White Plains
GOVERNMENT
Charles commissioner seeks to rename Black History Month
Commissioner Ralph E. Patterson II (D) is seeking to rename Black History Month — a recognition that was passed by Congress in 1986. “The reason is, looking back at all the wonderful months we have where they celebrate all different heritages, February is the only month that has “history” in the name,” Patterson said at the June 25 meeting of the commissioners. He seeks to rename the month to “African...
Growth in Charles County narrowly outpaces goal
Charles County continues to grow and plenty of development will follow suit. The local planning commission heard key statistics from last year in their 2023 annual report at a July 1 meeting. While it may appear on the surface that the county is growing rapidly, the average annual rate of growth has decreased over the last several decades, the annual report said. ...
Notes: New laws covering towing, highway fines and more go into effect today
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high around 80 degrees, accompanied by a north wind at 14 mph and gusts reaching 22 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 63 degrees, and a north wind from 5 to 7 mph. 🚨...
Alexandria man seeks answers after his dog dies while boarding at PetSmart
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (7News) — An Alexandria man is seeking answers after his beloved 3-year-old dog died while boarding at a PetSmart in the Potomac Yard shopping center. Andrew Noles said before going on a trip to New York last Thursday, he dropped off Clark, an Aussiedoodle, at the “Petshotel” inside the PetSmart store. Noles said Clark had stayed at the facility in the past without any problems.
Prince George’s County Business Updates
Get the top stories of the day around the DMV. Penn Forest Shopping Center Sells for $7.4 Million. Facilitated by Marcus and Millichapp, Forestville’s Penn Forest Shopping Center was sold to Alexandria-based Woodmont Properties for $7.4 million on June 20. The plaza’s Dollar General and CSL Plasma, which opened...
Charles officials talk about private burial ground discoveries
During a gravel mining operation in June 2021, contractors found the remains of six bodies in what would later become the Parklands neighborhood in White Plains. Construction was halted and work was done to determine the scope of the burial ground. Mining plans were revised and the development faced some redesign, according to Doria Fleisher, the community engagement coordinator for Charles County. At the June 25 meeting of the Charles...
Cost of Charles charter to top $1 million as draft approved
Change does not come for free. At the June 27 meeting of the charter board, Charles County’s Acting Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services Jacob Dyer delivered the price tag of switching the county’s form of government. Voters will get to decide in a November ballot referendum whether Charles switches from a code home rule form of government to a charter government, which would come with a county executive and other new positions. ...
Collating equity in Southern Maryland
What began as a topic of conversation less than a decade ago, the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition has since expanded into a grand sum of 31 organizations working together to elevate the history of Black, Indigenous and other people of color across Southern Maryland. Although the local history of Black and Indigenous people in the region is referenced in books, members and organizers of the coalition have sought to make it more accessible through a comprehensive and easily searchable website. Their mission is...
Affordable housing community in Hybla Valley aims to fill up by fall
Just over a year has elapsed since the celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Residences at North Hill, the 279-unit affordable housing community in Hybla Valley. The opening of the apartment community, which consists of four individual/family housing buildings and a separate building for active adults over age 55, was described in June 2023 as “a key contribution to Fairfax County’s long-term vision for the Mount Vernon District and for the Richmond Highway Corridor.”
North Point student sworn in as new student member of Charles school board
The Charles County Board of Education swore in Samarjeet “Sam” Virk, a rising senior at North Point High School, to be the student member of the board for the next school year. Virk, who was sworn in at the board’s June 17 work session, was elected in May by Charles County students in sixth through 12th grade. The election was held from April 15 through May 17 and 2,408 votes were cast. He secured 63% of the vote, representing 1,513 ballots. ...
Resident sues Prince George's County over firefighter staffing reallocation
A Berwyn Heights resident is suing Prince George’s County over its decision to relocate firefighters out of her community. Prince George’s County Fire & EMS’s chief plans to move dozens of firefighters from four stations to other parts of the county to address a critical staffing shortage.
Registation opens for Senior Olympics
Online registration opened July 1 for the 2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. There are 83 events during 15 days of competitions, Sept. 14-29. Events include sports, such as power walking, swimming, and pickleball, and also non-athletic events, such as Scrabble and jigsaw puzzles. Participants must be 50 years of age...
La Plata siblings commemorate D-Day in Normandy
When the opportunity arose for two high schoolers to represent their Civil Air Patrol squadron at the 80th anniversary of D-Day last month in Normandy, France, Jack and Lauren Compton looked toward their community and raised more than $8,000 to make the incredible chance a reality. The brother and sister both belong to the cadet program in Civil Air Patrol, the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The cadet program focuses on building well rounded Americans and aerospace leaders through a curriculum targeting leadership, aerospace,...
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