Maryland
Maryland city named best place for families to live in America by Fortune Magazine
Pedestrians walk past a Nike store in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, US, on Thursday, May 30, 2024. The Bureau of Economic Analysis is scheduled to release personal consumption figures on May 31. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
SILVER SPRING, Md. – Silver Spring has clinched the top spot as the best place to live for families in America, according to the latest rankings by Fortune Magazine.
The suburb of Washington, D.C., surged from its previous third-place position last year and is being praised for its blend of local charm and urban convenience just six miles from the nation’s capital.
According to Fortune Magazine, the area’s vibrant Arts & Entertainment District stands out, boasting over 100 arts and humanities organizations and entertainment venues.
Residents can enjoy indie films at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center or catch live performances at the iconic Fillmore music venue, which has hosted legendary artists like Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Colorful murals and community centers contribute to Silver Spring’s lively atmosphere.
Downtown Silver Spring offers a diverse culinary scene with more than 150 restaurants, catering to various tastes.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore nature in nearby parks such as Sligo Creek Park and Rock Creek Trail, or hit the links at the Sligo Creek golf course. In winter, an outdoor skating rink adds seasonal charm to the community.
Diversity is also a hallmark of Silver Spring, where the chance of encountering someone of a different race or ethnicity is 73%, as per U.S. Census data. Prospective homeowners may find affordability improving, with home prices down 4% from last year, according to Redfin.
“This monumental recognition highlights our community’s unparalleled dedication to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment for families,” said Jacob NewmanSilver Spring Regional Services Director. “The #1 ranking and recognition by Fortune Magazine, along with the feature on “The Today Show,” further amplify our achievements, showcasing Silver Spring’s unmatched quality of life and the strength of our community. This national recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone who calls Silver Spring home.”
Fortune’s ranking, which considered factors such as health care, education, affordability, and resources for seniors, awarded Silver Spring a Community Well-Being Index score of 85 out of 100.
Maryland
Police seek Maryland woman and girlfriend charged in Silver Spring mom’s murder – WTOP News
Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson and her girlfriend have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Tjongarero-Henderson’s mother.
Police in Montgomery County, Maryland, are looking for two women accused of killing the 67-year-old mother of one of the suspects.
Vanessa Tjongarero-Henderson, 29, of Clarksburg, and her girlfriend Samantha Raebel, 36, of Phoenix, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Hilde Henderson, Tjongarero-Henderson’s mother.
Henderson was found dead on May 26, in an apartment on Fenwick Lane in Silver Spring, police said in a news release.
After an autopsy, Henderson’s death was ruled a homicide. Detectives identified the couple as suspects in her death and obtained arrest warrants, police said.
Anyone with information on Tjongarero-Henderson and Raebel’s whereabouts should call 911 or visit the Montgomery County police online tip line.
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Maryland
Maryland troopers attend high school graduation of student whose dad died in line of duty
Maryland State troopers rallied behind a student, whose dad died while in the line of duty, during her high school graduation on Thursday.
Madison Lippy graduated from Westminster High School nearly 18 years after her dad, Micky Lippy, a state trooper, died in a helicopter crash in Prince George’s County.
State troopers embraced Madison Lippy and her family back in 2008 and have shown their support ever since. Troopers said that attending her graduation is a way to remember and honor the sacrifice her father made.
“This is to make sure that they know we never forget,” said Lt. Jon Hill, with the Maryland State Police.
Troopers added that it was an honor to be part of Madison’s life and see her accomplishments as she’s grown up.
Standing by the Lippy family after the trooper’s death
Madison Lippy was just an infant when her father, Maryland State Trooper Mickey Lippy, was killed in a helicopter crash in Prince George’s County in Sept. 2008.
Mickey Lippy, along with a pilot and an EMT, was taking two critically injured teenagers to the hospital. That helicopter tried to land but struck trees and crashed, killing all but one person.
Troopers have stood by the Lippy family since that day, saying that it has been an honor to be part of Madison’s life and see her accomplishments as she’s grown up.
“We walk and stay with their families through their journey, way beyond, in the days and the weeks and months that follow tragedies, when we lose a first responder or a military person,” Lt. Hill said. “There is a lot of tension around the families; unfortunately, that can fade as we move to years after, so it is important for us to be here and for them to know that we don’t forget their family members, we remember them.”
Maryland
Spotted lanternflies are reemerging in Maryland. Here’s what to know.
MARYLAND (WBFF) — It’s that time of year again — spotted lanternflies have made a comeback across Maryland and most of the eastern U.S.
Spotted lanternflies typically hatch in late April and early May, meaning juveniles of the species are popping up around the state. The Maryland Department of Agriculture predicted in March that Baltimore City and central Maryland counties will be heavily infested with the pests.
The invasive insect has been present in nearly all of Maryland since 2018 and was previously thought to have caused ecosystem harm. But recent studies on the insect’s assimilation into its environment have shown that the lanternfly has caused no large-scale damage.
“This is mainly just a nuisance pest,” Emily Zobel, University of Maryland Extension’s agriculture and food systems agent for Dorchester County, said. “[The spotted lanternfly] is big, it’s kind flashy, it’s a little intimidating, but studies have shown that in residential gardens and landscapes, it doesn’t do any significant damage to otherwise healthy plants.”
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