MoCo Archives - Page 396 of 605

Members Sought for New Montgomery County ‘Building Performance Improvement Board,’ with Applications Due Friday, June 10

Published June 7, 2022 at 1:41PM

“Passing BEPS was critical toward meeting our Climate Action Plan goals of reducing 100 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” said County Executive Elrich. “Our new Building Performance Improvement Board is important toward the implementation of this process. I encourage all residents who are eligible to please apply for this board.”

County Executive Elrich will appoint members to the board after July 31. Nominees must then be confirmed by the County Council. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities and ages are encouraged to apply.

Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Recreation Center to Reopen June 13

By Patrick Herron

Published June 7, 2022 at 1:35PM | Updated June 7, 2022 at 5:32PM

The Gwendolyn Coffield Community Recreation Center is in the heart of the Rosemary Hills community within the 17.1-acre Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Local Park. The recreation center offers a variety of recreation programs and activities for all ages. The Parks grounds, managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, includes a softball field, a football/soccer field, two multi-use fields, four tennis courts, a playground, and a picnic area.

“The reopening makes it possible for the center to once again be a place for young people, families, and older adults to spend their leisure time,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “We have been working behind the scenes to have a facility that where we can offer high-quality recreation programming for everyone.”

Montgomery County Council Seeks Applicants for County Board of Appeals

By Patrick Herron

Published June 7, 2022 at 7:08AM

By law, no more than three members of the board shall be from the same political party. This position can be filled by a Republican or a voter who is unaffiliated with a party, or a voter who is a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections. This position cannot be filled by a Democrat.

The current members of the Board include Chair John Pentecost (Democrat), Richard Melnick (Unaffiliated), Caryn Hines (Democrat), and Roberto Pinero (Democrat). Members of County Boards, Committees and Commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

120,000 SF Recreation and Aquatic Center About a Year Away in Downtown Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2022 at 6:23AM

Construction on the South County Regional Recreation and Aquatic Center began in 2019. It is located at 1315 Apple Ave. in Downtown Silver Spring, in the ‘Central Business District’ of Silver Spring as part of a Public-Private Partnership undertaken with the Housing Opportunity Commission and the Lee Development Group. According to a recent report by Source of the Spring, “This is not just a pool, it’s a monster… It combines an aquatic facility and a large recreation center. We do not have this kind of space down county.”

The project includes approximately 120,000 Gross Square Feet of public recreation space within HOC’s larger housing project. The facility itself will include typical recreation and leisure activities. Pools will be designed for general swimming, low level diving, exercise, aquatic play, high school competitions, training, and teaching. A gymnasium, exercise and weight room spaces, movement and dance studios, multipurpose activity rooms, public use space, and social space with a culinary arts kitchen will also be included. Senior programs will be provided by a coordinated program with Holy Cross Hospital’s “Senior Source” and The Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame will also be housed in the new center, according to Source of the Spring.

PRIDE in the Park: An LGBTQ Comedy Show Happens This Thursday, June 9

By Patrick Herron

Published June 6, 2022 at 3:44PM

This event will be held on the lawn of Fairview Urban Park and begins at 6:00 pm with food and beverage for purchase from Giacomo’s Brick Oven Pizza, Clayboys Shave Ice, and Astro Lab Brewing. The show kicks off at 7:00 pm and guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and picnic blankets for viewing.

This event is intended for mature audiences ages seventeen and up and is not recommended for viewers under seventeen. Viewer discretion is advised.

Montgomery County Releases Third Quarter Updates of Climate Action Plan Implementation That Include Progress on More Than 70 Recommendations

By Patrick Herron

Published June 6, 2022 at 1:44PM

The Climate Action Plan (CAP), unveiled in 2021, is a strategic plan to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. The plan also seeks to reduce climate-related risks to the County’s residents, businesses, and the built and natural environment. The annual climate work plan describes the actions that the County is making progress on in the near term in support of the CAP.

“As showcased in the Quarter 3 updates, Montgomery County continues to make progress toward meeting our climate goals,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Addressing climate change supports and builds on the County’s efforts to improve quality-of-life and economic vitality in our community. I am proud of Montgomery County’s leadership on climate.”

Auto Theft Prevention Initiative Program Now Open to All Montgomery County Residents

By Patrick Herron

Published June 6, 2022 at 9:42AM | Updated June 6, 2022 at 4:48PM

With the recent spike in auto thefts across the county, Montgomery County Police are now offering all residents an opportunity to participate in the Auto Theft Prevention Initiative. The program was initially only open to residents in MCPD’s 4th District (Wheaton).

Per MCPD: “Officers will install a Tile device in the registered owner’s vehicle, which can be used as an aid to assist law enforcement officials with locating a vehicle in the event it is stolen. Montgomery County Police officers will not have the ability to track the Tile device. It will be up to the registered owner of the vehicle, to provide location information to officers should their vehicle be stolen.

Montgomery County Native, Deputy Abigail Bieber, Honored in Florida 5 Months After Being Fatally Shot in January

By MCS Staff

Published June 6, 2022 at 6:10AM

Deputy Abigail Bieber, a Montgomery County native who graduated from Walter Johnson High School in 2009, was honored last week by Mission BBQ in Town-N-Country Florida. Deputy Bieber was killed when she was fatally shot on January 29, 2022. The death of Bieber was the result of a murder-suicide, according to authorities. They said Detective Daniel Leyden, a member of the HCSO criminal investigations division, killed Bieber and then took his own life. Deputy Bieber’s parents, Bruce and Sara Bieber, were present for the unveiling of her uniform at Mission BBQ. Her patrol shirt will be on display at the restaurant in her memory. A video can be seen below.

As a passionate advocate for child victims, Deputy Bieber frequently and diligently responded to calls for service related to sexual battery and child abuse. She aspired to one day become a detective within the Criminal Investigations Division Special Victims Section. During her nearly four years at HCSO, Deputy Bieber had a number of remarkable encounters, including everything from taking drugs off of our streets to serving as a role model to children she met during her shifts. Known for her contagious smile, Deputy Bieber was a friend to fellow deputies and a bright spot in a dark world, as described by a squadmate. Co-workers also described Deputy Bieber as a young woman with a positive attitude who never shied away from tough investigations. She was known for being kind, genuine, caring, and empathetic with the demeanor of a veteran law enforcement officer.

Storied Coach Robert Youngblood Has Stepped Down as Northwest High School Outdoor Track & Field Coach

By MCS Staff

Published June 4, 2022 at 8:28AM

In a letter posted to social media by longtime Northwest High School physical education teacher and former head football coach Mike Neubeiser, Northwest High School outdoor track & field coach Robert Youngblood announced that he will be stepping down.During Coach Youngblood’s tenure at Northwest: Indoor State Titles: Boys 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 (state record as no 4A team ever won 5 straight) Outdoor State: Boys 2019,2018,2017, 2016 Outdoor Girls: 2018 2nd-2019, 2017, 2016. The full letter can be seen below:

“Dear Jag Nation,

Two Men Indicted on Manslaughter Charges Following Death of Four-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published June 3, 2022 at 4:24PM | Updated June 3, 2022 at 5:18PM

On the evening of Thursday, October 21, 2021, Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Georgia Avenue at Dexter Avenue for the report of a three-vehicle collision.

A black 2005 Acura RSX and a silver 2021 Honda Civic were traveling southbound on Georgia Avenue, approaching Dexter Avenue. The driver of a black 2020 Ford Fusion attempted to make a left turn from northbound Georgia Avenue to Dexter Avenue when it was struck by both the Acura and the Honda. The Acura then left the roadway and struck a brick wall. The Honda and Ford remained on the roadway.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Will Offer a Free Community-Based Diabetes Self-Management Program at Germantown Library on June 22.

By Patrick Herron

Published June 3, 2022 at 1:58PM

The Diabetes Self-Management Program was created at Stanford University and is a nationally recognized diabetes prevention and management program. The program covers the physical aspect of managing diabetes, as well as the emotional aspect and is designed to improve an individual’s A1C and reduce complications associated with diabetes.

The program has demonstrated proven health benefits and complements the diabetic medical management services people receive from their providers. Participants will enhance their ability to maintain active and fulfilling lifestyles, improve problem-solving and decision-making skills and address the challenges of living with diabetes. Workshop topics include improving food choices, increasing physical activity and practicing coping skills to maintain nutrition and a healthy weight.