Traffic

Emergency Sinkhole Repair to Cause Major Delays on Southbound I-270, Per State Highway Administration

By MCS Staff

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) continues to remind the public of emergency road work closing the two right lanes on southbound I-270, just prior to I-370, due to a sinkhole. Motorists are to expect “major delays” and are asked to use 355 as an alternate route. You can see live traffic updates here.

According to WTOP, the sinkhole was the result of a broken 6-foot drainage pipe that runs underneath I-270 before Interstate 370. “Part of that pipe, it’s corrugated pipe, has become compromised, so we had to close two right lanes at this time, so we can get in there and assess what’s going on,” Gischlar said.

Go to Emergency Sinkhole Repair to Cause Major Delays on Southbound I-270, Per State Highway Administration Read more
Beyond MoCo

MCPS Chief of Staff, James D’Andrea, to Become Principal at Cheltenham High School in Pennsylvania

By MCS Staff

Current MCPS Chief of Staff, James D’Andrea, has been announced as principal of Cheltenham High School, effective Friday, July 1, 2022. D’Andrea, who is still listed on the MCPS website as Chief of Staff, was appointed to the position on June 10th, 2021, but did not begin to serve in the position until July 1, 2021. Cheltenham High School is located in Wyncote, PA, which is coincidentally in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The full press release from the school district can be seen below:

“After an extensive search and interview process, Mr. James D’Andrea has been appointed as the principal of Cheltenham High School, effective Friday, July 1, 2022. The board voted to approve his appointment at the Tuesday, June 14 legislative board meeting.

Go to MCPS Chief of Staff, James D’Andrea, to Become Principal at Cheltenham High School in Pennsylvania Read more
MoCo Libraries

Silver Spring Library to be Formally Named for Late Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Charles E. McGee on Saturday, June 18

By Patrick Herron

The Silver Spring Library is located at 900 Wayne Ave. in Downtown Silver Spring.

The renaming of the branch follows an executive order signed by County Executive Elrich on Feb. 28 to honor the achievements and life of Brig. Gen. McGee, who was a County resident and passed away at age 102 on Jan. 16. He served as a fighter pilot and member of the 332nd Fighter Squadron, famously known as the “Tuskegee Airmen,” an all-Black unit in World War II. He later flew combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Go to Silver Spring Library to be Formally Named for Late Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Charles E. McGee on Saturday, June 18 Read more
Germantown

Montgomery County to Host 25th Juneteenth Free Celebration This Saturday, June 18, with Events at BlackRock Center in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

The BlackRock Center is located at 12901 Town Commons Dr. in Germantown.

The celebration will be a free, family-friendly event, but an RSVP is encouraged to receive a day-of-event reminder email with the direct link to the event and any additional announcements. An RSVP can be made at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-juneteenth-journey-to-freedom-tickets-316992431897.

Go to Montgomery County to Host 25th Juneteenth Free Celebration This Saturday, June 18, with Events at BlackRock Center in Germantown Read more
Traffic

Sinkhole to Close Two Lanes on Southbound I-270 for 24 Hours or More

By MCS Staff

Press release from Maryland State Police: “At this time, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is out with a large sinkhole in the right lane of I-270 southbound prior to Exit 9 I-370 in Montgomery County.

SHA has been notified and they have a representative on scene, and are waiting for more crews to come out. The sinkhole is the result of a broken 6ft drainage pipe and SHA is trying to get contractors to come out and repair. Per SHA this could be an extended closure of 24 hours or more, and may end up closing the 2 right lanes.”

Go to Sinkhole to Close Two Lanes on Southbound I-270 for 24 Hours or More Read more
Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: George Washington University to Drop the ‘Colonials’ Moniker

By MCS Staff

George Washington University has made the decision to change the Colonials moniker. The new moniker will be announced by the 2023-24 academic year, and Colonials will continue to be used until a new moniker is introduced.

According to the George Washington University website, the decision to change the Colonials moniker was the result of a thoughtful, deliberate process that spanned many years. “This decision was not taken lightly. Ultimately, both the Special Committee on the Colonials Monikerand the Board of Trustees determined that the university would be better served by a new moniker that will help unify the GW community and increase pride in the institution. In the end, we all want to ensure that the university’s moniker accurately reflects the values, strengths and diversity of the George Washington University.”

Go to Beyond MoCo: George Washington University to Drop the ‘Colonials’ Moniker Read more
MoCo Government

Councilmember Friedson Introduces the Paid Parental Leave Act

By Patrick Herron

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 14, 2022—Today, Councilmember Andrew Friedson introduced two bills to benefit working parents in Montgomery County government. Bill 10-22, the Paid Parental Leave Act, would provide six weeks of paid parental leave for County employees. In addition, Bill 11-22, the Right to Nourish Act, would require the County to provide lactation rooms or alternative accommodation for employees in its buildings. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors of both bills.

“I believe that Montgomery County government, as an employer of almost 10,000, must lead by the power of its example. We must model an environment that acknowledges, values and uplifts women, parents and families,” said Councilmember Andrew Friedson. “Historically, women in the workforce have been overburdened and under supported. COVID-19 has only exacerbated existing challenges. Helping new parents productively balance their work and family lives will strengthen the County government workforce and improve services we provide to residents.”

Go to Councilmember Friedson Introduces the Paid Parental Leave Act Read more
MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Committee Meetings on June 16, 2022

By Patrick Herron

The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee will meet on Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m. to discuss the County’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Action Plan, receive a briefing on County income tax estimates and discuss the Tax Supported Fiscal Plan Summary for the FY23-28 Public Services Program.

The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.

Go to Montgomery County Council Committee Meetings on June 16, 2022 Read more
Maryland

Governor Hogan Presses For Progress on Launch of Mobile Sports Betting in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Read the governor’s mobile sports betting letter. “Instead of decisive action to implement the voters’ decision, you have allowed the process to stagnate and become mired in overly bureaucratic procedures that have needlessly delayed the state’s ability to maximize the revenue potential of this emerging industry,” wrote Governor Hogan. “Sports fans in Maryland simply want to be able to place bets on their mobile devices—that’s what they voted for, and they are angry and discouraged over SWARC’s inability to make it happen. … Our state and its citizens deserve clear and definitive action from SWARC and a legal, transparent framework to place mobile bets—not endless bureaucratic roadblocks that continue to hold back progress.”

Ahead of the legislative commission’s next meeting tomorrow, the governor outlines several definitive actions it can take to get mobile sports betting up and running:

Go to Governor Hogan Presses For Progress on Launch of Mobile Sports Betting in Maryland Read more
Bethesda

Montgomery County Receives Maryland Quality Initiative ‘Award of Excellence’ for MD 355 Crossing Project in Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

MdQI is a consortium of public and private sector agencies and industry associations representing Maryland’s transportation industry. The organization advocates for the highest quality in planning, design, construction and maintenance of Maryland’s transportation system.

Each year, a panel of experts evaluates award nominations. Winners are announced at a MdQI annual conference and awards event. This year’s event was held May 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Go to Montgomery County Receives Maryland Quality Initiative ‘Award of Excellence’ for MD 355 Crossing Project in Bethesda Read more
Montgomery Village

Coming Soon Signage Up at Montgomery Village Starbucks

By Patrick Herron

Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Montgomery Village Starbucks, which will be located at the former site of the Montgomery Village Denny’s (19290 Montgomery Village Ave.) While the exterior of the of the store appears to be complete, the buildout has not yet begun on the inside. No opening date has been announced.

Last month we reported that Dickey’s BBQ Pit will also be opening a new location in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. Building permit signs were posted on the future sites of Kobe Japan, The Joint, and Boo Boo Pho, also in the shopping center, back in March.

Go to Coming Soon Signage Up at Montgomery Village Starbucks Read more
View More Stories