 While Montgomery County continues to fight COVID-19, County Executive Marc Elrich said attention must also be directed toward two of the most important issues that will impact the County’s future. One involves moving toward the right solutions that will relieve congestion on the American Legion Bridge and I-270. The other is the need to have a plan to address climate change, and this week, he introduced the County’s new Climate Action Plan that includes 86 recommendations.
Mirroring national trends, young adults in Montgomery County are the least likely to have received a COVID-19 vaccination. According to the latest data, residents who are 20-34 have a first-dose vaccination rate of 69 percent. This compares to 90 percent for residents 65 and older. The County has undertaken a media campaign using television, radio and social media to urge residents 18-34 to “Take Control” and get vaccinated.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week unveiled the Climate Action Plan that will guide the County toward its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The Montgomery climate plan, which will increase resilience in the face of climate hazards, is one of the most ambitious climate plans in the nation for a local government.
 Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is available to provide short-term rental assistance to eligible households that have experienced lost income due to the COVID-19 health crisis, causing them to fall behind on rent. The program is managed by the County's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), with funding from the Federal Department of Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
 “Digitization and the Department of Permitting Services” will be the theme from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, June 25, when Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Economic Revitalization and Recovery program continues its series of virtual town hall meetings to keep businesses informed on strategies for doing business as the health crisis continues.
 Many of Montgomery County Recreation summer programs, including the popular Summer Fun Centers, have increased their maximum enrollment, opening slots for programs. The number of available slots for numerous programs had filled within the first several days of the opening of registration.
Sandy Smith, host of the County Cable Montgomery show “Make a Difference,” will discuss her unique journey to joining the program that highlights volunteer opportunities on the latest episode of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast. She also shares her experiences working with the show during the COVID-19 health crisis.
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 New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka will be the featured guest at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, as Montgomery County Public Libraries continues its “Contemporary Conversations” virtual series. The topic is “A True Story about Growing Up in a Family Grappling with Addiction.”
 Montgomery County’s HIV/STI Program, part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), will host the free “Pride in the Plaza” outdoor LGBTQ+ health and wellness community resource fair from 1-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, at Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. The event continues the County’s recognition of June as Pride Month and June 27 as National HIV Testing Day.
 June as “Pride Month” will be celebrated by Montgomery Parks and the Moco Pride Center with the free “Summer of Love PRIDE Walk” at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park in Silver Spring from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.. on Sunday, June 27.
 “Environmental Justice” will be the theme at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, when the “Eco Evenings with DEP and OMG” series of virtual town halls focused on environmental topics continues with its June event. The town hall style meeting is co-sponsored by the County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and One Montgomery Green (OMG).
A new covered riding arena has been dedicated at the equestrian center of Meadowbrook Stables in Chevy Chase. The arena, which is located within Meadowbrook Local Park, was constructed over the past 18 months and includes seasonal enclosures and various environmental features such as stormwater management, native plantings, and a 145kW solar power roof installation.
 The Montgomery County Solar Co-Op is partnering with other area jurisdictions to create the Capital Area Solar Co-Op—the nation’s first regional solar co-op. The co-op aims to expand solar opportunities for residents and businesses in the County and throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be installing permanent, “dynamic speed signs” (DSS) on Brink Road in Gaithersburg to provide real-time speeds to drivers. The campaign is a pilot program under the Montgomery County Vision Zero initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from traffic-related incidents by 2030. Two signs will face eastbound traffic and two will face westbound.
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