Top Stories of 2024
The News Review presents highlights from last year’s news stories. The reviews were prepared by Cathie Meetre, Erica Johns, Diane Oberg, Deanna Dawson, Pat Scully and Anna Bedford-Dillow. Greenbelt Loses Career Firefighters On June 30, Prince George’s County Fire Department (PGFD) removed career fire and rescue personnel from Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, Bowie and Bunker Hill […]
Employee Concerns Arise at Grocery Store Board Meeting
The member comment portion of the Greenbelt Co-op’s December 11 board meeting raised concerns about employee working conditions, which also had been raised by several employees at the August board meeting. Board Vice Chair Steven Bernheisel led the meeting. Concerns of current and former employees who spoke at the August meeting, after General Manager Dan […]
What Is the JEDI Action Team? A Look at Its Origins and Work
The memorandum requesting action on City Councilmember Rodney Roberts’ August 2024 remarks about the Public Works Department was written by the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Action Team, which consists of city staff. The team was created in response to council’s direction to act on findings from the 2023 JEDI audit of city government […]
Greenbelters Celebrate Thanksgiving With Both Old and New, Near and Far
In search of how Greenbelters celebrate Thanksgiving, the News Review visited Schrom Hills Park, the Greenway Center Safeway, the Co-op Supermarket, the Greenbelt Farmers Market and Greenbelt Station on Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24. Malik Myles and Derrick Coffey were at Schrom Hills Park on Saturday when they talked with the News Review. […]
Panel Reviews Reparations Status, History and Future
On November 9 over 70 people attended a reparations discussion at Greenbelt Library, hosted by the Greenbelt Black History and Culture Committee. Panelists shared historical context, continuing efforts and the outlook for reparative justice for Indigenous and Black communities. Attendees came to learn, many bringing notebooks to record information they found meaningful. Emancipation? Committee Chair […]
A Story about Story Hour: Fun at Springhill Lake Rec
Books and songs and activities about mariachi music, plants, shapes, colors and numbers filled the monthly pre-K bilingual story hour at Springhill Lake Recreation Center on Friday, October 11. Children’s voices filled the room with singing, responses to questions (“A star!”) and talking to each other, though attention sometimes wandered, which happens when you’re 2 years […]
On the Ballot: Maryland Constitutional Amendment on Reproductive Freedom
In the November 5 general election, Maryland voters will decide on a proposed amendment to the Maryland Constitution about reproductive freedom. If passed, the amendment will secure a state constitutional right to reproductive rights already enacted in Maryland legislation. The measure will appear as Ballot Question 1: “The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right […]
Latest County Fire Department Meeting Brings No Reassurance
At a September 12 town hall officials and residents hoped for an update and more information from Prince George’s County Fire Department (PGFD) about the June 30 “temporary” removal of career firefighter and EMS staff from Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, Bunker Hill and Bowie-Belair fire stations. County Fire Chief Tiffany Green did not attend, instead sending […]
News Review’s Cathie Meetre Is Outstanding Citizen for 2024
Cathie Meetre is Greenbelt’s 2024 Outstanding Citizen, as announced at the Labor Day Festival’s Opening Ceremonies on Friday, August 30, selected for her contributions toward preserving three iconic Greenbelt institutions. She applied her superb organizational skills, keen intellect, passion for learning and tenacity with liberal doses of humor and humility to address major challenges faced […]
J.Ivey, M.Riker Win At-Large P.G. County Council Primary
This article has been corrected from the print version, to add the comment from Michael Riker. Democrat Jolene Ivey and Republican Michael Riker are expected to win the August 6 Prince George’s County Council special primary election for the at-large council seat vacated by former Councilmember Mel Franklin, in unofficial results provided by the County […]