Montgomery Update: As COVID-19 Cases Again Increase, Precautionary Measures Are Highly Recommended

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Montgomery County Update: News & Information

Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19 for Latest COVID-19 Updates

May 19, 2022 | Bookmark and Share
Contact County Executive Marc Elrich

A Message from County Executive Marc Elrich

County Executive Marc Elrich

Hate crimes that continue throughout the nation are foremost on the mind of County Executive Marc Elrich in his weekly message to residents. He also provides an update on the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the County and the region. He is optimistic about how the new IgnITe Hub could impact the future. He also offers his thoughts on former County Executive Sidney Kramer, who passed away earlier this week.

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COVID-19 Cases Rising Again, So County Recommends Precautionary Measures to Protect Against Greater Community Spread of Virus

covid-19 charts

The number of COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County and the Washington Region is rising again, leading County officials to offer precautionary recommendations to prevent further community spread of the virus. The increase in transmission, both within the County and in other jurisdictions around the region, has outpaced the rise in other parts of Maryland.

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Montgomery Has the Highest Recycling Rate in State, According to Maryland Department of the Environment

Montgomery Has the Highest Recycling Rate in Maryland, According to Maryland Department of the Environment

Montgomery County’s recycling rate of 58.94 percent of solid waste created tops all other counties in Maryland, according to statistics released by the Maryland Department of the Environment.  The report was for 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available. 

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IgnITe Hub Grand Opening in Rockville Spotlights County's Newest Center for Innovation and Cutting-Edge Technology

ignite hub logo

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Craig Rice, Montgomery College President Jermaine F. Williams, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight and representatives from Apple, Inc. were among those recently joining MCPS students, business leaders and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the ignITe Hub at Montgomery College’s Rockville campus. 

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Gaithersburg Book Festival Returns as In-Person Free Event with More Than 120 Authors, Writing Workshops and Children’s Village on Saturday, May 21

book festival

The Gaithersburg Book Festival will return as an in-person free event from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, at its new, larger location at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm in Gaithersburg. The festival will feature more than 120 best-selling and award-winning authors.

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Bike to Work Day’ Will be Held on Friday, May 20, with Montgomery County Again Fully Involved

‘Bicycle Swag Bag’ Contest During May Will Lead Way to ‘Bike to Work Day’

The Washington Region’s annual support of national Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday, May 20, and Montgomery County intends to be fully involved once again. Registration for the event is now open. The first 15,000 bicyclists who register and participate will get a free T-shirt and are automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike. 

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Celebration of ‘Public Works Week’ Will Conclude with Free ‘Truck Day’ on Saturday, May 21, as Residents Can Tour and Sit In County Vehicles

npww2022a

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOTs) Division of Highway Services will conclude its celebration of national “Public Works Week” with a free, family-friendly “Truck Day” on Saturday, May 21, that will allow residents to tour and sit in County vehicles.

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Long Branch Community Recreation Center Reopens, With Special Reopening Event Scheduled for Saturday, May 21

long branch rec center

The Long Branch Community Recreation and Senior Center, located at 8700 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring, reopened to the public on Monday, May 16. A special reopening event will take place from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. The free celebration will include dancing, music, food, inflatables, face painting and games.

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Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville to Reopen on Saturday, May 21

Maggie Nightingale Library in Poolesville to Reopen on Saturday, May 21

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join Poolesville residents for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, to celebrate the grand reopening of the newly refreshed Montgomery County Public Libraries’ (MCPL) Maggie Nightingale branch located at 19633 Fisher Ave. in Poolesville. 

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‘Twilight Tuesdays’ Will Have a Wide Range of Free Music and Entertainment on Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring Throughout the Spring

silver spring town center

A wide range of free music and entertainment will be featured on Veterans Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring throughout the spring in the “Twilight Tuesdays” series presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.

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Annual Montgomery County Ride On Bus Food Drive to Run from May 15-22

Annual Montgomery County Ride On Bus Food Drive to Run from May 15-22

Montgomery County Ride On bus riders can donate non-perishable food to the County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Ride On food drive from May 15-22. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off on all Ride On, extRa, Flex and Flash buses. A food donation bag will be available next to the farebox. 

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Office of Procurement to Host Event on Tuesday, May 24, Addressing Details and Success Stories on Its Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Business Program

business meeting

The Montgomery County Office of Procurement will hold a special event from 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, May 24, to provide details and success stories regarding its Minority, Female and Disabled-Owned Business Program. County Executive Marc Elrich will provide the welcome remarks for the event.

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Second COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available at County-Operated Clinics

2nd booster shot

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved giving a second booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups. Montgomery County-operated clinics are now providing the second booster dose to eligible residents. 

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Free At-home COVID-19 PCR Test Kits Available at County Multiple Locations

PCR test kit

Montgomery County residents can pick up free at-home polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 test kits at locations throughout the community. The "20/20 GeneSystems" tests are available to County residents while supplies last. Residents can receive a maximum of two test kits per person (each kit contains one test) per visit.

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Department of Permitting Services Receives Record Number of Requests for Residential Deck Inspections During ‘Building Safety Month’

deck safety

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services is offering homeowners free residential deck maintenance inspections during the month of May as part of its annual celebration of “Building Safety Month.” Since the deck safety program was announced in mid-April, more than 700 homeowners have requested deck inspections, which is higher than any previous year since the program began in 2009.

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‘Projects Needing a Permit’ and ‘How to Schedule a Free Deck Maintenance Inspection’ Will Be Featured Topics on Next Edition of ‘What’s Happening MoCo’ Podcast

what's happening #Moco

Many homeowners are planning home improvement projects this spring and summer, which makes the recognition of May as “Building Safety Month” especially timely. On the latest edition of the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast, James Sackett, residential inspections manager for the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services will talk about the importance of scheduling a free residential deck maintenance inspection and how to know when a home project needs a permit to proceed.

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‘Offutt’s Crossroads: The Early History of Potomac and Its Founding Family’ Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Online Presentation on Tuesday, May 24

offutt's crossroads

“Offutt’s Crossroads: The early History of Potomac and Its Founding Family’ will be the focus on a Montgomery History online presentation at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24. The talk and slide presentation will cover the “first family” of Potomac. The area of Montgomery County was originally named Offutt’s Crossroads, after the family.

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County Expands Local Cable Programming by Adding New MCPS-TV High-Definition Cable Channel on Comcast’s Xfinity Lineup

connect montgomery

Montgomery County has expanded its public education and government programming with the launch of a new high-definition (HD) Montgomery County Public Schools TV (MCPS-TV) cable channel through cable provider Comcast. The new addition, which began broadcasting on May 4, is Xfinity Channel 1071.

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Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery Seeks Entries by May 30 for ‘Spirit of Summer’ at Westfield Wheaton

Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery

The Wheaton Arts Parade Gallery is seeking artist entries for a new eight-week show entitled “Spirit of Summer” that will run from June 10-July 31 at Westfield Wheaton. The exhibit will feature the works of 20-25 artists and offer the opportunity for them to sell their original, professional quality artwork. Entries must be submitted by Monday, May 30.

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Commission on Veterans Affairs Honors County’s Fallen Heroes from Military Action Dating to World War I With Online Tributes of Bios and Photos

Commission on Veterans Affairs Honors County’s Fallen Heroes from Military Action Dating Back to World War I With Online Tributes of Bios and Photos

The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is honoring many “Fallen Hometown Heroes” with County connections dating back to World War I with detailed tributes displayed on a special website created by the commission. The tribute is especially notable as the County prepares to commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 30. 

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Advisory Boards to Host ‘Break the Taboo-A’ Virtual Forum on Youth Mental Health and Substance Misuse on Thursday, May 19

Advisory Boards to Host ‘Break the Taboo-A’ Virtual Forum on Youth Mental Health and Substance Misuse on Thursday, May 19

Three Montgomery County advisory boards will co-host "Break the Taboo-A," a virtual forum on youth mental health and substance use, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 19. The forum, designed for youth, parents and guardians, will highlight signs of youth mental health and substance use concerns and where to find resources in the community. 

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Laugh it Up with Stand-Up Comic Danny Rouhier at Gaithersburg Arts Barn on Friday, May 20

Laugh it Up with Stand-Up Comic Danny Rouhier at Gaithersburg Arts Barn on Friday, May 20

Stand-up comedian Danny Rouhier will be performing at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. His fast-paced and clever act includes dozens of voices and characters. 

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Long Branch Area Parks, Trails and Programs Will Be Subject of Improvement Study Conducted by Montgomery Parks

The Long Branch Parks Initiative

The Long Branch Parks Initiative a comprehensive look at the parks, trails, amenities and recreational programs in the area, is the focus of a study by Montgomery Parks, which is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The initiative is aimed at identifying what needs to be improved or added so the parks can better serve the Long Branch area.  

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