MoCo Archives - Page 339 of 629

The Montgomery County Council Enacts Bill 10-23 to Establish an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission

Published March 28, 2023 at 12:25PM

“I applaud the unanimous vote of the County Council today to approve the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission. I greatly appreciate the leadership of Councilmember Albornoz and was pleased to work with him on this important legislation. As a parent of an adult foster child with IDD, I know that people in the community with direct experiences can help us. We will begin the task of recruitment for the members of the commission and look forward to the commission beginning the tasks of identifying and advocating for the unique needs of people with IDD and fostering dialogue with families and caregivers,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.

As enacted, the new IDD Commission includes 24 members, including individuals from the intellectual and developmental disability community, service providers and service agencies, and the Commission on People with Disabilities, who will be focusing on promoting direct communication among families, support staff, private and public organizations and the public about programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The commission will also provide educational programs, identify current gaps in services and provide advice and recommendations on best practices to the County and the County Executive.

Montgomery County Executive Elrich Leading Economic Development Mission to Taiwan to Promote County and to Recruit High-Tech Companies and Talent

By Patrick Herron

Published March 28, 2023 at 6:58AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week is leading an economic development mission to Taiwan to promote the advantages for Taiwanese organizations to establish or expand their U.S. operations in Montgomery County. The trip is an outgrowth of an invitation he received from the Taipei Computer Association (TCA) to speak at its 2023 Smart Cities Summit and Expo the County’s Climate Action Plan and Net Zero activities. Montgomery County now is a featured delegation at this Summit, which has more than 1300 attendees from 47 countries around the world.

Montgomery County, which is viewed as the economic leader of Maryland, now is a featured delegation at the Smart Cities Summit and Expo, which has more than 1,300 attendees from 47 countries around the world at its 2023 event.

Update on Oak Barrel and Vine in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published March 27, 2023 at 4:14PM | Updated March 28, 2023 at 7:22AM

The first Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Cabin John Village shopping center, opened in 2021 and has become a customer favorite. The future second Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, is expected to open in January 2023. ABS intends to upgrade its remaining retail stores to the Oak Barrel & Vine brand over the next several years.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 26 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Access to Regular Season Athletic Events To Require MCPS Credentials

By MCS Staff

Published March 27, 2023 at 3:51PM

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is committed to administering spirited and safe athletic competitions consistent with the R.A.I.S.E. core values for MCPS Athletics. District athletics events are extremely popular and well-attended, requiring meticulous logistical preparation. Media credentialing ensures a safe environment for members of the press covering MCPS athletic events and are essential for easy identification and knowing who may be in our athletic facilities. As such, new protocols governing media coverage of MCPS athletic events will go into effect on April 1, 2023; including:

When: The application for athletic event credentials is open. Media representatives must have the official MCPS Athletic Event Credentials in order to attend and cover any regular season event.

Clarksburg, Paint Branch Athletic Directors Win State Honors

By MCS Staff

Published March 26, 2023 at 8:38AM | Updated April 1, 2023 at 7:18AM

Two Montgomery County Athletic Specialist/Directors, Ed Dalton (Clarksburg) and Heather Podosek (Paint Branch) have earned state honors through the Maryland State Athletic Director Association (MSADA).

Per MCPS: Ed Dalton, athletics specialist/athletic director at Clarksburg High School, has been named the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association’s (MSADA’s) 2023 District 2B Athletic Director of the Year. He was selected by all 25 MCPS athletics specialists for the recognition. Heather Podosek, athletics specialist/athletic director at Paint Branch High School, was selected the 2023 MSADA Co-Athletic Director of the Year. They will receive their awards at the state conference banquet on Saturday, April 29.

MoCo Native Jordan Hawkins Hits Six Three Pointers As UCONN Beats Gonzaga to Advance to the Final Four

By MCS Staff

Published March 26, 2023 at 7:56AM

Yesterday we highlighted MoCo native Jordan Hawkins as UCONN prepared to play Gonzaga in an Elite Eight matchup. The young man led his team to a trouncing of Gonzaga, scoring 20 points and hitting six threes to take the #3 seed UCONN to the Final Four with an 82-54 win. Hawkins is a Montgomery County native who attended Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown and Gaithersburg High School for his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to DeMatha. UCONN plays the winner of Miami/Texas on April 1st.

Hawkins was a top 50 recruit, who came to UConn following two years at powerhouse program DeMathaCatholic (Hyattsville, Md.) under Coach Mike Jones. He played AAU for Team Durant under Coach Angel Hernandez, and as a senior at DeMatha, averaged 19.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.9 blocks, while shooting .636 overall and .464 from three-point range to lead DeMatha to an 11-0 record and was named 2020-21 Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year. Hawkins was a two-time Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention pick and averaged 20.2 points per game as a sophomore when he was at Gaithersburg High School (per UCONN).

MoCo’s Jordan Hawkins Leads UCONN Into Elite Eight Matchup Tonight

By MCS Staff

Published March 25, 2023 at 2:06PM | Updated March 25, 2023 at 3:03PM

Jordan Hawkins, an All-Big East 6’5, 190 pound guard for the #4 seed UCONN Huskies, will lead his team against the #3 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs tonight at 8:49pm as the teams compete in an Elite Eight battle to get into the Final Four. Hawkins is a Montgomery County native who attended Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Germantown and Gaithersburg High School for his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to DeMatha.

Hawkins was a top 50 recruit, who came to UConn following two years at powerhouse program DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) under Coach Mike Jones. He played AAU for Team Durant under Coach Angel Hernandez, and as a senior at DeMatha, averaged 19.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.9 blocks, while shooting .636 overall and .464 from three-point range to lead DeMatha to an 11-0 record and was named 2020-21 Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year. Hawkins was a two-time Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention pick and averaged 20.2 points per game as a sophomore when he was at Gaithersburg High School (per UCONN).

Two $5,000 Scholarships Available to Student-Athletes (Walter Hardy Memorial Fund)

By MCS Staff

Published March 25, 2023 at 8:23AM

Per MCPS: The Walter Hardy Memorial Fund will award two $5,000 scholarships to MCPS student-athletes. The scholarship honors the accomplishments of deserving student-athletes who have overcome challenges to achieve success in the classroom and in competition. To be eligible, applicants must be Class of 2023 graduating seniors, and:

Applications are available here and are due Monday, May 1. Hardy was an MCPS coach, teacher and athletic director for more than 25 years. He served as head boys’ basketball coach at Paint Branch High School for 17 years. He also was athletic director at John F. Kennedy High School and had been athletic director at Sherwood High School for less than two months when he died in 2017. He was named All-Met Coach of the Year in 2000 after leading Paint Branch to Maryland’s 3A state basketball title.

County Executive Marc Elrich Disapproves Planning Board Appointee James Hedrick; County Council President Glass Responds Via Statement

By Patrick Herron

Published March 24, 2023 at 9:34PM | Updated March 25, 2023 at 10:59AM

County Executive Marc Elrich’s memorandum to County Council Oresident Evan Glass, disapproving the appointment of James Hedrick to the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Glass’ statement in response, can be seen below:

“Section 15-103 of the Land Use Article of the Maryland Code provides for the County Executive to approve or disapprove appointments of commissioners to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. On March 1, 2023, the Council submitted the appointment of James Hedrick to me for consideration.

MoCo’s Transportation & Environment Committee Writes Letter to WMATA Advocating For Lower Metro Fares

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 12:14PM

Members of the Transportation & Environment Committee have written WMATA a letter stating that they believe that Metro should adopt a fare plan that is fair to all riders. The full letter, by Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Marilyn Balcombe, can be seen below:

“Dear Mr. Smedberg,

Montgomery County Councilmembers to Host Community Conversation on Safety in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 9:44AM

Per Montgomery County: On Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m., Councilmember Kate Stewart and Council President Evan Glass will host a community conversation on safety in Silver Spring. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD. The event will include a panel discussion on gun safety and safety improvements in downtown Silver Spring, a discussion with community residents and a safety walk. Councilmembers Stewart and Glass will be joined by nonprofit partners, public safety and local business leaders.

“We are gathering for this event because like many of you, I want to make sure that Silver Spring continues to be a place where young people, children, families, young adults and older folks feel safe and enjoy all we have to offer,” said Councilmember Stewart. “Addressing the issues we are facing will require everyone to take part in solutions — Montgomery County leadership, partners in neighboring jurisdictions, our police, our businesses, non profits, and our residents.”