New Gas Stove Ban in Montgomery County, MarylandWhen a federal official recently suggested gas stoves should be regulated the opposition rose up from across the political spectrum. And while the Biden administration tamped down the suggestion, Maryland's largest county has already voted to phase out gas appliance usage in most new construction.Montgomery County on Nov. 30 approved legislation requiring most new residential and commercial buildings to be all-electric beginning in 2027. The law is one of the first in the mid-Atlantic region to ban gas in most new construction. Washington, D.C., also banned gas in most new construction starting in 2026.The Montgomery council created exemptions on the gas ban: hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, crematories, and commercial cooking facil... 02/03/2023

Montgomery County’s ‘Fareshare’ Program  The Montgomery County Department of Transportation “FareShare” Program will provide employees with additional incentives to use public transportation to get to work. The Internal Revenue Service has increased the pre-tax limit for employer-provided commuting benefits to $300 per month, from $280 last year, including transit passes and vanpool fares for 2023.With the recent increase in the Internal Revenue Service’s tax-free limit, commuters working in Montgomery County can receive the reimbursement by asking their employers to set up a commuting benefits program.MCDOT’s “FareShare” program will reimburse employers for all but $25 per month of their employees’ costs for commuting, up to $300 per month. The money is tax-free to both the employee an... 02/01/2023

$800,000 Awarded to County Nonprofit and Faith-based Organizations Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and members of the County Council in Rockville this week for the announcement that a total of $800,000 in grant funding will be provided to 91 County organizations to improve security and deter hate crimes. The funds will come through the County’s Nonprofit Security Grants program.In May 2022, the County Council approved $800,000 to be available in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for use by eligible local nonprofit or faith-based organizations whose facilities have experienced, or are at a high risk of experiencing, hate crimes.The grants are available to help fund security personnel, security planning, training or exercise me... 02/05/2023

Gaithersburg Youth & Teen Spring Sports Registration Register now for Spring Youth and Teen Sports programs, including t-ball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, track & field, speed & agility clinics, and Start Smart™ programs for 4 to 6 year-olds in baseball and golf. Registration for most programs is open until March 1. Some programs have limited space and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Gaithersburg Youth and Teen Sports programs are sponsored by Patient First and Dick’s Sporting Goods.Register online and view program details here.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USAIMG 7693Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs  02/04/2023