The Virginia Lottery announced on Thursday that the largest jackpot in state history has officially been claimed by an anonymous winner from our neighboring state, Virginia. The single winning ticket, which secured the $348 million Mega Millions jackpot from the June 27 drawing, was presented to Lottery officials at their Richmond headquarters.
Goldie Hawn, a Hollywood icon with a career spanning over five decades, began her journey to stardom right here in Montgomery County. Her name is often among the first mentioned when discussing celebrities from our area.
Last week, MCEDC President & CEO Jared Smith and other local Montgomery County business leaders were named to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 250 List, which recognizes influential business leaders across the DMV region. Smith, who joined MCEDC in December 2025, brings over 20 years of economic development and business experience across local and state government to the role. He is widely recognized in the economic development field and chairs the International Economic Development Council’s national Committee on the Future of the Profession, helping shape strategies that influence communities across the U.S.
During his time at MCEDC, Smith has led the development of the new Countywide Economic Development Strategic Plan for Montgomery County. The strategic plan establishes a clear, actionable framework to guide economic growth, competitiveness, and inclusive opportunity across the County. The plan builds on existing County assets like talent and proximity to world-leading research institutions, while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the ecosystem and workforce development.
Smith also oversaw MCEDC’s rebrand, which included a refreshed logo, new website, and the launch of quarterly MCEDC-hosted events where each convened over 100 attendees. Smith has also prioritized building a best-in-class economic development team and has made several key hires, including a new Vice President of Business Development, Vice President of Economic Competitiveness, and Chief Operating Officer.
The Washington Business Journal’s Power 250 list also recognized several other Montgomery County leaders, including Co-founder of Xometry, Randy Altschuler, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Angela Franco, Founder & CEO of United Therapeutics, Dr. Martine Rothblatt, President & CEO of The Donohoe Companies, Christopher Bruch, and President of Montgomery College, Dr. Jermaine F. Williams.
Traveling across the state this weekend? Below is a listing of traffic alerts issued in the last week. Please click the links to see how it will impact your travel if you plan to be in these areas.
As we prepare for the leaves begin their autumnal shift in a few weeks, anticipation is building for the return of a local Halloween legend. Markoff’s Haunted Forest, a staple of spooky season in Dickerson, is gearing up for its 33rd year of delivering spine-tingling scares starting October 3rd.
Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming, and the community that cares for the museum’s ephemeral outdoor sculpture family, to learn about the project’s evolution over the past two decades, and what the future holds.
Learn about the art of clay, traditions of sustainability in Pueblo building techniques, and more. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly art activities, dance performances by the Zuni Olla Maidens, watch a short film, and multiple opportunities to hear from the artist, her family, and museum experts that have contributed to the care and revitalization of the sculptures.
Get into the holiday spirit at our Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Rockville Senior Center. The holiday bazaar features over 50 handmade crafters, book sale, plants sale, raffles, lunch for purchase, and more! Sponsored by Rockville Seniors, Inc.
Free admission for all ages
Sansone Group, based in St. Louis, in partnership with Silver Spring-based Priseda, acquired a 214,000 SF Tier 4 data center located at 12401 Prosperity Dr. in White Oak/Silver Spring MD for $29 million, according to Biz Journals.
With nearly 160,000 students heading to 211 schools on Tuesday, Aug. 26, MCDOT and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) ask residents to plan extra travel time and be alert to school buses and children traveling to and from school.
Maryland State Police arrested a 64-year-old Oakland, MD woman for impersonating a police officer and second-degree assault after an alleged altercation with a 19-year-old woman. (more…)
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and community partners will host 12 “Community Conversations” from September through November to gather input on the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, beginning Sept. 8 in Bethesda.
MCPS issued the following reminder to students and families emphasizing the importance of safe gun storage, noting that firearm-related injuries are now a leading cause of death among children and teens in the U.S. (more…)