MoCo Archives - Page 377 of 605

Montgomery County is Providing 40,000 Chromebooks to Residents Who Do Not Have Computers; Over 15,000 Distributed So Far

Published August 15, 2022 at 6:32AM

As we noted back in May, Montgomery County is providing 40,000 Chromebook computers to residents who do not have a computer. Eventbrite is being used to create appointment tickets to manage computer pick-ups. If all appointments are taken, check back on the page in a few days for new events. 4 to 5 events will be hosted every week through October 2022. As more computers are received this summer and fall, we will offer more appointments into 2023. Every person receiving a computer:

There is a limit of one computer per person. You do not need to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a computer but you must be a Montgomery County resident. EVERY PERSON, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST HAVE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT AND APPEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENT DAY IN PERSON WITH ID TO RECEIVE A COMPUTER (For Example: If a parent wants a computer for the parent and two computers for two children, the parent must make 3 appointments and bring the two children with ID to receive the computers. If you make an appointment for June 21, you cannot show up on a different day.)

Capital Area Solar Co-op Will Remain Open Through Aug. 30 in Encouraging Homeowners to Consider Letting the Sun Provide Their Power

By Patrick Herron

Published August 14, 2022 at 10:58AM

In Round 2, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) continues to work with more than a dozen local jurisdictions and organizations around the Capital Area in encouraging residents to put solar panels on their homes.

By joining the #CapitalAreaSolarCoop, residents will join neighbors in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. in the quest to lower energy costs, become energy independent and participate in the renewable revolution.

Marc Elrich Leads David Blair By 35 Votes After 102 Additional Ballots Were Canvassed Saturday; Election Certification at 3pm

By MCS Staff

Published August 13, 2022 at 2:43PM

Marc Elrich had a 42 vote lead going into Saturday’s canvassing of 102 provisional ballots that were found unopened and sealed during an audit on Thursday. The ballots were canvassed, scanned, and tabulated starting at 11am Saturday morning and the unofficial final result gives Marc Elrich a 35 vote lead. The Board of Elections will meet at 3pm to certify the election results and David Blair is expected to request a recount.

If a recount petition is filed, election officials must work at least eight hours for each day of the recount and may choose to pause the recount on Sundays and holidays, per the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

102 Remaining Ballots to Be Canvassed At 11am Saturday Morning; Election To Be Certified At 3pm

By MCS Staff

Published August 13, 2022 at 7:47AM

The 102 unopened and sealed provisional ballots will be canvassed, scanned, and tabulated starting at 11am Saturday morning. The Board of Elections will meet at 3pm to certify the election results. On Thursday, August 11, at 11:19pm, Montgomery County’s Acting Election Director, Alysoun McLaughlin, released the following statement:

“Our precertification audit identified additional provisional ballots to be counted and the Board of Elections will be unable to certify the election as scheduled at its meeting tomorrow afternoon.”

Montgomery County’s Continues to Receive ‘Triple-A’ Bond Rating and Status Among Nation’s Best for Fiscal Responsibility

By Patrick Herron

Published August 12, 2022 at 2:21PM

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings all affirmed the Triple-A rating—the highest achievable—for the County. Montgomery County has earned Triple-A ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. every year since 1973 (50 consecutive years); from Standard & Poor’s every year since 1976 (47 consecutive years) and from Fitch every year since 1991 (32 consecutive years).

All three rating agencies emphasized Montgomery County’s large and diverse tax base, proximity to the District of Columbia, growing commercial and residential development as well as the County’s strong fiscal management policies and strong financial position.

Today (Friday, August 12) Is The First Day of the 2022 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2022 at 9:20AM

Friday, August 12th is the first day of the 2022 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair. The fair takes place August 12-20 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds (501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg). Sitting on 62 acres, the Fair has more than 50 buildings that are filled with more than 5,000 animals every year. The Fair has animals, entertainment, food, commercial, home arts, arts and crafts exhibits, free entertainment, and much more for the whole family to enjoy. Visit www.mcagfair.com to purchase tickets. General Admission tickets are $12 online vs. $15 at the gate and children 11 and under don’t pay for fair admission. Additional information below, Per Montgomery County:

The annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair will be held over nine days for Aug. 12-20 at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. The fair is operated by the Montgomery County Agricultural Center Inc., which was formed as a privately operated 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization in 1949. The fairgrounds are located at 501 Perry Parkway in Gaithersburg. General admission is $15 onsite and $12 online. Children 11-and-under are free. Parking on the fairgrounds site is $10. Free parking with shuttle bus service to the fairgrounds is available from nearby Lakeforest Mall at Lost Knife Road and Odenhal Ave. Special admission days will be Senior Day on Tuesday, Aug. 16, with free admission for attendees 62-and-over from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Military Day on Thursday, Aug. 18, with free admission all day for active military in uniform or with a valid military ID from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

‘The Forest F. Crown Family and Dairy Farm History in Montgomery County’ Will Be Presented Online by Montgomery History Starting Monday, Aug. 15

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2022 at 7:47AM

In honor of the 2022 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair that will be operating in Gaithersburg from Aug. 12-20, Montgomery History will be looking back at the history of a local dairy farm with guests from the MOOseum.

Bill Duvall, Don Barron and Frank Cornelius from the King Barn Dairy MOOseum will lead the presentation on the agricultural story of dairy farming in Montgomery County through a century’s worth of history of the Crown Farm in Gaithersburg. The farm is now the site of a mixed used development.

Election Certification Delayed; 102 Additional Ballots Remain to Be Counted

By MCS Staff

Published August 12, 2022 at 7:05AM

Montgomery County’s Acting Election Director, Alysoun McLaughlin, released the following statement at 11:19pm on Thursday, August 11:

“I apologize for this error and for not identifying it until today, or the remaining ballots could have been counted earlier. I want to emphasize that Maryland’s comprehensive precertification audit was designed to identify issues like this before an election is certified to ensure the accuracy of the results. It worked as intended.”

Montgomery County to Open Applications for Retail Business Rental Assistance Grants on Sept. 1, with Informational Webinars to be Held Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19

By Patrick Herron

Published August 11, 2022 at 4:07PM

A business could be eligible to receive assistance from this program if it:

The SBRA program application, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and registration for informational webinars Tuesday, Aug. 16, and Friday, Aug. 19,, are available at Montgomery County Small Business Rental Assistance Program – Phase 2.

(NOW DELAYED) Election Certification Planned for Friday; Recount Could Start As Early As Thursday, August 18

By MCS Staff

Published August 11, 2022 at 7:48AM | Updated August 12, 2022 at 7:00AM

Update 8/11, 11:19pm: Certification has been delayed as board of elections releases statement on additional provisional ballots that still need to be counted

If a recount petition is filed, which David Blair stated he would do, it could tentatively start Thursday, August 18. Election officials must work at least eight hours for each day of the recount and may choose to pause the recount on Sundays and holidays, per the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

RESCHEDULED: County to Host Ceremony of Remembrance to Commemorate ‘International Overdose Awareness Day’ on Aug. 25, and Will Launch ‘Montgomery Goes Purple’

By Patrick Herron

Published August 10, 2022 at 9:16PM | Updated August 23, 2022 at 3:58PM

UPDATE: Montgomery County’s ceremony of remembrance and candlelight vigil has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose or substance use.

“Montgomery Goes Purple,” an awareness campaign aimed at spotlighting the impact of opioid addiction on the community, will be launched as part of the ceremonies which also lead to September being recognized as “Recovery Month.” The color purple has been adopted internationally to illustrate the struggles endured by people who are drug addicted and the related impacts on their families and friends.