As Maryland rolls back outdoor dining restrictions, the wait continues in Montgomery and Prince George s counties
On Saturday, outdoor dining restrictions across Maryland will be lifted. However, restaurants in Montgomery and Prince George s counties still face strict rules. Author: Tom Dempsey (WUSA) Updated: 11:10 PM EDT April 30, 2021
MARYLAND, USA Beginning on Saturday, restaurants across much of Maryland will see their outdoor dining restrictions lifted after Governor Larry Hogan issued the order earlier this week.
However, for restaurants in Montgomery County and Prince George s counties, the wait to see restrictions lifted will last a bit longer.
Hogan made the announcement about the changes for outdoor dining on the same day he lifted the state s outdoor mask mandate. Following the decision, outdoor social distancing and capacity guidelines for restaurants will be put to the side and customers will once again be able to stand at outdo
County will not match state’s changes to outdoor dining, mask mandate
Maryland, Montgomery County don’t align on health guidance
April 30, 2021 | 10:10 am
Montgomery County officials said they won’t be following along after Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday fully lifted the state’s outdoor mask mandate and ended restrictions on outdoor dining, starting Saturday.
Local jurisdictions can have stricter health regulations than the state. But during a press conference on Wednesday, Hogan said he “wouldn’t advise that” because his latest actions are based on the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state’s health department.
Jurisdictions must tell community if tax rate isn’t going to drop
April 30, 2021 | 8:23 am
As Montgomery County considers its property tax rate for the coming year, it is again going through an annual state-mandated process of advertising the possibility of a tax increase.
The state requires jurisdictions to buy advertising space in local publications to state their expected revenues and what tax rate they would need to set so that tax bills do not increase.
The concept is known as a “constant yield” tax rate what would generate the same level of revenue from one year to the next. When property assessments rise, the property tax rate would need to drop to keep revenue at the same level. Government bodies, however, do not lower their rate to have a constant yield of revenue each year.
Montgomery County COVID-19 Statistics for April 30
The Maryland Department of Health reported 70 new COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County Friday morning. This brings the cumulative number of cases to 69,805.
Montgomery County recorded no new coronavirus-related fatalities Friday, so the death toll remains at 1,476
There were 99 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county as of April 19.
The county has a rate of 2.09% for positive COVID-19 tests, which is an increase of 0.04 from Wednesday’s rate of 2.05%. The county’s positivity rate is lower than 22 of the 24 Maryland jurisdictions.
Reopening News This Week
Montgomery County relaxed limits on gatherings Tuesday at 5 p.m. Gatherings are currently limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Business capacity also increased from 25% to 50%.
Dr. DeRionne Pollard.
Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne Pollard has been appointed President of Nevada State College (NSC).
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents approved the appointment during a meeting Thursday. During the meeting, Pollard said she is deeply grateful and is looking forward to the work.
“There are a few things I know for sure. And I know for sure that education is the only thing that can really transform a life, a family and a community,” she said.
Earlier Thursday, Montgomery College Board of Trustees Chair Michael Knapp said that in coming days, the college will announce plans for an interim president as well as the selection process for a new president.