 This week, the County Executive focuses on the tragic shooting at Thomas Wootton High School. He offers his takeaways from Gov. Wes Moore's State of the State address and is disturbed by the antisemitic vandalism targeting a Jewish congregation in Olney. He reflects on a lifetime of contributions from two late community leaders, Rev. Dr. Ruby Reese Moone and Marye Wells-Harley. The County Executive also discusses the threat measles poses to families with recent cases in the DMV region, and highlights Lunar New Year and Ramadan.
Story Keys:
 The Montgomery County Government and programs that impact County residents will have holiday schedules and program changes for Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) ran a “pothole blitz” on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12, to quickly service potholes on 5,400 lane miles of County-maintained roads. More than 125 MCDOT employees were deployed over the two-day period to repair roads damaged in the recent winter storm.
Pothole requests will still be accepted and will be addressed within three business days, weather permitting. Residents are urged to report potholes on County roads online or by calling MC311 at 311 or 240-777-0311 (if calling from outside the County).
Residents can submit requests for pothole repair on state roads to the Maryland State Highway Administration – via the SHA Online Service Request Form or by calling 301-513-7300. State roads are identified by a road number, such as MD 355 or Route 97/Georgia Avenue.
Visit the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park in Olney during Black History Month and snap a selfie with AI Shirley, the park’s virtual interpreter. Share your photo on Instagram, X, Facebook, or Google Maps using #SelfieWithShirley and tag @CountyCableMoCo for a chance to win one of 13 gift cards—$25 for top posts and a $100 grand prize.
AI Shirley answers questions about Oakley Cabin’s history, and visitors can explore nine augmented reality (AR) experiences by scanning QR codes onsite.
The Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park is located at 3610 Brookeville Road. in Olney.
 Photo provided by Montgomery Parks
February is Black History Month, and Montgomery Parks invites the community to honor it with events and programs that educate, engage, and inspire. From family-friendly activities and concerts to thought-provoking exhibits and book discussions, there’s something for everyone.
Highlights include:
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Free booklets on African American history and culture at Josiah Henson Museum and Park (11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda).
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Black History Month Family Day – Saturday, Feb. 14 at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park (16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring).
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Jubilee Voices Concert – Sunday, Feb. 15 at Josiah Henson Museum and Park (11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda).
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Life at Dawn Family Day – Saturday, Feb. 28 at Josiah Henson Museum and Park (11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda).
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Wood and Wine at Oakley Cabin – Saturday, Feb. 28 (3610 Brookeville Road, Olney) 4-7 p.m. 21 years and older.
 Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is offering free income tax preparation for households earning $69,000 or less. Appointments are available at multiple locations and virtually. Certified tax preparers will complete and file 2025 federal and state returns.
Appointments:
- Mondays: 2–8 p.m. – Casey Community Center, 810 S Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.
- Tuesdays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. & 2–8 p.m. – Community Action Agency, Rockville, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, Rockville & TESS Center, 8703 Flower Ave, Silver Spring.
- Wednesdays: 12–8 p.m. – Community Action Agency, Rockville.
- Thursdays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. – WorkSource Montgomery, 11510 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor, Wheaton & Community Action Agency, Rockville.
- Fridays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. – Virtual appointments.
All VITA sites serve taxpayers filing with individual tax information numbers (ITINs). Staff can assist with ITIN applications at Community Action Agency VITA and CASA.
 The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) invites the community to join a vibrant cultural celebration where tradition meets the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year.
A clothing donation drive will also be held as part of this year's celebrations. On Feb. 15 and Feb. 28, community members are invited to bring new or gently used clothing to Westfield Montgomery Mall to donate to Interfaith Works. Donors will receive a red envelope containing exclusive offers from select mall retailers in appreciation of their contribution.
 The City of Rockville celebrates Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 21, with a free event that recognizes Rockville’s Asian cultures with performances, interactive displays, kids’ crafts, and to-go snack boxes (while supplies last). Organized in partnership with the Asian Pacific American Task Force, the annual Lunar New Year Celebration is a source of pride for the city’s Asian community and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture.
The Islamic Community Center of Potomac (ICCP) invites the community to join them for an Interfaith Iftar and prayer service on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. The ICCP is located at 10601 River Road in Potomac.
This event offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships and foster mutual respect among our diverse faith communities. RSVP to zamrooda.ahad@gmail.com.
 Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) will host a special reduced-fee adoption event for dogs weighing over 40 pounds on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15.
With nearly 80 large dogs in need of homes, the shelter is at critical capacity and urgently needs adopters. If you’ve been thinking about adding a dog to your family, now is the perfect time.
Adoption fees vary by dog’s age:
- Dogs under six months: $75
- Dogs six months and older: $50
- Dogs over seven years old: $37.50
Adoptions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be wait times. All adoptions are same-day, so please come prepared to take your new dog home by bringing a leash and a collar or harness.
 From sports and fitness to arts and aquatics, registration for Montgomery County Recreation's spring programs and activities will kick off Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 a.m. for County residents. Registration for all senior programs, including the popular Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (SOAR), Day Trippers, and Bone Builders programs, will open later that morning at 9 a.m. Check out the full lineup of programs being offered this spring in the Digital GUIDE.
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Montgomery County has launched a new grant program to help small local farms sell their food to schools, hospitals, senior centers, and other institutional buyers, strengthening the region’s food system and expanding market access for farmers. The FY26 Food Aggregation Grant Program, administered by the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience, is designed to close a long-standing gap in the regional food system: strong demand from public institutions for locally grown food, and limited market access for small farms that cannot meet large volume purchasing requirements on their own.
 Don’t miss an opportunity to support young voices and celebrate creativity in our community. The annual Youth Anti-Racist Film Festival, presented by The Minority Scholars Program (MSP), will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring.
MSP is a student-led initiative focused on advocacy, equity, and educational empowerment. It is active within Montgomery County Public Schools, helping teenagers and young adults engage in anti-racist work, including contributing their voice in policymaking.
Experience powerful, student-created films that spark conversation and inspire change.
The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee has been advocating for changes to parking prices in Wheaton, and examining the impact current pricing has had on local businesses and the broader community. The committee wants to ensure that everyone who lives, works, shops, and visits Wheaton has a voice in shaping a parking structure that works for all.
Residents are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the survey, and share it widely with their networks, community groups, and contacts. Public responses will directly influence the final option considered for Wheaton’s future parking structure. The survey deadline is Sunday, Feb. 28.
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 Montgomery Parks is conducting an online survey that is part of a multi-year initiative to improve accessibility and quality of restroom facilities in parks.
Montgomery Parks recognizes access to restrooms is a priority for park users. Participating in the survey will help planners understand usage patterns and access to park restrooms. The survey is open through April 19.
For the past two years, staff have been collecting data on park restrooms including their physical infrastructure, operational status, and maintenance costs. Last fall, Montgomery Parks hosted two engagement events in parks to gather information from park users. Four additional engagement events are planned for this spring.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Ride On buses are helping a local nonprofit expand opportunities for underrepresented students by providing reliable access to its life sciences career training program.
Learning Undefeated’s Emerging Leaders program provides advanced scientific coursework, hands-on lab experience, and career counseling to high school and college students interested in science careers. Montgomery County has provided Learning Undefeated with more than $250,000 in grant funding since 2021.
With a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, workforce training, and support for underserved communities, Learning Undefeated has been a valuable partner in the County’s mission to grow its life sciences industry, support equitable growth, and expand its workforce.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has added a new Ride On bus service area for Flex, an on-demand shared shuttle service. Flex Zone 918 provides peak-period, book-and-go, transit service to the Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, and Cloverly communities, as well as New Hampshire Avenue between Maryland Route 108 and the White Oak Transit Center. The Flex zone includes connections to the wider transit network, including Ride On bus, U.S 29 (Colesville Road) Flash Bus Rapid Transit, Metrobus and Metrorail.
Riders can reserve trips using the Flex mobile app or the call 240-301-3842 to reserve a pickup time and location. The location is typically a cross street. The Ride On Flex app is available for free download in the Apple iStore, and Google Play store and tracks the vehicle live providing arrival time estimates.
Montgomery County, with support from its Human Trafficking Prevention Committee, has launched the “Look Before You Book” campaign to help residents identify licensed massage services and spot the warning signs of illegal operations that may be linked to human trafficking and labor exploitation. Some businesses that appear to offer massage or bodywork services may be operating illegally.
Since June 2024, Montgomery County has significantly increased enforcement and inspections of massage and bodywork establishments:
- The Montgomery County Police Department’s Vice Unit conducted 44 spa inspections.
- Police issued 40 civil citations to 25 spas.
- Police charged 13 spa owners with felony offenses for aiding and abetting illegal massage operations.
- A landlord terminated one commercial lease following enforcement action.
- The Montgomery County Department of Health cited two businesses for illegal operations during the licensing process.
The campaign runs through June and includes TV, exterior bus, and bus shelter ads, social media outreach, and a new website with tips for choosing licensed providers.
Report suspected illegal activity anonymously at 240-773-TIPS (8477) or 866-411-TIPS (8477).
 The Montgomery County Commission on Aging recently honored three local organizations with the 2025 Austin Heyman Community for a Lifetime Award. The award is named for Austin Heyman, a longtime advocate who worked for decades to improve the lives of older adults in Montgomery County and was a former chair of the Commission. The award recognizes organizations whose work helps ensure Montgomery County remains a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for residents of all ages.
Each year, millions of Americans fall victim to financial fraud, scams, and identity theft—often with devastating consequences. The Keeping Seniors Safe (KSS) volunteer outreach team helps residents protect themselves by teaching:
- How scams and identity theft occur.
- Warning signs to watch for.
- Practical steps to prevent victimization.
- What to do if you or a loved one becomes a victim.
Presentations are free, last about an hour, and can be scheduled at your group’s location. Participants receive educational materials for future reference.
Email Police.KSS@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.
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 The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection will host a community forum from 10:30 to noon on Thursday, March 5, at the Rockville Memorial Library in the second-floor meeting room. The Rockville Memorial Library is located at 21 Maryland Ave.
This in-person event is designed to bring the community together for a facilitated, interactive discussion that prioritizes community dialogue and hearing directly from residents about consumer concerns impacting the County.
Advance registration is required by Monday, March 2. Register now.
 The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) will hold its annual Stakeholders Forum at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) building, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton. The forum runs until 11:30 a.m., and doors open at 8:30 a.m.
This event brings together architects, builders, contractors, designers, developers, engineers, homeowners, and other industry professionals to hear important updates and engage directly with DPS leaders. Topics include permitting trends, energy and fire code updates, housing initiatives, and technology improvements. An interactive panel discussion will provide an opportunity for feedback and Q&A.
Advance registration is required by Friday, Feb. 27. Register now.
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