Good morning, Gaithersburg.

Rockville ranked in the top 2% of small cities nationally in WalletHub’s 2026 Best Small Cities report + earning a 98th percentile ranking from 45 livability measures, while Montgomery County towns like Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Olney, and Potomac fared well.

OBGC disputes Steelhead Events’ claim that Field of Screams will stay closed for 2026, stating that it will reopen in 2027 once its Special Exception is amended.

The organization also challenges a $3.5 million fundraising figure and is in arbitration over its long-term operating agreement.

Three Montgomery County natives celebrated CAVA reaching 500 restaurants nationwide when the chain opened its first Minnesota location on Sept.

23 in Minneapolis. The co-founders (from Bethesda and Rockville) noted the milestone reflects CAVA’s deep local roots and commitment to Mediterranean food.

Montgomery County Public Schools is considering a change to remove field trips as student incentives while strengthening the connection between learning and travel; the board has forwarded the proposal for public comment ahead of further review.

Montgomery County Public Schools will begin a two-year planning process that may lead to elementary and middle school closures, consolidations and boundary changes for the 2029-2030 school year.

Community input sessions, including one at Gaithersburg Middle School (Oct. 19), are scheduled from October through December to gather feedback on the proposals.

In October, several railroad crossings will close as CSX upgrades its northbound tracks.

Gaithersburg sites on Chestnut Street from Oct. 6 to 9, Metropolitan Grove Road from Oct. 10 to 11 and South Summit Avenue from Oct. 12 to 15 — drivers should follow posted detours.

WSSC Water advised 1.9 million customers in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties to conserve water Tuesday after a power outage at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant — responsible for 75% of the region’s supply — to keep essential services and fire protection available.

WSSC Water asked 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties on Tuesday morning to use only essential water after a power outage at its Potomac plant.

The utility, working with Pepco to restore power, advised residents to shorten showers + avoid outdoor watering.

The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights is accepting nominations for its Human Rights Hall of Fame to honor contributors to civil rights.

Nominations are open through Friday, Oct. 23 and the induction ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 (BlackRock Center for the Arts) in Germantown.

The Washington Commanders are signing Montgomery County native Charles Snowden to their practice squad today amid defensive injuries, giving the 28-year-old veteran (a former Silver Spring standout) a chance to return to his home area.

He was waived by Dallas on Aug. 2 after an injury designation.