Maryland Archives - Page 305 of 419

Six Flags and Kings Dominion Operators to Merge

Published November 2, 2023 at 9:44AM | Updated November 13, 2023 at 4:51PM

Cedar Fair (owner of Kings Dominion) and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, announced today that the two companies will be merging. The combined company will operate a portfolio of 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and 9 resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. According to a press release, “the combined company, with a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $8 billion based on both companies’ debt and equity values as of October 31, 2023, will be a leading amusement park operator in the highly competitive leisure space with an expanded and diversified footprint, a more robust operating model and a strong revenue and cash flow generation profile.” The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2024

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Maryland Attorney General Co-Leads Coalition in Multistate Amicus Brief Supporting Safety and Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools

By Patrick Herron

Published November 1, 2023 at 1:54PM

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: “Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, co-led a coalition of 19 Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief supporting a Maryland local board of education’s efforts to create a safe and supportive environment for LGTBQ+ children and all students. The Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBE) is facing a challenge to its policy that incorporates LGBTQ+-inclusive books into its language arts curriculum without allowing students to opt out. In the amicus brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the Attorneys General reiterate the importance of providing safe and inclusive school environments for all children, and explain that policies such as MCBE’s do not raise constitutional or other concerns.

“Our schools play a fundamental role in shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation, and it’s our duty to ensure that every child feels safe, supported, and valued,” said Attorney General Brown. “Educational policies that promote respect for LGBTQ+ people will help build a more equitable future for all children.”

Raising Cane’s to Open in Columbia on November 7th

By MCS Staff

Published November 1, 2023 at 1:51PM

Raising Cane’s started its expansion into the D.C. metropolitan region when its first area restaurant opened last December in Sterling, VA (45545 Dulles Eastern Plaza). The first Maryland location opened in Towson in January 2023 and both stores featured lines out the door for months on several days of the week. A Waldorf Location opened in May, a Westminster location opened in July, and a Gambrills locations opened in September to make four for the state. Now, the fifth and closest location to Montgomery County will open at 9071 Snowden River Pkwy in Columbia on Tuesday, November 7th.

We previously reported that Raising Cane’s aims to open 14 stores in the next year, stretching from suburban Baltimore to the Richmond area, and now the chain has announced 15+ locations for Maryland alone. A Forestville restaurant, at 3270 Donnell Drive (Prince George’s County) is set to open on December 5th, which will be a closer location for many. None of the other Maryland locations have been announced yet, and we are awaiting word on if Montgomery County will be included in the openings.

Maryland High School Football Playoff Predictions – Round 1 (MCPS)

By Damon Anderson

Published November 1, 2023 at 8:36AM | Updated November 5, 2023 at 12:06PM

The playoff season is here, and the gridiron is set to sizzle with intense matchups. Let’s break down the thrilling contests and offer some predictions for the first round of the MPSSAA football playoffs.

4A West

Maryland Native to Wrestle Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship on Saturday

By MCS Staff

Published November 1, 2023 at 7:35AM

Before he was LA Knight, one of the hottest superstars in professional wrestling today, Shaun Ricker was a kid growing up in Hagerstown, Maryland. He graduated from North Hagerstown High School (class of 2000), where he was in the band and ran track, but always dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler. On Saturday, he has his biggest match ever– taking on WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

Though he appears to be outspoken now, as his LA Knight persona has been compared to a modern-day version of Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Rock, Ricker remembers how different he was when he was growing up in Hagerstown. “I was a very shy kid, but I always wanted to be a performer. I was that kid that was so shy when I was at my grandma’s house, I would whisper in my mom or dad’s ear, ‘Could you ask her for a cookie?’ Those hand mixers, when I was a kid, I thought the metal mixer part looked like a microphone so I would take those, stand behind a door and I would sing and dance. I figured if I was behind a door, nobody would see me, nobody could hear me. It was like I was invisible.” he said in a since-archived interview with the Ottawa Citizen.

Maryland Man Who Received Pig Heart Transplant Last Month Has Died

By MCS Staff

Published October 31, 2023 at 9:10PM

Lawrence Faucette, a 58-year-old Frederick, MD man with terminal heart disease became the second patient in the world to receive a successful transplant of a genetically-modified pig heart on September 20. In a sad turn of events, the University of Maryland Medical Center announced that Faucette passed away today, nearly six weeks after the transplant. David Bennett, the first person to receive world’s first genetically modified pig heart transplant died approximately two months later.

Per the University of Maryland Medical Center: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence Faucette, the 58-year-old patient with terminal heart disease who received the world’s second genetically-modified pig heart transplant. Mr. Faucette received the transplant on September 20 and lived for nearly six weeks following the surgery.

WSSC Water Lifts Recreational Water Contact Health Advisory  for Triadelphia Reservoir 

By Patrick Herron

Published October 31, 2023 at 3:49PM

Per WSSC: “WSSC Water today lifted the recreational water contact health advisory for the Triadelphia Reservoir, which was issued earlier this summer due to high levels of blue-green algae. The end of the health advisory follows two consecutive weeks of extensive monitoring and testing showing algal concentrations and potential toxins well below advisory thresholds.

A recreational water contact health advisory for the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir was lifted earlier this month. Visitors can now safely resume recreational activities at both reservoirs. To learn about blue-green algae and algal blooms, visit WSSC Water’s Algal Blooms page. 

Festival of Lights Returns on November 30

By MCS Staff

Published October 31, 2023 at 1:52PM | Updated November 10, 2023 at 9:46AM

Are the Festival of Lights events free? All of the Festival of Lights events and displays at the Washington D.C. Temple are free of charge. The performances require you to reserve free tickets in advance. Ticket holders are asked to be in their seats no later than 15 minutes prior to the performance. After this time, the standby line will be admitted to fill in any remaining seats.

I am not a member of your church, can I still come? Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to attend our events and our worship services (learn more about worship services). We only request that all attendees dress modestly, use clean language, and treat everyone with respect. We are Christians who do our best to follow the commandments and teachings of Christ. Whatever your background, you’re invited to join us!

Governor Wes Moore Announces $67.5 Million Investment to Redevelop Harborplace During 2023 Baltimore Together Summit

By Patrick Herron

Published October 31, 2023 at 9:34AM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today announced that the State of Maryland will invest $67.5 million to redevelop Harborplace during the second annual Baltimore Together summit. During the summit’s press conference this morning, MCB Real Estate Managing Partner P. David Bramble announced plans to revitalize and redevelop Harborplace in downtown Baltimore, representing a generational opportunity to reimagine Baltimore’s waterfront for the next century.

“This is what progress looks like: People from all backgrounds coming together to deliver for Baltimore. We cannot take this moment for granted. Because today isn’t just about how we redefine a cultural landmark – today is about how we rewrite the narrative of a city,” said Gov. Moore. “This is about ensuring our state’s largest city claims its rightful place in the American story. For this to be Maryland’s decade it has to be Baltimore’s time. And we will work together to make it so.”

DC Metro Area Ranked #2 Best Cold Weather Destination in the Country, Per Report

By MCS Staff

Published October 31, 2023 at 7:46AM

Ahead of a winter that will see above-average snowfall and normal to colder-than-normal temperatures, according to the latest forecast from the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its 2023’s Best Winter Holiday Destinations report, with the DC Metro area rated the second best cold weather destination in the country.

Focusing on cost and convenience rather than scenic beauty, WalletHub compared nearly 70 of the largest U.S. metro areas grouped by warm and cold weather. Each destination was analyzed based on 37 key metrics, primarily the expense and hassle of traveling to each location but also on other indicators, such as weather forecasts, safety and variety of activities. Here’s a quick glimpse at some of the report’s most interesting findings:

“Coldest Weather of The Fall Thus Far” Expected in Coming Nights

By MCS Staff

Published October 30, 2023 at 10:09PM

The National Weather Service has warned of impending cold for the DMV area over the next couple of nights as we leave 80° days behind and head into November. “The coldest weather of the fall thus far is in store over the next couple of nights. We also have our first accumulating snow forecast of the fall in the Allegheny Mountains Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.”

Warmer Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with temperatures in the 60s for November’s first weekend. Featured photo courtesy of the National Weather Service