Board of Elections Approves County High Schools for Voting Centers

The Montgomery County Board of Elections has approved the county’s high schools as locations for voting centers for the Nov. 3 election. The list includes Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. E., and Northwood High School, 919 University Blvd. W. In addition, the board approved 11 locations for early voting, including the Silver Spring Civic Building.

COVID–19 Closures Extended for Schools, Public Facilities

Gov. Larry Hogan extended the closure of public schools due to the COVID-19 emergency, and Montgomery County Public Schools began distributing laptops to students needing them for distance learning. The closures are in effect until at least April 24 and all extracurricular programs, athletic programs are cancelled.

County Executive Urges Public to be Inclusive in Climate Change Efforts

County Executive Marc Elrich urged community leaders and environmental activists to open their platforms to more diverse voices at the Feb. 27 Climate Action Plan Town Hall and Open House. “We’ve got to do a better job engaging low income and vulnerable communities,” Elrich said. “I look around this room, and I got to say this looks like every climate environmental group I have ever been in.”

University to Consolidate Operations in Silver Spring

A Puerto Rico-based university will consolidate and expand its local offerings in the Inventa Towers in downtown Silver Spring. Ana G. Méndez University has agreed to lease 28,500 square feet of space in the former Discovery headquarters and plans a May 2020 opening, according to a press release from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.

Anti-vaping PSA contest announced; council committee advances related bills

County students in grades six through 12 can win up to $750 in a contest seeking video public service announcements about the dangers of vaping. Healthy Montgomery, the county’s community health improvement program, and Montgomery County Public Schools are cosponsoring the contest as part of an anti-vaping tobacco prevention campaign in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services.