CRTW July 9th Part 1

County Report This Week is all about staying safe during the hot summer months, with a look at food safety and code orange days. We also have an update on the County's bond rating as well as news of a non-profit energy alliance. Find out the status of the proposed Purple Line, and see stories submitted by Rockville 11, AMTV and Montgomery College.

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Thanks for watching County Report this week...I'm Alisa Parenti.
We start this time with news the county has regained its 'Triple A' bond rating. County Executive Ike Leggett says the Moody's upgrade moves Montgomery county off a watch list. Concerns over falling revenues had placed the county on that list in April.

The Triple-A bond rating allows Montgomery County to issue bonds for its capital borrowing at the most favorable rates, and that saves taxpayers millions of dollars a year.

We've had a series of code orange days, when the temperatures soar and the air quality is unhealthy... The problem happens in the summer, when the intense sunlight interacts with certain kinds of exhaust... creating ozone-forming pollutants.

Cars and trucks release more than 100 times the volatile compounds of a typical industrial plant. The same is true of gas-powered lawnmowers. The code orange conditions can be dangerous for anyone with respiratory issues... we're all encouraged to take it easy and leave the strenuous activity until a different day.
To see a live reading of the air quality, and to get additional information on staying safe, go to clean air partners dot net...

Another danger during this hot season, is food poisoning... Health and Human Services employees are warning all of us to keep cold foods cold, and hot foods hot. This time of year can pose a particular risk.

Of particular concern are foods that are grilled. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees, or until the center is no longer pink. For beef or pork, the juices should run clear, and the internal temperatures should read at least 155 degrees. When making salads that require refrigeration, it's suggested we use smaller containers so they hold a consistent, safe temperature longer.

A proposed light rail line connecting Montgomery and Prince George's counties -- the so called Purple line -- has passed the planning board, and is now in the hands of the transportation and environment committee. Susan Kenedy has the story.

County Executive Ike Leggett is congratulating a newly-formed non profit energy alliance for joining forces to save money and buy clean energy.

By purchasing together, the group is able to buy more than 2 million kilowatt hours, saving them almost 178-thousand dollars. The purchase reduces carbon dioxide emissions that would equal taking 300 cars off the roads.

Still to come here on County Report this week, we'll introduce you to a Montgomery county artist who draws inspiration from her Bethesda surroundings...

Also ahead, a police-involved shooting of a man suspected of robbing several banks...

Category:

News & Politics

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