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🌱 Patch AM: What Montgomery’s plastic bag ban really means if you live in Gaithersburg

You won't want to miss The Maryland Opera Presents: Puppets & Papageno on the Gaithersburg Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Gaithersburg? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Montgomery’s plastic bag ban really means if you live in Gaithersburg
  • See how Gaithersburg High stacks up among Maryland’s biggest schools
  • Why are senators pressuring Gaithersburg’s NIST over manufacturing jobs?

Also on today's calendar: Mini Bookcases (for all ages!) craft workshop in Montgomery County, Md. and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Windy; a little morning rain, with a high of 58 and low of 24 degrees.
  • Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 45, low: 34.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 48 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Plastic bag ban takes effect Jan. 1 in Montgomery County (wjla.com) — Montgomery County’s plastic bag ban starts Jan. 1, but Gaithersburg is currently exempt because it hasn’t adopted the county code, so local stores can still offer plastic bags for now. Residents should still expect higher paper bag taxes countywide and note the detailed exceptions for certain types of plastic bags.
   

2. The 25 Largest High Schools in Maryland (2026) (mocoshow.com) — Gaithersburg High School ranks 12th among Maryland’s largest high schools, with 2,454 students, a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, and a B+ grade from Niche. The list highlights how Montgomery County dominates statewide enrollment, with ten schools in the top 25.
   

3. Cantwell and Merkley Lead Senate Democrats in Demanding Answers on NIST's Unauthorized Dismantling of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (gorgenewscenter.com) — Gaithersburg-based NIST is at the center of a sharp Senate Democratic challenge over plans to scale back the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program that serves small and mid-sized manufacturers nationwide. Lawmakers say NIST’s actions, directed from Washington, risk layoffs, center closures, and lost services after December 31, 2025, and they’re demanding detailed explanations and a course correction by early January.
   

4. Delaney Claims 17 Point Lead Over Trone (montgomeryperspective.com) — Gaithersburg readers are at the center of a new campaign poll showing Rep. April McClain Delaney with a sizable early lead over former Rep. David Trone in the 6th District Democratic primary. Conducted this month, the survey suggests voters across Montgomery County and Western Maryland are largely satisfied with Delaney’s performance and skeptical of Trone’s comeback bid, though the race could still tighten.
   

📸 Around Gaithersburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Today we held our 16 annual "Holiday with the Shelter Animals" event at the Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center in Derwood MD.
    Thank you to all who donated, volunteers and staff. Special thank you to Tammy TJ Mathis who made this a very special day for everyone especially all… (Nextdoor Whetstone Run)
  • Today we held our 16 annual "Holiday with the Shelter Animals" event at the Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center in Derwood MD.
    Thank you to all who donated, volunteers and staff. Special thank you to Tammy TJ Mathis who made this a very special day for everyone especially all… (Nextdoor Whetstone Run)
  • Petroleum Marketing Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager - GAITHERSBURG, MD in Gaithersburg. Apply here.
  • Redfin posted a job opening for Real Estate Agent - Redfin Powered by Rocket - Maryland in Gaithersburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gaithersburg here.

Ok Gaithersburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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