MoCo Archives - Page 331 of 629

Olney Native Oguchi Onyewu Named U.S. Soccer Federation’s Vice President of Sporting

Published May 10, 2023 at 12:59PM

The U.S. Soccer Federation has named Oguchi Onyewu as the Vice President of Sporting. Onyewu, 40, brings a wealth of experience as a player and sporting executive with over 25 years in the game. The Olney native attended and played for Sherwood High School. During high school, he enrolled in the U.S. residency program for soccer in Bradenton, Florida before returning to Sherwood to graduate.

Per US Soccer: In this newly created role, the two-time World Cup veteran will work closely with U.S. Soccer’s Sporting Director Matt Crocker in supporting all sporting initiatives within the Federation. Reporting to Crocker, Onyewu will also play a prominent role in managing relationships with clubs and leagues in the United States and across the world, along with strengthening other stakeholder relationships.

County Council Raises Recordation Tax Rates to Increase Resources for School Construction, Montgomery County Construction Projects and Affordable Housing; New Rates Begin October 1, 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published May 10, 2023 at 12:08PM

Per Montgomery County (5.9.23): Today the Montgomery County Council enacted Bill 17-23, Taxation – Recordation Tax Rates – Amendments, to increase resources for Montgomery County Public Schools’ construction projects, Montgomery County capital projects and the creation and maintenance of affordable housing through the Housing Initiative Fund. Councilmember Kristin Mink was the lead sponsor of the bill and Councilmember Will Jawando was a cosponsor. The Council’s vote was 7-4 to enact the legislation.

As a result of this legislation, resources to fund capital priorities are projected to increase by $187.3 million over the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) which covers fiscal years 2023 through 2028. Montgomery County’s most recent CIP status report shows a funding gap of $207.5 million, and the additional resources generated through updated recordation rates will help close this gap and fund essential construction projects including schools, affordable housing projects and transportation infrastructure improvements.

Wyclef Jean, Gyptian, and More Set to Perform at Scotland Freedom Day Concert at MoCo Fairgrounds in June

By MCS Staff

Published May 10, 2023 at 7:36AM

The Scotland Juneteenth Festival, and its presenting sponsor Minds in Motion Child Care, are bringing recording artists Wyclef Jean, Gyptian, Jamaican reggae legend Tarrus Riley with opening act Dean Fraser & The Blak Soil Band, and more for the Freedom Day Concert at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Monday, June 19th. Tickets can be purchased here. Additional information below:

Celebrating the past and present of the first places African-Americans owned land in Montgomery County, the Scotland community of Potomac, has announced significant expansion of the annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival for 2023. Featuring a children’s carnival and musical performance highlighted above, as well as art exhibitions, food, sports, and presentations on Black history in this region, the events for the federal holiday on Monday, June 19, will be spread across the Cabin John Regional Park, Cabin John Village, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, and the Scotland community on Seven Locks Road.

Joint Letter from Board President Silvestre, Superintendent McKnight, and the Three Employee Associations Concerning MCPS Operating Budget Funding

By MCS Staff

Published May 10, 2023 at 6:52AM

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Board of Education (Karla Silvestre), Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight), Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA President Jennifer Martin), Service Employees International Union Local 500 (SEIU Local 500 President Pia Morrison), and Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (President Christine Handy) wrote the following joint letter to the Montgomery County Council concerning the funding of the MCPS operating budget:

“Dear Council President Glass and Councilmembers:

Seneca Valley Announces Quintin Cosby as Sixth Ever Head Football Coach in School’s Storied History

By MCS Staff

Published May 9, 2023 at 10:00PM | Updated May 10, 2023 at 3:59PM

Seneca Valley High School athletic director Jesse Irvin has announced Quintin Cosby as the sixth head coach in the storied history of Seneca Valley football. The full announcement can be seen below, courtesy of Seneca Valley Athletics:

“The Seneca Valley High School Athletic Department and Administration is pleased to announce the hiring of our new head football coach, Mr. Quintin Cosby. Coach Cosby is the sixth head coach in the storied history of Seneca Valley Football. Quintin takes over the reins from Mr. Joseph Rankin.

Montgomery County to Host 26th Juneteenth Celebration with Music, Artistic Performances, Educational Exhibits on Saturday, June 17, in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated May 9, 2023 at 3:17PM

The celebration weekend will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at BlackRock when County Executive Marc Elrich leads ceremonies to honor the 2023 winners of the County’s African American Living Legends Awards. The awards honor individuals who are 75 or older and have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy and selfless acts of kindness to their community. BlackRock Center for the Arts is located at 12901 Town Commons Dr. in Germantown.

Montgomery County to Host Online Annual Spring Forum Focusing on Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment on Thursday, May 18

By Patrick Herron

Published May 8, 2023 at 12:45PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host its annual mental health and substance use disorder spring forum from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. “Overcoming Disparities and Barriers to Treatment for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder” is a free event that will focus on treatment access within underserved communities and will include a track for adults and a concurrent track for youth, planned by members of the County’s Youth Ambassador Program. The forum will be hosted online.

Youth will participate in youth-led sessions, exploring ways to help their peers or themselves access support for mental health or substance use disorders. Youth participants will then rejoin the adults in the main Zoom room so all attendees can ask questions during a live Q&A panel. The event will conclude with links to various resources for mental health and substance use prevention, intervention and treatment. Students who attend for the full two-hour event will receive SSL hours.

Joint Statement from Board of Education President Karla Silvestre and Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight On MCPS Operating Budget

By MCS Staff

Published May 6, 2023 at 7:33AM

County Council Education and Culture Committee Reduces MCPS Operating Budget Request: The Montgomery County Council’s Education and Culture Committee today unanimously took several actions on the Board of Education’s requested budget. First, the Council reduced the school district’s budget by $22.3M, on top of the $7.4M by which the County Executive reduced the district’s request in his recommended budget. Second, the committee divided the school district’s remaining $200.7M funding request into two categories of ‘high priority’ ($156.1M) and ‘priority’ ($44.6M). This action now moves the final decision on MCPS funding to the entire County Council. In February, the Board of Education budget requested $230.7M from the County Council.

This action places the district in a seriously difficult position in trying to address the academic, social, and emotional priorities coming off a historic period of time in our nation as a result of the pandemic. The most significant concern is essentially the jeopardy in which this places the key investments that were specifically designed to fully staff our schools and address disparities in literacy and math, close opportunity gaps, and create greater equity across the district, especially among our black and brown students, and students receiving special education, language, and meals services.

Montgomery County HOC Dedicates New Affordable Senior Apartment Community in Silver Spring That Is Named for Former County Executive Isiah Leggett

By Patrick Herron

Published May 5, 2023 at 10:13AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Evan Glass today joined Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Congressman Jamie Raskin and community leaders in Silver Spring as the County’s Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) dedicated its newest affordable senior community, “The Leggett.” The 267-unit, 16-story complex was named for former County Executive Isiah Leggett, who was a strong advocate for affordable housing. Among the many people attending the ceremonies were Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, members of the County Council, former Congresswoman Connie Morella and former staff of Mr. Leggett’s administration.

Under Mr. Leggett’s leadership as County Executive from 2006 to 2018, Montgomery County expanded affordable housing funding; maintained or constructed 77,000 affordable housing units; and invested in countywide measures to improve the quality of life for senior adults.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing Germantown Woman

By Patrick Herron

Published May 4, 2023 at 12:33PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigations Section are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Shoshana Tzvia Marcus, a missing 24-year-old from Germantown.

Marcus is missing from the 11400 block of Stoney Point Place. She may be traveling to the Baltimore area in a silver 2016 Toyota Corolla, bearing MD license plate, 5DM2382. Marcus is approximately 4-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 99 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair. It is unknown what clothing she was last seen wearing. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair’s Returns in August After Three Year Hiatus

By Patrick Herron

Published May 4, 2023 at 8:43AM

Per Montgomery County: The third annual Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair will return in August after a three-year hiatus due to the health crisis. Applications are now being accepted for the event that will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Aug. 19. The fair, which will be held in Rockville Town Square, is open to ages 6-14. Applications are available at www.mocochildrensbusinessfair.org. The deadline to apply is June 2.

The fair will host 40 young entrepreneurs at an event open to the public. Those selected will have an opportunity to present innovative ideas and make sales pitches in a forum that will be judged.A panel of judges from the local business community and celebrity influencers will listen to the presentations.