 County Executive Marc Elrich announces LGBTQ+ History Month, provides an update on the County’s COVID-19 vaccination status, addresses whether there should be a mandate requiring County employees to be vaccinated, talks about the “Reimagining School Safety and Student Well-Being Committee,” acknowledges the unanimous confirmation of two new ACAOs and the departing DEP director, and offers thoughts on his proposal that would make the black tupelo tree a new official County symbol.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County’s regional services centers will host two additional hybrid forums in October to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget. The next forum will be held Monday, Oct. 18, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Residents can attend the forums in person or view them via the internet.
 Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are updated to reflect the most recent reports from the State of Maryland during the health crisis. Among the information available is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the County.
Residents 18-and-older interested in lessons and safety clinics regarding e-scooters will have the opportunity to attend free clinics on Friday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, Oct. 16, sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.
 The Montgomery County Planning Department, which is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will hold a virtual public meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, on the preliminary transit plan for I-270. Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan will have planning staff presenting recommendations, including a potential transit network, to serve communities and employment centers along the I-270 corridor.
October is here, the change of seasons is in full swing and Halloween is approaching. Montgomery History is finding this to be the right time to host a lecture on “In Search of Ghosts: Montgomery County.” Karen Yaffe Lottes will lead the online discussion and story-telling starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Montgomery County Recreation is hosting family-friendly events to enjoy during the fall season. From free movies to swimming with pumpkins, events will be hosted at community recreation centers and aquatic facilities located throughout the County.
“Garden of Lights,” the 23rd annual outdoor winter light exhibit at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, will open on Nov. 19. Advance time-entry tickets are now available.
 As Halloween approaches, Montgomery County health officials are offering advice on how to decrease risks associated with celebrating the special day while the COVID-19 health crisis continues.
Fall is a good time to help keep communities clean, and cleanups as community events are a good way to go. Montgomery Recreation is offering some tips on how to make a community cleanup successful.
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To expedite and simplify the permitting process, the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services will require permit applications and construction plans for residential and commercial buildings to be submitted electronically beginning Monday, Oct. 18.
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The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Montgomery Parks are alerting the public about “Critters in Crisis,” at a special event at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, at Maydale Conservation Park in Colesville. Certain insects, fish and amphibians are now considered at-risk in local streams due to water quality issues.
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 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is recommending, through legislation, the designation of the black tupelo as the newest County symbol. The black tupelo was selected for recommendation as a County tree based on a selection process conducted by the Forest Conservation Advisory Committee at the request of the Department of Environmental Protection.
 Fall is filled with special events from Montgomery Parks. The wide range of events will include festive fare at Pumpkins & Pours, riding on the Halloween Eye Spy Trains and experiencing Fall on the Farm. As Halloween nears, costumes can be displayed at Spooktacular activities at the Halloween 5K Haunted Hustle or Nightmare on Elm Street.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join residents and members of the County’s library community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, to celebrate the reopening of the newly refreshed Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Germantown Branch.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) celebrated the one-year anniversary of the County’s first rapid transit service—the Flash—with special greetings of riders on Oct. 14. More than 500,000 riders have used the frequent and reliable Flash service. And now the County is looking toward expansion.
Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs will be available throughout October through a program offered by Montgomery County Public Libraries. All workshops will be offered virtually.
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