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Silver Spring transit center marks one year with no complaints
Four years overdue and $50 million over budget, the Silver Spring transit center has been open for a year without any complaints. Leaks and cracks in the concrete led to testy exchanges between the Montgomery County Council on the one side and contractors and county officials on the other. In May 2017, the transit center debacle heads to court. The county is seeking $80 million and Metro wants $25.9 million. [WTOP]
Grants awarded to cut highway deaths
Police departments for Montgomery County, Gaithersburg, Rockville and Chevy Chase Village are among nearly 90 police and road safety advocates receiving more than $12.5 million to encourage better driving habits, and reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. Chevy Chase Village Police Department is slated to receive $2,000; Gaithersburg Police Department, $25,000; Montgomery County Police Department, $235,000; Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, $9,000; and Rockville Police Department, $21,000. The money follows a 17 percent increase in highway deaths in Maryland in 2015. [Baltimore Sun]
U.S. Senate candidate hits the airways
Kathy Szeliga, the Republican who is competing against Rep. Chris Van Hollen for Maryland’s open seat in the U.S. Senate, has released her first campaign ad, set to begin airing today. The ad, shot with an iPhone, includes how to pronounce her name (“sha-LAY-guh”). In a release announcing the ad, Szeliga says, “We know we will be outspent in this campaign by the DC insiders and special interest groups who are filling my opponent’s campaign war chest. They like Washington just how it is—working for them. But with your help, I know that together we can change Washington and get our government working for us again!” [Szeliga campaign]
Hucker measure would combat ‘zombie foreclosures’
Buyers of foreclosed properties in Montgomery County who fail to register their purchases with the state within 30 days would face $1,000-a-day fines under a bill introduced Tuesday by County Council member Tom Hucker. Delaying transfer of the title can make it difficult for authorities to identify who is responsible for payment of taxes, condominium fees or other obligations. Such “zombie foreclosures”—which can linger as long as nine to 18 months—contribute to blight and reduced property values, critics say. [Washington Post]
Mostly cloudy for the last full day of summer
Mostly cloudy with highs around 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds northeasterly at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy skies. Low near 70F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
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Hooters Closes on Rockville Pike
