The county’s Department of Recreation paid more than $5.8 million in invoices without adequate documentation, a new audit conducted by the county’s Office of the Inspector General found. bit.ly/4yKt7eg

Baltimore Gas and Electric officials urged Montgomery County residents to prepare early for winter storms and outlined help for customers facing higher heating bills during a virtual community meeting this week. bit.ly/3UC7H4O

ICYMI: Councilmembers have to make a decision soon on the future of trash removal as Montgomery County’s incinerator in Dickerson is aging, and the contract for its use expires in five years. bit.ly/4hYrTqu

County residents can vote early from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at any of the 14 centers. Voters can text “EV” and their zip code to 77788 to find their nearest early voting centers with estimated wait times. bit.ly/4k55SaU

“We are relaunching our brand to better reflect how we’ve grown and evolved,” said Laurie Wexler, the organization’s co-founder and executive director. bit.ly/4k9aoVJ

Hear directly from candidates for the Montgomery County Board of Education as they discuss issues facing Montgomery County Public Schools, their priorities for the school system, and their perspectives on the future of public education in our community. bit.ly/4zqz8gA

Beverly Farms Elementary School in Potomac, Somerset Elementary in Chevy Chase and Travilah Elementary in North Potomac were announced as Blue Ribbon schools in Maryland on Wednesday by Gov. Wes Moore. bit.ly/4yzpCHc

ICYMI: Frederick, Maryland is trying to finalize plans for a professional cricket stadium that will become the future home of the Washington Freedom, a Major League Cricket team. bit.ly/4i4u9uY

The County Council voted Tuesday to increase fines for people who take part in street takeovers from $1,000 to $5,000, the maximum allowed under state law. bit.ly/4zPEqCS

ICYMI: The Supreme Court will hear a case alleging Montgomery County Public Schools discriminates against Asian American students in middle school magnet program admissions, per the law firm representing parents who brought the case. bit.ly/3U5AWww

WATCH: Earlier this week, residents gathered in Rockville to share their questions during a town hall hosted by Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles. youtube.com/watch?v=oE3ADl25…

The Maryland State Department of Education announced historic declines in teacher vacancy rates over the last four years on Monday. Post-pandemic, the rate has fallen by 73.3 percent. mymcmedia.org/teacher-vacanc…

For the first time in its 77-year history, the Agricultural Fair overlaps with some of the proposed start dates for the opening of public school for county students. bit.ly/4ijQl4E

📺 Did you know you can watch Montgomery Community Media on TV? MCM broadcasts on channels 19, 21 and 995! Learn more about our channels here: mymcmedia.org/channels/

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in Rockville’s Welsh Park, when the defendant fired 14 shots in pursuit of his on again, off again girlfriend.bit.ly/4imyCts

Early voting has begun! Data from three recent elections show Montgomery County voters crowd centers on the last day while weekend turnout stays low. bit.ly/4yZCuY9

It’s Friday, Oct. 23, and here are five things to know this weekend in Montgomery County. bit.ly/4kbcLr8

21 This Week looks at the issues that matter in Montgomery County. In this epsiode, host Casey Aiken covers potential MCPS school closures, no debate for County Executive race, and Reardon Sullivan running for District 1. bit.ly/4Bn0KFa

Baltimore Gas and Electric officials urged Montgomery County residents to prepare early for winter storms and outlined help for customers facing higher heating bills during a virtual community meeting this week. bit.ly/3UC7H4O

The county’s commitment to National Fire Prevention Month proved to be an important topic at this week’s county executive media briefing. County Executive Marc Elrich highlighted concerns about charging lithium-ion batteries. mymcmedia.org/fire-preventio…