Gaithersburg

Washingtonian Paddle Boats will open for the spring season on Saturday, April 1st. During spring, the paddle boats will be available on weekends only (Saturday and Sunday) from noon until 6pm (weather permitting). During Spring Break, the paddle boats will be available from Monday, April 3rd until Monday, April 10th from noon until 6pm.

Prices for 1/2 hour boat rentals are $30 for character boats that hold up to four people and a small child, and $20 for regular paddle boats that hold up to four people. The paddle boats are dog friendly Monday through Thursday, but not on weekends. Washingtonian Paddle Boats has been in business for over 20 years, opening in 2001.


Maryland

International Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates the accomplishments of transgender, gender diverse, nonbinary, and two-spirit people while raising awareness of the work that remains to achieve trans justice. According to the Maryland Center for Economic Policy, an estimated 94,000 residents in Maryland identify as transgender or nonbinary.

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee, members of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, members of the newly-formed LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, and transgender community members and advocates from across the state joined Governor Moore for the signing ceremony at the State House.


Gaithersburg

Permanent signage is up at the upcoming Chick-Fil-A restaurant at 700 N. Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg, at Progress Labs.  Progress Labs, which began construction in summer 2021, is a 44-acre property that directly fronts I-270 at the Montgomery Village Avenue exit. and is located next door to the recently constructed 300,000 square foot FedEx Ground facility, just south of the new Watkins Mill Interchange. No opening date has been announced for the new restaurant.


Maryland

Per the Maryland State Police: With April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Maryland State Police are reminding motorists just how dangerous it can be on the road if you are not paying attention to your surroundings. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office, more than 24,000 people are injured and 200 others die each year on Maryland roads as a result of distracted driving. Distracted driving contributes to 48 percent of all crashes in Maryland. Each of these injuries and deaths were preventable.

In the first three months of 2023, Maryland State Police troopers have issued a total of 4,352 citations and warnings for distracted driving violations. Last year, troopers issued 21,757 citations and warnings for distracted driving violations of which, 4,199 were drivers who were caught using their handheld phone while their vehicle was in motion.  Troopers across Maryland are increasing their distracted driving enforcement patrols and awareness efforts this month. Troopers will be working collaboratively with allied law enforcement agencies to stop motorists who are driving distracted. Seat belt enforcement will be also be a priority.


Burtonsville

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the four suspects arrived at the store in a white sedan. The suspects then forced entry into the store by breaking a glass panel with a stone. The suspects then entered the store, stole merchandise, damaged property and left the scene.  Detectives reviewed the surveillance footage of the store and obtained a description of the four suspects.


Beyond MoCo

For the second time in the last couple months, the expected opening date for Great Wolf Lodge, North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, has moved up. Great Wolf Lodge will be opening its newest resort in Perryville, MD (located in Cecil County, northeast of Baltimore City) this summer. Originally scheduled to open in August, construction has been ahead of schedule and the lodge announced it would open on July 15. Now, it has moved opening day up again and is currently scheduled to open on June 29.

Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will be the company’s 20th resort in North America, and their largest. It will offer 700 family-friendly suites, a 126,000-square-foot indoor water park, a 57,000 square-foot entertainment center, and 12,000 square-feet of conference space. Perryville is about 70 miles and a little less than an hour and a half away from most parts of MoCo. The company has released additional information about the water park and is offering a 25% discount on reservations.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) are responding to a vehicle fire on eastbound MD200 (ICC) between New Hampshire Ave & Rt29 (Exit 13 & Exit 16). A large truck is on fire. According to WTOP Traffic, the left lane is currently getting by. No additional information at this time. Photos courtesy of MCFRS.

Vehicle Fire @MontgomeryCoMD EB MD200 ICC between New Hampshire & Rt29, Exit 13 & Exit 16 @mcfrs PE725, PE718, AT724, W704, HCW11, A715, PE712 responding, some lanes blocked pic.twitter.com/gGgcnq6Sdn


MCPS

MCPS sent a community letter containing five things know for Thursday Mar. 30 and an update on the progress we are making to address the findings of the Antiracist System Audit. Get information on the work being done across the system since the report and findings, the mid-year Evidence of Learning framework, upcoming events, COVID 19 testing recommendations after spring break and more. The full letter, courtesy of MCPS, can be seen below:

1. Mid-Year Evidence of Learning Framework Demonstrates Gains in Student Performance, Continued Areas for Improvement: At its March 28 Board of Education meeting, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) leaders presented mid-year Evidence of Learning (EOL) data  focused on grade-level proficiency using multiple measures to determine the success of students, schools and the district.


MoCo Police

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can drop off unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs, as Montgomery County participates in #NationalPrescriptionDrugTakeBackDay. Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park Police will also be participating.

This is a safe, free and anonymous opportunity to dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs and is a part of a national effort to prevent the increasing problems of prescription drug abuse occurring nationwide.


Events

Mark your calendars for the Hometown Holidays Music Fest at RedGate Park. The free festival at the city’s newest park, at 14500 Avery Road, will feature two stages of entertainment by local, regional and national/international acts, a Taste of Rockville from local restaurants, and activities for kids, from 11 a.m-7 p.m. Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

The city will operate a free shuttle service to RedGate Park on both days of the festival, running every 20 minutes, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., from Monroe Street, between East Montgomery Avenue and Middle Lane. There will be no shortage of musical acts, including performances by The Nighthawks, Capital Effect, The JoGo Project, Cole Larravide, and Ocho De Bastos. Other entertainment will include kids music by Groovy Nate and an animal show by Ferrets and Friends.


Rockville

Per the City of Rockville: A plaque recently dedicated at the Rockville Memorial Library recognizes the name change from the original Rockville Library. The name change for the branch of the Montgomery County Public Libraries system was instituted in 2010 at the request of Gold Star families — those who have lost family members in U.S. military conflicts — and the County Commission on Veterans Affairs.

The plaque is located in the first-floor lobby, next to a digital display honoring county residents killed in action from World War I onward. “The Rockville Memorial Library is one of the finest libraries in our system, and having it named in memory of county residents killed in action is an appropriate tribute,” County Executive Marc Elrich said.