Highways / Interstates

Last week the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan, which included a10-month extension for private companies to submit proposals. On Friday, Governor-Elect Wes Moore issued the following statement:

Under Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller’s leadership, the Moore-Miller administration is eager to work collaboratively with Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman, Treasurer Dereck Davis, the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Marc Erich, and our communities to find the best path forward.”


Health

Per the State of Maryland—With Medicare Open Enrollment in full swing, Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona E. Kramer are reminding Marylanders that lower premiums are available for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. In addition, beneficiaries can now compare 2023 Medicare health and drug coverage premiums and deductibles using the recently updated Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. “Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to many residents across the state who utilize the program,” said Governor Hogan. “We want to continue to ensure that every Marylander has access to affordable care and, ultimately, a better quality of life.”

More than 1 million Marylanders are enrolled in Medicare. The projected average premium for 2023 Medicare Advantage plans is $18 per month, a decline of nearly 8% from the 2022 average premium of $19.52. Medicare Advantage plans will continue to offer a wide range of supplemental benefits in 2023, including eyewear, hearing aids, preventive and comprehensive dental benefits, access to meals (for a limited duration), over-the-counter items, and fitness benefits. The average basic monthly premium for standard Part D coverage—which helps pay for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs—is projected to be $31.50, compared to $32.08 in 2022.


Traffic

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement after the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan: “Now that we have secured final federal approval, the most important transportation project for the National Capital Region in the last 50 years is well-positioned to move forward—and we are confident it will move forward. No project is more critical for improving the quality of life and stimulating the economic growth of the region.

While this extension is necessary due to the months-long delay of the record of decision at the federal level—along with years of moving the goalposts at the local level—we have advanced this project to the point that it can move forward quickly barring further needless delay.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland State Police (MSP) Superintendent Colonel Woodrow W. “Jerry” Jones, III, has notified him of his intent to retire at the end of the year after 35 years in law enforcement. The governor has named Lt. Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. to serve as acting superintendent. “Maryland is fortunate to have the finest state police organization in the entire country, and Colonel Jones has continued that tradition with steady and principled leadership of the highest caliber,” said Governor Hogan. “I have relied on Jerry’s advice and counsel throughout the crises and challenges we’ve navigated over the last few years. We are deeply grateful for his decades of dedicated service to the state.”

Prior to becoming superintendent in February 2020, Colonel Jones served more than four years as chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. “When I was hired as a Maryland State Police cadet just a few weeks after graduation from high school, I never in my most ambitious visions thought I would reach the pinnacle of my law enforcement career by serving in Governor Hogan’s administration,” said Colonel Jones. “It has been my greatest privilege to lead the committed individuals who are a part of the Maryland Department of State Police. They possess a dedication to duty that is evidenced each day in their selfless public safety service to the people of our state. The amount of good done each day across this state by our troopers and civilian employees is awe-inspiring. I will forever be proud of the opportunity I have had to serve the people of Maryland for 35 years as a law enforcement professional.”


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced that MilliporeSigma, an international biosciences company, is growing its presence in Montgomery County with a $286 million investment to expand its biosafety testing capacity. The company, known locally as BioReliance Corporation, currently has five locations in Rockville and is planning to consolidate in a new 250,000-square-foot facility at 9820 Darnestown Road at the Alexandria Center® at Traville Gateway campus, which is being developed and operated by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. MilliporeSigma will maintain one additional facility at 9630 Medical Center Drive and will retain at least 600 full-time employees during the expansion, while creating more than 500 new jobs over the next four years.

“Maryland has built one of the nation’s strongest life sciences industries, and having MilliporeSigma reinvest in its Maryland biosafety facility will bring hundreds of more jobs to the Montgomery County community and continue to grow the region’s innovative workforce,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration has made expanding the state’s life sciences and biotechnology research workforce a priority, and the progress our life sciences industry has made in the last eight years is another sign that Maryland is open for business.”


Beyond MoCo

A $50,000 winning Powerball lottery ticket sold November 7 at the Check Cash Depot at 8476 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring remains unclaimed as of Tuesday, November 15. The ticket was purchased for last week’s historic Powerball drawing that had a jackpot of over $2 billion.  Outside of MoCo, a $1 million Mega Millions ticket sold November 8 at 7-Eleven (9151 Riggs Road) in Adelphi and a $1 million Powerball ticket sold November 7 at One Mile Liquor (6600 Baltimore National Pike, Suite L) in Catonsville have also yet to be claimed. Additional information courtesy of the Maryland Lottery below:

Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.


Maryland

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement after the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency announced that the launch of mobile sports wagering in Maryland may take place in time for Thanksgiving:“Today we are proud to report that sports fans can finally plan for the official launch of mobile sports betting in the State of Maryland.

“To reach this point, we have had to overcome countless legal, political, and bureaucratic delays that threatened to push back the launch past the Super Bowl next year. It was completely unacceptable to me, and we spent months pressing for decisive action. Thanks to those efforts, and after repeated interventions by our administration, we now anticipate the launch of mobile sports betting this month, and we are cautiously optimistic that it will be in time for Thanksgiving.


Beyond MoCo

Per the Maryland State Police: As the investigation continues into a fatal road rage incident that claimed the life of a tow truck driver in Prince George’s County, police are releasing video footage and asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit.

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Delonte Hicks, a 29-year-old tow truck driver, of Washington, D.C. was shot while traveling on eastbound Route 50 at Veterans Parkway in Prince George’s County. At approximately 5:45 p.m. police believe Hicks was exchanging words with the driver of a black passenger car (pictured below) when he pulled out a weapon and fired into the vehicle, striking Hicks. The gunman continued eastbound on Route 50.


Health

Per the State of Maryland: The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today launched a new webpage with resources about respiratory virus infections spreading rapidly this fall and steps Marylanders can take to protect themselves. The move follows Governor Hogan’s announcement about statewide preparedness efforts to address an increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and potential COVID-19 and flu surges.

The state has seen an early surge of severe respiratory illness, especially in very young and school-age children. Many children with RSV or other respiratory illnesses will experience cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, and fever, that get better within a week or two. However, infants, people who are immunocompromised, and people living with certain chronic medical conditions may experience severe illness that can cause difficulty breathing and hospitalization. Contact your healthcare provider if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, not drinking enough fluids, or experiencing worsening symptoms.


Maryland

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are actively investigating an early morning fatal crash on I-95 in Prince George’s County. The identification of the deceased is pending next of kin notification. The individual was pronounced deceased on the scene. The body of the deceased will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy.

Shortly before 8:00 a.m. this morning, troopers from the College Park Barrack responded to a crash on southbound I-95 prior to Route 212 in Beltsville. The preliminary investigation indicates a white Toyota Camry struck the rear of a tractor trailer. The tractor trailer was disabled on the left shoulder at the time of the incident.


Maryland

“This report is another milestone showing that Maryland is experiencing one of the strongest recoveries in the nation,” said Governor Hogan. “The hard work and resilience of our hundreds of tourism professionals, along with aggressive efforts by our Maryland Office of Tourism to promote new ways to enjoy our state and its resources, has brought visitors back to Maryland in a big way.”

“Maryland’s tourism industry is well positioned and open to welcome visitors to our state,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “It is our intention to continue to finish strong with the tourism industry leading the recovery in visitor spending and job creation.”


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