Maryland Archives - Page 334 of 406

Maryland Is 2023’s 7th Best State for Children’s Health Care, According to Study

Published April 11, 2023 at 7:19AM

With workers paying an average of over $6,100 per year toward employer-sponsored family coverage and Every Kid Healthy Week kicking off on April 24, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Best & Worst States for Children’s Health Care, and Maryland came in ranked as the 7th best state for children’s health care.

In order to determine which states offer the most cost-effective and highest-quality health care for children, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 33 key metrics. The data set ranges from share of children aged 0 to 17 in excellent or very good health to pediatricians and family doctors per capita.

Shoe City Files for Bankruptcy; Closing All 39 Stores Including Both MoCo Locations

By MCS Staff

Published April 10, 2023 at 2:50PM

Baltimore-based Shoe City has filed for Chapter 11 on March 31 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, according to BizJournals. The company has 39 stores in Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia, and has begun closing/going-out-of-business sales at all locations, including its two Montgomery County locations at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring and Westfield Wheaton.

Shoe City has been a family-owned business since its inception as Eileen Shoes in 1949. The company rebranded to Shoe City in 1980. “Unfortunately, after 74 years in business, the Shoe City legacy has come to an end,” wrote Stanley Mastil– the chief restructuring officer of Esco (the official business name of Shoe City).

Maryland Ranked Third in List of Best States for Working From Home

By MCS Staff

Published April 10, 2023 at 8:00AM

With 12.7% of full-time employees now working entirely from home and another 28.2% having a hybrid schedule, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best States for Working from Home, and Maryland was ranked as the third best state.

To identify which states are most conducive to working from home, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics. The data set ranges from the share of workers working from home to internet cost and cybersecurity. We also considered factors like how large and how crowded homes are in the state. Together, these metrics show how feasible working from home is in terms of cost, comfort and safety. Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A.

Governor Moore Announces Nearly $92 Million Awarded to Expand Broadband Access

By Patrick Herron

Published April 6, 2023 at 7:43AM

Per the State of Maryland (4.6.23): Governor Wes Moore today announced that Maryland is awarding nearly $92 million to expand high-speed internet access to an estimated 14,500 households and businesses across the state through Connect Maryland, an initiative to close the digital divide through the Office of Statewide Broadband. The Connect Maryland Network Infrastructure Grant Program made 35 awards to Internet Service Providers and local jurisdictions to construct new broadband networks to service unserved households.

“Internet access is essential for Marylanders to have a pathway to receive critical information, be involved with their communities and participate in the local economy,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “These awards help ensure that the infrastructure exists to make Maryland more equitable.”

Maryland Department of Health celebrates Public Health Week

By Patrick Herron

Published April 4, 2023 at 10:06AM

“Maryland’s public health workforce is expansive, diverse, and driven to serve,” said Governor Wes Moore. “I join all Marylanders in expressing both my abiding gratitude that we have such a rich public health legacy and my shared commitment to building an even stronger, healthier future for all of Maryland’s communities.”

Throughout April, MDH and its partners will host and participate in events to raise awareness of the underlying causes of poor health and disease risk among vulnerable populations. Events include weekly community walks for state employees, a digital ad campaign to promote and celebrate the contributions of public health workers, and a networking event for state employees exhibiting culturally-diverse MDH programs and services.

Governor Moore Announces New Partnership Between Maryland Department of Environment and University of Maryland Center for Global Sustainability to Model Maryland’s Climate Goals Pathway

By Patrick Herron

Published April 4, 2023 at 10:01AM

Per the State of Maryland (4.3.23): Governor Wes Moore today announced a new partnership between the Maryland Department of the Environment and The Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland to model Maryland’s pathway toward ambitious climate goals. The announcement came during a roundtable discussion at the State House with climate goal stakeholders including representatives from the Maryland Department of the Environment, University of Maryland, League of Conservation Voters, Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, and Blink Charging.

“We face an historic challenge – and we will tackle it with an all-of-government, an all-of-community, and an all-of-state approach,” said Governor Moore. “We cannot win this fight alone. It will take partnership, it will take collaboration, it will take teamwork; that includes this partnership with the University of Maryland and all of the stakeholders today.”

Thousands of Drivers Incorrectly Charged on ICC

By MCS Staff

Published April 4, 2023 at 5:15AM

According to a report released by Maryland’s Office of Legislative Audits looking into the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), thousands of drivers were incorrectly charged by Maryland tolls between April 13, 2021, and January 30, 2022.

“Based on our data analysis for all MDTA toll facilities, we identified 82,847 customers that were potentially charged more than once for a single trip through a toll facility. The toll charges (including both potential duplicate tolls and correct tolls) for these customers totaled approximately $645,000. A majority of these tolls (80 percent) occurred at three toll facilities – the Intercounty Connector (ICC), the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge, and the Fort McHenry Tunnel.”

Fugitive Roy McGrath, Ex-Chief of Staff to Former Gov. Hogan, Has Died After Being Shot During Arrest in Tennessee

By MCS Staff

Published April 4, 2023 at 4:53AM

Roy McGrath, the fugitive ex-chief of staff for former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, has died after he was shot during an arrest in Tennessee, according to a statement by his attorney Joseph Murtha. “It is a tragic ending to the past three weeks of uncertainty,” Murtha said. “I think it is important for me to stress that Roy never wavered about his innocence.”

FOX 5 reports that “the FBI confirmed McGrath was found Monday in the 10700 block of Kingston Pike at Lovell Road in Knoxville, and was shot during the arrest. The FBI said McGrath was wounded and had to be taken to the hospital.”

Montgomery County Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for the Armed Robberies of an Armored Truck, Two Banks and a Convenience Store

By MCS Staff

Published April 1, 2023 at 8:23AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced Israel Ramirez, age 29, of Burtonsville, Maryland, to 17 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed robbery of an armored truck, two armed bank robberies and the armed robbery of a convenience store. In each of the armed robberies, Ramirez discharged his weapon. Ramirez discharged his handgun multiple times in the bank robberies.

According to his guilty plea, on July 4, 2021 Ramirez committed the armed robbery of convenience store in Laurel, Maryland. During the robbery, Ramirez brandished a firearm, which he fired into a cigarette display behind the register when the employees had trouble opening the register. Ultimately, the employees were able to open the register and provided Ramirez with cash. On July 12^th, Ramirez robbed the same store. An employee recognized Ramirez as the person that had robbed the store and discharged his weapon the week before. Ramirez kept his hand in his pocket and demanded that the employee open the register. The employee provided Ramirez with cash from the register and Ramirez left the store.

Governor Moore Proclaims International Transgender Day of Visibility in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published March 31, 2023 at 1:48PM

International Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates the accomplishments of transgender, gender diverse, nonbinary, and two-spirit people while raising awareness of the work that remains to achieve trans justice. According to the Maryland Center for Economic Policy, an estimated 94,000 residents in Maryland identify as transgender or nonbinary.

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee, members of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, members of the newly-formed LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, and transgender community members and advocates from across the state joined Governor Moore for the signing ceremony at the State House.

Maryland State Police Focus On Distracted Driving Enforcement in April

By Patrick Herron

Published March 31, 2023 at 11:03AM

Per the Maryland State Police: With April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Maryland State Police are reminding motorists just how dangerous it can be on the road if you are not paying attention to your surroundings. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office, more than 24,000 people are injured and 200 others die each year on Maryland roads as a result of distracted driving. Distracted driving contributes to 48 percent of all crashes in Maryland. Each of these injuries and deaths were preventable.

In the first three months of 2023, Maryland State Police troopers have issued a total of 4,352 citations and warnings for distracted driving violations. Last year, troopers issued 21,757 citations and warnings for distracted driving violations of which, 4,199 were drivers who were caught using their handheld phone while their vehicle was in motion. Troopers across Maryland are increasing their distracted driving enforcement patrols and awareness efforts this month. Troopers will be working collaboratively with allied law enforcement agencies to stop motorists who are driving distracted. Seat belt enforcement will be also be a priority.