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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Jogger Struck By School Bus Tuesday

Police: Runner's injuries may be life threatening

A jogger was seriously injured after being hit by an unoccupied school bus in Rockville on Tuesday, Montgomery County police said. Police said Jason Alexander Estabrook, 42, of Point of Rocks, was running along Shady Grove Road at around 2:30 p.m. when he was hit by a bus at the intersection of Darnestown Road. Police said Estabrook's inuries were "possibly life-threatening." The driver, Tugjnyam Bavaa, 58, of Rockville, was not injured. Montgomery County Public Schools spokesman Dana Tofig said the driver had just finished his route from Wootton High School and was heading to pick up students at Frost Middle School.

Hearing Dates Set On Proposed Peddling Ordinance

Changes to Gaithersburg code would address 'peddlers, hawkers and solicitors,' and city exemptions from county regulations.

The Gaithersburg City Council on Monday set public hearing dates this summer for ordinances dealing with how county laws apply in the city and how the city treats "peddlers, hawkers and solicitors." A proposed emergency ordinance that deals with how Gaithersburg interacts with county laws—the city must opt in for them to be valid—would remove provisions from the county code that conflict with city law. As part of the ordinance, the city would remove the following county code provisions from the city code: Each of the areas already are regulated by the city. The ordinance also will delete the county provision establishing the county water quality protection charge. Gaithersburg included its own water quality protection charge in the fiscal …

Why Are Montgomery County Students Flunking Math Exams?

Data from 2009 reveals that students have long struggled with final exams in MCPS math courses.

Few Montgomery County Public Schools students enrolled in high school math courses made high marks on final exams last semester, data released by the school district last week showed.  In one class, Bridge to Algebra 2, less than 1 percent made an "A" on the final exam. (See data, above, that details the distribution of final exam grades "A" through "E" for eight math courses last semester.)  School officials were prompted to release student math grades after members of the county school board grilled Superintendent Joshua Starr about last semester's final exam grades. Media outlets reported earlier this month that the majority of students in high school math—Algebra, Algebra 2, Geometry and Precalculus—failed their final exams.  Starr …

Flickr Folio: Montgomery County at Dusk

To add photos to Montgomery County Patch's Flickr pool, search "Show Us Your Patch of Montgomery County" and join the group.

How does Montgomery County light up? Pharmacies, roads and town hubs—Patch was inspired by the photos you submitted this week that show our community at dusk or just after.  (Are you a photographer? Both iPhone and professional photogs welcome in our Montgomery County Patch Flickr pool. Join here and upload! Your photos may end up on any of our 11 websites throughout the county.) 

A Guide to Memorial Day Weekend 2013 Events

Concerts, parades, family activities and more will honor the U.S. military.

Memorial Day Weekend 2013 runs from May 25-27 and is the unofficial first weekend of summer. County schools are closed and many offices close to mark this holiday. While swimming pools typically open up this weekend, there are a number of other local activities that may interest you and your family. Rockville Hometown Holidays - This year marks the 25th anniversary of this popular weekend-long event which features music, food and family fun, culminating with a ceremony and parade on Monday. This year, a diverse slate of bands are scheduled - from Baltimore’s Kelly Bell band and local favorites The Nighthawks to Jah Works and a Tom Petty tribute band. Bowie Memorial Day Parade - Wear your red, white and blue to honor the brave Americans who…

Richard Rice

2:19 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

It is sad and tragic to me that we in Kensington, never do anything to honor our veterans from this town who served!!! I will be at the memorial park to have my own private memorial service for these brave individuals!!! Will anyone join with me next Monday @ 10:00 AM? Let's not ever forget that the price of freedom is never FREE!!!   more ›

PHOTOS: Gaithersburg Book Festival Again A Hit In Its 4th Year

Unofficial attendance estimates are around 18,500, Jud Ashman said.

In its fourth year, the Gaithersburg Book Festival is once again a hit. Festival founder and City Council Member Jud Ashman said unofficial attendance estimates are around 18,500, higher than 2012's 17,000. Use our CoverItLive blog to recap the event. Did you take great pictures at the Gaithersburg Book Festival? Add them to the gallery!

Monday, May 20, 2013

UPDATED: Police Investigate Shooting Near Stedwick Elementary

Police: Officers responding to the incident could not immediately locate a victim.

Montgomery County police are investigating a possible shooting Monday afternoon in the area of Montgomery Village's Stedwick Elementary School. Officers responded to a call for a shooting at 4:45 p.m. in the school's vicinity, spokesperson Lucille Baur said. Officers could not locate a victim near the school but contacted local hospitals and treatment centers and found a young adult male who arrived privately to seek treatment for a gunshot wound. The individual is being treated for a serious injury, but it does not appear to be a life-threatening injury, police said in a news release. "Investigators are looking to see if the two incidents are related, if the subject with the wound is a victim from [Montgomery Village]," Baur said. However…

Delaney Endorses Duncan for Montgomery County Executive

Delaney: 'Doug Duncan’s record speaks for itself and his values and expertise are well-known around our county.'

  U.S. Rep. John Delaney on Saturday endorsed Douglas M. Duncan at the former Montgomery County Executive's first major campaign event in his bid to regain his old job. “Doug Duncan’s record speaks for itself and his values and expertise are well-known around our county,” Delaney (D-Dist. 6) of Potomac said in a statement released by Duncan’s campaign. “I know Doug has the long term vision to make our county a great place to work, live, start a business, raise a family, and he has a plan to make Montgomery work.” Duncan, a Democrat, served three terms as county executive from 1994 to 2006. In 2006, he sought the Democratic nomination for governor, before dropping out of the race, citing depression. After a hiatus, Duncan has decided to re-…

Judges Needed For Nov. 5 Gaithersburg Election

Judges are compensated at a rate of $175 for a full day shift and $117.50 for a half day shift.

The city of Gaithersburg is seeking election judges for its municipal elections in November, according to a news release. To be eligible, interested applicants must be registered to vote in Montgomery County. Residency within the City of Gaithersburg is not required and attendance at an election judge training session is mandatory. Judges may work either full or half-day shifts. A full day is from 6:15 a.m. until the closing of the polls. Half day shifts are available from 6:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. until close of polls. Judges are compensated at a rate of $175 for a full day shift and $117.50 for a half day shift. The city's six polling places are: On Nov. 5, Gaithersburg residents will cast their ballots for mayor and two …

State of Maryland to Cancel Three ICC Bus Routes?

Gaithersburg, Ft. Meade, Bethesda, Columbia and College Park could lose some public transportation options.

The Intercounty Connector could lose three of its existing five commuter bus routes by Aug. 1, 2013, according to The Washington Post. Based on low ridership numbers, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is considering axing three commuter bus routes, including: The article notes that initial supporters of the toll highway, which stretches for 18 miles between I-270/I-370 and I-95/US 1, hyped the highway's ability to provide bus transportation. Now, 60 percent of those bus routes, which provided peak-hour weekday service, could end in the coming months. The MTA has scheduled a number of public hearings in the first week of June: If you are unable to attend one of the meetings in person, the MTA will accept comments with a name and …

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