Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Attorney General Brown Joins Multistate Coalition Opposing Proposed Contaminated Drinking Water Settlement

Published July 27, 2023 at 10:11AM

Per the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 23 Attorneys General announcing opposition to a proposed class action settlement that fails to adequately hold accountable the 3M Company for contaminating Americans’ drinking water supply. Under the proposed settlement, water providers would withdraw the hundreds of lawsuits they have filed against 3M over its use of PFAS, or toxic “forever chemicals,” in a wide range of consumer products and firefighting foams. PFAS are stable in the environment, resistant to degradation, persistent in soil, and known to leach into groundwater.

“The proposed settlement falls short of delivering the accountability and protection our citizens deserve,” said Attorney General Brown. “The potential risks posed by PFAS contamination are far-reaching, threatening the health and well-being of our families, our communities, and the ecological balance of our environment. Marylanders deserve better than a half-hearted attempt and sweeping these concerns under a rug.”

Beyond MoCo

Montgomery County Resident Wins $50,000; Plans to Use Money Towards New Home

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 10:07AM

The Silver Spring winner signed the back of his ticket, made an appointment and claimed the $50,000 prize this week. He shared with Lottery officials that he has been saving up to purchase a home. He is one step closer, thanks to the big win.

The Prince George’s County retailer, Route 1 Liquors located at 10500 Baltimore Avenue, is a winner, too. The business will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling a top-prize winning scratch-off worth $50,000. The $50,000 Cash instant ticket went on sale in December 2022 with 160 $50,000 top prizes; there are 98 top prizes remaining along with others that range from $20 to $5,000. Feature photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Relish the experience: The Big Dill World’s Largest Pickle Party® returns to Maryland Bigger and Better Than Ever!” (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 10:01AM

Maryland, are you ready for a pickle paradise? The Big Dill World’s Largest Pickle Party®, the second-largest pickle celebration worldwide, is descending upon Baltimore on September 23rd and 24th. Power Plant Live is about to be transformed into an unforgettable celebration of “all things pickle.”This year’s festival will tantalize your taste buds beyond your wildest imagination. Look forward to an extensive array of pickle-inspired culinary delights, from pickle egg rolls to pickle pizzas, and for the adventurous, even pickle ice cream. Alongside these mouth-watering morsels, spectators can enjoy the fan-favorite Brine Chug Challenge and the World Pickle Eating Championship®. It’s a fusion of flavor and fun guaranteed to leave you craving more.But The Big Dill offers more than just a feast for your palate. This extravaganza invites you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere brimming with excitement and energy. Take a memorable snapshot with mascots like Dilly the Pickle™, The RAVENS POE, or The Oriole Bird, plus test your mettle with thrilling carnival games and bull riding, or sit back and enjoy the diverse range of live performances from musicians and entertainers.

Gaithersburg

MoCo Teacher Wins $31,714 Winning Lottery Prize Won at Gaithersburg Giant

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:18AM | Updated August 2, 2023 at 9:02AM

A Silver Spring resident is $31,714 richer after purchasing a winning lottery ticket from Giant at 18250 Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg. Full story below courtesy of MD Lottery:

“A Montgomery County woman was all smiles as she reeled in a $31,714 prize on a FAST PLAY Gold Fish ticket. The anonymous player, who is using the nickname “Disco” for Lottery publicity, said that her winning story began at the Flower Hill Giant in Gaithersburg. She bought the $2 ticket there on Wednesday, July 19 and took it outside to her car to check for a win.

MoCo Government

Residents Can Testify at Final Virtual Development Review Process Workgroup Listening Session on Wednesday, Aug. 2

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:14AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s process for reviewing and approving development projects during the Development Review Process Workgroup listening sessions will provide one more opportunity for residents to provide input. Residents can sign up to provide feedback during the workgroup’s third and final listening session that will be held virtually from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The second listening session was held at the Wheaton Headquarters of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) on July 18.

The Maryland General Assembly’s Montgomery County delegation created the workgroup, which is chaired by State Delegate Lesley Lopez (D-District 39). It is examining the County’s development review process, with a special focus on finding opportunities to improve the County’s economic competitiveness. The workgroup’s July 18 listening session followed a June 22 listening session and three livestreamed workgroup work sessions June 9, June 27 and July 12.

Highways / Interstates

‘Road to Sprawl: The Intercounty Connector & the Limits of Mobility, Development and Land Preservation’ Presentation Starting Monday, July 31

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 1:12AM | Updated July 27, 2023 at 3:12PM

Per Montgomery County: The history behind the plan and building of the Inter-County Connector is the focus of a free online presentation from Montgomery History that will be available for a one-week period starting Monday, July 31. John Spiers, a visiting assistant history professor at Boston College, will lead “Road to Sprawl: The Intercounty Connector and the Limits of Mobility, Development and Land Preservation.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Spiers has presented looks at the histories of how communities throughout the U.S. have evolved. In 2011, one of his presentations at the Montgomery County History Conference was “The Long and Winding Road: A History of the Intercounty Connector, 1950-2006.”

Downtown Silver Spring

‘Captured, Examined & Returned: The Folklore of Alien Abductions’ Will Be Focus of Conversation with Smithsonian Curator Jim Deutsch on Monday, July 31

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:29AM

Per Montgomery County: Folklore follows formulas and conventions that govern the folksongs, the folk art and the folktales and legends people share. Many of the personal accounts of being abducted by aliens follow a three-part formulaic structure: captured by aliens; examined by aliens; and then returned to pre-abduction status, often with lasting memories of the encounter.

Mr. Deutsch is a curator and editor at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in Washington, D.C., where he has helped plan and develop public programs on the Peace Corps, Hungary, China, Circus Arts, Apollo Theater, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mekong River, U.S. Forest Service, World War II, Silk Road, and White House workers.

MoCo Government

WSSC Water Extends ‘Get Current: Temporary Water Bill Amnesty Program Through Aug. 31, with Eligible Customers Receiving Bill Credits and Waived Fees

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:26AM | Updated July 27, 2023 at 1:07PM

HANDOUT -Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission plans to change its name and logo from "WSSC" and a water drop to the above. (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission)

Residential customers above 150 percent of area median income and commercial and multi-unit residential accounts with master meters are eligible for the 100 percent waiver of late payment charges and turn-on fees. As of mid-July, more than 79,000 accounts were past due, accounting for $51.6 million in total revenue. The vast majority of overdue accounts reflected residential customers. WSSC Water resumed residential water service turnoffs on past-due accounts on July 5. Turnoffs were temporarily suspended in June to encourage program participation.

Only after extensive customer notification and all other reasonable alternatives have been exhausted, including efforts to connect every income-constrained customer with available financial assistance, will WSSC Water disconnect water service. WSSC Water offers several financial assistance programs to help customers get current with their bills. More information on other customer assistance programs is available at wsscwater.com/assistance.

MoCo Libraries

‘Just for the Record – A Vinyl Day’ Will Be Celebrated by Montgomery County Public Libraries on Saturday, Aug. 12

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:25AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), in partnership with Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. (FOLMC), Mid-Atlantic Scratch League (MASL), Levine Music and Classroom 2 Community (C2C) will have a full day of free events on Saturday, Aug. 12, to celebrate music on vinyl records and the DJ culture. Just for the Record—A Vinyl Day, geared toward all ages, will take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library in Silver Spring.

The activities scheduled for Just for the Record—A Vinyl Day will include:

Potomac

Sunflower Field and Stars of Nature in Peak Form at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area on River Road

By Patrick Herron

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:22AM

Per Montgomery County: A spectacle of nature in Montgomery County is nearing its summer peak as the vast sunflower fields of the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area on River Road in Potomac is showing off its best right now. There is no fee or permit required to access the property. The 2,000-acre tract in a mixture of woodlands, fields, wooded bottomland and managed wetland impoundments (green-tree reservoirs). The property shares a common boundary with the National Park Service Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to the south and borders Seneca Creek State Park on the east.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources—Wildlife and Heritage Service plants sunflowers each spring on the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. The primary purpose for planting sunflowers on wildlife management areas is to provide a food source for mourning doves, as well as other wildlife species. In addition to mourning doves, sunflowers and sunflower seeds are a favorite food source for a host of other songbirds, mammals and pollinators. Sunflowers require pollination by insects, usually bees, to produce a seed crop. In turn, honey bees and many species of native bees, benefit from the abundant nectar and pollen that sunflowers produce.

Health

Governor Wes Moore Urges Marylanders to Take Precautions as Extreme Heat Conditions Move Into Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published July 26, 2023 at 8:13PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore is today urging Marylanders to take appropriate precautions as extreme weather conditions are expected beginning Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory has been issued for central, northeast, and southern Maryland, with temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees and heat index values expected to reach approximately 105 degrees. Temperatures approaching 100 degrees are also forecast for Friday and Saturday.

“The health and safety of Marylanders is our top priority,” said Gov. Moore. “Take preventative measures to deal effectively with this week’s high temperatures and look out for those in your community during these extremely hot summer days.”