 This week, the County Council listened to public testimony about the proposed operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027 and County Executive Elrich explains what is at stake if the proposed funding of priorities like education, social services, and housing are reduced or eliminated. He also talks about the Fair Chance Symposium and Job Fair held by WorkSource Montgomery that focused on helping those with criminal records find employment, and highlights a new partnership with Leadership Montgomery to support businesses and nonprofits affected by federal funding cuts. The County Executive notes a new initiative to improve road safety and the return of the ABS liquor lottery. Finally, he marks Arab American Heritage Month and discusses the County's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Story Keys:
Montgomery County Encourages Residents to “Keep It Clean” During Earth Month
 Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging residents to “Keep It Clean, Montgomery” as part of an Earth Month campaign to reduce litter and protect local waterways.
The campaign highlights how litter travels through storm drains into streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, and encourages simple actions like securing trash and recycling, picking up litter, and reporting problem areas to 311. In the past year alone, volunteers and County crews collected nearly 54 tons of litter across the community.
Residents also can take part in a spring cleanup event on Saturday, April 11, in Silver Spring. Volunteers will help remove litter from local neighborhoods, with supplies provided and student service learning hours available.
 Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is expanding its weekend adoption hours to 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning Saturday, April 11. Previous weekend hours were noon–5:00 p.m.
Opening an hour earlier is intended to improve access for residents, ease wait times, and create more opportunities for successful pet adoptions.
Celebrate African Rhythms with a Free Dance Workshop in Olney on Saturday, April 11
Join Montgomery Parks this Saturday for a free dance workshop featuring African rhythms from West Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas. The workshop will be held from 12–4 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, 3610 Brookeville Road in Olney. Dancers, percussionists, and storytellers will lead music and movement activities, and tours of the 19th‑century Oakley Cabin will be available.
Event parking will be at Reddy Branch Stream Valley Park, 19801 Georgia Ave. in Brookeville. A free, accessible shuttle will run to and from the event throughout the afternoon. Bring the family for a day of fun.
Inaugural Taste of Burtonsville Set for Saturday, April 25
 Montgomery County will host the inaugural Taste of Burtonsville on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center. The new, family-friendly event will bring together residents, local restaurants, and community partners to celebrate the area’s diverse food and culture.
Attendees can sample a variety of international and American cuisine from local vendors, enjoy live music, and participate in children's activities. The event highlights the vibrancy of the Burtonsville community while supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center is located at 14906 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville.
County Kicks Off Spring Paving and Infrastructure Maintenance Season
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has begun its 2026 spring paving and infrastructure maintenance season. MCDOT crews will begin repair work on the County’s 5,400 miles of roads and 1,700 miles of sidewalk to ensure travel surfaces are safe, accessible, and well-maintained.
MCDOT expects to complete 34 roadway maintenance projects and 17 sidewalk repair projects this spring. A preliminary list of current or scheduled road resurfacing projects and current or scheduled sidewalk repair projects is available online. Both sites will be updated throughout paving season as projects are added to the schedule.
Rare Spirits Lottery to Open on Sunday, April 12
 Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open registration at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, for its annual lotteries, offering residents a chance to purchase limited-availability spirits. More than 900 bottles are expected to be available, including highly sought-after selections such as Weller Millennium, Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year, and Michter’s 20 Year.
Two lotteries will be held—one open to Maryland residents age 21 and over and another exclusively for Montgomery County residents age 21 and over. County residents may enter both. Registration will be open from Sunday, April 12, through Saturday, April 18, with winners selected through a random drawing and announced on Wednesday, April 22.
Winners will have the opportunity to purchase their selected bottles at designated ABS stores between Saturday, April 25, and Saturday, May 23. A separate lottery will also be available for Montgomery County alcohol license holders.
The lottery program is designed to provide residents with fair and equitable access to rare spirits.
Join Us for a Spring Volunteer Fair on Friday, April 17
The Plum Gar Community Recreation Center will host a Spring Volunteer Fair from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at 19561 Scenery Drive in Germantown. The event, organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center and the Department of Recreation, will connect residents with local organizations, volunteer coordinators, and opportunities to get involved in the community.
Free CPR and Naloxone Training to Be Held Saturday, April 19
Montgomery County residents are invited to a free CPR and Naloxone Training from 1–3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, at the Public Safety Training Academy in Gaithersburg. The hands‑on session is open to ages 12 and older and will cover life‑saving CPR skills and how to administer naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose.
Purple Line Construction Updates and Road Closures in April
Purple Line construction continues in Montgomery County this spring, with upcoming road access changes and overnight work in several areas. Crews will install overhead wires along the alignment from Connecticut Avenue to Lyttonsville over the next two months, with some work occurring overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Beginning on or about April 13, access at the West Shopping Center near University Boulevard will be limited to right turns only for approximately one week. Additional overnight closures are expected starting on or about April 20 along Wayne Avenue between Flower Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Residents and drivers are encouraged to follow posted signage and pedestrian detours.
Montgomery County Partners with Leadership Montgomery to Support Federal Contractors
Montgomery County has selected the nonprofit Leadership Montgomery to support an effort led by the County’s Business Center to help local businesses adapt to shifts in federal procurement, funding, and policy.
Through this partnership, Leadership Montgomery will develop programs including a major business conference, monthly training sessions, and a year-long cohort program to assist entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses affected by federal policy changes.
As part of this effort, Leadership Montgomery will host the LEAD Forum: Business Resilience on Thursday, April 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The conference will feature expert speakers, workshops, networking, and resources to help organizations navigate procurement changes and identify new opportunities. Attendance is expected to reach 200–300 participants. Registration is open.
The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring.
Montgomery County Government to Launch New and Improved Website April 20
 Montgomery County Government is launching a new, refreshed website on April 20 that is designed to make it easier than ever for residents, businesses, and visitors to find the information they need. The redesigned site will feature a modern look, simpler navigation, improved search, and enhanced accessibility across all departments. As part of the County’s Web 2.0 Redesign Project, the new site also introduces upgraded technology, faster performance, and multilingual support. Residents will be able to explore the new experience and share feedback following the launch.
Montgomery County Ride On to Adjust 18 Bus Routes Beginning Sunday, May 3
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will adjust 18 Ride On bus route schedules starting Sunday, May 3, to improve efficiency and on-time performance. The changes reflect a shift of resources to allow for more reliable service where demand is higher. The new schedules will be available at rideonbus.com and in print.
Route changes include:
- Ten (10) routes will have new trip times: 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, 26, 29, 34, 40, 47
- Eight (8) routes will have adjustments to improve on-time performance: 33, 48, 49, 57, 97, 98, Flash Orange, and Flash Blue
Get Tested: Free STI and HIV Testing Every Tuesday at MoCo Pride Center
The MoCo Pride Center, in partnership with Us Helping Us, offers free STI and HIV testing every Tuesday until 5 p.m. through its “Testing Tuesday” program. Tests take just five minutes, and participants receive a free gift card and lunch voucher as a thank-you. Self-test kits and rapid tests are also available throughout the week, with staff on hand to provide guidance.
Montgomery County’s Annual Street Sweeping Program Begins
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) annual street sweeping program has begun. This effort will run through July, and staff will sweep 4,100 lane miles of residential roadways.
MCDOT will post “No Parking” signs a few days before sweeping operations. Cars will not be towed for this effort; however, residents are asked to assist in making sure streets are clear of cars, as street sweepers will not be able to return to re-sweep areas where cars were parked.
Montgomery County to Host Solo Aging and Social Health Workshop on Wednesday, April 15 in Silver Spring
Join Montgomery County for an educational session on solo aging, social health, and building a strong support network to age well from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on April 15. The event will feature resource tables and experts available to answer questions. Continuing education units (CEUs) will be offered for social workers.
Red Line Construction to Temporarily Close Three Metro Stations This Summer
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will conduct major construction on the Red Line from Monday, July 6, through Monday, Sept. 7. During this time, Metrorail service will be suspended between the Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda stations. Free shuttle buses will replace train service and operate every five to eight minutes during regular Metrorail hours.
Prepare for the 2026 Election Which Includes Board of Education Seats
 Montgomery County residents are encouraged to get ready for the 2026 election, which includes Board of Education contests that will help shape the future of local public schools.
The Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, with early voting taking place June 11–18. Several Board of Education seats will appear on the ballot, allowing voters to help select candidates who will advance to the general election.
Residents can choose to vote by mail, vote early, or vote on Election Day. Voters who wish to receive a mail-in ballot must submit a request by June 16. Those who have already requested a mail-in ballot will receive it by mail ahead of the election and should follow the instructions to return it on time.
Residents are encouraged to check their voter registration status, confirm their voting method, and make a plan to vote. For key dates, registration information, and voting options, visit the Montgomery County Board of Elections website.
Montgomery County Green Bank Seeks New Board Members
 The Montgomery County Green Bank is accepting applications for upcoming vacancies on its board of directors. New board terms begin Wednesday, July 1.
The nonprofit helps residents, businesses and organizations in Montgomery County switch to clean energy by offering financing options that reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit an expression of interest form by Thursday, April 30. Applications should be sent to hr@mcgreenbank.org.
Your Voice Matters: Serve on the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board
Volunteers are needed to help shape our community's future. The Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board advises the County Executive and the County Council on issues relevant to the County, from the budget to land use to public safety.
The board consists of 19 members and covers Bethesda, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, North Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, and Twinbrook. Members represent neighborhoods, businesses, community representatives, and local non-profits and reflect varying points of view within the region.
The application deadline is Friday, April 24. Click the link below to learn more about serving on the board.
Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park Launch Spring Event Season in Derwood April 25-26
 The Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park will host the annual Gas & Steam Engine Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. This free, family-friendly event will feature antique tractors, steam engines, live music, craft vendors and interactive activities, including pony rides and a kiddie tractor pull. Visitors can also enjoy food, explore farm animals, and view demonstrations.
|
