With more than a dozen websites across Montgomery County, Patch brings you news from every corner of our community. Catch up on headlines you may have missed this week, including downcounty robberies and the start of the legislative session.

Administrators, Students React to Whitman Suspensions

 Administrators and students from four Montgomery County schools react to 36 Whitman students being suspended from extracurricular activities for drinking at an off-campus party. Read more on North Potomac-Darnestown Patch.

Delegates Propose Bills to Safe Silver Spring for Advice and Support

As the Maryland General Assembly gets underway, officials are visiting communities in Montgomery County to receive feedback on their proposed legislation. This week, Delegate Jeff Waldstreicher (D-18),  Senator Jamie Raskin (D-Dist. 20 of Takoma Park), and Delegate Kathleen Dumais (D-15) shared their bills to get the opinions and support from the board members of Safe Silver Spring. Read the full story on Silver Spring Patch.

Solomatin Acquitted of Attempted Murder

A Northern Virginia man was acquitted of second-degree attempted murder but was found guilty of lesser charges, concluding a three-day trial spurred by a fight over a gas pump in Germantown.  Read more on Germantown Patch. 

Wheaton Library Supporters Oppose Budget Delays

A group of Wheaton residents confronted Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett at a Jan. 17 county budget forum with what they see as an unacceptable delay in his CIP recommendations for the renovation of Wheaton Library and the recreation center next door. Read more on Wheaton Patch. 

Rachel Carson Elementary named Maryland Blue Ribbon School

Rachel Carson ES was named a Blue Ribbon School this week, making it
one of only six schools in the State to receive that honor. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch

Town Council Approves Sector Plan Addition

The Town of Kensington took another step toward adopting its controversial proposed sector plan, approving additions to the plan aimed to bring new investment into the town's business district. Read more on Kensington Patch.

Police Identify Suspect in Robbery of 84-year-old Woman 

Police identified Linda McCorkle, 48, of Chillum, as the suspect in the robbery of an 84-year-old woman in Takoma Park, according to an MSNBC report

Protests 'Unfair' Employment Practices Outside Capital Grille

About 30 people gathered outside The Capital Grille in Chevy Chase, MD, on Tuesday night, Jan. 17, to protest against 'discriminatory' employment practices allegedly followed by Darden Restaurants, the restaurant's parent company. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

Leggett Shelves 6th District Police Station

The county's $22 million project to build the first permanent police station for the Montgomery Village/Gaithersburg district is on indefinite hold after County Executive Isiah Leggett wiped out its funding in the county's six-year Capital Improvements Program.  Read more on Montgomery Village Patch.