Governor Wes Moore announced that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Funds. The funds will support new and improved public boating access facilities, dredging of navigable public waterways, emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders, and other important infrastructure and initiatives.

“Investing in infrastructure is integral to achieving the full potential of Maryland’s resources,” said Gov. Moore. “This partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and our local jurisdictions is critical to improving, maintaining, and promoting use of our public waterways.” The Waterway Improvement Fund is primarily derived from the one-time 5% excise tax when a boat is purchased and titled in the state, as well as a small portion of the state gas tax. It has been used to construct and maintain more than 400 public boating facilities and more than 250 public navigational channels across the state as well as the acquisition of vessels.


Per Maryland.gov: The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers looking for markets for their hay and straw to provide their contact information for a new state Hay and Straw Directory. “This directory will be a valuable tool for farmers marketing their hay and straw and for their potential customers,” said MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks. “I encourage farmers to take advantage of this promotional tool.”

To view the current directory list, please visit https://mda.maryland.gov/maryland_products/Pages/Hay-and-Straw-directory.aspx. To include hay and straw for sale in the directory, please contact Agricultural Marketing Specialist Audrey Broomfield at 410-260-9349 or by email at [email protected].


Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police computer crimes investigators have charged a Cecil County man, employed as a state trooper, with the possession of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Christopher Black, Sr., 48, of Elkton, Md.  He is charged with six counts of possession of child pornography.  After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued for Black. He was arrested by Maryland State Police this morning without incident, processed at the North East Barrack and taken before a District Court commissioner for a bond hearing.

Black is employed as a Sergeant and assigned to the North East Barrack. He is a 21-and-a-half-year veteran of the Department. Black’s police powers have been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.


Restaurant Broker & Developers recently facilitated a major leasing deal for a 6,000 sq.ft restaurant space within The Hotel at University of Maryland’s Conference Center. The space has been leased to Iron Rooster, a Maryland-based restaurant renowned for its unique offerings and warm hospitality.

This will mark Iron Rooster’s 5th location in Maryland, reinforcing their commitment to serve the local community. With the addition of this new location, the dining scene in College Park is about to get a lot more exciting. Per Restaurant Broker & Developers, “This location is poised to be a vibrant hotspot for students at the nearby University of Maryland, offering a perfect blend of delicious food, a welcoming ambiance, and a unique setting.”


Tasting Table, an online publication with over 18 million monthly visitors that offers “expert-backed dining advice, practical tips, must-try recipes, and the most relevant news influencing the food and restaurant world today”, has created a list of “The Best Gyro in Every State” and MoCo’s very own Big Greek Cafe earned the nod for Maryland.

Big Greek Cafe opened its first location in Downtown Silver Spring in 2009 and has quickly grown to become a favorite across the county. In addition to Downtown Silver Spring, there are currently locations in Bethesda, Hillandale, Kensington, Rockville, Urbana, and Laurel. Per the article,“According to the owners, the food here is served just as yia yia used to make. For those who don’t know, yia yia is the Greek word for grandma, and no one can cook better than a Greek grandmother. Follow up the famous gyro pita with rizogalo, a Greek rice pudding dessert not often found outside of Greece.


Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of Attorneys General and cities in moving to intervene in lawsuits challenging decisions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that authorize California to establish regulations that would speed the adoption of zero-emission trucks and reduce emissions from fossil fuel-powered heavy-duty vehicles.

The regulations would help the states tackle climate and air quality challenges by reducing greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. In the latest challenges, trucking and petroleum industry groups are among those challenging EPA’s decision to grant California’s request for “waivers of preemption,” which allowed these regulations to move forward in California and opened the door for other states to adopt them as well. Pursuant to the Clean Trucks Act of 2023, the Maryland Department of the Environment is finalizing regulations, which incorporate California’s standards by reference.


Governor Wes Moore released the following statement on the mass shooting that took place in Salisbury, Maryland:

I would like to thank our first responders who rushed to the scene, and I am confident that law enforcement will bring those who committed this vile act to justice. I spoke earlier this morning with both the county executive of Wicomico and the mayor of Salisbury. I will continue to stay in close contact with local officials and authorities and will assist in every way possible.


Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic gas station and convenience chain with an upcoming location in Gaithersburg and an additional Gaithersburg location likely coming soon, announced it will celebrate Independence Day by reducing its gas prices to $1.776 a gallon. This reduced pricing commemorates the year when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

This limited time promotion began at 12:01am on July 4th and will last all day, or while promotional gallons last. The discounted price will apply to regular, E85 (flex fuel), Unleaded 88, mid-grade and premium fuel grades at all of Sheetz 675+ locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. It will not apply to any diesel or Ethanol Free (E0) fuel offerings.


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