Business

Minimum Wage Set to Increase This Friday in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) for the Washington-Baltimore region, the Montgomery County Chief Administrative Officer has set the rate for the increase of minimum wage for July 2022 for large employers (those with 51 employees or more) at $15.65 per hour. After hitting the $15 minimum wage rate last year, the law now requires the Chief Administrative Officer to adjust the rate each year. The change is based on the previous calendar year. Previous years were based on rate of increase determined by the Montgomery County Council to get to $15.

“This is an important next step to ensure that the minimum wage keeps up with inflation,” said County Executive Elrich. “For too long, the minimum wage was stagnant and did not change based on inflation. I was proud to champion the increase in minimum wage when I was a County Councilmember and pleased to see it finally reached $15 per hour for large employers last year, and under the law, once the minimum wage hits $15, it is then increased based on inflation so that low wage workers are not left behind. A decent wage is the path to more opportunity and improved equity.”

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North Bethesda

Car Driven Into Tiger Sugar at Federal Plaza (Photos)

By MCS Staff

A driver lost control of their vehicle for unknown reasons just before 7:30pm this evening and drove into Tiger Sugar, a bubble tea shop located at 12266E in Federal Plaza, according to witness reports.

There is major damage to the storefront, and witnesses tell us the driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. We are told a customer inside the store was also struck by either the vehicle or debris, but was uninjured.

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MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Meets on June 28 to Receive Briefing on Youth Safety and Positive Youth Development and Vote to Appoint Members of the Police Accountability Board

By Patrick Herron

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Youth Safety and Positive Youth Development

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Gaithersburg

Burtons Grill & Bar is Now Open in Kentlands

By MCS Staff

Nearly three years after it was first announced, Burtons Grill & Bar, at 109 Commerce Square Pl in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood, is now officially open. The restaurant’s opening was delayed several years by the COVID-19 pandemic and later supply chain issues.  The 5,000 square foot restaurant will serve lunch and dinner and has seating capacity for 196 patrons, including a 106 seat dining room, 44-seat bar, and an outdoor patio that seats 46.  Menu items will include braised short ribs, filet mignon, chicken risotto, and market fresh seafood.

In a press release,  President and Chief Operating Officer of Burtons Grill & Bar John Haggai said, “Following all of the success we’ve had in the past year with the Burton’s Grill & Bar brand, we are thrilled to be opening another restaurant, even more so because of its location in Kentlands Market Square. We’re excited to be opening a second location for our loyal customers in the state of Maryland.”  The restaurant will be open Sunday and Monday from 11:30am-9pm, Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30am-10pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11:30am-11pm.

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Germantown

Garbage Truck Catches Fire on I270

By Patrick Herron

A Waste Management garbage truck caught fire on SB I270 between Middlebrook Rd and Watkins Mill Road on Monday afternoon just before 1pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Pete Prirnger, the vehicle was fully engulfed and involved alternative fuel (natural gas).

The fire has been extinguished and there were no injuries reported. Most lanes on SB I270 are currently blocked before Exit 12 and one lane gets by to left. Drivers are advised to seek and alternate route and expect delays. We will post an update when more information is available.

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Health

Maryland Attorney General Frosh and National Coalition of Attorneys General Issue Joint Statement Reaffirming Commitment to Protecting Access to Abortion Care

By Patrick Herron

“Abortion care is healthcare. Period. We stand together, as our states’ chief law officers, to proudly say that we will not back down in the fight to protect the rights of pregnant people in our states and across the country. While the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision reverses nearly half a century of legal precedent and undermines the rights of people across the United States, we’re joining together to reaffirm our commitment to supporting and expanding access to abortion care nationwide.

“While this is a perilous moment for our nation, it is a moment that calls for action. Our promise to our residents is simple: We’ll never stop defending your rights. Regardless of the decision in Dobbs, broad access to abortion remains protected in states that recognize reproductive freedom, such as ours. We refuse to go back to the days of politicians trying to tell people what to do with their bodies. When it comes to abortion care, it’s your body and your right to choose. Nobody else gets to make those decisions.

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Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces New Information Technology Workforce Development Program

By Patrick Herron

The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) will partner with Catalyte, Inc. and Digital Network Group, LLC to provide a fully developed and subsidized operational training and apprenticeship program. This program will offer individuals who do not possess an IT background and qualifications a pathway to break into the IT industry and helps individuals develop long-term career opportunities while providing economic benefits to Maryland communities.

“Through this innovative program, we are creating new economic and life-changing career opportunities for more Marylanders, in one of the most important sectors” said Governor Hogan. “As the United States continues to confront a historic and unprecedented labor shortage, we are advancing a bold workforce development agenda for Maryland.”

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Beyond MoCo

Wiseguy Pizza Acquired By Thompson Hospitality Group

By MCS Staff

Thompson Hospitality Group, which is behind restaurants like Matchbox (Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring locations in MoCo), Willie T’s Seafood Shack (coming soon to MoCo), Austin Grill and American Tap Room (both previously in MoCo), and more, has finalized an agreement this week to acquire all four area Wiseguy locations (Chinatown, Navy Yard, Rosslyn, and Pentagon City), according to Eater DC.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Wiseguy Pizza to the Thompson Hospitality Group family! We’ve partnered with @wiseguypizza and founder Nuri Erol. The Wiseguy Pizza brand is an exceptional compliment to our ever-growing restaurant portfolio. We’re excited to grow and evolve this brand with Nuri while staying true to the magic that made Wiseguy Pizza what it is today.” Thompson Hospitality Group posted on social media over the weekend.

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Uncategorized

What You Need to Know About FIREWORKS in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

It is illegal for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn or explode any fireworks in Montgomery County, Maryland, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic professional with a permit. Penalties for violations of the law include a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. All fireworks are illegal in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and the City of Baltimore. Montgomery County Fire Safety Code: Section 22-70: Fireworks.

In Montgomery County, ALL fireworks are illegal to possess or discharge including gold label sparklers. Snap-and-pop noise makers, snakes and party poppers are the only exception to this law.

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Downtown Silver Spring

Nike Unite Store is Coming to Downtown Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

A Nike Unite store is coming to Downtown Silver Spring, taking over the location that was formerly home to DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse location at 910 Ellsworth Drive, according to a report by Source of the Spring. We spoke with an employee Nike Unite store in Fairfax, VA, which opened on May 26th, who told us that the Silver Spring location is expected to open later this year, but did not have a specific date.

An employee at the Nike Unite store told us that the pricing and products offered at a Unite store are similar to that of a Nike Factory store (often found at outlets), with a slightly different layout and a specific return section for items purchased on Nike.com. Nike describes the Nike Unite concept as:

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