Per the City of Rockville: City government and city facilities will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. All city facilities will be closed Sundays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Recycling and trash will occur as usual during these holiday weeks. For more information on recycling and trash collection, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/recycling-trash or call 240-314-8568.
Per the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced his Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement with mortgage lender Caliber Homes, Inc. concerning its advertising practices. Caliber was accused of sending mailers to approximately 220,000 Maryland consumers between May 2019 through March 2021 that deceptively displayed on the mailer’s envelope the name and address of the consumers’ original mortgage, creating the appearance that the mailer was sent from the consumer’s mortgage company when the true sender was Caliber. Lenders licensed in Maryland are prohibited from advertising under any name or address that is not their own. Although Caliber denied any wrongdoing, it agreed to pay the Attorney General’s Office a $250,000 penalty.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have schedule and program changes for the Christmas Weekend, Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Dec. 26.
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In October 2016, following discussions with the state and Montgomery County, Marriott announced plans to stay in Maryland and move from its Fernwood Road headquarters to the new location in downtown Bethesda, a 21-story headquarters home to corporate associates supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories around the world. Governor Hogan took part in the groundbreaking for the site in 2018.
Earlier this year, Governor Larry Hogan and Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford celebrated the opening of Marriott International’s new global headquarters with citation presentations at JW Marriott Seoul during a celebration of the grand opening and at the company’s ribbon cutting ceremony in Bethesda. Marriott’s new headquarters includes 20,000 square feet of collaborative workspace, over 2,800 workspaces, 180 conference rooms, and is within close proximity to the Bethesda Metro Station, Capital Crescent Bike Trail, and multiple bus routes.
Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), received top awards in creative marketing campaigns and initiatives from the Public Relations Society of America, Maryland Chapter (PRSA Maryland) at its 2022 Best in Maryland Awards on December 8, 2022, where 28 awards were given across over 20 categories. Each year PRSA Maryland presents awards to communication professionals who have successfully addressed a communications challenge with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.
“It’s exciting and an honor to be recognized for these projects that have been so impactful for park users,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “The pandemic years were challenging for everyone and we are proud of our efforts to bring awareness of all the benefits of our park system to the community during that time.”
Today’s event included a menorah lighting as well as remarks by Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog; Dr. Zipora Schorr, Director of Education of the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School in Baltimore; and Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, President of the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America. Representatives of Jewish councils and federations also took part in today’s candle lighting ceremony. Senior Chief Musician Devona Schiller of the United States Naval Academy performed God Bless America.
The bronze menorah was designed by artist Zachary Oxman, and donated to Government House by Phyllis and Leonard Attman. Also on display was a menorah given to the state of Maryland by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Per Montgomery County: Today, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement condemning the antisemitic graffiti found at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda.
“We are disgusted and angry to learn about yet another display of hate targeting the Jewish community in Montgomery County. Our nation continues to experience a deeply troubling rise in antisemitism, and we must continue to join together to denounce these acts of hate here at home.
Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan today welcomed Governor-Elect Wes Moore, Mrs. Dawn Moore, and their children to Government House in Annapolis.
“The First Lady and I were delighted to welcome the Moore family to historic Government House this afternoon and show them around what will soon be their new home,” said Governor Hogan. “The First Lady and I have been so grateful to serve as temporary residents of Government House, and we will cherish the memories our family has made here over the last eight years.”
Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan has declared that Maryland state government agencies and offices will be closed on Friday, December 23, 2022.“This year, I am declaring December 23 as a holiday so that our hard-working employees can spend more time enjoying the holidays with their loved ones,” said Governor Hogan. “This is just another way to show our appreciation to our dedicated state workers who have worked tirelessly to serve their fellow Marylanders and help us to truly change Maryland for the better.”
Under this declaration, December 23, 2022 will be treated like any other state-employee holiday.
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.”
Per Montgomery County: With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region, Montgomery County officials today offered precautionary recommendations to prevent further community spread of the virus. The County’s COVID-19 case rate has risen steadily over the last month and is now more than double the recent low on Nov. 28.
The increase in transmission has occurred both in the County and in other jurisdictions around the region. Combined with influenza cases and other significant respiratory disease, emergency department visits and hospitalization rates have increased as well.