MoCo Archives - Page 276 of 613

County Executive Marc Elrich Applauds County Council’s Approval of Phase Out of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Leaf Vacuums

Published September 27, 2023 at 6:13PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is applauding the County Council’s passage of Bill 18-22, which will phase-out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. The Council voted10-1 to enact the bill, which is an amended version of the legislation County Executive Elrich sent to the Council last year. The bill will be signed into law by the County Executive and is the latest step in the County’s continued efforts to reduce noise pollution.

For more information on Bill 18-22, including the Sept. 26, 2023, County Council staff report, click here. The final approved version of the bill is not yet available online. It should be posted online later this week. To watch the Council session, click here.

Input Sought on Renovation of Jesup Blair Park, the Largest Park in Downtown Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published September 27, 2023 at 2:04PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery Parks is conducting an online survey, seeking community input on the renovation of Jesup Blair Park. At 15 acres, Jesup Blair Park is the largest park in Downtown Silver Spring.

Jesup Blair Park is located near the Washington, D.C. line and bordered by Georgia Avenue, CSX/transit railroad tracks, Blair Road and Jessup Blair Drive.

Montgomery County Announces New Climate Change Officer

By Patrick Herron

Published September 27, 2023 at 11:59AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced today that Sarah Kogel-Smucker is the new Climate Change Officer. Ms. Kogel-Smucker joins Montgomery County after leading the creation of the climate change division of the District of Columbia’s (DC) Office of the People’s Counsel. Prior to her work in the District, she served as senior counsel for the New York City Law Department’s Environmental Division. In this role, she advocated for the deployment of affordable clean energy initiatives, analyzed environmental legislation and advised other divisions on climate policy. She has more than 15 years of experience in environmental issues, particularly in the area of environmental law.

“Addressing climate change and designing and implementing effective environmental policy are top priorities for us,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I am pleased to welcome Sarah Kogel-Smucker to our team. We are looking forward to her using her experience and passion to help us reach our goal to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and a 100 percent reduction by 2035. As a county, we cannot solve the problems created by climate change but we can be a leader and a model for other jurisdictions, and Sarah’s work will be an important part of those efforts.”

MoCoShow High School Football Week 5 Preview & Predictions (MCPS)

By Damon Anderson

Published September 27, 2023 at 9:43AM | Updated September 29, 2023 at 8:06PM

Sherwood (3-1) at Gaithersburg (3-1): In-county, this looks to be the most competitive high-level match. After playing each other every year from 2002 to 2014, these two teams square off once again after a 9 year hiatus. It will be a matchup of two top MoCo running backs in Gideon Ituka vs. Van Mahoney. Whoever can generate the most offense outside of their bellcow will likely walk away the winner. Don’t underestimate Gburg, aside from an expected blowout loss to QO they’ve taken care of business against opponents you’d expect a good team to easily handle, and are surely hungry for a statement win. I see this being a pretty tight affair with lots of scoring, but right now I think Sherwood gets the edge based on their earlier schedule being tougher, more proven defense and desire to bounce back from the Blake loss. Prediction: Sherwood by 13

Richard Montgomery (2-2) at Seneca Valley (2-2): A somewhat intriguing matchup that pits strength against strength: RM’s high-flying offense vs. SV’s ferocious defense. SV has some ballhawks that we expect will generate several turnovers and possibly rival the offense in terms of scoring output. Prediction: Seneca Valley by 17

MoCoShow High School Football Top 10 – Week 4 (2023)

By Damon Anderson

Published September 27, 2023 at 8:17AM | Updated September 29, 2023 at 8:06PM

1. (LW 1) Quince Orchard 4-0: The Cougars earned their third shutout of the season, beating Churchill 35-0. Quarterback Nino Marzullo passed for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win. Quince Orchard will travel to Silver Spring to take on Blair this Friday.

2. Northwest (LW 2) 4-0: The Jaguars retained possession of the King’s Trophy defeating Seneca Valley 30-8. As a team the Jags rushed for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns. Northwest will host BCC next.

MoCo High School Sports Scores for Sep 26, 2023

By MCS Staff

Published September 27, 2023 at 8:02AM

Let us know in the comments for any missing scores.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Warns Public of Scam

By MCS Staff

Published September 26, 2023 at 10:11PM

Per the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: “The Sheriff’s Office has been noticing an uptick in scam calls reported by residents of the County. Sheriff Uy would like to remind everyone that the Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for money or financial information over the phone. Also, it is important to remember that paying a “fine” will not clear up a warrant.

These scammers are giving the following fictitious story when they get an intended victim on the phone: “My name is (insert fake name) from the Sheriff’s Office (insert fake Section). You missed a court date/jury duty/failed to answer a summons, and the Judge has issued a warrant for your arrest. If you don’t pay a fine, my deputies will be coming to arrest you immediately.”

Montgomery County Bans Sale and Use of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

By Patrick Herron

Published September 26, 2023 at 9:39PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council enacted legislation today that will prohibit the sale and use of combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in most areas of the County. The vote was 10 – 1, with Council President Evan Glass, Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe, Natali Fani-González, Will Jawando, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, Kristin Mink, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Kate Stewart voting for the bill.

Bill 18-22, Noise Control – Leaf Removal Equipment – Amendments, was proposed by County Executive Marc Elrich and introduced by Council President Evan Glass. As enacted by the Council, the effective date of the ban on the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will be July 1, 2024. The ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will go into effect on July 1, 2025.

Bill Introduced Would Require Gun Retailers to Distribute Information about Suicide Prevention

By Patrick Herron

Published September 26, 2023 at 5:07PM

As part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass held a press conference today introducing legislation that would require gun retailers in Montgomery County to provide information at points of sale on suicide prevention, firearm safety and conflict resolution. According to a press release, “The SAFE Act (Bill 36-23, Sale of Firearms or Ammunition – Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education) would bolster gun violence prevention efforts. The new legislation would require the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to develop literature about firearm safety, suicide prevention and conflict resolution, which retailers of firearms and ammunition would be required to distribute at the point of sales.”

“Firearms are the leading method of suicide in Maryland and nationwide,” Council President Evan Glass said. “This legislation is being introduced during National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness about treatment and support for those who need it the most.

Montgomery County Council Meets on Sept. 26 to Review the Pedestrian Master Plan, Receive a Briefing on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan and Vote on Spending Affordability Guidelines

By Patrick Herron

Published September 25, 2023 at 1:39PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. and will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz and County Executive Marc Elrich will recognize National Preparedness Month. The second, presented by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Gabe Albornoz and Laurie-Anne Sayles will recognize National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

At 1:30 p.m. an additional proclamation, presented by Councilmember Jawando, Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Marilyn Balcombe, will recognize National Walk and Roll to School Day.

Historic Potomac Community Celebrates Major Milestone in Reconstruction With the Lifting of Scotland AME Zion Church

By MCS Staff

Published September 25, 2023 at 1:28PM

To mark and celebrate lifting the 99-year-old Scotland AME Zion Church from its original battered foundation, the Scotland community and civic leaders will host a media event at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28.

The church at 10902 Seven Locks Road, built by hand and opened in 1924 by the Black congregants who lived nearby, was catastrophically flooded on July 7, 2019. The milestone of lifting the church so that a new foundation can be poured marks a significant milestone in the more than four-year effort that has drawn local, state, and regional attention and support. “Those of us who thought the church might be lost forever see this moment as a miracle,” said Chuck Williams, chairman of the capital campaign committee that has raised more than $3 million to date.