Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Governor Wes Moore Announces Major Action to Rebuild State Government and Modernize Maryland Department of Information Technology Services and Operations

Published August 16, 2023 at 11:13AM

The Maryland Department of Information Technology provides vital technology solutions that allow the executive branch, state agencies and coordinating offices to provide Marylanders with the services that enable them to live and work more safely, efficiently, and productively. The department leads the state’s strategic direction for IT and telecommunications, encouraging cross-agency collaboration and advocating for best practices for operations and project management.

Under the leadership of Secretary Katie Savage, the department’s new key positions will help meet the state’s latest and evolving needs in the realms of IT, AI, cybersecurity, and accessibility:

Health

Maryland Department of Health Launches New Website Listing Vaccination Clinics

By Patrick Herron

Published August 16, 2023 at 10:15AM

Per the State of Maryland: The Maryland Department of Health has launched health.maryland.gov/vaccines, which lists vaccination clinics offered by local health departments statewide, including children’s back-to-school and COVID-19 clinics. The new site will also list flu vaccination clinics when available. Health officials urge parents to take advantage of these vaccination clinics or talk to their health care provider about staying up-to-date on their children’s routine vaccinations as the new school year approaches.

Maryland maintains specific vaccination requirements for participation in child care and public schools, and parents statewide have done a great job keeping their children protected with required vaccinations. In 2022-2023, Maryland reported vaccination rates of 98-99% of all students reporting. For more information about how Marylanders can protect themselves against preventable disease with vaccinations, visit health.maryland.gov/immunization.

Montgomery College

Montgomery College Seeks Board of Trustees Members

By Patrick Herron

Published August 16, 2023 at 10:12AM

Per Montgomery College: The Nominating Committee for the Montgomery College Board of Trustees (BOT) is accepting applications to serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2024. Montgomery College is a public, open-admissions community college, with campuses in Rockville, Germantown, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring and Workforce Development & Continuing Education centers throughout the county. The College serves nearly 60,000 students yearly and offers a broad range of academic and training programs and support services with state-of-the-art technology through its 130 degree and certificate programs.

The Board of Trustees, as the fiduciary institutional governance body, has the essential responsibilities and obligations to:

MoCo Government

Montgomery County to Hold Ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 31, Recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day and September as International Recovery Month

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 5:46PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County will host a remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil on Thursday, Aug. 31, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose and substance use. The event will commemorate “International Overdose Awareness Day,” a global event aimed at raising awareness of overdoses and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths. Across the U.S., overdose death rates continue to increase. More than 109,000 Americans lost their lives to overdose in 2022, an increase of approximately four percent and the second consecutive year of more than 100,000 overdose deaths.

The ceremony and vigil will be held at Memorial Plaza, located at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville (the terrace between the Montgomery County Executive Office Building and the County Circuit Court). There will be a memorial photo display on the plaza. Families and friends, with permission of the family, can submit a photo (only photos of the individual with no one else in the picture can be submitted) to be included in the display. For more information, including how to submit a photo, complete the online form.

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Nonprofits May Be Eligible for ‘Clean Water Montgomery Grants’ Awards Range from $40,000 to $100,000

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 5:36PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County nonprofit organizations including local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations, service and civic groups may be eligible for grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 via the “Clean Water Montgomery Grant” Program. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust) partner to administer the program, which is made possible through the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund and through Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) funding.

“Through this partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we are taking meaningful steps to protect our water quality and enhance our communities,“ said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “By supporting projects that address stormwater runoff and pollution, promote education and foster stewardship, we are empowering local organizations to play a crucial role in restoring and maintaining the health of our waterways.”

MoCo Government

Free Computers and Up to $45 Per Month Off Home or Mobile Internet Available for Low-Income Montgomery County Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 5:33PM

Per Montgomery County: A new school year is about to start, and for some low-income residents without computers or the ability to pay for home or mobile internet, Montgomery County is trying to provide help through its continued program of giving away free computers and subsidized internet service. The next distribution of free computers will be from noon-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Germantown American Job Center.

The Maryland Connected Device Chromebook laptop computers are funded by a $7 million grant from the State of Maryland. The laptops are being distributed through the Montgomery Connects program, operated by the County’s Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS). Mobile and internet connectivity subsidies are available through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Gaithersburg

Police and Family Searching for Missing 13-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 5:29PM | Updated August 17, 2023 at 2:24PM

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Layla Alini Ferguson is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Concern for Missing Gaithersburg Teenhttps://t.co/2hCa7BdnI5 #mcpnews #MissingPerson pic.twitter.com/ZNPiMNHyCi

MCFRS

MCFRS Respond to Overturned Vehicle Tuesday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 4:55PM | Updated August 15, 2023 at 5:33PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving an overturned vehicle on Georgia Ave, near Plyers Mill Rd in Wheaton on Tuesday, August 15 around 4:30pm. No additional information is available at this time. We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of @spinsal on Instagram.

Crime

Detectives Investigating August 7 Shooting; Reward of up to $10,000 Offered for Information

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 3:59PM | Updated August 15, 2023 at 5:11PM

Approximately 10:09 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. The investigation has revealed that an adult male victim was in front of the apartment building when he was shot twice in the torsoby an unknown suspect. The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. Officers also determined that three apartments were also struck by gun fire.

Takoma Park

Two Dogs Dead, Four Dogs Injured After Dog Attack Tuesday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 3:31PM | Updated August 15, 2023 at 4:45PM

Two dogs are dead and four dogs were injured after an incident in Takoma Park on Tuesday afternoon. According to police, “On August 15, 2023, at 12:28 P.M., Takoma Park police responded to a 911 call in the 7700 block of Carroll Avenue for an unknown emergency. A female was heard screaming with the sounds of barking dogs in the background. Fire Rescue initially received a call at the same address for a possible gas leak. Fire Rescue and police discovered smoke on the first floor emanating from a kitchen microwave. Fire Rescue determined that there was no gas leak or fire at the residence, however, they discovered several injured dogs. The residents of the home reported that they owned eight dogs, two of which were pit bulls that were kept separate from the other dogs. During the evacuation of the residence, the dogs became commingled. One of the pit bulls became agitated and started attacking the other dogs.

Takoma Park Police Officers were able to contain the pit bull in an upstairs room while they waited for Montgomery County Animal Control to respond. Montgomery County Animal Control was able to take custody of the pit bull and transported it from the scene. Two dogs were confirmed to be deceased, and four injured dogs were transported by the owner to a veterinary clinic for evaluation. One dog did not appear injured. There were no injuries to any occupants of the house. Montgomery County Animal Control will follow up on the incident involving the injured dogs.” We will post an update if additional information is released. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Gaithersburg

MCDOT: Ride On Bus Service Detour Near Montgomery County Agriculture Fair in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 2:54PM

Per MCDOT: Due to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Ride On Route 54 (Rockville-Lakeforest) will experience a detour through Saturday, Aug. 19. The detour will last from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. View all routes to the fair here. Details of the detour can be found below.

To Rockville Station: