Rockville

The city of Rockville’s Vision Zero Task Force is using a new audit process to examine roadways and identify needed improvements following several serious and fatal crashes on Rockville roads last fall. The visual inspection audit includes assessing pavement markings, signs, sidewalks, roadway quality and traffic signals on roadways where crashes occur.

The audit is conducted before the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Collision Reconstruction Unit files its report, which examines the crash environment and circumstances. The CRU is examining fatal collisions on Oct. 28 and Dec. 1 on Rockville Pike (MD 355), north of the intersection at Talbott Street, and a collision that resulted in serious injury Nov. 14 on East Gude Drive, south of the Taft Court/Taft Street intersection.


MoCo History

Rockville celebrates Black History Month in February and encourages community members to explore our city’s rich African American heritage. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/history to find the city’s African-American Heritage Walking Tour story map. The map, developed by the city’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services, runs 2 miles and includes 18 locations in and around Rockville Town Center highlighting people and places important to the city’s Black history from the 18th- through 20th-century.

Rockville 11’s YouTube channel offers a playlist highlighting activists, pioneers, places, city leaders, Black history facts and community members who remind us of the many contributions made by African Americans to Rockville and our country. Find it at bit.ly/RkvBHMPlaylist.


Rockville

Rockville’s Mayor and Council will consider in February several recommendations from the city’s Charter Review Commission that could change the city’s voting age, the size of Mayor and Council and other elements of city elections.

On Monday, Feb. 6, the Mayor and Council are scheduled to hold a public hearing on recommendations that, if adopted, would amend the city charter to lower the voting age from 18 to 16, permit noncitizens to vote, set term limits, create representative districts, create an administrative process to fill a vacancy on the council, change election years to coincide with presidential or gubernatorial elections, and implement ranked-choice voting. Learn how to testify during the Feb. 6 hearing at www.rockvillemd.gov/hearings and find more information when the agenda is posted at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.


Rockville

Plans to renovate and upgrade the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center’s popular but aging outdoor recreation pool were brought to the Mayor and Council in late January. Renovation to the more than 30-year-old pool will include innovations to enhance visitors’ enjoyment and swim experience.

The recreation pool has been a feature of the facility since its construction in 1991, when it was built within the shell of the original 1968 outdoor pool. A 2015 audit identified the need for major renovations to improve safety and maintenance, and updated codes and developments in industry standards for recreational pool amenities.


Event

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.


Darnestown

Quince Orchard High School student-athlete Savan Briggs is a highly recruited two-time State Championship winning quarterback at Quince Orchard. On Tuesday, he announced that he has committed to Howard University (announcement can be seen below, courtesy of Fox 5).

Briggs, a 6’2, 190 lb dual threat quarterback that has led Quince Orchard to back-to-back 14-0 seasons while earning a 3.45 GPA, previously announced via social media that he received an offer from the Bison late last month.


Rockville

City Manager Rob DiSpirito is scheduled to present his proposed Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget and Capital Improvements Program on Monday, Feb. 27, followed by Mayor and Council public hearings and work sessions in March and April. For information about how to testify at hearings, find agendas, posted the week before each date at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.

Public participation in the budget process is a high priority for the Mayor and Council and city staff. A community budget priorities survey is available in English, simplified Chinese, French, Korean and Spanish, at www.rockvillemd.gov/budget. The survey allows community members to identify their budget priorities and options for maintaining a balanced budget. Survey responses provide valuable input to the Mayor and Council for their budget discussions.


Crime

Per Takoma Park Police: On January 31, 2023, at approximately 12:10 am, Takoma Park Detectives were in the area of 4th Avenue and Eastern Avenue patrolling when they observed three occupants in a vehicle that was stolen.  While attempting to conduct a traffic stop, the occupants of the vehicle bailed out and fled on foot.  All three subjects were apprehended.

There was one adult 18-year-old male and two juvenile males, 15 and 17, all of Washington, D.C.  The juveniles were released to the custody of a parent and/or guardian.  Charges are pending.  This investigation is ongoing and will be updated


Rockville

International Night will return Friday, March 17 after a two-year pandemic hiatus for a free evening of multicultural fun and entertainment — and we’re searching for performers for the evening. Performers interested in showcasing their skills, and celebrating and showing their cultural talent, are invited to take part in this year’s event at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

From 6-8 p.m., International Night will showcase dance performances and traditional clothing displays, with an opportunity for attendees to sample unique and traditional foods from around the world, engage with and learn the customs of people from different countries, and discover our community’s different cultures. To apply to perform, contact [email protected]. For more information, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/internationalnight. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre is located at 603 Edmonston Drive.


Rockville

Rockville fourth graders once again have a chance to meet Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and imagine what they would do if they were mayor by taking part in the Maryland Municipal League’s statewide “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.

This year’s theme is “Preserving the Past to Power the Future.” Students are asked to write an essay of no more than 275 words after thinking about their hometown and its traditions, beliefs or events. Which ones would they uplift and honor? Which would they try to change? And how would they get people to participate in things they’re trying to change?


Montgomery Planning

Urban Land Institute Washington panel of local experts to present its own research, recommendations to Montgomery Planning staff on advancing improvements along a busy stretch of University Boulevard/MD 193.

The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the community to an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Washington Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) presentation about the University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan, which is in the phase where Montgomery Planning conducts research and engages with the public to gather input and understand the community’s needs.


Beyond MoCo

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller today joined state and Baltimore City officials, development partners, and business owners to celebrate the newly revitalized and reopened Lexington Market. Today’s ribbon cutting and ceremonial bell ringing marked the opening of a new, 60,000-square-foot market building, public plaza, and the return of more than 40 businesses that will feature a mix of relocated institutions including Faidley’s Seafood and Connie’s Chicken & Waffles and new Baltimore favorites including Tio G’s Empanadas and Taharka Brothers Ice Cream.

“This transformational project shows the power of the state working together with private partners and the City of Baltimore to better serve Marylanders,” said Governor Moore. “The $45 million redevelopment of this Baltimore treasure will keep it in operation for many decades to come so it can continue to be a home to merchants, a gathering place for residents and attraction for visitors to our great state and to the city of Baltimore.”