Maryland Archives - Page 320 of 419

Taste and Odor Changes to Tap Water Still Affecting Many in Maryland

Published September 7, 2023 at 1:04PM

As previously reported, customers served by WSSC Water’s Potomac Water Filtration Plant (Potomac River) may still notice changes in the taste and odor of their tap water because of algal activity in the Potomac River (map available below). This change is not harmful and is due to an increase in a naturally occurring substance, Geosmin, caused by warmer weather and low water levels in the Potomac River. As Geosmin are prone to fluctuate with rain and changing water levels, customers may notice order is stronger at certain times than others. This is completely normal.

The odors from the naturally occurring compound, Geosmin, are not toxic. Because the human nose can detect Geosmin concentrations at very low levels, the unpleasant smell can cause sensitive individuals to experience nausea/headaches. Despite the taste and odor issues, the water remains safe, meeting all EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Maryland Attorney General Urges Congress to Study AI and Its Harmful Effects on Children

By Patrick Herron

Published September 6, 2023 at 9:45PM

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: As part of a 54-state and territory bipartisan coalition, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a letter urging Congress to study how artificial intelligence (AI) can and is being used to exploit children through child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and to propose legislation to protect children from those abuses. The danger of AI as it relates to CSAM is in three main categories: the likeness of a real child, who has not been physically abused, being digitally altered to depict abuse; a real child who has been physically abused being digitally recreated in other depictions of abuse; and a fictitious child being digitally created in a depiction of abuse that feeds the market for CSAM.

“The terrifying truth is that for all its potential benefits, artificial intelligence can also be used to hurt children and perpetrate child sexual abuse. With support from states, Congress must act now to get ahead of this manipulation of AI that could have such tragic consequences,” said Attorney General Brown. “We must work together to eradicate the use of this technology to exploit and harm kids.”

Maryland Cannabis Sales Surpass $91 Million in August

By Patrick Herron

Published September 6, 2023 at 11:56AM

Bethesda:

Burtonsville:

Reforest Montgomery Offers Coupon For Major Discount on Qualifying Trees

By MCS Staff

Published September 5, 2023 at 9:49PM

Per Montgomery Planning: Green Montgomery County by planting native trees on your property. Download our Reforest Montgomery coupon to receive a $50 discount on any qualifying tree with a retail value of at least $75 from one of the participating nurseries or garden centers below. Adapted to the unique environmental conditions of Montgomery County, these native trees may need less maintenance and offer high quality habitat that supports pollinators and other local wildlife.

This $50 coupon can be combined with the State of Maryland’s $25 Marylanders Plant Trees coupon for $75 off the price of a tree that qualifies for both programs. View trees that qualify for the Marylanders Plant Trees program. Note: This program was formerly known as Leaves for Neighborhoods.

Former MD Deputy Secretary of State Charged With Sexual Solicitation of Minor

By MCS Staff

Published September 5, 2023 at 11:37AM

Maryland State Police arrested a man Wednesday on charges he solicited sex from an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a child over a smartphone app in Anne Arundel County. Luis Esteban Borunda, 65, of Essex, Maryland, is charged with one count of sexual solicitation of a minor. He is being held without bond at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center. Borunda served in Maryland’s State Department during the Hogan and Ehrlich administrations and was named the deputy Secretary of State in 2015.

According to a preliminary investigation, on August 22 Borunda engaged in an inappropriate text chat who he believed was an underage female. Borunda was actually chatting with a special agent with the Fort Meade Army Criminal Investigation Office posing as a 13-year-old female online.

Heat Emergency Alert Issued For Montgomery County on Tuesday, September 5

By MCS Staff

Published September 4, 2023 at 6:07PM | Updated September 4, 2023 at 6:24PM

Montgomery County has activated a Hyperthermia Alert for extreme heat for Tuesday, Sep 5 from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Expect the heat index to be above 95 degrees. Stay hydrated. Take precautions to protect yourself & pets from heat-related illnesses: County officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves, and their loved ones, against heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. A Hyperthermia Alert is issued for the County when forecasted temperatures, and/or heat index, in at least part of the County is at least 95 degrees or higher creating a hazardous situation in which heat-stroke and heat exhaustion are likely.

A Heat Emergency Alert could be issued for the County when dangerously hot conditions are present, including, but not limited to, temperatures and/or heat index reaching 105 degrees for a period of at least two days or longer for which it will be dangerous to anyone exposed to the heat for an extended period of time. Residents are also asked to check on elderly friends, relatives and neighbors who may be isolated, to ensure they are not showing signs of heat-related illnesses.

MCPS High Schools Perform Well in U.S. News and World Report Rankings

By Patrick Herron

Published September 4, 2023 at 4:54PM

Per Montgomery County Public Schools: All 25 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) high schools earned spots on the 2023 Best High Schools list published by U.S. News & World Report. Five ranked in the top 500 nationally, and nine were ranked in the top 30 in Maryland. Poolesville High School was ranked first in Maryland and 140th nationally.

The MCPS schools that made the top 30 list in Maryland are:

“Vibrant Fireball” Seen By Many in the Mid-Atlantic Region Sunday Night

By MCS Staff

Published September 4, 2023 at 8:07AM

At approximately 9:25, many in the Mid-Atlantic region witnessed a shooting star streak through the sky. The Capital Weather Gang’s Jason Samenow described it as a “vibrant fireball” streaking across the Mid-Atlantic sky. “It is probable that the meteor — or rock from space that entered Earth’s atmosphere — was a fireball, or particularly bright meteor.”

Many in Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York captured the bright shooting star on camera, including Instagram user @OfficiallyKingPhilly from right here in Montgomery County, MD (explicit language warning). His video and a collection of videos from meteorologist Justin Berk can be seen below:

Heat Emergency Alert Issued For Montgomery County Monday

By MCS Staff

Published September 3, 2023 at 9:44PM

Montgomery County has issued a Heat Emergency Alert from 12 – 6 pm on Monday, September 4. Residents should prepare for heat index values to reach 95+ degrees during the afternoon hours. These dangerously hot temperatures and heat index values could cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Try to stay in an air-conditioned location. Stay hydrated. When possible, take frequent breaks in a cool, shaded area.

Don’t forget your pets! If you see an animal outside who appears to be in danger, call the Animal Services Division at 301-279-8000. The following precautions will help residents remain safe and more comfortable during excessive heat days:

2023’s Final Heat Wave? Blazing Hot Week Ahead

By MCS Staff

Published September 2, 2023 at 11:48PM

After a string of beautiful late summer days, hot temperatures will be making a return Sunday with highs expected to reach the mid 90s. It’s only going to get worse from there, as high temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s for most of the week.

Sunny skies and hot weather are the story for the week with Sunday looking to reach approximately 95° (and feel like the upper 90s), Monday is looking to get to about 97° (and feel like the low 100s), Tuesday at 98° (and feel like the low 100s), Wednesday to feel like the hottest day of the week with temps reaching 98° (and feel like 105°) and Thursday at about 96° (and feel like the low 100s).

Maryland Man Pleads Guilty for Threatening An LGBTQI+ Advocacy Group; “You have the right to your own opinions, but you don’t have the right to threaten the lives of those who disagree with you”

By MCS Staff

Published September 2, 2023 at 11:32PM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland:– Adam Michael Nettina, age 34, of West Friendship, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to using the telephone to threaten a group that advocates for LGBTQI+ people. As part of his plea agreement, Nettina also admitted sending messages to Maryland and Virginia state delegates due to their statements in support of transgender people.

“You have the right to your own opinions, but you don’t have the right to threaten the lives of those who disagree with you,” said United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron. “We’ll continue prosecuting these threats to the fullest extent of the law.”