 County Executive Marc Elrich this week addresses how the County’s vaccination rate for COVID-19 continues to be among the best in the nation, but cautions that we must continue to watch how the variant of the virus is spreading. He also lends his support for the continuation of “streeteries” and for a rent relief bill proposed by County Councilmember Will Jawando. In addition, he talks about how innovative programs created by County departments during the COVID health crisis have been recognized nationally for their effectiveness.
 The State of Maryland, and Montgomery County in particular, continue to be among the national leaders in having residents receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The effectiveness of the vaccinations is reflected in the latest figures on hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus. And the Maryland scholarship program incentive for those 12-17 to get vaccinated began this week and will run through Labor Day.
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection is highlighting its Recycle Right “Oops Tag” Program to inform residents about materials that should not be placed in recycling bins.
 The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA—or Metro) has announced that two significant projects to improve safety will impact riders of the Red Line from July through December. A project that will begin in September will necessitate the closure of the Shady Grove and Rockville Metro stations through December
 Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation will adjust Ride On bus schedules starting Sunday, July 18, to increase overall service and improve efficiency. The changes reflect the continuing shift of resources toward schedule patterns as the County reopens following the COVID-19 health crisis. As part of the increased service changes, the innovative Flex on-demand service will return in the Rockville and Wheaton/Glenmont areas on Monday, July 19.
Ride On Flex, a unique on-demand transit service that was piloted in 2019 into early 2020, then suspended due to the COVID-19 health crisis, will be returned to operation by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation on Monday, July 19. Flex operates in defined zones in Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton.
 Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will join in the celebration of the Eighth Annual Latino Conservation Week from July 17-25 with a series of free events. The week, an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation, was launched in 2014 to connect Latino communities across the country with opportunities to get involved in outdoor recreation, conservation education and advocacy efforts.
The Upcounty Regional Services Center in Germantown has resumed in-person access to some services that are provided by the various agencies in the building.
More than 1.6 million square feet of additional lab space is in development in Montgomery County as an increasing number of life sciences companies want to relocate to the County and companies already in operation seek to expand. The County currently has 10.6 million square feet of lab space with just 5.2 percent of current availability, according to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.
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 Montgomery County Public Libraries now offers the “Northstar Digital Literacy” suite of tools to help residents acquire or improve basic digital literacy skills. The resource includes the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment, a suite of free online modules that test proficiency in essential digital skills. The assessments, built around basic computer digital literacy standards, were developed by leading Adult Basic Education groups and are now sustained by Literacy Minnesota.
The Maggie Nightingale Library, located at 19633 Fisher Ave. in Poolesville, will close at 6 p.m. on Aug. 2 to undergo interior improvements under the County’s award-winning Library Refurbishment initiative. Montgomery County Public Libraries expects the facility to reopen in spring.
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 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation, which suspended late fees on parking tickets in March 2020 to prevent undue hardship to customers during the COVID-19 health crisis, will resume collecting late fees starting Aug. 1. However, late fees for parking citations issued from Jan. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, will be waived provided that the tickets are paid by Aug. 1.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries is offering free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs throughout July. All workshops will be offered virtually.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is partnering with the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District in a call for artists to participate in the “Paint the Town” initiative to promote and bring more public art murals to Downtown Bethesda. The deadline for applications is Friday, Aug. 6.
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