Catch up on news you may have missed this week including how spring break may have factored into low Montgomery County voter turnout in the primary election, why neighborhood groups in Kensington are calling the proposed Costco gas station at Wheaton Mall a public health hazard, and which site county planning staff rejected for the new Bethesda-Chevy Chase middle school.

County Planning Staff Oppose Kensington Park For New B-CC Middle School
Although last week MCPS Superintendent Joshua Starr recommended Rock Creek Hills Local Park become the site of a new middle school for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster, county planning staff opposed the plan in the April 2 memo. Read more on Kensington Patch.

Spring Break Slows Voter Turnout In Montgomery County

The 2011 decision that moved Maryland's primary election day to April also caused it to coincide with Montgomery County Public Schools' spring break. It may have also contributed to a low reported voter turnout in Montgomery County, MD. Read more on Potomac Patch.

Public Health Effects of Costco Gas Station Questioned

Kensington community groups have long argued that the proposed Costco gas station at Wheaton Mall will have substantial negative effects on the surrounding neighborhoods, particularly air pollution from long lines of idling cars. After repeated requests that the Montgomery County government conduct a public health study about the project, the Kensington Heights Civic Association sought out its own expert, a professor from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health. Read more on Wheaton Patch.

Shots Fired Near Takoma Park Police Car
Shots were fired near or at a Takoma Park Police cruisers at 15th and Elson Pl. Tuesday around 5 p.m., according to Takoma Park Police. An investigation revealed the incident happened in Prince George's County so PGCPD took over the investigation. Prince George's County Police and Takoma Park Police jointly searched and secured the area, but found no shooter or weapon, police said. No injuries or damage were reported, police said. Read more on Takoma Park Patch.

Doug Duncan Dishes on the Primary
Douglas M. Duncan went through the familiar motions of a candidate on Election Day on Tuesday evening at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville. Only the former three-term County Executive and one-time gubernatorial candidate's name wasn't on the ballot. Read more on Rockville Patch.

Spring Chicks Make Little Cheeks Smile

Rocklands Farm, located a little north of Potomac, is giving families the chance to raise a little spring cheer this year. Families can "rent" chicks to raise through spring and return them later in the year, and one MoCo family has offered to share pictures of their experience with Patch. Swoon over the cuteness on Potomac Patch.

Montgomery Second Healthiest County in Maryland

 Comparatively higher incomes, less instances of premature death and fewer people reporting unhealthy behavior earned Montgomery County the #2 spot on a recent ranking of the healthiest counties in Maryland. Read more on Colesville Patch. 
 

Rosa Mexicano's Passover Sangria, Tangerine Haroset Help Mark Passover in Chevy Chase
Local restaurants Rosa Mexicano and American City Diner, both in Chevy Chase, DC, have developed special menus for Passover. Rosa Mexicano's menu blends Passover and Mexican flavors, resulting in dishes like "Matzoh-Breaded Chicken Breast and a tropical twist on Haroset made with tangerine, pomegranate and coconut," while American City Diner offers more traditional Passover fare, such as beet borsht and beef brisket. Read more on Chevy Chase Patch.

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian Strikes Balance Between Baseball And Home

With the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles opening their seasons this week, ESPN's Baseball Tonight analyst and Darnestown resident Tim Kurkjian sat down to talk with North Potomac-Darnestown Patch about his career as a baseball writer. Read the full story on North Potomac-Darnestown Patch.

New Bethesda Post Office Planned For 6900 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda's new post office will be located at 6900 Wisconsin Avenue, The Gazette reported this week. Downtown Bethesda's two post offices are closing in the face of declining revenues at the United States Postal Service, but the community has raised concerns about accessibility of the new consolidated location. Read more on Bethesda Patch.