Montgomery Community Media

The University of Maryland suspended its Italy study abroad program on Friday, Feb. 28. This comes after the Center for Disease Control categorized Italy as a Warning Level 3. Students abroad were directed to the Education Abroad office to receive guidance on their return home. Most students, once home, will be completing their studies online. […]

The Department of Homeland Security announced that it will now allow required documents for REAL ID applications to be submitted electronically. In a letter sent by DHS Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, state governors were notified that applicants may now pre-submit identity and lawful source documents electronically, prior to an in-person DMV visit. They are […]

County Executive Marc Elrich announced the death of activist Ruby Rubens. Rubens had devoted her life to confronting injustice and helping others, according to Elrich. Rubens was recruited to be one of the first African American administrators at the Social Security Administration headquarters in Baltimore, but instead went to work at the Civil Service Administration […]

Damascus High School has announced that they are looking into renaming their auditorium after Mr. Matt Kuhn, a former music director at the school. Kuhn worked at Damascus High School from 1962 to 1993, a total of 31 years. He died earlier this year. During his time at Damascus, Kuhn led the Damascus High School […]

Montgomery County Public Schools has announced an increase in their graduation rate for the Class of 2019. The student rate rose from 88.4% to 88.7%, according to data from the Maryland State Department of Education. The new data places MCPS’s graduation rate above the state average of 87.7%. In addition, the rate for students graduating with […]

Montgomery County Council passed Bill 24-19 Tuesday which will require landlords of rental housing to provide air conditioning from May 1 through September 30. Landlords will be required to keep the air conditioning unit(s) safe and in good working condition. Council Vice President Tom Hucker proposed three amendments to the bill as well. The council […]

Montgomery County Council Vice President Tom Hucker introduced a bill today that would ban the release of helium-filled latex and mylar balloons. These balloons can travel hundreds of miles before deflating. Once they’ve fallen to earth the balloons can become life threatening to sea turtles, birds and land animals that may mistake them for prey […]

Montgomery County Council has confirmed Tiffany Ward to be the county’s first ever Chief Equity Officer. “Our first order of business is to really get people trained and informed as to what racial equity is,” said Ward. Ward received a unanimous vote from the council early on Tuesday. “To have you shepherding us is an […]

Seven-year-old Cavanaugh Bell asked Montgomery County’s school board to help him put an end to bullying at their meeting Monday night. Bell is a first-grade student at Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School in Germantown. He created the non-profit Cool and Dope in order to make change after being bullied himself. “I’m on a mission to […]

A large fire broke out at a townhouse on Oak Shade Road near Ramsdell Court in Gaithersburg at around 10 a.m, reported Montgomery County’s Fire and Rescue Service. 68 Oak Shade Rd. Near Ramsdell Court, Gaithersburg, townhouse FFs approaching scene w/ heavy smoke showing — Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) February 25, 2020 Firefighters initially arrived at […]