DMV Archives - Page 168 of 193

MoCoShow Football Saturday Game of the Week: Quince Orchard @ South County (VA); Includes Prediction

Published September 1, 2023 at 10:09PM

“In Virginia, high school football is a way of life, it’s bigger than Christmas day.” -Sheryl Yoast, Remember the Titans

This ain’t a rodeo we’re used to seeing. On occasion, MD and VA teams have played each other, but not often is it a clash of two state title contenders. The last time a MOCO team played a NOVA team was Churchill against Broad Run in 2019. Broad Run won 47-7. Well, if you can beat the traffic and make it down to Lorton this weekend, you’ll be in for a treat. Maryland and Virginia have sent their best as the Quince Orchard Cougars test their might against the South County Stallions.

Washington Commanders Announce $40 Million in Upgrades to FedExField, Fan Experience for the 2023 NFL Season

By MCS Staff

Published September 1, 2023 at 9:47PM

The Washington Commanders announced a $40 million investment in FedExField, funding significant upgrades to the stadium infrastructure and the overall fan experience. These upgrades include three new themed suites, new ticket scanning pedestals, point of sale upgrades, and updated Commanders branded imagery around the stadium, as well as maintenance repairs to the bowl and paint around the stadium.

“We have the best fans in football – and they deserve the best gameday experience. These upgrades to FedExField represent an immediate and tangible step to improve that experience, something our ownership group considers a top priority,” said Trista Langdon, Senior Vice President of Operations and Guest Experience. “Not only are we taking care of our fans, we’re also taking care of our house. Fans will continue to see improvements throughout the season as we continue to invest and make changes to everything from basic infrastructure to a re-imagined pregame ritual. We are excited for fans to come home and see all the changes on September 10.”

Washington Commanders Team President on Team Going Back to Its Old Name: “It is not being considered. Period.”

By MCS Staff

Published August 30, 2023 at 1:52PM

When ownership of the team changed hands earlier this month, many wondered is there was a chance the new ownership group would change the team’s name. Fuel was added to that fire when ESPN senior writer Don Van Natta Jr. stated on the Rich Eisen Show that “There’s a ‘pretty good chance’ the new ownership of the Washington Commanders will change the franchise name and have a ‘complete re-branding’ of the team.” Vegas has even released odds on the name-change happening and possibilities on what the new name could be (available below).

Today, Washington Commanders team President Jason Wright stated that the team would not be returning to its old name during an appearance on 106.7 The Fan. “It is not being considered. Period.” While it’s likely the team still undergoes a rebrand, the old name is not under consideration, according to Wright. Betting website BetOnline.AG has released odds on if the Commanders will change its name again and the odds on several choices for the team’s new name. They can be seen below:

Metro: Four Green Line Stations Will Reopen on Saturday, Sept. 2

By MCS Staff

Published August 29, 2023 at 10:58PM

Metro today announced that Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Hyattsville Crossing, and West Hyattsville stations – closed since July 22, – will reopen for rail service on Saturday, Sept. 2. The reopening will be three days ahead of schedule, and the project will be completed under budget.

While the four Green Line stations were closed, Metro installed over 21,000 linear feet of fiber-optic cable to improve radio and signal capabilities and provide the infrastructure necessary for future upgrades such as Communications-Based Train Control. Because the cables are housed in the middle of the two tracks, construction crews could only complete the work while both tracks were out of service.

Update: Precautionary Sweep Finds No Hazardous Materials After National Zoo Was Evacuated Due to Bomb Threat

By MCS Staff

Published August 29, 2023 at 12:19PM | Updated August 29, 2023 at 1:59PM

1:44pm Update: MPD’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squad conducted a precautionary sweep of the zoo and found no hazardous materials.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW DC) is being evacuated due to a bomb threat. According to FOX5, “Authorities say a reported bomb threat was received around 11:13 a.m. Tuesday morning. Visitors and staff have been asked to evacuate the zoo.”

FTA Administrator to deliver $104 million federal grant for Metro’s transition to electric buses

By MCS Staff

Published August 28, 2023 at 5:20PM

The grant will support the procurement of approximately 100 battery-electric buses that will provide cleaner, more sustainable transit for the National Capital Region. Metro is partnering with Fairfax County on the electrification of the Cinder Bed Road facility, a portion of which is planned to be used by the county to house and charge their all-electric Bus Rapid Transit service running from Fort Belvoir to Huntington Metrorail Station by 2030. Metro’s newest electric bus will be on display and available for tours.

Featured photo courtesy of WMATA

Metro introduces ‘Kids Ride Free’ lanes to help D.C. students use Metro to get to school

By MCS Staff

Published August 28, 2023 at 3:28PM

Metro is marking the first day of school for D.C. public school students with a new effort to help ensure a safe and stress-free trip to and from school. Starting today, students will see ‘Kids Ride Free’ signage directing them to use specific faregates at Metrorail stations most used by school children. Station Managers will be on hand to help students who may have issues with their Kids Ride Free SmarTrip cards. If a student does not have their card, the Station Manager will tap the student through the faregates and take note of the student’s school to give the D.C Public School System data to help ensure cards are distributed.

Students are reminded that their Kids Ride Free card from last school year will work until the end of September to allow time for distribution of this year’s cards. Metro has begun working with the District to make Kids Ride Free cards available in mobile wallets in the future to give give students with smartphones a convenient way to get to school without the risk of losing their physical cards. Stations with Kids Ride Free faregate lanes include:

Metro: Tenleytown-AU Station east entrance to temporarily close

By MCS Staff

Published August 23, 2023 at 2:10PM

Metro is accelerating the escalator replacement work at Tenleytown-AU Station and will replace the two east entrance escalators with brand-new ones that are more durable and reliable. Starting Monday, August 28, 2023, the entrance on the east side of Wisconsin Avenue, closest to 40th Street, will close for approximately four months. By closing the east entrance, construction crews can work on both escalators at the same time, increasing project efficiency and reducing the overall project duration by roughly two months.

During the entrance closure, construction crews will also continue to replace the final escalator that runs from the intermediate level to the mezzanine. Metro began construction to replace four entrance escalators and three internal escalators at this station in August 2021. To date, four escalators have been replaced at the station, including the two escalators at the west entrance. All escalator replacement work at Tenleytown-AU will be complete when the east entrance reopens in late December. Customer Impacts:

Chick Hernandez Named Main Sports Anchor For WUSA9

By MCS Staff

Published August 22, 2023 at 7:37PM

Chick Hernandez, a 1981 Blair High School graduate, has announced that he will be joining WUSA9 as the network’s main sports anchor. Hernandez will take over for Darren Haynes who recently decided to accept a Sports Anchor position at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles after six years with WUSA9.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Chick Hernandez, would be joining former Washington players Brian Mitchell and Logan Paulsen as part of the new Preseason 2023 TV Crew. He has continued his work as part of the crew and will wrap up after next week’s final preseason game against Cincinnati Bengals.

Metro: New, Higher Faregates Are Reducing Fare Evasion By More Than 70 percent

By MCS Staff

Published August 22, 2023 at 1:14PM

Metro today released preliminary data showing that new, higher faregates are reducing fare evasion by more than 70 percent at the first stations where they have been installed, including Fort Totten, Pentagon City, Bethesda, Vienna, Mt. Vernon Square, and Addison Road. Metro is now publishing both paid and unpaid ridership data on its online ridership portal to provide transparency on the effectiveness of fare evasion reduction strategies and a more complete picture of total ridership to the public.

New faregate installation was completed today at Congress Heights, and installation at Federal Center SW, Wheaton, and Court House is expected to be completed by early September, followed by the rest of the Metrorail system. Metro will continue to monitor the performance of the new faregates as the rollout is completed.

Gov. Moore Announces He Will Move Forward With Controversial I-495 and I-270 Corridor Expansion Project

By MCS Staff

Published August 22, 2023 at 8:03AM

Per the Maryland Department of Transportation: “Governor Wes Moore today announced a path forward in addressing mobility and access challenges along the American Legion Bridge, I-495 and I-270, with the submission of a formal federal grant application for improvements to those corridors. This application advances a critical piece of the Moore-Miller program for multimodal enhancements in the Washington region along the I-495 and I-270 corridors.

“Transportation is not just about physical mobility; it’s about quality of life, access and opportunity,” said Governor Moore. “The transportation network throughout Maryland and the National Capital Region must be able to get people where they need to go in a timely and reliable manner. Providing long-desired, equitable transportation solutions in the American Legion Bridge and I-270 corridors is critical to eliminating employment barriers, linking more people to high-demand jobs and stimulating local economies.”