 This week, the County Executive supported the introduction of the County Council’s “Trust Act,” which will codify the County’s pre-existing Executive Order on the interaction protocols with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. He discusses a new campaign by MCPD aimed at improving the identification of County officers. The County Executive highlights leadership changes at the County Council, shares the County’s key economic achievements in 2025, and helps residents prepare for the upcoming cold weather.
 Looking for a job? Attend the WorkSource Montgomery Career and Resource Fair on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 1-4 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Federal workers and job seekers wanting to meet employers who are looking to hire, won’t want to miss this event.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is encouraging residents to participate in the "Montgomery Gives Local" campaign as the holiday season begins. The campaign highlights local nonprofit organizations that continue to face increased demand for services. Local nonprofits report higher requests for food, housing help, and emergency financial assistance, while charitable giving has slowed. The Montgomery Gives Local campaign aims to increase awareness of organizations providing essential services throughout the County and to connect residents with opportunities to help.
 Montgomery County Government is committed to being a leader in addressing climate change. The Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee advises the County Executive and County Council on how to further that goal. It helps develop recommendations to promote and implement immediate and long-range policies and programs aimed at meeting the County’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals (cutting communitywide emissions 80% by 2027 and 100% by 2035.)
 Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) Summer RISE program is back and ready for another exciting summer. Summer RISE 2026 Host Registration is now officially open. Summer RISE (Reimagining an Innovative Student Experience) is an initiative of MCPS, implemented in collaboration with businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The program is for rising MCPS juniors and seniors to participate in a career-based learning opportunity during the summer. Hosts provide participating students with 50 hours of real-world, hands-on career experience.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) announces a change that will impact Sunday service, starting Jan. 11, 2026. MCPL will reduce the number of libraries open on Sunday to ensure consistent staffing, sustainable operations, and enhance Sunday programming that benefits the community.
 The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District is home to a variety of holiday and winter-themed events designed to provide enjoyment for all age groups throughout December and into January. This season’s calendar includes festive performances, markets, cozy indoor activities, skating, arts programming, and opportunities for friends and family to gather and enjoy the holiday spirit in downtown Silver Spring.
The Wheaton Urban District will host the Wheaton Winter Pop-Up from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection, Impact Silver Spring, and the Collective Business Alliance. The event brings the community together to support local artisans and businesses while enjoying hot chocolate, holiday cheer, and a festive space to connect.
 Come enjoy “Christmas on the Farm” at the Agricultural History Farm Park from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7. The farm is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The scenic park features rolling hills, open fields, and trails. Admission and parking at the family-friendly event are free.
 Montgomery Parks invites the community to celebrate the completion of a vibrant new mural at Glenmont Local Park from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The celebration will take place at the park’s activity building, located at 3201 Randolph Road in Wheaton. The event is free and open to the public.
WSSC Water is reinforcing its commitment to providing greater financial relief to customers struggling to pay their water/sewer bills by launching two new temporary assistance programs, the Emergency Customer Relief Fund and the expanded Get Current Temporary Water Bill Assistance Program.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, and County Councilmembers, including Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, and Laurie-Anne Sayles joined Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin, WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments Principal Kevin Rogers, and other community leaders for a ceremony to mark the first phase of a partnership between the County and WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments to relocate and redevelop the Lakeforest Transit Center at the Lakeforest Mall site in Gaithersburg. The new transit center is part of a plan to transform the closed Lakeforest Mall into a mixed-use development that will support residential housing, entertainment, shopping, and public gathering spaces.
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Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will close registration for its limited availability whiskey lottery on Saturday, Dec. 6. The lottery gives both residents and alcohol license holders an opportunity to purchase highly sought spirits. The lottery is free to enter and are open only to residents of Montgomery County and alcohol licensees. Entrants must be 21 or older. Among the spirits available for purchase are George T. Stagg 2024 Bourbon, Heaven Hill Heritage 19 Year Bourbon, and Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Vol. 5 Rye. ABS expects to release more than 500 bottles for purchase in the lottery.
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Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has released the 13th episode of its podcast series “Spirited Discussions” and the latest episode, “Holiday Gift Guide,” offers expert tips on party gifts, stocking stuffers, and seasonal spirits. ABS Kensington Store Manager Preston James and Adventure Wine Founder Robert Cavanaugh join host Jocelyn Rawat to discuss how to choose a wine to bring to a party, find unique and global spirits, and craft a signature cocktail for holiday gatherings. Seasonal favorites include eggnog, which marks the unofficial start of the season, mulled wine to warm a room, and a ready-to-serve lineup for travel days.
 Montgomery County residents can expect several Purple Line–related road access alerts in December. The University Boulevard pedestrian crossing at Seek Lane will be closed for traffic signal repairs, and the closure of Sligo Creek Parkway south of Wayne Avenue remains in effect through Dec. 8. Work also continues on the Spring Street Bridge. The Purple Line is a 16-mile light rail project that will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County.
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As the new year approaches, Montgomery County Recreation will begin accepting applications for the department's financial assistance program, Rec Assist, on Monday, Dec. 8. Rec Assist offers County residents receiving eligible public assistance the opportunity to receive a scholarship of $400 per eligible family member that can be used toward the cost of most recreation classes, activities, and memberships. Rec Assist funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available for use from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, or until the funds are depleted.
Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, one of the County’s labor unions, are teaming up again for the annual “Labor of Love” campaign benefiting the March of Dimes. Running through Dec. 31, the initiative invites customers at ABS retail stores to donate or round up their purchases to support programs that improve maternal and infant health.
Serious and fatal crashes on Montgomery County’s high injury network (HIN) corridors decreased 29% in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019, according to the County’s Vision Zero annual report. The Vision Zero initiative is the County's multi-departmental effort to end serious and fatal crashes on roadways by 2030. HIN corridors, which have the highest rates of serious and fatal crashes, are prioritized for safety interventions under the Vision Zero Action Plan.
 Montgomery County’s amended Bring Your Own Bag law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The amended law changes the County’s current rules on plastic and paper carryout bags. The most significant changes include an increase in the bag tax to 10 cents, of which retailers keep five cents, and a prohibition on the use of plastic carryout bags. Some businesses in certain municipalities within Montgomery County are exempt from the plastic bag prohibition. The law aims to reduce waste, protect waterways, and encourage residents to bring their own reusable bags when shopping.
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The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office invites middle and high schoolers who live in, or attend school in, Montgomery County, to participate in the “Speak Up, Save a Life” video contest. Create an original PSA about the dangers of opioids and fentanyl for a chance to win prizes up to $5,000. Winners will be announced at the “Save a Student Summit” on Jan. 31, 2026. Participants can also earn 10 SSL hours. The deadline for entries has been extended to Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is bringing back its popular Flash Lights holiday buses for a fifth year. Residents can catch a ride on one of the five decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses running along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) throughout December. The Flash Lights buses feature colorful winter lights framing the bus and windows and a neon sign reading “Happy Holidays” along the side.
 Tickets are available for Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden of Lights, open through Jan. 4, 2026. The beloved winter tradition transforms the 50-acre Wheaton gardens into a glowing wonderland with more than one million twinkling lights along a half-mile outdoor trail. The Brookside Gardens Gift Shop will be open for seasonal finds, and Catalyst Hot Dogs will serve food onsite throughout the season. Timed-entry tickets are required for guests ages five and older. The event is rain or shine, so bundle up and enjoy the magic!
 Montgomery Parks will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration for the opening of its newest park, Springfield Park, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. The 20,000 square-foot park is located at 5388 Westbard Circle in Bethesda, adjacent to the new Westbard Square development. The new park features a large playground, picnic shelter and tables, an open lawn area for informal play, benches and a bike rack.
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