MoCo Archives - Page 288 of 613

Antisemitic Graffiti Found Under Bridge on Josiah Henson Parkway in North Bethesda (Sensitive Content)

Published August 28, 2023 at 4:14PM

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (JFGW) shared a photo of antisemitic graffiti found under a bridge on Josiah Henson Parkway in North Bethesda (an unedited photo can be seen below). They released the following statement: “We are deeply disturbed by the racist and antisemitic message found under a bridge of Josiah Henson Parkway in North Bethesda, MD. Our community will continue to stand strong and resilient in the face of hatred in all its forms.” The JFGW also stated that they are working closely with their security team and Montgomery County Police to keep the community safe and learn more about this incident. JFGW asks the public to continue to report security concerns or incidents to their security team.

Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart also tweeted the following regarding the graffiti, “I condemn the hateful message and swastikas found under a bridge of Josiah Henson Parkway in the vicinity of Tildenwood Dr in North Bethesda. I have been in touch with MCPD District 2D, which is investigating this hate vandalism and we are working to remove it immediately.” She also tweeted that residents are advised to report similar incidents to MCPD at 301-279-8000 as soon as they are seen.

PLAY Sports Coalition Distributes State-Funded Grants for Youth Sports Organizations in Maryland; Including Girls on The Run Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

Published August 28, 2023 at 8:31AM

$450K in Funding was Granted to 31 Non-Profit Organizations to Provide Equitable Access to Sports

The PLAY Sports Coalition (PLAYS), a unique coalition of thousands of stakeholders across the national and community youth sports industry, announced today that the organization has successfully distributed previously unlocked state funding in Maryland and Massachusetts. This funding provided one-year grants to programs using sports as a tool for youth development in historically disadvantaged communities. Included amongst the programs receiving the grants is Girls on the Run of Montgomery County.

Ghost Guns and AK-47 Among Firearms Turned in at Buyback Event

By Patrick Herron

Published August 27, 2023 at 10:08AM

On Saturday, August 26, the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD), in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, held a “gun buyback” event at RedGate Park (14500 Avery Rd) in Rockville. Residents that turned in a firearm received a receive a $100 Visa gift card for functioning handguns, rifles and shotguns or $200 in Visa gift cards for functioning assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns).

According to RCPD, over 110 firearms were voluntarily turned in within the first hour of the event. We will post an update when the final tally is announced. More than 300 firearms were voluntarily turned during a similar event held last August. Additional details about Saturday’s event below:

County Executive Elrich to Hold the First of 10 ‘Community Conversations’ to Seek Input on Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget on Thursday, Sept. 14

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:38AM

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners will host 10 Community Conversations from September through December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The first conversation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Mid-County Recreation Center in Layhill.

The official address of the Mid-County Recreation center is 2004 Queensguard Road in Silver Spring.

Montgomery County Council to Hold a Public Hearing on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan on Sept. 27, 2023 at 7 p.m.

By Patrick Herron

Published August 25, 2023 at 10:22AM

The Council will receive testimony on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, which is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the County’s long-term priorities, which includes a vibrant economy, equity for all residents and a healthy environment.

The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and neighborhoods of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the U.S. 29 Corridor near Paint Branch on the south toward Greencastle Road on the north. The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities and the environment.

Sobriety Checkpoint to Take Place Friday, August 25th

By MCS Staff

Published August 24, 2023 at 10:37PM

Per Montgomery County Police: On Friday, August 25, 2023, officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police and allied agencies will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint and will conduct focused enforcement on impaired driving laws. The exact location of the checkpoint will not be disclosed in advance:

What: Sobriety Checkpoint

Anti-Hate Task Force Jewish Cohort to Present Policy Recommendations at Virtual Meeting on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.

By Patrick Herron

Published August 24, 2023 at 1:29PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force’s Jewish cohort will present their policy recommendations to the task force at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. The Anti-Hate Task Force, spearheaded by Council President Evan Glass, was formally adopted through a resolution with unanimous support in June. The task force is made up of community and faith leaders working to engage the community and develop recommendations to inform policies that promote safety and combat hate crimes in Montgomery County.

Cohort groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic and Muslim communities will present their policy recommendations at meetings throughout the fall. Each cohort group may also hold listening sessions to provide an opportunity for the public to engage and provide input.

Gardening Grant Program Awards Funding to 10 Organizations to Support Food Security Efforts and Increase Community Food Production

By Patrick Herron

Published August 23, 2023 at 10:56PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Resident and Community Food Gardening Grant Program recently presented 10 awards totaling $100,000 in funding to expand resident and community food production capacity.. The awards, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, represent partnerships in the faith community, urban agriculture, neighborhood associations, academic institutions and community health services.

The funding reflects priorities established in the FY23 County operating budget to increase food security and support initiatives that will expand local food production through home and community farming and gardening. The funded projects will help to promote food sovereignty, healthy living, civic engagement and racial and social justice by creating opportunities for residents to cultivate their own food sources, thereby increasing access to affordable and culturally diverse food. These efforts will contribute to reduced transportation emissions and community resilience in the face of climate-related supply chain disruptions.

Additional Information on This Saturday’s Gun Buyback Event in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published August 23, 2023 at 10:52PM

Per Montgomery County: The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD), in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County Public Schools, will hold a “gun buyback” event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, (rain or shine) at RedGate Park in Rockville. The event is open to all and no ID is required. Gift cards of $100 or $200 will be presented to participants for functioning weapons, depending upon the type of weapon brought for exchange.

RedGate Park is located at 14500 Avery Road in Rockville. More than 300 firearms were voluntarily turned in by members of the community during a similar event last August. Community members will be able to voluntarily turn in their firearms and receive a $100 Visa gift card for functioning handguns, rifles and shotguns or $200 in Visa gift cards for functioning assault-style weapons and privately manufactured firearms (ghost guns). All firearms will be accepted with no identification needed and a no-questions-asked policy by law enforcement. RCPD will maintain the ultimate determination on the eligible firearms for gift card issuance.

Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center Remains at Critical Occupancy, Adoption Fees Waived Through August, 24

By Patrick Herron

Published August 23, 2023 at 1:20PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) in Derwood has reached a dangerous capacity for animals of all types. Despite the recent support in a campaign to have large dogs adopted, the over-population situation remains critical and has extended to all types of animals. To help inspire adoptions, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for the next 100 pets adopted by Thursday, Aug. 24.

The full capacity means the shelter will only be accepting animals who need immediate help. This policy is to help prevent euthanasia. Owners who must rehome a pet are encouraged to use rehoming websites. The shelter can list pets on the website for owners trying to rehome. Visit Surrender an Animal (montgomerycountymd.gov) for information on rehoming. Due to lack of space in the shelter, surrendering a pet now means it is at an increased risk for euthanasia.

FOX 5’s Lexi Brooks Leaves Station For Job With WWE

By Patrick Herron

Published August 23, 2023 at 11:02AM

Earlier this week, FOX 5 announced that Planning Editor Lexi Brooks would be leaving the station to begin working for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as a travel production assistant. Brooks had been with FOX 5 since November 2021 and worked behind the scenes on several programs, including Good Day DC. Brooks starts working for WWE this week and says she’ll be flying out this Thursday to work on Friday night’s WWE Smackdown event in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Lexi Brooks has been a planning editor with FOX 5 for nearly two years, booking some the biggest names and making the magic happen behind the scenes at our summer long Zip Trip events. But it’s on to new adventures for the Lexicutioner. She will be missed!” Full segment can be seen below: