“Live” Christmas trees with root balls and artificial trees cannot be collected as yard trim. You can also recycle branches and needles at home by placing them under trees and shrubs– or chop them up and add them to your compost pile!
From your apartment or condominium: Residents of apartments and condominiums: check with your property manager or representative for specific recycling instructions.
“Shark Tank,” eat your heart out. In an eight-week program that ultimately led to an exciting finale reminiscent of the popular reality TV show, 30 teams of start-up businesses participated this fall in the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) Lab for Entrepreneurship and Transformative Leadership’s second “Equity Incubator” for minorities and women.
Five teams qualified to compete in the showcase at the conclusion of the program on December 8, with the $10,000 grand prize ultimately going to NanoBioFAB, a local nanotechnology firm that uses artificial intelligence-driven sensors to support innovative medical treatments and healthcare solutions.
Montgomery County Police have announced that the Alcohol Holiday Task Force arrested 37 people for DUI during the week of December 14-18 and 24 people for DUI during the week of December 21-25. Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Holiday Alcohol Task Force have been devoting their full time and attention to detecting alcohol-related offenses this holiday season to save lives and reduce impaired driving violations in our roadways.
This task force typically starts the week before thanksgiving and ends the first week of January. Montgomery County Police officers and officers from allied agencies (Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Rockville City Police, Takoma Park Police, Gaithersburg Police, Maryland State Police and Maryland National Capital Park Police) volunteer to work the task force.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is pleased to partner with several County agencies as well as Silver Spring Cares Inc. and CHEER to host a coat drive and distribution to support the Long Branch community. Coat collection will take place Dec. 27 – Jan. 5 at locations across the County. Individuals can also make a monetary contribution via GoFundMe.
“As we can tell from recent weather, having a proper winter coat is very important; unfortunately, for many County families they are costly purchases,” said County Executive Elrich. “I encourage everyone to donate new or gently used coats at this time of the year. I want to thank Silver Spring Cares Inc., CHEER, along with the Montgomery County Police, Montgomery County Recreation and the Silver Spring Regional Services Center for providing this easy and accessible opportunity to help out our neighbors most in need.”
Student-athletes from throughout MCPS high schools participated in a Student-Athlete Leadership Council Meeting at Carver Educational Services Center on Sept. 13. The meeting discussed a variety of topics, including strong leadership and enhancing participation in MCPS athletics. In addition, students on the council recently produced this PSA, a message about being respectful, encouraging and supportive at all athletic events. The video can be seen below:
WSSC Water has reported that there have been 48 breaks and leaks in Montgomery and Prince George’s County on Christmas Eve as of 8:40pm. Crews are “moving from one job to the next as quickly as possible” and additional contractors are also out repairing breaks, according to WSSC.
“One of our crews hard at work on Christmas Eve to restore water for our customers. We have 48 breaks and leaks in Montgomery & Prince George’s counties tonight. We’re moving from one job to the next as quickly as possible plus we have additional contractors repairing breaks.” -WSSC Water on Twitter.
Per MCPD: It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Dr. Aquilur Rahman. Dr. Rahman was a pillar of the community, including as one of the founders of the Montgomery County Muslim Council and the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation. He was known for his work to support the diversity of our community. He also had a long history of philanthropic work locally, in the United States and in Pakistan. Dr. Rahman also had a distinguished professional career in the area of cancer therapeutics where he made significant contributions with his research and innovation. My condolences to his family and friends. We will miss him but use his dedication to community as inspiration for our work.
It is with great sadness that I note the passing of Dr. Aquilur Rahman who was a pillar of the community and one of the founders of the Montgomery County Muslim Council. Read my full statement. https://t.co/fnys3JUgek pic.twitter.com/CxRT5oqLdi
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will issue a Cold Emergency Alert starting at noon TODAY, Friday, December 23 lasting through Saturday, December 24. Extremely cold weather is expected to drop temperatures into the teens and single digits. Wind chill lows during this time are expected to drop below zero and could fall to -15 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Cold Emergency Alert is the highest level of extreme temperature alert issued by the County. It is activated when conditions—temperature combined with wind chill—are forecast to be below 20 degrees. These conditions pose a significant threat to exposed human and animal life. The conditions may include wind chill advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service and/or significant snowfall.
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is extending the “Home for the Holidays” fee-waived adoption event for all animals through Dec. 31. The adoption event is sponsored by Friends of Montgomery County Animals (FMCA).
“Thank you to everyone who has shared our plea, visited the adoption center, and adopted since the beginning of the holiday promotion,” said Adoption Supervisor Faith Koleszar. “We asked for help and our call was answered. We are so grateful for the support we received. Because of our community, we have doubled the number of people coming in through the doors every day and over 100 animals have been adopted. In thanks and celebration, I am so happy FMCA offered to extend this promotion and do more good before the new year.”
Per MCPD: Chief Brooks began his career with the Montgomery County Police Department in 1950, rising through the ranks to become Chief of Police on April 26, 1988, until his retirement in 1991. In 1950, the year he joined the force, there were about 100 officers on the force and when Chief Brooks retired 41 years later, there were 892 officers and more than 300 civilian staff.
He is survived by his wife Eva Roberson Brooks; and his children, Donna Brooks Sensoy, Don Michael Brooks (Sharon) and Lisa Brooks Hammond. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Per MCHH: Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. (MCCH) announces the largest ever donation supporting Montgomery County, MD’s success in ending homelessness for Veterans. TISTA Science & Technology Corporation donated $500,000 to MCCH to purchase the home for MCCH’s Safe Haven Program that helps Veterans transition from unsafe and unstable street life to permanent housing and re-engage with treatment services.
MCCH CEO, Susie Sinclair-Smith said, “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for TISTA’s generosity and shared commitment to end homelessness for Veterans in Montgomery County. Our partnership demonstrates how corporate and non-profit entities can work together to make a real and tangible impact on the epidemic of homelessness.