Events

Explore Black history in Montgomery County this weekend as part of Black History Month. Per Montgomery Parks: “Get ready for spring — plan your gardens and landscape with the advice of experts and register for the season’s exciting classes, camps, outings, and events.” Holiday Operating Hours/President’s Day weekend offers unique programs, additional Open Parkways hours, or family fun.

• Curate thoughtful and environmentally friendly gardens and landscapes with the advice from experts at GreenScapes Symposium, a live Zoom event on Friday, Feb. 17 at 9:30 am. This is your final chance to learn the latest advancements in landscape design strategies and how to employ them in private or public gardens.


Crime

Per Takoma Park Police Chief, Antonio DeVaul: We are very concerned about the increase in violent crime in Takoma Park. These violent incidents that have plagued our region are now impacting our City far too frequently. We are doing everything we can to address the increase in crime in Takoma Park. This includes increased patrols, both uniform, and plainclothes, as well as overtime details to put more officers in identified “hot spot” problem areas. We want to make sure criminals know that Takoma Park is not a “soft target.”

We ask that residents continue to act as our eyes and ears, “if you see something say something.” Community members can also leave anonymous tips on our 911 Tip Line,   Residents’ calls/tips have led to officers being able to make arrests for in-progress crimes and have also provided information that has helped us solve crimes.


Takoma Park

Per Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy: Effective February 13, 2023, City Manager Jamal Fox resigned from his position as the City Manager with the City of Takoma Park. Fox was hired in 2021 for a specific and critical time of transition for the City of Takoma Park. Fox stated, “it has been a privilege to work alongside the professional and dedicated staff, community members, Council, and Senior Leadership Team.”

The City Council thanks Mr. Fox for his service to the City and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. Acting Deputy City Managers Rosalind Grigsby and Greg Clark will continue to share the duties of Deputy City Manager until an Interim City Manager is announced.


MCPS

In a community message regarding safety and security in Montgomery County Public Schools, MCPS has addressed concerns regarding safety in bathrooms: “Safety measures for school restrooms are currently being examined with input from students, staff and parents. Our restrooms must be safe places for students and cannot be places where activities that violate our code of conduct, such as drug and tobacco use, occur.”

“Schools are making sure restrooms are checked regularly and monitored throughout the day so they can continue to be available for use as intended. Latches are being installed on exterior restroom doors in secondary schools to ensure doors remain open. During transition periods and more unstructured times, like before school, after school and lunch periods, schools may limit access to designated restrooms. Staff are increasing the frequency of their visual monitoring and checks inside restrooms throughout the school day, in between class periods and during lunch periods. These measures, along with additional support from the Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency, are being implemented to enhance the level of security students feel. Schools will continue to keep this as a priority.”


Education

The Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, the NAACP Parents’ Council and Identity, Inc. are hosting a virtual conversation with MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The event will take place via Zoom from 6:30–8 p.m.

The event will provide an opportunity for families to ask questions on topics, including how well students are doing in school; the anti-racist audit and equity, and student well-being. RSVP and ask a question here. Spanish interpretation will be available. Feb. 22 Virtual Conversation with Dr. McKnight.


Events

In partnership with Montgomery Goes Purple, MCPS is hosting a second Family Forum on Fentanyl from 9:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Northwood High School auditorium.

Panelists, including representatives from the county health department and the police department, will share information on the dangers and prevalence of illegally made fentanyl, prevention tools and protective factors for students, and resources for treatment. There will be Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose, breakout discussions for students and parents/caregivers (in English and Spanish) and a resource fair. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) will be available for tours to learn signs of substance use. Students can earn two Student Service Learning hours for attending.


Education

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 26th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals, groups and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County. Nominations will be accepted in the following categories:

“Individual Pioneer” award nominees are individuals who, although they may not be currently active, have made extraordinary contributions in the past. The nominee’s contributions must have had a profound effect on the school system over a sustained period of time. Nominations in other categories must be of individuals (including MCPS students), groups or organizations that have, within the past three years, provided service, support and commitment to public education as demonstrated by:


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for a crash on College Parkway, near Princeton Place in Rockville, at approximately 6am on Thursday morning. The collision caused the vehicle to overturn, trapping the driver inside. College Parkway is currently closed between Nelson Street and Princeton Place. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

HAPPENING NOW: A rollover has closed all lanes of College Parkway between Nelson Street and Princeton Place in Rockville, officials said.


Gaithersburg

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a collision with rollover that occurred shortly before 1:30pm on Midcounty Highway and Woodfield Rd in Gaithersburg on Wednesday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, a total of three people were trapped inside the two vehicles involved in the collision upon arrival onto the scene. All patients were extricated and were transported to the hospital after suffering non-life threatening injuries. The crash temporarily blocked multiple lanes, but has since been cleared.


MCPS

Congratulations to the following MCPS high schools that won recent athletics championships! The Sherwood boys’ wrestling team won the 4A North Regional Championship. The James Hubert Blake girls’ indoor track and field team are the 4A West regional champions. Swimming and diving division champs include:

And Northwood won the county championship in bocce for the first time in school history.


Education

When they are not playing basketball or performing at games, students from the Thomas S. Wootton High School Basketball team and the Poms Squad volunteer their time at Fallsmead Elementary School. Basketball coach Erick Graves started the Wootton Cares Reading and Mentoring program seven years ago to give his players a way to give back to their community. The poms squad also joined the effort this year.

“I think our guys get a lot out of it. They get to see, you know, the power of their presence, and how the power of a simple high five could change a kid’s day,” coach Graves said. The student-athletes visit the elementary school on Fridays after school about seven to eight times during the basketball season to tutor the students on reading and other subjects.


View More Stories