Author: Patrick Herron

MoCo Government

‘Shop Maryland Energy Weekend’ Feb. 18-20 Will Provide Sales Tax Savings on Energy Star Appliances

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Marylanders either needing or just contemplating replacing appliances could be motivated to shop from Feb. 18-20 when they can save on paying State sales tax on eligible Energy Star-rated appliances during “Shop Maryland Energy Weekend.”

During Presidents’ Day weekend, appliances bearing the Energy Star label, whether purchased in-store or online, will be exempt from the State’s six percent sales tax. Eligible appliances could include air conditioners, washers, dryers, standard-size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters are tax-exempt year-round.

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MDLottery

MoCo Resident “Stunned” by $50,000 Powerball win

By Patrick Herron

“At first, I couldn’t figure out what or where Talbott’s was, what I was doing there. I’d assumed the ticket was from one of my regular locations. If not for that errand, this never would have happened,” he said.

On Sunday morning, when he discovered that his quick-pick Powerball numbers had matched enough numbers to win big, he let out a shout that brought his wife running. “I told her that I thought we’d just won $50,000. We studied the ticket and the results together to make sure it was real.”

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MoCo Government

Councilmember Luedtke Introduces Bill to Improve Transparency of County Boards, Committees and Commissions

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Councilmember Dawn Luedtke on Tuesday introduced legislation to address Open Meetings Act violations and inconsistencies found in Montgomery County government. Bill 8-23 would set clear and consistent deadlines for the more than 80 County government boards, committees and commissions that meet to inform the public and advise policymakers on critical issues impacting the community. The legislation would require the deadlines for groups to publish basic information critical to transparency, including meeting notices, agendas, minutes and recordings if a meeting was recorded.

In August 2022, the State Open Meetings Act Compliance Board found several County boards, committees and commissions violated existing State Open Meetings Act law by failing to provide reasonable advance notice of meetings, failing to provide information on how to access virtual meetings, failing to post minutes, and more.

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Maryland

Consumer Alert: Home Warranty Scam Letters Sent to Maryland Homeowners

By Patrick Herron

These letters generally ask for a response to the notice by a certain date, often include language such as “final notice,” and threaten that failing to call may result in financial risk for the homeowner. In examples of such a letter sent to the Attorney General’s office, also included are a document that resembles a check, with the words “renewal fee voucher,” as well as an actual photo of the homeowner’s home on the return envelope.

Solicitations that use threatening language or unnecessary urgency are almost always a scam. Although they include the name of the homeowner’s mortgage company, scam letters like this rely on publicly available information to deceive the homeowner. To reiterate, the people sending these letters are not representing, nor have any affiliation with, mortgage companies. They use this information, as well as other seemingly “official” references, such as “record ID” numbers, to appear legitimate. If you have a home warranty, check with the company through which you already purchased your warranty for expiration and renewal information.

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Rockville

Rockville Police Reminds Residents to Lock Their Vehicles After Recent Uptick in Thefts

By Patrick Herron

The Rockville City Police Department tweeted a message to residents on Wednesday morning reminding them to lock their vehicles after a recent increase in thefts.  “Rockville has seen a recent uptick in theft from cars over the last few days, while many cars were left unlocked, several cars had their windows smashed as purses and other high dollar valuables were left in plain sight. Ofc Fetter is here to remind you to lock it or lose it!” In the video, Rockville Police Officer Fetter states that the department has responded to over 125 calls for thefts from vehicles since the beginning of 2023, with stolen items totaling more than $100,000 in value.

Rockville has seen a recent uptick in theft from cars over the last few days, while many cars were left unlocked, several cars had their windows smashed as purses and other high dollar valuables were left in plain sight. Ofc Fetter is here to remind you to lock it or lose it! pic.twitter.com/UfJIRmBIw0

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson Awarded the ‘Hiram Musgrove Memorial Award’ by the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: On February 11, 2023, Montgomery County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson was awarded the Hiram Musgrove Memorial Award at the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad’s (BCCRS) 2023 Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony. The Hiram Musgrove Memorial Award is given to a community member who has distinguished oneself as an outstanding champion of the BCCRS.

Every year, one award is given to someone in the community who has worked in an outstanding capacity to contribute to the philosophy, purpose, management, and operation of the Rescue Squad. A second award was given to Battalion Chief Leo Ruiz as an “internal” member for his outstanding contributions to the Squad, and his dedicated service since 1999. Nominations for this award are made by the General Membership and selected by the Board of Directors and reflects the Rescue Squad’s “Hall of Fame.”

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Gaithersburg

My Cup Runneth Over Southern Cuisine to Celebrate Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant on February 17 with Ribbon Cutting

By Patrick Herron

What:              Ribbon cutting to celebrate My Cup Runneth Over Southern Cuisine’s brick-and-mortar location

When:             Friday, February 17 at 11 a.m.

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North Bethesda

MCFRS Respond to Collision With Rollover Tuesday in North Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

All lanes have reopened on Southbound Old Georgetown Rd (MD187) at Rock Spring Drive after a traffic collision with entrapment closed the road Tuesday evening around 5:30pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the collision involved two vehicles, including an SUV that flipped over. One adult was transported to the hospital with Priority 2 injuries.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – OGT Rd near I270, 2 vehicles involved, SUV flipped over, 1 patient extricated, @MCFRS_EMIHS transporting 1 adult Pri2, some lanes blocked”

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County to Distribute 10,000 Remaining Free ‘Montgomery Connects’ Computers to Eligible Low-Income Residents in February, March and April

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: “Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program, will distribute 10,000 laptops to low-income individuals funded by the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund grant and Maryland Emergency Education Relief grants. The distributions will take place, while supplies last, at numerous events across the County in February, March and April.

The next distribution event will be from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Executive Office Building Cafeteria in Rockville.

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