MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Free Design Consultations Offered by MoCo Department of Permitting Services

Published March 17, 2023 at 6:44PM

Per Montgomery County: Spring and summer are some of the busiest months of the year at Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services (DPS) as many homeowners apply for permits and schedule inspections for their home renovations and other projects. The department generally issues and processes about 40,000 permits each year, and DPS is eager to help ensure that your project is a success.

If planning to renovate a bathroom, remodel a kitchen, finish a basement, add a deck, install a fence, build a swimming pool or some other construction project, you should know that DPS offers free design consultations for residential (and commercial) projects. A one-hour online appointment provides the opportunity to discuss a construction project with code officials before the project’s final construction documents are submitted. The meetings will provide information you need to know about the process so that you can plan accordingly. Customers are encouraged to include their design professionals (architect, contractor, designer, etc.) at the meetings.

Events

Local Authors to Present ‘Writing and Publishing a Memoir’ Free Program at Olney Library on Sunday, March 26

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 6:39PM

Per Montgomery County: Olney Writer’s Group authors and members Kaitlyn Jain and Amy Chan Zhou will present a free program open to all residents on “Writing and Publishing a Memoir” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, at the Olney branch of Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). Each recently published their memoirs and will have advice and tips for anyone who has been considering writing a memoir of their own. The Olney Library is located at 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. in Olney. Advance registration is not required to attend, but seating is limited.

Ms. Jain and Ms. Zhou will describe the genesis of their writing projects, how they stayed motivated, their participation in and support from the Writer’s Group and the steps taken to successfully publish their works. A question-and-answer session will be part of the workshop. Light refreshments will follow. Ms. Jain is the author of Passports and Pacifiers: Traveling the World, One Tantrum at a Time(2021), which was published by Boston BELS Publishing. Ms. Zhou wrote Flowing with the Pearl River (2022), which was published by Santa Monica Press. Both memoirs can be found on Olney Library’s local author shelf and in MCPL’s catalog.

Crime

Arrest Warrant Out For Suspect Accused Of Sexual Assault With A Knife After Meeting Victim on Dating App

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 6:33PM

On March 15, 2023 at approximately 3:00 P.M. Takoma Park Officers responded to the 7700 block of Maple Avenue in Takoma Park, for the report of a “cutting.” According to Takoma Park Police, officers found the female victim with lacerations to her leg. The victim also reported to the on-scene officers that a sexual assault occurred. The victim met the suspect using an online dating app. The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived and the victim was transported by Montgomery County Fire Rescue to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

A suspect was identified and an arrest warrant with multiple charges related to the sexual assault and assault was issued for the suspect. The suspect was not named and a description for the known suspect was not provided by Takoma Park Police. “This incident occurred in Ward 5. Anyone with additional information can contact the Takoma Park Police Criminal Investigations Division at 301-270-1100.” Featured photo of the 7700 block of Maple Ave in Takoma Park courtesy of Google Maps.

MoCo Government

Press Release: County Executive Elrich Releases Recommended $6.8 Billion Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget That Includes 10-Cent Increase in Property Tax Rate Exclusively to Fully Fund MCPS Request  

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 6:10PM | Updated March 19, 2023 at 7:15AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week released his recommended Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Operating Budget of $6.8 billion, which is an increase of 7.7 percent from the FY23 approved all funds budget (County Government plus outside agencies). The recommended FY24 budget reflects record level and significant investments for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College, affordable housing, economic development, public safety and efforts to combat climate change. To access the entire recommended FY24 budget, click here.

The County Charter requires the County Executive to present a recommended budget by March 15 of each year. The recommended budget will be reviewed by the County Council over the next two months. The Council will adopt the new County budget in late May. The new budget will go into effect on July 1. “While the Federal funding to assist residents who have been impacted by the pandemic has reached its end, the need for services and assist remain great,” said County Executive Elrich. “County expenditures are higher because we choose to continue funding programs that support residents who need help stabilizing their lives while also facing the realities of the highly competitive labor market and tremendous inflation. This budget is about choosing to maintain services and the social safety net that we created during the pandemic, while also providing record funding for education, affordable housing, combatting climate change and public safety.”

Bethesda

Lauren Hobart, President and CEO of DICK’S Sporting Goods and Grant Reid, former President and CEO of Mars, Inc. Elected to Bethesda’s Marriott Board of Directors

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 2:19PM

The board of directors of Bethesda-based Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced the election of Lauren R. Hobart, President and Chief Executive Officer of DICK’S Sporting Goods, and Grant F. Reid, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Mars, Incorporated, as independent directors of the company, effective March 15, 2023. Both are expected to be included in the company’s slate of nominees for election at its upcoming 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

Education

Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces 2023 High School Poetry Contest Finalists

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 2:00PM

The Gaithersburg Book Festival has selected the finalists for its 5th annual poetry contest for high school students. More than 150 entries poured in from around the region from students who wrote poems on themes of diversity or inclusion.

The finalists, listed in alphabetical order with the school they attend, city in which they reside and grade, are:

East County

“What would you like to see where Sears was?” Councilmember Kristin Mink Asks the White Oak Community to Complete Survey

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 7:54AM

Friends of White Oak and Councilmember Kristin Mink are asking the White Oak community (and surrounding areas) what they would like to see in the location that was previously home to Sears in the White Oak Shopping Center. Sears closed its White Oak location in 2021.

“Friends of White Oak is working to increase commercial and residential development, existing infrastructure and opportunities can make the community a prime hub for business development and economic expansion. This survey aims to engage the community and gather input about what can be done with the Sears building in the White Oak Shopping Center. Please share among the community as feedback will help assist in the future of the remaining property.” The survey can be found here.

Beyond MoCo

Arrest Made in August 2022 Murder of Montgomery County Man

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 7:40AM

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in a homicide that occurred on Thursday, August 25, 2022, in the 800 block of 7^th Street, Northwest. The decedent was previously identified as 21-year-old Montgomery County resident Juwaan Henry, of Silver Spring.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department: At approximately 8:16 pm, members of the First District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, the members located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead.

Uncategorized

Renegade Monster Truck Show is Coming to Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 7:31AM

The Renegade Monster Truck Show is coming to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg on April 15th. The Renegade Monster Truck Tour features “90 minutes of pure adrenaline fueled excitement for all ages.” The event allows for people to come early and meet the competitors, and “get up close and personal with the Monster Trucks and even take a ride on a real Monster Truck all this and more at the pre show Fun Zone Track Party.” Additional information below, courtesy of Renegade Monster Trucks:

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Education

Montgomery College Scholarships Available to High School Graduates

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 7:21AM

Montgomery College (MC) is providing a $500 tuition scholarship to Montgomery County residents who are spring 2023 graduates from a Montgomery County high school and are taking at least six MC credit hours this fall. The $500 “Raptor Ready” Scholarship can only be applied to fall 2023 tuition and fees, and the application must be completed by Tuesday, Aug. 1. The first 1,500 eligible applicants will be considered, with others added to a waitlist. Additional information below, courtesy of Montgomery College:

Montgomery College offers a $500 tuition scholarship to help 2023 spring Montgomery County high school graduates jump into their academic program in fall 2023. The $500 scholarship will be applied to fall 2023 tuition and fees at Montgomery College. The program is for spring 2023 Montgomery County high school graduates who are Montgomery County residents who register for and attend at least 6 credit hours at Montgomery College in the fall 2023. The scholarship cannot be used for any other semester.

Events

MCPS Hosting Youth Climate Summit on April 22

By MCS Staff

Published March 17, 2023 at 7:16AM

MCPS will host the 2nd Annual Youth Climate Summit from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The event will take place at Tilden Middle School, which achieved a LEED Silver Certification in 2021 from the U.S. Green Building Council.

This student-led event is designed to educate MCPS high school students about climate change and equip them with the tools to create climate action projects to bring back to their communities. During the summit, students will talk with environmental mentors, collaborate with peer leaders and grow as environmental activists.