News You Can Use Archive
2024
Don’t Get Scammed When Renting a Car Abroad
It pays to familiarize yourself with the local policies and protocols ahead of time. Here’s what you need to know before you accept the keys.
Finding Home Health Care Services Can Be Difficult
View this New York Times guide to finding an aide to help an older person stay safely at home. Related: from WaPo, Questions to ask before choosing an assisted living facility.
Going to Europe soon? You may have to pay a new entry fee.
Starting in mid-2025, an $8 European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) application will be required for U.S. travelers to enter E.U. countries. Most applications should be processed within minutes of applying, but prospective travelers should expect to receive an application decision within four days. Learn more from the E.U. website and from the Washington Post (note that the July 2023 Post article is now outdated in that it states that the program starts in 2024; the program will now start in 2025).
2023
MoCo Expands List of Electronics for Recycling
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has expanded its electronics recycling program to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. The County is now accepting for recycling:
- Audio tapes
- Cameras
- Clocks
- Drones !!
- Empty printer ink and toner cartridges
- Remote controls
- Small handheld electric tools
- Small handheld vacuum cleaners
- Surveillance cameras
- VHS/cassette tapes
CSX Train Blocking Aitcheson Crossing? You Can Report It.
Although trains that block crossings are not breaking any federal laws, they may put public safety at risk. The Federal Railroad Administration tracks the location and impacts of blocked crossings in order to learn where, when, for how long, and what impacts result from blocked highway-rail grade crossings. There may be legitimate operating and/or safety-related reasons for a crossing to be occupied by a slow or idling train. You can locate the at-grade Aitcheson Crossing on a map and report that a train is blocking it here (the crossing number is 140 505 S, and CSX refers to it as the “Ridge” crossing). Note that this form should not be used to report emergencies.
MoCo Now Accepting Mattresses and Box Springs for Recycling
Residents can now drop off mattresses and box springs at the Transfer Station and Recycling Center in the upper lot, across from the household hazardous waste program area. Before you drop your items off, make sure they are deemed acceptable (crib mattresses, futons, pillows and pillowtop mattresses, for example, are NOT acceptable). View more information on mattress recycling from MoCo | View the flyer (PDF)
Resources to Learn More about the 2023 Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Running Low on Covid Test Kits?
- Before you throw out “expired” antigen tests, check here to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.
- You can order more, free, at covidtests.gov. One order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
- You may also be able to get free antigen tests at MoCo libraries. Kits and masks are available on a table or cart near the library service desk. Residents can get four tests and four adult N95 masks per person per day. Learn more here.
- You can also pick up and drop off at-home PCR tests through Montgomery County. Learn more here.
Also, from WaPo, when you have Covid, here’s how you know you are no longer contagious.
Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters
Pfizer and Moderna have developed updated COVID-19 boosters, called “bivalent” because they protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5. As of the middle of February, only about 35% of MoCo residents have received the bivalent booster shot [source]. If you have not yet received the bivalent booster, consider doing so. If you’ve already had it, then you should wait until the next booster variation is produced and available. Here’s more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Save a Life!
Montgomery County participates in Maryland’s Overdose Response Program and provides free Naloxone training and kits to the community. The training provides information on common opioids, instructions on how to recognize an overdose and how to administer Naloxone properly.
- View the MoCo Dep’t of Health and Human Services calendar to find free training.
- Maryland residents can now get FREE Naloxone through the mail. See naloxoneforall.org for details. In-person training is ideal.
- Learn more here and here.
Signs of an overdose include:
- Unconsciousness or inability to awaken.
- Slow or shallow breathing or breathing difficulty such as choking sounds or a gurgling/snoring noise from a person who cannot be awakened.
- Fingernails or lips turning blue/purple.
If an opioid overdose is suspected, stimulate the person: Call the person’s name. If this doesn’t work, vigorously grind knuckles into the sternum (the breastbone in middle of chest) or rub knuckles on the person’s upper lip. If the person responds, assess whether he or she can maintain responsiveness and breathing. Continue to monitor the person, including breathing and alertness, and try to keep the person awake and alert. If the person does not respond, call 911, provide rescue breathing if the person is not breathing on their own, and administer one dose of naloxone. Learn more here about steps to take when you see a suspected overdose (PDF).
Naloxone won’t cause any adverse side effects if there was no opioid ingested, so there’s no danger of harm if it wasn’t an overdose. Note that Naxalone may put the subject into instant withdrawal; they may wake up agitated, so it’s best to take a few steps back after administration.
2022
Move Over!
A new Maryland law took effect Saturday, October 1, that requires drivers to slow down or change lanes when vehicles are parked or stranded on the side of the road — all part of an effort to reduce the number of roadside deaths. The beefed up Move Over Law — the fourth version of the law in 12 years — covers all vehicles displaying hazard lights on the side of the road.
Drivers must move over when approaching emergency, law enforcement, tow truck, utility and transportation vehicles that are stopped, standing or parked on a highway with lights flashing. If moving over is not possible, then drivers need to slow down. Beginning Saturday, drivers must also change lanes or slow down when they approach any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle with warning signals. Learn more here.
Out, Out, Damned Spot[ted Lanternfly]!
Montgomery County is now part of a spotted lanternfly quarantine zone. What does that mean and what should we do? Learn more here.
It’s Tick Season
- which kinds of ticks are prevalent in Maryland,
- how to avoid and remove ticks, and
- about the many different illnesses caused by tick-borne bacteria, parasites and viruses.
Unfortunate Experience with a Local Cop?
You can now file a complaint through the new Montgomery County Police Accountability Complaint Form.
What is a Thunderclap Headache (TCH) and What MUST You Do IMMEDIATELY If You Have One?
Excruciating thunderclap headaches strike the entire head suddenly like a clap of thunder. The pain of these headaches peaks within 60 seconds and then slowly dissipates. These headaches are uncommon, but can be symptoms of potentially life-threatening conditions like aneurysms and stroke. Even if your headache has ended, call 911 or get to a hospital as soon as possible and insist on receiving a CT scan. Learn more about TCHs here.
Find Out How You Can Support Ukraine
Discover what these highly-rated charities are doing, and how you can help.
Updated! Flyer re: Roadside Recycling and Yard Waste Collection in the Grove
Print it and stick it to your refrigerator door! (PDF)
Uh-oh! I Need a Plumber!
Find out which restaurants and other service providers your neighbors recommend on these lists managed by Washington Grove Cares.
Need to Host a Grove Meeting on Zoom But Not Sure How to Do It?
Here’s some information that might be helpful.
MD Announces Tax Filing Extension
Maryland taxpayers have until July 15 to file and pay with no penalty or interest; Federal income tax deadline is April 18.
Never Lose Your Covid Vaccination Record
If you are a Maryland resident, you can access and print your vaccination record through MyIR (My Immunization Record).