Wednesday, May 16, 2012
American Rivers has issued an annual report on America’s Most Endangered Rivers since 1986.
The Potomac River is America's "Most Endangered River" according to environmental watchdog organization, American Rivers. The Potomac is at the number one slot in part to get the attention of policymakers about the evolving threats to rivers and the continuing importance of the Clean Water Act 40 years after it became law. “When members of Congress fill a glass of water or drink their morning coffee, that water comes from the Potomac River. It’s time to draw the clear connections between healthy rivers, drinking water, and public health in Washington, D.C., and in communities nationwide,” Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers, said in a prepared statement The Potomac, which runs some 380 miles across five states, was number one on the …
The measure was overturned by referendum in 2010 and brought back up by County Executive Isiah Leggett this session.
Despite voters striking down the Montgomery County ambulance fee in a referendum on the ballot in 2010, Montgomery County Council passed the fee again Tuesday with a 6-3 vote. Several councilmembers said there was a misinformation campaign surrounding the 2010 referendum vote. Councilmembers Councilman Phil Andrews (D, Dist-3), Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) and George Leventhal (D-At Large) were opposed. While Andrews implored councilmembers to respect the will of the voters, some of the county lawmakers were disturbed at how voters were educated about the ambulance fee. Many residents who voted against the fee thought county residents would have to pay the $300 to $800 fee per ambulance ride, Councilman Mark Elrich (D-At Large) said. “That…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Users of the Capital Crescent Trail disagree on what should go through the Bethesda tunnel: the Purple Line or the trail.
For more on the Purple Line, check out our series. Speak out: Do you think the Purple Line or the trail should run through the Bethesda tunnel?
38.98251
-77.09157
Elm Street Park
4600 Elm St, Chevy Chase, MD
Near the Bethesda tunnel
/articles/purple-line-progress
1460705
/locations/7012713
State funding hurting from gas tax rejection. Future federal funding uncertain until 2015.
The Purple Line, the proposed 16-mile light rail transit system extending from New Carrollton to Bethesda, could be missing one vital component for its progression: funding. With the Maryland budget in crisis and a congressional stalemate over highway funding, the Purple Line’s construction could be pushed back, although several officials interviewed about the project would not predict how long the delay might be. The federal government approved preliminary engineering for the project in October, qualifying it for funding through New Starts, a federal program for new transit projects such as the Purple Line, bringing it a significant step closer to construction. From there, cost estimates and construction schedules could be fine-tuned …
Monday, May 14, 2012
The estimated cost is about $900 a month, according to media reports.
For the past eight years, Truvada has been marketed as a drug to help treat patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The drug is a combination of two drugs called Emtriva and Viread. On Thursday, the Silver Spring-based FDA panel approved the drug as a prevention method, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report. In 2010, an initial three-year study released showed it could prevent the risk of contracting HIV by 42 percent in healthy gay and bisexual men. In 2011, the risk for heterosexual couples was reduced by 75 percent. Experts who spoke during the session, which included doctors, nurses, and patients advised that the pill be taken as a daily regimen to be most effective. The final FDA approval is expected on …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Single-tracking trains will mean delays on the Red Line this weekend.
Red Line travelers will need to tack on 20 extra minutes to their travel times this weekend, Metro advised on its website. Trains will operate every 24 minutes throughout the weekend (from 10 p.m. on Friday through closing on Sunday) between the Shady Grove and Glenmont stations. Additional trains will run between the Farragut North and New York Avenue stations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, providing service every 12 minutes in downtown Washington, DC, Metro added. Trains will travel on a single track between the Van Ness and Dupont Circle stations, to allow for rail and fastener renewal, as well as joint elimination (to allow for a smoother ride for passengers). Trains will also travel on a single track between the …
Del. Heather Mizeur helped push through gay marriage legislation in Maryland this year.
Gay rights advocates were dealt a win Tuesday when President Barack Obama endorsed same sex marriage. Takoma Park resident Del. Heather Mizeur (D-Dist. 20), who has long been vocal about gay marriage rights and who helped shepherd the state's Marriage Equality Act to approval this past legislative session, applauded Obama for making the commitment. "Our president put into words what thousands of LGBT couples already know: that marriage equality is about the power of love and commitment overcoming the forces of fear; that every committed couple should be treated equally under the law; and that every family should be able to protect their children," Mizeur wrote to supporters in an email. With the signature of Gov. Martin O'Malley, …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Join us at 2 p.m. Friday for a live blog with David Moon, the blogger behind Maryland Juice.
The special session. Ike Leggett's future. Doug Duncan's future. Presidential politics. Gubernatorial politics. It's an exciting time for Maryland. Join us at 2 p.m. Friday where Patch editors and Maryland Juice's David Moon discuss Free State politics. What topics should we cover? Let us know in the comments ...
The job's listed pay was $5,000, according to media reports.
In the wake of the General Services Administration (GSA) spending investigation, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pulled a job ad that had advertised that the group was seeking a magician. The position taken down Thursday, May 3 was seeking to hire a magician who could also serve as a motivational speaker, according to a Politico report. The individual had to demonstrate knowledge of works by Harvard Psychologist Howard Gardener who is known for the “theory of multiple intelligences.” Other requirements included a few of the following: The GSA recently came under huge scrutiny after a four-day Las Vegas convention that cost taxpayers $823,000 in 2010. Part of the expenses were spent on a magician, mind reader, and …
Monday, May 7, 2012
At a housing summit Monday, local and federal officials recognized the need for more affordable housing in Montgomery County.
Nearly 26,500 people in Montgomery County are waiting for assistance to receive a housing voucher or placement in public housing, according to officials who spoke Monday at the Affordable Housing Summit of Montgomery County. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also reported that there are more than 700 homeless veterans living in the DC metro region. The numbers are only expected to grow as nearly a million veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan, according to officials. The Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly known as Section 8, allow for low-income residents to find affordable housing in the private sector, while public housing is run by the Housing Opportunities Commission and funded by taxpayer dollars. Montgomery …
lilkunta
10:47 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
jag, you do not know the insurance policy of me nor every county resident. you talk about misinformation when you are dishing it out. county residents voted no and the council now disregarding that tells me they feel we dont matter. i hope this goes to referendum again. GGW: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/14772/would-a-silver-spring-arts-center-work WRONG. Karen's name was censored as … more ›