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Per the Maryland Lottery: “A Frederick County resident is no stranger to playing the Maryland Lottery. In fact, he’s no stranger to winning large Lottery prizes, either. In 2008, the lucky man took home a $50,000 Bonus Match 5 top prize. Fast forward to 2023 and he’s back in the Lottery Winner’s Circle. A $20 Bonus Bingo X20 instant ticket earned him a whopping $500,000 payday.

The journey to his big win started when he won a $100 scratch-off prize. To cash in his winning instant ticket, he visited Jefferson BP located at 4607 Lander Road in Jefferson. He then used part of the prize to buy a Bonus Bingo X20 scratch-off. Having no time to play the 10 bingo cards on his instant ticket, he stashed it in his car and went on his way.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, our clocks will roll back one hour at 2 a.m marking the end of Daylight Saving Time. With days growing shorter, students and families should be mindful of extra safety measures while traveling to and from school. The time change can also affect our health through disruptions to sleep. This is a good time to review good sleep hygiene and how to prepare for the time change. MCPS has provided the following reminders for adjusting to the changes:

If you’re driving …

After a string of 80° degrees, temperatures today have reached the 70s for most of the area (some have made it to the 80s while others are in the mid to upper 60s) with rain possible later this evening. With Halloween will come more seasonable temperatures that may feel even cooler since we’ve been nearly 30° warmer for almost a week.

Temperatures will start off in the low 40s when we wake up on Halloween and will move up to the 50s by about noon before high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s in the afternoon. Temperatures should remain in the 50s by 5pm and could start to dip a few degrees each hour after that on the way to 40° by 10pm on Halloween night. The slightly chilly temperatures may call for a jacket over the costumes.

Per Montgomery County: “The Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is recruiting volunteers to become IRS-certified VITA tax preparers, schedulers, greeters, quality reviewers and site coordinators during the upcoming tax season (January–mid-April). VITA provides free tax help to Montgomery County residents, including ITIN taxpayers, with household incomes of $64,000 or less.

The program links residents to valuable tax credits that can provide critical financial support to lower income households. Last year, volunteers served 2,820 hours, helping Community Action’s VITA program serve 1,946 households. That represented a tax impact of nearly $7 million.

Per Montgomery County: “Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, in conjunction with County Executive Marc Elrich, are supporting the “Labor of Love Initiative” benefiting March of Dimes. The campaign will take place Oct. 29-Nov. 19.

All ABS retail stores, including its new Oak Barrel & Vine stores, will be asking customers if they want to make donations to support March of Dimes and the Labor of Love initiative. Customers also will be asked if they want to round up their invoices to the nearest dollar.

Per MCDOT: “The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has been awarded a $2 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) program to support the expansion of the Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in the County through a new research partnership with the University of Maryland. Administered by the USDOT Build America Bureau, RIA provides funding for research of best practices in project planning, studies and analysis, preliminary engineering and design. The project will serve as a blueprint for the region.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems are part of a national movement toward upgraded bus systems focused on faster, more convenient and reliable bus services. BRTs are known to have limited-stop bus service implemented along set routes in metropolitan areas across the U.S. and worldwide. Flash is Montgomery County’s BRT system and includes plans for a network of eight fixed routes.

Update per Montgomery County Police: Rashawn Williams has been located safe and unharmed. Per Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrator Dr. Earl Stoddard, “Officer Jon Greene, who specializes in finding missing persons as the MCPD Search Manager, located Mr. Williams and helped return him to his family.”

NBC Washington assignment editor Tom Lynch tweeted that Rashawn Williams was found inside of a room at Glenmont Metro station, where he was since Saturday without food or water. He is recovering at a Montgomery County hospital.

Per Montgomery County: “Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has expedited $311,700 in Nonprofit Security Grant funding to Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities in Montgomery County to enhance security measures. Since the outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza, concern has risen that these communities have been, or will be, threatened by violence and other crimes motivated by hate and bias. These awards will provide immediate assistance to the organizations that are receiving funding to invest in various security measures to protect their communities and facilities.

“The conflict in the Middle East has created a heightened level of security concern in the Muslim and Jewish communities in Montgomery County,” said County Executive Elrich. “I have spoken with religious and community groups about the challenges they are facing, and the need to enhance security is paramount. As a result, I am expediting additional security funding. We will not tolerate acts of hate by anyone. I hope all of us can grieve as we need to, but that we can also restrain ourselves from lashing out at our neighbors and friends. What has happened abroad should not change how we interact with people here at home. I want to thank the community organizations, especially Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), for working with us to move this quickly. I am determined do everything in my power to make sure that Montgomery County remains a safe place for all.”

Per Montgomery County: “The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. and will begin with three proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz and County Executive Marc Elrich will recognize Fire Prevention Month. The second, presented by Council President Evan Glass, will recognize White Cane Awareness Day. The third, presented by Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, will commemorate Stop Bullying Day.

At 1:15 p.m. two additional proclamations will be presented. The first, presented by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Gabe Albornoz and Kristin Mink, will recognize National Principals Month. The second, presented by Councilmember Dawn Luedtke, will recognize National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

1. Quince Orchard Cougars (Last Week: 1) – Perfect at 8-0: The Cougars added another thrilling chapter to their rivalry with a resounding 34-21 victory over Northwest. In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, Wide Receiver Tavahri Groves stole the show with 155 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns. With an unblemished record, Quince Orchard has its sights set on securing home field advantage for the playoffs as they gear up to face Sherwood in the regular season finale this Friday.

2. Blake Bengals (Last Week: 3) – Chasing Perfection at 8-0: The Bengals maintained their unprecedented run, delivering a shutout performance with a commanding 40-0 win over Northwood. Quarterback Stephen Gyermeh showcased his skills, passing for 205 yards and securing 3 touchdowns. Blake is now on the cusp of an undefeated season as they head to Silver Spring to take on Blair.

The Fall Pumpkin Patch & Decorating Station will take place from 12pm – 3 pm near the Carousel presented by Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. 

Registration is free, but required. Click HERE to register! Check in at the Rio Tent located at the Fire Lounge.