Maryland Archives - Page 348 of 406

Civil Penalty Waiver Grace Period For Video Tolls Ends Wednesday, November 30

Published November 26, 2022 at 2:40PM

In February, MDTA started a civil penalty waiver grace period for tolls paid in full and has ceased referring toll bills to the Central Collection Unit (CCU) and MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) temporarily. While it seems like it has lasted forever, the grace period will end at 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2022, and the MDTA will resume referrals of unpaid toll bills and civil penalties to CCU and MDOT MVA on December 1.

If you have unpaid Video Tolls and/or Civil Penalties, the MDTA will waive the Civil Penalties if your toll balance is paid in full between Feb. 24 and 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2022. After the grace period ends, customers will remain responsible for all unpaid tolls and civil penalties and referrals will resume.

Maryland included in List of States Where FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Certain Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters

By MCS Staff

Published November 26, 2022 at 1:15PM | Updated November 26, 2022 at 10:40PM

Per the FDA: Restaurants and food retailers that have received shipments of frozen half shell oysters harvested on 2/6/2022 from Designated Area No. II, and exported by Dai One Food Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea (ROK).

Consumers, especially those who are or could become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, who have recently consumed raw oysters in Alabama (AL), California (CA), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Maryland (MD), New York (NY), New Jersey (NJ), Nevada (NV), North Carolina (NC), Pennsylvania (PA), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), or Virginia (VA) and suspect they have food poisoning should seek medical care immediately.

Governor Hogan, First Lady to Host Final Holiday Open House Saturday, December 3

By Patrick Herron

Published November 25, 2022 at 10:37AM

Per MCPD: Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan invite all Marylanders and their families to join them for their final Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Government House in Annapolis. The event is free of charge, open to the public, and no reservations are required.

“For the past eight years, it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your Governor and First Lady,” said Governor Hogan. “The First Lady and I look forward to welcoming Marylanders of all ages to Government House this holiday season for our final Holiday Open House.”

Maryland State Police To Increase Patrols As Motorists Take To The Road Ahead Of Thanksgiving

By Patrick Herron

Published November 23, 2022 at 1:13PM

Per the Maryland State Police: With more than 1 million Marylanders expected to travel 50 or more miles over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Maryland State Police will be increasing patrols to ensure motorists arrive safely at their destination.

Maryland State Police will be conducting saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks with a focus on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, otherwise known as the SPIDRE team, will also be patrolling this weekend. The goal of the SPIDRE team is to focus on removing these dangerous drivers from Maryland highways who endanger the lives of other motorists. Enforcement will be bolstered by impaired driving saturation patrol funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

Governor Hogan and Transportation Officials Honor Victims of Crashes Involving Drunk, Drugged Drivers at 19th Annual Maryland Remembers Ceremony

By Patrick Herron

Published November 22, 2022 at 1:11PM

Per the State of Maryland—Governor Larry Hogan joined together today with other state officials, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) leaders, safety advocates, and law enforcement officers for the 19th annual Maryland Remembers ceremony, an event honoring Marylanders who have lost their lives to impaired driving. “No one should ever get behind the wheel of a car and drive impaired, and we hope that this creative new initiative will encourage more Marylanders to make better choices,” said Governor Hogan. “Even one death is one too many, which is why we must continue working together, we must continue to tell the stories of those we have lost, and we must continue doing everything in our power to save lives and to prevent future tragedies.”

The governor was joined by MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr., MDOT Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Woodrow Jones III, highway safety advocates from the Maryland Affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, and victim impact speaker Deb Hardy in Annapolis for this year’s ceremony. Nineteen years ago—the same year Maryland Remembers began—Ms. Hardy’s daughter was killed a week before her 14th birthday by an impaired driver.

Office of Attorney General Formally Overrules Past Opinions that Upheld or Applied Racially Discriminatory State Laws; Office Reviewed Opinions Dating Back to 1916 to Determine if They Upheld or Applied the View that Maryland Could Restrict Interracial Marriage, Impose Segregation

By MCS Staff

Published November 21, 2022 at 7:32PM

In an official opinion addressed to Maryland General Assembly leaders, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh formally overruled prior opinions of the Attorney General of Maryland that upheld or applied racially discriminatory Maryland laws that were later found to be unconstitutional.

Specifically, Attorney General Frosh found that many former opinions by the Office explicitly or implicitly relied on two discriminatory legal principles: 1) the restriction of interracial marriage by the State of Maryland and 2) the doctrine of “separate but equal” in public facilities, especially public education.

Governor Hogan Proclaims November 22 as Kimchi Day in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published November 21, 2022 at 11:17AM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed November 22, 2022 as Kimchi Day to recognize the importance of this popular Korean dish, and to further celebrate Korean culture in Maryland.

First Lady Yumi Hogan, the first Korean-American First Lady in the United States, has promoted kimchi through her “Yumi Cooks” series. Government House is the first and only governor’s mansion in the nation with a kimchi refrigerator. The First Lady also led the effort to open Maryland’s Koreatown last year in Ellicott City.

Governor-Elect Wes Moore’s Statement on MDOT Decision on I-495/1-270 Toll Lanes Contract

By Patrick Herron

Published November 21, 2022 at 9:50AM

Last week the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan, which included a10-month extension for private companies to submit proposals. On Friday, Governor-Elect Wes Moore issued the following statement:

Under Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller’s leadership, the Moore-Miller administration is eager to work collaboratively with Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman, Treasurer Dereck Davis, the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Marc Erich, and our communities to find the best path forward.”

Open Enrollment: Less Than Three Weeks Left to Enroll in Medicare and Receive Lower Premiums in 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published November 19, 2022 at 11:05AM

Per the State of Maryland—With Medicare Open Enrollment in full swing, Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona E. Kramer are reminding Marylanders that lower premiums are available for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. In addition, beneficiaries can now compare 2023 Medicare health and drug coverage premiums and deductibles using the recently updated Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. “Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to many residents across the state who utilize the program,” said Governor Hogan. “We want to continue to ensure that every Marylander has access to affordable care and, ultimately, a better quality of life.”

More than 1 million Marylanders are enrolled in Medicare. The projected average premium for 2023 Medicare Advantage plans is $18 per month, a decline of nearly 8% from the 2022 average premium of $19.52. Medicare Advantage plans will continue to offer a wide range of supplemental benefits in 2023, including eyewear, hearing aids, preventive and comprehensive dental benefits, access to meals (for a limited duration), over-the-counter items, and fitness benefits. The average basic monthly premium for standard Part D coverage—which helps pay for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs—is projected to be $31.50, compared to $32.08 in 2022.

Maryland Attorney General Reaches Settlement with Washington Commanders

By MCS Staff

Published November 19, 2022 at 9:17AM

“For many years, the Commanders kept money that was not theirs. It belongs to their customers,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Today’s settlement will require the team to return the monies owed to consumers. The Commanders will pay a penalty, and they will be enjoined from engaging in similar practices in the future.”

Under today’s settlement, the Commanders are required to refund all security deposits that have not yet been returned to consumers who are no longer ticketholders within 30 days. If any of the payments are undeliverable, the team must turn the funds over to be held as unclaimed funds. Today’s settlement also contains an injunction requiring the team not to mislead consumers about their security deposit practices and to return in the future any security deposits they collect from fans within 30 days of the cancellation or termination of their contracts to purchase tickets. The Commanders have also agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty.

Maryland Mobile/Online Sports Betting Will Go Live on Wednesday, November 23

By MCS Staff

Published November 17, 2022 at 1:31PM

Maryland Lottery Director John A. Martin says Maryland online sports betting launch will commence on Wednesday, Nov. 23, but a time has not yet been determined. According to sports betting reporter Ryan Butler, seven sportsbooks should be ready to start taking bets that day:

Betfred, betPARX, Fanatics have also been approved, but launches TBD.