Bethesda Beacon
Hyperlocal news for Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland
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Bethesda Beacon
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
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Local Government
View MoreFederal rule could end bilingual Head Start for 630 local kids
A proposed federal rule would require English-only instruction in Head Start, affecting about 630 multilingual preschoolers in Montgomery County; county leaders are formally opposing the changes before the Oct. 6 comment deadline.
Local Government
View MoreNorth Bethesda Metro site deal still open as advocates push for shared energy systems
WMATA and Hines are still negotiating the joint development agreement for a 2.5-million-square-foot mixed-use project at the North Bethesda Metro station, and sustainability advocates are pressing the transit agency to require shared energy infrastructure before the deal closes.
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Local Government
View MoreBethesda developer suspends 60-home Rockville project amid Wootton fallout
Bethesda-based EYA LLC has indefinitely suspended a 60-home Rockville housing project near Wootton High School, with a city councilmember blaming the MCPS board's March vote to relocate the school — though EYA disputes that framing and says it is negotiating with a new homebuilder.
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Local Government
View MorePurple Line grants offer Bethesda shops up to $50,000
Bethesda small businesses within a quarter-mile of the Purple Line tracks can apply for MDOT grants of up to $50,000 by Aug. 28 to offset construction-related losses.
Local Government
View MorePurple Line work closes lanes on Chevy Chase Lake Drive, runs overnight in Bethesda
Purple Line construction is causing lane closures on Chevy Chase Lake Drive, round-the-clock concrete operations at the Elm Street site in Bethesda, and a pedestrian detour near Wisconsin Avenue, with Chevy Chase Lake Drive work expected to finish by end of summer 2026.
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Local Government
View MoreClarksburg developer wants land back after county moved library project
Elm Street Development is asking Montgomery County to return a 1.1-acre Clarksburg Town Center parcel after the county relocated a planned library to Stringtown Road, and Planning Board members are criticizing the county for completing the land acquisition two years before bringing the mandatory referral for their review.
Local Government
View MoreSpending-cap petition needs 80% of remaining signatures
The Montgomery County Board of Elections validated 7,999 of 11,408 "Stop the Spend" petition signatures on Aug. 11, leaving the spending-cap charter amendment short of the 10,000 needed for the November ballot with one week and one batch of 2,524 signatures left to review.
Local Government
View MoreMCPS posts three $171K communications jobs weeks after cutting 255 positions
MCPS is hiring three communications positions paying up to $171,348 just weeks after cutting 255 staff jobs, including social workers and counselors, to address a $36 million budget shortfall — drawing criticism from Bethesda parents who say the district's priorities are misplaced.
Local Government
View More29-story tower approved to replace vacant Bethesda offices
The Montgomery County Planning Board approved Bethesda Crescent, a 29-story, 420-unit apartment tower that will replace two vacant office buildings at Wisconsin Avenue and East West Highway, using the county's expedited office-to-residential conversion process.
Local Government
View MoreWhite House pushes DOJ to revive case against Bethesda Olympian
The White House has asked the Justice Department to explore new charges against Bethesda three-time Olympian David Hearn in the Reflecting Pool case, less than two weeks after prosecutors dropped the felony indictment citing contractor error.
Local Government
View MoreWheaton police station relocating to Reedie Drive in September
Montgomery County Police Department's 4th District Station will temporarily relocate from its 1959-era Randolph Road building to 2425 Reedie Drive in September as the department plans a new permanent facility.
Local Government
View MoreMaryland redistricting amendment heads to November ballot after special session
The Maryland General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment on redistricting during a special session ending Wednesday, Aug. 5, sending the question to the Nov. 3 ballot, with Montgomery County's Rep. Jamie Raskin and House Majority Leader David Moon playing key roles in the effort.
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