James K. Giese, Former City Manager, Has Died
James K. Giese, 94, Greenbelt’s city manager for 28 years, died at his home in the Collington retirement community on Monday, August 4. He served from 1962 to 1990. Giese steered the city during the 1960s and 1970s, known as Greenbelt’s turbulent development years that brought major highways, shopping centers and single-family housing throughout the […]
Greenbelters Urged to Garden; May Help with Food Insecurity
Over 80 years after the establishment of Greenbelt’s community gardens, Councilmember Danielle McKinney launched Greenbelt Grows this April. She said that the initiative, partnered with the Greenbelt Rotary Club and the Chesapeake Education, Arts and Research Society (CHEARS), is geared toward helping gardeners grow more and address issues like food insecurity by creating stronger community […]
BARC Closure Plans Remain Unclear After Senate Hearing
Plans for the closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) remain hazy after a July 30 Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the USDA’s reorganization proposal, which drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. The USDA’s lone witness, Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, said that BARC would close over a not-yet-determined number of years and a […]
Medicaid Anniversary Forum Warns of Deep Cuts to Come
Last Wednesday marked the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, on which local and federal leaders gathered in the Greenbelt City Council chambers to celebrate the programs’ legacy and warn of federal changes that could strip health coverage from thousands of Marylanders. U.S. Representative Glenn Ivey and State Delegate Ashanti Martinez headlined the event, along […]
Maglev Stopped in Its Tracks
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced that the proposed Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation rail line, known as maglev, is no longer happening. Federal officials cancelled the $26 million in grant funding for the project, as the rail line would have negatively impacted federal agencies and significant infrastructure. “FRA determined the direct effects would have substantial […]
Greenbelters Hold Emergency Meeting about BARC Closure
Greenbelt residents met Saturday in the Greenbelt City Council chambers for an emergency meeting in response to the potential closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) (see story below). The meeting was swiftly coordinated by residents via Facebook and email, resulting in a turnout of nearly 100 people, including several public officials, crowding the […]
Seasonal Ground Bees Emerge In Greenbelt, Not Aggressive
Last week we heard from a resident about how ground bees were being treated in Greenbelt, after seeing workers spray a nest with RAID. “While their sudden appearance may have caused alarm, most ground bees are native, nonaggressive pollinators that pose little to no risk to the public,” said the reader. “Unlike wasps or hive bees, ground bees are solitary […]
BARC Will Be “Vacated” In USDA Reorganization
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on July 24 announced a “complete reorganization” of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will include closing the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). Citing goals of efficiency and more-affordable cost of living, Rollins said USDA will be “moving our key services outside Washington, D.C.” and relocating much of […]
Former Superintendent’s Payout From PGCPS Totals $877,578.70
Former Superintendent Millard House II received a payout from Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) of $877,578.70, almost $150,000 more than previously known or estimated by news reports. On July 24, the News Review reported that House must have received at least $733,992, which we calculated based on our projections of 24 months of his […]
USDA to Close BARC as Part of “Complete Reorganization”
United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a “complete reorganization” of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will include closing Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC). Citing goals of efficiency and more affordable cost of living, Rollins said USDA will be “moving our key services outside Washington, D.C.” and relocating “much of […]