Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Preliminary Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024

By Patrick Herron

Governor Larry Hogan today announced preliminary recommendations for the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget, a plan that supports continued economic growth and community revitalization, strong fiscal responsibility and budget sustainability, and key investments in critical areas—including expanding access to health care for rural and vulnerable communities.

“I pledged to bring fiscal responsibility and common sense to our state capitol,” said Governor Hogan. “I know this doesn’t usually happen in politics, but we then did exactly what we said we would do. We inherited the worst fiscal situation ever, and we are not just leaving the state’s finances in better shape than we found them, but leaving it in the best fiscal position than the state has ever been in history.”

Go to Governor Hogan Announces Preliminary Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024 Read more
Education

33 MCPS Students to Participate in STEM Fellowship Program

By MCS Staff

Thirty-three students from six high schools will participate in a fellowship program enabling them to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The Sandra Lee Heyman Foundation named the fellows, who will meet with STEM leaders, visit leading STEM institutions in the Washington, D.C. area, and access peers and mentors to support career exploration in STEM. Winning MCPS students and schools are:

Winston Churchill High School

Go to 33 MCPS Students to Participate in STEM Fellowship Program Read more
Gaithersburg

Taco Bamba Opens Gaithersburg Location Today

By MCS Staff

Taco Bamba at 670 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg is opening today (Friday, December 16) at 9am. The new location, which will feature an all-day breakfast menu, is giving away a free Taco Bamba coffee mugs and a free cup of coffee to the first 50 customers. Gaithersburg exclusive tacos on the menu will include “the Mr. Zadir, which stuffs ground lamb and beef kafta in a flour tortilla with chipotle yogurt and chili-spiced feta slaw, and the McLovin It, which pairs crispy chicken nuggets with a chipotle barbecue sauce, hot mustard, Fresno slaw, pickled onion, and cornbread crumble.” The restaurant will be open Sunday-Thursday 9am-9pm and Friday-Saturday, 9am-10pm. Additional details below per Taco Bamba:

Victor Albisu will open his eighth location of Taco Bamba on Friday, December 16 at the Quince Orchard Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, Md. The first 50 guests will receive a complimentary branded coffee mug and a free cup of everyone’s favorite morning beverage with their order. Doors open at 9am. Taco Bamba is known for serving its breakfast menu all day, and last fall they added a complimentary coffee station to all locations. Coffee is available until mid-afternoon with any purchase.

Go to Taco Bamba Opens Gaithersburg Location Today Read more
Germantown

Montgomery County Park Police Officer Adopts Abandoned Dog Found Tied to a Tree in Germantown

By MCS Staff

On November 23, Officer Avellan of Montgomery County Park Police responded to a call at Gunners Lake Park in Germantown for a dog that had been abandoned and left tied to a tree. The dog was taken to Montgomery County’s Animal Service and Adoption Center shelter that night, but was never claimed. Earlier this week, Officer Avellan retuned to the shelter and has adopted the dog– he named her Maple.

Go to Montgomery County Park Police Officer Adopts Abandoned Dog Found Tied to a Tree in Germantown Read more
Bethesda

North Bethesda Chorus Wins Wash-FM’s Middle School Christmas Choir Competition

By MCS Staff

The North Bethesda Middle School seventh and eighth grade chorus students were the middle school winners of the 97.1 WASH-FM Christmas Choir Competition, presented by The Nutcracker at the Washington Ballet. Radio station staff selected three finalists based on singing quality, originality, creativity and musicality. Supporters voted for their favorite choir on the WASH-FM website.

The North Bethesda students sang a Ukrainian version of Carol of the Bells, which was arranged by music teacher Jason McFeaters. The school recently performed the song at its choral concert on Wednesday, December 14th, held at Walter Johnson High School. For winning the competition, the school’s choral program will receive $2,500, and will perform at the Warner Theater on Saturday, Dec. 17, as part of the Washington Ballet’s presentation of The Nutcracker. The recording is also being aired on 97.1 throughout the holiday season.

Go to North Bethesda Chorus Wins Wash-FM’s Middle School Christmas Choir Competition Read more
MCPS

MCPS Salary Increases Go into Effect December 17

By MCS Staff

The Board of Education has approved agreements with the employee associations that allow for a 3.35 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all permanent employees and substitute teachers, a step increase for eligible employees, and a longevity increase for eligible supporting services employees. The pay increases will go into effect on Dec. 17, 2022. Look for the increase in your Jan. 13, 2023, paycheck.

SEIU employees will receive—

Go to MCPS Salary Increases Go into Effect December 17 Read more
Bethesda

New York Times Bestselling Author Kwame Alexander Visits North Bethesda Middle School

By MCS Staff

Students at North Bethesda Middle School enjoyed a visit from Kwame Alexander, poet, educator and New York Times bestselling author of 36 books. Students asked questions about his books, writing process and the new TV series Crossover that will be out on Disney+.

Alexander was born in Manhattan, New York, and grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. His father was a scholar and book publisher and his mother was an educator. Alexander’s picture book Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band, was selected for the 2014 “Michigan Reads! One State, One Children’s Book” program. He won a 2020 Newberry Honor for his illustrated poem The Undefeated. Alexander also runs the Bookinaday program to introduce children to writing and publishing.

Go to New York Times Bestselling Author Kwame Alexander Visits North Bethesda Middle School Read more
Restaurants

MoCo-Based Vegan Fast Casual Restaurant, St. Veg, is Franchising

By MCS Staff

St. Veg, a fast-casual restaurant serving vegan cuisine, had its grand opening in 2018 in Rockville’s Fallsgrove Village Center at 14929 Shady Grove Rd. Unit M, 20850. The restaurant took over the location previously occupied by Melt and has quickly become one of the most popular vegan restaurants in the area with dishes like the Flavor Bomb Pho Dip, the Vegball sub, Mom’s Caramel Tofu Bowl, and more. Now, the local restaurant is looking to franchise.

Founded by a MoCo native and graduate of Good Counsel High School, VegNews has reported that St. Veg is looking to franchise. Per St. Veg, “St.Veg began with a mission to enrich the community with the benefits of plant-based cuisine by bringing homestyle cooking to a fast-casual environment. Our founder firmly believes that cooking fresh from scratch with whole plant foods is better for our health and wants to share her passion with the world. 

Go to MoCo-Based Vegan Fast Casual Restaurant, St. Veg, is Franchising Read more
Education

MCPS Students Dually Enrolled at Montgomery College Will No Longer Be Charged Tuition

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: Due to a  recent change in a Maryland law, students will not be charged to participate in dual-enrollment programs. Montgomery College will refund students who have paid tuition for college courses taken this fall. Students taking college courses during the remainder of this school year will not be charged tuition, but may be responsible for other college costs, such as textbooks or fees. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, all eligible students may take approved college courses at no cost. FAQ Below:


Go to MCPS Students Dually Enrolled at Montgomery College Will No Longer Be Charged Tuition Read more
Bethesda

Water Main Replacement Brings Nighttime Lane Closures to Chevy Chase

By Cordell Pugh

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) will soon begin the next phase of a water main replacement project in Chevy Chase. Crews have already replaced water mains under portions of Brookeville Road (MD-186) and several residental streets in Chevy Chase Section Three and The Village of Chevy Chase Section 5.

Crews will be working along Connecticut Avenue throughout the rest of December and January. Approximately 800 feet of water main will be replace, underneath Connecticut Avenue between Rosemary and Thornapple Streets (North of Bradley Lane and South of East–West Highway). According to an Upcoming Project Activity Notice published by WSSC, crews will be working overnight, between 9PM and 5AM, to complete the water main replacement underneath Connecticut Avenue.

Go to Water Main Replacement Brings Nighttime Lane Closures to Chevy Chase Read more
MCPS

MCPS: COVID-19/Respiratory Illnesses Status Update

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: COVID-19 rates have been increasing in the Washington, D.C. region, according to the county health department. Within our school system, we have also seen the anticipated rise in COVID-19 cases since the return from Thanksgiving. As we head into winter break, here are a few reminders:

Additional information per MCPS: While Montgomery County is currently at a “low” COVID-19 community risk level, any increase is a cause for concern and careful monitoring. There are multiple steps we can take to reduce the impact of respiratory infections on our community, especially severe illness:

Go to MCPS: COVID-19/Respiratory Illnesses Status Update Read more
View More Stories