Maryland Archives - Page 299 of 395

Montgomery County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team Has Left For Maui

Published August 16, 2023 at 4:16PM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich made the following statement via social media: “Montgomery County’s Urban Search and Rescue team today is on its way to assist and will use its training and equipment in this massive recovery effort in Hawaii led by Maui County, the State of Hawaii, and FEMA. Our Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue team is part of a highly specialized 70-member group known as Maryland Task Force 1. This team is among the best in the country, so it has experience with situations like this. It is my hope that its presence will help bring closure to the families impacted by this terrible tragedy.

Our thoughts go out to the people of Maui County and the people of Hawaii as they deal with this unthinkable event. This assignment will be difficult for all the search and rescue teams that have been deployed. I want to thank them for their unwavering commitment to assist others in their time of need. The search and rescue teams will make sure people in need get the help they deserve.

Governor Wes Moore Announces Major Action to Rebuild State Government and Modernize Maryland Department of Information Technology Services and Operations

By Patrick Herron

Published August 16, 2023 at 11:13AM

The Maryland Department of Information Technology provides vital technology solutions that allow the executive branch, state agencies and coordinating offices to provide Marylanders with the services that enable them to live and work more safely, efficiently, and productively. The department leads the state’s strategic direction for IT and telecommunications, encouraging cross-agency collaboration and advocating for best practices for operations and project management.

Under the leadership of Secretary Katie Savage, the department’s new key positions will help meet the state’s latest and evolving needs in the realms of IT, AI, cybersecurity, and accessibility:

Maryland Department of Health Launches New Website Listing Vaccination Clinics

By Patrick Herron

Published August 16, 2023 at 10:15AM

Per the State of Maryland: The Maryland Department of Health has launched health.maryland.gov/vaccines, which lists vaccination clinics offered by local health departments statewide, including children’s back-to-school and COVID-19 clinics. The new site will also list flu vaccination clinics when available. Health officials urge parents to take advantage of these vaccination clinics or talk to their health care provider about staying up-to-date on their children’s routine vaccinations as the new school year approaches.

Maryland maintains specific vaccination requirements for participation in child care and public schools, and parents statewide have done a great job keeping their children protected with required vaccinations. In 2022-2023, Maryland reported vaccination rates of 98-99% of all students reporting. For more information about how Marylanders can protect themselves against preventable disease with vaccinations, visit health.maryland.gov/immunization.

Maryland Community College System Ranked 3rd in the Country, Per Report

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 2:18PM

University education is out of reach for many Americans, but thanks to community colleges, higher education is more accessible than ever. Compared with public four-year institutions, where tuition and fees cost almost three times as much on average, community colleges offer many savings for students. With Americans struggling financially due to high inflation and a year of community college nearly three times less expensive than a year at a public four-year college, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on state-by-state ranking of the Best & Worst Community-College Systems, with Maryland ranked as having the third best community college system in the country, ranked behind only New Mexico and Connecticut. A different report also released earlier today had Montgomery College ranked as the 10th best community college in the country.

To determine where students can receive the best education at the cheapest rates, WalletHub compared more than 650 community colleges across 19 key indicators of cost and quality. The data set ranges from the cost of in-state tuition and fees to student-faculty ratio to graduation rate. Despite the fact that community colleges can offer significant cost advantages, not every state offers schools of the same quality. Drawing on the findings of WalletHub of the best and worst individual community colleges in the U.S., the website presents a state-by-state ranking of community-college systems below:

Maryland AG Seeks Feedback on Deal That Merges Parent Companies of Harris Teeter and Safeway

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 10:27AM

Last October, Kroger and Albertsons Companies announced that they’ve entered an agreement that will merge the two companies. Kroger operates in Montgomery County as Harris Teeter while Albertsons operates as Safeway. Kroger will be acquiring Albertsons in the merger. The office of the Maryland Attorney General is looking for feedback regarding how Maryland residents feel about the merger; they released the following:

“Two of the biggest national supermarket companies – Kroger, which operates chains like Harris Teeter; and Albertsons, which owns Safeway – are seeking to merge, which could have an enormous impact on Marylanders. Are you concerned about what this may mean for you? Let us know about your concerns by completing this quick survey. Your voices matter.”

Statement from Attorney General Brown after Maryland Supreme Court Declines to Extend Sex Discrimination Job Protections to Sexual Orientation

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 10:17AM

We must not allow any gaps in our laws that could leave Marylanders vulnerable to discriminatory practices in the workplace. Every Marylander, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves respect and protection on the job. It’s a promise we must keep.”

Governor Wes Moore Announces Launch of Department of Service and Civic Innovation Maryland Serves Application Portal

By Patrick Herron

Published August 14, 2023 at 8:14PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Moore today announced the launch of the Maryland Serves application portal. The portal offers a pathway to new service opportunities, both for eligible adults to earn a living wage and receive professional development and mentoring; and for organizations that are interested in serving as host partners for program participants.

“The Maryland Serves application portal offers an unprecedented opportunity for Marylanders to explore career pathways that allow their talents and purpose to come together to serve their community,” said Gov. Moore. “Service has impacted my life in immeasurable ways, and our Maryland Serves programs will allow us to build a stronger, more compassionate, and competitive state.”

Maryland is Middle of The Pack in 2023 ‘Best States to Live In’ List

By MCS Staff

Published August 14, 2023 at 9:02AM

With around 8.6% of Americans having moved last year, slightly more than the previous year, but still below pre-pandemic levels, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best States to Live in, with Maryland coming in 27th between Connecticut (26) and Washington (28). Maryland’s highest ratings came in the Safety (14th) and Education & Health (18th) categories, with its lowest ranking coming in the Affordability category (38th).

To help Americans settle down in the best and most affordable place possible, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 51 key indicators of livability. They range from housing costs and income growth to the education rate and quality of hospitals:

Severe Storms Possible Today (Monday, August 14th) in DC Region; “Damaging Winds, Large Hail, Isolated Tornado All Possible Threats”

By MCS Staff

Published August 14, 2023 at 7:58AM

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), “Hot and humid air paired with an approaching warm front will result in thunderstorms later today. Some storms may become severe, with damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado all possible threats.”

Temperatures are expected to approach 90° and feel warmer due to humidity. Chance for rain and/or thunderstorms increases in the afternoon and into the evening hours. Per the NWS, all of Maryland and Northern VA are in the ‘Slight Risk’ category for severe weather. Featured photo courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Montgomery County Resident Catches World Record $6.2 Million Blue Marlin

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2023 at 12:45PM | Updated August 13, 2023 at 8:20AM

Montgomery County resident John Ols (Laytonsville) has caught a 640.5 lb blue marlin, earning him a world record of $6.2 million at this year’s White Marlin Open in Ocean City, MD.

Per the White Marlin Open: On the last day of the 50th Annual White Marlin Open, the Floor Real out of Ocean City, MD weighed a 640.5-pound blue marlin to take $6,200,000 of the $10.5 million dollar total purse. The blue was caught by John Ols from Laytonsville, MD.

Beyond MoCo: Governor Wes Moore Announces Early Charm Expansion to Bring New Jobs to Baltimore City

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2023 at 9:39PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced that Early Charm – a company that creates, owns, and operates ventures that convert science to revenue – has officially opened its new production shop in Baltimore City, where it plans to create 115 new jobs over the next four years. The company has leased more than 26,000 square feet of space at 1300 Bayard Street in Pigtown, where it is growing its custom manufacturing operations for advanced materials and supporting the addition of 30 new ventures.

“We are excited to support Early Charm’s reinvestment in Baltimore City, where more than a hundred jobs will soon be added to the Pigtown community,” said Gov. Moore. “Investing in this new facility will allow Early Charm to continue growing its portfolio, boost manufacturing in local industry and make Maryland even more competitive.”