MoCo Government

County Council Unanimously Approves $6.3 Billion Operating Budget and $5.3 Bllion Six-Year Capital Improvements Program

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved the county’s $6.3 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2023 and the $5.3 billion six-year capital improvements program at this morning’s council meeting.  The budget includes $2.9 Billion for Montgomery County Public Schools.  “Montgomery County’s $6.3 billion operating budget and six-year capital budget creates the foundation for what is most important to us: a community with excellent schools, housing for all our residents, strong economic development, green spaces for recreation and relaxation, safe neighborhoods, robust libraries, strong public health services, resources for older adults to age in place with grace, a healthy environment and an essential safety net for our most vulnerable resident,” said Council President Gabe Albornoz on May 19 after a preliminary vote was held.  The budget resolutions will be available on the Council’s webpage later today.

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Education

Quince Orchard High School’s ‘Just Drive’ Social Media Campaign Selected as Winner of $10,000 Educational Grant

By MCS Staff

Quince Orchard High School’s submission to the Spring 2022 Just Drive Social Media Campaign by Impact Teen Drivers was chosen as the First Place Winner and will be awarded a $10,000 educational grant, according to Quince Orchard media and video production teacher Kunal Arora.

Impact Teen Drivers’ mission is to stop the number one killer of young people in America— reckless and distracted driving. Participation in the Maryland Just Drive contest assists Impact Teen Drivers and NJM Insurance Group in the shared commitment to the health and safety of Maryland drivers.

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Silver Spring

Detectives Ask For Assistance in Locating Missing 32-Year-Old Man

By Patrick Herron

Patterson is approximately 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 245 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, a grey sweatshirt and grey sweatpants.

He may be operating a bronze Dodge Charger bearing DC registration plate GS3272.  Police and Family are concerned for his welfare.

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White Oak

White Oak Medical Center Now Performs Watchman Heart Procedure

By MCS Staff

Minimally Invasive, Permanent Implant in the Heart Reduces Stroke Risk for Some Patients

Per Adventist Healthcare: Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center now offers the WATCHMAN™ heart implant, a one-time, minimally invasive procedure that lowers bleeding risk and risk of stroke in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).

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Education

MCPS: Graduations Begin June 1; Schedule, Speakers, and Locations

By MCS Staff

The 2022 high school commencement season is set to begin on Wednesday, June 1, and will end Tuesday, June 14. Graduation ceremonies will take place on individual high school campuses, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and on the campuses of Mount St. Mary’s University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. More than 11,000 students are expected to receive their diplomas.

The ceremonies will include an array of commencement speakers, including TV reporters, politicians, educators, MCPS staff members and others.

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Briggs Chaney

Montgomery Planning Invites Community to Attend Visioning Workshops for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan

By MCS Staff

Community members are invited to attend in-person and virtual events in June and July to share ideas for the future of the plan area

WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department announced the launch of the Visioning Phase of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan. The community is invited to attend virtual and in-person events to share ideas for the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney plan area. This phase will kick off with a virtual Visioning Workshop on June 27.

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Crime

Annapolis MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Three Violent Murders, Including One in Montgomery County

By MCS Staff

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro,” “El Pastor,” and “Gasper,” age 24, of Annapolis, Maryland, to life in federal prison for a racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit murder in aid or racketeering, as well as related violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including three murders, connected to his participation in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also known as MS-13.

On October 31, 2019, after a nine-day trial, a federal jury convicted Sandoval-Rodriguez of murder in aid of racketeering, and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, in connection with a murder that occurred on March 11, 2016.

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Maryland

Driver’s License and State ID Can Now be Added to iPhone and Apple Watch in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Maryland driver’s licenses and state-issued identity cards (IDs) can now be added to your Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch to provide an easy, private, and secure way for Maryland citizens to present their state ID. Currently, it can only be used with TSA, and various entities, including law enforcement, are not yet accepting Maryland Mobile ID. 

Maryland Mobile ID is a voluntary, secure, digitized version of your MDOT MVA-issued driver’s license (DL) or identification card (ID) available in the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone and Apple Watch. Maryland Mobile ID offers even more security and privacy benefits than the physical state ID or driver’s license because Marylanders get to review the personal information they share with others and use biometric authentication with Face ID or Touch ID to authorize it. Maryland Mobile ID on iPhone and Apple Watch is currently the ONLY form of mobile phone-based identification that is recognized by MDOT MVA and it is only available to individuals that have a current, valid Maryland-issued driver’s license or ID card. You must have an eligible Maryland driver’s license or state-issued identification card.​

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MCPS

MCPS Mourns the Loss of Life in Texas School Shooting / Commits to a Safe Environment in Our Schools

By Patrick Herron

MCPS has a renewed agreement with local partners that strengthens the relationship with our Community Engagement Officers, which is a significant step in ensuring the physical safety of our school buildings.

Mental Health and Wellness Safety

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Germantown

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

By MCS Staff

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.  

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MoCo Government

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

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

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