MoCo Archives - Page 398 of 655

Montgomery Blair High School Student Malaika Wande Named “Councilmember for a Day”

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:50AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice selected Malaika Wande from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring as the winner of his Councilmember for a Day V.O.I.C.E.S (Virtual Online Innovative & Civically Engaged Storytelling) challenge. Councilmember Rice, who chairs the Council’s Education and Culture Committee, developed the annual Councilmember for a Day challenge in 2016 to engage youth to write about an issue they care about and connect with local government to enact change. Last year, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and others, the Council enhanced the challenge to include V.O.I.C.E.S, a free afterschool digital storytelling program for all students in grades 8 through 12. Participants were provided a loaner iPad and mentored by an instructor as they learned to create a short video highlighting an important public policy issue and ways to help address it.

Councilmember Rice announced the winner at a virtual showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 9, where six finalists also were recognized. Ms. Wande’s winning entry was a compelling video on affordable housing in Montgomery County. She joined the Council on the dais as an honorary “Councilmember for a Day” and was recognized with a proclamation and a presentation of her video.

“Best Places to Shop on Black Friday” List Includes Many National Retailers With MoCo Locations

By MCS Staff

Published November 16, 2022 at 8:34AM

With last year’s Black Friday sales drawing 66.5 million Americans to shop in person and 88 million to shop online, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best Places to Shop on Black Friday, with many retailers located in Montgomery County making it to the top 10.

WalletHub surveyed nearly 4,000 deals from 16 of the biggest U.S. retailers’ 2022 Black Friday ad scans to identify the stores offering the biggest discounts in various product categories such as “Appliances,” “Jewelry” and “Toys.” The following are some highlights from the report:

Council Passes Legislation to Provide a Property Tax Credit for First Responders

By Patrick Herron

Published November 15, 2022 at 6:37PM

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted today to pass Bill 39-21, Taxation – Public Safety Officers – Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialists – Property Tax Credit, which would establish a property tax credit for certain Montgomery County first responders. Councilmember Tom Hucker and Council President Gabe Albornoz sponsored the legislation. Council Vice President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Nancy Navarro, Sidney Katz, Andrew Friedson, Will Jawando and Craig Rice are cosponsors.

This legislation establishes an annual property tax credit of up to $2,500 for full-time sworn police officers, career firefighters, emergency medical technicians and public safety emergency communications specialists employed by the County. The goal of the bill is to increase the number of County employees in public safety who reside in the County and help recruit and retain these employees.

Montgomery County Council Unanimously Confirms the Appointment of Dr. Kisha Davis as County Health Officer

By MCS Staff

Published November 15, 2022 at 5:03PM

Earlier this afternoon, the Montgomery County Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of Dr. Kisha Davis as the new County Health Officer. County Executive Marc Elrich nominated Dr. David last month for the position. According to Council documents, the Health Officer position was extended to Dr. Davis for a salary of $200,000 plus benefits.

“Montgomery County has led the nation in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic thanks in large part to the leadership at our Department of Health and Human Services,” said County Executive Elrich when recommending Dr. Davis for the position. “With the nomination of Dr. Kisha Davis as our County’s next health officer, we have found a health expert and leader committed to innovation, equity, and access to healthcare. I want to thank Dr. Davis for accepting this position and I look forward to working with her, listening to her advice and following her guidance regarding the health issues and challenges facing Montgomery County.”

Detectives From Special Investigations Unit are Asking For Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing 16-Year Old

By Patrick Herron

Published November 15, 2022 at 1:39PM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 16-year-old from Silver Spring. On the afternoon of Monday, November 14, 2022, Katherine Reyes was last seen leaving her residence on Veirs Mill Rd. Reyes is 5-feet, 8-inch tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen carrying a black Jordan backpack and wearing a white jacket, pajama pants with a black strip and black Crocs. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Katherine Reyes is asked to call the police non-emergency number at (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line) or the Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400. Callers may remain anonymous.

Council Enacts Legislation Prohibiting Guns in Areas of Public Assembly in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Published November 15, 2022 at 12:35PM

From the Office of Council President Albornoz: Today the Montgomery County Council unanimously voted to approved Bill 21-22, Weapons – Firearms In or Near Places of Public Assembly, sponsored by Council President Gabe Albornoz. This bill is cosponsored by the full Council.

The new law prohibits the possession of firearms in or near places of public assembly, with certain exemptions, and removes an exemption that allows individuals with certain handgun permits to possess handguns within 100 yards of a place of public assembly.

The MoCoShow State Football Playoffs Quarterfinals Preview & Predictions (MCPS Schools)

By Damon Anderson

Published November 15, 2022 at 10:43AM | Updated November 15, 2022 at 12:07PM

(*) = Seed

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County Council to Interview and Vote on Appointment of Dr. Kisha Davis as County Health Officer

By MCS Staff

Published November 15, 2022 at 6:39AM

The Montgomery County Council will will meet on Tuesday, November 15 at 9am and will interview Dr. Kisha Davis for the County Health Officer position and is expected to hold a vote on the appointment. County Executive Marc Elrich nominated Dr. David last month for the position. “Montgomery County has led the nation in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic thanks in large part to the leadership at our Department of Health and Human Services,” said County Executive Elrich. “With the nomination of Dr. Kisha Davis as our County’s next health officer, we have found a health expert and leader committed to innovation, equity, and access to healthcare. I want to thank Dr. Davis for accepting this position and I look forward to working with her, listening to her advice and following her guidance regarding the health issues and challenges facing Montgomery County.”

The health officer is responsible for continuing the County’s efforts on disease control and prevention, eliminating health inequities and promoting county-wide inclusion of health in all policies. If appointed, Dr. Davis will oversee all public health services within Montgomery County and work with the Maryland Department of Health to coordinate disease control and collaborate on state health policies.

County Council Expected to Vote Today on Weapons-Firearms in or Near Places of Public Assembly

By MCS Staff

Published November 15, 2022 at 6:34AM

The Montgomery County Council will will meet on Tuesday, November 15 at 9am and is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 21-22, Weapons – Firearms in or Near Places of Public Assembly, which would prohibit the possession of firearms in or near places of public assembly, with certain exemptions. In addition, the bill would remove an exemption that allows individuals with certain handgun permits to possess handguns within 100 yards of a place of public assembly.

Per the Montgomery Council press release: The goal of this bill is to reduce gun violence in Montgomery County. The lead sponsor is Council President Albornoz. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors. In the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision of New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, Superintendent of new York State Police, the Supreme Court overturned a requirement of New York’s handgun carry law. The New York law had required an applicant for a handgun carry license to show proper cause for the license, and the Supreme Court held that the requirement violated the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms. The Court explained, however, that longstanding laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places, such as schools and government buildings, are constitutionally permissible.

Sandy Spring Slave Museum and Former NFL Player Richie Anderson Establish the Richie Anderson Project Youth Advisory Committee

By MCS Staff

Published November 15, 2022 at 6:30AM

Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery (SSSM), Inc has announced that they, along with former NFL player and MoCo native Richie Anderson, have established the Richie Anderson Project Youth Advisory Committee.

Richard “Richie” Anderson grew up in the Sandy Spring community and attended Sherwood High School where he excelled as a student-athlete in Football, Basketball, and Track-and-Field. His excellence in athletics allowed him the privilege to be a 2010 Sherwood Hall of Fame member. After high school, Anderson played for Penn State University football on a scholarship, leading him to be drafted into the NFL by the New York Jets in the 1993 NFL draft.

Montgomery County Council Meets on November 15 at 9 a.m. to Conduct Interviews and Vote on Appointments for the County Health Officer and Director of the Office of Human Resources

By Patrick Herron

Published November 14, 2022 at 7:07PM

Review: The Council will review Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization, which would require the County Executive to issue all-electric building standards for new construction, major renovations and additions by Jan. 1, 2024.

All-electric building standards will help the County achieve its zero-greenhouse gas emissions goal by ensuring future construction is electrified. Exemptions would be provided for emergency backup systems and certain uses such as manufacturing, crematories, life sciences and commercial kitchens. In addition, income restricted housing and schools will have an extended timeline.