State Senator Madaleno running for Governor of Maryland
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County offers free month of bus ride on …
17-08-2017 Hits:210 Local 
Neal Earley
GAITHERSBURG -- Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett came to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Monday to offering residents a chance at a free ride. On Monday, Leggett announced that the County will waive bus fares for the County’s new expedited bus service Ride On Extra as a way to entice commuters to take public transit rather driving themselves. Ride On Extra’s MD-355 route will begin Oct. 2 and will not charge fares for the month of October. “Along Route 355, our busiest commuting route, people will have another option for getting to work and home, while using WiFi to stay connected,” Leggett said in a statement. “On an introductory basis, this service will be free during October, to encourage people to try it out and decide whether it might be preferable to their current commute by transit or car.”
Read moreMoCo Dems begin the Summer of Resistance…
17-08-2017 Hits:225 Local Carolyn Komatsoulis
The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee launched its “Summer of Resistance and Renewal in Montgomery County” in mid-July, but the canvassing that makes up those efforts began in earnest this past weekend. Those canvassing efforts are aimed at drop-off voters with the hope of ensuring a Gov. Larry Hogan loss in 2018. “There’s good turnout for general elections, for presidential elections, more of a drop-off with midterms,” said Jackie Coolidge, a precinct official in District 18. “This is going to be a very exciting year leading up to the election.” Before the canvassing started, the small group of canvassers gathered in the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, and one of the organizers, Marie Mapes, posed an important question: “What are the barriers to (drop-off voters) feeling engaged in the Democratic Party?”
Read moreAnniversary vigil honors victims of fata…
17-08-2017 Hits:193 Local Neal Earley
SILVER SPRING — Flower Branch tenant Felicia Prospere said she can still remember the cries and screams from the fire and explosion that killed seven at the Silver Spring apartment complex last August. “As soon as I opened – my husband opened the door – I just saw flames – big flames, people crying and screaming, people, you know, letting kids out of the windows, out of the balcony, people just crying for help,” Prospere said. “I couldn’t help them, all I could do was run to save my own life.” On Aug. 10, the first anniversary of the fire at the Flower Branch Apartments complex located on Arliss Street in Silver Spring, tenants and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember the sudden death and destruction from one year ago. Faith leaders, tenants, activists and politicians were present to remember the tenants that died in the fire: Fernando Jose Hernandez Orellana, 3, Deibi “David” Samir Lainez Morales, 8, Aseged Mekonen, 34, Saeda Ibrahim Deibi Samir, 41, Maria Auxiliadorai Castellon-Martinez, 53, Augusto Jimenez Sr., 62 and Saul Paniagua, 65.
Read moreMalvo denied sentence appeal
ROCKVILLE – Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge John Greenberg ruled against convicted “D.C. sniper” Lee Boyd “John” Malvo’s appeal of the life sentences he received for the murder of six…
How far we’ve come . . .
Sentinel celebrates 162 years of publication and service to the Montgomery community through a variety of cultural changes A reprint of the first issue of the Montgomery County Sentinel from Saturday…
Keep your eyes on the skies for the latest eclipse festivities
So you’ve picked up your NASA-approved glasses and gathered your viewing group for Monday’s solar eclipse. Now all you need is somewhere to watch it. Although Maryland viewers will only…
County Joins Top Locations for Vaccine Research
Montgomery County, particularly Gaithersburg, has become a central hub for vaccine research and development, and to a lesser extent for vaccine manufacturing. The County is a key vaccine development center “not…
Local Man Leads Alt-Right
Matthew Heimbach grew up in MoCo and helped organize the march in Charlottesville Matthew Heimbach attended Poolesville High School and Montgomery College. COURTESY PHOTO Matthew Heimbach, the chairman of the Traditionalist…
Flower Branch improves one year after fatal fire
This fire at Flower Branch Apartments last year cost seven people their lives. Inspectors and tenants say conditions are better one year later. FILE PHOTO A year after the fire…
Federal judge rules in favor of MCPS in religion case
A Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals judge affirmed a U.S. District Court judge’s decision that religion is not one of the educational needs that Montgomery County Public Schools must…
McNulty Seeks Gaithersburg Council Seat
GAITHERSBURG — City Council hopeful Jim McNulty says his commitment to public service began after the Montgomery County Police saved his life in 2010. A longtime media producer, McNulty was working…
And Then There Were Two
County faces renewed healthcare problems as insurance providers drop in Montgomery The Maryland Health Connection, the state’s online health insurance market or “exchange” under former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act…
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State News
Computer scientist runs for House of Del…
17-08-2017 Hits:1142 State Carolyn Komatsoulis
Brian Crider. COURTESY PHOTO Brian Crider, a computer scientist, says he was compelled to run for the House of Delegates in District 19 because of his concern for Maryland and his background in activism. “I’ve been an activist for many years, and we’re just not making the progress we need,” said Crider. “I feel like we can do more, so my goal is to make Maryland better.” Crider, a Democrat, says that part of what he hopes to do if elected is make people aware of resources that can help them. However, he also has a lot of ideas for things he wants to change.
Read moreTrone speaks at local BBQ on his new bid…
10-08-2017 Hits:376 State Carolyn Komatsoulis
David Trone speaks at a Smokey Glen Barbecue. PHOTO BY CAROLYN KOMATSOULIS At a barbecue at Smokey Glen to promote his run for the 6th congressional district, David Trone called to mind his simple farm beginnings and progressive ideas in the hopes of his message resonating with Maryland voters. “You know I’m in a farm, we learned a couple of things, most important thing is hard work,” said Trone. “What we do on that farm, whether it was shoveling chicken manure, literally 13 tons of manure every day, that would be good practice in Washington.” “We also did a lot of time feeding hogs. That could be good practice in Washington too,” said Trone.
Read moreACLU Sues Hogan
04-08-2017 Hits:403 State Neal Earley
Blocking people on Facebook comes back to haunt governor and county takes notice ROCKVILLE – Members of the Montgomery County Council say they’re taking notice after the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against Gov. Larry Hogan. The lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges that Hogan’s staff members deleted comments and blocked constituents from viewing his Facebook page. “The highest purpose of the First Amendment is to protect the right of Americans to engage in political speech and to petition the government to address their concerns," said Deborah Jeon, legal director for the ACLU of Maryland in a statement.
Read moreDemocrats look for opportunity in healthcare
One week ago Republican Senator John McCain stood on the floor of the U.S. Senate floor and with a thumbs-down gesture and a firm and loud “no,” killed the last…
Palakovich Carr announces bid for House of Delegates
Rockville City Council member Julie Palakovich Carr filed her paperwork this week to run for District-17 in the Maryland House of Delegates. Palakovich Carr, a two-term member on the Rockville City…
Two wastewater overflows occur on WSSC property
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission officials said tens of thousands of gallons of wastewater spilled each in two separate instances near an Upper Marlboro wastewater treatment plant Saturday. WSSC crews placed warning…
Montgomery County resident Richard Madaleno Announces run for Governor
Kensington resident, state senator and vocal critic of the incumbent governor Richard Madaleno announced his candidacy for governor of Maryland on Monday. Madaleno, if elected, would be the first openly gay…
Bernie supports a Jealous vote
Though Gov. Larry Hogan says he did not vote for President Trump, Ben Jealous, a progressive candidate and former NAACP president, is trying to turn his campaign for governor in…
Raskin hopes to train next gen politicos
Since his first campaign for elected office in 2006, Congressman Jamie Raskin has trained young adults to become political organizers. "Politics at its best is all about education," said Raskin, who…
Medical Marijuana on hold
The first availability of Maryland-licensed medical marijuana appears likely to be in November, a couple months later than the state government’s earlier forecast of “late summer.” On July 6, Gov. Larry…
Maryland lawmakers disagree with Trump on climate accords
SEABROOK — Climate change may not be at the top of the president’s agenda, but local representatives are keeping up the fight against it in the wake of the withdrawal…
Trump's budget would force state, county to 'pick up pieces'
President Trump proposed a detailed budget May 23 that kept the themes of his March budget blueprint: steep cuts to science-based agencies, many headquartered in Montgomery County, and to programs…
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Columns
There is no clear path to peace with Tru…
16-08-2017 Hits:1619 Editor's Notebook 
Brian J. Karem
I walked through the deserted streets of Charlottesville Saturday afternoon thinking of Baltimore and Ferguson in the aftermath of riots there as well as the empty streets of Kuwait City in the aftermath of its liberation during the Gulf War.Chaos, then a nervous calm and finally reflection followed each experience.Lost in the chaos in the aftermath of the riot in Charlottesville was the news that North Korea had decided to step back from the brink.It is perhaps the greatest victory of the Trump era and no one was talking about it – including the President of the United States – who in a raucous exchange with the press at Trump Tower Tuesday seemingly defended Alt-Right demonstrators and other white supremacists who sparked violence Saturday near the campus of the University of Virginia.
Read moreTrump tries to reboot and steps on his C…
09-08-2017 Hits:1438 Editor's Notebook Brian J. Karem
As the helicopter soared off the South Lawn last week members of the media and even White House staff members issued a sigh of relief – 17 days with President Trump away from Washington D.C.The president, dressed in a red-tie, white shirt and dark suit looked like an emasculated Rodney Dangerfield as he headed off into the sunset almost as if it were a scene in the movie perpetually playing in his head. It was the end of the first act of this frenetic presidency while the second act in the psychodrama began with Prosecutor Robert Mueller opening a second grand jury into the Russia/Trump “Witch Hunt” and issuing the first of what may be many subpoenas.
Read moreSarah Huckabee Sanders is always right!
02-08-2017 Hits:7763 Editor's Notebook Brian J. Karem
In Tuesday’s press briefing Sarah Huckabee Sanders finally told me the truth.When a reporter asked Sanders how the administration would deal with members of the GOP who believe the president isn’t being truthful Sanders said “I think by being truthful and transparent as he has every single day.”
Read moreWhen someone sees the light
When I was a small boy in Catholic Sunday school we were taught to welcome those who “See the light.”We even had a little song we’d sing with a refrain…
The president is right - and here's to you Lester Holt
The caller on the other end of the phone was adamant. “Have reporters lost their mojo?” She asked.Before I could respond she explained all the reasons why reporters are taken…
The president finally makes sense
I finally get it.All these months I could not understand why our president tried so hard to disrupt and destroy the investigation into Russian hacking of our elections. There are…
The real problems in the press
“Why didn’t someone in the press stand up for themselves before?”That question has been in thousands of emails, tweets and snail mail correspondence we’ve received at the newspaper this week…
About enduring press freedom
I walked slowly to my bunk and looked up at the television set. Twenty pairs of eyes were on the NBC Nightly News watching a story about me.One man turned…
Go To Your Room - and Grow up!
The simplest requests can often lead to the most obtuse results.When my children were extremely young my wife and I tried to persuade them to “use their words,” when they…
The best speech Trump has made yet
In the stifling heat of the muggiest day in recent D.C. memory, last Monday President Donald Trump made his most enduring and remarkable speech since he took office. With hundreds…
Learning lessons the hard way
Wednesday morning, shortly after I got up to go to work, I received a tweet that would change my day and should change our world.While practicing for a charity baseball…
Federal infrastructure and us
Congressman John Sarbanes, Senator Chris Van Hollen and a host of other federal elected officials say they have a bone to pick with President Donald Trump.Van Hollen, along with Republican…
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Sports
Platt Back At Towson
17-08-2017 Hits:643 Sports Brandy L. Simms
Adrian Feliz-Platt. FILE PHOTOA Towson University official confirmed on Wednesday that former Seneca Valley standout running back Adrian Feliz-Platt has returned to the football program. “Adrian has rejoined the team,” John Brush, Director of Media Relations in Towson’s Department of Athletics wrote in an email message. Platt told The Sentinel “I had left for a few days due to personal reasons. They ended up letting me come back though.”
Read moreMatthew Balanc’s game is a slam dunk
15-08-2017 Hits:449 Sports Brandy L. Simms
Matthew Balanc goes for the dunk during the Maryland Elite Summer League All-Star Game. PHOTO BY MARK POETKER Springbrook senior guard Matthew Balanc is a human highlight reel. During the Maryland Elite Basketball Summer League at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, the 6-foot-3 standout wowed fans with his highlight reel dunks. Balanc, who averaged a team-high 20.4 points per game last season, erupted for 50 points last month in the Maryland Elite Basketball Summer League All-Star Game. He also earned game MVP honors despite his team’s 103-101 loss.
Read moreRedskins Fall To Ravens
11-08-2017 Hits:223 Sports Brandy L. Simms
BALTIMORE – Washington Redskins rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Allen got rave reviews following Thursday’s 23-3 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Allen, the No. 17 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, recorded his first NFL sack midway through the second quarter against Ravens backup quarterback Ryan Mallet. “I thought he did good,” said Redskins cornerback Josh Norman. “I saw him back there a couple times.”
Read moreWall succeeds in inking a new deal with the Wizards
WASHINGTON – The Washington Wizards have locked up John Wall for the next several years. On Friday, the Wizards held a news conference to announce the signing of Wall’s multi-year extension…
Warrior Dash returns to Maryland
MECHANICSVILLE—Warrior Dash returned to the state of Maryland on Saturday, as many participants took part in the event at Budd’s Creek in Mechanicsville in St. Mary’s County. Warrior Dash is a…
Redskins Celebrate Fan Appreciation Day
RICHMOND, VA. – Jonathan Allen, Arie Kouandjio and Terrelle Pryor Sr. were among the players who signed autographs and took photos with fans following a two-hour practice session on Saturday…
McClinton All-Stars narrowly defeat the Wash Associates 77-75.
In a thrilling game, the Darren McClinton All-Stars (8-2) eked out a 77-75 come-from-behind victory over the A. Wash Associates (7-3) in the semifinals of the Kenner League at McDonough…
McClinton All-Stars defeat On Point in Kenner League playoffs
Anthony Cowan gets set for a layup in the second half. PHOTO BY MARK POETKER WASHINGTON – Friday’s Kenner League basketball playoff game between Darren McClinton All-Stars and On…
McCloud succeeds in coaching with a simple life time philosophy
The Maryland Elite Summer League varsity and junior varsity high school basketball celebrated a completion of a third successful season culminating with an All-star game July 31, a credit to…
Hayburn brothers shine in Swim League All-Star meet
Takoma Park Swim Team’s Jasmine Barry, 14, competes in the medley relay. PHOTO BY MARK POETKER LAUREL – The Hayburns have the Midas touch. Brothers Jimmy and Joseph Hayburn combined to…
Wrestler Olivia Rondeau makes history
Gaithersburg resident Olivia Rondeau became the first female wrestler to capture a gold medal in the AAU Junior Olympic Games. COURTESY PHOTO A Montgomery County teenager made history this week…
Loraine Chow aims for Olympic glory in taekwondo
Loraine Chow. COURTESY PHOTOOn July 4th, 18-year-old Potomac native Loraine Chow won bronze in the sport of taekwondo at the U.S. Senior Nationals in Detroit, Mich., qualifying for the senior…
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Features
Baby we all live in a reggae Yellow Dubm…
17-08-2017 Hits:200 Entertainment Matt Hooke
Yellow Dubmarine performing at Strathmore AMP. PHOTO BY MATT HOOKE As soon as Yellow Dubmarine started their set with a cover of The Beatles “Norwegian Wood,” you could tell this was not your average tribute band. With horns replacing George Harrison’s distinctive sitar intro, and the songs’ folksy atmospherics replaced by a steady reggae pulse, the audience Friday at Strathmore AMP quickly piled onto the dance floor to groove to Beatles classics reimagined as reggae jams. “It was just an idea that came to us one day,” said bassist Aaron Glazer. “We started with just four people and then grew, with percussion and horns, and it took on a life of its own.” The seven-piece band featured a three-piece horn section, along with a rhythm section of guitar, bass, drums, hand percussion, and keyboard. This extensive lineup allowed them to vary their arrangements throughout the night.
Read moreTakoma Park record label fosters homegro…
17-08-2017 Hits:278 Entertainment Matt Hooke
Tired of being forced to relinquish artistic and creative control to major labels, Grammy-winning producer and Takoma Park native Charlie Pilzer decided to forge his own path. He founded Azalea City Recordings in 1996. For Pilzer, the label gives his job as a recording engineer and producer a more personal touch. “I’m immersed in music hours and hours every day. I’ve worked on well over 2000 albums. The cool thing about the label is that it keeps it on a personal level. It doesn’t become a factory to me,” said Pilzer.
Read moreS.S. plays are one-act but definitely no…
17-08-2017 Hits:383 Entertainment Barbara Trainin Blank
Playwright Marilyn Millstone’s “Compos Mentis” will be staged during the second weekend of the Silver Spring Stage One-Act Festival. COURTESY PHOTO Irwin and Anna Leder had been Marilyn Millstone’s next-door neighbors and surrogate parents for 14 years. So, it was not surprising that their departure for a senior facility impacted her. But it also inspired the news-and-feature journalist and essayist turned dramatist to write another play. In “Compos Mentis,” (which is Latin, meaning “of sound mind”) Millstone has added the child of an elderly couple, who pressures them to go to an assisted living facility while the couple resists and wants to retain independence.
Read moreSponsor supports NIH charities while patrons enjoy blockbuster movies
The Comcast Xfinity Outdoor Film Festival returns to Strathmore. COURTESY PHOTO “Blockbuster” describes the movies presented each summer in the Comcast Xfinity Outdoor Film Festival and hosted at Strathmore…
On stage in Downtown Silver Spring with Black Box and Highwood Theatres
The cast of the Highwood Theatre production of “Into the Woods.” COURTESY PHOTO BY HIGHWOOD THEATRE Downtown Silver Spring has become a hub of activity, featuring stores, restaurants, and various…
Daymé Arocena brings modern Cuban sounds to Strathmore AMP
Afro-Cuban vocalist Daymé Arocena (center) with bassist Rafael Aldama (left), and drummer Raul Herrera (right). PHOTO BY MATT HOOKE “Give these people more alcohol,” yelled Afro-Cuban vocalist Daymé Arocena in…
It’s a Free for All . . .
Shakespeare company makes "Othello" a free for the summer fest Faran Tahir stars in the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All production of “Othello.” COURTESY PHOTO BY SCOTT SUCHMAN It’s a…
Brews and beat shine at first ever record fair in Silver Spring
Vendor Dave Hoffer stands in front of his records. PHOTO BY MATT HOOKE SILVER SPRING — Barrels of beer were covered with vinyl records, while organizer and c, played dance…
Singer-songwriter uses real life tragedy as inspiration
Craig Cummings (left) and bassist Greg Hardin (right) performing at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. COURTESY PHOTO BY MAX HORAN GAITHERSBURG — Inspired by friends who were forced to redefine themselves…
Rockville offers Movies in the Parks
CUT: Patrons watched “The Lego Movie” on July 29, 2015 at Montrose Park during the first "Movies in the Parks." The event returns for its third year to Rockville parks…
Event will showcase local documentary filmmaker and her work
On August 6, a local non-profit organization will present the first installment of a series designed to allow aspiring documentary filmmakers to receive feedback. Erica Ginsberg, co-founder and executive director of…
Chopteeth brings Afro-Funk to Glen Echo stage
As the horn section blared out melodies over dense layers of percussion, the keyboardist for West African big band Chopteeth, Bill Dempsey, found a small place between the noise for…
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Political Cartoons
MC/DC Cartoon: Make America Lynch Again
16-08-2017 Hits:182 Political Cartoons 
Mark Cabot Robinson
@MCRgh1
Read moreMC/DC Cartoon: Hogan Gets Blocked
10-08-2017 Hits:207 Political Cartoons Mark Cabot Robinson
@MCRgh1
Read moreMC/DC Cartoon: No Bohemian Rhapsody for …
02-08-2017 Hits:318 Political Cartoons Mark Cabot Robinson
@MCRgh1
Read more
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