Announcement

McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS) is announcing its acquisition of Smolen Emr Ilkovitch Architects (SEI) of Rockville, Maryland. This partnership expands MPS’s presence into the U.S. Mid-Atlantic with a new studio and grows the reach of the firm’s K12 architecture, interior design, planning, and advisory practice to clients in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the surrounding region. The addition reinforces the firm’s place among the top 25 K-12 architecture practices in the United States. 

“We are excited to welcome SEI to the MPS firm family. The SEI team shares our commitment to purposeful and expert design and project execution, exceptional client service, and deep community–centered relationships and presence,” says Chad Cousins, CEO, McMillan Pazdan Smith. “Together, we will support the continued growth, vibrancy, and sustainability of the DMV region with long term community investments, and industry-leading design, planning, and advisory value.”


Event

Join Breast Cancer Collective for the 2026 Walk to Bust Cancer on Sunday, October 18, at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria.
Walk alongside survivors, caregivers, friends, families, and neighbors for an uplifting community event supporting access to breast cancer screening and care across the DMV.
Walk to Bust Cancer brings our community together to turn hope into action and help expand access to timely breast health care. Register to walk, gather your team, and join us at Fort Hunt Park.


MCFRS

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service crews have entered a third day of searching for Nazir Bell, a 20-year-old Germantown resident and Towson University student who disappeared while swimming in the Potomac River near Great Falls.  Bell became separated from a group while in the water Sunday evening and did not resurface. (more…)


Health

The Maryland Department of Health has expanded its consumer advisory for Clover Hill Dairy and is urging consumers, retailers and restaurants not to eat, sell or serve any cheese products made by the Mechanicsville-based company due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis has issued a localized public health advisory for portions of the Muddy Branch watershed and nearby stormwater ponds in North Potomac after elevated levels of PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” were detected in water samples near Great Seneca Highway and Key West Avenue.

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Bethesda

Metro and Maryland transportation officials gathered today to highlight temporary dedicated bus-only lanes that will be installed along MD 355 (Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue) to help riders navigate a major summer Red Line shutdown in Montgomery County.

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