MoCo Archives - Page 291 of 613

Montgomery County Nonprofits May Be Eligible for ‘Clean Water Montgomery Grants’ Awards Range from $40,000 to $100,000

Published August 15, 2023 at 5:36PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County nonprofit organizations including local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations, service and civic groups may be eligible for grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 via the “Clean Water Montgomery Grant” Program. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust) partner to administer the program, which is made possible through the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund and through Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) funding.

“Through this partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we are taking meaningful steps to protect our water quality and enhance our communities,“ said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “By supporting projects that address stormwater runoff and pollution, promote education and foster stewardship, we are empowering local organizations to play a crucial role in restoring and maintaining the health of our waterways.”

Free Computers and Up to $45 Per Month Off Home or Mobile Internet Available for Low-Income Montgomery County Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 5:33PM

Per Montgomery County: A new school year is about to start, and for some low-income residents without computers or the ability to pay for home or mobile internet, Montgomery County is trying to provide help through its continued program of giving away free computers and subsidized internet service. The next distribution of free computers will be from noon-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Germantown American Job Center.

The Maryland Connected Device Chromebook laptop computers are funded by a $7 million grant from the State of Maryland. The laptops are being distributed through the Montgomery Connects program, operated by the County’s Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS). Mobile and internet connectivity subsidies are available through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

MoCo Animal Services and Adoption Center at Critical Occupancy, Adoption Fees Waived for Next 100 Animals Adopted

By Patrick Herron

Published August 15, 2023 at 12:22PM

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.

Statement From Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass Regarding WaPo Article on MCPS Principal

By Patrick Herron

Published August 14, 2023 at 4:55PM | Updated August 14, 2023 at 6:26PM

On Friday, August 11, the Washington Post released an article alleging that Paint Branch High School Principal Dr. Joel Beidleman had been reported to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 18 times in seven years and detailed alleged sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and other inappropriate conduct at multiple schools, spanning over a decade. The article states that Beidleman was placed on leave by MCPS and that the school system will launch an “independent, external investigation.”

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass released the following statement on Monday, August 14: “I am deeply disturbed by the Washington Post’s detailed reporting alleging an MCPS principal created a hostile and unsafe workplace. The public needs to know who was aware of this information and why it was not promptly investigated. As we prepare for a new school year, we must ensure that students and teachers feel safe, welcome and respected in the classroom.”

Two New Parks Added to Annual Deer Population Management Operations in Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

Published August 14, 2023 at 2:51PM

Montgomery Parks‘ annual deer population management program will take place from September 2023 into March 2024, across 48 parks. Two new park locations are being added to the deer management efforts this year. Montgomery Parks will notify residents adjacent to newly added/adjusted park locations by mail, signage, and other electronic forms of communication such as email and social media posts. A complete schedule of program dates and locations is available online. This year, archery-managed hunts are being added to the following park locations:

In addition to these expansions, one deer population management park location (3 park units) will also see an adjustment to the strategy. North Germantown Greenway Stream Valley Park (Brink Rd. & Wildcat Rd. southeast)/Great Seneca Stream Valley Park Unit 2/Blunt Rd. Local Park will transition from firearms-managed hunting to archery-managed hunting. Initiated 27 years ago, the program addresses deer populations in many areas of the county that result in deer-automobile accidents, excessive damage to the environment, private landscapes, and agriculture and concerns over disease. Once programming is implemented and established in these areas, routine maintenance is required to balance deer with available habitat and human land uses.

MCPD Responds to Several Illegal Car Meet-ups Saturday Night

By Patrick Herron

Published August 13, 2023 at 8:44PM

On Saturday, August 12, Montgomery County Police released a message on social media stating that they were responding to several locations for illegal car meet-up events and that they would be enforcing traffic violations in those areas. According to MCPD, the gatherings were shut down and no arrests were made.

Parents of Missing Teen Believe She Was Groomed and Lured Away Via Social Media

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2023 at 2:43PM

The Special Victims Investigations Division of Montgomery County Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old, Sophia Isabella Roach (age 15), who has been missing for over a month now.

“We believe that she was kind of groomed and lured online by somebody, and we’ve got evidence of that from social media,” Mayyasa Roach said in an interview with NBC Washington. “And that, yes, she left, may have been voluntarily, but now she’s been abducted or she is somewhere that we don’t believe that she’s in control of her situation.”

Watkins Mill Becomes First Maryland School to Earn Level 1 Status Within the NFHS School Honor Roll Program Three Years in a Row

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2023 at 1:19PM

Watkins Mill High School has become the first Maryland school to earn Level 1 Status within the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Honor Roll Program for the third straight year after recently earning the award for the upcoming school year.

The NFHS writes playing rules for high school sports and provides guidance on a multitude of national issues. They offer online education courses for high school coaches, officials, students, parents, and speech and music leaders through the NFHS Learning Center, and showcase high school sports and performing arts online through the NFHS Network. “Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to enjoy healthy participation, achievement and good sportsmanship in education-based activities.”

County Leaders React to WaPo Article on Paint Branch High School Principal

By Patrick Herron

Published August 12, 2023 at 10:58AM

Last Friday, an email was sent to the Paint Branch High School community informing them of the school’s principal, Dr. Joel Beidleman, going on extended leave. Beidleman was named principal at Paint Branch in June and was previously principal at William Farquhar Middle School in Olney.

On Friday, the Washington Post released an article alleging that Beidleman was reported to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 18 times in seven years and details alleged sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and other inappropriate conduct at multiple schools, spanning over a decade. The article states that Beidleman was placed on leave by MCPS and that the school system will launch an “independent, external investigation.” Yesterday, several local leaders took to social media to share their thoughts on the situation:

Montgomery Update: Unemployment Rate of 1.5 Percent in June Was County’s Lowest in More Than 30 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published August 11, 2023 at 5:41PM

Dear Friends,

Over the last four years, and even during COVID19, we have been focused on supporting existing businesses, encouraging others to expand here and incubating new ones.

Roche Announces Termination From DC 101

By MCS Staff

Published August 11, 2023 at 4:29PM

Greg Roche, known as Roche in his 22 years with DC 101, has announced that he has been terminated from the station and was told the station will be going in a different direction. Roche has been with DC 101 since 2001 and is a resident of Montgomery County. His full post can be seen below (featured photo courtesy of Roche on Air on Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/100058144205314/posts/692192246062243/?mibextid=cr9u03