MoCo Archives - Page 360 of 605

MoCo Office of Animal Services Provides Relief for Florida Shelters

Published October 14, 2022 at 7:11AM | Updated October 14, 2022 at 7:52AM

The Office of Animal Services’ Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) on Thursday, Oct. 6, welcomed cats and dogs from Florida shelters to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Many of the animals are now available for adoption. MCASAC is located at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood.

As a Best Friends Network Partner, the Office of Animal Services (OAS) received a request for aid. Working together with the Best Friends Emergency Response team, OAS was able to accept 10 cats and three dogs from the Humane Society of Pinellas, which acted as a transport hub for dogs and cats to move out of Florida in the wake of the hurricane to create more room in local shelters for displaced pets. Animals from the transport originally came from multiple Florida shelters, but primarily from Manatee County Animal Services.

Petition to Reinstate Northwest High School Football Coach Travis Hawkins is Signed By Over 1k People in 4 Hours

By MCS Staff

Published October 13, 2022 at 8:34PM

On Wednesday it was announced in a letter to the community by Gaithersburg High School Principal Cary Dimmick, Northwest High School Principal Scott Smith, and MCPS Systemwide Director of Athletics Jeff Sullivan that the Gaithersburg High School Athletic Specialist position and the Northwest High School head and assistant varsity football coach positions will be vacated following an investigation by MCPS of a physical altercation that occurred during the football game between the schools on September 16th.

On Thursday afternoon a petition was created anonymously in support of the reinstatement of Northwest head football coach Travis Hawkins. In four hours the petition has been signed by over 1,000 people.

The MoCoShow MCPS High School Football Week 7 Preview & Predictions

By Damon Anderson

Published October 13, 2022 at 4:38PM

Springbrook (3-3) at Winters Mill (2-4) – The Blue Devils dispatched Northwood 49-6. QB Tommy Dietrich passed for 112 yards and 2 TDs. Springbrook will travel to Carroll County to take on Winters Mill next. Prediction: Winters Mill by 7

Montgomery County Completes Bikeway Construction on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda and Will Reopen Reconfigured ‘Streetery’

By Patrick Herron

Published October 13, 2022 at 2:36PM

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been constructing a link of the Bethesda bicycle network along Woodmont Avenue for the last few weeks, between Bethesda Avenue and Elm Street. The bikeway is separated from the roadway to protect bike riders. The cycle track is part of a new, two-way bike network in Bethesda that offers bright green, protected bike lanes. The cycle track loops around a wide stretch of Downtown Bethesda and connects to the Capital Crescent Trail.

Whether or not the streetery should remain closed to traffic as businesses returned closer to pre-pandemic status was the focus of a recent survey conducted by the County’s Bethesda Chevy-Chase Regional ServicesOffice (BCCRS) and the Bethesda Urban Partnership. Residents and businesses were asked for feedback.

Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project Seeking Partners to Help During This Year’s Campaign

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 9:03PM

Each year the project comes closer to assigning all referred families in need, but some zip codes still struggle to meet demand. Zip codes in great need this year include Aspen Hill (20906), Wheaton (20902), Bethesda-Chevy Chase (20814, 20815, 20817), Burtonsville (20866), Clarksburg (20871), Damascus (20872) and Rockville (20850, 20851, 20852, 20853).

Individuals or groups interested in joining the partnership should email HGP coordinators at [email protected]to discuss how they can be paired with families in need. HGP is seeking to have partnerships lined by Friday, Oct 21.

Board of Elections Installs 55 Drop Boxes for Deposit of Mail-in Ballots for November Election

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 9:01PM

To be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 8 and the oath on the postage-paid return envelope that arrives with the ballot must be signed. Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time of 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 for their ballot to count.

To identify the nearest ballot drop box and post office locator, text BOX plus a zip code (example: BOX 20879) to 77788 or visit 777vote.org. To request a mail-in ballot, text VBM to 77788 or visit 777vote.org.

Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on the Resignation of the Montgomery County Planning Board: “Park and Planning has been run by a group of insiders for far too long”

By MCS Staff

Published October 12, 2022 at 6:27PM

Like many in the County, I have followed with growing concern the unfolding events at the Park and Planning Commission. As County Executive, I have not been a participant in the conversations about the details. I think where people are implicated, a resignation is appropriate. This cannot be the end of the conversation on the dysfunction and structural issues at Planning. The Planning Board faces a deficit of trust, and continued questions about management, transparency and process must be addressed. I stand ready to work with the Council to ensure transparency in choosing the interim members of the board and ensure that the investigations continue.

Beyond the recent reports regarding infighting and questionable behavior and decisions, the Planning Board has also been cited with multiple violations of the Open Meetings Act. Furthermore, the problems with Thrive 2050 and equity and community input should have been recognized and dealt with instead of a push for quick adoption of this significant guide for the next 30 years of development. As noted by one racial equity consultant hired by the Council, “compressed timeframes are the enemy of equity.”

Gaithersburg High School Athletic Director Position and Northwest High School Head Football Coach Positions Vacated in Actions Taken Following MCPS Investigation of Altercation That Occurred on September 16

By MCS Staff

Published October 12, 2022 at 5:36PM

The following letter has been sent out to the Gaithersburg High School and Northwest High School communities by the principals of each school and Systemwide MCPS Director of Athletics:

Dear Gaithersburg and Northwest High School Communities,

Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioners Resign

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 2:20PM

“The Montgomery County Council is united in taking the steps necessary to ensure that the Montgomery County Planning Board can serve its critical functions and oversee the Planning and Parks Departments’ important work for our community,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz. “The Council has lost confidence in the Montgomery County Planning Board and accepted these resignations to reset operations. We are acting with deliberate speed to appoint new commissioners to move Montgomery County forward. We thank the commissioners for their service to our County.”

“The Council is confident that the Planning Department’s newly appointed Acting Director Tanya Stern will provide steady leadership in the weeks ahead. The Council also appreciates and supports Park and Planning staff.”

County Announces New Website Links on Climate Planning, Progress and Action

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 11:31AM

Through the new web portal, visitors can see the County’s climate progress, planning, partners, plans, reports, news, information, public resources and ways to everyone can get involved. Key documents have been translated into six different languages. “Just over a year ago, we launched one of the most aggressive Climate Action Plans in the nation with the goal of eliminating 100 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Since then, we have passed important legislation, such as Building Energy Performance Standards, and committed historic levels of funding to our efforts to combat climate change. Our efforts are being assisted by new federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act. This new web portal provides a better understanding and transparency of our policies, reforms, events, and activities while tracking the progress made toward our goals. When it comes to saving our environment, every moment counts and communication is key.”

In June 2021, Montgomery County released its Climate Action Plan (CAP), a strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. The plan details the effects of the changing climate on the County and includes strategies to reduce GHG emissions and climate-related risks to residents, businesses and the built and natural environment.

Montgomery County Recreation Will Celebrate Fall with Festivals, Costume Contests, Movies and More

By Patrick Herron

Published October 12, 2022 at 11:28AM

Registration for events can be completed online at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. Not all events require registration. Registration for fall programs also is currently underway.