Maryland

Governor Wes Moore Announces Public Employee Relations Board Appointments

By Patrick Herron

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced appointments to the Public Employee Relations Board. Erica Snipes, who previously served as shared executive director of the Public School Labor Relations Board, the State Higher Education Labor Relations Board, and the State Labor Relations Board, has been selected to serve as Acting Executive Director.

“State employees dedicate their lives to improving the delivery of public services for all Marylanders,” said Gov. Moore. “The Public Employee Relations Board will streamline the labor laws that impact these vital employees to make sure state workers receive the protections they deserve.”

Go to Governor Wes Moore Announces Public Employee Relations Board Appointments Read more
Business

Potomac-Based Curbio’s CMO, Olivia Mariani, Earns Washington Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honor

By MCS Staff

Potomac-based Curbio, Inc., one of the leading contractor solution for real estate agents, announced that its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Olivia Mariani, has been named to the Washington Business Journal’s (WBJ) 2023 list of 40 Under 40 honorees. The 40 Under 40 program is one of the most competitive that the WBJ fields each year- representing the rising stars of Greater Washington’s diverse industries, regions and backgrounds.

Curbio is a PropTech company that is disrupting the home improvement industry for real estate, providing realtors with a trusted contractor partner to get all of their listings market-ready with ease. As CMO, Mariani has played a pivotal role in Curbio’s rapid growth, spearheading compelling messaging, content development and strategic campaigns to drive revenue and increase brand awareness. “With Olivia’s talent and exceptional execution, Curbio has become one of the less than 1% of companies nationwide to grow from $0 to $50Min just five years. She has helped to create the broader strategic vision for Curbio, enabling us to expand from a pre-listing home improvement solution to a full lifecycle service that helps realtors win listings and get them ready for market,” said Rick Rudman, CEO of Curbio. “She has built an exceptional marketing organization, and we are proud to have her on our executive team. I am thrilled to see that she is being recognized by the WBJ for her accomplishments.”

Go to Potomac-Based Curbio’s CMO, Olivia Mariani, Earns Washington Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honor Read more
Business

Largest Commercial Communications Satellite Ever Built Will More than Double the Capacity of Germantown-Based Hughes’ JUPITER Fleet

By MCS Staff

Germantown-based Hughes Network Systems announced its JUPITER™ 3 ultra high-density satellite has successfully launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from historic Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A in Florida. Also known as EchoStar XXIV, JUPITER 3 was built by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, CA, and is engineered to deliver gigabytes of connectivity to customers across North and South America.

On July 29 at 2:32 a.m. EDT, three hours and twenty-eight minutes after lift-off, JUPITER 3 successfully deployed from the launch vehicle. The satellite began sending and receiving its first signals, and engineers deployed the JUPITER 3 solar arrays, which unfolded in space to their full ten-story span. “JUPITER 3 is the highest capacity, highest performing satellite we’ve ever launched. As the leading provider and inventor of satellite internet, we’re proud to herald the start of a new era of connectivity and serve more customers where cable and fiber cannot,” said Hamid Akhavan, CEO, EchoStar. “This purpose-built satellite is engineered uniquely to meet our customers’ needs and target capacity where it’s needed most, such as the most rural regions of the Americas, so they can stay connected to the applications and services they depend on every day.”

Go to Largest Commercial Communications Satellite Ever Built Will More than Double the Capacity of Germantown-Based Hughes’ JUPITER Fleet Read more
Business

Germantown’s HealthWell Foundation Opens New Financial Assistance Fund for People Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes

By MCS Staff

The HealthWell Foundation®, an independent non-profit headquartered at 20440 Century Blvd. in Germantown that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, is proud to announce that it has opened a new fund to provide financial assistance to individuals living with type 2 diabetes. Through the new fund, HealthWell will provide up to $1,000 in medication copayment assistance to eligible patients with annual household incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level for the management of their disease.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and develops when the cells in the body do not respond well to, or make enough insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. If not treated, people with type 2 diabetes will have high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels which, over time, can lead to serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure. Over 37 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in the U.S.

Go to Germantown’s HealthWell Foundation Opens New Financial Assistance Fund for People Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Read more
Event

StoryBox Comics Fair 2026

Third Hill Brewing Co.

8216 Georgia Ave

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Contact Social

Join Us for StoryBox Comics Fair, a two-day festival celebrating local and independent comics authors!

Day 1 – Saturday, June 27th, 11-5pm @ DwightMess compound (805 Silver Spring Ave): Events are open to the public, admission is FREE. Featuring Special Guest Artists, gallery exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, a modeling session (suggested donation) and exhibitors, you can dig in to indie comics and also tour the compound, which features an extensive comics collection, a rare video collection, Risograph and screenprinting studios.

Go to StoryBox Comics Fair 2026 Read more
Business

Gaithersburg-Based Adventist HealthCare Provides $60,000 Scholarships to Four D.C. Area Nursing Students

By MCS Staff

Gaithersburg-based Adventist HealthCare has presented four exceptional D.C. area nursing students with 2023 Lucy Byard Scholarships totaling $60,000. Adventist HealthCare launched the scholarship in 2022 to honor Lucy Byard and to help address economic, educational, and healthcare disparities. The 2023 Lucy Byard Scholarship recipients are:

All four students have overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve their dream of helping others and giving back to their communities through a career in healthcare. The Lucy Byard Scholarship will help ease the financial burden on the students as they complete their nursing training. After successfully completing their studies and passing a licensing exam, Adventist HealthCare offers the scholars the opportunity to join its caregiving team.

Go to Gaithersburg-Based Adventist HealthCare Provides $60,000 Scholarships to Four D.C. Area Nursing Students Read more
Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg Planning Commission Recommends Approval of Annexation of Walnut Hill Shopping Center

By MCS Staff

During its July 19, 2023 meeting, Gaithersburg’s Planning Commission recommended the City Council approve the annexation of the Walnut Hill Shopping center. The Montgomery County Planning Board reviewed the annexation at their July 13, 2023 meeting. The subject properties to be annexed are located northeast of MD Route 355 and include the Walnut Hill Shopping Center (plans available here) at 16531 South Frederick Avenue, a restaurant at 8941 North Westland Drive, a vacant parcel at 8939 North Westland Drive, and a portion of the right of way of North Westland Drive.

The Applicant, Granite Partners, has submitted Annexation Petition X-9510-2023, proposing to annex three parcels that currently abut the City boundary, along with a portion of the North Westland Drive right of way.  The Annexation Plan proposes several changes to the existing Walnut Hill Shopping Center, including constructing a new freestanding convenience store with accessory gasoline pumps, demolishing an existing small freestanding building on the south side of the property, renovating the exterior of the main shopping center building, and making improvements to the parking lot and landscaping.  No changes are proposed for the other two properties included in the Annexation Petition.

Go to Gaithersburg Planning Commission Recommends Approval of Annexation of Walnut Hill Shopping Center Read more
Germantown

Concern for Missing 17-Year-Old Last Seen July 15

By Patrick Herron

The Special Victims Investigations Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 17-year-old. Brianna Powers was last seen on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at approximately 2 p.m., in the 13600 of Dover Cliff Place in Germantown. Powers is 5’3″ with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black shorts and a black hooded sweatshirt.

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

Go to Concern for Missing 17-Year-Old Last Seen July 15 Read more
MoCo Government

Efforts Continue to Restore Power and Clean Up Damage Following Severe Weather Weekend

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County officials continued storm cleanup efforts days after severe storms and heavy rain caused significant damage and power outages on Saturday evening.

“Even though efforts to clear and repair damage from this weekend’s storms continue across Montgomery County, I want to recognize and thank our storm responders for their hard work and long hours,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Over the last few days, countless Montgomery County Government employees have worked diligently to help residents and businesses recovering from severe storm damage. We assisted those in need to find shelter, rescued boaters during the thunderstorms, removed trees and debris from streets and sidewalks, distributed water on Ride On buses and directed traffic when lights were out. I thank my County colleagues, as well as those working for the State and utility companies, for their response to these storms. Their tireless efforts made recovery from a difficult weekend much better for so many people.”

Go to Efforts Continue to Restore Power and Clean Up Damage Following Severe Weather Weekend Read more
Restaurants

Kantutas Restaurant Has Officially Opened in its New, Larger Location

By MCS Staff

Kantutas Restaurant Bar & Grill, a Wheaton staple serving Bolivian, other South American, and Latin American cuisine, has moved from its previous location at 2462 Ennalls Ave to its new, much larger location at 2400 University Blvd W (video below). The new location was previously home to New Kam Fong, which moved from DC to Wheaton and became Eastern Gourmet before closing last year.

Kantutas’ new space comes with a more modern look and a lot more seating than the previous location. The new restaurant also has a new bar and the same menu that those who are familiar with the restaurant are used to. A video preview of the new location can be seen below:

Go to Kantutas Restaurant Has Officially Opened in its New, Larger Location Read more
Burtonsville

TJ Maxx Prepares to Begin Work on its Fifth Montgomery County Location

By MCS Staff

Back in April we let you know that TJ Maxx, the discount department store that sells clothing, shoes, jewelry, and home décor would be one of Burtonsville Crossing’s new tenants in the revamped shopping center. TJ Maxx currently has four other Montgomery County locations in Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

According to Maryland Newsletters, Onyx Creative has pulled a permit for $2 million in tenant work for TJ Maxx at its upcoming 23,790 SF location at 15709 Old Columbia Pike. TJ Maxx will be located in the space that’s as previously home to Dress Barn and Sassafras before that. It was also home to Spirit Halloween following the Dress Barn closure.

Go to TJ Maxx Prepares to Begin Work on its Fifth Montgomery County Location Read more
Gaithersburg

Updated Security Measures for This Year’s Montgomery County Fair; Metal Detectors and List of Prohibited Items

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair has revised its safety/security measures for this year’s event, which takes place August 11th-19th. Per the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair: The Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds is private property and we do not recognize any state or federal issued Concealed or Open Carry Firearm Permit. The Fair is a Family Friendly event that provides agricultural education and entertainment to children of all ages. Carrying firearms, weapons, and inappropriate behavior are prohibited.

Patrons entering the Fairgrounds will pass through metal detectors at each of our General Admission entry gates. These units will be adjusted to detect prohibited weapons and allow timely passage without the need to empty backpacks or pockets. Keys, cell phones, coins and other common items are permissible and will not be detected. Please leave hard, protective sunglass cases home as the metal in these cases will trigger the alarm. Accommodations will be in place at each gate to permit passage of strollers, child carriers, electric mobility chairs and similar devices.

Go to Updated Security Measures for This Year’s Montgomery County Fair; Metal Detectors and List of Prohibited Items Read more
View More Stories