made public 10 days prior to the start of a meeting. Consult the Development Review Committee (DRC) and Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) websites for their agenda information.

Maryland

Federal Funds of Up To $1 Million Per Project Available for Outdoor Recreation Space in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 7:32AM

Maryland Department of the Natural Resources is now accepting preliminary applications for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. Through this program, local governments with qualifying projects are able to request $50,000 to $1 million to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and create connections between people and the outdoors.

The department is accepting applications through July 31, 2023. Upon receipt, the Department of Natural Resources will review preliminary applications and invite the highest scoring applicants to create a final application package to be submitted to the National Park Service.

Maryland

Encouraging Results from the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey According to MD Dept of Natural Resources

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 7:23AM

The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), estimates 323 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2023, an increase from last year’s low of 227 million crabs.

The number of spawning age female crabs increased from 97 million crabs in 2022 to 152 million crabs in 2023, a substantial increase and well above the management threshold of 72.5 million crabs. Additionally, adult male crabs increased from 28 million crabs in 2022 to 55 million crabs in 2023.

Maryland

Maryland’s First of Three License-Free Fishing Days is on June 3

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 7:18AM

Memorial Day weekend is a time to celebrate with family gatherings and also to reflect on those who gave all to protect the freedoms we enjoy. Fishing offers the time to do both – and this weekend is a perfect opportunity to take your youngsters out and collect some memories and smiles.

Maryland will host the first of three license-free fishing days June 3. During a free fishing day, a person may catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland for recreational purposes without an angler’s license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the Department of Natural Resources. All other fishing laws and regulations will apply on those days. Maryland’s free fishing days are the first two Saturdays in June and on the Fourth of July. Normally a license is required to Fish in Maryland but there are a few exceptions to this requirement:

Maryland

Local Chefs Have Until June 2 to Submit Recipes for Gov. Moore’s ‘Buy Local’ Cookout

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 7:13AM | Updated June 1, 2023 at 9:34AM

Governor Wes Moore is inviting chefs to feature local Maryland ingredients in original recipe submissions for the annual Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, to be held at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s headquarters in Annapolis on July 20. The cookout promotes the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week, during which all Marylanders are encouraged to eat at least one local product each day of the week.

“Maryland’s farmers, watermen, and chefs produce an incredible bounty that is second to none,” said Governor Moore. “I invite chefs from across the state to submit their most creative recipes using fresh, local ingredients as I invite all Marylanders to help strengthen the state’s economy and buy local.” Recipes must be submitted by June 2 and must include 50% of Maryland-sourced products with a focus on partnering with at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer. Chefs are encouraged to submit recipes that showcase ways the average Maryland family can prepare delicious, nutritious meals with locally produced food at home.

Maryland

Maryland Permanently Preserves Twenty-Four Working Farms (3,715 Acres)

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 7:08AM | Updated June 1, 2023 at 2:27PM

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved 24 new Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation easements during their meeting today. The easements will permanently preserve 3,715 acres of prime farmland in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Charles, Harford, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot and Worcester counties for an investment of more than $17 million.

“Maryland has one of the strongest agricultural land preservation programs in the country. Each farmer that sells an easement to the state helps to keep farming a viable and profitable Maryland industry,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “Working together, we can protect the resources necessary for a strong agricultural economy and sustain our agricultural heritage.”

Maryland

“True Blue” Initiative Identifies Restaurants Using Maryland Crabmeat

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 7:01AM

Memorial Day weekend marks a great time to enjoy Maryland blue crabs and crab meat. To guarantee you are purchasing fresh local crabs and crab meat, the Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages you to check the container’s label to confirm that crab meat being purchased was caught in Maryland. While dining out, ask the restaurant server if the crabs being served are from Maryland or look for the True Blue logo on the menu.

“Here in Maryland, our delicious Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are second to none,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “To support Maryland’s watermen, please check that the crabs and crab meat that you are purchasing are indeed Maryland crab. And remember to pair with more local produce like Maryland sweet corn, tomatoes, lettuce, and asparagus!”

Maryland

MD Attorney General Brown Sues 3M, Dupont, and Other Chemical Manufacturers for PFAS Contamination of Maryland’s Waters and Other Natural Resources

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 6:55AM

“Protecting the health and well-being of Marylanders and the environment in which we live and raise our families is one of my top priorities,” said Attorney General Brown. “Access to safe drinking water, a clean environment, and the precious natural resources of Maryland will not be jeopardized by those who put profits above public health and safety. These corporations must pay to clean up the damage and be held accountable for the harms they have caused.” Exposure to PFAS in humans and animals has been linked to several diseases, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and low birth weight, and may also impair the immune system, including the immune response to vaccines. PFAS pose a serious threat to human health, as they are not just present in drinking water, but can also be ingested, inhaled, and even absorbed through the skin. PFAS are estimated to be detectable in the blood stream of 99 percent of the U.S. population.

Rockville

Rockville to Celebrate “Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week” June 3-11

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2023 at 5:37AM

Per The City of Rockville: Rockville is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Actions we take in our own backyards can have a significant impact on the health, habitat and wildlife of local waterways, and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. Help Rockville celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, from Saturday, June 3-Sunday, June 11, by sharing, with friends and family, these actions to help protect local water resources, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay:

Reduce pesticide and fertilizer use. Or better yet, don’t fertilize at all if it isn’t necessary! Never fertilize or use pesticides if rain is forecast within 24 hours. Fertilizers and pesticides can end up in streams and harm aquatic life — and most synthetic pesticides are prohibited in Rockville. Learn more and find organic lawn care tips at www.rockvillemd.gov/pesticideban.

Takoma Park

Chief DeVaul Announces Takoma Park Police Officers and Civilians of the Year for 2021 and 2022

By MCS Staff

Published May 30, 2023 at 5:37PM

Per Takoma Park Police: Private First Class Manny Gaitan was selected Officer of the Year 2021 and Private First Class Pandelis Hinaris was selected Officer of the Year 2022 because of their dedication to duty and significant accomplishments and contributions throughout those years.

Their work and actions contributed significantly to the department’s visions and goals through their extraordinary efforts in the accomplishment of extremely difficult police work requiring skills and intelligence. They demonstrated outstanding performance by showing initiative, perseverance and dedication to duty in highly credible police work.