Co-Responder Program Needed Immediately
Two officers use tasers; one officer fires four shots, killing 26-year-old man during a mental health crisis inside his family’s McLean home.
Jasper Aaron Lynch’s twin sister wanted to help her brother who was having a mental health crisis. Three Fairfax County Police officers hoped to help, too.
Disturbing Video of Police Shooting
Police release video of police shooting death of Reston man at Springfield Town Center; chief defends officers’ actions.
Police release video of police shooting death of Reston man at Springfield Town Center; chief defends officers’ actions.
Big Train, Big Expectations
We knew them when …
Before Hunter Renfroe became an outfielder for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and now the Milwaukee Brewers, his...
Is Your Car Worth More Than Last Year?
Probably, and the car tax owed is probably also going up.
Car value
Real Estate Tax Rate ‘Ceiling’
Lower tax rate expected, but homeowners will still pay more.
Real Estate Tax
Historic District Established for Hollin Hills
4-year process results in protection for distinctive mid-century neighborhood.
Hollin Hills
Patricia O’Neill, 71
Schoolboard member served Potomac and Bethesda for more than 23 years and was the longest serving Board member in MCPS history.
Schoolboard
White’s Ferry Running for 2022?
Eminent domain, condemnation, or more negotiation?
When Chuck and Stacy Kuhn purchased White’s Ferry in February, they eagerly told their nine children the plan.
How Safe Are Older Buildings in Fairfax County?
Supervisors address construction and maintenance concerns in the wake of the Surfside Condominium collapse in Florida.
A recertification program for older buildings does not currently exist under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, said Chairman Jeff McKay.
Police Weapons Point At Black People
Long awaited report on Use of Force includes dozens of recommendations to guide the path forward.
An independent study of Fairfax County Police Department use of force confirmed that Black people are overrepresented in use-of-force incidents by Fairfax police.
Fault! in Montgomery County
Wind gusts toppled two white pines on top of two cars at River Falls tennis courts last Friday, April 30, a sight common around Potomac and the county on Friday after winds reached 60 miles per hour.
Week in Numbers in Montgomery County
881 miles of connected multi-use trails are planned for the DMV region as part of the Capitol Trails Network.
Dissenting American Horticultural Society Board Members Told to Be Silent
Nova Parks offers a second proposal to purchase River Farm from AHS.
Five members of the American Horticultural Society’s board of directors – half of the voting members of the board, they say – voiced public opposition to the proposed sale of River Farm.
All Hands on Deck
Montgomery and Loudoun counties work together to reopen White’s Ferry
Chuck Kuhn now has multiple deckhands eager to help White’s Ferry get back to business.
Pressure Mounts, Opposition Remains
Virginia predicts Maryland will have additional toll lanes running across the American Legion Bridge by 2027
Fairfax County continues to pressure Maryland to widen or replace the American Legion Bridge, two miles at a time.
Board Approves Historic Zoning for River Farm in Mount Vernon
Annenberg Foundation reasserts intent on restrictions, requirements of grant.
Signs have been posted in front of American Horticultural Society headquarters that say the property is closed to the public, said Katherine Ward, of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations.
Week in Numbers in Montgomery County
14 “50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins at age 14,” said Councilmember Will Jawando on Tuesday, April 12, 2021.
Lightning Strikes Twice, Literally, in Potomac
Two Avenel homes damaged by thunderstorm last Friday, causing more than $800,000 in damages
Firefighters were on the scene of a house fire on Rapley Preserve Circle in Potomac when next door neighbors alerted the rescue squad that their home had been hit by lightning, too.
Honoring Stephen Miller, 66, Potomac
Community celebrates life of Stephen Miller, who served more than 50 years as firefighter, leader of Swift Water Rescue, and deputy chief
Stephen Francis Miller, 66, retired Deputy Chief of the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, died March 26, 2021.
Five-Year-Old Handcuffed for Hating School in Montgomery County
The five-year-old left his school building during the school day and was walking down the street when confronted by police officers who yelled at him that he wasn’t allowed to make his own decisions.
Getting the Numbers Right in Montgomery County
Potomac’s councilmember Andrew Friedson wanted to take politics out of estimating costs.
Snow Falls Without Equity in Montgomery County
As cherry blossoms bloom, memories of winter linger for some, because snow storms, although occurring only a few times a year, cause frustrations, hardships, danger as plows push snow on top of sidewalks.
Spring Break? Please Take a Break in Montgomery County
Back to school just in time — for Spring Break?
The school system opened just in time – for students to take Spring Break.
Who Is Getting Vaccinated in Montgomery County?
Communities hardest hit by the pandemic have been last to get the vaccine
Black people make up 19 percent of the County’s population, but account for only eight percent of people pre-registering for vaccinations to combat COVID; Latino people also make up one-fifth of the county’s population, but make up just nine percent of people pre-registering.
State of Montgomery County Under Covid
County Executive Marc Elrich chose to give his annual state of the county address last Friday, March 5, exactly one year since the first cases of Covid were reported in Montgomery County.
Students Request Mental Health, Not Police in Montgomery County
Multiple concurrent, conflicting and overlapping proposals concerning police in schools
With a new initiative introduced by Councilmember Nancy Navarro last week, four different proposals on the School Resource Officer program are being considered concurrently.
Solar Permitted in Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, Carefully
Areas with the soils needed for growing food are protected.
Hans Riemer voted against his own bill to permit industrial solar in the Agricultural Reserve.
Evictions Imperil Thousands of Families in Montgomery County
Economic devastation of the pandemic has 14,000 eviction cases waiting to be heard for failure to pay rent, mostly held in check by a moratorium
A “tsunami of evictions is on the horizon,” said Gabe Albornoz, at-large councilmember, at a session on Covid Rental Relief and Eviction Prevention on Feb. 11, 2021.
Once and Future White’s Ferry?
Operating since 1786, the ferry could begin running again soon.
White’s Ferry has operated since 1786, recently as an $8 cable ferry service that carried vehicles across the Potomac River from Poolesville to Loudoun County.
New Visions for Public Schools in Montgomery County
Restorative justice practices offer hope to reduce racial disparities in school discipline.
“It’s not easy to do what my colleagues did today,” said Craig Rice, chair of the Montgomery County Council’s education committee, “which is to open themselves up.”
Simultaneously: Different Directions in Montgomery County
Council introduces another bill to keep and reimagine SROs before the public responds to bills that prohibit SROs
Two days before the public hearing on council member Will Jawando’s bill to remove School Resource Officers in public high schools because of the disproportionate impact it has on Black and brown students, councilmember Craig Rice introduced a bill to build positive law enforcement relationships within schools.
SRO Program: ‘Fundamentally Mismatched for Schools’ in Montgomery County
Kyson Taylor told Montgomery County Council that every school day before the pandemic he would dread the walk to portable classrooms at Richard Montgomery High School.
MDOT Prefers 4 Toll Lane Option
‘Surprise announcement’ raises concerns of rushing forward with a PPP.
Hundreds of people testified against Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposed public-private partnership to build toll lanes – nearly 83 percent of responders voiced disapproval – but the Maryland Department of Transportation chose the option to add four toll lanes to the American Legion Bridge and up I-270 as the best choice to mitigate traffic congestion.
Final Tweaks Protect the Reserve in Montgomery County
Solar will be permitted but restricted in the Agricultural Reserve.
Soil is important enough that the Office of Agriculture rates it by levels based on how fruitful it is for farming.
Will Police Remain a Force in Montgomery County Schools?
Registration already full for public hearing on School Resource Officers program Thursday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Let’s repeat the known facts: Black and Hispanic students are suspended twice as often as their white peers in elementary, middle and high schools.
Three Down to Two Stories in Potomac
Consensus reached when Spectrum Retirement Communities revised plans for a 100-unit building at Behnke’s property on River Road
Instead of arguing, debating or even objecting, land use attorney David Brown told hearing examiners with the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, “I’ll be sitting back and listening.”
Maryland Moves Forward on Preliminaries for Toll Lanes
$11 billion project still faces many unanswered questions on environment, community impact and need.
Last Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, the State Highway Administration released names of three bidders to do preliminary work necessary before building $11-billion toll lanes.
This Year in Montgomery County, Keep Your Eye On….
Will the Agricultural Reserve be preserved in perpetuity, as intended, or will County Council press forward in 2021 to permit industrial solar power on agricultural land in its effort to combat climate change?
New Spikes, Same Worries in Montgomery County
At least 912 people have died from Covid in County; more than 33,400 cases have been reported.
Covid Cases in Montgomery reached a new high on Nov. 19. 2020.
Stopping the Combine: Farmers Can’t Compete for Land in Montgomery County
Making room for enough solar to make a difference.
Randy Stabler stopped his combine in the middle of a field in the Agricultural Reserve to join Montgomery County Council’s virtual Town Hall meeting.
Fairfax County Police Chief Resigns
Praised by many, Roessler also faced criticism and calls for resignation
Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. announced his resignation last week, effective February 2021.
Matrix, Sunlight Discussed at Fairfax County Public Safety Committee
Community, advocacy groups and police give more than 2,500 suggestions on police reform; Governor signs reform bills from special session
Police reform includes improving morale for police officers.
More Gather to Save Mount Vernon’s River Farm
Board of Supervisors offers unanimous support
The American Horticultural Society’s intent to sell historic River Farm is still sending shock waves through those who believed the property and house were preserved forever.
Skipping the No-Build Option on Maryland Beltway Toll Lanes?
Montgomery County Council committee seems poised to endorse adding toll lanes to American Legion Bridge and Potomac/Bethesda part of Beltway
County Council appears prepared to go along with adding four toll lanes, plus more, to the American Legion Bridge, and all the way to the I-270 spur and for miles north.
Solar Shines Spotlight on Montgomery County Ag Reserve
Ag Reserve and Solar Update: Town Hall scheduled Nov. 5, 2020; workgroup anticipated; decision expected in January 2021.
On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Council sent a zoning text amendment that would permit industrial solar in the Agricultural Reserve, land the 1980 Council set aside permanently for agricultural use, back to committee worksessions for more discussion.
Will Montgomery County Circuit Court Demand More?
Duncan Socrates Lemp was killed by police serving a no-knock warrant on March 12, 2020.
Duncan Lemp, 21, was killed by police in the bedroom of his Potomac home on March 12, 2020, after police attempted to serve a no-knock warrant at approximately 4:30 a.m.
A Good Place for Affordable Housing in Fairfax County?
Proposal could be a step toward 5,000 unit goal.
Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw located prime real estate to create 200-250 family units of affordable housing: two parking lots of the Fairfax Government Center.
Will River Farm Be Sold?
Supervisor Dan Storck and Jeff McKay hope to preserve the property
Supervisors Dan Storck and Jeff McKay hope to save River Farm through historic designation, while the American Horticultural Society continues plans to sell one of America’s most famous houses, seeking a premium price.
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