Local high-density areas now eligible for free trees

Graphic from Montgomery County Planning Department website. Property owners in three high-density areas within the Silver Spring Regional Center boundaries are eligible for free trees under the Shades of Green project, according to a recent announcement from the Montgomery County Planning Department. The project was launched as a pilot program four years ago and has expanded to 19 areas around … Read More

County’s first STEM Summit held in Silver Spring

This homemade boom box was part of the Kid Museum’s exhibit at the summit. Photo by Mike Diegel. Educators and other stakeholders gathered Sunday to discuss how to increase students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and prepare them for jobs in those fields. The STEM Summit, held in the Silver Spring Civic Building, was designed to “do … Read More

County Council seeks applicants for Planning Board

Photo of the Planning Board’s headquarters on Georgia Avenue from the Park and Planning website. The County Council has announced it is looking for applicants to replace outgoing Planning Board member Marye Wells-Harley, who is wrapping up her second term and thus not eligible for reappointment. Wells-Harley’s term ends June 14. Applications to fill the position are due no later … Read More

Council member compiles suggested improvements for Department of Liquor Control

Photo from Wikipedia Councilmember Tom Hucker (D-District 5) has compiled a series of suggestions that could improve the operations of the county’s Department of Liquor Control and sent them in a letter to new DLC Director Robert Dorfman. Hucker said the ideas came from a number of sources, including surveying licensees in his district to solicit opinions and suggestions concerning … Read More

Candy box scam turning up in county

Photo courtesy Office of Consumer Protection. Those candy boxes you see asking for donations to help or find pets or children? Careful, it’s likely a scam, according to the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. According to an OCP press release, the boxes are actually property of for-profit business ventures that keep all the cash for themselves, and they have … Read More

County Executive, Council reaffirm community values

Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Editor’s Note: The Source does not normally post press releases verbatim, especially when there’s no real news involved. However, due to the recent extraordinary events and the large number of immigrants in our coverage area, we decided to post this just as it came to us in the hope that it may ease some concerns. Montgomery … Read More

Libraries, affordable housing major concerns at budget forum

Councilmember Marc Elrich (D-At Large) addressed the issue of raising the county’s minimum wage at Wednesday budget forum as County Executive Isiah Leggett listens. Photo by Trish Rimo. Library funding and affordable housing were residents’ two biggest concerns at a Jan. 25 FY18 operating budget forum held in the silver Spring Civic Building. The budget, which will be released March … Read More

County executive to hold public budget forum tomorrow night

A public forum on the county budget will be held tomorrow night at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Photo from Christopher Consultants Ltd. County Executive Isiah Leggett will hold a public forum on the Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Budget Wednesday night from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veteran’s Plaza. “Public forums are the residents’ opportunity to … Read More

Budget request includes Silver Spring recreation, aquatic center

The county is planning to build a recreation and aquatic center in downtown Silver Spring. Photo of the Olney Swim Center from Wikimedia Commons. Several Silver Spring projects are included in the FY2018 capital budget and amendments to the six-year FY2017-2022 Capital Improvements Program released this week by County Executive Isiah Leggett. Highlighting the budget release is $55.3 million to … Read More