MoCo Archives - Page 424 of 630

Northwest Baseball Coach Steps Down After 20 Years and 2 State Championships With the Program

Published May 25, 2022 at 5:35PM

Northwest Varsity Head Baseball coach, Todd Varesco, has stepped down after 20 years with the program. During his time as head coach, Varesco helped guide Northwest to two State Championships (2012 and 2017). In his goodbye letter, seen below, Varesco states that he will be putting his time towards his family and cites them as the most important reason for moving on.

After lengthy thought and consultation with my family, I have made the decision to step down as the Varsity Head Baseball Coach at Northwest High School. I am now going to be able to spend time in the spring with my two daughters, my wife and my family. The amount of time that I will be able to put towards my family now is the largest and most important reason I am moving on. The Journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To be able to convey and teach life lessons that transcend baseball has been nothing short of amazing. I will miss the field, the smells, the sounds, the players, the community, and more than anything my staff that took the journey with me. There are many people that I want to thank, too many, as I know I will forget some of you here, but know that truly I have not forgotten.

County Council meets on May 26 for final vote on Montgomery County’s $6.3 billion FY23 Operating Budget, FY23 Capital Budget and FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2022 at 5:01PM | Updated May 25, 2022 at 8:38PM

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Department of Transportation – $12,472,739, and Department of General Services – $3,146,13 for Snow Removal and Wind and Rainstorm Cleanup

Montgomery County Recreation Outdoor Pools to Open This Weekend

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2022 at 3:44PM

During the preseason, May 28 – June 17, outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 – 6 p.m. on weekends and Memorial Day.

During the summer season, June 18 – Aug. 14, outdoor pool hours are 1 – 4 p.m. and 5 – 8 p.m. on weekdays, and noon – 3 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m. on weekends. The Upper County Pool is closed on Fridays during the summer season. For more information about pool hours, visit the Montgomery County Recreation website.

‘Keeping It Safe Coalition’ Announces Student Video Contest Winners For Underage Drinking PSAs

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2022 at 12:39PM

Founded in 1992, the Keeping It Safe Coalition (KIS) is an alliance of County departments, local organizations and concerned residents that work to deter underage alcohol access and use. The student video contest was funded by the Montgomery County Department of Police’s Traffic Division.

“Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth and under-21 drinking is a public health problem in the United States,” said ABS Director Kathie Durbin. “Video contests, such as this one, provide students with the opportunity to engage in advocacy with their peers and raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of under-21 drinking.”

Montgomery County Council Statement on Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2022 at 8:40AM

“All the members of the Montgomery County Council are heartbroken by the senseless mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas, which has taken the lives of at least 14 students and one teacher. We know there is not a parent in America who doesn’t share in the grief and anger about this horrific tragedy.

“We mourn the loss of the children and the lives that they had ahead of them filled with promise and potential. We are also thinking about the parents, grandparents, siblings and loved ones who have lost the essential light in their lives at the hands of a gunman. We know that no words will ever ease their unimaginable pain.

Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on Deadly School Shooting in Uvalde, TX

By Patrick Herron

Published May 25, 2022 at 8:31AM

As a parent and former elementary school teacher, I understand that this is a parent’s worst nightmare. It has been nearly a decade since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, and it is unfortunate that we are going through this sort of pain once again, but this might have been avoided if we had taken action back then. Every time a tragedy like this happens there is outrage and calls for change, to curb the proliferation of guns. However, that outrage did not result in real action, so now, here we are again.

Incidents like this anywhere undermine people’s sense of security everywhere. We know in the wake of this event, Montgomery County school parents, like all parents around this nation, are going to be concerned for their own child’s safety and welfare. Please know that our police and school system will be working together to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our school community.

Montgomery County to Host 25th Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18 with Music, Artistic Performances, Educational Activities, the African American Living Legend Awards, and More

By Patrick Herron

Published May 24, 2022 at 9:13PM

“Juneteenth is a chance to gather with our community, celebrate our diversity, and remember our history,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We reaffirm that we are stronger as a County because of our diversity. This year’s Juneteenth activities are designed to engage and educate, as well as entertain, because this holiday is a reminder that we can’t take freedom for granted. We look to the future with great hope and with a renewed commitment to pursuing justice. I urge our residents, and visitors, to join us for this year’s Juneteenth celebration and spend time learning more about this important national holiday.”

The event will feature traditional events like the award recognition ceremony and Juneteenth inspired food. This year’s “Journey To Freedom,” will Memorialize the Struggle, Celebrate the Successes, and Secure Justice and equality through education, art, dance, music, and honoring our elders.

John Poole Middle School Wins First Place in Montgomery County ’Paint the Plow’ Middle School Snowplow Naming Art Contest

By MCS Staff

Published May 24, 2022 at 2:03PM

John Poole Middle School in Poolesville was selected as the winner of the first-ever Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) ‘Paint the Plow’ middle school snowplow naming contest. The winning design had a comic theme and featured the words “Kaplow.”

Teams from 14 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) middle schools participated in the contest. Snowplows and paint supplies were delivered by MCDOT to each school and the student teams had four days to name and decorate their snowplows.

MoCo History: Politics and Passion Lead to Tragedy in Germantown During 1920s Election

By Susan Soderberg

Published May 24, 2022 at 9:12AM | Updated June 25, 2023 at 4:39PM

By Susan Soderberg of the Germantown Historical Society

It was just before the election in 1920 and several men were gathered informally at the Waters General Store in Germantown discussing the pros and cons of the various candidates. When it came up that a local citizen, John Bolton, was refusing to vote, one of the men, Guy Vernon Thompson, volunteered to try to persuade him to do his civic duty.

Montgomery County Commission for Women Invites Residents to Its 50th Anniversary Picnic Celebration on Sunday, June 5, at Wheaton Regional Park

By Patrick Herron

Published May 23, 2022 at 3:24PM

The Commission strives to improve the lives of women in the County by identifying inequities in legislation and taking proactive measures to create remedies and solutions with elected officials and community groups.

Join the CFW for good music, fun and games. The event is free. Food will be available for purchase. For more information or to register for the event, visit https://cfw50.eventbrite.com.

Detectives Arrest Virginia Man for Impersonating a Police Officer in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Published May 23, 2022 at 11:17AM

On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, The V&I Unit were conducting surveillance at the Rockville Hotel, located at 3 Research Court, when detectives observed a black Chevrolet Tahoe that appeared to be an unmarked police vehicle. To ensure that they were not hindering another police investigation, detectives contacted the hotel to determine who the vehicle belonged to.

During their investigation, detectives determined that the vehicle was registered to Taber who identified himself as an “agent” when he checked into the hotel. He displayed what hotel staff believed to be law enforcement identification and stated that his “government issued vehicle” needed to be parked in front of the hotel. Through further investigation, it was determined that Taber was not an “agent” and falsely identified himself as such.