The Late-Night Business Safety Plan bill was introduced on Feb. 14 to the Council, which will now consider it. “Last year, we met with business leaders and community members in Silver Spring to discuss the situation and concerns with late night establishments over crime and safety,” said County Executive Elrich. “Since then, we have added safety cameras and new license plate reading technology in areas where they are needed. We have used crime date to reconfigure our patrol strategies. When passed, this bill will be another tool to help keep the community safe by relying on our businesses that cater to a late-night crowd to be part of the solution.”

Changes already in place to improve safety in Silver Spring include the addition of three high-visibility morning posts for officers in the Downtown Silver Spring area, more bicycle officers on patrol and more officers involved in community engagement and crime prevention areas. Adopt-A-Neighborhood programs and support from Maryland State Police have helped the area see fewer incidents of crime since last summer. Adding the Late-Night Business Safety Plan is the next step in addressing safety concerns.


Justin “Captain America” Budd is a Poolesville native and 2016 graduate of Poolesville High School. Last week he made his pro debut at the Legacy Fight Alliance’s LFA 152 show, knocking out Caleb Jensen in the first round with a spinning back fist (video below).

The 5’10, 170 lb Budd wrestled at Poolesville before going on to wrestle at Bacone College. MMAnews.com gave Budd the #1 finish of the week with his impressive performance, stating the following about the up and coming fighter, “Justin Budd had a lengthy amateur career before turning pro at LFA 152, but he jumped onto the radars of a lot of fight fans with the way he stopped Caleb Jensen.”


Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council today announced a total of $1.5 million will be available through two new grant programs for County nonprofit organizations that work with “underserved communities.” Both programs are intentionally very flexible to allow nonprofits to identify their own needs and new programs best suited to support their communities.

Eligible nonprofits can now apply for funds from the programs. Applications are due by 9 a.m. on Wednesday March 15. An online information session for the grant program will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. on Friday Feb. 17. To join the information session or see its recording, click here.


Forging Freedom: Endurance, Escape, and Rockville’s Underground Railroad is an exhibit on the story of Rockville in the era of the Underground Railroad, when slavery cast a shadow over life in this farming town, and separatist tensions steadily propelled the nation towards war. Come learn about the brave fugitives who fled slavery in Rockville, the abolitionist network that helped, and the endurance of the enslaved community.

This is an online presentation through Zoom on Wednesday, February 22z Upon registration, you will receive the link to the Zoom broadcast. If you, a friend, or family member are interested in the presentation but unable to use Zoom? Register for the presentation, then e-mail [email protected] or call 301-762-0096 and ask for the telephone number in the days before the start of the event. You can call and listen to the presentation, instead. (Telephone attendees will not be able to view the visual aspect of the presentation.)


Per Montgomery County: Committee briefings on the County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan and tutoring interventions in public schools; review of FY23-28 CIP amendments for economic development, digital equity, technology services and County offices and FY23 Supplemental Appropriations and FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program Amendments for lactation rooms in County buildings, parking lot resurfacing, HVAC and electrical equipment replacement; and review of legislation related to the Board of Investment Trustees membership and a declaration of no further need in Burtonsville

The Economic Development (ECON) Committee will meet on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) on the implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. The committee will also review FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) amendments for Economic Development and for Digital Equity – Montgomery Connects.


Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is holding a fee-waived adoption event for dogs over 40 pounds starting Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, and running through Friday, Feb. 24. The “More to Love” adoption event is sponsored by Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA). While small dogs get adopted quickly, often within an hour of being made available for adoption, it is not uncommon for dogs over 40 pounds to wait a month or more for their new homes.

“Some people have misconceptions that bigger dogs are harder to train, require more exercise or need more space,” said Adoption Supervisor Faith Koleszar. “That all really depends on the personality of the dog. Some are hiking buddies and some are couch potatoes. Believe it or not, a big dog can be a great apartment dog—as long as they are getting the care and attention they need. If you come to the adoption center with an open mind, we can find you a great match.”


The Food Council is an independent nonprofit organization that connects businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and concerned residents to create a robust, sustainable and equitable local food system. In addition to the Food and Beverage Guide, the MoCo Made Program includes efforts to increase networking opportunities for farmers, wholesale and retail buyers and producers; provides educational resources for existing and aspiring food and beverage business owners on how to scale a business; connects small businesses to tools and resources; and provides overall facilitation and connections of small businesses to customers, capital and infrastructure.

For more information on the Food and Beverage Guide, go to


Per Montgomery County: Marylanders either needing or just contemplating replacing appliances could be motivated to shop from Feb. 18-20 when they can save on paying State sales tax on eligible Energy Star-rated appliances during “Shop Maryland Energy Weekend.”

During Presidents’ Day weekend, appliances bearing the Energy Star label, whether purchased in-store or online, will be exempt from the State’s six percent sales tax. Eligible appliances could include air conditioners, washers, dryers, standard-size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters are tax-exempt year-round.


Congratulations to the following MCPS high schools that won recent athletics championships! The Sherwood boys’ wrestling team won the 4A North Regional Championship. The James Hubert Blake girls’ indoor track and field team are the 4A West regional champions. Swimming and diving division champs include:

And Northwood won the county championship in bocce for the first time in school history.


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