 As 2025 comes to a close, County Executive Marc Elrich looks back at the events and accomplishments of the past year.
 Montgomery County health officials are advising residents to follow new recommendations from the Maryland Health Department to use face masks in all health care facilities. Montgomery County health officials are advising residents to take preventive measures as respiratory virus hospitalizations exceed 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents throughout Maryland.
 Beginning on Sunday, Feb.1, all Montgomery County taxicabs, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles, will implement a rate change from $2 per mile to $2.50 per mile. Additionally, a nighttime surcharge of $1 is being established for trips between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. There has not been a taxi meter rate change in more than 15 years. The change was adopted to maintain service viability, attract and retain qualified drivers, and in turn, increase reliability.
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Montgomery County’s amended Bring Your Own Bag law starts 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.
 As the holiday season winds down, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminds residents to recycle their live Christmas trees, wreaths, holiday lights, and cardboard boxes to support the County’s sustainability goals and reduce waste.
 Celebrate the New Year holiday with Maryland’s annual First Day Hike at Seneca Creek State Park. Enjoy a self-guided 3.7-mile hike along the scenic Lakeshore Trail, featuring beautiful winter views of Clopper Lake and opportunities to spot local wildlife. Begin your adventure at the Expo Field, where park rangers and volunteers will greet you with hot cocoa, family-friendly games, and nature activities. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks and supported by Maryland State Parks to get people outdoors to start 2026.
 Montgomery County Recreation’s RecFit passes will be free for Montgomery County residents again in 2026. The pass provides access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities, and game rooms at community recreation centers during regularly scheduled hours. To apply for a fitness pass, visit a center location with a photo ID and a current utility bill.
 The County’s Agricultural Reserve is home to the Agricultural History Farm Park on Muncaster Rd. in Derwood. You’ll find stories detailing 275 years of farming history featuring patriots of the American Revolution, African American landowners following the Civil War, and dairy farmers. Learn more through this week’s featured lesson on the Montgomery History website.
 In January 2019, the Montgomery County Council established The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation (MCCRR), to publicly highlight often-overlooked historical events that have had a critical impact on its African American residents and that continue to shape the County today. The commission invites you to participate in a survey underway now to shape how reconciliation is enacted across Montgomery County. Results will help inform the MCCRR’s future agenda. This survey is your opportunity to share how reconciliation can live through policy, the arts, and education. It will help our leaders mark our local history and develop ways to appreciate everyone’s point of view.
 Here is a question that is being posed to Montgomery County residents: Can you read a total of 26.2 hours this winter? If so, you can be part of Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Winter Reading Marathon, underway now through Feb. 28. Register to track your reading on ReadSquared and encourage other members of your family to read as well. Everyone who signs up will receive a lanyard. For every four hours read, earn a brag tag or button to celebrate your winter reading journey.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will begin offering free daily printing at all branches starting Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, with the exception of Noyes Library for Young Children. Customers will be able to print up to 15 black-and-white pages or two color pages per day at no cost. This service enhancement supports MCPL’s transition to a cashless system and reflects the library system’s commitment to equity, access, and operational efficiency. As part of this change, select items such as earbuds and flash drives will also be available free of charge to Montgomery County residents on a limited basis.
 Join the Montgomery County Commission for Women as local family law attorneys walk through the "ins" and "outs" of going through a separation and divorce in Maryland. You will learn about: Methods of Dispute Resolution, When and Where to File, Types of Divorce and Grounds, Financial Statements, Alimony, Property and Equitable Distribution, Role of the Attorney, and Domestic Violence/Orders of Protection. All classes are free. You can join the discussion from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month through June 2026. The next class is Wednesday, Jan. 7.
 Montgomery County invites residents to join the 2026 MLK Day of Service & Volunteer Fair on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, located at 5701 Marinelli Road in Rockville. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Volunteers will participate in service projects benefiting people and communities across the County and can connect with local nonprofit organizations to learn about year‑round volunteer opportunities. Registration is required.
 This year’s concert to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held Sunday, Jan. 18. Performances at the Strathmore will begin at 4 p.m. The theme for this year is ‘Every Kind of People…A Blueprint to Unity.’ Please make plans to join the County for this free program.
 Florence Jewell hosts the "Make A Difference" podcast, which centers on outstanding volunteers serving Montgomery County. This episode features Faith McNeill, manager of the Montgomery County Volunteer Center, about the MLK Day of Service. Also, Eduardo Mendes, from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, will discuss how qualified Montgomery County residents can get free help filing their taxes.
The next virtual job fair aimed at helping those 50 years old and up find a new job or earn extra income is happening Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The employment expo is free, though registration is required. The opportunity is coordinated by the Jewish Council for the Aging but funded by Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services.
 Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will modify Sunday service at some branches, beginning 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 Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) encourages County residents to subscribe to Alert Montgomery this winter season. The free notification system delivers accurate, timely emergency information directly from Montgomery County to residents by text message, email, or voice call to cell, work, or home phones. Subscribers can receive alerts about government and public-school closures or delays, weather-related emergencies, infrastructure issues such as water or power outages, and severe traffic incidents, including major accidents and prolonged road closures that may affect their home, workplace, or child’s school.
 Families are invited to join Montgomery County Recreation at its free Summer Camp Fairs in January 2026. These events offer an opportunity to explore a diverse range of camp programs being offered. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with recreation staff and instructors, ask questions, enjoy games, arts and crafts, and more!
 The Montgomery County Commission for Women will host the 2026 Women’s Legislative Briefing on Saturday, Jan. 31, at The Universities at Shady Grove. Maryland’s longest-running women’s policy event will bring together advocates, elected officials, policy experts and community leaders for a day of dialogue, learning and action on issues impacting women and girls across the state.
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