Education

MCEA President Responds to Allegations Made Against MCPS Principal

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) President, Jennifer Martin, has released a statement in response to the allegations made against an MCPS principal. The full statement by the head of the teacher’s union can be seen below:

“The recent exposure of allegations against a principal in MCPS shines a light on the school system’s failure to fulfill its fundamental duty of protecting staff, students, and the school community from bullying and harassment. When members raised their concerns to us, I met with them, and provided guidance and assistance from union staff to again bring their complaints to MCPS management’s attention.

Go to MCEA President Responds to Allegations Made Against MCPS Principal Read more
MCFRS

MCFRS Respond to House Fire Monday in Rockville

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 1100blk of Grandin Ave in Rockville on Monday, August 11, for the report of a fire. According to MCFRS Battalion Chief Jason Blake, crews arrived to find a small bedroom fire. All occupants of the home are accounted for and there were no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Go to MCFRS Respond to House Fire Monday in Rockville Read more
MCFRS

Driver Crashes Into House in Montgomery Village

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 19000 block of Crested Iris Way in Montgomery Village for the report of a vehicle driven into a townhome. The incident occurred around 5pm on Monday, August 14. There were no injuries reported and no patients were transported. Montgomery County Police are currently on scene.

Go to Driver Crashes Into House in Montgomery Village Read more
Ashton

Fatal House Fire in North Carolina Kills Two Adults and One Teenager From Montgomery County; Three Others Injured

By MCS Staff

At approximately 2:25am early Friday morning, The Kill Devil Hills Fire Department in North Carolina responded to a report of a structure fire. According to the city’s public information officer, Rachel Tackett, crews contained and extinguished the blaze, which had fully engulfed an Outer Banks rental home and damaged two neighboring properties. Unfortunately, three people were killed and three others were injured due to the fire.

The deceased were identified on Monday as 64-year-old Colleen Cohan and her husband William Deeg, 68, of Ashton, Maryland, and 13-year-old Sienna Farr of Silver Spring, Maryland. The three people injured were 48-year-old Laura Volk, 16-year-old Sadie Farr and 55-year-old David Brewer, all of Silver Spring. Volk is Sienna and Sadie’s mother, and the girlfriend of Brewer, per Kill Devil Hills officials. Various reports state that Volk and Brewer remain hospitalized in the burn unit, while Farr has been released. According to wric.com, “A family member’s social media post indicated that recovery for Volk and Brewer could take several months, and they will eventually be transferred to a hospital closer to their home in the suburbs of Washington.” More, per the Town of Kill Devil Hills below:

Go to Fatal House Fire in North Carolina Kills Two Adults and One Teenager From Montgomery County; Three Others Injured Read more
Event

Closing Reception at “Inspired!” Art Show & Sales

BlackRock Center for the Arts

12901 Town Commons Drive

Germantown, Maryland 20874

Website Contact Social

Beautiful venue; great art, gifts and hand-crafted items; refreshments; and meet the award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more – some 40 artists in all. It’s an extraordinary array of framed wall works, 3-d media including sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and fiber pieces, and unframed prints.

Among them, you’ll see:

Go to Closing Reception at “Inspired!” Art Show & Sales Read more
MCPS

Statement From Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass Regarding WaPo Article on MCPS Principal

By Patrick Herron

On Friday, August 11, the Washington Post released an article alleging that Paint Branch High School Principal Dr. Joel Beidleman had been reported to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 18 times in seven years and detailed alleged sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and other inappropriate conduct at multiple schools, spanning over a decade. The article states that Beidleman was placed on leave by MCPS and that the school system will launch an “independent, external investigation.”

Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass released the following statement on Monday, August 14: “I am deeply disturbed by the Washington Post’s detailed reporting alleging an MCPS principal created a hostile and unsafe workplace. The public needs to know who was aware of this information and why it was not promptly investigated. As we prepare for a new school year, we must ensure that students and teachers feel safe, welcome and respected in the classroom.”

Go to Statement From Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass Regarding WaPo Article on MCPS Principal Read more
Gaithersburg

New and Coming Soon to Rio in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron
Courtesy Rio Lakefront

Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg was included in a list of the “Top 10 Retail Experiences” in the country in 2022. With a beautiful lake/boardwalk and long-time favorites like the AMC theaters, Dick’s, Guapo’s, Target, and others still going strong, the retail area has recently welcomed new additions and plans to welcome more in the coming months. Below is a list of newer stores and restaurants as well as some that are coming soon.

Auntie Anne’s Cinnabon: Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon combination restaurant is now open at 220 Boardwalk Place in Rio, taking over the location that was recently home to Lilly Magilly’s– as the cupcakery is still preparing for a move to a new location. The two brands, popular for their presence in malls, are co-branding to open locations across the country. In recent years, Cinnabon left then returned to Montgomery Mall. There’s also an existing Cinnabon location in Wheaton Mall. Auntie Anne’s has locations at the outlets in Clarksburg, Ellsworth Place Mall, Montgomery Mall, and Wheaton Mall in MoCo.

Go to New and Coming Soon to Rio in Gaithersburg Read more
Education

Thousands Donated to Local Teachers Through the Adopt-A-Teacher Facebook Group

By MCS Staff

In 2022, after seeing a similar Facebook group in Frederick County reach over 3,000 members, MCPS teachers Jennifer Wilson and Kate Stone decided to create a Montgomery County version that allows community members to “adopt” an MCPS teacher and support them buy purchasing items for the teacher off of the teacher’s Amazon wishlist. “People have always want to donate to teachers, so we just wanted to make it easier for them to be able to do it.” Wilson told us. In less than three days, the Facebook group had over 1,000 members. The group is still going strong with almost 4,000 members and thousands of dollars in donations to local teachers.

Here’s how it works: Teachers create and share their public wishlist in a post, making sure to include the wishlist link in a post. Teachers are encouraged to include information about themselves and the school they teach at. Community members then have the option to purchase one or more items from any wishlist they choose to support. Community members are encouraged to let the teacher know they purchased something from the wishlist. If they choose to, multiple people can adopt one teacher and one person can adopt multiple teachers. Everyone is encouraged to be nice to each other.

Go to Thousands Donated to Local Teachers Through the Adopt-A-Teacher Facebook Group Read more
MoCo

Two New Parks Added to Annual Deer Population Management Operations in Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

Montgomery Parks‘ annual deer population management program will take place from September 2023 into March 2024, across 48 parks. Two new park locations are being added to the deer management efforts this year. Montgomery Parks will notify residents adjacent to newly added/adjusted park locations by mail, signage, and other electronic forms of communication such as email and social media posts. A complete schedule of program dates and locations is available online. This year, archery-managed hunts are being added to the following park locations:

In addition to these expansions, one deer population management park location (3 park units) will also see an adjustment to the strategy. North Germantown Greenway Stream Valley Park (Brink Rd. & Wildcat Rd. southeast)/Great Seneca Stream Valley Park Unit 2/Blunt Rd. Local Park will transition from firearms-managed hunting to archery-managed hunting. Initiated 27 years ago, the program addresses deer populations in many areas of the county that result in deer-automobile accidents, excessive damage to the environment, private landscapes, and agriculture and concerns over disease. Once programming is implemented and established in these areas, routine maintenance is required to balance deer with available habitat and human land uses.  

Go to Two New Parks Added to Annual Deer Population Management Operations in Montgomery County Read more
Beyond MoCo

Governor Wes Moore Tours Secret Service Training Center in Prince George’s County

By Patrick Herron
Governor Moore Tours James J. Rowley Secret Service Training Center

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Moore yesterday toured the United States Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel to receive a briefing on the facility’s expansion plans. The governor reviewed 17 expansion and renovation projects, aligned in steps between FY24 and FY27, including a proposed 755,000 square feet of new facilities, the renovation of 53,000 square feet and continued use of 111,000 square feet.

“It is my honor to stand with the dedicated public servants of the United State Secret Service who are entrusted with protecting key leaders, locations, and events every day; they are the guardians of our democracy,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “Prince George’s County deserves to be the home of greater federal investment, and I am encouraged that the expansion of the Rowley Training Center is ready to move forward.”

Go to Governor Wes Moore Tours Secret Service Training Center in Prince George’s County Read more
MCPS

Details on This Year’s MCPS Back-to-School Fair at Wheaton Mall

By Patrick Herron

Per Westfield: Westfield Wheaton will host the annual back-to-school fair in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 (two days before students in Montgomery County are scheduled to report back to school on Monday, August 28). The event will take place in The Streetery, the center’s outdoor event and dining space situated between Macy’s and the food court on Parking Level 2. Shoppers and members of the community will have the opportunity to enjoy family-friendly activities while learning more about the school system, county programs and receiving free curriculum resources.

This year’s 2023 Back-to-School Fair promises to be an even more dynamic and informative event. “We are so excited and look forward to welcoming families to the new school year,” said MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight. “As we begin our new school year, we are reminded of the importance of our partnerships with families and community and we say, ‘All Together Now”;  an excellent example is our continued partnership with Westfield Wheaton to bring these valuable resources and information to our community. We encourage all MCPS families to engage with the more than 100 offices, businesses and organizations at the fair as we prepare for an amazing school year at MCPS.”

Go to Details on This Year’s MCPS Back-to-School Fair at Wheaton Mall Read more
View More Stories