MoCo Archives - Page 325 of 629

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Nominates Jon Monger as Director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Dr. James Bridgers as Director of the Department of Health and Human Services

Published June 9, 2023 at 2:22PM | Updated June 9, 2023 at 3:14PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich today announced the nomination of Jon Monger to lead the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Dr. James Bridgers to lead the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The County Council is scheduled to vote on both nominees on Tuesday, June 20.

County Executive Elrich’s nominee to head DEP, Jon Monger, currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where he oversees agency policy, management, and operational priorities. Mr. Monger has dedicated his career to addressing environmental issues, including serving as Counsel to a presidential commission formed to investigate the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, EPA’s White House Liaison under President Barack Obama, policy advisor in EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, and Oversight Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. Jon received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and graduated magna cum laude from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. During law school, he clerked for the U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Honorable James J. Brady of the Middle District of Louisiana.

Legendary Churchill Lacrosse Coach, Jeff Fritz, Steps Down After 30 Years

By MCS Staff

Published June 9, 2023 at 7:43AM | Updated June 15, 2023 at 1:24PM

Last year, Winston Churchill High School in Potomac celebrated Jeff Fritz’s 300th victory as head boys lacrosse coach at the school and became the first Montgomery County lacrosse team (boys or girls) to ever win a State Championship. Following another successful season in 2023, Coach Fritz has announced that he’ll be stepping down as coach.

Churchill boys lacrosse won the 2022 Maryland 4A State Championship, after defeating Anne Arundel County powerhouse Broadneck 15-7 in the championship. This stories season was memorable for many reasons, as coach Fritz was celebrated for winning his 300th game. Churchill welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember and alumnus Andrew Friedson to the school’s game against Sherwood High School. At halftime Councilmember Friedson presented his old lacrosse coach with a Proclamation from Montgomery County for Coach Fritz’s 300th career win. Churchill boys lacrosse finished 13-0 in 2022.

New 227 Area Code Takes Effect This Month

By Patrick Herron

Published June 7, 2023 at 7:37AM

To ensure a continuing supply of new telephone numbers, the Maryland Public Service Commission has approved an all-services area code overlay for the 240/301 area code region which serves all or portions of Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Bowie, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Hagerstown, Potomac, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Wheaton, and many other small communities. The new 227 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 240/301 area codes.

What is an Area Code Overlay? An overlay is the addition of another area code (227) to the same geographic region as an existing area code region (240/301). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 240, 301, and new 227 area codes.

Rockville Pride Takes Place June 24th

By Patrick Herron

Published June 4, 2023 at 3:04PM

Per the City of Rockville: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Plus (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. The commemorative month also recognizes the impact LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history—locally, nationally, and internationally. The City of Rockville has issued proclamations declaring LGBTQ+ Pride Month since June 2017.

The event is free and open to all ages, and will feature:

(POSTPONED) MoCo’s First 18-Hole Disc Golf Course Will Be Discussed at Community Meeting on Tuesday, June 6

By MCS Staff

Published June 4, 2023 at 8:00AM | Updated June 5, 2023 at 4:31PM

Montgomery Parks is postponing the community meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023, about plans to develop a disc golf course at Northwest Branch Recreational Park. The meeting is being postponed due to health reasons. A new meeting date will be announced soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause.

Montgomery Parks will hold a community meeting from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville to share information about a proposed disc golf course at Northwest Branch Recreational Park. The planned disc golf course at Northwest Branch Recreational Park will be the first 18-hole course in Montgomery Parks.

Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Has Been Announced

By MCS Staff

Published June 4, 2023 at 7:57AM

The 2023 class of the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame (MCSHF) features county natives who have achieved at the national and international levels, as well local figures who are among the very best at what they have done in and for Montgomery County. The new class, which MCSHF announced today, consists of athletes, coaches, and media stars from football, soccer, tennis, basketball, and TV.

The six inductees will be honored in a ceremony on Sunday October 29th. This year’s class includes:

One Case of Measles Confirmed in Montgomery County; Health Officials Urge Individuals Who May Have Been Exposed to Monitor for Symptoms (Press Release)

By MCS Staff

Published June 2, 2023 at 11:59PM

Press release from Montgomery County: Montgomery County and Maryland health officials announced this evening that one case of measles has been confirmed in a Montgomery County resident. Anyone who visited the Cabin John Ice Rink, located at 10610 Westlake Drive in Bethesda on Wednesday, May 24, between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. and a professional office building located at 16220 Frederick Road in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, May 30 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., may have been exposed to measles.

Measles is a contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection which is easily spread to unvaccinated persons through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth. The measles virus may remain in the air for up to two hours. There were five confirmed measles cases reported in Maryland in 2019, and there have been no measles cases reported since then.

Montgomery County to Host Fireworks Shows in Kensington and Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2023 at 6:30PM | Updated June 4, 2023 at 3:06PM

The Independence Day celebrations will take place at the following locations:

“Our Independence Day fireworks displays are such wonderful events and the perfect opportunity to enjoy music, outdoors and time with family and friends,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We look forward to celebrating together once again this summer.” Mid-County Sparkles will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 1 with concerts by Ocho de Bastos and Earth Wind and Fire Tribute Band. The only parking available on-site will be for individuals with disabilities. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m., from Westfield Wheaton, located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road. Event goers who park at Westfield Wheaton prior to 5:30 p.m. may be subject to towing by the property owner. Follow the directional signs for event parking and shuttles.

Montgomery County Executive Elrich and Council President Glass Join LGBTQ+ Leaders for Fifth Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2023 at 6:25PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Council President Evan Glass, Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Woods, Councilmembers and members of the Montgomery Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly joined LGBTQ+ community leaders today to commemorate Pride Month by raising the Progress Pride Flag outside of the Executive Office Building in Rockville.

Speakers arrived in Montgomery County’s first #RideWithPride Ride On bus, which is wrapped with the Intersex Progress Flag and will be serving residents across the County throughout the month of June in honor of Pride. Learn more about the #RideWithPride bus on the Montgomery County Department of Transportation website.

Opening Information for ‘Oak Barrel & Vine’ in Gaithersburg Square

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2023 at 11:46AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open its new Gaithersburg Square store under its upgraded retail concept, “Oak Barrel & Vine,” at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 15. Elected officials and alcohol industry representatives plan to attend the opening. Walt “The Wizard” Williams, a former basketball star at the University of Maryland who went on to play 11 seasons in the NBA, will be present to sign bottles of his Clutch vodka.

The celebration and ribbon cutting will occur in front of the store, located in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center at 512 N. Frederick Ave. in Gaithersburg. Throughout the weekend of Thursday-Sunday, June 15-18, the store will offer special tastings including those of Maryland-made products, high-end spirits and Juneteenth specials.

Montgomery County Wins 13 National Association of Counties 2023 Achievement Awards, Including ‘Best in Category’ for Outdoor Equipment Program at Holiday Park Senior Center

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2023 at 9:04AM | Updated June 1, 2023 at 9:22AM

Per Montgomery County (5.31.23): County Executive Marc Elrich today announced that Montgomery County Government won 13 awards for its operations and innovation in the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards. NACo is a nonprofit organization that provides services to the nation’s 3,069 counties and represents county governments across the United States. The NACo Achievement Awards recognize a county’s outstanding commitment to public service in various categories such as civic education and public information; community and economic development; children and youth; and arts and entertainment.

Since the beginning of the Elrich Administration in 2019, Montgomery County has won 176 NACo Achievement Awards, including four Best in Category awards. In the 2023 awards, Montgomery County won the Best in Category Award in the Parks and Recreation category. The County was recognized for its outdoor fitness equipment program at the Holiday Park Senior Center in Silver Spring. The center features the first outdoor fitness space in the region expressly geared toward the needs of adults 55 and older.