MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Look out for MCDOT’s Painted Snowplows (if it ever snows)

Published January 30, 2023 at 8:41AM

MCDOT held its first Paint the Plow Middle School Snowplow Naming Contest this past May, in honor of “Public Works Week.” There were 14 entries from local middle school students. If there’s plowable snow this winter, you may see the painted plows in action. The contest is free for schools and is a unique and fun way to introduce middle school students to some of the work done by MCDOT. The decorated plows are a part of MCDOT’s snow-clearing fleet and are used in neighborhoods the following winter.

The contest will run again this spring. Community members can visit MCDOT’s family-friendly “Truck Day” on Saturday, May 20 at the County Salt Barn, on Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg, to cast their vote on the most creative painted plow. Last year’s winners and all entries can be seen online here.

Arts

MCPS Students and Staff Invited to Participate in Poster Contest, Due April 3

By MCS Staff

Published January 30, 2023 at 7:55AM

All MCPS students and staff members are invited to participate in the Division of Sustainability and Compliance’s (DSC) 2023 Sustainability Poster Contest. The contest seeks to increase awareness and demonstrate the importance of environmental sustainability, energy conservation, waste reduction and responsible recycling.

All art must be the original work of a student or staff member and not contain any copyrighted elements. Posters should be no smaller than 8.5 inches by 11 inches and must not exceed 18 inches by 24 inches in size. Submit posters to DSC, 45 W. Gude Drive, Suite 4000 in Rockville, by Monday, April 3. For more information, send an email or call 240-314-1090. DSC Poster Contest Entry Form

Crime

Police Investigate First Degree Assault That Occurred Early Sunday Morning

By MCS Staff

Published January 29, 2023 at 2:52PM

On January 29, at approximately 4:06 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 block of Maple Avenue for an assault that had just occurred.

According to Takoma Park Police, units arrived to find a victim who had been assaulted by an unknown male subject who he described as a black male, approximately 5’7, last seen wearing all black clothing with a black cap. Officers canvassed the surrounding areas with negative results. The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Arts

Wootton’s Myles Frost to Present at This Year’s GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony

By MCS Staff

Published January 29, 2023 at 10:19AM

Myles Frost graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville in 2017. In December of 2021, he took over the role of Michael Jackson on Broadway’s MJ and this past summer won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Now, the GRAMMY Awards have announced that Myles will be included as one of the nominees who will also be presenting the first GRAMMY Awards of the day at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony– the pre-show a few hours prior to the GRAMMY Awards.

Frost is nominated for Best Musical Theater Album (MJ The Musical). Other current nominees who will also be presenting include Babyface, DOMi & JD BECK, Arturo O’Farrill, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and five-time GRAMMY winner and former Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Jimmy Jam. Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Tammy Hurt will provide opening remarks. Additional talent and co-host to be announced in the coming days.

Takoma Park

Community Message From Takoma Park Police Chief on the Death of Tyre Nichols

By MCS Staff

Published January 29, 2023 at 9:43AM

I am deeply disturbed by the actions of the five Memphis police officers in the murder of Tyre Nichols. Watching the video of the beating death of Mr. Nichols at the hands of Memphis police officers was extremely difficult and brought me to tears. The actions taken by the involved officers were merciless, heinous, and incredibly disturbing and went against the basic law enforcement principle of preserving life. The lack of compassion, abuse of power, and use of excessive force were inhumane and inexcusable. I am glad to see swift action was taken, and the five police officers involved in the murder of Tyre Nichols and the two firemen who failed to render proper medical care to Mr. Nichols have been fired. I am also glad to see the five police officers charged with murder and other criminal charges.

We can no longer sit back and allow these incidents to happen. Real change must happen. The fact that both Mr. Nichols and the five officers involved were African-American was not lost on me. As your police chief, I am acknowledging the role traditional police culture plays in many of these horrific incidents. The fact that the officers who murdered Mr. Nichols were assigned to a unit called the “Scorpions” speaks volumes about the mission of the unit and the mentality of the officers in the unit.

Montgomery Parks

Montgomery County Planning Board members donate $2,300 to the Marye Wells-Harley Dream Camp Scholarship

By MCS Staff

Published January 29, 2023 at 9:39AM

Montgomery Parks part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces a donation of $2,300 by Montgomery County Planning Board members to the Marye Wells-Harley Dream Camp Scholarship fund to help send kids to Montgomery Parks’ summer camps. The Marye Wells-Harley Dream Camp Scholarship is administered by the Montgomery Parks Foundation and provides summer camp scholarships for kids and teens (ages 3 – 18 years old), based on financial need.

“We appreciate the generosity of the Montgomery County Planning Board members and their help to send kids to camp,” said Katie Rictor, executive director of the Montgomery Parks Foundation. “Camp is a special place where kids come together to learn, discover, and explore while making new friends. What a great way for the commissioners to support the community. We encourage everyone to follow their lead.”

Boyds

Public Hearing Scheduled for an Amendment to the Master Plan of Historic Preservation for Two Sites on February 23

By MCS Staff

Published January 29, 2023 at 9:36AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board will consider the Edward U. Taylor School and Weller’s Dry Cleaning sites for historic designation at the Planning Board meeting on February 23, 2023. The public is invited to offer testimony during the public hearing either in person or virtually. At the meeting, the Planning Board will make a recommendation for or against designation which will be sent to the Montgomery County Council for their final decision. The last amendment to the Master Plan of Historic Preservation was the historic designation of the Potomac Overlook District in 2022. View the public hearing draft of the amendment.

“We are so pleased to bring two important Montgomery County sites to the Planning Board for their consideration for historic preservation,” said Montgomery County Planning Department Historic Preservation Office supervisor Rebeccah Ballo. “Historic preservation is an integral part of planning, economic development and what makes our community special.”

Montgomery Planning

Montgomery County Planning Board and Planning Department announce February 2023 Calendar of Events

By MCS Staff

Published January 29, 2023 at 9:28AM

The Montgomery County Planning Board and the Montgomery County Planning Department have announced their February 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 for 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.

Crime

Police Investigate Second Armed Robbery in Two Weeks at Same Food Truck

By MCS Staff

Published January 28, 2023 at 5:14PM

On January 27, at approximately 4:00 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6500 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Pupuseria Luisa food truck) for the report of a strong arm robbery that occurred earlier. This is the second armed robbery reported by the food truck in two weeks.

According to Takoma Park Police, at approximately 2:47 pm, two suspects entered the food truck through a side service window. After stealing property, the suspects exited through the rear hatch of the truck and fled on foot towards Ray Road. The suspects are described as (1) Hispanic male, unknown race, last seen wearing a black face mask, white hoodie and khaki pants; (2) Hispanic male, unknown race, last seen wearing a black face mask and all black clothing.

Rockville

Rockville’s Generosity Lights Up Holidays for Community

By MCS Staff

Published January 28, 2023 at 4:38PM

Rockville’s community warmth and holiday spirit were on display during the 2022 Holiday Drive, with 223 donors donating $40,829 in cash to families and people in need throughout November and December. This was the first year the Holiday Drive returned to food and toy donations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In-kind, or non-monetary, donations totaled $42,500. More than 700 hours were poured into supporting the drive by 300-plus volunteers. Hundreds of families were helped during the two-month campaign. In November, 616 families and seniors, a total of 2,119 people, were helped with the Holiday Drive’s distribution of food. Families and seniors in need were provided with $15 grocery store gift card, a box of nonperishable food, a bag of produce, a baguette and a pie, via an in-person drive-thru pickup at Elwood Smith Community Center or home delivery.

In December, 1,102 children from 441 families were served through the Holiday Drive Toy Shop. Each child aged up to 11 received toys and books, as well as a board game for the family. Each teenager aged 12-17 received a $25 Target gift card and books. To find out more about Rockville’s annual Holiday Drive and make tax-deductible donations year-round, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/holidaydrive.

Education

Video of Family Forum on Fentanyl & Life Saving Narcan Training (1/28/23)

By MCS Staff

Published January 28, 2023 at 1:01PM

Montgomery Goes Purple: Family Forum on Fentanyl & Life Saving Narcan Training – 1/28/23: Panelists shared important information for families on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl, prevention tools, and protective factors for students and resources for treatment when needed. This is a family discussion about what you need to know about this deadly drug, including Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) was also available for tours to learn signs of substance use. Video below: