MoCo Archives - Page 328 of 629

Montgomery County ‘Keeping It Safe Coalition’ Announces Student Video Contest Winners

Published May 22, 2023 at 4:17PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and the Montgomery County Police Department announced the high school and middle school winners of the 2022-23 “Keeping It Safe Coalition” student video contest. The annual contest encouraged teams from Montgomery County public and private schools to create 30-second public service announcements to educate young people about the risks of under-21 alcohol use.

“We’re happy to support the Keeping it Safe Coalition. Raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of under-21 alcohol consumption among students is an important endeavor. These videos will help their peers learn how to fight peer pressure when it comes to alcohol consumption and ways to support friends who have an alcohol problem,” said Kathie Durbin, ABS Director.

Message from the County Executive: “Green Hydrogen Buses—Our Next Step in Fighting Climate Change”

By Patrick Herron

Published May 19, 2023 at 6:14PM

Dear friends,

Here is a rendering of what that project could look like:

Update on Wheaton Metro Homicide

By Patrick Herron

Published May 19, 2023 at 7:42AM

Montgomery County Police has released additional information regarding Thursday’s shooting at the Wheaton Metro station. According to MCPD, “The victim in yesterday’s Metro station shooting has died. This is now being investigated as a homicide.

At approximately 5:53 p.m., Montgomery County Department of Police – 4thDistrict officers were called to the Wheaton Metro station on Georgia Avenue, for a shooting that just occurred. Preliminarily, there was an altercation between individuals on the escalator inside of the station. The dispute escalated and an 18-year-old male was shot on the train platform.

Montgomery County Council Votes to Approve Preliminary Agreement on $6.7 Billion Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget; County’s Property Tax Rate to Increase 4.7% With $692 Tax Credit

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2023 at 8:43PM

Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council reached a preliminary agreement on the County’s $6.7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Operating Budget and the $5.7 billion amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). “This budget makes historic investments in education and in meeting the needs of our residents and our workforce,” said Council President Evan Glass. “We achieved these goals by reducing the proposed property tax, finding efficiencies in government operations and making strategic investments to keep Montgomery County moving forward.”

“The Council’s budget deliberations carefully balanced our strong and steadfast commitment to our students and teachers with our residents’ many other priorities, while also upholding our responsibility to be fiscal stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Glass. “We fully funded teacher contracts and met salary and benefit agreements for our hardworking first responders, police and healthcare workers. At the same time, we cut the County Executive’s proposed 10 percent property tax hike by more than half. I’m grateful to my Council colleagues who brought new and unique perspectives to the table and shared a commitment to transparency and oversight every step of the way.”

Montgomery County Celebrates ‘Bike To Work Day’ With Multiple Pit Stops Across The County on Friday, May 19

By MCS Staff

Published May 18, 2023 at 4:29PM

Bike to Work Day is held annually across the nation on the third Friday of May to celebrate bicycling as a fun, healthy and climate friendly way to get to work. MCDOT will sponsor seven pit stops with refreshments, music and local vendor displays at varying times throughout the morning of May 19. There will be free raffle prizes and a grand prize raffle of a new bike at each of the MCDOT-sponsored pit stops. Residents biking to work, as well as leisure riders, are encouraged to participate.

In addition to the seven pit stops sponsored by MCDOT, there will be more Bike to Work Day pit stops in the County operated by other organizations. PIT STOPS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

Regency Taxi Launches Montgomery County’s First Hybrid Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi

By MCS Staff

Published May 18, 2023 at 4:07PM

Abdellatif Ouardi, an affiliate taxicab operator with Regency Taxi, is driving the first hybrid wheelchair-accessible taxi in Montgomery County.  The taxi, which was purchased by Mr. Ouardi, has been providing accessible service to residents who are disabled for the past few months.

“Being able to provide wheelchair-accessible transportation to residents who need that assistance is great,” said Mr. Ouardi. “As a micro-business owner, not having to worry as much about sudden spikes in the cost of gas, and reducing my environmental footprint are also things that can help my business grow”. Residents can reserve a trip with this vehicle by visiting the Regency Taxi’s website here or by calling 301-990-9000.

Montgomery County Announces a Call to Artists to Design the Official 2023 County Pride Decal

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2023 at 2:45PM

Per Montgomery County: In preparation for Pride Month in June, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Community Partnerships have announced a community-wide call to artists and designers to create the County’s official 2023 Montgomery County Pride decal. The winning design will be printed and distributed for use by businesses, nonprofit organizations, County Government and others to show their public support for LGBTQ+ communities in Montgomery County. The winning design from the youth/young adult category will be printed for use specifically at youth-serving establishments and schools.

All submissions are due by Wednesday, June 1 and should be submitted electronically on the MontgomeryCountyPride.org website. The County’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board will choose up to five final designs to be displayed at County Pride Month events and on social media for public voting.

Einstein High School Community Pushes Back Against Plan to Replace School’s Tennis Courts With Classroom Portables

By MCS Staff

Published May 18, 2023 at 2:23PM

A plan to replace the Einstein High School tennis courts with classroom portables does not seem to be a popular one for the Einstein community, as a petition against the plan, created two days ago, has already gained 600 signatures. The official Einstein High School football team twitter account has also asked MCPS about this move, “Day 1: Hey @MCPS why are you taking away facilities from our school and community for more portables? Putting portables on tennis courts? Please provide and explanation and cite your evidence as to how this is equitable to our students” The petition states the following:

“Plans are being made to replace the Einstein Tennis Courts with classroom portables. This would take away 3 courts and leave the Tennis Program to practice on just the 4 courts that belong to Newport Mill Middle School. This would leave 2 courts per team which would create cramped and unproductive practices. We also need all 7 courts for our games, and leaving the team with 4 would make our games last significantly longer.

Council President Evan Glass’ Statement on the FY24 Operating Budget and Amended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2023 at 1:39PM

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass made the following statement about the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget and the Amended Fiscal Year 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Program. The Council’s final vote on the capital and operating budgets for Montgomery County is scheduled for May 25. Below is Council President Glass’ full statement:

“When I was first elected to serve as president, I promised to work collectively with this elected body – and to bring greater transparency. As an at-large councilmember, it has been my mission to uplift the needs of residents from every corner of our community. I believe we must build on our accomplishments to make Montgomery County a more fair and equitable place, where everyone can afford to work, live, raise a family, get the best education and age in place.

Montgomery County Joins ‘Capital Area Solar Switch’

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2023 at 10:00AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County is again joining the “Capital Area Solar Switch,” an innovative program that leverages the power of groups to help residents and businesses throughout the Washington metropolitan area learn about and install rooftop solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle charging stations. This is the third year that Montgomery County has joined forces with Solar United Neighbors and other jurisdictions to create the opportunity for people living in and around the D.C. area. In addition to competitive pricing on solar panels, members of Capital Area Solar Switch receive a direct line to ask questions about the process and access to a team that vets qualified installers to compete for the group’s business.

The program will conduct a reverse auction with qualified installers on June 21 to secure a competitively priced solar package. After the auction, personal recommendations will be prepared and sent to all registered residents by July 25. Capital Area Solar Switch’s auction is expected to save residents an average of $4,000 on a standard-sized system. The IRA Federal solar tax credit could further reduce costs by an additional 30 percent.

Montgomery County Offers Tick Protection Tips as Weather Heats Up

By Patrick Herron

Published May 18, 2023 at 9:56AM

Lyme disease is the most reported tickborne disease in Maryland. In 2021, more than 900 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Maryland. Symptoms of Lyme disease include:

If left untreated, the disease may spread to the joints and nervous system. Contact your health care provider if any of these symptoms develop after a known tick bite or after spending time in a tick habitat. Most cases can be cured with antibiotics.